294 March 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

March 2019 No.294 

FOLLOW US 

GryffeAds 

Christmas Windows at Gibb Stuart 

Nosey calf by Ross Samson 

A community magazine delivered 

FREE to homes in the Gryffe area 

your LOCAL community magazine | March 2019 No. 294 

Advertizer distributed to: • Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Houston • Howwood• Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank• Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

2 

The Advertizer 

Advertising Feature 

With Spring now nearly here our attention turns to pressure washing and 

softwashing ready for Summer ahead. With over 20 years experience of 

exterior cleaning systems, we are your local qualifi ed and experienced 

cleaning company with the state of the art equipment, knowledge and 

experience to achieve the best results. Whether it is soft-washing moss on 

roofs, algae from render, pressure washing decking, patios, monobloc drives 

or anything in between, please give us a call for free, friendly information on 

our services or for a free quotation. 

01505 863 863 www.nutechcleaning.co.uk 

This month 

Spring is in the air! There are lambs in the fi elds (although still a bit chilly), 

spring fl owers are peeping through and the clocks go forward. Yes, we may 

still get some snow just to keep us on our toes, but it is the start of longer and 

hopefully warmer days. It’ll soon be time to dust down the BBQ! 

Very exciting news in the athletics world as plans to build a state of the art 

athletics facility at Linwood’s On-X centre take a step forward. Renfrewshire 

councillors have backed a Community Asset Transfer to Kilbarchan Amateur 

Athletics Club which will allocate 4000sqm of land to the local club, with plans 

for a £1.3 million indoor facility to be built alongside the outdoor track and fi eld 

facilities at Linwood. 

Don’t miss out on the Gryffe Valley Rotary 10K run which takes place in May. 

The run takes place on country lanes between Houston, Bridge of Weir and 

Kilmacolm, starting from Houston Public Park, for all abilities from serious 

runners to novices/joggers. Registration details are on p40. 

And if you fancy trying the great sport of curling, there is a ‘Come & Try’ event 

organised for Wednesday 6th March at Greenacres Curling Club, near Howwood. 

No previous experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. All equipment 

will be provided and it’s only £6 per person. Find out more on p42. 

Now an established and popular annual event, Lochwinnoch’s Arts Festival will 

run from Friday 8th to Sunday 24th March. Beginning as a small, one day book 

festival, this event has grown over the years to become a multi week programme. 

With well-known artists sharing their talent and experience, the Festival aims to 

offer a varied and inclusive programme of arts for all ages. Some events must 

be booked in advance, so get your skates on and get in touch if you fancy going 

along. Find out more details at http://lochwinnochartsfestival.co.uk/ 

“OK Fest”, Kilmacolm’s 3rd Annual Festival of Sound, takes place from Friday 

1st to Sunday 3rd March with a mix of musical events over the weekend. More 

details at http://kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk/okfest-2019/ 

Scone-noisseur of the world - what’s that you say? It’s the World Scone-making 

Championship being held in Lochwinnoch on Sunday 17th March. 

Or pop along to a Pamper Night at Gryffe High School on Friday 22nd March 

from 7pm and help raise funds for the school while having a brilliant night out! 

Places for some of the treatments will be limited so get your tickets soon! 

It’s so encouraging to see local people making a difference. Among the many 

local groups making a huge difference to their communities, Lochwinnoch has 

set up a Community Development Trust which aims to support enterprises with 

social objectives, with benefi ts that are returned to the community. Part of this 

group is the Struthers Water Abstraction Project which hopes to bring money 

into the village from the sale of spring water from an area near the existing 

borehole. More information on this on p30. 

Don’t forget the clocks change at the end of March. If you struggle to remember 

which direction time travels, there is an old saying, “Spring forward, Fall back” 

to help you. 

Next deadline Friday 15 March! 

Rona 

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

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

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Contents 

local news...............4-11 

finance & tech ..... 12-15 

what’s on ............. 16-21 

village news ......... 22-33 

pet news .............. 34-35 

outdoors............... 36-39 

sport news ........... 40-43 

Contact 

us 

t: 01505 613340 

e: info@advertizer.co.uk 

www.advertizer.co.uk 

on the road .................43 

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

business classified ...48 

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

advertizer directory...50 

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

local history ...............51 

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk

4 


St Columba’s Gold Duke of Edinburgh Training Weekend at Lochgoilhead 

RAMH Dinner & Dance 2019 

Sponsored by Bridge of Weir Leather 

Join us at The Lynnhurst Hotel on Friday 26th April for 

our biggest night of the year - RAMH Dinner & Dance, 

proudly sponsored by Bridge of Weir Leather. 

The evening will kick off with a red carpet arrival and 

fi zz reception, followed by a delicious three-course 

meal and live entertainment! There will also be opportunities to chance your 

luck in our raffl e, or bid on one (or more!) of our luxury auction lots. 

Tickets are £40pp, or £350 for tables of 10! 

All bookings/queries: jade.gallagher@ramh.org 

Leading UK company 

pledges support for local 

charity 

Barr + Wray, a world leading provider of pool and spa design alongside water 

engineering, has pledged its support to St. Vincent’s Hospice by becoming 

headline sponsor for their hugely popular Strictly Come Prancing event this 

Spring. 

St. Vincent’s Hospice’s award nominated event Strictly Come Prancing is now 

in its eighth year and will take place on Friday 15th March at Ingliston Country 

Club & Hotel, aiming to raise vital funds to support the work of the Hospice. 

Thirteen couples have been training hard for several months, and will compete 

on the night to win the prestigious trophy by performing a series of dance 

routines to impress the judges and live audience. The variety of Tangos, Quick 

-Steps, Waltz’s and Sambas will all be danced by couples who started out as 

non-dancers. 

St. Vincent’s Hospice is a specialist provider of palliative and Hospice care for 

Renfrewshire and beyond, supporting families and patients who have been 

impacted by life limiting conditions. 

Operations Director for Barr & Wray, Lorne Kennedy, said: “Barr + Wray take 

great pleasure in supporting local charities on an annual basis. St. Vincent’s 

Hospice is a highly commendable charity, providing care for all. We admire the 

hard work, love and support that go in to every aspect of the charity from the 

In-Patient Unit to the Day Hospice and the Community Nurse Specialists. Not 

to mention the support provided not only to the patients but their families and 

loved ones. B + W are proud to sponsor St. Vincent’s Hospice and give a little 

towards helping such a worthy charity.” 

The evening will be hosted by their very own ‘Brucie’ and ‘Tess’ and will also 

feature performances from previous winners, contestants and professional 

dancers. An audience of approximately 500 will watch this spectacular event, 

including family, friends and Hospice supporters, as well as our panel of expert 

judges and a special guest. 

Senior Fundraiser for St. Vincent’s Hospice, Louise Strachan, said: “On behalf 

of everyone at St Vincent’s Hospice, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Barr 

& Wray for their continued support. 

At St Vincent’s Hospice, we offer specialist palliative and Hospice care for 

people and families all across Renfrewshire and beyond who are impacted by 

life-limiting conditions. Every year we have to raise more than £1.1 million to 

offer the level of support that we do for the community, making sure we are 

offering the right care, in the right way, for anyone who needs it. 

This simply wouldn’t be possible without the wonderful support of the community, 

and we truly cannot thank Barr & Wray enough. Their generosity and continued 

support will make such a huge difference to patients and families all around 

the community, at a time when they need it most.” 

There are a very limited number of places left at what is sure to be a sell-out 

event. If you would like to purchase a ticket, support the hospice or be kept up to 

date with any fundraising events Email: info@svh.co.uk or call 07521 988488. 



5 

Don’t forget - clocks go FORWARD 1 hour on 31st March! 

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Start-Up Street project is under way 

A cutting-edge project to bolster local businesses conceptualised Chloe Wright 

by the council’s economic development team is now underway. 

Start-Up Street is supporting companies looking to make the leap 

into their fi rst commercial premises by adapting vacant councilowned 

units on Paisley’s George Street into a range of low-cost, 

high-quality business workspaces. 

Each business will benefi t from an on-site advisor, training space 

and a shared reception, with the space able to be rented for up to 

two years until they are ready to move to an alternative commercial 

space in Renfrewshire. 

The project has been welcomed by local businesses, with a recent 

survey fi nding more than 80% were looking for subsidised space to 

grow, but faced barriers such as high costs and a lack of knowledge on the steps to take. 

Textile designer Chloe Wright, founder of colour interior product company Loopy Lally Designs, said: “I work from home 

in the wee spare room, but I’m fast running out of space and from a professional perspective, I don’t want to be inviting 

people into my house. My business is growing and moving into new premises is the natural next step 

for me so Start-Up Street is coming at the perfect time.” 

In an exciting development, Council staff are working closely with London Youth Support Trust, a charity 

which specialises in supporting young entrepreneurs from deprived backgrounds. 

Ruth Cooper, Economic Development Manager, said: “Our Start-Up Street proposals were approved in 

December and are progressing well with the aim to open the premises by the summer. 

“We’ve had lots of interest from businesses who can see the benefi ts it will bring and we’re meeting 

with colleagues from the London Youth Support Trust to look at how we can work together and help 

local businesses achieve long-term sustainability.” 

If you know of a local business that could benefi t, contact InCube Start-Up on 0300 300 1180 or email: 

incube@renfrewshire.gov.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. 

Inspiring Women 

Thursday 21st 

March 

6.45pm for 7pm 

Finger buffet 

The Glynhill Hotel, Paisley Road, Renfrew 

An event to mark the Centenary of Suffrage 

Drama performed by Castlehead High pupils 

‘Debate’ - four inspirational women 

Soroptimist International of Paisley would like to invite 

you to join them at an event to mark the centenary of 

women getting the vote 

RSVP including any dietary requirements to 

soroptimistspaisley@gmail.com or islaygolden@gmail. 

com 

President Jean Ramsay 07922 238330 

We look forward to seeing you then 

Save the Children 

Centenary Lunch 

Celebrating 100 years of putting Chilfren fi rst. 

Centenary Lunch for SaveThe Children in the 

Lynnhurst Hotel, Johnstone on 26th April, 

12noon for 12.30pm. Tickets are £25 each and are available from Lyn Lang 

on 01505 873295 or Maureen Wells on 01505 873066. 



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Orchard Flooring 


Where beauty meets functionality 

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

of our clients, having a fl oor 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 fi ttings and furnishings. 

Karndean and Amtico fl ooring 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 fl oor 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 fl ooring 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 fi nd the perfect fl oor for a room. 

With a home sampling service why not give us a call and be on your way to a stunning fl oor 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-fl ooring.com 

Renfrewshire Foodbank works 

to combat poverty and hunger 

across Renfrewshire. We are 

currently seeking energetic, 

community-minded individuals 

to join our Board of Trustees. 

To ensure we have a well-rounded and diverse Board we are particularly keen 

to hear from people with experience of: 

• Law and the legal system • Social care and the benefi ts system 

• Board administration 

However, we welcome applications from all 

sections of the community. 

The Board meets once per quarter and all 

members are expected to participate actively 

in its activities. Board members are also asked to attend and support the 

organisation’s volunteer and fundraising events. 

If you share our belief that no-one in Renfrewshire should have to face going 

hungry, this is an excellent opportunity to provide leadership for the well-being 

of our community and local families. 

To express an interest in this voluntary position, or for further information, please 

email: board@renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk Closing date for applications: 

Friday 8th March 2019 

Renfrewshire Foodbank is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC044200 | 

Registered in Scotland 


8 


Lilias Day 2109 

Get involved in Lilias Day 2019 

Last year we had a fantastic Lilias Day with our 50th year celebrations of the 

revival of Lilias Day. Plans are well underway to make the 51st year just as 

great. This years event will be held on Saturday 1st June and include another 

brilliant line-up of entertainment including our well established parade, charity 

stalls, arena entertainment, medieval village, battle re-enactment, food village, 

music tent, craft village, kids entertainment tent, zorbing, and much much 

more. 

And if Lilias Day itself couldn’t get any better we now have Lilifest to extend the 

fun in lead up to Lilias Day! 

It’s easy to get involved: 

Book a stall to raise funds for your local charity / organisation or take a pitch in 

our new craft village (local crafters only). With over 3,000 people attending the 

event, it is a great way to raise funds. Come along to the stall holders booking 

evening on Tuesday 12th March, 7pm - 9pm, Old library centre, Kilbarchan. 

Advertise in our brochure. The Lilias Day brochure is delivered free to over 

1,500 households in Kilbarchan and posted on our Facebook page with over 

2,000 followers. If you wish 

to advertise in our brochure 

please email us at the email 

address below. 

Take part in the Historic 

Parade. Costume fi tting Sunday 

17th March 12noon - 3pm, Old 

Library centre, Kilbarchan. 

Decorate a fl oat and join one of 

the best parades in Scotland! 

Email us if you haven’t booked 

your yet. Numbers limited. 

Nominate Miss Lilias 2019. If you, or someone you know would make an ideal 

Miss Lilias let us know before 10th March. 

Decorate your house or join our new scarecrow competition! Details to follow. 

And Let us know if you have an event in the village planned for the week 

before or after Lilias Day it can be included in the Lilifest line up. 

Contact us at: info@liliasday.co.uk Check out: www.liliasday.co.uk or fi nd us 

on facebook. 



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10 

How to take care of your eyes 

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians 

“You can eat with false teeth but you can’t see with false eyes” highlights just 

how important our eyes are. As a population, we are living longer than ever 

before so we need to keep ourselves in the best condition possible, including 

our eyes. 

Of course, some things we can’t do much about eg inherited genes, but we can 

make things better or worse depending on how we live our lives. 

By doing the things we all know we should be doing (healthy lifestyle, balanced 

diet, regular exercise), we will be delaying or preventing some of the serious eye 

conditions related to high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Simple 

things such as wearing UV-protecting sunglasses will also reduce the damage 

done to the eyes such as cataracts, eyelid disease and macular degeneration. 

Protecting the eyes makes sense regarding DIY & gardening tasks, but should 

also be considered for sports. Cycling, to protect from loose stones or insects 

hitting the eyes. Squash, rugby, football etc to prevent direct impact (eg a 

squash ball is just small enough to fi t between the protective bones surrounding 

the eye and can cause particularly serious injuries). 

Helping the eyes when there is visual stress eg dyslexia – precision tinted 

overlays can make a huge difference to someone’s life. When glasses don’t 

help: options include prescription swimming goggles, contact lenses for 

gymnastics or golfi ng in the rain, or taking supplements to help those with dry 

macular degeneration. 

Having regular eye tests is therefore essential. Not just to discuss the best 

options, but also to test for any potentially sight-threatening diseases – a lot of 

them don’t affect your sight until it’s too late. As always, prevention is better 

than cure. 


Gryffe Valley Rotary 

Club - focusing on 

local people 

GRYFFE CAMERA CLUB PRIMARY SCHOOLS 

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION 

John King had attended the presentations 

of Rotary prizes at each school. A display 

of the best prints was on show at our Club 

meeting on 6th February, introduced by 

Robert Chambers of the Gryffe Camera 

Club. Robert explained how the 162 

entries from Houston, Bridge of Weir, St 

Fillan’s and Kilmacolm Primaries were 

each reviewed and a critique written 

to give back to the entrant. The best 

photographs were picked from each school to create a school panel of three. 

These panels were then ranked and in 2019 Houston Primary emerged as the 

overall winner with Caitlin Paterson fi rst, Beth McDonald second and Emma 

Shaw third. Each of the twelve fi nalists was given a prize, provided by Rotary 

which is keen to support the competition. Pictured here, Robert is holding up 

the winning panel. In thanking Robert, Andrew Macleman remarked on the 

quality of the photographs and complemented the Gryffe Camera Club on their 

work with the schools. 

YOUTH SERVICES 

Young Chef - 

The club competition took place 

at the end of 2018 at Gryffe High 

School Food, Health and Technology 

Department. Competitors from 

Gryffe High, St Benedict’s, and St 

Columba’s participated. The judges 

(Elizabeth Fairbairn, Joyce Beaton and 

Clair Kerr) assessed the competitors’ 

preparation, observed their practical skills and then sampled the products. 

The winner was Phoebe Singer of Gryffe High, the Runner-up was Luke Russell 

of St Benedict’s and a Highly Commended for under 12s was awarded to Emma 

Ventham of St Columba’s. The prizes were sponsored by Gibb Stuart Home 

Hardware. Phoebe Singer went forward to represent the Club in the District 

Final in South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride on Wednesday 23rd January. 

Her preparations were assisted by Elizabeth Fairbairn and her “whites” were 

sponsored by The River Inn. Though unplaced in a closely fought contest 

Phoebe impressed with her cooking and with her interaction with the adults 

and other competitors … a credit to herself and those she represented. 

Euroscola - 

Shaun Sweeney of Gryffe High School travelled to Strasbourg on 27th January. 

He will report back to the club later in the Rotary year. 

Youth Speaks - the Club was represented in the District Intermediates fi nals on 

3rd February by a team from St Columba’s - Laurie McDougall (Chairperson), 

Bronte Marritt (Speaker), Emma Ventham (Vote of Thanks) speaking on the 

subject “The Value of Art”. The team came in as very creditable runners-up. 

YOUNG CARERS OUTINGS 

Gryffe Valley Rotary was pleased 

to give 60 Young Carers evenings 

out at the Experience, Hillington 

where they enjoyed Electric 

Karting, Laser shooting and 

an American Buffet. The fi nal 

night, January 31st, coincided 

with Young Carers Awareness 

Day 2019. This year, Young 

Carers Awareness Day focused 

on the theme of mental health – 

linking in to the #CareForMeToo 

campaign. 

Looking for someone local? 

advertizer.co.uk/clients 



Dental Implants 

by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner at Kilbarchan Dental Practice 

What are dental implants? Dental implants are a safe, wellestablished 

treatment to fi t replacement teeth. 

Most implants are titanium posts that are used to replace the 

root of a tooth with a crown or bridge fi tted on top. Done well, they can be made 

to look and feel just like natural teeth. 

Why should I get a dental implant? A dental implant is a fi xed solution for one 

or more missing teeth, and can help restore both your smile and your quality 

of life. Implants safeguard your overall dental health. Replacing missing teeth 

is extremely important, as missing teeth cause bone loss which can age your 

face, and could potentially cause adjacent teeth to become loose too. 

I have my own teeth, can I still get implants? You can have any number of 

teeth replaced with implants - from a single tooth attaching a crown to multiple 

teeth using a bridge. 

Do I need a consultation? To ensure suitability a dentist will undertake 

an initial consultation to explain the process and discuss your options. An 

assessment will then be needed to ensure your gums are healthy and that 

there is enough healthy bone to place the implant. 

What’s involved and does it hurt? Placing an implant is a straightforward 

process which can be completed under local anaesthetic. The procedure 

involves attaching the implant to the jawbone and, whilst you will not feel 

any pain at the time, you may feel some discomfort in the days after the 

procedure. 

How long does it take? The implants will need three to six months to heal 

and integrate with your jaw bone to provide a solid support for the crown or 

bridge. Whilst some false teeth can be fi tted at the same time as the implant 

most procedures do take several months to complete. Your dental team will go 

through a schedule and all your options with you. 

How long do implants last? Much like natural teeth implants should last as 

long as you care for them and it is just as important to 

visit your dentist regularly for maintenance and checkups. 

If you would like to fi nd out more about dental implants 

you can book yourself in for a free consultation here at 

KDP. Just call us on 01505 704969 or visit our website 

at kilbarchandental.co.uk 

11 


12 


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 on Wednesday 20th March 2019. 

Following dates are June 12th, 11th September and 4th December. 

Venue may change for later dates, so please check facebook page nearer time 

or email colin@magifilms.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you all. 

New Tax Year... 

New Opportunities 

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd 

How quickly time flies, and another tax year is ending. This brings with it some 

important financial opportunities to act on before tax year end and once a new 

tax year begins. So, time to tidy up your finances – but what to consider? 

1. Maximise your pension contributions, especially if you are a higher or 

additional rate income taxpayer. You’ll get tax relief on your pension 

contributions at your highest income tax rate paid. 

2. Keep your Pension Annual Allowance – if you are a higher earner with 

total annual income of £110K or more, you could have a reduced pension 

allowance imposed on you, and it may result in a tax bill on any pension 

contributions you make above your reduced annual pension allowance. 

Making a pension contribution to get your income below £110Kpa could 

be a smart move. 

3. Keep your tax-free personal allowance by keeping your income below 

£100K as you lose tax allowance when your income exceeds this. Consider 

making a pension contribution to reduce your taxable income. 

4. Recover child benefit by keeping your income below £50K if possible 

as child benefit is lost fully once earnings exceed £60Kpa. A pension 

contribution could help here. 

5. Boost your pension pot now, before you draw benefits flexibly in the 

future. Once you take flexible benefits from your pension, your pension 

annual allowance will reduce to only £4,000pa – so you won’t be able to 

make large pension contributions in the future. 

6. 

Consider exchanging some salary for a pension contribution to reduce 

your income tax bill and boost your retirement wealth. 

7. 

Tax shelter your wealth using tax free ISA accounts. You can shelter up to 

£20,000 each, so up to £40,000 for a couple. 

8. 

Use your Capital Gains allowance to take out investment profit from your 

investment funds. Each person can take £11,700 in profit this tax year, 

so up to £23,400 tax free! 

9. 

Use your personal savings allowance (and starting rate for savings if your 

income is low) to get tax free interest or offshore bond gains. 

10. 

Recycle gains into more tax efficient alternatives such as ISAs or 

pension but beware using pension tax free cash to do so. 

The great thing is that each new tax year gives you a new set of allowances, so 

you can do the above all over gains on 6th April 2019! 

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 



13 


14 


Gryffe Valley Rotary Club - recent & coming events 

VALENTINE’S DINNER 

Fifty members and 

partners were present at the 

River Inn on Wednesday 13th 

February on the eve of Valentine’s Day. After 

a romantic introductory grace by Hugh Kerr 

and presentation of red roses to the ladies, 

everyone enjoyed a fine meal. Entertainment 

was provided by magician Douglas Cameron 

who moved around the tables performing his 

clever tricks and humour. Andrew Macleman 

was especially pleased that Douglas was as clever as he claimed in a final trick 

in which he found himself on the stage with an upturned glass of water on his 

head! 

CHARITABLE DONATIONS 

At the business meeting on 6th February three donations were unanimously 

approved. The funds collected at Past President Chris Butlin’s funeral were 

topped up to £600 and divided equally between two recipients felt by members 

to be in line with Chris’ wishes, namely Angel Voices Choir in Kilmacolm and 

the Sailor’s Society of Scotland. The third donation, from the Rotary charity 

account, was £500 to the Scottish charity Marys Meals which every day, in 

some of the poorest countries in the world, provides more than one million 

children (now 1,425,413 every day) with a lunch at school. This donation 

was timed before 1st March in order to attract matching funding from UKAid, 

making a total of £1,000. 

SPEAKER MEETINGS AT THE RIVER INN 

Wednesday 23rd January – Kingsley Wood “Solicitors for older 

people -Scotland” 

Kingsley Wood LLB NP has practiced in Kilmacolm since 1993. Kingsley Wood 

& Co are members of Solicitors 

for Older People - Scotland 

which is a group of Scottish Law 

firms dedicated to providing 

legal services to older people 

in a caring and sensitive way. 

Kingsley proceeded to explain 

some of the “must-dos” for 

older people, including the need 

to make a Will; the importance 

of giving Power of Attorney to 

people (usually partners and children) who can then act on your behalf in the 

event of your incapacity; preparing an Advance Directive (or “Living Will”) in 

which you state your end-of-life or treatment wishes; take advice on Care and 

paying for it (including what is included in the capital and income on which your 

contributions would be calculated); and finally Trusts and Equity Release. 

After numerous questions President Andrew gave a vote of thanks for a serious 

but enjoyable talk. 

Wednesday 30th January – Emma-Louise Livingston “The Dogs 

Trust” 

Emma-Louise is a “Supporter Relations 

Officer” at The Dogs Trust, a charity 

originally known as the National 

Canine Defence League, which came 

to prominence in 1978 when its slogan 

“A dog is for life, not just for Christmas” 

caught the public’s attention. The 

charity (https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/ 

our-centres/glasgow ) cares for 15,000 

dogs each year. No healthy dog is ever destroyed. Most are re-homed within five 

weeks. Emma-Louise talked about the Canine Car Card scheme which ensures 

that The Dogs Trust will look after a dog after the owner’s passing. President 

Andrew thanked Emma-Louise for a very interesting and well-presented talk. 

FUTURE EVENTS 

PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZ - The quiz will take place on Tuesday 12th March 

at 7pm at the JG Fleming Bowling Club in Houston. The schools intending 

to take part are St Columba’s, Bridge of Weir and Houston, and possibly 

Lochwinnoch. Parents and supporters are especially welcome. Tea and 

coffee will be served. 

GRYFFE VALLEY ROTARY 10K RUN –Sunday 19th 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 sponsored 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 . 

YOU CAN VIEW OUR NEW SISTER MAGAZINE INSIGHT 

ONLINE - read all the articles from issues 1 and 2 

VISIT WWW.ADVERTIZER.CO.UK/INSIGHT 



15 

WILL AID Event - March 2019 

Gift in your Will in March and help families at Ronald McDonald House. 

Throughout the month of March, you can have your will professionally drafted 

by Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors for FREE. 

We ask only that you donate to Ronald McDonald House. (suggested £100 for 

basic and £150 for a couple.*) 

Call us to find out more - Tel 01505 874009 or 01505 874114 

www.kingsleywood.co.uk mail@kingsleywood.co.uk 

*Please note this is for a basic will only. Quote can be given if you require 

anything more complex. 

Looking for someone local? 

advertizer.co.uk/clients 

Scotland’s smaller firms plead for late payment action 

Governments in Edinburgh and London need to deliver a new drive to stop big 

businesses paying their smaller suppliers unacceptably late, according to the 

Federation of Small Businesses. 

Ahead of the Spring Statement next month, FSB’s new Fair Pay, Fair Play 

campaign calls on the UK Government to force the biggest companies to 

appoint non-executive directors for payment practice and supplier relationships. 

Further, FSB is urging UK Ministers to introduce fines for companies who do not 

publish legally required payment data. 

North of the border, the small business campaign group is urging the Scottish 

Government to bar the worst late payers from devolved public contracts. They 

are urging Scottish public bodies to ask large potential suppliers of evidence 

they’re a responsible payer before awarding taxpayer funded contracts. 

Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Our lamentable payment 

culture isn’t a new phenomenon, but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable. 

As we face the possibility of a sustained period of economic turbulence, we 

can’t see bigger businesses use their smaller customers as a free source of 

credit. 

“For far too long, government has tolerated big businesses treating their smaller 

suppliers with disrespect. At the FSB, our patience has grown thin and we want 

to see decision-makers pull every lever available to eradicate this corrosive 

practise.” 

FSB research shows that thousands of Scottish businesses shut their doors 

every year due to supply chain bullying and late payment practises. These 

closures could be prevented if Scotland adopted a similar payment culture to 

other European nations. 

Four in five (84%) UK smaller businesses in supply chains say that they’ve 

been paid late, according to FSB research, while a third (33%) say at least a 

quarter of payments they’re owed arrive later than agreed. FSB survey work 

also suggests that about one in three (36%) Scottish businesses have run into 

cash flow difficulties as a result of late payments. 

UK small businesses say that 60 per cent of late payments are greater than 

£1,000 in value while the average value of each late payment owed to a 

Scottish firm is £5718. 

Andrew McRae said: “It is clear that 

late payment makes it more difficult 

to run a business in Scotland. In 

addition to seeing action from 

government, we need to see leaders 

of big businesses in Scotland take 

responsibility for how their companies 

treat their supply chains.” 

Constructive Dismissal by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors 

Dismissal from employment will normally be carried out by the employer. 

However, can an employee potentially treat the actions of an employer as 

amounting to a dismissal, resign and claim unfair dismissal? 

Yes, this is known as a constructive (unfair) dismissal claim. 

To succeed with such a claim, the employee must:- 

1. Be an employee (not for example self-employed) and must show that there 

was a fundamental breach of contract by the employer. This breach can 

result from a serious single incident, or it can result from a series of employer 

breaches, each individually less serious, but cumulatively sufficient to justify 

the employee resigning. 

2. Demonstrate that the employer’s breach of contract genuinely caused the 

resignation. It must therefore be the true reason for the resignation. 

3. Normally resign immediately (or very soon) after the employer’s breach of 

contract. An employee can sometimes work on following a serious breach, if 

they advise their employer that they are working under protest. If for example 

an employer suddenly fundamentally changed an employee’s contract, rather 

than resign immediately the employee could instead raise a formal grievance 

and work on, under protest, until the grievance was resolved. If the grievance 

did not resolve the issue, the employee might then still be entitled to resign 

and claim. 

Constructive dismissal is vastly different to a standard unfair dismissal. In 

the case of a constructive unfair dismissal claim the onus is on the employee 

(rather than the employer as is normally the case) to establish that there was a 

dismissal and that the dismissal was unfair. 

Resigning- intending to claim constructive unfair dismissal- is thus a huge step. 

It is often advisable to seek advice from a specialist solicitor before resigning. 

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Law Awards of Scotland 2018 


16 


MARCH 

FRI 1 MARCH 

OKFest 19 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk, High Street, Kilmacolm 

Kilmacolm’s 3rd annual Festival of Sound. 

Brian McGlynn and friends, Licensed bar, 

Contemporary/easy listening music night. Full 

details under Old Kirk News on page 27. 

World Day of Prayer 

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 

1.30pm 

Share worship and fellowship with people 

around the world who will be participating 

in the World Day of Prayer. Children from 

Kilmacolm Primary School will 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 

call Maureen Russell Convenor (telephone 

872905). 

RSPB Local Group 

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, Renfrew 

7.30pm 

Andy Shand will deliver an illustrated talk 

entitled ‘Birds, Buddhism and Blue Whales’. 

All welcome. 

SAT 2 MARCH 

MND Coffee Morning 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, 2nd Floor, 

Lochwinnoch Road, Kilmacolm 

10am to 12noon 

Come along to our fantastic coffee morning, 

have a cuppa and catch up with new friends 

and old! Tickets available at door. £3. 




Pop up gospel workshop, Handbell ringing, 

Poetry and Literature readings, Choral Festival. 

Free. Full details under Old Kirk News on 

page 27. 

SAT 2 - SUN 3 MARCH 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 

10am to 4pm 

Looking to purchase your first pair of 

binoculars, 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 and impartial team will 

be demonstrating and offering assistance on 

a wide range of competitively priced binoculars 

and telescopes. We stock a massive range of 

RSPB binoculars along with some well-known 

names such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica and 

Nikon! Free. 

SUN 3 MARCH 




Messy Music Sunday, Organ recitals, Riverside 

Youth band. Free - Donations welcome 

to help cover costs. More details at www. 

kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk Full details under 

Old Kirk News on page 27. 

Junior Cross-Country timed race 

Finlaystone Country Estate - Langbank 

1pm to 3pm 

Try our Finlaystone 1k Kids cross country. 

TUE 5 MARCH 

St Fillan’s Shrove Tuesday Coffee 

Morning 

St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, 

Kilmacolm 


There will be lovely freshly made pancakes, 

home baking, raffle and various stalls. 

Entrance £3. 

THU 7 MARCH 

OUTLOOK 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

2pm to 4pm 

Entertainment with the Graham Reid Trio. 

SAT 9 MARCH 

Paisley Abbey Saturday Recitals 

Paisley Abbey, Abbey close, Paisley 

12.30pm 

Cheryl Forbes & Gordon Cree Voice and Piano 

Admission £5 payable at the door. Registered 

Charity No. SC007633. 

Kilbarchan Singers Coffee Morning 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 


Come along to our Coffee Morning and sample 

some lovely home baking. Tickets £3. 

SUN 10 MARCH 

Ranger Hike 


1pm to 3pm 

Join the Ranger’s for a brisk walk. 

SUN 10 MARCH 

Houston & Killellan Kirk Foodbank 

Collection 

Houston & Killellan Kirk, Main Street, 

Houston 

11am 

The Trussell Trust, operating in our area as 

Renfrewshire Foodbank www.renfrewshire. 

foodbank.org.uk depends on general public 

donations. 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, UHT Milk, Juice. If food 

donations could be brought to the Kirk at the 

11am Service on Sunday 10th March. 

Wildlife Photography Workshop – 

Beginner Level 


1pm to 4.30pm 

Learn how to take great outdoors and wildlife 

photographs with your own camera, then see 

your results on screen. The workshop will be 

led by wildlife photographer David Palmar 

(www.photoscot.co.uk), who has over 30 years 

of experience and is a volunteer photographer 

with the RSPB at their Loch Lomond & Inner 

Forth reserves. This will be an excellent 

opportunity for beginners to learn the basics. 

Advice, encouragement and ideas will be freely 

given! Cost: £25 for non-members and £20 

for members. 

TUE 12 MARCH 

NEVER MISS A THING! 

Kilmacolm Civic Trust AGM 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch 

Road, Kilmacolm 

7pm 

AGM at 7pm, followed by regular meeting at 

7.45pm with illustrated talk by Ms Linda Arthur 

on the story of the Wally Tiles of Glasgow. 

Everyone from the local area is welcome to 

attend including those who wish to attend 

the talk only. 

Lilias Day 2019 - stallholders 

meeting 

Old Library Centre, 9 High Barholm, 

Kilbarchan 

7pm to 9pm 

Book a stall to raise funds for your local charity 

/ organisation or take a pitch in our new craft 

village (local crafters only). With over 3,000 

people attending the event, it is a great way 

to raise funds. Contact us at: info@liliasday. 

co.uk, find us on Facebook or visit www. 

liliasday.co.uk 

THU 14 MAR - THU 11 APR 

St Colm’s Lenten Soup Lunches 

St Colm Parish Church, Smithy Brae, 

Kilmacolm PA13 4EN 

12noon to 1.30pm 

We welcome you to come along to our Lenten 

Soup Lunches. Enjoy a selection of delicious 

homemade soups in a friendly community. 

THU 14 MARCH 

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 March 2019 

FRI 15 - SAT 16 MARCH 

Johnstone Town Hall Spring Arts & 

Crafts Fair 

Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 

11am to 4pm 

Spring Arts & Crafts Fair with a range of stalls 

from local artist/crafts people and food items. 

www.renfrewshireleisure.com 

FRI 15 MARCH 

Astronomy Evening 


7.30pm to 9pm 

Come and hear about the stars and galaxies 

up in the night sky! If the weather is kind to 

us, we’ll go outside and see some of these 

wonders for ourselves. The speakers will be 

from the Astronomical Society of Glasgow. 

Please pay when booking as places are limited 

(refunds available if cancelled over 48hrs 

before) Cost: Adults: £6; Children: £4.80 

(RSPB members: £4.80/£3.80). 

SAT 16 MARCH 

Kilbarchan Messy Church 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, Steeple Street 

4pm to 6pm 

All Welcome. Children need to be accompanied 

by an adult. 

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

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



17 

SAT 16 MARCH 

Family Ceilidh with Clamjamfrie 

Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside Road, 

Brookfield 

6pm 

With local band Clamjamfrie. Tickets £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: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com 

Licensed bar and a raffle. 

‘Not a Burns Night’ 

St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, 

Kilmacolm 

A fundraising Scottish evening in the Church 

Hall in Moss Road, Kilmacolm. Tickets are £15 

which includes a haggis dinner, complimentary 

glass of wine, entertainment with poems and 

songs and a Scottish Quiz! There will also be 

a raffle on the night. For tickets please contact 

Maureen on 07789 077749. 

Our regular Learners’ Day event 

University of the West of Scotland, Student 

Union, Storie Street, Paisley PA1 2HB 

10am to 4pm 

Gaelic conversation classes at four levels. 

Places must be booked in advance. Entry £15 

(£12 for ClannGàidhlig members), includes 

sandwich lunch. Tickets and more information 

from Alasdair at fios@clanngaidhlig.org or 

07805 918509. £15. 

Rays of Hope Spring Fayre 

East Gate Church, 5 Glenpatrick Road, 

Elderslie, Johnstone PA5 9BH 

10am to 2pm 

Money raised from this event will go towards 

our Boxes of Hope. From all at Rays of Hope, 

thank you in advance for your support. 

SUN 17 MARCH 

Mothers Day & Easter Gift and 

Craft Fayre 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, 

Kilbarchan 

1pm to 4pm 

Come along and browse our fantastic local 

crafter stalls. More than 20 to choose from; 

jewellery, bunting, soaps, art work, sweets, 

cards, books and much more...... Something 

for everyone! We would love to see you 

there! Entry: Adults £2 Children go free (Tea 

and coffee included). All funds raised will go 

towards World Challenge. 

World Scone Making 

Championship 

The Cakery, 5 High Street, Lochwinnoch 

PA12 4DB 

Scone-noisseur of the world, the 2nd World 

Scone Making Championship, returns to 

Lochwinnoch! It’s back, it’s a wee bit bigger 

and this time it’s fruity! Can you bake the 

perfect fruit scone? Then why not enter the 

second... SCONE-NOISSEUR OF THE WORLD 

CONTEST? £10 Entry - includes tea towel! 

SUN 17 MARCH 

Spring Scavenger Hunt 


1pm to 3pm 

Join our Rangers to find the wonders of 

Spring! 

TUE 19 MARCH 

Give Blood - Erskine 

Erskine Sports Centre 

2pm to 3.30pm & 5pm to 7.30pm 

WED 20 MARCH 

Weir Networking 

Amaretto Ristorante and Pizzeria, 60 Main 

Street, Bridge of Weir 

9.30am to 11am 

We meet quarterly, on a Wednesday with 

breakfast starting at 9.30am. Cover charge 

of £5. Please email colin@magifilms.co.uk 

or visit FB at https://www.facebook.com/ 

Weir-Networking-350783798430333/ We 

look forward to seeing you all. 

THU 21 MARCH 

OUTLOOK 


2pm to 4pm 

Indian Cuisine. 

FRI 22 MARCH 

Pamper Night - Gryffe High School 

Gryffe High School, Old Bridge of Weir Road, 

Houston 

7pm to 10pm 

Calling folks of all ages …… Get your friends 

& family members together and come along 

to our pamper event in the school and enjoy 

make-up, hair & skincare demos, beauty 

treatments including nails, massage, waxing 

& spray tan alongside an opportunity to shop 

for unique gifts, perhaps for Mother’s Day from 

a variety of artisan vendors. Gift vouchers 

will also be available for purchase. Places 

are limited, tickets priced £5 for adults & £3 

for under 18’s and can be purchased from 

the school office or message Sheila McHarg 

on facebook. 

AGM Brookfield Village Council 


Brookfield 

7.30pm 

The AGM of Brookfield Village Council followed 

by Cheese & Wine. 

The Terrace Lunch Club 

St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge 

of Weir 

12noon 

Home made soups and sandwiches, coffee/ 

tea and a biscuit for £4. Tots go free. Everyone 

welcome. Held in the Church hall. £4. 

YOUR NEW LOOK advertizer.co.uk 

THE PLACE FOR LOCAL INFORMATION 

AND BUSINESSES 


Kilmacolm Art Class Annual 

Exhibition 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Lochwinnoch 

Road, Kilmacolm 

Friday - 10am to 5.30pm 

Saturday - 10am - 4pm 

With around 100 paintings beautifully 

framed and displayed for sale in oil, delicate 

watercolour and palette knife all to tempt 

the discerning art lover, with prices to suit all 

budgets. There are also a variety of mounted 

paintings which can make an ideal gift. 

Whether you are looking for contemporary, 

abstract or just an original work of art to 

brighten your home this could be the perfect 

opportunity. Please do come along and enjoy 

the exhibition. Entrance - Adults £1, children 

over 5 - 50p. 

SAT 23 MARCH 

Practical Conservation Day 

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen Road 

near Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB 

10.30am to 3pm 

Some good grafting required! Help clear and 

maintain the Country Park. 18+ only please. 

For more information tel: 01505 843271. 

A Cèilidh with Fèis Phàislig and 

Friends 

Wynd Theatre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley, PA1 

2DB 

7.15pm to 10pm 

A feast of music with youngsters (and their 

tutors) from the Fèis Phàislig group, plus singer 

Alison O’Neill, clàrsach player Neil Wood and 

the ladies of the Largs Gaeic Choir. Tickets £5, 

under-16s free. Tickets and more information 

from Alasdair at fios@clanngaidhlig.org or 

07805 918509. £5. 

Daffodil Spring Fayre 

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 

2pm to 4pm 

Crafts, Tombola, Easter Eggs, Home Baking, 

Mother’s Day Gifts, and much more!... Adults 

£3 – Children £1.50 (Afternoon Tea Included) 

Proceeds raised in aid of the Kilmacolm Guide 

Hut. Scottish Charity No. SC030876 

Kilbarchan Trefoil Guild Afternoon 

Tea 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn Green, 

Kilbarchan 

2.30pm to 4pm 

Come along to our delicious Afternoon Tea - 

Home Baking & Entertainment. Tickets £5 

- available from Bobbins. 

SAT 23 - SUN 24 MARCH 

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! 

Cost: £170. For more information tel: 01505 

842882 or book online. 


18 


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. 

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. 

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. 

YOUR TICKET TO LOCAL EVENTS 

/GryffeAds 

advertizer.co.uk/events 

01505 613340 info@advertizer.co.uk 

SUN 24 MARCH 

Art Club Show 


Brookfield 

12noon to 4.30pm 

Brookfield Art Club will hold their Annual Show. 

Admission £1 and there will be a tea room with 

home baking. 

RSPB Lochwinnoch Open Day 


11am to 3pm 

Come along to visit us at our beautiful reserve, 

and see the amazing wildlife. Kids can play 

in the natural play area, explore our fairy trail, 

have a go at pond dipping and take part in our 

treasure hunt. Everyone can walk the trails 

and enjoy the beautiful views whilst keeping 

an eye out for wildlife. Come along for a 

fun day out! Tel: (01505) 842663 | Email: 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Free. 

Den Building 


1pm to 3pm 

Learn to build a den and make a fire with 

the Rangers. 

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 

PAISLEY ABBEY 

SATURDAY 

RECITALS 

9th March @ 12.30pm 

Cheryl Forbes & Gordon Cree Voice 

and Piano 

Admission £5 payable at the door 

I Was Glad 

Sunday 24th March @ 7.30pm 

Paisley Abbey Choir & Orchestra 

Baritone - Colin Murray 

Conductor - George McPhee 

Parry - I Was Glad, Songs of Farewell, 

Blest Pair of Sirens 

Stanford - Songs of the Fleet 

Tickets £18 available from Abbey 

Shop or by phone 0141 889 7654 

Paisley Abbey (Church of Scotland) 

www.paisleyabbey.org.uk 

Registered Charity No. SC007633 

Don’t forget! 

clocks go 

FORWARD 1 hour 

at 1am on the last 

Sunday in March 

WED 27 MARCH 

The Buddy Beats Drumming Group 

Open Nights 

The Charleston Centre, 49 Neilston Road, 

Paisley PA2 6LY 

6pm to 8pm 

Our sessions are easy going and always fun, 

no experience necessary - open to anyone 

regardless of a mental health condition. 

Why not come along and try out our drums 

or you could check us out on Facebook at 

Renfrewshire’s The Buddy Beat or at www. 

thebuddybeat@sky.com 

THU 28 MARCH 

Movie Night at the Old Kirk 

The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 

7.30pm 

The Greatest Showman. Free entry but a 

donation is welcome. 



19 

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 

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 


St Columba’s School Former 

Pupils & School Hockey/Rugby 

Matches 

Astroturf, Gryffe Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4BA 

Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club, Greenock, 

PA16 7SP 

The hockey match begins at 6.30pm on Friday 

29th at the Astroturf. Two rugby matches are 

played: one between two School teams and 

the second between two former pupil teams. 

The rugby begins at 9.30am on Saturday 

30th at Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club. 

Please join us for what is sure to be a funfilled 

weekend. 

SAT 30 MARCH 

LCDT Public Meeting 

The Annexe, Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 

12noon to 2pm 

Lochwinnoch Community Development 

Trust (LCDT) are extremely pleased to be 

launching our consultation process at this 

public meeting, to create an action plan 

for community empowerment. We seek to 

engage with the Lochwinnoch community, to 

understand how the village feels a community 

development trust could be of use in the area. 

It’s an exciting time, so come and join us! 

SAT 30 MARCH 

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. Please book. Free. 

SUN 31 MARCH 

Walk with a Ranger - Corlic Hill 

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees Bridge, 

Greenock 

10am to 4pm 

Corlic Hill is a local landmark. Kept meaning 

to explore it? This is your chance! For more 

information tel: 01475 521458 or book online. 

SUN 31 MARCH 

Mother’s Day Walk 


Join the Rangers for a gentle stroll through the 

forest with moderate slopes. Bring boots and 

coats. Bring mum for a garden stroll followed 

by a cream tea in the tea room. Times to be 

confirmed. 

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 


20 


The Buddy Beat 

A mental health drumming group based in Johnstone for 

anyone in Renfrewshire 

We promote social inclusion and our group offers a safe place for people to 

drum the blues away. Our group is open 50 weeks of the year on Thursdays, 

10am - 12noon at our base in The Johnstone Hugh Parish Church Halls, just of 

Ludovic Square. It gives people a focus, and a future and has led people into 

other community groups, volunteering, education and employment. 

We also have a monthly Open Night at The Charleston Centre in Paisley, 6pm to 

7.45pm. It is free for anyone to come along and try our drums. No experience 

is necessary. Check us out on Facebook at Renfrewshire’s The Buddy Beat or 

at: thebuddybeat@sky.com 

New members always welcome - It could change your life completely. 

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 

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). 

ClannGàidhlig 

A Cèilidh with Fèis Phàislig and Friends. 

Saturday 23rd March. 7.15pm - 10pm. Wynd Centre, School Wynd. 

A feast of music with youngsters (and their tutors) from the Fèis Phàislig group, 

plus singer Alison O’Neill, clàrsach player Neil Wood and the ladies of the Largs 

Gaeic Choir. 

Tickets £5, under-16s free 

Our regular Learners’ Day event. 

Saturday 16th March. 10am - 4pm 

UWS, High Street 

Gaelic conversation classes at four 

levels. Places must be booked in 

advance. 

Entry £15 (£12 for ClannGàidhlig 

members), includes sandwich lunch. 

Tickets and more information from 

Alasdair at fi os@clanngaidhlig.org 

or 0780 591 8509 

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. 

Stallholders wanted for 

Spring Arts & Crafts Fair 

Johnstone Town Hall Spring Arts & Crafts Fair 2019 

We hope the event will attract local gift shoppers from Johnstone and will 

provide an appropriate retail outlet for artists and craftspeople. The fair will run 

from Friday 15th March – Saturday 16th March, open from 11am until 4pm. 

Please take a look at the exhibitor information and if you would like to participate, 

complete and return the booking form no later than Monday 4th March. There 

is no requirement to send payment at this stage. No bookings will be confi rmed 

until the initial booking deadline of Monday 4th March has passed. 

The Town Hall hosts a range of different services with over 150 staff and 

features an onsite café, library and a multitude of meeting room. We would 

like this to become an annual event in the Johnstone Town Hall calendar and 

plan to host similar events throughout the year. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Northcote, Venue 

Manager at jennifer-ann.northcote@renfrewshire.gov.uk or 0141 618 6721. 

Full details and forms https://www.renfrewshireleisure.com/stallholderswanted-for-spring-arts-crafts-fair 



Thomas Coats 

Memorial Choral 

Society 

Bach Magnifi cat in D major 

Mozart Symphony 28 

Haydn Paukenmesse 

Sunday 17th March 2019 7.30 pm (doors open 

6.45 pm) Paisley Abbey 

Ondrej Soukup : Conductor 

Catrin Woodruff: Soprano Seumas Begg: Tenor 

Lauren Bridget Young: Mezzo Colin Murray: 

Baritone 

Orchestra from the Royal Conservatoire of 

Scotland 

Tickets £12.00/£5.00 students/accompanied 

children free: from Choir members 

phone: 01505 816110 or 01505 612874 

Email: coatschoral@btinternet.com or at the door 

www.thomascoatschoral.org.uk 

A CHARITY REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND SC003075 

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. 

21 


22 


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

bishopton, langbank & bridge of weir 

BoW Lace Group 

Bridge of Weir Lace Group meets 

fortnightly on Tuesday mornings 

(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. 


Would you like 

to be an OWL? 

Girlgiding Bridge of Weir are on 

the look out for new volunteers 

who 

LOVE ADVENTURE, 

HAVING FUN and 

CONTRIBUTING TO OUR 

LOCAL COMMUNITY 

If you would like more information, 

please contact Kim, District 

Commissioner, on kimcowling40@ 

gmail.com 


Bridge of Weir Community Council 

Bridge of Weir Community Council has called for a meeting 

with Renfrewshire Council’s Road Department Offi cers 

to identify why it is taking so long to get responses to our 

requests for Traffi c Calming measures at the entrances to 

the Village. 

Complaints received by the Community Council regarding 

the overcrowding on McGill’s evening peak time X7 service 

from Glasgow prompted a quick response from McGill’s 

Managing Director Ralph Roberts stating they are aware 

standees are becoming a regular feature on certain peak 

time journeys. “Whilst our vehicles are, like every other bus 

in the UK, rated to carry standing passengers, we would 

much rather that they have a seat for their journey. We are 

currently looking at how we can provide additional seats at 

peak time within the current fl eet employed on the route. 

Due to regulatory lead times, it will be May this year before 

any such changes can be made.” 

Community Councillor’s in reviewing Renfrewshire Council 

Offi cers proposals for Livery Walk car park are opposed to 

the complete withdrawal of all parent and child places. 

We are also awaiting confi rmation from Renfrewshire 

Council’s Senior Roads Department Offi cers that the work 

to extend the 30 mph speed limit beyond St. Mary’s Church 

Johnstone Road will commence in March 

The attending Community Police Offi cers reported relatively 

low crime fi gures for the period December to February, in 

total there were nine recorded crimes with four detections. 

These included theft, common assault, drug offences, antisocial 

behaviour, road traffi c and breach of bail. 

A comprehensive report on electric car charging points was 

put before the meeting, however before the Community 

Council proceeds any further, contact requires to be made 

with Renfrewshire Council to determine what their plans 

and criteria are for the introduction of charging points. 

Apologies were received from all three of our Renfrewshire 

Councillors, we were however grateful for written reports 

that included; 


Freeland Church 

Freeland Church now have a new 

website please check this out at www. 

freelandchurch.org.uk 

Upcoming events 

Sunday 10th March: Healing Service 

7pm - 8pm (A service for anyone 

feeling lonely, empty, worried of 

bereaved) 

Saturday 16th March: Day of Prayer 

10am – 4.30pm (Come in and pray, 

stay or leave when you want Open to 

everyone) 

Food waste bags are now available for collection at the 

Bridge, this avenue should only be used as a last resort. 

Food waste bags should be requested by tying one around 

your brown/food bin, and bags are also available at the 

recycling centres. 

An inspector recently visited the footway on Main Street 

between Kirkinner Place and Windsor Place and instructed 

repairs on safety defects. He did note that this length of 

footway would benefi t from resurfacing and will forward this 

for consideration within the next fi nancial year. 

Virgin Media has accepted the damage for a section of 

pavement at Strathgryffe Crescent, Renfrewshire Council 

has requested a timescale for the repair 

The resurfaced Georgetown Road appears to be deteriorating 

further, an offi cer will inspect the road in question and any 

defects will be corrected by the Contractor as the surfacing 

is still within the maintenance period. 

Resurfacing work at the bottom of Hazelwood Road has now 

taken place. 

The Community Council has carried out a review of the subcommittees 

and membership of the sub-groups, these will 

be Events, Christmas Lights, and IT. Planning and Projects 

will continue to be separate agenda items at the full 

Community Council meetings. 

Over the spring the Community Council will consider new 

projects for the Village to identify what can be considered, we 

have invited Offi cers from the Council to our next meeting to 

discuss the criteria for funding from the Village Fund Parks 

and Green Spaces initiative and Community Empowerment, 

and we thank Councillor Don for assisting us in inviting the 

appropriate offi cers. 

At our next meeting we will hear a report from the members 

attending Renfrewshire Community Council’s Forum where 

Fraser Carlin, Head of Planning, will address the meeting. 

The next meeting of the Community Council will be on 

Tuesday 5th March at 7pm in the Cargill Hall. 

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 



23 


St Machar’s Ranfurly Church 

To be fully known 

One of my favourite verses in the Bible is in a well-known passage – quite often 

read at weddings: 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 12. It says this about love and 

knowledge: For now we see only a refl ection as in a mirror; then we shall see face 

to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 

Sometimes we despair that no one truly understands or knows us, especially 

when we are struggling with sadness or diffi culty. This passage talks about Jesus 

or God knowing us fully, and the Christian hope that one day we will meet him 

face to face. All our struggles and our questions can then fi nally be resolved and 

we will know fully, as we are already fully known by God. 

In other places people have written that God fully knows us, knows our movements 

and our thoughts, for example Psalm 139 (Google it!). Perhaps the thought of 

God knowing us is creepy and unsettling, but to be known fully and still be loved 

is hugely liberating. We often keep our deepest darkest thoughts to ourselves, 

because we worry people won’t love or like us anymore if they truly knew us. But 

God knows us and loves us nonetheless, as Jesus has made clear. 

Mental health has been rightly receiving much attention lately. We hear that it is 

good to open up and talk to others. It does require trust and a safe place of love 

and acceptance. Prayer to God is one way to begin to open up, speaking with 

someone another. Many churches will offer pastoral care via ministers/priests, 

elders or other volunteers. The main purpose of this is to listen well, so people 

will experience that they are known and loved. We can all give this care to one 

another, by listening well and without judgement or rushing to give advice. 

Our church has set up a pastoral visiting team, if you want to know more, check 

out our website (www.stmacharsranfurlychurch.org.uk) or contact the minister. 

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

New Seated Service: the Friday Link 

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church in Bridge of Weir are introducing a short, seated 

service particularly aimed at people who fi nd it more diffi cult to be in church for a 

full service on a Sunday. It will be held monthly in the Session Room downstairs 

and will be informal, lasting no more than 30 minutes. Afterwards there will be 

tea and coffee and a chance for a chat. We have decided to call this The Friday 

Link. This will provide a link to church for some of our older, less able members 

and friends. The fi rst of these services will be held on Friday 8th March at 2pm. 

Everyone is welcome, whether a member of the church or not! There is wheel 

chair access via ramp if needed. 

If you or someone you know would like to come along and need transport please 

phone Fiona Downie on 01505 613671 or email fdownie13@gmail.com 

The Terrace Our community lunch this month has been moved to Friday 22nd of 

March at 12noon instead of 29th of March due to hall refurbishment beginning 

25th March. Home made soups and sandwiches, coffee/tea and a biscuit for £4. 

Tots go free. Everyone welcome. Held in St Machar’s Ranfurly Church hall. 


The Masquerader’s Annual Charity Concert 

The fun, song and hilarity will be with us as The Masquerade’s take to the stage 

again for their eagerly awaited annual show! It will take place in St Machar’s 

Ranfurly church hall on Saturday 27th April at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and 

available from any of the team or by calling 01505 614953 


The Bridge 

Spring is upon us already in The Bridge, 

we are planning for Christmas 2019! 

Alison Bannerman has fi nished our much 

acclaimed Christmas card and members 

of the Paisley Colour Photographic Club 

are taking photographs for the 2020 

Calendar. 

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the 31st March. Show how much your Mum 

means to you by sending a card from our selection. 

Easter Sunday is celebrated on 21st April. Brighten up someone’s day by 

sending an Easter Greetings card from our colourful display. 

Art Exhibition - during March, the artwork on show will be courtesy of St. Vincent’s 

Hospice. Sales will benefi t both charities - The Hospice and The Bridge. 

Post Office: The usual postal services are provided during opening hours. For 

that trip abroad - buy your Euros from our Euros on Demand service or place an 

Advance Order for all currencies. 

Volunteers: Do you have a spare 4 hours once a month? If so, please consider 

becoming a volunteer in The Bridge. Do not worry about lack of experience as 

another friendly volunteer will be only too happy to assist. 

We look forward to meeting up with you in The Bridge – Your Community Centre, 

Shop and Post Offi ce. 


Bridge of Weir SWI 

Anne - This month we are saying 

goodbye to Anne. Thank you for 

6 years of friendly and reliable 

service. It has been a great 

pleasure working with you. Happy 

Retirement. 

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 7th March at 7.15pm 

for 7.30pm in the Pirie at Freeland Church. We are planning a craft 

evening, which should offer an opportunity to learn new skills and to 

share ideas. It may provide some inspiration for entries to our mini show in April. 

As usual SWI meetings provide a good opportunity to meet with friends old and 

new, so please come along. 


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 - Freeland Church - Sunday Morning Service 10.30am and Sunday Evening Service 

7pm. 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 



. . . Kilmacolm & Quarriers . . . 

24 


In Bridge of Weir, I am working closely with Freeland Church and 

Amaretto to bring about some much needed lighting and a new 

surface and drainage to their car park which is used by many 

Bridge of Weir residents. This will be an expensive operation 

and anyone wishing to contribute to this should give to Freeland 

Church who may be able to claim an additional 25% in Gift Aid. 

Also in Bridge of Weir, I am keen to upgrade the footpath on 

Clevans Road and have it adopted by the council. Both residents 

and Ranfurly Castle Golf Club have expressed a desire to see 

this outcome. For many years it has been a hazard to walk on with many walkers 

and mothers with prams preferring the dangerous option of walking on the road 

instead, this despite regular yearly maintenance from the golf club staff to try to 

keep it safe. It is now time to fi nalise the cost and for some fundraising. Watch 

this space! 

There is a lot going on Education wise in the ward, particularly in Langbank Primary 

School. There seems to be a funding issue, a public consultation is running for 

the new primary school in Dargavel, and I am hearing about staffi ng issues at 

Park Mains High School, and the overcrowding issues continue at Bishopton 

Primary School. I appreciate your feedback on such matters. 

I welcome the initiative of the Langbank Community Council as they prepare their 

village survey and I hope all villagers will try to complete and return the forms that 

are being sent out. It is also good to know that the work on the right of way to 

Marypark Road from Middlepenny Road is continuing. 

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) 

For further information on any of the above, please contact me 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 

Working with you and improving our local area. Please feel free to contact me with 

any of your concerns, and I am happy to meet with you at a mutually convenient 

time. 

kilmacolm & quarriers 

Kilmacolm Art Class 

We will be holding their annual 

exhibition on Friday 22nd March 

(10am - 5.30pm) and Saturday 23rd 

March (10am - 4pm). Once again it 

is being held in the New Community 

Centre, Kilmacolm, which is an exciting 

venue and we hope even more people 

come along to view this excellent 

show. 

There are usually around 100 paintings beautifully framed and displayed for sale 

in oil, delicate watercolour and palette knife all to tempt the discerning art lover, 

with prices to suit all budgets. There are also a variety of mounted paintings 

which can make an ideal gift. 

Whether you are looking for contemporary, abstract or just an original work of 

art to brighten your home this could be the perfect opportunity. Please do come 

along and enjoy the exhibition. Entrance - Adults £1, children over 5 - 50p 

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


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

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


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. 


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

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Any details we've missed? - email 

them to info@advertizer.co.uk 


Coffee Morning 

Saturday 2nd March 2019. Held in 

New Community Centre (2nd Floor) 

10am - 12noon. Tickets £3 available 

at door. 


Kilmacolm Dramatic Society working hard 

for Stepping Out 

Members of KDS are 

working even harder than 

usual as they rehearse 

for Richard Harris’s 

Stepping Out, their Spring 

production. 

The cast not only have to 

learn their lines, they are 

also enjoying learning to 

tap dance for the play, 

which is in Kilmacolm’s Kidston Hall on 11th, 12th and 13th April. 

Director John Gilchrist has assembled a large and enthusiastic cast and they are 

being put through their dancing paces by choreographer and professional dance 

teacher Liz Addison, assisted by Carol Biggin and Julie Gibb. 

Paul Donnachie is the sole male cast member and there are both familiar and 

new faces among the ladies – Anne Crawley, Julie Gibb, Audrey Hunter, Linda 

Lyon, Ruth Quigley, Stess Ross, Jean Simpson, Megan Smith and Kate Watt. 

Val Crookston is John’s invaluable assistant and Kevin Curran and Russell Gibb 

are his essential backstage team. 

This is one production you don’t want to miss! 


Do You Want To Improve Your Bridge ? 

Classes resume on Wednesday afternoons starting 27th 

February, Kilmacolm Community Centre, 2pm – 4pm. 

There will be a lesson on a specifi c topic each time 

followed by discussion and play for the rest of the 

time. Feel free to come when you can. A detailed list 

of lessons is displayed in the Centre Notice Board. 

Further information call 01505 872345. 


Annual General Meeting And Illustrated Talk 

7pm Tuesday 12th March 2019 

The Kilmacolm Civic Trust will hold its AGM at the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm at 

7pm on 12th March. The meeting will be followed by an illustrated talk by Ms 

Linda Arthur, the Chair of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association on the story of 

the Wally Tiles of Glasgow. The AGM will begin at 7pm and the talk will follow at 

7.45pm. Everyone from the local area is welcome to attend including those who 

wish to attend the talk only. 

The Kilmacolm Civic Trust has had a particularly busy year, playing a major part 

in the campaign to persuade Inverclyde Council to reject the proposal to build 

at Knapp’s Loch and North Denniston around Kilmacolm and of the continuing 

fi ght to prevent the development of Carsemeadow in Quarrier’s Village. All local 

people are invited to come along and listen to the report on KCT activities of the 

past year and its plans for 2019-20. 


Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994 

Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Tel: 07584 359007 

Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059 



25 


St Colm’s Lenten 

Soup Lunches 

We welcome you to come along 

to our Lenten Soup Lunches. 

These will be held on Thursdays 

beginning on 14th March - 11th 

April, 12noon -1.30pm. 

Enjoy a selection of delicious 

homemade soups in a friendly 

community. 

Smithy Brae, Kilmacolm PA13 

4EN 


Spring Bulb Coffee 

Morning 

Put a spring in your step and join 

us on Saturday 6th April at our 

Spring Bulb Coffee Morning at 

St Fillan’s Episcopal Church, 

Moss Road, Kilmacolm. We 

will have home baking and a 

variety of stalls including spring 

bulbs in pots for sale. Tickets cost 

£3. 10am - 12 noon. All in aid of Heartland 

Circle - a club for seniors - supporting people with dementia. 


Kilmacolm Community Clean Up 

Few of us understand the non-caring actions of a mindless minority of 

people who are responsible for littering the countryside and leaving it 

to others to clear up. The Kilmacolm Community Council invite those 

community minded others to join in the 2019 Kilmacolm Community Council CleanUp for an hour or 

two on Saturday 13th April to clear the litter from the verges of the roads and pathways in and out of 

the village. The litter seems to be at its worst for some years. 

Those who wish to join in the Kilmacolm Community Clean Up should meet up in the Pullman car park 

at 10am on Saturday 13th April where they will be formed into teams that will be allocated a section 

of road or pathway to clear the offending litter. Dress for the weather and terrain and bring a pair of 

gardening gloves. Litter pickers, garbage bags and high viz vests will be provided. It is hoped that the 

verges will remain litter free for long enough for those participating on the day to be able to refl ect on 

a job well done. 

This Kilmacolm event is registered with the Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean 2019 


A new bible based after school club for 

primary age children. 

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. 


Daffodil 

Spring 

Fayre 

Saturday 23rd March • 2pm – 4pm 

St. Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 

Adults £3 – Children £1.50 

Afternoon Tea Included 

Crafts • Tombola • Easter Eggs • Home Baking 

• Mother’s Day Gifts • and much more!... 

Proceeds raised in aid of the Kilmacolm Guide 

Hut. Scottish Charity No. SC030876 



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. 

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). 


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. 


St Fillan's Shrove 

Tuesday Coffee 

Morning 

Tuesday 5th March February 

10am - 12noon in St Fillan’s Church 

Hall, Moss Road Kilmacolm. 

With lovely freshly made pancakes, 

home baking, raffl e and various stalls. 

Entrance £3. 


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 March, services at 11am with coffee served afterwards. All welcome. Sacrament of Holy Communion 3rd March. Lent begins 6th March. 

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! 



26 


The Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society had a well 

attended Whist Drive in the Cargill. Excellent pastime for keeping, 

as is Bridge, the brain active. I spoke at both the Kilmacolm 

and Largs Farmers dinners and the Greenock Speakers Club. No 

fees but three fi ne bottles of Malt for my drinks cabinet. Much 

missed Past Captain of the Golf Club and quite excellent Burns 

speaker, Jim Power, had a roomful of Malts, but he was better 

than me and in greater demand. 

We are in the middle of our budget negotiations and my party 

does not want an increase of 4.7% in the Council Tax as agreed at Holyrood. E F 

G and H Council Tax bands received increases between 7.55 and 22.5% in April 

2017. An increase which affected many of my constituents and one which was 

again introduced by the Scottish Government. We will have to make savings and 

will try to minimise them but my colleague and I are but 2 voices out of 22. 

The Gourock/ Kilcreggan Ferry is foot passenger only and subsidised by SPT. As 

the weather improves I can recommend the £7 return from Gourock and the Café 

and Pub in the village of Kilcreggan, who both offer refreshments. 

I paid my annual visit to the Inverclyde Macular Society. Like the Muirshiel centre 

in Port Glasgow I meet village residents who fi nd fellowship motivational. Both do 

fi ne work supported by volunteers and various speakers. 

A solution has been found to the Air Traffi c Control interference at Glasgow Airport, 

which would be caused by the eight 110 metre high turbines at the proposed 

Greenock Windfarm. Construction is due to start soon. This is a ridiculous 

industrial project in the middle of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park which will be 

easily visible from the village. The application was refused by Inverclyde Council 

but overturned on appeal by the Scottish Government. Particularly disappointing 

was the lack of an objection from Renfrewshire Council. 

Glasgow City and Renfrewshire Councils have decided not to proceed with a rail 

link to Glasgow Airport. The congestion on the M8 is there for all to see and 

Glasgow Airport is the only airport in Europe handing 10 million passengers per 

annum without a surface rail link. If half the millions gifted to the failing Prestwick 

Airport by the Scottish Government was granted to GLW then many more routes 

to the Far East, Europe and North America could be opened. 

SEPA and their consultants are ready to start on the fi sh pools at the Gottar 

Water Weir. All being well there should be salmon running through the village 

between September and November this year. Thanks are due to Quarriers and 

local residents who have helped to facilitate this important ecological project. 

Many Kilmacolm, Quarriers and Port Glasgow pupils won accolades at the 

Inverclyde Festival. St Columba’s Senior and Junior and Port Glasgow High 

excelled. All three have a fi ne musical reputation. 

My surgeries are 23rd March at the Cargill 1st April St Mary’s Episcopal Port 

Glasgow. I can be contacted at: david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk, 07766 992294 

01475 741969 and 712975. 


Angel Voices’ Success at Greenock 

Festival! 

The Choir competed in the 11 years and under class and retained the ‘Peter Pan 

Chalice.’ The Choir is taught by professional musicians and sings all kinds of 

music. Choir rehearsals are on Fridays in term time at 6pm in St Fillan’s Church 

Hall, Moss Road, Kilmacolm. New members of all ages are very welcome to 

come along for a couple of taster sessions. For more details please contact 

Organiser Maureen Russell: email maureenmrussell@hotmail.com or mobile: 

07905 950028; landline: 01505 872905. 


A Tribute to 

Chris Butlin 

from St Fillan’s 

Church 


We were deeply saddened 

by the news of Chris’ sudden 

death on 3rd December 2018. 

Chris worshipped and served 

in St Fillan’s and in the local 

Community for many years. On 

Remembrance Sunday, Chris 

would present St Fillan’s wreath. 

He was proud to have served his 

country in the Royal Navy and 

though he went on to have a 

successful career in business, 

he never lost his love of all 

things navy and ships. Chris enjoyed the monthly Clydemen talks and outings 

and above all he loved whatever company he was in, sharing all the banter. 

Chris and Ruth ran the St Fillan’s Social Club for many years taking local people 

on a 52 seater bus on wonderful outings – theatre shows and plays, the Tattoo in 

Edinburgh, Pitlochry and many more venues. They gave pleasure to many people 

who would never have ventured out on their own. They looked after folk, cared 

about them. Chris would say, ‘I counted them off the bus and counted them on 

again’ (often rounding up the strays!) He even a little step to help people to get in 

and out of the coach more easily and brought this for every outing. 

Chris loved people from all walks of life, especially children. Chris was proud 

of his grand-children and a fi rm supporter of Angel Voices Choir. Chris was an 

enthusiastic member of the Gryffe Valley Rotary Club who ran many excellent 

projects at home and abroad. He was involved in setting up Kilmacolm’s twinning 

with Merignies in France and fostering links between the schools and clubs. 

There is so much more to say about Chris, and we will go on recollecting him and 

the things he did – and smile when we hear his name. Ruth has settled near 

her family in Edinburgh and loves to hear news of St Fillan’s and the Kilmacolm 

community. We will keep in touch and be visiting Ruth. With gratitude to them 

both. (supplied by Maureen Russell) 


Kilmacolm Community Council 

Meeting 29th January 2019 

James Kelly was welcomed to his fi rst meeting as a recently appointed Coopted 

Member of the Community Council 

Planning: This opposition had been relayed to Inverclyde Council. Ten validated 

planning applications were considered at the meeting none of which were 

opposed or required any formal comment. 

The Reporter appointed by the Scottish Government to review and arbitrate on the 

proposed 2019 Inverclyde Local Development Plan had invited the Kilmacolm 

Community Council to comment on the additional information that would be 

provided to clarify the Housing Land Supply, Housing Supply Targets & Housing 

Land Requirement in and around Kilmacolm. 

Roads and Pavements: There were number of loose manhole covers on 

some of the Kilmacolm roads which had been reported and were being dealt 

with. Problems of blocked manholes and drains in the vicinity of Glebe Court and 

Gilburn Road would be reported to Inverclyde Council as would the hazard caused 

by refuge bins blocking the pavement at Carlton Place. 

Buses: It was agreed to contact 

Port Glasgow Voluntary Trans - 

Port Group to ascertain if they 

would be willing to provide a 

periodic ‘shuttle’ service to enable 

residents in the Finlaystone 

housing estates to more 

easily travel to local shopping 

destinations. St Columba’s 

School would also be contacted 

to establish whether they could 

provide such a service as part 

of their community outreach 

programme. SPT would be 

contacted in regard to the lack of 

lighting in the bus shelter at the 

Kilmacolm Cross which was of 

concern to some bus users. 


Grace Church 

Kilmacolm Ladies 

Fellowship 

Invitation to Grace Church Kilmacolm 

Ladies Fellowship March meetings, 

alternate Tuesdays at 2.15pm in the Guide 

Hut, Woodrow Avenue, Kilmacolm, PA13 

4QF 

Tuesday 5th March, Alistair McAleese, 

C.A.P. 

Tuesday 19th March, Mary Dempster, 

‘Home Boxes’ N.O.D.A. 

All ladies welcome. 



27 


Old Kirk News 

‘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 March: 

7th March Entertainment with the Graham Reid Trio. 

21st March Indian Cuisine with Mrs Indu Main. 

••• 

OK FEST 1st – 3rd March 

Kilmacolm’s 3rd annual Festival of Sound. All events free. Donations to help 

cover costs are welcome. 


7.30pm Contemporary/Easy Listening Music Night with Brian McGlynn 

& friends. Licensed bar, Kidston Hall 

Saturday 2nd March 

11am – 12.30pm Pop-Up Gospel Workshop, Kidston Hall. 

1 – 1.45pm Introduction to Handbell Ringing with Paisley Handbell Team, 

Old Kirk. 

2pm – 4.15pm Poetry and Literature readings on the importance of JOY with 

Renfrewshire Makar Brian Whittingham and selected 

guest authors, Old Kirk. 

7pm – 9pm Choral Festival with Inverclyde Singers and 

The Arkelston Singers, Old Kirk. 

Sunday 3rd March 

11am - 12pm Messy Musical Sunday with children’s voices, Kidston Hall. 

2.30pm – 4pm Organ Recital with Steven McIntyre and the Bridge of Weir 

Choral Society, Old Kirk. 

7pm – 9pm Riverside Youth Band. Scottish Youth Champions 2016, 

2017, 2018, Old Kirk. 

••• 

Thursday 28th March - Movie Night - The Greatest Showman, 7.30pm, Old Kirk. 

This is the fi rst night of a new regular initiative to show a movie on the last 

Thursday evening of each month. Free entry and glass of wine with a donation to 

the Pilgrim Pathway welcome. 


Not a Burns 

Night 

St Fillans Church are holding 

a fundraising ‘Not a Burns 

Night’ Scottish evening on 

Saturday 16th March in the 

Church Hall in Moss Road, 

Kilmacolm. Tickets are £15 

which includes a haggis 

dinner, complimentary glass 

of wine, entertainment with 

poems and songs and a 

Scottish Quiz! There will 

also be a raffl e on the night. 

For tickets please contact 

Maureen on 07789 077749. 

kilbarchan - howwood - lochwinnoch - elderslie 

Kilbarchan 

This month Kilbarchan Messy Church meets 

on Saturday 16th March in the Church Halls, 

Steeple Square, from 4pm to 6pm. Our theme 

will be based on Mother’s Day. Come along and 

join in in the crafts, story and song, fi nishing 

by everyone sitting down to eat together. All 

children must bring an adult along with them. 


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. 

Advertisement Feature 

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Mum and Dad 

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you to provide fl exible, personalised home 

care based on your specifi c requirements. 

We’ll help you to stay in your community 

and live under your own roof, surrounded 

by your own things continuing to live by 

your own rules. Our home care services 

span home help, companionship, personal 

care and specialist dementia care. 

Our Promise: 

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Mothers Day & 

Easter Gift and 

Craft Fayre 

Sunday 17th March from 1pm to 4pm 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, 

High Barholm, Kilbarchan 

Come along and browse our fantastic 

local crafter stalls. More than 20 to 

choose from; jewellery, bunting, soaps, 

art work, sweets, cards, books and 

much more... Something for everyone! 

We would love to see you there! 

Entry: Adults £2 Children go free (Tea 

and coffee included). 

All funds raised will go towards World 

Challenge 

Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie ... 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH: Services continue at 11am each Sunday in March, conducted by Rev Stephen Smith. Junior Church and the crèche meet 

in the halls from 10.45am. Refreshments are served in the hall after the service with time for fellowship and chat. The Midweek Fellowship meets each 

Wednesday in the small hall with coffee from 10.30am and a short service of worship at 11am. All welcome to all services. 

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. 

0141 280 8210 

Bridge of Weir, Kilbarchan, Houston, Bishopton, 

Renfrew, Johnstone, Paisley 

https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/renfrewshirebarrhead 

Registered with Care Inspectorate 


Kilbarchan Parish 

Church Tots’ Club 

Continues on Monday mornings in 

the hall from 9.15am - 11.30am. 

All toddlers from birth - 3 years are 

welcome along with an accompanying 

adult. The cost is £1 for adults, 

coffee, juice and biscuits are provided 

along with a large variety of toys and 

bouncy castle. Although the adults are 

responsible for their child/children, 

there is an opportunity for new Mums 

and new residents in the village to get 

to know each other. 


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, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie . . . 



28 


Lochwinnoch International Aid & Fair 

Trade Group News 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival is coming! Watch out for 2 Fairtrade events LIA is 

holding during it. A Fairtrade wine and chocolate tasting session in the interval at 

Alan Bissett’s comedy show (The Moira Monologues) on Thursday 14th March. 

Also there’s a Fairtrade tea/coffee/cakes bar at the craft fair on the afternoon of 

Saturday 23rd March. 

The price of the cocoa going into our chocolate 

has plummeted in recent years. For cocoa 

farmers this has been a disaster, as they 

struggle to send their children to school, feed 

their families or pay for medical treatment. Most 

people don’t realise that this can be the real cost 

of chocolate. Or that, by buying Fairtrade, they 

can change farmers’ lives for the better. 

£1.86 is the amount a cocoa farmer in West 

Africa needs to earn each day in order to achieve 

a living income. Currently, a typical cocoa farmer 

in Cote d’Ivoire lives on around 74p a day. Almost 

all cocoa farmers in West Africa live in poverty. 

For the women the situation is even worse. They may plant and harvest on the 

farm, look after children, carry water, collect wood, cook and clean for the family 

and transport the cocoa beans to market but often with fewer rights than men. 

This is why Fairtrade are campaigning for a living income to become a reality for 

cocoa farmers in West Africa. We can choose to be part of the solution. 

How To Put Fairtrade In Your Break 

Whether it’s a English Breakfast tea or a skinny latte, always look for the Fairtrade 

Mark on the packet. You’ll fi nd a Fairtrade choice in most supermarkets. Before 

you pop into your usual high street coffee shop, double check to see if their coffee 

is Fairtrade certifi ed. 

Whether you are going healthy with a banana or sharing out a block of chocolate 

around the offi ce, your choice can make the difference. Look for the Fairtrade 

Mark, and if your local shop doesn’t stock what you want, ask them to do so. 

You can use Fairtrade ingredients in plenty of recipes. There’s a Fairtrade choice 

for everything from 

cocoa to sugar paste, from vanilla 

to icing sugar. So whatever style 

of cake you create you can make 

sure it does good as well as 

tastes good. 


Rays of Hope 

Spring Fayre 

Saturday, 16th March 2019 

from 10am - 2pm 

East Gate Church, 5 Glenpatrick 

Road, Elderslie PA5 9AP 

Money raised from this event will go 

towards our Boxes of Hope. Newly 

diagnosed breast cancer patients are 

give one of our “Boxes of Hope” with all 

the things they wished they had taken 

to hospital with them, everything from 

Non perfumed toiletries, mints, water 

fl ask, hand held fan, tissues, lip balm, 

eye gel, colouring book and pencils, 

ear phones, mindfulness book along 

with other items. We hope to be able 

to provide these for those diagnosed 

with others types too . 

From all at Rays of Hope , thank you in 

advance for your support. 


Lochwinnoch 

Dementia Friendly 

Village 

Friday 26th April 2pm 

Calder Church 

The Third ‘Bring a Cushion’ Film Show 

Old Paisley, Renfrewshire and 

Lochwinnoch 

Richard Weeks, Film Project Producer 

Call to book call 07761114567 


Howwood WI 

March – Tuesday 19th: 

Canine Partners by Dale 

Gormley. Competition – something 

beginning with the letter E. Hostesses: 

Chris Darroch & Greta Marshall. Vote 

of thanks: Nan Robertson 


Kilbarchan 

There are 2 meetings in March, 

Famous Couples (postponed from 

September) and Walls - eg the Berlin 

Wall, the Great Wall of China etc. If 

you would like more information about 

the group, please phone 703786 and 

visit the website: www.nwr.org.uk 




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. 


Kilbarchan Singers 

Coffee Morning 

The Kilbarchan Singers invite you to 

our Coffee Morning on Saturday 9th 

March, from 10am to 12 noon, in 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, tickets 

priced £3. 

Recently I was contacted by a Howwood constituent who is selfemployed 

who was very concerned about unpaid invoices from 

Renfrewshire Council. Worryingly, she also stated that this was 

not the fi rst time this had been a problem. I am very concerned 

about this for two reasons. Firstly, my parents were both self 

employed with small businesses so I know how tight the margins 

can be. Secondly, Renfrewshire Council has protocols in place 

about paying debt within 28 days which are being broken. I have 

contacted the Chief Executive to say that it is vital that these 

protocols are upheld and our small businesses fully supported. 

The no 38 Kilbarchan Bus operated by McGills has simply failed to appear on 

occasion according to reports, thereby causing tremendous upset to Kilbarchan 

residents who are dependent on a reliable and frequent bus service. Accordingly, 

I complained to the Renfrewshire Council representative on the SPT. They have 

advised me accordingly that poor standards of operation by bus companies 

should be reported as soon as possible by constituents and I strongly advise 

that this is done. Complaints can be directed to www.transport.gov.scot/publictransport/buses/bus-complaints/ 

Lochwinnoch residents, and particularly those residents who live in the Calderbank 

area outside the main village, will be aware of the Planning Application for a 

Hydropower turbine in the Calderbank area by the West Kilbride based company 

Ashrona. As a member of the Planning Board I do not wish to prejudge the 

application before it comes to the Board, but I would like to correct an assertion in 

the application by Ashrona that the Park Manager of Clydemuirshiel is supportive 

of the application, the Clydemuirshiel Board is neutral on this matter. 

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. 


Art Classes Kilbarchan Guide Centre 

If you would like to try something new or would like to get 

started painting again, come along and join us. A few places 

are available in our Monday or Friday afternoon classes. We 

offer art classes where you can learn the basics or develop 

new skills in drawing and painting in a relaxed and sociable 

environment under the guidance and teaching of Ian Richardson 

B.A.(Hons) 

Contact Jean or Christine at http://www.girlguidingkilbarchan.btck.co.uk 

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 



29 


Howwood Village 

Fete 

Saturday 15th June 2019 

1pm - 4pm 

Stall Holders Required 

The Howwood Village Fete is a great 

way to raise funds for your group or 

promote your business. Stalls cost 

£20. 

For more information and to book your 

stall please contact: 

Sarah Galloway 07982 042654 

sarah.galloway@rocketmail.com 


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. 


World Scone Making Championship 

It’s back, it’s a wee bit bigger, and this time it’s fruity! Scone-noisseur of the 

world, the 2nd World Scone Making Championship, returns to Lochwinnoch on 

Sunday 17th March! 

Can you bake the perfect fruit scone? 

Then why not enter the second... Scone-Noisseur Of The World Contest? 

Sunday 17th March 

The Cakery No.5, Main Street, Lochwinnoch 

£10 Entry - includes tea towel! 

Contact worldsconemaking@gmail.com for details and download the entry form 

at https://drive.google.com/open?id=1TkumRhthdhvK7tzbjzHLNOu5mTBGYszr 

https://www.facebook.com/worldsconemaking 


Change is coming to Lochwinnoch 

Starting Now – Refurbishment Underway! 

Due to the efforts of the Change 

Lochwinnoch Campaign and St. Vincent’s 

Hospice Volunteers, work is now underway on our charity shop in the heart of 

the village. 

Having hit their ambitious target, the shop is undergoing a complete refurbishment, 

creating a modern, warm and welcoming space for the community to enjoy while 

continuing to raise vital funds for our Hospice. 

The Change Lochwinnoch project was launched by a group of volunteers in the 

local community who have close ties to the life changing work of St. Vincent’s 

Hospice and the importance that donations make to their services. 

Our Trading Support Manager, Fiona Campbell, said: “The level of support we 

receive from the community in Lochwinnoch really is second to none, and we 

have been blown away by the work and dedication they have put in to make this 

refurbishment a reality. 

“Each year our shops generate more than £400,000 which goes directly towards 

supporting the work of our Hospice. Not only will these changes to the shop help 

patients and families all throughout Renfrewshire, but it will also be a hub for the 

community, a place for people to meet, chat, make new friends and bring people 

together. 

“As the work nears completion, we owe a massive debt of thanks to every single 

person who has helped make this possible. Thank you!” 

For more information on the shops, visit: www.SVH.co.uk 


Lochwinnoch SWI 

Our next meeting is on 

20th March at 7.30pm in 

the McKillop Hall. 

This will be the AGM, and 

afterwards there will be a talk from 

Glickman’s Sweets. We look forward 

to welcoming all members and friends 

to what should be an interesting talk. 

For more info please contact Elma 

Richmond at 843193 or email 

richmond32@tiscali.co.uk 


Kilbarchan Trefoil 

Guild 

Afternoon 

Tea 

Saturday 23rd March 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre 

2.30pm - 4pm 

Home Baking & Entertainment 

Tickets £5 - available from Bobbins 

SCO33543 


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: 

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

♥ Heart Attack 

♥ Recovery position 

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

Tuesday 28th May 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Tuesday 18th June 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. 


Johnstone: Active Communities (Scotland) Ltd., are developing 

proposals for the Community Asset Transfer and reuse of the 

former Police Station at Quarry Street as a Health and Wellbeing 

Hub. This would support redevelopment of a key vacant building 

within the town centre, providing the local community with 

greater access to a range of programmes related to health, well 

being and employability in a central location. Drawings have 

been presented as part of the feasibility study and a survey 

of the building is being carried out. Among the objectives of 

the development there will be space provided for Kairos women’s initiative, 

development of a Men’s Shed, Community Youth & Health project, Community 

Café/training kitchen, Fitness Studio, out of school care and crèche facilities etc. 

This proposal would defi nitely be a great asset to the Town and community and 

I know that Susan McDonald (Chief Executive) would value your help in getting 

behind this venture and making it a success. For more details contact www. 

activecommunities.co.uk 

Howwood: Talking about Asset Transfers, we heard good news at the February 

community council meeting that positive progress has been made with regard to 

the transfer of the Play Park to the community. Copies of old documents showing 

the previous stakeholders of the site were shown to the CC members. Dates for 

your diaries:- Sat 6th March, Scottish Evening at 6.30pm. Volunteers required. 

Village Clean Up, Sat 30th & Sun 31st March, 10am to 12noon. 

Lochwinnoch: At a lively Community Council meeting in February, the main 

topic of conversation/debate was about the planning application 18/0836/ 

PP from Ashrona Power Systems for the installation of a 1.99MW hydro-power 

scheme in Lochwinnoch. The developers held a public meeting in the McKillop 

institute but were met with a barrage of questions with answers that did not 

satisfy the majority. At the February Community Council meeting a unanimous 

decision was made to reject the application. A request was made for the elected 

members to ensure that delegated powers were not enforced and subsequently I 

applied for the application to be decided by the full Planning Board and have had 

confi rmation that this request has been accepted with agreement by the other 

three elected members. 

Kilbarchan: Concerns are continually being raised about the possibility of 

removing the traffi c island at the Co-op and a disabled parking space being 

considered. Because of the likely re-siting of the War Memorial that this 

proposition would entail, it would need further discussion and full consultation 

with the villagers. 

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

1 - Tuesday KILBARCHAN Steeple 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. 




30 


At the recent meetings of Kilbarchan and Howwood 

Community Councils, potential improvements to the 

respective public parks were discussed. Available funding will 

be used to upgrade the parks, and options to be considered 

include provision of outdoor gym equipment, replacement of 

park benches and additional play equipment. Discussions 

with local groups and the wider community, are intended to 

establish how best to use the money available. 

Over recent weeks the Scottish Government's budget has 

been at the centre of business in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. 

Central to these discussions has been the issue of funding to local councils, 

with the outcome crucial to how much Renfrewshire has to spend over 

the coming year. Much of what the Council has received over recent years 

has been ring fenced for national priorities with the result that there has 

been less to spend on local services. I hope to report on the content of the 

Renfrewshire Council's budget in next month's Advertizer. 

At the recent Education board meeting, an update was provided on the 

increase in early learning and child care provision scheduled for August next 

year. This however did not include detail on any redesign or work required 

at Lochwinnoch Nursery and Kilbarchan Community Nursery. There is also 

the issue of possible disruption to the current service while building work 

takes place. I have asked the Convenor of the Board to produce a report by 

the beginning of March, which should provide this information, and I have 

since been advised by offi cers of the Council that meetings will be held with 

nursery staff over the next few weeks. Hopefully that will give clarity in regard 

to a timescale for any necessary work. 

There have been some local problems with missed bin collections since 

the introduction of the new arrangements in December, and in the worst 

cases grey bins lying unemptied for 6 weeks. Given that there are around 

90,000 households across Renfrewshire some missed collections are 

inevitable, however what is important is how the Council responds to these 

eventualities. I have had discussions with senior offi cers from the Council to 

raise concerns, and seek assurances that there is fl exibility in the system to 

enable a much more immediate response to any future problems. In these 

discussions I have also sought clarifi cation of the Council's future recycling 

strategy. In this regard the recycling charter indicates that glass should be 

separated from plastics. 

This would effectively mean the provision of an additional bin over and above 

the green bin provided back in December. I understand that other councils 

have introduced such a policy, however, I have been advised that there are 

currently no plans for Renfrewshire Council to follow suit. In the event of any 

further changes being considered, I have stressed that the council should 

this time undertake a public consultation. 

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 anytime at: cllr.derek.bibby@ 

renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007. 


Gryffe Scottish Country Dance Club 

Annual Dance 

The club will be holding a fundraising dance once again, on Tuesday 9th April 

in the Kilbarchan Guide Centre from 7.30pm to 11pm with music by Marian 

Anderson. Tickets at the fabulous price of £8 includes a supper and raffl e. 

Programme:- Yan Tan Tetherer. Burnieboozle. Flower of Glasgow. Farewell 

to Balfour Road. Lady Charlotte Bruce. Anniversary Reel. Quarrie’s Jig. St 

Columba’s Strathspey. Grimaldi 700. Jennifer’s Jig. Earl of Mansfi eld. My 

Friend Joe. Seton’s Ceilidh Band. Tambourine. Miss Milligan’s Strathspey. 

Fingask castle and De’il Amang The Tailors. All dances can be swotted up 

on YouTube. 

Tickets and info. from Les Lambert 01505 704398 or email: leslambert08@ 

gmail.com 


Kilbarchan Habbies Art & 

Craft Fair 


Kilbarchan Habbies Art Group are holding an art and 

craft fair on Saturday 6th April in the Guide Centre, 

Barn Green, Kilbarchan from 12noon until 3.30pm. 

Stalls include attractive jewellery, beautiful cards, 

amazing wood carvings, unique hand knitting, 

paintings and much more. You can sit and enjoy 

tea or coffee and delicious home baking in our tea 

room. 

This year our tea room is being run by two special 

sisters, Honey (15yrs) and Daisy (16 yrs). The girls are trying to raise funds to enable 

them, next summer, to join the Pan Charity in the Namibian desert. The aim of the 

charity is to turn a damaged, 45,000 hectare plot of land into a national park. The 

enormous amount of work required in restoration and rewilding will, hopefully, result 

in the successful reintroduction of the endangered black rhino to the area. The 

girls have to raise £3,000 each, so please come along and help the girls meet their 

target. 

Make a note on your calendar for the 6th of April. We have lovely hand made gifts to 

buy for yourself or friends at very reasonable prices. You can then relax with a cuppa 

and a slice of something nice and naughty - but in a very good cause! 

We look forward to seeing you there 

ATTENTION ALL CRAFTERS 

The Kilbarchan Habbies Art Group are holding an Art and Craft Fair on Saturday, 6th 

April, in the Guide Centre at Barn Green, Kilbarchan between 12noon and 3.30pm. 

We have some spare tables and would be delighted to welcome anyone with hand 

crafted goods which they would like to sell. If you would be interested in reserving 

a table, please ring or text Irene (07936 506034) or Jackie (07768 682611) for 

further details. It is advisable to reserve a table as soon as possible to avoid 

disappointment! 


Lochwinnoch Community Development 

Trust Springs into Action! 

LCDT is holding its next public meeting on Saturday 30th March, 12noon - 2pm in 

the Annexe. 

The Struthers Water Abstraction Project, part of LCDT, aims to bring money into 

the village from the sale of spring water abstracted from an area near the existing 

borehole (which will be capped by the house builders before they begin their work on 

the old Struthers site). 

LCDT is part of the community enterprise movement and aims to support enterprises 

with social objectives, with benefi ts that are returned to the community. We are 

extremely pleased to be launching our consultation process at this public meeting, 

to create an action plan for community empowerment. We seek to engage with 

the Lochwinnoch community, to understand how the village feels a community 

development trust could be of use in the area. 

We welcome interested parties, including existing supporters, to attend and fi nd out 

more on proposed LCDT project but also to share a future vision of the Lochwinnoch 

Community. We’d like to know what do you like about Lochwinnoch? What efforts 

should be supported? What could be improved? What is your vision for the village? 

What could the development trust do for the community? How can you help to make 

this happen? This is a big project which will need volunteers in many different 

capacities. 

To look forward we also want to understand and celebrate the past, so we kindly ask 

if people would bring along to the meeting old photos, fi lms and memories of the 

village, to share on the day! 

We are working on our new website which should be ready soon: (www. 

lochwinnochtrust.org.uk) It’s an exciting time, so come and join us! 

Liz, Bill, Aran and Lesley LCDT communications team Our water supporting our 

village 



31 

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 Coffee shop/Centre 

01505 229597 

MONDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) @ 11am - 12.30am 

(Complete Beginners Class) & Yoga 

(Weekly) @ 1pm - Mary Laidlaw 

01505 229112 | Diaporama @ 

7.30pm (11th) R2 | Sewing Group 

(Weekly) @ 10am - 12noon | Galaxy 

(own room) Elizibeth Benzie @ 10am 

- 3pm 11th R4 | Handiwifes @ 

7.30pm 18th 

TUESDAY 

Paint Pot Tots (Weekly) @ 10am 

- Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 

| Galaxy Dance (Weekly) @ 4pm 

- 7pm | Yoga (Weekly) @ 7pm - 

M/s Lawson 01505 613690 | 

Councillor Surgery (Scott Kerr) @ 

6.30pm - 7.30pm (5th) | Councillor 

Surgery (Allison Dowling) @ 12noon 

19th | Elizibeth Benzie @ 10am - 

3pm R2 

WEDNESDAY 

Gryffe Melody Makers @ 7pm 

(6th/20th) | Community Council 

(Monthly) @ 7.30pm 20th | Gryffe 

Camera Club (Weekly) @ 7.30pm 

| Young Farmers @ 7pm 13th | 

Cricketfield Res @ 7pm 13th | 

Baby Class (MOO MUSIC) (Weekly) 

@ 10am 

THURSDAY 

Gryffe Quilting Group (Weekly) @ 

1.15pm - 3.15pm (21st 10am) | 

Primary Colours (Weekly) @ 3.30pm 

– 4.30pm | Crafty Friends (Bi 

Weekly) @ 7.30pm (7th-21st) | Folk 

Club (Weekly) @ 8pm iaintdawson@ 

gmail.com 07786 078952 | 

Galaxy (Weekly) @ 3.30pm - 7pm | 

Councillor Surgery (Audrey Doig) @ 

7.15pm 28th | Move It or Lose it 

(Weekly) @ 10.30am - 11.30am 

FRIDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) @ 10.30am M/s 

Lawson 01505 613690 | Galaxy 

Dancing (Weekly) @ 3.30pm - 7pm 

| Gavin Newlands M.P. Surgery @ 

12.30pm – 1.30pm (8th) 

SATURDAY 

Galaxy Dancing (Weekly) @ 9.30am 

- 5pm | Councillors Surgery(J 

Sheridan) @ 11.30am – 12noon 

(2nd) R5 

SUNDAY 

Baptist Church (Weekly) @ 11am 

and 6pm 

Ian Simpson, a driving force in the centre since its inception nearly 25 years 

ago has now retired. He has also been instrumental in the centre going from 

strength to strength over that period. We would like to say a BIG thanks for all 

his effort from all the current and past members at the Carrick 

Please Note A PORTABLE DEFIB UNIT is available at the 

West Halls (Church) on Main Street 

Booking enquiries to: Barry Walker 01505 614039 

Bill Haddow 01505 690693 Stewart Scally 01505 674277 

hostbooking@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop 

houston, crosslee & brookfield 

Churches in Houston ... 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

HOUSTON AND KILLELLAN: Sunday March 3rd - Holy Communion - Morning Service - 11am, Afternoon Service -2pm, Evening Service - 6.45pm | Sunday 

10th - Morning Worship - 11am. Sacrament of Baptism - Sunday 17th - Morning Worship - 11am | Sunday 24th - Morning Worship - 11am. Annual 

Stated Meeting follows this Service - Note our Communion Wine is non alcoholic apart from the common cup. 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 

Over the last month I was delighted to be present at the inaugural 

meeting of the new Local Area Partnership for Houston, 

Brookfi eld, Bridge of Weir, Elderslie, Kilbarchan, Howwood, and 

Lochwinnoch. The new partnerships are a fl agship policy of the 

administration and are all about replacing the old Local Area 

Committees and improving upon them. 

Firstly, I would like to say that I think this seven villages LAP is 

an improvement on our previous LAC which took in Erskine. It 

makes much more sense to have a LAP which takes in most of 

the West Renfrewshire villages as they all have similar issues 

and challenges. Secondly, under the previous LAC system only Ward Cllrs could 

vote on the issues before the LAC, although community representatives could 

speak they could not vote. Under the new LAP system this will change and all 

Community Council Conveners will have a vote, as will other community bodies 

who apply to be represented on the LAP. 

This is a radical and very welcome step forward. Just as twelve years ago the 

LAC system was a big shift from the old system where only a single Ward Cllr 

determined where the money went from the old Common Good Funds, so now 

community councils will have the same say as Cllrs. 

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, Crosslee & Brookfield . . . 


32 



Houston and Killellan Kirk 


The REAL Easter Egg – the only 

one with the Easter story 

The Real Easter Egg is here to help 

you celebrate the Real Easter. 

Chocolate that tastes good and 

does good. 

Fairtrade chocolate, plastic free, 

palm oil free, Easter story and activity sheet in each 

box. 

Through Fairtrade, farmers receive a fair price for their 

sugar and cocoa and an extra Fairtrade Premium cash payment which they 

can use to invest in their community, buying everything from schoolbooks to 

solar panels and providing fresh water supplies. 

The sugar comes from co-operatives in Paraguay and Belize. The cocoa 

comes from co-operatives in the Ivory Coast (Kuapa Kokoo Co-operative 

Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union Limited Ghana). Beans are also sourced 

from cooperatives in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama and Ecuador. 

Let’s remind folk that Easter eggs are not about super heroes or TV shows, 

but relate to new life in Jesus. 

But that doesn’t stop us enjoying chocolate! Plain or milk are available and 

some of the profi t goes to charities, including the Leprosy Mission and the 

Trussell Trust. 

Please order in Church on Sunday 24th and 31st March for collection on 

Sunday 14th April (milk - £3.99 each; dark chocolate £5.30 each). 

Or phone 01505 690636 to order 

Foodbank Appeal: Sunday 10th March! 

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 2019. (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. 

The Cameo Club 

The Club enjoyed a lovely afternoon when children from Houston and St Fillan’s Primary 

Schools paid a visit in February, both young and not so young, enthusiastically joined 

in the games supplied by the Cameo club and the school children. The afternoon 

fi nished with tea, juice, biscuits and shortbread. 

We thank the children very much for a very happy afternoon and look forward to 

seeing them again later in the year. 

The Club Meets every second Wednesday in the West Halls, Main Street, Houston. 

Please feel free to join us any Wednesday you have free. 

World Day of Prayer 

This year the World Day of Prayer will be held in Houston and Killellan Kirk on Friday 

1st March at 7.30pm a warm welcome is extended to all. 

Houston and Killellan Kirk Carnival 

SATURDAY 11th MAY - SUPERHEROES 

The theme this year is SUPERHEROES you can be a superhero of your own. We 

know about Superman, Spider-Man and Wonder woman to name a few but there 

are many heroes out there come along to the Kirk Carnival on Saturday 11th 

May and show off your hero. Join in on the parade and let everyone see you as 

SUPERHERO. Remember anybody can be a hero. 

We will be having numerous stalls something for everybody some new ones and 

some we have had before. Remember if you are planting seeds for plants please 

think of our plant stall. Details of other stalls will be in next months issue. 

Last year we raised £13,000, the money raised from the Carnival will go to the 

Kirk and the Community. We would like to see more local groups taking part in 

the parade this is also a way of making your group or organization known to the 

community. 

At the carnival last year we had a number of local groups performing on an outside 

stage, Zumba, Country Dancing, Choirs and more if you or your organisation 

would like to, perform please contact the conveners . 

The Carnival Programme is a great way to advertise your business etc, please 

consider using this to promote your company the programme is distributed in 

Houston and Crosslee. 

Please support the Carnival this is a Community event. 

This years co-ordinations are Mike Farley 01505 613314 and Maggie Deans 

01505 613737. 

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 



33 


Heartstart 

Gryffe 

After 11 years of 

volunteering for 

Heartstart (a British 

Heart Foundation 

initiative) teaching 

basic Emergency Life Support to just 

over 1,500 people in the Community, 

Heartstart Gryffe has decided to 

retire. 

We thank the community and 

organisations for all their support. We 

have enjoyed meeting such a variety 

of people. 

Any monies from donations remaining 

in our account will be divided between 

BHF and the Heartstart scheme. 

If you are interested in a Heartstart 

course please contact: Angela McNeil 

on 0141 314 4330 or angela.mcneil@ 

ggc.scot.nhs.uk 


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. 


Houston & 

Crosslee SWI 

Our speaker at our meeting on 

Wednesday 13th March is Francis 

Dunlop talking about the Inverclyde 

Waulking Group. Our AGM and Spring 

Show will be held on the 10th April. 

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. 


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 


Brookfield News 

FAMILY CEILIDH 

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 on 

Saturday 16th March and bring your family and friends for an evening of whirling 

and birling! 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

The Annual General Meeting of Brookfi eld Village Council will be held on Friday 

22nd March at 7.30pm in the Village Hall followed by Cheese & Wine. 

ART CLUB SHOW 

Brookfi eld Art Club will hold their Annual Show 

on Sunday 24th March from 12noon - 4.30 pm. 

Admission is £1 and there will be a tea room with 

home baking. 

QUIZ NIGHT 

Get together with your brainiest family members, 

friends and/or neighbours and come along to the 

Quiz Night in the Village Hall on Saturday 27th 

April! Who will reign supreme this year - can the 

German Wire-haired Pointer by Joanna B.Geddes 

Brass Necks retain their crown? As before, there 

will also be a chance to have a punt on a porker 

with the added attraction of Pig Racing! Doors/bar from 7pm with the quiz 

starting at 7.30pm. Admission £3 per person. Max 6 per team. Please email: 

brookfi eldvpa@gmail.com to book. 

www.facebook.com/brookfi eldvillage.org | Twitter: @Brookfi eldvpa 

www.brookfi eldvillage.org 



34 


Why to Neuter Your Pet Rabbits 

Rabbits are very sociable animals 

and it is essential for their welfare 

that they are kept in pairs or 

groups. Neutering allows 

rabbits to live happily together 

without the risk of unwanted 

pregnancies or hormone driven 

aggressive behaviour. The best 

pairing is usually a neutered male with a neutered female. 

Male rabbits should be castrated when 3-5 months old and females should 

be spayed when 4 to 6 months old. 

The main reasons for neutering rabbits are: 

• Prevent unwanted pregnancies. Rabbits can have a litter of 

babies every month! 

• Reduce aggression towards other rabbits, allowing them to live 

happily together. 

• Prevent male rabbits constantly mounting the female, causing 

• 

aggression and frustration. 

Prevent uterine adenocarcinomas in females. This is an 

aggressive malignant cancer which can affect up to 80% of unneutered 

female rabbits by 5 years of age. Treatment is surgery 

to remove the uterus but this is higher risk in an older rabbit, and 

is often too late as the cancer has spread. 

• Reduce territorial aggression. Neutered rabbits are less likely to 

lunge at you or attack you if you put your hand in the hutch! 

• Makes litter training easier, which makes it much more pleasant 

when sharing your home with a house bunny! 

• Prevent/reduce urine spray marking, an unpleasant, smelly habit 

of un-neutered rabbits especially males. 

• Prevent false pregnancies in female rabbits which are very 

stressful for the bunny. 

• Prevent/reduce hormone driven aggression towards owners, 

especially in female rabbits. 

Neutering is a surgical procedure carried out under general anaesthetic. 

Most rabbits will be able to go home on the same day as surgery. 

Anaesthesia and surgery does carry some risks but the health and welfare 

benefits for your bunny far outweigh these. 

Article supplied by PetVets 

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 

The Underheugh Ark Rescue 

www.underheugharkrescue.co.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 

These centres and many more are always on the lookout for donations and 

fundraising. If you can help, please get in touch with them. 

Re-homing Pets 

Can you offer a home to any of our 

featured pets? 

Flossy 

Flossy - 6 y/o male domestic 

short-hair 

Flossy arrived from a multi-cat 

household where there was over 

70 cats so he has not had much 

socialisation and is therefore a shy, timid lad. He is 

looking for a home with an experienced cat owner 

who has a lot of time and patience to help bring him out of his shell. 

He needs somewhere with no children or dogs but he might be ok with 

other cats. He is used to getting outside so he needs direct access to a 

garden, not near a busy road, so that he can go out once he’s settled in 

his new home which will likely take a few months or more. 

Cardyke Farm, Langmuirhead Road, Auchinloch, Glasgow G66 5LD 

Telephone: 0141 779 3341 

Basil - 3-5y/o male domesic short hair 

Basil 

Basil is a handsome cat who is now looking 

for a new home. 

He is a timid, shy chap at the moment and 

will need a quiet home with owners who are happy and willing to be 

patient with him and give him the time and space he needs to help build 

his confidence in people and new environments. 

Basil requires an adult only home with outdoor access so that he can 

explore freely once he has had time to settle in to his new home. 

To contact the centre about any animals, please call 03000 999 999 

or visit www.scottishspca.org/rehoming 

Jonny - 5-7 y/o male German 

Shepard Dog 

Jonny is instantly friendly with 

everyone he meets. He loves 

making new human friends but when it comes to 

meeting other dogs he can get frustrated so this 

is something that will need work when he gets 

Jonny 

home. He must be the only pet in the home. 

Jonny is looking for a home with children over the age of 12 years that 

can give him some space if he needs it. Jonny loves being around 

people so much that he will do best with someone around most of the 

day and gradually build it up to a couple of hours. He will need a secure 

garden to play in and practise his training and it should have a 4ft fence 

to keep him safe. 

Having some experience would be beneficial for Jonny as he will require 

further training. Jonny will make a great family dog, he will just need 

some time and patience. 

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 date for for our our October April 2019 issue issue - Friday - Friday 14th 15th September March - you - you don’t don’t want want to miss to miss it!! it!!


35 

Interested in Photography? 

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 Paisley Colour 

Photographic Club 

Boats in Mist by Robert Fulton 

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. 

Blackmount Ice Paterns by Graeme Dewar 

Winter dusk, Berneray by Alison Smart 

10 ways 

to help 

hedgehogs 

1. Plant a hedge 

2. Make ponds safe 

3. Check before 

strimming 

4. Avoid using slug 

pellets 

5. Make a hedgehog 

house 

6. Leave out extra 

food 

7. Grow native plants 

8. Retain twigs and 

leaves 

9. Check bonfi res 

10. Create access 

holes 

Ice Bear by Richard Bennett 

Woodpecker by Iain Gardner 

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 

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. 

Indentibase 

Petidentity UK 

Petlog 

Pet Protect 

Pettrac 

Smarttrac 

0190 448 7600 

0800 975 1960 

0129 633 6579 

0800 077 8558 

0800 652 9977 

0844 542 0999 


36 


Colourful Kilmacolm 

Snowdrops are welcome harbingers, if not of spring, 

then at least of the end of the worst of the winter 

weather, and you have no doubt seen them popping 

up in your own gardens as well as at the lay-bys, 

Market Place and the Pullman area, where Colourful 

Kilmacolm has planted them over the last few years. 

At times they were not too visible, half covered by snow 

or thick frost, but although at these times they let their heads droop to the 

ground, they always perk up again as soon as the ground thaws a little. 

Maybe we would get accustomed to the cold if we had been around for as 

long as snowdrops have existed. 

The turn of the year is our signal 

to start work again, not so 

much gardening as clearing the 

debris and litter that inevitably 

accumulates, although there 

is nothing inevitable about 

discarded whisky bottles, wine 

glasses and beer glasses. Our 

own volunteer gardeners will 

be busy again from springtime, 

but in the meantime we are 

grateful to the Explorer Scouts who help us over the winter months. Our 

picture shows them after the big January clear-up. 

Keep an eye open for our displays of bulbs. We are trying some new ideas 

this year and will be watching closely to see how well they do. 

Colourful Kilmacolm is open to everyone. If you have not yet joined, the 

very modest £5 annual subscription will support our efforts. You can opt 

just to be a supporter, or to be an ‘active gardener’ and help with planting, 

weeding etc. It’s also another way to make new friends. Membership forms 

can be downloaded from our website www.colourfulkilmacolm.org.uk or 

you can phone Peter (01505 872448) or Liz (07963 973031). 

Come and visit Finlaystone Country Estate, enjoy our woodland walks, play 

areas and gardens. Join our Rangers for fun events at weekends. 

Gardens in March 

After a cold and at times snowy last few months, fingers crossed that winter 

is finally on its way out and that March sees us into spring and slightly 

warmer weather. 

This month in the garden there is a huge amount of pruning to be done. 

Many shrubs that flower late on current seasons growth can be pruned and 

shaped this month. One such shrub, which we have a number of in the 

walled garden, is buddleia. These can be cut down to the lowest healthy 

buds and during the growing season will put on a huge amount of growth, 

with established specimens easily reaching 12 feet in height. These are 

fantastic plants for any garden and varieties are available for every size of 

garden. They are particularly useful in a wildlife garden and will often be 

seen covered in butterflies when flowering in August. 

By far the highlight of a visit to Finlaystone at this time of year is the 

fantastic display of daffodils. While snowdrops flower in the middle of 

winter, the daffodil always indicate that winter has passed, and that spring 

has definitely arrived. As always bunches of cut daffodils will be for sale at 

the visitor centre. They can also be ordered in advance by contacting the 

visitor centre. 

Here at Finlaystone we are always happy to welcome volunteers into 

the garden where the gardener will always be able to fi nd work for those 

interested in getting their hands dirty. 

Membership 

Annual Memberships running from April 1st, 2019 are available for purchase 

at the visitor centre. 

Tea room 

The tearoom is open at weekends and bank holidays. 



37 

RSPB Lochwinnoch 

Did you know though that there are two dates for the start of Spring? There is the 

Astronomical spring and the Meteorological spring. 

The Metrological Spring starts on Friday 1st March (as perhaps you would expect!) 

It is measured by our monthly calendar, known as the Gregorian Calendar. This 

allows our year to be easily split into the 4 seasons, each lasting 3 months. 

The Astronomical Spring (known as the Vernal equinox) happens this year on Wednesday 20th 

March. An equinox is when the length of day and nights is almost equal. This happens twice a year 

when the Sun is directly over the Earth’s equator – once in Spring and once in Autumn. 

If you want to fi nd out more about the stars and galaxies up in the night sky, why not come along to 

our Astronomy evening on Friday 15th March? The speakers will be from the Astronomical Society 

of Glasgow. 

Much of our wildlife responds to the Astronomical calendar. Increasing light levels (and sometimes 

increasing temperatures) at this time of year triggers a response - in birds this may be breeding 

behaviour, and in plants it can trigger rising sap 

that swells buds and starts new growth. If you are 

interested in trying to capture some of this spring 

activity with your camera, you may be interested 

in our Wildlife Photography Workshop – Beginner 

Level, on Sunday 10th March. 

Richard Sutcliffe 

Local Lepidoptera (some Butterflies 

and Moths of the Glasgow 

Area) - An illustrated talk. 

Friday 5th April 

@ 7.30pm 

McMaster Centre 

Donaldson Drive 

Renfrew 

PA48LX 

All welcome. 

Andy Shand 

Birds, Buddhism and Blue Whales 

- an illustrated talk 


@ 7.30pm 

McMaster Centre 

Donaldson Drive 

Renfrew 

PA4 8LX 

All Welcome 

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk 

For more information about the reserve or any of 

our events, please call 01505 842 663 or email 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk 

Open Day 

Sunday 24th March from 11am – 3pm 

Come along to visit us at our beautiful 

reserve, and see the amazing wildlife. 

Kids can play in the natural play area, 

explore our fairy trail, have a go at pond 

dipping and take part in our treasure hunt. 

Everyone can walk the trails and enjoy the 

beautiful views whilst keeping an eye out for 

wildlife. Come along for a fun day out! 

Free Event 

Tel: (01505) 842663 

Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk 

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society 

We began 2019 with a talk on plants from Lanzarote, one of 

the Spanish-administered islands in the Canary Islands lying off 

the West Africa Saharan coast. Ewen Brown, of Desertscapes 

Cactus & Succulent Nursery, gave us an audio/visual 

presentation with sounds of the blustery, searing winds, which 

blow over the island, resonating around the room. Lanzarote 

is a fearsome place for all but the toughest of plants but we did 

see Bougainvillea and Pelargoniums growing round houses and 

roundabouts. The winners here are the desert dwelling cacti, 

Agaves, Aloes, Aeoniums, Euphorbias and succulents. 

The Jardin de Cactus is the creation of local artist and architect, 

Cesar Manrique. He favoured a minimalist style to reflect the 

island’s austere beauty. This is a must for cacti lovers for here, 

in an old quarry scooped out of the inhospitable volcanic terrain, 

can be found a garden dedicated to cacti. The varieties are 

amazing: round or barrel-shaped and spiny, tall and columnar 

and spiny, branching, creeping or climbing – and spiny. Some 

are smooth and others are furry but each and every one has 

a specific and detailed pattern which is perhaps the most 

remarkable part of the cactus. Flowers are spectacular but brief. 

Viticulture is a surprise cultivation on Lanzarote but an important 

one to the wine-loving islanders. Vineyards are designed like 

honeycombs and built with small, circular stone walls with one 

vine planted behind each wall for protection from the winds. 

In March we will hear from Sandra Halliday about ‘Designing 

Your Garden’. If you are new to gardening, or changing layouts, 

come along and get some ideas. We meet on Thursday 14th 

March at The Bridge at 8pm. Guests are always welcome! We 

are busy organising our Annual Flower Show for August - watch 

this space. 

Gardening tips for early March - check trees and shrubs for 

Winter damage and prune broken or diseased branches. Cut 

hard back shrubs which are grown for Winter colour such as 

Dogwood (Cornus), Willows and Whitewash Brambles.

38 


Welcome to Clyde Murshiel Regional Park 

Give Back on Practical Conservation Days: 

Muirshiel Country Park’s sikta spruce brashings need 

cutting piling and burning. It’s great fun and often 

results in a huge fire! That’s on Saturday 23th March, 

10.30am until 3pm. 

Stargazing Evenings: It’s the last date of the 

winter season on 11th March, at Castle Semple in 

Lochwinnoch. 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 open for this popular 100km 

sportive. £20 entry with £7.50 CLIC Sargent donation 

included via the British Cycling website. 

Best of luck to the SOGB Sailing Team: Our Senior 

Instructor and Sailing Team Coach David Hill has been 

busy training up the local youngsters for the Special 

Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. We’re looking 

forward to seeing their participation in the media from 

14th - 21st March. 

Clyde Muirshiel Conservation Volunteers: 

Greenock Cut Volunteers are every Saturday 

10.30am - 2.30pm; Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers 

are every Sunday morning 10am - 12noon; Castle 

Semple Volunteers can be either at Castle Semple or 

Muirshiel. Look online for full programmes. 

Plan Your Most Adventurous Year Yet: 2019 course 

dates are now online! Book via our website for 

sailing and paddlesport courses for adults including 

2 hour evening tasters, 1/2 day long tuition and 

recognised powerboating qualifications. Also for the 

kids there are our school holiday (hugely popular!) 

Junior Multi Activity Weeks in Spring, Summer and 

October holidays. There are also child/youth specific 

paddlesport and sailing 1 day and 2 day courses. 

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 

Things have been pretty quiet with our gulls at the 

moment. The four that are still online have settled into 

their wintering grounds and we have had sightings 

of Luke Skysquawker in Huevla, Spain at the fi sh 

market. We expect them and the gulls whose tags 

have gone temporarily offline to remain in Spain and 

Portugal until March. The gull news has been a bit 

more exciting back home with reports of 5 different 

species of gulls from overseas, including America, 

all overwintering at different spots in the Clyde area 

including Luke’s old stomping ground at Strathclyde 

Park. 

The really exciting 

news belongs to the 

Ivory Gull. Ivory gulls 

are a species from 

the high Arctic which 

usually frequent the 

pack ice and scavenge 

on dead seals and 

other bits and pieces. 

They are pure white 

and look like a common gull on steroids. There are 

less than 100 records of this species being spotted 

in Scotland with the last one in this area being seen 

at Torranyard in 2007. So it was a big surprise for 

the staff at Hessilhead to open a box from Stranraer 

and find an adult ivory gull inside. The gull had no 

signs of any injuries but was very underweight. After 

a couple of weeks of eating whitebait and herring the 

gull was just shy of 600g, almost double its arrival 

weight. We at Tag-n-Track had the pleasure of taking 

measurements and ringing the gull before its release 

the next day at Stevenson Point where over 130 

birders came to watch from all over the country. The 

gull flew out the box, sat on the grass for about half a 

minute then took off strongly. It was last seen heading 

north up the coast and fingers crossed that it makes it 

home successfully. 

Event News 

We are planning on 

a ringing demo at 

Muirshiel in March. 

At the moment we 

can’t confirm a date 

so please keep an 

eye on the website 

and Facebook for further details. 

More Info… Details can be found on the Park’s 

website www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk/tag-n-track or by 

emailing tnt@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. The Project also 

has its own Facebook Page which can be found at 

www.facebook.com/TagnTrack/. We are happy to 

come along and deliver talks about the project, just 

get in touch. 

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. 



Kilbarchan Smile 

Kilbarchan Smile is a friendly volunteer community group 

has achieved a huge amount since being established in 

2015. The aim of Kilbarchan Smile is to improve the 

appearance of the village and build community spirit, 

making it an even better place to live, work and visit. Group activities have 

included litter clean-ups and addressing dog-fouling issues. Bulb planting 

and tending areas of greenspace have contributed to adding colour where 

opportunities have been available. A major focus has been on developing 

the Gateway Garden by the A737 roundabouts on the former filling station 

brownfi eld site. This community garden is regularly open and provides 

opportunities for adults and children to be involved in growing plants and 

vegetables in containers throughout the year. We currently have some 

raised bed growing spaces available if you want to grow some of your own 

plants. 

WE NEED YOUR HELP 

Our very committed active members are still small in number. Do you want 

to make a difference to your village? Get involved with Kilbarchan Smile 

and help in the community garden, with admin, PR, Photography, digital 

and social media or supporting litter and dog poo campaigns. This can be 

done as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards volunteering section or 

through your employer if they have a volunteering provision as part of their 

Continuous Professional Development. 

Activities are planned by a steering group who meet every 1 to 2 months, 

usually in the Old Library community facility. Kilbarchan Smile has an active 

Facebook Page as a channel for community news, events and comment. 

We welcome new participants, and have further ambitions, as there is 

great potential for achieving much more for Kilbarchan. Please contact 

us on 07952 169341, email hello@kilbarchansmile.co.uk ,through the Old 

Library or join the group Kilbarchan Smile on Facebook. If you would like 

to come along to fi nd out more and meet some of the volunteers (without 

obligation) our next meeting is on 25th April at 7.30pm at the Old Library 

Centre, Kilbarchan. 

Brighter Bridge Of Weir 

Lochwinnoch Community 

Garden 

Work parties all start at 2pm in Garden 

• 31st March - start to plant barrels (March planting 

plugs Willie will let us know dates and times) 

• 28th April - Planting village and baskets 

• 26th May - Planting for gala 

• 8th June - Gala day 

Sensory garden and nature friendly developments 

We have applied for Big Lottery funding to develop the garden to include 

a sensory garden to support the Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly Village 

project. A sensory garden would aim to stimulate the senses courtesy of 

plants and the use of materials that 

engage people’s senses of sight, 

smell, touch, taste, and sound. In 

addition, we are growing many 

plants to support bees, butterflies 

and wildlife in the garden and in the 

containers around the village. 

Golf club and Primary School 

Liz Parsons is meeting with golf 

club to discuss wild flower planting 

in the rough by primary school and 

in return the pupils will get a golf 

lesson. 

39 

MARCHING ON 

Some readers may remember a time when there used to 

be four distinct seasons. It was predictable; you could set 

your calendar by it. Things are much more, well, interesting, 

now. We never seem to know what’s going to happen from one month – 

one week – to the next. But hey, who said that Brighter Bridge of Weir’s 

volunteers weren’t up to a challenge? 

As we wrote in last month’s Advertizer, our plans have been laid and our 

order has now been sent to the nursery for delivery in May. In the meantime, 

we’ll be giving something of a makeover to the Torr Road Garden, trying 

to avoid standing on the bulbs that should be showing themselves soon. 

We’ll also be taking delivery of some young native trees to plant in various 

locations. 

Readers may also remember the plans we have for the funding awarded to 

us by the Historical Society for a project in the village. We’ve had constructive 

talks with the appropriate departments of Renfrewshire Council, who are 

very supportive of our aims, and we’ll keep you posted about that. For now, 

perhaps the rest of this season will continue to be contrary and we won’t be 

troubled much by the winds for which March used to be notorious. 

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers 

BoWHW have had real luck with 

the weather so far this year and 

have enjoyed outings to Ben 

Ledi, the Ayr coastal trail and 

Loch Lomond. All of these have 

been well attended and we have 

welcomed in two new participants. 

In March, we are looking forward to 

trips to Glen Almond, Ben Donich 

by Arrochar and a round in Glen Branter. 

We are now running two Monday walks and a Sunday walk per month and 

are looking forward to weekends in Braemar and a new venue for us - the 

Ardnamurchan peninsula. Anyone wishing to come along and stretch the 

legs and discover a rich legacy of coffee shops can find us on Facebook or 

at: donwwsmith@gmail.com 

If you’re a member of the public 

wanting to enjoy some fresh air in 

a local park, or a dog walker, hill 

walker, mountain biker, horse rider 

or kayaker, there is information for 

you and much more. https://www. 

outdooraccess-scotland.scot/ 

Wildlife Crime 

Liaison Officer 

These officers can be contacted to 

report crime or to seek advice on 

wildlife crime matters. Call Police 

Scotland on 101 to report a wildlife 

crime or email us at Contactus@ 

scotland.pnn.police.uk. 


40 


Step forward for Olympic 

athletes’ new home in 

Renfrewshire 

Plans to build a state-of-the-art athletics facility in Renfrewshire have taken 

a step forward after councillors backed a Community Asset Transfer to 

Kilbarchan Amateur Athletics Club (AAC). 

More than 4,000sqm of land will be transferred to the local club to progress 

plans for a £1.3million indoor facility, which would allow year-round training 

and be built alongside the outdoor track and field facilities at Linwood’s 

On-X sports centre. 

The proposed indoor training centre would provide the club with: 

• a 60m running track; • Horizontal and vertical jumps 

• Pole vault; 

• Indoor throws cage - including javelin; 

• Club room; 

• Strength and conditioning area 

Two of the clubs most high-profile members are Olympians Callum and 

Derek Hawkins who represented Great Britain in the Marathon at the 2016 

Rio Olympics - with Callum finishing in 9th place. 

Jim Goudie, Kilbarchan AAC Immediate Past President, said: “This 

development would offer us the opportunity to train in any weather, allyear-round, 

and make the On-X Centre a complete facility for elite and club 

athletes in Renfrewshire. 

“We want to bring as many people as we can into athletics and having this 

indoor facility will give people the chance to take up the sport, while keeping 

younger athletes from becoming disheartened with training sessions 

cancelled or in the pouring rain. 

“We’ve had four Olympians pass through our club so far and we want to 

give our members the best possible chance to follow in their footsteps - and 

this facility would do just that.” 

In addition to the transfer of the land lease, the project has been allocated 

£500,000 by Renfrewshire Council to support the development which will 

provide facilities for both elite and club runners across Renfrewshire. 

scottishathletics have identified the proposal as an important project 

within the National Facilities Strategy - which aims to provide athletics 

with numerous top-class facilities throughout the country to maximise 

participation and increase standards of performance in all disciplines. 

Head of Development for scottishathletics, Colin Hutchison, said: “As the 

governing body for athletics in Scotland we are fully behind Kilbarchan’s 

proposed facility development and are excited about the opportunities it will 

present for the club and athletics in Renfrewshire. 

“The commitment from the club’s volunteers to get the project to this stage 

has been phenomenal and we are all extremely grateful to the generous 

funders that are contributing to the project. The facility will be vital to 

continue growing athletics in Renfrewshire and the indoor facility will greatly 

enhance the club’s capacity to develop their young athletes year-round.” 

Weight Loss Plans 

There are so many choices now when it comes to weight loss plans – 

cutting carbs, weighing food, intermittent fasting, keto diet and countless 

other ideas that dieticians, personal trainers, health coaches and friends 

might suggest. 

There isn’t a one size fits all strategy. There are many different eating 

plans that may help you to achieve your goals in a way that fi ts in with your 

lifestyle. However, the ones that will set you up for success have some 

common features. 

1. They preserve aspects of your current lifestyle. 

Trying to overhaul your diet all at once will likely backfi re. If you try to 

remove things from your diet that are a big part of it, you will struggle. 

Look for healthier versions and make small sustainable changes. For 

example, if you love sandwiches, try switching to whole-wheat bread, or 

removing one slice and creating an open-sandwich, instead of stopping 

them altogether. You’re more likely to stick to this and see results. 

2. They incorporate flexibility. 

Plans with choices are ideal. They are more likely to suit your lifestyle 

and encourage you to continue. Polarised views of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ 

foods often leads to binges and cravings that inevitably cause failure. 

Prioritise nutritious changes but allow the flexibility of life with it. If you 

get invited out for a meal you don’t want to be the one refusing to go or 

sitting eating the leafy green salad with no dressing on it. 

3. They encourage physical activity. 

Weight loss isn’t solely about eating. The best plans highlight the 

importance of physical activity. It can increase metabolism and help 

burn calories, ultimately helping you hit that caloric defi cit that will 

facilitate fat loss. A combination of good eating and physical activity is 

when the results will happen. 

4. They acknowledge the journey. 

Weight loss is never linear, and if you hit a plateau you shouldn’t feel as 

though you have failed. Plans that focus on a numeric result may under 

value the work that you have put in. View the process as a journey 

and notice other changes (other than the scale!) such as changes in 

energy levels, clothes fitting differently, sleeping better, feeling happier 

or feeling more confident. This is the journey you want to embrace. 

Lesley Handley, FitSmart Fitness Ltd. 

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: 



Castle Semple Sailing Club 

41 

New Year’s Day Sail 

What a lovely start to the new year, beautiful clear blue sky, bright warm 

sunshine shared with lots of friends at the Club - and a gentle breeze for 

a sail for those still recovering from the drama of Sunday when there were 

numerous capsizes after the wind increased to something a lot stronger 

than the forecast 

Leo was fi rst boat out on the water - being spotted out long before midday 

- he won a bottle of whisky. 

Most people enjoyed the bacon rolls before moving on to Alice’s delicious 

ham hock soup. 

5 boats were out on the water - Leo was heading up some sort of game 

sailing in between the rowing buoys most of the way to Howwood. The B14 

was last back just before the sun went down but was caught on camera 

sailing through a rainbow - magic! Let’s take that as a good omen for the 

start of another successful year for Castle Semple Sailing Club! 

Thanks to Calum Simmonds and Eleanor Davison for the photos. 

Whacky Winchester Winter Pursuit Series 

Racing one Sunday during the winter began quietly enough with 7 boats 

starting Race 1. However, it wasn’t long before the wind increased. The 

Master out in his EPS was soon in trouble round buoy 2 taking some time 

to get the boat upright ( he should take some lessons from Jon “I never get 

wet when I capsize” Hasler) - he subsequently retired from the race later 

declaring that the boat was for teenagers and not someone of his age... 

Meanwhile Brian in the Vareo was not faring too well either although he did 

finish the race, he was soon wishing his trusty loyal crew Alan had been 

around to sail the MV2. Leo retired after at least one capsize. Meanwhile 

Mark in the dart was having a ball, although he admitted he did nearly 

pitchpole approaching buoy 6 - lucky he didn’t as he would most likely have 

landed on Team GP... who decided it was safer to tack rather the gybe at 

this particular point, meanwhile Team Pam was out in front leading the pack. 

The course of 1, 2, 7,3, 6 and the wind meant that the Enterprise and GP 

were planing across the loch from 7 to 3 - yeee haa! However Hugh in the 

Phantom had had a couple of capsizes before the boat at the misfortune to 

have the bow come apart from the hull...and a subsequent tow back. At 

the finish, only Team Pam, the Dart and Team GP had survived without a 

capsize, although the GP14 had saved their capsize for after the race... 

The usual start time for the second race of 1pm was delayed until 1.30pm 

to allow people to recover and plan tactics - needless to say the Master’s 

trusty Vortex which had been mothballed for a few weeks was quickly rigged 

and ready for action. The fl eet was now reduced to 5 (minus the laser 

and damaged phantom). The wind had 

reduced a little but not a lot. It wasn’t 

long before the Master was back in his 

preferred pole position, Brian decided 

enough was enough and retired from 

the race sending wishful thoughts to his 

much loved MV2. With the Master way 

out in front, the minutes were ticking 

by, the Dart was closing in, as was the 

Enterprise on the GP14...rounding buoy 

7 the Dart was away, the GP held its 

lead over the Enterprise approaching 

and rounding buoy 3, but the Enterprise 

was getting ever closer... the race ended 

with the GP just in front. Contact us via 

our website www.castlesemplesc.co.uk 

Kilmacolm Golf Club Ladies 

On 5th February the annual Charity Bridge afternoon in aid of Erskine 

Hospital raised an amazing £1,019. 

We had 19 tables for bridge with 72 ladies playing, followed by a delicious 

afternoon tea, raffle and prize giving. Our bridge ladies said it was the “best 

afternoon tea they had tasted at Kilmacolm”, well done and thanks to our 

wonderful kitchen staff. 

Margaret Houston won first prize, very 

well done. 

This successful fundraiser has been in our 

social calendar for 50 years and long may it 

continue. Many thanks to everyone for their 

support again and to Maura Harkness for 

donating the beautiful flowers. Also a huge 

thank you to our Lady Captain Rosemary for 

organising the afternoon and of course to the 

Ladies Committee who successfully ran the 

day. 

Glasgow Kiltwalk 

The fundraising team at ACCORD Hospice are looking for supporters for 

this year’s Glasgow Kiltwalk on Sunday 28th April. The Kiltwalk has 

been developed and under-written by Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter 

Foundation. Their support will enable 140% of the sponsorship money to 

go directly to their charity or local cause. Every walker can select the charity 

or local cause that they wish to donate to. 

Choose between the Mighty Stride (26 mile walk), the Big Stroll (13 mile 

walk) or the Wee Wander (6 mile walk). Register online at www.thekiltwalk. 

co.uk and during the registration process, remember to select ACCORD 

Hospice as your chosen charity! We will then receive notifi cation of your 

registration and send you out your fundraising pack. 

For any further information, please contact the fundraising team by emailing: 

fundraising@accord.org.uk or call 0141 581 2000. 


42 

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club 

News 

Scottish Golf Young Persons Golf Panel 

Ranfurlys’ Gregor Rawson has been selected to sit on the newly 

formed Scottish Persons Young Golf Panel at Scottish Golf – 

designed to create a forum for junior golfers to feedback to key 

decision makers and shape the future of the game, the panel 

will meet and discuss all aspects of growing junior golf within 

Scotland. Everyone at Ranfurly Castle is proud of Gregor for 

being selected! 

Tom Eckford – 25th Year 

Anniversary 

Ranfurly Castle are delighted 

to recognise the 25th year 

anniversary of the appointment 

of our resident PGA Advanced 

Professional Tom Eckford. 

Tom joined the club in January 

1994 and has been at the heart 

of the club ever since. He 

continues to offer a great service 

to members and visitors alike and works tirelessly to deliver 

essential club services. 

On behalf of everyone here at the club – many thanks for your 

continued hard work and dedication! 

Ladies News 

The Ladies section held their AGM 

on Saturday 19th January with over 

40 ladies present. Out going Captain 

Marion Munro gave a full recap of 

the events of the 2018 season and 

thanked all those who had represented 

the Club in the various team events 

and all who had assisted her in her 

year of office. She welcomed Jan 

Macnab as the new Lady Captain and 

presented her with the badge of office. 

Jan outlined her plans for the 2019 playing season before 

presenting the Trophies to all the worthy winners. Marion then 

presented Jan with her Club Champions Trophy along with a 

souvenir flag as a memento. 

The Captains Drive In took place on Saturday 26th January 

followed by the first playing of the Captains Quaich. 

Junior Captain Iain 

MacLean, Lady Captain 

Jan Macnab and Club 

Captain David Stewart 

started their year of office 

in front of an appreciative 

crowd at the first tee in dry, 

blustery conditions but 

sadly this did not last and 

the competitors battled 

very wet conditions for 

the 9 hole competition. 

Congratulations go to the 

brave who played all nine 

holes. The outcome was 

very close fought with 

Senga Nixon runner up 

on 21 points and Martin 

McGoldrick the winner 

with a better inward half. 

The photo shows the 

outgoing Captain, Alastair 

Fyfe, presenting the 

Trophy to Martin along with David Stewart. 

The ladies are holding their Annual Bridge event at the club on 

Wednesday 13th March beginning at 2pm. The cost is £28 per 

table which includes afternoon tea and it is open to all ladies 

and gents who would like to play. 

It is not too late to phone and book a table. 


Houston United Medal Ceremony 

On January the 6th, The River Inn hosted Houston United’s 

2010, 2011 and 2012’s for their end of season medal 

ceremony day. Over 200 players and parents attended 

for lunch along with club chairman Louis Jeffery and, the 

teams away strip sponsor ALVIC SLIDING WARDROBES 

attending. The players and parents were firstly entertained 

by a Magician with lunch and a raffle following. The raffle 

raised over £500 for the teams. Over 60 players across 

the three age groups received their league medal and were 

treated to a video of themselves training, the video had been 

filmed and edited by one of the coaches, Dennis Liu. It was 

an amazing event for all involved and the teams would like 

to thank Jason Andrews and his 

staff at the River Inn for making 

the event run so smoothly. 

Houston United continues to 

grow in numbers and strength. 

During the month of January the 

club was also awarded the SFA 

Quality Mark Award in the Gold 

Community Level. One of only 

four clubs in the SFA West Region 

achieving this high standard. 

As the club continues to grow it 

requires your help and support, 

Houston Utd are currently 

looking for any parents to be 

involved with helping/coaching in 

particular to assist with setting up 

a 2013 team. Anybody interested 

should contact the club via their 

Facebook page or on the website. 

www.houstonunitedfc.com 

Houston Utd has recently formed 

a girls team which has already 

grown to over 30 girls across 4 

age groups, and continues to 

grow on a weekly basis. They 

also received help with their setup 

from Suzanne at PARIS HAIR & 

BEAUTY Co who sponsored the 

girls team. 

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 



43 

43 

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. 

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. 

Tues - Cargill Hall, BoW, 10.30am 

Tues - West Burn Church, Greenock 2pm 

Thurs - Old Library, Kilbarchan, 2.30pm 

Thurs - Carrick Centre, Houston, 

10.30am 

New Classes starting in March. 

From Monday 4th March, 3.15pm 

- 4.15pm, Old Gourock and Ashton 

Parish Church, Islay Hall. 

From Wednesday 20th March, Early 

Bird Class, 9.15am - 10.15am Scout 

Hall, Canal Street, Johnstone 

www.moveitorloseit.co.uk 

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 

jennifer-mcghee@hotmail.co.uk 

Katie Black Pilates and 

Physiotherapy 

Pilates classes Monday Evenings in 

Killellan Hall, Houston. 6pm - 7pm, 

7.20pm - 8.20pm and 8.30pm - 9.30pm. 

To book contact Katie on 07972 474965. 

SP O R T S 

Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton 

Mondays - BOW Primary School, 

Warlock Road, 7.30pm - 9.30pm 

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 

ATHLETICS 

Kilbarchan Athletic Club - On-X, 

Linwood, Mondays & Thursdays, 7pm 

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990. 

Child car seats: the law 

Using a child car seat or booster 

seat 

Children must normally use a child 

car seat until they’re 12 years old or 

135 centimetres tall, whichever comes 

first. 

Children over 12 or more than 135cm 

tall must wear a seat belt. 

You can choose a child car seat based 

on your child’s height or weight. 

Height-based seats - known as ‘i-Size’ 

seats. They must be rear-facing until 

your child is over 15 months old. Your 

child can use a forward-facing child car 

seat when they’re over 15 months old. 

You must check the seat to make sure 

it’s suitable for the height of your child. 

Only EU-approved height-based child 

car seats can be used in the UK. 

These have a label showing a capital 

‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’. 

Weight-based seats - Only EUapproved 

weight-based child car seats 

can be used in the UK. These have a 

label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle 

and ‘ECE R44’. 

You may be able to choose from more 

than one type of seat in the group for 

your child’s weight. 

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. 

DA N C E 

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 

Child’s weight Group Seats 

0kg to 10kg 0 Lie-flat or ‘lateral’ baby 

carrier, rear-facing baby carrier, or rearfacing 

baby seat using a harness 

0kg to 13kg 0+ Rear-facing baby 

carrier or rear-facing baby seat using a 

harness 

9kg to 18kg 1 Rear- or forward-facing 

baby seat using a harness or safety 

shield 


child car seat (high-backed booster seat 

or booster cushion) using a seat belt, 

harness or safety shield 


child car seat (high-backed booster seat 

or booster cushion) using a seat belt, 

harness or safety shield 

Manufacturers can now only make 

booster cushions approved as group 3. 

This won’t affect any existing booster 

cushions in group 2 and you’ll still be 

able to use them. 

Fitting a child car seat 

You must only use a child car seat if 

your car’s seat belt has a diagonal strap, 

unless the seat is either: 

specifically designed for use with a lap 

seat belt 

fitted using ISOFIX anchor points 

You must also: 

deactivate any front airbags before fitting 

a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat 

not fit a child car seat in side-facing 

seats 

LEAP Car Club 

Your car cost over £100 a week 

on average. 

• Join LEAP Car Club from 

£5 a month. 

• Hire by the hour 24/7 

• Pay-As-You-Go 

• Cut your car costs. 

Contact: 

mike@myleapproject.org 

T: 0300 020 0639 

The Child Car Seats website has 

information on how to choose a seat 

and travel safely with children in cars. 

Children with disabilities or medical 

conditions 

The same rules apply for children with 

disabilities or medical conditions, but 

they can use a disabled person’s seat 

belt or a child restraint designed for 

their needs. 

A doctor can issue an exemption 

certificate if a child is unable to use a 

restraint or seat belt because of their 

condition. 

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seatsthe-rules 

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 


44 


Bridge of Weir Primary School 

Olympic Athlete Visits our School by Tristan Mills P6a 

“A great school - one of the most organised and well behaved I’ve been to. Brilliant energy 

during exercise and a credit to the teachers.” 

These are the words of Chris Bennett, the hammer thrower, who visited our school in January. 

While he was here he talked to us about his experience of being an Olympic athlete. He 

was an inspiration to us - he trains hard every day, and has kept going even when things 

have been difficult. A few people are now interested in hammer throwing after the fascinating 

answers he gave to our questions. We all loved his circuit training and it certainly kept us 

active in the cold months! 

Mrs Semple ‘Retires’ 

Mrs Semple “retired” from being 

a parent helper in February, 

marking the end of an era at 

school. Phyllis has been coming 

to school to help out in classes, 

decorate walls, support pupils 

in group work, organise library 

books for Primary 1, and help 

with a host of other tasks for 

20 years. She started coming 

even before her own sons were 

in primary and continued long after they moved on to high school. 

Her commitment, enthusiasm, and cheerful smile will be sorely missed…as will her amazing 

tablet! 

Primary 1 presented Mrs Semple with some lovely gifts to show their appreciation for 

everything she’s done for our school. We wish her well as she moves on to explore other 

interests in her life. 

Duchal Nursery School 

There have been lots of noodles and chopsticks in Duchal 

recently, both proving a great hit with the children while 

celebrating Chinese New Year. We made lanterns and 

even a huge Chinese Dragon that was spotted walking 

around Birkmyre Park! 

With spring nearly here we are delighted with the 

gorgeous flash of colour outside the nursery as the 

snowdrops and daffodils poke their heads out. Thank 

you so much to Colourful Kilmacolm who donated the 

bulbs and assisted the children with planting them last 

year. The children have been fascinated watching them 

steadily grow. 

Our 50th Anniversary Ball is being held on 16th March 

at Mar Hall and we have been overwhelmed with the 

support of former pupils, parents, staff and friends of 

Duchal who are going to join us in the celebrations, it will be a truly magnificent occasion. 

The children are all getting involved too creating some decorations for the night! 

We had a great Open Morning with lots of new families visiting, if you were unable to make 

it and would like to pop in for a visit please get in touch and we can arrange a convenient 

time. 

We are now offering places for the intake in August 2019. If your child will be of nursery age 

after the summer and you are looking at your pre school options, please do get in touch to 

have an informal look around. With our extended hours we are open daily 8.15am – 3.30pm, 

offering greater flexibility of care for parents. Please visit our website for more information – 

www.duchal.com and find us on Facebook. If you would like to come and visit the Nursery 

please get in 01505 874358 or email: info@duchal.com 

St Fillan’s 

Primary 

Pyjama Day 

On Friday 25th January 

there was a great deal 

of excitement in St 

Fillan’s as children 

were dropped off at 

school looking like 

they had just gotten 

out of bed! Of course, 

it was “Pyjama Day” 

and the “School Improvement Committee” had organised 

the event to raise funds to purchase new House mascots. 

House identity is very important to our House and Vice 

captains as House events and special treats can be 

achieved by Houses working together as a team to earn 

as many House points as they can. House Captains plan 

to work with their House to name their mascot and give 

their furry friend an identity with a personality, sense of 

style and unique set of skills and talents. 

Co-op Reopens 

We were delighted to be invited along to help re-open the 

co-op in Houston following a fire a few months ago. We 

were joined by the crew from Amber Watch, Johnstone 

Fire Station and there were smiles all round as the store 

re-opened its doors. Many of our families missed the 

convenience of having the Co-op on our doorsteps and 

we are all grateful that nobody was seriously hurt in the 

fire. We had a great time at the re-opening and even got 

a shot in the fire engine! 

Mary’s Meals 

Our children are always eager to help those less fortunate 

than themselves and this month was no exception. A 

group of girls from Primary 4 organised a children’s raffle 

and they purchased their own prizes to be gifted to the 

winners. The event was a great success with children 

eager to buy their lucky tickets! It’s always nice to see our 

children using their initiative and living our values in their 

thoughts, words and actions. Well done girls! 



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. 

Kilmacolm 

playgroup 

Another busy month at Playgroup 

saw us learning all about colours 

and shapes. The children made 

their very own shape mobiles for 

their rooms. We spent a whole 

week looking at The Gruffalo by 

Julia Donaldson and even had a 

trip to the local library where we 

followed the Gruffalo trail while 

reading the book. A huge thank you 

once again to Pamela and Shona 

at Kilmacolm library for hosting 

this. Back at playgroup the children 

made Gruffalo puppets and we 

made our own chocolate crispie 

Gruffalo paws. A fun time 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 Iona on: 

playgroupmembership@gmail. 

com for more details. 

Are you a new parent, or new to our 

village or surrounding villages, our 

baby & toddler group is open as a 

drop in session every Wednesday 

morning from 10am - 11.30am. Pop 

in for a hot drink and cake while 

your child enjoys a play, a healthy 

snack is also provided for children. 

A great chance to meet new friends 

and find out all about our fabulous 

group. Open to all parents, carers 

and Grandparents. 

For more information 

on any of our groups: 

kilmacolmplaygroupand toddlers. 

jimdo.com or check out our 

Facebook page for latest information. 

Houston Toddlers 

We have been 

having lots of 

fun at toddlers 

recently 

with some 

Valentine’s 

day crafts. 

The boys and 

girls making 

something 

for someone 

special. 

We have mother’s day and Easter 

themed activities coming soon. 

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 all! 

Kilbarchan 

Community 

Nursery 

One of our Eco focus topics for this 

year is Energy and we were lucky to 

have two visitors to tell the children 

all about energy. Ann’s dad Cameron 

explained circuits and how they work 

and the children joined hands to make 

the light come on. Ruth and Ingrid from 

LEAP told the children about how heat 

can be lost and the importance of saving 

energy by switching off lights. They took 

infra-red photos to show where heat is 

lost on the body. 

Pamper 

Night - 

Gryffe High 

School 

45 

Friday 22nd March from 

7pm - 10pm 

Calling folks of all ages ... 

Get your friends & family 

members together and come 

along to our pamper event in 

the school and enjoy make-up, 

hair & skincare demos, beauty 

treatments including nails, 

massage, waxing & spray tan 

alongside an opportunity to 

shop for unique gifts, perhaps 

for Mother’s Day from a variety 

of artisan vendors. 

Local salons Divah / Vesari 

Beauty, So Beauty and Julie 

Devine Hair & Tan will be there 

offering a range of treatments 

at very competitive prices. Gift 

vouchers will also be available 

for purchase. 

For example: Tan £10, Eyebrow 

wax/thread £6/£7, 10 minute 

massage £12, Shellac nails 

£20, File & polish £10. Full 

list of prices and treatments 

available on school website & 

PTA facebook page . 

In addition there will be 

students from West College 

Scotland giving make up and 

hair demos … why not try out 

something different, perhaps a 

“smoky eye” or an “up do” for a 

future wedding, party or prom! 

Yvonne Gorrie, a local Tropic 

Skincare Ambassador, will 

also be along to offer facials 

and hand treatments with her 

range of skincare products. 

Places are limited so get your 

tickets a.s.a.p. And support 

your school. 

Tickets are priced £5 for adults 

& £3 for under 18’s and can 

be purchased from the school 

office or message Sheila 

McHarg on facebook. 


46 

Houston Primary School 

Young Musician of the Year 

Pupils from Primary 6 & 7 who have a passion for music were invited to 

attend Gryffe High School’s annual music competition. The pupils were 

blown away with the local talent. Former pupils, Sasha Kaloheris and 

Laura Workman were the winners in their categories. Well done girls! 

Scottish Celebrations 

Each year all classes learn Scottish poems and songs to celebrate 

Scottish culture. Our gym hall was decorated with famous Scottish 

buildings ready for the performances. Well done to all of our finalists. 

Ruby and Beth from Primary 6 were winners of the Scots poems 

competition organised by Morrisons in Johnstone. They each won 

a voucher for the store and cupcakes for their class - a very popular 

reward! 

St Vincent’s Hospice 

A number of our families over the years have been supported by St. 

Vincent’s Hospice and we as a school really appreciate the support 

they give to our young people. The pupils of Primary 6 have chosen to 

support this very good cause by raising funds to purchase a concrete 

toadstool which will be decorated by them and then transported to the 

woodland walk at Howwood. Pupil Millie Wilson, has taken the lead in 

this project and presented her ideas to her peers who all agreed that 

they would like to help. 

Pug Visit 

The pupils in Primary 3 have been reading, ‘Pugs of the Frozen North’ 

and requested for a real pug to come to school to learn more! 

Primary 4 are busy rehearsing with their class teachers and Mrs Hey, 

for their performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on 18th 

March. We are most definitely in for a treat! 

Sports News 

Our football team is so popular that they are now training at Gryffe High 

School as they need more space to practice their skills. Next match 

20th March. 

Gryffe High News 

World Challenge Bolivia 

Team make Lunch 

Thanks to S6 pupil Shaun, 

part of the World Challenge 

Bolivia Team, who provided 

a splendid, healthy lunch 

for staff at the February In- 

Service Day to raise funds 

for the trip in June. The lunch 

tied in well with Health and 

Wellbeing Activities that staff 

took part in just before lunch. 

The In-Service day started 

with an interactive session on ‘Teacher Led Improvement’ with Mr Ian 

Fraser, followed by a presentation and discussion groups on ‘Promoting 

Positive Relationships’. The rest of the day was spent in Departmental 

Development work for CfE and National Courses. 

Phoebe takes part in the Young Chef District 

Final 

Well done to Phoebe, S2, who recently participated 

in the District Final of the Young Chef Competition 

at South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride. 

Phoebe had won the qualifying round of the Gryffe 

Valley’s Rotary Club’s Young Chef Competition 

that took place in Gryffe High last November. 

Phoebe planned, costed, prepared and presented 

three courses in two hours. 

~Menu~ 

Carrot and Orange Soup served with Irish Soda 

Bread 

Caramelised Baked Chicken served with Rice 

and Spiralised Vegetables 

Molten Chocolate Puddings 

Fantastic work Phoebe! 


Port High praised by inspectors 

National body Education 

Scotland visited Port Glasgow 

High School for a week of 

observing classes and holding 

meetings to examine the work 

of the school. Now they’ve 

published their report with the 

school receiving ‘good’ and 

‘very good’ ratings across the 

board and a range of areas Photo courtesy of George Munro (Greenock Telegraph) 

being commended. 

The inspection highlighted a range of strengths including the head teacher’s 

leadership; the renewed values which underpin the friendly and nurturing ethos 

in the school; improvements in pupil attainment and the number of young people 

supported to move on to positive destinations from school and the way staff 

teams work across the school and with other schools in the wider community. 

Port Glasgow High School, head teacher Stuart Clark said: “I am delighted that 

the school community has been recognised. Our staff at Port Glasgow High 

School know how positive an environment this is to work and learn. Inspectors 

have recognised this positive climate and I’m delighted that our hard work to 

ensure success for all has been commented on so positively. The real stars 

of the inspection were our pupils, who showed what a fantastic community this 

is.” 

Inverclyde Council education and communities convener Councillor Jim 

Clocherty said: “This inspection report highlights a school being led by a strong 

management team with the head teacher and staff being highly praised. It 

shows school teams working well and that our young people are learning in a 

positive nurturing environment and achieving. 

Leadership of the school was highlighted for particular praise due to a number 

of important improvements in the school over recent years. HMI recognised 

that exam results have improved and that the most recent year showed the 

school’s best ever exam results. 

The success of pupils leaving the school has also been commended. Almost 

all leavers now move on to a positive destination. Staff have designed bespoke 

packages to engage and instil aspiration in the most disengaged learners. For 

example, the work to prepare groups of young people for employment through 

the Greenock Morton partnership, is helping to support them as they move into 

the world of work.” 

According to Education Scotland, a rating of ‘Very Good’ means the school has 

‘major strengths’ and a rating of ‘Good’ means ‘important strengths’. 

Kilmacolm Primary School 

In the Kilmacolm nursery class, the 

children have been exploring space as 

their theme this block. They have looked 

at different planets and constellations 

and even making their own space 

station! 

The Kilmcolm Primary STEM club 

have been testing the pH range of our 

water samples from around the school 

and local community! This involved the 

STEM club getting their wellies on and getting into the burn in Duchal Woods 

togather samples. Some of us were surprised at the results! The data was then 

collected and a displayed on a chart detailing the findings. 

Primary 3/2 have been reading the Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark and have 

been using the fabulous school grounds and Duchal woods to bring the learning 

to life. Firstly they discussed what makes a Forest a good habitat for nocturnal 

animals! P3/2 took their learning outside by visiting our own school grounds to 

explore the local wildlife habitat. They then worked with the fantastic rangers 

from Clydmuirshiel to learn different facts about Owls and we even installed two 

Owl Nest Boxes in our local woods for the local Tawny Owl and the Barn Owl. 

We hope they like them! 

On the 6th of February Primary 1 celebrated 

Global School Play Day where the children 

led the learning for the entire day. This saw 

pupils creating their very own Michaelangelo 

inspired paintings, using musical instruments 

to form a rock band and entertaining visitors 

in the Chinese New Year restauraunt. It was 

a fabulous day full of fun! 



47 

St Columba’s School 

Time For Tea! 

On Saturday 9th February we 

were delighted to open our doors 

to the whole community as we 

hosted our Early Years Tiger Tea. 

The event was a real success, 

with lots of new and familiar 

faces stopping by to participate 

in storytelling, tiger crafts, face painting and of course to enjoy some of the 

tasty tiger treats on offer. 

Junior 2 children also entertained their 

families at a Grandparents’ Tea Party with 

songs, poems, dancing and, of course, 

plenty of tea and delicious cakes! 

Public Speaking and Debating 

Success 

Recently a number of our pupils have 

represented the School at various 

debating and public speaking 

competitions. SI pupils Sophie 

Hannigan and Stella McCardie 

have now progressed to the fourth 

round of the Scottish Schools 

Debating Juniors Competition 

(SSD Juniors), along with a team from Douglas Academy. Beating off stiff 

competition from The High School of Glasgow and Kelvinside Academy. 

Quite the result given this is Sophie and Stella’s first year of competitive 

debating. On Sunday 3rd February, Bronte Marritt (SIII), Laurie McDougall 

and Emma Ventham (Transitus) competed in the Intermediate District Final 

of the Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition at Caledonian University. The 

team saw off competition from St Aloysius, Hamilton College, and Douglas 

Academy, among a number of others, and were awarded Runners Up. 

Charlotte Westwood and Eilidh Lindsay (SIV) won the Scottish Regional 

Qualifier of the International Competition for Young Debaters (ICYD) and 

now progress to Finals Day in Cambridge. 

DofE Gold and 

Silver Training 

Weekend 

Thankfully the sun 

was shining for most 

of the weekend, even 

if it was still a little 

cold, for our Gold and 

Silver groups visiting 

Castle Semple and 

Lochgoilhead for a 

training weekend as 

part of their Duke of 

Edinburgh’s Award. 

We are sure you will 

agree that the photos 

capture Scotland at 

its best. 

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 at 6.30pm with refreshments afterwards in the Senior School 

Hall and rugby matches taking place on Saturday 30th March starting 

from 9.30am at Greenock Wanderers’ Rugby Club, with awards being 

held afterwards at the Tontine Hotel, Greenock. Please keep your eyes 

peeled on our website and Facebook page for further details. 


48 

TUITION 


BUSINESS 

TRADES AND SERVICES 

SITUATIONS VACANT 

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY 

PROPERTY TO LET 

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. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

ADVERTISING RATES 

TRADES/SERVICES/PROPERTY/CARS 

BOXED AD £8.00* per column cm 

PHOTO £8.00* (car sales only) 

* Prices subject to VAT 

The Business Advertisements (Disclosure) Order 1977 

- the Law requires that Advertisers selling goods in 

the course of a business MUST include the word 

Trader, Dealer, Agent, Breeder or appropriate wording 

in the Advertisement to distinguish from private 

advertisers. 

ADVERTISING RATES 

PRIVATE SALES ONLY 

UP TO £500 FREE 

£501 to £1000 £5.00 

OVER £1000 Call for details 

MAXIMUM 40 words 

Email your items to info@advertizer.co.uk or fill 

in our online form at www.advertizer.co.uk 



49 

Public 

Defibrillator 

Sites in the 

Gryffe Area 

ITEMS FOR SALE 

BABY EQUIPMENT 

Maxi Cosi car seat. 6months - 3 

years. Good condition. £25. 

Tel: 07930 611782. 

Potty Chair Mothercare, red & 

pink, VGC, £5. Tel: 07720 

299588. 

Mothercare Pak and Play Travel 

Cot. Very good condition. 

Easy to assemble and take 

down. £10. Tel: 01505 

335706. 

Philips Avent Electric Steam 

Steriliser. Good condition. 

From smoke and pet free 

home. £10. Tel: 01505 

Silver cross linear freeway travel 

system. Pram (converts to 

pushchair), car seat, ISOFIX 

base, foot muff and rain 

covers. Excellent condition. 


home. RRP £600, selling for 

£125. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Mothercare Darlington fixed 

side cot. Very good condition. 


home. £45. Tel: 01505 

872800. 

Wee Ride Front Mounted 

Children’s Bike Seat. Good 

Condition. £20. Tel: 01505 

872800. 

Baby changing table in light 

oak. Approx 78.5cm wide 

x 57cm deep x 76cm high. 

Two shelves for storage (Four 

wicker baskets included). 

Great condition, smoke free 

home. £20. Tel: 01505 

672175. 

CLOTHES & SHOES 

As NEW Junior girls Size 3 

Caterpillar Boots. Stylish 

Three-quarter length robustly 

made khaki textile with leather 

buckle. £25. Tel: 07984 

483524. 

Abercrombie & Fitch cropped 

parka in lovely condition 

hardly used. Size 6. £25. 

Tel: 07984 483524. 

Genuine American artisan 

Handtooled ladies Cowboy 

boots. Tan hide. Excellent as 

New condition. Size 5. £49. 

Tel: 07984 483524. 

Fry American tan hide horse 

riding boots with rear zip. 

Size 6. Excellent condition. 

£45ono. Tel: 07984 483524. 

Ted Baker beautiful as New 

laptop cover. Size 11”+ 14.5” 

Highland scene with stag in 

durable fabric & leather. £25. 

Tel: 07984 483524. 

Suzanne Neville Beaujolais 

wedding dress in ivory silk. 

Size 10. Professionally dry 

cleaned, good condition. 

£250. Tel: 01505 672175. 

Men’s XL lightweight waterproof 

golf jacket with half zip in 

black and charcoal. Excellent 

condition as unworn. Smoke 

free home. £20. Tel: 01505 

672175. 

Genuine Ladies classic style 

Original Gloverall duffle coat. 

All Wool camel coloured 

quality garment with spare 

horn toggles. Suit size 14 to 

16. As NEW never worn still 

labelled. £175. Tel: 07984 

483524. 

Karrimor Junior Snow Boots. 

NEW unused still labelled/ 

boxed. Size 5. Navy blue 

and black. £25. Tel: 07984 

483524. 

Black Jazz shoes, good 

condition, junior size 12/13. 

£8 Tel: 07720 299588. 

Black Tap shoes, good condition, 

junior size 12/13. £10. Tel: 

07720 299588. 

Ladies Size 5 Dublin Waterproof 

Boot Colour Chocolate (worn 

once). £50. Tel: 01505 

873735. 

Ladies Size 5 Asics Walking 

Trainer Duomax GT 1000. 

Very good condition. £50. 

Tel: 01505 873735. 

New Slimma Suit. Pure wool, 

oatmeal colour, size 14. £25 

ono. Tel: 01505 690642. 

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN 

Gas Baxi Westmoreland Cast 

Iron Stove with top flue outlet 

Never been used has coal 

effect glass door black. £120. 

Tel: 07791 688240 (Bridge 

of Weir). 

Brand new Laura Ashley window 

pole in Dove grey - up to 

2.2metres in length. Bought 

by mistake! Cost £80 sell for 

£25. Tel: 01475 540066. 

Worktops, real wood, 6 metres, 

mid brown. Cost £180 sell 

£59. Tel: 07986 812483. 

Dimplex w/m panel heater 

800watts Programmer 2 

settings. VGC. £35. Tel: 

01475 540313. 

Retro style oak and veneer 

coffee table from the House 

by John Lewis range. Handy 

shelves and drawers for 

storage. Approx H38cm x 

W110cm x D60cm. Excellent 

condition, smoke free home. 

£170. Tel: 01505 672175. 

Large Industrial contemporary 

light fitting 18” diameter. Very 

stylish shabby chic. Ready 

for use. £40. Tel: 07984 

483524. 

6 large “Burns” Crystal Goblets, 

still boxed, unwanted present. 

Engraved with fi rst verse of 

My Love is Like a Red Red 

Rose. Would make a lovely 

gift. £80 ono. Tel: 01505 

842558. 

Miller’s Choice Bread Maker 

in excellent condition. Little 

used. £20. Tel: 01505 

335706. 

Folding single bed with mattress 

never used on slatted base. 

£30. Tel: 07791 688240 

(Johnstone). 

Two seater sofa-bed in excellent 

condition. New £260, sell for 

£100. Beige cover. Both sofa 

and bed very comfortable. 

Has been used as guest bed 

only. Tel: 07720 299588. 

Hostess trolley with four heated 

dishes in perfect condition. 

£30. Tel: 01475 540066 . 

Quality dining room table and 

six chairs with centre leaf up 

to 7 ft. Cost £1,600 but little 

used with matching corner 

drinks cabinet. £400. Tel: 

01475 540066 . 

G Plan recliner armchair. 

Excellent condition. Manual. 

Grey/white. £75. Tel: 07986 

812483. 

ELECTRICAL & GAS 

Tesco 700W White Microwave. 

Good condition. £20. Tel: 

01505 873252. 

SPORTS 

Trampoline, exercise or leisure, 

could deliver, never used. 9 

inches high + 3 feet broad. 

£18. Tel: 07986 812483. 

Viking 23” gents bike - touring, 

very good condition. £80. Tel: 

07791 688240 (Johnstone). 

Girls pink bike. Good condition. 

Appr age 5-7. £20. Tel: 

07720 299588. 

Ultrasport Step Machine. £15. 

Tel: 01505 335706. 

PRO POWER 3 Station Home 

Gym for sale £50, purchaser 

to uplift. Tel: Langbank 01475 

540700. 

Dinesse large Matt black ski/ 

snowboard helmet. Good 

condition. £20. Tel: 01505 

672175. 

Used golf balls, but good clean 

condition, Titleist 1, 2, 3 & 4. 

Many Pro V 1’s. 2 x boxes of 

12 balls. £10 per box. Also 

Srixon 1, 2, 3 & 4, 1 x box 

of 12 ball, £5. Tel: 01505 

872800. 

Rossignol Axiom 10/5 skis and 

bindings. 160cms. Never 

used. £90. Tel: 07722 

965705. 

Lange Zero X9 Jr Ski Boots. 

Size 4. Worn once. £40. Tel: 

07722 965705. 

2 x ski tubes. £20. Tel: 07722 

965705. 

TECHNICAL & GAMES 

Samsung Note 4 phone sim free 

unlocked works perfect used 

condition. £80. Tel: 07791 

688240 (Johnstone). 

PC computer working order 

Windows 7. £25 needs 

mouse. Tel: 07791 688240 

(Johnstone). 

Powerex MH-C9000 AA battery 

charger. It has 5 modes 

of operation. It Charges, 

Refresh Analyze, Break in, 

discharge and Cycle. Never 

been used. £60 . Tel: 07983 

656421. 

Samsung Tablet gt-p5110 

android 4.2.2. 10” new 

battery. £80. Tel: 07791 

688240 (Johnstone). 

Blackberry Android Priv 

unlocked, excellent condition. 

£120. Tel: 07791 688240 

(Johnstone). 

TOYS 

Smoby Rosy Doll, 63 cm long, 

in good condition with clothes. 

Have two. £10 each. Tel: 

07720 299588. 

OTHER ITEMS 

Brand new steel car wheel 

6JX15H2 and new Jinyu tyre 

185/60 R15. Stored as spare 

wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 

067169. 

Filing cabinets 4 drawers steel. 

£35. Tel: 07791 688240 

(Johnstone). 

Caravan Porch Awning. Brand 

new ‘DOREMA’ 275 (easy grip 

alu frame). Cost £570 accept 

£350. Tel: 01505 702084 . 

2 photographic light tents 1 small 

and 1 large with coloured 

inserts, also table top tripod. 

All brand new. £20. Tel: 

07983 656421. 

Heavy Duty sewing machine 

by New Home. Beautifully 

maintained machine. Well 

equipped with all accessories 

& instruction manual. £185. 

Tel: 07984 483524. 

Car seats Britax & Graco front 

facing, age 3-10 years, 15-36 

kg. In good condition. £20 

each. Tel: 07720 299588. 

Large Peli camera bag. Lots 

of well protected storage and 

pockets. In VGC can be hand 

carried or used as a back 

pack. Never used outside 

my home. £60. Tel: 07983 

656421. 

Alloy wheel and new tyre. Both 

new, kept as spare wheel. 

245/45R18 100W XL. £85 

for each one. Tel: 07986 

812483. 

Visible Dust Digital camera 

cleaning system. Consists of 

1 powered brush,1 illuminated 

magnifi ed sensor Loup and 

liquid, buds and sensor wipes. 

All brand new and never 

been used. £75. Tel: 07983 

656421. 

Arc1 PPL (Private Pilot Licence) 

student computer with case. 

£15. Tel: 07984 483524. 

Brother AX-100 electronic 

typewriter plus spare ribbon. 

Good condition. £35 ono. Tel: 

01475 540110 after 6pm. 

25 classical CD’s with rack. £25 

the lot. Tel: 01505 872334. 

WANTED ITEMS 

Old records Wanted 45`s & 

LP`s CASH Paid. Tel: 07710 

777571. 

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 Vinyl Records 

and Music CDs (a few or a 

lot). Tel: 01505 324683 or 

07765 115347. 

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 

Outside Church Hall, 

Main Street, 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: 

Definitions: “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 . . 12 

CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 15 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 12 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

GHG Smyth & Co Limited . . . . . 14 

Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 

Architectural Services 

CHG Architecture Ltd . . . . . . . 7 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Automotive Services 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Bathrooms 

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 

Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 5 

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 

Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 21 

Bedrooms 

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 31 

Blacksmith & Metalwork 

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 14 

Building Services 

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 21 

I & J Building & Roofing Serv . . 2 

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 17 

JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 6 

KC Building & Roofing . . . . . . 4 

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 17 

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 

MBS Roofing & Building Contrac . . 12 

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 32 

SMG Roofing & Building Contrac . . 2 

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 18 

Taylor Made Joinery . . . . . . . . 7 

Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 45 

Business Services 

Opere Facto Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Care Services & Homes 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 5 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 27 

Catering 

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 17 

Cleaning & PowerWash 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 23 

Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 

Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 19 

Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 


Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 21 

Computer, Web & 

Graphic Design 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 


Driveways 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Driving Instructors 

AL Stewart - Driving School . . 45 

Education 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47 

Contact us 

Electricians 

Delta Electrical Services . . 8 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

M2 Electrical and Data Service . . 18 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 16 

Fencing 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 


Firewood & Logs 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Funeral Services 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 8 

Garden Service & Design 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 36 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 38 

Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 37 


Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 36 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 37 


M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 38 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

R C Garden Services . . . . . . . . 36 

R Williams Tree Services . . . 39 

SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 36 

Gas & Heating Services 

Bell Plumbing & Heating . . . . 17 

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 30 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 8 

Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 32 

Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 3 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Glazier 

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Hairdressers & Barbers 

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 25 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Health, Beauty & Fitness 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 3 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 41 

Home Hardware 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

BY CATEGORY 

Home Improvements 



Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 5 



Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 


Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 3 


Orchard Flooring . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 45 

Home Interiors 




Home Security 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 8 

Joiners 


CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 30 





McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 31 




TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Kitchens 







Leisure & Recreation 

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 41 

Locksmiths 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Painters & Decorators 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 17 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 20 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 8 

Pest Control 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Pet Services & Training 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 35 

Plasterers 

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 20 



DELIVERY 

STAFF 

WANTED 

Plumbers 




GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 





The Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . 23 

Property, Sales & Let 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 15 

Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Removals 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 8 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Retail 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

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 . . . . . . 43 

Tiling 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 18 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Travel Agents 

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Tree Surgeon 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 37 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

TV & Satellite 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 16 

D Darroch Aerial & Satellite . . 6 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 12 


Upholstery Services 



JM Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Window Cleaners 




Matthews Cleaning Services . . 27 

Window, Consv & Repair 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 8 



A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 17 


A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 38 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 12 


AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 

AL Stewart - Driving School . . 45 

Alvic Sliding Wardrobes Ltd . . 5 


Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 


Bathroom Solutions by MPH . . 5 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 33 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 8 





CLA Accountancy Services Ltd . . 15 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 16 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 20 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 5 

Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 36 

D Darroch Aerial & Satellite . . 6 


David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Delta Electrical Services . . 8 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 12 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 30 



Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 12 


Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 3 


Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

GHG Smyth & Co Limited . . . . . 14 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 


Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 18 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 


Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 27 

A TO Z 






James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 



JM Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 8 

Johnstone TOA Taxi Co . . . . . . 43 

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 17 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 37 


Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 



Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 38 

M2 Electrical and Data Service . . 18 


MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 27 


McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 31 


MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 10 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 24 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 41 





PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 21 

R C Garden Services . . . . . . . . 36 


Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 16 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 45 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 8 

Smart Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . . 35 


SP Groundcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 47 

Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash . . 41 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

The Shower Expert . . . . . . . . . 23 


Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 36 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 

1st Floor, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN 

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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 

Kilbarchan Old Parish Church Building 

The old Kilbarchan Parish Church building, with its long history and its unique 

appearance, is of great signifi cance in the heritage of 

the village. There has been a church building on 

the site since, and probably before, the late middleages 

when in 1401 Thomas Crawford of Auchinames 

built a small chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, in the Kirk 

yard. In the 12th century Kilbarchan Parish Church had come under the 

jurisdiction of Diocese of Glasgow and later of Paisley Abbey. After the 

Reformation things changed and in 1590 the church became part of the 

newly formed Presbytery of Paisley. In the 17th century the Cunninghames 

of Craigends, as Patrons of the church, had a private aisle and burial place 

within the building. 

By 1724 the church building was in a sad state of repair. The heritors appointed 

James Baird, a mason from Govan, to rebuild the church. Parishioners 

assisted in the work. The main body of the church was demolished, leaving 

only the Cunninghame Aisle, with its crow-step gable upstanding to be 

incorporated in the new building. A small bell tower was erected on the 

west gable and a to-fall was built on the south wall as a burial place for 

the Houstons of Johnstone Castle. Eight years later George Houston sold 

his estate to James Milliken and the to-fall became the burial place of the 

Milliken family and was thereafter known as the Milliken Aisle. The interior 

of the church had lofts or balconies at the east and west gables. 

In 1792 a separate one storey session house was built in the churchyard. 

Apart from the building of an additional storey on the Milliken Aisle, little 

change was made to the main church building before 1858 when architect, 

Alexander Kirkland, was appointed to make alterations to the building. The 

main part of the church was extended on the north by twelve feet and the 

tower on the north-east corner of the building was added. This increased 

the seating capacity of around 400 in Baird’s original building to 550. 

Robert MacKenzie, the minister from (1895-1934) described the building as 

presenting ‘an artistic though somewhat quaint and unusual appearance’. It 

is now a B-listed building. 

Since 1858 only minor functional 

extensions have been added to the 

exterior of the building which has 

served as the Church Hall since 

the new church was built in 1901. 

In 2018 both church buildings were 

sold by the Church of Scotland. The 

1901 church will be converted into 

flats, but the future of the 1724 old 

Kilbarchan Parish Church building has not yet been decided. Hopefully, it 

too will be preserved in some form and continue as an iconic focal point in 

the village. 

© 2019 Helen Calcluth, Renfrewshire Local History Forum 

MEETINGS: 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 

March. Our speaker is Ian Marshall of the Association of Certificated Field 

Archaeologists. His topic is Two Deserted Settlements at Cul an Droma and 

Cor na Beithe based on ACFA’s Field Survey on Arran, 1995-2017. These 

settlement sites are in the Parish of Kilmory. 

Johnstone History Society 

Our next meeting will be on the 12th of March in the Masonic Hall, Collier 

Street at 7.30pm. This meeting is The AGM followed by a film show of Old 

Johnstone. 

It is hoped we have a good attendance at this meeting. Our February 

meeting was very well attended with a numbers of very welcome new faces. 

The speaker Alistair Dinsmor gave us a very informative talk about the 

history of Glasgow City Police this was enjoyed by all . 

The Museum continues to open Wednesday Friday and Saturday from 

10.30am till 4pm. We still have a few calendars left and they are now 

priced at £5 soil you have not already got one now is your chance to get a 

bargain. There are also many other books and maps on sale all of which 

can be purchased online at johnstonehistory.org and paid via PayPal. The 

Museum is staffed by volunteers so we are always glad to welcome anyone 

interested in helping out . 

@GryffeAds www.advertizer.co.uk 

Christianity in Kilmacolm 

— Pre Reformation 

St. Columba is reported to have landed on the island 

of Iona in 563 AD and began his Christianising mission 

and it was during this time that Christianity came to 

Kilmacolm. History tells us that St. Columba met 

St. Mungo, traditionally the first bishop of Glasgow 

whose diocese encompassed the Kilmacolm area, 

beside the Molendinar Burn where Glasgow Cathedral 

now stands. Legend however suggests that they 

met beside the Gilburn where St. Mungo decided 

to dedicate a church or cell to St. Columba, Cil-ma- 

Columbia from which comes the name Kilmalcolm and 

later changed to Kilmacolm. Those who consider that 

the meeting was in Glasgow thought that the cell by 

the Gilburn was founded by one of the monks from 

Iona who dedicated it to his patron saint. 

The location of the current Old Kirk Building traditionally 

marks the site of this meeting. It represents a very 

ancient place of worship. Originally little more than 

a ‘wattle and daub’ house for prayer before the 

erection of the 13th century building that pre-dates the 

current sanctuary — a portion of which is preserved 

in the Murray Chapel to this day. This period saw the 

development of the parish system in Scotland at the 

instigation of Queen Margaret. 

The medieval church served a large civil parish 

stretching from the banks of the Clyde at Langbank 

down to Inverkip and was bordered on the inland 

side by the parishes of Houston and Kilbarchan. It 

was at this time that it came under the jurisdiction of 

Paisley Abbey and was serviced by monks from there. 

The earliest recorded Ministry of the Old Kirk was in 

1250, where Sir Hugh de Parclyner witnessed a title 

deed at the Abbey and signs himself as the ‘Vicar of 

Kilmacolm’. He was not the first minister, but the first 

of which we have a historical record. It is an “old” Kirk 

indeed! And so these faithful men would have served 

this small rural parish as part of the one Catholic faith 

until the disruption of the Reformation from 1560. 

Window from 

Murray Chapel 

New History Website for Lochwinnoch 

Developed by Pat and Brian Smith it is fantastic and worth a look! A lot of 

hard work has gone into developing it. 

The website has two themes. 

1. to show the history of Lochwinnoch from the early 1800’s in photographs, 

video and articles 

2. a collection of photographs covering many genre such as landscape, 

portraiture, action and wildlife 

An important aim of the site is to put 

names to faces and thereby preserve a 

more personal record of the people of 

the village. This project may already be 

late because many of those who can 

put names to faces are no longer with 

us. See it on link below. 

https://www.pbthecairn.com

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