Photographs of Martha & The Vandellas at the Paisley Town Hall October 20th 2018 The Spree.
All photographs courtesy of David Cameron, you can visit his Flickr Page for lots more Paisley photographs here.
Saturday 20th October 2018 – It’s your day Paisley – Photographs from today’s Scooter Rally.
Paisley’s very own Gerry McGuire kicked the day off playing choons as Scooters arrived in the town for the annual charity Rideout. Hosted by Paisley Vespa Club; fundraising for Renfrewshire Carers Centre.
LNP Promotions would like to thank you for your continued support. All photographs on this page were taken by Brian McGuire for the Paisley website and Facebook Page.
Who are your local heroes?
Renfrewshire’s inspiring local heroes are set to be rewarded as nominations for the Provost’s Community Awards open for 2019.
Renfrewshire Council Provost awards 9.3.18
Extraordinary employees, superlative sportspeople and compassionate carers are being sought as the awards recognise the people who make Renfrewshire a better place to live, work and visit.
There are five categories available to nominate in, including a revamped award for employees to recognise those stars in the workplace, and these are:
- Community Volunteer (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd)
- Community Group (sponsored by the Piazza Shopping Centre)
- Sporting Achievement (sponsored by ACRE Industrial)
- Employee of the Year (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire)
- Carers Award (sponsored by former Provost Nancy Allison)
- Arts and Culture award (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council)
Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “As the Provost, I meet hundreds of inspiring people and groups every year and it never ceases to amaze me that there is so much fantastic work going on throughout Renfrewshire.
Renfrewshire Council Provost awards 9.3.18
“These awards are an opportunity to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the area who go the extra mile without looking for a reward and give them the recognition that they deserve.
“I can’t wait to read the nominations so don’t miss out on the chance to nominate and start sending them in now.”
Renfrewshire Council Provost awards 9.3.18
The deadline for entries to all categories is Wednesday 12 December.
The Provost will be joined by the award sponsors and other local elected members to choose the winners who will be invited, along with their nominator, to the awards ceremony on Friday 15 March 2019 and the Lynnhurst Hotel in Johnstone.
For more information, and to submit your nomination, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/
Switching on the Christmas lights is a dream come true, and this year it will be a reality for three lucky school pupils!
Aleena Albin from St Peter’s Primary School was one of the lucky winners last year, and helped Provost Lorraine Cameron switch on the Paisley Christmas lights.
Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2018. Three winners will be selected with each winner having the chance to push the button to light up either Paisley, Johnstone or Renfrew.
The winning designs will also be printed as Provost Cameron’s official Christmas cards and sent out all over the world.
Provost Cameron said: “Thousands of people come to watch the Christmas lights being switched on and I need someone to help me with this really important job. I loved seeing your designs last year and I can’t wait to see what Renfrewshire can create this year.”
Entries must be received by Monday 29 October and can be handed into primary schools or posted to Christmas Card Competition, Member Services, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1WD.
The countdown is on to Paisley’s hugely popular Halloween Festival on Saturday, 27 October.
Inspired by the town’s dark and deathly 17th-century witch history, the event returns bigger and better than ever.
A 700-strong cast of young people are at the heart of the ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ festival, supported by the Year of Young People 2018 event fund managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
The performances include a breath-taking aerial show starring a 50-strong cast taking to the skies with Scotland’s leading aerial dance company, All or Nothing.
Catch The Flying Witches performance of jaw-dropping stunts with performers swinging 120ft above the crowds in Abbey Close from 7pm – 9.30pm.
A Mardi Gras style 500-strong parade will begin at the bottom of New Street at 6pm, before winding its way onto Causeyside Street, climbing up St Mirren Brae, travelling down Gauze Street and ending on Cotton Street.
Complete with macabre characters and gruesome parade floats including a giant animatronic ‘Witch & Cauldron’, arrive early to secure a front row position.
The Beltane Fire Society will entertain the crowds with a vivid display of fire, drumming, and acrobatics, while Mr Wilson’s Second Liners band will give the New Orleans brass blowing genre a modern twist with cover versions of dance favourites between 7pm-10pm. The street theatre also features the mesmerising Spark! LED drummers.
Paisley Town Hall will host two ticketed costumed balls on Friday 26th – one for over 18s and one for ‘unders’ – with a competition for best costume. DJ Gerry Lyons will provide the haunting soundtrack as the 18th century Victorian venue is transformed into a haunted ballroom for the evening.
There’s deceit in the air on the Friday evening in local Italian restaurant Zambretto, with a murder mystery evening.
On Saturday, hair-raising horror films for all ages will be screened in venues throughout the town, while on the Live Stage at County Square there will be Halloween themed performances from local musical talent and dance groups between 12 noon and 5pm.
Abbey Close will be transformed into a dramatic Halloween playground with a series of lighting, and sound installations featuring special effects, fire and live performances between 6pm-10pm.
Paisley Town Hall plays host to family fun and Halloween Activities including face painting, glitter tattoos, soft play, arts and crafts and kids disco from 12 noon until 10pm
Popcorn Horror will also be hosting a series of free Halloween workshops in Paisley Abbey – no need to book your space, simply turn up and enjoy
Food and drink stalls will also be available to keep your hungry horrors happy.
A series of Discovery Family Short films from all over the world will be screened between 12pm – 1pm, while Halloween favourite The Addams family and Coraline will be in the big screen, all at the Town Hall.
In the evening, a screening of horror film ‘It ’will entertain those aged 15 and over – free spaces are limited so please book ahead.
Drop in and carve your Halloween pumpkins in to a piece of art with the help of the team from Dom Art at Paisley Abbey from 1pm-7pm and visit the Storytelling Yurt to hear Terrifying Tales between 1pm – 7pm.
This year’s Paisley Halloween Festival is also in the running to win the “UK’s Spookiest Halloween Event 2018” award as one of the final 10 competitors on the holiday rentals site HolidayLettings.co.uk.
Voting ends at midnight on 30 October and votes can be cast here: https://blog.holidaylettings.
Young people are at the heart of the Festival’s development and a 20-strong Youth Panel has been working alongside Renfrewshire Council’s Events Team to design and deliver the festival programme. In addition, 180 young people will take part in a new creative learning programme with the opportunity to participate in all aspects of festival delivery from performance to live event management and technical production. For more information, please go to https://paisley.is
‘Classics at Castle Semple’ Car show will return to the shores of Lochwinnoch for its 8th year this Sunday, 21st October 2018, with proceeds going towards supporting St. Vincent’s Hospice.
An essential for any car lover and a fun day out for the whole family, the event will run from 11am until 3pm, with special attractions, extremely rare models and prizes to be won.
Chosen charity for the event, St. Vincent’s Hospice, is a specialist provider of palliative and hospice care for people and families affected by life limiting conditions from all across Renfrewshire.
Event Organiser and Visitor Centre Assistant at Castle Semple, Jane Fawcett, said: “This year sees 50 years since the Ford Escort first came onto the market, and we will have a few fine examples of this classic, alongside some American stars, stunning Triumphs, Morris’, Austins and even the much loved Beardmore Taxi.”
“Special attractions on the day will include a Vauxhall Wyvern, Alfa Alfetta, Citroen Traction and the extremely rare 1946 Fordson Van. The cars will be competing for the prizes of Best in Show, sponsored by Power Doors, and Judges Choice, sponsored by Clyde Muirshiel. With everything to play for, everyone get polishing and we will see you on Sunday.”
YOUNGSTERS can get into the spirit of Halloween with some fun events during the school holiday this week.
A Witch’s Garden has been set up in Soar at intu Braehead with all sorts of spellbinding fun for children. They can play around a witch’s hut, a cauldron that can be used for making spells and spot black cats hiding in the garden.
There’s also some sorcery going on with arts and crafts, face painting and broomstick racing for youngsters.
The free Witch’s Garden event is on every day until Sunday, October 21 with a face painter there on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 16 and 17 and Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21. And the broomstick races also take place this Saturday and Sunday.
A free Halloween Forest play area has been set up in the central atrium of the intu Braehead shopping centre, until Thursday, October 18. Youngsters can have a spooky adventure with giant mushrooms, pumpkins among the trees and a face painter on hand on Monday, October 15.
David Lyon, marketing manager for intu Braehead said: “There’s lots of fun for all the family in our Witch’s Garden and Halloween Forest.
“It’s a great way for everyone to get ready for Halloween. And since there is no charge for a ticket, you could say it’s a real free-ky Halloween event!”
Book Week Scotland 2018 runs from 19 November to 25 November
#BookWeekScotland
Working with a wide range of partners, Scottish Book Trust – the national charity changing lives through reading and writing – will deliver events and activities across the country during Book Week Scotland 2018, which runs from 19 November to 25 November, linked to this year’s theme of Rebel.
The programme for Scotland’s seventh national celebration of books and reading launched with a photocall of rebellious librarians held at Central Library, Edinburgh. Drag queen and Book Week Scotland ambassador, Nancy Clench, and bestselling author Claire Askew posed with copies of the Rebel book, which features a story from Nancy, as well as others submitted from the public.
During Book Week Scotland there are hundreds of free events taking place across many different local authorities, funded by Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC). In Renfrewshire, there is a selection of interesting events for Book Week Scotland, including:
An Afternoon with Peter Kerr, November 22, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Johnstone Library, Church Street
Enjoy an afternoon with Scotland’s best-selling travel writer Peter Kerr. Peter’s critically acclaimed Mallorca-based books have sold in large numbers worldwide and were inspired by his own experience. A talented artist, Peter also illustrates his own work. A free ticketed event, please book your place online.
https://bookweekscotlandevents.com/events/an-afternoon-with-peter-kerr
Paisley Central Library – Open Day, November 23 – 25, 15:00 – 10:00pm
Paisley Central Library, High Street
Last month Paisley Central Library closed its doors, but before refurbishment work begins, there is a chance to enjoy this well-loved building with Book Week Scotland themed events and activities. Open days will take place from Friday 23 until Sunday 25 November. Please call 0300 300 1188 for further details.
https://bookweekscotlandevents.com/events/paisley-central-library-last-visit
Pitch-It
For the first time, Book Week Scotland will run ‘Pitch-it’, an opportunity for libraries and community groups to submit their proposal for an event. Those involved include: bestselling author Joanne Harris, discussing her new book Blue Salt Road; rapper, writer and activist Akala; public speaker Sam Conniff Allende of Be More Pirate; and Scottish Alt-folk musician and author Peter Kelly, aka Beerjacket. Scottish Book Trust will welcome submissions for interesting and creative events that fit the Rebel theme. Submissions are now open, and the deadline is 15 October. Applications can be made via Scottish Book Trust’s website.
Initiated by the Scottish Government and supported by National Lottery funds through Creative Scotland Targeted Funding, Book Week Scotland is delivered by Scottish Book Trust (and its partners) from 19 November to 25 November 2018. There are hundreds of free events taking place across many different local authorities, funded by Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC).
For more information about Book Week Scotland 2018 and how you can get involved, visit www.bookweekscotland.com where you can find information about all the events taking place in your local area.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: “We’re delighted to present another packed programme for Book Week Scotland, our national celebration of reading and writing. After listening to feedback, Scottish Book Trust is pleased to make 100,000 copies of the Rebel book available to the public. Many thanks to our partners and funders for making this programme possible, and we hope everyone joins us for Book Week Scotland, whether at a physical event, or by taking part in our Digital Festival.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “As a life-long and avid reader, I know that there’s no greater pleasure than losing yourself in the magic of a book. That’s why I welcome this fantastic launch of 2018 Book Week Scotland programme, a flagship event of Scotland’s culture sector celebrating books, reading and Scotland’s rich literary history and dedicated this year to exploring the theme of ‘Rebel’.
“For the seventh consecutive year, the Scottish Government is proud to support this incredible event, which stems from the Scottish Government’s commitment to literature and as part of our commitment to literature and ensuring more people can access and enjoy cultural activity more often.
“I congratulate Scottish Book Trust and the Scottish Library and Information Council for organising such a fantastic programme of events and activities throughout Scotland, which you can be a part of in your home, at school or college, in your local library or at work, as well as online. I encourage everyone in Scotland, especially during 2018 Book Week Scotland, to commit to finding some time to immerse themselves in the world of books.”
Erin McElhinney, Literature Officer, Creative Scotland, commented: “Scottish Book Trust have produced a programme that offers a whole host of routes into reading and writing, offering a cause to the rebel in all of us. It’s a week to celebrate new partnerships and connections, between organisations and the public, between digital and the book – and an invitation to challenge our own boundaries around reading.”
Paisley’s flagship annual cultural extravaganza The Spree gets under way today….helped by National Theatre of Scotland offering a truckload of chances to see the area as never before.
The seventh year of the Spree (12 to 21 Oct) sees 87 shows in 17 venues in five towns around Renfrewshire over ten days – with music, comedy, theatre and much more.
Big-name headliners include Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi in conversation about his legendary career (Fri 12 Oct) and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and the London African Gospel Choir performing Graceland (Sat 20 Oct), both at Paisley Town Hall.
The iconic Spiegeltent in County Square will host musical acts The Orb (Mon 15th), Traceyanne and Danny and The Pastels (Sat 13th), ex-Kraftwerk man Wolfgang Flur (Sat 13th), The Wandering Hearts (Sun 14th), Vieux Farke Toure (Tues 16th), The Leisure Society and Duke Special (Weds 17th), Big Minds (Thurs 18th), and Gang of Four (Fri 19th).
The festival also includes Rimini Protokoll and National Theatre of Scotland’s Do’s and Don’ts (12-14 and 16-21 Oct) – offering a unique experience touring the area in a mobile auditorium inside a remodelled truck, backed by the soundtrack of a local choir.
The show is presented by award-winning German documentary theatre specialists Rimini Protokoll and is part of NTS’s Futureproof festival, marking Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, and some of the young cast were on hand to help launch the festival yesterday outside Paisley Town Hall.
Other Spree highlights over the next 10 days include a sold-out comedy show with Des Clarke and Janey Godley (Spiegeltent Fri 12th), Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert (Paisley Arts Centre, Sat 20th), the ModStuff festival-within-a-festival (Spiegeltent, Sat 20th) plus a visit from The National Whiskey Festival (Paisley Town Hall, Sat 13th).
Do’s and Don’ts is part of The Wee Spree programme over the October school holiday – with a list of (mostly free) shows for kids offering everything from comedy to ceilidhs, plus video game design, circus skills workshops and a dancealong to The Greatest Showman.
There’s also the Spree for All fringe festival, which includes the daily Danny Kyle Stage for unsigned acts in the Old Swan Inn, and taking top local musical talent to venues in Johnstone, Renfrew, Linwood and Lochwinnoch, as well as the pubs and clubs of Paisley town centre.
The Spree is run by Renfrewshire Council as part of a major events programme also including Paisley Halloween Festival (Sat 27 Oct) – listed as one of the top Halloween events in the UK.
The council’s head of communications, marketing and events Louisa Mahon said: “This year’s Spree will be the biggest and best yet as our events continue to grow and attract more visitors to the area.
“The bill has something for everyone – from world-renowned musical talent to a diverse programme for kids of all ages, to some of the best local acts at a venue near you.
“We are also delighted to building partnerships with organisations such as National Theatre of Scotland and bringing some of the country’s finest performers to the town is helping cement Paisley’s place as one of Scotland’s go-to cultural destinations.”
Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Theatre of Scotland, said: “DO’S & DON’TS has been co-created by the young people of Paisley as part of our Futureproof festival, marking the Year of Young People 2018, and I am delighted that it is part of the Spree programme.
“It was important to the National Theatre of Scotland that, as part of Futureproof, we had the opportunity to work with the Paisley 2021 Legacy team, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners Renfrewshire Council and Renfrewshire Leisure for making this uniquely special co-production possible.”
For tickets and full line-up info, see thespree.co.uk and nationaltheatrescotland.com/
ST MIRREN legend Tony Fitzpatrick is offering a unique triple bonus to people who pre-order his soon-to-be published autobiography, Fitzy – The Story of My Life.
People who pre-order the book before the November 6 publication date will be –
- among the first to receive a signed copy of the autobiography;
- entered into a prize draw to win two tickets for a Saints home game with a VIP matchday experience in the St Mirren boardroom;
- and Tony will personally deliver a copy of his book to the homes of three people chosen at random.
For the first time Tony – who not only won a league title and a Scottish Cup medal with the Saints, but also had two spells as manager and is now the club’s chief executive – is telling his life story in this new book.
Tony Fitzpatrick’s life is more than just a football story.
There are lots of hilarious tales from the dressing room and behind-the-scenes boardroom battles in his autobiography, published by Macdonald Media.
But behind the football banter and bust-ups, there’s an amazing story of being brought up in one of the poorest and most violent areas of Glasgow and how he used his football skills to escape that life.
While at the top of his football career, tragedy struck when his six-year-old son, Tony Jr. died after cancer struck down the young boy. And on the day of his funeral, callous thieves ransacked the family home stealing anything and everything they could load on to a furniture van.
Sir Alex Ferguson, in only his second managerial job, made the teenage Tony Fitzpatrick the captain of St Mirren FC.
But not before Tony’s dad had to phone Fergie pretending to be the family doctor assuring him the young footballer was fit enough to play after suffering pleurisy!
Tony lost a fortune after he put money into Livingstone FC and the club went into administration. But he bounced back and as part of a groundbreaking police initiative, worked with some of the most violent young men in Glasgow’s gangs encouraging them to give up the blade and the gun.
Co-writer of the book, Paisley journalist and author, Norman Macdonald said:
“I was amazed at some of the stories Tony had to tell and the book will touch all your emotions.
“It’s a must-read heartwarming story of personal triumph over adversity.”
Log on to www.fitzybook.co.uk to order your copy today and Tony could be turning up at your door to deliver your book.
