Paisley Daily Express Column

Paisley Daily Express Column - 26th Aug 2009

MEETING LANCE TO THANK HIM FOR HIS PAISLEY PEDAL

For many years I’ve worked to promote Paisley and encourage tourists to visit Renfrewshire. So I was absolutely delighted when the seven times winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong, chose to come to Renfrewshire last week and make a 90 minute trek through Howwood, Lochwinnoch and Foxbar. As the Paisley Daily Express reported last week, traffic ground to a halt in Paisley Town Centre as “Lance – Mania” gripped Paisley, as the world famous sportsman was mobbed by hundreds of fans.

The 37 year old sportsman was staying in Orr Square, Paisley, ahead of attending the U2 concert at Hampden Park in Glasgow last week.

And when on Monday night he announced on his twitter page that he intended to set off from Paisley, an estimated 200 - 300 riders, including the Scottish cycling star, Graeme Obree, came to Paisley to join him for his Renfrewshire run.

Not only did this cycle bring Paisley to a global audience, since the “Tour de Paisley” was reported on Armstrong’s twitter page that is followed by 1.7 million global viewers, it also made front page news across Scotland. So I took the chance on Tuesday evening to meet with Lance Armstrong and personally pass on my thanks to the cycling legend for his visit to our town. We met ahead of the U2 show at Hampden Park, and the Texan Superstar, who has undergone several treatments for cancer after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of 25, seemed delighted by the Renfrewshire reception he received. Now our task is to capitalize on last week’s positive publicity - and encourage more people to come and visit local attractions like Paisley Abbey, the Weavers Cottage in Kilbarchan, and the Gleniffer Braes.

DON’T MAKE IT CURTAINS FOR THE CASTLE!

Last week I was in the Johnstone Castle Community Centre holding an advice surgery for local residents.

It’s a popular Community Centre that has been used by groups like St. Paul’s Church and the Phoenix Theatre Company, thanks to its size and stage.

Yet the condition of the centre gave me real cause for concern. The back curtains to the stage have been damaged for months, and the front curtains have now been torn at the top for a couple of months.

This popular local venue deserves better treatment from Renfrewshire Council – and I hope they repair these facilities before it proves to be curtains for the Community Centre as a venue for local performing arts groups.

LET THE COUNCIL HEAR YOUR VIEWS

I was campaigning with local people outside Elderslie swimming baths and in Johnstone over the weekend – as part of our efforts to stop the closure of Elderslie and Johnstone swimming baths.

There’s real anger amongst local residents about the lack of consultation with the public over the Council’s plans to pull the plug on the pools.

Now Paisley Daily Express readers can let the Council know their views at a meeting organised by Council Officials next Monday, August 31^st at 7pm in Johnstone Town Hall.

Despite the shocking lack of notice, I hope Elderslie and Johnstone residents will take their chance to tell the Council what they think of these pool closure plans.