Event of the week: Into The Ark

MUSIC fans will be on the crest of a wave this weekend as Into The Ark take centre stage at the Paisley Food Festival.

The duo (pictured above) were this year’s runners-up on hit TV talent show The Voice and will perform at the free festival at Abbey Close on Saturday, from noon until 7pm.

Now in its third year, the festival will showcase the breadth of Scotland’s exciting street food scene, with traders using the very best seasonal ingredients and sustainably-sourced produce in their dishes.

This event also forms part of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021, which is due to be submitted at the end of this month.

Dane, from Into The Ark, said: “We always love playing in Scotland, it’s like a second home for us. It’s great to be supporting Paisley 2021. This will also be our first proper gig since taking part in The Voice, so we’re looking forward to getting back to what we do best.”

Other festival highlights include a visit by Masterchef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean, who will host a series of cooking demonstrations, and CBeebies star Katy Ashworth, who will entertain children throughout the day, giving them the chance to take part in fun, interactive games, stories and sing-a-longs.

As well as a host of tasty treats, visitors to the festival will also be able to sample a wide range of craft beers, gins and prosecco.

For more information, visit www.paisley2021.co.uk

Art sessions

Erskine Art Group is on the lookout for new members.

Meetings take place at Erskine Baptist Church on Wednesdays, from 10am to noon.

All are welcome to attend the gatherings, where they can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a friendly atmosphere.

There are “no tutors and no pressure” at this relaxed group.

Anyone for tennis?

A HOUSTON tennis club is inviting residents to attend a come-and-try event.

Strathgryffe Tennis and Squash Club is hosting free tennis, squash and fitness sessions.

Those attending can also support Gryffe High School’s theatre improvement project by buying afternoon tea in the clubhouse, followed by shopping and games on courts three and four.

The fun takes place on Sunday, April 23, from 1pm to 4pm.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions and are available from the tennis club or Gryffe High, in Houston.

Make a booking

A CREATIVE communities talk will take place in Kilmacolm this week.

The event is being staged at St Columba’s School on Thursday, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

The session will focus on Murder in the Library, with crime writer Russel D Mclean.

Guests can enjoy a glass of wine as Russel discusses his latest thriller, Ed’s Dead.

Send an email to vfinnigan@st-columbas.org to reserve a place.

Child’s play

JO Jingles classes are coming to Paisley after Easter.

The singing, dancing and music club for children starts on Thursday, April 20.

There are still a few spaces available on a Thursday at The Bobbin Mill, in Phoenix Retail Park, and a Friday at the Connect Church, in Broomlands Street.

Please check in advance to confirm your space as some classes already have waiting lists.

More details can be found online at www.jojingles.com

Plant sale

BUDDING gardeners are invited to a plant sale at Kilmacolm Community Centre.

Those interested can go along on Saturday, April 22, from 10am to noon.

Cup of cheer

KILBARCHAN Girl Guides will be hosting an international jamboree coffee morning this weekend.

The event takes place at the Girl Guides’ base in Barn Green on Saturday, from 10am to noon.

Some tasty home baking will be on offer, along with a tombola and raffles.

All cash raised will be going towards the Guides’ visit to the Poacher 2017 Jamboree.

Entry costs £3 for adults and £1.50 for children and everyone who goes along will be made welcome.

Clean winner

VOLUNTEERS are being sought for a community clean-up.

The event will take place in Kilmacolm on Saturday, starting at 10am, and the meeting place will be the Pullman car park.

All litter-picking equipment will be provided.

Call or text Kilmacolm Community Council on 0754 278 8502 or send an email to secretary@kilmacolmcc.co.uk to sign up.

Organisers have stressed that the event will be postponed if there is bad weather.

Go exploring

LOCHWINNOCH’S next Explorer group meeting is set to focus on raptors.

Little ones and their parents can learn all about birds of prey by going along to the RSPB nature reserve on Saturday, from 10am to noon.

Those attending are advised to wear suitable clothing as this event will be outdoors.

The session is suitable for those aged between five and 14. All children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult.

Booking is essential and costs £5 per child. Young members of the RSPB will only pay £3 and adults go for free.

Get writing

BOOKWORMS are invited to a writing workshop in Kilmacolm this weekend.

The village’s community centre will host the event on Saturday, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Author Liz Rettig will be discussing her Kelly Ann books, about a 15-year-old girl who keeps a secret diary.

This free event is open to those aged 12 and over.

If you would like to go along, send an email to vfinnigan@st-columbas.org.

Pedal power

People who enjoy the great outdoors can saddle up for a 100k road cycling sportive this weekend.

The Pedal the Park event takes place on Sunday, starting and finishing at Castle Semple Visitor Centre, in Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch.

Registration opens at 7.30am and all riders must be registered 30 minutes before the start time.

Sign on will be at the Ride 63 tent outside the visitor centre.

Starts will be in groups of 20 riders at two-minute intervals, as requested by Police Scotland.

It’s first come, first away, so if you have a group of friends, gather and register together at the start area.

The start time will be 8.30am for the first group of 20 riders.

Those interested can sign up via the British Cycling website for £15 in advance or £20 on the day.

This includes a £5 donation to the CLIC Sargent charity, supporting its work with young people with cancer and their families.

Spring into action

KILBARCHAN residents are asked to do their bit for the community this weekend by taking part in a spring clean-up.

Volunteers should gather at the Ewing Street car park at 2pm on Sunday.

Equipment will be provided and those attending are advised to wear strong shoes or boots.

For more information or to sign up, call Gail Scoular on 0798 574 9220 or send an email to hello@kilbarchansmile.co.uk

Gala Day

STALLHOLDERS are being sought for the Erskine Gala Day over the summer.

Businesses will have access to around 4,000 guests at the event, which will take place on Saturday, June 24.

For £35, stallholders can get space for a table within the covered marquee.

Email erskinecommunityevents@gmail.com for stallholder information and a booking form.

For more details, call Jacqui on 0779 912 3002 or get in touch with the organisers via Facebook at Erskine Community Events.

Weigh to go

PEOPLE who are looking to lose weight for the summer can make a start by attending Skinny Minnies.

Based in Bridge of Weir, the group encourages members to start losing the pounds at weekly sessions.

Those behind Skinny Minnies promise there won’t be strict diets or calorie counting to adhere to – just simple, healthy principles.

Anyone wishing to attend can go along to the Cargill Hall on Wednesday nights, from 7pm to 8pm.

Love is in the air

IF you are looking for love or a fun night out, the Dates-n-Mates group could be right up your street.

Dates-n-Mates is a dating and friendship agency run by and for people with learning disabilities.

It stages regular meetings in Renfrewshire.

For more information, call 0141 427 2957.

Treat your toes

AN organisation which supports older people will be running foot clinics in a number of venues around Renfrewshire throughout the year.

The ROAR Do Feet group is supported by the NHS, with practitioners trained to be competent to cut toenails and give a welcome foot rub.

To find out more, call 0141 889 7481.

Back to our roots

GAELIC language and culture is alive and well in Renfrewshire.

Clann Gàidhlig was established in March 2004 to promote and develop all things Gaelic and has since gone from strength to strength.

The group stages céilidhs, talks, quiz nights, Gaelic learning days and much more.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in Gaelic language, music and culture and costs £5 per year, although it is free for those aged under 18.

Visit www.clanngaidhlig.org to find out more.

It’s a date

A DATE has been confirmed for the next meeting of Renfrew Community Council.

The event takes place at Renfrew Town Hall on Tuesday, May 2, starting at 7.15pm.

There will then be a further meeting on Tuesday, June 6, also at 7.15pm, before the community council takes a summer break.

For regular updates, visit the website at www.renfrewcommunitycouncil.org