A FILM about the legendary Communist MP from Paisley, Willie Gallacher is being premiered on an online TV channel.

Renfrewshire Leisure’s internet channel, Ren TV will show the 50-minute film, called A Lion Rose in Paisley, on Wednesday, August 12, at 7pm – 55 years to the day Gallacher died.

The docudrama by local filmmaker, Alex Cathcart stars TV and film actor, Steven Duffy as the left-wing firebrand Gallacher.

The film also features Renfrewshire Council’s Labour leader, Eddie Devine who ironically plays the famous Tory Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. And fellow-councillor, Bill Brown plays an MP asking a question in the Houses of Parliament.

Paisley Abbey was used as the film location for Parliament, as was the Beechwood Community Centre, in the town’s Shortroods area, when scenes were shot of a stormy public meeting involving Gallacher and the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George.

Gallacher was one of the famous Red Clydesiders at the beginning of the 20^th century and campaigned against the First World War. He was twice jailed for his political activities, but remained steadfast in his socialist principles and continued campaigning on behalf of the working class.

In 1920, Gallacher travelled to Moscow and met the Bolshevik leader of the Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin, who encouraged the Paisley Buddie to form a communist party in the UK. On his return, Gallacher was one of the founding members of the Communist Party of Great Britain.

Gallacher, who was born into poverty in Paisley’s Back Sneddon, on Christmas Day 1881, became the Communist Party MP for West Fife in 1935 and served his constituency until 1950. But he remained active in politics all his life and was known by political leaders throughout the world.

When he died on August 12, 1965, it was estimated that 30,000 people lined the streets of Paisley for his funeral procession.

A street in Foxbar – Gallacher Avenue – was named in his honour in the mid-1980s along with Gallacher Court, a sheltered housing complex in Paisley’s West End. A cairn in Paisley’s High Street to commemorate Gallacher was also erected in 2016.

Filmmaker Alex Cathcart said: “I only knew the barest of facts about Willie Gallacher, but after the cairn was erected I was curious and wanted to find out more.

“I soon realised that his life was incredible, he was globally feted, but remained one of Paisley’s own – a true Buddie we can be proud of.”

Labour Councillor Eddie Devine revealed he had taken a lot of ribbing about playing the part of a Tory Prime Minister after the filming had been completed. “And I’ve no doubt there will be some more Mickey-taking when the film is shown on Ren TV,” he said. “But I want to assure everybody that I’m definitely not a Tory!”

Renfrewshire Leisure’s chairperson, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: Renfrewshire Leisure’s chairperson, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “This is a great film, and I’m sure local people will enjoy learning more about Willie Gallacher and his principles, particularly his lifelong commitment to improving workers’ rights.”

“It’s a good way of paying tribute to one of Paisley’s most famous sons and even just as a piece of drama, the film is well worth watching.”

Renfrewshire Council’s Culture Heritage and Events Fund supported the making of A Lion Rose in Paisley. The film can be seen by logging on to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/rentv at 7pm on August 12.

07/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire Council has joined forces with Zero Waste Scotland to promote their anti-littering campaign, Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way.

Highlighting the beauty of Scotland’s lochs and mountains, city parks and country woodlands, the campaign is backed by the Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful and aims to inspire people to enjoy the great outdoors, but without leaving litter behind.

In Renfrewshire, local people will be reminded that Renfrewshire is Remarkable and Paisley is Picturesque, as part of a drive to encourage local people to take pride in where they live.

The campaign aligns closely with Renfrewshire’s award-winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign which has seen thousands of local people tidying their communities and has created a dedicated community of like-minded volunteers.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We’re delighted to continue our work with Zero Waste Scotland by promoting this campaign as we want to ensure that Renfrewshire remains a beautiful place to live, work and visit.

“Our own Team Up to Clean Up campaign has the same values and we’ve been delighted to see its success as local people come together to make a real difference to our communities.

“Renfrewshire really is remarkable so please, let’s work together to eradicate littering and take pride in where we live.”

As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can also be a danger to young children and animals, and it is estimated that 80% of marine litter washing up on our beaches started out on land.

Iain Gulland, Zero Waste Scotland chief executive, said: “People are understandably keen to enjoy everything Scotland has to offer this summer, and onwards. If you are camping, exercising, having a barbecue or just enjoying the scenery, have fun, but remember to bin what you don’t need or take it with you.

“I’m delighted Renfrewshire Council is getting involved in our campaign. Go home with happy memories and leave Renfrewshire litter-free so others can do the same. We know Scotland is stunning, let’s keep it that way!”

The campaign can be followed on social media using the hashtag #BinYourLitter and volunteers are encouraged to post their pictures of beautiful scenery in their area, as well as their efforts to keep it tidy.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “We welcome this new campaign highlighting the beauty of Scotland and all it has to offer. Litter levels across Scotland are unacceptable, and in many places are getting much worse. Alongside this campaign we will continue to offer support to all those who have already stepped up to tackle this problem in their own communities with litter clean ups and projects to improve and protect the places they care about.”

For community groups and other local organisations keen to spread the message, a free downloadable campaign toolkit is available online at www.managingourwaste.scot/litter and for more information on the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/TeamUptoCleanUp.

07/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Newsletter, Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire parents can get £250 to help cover school costs

Families across Scotland are being encouraged to check if they qualify for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment as schools re-open next week.

The one-off cash payment is open to people who receive certain benefits or tax credits and are a parent or carer of a child born between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016.

Parents do not need to take up a school place to get the money – people who are home schooling or have deferred their child’s start date can still apply.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“The move from nursery to primary school can feel like a huge step for parents as well as kids. It can also come at a cost – putting extra pressure on low-income families.

“As parents gear up for kids starting school next week, many will be feeling the financial impact of Covid-19. I urge them to check if they are eligible for the School Age Payment and apply today.

“I’d also encourage people to check what other support is available to them at this difficult time, such as the school clothing grant and free school meals.”

Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland David Wallace said:

“Since the outbreak of coronavirus, we have been working in different ways with the vast majority of our colleagues now working from home.

“Despite these restrictions, we remain committed to getting payments to people who need it.

“We are encouraging people to apply online in the first instance. For those that cannot access the online application, a limited telephone service is available where people can speak to one of our Client Advisors.”

People can get more information and apply at mygov.scot/schoolpayment

Background

Applications opened on 1 June 2020 and will remain open until 28 February 2021
Parents who have deferred entry to August 2021 should still apply in the 1 June 2020 to 28 February 2021 window. If they wait until after then it will be too late and they will miss out on their payment
There is no requirement to take up a place at school to be eligible for the payment
To be eligible you have to live in Scotland and be receiving certain benefits or tax credits. To find out more, including the eligibility criteria, visit mygov.scot/schoolpayment
In last year’s application window 1 June 2019 to 29 Feb 2020, we paid a total of £4.6 million in Best Start Grant School Age Payments supporting over 18,000 families at this key stage in a child’s life. The latest stats can be read at www.gov.scot/publications/best-start-grant-and-best-start-foods-high-level-statistics-to-31-may-2020/
Demand for School Age Payment has been high and so processing time might take longer than usual. Once we receive an application, we will write to the client with the outcome.
Since coronavirus restrictions were put in place, the majority of our colleagues moved to working from home. This means we’ve been unable to offer our full inbound telephone service. We have a limited number of lines available for inbound calls. This is aimed at those who need help with their applications and cannot access our services online. Clients can speak to one of our advisors by calling 0800 182 2222 between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday.

03/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Braehead, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire

Diners get half-price meals at intu Braehead

Many of the restaurants, bars and cafes at the shopping destination and Soar at intu Braehead are taking part in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Visitors will receive a 50 per cent discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, when dining-in at participating eateries on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from August 3 to August 31. Diners can take advantage of the money-off meal deals as many times as they want.

The discount is available for food and non-alcoholic beverages, but does not include takeaway purchases. Visitors will not need a voucher, as participating establishments will simply discount their bill.

Marketing manager for intu Braehead, David Lyon said: “Many of our cafes, bars and restaurants are now open and have signed up to the Eat Out Help Out scheme.

“This is a fantastic incentive for people to treat themselves with a meal out after months of lockdown. A family of four that would normally pay, say £80 for their meal will only be charged £40 thanks to the initiative and the eateries at intu Braehead taking part.

“We’re seeing more and more visitors returning every day, so we’re confident that plenty of people will be taking advantage of the fantastic Eat Out to Help Out scheme and will enjoy a delicious meal together.

“Of course, we’ll be continuing to do everything we can to make sure intu Braehead is a safe place to visit and work.”

The cafes, bars and restaurants participating in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme will be regularly updated at intu.co.uk/braehead, but they currently include:

Five Guys; Lord of the Isles; McDonalds; Nando’s; Pizza Express; Pizza Hut; Prezzo; TGI Fridays; Yo! Sushi; Frankie & Benny’s – open August 10 and Harvester, which is opening soon.

02/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Braehead, Business, Events, Glasgow, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events, Video

Grease at the drive-in movies is the one that they want

It was a full house when drive-in movies came to the boardwalk at intu Braehead for the first time last night. (Wednesday, July 29)

Grease was the first film shown and it was the one that everyone seemed to want as 150 cars packed with movie fans turned up to watch the iconic film featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

And as a thank you for their work on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic, anyone who works for the NHS was given free entry to the first screening.

Later during the second show, which was family favourite, Back to the Future a similar amount of cars were parked up in the boardwalk in front of a giant screen.

The Arena at intu Braehead has teamed up with the Catherine McEwan Foundation charity to help raise much-needed funds to help people living with Crohn’s and Colitis get better care, treatment and quality of life.

There will be two films shown on a giant screen every night and four movies this weekend, with the audio broadcast via a frequency that car radios can be tuned to.

Tickets are still on sale for the drive movie screenings that go on until Sunday, August 2 and the movies being shown are Grease, Jurassic Park, Mama Mia, Goonies, Finding Nemo, Lion King, The Lost Boys, Back to the Future and Dirty Dancing.

Refreshments are provided on site by the UK’s top street food operator, The Big Feed.

Derek McEwan, who launched the Catherine McEwan Foundation after his mother, Catherine passed away after years of suffering from Crohn’s Disease said: “It’s great to be at the iconic Braehead Boardwalk raising funds to help children and adults battling Crohn’s and Colitis.

“Our first night has been great and the fact that we could give a little back to our NHS superheroes tonight made it a bit special.”

Scott Martin, intu Braehead Leisure general manager added: “People seemed to move like greased lightning to snap up the tickets when they went on sale.

“It’s a novel way to have a good night out with the family and there are still a few tickets left for some of the drive-in movie showings during the rest of the week.”

Tickets costing £35 per car plus booking fee are on sale from www.lockdowndrivein.com.

30/07/2020/by Brian McGuire

Safety the priority as Renfrewshire Leisure has to wait for “green light” on leisure service, including gyms and pools.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today (Thursday, 30th July) confirmed a further delay before gyms and swimming pools can reopen, with opening now identified as likely to be allowed on 14th September. That timeline is dependent on maintaining low levels of virus in the community as well as ensuring that all social distancing and hygiene protocols are followed, although the First Minister held out the prospect of particularly favourable conditions perhaps permitting an opening date at the end of August.

Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa Marie Hughes said: “We really do value the support of our members and the wider public and know how much people in Renfrewshire have missed these services. These centres are important parts of our communities, playing important roles in helping our health and wellbeing. We are looking forward to welcoming people back and working with them to ensure their return is both safe and enjoyable.”

Victoria Hollows, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “We know how eagerly the community is waiting for news on a date for reopening our leisure facilities, not least of all because of the vital part they play in ensuring we can get everyone active again after a long period of closure during lockdown.

“With reopening now no earlier than the end of August, and perhaps not until mid September, we will continue to use the time before then to refine our procedures – continuing to reflect that our first priority for opening will be the safety of our customers and staff.”

Renfrewshire Leisure will also be working with Renfrewshire Council’s education department towards the recommencement of its Active Schools programmes from the start of the new school term, as well as working with local sports clubs and teams to make earliest possible use of courts and pitches after confirmation that these can commence from specified dates in August.

30/07/2020/by Brian McGuire

Work to transform the future of Paisley’s much-loved town hall is due to restart – with construction workers due on site at the start of August.

The project will create 21^st-century facilities inside the striking Victorian landmark while delivering improvements essential to keep the town hall at the heart of life in the town – and is taking place as part of a wider investment in Paisley’s historic venues by Renfrewshire Council.

Paisley-Town-Hall-Scene-9075

No work has taken place on the town hall in recent months due to the coronavirus lockdown – however with restrictions on construction sites being relaxed, workers can now safely go on site in line with national guidance.

The contract for the advance construction works on the town has been awarded to Morrison Construction and is expected to run until December.

The main construction works are expected to start next year, and while the exact impact of lockdown on the original timescale is still unclear, the project is expected to be complete before the end of 2022.

Other planned investments still being delivered in the town centre by the council include the work to transform Paisley Museum into a world-class destination showcasing the area’s unique and globally-significant story and collections, on which construction is due to start in the new year.

PaisleyTHNetworkBar

And construction work is due to resume soon on the site of the new Learning and Cultural Hub on Paisley High Street, which will be the town’s new home of library services.

Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes, chair of Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd, which operates the town hall, said: “We are pleased work is able to resume on Paisley Town Hall, which is another positive sign as the area’s economy starts to re-emerge from lockdown.

“Although the council faces a very challenging financial outlook, the town hall, museum and learning and cultural hub projects are all well under way – with years of work having already taken place on each – and we intend to see those projects through.

“In the town hall’s case, the work being planned includes investment in 21^st-century facilities which will help drive new footfall to the area in the years ahead, as well as essential replacement of outdated infrastructure without which the building would not have a long-term future.

“The completed buildings will be crucial to Renfrewshire’s long-term economic prospects – our vision for Paisley town centre remains one in which we promote its unique cultural and heritage offer to bring people here.

“And while coronavirus has disrupted that work we hope our continued investment in the town hall and other venues will help the area’s economic recovery from lockdown and give confidence to our local businesses.”

The investment in the town hall is aimed at bringing new activity and vibrancy to the town while ensuring the building has a long-term future. It is planned to include:

– a complete and essential replacement of the old and outdated electrical and mechanical systems;

– the preservation of the unique architectural features within this A-listed Victorian gem;

– an expanded capacity in the main hall allowing bigger and better events and driving more footfall to the town centre, boosting the local economy;

– unused spaces brought back into use and entirely new rooms and facilities created including a new café-bar with views over the river, increasing the range of events the building can host;

– a much-improved audience experience including improved staging, lighting and seating with better views, and improved access making it easier for everyone to move around the building.

28/07/2020/by Brian McGuire

Get a discount with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

From 3 to 31 August, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.

Published 15 July 2020
Last updated 28 July 2020 — see all updates

From:: HM Revenue & Customs

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme opens on 3 August 2020.

Use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme at a participating establishment:

to get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)
every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August
as many times as you like

You do not need a voucher to use this scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts. There is no minimum spend.

You cannot claim discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges.

The discount will be automatically available to you at participating establishments. Establishments will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the discount they’ve given you.

Participating establishments may include:

restaurants, cafés, bars or pubs
work and school canteens
food halls

All diners in a group of any size can use the discount.

Find a restaurant

Click here

28/07/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Jobs, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire

Great Value Retail Unit

Great Value Retail Unit of 577 sqft Available For Rent in Paisley Town Centre, Old Sneddon Street.
The monthly rent is £625 (no VAT) + share of electricity + BID + rates + water rates + property management fee.

To get more details please contact us on 0141 843 4211.