274 July 2017 - Gryffe Advertizer

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk july 2017
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Rotary Club of Gryffe Valley
It’s a busy and fulfilling time in Rotary as we approach the
end of the Rotary year (June 30th) and the changeover
to a new leadership team. The speaker meetings, youth
activities and fund-raising all continue to the year-end.
Speaker Dinner Meetings
David Walker; 24th May “Buildings of Glasgow”
David and his wife Kitty have lived in Kilmacolm for many years and are
strong supporters of various community projects. David is a highly-respected
photographer and his talk entitled “Glasgow’s Hidden Treasures” gave us a
fascinating insight of that city’s superb Victorian architecture accompanied by
many interesting facts and tales of the construction of these splendid buildings,
ranging from the magnificent City Chambers in George Square to the Scottish
Legal Life headquarters and the University Cloisters. Vice-President Nigel
thanked David on behalf of the members for a most professional presentation
of his photos of Glasgow’s finest buildings.
Sharon Gemmell; 31st May “Parklea
Branching Out”
Allan Gilfillan introduced Sharon as the
manager of this independent enterprise
offering opportunities in horticulture for
adults with learning disabilities. It has 100 on its roll and is situated on a
3-acre site in Port Glasgow. Sharon said Parklea started in 1997 and now
twenty years on it has two large glasshouses and two poly-tunnels. A cafe
has also been added. A staff of nine look after the students and design
courses for them. Local authorities and commercial companies support the
enterprise which is also open to the public for sale of plants and refreshments.
Sharon brought along examples of plants available as gifts for members.
After a series of questions and comments Peter thanked Sharon for a most
interesting presentation which has raised awareness of Parklea Branching
Out amongst members.
Professor Graham Wren; 14th June
“Strathclyde – a Modern University”
Graham, a guest of Mike Farley, has worked
as a Special Advisor to the Principal (Sir Jim
McDonald) and Director of Major Projects
for almost ten years and has been closely
involved in the strategy to raise the status
of the University to world class. The strategic focus has been on the core
strengths – science, technology, engineering and business and Strathclyde
has moved up all the key league table which measure success in research
and teaching – including overtaking Cambridge in physics! Several hundred
million pounds of research funds have been secured supporting specialist
institutes including three Catapults, the Advanced Forming Research Centre
(at Inchinnan), the first Fraunhofer Centre in the UK (Photonics), a Power
Networks Institute and a Nuclear Research Institute. Peter Dickie had to
draw the many questions to a close and thanked Graham for his excellent
presentation.
Next meetings
Our next speakers are David Hill who will talk on “Disabled Sort at Castle
Semple” on 21st June and past President Chris Butlin on 28th June with the
subject “My Favourite Island in the Sun”. Non-members interested in Rotary
are welcome.
Quarriers Village Defibrillator
The Club has agreed to donate £300 towards the costs of a Defibrillator to be
located in Quarriers premises with 24-hour public access. Costs are being
shared between Quarriers, Rotary and the Quarriers Village Committee. We
are really pleased to have helped to make this project happen - our first in the
village where at present we have just one member. More would be welcome!
Sole Solution are delighted to announce we have a new
staff member who will be joining the team and offering
late night and weekend podiatry appointments.
Lauren McDaid is a recent graduate from Glasgow
Caledonian University, she has a Bachelor of Health
Science Degree in Podiatry. She also boasts an HND
in Complementary Therapies where she specialises in
Reflexology and Aromatherapy.
These complementary treatments can be integrated
into your Podiatry session to improve your general
wellbeing as well as your foot health - this ‘Podiatry
Plus’ session is a real treat for anyone lasting 1 hour 20mins!
To make an appointment with Lauren call 01505 873888.
kilmacolm & quarriers
Kilmacolm Traders, following a petition of all 26, asked that
the Parking Discs in operation in the village be removed. The
relevant committee agreed, and went out to consultation on
this change to the Traffic Regulation Order. KCC and the Civic
Trust did not object but 2 individuals did. One has removed
his/her objection but the other will not. The process will now
inevitably go to a Public Inquiry or a special Quasi Judicial
hearing by the committee. This will take a further 6 months.
We are so fortunate with the range of shops we have in the
village that I firmly believe we should listen to the proprietors.
The events at Grenfell Tower were shocking, but I was reassured
talking to the Directors of Social Work at both Inverclyde and
Glasgow Councils that our civil contingency reactions would have been swift and
certainly with greater alacrity than Kensington and Chelsea Council.
The consultation on the Main Issues Report has attracted interest in 15 sites
for housing in Kilmacolm and one in Quarriers Village. It is worth registering
objections and comments. Having defended the Green Belt against inappropriate
development for 10 years, I do not really want to see it being endangered now.
Again I believe we may end up at a public enquiry.
Port Glasgow High School’s presentation of Disco Inferno was fabulous. In my
opinion the best yet. Head of Music Miss Ballantine knows how to put on a show.
Plenty of ex KPS pupils performing. PGHS under its new head Stuart Clark, and
his ideas on improving performance, is very much on the way up.
The finale to the Dramatic Society’s play, Quartet, had everybody in hysterics. The
acting throughout was terrific and again John Watson was my favourite.
I was delighted with my vote in the General Election. Thanks for the support.
Definitely my last.
I can be contacted at david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk and 01475 741969 and 721717 and
07766 992294.
kilmacolm & quarriers
St. Colm’s RC Church Coffee Morning
Saturday 26th August - Kilmacolm New Community Centre 10am - 12noon.
Please join us for tea and cakes, home baking, face painting, stalls, raffle and
fun! Tickets available on the door.
kilmacolm & quarriers