Spring is almost upon us! After a cold spell in February, it’s certainly most welcome this year. Here’s a roundup of the springtime happenings in the area, courtesy of our friends at What’s On East Renfrewshire – plenty of chances to get outdoors and enjoy some great entertainment on offer throughout March and April.
Pedalwise Cycling Super Saturday
Time to get outside and on the bikes! The cycling fun continues on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at Rouken Glen Park, courtesy of Pedalwise East Renfrewshire. Cycle rides, a bike maintenance clinic and bike riding lessons will be on offer throughout the morning, for kids and adults alike. Meet at the Pedalwise Bike Hub (based at the YES arena, next to the walled garden) at 10:15am for bike maintenance, followed by a ride in the park at 11am, with refreshments after.
When: 04, 18 March 2017, 10am – 12:30pm
Where: Rouken Glen Park
Tickets: £1 adults, 50p under 16s, £5 per person for cycle training
Mindfulness Weekend Retreat
Considering getting into Mindfulness or just keen to learn more about it? The Wee Retreat Mindfulness weekend, hosted by teacher and author Suryacitta Malcolm Smith, returns after a sell-out retreat last year. Expect a weekend of mindfulness meditation and discussion on what it means to live in the present. Suitable for beginners or those who wish to take their practice deeper. Price includes delicious vegetarian lunches and refreshments each day.
When: 04 March 2017 – 05 March 2017, 10am – 4pm
Where: Greenbank House and Garden, Clarkston
Tickets: £185
Mearns Horticultural Society 71st Annual Spring Show
There’s nothing more spring-like than flowers! Visitors and exhibitors will be most welcome to take part in the Mearns Horticultural Society 71st Annual Spring Show. All entries welcome, whether it’s bulbs you have planted in pots or an arrangement of cut flowers from your garden. Entries must be in place by 7.45pm when judging will start. Cash prizes will be awarded in each class and prize-giving will take place shortly after 9pm, following a workshop on taking soft cuttings to get the most of your summer flowers. Materials provided but please bring your own scissors or gardening knife.
When: 14 March 2017, 7.30pm to 9.30pm Show Entries staged from 6.30pm
Where: Fairweather Hall, Newton Mearns
Tickets: £2 (includes refreshments)
Pass it On – The Big Swap at Whitelee Windfarm
Two weekends of swap shop events are being held at Whitelee Windfarm visitor centre in conjunction with Pass it On Week 2017. The 11- 12 March will be all about your unused sporting equipment and the 18-19 March is kids goods themed, including clothes, toys, books and small furniture. Simply drop in items that you no longer use between 11 and 12 on the morning of each event and receive a token that you can then use to ‘buy’ other goods. Enjoy a tea/coffee, wander round the exhibition area, or go for a short walk while the ‘shop’ is set up. Doors will reopen at 12.30 were you can exchange your token for up to 3 items. Please aim to bring up to 10 items that are in good, working condition that you no longer have a use for.
When: 11, 12, 18, 19 March 2017, 10am – 4pm
Where: Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre, Eaglesham
Tickets: FREE
Hairspray – The Broadway Musical
Broadway comes to East Ren with the classic show Hairspray! This catchy musical follows the character Tracey Turnblad – a Baltimore girl with big hair and big dreams of stardom, set against the backdrop of 1960s American segregation. Featuring hits such as Good Morning Baltimore, You Can’t Stop the Beat and Welcome to the 60s, it’s a trip back to the world of the 60s “downtown” music scene that will have you dancing all the way home.
When: 28 March – 01 April 2017, 7:30pm and 2:30pm Saturday Matinee
Where: Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock
Tickets: £12 – £15
Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience
Hilarity and chaos ensues as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve you dinner and gags in this 5 star fully immersive dining and comedy show experience. Enjoy a 3 course meal and the frantic goings on at East Ren’s very own ‘Faulty Towers’, at Carmichael Hall, Giffnock. Now in its 20th year, expect lots of improvisation and audience participation – a meal out that you will never forget!
When: 15 April 2017, 7:30pm
Where: Carmichael Hall, Giffnock
Tickets: £45