293 February 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

February 2019 No.293 

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Christmas Windows at Gibb Stuart 

Red Squirrel by Iain Gardner 

A community magazine delivered 

FREE to homes in the Gryffe area 

Distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir 

• 

Brookfield • Houston • Howwood• Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank• Lochwinnoch • Quarriers 

your LOCAL community magazine | February 2019 No. 293

2 

Advertising Feature 

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The Advertizer 

This month 

Keep it tidy 

We live in such a beautiful landscape in the Gryffe valley and we have a number 

of groups and individuals who contribute tirelessly in keeping the place looking 

at its best. I’ve even seen some brave souls out in their refl ective vests on the 

country verges collecting litter. However, whether it’s just the time of the year 

when the vegetation is at its sparsest but I do notice a lot of litter on the regular 

waking routes, rights of way and scenic beauty spots. Dog poop is prevalent and 

more annoyingly poop that has been conscientiously bagged but the bag then 

left hanging from a fence, tree branch or gatepost. 

Now I know most dog walkers plan to return on the same route to collect and 

dispose of their bags responsibly. But there are a few who seem to think there’s 

a magic fairy who will sort this out for them. This must be a fairy I’ve missed 

as I grew up - the poop fairy never featured in my bedtime stories! So come on 

dog owners, if you’re guilty of this then please stop it - take it to the nearest bin 

and dispose of it there. 

Back to litter, my hubby is often seen out and about with his litter picking grabber 

around our neighbourhood. He maintains that if we keep the place tidy then it’s 

more likely to stay that way. And, if more people could keep their own perimeter 

tidy then more may be encouraged to join in. As I’ve mentioned before, we are 

so very lucky to have teams in each village of people keen to keep their area 

tidy. We have our garden groups and litter picking groups. If you are keen to get 

involved, please get in touch with any of them - most have facebook pages. Or 

better still, just join in next time you see them out and about - they are always 

keen for more volunteers. 

Staying with litter, it may just be a coincidence, but it seems that since the 

Council tightened up the rules on who can drop rubbish at our municipal 

recycling centres, fl y-tipping seems to be more prominent. If you would like 

to report fl y-tipping please call the Stopline number on 0845 2 30 40 90, or 

go online to https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/DumbDumpers. To their 

credit, the Council are always quick to come out and clear up the mess, but 

surely it would be better to encourage people to take their rubbish to the 

recycling centre in the fi rst place? 

Shop Locally 

I am as guilty as the next person of going to the supermarket to do a “big shop”. 

It saves time and money, doesn’t it? I don’t claim this to be a scientifi c study, 

but I am not so sure about either saving time or money. In trying to limit that 

“big shop” by staying local I maybe do spend a bit more time walking around 

the shops. However, I’m told that exercise is actually good for you, and I’ve met 

friends I hadn’t seen for ages, had a good chat and kept updated on what’s 

going on in the local area. Our local shops sell great fresh produce and “ready 

meals” which have been quite unique and delicious. And I may have actually 

spent less because I only buy what I need which cuts down on waste. And if 

you’re concerned about the welfare and provenance of your food, take the time 

to visit your local butcher, fi shmonger or grocery store. The owners are full of 

useful information about their produce and most of them also help out with 

delicious recipes. 

BoW Traffic Island 

The crumbling traffi c island as you leave Bridge of Weir towards Kilmacolm 

appears to have been hit so many times that all that’s left of the refl ective 

uprights is now little black stumps. It has still to be repaired, although we now 

have a line of traffi c cones to alert drivers to the risk. Bridge of Weir Community 

Council have been repeatedly asking Renfrewshire Council to address this and 

other areas of concern around the village, and Cllr McLaren reports this month 

that it is on the list for repair. The feedback I’ve been hearing is just to take it 

away altogether. Hopefully, this will be sorted out before a serious accident 

enforces the issue. 

Tara (the wee, hairy, orange one) 

A big thank you to everyone who has expressed their condolences to our family. 

Our wee rescue dog, Tara, reached the end of her time with us last month. We 

are very grateful to Cath and the staff at Kilbarchan Vets for helping make her 

last days with us much easier for her. We miss her like crazy, but adopting a 

rescue animal is something I highly recommend for anyone thinking about a 

pet - although she has left a big gap in our family, the love she gave was huge 

and we will cherish the time we had with her. 

To finish 

On a lighter note, we have now passed the shortest day back on 21st December 

2018 and the evenings should be getting lighter with every week. Plans will be 

starting soon for our annual events and once again the call is on for volunteers 

to help out. If you would like to be an important part of your 

community, then please get in touch with your local group 

and let them know how keen you are! It’s well worth it! 

Rona 

Deadline date for our March 2019 issue - Friday 15th February - you don’t want to miss it!!

February 2019 t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk 

3 

Contents 

local news...............4-15 

what’s on ............. 16-21 

finance & tech ..... 22-25 

village news ......... 26-35 

local history ...............32 

pet news ...............36-37 

outdoors............... 38-41 

Contact 

us 

t: 01505 613340 

e: info@advertizer.co.uk 

www.advertizer.co.uk 

sport news ........... 42-43 

school news ..........44-47 

business classified ...48 

sales & wants ............49 

advertizer directory...50 

pick up a copy ...........50 

on the road ................51 

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk

4 


Make Your Mark In 2019 

Renfrewshire Council 

Leader Iain Nicolson is 

calling on local people 

to take advantage of the 

opportunities to make 

a difference in their 

communities in the year 

ahead. 

With Renfrewshire’s 

new Local Partnerships 

giving local people a 

louder voice than ever in 

their community, and a number of brand new funds being launched to invest 

in community ideas and projects, the new year could transformational for local 

communities in the year ahead. 

A £1.5million investment has been made to establish a Community 

Empowerment Fund which is open to all community groups who want to take 

over ownership and running of a building or piece or land in their local area. 

The fund is designed to assist local people to develop a Business Plan for 

the takeover of the asset, support the person or group to have the skills and 

capacity to manage and develop it, or provide the upfront capital investment 

in an asset. 

A signifi cant £1.87million has been invested in a Green Spaces, Parks and Play 

Areas and Villages Investment Fund, with £370,000 allocated for the Village 

Investment Fund specifi cally. 

Local community groups and volunteers have the opportunity to apply for 

funding and support to improve underused or neglected green spaces and take 

forward projects which will strengthen the character, identity and heritage of 

their local community. 

This could include upgrading or developing play areas or equipment, opening 

up underused open spaces to create leisure or recreation opportunities, or 

creating heritage trails or walks which highlight local points of interest. 

Councillor Nicolson added: “Our green spaces are so important to our local 

communities. It’s where you play as young child and it’s where you take your 

sons, daughters and grandchildren when the time comes. 

“The same applies to our community centres or football pitches and we 

know that local people will have ideas on how to improve them. This is the 

reason these funds are now in place and it’s important that local people take 

advantage of them.” 

Throughout 2018, Renfrewshire communities showed their desire to make the 

area a brighter, more attractive place to live, work and visit. 

More than 3500 volunteers have taken part in community litter picks as part 

of the successful Team Up to Clean Up campaign, which has also seen a 

£2.5million investment in behind the scenes work such as road sweeping and 

drain clearing. 

Our new Local Partnerships were also formed following a consultation period in 

which hundreds of local people helped shape the direction of the former Local 

Area Committees. 

Members will have the opportunity to drive the direction of the meetings and 

focus on the key issues that matter to local people. The fi rst meetings of the 

partnerships are set to take place later this month and new members are still 

welcome to join. 

For more information on the support that the council can offer community 

groups or volunteers, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/communityempowerment 

Renfrewshire Economic 

Future 

Signifi cant investment in Renfrewshire means that economic regeneration for 

the region is growing. More than £100million is currently being invested in 

Paisley town centre cultural venues. And 2019 signals the start of construction 

of an advanced manufacturing innovation district next to Glasgow Airport which 

is set to bring thousands of highly skilled jobs to the region. 

“Every high street in every town and in every city is facing tough challenges, but 

we have a bold vision and are already taking signifi cant steps towards securing 

Renfrewshire’s long-term economic future,” said Councillor Nicolson. 

Celebrating the region’s rich traditions – from weaving the paisley pattern 

to the iconic Paisley Abbey – and establishing Renfrewshire as a key visitor 

destination are at the centre of the regeneration plans. 

New fi gures show great progress, with visitor numbers more than doubling 

to 5.3million between 2015 and 2017, while hosting major events attracted 

record numbers and ploughed £3.5million into the local economy this winter. 

Paisley town centre cultural venues are about to undergo a total transformation 

- including the fl agship project turning Paisley Museum into an internationalclass 

destination anticipated to attract 125,000 visitors each year. 

There’s also been the launch of destination brand Paisley Is showcasing all 

the area has to offer and new funds rolled out to help grow the cultural sector, 

encouraging the sustainable growth of local arts, music and other creative 

organisations. 

Alongside this are major infrastructure projects funded through the Glasgow City 

Region City Deal, including the £39.1million Glasgow Airport Investment Area 

project, with construction starting in spring on new connections underpinning 

the site which has already been confi rmed as home to two multi-million pound 

national innovation centres. 

Building on the success of business incubator InCube, 2019 will see the launch 

of Start-Up Street – providing low cost workspaces helping companies make 

the leap into their fi rst commercial premises. 

Councillor Nicolson added: “We’ve committed long-term funding for business 

development and to help people fi nd and sustain employment. Our focus is 

on inclusive growth, ensuring we target support to the people and places 

most in need so that we can make the greatest difference and improve the 

opportunities for future generations of Renfrewshire residents.” 



5 

Has Your Double 

Glazing Steamed Up? 


Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have 

become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues 

with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be 

noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. Why 

not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you 

have any failed double glazing? 

Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window 

including the frames and all the hardware, however 

Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving 

solution … Just replace the glass!! 

We will send out our highly experienced engineers for a free 

no obligation quote. Once the quote is completed, we will sit 

down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fi x it. 

Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which 

Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year 

guarantee. Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all 

windows and doors. 

Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Peter Brummitt and he services 

the Wider Gryffe area. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged 

give Peter a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118. 

Human Curling at Braehead! 

OLYMPIC curler Eve 

Muirhead is aiming to 

sweep to victory in a 

fun new sport – HUMAN 

CURLING! 

Eve had a go at human 

curling – or go-nutting 

as it’s sometimes called 

– on the ice at intu 

Braehead and reckons 

the wacky spin-off from 

real curling could catch 

on. 

The 28-year-old, who has won Olympic, World and European medals in a 

successful curling career, couldn’t wait to have a go at human curling. She 

quickly mastered the technique of launching herself upon the ice on an 

infl atable snow tube heading for the target. 

Eve is the Curling Ambassador at the curling rink at intu Braehead and her 

human curling session helped launch the leisure destination’s Get Active 

winter campaign. 

There’s a whole range of fun activities including snowboarding, ski-ing, sledging, 

trampolining, aerial assault course in Soar at intu Braehead along with ice 

skating in The Arena along with curling in the curling rink. 

Eve said: “I’ve never tried human curling before, but it was really a lot of fun...“It’s 

almost as much fun as a real game of curling! Everyone should come along to 

intu Braehead to get active and try out all the different activities there.” 

David Lyon, marketing manager for intu Braehead said: “Eve was trying out the 

human curling for a bit of fun, but if there are enough people who want to be 

human curlers, we’ll certainly aim at putting on special sessions for them.” 

People who fancy a go at human curling should email braehead.curling@intu. 

co.uk 


6 


Renfrewshire Veteran 

Factory Gets Funding 

A new social enterprise, Scottish Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC), 

based in Renfrewshire, has recently benefi ted from £3million of National 

Lottery funding. Run by the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), the not-forprofi 

t company employ veterans with life-changing injuries, giving them the 

chance to earn a living while developing new skills in manufacturing activities 

including printing, signage and product engineering. 

Gary, from Strathaven, lost both of his legs below the knee and his left arm 

above the elbow whilst on patrol in Afghanistan in 2010 with the 1st Battalion 

Scots Guards. Through SBMC, he has been trained as a water jet cutter and will 

soon be passing on his skills to other veterans. 

He said, “Coming from an army background I am used to being busy and 

surrounded by other people. I never thought I would get the opportunity to do 

this kind of work and that all these opportunities might be open to me. Not only 

am I getting specialised skills but real experience of working in a busy factory, 

learning about how the business operates.” 

Michelle Ferguson, Director of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company says 

that the funding will be a massive help to the organisation. She added, 

“This backing from the National Lottery will be crucial in our ability to offer a 

real lifeline to veterans living in Scotland, helping us to develop a Learning an 

Development Department – headed by a trained welfare professional.” She 

went on to say, 

“We can now ensure that our veterans are given the bespoke welfare support 

and training they need to develop their talents, acquire new skills and go on to 

reach their potential in the world of work.” 

The project is one of 18 across Scotland sharing in £3,066,902 from the Big 

Lottery Fund. 

Outlander Training 

Programme 

NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS 

Traineeships beginning March - April 2019 

Season 5 Outlander Training Programme is open for applications! We are 

looking for keen and committed individuals to fulfi ll the following traineeships: 

* Locations 

* Script Supervisor 

* Props 

* Assistant Director 

* Greens 

* SFX 

* Hair and Make Up * Camera 

* Set Dec Painter 

Deadline for applications: 

Locations 10am Monday 11th February 

All Others 10am Monday 25th February 

For more information about specifi c job roles in the screen industries visit the 

ScreenSkills website at https://www.screenskills.com/education-training/jobprofi 

les/ or visit https://www.screen.scot/news/2019/01/applications-openfor-outlander-training-programme 

To Sign up to the Outlander Training Programme emailing list to be notifi ed of 

any further opportunities, visit https://mailchi.mp/59bc740d378e/outlandertraining-opportunities-698137 

Looking for someone local? 

advertizer.co.uk/clients 



7 


The place for news, events & business 

listings for Renfrewshire and Inverclyde 


8 


Parkinson’s UK announces new 

walk for World Parkinson’s Day 

See the Kelpies turn 

blue as Parkinson’s UK 

announces new walk for 

World Parkinson’s Day 

Parkinson’s UK in 

Scotland is announcing 

its first evening walk. It 

takes place on World 

Parkinson’s Day, 11th 

April, at the site of the 

iconic Kelpies in Falkirk. 

The Kelpies will be lit up in 

blue to mark the day. The 

walk will begin at 6pm with participants having the choice of 1 or 5 mile routes 

around the Kelpies and Helix Park. Hot and cold refreshments will be available 

and there will be family entertainment and music with the walkers being led 

off by pipers. 

Among the walkers will be seven year old 

Abby McConnell from Glasgow. Abby’s 

exploits in raising £1,400 for Parkinson’s 

UK this year came to the attention of the 

man who inspired her - Sir Billy Connolly. 

Sir Billy was so impressed that last month 

he arranged to meet Abby in Glasgow. 

Abby said: “I’ve had a brilliant time raising 

money for Parkinson’s this year and met 

so many fantastic people who live with the 

condition. Meeting my hero was fab – he’s 

just one of the loads of amazing people 

with Parkinson’s that I’ve met through the 

year. I can’t wait to get going again in 2019 

and walking around the Kelpies as they 

turn blue will be really special.” 

Emma Hall, Parkinson’s UK Regional 

Fundraiser – East Scotland, said: 

“Parkinson’s UK is delighted to be marking World Parkinson’s Day by having our 

first ever evening walk. We’ve already had loads of interest in the event from 

people all over Scotland and beyond and we want as many people as possible 

to join Abby and walk for Parkinson’s at the Kelpies. 

To sign up or find out more please visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/walkkelpies19 

www.parkinsons.org.uk/walkpollokpark and come along and join us. We’d love 

to see you there and thank you in person for your support. It promises to be a 

fun evening for all the family.” 

Anyone can support Abby directly at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/karenmcconnell4 

Strictly Come Prancing... 

Coming Soon! 

On Friday 15th March, fourteen 

couples will go head to head for 

charity, as St. Vincent’s Hospice 

presents their annual Strictly 

Come Prancing event at the five 

star Ingliston Country Club and 

Hotel. 

Now in its eighth year, the hugely 

popular event, based on the 

Strictly Come Dancing television 

series, sees duos with little or 

no dancing experience take to the floor in an attempt to impress the judges 

and live audience, each vying to be crowned the 2019 champions. 

Senior Fundraiser for St. Vincent’s Hospice, Louise Strachan, commented on 

the event, saying: “Strictly Come Prancing is a great, fun filled, evening which is 

one of the most popular in our fundraising calendar. Since early January, our 

twinkle toed couples have been giving up time every week to train in preparation 

for the evening and we are so grateful to them for all their efforts. 

“Our couples are in the hands of Curtis Campbell and Rebecca Elliot, our star 

choreographers who are putting everyone through their paces for the night and 

we cannot thank them enough for their outstanding contribution. 

The evening will be hosted by our very own ‘Brucie’ and ‘Tess’ and will feature 

performances from our 2018 dance couples, last year’s winners as well as our 

professional dancers.” 

All funds raised from the event go directly towards 

supporting St. Vincent’s Hospice, a specialist provider 

of palliative and end of life care for individuals and 

families affected by life limiting conditions. 

For more information, visit: www.SVH.co.uk 



9 


10 


Ardgowan Hospice’s 

Annual Ball 2019! 

Saturday 9th March 2019, Greenock Town Hall, 

7pm til late 

The Ardgowan Hospice Ball supported by Arnold Clark is 

now on sale, don’t miss out on a magical evening at one 

of the most important events in the Hospice calendar! 

Returning to host the event will be the host of the Peter and Roughie Football 

Show, Peter Martin and guests will be entertained into the night by The 

Brightside. See The Brightside in action at our 2018 Masquerade Ball. 

Tables of 10 are £550 and guests will be treated to a Sparkling reception. 

Celebrity host Peter Martin, live music from The Brightside and a sumptuous 

three Course meal. Also Silent auction, Live Auction and more. 

A limited number of tables of 12 are also available. To book one of these, call 

Alex on 01475 558888 or email fundraising@ardhosp.co.uk 

We look forward to seeing you there for an enjoyable evening to raise vital funds 

for your local hospice. 

The Optician Will See You Now! 

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians 

If you’re feeling a bit under the weather, your doctor is usually the first person 

you’ll get in touch with for a consultation. However, with the current burden 

on local GP services, we’re encouraged to seek help from other health care 

professionals when appropriate. 

So when is a good time to consult your optician? 

Opticians provide a wide variety of eye-care services. In general, people think 

they only need to visit an optician if they feel they might need glasses to help 

with reading or driving - but that’s only one aspect to the range of care offered. 

Your optician can also help with the detection and even prevention of a wide 

variety of eye conditions. 

If you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or if you’re 

experiencing headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes or are having difficulty 

watching your favourite TV programmes, you should book a consultation with 

your optician as soon as possible. 

Most opticians will have experienced staff to provide the following services: 

• Eye health checks 

• Eyesight tests 

• Home visits 

• Eye examinations for safe driving 

• Contact lens fit and supply 

• Visual stress exams to help with certain conditions (e.g. Dyslexia) 

• Optical coherence tomography - a type of X-ray of the eye that can 

detect serious conditions such as glaucoma 

• Prescription sunglasses 

• Paediatric eyesight tests 

• Wide selection of spectacle frames 

• Repair broken frames and lenses 

• Referral to your local ophthalmologist (eye doctor) if your optician is 

not able to help you in their practice 

Eye tests are currently offered free of charge in Scotland, so don’t delay, book 

an appointment with your optician today! 



11 

Help us keep you & the local area moving this winter. 

Follow us on facebook & twitter @GryffeRoadwatch and if you spot or 

know of any road works, flooding, ice or blockages let us know! 

You can send us a message via facebook or twitter or post a wee 

comment on Gryffe Roadwatch or The Advertizer’s page. 


12 


James Watt’s 200th Anniversary 

The Only 

Female Gas 

Engineer In 

Inverclyde 

“Gas with CLass” 

Businesswoman Julie McGowan 

from Kilmacolm decided that she 

wanted to learn a trade and start 

up her own business. She took 

the plunge and has never looked back. 

Julie said “I wanted a new challenge. I have been working in administration 

since leaving school. Some of the positions I have worked in are a CEO personal 

assistant, legal assistant and property manager, working for companies such 

as Rangers & Celtic football clubs and Digby Brown Solicitors.” 

Julie signed up for a fast track engineering course which was very intense, 

however most rewarding after completing the final ACS exams. She has always 

loved DIY and carries out all of the restoration work in her home along with her 

husband David who is a time served Joiner. 

“I knew there was a market in Inverclyde for female gas engineers and I 

absolutely love my job. After qualifying I worked for a Glasgow based company 

and the response that I got from customers was very positive and encouraged 

me to start my own business. I am Gas Safe Registered and I carry out domestic 

gas servicing/repairs, installations and landlords gas safety certificates and my 

business is starting to flourish. I feel that young girls should be encouraged 

more in school to learn a trade. Once my business grows I hope to take on a 

girl as an apprentice. 

You can view the current issue as well as 

previous issues of the magazine online. 

www.advertizer.co.uk/issues 

Inverclyde Council is building up a head of steam to mark the 200th anniversary 

of James Watt’s death with a year-long series of events, highlighting the life and 

work of the Greenock born inventor. 

The inaugural event was held on Friday 18th January at Cowan’s Corner, 

Greenock with the launch of a high-tech, James Watt virtual walk and the 

screening of two films about the engineer. 

The James Watt walk is a joint venture between the World Walking exercise app 

and Kilmacolm Primary School. World Walking encourages people to stretch 

their legs by matching how far they have walked with virtual images of routes 

from around the world, including iconic locations such as the Sahara Desert 

and the Great Wall of China. 

In November 2018 pupils from Kilmacolm Primary were drafted in to help 

develop the new commemorative route. Pupils started following in James Watt’s 

footsteps while doing their daily mile – a national initiative which encourages 

people to walk, run or jog a mile every day. 

The walk starts in Greenock and ends in Cornwall taking in key locations in 

Watt’s life, such as the University of Glasgow and Kinneil House. It’s estimated 

that nearly 1.7 million steps are needed to complete the 727mile (1,160km) 

walk. 

The pupils also became news reporters for a bespoke video about the project 

called Watt’s Walking Wonders. The video has been created with the help 

of students from West College of Scotland. The video was premiered at the 

official launch on Friday 18th January. 

Watt’s Walking Wonders will be followed by a 17 minute film from the National 

Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive about James Watt and Greenock. 

The 1959 film was directed by Stanley 

L Russell and produced by Thames & 

Clyde. 

Anyone interested in following in James Watt’s footsteps can find the 

new route on a special landing page at: https://worldwalking.org/walks/ 

search?q=james+watt The landing page was created with Great Place Scheme 

funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Inverclyde Council will be marking the achievements of its famous son 

throughout 2019 with a number of events including the relaunch of the Watt 

Institution, comprising the McLean Museum & Art Gallery and Watt Library. 

There will also be an associated art exhibition in the Beacon Arts Centre in 

August 2019. 

James Watt is most famous for inventing the double condensing steam engine 

that was the powerhouse behind the Industrial Revolution. He was born on 

19th January 1736 and died on 25th August 1819. 

Gryffe Valley 

10K Run 

Sunday 19th May 

at 1pm 

Route on country lanes between Houston, Bridge of Weir 

and Kilmacolm, starting from Houston Public Park, for all 

abilities from serious runners to novices/joggers 

Register: https://entries.runabc.co.uk/listed-races/gryffe-valley-rotary-10k 

in aid of: 

Supported by: 



Aesthetic Cosmetic 

Treatments 

13 

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner at Kilbarchan Dental 

Practice 

Aesthetic cosmetic treatments are very much part of the 

mainstream now and are popular with a really broad mix of patients across a 

wide range of ages. 

Negative press coverage of bodged treatments and a lack of regulation in the UK 

has, unsurprisingly, led to some nervousness about the industry. This is why it 

makes a huge amount of sense for dentists to undertake the treatments which 

are safe and successful when carried out by qualified medical practitioners. 

More and more dental practices now offer facial rejuvenation services in 

addition to general and family dentistry. Some of the most common are: 

• Facial Peels (chemicals are used to remove the outer layers of dead skin 

as an effective treatment for facial blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin 

pigmentation and improvement of tone, texture and colour). 

• Dermal Fillers & Lip Plumping (These products literally fill out facial wrinkles, 

folds and lines. The results are instant with the skin becoming smoother and 

wrinkles becoming softened. They are also used to define the lips). 

• Anti-Wrinkle Injections (they work by relaxing the 

overactive muscles that cause worry lines, frown 

lines on the forehead and crow’s feet around 

the eyes). 

You should always have an initial consultation to 

establish suitability for any aesthetic treatment, 

get expert advice and understand your options. 

At KDP we have an advanced aesthetic practitioner 

and two other aesthetic qualified dentists 

so if you would like to find out more about 

these services please do give us a call on 

01505 704969, drop us a line at info@ 

kilbarchandental.co.uk or visit www. 

kilbarchandental.co.uk 


14 

InCube: A Fantastic Opportunity 

for Local Designers 

The latest line up of 

InCube entrepreneurs 

are seeing their 

businesses bloom 

through the innovative 

business support 

and employability 

programme, run 

by Renfrewshire 

Council. 

InCube developed 

by Invest in 

Renfrewshire, allows 

local creative startups 

to benefit from 

support to improve 

their growth. 

InCube’s Class of 2018 are already seeing their businesses benefit from the 

package of support offered by the programme, including attending a range 

of workshops and having the chance to sell their products in the dedicated 

InCube shop. 

Designer Geraldine Donnelly, of textiles and homewares brand Obsidian Ore, 

said her time at InCube has been amazing and a helpful experience for both 

herself and her business. 

Geraldine added: “Without the support of InCube, I wouldn’t have won the 

chance to design the prizes for the 2018 Scottish Album of the Year Awards – 

my first big commission as a professional designer.” 

Designer Eva Arnaudova who designs childrens’ clothing under the name 

Atelier Eva Art, said that InCube helped her to develop new ideas and gave her 

confidence in her own abilities. 

She said “InCube covers all the steps for creative businesses and was a great 

help to me in every possible way.” 

The programme is now accepting applications for the 2019 intake and is open 

to those wishing to start or grow a business in the creative retail, textiles, 

jewellery, design, fashion, crafts and makers sector. 

Designer Sohelia Keyani said that InCube offer warmth and guidance to help 

fledgling businesses become strong and self-sufficient. 

She added: “If you’re a creative needing support and business acumen, then 

InCube is the place to be!” 

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “InCube continues to nurture 

local creatives every year and this is helping to establish Renfrewshire as a 

place where creativity thrives. 

“The support in 2018 has been phenomenal and I would encourage everyone to 

continue to visit the InCube shop in 2019 and continue to support local designers 

who are showcasing the skill and talent we have here in Renfrewshire.” 

Applications for the 2019 InCube intake close on Monday 11th February. For 

more information and to apply visit www.incube.ren/incube-competition-2019 

Orchard Flooring 



Site Investigations - Ferguslie 

& South West Johnstone 

Site Investigations will inform future development potential for 

Ferguslie and South West Johnstone. Survey work began in 

January on sites in Ferguslie and South West Johnstone. 

For Ferguslie, this is the first stage of a £14million development 

that will create around 100 new affordable Council homes to 

transform the Tannahill area, while in Spateston the survey will 

provide the Council with information to inform future investment 

for new build Council housing in this community. 

The site investigations on the site of the former St Fergus School 

and Drums Avenue, Ferguslie, as well as at Auchengreoch Road 

and Spateston Road in Johnstone will began on Monday, 14 

January and will include the excavation of trial pits and bore 

holes. 

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s 

Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “We 

want to build affordable housing that meet the needs of our 

tenants as well as future housing needs across Renfrewshire. 

The results of these surveys will provide vital information on the ground 

conditions for potential development in these areas.” 

Anyone seeking information on the survey work or the Council’s new build 

housing programme should contact Renfrewshire Council Housing Service 

via strategyandplace@renfrewshire.gov.uk or visit www.renfrewshire.gov. 

uk/SHIP 

PGHS Christmas Dance 

Our Senior Pupils pictured as they attended their Christmas Dinner Dance. 

Once again, they were a credit to the school community and pupils and staff 

alike had a very enjoyable evening. 

Where beauty meets functionality 

When choosing a new floor for your home, there are a few things to take into consideration. For a lot 

of our clients, having a floor that isn’t going to be ruined by mucky feet, paw prints or spills is a top 

priority. As well as looking great and tying in with the rest of your fittings and furnishings. 

Karndean and Amtico flooring are perfect for any room or situation in the home. They are both 

waterproof, slip resistant and warm underfoot, as well as being a beautiful and luxurious floor to 

be proud of. 

Both are easy to clean and without 

the porous qualities of wood and 

some stone. They bring the ageless 

beauty of natural flooring to your home without the hassle. As opposed to some natural products 

they are also warmer under foot and comfortable to walk on. 

Be it a rustic wood effect in the living room or a sleek and modern stone effect in the kitchen, 

Orchard Flooring can provide expert advice to find the perfect floor for a room. 

With a home sampling service why not give us a call and be on your way to a stunning floor from 

Orchard Flooring who have built their reputation in the Gryffe area for nearly 20 years. 

You can contact Scott on 0141 334 8731or 07563 633 432 Email - sjmproducts@hotmail.com 

website- www.orchard-flooring.com 



Council Grants 

Available for 

Voluntary Groups 

15 

Voluntary groups across Inverclyde can now 

apply for council grants as the latest round 

of ‘small grants’ to voluntary organisations 

is open to applications. 

A limited amount of money is now available 

and community groups can apply for funding 

to use to support a range of activity across 

Inverclyde. 

Chair of the council’s grants sub-committee, 

Councillor Graeme Brooks, said: “Across 

Inverclyde we have groups doing fantastic 

work right in the heart of our communities. 

The grants to voluntary organisations budget 

is set aside each year by the council to 

provide one-off support to help give groups 

a helping hand in doing that good work 

which benefits our area so much. The pot 

of money available has a limit, so the role of 

the members of the grants sub-committee 

is to make sure it gets the maximum benefit 

across Inverclyde.” 

Download an application form at the ‘grants 

to voluntary organisations’ page on the council website www.inverclyde.gov.uk 

Application forms are also available from the council’s communities team, The 

James Watt Building, 105 Dalrymple Street, Greenock, Inverclyde PA15 1HU, by 

emailing jackie.fallon@inverclyde.gov.uk or by phoning 01475 715543. 

Applications received by noon on Wednesday 6 February 2019 will be 

considered by the grants sub-committee at its meeting in March. 

Bridge of Weir River Angling Club 

145 years old - Established 1874 - one of the oldest angling clubs in Scotland. 

The Club has a proud history in competitive angling with many members 

representing Scotland in the international fly fishing team. 

In the late 19th Century the River Gryffe was a renowned salmon river, due 

to the industrial revolution. In the early 1900s the River Gryffe was heavily 

polluted by the cotton mills and tannery’s resulting in the decline of salmon. 

Salmon started returning to the river around 1976, when the factories closed, 

pollution decreased resulting in improvement in water quality. The river is now 

in great condition with good runs of salmon. 

There are vacancies for local members within the postal area of Bridge of Weir, 

Kilmacolm, Brookfield, Houston and Crosslee. Local membership Senior £45 

per year, entry £15, Local Junior membership £3. This is fantastic value for the 

quality of fishing. 

To download membership forms, go to our website at www.bowracfishing.com 

Photos & Videos Wanted 

At the Advertizer, we are always keen to get updates for our 

website and we’re sure there will be plenty of great photos and videos out there 

taken by our readers. Plus our readers enjoy looking through the images to see 

who they recognise, or even if they are there themselves! 

We prefer landscape shots for our cover shots so if you would like to see your 

work featured on our website or even as a cover shot, please send high res 

images to info@advertizer.co.uk. 


16 


FEBRUARY 

FRI 1 FEBRUARY 

THU 7 FEBRUARY 

SUN 10 FEBRUARY 


RSPB Local Group 

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 

7.30pm 

Green Birding and the Adventures of the Biking 

Birder - An illustrated talk. Gary Prescott (The 

Biking Birder) will deliver an illustrated talk 

entitled ‘ Green Birding and the Adventures 

of the Biking Birder’ All welcome. 

SAT 2 FEBRUARY 

F.P. Big Band Concert 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 

7.30pm 

This is a return visit to Kilbarchan by special 

request as the last concert was a great 

success. Tickets are £10, school age £5, 

including a buffet supper and are available 

from Bobbins. 

SAT 2 - SUN 3 FEBRUARY 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 10am to 

4pm 

Are you looking to purchase your first pair 

of binoculars, maybe you are looking to 

upgrade or simply just wanting to buy as a 

gift? We have the knowledge on hand to 

assist you in making the right decision. Our 

friendly team will be in the visitor centre 

demonstrating and offering assistance on a 

wide range of competitively priced binoculars 

and telescopes, with the added bonus of every 

purchase helping conservation. We stock a 

massive range of RSPB binoculars along with 

some well-known names such as Swarovski, 

Zeiss, Leica and Nikon! For bookings and 

further info: Email. lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk 

Tel. 01505 842663. Free 

RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, 

Lochwinnoch 9.30am to 4pm 

A comprehensive course to enable you to 

gain your powerboat licence. Practical on 

the water activities with overnight homework! 

For more information look online and book 

ASAP. £150. 


Snowdrop Walks 

Finlaystone Country Estate - Langbank 

1pm to 3pm 

Join the Rangers for a 40 min walk to explore 

the carpet of snowdrops in the woodland. 

Snowdrop Sales, Snowdrop posies and potted 

are available at the Visitor Centre. “In the 

Green” Bulbs can be ordered as well and are 

available from March. 

Equine Car Boot Sale 

Mid Gavin Equestrian Centre 11am to 2pm 

Animal Support & Rescue · Howwood We 

have a large selection of rugs, bridles, bits 

and everything you can think of, pop along 

and grab yourself a bargain. Entry by voluntary 

donation. Great opportunity to buy and sell 

anything and everything equine, tables are 

£10 pre-booked, bring your own table and set 

up is strictly from 10am on the day. Spaces 

are limited. 

Outlook 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

2pm to 4pm 

Touring the Black Sea. 

THU 7 - SAT 9 FEBRUARY 

Young Famers 75th Anniversary 

Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, 

Greenock 

The West Renfrewshire Young Farmers 

Club are currently celebrating their 75th 

anniversary year which started back in 1944. 

To mark the occasion they are taking their 

Annual Variety Concert to new heights with a 

massive cast of past and present members 

from 14 years old to 90 years of age! The 

night will showcase comical storylines, toe 

tapping tunes and plenty of laughs for all the 

family! Tickets are £12 and can be ordered 

from The Beacon Arts Centre Website. www. 

beaconartscentre.co.uk 


Duchal Nursery Open Morning 

Duchal Nursery School - Kilmacolm 

10am to 12noon 

All are welcome to pop in and visit us, 

especially those looking for pre school 

places from August 2019 onwards. A great 

opportunity to see our facilities at Birkmyre 

Park, meet some of the staff and current 

parents and find out more about what we 

can offer children aged 2yrs and 9 months 

onwards. If you aren’t able to join us on the 

9th don’t worry just get in touch and we can 

arrange a time convenient to you to come and 

visit and get an insight into Duchal life. Please 

contact us on 01505 874358. Also visit our 

website to find out more www.duchal.com 

and keep up to date with all the latest news 

on Facebook. 

SAT 9 - WED 13 FEBRUARY 

Explorer Challenge: Love Bugs (& 

other wildlife) 

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 

10am to 4pm 

Any time! (Centre open 7 days; 10am – 

4pm) This is self-led allowing you to spend 

some quality family time together at RSPB 

Lochwinnoch. This event is not your usual 

kind. You do it with your own family in your 

own time!! Simply pop into the visitor centre 

any time, where the friendly staff will get you 

started. (Allow approx. 1hr for the challenge.) 

Visit different stations along our main trail 

to go on an adventure! Cost: £4 per child 

/ RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees 

apply for adults]. For bookings and further 

info: Email. lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Tel. 

01505 842663. 

follow The Advertizer on 

twitter and facebook for 

regular updates 

@GryffeAds 



1pm to 3pm 







Wetland Guided Walk 


12noon to 2pm 

Explore the wonderful wetlands to be found 

at Lochwinnoch! Our warden Dan will take 

you around the reserve and point out the 

interesting wildlife to be found here. Dan 

will also tell you about the current and 

future management of the reserve because 

conservation involves much more than just 

leaving things alone! Whether you have a 

general interest in wildlife, or would like to 

hone your bird watching skills, then this is 

the walk for you! At the end, come back to 

the centre for a warm drink and a biccie! 

Stout footwear and clothing suitable for the 

Scottish outdoors are strongly recommended. 

Please book, as places are limited. Cost: 

Adults: £6; Children: £4.80 (RSPB members: 

£4.80/£3.80) For bookings and further info: 

Email. lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Tel. 01505 

842663. 

TUE 12 FEBRUARY 

Training for Public, Become a 

Dementia Friend 

Calder Church, Church Street, Lochwinnoch 

PA12 4AE 7.30pm 

The training will be taken by Carolyn Irvine from 

Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia. The 

training is for anyone who wants to learn more 

about dementia. (If you want more information 

call 07868 752814). 


Sòlas Bereavement Group 


2pm to 4pm 

Sòlas Bereavement Group. 

If you have any news items 

you would like included in 

our next issue, email them 

to us at: 

info@advertizer.co.uk 

before Friday 15th February 2019. 


Whist Drive 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch 

Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm 

Come along to a WHIST DRIVE organised by the 

Industrial Section of the Kilmacolm Agricultural 

Show. Tickets £4 on the door. Proceeds go 

towards 2019 Kilmacolm Agricultural Show. 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk Burns Supper 


7pm 

Burns Supper. 


Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals 

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley 

12.30pm 

Peter Wilson (tenor) & George McPhee (piano). 

Admission £5 payable at the door. Paisley 

Abbey (Church of Scotland) – Registered 

Charity No. SC007633. Tickets: £5. 

Conversation Café 

West Halls Main Street Houston PA6 7EL 

(next to Carrick Centre and Village Hall) 

10am to 2pm 

Houston & Killellan Kirk is hosting a 

Conversation Café, where members of the 

Kirk and our community can discuss and 

help formulate priorities for the Kirk and our 

new Minister in the months and years ahead. 

So, whether or not you are a Kirk member, 

please come along and let your ideas help to 

shape the Kirk’s role in the community (lunch 

provided). YOUR VOICE MATTERS… 

Kilbarchan Messy Church 

Kilbarchan Steeple Hall, Steeple Square, 

Kilbarchan 4pm to 6pm 

All Welcome. Children need to be accompanied 

by an adult. 

Lochwinnoch Explorers 



Please wear suitable clothing for being 

outdoors. Ages: 5 to 14 years. Please 

note children aged 8 and under must be 

accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. 

Cost: £5 (£3 RSPB members) (adults free). 

Bookings and further info: Email. lochwinnoch@ 

rspb.org.uk Tel. 01505 842663. 




1pm to 3pm 







WED 20 FEBRUARY 

Houston and Killellan Kirk Annual 

Bring And Buy Sale 



Please feel free to come along and join us. 

Tartan Walk 

Castle Semple Sailing Club 11am 

A Scottish themed singsong around 

Lochwinnoch. Wear your ‘see you Jimmy’ hat! 

For more info tel: 01505 842882. 



17 

WED 20 FEBRUARY 

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society 

Lecture 


Road, Kilmacolm 7.30pm 

Louise Bustard, senior curator at the Glasgow 

Botanic Gardens is coming to describe the 

findings of her tour of the Gardens along 

the Amalfi Coast. Amazing photographs, 

wonderful stores as ever from Louise. 

Everyone welcome. Please phone Jill Russell 

on 01505 872393 for details of membership 

of the K.H.S. Or go to our website: www. 

kilmacolmhorticultural.com 


Outlook 


2pm to 4pm 

Gentle Keep Fit. 


The Terrace Lunch Club 

St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge 

of Weir 12noon 

On the last Friday of each month, join us in 

St Machar’s Hall for a chat over lovely soup 

and sandwiches, followed by coffee/tea and 

a biscuit. Open to all. 

Lochwinnoch Tea Dance 

Lochwinnoch Golf Club Burnfoot Road, 

Lochwinnoch PA12 4AN 

The next FREE Tea Dance with Music Box 

providing the music. For all details call 07868 

752814. 


Practical Conservation Day 

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen Road nr 

Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB 

10.30am to 3pm 

Some light exercise in the form of conservation 

work at Muirshiel. Get fit and give back to 

nature! For more info. tel: 01505 843271. 

Houston and Killellan Kirk Annual 

Daffodil Tea 



Please come along and enjoy coffee, tea and 

homebaking and bring your friends. Pay at 

the door. 

ClannGàidhlig 14th Annual Bardic 

Supper 

Westburn Church, Nelson Street, Greenock 

7.30pm 

With well-known and charismatic Kenny 

Thomson, conductor of the Glasgow “G G” 

choir talking about “Òrain Ìleach” (Songs of 

Islay). Tickets includes meal, MUST be booked 

in advance available from Alasdair 07805 

918509 or Anne 01475 728669 or by e-mail 

to: fios@clanngaidhlig.org Tickets: £15. 

NEVER MISS A THING! 

SAT 23 - SUN 24 FEBRUARY 

RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, Lochlip Road, 

Lochwinnoch 

9.30am to 4pm 

A comprehensive course to enable you to gain 

your powerboat licence. Practical on the water 

activities with overnight homework! £150. 




1pm to 3pm 







Family Volunteering 


1pm to 3.30pm 

Who says that volunteering is only for 

grownups! Kids bring the grownup in your life 

to our reserve. Come and do a day’s practical 

volunteering at our beautiful reserve and help 

us to give nature a home. For bookings and 

further info. Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk 

Tel: 01505 842663. Free. 

FRI 1 MARCH 

World Day of Prayer 

St Columba Church Hall. Kilmacolm 1.30pm 

The local WDP group of representatives from 

the local Churches invites you to share worship 

and fellowship with people around the world 

participating in the World Day of Prayer. We 

are delighted that the children from Kilmacolm 

Primary School will join us with their singing 

and music. Refreshments after the Service. 

Everyone welcome! For further details, please 

give me a call. Maureen Russell Convenor 

(telephone 872905). 

RSPB Local Group 

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 

7.30pm 

Birds, Buddhism and Blue Whales - Andy 

Shand will deliver an illustrated talk. All 

welcome. 

We keep an archive of all the featured blogs and you can 

view the current or old issues at advertizer.co.uk 

SAT 2 MARCH 

MND Coffee Morning 


Road, Kilmacolm 


Come along to our fantastic coffee 

morning, have a cuppa and catch 

up with new friends and old! We’re on 

t h e 2 n d F l o o r. T i c k e t s a v a i l a b l e a t d o o r. 

£3. 

OKFest ‘19 

Kilmacolm’s 3rd annual 

Festival of Sound 

Friday 1st March 

Brian McGlynn and friends 

Licensed bar 

Contemporary/easy listening 

music night 

Saturday 2nd March 

Pop up gospel workshop 

Handbell ringing 

Poetry and Literature readings 

Choral Festival 

Sunday 3rd March 

Messy Music Sunday 

Organ recitals 

Riverside Youth band 

~ 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk & Kidston 

Hall 

Something for all ages and 

tastes! Events all weekend 

FREE ENTRY 

Donations welcome to help 

cover costs 

More details at www. 

kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk or 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk 

Rainbow Turtle 

Visit our shop and website to view our extensive range of 

fairly traded goods with UK wide delivery. 

HAMPERS - FOOD - GIFTS - CARDS - TOYS - JEWELLERY - 

ACCESSORIES 

Help make the world a fairer place - Shop Fair Trade instore: 7 Gauze Street, Paisley 

open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm or online: www.rainbowturtle.org.uk 

contact us: tel: 0141 887 1881 email: info@rainbowturtle.org.uk 


18 


arts centre in February 


www.advertizer.co.uk/business-directory 

Memories 

Café 

Drop-in for a Chat, Tea and 

Home-made Cake. 

We provide a fun, relaxed and 

helpful café providing 

advice on support services 

available locally and 

suggestions around ways 

to stay active. 

Our aim is to create a dementia 

friendly environment. 

Thursdays 1pm - 3pm 

Active Communities Hub 

Quarry Street, Johnstone 

Educate ~ Support ~ Engage 

Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic 

Diplodocus dinosaur skeleton, will be in Glasgow 

from 22nd Jan - 6th May 2019! 

As part of a road trip across the UK, Dippy is 

venturing out of London for the first time since 

1905. He will visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and 

Museum from 22 January – 6 May 2019. And he’s on a mission …to 

inspire five million natural history adventures, encouraging families to 

explore the incredible natural history collections and biodiversity right on 

your doorstep in Glasgow. 

Admission is FREE to the Dippy on Tour exhibition at Kelvingrove 

Museum. 

Access to Dippy is via the Argyle Street entranceway during normal 

museum opening hours. 

RIG Arts is an award winning, socially engaged art and fi lm charity based in 

Greenock. They bring professional artists and the community together in 

a collaborative and creative way. Much of their work concentrates on The 

Broomhill area of Greenock which was identifi ed ten years ago as one of the 

most deprived areas of Scotland. 

A recent project, ‘Plastic Fantastic’ – a plastic recycling arts workshop – involves 

repurposing large plastic items into new, practical, artistic objects – very topical 

in today’s climate. They are constantly on the lookout for plastic items such as old 

chocolate boxes, milk cartons etc which their machine can grind down and the 

workshop can reuse. They are also very involved with community regeneration. 

Their projects ‘Up The Broomy’ and ‘Heid of The Hill’ use the medium of music 

and fi lm and have given voice to the local community. A residency by well-known 

Scottish singer songwriter James Grant helped produce a fantastic album by 

local musicians and following his work with schoolchildren some local schools 

have started introduced ‘song writing’ to the curriculum. For more information 

on this inspiring charity, their workshops and how you can get involved go to 

www.rigarts.org/home/ 

Charity Ceilidh 

Saturday 16th March 2019 

Fancy a bit 

of a dance? 

Why not get 

yourself along 

to the Scottish 

Huntington’s Association’s Charity 

Ceilidh featuring the Gordon Ceilidh 

Band at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall on 

Saturday 16th March 2019. Doors 

open at 7pm. Entry £10 – under 16 

go fee! 

Pay online at www.hdscotland.org or 

by calling Linda on 0141 848 0308. 

Funds raised will help support and 

improve the quality of life for people 

impacted by the complex neurological 

condition Huntington’s Disease (HD). 

The Johnny Cash Roadshow 

2nd February @ 7:30 pm ... Tickets: £23 

This show is simply the biggest and best celebration of Johnny Cash in the world today. Songs 

from the San Quentin live album will be performed mixed with all the hits and favourite songs 

that we all know and love. This show is only coming round once so don’t miss out! 

Para Handy: A Radio Play On Stage 

3rd February @ 2pm ... Tickets £20 

Join the Master Mariner, Dougie, MacPhail and Sunny Jim along with a host of other characters 

as they take to the airwaves courtesy of three plucky BBC radio actors. Featuring devised 

radio actor characters, live sound effects and live music. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 

7th, 8th, 9th February @ 7pm (2.30pm matinee 9th) 

West Renfrewshire Young Farmers Club 

7th, 8th, 9th February @ 7.30pm 

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly 

11th February @ 2.30pm ... Tickets £12 

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly. I don’t know why she swallowed a fl y……but The 

People’s Theatre Company do! 

Relive the delights of this most charming of tales complete with a feast of sing along songs, 

colourful animal characters and heart warming family fun. 

It’s the perfect treat for anyone aged 2 to 102! 

The Platters 

13th February @ 2pm ... Tickets £16 

The concert promises an afternoon of non-stop hits – with songs like You’ll Never Never Know, 

It Isn’t Right and Remember When, packed into a performance of magical musical memories. 

This extra-special live concert show is a chance to relive your rock’n’roll memories one last 

time with songs from true musical visionaries and chart-topping legends. 

The Nutcracker 

15th February @ 7.30pm ... Tickets £16 

A cast of up to 100 dancers will be led by Principal Dancers, Natasha Watson, dancing the 

role of The Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jonathan Barton, as The Prince in Daniel F Job’s criticallyacclaimed 

production, choreographed by Ballet West. 

The Electrifying Mr Johnston & Bite Size 

16th February @ 7.30pm ... Tickets from £ 10 to £12 

A new play about one of Scotland’s great unsung heroes, Tom Johnston, once described by 

Churchill as the ‘King of Scotland’. 

SCDA 

February 21st, 22nd, 23rd @ 7pm ... Tickets £13 

Come along and be entertained by drama groups from all over Inverclyde. Enjoy different 

types of plays – drama, comedy and all round entertainment! Each play lasts between 25 

and 50 minutes. 

It’s All About Variety: Spotlight The Grand Final 

24th February 24 @ 9.30am ... Tickets £18 

The Unwanted 

28th February @ 7.30pm ... Tickets from £10 to £12 

A unique comedy, cabaret-style dance show, featuring songs specially written by Mark Franks 

of The Overtones. With lots of audience dancing and karaoke participation, this is for everyone 

aged 16+ who has lost at some game and gets through life laughing their way through it. 

Get Your Dancing 

Shoes On 

The OIR Dance Group meet on a Monday at 1.30pm 

in the Clark Memorial Hall, Largs. Dancing consists 

of Ballroom, Sequence, Old Time and Scottish. 

All new members are made welcome, so dust off your old dance shoes and 

come along and join us, come alone or bring a partner. 

Contact: Bill Alexander 01475 522043 or Archie Adams 01475 649008. 



19 

Community projects empowered by £33,000 

investment 

“It’s shame that’s not used anymore. It’s would be perfect for a....” 

If you can fi nish that sentence for a building or piece of land in your area, then we can help you make it more than just a 

vision. We’ve committed £1.5 million to establish a Community Empowerment Fund which supports community groups 

looking to develop their ideas for asset transfer. 

Harnessing the ideas of proactive, passionate local people can bring buildings back into community life and start a new 

set of memories. Here’s a look at the latest two projects which have been awarded £25,000 and 

£8000 respectively to further progress their ideas towards reality. 

Kustom Kruizers 

This small group of volunteers have big ideas for their project which aims to remove the 

barriers to cycling by providing low-cost, fully-serviced bikes. 

The group have been awarded £25,000 to transform a disused building in Robertson Park 

in Renfrew, into a thriving base for the community bike building project. 

The renovated building would help store donated bikes and give the group a workshop space to 

repair and refresh the bikes to be sold on at a low price. 

Workshops for schoolkids and young people would be created, as well as ‘Fix Your Own Bike’ 

sessions which would give advice and support on how to maintain your bike. 

The award is subject to the successful completion of the Community Asset Transfer. 

Struthers Water Action Group (SWAG) 

This project has designs to transform a disused water source into a communityowned 

business for the benefi t of the Lochwinnoch village community. 

Saving the underground water source from the site of the former Struthers 

Lemonade factory, would allow a community business to be created by selling 

the water on. 

All the money gained from this would be reinvested into the community to 

upgrade facilities, put on activities and support organisations and services 

within Lochwinnoch. 

They have been awarded £8000 to undertake a feasibility study and investigate 

the appropriate land acquisition, planning and consents, the quality of the 

water source and the sources of fi nance needed for the next phase 

Inspired? Here’s how to get involved 

We have a dedicated section on our website which contains all you need 

to know about the fund, what is required for a successful application and 

how to submit an application. 

http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund 

Telephone: 0141 618 7408 

Enquiries email: communityplanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Completed applications should be emailed to: 

rcgrantapplications@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

By Post: Grant Applications, Community Empowerment Fund, 

Renfrewshire Council, Cotton Street, Paisley PA1 1JD 

0 1 5 0 5 

ARE YOU PLANNING OR 

HAD AN EVENT? 

SEND IN THE DETAILS AND 

YOU COULD BE ON THESE 

VERY PAGES! 

Saturday 

Recitals 

16th February 2019 at 12.30pm 

Peter Wilson (tenor) & George 

McPhee (piano 

~ 

9th March 

Cheryl Forbes & Gordon Cree 

Voice and Piano 

Admission £5 payable at the door 

Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland) – 

Registered Charity No. SC007633 

6133 4 0 

14th Annual 

Bardic Supper 

We are delighted to have as our 

guest speaker, the well-known 

and charismatic Kenny Thomson, 

conductor of the Glasgow “G G” choir 

for over 35 years. 

Kenny will talk about “Òrain Ìleach” 

(Songs of Islay), which was the subject 

of his recent book, and no doubt he 

will sing us a number of examples. 

Saturday 23rd February at 7.30pm 

Westburn Church Hall, Nelson Street, 

Greenock 

Tickets: £15 (includes meal), MUST 

be booked in advance 

Tickets from Alasdair 0780 591 8509 

or Anne 01475 728669 or by e-mail 

to: fi os@clanngaidhlig.org 


20 

EVERY MONDAY 

Lochwinnoch Community Walk 

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 10.30am 

This event will not take place on public holidays. 

Gryffe Voices Community Choir 

Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 8pm to 9.45pm 

Join us to sing pop, rock, folk, show tunes, gospel. 

Contact gryffevoices@gmail.com 

Strathgryffe Motorcycle Club 

The Trust Inn, Kilbarchan, 9pm - 10.30pm 

Visit www.strathgryffe.org for details. 

EVERY TUESDAY 

Singing for Wellbeing 

Bishopton Community Centre 6pm - 7.15pm 

A fun, no pressure choir singing feel good songs. 

Bridge of Weir Walking Group 

Outside the Co-op, BoW, 10.30am 

1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 3000. 

Bridge of Weir Choral Society 

Small Hall St Columba Church, Kilmacolm 7.30pm 

- 9.30pm 

All welcome. 

Crafty Play Café 

Quarriers Village Café, Faith Avenue, Quarriers 

Booking slots available 10am-12noon; 12noon -2pm; 

2pm - 4pm 

Relax and have a coffee while your children or 

grandchildren play! Free entry; £2 for kids craft 

materials (optional) 

EVERY WEDNESDAY 

Knitting Group 

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon 

Knitters of all levels welcome! 

Weekly Memory Café 

Active Communities Hub, 16 Quarry Street, 

Johnstone, 10.30am -12.30pm 

A welcoming place for individuals living with 

Alzheimer’s, or any type of dementia, their families, 

friends & carers. Drop by to find out about Community 

Activities, Community Support, and professional 

advice. 

EVERY THURSDAY 

Weekly Volunteer Group 

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 12.30pm - 3.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers - adult group. Newcomers 

always welcome. 

Kilmacolm Walkers 

Birkmyre Park Pavilion, Kilmacolm, 10am 

David 01505 874192 kilmacolmwalkers@talktalk.net 

EVERY FRIDAY 

Singing for Wellbeing 

Bishopton Community Centre 2pm - 3.15pm 

A fun, no pressure choir singing feel good songs. 

EVERY SATURDAY 


Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers 


EVERY SUNDAY 


Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon 

Youth Volunteer Group - age 14 - 18 years. Newcomers 


Houston Litter Crew 

Co-op Car Park 10am – 11.45am 

All volunteers welcome and all equipment supplied. 

1ST & 3RD THURS MONTHLY 

‘Outlook’ 

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 2pm - 4pm 

Social activities group for the community in 

Kilmacolm. Guest speakers, afternoon tea, local 

issues of interest. Everyone welcome. 

Crafty Hobbies 

Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 7.30pm 

No previous craft experience necessary. Call Lorna 

on 01505 612844 for further details. 

2ND WEDNESDAY MONTHLY 

Inverclyde Carers Outreach 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am - 2pm 

Email enquiries@inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk or 

call: 01475 735180. 

2ND THURSDAY MONTHLY 

Sòlas Bereavement Support Group 

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm. 2pm - 4pm. 

3RD FRIDAY MONTHLY 

Hearing Aid Clinic 

The Bridge, Bridge of Weir 1 - 2pm 

Hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks. 

2ND SATURDAY MONTHLY 

‘Brunch & Browse’ 

St Fillan’s Hall, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm 

Soups, baking, tea, coffee, books & lots of stalls 

LAST FRIDAY MONTHLY 

TheTerrace 

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Hall 

Soups, sandwiches, tea/coffee, biscuits. £4. 

LAST SATURDAY MONTHLY 

Table Top Sale 

Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am - 1pm 

This is a free event. Call 01505 328802 for 

details. 

1ST SAT 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 

10am - 2pm 

1ST & 3RD SUN 

Loch Lomond Shores 

10am - 3pm Tel: 07977 179 861 

2ND THU & LAST SAT 

Paisley Cross 

10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217 

2ND SUN 

Kip Marina, Inverkip 

11am - 4pm www.kipmarina.co.uk 


Volunteers 

Needed Talk 

It Over Group 

Paisley 

Volunteer crèche workers needed 

for small peer support group based 

at Paisley Abbey. We offer a crèche 

enabling mums to take some time 

to meet with other mums affected 

by anxiety, loneliness and post natal 

depression. Term time only. Tuesdays 

from 10am - 12.15pm. 

Kind, compassionate and friendly 

volunteers needed. Need to be 

able to set up room and create a 

welcoming environment. Keen on 

supporting new mums by caring for 

babies and toddlers. Full training 

offered. Commitment - once a month 

or fortnightly or more. Please contact 

for further information - Janette 

janette.a.mckenna@gmail.com 

Talk It Over Group Room, within 

Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, Paisley, 

PA1 1JG. 

The Lines 

Lines’ as they continue to strive for 

the big time, and I’ve no doubt they’re 

going to make it! The boys – Harry 

Gallacher - front man and guitarist, 

Marc - lead guitar, Matthew - bass 

guitar and Michael - drums, have been 

out doing their thing and promoting 

their group locally in Glasgow at 

venues such as Ivory Blacks, and 

Calums Cavern in Paisley. The Lines 

had a great turnout at both gigs and 

were really well received. 

The boys have also been busy 

releasing an album!!! The album 

‘Don’t Fret’ is available to listen to 

on Spotify. And as ever, the group 

are currently writing new material for 

their forthcoming gigs. You can next 

catch The Lines in Lochwinnoch at 

‘Our Village Night Live’ (1st March) 

and “The Cave” (9th March). Well 

worth seeing this band - they’re going 

to be big! Good luck boys! 

2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAY 

BoW Senior Citizens Club 

Cargill Hall 7 - 9.15pm 

Tea, biscuits & a raffle each meeting along with 

entertainment. Contact Sheila Patterson for further 

information on 01505 690521. 

YOUR TICKET TO LOCAL EVENTS 

/GryffeAds 

advertizer.co.uk /content/what-s-on 

01505 613340 info@advertizer.co.uk 



21 

The Kelpies Illustration Prize 

Deadline: 28th February 2019 at 5pm 

Designers and illustrators based in Scotland are asked to submit fi ve 

illustrations for a children’s book on the theme of 

fables for a chance to win a prize package including 

a publishing deal. 

Are you an artist or illustrator based in Scotland? 

Do you love children’s books? Then the Kelpies 

Illustration Prize is for you! 

We’re looking for imaginative and talented 

illustrators based in Scotland with a passion for 

children’s books. Sound like you? Keep reading! 

We’ve put together a brilliant prize package, 

designed to support your development as a 

children’s book illustrator, which includes the 

following: 

- A £1,000 cash prize 

- One year of mentoring by an experienced 

design team 

- A publishing contract with Floris Books for an 

illustrated project 

- A ticket to the Picture Hooks 2019 conference, 

plus £100 towards expenses 

You’ll fi nd full details of what’s on offer in our Terms 

& Conditions (available on our website). 

This year, the Kelpies Illustration Prize is all new! 

Please make sure you read our Guidelines and 

Terms & Conditions (available on our website) 

carefully to get to grips with the new submission 

criteria. 

This year, we’re asking you to submit fi ve 

illustrations for a children’s book on the theme of 

fables. 

The judges will be looking for imaginative 

interpretations, dynamic compositions and fully 

realised characters – both human and animal. 

You might fi nd inspiration from existing fables 

from around the world, or new fables that you’ve 

created. 

For further information, please contact: 

kelpiesillustrationprize@fl orisbooks.co.uk, or call 

0131 337 2372, or visit https://discoverkelpies. 

co.uk/kelpies-illustration-prize/ 


22 


Want to start a business but 

not sure where to turn or how 

to do it? 

Business Gateway Renfrewshire can give 

you practical help, advice and support 

for new and growing businesses in 

Scotland. 

Contact us on 0141 530 2406 or on Facebook www.facebook.com/ 

bgrenfrewshire/, or visit the website at www.yourbusinessgateway.co.uk 

Insurance Planning 

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd 

We all face risks every day and insurances are designed to compensate us if 

we suffer loss – but some insurances are more important than others, so which 

should take priority? 

• Protect your income – If you are unable to work due to long term illness or 

disability then your financial position could be devastated when the income 

from employment stops. You can ensure a continuing income from an 

insurance policy until you are well enough to return to work. 

• Critical Illness – if you suffer a serious illness such as cancer, heart attack 

or stroke it can have a significant impact on your finances. You can insure to 

get a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a critical illness to help pay 

off your mortgage, make a lifestyle change or provide a sum for the future. 

• Life assurance – if your death would adversely impact another person, then 

life assurance can provide a lump sum or an income to compensate. 

You should look to protect yourself and others where you cannot afford to deal 

with the financial loss involved and you should start with the risk that poses the 

biggest threat to your financial security. Unfortunately, the things that pose the 

biggest risk carry high premiums! Your employer may provide some insurance 

benefits, but this is unlikely to be enough to protect you fully. 

Start by pulling together information on the insurances you hold and any 

employee benefits you have. Contact an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) to 

request an “insurance audit” to check whether you need to consider additional 

cover for any gaps in your insurance protection. 

This information is not financial advice. If you require advice you should 

consult a professional adviser. The first meeting is normally free and there 

is no obligation. Call us for a FREE financial review on 01505 59 50 60 or 

email info@affluentfp.co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affluent office opposite 

Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www.affluentfp.co.uk 


Helping you find local 

businesses and trades 



23 


24 


CHRISTMAS DINNER 

Members and 

partners enjoyed 

an early Christmas 

dinner at the River 

Inn on Wednesday 

16th December. 

Vocalist Maria Carmen Nieto Montaya 

Matheson - the daughter-in-law of Past 

President Angus Matheson entertained 

the company with songs from Andalucia. 

ANNUAL BURNS SUPPER 

The Gryffe Valley Rotary Club annual 

charity Burns Supper was held at the 

River Inn, Crosslee on Saturday 12th 

January 2019. After a welcome drink 

and hearing a powerful rendition 

of the Address to the Haggis by 

Past President Ian Jackson, the 

company gathered enjoyed a superb 

meal which included a Crispy Filo 

Beggar’s Purse of Haggis, Neeps 

and Tatties followed by Braised 

Shoulder of Scotch Beef. The 

charity raffle was very well 

supported and literally dozens 

of prizes handed out. There 

were three excellent speeches: 

“The Immortal Memory” by 

George Moore QC, a “Toast to 

the Lassies” by Dr Iain Findlay 

and the “Reply on behalf of 

the Lassies” by Helen Dunn. 

Entertainment was provided in fine style by Peter McAlister (“Tam O’Shanter”) 

and Alan Macdougal and Amy Lewis (songs). The meeting closed with a vote 

of thanks in rhyme Burns-style by Angus Matheson who himself had been the 

convenor of the organising committee. At the Rotary meeting on 16th January, 

President Andrew Macleman thanked the organisers and congratulated 

members on raising a record £4400! 

SPEAKER MEETINGS AT THE RIVER INN 

The speaker at the dinner meeting on 

16th January was Dan Johnston from 

Kibble School, introduced by member 

Iain Robertson who himself is a member 

of the board of the Kibble charity. Dan 

has a special interest in the mental 

health of children and indicated that an 

increasing number of children going into 

Kibble have mental health problems. He 

showed the results of research that demonstrates that mental health and other 

behavioural issues are closely correlated with “Adverse Childhood Experiences”, 

known as ACE’s. ACEs include Someone with four or more ACE’s is six times 

more likely to have mental health issues and twenty times more likely to finish 

up in jail! Kibble are seeking to provide a holistic response, known as “Trauma 

informed Care” with three elements: 

• Realise and understand the role of ACE’s 

• Recognise the symptoms of trauma 

• Resist re-traumatisation 

After many questions, ably answered by Dan, President Andrew gave a vote of 

thanks. 

FUTURE EVENTS 

Valentines Dinner: the club will hold its annual Valentines Dinner on 

Wednesday 13th February at the River Inn. Members and partners - 

current, past and prospective - are welcome. 

Young Writer competition and Primary School Quiz: Plans are in place for 

these competitions to be held in February and March respectively, with at 

least four schools participating. The quiz will take place on Tuesday 12th 

March at the JG Fleming Bowling Club in Houston. Parents and supporters 

are especially welcome. Tea and coffee will be served. 

Gryffe Valley Rotary 10K Run –Sunday 19th May 2019: In 2019, the 

date of the run has been moved by one month to the middle of May. 

Please save the date and plan your training. We are delighted that Arnold 

Clark will support the event this year and we have chosen St Vincent’s 

Hospice as the beneficiary. Local sports clubs and groups (families and 

neighbourhoods) are being encouraged to enter teams. Why not resolve 

to get fit and prove it by taking part? To register go to https://entries. 

runabc.co.uk/listed-races/gryffe-valley-rotary-10k. 



25 

Weir 

Networking 

Our meetings are now held quarterly, 

on a Wednesday in Amaretto, Bridge 

of Weir. Breakfast starting at 9.30am. 

There is a cover charge of £5. 

Our next meeting will be held in March 

2019 - date to be confirmed. Please 

email colin@magifilms.co.uk or visit 

their facebook page at https://www. 

facebook.com/Weir-Networking- 

350783798430333/ 

We look forward to seeing you all. 

Extra £250 for 

some families 

The Scottish Government has 

announced that low income families 

will be able to apply for financial 

support to help with the costs of 

preparing for school from 3rd June. 

The School Age Payment will allow 

eligible families to receive £250 to 

help towards the costs associated 

with starting school, like educational 

toys and after school activities. 

This benefit follows the rollout of 

the Pregnancy and Baby Payment in 

December, which aims to help cover 

some of the costs of having children. 

Regulations for the School Age 

Payment have been laid in Parliament 

and, once approved, the payment will 

then open for applications. 

Further details can be found on 

mygov.scot. 

Community focus key to high 

street success 

Responding to the publication of the Government’s High Street Report authored 

by Sir John Timpson, Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said: 

“Our local high streets have been in the spotlight more than ever this year, with 

an increasing number of empty shops, job losses, and high profile chain and 

department stores going out of business. Small firms are in the midst of this, 

up against spiralling business rates, high rents and online competition. The 

challenges of expensive town centre parking and the loss of bank branches 

and ATMs all add to this. 

“These recommendations emphasise a community-focussed approach to 

tackling the challenges facing the high street. Small businesses are at the 

heart of our communities, providing jobs, bespoke products and a personal 

service, which should be conserved. A healthy high street should be diverse – 

not just featuring retail but also hospitality, services like hairdressers as well as 

gyms and shared workspaces for the self-employed. 

“Parking remains a huge issue for high streets and town centres. High parking 

charges and a lack of spaces often put off shoppers from visiting their local 

shops, instead favouring out of town centres with free parking. It’s positive that 

the report highlights this and calls on local authorities to review their parking 

provision to make sure it is encouraging footfall and attracting shoppers back 

to the high street. 

“At October’s Budget, we welcomed the new Future High Streets Fund and a 

new business rate discount, which should give some relief to small firms on 

the high street. 

“We now need to start seeing solid details of how businesses can access these 

much-needed rate relief funds. Business rates are a huge burden on small 

firms with the overall bill expected to rise to over £30bn next year, so it’s right 

that this extra funding has been pledged. But to have an impact, it needs to 

reach those that need it across the country, applying immediately to bills that 

cover the period from 1st April next year.” 

Estate Agency by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors 

It is crucial that you seek legal advice as soon as you decide you sell your 

home. In addition to instructing a Solicitor, you will also have to instruct an 

Estate Agent to market your property. To ensure the sale proceeds as smoothly 

and as efficiently as possible, it is sensible to instruct a Solicitor whose firm 

also has an Estate Agency practice. There are several key advantages to you 

in doing so: 

All Under One Roof 

Having two separate professionals involved in the transaction can lead to 

delays in crucial information passing between both. Instructing a Solicitor to 

deal with both the Estate Agency and legal aspects of the sale means that the 

transaction can be dealt without unnecessary delays. For example, legal advice 

is often needed before and during the marketing process. Also, offers will be 

received directly by your Solicitor with detailed knowledge of your property and 

advice will be available straight away on the legal position surrounding any 

closing date situation. 

Cost Effectiveness 

If you instructed an Estate Agent and Solicitor separately, you would pay two 

separate professional fees. Using a Solicitor who is also an Estate Agent will 

significantly reduce those costs as discounts will be available. 

Expertise in All Areas 

As well as taking care of the marketing strategy and the necessary legal aspects 

of the house sale, a Solicitor Estate Agent will also arrange the Home Report 

and viewings of the property. 

There are many other advantages to using a Solicitor Estate Agent to deal with 

both the estate agency and conveyancing aspects of your property sale. As 

your home is one of the most expensive items you will sell in your lifetime, it 

is certainly worth making sure that you instruct the right person to help you 

through the process. 

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Law Awards of Scotland 2018 


26 


. . . Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir . . . 

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir 

I hope you are all well and January wasn’t too hard on you. I have 

several updates for you this month. 

EDUCATION: In line with the Scottish Government’s commitment 

to expanding early learning hours from 600 to 1140 hours 

by 2020, further plans were approved at the most recent 

Education Board which bring great news for both Bishopton 

and Bridge of Weir. The plans include the construction of a new 

build nursery in Bishopton and while a location has not yet been 

confi rmed for the new centre, the works will include construction 

of a single storey Early Learning Centre with facilities for external learning, 

covered play areas, parking and service provisions. Bridge of Weir will also see a 

refurbishment of the Early learning and childcare centre. More news on the works 

will follow as plans progress. 

In more news for Bishopton, the consultation on the catchment area has 

been announced for the new primary school in Dargavel, with a start date of 

28thJanuary 2019. The consultation is open to all residents who feel they have a 

valid interest. Details of the consultation can be viewed on the council’s website 

and a consultation event is expected to take place in Bishopton Primary. I would 

encourage all residents who have an interest to take part in this and ensure your 

opinion is heard. 

PARKING: Following my latest meetings with council offi cers in relation to the 

Bridge of Weir car park, offi cers have now suggested options, which could help 

ease the pressure in the car park. These include the introduction of a minimum 

stay with permits for residents, plans to make the disabled spaces enforceable 

and remoulding the parent and child spaces into conventional spaces. 

These proposals will all require traffi c regulation orders, which are a lengthy 

process, and will all require to be consulted on by various stakeholders so I would 

emphasise that this is not fi nal but I will continue to update as this progresses. 

SCHOOLS: Finally, a quick update for Langbank, the canopy proposed for 

Langbank Primary School to address the toilet issue, is expected to be built 

during the summer holidays. 

The issues I am addressing here are very extensive so if residents have any 

questions or require any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in 

touch. 


Bridge of Weir and District Branch, Royal 

British Legion 

The Bridge of Weir and District Branch of the Royal 

British Legion Scotland Annual General Meeting will 

be held in the Pirie Centre Bridge of Weir on Monday 

the 18th of February at 7pm. 

The Branch were delighted that £1,300 was raised 

from last year’s Poppy Scotland Appeal collection in 

Bridge of Weir. The Branch expresses sincere thanks to the 

commercial premises who facilitated collection tins and to everyone who donated 

generously. 


BoW Lace Group 

Bridge of Weir Lace Group meets 

fortnightly on Tuesdays (10am - 

12noon) during the winter months. 

If you’d like to try lacemaking we can 

provide materials & tuition. For further 

details phone (01505) 613967. 


Singing for 

Wellbeing 

A fun, no-pressure choir singing feelgood 

songs every Tuesday from 6pm 

- 7.15pm and Fridays at 2pm - 3.15pm 

in the Bishopton Community Centre. 


The Bridge 

Spring is awakening. Get ahead - renew your stocks of stationery and prepare for 

all the birthdays and celebrations expected in 2019. 

POST OFFICE – all types of Insurance, Savings products and Mortgages are 

available through the Post Offi ce. Please ask Donald, Anne or Stuart for an 

information leafl et. Our unique identifi cation code is provided on all leafl ets. Use 

of this code allows The Bridge to earn income on all completed transactions. 

STATIONERY–we stock a comprehensive range of stationery items. We are 

delighted customers are using The Bridge as a “one stop shop” bringing items 

for posting, purchasing the necessary packaging, wrapping on site and posting 

all in one go. 

GREETING CARDS – we are continually replenishing our stock to cover life’s 

events. For those with milestone birthdays the range of cards covers from ages 

1 to 10 and 18 to 100. A small stock of Valentine cards are on sale – send your 

love in 2019. 

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT - the Trustees Report & Accounts for the seventh 

year of The Bridge were approved by the Trustees on 16th January. Please view 

a copy in The Bridge. 

COMMUNITY CENTRE - please remember The Bridge is a central point in the 

village where you can meet others, have a tea or coffee and enjoy a chat with our 

volunteers. It is a bright, warm, welcoming place where hopefully you will feel at 

home. We look forward to seeing you soon. 

Your Ward 11 Councillors ... for Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir 

James MacLaren, Natalie Don, Colin McCulloch | Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Community Council ... Visitors are welcome at these monthly meetings. 

BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thurs at 7.30pm | www.bishoptoncouncil.com 

BRIDGE OF WEIR: 1st Tuesday of the month, Cargill Hall: 7pm | www.bridgeofweir.org 

February - June & September - December (October AGM). (No meetings July and August) 

LANGBANK: Church Hall: 2nd Wed at 7.30pm 

Community Halls to Let ... 

Bridge of Weir: Freeland Church. Tel: 612245 

Please add your community hall 

details to our list - email to 

info@advertizer.co.uk 



27 


Do you know what you 

think you know? 

The claim is frequently heard at the present time that 

people who voted ‘leave’ in the Brexit referendum 

did not know what they were voting for. Or indeed 

that they were lied to, and so in any case were 

misinformed. That may or may not be the case, but 

it is true that with many of life’s decisions it is simply 

impossible to have the full picture. We’re wise to fi nd out as much as we can and 

then take the plunge. 

When it comes to faith, many non-religious people assume that believers just go 

with what they’ve been told. Perhaps believers are more gullible or misinformed 

than the rest of the population. If they knew more, about life, or science or 

whatever, they would know it is all lies and myths. That is of course entirely 

possible. 

However, a lot of non-religious people, also go with what they’ve been told. 

They might not actually know very well what they are rejecting, for example the 

Christian faith. They might not have explored the Bible or Christian beliefs in any 

depth. They may have not experienced Christian community as it was intended. 

So how can you know if there is any truth or meaning in it? Well, you’d need to 

study it and experience it and try to make up your mind. Ultimately the Christian 

faith is not merely about ‘belief’, it is about ‘faith’ – what or rather ‘who’ we trust 

and build our life on. We may never have the full picture before we take the 

plunge, but there is much to explore. Come and see for yourself. 

Rev Hanneke Marshall - Minister of St Machar’s Ranfurly Church 


Bridge of Weir Festival 

The Bridge of Weir Festival AGM is scheduled 

for Tuesday 12th February in the Cargill Hall 

at 7.30pm and is open to all interested 

parties. 

We would like to thank all the volunteers and 

organisations who came out over the fi fteen 

nights in December with the Santa Sleigh. 

Their help was much appreciated. We have 

been reliably informed that this was the 

36th year of the Santa Sleigh and 1512 

children came out to meet with Santa with 

£2,678.14 raised for local organisations. We 

look forward to the Santa Sleigh enjoying its 

37th year this coming December. 


Bridge of Weir 

SWI 

Our February 

meeting, on 7th 

February, will comprise a talk 

about the Scottish Transplant 

Service, plus a silent auction 

to raise funds for this year’s 

charity. We meet at 7.15pm for 

7.30pm in the Pirie at Freeland 

Church. Please come along 

with any items you would like to 

donate for the auction. 

Churches in Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir________________ 

LANGBANK PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Services 10am with Sunday School, Crèche and young people’s 

group, the Welcomers. Tea/coffee after the service. Church service starts at 10am. Come along 

and meet in the Hall from 9.50am. Charity No. SC015085. 

FREELAND CHURCH - For details please check website: www.freeland.org.uk 

ST MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Johnston Rd, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3EE. St Mary’s Episcopal Church 

is a small, lively and mature Christian community. We are united by our belief in Jesus, the One in 

whom God fully revealed Himself and through whom we have life in all it’s fullness. Come and worship 

with us. Our main Service is held on Sundays at 10am. A warm welcome awaits you. Contact: Rev. 

Heller G. 01505 872961 www.heartlandsec.org/BoW 

ST MACHAR’S RANFURLY CHURCH: Sunday morning service 10.30am. 

HOPE HALL: Sun 1.15pm Sunday School, 4.30pm Gospel Service; Mon 6pm Investigators for Kids, 

7.30pm Bible Study and Prayer. www.bridgeofweirchurch.co.uk 


Bridge of Weir Community Council 

The first meeting of the Community Council for 2019 will take place 

on Tuesday 5th February at 7pm in the Cargill Hall. 

The meeting will hear an update on proposals being put forward by Renfrewshire 

Council Offi cers for Livery Walk. We will ask when the road relining is to 

commence at Prieston Road junction, and as it’s over two years since the request 

for an extension to the 30mph speed limit at St Mary’s Church will be seeking 

information when this will be introduced. 

On Traffi c Calming, we understand Mark Higginbottom Renfrewshire Councils 

Development Services Manager will lead on this with his team to review our 

proposals for the entrances to the Village and hopefully hear of any further 

progress. 

The Community Council will decide if we are going to get involved in the project 

to upgrade the pavement on Clevan’s Road. We will hear the proposals being put 

forward for the improvement of Houston Road Park. 

A request has been received for us to consider re-introducing Neighbourhood 

Watch Schemes within the Village, this will be discussed. The IT sub-group will 

report their recommendations on what action should be taken to improve both 

our Website and Facebook page. 

An agenda item will review our sub-committee personnel and remits. 

Following a very successful new formatted Christmas Lights Switch-on in 

December we will put forward further plans for 2019. 

The meeting is open to the public so please come along and air your views. 


ROADS: As I write this article snow is expected next week. I 

hope you are prepared for it. The council’s budget was stretched 

badly last year because of the “Beast from the East”. That being 

said, I don’t think we have done too badly and a number of roads 

that you have been complaining about have been repaired well. 

Others I will be putting forward for complete resurfacing in the 

coming fi nancial year. 

Pothole repairs are improving. Temporary “throw and go” 

patching is being reduced to a minimum and full permanent 

patching is being applied where possible. In addition, road workers should now 

repair all potholes within the street they are visiting whether these have been 

reported or not. 

Once again, the traffi c island on Kilmacolm Road in Bridge of Weir has been hit 

and the works to replace the traffi c bollards have been instructed and given a high 

priority. The good news is that the council are going to review this gateway feature 

as the bollards are continually being damaged, so this feature may change. The 

bad news is that it won’t be until next fi nancial year (starting in April). 

BINS: The introduction of the new green recycle bins and timetable for collections 

is chaotic but with 111 variations of calendar, perhaps it is not surprising. I 

have received a lot of complaints, mostly about missed collections and a few 

still looking for their new green bin to be delivered. Hopefully it will soon settle 

down and I know that staff have been working hard to resolve issues. You 

can view your next bin collection date by going to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ 

checkyourbincollectionday. Residents can also sign up to an email reminder to 

be advised the day before their collection is due. I can also provide additional 

coloured stickers which you can use for your wheelie and kitchen bins. And by the 

way, your Tetra Pak cartons should go in the green bin! 

Please note my surgery details: 

• Langbank Parish Church Hall - 1st Monday of every month (6.30pm) 

• Bridge of Weir Cargill Hall - 2nd Monday of every month (6.30pm) 

• Bishopton Community Library - 3rd Monday of every month (6.30pm) 

I can be contacted by phone on 0300-300-1291 or by email to cllr.james. 

maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk Check out my Facebook page for more 

information and articles www.facebook.com/councillormaclaren 

Help us keep you & the local area moving this winter. 

Follow us on facebook & twitter @GryffeRoadwatch and if you spot or 

know of any road works, fl ooding, ice or blockages let us know! 

You can send us a message via facebook or twitter or post a wee comment 

on Gryffe Roadwatch or The Advertizer’s page. 

. . . Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir . . . 


. . . Kilmacolm & Quarriers . . . 

28 

kilmacolm & quarriers 

Positive Thinking 

The only thing you can control in your 

life is your thoughts. The only thought 

you have power over is the present 

one. Find out how to control your 

thoughts, and attract exactly what 

you want into your life. Phone or text 

07463 570464. 



Grace Church 

Kilmacolm 

Ladies 

Fellowship 

Invitation to Grace Church 

Kilmacolm Ladies Fellowship 

February meetings, alternate 

Tuesdays at 2.15pm in the 

Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, 

Kilmacolm, PA13 4QF. 

Tuesday 5th February - 

Margaret Moore, Prison 

Fellowship. Tuesday 

19th February - Sheena 

MacFarlane. 

All ladies welcome. 


Coffee Morning 

Saturday 2nd March 2019. Held in 

New Community Centre (2nd Floor) 

10am - 12noon. Tickets £3 available 

at door. 

Grace Church, Kilmacolm, 

warmly welcomes Rev 

Nick Mackison 

Nick has recently been appointed Associate Minister at 

Dowanvale Free Church of Scotland, with which Grace 

Church is linked. Nick will be preaching most Sundays 

at Grace Church, and will be involved locally in providing 

pastoral care and in running church outreach activities. 

Nick is married to Sharon and they have 3 young 

children. A graduate from ETS (Edinburgh Theological 

Seminary), Nick also lectures at the monthly ETS 

Saturday course in theology. 


Amaze Mount Zion 

A new bible based after school club for primary 

age children starting 29th January 2019. 

Tuesdays from 3.45pm - 5pm 

Mount Zion Church, Law View Road, 

Quarriers Village, PA11 3FD 

All in a fun and friendly environment 

Go to www.mountzionquarriers.org/youth to 

download a registration form 

Mount Zion Church is a registered Charity: 

SC030549. 


Kilmacolm Dramatic Society 

January was a busy month for Kilmacolm Dramatic Society. 

We held a very successful New Year social evening at Strathgryffe Tennis Club, 

where many of our members enjoyed a delicious buffet meal, provided by Karen 

Rankin and members of the committee. 

John Gilchrist, who is directing our Spring production of Richard Harris’s very 

popular play Stepping Out, was delighted with the excellent turn-out for a fi rst 

reading of the play in Kilmacolm New Community Centre on 14th January. It was 

good to see many new faces among the familiar ones of KDS members. 

The audition to cast the play was held a few days later. With the cast required 

to dance as well as act, our actors will be very busy rehearsing for the next few 

months. 

Stepping Out will be performed in the Kidston Hall in Kilmacolm on 11th, 12th 

and 13th April. 



CEMETERY EXPANSION: We are rapidly reaching capacity 

in our Cemeteries. Only Knocknairshill and Kilmacolm are 

capable of expansion due to many reasons, mainly of bedrock 

and groundwater. Positive discussions have been had with 

Scottish Water with regard to Kilmacolm, to the possibility of a 

land purchase, and preliminary negotiations have commenced. 

This site has also been promoted for residential development in 

land West of Quarry Drive. These proposals are to be considered 

as part of the Examination of the Proposed Plan. A Garden 

of Remembrance will be developed at the site of the former Cemetery House 

allowing a further 110 lairs for cremated internments. 

PLANNING: I chaired the public hearing in Greenock Town Hall with regard to 

the Quarriers/ Gladman planning application for a residential development at 

Carsemeadow. The presentations by Quarriers Management, the Civic Trust 

and the Protect Quarriers Village group were all professional and informative. 

Council Planning Offi cers recommended refusal and when I moved appropriately, 

the motion was carried unanimously with no amendments. I will now report the 

outcome of the hearing to a full Council meeting on the 21st February when all 

22 Councillors will again vote on the application. 

There have been 200 objections to the application by Wimpey at Planetreeyetts, 

signifi cantly less than the numbers objecting to the Knapps application which 

was fi rst refused by the Council and then by the Reporter on appeal. 

ROADS: There is going to be a major investment in carriageway infrastructure 

through surface dressing, advanced patching and drainage works on the 

following roads in my ward. Auchentiber, Dippany, Gateside, Glenmill, Woodhead, 

Greenhill, Killochries, Mathernock (Auchentiber to Caukldside), South Branchal 

(public section), Old Largs Roads. This represents a £190k investment but is 

important to our residents and farmers who live rurally. 

Been busy with Scottish water manhole covers in the village. When they do not 

fi t, they can cause a real racket. 

SCHOOLS: KPS has shown a signifi cant improvement in attainment levels for 

Listening and Talking, Reading, Writing and Numeracy. All measurements over 

85% and many in the assessed classes of P1, P4 and P7 over 90%. The school 

improvement plan presented to the Parent Council by the Head Teacher Simone 

McCredie was comprehensive and ambitious. The school received an Education 

Award for "Raising Attainment in Literacy" in 2018. I particularly was impressed 

by the engagement of children in their own learning and the emphasis on Literacy 

and Numeracy. 

My surgeries are 4th February 5.30pm to 6.30pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Port 

Glasgow, 16th February Cargill 10am - 11am. I can be contacted at: david. 

wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk | 01475 741969, 712975, 07766 992294 


Kilmacolm Community Council 

Special Meeting 11th December 2018 - PLANNING - Planetreeyetts 

A Special Meeting of the Kilmacolm Community Council was convened to 

consider the planning application submitted on behalf of Taylor Wimpey seeking 

planning permission in principle for a proposed residential development of circa 

100 units on the land at Planetreeyetts, Kilmacolm. The Council were opposed 

to the proposal on the grounds that: 

• The proposed development was in contravention of the current Inverclyde 

Local Development Plan policies in regard to housing developments in the 

designated Green Belt. 

• The proposal did not support the declared policy that the bulk of the housing 

allocation for Inverclyde should be directed in the “core areas” where the 

infrastructure such as schools could be provided effi ciently and where 

sustainability goals could be met, for example, by avoiding the reliance 

on private motor transportation. 

• There is no perceived shortfall in the Kilmacolm housing supply that justifi es 

a development of the size and type proposed 

• The road infrastructure would not support the additional vehicular traffi c that 

would be generated from the proposed development. 

Your Ward 1 Councillors ... for Inverclye East (includes Kilmacolm & Quarriers) 

David Wilson, Stephen McCabe, Christopher Curley | Advice Surgeries: http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/councillors/ 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 


KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS: Last Tuesday at 7.30pm, Kilmacolm Cargill Centre 

(NB: No meetings: July or Dec) | www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk 

Any details we've missed? - email 

them to info@advertizer.co.uk 


Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994 

Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Tel: 07584 359007 

Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059 



29 


Kilmacolm 

Surgeries 

Every 4th Monday PC 

Jamieson, the local 

neighbourhood offi cer, 

will hold a surgery in the Community 

Centre between 10.30am - 11.30am. 

Please pop in and see him if you want 

to share any concerns or need advice. 


World Day of 

Prayer 

Written by 

The Christian Women of Slovenia 

Theme: ‘Come – Everything is Ready’ 

LOCAL SERVICE 

In St. Columba Church Hall, 

Bridge of Weir Road, Kilmacolm 

on Friday 1st MARCH 

at 1.30pm 

The local WDP group of representatives 

from the local Churches warmly invites 

you to share worship and fellowship 

with people around the world who 

will be participating in the World Day 

of Prayer. We are delighted that the 

children from Kilmacolm Primary 

School will be able to join us with 

their singing and music. There will be 

refreshments after the Service. 

Everyone welcome! If you want to 

know more about the event, please 

give me a call. Maureen Russell 

Convenor (telephone 872905). 


Whist Drive 

Come along to a WHIST DRIVE 

organised by the Industrial Section of 

the Kilmacolm Agricultural Show. It 

will take place on the 15th February 

at the Kilmacolm Community Centre 

at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4 and can 

be bought on the door. Proceeds go 

towards 2019 Kilmacolm Agricultural 

Show. 


St Fillan's Shrove 

Tuesday Coffee 

Morning 

St Fillan’s Shrove Tuesday Coffee 

Morning this year will be on Tuesday 

5th March February 10am - 12noon 

in St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road 

Kilmacolm. There will be lovely freshly 

made pancakes, home baking, raffl e 

and various stalls. Entrance £3. 


Guide Hut to Hire 

A great venue with easy access near to 

the village centre. Refurbished main 

hall, additional kitchen facilities and 

outdoor area ... Perfect for children’s 

parties, weekly classes and one off 

special occasions. 

Anyone wanting to hire the Guide 

Hut please contact Roz on 07584 

359007. 


Kilmacolm Old Kirk 

‘OUTLOOK’ is a social community group, formulated for friendship and fellowship. 

It is led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm Old Kirk. The group meets 

In Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. Everyone is most welcome. 

Programme for February: 

7th February Touring the Black Sea – with Kilmacolm photographer Janice 

Stevenson 

21st February Gentle Keep Fit with Grace – start to address Christmas 

indulgences? 

15th February BURNS SUPPER 6.45pm for 7pm at Kidston Hall. Tickets £20. 

Contact Mary Leishman on 07801 981611 

1st – 3rd March OK FEST 

An annual weekend community event, in association with the 

Old Kirk, celebrating music and the spoken word. See the 

What's On section for details of the various events. Fingers 

crossed that we don’t get another ‘Beast from the East’ this 

year to disrupt the programme. 


Kilmacolm Residents Association 

Foodbank 

Kilmacolm Residents Association 

have been amazed by the 

success of the Reverse advent 

Calendar and really wanted to 

thank the people of Kilmacolm 

and Quarriers who took the time 

and effort to take part. We were 

delighted so many children took 

part in the drive with two children 

saving their pocket money to 

buy a large number of selection 

boxes. We were very moved by 

the response. So much so that 

we decided we will run this again next Christmas and as so many children took 

part we will have a best decorated box competition next year. 

. . . Kilmacolm & Quarriers . . . 

Churches __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

in Kilmacolm & Quarriers ... 

KILMACOLM OLD KIRK: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk. Minister Rev. Dr. Peter McEnhill (01505 873174). All 

Sundays in February, services at 11am. Coffee served after the service. 3rd February: Night Kirk 6pm. All welcome. Sòlas Bereavement Group is held in 

Kidston Hall on the 2nd Thursday each month at 2pm. OUTLOOK on the 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 2pm. 

ST COLUMBA CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: (Charity no. SC007992) Morning Worship Sundays at 11am. All welcome. Coffee/tea served in the hall after the service. 

GRACE CHURCH KILMACOLM: in association with Downavale Free Church of Scotland (Charity No: SCO38274) - Sunday Service at 10.30am in Kilmacolm Guide 

Hut, Woodrow Avenue, PA13 4QF - all welcome. 

ST COLM’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Smithy Brae Kilmacolm. Rev. Vincent Byrne. Family mass Sundays 10am with children’s liturgy, followed by tea and coffee. Eucharistic 

service Thursdays 11am. Rosary Tuesdays 6.30pm. Prayer group meets Thursdays 7.30pm. Further information and contact details www.stcolmsparish.co.uk. 

All welcome. 

BUDDHIST MEETINGS: Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Phone Margaret on 01505 871343. 

ST FILLAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Moss Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4DL. Services on Sunday at 11.30am. Wednesday: 10.30am Holy Communion. On the last Sunday 

of the month at 11.30am we welcome families to come and join us for our monthly Family Service. We are united by our belief in Jesus, who sustains and 

encourages us in all the ups and downs of life. Everyone is welcome to join us! www.heartlandsec.org/KLM/index.html Contacts: Revd. Heller G.P 01505 872961 

/ Maureen Russell (Pastoral Assistant) 01505 872905. 

MOUNT ZION CHURCH: Rev. Andy Lunn BSc, (01475 791282) Mount Zion Church, Law View Road, Quarriers Village, PA11 3FD. Sunday Worship: 10.30am, Bible 

Study and Prayer Meetings: Wednesday at 7pm and Friday at 10 am. Please come and invite others: all welcome! 


30 


. . . Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie . . . 

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie 

362 kilogrammes 

of food! 770 meals. 

Renfrewshire Foodbank recently wrote 

to Kilbarchan Church of Scotland 

thanking it for its donations in the 

twelve months from December 2017 

to December 2018. Friends and 

members of the church gave 362 kgs 

of foodstuffs, which were delivered 

by volunteers on Mondays to the 

Foodbank warehouse in Paisley. 362 

kgs equals 798 lbs, or 57.5 stones, or 

7 hundredweights. The letter revealed 

that the church’s donation was the 

equivalent of providing 770 meals. 

Thanks to all who helped-keep up the 

good work! 


Kilbarchan Messy 

Church 

Our next 

M e s s y 

Church is 

on Saturday 

16th February 

between 4pm to 6pm 

in the Church halls. Come along 

and enjoy the games, crafts and 

stories fi nishing by sitting down to eat 

together. All children accompanied by 

an adult will be made most welcome. 


Lochwinnoch SWI 

Our next meeting is on 

Wednesday 20th February 

at 7.30pm in the McKillop 

Hall. This is going to be a delicious 

Taste and Try Baking Demonstration 

by Janette Cousar - so, ditch the New 

Year slimming resolution, and come 

along and enjoy some great baking! 

We look forward to welcoming 

members and friends. 

Further info from Elma Richmond 

843193 or richmond32@tiscali.co.uk 


Lochwinnoch Tea 

Dance 

The next FREE Tea Dance with Music 

Box providing the music, is on Friday 

22nd February in Lochwinnoch 

Golf club call 07868 752814 for 

information. 


Training for 

Public, Become a 

Dementia Friend 

The next public training to be a 

Dementia Friend is on Tuesday 12th 

February @ 7.30pm in Lochwinnoch 

Calder Church. The training will be 

taken by Carolyn Irvine from Alzheimer 

Scotland – Action on Dementia. The 

training is for anyone who wants to 

learn more about dementia. (If you 

want more information call 07868 

752814). 


Kilbarchan Parish 

Church 

Big Band night in Kilbarchan Parish 

Church hall, The popular F.P. Band is 

returning on Saturday 2nd February 

at 7.30pm. There are very few tickets, 

price £10, remaining. The ticket 

includes a buffet supper. 


Liz and Morag are now going 

for 1000 people through the 

course! 

Morag and Liz beside the 

AED in Lochwinnoch 

Would you know what to do in 

an Emergency? 

Everyone welcome in 2019! 

♥ Every week in Scotland, 70 people suffer cardiac arrest. 

♥ More than 3500 people per year in Scotland are treated by the Ambulance 

Service following a cardiac arrest. 

♥ Only one in 20 people will survive. 

♥ Without resuscitation, cardiac arrest is always fatal 

♥ But, performing CPR could double that person’s chance of survival 

Heartstart courses are free of charge and it only takes two hours to learn the 

skills which may someday save a life: 

♥ Recovery position 

♥ CPR and using an Automated External Defi brillator (AED) 

♥ Heart Attack 

♥ Choking 

♥ Serious bleeding 

To learn the simple skills that save lives, contact Morag Thow on 07868 752814 

to book onto one of our courses in 2019: 

Tuesday 26th February 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Tuesday 30th April 1pm - 3pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

If you have a group in the Lochwinnoch / Howwood area that would like a Heart 

Start Course Liz and Morag are pleased to come to your group to deliver the 

course. 


Howwood 

Community Council 

Meetings are held on the second 

Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in 

Howwood Village Hall. Please feel free 

to come along - all welcome. 


Howwood WI 

Events 

February – Tuesday 19th: Afternoon 

Meeting 2pm. Visit to Lime Tree 

Larder, KIlbirnie. Vote of thanks: Anne 

McCallum. 

Your Ward 9 Councillors ... for Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderlsie 

Andy Doig, Derek Bibby, Bill Binks, Emma Rodden | Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 


Howwood: Village Hall: 2nd Tues at 7.30pm. | www.howwood.com/community-council.php 

Kilbarchan: Steeple Hall: monthly at 7.30pm. | www.kilbarchan.info/community_council.html 

Lochwinnoch: Bowling Club: 1st Tues at 7.30pm 


Kilbarchan, Guide Centre. Tel: 702758. 

Kilbarchan, Old Library Centre. Tel: 706070 



31 


SCHOOLS: At the fi rst Education and Children’s Service Policy 

Board meeting of 2019, class sizes in Primary Schools was one 

of the subjects on the agenda. Renfrewshire Council currently 

operates a model where the class size maximum in primary 

2 is normally 25. With effect from August 2019 this is to be 

increased to 30. From this date class size maximums will be:- 

25 in primary 1, 30 in primary 2 & 3 and 33 in primary 4 to 7. 

GROUPS: ‘KAIROS’ is an exciting women’s initiative in 

Renfrewshire, providing support and opportunities for all women 

and has set up base in Johnstone. It is a Drop-in Centre where any woman can 

pop in for a cuppa and a chat. 

The values of the organisation can be summed up as follows :- 

• The Vision: Women supporting women to be the best they can be 

• The Mission: A world where all women achieve their potential 

• The Ethos: Love, Laughter, Friendship and Support 

Its aim is to be community led and asset based and is about bringing women 

from the community together to coproduce a woman’s space. Fundamental to 

its development is the need to develop a shared vision and value base that is 

inclusive and that recognises that everybody has views to express, skills to bring 

and a contribution to make. For further details about this initiative you can drop 

into the Centre at 16 Quarry Street, Johnstone, PA5 8DZ any Thursday from 10am 

to 12noon. 

Contact details:- Tel: 01505 228643, Mob: 07414 081979, email: Katy Wilson- 

Scott katy@activecommunities.co.uk 

VILLAGES: Last year a number of walkabouts were organised between Ward 9 

Councillors and Renfrewshire Council Offi cers, to look at issues of concern within 

the Ward such as roads, potholes, speeding, functional 30mph road signs, litter 

and road & path cleaning etc. Also inspection of the Village Hall in Howwood 

which needs urgent attention. To date there has been little, if any, notable activity 

to deal with these concerns. I have now sent out reminders about these concerns 

to the offi cers involved and hopefully in my next Report will have more positive 

news to convey to you. 

Email: cllr.bill.binks@renfrewshire.gov.uk Tel: 0300 300 1423 

Week 1 Tuesday KILBARCHAN Steeple Hall 6pm/7pm. 

Week 2 Tuesday HOWWOOD Village Hall 6pm/7pm. 

Week 3 Wednesday JOHNSTONE Town Hall 6pm/7pm. 

Week 4 Wednesday LOCHWINNOCH McKillop Institute 6pm/7pm. 


Gryffe Scottish 

Country Dance Club 

We meet every Thursday at 8pm in the 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre for a lively and 

fun evening of dancing. Anyone thinking 

of having a go, or experienced dancers 

thinking of getting back into the swing, just 

come along and join in. All will be most 

welcome. We have a lovely hall with a 

super sprung fl oor - easy on the legs. 

Our last term ended with our usual 

Christmas party night with over 30 dancers 

attending all enjoying a great night of 

music, dance and chat. This spring term 

will end with our usual fundraising dance 

in April. If you dance locally, put 9th April 

in your diary. 

More information from Les Lambert 

at leslambert08@gmail.com / 01505 

704398. 


Knitting Bee 

Meets fortnightly on a Tuesday 

from 7pm to 9pm at Knit Knax, 

37 High Street Johnstone, also 

weekly Thursday from 2pm to 

4pm. 

Contact: Pamela 07743 156738 

or email bknitting@hotmail.co.uk. 


Kilbarchan 

Parish Church 

Tots’ Club 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ 

Club continues on Monday 

mornings from 9.15am - 11.30am 

in the hall. All tots from birth-3 

years welcome, along with an 

accompanying adult. 

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UPGRADES: At the end of last year I happened to be speaking 

to one of my Howwood constituents in Kilnknowe Cottages and 

he showed me a letter from Renfrewshire Council regarding an 

upgrade of the Cottages which I have subsequently found out 

from another constituent was cancelled. I am currently liaising 

with council offi cers to ensure this upgrade does take place as it 

is vital that Howwood get its fair share of Council investment, as 

it is often sadly overlooked. 

CHILDCARE: Since my fi rst election in 2012 I have always 

made it clear that I would fi ght hard to try and get more investment, jobs, and 

services into my ward and its communities. Therefore, I am delighted at the 

new expansion of childcare places agreed at the last Education and Childrens 

Board which is very good news for parents, children, and families as a whole in 

my ward. The Board agreed that the new expansion of childcare services meant 

three categories in terms of making existing and local nursery buildings suitable 

for the extra expansion between 2019/22. The three building categories are 

refurbishment, extension, and new build. Lochwinnoch Childcare Class is to get 

a refurbishment, and St Margaret’s Childcare Class, and Kilbarchan Community 

Nursery an extension each. 

This means an extra 72 childcare places for 3/5yr olds at St Margaret’s 

in Johnstone, an extra 56 places at Kilbarchan, and an extra 48 places at 

Lochwinnoch. This will be excellent news as we live in a world now where people 

often work irregular hours at very short notice so families need all the support 

they get regarding childcare. 

My advice surgery in Kilbarchan is on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in 

the Steeple Hall at 7.30pm, and my advice surgery in Howwood is on the 

4th Wednesday of the month in Howwood Village Hall at 6.30pm, then at 

Lochwinnoch also on the 4th Wednesday of the month in the McKillop at 7.30pm, 

excluding July and December. But I am also always available to constituents who 

can call me on 07534 148224, tweet me on CllrAndy4Ward8, facebook me on 

Independent Voice/Ward9JohnstoneAndVillages, or e-mail me at cllr.andy.doig@ 

renfrewshire.gov.uk 


Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie ... 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH: Services continue at 11am during the month of February. On Sunday 24th, the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be 

observed at 11am in the church and at 2pm in the hall. The services will be conducted by Rev Stephen Smith. Junior Church and the crèche meet each 

week in the halls from 10.45am. All welcome to any of these services. Refreshments and fellowship in the hall after each service. Midweek Fellowship 

is on Wednesday mornings in the small hall, coffee at 10.30am, followed at 11am by a short service of worship. All welcome. 

HOWWOOD PARISH CHURCH: Minister Rev May Bell. Sunday Service and Sunday School. 10am each Sunday. Prayer meeting held at 3 Bowfield Way, 

Howwood, 7.30pm on Tuesdays. 

LOCHWINNOCH PARISH CHURCH: Mary Jane Bird. Sunday 11am: Morning Worship and Sunday School. All welcome. 

CALDER UNITED FREE CHURCH: (Church Street, Lochwinnoch) Sunday: 11am Morning worship with Sunday School and Crèche. 6.30pm Evening Fellowship 

group, 7.30pm ABC’s Teen group. Wed 6.30pm - 7.30pm. 

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH, Lochlip Rd. All services commence 7.30pm. 

ELDERSLIE KIRK: Sunday service every week at 11am. Minister - Rev. Robin Allison. All welcome. Weekly meetings:- Monday Club every week from 

12noon - 2.30pm. Light lunch and a varied activity programme. Midweek Fellowship will meet every Wed from 10.30am for Tea/Coffee followed by a 

short Service of Worship at 11am. 


Kilbarchan 

There are 2 meetings in February with 

our new syllabus-an evening about 

Charles Rennie McIntosh and “Would I 

Lie to You?”, our version of the popular 

TV show! For further information 

about becoming a member, either 

phone 703786 or visit the website: 

www.nwr.org.uk 


32 


The Semples of Beltrees, 6 

Robert Semple, 6th Laird of Beltrees 

Robert Semple, 6th Laird of Beltrees, born in 1687, was the eldest son of Robert 

Semple and Mary Pollock. We are indebted to him for preserving a number of 

the poems and impromptu verses written by his grandfather, Francis Semple. 

Robert, too, is thought to have dabbled in verse. Among his manuscripts is a 

poem, Ramillies. This amusing poem, written in the Scots vernacular, is the story 

of a young girl who ran off with a sailor, after being forced by her father to marry 

a much older man. Its authorship is attributed to Robert. 

Robert had a long healthy life, living to the age of one hundred and two! In 1722 

he married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Cochrane of Mainshill. Elizabeth, 

who predeceased him, was said to have been a very elegant lady. The couple 

lived in Thirdpart in Kilbarchan Parish and had eight children between 1726 and 

1737. 

In his home village of Kilbarchan Robert Semple was well-remembered and 

renowned, not only for his longevity, but also for an incident in his childhood. At 

the age of ten, he was staying with his parents in Pollock Castle, the home of his 

uncle Sir William Pollock. The hanging and the burning of the Bargarran Witches 

was scheduled to take place on Gallow Green in Paisley on the 10th of June, 

1697, and young Robert was keen to witness the spectacle. To prevent him from 

going, his parents hid his shoes. However, this didn’t stop him. He managed 

to leave the house, and walk barefoot to Paisley where he joined the immense 

crowd who had gathered to watch the spectacle. The memory of this eventful 

day stayed with him all his life and was a tale often recounted in his old age. In 

the last decade of 19th century an old weaver in Kilbarchan was proudly heard to 

say ‘I knew a man who knew a man who saw the last witch burnt in Paisley’. The 

man was Robert Semple! 

As a young man Robert, 6th Laird, went to sea. In his old age he recounted an 

unusual event in his adventures. On one of his sea voyages he went ashore 

at Archangel in Russia. Robert was watching sea animals in a pond where, 

apparently by chance, he witnessed a sea animal snapping at the Czar, Peter 

the Great, and biting the cock of his hat. Destinations of his other sea voyages 

are unknown. 

Before the age of thirty, Robert was back in Renfrewshire where he was appointed 

as a burgher of Renfrew in 1716. He was regarded as a man of integrity and good 

judgement and was well respected in the community. He later became Collector 

of Cess for Renfrewshire and a long-serving Justice of Peace. In 1724, when 

Kilbarchan Parish Church was rebuilt, Robert was a subscriber and one of the 

fi ve heritors who organised the rebuilding of the church. In recognition of his 

work, a door (now long blocked up) on the south side of church was named the 

Beltrees Door. 

In 1758, Robert sold Thirdpart 

and its farms to William 

McDowall of Castle Semple. He 

still retained the title, Semple 

of Beltrees. Where he lived 

after the sale of Thirdpart is 

uncertain. In 1777, at the age 

of ninety, Robert feued land on 

what was then part of Milliken Estate in Kilbarchan and built Beltrees Cottage, 

naming it after his family’s former estate. According to his daughter, Arabella, not 

long before his death he was still able walk twenty miles a day. Robert Semple 

died in Beltrees Cottage in 1789 at the ripe old age of one hundred and two! 

© 2019, Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum 

NEXT MEETING: Thursday 14th February 2019 

Renfrewshire Local History Forum holds its next archaeology lecture meeting in 

Room 116 in the Coats Building, University of the West of Scotland, (entrance 

in Storie Street, Paisley) at 7.30pm on Thursday, 14th February. Our speaker 

is Louise Turner, archaeologist and writer. Her lecture, entitled ‘The Blackened 

Charcoal so Brightly Burns’, details the evolution of an ironworking site at 

Hunterston, North Ayrshire. 

Agriculture – Kilmacolm 

The parish of Kilmacolm, which is the largest in Renfrewshire, contains some of 

the fi nest rural scenery not just in the county but also in Scotland. Its principal 

geographical features are its two fi ne sheltered river valleys, the Greenwater and 

the Gryffe, both protected from the North and East winds. The land surface is 

highly undulating and in some places it resembles areas of the Highlands. The 

soil is light and porous which is suited to good grassland and silage production, 

except on Duchal Moor to the West of the parish, which is mainly peat and 

heather suitable only for sheep pasturage. 

Land Use 

Much of the land has not been brought into cultivation and because of the 

extensive grassland in the parish; the main agricultural activity for centuries was 

cattle. Animals were able to move freely across the countryside to market. In 

the early part of the 19th Century many improvements in land cultivation through 

better drainage and crop rotation led to the fencing in of land. 

Market Impact on Agricultural Industry 

Major changes have taken place in the agricultural industry in the parish 

particularly in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Better links with markets 

and the growing demand for milk gradually encouraged dairy farming initially with 

the Ayrshire breed and more recently with Friesians. However, the once popular 

dairy industry has since contracted because of the over production of milk, the 

fall in market price and the resultant lack of profi tability. Although corn, barley, 

hay, potatoes and turnips were grown on some farms in the parish, throughout 

the centuries, economic circumstances are such that the local yields of these 

crops and the cost of production did not compare favourably with, for example, 

farms in the East coast of Scotland. As a result, very little cultivation now takes 

place except for barley, which is grown, in a few fertile areas locally. 

Impact of Mechanisation 

From the beginning of the 

20th Century mechanical 

improvements brought a 

gradual decline in human 

labour on the farm. Around 

the 1950’s the internal 

combustion engine 

replaced the horse, mainly 

Clydesdale, and almost led 

to their extinction. Since 

then the tractor and highly 

Clydesdale Horse with Owner Captain James Anderson 2017 

effective machinery have 

revolutionised the industry, particularly in the harvesting of silage. 

We are now entering the era of driverless tractors, which are controlled from 

satellites. 

Johnstone History Society 

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 12th February 2019 

We have just had our fi rst meeting of the year, this was a very interesting talk about 

the Glasgow Necropolis delivered by Nigel Willis. This meeting was well attended 

and all were made welcome. Next month our meeting is on the 12th February 

in the Masonic Hall Collier Street at 7.30pm. Our speaker on this occasion 

will be Alastair Dinsmor talking about Glasgow City Police. We look forward to 

welcoming all members and friends. I was with sadness our chairperson had to 

announce the death of our long serving treasurer Alistair McIntosh who will be 

greatly missed. 

The Museum is open from 10.30am till 4 pm Wednesday Friday and Saturday. 

We have many books and maps on sale and these may also be purchased online 

at johnstonehistory.org and can be paid via PayPal. We still have a few Johnstone 

Calendars left and these can be bought at the Museum or also online. 



33 


Move it or Lose it! 

It may be winter outside but in our 

hearts it’s spring! Easy to follow 

exercise which can be done seated 

or with support. Come and join the 

fun and make new friends. We 

would love to meet you! Check out 

the “Regular Meets” in the sports 

section for more class details. 



Howwood Parish 

Church Community 

Coffee Shop 

Community Coffee Shop - 

First Friday monthly 

Howwood Parish Church: 

10am - 12noon 

“In the community, for the community” 

Adults £2 | Children free. 

All welcome. 

BUDGET: The council budget is due to be set at the end of this 

month. In recent times year on year cuts have placed signifi cant 

pressure on council services. 

As this year's budget looms, concern has already been raised by 

the decision on January 17th by the current administration on 

Renfrewshire Council to increase class sizes in all primary two 

classes from 25 to 30 children. Given the Scottish Government's 

claim that Education is their fl agship policy, this does not 

augur well for this years settlement and the protection of other 

services. 

BINS: I have seen over recent weeks, a signifi cant increase in the number of 

complaints in my inbox in regard to missed bin collections. Introducing the recent 

reduction to grey bin collections, and an additional recycling bin just before the 

festive season, was always going to see a diffi cult start, however I have been taken 

aback by the scale of the problem particularly in certain parts of Kilbarchan. I 

have had discussions with the council and highlighted areas of concern and the 

need for a much more reliable service. 

PLANNING: The planning application for 110 houses on the site of the old 

Johnstone hospital was approved by Renfrewshire Council's Communities 

Housing and Policy Board at its January meeting. This development is in the 

primary school catchment area which contains Kilbarchan Primary school, and 

council offi cers have concluded that there is suffi cient capacity to take new pupils 

at the school. 

While this is someway ahead, the whole issue of reviewing school catchment 

areas and the impact on our existing village schools needs to be carefully 

considered by the council in determining any future planning applications, and 

I will be monitoring this over the coming months. The mid January meeting 

of the Education Policy Board was provided with an update of the council 

plans to implement the Scottish Government's increased child care and early 

learning provision intended to be in place by August 2020. This sadly did not 

include any detail of the nature and timing of building and refurbishment work 

required at Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch nurseries or indeed anywhere else in 

Renfrewshire. I have raised this issue previously at board meetings as many 

working parents will be making plans on what has been promised. This lack of 

progress means that meeting the August 2020 target is becoming increasingly 

challenging. 

My advice surgeries are on the fi rst Saturday of every month except January and 

July at 9am in the McKillop Institute Lochwinnoch, 10am in Howwood Village Hall, 

11am in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan, and 12.30pm in Johnstone Town Hall 

Meantime please contact me at: cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 

0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007. 

LOCAL HISTORY continued 

Kilbarchan February 1919 

Private John Struthers worked as a builder’s timekeeper before the war. He 

was born in 1892 when his father was a farm servant, living at Burntshields 

Cottage, Kilbarchan. By 1911 the family was in Govanhill. John volunteered 

for the Army Service Corps: he arrived in France on 13th December 1915. He 

was attached to K Siege Park, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps when 

he died of pneumonia on 16th February 1919. He is buried at Grave C.30 in 

Maubege Centre Cemetery. His younger brother Robert had been killed at 

Gallipoli in 1915. 

There are two names for whose association with Kilbarchan has not yet been 

proved, although they are on the village memorial, Alexander Moir and Colin 

Campbell. Victor Drago is on the memorial: all that is known about him is that 

he lived at 15 Easwald Bank and was fi ned a pound or three days in prison 

for exceeding the 20 mph speed limit at Brechin. If anyone can help, please 

phone Colin Campbell 01505 702713. 

One other soldier is not on the local memorial, but has a grave at Kilbarchan 

Cemetery. His name will be revealed in 1920! 


Call For Art 

Exhibitors 2019 

Lochwinnoch 

Arts Festival 

For more information call Gill on 07761 172726. 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival ’19 

Wednesday 27th Feb 

Photography exhibition, Library, 

Donation to MND 

FRINGE WEEKEND 

Friday 8th March 

Iconic women Christine Bovill, Witches 

Brew and Outi Smith, McKillop, 7.30pm, 

£10/8 

Saturday 9th 

Jericho Hill and Bensider, McKillop, 

7.30pm, £8/6 

Sunday 10th 

Family music event, Lochbarr, 12-7pm, 

Free 

Ukulele workshop, Parish Church, 

3-5pm, £5, booking required 

Life and Times of Pete Seeger with 

Finlay Alison & Jimmy Ross, Lochbarr, 

7.30pm, £8/6 

FESTIVAL OPENS 

Wednesday 13th 

Art Exhibition opening, Library, 7pm, By 

invitation 

Thursday 14th 

Alan Bisset Moira Monologues, 

McKillop, 7.30pm, £8/6 

Friday 15th 

Comedy night, McKillop, 7.30pm, 

£10/8 

Calder Church event, Calder Church, 

7.30pm, donation 

Saturday 16th 

Jeff Zycinsky author, McKillop, 10.30am, 

£6/4 

Craft Fair, McKillop, 1-4pm, free 

Susie Lamont pupil concert, Parish 

Church, 4-6pm, donation 

Karen Matheson and FARA, McKillop 

Hall, 7.30pm, £14 

Sunday 17th 

Come and Try Jazz Choir with Outi Smith, 

McKillop, 1-3pm, £5, booking required 

Accordion workshop, McKillop, 2.30- 

4.30pm, £5, booking required 

Coro Aretiena Aracena Spanish choir, 

Parish Church, 3-5pm, £6/4 

Classical music ‘Love and Romance’, 

Parish Church, 7.30pm, £8/6 

Calling all local painters you are 

invited to submit to the 2019 

Arts Festival in March 2019. 

Monday 18th 

Lochwinnoch Writers with Kirstin Innes 

and Diarmid MacArthur, Library, 2pm, 

Donation for MND 

Sing for St Vincent’s Lochwinnoch 

Choral Society, Location TBC, 7.30pm, 

Donations for St Vincent’s hospice 

Tuesday 19th 

Witches’ Brew Tea Bar McKillop 11am 

free 

Badger Mystical Mutt McKillop 1.30pm 

Free school only 

Wednesday 20th 

WhirlyBirds toddler event McKillop 

10.30 - 11.30am £3 or £4 

Glasgow Theatre Guild Parish Church 

7.30pm £6/4 

Thursday 21st 

Lochwinnoch Drama McKillop 7.30pm 

£6/4 

Billy Gray - Jammin’in The Junction 

7.30pm Price TBC 

Friday 22nd 

Lochwinnoch Drama McKillop 7.30pm 

£6/4 

Billy Gray – Jammin’ in The Junction 

7.30pm Price TBC 

Saturday 23rd 

Bernard MacLaverty author McKillop 

10.30am £6/4 

Krafty Kids McKillop 1-4pm Drop in £3 

Craft Fair McKillop 1-4pm free 

Rock night McKillop 7.30pm £10/8 

Sunday 24th 

Come and Try Pottery McKillop 10-4pm 

Come and Try and Workshops, £5, 

booking required 

ReMode McKillop 10-12noon 

Fiddle workshop McKillop 10-12noon 

Pennywhistle workshop McKillop 

1-3pm 

Festival Finale Parish Church 7.30pm 

£6/4 

Contact for ticket info: 07868 752814 

Contact for workshops and come and try: 07761 172726 



. . . Houston, Crosslee & Brookfield . . . 

34 

houston, crosslee & brookfield 

Houston & Killellan Kirk 

Charity Donations 2018 

Houston and Killellan Kirk have donated over fi fteen and a half thousand pounds 

(£15,500) on behalf of the congregation over 2018. The money has been raised 

from retiring collections, Sunday School children’s donations, Mwandi events, the 

Kirk Postie and Sleep in the Park. 

Donations paid over: 

The Sunday School 

Special retiring collections 

Mwandi Milk Project ................. £100 

Indonesian Tsunami ................ £751 The Kirk Postie 

Erskine Hospital ....................... £506 Renfrewshire Home Start .....£1,000 

SAAFA ........................................ £506 Sleep in the Park 

Retiring collections throughout the year Sponsorship to Social Bite....£8,000 

St Vincent’s Hospice ................ £667 Mwandi events 

Riverbrae School ...................... £667 Solar Lamps ...........................£2,500 

Mwandi Milk Project ................. £500 Calculators ................................ £352 

Donations from the congregation have also come in the form of food for the 

food bank, warm clothes for the homeless, shoes, Christmas gifts for children 

supported by Crossreach, foreign money, stamps and also donations of time. 

Revd. Gary Noonan commented “It is wonderful how the church and community 

come together and support so many causes. Until the donations are added 

together like this, you don’t appreciate how impressive is the response.” 

What’s on at the Cameo Club. 

The Cameo Club meet every 2nd Wednesday in the West Halls. Come along 

and join us for tea coffee and home baking. On Wednesday 6th February we 

welcome The Elderberries who will entertain us with foot tapping music this will 

be a great afternoon. On the 20th February it will be our Annual Bring And Buy 

sale, please feel free to come along and join us. 

The Guild 

January saw members trying out afternoon meetings which everyone enjoyed. 

February 12th “Faith in Young People “ Boys Brigade Scotland. Saturday 23rd 

sees our Annual Daffodil Tea in the West Halls please come along and enjoy 

coffee, tea and homebaking and bring your friends. Pay at the door. The 26th 

February is our guest night when A.G.M trio will come along and sing for us. 

March 1st is the World Day of Prayer which will be celebrated in Houston and 

Killellan Kirk. 



EDUCATION: Since my fi rst election in 2007 I have always made 

it clear that I would fi ght hard to try and get more investment, 

jobs, and services into my ward and its communities. Therefore, 

I am delighted at the new expansion of childcare places agreed 

at the last Education and Childrens Board which is very good 

news for parents, children, and families as a whole in my ward. 

The Board agreed that the new expansion of childcare services 

meant three categories in terms of making existing and local 

nursery buildings suitable for the extra expansion between 

2019/22. The three building categories are refurbishment, extension, and new 

build. East Fulton Childcare Class in Linwood is to get a refurbishment, and 

Houston Early Learning and Childcare Class is to get a new build facility. 

This means an extra 64 childcare places for 3/5yr olds at East Fulton and an 

extra 60 childcare places at Houston Childcare Class. This is excellent news as 

we live in a world now where people often work irregular hours at very short notice 

so families need all the support they get regarding childcare. I am particularly 

pleased that Houston is one of only four areas in Renfrewshire which are getting 

a new build early learning and childcare facility. 

My advice surgery in Brookfi eld is on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6.30pm in 

Brookfi eld Village Hall, and my advice surgery in Houston is on the 4th Thursday 

of the month in the Carrick Centre, Houston, at 7.15pm, excluding July and 

Christmas. But I am also always available to constituents who can call me on 

07768 130935, or e-mail me at cllr.audrey.doig@renfrewshire.gov.uk 


Houston and 

Killellan Kirk 

Carnival 2019 

Save the date Saturday May 

11th 2019. 

The theme this year is SUPER 

HEROES, you have plenty of time to 

use your imagination and think of 

the hero you would want to be. More 

information in next months issue. The 

Carnival is a major event in Houston’s 

Calendar make it a date. 


French 

Conversation 

Our French conversation groups 

are still going strong. We meet in 

the Fox and Hounds in Houston on 

Wednesdays 9.30am till 12noon and 

alternate Tuesday afternoons 2pm - 

4pm. If you want to join us just come 

along. Details phone/text 07463 

570464 or email avril.forbes2015@ 

outlook.com. We look forward to 

welcoming you. 

Foodbank Appeal 

The Trussell Trust, 

operating in our area as 

Renfrewshire Foodbank 

www.renfrewshire. 

foodbank.org.uk depends 

on general public 

donations for 90% of 

the food they distribute. 

While donations are 

accepted at many 

locations on a daily basis, Houston & Killellan Kirk collect weekly, but twice a year 

focus the appeal on two specifi c Sundays during the year. The next of these is 

10th March. (The second appeal is traditionally made at Harvest Thanksgiving 

each year.) 

A typical Food Parcel contains Breakfast Cereals, Soup, Pasta, Rice, Pasta Sauce, 

Tinned Beans, Tinned Meat, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Fruit, Tea or Coffee, 

Sugar, Biscuits & Snacks. The Foodbank tends to run out of UHT Milk, Juice, 

Tomatoes, Potatoes & Sugar – while they often have a plentiful supply of Pasta, 

Beans & Soup. 

Grateful to those, who wish to support this most deserving initiative, if food 

donations could be brought to the Kirk at the 11am Morning Service on Sunday 

10th March. 


Crafty Friends 

Crafty hobbies is what we do 

Come and join our crafty 

crew 

Come and learn some crafty 

makes 

Followed by some tea and 

cakes (or biscuits) 

We are a group of ladies who enjoy 

making things. No experience 

necessary. We just have a chat and 

do a bit of sewing/knitting/cross stitch 

or anything you like. We meet the 

fi rst and third Thursday in the month. 

Please come and join us. Contact 

Lorna Cairns - 01505 612844. Shirley 

White - 01505 610721 



Houston & 

Crosslee SWI 

We are looking forward to our 

meeting on 13th February when we 

will enjoy a meal in the Houston Inn. 

Our speaker at our March meeting 

is Francis Dunlop talking about 

Inverclyde Waulking Group. 

We meet in the Compass Centre, 

South Street, Houston on the second 

Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. 

Please come and join us, everyone will 

be made very welcome. If you wish 

further information please contact, 

Arlene MacKay on 07932 459994. 

advertizer.co.uk/clients 

Your Ward 10 Councillor ... for Houston, Crosslee, Brookfield & Linwood 

Audrey Doig, Scott Kerr, Alison Jean Dowling, James Sheridan | Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 


BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 2nd Thursday at 7.30pm 

February, April, June, August, October and December. 

HOUSTON: Carrick Centre: 3rd Wednesday at 7.30pm | houstoncommcouncil@yahoo.co.uk 


Brookfield, Village Hall. Tel: 335562 

Houston, Carrick Centre. Tel: 612203 / 331488 

Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: Gillian Peters - 07879 407574 or 

01505 613759. 

Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 222944 



35 


Houston Co-op 

Christmas Collection 

Weekend 

HOUSTON CO-OP - £1,330 raised plus two car 

loads of your donated food for the Food Bank! 

Thank you to everyone who donated so kindly 

in the Houston CO-OP to the Renfrewshire Food 

Banks Christmas Collection Weekend held instore 

on December 8th and 9th 2018. 

Every penny of the £1,330 raised and every item 

of food donated goes directly to children and 

their families facing hardship in Renfrewshire this 

winter. 

Due to a fi re in December, the Houston CO-OP 

is presently closed for refurbishment. Once reopened, 

hopefully early in February, the Food Bank donation bin will be there 

alongside a poster showing the food and toiletry items that the Food Bank is short 

of each month. Many thanks for all of your kindness Houston. 

Conversation Café 

Houston & Killellan Kirk is hosting a 

Conversation Café, where members of the 

Kirk and our community can discuss and help 

formulate priorities for the Kirk and our new 

Minister in the months and years ahead. 

So, whether or not you are a Kirk member, 

please do come along and let your ideas help 

to shape the Kirk’s role in the community. 

10am – 2pm (with lunch provided) 

Saturday 16th February 2019 

West Halls, Main Street, Houston 

Your Voice Matters… 

H.O.S.T. The Carrick Centre, Houston 

(Houston Old School Trust) 

Monday to Friday, Gryffe Manor Out 

of School 01505 615438 

Coffee Shop: - Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm 

Sat 9am - 4pm 

MONDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) @ 1pm Mary Laidlaw 

01505 229112 | Diaporama 11th @ 

7.30pm | Young Farmers 11th, 28th 

@ 7pm | Sewing Group (Weekly) @ 

10am - 12noon | Houston Show 

25th @ 7.30pm 

TUESDAY 

Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) @ 10am Dawn 

Campbell 07789 262350 | Galaxy 

(Own Room) @ 4pm - 7pm | Yoga 

(Weekly) @ 7pm M/s Lawson 01505 

613690 | Councillor Surgery 1st 

Tues (5th) @ 6.45pm – 7.30pm - Scott 

Kerr | Councillors Surgery 19th @ 

12noon - Allison Dowling 

WEDNESDAY 

Baby Class (Weekly) @ 10am 

- 12noon - Liesa Callahan | 

Gryffe Melody Makers @ 7pm | 

Community Council 20th @ 7.30pm 

| Gryffe Camera Club (Weekly) @ 

7.30pm | Galaxy Dance (Weekly) 

@ 4pm – 7pm 


Family Ceilidh - Saturday 16th March 

A Family Ceilidh will take place in the Village Hall on Saturday 16th March with 

local band Clamjamfrie. 

The start time is 6pm and tickets are priced at £7 for adults, £3 for children (age 

5-18) and under 5’s go free. Tickets are available in advance by telephoning 

Ruth on 07875 565648 or by e-mailing: brookfi eldvpa@gmail.com There will be a licensed bar and a raffl e. 

Don’t worry if you don’t know the difference between a Dashing White Sergeant and a Strip the Willow - all the dances will 

be explained by the band’s expert dance caller so everyone can participate and have a good time. 

So whether you’ve got two left feet or you’re a keen dancer, come along and bring your family and friends for an evening of 

whirling and birling! 

Brookfi eld Village Council | Village Hall | 45 Woodside Road | Brookfi eld | PA5 8UB 

Brookfi eld Village Council is a registered Scottish charity - Charity No: SC006461 

www.facebook.com/brookfi eldvillage.org | Twitter: @Brookfi eldvpa | www.brookfi eldvillage.org 

THURSDAY 

Gryffe Quilting Group (Weekly) @ 

1.15pm - 3.15pm (21st @10am) | 

Primary Colours (Weekly) @ 3.30pm 

– 4.30pm | Crafty Friends 7th, 

21st @ 7.30pm | Folk Club (Weekly) 

8pm - iaintdawson@gmail.com 

07786 078952 | Move it or Lose it 

(Weekly) @ 10am - 12noon 

FRIDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) @ 10.30am M/s 

Lawson 01505 613690 | Galaxy 

Dancing 2nd, 9th,16th, 23rd @ 

3.30pm - 7pm | Gavin Newlands 

M.P. Surgery 2nd Fri (8th) @12.30pm 

– 1.30pm 

SATURDAY 

Galaxy Dancing 3rd, 10th, 17th, 

24th @ 9.30am - 5pm | Councillors 

Surgery 1st Sat (2nd) @ 11.30am – 

12noon Jim Sheridan 

SUNDAY 

Baptist Church (Weekly) @ 11am 

and 6pm 

Please Note A PORTABLE DEFIB UNIT is available at the 

West Halls (Church) on Main Street 

Booking enquiries to: Ian Simpson 01505 612203 

Bill Haddow 01505 690693 Stewart Scally 01505 674277 

hostbooking@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop 


Brookfield Art Club 

Art Show 

On Sunday 24th March the Brookfi eld 

Art Club are hosting their annual art 

show in Brookfi eld Village Hall from 

12noon - 4.30 pm. Admission is £1 

and there will be a Tea Room with 

Home Baking. 

. . . Houston, Crosslee & Brookfield . . . 

Churches in Houston ... 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

HOUSTON AND KILLELLAN: All Services will be led by Rev Gary Noonan unless otherwise stated. Sunday 3rd February - 9.45am - Early Communion Service, 11am 

- Morning Worship. Sunday 10th, 17th, 24th February - 11am - Morning Worship. You can find out more about us at www.houstonkillellankirk.org 

ST FILLAN’S, Main St, Houston: Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5pm, 9.30am & 11am. Weekday Masses: Mon - Sat 9.30am. Rosary: Tue, Thurs & Sat 9.10am. 

Exposition: Mon, Wed & Fri 9.05am. Confessions: Sat 10am - 10.30am and after Vigil Mass. Baptism: By arrangement. Parish Priest:- Rev. Paul Brady. 

Assistant Priest:- Rev. Chima Kingsley Opara. Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Mary Frances Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). Address: ‘Abbotsfield’, St. Fillan’s, 

Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T. 01505 612046. E. StFillan@rcdop.org.uk www.stfillan.org.uk 

HOUSTON BAPTIST CHURCH at Carrick Centre: 11am Family services with SS for children age 5 - 12; 6pm Eve Service; Mid-week Home Bible Study; For more 

information contact; Rev. D Snelson 01505 612722. 

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Village Hall, Main Street, Houston PA6 7EL. Rev Geoff Austin (Interim Pastor) Family Service at 10.30am, Creche available. 

Communion service first Sunday of the month. Tel 01505 610862. www.houston.nazarene.org.uk 

German Wire-haired Pointer by Joanna B.Geddes 


36 


Lotus Sanctuary 

Raising awareness - Awakening hearts - 

Saving lives 

The Lotus sanctuary idea was born from a vision 

board following a retreat in 2010 with Zen Buddhist 

Master Thich Nhat Hanh – the concept was simple 

– a non-judgemental place where human & non-human 

animals could heal in harmony and where rescued animals could live out 

their lives in peace & love. 

In 2016 Lotus founder Lynn rescued a 

bullock (called Prince) and since then 

countless animals have been rescued from 

all over the UK and transported to places 

of safety where they are dearly loved and 

cared for. 

In 2016 www.bohemianhippy.com was set 

up to raise awareness for animals, and 

money to open the sanctuary. The site 

sells a wide range of 100% not-for-profit clothing 

and merchandise; all which carry messages that 

guarantee to start important conversations about 

living a more compassionate life. 

Lotus Sanctuary is on the verge of opening their 

doors and they hope to have an announcement 

later in the month. 

Follow the story on social media 

• Facebook: 

@LotusAnimalSanctuary @PrinceMooMoz @BohemianHippyUK 

• Twitter: 

@Prince_Moo-Moz - @BohemianHippyUK 

• Instagram: 

@Prince_Moo_Moz - @BohemianHippy2016 @LotusHeartSanctuary 

www.lotusanimalsanctuary.com 

www.GoFundMe/LotusSanctauryScotland 

MISSING PETS 

Help Find Kara 

Kara is an 8 year old tortie and has been 

missing since October 2017 from the 

Crosslee area of Houston but her owners 

will never give up hope of finding her. 

She is extremely friendly and is chipped. 

She has a collar on with a tag saying she 

chipped and her phone number. 

If you see her please contact Karen (07469 

931537) or Duncan (07496 019945). 

Arian 

Casey 

Re-homing Pets 

Can you offer a home to any of our 

featured pets? 

Arian & Casey - 8 month old, indoor 

female kittens 

These wee ones are still very scared & 

not very trusting of us humans are best 

suited to an experienced cat family that 

have a quiet home and “NO” children or other pets. 

You will also need to have the time, love & patience that 

is needed to continue their progress, help them settle 

and interact/ play with them till they start to trust you. 

Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, Auchinloch, Glasgow G66 5LD 

Telephone: 0141 779 3341 

Acorn, Bagel & Fig - 

male domestic mice 

These three are looking to be rehomed together. They 

are very close and enjoy each other’s company. 

Fig, Acorn and Bagel are all very friendly. They are not 

very used to being handled however they are slowly 

but surely making progress. They would need an 

owner that would be willing to continue on with daily 

handling to ensure they become fully socialised. 

They are nocturnal creatures so enjoy being snuggled 

up in bed during the day and coming out at night to 

forage for food and run in their wheel. 

To contact the centre about any animals, please call 03000 999 999 

or visit www.scottishspca.org/rehoming 

Potter - 8+ male Lab Cross 

Bagel 

Acorn 

Fig 

Potter may be an older gent 

but don’t let his age put you off, 

he is full of beans and loves to 

play! He doesn’t like to be left alone for long 

so we are looking for a home where someone 

is around for most of the day. 

Potter 

Potter appears to have some basic training 

but has the potential to learn more. He could 

live with people over the age of 16 years that can help with his training. 

He is a very active little dog so would be best suited to someone fit and 

able to keep him busy and take him plenty of walks. Having a secure 

garden with a 5ft fence is a must to allow him some freedom to run 

around as he is required to be on lead in public places. 

Potter lacks some self control at times so would benefit from a living 

in a calm environment. Our training and behaviour team will be happy 

to share how best to manage this in the home. If you are looking for a 

hiking buddy he could be the dog for you! 

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, 315 Hamilton Road, Uddingston, Glasgow, 

G71 7SL. Open: 12noon - 4pm (inc weekends); 12noon- 7.30pm on Tuesdays; 

closed: Wednesdays 

NOTE: By time of publishing some of these pets may have been 

rehomed but there are plenty others looking for their ‘forever’ home. 

Deadline date for our March October 2019 issue issue - - Friday 14th 15th September February - you don’t want to miss it!!


Obesity in Pets 

Unfortunately obesity is an increasing problem we see in pets which has 

signifi cant health implications. 

It occurs when the energy intake is greater than the energy expenditure. 

Factors contributing to weight gain, include overfeeding, feeding an 

inappropriate diet eg. Feeding human foods or excessive treats, and 

insufficient exercise. Neutering can also be a factor in weight gain as 

animals that have been neutered require around 30% less calories. 

Some health problems have a higher incidence in obese animals 

including; 

• Respiratory problems: Tracheal collapse, laryngeal paralysis, chronic 

bronchitis and feline asthma. 

• Orthopaedic problems: Arthritis, cruciate disease and certain fracture 

types. 

• Dermatology: Inability to groom, skin fold dermatitis, and general poor 

coat quality. 

• Metabolic disease: Diabetes mellitus 

• Urinary problems: Feline lower urinary tract disease (recurrent cystitis in 

cats) and incontinence in female dogs. 

Obesity can also signifi cantly increase the risks involved with general 

anaesthetics and surgical procedures. 

For an animal to lose weight it is necessary to increase the energy 

expenditure and decrease the energy intake. 

Increasing the energy expenditure 

This is achieved by increasing exercise. 

In dogs: 

• Increasing number and/or length of walks 

• Hydrotherapy if arthritis/weight/other issues 

restrict walks 

• Fetch and retrieving games 

• Off lead exercise 

Equine Car Boot Sale 

Animal Support & Rescue - Mid Gavin Equestrian (not Mid Gavin 

Farm), Howwood 

Sunday 3rd February from 11am 

We are holding a horsey car boot 

sale from 11am till 2pm in our indoor 

arena. We have a large selection 

of rugs, bridles, bits and everything 

you can think of, pop along and 

grab yourself a bargain. Entry by 

voluntary donation. 

Great opportunity to buy and sell anything and everything equine, tables 

are £10 pre-booked, bring your own table and set up is strictly from 10am 

on the day. Spaces are limited. 

https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/animalsupportandrescue 

37 

In cats: 

• Increasing play time 

• Using activity balls and feed toys 

• Feeding at a height (cat has to jump/climb to 

reach food) 

• Hiding food 

Decreasing energy intake 

This is achieved by reducing the number of calories the animal is consuming. 

This means sticking to a recommended diet. 

There are a number of veterinary recommended prescription foods available 

aimed at weight loss in cats and dogs which have a lower calorie content 

than most commercial pet foods. This means that feeding the recommended 

amount of one of these diets provides less calories without restricting other 

essential nutrients within the diet. 

If you think your pet is overweight contact Petvets for a free weight check 

and advice. 

Do you run a local animal charity? Want to get the word out about 

fundraising or appeals? Contact us at info@advertizer.co.uk or call 

01505 613340. This service is free for non-profit organizations. 

Local Animal Charities 

Scottish SPCA 

0141 882 1688 | www.scottishspca.org 

Dogs Trust Glasgow 

0141 773 5130 | www.dogstrust.org.uk 

Cats Protection 

0141 779 3341 | www.cats.org.uk 

Johnstone Cat Rescue 

01505 337321 

Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 

01505 502415 | www.hessilhead.org.uk 

Give a Dog a Bone 

www.giveadogabone.net 

Any Dog’il Do 

www.anydogildorescue.org 

Harvey’s Army Scotland 

harveysarmy.com 

Animal Support & Rescue 

www.animalsupportandrescue.co.uk| 

facebook.com/ASARCharity 

Lamont Farm 

www.lamontfarm.org.uk 

The Underheugh Ark Rescue 

www.underheugharkrescue.co.uk 

These centres and many more are always on the lookout for donations and 

fundraising. If you can help, please get in touch with them. 

Indentibase 

Petidentity UK 

Petlog 

Pet Protect 

Pettrac 

Smarttrac 

Lost Pets? 

If your pet has gone missing 

and you would like to place 

a notice in the Advertizer, 

please call 01505 613340 or 

email info@advertizer.co.uk. 

We can also put updates 

on our website & Facebook. 

There is no charge for this 

service! 

Update Your 

Microchip Details 

If you have changed any of your contact 

details such as your phone number or you 

have moved house, don’t forget to update 

your pets microchip details. 

It could be what helps reunite you with them 

if they are lost or stolen. 

0190 448 7600 

0800 975 1960 

0129 633 6579 

0800 077 8558 

0800 652 9977 

0844 542 0999 


38 


Help Stop 

Wildlife Crime 

If you witness a suspected wildlife 

crime in action call 999 immediately 

and ask for the police. 

For all other enquires call your local 

Police on 101. Alternatively, contact 

your local Police Force directly. 

If you wish to 

anonymously 

report a wildlife 

crime online 

please contact 

Crimestoppers. 

Gryffe Hillwalking Club 

Gryffe Hillwalking Club was formed in 1985. We are 

based in Houston (west of Glasgow), but our members 

live dispersed throughout Renfrewshire and beyond. 

We have a very mixed membership, from those who 

like to walk with a group and have a social day, to 

experienced mountaineers including seven of us who 

have completed all the Munros in Scotland. Some, due 

to family and other commitments, venture out only a few 

times each year, while others get out on the hills every 

other week. 

The Club is affiliated to Mountaineering Scotland, which 

gives members access to discounts at various shops 

(10-20%), huts, insurance and other benefits. 

Want to find out more? See our website: 

gryffehillwalkingclub.com or email the club secretary 

(Paul Prior) at: paulrprior@gmail.com or call/text him 

on 07747 847181 for more information. 

RSPB Lochwinnoch 

Despite the dull winter weather, there 

is plenty of exciting wildlife to be 

explored here at RSPB Lochwinnoch! 

The Barr Loch has continued to 

provide fantastic displays of wintering 

waterfowl – with the ongoing presence 

of large numbers of coot, wigeon and goldeneye to be 

seen; as well as several shoveler, great crested grebe, 

tufted duck, and many others. 

On the woodland trails you will hear many birds starting 

to sing their spring songs, sung to stake out breeding 

territories and attract mates. There is much competition 

for territories, and the Robin’s (Erithacus rubecula) 

spring song can often be heard from December onwards 

in milder years. If you listen carefully on the woodland 

trail, you may also hear Great tit (Parus major) singing 

- their call can be easily remembered as it sounds like 

they are calling “teacher, teacher”! 

If you want to find out more about the reserve and the 

work that goes on here, then why not come along on 

our Wetland Guided Walk on Sunday 10th February? 

The walk will be led by our warden Dan, who will take 

you around the reserve and point out the interesting 

wildlife to be found here. Dan will also tell you about the 

current and future management of the reserve because 

conservation involves much more than just leaving 

things alone! 

For further information about any of our volunteering 

roles, or any of our events, please contact any member 

of staff in the Visitor Centre, email us, or call us. 

For more information about the reserve or any of 

our events, please call 01505 842 663 or email 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk. 

BoW Hillwalkers 

Andy Shand 

Birds, Buddhism and Blue Whales 

- an illustrated talk 

Friday 1st March 

@ 7.30pm 

McMaster Centre 

Donaldson Drive 

Renfrew 

PA4 8LX 

All Welcome 

The Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers have a full programme 

of walks over the next few months including visits to 

Ben Ledi, the Sma’ Glen The Brack and hopefully a 

return trip to the Chain walk in Fife. 

There are weekend trips to Braemar and 

Ardnamurchan proposed and the International 

section is off to Saas Fee in Switzerland. 

Check out our Facebook page or donwwsmith@ 

gmail.com if you want to find out more. 

Gary Prescott 

(The Biking Birder) 

Green Birding and the Adventures 

of The Biking Birder – an 

illustrated talk. 

Friday 1st February 

@ 7.30pm. 

McMaster Centre 

Donaldson Drive 

Renfrew 

PA4 8LX 

All Welcome 



39 

Interested in Photography? 

Finlaystone in February 

Come and visit Finlaystone Country Estate, enjoy our woodland walks, play areas and 

gardens. Join our Rangers for fun events at weekends. 

February in the Garden 

This month we are concentrating on the kitchen garden. We are busy rotovating the 

beds and spreading a thick mulch of compost over the surface. Those beds in which we 

will be growing root vegetables this season will have a mulch of compost, the other beds 

will have a mulch of mixed compost and well-rotted manure. 

Although we are still in the grip of winter, signs of spring are already visible in the form of 

spring bulbs emerging through the grass. Speaking of bulbs, February is the month for 

snowdrops and as usual snowdrop posies will be for sale from the visitor centre and as 

the snowdrop season comes to a end we will also be selling bulbs in the green. These 

can be ordered in advance from the visitor centre. 

While there are not many plants that flower at this time of year there are always 

exceptions and many of our rhododendron and hellebores are currently fl owering. 

Here at Finlaystone we are always happy to welcome volunteers into the garden where the 

gardener will always be able to find work for those interested in getting their hands dirty. 

Kilmacolm Camera Club 

Our local camera clubs continually supply us with 

stunning shots which we use throughout the magazine, 

sometimes as banners or even front pages. If you’ve 

been inspired, why not join them and maybe see 

some of your photographs in print! 

Here’s a few stunning shots from PCPC 

PCPC: Snow at Corgarff by Douglas Forrest 

PCPC: The End of the Road by Jim Black 

In true KCC tradition, members enjoyed their Club Christmas Party. In between nibbles 

and wine, we tackled an entertaining Quiz, expertly organised by Gordon McGibbon. 

Although there were no politically loaded topics, we were happy to give all the organisers 

an overwhelming vote of confi dence! 

We also had a terrifi c show from Mark McColl. This comprised a selection of around 

150 wonderful images taken in Scotland. We were treated to panoramas, star trails, 

snowy vistas and autumn colours reflected in mirror-like lochs. A very high quality show 

which we appreciated greatly. 

Come along and see what we have planned for the rest of our season. You’ll be very 

welcome. 

Paisley Colour Photographic Club : Thursday 

evenings 

The McMaster Centre, Renfrew. www.paisleycolour. 

co.uk 

Langbank Camera Club : Second and fourth Mondays 

of the month. 

For more information please contact Derrick McPherson 

at langbankcc1@gmail.com. 

Gryffe Camera Club : Wednesday nights 

The Carrick Centre, Houston between 7.30pm & 10pm. 

Kilmacolm Camera Club : Tuesday evening 7.30pm 

(October to March) 

The Kilmacolm New Community Centre, Room 1.01. 

For more information contact: Billy Blair, Tel: 873383; 

Janice Stevenson, Tel 873595. Website: clikpic.com/ 

kilcamclub/ 

Diaporama Meeting : Second Monday in the month 

7.30pm in the Carrick Centre, Houston. For further 

information contact Hugh Kerr at 01505 612687 or 

hughkerr14@gmail.com 


40 


Welcome to Clyde Mursheil Regional Park 

Stay Active in 2019: Clyde Muirshiel Rangers 

have another ‘Walk with a Ranger event’ on Sunday 

24th February, this time around the Kelly Cut and 

Leapmoor Forest. Places are FREE but must be 

booked online in advance. More walking/‘get your 

steps’ inspiration on our website downloads page -we 

have new route cards and all the usual trail maps to 

help you explore! 

Give Back on Practical Conservation Days: 

Muirshiel Country Park’s sikta spruce brashings need 

cutting piling and burning. It’s like gardening on a 

slightly bigger scale that will help you get fit! That’s on 

Saturday 23rd February, 10.30am until 3pm. 

Stargazing Evenings: 2019 dates at Castle Semple 

are Monday 18th February and 11th March. Book 

your place online today for just £5 (children 10-16 yrs 

are £2.50) and look forward to an evening of stars, 

planets and other astronomical features. 

Pedal the Park 2019: Taking place on Sunday 5th 

May, online entry is now open for the 5th edition of this 

popular 100km sportive. £20 entry with £7.50 CLIC 

Sargent donation included via the British Cycling 

website. 

Plan Your Most Adventurous Year Yet: 2019 course 

dates are now online! Book via our website for sailing 

and paddle sport courses for adults including 2 hour 

evening tasters, 1/2 day long tuition and recognised 

power boating qualifications. Also online our school 

holiday (hugely popular!) Junior Multi Activity Weeks 

in Easter, Summer and October. There are also 

child-specific paddlesport and sailing 2-day courses 

available. 

Tartan Walk this February: Enjoy a 5km stroll around 

Lochwinnoch and partake in a wee sing-song! Wear 

your tartan and then enjoy a cuppa and raffle back at 

the Centre -10.30am. Registration on Wed 20th Feb. 

Clyde Muirshiel Conservation Volunteers: Greenock 

Cut Volunteers are every Saturday 10.30 -2.30pm; 

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers are every Sunday 

morning 10am-12pm; Castle Semple Volunteers can 

be either at Castle Semple or Muirshiel. Look online 

for full programmes. 

Make a Difference: In a group looking to help make 

a difference? Or have a few colleagues looking for 

a team building challenge? Muirshiel Country Park 

needs you! Please email rangers.castlesemple@ 

clydemuirshiel.co.uk for details on the woodland 

management opportunities available. 

Dates for the Diary: The second Clyde Muirshiel 

Walking Festival will take place on Saturday 25th until 

Monday 27th May, the 10km Bog Stomp on Sunday 

1st Sept and Classic Car Show on Sunday 20th Oct. 

Ride 63 Community Cycle Club: Look on our 

facebook group for details of weekend runs. Contact 

the club by emailing the secretary ridesixtythree@ 

gmail.com for a membership form. 

Tag-n-Track Project Update 

It’s time for the monthly roundup from the Tag-n-Track 

Project Officer Hayley Douglas. TnT is funded by 

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. 

Project News 

The team is back in the office after a month off and we 

are pleased to let you know that as the 1st of January 

was drawing to a close Gary decided it was New Year, 

‘new location time’. He has been down near Stoke 

since August and on Boxing Day he headed down to 

the River Severn near WWT Slimbridge. He stayed 

there until 5.31pm on the 1st. By 8.29pm he was in 

Devon and in the early hours of the 2nd he was fl ying 

over Torquay. By early evening he was off the coast of 

Brittany in France. 

Now this is where he has surprised us. Last year he 

headed through France and Spain to reach Portugal. 

This year he has taken a different route entirely. He fl ew 

over the sea after 

passing France 

for 3 days before 

he reached the 

Portuguese coast 

near Figueira da 

Foz. He took quite 

a wide route and it 

will be interesting to 

see what the wind 

conditions were at 

the time. Just when 

we thought we 

knew Gary - he has 

surprised us again! 

Now that he is in 

Portugal we hope 

he is spotted just 

like some of our other gulls, including one of Gary’s 

chicks. 10S:C was the 2nd of Gary’s chicks to have 

been sighted there (At Praia de Mira in Portugal on 

the 8th of November). Its sibling, 19R:C, has been 

spotted four times so far. 

Happy Gullmore, whose tag is currently offline, was 

identified on one of our gulls’ favourite haunts – the 

Costa de Caprica beach in Portugal on the 13th of 

November. Finally we have news of 0L5:C – one of 

our Pladda birds. Unfortunately his tag broke after 

deployment so it’s really great news for us to hear 

that he has been seen recently in Porto de Pesca de 

Portimão. 

Event news 

We are planning on a ringing demo at Muirshiel in 

February. At the moment we can’t confi rm a date so 

please keep an eye on the website and Facebook for 

further details. 

Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook: facebook. 

com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages and Instagram pages. 



41 

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society 

The Winter Lecture for the 

Kilmacolm Horticultural 

Society in January was given 

by Michael Philip who is the 

County Recorder for the 

Botanical Society of Britain 

and Ireland, responsible 

for Lanarkshire. The BSBI 

searches, identifi es, maps 

and records all plants growing 

in the wild, they monitor what 

grows where and how this is changing over time. A fascinating lecture, 

encouraging us all to look out for flora wherever we are walking - your 

next hobby could be to support the work of the Botanical Society - see 

their website: www.bsbi.org.uk. Our February lecture on Wednesday 

20th February at 7.30pm in the New Community Centre Kilmacolm will 

undoubtedly be extremely popular, Louise Bustard, senior curator at the 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is coming to describe the findings of her tour 

of the Gardens along the Amalfi Coast. Amazing photographs, wonderful 

stores as ever from Louise. Everyone welcome. Please phone Jill Russell 

on 01505 872393 for details of membership of the K.H.S. Or go to our 

website: www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com 

Bridge of Weir Horticultural 

Society 

Members discussed the future of the Society at the annual AGM in 

December. Donald Hepburn gave an informative and useful presentation 

about the Society over its 132 year history up to the present day and 

members voted for the Society to continue. The Committee was tasked 

to undertake a radical review of the Society’s activities to reflect current 

times and lifestyles, although it was noted many issues are universal 

to all organisations. However, Bridge of Weir is hampered by a lack of 

accessible venues and car parking facilities and these continue to be a 

nightmare for all of us trying to support local shops and local activities and 

organise local events. Once business was concluded, members enjoyed 

seasonal refreshments and chatted about the way forward. 

Ewen Brown was our guest speaker in January and a report will appear in 

future. On 14th February we look forward to welcoming Douglas Boatman 

for a “Heather Blether”. Heathers are hard-working, low-maintenance and 

much under-estimated plants, particularly in winter. As always, if the subject 

interests you – come along. We meet at The Bridge at 8pm and you don’t 

have to be a member to join us. 

Meanwhile, check winter fl owering plants, such as heathers and hellebores 

and, if covered by damp leaves, lift these off the buds or flowers and tuck 

under nearby plants, e.g., camellias and rhododendrons to provide a mulch 

and future nourishment. 

Lochwinnoch 

Community Garden 

Events and Work 

Parties 

Work parties all 2pm in Garden 

27th January Tidy up in garden 

24th February Tidy up in garden 

31st March Start to plant barrels 

(March planting plugs Willie will let us know dates & times) 

28th April Planting village and baskets 

26th May Planting for gala 

8th June Gala day 

Garden raised beds and containers 

David Fowles and Willie Thompson continue to develop the raised beds 

and containers 

Golf Club and Primary School 

Liz Parsons is meeting with golf club re a wild flower planting in the rough 

by primary school in return the pupils get a golf lesson 

Brighter Bridge of Weir 

Well, this is the plan anyway... 

Brighter Bridge of Weir’s festive 

break never lasts very long, and 

the first task of the year was early 

last month with the removal of 

the festive lighting displays in the 

Woodland Garden and elsewhere 

along Main Street, as well as 

taking down the Christmas tree 

and lights from outside The 

Bridge. 

The next thing was their annual planning meeting to discuss the planting for 

the coming season. The Group’s main aim is to provide colour throughout 

the village and, as far as possible, throughout the year, too. They review 

what plants did well last year, and what didn’t live up to expectations; what 

might do better and where… And the Group is at the mercy of the fl owers 

themselves, because quite often some of them don’t do what it said on the 

label! Then there’s the weather, of course. There’s always the weather. 

Anyway, the plan is for a bigger and brighter summer display than ever 

this year, particularly in the planters and barrier baskets along Main Street, 

Houston Road and the two main junctions. The plans centre around the 

plants we get delivered in May, but until then, look out for a decent display 

of winter flowers throughout the village. Some are already looking quite 

promising, and they are bred to withstand the frosts, so with luck they will 

cheer us all up as we look forward to spring. 


42 


Howwood Curling Club Come 

& Try Event 

“Get Inspired” - Come & Try curling 

on 6th March 

You’ve seen it being played at on the 

TV. You can now Come & Try It yourself. 

Howwood Curling Club are always looking 

for new members to join our friendly 

curling club which meets at Greenacres, 

near Howwood. It is a great way to keep 

fit and socialise with people in a friendly 

atmosphere. Current club members come from Renfrewshire, Glasgow 

and North Ayrshire. We are now looking for new players to play for the 

2019/20 season. 

We have organised a Come & Try session on Wednesday 6th March at 

8.30pm at Greenacres curling club. Anyone who is interested is welcome 

to come along and try out curling. No experience is necessary. Everyone 

is welcome, whatever your age or ability. We will provide a qualified coach 

to give you the tuition you need to try out curling. You will also meet with 

our club members and get to play. If you continue to be interested following 

the Come & Try, we will invite you to our closing bonspiel for the 2018/19 

season on the 27th March. 

All the equipment you need will be provided. The cost on the night for ice 

is £6pp. 

Please contact Lachie Carmichael if you wish to attend by email: 

lachiedcarmichael@hotmail.com or phone 01294 823643 

Kilmacolm Golf Club 

The club hosted a very successful Hogmanay party for 80 members and 

guests. A delicious supper was enjoyed by all followed by some dancing 

and then a fabulous fi rework display to bring in the New Year. A huge thanks 

to all the catering staff who were on duty that evening and to Jane Mcdonald 

for organising the fi reworks. 

Ladies 

The annual Ladies bridge afternoon, in aid of Erskine Hospital, is on 

Tuesday 5th February at 1.30 pm. To book a table for the bridge afternoon 

and delicious tea please contact our Lady Captain Rosemary Hammond on 

01505 872345. 

Interested in cycling locally 

with other like-minded 

women? 

Are you interested in 

being part of a local 

cycling group? Would you 

like to have company to cycle 

with other like-minded women locally and 

on the cycle paths? Would you like to learn 

more about cycle maintenance or how to 

look after and maintain your bike so it’s 

in good working order? If you are keen 

to get involved or fi nd out more about the 

local cycling group, contact Lesley at the LEAP Team by email to lesley@ 

myleapproject.org or phone our office in Bridge of Weir on 01505 612034. 

DA N C E 

Adult Jazz Class 

Mondays - Bridge of Weir, 10am 

Tel: 01505 690757 for further information. 

Adult & Pre School Ballet Class 

Mondays - Bridge of Weir, 11.30am / 1.45pm 

Tel: 01505 690757 for further information. 

Bishopton Belles Line Dancing 

Tuesdays - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic 

Hall 6.30pm - 8.30pm 

Improver class. All welcome. Call David or Mair 

07886 034037. 

Fitsteps with Jen 

Monday - Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow 

Ave 6.30pm - 7.30pm 

Strictly inspired dance/fitness class that 

allows you to learn the basics of ballroom 

and latin style in a fun environment. All 

welcome. Call Jennifer 07709 340675 or f: @ 

fitstepswithjennifer. 

Boogie Effect with Jen 

Saturday - Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow 

Ave 9.10am - 10.00am 

A unique dance based fitness class, bringing 

together the heart-pumping fun of boogie with 

the strength and conditioning effects of dance 

techniqes to create long, lean, strong and 

healthy bodies that aren’t just the privilege 

of the pros! All welcome. Call Jennifer 07709 

340675 or f: @fitstepswithjennifer 

ATHLETICS 

Kilbarchan Athletic Club - On-X, Linwood 

Mondays & Thursdays, 7pm 

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990. 

MA R T I A L ARTS 

The Shotokan Karate Club 

Woodlands Primary, Linwood 

Mondays & Thursdays - 7pm - 8pm/8pm - 9pm 

www.linwoodkarate.co.uk 

Taekwon-Do - Johnstone Sports Complex 

PA5 0LD 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6pm 

Call 07951 365166 for details. 

Falun Dafa practice 

Thursdays - Port Glasgow Library 5pm - 7pm 

With five gentle exercises, Falun Dafa is an 

ancient self-cultivation practice based on the 

principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and 

Forbearance. 

FO O T B A L L 

5-a-side Football 

Mondays - Powerleague Paisley, 6pm 

Tel: Jim on 01505 874215; or jimbretherton@ 

aol.com 

Football Training - Johnstone High School 

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6pm - 9pm 

Call Ali on 07775 578795 for details. 

SP O R T S 

Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton 

Mondays - Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, 

7.30pm 

Gryffe Badminton 

Tuesdays - Strathgryffe Tennis Club, 8pm 

Greenock Hockey Club 

Wednesdays - Inverclyde Academy, 

Greenock, 6.30pm - 8pm 

Contact Liz Baldwin, mobile 07944 607005. 

Birkmyre Rugby Club, Kilmacolm 

Sundays - Youth Rugby Section, 11am - 

1pm 

www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkmyre 

KEEP FIT 

Zumba Light 

Mondays - St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm, 

10am 

Suitable for all fitness levels. Tel: 07505 

126416 for more information. 

Zumba 

Tuesdays - Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm, 

7.45pm 

Entry level class suitable for all fitness 

levels. Come dance yourself fit at Zumba, no 

experience necessary! Contact Diane 07943 

862775. 

Move it or Lose it! FABS Fitness - 

more than just a Fitness Class for the over 

60’s. Come and join the fun! First class is free. 

To check availability please contact Fiona on 

07811 766672. 

Tuesdays - Cargill Hall, BoW, 10.30am 

Tuesdays - West Burn Church, Greenock 

2pm 

Thursdays - Old Library, Kilbarchan, 

2.30pm 

Thursdays - Carrick Centre, Houston, 

10.30am (from 17th January) 

Pilates classes 

Mondays - St Machars Church Hall, Bridge 

of Weir 9.30am & 10.40am. Kilmacolm 

Community Centre 6.30pm 

Tel: Yvonne 07786 224367 or yvonne@ 

clydephysiotherapy.co.uk 

Mondays - Kilellan Halls Houston 6.15pm - 

7.15pm & 7.30pm - 8.30pm 

For more information or to book a place call 

Katie on 07972 474965. 

Wednesdays - Kilmacolm Community 

Centre - 7.30pm - 8.30pm. 

For more information or to book a class call 

Jennifer Sloan 07731 303709 or email jennifermcghee@hotmail.co.uk 

Hatha Yoga Classes 

Mondays - Tweedie Halls, Linwood, 

10am to 11am 

Wednesdays - St.Columba Church Hall, 

Bridge of Weir Road entrance 6.30pm to 

8pm. 

Suitable for both beginners and experienced 

practitioners. Anyone interested in joining us 

please contact me at: janicestewart02@gmail. 

com. 

Advertise your regular classes here for £20 for 4 months - contact our office for 

full details on 01505 613340 or pop us an email to: info@advertizer.co.uk 



Knapps Angling Club 

Much loved by dog walkers, ramblers and photographers, the iconic Knapps 

Loch is very much a part of the scenic appeal of the village of Kilmacolm. 

Adorning the eastern approach to the village, the loch looks so natural in 

its setting that it would be easy to assume that it had been a part of the 

environs since the settlement of Kilmacolm itself. In fact, however, the loch 

has existed for less than 110 years and owes its existence to the vision and 

foresight of a small group of keen anglers resident in the village in the early 

20th Century. 

Thinking of taking up golf? Or 

returning to the game? 

Our PGA professional at Kilmacolm Golf Club, Iain Nicholson, will be 

running 8 free golf lessons in St Columba’s church hall each Monday 

from 4th February 7pm - 8pm. Sessions are open to adults and children 

from the age of 10 (accompanied by an adult). These lessons are 

a great way to meet new people whilst gaining a solid grasp of golf 

and having fun! 

43 

The founders of The Knapps Angling Club undertook the massive task of 

constructing a dam and the necessary infrastructure to support the formation 

of the loch which was completed in 1910, with fishing commencing in May 

1911. Angling was restricted to fl y-fishing only, and stocking limited to brown 

trout, traditions which are continued to the present day, with club members 

enjoying the scenic and tranquil surroundings for the exercise of their sport, 

mostly from the “comfort” of one of the three well-maintained boats kept on 

the water during the March to October brown trout season. 

The Knapps Angling Club provides its members with an experience very 

different from the “stockie-bashing” offering of many present-day fisheries 

and anglers new to the water are often amazed by the feeling of seclusion 

out on the loch, which belies its proximity to the village and the main Bridge 

of Weir to Kilmacolm road. For lovers of the outdoors, there can be few 

experiences better than a tranquil summer evening spent drifting down 

the loch in eager anticipation (not always fulfilled) of tempting one of the 

beautifully-conditioned brown trout with which the loch is well stocked. 

A few opportunities now exist for interested anglers to make application 

for membership, and enquiries should initially be made to the Honorary 

Secretary, John Horne by email at john@horne.co.uk 

www.knappsangling.co.uk 

How to Stick to your New 

Year’s Fitness Resolutions 

Often after a few weeks into the New Year many of us question how we can 

keep to our new resolutions. The novelty quickly wears off and in no time at 

all the new plans you put in place are quickly shelved! 

So, to help you stay committed to your goals here are some tips: 

1. Set a realistic and specifi c goal. Don’t set unattainable goals that you will 

never reach. If your aim is weight loss, don’t ban yourself from certain 

foods or the things you ultimately love. Reduce your intake down and have 

it maybe once or twice a week instead of everyday! Moderation is key. 

Make sure your goal is specifi c – don’t just say you want to exercise more; 

set yourself specifi c challenges like walking 10 miles a week or going to 

the gym twice a week. Having a concrete goal gives you something to 

realistically set your sights on. 

2. Don’t expect immediate results. One of the most common reasons people 

give up is because they don’t see any change. They want results overnight 

and when this doesn’t happen, they think ‘what’s the point!’. Change isn’t a 

quick process. Prepare to play the long game and stick with it. Do this and 

you will see the results! 

3. Allow off days. Even though you will be trying your utmost to achieve your 

target, the road to success isn’t a straight one. You will have bad days and 

occasional slips due to busy lives and sudden, spontaneous happenings. 

That’s life, just aim to get back on track as soon as you can. 

4. Share your goals. Share your aims and targets with friends, family and 

colleagues. The more motivation you have the longer you are likely to stick 

to your challenge as everyone knows about it. The more people that know 

the more focused you will stay so you don’t have to admit to giving up. 

5. Track your progress. It is easy to forget what your starting point was. Take 

photos, take measurements or makes notes of timings or weight lifted. It 

will surprise you how far you have progressed without realising it. This 

progress is motivation in itself! 

Lesley Handley, FitSmart Fitness Ltd 

This is available to everyone! You don’t need to be a member 

of the golf club. Contact the Pro Shop 01505 872695 for more 

information or to book a place. 

Paisley Pirates continue their push for a playoff spot 

over February and into early March when, in addition 

to away matches still to be played, they host Solway 

Stingrays on Saturday 16 February (face off 6.30pm) 

and then Kilmarnock Thunder on Sunday 3rd March 

(face off 5pm) 

The playoffs are open to the top four fi nishers in 

the Scottish National League, who will then be seeded to play another 

final eliminator against the teams finishing in 5th to 8th place after the 

completion of their regular season games to determine if they will qualify 

for the weekend tournament in Dundee in early April. 

Success for Strathgryffe’s 

Juniors 

Strathgryffe’s Tennis Club’s Liam O’Brien 

recently won the boys 12 & under Scottish 

Junior Indoor Championships held at 

Scotstoun Leisure Centre. 

The competition, a draw of 16 of the 

leading players in Scotland, included 

fellow Strathgryffe players Archie Nicol, 

Joe Dyer and Jed McMillan. Archie, Joe and Jed performed admirably 

however came across some tough opposition and were all knocked out by 

the second round. 

Liam, the number 1 seed in the competition, won through his fi rst 3 rounds 

with relative ease to reach the final where he came up against Charlie 

Robertson. The first set of the final was a tight affair which Liam edged 

6-4. In the second set, Liam had a somewhat easier time, overcoming his 

opponent 6-1 and with it the Scottish Indoor title. 

Strathgryffe offers a comprehensive programme for tennis, squash and 

fitness for all ages and abilities. If you would like more information about 

the club, visit our website www.strathgryffe.net, email info@strathgryffe.net 

or phone 01505 615100. 


44 


St. Fillan’s Primary School 

New Year, New Year’s Resolutions: 

We are all feeling relaxed and refreshed following a wonderful 

Christmas holiday with our family and friends. We loved 

spending some well deserved time with our loved ones and it 

was nice to make special memories with them. We look forward 

to a New Year and all the positives that we hope 2019 will bring 

to our school and community. 

We created New Year’s resolutions at Assembly and we realise 

that making New Year resolutions is easy but keeping them 

may be more challenging! 

#ValuesRock!: 

The core value that we are 

promoting this month is 

‘Success’ and to be able to 

achieve a degree of success in 

our everyday lives is important 

for everyone. We watched 

an inspirational video clip at 

Assembly about a little bear 

cub who tried many times to 

successfully climb a steep, 

snowy mountainside to reach 

it’s Mother. Although it took 

the baby bear quite a few tries, 

he achieved success in the 

end when he finally made it 

to the top. It was wonderful to see and we all cheered when 

he made it! Through watching this video, we realised that 

many other attributes underpin the value of success including: 

determination, inner strength, confidence, perseverance, hope, 

faith and a ’Can do’ attitude. In St. Fillan’s, we are always being 

encouraged to develop a ‘Growth Mindset.’ 

Committee Success!: 

O u r 

Committees 

have met for 

the first time 

this year to 

continue 

carrying 

out the 

work which 

we have 

planned 

in our 

Committee 

A c t i o n 

Plans. 

The facilitator of our Eco Committee, Mrs Smith was delighted 

to announce that we have been successful in securing our third 

Eco flag! This is a huge achievement which involves a great 

deal of hard work and commitment and we are all delighted! 

Our new Eco flag is making it’s way to us in the post and the Eco 

Committee are busy making plans for the school community to 

celebrate our success. 

Kilbarchan Community Nursery 

Fourth Green Flag Award 

We were delighted to 

receive our fourth green flag 

recently from Eco-Schools 

Scotland. This is a fantastic 

achievement for the nursery. 

We pride ourselves on our 

eco-schools programme. 

Feedback was very 

complimentary and this 

achievement is down to the hard work and dedication of the staff team. 

Application for funded Early Learning and Childcare 2019/20 

All children are currently entitled to up to 15 hours and 50 minutes of funded early 

learning and childcare from the age of 3. Some may also be entitled from age 2 (please 

contact your local nursery for information). 

Applications for early learning and childcare should be submitted the nursery as soon 

as your child reaches their 2nd birthday. Applications for session 2019/20 must be 

submitted no later than 28th February 2019. 

Please let your friends and family know. 

Gryffe High School 

Young Musician of the Year 2019 

The ‘Young Musician of the Year Competition’, 

adjudicated by Mr. David Murray, was a most 

enjoyable evening held in the school theatre. Many 

congratulations to all of our Finalists, who brought a 

very high standard of music to the theatre. Special 

congratulations to winners Sasha Kaloheris 

(Intermediate Category) and Laura Workman 

(Senior Category). Sasha delighted the audience 

with her fabulous rendition of ‘With You’ and Laura played a highly accomplished version 

of ‘Spanischer’ on the flute. Although there had to be winners, ALL of the finalists were 

amazing. Mr. Murray gave each finalist very detailed and constructive feedback and 

spoke of his difficulty in selecting winners from an overall high standard. 

The Junior category of the competition will be held at a later date. 

We were also delighted that pupils and staff from Houston Primary were able to join 

us and experience our Young Musician Competition. They may be our stars of the 

future! 

S4 Modern Studies visit Scottish Parliament 

S4 Modern Studies enjoyed a trip to the Scottish Parliament for First Minister’s Questions 

on Thursday 10th January. Questions included a variety of topics such as the investigation 

into Alex Salmond, Universal Credit and ASN provision in schools. Pupils also got to meet 

some of their MSPs for a question and answer session. Pupils are pictured here with Ross 

Greer MSP and Maurice Corry MSP. This was the first time for British Sign Language 

interpreting at 

First Minister’s 

Questions. 

Pupils (and 

teachers) were 

enthused by 

the experience 

and found their 

visit to be really 

interesting. 



EVERY MO N D A Y 

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers 

McKillop Hall, 9.45am - 11.30am 

£2/family fee incl tea & children’s snacks. 

Kilmacolm Playgroup 

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm, 

9.30am - 11.30am 

Howwood Baby & Toddler Group 

Howwood Parish Church, 10am - 12noon 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Tots’ Club 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, 9.15am 

- 11.30am 

EVERY TUESDAY 

Kilbarchan Tots 

Kilbarchan Scout Hall, 10am-12noon 

£2 contribution. Tea, coffee & biscuits. 

Bridge of Weir Toddlers 

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW 

Pop along and see us from 9.30am - 11.30am 



9.30am - 11.30am 

Howwood Playgroup 

Howwood Church Hall, 9.45am - 11.35am 

EVERY WEDNESDAY 

Kilmacolm Toddlers 


10am - 11.30am 

For children from birth to 3 years. 

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers 

McKillop Hall, 9.45am - 11.30am 

£2/family fee incl tea and children’s snacks. 



EVERY TH U R S D A Y 

Houston Toddlers 

Church Hall, Main Street, Houston 

Pop along and see us from 9.30am - 11.30am 



9.30am - 11.30am 



EVERY FR I D A Y 

Langbank Playgroup 

Langbank Village Hall, 9.45 - 11.45am 

For 2.5 - 5yr olds. 

Contact Jen Burrows 07947 983025. 

Langbank Under 3’s 

Church Hall, Langbank, 10am - 11.45am 

For children from birth to 3 years 

Baby and Toddler Group 

Elderslie Kirk, Main Rd, Elderslie, 

9.30am - 11.30am 

£2 includes children’s snack and tea/coffee. 

Lots of different toys to play with. All welcome. 

Community Bookbug Sessions 

Livingstone Hall at St Columba’s Junior 

School, Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm. 

From 9.30 - 10am 

1ST & 3RD FR I D A Y 

Renfrewshire Inverclyde Twins Club 

McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch, 1pm -2.30pm 

£3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa. 

Houston 

Primary 

School 

Fire Damaged Poly Tunnel 

Before 

Following the recent fire damage to 

our school poly tunnel we have been 

overwhelmed by the kindness and 

generosity expressed and shown 

by our local community through 

raising funds and offering support 

to replace the damaged tunnel. 

Despite everyone being bitterly 

disappointed by the needless act, all 

at Houston Primary are inspired by 

the goodwill, strength of feeling and 

values held dear by our members 

of the community. Thank you to all 

those who contributed, your support 

is very much appreciated. 

After 

Soup Making 

The Gardening Club learned how 

to make leek and potato soup 

using their very own fresh produce. 

With the help of Mrs Morrison and 

her team, the pupils prepared the 

vegetables and added them to 

the pot. There was enough for a 

tub each to take home and enjoy. 

Delicious! 

Battery Recycling 

The Big Battery Hunt is on! We’ve 

almost filled our second battery bin 

already so keep bringing in your 

used batteries (AA, AAA C and 

D) so we can make sure they are 

disposed of safely. 

Clear Out Your Closet 

We’re looking for donations of 

clothes in wearable condition, pairs 

of shoes, handbags and belts for 

our next Rag Bag collection. All 

funds raised go towards supporting 

Eco projects. 

Walkers Crisp Packet Recycling 

A national Walkers crisp packet 

recycling scheme has been 

launched after a public campaign 

against plastic waste. Houston 

Primary is supporting this initiative, 

so please send all empty Walkers 

crisp packets into the school. The 

collected packets will be sent 

back to TerraCycle, who will shred 

them into plastic pellets to be used 

in everyday items, like outdoor 

furniture and trays. 

Duchal Nursery 

Open Morning at Duchal Nursery 

set in Birkmyre Park Kilmacolm 

- Saturday 9th February 10am – 

12noon all welcome. 

Are you looking to find the right pre 

school nursery for your child? Starting 

nursery is a big step for any child and an even bigger one for parents. It’s 

really important that you make the right decision. 

Duchal Nursery is an independent nursery that has provided specialist pre 

school education for over 50 years in Kilmacolm, giving parents confi dence 

that their child is getting the best start in life. As an independent nursery 

our children move on to various local schools in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire 

and Glasgow. 

Come and see for yourself at our Open Morning on 9th February, or get 

in touch to arrange a visit to see Duchal at your convenience. With our 

extended hours (8.15am – 3.30pm daily) offering greater flexibility of care 

and our purpose built facilities, Duchal Nursery is a fantastic place to begin 

your child’s pre-school education. Please take a look at our website for 

more information – www.duchal.com and find us on Facebook. 

We have had a busy few weeks since the start of term: our older children 

are honing their fine motor skills and preparing for the big step of moving to 

primary school. We have been trying out Taekwondo and keeping active 

in our PE sessions, as well as making the most of any dry weather out 

in our garden and the park. Our “Hot and Cold” topic has taken us on 

many journeys around the globe discovering different countries and their 

climates. 

Houston Toddler Group 

We welcomed everyone back to toddlers on Thursday 10th January. It has 

been lovely to see all our friends and hear about the lovely Christmas they 

have all had. 

Just before Christmas we decided to make a change to help the environment 

so instead of using disposable paper cups for our tea/coffee we are 

encouraging adults to bring there own cup/travel mug with them to toddlers 

to help save on waste. Thanks to everyone helping with this change. 

We have some valentines crafts coming up this month. We can’t wait to see 

all the children make something for someone special. 

We welcome all children age between 0-4 years old, together with their parents, 

grandparents or carers to join in with the games, crafts and play on offer every 

Thursday. The children can enjoy playing, making friends and of course snack 

time while the adults can catch up with a cuppa. 

We meet between 9.30am - 11.30am so come along when you are ready to the 

West Hall, Main street Houston PA67EL (next to Carrick centre) 

We look forward to meeting you. 

45 


46 

Bridge of Weir Primary School 

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS for 2019 

Throughout January we have been making our whole school New Year 

Resolutions. 

We understand the value of reading, writing and fitness, and we know 

that in order to get better at something it’s important to practise and 

persevere so we are determined to read more, write more, and move 

more. 

To help us read more we have all been involved in choosing new furniture 

and books for our class libraries. We can’t wait for these to arrive. Every 

month P4-7 take part in inter-class reading challenges linked to the 

Renaissance Reading programme. Competition is tough and classes 

compete to win special reading awards. Pictured are our Reading 

Millionaires who have already read one million words (or two or three 

million!) and we hope 

to see many more 

pupils join this elite 

group! 

We are using writing 

journals every day 

to write pieces of 

our choice. This can 

be a story, poem, 

letter, recipe, blog, 

set of instructions, 

or anything we enjoy. Our aim is to get better and better at writing 

as we practise every day. We are following the Ten Steps to Become 

a Better Writer: write, write more, write even more, write even more 

than that, write when you don’t want to, write when you do, write when 

you have something to say, write when you don’t, write every day and 

keep writing! Pupils are also contributing to the Bridge of Weir Primary 

Writing Book and P4-7 will be taking part in the Rotary Club writing 

competition. 

It’s not just about reading and writing. We continue to be interested in our 

health, well-being, and overall fitness. Pupils have been taking part in a 

sponsored Sports for Schools event and assembly saw Skye triumph in 

a competition of spotty dogs, leg drivers, press ups, and star jumps. We 

are looking forward to a visit from Olympic athlete, Chris Bennett, and 

hope this will be an inspiration to us to move more, while putting into 

practice everything we know about Growth Mindset. 

We have set these whole school resolutions and are determined to do 

what we can to continually make gains and improve what we do. 2019 

is going to be a good year! 


Its been an exciting start back to the new year at Playgroup. We looked 

at winter as our theme on the first week, making giant snowmen and 

icicles in craft. 

We enjoyed a week of 

People who help us 

and we had our very 

own hospital set up, 

lots of fabulous role 

play looking after all 

the poorly dolls. We 

have had lots of visitors 

too. Port Glasgow Fire 

service came and the 

children had fun looking in the fire engine and using the fire hoses. A 

nurse visited too and the children practiced with bandages and learned 

all about what nurses do. A visit from a dentist completed the week with 

lots of tips on looking after our teeth. A fun week was had by all. 

Playgroup is open to all children from 2 years 4months and operates on 

a Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 11.30am. Spaces available. 

Please email Kirsty on: playgroupmembership@gmail.com for more 

details. 

Our baby & toddler group on a Wednesday 10am - 11.30am is open for 

all new parents /carers to drop in for a cuppa and a chat while your child 

enjoys a play. 

For more information on any of our groups https:// 

kilmacolmplaygroupand toddlers.jimdo.com or check out our Facebook 

page for latest information. 


Port Glasgow High School 

Christmas Dinner Dance 

Our Senior School Christmas Dinner Dance was once again a highlight of the 

school year and a very enjoyable way to bring 2018 to an end. Our senior 

pupils were once again a credit to the school community and pupils and staff 

alike had a very enjoyable evening. 

Merit Awards 

At the end of a very positive first week back, PGHS started 2019 with our 

termly Merit Awards Assemblies. These provide an important opportunity to 

recognise pupils for on-going excellence in class work. Assemblies were held 

for both our Junior and Senior Schools and included an address from our Head 

Teacher, Mr Clark. We also enjoyed an excellent musical performance from 

Stephen Nawrath and an impressive dance performance from S1 pupil Louis 

Williamson. 

Prelim Examinations 

Our S4-6 pupils are currently preparing for their Prelim exams which commence 

on 28th January. These are an important opportunity to ensure pupils are fully 

prepared for their final exams. Our teachers and pupils are working hard to 

build on last year’s record breaking exam results. We have recently held very 

productive workshops on study skills and some of our senior pupils recently 

spent some of their free time producing packs of Study Cards for their peers. 

Keep up to date! 

To keep up to date with the latest news from PGHS – 

‘Like’ us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PortGlasgowHigh | Follow us on 

Twitter: @PortGlasgowHS 

Abbey Nursery 

Welcome February and a month when 

things have now returned to normal and 

we are continuing to enjoy reasonably 

good weather. We are particularly 

pleased that the children have been 

able to get outdoors such a lot in the 

playground, out to forest schools, taking 

part in nature walks and using every 

opportunity to ask questions about the 

world about them. 

We are so fortunate with the opportunities within Houston for exploration and 

are always keen to be part of such a lovely community. 

The early years Grasshoppers playroom is very busy at the moment with 44 

children getting ready for school later this year. Our focus for them over the 

next few months will therefore be to challenge every child to develop their skills 

and knowledge across a range of learning experiences and become more 

independent of thought and actions. 

The staff and children have been busy redeveloping play areas within the room 

to offer a wider range of day to day experiences and we are delighted with our 

new baking area. The children are also excited about their freshly wallpapered 

‘imagination zone’ which starts the day as an empty space and allows the 

children to use this as they wish. The favourite just now is a hairdresser but 

tomorrow it could be a woodwork area! Our Author of the month is David 

McKee of Elmer the Elephant fame so expect multicoloured pictures home 

over the next few weeks. 

The Busy Bunnies have lots of exciting things going on in their room; often 

involving sand, water, leaves and tubs of personal ‘creations’. Their playroom 

is also getting a makeover with new display boards to showcase all the 

children’s fun and activities. 

Meanwhile the Little Ladybirds have welcomed eight new children into the 

playroom are spending a lot of time making sure they settle in well and develop 

a strong attachment to their own key worker so that they feel secure and loved 

when coming to play with us. 



47 

St Columba’s School 

Festive Fundraising 

Although now a distant memory since the start of the New Year and 

new School term, our Christmas Fayre raised £1250 for Kilmacolm 

Toddler Group and other local charities and our Christmas Carol 

Concert collection raised £650 for Crisis. Thank you to members 

of the School community and local community for your continued 

support, helping to make events like these such a success. 

Emily Successfully auditions for the National Children’s 

Orchestra of Great Britain 

Emily Barron in Senior I recently successfully auditioned for the 

prestigious National Children’s Orchestra (NCO) of Great Britain. 

Emily is the fi rst pupil from St Columba’s School to gain a place in 

the prestigious National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain. 

Having played the clarinet since the age of seven, Emily also plays 

the saxophone and 

piano. In addition to 

her NCO success, 

Emily has also been 

offered places in both 

the National Youth 

Orchestra of Scotland 

(NYOS) and the 

National Youth Choir 

of Scotland Girls’ Music Success 3 (Isla, Sasha, Emily and Callum) 

Training Choir. 

St Columba’s School is well represented in the NYOS Senior 

Orchestra, which brings together the best young musicians in 

Scotland, with Senior VI pupils Rory MacLean and Hannah 

Findlater invited to take part this year. Rory and Hannah have 

both also successfully auditioned for West of Scotland Schools’ 

Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band. Senior V pupil, Isla 

Macpherson (clarinet), Senior I pupils Sasha Charter, Emily Barron 

(both clarinet) and Callum Hendry (bassoon) will represent the 

School this year also. 

Campbell Snowdon residents ‘get active’ with Early Years 

The Early Years children have 

thoroughly enjoyed their recent visits 

from some of the residents of Campbell 

Snowdon House in Quarriers Village. 

The residents have been participating 

in ‘Active Bodies’ with the children, 

which involves relay races, singing, 

balancing games and, of course, the 

all-important cool down after a very 

lively activity. 

Social Bite Fundraising Recognition 

Active Bodies with Campbell Snowdon 

You may remember in November Junior 4 - Junior 6 children participated in the ‘Wee 

Sleep Out’ in the Junior School hall and raised in excess of £2,500, helping Social 

Bite on its journey to end homelessness in Scotland. Mrs Duncan, Head of Junior 

School, recently learned that we were to receive recognition for being one of the top 

11 fundraisers for the charity and as a result three representatives from the School 

have been invited to Social 

Bite’s Thank You Dinner with 

Key Note Speaker, Nobel 

Peace Prize Winner Malala 

Yousafzai. Junior 5 class 

teacher, Mrs Smillie, along 

with two pupils will attend 

what we are sure will be an 

inspiring and unforgettable 

evening. 

FP Weekend - Save the Date: 29th - 30th March 2019 

A weekend not to be missed - save the date! Marking 40 years since boys joined 

St Columba’s School, we are celebrating this momentous occasion with hockey 

matches taking place on Friday 29th March at our astroturf and rugby matches 

taking place on Saturday 30th March at Greenock Wanderers’ Rugby Club, with 

awards being held afterwards at the Tontine Hotel, Greenock. Times have still to be 

confirmed, please keep your eyes peeled on our website and Facebook page. 


48 

TUITION 


BUSINESS 

TRADES AND SERVICES 

SITUATIONS VACANT 

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY 

PROPERTY TO LET 

MISCELLANEOUS 

CHILDCARE 

Houston registered childminders. 

For an informal chat to fi nd 

your best childcare, call 

Elizabeth Waddell T: 01505 

614925 

Kilmacolm/Quarriers area 

registered childminders. 

P/time or F/time vacancies 

for u-5’s and after school. T: 

01505 873839. 

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49 

ITEMS FOR SALE 

BABY EQUIPMENT 

Hand Knitted Baby Shawl. 

This shawl has taken me 12 

Month to Hand Knit. This is 

the Original design from the 

Shetland Isles. It is Knitted 

in 2 Ply 100% wool white soft 

and cosy for baby. 

This shawl can be put through a 

wedding ring as its so fine. 

£135. Tel: 01505 872813. 

Graco Travel Cot, good 

condition. £20. Tel: 01505 

610408. 

Mamas and Papas high chair 

as new. £20. Baby bath new. 

£5. Tel: 01505 872761 . 

Girls BMW push along car. 

Immaculate condition, only 

been used indoors, white with 

pink seat, classic BMW style, 

was £80 new and hardly used. 

£40. Tel: 07851 272591. 

Avent Microwave Steriliser. 

Ideal for fast and efficient 

cleaning. Great condition. 

£8. Tel: 07851 272591. 

CLOTHES & SHOES 

Irish Red Setter American Boots, 

size 9, well worn new soles. 

£80 Tel: 07791 688240. 

New Black Suede knee high 

boots from NEXT medium 

wedge heel. Size 6. £15. Tel: 

07851 272591. 

STAR by Julien MacDonald 

black and white print chiffon 

dress, size 12. Never been 

worn, tag still attached, 

price £45. Selling for £20. 

Photos available. Tel: 07890 

564528. 

New Beige and brown ribbon 

edging peep toe heels. Size 

6. £10. Tel: 07851 272591. 

Bag, brown tote (Ollie & Nic) 

new as still has label and 

cellophane on handles - £20 

ono. Buyer collects, contact 

Josie on 07443 903300. 

Bag, black (Ollie & Nic) new as 

still has label and cellophane 

on handles - £25 ono. Buyer 

collects, contact Josie on 

07443 903300. 

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN 

Beautiful Marks & Spencer 

mahogany coffee table. 

Excellent condition as good 

as new. Cost £750 sell for 

£100. Tel: 01505 872213. 

Wardrobe, pine VGC £40 ono. 

Buyer collects, contact Josie 

on 07443 903300. 

Bed, single pine frame with 

mattress. Two pine drawers fit 

underneath, one has missing 

castor but still functional. 

VGC £90 ono. Buyer collects, 

contact Josie on 07443 

903300. 

John Lewis extending curtain 

Rod. 61inches 163cm x 2. 

that fits into each other to 

give you, your required length. 

Rings and brackets available. 

£17. Tel: 01505 872813 . 

King size Sleigh bed in oak. Iron 

metal work at headboard and 

at the end. Photos can be 

supplied. Measures: Height 

at Head board 113cm, Height 

at end 95cm, Width160cm. 

£395. Tel: 01505 872813. 

Cream brocade lined curtains; 

Width; 2-106 inches x drop; 

2-82inches. £40. Tel: 01505 

614503. 

Recliner armchair. Manual, 

grey white mixture, G Plan, 

excellent condition, sell £89. 

Tel: 07986 812483. 

6 x 9 Indian Rug. Good 


915602. 

Worktops. New, real wood, mid 

brown, 20 feet already cut into 

sizes. Cost £192, sell £79. 

Tel: 07986 812483. 

Recliner armchair. Swivel and 

recline style. Beige/ neutral. 

Excellent condition, rarely 

used. Delivery possible. £69. 

Tel: 07986 812483. 

2 Marks & Spencer 2 seater 

armchairs. Excellent 

condition, as good as new. 

Cost £1000 each would sell 

for £100 each, collection 

required. Tel: 01505 872213. 

John Lewis butterfl y drop leaf 

folding dining table and four 

chairs. Natural. £30 ono. Tel: 

07748 587489. 

Next 2 x 2 Seater Dark Brown 

Sofas. Good condition. £200. 

Tel: 07925 827832. Buyer 

must uplift. 

Small white dressing table. 

Glass top, 2 drawers, shaped 

legs. Perfect condition. 72 

(W) x 40(D) x 76(H). £40. 

Tel: 01505 321691. 

Carpet cleaner professional 

quality. £100 . Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Dining table glass on metal 

Base with 4 chairs. £50 . Tel: 

07791 688240 . 

ELECTRICAL & GAS 

Tesco 700W White Microwave. 

Good condition. £20. Tel: 

01505 873252. 

Stove solid cast Iron with glass 

doors. GAS fired never used . 

£120. Tel: 07791 688240 . 

Nokia satellite box with a 

remote control - for European 

channels. £15. Tel: 07517 

065917. 

SPORTS 

Specialized Propero 3 cycling 

helmet. Size: large 59-63cm. 

Christmas gift but too large. 

Never used other than to try 

for size. Helmets are not 

returnable. Retails around 

£50-£80; will accept £35. Tel: 

0141 812 6910. 

Trampoline. Exercise or leisure. 

Adult/ children. New, never 

used. 9 inches high, 3 feet 

broad. Argos. £19. Delivery 

possible. Tel: 07986 812483. 

Tenson Women’s Black 

Salopettes. Size 12 (Euro 

40), Leg 30”. £20. Labels 

still attached. Tel: 07854 

861066. 

Degre 7 Women’s Black 

Salopettes. Size 12 (Euro 

40), leg 30”. Labels still 

attached. £25. Tel: 07854 

861066. 

Tenson Gents Black Salopettes. 

Waist 32”, leg 32”. Labels still 


861066. 

Degre 7 Gents Black Salopettes. 

Waist 32”, leg 32”. Labels still 


861066. 

TECHNICAL & GAMES 

Tablet 10” in box good working 


688240. 

Hyper x cloud stinger core 

console headset with 

directional drives and mute 

switch. Suitable for PS4, 

Xbox one and Nintendo 

switch. 3.5mm jack. Unused 

and as new. £25. Tel: 07985 

412461. 

OTHER ITEMS 

Brand new steel car wheel 

6JX15H2 and new Jinyu tyre 

185/60 R15. Stored as spare 

wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 

067169. 

TOYS 

CNOC 16 Isla Bike in metallic 

lime green. Great lightweight 

bike for a girl or boy. Aluminium 

frame. Approx age 4+ VGC 

and in perfect working order. 

£170. Tel: 07772 173910. 

Smoby football table. £25 ono. 

Tel: 07748 587489. 

Half-size snooker table, balls 

and cues. Slight damage. £20 

ono. Tel: 07748 587489. 

OTHER ITEMS 

Prism Sport Mercury electric 

mobility 4 wheel scooter, VG 

condition, excellent working 

order, cost new £1000, £275 

for quick sale. Tel: 07873 

483282. 

Samsung WB210 Camera - 

21mm Super Wide angle 

compact zoom camera 

with 14.0 megapixels, 12 x 

optical zoom, 3.5” super bright 

smart touch screen, smart 

filter and HD movie. Excellent 


690426. 

Sewing Machine - Brother 

VX1100 electric sewing 

machine. Very good condition. 

£45. Tel: 01505 690426. 

Alloy wheel and tyre. Both 

new, never used. Kept as 

spare wheel. Suit Jaguar and 

others. 245/45ZR18 100W 

XL. Cost £420, sell £180 if 

both sold together. Tel: 07986 

812483. 

Clima 740 Class 3 Domestic 

Aluminium Ladder and Stay. 

4m closed. 7.3m extended. 

Very good condition. £90. Tel: 

01505 321350. 

New Home Sewing Machine. 

Good condition. £20. Tel: 

07788 915602. 

Wally dugs, pair of black and 

white spaniels - £25. Buyer 

collects, contact Josie on 

07443 903300. 

Silver jewellery for scrap 22g. 

£10. Tel: 07517 065917. 

Old Russian rouble coins and 

banknotes. £3 - £10. Tel: 

07517 065917. 

Vintage amber necklace cognac 

colour 86g. £65. Tel: 07517 

065917. 

Citroen cactus C4 handbook 

2018 NEW. £10. Tel: 07517 

065917. 

Fuji digital camera £10 ono. 

Buyer collects, contact Josie 

on 07443 903300. 

WANTED ITEMS 

Local lily grower requires the use 

of a greenhouse/polytunnel in 

Kilmacolm area in return for 

light gardening duties. Tel: 

Vince 01505 872082. 

Westclox Big Ben alarm clock. 

Call: 07756 981917. 

Cash paid for Music CDs ( a few 

or a lot ). Tel: 0141 882 5594 

or 07765 115347. 

Old records Wanted 45`s & 

LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 

777571. 

FREE CYCLE 

10m garden hose, nearly new. 

If interested, please phone 

01475 540666. 

Set of bathroom scales which 

measure nearly everything 

(BMI etc), nearly new. If 

interested, please phone 

01475 540666. 

Public 

Defibrillator 

Sites in the 

Gryffe Area 

Bridge of Weir & 

Quarriers 

Co-Op Bridge of Weir 

Old Ranfurly Golf 

Club 

Ranfurly Castle Golf 

Club 

William Quarriers 

House @ entrance to 

Faith Avenue 

Country View, 

Quarriers 

The Gate House, 

Bridge of Weir 

Leather Works 

Houston & Brookfield 

Carrick Centre 

Houston 

Co-Op Houston 

Strathgryffe Squash 

& Fitness Club 

(Reception) 

Brookfi eld Village Hall 

Main Entrance 

Kilmacolm 

Kilmacolm Golf Club 

St Columba’s Senior 

School 

Gym, Birkmyre Park, 

Kilmacolm 

Kilmacolm Library (at 

rear of New Surgery) 

Kilbarchan, Johnstone & 

Linwood 

Scout Hall, Kilbarchan 

Kilbarchan Bowling 

Club 

Onyx Leisure Centre, 

Linwood 

Spar, Clippens Road, 

Linwood 

Keystore, Spateston 

Keystore, Corseford 

Bishopton 

The Cornerstone, 

Greenock Road 

Bishopton Community 

Centre 

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER 

CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER - 

The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by The Gryffe Advertizer Ltd 

Advertising throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: 

Defi nitions: “Standards” means the British Code of Advertising Practice and the provisions of any law applicable to advertising including, but not limited to, the Trade Descriptions Act, 

1968, the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations 1988, the Financial Services Act 1986, the Business Advertisement (Disclosure) Order 

1977 and all amendments and replacements. 

It is hereby agreed that: 

• The placing by the Advertising Client of an Advertisement is deemed to be acceptance of these Conditions of Acceptance of Advertising. 

• All Advertisements in this Publication must not contravene the Standards. 

• Insertion of Advertisements and/or Editorial is strictly at the discretion of the Publisher. 

• The Publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by the Advertising Client as a result of any failure, negligence or omission by any party in the course of the distribution 

or circulation of the Publication in which the Advertisement is scheduled to appear. 

• In the event of any error, misprint or omission by the Publisher in the printing of an Advertisement, the Publisher will either re-insert the advertisement, adjust the cost or provide a 

refund. This does not apply if the Advertisement has been approved by the Advertising Client prior to publication. The total liability of the Publisher for such an occurrence shall not 

exceed the amount of a full refund for that particular Advertisement. 

• The Advertising Client agrees to indemnify the Publisher in respect of all costs, damages or other charges falling upon the Publisher as the result of legal actions or threatened 

legal actions arising from the publication of the Advertisement, or any one or more of the series of Advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions supplied to 

the Publisher. 

• Readers are reminded that when purchasing items or services advertised in the Publication that the Publisher cannot be held in any way responsible for the quality or correctness 

of the items or services included in the Advertisement. 

Editorial throughout The Gryffe Advertizer: 

The opinions of the Contributors to this Publication are not necessarily the official views of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to edit or refuse any material submitted for 

publication. 


50 


Accountants & Financial 

Affluent Financial Planning . . . 22 

CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 25 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 25 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

GHG Smyth & Co Limited . . . . . 25 

Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 

Architectural Services 

CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Automotive Services 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Bathrooms 

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 

Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 21 

Bedrooms 

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 15 

Blacksmith & Metalwork 

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 7 

Building Services 

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 21 

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 18 

JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 15 

KC Building & Roofing . . . . . . 4 

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 19 

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 10 

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 15 

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 20 

Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 24 

Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45 

Care Services & Homes 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 31 

Cleaning & PowerWash 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 19 

Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 

Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 17 

Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 


Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 6 

Computer, Web & 

Graphic Design 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Driving Instructors 

AL Stewart - Driving School . . 17 

Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7 

Education 

Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 26 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47 

Electricians 

Delta Electrical Services . . 12 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 11 

Contact us 

Fencing 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


Firewood & Logs 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 6 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

Funeral Services 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . CB 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 8 

Garden Service & Design 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 40 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 41 

Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 40 


Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 40 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 41 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

R Williams Tree Services . . . 40 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 41 

Gas & Heating Services 

Bell Plumbing & Heating . . . . 45 

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 30 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 17 

Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 10 

Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 19 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Glazier 

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Hairdressers & Barbers 

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 29 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Health, Beauty & Fitness 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Brite Dental Bridge of Weir . . 9 

Celtic Shamanic Practitioner . . 17 

Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 4 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 45 

Home Hardware 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Home Improvements 



Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 12 



Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 


Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 


Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 20 

Home Interiors 




BY CATEGORY 

Home Security 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 35 

Joiners 


CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 33 





McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 20 




TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Kitchens 







Leisure & Recreation 

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 43 

Locksmiths 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Painters & Decorators 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 20 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 11 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Pest Control 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Pet Services & Training 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 37 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 37 

Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk 

Plasterers 

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 5 



Plumbers 




GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 





The Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . 27 

Property, Sales & Let 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 25 

Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Removals 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 18 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Retail 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

R o o fi n g 










Solicitors 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 



Special Occasions 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Stoves 


Taxis & Minicoach hire 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 51 

Tiling 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 20 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Travel Agents 

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Tree Surgeon 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 40 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

TV & Satellite 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 15 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 21 


Upholstery Services 



JM Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Window Cleaners 




Matthews Cleaning Services . . 17 

Window, Consv & Repair 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 18 



A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 20 


A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 41 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 22 


AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

AL Stewart - Driving School . . 17 

Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 12 


Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 


Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . CB 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


Brite Dental Bridge of Weir . . 9 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 35 




Celtic Shamanic Practitioner . . 17 


CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 25 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 15 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 11 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 40 


David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Delta Electrical Services . . 12 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 21 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 33 



Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 25 


Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 4 


Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

GHG Smyth & Co Limited . . . . . 25 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 


Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 20 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 


Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 31 

A TO Z 





James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 



JM Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

John Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 8 

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 51 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 40 


Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 



Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 


MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 17 


McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 20 


Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 6 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 29 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 45 




Paul Ferguson - Confidence . . 7 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 6 


Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 30 

Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 26 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 11 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 20 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 37 


St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47 

Stewart Independent Financial . . 1 

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 43 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 37 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

The Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . 27 


Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 41 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 


1st Floor, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN 

t: 01505 613340 m: 07731 923970 

e: info@advertizer.co.uk www.advertizer.co.uk 

@GryffeAds 

Open Tuesday to Thursday 9am-4pm; 

Friday 9am-12:30pm 

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission 

is strictly prohibited. The Gryffe Advertizer cannot be held responsible for 

unsolicited materials. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine 

may not represent the views of the publishers. The Gryffe Advertizer takes no 

responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. 

Pick up a Copy 

Bishopton: 

Woodrow’s Store, 

Library, May’s Coffee 

Shop 

Bridge of Weir: 

Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s 

Cafe, Lochnagar, The 

Bridge, Library (Cargill 

Hall) 

Erskine: 

Garden Centre, Library, 

Sports Centre, 

Swimming pool 

Houston: 

Co-op, Carrick Centre, 

Post Office, Newsagent 

Howwood: 

Village Store, 

St Vincent’s Hospice 

Johnstone: 

Henderson Kilts, 

Papa Mac’s, Library 

Kilbarchan: 

Post Office, Campbell’s, 

Newsagents, Bobbins, 

Langbank: 

Finlaystone Visitor 

Centre 

Kilmacolm: 

Newsagent, Cross Café, 

Gibb Stuart, Library, 

Community Centre 

Lochwinnoch: 

Keystore, Library, 

Dolce Vita, 

Castle Semple Centre 



51 

51 

Be a nosy parker: tips from IAM 

RoadSmart 

With the dark mornings and evenings still hanging around, it means our cars 

are still at risk of being a victim of theft. IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving 

and riding standards, Richard Gladman, suggests a few top tips. 

See how you can protect your vehicle on a day to day basis, whether you’re 

out and about or in the comfort of your home. 

• As we exit the supermarket with a trolley full of shopping, we’re eager 

to unlock the car as soon as possible to avoid the hassle of finding our 

keys when we get to the car. But unlocking your car before you reach 

it gives thieves a longer period of time to access valuables and make 

a run for it, especially if your boot opens automatically. Be sure to only 

unlock your car when you get to it to prevent any risk of theft 

• Don’t leave your keys lying around. This can apply to any situation, 

whether you’re out for dinner and leave your keys on the table or if 

you’re at a friend’s house, as you may not know everyone around you. 

Making your keys visible can mean a greater risk of them being taken. 

Be security conscious about code grabbing from your keyless entry, are 

you being watched? 

• Hide any valuables. Before you leave your car, make sure you secure 

any valuables and keep them out of sight. Putting them in your glove 

compartment or in the boot of your car will avoid them being seen 

• Don’t fall into the habit of hanging up your keys next to doors or windows. 

Thieves use a ‘fi shing’ method where they insert a hook through a letter 

box or window and search for keys. This can even be done when you’re 

at home and you may not even notice until you look for your keys and 

fi nd that you’ve “lost” them. Make sure you put your keys somewhere 

safe and secure, and far away from windows and doors 

• Choose your parking neighbours wisely. In a busy car park, we normally 

go for the fi rst space we can find. But have you thought about your 

neighbours beside you? For example, parking next to a flatbed truck 

fi lled with rubbish may not be as good a choice as parking next to a 

pristine, well-kept vehicle. The potential of damage is greater if the 

vehicle you park beside is already full of dents and scrapes 

• Is your parking space secluded? If you will be returning to the car late or 

alone make sure you stay alert and park it in an area which is well lit 

Richard said: “We often just pop in somewhere and then get distracted, so 

it’s crucial you never leave your car running whilst going back indoors to pick 

something up. It will only take an opportunist a few seconds to drive away. 

“Try to park your pride and joy away from shopping trolleys and flying doors, 

although we all know the empty part of a car park will fill up as soon as you 

leave your pristine motor in a space. And remember to always consider your 

safety, as a car park looks different in the night than it does during the day.” 

To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new 

website www.iamroadsmart.com 

To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: 

https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups 

Call 01475 717171 or Report online at 

https://myaccount.inverclyde.gov.uk/site/inve 

rclydewss/home/Pothole 

You can also write to: 

Inverclyde Council, Municipal Buildings 

Clyde Square, GREENOCK 

PA15 1LY 

SEE A POTHOLE? 

REPORT IT! 

Call 0300 3000 300 or Online fault report at 

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/roadorlightfault 

You can also write to: 

Community Resources, Renfrewshire House 

Cotton Street, Paisley 

PA1 1BR 

How to report potholes 

It’s the duty of your local council to fix potholes on neighbourhood roads. 

Here’s some advice from the AA on how to go about reporting one: 

1. Make a note of the specific location of the pothole, i.e. not just the name 

of the road, but how far up it is based on a house number, or a nearby 

landmark. 

2. Find contact details for your local council. You can go straight to their 

website, or pop the relevant postcode into the government’s ‘Report a 

Pothole’ page. 

3. Add the details. Some councils have interactive maps, where you can 

drop a pin to locate the pothole. Others have a contact form asking for 

more details. 

There are also independent websites that create user-generated maps of 

potholes. So, if you’re feeling generous, you might want to give your fellow 

drivers a heads-up. They may not always be up-to-date though, so you 

shouldn’t rely on them in place of official channels. 

If you’ve already experienced damage to your car, you can claim from your 

council for pothole damage. 

You’ll need to collect evidence to apply for compensation. The defect in the 

road also needs to be a certain size to count as a pothole. This varies from 

council to council, but a depth of more than 40mm (about the size of two 

pound coins) and a width similar to a dinner plate, is usually the minimum. 

It also depends on how busy or critical the road is - a pothole on a quiet 

road might need to be quite noticeable, before it gets repaired. If you feel 

the council have neglected their duty to keep roads safe, you have the right 

to make a pothole claim. 

https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/how-to-report-a-pothole 


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