People from Paisley Archives - Paisley Scotland

The skies above Paisley Abbey are set to be lit up with a dazzling fireworks display on Saturday 2 November.

Thousands are expected to don hats, scarves and gloves and head into Paisley town centre to watch the beautiful array of catherine wheels, rockets and sparklers on display backed by a soundtrack of popular 90s classic hits.

Gus from Pulse FM will welcome crowds with music and banter from 6.30pm before the fireworks get underway at 7pm lasting approximately 20 minutes.

Paisley’s winter events programme will continue with the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 16 November. There will be plenty of Christmas family fun including Christmas Choir concerts, Santa’s Grotto and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer. Visitors will also be able to enjoy exciting street artists, fantastic performances on the live stage and even head along to the festive roller disco.

The festive fun will also extend across Renfrewshire with Christmas Lights Switch-Ons in Renfrew on Saturday 23 November and Johnstone on Saturday 30 November. The town centre also sees the return of the WinterFest event from 23 November until 30 December, run by Paisley First, featuring an outdoor ice rink, LEGO Paisley Penguin Parade Trail and plenty of festive fun.

For more information about Paisley Fireworks Spectacular, visit: https://paisley.is/featured_event/paisley-fireworks-spectacular/

18/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Laura Forbes had never fully been out of her wheelchair before participating in aerial workshops as part of this year’s Paisley Halloween Festival, but next week she will perform 100ft in the air in front of Paisley’s iconic Abbey alongside her Dirty Feet Dance Company family.

The Paisley-based Dirty Feet Dance Company aims to create opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people and carers to enjoy, express and fulfil their potential through dance. They have been working with professional performers from Scotland’s leading aerial dance company All or Nothing, on the ‘Into the Dark’ show which is taking place as part of this year’s Paisley Halloween Festival on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October.

During the workshops the group have been given the opportunity to take to the sky in special aerial harnesses to allow them to express themselves in the air.

Laura Forbes (40), joined Dirty Feet Dance Company in 2013 and this is the first time she has tried anything like this. She said: “I’ve never been fully out of the wheelchair before, when I get lifted in the harness it’s an amazing feeling, it’s freedom.

“Before I first went up in the air I was scared but after the first time in the harness I just loved it. It gives me a total sense of freedom out of my wheelchair. If there’s something I’ve learned from this experience it’s that I won’t let being scared stop me from trying something new.”

“I can’t wait for us all to perform at next week’s festival. When we all come together we can do anything and achieve anything – we’re all like family.”

Clare Easdon (37) has been a member of the group since 2006. She said: “It feels amazing when you’re up in the air. I know I’m a wheelchair user but I don’t feel disabled when I’m up there. Being part of Dirty Feet Dance Company lets me try new experiences – this is the first time I’ve ever done aerial and I love it. I think it’s amazing what we’re able to do as wheelchair users.”

During the workshops the performers are able to use either a full body or sitting harness attached to a pully rope system to give them the opportunity to see how their bodies react in the air.

Ruth Foster, Co-director of Dirty Feet Dance Company, said: “It gives the performers a real sense of weightlessness and allows them the chance to explore their range of motion in a new platform and artform which has been a great experience for everyone.

“It’s within their power how high to go. They can stay a few feet off the ground or can ascend all the way up to the ceiling. They are in complete control of their movements in the air.”

Marie Williamson, aerial instructor and performer at All or Nothing, said: “The system we use gives them the opportunity to stretch out and discover their movement for themselves.

“From my point of view it’s an incredible thing to be part of – what I can see them get from it is fantastic. They all have such great characters and a real ‘do it’ attitude. They are very determined to show what they can do. I think people will be surprised by what they’ll see.”

This is one of a series of workshops taking place as part of the Paisley Halloween Festival pairing professional performance companies with local community groups to give them the opportunity to learn new skills and be involved in the town’s major events programme.

The award-winning Paisley Halloween Festival is widely regarded as one of the best events of its kind in the UK. This year’s event takes on a Dark Circus theme and promises to be the biggest yet with internationally acclaimed outdoor theatre specialists, Cirque Bijou, helping to deliver an extended programme of performances to thrill, chill and enthral.

In addition to the daring aerial performances visitors will be captivated by the mass costumed parade through Scotland’s largest town featuring giant animated puppets, frightening floats and a cast of spooky circus characters. There will also be bizarre street theatrics, a ticketed silent disco and a fantastic array of family-friendly activities taking place in locations throughout the town centre over the two-day event.

The Paisley Halloween Festival, which was supported in 2018 through the Year of Young People event fund, was awarded £16,950 of National Programme funding from EventScotland for this year’s event.

18/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Braehead, Events, Glasgow, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Pirates, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire

Paisley Pirates Preview

PIRATES HEAD EAST

Paisley Pirates travel to Fife this Sunday evening where they take on Kirkcaldy Kestrels in a Scottish National League fixture (face off.6.15pm) Pirates will be looking to recover from a mauling by Solway Sharks, who beat them 14-3 last Sunday, after they had recorded a record 27-0 win at Kilmarnock the previous night.

The Renfrewshire side will require to find their best form to take East with them, as the Rosslyn St rink is a traditionally hard place from which to come away with a win. In the corresponding fixture last season, they headed home with a creditable 5-5 draw, but after the disappointment of last weekend at Solway they will be looking to put a win on the board. The fixture marks an early return to the rink for brothers Conor and Jay Duncan, both signed from the Kestrels before the start of the season, and who will be hopeful of making a successful return to their former regular base.

After their early diet of on the road ties, Pirates finally get a game on home ice next SATURDAY, when they come up against Aberdeen Lynx in a match which will face off at 6.30pm.

17/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Business, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire chamber of commerce

Aesthetic Suites voting now opened in ROCCO awards 2019

The shortlist for 2019 ROCCO Awards has been revealed and business across Renfrewshire are in for some top honours.

Aesthetic Suites are in the Renfrewshire’s favourite business category and Nichola and Kristine would like to say, they appreciate the nominations from their clients to get to the final of the Rocco business award for Renfrewshire’s favourite business. Voting has now opened and we would be so grateful for votes. You can vote online here.

17/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

PEOPLE experiencing isolation and loneliness are being encouraged to use a new seating area at the intu Braehead shopping centre where they can sit in specially-created seats called Chatty Chairs.

It’s the first time a Scots shopping mall has installed a seating area that actively encourages people to talk to each other.

And today/yesterday Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay launched intu Braehead’s Chatty Chairs initiative with signage that says: “Take a seat if you don’t mind having a chat.”

The intu Braehead Chatty Chairs are in the upper mall and are configured to make it easy for shoppers to start a conversation with someone sitting next to them.

The move comes after the Age Scotland charity revealed that 282,000 older Scots feel lonely some or most of the time.

The latest Scottish Household Survey also found that one in four people over the age of 60 said they do not meet a friend, neighbour or relative at least once a week.

Derek Mackay, whose constituency takes in the shopping centre, said: “This innovative idea from intu Braehead to provide a seated area where people can start a conversation with someone will help tackle the very real problem of loneliness in our community.

“This is exactly the type of initiative the Scottish Government would encourage as part of our strategy to deal with social isolation and loneliness.

“Feelings of being alone in the world can have a significant adverse impact on someone’s physical and mental well-being.

“I’d like to congratulate the team at intu Braehead for creating the Chatty Chairs seating area, as it’s up to all of us to reach out in a compassionate way to make everyone feel welcome and valued in our communities.

“I hope the Chatty Chairs will be well used and that people will stop for even a few minutes to speak to each other.”

The move by the shopping mall to encourage visitors who would like a chat to use the seats has been praised by Age Scotland.

Brian Sloan, Age Scotland’s chief executive said: “This is a wonderful initiative which will hopefully give people of all ages the chance to have a chat with someone new and perhaps even forge new friendships.

“Often a smile and a friendly chat can make all the difference to someone who is experiencing loneliness.

“It would be great if the Chatty Chairs helped to stimulate more conversation and social interaction between the generations and younger people were encouraged to spend more time with older people they know.”

Lydia Brown, intu Braehead’s community development manager said: “The simple act of stopping to say hello to someone sitting on one of our Chatty Chairs could make a huge difference if they are feeling lonely.

“A few minutes chat started by a simple ‘hello’, or ‘how you doing, today?’ could make someone’s life a whole lot better and make them feel less isolated.

“We recognise loneliness is a problem for many people – of all ages – and we hope our Chatty Chairs initiative can play a small part in combating feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

Older people in Scotland can contact Age Scotland’s free Community Connecting service on 0800 12 44 222 to find local groups and activities which are of interest to them to help get them more engaged with others.

16/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire’s flagship environmental campaign Team Up to Clean Up has achieved national recognition at the COSLA Excellence awards.

The partnership campaign between the council and the local community took home top honours in in the ‘Strong and Sustainable Communities’ category, beating formidable projects from Stirling Council and Dundee City Council in the process.

The campaign has transformed local communities and injected a sense of pride into neighbourhoods across the area, with litter picks increasing by 474% in the first full year.

Through print, digital and social media promotion, the campaign has reached more than 4.4 million people to promote its key messages around litter, dog fouling, recycling and road cleanliness.

Stand out moments from the campaign have been the annual Big Spring Clean and Spotless September events, in which more than 4000 volunteers have taken part, the creation of children’s book The Clumps’ Big Mess, which was given to more than 14,000 pupils, and the Team Up to Clean Up caddies which give communities the tools to make a positive difference to their area.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “I’m over the moon for everyone involved with the campaign that we’ve been recognised with a national award.

“It’s an award not only for the fantastic council staff who put their all into making this campaign a success, but for the community who volunteer their time and effort to make their neighbourhoods better.

“The campaign strives to make Renfrewshire a more attractive place to live, work and visit and this award shows that it is working, and local people are engaged with what we are trying to achieve.

“We’re going to build on our achievements so far and I can’t wait to work even closer with our communities to make Team Up to Clean Up successful for years to come.”

The COSLA Excellence Awards aim to recognise the best in local government and showcase those projects that are breaking new ground, with more than 200 projects nominated to the awards this year.

A COSLA spokesperson said: “Team Up to Clean Up and everyone at Renfrewshire Council should be proud of this achievement.

“‘Strong and Sustainable Communities’ has always been a difficult category to succeed in and the team were up against some well-established, innovative projects.

“What stood out about Team Up to Clean Up was that it both regenerated the local environment and managed its resources responsibly, all whilst making Renfrewshire a better place, to live, work and visit.”

The Team Up to Clean Up campaign forms part of a £2.5million investment across five years to make a real difference to the cleanliness of the streets in Renfrewshire and improve the local environment.

As well as the support from local communities, an enhanced programme of operational activity is underway to clean gullies, sweep the roads and repair the roads infrastructure to ensure the campaign is a joint approach between the council and its residents.

For more information and to find out how to get involved, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.

14/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Announcement, Blog, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, renfrewshire events, Renfrewshire Leisure

Keeping fit is child’s play for parents

PARENTS can bring their babies along to fitness classes run by Renfrewshire Leisure.

There are more than 60 classes in the new fitness timetable where mums or dads can have their babies sitting in a buggy or car seat alongside them as they work out.

Classes including Body Pump, Body Attack, Zumba, Vibe Spin Disco, Metafit and Spin Cycle Training are now buggy friendly.

These classes take place at The Lagoon Leisure Centre, in Paisley, Linwood’s ON-X, Erskine Sports Centre, Renfrew Leisure Centre, Johnstone Sports Hub and Ralston Community Sports Centre.

Anyone interested should log on to www.renfrewshireleisure.com and look out for the dark blue buggy logo on the timetable to see when the buggy friendly classes are being held.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “This is an ideal opportunity for new mums and dads – or even grannies and grandpas looking after their grandchildren – to maintain their fitness without the extra cost of childcare.

“It can be difficult for mums getting back into a normal fitness routine after having a baby.

“Also, babysitters can be hard to find during the day when family and friends are at work. So, we’re giving mums and dads the option of bringing their babies along with them.

“Of course, you don’t need to bring a baby along to join the classes, as everyone is welcome!”

14/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Announcement, Blog, Events, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events, West College Scotland

West College Scotland: We Do Care

EVENT INVITATION
West College Scotland: We Do Care
Tuesday 22 October, Abercorn Building, Paisley

17:00 hrs :Arrival, Registration and Exhibition
17:30 hrs – 19:00 hrs: Informative Presentations

West College Scotland is Scotland’s largest college provider of online learning. We offer a wide range of flexible childcare, health and social care courses which you can study in a way that suits you. You might be in a job and looking to improve your qualifications or you may want to study in your leisure time.
At this event we will help you to create tailored learning packages to match your needs – it’s your learning journey after all!

With online learning, training, part-time and full-time courses in childcare, health and social care we can support your journey from induction to registration in Care. For many courses no qualifications or experience are necessary.

Come along and hear from our Sector Experts, previous students and meet the Team who will tell you about our special offers, advise you about your study choices and assist you with enrolment.

Register here: http://bit.ly/33tvqDZ

14/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Events, Music, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Events, Paisley Photographs, Paisley Visitor Attractions, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, renfrewshire events, The Spree

Paisley’s Spree Festival gets under way with tribute to hometown music legend Gerry Rafferty

Paisley’s annual festival of music, comedy and more gets under way tonight – with a special tribute to one of the town’s most famous musical sons, Gerry Rafferty.

The Baker St singer’s legacy will be honoured with a sold-out Gerry Rafferty Songbook night fronted by Roddy Hart, Emma Pollock and Gerry’s long-time friend and former Stealers Wheel collaborator Rab Noakes.

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

The show kicks off nine days of Spree action – the bulk of which will take place in a specially-erected Spiegeltent next to Paisley Gilmour Street station in the town’s County Square.

The Spree festival is now in its eighth year and has helped Paisley become established as one of Scotland’s go-to destinations for major events.

The festival is organised by Renfrewshire Council, programmed by Regular Music, and sponsored by Tennent’s Lager.

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

Many of the shows are already sold out but there’s still time to get your hands on the last remaining tickets for others at www.thespree.co.uk, in person at the box office at InCube shop at 9b Gilmour St, or on the door at The Spiegeltent.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s show, musician, broadcaster and long-time Rafferty fan Roddy Hart said: “We are super-excited and looking forward to kicking off the Spree festival with a collection of Gerry Rafferty’s best-loved songs.

“The Spree is an amazing festival – it’s great to have these events outside of Glasgow and Edinburgh as it brings music and talent to whole array of people who might not have access to it otherwise. There’s a fantastic selection of singers and artists and it’s a very exciting thing to be part of.”

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

The Spree opening night also includes late-night comedy including Fred MacAulay and Mark Nelson in The Spiegeltent, with tickets still available at the door.

Saturday will see the town centre invaded by the Mods as the annual ModStuff event run by local promoters LNP Promotions returns with a free afternoon show – including the ever-popular scooter rideout – followed by a sold-out evening gig.

Rising stars of Scottish indie-rock The Snuts play The Spiegeltent on Sunday evening – with all tickets for the 450-capacity venue being snapped up in just two hours earlier this summer.

Highlights during the week include Hue and Cry (Mon 14^th), Glasvegas only UK full-band show of the year (Tues 15^th), former Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys (Wed 16^th) and soul legend PP Arnold, performing alongside Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock (Thur 17^th).

SPREE FESTIVAL 2019-5767

Next weekend sees Karine Polwart’s Scottish Songbook, and more late-night comedy featuring Scott Gibson and Gary Little (Fri 18^th) before a lively last night with comedian Jerry Sadowitz followed by a closing party with the inventors of rockgrass Hayseed Dixie (Sat 19^th).

Paisley Arts Centre will also host a diverse programme including Lost Map’s Lost Weekend (Sun 13^th) with the Pictish Trail, a Paisley in Song night fronted by Michael Cassidy (Thurs 17^th), and a show by ex-Arab Strap mainman Malcolm Middleton (Sat 19^th).

The week will also see The Wee Spree – a special programme designed for kids to run over the October school week, featuring Lego, circus skills, comedy, and dance-along Disney films.

Sold-out shows include the Stramash ceilidh with local Gaelic music group Fèis Phaislig – promoting the town’s contribution to Gaelic language culture ahead of hosting the Royal National Mòd in exactly three years time.

And the Spree for All fringe festival will take the show on the road to towns and villages across Renfrewshire, with gigs taking place in local venues in Johnstone, Renfrew, Lochwinnoch and Kilbarchan, as well as a packed programme in Paisley’s Bungalow Bar and Old Swan Inn.

The Spree for All also takes in the Paisley Art Institute’s 131^st annual exhibition – this year taking place in a formerly-empty unit in the Piazza shopping centre (right next to The Spiegeltent) while Paisley Museum is undergoing a £42m transformation.

Louisa Mahon, Renfrewshire Council’s head of communications, marketing and events, said: “The Spree has grown year on year with Paisley now firmly established as a key destination on Scotland’s festival map.

“Ticket sales this year have been by far our best yet – we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to Paisley over the next nine days, which will be great news for local traders.

“Paisley town centre is home to many great places to eat, drink and shop and we and would encourage festival-goers to Spend Local and sample everything the town has to offer.”

The Spree is the first of a bumper run of major events in the area this winter, with huge crowds expected for Paisley Halloween Festival – one of the largest of its kind – on 25-26 October.

Paisley’s annual fireworks display is on Saturday 2 November, followed by Christmas Lights Switch-ons in Paisley (Sat 16^th), Renfrew (Sat 23^rd) and Johnstone (Sat 30^th), while local business improvement district Paisley First’s annual Winterfest event will take over Paisley town centre for five weeks from 24 November.

11/10/2019/by Brian McGuire

Clyde Waterfront Renfrew Riverside - Clyde bridge

This month the Glasgow City Region Cabinet considered further significant progress in work underway to transform the Regional economy, including in the delivery of the UK and Scottish Government funded £1.13 billion City Deal – one of the largest and most advanced in the UK.

Since the Deal was agreed with government in August 2014, local businesses have benefitted from a £33 million boost (At end of June 2019)* – the value of City Deal contracts won to date by companies across the Region. And with over £300 million (At end June 2019) of funding agreed so far for spend on infrastructure works, further contract opportunities are in the pipeline.

Construction work underway and the three completed Employment and Skills projects have created thousands of new jobs, including for those furthest away from the jobs market and for young people. Three Innovation and Business Growth projects, now up and running, are also creating jobs, supporting local businesses and have already generated over £10 million in private sector investment.

All 27 high level projects have been selected, most of which are underway and a number are already completed. In fact, by the end of this month, 15 overall projects will have been completed (Seven projects and another eight sub projects, some quite substantial).

At the end of June 2019, over £168 million has been spent on the Infrastructure Programme.

Susan Aitken, Glasgow City Region Cabinet Chair and Leader Glasgow City Council said:

“There is a real sense of progress and momentum with the City Deal now. As we stand on the cusp of our first five-year milestone, we’re on track to delivering what we have set out to achieve; fair, sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

“Over 20 major and transformative infrastructure projects are either underway or due to commence; we have worked with over 20,000 unemployed citizens and already supported thousands into work; we are set to generate a permanent uplift in our Gross Value Added and leverage billions in private sector investment, with the record-breaking investment by Barclay’s on the banks of the Clyde demonstrating strong investor confidence in the City Region.”

“And we have much to look forward to in the next 12 months, with a number of further milestones expected across major infrastructure projects. Crucially, the partnership between the eight member councils, government and the private sector continues to strengthen, allowing the Glasgow City Region to deliver on its economic potential for the benefit of all our citizens and for Scotland.”

Projects that have completed so far are Medicity, Tontine, Cathkin Relief Road, Glasgow University Imaging Centre of Excellence, Youth Gateway, Working Matters and In Work Progression.

The completed sub-projects are Crossmill Business Park, Newton Farm Primary School, Sighthill Remediation Contract 1, Newton Park and Ride, Glenboig Link Road, Sauchiehall Avenue, Woodhead Primary School Extension, Calton Barras Action Plan: Barras Public Realm Phase 1.**

UK Government Minister Colin Clark said:

“The Glasgow City Region City deal is a fantastic example of the Growth Deals programme, which continues to bring economic transformation to the area through innovation and growth as well as key infrastructure projects.

“I am pleased to see that these projects are supporting Glasgow and the surrounding area’s businesses, creating thousands of jobs and attracting further private sector investment.

“The UK Government has already committed almost £1.4 billion to City Region and Growth deals in Scotland, with more to come.”

Scottish Government Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said:

“The Scottish Government’s investment in the Glasgow City Region Deal continues to stimulate inclusive economic growth, with millions of pounds strategically invested in the local economy in ways that will directly benefit both local businesses and some of our most deprived communities. I am delighted that the regional partners’ have also committed to an ambitious Regional Economic Strategy and Skills Investment Plan that will ensure they continue to work together, above and beyond delivering the Deal, in order to improve prosperity for all communities across the City Region.

“The Scottish Government will ensure that all of Scotland’s regions benefit from a Growth Deal, with over £1.8 billion having been committed to City and Growth Deals, and associated regional investments, across Scotland to date.”

The next few months are set to see further progress and developments.

In the City Deal, Europe’s first ever Smart Canal, an innovative £17 million project is set to complete. New technology combined with a 250 year old heritage asset is mitigating flood risk, enabling massive regeneration in an area previously unfit for development. The project is set to free up 110 hectares in the north of Glasgow for investment, new housing, paving the way for more than 3,000 new homes.

The contract for the iconic bridge over the M8 motorway at Sighthill is also set to be awarded, with bids currently being reviewed. (The estimated contract value set out in the latest project business case was in the region of £19 million).

Construction for Greenlaw Business Centre in Newton Mearns is also complete and the facility is due to open shortly with the formal opening early next year, providing modern office accommodation and support for local SMEs.

Progress continues too in the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy which sets out collective plans for growth across the eight partner councils – with targets for jobs, skills, new homes and businesses. In the last year, the City Region councils launched a strategy for tourism, pledging to work together to boost tourist numbers to the west of Scotland by an additional 1 million over the next five years. A new Regional Skills Investment Plan was also unveiled, backed by the business sector and all of the regions universities and colleges. Actions will futureproof the Regional economy, ensuring the local workforce has the digital and other skills needed to adapt to a changing world. A new group was also been established to develop closer collaboration with key utility and infrastructure providers supporting the Region’s population of 1.8 million. The aim is to better understand the investment plans and constraints facing telecommunications, water, power, gas and transportation providers and consider how all parties involved can work together to maximise shared investment, while delivering efficiency improvements and economic benefits for residents. A recent meeting focused on the use of cutting edge technology to transform Glasgow City Region over the next 15 years.

The Annual Performance Report for the City Deal for the last financial year (April 2018 – March 2019), available on the City Deal website, provides a detailed overview of progress and achievements in the period, governance structures, milestones and financial performance.

The Regional Economic Strategy Action Plan is under review and a refresh will be announced in early 2020.

11/10/2019/by Brian McGuire