When thousands turned out for Lilias Day in Kilbarchan

We have dived into the extensive archives here at the Gazette and had a look at Wednesday, June 11, to find and share some of the content that we covered then.

Do you recognise or remember these stories?

1. Pupils jump to the beat for celebration

Pupils at Woodlands Primary had a taste of Africa when they tested out their music skills.

The children learned how to play the drums as part of a Commonwealth Games celebration at the school.

The Linwood school had centred most of its social events around the theme of the Games since January.

One of the most significant was the appearance of World Paratriathlon Champion, Kilbarchan woman Jane Egan, at their sports centre. 

2. Thousands turn out for Lilias Day in Kilbarchan

One of Renfrewshire’s oldest and most historic events took place.

Thousands of people had taken part in the Kilbarchan Lilias Day celebration, which dates back to the 1700s when the village was a centre of the weaving trade, despite the wet weather.

Organisers were delighted with the turnout for the annual celebration that featured one of the biggest parades the event has seen in years.

3. Farm show day a great success

The Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Show in 2014 was described as one of the 'best ever' – despite a showery start to the morning.

Giulia Canata, the society’s Light Horse secretary, said the weather was fantastic once it cleared up and the support for the show was outstanding.

She said at the time of writing the article: “Tractors helped cars and lorries into the field at the beginning of the day but, once the sun appeared and dried up the ground, everybody had smiles on their faces and visitor numbers were higher than last year.”

4. New hall opens its doors to the public

The new Linwood Tweedie Hall and Library opened its doors to the public ten years ago.

The striking glass-fronted building has been dubbed ‘a modern centrepiece for life in the town’, having opened to customers in late May. 2014.

Linwood’s facility was handed over to the council having been built by Tesco as part of its new supermarket development in the town centre, and will replace the old Tweedie Halls and library.

The ground floor contains a reception desk and a well-equipped library, while the upper floors feature meeting rooms and conference space, including a 350-seat main hall with a mobile stage.

5. Mar Thistle sponsor boost

An Erskine football team played in style after receiving support from a property management firm.

Ross and Liddell donated funding to Mar Thistle Football Club from its third community bursary scheme.

6. Old Ranfurly starlet earns international call up

Every two years, the R and A around 130 affiliated countries to enter its top under-16-year-old boy and girl in the Junior Open Championship.

In 2014 they set out to play three rounds at West Lancashire Golf Club before getting the opportunity to view the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.

Scotland’s boys were represented by then-15-year-old Jamie Stewart who played at Old Ranfurly Golf Club.

Jamie at the time admitted he was delighted to have been selected as are his club and Renfrewshire Golf Union which had provided coaching over recent years.