Bridge of Weir SWRI


The AGM of the BoW SWRI on 5th April was well attended. The members heard a most interesting talk on the work of Mary’s Meals from Margaret McBride explaining how the charity started and how they have helped people in a wide selection of troubled countries such as Bosnia, Malawi and Haiti to name just a few. This is not just by the provision of meals but in the running of homes for the elderly and orphans etc. Winners of the Mini Show trophies were: • Duncan Cup (hand-made bag) - Janine Breckenridge • Muirhead Cup (gingerbread) - Mabel McPherson • Woodrow Cup (flowers in a basket) - Thelma Youngson • Points Cup 1st - Linda Taylor; 2nd - Mabel McPherson; 3rd equal - Pat Allan and Thelma Youngson.


Weir Saving Our Village


The Group has continued the work to try and find a way of stopping the possible large scale retail development in Bridge of Weir. We have lobbied the local candidates for election and intend to request meetings with them all prior to the local elections. We are investigating any environmental issues which may be significant to our campaign, we have continued to seek out and contact other groups who have won in the fight against the supermarket giants. Roy Holmes has been in touch with the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association on our behalf asking them for help and advice re the rights of business owners. He was informed that they had heard of our campaign as far away as Perth, so that’s positive news, word does travel. We have made Freedom Of Information Act requests from Renfrewshire Council and will update you as we get any helpful replies. We have written letters appealing for help with publicity and fund raising and we will be coming to a shop near you asking for donations of raffle prizes to help raise funds in order to continue our battle to keep our village life as we know and love it.


Margaret Linnie our original secretary has had to step down from her position on health grounds and we would like to offer our sincere thanks to her for all of her help. Norman Johnstone will replace her; his contact details will be available in the library.


We would like to amend an earlier entry, as we had said that the festival committee were holding a Jubilee Party in Moss Road park on the 5th of June however this is no longer going ahead due to the proximity in time to the Freeland Church and Community Council day in the park on the 20th of May, and the Gala day on the 9th of June. The Festival Committee has said they will organise a day later in the year.


The consensus of the majority of villagers we have spoken to so far is that this proposal by Dawn Developers to build a Sainsbury’s in our village would be at best disadvantageous to the community as a whole as it would have a negative effect on the local economy as businesses that have been here for generations would potentially have to close. The development would also put increased stress on the infrastructure of the village as this will cause a major increase in the flow of traffic on the villages only main access roads. This development also has the potential to negatively affect the quality of life of local children, dog walkers, and other park users. Villagers could see the current village centre turn into a run down area full of derelict shops as the proposed development would be at the east end of the village and this could potentially draw trade away from the current shopping area which was recently refurbished. Supermarkets generally promote themselves on their ability to offer increased choice, however it would seem that this does not extend to include the location on which they are built; they do not belong in small village communities such as ours.


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St Mary’s Lecture


St Mary’s Church in Bridge of Weir is again holding a lecture this year on Wednesday 2nd May at 7pm. If you have queries, please call for information – Gill Reynolds 01505 842629.


Rev Professor David Atkinson will be speaking on Food Supply and Biotechnologies: Getting it Right


David is a lecturer at Aberdeen University and former


Academic Director of the Scottish Agricultural College, as well as having edited a major report on Fair Trade in Food so we expect another stimulating evening of discussion. As usual, the lecture will be followed by refreshments, and opportunity for informal conversation and questions on this important issue. Please join us in St Mary’s on 2nd May at 7pm.


So many applicants!


Bernie (of Bernie’s Cafe Deli) would like to thank everyone for their interest in the job vacancies in her new Cafe Deli, opening in May. There were over 300 applications and the selection was very difficult. Unfortunately, with so many, Bernie has been unable to reply to everyone, but hopes to see you once the Cafe opens for business.


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