302 NOVEMBER 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

13500 copies 

No.302 

November 2019 

PCPC Best Leg Forward 

by Guy Phillips 

GryffeAds GryffeAds insight__magazine 

InsightGryffe 

IGryffe 

Distributed to: 

• Bishopton • Bridge of Weir • Brookfield • Elderslie • Houston • Howwood• Kilbarchan • Kilmacolm • Langbank• Lochwinnoch • Quarriers

Next deadline - Friday 15th November 

Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk 

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Advertising Feature 

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Bonfires & Fireworks 

this month 

It’s all going off with events starting on Saturday 2nd November. 

Our list of fireworks events is in our diary and also on p6. 

In Remembrance 

Armistice Day is on 11th November and is also known as 

Remembrance Day. Every year the nation unites to make sure that 

no-one is forgotten and to remember and honour those who have 

sacrificed themselves to secure and protect our freedom. There will 

be a number of services taking place on Sunday 10th throughout our 

villages. Please check your village and church pages for details. 

Theatre Treats 

We have some great music and drama events this month, and it’s 

panto season at last! All these groups absolutely love performing, 

and it is an excellent chance to see some brilliant performances, all 

in the local area. Please go along if you can - with the costs of hiring 

venues and performing licences creeping up, your support is much 

appreciated - and it provides some great entertainment. 

Santa Sleigh 

The annual Santa Sleigh will be going round the villages in 

December. Each evening, Santa is joined by a local charity group 

who help him go around spreading good cheer. Your donations help 

these groups with their fundraising. We’ve got the dates listed on 

page 7. Please remember though, in the event of adverse weather 

conditions, some dates may be cancelled. 

Feeling Festive 

We have a list of festive light switch-ons on page 6. Some were not 

confirmed before we went to print so we’ll have these next month. 

St. Vincent’s Hospice invites you to celebrate the life of a loved one 

by joining them for their annual Light Up a Life dedication service 

on Sunday 24th November at 4.30pm. 

Christmas isn’t always a time of comfort and joy for some families. 

We have details of those who are trying to make Christmas a little 

bit better for others, including a collection of new pyjamas for the 

women and children staying at the Renfrewshire Women’s Aid 

refuge and a request for toy donations by Renfrewshire Christmas 

Toy Bank - donation points around the area. 

Keep it Local! 

There is so much available online now that some people seldom 

need to leave the comfort of home for their purchases. However, 

they are really missing a trick by doing this. 

With brightly decorated shop windows, our local shops are a source 

of great ideas and unusual gifts. You can also order ahead for your 

Festive Food requirements, and you’ll be able to enjoy the banter 

with the shopkeepers. 

Around 65p from every pound spent locally stays local - so 

by picking up that coffee, stopping off for lunch or buying that 

gift you can do your bit to support the local community and its 

businesses. 

Keep it local! 

Rona

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


in this issue 

features ......................4-15 school news ......... 39-43 

local history ..................14 outdoors ................44-47 

finance & tech ....... 16-17 business classified ....48 

village news ...........18-30 sales & wants ..............49 

pet news ........................ 31 advertizer directory . 50 

what’s on ............. 32-35 pick up a copy ............50 

sport news ............ 36-38 

Contact us 

01505 613340 

1st Floor, Neva Place 

Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN 

www.advertizer.co.uk 

info@advertizer.co.uk 

@GryffeAds 

Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 4pm 

Friday 

9am - 12:30pm 

SCAN ME 

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. 

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Feature NEws 

Johnstone’s Christmas Market 

Saturday 16th Nov 10am to 3.30pm 

Houston Square, Johnstone 

This will be our 6th annual Christmas market! 

The success of this market keeps growing every year. It started 

off as a few humble stalls in our first year and has expanded to fill 

an 18m x 12m marquee selling beautiful handmade wooden crafts, 

sweets, mugs, jewellery, hair accessories, books, candles, ceramics, 

jams and chutneys, to name but a few. 

This year we will be having a children’s activities craft marquee 

where children can make Christmas cards and decorations for free 

and take them home to display proudly on their tree. 

As well as the crafts, we have a tombola to help fundraise for Every 

Family Deserves a Christmas Dinner appeal. This appeal is to raise 

money to supply families who are in crisis with a Christmas dinner 

food hamper. It seems unfair that some people will sit down on 

Christmas day to beans on toast, whilst being bombarded with 

images on TV of tables full of food of every kind. We have this 

romantic image of Christmas day with hordes of toys round the 

tree for the children, and an abundance of food. The sad and harsh 

reality for some families couldn’t be further from the truth. 

This year is our 4th year for the Every Child Deserves a Gift at 

Christmas appeal. Due to the generosity of people in Johnstone 

and surrounding areas, children will wake up on Christmas morning 

to toys from Santa. The toys are kindly distributed to families who 

really need help by a local organisation. Toy collection takes place 

in Houston square on Sat 7th December 11am to 1pm. 

If you would like to donate to Every Family Deserves a Christmas 

Dinner Appeal, there are collection cans in varies shops in Johnstone. 

An update of how to donate will be on Johnstone our Town FB. 

Thank you to everyone for caring every year; we are astounded and 

humbled by people’s generosity. 

Thank you from Johnstone Business Consortium 

Volunteers Needed: Talk It Over Group 

Paisley 

Volunteer crèche workers needed for 

small peer support group based at 

Paisley Abbey. 

We offer a crèche enabling mums to take 

some time to meet with other mums 

affected by anxiety, loneliness and post 

natal depression. 

Term time only, Tuesdays from 10am - 

12.15pm. 

Kind, compassionate and friendly 

volunteers needed; need to be able to set up room and create a 

welcoming environment and be keen to support new mums by 

caring for babies and toddlers 

Full training offered. Commitment - once a month or fortnightly 

or more. 

Please contact Janette for further information - 

e: janette.a.mckenna@gmail.com 

Talk It Over Group Room, within Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close, 

Paisley, PA1 1JG. 

Local Heroes 

Do you know of an unsung hero, or heroes, in Renfrewshire? This 

is your chance to help them shine as the Provost’s Community 

Awards open for 2020. Anyone who lives or works in Renfrewshire 

is invited to nominate in any of the following six categories: 

• Community Volunteer (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd) 

• Community Group (sponsored by City Gate Construction) 

• Sporting Achievement (sponsored by ACRE Industrial) 

• Employee of the Year (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire) 

• Carers Award (sponsored by former Provost Nancy Allison) 

• Arts and Culture Award (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council) 

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “It’s an honour to 

host the Community Awards again and take the opportunity to pay 

tribute to our local unsung heroes. 

“In my role as Provost, I meet many people who really go the extra 

mile without looking for any reward or recognition. These awards 

come from the community themselves, demonstrating that the hard 

work these groups and individuals do is not going unnoticed.” 

The deadline for entries to all 

categories is Friday 6 December. 

The Provost will be joined by 

the award sponsors and other 

local elected members to choose 

the winners who will be invited, 

along with their nominator, to 

the awards ceremony on Friday 

13 March 2020 at the Normandy 

Hotel in Renfrew. 

For more information, and to 

submit your nomination, visit 

http://www.renfrewshire.gov. 

uk/provostawards2020, email 

provostawards@renfrewshire. 

gov.uk or call 0141 618 7102.



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Christmas Lights Switch ON 2019 

SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 

FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 

Paisley Christmas Lights 

Kilbarchan Christmas Lights 

Christmas Choir concerts, Santa’s Grotto George Bowie is back, along with a sleigh 

and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer. and reindeers; Annabelle will be along to 

Street artists, fantastic performances on entertain us, and we hope to have some of 

the live stage and even a festive roller disco. our regular entertainment. 

Reindeer Parade starts at 12.30pm. Check 

out Paisley Is website for more info. 

SATURDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 

SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER Johnstone Christmas Lights 

Family entertainment throughout the 

Renfrew Christmas Lights 

afternoon in Houston Square, with live 

Entertainment on in and around Renfrew Town music, Christmas activities and a fun fair 

Hall before the sky is lit up with the festive before the town’s Christmas lights are 

lights switch on. Midday till 5pm. Visit Whats officially switched on. Visit Whats On 

On Renfrewshire website for more info. Renfrewshire website for more info. 

SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER 

Bishopton Christmas Lights 

Check Bishopton Community Centre facebook page for more info. 

Houston Christmas Lights 

Starts Main Street at 4pm. 

Brookfield Christmas Lights 

Meet at the Village Hall at 5.30pm and join a candlelight procession 

to the Millennium Garden, then back to the Village Hall for hot 

chocolate/mulled wine and ‘The Snowman’ on a giant screen! 

THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER 

Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights 

Carol service and a performance from the Bridge of Weir Primary 

School Choir at 6.15pm in Freeland Church. Billy Cullen will introduce 

the Stedfast Silver Band, Greenock at 6.45pm. Lights switch-on - 

Livery Walk at 7.15pm, Santa’s Grotto at the Hope Hall from 7.30pm 

to 8.30pm, and Christmas Stalls/Photo Booth from 6.30pm 

SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 

Light Up Linwood 

From 3pm onwards. Lots of exciting new additions to this year’s 

Light Up Linwood event, as well as a new location: we are holding 

the event at the Mossedge Village this year. Check out the LIght 

Up Linwood facebook page for more info. 

Fireworks 2019 

SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 

Paisley Fireworks 

Paisley Town Centre - Free 

Gus from Pulse FM will 

welcome the crowds with 90s 

music and chat from 6.30pm; 

display gets underway at 7pm. 

for approx 20 minutes 

Inverclyde Fireworks 

Battery Park - Free 

The fireworks will go off with 

a ‘Big Bang’ at 7pm at Battery 

Park. Begins 5.30pm. No 

sparklers or other fireworks 

allowed onto the park. 

kilmacolm Fireworks 

The Knapps - £5/£3 

Gates open at 4.30pm, bonfire 

lit 6pm. Police request that 

people do not stand on the 

pavement opposite and in the 

lane up this side of the field. 

Bishopton Fireworks 

Barrangary Road, Bishopton 

7pm-9pm. The usual tent with 

hot drinks, hot dogs etc. Tickets 

sold in the village in the week 

leading up to the event; can also 

be purchased on the night at 

the gate. 

FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 

Kilbarchan Fireworks 

Kilbarchan Park, Park View - Free 

Join us at 7.30pm for the 

annual fireworks display at the 

Public Park off New Street, 

Kilbarchan. Entry free but 

donations most welcome. 

Dates are 

weather 

dependent


Santa Sleigh 

December 2019 

Houston 

SUNDAY 1ST 

South Mound, Glenartney, St 

Fillans Dr, Four Windings, South 

St, North St, Fleming Rd, Fleming 

Way, Burnlea Cres, Houstonfield 

Quad, Houstonfield Rd, Kirk 

Rd, Kilmacolm Rd, Fields Lane, 

Cricketfield Lane, Old School 

House Lane, Barochan Rd 

MONDAY 2ND 

Crosslee Pk, Dunnet Dr, Whirlie 

Rd, Back o’Hill, Strawberry 

Fields, Whirlie Dr, Pine Gro, Mill 

Brae, Crosslee Gdns, Brierie Hills 

Cres, Brierie Hills Rd, Brierie 

Lane, Brierie Gdns, Goldenlee 

View, Brierie Hill Gro, Earlsgate, 

Brierie Ave 

TUESDAY 3RD 

Crosslee Cres, Leeburn Ave, 

Craigholme, Woodside, The 

Beeches, Birch Gro, Riverside, 

Broomfield, The Meadows, 

Brackendene, Crossways, Neuk 

Cres, Neuk Ave, Hallcraigs Cres, 

Glebe Gdns, Manse Cres, Hagart 

Rd, Speirs Rd 

WEDNESDAY 4TH 

Locher Cres, Locher Gdns, Locher 

Avew, Locher Way, Locher Gait, 

Gryfebank Ave, Gryfewood Cres, 

Gryfewood Way, Gryfebank Clo, 

Gryfebank Way, Gryfebank Clo, 

Cunningham Gdns, Crawford Rd 

THURSDAY 5TH 

Netherburn Ave, Netherburn 

Gdns, Craigburn Ave, Craigburn 

Pl, Locherburn Pl, Locherburn Ave, 

Locherburn Gro, Craigburn Cres, 

Woodburn Pl, Hillside, Hillfoot, 

Fulton Gdns, Beatrice Gdns 

FRIDAY 6TH 

Leman Dr, Leman Gr, Alwyn Ave, 

Bream Pl, Viking Cres, Cormorant 

Ave, Forties Rd, Claymore Dr, 

Piper Rd, Piper Ave, Ninian 

Ave, Brent Cres, Murchison Rd, 

Hutton Ave, Hewett Cres, Dunlin 

Cres, Berl Ave 

Brookfield 

SUNDAY 8TH 

Brookfield - All 

Quarriers 

SUNDAY 15TH 

Quarriers - All 

Dates are 

weather 

dependent 

Kilmacolm 

SATURDAY 7TH 

Upper Kilmacolm - Barrs Brae 

(Scout Hut), High St, West 

Glen Rd, Lodge Grove, Lodge 

Pk, Lodge Cre, Overton Grove, 

Overton Gardens, West Glen Rd, 

The Avenue, Langbank Drive, 

Langbank Rise, Finlaystone Rd, 

Oldhall Drive, Finlaystone Rd, 

Finlaystone Place, Leperstone 

Rd, Leperstone Ave, Quarry 

Dr, Wateryetts Dr, Yetts Ave, 

Springwood Dr, Hillside Ave, 

Wateryetts Dr, Port Glasgow 

Rd, Woodrow Ave 

MONDAY 9TH 

Lower Kilmacolm - Churchill 

Rd (Primary School), Myreton 

Ave, Glenclune Ct, Belmont Rd, 

Beauly Cr, Roslin Ct, Belmont Rd 

(to end), Cargill Ave, Rannoch 

Rd, Kenmore Road, Hatfield 

Court, Whitelea Rd, Willow 

Dr, Whitelyea Cre, Whitelea 

Ave, Whitelea Ct, Carruth Dr 

to Orchard Gr, Broomknowe 

Rd, Victoria Gds, Nursery Lane, 

Nursery Grove, Castlehill Road 

Bridge of Weir 

TUEDAY 10TH 

Clevans Rd, Donaldfield Rd, 

Thornwood Dr, Southbrae Ave, 

Rosemount Lane, St Andrews 

Dr, Dalmahoy Cres, Bellisle 

Cres, Sunningdale Dr, Prieston 

Rd, Gryffe Rd 

WEDNESDAY 11TH 

Eldin Pl, Hazelwood Rd, The 

Grove, Shillingworth Pl, Earl Pl, 

Ranfurly Rd, Steadings, Bonar 

Cres, Watt Lane, Montrose Ter, 

Kilgraston Rd, Watt Rd, Ranfurly 

Pl, Bankend Rd, Kilbarchan Rd 

THURSDAY 12TH 

Elm Rd, Loch Rd, Loch Pl, 

Mill o’Gryffe Rd, Mimosa Rd, 

Lintwhite Crt, Lintwhite Cres, 

Moss Rd, Broom Pl, Gryffe Gate, 

Gorse Cres, St Machars Rd, 

Hillview Rd, Church Rd 

FRIDAY 13TH 

Torr Rd, Horsewood Rd, Fetlar 

Rd, Kennbank Cres, Kennbank 

Rd, Thriplee Rd, Lomond Cres, 

Barrcraig Rd, Carruth Rd, 

Lawmarnock Rd, Lawmarnock 

Cres, Glen Brae, Troon Dr, 

Glendentan Rd, Turnberry Dr, 

Barassie Dr 

SATURDAY 14TH 

Glengowan Rd, Strathgryffe 

Cres, Kilmacolm Rd, Kilallan 

Ave, Woodside Ave, Warlock 

Rd, Beech Ave, Castle Rd, Park 

Rd, Southview Cres, Freeland 

Dr, Warlock Dr, Houston Rd 


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Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank 

WHO ARE WE? 

Renfrewshire Christmas Toy Bank is a charity working with Social 

Work, Health Visitors, Family Nurse Partnership, the Star Project, 

Families First, Barnardo’s Threads, the Renfrewshire Foodbank 

and Who Cares Scotland, to provide Christmas gifts for children 

aged 0-18 in Renfrewshire. We have a number of donation points 

(see below). All donations must be new and not contain slime or 

chemicals, e.g. science kits. 

We also take cash donations to buy gift cards for teenagers and 

specialised toys for children with additional support needs. There 

is a Paypal donate link on our Facebook page. 

New toys help ensure a safety standard. We also work closely with 

Trading Standards at Renfrewshire Council to help assist with this. 

The well-being of our clients and volunteers is paramount. 

Gift packages are given out on a referral basis. We aim to have all 

gift packages out a week before Christmas so that those receiving 

the gifts have peace of mind that the gifts are there. This also allows 

time for the organisations to distribute gifts. Last year we gave out 

close to 1000 gifts to children and young people in Renfrewshire. 

TO DONATE 

If you would like to donate toys, please message the facebook 

page and we can arrange a pick up or drop off. We also have our 

paypal donate button which helps us buy gift cards for teenagers 

and specialised toys for children with disabilities. 

You can also drop off toys at any of the following: 

All Renfrewshire Libraries 

Houston 

The Village Paper Shop 

Paisley 

The Old Swan, Gantry, 

Paisley, Comicrazy Coffee 

Bar, Brew, Paisley, C Allan & 

Son Accountancy Services 

Ltd, Mhairi Black MP office 

Johnstone 

Big Kids Little Learners, Tom 

Arthur MSP office 

Linwood 

Tesco Superstore, Tesco 

Linwood in the Community 

Renfrew 

intu Braehead, Davidson’s Bar, 

Gavin Newlands MP office 

We already have referrals in, and plan on receiving over 1,200. With 

your donations, that could be 1,200 children and young people 

in your local community who can enjoy the magic of Christmas, 

and who otherwise may have gone without. Referrals come from 

reliable sources, so you always know your donations are going to 

the right place. 

Please help us spread the word. We’re on facebook at https:// 

www.facebook.com/renfrewshirechristmastoybank/ or email us on 

rctb2018@hotmail.com 

Local Heroes! 

Is there someone in your community who goes above and beyond? 

If you’ve heard about any local heroes who need a shout out please 

let us know. We’d love to hear about them! 

Please send your news in to info@advertizer.co.uk. 

Pictures are welcome but we do ask that they be at least 1MB in 

size, .jpg files, and no smaller than 5cm in width or height. 


Light Up a Life this Christmas 

St. Vincent’s Hospice are inviting you 

to celebrate the life of a loved one by 

making a donation and dedicating a 

light on their Christmas tree, before 

joining them for their annual Light 

Up a Life dedication service on Sunday 24 November at 4.30pm. 

The annual campaign runs all through the holiday season, giving 

people the chance to come together, share stories, remember those 

who have been lost and give the gift of specialist, compassionate 

care to patients and families who need it most. 

Commenting on Light Up a Life, Spiritual Care Co-ordinator for St. 

Vincent’s Hospice, Catherine McGrath said, “Christmas is a time 

of celebration and sharing, but we know it can also be difficult, 

especially if you have lost a loved one. Light Up a Life is a way to 

celebrate their life, by dedicating one of the hundreds of lights on 

our tree to them, before coming together at the Hospice for an 

evening of carols, readings, mince pies and hot drinks. 

“... For some, it brings a sense of peace and joy to be surrounded by 

others who understand what you are going through. For others, it 

provides an opportunity to take a moment to reflect on those they 

have lost. For all, it’s a great way to kick off the Christmas season 

and help a good cause!” 

To make a dedication and donation to St. Vincent’s, you can visit 

their new Light Up a Life Website by visiting: https://events.svh. 

co.uk/e/18 

This year, for the first time, a few moments after you have made 

your dedication, you will be able to view it and share it with your 

family and loved ones on our beautiful Night Sky dedication page. 

You can view, and search all dedications made this year by visiting: 

https://events.svh.co.uk/dedications/18 

Catherine added: “Our dedication event will begin at 4.30pm at the 

Corseford School, with a candlelit procession along our footpath, 

ending in the Hospice Courtyard. So wrap up warm and join us as 

hundreds of lights are lit to shine out this Christmas in memory of 

those being honoured and remembered.” 

Please be aware, that due to the large numbers in attendance, only 

disabled parking is available at the Hospice. Additional parking 

will be available at Capability Scotland’s Corseford School, with a 

shuttle bus service available for those who may require it. For more 

information contact Events@svh.co.uk. 

Creative Cafe 

Paisley Art’s Centre are delighted to welcome Kairos Women’s 

Space to POP SPACE, where they will be hosting their Creative Cafe 

sessions on Tuesday afternoons from 12 - 2.30pm, running weekly 

until 10th December. Join them for lunch, laughter and creative fun. 

All women and non-binary folk welcome to pop in! At POP Space 

Paisley in the Piazza. 

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11



KURC ScotRocks Charity Disco! 

Boogie the night away to music from 

your favourite Scottish rock stars and 

bands, from The Proclaimers to Primal 

Scream and everything in-between! 

The event, hosted by Kilmacolm 

Unofficial Running Club, will take place 

on 9th November at the Kidston Hall, 

Kilmacolm. BYO drinks. Tickets cost 

£10 – this includes a delicious hot 

buffet. Tickets can be bought from 

any KURC member or The Cross Cafe 

in Kilmacolm. There are many fantastic 

prizes to be won, including a £300 voucher for teeth whitening 

from En Visage Dental Surgery, Kilmacolm and specially selected 

items from McNeil’s Jewellers, Greenock. This year, all profits will 

go to Compassionate Inverclyde. 

Don’t miss this great opportunity to spread some festive love and 

have a great night out into the bargain! 

Paisley & District U3A Meetings 

This self help education organisation for older people meets on the 

first Thursday of the month in the Salvation Army Hall, Mill Street, 

Paisley. Tea and coffee served from 1.30pm with presentations 

beginning at 2.15pm. 

Some dates for your diary: 

7th November, our AGM and a magic show by ‘Magic Ian’. Plus 

we will announce the winners of Paisley & District U3A’s first 

photography competition 

5th December Alex Reedijk General Director of Scottish Opera - 

“My first 13 years at Scottish Opera” 

Come along and enjoy learning new things for the sheer fun of it. 

For more details visit our website: https://u3asites.org.uk/paisley/ 

welcome 

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. 

Womens Aid - New Pyjamas for 

Christmas 

We are collecting in new pyjamas for Christmas Eve for the women 

and children staying in the Renfrewshire Womens Aid refuge. If 

you would like to donate a new pair of pyjamas, then they can 

be handed to a member of staff in the CO-OP stores in Houston, 

Bridge of Weir and Kilbarchan. 

We would love the following sizes – Girls Age 0-12 Teenage Girls 

Womens Sizes S,M,L,XL Boys Age 0-12 Teenage Boys 

They will be collected from the CO-OP by Jenny Cowan who runs 

the Renfrewshire Food Bank Donation Bins in the above CO-OP 

stores. Last date for donations – Saturday 30th November Jenny 

can be contacted – JennyMeadows10@outlook.com 

*Please ensure that the purchase tags remain on the pyjamas* 

Thank you for supporting the women and children staying safe 

with the help and support of Renfrewshire Womens Aid. 

A very Merry Christmas when it comes – Jenny x 

12


Mouth Cancer Action Month 

As part of our support for Mouth Cancer Action 

Month, a charity campaign which aims to raise 

awareness of mouth cancer each November, we 

have highlighted some of the key facts, figures and 

advice: 

• Around 6,800 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each 

year in the UK 

• Mouth cancer causes more deaths per number of cases than 

breast cancer, cervical cancer or melanomas. 

• Tobacco use is still considered the main cause of mouth cancer. 

According to the World Health Organisation, up to half of current 

smokers will die of a tobacco-related illness – including mouth 

cancer. 

• Drinking to excess can increase the risk of mouth cancer by four 

times. Those who smoke and drink are up to 30 times more likely 

to develop mouth cancer. 

• Mouth cancer is twice more common in men than in women, 

though an increasing number of women are being diagnosed with 

the disease. 

• Most cases of mouth cancer occur in older adults aged 50 to 74. 

Only one in eight (12.5%) cases affect people younger than 50. 

• Poor diet is linked to a third of all cancer cases. 

• Experts suggest the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), transmitted 

through oral sex, could overtake tobacco and alcohol as the main 

risk factor within the coming decade. 

Mouth cancer can affect anyone so make sure you visit your 

dentist for regular check-ups so they can pick up any early warning 

signs. Visit www.kilbarchandental.co.uk where you can find out 

more about prevention and symptoms, come and speak to us at 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice or call 01505 704969. 


GasFit Plumbing 

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14 

Walk of Hope for Scottish 

Huntington’s Association 

Margaret Moncrieff and friends 

from Inchinnan and Erskine did a 

sponsored walk on 14th September 

along the banks of the Clyde in 

Erskine. It was in aid of Scottish 

Huntington’s Association, which 

is the only charity in Scotland 

providing support and advice to 

families, especially children, affected 

by Huntington’s disease. The walkers 

have raised £1,500. 

The funds raised will go to SHA to 

enable them to continue to provide a 

comprehensive support and advisory 

service to families in Scotland who are affected by HD. 

We would like to thank everyone for their tremendous support 

for our fundraising. 

I Am Me - Scotland 

I Am Me Scotland is a community charity that raises awareness of 

and tackles disability hate crime, bullying and exclusion. 

The charity has two key initiatives; The “I Am Me” training resources 

and Keep Safe. 

The training programme, developed with children, young people, 

disabled people and disability organisations is used in High 

Schools, by the Scottish Prison Service and in the training of new 

police recruits. 

Our #MakeaDifferenceScotland primary school programme has 

been designed for children from primary one through to primary 

seven and arranged into interactive lessons. This is an innovative 

and engaging range of resources which aims to educate young 

people and the wider community about disabilities, bullying, 

exclusion and hate crime. 

The lessons are normally delivered on the charity’s Cinebus, a 

mobile cinema and education unit which visits schools and disability 

groups to talk about I Am Me and Keep Safe. 

Keep Safe is a national network which creates Keep Safe places 

for anyone who feels lost, scared or vulnerable when out in the 

community. We have over 750 Keep Safe places in Scotland—find 

them all on our Keep Safe App! 

If you would like the I Am Me Team to visit your school or if you are 

a local business and would like more information about becoming 

a Keep Safe place please get in touch! For more info: www. 

iammescotland.co.uk 

Got NEWS? 

Got any local news? Please send your news in to info@advertizer. 

co.uk. 



If you have group images we like them to be even bigger so that 

faces are visible! This is all to ensure that pictures are printed clearly 

and not blurry or pixelated!


LOCAL 

history 

Renfrewshire’s Slave Legacy 

Renfrewshire Local History Forum 

In past issues, we have seen how some of Renfrewshire’s leading 

landowners were awarded large sums in 1834 for the loss of 

Africans on their sugar plantations. This was the result of a 

series of connections dating back to the 1640s, when ships from 

the lower Clyde sailed to Nevis and St Kitts. From the 1660s, 

pioneers such as William Colhoun had become sugar planters. 

Their influence brought out young men such as William McDowall 

and James Milliken as overseers. These men became successful 

planters and came home from the Caribbean in the 1720s and 

purchased Renfrewshire estates. They became ‘fixers’, among 

fellow landowners, demonstrating the vast wealth possible from 

owning sugar plantations. They arranged lucrative marriages and 

positions for sons and daughters on sugar plantations. 

Other leading Renfrewshire families who received slave 

compensation in 1834 included the Stewarts of Blackhall and 

Ardgowan. The Stewarts owned large tracts of the county from 

Inverkip to Mearns. Through the influence of established planters 

such as the McDowalls, by the 1740s the Stewarts had acquired the 

‘Roxburgh’ sugar plantation on Tobago. Most of the slave-owning 

families were linked through marriage. In 1786 the Stewart heir, 

married Fanny Colhoun, the widow of Sir James Maxwell of Nether 

Pollok, daughter of the McDowall’s slave overseer. Later, Sir Michael 

(Shaw-)Stewart married the daughter of Robert Farquhar, heir of 

the Harvey of Castle Semple sugar fortune. 

Sugar success spread quickly across Renfrewshire. In Cathcart 

Parish, the ‘Sugar Campbells’, the seventh largest plantation owners 

in Britain, purchased what became Linn Park from the McDowalls. 

In 1843 they were awarded compensation for the loss of 1,062 

Africans. In Neilston Parish, John Wallace of Kelly & Neilstonside 

was a planter in Jamaica. In Kilmacolm, the Porterfields of Duchal 

shared in the sugar plantations of the Cunninghams of Craigends. 

In Inchinnan Parish, William Alexander of Southbar had plantations 

on Antigua, Grenada and St. Vincent. In 1834 he was awarded £21,181 

for the loss of 850 Africans. In Mearns, apart from the Stewarts of 

Blackhall, the Allasons of Greenbank engaged in slave trading and 

the Hutchesons of Southfield were awarded compensation for the 

loss of Africans on their Jamaican plantation. 

Overall, despite the popular 

association of Liverpool and Bristol, 

with slavery, the Glasgow area 

received more compensation for 

losing slaves than Liverpool. Because 

many planters purchased estates 

around Glasgow, this had a very large 

effect on Renfrewshire. The leading 

Renfrewshire landowners covered 

in this series owned thousands of 

Africans. Most owned plantations 

for generations. Due to over-work, 

violence, disease and replacement, the 

number of Africans passing through 

their hands amounted to several times 

this number. 

Photo: Linn Bridge In conclusion, there are few parts of 

Renfrewshire where the farmland 

wasn’t improved through the labour of enslaved Africans, who 

were personally owned by the landed elite. (Readers can search 

the slave compensation records for themselves at www.ucl.as.uk.) 

© 2019 Stuart Nisbet, Renfrewshire Local History Forum 

Renfrewshire Local History Forum holds its next Archaeology 

meeting in Room D137/139, McLean Building, UWS, Paisley (entrance 

in Storie Street, beside the Hugh Smiley Building) at 7.30pm on 

Thursday 14th November. Our speaker is Heather James, Calluna 

Archaeology. Her topic is The Clan MacFarlane Arrocher Project: 

Three Rare Late Medieval Buildings on Loch Lomond. 

Johnstone History Society 


Why Simple Mirror Wills Can be Risky 

Many couples make mirror wills which leave everything to each 

other, assuming their estate will benefit their partner for life and 

then pass to their children or grandchildren after that. 

Sadly, that’s not always what happens. Mirror Wills are simply 

identical Wills which couples make, leaving everything to each 

other. 

But what many don’t anticipate is that, if the survivor needs 

care in later life, the Local Authority is likely to take most of the 

assets they have worked hard to build up together. 

The Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002, gives 

Local Authorities the power to use people’s finances and assets 

towards the cost of their social care. 

If a person’s total assets (including the value of their home) 

amount to more than £28,000 in Scotland, the Local Authority 

will expect them to pay care fees in full. 

On average, it costs £614 a week for a care home and £775 for 

nursing care, so their life savings can quickly deplete. 

Once assets fall to the £28,000 limit, the Local Authority will 

contribute part of the cost of care, but people will be expected 

to continue paying until their assets are reduced to £17,000. At 

this point, the Local Authority will take over the payments. 

If you leave all your estate to your partner, both your and their 

share of the assets can be used for care fees. And most people 

are also shocked to hear that, rather than their children or 

grandchildren inheriting, their estate could go to their child’s exspouse, 

debt collectors or somebody else’s grandchildren. 

There is a simple solution — not to leave everything to each 

other in the first place but to leave half of your property to your 

children on the first death, using a Protective Property Trust Will. 

This means a surviving spouse or partner can stay in the family 

home until their death, after which your children, grandchildren 

or whoever you choose will inherit your share of the property. 

This half-share is safe and will pass on to your choice of 

beneficiaries, regardless of whether your partner remarries or 

goes into care after your death. 

It requires that you hold your home equally between you rather 

than jointly with survivorship. This will mean you each own 

50% of the property, and can leave your share to whoever you 

choose. By specifying that your share will go to your children 

and/or grandchildren on your partner’s death, your partner can 

remain in the property until they die but will not actually own 

that share. It cannot therefore be taken by the Local Authority 

for their care fees or be passed on to someone other than who 

you have chosen. Couples should consider holding property as 

“common property” and updating their Wills to include this type 

of planning. 

Next meeting: November 13th - 7.30pm, Masonic Hall, Collier Street. 

Our speaker this month is Liz McIntyre Allan her subject being 

“Love Letters from a Desert Rat “. This talk will be very interesting 

as Liz will be talking about a member of her own family taken from 

300 letters stored at the back of a wardrobe. We hope to have a 

good attendance of members and any visitors will be made most 

welcome. The October meeting was fairly well attended considering 

it was a very wet night. Bruce Keith was a very knowledgeable and 

entertaining speaker and the evening was enjoyed by all. 

The Museum is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.30am till 4pm. 

If you have never been in please pay us a visit and have a browse or if you have 

been before come back as our displays do change from time to time. We also 

have on sale many books and publications which can also be purchased online 

at johnstonehistory.org any purchases can be paid for via PayPal. 

15



Finance & Tech 

Gryffe Valley Rotary - Speakers 

Gryffe Valley Rotary enjoys a number of interesting speakers at their 

meetings. Members are looking forward to talks on Photography, 

the Glasgow University renewal project at the site of the Western 

Infirmary, and, on 13th November, Morag Thow on “Active Ageing”. 

All speaker/dinner meetings are at the River Inn, Crosslee at 7pm 

for 7.30pm. 

Guests who are interested in finding out more about Rotary or the 

specific topic are very welcome. Prior booking is necessary by 

email to gryffevalleyrotary@gmail.com 

PREVIOUS SPEAKERS: 

16 

Wednesday 18th September – Angus 

Mathieson introduced Fred Hallsworth to 

speak on the topic “A Corporate Disaster”. 

Fred, originally from Paisley, joined Arthur 

Andersen LLP in 1978, where he remained 

for 25 years, rising to Managing Partner 

(Scotland) and holds Non-Executive 

Directorships with several companies. 

Fred explained the disastrous case of Fred Hallsworth 

Enron, for whom Arthur Andersen were 

Auditors. Between 1985 and 2000, Enron grew from a relatively 

small company to a massive conglomerate, fifth in size after 

Walmart, however, the business model was flawed. This together 

with fraudulent executives who manipulated share prices – these, 

Fred advised at the time, looked ridiculously high – led to Enron’s 

huge crash. It was to be known as the largest bankruptcy filing 

in American history. It also led to the demise of Arthur Andersen 

LLT. While the Enron Chairman, CEO and CFO were jailed for 45, 

24 and 10 years respectively, there were a large number of others 

implicated. A hugely interesting talk and discussion led by Fred. 

Wednesday 25th September – John 

Melrose introduced his friend Dr Alan 

Bennie a retired GP whose talk was entitled 

“Renewing Rwanda”. Alan has visited the 

country several times to assist with training 

of young medical students. He explained 

how this beautiful country struggled to 

rebuilt itself after the genocide of 1994. 

Donations were made to help his cause. 

Peter Gifford 

Wednesday 25th Dr Alan Bennie 

September – Dan 

Mungin introduced Peter Gifford, secretary of 

the Firth of Clyde branch of the World Ship 

Society. Peter’s talk was entitled “My last 

Calmac Rover ticket”. For many years CalMac 

offered an 8-day Rover ticket which permitted 

unlimited ferry journeys on their network. 

In 2014, Peter recorded one such trip with 

excellent photographs and 

presented this to us the 

form of a travelogue. 

Wednesday 16th September – Rebecca Shaw, 

of Rebecca Shaw Archaeological Services, was 

introduced by Mike Pepper. We greatly enjoyed 

her description of an excavation at Ardardan 

Estate at Cardross. Here the surprise was 

finding the remains of an Iron Age enclosure 

dating between 700BC and 500AD, which 

the owners originally thought was just an old 

drain! 

Rebecca Shaw 

Guaranteed Over 50’s Life Assurance 

Plans 

by Carl Melvin, Affluent Financial Planning Ltd 

Adverts for guaranteed over 50’s life assurance plans always 

seem to be on TV, inviting us to avoid leaving our loved ones with 

expensive funeral costs. The key selling point is that it’s easy to 

apply with no medical questions asked. You’ll often receive a gift 

when you take out a policy. However, do such plans offer good 

value? Consider the following; 

Do you need a plan that doesn’t require you to disclose health 

issues? If you don’t have significant health issues you don’t need to 

pay for a plan that has no medical checks – if the provider doesn’t 

medically underwrite applicants, you can bet the premiums will be 

significantly higher than if they did 

Costly – such plans are expensive when compared to a conventional 

life assurance policy that is based on your health. 

No payment if you die too soon – plans normally exclude paying 

out benefits if you die within the first 12 months (they refund the 

premiums you have paid), whereas conventional life assurance pays 

out on death whenever it occurs within the term of the plan. 

Low level of cover – the level of cover offered is low, often limited to 

an upper limit of around £18,000 sum assured. If you need higher 

cover, consider a conventional term plan. 

No inflation proofing – cover is level and over time inflation will 

reduce the spending power of the life cover you have. 

Use of Trusts – such plans wont normally be placed in trust, resulting 

in possible exposure to Inheritance tax if you have a large estate. 

TV adverts are not cheap – the cost of these come from the 

premiums charged on the policy. 

Profitable – such plans are designed to be very profitable for the 

company offering them. You are paying a lot for the cover you are 

getting. 

Look at alternatives before buying – consider taking professional 

advice on conventional policies before you opt for an over 50’s 

plan – you may get a better deal. 

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

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

there is no obligation. Call us for a FREE financial review on 01505 59 

50 60 or email info@affluentfp.co.uk. Alternatively, pop into the Affluent 

office opposite Amaretto restaurant on Main Street, Bridge of Weir. www. 

affluentfp.co.uk



£300 for Young Carers 

Young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 can now apply for a 

new yearly payment of £300 if they are caring for someone, on a 

disability benefit, for an average of 16 hours most weeks. 

Young Carer Grant is a new benefit delivered by Social Security 

Scotland and is now open for applications. Young people can apply 

if they are at school, in further education or training, employment 

or unemployed. 

Social Security Scotland Chief Executive, David Wallace said: “With 

more responsibilities and less free time, many young carers don’t 

get the same opportunities as their friends, and this new payment 

is for them to spend as they choose. Many young carers don’t 

identify as a carer– they just do what they do because it’s their 

family or someone they care for who needs regular support. As with 

all our benefits, we want to ensure that everyone who is entitled to 

a payment is encouraged to apply. We will work with partners to 

ensure we reach as many of these young carers as possible.” 

Visit mygov.scot/benefits/young-carer or call 0800 182 2222 

Spend Local 

This area is home to many 

fantastic businesses of all sizes 

and kinds. So we’re encouraging 

everyone to Spend Local, to do 

their bit for the local economy 

by supporting the many great 

businesses on their doorstep. 

Around 65p from every pound spent locally stays local - so 

by picking up that coffee, stopping off for lunch or buying that 

gift you can do your bit to support the local community and its 

businesses. 

Certainly, in the villages that The Advertizer delivers to, we have a 

number of excellent shops to choose from. And often you’ll find 

a gift just that little bit more unusual than the choice in the large 

outlets. 

If you already shop locally you’ll be aware of what’s out there. But 

if you are an online shopper, then why not pop in over the next 

few weeks and have a look and see what you can get in your local 

shops. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

Purchase of Goods: Your Rights as a Consumer by Dallas McMillan, Solicitors 

Any product purchased from a retailer must be:- 

(a) of “satisfactory quality” when you receive it. 

Standard required: what a reasonable person considers 

satisfactory. Required standard varies (eg between new/secondhand 

purchases). 

(b) “fit for purpose”: ie purpose product normally bought for, and 

for specific purpose stated to retailer before purchase. 

(c) as described to you before product purchased. 

The retailer cannot restrict these statutory rights. 

If product fails on any of the above three counts, you have these 

remedies against the retailer (not the manufacturer):- 

1) Within 30 days of purchase. 

You can reject product and obtain a full refund. 

• 30 days starts from later of date of purchase/date of delivery. 

• No right of rejection of digital content downloaded. 

• You are entitled to refund of costs of returning rejected product. 

• The purchase receipt/invoice will likely help, but is not essential. 

2) Between 30 days and 6 months of purchase. 

You cannot reject the product before first giving the retailer one 

chance to repair or replace it. 

• Retailer will have final say on decision to repair or replace 

product. 

• Fault presumed to have existed at time of purchase, unless retailer 

can prove otherwise. 

• If retailer’s attempt to repair/replace is unsuccessful, you can 

then reject and claim full refund (or choose to retain product and 

claim partial refund instead). If rejected, retailer must refund fully 

(except with cars, where deduction can be made for fair use after 

first 30 days of ownership). 

3) After 6 months from purchase. 

• Onus instead on you to prove fault existed at purchase (often 

difficult). 

• Retailer given chance to repair/replace product before rejection 

allowed. 

• On later refund, retailer can deduct for fair use. 

Our next blog will discuss alternative remedies (if retailer cannot/will not help) and additional consumer rights. 

LITIGATION TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Law Awards of Scotland 2018 

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WHAT’S 

HAPPENING 

THIS MONTH 

Bridge of Weir SWI 

We are looking forward to 

welcoming Rosie Eliot as our 

speaker on 7th November. 

Rosie has recently retired from 

the BBC Scottish Symphony 

Orchestra where she was 

principal flute player. She will 

be speaking about her life as a 

musician which has taken her 

to many parts of the world, and 

she will share some musical 

highlights. We will meet at 

7.15pm at Old Ranfurly Golf Club, 

and members and visitors will 

all be welcome for what should 

be an entertaining evening. 

St. Machar’s Ranfurly 

Church 

November 

Saturday 2nd: Guide Coffee 

Morning, Church Hall 

Monday 4th: 7.30pm - The Guild 

- Companions, Church Hall 

Monday 18th: 7.30pm - The Guild 

Guest Night, Church Hall 

Thursday 21st: 7.30 pm - Kirk 

Session Meeting, Session Room 

Friday 29th: 12noon - The 

Terrace Community Lunch, 

Church Hall 

December 

Sunday 1st: 3pm - 

Clydebank Citadel Band, 

Church 

Sunday 8th: 3pm - Service in 

Remembrance of those who 

have died, Church 

Bridge of Weir Lace Group 

Fortnightly Tuesday mornings 

(10am - 12noon). Further details 

phone (01505) 613967. 

Gryffe Voices Community 

Choir (Mondays) 

Freeland Church, BoW 8pm to 

9.45pm. Sing pop, rock, folk, 

show tunes, gospel. Contact 

gryffevoices@gmail.com 

Bridge of Weir Choral 

Society (Tuesdays) 

Small Hall, St. Columba Church, 

Kilmacolm 7.30pm - 9.30pm. 

All welcome. 

BoW Senior Citizens Club 

2nd & 4th Wednesday Cargill 

Hall 7pm - 9.15pm 

Tea, biscuits & a raffle 

each meeting along with 

entertainment. 

Hearing Aid Clinic 

3rd Friday each month The 

Bridge, BoW. 1pm - 2pm 

Hearing aid batteries and 

hearing aid checks. 

Churches in Bishopton, Langbank & Bridge of Weir 


Bishopton | Bridge of Weir | Langbank 

Coffee Mornings/Sales 

2nd BOW Guides Christmas 

Craft and Coffee Morning 

Saturday 2nd November 10am - 

12.30pm 

St Machar’s Ranfurly Church 

Hall, Kilbarchan Road, BoW. 

Coffee Morning with the 

Bridge of Weir Choral 

Society 

(in aid of choir funds) on the 9th 

November at the Kidston Hall, 

Old Kirk, Kilmacolm from 10am 

to 12midday. 

Tickets £2 - available from 

members or on the door. 

Come along for coffee and 

cakes, tombola, raffle, chat and 

a chance to get your Christmas 

Concert tickets early! 

Bridge of Weir SWI Coffee 

Morning 

Saturday 16th November 10am - 

12 in the Pirie, Freeland Church, 

£3 for tea, coffee and cakes. 

Please come along and enjoy 

home baking and a friendly 

welcome at this pre Christmas 

event. 

Got NEWS? 

Got any local news? Please send 

your news in to info@advertizer. 

co.uk. 

Pictures are welcome but we do 

ask that they be at least 1MB in 

size, .jpg files, and no smaller 

than 5cm in width or height. 

This is all to ensure that pictures 

are printed clearly and not 

blurry or pixelated! 


Choral Society 

Christmas Concert 

Sunday 15th December, in St. 

Columba Church, Kilmacolm, 

at 7pm. This year the choir 

will be joined by Angel Voices 

children’s community choir and 

Johnstone Band. We do hope 

that you can join us for some 

Yuletide celebration. 

The Royal British Legion Scotland 

Bridge of Weir and District Branch 

The Royal British Legion Scotland Bridge of 

Weir and District Branch. 

Poppy Appeal 

The Royal British Legion Scotland’s Bridge 

of Weir and District Branch members have 

placed collection tins in various premises 

throughout the Village for the Annual 

Poppy Scotland Appeal. Memorial Crosses are 

available from Beaton Bros., 1 Station Road, Bridge 

of Weir. 

Poppy Scotland provides and funds a variety of services 

believing that those who serve in the Armed Forces, and 

their families, deserve special recognition and support. 

They aim to help as many people in the Armed Forces 

community as possible, supporting people of all ages, 

whether difficulties have arisen during time in the Armed 

Forces or many years later. They also help the families of 

ex-Servicemen and women, including partners, widows, 

widowers and children. 

Please give generously to the Appeal. Our ex-Service 

community deserve all our support for everything they 

have given up for us 

Remembrance Sunday 

The Annual Remembrance day Parade in Bridge of Weir is on 

Sunday the 10th of November. 

The Parade will assembly on the Village Car Park at 2.30pm. 

The Pipes and Drums of Kilbarchan Pipe Band will lead the March 

to the War Memorial. The Parade will include Standard Bearers, 

Veterans, Local Dignitaries, Clergy, Members of the Royal British 

Legion Scotland and Youth Groups. 

Everyone is welcome at the War Memorial at 3pm to attend the 

service of dedication to remember our fallen lead by Local Clergy. 

Together we remember them. 

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

Tea/coffee after the service. Come along and meet in the Hall from 9.50am. 

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

ST MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Johnstone Rd, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3EE. Sunday Service 10am. Contact: Rev. Heller G. 01505 

872961 www.heartlandsec.org/BoW 

ST MACHAR’S RANFURLY CHURCH: Regular Sunday morning services at 10.30am, for more info check out our website: 

stmacharsranfurlychurch.org.uk and Facebook. 

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. 11.30am Morning Worship at 

The Church (Erskine Ferry Road). Please see our website Bishoptonkirk.org.uk or Facebook for further details as we have Family 

Services at the beginning of each month which alternate between Church and Cornerstone.


Cllr Natalie Don 

I was pleased to see 

the improvements 

that have now 

been carried out 

in Bridge of Weir 

at the Prieston/ 

Kilbarchan/Bridge of 

Weir Road junction 

in a bid to increase safety for 

pedestrians. Readers will remember that I arranged a site visit for 

this area after concerns were raised with Derek Mackay MSP and 

I, at a street surgery in the village. New raised islands, reflective 

bollards and rumble strips have been installed in a bid to increase 

awareness of what has been deemed, a dangerous junction. 

Coupled with the newly extended 30mph zone past St. Mary’s I 

hope this will make a big difference in terms of the speed of cars in 

the area and ultimately, pedestrian safety. 

I have recently been in talks with various residents from across 

different areas in Bishopton about upgrading the local parks. 

Renfrewshire Council made this a priority back in 2017 when funds 

were established specifically for this aim, with a £1.5 million Play 

Parks and Green Spaces fund and a separate Village Investment 

Fund. These were set up with the aim of improving our park network 

while also giving local people the chance to be involved and have a 

say on what improvements are made. 

We have already seen some of this funding awarded to various 

community groups across Renfrewshire and it will be great to see 

this progress. However I would really like Bishopton, Bridge of Weir 

and Langbank to receive some of this funding, because I know 

how passionate local people are about improving their area. Any 

constituted voluntary or community group can apply for funding 

to upgrade one of their local parks or green spaces and I am more 

than happy to offer any support or information that I can, whether 

that is helping set up a group or advice on the application. Do not 

delay – if you have an idea for a local park or green space near you, 

please get in touch. 

We recently saw the Transport Bill passed at the Scottish 

Parliament, aspects of which could make a big difference to local 

people’s everyday lives. Among other things, the Bill sets out 

some clear strategies to improve public transport by giving more 

power to councils and regional transport networks to run their 

own services, which after the problems we have faced with service 

cuts here in Renfrewshire, is welcome news. The Bill also brings 

forward an outright ban on pavement and double parking, subject 

to exemptions, which is something that I receive many complaints 

about locally. It is still very early days in but now that the Bill has 

passed, I am looking forward to more details being announced on 

how this can progress and you can be sure that I will keep you 

updated on the progress with this. 

Cllr Natalie Don (SNP) cllr.natalie.don@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

07976 239705 www.facebook.com/CllrNatalieDon/ 

Clydebank Citadel Band 


St Machar’s Ranfurly Church 

on Sunday 1st December at 3pm 

Tickets: £5 (including refreshments), available from Morven Tel: 

01505 612286 or on the door subject to availability. 

Your Ward 11 Councillors 

James MacLaren, Natalie Don, Colin McCulloch | 

Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 

Community Council Visitors welcome at monthly meetings 

BISHOPTON: Primary School: 1st Thursday at 7.30pm 

www.bishoptoncouncil.com 

BRIDGE OF WEIR: 1st Tuesday, Cargill Hall: 7pm 

www.bridgeofweir.org 

LANGBANK: Church Hall: 2nd Wed at 7.30pm 

Community Halls to Let 

Bridge of Weir: Freeland Church. Tel: 612245 

Located in Bridge of Weir, 

Bernie’s Cafe is a real find, 

serving fabulous food 

and drinks in a relaxed, 

family-friendly space. 

From super brekkies to 

luxury sandwiches, 

homemade meals and 

mouthwatering ice-creams 

and home-bakes, there 

is something for everyone, 

whatever the time of day. 

A take away service is 

also available. Pre-order for collection. 

Have a special occasion coming up? 

The Bridge 


Bernie’s offer FREE private function hire; they are fully licensed 

and offer a selection of menus to cater for all your needs. 

Why not pop along to one of our Bistro Nights – Friday 6th 

and Saturday 7th December with live acoustic duo. £24.95 per 

person and includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival 

This year the hugely popular “Breakfast with Santa” is 

back at Bernie’s on the 21st 22nd December. 

Tickets £6. Book now to avoid disappointment. 

Finalist for Scottish Cafe Award 

Cafe Food & Barista of the Year 2019 

Happy Birthday!!! we are pleased to announce that come mid 

November The Bridge will celebrate its Eighth birthday. 

Your Support – we are well into the Christmas season and, due to 

strong customer demand, we have increased our stocks of Christmas 

Goods. Please make sure you visit The Bridge for your packs of 

Christmas cards, individual cards, wrapping paper, Christmas bags 

and tags and money gift wallets. Our very popular locally produced 

Calendar for 2020, showcasing Bridge of Weir scenes, is on sale as 

is a selection of Diaries for the coming year. 

Community Centre - please use the expertise provided within The 

Bridge. The Hearing Clinic takes place on the third Friday afternoon 

of each month. Please visit to obtain free hearing aid batteries. Our 

MSP, Derek Mackay, and MP, Gavin Newlands, each hold monthly 

surgeries. 

The Garden - a few months ago Brighter Bridge of Weir tended our 

front garden. Last month they cleared, planted and transformed 

our side garden which now looks amazing. We would like to thank 

them for their skill and hard work. 

Post Office – Thinking of buying Christmas gifts - why not send 

a Gift Card. These can be exchanged in many well known stores. 

Please ask Donald, Stuart and Alison for details. 

Please remember the overseas posting deadlines!!! Please see our 

website for details. 

And finally, as we approach our eighth anniversary, a very big ‘Thank 

You’ to the residents of Bridge of Weir and to our loyal volunteers 

who continue to support us. 

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The Terrace 

Last Friday in the month St Machar’s 

Ranfurly Church Hall 

Soups, sandwiches, tea/coffee, 

biscuits. £4. 

Langbank W I 

Meeting on 21st November at 

7.30pm in Langbank Village Hall. 

We are hosting a representative 

from Clyde Muirshiel Park. 

Subject Tag & Track. Please 

come along and join us for an 

interesting evening with a light 

supper. 

Bishopton 

Community 

Centre 

Gledstane Road, Bishopton 

PA7 5AU. Tel: 01505 863354 

For full information and contact 

details please check out: www. 

bishoptoncommunitycentre.com 

MONDAY 

Ladies Badminton: 10am – 12noon 

Bridge: 1pm – 3pm 

Yoga: 1.30pm – 2.30pm 

Tai Chi: 3pm – 4pm 

French: 3.30pm – 5.30pm 

Rainbows: 6pm – 7pm 

Brownies: 6pm – 7.15pm 

Guides: 7.30pm – 10pm 

Trefoil Guild: (1st Monday in 

month) 7.30 – 10pm 

TUESDAY 

Toddlers: 10am – 11.30am 

Crochet: 1pm – 3pm 

Brownies: 6.15pm – 7.30pm 

Singing for Wellbeing: 6pm – 

7.15pm 

Ladies Badminton: 8pm – 10pm 

WEDNESDAY 

Slimming World: 8am – 11.30am 

Toddlers: 1.15pm – 2.45pm 

Karate: 6.30pm – 7.30pm 

Bridge Club: 7pm – 10pm 

Yoga: 8pm – 9pm 

THURSDAY 

Toddlers: 10am – 11.30am 

Dancing: 3.30pm – 9pm 

FRIDAY 

Friday Funtime: 10am – 

11.30am 

French: 2pm – 3pm 

Clyde Judo: 6pm – 8pm 

SUNDAY 

Karate: 10.30am – 11.30am 

Kettlebells: 12noon – 1pm 

Model Bus Federation Meeting: 

(Once a month) 1pm – 4pm 

Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights 

Cllr James MacLaren 

Don’t the dark evenings come suddenly! 

If you are accustomed to going out 

for a walk in the early evening, please 

remember to wear bright clothing and 

carry a torch to be seen by as much as 

to see with. For dogs, you can get flashing collars 

and this is a useful device particularly on the cycle 

tracks after dark to warn approaching cyclists of 

the danger. Please take care out there. 

It’s the time of year for the leaves to fall from the 

trees and no sooner has the road sweeper gone 

by on our leafy streets than it looks like they 

haven’t been for months. Pity the council does not 

concentrate road sweeping in these areas just now. 

When was the last time you saw your gully being 

emptied? Many of them are full of silt. This is bad 

news for many villages as flooding is a big issue in 

many places. Council does not appear to be making 

any extra effort at known flood risk spots. 

Fly-tipping is a real scourge on our landscape and 

the Council really need to get tougher on those 

that commit these offences. It is unacceptable 

that individuals and businesses have to clean up 

this amount of rubbish and litter themselves every 

week. The Council need to ensure that working 

CCTV is used at known dumping sites as a matter 

of urgency in order to deter would be fly-tippers. 

Our countryside should not be a dumping ground 

for waste and I am calling for officials will take 

action on this immediately. 

Many of you will know that I have been searching 

for a suitable site for a men’s shed in Bridge of Weir. 

I have now reached agreement with Ian Beaton that 

a building could be situated within his coal yard. 

The plans would be subject to planning permission 

and of course will depend on a planning application 

for housing here, but I welcome Ian Beaton’s 

commitment and shows there is a real desire for a 

men’s shed to be a reality in Bridge of Weir. A men’s 

shed is a fantastic way of bringing men together 

socially and boosting their confidence. 

I recently attended an event at Gryffe Wraes Farm to 

learn more about how farms can protect themselves 

from being the victims of crime. Concerns around 

scamming, protecting livestock, fly-tipping and 

hazardous waste were all discussed. I am sure our 

farmers who went along will have learned about 

measures they can take to protect themselves from 

being the victims of crime such as scamming and 

theft of livestock. 

Please note my surgery details: 

• Langbank Parish Church Hall - 1st Monday of 

month (6.30pm) 

• Bridge of Weir Cargill Hall - 2nd Monday of month 

(6.30pm) 

• Bishopton Community Library - 3rd Monday of 

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 


THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 6.15pm - 8.30pm, with Party People Video DJS – Billy Cullen 

Join us at 6.15pm for the Carol Service at Freeland Church where the Bridge of Weir Primary School 

Choir will perform. Billy Cullen will be introducing Stedfast Silver Band, Greenock at 6.45pm, followed 

by the lights switch-on at Livery Walk at 7.15pm. Then you’re invited to Santa’s Grotto at the Hope Hall 

from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Also Christmas Stalls/Photo Booth from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Bernie’s Cafe, 

Ice Mania, Shimla Cottage, Co-op and more.... 

Please note, times are approximate and may be subject to 

change depending on weather.. 

Bridge of Weir Community 

Council 

Bridge of Weir Community Council 

Welcomes New Chair 

The first section of the inaugural meeting of 

the new Community Council was chaired by 

the Renfrewshire Councils Community Council 

Liaison Officer Anne Mc Naughton. 

Anne opened the meeting with a general 

introduction and announcement of the results 

of the Election only 10 nomination papers were 

submitted therefore all 10 were duly elected 

unopposed. Anne called for nominations 

for Office Bearers Community Councillors 

were delighted local village activist Gordon 

Anderson accepted the role of Chair after long 

time Chair Sandy Clark had intimated he wished 

to stand down. With Gordon’s enthusiasm at 

the top of the helm the Community Council 

will continue with its goals to provide a better 

village environment for everyone. 

Sandra Liddell continues with her role as 

Secretary as does Treasurer Neil Ferguson, 

Sharon Russell has been elevated to the 

position of Minute Secretary. 

Overall the election was a poor result for the 

Community Council losing seven members, 

mainly retirees and gaining only two. 

As well as Gordon joining, we welcome wellknown 

local business man Ian Beaton to our 

ranks. 

The meeting heard from Councillor MacLaren 

that traffic calming measures will shortly 

be upgraded at the Kilmacolm entrance to 

the village and a new method of reporting 

non collected household waste bins to be 

introduced going digital. 

The Community Council has called for a site 

visit with Ken Gray StreetScene Manager at 

Renfrewshire Council to view the open space 

site on the corner of the Lintwhite / Main 

Street junction, to identify what can be done 

to improve the appearance. 

Community Councillors are to meet soon to 

finalise proposals for the Christmas Lights 

switch on. The date this year is Thursday the 

5th of December. 

An application to Renfrewshire Councils Green 

Space fund has been submitted to upgrade 

play equipment at Lintwhite and Ranfurly 

Parks. 

The Community Council are to review its subcommittee’s 

and membership. 

The membership of the Community Council 

for the new four year term is Gordon Anderson 

Chair, Sandra Liddell Secretary, Neil Ferguson 

Treasurer, Sharon Russell Minute Secretary and 

members Ian Beaton, Sandy Clark, Andrew 

Curley, Maureen McClements, Alannah Penney 

and Neil Thomson. 

The new traffic calming measures on Kilmacolm 

Road are now in place including large 30mph 

signage giving drivers no excuse to break the 

law by speeding.


Tenants and Residents Association - 


October’s meeting of Bridge of Weir TARA was very busy with a 

number of issues discussed. We’d like to thank Councillors Colin 

McCulloch and James MacLaren, P.C.s Eilidh O’Hanlon and Steven 

Reid, housing officer Barry Scott and Renfrewshire wardens Kevin 

Price and Peter Hogan for their attendance. 

The police report showed that there were eight offences committed 

within the village over the previous month. With the dark nights 

now creeping in, the police have ask that people make sure that 

sheds, garages, etc. are well secured, as thefts from outbuildings 

invariably rise at this time of year. 

The wardens have been busy around the village with seven incidents 

reported, four of which concerned the excessive use of garden log 

burners. 

TARA are delighted with the 

new play equipment at Houston 

Road Park. All the equipment is 

designed to be inclusive so that 

children with mobility problems 

can now play with their family 

and friends. TARA have been 

in talks with the Council 

regarding the installation of 

this type of equipment for over 

two years, and with the help of 

Councillor Natalie Don we finally got it in place. The pathways in 

Houston Road park have also been re-laid to allow easier access for 

wheelchairs, prams, etc.. 

TARA are also delighted to see the new traffic calming measures 

around the village especially the 30mph limit being extended out 

to St. Mary’s Church. The new road markings, signage, rumble 

strips and pedestrian island at Prieston Road/Main Street junction 

are also a very welcome addition. 

Finally in conjunction with Environmental Services, TARA will be 

endeavouring to clear away fly-tipped items in Moss Road Park in 

mid-November. Once we have a date for this we will be publicised. 

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help would be most welcome. 

The next meeting of Bridge of Weir Tenants and Residents 

Association will be on Tuesday 19th November at 7.30pm in the 

Pirie Centre at Freeland Church. 


Bishopton Art Group’s Christmas Art 

and Crafts Fair 

Saturday 16th November between 10am and 3pm 

at Bishopton Community Centre, Gledstane Road, Bishopton, 

Bishopton Art Group will host their annual Christmas Art and Crafts 

Fair. Local amateur artists and crafts people will offer a variety 

of products for sale that will make ideal Christmas presents. The 

venue has free parking and is a 5-minute walk from Bishopton 

railway station. 

Admission to the Christmas Art and Craft fair is free. Tea, coffee and 

some great home baking will also be available during the event. 

Bishopton Annual Fireworks 

Bishopton Scout Group will be holding their annual fireworks 

display on Saturday 2nd November on Barrangary Road, in the 

Dargavel Development site. 

Gates will be open from 7pm onwards and the event will be finished 

by 9pm. There will be the usual tent with hot drinks and hot dogs 

etc. 

Tickets will be sold around the village in the week or so leading up 

to the event, and can also be purchased on the night at the gate. 

Spend Local 

Renfrewshire and Inverclyde are home to many fantastic businesses 

- of all sizes and kinds...and we can all support them by Spending 

Local. So we’re encouraging everyone to Spend Local - to help 

people who live and work here do their bit for the Renfrewshire 

economy by supporting the many great businesses on their 

doorstep. 

Around 65p from every pound spent locally stays local - so by 

picking up that coffee, stopping off for lunch or buying that gift you 

can do your bit to support the local community and its businesses. 

Certainly, in the villages that The Advertizer delivers to, we have 

a number of excellent shops to choose from. And often you’ll find 

a gift just that little bit more unusual than the choice in the large 

outlets. 

If you already shop locally you’ll be aware of what’s out there. But 

if you are an online shopper, then why not pop in over the next 

few weeks and have a look and see what you can get in your local 

shops. 

Colette Cardosi, chair of Paisley First, is backing the campaign: 

She says: “Research on spending by local authorities does indeed 

show more money spent locally stays in the local economy. It is 

also an ethical choice. When you shop at local butchers, bakers, 

and greengrocers or farmers’ market, the produce likely had a short 

field-to-fork journey, reducing carbon footprint. 

“Independent shops often stock locally-made items not available 

elsewhere - and along with artisan markets support entrepreneurs 

and foster the talents of the next generation. Shopping locally also 

helps build communities. Bookshops, cafes and craft shops drum 

up custom by hosting book groups, knitting clubs, children’s events 

and more. If businesses are not supported, local groups tend to 

disappear. 

“Most importantly, the only way a town centre can thrive is with 

the community, business owners and council united and working 

together. Coming into your town centre to spend locally increases 

engagement with each other - and participating in the different 

events, visiting our beautiful buildings and embracing our rich 

heritage ultimately help us collectively regenerate the area and 

make it prosper once again.” 

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22 

WHAT’S 

HAPPENING 

THIS MONTH 

Monday Bridge Club 

Cargill Community Centre 7pm. 

For information contact the 

Club Secretary, Sheena Clayton, 

on 01505 873802. 

Bridge Lessons 

Classes resume in Kilmacolm 

Community Centre on 

Wednesday 6th November for 

6 weeks, class meets from 7pm 

- 9pm. These are stand alone 

lessons and it is possible to 

attend on a weekly basis 

All welcome except complete 

beginners, look forward to 

seeing you. For further 

information tel : 01505 872345 

Local Police Surgeries 

4th Monday the local 

neighbourhood officer surgery 

in the Community Centre 

10.30am - 11.30am. 

Tuesday Crafty Play Café 

Quarriers Village Café, Faith 

Avenue 10am-12noon; 12noon 

-2pm; 2pm - 4pm. £2 for kids 

craft materials (optional) 

Wednesday Knitting Group 

Three Sisters Bake, Quarriers 

10am - 12noon. 

Babies, Bumps and Boobs 

St. Columba’s Church Lesser 

Hall, Duchal Road (termtime). 

1st Wednesday 

in the month. Contact 

playgroupmembership@gmail. 

com 

Inverclyde Carers Outreach 

Cargill Centre, 11am - 2pm. 2nd 

Wednesday in the month. 

Email 

enquiries@ 

inverclydecarerscentre.org.uk 

or call: 01475 735180. 

‘Outlook’ 

Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. 1st 

& 3rd Thursday in the month. 

Guest speakers, afternoon tea, 

local issues. All welcome. 

Sòlas Bereavement Support 

Group 

Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. 2nd 

Thursday in the month. 

Movie Night 

Old Kirk, 7pm for 7.30pm. Last 

Thursday in the month. 

Saturday Volunteer Group 

Greenock Cut Visitor Centre 

10.30am - 2.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers, adult 

group. Newcomers always 

welcome. 

Guide Hut to Hire 

Main hall, kitchen facilities 

and outdoor area. Perfect 

for children’s parties, weekly 

classes and one off special 

occasions. Contact Julie: 07967 

371595 or e: guidehutbooking@ 

gmail.com. 

Kilmacolm | Quarriers 


Friends of Ardgowan Hospice 

Kilmacolm Christmas Coffee 

Morning 

Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm 

Saturday 2nd November 

10am - 12noon 

Fancy goods/baking/raffle. 

Entry is £3 donation 

If you can help on the day please 

contact Sandra on 873126 or 

Agnes 874913 

MND Christmas Card Sale 

Tuesday 5th November from 

10am - 1pm in the Kilmacolm New 

Community Centre, Kilmacolm. 

Christmas Coffee Morning 

Saturday 7th December 10am 

– 12 noon, St. Fillan’s Episcopal 

Church, Moss Road, Kilmacolm 

From the Brunch & Browse 

Team…. 

Home-baking, jams and 

chutneys, Christmas cards, gifts 

and raffle. Tickets £3 including 

tea/coffee; scones and cakes 

(pay at door) 

Knapps Annual 

Fireworks 

The Bonfire and Fireworks 

will take place at Knapps on 

Saturday 2nd November. Gates 

open 4.30pm, bonfire lit sharp 

6pm. Great traditional village 

event adults £5 youngsters £2. 

Non profit making. Enquiries to 

Cllr David Wilson. 

Churches in Kilmacolm & 

Quarriers 

KILMACOLM OLD KIRK: Church of 

Scotland (Charity no. SC009291). 

www.kilmacolmoldkirk.org.uk. Interim 

Moderator Revd Gary Noonan, Houston 

and Killellan Church, 01505 612569. Rev 

Iain Ramsden(0141 316 1906) has been 

appointed locum and with be taking 

the services from Nov 4th. Morning 

worship: Sundays at 11am. Except 

Remembrance Sunday 10th November 

10.45 am. Uniform youth services will be 

in attendance. 

ST COLUMBA CHURCH OF SCOTLAND: 

(Charity no. SC007992) Morning 

Worship Sundays at 11am. All welcome. 


Cllr David Wilson 

I was accompanied by an executive from SPT for my 

visit to Outlook. My subject was “Highs and Lows of a 

Councillor” and my colleague spoke about MyBus and 

bus services in the village. The last no1 from Johnstone 

Station is 4.23pm and we were asked if this could leave 

an hour later? Unfortunately there was no scope to add a later 

service. Most enjoyable couple of hours. 

The clock on the Old Kirk Tower has been misbehaving but the 

council is in the process of fixing it. The clock and the flag pole 

are considered to be of public significance and although owned 

by the Parish are maintained by the council. The main village 

Remembrance Service on 10th November will be at 10.45am in 

the Old Kirk followed by a short service at the War Memorial at 

12.30pm. 

Elphinstone Court residents approached me with several 

complaints. I have written to the Renfrewshire Valuation Board on 

their behalf because their community charge is more than much 

older and larger houses. Parking on the dropped kerbs nearby also 

came up and this should not happen. We do have a shortage of 

parking places and the council has made three suggestions. I am 

very much against a multi storey car park behind the outstanding 

Cargill community centre which is now in a conservation area. The 

Cargill has proved to be a resounding success with the community 

centre, library, surgery and piazza (beautifully decorated by 

Colourful Kilmacolm). 

Bollards have been installed at the junction of Gryffe and Houston 

roads to protect a manhole cover, various white lining will be done 

including the junction of Pacemuir and Broomknowe, Cloak Road 

has been damaged by the extra traffic due to Scottish Water, 

trees need cut back at the Barrs Brae Car Park. The second weed 

killing treatment has been completed on the Pacemuir Estate. Due 

to subsidence above the drains the pitches at Birkmyre will now 

not be ready for use until the summer. The contractor will fix. The 

Scottish Water sewage works have been a trial in the village for 

residents, transport and visitors. They were polite enough but took 

too long. 

Council officers are in the process of producing plans to alleviate 

flooding around the School House in Quarriers. The various main 

road drainage problems have been improved by CCTV and pipe 

jetting. 

The green belt in the Village is under attack by developers. In my 

13 years as chair of planning we have never known such a number 

of major planning applications. Officers will robustly defend our 

Local Development Plan, but this Plan has been challenged by 

Mactaggart and Mickel and others on the basis of housing land 

release. 

The Port Glasgow Community Fire Station was 50 years old on 

the 1st October. This Station and its appliances are vital to both 

our villages. They laid on an impressive demonstration and a fine 

purvey. Long may they thrive. 

The Bonfire and Fireworks will take place at Knapps, courtesy 

of Lord Mclay on Saturday 2nd November. Doors open 4.30pm, 

bonfire lit sharp 6pm. Great traditional village event adults £5 

youngsters £2. Non profit making. Enquiries to myself. 

My surgeries are 16th November 10am - 11am Cargill , 2nd December 

5.30pm to 6.30pm St Mary’s Episcopal Port Glasgow. I can be 

contacted at: david.wilson@inverclyde.gov.uk 07766 992294 01475 

741969 and 712875 

GRACE CHURCH KILMACOLM: in association with Downavale Free Church of Scotland. Sunday Service at 10.30am in Kilmacolm 

Guide Hut, Woodrow Avenue, PA13 4QF. 

ST COLM’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Smithy Brae Kilmacolm. Rev. Vincent Byrne. Family mass Sundays 10am with children’s liturgy. 

Eucharistic service Thursdays 11am. Rosary Tuesdays 6.30pm. Prayer group meets Thursdays 7.30pm. Further information and 

contact details www.stcolmsparish.co.uk 

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

ST FILLAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Moss Road, Kilmacolm, PA13 4DL. Service of Eucharist on Sundays at 11.30am except 

the first Sunday of the month at 11.30am is the Service of Matins: Wednesday 10.30am Holy Communion: On last Sunday of 

the month 6pm (Said) Evensong: Clergy: The Revd Heller Gonzalez (01505-2961); Pastoral Assistant Maureen Russell (01505- 

872905). Find us on www.heartlandsec/org/KLM/index.html 

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 10am.



David Wilson, Stephen McCabe, Christopher Curley | Advice 

Surgeries: http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/meetings/councillors/ 


Last Tuesday at 7.30pm, Kilmacolm Cargill Centre 

www.kilmacolmcc.co.uk 


Kilmacolm, Cargill Centre. Tel: 873994 

Kilmacolm, Brownie/Guide Hut. Contact Julie on 07967 371595 or 

e: guidehutbooking@gmail.com. 

Kilmacolm, Masonic Hall. Tel: 873059 

Kilmacolm Dramatic 

Society Wizard of Oz 

Since its first showing in 1939, the 

Wizard of Oz has gone on to be a 

truly perennial favourite. And has the 

accolade of being the most watched 

film in cinema history. Now Kilmacolm 

Dramatic Society brings the colour 

and magic of the Emerald city to the 

stage. 

Written by James Barry and directed 

by Heather Morrison, the stage version 

has all our familiar, well loved characters. Dorothy and Toto her 

dog trying to get back to Kansas; Scarecrow looking for a brain; 

Tin Man a heart and Lion some courage. Witches of the North and 

West fight the battle of good against evil. We all know who wins in 

the end. But with several and hilarious mishaps on the way. 

A large cast, and the energetic support of local children as Munchkins 

and Monkeys ensure this will be a lively and exciting show. Full of 

songs, dances and lots of opportunities for audience participation, 

this family friendly production is sure to engage young and old. 

So for the perfect preparation for the Festive Season, follow the 

Yellow Brick Road to Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm from Thursday 21st 

to Saturday 23rd November. See www.kilmacolmdramaticsociety. 

co.uk for further details and tickets. 

Old Kirk News 

The Old Kirk elders and congregation 

held a leaving lunch on 22nd September 

to say goodbye to Rev Dr. Peter 

McEnhill and his wife Linda. A small 

group from the church travelled to 

Rome to support Peter at his Induction 

to St. Andrews Church of Scotland, 

Rome on 27th September. 

Peter and Linda in Rome with the gift 

they received from the children of the 

Old Kirk Junior Church. 

OUTLOOK is a social community 

group, formulated for friendship and 

fellowship. It is led by the Community Issues team of Kilmacolm 

Old Kirk. The group meets In Kidston Hall, 2pm - 4pm. Everyone 

is most welcome. 

OUTLOOK Programme for November: 

7th November Mr. David Walker - My Kind of Photography 

21st November Mr. Jack Hastie – Storyteller. 

- From Abu Simbel to Akureyri 

28th November MOVIE NIGHT - It’s a Wonderful Life. 7pm for 

7.30pm at The Old Kirk 

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 Old Kirk@ 

kilmacolmold, and Twitter and Instagram @kilmacolmold 

Gryffe Voices 


“Christmas is Coming” 

A charity concert by Gryffe 

Voices (BoW’s community 

choir) popular music and 

seasonal songs Saturday 7th 

December at 7pm, Freeland 

Church Hall, Main Street, Bridge 

of Weir. Admission free - all 

welcome. Donations for St 

Vincent’s Hospice. 


Community Carol Service of 9 Lessons 

Sunday 22nd December at 7pm St. Fillan’s Episcopal Church, 

Moss Road, Kilmacolm 

With Angel Voices Children’s Choir. All Welcome! Traditional mulled 

wine and mince pies in hall afterwards! 

Late Autumn Songs of Praise 

Sunday 24th November at 6pm, St. Fillan’s Episcopal Church, 

Moss Road, Kilmacolm 

Come and sing favourite hymns Old and new. Maureen Todd is our 

soloist. Enjoy wine and savouries in the hall afterwards. 

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WHAT’S 

HAPPENING 

THIS MONTH 

Howwood Community 

Council 

Second Tuesday of each month 

at 7.30pm in Howwood Village 

Hall. All welcome. 

Community Coffee Shop 

First Friday monthly - Howwood 

Parish Church from 10am - 

12noon. Adults £2 | Children 

free. All welcome. 

Monday Strathgryffe 

Motorcycle Club 

The Trust Inn, Kilbarchan, 

9pm - 10.30pm. Visit www. 

strathgryffe.org for details. 

Thursday Volunteer Group 

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 

12.30pm - 3.30pm 

Conservation Volunteers - adult 

group. Newcomers welcome. 

Thursday Memory Café 

Active Communities Hub, 16 

Quarry Street, Johnstone, 1pm 

- 3pm. For people living with 

Alzheimer’s, or any type of 

dementia, their families, friends 

& carers. 

Sunday Volunteer Group 

Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch 

10am - 12noon. Youth Volunteer 

Group - age 14 - 18 years. 

Newcomers welcome. 

Knitting Bee 

Fortnightly on Tuesdays from 

7pm to 9pm at Knit Knax, 37 

High Street Johnstone, also 

weekly Thursday from 2pm to 

4pm. Contact: Pamela 07743 

156738 or email bknitting@ 

hotmail.co.uk. 

Kilbarchan Class Move it or 

Lose it! Class 

We recently celebrated two 

years of fun and friendship at the 

Kilbarchan class. If you would 

like to join us we have classes 

throughout Renfrewshire and 

Inverclyde please contact Fiona 

07811 766672 

We would love to meet you! 

Churches in Kilbarchan, Howwood, Lochwinnoch & Elderslie 

KILBARCHAN PARISH CHURCH: We are pleased to welcome Mrs Dorothy Wallace for 15 months as a probationer in training 

for the Ministry. Services, conducted by Rev Stephen Smith, continue at 11am each Sunday with Junior Church and the 

crèche meeting in the halls from 10.45am. All welcome. 

HOWWOOD PARISH CHURCH: Minister Rev May Bell. Sunday Service and Sunday School. 10am each Sunday. Prayer 

meeting held at 3 Bowfield Way, Howwood, 7.30pm on Tuesdays. 

Lochwinnoch Parish Church: Mary Jane Bird. Sunday 11am: Morning Worship and Sunday School. All welcome. 

CALDER UNITED FREE CHURCH: (Church Street, Lochwinnoch) Sunday: 11am Morning worship with Sunday School and 

Crèche. 6.30pm Evening Fellowship group, 7.30pm ABC’s Teen group. Wed 6.30pm - 7.30pm. 

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH, Lochlip Rd. All services commence 7.30pm. 

ELDERSLIE KIRK: Sunday service every week at 11am. Reverend G. Gray Fletcher is now with us. All welcome. Weekly 

meetings:- Monday Club every week from 12noon - 2.30pm. Light lunch and a varied activity programme. Midweek 

Fellowship will meet every Wed from 10.30am for Tea/Coffee followed by a short Service of Worship at 11am. 


Kilbarchan | Howwood | Lochwinnoch | 

Elderslie 

Lochwinnoch Community 

Development Trust 

A new borehole for Lochwinnoch? 

Members of Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust 

(Lochwinnoch CDT) voted at the group’s AGM to start the 

first stage of fundraising to take the project forward. 

At the well attended meeting on October 9, members also 

heard from Pauline Hinchion from Scottish Community 

Finance (SCF) about different methods and ways of raising 

funding for Community Projects. 

The next fundraising stage aims to raise the £ 30,000 required 

to sink a test borehole. If successful, it would be followed in 

further fundraising stages for the following steps: purchasing 

the long unused site at Lochhead Avenue, behind the Parish 

Church in Lochwinnoch; construction of associated facilities 

required for storage; and collection of the water by tankers. 

The meeting, attended by 27 members, was told that the 

Community Development Trust had applied to acquire the 

Lochhead Avenue site from Renfrewshire Council, under an 

Asset Transfer process that was expected to be reviewed in 

November or early next year, although a full decision from 

Renfrewshire Council might not be realised for up to six 

months. 

The presentation was followed by the AGM and election of 

officers of Lochwinnoch CDT. Two members of the board 

had decided to step down, and four members of the Board 

were re-elected. Martin Mansell as Chairman, Bill Wright, 

Paul Harris and Sheila Briggs. Two new members were 

appointed - Michael Hopcroft and Aran Eales. Sub groups 

for communication with village residents, fundraising, and 

construction of the abstraction facility were continued. 

Officials from the Trust will be meeting with officials from 

Renfrewshire Council to discuss the project and ongoing 

plans will be circulated in further newsletters. 

Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust is a member 

and has support and assistance of the Development Trust 

Association of Scotland. 

From more information please visit https://lochwinnochtrust. 

org.uk/ or join our Facebook group https://www.facebook. 

com/LochwinnochCDT/ 


Early Bird Christmas Craft 

and Gift Fayre 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre Sunday 

3rd November 1pm - 4pm 

Over 20 stalls filled with 

gorgeous gifts for all the 

family. We welcome back some 

of our favourites including, 

Bumblebuttonz, All Things Nice 

and Braw Bricht Jewellery to 

name a few. Come along and 

bring a friend to browse our 

stalls and have a chat over a 

cup of tea or coffee. Can’t wait 

to see you there! Entry £2/ u12 

go free. 

Cuppa and a Chat 

Pop in to Kilbarchan Parish Church hall 

on Monday 4th November between 

1.30pm and 3pm for a “cuppa” and a 

chat - all welcome. 

Pre-Christmas Craft Fair 

Saturday 9th November 12am to 4pm, 

McKillop Hall 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Outreach 

will hold a craft fair with over 30 

Local Crafters include Knitting, 

Felting, Prints, Jewellery, Cards, 

Pottery, Glass work, Textiles, Plaques 

etc. Free entry, tea and coffee 

Calder Church Christmas Fayre 

Saturday 16th November McKillop 

Hall Lochwinnoch from 10am - 

12noon. 

Stalls include:- Home Baking, 

Christmas Stall (cards, paper & gifts), 

Jewellery & accessories, Books, 

DVDs, CDs, Toys, Bottle Stall (non 

alcoholic), Bric-a-Brac, Hamper, 

Lucky Dip and lots more. Adult £2.50 

Child FREE includes tea, coffee, juice 

and Christmas goodies. 

All Welcome. 

Johnstone High Christmas Gift 

and Craft Fayre 

Johnstone High School Wednesday 

27th November 6pm - 8pm 

Jump right into the Christmas spirit 

at our annual Christmas Gift and Craft 

Fayre. Plenty to choose from with 

over 30 stalls, gifts for all the family. 

We welcome back Handmade by Me, 

Kilbarchan Soaps, Threepwood Fayre, 

Sparkly Ever After and many more... 

Get lucky on the raffle and tombola 

and join in with a sing-song with our 

school choir. 

Joint Christmas Coffee Morning 

1st Lochwinnoch Boys’ Brigade and 

1st Lochwinnoch Girls’ Brigade are 

holding a joint Christmas Coffee 

Morning on Saturday 7th December 

2019 from 10am - 12 noon in 

Lochwinnoch Parish Church Halls. 

Please come along and support the 

boys and girls. Everyone welcome. 

24


Kilbarchan Parish Church Shoebox 

Sunday 

Filled shoeboxes for the annual Blythswood Appeal will be 

returned and dedicated prior to despatch to Eastern Europe, India 

and Pakistan. The church in Kilbarchan has been involved with 

this appeal 20 years and it is a well deserved popular charity to 

support. 

Remembrance Sunday, 10th November, starts in Kilbarchan at 10am 

with a short service at the Cenotaph, followed by the uniformed 

organisations parading to the Parish Church at 10.45am for the 

annual service of Remembrance. 

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 27th November 7pm - 9pm Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge 

Dates for 2020 will be announced in December issue. 

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. 

Annual Fall Ball Charity Ceilidh 

Saturday 9th November in McKillop Hall Lochwinnoch at 8pm 

Featuring Alastair McCulloch, the Coila Band has developed into 

one of the leading traditional groups in Scotland and is in constant 

demand at home and abroad. From performances at international 

music festivals such as Celtic Connections and The Shetland Folk 

Festival to Hollywood film premières. 

Entry by ticket only £8.50. Bar, Buffet & Raffle Tickets @ Now and 

Then and Café Cucina Minucci at the Junction. 

Proceeds Students World Challenge and Lochwinnoch 

International Aid. 


Andy Doig, Derek Bibby, Bill Binks, Emma Rodden | Advice 

Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 


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

community-council.php 

Kilbarchan: Steeple Hall: monthly at 7.30pm. | www.kilbarchan. 

info/community_council.html 

Lochwinnoch: Bowling Club: 1st Tues at 7.30pm 


Kilbarchan, Guide Centre. Tel: 702758. 

Kilbarchan, Old Library Centre. Tel: 706070 

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Cllr Andy Doig 

At the last full meeting of Renfrewshire Council I tabled 

a motion which called for a “comprehensive review” of 

the new recycling waste disposal strategy which the 

Council introduced in December 2018. I stressed that 

I am not against the new strategy which has a more 

focussed approach to recycling, but in relation to rural collections, 

and the vexed question of assisted uplifts we need to do much 

better. One Kilbarchan constituent of mine only got his bin collected 

as an assisted uplift because I had to intervene on a regular basis. 

Residents in Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch pay a high 

rate of council tax and I am delighted that the motion was passed 

by 22 votes to 19 as we need to do better as a local authority. 

At the last meeting of the Leadership Board I went into battle yet 

again to try and secure cultural funding for the very successful 

Lochwinnoch Arts Festival, which is in its 19th year and pulls in 

around 4,000 visitors to the village every year. 

Morag Thow and her intrepid LAF team had submitted an application 

but for the third time in the last year, they were refused while other 

applicants had gained vital funding. I moved that the Lochwinnoch 

Arts Festival should get their funding but my amendment failed by 

seven votes to six. It’s high time the villages got their fair share of 

cultural monies. 

At the same meeting of the Leadership Board I moved an amendment 

to the recommendations of the item on the Renfrewshire Economic 

Strategy 2020/2030, that the Scottish Government upgrade and 

dual the A737 between Dalry and Kilbarchan. 

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 

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26 

Gryffe Scottish Dancing 

Club 

Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm, 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre 

Come along and have fun 

whilst enjoying good company, 

music and exercise. Whether 

experienced or a new dancer, 

all welcome Tuition is given 

for beginners, but we don’t 

go overboard and it is a very 

relaxed atmosphere. 

For further information just 

phone Les Lambert at 01505 

704398. 

Kilbarchan Parish Church 

Tots’ Club 

Continues each Monday from 

9.15am - 11.30am in the hall. 

Please note that there will be no 

club on Monday 18th November 

because of the drama group’s 

production. 

Howwood WI 

Tuesday 19th November at 

7.30pm in Howwood Village Hall. 

Visiting Peru by Mary Turner. 

Fun Competition - Something 

beginning with:- Nov H. Anyone 

wanting to come along to join 

our meetings is very welcome. 

Kilbarchan NWR 

3 meetings in November, firstly 

a Murder/ Mystery evening 

reading a play composed by 

a member in England to raise 

money for charity, then the 

annual Telephone Quiz and 

finally a speaker on the topic 

“Ecclesiastical Embroidery”. 

If you are interested in any of 

these meetings, please phone 

348627 for more information or 

visit the website: www.nwr.org. 

uk 

Lochwinnoch SWI 

Our November meeting will be 

on 20th in The McKillop Hall 

at 7.30pm. This month Vivian 

McDonald will tell us all about 

her Travels on “The Silk Road”. 

So an evening of escapism to 

brighten a November evening. 

There will also be a “Bring and 

Buy” stall, so any donations of 

suitable items such as baking, 

sweets, sundries and Christmas 

items ( please no books!) will be 

gratefully received and you will 

be able to start your Christmas 

shopping and contribute to the 

funds 

Further info from Elma at: 

richmond32@tiscali.co.uk or 

843193. 

Annual Fireworks 

Friday 8th November at 

Kilbarchan Park, Park View, 

Kilbarchan, 7.30pm 

Join us for the annual fireworks 

display at the Public Park 

off New Street, Kilbarchan. 

Entry free but donations most 

welcome. 

Kilbarchan Community Council 

Our AGM will be held on Wednesday 30th October 

with our November meeting being held on Wednesday 

27th. Both meetings will be held in the Steeple Hall at 

7.30pm. 

Our Christmas light switch on will be held on Friday 

29th November. In Steeple square we will have 

reindeer and sleigh. Santa will make an appearance 

and we will have a variety of music and entertainment 

throughout. 

We are delighted that George Bowie will compere the 

evening between 7pm and 8pm. Switch on will be at 

approx 7.30pm. 

Cllr Bill Binks 

Non-collection of household waste bins 

on specified dates has been an ongoing 

problem within Ward 9. It seems however 

that general public litter bins have the 

same ‘malady’ in that they are not being 

emptied on a regular basis. 

Congratulations to all the new members that have put 

their names forward and have been duly elected to 

their local Community Councils. Namely, Howwood, 

Johnstone, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch. A big thank 

you must be given to the outgoing members for their 

unstinting loyalty and hard work over the past years. 

The towns and villages would not be same without the 

dedication of these individuals. 

In conjunction with the Tannahill Centre, Linstone 

Housing are looking to see if there is interest and 

demand for a Community Transport Scheme to service 

the Renfrewshire area. The community Transport 

Scheme can be used by any group on a self-drive or 

driver provided basis, and groups can come from any 

demographics as they believe it will make them more 

mobile, able to expand services and provision, and 

allow group members to access activities, services 

etc, that would normally be out of reach. For more 

details you may contact me or go direct to:- Eddie 

Cusick (Community Engager), Linstone 20/20 

Initiative, Linstone Housing Association Ltd, 17 Bridge 

Street, Linwood, PA3 3DB. Mob:07904063577. This is 

a unique opportunity for any community groups to 

take advantage of arranging transport as and when 

required at very low rates. 

After a recent ‘walkabout’ in Johnstone with the 

Chair Person and Secretary of Johnstone Community 

Council namely, Thomas Wallace and Iain Mcmillan, 

it is apparent that the Town Centre is in need of a 

complete makeover. Houston Square bandstand 

is in a critical state with long cracks running down 

the supporting pillars, seats within the square badly 

needing renovation etc., nearby walls near to collapse, 

pavements almost unwalkable except by the youngest 

and fittest people, a huge number of persistent eyesore 

buildings (or lack of) and many side streets requiring 

extensive roadworks. Iain has now written twice to the 

Council for money to be spent in carrying out these 

renovations for the town and Thomas Shanks Park, 

but has had no response. 

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

300 1423 

Week 1 Tuesday Lochwinnoch McKillop institute 

6pm/7pm. 

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

Week 3 Wednesday Johnstone Sandyflats CH 

6pm/7pm. (Please note that I will be using Sandyflats 

Community Hub, 28 Longmeadow, Johnstone, PA5 

8PU for all Johnstone future advice surgeries from 

now on.) 

Week 4 Wednesday Kilbarchan Steeple Hall 

6pm/7pm. 


Cllr Derek Bibby 

Having long advocated for the car 

park at the rear of Ewing Street 

in Kilbarchan to be resurfaced, 

I am pleased to report that this 

has now been done. Early signs 

are that usage has increased, 

and it is hoped that the improvement will 

discourage the practice of parking on the 

adjacent grass verges at Barn Green. 

I was pleased to help at the Kilbarchan 

village clean up undertaken by Kilbarchan 

Smile volunteers and residents. The rain 

held off and it was a productive afternoon. 

In Howwood I arranged a site visit to George 

Street with council officers and residents 

to look at the possibility of undertaking 

improvement works in the street. There is 

an ongoing issue with identifying ownership 

of the road however it is clear that it is need 

of repair and resurfacing work. 

The council officers have noted the 

concerns of residents and have promised to 

look at capital investment in regard to the 

necessary improvements 

At the most recent meeting of Renfrewshire 

Council two issues of environmental 

concern featured prominently. The council 

policy of leaving certain areas to natural 

growth was discussed, as many of these in 

front of residential areas are now unsightly 

and overgrown. There was a call for these 

areas to be listed, made public, and restored 

to the full grass cutting and landscaping 

programme. 

On a related theme, the assisted grass and 

hedge cutting programme has not been 

working well for a number of residents in 

Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch, 

the explanation from the council being 

recruitment problems and wet weather 

issues. 

Following discussion at the council meeting, 

the new system of waste collection 

introduced last December is to be reviewed. 

Recycling rates have improved, but the 

reliability of bin collections in some areas in 

ward 9 has been completely unsatisfactory, 

with problems persisting on an almost 

weekly basis. The review must identify 

why this is the case and a solution found. 

Following reports of recent congestion in 

Lochwinnoch at the traffic lights, I have 

asked that the worn road markings at 

Lochbar Services be repainted. The council 

has indicated that this will be done by the 

end of November at the latest. 

Finally during October I have attended 

the AGMs and the inaugural meetings 

of the newly formed village Community 

Councils. I want to thank all those members 

who served on the previous community 

councils for their hard work, commitment 

and achievements over the last 4 years, and 

look forward to working in partnership with 

the newly constituted councils. 

My advice surgeries are on the first 

Saturday of every month at 9am in the 

McKillop Institute Lochwinnoch, 10am in 

Howwood Village Hall, 11am in the Steeple 

Hall Kilbarchan, and 12.30pm in Johnstone 

Town Hall. 

Meantime please contact me at anytime 

at cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk or 

phone 0300 300 1274 or 07534 156007.


Lochwinnoch Community Council 

New Community Council Inaugurated 

At the Inaugural Annual General Meeting of the new Lochwinnoch 

Community Council on 1st October eight members of the previous 

Council were re-appointment, with two new members. Six 

members did not seek re-appointment including Yvonne Ross, 

Secretary, and Jane Owen. Treasurer. 

The new members are Anne Capuano, Karen Malcolm. David Arthur 

was re-elected Chairman, Sybil Simpson was appointed Secretary, 

and David Bain Treasurer. Annual accounts showed a balance of 

£228 in Savings Account and £ 3,927 in Current Account. 

Morag Throw was voted Deputy Chairman and organiser for future 

production of the Community Council Newsletter. 

Councillor Rodden reported that Renfrewshire Council had decided 

to submit the Local Development Plan ( 2019 ) for approval as 

published to the Scottish Government, despite 883 objections from 

local residents to new122 house development on the Greenfield site 

at Burnfoot Road. 

However, she said it should not be assumed that the Burnfoot 

Development was a “ Done Deal “. Approval was still dependent 

on the actual Planning Application which had yet to be submitted. 

All objections and comments would be considered, and it was 

important that these would be re-submitted. 

Date of next meeting will be Tuesday 3th November at 7.30 pm in 

Lochwinnoch Bowling Club. Calderghaugh Lane. Members of the 

public and representatives of local organisations are welcome to 

attend. 

Subsequent to the inaugural meeting of the new Community 

Council David Arthur sent a letter to Renfrewshire Council resigning 

as Chairman due to addition of a late applicant for membership of 

the CC, contrary to the new constitution of the CC that he had been 

required to sign. The three other office holders Sybil Simpson, 

Morag Thow and David Bain have also sent a letter of resignation in 

support of David Arthur. 

A Taste of Africa 

Lochwinnoch International Aid, in collaboration with Lochwinnoch 

Arts festival presents ‘A Taste of Africa’. Get set for a wonderfully 

eclectic evening of music from the band ‘HESU’ and a taste of 

African food. 

HESU, the first resident band of Pan African Arts Scotland, play 

a flexible repertoire of fusion music comprising a rich blend of 

traditional and contemporary African, Scottish and Irish music with 

a hint of jazz and calypso. 

Saturday 16th November at 7.30pm for 8pm in the Lochwinnoch 

Bowling Club. Admission £8/£5. Bookings & queries to: Lesley@ 

scottkhan.net; 01505 842589. Tickets also available in The Junction 

and Now and Then. 

The Old Library Centre 


We are having a BOOK SALE here at the Old 

Library Centre. Come in and grab yourself a 

bargain 

5 books for £1. We are open Monday to Friday 

10am – 12noon and 2pm – 4pm. Pop in any 

time we are open. 

We also have a wide range of books to borrow, 

come in and have a browse and maybe stop and 

have a coffee in our Reading Room, you will be most welcome. 

All our activities are running as usual : 

Monday 10am Pilates 

2pm Spanish Conversation (U3A) 

7.30pm Intermediate Yoga 

Tuesday 2pm Craft Group (every 2nd week) 

Thursday 9.45am Pilates 

2.30pm “Move it or Lose it” – exercise class for over 60’s 

Friday 10am Yoga 

2pm Bridge 

The Yoga classes on a Wednesday morning and Wednesday 

evening are currently full and we have a waiting list. 

The Old Library Centre is a registered Scottish Charity and is ran by 

volunteers. For more details please phone 01505 706070, email: 

kipcokil@hotmail.com or visit our website www.kipcokil.com 

“Agatha Crusty and the Murder/ 

Mystery Dinner” 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Drama Group presents “Agatha Crusty 

and the Murder/Mystery Dinner, a comedy by Derek Webb in the 

hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 21st - 23rd November at 

7.30pm. Tickets, price £8, school age £5, can be bought in Bobbins. 

This is suitable for all the family and will ensure a hilarious evening’s 

entertainment. 

Christmas Tea Dance - Dementia 

Friendly Lochwinnoch 

Enjoy a Christmas Tea Dance on Friday 6th December from 2pm at 

Lochwinnoch Golf Club. Contact Ann 07761114567 for booking. 

Kilbarchan Parish Messy Church 

On Saturday 30th November our theme will be ‘Christmas.’ Come 

along and join us in finding out the Christian message of ‘Christmas’ 

and why it is an important time in our Christian calendar. There will 

be stories, songs, crafts and games for everyone. All children will 

be made most welcome, just remember to bring an adult with you. 

The adults are an important part of this day and by joining in with 

the children are a big help in having a successful day. 

We start at 4pm and finish around 6pm with all of us having sat 

down together for a meal. 

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WHAT’S 

HAPPENING 

THIS MONTH 

Houston and Killellan 

Agricultural Society Annual 

Quiz 

Friday 29th November at 

7.30pm in J.G.Fleming Bowling 

Club, Houston. Tickets £5 

include a light supper. For more 

information contact Isabelle 

Stuart issistuart@gmail.com 

Kirk Young Singers Group 

Primary / Secondary children, 

meeting in the Kirk on Thursdays 

(except school holidays) 7pm – 8pm 

- no prior booking required. 

Follow the Kirk’s Facebook for 

updates. 

Wednesday French 

Conversation 

Fox and Hounds, Houston at 

9.30am till 12noon and alternate 

Tuesday from 2pm - 4pm. Details 

phone/text 07463 570464 or 

email avril.forbes2015@outlook. 

com 

Crafty Friends 

Chat with sewing/knitting/ 

cross stitch or anything you like. 

First and third Thursday in the 

month. Contact Lorna Cairns - 

01505 612844. Shirley White - 

01505 610721 

Table Top Sale 

Linwood Parish Church, 

Blackwood Ave 11am - 1pm. Last 

Saturday in the month. Call 

01505 328802 for details. 

Sunday Houston Litter 

Crew 

Co-op Car Park 10am – 11.45am 

All volunteers welcome and all 

equipment supplied. 

Bearsden Fiddlers 

The ever popular Fiddlers are 

returning to Houston! 

Saturday 30th November in the 

West Halls, Main Street, Houston 

at 7pm. Tickets (£5). Contact: 

Kate on 01505 613676 or email: 

grannykate284@gmail.com. 

Houston & Crosslee SWI 

At our meeting on Wednesday 

13th November we welcome 

Margaret Linnie who will talk to 

us about Quarriers. There will 

also be “ A Bring and Buy” table 

at this meeting. We celebrate 

our 90th Birthday on December 

11th with a dinner. 

Please come and join us, 

everyone will be made very 

welcome. We meet in the 

Compass Centre, South 

Street, Houston on the second 

Wednesday of each month at 

7.30pm. If you wish further 

information please contact, 

Arlene MacKay on 07932 

459994. 

Houston and Killellan Kirk News 

Churches in Houston 


Houston | Crosslee | Brookfield 

This 

year’s 

Remembrance Day 

Service will be held 

at Houston & Killellan 

Kirk on Sunday 

10th November 

commencing at 

10.45 am. A retiring 

collection will 

be taken at this Service, to be divided evenly 

between Erskine Home and SSAFA. 

Warm Clothes for The Homeless - Outreach 

Project: We are seeking donations of new warm 

underwear, t-shirts, waterproof jackets and 

trousers, joggers, jumpers, woolly hats, scarves, 

gloves and socks to keep vulnerable men and 

women warm through winter. Please donate on 

either 3rd, 17th or 24th November services. To 

arrange collection contact bob.ross7@gmail.com 

Foodbank: We support Renfrewshire Foodbank. 

Items needed are: tinned potatoes, tinned 

tomatoes, tins of meat, tins of fish e.g. Tuna or 

pilchards, tins of fruit, tinned rice/custard, diluting 

juice, cartons of long-life juice (not chilled), 

shampoo, bars of soap, toilet paper (ideally in 

packs of two or four), shower gel, deodorant, 

shaving gel, razors, toothpaste and toothbrushes. 

There is a particular urgent need for men’s 

toiletries. We greatly appreciate all donations. 

Christmas Gift Service: Donations will go to 

CrossReach Visitors Support and Advice Centre 

at Perth Prison. Donations to be made Sunday 

1st December at the Christmas Gift Service. 

Suggested gifts: Play Doh, craft/building kits, 

pen/pencil sets, pencil cases, Disney figures, 

action hero figures, toy cars/trucks, Lego sets, 

jigsaws, board games, jewellery sets, selection 

boxes etc. The gifts are to be put in open gift 

bags with indication of age and gender. 

Kirk Carnival: Early news about the Kirk Carnival 

2020. Its all about Carnival of the Animals .Wild 

and wonderful, domestic, farm, exotic the choice 

is yours .We expect to see a great selection of 

animals roaming Houston on Saturday 9th May. 

More details in the future Kirk Records. 

Two Fun Events? 

Folk from Houston & Killellan Kirk and others will 

be involved in two events in the first few days of 

December, one of which could be fun, but the 

other perhaps not too much fun! The Houston 

Village Lights Switch-on on Sunday 1st December 

should be a lot of fun and the Kirk will have a 

presence at this – giving those attending the 

opportunity to learn what is happening at the 

Kirk during the Festive Season, and perhaps a 

chance for the kids to sample the free juice and 

sweets. 

The other event on Saturday 7th December, in 

conjunction with Global Homeless Day, maybe 

not so much fun. The Minister, Rev’d Gary Noonan 

along with Deputy Head of Gryffe High School, 

Mrs Brown, are organising a “Wee Sleep” outside 

the High School. They will be joined by S6 pupils 

and Kirk & community youth groups Perhaps 

it will be fun – who knows? The opportunity to 

sponsor the participants will be announced on 

Facebook & the web in due course. 

Houston & Killellan Kirk Guild Victorian 

Christmas Market 

Saturday 23rd November from 10.30am 

– 1pm in the West Halls, Main Street, 

Houston 

Christmas Shopping All Done? No? 

We have the answer! 

Come along to our Victorian Christmas Market 

where you’re sure to find all the little gifts you 

are looking for with lots of gifts for children to 

buy for parents, grandparents, family and friends 

too. 

For the children, we couldn’t miss Santa, so he 

will be here to meet you too and listen to your 

Christmas wishes. 

Our stalls include - Baking, 

Preserves, Toiletries, Children’s 

gifts, many Under £1, Knitting, 

lucky bags/boxes, gift mugs, 

2 Luxury Hampers in our Prize 

draw, Raffles, Competitions, 

Book Stall, Crafts Stall, 

and many more for you to 

browse. 

You will love our FREE mulled 

wine, so enjoy! We have hot rolls to 

tempt you and of course our Tea Room will be 

ready to serve you with tea or coffee, juice for the 

children and delicious hot mince pies, all getting 

you in the mood for Christmas. 

This is an event you cannot afford to miss! 

Come and join our fun day and listen to 

music and relax away from the hustle and 

bustle of High Street shopping. 

HOUSTON AND KILLELLAN KIRK: All Services will be led by the Rev.Gary Noonan unless otherwise stated. Sunday 3rd November. 

Early Communion Service - 9.45am, Morning Worship - 11am. Sunday 10th - Remembrance Service - 10.45am. Sunday 17th & 

24th - Morning Worship - 11am. You can find out more about us at www.houstonkillellankirk.org 

ST FILLAN’S: Main St, Houston: Sun Masses: Vigil (Sat) 5pm, 9.30am & 11am. Weekday Masses: Mon - Sat 9.30am. Rosary: Tue, 

Thurs & Sat 9.10am. Exposition: Mon, Wed & Fri 9.05am. Confessions: Sat 10am - 10.30am and after Vigil Mass. Baptism: By 

arrangement. Parish Priest:- Rev. Paul Brady. Assistant Priest:- Rev. Chima Kingsley Opara. Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Mary Frances 

Collett, RNDM (Tel 01505 613514). Address: ‘Abbotsfield’, St. Fillan’s, Main St, Houston, PA6 7EL. T. 01505 612046. E. StFillan@ 

rcdop.org.uk www.stfillan.org.uk 

HOUSTON BAPTIST CHURCH: Carrick Centre: 11am Family services with SS for children 5 - 12; Crèche provided; 6pm service; Midweek 

Home Bible Study; For more information contact; Rev. D. Snelson 01505 612722. 

CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Village Hall, Main Street, Houston PA6 7EL. Rev Geoff Austin (Interim Pastor) Family Service at 

10.30am, Creche available. Communion service first Sunday of the month. Tel 01505 610862. www.houston.nazarene.org.uk 

28


Cllr Audrey Doig 

I was very inspired at the last meeting of the Houston 

Community Council to see three sixth year pupils from 

Gryffe High School who attended to outline their plans 

to improve the litter situation in and around the school, 

which inevitably happens as a result of lunchtime traffic 

to local shops. I was impressed by the idea of the older 

pupils also focussing on younger pupils at the school to try and 

educate them not to litter. In light of the great concern which 

young people across the globe have about climate challenge I am 

very proud that young people in my ward are also taking the lead 

on keeping our area clean and green. 

We are fast approaching the Christmas period and although my own 

son is long past the excitement of Christmas I love to see the fun 

which families and their children get at all the various community 

Christmas Lights Switch On Events locally. I am looking forward in 

particular to the Houston Christmas Lights Switch On which is on 

Sunday 1st December which starts in Houston Main St at 4pm. I 

look forward to seeing all constituents there. 

By this month all Community Councils in Renfrewshire will have 

had their annual general meetings, and I wish all new members and 

office bearers in the Linwood, Houston, and Brookfield Community 

Councils a very productive term in office. I also want to extend 

particular thanks to those who have completed terms of service 

on their local community council, and want to step down. All of us 

should remember that community councils are a vital cog in the 

wheel of local democracy. 

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. 

Brookfield News 

Brookfield Village Trust AGM - Monday 4th November: 

The Annual General Meeting of Brookfield Village Trust will be held 

in the Village Hall at 8pm. In March 2018, the acquisition of the 

Merchiston Field by the Trust was completed and the title is still in 

the course of registration. There has been activity in the Field since 

the last AGM and at the meeting, the Board will provide a full report 

of what has happened since the acquisition. Members and Nonmembers 

are welcome to attend but it should be noted that Nonmembers 

will not be entitled to vote on any decisions which may 

be taken. Membership is open to all adults residing in the Village 

and you can join at the AGM or contact Helen (01505 321187) or 

Marjory (01505 320497). 

Quiz Night - Saturday 23rd November: 

Before the Christmas rush, why not get together with your brainiest 

friends/neighbours/family members and come along to the Quiz 

Night in the Village Hall on Saturday 23rd November. Doors/Bar 

from 7pm with the Quiz starting at 7.30pm. Admission £3 per 

person. Max 6 per team. If you’re planning to attend, just let us 

know by emailing: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com. 

Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On - Sunday 1st December: 

Meet at the Village Hall at 5.30pm and join a candlelight procession 

to the Millennium Garden then back to the Village Hall for hot 

chocolate/mulled wine and ‘The Snowman’ on a giant screen! 

Hogmanay Dance - Tuesday 31st December: 8.30pm - 1am. 

See in the New Year in the company of live band ‘Pinnacle’. Bar/ 

Raffle. Tickets £15.00 - now available by emailing: brookfieldvpa@ 

gmail.com or call/text Mike on 07973 123450. Min age - 14 years. 

Facebook: brookfieldvillage.org Twitter: @BrookfieldVPA 

e-mail: brookfieldvpa@gmail.com 

Houston Kirk Postie 

A service for the whole community, raising funds 

for ‘Renfrewshire Home Start’ (Supporting 

families with young children) 

For a donation of only 25p a card the Houston 

Kirk Postie will deliver anywhere in Houston, 

Crosslee or Brookfield. The Sorting Office, in 

the West Church Halls, will be open from 10am 

12noon, and again from 7pm to 8pm, every 

day from 9th to 12th December. 

(Cards may also be taken to the Church on Sunday 

8th December). Delivery is guaranteed not later 

than 17th December. 



The ever popular Fiddlers are returning to Houston! 

Saturday 30th November in the West Halls, Main Street, Houston at 

7pm. Tickets (£5) will be available from Sunday 27th October. 

Contact: Kate on 01505 613676/email: grannykate284@gmail.com 

Public Consultation Meeting 

A newly formed community group in Houston is fundraising for 

improvements to play equipment in the South Mound (helicopter) 

park. A second public consultation meeting is on Wednesday 6th 

November at the Compass Centre at 7pm. Please come along. 

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30 

H.O.S.T. THE CARRICK CENTRE 

(HOUSTON OLD SCHOOL TRUST) 

Monday to Friday, Gryffe Manor Out of School 01505 615438, 

DWS enquries@dancewestscotland.co.uk 

Coffee Shop: - Mon - Fri 9am - 4.30pm Sat, 9am - 4pm Coffee 

Shop/Centre 01505 229597 

MONDAY 

Yoga (Weekly): 1pm - Mary 

Laidlaw 01505 229112 

Yoga (Weekly): 11am - Mary 

Laidlaw 01505 229112 

DWS (own room) 

Diaporama: 7.30pm (11th R2) 

Sewing Group (Weekly): 10am - 

12noon (R4) 

SWI Handiwifes: 7:30pm (18th) 

WRYF: 7:30pm (25th) 

TUESDAY 

Paint Pot Tots (Weekly): 10am - 

Dawn Campbell 07789 262350 

DWS (own room) 

Yoga (Weekly): 7pm - M/s 

Lawson 01505 613690 

Councillor Surgery: 12noon 

(19th) - Allison Dowling 

Cricketfield Res: 7pm 26th 

Houston Show: 7.30pm 5th 

Elizabeth Benzie: 10am 12th 

WRADS: 7.30pm 12th 

WEDNESDAY 

Gryffe Melody Makers: 7pm 

6th/20th 

Community Council: 7.30pm 

20th 

Gryffe Camera Club (Weekly): 

7.30pm 

DWS (Weekly) MH: 4pm - 7pm 

Baby Class (MOO MUSIC) 

Weekly: 10am 

WRYF (PROVISIONAL) 

CARRICK NIGHTS 

Friday 22nd November at 8pm - ARIA in Concert 

Sonia, Paula, Louise, Claire, Jennifer, 

Lynne, Joanne and Jim make 

up Aria! Formed in 2005, they 

were childhood friends who were 

members of the Glasgow Youth 

Choir. Regional winners 2017 of 

BBC’s ‘Choir of the Year’ and also 

winners of the Glasgow Orpheus 

Trophy! 

Also performing is classical 

accordionist, Ryan Corbett a child 

prodigy and a student at the 

Conservatoire. 

THURSDAY 

Gryffe Quilting Group: 1pm - 

3pm (21th - 10am) 

Primary Colours (Weekly): 

3.30pm – 4.30pm 

Crafty Friends: 7.30pm 7th / 

21st 

Folk Club (Weekly): 8am – 11am 

davegmellor@gmail.com 07523 

129122 

Move It Or Lose It (Weekly): 

10.30am – 11.30am 

Councillor Surgery: 7.15pm 

Audrey Doig 28th 

FRIDAY 

Yoga (Weekly): 10.30am 

M/s Lawson 01505 613690 

DWS (Weekly): 3.15 pm 

Gavin Newlands M.P. Surgery: 

12.30pm – 1.30pm 12th 

SATURDAY 

DWS (Weekly) MH: 9.45am - 

5pm 

DWS (Weekly) R2: 9am - 1.30pm 

Councillors Surgery: 11.30am – 

12noon 2nd Jim Sheridan 

Louise Hunter B/P: 7.30pm 

SUNDAY 

Baptist Church (Weekly): 11am 

and 6pm 

Hayes Images: 9am 3rd 

Booking Essential. Single Concert 

Tickets: £12 (Adult) £5 (Child / 

Student) 

To request more information and 

tickets please call 01505 229 597 or 

email: thecarrickcentre@gmail.com 

Grateful thanks to Enterprise Music 

Scotland for financial assistance 

A Portable Defib Unit is available at the West Halls (Church) on Main Street 

Booking enquiries to: Bill Haddow 01505 690693 

Stewart Scally 01505 674277 Barry Walker 01505 614039 

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


Houston Co-op - Renfrewshire Food 

Bank Christmas Collection 

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15 

December 9am – 9pm both 

days 

Jenny & Margaret will be in the 

Houston Co-op on the above 

dates collecting in your kind 

donations of tinned, packets and 

jars of food, toiletries and toilet 

roll. We’ll also be collecting in 

cash donations! 

Every penny raised and every 

donated food item, toiletry 

and toilet roll goes directly 

to children and their families 

struggling to make ends meet 

right here in Renfrewshire. 

We’ll see you all in the Houston Co-op! 

Thank you to everyone in Houston who donates so generously 

throughout the year to the Renfrewshire Food Bank donation bin 

in the Houston Co-op – without your support there would be no 

Food Bank to help those less fortunate – Jenny & Margaret 

Jenny can be contacted – JennyMeadows10@outlook.com 

Kirk Young Singers Group 

The young folk in Houston & Killellan Kirk have the exciting 

opportunity to develop their singing skills under the leadership of 

the talented Laura McKee. They don’t need to have the X Factor 

initially, but who knows where it will lead. This is open to all Primary 

and Secondary school children, meeting in the Kirk on Thursdays 

(except school holidays) 7pm - 8 pm. 

There are no fees – so kids, why not 

come and give it a try? No prior booking 

required – so just turn up! Follow the Kirk’s 

Facebook for updates. 


Audrey Doig, Scott Kerr, Alison Jean Dowling, James Sheridan 

Advice Surgeries: http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/councillors 


BROOKFIELD: Brookfield Village Hall: 2nd Thursday 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


LOCAL ANIMAL 

CHARITIES 

SCOTTISH SPCA 

0141 882 1688 

www.scottishspca.org 

DOGS TRUST GLASGOW 

0141 773 5130 

www.dogstrust.org.uk 

CATS PROTECTION 

0141 779 3341 

www.cats.org.uk 

JOHNSTONE CAT RESCUE 

01505 337321 

HESSILHEAD WILDLIFE RESCUE 

01505 502415 

www.hessilhead.org.uk 

THE UNDERHEUGH ARK RESCUE 

www.underheugharkrescue.co.uk 

GIVE A DOG A BONE 

www.giveadogabone.net 

HARVEY’S ARMY SCOTLAND 

harveysarmy.com 

EQUINE RESCUE AND 

EDUCATION SCIO 

www.equinerescueandeducation.co.uk 

facebook.com/eraescio 

LAMONT FARM 

www.lamontfarm.org.uk 

Acupuncture for your pet 

What is acupuncture? 

REMEMBRANCE DAY: Poppies for Pets 

PET 

news 


MISSING PETS? 

We can put a post out on 

Facebook for you! 


01505 613340 

FUNDRAISING? 

Want to get the word out 

about fundraising or appeals? 

We can help! 


01505 613340 

Acupuncture is the practise of inserting fine, solid needles into the 

body for pain relief or, in some cases, to help the body deal with 

other diseases. 

How does acupuncture work? 

It works through the nervous 

system. The needles block the 

pain messages and encourage 

the brain and central nervous 

system to produce more of 

the body’s natural painkillers. 

In conditions that are not 

painful, acupuncture may 

help to reset the body’s 

normal functioning. 

Is acupuncture safe? 

Acupuncture is very safe, in the right hands. Legally it must be performed by a veterinary surgeon. 

There have been no official reports of problems in animals, but there are some in humans and these 

can usually be avoided with care and a good knowledge of anatomy. There are a very few cases in 

which we would have to be very cautious about using acupuncture, but your veterinary acupuncturist 

can advise you of these. 

What kinds of conditions are treated with acupuncture? 

Pain is the most common indication for acupuncture. Usually this means pain associated with arthritis, 

but it can also be useful for muscle strains, pain secondary to disc disease and bony changes of the 

spine. Other kinds of pain may also respond. 

Functional conditions such as constipation, idiopathic cystitis in cats and irritable bowel type problems 

in dogs may also respond. 

Acupuncture is now available at PetVets. To find out more or to arrange an appointment give us a call 

on 01505 800366. 

With Remembrance Day just around the corner, people will be showing their support for the Armed 

Forces community by wearing poppies as a symbol of hope and remembrance. This year, pet owners 

will also have the chance to get their cats and dogs involved. 

After raising over £180,000 last year for The Royal British 

Legion, Pets at Home has teamed up with the charity for 

a second year to launch a very special, limited-edition 

collaboration of poppy accessories for pets 

From glittery poppy collar charms to poppy paca-macs, 

pet owners will be able to showcase their 

support whatever their pooches’ style, with 100% 

of the product range’s profits* donated to the UK’s 

largest Armed Forces Charity - The Royal British Legion. 

How to help pets during fireworks 

• Walk dogs during daylight 

• Put on some music or tv 

• Create a quiet/hiding places 

• Keep your cats indoors 

• Make sure pets are microchiped 

and that the details are correct 

• Partly cover outside cages 

and pens with blankets 

• Provide bedding small animals 

can burrow in 

• Close windows and curtains 

• Consider bringing them indoors 

• Where possible - tell the 

organisers of firework displays 

that horses are nearby and ask 

them to set off their fireworks in 

the opposite direction 

31



What’s on 

32 

October 

TUESDAY 1ST - THURSDAY 31ST 

Make a Will Month 

St Vincent’s Hospice, Midton Road, 

Howwood 

Making a Will is one of the most important 

things you can ever do. A Will gives you 

a voice, allowing you to care for everyone 

you love and say what you want to happen 

to your money and personal possessions. 

During October, you can make your Will 

completely free of charge thanks to 

the support of a group of local, trusted 

solicitors. For more information please visit 

the St. Vincent’s Hospice website http:// 

www.svh.co.uk or phone 01505 705635. 

SATURDAY 19TH OCT - 

SUNDAY 3RD NOV 

Treasure Hunts – Halloween 

Pumpkin Hunt! 

RSPB, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch 

10am to 4pm 

Explore our woodland trail and search for 

the hidden wooden pumpkins! Answer a 

few questions along the way and collect 

the hidden letters to reveal the special 

word before returning to the visitor centre 

to claim your reward! Cost: £3 per child 

/ RSPB members £1.50 [Normal trail fees 

apply for adults] 


Kilbarchan Smile Items 

Cartside Terrace, Kilbarchan 

2pm to 4pm 

Come to visit the garden and our new 

social hut if you want to relax, have a 

cup of tea, explore the site, join in light 

gardening and wildlife activities or pick up 

some bulbs for Spring flowering. All ages 

welcome. To visit at other times or for 

info. Contact hello@kilbarchansmile.co.uk 

or 07952 169341. 

THURSDAY 31ST 

Movie Night 

The Old Kirk, 40 High Street, Kilmacolm 

7pm 

Jersey Boys. 7pm for 7.30pm 

November 

FRIDAY 1ST 

The Making of a Nature 

Reserve - Paul Tarling, RSPB 

McMaster Centre, Donaldson Drive, 

Renfrew 

7.30pm 

An illustrated talk about the making of The 

Crook of Baldoon Nature reserve by Paul 

Tarling - hosted by the Renfrewshire RSPB 

Local Group. All welcome. 

SATURDAY 2ND 

Kilmacolm Bonfire & Fireworks 

Knapps Loch, Bridge of Weir Road, 

Kilmacolm 

6pm 

Gates open at 4.30pm, bonfire lit 6pm. 

Police request that people do not stand 

on the pavement opposite and in the lane 

up the side of the field. Entry is only £5 

(adults) £2 (youngsters). Please note, we 

do not need any wood apart from what we 

organise ourselves. 

Paisley Fireworks & Lights On 

Paisley Town Centre 

6.30pm 

Paisley town centre - Free entry. Gus from 

Pulse FM will be welcoming the crowds with 

music and chat from 6.30pm before the 

annual display gets underway at 7pm. The 

display will end at approximately 7.20pm – 

hope to see you there! 

Inverclyde Fireworks 

The Battery Park Eldon Street 

Greenock PA16 7QG 

7pm 

Inverclyde’s annual fireworks display 

will celebrate the year of James Watt 

commemorations with a science theme. 

Fairground open from 5.30pm. Fireworks 

begin at 7pm. Please note: no sparklers or 

other fireworks allowed onto the park. 

2nd BOW Guides Christmas 

Craft Coffee Morning 

St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan 

Road, Bridge of Weir 

10am to 12.30pm 

Come along and start your Christmas 

shopping early and reward yourself with a 

coffee at the end. 

Bishopton Scout Group 

Fireworks Display 

Bishopton Village 

7pm to 9pm 

Bishopton Scout Group Fireworks display at 

Barrangary Road, Bishopton. Gates will be 

open from 7pm onwards and the event will 

be finished by 9pm. There will be the usual 

tent with hot drinks and hot dogs etc. Tickets 

will be sold around the village in the week or 

so leading up to the event, and can also be 

purchased on the night at the gate. 

Friends of Ardgowan - 

Kilmacolm Hospice Christmas 

Coffee Morning 

Kidston Hall, High Street, Kilmacolm 

10am to 12noon 

Fancy goods/baking/raffle. Entry is a £3 

donation. If you can help on the day please 

contact Sandra on 01505 873126 or Agnes 

01505 874913. 

The Big Sing 

Sunday 1st December 6.30-9.30pm 

Sanctuary of Orchardhill Parish Church, 

Giffnock 

Rock Choir, Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir, and Giffnock Primary School 

Choir are all set to perform at this fantastic event. 

Prepare to be wonderfully entertained with a variety of music from 

all choirs, including a finale. Tea/coffee and home baking will be 

served at the interval. 

To pay online, please contact Linda on 0141 848 0308 or by visiting 

www.hdscotland.org All proceeds go towards supporting adults 

and children affected by Huntington’s disease. 

ACCORD Hospice 

Firewalk 

Saturday 9th November 

ACCORD Hospice, 7 Morton Avenue, Paisley, PA2 7BW 

Brave the heat, bare your soles and raise money for ACCORD 

Hospice by taking part in our fire walk for the patients and families 

of Renfrewshire who need our care. 

This adrenaline fuelled event will push your boundaries, challenge 

your perceptions and make for an unforgettable evening. There will 

be hot soup on the night and entertainment for everyone too! 

A Few Rules: 

Minimum Age of participants - 16. Registration Fee – £20, Minimum 

Fundraising – £100 

Participants must attend a 90 minute workshop prior to the firewalk 

(otherwise how do you know what to do?!) 

Spectators can’t sit in on the workshop. 

For enquiries please contact: fundraising@accord.org.uk 

Rock Meets Country 

Friday 15th November, 7.30pm start 

Paisley Methodist Hall 

Another amazing night of music is in store for you all when we 

delve into the world of Country Music. 

The amazing ROCK Choir will be joined by our lovely new friends 

The Cowboys! We are once again looking forward to a great 

show. 

Tickets are £10; this includes refreshments during the break. A 

big thanks to the bands for sharing their talents to support The 

Hospice, and to our lovely volunteers who are setting up another 

wonderful event. 

Planning an event? 

Do you have an event coming up? We’d love to hear from you. 

Please send your event details in to info@advertizer.co.uk. 

You can also submit events online. 

Visit www.advertizer.co.uk/events and scroll down to the bottom of 

the page to find our event submission form.



SATURDAY 2ND - SUNDAY 3RD 

Binocular & Telescope Open Day 


10am to 4pm 

Are you looking to purchase your first pair 

of binoculars; maybe you are looking to 

upgrade, or simply just wanting to buy as 

a gift? Our friendly and impartial team will 

be demonstrating and offering assistance 

on a wide range of competitively priced 

binoculars and telescopes. We stock a 

massive range of RSPB binoculars along with 

some well-known names such as Swarovski, 

Zeiss, Leica and Nikon. For bookings and 

further info: Email. lochwinnoch@rspb.org. 

uk Tel. 01505 842 663. Free entry. 

SUNDAY 3RD 

Winter Craft Fair 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, 

Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 

11am to 3pm 

Come and pick up your Christmas presents 

from local crafters. 

Early Bird Christmas Craft 

and Gift Fayre 

Kilbarchan Guide Centre, Barn 

Green, Kilbarchan 

1pm to 4pm 

Over 20 stalls filled with gorgeous gifts for 

all the family. We welcome back some of 

our favourites including Bumblebuttonz, All 

Things Nice and Braw Bricht Jewellery to 

name a few. Tickets £2 (u12 free). 

SUNDAY 3RD - TUESDAY 5TH 

Nae Fireworks Night 

Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre, 

Moor Road, Eaglesham, G76 0QQ 

5pm 

Join the Whitelee Rangers at their firework 

free zone this bonfire weekend and walk 

your dog in peace! Visitor centre re-opens 

5 - 10pm (café closes 9pm). There will be 

a Ranger-led walk from 7pm on Tues 5th. 

*Bring your torch. These nights are dropin 

events, and you can stay for as long 

as you feel you need to. https://www. 

eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/whitelee-events 

MONDAY 4TH 

Cuppa and a Chat 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall, 

Steeple Street 

1.30pm to 3pm 

All welcome to come along for a “cuppa” 

and a chat. 

Brookfield Village Trust AGM 

Brookfield Village Hall, Woodside 

Road, Brookfield 

8pm 

WEDNESDAY 6TH 

(In)VISIBLE Women Event 

Johnstone Town Hall, Johnstone 

6.30pm 

Bringing together people across 

Renfrewshire and beyond to celebrate and 

recognise the invisible work of women and 

non-binary people in Scotland. Children 

welcome. Talks, performances, workshops. 

All donations from the tickets will go 

towards our event costs. 

THURSDAY 7TH 

OUTLOOK 


2pm to 4pm 

Photography with David Walker 

FRIDAY 8TH 

Kilbarchan Fireworks Display 

Kilbarchan Park, Park View, Kilbarchan 

7.30pm 

Join us for the annual fireworks display at 

the Public Park off New Street, Kilbarchan. 

Starts at 7.30pm. Entry free but donations 

would be most welcome. 

SATURDAY 9TH 

Pre-Christmas Craft Fair 

McKillop Hall, Main Street, 

Lochwinnoch 

12noon to 4pm 

Held by Lochwinnoch Arts Festival Outreach. 

Over 30 local crafters. Crafts include Knitting, 

Felting, Prints, Jewellery, Cards, Pottery, Glass 

work, Textiles, Plaques etc. Free entry. 

Annual Fall Ball Charity Ceilidh 


Lochwinnoch 

8pm 

Featuring Alastair McCulloch, the Coila 

Band has developed into one of the 

leading traditional groups in Scotland 

and is in constant demand at home and 

abroad. Entry by ticket only £8.50. Bar, 

Buffet & Raffle. Tickets at Now and Then 

and Café Cucina Minucci at the Junction. 

Proceeds Students World Challenge and 

Lochwinnoch International Aid. 

Coffee With The Choral 



Come along for coffee and cakes, tombola, 

raffle, chat and a chance to get your 

Christmas Concert tickets early (in aid of 

choir funds). Tickets £2 - available from 

members or on the door. 

St Fillan’s Houston Walking Group 

The River Inn, Houston Rd, Houston 

Celebrate 25 years!! If you walk with the 

group or ever have done, please join us at 

the River Inn, Crosslee on 9th November for 

a hot buffet, drinks chat and reminiscences. 

Price of evening is £20. If you would like to 

join us, please contact molly.mcgavigan@ 

btinternet.com (07711 540299) or Geraldine 

on 01505 614299. 

33



SATURDAY 9TH 

KURC Annual Charity Night - 

ScotRocks! 


7pm to Midnight 

Don’t miss Kilmacolm Unofficial Running 

Club’s charity SCOTROCKS night! Come 

on and shake your thang to music from 

some of Scotland’s most iconic bands 

such as Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, Wet 

Wet Wet, Paulo Nutini and more! This year 

all donations will go to Compassionate 

Inverclyde. Ticket are £10 each - available 

from The Cross Cafe and all KURC members 

from the beginning of October. 

Practical Conservation – Fire! 

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, Calder Glen 

Road near Lochwinnoch PA12 4LB 

11am to 3pm 

Come and help the Rangers burn brashing 

piles so we can get ready for future tree 

planting. Not suitable for children. Drop 

in at anytime. 

Gaelic Singing Workshop 

Church of the Holy Trinity and St. 

Barnabas, Back Sneddon Street, 

Paisley PA3 2AB 9.30am to 1pm 

This Workshop is suitable for all, no prior 

knowledge of Gaelic is required. Cost £10 

(includes tea and biscuits). Places MUST be 

booked in advance. To enrol, or for more 

information, contact fios@clanngaidhlig. 

org or telephone 0780 591 8509. 

SUNDAY 10TH 

Remembrance Day 

Various events in villages 

See village news for details 

THURSDAY 14TH 

Sòlas Drop In Bereavement 

Group 


2pm to 4pm 

FRIDAY 15TH 

Astronomy Evening 


7.30pm to 9pm 

Come and hear about the stars and galaxies 

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

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

wonders for ourselves. Speakers from the 

Astronomical Society of Glasgow. Please 

book limited places, please pay at time of 

booking. Cost: Adults: £6; Children: £4.80 

(RSPB members: £4.80/£3.80). For bookings 

and further info: Email. lochwinnoch@rspb. 

org.uk Tel. 01505 842 663 

SATURDAY 16TH 

Christmas Tree Tagging 

Finlaystone Country Estate - 

Langbank 

Saturday 16th November onwards daily. A 

great family day out bagging your tree for 

the festive season! £10 for any tree and 

free entry onto the estate. 

Calder Church Christmas Fayre 


Lochwinnoch 


Stalls include:- Home Baking, Christmas 

Stall (cards, paper & gifts), Jewellery & 

accessories, Books, DVDs, CDs, Toys, Bottle 

Stall (non alcoholic), Bric-a-Brac, Hamper, 

Lucky Dip and lots more. Adult £2.50 

Child FREE includes tea, coffee, juice and 

Christmas goodies. All Welcome. 

Bridge of Weir SWI Coffee 

Morning 

Freeland Church, Main Street, 

Bridge of Weir 10am to 12noon 

In the Pirie, £3 for tea, coffee and cakes. 

SATURDAY 16TH 

A Taste of Africa 

Lochwinnoch Bowling Club, 

Calderhaugh Lane, Lochwinnoch 

PA12 4AL 7.30pm 

An evening of music with band HESU 

and a taste of African food - hosted 

by Lochwinnoch International Aid, in 

collaboration with Lochwinnoch Arts 

festival. Bookings & queries to: Lesley@ 

scottkhan.net; 01505 842589. Tickets 

also available in The Junction and Now 

and Then. 

Bishopton Art Group’s 

Christmas Art and Crafts Fair 

Bishopton Community Centre, 

Gledstane Rd, Bishopton 

10am to 3pm 

Looking for that perfect Christmas present? 

With a variety of products for sale, from 

local amateur artists and crafts people. 

Tea, coffee and great home baking also 

available. Free parking (5-minute walk from 

Bishopton railway station). Free entry. 

TUESDAY 19TH 

Howwood WI 

Howwood Village Hall, Howwood, 

PA9 1BB 7.30pm 

Visiting Peru, by Mary Turner 


Kilmacolm Horticultural 

Society November Lecture 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, 

7.30pm 

Sara Packham, director of Ardardan 

Estate will tell the story of development of 

‘Ardardan’ - Nursery, Farm shop, Tearooms 

- which was inspired by her parents Rob and 

May Montgomery following their move from 

the Brown Egg Farm at Houston. See our 

website: www.kilmacolmhorticultural.com 

THURSDAY 21ST 

OUTLOOK 


2pm to 4pm 

Storytelling 

THURSDAY 21ST - SATURDAY 23RD 

Agatha Crusty and the 

Murder/Mystery Dinner 


Steeple Street 7.30pm 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Drama Group 

presents a comedy by Derek Webb suitable 

for all the family - a hilarious evening’s 

entertainment. Tickets £8, school age 

£5, on sale in Bobbins. This is suitable for 

all the family and will ensure a hilarious 

evening’s entertainment. 

KDS The Wizard of Oz 


7pm, Sat matinee 2pm 

KDS have a large cast, and the energetic 

support of local children as Munchkins 

and Monkeys, which will ensure this will 

be a lively and exciting show. Full of 

songs, dances and lots of opportunities for 

audience participation, this family friendly 

production is sure to engage young and 

old. So for the perfect preparation for the 

Festive Season, follow the Yellow Brick 

Road to Kidston Hall, Kilmacolm! See www. 

kilmacolmdramaticsociety.co.uk for further 

details and tickets. 

FRIDAY 22ND 

Carrick Nights Winter Concert 

Series 

Carrick Centre, Main Street, Houston 

8pm 

Sonia, Paula, Louise, Claire, Jennifer, 

Lynne, Joanne and Jim make up Aria! Also 

performing is classical accordionist, Ryan 

Corbett. Tickets: £12 (Adult) £5 (Child / 

Student) To request more information and 

tickets please call 01505 229 597 or email: 

thecarrickcentre@gmail.com 

(In)VISIBLE Women Event 

Join us on Wednesday 6th November at Johnstone Town Hall, 

starting at 6pm for drinks, 6.30pm - 8pm for performances, talks 

and workshops, and time to chat and mingle from 8pm - 8.30pm. 

Our (in)VISIBLE Women Event brings together people across 

Renfrewshire and beyond to celebrate and recognise the invisible 

work of women and non-binary people in Scotland! 

Women do much more of the housework, childcare, caring for older 

adults and volunteering here in Scotland. Our Equalities Collective 

campaigning group have been hearing from women across Scotland 

about their experiences. Come along and celebrate with a relaxing 

evening connecting with others and sharing experiences: 

As well as the launch of the (in)VISIBLE Women Report, there will 

be music, comedy, drama, talks, a raffle and colouring and games 

for the kids. 

**Exciting speakers and performers to be announced! 

The whole community are welcome. All donations from the tickets 

will go towards our event costs. See you there! 

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. 

34


SATURDAY 23RD 

Houston & Killellan Kirk Guild 

Victorian Christmas Market 

West Halls, Main Street, Houston PA6 7EL 

(next to Carrick Centre and Village Hall) 

10.30am to 1pm 

Come along to our Victorian Christmas 

Market. Stalls include baking, preserves, 

toiletries, children’s gifts - many under 

£1 - knitting, lucky bags/boxes, gift mugs, 

2 luxury hampers in the prize draw, raffles, 

competitions, book stall, crafts stall, and 

many more for you to browse, and of course 

,a visit from Santa. 

SUNDAY 24TH 

Light Up a Life this Christmas 

Corseford School, Howwood Road, 

Howwood 4.30pm 

Our dedication event will begin at 4.30pm 

at the Corseford School, with a candlelit 

procession along our footpath, ending in 

the Hospice Courtyard. So wrap up warm 

and join us as hundreds of lights are lit to 

shine out this Christmas in memory of those 

being honoured. 

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 

days practical volunteering at our beautiful 

reserve, and help us to give nature a 

home. Please book as places are limited. 

For bookings and further info: Email. 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk Tel. 01505 842 

663. Free entry. 

Walk With A Ranger – 

Dunrod Circular 

The Cut Visitor Centre, Cornalees 

Bridge, Greenock 

11am to 1pm 

Come for a walk in the hills behind the 

centre and get marvellous views over the 

Clyde and Greenock. 


Johnstone High Christmas 

Gift and Craft Fayre 

Johnstone High School, Beith Road, 

Johnstone PA5 0JN 

6pm to 8pm 

Jump right into the Christmas spirit at 

our annual Christmas Gift and Craft fayre. 

Plenty to choose from with over 30 stalls; 

gifts for all the family. 

THURSDAY 28TH 

Movie Night - It’s a 

Wonderful Life 

The Old Kirk, High Street, Kilmacolm 

7pm for 7.30pm 

Please note: There will be no Movie Night 

in December. 

Christmas Fayre 

Gryffe High School, Old Bridge of 

Weir Road, Houston 

6.30pm to 8.30pm 

Don’t miss Gryffe High School’s Christmas 

Fayre. Lots of lovely Christmas gift, crafts 

and activities on offer for all the family. 

Tickets £3 adults / £1 children. 

1st SAT 

1st & 3rd SUN 

2nd SAT & last SAT 

2nd SUN 

FRIDAY 29TH 

Annual Quiz 

Fleming Road, Houston 

The Houston and Killellan Agricultural 

Society Annual Quiz. Tickets £5 to include 

a light supper. For more information contact 

Isabelle Stuart issistuart@gmail.com 

Kilbarchan Christmas Light 

Switch On 

Steeple Square, Kilbarchan 7pm 

With a reindeer and sleigh, Santa will make 

an appearance, with a variety of music and 

entertainment throughout. George Bowie 

will compere the evening between 7pm and 

8pm. Switch on will be at approx 7.30pm. 

SATURDAY 30TH 


West Halls, Main Street, Houston 

PA6 7EL (next to Carrick Centre 

and Village Hall) 7pm 

The ever popular Fiddlers are returning to 

Houston! Tickets (£5). Contact: Kate on 01505 

613676 or email: grannykate284@gmail.com 

Volunteer Craft Fair 

Castle Semple Visitor Centre, 

Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch 

11am to 3pm 

Come and buy eco friendly gifts made from 

natural materials. Details can be found on 

the Park’s website www.clydemuirshiel. 

co.uk or by emailing rangers.castlesemple@ 

clydemuirshiel.co.uk 

Brighter Bridge of Weir’s 

Pop-Up Stall Event 

Livery Walk, Bridge of Weir 

10am to 1pm 

With a range of other items, such as seasonal 

table decorations and candles, home-made 

cakes, confectionary, marmalade and jams 

and, of course, the nearly-famous Rustic 

Reindeer! This year, they are available to 

pre-order. Just call Neil on 01505 613043, 

or 07969 642487. (Don’t forget you can 

keep up to date with Brighter Bridge of 

Weir on Facebook.) 

December 

SATURDAY 30TH 

Kilbarchan Parish Messy Church 


Steeple Street 4pm to 6pm 

Remember to bring an adult to join in the fun! 

SUNDAY 1ST 

Houston Christmas Lights 

Houston Village 4pm 

Join us for the Christmas Light switch on 

Main Street, Houston from 4pm. 

Christmas Market 

Fox and Hounds, Main Street, Houston 

3pm to 8pm 

Join us at the Fox and Hounds Christmas 

Market which ties in with the Christmas 

Light switch on. Outdoor marquee hosting 

50 Christmas themed stalls!!! Music, Santa 

parade, choir, and more! 

A Christmas Concert 

St Machar’s Church, Kilbarchan 

Road, Bridge of Weir 3pm 

You are invited to a Christmas Concert 

performed by the Clydebank Citadel 

Band. Tickets £5 (includes refreshments) 

available from Morven. Tel: 01505 612286. 

FARMERS MARKETS 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 10am - 2pm 

Loch Lomond Shores 10am - 3pm Tel: 07977 179 861 

Paisley Cross 10am - 2pm Tel: 01655 770217 

Kip Marina, Inverkip 11am - 4pm www.kipmarina.co.uk 


35



36 

Sport NEws 

REGULAR meets 

KEEP FIT 

Move it or Lose it! 

Old Gourock and Ashton Church, 

Mondays at 1.30pm 

Bridge of Weir, Tuesdays at 10.30am 

Greenock, Tuesdays at 2pm 

Houston, Thursdays at 10.30am 

Kilbarchan, Thursdays at 2.30pm 

More than just a fitness class for the 

over 60s. Anyone wishing to join any of 

the classes should contact Fiona 07811 

766672 to book their place. 

Zumba Light 

St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm 

Mondays at 10am 

All the fun and energy of Zumba but at 

a lighter pace! Fabulous music, full of 

fun - a fantastic class for for all levels. 

Contact Mo 07505 126416. 

Step 

Freeland’s Church Hall 

Tuesdays at 6.45pm 

A brilliant new Reebok Step class. 

Lots of fun, fab music and a fantastic 

workout. Why not come along and give 

it a go? Contact Mo 07505 126416. 

Zumba 

Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm 

Tuesdays at 7.45pm 

Entry level class suitable for all fitness 

levels. Come dance yourself fit at 

Zumba, no experience necessary! 

Contact Diane 07943 862775. 

Boogie Effect with Jen 

Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Ave 

Saturdays at 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 

Pilates classes 

St Machars Church Hall, Bridge of 

Weir - Mondays at 9.30am & 10.40am 

Kilmacolm Community Centre - 

Mondays at 6.30pm 

Tel: Yvonne 07786 224367 or yvonne@ 

clydephysiotherapy.co.uk 

Kilellan Halls Houston, 

Monday Evenings at 6pm - 7pm/ 

7.20pm - 8.20pm/ 8.30pm - 9.30pm 

For more information or to book a place 

call Katie on 07972 474965. 

Kilmacolm Community Centre, 

Wednesdays at 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 

Fitsteps with Jennifer 

Kilmacolm Guide Hut, Woodrow Ave 

Mondays at 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. 

ATHLETICS 

Kilbarchan Athletic Club 

On-X, Linwood 

Mondays & Thursdays at 7pm 

All abilities welcome. Tel: 07941 686990. 

MARTIAL ARTS 

The Shotokan Karate Club 

Woodlands Primary, Linwood 

Mondays & Thursdays at 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 

Park Mains High, Tuesdays at 7pm - 9pm 

Bishopton Community Centre, Fridays 

at 6pm - 8pm 

Children and young adults from the age of 

6 -18 are welcome. (www.clydejudo.org.uk) 

SPORTS 

Bridge of Weir Ladies Badminton 

BoW Primary School, Warlock Road 

Modays at 7.30pm - 9.30pm 

Gryffe Badminton 

Strathgryffe Tennis Club 

Tuesdays at 8pm 

Greenock Hockey Club 

Inverclyde Academy, Greenock 

Wednesdays at 6.30pm - 8pm 

Contact Liz Baldwin 07944 607005 

Birkmyre Rugby Club 

Youth Rugby Section, Kilmacolm 

Sundays at 11am - 1pm 

www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkmyre 

DANCE 

Bishopton Belles Line Dancing 

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hall 

Tuesdays at 6.30pm - 8.30pm 

Improver class. All welcome. Call David 

or Mair 07886 034037. 

FOOTBALL 

5-a-side Football 

Powerleague Paisley Modays at 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. 

WALKING 

Kilmacolm Walkers 

Birkmyre Park Pavillion, Kilmacolm 

Thursdays at 10am 

David 01505 874192 kilmacolmwalkers@ 

talktalk.net 

Lochwinnoch Community Walk 

The Cross, Lochwinnoch 

Mondays at 10.30am (excl. public holidays) 

Bridge of Weir Walking Group 

Tuesdays Outside Co-op at 10.30am 

1 hour walks. Call Senga on 0141 842 

3000. 

Strathgryffe Gents Dominate in the 

Nationals 

Strathgryffe gents have 

recently won the division 

1 title of the Scottish 

National League tennis 

competition. 

The team consisting of 

Robbie, Lee & Daniel 

Wishart, Scott Docherty, 

Steven Leighton, and Sam Goulding all played in the competition. 

The team played 4 tough opponents in Prestwick, St Serfs, Kinnoull 

and Cults Tennis Clubs, winning all four matches in the process. 

Kilmacolm Golf Club, Ladies 

On 24th September our 

annual ladies outing was to 

Auchterarder Golf Course. A 

fabulous day was enjoyed by all. 

The winning team were Sandra 

Macdougal, Diane Cunning and 

Fiona Malcolm with an amazing 

47 points. Very well played 

ladies! 

The Ladies Committee enjoyed 

a chilly and windy day at West 

Kilbride on the 26th September. 

The winning couple were Marion 

Stewart and Lynsie Bulloch. A 

great day was had by all. 

On Thursday 3rd October 24 Ladies played in Our Fun Final Swing. 

This was flag competition and enjoyed by all. Irene Hicks was the 

worthy winner with Alison Watson as runner up. 

We had our annual Macmillan coffee morning on the 27th September 

kindly organised by Lynda Bradley. The final figure raised was 

£835. Special thanks to our amazing bakers who provided such 

a delicious spread and to Netta, Carolyn, Elspeth and Alison our 

hostesses on the day. The winner of the “dunk the biscuit” was 

Sandra Macdougal - well done Sandra obviously well practices on 

this art!! A huge thank you everyone who supported this incredible 

cause. 

Brookfield Bowling Club 

The picture shows Brookfield Bowling Club Presentation of 

Prizes for 2019. President Dennis Taylor is accompanied by Club 

Champions David Dobson and Marion Stromberg and all the other 

competition winners during the year.


Kilmacolm Tennis Club 

A stunning day for the Kilmacolm Tennis Club Championships saw some very competitive 

matches played in front of the club’s biggest ever crowd. 

First up was the Gents Doubles with our youngest ever finalists Zander Davies, 15, and Ben 

Wilson, 18, up against the holders - Ali Robertson and Graham Marr. Zander and Ben put up 

a decent fight, before succumbing in two sets. 

Ali Robertson was the holder of the Gents’ Singles title as well, and the final was a repeat 

of last year’s epic against Roy Fraser. During a thrilling match, when a tie break seemed 

inevitable, Ali managed to win it 7-5 and maintaining the same high intensity and quality of 

tennis, he took the second set as well. 

The Ladies Doubles final pitted Freda Robertson and club secretary Sian Nicol against a 

pair of former champions from the ladies 1st team. An “A. Murray” coming back from injury 

to win a title, is the stuff of Scottish tennis dreams. In fact both Ann Murray and Liz Moisin 

were returning to competition this year after long lay-offs. The match ended in a two set 

victory for Liz and Ann. 

In the Super Senior Ladies Doubles competition, Sian Nicol and Rosemary Nott beat Pauline 

Macklin and Heather Wylie in two sets. The Ladies singles Championship was awarded to 

its youngest ever winner – the talented 13-year-old Eleanor Cochran. 

There was a fitting finale to the day. Outgoing captain, Marion Wardell was paired with 

men’s captain Roy Fraser. Up against them, Ali Robertson was paired with his significant 

other, Kirsten Begg. In the end youth triumphed and after a cracking final set, Kirsten and 

Ali were crowned Mixed Doubles Champions. 

Congratulations are due to all the finalists – and their families! New members are invited to 

take advantage of the reduced rate winter memberships available at £10 per month from 

now till the end of March. Photo (l to r) Roy Fraser, Marian Wardell, Kirsten Begg and Ali Robertson 


Got NEWS? 

Got any sports news? Please send your news in to info@advertizer. 

co.uk. 




faces are visible! 

This is all to ensure that pictures are printed clearly and not blurry 

or pixelated! 

Kilmacolm Golf Club Ladies 

37



Dry Eyes 

by Kerry Taher, New Vision Opticians 

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most 

common conditions worldwide, and 

certainly one which we deal with on a daily 

basis. Typically both eyes are affected, often bloodshot, sometimes 

a bit sticky on waking up. There can also be intermittent blurring 

of vision which clears just after blinking. Other symptoms include 

gritty, itchy, burning, filmy, and even watery eyes. The severity 

of symptoms is hugely variable but usually mild. The two basic 

categories are when not enough tears are produced, or when tears 

evaporate too quickly (much more common). 

Causes of dry eyes can be increasing age, dehydration, hormonal 

changes, certain medications, previous eye surgery or underlying 

eye or health conditions. Environmental factors such as airconditioning 

and using computers can also cause dry eyes. One 

study showed that for every 7 hours of computer use, the average 

user will have lost out on 4,000 blinks due to a reduced blink rate! 

There are various treatments available for the mild dry eye sufferer; 

simple lubricants 2-4 times a day and eyelid hygiene is all that is 

usually required. There are watery drops which don’t affect vision 

but only provide short-term relief. Gels will relieve symptoms for 

longer with only a slight initial blurring of vision for 1-2 minutes. 

For maximum relief, ointments are best, usually lasting for hours 

but with noticeable blurring of vision for several minutes – typically 

these are used just before bed. 

For the more severe sufferer, drops will be needed more often, 

and in certain cases antibiotics or anti-inflammatories may also be 

necessary. Extra treatments are also available if required, such as 

punctal plugging where tiny plugs are inserted into the tear ducts 

to restrict the drainage of the tears. For more information, please 

call 01505 614700. 

38 

First Ever Community Fitness Week 

Community Fitness Week 

is a brand new initiative 

coming to Inverclyde 

as part of a national 

campaign to raise the 

awareness of fitness 

in community venues 

across the UK. 

Community 

fitness 

instructors from all 

regions of the UK are 

signing up to the week, 

with the campaign 

for this year named 

#fitnessforfood. 

Fitness 

instructors will run their regular classes with every class participant, 

new or regular, being asked to bring a non-perishable item of food 

to their class, which the instructor will deliver to their local food 

bank. 

The #fitnessforfood drive is set to make a huge positive impact on 

local communities with 1,000 instructors expected to sign up. 

Local dance fitness instructor Jennifer Lang is an ambassador 

for the Community Fitness Network, the driving force behind the 

campaign. Jennifer says “I am excited to be part of this initiative 

raising the profile of community fitness as well gathering valuable 

donations for the Inverclyde Food Bank, which everyone knows is 

a vital resource for so many families. For me, being a dance fitness 

instructor is not just about fitness. 

It’s about bringing people 

together, allowing them to grow their social circles, and enabling 

them to experience the mental health benefits of exercise as well 

as the physical benefits.” 

Jennifer runs two classes in Kilmacolm Guide Hut and details can 

be found in the regular meets section. 

If any other local instructors are interested in getting involved in 

the campaign please go to www.communityfitnessweek.co.uk to 

sign up.



School NEws 

REGULAR GROUPS 

EVERY MONDAY 

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers 

McKillop Hall 

9.45am - 11.30am 

£2/family fee incl tea & children’s snacks. 

Kilmacolm Playgroup 

St Columba Church Hall, Kilmacolm 

9.30am - 11.30am 

Howwood Baby & Toddler 

Group 

Howwood Parish Church 

10am - 12noon 

Kilbarchan Parish Church 

Tots’ Club 

Kilbarchan Parish Church Hall 

9.15am - 11.30am 

EVERY TUESDAY 

Kilbarchan Tots 

Kilbarchan Scout Hall 10am-12noon 

£2 contribution. Tea, coffee & biscuits. 

Bridge of Weir Toddlers 

Cargill Hall, Lintwhite Cres, BoW 

9.30am - 11.30am 



9.30am - 11.30am 

Howwood Playgroup 

Howwood Church Hall 9.45am - 

11.35am 

EVERY WEDNESDAY 

Kilmacolm Toddlers 


10am - 11.30am 

For children from birth to 3 years. 

Lochwinnoch Baby & Toddlers 

McKillop Hall 

9.45am - 11.30am 

£2/family fee incl tea and children’s 

snacks. 


Howwood Church Hall 

9.45am - 11.35am 

EVERY THURSDAY 

Houston Toddlers 

Church Hall, Main Street, Houston 

9.30am - 11.30am 



9.30am - 11.30am 


Howwood Church Hall 

9.45am - 11.35am 

EVERY FRIDAY 

Langbank Playgroup 

Langbank Village Hall 

9.45am - 11.45am 

For 2.5 - 5yr olds. Contact: Lisa 

McFadden 07940 313094. 

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 

St Columba’s Junior School, 

Knockbuckle Road, Kilmacolm 

9.30 - 10am 

1ST & 3RD FRIDAY 

Renfrewshire Inverclyde 

Twins Club 

McKillop Hall, Lochwinnoch 

1pm -2.30pm 

£3. Bring a mug along for a cuppa. 



Bridge of Weir Primary 

Outdoor Learning by the P5 News Team 

This month we have been very busy. 

Even the Nursery has been working 

hard with their new outdoor area. 

The new den is at the back of the 

nursery playground and has an 

outdoor kitchen, small chairs, and 

a canopy. Unfortunately, there is 

a problem with vandalism. We are 

looking for support to help prevent 

it, if anyone can help? Sometimes 

people may wish to enter to get out 

of the rain, but please do not remove 

any items or cause any damage. 

Thank you. On a positive note, the 

nursery love outdoor learning and 

go in-and-out in all weathers using 

their puddle suits. 

The P2s have been enjoying a new activity called All Weather 

Wednesdays. This is when pupils go outside on Wednesdays no 

matter the weather (unless it’s a blizzard or a thunderstorm!) They 

do science, den building, art, building bird feeders – even sticks 

and leaf hunting – they love exploring The Secret Forest. The P2s 

are really enjoying going outside. 

Primary 6 have also been exploring the outdoors through the 

STEM project called Flying Fish. This involved an all day visit to the 

river in their wellies and waterproofs. One of the things they had 

to do was kick over stones to find vertebrates and invertebrates 

inside the rocks. They then looked at what they found under a 

microscope, so they felt like proper scientists. 

They learned about fly-fishing and electro fishing. The health of the 

river was also tested. The good news is that the Gryffe is healthy 

because of the fish and invertebrates living there, but perhaps not 

so healthy because of all the invasive plants. 

The P6 pupils told our reporters it was great to learn about science 

through our local environment. Parents got involved too, and we 

appreciated their help. 

And a date for your diary. The school Christmas Fair is on Thursday 

21st November. 

Duchal Nursery 

Many thanks to the lovely volunteers from Colourful Kilmacolm, who 

recently visited Duchal and guided the children in the art of bulb 

planting. When Spring arrives our pots and borders will certainly 

make this corner of Kilmacolm more colourful. The children really 

enjoyed learning some gardening skills and meeting some of our 

resident bugs, worms and beetles that were hiding in the garden! 

Our latest topic of opposites has caused much hilarity and the latest 

of “sweet and sour” certainly caused some strange reactions during 

our taste test!!! With darker evenings after the clock change our next 

opposite will be “dark and light”. 

We are currently taking registrations for August 2020, Duchal is an 

independent nursery with our children moving on to various local 

schools in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Glasgow, if you would like to 

find out more, please come and visit the Nursery to meet the teachers and see our facilities. Contact 

us on 01505 874358 or email: info@duchal.com Visit our website www.duchal.com and our Facebook 

page for further information. 

39

40 


St. Fillan’s Primary School 

Fairtrade Coffee Morning 

We were delighted to welcome along our parents, families, 

members of the community and Parishioners from St. Fillan’s and 

Killelan Parish Church to our first ‘Fairtrade Coffee Morning’ of this 

school session. The children in the Fairtrade Committee organised 

the event and were on hand to welcome guests, serve tea, coffee 

and cakes and they facilitated the highlight of the morning - the 

Fairtrade raffle. 

The children’s efforts were rewarded as they managed to raise £80 

for Fairtrade and £83.57 for their chosen charity, which was St. 

Vincent’s Hospice. 

We would like to thank everyone who came along to support the 

children, our school, and this worthwhile event. 

Team Clean Up 

Our whole school took part in Renfrewshire Council’s ‘Team Clean 

Up’ event which is an initiative designed to encourage everyone to 

play their part in helping to keep local areas free from litter. 

The children helped to clean up the school playground, Houston 

Park and the area surrounding the Co-op. They managed to fill 

eight large sacks of rubbish and were very pleased with their efforts. 

It was lovely to see our older children support the younger ones 

whilst doing something worthwhile to help their local community. 

Cameo Club 

The children in Primary seven were invited to attend the ‘Cameo 

Club’s’ social afternoon at the Houston Church Hall. The children 

entertained the guests with some singing, and Lewis played some 

tunes on his clarinet. 

The children were duly thanked by the ladies and gents with cups 

of tea, cakes and an opportunity to play board games together. 

It was a great experience for everyone and encouraging to see the 

nurturing of intergenerational partnerships! 

St Anthony’s Primary School 

St. Anthony’s Room 4 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their time at 

the Maths Week Scotland Event. There were several events and 

activities planned throughout Scotland to celebrate the importance 

of maths in our everyday lives. Our children were thrilled to 

participate, and were among those who won a prize a £50 voucher 

to buy resources for their class. Congratulations to them and Mrs 

Henderson for all their hard work. 

We are also pleased that our primary six and seven pupils, together 

with Fordbank Primary, have had the opportunity to be involved 

in a collaboration with local artist Lauren Anderson. They are to 

create and design a theme to decorate the Fordbank Underpass. 

The local Tenants & Residents Association are delighted that the 

much needed upgrade will take place soon and that its local school 

children who will be involved in painting the murals. 

There is also excitement as we look forward to our Halloween Disco 

on the 30th October. A night to “eat drink and be scary” and of 

course our teachers and helpers will “keep calm and carry a wand”!! 

A “spooktacular” night with wonderful imaginative costumes. 

There will be a prize for the best costume but it truly gets harder 

to judge every year! 

As the nights are drawing in so fast now, it really won’t be long till 

our Christmas Fayre, which this year is on Friday 6th December 

and will be hosted by our fabulous teaching staff. A warm welcome 

is extended to one and all. 



Its been an exciting few weeks at 

Playgroup. Our children looked at the 

topic of Road safety and transport, and 

we had our very own Zebra crossing in 

the hall. Each child had the opportunity 

to be a lollipop person, an excellent lesson 

in role play helping them to understand 

the importance of all aspects of road 

safety. The classic story of The Very 

hungry Caterpillar was our next topic, 

and the children enjoyed reading the 

book and the fun crafts that went with it. 

Once again we had visitors in the shape 

of dinosaurs, lots of fun with breaking 

dinosaurs out of ice, and looking for 

dinosaur bones in sand. Lots of roaring 

dinosaurs in Playgroup, and a fun time 

had by all. 

Playgroup is open to all children from 2 years 4months and 

operates on a Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 11.30am. 

Spaces available, please email playgroupmembership@gmail.com 

for further information. 

Are you a new parent, or new to our village or surrounding villages? 

Our baby & toddler group is open as a drop in session every 

Wednesday morning from 10am - 11.30am. Pop in for a hot drink 

and cake while your child enjoys a play; a healthy snack is also 

provided for children. A great chance to meet new friends and find 

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

grandparents. 

The first Wednesday of every month within the toddler group is 

our brand new BBB (babies, bumps and boobs) group. This is a 

group for all new parents and expectant mums. Each month we 

have breast feeding co-ordinators and other useful information 

available. 

For more information on any of our groups have a look at our 

new website on www.kilmacolm-playgroup.com or find us on our 

Facebook for latest information. 

Howwood Primary School 

We have had a wonderful start to the year at Howwood Primary 

School. Our new values have been chosen and we are working hard 

to ‘Create Good Citizens’. To support our kindness value, all pupils 

will lead a 

charity event 

this year. 

Primary 7 

kicked this 

off with their 

Macmillan 

C o f f e e 

Morning. 

They baked 

an enormous 

amount of 

delicious 

cakes and invited parents, carers and family along to their community 

coffee morning. They raised the amazing amount of £520. Primary 

6/5 are busy planning a Swinging Sixties afternoon to raise money 

for St. Vincent’s Hospice, and P1 and P2 are collecting for the shoe 

box appeal. 

P6 pupils had a sporty start to the year by taking part in swimming 

lessons, the Renfrewshire Road Race and their Bikeability training 

(despite the weather). The have all passed their Level 1 Bikeability 

course 

Maths Week was full of mathematical challenges, outdoor learning, 

family maths, learning about maths at work and working with 

money. Primary 1 went down to the local shop to spend their 

pennies, and P7 headed to Johnstone High for a cluster challenge. 

Learning has been enhanced throughout the school with World War 

2 being brought to life in the P7 classroom, P2 making bread for 

their Harvest topic, and a visit from the Zoolab for P3’s Rainforest 

topic. 

We are really looking forward to the winter term.



St Columba’s, Kilmacolm 

Sporting Superstars Flourish at St Columba’s 

St Columba’s sporting stars have been in top form this term claiming 

a myriad of medals across a number of sports. 

Charlie B (Trans E) participated in the Scottish Tetrathlon 

Championships which took place at Dollar Academy earlier this 

month. Tetrathlon is a multi-discipline competition comprising of 

pistol shooting, cross country running, swimming and finally horse 

riding and jumping. We are delighted that Charlie won the U13’s 

boys section. He won both the shooting and swimming phases 

for his section and achieved maximum points for his ride. He was 

also awarded the trophy for achieving the highest score at the 

competition. 

On the court, the S1 and S2 netball teams kicked off their Scottish 

School’s Cup campaigns against Trinity High School. Both S1 

and S2 put up strong performances and won their matches 

convincingly. Well done to all the players who represented the 

school exceptionally well both on and off the court. 

Our Rugby and Hockey players have also been taking their game 

international. Both rugby and hockey teams are currently on a tour 

of Canada, combining sightseeing with challenging themselves 

against some of Canada’s finest players. 

And finally, - Kirsty M (SVI) secured a gold medal at the Scottish 

National Trampoline, DMT (Double Mini Trampoline) & Tumbling 

championships in Perth. 

Christmas is coming at St Columba’s! 

As we catch our breath from a busy first term, we look forward 

to what’s in store over the winter months. On Saturday 

7th December join us for lots of family fun at our annual Christmas 

Fayre. We will have stalls selling a range of gifts, real Christmas 

trees, Christmas baking, Santa’s Grotto, live musical performances 

and much more! 

Then on Monday 16th December, live from Greenock Town Hall, we 

have our Musical Celebration, where you can enjoy an evening of 

the best music St Columba’s has to offer. A fitting way to get into 

the full of the spirit of Christmas! 

41

42 


Gryffe High News 

ADHD Awareness Week 

Gryffe pupils teach the staff about ADHD. After school, pupils - 

Ben, Jack and Nathan - gave a presentation to over 20 staff on how 

ADHD affects them, along with Duncan who is Ben’s S6 Buddy. 

They provided strategies that staff could use to help them in class. 

Ben and Duncan created a handout for staff, with support from 

Miss O’Hara, and made a small video clip to help raise awareness 

of ADHD. 

You can view the video on the school Facebook Page. 

Activ8 ... 

Activ8 celebrated its 10 year anniversary this session with the 

annual spread of activities on offer aimed at keeping active bodies 

and active minds for the 8 weeks of our first term. 

Doodle and Destress and Drama Club were busy activities, with 

all other activities happening in our PE facilities and Badminton, 

Basketball, Dance, Dodgeball, Football, Gymnastics, Rounders and 

Running all on offer across the programme. 

High numbers of S1 pupils participated each week, with a massive 

increase in our senior pupil leaders helping at each of the sessions 

along with our teaching staff. 

Although Activ8 finishes now until August 2020, there are various 

extended curricular opportunities around the school on offer on 

different days of the week with some new clubs set to begin on 

Wednesdays after school as a follow on from Activ8. 

Mr. G O’Hare – FH Health and Wellbeing 

Gryffe High Christmas Fayre 

28th November, 6.30pm-8.30pm 

Don’t miss Gryffe High School’s Christmas Fayre! 

Lots of lovely Christmas gift, crafts and activities on 

offer for all the family. 

The big raffle prize draw will be held at 8.15pm. 

Prizes to be won include a luxury hamper, Christmas 

gifts and many generous vouchers. 

Tickets £3 for adults and £1 for children, includes a 

mince pie, mulled wine or tea/coffee or juice. 


Langbank Primary School 

In May 2019 a team of HMIe inspectors visited Langbank Primary 

School and conducted a very thorough and detailed inspection 

based around the “Short Inspection Model”. 

In August of 2019 the inspection findings were published. 

The school achieved a “Very Good” for “Raising Attainment and 

Achievement” and a “Good” with elements of very good for 

“Learning and Teaching”. 

The inspection report highlighted several key areas including: 

“The effective leadership of the Head teacher in taking forward 

improvements in the work of the school …. Along with staff he has 

developed robust approaches to monitoring children’s progress in 

their learning” 

“A nurturing school community where children are polite and well 

behaved. They are very proud of their unique environment… they 

engage well in learning tasks and activities and show empathy and 

respect to one another and their teachers” 

“ Highly motivated staff across the school who have worked in a 

focused way to bring about key changes and improvements” 

Quote from Head Teacher Simon Cundy: 

“We were delighted with the inspection findings. Over the last 4 

years we have worked very hard as a community to take forward 

many significant changes. We have redeveloped our outdoor 

learning spaces including the construction of two trim trails, 

an outdoor classroom and a new school garden. We have also 

developed the curriculum to ensure that it is challenging and 

this has been enhanced by the introduction of new pedagogical 

approaches. As a school, we have set very high expectations for all 

of our children and this has been reinforced by our school values, 

which has resulted in a significant improvement in attainment. This 

is evidenced through national standardised assessments in which a 

disproportionate number of our children score “very high”. 

These changes have taken place as a result of the hard work and 

professionalism of all of our staff at every level. The positive changes 

have also been facilitated by the positive links we have with the 

parents and local community. Above all the increased attainment 

has been achieved by the efforts of our wonderful children!” 

Got NEWS? 

Got any school news? Please send your news in to info@advertizer. 

co.uk. 




faces are visible! 

This is all to ensure that pictures are printed clearly and not blurry 

or pixelated! 

Gryffe Valley Rotary - Youth Events 

Plans are being made for Gryffe Valley Rotary to run several 

competitions for young people, including Young Chef, Youth 

Speaks, Young Writer, and the Primary School Quiz. Local schools 

are being invited to take part. Entries will be through each of the 

schools. 

Planning is also well advanced for nights out at The Experience 

for deserving Young Carers during Young Carers Awareness Week 

27th to 30th January 2020. 

For more information visit www.gryffevalley.rotary1230.org


Houston Primary School 


Pupils from the school Gardening Club went to plant spring bulbs 

and fill planters at a supported living complex in Johnstone, in 

partnership with Quarriers and B & Q. The residents will be able 

to enjoy spending time in their sensory garden all year round. The 

pupils had a great time and even got a special thank you treat from 

the residents. 

Renfrewshire Road Race 

Pupils from Primary 6 & 7 took part in Renfrewshire’s inter-school 

road race. Primary 7 pupil, Zara Redmond outclassed all other 

competitors, crossing the finish line well ahead of any other pupil. 

An outstanding athlete, with a great future ahead. Well done Zara! 

Primary 7 boys and Primary 6 girls gained an overall second place 

in their categories. Thank you to the staff and parents who went 

along to support our athletes. 

Maths Week 

Our pupils worked extremely hard during Maths Week, creating 

mathematical stories, posters and taking part in the national 

Sumdog competition, with Mrs Sime’s P7 pupils gaining 29th place 

and Mrs Ellis’ P4/5 pupils gaining 83rd place out of 6427 classes, 

demonstrating their excellent attainment levels. 

Aidan Smith from P7 demonstrated his amazing mathematical 

ability by coming 49th out of approximately 200,000 pupils. 

To ‘sum’ it up, Maths Week was a great success! 

CAMEO Club 

Pupils from the Gardening Club, shared their gardening knowledge 

and expertise with members of Houston’s CAMEO Club. They 

gave a very clear and informative presentation on all the fruit and 

vegetables they had successfully grown from seed to the harvest 

stage. The members were very impressed, especially Mrs Dawson. 

Afterwards the pupils engaged in gardening word searches and 

crossword puzzles with the members of the club. 

The pupils received a lovely thank you gift for their efforts. 

St Benedict’s High School 

St Benedict’s High School, Linwood recently celebrated the 

successes of their young people at their annual awards ceremony. 

Michelle McManus made a very special guest appearance to help 

pupils celebrate and enjoy a fantastic night. 

Amongst the many awards of the evening, pupils received awards 

for Academic Achievement, Creativity, Sporting Achievements, 

Volunteering and a Literature reward dedicated to the late Jan 

Merrick, who was a highly respected member of the English 

department. Josh Kerrigan and Lucy Kyle received the Dux awards 

after achieving fantastic results in their SQA exams, Lucy Parducci 

was awarded the Jan Merrick Award, Daniel Okungbowa received 

the Benedictine award and Calum Orr and Nikki Lavery received 

awards for the charity work they have been actively involved in. 

A fantastic night was had by all – congratulations to all pupils and 

staff involved! 

Houston Toddlers 

We have been having a great 

time at toddlers with our new 

toys and soft play. It has been 

a busy time for us at Halloween, 

and we are now looking forward 

to our Christmas activities. 

On the 12th December we are 

having Rouken Glen Pottery; 

payment for this will be taken 

on 12th December, and items 

delivered the following week. 

Thursday 19th December is a 

very special day at toddlers 

as we are hoping we will have 

a very welcome visitor at our 

Christmas party... Please come 

along and join us on Thursday 

mornings in the West Halls 

,from 9.30am until 11.30am. We would appreciate if you would bring 

your own cup (preferably with a lid) and a cup for the children. 

43



Outdoor NEws 

Colourful Kilmacolm 

In our last article we commented on the mixed blessing 

that rainy weather represented for gardeners. However 

sometimes the weather gets it absolutely spot on, and 

that was certainly the case for the St Columba’s School Summer 

Fete, as our picture shows, where Colourful Kilmacolm had a stall 

with information about ourselves, a competition for youngsters, 

plants for sale and, of course, the opportunity to become a member 

or just give a donation. It was a very successful day, resulting in 

quite a few new members and, as importantly, more awareness in 

the village of what we do. 

Late October 

signals for us the 

end of the summer 

floral displays. You 

may have seen our 

volunteer gardeners 

removing plants, 

however reluctantly, 

and planting bulbs 

for next spring. If 

you would like to 

be involved, either 

actively or by 

donating, visit www. 

colourfulkilmacolm. 

org.uk or phone Peter 

(01505 872448) or 

Liz (07963 973031) 

for more information. 

KHS Lecture 

Wednesday 20th November 7.30pm 

Kilmacolm Community Centre 

Kilmacolm Horticultural Society look forward to welcoming you to 

the November lecture when we are delighted to have with us Sara 

Packham, director of Ardardan Estate. Sara will tell the story of 

development of ‘Ardardan’ - Nursery, Farm shop, Tearooms - which 

was inspired by her parents Rob and May Montgomery following 

their move from the Brown Egg Farm at Houston. 

This will be followed by a brief Annual General Meeting. 

Refreshments will be served. Membership of the Society remains 

at £5, due 1st September annually. See our website: www. 

kilmacolmhorticultural.com 

Bridge Of Weir Horticultural Society 

This month Paul Matthews, retired Curator of Glasgow Botanic 

Gardens, will talk about pruning and the care of gardening tools, 

secateurs etc. We meet on November 14th at 8pm in The Bridge. 

Non-members are always welcome. 

November is a good time to catch up with garden chores. Coloured 

and neutral coloured pots can go into plastics recycling: look for 

the polypropylene PP5 symbol underneath. Most scanners cannot 

“see” black pots so put these into general recycling. Symbols 

PET1, HDPE2, V3, LDPE4, PS6 and Other 7 also relate to recyclable 

plastics. 

Any remaining bulbs should be planted 2.5 times deeper than bulb 

size. The flatter part is the base; the pointed end the top but if 

unsure, plant bulbs on their sides. If in pots, cover with grit to 

protect bulbs from the rain and this will also prevent splatter when 

foliage appears. Plants too should be dug in but not if the soil is 

frosted – cold, damp soil will shock the plant and delay rooting. 

Bare-rooted plants should be given a short, wake-up drink in water 

but potted plants can go straight in after watering. Dust the roots 

with Mycorhyzzal powder, making sure the powder makes contact 

with the roots. A traditional Blood, Bone & Fish top dressing will 

provide slow-releasing nutrients and work organically with the soil 

through the winter. Top dress Spring flowering shrubs with compost 

and spread ‘spent’ compost from pots over borders. Collect fallen 

leaves and place around hard, woody shrubs as a winter mulch and 

scoop leaves out of ponds. Keep leaves away from soft-stemmed 

shrubs and off winter flowering plants or bulbs. 

Congratulations to Cup Winners at our recent Show: Ewen Brown, 

Lorna Carruth, Jim Crawford, Lucy Daly, Houston Primary School, 

Anya Kandyba, Skye Kandyba, Gordon Kyle, Joy McLeod, J J 

McCann, Elizabeth Manson and Pamela Wilson. 

Kilbarchan Smile Litter Pick 

Volunteers turned out on the 6th October to join in the Kilbarchan 

Smile Community Autumn Clear Up, in association with Renfrewshire 

Council’s ‘Team Up to Clean Up’ campaign. 30 sacks were filled, 

with additional clearing carried out by our team of ‘ doorstep 

litter pickers’, who work regularly on problem areas. Thanks go to 

everyone who took part, everyone who avoids dropping litter in the 

first place and to Habbies and the Co-op for providing well earned 

refreshments. 

44 

BANNER PHOTOS! 

We are always on the lookout for cover photos on the front of each 

issue and banners in each section of our magazine! 

Front cover: 

• .jpg file 

• at least 5MB 

• h:15cm x w:25cm 

Full-length banners: 

• .jpg file 


• h:10cm x w:25cm 

Half-page banners: 

• .jpg file 


• h:10cm x w:11cm 

Please send your images in to info@advertizer.co.uk along with an 

image caption and your name if you would like printed credit.


Green Corner 

What to do about ... Foil 

From roasting tins to packing our sandwiches, a lot of us use 

aluminium foil for many things – but should we? Aluminium is a 

finite resource. As a mineral that is mined from the earth, it is a non 

renewable resource and it is worth bearing in mind that, similarly 

to its kitchen partner (in eco-crime) ‘cling film’, each stage of its 

extraction and processing has an environmental impact. Therefore, 

it may be an idea to investigate other eco-friendly alternatives. 

(Go ahead and Google these: 1. The ‘Wrap-N-Mat’, 2. If You Care 

Non-Stick Parchment Roasting Bags, DIY Beeswax Wraps and the 

classic 70s style ‘Brick for Chicken’). There are many more great 

ideas to be had if you start researching Zero Waste Household. 

However many of us may still continue to use foil, but in order 

to lessen the ‘green guilt’ it is important that we do recycle this 

resource. First, give it a dunk in your washing water (rather than 

running the tap) to remove crumbs and food residue. You can only 

recycle foil if there is a large enough amount of it for the processing 

machines to identify and separate it. So, secondly, save your foil 

and when you have a ball the size of a tennis ball or bigger, then 

put it in the recycling. As well as foil you can usually recycle these 

other aluminium items too – drinks cans, wine screw tops, takeaway 

containers and roasting trays. For more info on recycling in your 

area check out www.recyclenow.com. 

It is easy to become a bit despondent when trying to keep up with the 

many, often conflicting, opinions on best ways to reduce our carbon 

footprint, and at times eco-remorse can be a bit overwhelming, 

but the impact on our environment cannot now 

be ignored. With big businesses unwilling to 

make significant changes, the change must 

come from us as consumers to move as 

much as we can towards zero waste in 

our households. 


Community Garden Receives 

‘Outstanding’ Grade 

This year, Lochwinnoch Community Garden received an ‘outstanding’ 

grade from ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ and ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’ 

campaigns. A fantastic achievement. 

The assessor concluded, “This clearly focused group have created 

a truly sustainable garden in the grounds of Lochwinnoch Parish 

Church as well as being an educational resource for the local 

primary school. The group also are the local ‘Bloom’ organisers 

with numerous planters throughout the village and horticultural 

input into features such as the War Memorial’. 

If you would like to help in the garden get in touch with Morag on 

07868 752814 or Liz on 07966 167025. 

Tips for Bonfire Night 

Always make your bonfire a good distance from the house, on soil 

rather than grass and away from any overgrown area of the garden. 

If your garden is small then best attend an organised bonfire. Keep 

the fire well clear of fences and trees and always keep a bucket of 

water handy just in case. 

Never use accelerants on your fire. Adding fuel to the fire can take 

it out of control far quicker than you may imagine. Don’t throw 

anything in the fire other than wood or paper products. 

And above all, PLEASE check that there is no wildlife making a wee 

winter nest in amongst the wood and leaves! 

Be safe and enjoy! 

45


Clyde Muirshiel 

Photo by Dylan Glynn 

The ranger team at Muirshiel have just completed another 

‘Branching Out’ programme of woodland based outdoor activities 

for people with mental health issues. Working with RAMH the 

group have been coming to Muirshiel over a 12 week period taking 

part in photography, green woodworking, bushcraft and practical 

conservation and by doing so have gained their John Muir Discovery 

Award. 

Autumn is always busy for volunteer groups in the park. In the 

past few weeks they have been burning sitka spruce piles, clearing 

ponds, repairing boardwalks and removing vegetation along 

pathways, as well as collecting wildflower seeds and young scots 

pine seedlings for germination in spring. If your workplace would 

like a day out volunteering to help us with practical conservation 

tasks then get in touch with the Muirshiel rangers on 01505 843271 

or Greenock Cut rangers on 01475 529543. 

Finally, we say goodbye to Hayley Douglas who is leaving the park 

to take up a position as the ranger on Tiree. Hayley has been in 

the park since 2010 – she kept The Advertizer up-to-date with all 

things gull-related through her position as Tag n’ Track Officer. We 

wish her all the best for the future. 

Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers 


RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve 

What’s on this November? 

As we head deeper in to autumn, the trees are now mostly bare 

of their leaves, and other plants have also reduced their foliage. 

The shedding of leaves from the woodland canopy and lessening 

of foliage on the woodland floor makes this a great time of year 

for wildlife watching as visibility is at its best. Many birds such 

as woodpeckers, tree creepers or nuthatches that are normally 

elusive become much more visible for those partaking in a gentle 

woodland stroll. 

Lots of other birds such as robins, chaffinches, goldfinches and blue 

tits are also more visible, especially around our feeding stations 

that can be viewed either as part of a walk or simply by sitting in 

our visitor centre with a hot drinks and tasty snack. 

Autumn is also the time of year that numbers of waterfowl increase, 

adding to the variety of wildlife that can be observed around the 

trails and viewpoints. Whooper swans that arrive each autumn 

from Iceland can often be found gracefully swimming around the 

lochs and can be distinguished from our resident mute swans by 

their yellow bill and typically straighter necks. 

Hen harriers can often be spotted gently drifting above the sedges 

and reeds that form large parts of the Aird meadow as they try 

to surprise unsuspecting smaller birds. Male hen harriers with 

their distinctive silvery grey bodies and wings tipped black at the 

ends make them an easy bird, even for the most novice of wildlife 

watchers, to spot and as equally a joy for the most experienced. 

As the days grow shorter and the air that little crisper, November is 

a great time to observe the night sky. Many stars and constellations 

are visible at this time of year, and on 15th November we will be 

hosting the Astronomical Society of Glasgow who will be running 

an astronomy evening with short talks and, weather permitting, 

opportunities to look through their powerful telescopes to see 

what distant marvels can be seen as well, as our own moon which 

will be in full glow. 

Astronomy Evening 

RSPB Lochwinnoch 

Friday 15th November 7.30pm – 9pm 

Come and hear about the stars and galaxies up in the night sky! If 

the weather is kind to us, we’ll go outside and see some of these 

wonders for ourselves. The speakers will be from the Astronomical 

Society of Glasgow. Please pay when booking as places are limited 

(refunds available if cancelled over 48hrs before) 

Cost: Adults: £6; Children: £4.80 (RSPB members: £4.80/£3.80) 

Please telephone 01505 842 663 to book your places. 

The Making of Nature Reserve 

- An Illustrated Talk 

46 

The Lonely Gate 

Our last outing was to the Ochils on a fine if windy day with the 

main party climbing the highest top, Ben Cleuch. Unfortunately 

our trip to the Pentlands fell foul of the weather. 

November will see us out on a “Roman” stretch of the Forth & Clyde 

canal, followed by our birthday weekend in Oban and an ascent of 

Meikle Bin in the Carron Valley. Anyone who has not booked up for 

Oban could join us for a day outing if they wish. 

This photo is from the Ochils trip which afforded great views over 

the Forth to Edinburgh, the Pentlands and the bridges. The lonely 

gate had survived the total loss of the former fencing. “Please shut 

the gate!” Want to join in? Email donwwsmith@gmail.com 

Photo by Chris Newman 

The Crook of Baldoon is a coastal reserve of 196 hectares lying 

within Wigtown Bay. Since buying the reserve, the RSPB has 

restored farmland and a willow crop to wet grassland. This provides 

a breeding habitat for lapwing and redshank, as well as increasing 

the richness of other wildlife. Join Paul Tarling on Friday 1st 

November for an illustrated talk on the ‘making’ of this impressive 

natural habitat. This event is hosted by Renfrewshire RSPB Local 

Group and will be held at 7.30pm at McMaster Centre, Donaldson 

Drive, Renfrew, PA4 8LX. All welcome. For more information on 

this event and any others that we have coming up please check 

out our events listings. For bookings and further info email: 

lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or tel: 01505 842 663.


Brighter Bridge of Weir’s Pop-Up Stall 

Saturday 30th November 10am - 1pm 

Livery Walk, Bridge of Weir 

The event was launched to replace the Group’s 

annual Fun Casino fund-raiser, which ended on 

the closure of the Legion Club. It’s been very 

successful, featuring crafts and confections made by 

the Group’s own volunteers or received as donations. 

Especially popular have been the ‘rustic reindeer’, made from offcuts 

of fallen trees, twigs and branches. They range in size from 

about 300mm to 450mm high (about 18” - 36”) and are available 

from £12, depending on the size. They always sell very quickly 

and were so much in demand last year that the Group had to take 

orders and keep making them right up until Christmas. This year, 

they are available to pre-order. Just call Neil on 01505 613043, or 

07969 642487. 

Also available on 

the day will be 

a range of other 

items, such as 

seasonal table 

decorations and 

candles, homemade 

cakes, 

confectionery, 

marmalade 

and jams. And, 

as ever, all the 

money raised 

will be used by 

Brighter Bridge of Weir to make a brighter village all year long. 

(Don’t forget you can keep up to date with Brighter Bridge of Weir 

on Facebook.) 

Interested in Photography? 

Our local camera clubs continually supply us with stunning shots 

which we use throughout the magazine, sometimes as banners or 

even front pages. If you’ve been inspired, why not join them and 

maybe see some of your photographs in print! 

Here’s a list of local meetings: 

Gryffe Camera Club : Wednesday nights 

The Carrick Centre, Houston between 7.30pm & 10pm 

Paisley Colour Photographic Club : Thursday evenings 

The McMaster Centre, Renfrew. www.paisleycolour.co.uk 

Diaporama 

Meeting : 2nd 

Monday in the 

month 

7.30pm in the 

Carrick Centre, 

Houston. For 

further information 

contact Hugh Kerr 

at 01505 612687 or 

hughkerr14@gmail. 

com 

Langbank Camera 

Club : 2nd & 4th 

Mondays of the 

month 

For 

more 

information please 

contact Derrick 

McPherson at 

langbankcc1@ 

gmail.com. 


IMAGE: Dandelion 

Delight by Kate 

Cummings, Gryffe 

Camera Club 

47



Business classified 

ADVERTISING RATES 

TRADES/ SERVICES/ PROPERTY/ VEHICLES 

BOXED AD 

£8.00* per column cm 

PHOTO 

£8.00* (vehicle/property 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. 

TRADES AND SERVICES 

SITUATIONS VACANT 

PROPERTY TO LET 

TUITION 

LINEAGE ADVERT 

£16.79 (INC. VAT) 

FOR 20 WORDS 

RUN OF 4 - £53.68 

(INC VAT) & 20% DISCOUNT 

MISCELLANEOUS 

BUSINESS 

HEALTHCARE/BEAUTY 

48 

Kilmacolm/Quarriers area 

registered childminders. 

P/time or F/time 

vacancies for u-5’s and 

after school. T: 01505 

873839. 

CHILDCARE 

Houston registered 

childminders. For an 

informal chat to find 

your best childcare, call 

Elizabeth Waddell T: 

01505 614925


Sales & Wants 

ADVERTISING RATES 

PRIVATE SALES ONLY (MAXIMUM 40 words) 

UP TO £500 

FREE 

£501 to £1000 £5.00 

OVER £1000 

Call for details 

Email your items to: 


or fill in our online form at: www.advertizer.co.uk/adverts/ 

ITEMS FOR SALE 

BABY EQUIPMENT 

Red kite Travel cot - £10. Joie Juva black 

baby car seat 0-13kgs 3pt. Seat belt - 

£15. Both only used at grannies house. 

Tel. 01505 613779. 

Maxi-Cosy Mura Plus 3 Travel System. 

Pushchair with sunshade, rain-cover, 

& cosy-toes. Collapsible carrycot. Car 

seat adaptors included. All in excellent 

condition. £100 . Tel:07765 550180. 

CLOTHES & SHOES 

Waterproof walking jacket (Protex 

Vango) bright yellow / size Large in 

VGC. £15 . Tel: 07990 776288. 

Green Gents Kilt Jacket with bone buttons. 

Size 44” regular. Non smoking 

home. £40. Tel: 07938 843390. 

Burberry Ladies Size 16/18 navy rain/ 

trench coat. Immaculate. Smoke free 

home. £80.00 ONO. Tel: 07717 190180 

1 pair Gilly Brogue Gents Shoes. Size 7. 

Non smoking home. £15. Tel: 07938 

843390. 

HOUSEHOLD & GARDEN 

2 seater Bed Settee, never used. £100 

ono. Tel: 01505 506385. 

Antique Stick Table lamps 22” tall plus 

Black shades 11” tall. 2 at £20. Tel: 

01505 614503. 

Ronseal ‘ one coat ‘ Fence Life 12 litre 

tub, Dark Oak, new and unopened, 

wrong colour purchased. £6. Tel: 

01505 322854. 

Hand painted Fire Screen (House of 

Bath). £15. Tel: 07763 665496. 

Lawn scarifier cassette, 14”, to fit Atco, 

Qualcast, Allett, Webb etc mowers. 

Used only twice, but laid up in shed for 

2 years - cosmetic blemishes on bright 

metal parts. Tines all in place and unworn. 

£45. Tel: 01505 612769 . 

1 pair of fully lined striped curtains - 

108” drop. Still in original packaging. 

£200 ono. 

1 pair of fully lined abstract curtains 

- 80” drop approximately. Still in 

original packaging. £50 ono. Tel: 

01505 506385 

Large hand painted Screen / Room 

Divider (House of Bath). £35. Tel: 

07763 665496. 

Beko under counter fridge. Silver. Good 

condition £30. Tel: 07815 434108 . 

Large silky Shag Pile Rug, gold tones. 

95” x 60”. Perfect condition. £45. Tel: 

07784 256016 

Upright Freezer 7 cu.ft. Beko model 

TZDA524F. Frost free. Dimensions 

1455mm high, 545mm wide, 595mm 

deep. £80. Tel: 01505 614943. 

Larder Fridge 5 cu.ft. Currys Essentials 

model CUL55W12. Dimensions 845mm 

high, 553mm wide, 574mm deep. £40. 

Tel: 01505 614943. 

Microwave Oven. Kenwood model 

K25MSS11 - 900W, 25 litre. Stainless 

Steel/Black. Dimensions 513mm wide, 

430mm deep, 305mm high. £25. Tel: 

01505 614943. 

2 Le Creuset cast-iron casseroles with 

lids. Circular 18cm diameter, ultra 

violet (purple) - £30. Oval 25cm / 

3.2litre, volcanic (orange) - £50. Tel: 

01505 614943. 

SPORTS 

Golf Clubs - 4 practice Clubs, including 

Putter & Golf Umbrella. £20. Tel: 

01505 326262. 

Set of 4 Thomas Taylor Black Lawn 

Bowls. Size 5. Bag, shoes + extras. 

£35. Te: 01505 326262. 

Golf Clubs - Lynx Matched Set Irons, Cobra 

Woods - Bags, Caddy Car + Extras. 

£190. Tel: 01505 326262 

Used mountain bike, 26 inch wheels, 

Shimano 15 gear system in full working 

order with 2 lever controls from 

the handle bar, bell, front and rear 

reflectors and wheel reflectors. Good 

working order, but there are signs 

of surface rust on some parts which 

do affect the bike’s integrity nor its 

performance. £40. Tel: 07887 773196, 

email: hmktemp@icloud.com 

TECHNICAL & GAMES 

Cameras. Bagful - 4 x 35mm SLR, 3 x 

digital compact, lenses and bits. SLR: 

Olympus OM1, OM10, OM40, Voigtlander 

Vito B. Compact: Canon Powershot 

A610, Olympus 6-310, Fuji Finepix F500 

(not working). For sale as lot. £60 . 

Tel: 01505 612769. 

TOYS 

Toddlers Toys All in very good condition. 

Photos on request. 

Big Steps Play My little farm with animals 

and little tractor - £12. Weebles 

tractor and farmer - £8. ELC Singing 

animal keyboard - £6. Hamleys 

wooden xylophone in pastel colours 

- £6. Melissa and Doug Safari chunky 

puzzle - £4. Melissa and Doug Around 

the house sounds puzzle - £5. Tel: 

07548 987051. 

Large wooden Dolls House with furniture. 

£40. Tel: 07763 665496. 

Childs electric Go Kart , very good 

condition , in good working order, 

rarely used, complete with charger 

and Helmet, suit 3 to 7 year old, along 

with Childs Black and Decker Workstation. 

£30 for lot. Tel: 01505 322854 or 

07867 548973. 

OTHER ITEMS 

Brand new steel car wheel 6JX15H2 and 

new Jinyu tyre 185/60 R15. Stored 

as spare wheel only. £80. Tel: 07736 

067169. 

Set of 4 winter tyres. 185/55R16. Lightly 

used but very good tread depth remaining. 

£30. Tel: 01505 872615. 

Singer Treadle Sewing Machine, circa 

1920. Oak cabinet. Must be uplifted. 

£50. Tel: 07543 165835 

Various lengths of “Liberty” fabric. 

Prices available on request. Tel: 01505 

506385. 

WANTED ITEMS 

Old records Wanted 45`s & LP`s CASH 

Paid. Tel: 07710 777571. 

Cash paid for Vinyl Records and Music 

CDs (a few or a lot). Tel: 01505 324683 

or 07765 115347. 

Local lily grower requires the use of a 

greenhouse/polytunnel in Kilmacolm 

area in return for light gardening duties. 

Tel: Vince 01505 872082. 

usefuL 

NUMBERS 

EMERGENCY SERVICES 

Police/Fire/Ambulance 999 

or 101 (non-emergency) 

Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 

Scottish Water 0800 077 8778 

SEPA 0300 99 66 99 

Floodline 0345 988 1188 

Pollution Hotline 0800 80 70 60 

Flytipping 0845 2 30 40 90 

HOSPITALS 

NHS 24 111 

Royal Alexandra 0141 887 9111 

Inverclyde Royal 01475 633777 

Queen Elizabeth 0141 201 1100 

Gartnavel 0141 211 3000 

COUNCILS 

Inverclyde 01475 717171 

www.inverclyde.gov.uk/ 

Renfrewshire 0300 300 0300 

www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ 

POLICE 

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 

Police Scotland 01786 289070 

ROADS 

R.A.L.F 0800 37 36 35 

Traveline 0871 200 2233 

HELPLINES 

Alcoholics Anon 0800 9177 650 

Childline 0800 1111 

Citizens Advice 0808 800 1007 

Consumer Direct 0808 800 9060 

Financial Conduct Authority 

0800 111 6768 

Missing People 116 000 

ParentLine 0800 028 2233 

Renfrewshire Care 24 0141 314 7148 

or 0141 314 7147 

Samaritans 116 123 

Trading Standards 03454 04 05 06 

Victim Support 0800 160 1985 

CONTENT OF THE GRYFFE ADVERTIZER 

CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR 

CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER 

The Gryffe Advertizer is a magazine published by 


DEFIBRILlATOR 

SITES 

BISHOPTON 

The Cornerstone, Greenock Road 

Bishopton Community Centre 

BROOKFIELD 

Brookfield Village Hall Main Entrance 

BRIDGE OF WEIR 

Co-Op 

Old Ranfurly Golf Club 

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club 

The Gate House, Bridge of Weir 

Leather Works 

ELDERSLIE 

Elderslie Golf Club 

HOUSTON 

Outside Church Hall, Main Street 

Co-Op 

Strathgryffe Squash & Fitness Club 

(Reception) 

JOHNSTONE 

Keystore, Spateston 

Keystore, Corseford 

Johnstone Town Hall 

KILMACOLM 

Kilmacolm Golf Club 

St Columba’s Senior School 

Gym, Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm 

Kilmacolm Library (rear of New Surgery) 

KILBARCHAN 

Scout Hall 

Kilbarchan Bowling Club 

LINWOOD 

Onyx Leisure Centre 

Spar, Clippens Road 

Asda 

Asda 

PAISLEY 

Russell Institute 

QUARRIERS 

William Quarriers House at entrance 

to Faith Avenue 

Country View 

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. 

49



Business directory 

50 

ACCOUNTANTS & FINANCIAL 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 16 

CLA Accountancy Services . . . 17 

Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . . 15 

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

BATHROOMS 

Affordable Luxuries . . . . . . . 7 

Instyle Kitchens & Bathrooms . . 5 

BEDROOMS 

Burndale Workshop . . . . . . . . . 29 

BLACKSMITH & METALWORK 

McLaughlan Metal Fabrication . . 33 

BUILDING SERVICES 

B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 29 

Bridge of Weir Roofing . . . . . 6 

I & J Building & Roofing . . . 2 

James Kerr Joiner . . . . . . . . . 12 

JBC Joiners and Builders . . . 37 

KC Roofing & Building Services . . 10 

Kilellan Roofing . . . . . . . . . . 3 

M Addison Joiners & Builders . . 3 

Old Mill Chimneys . . . . . . . . . 12 

SMG Roofing & Building . . . . . 2 

SW Scott - Joiners & Builders . . 33 

Thomas McMaster & Son Ltd . . 43 

CARE SERVICES & HOMES 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 11 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 25 

CATERING 

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 33 

CLASSIFIED 

Diane Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

CLEANING & POWERWASH 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

DS Cleaning (Windows) . . . . . . 34 

Eclipse Deep Clean . . . . . . . . . 3 

Fastclean Scotland . . . . . . . . . 34 

Gryffe Roofing & Cleaning . . 6 


Nutech Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 27 

COFFEE SHOPS 

Bernie’s Cafe Deli . . . . . . . . . 19 

EDUCATION 

Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 35 

St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 41 

ELECTRICIANS 

Delta Electrical Services . . 12 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

JDPS All Trades . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 30 

FENCING 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 


Contact us 

01505 613340 


FIREWOOD & LOGS 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 13 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

FUNERAL SERVICES 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 7 

GARAGE DOORS & GATES 

Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 11 

GARDEN SERVICE & DESIGN 

3D Garden Design . . . . . . . . . . 45 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 

Apple Tree Gardens . . . . . . . . . 47 


Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 45 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Glenmoss Landscapes . . . . . . . . 47 


Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 47 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

R Williams Tree Services . . . 47 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 45 

GAS & HEATING SERVICES 

C Hunter Plumbing Heating Gas . . 12 

Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 13 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

I D Plumbing & Heating . . . . . 27 

Jack Murphy Plumbing & Heating . . 38 

KAL Plumbing Ltd . . . . . . . . . . 10 

Mackie Plumbing & Heating . . 33 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

GLAZIER 

1on1 Double Glazing . . . . . . . . 3 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

HAIRDRESSERS & BARBERS 

Arlene Mitchell Hair & Beauty . . 23 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 23 

HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 37 

Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 38 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 37 

The Osteopaths . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

HOME HARDWARE 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9 

HOME IMPROVEMENTS 




Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 


Kieran Turner Aerial&Satellite . . 13 


Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 33 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 33 

HOME INTERIORS 



The Furniture Barn . . . . . . . . . 35 

HOME SECURITY 

Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 37 

BY CATEGORY 

JOINERS 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 24 





McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 33 



TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

KILT & DRESS HIRE 

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 35 

KITCHENS 





LOCKSMITHS 

Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 

Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

PAINTERS & DECORATORS 

A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 35 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 6 

David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 

John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 

Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 29 

PC, WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

PEST CONTROL 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 12 

PET SERVICES & TRAINING 

Kookie Kennels . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 31 

Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk 

PLASTERERS 

Bryan Slaven Slater & Plaster . . 37 



PLUMBERS 


GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 






PROPERTY, SALES & LET 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Dallas McMillan Solicitors . . 17 

Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Kingsley Wood & Co Solicitors . . 1 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

REFUSE & CLEARANCE 

Junk-It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

REMOVALS 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 21 

RESTAURANT & BARS 


RETAIL 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9 

The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 19 


1st Floor, Neva Place 

Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN 

www.advertizer.co.uk 


Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 4pm 

Friday 

9am - 12:30pm 

SCAN ME 

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. 

ROOFING 










SOLICITORS 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 



SPECIAL OCCASIONS 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

STOVES 


TAXIS 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

TILING 

Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 33 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

TRAVEL AGENTS 

Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

TREE SURGEON 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 45 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 


W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

TV & SATELLITE 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37 


UPHOLSTERY SERVICES 



WINDOW CLEANERS 




Matthews Cleaning Services . . 34 

WINDOW, CONSV & REPAIR 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

Pick up a Copy 

Bishopton: 

Woodrow’s Store, 

Library, May’s Coffee Shop 

Bridge of Weir: 

Gibb Stuart, Bernie’s Cafe, 

Lochnagar, The Bridge, 

Library (Cargill Hall) 

Erskine: 

Garden Centre, Library, 

Sports Centre, 

Swimming pool 

Houston: 

Co-op, Carrick Centre, 

Post Office, Newsagent 

Howwood: 

Village Store, 

St Vincent’s Hospice 

Johnstone: 

Henderson Kilts, 

Papa Mac’s, Library 

Kilbarchan: 

Post Office, Campbell’s, 

Newsagents, Bobbins 

Kilmacolm: 

Newsagent, Cross Café, 

Library, Community Centre 

Langbank: 

Finlaystone Visitor Centre 

Lochwinnoch: 

Keystore, Library, 

Dolce Vita, 

Castle Semple Centre 

@ease Removals & Transport . . 21 



A Gallagher Painter&Decorator . . 35 

A Peebles Landscape Contractor . . 45 

ABC Taxis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 

Affinity Family Law Experts . . 3 

Affluent Financial Planning . . 16 


AK Vehicle Rental . . . . . . . . . 1 


Arco Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 


B Hughes Builders - Houston . . 29 

Beaton Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . 14 


Bluewater Dental . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Branch Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 


Brookfield Alarms Ltd . . . . . . 37 





CLA Accountancy Services . . . 17 

CleanDryCarpets . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

Clearline Aerial & Satellite . . 3 

CLH Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Cloudy2Clear Windows . . . . . . . 5 

ColCom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Colin Docherty Painter Decorat . . 6 

Collins Tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

Come Clean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

Confident Care Ltd . . . . . . . . . 11 

Conservatory Conv & Windows . . Bk 

Corum Property . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 

Craig Kennedy Gardening . . . . 45 


David Kennedy Decorator . . . . 3 

Decorus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 

Delta Electrical Services . . 12 

Derek McBride Aerials . . . . . . 37 

Diane Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

DJY Joinery Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 24 



Elliott Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 


Fergusons CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 

Ferringtons Hypnotherapy . . . 37 

Frewstons Decor . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

Gadds Gourmet . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

Garden Services . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Garolla Roller Shutter Doors . . 11 

Gasfit Plumbing & Heating . . 13 

GasMan Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Gibb Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9 


Gordon James Ceramic Tiler . . 33 

A TO Z 

LANGBANK 

KILMACOLM 

QUARRIERS 

LOCHWINNOCH 

Grid Design Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . 7 


Hames Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Henderson’s Kilts . . . . . . . . . 35 

Home Instead Senior Care . . . 25 



Innovative Estate Planning Ltd . . 15 




James Martin - Painter & Decor . . 3 



John A Kilburn . . . . . . . . . . . 30 

John H Barney . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

John Roach Funeral Directors . . 7 

Junk-It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bk 


Karen Rankin Catering . . . . . . 33 


Kenmore Tree Care . . . . . . . . . 45 


Kilbarchan Dental Practice . . 13,Bk 



Kookie Kennels . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Lady Grafters Garden Services . . 47 

Lamont Electricians . . . . . . . . 3 

LaserLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Lind Letting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

LJX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 


M&E Painters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 


MAS Electrical & Security . . 2 

Matthews Cleaning Services . . 34 

McGowan Joinery . . . . . . . . . . . 33 


Miller BioFuels Ltd . . . . . . . . 13 

MJ Lawnmowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

New Vision Opticians . . . . . . . 38 

Nix Hairdressing . . . . . . . . . . 23 

NLP Positive Changes . . . . . . . 37 



PetVets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

Phoenix Gas Services . . . . . . . 1 

Platinum Cleaning Services . . 27 


Ranfurly Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 

RED Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Renfrewshire Handyman Hire . . 33 

Renfrewshire Speakers Club . . 35 

Russell Milne Electrician . . 30 

Scotland’s Bath Company . . . . 33 

Scott Russell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 

SL Painter & Decorator . . . . . 29 


St Columba’s School . . . . . . . . 41 

Stewart Independent Financial . . Bk 

Suzanne’s Grooming Pad . . . . . 31 


TD Cameron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 

The Bridge, Bridge of Weir . . 19 


The Osteopaths . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 


Travel Actually . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

W B Smith & Son . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

Waggys Dog Grooming . . . . . . . . Bk 

Wellcentred UK . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

West of Scotland Landscape . . 45 

BISHOPTON 

HOUSTON 

BRIDGE OF WEIR 

BROOKFIELD 

ELDERSLIE 

KILBARCHAN 

JOHNSTONE 

HOWWOOD



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= LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS 

= LOCAL PEOPLE 

= LOCAL BUSINESS

302 NOVEMBER 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

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