By George Food festival a nice return to normal
We had a successful weekend in Paisley for the food festival.
The weather was a bit chilly, but it didn’t stop people going into our town centre and enjoying themselves for the first time in quite a while.
There was a range of different types of foods available and entertainment all set up outside.
We haven’t had a festival like this for years due to the pandemic.
We know it hasn’t gone away and no one should act as if it has, but the opportunity to have an open air festival reduces the risks associated with enclosed small spaces.
Paisley, in the past, has had a number of festivals in past years and all of them have been postponed due to the pandemic.
I got the chance to go on Friday night and Saturday.
For me, it was a wee highlight and I really appreciated the opportunity to have a wander and soak up the experience.
I also had the chance to do a bit of people watching and, as always, have a few good chats with people.
There was a feeling that this was something people had been looking forward to.
I can tell you that I really appreciated the event more than past events and I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who organised it and took part in the weekend.
Sometimes we can take things for granted, just turn up and have a wee dauner and go back home.
The ability to take time, pay full attention to everything going on, is something I have noticed I am doing now.
There were dozens of food vendors set up in the historic heart of our town. Now that is what I call a venue.
Anyone coming to experience the food festival unaware of Paisley cannot fail to have been impressed.
This is how we should be showcasing Paisley, its historic buildings and what our town has to offer.
There is more to come. The town hall has had massive investment and, when it is renovated, it will provide the town with a focal point, right across from the 860-year-old abbey.
The High Street will benefit with the creation of the new library right in the middle of the thoroughfare, providing footfall and offering the type of modern library with multi-media facilities and a coffee shop which will undoubtedly provide the facilities to encourage individuals and groups to make the most of it.
Then we have the re-development of the museum, making it bigger by providing a new wing, meaning more of the local treasures and artefacts will be on show.
Again, this will create opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and ensure the new venue is fully exploited for all.
The town has benefitted from some of our main buildings being renovated, repaired and redeveloped.
Going forward, we need to ensure the plans are in place to drive forward with the opportunities this brings.
If we do not take advantage of what we have, show others what we have done, what we intend to do and where our town is going, who will?
It is up to us all to make sure we make the most of our town, spread the word about what it has to offer and ensure that everyone benefits from what our town offers society.