Paisley Arts Centre Archives - Paisley Scotland

PAISLEY Arts Centre will be hosting three dementia friendly concerts this spring, presented by Live Music Now.

This begins with Aidan Moodie and Graham Rorie, on Wednesday, February 20, featuring an eclectic mix of traditional and self-penned tunes and songs from across Scotland and beyond.

The other LMN performances are MK Duo, who are Roberto Kuhn and Callum Morton-Teng on Wednesday March 13 and Voice and Verse, who are Laura McFall and Kristine Donnan on Wednesday June 12.

A spokesperson for Live Music Now said:

“Live Music Now Scotland’s dementia friendly concerts are relaxed and informal, and the audience is invited to sing and dance along if they like.

“We have consulted with experts in dementia to find a format that is likely to be both enjoyable and beneficial to the audience’s health and wellbeing.

“The musicians tailor the performance so that some tunes may already be familiar, and therefore good for singing along to, which means the concert becomes interactive with everyone feeling welcome to join in.

“For those who prefer just to listen, they can enjoy a cup of tea and a biscuit while being entertained by outstanding performers.

“It has been shown that participating in arts activities is extremely beneficial for older people with dementia, improving such things as communication, memory, enjoyment of life and creative thinking.”

For more information, or to book one of these performances call Renfrewshire Leisure box office on 0300 300 1210 or go to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/whats-on.

Tickets for these performances are £5, and include tea and coffee. Carers go free.

13/02/2019/by Brian McGuire

Join the award-winning M6 Theatre Company as they present Little Gift, a brand new family show touring to Paisley Arts Centre on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd March.

Directed by Andy Manley (White, One Little Word), one of the world’s leading theatre makers producing work for children and young people, Little Gift tells an optimistic story of friendship and hope.

Ted is a lonely old soul, living all alone in the big city. One morning his life is changed forever when a mysterious helping hand steps in and disrupts his quiet routine. This playful show presents Ted’s tale with a heart-warming mix of puppetry, live music and song.

Artistic Director of M6, Gilly Baskeyfield, created the show with Andy Manley:

“The idea for the show came from a chat with Andy about stories of redemption and helping a sad character, much like A Christmas Carol. Giving a gift is a lovely thing for both parties. It’s a way of noticing somebody and saying ‘I remember you’. ”

Little Gift is performed by actor Guy Hargreaves, who has worked previously with M6 on the original tour of their OFFIE Award-winning show Whatever the Weather. Gilly explains:

“We knew we needed a very special actor to bring Little Gift to life and we saw a number of performers for the role. Guy’s wonderful attitude, alongside his top notch clowning, dancing and musical skills make him the perfect fit. The audiences love him.”

Founded in 1977 and based in Rochdale, M6 Theatre Company is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading touring theatre companies specialising in creating and delivering high quality theatre for young audiences. The company’s production of WHATEVER THE WEATHER (in association with Polka Theatre, created and directed by Gilly Baskeyfield) won an Off West End Theatre Award in 2016 for Best Production for Young People (0-7 years).

Little Gift is recommended for ages 3-7. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Paisley Arts Centre box office on 0300 300 1210 or visit www.renfrewshireleisure.com/whats-on .

07/02/2019/by Brian McGuire

There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the latest programme of shows and events organised by Renfrewshire Leisure during the coming months.

Information about these cultural activities is contained in the newly-published free booklet, The Guide.

Renfrewshire Leisure will host a variety of theatre performances as part of Puppet Animation Festival. These performances during April include both puppet theatre and animated films.

New venues will be staging shows and events after Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Museum are closed for redevelopment.

The Out of Place programme features the User Not Found theatre performance in the Paisley Arts Centre café, on May 8 and the Dark Carnival Unplugged is performed in the Paisley Arts Centre grounds, on May 17.

The Guide also highlights a series of acting writing and directing workshops from In Motion Theatre Company.

Paisley Arts Centre will host the Scottish Alternative Music Awards on March 15 and 16, featuring live showcases, music industry seminars and workshops.

The Arts Centre will also be turned into a virtual reality, 3D playground as Paisley YMCA presents Synaethesia, on June 29.

Music fans have a variety of concerts to enjoy, including the Acoustic Beatles and Acoustic Eagles, on February 1; singer Mary Ann Kennedy, on April 27 and legendary piper, Fred Morrison, on May 14, all at Paisley Arts Centre.

Victoria Hollows, Renfrewshire Leisure chief executive said: “There is something for everyone in the guide – from comedy acts to family shows, drama performances to traditional music along with interesting and informative exhibitions.”

The Guide can be picked up for free at Paisley Arts Centre, Renfrew and Johnstone Town Halls and Linwood’s Tweedie Hall or it can be downloaded from www.renfrewshireleisure.com.

To book any of the events log on to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/whats-on or call the Box Office on 0300 300 1210 or visit Paisley Arts Centre, in New Street, Paisley.

24/01/2019/by Brian McGuire

Scotland’s Year of Young People in Renfrewshire has provided the perfect backdrop to showcase the talents of young people in the area through a year-long programme of events and opportunities to get involved, according to Renfrewshire’s specially appointed Children’s Champion for the year, Councillor Michelle Campbell.

Halloween youth panel, volunteers and mentees (3)

The Year of Young People 2018, delivered by the Scottish Government, working in collaboration with VisitScotland, EventScotland, Young Scot, Children in Scotland, Scottish Youth Parliament and YouthLink Scotland, saw thousands of Renfrewshire’s young people get involved in a year-long programme of events across the region.

Halloween parade

Renfrewshire Council Youth Services has been working with youth work partners and youth groups to deliver activities focussing on the YoYP six themes that young people had identified as most important for them – participation, education, health and wellbeing, equality and discrimination, enterprise and regeneration and culture.

Halloween parade

More than 200 young ambassadors were selected from across Scotland to represent their local communities, including ten young people from Renfrewshire. The YoYP Ambassadors and Renfrewshire Youth Voice Groups worked together to raise awareness and promote young people’s participation across the authority. Several events were successful in securing national funding through the Event Scotland Create18 grants offered as part of the themed-year. These events included a young writers festival, community fun days, a cheerleading taster session, and positive mental health event. Renfrewshire Council also awarded local funding to support a series of youth activities throughout the year to help put ideas into action including holiday programmes, pop up cinema, mobile laser quest sessions, Escape Rooms and community-based youth events – all co-designed by local young people.

17 May 2018 - YOYP mental health - Trinity High pupils at the wellbeing base - JCON (2)

09 Jul 2018 - YOYP mental health - Youth Commission Go Zone Glenburn - JCON

Youth Generations Assembly Sep 20 2018 (12)

Young aerial performers from this year's Halloween Festival

Youth Generations Assembly Sep 20 2018 (17)

Youth Generations Assembly Sep 20 2018 (19)

Youth Generations Assembly Sep 20 2018 (6)

The Halloween Festival signature YoYP project was led by the Renfrewshire Council Events team in conjunction with Renfrewshire Youth Services, attracting more than 34,000 people to the area in October. The event involved more than 700 local young people who had the opportunity to help shape the programme for the event and took part in the parade, aerial displays and also gained valuable work experience by working as part of the council’s events team, and with artists, and youth workers.

A lasting legacy of this partnership working across Renfrewshire is increasing young people’s involvement in the existing Renfrewshire events programme, including Sma’ Shot Day. This included working to make events accessible to wider youth participation, including working to reduce barriers to participation by making tickets and transport to events available to targeted groups. Around 3,600 young people engaged in Renfrewshire’s events throughout the year. The formation of a Youth Events Panel will work into 2019 to continue the involvement of young people shaping and creating youth friendly events in the future.

Councillor Michelle Campbell was selected as Renfrewshire’s Year of Young People Champion and has been attending a range of events across Renfrewshire throughout the year.

Councillor Campbell said:

“I was delighted to be appointed as the Council’s ambassador for young people during this specially themed year and I’ve been privileged to spend a lot of time meeting and listening to young people from across Renfrewshire over the last year. It’s delivered a real shift in welcoming young people to not just share their views, but also to include them in decision making and planning so they help inform our policies going forward.

“The Year of Young People gave our local young people a chance to really showcase their ideas and talents and to celebrate their achievements throughout the year and it’s been fantastic to see all the opportunities they’ve been able to take up as part of our events programme.

“Young people have a key role in their own education and we can continue to work to support that through the networks that have developed as a legacy of the Year of Young People 2018.”

Renfrewshire Youth Voice celebrated the end of the YoYP with their Positive About Youth Awards, which was a celebration of young people’s contribution to their peers and communities.

Jade Lochhead, the current Chair of Renfrewshire Youth Voice said:

“2018 gave us an opportunity for young people and youth work to be valued and listened to. Our Youth Assembly this year gave young people a platform to speak out on matters that we think are important.

“RYV will continue the theme of “Participation” into 2019 – Look out we’ve got more plans coming to Renfrewshire to keep us on the map.”

The Young Scot Renfrewshire portal hosted digital content created and curated by young people during the YoYP campaign. This will remain as a space to host films, photographs, blogs and reviews by young people and allow a wider youth audience to participate and engage with youth events in 2019 and for the years to come.

Caste Study

How Renfrewshire’s young people took centre stage at Paisley’s Halloween festival

Around 34,000 people flocked to Paisley for the Halloween Festival in October, celebrating the town’s witchcraft past.

The festival, supported by the Year of Young People 2018 and EventScotland, was significantly enhanced for the themed year with a full town centre takeover.

Young people were at the heart of the festival’s development, with a 28-strong Youth Events Panel working alongside Renfrewshire Council’s Events Team and Youth Services to design and deliver the programme, while more than 700 took part in a new creative learning programme. This offered the opportunity to participate in all aspects of festival delivery from performance to live event management and technical production.

The Youth Events Panel involved young people from across Renfrewshire with differing needs which ensured a diversity of voices in the event’s creation and helped act as a driving force that shaped, developed and delivered the event activities.

Throughout the programme, the young people were supported to learn new skills and make new connections that will prove invaluable.

One of the young people involved in the aerial performance, Patrick Doherty, said he enjoyed having his creative ideas listened to in an open and fun environment.

Patrick said:

“My personal challenge was meeting new people and working in a group with people I didn’t know, but I was able to overcome this and really enjoyed the experience.”

Andi Brogan, who was also part of the aerial performance, enjoyed learning a new skill and being able to network with aerial dance theatre company, All or Nothing.

Andi said:

“As someone who wants to be a professional dance artist, this was an invaluable experience.”

Youth Events Panel member, Jessica Willcox, said:

“Being involved in Halloween allowed me to have a completely new experience. I’ve made new friends and been able to socialise, which has increased my confidence.”

Head of Marketing, Communications and Events at Renfrewshire Council, Louisa Mahon said:

“To have so many of our young people at the heart of the festival’s planning and staging as co-creators made it extra special and we have been delighted to have delivered such a major event in partnership with Event Scotland.

“Our high profile, high impact, ambitious Halloween Festival working with leading creative partners All or Nothing, Bridgeman Arts and 21CC, ensured our children and young people’s skills, talents and diversity shone on a local and national stage.

“Thank you to all the young people who were involved in making this year’s event such a huge success.”

02/01/2019/by Brian McGuire

Industry leaders have praised Paisley: The Secret Collection after it just missed out on the Cultural Project of the Year Award at the 2018 Architects’ Journal Architecture Awards

Paisley Secret Collection MFG

The project was ‘Highly Commended’ by the judges for the inventive nature of its aim to revitalise the high street by bringing the area’s historic collections to life.

Scooping the top prize was the third phase of works to remodel Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre which saw the refurbishment of its basement into an open performance studio capable of hosting a range of events from comedy to jazz.

stella-shabti

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, Convener of Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “The Secret Collection has been a fantastic addition to Paisley as we aim to transform our High Street and bring people into the area.

“The collection includes some of Paisley’s world-famous textiles, plus a mix of ceramics, world cultures, social history, art and sculpture, natural history and local archives – with many of those items unseen by the general public in decades or longer.

“It’s fantastic that everyone involved with this wonderful project has received industry recognition as it really is one of Renfrewshire’s hidden gems and I would encourage everyone to take the time to visit and see the outstanding exhibits.”

Paisley Secret Collection MFG

Paisley: The Secret Collection is the first publicly accessible museum store on a UK High Street and contains thousands of objects which reflect Renfrewshire’s amazing heritage and culture.

The state-of-the-art storage facility is a space where everyone can explore, learn, research and discover hidden treasures in the collection.

Brought to life by Collective Architecture, the project was a key highlight of the work they have carried out transforming buildings using modest budgets to achieve maximum impact.

Ewan Imrie, Project Architect, said: “We are absolutely delighted that this project has gained national recognition through the Architects’ Journal Awards.

“The judges recognised the vision and bravery of the client in placing this precious facility within a very difficult central site, so that it is both accessible and a catalyst for regeneration.

“They were also very impressed by the creative and collaborative working relationship that developed between ourselves and Renfrewshire Council which allowed a bleak former shop unit to be converted into a hidden jewel on the High Street.”

The Secret Collection was one of several successful projects which saw Collective take home the coveted prize of Architect of the Year at the Awards ceremony.

Councillor Hughes added: “Collective brought imagination and an inspired sense of style to what could have been a purely functional space.

“They also had an enormous commitment to getting every detail right in a complex state of the art facility and we’re delighted that their work on the project has been recognised in this way.”

The Secret Collection is open to the public and free guided tours should be booked in advance.

For more information on The Secret Collection, visit www.renfrewshireleisure.com/thesecretcollection

10/12/2018/by Brian McGuire

THE chilly winds of winter might be blowing around Paisley, but youngsters can have some fun at an INDOOR BEACH that’s been created inside Paisley Museum.

Making sandcastles and playing beach games is just one of the activities being organised for the Farewell Frenzy, at the Museum.

Now that the Museum, Central Library and Coats Observatory are closed for major redevelopment, staff at Renfrewshire Leisure decided to have a final farewell bash with free activities such as board games, roller disco, Laser Quest, pop-up cinema, indoor sports activities, gaming, family ceilidh and a kids messy play area, along with the indoor beach.

The Farewell Frenzy starts on Friday, November 23 and goes on until Sunday, November 25 with activities taking place both during the day and in the evening.

Two sold out music gigs are also being staged in Paisley Central Library with Brick Lane studios and Loud ‘n’ Proud presenting Dogtooth, Uncut, Vera, The Spyres and Ghostbaby on Friday, November 23 between 6pm and 10pm. The following evening, between 6pm and 10pm The Vegan Leather, plus guests will also perform at Central Library.

Log on to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/farewellfrenzy for full details of these events.

Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure said: “It’s rather strange seeing Paisley Museum empty of all the fantastic exhibits and artefacts that have been there for many years.

“But before the work starts to refurbish the building, we thought we’d give kids and adults alike some fun by inviting them into the building for a whole host of different activities you wouldn’t normally find in a museum.”

The Farewell Frenzy is part of a bumper weekend of activities in Paisley town centre as it’s also the first weekend of the Paisley First’s Winterfest and the Paisley Winter Mela is being held in the Town Hall, on Sunday, November 25.

Paisley Central Library will move to a temporary home in early 2019 next to the Lagoon Leisure Centre before moving to the new learning and cultural hub being built on the High Street when it re-opens in 2021.

Public access PCs are available at the Paisley.Is offices at 5a High Street, Paisley. Library staff will be on-hand to assist visitors and the opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 8pm.

To access the Paisley Museum collections, you can book a tour of The Secret Collection, 9 High Street, Paisley on www.renfrewshireleisure.com . The Heritage Centre has now moved to Mile End Mill, Abbey Mill Studios, Seedhill Road, Paisley. Opening hours are Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat 9am to 5pm, Thursday 9am to 8pm.

The redevelopment work is part of a £42 million investment in Paisley town centre venues by Renfrewshire Council to support a wider push to use the town’s unique cultural and heritage assets to transform the area’s future and bring new footfall to the town centre.

That programme includes the transformation of Paisley Museum, which will reopen in 2022, a revamp of Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Arts Centre and a new learning and cultural hub on the High Street.

22/11/2018/by Brian McGuire

Paisley’s heritage collection has found a new home in one of the most iconic buildings in the town.

With Paisley’s Central Library and adjacent Museum closing as part of a multi-million refurbishment, the Heritage Centre has now opened in new premises – in the Abbey Mill Business Centre, housed in the former Mile End Mill, in Seedhill Road.

There’s a treasure trove of books, maps, archive newspapers and other resources to help research your family history and the local history of the area inside the bright and spacious area of Unit 907 on the ground floor of the business centre.

Opening hours are 9am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9am to 8pm on a Thursday and 9am to 5pm with an hour closed for lunch on a Saturday.

Fiona Naylor, Acting Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Leisure said: “The Heritage Centre is a great facility and service for people who want to find out about the history and culture of their area.

“The excellent staff at the Heritage Centre have also transferred to the new facility, at the former Mile End Mill, so it’s business as usual.”

Paisley Central Library will move to a temporary home in early 2019 next to the Lagoon Leisure Centre before moving to the new learning and cultural hub being built on the High Street when it re-opens in 2021.

Public access PCs are available at the Paisley.Is offices at 5a High Street, Paisley. Library staff will be on-hand to assist visitors and the opening hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 8pm.

The work is part of an investment in Paisley town centre venues by Renfrewshire Council to support a wider push to use the town’s unique cultural and heritage assets to transform the area’s future and bring new footfall to the town centre.

That programme includes the transformation of Paisley Museum, a revamp of Paisley Town Hall and Paisley Arts Centre and a new learning and cultural hub on the High Street.

09/11/2018/by Brian McGuire

The town centre was taken over by the ghoulish extravaganza, which is one of the major events as part of the Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

Around 500 young people and costumed performers took part in the parade, which wound its way through the town centre against a backdrop of historic steeples and spires and the 850-year-old Abbey.

The Photographs below were taken by Scottish Photography Productions and kindly allowed for use on paisley.org.uk

Year of Young People

A global first, YoYP 2018 is a part of the Scottish Government’s themed-year programme which focuses on celebrating Scotland’s greatest assets.

A year-long programme of events and festivals are taking place across the whole of the country for all ages to enjoy, led by EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. More information at www.visitscotland.com/yoyp2018

Paisley Halloween Festival is supported by the Year of Young People 2018 Event Fund, managed by EventScotland, part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate.

EventScotland is working with the events and festivals sector to develop an exciting portfolio of Year of Young People 2018 public-facing events which provide opportunities for young people to express themselves through a wide range of activity.

Local authorities, schools, youth groups and organisations are running their own YoYP 2018 activity. Search #YOYP2018 on Twitter for the latest news.

Young people co-designed the Year. A group of young leaders, Communic18, lead on all key decision making. More than 380 Ambassadors are championing activity.

The Year is delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and EventScotland – part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, Young Scot, Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and Creative Scotland.

More information can be found at yoyp2018.scot, searching @YOYP2018 #YOYP2018 on Twitter or by emailing yoyp2018@gov.scot

28/10/2018/by Brian McGuire

An estimated crowd of 34,000 flocked to Paisley for a Halloween spectacle this weekend with amazing floats, flying witches and a Mardi-Gras style parade.

The town centre was taken over by the ghoulish extravaganza, which is one of the major events as part of the Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

Around 500 young people and costumed performers took part in the parade, which wound its way through the town centre against a backdrop of historic steeples and spires and the 850-year-old Abbey.

Four enormous floats, designed and constructed by creative company Bridgeman Arts alongside Renfrewshire’s young people, delighted the crowds. A giant animatronic ‘Witch and Cauldron’, a ‘Day of the Dead’ funeral scene, an illuminated ‘Witch and Mushroom Patch’ and interactive ‘Pumpkin Patch Man’ captured the Halloween mood.

It could only have been topped by the spectacular aerial performance with a cast of witches suspended from Paisley Town Hall, while the crowds were also entertained by top-class performers on the live stage, such as Spark LED drummers.

A funfair and cinema screening of horror films added to the packed programme, while families enjoyed workshops including pumpkin carving and costume balls for all ages.

The festival, supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, was significantly enhanced for the themed year with a full town centre takeover.

Young people were at the heart of the Festival’s development, with a 20-strong Youth Panel working alongside Renfrewshire Council’s Events Team to design and deliver the programme, while more than 500 took part in a new creative learning programme. This offered the opportunity to participate in all aspects of festival delivery from performance to live event management and technical production.

Paisley Halloween Parade 2018 and flying witches

Schoolgirl Emma-Lee Campbell, 12, from Paisley, took part in the spectacular aerial display and said: “It’s been great fun and as well as making new friends, I’ve had opportunities to learn new things.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Paisley Halloween Festival has really raised the town’s profile and cemented its reputation as a place capable of staging unique, world class cultural events.

“It’s been wonderful to see so many people enjoying themselves in Paisley town centre during the two days of free events, while the festival itself has created amazing opportunities for our young people.

“In the Year of Young People, hundreds of young people have been involved in what is now one of the biggest events in Scotland, whether it be actually performing, working behind the scenes or coming along to one of our masterclasses and workshops.

“They took up more than 1,200 creative learning opportunities and have been able to work alongside three of Scotland’s top creative events companies to co-create an event that puts the spotlight on Paisley. Renfrewshire’s young people are the real stars of the show.”

Louisa Mahon, Renfrewshire Council’s Head of Communications, Marketing and Events, said: “This year’s Halloween Festival was our biggest and most spectacular to date and is now viewed as one of the top events of its kind nationwide.

“To have so many of our young people at the heart of the festival’s planning and staging as co-creators made it extra special and we have been delighted to have delivered such a major event in partnership with VisitScotland.

“I’d like to thank all of the young people and everyone else involved in making this year’s event such a huge success, whether by taking part or by coming along and enjoying the festival.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to have supported Paisley Halloween Festival as part of the Year of Young People 2018 celebrations. The festival provided so many fantastic opportunities for young people to show us what they are made of and those involved should be very proud of what they have achieved. Young people were integral to every aspect of the design and delivery of the festival, highlighting the skills and talent that our young people have and further reinforcing Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”

27/10/2018/by Brian McGuire

YoYP Champion Cllr Michelle Campbell with young people involved in the Halloween Festival

From soaring through the air as part of a witches aerial performance, creating spooky parade floats and working behind the scenes, more than 700 young people are at the centre of Paisley’s Halloween Festival.

Renfrewshire’s Year of Young People Champion, Councillor Michelle Campbell, met with some of the volunteers, mentees and Youth Panel members as the town gears up to welcome up to 30,000 visitors to the annual extravaganza this weekend, which is supported by the Year of Young People 2018.

YoYP Champion Cllr Michelle Campbell with young people involved in the festival

EmmaLee Campbell & Patrick Dochety with YoYP Champion Cllr Michelle Campbell

Leading creative companies aerial dance outfit All or Nothing, parade specialists Bridgeman Arts and pyro experts 21cc, have been working with local young people, while a 20-strong Youth Panel has been helping to create the event in tandem with Renfrewshire Council’s dedicated Events Team.

There have been 1,200 creative learning opportunities offered by the spectacle, which is supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.

Young people have attended masterclasses and workshops and are involved in every aspect, from performance to live event management and technical production.

Around 500 young people will also take part in a Mardi-Gras style parade this Saturday, which will start winding its way through the town centre at 6pm, passing lighting installations and haunting soundscapes along the way.

There will be a series of three separate aerial performances with flying witches suspended 120 feet above the Town Hall from 7pm onwards, making sure no one misses the spectacle.

Year of Young People Champion, Councillor Michelle Campbell said: “Young people are at the very heart of this event and it’s been great to hear about all the different opportunities and experiences they’ve been able to access through taking part.

“As co-creators of the festival, they’ve been able to have their say on every aspect of the event, from the design through to the actual technical production.

“They’ve also been able to develop and showcase their skills through performing or behind the scenes work, and it’s been great to hear how the experience is helping to set many of them on the path to pursue related careers.

“The creative learning programme will help those who would like to become involved professionally in organising large-scale future events like this weekend’s festival.

“It’s also been wonderful to hear how many of the young people are also using the opportunity to be involved towards earning volunteer awards like the Saltire Awards and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.”

“Renfrewshire’s young people are very impressive and have blossomed being part of this event.”

Some of those taking part will also receive a special legacy ‘Spirit of Halloween’ award at Renfrewshire Council youth services’ Positive about Youth Awards in December.

Patrick Docherty, 16, is taking part in the aerial display and said: “It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve had the opportunity to do things I would never have thought of.

“It’s good to be challenged and learning new skills has made me feel more confident. I’ve also made lots of new friends.”

There will be a packed programme of free family fun in the lead up to the parade, including themed workshops, a live stage and a funfair.

The full programme for the Paisley Halloween Festival 2018 is available at: https://paisley.is/featured_event/paisley-halloween-festival-2018/

26/10/2018/by Brian McGuire