Step up
RAMBLERS can put their best foot forward at a charity walk for St Vincent’s Hospice.
The Step Up Challenge is a sponsored walk that will take place at Castle Semple Country Park, in Lochwinnoch, at 11am on Sunday, March 25.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Howwood-based hospice.
Participants can bring friends and family along to join them on the 10k trek.
There will also be a shorter, family-friendly 5k route which is suitable for all abilities.
You can sign up by visiting the St Vincent’s Hospice website at www.svh.co.uk.

Snap to it
PHOTOGRAPHERS of all abilities are invited to attend a camera club in Johnstone.
The Johnstone Community Camera Club meets every Monday, from 7pm until 9pm.
Sessions take place at the Johnstone Community Learning Centre, in Pine Crescent, where members discuss photos taken.
Pictures can range from landscapes to wildlife to portraits.
Even those who simply have queries about photography and camera models can stop by for advice.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page.

Men are on song
KILMACOLM will be alive with the sound of music at a singing showcase.
Westerton Male Voice Choir will perform at Kilmacolm Old Kirk, in High Street, on Saturday, January 20, from 7pm to 9.30pm.
The event is being hosted by the Kilmacolm and Quarriers Christian Aid committee.
Westerton Male Voice, who are currently celebrating 60 years of singing, promise an evening of “high-class entertainment.”
Entry costs £10 and includes refreshments on arrival.
Tickets are available from committee members or by calling Jill Russell on 01505 872393.

Getting active
ERSKINE has launched a new activity centre for veterans living in Renfrewshire.
The Erskine Activity Centre, developed as part of the Unforgotten Forces project, opens this week.
Located at the Erskine Estate, in Bishopton, within the Reid Macewen building, the centre will offer a range of classes such as IT, art, woodwork, a games tournament and a film club.
These are open to veterans living in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Glasgow and surrounding areas.
Interested veterans are welcome to go along anytime between 9.30am and 3.30pm, from Monday to Friday.
Transport is available to the Bishopton base, where a hot lunch can be bought for £2.
Erskine is also playing host to drop-in sessions organised by the Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP).
These take place on Wednesdays, from 11am to 1pm, when Mark Oswald is on hand to provide advice on a range of topics, including benefit payments.
To find out more, call 0141 814 4534 or visit www.erskine.org.uk/care/reid-mcewan-activity-centre.

Gardening group
BUDDING gardeners are invited to join the Kilmacolm Horticultural Society.
The January winter lecture will take place at the village’s community centre, in Lochwinnoch Road, on Wednesday, January 17, from 7.30pm.
Guest speaker will be Sharon Gemmell, of Parklea: Branching Out – a charity which specialises in therapeutic horticultural centres.
As well as gardening fun, participants can find out more about the people and organisation of Parklea.
There will be refreshments on the evening and everyone is welcome to attend.

Join the club
JOHNSTONE Castle Tenants and Residents Association is on the lookout for new members.
The group is run by local people, with the aim of highlighting community issues.
Anyone in the area is welcome to attend the meetings, which take place at the Johnstone Community Learning Centre, in Pine Crescent.
The next get together will be at the end of February, with the exact date still to be confirmed.
You can find out more via the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/johnstonecastletra.

Rainforest ramblers
KIDS who enjoy the great outdoors are invited to join a rainforest-themed explorer group in Lochwinnoch.
The RSPB nature reserve, in Largs Road, will host the event on Saturday, January 20, from 10am to noon.
Participants can come along for a fun day out on the reserve, as well as the chance to learn about why rainforests are important.
Those interested should wear suitable clothing for being outdoors.
This event is aimed at those aged between five and 14. All children aged eight and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking is essential and entry costs £5 for kids and £3 for RSPB members.

Fun for all
A NEW Scout group in Johnstone is on the lookout for more recruits.
Based at the town’s Fordbank Primary School, the group has sections for Beavers and Cubs.
Boys and girls who go along can take part in various activities, as well as learning first aid skills.
Youngsters are also looking forward to trips to Johnstone Fire Station, Glasgow Airport and Lapwing Lodge, on the Gleniffer Braes, where they will enjoy a sleepover.
Organisers are looking for young people from all areas of Johnstone to join them to experience fun, adventure and challenge.
For more information, call 0787 617 2615.

Time for tea
FUNDRAISERS at St Vincent’s Hospice are encouraging people to pay a visit to their tearoom.
Home-made soup, sandwiches, toasties, baked potatoes, salads and cakes are among the treats on offer.
The tearoom’s opening hours are from 10am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays, as well as on the first Saturday of each month.
All proceeds are used to support the vital services provided by the dedicated team at the Howwood-based hospice.
While there, guests can also take a walk through the community garden.

Growing places
BUDDING gardeners can have a blooming lovely time at the Garden of Dreams.
The Renfrew Association of Growers and Gardeners (RAGG) run the community garden in the Broadloan area of Renfrew.
A wide range of people from the local community are able to use the garden, where they can learn about growing and harvesting their own fruit and vegetables.
Those who aren’t blessed with green fingers can just go along to relax and enjoy the view.
Anyone who would like to join the group or find out how they can benefit from the community garden is welcome to go along on a Wednesday or Saturday, anytime between 10am and 4pm.
For more details, visit the website at www.gardenofdreams.org.uk.

Bridge club
RENFREW Bridge Club is looking for new members.
The group meets on Tuesdays, from 7pm to 10pm, at Trinity High School, and on Thursdays, also from 7pm to 10pm, at the Cherrie Centre.
For more information, call 0770 334 2905 or send an email to renfrewbridgeclub@hotmail.com.

Lead the way
THE Bishopton Scouts are appealing for more volunteers.
With the expansion of the Dargavel Village bringing a growing number of families into the area, more youngsters hope to attend the group, which meets at 68 Greenock Road.
However, more leaders are required.
Anyone who can help should send an email to gsl@bishoptonscouts.co.uk.

Recruitment drive
AN adult learning club in Renfrew is on the lookout for new members.
The Workers Education Association (WEA) is the largest voluntary sector provider of adult education in Scotland.
The Renfrew meetings take place at the ENABLE Renfrew hall, in Sandy Road, every Thursday, from 2.15pm until 4pm, and are aimed at those aged 45 and above.
For more information, call Moira on 0141 885 0992 or visit www.wea.org.uk.

Let’s make music
MEMBERS of the 1st Houston Girls Brigade are looking for volunteers to play the piano at their opening worship on an occasional Monday evening.
Any musician who is happy to lend a hand would be required to play for up to 15 minutes from 6.30pm.
If you are interested, contact Lisa Dickson on 0773 964 1816.