Braehead Archives - Paisley Scotland

Blog, Braehead, Events, Glasgow, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Pirates, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

PAISLEY PIRATES-STATEMENT

It is with considerable regret and sadness that we must confirm the Paisley Pirates ice hockey team will not be competing in any competition during what would have been season 2020/21.

Over the close season, in common with most other sports, ice hockey was placed in doubt due to the current pandemic resulting from the many foreseeable difficulties which would ensue if the pandemic continued to disrupt everyday life. Further, some weeks ago, our landlords, Braehead Arena, made it clear to all users that the ability of other clubs renting the arena to continue in that facility was entirely reliant on the continuance of the Glasgow Clan to make it an economically viable prospect. This in itself placedparticipation in the 2020/21 season in major doubt. As of Tuesday, 15 September 2020 the Elite Ice Hockey League, that in which the Glasgow Clan compete, has confirmed their 2020/21 season has been suspended. As a consequence of this we now have no facility to train or play our home games.

We have during this time made exhaustive enquiries, consulted with players and game night volunteers over such options as using other rinks for training and home games in order to continue competing. The Convener of Renfrewshire Council, Iain Nicolson, has also made a number of representations on our behalf, all with a view to finding us ice time, To date it’s been a 13 year stay at Braehead Arena, and with a 74-year history this will be the first time since 1992, some 28 years, that the Paisley Pirates have not competed.

Further, the continuing health and welfare of our players and the clubs’ integrity is of paramount importance. Based on the current government guidelines and restrictions it is imperative that we comply with these to help us all journey through this pandemic. With issues such as local lockdowns and potential further restrictions imposed by the government, we can’t guarantee that the health and welfare of our players and staff could be upheld whilst fully complying with the guidance. Based on this, for the team to train and play away from home it’s simply not feasible as there are currently too many variables which could potentially jeopardise the sustainability of the club long term. We also feel the cost to supporters in following the team over most parts of Scotland and to Northern Ireland, in our view, is prohibitive.

For the record, we have affiliated to Scottish Ice Hockey and will continue to support the governing body and its members wherever we can. It is our intention to re-enter regular competition in season 2021/22, circumstances permitting, where we hope to again represent with pride the county of Renfrewshire in general and the town of Paisley in particular. We hope to see our fans back this time next year and please continue to follow our Social Media channels for updates.

THE PAISLEY PIRATES COMMITTEE

18/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

St. Vincent’s Hospice are looking for couples and volunteers from the same household to sign up to take part in their Strictly Come Prancing event in Spring 2021, as the charity begin preparations to allow the event to go ahead in a safe, fun and socially distanced dance spectacular.

St. Vincent’s Hospice is a local charity Hospice at the heart of the community, providing specialist care for those affected by life limiting conditions in Renfrewshire. Every year, Strictly Come Prancing generates thousands of pounds in essential revenue to provide this vital support for people across the community going through some of the hardest times of their lives.

Director of Income Generation for the Hospice, Jackie Young, said: “Strictly Come Prancing is the biggest event on our fundraising calendar, with couples and dance partners coming together in front of hundreds of supporters and sponsors every year, to find out who will be crowned the Strictly Champions.

“With the current pandemic, we have no way of knowing what will be allowed in March: so we are currently working on plans A, B, C and D to make sure that we are able to go ahead in some format. Currently this has involved discussions with venues of limited numbers, doing it across multiple nights, all the way to a live streamed online event. Whatever it takes, to keep everyone involved safe and keep everyone dancing!

“What we do know, is that we need volunteers to sign up and be our dance couples for 2021! So, if you are from the same household or extended household, and want to get involved, learn how to dance, have fun and help out a great cause, we want to hear from you!”

Couples who sign up will undergo dance training from experienced choreographers to make sure they are ready to go on the big night in a way that matches their skill level and is sure to wow the judges. All training will be carried out in line with government guidelines to ensure everyone is safe.

Jackie added: “This event is open to everyone, with former champions including an 81 year old dancing the tango, so please support St. Vincent’s Hospice and get in touch to find out more.”

To learn more, sign up, or speak to the Fundraising Team call 01505 705 635 or email Info@svh.co.uk.

18/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire is now in week 14 and we would like your help in promoting yet another fantastic activity enabling anyone across Renfrewshire to take part and be creative.

Big thank you to Erskine Arts for coming up with this week’s activity and for a ‘how to’ video to run along with it – it’s a good yin! Tune in to watch the ‘how to’ video here.

Please find attached (Facebook/Twitter and Instagram) promotion for week 14 activity for Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire. More information on the creative project and the new activity can be downloaded every Friday by following this link – https://bit.ly/TinyRevRen (All previous activities are available here to!).

We would be grateful if you will support us in sharing with you communities, groups and networks? Participants are asked to share their creativity via social media using #TinyRevolutionsRen

We have posts on the project coming out at various time through the week on our Facebook and Twitter pages for Paisley Arts Centre should it be easier for you to share information that way.

FUN PALACES – We are taking part in this year’s Fun Palaces on the weekend 3^rd/4^th October, for more information and to hear how you can take part click here.

07/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Braehead, Glasgow, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire

Mum who lost teenage son to hidden medical condition takes campaign to Scottish Parliament

A MUM devastated by the sudden death of her teenage son from a hidden medical condition has launched a petition calling on the Scottish Government to offer full body scans for newborn babies.

The move by Sameena Javed is to make sure rare and hidden medical conditions are detected early.

The mum is also petitioning for introduce bereavement lessons in schools.

Unknown to anyone, Sameena’s 13-year-old son, Ahmar had Ateriovenous Malformation (AVM), which caused him to suddenly develop a bleed on the brain in 2017.

The lad’s mum and dad, Sameena and Javed, (correct) from Elderslie, in Renfrewshire had to take the agonising decision to turn off his life support machine ten days after Ahmar suffered the bleed while at a karate class.

The 40-year-old mum, from Paisley, who is urging people to sign her two petitions said: “I don’t want other families to go through the heartbreak my family felt.

“The condition Ahmar had was totally asymptomatic and no one had any idea. We only discovered it after he had a brain bleed and by then it was too late to treat or save him.

“I’m calling on the Scottish Government to offer brain and body scans to all neonates in our hospitals. I appreciate not every parent will want their baby to be scanned, but surely it’s worth it if a hidden or rare condition can be detected and treated.

“If my son had been offered a brain scan at birth his condition could have been detected, potentially treated and he would still be with us now.”

Sameena, added: “Ahmar’s sudden death had a terrible effect on many of his fellow pupils at Castlehead High School, in Paisley. The shock hit Ahmar’s young relatives and friends very hard.

“If young people in schools are taught about bereavement and death, then it might be ever so slightly easier for them to understand and cope with the grief that follows losing someone they know and is close to them.”

After Ahmar died, Sameena launched a charity called, Another Star In The Sky to raise money in her son’s name.

Sameena says there is not enough research into early diagnosis and treatment of AVM – which affects just one in 10,000 people.

The charity has raised more than £13,000 with half the money being donated to the Office for Rare Conditions Glasgow at the Royal Hospital for Children and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, to help fund research into rare illnesses like (AVM) that killed Ahmar.

The other part of fundraising goes to the Child Bereavement UK charity’s Glasgow centre that offers support to bereaved children and families.

Ahmar’s school pals at Castlehead High had been given a statue of the Oor Wullie cartoon character to paint by intu Braehead and then put on display in the centre as part of the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail.

And the pupils decided they would paint the statue in Ahmar’s honour and write messages to him on Oor Wullie’s arm.

Go to http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/bereavementeducation and http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/detectionofhiddenandrareconditions to find out more and sign Sameena’s petitions.

01/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron set sail across the River Clyde this week to carry out the traditional act of casting the nets to maintain Renfrew’s fishing rights on the river.

Due to current Scottish Government guidelines, Provost Cameron was unable to be joined by Renfrew residents for the traditional boat trip down the Clyde and instead headed across the river solo on the Renfrew Ferry.

provost lorraine cameraon

Provost Cameron said: “The symbolic act of casting the nets is a key part of Renfrew’s history, dating back hundreds of years, and it was important to myself and to the local community that the fishing rights continue to be preserved, even when so much is disrupted just now.

“Thank you to the Renfrew Ferry who were happy to take me across the river so the tradition could be upheld and to Howwood Fisheries for their kind donation of the salmon net.

“It is disappointing that I couldn’t invite Renfrew residents along this year, but I hope that in three years time the event will be able to go ahead in all its usual glory.”

King Robert III granted a charter to the community of Renfrew detailing the right to fish the River Clyde as far back as 1396, with a subsequent charter, confirming the rights, granted by Queen Anne in 1703.

However Renfrew Town Council failed to keep the rights on parts of the river owned by Sir Michael Stewart because they hadn’t fished those areas for some years.

Since the rights were restored, it has become practice to maintain them by having the Provost cast the nets and haul them in every three years.

A commemorative video is being produced to showcase the casting of the nets by local filmmaker Paul Mothersole, featuring historic footage and interviews with members of the local community. The video will be released in the coming months.

28/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Braehead, Business, economy, Glasgow, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire

Back in the swing of things in Soar at intu Braehead as Covid restrictions eased

Jessica Cushley, 30, with friend 31-year-old Victoria Smith, both from Erskine Renfrewshire enjoy a game of adventure golf in Soar at intu Braehead.

PALS Jessica Cushley and Victoria Smith got back in the swing of things yesterday when they were first to play a fun game of adventure golf in Soar at intu Braehead, after the government’s coronavirus restrictions were eased.

The Paradise Island Adventure Golf attraction at the popular leisure destination re-opened its doors to the public after lockdown, which began at the end of March.

Jessica, 30 and Victoria, 31 both from Erskine, Renfrewshire enjoyed playing a few holes of adventure golf before heading to Frankie and Benny’s restaurant in Soar, for a bite of lunch.

Jessica said: “We’ve certainly missed going out with friends and having some fun during lockdown.”

Craig Nichol, marketing manager for Paradise Island Adventure Golf at Soar said: “It’s fantastic to be open again. It’s been a tough few months for everyone as leisure activities have been one of the things people haven’t been able to do and it’s a big thing in our lives.

“Our bookings have been very strong since we announced we were re-opening and people are happy that they are able to get out and about and have some fun with their families.

“Knowing they can enjoy leisure activities again also makes them more relaxed and accepting of the restrictions that have been put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus.”

Paradise Island Adventure Golf has introduced a series of measures to keep everyone safe while they play golf at the attraction.

An online booking system has been introduced, although people can still turn up and pay to play on the day.

Directional signage is in place to show the one-way system around the two 18-hole courses and hand sanitisers are available for visitors.

Other leisure attractions at Soar that have re-opened recently include the Odeon cinema, tenpin bowling, Funstation and Prizestation amusement arcades, along with various restaurants and bars. The team at Soar has introduced new measures and procedures to stop the spread of coronavirus, including social distancing and hygiene procedures, such as hand sanitisers for visitors use. It includes a raft of other measures with floor stickers indicating a one-way system for visitors and staff training to ensure visitors stay socially distanced.

Visitors are also required to wear face coverings in line with Scottish government instructions.

David Lyon, marketing manager for intu Braehead said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Soar at intu Braehead and everything is being done to make sure it’s a safe place to visit and work.

“Due to the measures we have put in place to protect everyone from coronavirus, the visitor’s experience at Soar may be slightly different from usual, but one thing’s for sure they will get the same warm welcome they’ve come to expect from us.”

26/08/2020/by Brian McGuire

A new package of support for Renfrewshire businesses to tackle the immediate impact of Coronavirus is now open for applications.

The £1.3million Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund offers local businesses, including people self-employed, the opportunity to apply for:

An interest free Business Restart Loan between £1,000 to £5,000 repayable up to three years to assist with short-term cashflow

A 50% match-funded Business Resilience Grant from £1,000 to £10,000 to help businesses meet changed objectives and plan for growth

A Business Adaptation Grant providing match-funding from £1,000 to £2500 for businesses adapting their premises to meet physical distancing requirements, open for retrospective applications.

Details of each fund, eligibility information and the online application is available now at Renfrewshire Council’s business support page.

Applicants will also receive a call from one of the Council’s Business Gateway advisers to discuss their application and provide tailored advice to meet their specific needs.

This fund has been created following detailed discussion with 500 local companies to determine what they feel can make the biggest difference in the short-term.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “I am acutely aware from regular dialogue with our business community throughout the pandemic of the economic harm Coronavirus is causing in Renfrewshire and we know we must be ready to help tackle this now, and in the months ahead.

“We have awarded more than 2600 government grants totalling £27.5million to help local businesses address the immediate impact and have now established this fund, listening to what businesses tell us will help them most.

“I recognise we are on a long and difficult journey, but we have a strong local economy and a business community that supports one another. We also have an excellent track record of tackling unemployment and helping people find work and together with immediate assistance, we are working with business, enterprise and education partners locally to prepare Renfrewshire’s long-term roadmap to recovery.”

The Council is also offering barriers for cafes using outdoor spaces and Business PPE packs to local businesses, having secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund, which is run by Scotland’s Towns Partnerships.

Businesses may also benefit from up to two days of fully funded consultancy support from experts across a range of topics including: finance, IT, Legal, Property and HR. The team can be contacted on 0141 530 2406 or by email to renfrewshire@bgateway.com.

Business adviser Robert Kinniburgh said: “We know how stressful a time this is for Renfrewshire businesses and are here to help however we can. It might be you want to discuss your business plan or need assistance with moving into the digital market. Whatever support is needed, I would encourage people to call us and also look out for the different webinars being run regularly on different specialist subjects.”

Bob Grant, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce said: “We warmly welcome the additional support package which offers targeted support to those companies that need it most. Based on feedback drawn from a survey of over 500 companies this new funding is a positive step to support our business community.”

Hisashi Kuboyama, Federation of Small Businesses’ Development Manager for Renfrewshire, said: “With small businesses in Renfrewshire going through extremely challenging times, we need to do absolutely everything we can to help them stay open and protect and create jobs. Many local FSB members told us that access to finance has been one of the problems, so we welcome the Renfrewshire Coronavirus Business Support Fund and urge our members and the wider small business community to have a look and see how it can help them.”

Mark Newlands, Head of Partnerships at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We know the economic impact of COVID-19 on businesses is severe. This additional tailored funding from Renfrewshire Council will be welcomed by local businesses as they face continuing economic uncertainty. Working with our partners, we’ll continue to do all we can to support companies through this time of unprecedented challenge and play our part in resetting, restarting and recovering the country’s economy.”

17/08/2020/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

Latest Updates

Instagram

#PositivePaisley