You can apply for tickets here for the BBC Radio 2 show on the BBC Shows website.

Here is part of a story from yesterdays Paisley Express:

Thousands of Buddies will be hoping to snap up tickets for the show at Paisley Town Hall, which is being recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

But the Express can now reveal that the tickets will NOT be put up for sale.

Instead, bosses at the Beeb have decided to give away the briefs for free as part of a random ballot.
It means that Buddies will face competition from Paolo’s fans across the country as they hope to be handed the chance to see the 23-year-old chart-topper up close and personal.

Presenter Jo Whiley will announce details of the ticket giveaway on her Radio 2 show tomorrow night.

A spokeswoman for Radio 2 told the Express: “Jo will launch the ticket giveaway to this very special event in this week’s Radio 2 In Concert show on Thursday, July 22, at 8pm, giving listeners details on how they can apply for tickets.

http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/2010/07/21/fans-face-fight-for-paolo-tickets-87085-26893994/

Kilbarchan Athletic Club member Claire, 26, is an 800m contender for a place in the Scotland Team at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October.

Claire, from Johnstone, teamed up with Renfrewshire’s Jogging Buddies network in a bid to make this year’s event the biggest ever.

Launching online 10K registration, Claire, right, is urging Paisley Daily Express readers to get together with friends, family and workmates to sign up.

She said: “The Paisley 10K really is the best of both worlds as it’s a largely flat and fast course. This means it’s easier than many other 10K events for people with less experience, but it’s also good for regular runners who are aiming to get a personal best time.

“If you have ever toyed with the idea of trying a 10K then this is the one to try, and to make it even easier you can now sign up as a group of friends or colleagues and start training together.”

More at the Paisley Express

The Paisley Daily Express can reveal that, on an average day, 11 louts in the Renfrewshire area are handed £40 fixed penalties for offences such as drunkenness and vandalism.

More than 3,400 fines have been issued in Paisley and surrounding towns and villages since April 1 last year – worth in excess of £135,000.

The figure is more than three times the amount handed out during the previous 12 months, when only around 1,000 fines were issued.

Fixed penalty notices were introduced under Summary Justice Reform to address low-level anti-social behaviour.

More at the Express

Campaigners from the Johnstone and Elderslie Save our Swimming Pools (JESS) plan to go along to Renfrewshire Council HQ to lobby SNP and Lib-Dem councillors and back Labour councillors.

The opposition have submitted a motion asking the council to pull the plug on its plans to close the two pools and put a halt to the tender process that is currently looking for a developer to go ahead with the plans.

Renfrewshire Council announced last September it plans to close Johnstone and Elderslie swimming pools and instead build a new one at Johnstone High School and in Linwood.

It’s part of an overall £92million package which will also see money spent on swimming pools in Erskine and Renfrew.

More at the Paisley Express

People who have been abused for being disabled, gay or for the colour of their skin can now report the crime at their local library if they dont want to go to the cops.

Anyone targeted because of their race, gender, sexuality or disability can talk to librarians who have been trained to listen and offer the support victims need to report incidents.

Renfrewshire Council has made every library across the district third party reporting sites for hate crimes.

And anyone who has seen a hate crime taking place or is reporting it on behalf of someone else can speak to any one of nearly 100 librarians who are ready and willing to help.

Councillor Eileen McCartin, right, said: We know that while things like racist and homophobic crimes take place, many victims do not report these to the police.

More on this story

The new vessel can take up to 12 passengers, and is disability compliant. Fares will be £1.50 single and £3 return. The new service is set to operate from Monday – Saturday, 6.30am – 9.30pm, with a limited Sunday service.

There will be no break of service when the existing ferry service stops at the end of March.

Councillor Mackay said, “Renfrewshire Council was quick to act when SPT decided to terminate the old ferry service, and we are delighted that a resolution has been found. This was exactly the kind of outcome we have been working towards – a new ferry service across the Clyde to meet the demands from Renfrew and Yoker.

“I congratulate Silvers Marine (UK) Ltd on their bid and innovative approach. We always believed there would be a credible private sector bid to take advantage of the commercial opportunity that existed on river transport. There is also scope for future expansion.

“I have had the pleasure of trying out the new vessel, which resembles the old Renfrew Rose and Yoker Swan, albeit a bit smaller. It is a robust, versatile and appropriate vessel to carry people across the Clyde, using the existing slipways and I am sure it be a success.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, Renfrewshire Council’s representative on SPT which has authorised the new service, said, “It was particularly important that there was a seamless transfer of service and I am delighted that has been achieved. Renfrewshire Council was always convinced that this historic transport link was still a vital transport link for the future and we have been proved correct in our view.

“We made the case strongly for Renfrewshire that the link must be maintained and I am sure that the many people in our community who rely on the service will be delighted at this news.”

Renfrewshire Council press release Friday 19 March 2010

Young women aged between 18 and 35 from Renfrewshire who log into the site will receive messages linking them to advice and contact details on support for victims of domestic abuse.

As well as the Facebook campaign, posters will go up in female toilets across Renfrewshire bearing the message, “Domestic Abuse. Don’t Ignore It.”

Councillor Brian Lawson, Renfrewshire Council’s Community Safety spokesperson said: “We are reaching out to women in Renfrewshire who may be a victim of domestic abuse themselves or know someone else who is. The message is simple – don’t ignore domestic abuse. There is help available in Renfrewshire.”

The campaign is being run as part of the Safer and Stronger Renfrewshire Strategy, a three year plan to make Renfrewshire a safer place to live, work and visit.

One of the key aims of the strategy is to increase people’s confidence and see more incidents of domestic abuse reported.

Councillor Lawson added: “Although the number of incidents of domestic abuse reported has increased in Renfrewshire over the last few years we are very much aware that most of this type of abuse goes unreported. It can go on for many years and has a far-reaching impact on families, children, friends and neighbours.

“Through this campaign we are also highlighting the fact that it is now possible to report domestic abuse without identifying yourself or speaking directly to a police officer through Strathclyde Police’s third party reporting system. This makes it easier to report domestic abuse and helps us to break the cycle of violence.”

Strathclyde Police’s third party reporting system allows victims, witnesses or third parties to go to somewhere which is not a police office to report an incident. They can also access the form on the Strathclyde Police website and submit it themselves.

There are two nominated local sites for third-party reporting of domestic abuse. One is at the office’s of Renfrewshire Council Women and Children First and the other is at Renfrewshire Women’s Aid office, 2 Violet Street, Paisley.

Alternatively go to the Strathclyde Police website.

There are a number of services that can assist if you require support:
Women and Children First Service: 0141 887 7227
Renfrewshire Women’s Aid: 0141 561 7030

Renfrewshire Council press release issued Tuesday 16 March 2010

The incident, said to have involved 40 people, occurred in Causeyside Street at 4pm on the day, while the teams fought out a 0-0 draw at New St Mirren Park.

One of those arrested and subsequently banned by the club is well-known supporter Colin Mitchell (42), who has in the past contributed to newspapers’ fans’ forums.

A statement issued by Hamilton Accies last Thursday read: “Following a football-related incident in Paisley town centre… the club have banned 15 reported Accies fans from New Douglas Park.

More at the Hamilton Advertiser

New figures just revealed by Renfrewshire Council also show that the number of enforceable evictions has fallen by 61 per cent between April 2009 and December 2009 compared to the same period last year.

This reflects the substantial reduction in the number of cases progressing to court – which fell from 2,172 in 2008 to 1,030 in 2009.

More at the Paisley Daily Express

Dedicated Michael Connelly will endure a 30-hour trip from his home in Australia to be at Hampden for the big game on Sunday, March 21.

And the 31-year-old bank worker whose fanatical St Mirren support has been documented on Australian TV last night joked he wouldnt miss it for the world.

He said: Ive been Saints daft my entire life and the second we made it to the cup final my dad said to me: Go, because you never know when its going to come around again.

More at the Express