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STAR Project awarded £20,000 to create wellbeing labyrinth in Paisley park

A project to build a labyrinth designed to improve wellbeing and mental health in a Paisley park has received support from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund.

The STAR Project has been awarded £20,000 from the fund to build the labyrinth in Fountains Gardens. A community asset transfer for the site is currently underway.

It follows the group’s successful Labyrinth of Light project earlier this year, which highlighted the benefits walking labyrinths can have on mental health and wellbeing. The group will carry out a piece of research as part of the new labyrinth project which aims to provide further evidence that creativity can help reduce mental health symptoms.

The funding will allow building work on the labyrinth, which is being designed by artist Jim Buchanan, to begin.

The group hopes the new art installation, which is being created in partnership with Create Paisley, Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) and Engage Renfrewshire, will open to the public in the autumn.

Sharon McAuley, Project Manager at The STAR Project, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. For us, this project is about using creativity to improve wellbeing and involving the community in creating a beautiful piece of public art that will become an asset.

“We’ve never created anything this permanent or huge before. Walking the labyrinth will promote health and people being in green spaces, tap into our heritage and history, and improve community wellbeing.

“It will leave an ongoing legacy. I think people who take part in the labyrinth will feel better able to overcome their barriers and realise more of their potential, it will build resilience and wellbeing and increase the sense of pride and belonging in the community.”

The final labyrinth design will incorporate the Paisley Pattern and wildflowers as well as stones that have been painted and decorated by the local community.

A number of groups have already expressed an interest in using the labyrinth for activities and Sharon hopes it will also attract tourists to Paisley.

She added: “I think this project will be really exciting. The labyrinth will improve an area that’s not used hugely because of where it is in Fountain Gardens and will encourage visitors.

“There is a worldwide labyrinth locator and people do travel all over the world to visit them so I think it will bring in more visitors to Paisley.”

The £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund was set up in 2018 and provides grants to community groups that want to take over ownership and the running of a publicly owned building or piece of land in their local area through Community Asset Transfer. It is currently in its sixth round of funding, with applications to the seventh round of the fund closing on Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board, said: “This is a fantastic project that will have lasting benefits for the people of Renfrewshire.

“We launched this fund in 2018 because we wanted to work with community groups and empower them to transform their local areas. This project is a great example of what can be done when a group works with local people to find a creative approach to address an issue like mental health which is becoming more prevalent in today’s society.”

STAR Project was not the only group to receive money in the latest round of the Community Empowerment Fund. Paisley Opera also received £6,700 to develop a business plan to create a community hub and rehearsal space in the East End of Paisley, while the 18th Paisley & District (Coats) Scout Group and Foxbar Community Garden & Environmental Projects Group were each awarded £10,000 to carry out feasibility studies into new community facilities in Foxbar.

To find out how to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund. If you want to find out more about the fund or you have an idea you would like to discuss before applying, contact Kellie Miller, Community Empowerment Lead, on 0141 618 3920.

For more information about mental health services in Renfrewshire, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/2473/Mental-health.

20/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Glasgow, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley East End, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Whitehaugh

Paisley Opera proposal to turn ex-army barracks into community hub receives Community Empowerment funding

A proposal to turn an ex-army barracks into a community hub and rehearsal space has received funding from Renfrewshire Council.

Paisley Opera has been awarded £6,700 from the council’s Community Empowerment Fund to carry out a commercial building survey, community consultation and develop a business plan for the former Whitehaugh Barracks in the East End of Paisley.

Whitehaugh Barracks

The group, which currently rehearses in church halls across Paisley, launched two years ago with the aim of introducing opera music to people who would not normally listen to it. It now has over 50 members in its community chorus and is working with local schools to start a children’s chorus.

Pat Kelly, Treasurer of Paisley Opera, said: “Having this facility in the East End of Paisley would be fabulous for us.

“We’ve been successful at getting people to sing with us over the last couple of years, we’ve generates a fair amount of interest and our two full-scale performances have been very well received and attended. What we need now is a space where we can rehearse.”

Paisley Opera now intends to carry out a commercial building survey to check the building is suitable for their purposes before consulting with the community on their plans for the ex-barracks. The group will also have to apply for a Community Asset Transfer for the plans to go ahead.

whitehaugh barracks

Pat added: “We don’t want this building for ourselves, we want it to be a facility for people of all ages in the area.

“We want to carry out a community consultation to see what the people of Paisley really want to do with this building and whether they support our ideas. We’ve got a list of what we think people would like but, at the end of the day, it’s the community that will decide what goes in there. We have the expertise in-house to manage the building but we’ll be guided by what the community want to do with it.

“We are very excited about the project, it’s perfect for our purposes. If configured properly, it could be a very welcoming place.”

The £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund was set up in 2018 and provides grants to community groups that want to take over ownership and the running of a publicly owned building or piece of land in their local area through Community Asset Transfer. It is currently in its sixth round of funding, with applications to the seventh round of the fund closing on Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing & Planning Policy Board, said: “I’m delighted Paisley Opera has received this funding from the Community Empowerment Fund.

“The work the group is doing to introduce children and adults in Renfrewshire to opera music is fantastic. This money will allow them to expand their work while also creating a new hub that will make a difference to the lives of local people in Paisley’s East End.”

Paisley Opera was not the only group to receive money in the latest round of the Community Empowerment Fund. The STAR Project also received £20,000 to build a labyrinth in Fountain Gardens in Paisley, while the 18th Paisley & District (Coats) Scout Group and Foxbar Community Garden & Environmental Projects Group were each awarded £10,000 to carry out feasibility studies into new community facilities in Foxbar.

To find out how to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund. If you want to find out more about the fund or you have an idea you would like to discuss before applying, contact Kellie Miller, Community Empowerment Lead, on 0141 618 3920.

20/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire

Mark will do Paisley 10k and keep on running!

MARK Kirkham has pledged to keep on running even after he crossed the finishing line in Sunday’s Paisley 10k Race, tomorrow. (Sunday, August 18)

The exiled Paisley Buddie returns to his home town in a bid to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

But his lung-bursting efforts won’t stop there, as he aims to complete an amazing 50 10k races during his 50^th year to raise £50,000 for the charity.

Mark who turned 50 in May, lives in Pembrokeshire, Wales and the Paisley 10k is race number 16 in his year-long bid to give the charity a good run for their money.

The former Sacred Heart pupil, who grew up in Ferguslie and Dykebar areas of the town, decided to raise money for the charity after they helped both his mum, Maura and dad, Billy before they sadly died from cancer several years ago.

Mark said: “I’ve wanted to do something to say thanks to Macmillan Cancer Support for being there for both my parents in the last stage of their lives.

“The charity provided support and comfort, not just for my mum and dad, but also for my family during these times and beyond.

“They gave us all kinds of support from physically helping, giving advice to access other forms of support, right down to offering a shoulder to cry on.”

And he revealed it was a 50^th birthday gift from his sister, Sharon that led to him travelling the 300 miles to take part in the Paisley 10k.

“Sharon bought me a ticket to see The Cure when they play Glasgow this Friday.|” he explains. “And when I discovered that the Paisley 10k was only two days later, I thought I would include the Paisley 10k as one of my 50 races.

“I only moved to Wales four years ago, so I know the 10k Race course very well and I hope to complete the run in around 50 minutes.”

Renfrewshire Leisure is organising the Paisley 10k and Fun Run, which has the Armed Forces veterans’ charity, Erskine as the official charity partner.

Mark will be joined in the race by Paisley Buddies, Elaine Allan, Craig Corbett and Alan Coombes, who are also raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

And if anyone would like to sponsor Mark, they can pledge money on his JustGiving Pagewww.justgiving.com/fundraising/50at50for50 .

19/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Iconic, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire

How to start getting fitter !

If you are just starting out and struggling with your overall goal and finding it difficult. Try to slow it down instead of trying to change everything at once take things one step at a time , break it down and once a new habit is in place add another.

1/Focus on your food. Try to eat single ingredient foods and home-cooked regular meals. Create a small calorie deficit and try to build a routine.

2/Improve your sleep. Sleep has a big role in performance, recovery, mood and adherence to any plan . So work on getting enough sleep. – –

3/Make exercise a habit. You don’t need to try and commit to five-six days a week, make time to exercise once/twice a week, and as your fitness improves and your lifestyle changes momentum will pick up and you will be training every day before you know it. Even 20-30 minutes a day is a start. Make time!

4/Stick to a simple plan . The basics will always work best! Keep your plan simple and easy to follow. Get good at the basic exercises that will be best suited towards your goal. I would suggest learning and working on your compound lifts.

5/Progressive overload Make sure that you are progressing with your plan and lifts, you should be getting stronger. Increase your weights whenever you are hitting your desired reps of weight easily, this will ensure you are putting the correct amount of stress on the muscle for progression.

6/Permanent Change. Once you have made a small change over time it will be easier to make it a long-lasting change and all the small changes will add up to being able to achieve your overall goal. Be consistent and patient.

For more information making a change to your diet or nutrition and for all personal training enquiries email briansheapt@gmail.com or DM direct –

#fitness #weightloss #fatloss #personaltraining #nutrition #iconic #paisley #iconicpaisley

19/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

The Hollywood star of the Highlander movies, actor Christopher Lambert on Saturday revealed he feels like an adopted Scot.

Lambert was at the Glasgow Film and Comic Con event held at intu Brahead where he met fans, posed for photographs and signed autographs.

He said: “After appearing in Highlander with Sean Connery I feel like an adopted Scot. I just love coming to Scotland and it’s great to be back.

“When we were on set, Sean would talk about Scotland all the time and he even taught me how to speak like a real Scot.”

The Film and Comic Con event at intu Braehead attracted thousands of people from all over the country.

And there were even a few visitors from a galaxy far, far away!

Shoppers must have thought they had walked through the doors of the popular shopping centre straight on to the set of a sci-fi movie.

They were met with the sight of characters from all kinds of films, TV shows and comics having a look round the shops.

More than 5000 visitors are expected to turn out for the Film and Comic Con Glasgow event being held in The Arena at intu Braehead, over the weekend.

Comic Con, INTU Breahead, Glasgow Scotland

Many fans were dressed in the costumes of their favourite sci-fi characters and they certainly caught the attention of shoppers in and around the malls.

They also flocked to hundreds of stalls set up in The Arena to snap up movie memorabilia and sought-after rare comics.

The event continues today (Sunday) and marketing manager for intu Braehead, David Lyon said: “We welcome everyone to intu Braehead – even Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers.

“We look forward to the Film and Comic Con event coming to intu Braehead every year, as it makes for a fantastic spectacle with the fans dressed in amazing costumes.

“You just never know who you’re going to bump into when you’re out in the malls.”

19/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Thousands of runners turned up in Paisley Town Centre this morning to run the 10k and Fun Run, the annual event is getting bigger each year and we were lucky to have our Photographer David Cameron on the scene to capture the hard work all the runners have put in which accumulated today.

18/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

THE streets of Paisley were filled with thousands of runners (Sunday August 18) competing in the town’s annual 10k Road Race and Fun Run.

A total of 3431 runners took part in the two events, organised by Renfrewshire Leisure.
From serious athletes to fun runners in fancy dress, they pounded the streets around the town.

Both the Paisley 10k and Fun Run were sponsored by sports and outdoors retailer, Decathlon and this year’s official charity partner was the Armed Forces veterans’ charity, Erskine.

There were 1983 people running in the 10k Race and 1448 in the Fun Run.

Many of the fun runners were also sponsored to raise much-needed funds for local charities, clubs and good causes with several entire football teams of youngsters taking part.

This year’s Paisley 10k race had more than £2000 in prize money up for grabs and trophies were presented to boys and girls fun run winners, aged seven and under, eight to 12 years old and 12 to 15 year olds.

The Paisley 10k Race men’s winner was Sean Fontana, from Inverclyde AC with a time of 31 minutes 40 seconds. Second place in the men’s race went to John Bell, from Invercyde AC, with a time of 31 minutes 46 seconds and third was Alasdair McLeod, from Shettleston Harriers with a time of 32 minutes 19 seconds.

The women’s 10k Race winner was Morag Millar, from Central AC with a time of 35 minutes 26 seconds. Second was Gemma Rankin, from Kilbarchan AAC with a time of 35 minutes 47 seconds and third was Lorna Young, from Leeds City AC with a time of 35 minutes 54 seconds.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “Once again the Paisley 10k has attracted a high calibre of athlete along with hundreds of other runners who have been training hard for months.

“And it was great to see so many fun runners of all ages pounding the streets of Paisley with lots of money being raised for various charities and good causes.

“The event is a great day for everyone involved, especially the families who take part in the races, or come along to support the runners.”

18/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

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

They’re back Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim!

The Old Firm fans Billy and Tim are back with the hilarious new sequel, Singin’ I’m No a Billy He’s a Tim 2, written by the award winning Des Dillon.

The show is coming to Johnstone Town Hall on Friday 27 September at 7.30pm. Log on to www.renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve.com to buy tickets.

Scotland’s most lovable rival football fans make a bet that backfires in spectacular fashion during the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. Throw in a wee Gallus ghost on a mission from God and Polish nurse with a short fuse and watch the comedy unfold.

This will be the first ever national tour for the production, having only ever been shown once previously at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. The tour is not only being produced and directed by Chris Taylor but he will also be taking on the role of Tim once again.

Chris says “It’s been a pretty manic few months but I’m loving every minute of it. I’ve got so much faith in Des’s script it helps ease a lot of the pressure. Also, we have a really strong cast with Gary Morrison as Billy, Neil Bratchpiece (The Bam Whisperer/Scot Squad) as the ghost, and the fantastic Zofia Sokolowicz as the nurse. In fact, Zofia is flying all the way from Poland just to play the role.

“I’m really looking forward working with them all and getting this great show out to the masses across the country. It’s selling really well already and we have been constantly adding more shows, so it’s great to see the love for Billy and Tim is still there.

“And I can say with confidence that if you liked the original then you will be in bits at this one. It’s one of the funniest shows I’ve ever been involved in”.

Chris and the team will be performing at 16 venues across the country during September.

16/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Four groups from across Renfrewshire are set to receive £50,000 as part of the first wave of applications recommended for approval from a £1.87million fund created by Renfrewshire Council.

Councillors will consider five applications to the Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund, totalling £209,088, to help improve and development community green spaces in Renfrewshire.

Upgrading and installing new play equipment has been a key priority for local groups, although the fund does encourage applications for all aspects of green spaces to improve their look, feel and usability.

Applications for the maximum allocation of £50,000 set to be considered are:

A brand-new zip slide, outdoor gymnasium, skateboard ramps, football goals and junior play area in Howwood Public Park.
New all-inclusive play equipment chosen by local children in Queen’s Road Play Park in Elderslie.
An enhanced play area within Glencoats Park as part of the first phase of improvements planned by local group Pals of the Privies.
New dynamic, exciting play equipment in Skye Crescent Play Park in Glenburn which will be inclusive for all young people.

An application of £9088 from Friends of Knockhill Park will also be considered to install a new expression swing for young parents and carers to use with their little ones, as well as new picnic benches and seating in the park.

Langcraigs Parent Council have been awarded £4875 to establish an all-hours accessible play park within the school grounds which will have a mini football pitch, basketball nets and other playground games.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “These projects will make a huge difference to the local area if they are approved and we’ll continue to work with local groups to ensure their applications fit the criteria required and will benefit their local community.

“The fund gives people the opportunity to shape the development of their local parks and green spaces and carry out improvements that, using their local knowledge, will be of most benefit to the community.

“If you have an idea which fits the bill, please get in contact with the team and we’ll support you to make your application for future awards from this £1.87million fund.”

The Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund aims to regenerate and make physical and environmental improvements to areas across Renfrewshire identified by the local community.

Awards from the fund will assist in bringing in external funding, increase community participation in local areas and encourage the process of transferring assets to local communities.

Each application must show it has consulted the local community to ensure there is a need and desire for the project and that it would improve community life.

£370,000 has been ringfenced from the overall £1.87million fund specifically for investment in Renfrewshire’s villages, through the Villages Investment Fund, and applications must show that they will strengthen the unique identity, heritage and character of village life.

For more information and to find out how to apply, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.

15/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Four community groups in Renfrewshire are set to receive a share of over £45,000 in the next wave of funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund.

Councillors will consider applications from groups including The STAR Project and Paisley Opera at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board next Tuesday (20 August).

Applications recommended for approval include a request from The STAR Project for £20,000 to create a new labyrinth in Fountains Gardens, Paisley. A community asset transfer for the labyrinth site is currently underway.

Other applications being considered include a request for £10,000 from the 18th Paisley & District (Coats) Scout Group to carry out a feasibility study to find a suitable location for a new purpose-built Scout group and community facility in Foxbar.

Foxbar Community Garden & Environmental Projects Group has applied for £10,000 to support the development of a business plan to create a community garden and local hub facilities on the site of the demolished St Paul’s Primary in Foxbar.

And Paisley Opera has applied for £6,700 to carry out a community consultation and develop a business plan to create a rehearsal space and Community Hub in the East End of Paisley.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Renfrewshire is a thriving place, full of creative, passionate and innovative people and these project showcase that.

“We launched this fund in 2018 because we wanted to work with community groups and empower them to transform their local areas. I know these projects will make a big difference to their local areas and Renfrewshire if they are approved.”

The £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund provides grants to community groups that want to take over ownership and the running of a publicly owned building or piece of land in their local area through Community Asset Transfer. It is currently in its sixth round of funding, with applications to the seventh round of the fund closing on Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Councillor McGurk added: “I would encourage anyone who is interested in taking ownership of a public building or piece of land in their local area and transforming it to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund. Your project could change the lives of people in your community.”

For more information and to find out how to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund.

15/08/2019/by Brian McGuire