Welcome to February 2013

We seem to have missed the worst of the snow, but if you’d like to take your mind off the weather for a while, once again Maureen Horton of Travel a la Carte is participating in a Wedding Fair at which she’ll spoil you with her portfolio of exotic destinations. The event is to be held in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm on Saturday 2nd March from 12noon until 3pm. Last year’s event was very successful and the organisers hope for a similar, or even better, turnout this year. There will be plenty of offers available on the day.

If you sent in news and did not receive an auto-reply, chances are we may have missed your email. Just prior to our deadline, we had no email for the best part of a day and we can’t be sure that some didn’t go amiss. The joys of technology! So, a wee reminder - please make sure you’ve had your reply and if not, please call to check.

We now have lovely new signage in our offices, so there’s no need to guess which windows belong to The Advertizer; the first floor above Bernie’s Cafe in the heart of Bridge of Weir. Many thanks BD Print in Quarriers for a prompt and professional service. The other offices on the first floor are now occupied by Carol Cowan Photography and Pulse Electrical.

And yes, the scaffolding has gone at long last. The roof repairs are now finished, but vehicle access to the frontage remains closed since Renfrewshire Council has deemed it unsafe. A new surface to the frontage of Bernie’s Cafe is in progress - weather permitting; this will be for pedestrian use only. Obviously it’s not desirable to lose parking spaces, but safety has to come first.

Whilst on parking, since Maxwell Place was resurfaced last year it has become a popular parking spot. It tends now to be over congested and this makes deliveries difficult for the businesses which use the lane as access. Drivers are urged to park considerately, otherwise preventative measures will have to come into force. It is actually illegal to park on a pavement and one car has already been damaged by a delivery lorry.

For this month we have added a new section on "Planning" which carries information on the formation of the Local Development Plan for both Inverclyde and Renfrewshire. Everyone should take an interest in this process since it will affect all of us, please take the time to consider the proposals and make your voice heard, whether for or against.

A bit early too be thinking of summer, but never too soon to start planning. Bridge of Weir’s Gala Queen selection interviews will take place on Saturday 2nd March at 6.30pm in the Cargill Hall, Bridge of Weir. Application forms are currently being handed out to the local schools.

All this and more in our February magazine..... enjoy!

this month - January 2013 - Happy New Year!

Welcome to our special January issue, packed full of your local news and events. For the first time, we have included a handy 2013 desk calendar which you can cut out and keep through the year. Find it on the inside back page!
It’s hard to believe that The Advertizer, in its present guise, approaches its 18th anniversary. Through this period the publication has evolved from a black and white news-sheet to the now full-colour glossy magazine. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your continued support and look forward to working with you throughout 2013. A special thanks to Suzanne and Linda in the office, the local Councillors and many other contributors who provide their news and updates and, of course, the local retailers, tradesmen and businesses for their ongoing support on which our community thrives.
The BBQ summer which we were promised (yet again!) didn’t materialise, but there were still some very successful outdoor events; the Bridge of Weir Gala, Kilbarchan Lilias Day, Kilmacolm and Kilbarchan Agricultural Shows, and Houston & Killellan Kirk Carnival to name just a few. And this year we enjoyed a number of excellent dramatic productions, including pantomime! - Oh yes we did! - Kilmacolm Dramatic Society were presenting their panto “Beauty and the Beast” for the first time; we hope from the feedback we are receiving that this will now become an annual event.
A draft version of the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan will be published for consultation early in the new year. The proposed plan sets out which areas of land within Renfrewshire are suitable for different types of development – for example, residential, retail or industrial use. The finalised document will be used as a guide for future planning decisions. The draft version will be subject to a six-week consultation as of 14th January, where the public can make representations in support of or objecting to any part of it. Copies of the proposed plan will be available at council headquarters in Paisley, at all council libraries, and online at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
Wishing you all the best for 2013,
Rona

this month - December 2012

The heavens opened in November with massive flooding on many roads. However, no sign of floating cars at Scart Farm as we had last winter. Therefore hopefully the extensive works carried out earlier in the year have sorted out the problems there.

With the deluge a huge pothole opened up overnight on the stretch between the top car park at the Knapps and the Quarriers Road on the A761. It was reported to Inverclyde Council early in the morning and they had it repaired that afternoon. Unfortunately, in between times, several drivers fell victim of the "crater". Please report road faults ASAP; you will save others a great deal of grief and might even save a life. You can report a road fault or pothole by phone or online. Visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk or www.inverclyde.gov.uk depending on the location, or call Renfrewshire on 0300 300 0300 from Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm. Out-with these hours, you can call 0300 300 0144 to report faults. For Inverclyde call 01475 714800 or out of hours contact RALF (Roads and Lighting Faults) 0800 37 36 35.

Our local Christmas Lights switch-on events in December are listed on our village news pages, apologies if we’ve missed anyone.

Once again, the Bridge of Weir Festival Committee is busy organising Santa’s Sleigh to visit Houston, Bridge of Weir, Kilmacolm, Brookfield and Quarriers. We take this chance once again, on behalf of all those Santa is due to visit, to thank Gordon Lethorn and his magnificent Gala Team who organise the event. Various local organisations take turn-about to follow the sleigh each night with a door-to-door collection. The group doing the collection that night benefits from the proceeds. The collections taken at Morrisons (Johnstone) and the Co-operative (BoW) are donated to local charities. See the dates for each village and please give Santa your support.

Finally, a reminder that our deadline for January 2013 will be Friday 14th December. Delivery will be starting from 27th December. Please make sure we receive your articles, etc., in plenty of time!

Wishing everyone a merry and, hopefully, a restful festive season!

Rona

this month..... our November 2012 issue

We are concerned about reports from some of our clients that a company has been cold-calling them asking them to advertise in a charity magazine, using The Advertizer name as reference. The Advertizer is not associated with any other publication - so please don’t be taken in by impersonators!

There have been more problems on the cycle track - the name itself is mis-leading. It’s a "Sustrans way" - meaning sustainable transport (SUS-TRANS)... walking, and any other non-motorised motion, as well as cycling. Cyclists absolutely should slow down when approaching pedestrians. And, some cyclists seem unaware just how ‘silent’ a bike can be to most walkers. Equally, walkers should keep an awareness of who is around and what is coming. And if walking your dog or children, please try to keep them under some element of control (easier said, I know!).

And while I’m on a rant - headphones! Those of you who like to listen to music while out running or cycling take heed. I was driving along the main road through Kilmacolm when a jogger appeared from a side road and then ran along the pavement to my left side. As I approached nearer, the jogger gaily decided to jog out across the road, with not a glance over her shoulder. Luckily I had anticipated her action and was already slowing down when I had to hit the brakes. Keep your headphones for the gym please!

Also, there has been some concern over call-out fees from tradespeople. You should always get a price before getting a job done, and a call-out will tend to be more expensive. If you are querying the costs, ask for an itemised bill to check what you are paying for - any reputable tradesperson will be happy to clarify their fees.

Lastly, most of the news in the press this month is about the perils of telling untruths. The truth has an uncanny way of finding its way into the public domain. And once a person, or establishment, is uncovered as a liar, how can anyone expect to ever believe a word they say.

Rant over. Now off to a darkened room to relax...............

it's nice to be appreciated

A big thank you to Ashes Hair Design of Kilmacolm for sending us this facebook post:
Carole Williamson: "Just received the new Advertizer. It's amazing. So professional and colourful. So glad that we at Ashes advertise monthly in this important local publication. Well done Rona, Linda, Suzanne and team for championing local business, achievements and activities in these dark economic times. Keep up the good work! Carole at Ashes x"

After thanking Carole for such a lovely tribute, she answered with "It came from the heart, Rona. When people do a good job they should be congratulated! It doesn't cost anything to say 'Well done!' C x"

Maybe if we all took the time to say thank you or well done when it is due, the world would be a happier and easier place to live.

so who got an i-Something for Christmas?

My daughter tells me that EVERYONE.... yes EVERYONE got either an iPod, iPhone or iPad for Christmas. Since I've only heard of a couple of people who did, I'm guessing the word was used for dramatic effect. Didn't work - she's still not getting!
So, back into the fray for 2012 and getting on with the building work for our new offices, both upstairs and downstairs. Downstairs is coming along nicely and will be something rather special for Bridge of Weir - more details coming soon. Upstairs will be our Advertizer offices with additional space to let. We're all very excited about being in the middle of the village and thank everyone for their good wishes.
Look out for our February issue which will have more details about the downstairs venture, and don't forget our deadline this Friday 20th January!

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!