Local community groups get behind Paisley’s culture bid

More than 100 community organisations from across Renfrewshire came together at Paisley’s Abercorn Conference Centre to plan how local communities can benefit from Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

The event on 11 March was the first of six community planning conferences that will be happening over the next three months. Each will look at big issues for community organisations across Renfrewshire.

Conference delegates heard about opportunities that the Paisley bid will offer across Renfrewshire and took part in discussion groups and workshops.

Speakers included Paisley UK City of Culture 2021 Bid Director, Jean Cameron; Engage Renfrewshire chief executive, Alan McNiven; Alan Clark from Create Paisley; and Tommy McGrory from local youth music organisation, Loud ‘n’Proud.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, leader of Renfrewshire Council and chair of Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership said:

“The fact that today’s conference was fully booked shows the level of interest and enthusiasm among Renfrewshire’s community groups and voluntary organisations for Paisley’s 2021 UK City of Culture bid.

“The bid is a huge opportunity for communities across the whole of Renfrewshire, not only those that are Paisley-based.

“These community planning conferences are a great opportunity for local people to help to shape Paisley’s bid and I would encourage local organisations to get involved.”

Community groups who were unable to attend the Abercorn event can attend another conference about the City of Culture Bid at Paisley Town Hall on Monday 9 May, 5.30pm-8.30pm.

Online sign-up and full details of this and other community planning conferences can be found at www.renfrewshire2023.com/communityplanning2016 or by calling 0141 618 4168 (9.30am–4.00pm, Monday to Friday).

Further information about the Paisley’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid can be found at  www.paisley2021.co.uk