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

Blog, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Shopping, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

131st ANNUAL EXHIBITION

ONE MONTH TO GO:
PAISLEY ART INSTITUTE

131st ANNUAL EXHIBITION

7th September – 20th October 2019

Unit 43a & 54, The Piazza, Paisley PA1 1EL
Open: Tue-Sat 11.30am-5.30pm and Sun 12noon-5pm
***** FREE ENTRY *****

PAISLEY ART INSTITUTE – 131st ANNUAL EXHIBITION

One of the UK’s longest-running art exhibitions opens with nearly 600 works in an exciting new temporary space, in the Piazza, Paisley for six weeks from 7th September to 20th October 2019. The Paisley Art Institute was established in 1876 for the encouragement and promotion of art.

PAI is one of the highest regarded art exhibitions of its kind in Scotland and the UK. It will feature, paintings, sculpture, mixed media, and for the first time, virtual reality and digital work. Sourced from artists members and hundreds of open entrants this exhibition truly has something to offer every type of visitor.

PAI is also delighted that leading UK artist, John Walter, will appear as Guest Artist, bring his Virtual Reality project, The Fourth Wall, to Paisley. Commissioned by theLook Again Festival, this new VR work creates imaginary landscapes where John invites viewers to enter a virtual playground of symbology surrounded by immersive sound, music, text, and highly colourful imagery. The artist describes himself as a maximalist and his work is both esoteric and profound in his use of everyday objects, symbols, and motifs that are highly recognisable. He has a particular fascination with pattern, none more so than the world-famous Paisley Pattern which is referenced in this new work.

In recent years, the PAI annual exhibition has featured upwards of 500 works and organisers hope that, alongside painting, drawing, and sculpture, this year’s exhibition will attract an increase of screen-based and installation type entries to fill their new venue.

PAI President Jean Cameron says “We are so delighted to have found a venue right in the heart of Paisley that allows PAI to continue to have the scale and ambition that artists and audiences expect from Paisley Art Institute’s Annual Open Exhibition. Our venue this year is practically on the site of the old Government School of Design in Paisley from where Paisley Art Institute sprung in the nineteenth century, so this year it feels very much like we are going back to our roots at the same time as having an eye to the future”.

PAI welcomes visitors to Paisley in a busy events season starting with nationalDoors Open Day and leading to The Spree music and comedy Festival. Visitors can also enjoy our stunning heritage attractions, from the 865-year-old Paisley Abbey, birth-place of the Royal Stewarts, to sight-seeing the dozens of magnificent Victorian architectural masterpieces in our town skyline.

The Exhibition will run from 7^th September to 20^th October 2019.
Open: Tue-Sat 11.30am-5.30pm & Sun 12noon-5pm (closed Mondays)
Venue: Unit 43a & 54, The Piazza, Central Way, Paisley PA1 1EL
The venue is adjacent Paisley Gilmour Street Station with level access throughout.
***** FREE ENTRY *****

14/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Events, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Town Hall, Paisley Visitor Attractions, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

Martha Reeves interview Courtesy of Mill Magazine

Teachers will see double as four sets of twins start school

Primary - Lochwinnoch - Twins First Day of School group outside school - 13 Aug 2019 - KC (5)

A Renfrewshire primary school will welcome four sets of twins into its primary one class this week.

Sam and Honor Crosbie, 4, Freddy and Olive Lockwood, 5, Corey and Owain McGougan, 5, and Zoe and Ayden Scott, 5, are all looking forward to starting at ‘the big school’ as they call Lochwinnoch primary school.

Primary - Lochwinnoch - Twins First Day of School group outside school - 13 Aug 2019 - KC (5)

Mums Nicola Crosbie, Jane Arden, Rachael McGougan and Claire Scott are excited for them but also feeling a bit emotional about their first day of school.

Nicola said: “I can’t believe the years have flown by so fast, but it is definitely time for them to move on from nursery. I know I will be emotional as we get to the school gate and see them go inside.”

Claire added: “The twins just want to be grown up like their cousin, who started school last year. Zoe wants to learn to read while Ayden just wants to play in the ‘big’ playground. Despite their differences, they always look out for each other so that stops me worrying too much about them.

“I work as a pastoral care teacher in secondary school helping pupils and their parents transition from primary to secondary, so it’s very interesting being on the other side as a parent. It is hard to let go.”

Freddy, Olive, Corey and Owain already know each other from nursery, but are also excited to meet the other twins.

Jane said: “They are both excited. They can’t wait to use their school bag and wear their uniform. They met their P7 buddies at their nursery graduation, so they feel really good about starting school. I thought it was nice that the P7 pupils sang ‘you’ve got a friend’ as part of the ceremony. That was a nice touch.”

Rachael added: “They have a big sister at school, so they are looking forward to seeing her more during the day and getting to do all the things she gets to do.”

Both Claire and Nicola say twins run in their family. Claire says there is a significant chance of twins or even triplets if they have more children. She said: “That put the fear into us a little bit. We haven’t thought about more yet and are happy with the two of them just now.”

Nicola added: “Twins run in my cousin’s side of the family, so it was probably just a fluke that we had twins.”

Headteacher Julie Bell said she is looking forward to the challenges of having four sets of twins in one-year group. She said: “It is lucky they are non-identical twins as that should make it easier to tell the difference between them. We’re looking forward to having them in the school.”

Funny things the twins have done

Sam and Honor have only done one mischievous thing when they found the Sudacream from the nappy bag and quickly covered themselves in it.

Freddy and Olive have a code word – baby mash. They shout that and then run around the room for half an hour.

Corey and Owain are very close and if one of them is in a time-out, the other will join them in solidarity even if the reason for the time-out was because they were fighting.

Zoe and Ayden have a secret handshake and also like ‘playing’ the ukulele or singing to George Ezra or Mary Poppins.

13/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Johnstone, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events

Crowds feel the heat in Johnstone as Fire Engine Rally returns to the town

Thousands of people turned out in Johnstone on Saturday to see fire engines, past and present, showcased in the town centre.

Johnstone Fire Engine Rally 10.8.19-2761

The day kicked off with fire engines parading from Johnstone Fire Station into Houstoun Square, where they remained for the afternoon, giving everyone the chance to climb on board and learn how firefighting has advanced through the years.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service undertook several demonstrations throughout the day, including a demonstration of a chip pan fire.

Johnstone Fire Engine Rally 10.8.19-2761

The event was hosted by Renfrewshire Council in partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Heritage Trust.

Junior firefighters also had the chance to piece together their own fire engine during the event by taking part in a special themed Town Trail, collecting puzzle pieces from various local shops and businesses.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “The Fire Engine Rally is always a highlight of our events calendar and I love seeing all the future firefighters out enjoying their day.

“It’s a firm favourite in the town and continues to bring an increased footfall to local traders.

Renfrewshire’s packed events schedule continues for the rest of the year, so make sure you check out what’s coming up!”

The next event is Renfrewshire Doors Open Days on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September. For more upcoming events in Renfrewshire visit www.paisley.is or www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events.

12/08/2019/by Brian McGuire