Renfrewshire Gets Reeling For Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations

Renfrewshire Gets Reeling For Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations

Whether it’s reading or reeling there’s fun for all the family in Renfrewshire this St Andrew’s Day as part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.

Renfrewshire school children have been given a holiday and a whole host of fun and games has been organised for Monday 30 November.

Even the infants are getting in on the act with their very own Baby Ceilidh being held in Paisley Town Hall.  As well as ceilidh dancing the little ones, aged up to four, will be able to enjoy a dj playing Scottish rock and pop, traditional Scottish circle games, sing-a-long of Scottish songs as well as helping to make a mural of Nessie.

The rest of the family can also get in on the act with a free Family ceilidh also being held in the town hall that evening between 7pm and 10pm.

Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education Policy Board, said: “This St Andrew’s Day is going to be great fun and we want everyone to get involved. We’ve got so much going on that there really is something for everyone. The baby ceilidh is totally unique and gives the little ones a chance to join in the fun on the Scottish theme, and the Family Ceilidh means that all the other members of the family are also getting a chance to enjoy themselves.

“If Scottish dancing is not your thing then there’s also an excellent programme of children’s author visits running at Renfrewshire Libraries. Or if you’re feeling inspired by St Andrew’s Day why not try exploring your own personal history with the help of our excellent family history sessions.”

Award-winning Scottish children’s author Catherine MacPhail will be speaking to 9-11 year olds in Johnstone Library at 11am and to children aged 11 and older at 2pm in Paisley Central Library.

Linda Strachan, author of the Hamish McHaggis series, will be reading to 4-7 year olds at Glenburn Library at 1pm and Lochwinnoch at 3pm, while storyteller Gerry Durkin will be entertaining 4-8 year olds at Erskine Library at 11am and Bishopton at 2pm.

And for the adults poet, broadcaster and journalist Donny O’Rourke will read from his work at 7pm in Paisley Central Library.
Free family history sessions will take place throughout St Andrew’s Day in the Local Studies Library.  Sessions will last half an hour, with customers having one-to-one assistance. Customers will need to bring a date of a birth, marriage or death, the earlier the better. The sessions will be on a “drop-in” basis. For more information contact the Local Studies Library on 0141 889 2360.

Marie Christie, Project Director- Homecoming Scotland 2009 said: “Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an inspirational programme of events motivating people with Scottish ancestry, as well as those who simply love Scotland to “Come Home”. 2009 has been a very special year for Scotland and the Finale Celebrations across the country are a fantastic way to end this momentous year.  We are delighted that these exciting events in Renfrewshire are part of the programme.”

All St Andrew’s Day events are free.