Organisations

A number of organsiations are associated with the Church or use church premises These include (follow the links for details)

Card/Craft Club

Card/Craft Club

The club meets from September to March in the Columba Hall on Tuesdays at 2pm. This is a group of ladies who felt that they would like to meet over a cup of tea or coffee for a chat, while doing someting useful. It is not a class and we do not have a committee.

We meet to exchange ideas and to share equipment. We make greetings cards for our own use and to sell in aid of the church project fund.

If anyone (including gentlemen) would like to join us but would rather bring some other craft, like knitting, please do so. All are welcome. Please contact Maureen Marshall via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

Flower Club

Mearns and Whitecraigs Flower Club

Mearns & Whitecraigs Flower Club meets in the Columba Hall on the second Wednesday of the month except during July and August. The meetings start at 2pm and last until about 4.00 - 4.30pm. The members of the club enjoy watching skilled demonstrators working with flowers producing some very interesting designs. The demonstrations are very entertaining and the presenter gives lots of information about the plant material they are using and also very often has some interesting and humorous stories to tell.

The club also runs, from time to time, workshops for those who wish to learn how to arrange flowers in a more imaginative way rather than just putting them in a vase.

We are a very friendly club and make visitors and new members very welcome. Each year we have outings to various events which all have a flower theme.

If you are looking for a relaxing afternoon watching someone else do the work and be entertained at the same time then the flower club is for you. If you would like more information about the flower club please contact the flower club chairman Irene Carmichael via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

Sunbeams

Broom Sunbeams

The Sunbeams are an organisation for five and six year old girls. They meet in the Ninian and Columba Halls on Monday evenings between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.

The activities of the Sunbeams typically include:

• Arts, crafts and games

• Sponsored bake to raise funds for Children in Need.

• Pantomime trips and visits from Santa at Christmas

Parents with daughters wishing to join the Sunbeams should contact the leaders via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

1st/2nd/3rd Whitecraigs Brownies

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Whitecraigs Brownie Packs meet in the Ninian Hall at the times shown below.

Typical Brownie activities include:

• Work for craft and other badges

• Fund raising for Children in Need, Hearing Dog and other charities

• Outings and parties for special occasions such as Halloween and Christmas

The Brownie Packs usually have waiting lists for girls wishing become members. The Brownie leaders may be contacted via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

Guides

2nd/3rd Whitecraigs Guides

The 3rd Whitecraigs Guides meet on Tuesday evenings from September to June in the Ninian Hall in Broom Church from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Each week the girls participate in activities ranging from crafts to games and current topics. This year patrols have organised their own theme nights - we have had a Grease Night, an X factor night, a Pyjama Party and a Cake and Candy night. We also had two trips to see Harlequin Theatre Group at Christmas and at Easter. During the summer evenings we concentrated on badgework and outdoor games.

NEW From October 2008 the 2nd Whitecraigs Guides will meet in the Ninian Hall on Wednesday evenings.

Any girl wishing to join either Guide Company, or adults willing to help guiding at Broom, should contact the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

House Group

The House Group

We are a small group of friendly people who enjoy the opportunity of exploring their understanding of the message of the bible by discussion from a Christian viewpoint. We meet approximately monthly in the informal surroundings of members’ homes and this year we looking at Paul's letter to the Romans with the aid of a study guide from The Scripture Union LifeBuilder series.

Our meetings are always open to everyone. If you have ever wondered whether to come , please give us a try. There is no obligation to return, but you may be surprised to find yourself enjoying an evening of discussion, at times serious and at times light-hearted, in the company of people who have no expert knowledge, just a wish to learn more from sharing thoughts and understanding.

If you would like more information please contact Elinor Paterson via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email. Details of our meetings are posted in the weekly intimations sheet.

Return to the top of the organisations page.

Playgroup

Broom Playgroup

Broom Playgroup is open Monday to Friday mornings from 9.15am until 11.45am. The three terms run as a school year. Wraparound is available from 8.30am until 9.15am and from 11.45am until 12.45pm. The starting age for children attending is 2 years and 10 months. East Renfrewshire Council will fund children in their ante-preschool year through until they start school as long as their name is recorded in the Playgroup by 31st. August. Funding will start from the month after their third birthday.

Our Playgroup is in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council and we are therefore inspected yearly by the Care Commission, ERC standards and quality review audit, and by HMI. We are a small group run by a committee of parents and four qualified staff members. We have 24 places with a ratio of 1:8 for three year olds and 1:5 ratio for children of 2 years and 10 months. We offer the children a very varied session covering all aspects of the 3-5 curriculum framework, and we are working towards the 'Curriculum for Excellence'.

During the last Playgroup year the children enjoyed and participated well in a wide variety of activities. We went out to the different parks for outings, to Central Station, the library, cafe and the shopping centre at Newton Mearns. We had a few visitors to the Group including the Lollipop Man, an optician, a doctor, a dentist and animals from 'Creature Comfort'. The children have participated in music, physical and French sessions. Our children have particularly enjoyed watching the development of our new playgroup garden. This area is directly behind the Ninian Hall and is safe and secure. It include a decked area, a bark pit, a grassed area and two benches. The children have healthy snacks and brush their teeth afterwards.

For further information please contact Dorothy by email with your child's name for a place at our playgroup, or contact us via the Church Office (0141 639 3528).

Return to the top of the organisations page.

Scouts

171st Glasgow(1st Whitecraigs) Scout Group

Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Chief Scout of the World founded Scouting in 1907. Several decades later the 171st Glasgow (1st Whitecraigs) Scout Group was formed, first meeting on 25th May 1943 in Broom Church. 1953 saw a move to the premises at Broomcroft, which are still occupied by the Group today. We have grown to become one of the largest Groups in both Eastwood District and in Scotland. We provide fun, friendship and adventure for over 200 boys and girls. We currently have three Beaver Colonies, three Cub Packs and a Scout Troop. Scouting is an international, multi faith uniformed youth movement to which there are five sections. Beaver Scouts 6 to 8 years of age Cub Scouts 8 to 10˝ years of age Scouts 10˝ to 14 years of age Explorer Scouts 14 to 18 years of age Scout Network 18 to 25 years of age The aim of Scouting and indeed that of the 171st Glasgow Group is to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. Scouting and 171st Glasgow Group is open to any young person of any creed, race and mental or physical capability and of either sex. All sections within the 171st welcome both boys and girls. Beavers meet on: Mondays 5.45pm - 6.45pm Tuesdays 5.45pm - 6.45pm Wednesdays 6.00pm - 7.00pm Beavers also have the opportunity to take part in events and activities organised by Eastwood District, for example the annual Beaver Fun day. Beavers enjoy lots of fun activities both on Colony nights and during Colony sleepovers. Some of these are: Fun & Friends Crafts Activity Games Outings and Visits Cubs meet on: Mondays 7.00pm - 8.30pm Tuesdays 7.00pm - 8.30pm Thursdays 6.45pm - 8.15pm Cubs also have the opportunity to take part in events and activities organised by Eastwood District, for example Unihoc, Sports and competitions. Cubs enjoy lots of activities both on Pack nights and during Pack Holidays and camping. Some of these are: Cooking Archery Climbing Pioneering Mapping & Compass Fire lighting Scouts meet on: Wednesdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm Scouts also have the opportunity to take part in events and activities organised by Eastwood District, for example the Five-a-side football, swimming gala. Scouts enjoy lots of activities both on Troop nights and during trips and camps. Some of these are: Cooking Archery Climbing Pioneering First Aid Fire lighting Cycling Outings Incident Hikes All sections provide a balanced programme of activities and the young people work towards challenge badges as well as interest/activity badges. The highest award that can be attained in any section is the Chief Scout Award. To find out more about the Scouts email the group scout Leader Susan Price. Return to the top of the organisations page.

Fiddle Forum Fiddle Forum The Forum’s season runs from August to the end of March. The weekly classes (held on Wednesdays 5.45pm – 6.45pm) in the Classroom introduce, then develop, Scottish Fiddle technique to children of school age who are about Grade 3 or above. The classes are run by Angela Franchi who is one of the country’s most experienced Scottish Fiddlers. She is also Conductor of Bearsden Young Fiddlers – Scotland’s largest and most successful Junior Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. 2006 – 2007 has been very active for Forum players with wonderful Winter and Spring Concerts and successful performances at the Glasgow Music Festival and Glasgow Mod. Class numbers are increasing all the time at Broom and Angela is also considering running an adult class in 2007 – 2008. 1:1 tuition for all ages is also available at The Fiddle Forum. For more information contact the Forum via the Church Office (0141 639 3528) or by email. Return to the top of the organisations page.