Kirk carnival raises £11k for the community
A well-loved Renfrewshire carnival has been described as a “huge success” after the event raised £11,000 for the local community.
The Houston and Killellan Kirk Carnival, which took place at the weekend, raised the astonishing fivefigure sum.
The funds will be put back into the community according to Rev Barbara Ann Sweetin, Houston & Killellan Kirk interim moderator.
She said: “Our Kirk Carnival was a fantastic day for everybody, and it was wonderful to see so many people, young and old, enjoying themselves.
“I’d like to thank all the local businesses who advertised in our carnival programme and generously donated prizes, as well as all those who volunteered their time and energy to help make sure things ran like clockwork.
“The event itself raised more than £11,000 which is a fantastic amount, so a huge thank you to everyone for all your support, which we really appreciated.
“Every penny raised will help fund the Kirk’s work in the local community, supporting groups, events and activities that are open to everyone.”
This year’s theme was the Olympics with people dressing up as sports stars, torch bearers and Greek goddesses for the fancy dress competition.
Brownies and Guides won the best-dressed group for the sheer range of disciplines represented, including swimmers (complete with paddling pool), gymnasts, cyclists and taekwondo fighters.
Meanwhile, 1st Houston Boys Brigade Pipe Band led the parade up to the West Halls, where there were plenty of activities, stalls and sideshows including a brilliant bungee run, a pirate run, a giant slide and a bouncy castle to entertain everybody.
Also in attendance on the day was Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust, a plant stall, homebaking and the Houston and Killellan Kirk Mens Shed who welcomed the sunshine.
They took to Facebook to express their delight stating: “Thank you to everyone that turned out for the Annual Kirk Carnival.
“The Shedders had a great day and are now away home sun-kissed and exhausted.
“Thank you also to everyone who bought and ordered from our stall.
“This was a fabulous community event put together by a hard working and dedicated bunch of amazing people.
“Here’s to next year! Wonder what the theme will be!”
Students in Paisley have been delving into some difficult subjects – searching for inspiration for a play they performed this week.
The West College Scotland youngsters employed the help of Paisley-based charity Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH) as they explored the theme of mental crisis.
Their play ‘This is For You’ was written with consultation from people with a lived experience of using FIRST Crisis – RAMH’s out of hours crisis service which provides a short term support to anyone in Renfrewshire aged 16 or over who is experiencing a crisis in their mental health.
The 30-minute long piece is centred around a group of friends celebrating graduation and depicts different people’s experiences of a mental health crisis. It shows how even in the most challenging times, there are services and resources that offer hope.
The BA Hons drama theatre and performance students Katie McLeod, Maria McNeil, Florance Armour, Morgan Burns, Liam Catterson and Claudia Crook produced the performance for their Applied Theatre module back in November, but presented the play now for Mental Health Awareness Week.
They performed it at the college’s Paisley campus on Tuesday to an audience of friends, family, and those invited by RAMH.
Maria said: “Working alongside RAMH in co-creating this important piece over the last few months has been a privilege. I’ve gained invaluable insights into the essential services RAMH provides and their critical role
in the community. Completing this module has inspired me to explore future opportunities in the Applied Theatre industry to help people.
“I hope this performance will effectively promote ways to support those struggling with mental illness.
“I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time and energy to bring this piece to life.”
Katie said: “Devising this collaborative piece with my peers, in partnership with RAMH, has been an incredibly eye-opening and rewarding experience.
“Having the opportunity to work creatively with a local charity as part of our degree programme highlighted the importance of community and the work RAMH does is underestimated and highly valuable.
“It has been a privilege to revive and rework ‘This is For You’ with them for Mental Health Awareness Week.
“We hope this piece shed light on the importance of getting help when you need it, and highlighted support systems that are available.”
Peter Jung, CEO of RAMH, said: “My sincere thanks go to everyone involved in the production of this play.
“Its message tells us that poor mental health can impact on anyone, it does not discriminate.
“It can also be well hidden as the stigma of poor mental health stops people reaching out to organisations like RAMH, for the help they need.
“The message I want people to take away from this play, and from Mental Health Awareness Week, is that help is out there, it just needs a bit of courage to take the first step.”
The play had an important message