Community and neighbourhood issues

Johnstone Castle Learning Centre will host sessions for young people. These will run over 2 sessions for primary and secondary school children. 

There are 3 sessions per week in the evenings with:

• basic cooking
• arts and crafts
• pool, games
• gaming, Xbox and PlayStation
• a fun themed event for Christmas.

For adults there will be social activities including:

• IT support
• basic cooking
• quizzes
• lunch and fun activities at a themed event at Christmas.

On the first Friday of the month, there will be a bingo session from 2pm to 4pm. All participants will be offered a snack/lunch.

See when all the activities and events will take place in the Programme section below.

Johnstone Train Station (10 to 15 minute walk). 

No 38 bus drops at door of Johnston Castle Learning Centre.

• Email director.jclc@gmail.com

Johnstone Castle Learning Centre sessions will run from 10 November 2025 to 31 March 2026 (closed between Christmas and New Year).

Sessions for young people will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays:

• Primary school age group sessions - 5pm to 7pm
• Secondary school age group sessions - 7:15pm to 8:45pm. 

Sessions for Adults will take place on Fridays from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Free events twice a month for adults with learning disabilities, offering a mix of creative crafting afternoons, board games afternoons and workshops and refreshments. 

Workshops will cover important topics such as:

• boundaries and consent
• relationships
• conversation skills
• confidence building. 

Dates-n-Mates will also host a monthly coffee and cake meeting, providing a relaxed, friendly space to connect and share experiences. 

Other activities include:

• going out for a meal
• pub nights
• tribute nights at the Glynhill Hotel
• shopping afternoons
• a ceilidh in March to celebrate 10 years of Dates-n-Mates in Renfrewshire
• a Valentines party in February
• park walks
• club nights.

All events take place near good bus and train links.

• Email janie.waddell@datesnmates.org.uk
• Phone 07765 246 336

Dates-n-Mates activities will run between 1 December 2025 and 31 March 2026 (closed from 24 December 2025 to 2 January 2026).

Events and activities take place at various times and locations. 

Visit the Dates-n-Mates Facebook page for up to date details on events, dates and times. 

Erskine Arts will provide a choice of freshly made and healthy soups and bread, tea, coffee, and biscuits.

There will also be access to free drop-in activities, including:

•  a crochet group where people can come together and learn new skills with materials supplied at no cost
• a free jam session where adults can pick up and play instruments.

These sessions provide opportunities to enjoy company from others.

See when all the activities and events will take place in the Programme section below.

McGills bus routes go through Bridgewater, including the 23, X23, 521 and 757.  The centre is visible from the bus stop and a 2 minute walk away.

• Email info@erskinearts.co.uk

Sessions will take place on Fridays, from 7 November 2025 to 27 March 2026 (closed between Christmas and New Year).

Sessions will run from 11am to 1pm, with soup served around midday and up to 4pm for the jam session    

Bridge of Weir Scout Group will provide a wide range of activities for all age groups, including:

• lunch clubs
• cooking classes
• tabletop games
• quizzes
• crafts
• basic first aid
• indoor gardening
• bingo
• movies
• low impact chair exercise.

See when all the activities will take place in the Programme section below.

Bus stop on Main Street is approximately 150 yards away.

• Email bowscoutgroup@gmail.com

Bringing Bridge of Weir Community Together activities take place on:

• Thursday 4 December 2025 - 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 13 December 2025 - 12pm to 2pm
• Thursday 8 January 2026 - 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 31 January 2026 - 12pm to 2pm
• Thursday 19 February 2026 - 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 28 February 2026 - 12pm to 2pm
• Thursday 12 March 2026 - 7pm to 9pm
• Saturday 21 March 2026 - 12pm to 2pm.

Enforcement

Police Scotland will enforce the rules in any approved zones. Breaking the rules could lead to a fine or prosecution.

Renfrewshire Council's current position

Renfrewshire Council has agreed to use firework control zone powers.

To date, no requests received have met the criteria.  

A firework control zone (FCZ) is a defined geographical area in which it is illegal to use fireworks on private domestic property.  

The Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 introduced a discretionary power for councils to designate firework control zones, where there is evidence that this can resolve a problem.

Zones are designed to reduce harm caused by fireworks, such as:

• noise and disruption
• distress to animals
• impact on vulnerable people
• anti-social behaviour
• environmental damage.

Residents and community groups can apply to have a zone in their area.

Zones must be evidence-based, limited solely to areas, dates and times where it can make a difference, and subject to an extensive consultation process outlined in the Guidance on Firework control zones for Local Authorities (Scottish Government).

Renfrewshire Council is responsible for establishing zones after an application has been accepted.

Breaches of an established zone are enforced by Police Scotland.

A firework control zone can:

• ban fireworks in gardens and private spaces
• let communities request zones
• apply rules to specific areas and times
• help tackle social problems
• make illegal use a criminal offence.

A firework control zone cannot:

• ban organised public displays, such as weddings or council events
• stop shops from selling fireworks
• cover large areas, like whole towns
• stop bonfires or noise from travelling
• be used as a quick fix or first option.

Who can apply

You can apply if you're part of a:

• community group (with at least 25 signatures)
• welfare or support organisation
• Community Council
• Local Partnership Area.

When to apply

Applications are open from 17 November 2025 to 30 January 2026.

What to include

Your request should explain:

• what the problem is (things such as noise, safety, animal distress)
• where the zone should be
• when it should start and end.

Apply for a firework control zone

You can email us on ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk to request a paper version.

Your application will be reviewed within 4 weeks. If it can proceed to the next stage, we'll ask you for supporting evidence.

The evidence provided must be provable. You can read details about what is considered as relevant evidence in the Guidance on Firework control zones for Local Authorities (Scottish Government).

The stages of the process are:

1. Review panel - in early March, a team from the council and partner organisations will look at all evidenced requests. If your request is rejected, you'll get feedback - and you won't be able to reapply for the same area for 12 months.
2. Consultation - if your request is accepted, we'll run a public consultation from late April to late July. We'll ask people who live or work in the area, nearby communities, and relevant organisations for their views.
3. Decision - we'll publish the final decision by 15 August. If approved, the zone will come into force by 15 October.