Recent News
Even cupid needs trading standards help this Valentine’s Day
Jennifer Hampton of trading standards is encouraging lovestruck locals to check the postage on romantic Valentine's cards
East Ren trading standards service is advising the more romantic consumer to check the size of their valentine’s cards before posting this year.
The advice to lovestruck locals comes after several consumers complained that they had to go to their local Royal Mail depot in order to pick up christmas cards over the festive period.#
The cards, which had been posted without the correct postage being paid, meant that the recipient often has to pay over a pound to receive the card.
In most cases the sender simply put a first or second class stamp on the envelope without double-checking the new Royal Mail size and weight categories.
Jennifer Hampton, East Renfrewshire’s senior trading standards officers, expaliend: “Most cards fall within the definition of ‘letter’. But romantic consumers posting large, or even boxed cards may find that their cards fall into the definition of ‘large letter’ or even ‘packet’.
“This means that a second class stamp will definitely not be enough, and the one you love may have to pay to uplift the card from the depot.
“To create a better impression, it is probably a good idea to go to the Post Office and get your card weighed and measured to make sure that the correct postage is paid, and a certificate of posting can be obtained. This could help guard against an embarrassing situation when your intended gets a bad first impression,” added Jennifer.
Council community safety convener, Councillor Mary Montague, said: “The last thing anyone wants is a romantic gesture on valentines to turn into a visit to the post office and paying for your own card. Follow trading standards advice and make sure you’re cupid isn’t diverted to the post office this year.”
The Royal Mail posting guide:
Size guide:Letter
Length - 240 mm (max)
Width – 165 mm (max)
Thickness – 5 mm (max)
Weight – 100g (max)
Large Letter
Length – 353mm (max)
Width – 250 mm (max)
Thickness – 25 mm (max)
Weight – 750g (max)
Packet
Length – over 353mm OR
Width – over 250 mm OR
Thickness – over 25mm
Weight – over 750g
Business backing for £800,000 Cross Arthurlie Street improvements
With £800,000 worth of investment work already started, regeneration work at Cross Arthurlie Street is being backed by local business.
Bluestone Design is among the many businesses backing the regeneration of Cross Arthurlie Street.
Owner Jeanette Park-Patterson said: "We have known about the regeneration plans for a number of years now and have been involved in a lot of meetings at various stages.
“A lot of effort and time has gone into securing funding to improve Cross Arthurlie Street and we were all very concerned that it wouldn't become a neglected area as improvements and changes would be made in Main Street.
“Those who have attended meetings were aware that, at some point, disruption would be occurring in Cross Arthurlie Street as upgrading would be carried out.
“We know that in the short term some businesses may suffer but in the long term we know this will be of benefit to the whole area. When work is completed it will be a much easier place to park and shop in and will be a much more pleasant environment for retailers and the general public.
“Cross Arthurlie Street has always had a good mix of different types of retail businesses, mostly independants, and improving the area can only be of benefit to everyone."
And residents and business are being invited to have their say on the final part of the regeneration work.
For a specially arranged exhibition gives residents a chance to have your say on the new street furniture, lighting, trees and how the street will look after the work is completed.
Regeneration convener, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Thanks to our successful bid to the Scottish government we’re spending £800,000 making improvements to Cross Arthurlie Street. Our aim is to make it a better place for shoppers and visitors and that will have knock on benefits for local businesses.
“This exhibition is an opportunity for our residents, visitors or anyone with an interest in Cross Arthurlie Street to come along and have your say on the kind of street furniture that could make a real improvement to the street.”
Work has already started and is expected to be complete by May when the new street furniture, lighting and trees will be in place.
The Cross Arthurlie Street work is funded by the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
The public exhibition is on Thursday 11 February 2010 from noon to 7pm at the downstairs café area of Voluntary Action Undercover, Kelburn Street Barrhead. You can find out more about regeneration work in the town by logging onto the better Barrhead website.
Cross Arthurlie Street Closed
Barrhead’s busy Cross Arthurlie Street closes for three weeks from Sunday 14 February between Allan’s Corner and Carlibar Road as part of an £800,000 upgrading of the street under the Better Barrhead regeneration banner.
The street carries heavy through traffic between Barrhead and Paisley and diversions will operate via Carlibar Road, Glasgow Road and Main Street.
Roads chief Joe Devine said: “There is no alternative but to close Cross Arthurlie Street at this phase in the overall works and we apologise for any inconvenience, but we know that the end result of a vastly improved Carlibar Road will be a great benefit for the whole town.”
All road users are being asked to give themselves extra time for journeys and to use the diversionary routes with care.
United They Stand
United against those who put vulnerable adults at risk of harm- that’s the members of East Renfrewshire Adult Protection Committee.
The committee has put its clout behind a new flyer and contact card telling any adult at risk of harm and suffering physical, financial, sexual or mental abuse how to report their situation.
And the information is also aimed at anyone who knows of a vulnerable adult at risk of abuse and who wants to report it.
The contact cards will be used by council home care staff, police officers, council wardens and fire and rescue staff, all of whom come across examples of vulnerable adults as part of their daily duties.
And the committee, which includes representatives from social work, education, fiscal service, reporter to the children’s panel, police and fire and rescue staff, is backing the council-wide drive to make vulnerable adults at risk of harm feel and be safer.
The materials will also be available in council offices, libraries, police stations and health centres for members of the public to pick up.
Committee chair Doris Aitken said: “The vast majority of vulnerable adults in East Renfrewshire are cared for very well but, in every community, there are always those who are suffering adult abuse. We want to make sure that they can get help immediately and the information we’re providing will aid them to access that help. We will take appropriate protection action wherever we find abuse of adults who are put at risk of harm.”
East Renfrewshire Council’s chief executive Lorraine McMillan who showed her support by attending the launch, said: “This is about the council and all of our partners working together to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are protected.”
Superintendent Ciorstan Shearer, East Renfrewshire sub-divisional officer, said: “We are represented on the adult protection committee and have a key role to play in adult protection. We will take effective action against those whom we identify as the perpetrators of the abuse of vulnerable adults.”
East Renfrewshire residents can report adults at risk of harm to Clarkston social work on 0141 577 4000; Barrhead social work on 0141 577 3003 and 0800 811 505 outwith office hours.
No Appeal Helps Find Solution
East Renfrewshire’s education committee agreed at a special meeting today, Thursday 4 February, not to appeal Lord Uist’s recent Court of Session decision on St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock.
The committee felt that although there are grounds for appeal, nothing practical nor of help to any of the parties involved would be achieved as an appeal would be unlikely to be heard before November 2010 while new consultation regulations come into effect in April this year.
The committee agreed that finding a solution to capacity issues arising from the outstanding success and reputation of St Ninian’s and East Renfrewshire Council as an education authority, which has seen parents anxious to gain entry into East Renfrewshire schools, outweighed the option of pursuing a potentially lengthy legal process which would block any moves towards resolving the overcrowding issue.
The council will now invite Glasgow City Council’s executive member for education and its director of education, to join East Renfrewshire’s education convener and director, representatives of the Catholic Church and parent council chairs from each of the five primary schools associated with St Ninian’s and from St Ninian’s itself, to join a short-life working group. The group will discuss the issues and explore options before further consultation is undertaken.
The committee gave its unanimous support to director of education John Wilson, Anne Leonard, solicitor to the council and their staffs for their conduct of the consultation and subsequent court case.
It noted that it was exactly because of the recognised expertise of staff and resulting successful schools, that parents from outwith East Renfrewshire were keen for their children to be admitted to East Renfrewshire schools, and deplored derogatory remarks made publicly about officials by a minority of individuals from outwith the council.
Education convener Councillor Alan Lafferty said: “Our priority is to find a lasting and practical solution. Despite the merits of appealing, it would be unhelpful for all concerned, parents, pupils, the Catholic Church, Glasgow City Council and ourselves, if we did so. By inviting representatives of all interested parties to participate in a short-life working group, and by putting the interests of all pupils and parents first, we can move forward towards a solution to an issue which arises out of the excellence of St Ninian’s and the work of this council and its officials, in providing outstanding education. We are certain that a solution can be reached through dialogue, further formal consultation and, finally, through a decision taken by the members of East Renfrewshire education committee at the end of that process.”
Swine flu immunisation clinics set up for parents
East Ren parents of children aged under five can visit local clinics to have their child immunised against swine flu.
For the community health and care partnership has asked parents who have received a letter about swine flu immunisation but are unable to attend the time allocated, to visit one of the clinics.
Health convener, Councillor Douglas Yates, said: “These clinics have been arranged to offer more convenience to parents who aren’t able to make the appointment they’ve received. Please drop in to any of the CHCP clinics listed above to have your child immunised.”
Clinics are available at:
Friday 5 February - Clarkston Clinic, Busby Road, Clarkston (1–6pm).
Monday 8 February - The Edge, Barrhead Road, Newton Mearns (9am –1pm).
Wednesday 10 February - Barrhead HC, Barrhead (9am – 6pm)
Friday 12 February - Clarkston Clinic, Busby Road, Clarkston (1–6pm).
Celtic Connection success
Playing live at the Danny Kyle open stage
St Ninian’s High School’s talented ceilidh band took to the Celtic Connections’ Danny Kyle open stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall last Friday and won thundering applause from the 300 strong audience.
The band scooped top place in the ScottishPower Powerful Performance contest after outperforming 37 other schools across the country and won the opportunity to play at one of the finest folk, roots and traditional music festivals in the world.
St Ninian’s High School ceilidh band, which is rehearsed by Jenny McGarvey and Bethany Reid, beat 37 other groups of musicians to earn a place on the Danny Kyle open stage.
Tom Dalzell, education and outreach manager at Celtic Connections, who was also part of the judging panel, said:
“Considering that this was the inaugural year of the Powerful Performance schools competition, all the judges were pleasantly surprised by the high standards of all the schools who submitted recordings.
“The St Ninian’s High School Ceilidh Band was a worthy winner, demonstrating to the judges great musicality and musicianship. I really enjoyed hearing the band play at our final Celtic Connections 2010 school concert.”
The St Ninian’s High School Ceilidh Band has been together since the start of 2003 and includes 15 pupils from S1 to S6 – Joseph Armstrong, Fraser Cameron, Mark Carr, Stephanie Hands, Eilidh Deeney, Siobhan McArdle, Clare Friel, Jennifer Cuffe, Thomas Harty, Sophia Amini, Mohsen Amini, Beth Marletta, Cheryl Turner, Claire Innes and John LaCombre.
John Docherty, head teacher at St Ninian’s, said:
“I’m very proud of our talented, young, traditional musicians who’ve shown just what they can do against stiff opposition. I know that they’ll benefit enormously from their very valuable Celtic Connections experience and that what they’ve learned there will be in close harmony with their musical education here at St Ninian’s.”
Lucy Ann Is A ‘WOW’ As A Headie!
Ten year-old Lucy Ann Fairbairn of Thornliebank Primary School’s primary six, is a ‘WOW’ as heidie, after she took over for a day from regular hot seat holder Maria Speirs.
Lucy Ann ‘ran’ the school on Friday, shadowing Maria as part of the school’s World of Work (WOW) drive to give youngsters a feel of what life after school is like and to let them know what skills are needed for different jobs.
Real head teacher Maria Speirs said: “Lucy Ann did an excellent job as head for the day. She accompanied me right through from registration in the morning, visiting classes with me, attending to issues that came up during the day and getting a good idea of what it’s like being head teacher.”
Lucy Ann Fairbairn said: “It was great. I would like to be a head teacher when I leave school so I’ll be working hard at school to ensure that I can when I grow up.”
Rural network event aims to make connections
The new Scottish National Rural Network comes to East Renfrewshire on Thursday 4 February, with a ‘rural gathering’ in the Glen Halls at Neilston.
And it aims to make new connections between people who live and work in rural East Renfrewshire and other rural areas in Scotland.
The free event is part of a rolling programme of regional events taking place over the next six months across Scotland, following on from the successful Scottish Rural Gathering in Perth last September.
It will feature information updates on rural development and funding opportunities as well as networking sessions to help organisations and businesses make new connections and share information and advice.
Two local projects will be highlighted on the day: Community Renewables Capacity Building and Banking on Neilston, both having recently been awarded support from East Renfrewshire LEADER.
There will also be a presentation by Paul Kane, LEADER Co-ordinator for the Kelvin Valley area and a presentation on the Access to the Antonine Wall project by Gillian Barrie of Central Scotland Forest Trust.
The Scottish National Rural Network is a major initiative supported by the Scottish Government which aims to build connections across rural Scotland and to promote economic and community development.
The initiative is closely linked with the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), including LEADER and Rural Priorities, and aims to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by the programme.
As well as the Rural Gathering, the new network is supported at a national level by the Scotland National Rural Network website, which carries news, information and networking opportunities for everyone living and working in rural Scotland.
The Rural Network website and regional events are run by the Rural Team of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Rural Network Regional Co-ordinator Beverley Maclean said: “This will be the fourth event in our busy schedule and we’re looking forward to hearing the buzz in East Renfrewshire. Apart from a few problems with the weather, previous events have been very highly rated by people who attended, and we are confident that everyone who attends will find it worthwhile and enjoyable.
“People attending this local rural gathering on Thursday will have the chance to find out the latest news about rural development and funding opportunities, to hear about some excellent projects and enterprises, and to connect with a wide range of other people who live and work in this area and elsewhere.
“We're looking forward to a lively and interactive day!”
For more information, please contact Scottish National Rural Network Regional Co-ordinator Beverley Maclean on 07792 858320 or Norman MacAskill on 07885 218308.
Hop along to Dams to Darnley for amphibian event.
Join countryside rangers at Dams to Darnley Country Park on Saturday 6 February. Picture by Fred Holmes.
Countryside rangers at Dams to Darnley Country Park are asking residents ‘Can you dig it?’.
For they’ve joined the living water project being run by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. And they are looking for residents to volunteer to get dug in to help improve ponds and wetlands in the popular Dams to Darnley Country Park.
The aim of the project is to help promote and protect biodiversity associated with ponds and wetlands.
That way you can contribute to preserving and creating habitats crucial for frogs, toads and many other remarkable creatures.
Can you dig it? is on Sunday 6 February, 11am – 3pm and the meeting place is the Ashoka restaurant car park, Corselet Road , off Nitshill Road, Darnley.
And with 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity, there’s never been a better time to hop along to Scotland’s newest country park and help with the improvements by volunteering.
All equipment and instruction will be provided on the day. You’ll need to dress for the weather and all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For more information or to book your place please contact the countryside rangers Richard and Eilidh on 0141 577 4053/4054 or e-mail.
Dams to Darnley Country Park is a joint project between East Renfrewshire and Glasgow city councils, for more information visit the park website.