Paisley Photographs

Renfrewshire experienced a Spotless September as hundreds of volunteers joined the Team Up to Clean Up campaign once again, with the aim of making their community a little brighter.

The now annual Spotless September event saw 1,233 bags of litter removed from the local environment as 225 litter picks were undertaken by dedicated volunteers and community groups – equating to more than seven litter picks every day throughout the month of September.

Volunteers took to the streets in almost every community in Renfrewshire, including Erskine, Renfrew, Paisley, Johnstone, Bishopton, Houston, Bridge of Weir Foxbar, Elderslie, Inchinnan, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch – and some even took to the water to clean the River Cart in Paisley.

Erskine volunteer Stephen Hughes said: “I really just wish people would stop dropping litter and take more pride in where they live, especially our school children.

“I would rather be doing something else with my time, but I really do value living in a clean and attractive neighbourhood and helping clean up keeps me busy and active.

“The Team Up to Clean Up Facebook community is also a pleasure to be part of, it’s great to see so many people making a difference.”

Working with the community, Renfrewshire Council provided volunteers with litter pickers, bibs, bags and any other safety equipment they required, and volunteers were provided with health and safety advice for carrying out litter picks, including group sizes and physical distancing.

The council’s StreetScene team took away the collected rubbish too and this took place alongside the council’s increased litter picking, gully clearing and road sweeping which forms a key part of the Team Up to Clean Up campaign.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “What a month it has been and another fantastic Spotless September.

“While the current situation meant we couldn’t hold any large-scale events, it’s been heartening to see the desire of our Team Up to Clean community to continue making a difference.

“Hundreds of volunteers have headed out on their own or in small groups to clear hundreds of bags of litter from our communities and each with the same goal of making Renfrewshire a better place to live, work and visit.

“We’re working hard to change the mindset of those who think it’s acceptable to litter so please let’s keep working together to make Renfrewshire litter-free.”

The award-winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign has grown substantially since it was launched in 2017 and now boasts more than 1,500 members in its online Facebook community group.

The campaign brings the council and community together to help tackle littering, dog fouling and a range of other environmental issues and the joint approach continues to thrive in Renfrewshire.

For more information on the campaign, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.

05/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley History, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

Bid to capture Paisley Town Hall memories for future generations

PEOPLE are being given the chance to record their memories of Paisley Town Hall in a unique book that will be read by future generations.

Artist and filmmaker Kevin Cameron has been commissioned by Renfrewshire Leisure to create a book as part of a time capsule about the Town Hall.

Kevin has created a Facebook page and is urging people to post their memories of Paisley Town Hall that will be used as one of the chapters in the time capsule’s book.

The Paisley Town Hall Time Capsule is being created as part of the work to preserve the much-loved building’s place at the heart of the town by transforming the facilities on offer inside the Victorian landmark.

The time capsule will be placed under the floor of the North Minor Hall, within Paisley Town Hall.

Kevin explains: “I’d love to hear anyone who has a special memory of the Town Hall, whether it involved a dance, or concert held there, a first date, wedding, formal dinner, graduation or a special event.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Renfrewshire to become part of history and to share their memories with future generations and tell what the Town Hall means to them.”

Kevin, who is being supported in the project by Renfrewshire Leisure’s film producer, Richard Weeks, added: “The Town Hall is steeped in history and the popular culture of Paisley and Renfrewshire.

“Music star, Paolo Nutini was discovered by his first manager when he gave an impromptu performance on the Town Hall stage while hundreds of teenagers were waiting for Fame Academy TV show winner, David Sneddon to appear. It would be great to hear from people who were in the audience that day.

“And thousands of football fans turned up at the Town Hall to see the victorious St Mirren team arrived there on an open-topped bus when they won the Scottish Cup in 1987. I’m sure that memory remains with everyone who was there that day.”

Go to www.facebook.com/PTHTimeCapsule/ to post your memories of Paisley Town Hall and your story could end up being read by someone in the future.

The refurbishment of the Town Hall is one of the key projects within Renfrewshire Council’s £100 million investment in venues and infrastructure, as part of a wider plan to use the town’s unique heritage and cultural assets to transform its future.

That includes the transformation of Paisley Museum into a world-class visitor attraction showcasing the town’s internationally-significant collections and story, and a new Learning and Cultural Hub bringing library services to a formerly-vacant unit at the heart of Paisley High Street.

05/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

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

Being Kind Online!

This is wee follow up to my TikTok Q&A post. I’m sure that everyone has received a hate comment at some time on their social media! (**Beware some bad Language**)

I’m in a lucky position that with a large number of followers, I have a platform where I can hopefully turn a negative situation into a motivational and positive one.

Here is a video Kristen made that highlights cyberbullying on her Youtube Channel

R U OK ? – Bullying & Mental Health Short Film (Kara’s Story)

I’ll give you an example. Recently I posted a ‘Glow Up Video’. In TikTok, that means showing clips of myself, 2 years ago, 1 year ago, 6 months ago and now. It’s meant to be light-hearted, laughing at myself and basically look how much I’ve changed. Scrolling down the comments, lovely comments, funny comments and then, Bam …. ‘U get uglier’

@.kristenscott2yrs ago was tragic♬ original sound – kristen scott❤️

99% of the time I would just shrug and move on. But I decided this time to tackle this head-on. I screenshot the comment, unsurprisingly now deleted and put it on a video:- the content went on the lines of – Oh well! I think you’re really pretty. In fact I don’t think anyone is ugly, we are all unique. Maybe be careful what you say online as words can hurt.

Not my most viral video, but with 70,000 views hopefully at least one person will think twice about posting that kind of comment.

Anti-bullying is one of many things I like to use my socials to speak out about. I’m a little bit older now, but I worry about my younger followers and how this kind of negativity could affect their mental health.

Back in November 2019, I was invited by the 9th Paisley Guides (my old guides) to talk about internet safety. I think it was really worthwhile for everybody. What I really wanted to get across was :- Think before you type anything online, don’t say anything that you think could upset someone and don’t say anything that you wouldn’t like somebody to say to you. And if you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face in real life, just don’t say it! Once something is online, even if you delete it, it could have been shared or screenshot so it’s too late to take it back.

Social media is such a modern phenomenon. Education in the basics of how to behave online, in my opinion, should be part of the school curriculum.

I’m hoping to cover some more issues like this. Comment on the Paisley social media posts if there are topics you would like me to cover.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, and turn post notifications on, so you can be early seeing my next post on

https://www.paisley.org.uk/

Instagram:- @kristenscott101

TikTok:- @.kristenscott

Youtube channel:- https://youtube.com/channel/UC9Bq7pkky1gZQHTOm1ZZQOw

03/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

Announcement, Blog, Foxbar, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley History, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Volunteers

West Region Scouts launches Save Lapwing Lodge Appeal

Lapwing Lodge is the cradle of a million Scouting memories, but its very future is in serious doubt due to the Covid crisis.

Tonight, West Region Scouts is launching an appeal to raise at least £25,000 to keep the iconic outdoor education and activity centre open until June 2021 when we hope activities will open again as normal.

A series of fundraising initiatives have started in a bid to keep the centre open.

Members of the Scouting family are being asked to consider giving a regular sum of money for a short period of time to keep Lapwing open.

Lapwing sits at the top of Gleniffer Braes in Paisley and has been used by tens of thousands of Scouts as well as community groups and businesses for decades. It boasts indoor accommodation and facilities as well as outdoor facilities such as the high ropes, climbing walls and water activities on Caplaw Dam.

In recent years the addition of “Hobbit Houses” has enhanced the centre along with the newly-opened Peesweep Hall indoor games area.

Iain McNair, District Commissioner for Paisley and District, is heading up the Lapwing Appeal on behalf of West Region.

He said: “Lapwing Lodge is firmly embedded in the culture and history of Scouting in Scotland and it has hosted countless adventures over the years.

“With the onset of Covid the centre closed at what would have been its busiest period of the year and the income stopped immediately. We have looked at all funding options, Government support and ways to cut costs but the harsh reality is that if we don’t raise £25,000, Lapwing Lodge will close its doors and a vital outdoor resource will be lost, perhaps forever.”

Members of the Scouting family are being asked to create a Standing Order of just £10 a month for nine months. If all our members did this the centre would be saved. However, we appreciate that these are difficult times for many people and that this may not be affordable for everyone. One-off fundraising initiatives will also be held over the next few months in a bid to make up the total. Gift Aid will be reclaimed on every donation and payment to boost the funds coming in.

“Lapwing is already open for restricted outdoor events, but it won’t be enough to save it,” Iain added.

“The hope is that by June 2021 the Covid crisis will be over and we can get back to relying on our income from the many Scouting and other groups who use the centre normally. We have an opportunity in West Region to show what this brilliant facility means to us and I hope as many people as possible do what they can to support it.”

If you are able to set up a Standing Order the following details should be used:

West Region Scout Council

Acc No: 00795500

Sort Code: 80-91-27

Ref: Lapwing Appeal

03/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

ReMode Events

Outdoor screen-printing workshop – T-shirt slogans

What do you want to say? Design and create your own slogan, or choose an existing template to print on a T-shirt using screen printing techniques. No experience necessary, all equipment provided. Workshops take place outside in the backcourt of our Paisley shop. Wear weatherproof clothing!

Saturday 3rd October 1 pm – 2 pm or 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm Bring along your own T-shirt to upcycle or choose from our stock to create a unique design to take away with you. £5. BOOKING ESSENTIAL – places limited to allow for social distancing. Book via our website www.remodeyouth/whatson

Grasping the nettle! – A Facebook Live event

A half hour guided studio tour showing the process of transforming nettles from plant fibre to a knitted sample. ReMode’s Creative Director Gillian Steel in conversation with Peter Livingstone from EADHA Enterprises.

Thursday 8^th October 7.30pm https://www.facebook.com/remodeyouth/

02/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

FUN lovers of all ages are in for a treat thanks to the Arts Team at Renfrewshire Leisure.

As part of the Fun Palaces Weekend, on October 3 and 4, the team are launching an online Creative Activity Map for Renfrewshire – sharing all the ideas and activities dreamt up by their creative community partners for their Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire programme.

By logging on to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/creative-activity-map from this weekend people can discover an array of things to make or do; including how to make a cardboard guitar, create twisted braids with scraps of wool or make up a dance using the letters of their name.

Whatever people find on the Creativity Map that they would like to try out, they’re being urged to have a go and share what they make, by posting on social media using the #TinyRevolutionsRen or taking a photo and sending it to artsteam@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

People are also being urged to include their postcode with their photographs so their pictures can be added back into the map to build up a picture of creativity across Renfrewshire.

The Creative Activity Map for Renfrewshire is part of Fun Palaces 2020 – a free, nationwide campaign for culture at the heart of community and community at the heart of culture.

Each Fun Palaces event celebrates the unique skills and passions of local people – run by, for and with the local community.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “We all need a bit of fun in our lives and our Creative Activity Map will give families the chance to have just that.

‘If you do join in, we’d love it if you’d share your creations with us, so we can show just how creative Renfrewshire is.’

Visual Arts Projects Producer, Kate Drummond said: “Launching the Creative Activity Map for Renfrewshire celebrates the breadth of partnerships and the involvement of artists and organisations from across the region in our Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire programme. Ideas for simple, fun, creative projects have been shared with us by Kairos Women’s Group, WhoCaresScotland, STAR Project, Erskine Arts, Right2Dance, ReMode, local NHS Arts groups and the Foxbar Men’s and Women’s Sheds.

“Being part of the UK-wide Fun Palaces project quite literally puts Renfrewshire on the creative map.”

Fun Palaces are events that bring together arts, science, craft, tech, digital, heritage and sports activities – but above all PEOPLE – to work together, create together, have FUN together, and in doing so, connect our own communities, from the grassroots up.

Since 2014 a total of 1758 Fun Palaces have been made across the UK and worldwide by over 40,000 local people (‘Makers’) with 560,000 people taking part. This year will be the seventh Fun Palaces weekend.

01/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

The Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has opened a flu vaccination centre at St Mirren Park for those in Renfrewshire eligible for the flu vaccination.

The flu centre is located in the West Stand with access available at Drums Avenue gate.

Every year in Scotland, thousands of people are hospitalised with flu. It can be serious and life threatening, so getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself.

With COVID-19 still with us and cases on the increase, it is vital that people’s safety is the highest priority. The facility at St Mirren Park will enable the HSCP to manage the increased number of people they need to vaccinate this year, while giving them more ability to safely control the flow of people through the vaccination process.

St Mirren Chief Executive Tony Fitzpatrick visited the facility this morning to receive his vaccination. He said: “St Mirren Football Club is delighted to make St Mirren Park available to Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership for its flu vaccination programme.

“Having the flu centre located at St Mirren Park will allow the Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership to provide the safest possible way to deliver their service in these difficult times.”

For more information on the flu centre please visit http://www.renfrewshire.hscp.scot/Flu

Below: Tony receives his vaccination at the St Mirren flu centre

01/10/2020/by Brian McGuire

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

SCOT CANCER WAITING TIMES – CRUK RESPONSE

Please find Cancer Research UK’s response to today’s cancer treatment waiting times statistics published by Public Health Scotland. These latest figures show that 1526 fewer patients (23%) in Scotland started treatment for cancer compared to the same time last year.

The report also tells us that only 84.1% of patients with an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer started treatment within 62 days during the last quarter April to June 2020. The target is 95 per cent.

This compares to 82.4% of patients with an urgent referral for a suspicion of cancer starting treatment at the same time last year. While the proportion of patients being seen has remained stable, the drop in the number of people being seen is of concern.

Our tweet in response to this report can be found @CRUKscotland here.

Marion O’Neill, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: “This report, which covers the period when the UK first went into lockdown, shows there was a sharp fall in the number of patients who started cancer treatment. This was when many cancer services were paused.

“These figures also show us that, even with fewer people being referred, the target was still missed and too many people were waiting too long for treatment to start.

“The growing backlog of people waiting is very worrying and must be tackled as a matter of urgency. The early diagnosis of cancer can significantly improve someone’s chances of survival.

“With a second wave of COVID-19 likely, everything possible must be done so patient care doesn’t suffer and waiting lists don’t get longer. This will require innovation as well as further investment in staff and equipment.

“Patients also need to feel confident of their safety so routine COVID-19 testing for all NHS staff working in cancer diagnosis and treatment areas is essential.”

29/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

CREATIVITY can improve young people’s well-being and help them overcome loneliness and isolation.

That’s the message from youth arts charity, CREATE Paisley which is hosting its second one-day Open Mind Summit, on Friday, October 9.

The free online event will feature a keynote speaker, panel discussions and workshops, exploring the role of creativity and culture in improving the well-being of young people and children – especially with new challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

CREATE Paisley developed the Open Mind Summit in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure, Kibble Education and Care Centre and the University West of Scotland by bringing together young people, educators, artists, researchers, youth workers and funders.

Last year’s summit attracted attendances from all over the West of Scotland.

Alan Clark, founder of CREATE, said ‘Young people need our support more than ever before. During the last few months, we’ve heard of so many young people who have struggled with feelings of isolation, lack of hope or have had to face a lot of uncertainty. They’ve experienced a worldwide pandemic, on-going climate crisis and confusion over exam results. This has impacted a lot of young people’s wellbeing.

“The Summit this year gives us a space to celebrate some of the amazing creative engagement over the last few months, how that’s brought young people together, as well as a space to look ahead and ensure young people’s voices are central to how we move forward.”

This year’s online Summit hosts a line up including keynote speaker, Steven McLeish, who is an internationally-known speaker and spoken word artist.

Steven will share his story and a message of hope with a focus of combating mental health and social issues, including dyslexia, depression and anxiety.

Panel sessions will cover various related topics from creative approaches to overcoming isolation to how children and young people’s voices are central to our changed world.

Other workshops will include Generation Scotland sharing their findings from their TeenCovidLife research and Malcolm Hamilton, creative director of Mufti Games leading a session on involving young people in decision making through playful consultation, evaluation and active citizenship.

Renfrewshire Leisure chairperson, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “The health and well-being of our young people is extremely important – especially in the current situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“This online summit will be a very useful tool and learning experience for both the organisations and groups who support young people with their mental health, but also young people themselves, giving them a better idea of how to deal with the issues they may face.

“Many creative minds will be coming together in this summit to explore young people’s well-being.”

The Open Mind Summit 2020 is funded by Renfrewshire Council and delivered in partnership with Renfrewshire Leisure and Create Paisley as part of Future Paisley. Future Paisley is radical and wide-ranging programme of events, activities and investments using the town’s unique and internationally significant cultural stories to transform its future.

Although the event is free, anyone interested should sign up to the Open Mind Summit in advance at http://www.openmindsummit.com/.

28/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

Blog, economy, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Jobs, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Shopping, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

ReCycle or Dye

ReCycle or Dye – classes for 12 – 17 year olds

Fun and creative sessions where you’ll learn to adapt and make your own clothes! Two blocks of weekly classes taking place in person at our Paisley shop.

Tuesdays 7pm – 9pm 6 weeks starting 29^th September

Creative Upcycling – led by guest designed Niki Taylor. Bring along your own garments to upcycle, or choose from ReMode’s stock.

Thursdays 4pm – 6pm 6 weeks starting 1^st October

Shirt Making – led by ReMode’s Carolyn Edmondson – learn to make a shirt from scratch using upcycled fabrics. No experience necessary

£12 for 6 session course. BOOKING ESSENTIAL – class size restricted to allow for social distancing. Book via our website www.remodeyouth/whatson

23/09/2020/by Brian McGuire

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