307 APRIL 2020 - Gryffe Advertizer

Next deadline - Wednesday 15th April
Feature NEws
Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk
JOHN BYRNE
in line for honorary Title
Legendary artist and playwright John Byrne is in line to receive his
hometown’s highest honour – the Freedom of Renfrewshire. The
Freedom of Renfrewshire is an honorary title and is the highest
civic honour that can be bestowed upon an individual or group. It
has only been awarded five times previously.
John Byrne was born in Ferguslie Park in Paisley in 1940 and is
best known for writing The Slab Boys Trilogy – a set of plays telling
the story of young-working class Scots in Paisley and inspired
by his own experiences working in Stoddard’s Carpet Factory in
Elderslie.
Alongside being an accomplished writer of stage and screen, John
Byrne is known for his distinctive painting style and continues to
paint and exhibit new work regularly.
John returned to Paisley on Saturday 22 February to celebrate his
80th year as part of the inaugural Paisley Book Festival. The soldout
event in Paisley Arts Centre featured readings from his plays
and live music.
He will also bring his new musical play, Underwood Lane, to Paisley
Arts Centre from 25-28 June for its world premiere, in partnership
with Renfrewshire Leisure and Tron Theatre. The play tells the tale
of a young skiffle band trying to make it and is written in memory
of John’s Paisley buddy, Gerry Rafferty, who was born and brought
up on the street.
Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “John is a celebrated playwriter,
painter, printmaker and theatre designer and has put Paisley on
the map. He continues to be committed to our local community
and is treasured by citizens of Ferguslie Park, past and present,
as well as the wider Renfrewshire community and its civic leaders.
I’m delighted to offer him this honour and thank him for the
contribution he has made to Renfrewshire.”
If approved, the Freedom of Renfrewshire will officially be awarded
to John Byrne later this year. Find out more about the Freedom of
Renfrewshire at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/freedomofrenfrewshire
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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and readers as to our short-term approach to the current
Coronavirus outbreak.
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