298 JULY 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

Delivered FREE to homes in the Gryffe area ... take a peek inside! 

No.298 

July 2019 

GRYFFE 

ADVERTIZER 

GryffeAds GryffeAds InsightGryffe IGryffe 

Photo - Lochie Gardner (winner 8-9 age group) 

Lilias Day Photography Competition 2019 

insight__magazine 

FREE 

COPY 

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

Next deadline - Friday 19th July 

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk 

Advertising Feature 

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this month 

July is normally a quiet month for the Advertizer with people on holiday and 

schools closed. However, that doesn’t stop some of our local heroes from 

being busy doing good deeds in the community. 

Just a few weeks ago, Mike Tomenson of Nutech 

Cleaning took time out of his working day to wash 

down the village signs going into Bishopton. A very 

kind gesture thank you. 

Ian Beaton from Beaton Brothers was also out and 

about filling in some of the deeper potholes out on 

the back roads around Bridge of Weir. He was also 

able to supply manpower and equipment to help the 

Brighter Bridge of Weir group following a car crash at 

the barrier on the corner at Prieston Road. A vehicle 

mounted the armco barrier and managed to plant itself 

right on top of the garden area. The barrier needed 

resiting and the garden area completely replanted. So 

thank you to Ian and the Brighters. 

Last year we heard about local painter and decorator 

James Martin who repainted the goalposts in Houston 

village park. And during the late summer storms, LJX 

Tree Surgeons were quick to come out and chop up the trees blocking the 

road in Houston. If you’ve heard about any local heroes who need a shout 

please let us know. 

Regarding the accident at Prieston Road, Councillor Natalie Don reports 

that that junction has been assessed and Council officers have agreed to 

augment the traffic island by increasing the kerb size, install illuminated keep 

left bollards and introduce rumble strips on both approaches to the island. 

While this may not alleviate all concerns, it will at least help slow down 

oncoming traffic and hopefully prevent a similar accident in the future. 

There are some exciting experiences coming for the school holidays. 

Paisley’s Sma’ Shot Day takes place on Saturday 6th July and Scotland’s 

National Airshow will be at the East Fortune Airfield near Edinburgh on 

Saturday 27th July. The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail runs until 30th August 

across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. The Bricks 

Space Adventure will run from 29th June to 13th August with 17 models 

spread throughout Paisley town centre - more details on p8. 

Wishing you all a happy summer, don’t miss our deadline for 

the August issue - 19th July 2019! 

Rona 

2

e: info@advertizer.co.uk | t: 01505 613340 


in this issue 

local news....................4-13 outdoors .................. 36-39 

local history ....................10 pet news ......................... 39 

what’s on ................. 14-17 

village news ............. 18-27 business classified ......40 

school news ............28-30 sales & wants .................41 

sport news ...............31-34 advertizer directory....42 

finance & tech ........ 34-35 pick up a copy ..............42 

GryffeAds 


CONTACT US 

InsightGryffe 

|Gryffe 

insight_magazine 

t: 01505 613340 

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www.advertizer.co.uk/insight 

3


LOCAL 

news 


Charity Night for Jayne 

On Saturday 1st June 2019 we had a very 

successful charity night for Jayne in the 

Houston Bowling Club, so far we have 

raised £1,645 

It was Jayne’s 10th Anniversary on 3rd 

November 2018. I never managed to hold 

it then so we decided to make it around her 

Birthday instead. 

I would like to thank all who attended, we 

are very grateful to everyone for their love and support over the last 10 

Years. It has been very hard for all her family and friends who still miss her 

dearly. It helps us immensely that after all this time they all come along to 

support us, we are very grateful. 

Thank you to all my loyal customers who have laughed and cried with me 

along this difficult time also Lilian for all her support in the shop as I couldn’t 

have done it without her. We have been given a wonderful gift of twin 

Granddaughters Lola & Millie from our precious son Mark and his partner 

Jennifer. He misses the fun and companionship that a big sister brings so 

the girls have been an added bonus to us all. 

A special thank you to Bridge of Weir Dental & Aesthetics for their kind 

donation of a picture for the auction, Roy Holmes for a Voucher & bottle of 

whisky & many more wonderful prizes! 

Loosing Jayne very suddenly to Leukaemia was a devastating blow to us 

and it has been an uphill struggle for us to deal with. Jayne was a very 

bubbly vivacious girl and life is so quiet without her beautiful presence. We 

carry on having charity nights in her memory as this helps us. We want 

to give back something to 

The Bloodwise research 

(Leukaemia & Lymphoma) 

to try to help other families 

going through this awful 

illness. 

Interested in Becoming a Volunteer? 

Mentor with Aberlour Scotland’s children’s charity 

Working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Aberlour’s new Attain 

Mentoring Service aims to improve educational outcomes for care 

experienced children and young people. Are you interested in supporting 

a child or young person to: 

• develop their confidence and self-esteem? 

• improve their attainment? 

• raise their aspirations? 

We are looking for mentors who can build relationships with young people 

aged 8-18 years, who are good listeners, positive and enthusiastic - Could 

that be you?. To find out how you can change a life, contact the Aberlour 

Attain Mentoring Service today! 

Tel: 0141 260 9180 Email: volunteering@aberlour.org.uk 

www.aberlour.org.uk 

4



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5



Johnstone Town Hall 

Friday 19th & Saturday 20th July 

Based on the motion picture released by Fox 

Searchlight Pictures and written by Simon 

Beaufoy, produced by Uberto Pasolini and 

directed by Peter Cattaneo. 

This amateur production by Johnstone Phoenix 

Theatre Group is presented by arrangement 

with Music Theatre International (Europe). All 

authorised performance materials are also 

supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk. 

Book by Terrence McNally. Music and lyrics by 

David Yazbek. 

Evening Shows - doors open at 7pm, Saturday 

Matinee Show - doors opens at 1.30pm. Adult 

tickets £14, concession - £11 (14+ years). Online 

booking: www.seaty.co.uk/thefullmonty. Book 

tickets now: 07748 827727 / johnstonepheonix@ 

gmail.com 

Grand Opening 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is holding the grand opening of its 

brand new store in Kilmacolm on Thursday 4th July 2019 at 11am. 

Come along and check out our fantastic new boutique store which will boast 

a fabulous collection of clothes, accessories and bric-a-brac which will be 

sold at really affordable prices. All items in the shop have been donated 

to CHSS and all the profi ts help to provide support for people as they get 

their lives back on track following a stroke or diagnosis of a chest or heart 

condition. 

150 

life-sized sculptures 

5 

scottish cities 

Scotland’s first ever nationwide 

public art trail will unite the country 

as it raises awareness and vital 

funds for Scotland’s children’s 

hospital charities. 

17th June – 30th August 

Across Glasgow, Edinburgh, 

Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness. 

www.oorwullie.com/the-big-bucket-trail 

Supported by 

Sports & Vision 

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians 

Do you wish you could cut a few strokes off 

your golf score? 

Having trouble returning 

your tennis partner’s serve? Does your child 

always seem to be just a few steps away 

from the football? Vision, just like speed and 

strength, is an important component in how 

well you play your sport. 

Eye protection should also be considered by all sports people, especially 

in certain high-risk sports. Thousands of children and adults suffer sportsrelated 

eye injuries each year, with squash and paintball accounting for 

a very large part of this group. Nearly all of these injuries could have 

been prevented if the proper protective eyewear had been worn. Years 

ago, there was some resistance by children to “looking funny” when they 

wore protective eyewear but today, sports goggles are an accepted part of 

everyday life, similar to the way bike helmets have become the norm. 

Impact resistant materials, initially used for astronaut helmet visors and 

space shuttle windshields, are now widely used as lightweight but durable 

spectacle lenses, and are particularly effective for eye protection in sport. 

Polycarbonate lenses, for example, are up to 10 times more impact resistant 

that standard plastic or glass lenses and they also offer further protection 

from UV light. 

For outdoor sports, appropriate sunglasses are a must, and some sportspecific 

designs may even help you improve your game. There are a 

variety of tints available to improve on contrast in golf, clay pigeon shooting 

and skiing. Almost every option is also available with spectacle correction, 

even swimming goggles. 

Each sport has its own specific risks and visual demands so just ask your 

optometrist what would be best for your favourite sports. 

6



A Helping Hand - Paisley 

We are a voluntary not for profi t organisation for Paisley and surrounding 

areas. Our goal is to set up in the town centre one evening a week to 

provide hot food, teas and coffees, clothing, bedding, shoes and everything 

else necessary to help those in need. 

You can fi nd our soup kitchen at the entrance to Marks and Spencer’s on 

the Paisley High Street every Tuesday from 8pm - 9pm. 

If you can donate or want to volunteer, please contact us via phone 

Monday: 9am – 6pm, Tuesday: 9am – 9pm, Wednesday - Saturday: 9am – 

6pm, Sunday:12noon – 5pm. Call us on: 07423 144056. 

Donation drop-off points as follows: 

• PAISLEY: J&W Goudie, 10 - 12 Maxwelton Street; Allen & Harris, 

Causeyside Street; Kaoss Hair & Beauty, Gauze Street; Paisley Housing 

Assoc, Espedair Street. 

• RENFREW: Penny Lane Homes, 12 High Street; 3 Bears Nursery, 

Paisley Road; Walter Johnston & Sons (Funeral Directors), 14 Fulbar 

Street 

• INCHINNAN: Braehead Tavern, Greenock Road; Beauty Barn, Barnhill 

Cottage, Houston Road. 

• HOUSTON: The Village Paper Shop, 17 North Street. 

• BRIDGE OF WEIR: Allen & Harris, Neva Place, Main Street. 

• LINWOOD: Amayzing Saddlery, Unit 1, Riverpark Industrial Estate 

• JOHNSTONE: Co-op Funeral Care, Church Street 

• ERSKINE: Walter Johnston & Sons (Funeral Directors), Bridgewater 

Shopping Centre. 

Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th 

July - 7 to 9pm 

Want to be bold in making choices 

for Life? Bold enough to stand up 

for what you believe? 

Join us for games, challenges and 

to boldly explore the Bible 

Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 

Pre-register or more info at 

freelandarkweek@gmail.com 

Free holiday club for secondary 

school age 

Free holiday camp for children who 

have completed P1 to P6 

Monday 22nd to Friday 26th July 

10:00 to 12:30 

Family Finale Friday 26th July 

7:00-8:30pm 

Freeland Church, Bridge of 

Weir Pre-register or more info at 

freelandarkweek@gmail.com 

7


One small step for man, one giant leap for Paisley! We are promising a 

day out of this world in Paisley town centre this summer with our Bricks in 

Space Summer Trail! 

Following on from the success of Jurassic Bricks last summer, we will be 

celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with a space-themed 

LEGO® Brick Space adventure! 

Running from Saturday 29th June until Tuesday 13th August, there will be 

seventeen fantastic LEGO® Brick models spread throughout town centre 

businesses as well as an interactive play zone and a selfie zone. 

The town centre will be divided up into different galaxies with special 

hidden items which will orbit different businesses within each galaxy on a 

weekly basis. Armed with their space passports, the mission will be to travel 

through the four galaxies to find all the Space models, plus there will be 

stickers, activity sheets and goodies to collect as families make their way 

around the town. 

Alongside our large LEGO® brick models, there will be other Space items 

included as part of the trail and our local schools have been joining in the 

fun…making space items made out of recycled items! 

The schools’ models will also be on display throughout the town during 

Bricks in Space! You will be able to collect your Space Passport from shops 

throughout Paisley plus both the Piazza Shopping Centre and The Paisley 

Centre nearer the time, plus keep checking our website for a sneak preview 

of our Trail Map...watch this Space! 

Paisley First will also be running the Golden Ticket Competition once again 

this summer with a weekly draw offering visitors the chance to win £250 of 

Paisley town centre gift vouchers! 

Come to Paisley for a great family day out this summer! 

www.paisleyfi rst.com 


COMMUNITY 

events 

FARMERS 

MARKETS 

1ST SAT 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 

10am - 2pm 

1ST & 3R D SUN 

Loch Lomond Shores 

10am - 3pm Tel: 07977 179 861 

2N D THU & L A S T SAT 

Paisley Cross 

10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217 

2N D SUN 

Kip Marina, Inverkip 

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

E V E R Y MO N D A Y 

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. 

E V E R Y TU E S D A Y 

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) 

E V E R Y WE D N E S D A Y 

Knitting Group 

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 10am - 12noon 

Knitters of all levels welcome! 

1ST WE D N E S D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Babies, Bumps and Boobs 

St. Columba’s Church Lesser Hall, Duchal Road, 

Kilmacolm. (term-time) 

Offers the chance for a chat in a welcoming 

environment, whilst relaxing with a cup of tea and 

cake. Pregnant women and those with babies 

under 6m go free. For more information please 

contact playgroupmembership@gmail.com 

E V E R Y TH U R S D A Y 

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 

Weekly Memory Café 

Active Communities Hub, 16 Quarry Street, 

Johnstone, 1pm - 3pm 

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. 

1ST & 3R D TH U R S M O N T H L Y 

‘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. 

2N D TH U R S D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Sòlas Bereavement Support 

Group 

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm. 2pm - 4pm. 

L A S T TH U R S D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Movie Night 

Old Kirk, 7pm for 7.30pm 

E V E R Y FR I D A Y 

Singing for Wellbeing 

Bishopton Community Centre 2pm - 3.15pm 

A fun, no pressure choir singing feel good songs. 

3R D FR I D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Hearing Aid Clinic 

The Bridge, Bridge of Weir 1 - 2pm 

Hearing aid batteries and hearing aid checks. 

L A S T FR I D A Y M O N T H L Y 

TheTerrace 

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church Hall 

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

E V E R Y SA T U R D A Y 


Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 10.30am - 2.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers, adult group. Newcomers 

always welcome. 

2N D SA T U R D A Y M O N T H L Y 

‘Brunch & Browse’ 

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

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

L A S T SA T U R D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Table Top Sale 

Linwood Parish Church, Blackwood Ave 11am - 1pm 

This is a free event. Call 01505 328802 for 

details. 

2N D WE D N E S D A Y M O N T H L Y 

Inverclyde Carers Outreach 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 11am - 2pm 

Email enquiries@inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk or 

call: 01475 735180. 

2N D & 4TH WE D N E S D A Y 

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. 

E V E R Y SU N D A Y 


Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 10am - 12noon 

Youth Volunteer Group - age 14 - 18 years. 

Newcomers always welcome. 

Houston Litter Crew 

Co-op Car Park 10am – 11.45am 

All volunteers welcome and all equipment 

supplied. 

8


Renfrewshire Appeal To Help Ease 

Loneliness 


An organisation with a mission to ease 

loneliness amongst older people is 

appealing for support with its work across 

Renfrewshire. 

Contact the Elderly, which tackles social isolation through regular Sunday 

afternoon tea parties, relies on a dedicated army of volunteers up and down 

the country. 

There are currently more than 130 groups in Scotland, holding dozens of 

gatherings each weekend, including in the Lochwinnoch, Paisley, Kilmacolm 

and Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan areas. 

But more volunteers are urgently needed in Renfrewshire to help the charity 

reach as many potential guests as possible – older people for whom a 

monthly Sunday afternoon outing can sometimes be their only respite from 

the relentless cycle of loneliness. 

The concept is simple but effective – a chat with friends over a cup of 

tea and cake, something most of us take for granted. But as age takes 

its toll, often bringing mobility issues, and the circle of friends and family 

diminishes, horizons shrink and loneliness can easily intrude. 

Step forward Contact the Elderly volunteers : local residents who act as 

informal hosts, opening their homes to a small group of guests, and others 

who provide a door-to-door chauffeur service to the afternoon teas. 

Angela Rae-Murray, the charity’s support 

officer in the area says: “The problem of 

social isolation is nothing new but is reaching 

epidemic proportions as more of us are living 

longer but are sometimes less able to get out 

and about. 

“The issue of loneliness among older people 

was recognised by our founder, Trevor Lyttleton 

MBE, more than 50 years ago when he offered 

coffee and friendship to an elderly neighbour in 

need of company. Today the charity continues 

to offer that vital lifeline of companionship but the need for volunteers is 

constant as we expand to reach more and more people.” 

The charity is hoping to hear from anyone locally who could host a party or 

who would be willing to become a volunteer driver. 

“Hosts are only expected to hold one or two parties a year,” explains Angela. 

“That’s just a few hours out of 365 days. Drivers commit to ferrying a regular, 

small group of guests once a month, but again that’s not a particularly 

onerous amount of time. And it’s a really rewarding way for anyone who 

wants give something back to their community. 

Contact the Elderly is also inviting potential guests to get in touch or would 

be happy to hear from anyone who knows an older person who would enjoy 

a lively afternoon out with one of the groups. 

“We know just how much our regular guests look forward to catching up,” 

says Angela. “One said that attending the parties was the happiest she had 

been since losing her husband. 

To find out more about becoming a guest or volunteer with Contact the 

Elderly in Scotland, please contact Angela Rae-Murray at angela.raemurray@contact-the-elderly.co.uk 

or Tel: 07902 246062. 

9


LOCAL 

history 


PHOTO: Lilias Day Photography Competition Winner Laurie Holloway 

The McDowalls and 

Harveys of Castle Semple 

Feudal Times In Kilmacolm 

Feudalism was the political, military and social system of government 

introduced into Britain by William the Conqueror after he defeated the 

English at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. When it was introduced, it changed 

the life of everyone in the country including Scotland, where King David I 

was a great admirer of the Government of the Anglo Norman State. 

The feudal system is the name for a power structure where people held their 

land in return for promising loyalty, known as ‘doing homage’ and providing 

services such as working or fighting for their lord or king. 

As the feudal pyramid of power below shows, the basis of the system was 

that all land was the King’s property. He in turn granted estates to nobles 

who in turn could grant land to knights and they could then grant part of 

their fi ef or land ton tenants or peasants in return for their loyalty. 

This process of change defi ned the shape of the Parish of Kilmacolm and 

brought dramatic change to its people. 

Walter Fitzalan Breton had been granted extensive land in the West 

of Scotland. He in turn granted pieces of land or fiefs to his favourite 

followers. In Kilmacolm Parish, he divided his land into two pieces. One 

area was granted to Randulphus de Insula whose fief was known as 

Duchal, located on the west side of the Gryffe River, while the adjacent 

side of the Gryffe, which included the village 

of Kilmacolm, became the fief of Danziel 

called Dennistoun. 

Overnight Randulphus and Danziel 

became the Lairds of Kilmacolm. 

In exchange for their gifts of land, 

the Baron Randulphus de Insula 

and Danziel were obliged to 

build castles to help to maintain 

peace and order on behalf of 

the King. The earliest types of 

fortifi cation were mottes and 

fortifi ed wooden towers 

built on top of earth 

mounds. Both mounds 

can still be seen at 

Milton Bridge and at 

Pennytersal Farm. 

The McDowalls of Castle Semple started out in the Caribbean in the 

1690s. Like their friends, the Millikens, who were partners and relatives by 

marriage, their careers were different from what we are told in the history 

books. Rather than soldiers, they went out there as slave overseers, and 

worked their way up to sugar planters. 

At any one time the McDowalls were responsible for the control of at least 

1,000 Africans, on their own plantations, and through managing others. 

They also dabbled in slave trading. In 1726 their overcrowded slave ship, 

named after Milliken’s daughter, overturned, drowning 272 Africans. 

At home the McDowalls served in all the leading positions, as patrons of the 

parish kirk, Rectors of Glasgow University, and MPs. In the third generation 

James McDowall was Provost of Glasgow, and chairman of the society 

opposing the abolition of slavery. After 1800 the family fi rm went bankrupt. 

However, in 1834 the fourth generation of the McDowalls still held onto 

sugar plantations on Grenada and St. Vincent. The Slave Compensation 

records show that the family were awarded compensation for the loss of 

427 Africans. 

For more than a century, the McDowalls used their sugar money to improve 

Lochwinnoch Parish. In 1818 they were celebrated for contributing the most 

in the county towards building new roads and bridges. The McDowalls 

and Millikens were pioneers in showing the potential income from sugar 

plantations. The income from a 150 acre sugar plantation in the 1780s 

was many times the income from a 

similar sized Renfrewshire farm. 

After 1810, Castle Semple passed 

to the Harveys, another sugar 

planting family. The Harveys had 

two plantations on Antigua in the 

late 1730s and expanded south to 

Grenada, with a further five sugar 

plantations. 

The Harvey name was important 

enough to hold onto, even when 

their plantations passed to relations. 

The family created a succession of 

double-barrelled names including 

Rae-Harvey and Shand-Harvey. 

By the 1830’s, Castle Semple was owned by Major James Lee-Harvey. 

In 1834 the family were awarded £26,392 for the loss of their slaves. It is 

interesting that the compensation was for the loss of a total of 1,204 African 

men, women and children - more than one African for every improved acre 

of their Castle Semple estate at the time. 

A future article will explain how the McDowalls and Millikens became ‘fi xers’ 

among Renfrewshire’s landed elite. They showed others the vast income 

possible from owning plantations. They also arranged positions for sons as 

overseers, and married off daughters to sugar planters. 

© 2019 Stuart Nisbet, Renfrewshire Local History Forum 

10


Archaeologists go underground in Paisley 


The biggest-ever exploration of one of Renfrewshire’s most mysterious historical features is 

now underway – and hopes to unveil some centuries-old secrets. 

An archaeological dig has started at Paisley’s Abbey Drain – a complex underground structure 

which links the town’s 850-year-old Abbey to the River Cart. 

The 100m long underground passageway, thought to be more than 700 years old, was 

unearthed in the 19th century and rediscovered in the 1990s. 

Initial excavations of the site unearthed the earliest polyphonic musical notation and the largest 

collection of medieval pottery ever found in the west of Scotland – and it is hoped that this twomonth 

long project will uncover many more secrets. 

Council leader Iain Nicolson joined the team at the start of the dig. Cllr Nicolson said: “Paisley 

has such a rich history and 

heritage, full of stories and 

mysteries, and the tale of 

the Abbey Drain has really 

captured the attention of the 

public. This could be the fi rst 

step towards opening up the 

Drain as a permanent visitor 

attraction in the future – which 

would fi t perfectly with the 

ongoing work to use Paisley’s 

unique heritage to make it one 

of Scotland’s key destinations 

for visitors and events.” 

The Big Dig also includes an 

extensive programme of activity 

to involve the local community. 

Students at the University of the West of Scotland will create a series of 

short fi lms and a documentary on the drain, and there will also be school 

visits, volunteering opportunities, and free talks and workshops for the 

public. 

To go inside the drain visit our Doors Open Days on the 7th and 8th 

September, or you can keep an eye on the Big Dig progress, visit www. 

paisley.is. 

11



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. 

Move it or Lose it! 

Move it or Lose it! classes will continue throughout the summer except for 

the Kilbarchan class which will close Thursday 20th June until Thursday 

15th August. 

We would love to meet you! Please check under, Regular Meets section for 

more information. 

Thread carefully…weaving exhibition 

moves home 

An exhibition which celebrates the dedication and creativity of a group of 

Paisley weavers is back open in a new venue. 

Work produced by the Artisan’s Institute weaving group – part of Paisley’s 

Townscape Heritage and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme2 (TH. 

CARS2) – is now on display at the Disability Resource Centre in Love 

Street until Friday 12th July. 

Glasgow Clyde College’s Fashion & Textiles Department has been 

delivering weekly weaving workshops as part of the regeneration project 

since 2017. 

Led by professional weaver Amy Bond, weavers used handheld frame 

looms to learn about a variety of patterns, before moving onto four-shaft 

table looms, where they can experiment with colour. 

The exhibition displays woven samples and finished pieces created 

by participants, and marks the conclusion of the weaving part of the 

regeneration project. 

TH.CARS2 is a £4.5m regeneration project which will run until 2021 and 

includes a building restoration and shop front improvement work in the 

area around Paisley High St, as well as a programme of community activity 

celebrating the town’s heritage. 

The project is led by Renfrewshire Council, with funding provided by the 

National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland. 

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “The weaving sessions 

have been a great success. As well as learning about the art of weaving, 

the people involved discovered more about Paisley’s history and heritage, 

and the textile industry overall. 

“This exhibition celebrates the work produced by everyone who has 

taken part, and all of the weavers should be very proud of what they’ve 

achieved.” 

The exhibition initially ran at Made in Paisley gallery in Paisley High Street 

for a week in May 

Woven designs can be 

viewed at the DRC between 

9am and 4pm, Monday to 

Thursday, and from 9am to 

3pm on a Friday. 

Now that the programme 

of classes is complete, 

the DRC will continue to 

fund a weekly weaving 

workshop. 

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 

Memories Café 

Drop-in for a Chat, Tea and Homemade 

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 

12


The Importance of your Smile 


by Sheila Macintyre, Practice Owner at Kilbarchan 

Dental Practice 

You might be surprised to discover that the effects of smiles 

and smiling are much more far-reaching than you think. 

Smiles make us more approachable, suggest kindness, enthusiasm, 

confidence and positivity which are all great messages to communicate on 

both a personal and professional level. 

A smile is one of the fi rst things that other people will notice about you so, if 

you want to make a good impression, don’t forget to smile at job interviews, 

at work and socially (studies have also shown that we find each other more 

attractive when we are smiling!). 

Contracting the muscles in your face by smiling is known to trigger the 

release of endorphins and serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for the 

feeling of happiness. So even if you don’t feel like it, you can lift your mood 

by using these muscles to smile and trick your brain into releasing these 

chemicals! People also tend to mimic each other without knowing it so you 

can very easily lift someone else’s mood with a simple smile. 

Of course, we are far more likely to smile if we have a smile to be proud 

of which is why first-and-foremost you should care for your 

smile with a good oral health regime – we recommend 

brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste as 

well as paying regular visits to your dentist. 

Most modern practices now offer a range of teeth whitening 

and other cosmetic treatments that can help 

enhance your smile and make big improvements 

to discoloured, crooked or broken teeth. If you 

would like to find out more about how to look after 

or improve your smile please come and see us. 

Alternatively, you can call us on 01505 704969 or 

click www.kilbarchandental.co.uk where you’ll find 

lots more free tips and advice. 

COVER & BANNER PHOTOS WANTED - please email your hi-res images to info@advertizer.co.uk 

RAF Typhoon 

The RAF’s awesome Typhoon will 

showcase its power and agility 

in a thrilling solo display and will 

be joined on the programme by 

Supermarine Spitfi re, Hawker 

Hurricane and Avro Lancaster 

aircraft from the RAF Battle of 

Britain Memorial Flight. 

Aerobatic displays 

Renowned aerobatic display 

team, The Blades will take to 

the skies over East Fortune, 

performing a jaw-dropping 

sequence of manoeuvres including 

synchronised rolls, twists, double 

tumbles and knife-edge spins. 

Debut aircraft 

Aircraft making their debut at the 

event include a 1966 Nanchang 

CJ-6 in the colours of the Chinese 

People’s Liberation Army as well 

as two de Havilland Chipmunk 

aircraft. The fl ight programme will 

also feature two helicopters from 

the Army Air Corps Historic Flight 

- a Bell Sioux and a Westland 

Scout helicopter. 

Other aircraft confirmed to 

date include an American P47 

Thunderbolt Second World Warera 

fighter aircraft, a pair of 

Vampire jets, a Jet Provost training 

aircraft and a Douglas Skyraider, 

an American single-seat attack 

aircraft. 

On the ground 

There will be a host of family 

entertainment and the chance 

to explore all this historic site 

including the historic Second 

World War aircraft hangars, which 

are packed with exciting displays 

telling the stories of military and 

civil aviation over the past century. 

50 years after Concorde first took 

to the skies, you will be able to step 

on board Concorde G-BOAA. You 

can also enjoy the family-friendly 

Fantastic Flight gallery with its 

interactive exhibits and can learn 

about the fascinating story of the 

R.34 airship in the Fortunes of War 

exhibition. This year marks the 

centenary of the airship’s recordbreaking 

double crossing of the 

Atlantic. 

13


WHAT’s 

on JULY 


St Columba’s Dress Rehersal 

SA T 8 - TH U 27 JU N E 

Bishopton Art Group Summer 

Exhibition 

Bishopton Library, Old Greenock 

Road, Bishopton 

With a variety of styles of paintings for sale and 

on display by members of the local Art Group. 

Free competition with a chance to win a gift 

voucher. Part of the Bishopton Day festivities. 

Free parking. Free event. 

TH U 27 JU N E 

Movie Night – South Pacific 

The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, 

Kilmacolm 7pm 

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm showing. 

SA T 29 JU N - TU E 13 AU G 

Bricks in Space Summer Trail 

Paisley - various venues 

With 17 fantastic LEGO® Brick models spread 

throughout town centre businesses as well as an 

interactive play zone and a selfie zone. Armed 

with their space passports, the mission will be 

to travel through the four galaxies to find all the 

Space models, plus there will be stickers, activity 

sheets and goodies to collect as families make 

their way around the town. More details at www. 

paisleyfirst.com 

SA T 29 - SU N 30 JU N E 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 

10am to 4pm 

Our friendly and impartial team will be 

demonstrating and offering assistance on a 

wide range of binoculars and telescopes to 

assist you in making the right decision.. Our 

binoculars and telescopes are competitively 

priced, with the added bonus of every purchase 

helping conservation. With a massive range of 

RSPB binoculars along with some well-known 

names such as Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica and 

Nikon! Free event. 

Fairy & Elf Door Making and Self 

Led Trail 

Finlaystone Country Estate - 

Langbank 1pm to 3pm 

Search for the hidden Fairy Doors throughout the 

forest then make your own to take home. £2.50 

for materials. Pre-book time slot on day. 

Seasons Summer Sale 

Seasons, Main Street, Bridge of 

Weir 9.30am 

Whether you’re looking for everyday wear 

or something special why not pop in and 

see our fantastic range of fashion wear and 

accessories. 

SA T 29 JU N - FR I 5 JU L Y 

Explorer Trail: Go on a Bear Hunt 


10am to 4pm 

This is a self-led activity! Spend some quality 

family time together at RSPB Lochwinnoch! 

Simply pop into the visitor centre where the 

friendly staff will get you started. Then, explore 

our woodland trail to go on a teddy bear hunt! 

Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 

[Normal trail fees apply for adults] 

WE D 3 JU L Y 

Gateway Community Garden 

Drop In Day 

Cartside Terrace, Kilbarchan 

2pm to 4pm 

Visit the garden to enjoy the flowers, relax 

and have a cup of tea. You can join in light 

gardening activities, if you wish, or ask a 

‘Gardeners’ Question’. Do you want to grow 

your own? We have raised beds available. For 

all info and to visit at other times contact 07952 

169341, hello@kilbarchansmile.co.uk or www. 

kilbarchansmile.co.uk 

TH U 4 JU L Y 

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club 

Ladies Open Greensomes 

Old Course Ranfurly Golf Club, 

Ranfurly Place, Bridge of Weir 

£8 entry fee. Booking available through BRS 

and club website. Come along and enjoy a great 

friendly game of golf. 

SA T 6 - FR I 12 JU L Y 

Explorer Trail: Hunt for Dragons! 


10am to 4pm 

Simply pop into the visitor centre any time 

where the friendly staff will get you started. 

Then explore our woodland trail and search 

for the hidden dragons! Cost: £4 per child / 

RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply 

for adults] 

SA T 6 JU L Y 

Paisley’s Annual Sma’ Shot Day 

Celebration 

Paisley - various venues 

12noon to 5pm 

This popular multi-arts festival celebrates 

Paisley’s rich history of weaving and radicalism, 

encapsulated in the famous victory of the town’s 

weavers in the historic ‘sma’ shot’ dispute. Relive 

the legendary day and join the traditional Sma’ 

Shot parade from Brodie Park to Paisley town 

centre, with this year’s activities taking place 

around Paisley Arts Centre, Witherspoon Street 

and Shuttle Street – where the town’s historic 

Sma’ Shot Cottages can be found. 

SU N 7 JU L Y 

Map and Compass Course 

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees 

Bridge, Greenock 10am to 4pm 

An ideal course for beginners or for those 

wanting to refresh their skills. £60. Details & 

bookings online or tel: 01505 842882. 

MO N 8 JU L - MO N 12 AU G 

Art Exhibition 

The Bridge, Main Street, Bridge of 

Weir 

The exhibition will showcase a group of local 

artists, featuring stunning scenic paintings in 

both oil and acrylics. All paintings on show will 

be for sale. 

WE D 10 - WE D 24 JU L Y 

Kids Activity Session 


2pm to 4pm 

Accompanied children welcome to join in wildlife 

and gardening activities - planting, watering, 

supporting our bees and buttterflies, scavenger 

and bug hunts. Contact to book a space: 07952 


kilbarchansmile.co.uk. Free event. 

TH U 11 JU L Y 

Sòlas Bereavement Group 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

2pm to 4pm 

SA T 13 - FR I 19 JU L Y 

Explorer Trail: Fantastic Minibeasts 

and Where to Find Them! 


10am to 4pm 

Simply pop into the visitor centre where the 

friendly staff will get you started. See what 

fantastic minibeasts you can find in our pond 

and out on the woodland trails! Cost: £4 per 

child / RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees 

apply for adults] 

SU N 14 JU L Y 

Houston Bowling Club Annual 

Charity Day 

Houston Bowling Club 

64 ladies from across Renfrewshire will compete 

in a Ladies Rinks competition. Please come 

along and support this fantastic day in aid 

of St.Vincent’s Hospice. Raffle prizes and 

donations of home baking would be very much 

appreciated. For more details please contact 

Isabel (baking) or John Gilchrist (raffle) on 

01505 613316. 

WE D 17 JU L Y 


Drop In Day 


2pm to 4pm 

See Wednesday 3rd July for information and 

contact details 

FR I 19 - SA T 20 JU L Y 

The Full Monty 

Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 

7pm 

The award winning Broadway musical is back 

by popular demand! This amateur production 

has been developed by Johnstone Phoenix 

Theatre Group. Online booking: www.seaty. 

co.uk/thefullmonty. Calls: 07748 827727 / 

johnstonepheonix@gmail.com £14 / £11 conc. 

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 19th July 

14



SA T 27 JU L Y 

Scotland’s National Airshow 

National Museum of Flight, East 

Fortune Airfield East Lothian, EH39 

5LF 10am to 5pm 

The delta-winged Typhoon will showcase its 

power and agility in a thrilling solo display, joined 

by Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and 

Avro Lancaster aircraft from the RAF Battle of 

Britain Memorial Flight. With a host of family 

entertainment and the chance to explore this 

historic site packed with exciting displays telling 

the stories of military and civil aviation over the 

past century. www.nms.ac.uk 

SA T 20 JU L Y 

Houston and Killellan Kirk Family 

trip to Millport 

Millport Isle of Cumbrae 10.45am 

Meeting at the Largs Ferry at 10.45am for 11am 

ferry. Bring your own bikes or organise hire. We 

will cycle round Millport and have an ice-cream 

stop on the way. More details will follow, save 

the date! 

SA T 20 - FR I 26 JU L Y 

Explorer Trail: Amazing 

Predators! 


10am to 4pm 

Spend some quality family time together at 

RSPB Lochwinnoch! This event is not your usual 

kind – you do it with your own family in your own 

time! Simply pop into the Visitor centre any time, 

where the friendly staff will get you started. Then 

explore our woodland trail and discover some of 

the amazing predators on our fabulous reserve! 

Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 

[Normal trail fees apply for adults] 


Bravehound - Erskine 

Hospital Garden Opening 

Old Garden Centre, Bishopton PA7 

5PU 1pm to 4pm 

A quirky enclosed tarmac garden, run by the 

charity Glen Art, features an assortment of 

outdoor raised planters, covered growing 

areas, shady/quiet garden and other features 

embracing the upcycling ethos. This new project 

looks to provide companion dogs to veterans to 

support their transition to civilian life. Admission 

£3.50, children free. Glen Art Volunteers | E: 

bravehound@glenart.co.uk | W: bravehhound. 

co.uk £3.50. 

MO N 22 - TH U 25 JU L Y 

Deeper Space 

Freeland Church, Main Street, 

Bridge of Weir 7pm to 9pm 

Free holiday club for secondary school age. 

Want to be bold in making choices for Life? 

Bold enough to stand up for what you believe? 

Join us for games, challenges and to boldly 

explore the Bible. Pre-register or more info at 

freelandarkweek@gmail.com. 

MO N 22 - FR I 26 JU L Y 

Space Academy 


Bridge of Weir 10am to 12:30pm 

Free after school club for children P1 - P6 (ie. 

those who have already completed P1 - P6). 

Family Finale takes place Friday 26th July at 

8.30pm. 

TH U 25 JU L Y 

A chat with … Theresa Talbot 

Kilmacolm Library, Lochwinnoch 

Road, Kilmacolm 2pm to 3pm 

Part of Inverclyde Council’s ‘A Chat With…’ 

series of free, Live Literature events at local 

libraries. Theresa Talbot hosts the Beechgrove 

Potting Shed (best known as the voice of traffic 

and travel on BBC Radio Scotland). Theresa 

is an accomplished freelance writer, journalist, 

radio presenter and author. Her back catalogue 

includes: The Quiet Ones, Keep Her Silent and 

The Lost Children. 

OKLAHOMA - Kilmacolm Old Kirk 

Movie Night 

The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, 

Kilmacolm 7pm 

Movie night starts 7pm for 7.30pm 

WE D 31 JU L Y 


Drop In Day 


2pm to 4pm 

Visit the garden to enjoy the flowers, relax 

and have a cup of tea. You can join in light 

gardening activities, if you wish, or ask a 

‘Gardeners’ Question’. Do you want to grow 

your own? We have raised beds available. For 

all info and to visit at other times contact 07952 


kilbarchansmile.co.uk 

FR I 26 JU L - TH U 1 AU G 

Explorer Trail: Bee Amazed! 


10am to 4pm 

Simply pop into the Visitor centre any time where 

the friendly staff will get you started. Then 

explore our woodland trail and BEE AMAZED 

by these fabulous creatures. Cost: £4 per child 

/ RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply 

for adults]. 

The Lines 


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 event. 

SA T 3 AU G U S T 

Lochwinnoch International Aid 

Annual Yard Sale 

79 High Street, Lochwinnoch PA12 4AB 

We’ll have household items, clothes, books, 

surprises. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available 

so you can have a wee seat and relax after 

shopping with us. All monies raised will go 

to the good causes that LIA supports. If you 

would like to donate an item(s) please call by 

the house on the evening of 2nd August. But 

no large items please. 

SA T 3 - SU N 4 AU G U S T 

Art on the Shore 

Loch Lomond 10am to 4pm 

Join us for all things art and the food village. 

The festival will feature live graffiti, art demos, 

landscape and photography workshops, 

caricature artists, Kids on the Shore entertainment 

area and activities for all the family. Perfect 

Summer holiday activity 

SU N 4 AU G U S T 

Vintage Tractor Rally 

Ardardan Estate - Cardross 

11am to 3pm 

Brilliantly restored tractors will be on show along 

with their owners to tell you all about them. Have 

sit on the tractors, enjoy a tractor & trailer ride 

(£5 per person) and children can blow off steam 

on the inflatables (£3 per child). 

The Lines have been 

busy since we last 

caught up with them - 

gigging at Lillias Day 

and The Gryffe. Their 

next appearance is July 20th @ 6pm at The Garage where they are 

supporting Single By Sunday – exciting news for The Lines as they were 

voted for to support the group at their Glasgow gig. The Advertizer is 

clearly on the ball with upcoming local talent having interviewed Single 

By Sunday on their rise to stardom! Keep an ear open for new material 

from The Lines, and their current EP ‘Don’t Fret’ is available on Spotify. 

Check them out on Facebook and Instagram. 

15



Gryffe Rotary Raise Over £250,000! 

Following the success of the Gryffe Valley 10K Run last month the club 

has now raised (and spent) more than £250,000 over the twenty-four years 

since its formation in 1995. This is a huge achievement by the thirty-five 

members, who include 9 founder members. 

Up to June 30th 2018, the total raised was £239,303 and this year’s budget 

forecast we would reach £250,000 by the Rotary year-end. This year 

funds have been raised through members efforts at the BBQ (August), the 

Curry Night (October), the Santa’s Sleigh (December), the Burns Supper 

(January), the Car Wash at Beaton Bros (April), stalls at the Kilmacolm 

show and the Houston show and, last month, the 10K Run supported by 

Arnold Clark. The total at 14th June is £256,161. 

A full listing of the benefi ciaries of the monies raised up to June 2018 is 

published on the club website www.gryffevalley.rotary1230.org . Averaged 

over the years, 60% of funds raised have been devoted to Community and 

Youth and 40% to International (including Rotary Foundation, Emergency 

Relief and International Projects). 

The top-ten benefi ciaries in twenty-four years have been: 

• Wheelyboat for wheelchair users at Castle Semple Loch £30,000 

• Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s own charity £17,716 

• Renfrewshire Young Carers – eleven annual outings £17,289 

• CHAS children’s hospice £13,000 

• 500 miles charity providing prosthetics in Africa £12,750 

• Shelterbox emergency shelters £12,594 

• Renfrewshire Therapeutic Toy Library £10,000 

• St Vincent’s Hospice £9,500 

• Disabled Sailing at Castle Semple £7,247 

• Dentistry in Romania £5,845 

Gryffe Valley Rotary has many requests for help but is still always interested 

to hear from individuals or groups of opportunities to support local projects 

financially or through member’s efforts. Please contact the club via the 

website www.gryffevalley.rotary1230.org or by speaking to a member. 

ROTARY AT VILLAGE SHOWS 

Members were present at the 

Kilmacolm Show on 11th May 

and the Houston Show on 

1st June, in both cases with 

their Coconut Shy. Members 

showed off the contents of 

a ShelterBox and the funds 

raised will be donated to the 

ShelterBox charity which 

supplies these boxes at times 

of natural disasters. 

16 

At the other end of the scale more than 200 donations in the range £50 to 

£500 have been made to deserving local groups and individuals. 

Major benefi ciaries this year are the local hospice (St Vincent’s), Young 

Carers, local Youth Services, End Polio, Mary’s Meals and Shelterbox. 

In fact, the fi nancial value of Gryffe Valley Rotary’s projects has actually 

exceeded the above totals which are those processed through the club’s 

Charity Account. The Club’s donations have frequently gained matching 

funding from other sources or inspired other donations and this is given 

directly to the benefi ciaries. Examples are: 

• £18,000 for the Wheelyboat project donated directly by sponsors recruited 

by Rotary 

• About £5,000 funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to topup 

the Club’s donations to End Polio 

• £1,000 in matching funding from the UK government for Mary’s Meals 

• £3,000+ in sponsorship for the Archie Foundation raised by a team of 

eight runners lead by Peter Leslie and Eilidh Grant who ran this years 

10K Run. 

SPEAKER MEETINGS AT THE RIVER INN 

• Jim Dorward, spoke about “The 

CrossRail project”. Jim is a lifelong 

friend of Past President 

Alistair Fernie and has spoken to 

the club six times before, always 

fascinating members with his 

very knowledgeable explanation 

of railway topics. His talk on 

the £18bn CrossRail project 

explained how in order to achieve 

the specified 24 trains per hour 

from across London a new tunnel 

has been built from Paddington 

to Stratford. Automatic Train 

Operation is necessary to save 

time and this requires linking



together four different signalling systems. The new system has not 

passed its trials and the project has suffered two years delay. Extensive 

discussion followed on the need for prototyping – also a problem with 

the new Hitachi trains for the Glasgow - Edinburgh Service and on the 

new Caledonian Sleepers. 

• David Walker, a guest of Edwin 

Fisher, spoke to the club and 

showed a further selection 

of his photographs of “The 

Hidden Treasures of Glasgow”. 

Interspersed with amusing 

tales and backed by interesting 

detail of the buildings he 

had photographed, David 

focussed on buildings which 

are open during the Doors 

Open weekend each year and 

encouraged his audience to get 

out and look up! 

Future meetings/speakers are 

planned as follows: 

• 3rd July – President’s handover 

from Andrew Macleman to 

Hamid Khatib, Club Assembly 

and visit of new District 

Governor, Johnny Johnston 

• 17th July – Guest of Neil McAllister 

• 31st July – Guest of John King 

• 7th August – Robert Ferguson – “Work of the National Art Collection 

Fund” – guest of Hamid Khatib 

Speaker meetings, at 7pm in the River Inn, are open to visitors who are 

interested in the topic or would like to find out more about Rotary and our 

community projects. Please contact us in advance by speaking to a member 

or use the contact button on the website www.gryffevalley.rotary1230.org . 

Rotary in Scotland is looking to boost membership and all clubs are looking 

to welcome like-minded people who would enjoy the meetings and giving 

something back to the community. 

If you are an 

individual or 

group needing 

support either 

financially 

or through 

member’s efforts 

for local projects 

please contact 

the club via the 

website 

www. 

gryffevalley. 

rotary1230.org 

or by speaking to 

a member. 

17



. . . BISHOPTON, BRIDGE OF WEIR, LANGBANK . . . 

18 

VILLAGE 

news 

BIG 200: On the 15th June four intrepid cyclists including 

myself set off at 4.15am on “The June 15 Big 200”, a charity 

ride of 207 miles in less than 20 hours from Kilmacolm to 

Newcastle, to raise funds for Freeland Church car park and 

garden, The Haven Kilmacolm, and Target Ovarian Cancer. 

Despite poor weather and an unforgiving wind we arrived 

at The Assembly Halls in Newcastle just before midnight 

where there was a fund raising dinner dance taking place 

for the charity Target Ovarian Cancer. A big thank you to all 

sponsors and our wonderful support team. 

Bin Collections: The bin collection service should serve all residents 

across Renfrewshire but some residents in Langbank have been unable 

to have their brown bins emptied due to a lack of suitable vehicles. The 

council currently do not have enough 18 ton vehicles in operation that 

would be able to serve a number of streets in Langbank and elsewhere. It 

has been very disappointing that residents in Langbank have not been able 

to have their brown bins fully emptied. I am questioning why this service 

was fully rolled out across Renfrewshire when it was clear that there were 

not going to be the resources to serve smaller areas. Bin collections are a 

day-to-day issue that the council must get right for residents in Langbank 

and indeed in all our communities. 

Bins continue to be missed. Council is giving residents just two days to 

report missed bin collections. At the recent Board meeting I moved that 

residents be given a full week, but was not successful. Now if your bin is not 

collected you no longer have the luxury of waiting to see if they are coming 

back to fi nish the run. Missed bin collections are a huge problem with the 

council at present. 

School Crossings: The school crossing patroller recently installed at 

Greenock Road in Bishopton, near to the village’s primary school is 

very welcome following an incident where a pupil was struck. There was 

another road traffic collision in the same spot shortly afterwards. While I am 

confi dent that having a patroller in place will improve the safety situation for 

pupils and help to reassure parents that their children will be safe heading 

to the primary school. This is a busy 

Your Ward 11 Councillors 

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 

road and I will be watching to see if 

something more is required. 

Surgeries: 

• Langbank Parish Church Hall - 1st 

Monday of every month (6.30pm) 

• Bridge of Weir Cargill Hall - 

2nd Monday (sorry, not in May) 

(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 

copies of my community council 

reports etc. 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. 

Terrace Summer 

Drop-In 

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church, 

Bridge of Weir 

The Terrace Summer Drop-In is back 

during the school holidays. Friday 

mornings from 10am to 12noon in 

our church hall. Free play, craft, 

games, home baked and healthy 

snacks, coffee/tea etc. Suitable 

for carers and children of all ages, 

children need to be accompanied 

by an adult. You are also welcome 

to drop in for a blether if you don’t 

have a child to look after! 

There is no charge and no need to 

sign up. Starting 5th July. 

No Terrace Lunch on the 28th June 

due to hall floor being varnished. 

Services in July: joint services on 

7th July and 14th of July in Freeland 

Church at 10:30 am, no service in St 

Machar’s on these days. 21st and 

28th joint services in St Machar’s 

Ranfurly Church at 10.30 am. 

For more info check out our 

Facebook page or website: 

stmacharsranfurlychurch.org.uk 

Space Academy 

Monday 22 nd to Friday 26 th July 10:00 to 12:30 

Family Finale Friday 26 th July 7:00-8:30pm 

Freeland Church, Bridge of Weir 


Bridge of Weir. 

Freelands church are holding a 

free holiday club for children P1- 

P6 (ie.those who will have already 

completed P1-P6). Lots of fun to be 

had! The Family Finale takes place 

Friday 26th July at 8.30pm. 

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. 

Houston Agricultural Show © Matt Johnston 

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 - Services in July: joint 

services with St Machar’s on 7th July and 

14th of July in Freeland Church at 10.30am, 

For details please check website: www. 

freelandchurch.org.uk 

ST MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Johnstone 

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: 

Services in July: joint services with Freeland 

Church on 7th July and 14th of July in 

Freeland Church at 10.30am, no service 

in St Machar’s on these days. 21st and 

28th joint services in St Machar’s Ranfurly 

Church at 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 

BISHOPTON PARISH CHURCH: Sunday 

Services: 9.45am Early Bird Service @ 

The Cornerstone - Tea/Coffee followed by 

45 minute service commencing at 10am. 

Sunday School for children and easy access 

for those with mobility issues. 11.30am 

Morning Worship at The Church (Erskine 

Ferry Road) Tea & Coffee following service. 

Please see our website Bishoptonkirk.org. 

uk or Facebook page for further details as 

we have Family Services at the beginning 

of each month which alternate between 

Church and Cornerstone. A warm welcome 

awaits you and your family.



Christian Aid Week 2019 

Thank you, yet again, Bridge of Weir! The annual 

Christian Aid Week house-to-house collection took 

place from 12th – 18th May. Three churches working together. 

Sixty volunteer collectors from St Machar’s Ranfurly and Freeland. Retiring 

collections held at St Machar’s Ranfurly and St Mary’s. A “Big Brekkie” 

fund-raiser held by Freeland members. And crucially, over 700 generous 

households in Bridge of Weir ready and willing to help those in need. 

Together with the “gift aid” bonus, the fantastic sum of over £7,000 was 

raised, a substantial increase over the previous year. 

Christian Aid regards poverty as an outrage against humanity. It robs 

people of their dignity and lets injustice thrive. For over 70 years, Christian 

Aid has been standing with the poorest of our neighbours. It works in 37 

countries, with people of all faiths and none, to stand up for dignity, equality 

and justice. 

The focus of this year’s Christian Aid Week was the terrible rates of 

maternal mortality and infant mortality in Sierra Leone. Thanks to your 

support, Christian Aid is able to continue its work through local partners to 

improve health care in some of the poorest parts of that country. 

Please take some time to go to the web site (https://www.christianaid.org. 

uk/about-us) to learn about Christian Aid’s aims, activities and beliefs. 

Thank you, again, Bridge of Weir. 

Dave Macdonald 

The Bridge 

Congratulations to all those graduating this Summer. What a wonderful 

achievement. Show your delight by sending a card from our selection. 

July is also a popular time for Weddings!! A card congratulating the Bride 

and Groom is always well received. Summer weddings lead to Anniversary 

celebrations - we stock a comprehensive selection of cards to choose 

from. 

Back to School in August - send a card conveying your good wishes 

to children starting school for the first time or to those returning after the 

summer break. Back to School essential stationery items are on sale to fill 

those pencil cases. 

Post Office - For that summer break abroad please purchase your Euros 

in The Bridge. Our Euros on Demand service makes life easier for our 

customers. For a safe and easy way to carry holiday cash abroad please 

ask Donald or Stuart for information about a prepaid Travel Money Card 

Plus. 

Shop - we stock a wide selection of stationery items, greeting cards for 

most occasions, indoor and outdoor pocket money items and small gifts. 

Please support your Community Centre where our volunteers and Post 

Office staff work hard to meet your needs. If you require more information 

please visit our website. 

We thank you for your custom and continuing support. 

The Bridge will be hosting an Art Exhibition beginning 

Monday 8th July continuing for 5 weeks. The 

exhibition will showcase a group of local 

artists, featuring stunning scenic paintings 

in both oil and acrylics. All paintings on 

show will be for sale. 

Exciting New Services at Laserlight! 

Laserlight is now an 

Advanced Electrolysis 

Clinic! 

We will of course continue 

to offer a full range of Laser 

Treatments but Electrolysis 

will complement this for a 

variety of troublesome issues: 

• Skin Tags • Thread Veins 

• Milia • Blood Spots 

• Seborrheic keratosis 

• Warts • Verrucae 

• Hair removal (where Laser is unsuitable) 

Advanced Electrolysis starts at £35 for 15 minutes and many issues, 

such as Skin Tags, can be completely dealt with in one treatment. 

Hair removal by Electrolysis starts at £20 for 15 minutes. 

Call or book online 

Langbank Community Council 

New members needed! 

Community Council Elections for all Renfrewshire community councils take 

place every 4 years. The time has come for current members to stand 

down and new members to be appointed, although current members can 

also seek re-appointment. 

Having a community council gives us a collective voice, allows events 

such as gala days and village clean up days to be organised and allows 

villagers somewhere to share their views and opinions. Over recent years 

the number of members has been in decline and this puts the group at 

risk of closure. So please consider supporting your local community by 

applying to become a member (no need to take on a specifi c role, just 

be willing to share ideas and provide support) We really need some fresh 

views and ideas to ensure the group remains relevant and represents the 

whole community. 

Langbank Community Council meets on the second Wednesday of the 

month (except July) in the church hall. If you are interested please email: 

jacquelined2012@btinternet.com or call 01475 540728 for more details or 

come along to our August meeting. Applications for membership are open 

from 12th August to 13th September. 


19


20 


Bridge of Weir Community Council 

Report 16th June 

Ground maintenance: Shades of Déjà vu at the summer Community 

Council meeting, the open space area at Gryffe Grove grass not cut, 

overgrown willow hedge at the nursery school not cut back, overgrown 

vegetation surrounding the nursery and primary school not maintained, and 

the tree stump on Houston Road still not removed. 

All these issues were taken on board by the Community Council throughout 

the previous year. Gryffe Grove was to be cut earlier in the programme - this 

never happened, the tree stump to be removed once the machine became 

available. However one year on is a long time to wait for the machine to 

make the 7 miles from Paisley, and although the willow tree and some of 

the vegetation was cut back after the children returned from the summer 

break it has not been maintained since. Furthermore the Council will not 

send us details of the programme for ground maintenance. 

Councillor Don informed the meeting that a review of all ground maintenance 

is under way and hopefully this will result in the Community Council having 

the programme of works to hand so we can assess what is being missed. 

Police Report: The police reported nine crimes during the previous month 

so far none have been detected. Warnings were given to drivers when the 

speed camera was in operation for a week in the village. 

The Police advise all residents within the community to be vigilant in closing 

doors and windows. 

The third car accident in three years occurred at the railway bridge on Main 

Street damaging Brighter Bridge of Weirs garden. It is hoped the survey 

carried out by Council Officials at this location, results to be known soon, 

will go a long way to prevent accidents such as this re-occurring. 

Bin collections: Councillor MacLaren in his written report to the meeting 

informed us Renfrewshire Council is giving residents just two days to report 

missed bin collections. He moved that residents be given a full week. Now 

if your bin is not collected you no longer have the luxury of waiting to see if 

they are coming back to fi nish the run. Missed bin collections are a huge 

problem with the Council at present 

Planning: The business operating from Station Yard has contacted the 

Community Council informing us of a likely forthcoming planning application 

for housing at the site. The Community Council discussed options with the 

Coal Yard management, this included the Community Council making a 

submission to the local plan consultation which included reference to this 

site and referring that its current use is a business. At this stage there is little 

else that can be done until an actual planning application is submitted. 

Roads: Cllr Don will keep requesting the Council to resurface roads such 

as Carruth Road which have consistently been put to the bottom of the list 

over the years 

The Chair reported the disgraceful condition of the road residents have to 

suffer from Main Street to Mimosa Road, a road frequently used by children 

on route to school, parents and grandparents pushing prams, and elderly 

residents and car users from Mimosa Road. He had taken a series of photos 

on a poor summer’s night which he agreed to pass on to Councillor Don 

(can be viewed on our Facebook page). Cllr Don will continue to emphasise 

to Council the importance of bringing the road up to specifications as it is 

used partly by Council vehicles and emergency services. 

New members wanted: The Community Council is quickly approaching 

the end of its 4 year term and an election for a new Council will be held 

during the months of August and September, dates to be confirmed by 

Renfrewshire Council. 

We are looking for new members to join the Community Council, diverse 

people with a wide range of skills, opinions and ideas keeping Bridge of 

Weir a wonderful place to live! 

If you are interested in making a difference then come and join us. 

Next meeting: The Community Council is now in recess until Tuesday 3rd 

September. This will be the last meeting of the existing council. 


Get outside for some perspective on life 

Psalm 8 verses 3 and 4: 

When I consider your heavens, 

the work of your fingers, 

the moon and the stars, 

which you have set in place, 

what is mankind that you are mindful of them? 

Human beings that you care for them? 

What is your favourite place to get away from it all and get some 

perspective? Even if a poolside spot in a hot location is not an option for 

you, you likely have a favourite spot or walk a bit closer to home. Getting 

outdoors, preferably in good weather, is a great way to let go and de-stress. 

It just seems easier when you have the skies above you and an expansive 

view over the fields or sea, to shake off concerns and worries that race 

around our little heads. 

The person who wrote psalm 8 goes outside for a sense of perspective. 

He (or she!) ponders the midnight sky, the moon and the stars and is 

overwhelmed by its glory. To him it is a pointer to the glory of God. It makes 

him wonder why on earth God would be interested in the fate of a single 

human, small and puny as we are. And yet the psalm writer doesn’t stop 

there. 

It would be easy to conclude, if we only look at the size and age of our 

universe that human beings, individuals, are totally insignifi cant. However, 

in faith we can discover that we are loved and our lives have a purpose. 

The Bible says we are made in the image of God: we are called to refl ect 

something of God’s glory and goodness to the rest of creation. So even 

though, we ourselves as humans are not the centre of the universe (God 

is), we do have a high calling. Our lives are not insignificant. 

I hope you will get a chance to get outside this summer – come rain or shine 

– to gain some perspective on the meaning and purpose of your life! 

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

Parks: In Bridge of Weir, I have been seeking regular 

updates on the installation of the new play equipment in 

Houston Road Park. The work is now scheduled to begin 

on the 8th July and should be complete by the end of July. 

I really hope the council can stick to this timescale so that 

the children can get some use out of the equipment before 

the schools return in August. 

Roads: Another issue that I am currently working on is the 

condition of Mill of Gryffe Road. As we all know, this is a 

private road therefore the council are not required to fix it however if the 

road could be brought up to an adoptable standard, the council could adopt 

it. I am currently making enquiries in this regard and while there is no quick 

fix, I want to assure residents who use this road that this is a priority for me 

and if there is a solution for this, I will do my best to find it. 

In Bishopton, I have requested that right filters are implemented at the two 

sets of traffic lights on Greenock Road to avoid long waits and congestion. 

This was especially bad during recent lots of road works however it remains 

an issue. Council officers are now looking into the feasibility of this and I 

will provide an update on this in due course. On a different note, I had a 

great time attending Bishopton Week back in June. The volunteers put on 

a fantastic day with lots of different activities and events for the community 

to enjoy. 

In Langbank, I have once again raised local concerns about the A8 

roundabout with Transport Scotland following the matter being raised with 

me by the Community Council. 

Surgeries: As always, it is impossible for me to note all the issues I have 

been working on in this column however, I hope this gives you an idea 

of some of the most recent cases. My surgeries do not occur during July 

and August however I will still be available by email at: cllr.natalie.don@ 

renfrewshire.gov.uk, telephone and via social media. Please get in touch if 

you have an issue you would like to discuss with me directly.



Kilmacolm Civic Trust 

Gladman Application to Build on North Denniston Defeated – Again 

The Kilmacolm Civic Trust, Kilmacolm Community Council and Kilmacolm 

Residents Association along with Sir Donald Miller and Ms Louise Tait all 

spoke forcefully and eloquently at the Inverclyde Council Pre-Determination 

meeting on 13th June to assess the latest Gladman application to build 

eighty-eight houses at North Denniston. The meeting was held in St 

Columba’s church hall in Kilmacolm and was attended by approximately 

150 members of the public. 

Citing planning legislation, the Local Development Plan and the Clyde 

Strategic Plan, all speakers produced a very strong raft of evidence to 

defeat the application. Specifi cally, the case was made against building 

on the green belt, the fact that any new build would damage the place 

and setting of Kilmacolm and that there was no housing requirement to 

do so, despite Gladman’s claims. It was also stressed that two Scottish 

Government appointed Reporters had produced independent statements 

that dismissed the requirement to build on North Denniston. 

Sir Donald Miller, a highly qualified engineer and local resident spoke on 

the flood risk of the proposal and demolished the Gladman case, pointing 

out that the application did not take into account the whole water system 

that fed the area and that the flood risk was much higher than contained 

within the application. Ms Louise Tait spoke on behalf of the residents of 

Gryffe Road and highlighted traffic and public transport issues, as well local 

planning legislation. 

The Inverclyde Council Planning Committee unanimously rejected the 

Gladman application. 

This is another signifi cant defeat of Gladman (who once again did not have 

the courtesy to attend). However, we expect an Appeal to be made which 

will lead to a Reporter being appointed by the Scottish Government. So, 

our battle goes on against these and other proposals; we understand that 

the Taylor Wimpey application to build at Planetreeyets is likely to be heard 

in August. 

The KCT will continue to keep local-residents and members informed. 

Thank you to everyone for attending the meeting and for the support of 

local people. 

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. 

Kilmacolm Dramatic Society 

Local Surgeries 

Every 4th 

Monday the local 

neighbourhood 

officer, will hold 

a surgery in the 

Community Centre 

between 10.30am - 11.30am. 

The Society is delighted to announce our autumn 2019 production as The 

Wizard of Oz by James Barry. 

Performance dates are 21st, 22nd 

& 23rd November 2019 in our usual 

venue of Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm. 

Heather Morrison will be directing 

this extravaganza of a show 

and we’re in the early stages of 

preparation currently, so anyone 

interested in getting involved in any 

way is more than welcome to join 

us. For more info contact Claire 

Fraser on 07803 268163. 

This production is being staged with 

the kind permission of Lazy Bee 

Scripts. 

Kilmacolm Old Kirk 

Old Kirk News 

To the surprise and sadness of the congregation, our minister, Rev Dr 

Peter McEnhill announced in church in June that he is leaving to become 

the minister of St Andrews Church of Scotland in Rome. Peter has been 

our much loved and valued minister for 12 years and will be very much 

missed. 

OUTLOOK 

There is no Outlook programme until September 5th when there is a coach 

outing to Paisley Abbey. 

MOVIE NIGHT 

25th July OKLAHOMA in the Old Kirk, 7pm for 7.30pm 

Free entry and the offer of a glass of wine. Donation if desired to Support 

the creation of a Pilgrim Pathway in Kilmacolm. 

SOCIAL MEDIA In addition to the website - kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk, you 

can follow the Old Kirk on Facebook at Kilmacolm OldKirk@kilmacolmold, 

and Twitter and Instagram @kilmacolmold 

. . . KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS . . . 

21

. . . KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS . . . 

22 


Local people: Guy Clark has stood down as Lord Lieutenant 

for Renfrewshire and been replaced by Colonel Peter T. 

McCarthy. Guy and his wife Brighid were wonderful servants 

to the County. Peter has been a Deputy and will not need 

to be shown the ropes. Good luck to both the McCarthys 

in this important and prestigious role representing Her 

Majesty. 

Reverend Doctor Peter McEnhill is leaving the village to 

become the Minister of St Andrews Scots Kirk in Rome. 

He will be sadly missed in the village and by the members of the Old Kirk. 

His preaching is renowned and his sermon is delivered without any aide 

memoir. We really do wish him God’s speed as he continues his service to 

the Church. Two Church of Scotland’s in the village is not sustainable and 

I am quite sure we can move forward together in harmony with our good 

friends at St Columba’s. 

Correction: I made a mistake in the June edition when I identified the 

battle, so wonderfully portrayed as an Opera by Scottish Opera and KPS as 

Sherriffmuir. An alert reader has pointed out that the Jacobean/ Hanoverian 

battle in 1719 was at the River Shiel. Who says nobody reads my monthly 

epistle! 

Planning: The pre determination hearing of the Gladman Housing 

application at North Dennistoun was held in St Columba’s Church Hall 

by the Inverclyde Planning Board. The Hall was packed and it allowed 

villagers to witness democracy in action. In front of me I had a document 

of 720 pages which contained the 584 representations received, all had 

been read by planning officers and analysed in the report. I felt that the 

most original evidence presented was by Sir Donald Miller on flooding. His 

engineering qualifi cations and memberships of official bodies is exemplar. 

Having heard the presentations my colleagues voted unanimously to refuse 

the application. I will now present the findings to a full Inverclyde Council 

meeting in the Chambers on the 27th of June for a final determination. 

The Hearing for the Application by Taylor Wimpey for 100 houses at 

Planetreeyetts Kilmacolm will be heard on 21st August by Inverclyde 

Planning Board courtesy of the Session at St Columba’s Church Hall. 

Events: I attended St Stephen’s presentation of Grease. This was a superb 

concert and had the audience enthralled by the musical and dancing skills 

of the youngsters. This is the fifth show by the school and by far the best. 

The St Columba’s spring concert was quite excellent and featured solos, 

duets, trios, quartets, ensembles and bands. Great evening and I was quite 

taken by the numbers attending the Royal Conservatoire. 

Car charging points: We will be adding 4 electric car charging spaces 

which will give us 6 in the village. I am uncomfortable with the 4 new 

charging places at Barrs Brae as we are short of parking places in the 

village. I think two more would have been enough. We sometimes carry the 

green agenda a bit too far for me. 

Surgeries: My surgery is on 13th 

July at the Cargill 10am - 11am. I 

can be contacted at: david.wilson@ 

inverclyde.gov.uk” or 01475 741969, 

712975 and 07766 992294. 


David Wilson, Stephen McCabe, 

Christopher Curley | Advice 

Surgeries: http://www.inverclyde. 

gov.uk/meetings/councillors/ 




KILMACOLM & QUARRIERS: Last 

Tuesday at 7.30pm, Kilmacolm 

Cargill Centre 

(NB: No meetings: July or Dec) | 

www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk 


Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 

873994 

Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Tel: 

07584 359007 

Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 

873059 

Guide Hut to Hire 

A great venue with easy access 

near to the village centre. Main 

hall, additional reburbished 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 Julie on 07967 

371595 or e: guidehutbooking@ 

gmail.com. 

in Kilmacolm – Holiday Club 

August 5th to August 7th from 10am 

– 12.30pm 

St Fillan’s Church Hall, Moss Road, 

Kilmacolm 

The Holiday Club will be packed full 

of games, activities, puppets and 

lots of fun things to do for children 

in Primary 1 to Primary 7 

Contact Angela by email: ang_ 

blair@yahoo.co.uk 


Lochwinnoch International Aid 

(LIA) News 

Before we start on the news, we’d like to give you advance notice of our 

- fast becoming- annual yard sale. This year it’s on Saturday 3rd August, 

at 79 High Street as usual. We’ll have household items, clothes, books, 

surprises. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available so you can have a wee 

seat and relax after shopping with us. All monies raised will go to the good 

causes that LIA supports. If you would like to donate an item(s) please call 

by the house on the evening of 2nd August. But no large items please. 

Many thanks to the organisers of the gala day and thanks, too, to the many 

people who came and bought the African jewellery, Fair Trade hamper raffle 

tickets and had a go at the guess-the-weight of the Fair Trade cake. We 

raised £200 in total! The winners were Karen Sillars (pictured, with Mary 

Alice) and Stuart McClymont (we hope you enjoyed Mary Alice’s baking). 

The hamper comprised of lots of goodies from the Rainbow Turtle fair trade 

shop in Paisley. Do go along and have a look. They also stock fair trade 

gifts. 

In other plans for the future, the Tea and Therapies day we had in April 

last year was such a success and so enjoyable we thought we might hold 

another one, perhaps in October. We’ll let you know nearer the time. Watch 

this space (or our Facebook page, or our webpage)! 

After our AGM in February we can report that we made donations of £4640 

to various projects, including Hope Hospital, Aleppo and Freedom from 

Torture. Included in that amount are the regular monthly donations from 

supporters, which means we in turn can donate regularly to particular 

organisations who can come to rely on this money. These include a fi stula 

hospital in Ethiopia, Dabane Water Trust, Zimbabwe and Acid Survivors 

Trust International among others. 

So, please do come and support our yard sale and chat to us. If you’d 

like to support LIA in some way - by joining the group or making regular 

donations - we’d love to hear from you. 

Lesley Scott, chair, LIA 

Churches in Kilmacolm & Quarriers 

KILMACOLM OLD KIRK: Church of Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). www.kilmacolmoldkirk. 

org.uk. Minister Rev. Dr. Peter McEnhill (01505 873174). Joint services during July at St 

Columba’s on Sundays at 11am. Sòlas Bereavement Group is held in Kidston Hall on the 

2nd Thursday each month 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.


Transport: In May’s Advertizer column I mentioned that 

public transport and traffic and speeding in our villages 

had been identifi ed as priorities at the inaugural meeting 

of the local villages partnership. This came as no surprise, 

as these issues have frequently been raised at community 

council meetings in Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch 

and have also been a signifi cant feature in my mail box. In 

this regard, the increasing unreliability of the 38 bus service 

to, and from Kilbarchan has featured prominently. 

I have had reports of passengers having to wait for up to 50 minutes for a 

bus that is part of a weekday 20 minute timetable. As a user of this service 

I have had direct experience that the service has deteriorated. 

Given that Kilbarchan has the highest percentage of residents over the age 

of 65 within West Renfrewshire, many of whom rely on the bus service the 

consequences of this for passengers are significant. 

Lochwinnoch has also seen cuts to the local bus service over recent years, 

and the poor service in Howwood was highlighted at a recent meeting of 

A737 group. 

I have long advocated re regulation and I am therefore pleased to report 

that MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are giving their backing to giving 

power to councils to fi ll the gaps in schedules, or my preferred option of 

councils running services themselves. The Transport Scotland Bill now 

tabled at Holyrood seeks to halt current decline in services and this is to 

be welcomed. 

Roads: The A737 meeting in Howwood was attended by 22 people including 

local ward councillors, MSPs from Renfrewshire and North Ayrshire, and 

representatives from community councils. This was encouraging and there 

was a positive discussion. 

There is no doubt that the section of the road between Kilbarchan and 

Lochwinnoch is in urgent need of upgrading, with 23,000 vehicles a day 

passing through; a 50% increase from 1993 when the road was constructed. 

This together with recent housing developments, and future potential 

developments in West Renfrewshire, with inevitably increased traffic, the 

case for improvements is overwhelming. It is hoped that measures such as 

a reduction in the speed limit will soon follow. 

Events: All the village gala days were enjoyed by many local residents and 

visitors. Thanks to all those dedicated volunteers who work hard to ensure 

the success of these important annual events. 

Surgeries: I will not be holding advice surgeries in July, however I will be 

working hard for constituents throughout the summer. Please contact me 

at: cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 

156007. 

Old Library Centre 

It has been a very quick year and it is hard to believe that it is one year since 

Ann Grieve retired as Chairman of the Old Library Centre. Willie Beattie 

and Drew Connell have done a sterling job of stepping into Ann’s shoes. 

We have also recruited some new volunteers and many thanks to all who 

have contributed to the running of the Centre both old and new. 

New this year was a very successful evening entertainment “A Night with 

Burns” which raised much needed funds. The performance of “Sketch 

on the Beach” on 7th and 8th June by the Carrick Players was also very 

successful. We started a Tai Chi course which has been very well attended 

and will be repeated in September (date to be decided). 

Don’t forget we close for the month of July and will close on Friday 28th 

June and reopen on Monday 5th August at 10am. 

All our usual classes have been running – Yoga, Pilates, Move it or Lose 

it, Craft Group, Book Group and Bridge and will be starting back again – 

check the August edition of the Gryffe Advertizer for the dates. 

We hope all our customers have a great summer and we look forward to 

seeing you back in August. 

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Howwood 


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. 

Lochwinnoch Tea Dance 

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. 

Troon, Prestwich and Lochwinnoch Dementia Friendly Communities Joint 

Tea Dance 6th June Troon Town Hall 

There were over 170 people at the first joint tea dance. It was a fantastic 

afternoon over 40 attended from the Lochwinnoch group (see picture). 

The next Lochwinnoch tea dance is Friday 20th September at 2pm in 

Lochwinnoch Golf club call Ann on 07761 114567 to book. We are inviting 

a few dancers from Troon, Prestwick and Johnstone too! 

Our next outing is on Friday 23rd August to Kirkintilloch to have a cruise on 

the Seagull Trust barge. 

. . . KILBARCHAN, HOWWOOD, LOCHWINNOCH, ELDERSLIE . . . 

23


24 


Art Off the Square 

This very popular art exhibition and 

sale takes place from 22nd - 24th 

August in Kilbarchan Parish Church 

halls. 

Positive Thinking 

The past is history, the future is 

mystery, NOW is a gift, which is why 

we call it the PRESENT! The only 

thing in your life you can control is 

your thoughts, the only thought you 

have power over is the present one. 

Learn how to think positively, and 

thus CONTROL your life. Email 

avril.forbes2015@outlook.com or 

text 07463 570464. 

Kilbarchan National 

Women’s Register 

The group has a break in July and 

will be resuming mid-August. We 

shall be pleased to welcome new 

members then - please contact 

703786 or the website:www.nwr. 

org.uk 

Kilbarchan Parish 

Church Tots’ Club 

The club had a very successful 

summer party at the end of June and 

will resume on 2nd September. 


Andy Doig, Derek Bibby, Bill 

Binks, Emma Rodden | Advice 

Surgeries: http://www. 





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 

Community Spirit 

After Elderslie Community Council (ECC) shared 

their plans to resurrect the Queens Road Playpark in 

Elderslie the kids were delighted that finally they would 

have a local safe space to play. The park is currently in 

a terrible state and only has a few swings in it. 

Upon attending the ECC family Quiz Night to help raise 

funds for the park, the girls were disheartened by the 

turn out and the fact that so much money still needed to 

be raised for the swing park. They decided they needed 

to do something to help. The target for the park is to 

raise £94,000 with the fund sitting at just under £7,000. 

It started with the girls having the idea they could sell 

some of their things and donate the money to the swing 

park fund. After clearing out Teaghan, Sophia and 

Ruaridh’s room (Sophia’s brother), the idea grew arms 

and legs and we decided to ask the local residents for 

donations to sell at the local Jack & Jill Market. We were 

overwhelmed by the response of our local community 

and the donated items sold raised £580, which was 

amazing. The girls presented a cheque to ECC at their 

monthly meeting, wearing the T-shirts produced by 

local business “Ferry Unique”. 

The girls are really motivated and are helping to 

organise a teddy tombola for the ECC Summer Fayre 

on Saturday 22nd June. 

This is just the start of their plans - we have helped 

them organise a bag pack at B&M in Paisley on the 18th 

August and they are hoping to help organise a disco for 

the local children. ECC have been a great support as 

has everyone who has donated to our Jack & Jill sale 

or the Teddy tombola. I think this proves that community 

spirit still exists and that no matter your age everyone 

can play a part. 

The girls presented a cheque to Anne-Marie Balfour from 

Elderslie Community Council for £580. 

Christian Aid 

Lochwinnoch 

This year’s 

door to door 

collection 

raised the 

fantastic sum 

of £2,188.38 before gift aid. 

Thanks to the collectors and all that 

donated! 

It’s wonderful that the village of 

Lochwinnoch is still able to raise 

this amount when there are so many 

charities looking for donations! 

Thank you 


Catchment area: Following a sustained 

campaign by myself, Renfrewshire 

Council is launching a school catchment 

review into the zoning for Kilbarchan 

Primary and East Fulton Primary 

in Linwood. This follows on from illadvised 

proposals from the Education 

Department to zone both the new 

Weirs Wynd development, and the new 

development at the former Johnstone 

ID hospital, both to Kilbarchan Primary, which could put 

school places for the village under pressure. 

Given that the Weirs Wynd development has a safe 

walking route to East Fulton Primary, and the former 

Johnstone ID development would have a safe walking 

route to Woodlands Primary in Linwood, this is now 

what the Council is proposing. If you agree with these 

changes please take part in the consultation to keep 

Kilbarchan Primary spaces open for village children. 

Roads: Since 2016 I have been involved, with 

other ward Cllrs, in the campaign to get the Scottish 

Government and Transport Scotland to upgrade the 

A737 to dual carriageway between the Roadhead 

Roundabout, outside Lochwinnoch, and Kilbarchan. I 

was pleased to attend recently a further meeting about 

this issue in Howwood which had over twenty people 

in attendance, including four Renfrewshire Cllrs, and 

one Cllr from North Ayrshire, two MSP’s, and one MP. I 

am convinced there is both a compelling economic and 

health and safety reason for this upgrade, especially 

now that the Dalry by pass has been dualled. 

Funding: During the Council’s budget meeting in 

February I was one of the two ward Cllrs for Lochwinnoch 

that voted for monies to upgrade the McKillop Institute. 

While this has been warmly welcomed by the wider 

community the leading lights in the Lochwinnoch Arts 

Festival have been rightly concerned about the precise 

timescale of the upgrade as they need to start booking 

artists and musicians now for the McKillop for the next 

Festival in March 2020. In order to ensure that both the 

Festival proceeds and the Institute gets restored I have 

arranged contacts at senior officer level to contact the 

Festival team, so that there is the closest communication 

between them so that all goes smoothly. 

Surgeries: 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 

Community Coffee Shop 

First Friday monthly 

Howwood Parish Church: 10am - 12noon 

“In the community, for the community” 

Adults £2 | Children free. All welcome. 

Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie 

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH: Services continue at 11am on Sundays throughout the 

summer with the crèche and Summer Junior Church meeting in the halls from 10.45am. 

HOWWOOD PARISH CHURCH: Minister Rev May Bell. Sunday Service and Sunday 

School. 10am each Sunday. Prayer meeting held at 3 Bowfi eld 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.


Lochwinnoch Community Development 

Trust News 


Liz and Morag are now going for 1000 

people through the course! 

WOW! A big thank you to all 50 of you who became supporting members of 

LCDT at the Gala Day on 8th June. This is fantastic! It’s our membership 

numbers that demonstrates the community’s support of LCDT and the 

community water abstraction project. A big thanks also goes to the LCDT 

supporters who staffed the stall all afternoon. The winner of the Guess the 

Number of Sweeties was Robyn Frew. Well done, just – please - don’t eat 

them all at once! 

The Water Project consultation 

The community consultation about the water abstraction project, launched 

at our public meeting at the end of March and running into May, has now 

closed. As well as the public meeting, an online and hard-copy survey was 

promoted and focus groups held. Thank you to everyone who participated. 

The results are being analysed but a quick look tells us that the views of 

around 700 people were captured, including children and young people. 

Local people were strongly in favour of taking over the abstraction: 78% 

were supportive, 17% were not sure, 5% were against. There were some 

concerns around increased traffic and noise, particularly from those in the 

immediate vicinity of the proposed new borehole. Despite concerns, a good 

number of residents were not against development provided it was handled 

sensitively and with ongoing consultation. 

The consultation tells us villagers believe Lochwinnoch is a great place live 

with a lot to offer for a good quality of life. There is good social connectedness 

and good levels of community activism and self-determination. The 

population is considered healthy, creative, friendly and diverse. Lack of 

local employment and business diversity, bored young people and poor 

transport links are key local challenges. 

Local people identifi ed a range of benefits this enterprise could bring to 

the village: from investment into services and amenities to stimulating spin 

off enterprise activity. Outcomes included: being better connected, being 

empowered to develop services which matter to them, having opportunities 

to develop their potential and feeling Lochwinnoch is an even better place 

to live. Suggestions included a multipurpose space for intergenerational 

activities, a community transport scheme and amenities for young people. 

The Water Project’s progress 

LCDT’s efforts are currently focused on investigating the best location for 

the water abstraction development - the industrial site in Lochhead Ave, 

the corner of the park, and on Lochlip Rd. The Lochhead Ave site has the 

additional benefi t of providing opportunities for developing projects adjacent 

to the borehole, which could bring more economic activity to benefit the 

village. We are aware there are pressures on the Lochhead Ave site with 

regard to housing as well. As the plans evolve we are also looking the 

many and complex ways to fi nance the project. 

LCDT is run entirely by volunteers from the village and we could do with 

more active members - experts and dogs-bodies alike! Don’t plan to do it 

later – do it NOW! The website is https://lochwinnochtrust.org.uk and we 

also have a Facebook page. If you leave your details on the contact form 

on the webpage we’ll get back to you. 

Lesley, from the LCDT Comms team 

Lilias Day Photography Competition 

Morag and Liz beside the AED in Lochwinnoch 

Would you know 

what to do in an 

Emergency? 

♥ 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 Defibrillator (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: 

Wednesday 25th September 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Wednesday 30th October 1pm - 3pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Wednesday 27th November 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

We will be having more courses starting in September watch this space! 

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. 

Heart Start Group May 

Here is our last Heart Start 

graduates on Tuesday 28th May 

and are now at 546 people who 

have completed the course. We 

were using our new manikin that 

was funded by Lochwinnoch and 

Howwood community councils. The 

manikin provides feedback on the 

quality of the chest compressions 

for cardio pulmonary resuscitation. 

Also Liz and Morag would like to thank Sandy at the Corner Bar and the 

Masonic Lodge in Lochwinnoch for providing the accommodation to run the 

Heart Start courses. 

At the recent Lilias Day, the winners of the Kids’ Photography Competition for Lilias Day were as follows. Well done 

everyone! 

Brody May Harvey (Age 4-5) 

Laurie Holloway (Age 6-7) 

Isabelle Holloway (Age 10-11) 

Lochie Gardner (Age 8-9) 


25

. . . HOUSTON, CROSSLEE & BROOKFIELD . . . 


Alex Stuart & Beth Shaw under 5yrs 

joint winners at Houston Show 

Houston and Killellan Agricultural Show 

A great day was had by all. 

Winners at the Craft and Baking Tent 

Handcrafts - Perpetual Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diana Ure. 

Baking and Provisions - Perpetual Cup . . . . . . . . . . . Lorna Carruth 

Most Points in Craft and Baking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moira Dunlop 

Runner up - Joint winners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorna Carruth 

and Diana Ure 

12 years and under - Perpetual Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth McDonald 

8 years and under - Perpetual Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isobel Straw 

5 years and under - Perpetual Cup - joint winners . . Beth Shaw and 

Alex Stuart. 

Isobel Renton Cup for most points in children’s section Beth McDonald. 

Cup for most points in Baking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs.M.Mitchell 

(residing out with the parish) 

Cup for most points in Handcrafts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs.M.Mitchell 

(residing out with the parish) 

Flowers were presented to Ruth Noonan Houston’s new minister’s wife 

for presenting prizes in the Craft/Baking section. 


Houston Community Council 

26 


Audrey Doig, Scott Kerr, Alison 

Jean Dowling, James Sheridan 

Advice Surgeries: http://www. 





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: 

690693 / 614039 / 674277 

Houston, Compass Centre. Tel: 

Gillian Peters - 07879 407574 or 

01505 613759. 

Linwood Masonic Hall. Tel: 07825 

222944 

Meeting held on the 15th May 2019 

Policing: The attending Community Police 

Officers reported a total of 7 recorded crimes 

for the period. The crimes included 2 accounts of theft, 

3 accounts of assault and 2 accounts of anti social 

behaviour. 

Planning: Two members of Renfrewshire Council’s 

Local Development Plan team attended the Houston 

Community Council meeting along with a number of 

concerned local residents. In the new proposed Local 

Development Plan Renfrewshire Council has identified 

two sites within Houston Village for potential housing 

development. The Mansefield and land at Woodend 

House. In all this would potentially accommodate 80 

new homes. 

The Renfrewshire Council planning team explained 

their role and the theory behind the proposed new local 

development plan. There was then an opportunity for 

all meeting attendees to participate in a lively debate as 

to the proposals. 

The key points aired were: 

• Lack of investment in the local infrastructure to 

support additional homes. 

• RC’s policy of not building on 

Greenbelt, yet Woodend is 

Greenbelt and Mansefield was 

Greenbelt until RC reclassified 

it as white land. 

• Mansefield is owned by RC, so 

is this just a capital generation 

opportunity. 

• The proposed plan currently indicates 80 homes 

but recent experience in the village has shown that 

once a developer receives planning permission, 

they then re-apply gaining permission for additional 

homes on the site. 

• The councils own household statistics show a 

reduction in the number of local residents over 

the next 15 years. There are ample used homes 

struggling to sell in the area, so where is the need 

for additional new homes? 

• There are a lack of affordable homes and homes 

for elderly/downsizers in the village. In the last 

10 years there have not been any new home built 

to specifically meet the local communities needs. 

The developers have instead created a market by 

building larger new detached homes. 

• Support was shown for prioritising the redevelopment 

of brownfield sites. 

HCC strongly objects to the proposed inclusion of the 

Woodend and Mansefield sites in the proposed new 

local development plan. Local residents views have 

been sought and along with the HCC’s views they will 

be submitted to Renfrewshire Council prior to the 10th 

June deadline.


Houston and Killellan 

Kirk 

Saturday 20th July - family trip to Millport 

- meeting at the Largs Ferry at 10.45am for 

11am ferry. Bring your own bikes or organise 

hire. We will cycle round Millport and have an 

ice-cream stop on the way. More details will 

follow, save the date! 

Support the Kirk with your everyday shopping. 

We are continuing to raise funds using Easy 

fundraising, where many online retailers give 

money back to support your cause. Please 

sign up, it’s free, and the Kirk benefits from 

the funds. The money raised will go into the 

local mission and outreach fund, which will 

specifi cally support our work in the parish. 

Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ 

causes/houstkillekirklmfund/ 

H.O.S.T. The Carrick Centre, Houston 

(Houston Old School Trust) 

Monday to Friday, Gryffe Manor 

Out of School 01505 615438 / 

Dance West Scotland : equires@ 

dancewestscotland.co.uk 

Coffee Shop: - Mon - Fri: 9am - 

4.30pm Sat: 9am - 4pm Coffee 

Shop/Centre 01505 229597 

MONDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) 11am Mary Laidlaw 

01505 229112 

Yoga (Weekly) Start 8th 1pm Mary 

Laidlaw 01505 229112 

Dance West Scotland Start 15th 

10am 

TUESDAY 

Dance West Scotland Start 16th 

10am 

Yoga (Weekly) 2nd/9th 7pm M/s 

Lawson 01505 613690 

WEDNESDAY 

Community Council 7.30pm 17th 

Dance West Scotland (Weekly) 

10am start (Refer instruct, for further 

times info school hols) 

Baby Class (MOO MUSIC) Weekly 

10am 17th/ 24th/ 31st 

THURSDAY 

Folk Club (Weekly) 8pm 

iaintdawson@gmail.com 07786 

078952 

Churches in Houston ... 

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. 

Move It Or Lose It (Weekly) 10.30am 

- 11.30am 

Dance West Scotland (Weekly) 

10am start (Refer instruct, for further 

times info school hols) 

FRIDAY 

Yoga (Weekly) 5th/12th 10.30am 

M/s Lawson 01505 613690 

Dance West Scotland 10am start 

(refer instruct, for further times 

during school hols) 

Gavin Newlands MP 12th 12.30pm 

SATURDAY 

Dance West Scotland Refer 

Instructors for Class time during 

School hols 

SUNDAY 

Baptist Church (Weekly) 11am and 

6pm 

Centre Patrons PLEASE request 

date or time changes due to Holidays 

from your Group Leader or Club 

spokesperson 

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 

thecarrickcentre@gmail.com or hostbookings@outlook.com or The Coffee Shop 

Houston and Killellan: The Services will be led by Rev. Gary Noonan unless otherwise stated. 

Sunday 7th July - Morning Worship - 10am, Kilallan Service - 6.45pm. Sunday 14th, 21st & 28th 

- Morning Worship - 10am. You can fi nd 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: ‘Abbotsfi eld’, St. Fillan’s, Main St, 

Houston, PA6 7EL. T. 01505 612046. E. StFillan@rcdop.org.uk www.stfi llan.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 fi rst Sunday of the 

month. Tel 01505 610862. www.houston.nazarene.org.uk 

Brookfield News 


NOTICE TO RESIDENTS 

At a recent meeting of Brookfield Community Council, complaints from 

residents were received about the following issues: 

• Speed of vehicles travelling in the Village 

• Parking of vehicles on pavements 

• Dog fouling 

The Community Council and Village Council would ask all residents to 

ensure that they drive their vehicles in the Village at a safe speed. In both 

Albert and Victoria Road, 20 mph signs are painted on the surface of the 

roads. This is an indicative speed but it is hoped that, for the safety of all 

residents, drivers adhere to this speed on all roads in the Village. 

Some residents park their vehicles on pavements in such a way that 

residents need to walk on the road to get past the vehicle. Please ensure 

that there is sufficient space for pedestrians to walk on the pavement when 

vehicles are parked on the road/pavement and bear in mind that those 

using mobility aids or pushing a buggie require more pavement width. 

Dog fouling is a regular problem throughout the villages in Renfrewshire. 

The Community Council and Village Council would ask residents to ensure 

that dog litter is picked up at all times. In the light of the concerns expressed 

at the meeting, the Community Council has asked Renfrewshire Wardens 

to carry out patrols in the Village. 

Residents are reminded that the fine for failing to pick up dog litter is now 

£100. 

Thank you in anticipation of your help and cooperation. 

GALA DAY - SATURDAY 17th AUGUST 

Planning is now underway for our annual Gala Day which will take place on 

SATURDAY 17th AUGUST. This event is very much ‘for the community by 

the community’ and relies on the efforts of residents to make it a success. 

It is an important fundraising event for the village and monies raised on 

the day are all reinvested back into our community, primarily supporting 

the upkeep of the Village Hall. A great deal of work goes on behind the 

scenes and Brookfield Village Council would be delighted to hear from any 

residents who would like to get involved this year. Volunteers are also 

required on the day. Can you spare a few hours to help man a stall or do a 

stint in the Tearoom? Can you lend a hand to erect gazebos in the morning 

and/or dismantle at the end of the day? ‘Many hands make light work’ as 

the saying goes - all these tasks are made a lot simpler the more helpers 

there are to lighten the load! If you can help in any way, please contact 

Helen on 01505 321187 or email: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com 

Facebook: brookfieldvillage.org | Twitter: @Brookfi eldVPA 

e-mail: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com 

Funding: I am delighted to announce that at the last 

Finance Board meeting £489,000 was approved for the reroofing 

of St Fillans Primary School. Renfrewshire Council 

places a high premium on the value of education and the 

importance of all our school pupils having decent facilities 

in which to study and work if they are to achieve their 

full potential. I am of course particularly pleased that this 

major investment is coming to my ward and it is due to be 

completed by December 2019. 

Charging points: It was also agreed at the last Finance Board that 

a number of new electric car charging points are to be installed across 

Renfrewshire, and it has been decided that one is to be sited in Houston. 

I have long been an advocate that the Council has to expand its electric 

car fleet, as other local authorities like Aberdeen City have done, but I also 

realise as most of us do, that if the climate challenge is to be seriously 

addressed then most of us will have to move to electric cars within the next 

fifteen to twenty years. 

Local Plan: Renfrewshire Council has now published its draft Local 

Development Plan which will soon replace the one which was agreed in 

2014. Crucially this will detail areas which the Council is proposing as 

suitable for house building, so some areas currently designated as green 

belt may be re-zoned for housing development. I strongly urge all my 

constituents to take part in this consultation and let the council officers know 

your views, by e mailing dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Surgeries: My advice surgery in Brookfield is on the 2nd Thursday of 

the month at 6.30pm in Brookfield 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 . . . 

27

28 


Kilmacolm Playgroup 

It has been a busy last few weeks in 

Playgroup , the children have been 

learning all about summer and the 

seaside. We have been making beautiful 

sunfl owers with our handprints, ice lollies 

and giant ice cream cones in art and craft. 

We planted sunfl owers for the children to 

take home and look after over the summer 

holidays. We had our very own ice-cream 

shop with multicolour shaving foam, cones 

and sprinkles. The children enjoyed role 

playing and getting messy, huge fun was 

had by all. 

Our last day of term will be our Sports day 

and Graduation ceremony and the children 

have been practicing very hard for this . We say goodbye to 12 of our 

children as they move onto nursery 

and wish them lots of luck , we will 

miss them but they are all ready for 

this new chapter. 

Playgroup is back on Monday 19th 

August. We are starting our registration 

for August term. 

Is your child turning 2 years 4months this 

year? Why not join us after the summer, 

spaces are available so email us on 

playgroupmembership.com for more 

information and to secure your place. 

Playgroup is open to all children from 

2 years 4months and operates on a 

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 

11.30am. 

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 fi nd 

out all about our fabulous group. Open to all parents, carers and Grandparents. 

Toddlers starts back on Wednesday 21st August . 

For more information on any of our groups have a look at our new website on www. 

kilmacolm-playgroup.com or fi nd us on our Facebook for latest information. 

E V E R Y MO N D A Y 

Lochwinnoch Baby & 

Toddlers 

McKillop Hall, 9.45am - 

11.30am 

£2/family fee incl tea & 

children’s snacks. 


St Columba Church Hall, 

Kilmacolm, 9.30am - 

11.30am 

Howwood Baby & 

Toddler Group 

Howwood Parish 

Church, 10am - 12noon 


Church Tots’ Club 


Church Hall, 9.15am - 

11.30am 

SCHOOL 

news 

E V E R Y TU E S D A Y 

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 




11.30am 

Howwood Playgroup 

Howwood Church Hall, 

9.45am - 11.35am 

E V E R Y WE D N E S D A Y 

Kilmacolm Toddlers 

St Columba Church 

Hall, Kilmacolm, 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. 



9.45am - 11.35am 


Duchal Nursery 

We have had a busy 

summer term, full 

of fun and learning. 

Despite the missing 

summer sunshine, 

we have been outside 

as much as possible, 

playing on some of 

the new equipment 

purchased from 

proceeds from our 

wonderful 50th 

Anniversary Ball 

Our transport topic culminated in a wonderful visit from one of our parents 

who is an air ambulance doctor. Having spent the term learning all about 

transport the children were fascinated by hearing about the helicopter and 

its pilot, doctor and paramedics who cover emergencies all over the west 

of Scotland. 

They arrived in an ambulance and the children were allowed to try the 

oxygen masks, turn on the blue lights and sirens. They also tested their 

oxygen levels and pulse with specialist machines. 

By the time you are reading this, our children will have performed in the 

traditional end of year concert, showcasing all they have been learning 

throughout the year, and we will have said “au revoir” to our older children 

going off to school – we wish you all lots of luck, please come back and 

visit us!! 

The end of term sees the return of our Duchal Summer Holiday Activity 

Camp, running at the end of June. This will be an action packed time 

with different themes each day, including “Journey under the Sea” and 

“Bushcraft Bonanza”! 

These camps are the next step towards extending our nursery offering, to 

help all families with their childcare needs and to provide an exciting and 

stimulating activity club for all 3-5 year olds during the holidays. For more 

information go to www.duchal.com 

To keep up to date with all the latest news, visit our website duchal.com and 

our FaceBook page. 

Finally a note from all the children and parents - a BIG THANK YOU to all 

our fantastic staff who make Duchal so much fun, we’ve had a wonderful 

year. 

Strawberry Field Out 

of School Care 

Over the last few months we have taken 

part in lots of exciting activities. We have 

also been enjoying the good weather 

with lots of energetic outdoor play such 

as the bouncy castle, go carting and 

archery to name a few. 

We finished the end of school term 

with our annual barbeque to celebrate 

the summer holidays which is always 

popular with the children. 

REGULAR groups 



E V E R Y TH U R S D A Y 

Houston Toddlers 

Church Hall, Main Street, 

Houston 

Pop along and see us from 

9.30am - 11.30am 




11.30am 



9.45am - 11.35am 

E V E R Y 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 

1S T & 3R D FR I D A Y 

Renfrewshire 

Inverclyde Twins Club 

McKillop Hall, 

Lochwinnoch, 1pm 

-2.30pm 

£3. Bring a mug along for 

a cuppa.


St Columba’s School 

The summer term is regarded as 

the busiest every school’s calendar. 

Many pupils sit important exams 

and final year pupils start to prepare 

for life after school. Before the end 

of term in June, the Columban 

community packs in as much as 

possible: two sports days, countless 

activities with the residents of 

Campbell Snowden House, school 

shows and a Transitus induction day 

to name but a few. Also this term, 

Primary 6 became adventurers for a 

week at Ardroy Outdoor Education 

Centre. Many fond memories were made by the children which will, no 

doubt, last a lifetime - not least making friends with swarms of ‘midgies’! 

It would be impossible to include everything we’ve done in this short update, 

but please read on for more about three showcase events which took place 

at St Columba’s this June: 

Silver Tablet 

The Silver Tablet Concert 

celebrates the highest level 

of musicianship and over 

100 years of musical tradition 

at St Columba’s. It is the 

culmination of many months 

of dedication, hard work and 

commitment from pupils who 

have made an enormous 

contribution to the musical 

life of the School. The standard this year was, as always, astounding. 

The Senior VI musicians who performed this year were Rory Maclean, 

Stephanie Bell and Hannah Findlater, the winner. 

Careers Forum 

St Columba’s welcomed back around thirty former pupils for the annual 

Careers Forum. Senior V pupils met with former pupils who have followed 

careers in meteorology, psychology, engineering, law, sales, teaching/ 

lecturing, journalism, accounting, speech & language therapy and nursing. 

The former pupils spoke to small groups about how they got to where they 

are today and where they hope their career takes them. SV asked lots of 

questions and gained useful insight for all the decision-making which will 

form such a signifi cant part of their lives the next few years. This event 

is extremely important for our pupils going into SVI, a year dominated 

by thoughts and considerations for the future. Many thanks to all of the 

attendees who gave so generously of their time. 

Junior School Performance of Hansel & Gretel 

Bridge of Weir Primary School 


What a fabulous time we had at our Sports Day in May. 

In the morning our P6 Playmakers (trained by Mrs Duncan) led the whole 

school in a variety of group sports activities. 

We loved our visit from 

Callan and Brad Low, who 

have played basketball 

internationally at the 

Commonwealth Games. 

Callan is an ex-pupil (left). 

In the afternoon the old 

house captains led their 

houses in a parade to the 

sports field. It’s always a 

proud moment when they hand over the flags to our new house captains. 

The weather was kind to us and everyone gave their absolute best as they 

took part in a wide variety of races. Well done to those who took part and 

especially to those who took first, second, and third places. As usual, an 

amazing number of family and friends turned up to support. 

Meanwhile our P6 eco-warriors continue to do their bit. The Upstream Battle 

project is well underway as a group of pupils have planned and designed 

ways to clean up our planet. They have visited the River Gryffe to help 

clean up our little part of the world. In a short time, and in a small area, they 

collected FOUR large bags of rubbish, including many plastic bags fi lled 

with dog poo! Clearly there is still a lot to do in making our environment a 

safer, cleaner place to live. 

Finally, it’s time for our P7s to say goodbye and move on to bigger things. 

They’ve enjoyed their transition days and now have a great idea what lies 

ahead. All the P7s received a special gift from the Scottish Government to 

mark their transition to secondary school. They were also privileged to be 

addressed by Matthew McCaw, School Captain from Gryffe, who told them 

of his experiences at high school and how they must never give up till they 

achieve what they want to do. 

We hope you’re having a great summer – see you in August. 

Gryffe Valley Rotary School Quiz 

Junior 3 and 4 delighted their families and friends with their spectacular 

performance of Hansel and Gretel. 

The children worked hard for several months learning lyrics and lines - the 

future of Performing Arts at St Columba’s is in safe hands! 

Senior School Show 

St Columba’s Between The Lines Theatre Company presented Mermaid 

by Polly Teale at the start of the month. Mermaid is a bold re-imagining 

of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of love, loss and desire transported 

to a contemporary setting. Former pupil Fiona Mackinnon directed and 

choreographed the show, with the help of current SVI pupil and Associate 

Director, Caitlin Anderson. The cast was made up of pupils from Transitus 

to SVI who gave convincing and powerful performances enhanced by inhouse 

lighting and music. Erin C, Lucy M and Sophie R composed and 

performed the music, meanwhile the Technicians Club (Scott D, Fraser R, 

Lucas K and Ruairidh L) provided lighting effects. It takes skill, commitment 

and hard work to bring a show together and the fact that our pupils do this 

almost entirely by themselves is impressive. Congratulations to everyone 

involved in making this year’s show a success! 

Keep an eye out for further community events on our social media pages and 

website - www.st-columbas.org. 

The winning team in our Primary School Quiz, Houston Primary School, 

represented the Club in the District 1230 Quiz Final held in Pollokshaws 

Burgh Hall on Tuesday 21st May. They performed very well, coming fourth 

in a field of 21. The first three teams go forward to the Scottish fi nal to be 

held on Saturday 22nd June at Stirling University. The Houston team is in 

reserve, should one of the three teams be unable to attend. 

29


St. Fillan’s Primary School 

Sensational Summer Fayre! 

At the beginning of June, we held 

our Annual Summer Fayre which is 

one of our main fundraising events 

of the year. The Parent Council are 

very committed to our school and 

they work tirelessly to plan and 

facilitate a great Fayre which is 

full of fun and entertainment. The 

Fayre is an ideal opportunity for 

the community to get together and 

for the children to take part and 

play with one another. This year, 

we welcomed some very special 

guests, our Community Police Officers and the Police horses. The children 

were delighted to welcome the horses and it was lovely to stroke them 

and get to know them better. We raised over £1,200 which is a welcome 

boost to our school funds. Every child will benefit from the monies that are 

raised and we thank everyone who came along on the night to support our 

school. 

Health Week & Sports Day 

Health and well-being is an important part of our school curriculum and 

June is a perfect time to get out and about outdoors to improve our physical 

and mental health. 

During health week, everyone comes to school wearing comfortable 

clothing and tries to bring in healthy snacks, lunches and drinks to enjoy. 

Each class takes part in a wide range of activities which include: potted 

sports, mindfulness, yoga, healthy eating and team games. 

Sport’s Day is a much loved event and we are all looking forward to visiting 

Gryffe High to use their grounds and engage in a variety of sports and 

activities. In the afternoon, we have traditional races at the park and our 

families come along to cheer us on! We march to the park in our ‘House 

Family Groups’ and we even make up chants to sing. 

We are looking forward to the Summer holidays and we hope that everyone 

in our community enjoys some special times making happy memories with 

their loved ones during the holiday season. 


Renfrewshire pupils earn their maths 

stars and stripes 

Renfrewshire pupils’ love of 

maths is fast multiplying thanks 

to a partnership with experts 

from the USA. 

More than 170 primary pupils 

from six schools across the 

region took part in two weeks of 

maths camps designed by maths 

education experts from Stanford 

University. 

The alternative approach devised at the renowned Californian institution is 

used by one-in-two American schools with research recording signifi cant 

resultant improvements in test results. 

It is the first time the camps have taken place in the UK and the creative 

curriculum hosted at Glencoats Primary in Paisley and St Anthony’s Primary 

in Johnstone saw maths applied across a range of subjects including 

electronics and art. 

Renfrewshire was the first local authority rated ‘excellent’ by Education 

Scotland for its progress in raising attainment and closing the learning gap 

and the Stanford maths partnership builds on a successful partnership with 

the University of Strathclyde which has seen significant improvements in 

reading and writing. 

Councillor Jim Paterson, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education 

and Children’s Services Policy Board said: “We’re excited by the potential 

of this partnership with Stanford University which is boosting our pupil’s 

knowledge and confidence in maths and giving our teachers the skills to 

inspire a love of maths across all our schools. We are making fantastic 

progress in raising attainment and delivering on our commitment that every 

pupil is given equal opportunity to achieve their ambitions.” 

Gryffe High 

Global Goals 

The final day of the induction week saw all 

new S1s and the current S2 participate in a 

full morning of activities. The Global Goals 

Event encourages pupils to think about the 

role that they play within their school, local and 

global community. The event saw many local 

businesses, charities, the science community 

and Renfrewshire Council staff work alongside 

school staff in delivering an excellent day. The 

feedback from the 350 young people involved 

has been very positive and they have clearly had 

fun being involved in such a wide variety of activities, learning a great deal 

about how their actions affect the world around them. 

Mr J. Clark – PT Pupil Support Fleming House on behalf of the Eco 

Committee 

Summer Themed Day raises £400 for Beatson 

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS 

We are looking for stallholders for our 

Late Summer Fete! 

Pitches are £25 or free to local charities. 

Saturday 7 September, 2-4pm 

Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm 

To book a stall please email 

aberry@st-columbas.org 

Summer theme - £546.60 

was raised in total with 

£400 going to Beatson 

and the remainder going to 

school funds. 

Look out for a full report next 

term on the tremendous 

whole school and individual 

charity work that has taken 

place throughout this year. 

Mr. A. Findlay – On behalf 

of the Charities Committee. 

S6 Photos by Mirren 

30



SPORT 

news 

Leo Harris-Downes representing 

team Scotland at Birmingham Arena 

Corporate Sponsorship for Strathgryffe 

Tennis & Squash Club 

Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash Club, Fleming 

Road, Houston have secured a new 

commercial partner for the Club, linking 

up with Dallas McMillan, Solicitors of West 

Regent Street, Glasgow. Dallas McMillan is a 

long-established Glasgow fi rm with a strong 

reputation in no-win, no-fee personal injury 

compensation claims, in property purchases/ 

sales and estate agency, in commercial 

property work and advising on employment 

law. 

Club President, Alan Marshall (pictured second from left) said:- “All of us 

on the Club Committee are delighted that Dallas McMillan has agreed to 

support the Club. This partnership will help us continue to improve our 

facilities at the Club for our near-1000 members.” 

Gordon Bell, Partner of Dallas McMillan (pictured on the left) said:- “Dallas 

McMillan is proud to be associated with Strathgryffe Tennis & Squash Club. 

It is a thriving Club serving Houston, Bridge of Weir and the surrounding 

area and is well-known in the tennis and squash communities throughout 

Scotland.” 

OCRGC Ladies Open Greensomes 

Thursday 4th July. £8 entry fee. 

Booking available through BRS and club website. Come along and enjoy 

a great friendly game of golf. 

Strathgryffe Youngsters Shine in Road 

to Wimbledon Finals 

Strathgryffe youngsters Hector Fullone and 

Alana McGoldrick prevailed in the club’s Under 

14 Road to Wimbledon tennis competition. The 

annual competition gives players the chance 

to compete in a knockout competition at their 

club with the winners progressing to a regional 

final where the winners of that compete on the 

grass courts at Wimbledon. 

In the boy’s final, Hector competed against 

Aran Gibson, winning 6-2, 6-1. It was a highquality 

final, played in great spirit in front of a 

very supportive crowd. The girls final saw Alana compete against Natalie 

Johnston. After Alana won the first set 6-1, the second set was a much 

tighter affair with Alana sealing it on a tie break to win 7-6. 

Both Hector and Alana now progress 

to the County finals later in June. 

Good luck to both players! 

Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash and 

Fitness Club will be running tennis 

and squash camps through the 

summer holidays for children 

age 3-15. If you would like more 

information, visit our website: www. 

strathgryffe.net or email: info@ 

strathgryffe.net. 

REGULAR meets 

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 

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. 

AT H L E T I C S 

Kilbarchan Athletic Club - On-X, 

Linwood, Mondays & Thursdays, 

7pm 

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990. 

MA R T I A L AR T S 

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. 

Clyde Judo Club 

Children and young adults from the age of 6 

-18 are welcome. (www.clydejudo.org.uk) 

Tuesday - Park Mains High School, 7pm - 9pm 

Friday - Bishopton Community Centre, 

6pm - 8pm 

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. 

KE E P 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! 

More than just a fi tness class for the over 

60s. Come and join the fun we would love 

to meet you. 

Mondays - Gourock, 3.15pm 

Tuesdays - Bridge of Weir, 10.30am 

Tuesdays - Greenock, 2pm 

Thursdays - Houston, 10.30am 

Classes continue throughout the summer. 

Kilbarchan class restarts - Thursday 

15th August at 2.30pm 

Anyone wishing to join any of the classes 

should contact Fiona 07811 766672 to book 

their place. 

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, 6.15pm - 7.15pm, 

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. 

Fitsteps with Jennifer 

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 - 10am 

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: @ 

boogieeffectwithjen 

31

32 


Houston Bowling Club 

John G.Fleming Bowling Club in Houston, Renfrewshire is once again 

holding it’s Annual Charity day on Sunday 14th July when 64 ladies from 

across Renfrewshire will compete in a Ladies Rinks competition - however 

the bowls are secondary on the day and our primary focus is to raise as 

much money as possible for the St.Vincent’s Hospice. 

As in previous years we will be having a large home baking sale and we 

would ask any members and friends who are skilled in this area to provide 

donations. We will also be holding a large raffle and again would ask 

members, friends and local businesses to consider donating prizes and 

also it would be great if a large number of the general public would come 

along to the Bowling Club on the day to support this event by purchasing 

home baking and raffle tickets. 

For more details on the home baking sale and to arrange home baking 

donations please contact Isabel Gilchrist on 01505 613316. Donations of 

raffle prizes contact John Gilchrist on 01505 613316. 

Saturday July 27th - Cabaret Evening in John G. Fleming Bowling 

Club 

We have booked 2 excellent performers in the names of Joanne Bence and 

Robbie Carran and the night is sure to be a sell out - tickets are available 

to Club members and friends and are priced at £6 and can be ordered at 

the Club Bar or by contacting John Gilchrist on 01505 613316 or john. 

gilchrist2@btinternet.com 

Silver medal success for 

Leo Harris-Downes 

Representing team Scotland at the trampoline 

and tumble regional team finals over the 

weekend in Birmingham arena. 

Leo has been training hard as part of team 

Scotland with dynamite gymnastics club in 

Clydebank. Leo earned a well deserved Silver 

medal in trampoline 13+ boys category. While 

getting the chance to represent his country 

at a national level, the event also served as 

a qualifier for next month in Coventry, Ricoh 

arena. 

Kilmacolm Bowling Club - Ladies 

Section 

Charity Day 

Kilmacolm Ladies hosted a 

successful Yellow Day on 

4th June in aid of Ardgowan 

Hospice. We would like to 

thank our visitors from local 

clubs who kindly supported 

the day. The weather was 

kind to us and 28 ladies 

enjoyed a game of bowls 

followed by a delicious 

afternoon tea. A total sum 

of £425 was raised for our nominated charity. 

The bowling season is now fully underway with Ladies competing in the 

West of Scotland and Bowls Scotland Competitions, as well as our usual 

play on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Morning coaching in April and 

May has proved to be popular for new and existing members, so we hope 

to see much improvement in our play! Many thanks to Drew Cameron and 

Bruce Watson for their time and patience. 

Our Ladies are a friendly group, so please come along and try your hand at 

bowling, new members are always welcome. 

Lady Bowlers Wanted 

The Ladies Section invites you to try your hand at 

Green Bowling. 

Please come along for a try on any Tuesday or Thursday 

afternoons at 1.45pm. Bowls will be provided, flat 

shoes required. Special membership fee of £50 for the 

first year. For details contact Sandra on 01505 873126 

or Diane on 01505 874265. 


Habits 

A habit is a routine or behaviour that is repeated regularly and tends to 

occur subconsciously. For example, brushing your teeth before you go to 

bed or putting the kettle on when you go into the kitchen first thing in the 

morning. 

We are all creatures of habit, and we all have different ones. The only thing 

we probably all have in common with them is that we all have some bad 

ones we could afford to lose. 

Bad habits are hard to break, here are my top 5 tips to help you potentially 

break yours. 

1. Understand. Understanding why we have bad habits in the first place is 

important. A lot of them can be formed out of stress and/or boredom. Be 

conscious about when a bad habit is happening and acknowledge how 

you feel at that time. 

2. Replace, don’t eliminate. You can’t just eliminate a bad habit, you must 

replace it with a new one that provides a similar but healthier benefit. For 

example, if you eat chocolate when you become stressed, it is almost 

impossible to give that up. You need to insert a new habit to help handle 

it. 

3. Start small. Be patient. Instead of making big dramatic adjustments, try 

focusing on one habit at a time and take small improving steps to change 

it. For example, you can’t go from having a chocolate biscuit with every 

cup of tea to absolutely nothing – it won’t last long term. Try changing the 

biscuit initially to something with less calories in it. 

4. Remind yourself. When willpower fades we fall into our bad habits. Often 

towards the end of the day when you could be at your weakest point. Set 

reminders to avoid situations before it is too late. 

5. Change your environment. Changing your route to work to avoid going 

past the Starbucks or changing your walk round the office to avoid the 

vending machine will help stop you gravitating towards them as you 

would usually do. Avoid the triggers. 

Everyone has their own habits, some good, some bad. Find the ones you 

want to change and take the steps to do so. 

Lesley Handley, FitSmart Fitness Ltd. 

Ranfurly Castle Golf Course 

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce 

A sunny day and a full field ensured the 

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce 

Golf Day was a success. We were 

delighted to host the event and as ever, 

thanks must go to our green staff for 

their hard work to prepare the course 

in such good condition. Our resident 

catering team offered fantastic food 

and a good day was had by all. 

The prize giving was held under the roll of captains Board and offered a 

great backdrop for some pictures. 

Ladies 

On Sunday 16th June 2 of our Ladies 

played in the Scottish Women’s 

Grand Medal Final over the Eden 

Course, St Andrews, having 

qualified earlier in the season in the 

West Division finals. Jan Macnab 

finished 8th out of 24 in the Silver 

Division with a score of net 74 while 

Helen Abram was 8th equal in the Bronze Division with a score of net 73. 

Congratulations to both. 

The David Reid Memorial Open Mixed Competition was played on 16th 

June with 48 couples enjoying a sunny, but windy day. The winners with 

a score of net 68 were Samantha Cowan, Cochrane Castle and Martin 

McGoldrick, Ranfurly Castle. Runners-Up with a score of net 72 were Mary 

Craig and Joe McGoldrick, Ranfurly Castle. Winners of the Scratch Prize 

with a score of 85 (BHI) were Fiona Scott, Bothwell Castle and Steve Scott, 

Ranfurly Castle. Prizes were presented by club Vice Captain Eunice Muir. 

All the visitors enjoyed the course, which was in excellent condition and 

Stewart Catering provided their usual High standard of service throughout 

the day. A huge ‘thank you’ is due to all those involved in the planning and 

running of a very successful event.



Rotary 10K raised more than £10K! 

The 2019 Gryffe Valley 10K Run far exceeded expectations and as 

a result more than £10K is being donated to charities. 

The number of entrants was the highest ever and many entrants 

donated by clicking the button on the entry form. Arnold Clark 

provided signage and gifts for supporters and £2,000 in support. 

£2,002 sponsorship was raised by Ryan Waldron who dedicated 

his run to his late wife who had been cared for by St Vincent’s. The 

Strathgryffe Tennis Club team has raised more than £600. In all St 

Vincent’s Hospice will benefi t by around £7,000! 

A further £3.000 + was raised by a team of eight runners lead by 

Kilmacolm Golf Club 

Organised by Gryffe Valley Rotary in aid of: 

Huge congratulations to Megan Briggs who successfully defended the 

West of Scotland Championship with a score of 72 at Sandyhill Golf Club. 

This was her SIXTH win, absolutely amazing Megan! 

5 Times a Winner... Congratulations to Matt Clark on his 5th win at the 

Renfrewshire Strokeplay Championship, held this year at Erskine. And to 

John Blair for securing a HOLE IN ONE at the 6th in the Laidlaw trophy at 

Kilmacolm. 

Junior golf at Kilmacolm... After a successful coaching block, many more 

juniors have joined the Club and are looking forward to a summer of golf. 

Many can be seen regularly honing their skills on the practice greens. Keep 

up the good work! 

Early in the season we have had some great success. Two boys qualified 

through to play in the knockout section of the Freedom Trophy (a RGU 

competition). Both lost to the two times reigning Champion. Harry Kellock 

on the 18th green in the quarter finals and Scott Newman on the 21st hole 

in the semi-fi nals, very unlucky but well played both. The final will be played 

at Kilmacolm on Sunday 16th June. 

We have had success when Harry Kellock and Mackenzie Holmes, both won 

playing for the successful Renfrewshire boys team against Dumbarton. 

Our Junior Newton Shield Team have been playing well too... they played 

there fi rst match at home on a very wet and windy evening against Old 

Ranfurly, they won 3 1/2 - 2 1/2. The second match at home against Paisley 

they sadly lost but had a superb third match against Paisley away and won 

4/2. Hoping for a good result for there final match next week!! 

Peter Leslie and Eilidh Grant who were sponsored 

in support of The Archie Foundation. They were 

very impressed by the work of this charity at the 

Aberdeen Sick Kids Hospital where their threeyear 

old niece Zoey Helen Leslie sadly passed 

away in January and the 10K is the first of several 

challenges the group has planned in her honour. 

They are continuing to collect donations at https:// 

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zoey-helen-leslie 

A big thank you to all! 

Supported by: 

Houston Bowling 

Club 

John G.Fleming Bowling Club in 

Houston, Renfrewshire is once 

again holding it’s Annual Charity 

day on Sunday 14th July when 64 

ladies from across Renfrewshire 

will compete in a Ladies 

Rinks competition - however 

the bowls are secondary on the day 

and our primary focus is to raise as 

much money as possible for the 

St.Vincent’s Hospice. 

As in previous years we will be 

having a large home baking sale 

and we would ask any members 

and friends who are skilled in this 

area to provide donations. We will 

also be holding a large raffle and 

again would ask members, friends 

and local businesses to consider 

donating prizes and also it would 

be great if a large number of the 

general public would come along 

to the Bowling Club on the day to 

support this event by purchasing 

home baking and raffle tickets. 

For more details on the home 

baking sale and to arrange home 

baking donations please contact 

Isabel Gilchrist on 01505 613316. 

For donations of raffle prizes please 

contact John Gilchrist on 01505 

613316. 

Well done to young Struan Brooksbank, Jack Reuben and Lucy Bliss on 

participating in their first Newton Shield match. Special thanks to our new 

sponsor Andy Holmes and to Jim Mackie for all his help with the boys. 

Locally sponsored... 108 competitors participated in a very successful 

AmAm competition which was won by father and son team including Scott 

and Ryan Archdeacon, who returned 94 stableford points! Fabulous score 

on what was a great day’s golf. We were blessed with clear skies and 

sunshine and a course that guests agreed was in “terrific condition”. 

Many thanks to all of those local businesses who sponsored the many 

prizes. Your continued support of the Club is greatly appreciated. 

33



FINANCE 

& tech 

Clyde Judo Club 

34 

Clyde Judo Club (www.clydejudo.org.uk) meets in various locations across 

Renfrewshire and is dedicated to the pursuit of Judo – the “Gentle Way”. 

Children and young adults from the age of 6 -18 are welcome. 

The club (which is non-profi t) teaches children 

Judo skills and techniques 

Trains the children to pass the national grading tests 

Supports those children who wish to enter Judo competitions 

Your 1st session is free and the times are listed in the ‘Regular Meets 

Section’ 

Over the past month the club has been busy travelling around the UK 

and Europe. In May we had 2 players competing in the Jamie McDonald 

Memorial in Cardiff, and were pleased to return home with 3 medals, Glen 

in the u12 getting a bronze and his mum, Jaqui, getting a Gold in both 

Seniors and Masters. 

Then it was back home to Motherwell, for the Scottish Mini Mons, a 

development competition for younger players, and we had 2 successes 

there, Glen, winning Silver and Alex taking a 5th place in a hard group. 

The week after, 6 of the club’s more experienced players went to Venray in 

Holland to compete, and returned with a set of medals Fraser - Gold, Glen 

– Silver, David – Bronze. 

Then was the turn of the Scottish team, and we had 7 players in Luxemburg, 

and again, a good return in medals, Jessie – Gold, Fraser- Silver, Rachel – 

Silver, Matthew - Bronze, and Andrew – Bronze. 

In August this year our club will be 10 years old, and we are planning a day 

of celebration on the 17th August at Bishopton Community Centre. If you 

or your family have been part of the club at any time over the 10 years, you 

are invited along to help celebrate in the success. Please email sensei@ 

clydejudo.org.uk for more information. 

Kilmacolm Golf Club Ladies 

Thursday 13th June was our Ladies Captains Day. The “weather gods” 

were shining on our Ladies Captain Day with no sign of the forecasted rain. 

With perfect golf conditions and a course in great shape there was plenty of 

impressive golf being played. 40 Ladies played in the 18 hole Greensome 

Stableford competition followed by a delicious afternoon tea. 12 Ladies 

played in the 9 hole stableford late morning and early evening too. 

Congratulations to the Winners: 

Cherry Briggs and Tricia Kellock 

with an impressive 44 points closely 

followed by Sandra Macdougall and 

Maura Whyte with 42 points. 

Anabel Kane won the longest drive on 

the 14th and Shelagh Palmer was the 

closest to the pin on the 17th. 

The 9 hole completion was won by 

Fiona Laidlaw with 20 points, closely 

followed by Dilys La Thangue with 

18 points. Lesley Handley won the 

longest drive on the 5th and Clair 

Barclay was closest to the pin on the 

2nd. 

Very well played Ladies! 

Thank you to our Lady Captain, Rosemary Hammond for a super day of 

golf, afternoon tea and fi lm night. 

Our LADIES OPEN on THURSDAY 22nd AUGUST has a few remaining 

spaces.It is a Greensome Stableford Competition, £20 per couple. If you 

are interested in playing on our beautiful course please contact: Trish 

Brown: 07719 701060 PMBARDLUI@ICLOUD.COM 

Introducing the Money & Pensions 

Service 

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd 

The government has created a new service called The Money & Pensions 

Service (MAPS) to offer guidance on debt, pensions and other fi nancial 

matters to consumers. It has brought together the functions of the Money 

Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise into a 

single body to create a single point of contact for guidance. 

This change follows several reports that were critical of the Money Advice 

Service and duplication between the above bodies. Economic secretary to 

the Treasury Simon Kirby said: “We strongly believe that creating one public 

guidance body is the best way of making it as easy as possible for people to 

access the help they need to get their financial questions answered.” 

The service was launched in April 2019 and will be consulting with 

stakeholders in the next 6 months to develop an integrated service to 

the public. A national strategy will be launched in Autumn this year. 

Further information can be found at the temporary website https:// 

singlefinancialguidancebody.org.uk/ 

It is important to understand that MAPS offer guidance – not advice. It 

provides information for consumers to access. Only a regulated adviser can 

provide financial advice and if you use the services of a regulated adviser 

you will enjoy the investor protections that exist to protect consumers from 

poor advice. 

So, before you consider taking regulated advice you may want to check out 

MAPS for free impartial information and guidance. 

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@affl uentfp.co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affl uent 

offi ce opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www. 

affl uentfp.co.uk



Scottish charities scoop share of 

£1million fund 

Thirty-six charities based in Scotland have been awarded donations 

of £1,000 each as part of the Movement For Good awards, following 

overwhelming public support. 

The Movement for Good was set up by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical and 

will see £1million given to charities across the UK this summer. Amazingly, 

nearly 100,000 people nominated causes close to their hearts, with 500 

awards of £1,000 available for donation - in Scotland more than 6,800 kindhearted 

residents voted for over 400 charities across the country. 

Moving On (Inverclyde) and The Underheugh Ark in Gourock are among 

the local charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming 

public support. 

Thanking supporters in Scotland, Mark Hews, Group CEO of Ecclesiastical, 

said: “We have seen a fantastic public response to our Movement for Good 

awards. It’s clear that people care deeply about good causes in their 

region. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible 

work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this fi nancial 

boost will change lives for the better.” 

For further information on the Movement for Good Awards and for a full list 

of winning charities, visit: www.ecclesiastical.com/movement-for-good 

Calculation of Holiday Pay for Workers by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors 

There has been much litigation in recent years regarding what pay is 

properly payable by employers to their workers when on holiday. The 

current position is:- 

• Employees/workers (not the self-employed) are entitled to a minimum of 

28 days paid annual leave (20 days minimum under European law, plus a 

further minimum 8 days under UK legislation). 

• Employees/workers do not use up any annual holiday entitlement whilst 

on sick leave or maternity leave. 

• Annual holidays unused at end of year because of lengthy sick/maternity 

leave roll over into next holiday year (max of 20 days). 

• To calculate holiday pay due, Courts/Tribunals analyse the worker’s 

“normal” net pay in the 12 weeks immediately before the holiday. 

• Where the worker’s “normal pay” comprises basic pay plus additional 

elements, these extra payments are to be included in the holiday pay 

calculation. (but only for max of 20 days annually, unless contract includes 

more). 

• To be part of “normal pay”, additional pay elements must be “regular” (in 

12-week period before holiday) and also “intrinsically linked” to the worker’s 

performance of duties. This is assessed on case-by-case basis. 

• Courts have determined that included as part of “normal pay” in calculating 

holiday pay are:- 

i. Commissions paid to workers. 

ii. Pay for overtime guaranteed contractually to workers. 

iii. Pay for non-guaranteed overtime where compulsory to do overtime 

offered. 

iv. Purely voluntary overtime. 

v. Payments made to reflect worker’s status/seniority/specific expertise. 

vi. (Probably) regular bonuses rewarding a worker’s performance. 

• Not to be included are:- 

i. Expenses paid reimbursing worker for costs incurred. 

ii. Exceptional/unusual payments (eg non-regular discretionary company 

personal bonuses). 

iii. (Probably) bonuses unrelated to worker’s own performance. 

Due to strict Employment Tribunal time limits, any worker suspecting 

underpayment of wages whilst on holiday should seek urgent legal advice. 

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Law Awards of Scotland 2018 

35



OUTDOORS 

PHOTO: The Waverley by Matt Johnston 

Brighter Bridge Of Weir 

THAT’S BETTER! 

After the rather spectacular mishap at the end of May, when 

a car belly-fl opped onto Brighter Bridge of Weir’s wee garden 

on Main Street old railway bridge, the Group arranged a rapid 

repair. Thanks to the help of Beaton Brothers, who provided the equipment 

and the manpower to relocate the damaged safety barrier, a posse of 

volunteers re-arranged the retaining stones and replaced the damaged 

plants. Things are now looking almost as if it nothing happened. 

Also last month, in the sad absence of the village’s usual Gala Day, the 

management and staff of the Gryffe Inn arranged a Saturday barbecue and 

live music day. During the course of the day, funds were raised for local 

good causes, of which Brighter Bridge of Weir was one of the three chosen. 

The Group received £205 in proceeds from raffles, and a further £30 of 

donations. 

As for July, well, the new summer plants will need to be tended to if they’re 

to look at their best this year. How hard that can be depends on the weather 

but, going by the last few years, it usually it tends to be a few weeks of 

wistful pottering punctuated by a few days of mild panic, due to drought, 

high winds or hungry livestock. Oh, and Jeremy Clarkson wannabes. 

Bridge of Weir Horticultural Society 

Good news for gardeners! The Flower Show will take place on Saturday 

31st August at BoW Primary School. The doors will open at 12.15pm. 

Members will have received their improved Show Schedule but Info is also 

available for non-members on our Facebook page or by calling Clare on 

01505-690678. The Schedule has been updated to reflect current trends: 

vegetable growers take note! 

The Society’s annual Plant Sale was held at BoW Primary School. Of 

interest to the children were cacti, particularly when the Society’s cactus 

expert explained that, as a pupil, he had picked up his fi rst cactus at one 

of the School’s events! Now he is a renowned specialist. Children were 

given small pumpkin plants to bring on at home in a sunny spot. In October 

there will be a ‘pumpkin-fest’ where growers of all ages can compare their 

pumpkins. More details later, here and on Facebook. 

The season wound up with an enthusiastic talk from Alan Mackenzie, 

President of The Scottish Orchid Society. Alan became fascinated by 

orchids after he retired and now has a large collection, some of which were 

on display. The Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis), is the one we know best but 

there are 26,000 species around the world, requiring different growing 

conditions. In the 60’s a way was found to germinate orchids by cloning 

and now c. 100,000 are produced annually by European horticulturists. 

On a breezy Saturday, members visited Holmes Farm, Irvine, a nursery and 

garden run by plantsman, Brian Young, who is famous for his collection of 

over 400 Irises. Recently Brian was runner-up for Best in Show at Gardening 

Scotland. Unsurprisingly, from the array of new or unusual plants, members 

soon found plants to enhance their own gardens. 

Recent mixed weather conditions have not helped us gardeners, so keep an 

eye on forecasts, prepare accordingly - and keep on top of those weeds! 

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers 

36 

After a busy June schedule, July will see the group on the West Highland 

way on the 8th from Drymen to Balmaha with an ascent of Conic Hill. On 

14th July we are heading for Glen Coe and on 22nd July to Glen Branter for 

our second visit of 2019. On 27th July, eight of us are heading for the Alps 

with a trip to Saas Fee in Switzerland. Our aims are high! 

We are all looking forward to a busy month of walks. Anyone interested 

in joining our friendly band can follow us on Facebook or contact: 

donwwsmith@gmail.com 

The photos are from the ascent of Ben A’an in the Trossachs in May.



For more information about the reserve or 

any of our events, 

please call 01505 842 663 or email 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk. 

Long days and shorter nights have replaced the winter gloom. Summer 

truly is a wonderful time to spend with your family enjoying the nice 

warm weather and sunshine. It is the kind of weather that makes you 

want to grab your sunscreen and head outdoors to make the most of it. 

To make the most of your summer time together. Why not come down 

to the reserve. Our magnificent reserve has leafy tree lined trails giving 

cool, light dappled walks ideal for family days out even on the hottest 

or wettest of days. From the gorgeous views throughout the reserve 

you may be lucky enough see not only our wonderful water birds but 

butterflies, bees and maybe even some damselflies and dragonflies. 

To perfect an already wonderful day out. We are running our everpopular 

Explorer Trails all through the summer. You do the trails together 

so bring the whole family or maybe even bring some friends as well to 

join in. Also, you get to do them at your own pace. Take your time, if 

you wish, have a lunch break and make a full day of your outing before 

completing the Explorer Trail. 

These family activities change every week giving you a series of new 

adventures, the first one starts 29 June. So why not challenge you and 

your family to complete them all? Before you start you will get to choose 

your own backpack to use which will be full of any supplies you will need 

for your explorer trail adventure. Who will have more fun, the children 

or the adults? 

Lochwinnoch Community Garden 

Gala Day 8th June 

Events in July 

(All events start @ 1pm - 3pm) 

Sunday 7th - Falconry Day 

Tuesday 9th - Scavenger Hunt 

Thursday 11th - Den Building 

Saturday 13th - 14th 

Super Hero Weekend 

Tuesday 16th - Forest Trails 

Thursday 18th - Tracks & Trails 

Sunday 21st - Teddy Bears Picnic 

Tuesday 23rd - Minibeast Hunt 

Thursday 25th - Woodland Art 

Sunday 28th - Falconry Day 

Check out our website for full details: 

www.finlaystone.co.uk 

Lots of people came and got a free wild plant at our stall to help support 

nature in your garden as part of our Lochwinnoch wildlife corridor big 

lottery project! We also made lots of money to fund the gardened and grow 

plants for the village for next year thanks to all who bought plants and 

vegetables! 

Big lottery funding 

We are delighted we have £5,507 for the following activities: A sensory 

Dementia Friendly Garden and a Community that Supports Nature. We 

will be developing many containers in the garden and around the village 

that has nature friendly plants and encouraging wild flowers planting in the 

village. 

Lochwinnoch Wildlife Corridor 

It is the intention of the group to create a wildlife corridor through the 

village. Flowers will be planted for birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. 

Everyone can take part and do their bit for wildlife in their garden. As part 

of this Lochwinnoch Primary will be visited the golf course on the 11th June 

where they planted wild flowers in the rough. These include Ox-eye Daises, 

Yarrow, Knapweed, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and many others. In return the golf 

course will provide the pupils with a free introduction to golf. 

37



Welcome to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park 

Environmental Education 

The last month has been busy for the Ranger teams 

across the Park as many schools have chosen Muirshiel 

and Greenock Cut for their school trips. We have been 

delivering activities geared towards the Curriculum 

which have included biological sampling, pond dipping, 

nature walks and nest box building. The weather has 

been in our favour but the midges have started to bite. 

But never fear, we are armed with midge nets and the 

pupils have had a ball chasing butterflies and identifying 

what lives in our ponds. Similar family friendly events 

are planned over the summer holiday months – look on 

our website event page for details or equally the Semple 

Trail ‘Kids Passport’ trail is free and can be done at any 

time – it’s on the downloads page or pick up a booklet 

from Castle Semple. 

Volunteers 

With the help of our Thursday volunteer group we have 

installed three new picnic benches at Muirshiel and 

they are already proving popular with our visitors who 

are enjoying seeing all the fledgling birds coming to our 

feeders. In July, the Thursday and Saturday volunteers 

will be helping us remove Himalayan Balsam, repair 

drainage ditches and take part in the beach clean at 

Lunderston Bay. Check out our website to find out how 

to get involved. 

Events and Activities 

The Clyde Muirshiel Walking Festival took place at the 

end of May – the longer walks were certainly the most 

popular, similar lengths of walk run monthly throughout 

the year – details online. A Festival of Cycling takes 

place in July – look online or facebook for details. 

Ranger Pat ran a couple of events celebrating bees and 

visitors were able to make bee boxes and learn how to 

identify different bee species. Ranger Hayley has also 

been running her bird ringing demos both at Muirshiel 

and at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue’s annual open day. 

There was a bit of excitement when a Cuckoo flew into 

the net at Muirshiel but it managed to get out and fly 

away. However, it was exciting to retrap a female Great 

Spotted Woodpecker at Hessilhead that was originally 

ringed there in 2016. Seven 

nestling Nuthatches chicks 

have been ringed, their 

parents have been keeping 

us entertained over the last 

couple of months as they 

defend their nest box. 

Responsible Access 

As the weather has started to get warmer we have 

noticed an increase in fires being lit in the Park, 

particularly at Muirshiel. We ask visitors not to do this 

as, during periods of extended dryness, there is a huge 

risk of fires getting out of control, especially as much 

of the ground has peat underneath. The fires can then 

travel under the ground and pop up elsewhere even 

days after the initial fire. Remember you can use our 

BBQ hut at Muirshiel if you want to do some outdoor 

cooking. Just phone us to book. 

Gull Tagging Project Update 

It’s time for the monthly roundup from Countryside 

Ranger Hayley Douglas 

- the tagging of gulls in 

2019 is a legacy of the 

2 year grant funded 

Tag-n-Track Project. 

Project News 

Well our guys, I mean 

gulls, certainly like to 

keep us guessing. All 

but two with working 

tags have returned 

back to Scotland. For 

some reason Kingpin, our gull that liked to eat a dish of 

cat food in a local resident’s house everyday has stayed 

in Portugal and is currently hanging about near Lisbon. 

Is he getting better pickings there? Luke Skysquawker 

has also decided to stay overseas and is still hanging 

out around the fish market in Isla Cristina in Spain. 

Stuart’s, whose tag has started working again, and 

Gary, our 2017 birds, are behaving exactly the same as 

they have over the previous two breeding seasons with 

Stuart nesting on Little Cumbrae and making regular 

trips to Mount Stuart on Bute (can you see how he got 

his name?). Gary is nesting on the Police Station in 

Greenock again and it will soon be time to go and see 

how his chicks are doing. 

Happy Gullmore is also nesting on Little Cumbrae and 

makes regular trips to Castle Semple and Eric Flapton is 

back nesting on Pladda. Hopefully this breeding season 

will be better for our gulls. Last year the extended heat 

wave caused alot of gull chicks to die in the nest from 

dehydration and many of our gulls left early for their 

autumn migration. 

Finally José and Ollie, 

our two young birds, 

have been travelling 

around looking for 

a mate. José has 

been trying his luck in 

around Bellshill and 

East Kilbride and Ollie 

has been hanging 

around Shotts and 

near Bathgate, the 

furthest east we have tracked one of our birds. We 

thought Ollie would head back to Pladda and South 

Ayrshire but again, we never know what is going on in 

their heads. 

We were really pleased to be invited to talk about the 

gulls at the Isle of Colonsay Spring Festival. We were 

also able to share the project with all 8 pupils at the 

local primary school who learnt how to use the Animal 

Tracker app and shared stories about the wildlife that 

they encounter regularly on Colonsay. 

Remember you can keep up to date with our gull 

movements in a number of ways. You can check out 

their web pages, follow us on Facebook or download the 

free “Animal Tracker” app on your tablet or phone. 

Details can be found on the Park’s website www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk/tag-n-track or by emailing rangers. 

castlesemple@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark 

or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages and Instagram pages. 

38



PHOTO: A Face in the Crowd 

by Matt Johnston 

PET 

news 

Rabbit 

Vaccinations 

Explorer Challenges 

Special Self-led Activities - Summer Holidays! 

• Go on a Bear Hunt! - Saturday 29th June – Friday 5th July 

• Hunt for Dragons! - Saturday 6th July – Friday 12th July 

• Fantastic Mini-Beasts and Where to Find Them! - Saturday 13th July – 

Friday 19th July 

• Amazing Predators! - Saturday 20th July – Friday 26th July 

• Bee Amazed! - Saturday 27th July – Friday 2nd August 

• Go on a Unicorn Hunt! - Saturday 3rd August – Friday 9th August 

Pop into the Centre for a Pack 

Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply for 

adults] 

Bookings & further info: Email: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Tel: 01505 

842663 

Bravehound - Erskine Hospital 

Garden Opening 

Old Garden Centre, Bishopton PA7 5PU 

Sunday 21st July, 1pm - 4pm 

A quirky enclosed tarmac garden, run by the charity Glen Art, features an 

assortment of outdoor raised planters, covered growing areas, shady/quiet 

garden and other features embracing the upcycling ethos. Glen Art helps 

those from a military background return to civilian life through a variety of 

creative ventures, and this garden can testify to the therapeutic benefits of 

gardens and dogs. Being the ‘Bravehound’ site, this new project looks to 

provide companion dogs to veterans to support their transition to civilian 

life. There may be doggy displays in an enclosed part of the garden. 

Directions: From the M8, take the exit for Erskine Bridge and turn off to 

Bishopton. From the North, go over Erskine Bridge, take the turning to 

Bishopton. Located on the south side of the Erskine Bridge, enter the 

Erskine Home Estate and follow signs for Bravehound. 

Admission £3.50, children free 

Glen Art Volunteers | E: bravehound@glenart.co.uk | W: bravehhound.co.uk 

Rabbits can be vaccinated 

against two viral diseases 

called Myxomatosis and Rabbit 

Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD). 

Myxomatosis 

Very common in the wild rabbit population. Rabbits can be infected by direct 

contact with infected rabbits or the virus can be spread by biting insects. 

Infection causes puffy swellings around the face, eyes and ears, swelling 

around the anus and genitals, fever and anorexia. Most cases are fatal 

within 10-14 days. 

There is no specific treatment and often euthanasia is the kindest option. 

Vaccinated rabbits may still be infected but the disease is milder and the 

rabbit often recovers with symptomatic care. 

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease 

Common in wild rabbits in the UK. The virus persists for a long time in the 

environment and can be carried on the wind, carried on shoes, clothing, 

etc, or by insects, birds and rodents, as well as spreading by direct contact 

with infected rabbits. 

Infection causes high fever, liver disease and internal bleeding. Infection is 

almost always fatal with death occurring within 2 days of infection. 

A mutated strain of the virus known as RHD-2 is now present in the UK. This 

strain causes anorexia, clotting disorders and liver disease. It has a longer 

incubation period and slower disease progress than RHD-1. Mortality is 

lower but death still occurs in 25% of cases. 

Prevention 

A combined vaccine is available providing cover for myxomatosis and 

RHD-1, and a 2nd vaccination 

providing cover for RHD-2 can be 

given 2 weeks after this. Vaccination 

can be started from 5 weeks of age 

and is repeated annually. 

Risk of infection can also be 

reduced by regularly cleaning and 

disinfecting rabbit hutches and 

runs, controlling insects using 

insect proof screens, regular fl ea 

treatment, preventing contact with 

wild rabbits and restricting access 

to areas where wild rabbits have 

been. 

39



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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. 

40


SALES 

ITEMS FOR SALE 

Baby Equipment 

White bed guard, hardly used. £15. Tel: 

07930 611782. 

Fisher Price portable seat, high chair. Good 

condition. £10. Tel: 07930 611782. 

Maclaren Techno XT Buggy, only used 

occasionally at grandparents. £60. Tel: 

01505 690446. 

Mothercare Parasol, hardly used. £10. Tel: 

01505 690446. 

2 sets footmuffs - 1 black, 1 pink. £15. Tel: 

01505 690446. 

Britax Eclipse Car Seat 9-18kg Group 1. £30. 

Tel: 01505 690446. 

Gro Egg. £10. Tel: 01505 690446. 

Booster Seat for dining chair, never used. £10. 

Tel: 01505 690446. 

ELC V-Tech Baby Walker, pink. £15. Tel: 

01505 690446. 

ELC Shape Sorter. £5. Tel:01505 690446 

Sit-on Jake & Pirates Car. £5. Tel: 01505 

690446. 

Wooden Trolley with bricks. £5. Tel: 01505 

690446. 

Wall Stickers - Cars & Buses. £5. Tel: 01505 

690446. 

Wee Ride Front Mounted Childrens Bike Seat. 

Good Condition. £20. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Mothercare Darlington fi xed side cot. Very 

good condition. From smoke and pet free 

home. £45. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Silver cross linear freeway travel system. 

Pram (converts to pushchair), car seat, 

ISOFIX base, foot muff and rain covers. 

Excellent condition. From smoke and pet 

free home. RRP £600, selling for £125. Tel: 

01505 872800. 

Maxi-Cosi Priori XP Car Seat Toddler 

18months - 4 years, 9 - 18kgs. Occasional 

use in grandparents car. Very good 

condition. £50. Tel: 07814 681715. 

Household & Garden 

Folding Single full size bed with mattress. 

Clean smoke free. £40. Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Two seater sofas in good condition. Hardly 

used, though cushion covers a little faded, 

two available, will sell one or both. £250 

new, sell for £50. Black frames and 

cushions. Tel: 01475 540666. 

Lovelace solid pine 3-door wardrobe (with 

fitted full length mirror) together with 

matching chest of drawers (9 drawers). All 

in good condition, well looked after. £200. 

Tel: 01505 320600. 

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. 

Other Items 

Brand new steel car wheel 6JX15H2 and new 

& wants Jinyu tyre 185/60 R15. Stored as spare 

wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 067169. 

Ozark Professional 3134 parlour Acoustic 

Electrical & Gas 

Samsung smt211 takes sim 100x190 perfect 

screen, perfect working order. £140. Tel: 

07791 688240. 

Cast Iron Gas Fired Boiler WESTMORLAND 

Baxi - never used. £50. Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Sports 

Reebok ZR8 Exercise Bike with LCD display. 

As new, rarely been used. £100. Must 

collect. Tel: 07815 320698. 

Complete set of Irons, Cobra Woods, Putter, 

Golf Bag, Caddy Car included. Many items. 

£200. Tel: 01505 326262. 

Raleigh Traditional with basket and gears 

Ladies Bike - ready to ride away for the 

holiday. £45. Tel: 07791 688240. 

Ladies/Girls Viking Bike - as new, Heritage 

Vintage Style. 6 gears, front woven basket, 

rear carrier, lovely creation white frame, side 

stand, computer - bike is perfect in every 

way. £165. Tel: 07791 688240. 

Gents Raleigh bike old school - all working, 

ready to ride away. £40. Tel: 07791 

688240. 

Large golf bag. Make: Click Gear - 15 

pocket. Excellent condition. £35. Tel: 

01505 842950. 

Folding Philips Bike as new, with gears and 

suspension - perfect condition as new. £80. 

Tel: 07791 688240. 

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 balls. £5. Tel: 

01505 872800. 

Specialized Allez 24 Bike. Black in colour. 

Size 54 frame. Hardly used. £200. Tel: 

01505 690446. 

Thomas Taylor black Lawn Bowls - size 

5, includes shoes, etc. £45. Tel: 01505 

326262. 

4 Practice Golf Clubs and Putter. Good 

condition. £25. Tel: 01505 326262. 

O’Neill Adult TFX Lumbar Flex full Wetsuit. 

VGC. Medium. £50. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Gul size 7 wetsuit shoes. VGC. Rarely Worn. 

£10. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Gul 3x3 Shorty Adult Wetsuit. Medium. VGC. 

£25. Tel:01505 872800. 

Gul Adult Full Wetsuit. Steamer style. Medium. 

£15. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Wake Tech Wakeboard, 144cm. Excellent 

Condition, very rarely used. Binding and 

Fin attached. Bought new for £250. Sell 

for £50. Tel: 01505 872800. 

Guitar as new, including stand and bag. 

£160. Tel: 01505 873405 or 07913 

758949. 

2 ton car hydraulic trolley jack. Good working 

condition. No longer used. Buyer uplifts. 

£20. Tel: 07538 429637. 

Second hand Vito fl ute (one owner). Silver 

metal, suitable for new learner. Smart carry 

case and selection of beginner fl ute music 

included. £65. Tel: 07814 681715. 

Invacare Lynx Scooter. Good condition and 

in full working order. £300. Tel: 01505 

324367. 

Portable massage table, good condition, not 

much used. With cushion roll. £40. Tel: 

01475 540666. 

Tanglewood Indiana Series Acoustic Guitar, 

Hand Crafted, very good condition, including 

stand and bag. £150. Tel: 01505 873405 

or 07913 758949. 

Keyboard Hohner PSK75R with stand. 

Very good condition. £200 or any offers 

considered. Tel: 01505 613514. 

WANTED ITEMS 

Cash paid for Vinyl Records and Music CDs 

(a few or a lot). Tel: 01505 324683 or 

07765 115347. 

Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH Paid. 

Tel: 07710 777571. 

Westclox Big Ben alarm clock. Tel: 07756 

981917. 

Local lily grower requires the use of a 

greenhouse/polytunnel in Kilmacolm area in 

return for light gardening duties. Tel: Vince 

01505 872082. 

Late 

News from 


Public Defibrillator Sites 

in the Gryffe Area 

Bridge of Weir & Quarriers 

Co-Op Bridge of Weir 

Old Ranfurly Golf Club 

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club 

William Quarriers House @ entrance 

to Faith Avenue 

Country View, Quarriers 

The Gate House, Bridge of Weir 

Leather Works 

Houston & Brookfield 

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 

Johnstone Town Hall 

Bishopton 

The Cornerstone, Greenock Road 

Bishopton Community Centre 

There is limited access to the 

defi brillators, please check with venue 

for full details. 

Most of the spring fl owering plants are 

now past their best and the baton is being 

passed to those plants that put on their 

fl owering display during our all too brief 

summer. A walk round the walled garden 

reveals peony, philadelphus, oriental 

poppy and roses all beginning to put on a 

fantastic show of mid-summer colour. One 

of the most unusual fl owering plants in the 

garden is Cytisus battandieri (pineapple 

broom). This small tree from Morocco was only introduced into this country 

in 1922. The scent from the yellow fl owers smells strongly of pineapple 

and it is a wonderful plant to have in the garden and is surprisingly more 

hardy than one would expect of a plant from North Africa. 

One of the highlights of the garden in July is watching all the fruit develop 

and swell on the numerous fruit trees and shrubs within the walled garden. 

Blackcurrant, raspberry, gooseberry, blueberry, apple and pear are all 

grown at Finlaystone. 

The summer months are always exceptionally busy in a garden and the 

garden at Finlaystone is no exception. We currently have a couple of 

hard-working volunteers that help the gardener maintain the garden, but 

as always more help is always welcome. 

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. 

In addition to public events we also organise various activities for children’s 

parties, scout & guide groups or corporate events. We would be pleased 

to discuss your requirements further and would be pleased if you email us 

at info@fi nlaystone.co.uk. 

Membership - Annual Memberships running from April 1st 2019 – March 

31st 2020 are available for purchase at the visitor centre. 

Tearoom - The tearoom is open at weekends, bank holidays and school 

holidays. 

41



BUSINESS directory 

@ease 

Accountants & Financial 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 34 

CLA Accountancy Services . . . 34 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 35 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Bathrooms 

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 

G Woods Bathrooms . . . . . . . . . 6 

Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 

Bedrooms 

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 13 

Blacksmith & Metalwork 

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 33 

Building Services 

A O’Hare - Building Services . . 5 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 8 

I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 

JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 17 

KC Building & Roofing . . . . . . 4 

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 12 

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 

MBS Roofing & Building . . . . . 29 

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 19 

Rukeri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 12 

Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 29 

Care Services & Homes 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 9 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 23 

Cleaning & PowerWash 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 3 

Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 

Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 14 

Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 


Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 

Computer, Web & 

Graphic Design 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Driveways 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Electricians 

Delta Electrical Services . . 23 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 30 

Contact us 

Fencing 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 


Firewood & Logs 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Funeral Services 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 23 

Garage Doors & Gates 

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Garden Service & Design 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 36 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 39 

Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 37 


Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 37 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 36 


M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 37 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

R C Garden Services . . . . . . . . 38 

R Williams Tree Services . . . 37 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 38 

Gas & Heating Services 

Bell Plumbing & Heating . . . . 14 

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 33 

Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 21 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 4 

Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 19 

Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 14 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Glazier 

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Hairdressers & Barbers 

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 21 

Kayas Barbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Health, Beauty & Fitness 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 33 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 15 

Footprints Podiatry . . . . . . . . 7 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 6 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 15 

Home Improvements 





Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 


Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 15 


Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 15 

BY CATEGORY 

Home Interiors 



Home Security 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 20 

Joiners 


CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 20 





McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 12 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Kitchens 






Locksmiths 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Painters & Decorators 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 30 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Pest Control 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Pet Services & Training 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Time to Groom Dog Grooming . . 39 

Plasterers 

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 26 



Plumbers 




GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 





Property, Sales & Let 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 35 

Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Removals 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 10 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Retail 

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Roofing 











Solicitors 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 



Special Occasions 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Stoves 


Taxis & Minicoach hire 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Tiling 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 12 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

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 . . 3 

D Darroch Aerial & Satellite . . 14 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 10 


Upholstery Services 



Window Cleaners 




Matthews Cleaning Services . . 15 

Window, Consv & Repair 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 

Removals & Transport . . 10 



A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 15 


A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 39 

A&G Driveways . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 34 


AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 


Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 


Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 17 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 9 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

BOW Stone Works . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 20 





CLA Accountancy Services . . . 34 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

Clyde Physiotherapy and Pilate . . 33 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 30 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 9 

Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 37 

D Darroch Aerial & Satellite . . 14 


David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Delta Electrical Services . . 23 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 10 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 20 



Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

F Christie Accounting . . . . . . 35 


Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 15 

Footprints Podiatry . . . . . . . . 7 


Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 21 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 


Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 12 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 


Pick up a Copy 

Bishopton: 

Houston: 

Woodrow’s Store, 

Co-op, Carrick Centre, 

Library, May’s Coffee Shop Post Office, Newsagent 

Bridge of Weir: 

Howwood: 

Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s Cafe, Village Store, 

Lochnagar, The Bridge, St Vincent’s Hospice 

Library (Cargill Hall) Johnstone: 

Erskine: 

Henderson Kilts, 

Garden Centre, Library, Papa Mac’s, Library 

Sports Centre, 

Kilbarchan: 

Swimming pool 

Post Office, Campbell’s, 

Newsagents, Bobbins, 

A TO Z 

Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 23 






James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 



John Roach Funeral Directors . . 23 

Kayas Barbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 37 


Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 



Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 


M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

M&M Garden Services . . . . . . . . 37 


MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 15 


McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 12 


MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 6 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 21 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 15 



PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 5 

Powerdoors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

R C Garden Services . . . . . . . . 38 


Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Rukeri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 30 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 15 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

Seasons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 


Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The Right Move . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 


Time to Groom Dog Grooming . . 39 

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 38 

Window Scene Scotland . . . . . . Bk 

Langbank: 

Finlaystone Visitor Centre 

Kilmacolm: 

Newsagent, Cross Café, 

Library, Community 

Centre 

Lochwinnoch: 

Keystore, Library, 

Dolce Vita, 

Castle Semple Centre 

1st Floor, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN 

t: 01505 613340 www.advertizer.co.uk 

e: info@advertizer.co.uk @GryffeAds 

Open Tuesday to Thursday 9am- 4pm; 

Friday 9am-12:30pm 

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission 

is strictly prohibited. The Gryffe Advertizer cannot be held responsible for 

unsolicited materials. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine 

may not represent the views of the publishers. The Gryffe Advertizer takes no 

responsibility for claims made by advertisements in this publication. 

42



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LOCAL NEWS - LOCAL EVENTS - LOCAL PEOPLE - LOCAL BUSINESS

298 JULY 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

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