Make a date for picnic

People in Ferguslie Park have been asked to save the date for the first planned event since being freed by lockdown shackles.

A public picnic open to the entire area will take place at the Village Green on May 31.

Organisers say the Bank Holiday Monday event is symbolic of the way the scheme has come through the pandemic.

Terry McTernan, secretary of the Darkwood Crew, said: “This picnic feels like a real landmark and a celebration of how Ferguslie Park has come through this.

“We were told at the beginning of all this we were going to have two and a half times the death rate.

“It was typical of all the weird and wonderful things we are often beaten with a stick down here.

“But the reality is we navigated it a lot more comfortably than expected.

“And I would say it is because of our collective community - which has always existed - that has helped us get through it.

“This picnic is all about everybody coming together, outside and as safely as we can. It is certainly a great reminder to everyone that we are a community.”

The event is being run in conjunction with Bridge of Weir Leather and the Tannahill Centre Big Ideas Fund.

The picnic had been planned for April 7 as an Easter celebration but covid restrictions postponed it.

The event begins at noon and is free.

Picnic bags, including sandwiches and goodies, will be handed out to everyone.

Outdoor activities will be available for all ages including inflatables, an outdoor soft play area, sumo wrestling and bingo provided from the community bus.