INSIGHT Magazine Issue 5

ISSUE 5
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TRAVEL
FEATURES
REVIEWS
INSIGHT
A lifestyle magazine for
Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
DELIVERED TO:
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BRIDGE OF WEIR
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MORE AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP IN SELECTED VENUES

2 | INSIGHT

Christmas
at Ingliston
Country Club &
Hotel
Celebrate the magic of a traditional Christmas at
Ingliston Country Club & Hotel. Share the joy of
the Christmas season with your family and friends
by joining them in a variety of planned events
throughout the festive season. This includes:
Christmas Light Switch On - Wednesday 13th
November 2019
The Spirit Of Christmas Festive Market - Sunday
15th December 2019
Santa’s Grotto - 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd
December 2019
The fabulous festive menu in Palomino’s restaurant is available from 1st until 24th
December and will really tempt your Christmas taste buds! Come along between 12noon
- 9pm to enjoy a delicious festive meal in a heart-warming setting, and for larger parties
their VIP area can cater for up to 30 guests. Once the shopping is done and the stockings
are hung, get into the festive spirit and enjoy Christmas Eve at Palomino’s. Unwind with
fantastic food and live music from their resident musician Alan Cranney.
Christmas Day at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel will be a real treat, with Christmas Dinner
sittings starting at 12.30pm, 4.30pm and 5pm dinner, Palomino’s will be open until late to let
you celebrate this special time of year with your loved ones. Feel the magic of Christmas
as they open the doors to their Winter Wonderland for one day only. Located within their
internal marquee and open to residents and diners, it is the perfect place to relax and
unwind before or after Christmas dinner. It will include festive fun for the whole family -
meet Santa and his elves, watch festive films and join in the fun at our activity stations for
all ages.
The fun doesn’t stop there, Celebrate the New Year in style at our “Roaring into the ‘20s”
celebration, it’s the perfect way to say a fond farewell to 2019. Start your evening with
sparkling champagne and enjoy a delicious meal followed by dancing through the decades
with the fantastic Sahara, one of Scotland’s most talented, young, dynamic and versatile
bands. As the countdown to the New Year begins stand alongside their piper and toast to
2020. Finish the evening by dancing the night away to resident DJs - The 2 Fat DJs.
Why not enhance your Christmas experience by staying with Ingliston Country Club &
Hotel this Christmas. Choose from their stunning boutique hotel or luxury lodges - they
have accommodation to suit everyone.
To book call 01505 864333 (ext3) or email events@ingliston.com
INSIGHT |
3

INSIGHT
Sister Magazine to the Gryffe Advertizer
Family + Outdoors
6 Walk: Wood Sprite Trail
8 The Power of Play
Food + Drink
10 Seasonal Foodie Favs
12 Review: Afternoon Tea at
Gleddoch
p16
p20
Travel + Entertainment
18 4 Christmas Markets
19 Bang + Olufsen - Gifts
Fashion
20 All Wrapped Up
p10
Features
16 Janey Godley Interview
26 Megan Briggs Interview
29 Power of Attorney
Health + Beauty
22 Botox + Fillers
24 Men’s Mental Health
p24
Contact Us
t 01505 613340
e info@advertizer.co.uk
w www.advertizer.co.uk/insight
1st Floor, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir PA11 3PN
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission
is strictly prohibited. Insight Magazine cannot be held responsible for unsolicited
materials. The views and opinions by contributors in this magazine may not represent
the views of the publishers. Insight Magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by
advertisements in this publication.
Cover Image is the fabulous Janey Godley, our interviewee this issue.
4 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT |
5

Family +
Outdoors
Walk: Sheilhill Glen
Wood Sprite Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: 1 hour or so.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (there are steps)
Parking: Greenock Cut Visitor Centre - your start for this walk.
Points of Interest: Wood Sprites, Waterfalls, Bridges for Pooh Sticks
Refreshments: The Cut Visitor Centre does some basic but decent grub.
The Nature Trail here is very well made and really quirky. Kids will love
exploring and hunting for the lovely wooden carved sprites. There are
also some lovely boardwalks, a waterfall and a series of criss crossing
footbridges over a gurgling burn, which provide interest.
From the Visitor Centre return to the car park entrance and turn right
onto the minor road. At the crossroads take the footpath directly in
front of you signposted for The Greenock Cut. Go through the gate and
downhill passing the site of the 2nd World War Light Emplacement – this
is now an attractive picnic site with lovely views over the Clyde. Follow
the trail downhill through the native trees along the Kip Water. The trail
meanders through some lovely woodland with various footbridges across
the burn. Look out for the Wood Sprites along the way! The path turns to
boardwalk and you will emerge out onto an open hillside. Here the walk
heads uphill to join up with the Kelly Cut. Turn left here and follow this
track back to the Visitor Centre.
Map and text courtesy of Gillian’s Walks - gillianswalks.com
Shielhill Glen and Kelly Cut - Facts
• The Glen is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
because of the variety of deciduous trees such
as Silver Birch, Oak, Ash and Rowan.
• 150 years ago there was a sandstone quarry
lower down the Glen that was used to build
many of the houses in the West End of
Greenock.
6 | INSIGHT
• The Kelly Cut is a non-navigable canal which
was built in 1845 to supply Loch Thom with
more water.

INSIGHT |
7

The Power of Play
Ali Duncan, Headteacher of St Columba’s
Junior School, enters the discussion....
“The Power of Play” – these current buzz words in primary education
are informing curriculum and staffing decisions head teachers are
making across Scotland. There is no disputing the vast body of
research; young learners given the freedom to “play” out-perform their
counterparts who are put in an environment where “play” is restricted.
Perhaps my use of inverted commas gives you some clue as to my
chief concern as a primary sector head teacher. What do we mean by
the term “play”? Well, the policy makers in Scottish education have
hung their hat on the idea that play is “what children…do when they
follow their own ideas and interests in their own way and for their own
reasons.”
As a result many preschools, early years and (alarmingly) primary
classes have abandoned any kind of structure to the day and in some
cases have done away with pupil desks. Staff in nurseries and early
years are not required to be qualified teachers and staff to pupil ratios
are not prioritised. After all, if it is just about letting children have
complete freedom to “follow their own ideas”, how important is the
teacher?
Please don’t misunderstand me, I believe whole-heartedly, that
young learners should be given every opportunity to explore new
environments and ideas, afforded the freedom to invent, to create and
to collaborate. I believe we have a responsibility as educationalists
to provide environments in which this kind of exploration or “play”
is possible. Which is why at St Columba’s School we see our “Wild
Woods”, and carefully designed outdoor spaces as an extension of
our classrooms. Trees can be climbed and dens dug; stones become
fortress walls and sticks, magic wands.
However, for me, more important than the environment that these
young learners inhabit, are the adults we employ to “facilitate learning”
or….dare I say it….teach. Teachers - well, good ones - understand that
“play” is not an unstructured, anything-goes approach to primary
education. It is as Miller and Almon point out, in their more nuanced
understanding of the research, “a balance of child-initiated play in the
presence of engaged teachers.”
In order for meaningful progress to be made, children’s learning and
development must be regularly assessed in order to plan, implement,
and create a structured program of “child-initiated” and adult-guided
play, that meets the very individual needs of each child.
At St Columba’s School we pride ourselves on our highly qualified
team of teachers and educationalists. We prioritise training and
professional development. And why? Because this is where the
“power” in “play” really lies
* 1. DCMS (2004) Getting Serious about Play Department of Culture Media and Sport,
London, quoted in https://www.playscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/Power-of-
Play.pdf 2. Miller and Almon in The Kindergarten Crisis (2009)
8 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT |
9

Seasonal
Foodie Favs
Food +
Drink
Apple and Cinnamon Muffi ns
250g plain fl our-
2 eggs
150g soft brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tblsp runny honey
2 apples peeled cored and chopped small
125ml vegetable oil
100ml milk
Dollop of plain yogurt
1. Whizz up all the wet ingredients in a
jug including the eggs.
2. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add the wet to the dry and give a
good stir.
4. Lastly, mix in the chopped apples.
5. Divide the mixture between 12 muffi n
cases and bake in oven at 180 degrees
for 20 mins.
6. Sprinkle with icing sugar to serve.
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Beef and Red Wine Stew
300g stewing steak
3 onions roughly chopped
2 cloves of garlic
I tbsp tomato puree
1 carrot chopped
125g waxy potatoes in large chunks
A hand full of mushrooms
2-3 glasses of red wine
400ml good beef stock
Parsley to serve
1. Sweat onions and garlic in olive oil
until soft.
2. Set onions aside and sear the stewing
steak until wee crispy bits appear.
3. Add onions back in, add chopped
carrots, tomato puree and potatoes.
4. Add wine and stock and season well.
5. Cook for 2 hours at 150 degrees, add
mushrooms then cook for another hour.
6. Take out oven when meat is falling
apart. Sprinkle with parsley.
7. Serve with crusty bread or rice.
Shimla Homemade Spicy Daal
1 tsp garlic paste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup split red lentils
1 onion fi nely chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chilli
1 tsp tumeric
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp cumin
Corriander to serve
Heart warming lentil curry - perfect for a
winters day. Proper home cooking the way
Tabby and Anjum’s mum makes it.
1. Wash lentils thoroughly.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan; add
onion, salt, chilli tumeric, garam masala and
cumin. Stir on a low heat till golden brown.
3. Add 3 cups water and the lentils.
4. Simmer on a low heat for 45 mins,
stirring regularly until texture is smooth.
Add corriander to garnish and serve with
naan bread.

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11

Review:
Camellia
Afternoon Tea
by Anna McGeachie and Fiona Kerr
It’s not every day one is treated to a delightful afternoon tea at the
prestigious and very beautiful Gleddoch Hotel and Spa. But this is
indeed what Fiona and I from Advertizer & Insight HQ were invited to
sample one relaxing Sunday afternoon. And my goodness me did we
enjoy it!
The approach towards Gleddoch sets the tone; the sweeping
driveway running alongside the immaculately kept golf course with
spectacular views over the Clyde. Upon entering the hotel we are
led into the stunningly quirky Camellia room with its vibrant mustard
wingback chairs, matching mustard antlers on the wall and beautiful
flock wallpaper.
Fiona and I are greeted warmly. Our waiter takes our coats, introduces
himself and advises us that he will be looking after our every whim
that afternoon... we are to be indulged! The Camellia Room is a retreat
from life – quiet and relaxing – no sense of urgency here, which is a
wonderful way to take a break from ‘normality’.
Once seated, we are promptly brought a glass of bubbles before being
served our exquisite Camellia Afternoon Tea. First we are asked which
tea we would like from the extensive menu. I choose the Celestial
Jasmine, which the waiter brings for me to smell; and what a delicately
floral scent. Fiona plumps for Scottish Brew, which she politely
declines to take a whiff of. As for the food, the presentation is just as
one would imagine afternoon tea in such prestigious surroundings
should be – beautifully dainty and delectable, with finely presented
savouries garnished with edible flowers (yes we did try them – I made
Fiona go first). The savouries are served first – Fi and I have saved
ourselves for this and we are very ready for them! The Ayrshire
pork and pommery mustard filled sausage rolls are just enough for
a mouthful – a posh sausage roll! The pastrami and horseradish on
home baked soda bread is divine, as is the caramelised ragstone and
beetroot tart with candied walnuts.
There is no sense of being hurried when one takes afternoon tea at
Gleddoch, which is refreshing. We are allowed to rest and let our food
settle for as long as we so desire. And while we do, we are served some
Angel Water - an alkaline water with naturally occurring electrolytes – so
while taking our afternoon tea, we are in fact improving our health...bonus!
When we are ready, we are served ‘dessert’. Laid out in an old fashioned
canary cage, the choice is fantastic. From lemon posset topped with a
perfectly bitter sweet blackberry compote, which is actually like heaven,
to chocolate coated strawberries, butterscotch tart, strawberry and black
pepper fudge, followed by freshly baked granary scones, with sumptuous
clotted cream (amazing) and sweet preserve to accompany. In fact it looks
almost too good to eat. But eat it we do. And then we roll ourselves out
the door to return home for a lie down on the sofa...stuffed!
12 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT | 13

What’s
On
INSIGHT Magazine gets
the goss from awardwinning
independent
filmmaker and former
Paisley Grammar pupil,
Gary Hewitt.
1. Why did you decide to put on this film festival?
As a filmmaker and touring the UK’s film festivals with my own projects I realised there’s
not much happening locally for filmmakers in Scotland. At the same time there isn’t
much film related content in Paisley for its community so, after speaking to some local
organisations such as creative Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Leisure, I decided to try
and bridge that gap by giving the local community some interesting films from all around
the world and give a spotlight to indie filmmaking.
2. What is the aim of your film festival?
The HB Film Festival wants to bring to Paisley, Scotland, a quality selection of both local
and international shorts and feature movies coming from all over the world, and aims to
become a cultural gathering for film lovers and professionals.
3. You have received lots of positive endorsements for your festival already from
filmmakers and actors alike. How exciting is that?
Yeah it’s great! We are showing support for filmmakers both online and at the festival. By
showcasing work but also promoting filmmakers through our social media channels etc
has resulted in some extremely positive and supportive comments about what we are
trying to do.
We also have local singers and comedians playing at the festival, which is great, giving
them a platform to be creative and supporting other artists.
4. What are your top picks for the festival?
We want to support local talent so you should check out the Best of Scotland Program.
The film festival committee has a list of films to see that aren’t created by local filmmakers
and they deserve just as much support. Films include:
“A lot of festivals could take notes
from you on how to run an event -
huge kudos.”
Taryn Hough -Filmmaker / Actor
We Can Do It, Nora Ephron, At Dawn He Died, Guardians , Once Bitten, Killer Date,
Beautified, Incidentally, Miklat. We also have a surprise screening during the awards.
5. Will this be an annual event?
Yes. We are hoping our inaugural year will be a huge success and we will be bringing The
HB Film Festival back to Paisley every year.
14 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT | 15

Interview
Next to Godley
In response to a recent tweet asking “What have you
ever done?” Janey Godley replied:
“Jailed a paedo, wrote a book, bought a house,
survived rape, won a comedy award, gave birth, owned
a pub, made soup, had a fight with Trump, got banned
from America, survived my mum’s killer stalking me at
age 22, knitted a doll, wrote a play.”
To call comedian Janey Godley a force of nature is not
a cliché.
By Rona Simpson
It is no secret that Janey survived sexual abuse from age 6 at the hands
of her uncle (and then had him convicted and sent to prison.) It is also
no secret that her mother was murdered or that she was married to
the Glasgow mob. But Janey has turned horrific events into comedy
gold. Her pitch black stand up routine has earned her a string of five
star reviews over many years – with endorsements from Billy Connolly,
Jennifer Saunders and others – yet, it has been her satirical political
voiceovers (which she posts online) over recent months which have
brought her a huge new audience, and it is this format that she brought
to the Fringe this year.
You’ve just been to the Edinburgh Festival. How was it?
It was absolutely fabulous. It was a really successful festival. Just the
whole vibe was great. The show I took there – the’ voiceover’ show – has
never been done before. It was a one of its kind at the festival and went
really, really well!
What was the funniest thing that happened during the festival?
I suppose falling doon a flight of stairs. I’ve been playing a lawyer in a
TV drama and the lawyer didnae have a limp – so that was quite funny –
having to fake not having a limp.
The TV Drama in question is an adaptation of a Val McDermid book,
soon to hit our screens, but it is not Janey’s only foray into acting. She
has also recently played the part of a barmaid in the film Wild Rose. An
apt casting as Janey used to run a pub in the east end of Glasgow, and
a satisfying riposte to a bitter relative, who once told her she’d never be
anything more than a barmaid.
It was in this pub in the east end of Glasgow where Janey’s training
ground for stand up began. The Calton - in an area cited lowest life
expectancy for men in the whole of the UK – and a place Janey jokes
they’d “shoot you for the price of a box of eggs”. I tell her that my dad
used to run a bar and that he once told me that, “It’s all just theatre!”
16 | INSIGHT

“He’s right. The lights are behind the bar. The bar separates you and them.
You’re already on stage. It’s your show.”
If you want to watch a master class in how to control a rowdy audience
google “Janey Godley Takes On One of Edinburgh’s Drunkest Audiences.”
There can be no doubt that it’s HER show!
Janey’s daughter Ashely Storrie is also a comedian. They shared a flat
during the festival where both put on different shows and received rave
reviews. I am fascinated by the dynamic. You have to have pretty thick
skin to be in the public eye and get up on stage. And no matter how
many people think you’re great, there will be others who want to knock
you down. Janey’s background in the pub trade in one of Glasgow’s
roughest areas stands her in good stead when confronted with hecklers.
I wonder if Ashley is able to bounce back as readily and whether Janey
worries about her daughter in this regard. Asked by the Herald in a 2018
interview if Janey was like a “mother hen coaxing her offspring?” Ashley
replied, “She’s a mother raptor!”
What was your reaction when she wanted to get into the business? Have
you always encouraged her?
Well, Ashley was 13 when she took her own show at the Edinburgh
Festival – the youngest person ever to have a show there. But she didn’t
want to do comedy for years and I encouraged her not to do it if she
didnae want to do it. If she wanted to be a florist or a baker or whatever,
I’d encourage her to do that as well. But now she’s back doing it and she’s
brilliant!
“
In these very f@ckin frightening times,
we aw need a soup pot!
”
Has there ever been any rivalry between you and Ashley?
I say in my show that Ashley became a comedian because... ruining my
body wisnae enough for her. [both laugh a lot] But it’s a joke. We love
each other deeply. No, there’s no rivalry. She’s my daughter and I’m very
proud of her. She’s incredibly talented. We have the typical mother and
daughter snarks at each other as everybody does. We take the p!ss out of
each other – in a gentle manner.
You’re very open about your childhood growing up in Shettleston in
Glasgow and about the abuse you suffered at the hands of your uncle
and also about your mum’s tragic murder... How do you stop these events
from overwhelming you?
Well, because I won’t let the man who abused me rule my life. And I won’t
let the man who murdered my mammy ruin my life. Why should I let the
men who tried to stop us from having a life, why should I let them win?
I’m a comedian because a lot
of people told me not to be
one. But I have that kind of
personality that the more I’m
told that I can’t do something,
the more I do it.
Working in the pub is hard,
hard, writing a book is hard,
acting on stage is hard,
working in a fish factory is
hard, cleaning rooms is hard...
but comedy is easy.
Last year her uncle was found
dead at his home. And after
rattling through the horror
of her abuse and her mum’s
murder Janey pauses for a
while before delivering the black as coal punchline...
Isn’t it funny most of the men that f@ck me aboot, die alone, so ye know...
Karma’s always there!
In areas such as Shettleston in the 60s and 70s, where there was intense
poverty, there was also a strong sense of community; fierce groups of
women sticking up for each other and helping each other out – sharing
the soup pot. Characters such as “Big Jannette”, “Isa MacNamee” and
“Aww the Sandras” have found their way into Janey’s voice overs – often
fresh from the Zumba and ready to storm Westminster. I ask her why she
thinks these themes and characters travel so well?
It’s very easy to explain, people are ex pats. We are travellers of the
world. Nobody is just Australian or American or whatever. And they all
have an auld granny or aunty... and if they don’t know what a Pippa Dee
party is they ask me. People remember the soup pot. The soup pot is
a universal symbol of community love and sharing. At a wedding, at a
funeral, at a tragedy... where people come together to heal or celebrate
they put on the soup pot. It’s nourishing… and in these very f@ckin
frightening times, we aw need a soup pot.
A recent Janey Godley voice over video of Boris Johnson trying to usher
Nicola Sturgeon into Bute House lasted only a few seconds but has been
viewed hundreds of thousands of times, where she has Sturgeon saying,
“Put yer arm down, ya @rsehole. Get in!”
The FM was asked during the Edinburgh Festival how she felt when Boris
Johnson tried to guide her into the building. She said:”If you want to
know EXACTLY what I was thinking, and I mean EXACTLY, watch Janey
Godley’s Voice Over!” High praise indeed.
Janey Godley appears at The Beacon Arts Centre on 23rd October and Paisley Arts
Centre on the 31st of October - janeygodley.com for full tour dates.
INSIGHT |
17

Travel+
Entertainment
With Christmas only a few
months away, why not get into
the spirit and discover the magic
of a Christmas European Market.
From gingerbread and mulled wine
to quaint market stalls, it is the
perfect way to start your Christmas
shopping.
There are countless markets around
Europe to choose from with direct
flights from Glasgow, Prestwick and
Edinburgh Airports.
Images: Top to Bottom - Krakow, Berlin, Amsterdam and Berlin again
4 Christmas Markets
18 | INSIGHT
KRAKOW
If you are looking to incorporate history,
culture and tradition – Krakow in Poland
has it all. We’ve seen this city increase in
tourists this year with the exchange rate
being very favourable. Stroll around the
glistening central square, Rynek Glowny.
Notably the old-fashioned hand-painted
colourful glass baubles remain a Polish
specialty.
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is a city with many canals
that twinkle with fairy lights. And there
is nothing quite like their Winter Parade.
Here you are invited to join a 120-metre
set table decked out with sparkling place
settings and candles. You will enjoy a
tip-top feast of local food and wine whilst
being entertained by traditional dancers
and singers.
More than 35 installations and artworks
make up the brightly-coloured Amsterdam
Light Festival. You’ll find various pieces
dotted around, so take a wander to check
out the best bits.
PRAGUE
Step into the snow globe of Prague. A
magical place steeped in history, with at least
six markets around the city from which to
choose. From the spire-studded skyline to
the sound of a choir, the sizzling street food
stalls, to the tree that twinkles high in the sky,
The Old Town Square Market is dreamy by
day and enchanting by night.
BERLIN
There are about 80 Christmas markets
spread out all over the city. A few of the
markets are close to Alexanderplatz. Enjoy a
ride on the massive ferris wheel, soak up the
atmosphere whilst eating sweet waffles and
enjoying classic mulled wine while listening
to the choir. One of the most popular
markets is Potsdamer Platz. The market
transforms into a winter wonderland of light.
Having fun is the name of the game here
with live DJ’s kicking off some entertainment,
or take a slide down the toboggan run.
By Julie Batchelor at Brilliant Travel -
JBbrillianttravel.co.uk || 07944542640

Sound Design
Bang
+ Olufsen
No matter who the lucky recipient is, these
stunning gift ideas are hand-picked for their
ability to bring unforgettable experiences to
you and your loved ones.
BEOPLAY H9
Close your eyes and slip into
a truly luxurious soundscape
with Beoplay H9. The overear
headphones deliver Bang
& Olufsen Signature Sound
with advanced active noise
cancellation, integrated voice
assistant and intuitive touch
controls.
— size: 19,5 x 20 x 5,2 cm.
£450
BEOSOUNDSTAGE
The new Beosound Stage is a
beautifully crafted soundbar that
brings rich and authentic Bang
& Olufsen sound to your TV
experience. It even works as a full
music system with easy streaming
via Chromecast built-in, Apple
AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth. — size:
17,4 x 110,4 x 7,7 cm.
£1250
BEOPLAY E8 MOTION
Nothing will weigh you down
or tangle you up with Beoplay
E8 Motion. These truly
wireless earphones deliver a
powerful sound performance
and stay securely in place
thanks to the enclosed ear
fins. The leather-clad charging
case holds three extra charges,
bringing the total playtime to
16 hours. — size; earbuds: 2,3
x 2 x 2,5 - case: 6,9 x 4,6 x 3,4
cm. £300
BEOPLAY A1
With 24 hours of battery life, Beoplay A1
will play along for even the longest journey
home. The Bluetooth speaker features vibrant
True360 sound in a compact aluminium body
that will develop a beautiful patina from
everyday use. — size: 4,8 x 13,3 cm. £230
INSIGHT |
19

Fashion
All Wrapped Up
By Fashion Editor, Nikki Oji
Autumn is a time of great change. Foodstuffs are harvested and
stored for the barren months ahead. Leaves morph, chameleonlike,
from verdant greens to every shade of gold, shedding a carpet
of crunchiness on our pavements and pathways. And nights draw
longer and darker, heralding the end of summer.
Initially, we cling to summer, beg her for mercy and a return to warm,
jacket-free days and hot, quilt-free nights. But alas, she’s gone… The
inevitability of chilly months in cosy coverups beckons.
With this acceptance comes the digging out of long-ago stashed
stores of firm autumn favourites. And, just as the arctic fox replaces
brown fur for white in winter, so too will we display our new
plumage.
I refer here, of course, to that big investment purchase of the
season, or perhaps even, the year - The New Coat! It’s the one piece
that’s got to work harder than a snow plough in January - seeing
us through every occasion over the coming months in style - so it’s
never too early to start your search.
Work It!
I’ve selected this beautiful,
wool reversible wrap coat
from Massimo Dutti to
showcase its versatility and
hard-working credentials.
Here are 3 ways to style it.
While not everyone goes to
work in a suit, the trouser suit
trend has been around for a
while and, if anything, is only
gaining strength. So channel
your inner Girl Boss and layer
your smart coat on top of
your tailoring. Tying the fabric
belt towards the back creates
slimming vertical lines and a
sharp silhouette.
Suit, blouse, briefcase and shoes: all
stylist’s own
20 | INSIGHT

Party On…
There’s no denying that once October
rolls around, our thoughts unavoidably
turn to Christmas. Whether that
makes you yearn for a whirlwind
of sparkling parties, or a haven for
hibernation, the chances are you’ll
have to show your face at least once
at a seasonal event - and it’ll probably
be the office party.
There’s no reason to freeze your way
though it; this clever coat can be worn
grey-sided to work, then magically
reversed and worn black-side-out,
over your party dress. Minimal
additional styling required - simply
add heels, tassel earrings and a clutch
and you’re office-party ready in a flash!
Dress, shoes, earrings and clutch:
all stylist’s own
Out of Office
Autumn is a wonderful time to get
out into nature and breathe in the
fresh air. Whether it’s seaside-salty, or
country-crisp, a long weekend walk
can do wonders for the overworked
and the hunched-over (or indeed
the hung-over)! So grab your wellies,
trainers or hiking boots, throw
on a chunky knit and jeans under
your coat, and make for the great
outdoors in style.
Just be sure to have a hot toddy
awaiting your return to the fireside.
Top Tips For Selecting A
Winter Coat
1. Colour: Although bold, bright,
statement coats are fun, if you’re only
making one purchase, then your coat
ought to complement your wardrobe’s
predominant colour palette. That’s to
say, if you mainly wear cool tones - like
blues, greys, pinks and purples - then
you should think about a coat in a
dark grey or black that’ll work with
these colours. If, however, you favour
reds, browns and greens, a chocolate
brown or classic camel may suit your
wardrobe better.
2. Fabric: Wool, wool, wool! I’m a huge
fan of this sustainable, natural fibre.
Not only is it the cosiest option, but if
you select a coat with a high enough
wool content, it will last and last. Wool
may not be the best choice for a snow
storm or for horizontal rain, but for
those cold days, when the wind would
cut you in two, wool is what you really
want.
3. Cut: If you don’t really feel the cold
too much, a narrow-fitting, tailored
option may do the trick for you. Throw
a polo neck underneath and you’re
good to go. If, like me however, you
tend to feel the cold, enjoy layering
and want the option of wearing
chunky knits beneath your coat, then
opt for a generously cut, button-free
wrap coat that can be tied at the back
for sleeker lines or cinched at the
waist like a pretty Christmas cracker…
Jeans, sweater, trainers and bag: all
stylist’s own. Handmade Reversible
Herringbone Wool Coat (featured
throughout), £249, Massimo Dutti
Nikki Oji is a Personal Stylist and
Blogger at nikkiojiwears.com
Follow her Instagram: @nikkiojiwears
INSIGHT |
21

The
Lowdown:
Fillers &
Botox
Barry Lemon,
Principal Dentist at
Bluewater Dental
FILLERS
What are fillers? The most commonly used fillers are made
of hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin. Thanks to its
ability to store moisture, hyaluronic acid will plump skin and restore
facial volume.
What should fillers look and feel like? Subtle and
natural. Fillers should not only be almost invisible to the eye but done
correctly, you should not feel filler in the skin. The hyaluronic acid will
integrate with the skin and simply feel like your own skin, but plumper.
How long do fillers last? Fillers can last between 6 – 18
months.
How much do fillers cost? Fillers can cost anything from
£250 to several hundred more depending on the amount of filler used
and the complexity of the area.
BOTOX
What is Botox? Botox is actually a trade name for Botulinum
Toxin. It relaxes the muscle when injected, causing the overlaying skin
to appear smoother. Most commonly, Botox is requested to reduce
wrinkles around the forehead, crows feet and frown lines.
What should Botox look and feel like? The dosage
of Botox will vary between patients. You can always top up your
dosage but initially, we believe ‘less is more’ and having a discussion
with your practitioner beforehand is advised.
Initially, you may feel a little stinginess or tightness, but this should not
last very long.
How long does it last? 4 - 6 months
What does Botox cost? Clinics will vary but between £250
- £300 for three areas is standard.
Who should be carrying out Botox and fillers?
Botox or filler injections sound simple, but choosing a quality Botox or filler (we use Juvéderm) and injecting the correct amount is paramount
to achieving a good result. Experience and judgement are key. Therefore, we recommend you see a medical practitioner and check credentials.
Furthermore, make sure that all procedures take place in a clinical setting to avoid infection.
For a free facial aesthetics consultation, contact Bluewater Dental on 01505 843 105 or visit www.bluewaterdentist.co.uk for further
information and contact details.
22 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT | 23

Pure Mental
“You’re a nutter”. Possibly not
the best turn of phrase to say to
someone who is, among many other
massively traumatic life experiences,
a survivor of The Clutha Disaster,
and subsequently had a breakdown
taking him to the brink of suicide...
By Anna McGeachie
Before any aspersions are cast, it was used as a term of endearment
because he kept going and kept going with life, getting up every
day (he went to work the Monday after The Clutha Disaster – that’s
tough), functioning but not actually living, trying to hold it together.
Until eventually he just couldn’t anymore.
Michael Byrne, founder of LETs, is thankfully still very much alive and
making the most of every day since being diagnosed with Complex
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and overcoming a mental breakdown.
There are, however, many other contributing factors which led
Michael to breakdown in 2017; abused as a child both physically and
mentally, watching his parents abuse each other, his father brutally
murdered, the loss of twins to a miscarriage, and a car crash resulting
in a head injury which lead to a suspected stroke. It was this car
crash which generated flashbacks to The Clutha disaster – the
devastation, the scenes he witnessed, the people he helped pull out
the rubble, the bloodied bodies and the loss of life. This in turn took
Michael back to identifying his father’s body after a horrifically brutal
attack; the only parts of his body not bruised were the soles of his
feet.
What followed was a systematic deconstruction of Michael’s private
and professional life. At the time he was a company director; a
professional, a family man. He had people around him, friends who
thought they knew him and a wife and boy who loved and cared for
him dearly.
With a manager trying to force Michael out by any means possible,
rather than helping him and offering his and the company’s support,
meant that work became yet another trauma to handle on a daily
basis. Due to Michael’s actions as a result of his illness, and a lack of
support at work, Michael was eventually suspended.
To the outsider, Michael’s life had looked ‘normal’, no one would have
known any better. People avoid speaking about mental health issues
for fear of embarrassing the sufferer, and the sufferer doesn’t want to
ask for help for fear of being seen as not coping - and so the cycle goes
on. This is often intensified for men due to societal pressures about how
they ‘should’ behave which have been handed down through generations.
To be ‘the man of the house’, the breadwinner, the protector, the sorter
outer and fixer of things, not the one who needs fixed, are common
tropes that in the west of Scotland still hold strong.
This is where Michael found himself. Luckily he did speak to someone,
eventually, but only after struggling on for years. This is where his road to
recovery began.
Michael has turned his experience into a positive, and is using what he
has struggled with to help others. He now facilitates a men’s mental health
support group in Glasgow - ‘Blether With A Brother’.
In addition he has set up LETs – a company providing a unique and
bespoke service to improve the mental health of people within the
workplace. (Thus maximising staff wellbeing , productivity and the return
on company’s investments.) He has now worked with many companies
including RBS, Barclays and Zurich Insurance.
With one in four adults experiencing mental illness at some point in their
lives, it is not something we should be hiding from or ignoring. It’s time to
talk and to listen. Especially you menfolk. #LETsTALK
To find out more: www.facebook.com/livedexperiencetraumasupport
24 | INSIGHT

INSIGHT | 25

Forget the Fear
Megan Briggs talks to INSIGHT Magazine
on her recent experience captaining the
Scottish Girls Under 18 golf team.
Before the legal world was even on the horizon, my passion was
for that sport with a white ball and metal stick. Often known as
a good walk spoiled, my experiences of competing and playing
for Scotland at golf have shaped my personality and, in fact, the
way I interact with my colleagues and practice law.
I was fortunate enough to play in some amazing Scottish teams
and under some fantastic captains, amassing Home International
wins, a European Team bronze medal and individually becoming
Scottish Ladies Champion. Today, I no longer compete at that
level, but keep a handicap of +1 and firmly believe that having
those experiences has helped me progress, tackle University
and the working world (I don’t just mean being invited to golf
matches with clients, although that is a perk!).
I have recently had cause to reflect on my sporting past, when
I was honoured to Captain the Scottish Girls Under 18 Team in
the Home International Matches at Downfield Golf Club near
Dundee. This was, amongst other things, a stark realisation,
given that I had just turned 30 and one of my team members
was 12, that I am no longer one of the young ones!
Research has shown that one of the main factors holding
women/girls back from participating in sports is fear. Whether
this be fear of not being very good, fear of looking out of place,
or fear of choosing to be active rather than spending time with
family.
Fear is no doubt something we can all relate to, whether that be
at work, in sport or family life. Whilst I had a successful amateur
sporting career, fear is certainly something I encountered and
perhaps never fully won the battle with. From the daunting and
self-conscious prospect of being the only girl at my golf club’s
junior team matches, to throwing up before junior competitions
due to the fear of underperforming. I harboured the fear of not
meeting my full potential throughout my amateur career, and,
whilst I had great days on the course, travelled to some fantastic
places and made memories that will last forever, it was certainly
an obstacle. Ironically, it wasn’t until I started my legal career
and not able to play and compete as much, that the fear started
to drift. Perspective perhaps making a welcome appearance.
Megan Briggs is the current Ladies’ Champion at Kilmacolm Golf Club and is a
Senior Solicitor (Contentious IP and Technology team) at Burness Paull LLP, Glasgow
In times when fear was present, it would have been easy to let it take
over and revert back to my safety zone. Fear can be a great thing if
you harness it and use it to your advantage, and even better when you
overcome it. The idea of not worrying or being afraid of something before
it’s actually happened is a phrase my Dad would consistently remind me
of, and one I tried to instill in the Under 18 Scotland team.
So whether it’s taking up a new sport or activity, going for a new job,
starting a new career or taking on a new challenge, fear is par for the
course, but it is also an emotion we create ourselves.
I hope I managed to inspire the girls team and pass on some of the
knowledge I gained in encountering the fear and trying to overcome it.
Whether they were disappointed with their result or finished triumphant,
the girls will draw upon their week in future tournaments, studies or jobs,
and the fact that they met fear and waved it goodbye.
Personally, I learnt so much from my time as Captain, not least that we
can’t let perspective come too late and that Snapchat really is the way all
under 18s communicate!
It’s time to get out there and forget the fear!
26 | INSIGHT

All in The Mind...
By Anna McGeachie
I have felt for years now, that sometimes life has somehow got the better of
me. To the point where pretty much everything has become a chore. And
I have also spent years thinking this is not normal, and berating myself for
feeling this way.
To admit you are struggling with your mental health in our insta-perfect
world takes courage. But there is help to be had. For me it has come in the
form of hypnotherapy sessions with the brilliant Mo Ferrington.
Now, I’m pretty sceptical with regards to ‘alternative’ therapies. But these
sessions have been life changing. Mo listens in the first half of each session,
to whatever your issue is, why you feel you are that way; she listens quietly
and without judgement. You feel secure, protected somehow, and at ease
within the practice walls.
The second half of the session is dedicated to Mo speaking to your
subconscious, which is the part that I really thought I would struggle with.
I’ve come to relish this part. It’s not the kind of hypnosis you see on stage
where you are made to act like a chicken or something random like that.
Hypnotherapy isn’t a magic trick. It’s an altered state of consciousness that
hypnotists induce through the power of suggestion. Hypnotists like Mo use
relaxation techniques such as key words and guided imagery to help clients
relax. Then, while in this altered state, the hypnotist will make suggestions
about changes in behaviour.
It’s a strange and lovely thing... I am aware of Mo speaking all the time, I
know exactly what is being said to me, yet afterwards I am not be able to
recount any one part of it. I feel relaxed and energized all at once. Any
aches and pains have vanished. It is just a really incredible feeling.
These days I am able to cope with what life throws at me with a smile on my
face and calm in my tummy for what feels like the first time in a very, very
long time. I would urge anyone who is feeling lost, overwhelmed or those
needing to make positive lifestyle changes to go and speak to Mo. Thank
you Mo Ferrington from the bottom of my heart.
For more info: advertizer.wix.com/ferringtons-hypno
INSIGHT | 27

Down to Earth
Sharon Erskine of Autumn Willow and Studio 8
Interior Designs, Lochwinnoch gives insight into
this season’s interior styles.
In the world of interiors, we bask in the glow of autumn, and we’re in for
a real treat this AW19. There is a flood of warm, luxurious fabrics, a real
depth of paint colours, wallpapers and materials from Mother Nature’s own
doorstep to choose from. Here at Studio 8 we take a holistic approach
to our design practice and embrace the warmth of this season’s colours.
Earthy muted tones are increasingly used in our designs. Out with the bling
and in with calm natural selections from the fabric houses we love and with
whom we are familiar. The dark hue of Zoffany’s “Huntsman Green” paint
(below) calms the mind and soothes the soul.
Nature’s presence in the home is a movement that recurs again and again.
This autumn, it is not only the colours that are inspired by Mother Nature,
but the form of the latest furniture and home accessories too.
Liquid, organic shapes and diverse textures will take focus, providing
schemes with subtle harmony. Parquet and herringbone have tiptoed
their way off the floor and have established a very comfortable position
on to dining and coffee tables, and even wall displays. Dark wood furniture
perfectly balances the present natural and botanical trends.
Nude shades give off
a calming and cosy
aesthetic, and work
well particularly in
living areas. Add a
woollen throw in a
neutral tone to your
sofa or invest in a
washed cotton duvet
set to easily achieve
the trend.
We, as interior
designers, are ready
to embrace this
season in all her
natural beauty…
are you?
28 | INSIGHT

Operating Power
of Attorney
Over the past years we’ve helped many clients draw up
Continuing Powers of Attorney. Along with your will, these are a
basic building block in helping to manage your affairs. Powers of
Attorney (PoA) are simply a “must have” and a “first ask” for your
GP, hospital or hospice if you become unwell.
At a time when emotions are running high and there’s a lot going
on in the family, if you have agreed to be Attorney for someone, it’s
worth taking 5 minutes to help understand what’s involved.
Once a Power of Attorney has been registered with the Office of
the Public Guardian – either online or by post - either an online
or hard copy will be sent out to whoever has registered it, usually
your solicitor. Certified copies can then be provided to the
Granter and the Attorney as required to allow the Attorney to
operate under the deed.
What does that mean in practice?
Authority to act under a PoA can be given on registration or be
triggered by an event such as the Granters incapacity. First off we
recommend you give a copy of your PoA to your GP for reference.
That means they will know who has authority to make decisions for
you if you are unwell.
If as Attorney you need to operate a bank account or deal with
insurance you will need to provide a certified copy of the PoA to
the Bank or other institution. They will want sufficient identification
to verify who you are and your authority to act for the Granter.
This takes time to organise and can be frustrating when you have
to help in a hurry.
Acting as Attorney means you have obligations to account for
financial and other actions you may take. You are a specialised
form of trustee with fiduciary duties to the Granter which means
you should deal with their affairs and assets in an appropriate way.
We offer a free consultation to guide you through the do’s and
don’ts of operating under a Power of Attorney.
Decide about your
care and welfare
Deal with your
pension
Manage your
investments
Manage your
business assets
Manage your bank
accounts
WITH A CONTINUING
AND WELFARE POWER OF
ATTORNEY YOUR
ATTORNEY CAN
Buy and sell property
on your behalf
If you would like more information about Powers of Attorney,
Wills or any of our other services please call us in Kilmacolm on
01505-874114 or Bridge of Weir 01505-690799
Email us on mail@kingsleywood.co.uk
Or visit our website www.kingsleywood.co.uk
Pay for care
Pay your bills
Pay your rent or
mortgage
Make tax returns
INSIGHT | 29

E-Waste
An Evolving Problem
Our technological growth has surged in the last decade. A more digital
and connected world accelerates us towards the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has created a world of
opportunity, giving us advances in all fields of study and widening
possibilities. But with this growth has come a sudden rise in e-waste.
Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, includes computers, laptops,
monitors, keyboards, copiers, VCRs, fax machines, mobile phones,
printers, hard drives, stereo equipment, cables and cords, microwaves,
and more.
The World Economic Forum reports that we produce around 50 million
tonnes of e-waste annually around the globe, and the UK ranks in the
top ten of e-waste producers, along with the USA, France and much
of Scandinavia. This is a staggering amount of waste. To put it into
perspective, it’s equivalent to the weight of all of the commercial aircraft
we have ever built throughout history, or 4,500 Eiffel Towers, enough to
cover an area the size of Manhattan – and that’s just one year’s worth
of e-waste. If left unchecked this could more than double to 120 million
tonnes by 2050.
Repairability
Part of the problem is that most of our tech can’t be easily mended,
which has helped attribute to the throwaway society we find ourselves
in. Tech companies discourage you from taking gadgets apart to try and
repair them, for example most phones are almost impossible to pry
open nowadays.
Increasing the possibility of repairability wouldn’t be popular with
manufacturers, especially with EU legislators getting involved to tackle
the issue and see that key components in tech can be easily repaired
with standard tools. Production lines might take a hit but manufacturers
could find new/more business in the repairing and recycling of their
products.
Recycling
Only 20% of global e-waste is formally recycled. That means that the
remaining 80% is either dumped in landfill sites or incinerated. Urban
mining also attributes to this. Many thousands of tonnes of e-waste
around the world are pulled apart by hand or burned by the world’s
poorest workers. This has a big impact on the worker’s wellbeing and
creates untold pollution.
30 | INSIGHT
WRAP, the sustainability not-for-profit organisation that focuses on
recycling and creating a circular economy, reports that the electronics
industry could prevent 1 million tonnes of waste and save 14 million
tonnes of CO2 emissions by using resources more effectively.
Steps for the future
Conversations have already begun worldwide to tackle this rising
problem, and the solutions are clear. Better e-waste management
strategies and green standards are part of this. By coming together
on a global scale, we can create a sustainable industry that generates
less waste and focuses on ensuring that our devices are re-used and
recycled. This would create new forms of employment, economic activity,
education and trade.
Already 67 countries have enacted legislation to deal with the e-waste
they generate. Apple, Google, Samsung and many other brands have set
ambitious targets for recycling and for the use of recycled and renewable
materials. Recycle Now has more information about how to recycle
electronic waste in your area.
The final part of the equation is to become more aware of our own buying
habits. It would help if there was a general shift towards making products
that will last longer than a year or two, rather than leaving us all chasing
the latest upgrade.
Changes in the way we use technology are already helping with this but
action is needed now. The precious minerals and metals used in the
production of our technology can’t become the new plastic. E-waste is
not pollution, nor is it waste - it’s a vital resource we are only just starting
to value in full.

INSIGHT | 31

32 | INSIGHT