UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND
UWS traces its roots to the late 19th century, being founded at the height of the Industrial Revolution. The university has undergone numerous name changes and mergers over the last century, reflecting its gradual expansion throughout the region, most recently as a merger between the University of Paisley and Bell College, Hamilton in August 2007. The university holds a regional reputation for vocational undergraduate and post-graduate courses. UWS is Scotland's largest university with around 20,000 students and approximately 1300 staff spread across seven schools of learning. www.uws.ac.uk.

HEALTH & FITNESS
The Lagoon Leisure Centre is run by Renfrewshire Council and caters for activities such as swimming, fitness, aerobics, various sporting activities and events. Facilities include a six court sports hall with seating for up to 360 spectators, free form leisure pool with wave machine and flume and a separate teaching pool, arena Hall for events and other activities such as Hockey or 7 a side football, fitness suite, health and beauty treatment rooms and a dance and exercise studio. www.renfrewshireleisure.com. The Pro-life Fitness centre at 98 New Sneddon Street, has been established for more than nineteen years. The centre has a reputation as one of the most up to date Fitness Centres in Scotland. Pro-life offers computerised fitness testing, tailor made fitness programs, group exercise studio offering over 40 classes, dedicated spin studio, sauna and steamroom, a creche, beauty therapy centre, martial arts academy and sunbeds. www.prolifefitnesscentre.com. Created specifically for women, Curves offers a fitness and nutrition program solely for women and is the largest fitness franchise in the world. Their programs work every major muscle group with strength training, cardio and stretching in just 30 minutes, three times a week, www.curves.co.uk. Abbey Mill Fitness Club is located in the old Mile End Mill Building which is part of the Abbey Mill Business Centre. As part of the membership, you are entitled to a personal workout plan which is reviewed every 6 weeks. When joining you will receive a comprehensive 'Healthy Eating Plan' http://www.abbeymillfitness.com.

THE PAISLEY 10K RUN
The annual 10 kilometre run starts and finishes at Gilmour Street and in 2009 was attended by over 1,100 runners, as well as hundreds in the 2.5km fun run. In 2009 the distance was covered by Tseqai Tewelde of the Shettleston Harriers club in a record 29 minutes and 47 seconds. The number of people entering the 10k Road Race and Fun Run increased from 1,044 in 2008 to 1,746 in 2009, indicating an increasing trend in popularity. The 2011 run will be held on Sunday Sunday 28th August. www.renfrewshireleisure.com/paisley10k/.

RENFREWSHIRE DOORS OPEN DAY
Doors Open Days give you free access to dozens of fascinating buildings across paisley and Renfrewshire. Every weekend in September you can explore places that are normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. In 2011 Open Doors weekend in Renfrewshire is 10th and 11th September. www.doorsopendays.org.uk.

PAISLEY PIPE BAND COMPETITION
Local and national pipe bands visit Paisley for the annual Paisley Vision Trophy. The 2011 event will be held on Saturday 23rd July, and is seen as a warm-up for the World Pipe Band Championships. Bands practice along Gilmour Street and High Street, with the competition running from noon to 4pm.

PAISLEY ARTS CENTRE
One of Scotland's premier touring theatre venues, Paisley Arts Centre occupies a converted 1738 church set in the heart of the historic town of Paisley. This intimate and friendly venue provides an all year-round programme of drama, music, comedy and dance and frequently hosts Scottish and world premieres. It is also home to the Paisley Film Society, who hold regular film nights, bringing cinema back into the heart of the town. www.paisleyfilmsociety.com. New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ, Email: ram.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk, Ph: 0141 887 1010 (information and box office), Ph: 0141 887 1007 (venue hire and marketing),

PAISLEY FARMER'S MARKET
Paisley's excellent Farmers' Market, managed by Ayrshire Farmers' Market Co-operative, takes place on the second and last Saturdays of every month in County Square. A wide range of fresh, locally produced foods is available, from honey, home baking and cheese to fish, beef, lamb, vegetables and eggs. The market opens at 9.00 am and closes at 1.30 pm although stalls may be sold out earlier.

PAISLEY CONSERVATION AREAS
The town centre of Paisley was declared a conservation area in 2009, covering an area from Causeyside Street, Gordon Street, Orchard Street and Canal Street train station. The derelict Gordon Street fire station, along with Paisley Arts Centre and several tenement blocks, will be revamped in the first phase of planned conservation work. A shopfront improvement scheme is also planned and eligible property owners will be able to apply for cash grants. Other conservation areas in the town include Castlehead, a wooded area of Victorian villas where many of the town's leading industrialists made their homes in the late 19th century, Oakshaw, situated on a hill to the north of the High Street, home to many fine buildings including the High Kirk, the Coats Observatory and the former John Neilson Institute, and Thornley Park with many examples of various architecture ranging from mock Tudor to Art Deco. Many of the houses were designed by W D McLennan, who also designed several local churches such as Saint Matthew's.

PAISLEY BEER FESTIVAL
Since 1987 the Paisley Beer Festival has been held annually in late April. In 2011 the festival was held from the 27th to 30th April inside the Town Hall. It is Scotland's largest beer festival with around 170 draught beers, cider, perry and mead from the UK and further afield. In 2009 20,000 pints of beer were consumed. There is usually local and Continental catering available, and live bands. www.paisleybeerfestival.org.uk

SMA' SHOT FESTIVAL
The annual textile works' outing, known as Sma' Shot day, was traditionally held on the first Saturday in July. The excursion and the day's holiday was a privilege won by all workers at the Paisley thread mills. It is now a day of celebration to mark a significant victory by the workers over their employers, or 'Corks' in 1856. The Charleston drum, reputedly carried at the Battle of Waterloo leads a march through the streets, and ends with the torching of a 'Cork' in top hat at Abbey Close. Sma' Shot Day 2011 will be held on Saturday 2nd July.

PAISLEY - A FAIRTRADE TOWN
A campaign to make paisley and Renfrewshire an official Fairtrade zone started on the 3rd February 2009. Fairtrade guarantees fair prices for third world producers and gives power back to both producers and consumers. Producers get fair wages, good working conditions and help with product development and marketing. Consumers are given the chance to make a difference by buying Fairtrade products whenever they can. Fairtrade products include things like tea, coffee, chocolate, fruit, flowers, wine, clothes and even footballs. For a list of Fairtrade outlets in Paisley and Renfrewshire, click HERE.

PAISLEY - HOSTING THE MOD IN 2013
The Mòd is one of Scotland's biggest music festivals and it will be held in Paisley in 2013, reflecting Paisley's growing reputation for events. The town will be the focus of Gaelic music lovers across the world. The eight-day festival is famous for celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage and provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines including Gaelic music and song, highland dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and literature. Around 8,500 visitors attended the 2009 Mòd in Oban, bringing in more than £2.3million for the economy. In the next few years, the Mòd will be held in Caithness in 2010, Stornoway in 2011, and Dunoon in 2012. www.acgmod.org

FESTIVAL OF FIRE
The Festival of Fire began in 2009 and celebrates the West of Scotland's proud fire fighting heritage. Every July dozens of fire fighting vehicles, some over a century old, are on display in the town centre. A rally begins from the Canal Street Fire Satation, and is headed by a pipe band to county Square. The next 2011 fire engine rally will be held on Saturday 20th August 2011.

PAISLEY TWINNINGS
Twinning links were established with Furth in 1969 and with Gladsaxe in 1991. Over the years there have been official delegations by elected members and officers to and from the twin towns, school exchange visits, music and drama groups. A few years ago a very successful exchange programme was set up which involved a visit by pupils from Kersland School and the special needs school in Furth played host to them, with later return visits. Renfrewshire Council still plays an active roll in Twinning with both out twin towns but there are no visits planned either way at present. www.fuerth.de/ (German only) and http://www.gladsaxe.dk (English). Our thanks to Drew Gibson, Members’ Services Officer, Renfrewshire Council, for his assistance.

 
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