in our July issue (includes competition winners!)

It feels like we’ve had a good share of rogues and scams already this year, and we’ve just been alerted to another - the Madrid inheritance letter, claiming the reader is set to inherit a small fortune. They seem to have just enough personal information to cause the reader to consider the letter as genuine. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and our advice is - BIN IT!, or at least solicit a second opinion before even thinking about responding.

Talking of a response, our old Advertizer phone number “874385” will be stopped from September. Previously, calling 01505 874385 would re-direct through to our Bridge of Weir office, but from September we will be cancelling this line since it is effectively obsolete. Please call us on 01505 613340 from now on.

Thank you very much to Brighter Bridge of Weir who have planted some lovely tubs for our frontage. The volunteers put so much time and effort into these beautiful displays around Bridge of Weir and I’m sure we’re all appreciative of the ‘Brighter’ village they provide.

On the subject of the frontage, we’ve been waiting for planning permission from the Council to go ahead with our plans and, after a couple of iterations, we finally got there. However, now into the midst of the outdoor landscaping season, most local companies are busy. Bear with us - we think we are just about there; although I am sure I’ve said that before – but trust me!

Apologies if we’ve missed any news items, but our email was a bit ‘iffy’ through the month. If you send something in, please make sure you get an auto-reply. If in any doubt, please don’t hesitate to call us to make sure.

Finally, many of you will be heading off on holiday soon, but please don’t forget to send us your news and photos - our deadline for August will be Friday 19th July, so plenty of time before then.

COMPETITION WINNERS!

Winners of the Gibb Stuart Weekend Giveaway as follows:

Weber BBQ - Iain Anthony - Houston
Easiyo Yogurt Maker + Years Supply - Maureen Brennan - Houston
Dulux Dog Soft Toy - Irene McLaughlin - Bridge of Weir
Dulux Puppy & Blanket Soft Toy - Emma Gibbs - Bridge of Weir



Winner of the Ferringtons hypno-chill day:

WINNER: Marie Brown, Bridge of Weir

RUNNERS-UP: Helen Qayum, Johnstone; Isobel Evans, Kilmacolm; Jackie Morrison, Houston; Meg Millar, Bridge of Weir; Dorothy Murray, Motherwell


Congratulations to everyone who won and thank you for all the entries!

welcome to June's issue

Isn’t the weather just maddening right now; warm, summery, cold, wet, windy and even snow; as Crowded House sang in 1992, “Four Seasons in One Day”; clearly intended as a metaphor in the song, but apparently becoming a reality as we struggle to know what to wear when leaving the house in the morning. It’s never been like this before?

If you remember last year, we had a scorching March followed by a freezing April and then storms in May. This year, a warm and dry February followed by a freezing March and, as I am writing on 23rd May, snow blizzards.

As the old saying goes, “Ne’er cast a clout till May be out”, commonly used but what of the meaning? Generally the accepted interpretation would be, don’t discard your warm winter clothing until the month of May is behind us. However, another interpretation exists that makes more sense, by tying the changing seasons with nature; that you should take the same precaution regarding your apparel until the Hawthorn, also known as the May Tree, is in full bloom, thus signalling the beginning of summer. There you go, you learn something every day.

Still on the weather front (no pun intended), I happened to bump into a village worthy this morning and, in discussing the chilly start to the day, he recalled 1976 when they had to stop work on the 2nd June because of a snow blizzard. However, that year then turned out to be one of the hottest summers on record, with the temperature sitting above 80’C for four weeks mid June and into July. Maybe our selective memory recall makes us believe that things right now are a little random, but in fact it may not really be that different at all; expressed more eloquently, “It was one of those perfect Spring days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.” And, staying with quotes, Charles Dickens said, “Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade”; isn’t that just how it feels right now. Therefore, remaining optimistic and knowing that the trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it, let’s just hope; hope for a recurrence of ‘76 and keep the sunscreen and BBQ tongs at the ready.

June is the month for lots of fun at the various gala days and shows in the local area. We’ve got Lilias Day in Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir’s Gala Day followed by their Gala Week events, Bishopton Gala Day and events, Kilbarchan Agricultural Show, Houston Agricultural Show and Accord Hospice Summer Fayre. Apologies if we’ve missed any - please make sure we get the details next year! Go to our village news pages and our diary to get details of when and where these various events take place.

Lastly, but by no means least, we were also delighted to hear that this month Gibb Stuart celebrates being in their “new” shop in Bridge of Weir for 20 years. However, their history in the area is far longer - in 1880 William Gibb Stuart established himself in the villages of Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir as an Ironmonger, Painter and Decorator. The business is now managed by the fourth generation with the fifth in hot pursuit; more on this inside our June issue.

This month..... May


The closing paragraph in my editorial last month seems to have resulted in a mix of confusion and rapturous laughter; for those left in confusion, I have to apologise.
A competition was proposed, “How long can you sustain a chip on the shoulder?” It would be fair to say that in the following weeks our mailbox did not overfloweth with application form requests. Obviously our readers are far too astute to be drawn into such a nonsensical suggestion and realized it was simply the aspirations of a beleaguered April Fool.
However, there’s no need for make-believe at this time of the year since this is the season of Fun Days and Galas, therefore we’re not short of local events and activities; mostly held on a Saturday, unless otherwise stated...
11th May: Kilmacolm & Port Glasgow Agricultural Show, locally referred to as The Knapps Show (see page 32/59).
11th May: Houston Kirk Carnival Day (page 41)
18th May: Woodlands Nursery (Houston) Fun Day (page 41/47).
18th May: Elderslie Kirk Fete (page 38).
1st June: Kilbarchan Lilias Day (page 37 & more info next month ).
1st June: Houston & Killellan Agricultural Show (page 40). 
8th June: Bridge of Weir Gala Day & Parade, followed by Gala Week (see next month for details).
8th June: Lochwinnoch Gala Day (page 36).
15th June: Kilmacolm Old Kirk Fete (page 32).
15th June: Bishopton Gala Day, preceded by Gala Week.
15th June: Kilbarchan Agricultural Show.
Apologies if we’ve missed any. If there are no specific details in this issue, we’ll feature more information of the events held in June in our next edition of The Gryffe Advertizer.
I take this opportunity, on behalf of the whole community, to thank the many dozens of volunteers who freely give up their time throughout the year planning and organising these events. And, if you’re someone who’d like to get involved, then I’m sure you’d be welcomed with open arms ... go on!
And lastly, as a regular reminder, we want to hear from you if you’ve done something wonderful, if you are planning a fund raising event, if you’ve got news to share, or even if you’re looking for help with something. Our readers are always eager to hear what’s happening and eager to help if they can. And the best thing is, there’s no cost from us to do this!
The Advertizer is the ideal platform to communicate with your community as we reach over 14,000 homes and businesses in the Gryffe area.
Send your news and photos to info@advertizer.co.uk or by post to The Advertizer, Neva Place, Bridge of Weir, PA11 3PN. 
Next deadline Friday 17th May!

This month............ April


It can sometimes be quite shocking as to what comes through your front door first thing in the morning!
I recently received mail which can only be described as ‘bonkers’ - the junk  in circulation is truly astounding. We seem to be bombarded relentlessly, not just with mail, but also spam email, misleading adverts, dodgy doorstep callers and telephone scams. Every year the British public loses billions of pounds to scammers. 
So beware! The old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is”, still rings true. Strathclyde Police would like to alert you to the Little Book of BIG Scams, reproduced by kind permission of the Metropolitan Police Service. They were inspired by The Little Black Book of Scams, originally created by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as inspiration. The Police hope this booklet will increase your awareness of the vast array of scams that are being used and teach you some easy steps you can take to protect yourself. It should be seen as a general guide to many of the scams currently operating in the UK. Download the booklet at http://www.sbcc.org.uk/news-events/latest/the-little-book-of-big-scams.aspx 
And on the theme of Police, did you know that there is a new number to contact the Police on for non-emergency situations? 
The non-emergency number 101 has been launched by Strathclyde Police across Scotland and replaces the range of existing police force non-emergency numbers, which will gradually be phased out. 
The introduction of the 101 non-emergency number gives the people of Scotland a new way to contact the Police, seek advice, speak to a local officer or to report a crime that doesn’t need an emergency response, for example, car theft, damage to property, a minor traffic collision, suspected drug use or dealing, or information about crime in their area. It’s available 24/7 and chargeable at a flat rate of 15p per call. 
In the case of an emergency, please continue to dial 999. That’s when a crime is in progress, when someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when a life is in danger, or when violence is being used or threatened.
And finally, on a lighter note and taking a lead from the original ‘bonkers’ theme, I have just been made aware of an unusual contest, “How long can you sustain a chip on the shoulder?” The Guinness Book of Records presently makes no reference to such a challenge, so this could be your chance to get yourself a record, of some sort, if you haven’t done so already. However, in the interest of fairness, honesty and integrity, some criteria have to be fulfilled. The chip has to be obtained legally, it cannot be taken from someone else’s stash without their prior consent, and posing as someone else in order to obtain a chip is strictly forbidden. A date is still to be set, but stay alert for the announcement of the Public Event at which the contenders will have an opportunity to trial their unique prowess. Well, I did say... ‘bonkers’!

March 2013 issue

At the start of February, I felt I was somewhat lacking in the old ‘oomph’ factor. Cold, dark mornings and a general lethargy was draining me. Then, through my good friend Mo, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and attended a couple of meetings where I had to step up to the plate and talk about myself and my experiences. Thank you in particular to the ladies of the Houston NWR who made me feel very welcome and at ease.

February continued to surprise and enlighten me. I heard news that I had not expected and it fair put a spring back in my step. A visit to the hairdresser fair set me off laughing - thank you Susan at AM Hair & Beauty. You know, I read a saying a long time ago, while going through my treatment, and it rings very true today. “Look to the sun and the shadows fall behind you”. I shall continue to look to the sun and will view whatever comes my way over the coming months with a positive smile.

Our usual round of events is kicking back into shape. We have a Wedding Fair in the Cargill Centre, Kilmacolm on Saturday 2nd March from 12noon until 3pm. 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. Kidston Kids hold their annual Nearly New Sale on 23rd March - lots of great bargains to be had here. Linwood Sports Centre is having a Pre-Open Weekend on 23rd & 24th March to show off the wonderful new facilities at Brediland Road, Linwood. See our centre pages for all the details. Lochwinnoch Arts Festival will run from 13th to 24th March with a variety of events held through the week and an art exhibition in the Library running throughout.

In our “Planning” section we have news of a meeting to be held in Kilmacolm regarding the propsed plans for a windfarm on Corlic Hill. This is something which will affect villagers and it would be beneficial to visit and find out what the plans are. 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.

Since Maxwell Place in Bridge of Weir was resurfaced last year it has become a popular parking spot. This lane runs down the side of Neva Place and is now over-congested with parked cars, making 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.

Finally, a wee reminder to please make sure you receive an ‘auto-reply’ when sending in an email. If you don’t get one, please call to check.

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

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