james-maclaren

This has now been obtained (eBay) and is being modified at Art & Industrial Engraving Ltd, Johnstone. Regards, James

Resurfacing, Linwood Toll Roundabout on the weekends of 20th and 27th July Ideally drivers will avoid coming into Paisley via the Linclive Interchange and the A761 Linwood Road. For traffic that does use this route the diversion will involve Barskiven Road, Ferguslie Park Avenue, Blackstoun Road, McKenzie Street, Well Street and back onto George Street and Ferguslie via the west flank. Traffic heading to the Phoenix retail park from Paisley will be diverted through Johnstone and onto the A737. Regards, James

Great afternoon. Thanks to everyone. Flags were a nice touch! James

I know this is very late but if it is ok could can I have 2 tickets please.

If you want you can also join the mini-league "Johnstone Wheelers" with the password "dooleys"

Hi, I've just signed up to this at http://fantasy.bikeradar.com/ but I think it needs to be done tonight if you want to enter. It's free and prizes to be won, but I don't know much about it really. Watch out for my team "me2". Once you've picked your team, you'll want to set up or join a mini-league for you and your friends and colleagues. Simply log in and visit the 'Mini-League Admin' page. Playing against your friends in a private league is a great opportunity to see who is the ultimate Tour de France player amongst you! Anyone else entering? James

Resurfacing of Canal Street, Causeyside Street, Gordon Street Junction, Paisley Council has programmed this work to take place during the Paisley Fair, starting during the evening of Friday, 2 August and finishing on Monday, 5 August (subject to suitable weather). "Whilst this is a major project involving substantial reprofiling of large areas of the junction which have subsided, combined with a complete overlay with hot rolled asphalt, we propose to complete the work over a short time period by working through the night. " The diversion routes proposed are as follows: 1. Approaching the junction from the south via Causeyside Street, the diversion will be left into Stow Brae, (left on to Canal Street to the west), right on to Canal Street, left onto Wardrop Street, right on to George Street and either left on to Causeyside Street to continue north, or on to Johnston Street to join Gordon Street east. 2. Approaching the junction from George Street in the west we will try to encourage traffic to travel around the north of Paisley via Maxwellton Street. Traffic continuing on Canal Street will be turned left at Wardrop Street and follow diversion above to head north and east. The small amount of traffic on Canal Street seeking to turn right and head south on Causeyside Street will be diverted via Wardrop Street, George Street, Johnston Street and Gordon Street to Lonend. 3. Approaching the junction on Causeyside Street from the north, will involve a diversion onto Johnston Street/Gordon Street to the Lonend/Gordon Street junction. At this point this diverted traffic would join the longest and most complex diversion route involving traffic approaching the junction from the east. 4. Approaching the junction from the east will involve all traffic being diverted either up Bridge Street/Cotton Street or down Lonend and Barrhead Road. Traffic will be sign posted south on Barrhead Road to Lochfield Road and then onto Neilston Road.

Works to Repair Subsidence in Blockwork Ramps in Renfrew Town Centre Council propose to carry out a programme of repairs from July through to September. The works will involve removing the ramps, replacing part of the foundations and re-setting the blocks in question. Physical works will take a few days per ramp. Once repaired however, the ramp must be kept free of traffic for up to a week to allow grout and concrete to gain full strength. We propose to follow the outline programme below which includes a time cushion at each location to accommodate unforeseen problems on site. Timescales may vary from below if we experience wider road network problems or severe weather. |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | 1. | Canal Street (ramp face just east of the | 8 July – 21 July | | | Town Hall) | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | | Canal Street will be closed east of the town | | | | Hall at the Canal St/High St/Hairst St | | | | Junction. | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | 2. | Hairst Street (ramp face just west of the | 22 July – 3 August | | | Town Hall) | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | | Hairst St will be closed just west of the | | | | Town Hall at the Hairst St/High St/Canal St | | | | Junction. | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | 3. | High Street (ramp face heading away from | 12 August – 1 September | | | Town Hall at Renfrew Old Parish Church) | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | | Closure will be in one direction only on | | | | High St heading away from the Town Hall. | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | 4. | High Street (both ramp faces heading towards | 2 September – 15 September | | | Town Hall at Renfrew Old Parish Church) | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------| | | Closure will be in one direction only | | | | heading towards the Town Hall. | | |-------+-----------------------------------------------+-----------------------------|

Hi, A friend of mine, who has had a stroke, would like to get back into cycling. He was in the Johnstone Wheelers many years ago but cannot ride a bicycle (no balance etc.). Looking for an adult tricycle that I could convert for him at my work's engineering workshop in Johnstone (Art & Industrial Engraving Ltd). Anyone got a suggestion where to go with this? Regards, James

If you are talking about the Hardridge trail from Muirshiel round, I would say that this is a farm track. I have not found the old shooting railway but I think it may still be there. I need to do some more exploring Regards, James

Bishopton to Langbank via Barscube Hill Easy road walking to the hill and down again, or cross-country. 7 miles. (OS 1:50,000 sheets 64 and 63; 1":1 mile sheet 60) Start as for Bishopton to Bridge of Weir. From the Roman fort follow the pylons across pasture, keeping an eye on the cattle and the nearest gate. Where the pylons take a sharp turn left do likewise and re-join the road, on the other side of which a farm track will be found leading up to where a side track goes off on the other side of a double-barred gate. After some minutes a wall will be reached where a rest can be taken and the fine panorama of the Firth enjoyed. Continue directly west until another road is crossed and Barscube Hill (639 ft.) invites an easy climb. Here there is an even better view which takes in Greenock and distant views of Cowal and the Holy Loch, unless there is a sea fog rolling in. In that case you will have viewed the mist and missed the view. Head downhill towards Gleddoch farm and re-join the road; to the left there is a road leading down to Langbank, about ½ mile distant. Although this walk does not appear to be very strenuous, the rambler will be glad to relax in a railway compartment for the ½-hour journey to Glasgow. There is also an hourly bus service.

Bishopton to Bridge of Weir Minor road walking with gradual gradients. No trains on Sunday from Bridge of Weir, but 2-hourly bus service. 7 miles. (OS 1:50,000 sheets 64 and 63; 1":1 mile sheet 60) Take the bus to Bishopton from Glasgow or Renfrew and continue along the Greenock Road until after about 1/2 mile there is a left turning past a hotel. Turn left at the next crossroads, although on the right are to be found the remains of a Roman fort just north of Whitemoss Dam. This was one of the first forts of the Antonine Wall. An unfenced road beyond the farm leads to it, although a better, bird's eye view of the ramparts can be obtained from a small hill to the south of the loch. Return to the road where a ruin will be encountered on the right. Older walkers will remember this as an inviting residence with trim lawns and louping-off stones, whilst brass and copper gleamed in the hallway. On the other side of the road is a cemetery with some famous regimental graves. Light relief lies ahead as Formakin House is approached: to many ramblers this known as The Monkey House because of the carvings over the gatehouse. What is less well-known is that the wooden gates beneath are from Newgate Prison, brought here when it was demolished in 1904. Turn left at the junction and proceed towards Barochan, beyond which the famous Barochan Cross is to be seen on a hill to the left. A notice on the railing gives details of its history, and it is worth close inspection. Returning to the crossroads at Barochan take the left turning to the curiously named Shovelboard farm and on to the old church at Kilellan. Study the 16th and 17th century headstones and look for the nearby well of St. Fillan and a naturally hollowed rock known as St. Fillan's Chair. It had been a tradition to bring sickly children to the well and bathe them in hope of a cure. It was also the custom to leave some offering to the saint in the branches of the nearby bushes. Return to the road junction and carry straight on for 1/4 mile until a right turn will be found leading to Bridge of Weir, about 2 miles away. The observant rambler will notice that the approach to the village is named Warlock Road. About 40 years ago a tree stump was still to be seen that had been struck by lightning and the old legends of devil-worship were kept alive. Folk journeying to St. Fillan's well must have given this area a wide berth. In Bridge of Weir look for the war memorial and, if you do not recognise the design, go back to Barochan.

Misty Law Start at Lochwinnoch, finish at Kilbirnie. Very heavy going over rough moor and bog. Track as far as Muirshiel Country Park. 12 miles approx. (OS 1:50,000 sheet 63) Misty Law (1,662 ft.) has always been a conspicuous point on the Renfrewshire uplands, and its name tells us that it must have had a history of more foggy days than clear. It is only surprising that more hills in Lowland Scotland do not bear the same name. From Lochwinnoch, reached on the Largs bus from Glasgow or Paisley, walk up the Street facing the bus stop towards an old cinema. The first destination is Muirshiel Country Park, well sign- posted from the village. As the walker climbs by the River Calder he will see examples of a past way of life, such as small millstones doing duty as doorstep ornaments; a dry lade may be spotted further on. It is advisable to complete this stretch as quickly as possible, as there is sometimes a steady stream of cars going up to the Park. In the exhibition hall at Muirshiel can be seen stuffed specimens and photographs of the area's wildlife and other items; also of interest will be the tea room. Prepared for more strenuous activity, the rambler will check on the map the point where Raith Burn enters the Calder and climb along its southern bank; in about a mile you will be level with the top of Misty Law. From here it is a steep climb of about 600 ft.; as he reaches the top the climber will find that the Law is only one of a daunting array of peaks. Nearest are Hill of Stake (1,712 ft.) and East Girt Hill (1,673 ft.); on a clear day Ben Lomond is to hand, together with the Cobbler and the Arrochar Alps. To the north are Ben More (3,843 ft.) and Stobinneoin (3,821 ft.) from the Gaelic words for 'anvil' - and behind them can be glimpsed more distant peaks. To the east is the hazy Clydeside conurbation, while further south can sometimes be seen outliers of the Border hills. Now continue south and descend to Lairdside Hill and from there to Muirfauldhouse farm. This route is one of the wettest on the moors and for this reason many prefer to undertake it during a cold snap when the ground is harder. From the farm a track leads back to the main road and the way to Lochwinnoch is obvious; you should reach it within 3 hours of leaving Misty Law. If there is time to spare, look out for the cemetery just back from the junction on the right. Turn left inside the gate and look for an upright stone carved into a life-size figure. Known as the Dumb Proctor, it is probably Pictish although far from other discoveries of a similar period. It is possible that the walker has veered too far south coming off Misty Law and mistakenly picked up the Maich Water, particularly if the mist is coming down. Eventually a path will be found that leads onto a track joining the road at Auchenhain; it is then a choice of taking the left fork and walking 2 miles back to Lochwinnoch or going straight on for about a mile to the A760 where a bus may be caught.

The Covenanters' Hollow Start at Kilmacolm and finish at Bridge of Weir. Slight gradient leaving Kilmacolm, then exciting day's moor walking. 12 miles approx. (OS 1:50,000 sheet 63) Take the Gourock bus to Kilmacolm from Glasgow or Paisley; trains do not run on Sunday. Leaving Kilmacolm, once known as the village of millionaires, take the B788 Greenock road. Look out for a turning on the left to East Green about ½ mile past the crossroads; walk for a mile until the line of pylons cross the road and from here take an unfenced road leading over rising ground to the right. This leads to Blacketty Water and the Kilmacolm High Dam via Hardridge farm. Just before the dam is a metal shed which houses a small steam engine for a 'shooting railway'; the line will be seen stretching away over the moors. Although the reasons for it are obvious enough, the rambler will probably regard the whole affair with a quizzical eye, particularly the 'carriages' which consist of slatted seats mounted on bogies. At this point there is a platform for the convenience of returning sportsmen with a heavy bag, and further on are stone bridges over streams, and even points. One arm stretches away towards the Laverock Stone; another arm makes its way into the heart of Duchal Moor; the third branches south towards Coplie Hill, and this is the one to follow after a mile walk along the main line. Walking across the sleepers makes for speedier progress and one is at leisure to admire the novelty of the situation for nearly 2 miles until the Mill Burn is reached. From here keep to the higher ground at about 700 ft by heading for Craig of Todholes and Craig Minnan. From Thornlybank Hill look for a burn which leads down to Ladymuir reservoir. Somewhere along this flow of water 300 years ago the local Covenanters met to worship in their own fashion, while a lookout was kept on the moor above. Prepared food was brought down from Ladymuir Farm as a cooking fire would have alerted suspicion. Exactly where that hollow is to be found is now open to speculation, as the family whose descendants occupied the farm until recently have now moved away. The farm, which has 17th-century buildings, is at the end of a track leading to the B786. Take the road opposite to Auchensale farm and at the Locher Water turn left along the road into Bridge of Weir, where there are bus and train services. Although the ground covered will seem to have been prodigious, the distance on the map is as above.

Hi, Keen to explore the local hills and trails on my mtb, I have borrowed an old book called “West of Scotland Rambles†by Sydney Smith first published in 1978. They are interesting to read, giving a bit of history of the area as well. I have copied some of the directions from the book as they may be of interest to some of you. Let me know if you like them and I might be able to produce more. Hopefully you can follow them on your bike or on foot. Regards, James

Will any Jets coaches be going over for the TT? Just need someone to keep an eye out for Hamish. James

Hi, Any Jets coaches going? James

Hi, I am looking for any road bike parts for a dolan mythos carbon frame I recently bought for young Hamish Well, SOMEbody got screwed ! , and was wondering if anyone had any spares I could have A wee bit of help. : Saddle Front & rear Road brakes Shifters (8 speed shifter for existing cassette) Rear derailleur (8 speed shifter for existing cassette) Front derailleur Handlebar 38 cm Crank Stem 70mm Bottom bracket hubs (British classic) Thanks, James

Hi, another notice: Forthcoming road closure on Old Greenock Road, Erskine, between the roundabout at A726 Southbar Road and Linburn Road. The closure - coming into effect on Monday 10th June for a maximum period of 5 days - will be in place to allow for carriageway resurfacing. Traffic management will allow for access to local premises and to buses only, though delays should be expected. If you have any questions please get in touch. Kind Regards, James

Hi Len, I will get something done about this. Thanks for reporting it to me. Regards, James

Hi Len, It's one of the many I reported. Thanks for telling me about it. Regards, James

Road Closure - Barochan Road, Houston This is to advise of a forthcoming road closure on Barochan Road, Houston, near its junction with Corsliehill Road. The closure, coming into effect on Tuesday 28th May, is in place to allow for carriageway resurfacing. It is expected the closure will be in place for 5 days, subject to delays. Traffic will be diverted via B789 Main St (Houston), B790 Houston Rd (Georgetown Straight), A726 Barnsford Rd, A8 Greenock Rd (Bishopton), Old Greenock Rd, past Formakin Mill (Houston Rd) and back on to Barochan Rd. Hope this is helpful. Regards, James

Hi Jan, I will come along. Is this something the Jets should be interested in for training sessions? Regards, James

A trafcam detector is now installed at Torr Road traffic lights, Bridge of Weir. I hope this will alleviate the issue on Torr Rd when the traffic is stationary, which causes traffic to have to jump the red light. (As an alternative, the lights will change if the pedestrian button is pressed). There is still modelling and timing changes to be done in the area. I am waiting for the count information.

Notice of Maintenance Works Please note that essential maintenance works will start on Monday 6 May to a culvert on the Old Greenock Road, just east of the entrance to Gleddoch House. A 1 week closure of the road will be required for safety reasons and the contractor will have single lane working with temporary lights thereafter until the works are completed. The work should take about 3 weeks in total. A local diversion route will operate during the closure.