Hopefully you are all taking a well deserved breath after all the excitement of Christmas. Our household was chaotic in the lead-up with me actually forgetting which week we were on and thinking we still had a week to go before Christmas! Awkward eh? A mad rush to decorate and shop! Still we got there.

This year again I decided not to send cards but instead make a donation to one of my chosen charities. This year it is Cancer Research UK. Nonetheless, thank you to everyone who took the time to send one to me. Bah Humbug! I just feel the money is better spent on these very worthy causes.

Well..... I did have a bit of a rant last month, didn’t I? However, one result was the offer of donations to the funds for the bonfire, and hopefully next year a few more people will take that massive step...... that massive step across the road, pay their contribution on entry and enjoy the event in the field with the fun that goes with it!

FIRE & WATER!

The Knapps Bonfire this year went off with the usual bang; a great success and a credit to all the organisers and volunteers, and of course the patrons. However, will it be an event we can enjoy next year?

The Bonfire is a not for profit event; I understand that on balance some years make a loss and other years make small profit. The funding for the event comes from entrance money taken at the gate. However, it’s astounding the number of folks who now watch from outside the field, standing on the road, to save themselves a few quid. I know it can get pretty muddy underfoot, which can be a little off-putting, but if this trend continues, the consequence for everyone will be a lack of funding and no more fireworks. So go on, get your wellies on, get muddy and join in next year. It’s part of the fun!

Well, I got myself all fired up on that one, so to douse the flames (pun intended), another topical subject: the rain.

Starting on a positive note, the road improvements and drainage works at Scart Farm, between Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir, seem to be coping well considering the amount of water over the last few weeks. Remember the floating mini a couple of years ago?

November is packed with Fireworks, Festivals, Fetes, Family Fun, Fantastic Christmas lights and Funny pantomimes. It’s amazing just how much goes on in such a small area. What a Fantastic community!

We celebrate Bonfire Night with Glasgow Green Fireworks on Wednesday 4th November, followed by Knapps Bonfire & Fireworks, Paisley Fireworks Spectacular and Bishopton Fireworks Display which are all on Saturday 7th November.

There are lots of festive light switch-ons - Paisley Xmas Lights are on Saturday 14th November, Johnstone Xmas Lights on Saturday 21st November, Renfrew and Linwood Xmas Lights both on Saturday 28th November, and Bridge of Weir Christmas Lights on Thursday 3rd December.

The annual Santa Sleigh will be visiting the following areas in December and we have a full list of routes on p22.

Houston from Tuesday 1st to Monday 7th Dec.
Brookfield on Tuesday 8th Dec.
Kilmacolm (North) Wednesday 9th, (South) Thursday 10th Dec.
Quarriers on Saturday 12th Dec.
Bridge of Weir from Friday 11th to Wednesday 16th Dec.

Please support this wonderful event as all the money raised goes to the groups involved on the evening - a host of volunteers giving up their time to raise funds.

And don’t forget all our local pantos which are great fun and highly entertaining! So if you haven’t been to one yet, this is your last chance to get tickets! Check our ‘What’s On’ listings for details of all these local events - there’s plenty going on for all tastes.

Although it seems a bit early to be thinking of Christmas, our next edition will be the last one for 2015. So if you want to be in the magazine, please get in touch well ahead of the deadline date of Friday 13th November.

Rona

This October we hit the ground running towards Christmas with a number of fundraising events already underway with a festive theme. Once again, our local dramatic groups are getting ready for Panto season and this year we have our very own thespian in the office, an active member of KDS... Oh no she’s not, Oh yes she is!... enough already! The KDS Panto is Mother Goose, while Johnstone Phoenix Youth Theatre are playing Sleeping Beauty and Johnstone Phoenix Theatre Group put on Cinderella. If we’ve missed any, please let us know and we can promote in the November issue! Get your tickets early, these brilliant shows are well worth a visit.

The main car park in Bridge of Weir was closed for a few days last month for re-surfacing and lining and we are delighted that it was completed and re-opened within the same week. There was some disruption during this, but I’m sure you’ll all agree it was a much needed improvement.

Following the closure of the Royal Bank of Scotland in Lochwinnoch in November 2014, we now hear that the Kilmacolm branch of RBS is also in line for closure. Kilmacolm formerly hosted RBS, BoS, TSB and Clydesdale banks, but now the RBS is the only bank remaining in the village. Even with internet banking, the village surely still needs a bank; even on a basic level, local shops need to bank their takings each day and require cash change. An additional worry is that if we lose the bank, we lose the footfall in the village which may have a knock on effect for other businesses.

RBS claim there are not enough customers to justify keeping the branch open, but they are apparently offering a mobile bank service instead. However, with parking in the village being an issue, where is the mobile bank going to “pitch-up”? The present branch premises is generously spacious, therefore one wonders if one of the smaller shops, presently vacant, in the village would present a more viable option for RBS.

MSP Derek Mackay is on the case, as are the local councillors. I contacted RBS too regarding the proposed closure and they are advising any customers who are concerned to write to:

Customer Relations Manager,
The Royal Bank of Scotland,
Freepost,
PO Box 594,
Chatham ME4 9DP

I urge you to do so.

Just as we went to press, MSP Derek Mackay also told The Advertizer that he has been advised by Renfrewshire Council that planning permission for the erection of 43 dwelling houses at the Shillingworth site will go to committee for Councillors to decide on Tuesday 25/Aug. Mr Mackay has been monitoring the situation after being contacted by constituents in Bridge of Weir regarding the site.

On a lighter note, I know it’s only September, but rehearsals are already underway for the pantomime season.... Oh no they’re not!.... OH YES THEY ARE! We are happy to promote these events which are such a fun part of the run up to Christmas - if you are involved and would like us to publicise your event please get in touch.

And planning ahead for that time of year, an idea for Christmas is the must buy for 2016, The Bridge calendar. With some lovely pictures from members of Paisley Colour Photographic Club, calendars will be for sale in The Bridge from mid-September.

Gibb Stuart are once again hosting their Cook Live event (see page 43) on 16 September with QVC’s Malcolm Harradine as guest chef. The event includes free gifts and exclusive prices on all demo items. There will be expert advice from manufacturer representatives, lucky prize draws and live cookery demonstrations by Malcolm Harradine through the day. Make sure you get your tickets early to avoid disappointment!

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ROADS AGAIN THIS MONTH

Livery Walk car park in Bridge of Weir is being re-surfaced and will close for up to five days from Sunday 9 August. This is a change to the planned dates due to the public holiday on the 3rd. The Council has been in discussion with Community Council and TARA and has arranged for the Roads team to work longer days to try to complete the work as quickly as possible and minimise the disruption. 

Smithy Brae in Kilmacolm (next to the Cross Cafe) will be closed to traffic from 8am on Saturday 1 August to 6pm on Sunday 2 August to allow the demolition of the former Kilmacolm Institute building to be completed. Pedestrian access will still be possible during this time. Whatever your thoughts on the building, it will be good to have this work completed, remove the risk of falling debris and tidy up the centre of the village.

At The Advertizer, we have had some very positive feedback about the Council’s upgrading of the A761 between Kilmacolm and Bridge of Weir. In particular, the road being closed through the night to allow works to be carried out with minimum disruption to traffic was much appreciated.

And we hear that in Quarrier’s Village, Craigbet Road, Torr Avenue, Craigbet Avenue and Craigbet Crescent will be resurfaced. This should take place in August, but is entirely weather dependent.

In Houston, work continues on the Crosslee Bridge with an estimated completion date in early August. Work has been extensive with the parapet and copes, two pillars and the string course all being taken down and replaced. 

And at the new Cala development off the Houston Road at Lonend, the proposed street name is ‘Hallcraigs Crescent’. The name derives from a former Quarry located behind the site and adjacent to Quarry Brae and a former 19th century property that was situated in what is locally known as Manse Field.

Erskine Festival will take place week commencing 10 August, with events happening all week, all over town, and culminating in a fun filled Gala Day complete with Vintage/Sports Car Display.

Not quite on the road, but still with a high octane factor, another exciting event coming up is the Scottish Airshow which takes place in Ayrshire in September. Entry to the air display on the Saturday is free although there may be charges for parking. With the chance to see the wonderful Red Arrows, I’m certainly going to try to get there!

250TH ISSUE

Who’d have thought! We’ve reached a quarter millennium with our 250th issue of The Advertizer. Starting back in 1995 as a wee four page black & white news-sheet delivered to 2000 homes in Kilmacolm, the magazine has now grown to a full colour, glossy publication with over 13,500 copies distributed every month covering the Gryffe area of West Renfrewshire.

ROADS

There has been a flurry of activity on the A761 Bridge of Weir to Kilmacolm section as new drainage and verge works are carried out. This is to help prevent the flooding that regularly causes water to lie across the road at the low section, below Scart Farm. Once finished, the road should be resurfaced all the way from Kilmacolm to Bridge of Weir.

EVENTS

Of all the days for a weather front to hit Scotland, it was the Saturday of the Houston Show and Kilbarchan’s Lilias Day. Both events ended up cancelled due to the high winds and rain that were forecast. It was hoped that Lilias Day could be rescheduled, but this will not now happen. However, the committee are rallying well and are hopeful of a bigger and even better event for next year.

Lochwinnoch Gala Day did go ahead the following weekend with better weather. Although it was sad to see a last minute appeal through Facebook, still requesting volunteers. We all enjoy attending these events, but it takes volunteers to make them happen. So if you think you could give a little time, please get in touch with your local event team and get your name down for next year!

Bridge of Weir’s Gala Day was a great success - the parade through the village was spectacular and visitors to Houston Road Park said it was one of the best shows they had been to. All this despite the main man, Gordon Lethorn, being in hospital prior to the event. Our thoughts and best wishes to Gordon, his family and the committee members.

WARNING!

We heard of rogue traders going around knocking doors in Langbank offering to check roofs. Please be aware and look out for elderly neighbours who are always a prime target. If you see or hear of anything like this, please contact the police on 101.

And another thing to be wary of is email and social media postings. We’ve recently been in receipt of the rogue email that advises that your friend is stuck in another country with no funds to get home. Please send money! No, please get in touch with your friend and confirm that he/she is safe & sound. Then junk the email address and delete from your inbox. On Facebook recently, we’ve had a number of interesting looking posts saying things like “Oh, I never thought I’d see this...” with a link to open. Again, please don’t! If you are really intrigued, why not Google the item and see what comes up. Invariably, you’ll see straight away that these are scams and hacks and to be avoided at all costs. 

PLANNING

There is still no update on the Lintwhite Gate proposal in Bridge of Weir. The Community Council has checked with the developer’s agent regarding a date for the public consultation and exhibition on proposals, but as yet no date has been set by the developer and no indication given as to when it might happen. The only restriction on the developer is that he must give a minimum of seven days notice and advertise the event in the press. The CC will advertise the date on Facebook as soon as they receive notice and will also arrange for posters around the village.

Again, there is no news about the former Bull’s Garage site, and in Kilmacolm the Institute building is in limbo as we go to press as demolition has been suspended due to a work related accident resulting in serious injury to one of the workers.

FUNNY

And a wee funny to finish on: apparently Tripadvisor has received a negative review of Ben Nevis - apparently it is too high! I’m speechless!