Located in Ferguslie Park, the Tannahill Centre is the charitable subsidiary of Ferguslie Park Housing Association and was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth on the 5th July 1995. 

Since then the community hub has been home to a number of essential services as well as hosting annual events such as the Ferguslie Park Gala Day, Winter Festival and Burns Events.

Prior to the coronavirus epidemic staff and volunteers at the community hub had been making plans for a 90s themed birthday party, however these had to be cancelled following the lockdown. Instead, volunteers have been distributing party packs to local people so they can celebrate the Tannahill Centre’s anniversary from home.

Starting from June 1, the Tannahill Centre will be running competitions all week, including designing posters, making birthday bunting and baking cakes. 

The community have been choosing songs from each of the Tannahill Centre’s 25 years of operation and will be holding a party in their own homes on June 5 at 12 noon to celebrate.

Gordon, a local resident who joined the Tannahill Centre as its new community worker just before the lockdown, said: “It feels strange celebrating the anniversary of a building by staying at home, but that’s the times we live in. It’s great being able to give local people the opportunity to celebrate and to let people know despite all the changes taking place just now that the Tannahill Centre is still there for the local community.”

Each pack contains everything needed to participate in the activities, plus a few extras to make life a little bit easier during lockdown. 

Isabel Irvine and her family received one of the party packs. She said: “They are great wee bags, we are looking forward to baking cakes, playing snakes and ladders and doing a big of colouring in.”

Elaine Carter, who received a pack aimed at adults, added: “I just want to say thanks to the Tannahill Centre for the packs, they are great.  Me and my partner Joe are looking forward to a wee game of dominoes.”

Those without a party pack are encouraged to join in the fun from Monday by visiting the Tannahill Centre’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

• Read all of our articles relating to COVID-19 here.