T'was the week before Christmas......

and all through the house, not a creature was stirring ........... but then we were out on the ran dan last night!
Sitting here feeling rather pleased with myself that all presents are bought (last time I checked anyway) and food organised. Two Christmas cards still to write - I'm ALWAYS late with these - then I can get my feet up at the fire and watch a movie with the wee ones.
This is always a time of year when so much is expected of everyone and everything. We should be less harsh on ourselves - if something doesn't work out quite right it's probably not going to be the end of the world after all. Although I say I've got the food organised, I've also got a large supply of pasta in the cupboard and we can always have spaghetti for Christmas dinner!
And when it comes to those last minute presents that you completely blanked out about, there's a wee stash of chocolates and wine that will come in very handy. And if I've got through the whole of Christmas without dipping into that stash, guess what.............. I'll be putting them to very good use!!
Happy Christmas to you all.............. hope it's a good one!

losing faith

Well, after the drama of Tuesday with the main road from Bridge of Weir to Kilmacolm blocked with a small lake, complete with floating cars for decoration, we return to some normality? I'm afraid not.
Daughter goes off to school on Tuesday on the bus only to call me saying there's a major hold-up, can I call the school? Gets there not too late, but as the day progresses, we realise that the buses will not be running to bring her home. The bus company reckons the road is impassable, so us in cars just have to get on with it!
So we get her home, safe and well.
Day off on Wednesday because of strikes, so on Thursday morning we're all up and ready to go again.
After waiting for "ages", the bus duly arrives. Some rather sad faces as I'm sure they thought they were on for another day off!! Bus only gets as far as the Quarriers road and promptly breaks down!!!! Can it get any worse!!!
Well, still waiting to hear if she's made it to school - told her just to enjoy the fact she's not in lessons but that didn't go down well. I think we're in for 'Bad Mood Bear' when she gets home..... and a fight to get her to go for the bus tomorrow!!!

December issue

All hands to the pumps this week - got a bumper December issue to get together. And what am I doing on Blogger then!!!???

new item listing

I've just found out how to list news items from a Yahoo Pipes feed! Yay! Only problem is it is picking up a Craft Fair from September and I don't know how to cancel this item. Please disregard the first item on our news feed (RH of this blog).

Renfrewshire Money Week

Renfrewshire Money Week, 7 – 11 November, will include advice sessions, training events and workshop activities all designed to help people manage their finances.
The events will cover everything from budgeting properly for the cost of living and building up savings to knowing what benefits are available and knowing who can help if people run into financial difficulties or just need some advice.http://www.paisley.org.uk/2011/10/money-renfrewshire-money-week/

WE'RE IN!!!

We're now in the new offices in Bridge of Weir - been meeting lots of lovely people and looking forward to being in the heart of the Gryffe community.

Moving to Bridge of Weir

Well, I thought by now we would be well established in our new offices in Bridge of Weir. Unfortunately, a wee (actually rather massive!) hiccup with telephone lines and broadband leaves us working in Kilmacolm for now. Hopefully we'll be in by next week - can't wait to meet everyone in Bridge of Weir! For anyone trying to contact us, apologies! Phone calls might be delayed as we are re-directing the line at the moment.You can email us though on info@advertizer.co.uk and you will get a reply as soon as we can. Watch this space.........

what's new at Campbell's Corner?

The villagers of Bridge of Weir seem to be intrigued by the goings-on at Campbell's shop. There have been lots of people just dropping in to chat, and plenty more having a good look in the windows - gives them a bit of a turn when we wave back!

what a week!

I am so glad to get through the last week - been very, very busy.

October issue on it's way to you now!

Well, that's out October issue out to our distribution team so should be winging their way through your doors over the next couple of days.
Look out for the Le Creuset leaflet inside with details of offers available at Gibb Stuart Home Hardware.
Lots of great news and offers inside too!

new retail & leisure park in Port Glasgow

According to a story in today's Greenock Telegraph, there will be a new development in Port Glasgow, near to the Tesco Extra store on the waterfront.
Proposals include space for 13 non-food retailers, a pub, restaurant and hotel on the former site of Scott Lithgow and East Glen yards.
More details look set to be revealed next week, when architects, a representative from Gallagher Developments and one of the retailers will attend an exhibition at Port Glasgow Library, Fore Street, on Thursday 8 September between noon and 7pm and on 9 September between noon and 5pm. 

website updated

Can't believe I've spent the best part of a day updating the website - trying to get facebook and twitter links to work. Think I've got it now though - I do enjoy a challenge!!!http://www.advertizer.co.uk/

September issue will be out soon

Our September issue will be distributed tomorrow, Thursday 1st September - hope you enjoy it!

If you can't wait, here's a link to our online flick-through magazine: .Issue 204 - September 2011 - The Gryffe Advertizer

September issue on its way

Our September issue is with the printer and will be winging its way to our readers next week. Lots of lovely news, photos and businesses to share with you all.

Stormy weather!

What is happening with the weather this summer? I walked into the village to meet smaller child from school and it was so warm and sunny we had ice cream! Thought about having a BBQ for dinner it was so nice. Within half an hour of getting home the thunder was roaring, the lightning was flashing, the dog was hiding, and it looked altogether like a winter's day. What a summer - just as well I didn't put away the warm jackets and wellies!

Wild Wild Weather!

The last couple of days have been WILD! Wet, windy weather that you'd normally get in winter. What happened to our lovely summer of April?

Children's Drama Class

On Tuesday, May 10 · 4:30pm - 5:30pm, in Kilmacolm's new Community Centre.

 

For more info call Jackie at Helen O'Grady Drama Academy tel: 0141 847 1696

 

new baby!!

Congratulations to Arlene Mitchell and family on the arrival of their new baby!

MEETING TONIGHT FOR NEW YOUTH CLUB - KILMACOLM

There will be a new Youth Club on Friday evenings in the new Community Centre, starting in May. Youngsters from Primary 5 to Senior 4 will be able to attend and will probably be split into two sections – likely to be 10-13 year old and 14-16 year old. The Youth Club will be open from 7pm till 10pm, with this time split between the two sections.

There’s a meeting scheduled for Tuesday 3^rd May at 7pm, when parents are invited to the new Community Centre, to try to judge the level of interest and level of support. With the first Youth Club scheduled to start on 6^th May, please come along to find out more about the operation of the Youth Club - parents are encouraged to get involved to help make it happen

FUN DAY AT BIRKMYRE PARK

On Friday 29th April and Monday 2nd May, come along to Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm from 12noon for BBQ, bouncy castle, face painting.... lots of fun in the sun (hopefully!) for kids and adults too! Hope to see you all there, Kate at Birkmyre Bistro

FUN DAY AT BIRKMYRE PARK:

On Friday 29th April and Monday 2nd May, come along to Birkmyre Park, Kilmacolm from 12noon for BBQ, bouncy castle, face painting.... lots of fun in the sun (hopefully!) for kids and adults too! Hope to see you all there, Kate at Birkmyre Bisto

MAY ISSUE ON ITS WAY

Our May issue will be with you soon - we had a wee delay with the Easter Weekend holidays, but we're doing everything we can to get the magazines through the doors......

YOUTH CLUB in KILMACOLM

There will be a new Youth Club on Friday evenings in the new Community Centre, starting in May. Youngsters from Primary 5 to Senior 4 will be able to attend and will probably be split into two sections – likely to be 10-13 year old and 14-16 year old. The Youth Club will be open from 7pm till 10pm, with this time split between the two sections.

There’s a meeting scheduled for Tuesday 3^rd May at 7pm, when parents are invited to the new Community Centre, to try to judge the level of interest and level of support. With the first Youth Club scheduled to start on 6^th May, please come along to find out more about the operation of the Youth Club - parents are encouraged to get involved to help make it happen.

THE BIG EVENT

To mark the closing of the Port Glasgow High School building (to make way for a new build) a group of former pupils in conjunction with the School and the Parent Council are recreating “Ye Olde School Youth Club Disco” on Friday 29^th April.

The event is aimed at former staff members and pupils. Tickets are £10. For information call the school on 01475 715200 or email miller11@ntlworld.com

THE GARDEN AT THE CROSS

·        After its makeover for the Millennium, the garden at the crossroads of the village has grown to maturity over the past ten years. But the shrubs have become too tall, too woody, and some have died. With a brand newly refurbished Cargill Centre, the Kilmacolm Horticultural Society felt it was the right time to also refurbish the garden. They sincerely hope that the shrubbery will give everyone as much pleasure in the coming ten years. 

Thanks are due to Ian McKenzie at Gryffe Valley Nurseries in Quarriers for his help in this makeover, to Inverclyde Council for providing a Grant towards the cost, and to Scottish Gardeners’ Forum for making a donation.  Also a big thank you to the members of Kilmacolm Horticultural Society for their loyalty and support in backing the committee’s project and funding the garden from annual subscription.

ART EXHIBITION - April 2011

Kilmacolm Art Class Exhibition is being held in St Columba’s Church Hall, Kilmacolm. Meet up with friends and also enjoy coffee, tea and biscuits. Opening times – Friday 8th April 10am – 5.30pm and Saturday 9th April 10am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you!

KEYS FOUND

·    Two keys on a key-ring were found at the gate to the Knapps field on 23^rd March 2011 around 5pm. Please call the Advertizer on 01505 874385 or email info@advertizer.co.uk if these might be yours.

thank you

Thank you David once again for your advice. There's so much to take in.