Linwood | Paisley Scotland

YOUNGSTERS at three Renfrew Primary schools got the chance to take part in their annual sports day – even though they were still in lockdown.

Thanks to the team at Renfrewshire Leisure Sports Services, pupils from Kirklandneuk, Arkleston and Newmains Primary schools competed in a virtual sports day.

All the usual summer sports day events were held in the pupils’ own gardens as the individual houses in schools competed against each other. Events included Egg and Spoon, Wellie Toss, Limbo, Speed Bounce, Human Pyramid, Transfer the Water, Bowls, Plank, Obstacle Course, Laps of the Garden, Keepie Ups, Burpees and Standing Long Jump.

The winning house at Kirklandneuk Primary was Spartan; Arkleston house winner was Viscount and Newmains winning house was Wallace.

Olympic athlete, Eilidh Doyle sent pupils a good luck video to encourage them to take part. The youngsters were also asked to design flags and banners to put up in their gardens, or the windows of their homes.

The Renfrewshire Leisure Sports Services team paid tribute to Kirklandeuk principal teacher, Mrs Gillian Stafford and teacher Mr Darren O’Hanlon; Newmains principal teacher, Mrs Gillian Hall and Arkleston principal teacher, Mrs Kajla for their help in organising the event.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “Lots of pupils and their families look forward to their school sports day and it was a great idea from our Sports Services Team that they shouldn’t miss out this year.

“Lots of things have been happening online since the lockdown began and it was an inspired move to create a virtual sports day for the three schools. I want to thank all the teachers and pupils for getting involved and making virtual sports day a success, they have been brilliant.”

30/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

Local volunteers from Renfrewshire’s award-winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign have caught fly tippers red-handed as they look to protect the local environment.

Six £200 fixed penalty notices have been issued by Renfrewshire Council since April following reports from dedicated volunteers who have encountered fly tipping while cleaning up their area – with 22 issued in total across the area.

Waste found in Renfrew identified the same person’s details on numerous occasions which led to a fine being issued, while a van was caught red-handed dumping waste in Erskine.

Other occasions saw fly tippers fined in Paisley and Erskine woods after they were caught on camera illegally getting rid of their waste.

The notices require to be paid within 14 days, otherwise the council can pursue court action against the offenders.

Any residents using a ‘man with a van’ type companies must ensure that their waste will be disposed of legally by a registered waste carrier as it is still their responsibility if it is dumped illegally.

Councillor Cathy McEwan, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board, said: “Fly tipping is not only illegal, but it ruins the appearance and harms our local environment.

“We need people in Renfrewshire to take responsibility for their waste and recognise that dumping it in our countryside, neighbourhoods or laybys is unacceptable.

“The fantastic Team Up to Clean Up volunteers are prime examples of what we should all strive to be, and they are making a tremendous difference to our local area.

“If you see someone fly tipping, or find evidence as to who has done it, then please report to us and together we can stop this happening once and for all in Renfrewshire.”

For more information on the Team Up to Clean Up campaign, or to report fly tipping, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/teamuptocleanup.

29/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

Councillors have committed to researching Renfrewshire’s history and links to the slave trade as part of stand against racism and hate crime.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron opened the first-ever virtual full Council meeting by outlining her desire to reflect on the area’s part in the slave trade as part of its support for the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Provost Cameron said: “As an organisation, we value diversity and will not tolerate racism in our schools, workplaces or communities.

“The killing of George Floyd shocked and sickened us all and has marked a turning point for the anti-racism movement. We must work to eradicate racism in all its forms now and be prepared to examine the role it played in our past.

“Renfrewshire’s thread-making was part of an international industry built on slavery, a part of our history that we must reflect on and come to terms with.

“We were, however, a community that had an active abolition movement in the late 18th and early-mid 19th centuries, embracing diversity and campaigning for equality in all its forms.

“It is that sense of fairness and justice that has shaped our present and that we must draw on now, but we must also move away from that comfortable place where we have positioned ourselves as abolitionists – because that position is not enough anymore.

“That is why we are committing to researching the past and links between Renfrewshire and the slave trade. It is vitally important that we have a conversation about how we ethically address this part of our history, represent all the voices within our community and ensure that racism has no part in our future.

“It’s what we do next that matters. We must look to our past, stare it in the face and claim it. Only then can we begin to move forward.”

Following discussion, councillors agreed to support Black History Month each year and to support both cultural and educational events outside of the designated month, with consultation completed with the black community on how this should be done.

An anti-racism discussion group has also been established by Renfrewshire Leisure’s cultural team and will build on their ongoing research into Renfrewshire’s past and look at how museums can be decolonised moving forward.

Also at the meeting, which was attended by 21 of the 43 elected members to limit potential connection issues, councillors received an update on the current situation in Renfrewshire relating to Coronavirus, as well as details of the area’s recovery plan to restart, recover and renew services in line with national guidance with partners, businesses and communities.

Councillors also approved the move to undertake virtual meetings for the scheduled policy boards in August and September, as it is not yet clear when meetings of this nature will be able to take place in the conventional manner.

Council meetings will now move into recess until 14 August, although to ensure required decision can be made, the Emergencies Board will continue on a fortnightly basis and its membership has been extended to 15.

26/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

A NEW creative arts project has been launched for children and grown-ups.

It’s aimed at people looking to be part of a creative community, to pass the time creatively in lockdown, or to encourage and motivate friends and family to try new things.

Called Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire, the initiative aims to encourage everyone to get creative in an easy and fun way and be able to share their artistic endeavours with the wider community.

Renfrewshire Leisure’s Arts Team ~~and~~ joined with the Fun Palaces – Tiny Revolutions of Connection organisation to engage with the local community and stimulate creativity.

Every Friday Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire will post an activity card on the Renfrewshire Leisure website – www.renfrewshireleisure.com/arts-projects – for people to download and complete, with activities such as collage, colouring, animation, singing and dancing.

And when the arts project is completed, those taking part are being asked to share photographs of their creations by emailing artsteam@renfrewshire.gov.uk or posting on social media using #TinyRevolutionsRen.

Renfrewshire Leisure’s Arts Team is also planning to organise a future display of artwork from the project in Paisley and the wider Renfrewshire area.

The first two weeks’ arts projects have been to create a rainbow from all kinds of everyday items and to make a two-metre long message paper message made from a single sheet of A4 paper to send to family and friends, re-connecting people who haven’t been able to see each other in a while.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes said: “Friday is fun time for people of all ages, who like being artistic and trying new things.

“The Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire brings together everyone in our community who like to be creative and it’s an ideal activity during the current lockdown.

“Why not encourage your family and friends to take part and then let everyone see how creative you are by sending us photos of your artistic efforts.”

15/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson

Grant support for Renfrewshire businesses to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus has now topped £23million, with 98% of all applications having been considered.

Renfrewshire Council’s business teams have awarded 2075 grants from the Scottish Government’s Coronavirus Business Support fund.

Some 1876 small business grants have been issued, totalling £18.5million and 199 retail, hospitality and leisure business grants have been awarded, providing £4.8million in relief for companies to counter the impact of Coronavirus.

This small business grant has now been extended to support tenants and occupiers of premises such as shared office spaces, business incubators and shared industrial units

Local businesses are urged to apply now if they require support, with the Scottish Government confirming new applications to this fund will close on Friday 10 July 2020.

A further £380,000 in hardship grants has helped 190 people newly self-employed.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “Coronavirus is having a huge impact on all communities across Scotland and upon the local and national economy.

“Our business teams are working tirelessly to approve and award government grants and provide local businesses with support and guidance at this tremendously difficult time.

“I would encourage local employers and employees to visit our support for business web page which is being constantly updated with all the available funding schemes, including sector-specific support and employability advice too.”

The council web page www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-businesses will also have details of additional funding being made available for small B&Bs from Monday 15 June.

Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, Renfrewshire business leaders, enterprise and education agencies have been in regular contact to consider the current situation and collaborate on the steps needed towards recovery.

Councillor Nicolson said: “The recent news of the potential for major job losses at Rolls-Royce is a devastating blow for everyone affected, including many Renfrewshire residents employed at the Inchinnan site.

“Our priority is to identify how we can support those at risk of losing their jobs and we are in contact with Rolls Royce and working with Government and national agencies to help mitigate the impact of this decision wherever possible.

“I know many more businesses big and small are struggling and we must be ready and able to tackle the social and economic harm now and in the months ahead.”

10/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

In 1993, 1st Choice ChemDry began trading across Paisley, Greater Glasgow, and Renfrewshire. The business is a local franchise of international company ChemDry.

Director Peter Moir and the whole team pride themselves on providing a professional, caring, and friendly service to domestic and commercial customers. They are passionate about the job they undertake and will always aim to ensure you are satisfied with their service. The team’s extra mile approach is clearly popular, and they recently won the ‘International Franchise of the Year 2019’ award.

The team offer domestic cleaning of curtains, carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Their technique and process remove dust, dirt, and grime build-up, plus bacteria, pet odour, and potential allergens.
( Find out more: https://www.1stchoicechemdry.co.uk/domestic-cleaning )

1st Choice ChemDry also offers commercial cleaning services, understanding that a clean working environment is essential to the health and productivity of your employees. From carpet and upholstery care to fire-retardant application, the team’s got you covered.
( Find out more: https://www.1stchoicechemdry.co.uk/commercial-cleaning )

The team is currently offering hospital-grade fog sanitising to ensure a sanitised workplace, so that you can give your staff peace of mind when returning to work after lockdown.
( Find out more: https://www.1stchoicechemdry.co.uk/return-to-work )

The 1st Choice ChemDry staff area all DBS checked, so you can have peace of mind when allowing them into your home or business to carry out work.

Find out more about 1st Choice ChemDry at www.1stchoicechemdry.co.uk

05/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

AGS Airports, which owns and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, has introduced a series of health measures to provide a safe environment for staff and passengers. The measures are being introduced as a number of airlines prepare to relaunch key domestic routes later this month.

Passengers travelling through the airports will be asked to come prepared with their own facial coverings whilst all staff will be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks. Protective screens have been installed in key areas, including the check-in and security halls, and passengers will be asked to observe safe, physical distancing wherever possible.

AGS has also enhanced its already thorough cleaning regimes with a specific focus on the regular disinfecting of all hard surfaces. Other additional health measures include:

The use of electrostatic fogging machines which disinfect surfaces within two minutes.
Passenger touchpoints, including security trays, are being treated with an antimicrobial product which kills germs and lasts for up to 30 days on surfaces. It has been tested to be more than 99.99% effective against COVID-19.
Self-cleaning stations for trollies have been set-up in baggage halls.
Hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed throughout the terminals.
Floor markers are in place across the terminals to help passengers physically distance where it is possible to do so.
Staff have received training on how to protect customers and colleagues against COVID-19.
Clear signage is in place advising of the measures.

Crucially, anyone who is displaying Coronavirus symptoms is being asked not to travel to the airports.

Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: “Our airports have remained open throughout this pandemic to provide crucial lifeline services. During this time, we’ve worked closely with both the UK and Scottish governments, and their officials, to ensure we follow all health guidance.

“As the lockdown begins to ease and airlines start to confirm plans to restart domestic connectivity, it’s important we do everything we possibly can to keep our airports clean and safe for our staff and for our passengers. These measures, which are in place at all three of our airports, will ensure we help each other to travel safely through our terminals at a time when we are working to get our country and the economy moving again.”

05/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

Residents receiving food and medicines from Renfrewshire Council will soon see little cards of kindness appear in their deliveries to help bring a little joy to their day.

Around 1,500 households in Renfrewshire will receive postcards in their support parcels, offering a sense of connection at this difficult time and the wider community is also being encouraged to get involved, with more cards being distributed by Neighbourhood Hubs.

The cards, known as Postcards from Home aim to encourage people to keep in touch in a creative way. The first postcard residents receive is a positive, illustrated poem, which can be coloured in, that evokes summer and better days to come, from Brian Whittingham, Tannahill Makar for Renfrewshire.

The public are being asked to share their drawings, poems, quotes and art on social media using the hashtag #KindnessCounts which may then be turned into postcards to be shared in the coming weeks.

The support parcels, which include items such as freshly prepared meals, toiletries and dry goods like cereal and tea bags, are delivered to residents by teams from across the council. The teams which includes redeployed staff, have been prepping and cooking fresh meals, packing bags and delivering food parcels to the doors of those most in need in the community, all while adhering to physical distancing guidelines.

This is a combined effort by teams and individuals across the council and Renfrewshire Leisure coming together to provide this vital service to the community.

Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, said: “In times like these a little kindness can go a long way and that’s the inspiration behind Postcards from Home.

“For those receiving the support parcels, who may be feeling isolated at the moment, I hope these little cards of kindness will help them feel more connected to their community.”

Chair of Renfrewshire Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, said: “Creativity has the power to inspire and lift people’s spirits.

“The first of the postcards featuring a poem from Brian Whittingham, Tannahill Makar for Renfrewshire, will, I’m sure, help brighten people’s day with its uplifting message of better times to come.”

Postcards from Home is part of Renfrewshire Council’s Kindness Counts campaign which aims to share uplifting stories about the acts of kindness that are currently taking place throughout Renfrewshire during the pandemic.

The public are encouraged to share their uplifting stories and creations on social media using #KindnessCounts.

05/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

Commenting on the job losses announced at the Rolls-Royce base at Inchinnan, the SNP MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire North Gavin Newlands said:

“The workforce at the Rolls-Royce Inchinnan base have been integral – both in the UK and abroad – to the success of the firm over many years. The job losses announced today is devastating news which will hit workers, their families and the wider community during these difficult times.

“Throughout the period since the proposed job losses were first announced, the Scottish Government has made clear many times that it is keen to sit down with Rolls-Royce and support the operation at Inchinnan in whatever way it can. That remains the case and it is vital that the firm engages meaningfully and in good faith to protect jobs and people’s livelihoods.

“Even at this late stage, there is still time for management to have substantive discussions with unions and the wider workforce about what action is needed to weather the current economic storm.

“There is no denying the unprecedented challenges the aviation and aerospace industry finds itself in during this health pandemic. However, those challenges are best met by a collective effort by management, workers and unions to map out a future that secures employment and potential long-term growth once we are through the worst of the current crisis.

“It is also extremely disappointing that since the start of the difficulties facing the workforce, not a single UK government minister has contacted me to discuss the future of the plant.

“I urge the UK government to roll up its sleeves and join in efforts to work out a strategy that encourages high-skill, high-value jobs to be safeguarded rather than allowing them to be slashed.”

Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, added:

““Many of my constituents work at the Inchinnan site, and I have written to the Scottish Government’s Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills urging the government to do all that it can to support employees at the site.

“The workers at Rolls Royce are highly skilled and we must work to retain their talent and skills sets as the Scottish economy moves forward following this pandemic. My office is ready to help any workers affected by this news.

“It is imperative that the Scottish and UK Governments engage with employees to ensure that they are redeployed and repurposed so that we retain their enormous talent and skill.”

03/06/2020/by Brian McGuire

More than 60 volunteers have been working with staff from Renfrewshire Council and partners to support people in the community at this time.

Officers, partners and volunteers are working together as one team to support people in a flexible and innovative way from the council’s Neighbourhood Hubs.

The hubs are run by the council in partnership with key local organisations such as the Health and Social Care Partnership, Renfrewshire Leisure and local voluntary and community groups, to provide general support and information to residents who may need extra help in coping with the effects of coronavirus.

The volunteers, who have been recruited through Engage Renfrewshire’s Volunteer Reserve, are undertaking a number of roles to support the local community.

Volunteers have been carrying out a variety of tasks including; doing doorstep deliveries, helping with daily errands such as dog walking and posting letters, keeping in touch with residents by making friendship calls or becoming email pen pals.

One volunteer said: “I decided to volunteer at the local hub to help make people’s lives a bit easier during this virus situation. Everyone needs a little bit of support, some more than others, and I wanted to be that person who could lend a helping hand or even a listening ear to those in need.”

Another volunteer commented: “I am retired but still fit and healthy and wanted to help make a difference in my local community. At the moment there appears to be much more of a sense of community with many people looking out for each other and helping out where they can. This can only have a positive effect on local communities which will hopefully last.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader, Iain Nicolson, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to volunteer to help those in need in their community in these difficult times.

“It is truly inspiring to see how our community has pulled together to support and look after one another. With next week being Volunteer Week across the UK I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has volunteered to help during this crisis for the important role they are playing in supporting their community.”

Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1-7 June 2020. The annual celebration marks the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. This year, the focus of the week will be to thank volunteers for their work.

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Those looking to volunteer can still sign up for Engage Renfrewshire’s Volunteer Reserve by visiting: https://volunteer.engagerenfrewshire.com/.

29/05/2020/by Brian McGuire

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