Renfrewshire Council has asked Ralston Community Council to make the following information available to Ralston residents.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that from Monday 2 November at 6 am, Renfrewshire is in Covid Protection Level 3.
It is important that everyone in Renfrewshire follows the Level 3 restrictions to ensure that we can suppress the virus and stop the area moving into Level 4 and more severe restrictions.
Level 3 restrictions include:
Do not host people from another household in your home, or visit other people in their home (unless they are in your extended household).
You can meet in a maximum group of six people from two households outside (you must physically distance).
Schools and nurseries remain open, (with additional safety measures).
Only travel for essential reasons (such as work, education, health, outdoor exercise, shared parenting, weddings, funerals, or shopping).
Do not travel outside the local authority area for any non-essential reason. Avoid car-sharing and public transport where possible.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes can remain open until 6pm (with safety measures in place) but no alcohol can be sold.
Accommodation such as hotels and B&Bs can remain open, but they should be used by local people only.
Follow the FACTS advice at all times to keep yourself and others safe.
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, book a test immediately and self-isolate while you wait for the results.
If you are contacted by Test and Protect, follow their instructions and self-isolate for the period requested.
Renfrewshire’s Community Safety Partnership has advised residents not to have firework displays or bonfires this year.
Its advice is as follows:
As Bonfire Night approaches, we continue to ask all of our communities to follow the restrictions in place for Renfrewshire to protect ourselves and others.
Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions, there will be no organised fireworks display in Renfrewshire this year.
We recognise that people may be tempted to hold their own displays. However, personal displays or bonfires can cause a safety risk if not handled correctly and we would advise that these do not take place this year.
It’s extremely important that we do all we can to keep our communities and fire service safe.
Our Wardens Service will be patrolling known hotspot areas in advance to remove any illegal bonfires being built, as well as working closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland on the night of the 5th to support their crews against any anti-social behaviour that they may encounter.
There have been several reports of adults’ bikes being stolen and car doors being tried in the Ralston area. There have also been sightings of a white van been slowly driven about in the middle of the night.
Please be vigilant: lock your car doors and make sure your valuables are secure. Please report any suspicious activity to the police.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Signs/Thief.jpg235300Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-11-02 11:55:542020-11-02 11:56:54Bike thefts and attempted car break-ins
During the week Monday 26 October 2020 to Friday 30 October 2020, between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm, any Renfrewshire resident aged over 65 who has yet to receive a flu vaccination can have the vaccination at the drop-in clinic at St Mirren Flu Centre, Greenhill Road, PA3 1RU.
That week was being held for rescheduled appointments, but the centre has been so well attended that it now has the capacity to welcome residents on a drop-in basis.
People over 65 can attend the drop-in, whether or not they have received a scheduled appointment letter. The last of the appointment letters will be issued by Friday 30 October. Residents who have not yet received a letter can either drop in any day between Monday and Friday or wait for their scheduled appointment in November. If you have received a letter, please bring it with you as this will help the clinic staff find your details on the system more quickly.
November will be reserved for scheduled appointments only.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/stmirren-flu-centre.png5121024Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-10-23 09:23:192020-10-23 09:42:04Drop-in flu vaccinations for over 65s
Essential maintenance work will take place overnight on the westbound M8 Junction 26 slip road to Arkleston Road, between 8pm and 6am each night, from Monday 26th October to Tuesday 3rd November 2020. The aim of the work is to resurface the hard shoulder.
The scheme is intended to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the trunk road at this location and to reduce the need for future maintenance.
The work will take place in two phases, with a signed diversion route in operation.
PHASE 1: 8pm Monday 26th October – 6am Friday 30th October
Overnight Lane Closures with Fast Lane 3 only open
M8 Jct 26 Westbound On-slip Closed and
Jct 27 Westbound Off Slip Closed
PHASE 2: 8pm Monday 2nd November – 6am Tuesday 3rd November
Overnight Lane Closures with Hard Shoulder only open,
M8 Jct 26 Westbound On-slip Closed and
Jct 27 Westbound Off-slip Open
The road will be open as normal outwith these times.
Diverted traffic will leave the M8 at the Junction 26 off-slip road to the A736 Hillington Road and continue to the A761 Paisley Road West. From here, vehicles will follow the diversion to the A726 and on to the A741 Renfrew Road to re-join the westbound M8 at Junction 27.
Kinpurnie Road, Paisley, between house numbers 23 and 33. The closure will be in place on Monday 2nd November from 08:00 to 18:00. This is to allow Openreach works.
Alternative route: Tylney Road, Balfron Road, Penilee Road or vice versa.
Renfrewshire Council has launched a consultation on the proposed creation of biodiversity areas in Renfrewshire.
Because of the need to focus on essential services during the Covid-19 lockdown, grass cutting was paused during the lockdown period and this led to grassed areas growing longer than normal, while at the same time encouraging more wildflowers and wildlife. The council has received positive feedback on these changes and has identified an opportunity to develop new biodiversity areas within its communities. The council wants to create these areas to encourage wildlife to live there and for natural plants and flowers to blossom, and will be adding to areas where required to improve the way they look and ensure that they can continue to flourish for years to come.
The council’s technical officers have identified and visited a number of proposed biodiversity areas, a maximum of ten in each community, to make assessments based on growing conditions, suitability and prominence of wildflowers and wildlife. The council now wants the local community to read these assessments and decide whether the designated areas are suitable to become biodiversity areas and to let it know any other areas the community believes would be suitable.
Any new biodiversity areas would not be left to grow out of control. They would be maintained and cut at the end of the growing season to increase the variety of insects, plants and wildflowers able to flourish. Where additional biodiversity aids, such as wildflower seeds, are required then these will be added; a number of areas suitable for this have already been identified. If a community decides that an area is not suitable for this treatment, it will be returned to the grass cutting programme.
The council is also asking the community to identify other areas where biodiversity could be encouraged, e.g. road verges, roundabouts, parks, so that it can shape future proposals that support the views of local people.
One of the proposed areas is on the east side of Penilee Road, between School Road and Atholl Crescent, and two are at the east end of Barshaw Park.
To take part in the consultation, go to Renfrewshire Council’s website. The closing date for completing the consultation survey is midnight on Sunday September 13.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/P1060748-scaled.jpg19202560Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-08-30 09:54:152020-08-30 09:54:59Consultation on biodiversity areas in Renfrewshire
An art exhibition will be held in the Barshaw Park Peace Garden on Saturday August 22, from 10 am until 1 pm. The paintings have been done by Peace Garden volunteers, and most of them will be on sale, with the proceeds going to Friends of Barshaw Park
You can see some of the paintings in the exhibition catalogue. Most of them are framed, and the prices range from £10 to £95. If you would like to reserve any of the items, please email Friends of Barshaw Park.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/CorfeCastle_2.jpg9571000Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-08-20 11:58:122020-08-20 12:01:40Barshaw Park art exhibition and sale
Renfrewshire Council has announced that parking charges in council-owned car parks will be reintroduced on Monday August 17.
Parking charges have been suspended since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in March. Residents were advised to stay at home wherever possible, unless they had to make an essential journey for food, medicine or work, and this also meant there were no visitors to the area. Therefore, parking within the council’s car parks was minimal and charges were removed to assist key workers to carry out their role.
In line with the Scottish Government’s route map, travel for exercise and leisure activities is now permitted and there has been a significant rise in the use of the council’s car parks as a result. Therefore, to ensure that there is a turnover of spaces for those who need them, charges will be reintroduced from Monday August 17. Anyone using a council car park will require to purchase a ticket for the length of time they plan to stay and display it clearly in their windscreen.
The parking pilot in six of Paisley town centre’s car parks remains in place and continues to offer the first three hours of parking free of charge at specific times – although a ticket must still be obtained and displayed.
The council’s enforcement officers will be advising motorists in advance of the reintroduction of charges to ensure that no one is unaware and potentially caught out.
More information on the reintroduction of charges, and the Paisley parking pilot, can be found on Renfrewshire Council’s website.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/DSC_2847-scaled.jpg17002560Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-08-10 17:11:532020-08-10 17:21:02Renfrewshire car parking charges to be reintroduced
Gartmore Road, Paisley from Hawkhead Road to Alton Road. The closure will be in place on Friday 7th August 2020 between 08:00 and 18:00. This is to allow Open Reach to have crane access to replace a defective pole.
Alternative Route: Newtyle Road, Alton Road, Lanfine Road or vice versa.
Morrisons Supermarkets have made a charitable donation of £3250 to match the amount raised by Roffey Park Road residents and bring the total raised to £6500. The residents raised the money by playing street bingo from April to the start of July, during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Morrisons’ donation was split evenly between the Accord and the Princess of Wales hospices, with £1625 going to each. This means that, of the total of £6500 raised by the fundraising effort, £2945 was given to each of the hospices and £610 to Renfrewshire lifeline charities.
Details of the residents’ fund-raising efforts can be found in a previous news item on this website.
Renfrewshire Council has been awarded £540,000 in funding from the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People Fund to make temporary changes in Renfrewshire aimed at making physical distancing easier for residents.
As part of the changes, the council plans to create the following nine cycleways:
Howwood to Paisley corridor (including Elderslie Gap)
Glasgow Road (West), Paisley
Barrhead Road, Paisley
Causeyside Street, Paisley
Central Paisley and West – including Ferguslie, St Mirren and Kilbarchan Rd
Inchinnan Road, Paisley
Greenock Rd, Inchinnan
Inchinnan Road, Renfrew
Paisley to Renfrew
Full details of the proposed plans can be found on Renfrewshire Council’s website. The council is inviting comments on the plans, and these must be submitted before midnight on Sunday July 26.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/DSC_2847-scaled.jpg17002560Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-07-22 11:59:242020-07-22 12:03:29Spaces for People cycleways
Following the latest update on the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown, some services inside Renfrewshire’s library buildings will resume on Monday, July 20.
All 12 of the libraries will be open for returns and for borrowing on a click and collect basis, as part of measures being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and library users. Books can be reserved online or by telephone on 0300 300 1188. Access to buildings will be on a one in, one out basis. Each one will have a simple drop-off point for return.
The new opening hours for Ralston Library will be 10 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 5 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.
Residents of Roffey Park Road have raised more than £3,000 for local charities by playing street bingo during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The bingo, which has run weekly since April, was organised by Tracy Coyle, Helen Irvine and Karen Macpherson. The project was run in memory of Roffey Park Road resident Norman Tucker, who died of pancreatic cancer last year, and the last session took place on Thursday July 2. The organisers decorated the street every week with balloons and bunting and an app was used to announce the bingo numbers. Prizes, including bottles of Prosecco, were delivered to the winners’ doorsteps. Most of the sessions took place before the Clap for Carers event every Thursday evening and the final session was celebrated by a street party. Local businesses donated prizes and food for all the sessions.
The total amount raised for the charities was £3,250. At the final session, two cheques, each for £1,320, were written to the Accord and Princess of Wales hospices. A further £610 will be donated to Renfrewshire lifeline charities.
The Paisley Daily Express featured a double-page spread about the fundraising effort on July 7.
Organisers Helen Irvine, Karen Macpherson and Tracy Coyle (Photo: Pogie Manson)
Alison Scott, Ralston Community Council secretary, dressed for the occasion (Photo: Pogie Manson)
Renfrewshire Council is implementing a scheme to temporarily widen footways where people queue outside and the footway is too narrow for social distancing to be maintained. This will be achieved by the installation of barriers at affected locations. Council officers have visited business premises and spoken to affected businesses about the council’s intention to install the barriers.
The works are designed to support business and vulnerable residents as pavements become busier with more people venturing outside. Any barriers removed and replaced with temporary barriers will be reinstalled to their original positions when these measures are no longer required. A contractor has been appointed and is expected to install the barriers in the next two weeks.
The location in Ralston that will be affected is at the foot of Penilee Road. A barrier will be installed on the kerbline in front of the shops to stop vehicles parking on the footway.
Newtyle Road, Paisley, from Alton Road to Rosshall Avenue. The closure will be in place on Thursday, 2nd July 2020. This is to allow for ironwork repairs to take place.
Alternative route: Rosshall Avenue, Golf Drive or vice versa. Emergency access will be maintained.
Renfrewshire Council’s waste recycling centres reopened on 1 June. The centres are initially accepting only ordinary household waste, and the acceptance of other waste types will be phased in. Details of opening times and the phasing programme can be found on the Renfrewshire Council website.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Logos/Renfrewshire-CouncilLogo.jpg189267Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-06-04 13:20:072020-06-04 13:27:07Renfrewshire recycling centres open again
Because of the Covid-19 emergency, the Ralston Community Games, which were due to be held on 6 June 2020, have been cancelled. We are sorry about his, but we have no option but to cancel in view of the government’s emergency measures. We hope that the emergency will be over in time for us hold community games again next year.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/SportsCentre.jpg28484288Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-04-16 18:46:082020-04-16 18:46:08Ralston Community Games cancelled
Renfrewshire Council has asked Renfrewshire’s community councils to make the following information available to community members.
More than 840 volunteers have signed up for the Scottish Government’s national campaign Ready Scotland, which allows people to offer practical or emotional support if they are fit and well. You can sign up via www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/volunteering.
Locally, almost 100 volunteers have signed up for the Renfrewshire Volunteer Reserve, run by Engage Renfrewshire, which has created a bank of volunteers to work with the council’s community partners. If you are healthy and able, you can sign up via the Coronavirus section at www.engagerenfrewshire.com.
The council has set up a Local Assistance Helpline for those who received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer requiring them to be shielded. If a vulnerable person does not have a support network to bring them essential food and medicine, the council can deliver this to them and encourages everyone who receives a letter to call it on 0300 300 0230 or text the Scottish Government’s national support line with their CHI number on 07860 064 525. This service is open seven days a week from 08.45am to 4.45pm.
The council’s health and social care teams continue to provide essential care for its residents both in their own homes and within care homes, and it is continuing to support its key workers by providing childcare to allow them to carry out their roles.
The council’s waste collection teams are currently continuing to deliver a full service, including all recycling and food and garden waste bins. The council collects more than 141,000 bins every week, and would appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as it is operating with a reduced workforce at the moment. If your bin is missed, you are asked to report this; the waste collection team will return to collect it within five days.
At this time, everyone must follow the latest Government guidance and stay at home in order to save lives. Everyone should follow social distancing measures, wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day and only leave their home for essential reasons.
The council’s website has a dedicated Coronavirus section which covers various topics, including health and money advice, business support and changes to council services, and there is also a dedicated section for communities which looks at volunteering within the local area. This is updated daily and can be found at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.
You can also follow the council on Twitter – @RenCouncil – for all the latest updates as well as the chance to ask any questions that you may have.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/DSC_2847-scaled.jpg17002560Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2020-04-14 19:20:562020-04-17 19:24:37Coronavirus information from Renfrewshire Council
Because of the Covid-19 precautions, meetings of Ralston Community Council have been suspended until further notice. All events on the website’s events calendar have also been suspended.
The guest speaker at the February meeting of Ralston Community Council will be Fraser Carlin, Head of Planning & Housing, Renfrewshire Council, who will speak about the current housing developments at Hawkhead and Dykebar Hospital.
The meeting will be held on Thursday 13 February at 7:30 pm in Ralston Community Centre, Allanton Avenue, PA1 3BL. The agenda for the meeting is available on the website.
The meeting is open to the public and you will be made very welcome if you wish to come.
The Ralston Community Council annual general meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Thurday, 10 October, 2019, in Ralston Community Centre. The meeting is open to members of the public.
The AGM pack contains the AGM agenda, and also the notice of election results for 2019, the council’s constitution and the council’s standing orders. Item 8 on the agenda (Renfrewshire Community Council Forum) refers to an RCCF information leaflet. The RCCF leaflet is available on the website.
The AGM will be followed by the October meeting of the council. The agenda for the meeting and the minutes of the September meeting are available on the website.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/CommunityCentre.jpg28484288Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2019-10-04 10:49:402019-11-19 11:56:14Ralston Community Council AGM
Hawkhead Road, Paisley, from Glasgow Road to Seedhill Road. The closure will be in place from Monday, 07th October, 2019, till Sunday, 20th October, 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative Route: Glasgow Road, Mill Street, Seedhill Road or vice versa. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
The Ralston Community Fun & Games Day planned for Saturday 14 September has been cancelled because of the waterlogged state of the ground at Ralston Sports Centre and the uncertain weather forecast for the next 48 hours.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/SportsCentre.jpg28484288Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2019-09-11 18:52:452019-11-20 14:14:13Fun & Games Day cancelled
Elections to community councils across Renfrewshire are taking place between 12 August and 13 September 2019. To be eligible, candidates must be 16 or over, live in the community council area and be registered to vote.
If you would like to stand for the Ralston Community Council, you can obtain a nomination form by contacting the council’s secretary at sec@ralstoncommunitycouncil.org.
More information about the elections can be obtained by visiting Renfrewshire Council’s website or by phoning 0141 618 7104.
Ralston Community Fun & Games Day will be held at Ralston Sports Centre on Saturday 14 September 2019, from 12 noon until 4 pm. In addition to games and activities, there will be stalls, refreshments and entertainment.
Please note that a photographer will be in attendance.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/TugOWar.jpg30004000Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2019-08-09 14:22:072019-10-02 20:39:15Ralston Community Fun & Games Day
Work to reinstate the flat grass area within Barshaw Park has started. The work will involve the existing grass and weeds being killed using a non-selective weed killer. The area has been fenced off with signs on the fence. Once the grass and weeds have been killed, the area will be rotovated and levelled and any large stones will be removed before it is re-seeded with grass seed.
Seedhill Road, Paisley, from Mill Street to Cochran Street. The closure will be in place on Monday, 08th July 2019 till Sunday, 25th August 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place on Mill Street.
Alternative route: Seedhill Road, Hawkhead Road, Glasgow Road, Mill Street or vice versa. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Hillington, from Montrose Avenue to Buccleuch Avenue. The closure will be in place on Monday, 01st July 2019 till Friday, 05th July 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative route: Montrose Avenue, Cameron Street, Buccleuch Avenue or Buccleuch Avenue, Cameron Street, Montrose Avenue, Watt Road. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
Penilee Road, Paisley, from School Road to Arkleston Road. The closure will be in place on Monday, 17th June 2019 till Sunday, 30th June 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative route: Arkleston Road, Glasgow Road, Penilee Road or Vice Versa. Emergency access will be maintained.
On Monday 13 May, 2019, Renfrewshire Council launched its “Our Renfrewshire” Community Survey. The survey is designed to start a conversation about the values that are most important to local people and the values and behaviours that they expect from their council.
The survey, which includes 15 simple questions, is intended to change the way the council works. Everyone who lives, works or studies in Renfrewshire is invited to take part in it.
The Peace Garden Open Afternoon will take place on Saturday 18 May 2019; 14:00 – 16:00. This provides an opportunity to stroll round the garden and enjoy the profusion of plants currently on display as well as the following activities:
Performance by Flutephonics flute group
Display of artwork by Paisley artists
Guided tour with description of Barshaw history
Light refreshments.
A recommended donation of £3 helps cover the cost of the event and will also help with the continuing maintenance of the garden.
The event is organised by Friends of Barshaw Park. More details can be seen here.
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Images/Bill/FluteGroup.jpg30004000Bill Grayhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngBill Gray2019-05-16 13:15:242019-10-07 18:05:33Barshaw Park Peace Garden Open Afternoon
Ralston Primary School is 80 years old and having a birthday celebration on Thursday 2nd of May. All former pupils and staff are invited to an open afternoon.
Feel free to pop along anytime from 2pm until 7pm. We look forward to taking people a little trip down memory lane!
https://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Ralston_Primary_80.jpg304960Simon Hallhttps://www.ralstoncommunitycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ralston-transparent.pngSimon Hall2019-04-29 21:07:032019-05-16 13:30:57Ralston Primary School is 80!
Plans have been approved by Renfrewshire Council which could safeguard the future of one of Paisley’s best loved buildings, Thomas Coats Memorial Church. The project would see the church transformed into a world class events and entertainment venue to be used for arts performances, concerts and weddings as well as a range of community activities.
Coats Memorial Preservation Trust (CMPT) is aiming to raise the sum of £1.5 million over a 100-day campaign to fund the conversion works.
One way you can contribute is to Buy a brick for £100. Your brick will be mounted on the wall of fame within the building. The bricks are hand made from the pews by the pupils of Castlehead High School and will be engraved with your name and a short message.
The next meeting of the community council will be held on Thursday 14 February 2019 at 7:30 pm in Ralston Community Centre. The agenda for the meeting can be seen here and the minutes of the previous meeting (10 January 2019) can be seen here.
Renfrewshire Covid restrictions
NewsRenfrewshire Council has asked Ralston Community Council to make the following information available to Ralston residents.
The Scottish Government has confirmed that from Monday 2 November at 6 am, Renfrewshire is in Covid Protection Level 3.
It is important that everyone in Renfrewshire follows the Level 3 restrictions to ensure that we can suppress the virus and stop the area moving into Level 4 and more severe restrictions.
Level 3 restrictions include:
Follow the FACTS advice at all times to keep yourself and others safe.
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, book a test immediately and self-isolate while you wait for the results.
If you are contacted by Test and Protect, follow their instructions and self-isolate for the period requested.
For full details on the restrictions in Renfrewshire, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.
For further Coronavirus health advice, visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.
If anyone doesn’t have internet access, they can call Renfrewshire Council on 0300 300 0230 for support.
Bonfire Night advice
NewsRenfrewshire’s Community Safety Partnership has advised residents not to have firework displays or bonfires this year.
Its advice is as follows:
As Bonfire Night approaches, we continue to ask all of our communities to follow the restrictions in place for Renfrewshire to protect ourselves and others.
Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions, there will be no organised fireworks display in Renfrewshire this year.
We recognise that people may be tempted to hold their own displays. However, personal displays or bonfires can cause a safety risk if not handled correctly and we would advise that these do not take place this year.
It’s extremely important that we do all we can to keep our communities and fire service safe.
Our Wardens Service will be patrolling known hotspot areas in advance to remove any illegal bonfires being built, as well as working closely with the Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland on the night of the 5th to support their crews against any anti-social behaviour that they may encounter.
For more information on fireworks and bonfire safety, visit: www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety
Bike thefts and attempted car break-ins
NewsPlease be vigilant: lock your car doors and make sure your valuables are secure. Please report any suspicious activity to the police.
Drop-in flu vaccinations for over 65s
NewsDuring the week Monday 26 October 2020 to Friday 30 October 2020, between 10:00 am and 3:30 pm, any Renfrewshire resident aged over 65 who has yet to receive a flu vaccination can have the vaccination at the drop-in clinic at St Mirren Flu Centre, Greenhill Road, PA3 1RU.
That week was being held for rescheduled appointments, but the centre has been so well attended that it now has the capacity to welcome residents on a drop-in basis.
People over 65 can attend the drop-in, whether or not they have received a scheduled appointment letter. The last of the appointment letters will be issued by Friday 30 October. Residents who have not yet received a letter can either drop in any day between Monday and Friday or wait for their scheduled appointment in November. If you have received a letter, please bring it with you as this will help the clinic staff find your details on the system more quickly.
November will be reserved for scheduled appointments only.
More details can be found on the Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership website.
M8 Junction 26 slip road maintenance
NewsEssential maintenance work will take place overnight on the westbound M8 Junction 26 slip road to Arkleston Road, between 8pm and 6am each night, from Monday 26th October to Tuesday 3rd November 2020. The aim of the work is to resurface the hard shoulder.
The scheme is intended to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the trunk road at this location and to reduce the need for future maintenance.
The work will take place in two phases, with a signed diversion route in operation.
The road will be open as normal outwith these times.
Diverted traffic will leave the M8 at the Junction 26 off-slip road to the A736 Hillington Road and continue to the A761 Paisley Road West. From here, vehicles will follow the diversion to the A726 and on to the A741 Renfrew Road to re-join the westbound M8 at Junction 27.
Road closure: Kinpurnie Road
NewsKinpurnie Road, Paisley, between house numbers 23 and 33. The closure will be in place on Monday 2nd November from 08:00 to 18:00. This is to allow Openreach works.
Alternative route: Tylney Road, Balfron Road, Penilee Road or vice versa.
Consultation on biodiversity areas in Renfrewshire
NewsRenfrewshire Council has launched a consultation on the proposed creation of biodiversity areas in Renfrewshire.
Because of the need to focus on essential services during the Covid-19 lockdown, grass cutting was paused during the lockdown period and this led to grassed areas growing longer than normal, while at the same time encouraging more wildflowers and wildlife. The council has received positive feedback on these changes and has identified an opportunity to develop new biodiversity areas within its communities. The council wants to create these areas to encourage wildlife to live there and for natural plants and flowers to blossom, and will be adding to areas where required to improve the way they look and ensure that they can continue to flourish for years to come.
The council’s technical officers have identified and visited a number of proposed biodiversity areas, a maximum of ten in each community, to make assessments based on growing conditions, suitability and prominence of wildflowers and wildlife. The council now wants the local community to read these assessments and decide whether the designated areas are suitable to become biodiversity areas and to let it know any other areas the community believes would be suitable.
Any new biodiversity areas would not be left to grow out of control. They would be maintained and cut at the end of the growing season to increase the variety of insects, plants and wildflowers able to flourish. Where additional biodiversity aids, such as wildflower seeds, are required then these will be added; a number of areas suitable for this have already been identified. If a community decides that an area is not suitable for this treatment, it will be returned to the grass cutting programme.
The council is also asking the community to identify other areas where biodiversity could be encouraged, e.g. road verges, roundabouts, parks, so that it can shape future proposals that support the views of local people.
One of the proposed areas is on the east side of Penilee Road, between School Road and Atholl Crescent, and two are at the east end of Barshaw Park.
To take part in the consultation, go to Renfrewshire Council’s website. The closing date for completing the consultation survey is midnight on Sunday September 13.
Barshaw Park art exhibition and sale
NewsAn art exhibition will be held in the Barshaw Park Peace Garden on Saturday August 22, from 10 am until 1 pm. The paintings have been done by Peace Garden volunteers, and most of them will be on sale, with the proceeds going to Friends of Barshaw Park
You can see some of the paintings in the exhibition catalogue. Most of them are framed, and the prices range from £10 to £95. If you would like to reserve any of the items, please email Friends of Barshaw Park.
Renfrewshire car parking charges to be reintroduced
NewsRenfrewshire Council has announced that parking charges in council-owned car parks will be reintroduced on Monday August 17.
Parking charges have been suspended since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in March. Residents were advised to stay at home wherever possible, unless they had to make an essential journey for food, medicine or work, and this also meant there were no visitors to the area. Therefore, parking within the council’s car parks was minimal and charges were removed to assist key workers to carry out their role.
In line with the Scottish Government’s route map, travel for exercise and leisure activities is now permitted and there has been a significant rise in the use of the council’s car parks as a result. Therefore, to ensure that there is a turnover of spaces for those who need them, charges will be reintroduced from Monday August 17. Anyone using a council car park will require to purchase a ticket for the length of time they plan to stay and display it clearly in their windscreen.
The parking pilot in six of Paisley town centre’s car parks remains in place and continues to offer the first three hours of parking free of charge at specific times – although a ticket must still be obtained and displayed.
The council’s enforcement officers will be advising motorists in advance of the reintroduction of charges to ensure that no one is unaware and potentially caught out.
More information on the reintroduction of charges, and the Paisley parking pilot, can be found on Renfrewshire Council’s website.
Road closure: Gartmore Road
NewsGartmore Road, Paisley from Hawkhead Road to Alton Road. The closure will be in place on Friday 7th August 2020 between 08:00 and 18:00. This is to allow Open Reach to have crane access to replace a defective pole.
Alternative Route: Newtyle Road, Alton Road, Lanfine Road or vice versa.
Roffey Park fundraising update
NewsMorrisons Supermarkets have made a charitable donation of £3250 to match the amount raised by Roffey Park Road residents and bring the total raised to £6500. The residents raised the money by playing street bingo from April to the start of July, during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Morrisons’ donation was split evenly between the Accord and the Princess of Wales hospices, with £1625 going to each. This means that, of the total of £6500 raised by the fundraising effort, £2945 was given to each of the hospices and £610 to Renfrewshire lifeline charities.
Details of the residents’ fund-raising efforts can be found in a previous news item on this website.
Spaces for People cycleways
NewsRenfrewshire Council has been awarded £540,000 in funding from the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People Fund to make temporary changes in Renfrewshire aimed at making physical distancing easier for residents.
As part of the changes, the council plans to create the following nine cycleways:
Full details of the proposed plans can be found on Renfrewshire Council’s website. The council is inviting comments on the plans, and these must be submitted before midnight on Sunday July 26.
Ralston library reopening
NewsFollowing the latest update on the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown, some services inside Renfrewshire’s library buildings will resume on Monday, July 20.
All 12 of the libraries will be open for returns and for borrowing on a click and collect basis, as part of measures being put in place to ensure the safety of staff and library users. Books can be reserved online or by telephone on 0300 300 1188. Access to buildings will be on a one in, one out basis. Each one will have a simple drop-off point for return.
The new opening hours for Ralston Library will be 10 am – 1 pm & 2 pm – 5 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.
Roffey Park Road fundraising success
NewsResidents of Roffey Park Road have raised more than £3,000 for local charities by playing street bingo during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The bingo, which has run weekly since April, was organised by Tracy Coyle, Helen Irvine and Karen Macpherson. The project was run in memory of Roffey Park Road resident Norman Tucker, who died of pancreatic cancer last year, and the last session took place on Thursday July 2. The organisers decorated the street every week with balloons and bunting and an app was used to announce the bingo numbers. Prizes, including bottles of Prosecco, were delivered to the winners’ doorsteps. Most of the sessions took place before the Clap for Carers event every Thursday evening and the final session was celebrated by a street party. Local businesses donated prizes and food for all the sessions.
The total amount raised for the charities was £3,250. At the final session, two cheques, each for £1,320, were written to the Accord and Princess of Wales hospices. A further £610 will be donated to Renfrewshire lifeline charities.
The Paisley Daily Express featured a double-page spread about the fundraising effort on July 7.
Organisers Helen Irvine, Karen Macpherson and Tracy Coyle (Photo: Pogie Manson)
Alison Scott, Ralston Community Council secretary, dressed for the occasion (Photo: Pogie Manson)
Footway widening: Penilee Road
NewsRenfrewshire Council is implementing a scheme to temporarily widen footways where people queue outside and the footway is too narrow for social distancing to be maintained. This will be achieved by the installation of barriers at affected locations. Council officers have visited business premises and spoken to affected businesses about the council’s intention to install the barriers.
The works are designed to support business and vulnerable residents as pavements become busier with more people venturing outside. Any barriers removed and replaced with temporary barriers will be reinstalled to their original positions when these measures are no longer required. A contractor has been appointed and is expected to install the barriers in the next two weeks.
The location in Ralston that will be affected is at the foot of Penilee Road. A barrier will be installed on the kerbline in front of the shops to stop vehicles parking on the footway.
Road closure: Newtyle Road
NewsNewtyle Road, Paisley, from Alton Road to Rosshall Avenue. The closure will be in place on Thursday, 2nd July 2020. This is to allow for ironwork repairs to take place.
Alternative route: Rosshall Avenue, Golf Drive or vice versa. Emergency access will be maintained.
Renfrewshire recycling centres open again
NewsRenfrewshire Council’s waste recycling centres reopened on 1 June. The centres are initially accepting only ordinary household waste, and the acceptance of other waste types will be phased in. Details of opening times and the phasing programme can be found on the Renfrewshire Council website.
Ralston Community Games cancelled
NewsBecause of the Covid-19 emergency, the Ralston Community Games, which were due to be held on 6 June 2020, have been cancelled. We are sorry about his, but we have no option but to cancel in view of the government’s emergency measures. We hope that the emergency will be over in time for us hold community games again next year.
Coronavirus information from Renfrewshire Council
NewsRenfrewshire Council has asked Renfrewshire’s community councils to make the following information available to community members.
More than 840 volunteers have signed up for the Scottish Government’s national campaign Ready Scotland, which allows people to offer practical or emotional support if they are fit and well. You can sign up via www.readyscotland.org/coronavirus/volunteering.
Locally, almost 100 volunteers have signed up for the Renfrewshire Volunteer Reserve, run by Engage Renfrewshire, which has created a bank of volunteers to work with the council’s community partners. If you are healthy and able, you can sign up via the Coronavirus section at www.engagerenfrewshire.com.
The council has set up a Local Assistance Helpline for those who received a letter from the Chief Medical Officer requiring them to be shielded. If a vulnerable person does not have a support network to bring them essential food and medicine, the council can deliver this to them and encourages everyone who receives a letter to call it on 0300 300 0230 or text the Scottish Government’s national support line with their CHI number on 07860 064 525. This service is open seven days a week from 08.45am to 4.45pm.
The council’s health and social care teams continue to provide essential care for its residents both in their own homes and within care homes, and it is continuing to support its key workers by providing childcare to allow them to carry out their roles.
The council’s waste collection teams are currently continuing to deliver a full service, including all recycling and food and garden waste bins. The council collects more than 141,000 bins every week, and would appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as it is operating with a reduced workforce at the moment. If your bin is missed, you are asked to report this; the waste collection team will return to collect it within five days.
At this time, everyone must follow the latest Government guidance and stay at home in order to save lives. Everyone should follow social distancing measures, wash their hands repeatedly throughout the day and only leave their home for essential reasons.
The council’s website has a dedicated Coronavirus section which covers various topics, including health and money advice, business support and changes to council services, and there is also a dedicated section for communities which looks at volunteering within the local area. This is updated daily and can be found at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.
You can also follow the council on Twitter – @RenCouncil – for all the latest updates as well as the chance to ask any questions that you may have.
Covid-19
NewsBecause of the Covid-19 precautions, meetings of Ralston Community Council have been suspended until further notice. All events on the website’s events calendar have also been suspended.
Please watch the website for updates.
Hawkhead & Dykebar Hospital housing developments
NewsThe guest speaker at the February meeting of Ralston Community Council will be Fraser Carlin, Head of Planning & Housing, Renfrewshire Council, who will speak about the current housing developments at Hawkhead and Dykebar Hospital.
The meeting will be held on Thursday 13 February at 7:30 pm in Ralston Community Centre, Allanton Avenue, PA1 3BL. The agenda for the meeting is available on the website.
The meeting is open to the public and you will be made very welcome if you wish to come.
Geocache treasure hunt
NewsA Geocache treasure hunt will be held at St Mark’s Church, Oldhall, on Saturday, 26 October, 2019, from 1 until 4 pm.
Details can be found on the treasure hunt flyer.
Ralston Community Council AGM
NewsThe Ralston Community Council annual general meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Thurday, 10 October, 2019, in Ralston Community Centre. The meeting is open to members of the public.
The AGM pack contains the AGM agenda, and also the notice of election results for 2019, the council’s constitution and the council’s standing orders. Item 8 on the agenda (Renfrewshire Community Council Forum) refers to an RCCF information leaflet. The RCCF leaflet is available on the website.
The AGM will be followed by the October meeting of the council. The agenda for the meeting and the minutes of the September meeting are available on the website.
Road closure: Hawkhead Road
NewsHawkhead Road, Paisley, from Glasgow Road to Seedhill Road. The closure will be in place from Monday, 07th October, 2019, till Sunday, 20th October, 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative Route: Glasgow Road, Mill Street, Seedhill Road or vice versa. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
Fun & Games Day cancelled
NewsThe Ralston Community Fun & Games Day planned for Saturday 14 September has been cancelled because of the waterlogged state of the ground at Ralston Sports Centre and the uncertain weather forecast for the next 48 hours.
Community Council elections
NewsElections to community councils across Renfrewshire are taking place between 12 August and 13 September 2019. To be eligible, candidates must be 16 or over, live in the community council area and be registered to vote.
If you would like to stand for the Ralston Community Council, you can obtain a nomination form by contacting the council’s secretary at sec@ralstoncommunitycouncil.org.
More information about the elections can be obtained by visiting Renfrewshire Council’s website or by phoning 0141 618 7104.
Ralston Community Fun & Games Day
NewsRalston Community Fun & Games Day will be held at Ralston Sports Centre on Saturday 14 September 2019, from 12 noon until 4 pm. In addition to games and activities, there will be stalls, refreshments and entertainment.
Please note that a photographer will be in attendance.
This event is supported by Renfrewshire Council.
Barshaw Park grass reinstatement
NewsWork to reinstate the flat grass area within Barshaw Park has started. The work will involve the existing grass and weeds being killed using a non-selective weed killer. The area has been fenced off with signs on the fence. Once the grass and weeds have been killed, the area will be rotovated and levelled and any large stones will be removed before it is re-seeded with grass seed.
Road closure: Seedhill Road
NewsSeedhill Road, Paisley, from Mill Street to Cochran Street. The closure will be in place on Monday, 08th July 2019 till Sunday, 25th August 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place on Mill Street.
Alternative route: Seedhill Road, Hawkhead Road, Glasgow Road, Mill Street or vice versa. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
Road closure: Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Hillington
NewsQueen Elizabeth Avenue, Hillington, from Montrose Avenue to Buccleuch Avenue. The closure will be in place on Monday, 01st July 2019 till Friday, 05th July 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative route: Montrose Avenue, Cameron Street, Buccleuch Avenue or Buccleuch Avenue, Cameron Street, Montrose Avenue, Watt Road. Emergency and limited local access will be maintained.
Road closure: Penilee Road, June 2019
NewsPenilee Road, Paisley, from School Road to Arkleston Road. The closure will be in place on Monday, 17th June 2019 till Sunday, 30th June 2019. This is to allow for carriageway resurfacing works to take place.
Alternative route: Arkleston Road, Glasgow Road, Penilee Road or Vice Versa. Emergency access will be maintained.
“Our Renfrewshire” Community Survey
NewsOn Monday 13 May, 2019, Renfrewshire Council launched its “Our Renfrewshire” Community Survey. The survey is designed to start a conversation about the values that are most important to local people and the values and behaviours that they expect from their council.
The survey, which includes 15 simple questions, is intended to change the way the council works. Everyone who lives, works or studies in Renfrewshire is invited to take part in it.
More details about the survey can be found here.
To take part in the survey, click here.
Barshaw Park Peace Garden Open Afternoon
NewsThe Peace Garden Open Afternoon will take place on Saturday 18 May 2019; 14:00 – 16:00. This provides an opportunity to stroll round the garden and enjoy the profusion of plants currently on display as well as the following activities:
A recommended donation of £3 helps cover the cost of the event and will also help with the continuing maintenance of the garden.
The event is organised by Friends of Barshaw Park. More details can be seen here.
Ralston Primary School is 80!
NewsRalston Primary School is 80 years old and having a birthday celebration on Thursday 2nd of May. All former pupils and staff are invited to an open afternoon.
Feel free to pop along anytime from 2pm until 7pm. We look forward to taking people a little trip down memory lane!
Plant Sale: Saturday 11 May, 11:00am – 2:00pm
NewsNursery Grown Bedding Plants, Pots & Tubs, Baskets (plants by McLaren Nurseries, Lugton, Past Barrhead).
Come along and enjoy yourself:
Where?
Save Coats Memorial
NewsPlans have been approved by Renfrewshire Council which could safeguard the future of one of Paisley’s best loved buildings, Thomas Coats Memorial Church. The project would see the church transformed into a world class events and entertainment venue to be used for arts performances, concerts and weddings as well as a range of community activities.
Coats Memorial Preservation Trust (CMPT) is aiming to raise the sum of £1.5 million over a 100-day campaign to fund the conversion works.
One way you can contribute is to Buy a brick for £100. Your brick will be mounted on the wall of fame within the building. The bricks are hand made from the pews by the pupils of Castlehead High School and will be engraved with your name and a short message.
For more information, see the Save Coats Memorial website: https://100daystosavecoatsmemorial.com/
Barshaw Park Clean-up: Sunday 14 April, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
NewsWe’ve arranged a litter pick in Barshaw Park. Come join us and help make the park sparkling clean!
Meet in the car park at 3:30pm. Litter pickers, bags and gloves available from the car covered in ‘Team up to clean up’ bibs.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1167138816780352/
Road closure (night time only) – Monday 1 April to Friday 5 April: Penilee Road
NewsBetween 10pm and 6am on Monday 1 April until Friday 5 April, Penilee Road will be closed from Arkleston Road to Corse Road.
This is to allow for Scottish Water works to take place.
Alternative route: Penilee Road, Arkleston Road, Glasgow Road, Penilee Road or Vice Versa (this is a night closure only).
Road closure – Monday 1 April to Friday 5 April: Buchlyvie Road
NewsOn Monday 1 April until Friday 5 April, Buchlyvie Road will be closed from School Road south-eastwards for 20 metres.
This is to allow for Scottish Water works to take place.
Alternative route: School Road, Penilee Road, Auchmannoch Avenue, Buchlyvie Road or Vice Versa
Next Meeting 11 April 2019
NewsThe next meeting will be held at Ralston Community Centre at 7:30pm.
Agenda Minutes of March meeting
February 2019 meeting
NewsThe next meeting of the community council will be held on Thursday 14 February 2019 at 7:30 pm in Ralston Community Centre. The agenda for the meeting can be seen here and the minutes of the previous meeting (10 January 2019) can be seen here.