Paisley Visitor Attractions Archives

Glasgow Airport and Emirates will make Scottish aviation history with the first arrival of the A380 aircraft, which touched down at 19.45 on Tuesday, April 16.

Last week saw the first the time world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft which has been introduced to scheduled service in Scotland. Glasgow Airport has invested more than £8m upgrading its infrastructure to welcome the iconic aircraft, including the introduction of Scotland’s only triple airbridge.

Video of the Aircraft arriving via social media on our Facebook page.

24/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Paisley, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, St Mirren FC

Family Entertainment on a new Level at St Mirren

Next Saturday from 1pm its family entertainment on a new level at St Mirren…

inflatable hungry hippo
Bouncy Castle with slide
inflatable basketball
inflatable beat the goalie
music from @lkowalskimusic , Hollie Robinson & Sasha Kaloheris
face painting
balloon modelling
sweets from the Panda
prizes

24/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Foodies have been urged not to miss this weekend’s Paisley Food and Drink Festival as the town gets set to host its biggest and best culinary extravaganza yet.

Paisley Food Festival

The popular event, which is one of Scotland’s largest outdoor food and drink festivals, will take place in the stunning surroundings of the town’s iconic Abbey this Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April.

Visitors will be served a stellar line-up with more than 40 traders and vendors showcasing the finest street food and drink, cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music and entertainment, children’s workshops and much more.

For the first time, PLATFORM independent street food market is heading out on tour from its home at Glasgow’s Argyle Street Arches to Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019.

PAISLEY 2021 Food festival MFG

It’s the popular market’s first outdoor date of the year and will be bringing along delicious street food traders, including British Street Food Awards finalist Ginger and Chilli, Brigston & Co. Artisan Hot Dogs and delicious desserts from Crema Caravan.

PLATFORM on TOUR will add to the party atmosphere with giant Kata tee-pee tents, colourful furniture, the PLATFORM DJ’s and a range of cutting-edge cocktails to sample.

Hilary Goodfellow, Project Manager for PLATFORM on Tour, said: “We’re bringing the very best in street food to the festival. We’ve carefully chosen our traders to ensure we have a wide range and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. All our traders offer kids/smaller taster portions too, so it won’t damage your wallet.

“We’ve got wood fired pizza, tasty shawarma wraps, golden arancini, artisan hot dogs, award-winning crème brûlée and ice-cream tacos, and much more, including a fully stocked bar! Find us by the giant tipis.

Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019 _1

“The Paisley Food & Drink Festival is always a fantastic event with something for all the family. We can’t wait to be part of it this year!”

Glasgow’s award-winning Gin71 bar will be returning to the festival to run two dedicated gin tasting sessions on Friday 26 April, offering a perfect night out for gin lovers or those looking to try something new.

On Saturday 27 April, Gin71 will have its very own gin palace tent with a wide range of craft gins and meet the maker sessions for festival-goers to enjoy.

Cooking demonstrations will take place with celebrity chefs Matt Pritchard, star of hit MTV series Dirty Sanchez and BBC TV’s Dirty Vegan, Gary Maclean, winner of MasterChef – The Professionals 2016, and baking sensations Three Sisters Bake.

Matt Pritchard Dirty Vegan 2

The cooking demonstration tent is sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland’s Love Food Hate Waste campaign, who will provide advice on how to avoid wasting good food.

Chef, Matt Pritchard said: “I’m really looking forward to hitting up Paisley Food & Drink Festival this weekend for my very first live cooking demos. It’s going to be absolutely brilliant and I can’t wait to see you all there!”

Renfrewshire CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) will host a dedicated Beer Tent at the town’s Bridge Street on both Friday and Saturday, with around 70 craft conditioned ales and craft beers available.

Families can grab a seat in the stunning surroundings of Abbey Gardens to enjoy top music and entertainment all day on the Main Stage on Saturday.

The Main Stage, sponsored by Paisley’s The Bungalow music venue, will see live performances from kids favourites Sprog Rock, the fabulous Princesses of Pop, who will pay tribute to the music of Ariana Grande, Little Mix and Steps – as well as a host of top local acts, including classic rock covers from Audiorayz and ska sensations Esperanza from 12pm – 9pm.

Foodies will find something to suit all tastes, including gluten-free and dairy-free options and – brand new for this year’s Festival – a dedicated vegan and vegetarian zone.

There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained all day with a number of hands-on foodie experiences, fun games and smaller portion sizes available.

With Festival favourites Babu Bombay Street Kitchen, Scozzese woodfired pizza and the unique Fizzbuz prosecco van also returning, visitors are sure to enjoy a fantastic two-day festival of fun.

To find out more about the Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2019, visit https://paisley.is/featured_event/paisley-food-and-drink-festival/

23/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Young footballers are being given the opportunity to sample life as a professional and take to the field at the Simple Digital Arena, home of St Mirren Football Club.

Part of the celebrations to mark Street Stuff’s ten-year anniversary of working in the Renfrewshire community, aspiring footballers will have the opportunity to cross the white line and play on the pitch as part of a festival of football.

The five-a-side football event is free for all Street Stuff participants, aged 8-16, and will take place in the evening of Wednesday 15 May.

Players can register individually or as a team, with all consent forms to be returned to St Mirren in advance of the tournament taking place.

St Mirren FC Manager, Oran Kearney, said “The people of Paisley and Renfrewshire have given the team brilliant support in my time at the club so it’s great that the young people of Renfrewshire will get the opportunity to play on the pitch at the stadium and have the chance to emulate their heroes.”

Since its inception in 2009, Street Stuff has seen more than 200,000 young people come through its doors, each having the opportunity to take part in sport, make new friends and engage in social activities.

Cllr Marie McGurk, Oran Kearney, Gordon Scott and Street Stuff participants (1)

A firm fixture of the community for a decade, the programme has contributed to a sustained reduction of 65% in reported youth disorder and anti-social behaviour in Renfrewshire.

Street Stuff provides activities such as football, dance and gaming six days a week, as well as hosting four holiday camps throughout the year where a healthy meal is provided to each young person who attends – with more than 26,000 healthy meals provided in the last four years.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “What a fantastic opportunity for our young people to make it out of the stands and onto the pitch at St Mirren and hopefully we can inspire the next generation of footballers for the club.

“Street Stuff works hard to provide opportunities for sport and exercise for young people that they may not otherwise have the chance to experience and the work of our staff, coaches and volunteers really is changing the lives of young people in Renfrewshire.

The project runs in partnership between Renfrewshire Council, St Mirren Football Club, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Engage Renfrewshire.

For more information on how to sign up, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/StreetStuff.

18/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Communities are being urged to help shape their area by applying for a grant from their Local Partnership.

Applications for funding from the Local Partnerships, which replaced Renfrewshire’s Local Area Committees, are now open.

The funding, which used to be known as Local Area Committee grants, is available for projects which help each Local Partnership meet its local priorities. These priorities were set by each Local Partnership at meetings in March and April.

There have been important changes to the way this funding works since the introduction of the Local Partnerships in 2018, with groups now having to demonstrate how their application will contribute to the local priorities of the partnership they are applying to.

All applicants are advised to read the new guidance for Local Partnership funding, available on the Renfrewshire Council website, before submitting their applications.

Local Partnerships are a new way for communities, elected members and public organisations to work together at a local level. The partnerships adopt a more informal and inclusive approach which allows local people to have more of a say in decisions which affect their area.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “People in Renfrewshire are passionate about their communities and Local Partnerships are a great way for them to shape their community and get involved in decision making.

“This funding will allow Local Partnerships to support projects that are important to local people and address their local priorities, making a difference to their communities.

“If you are looking for funding and have a project that supports your Local Partnerships’ local priorities, I’d encourage you to apply.”

The Council’s Community Planning Team will hold two drop-in sessions to provide potential funding applicants with information on how the grants work, what the local priorities are for their Local Partnership and advice on alternative funding sources. The sessions will take place on Wednesday 24 April from 5.30pm-7.30pm at Johnstone Town Hall and Thursday 2 May from 2-4pm at the Abercorn Centre, West College Scotland in Paisley.

Anyone who cannot attend the drop-in sessions can call our Community Planning Team on 0141 618 4168 or email communityplanning@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

The deadline for applications is Monday 20 May 2019.

A decision on funding applications will be made by Local Partnerships at their next meetings in June.

To book a slot at our Johnstone drop-in session, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-partnerships-grant-funding-drop-in-session-tickets-59523195480. To book a slot at our Paisley drop-in session, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/local-partnerships-grant-funding-drop-in-session-tickets-60530532452

For more information on Local Partnerships and their local priorities or to download an application form, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/localpartnerships

18/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley First, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Shopping, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events

Paisley First to launch Petition for Free for Three Pilot Project

Paisley First is calling on the public and members of the local business community in Paisley town centre to get behind their Free for Three campaign, as they launch a petition calling for a pilot project.

The Business Improvement District for Paisley town centre is calling for free parking for three hours for visitors to the town centre and is now looking to Renfrewshire Council to implement a pilot project to test the scheme.

Members of the public and local business community are being invited to join the launch of the petition on Wednesday 24th April at 11am outside Paisley Town Hall. Paisley First believes that free parking for three hours will bring the optimum benefit to
those businesses in Paisley who currently lose out to retail parks such as Braehead and Silverburn, and very soon, the new Wallneuk development.

Paisley First Chair, Colette Cardosi, said: “We appreciated the opportunity to join and contribute to Renfrewshire Council’s working group on parking in Paisley and we were pleased at the positive response to our campaign from the other external
stakeholders who attended as well as local councillors. “However Free for Three is a crucial campaign for the future of the business
community we represent in Paisley town centre and those who visit or would like to visit the town on a more frequent basis.
“With visitor attractions such as Paisley Museum and Paisley Town Hall now closed for a number of years for refurbishment, it is crucial that the negative impacts felt by
local businesses as a result of these closures are mitigated against as soon as
possible.”

Colette added: “The public response to our Free for Three campaign has been fantastic and shows that many more people would visit Paisley to shop and socialise if there was an element of free parking on offer.”
Paisley First is calling on Renfrewshire Council to implement a Free for Three Pilot Project before the start of the summer school holidays at the end of June.
The petition will be available to sign on the Paisley First website from next Wednesday as well as in local businesses throughout the town centre.

For more details go to www.paisleyfirst.com

18/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

The award winning The Buddy Beat is a mental health drumming group for adults across Renfrewshire that meets every Thursday morning at Johnstone High Parish Church Halls, Ludovic Square, PA5 8EE, 10 am to 12.

We help promote social inclusion and drumming has been found to help reduce stress, session full of therapeutic, improves self-confidence and self-worth. No experience is necessary and our style of drums are easy to learn. We also include percussion and singing to make every session is full of invigorating music and fun.

Drumming helps people self-manage their week and has helped many find other community activities, education courses, volunteering and employment. And real, lasting friendships blossom too.

We also run an Open Drum Circle on the last Wednesday evening of each month at The Charleston Centre in Paisley. Open to anyone, this runs from 6.00 pm to 7.45 pm.

For anyone interested in joining either of our activities, please email tom.thebuddybeat@sky.com for more information. Please also visit our Facebook page– Renfrewshire’s The Buddy Beat

17/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Victoria Hamilton, from Kilmacolm, is running the Loch Ness Marathon in memory of her dad because she is “determined” to raise £10,000 for St. Vincent’s Hospice to thank them for their care and support.

After being diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer Tom Maitland (Victoria’s dad), was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospice in October 2018 where he spent 27 days in their care, before sadly passing away on the 14^th of November.

Victoria said: “Ultimately, I am running this marathon for St. Vincent’s Hospice because I can. I have legs that work and have seen first-hand what happens when cancer robs someone of their physical strength. I feel I owe them for the compassion, professionalism, kindness and expertise they showed my beloved dad and our entire family for the 27 days he was in their care, until he lost his battle with cancer.

“The days and weeks leading up to Dad’s admission were dark. His illness had taken grip and spread to his brain. Every day he seemed to deteriorate further. We were close to breaking point, and simply didn’t know where else to turn.

“From the moment he was admitted to St. Vincent’s, we felt rescued. I had always naively thought a hospice was a place you went to die; but now I know that a hospice is a place you go to live. Where you need not suffer any pain. A place where emotional support is available around the clock for the family and a patient’s last breath is made as dignified and as comfortable as possible.”

St. Vincent’s Hospice is a specialist provider of palliative and Hospice care for people and families affected by life-limiting conditions all across Renfrewshire. They provide this in a number of ways, from comprehensive care in their Inpatient Unit, to support with wellness and symptom control in their Day Services, and even within the comfort of people’s own homes throughout the community.

Each year, it costs nearly £2.5 million to provide these services, more than half of which is generated through voluntary donations and fundraising.

Victoria added: “For the 27 days my dad was under their care, I estimate that it would have taken approximately £10,000 of charity funding to provide his care alone. It is my mission to repay these costs as a small gesture for my family’s gratitude for being our salvation when we needed it most.”

The Loch Ness Marathon takes place on the 6^th of October 2019. To support Victoria and help her reach this incredible target, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victoria-hamilton7

17/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Thousands of the world’s top pipers and drummers will again descend on Paisley for one of the biggest dates in the global piping calendar.

The British Pipe Band Championships will take place on Saturday 18 May at the St James Playing Fields – with 123 bands from across the UK and Ireland, and drum and pipe majors from as far afield as the USA, Denmark and Belgium set to compete.

The free-to-attend event will see a full day of family entertainment from 10am to 6pm – including a Highland Games competition, a food village, and sporty activity.

Scottish Power Win BPBC MFG

This will be the fourth year the championships have been in Paisley, with the town contracted to continue to host the event – one of piping’s five ‘majors’ and second-only in size to the World Championships – until 2021.

Last year’s event attracted 17,000 attendees and generated more than £300,000 for the local economy, with half the attendees visitors to Renfrewshire and 7% from outwith Scotland.

Event organisers Renfrewshire Council and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association have also teamed up with McGill’s Buses to transport spectators to and from the event – free of charge.

There will be plenty local interest on the day – the Johnstone Pipe Band will have two entries, one going head to head with the world’s best in the prestigious Grade 1 competition, and another looking to win Grade 3a (having topped Grade 3b last year).

Kilbarchan Pipe Band will feature in the Grade 4b contest, while the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band will be hoping to equal or better last year’s brilliant performance, when they came third in Novice Junior Grade B in their first major championships.

Ian Embelton, chief executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Paisley to bring the British Championships to the town once again.

“Paisley is a popular venue with the bands for its central location, transport links and the many excellent options available locally to stay overnight and to enjoy a meal or a drink.

“This is the first of the annual majors and many of the world’s best pipe bands will be competing – for anyone who hasn’t been before, my message would be come along on the day and enjoy some top-class piping and drumming.”

McGill’s will run the shuttle buses from Paisley Gilmour Street station, West College Scotland and Swift Parking on Greenhill Road, with the latter two offering free event parking. Visitors should note there will be no public parking at the event.

Other transport options include getting the train to Paisley St James station, which is a short walk from the event site, or a McGill’s bus to Paisley town centre, and transferring to the free shuttle.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Hosting major events like this is helps to build on Paisley and Renfrewshire’s now-established reputation as a key destination on Scotland’s events map.

“Renfrewshire has many businesses who will be ready to welcome the thousands of visitors with open arms and I hope as many of them as possible of will enjoy a day, and evening or an overnight stay with us.”

Other major events coming up in Paisley over the next few weeks include the Paisley Food and Drink Festival – expected to draw thousands to the town centre on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April.

More information about the British Pipe Band Championships and other Renfrewshire events is available online at www.paisley.is.

16/04/2019/by Brian McGuire

Cllr Marie McGurk, Oran Kearney, Gordon Scott and Street Stuff participants

Street Stuff celebrated the start of its 10-year anniversary in style with more than 1200 young people took part in the free Spring Break programme.

Hundreds of young people flocked to activities every day of the two-week holiday camp, as football, gaming and more was made available at venues across Renfrewshire.

A free healthy meal was provided to all participants at the afternoon activities, meaning 675 young people were refuelled throughout the duration of the programme.

Stevie Gallacher, Street Stuff Manager, said: “We’re delighted to see more and more young people spending their school holidays with us.

“Our holiday programmes are so important as they provide an opportunity for young people from all walks of life to take part in sport and exercise while they don’t have school as an outlet.

“To see so many young people leave with a smile on their face is brilliant and we have our fantastic coaches and volunteers to thank for making it so enjoyable.”

Councillor Marie McGurk - Convener of Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board

The spring programme marked the start of Street Stuff’s 10^th anniversary celebrations which will be marked with a series of events throughout the year.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “What a fantastic start to Street Stuff’s tenth anniversary celebrations and to see more than 1200 young people taking part is a great achievement.

“By providing the programme for free, we are giving all young people the opportunity to take part in sport and exercise and this can be vital in keeping them on the right track in life.

“The programme has changed so many lives over the past ten years and we’re proud of the work carried out by our staff, coaches and volunteers to provide these opportunities for young people.”

Street Stuff is a diversionary project run in partnership between Renfrewshire Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Engage Renfrewshire and St Mirren Football Club.

The programme began in 2009 in Renfrewshire and has contributed to a sustained reduction of 65 percent.in youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.

The programme runs six days a week, all-year-round, at venues across Renfrewshire and young people aged 8 to 16 are encouraged to turn up and take part for free.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/streetstuff or follow @SMFCStreetStuff on Facebook and Twitter.

16/04/2019/by Brian McGuire