Renfrewshire Council Archives

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Oor Wullie gets a new name after Paisley Pattern makeover

THE iconic cartoon character Oor Wullie has been given a new name.

He’s been dubbed Oor Buddie after his statue in the middle of one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres had his shirt and dungarees painted in the famous Paisley Pattern design.

Staff at the intu Braehead shopping centre then gave Oor Wullie the new nickname and yesterday Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron visited the mall to see the Oor Buddie statue after its Paisley Pattern makeover.

The statue is on display in the mall until the end of this month after intu Braehead became one of the sponsors of the Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail to raise money for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

The charity has also been given space in the mall to raise awareness and collect donations towards the vital work they do.

Provost Cameron said: “I’m proud to be a Buddie and it’s great to welcome such a famous character to our ranks.

“It was a great idea to have Oor Wullie dressed in Paisley Pattern clothes and to paint the wall behind the statue with iconic buildings in the town.”

Provost Cameron added: “I’m sure we’ll see Oor Buddie along with PC Murdoch, Fat Bob, Wee Eck and Soapy Soutar walking along Paisley’s High Street every weekend!”

As part of the sponsorship, intu Braehead also received a smaller statue that they have gifting to Riverbrae School, in Linwood for the pupils there to decorate with their own designs. This has also gone on display in the shopping centre before going back to the school.

Community development manager for intu Braehead, Lydia Brown said: “We thought we would jazz up Oor Wullie’s dungarees and shirt by giving them a Paisley Pattern design.

“And when we saw the fantastic results of the makeover it was obvious he needed a new name.

“We’ve had lots of people taking selfies and photographs of family and friends sitting on the bucket we’ve placed beside Oor Buddie, so he’s certainly been a very popular attraction in the centre.”

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity supports babies, children and young people being treated at the city’s Royal Hospital for Children. Other charities benefitting from Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail in other parts of Scotland are Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and the ARCHIE Foundation.

Kirsten Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Oor Wullie’s BIG Bucket Trail has been such a hit with the public this summer, and we’re incredibly grateful to intu Braehead for their support in bringing a sculpture to the centre.

“It’s thanks to the generosity of sponsors that the trail has been made possible, and we hope that lots of trail-goers manage to visit the centre before the trail closes at the end of the month.

“The vital awareness and funds raised by the trail will help Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity support nearly 200,000 patients each year, and we’re very grateful for everyone’s support.”

Prints and postcards of the statue have been created by the artist, Shona Heaney, which are on sale at charity’s pop-up shop at intu Braehead.

23/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Blog, Ferguslie, Newsletter, Paisley, Paisley Photographs, People from Paisley, Press Release, Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire Council, Volunteers

Ferguslie young people will transform their local park thanks to £50,000 investment

Glencoats Park in Paisley is set to be transformed after local volunteer group Pals of the Privies secured a £50,000 investment.

The group applied to Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund to upgrade the play area within the park with a new surface and new equipment.

Pals of the Privies

Focus groups were held with the local schools and nurseries, as well as youth clubs, to identify what type of equipment they would like to see and these plans will now be taken forward by the group as part of the first of three phases to reinvigorate the play opportunities in the park.

Demi Donnell, Pals of the Privies, said: “We’re elated to have received this funding to kick start our play park project.

“We are now able to begin to introduce accessible and age appropriate equipment to meet the needs of our entire community.

“Our group is so thankful to Renfrewshire Council for this help it has made all of our hard work worthwhile.

“We hope to continue with our play park improvements with two further stages, introducing parkour style equipment in to the park much to the delight of the local children and the commencement of stage one of the improvement has given us such excitement for the future.”

The group were established as part of the Team Up to Clean Up campaign which aims to enhance community pride in Renfrewshire and the park has been transformed as a result.

Through hard work and dedication, the volunteers litter picked and cleared overgrown vegetation to return it to a welcoming environment for families in the local area.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “The Pals of the Privies group have been an inspiration since they were established, and they have transformed Glencoats Park back into a thriving community space.

“This funding will allow them to continue this transformation and provide young people and families with a place to play and spend time in as a community, and I can’t wait to see it progress.

“If you’ve got a similar idea and enthusiasm, please get in touch with the team and we’ll support you to make your application.”

The £1.87million 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 for this 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.

23/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire’s new recycling system has seen a reduction of almost 2000 tonnes of household waste sent to landfill than the same period last year.

From January to July 2019, 15,187.75 tonnes were disposed of compared to 17,163.44 in 2018 – a reduction of 11.5%.

This coincided with a 42.6% increase in the amount of food and garden waste recycled and almost 7000 tonnes of blue and green bin recycling was diverted from landfill during this period.

This has enabled the council to post its highest ever recycling rate of 52.3% in the year to date.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “We thank everyone for their efforts in using the new recycling system and we hope to see even more success in the future in raising our recycling rate and reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

“It’s extremely important that we consider our environment and by taking the time to recycle you really are making a difference.

“We’ll support you however we can to recycle more, and more efficiently, so please get in touch or visit our website for more information on what should and should not go into your bins.”

The new collection service was introduced to more than 90,000 households in November 2018, with homes given an additional recycling bin for plastics, cans and glass, and the service will be rolled out to areas of Erskine which required a more tailored approach later this month.

Councillor McEwan added: “With a change of this size affecting almost every home in Renfrewshire, it was clear that there would be teething problems but we’ve worked tirelessly with residents to resolve any issues and the new service has now bedded in.

“We appreciate that changes such as this take time to become normality, but we will continue to be available for residents to answer any queries and ensure we are providing them with the best possible bin collection service.”

The new service was supported by a campaign to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill by encouraging residents to recycle and think about what they are placing in their general waste bin.

Information was sent directly to every home outlining the new collection system and a new section of the council website was created to support this and explain how it will affect residents and ensure they know what should and should not go into each bin.

In addition, residents can now go online to check their next four collections, download a calendar into their smartphone and sign up for email reminders which arrive the day before the next bin is due out.

Waste advisers are also available to discuss any issues that residents have and can be contacted via mybins@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

For more information, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/mybins.

23/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Proposals to build four new Early Learning and Childcare Centres and carry out major extensions at three existing centres have been announced by Renfrewshire Council.

The council has submitted planning applications for new centres in Dargavel, Houston, Lochfield in Paisley and Kirklandneuk in Renfrew.

Plans to carry out major extensions at St Margaret’s Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Johnstone and Kilbarchan Community Nursery have also been submitted, alongside proposals to create a bespoke centre for Inchinnan Community Nursery at Inchinnan Primary.

The projects are part of a £14million extension and refurbishment programme to support the expansion of nursery provision in Renfrewshire. It will also help the council meet the Scottish Government’s target of 1140 fully-funded hours of early learning and childcare for all three and four-year-olds and eligible two-year-olds by August 2020.

In 2019, Renfrewshire became the first local authority in Scotland to be rated ‘excellent’ by Education Scotland for its efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap. The expansion to early learning and childcare is expected to support much of that work.

If the planning applications are approved, work on the new-build centres will begin in January 2020, and the major extensions in March 2020.

Renfrewshire Council Depute Leader and Convener of Education and Children’s Services, Jim Paterson, said: “These new centres and major extensions will ensure we are able to continue providing young children with the best possible start in life once the new expanded 1140 hours are introduced in August 2020.

“We are committed to providing the best learning environments for young children and are driven to maintain quality across all early learning and childcare centres and classes. The work we are proposing will support this, creating bespoke centres and facilities that will help young children in Renfrewshire thrive for years to come.”

The council launched a recruitment drive to support its 1140 Early Learning and Childcare expansion plans in April 2019, with a range of posts set to be advertised before the new expanded hours are introduced in August 2020.

Parents of three and four-year-olds and some eligible two-year-olds will see the number of free early learning and childcare hours they receive increase from 600 to 1140 in August 2020. Ahead of that deadline, eligible children will be offered 1140 ELC where there is space to do so. Parents wishing more information should speak to their local nursery.

The expansion will give parents more flexibility in their choice of nursery and childcare services, meaning they can choose from council, private and volunteer-run nursery classes, centres and childminding. They will also have plenty of choice when accessing their child’s entitlement, including options for 8am-6pm over 50 weeks, mornings or afternoons over 45 weeks, or 6 hours per day over the school year, as well as being able to select their preferred options of nursery or childminding sessions.

There will also be an increase in the number of places commissioned from funded independent and private nurseries.

Children attending a Council or funded private or voluntary nursery centres or classes during lunchtime will also be entitled to a free meal.

Parents and carers should continue to apply to their local nursery for a place for their child. When centres and classes have the capacity to accommodate 1140 hours before August 2020, parents will be contacted directly and asked to select their preferred option.

For more information on 1140 Early Learning and Childcare and our expansion plans, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/1140ELC.

16/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire Council’s approach to finding long-term homes for people at risk of homelessness has received a funding boost from the Scottish Government.

An initial £186,000 from the Scottish Government’s Ending Homelessness Together Fund will be used to expand the council’s Housing First service which reduces the time people spend in temporary accommodation and helps them to sustain settled accommodation.

Renfrewshire was the first council in Scotland to fund a Housing First model and has seen the number of households making homeless applications fall since 2012. The service provides ‘wrap-a-round’ support for people who have previously struggled to maintain tenancies.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Caring for the most vulnerable in our communities is one of our top priorities.

“We have a strong focus on preventing homelessness and an excellent track record of supporting those in need. This funding will allow us to increase the tailored support we already provide and continue our efforts to help anyone facing homelessness in Renfrewshire.”

The council received the funding after submitting its Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan to the Scottish Government in December. The plan sets out how the council and its partners will provide people facing homelessness with settled accommodation and appropriate support as quickly as possible and minimise the amount of time they spend in temporary accommodation. Renfrewshire’s plan is still being reviewed by Scottish Government, however the £186,000 funding will allow the Council to expand the service now.

Councillor McGurk added: “We have a number of measures in place to ensure early intervention and support for people facing homelessness.

“Our Homeless Services team works with a range of partners to provide assistance to anyone in housing need, as well as advice on their housing options. We have a range of furnished flats and supported accommodation available, providing people with a place to stay until they are able to move on to settled accommodation. Our Renfrewshire Homelessness Partnership also meets regularly throughout the year to review the local and national picture and consider new initiatives to help those in housing need.

“If you need advice contact our Housing Advice and Homeless Services on 0300 300 0222 or call 0800 121 4466 outside of office hours.”

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

Four community groups in Renfrewshire are set to receive a share of over £45,000 in the next wave of funding from Renfrewshire Council’s Community Empowerment Fund.

Councillors will consider applications from groups including The STAR Project and Paisley Opera at the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board next Tuesday (20 August).

Applications recommended for approval include a request from The STAR Project for £20,000 to create a new labyrinth in Fountains Gardens, Paisley. A community asset transfer for the labyrinth site is currently underway.

Other applications being considered include a request for £10,000 from the 18th Paisley & District (Coats) Scout Group to carry out a feasibility study to find a suitable location for a new purpose-built Scout group and community facility in Foxbar.

Foxbar Community Garden & Environmental Projects Group has applied for £10,000 to support the development of a business plan to create a community garden and local hub facilities on the site of the demolished St Paul’s Primary in Foxbar.

And Paisley Opera has applied for £6,700 to carry out a community consultation and develop a business plan to create a rehearsal space and Community Hub in the East End of Paisley.

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of the Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “Renfrewshire is a thriving place, full of creative, passionate and innovative people and these project showcase that.

“We launched this fund in 2018 because we wanted to work with community groups and empower them to transform their local areas. I know these projects will make a big difference to their local areas and Renfrewshire if they are approved.”

The £1.5million Community Empowerment Fund provides grants to community groups that want to take over ownership and the running of a publicly owned building or piece of land in their local area through Community Asset Transfer. It is currently in its sixth round of funding, with applications to the seventh round of the fund closing on Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Councillor McGurk added: “I would encourage anyone who is interested in taking ownership of a public building or piece of land in their local area and transforming it to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund. Your project could change the lives of people in your community.”

For more information and to find out how to apply to the Community Empowerment Fund, visit http://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CommunityEmpowermentFund.

15/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Residents who want to make a difference in their communities are being encouraged to join their local Community Council.

Elections to Community Councils across Renfrewshire open today (Monday 12 August).

Renfrewshire has 21 active Community Councils, with Charleston, Gallowhill, Glenburn and Hunterhill not currently having any Community Council representation.

Elections will only take place for Renfrewshire’s active Community Councils, however, anyone who is interested in setting up a group in one of the four areas currently without representation should contact Renfrewshire Council.

Residents must be aged 16 or over, live in the Community Council area and be registered to vote to be eligible to stand in the elections.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Community Councils can be the voice of our local people and an important part of community life in Renfrewshire.

“They can help improve their community and public services as well as the quality of life in their areas by generating community spirit, resilience and pride.

“If you live in an area that does not currently have a Community Council and would like help establishing a group, please get in touch for advice and support.

“I would encourage anyone who wants to get involved in their local area to put themselves forward for the Community Council elections. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in your local community.”

The Community Council elections close on Friday 13 September 2019, with the first meeting of each group taking place in October.

To join your Community Council, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/ccelections, download a nomination form and send the completed form to Anne McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Officer, Finance & Resources, Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley, PA1 1TR.

For more information about Community Councils or if you are interested in helping establish a Community Council in Charleston, Gallowhill, Glenburn or Hunterhill, call Senior Committee Services Officer Anne McNaughton on 0141 618 7104 or email council.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk

12/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Intrepid members of the public are being given the chance to experience a piece of medieval archaeology up close in celebration of Renfrewshire’s history and heritage.

Ope Doors at Renfrewshire. 8.9.18

To mark Doors Open Days 2019, experts from Guard Archaeology will lead guided tours of the historic Abbey Drain on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

Ope Doors at Renfrewshire. 8.9.18

The expedition down the drain follows on from the success of the tours as part of Doors Open Days 2018 – and as places on the tours will be in high demand, spaces will be allocated via a ballot.

The 100m long underground passageway, thought to be more than 700 years old, was unearthed in the 19^th century and rediscovered in the 1990s.

This summer, an eight-week excavation – the Big Dig – unearthed a well-preserved 14^th century archway marking where and how the drain met the River Cart, around three metres from the banks of the present-day river.

Archaeologists can now pinpoint the end of the drain and the boundary wall of the monastery, which informs what we already know about the infrastructure and layout of medieval Paisley.

The dig was managed by Renfrewshire Council, run by Guard Archaeology with help from Renfrewshire Local History Forum volunteers, and supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “The Abbey Drain tour is a very exciting opportunity for anyone interested in Paisley’s architecture, archaeology and heritage to experience a medieval structure first-hand.

“I’ve been into the inner workings of the drain myself and it was a fascinating experience.

“There will be plenty going on all over Renfrewshire as part of Doors Open Days. I would encourage people of all ages to get out and about across the weekend and support local businesses while learning more about our heritage and culture.”

To be in with a chance of going down the drain, visit https://paisley.is/listing/win-a-tour-of-the-great-medieval-drain-in-paisleys-abbey-close/ and fill out the ballot form. The ballot will close on Friday 23 August.

Tours will run between 10am and 4.30pm on both Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September.

Participants must be aged 12 or above.

08/08/2019/by Brian McGuire

Paisley Grammar Exam Results 6.8.19-2522

Pupils from Paisley Grammar and Johnstone High schools are celebrating after receiving As in their exam results.

Aiming for careers in STEM, law and product design, the students were thrilled their hard work paid off.

Paisley Grammar Exam Results 6.8.19-2522

More than 4,000 Renfrewshire pupils completed SQA courses this year and results show another successful year.

Baillie Kerr, 18, from Johnstone High, is heading off to study at Glasgow University after gaining As in Advanced Higher Mathematics and Higher Psychology. She said: “I want to be a counsellor after I finish university. I know people who suffer from poor mental health and I want to change perceptions about mental wellbeing.”

Paisley Grammar Exam Results 6.8.19-2503

Budding product designer, Ross Allan, 17, from Paisley Grammar, is heading to university next month. He said: “I needed to get three As and one B to get in and study product design at Strathclyde University. I’m so proud of what I achieved.

“Solving problems is a huge part of product design and I like that it is a creative job with practical implications.”

Johnstone High Exam Results 6.8.19-2482

Millie Spence, 16, from Johnstone High, is also looking to study product design. She said: “I would prefer not to work behind at desk all day. I’m going to go to university after I finish S6.”

Looking forward to a career as a radiotherapist, Stephanie Tavendale, 15, from Johnstone High, said; “One of my favourite subjects is physics and I want to use what I learn to help people with cancer.”

Johnstone High Exam Results 6.8.19-2474

Holly Hamilton, 16, from Paisley Grammar, is also interested in STEM subjects. She said: “I really enjoy science subjects and maths. I haven’t yet decided exactly what I want to study at university, but it’s likely to be a STEM subject.”

After being introduced to criminal cases during his work experience, Danny McNeill, 16, from Paisley Grammar, is on his way to become a lawyer. He said: ““I really enjoyed watching how lawyers presented their case at court and the increasing use of video and audio evidence.”

Joshua Campbell, 16, from Paisley Grammar, also wants to study law, but also finds sound engineering to be fun. He said: “I first started volunteering as a sound technician for my school plays and now I also support the Renfrewshire Schools Orchestra. It has made me consider if I want to do it as a career instead of business law, but I have still to decide. I will not be going to university for another year or two.”

With ambitious to teach primary school children, Jemma English, 15, from Paisley Grammar, isn’t sure what path she will take to become one but will be going to university. She said: “I have always wanted to be a primary school teacher. I like being hands-on and helping children learn through being creative.”

Mabel Wylie, 16, Ellie McGarry, 17, and Lewis Deighan, 15, all from Johnstone High, are not ready to choose what they will study at university. Mabel said: “I will probably study maths at university and go onto work in equity analysis, but I am not sure yet. I have a year to decide.”

Headteachers Janice Levens, Paisley Grammar, and Lynne Hollywood, Johnstone High, were equally delighted with the results.

Janice said: “I am absolutely delighted for those pupils who achieved the successes they were looking for today. This is a stressful day for teachers and families as well as for the pupils opening their exam results, so it’s a huge relief to see them achieve their exam goals. Teachers and pupils have worked so hard all year and it’s a great feeling when things work out well. There will of course be pupils who are not feeling as pleased, but it’s all about learning from what we have achieved and building on that to move to bigger and better things.”

Lynne added: “Baillie, Ellie, Mabel, Millie and Stephanie have done a brilliant job and we are delighted that all their hard work and dedication has paid off with these fantastic sets of results. All year we have been impressed with their determination and commitment to their studies and felt sure that this would be rewarded with outstanding grades – we couldn’t be prouder of them. I’d like to thank the Johnstone High School staff who go the extra mile to prepare the pupils for the SQA exams, and also a huge thanks to our very supportive parents who work so closely with us for the benefit of our students.

“I am, of course, extremely proud of all the Johnstone High School pupils who worked hard all year through their National and Higher courses and exams. The SQA envelope through the door is the recognition of everything they have achieved during their 11 or 12 years of formal education in Renfrewshire. Whether our young people go to university, college, a job or an apprenticeship, these qualifications alongside the skills and values they have learned will open the door to the next stage of their lives. Whatever our young people go on to do next, I am confident that they will be successful and continue to be a credit to their family and local community.”

For support and advice on exam results, call the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000.

06/08/2019/by Brian McGuire