Events of the week and notice board

ALL roads will lead to Erskine this weekend as hundreds of bikers gear up for a fundraising parade.

The town’s streets will be transformed as the gleaming machines are driven along a route from Park Mains High School to Erskine Estate.

The annual Erskine Motorbike Meet, which raises vital cash for veterans, takes place on Sunday, with organisers hoping for a record-breaking turnout.

A variety of bikes and trikes will set off from Park Mains High at 12.40pm and travel the seven-mile route to the Erskine charity’s base, where there will be entertainment for all the family to enjoy.

This will include fairground rides, street food and performances from the likes of the Kennedy Cupcakes and the Glasgow Science Centre Buskers. There will also be military support on the day, including the 7 Scots battalion, who will stage a display of deactivated weapons.

This year’s entertainment will also include a number of firsts, such as a boccia match between bikers and veterans.

In addition, there will be music from the Balaklava Pipes and Drums and the Band of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Association.

And Met Wedding Cars will provide two luxury vehicles to allow some lucky Erskine veterans to take part in the parade in spectacular style.

Entry to the Erskine Motorbike Meet, which runs until 5pm, costs £5 per bike and £2 per adult. Children will be admitted for free.

Recruitment drive

RENFREW Community Council is calling out for new members ahead of the group’s next meeting.

Anyone who is interested in joining will be made welcome.

The next meeting takes place in Renfrew Town Hall on Tuesday, June 6, starting at 7.15pm.

For further information about the community council, including dates for forthcoming meetings, send an email to renfrewcommunitycouncil@gmail.com.

Get crafty

An arts and crafts show is being planned as part of Erskine Gala Week.

Organisers are inviting craft enthusiasts in the Erskine area to get involved.

This can include using oils, acrylics, watercolours, mixed media, sculpture or photography.

Knitting, crochet, papercraft and fretwork can also be included.

There is no entry fee, as this event aims to showcase the area’s creative talent.

The art show, which will be open to the public, takes place at Erskine Sports Centre on Friday, June 23, starting at 7.30pm.

Anyone who would like to take part is asked to request an application form by sending an email to clissh@yahoo.co.uk.

This should then be completed and returned to the same email address or by post to Heather Clissett, 60 Park Grove, Erskine, no later than Tuesday, June 9.

Bishopton Week

ORGANISERS have unveiled the full line-up of events for Bishopton Week.

The main event, Bishopton Day, will be on Saturday, June 17. However, there are also plenty of activities taking place in the run-up to the big celebration.

These kick off on Saturday, June 10, with a family disco at Bishopton Community Centre, from 6pm to 9pm.

The family fun run and 10k will take place the following day from 1.30pm, setting off from the community centre.

On Tuesday, June 13, there will be a children’s magic show at the same location, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

A family treasure hunt will take place the following day, along with a mini fun-run that sets off from the community centre at 6pm.

The schedule also includes a pamper night at Bishopton Sports and Social Club, with details of this still to be finalised.

From 6.30pm on Friday, June 16, final preparations for Bishopton Day will begin, with members of the community invited along to lend a hand.

Bishopton Day kicks off at noon on June 17, with the parade leaving from Bishopton Primary.

For more information on any of the Bishopton Week events, visit www.facebook.com/bishoptonday

Help the hospice

DO you have a few hours to spare every week?

If so, get in touch with the team at St Vincent’s Hospice, who are looking for more volunteers.

People are needed to help out at the Howwood-based hospice, including its tearoom, and at charity shops and fundraising events across Renfrewshire.

Not only will volunteers be helping a great cause, they will also be eligible for discounted gym memberships and discounts in local businesses.

For more information, call Christine or Elaine on 01505 705635 or send an email to volunteering@svh.co.uk.

Kids’ stuff

PARENTS can shop till they drop at a pre-loved baby and toddler clothing event.

Bump2Baby will take place on Sunday, June 4, from noon until 4pm, at the Erskine Bridge Hotel.

The family-orientated event promises big savings on nearly-new childrenswear.

Bargain-hunters can shop for a new summer wardrobe for youngsters while enjoying refreshments and entertainment for the kids.

In the market

A HOST of attractions for all the family will be on offer at the Erskine indoor market and car boot sale.

The event takes place on Sunday, from noon to 4pm, at the Erskine Bridge Hotel.

There will be 60 craft and trade stalls, 20 car boot stalls, psychic readings, a hot food cafe and more.

Youngsters can expect to meet Disney princesses and superheroes, while there will also be a children’s art competition.

There is free entry and parking at this event.

Bug life

LITTLE explorers can learn all about creepy crawlies at the RSPB’s upcoming family event.

It will take place from Friday until Monday at the nature reserve in Largs Road, Lochwinnoch.

Families can head along to the visitor centre any time between 10am and 4pm, with friendly staff on hand to help.

Guests can then go into the reserve to find out more about what it might be like to be a bug.

The cost is £3 per child, although RSPB members pay just £1.

Annual show

Members of the Houston and Killellan Agricultural Society are getting ready to host their annual show.

The family-friendly day out will take place at Houston Park on Saturday, June 3.

A variety of stalls, a bouncy castle and other entertainment will be on offer.

Guests can watch the various animals that will be on show and there will also be a Houston’s Got Talent contest.

Meanwhile, bargain hunters can check out the various crafts on sale.

And there will be tasty home-baking on offer to make sure no-one goes hungry.

For more information, call Isabelle Stuart on 01505 613479 or send an email to issistuart@gmail.com.

Music to the ears

A community choir is back on song at Linwood Baptist Church.

The group is run by members of the church and no experience of singing is required.

Anyone who fancies a singalong can go along on Tuesday nights, from 6pm to 7.30pm.

You can also pop into the church, in Erskinefauld Road, for more information.

Arts the way to do it

Anyone who is thinking of taking up drawing or painting is invited along to Erskine Art Group.

Members meet at Erskine Baptist Church on Wednesdays, from 10am until noon.

There are no tutors and no pressure at these fun sessions and no experience is necessary.

Materials will be available to help newcomers get started and tea and coffee will be provided.

All are welcome to attend.

Any witch way

INCHINNAN Historical Interest Group will be discussing the Bargarran Witches at their next meeting.

Historian Stephen Clancy will give a talk discussing the story of witchcraft and the rise and fall of the area’s fortunes.

It will take place at Inchinnan Parish Church at 7pm tomorrow.

The title of the talk being delivered by Stephen is ‘Witches to Thread: The Christian Shaw Legacy.’

All are welcome to attend, with those who are not members of the Inchinnan Historical Interest Group being asked to pay £2.

To find out more, call 0755 704 8045.

Have a heart

A free ‘heart start’ session will take place in Lochwinnoch next month.

It only takes two hours to learn the skills which could save a life.

Those attending will learn the recovery position, CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

There will also be information on heart attacks, choking and serious bleeding.

The session will take place at the Masonic Hall in Lochwinnoch on Wednesday, June 14, from 7pm to 9pm.

For more information, contact Morag Throw on 0786 875 2814.

Food for thought

ORGANISERS of a breakfast club for men are on the lookout for new guests.

The gatherings take place at Erskine Baptist Church on Fridays, from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Those who go along can enjoy a breakfast roll and some tea or coffee before taking part in a game of table tennis or pool or simply enjoying a chat with others.

Everyone is welcome to pop along.

Knitty but nice

KNITTERS of all abilities are invited to join a weekly group at Quarrier’s Village.

People who go along to the sessions can knit, crochet, stitch, spin and chat with like-minded folk.

The club is based at Three Sisters Bake - a relaxed cafe and craft store located at Sommerville Weir Hall, in Faith Avenue.

Meetings run from 10am until noon each Wednesday.

For more details, call 01505 228087.