a little bit more about
Brookfield VillageBrookfield History
Brookfield is a small dormitory village in west central Renfrewshire, Scotland. It lies on the north of the A761 road, which runs through a number of towns and villages to join Port Glasgow and the city of Glasgow, via Paisley, and is roughly equidistant to the nearby settlements of Houston, Bridge of Weir, Kilbarchan, Johnstone and Linwood. The village was effectively founded in the late 19th century from what was previously farmland. It continued to grow at a steady rate from this point onwards, and now includes some 200 houses – making it possibly Renfrewshire's smallest village.
Brookfield was also home to Donald J Malcolm (1925-2003), founder of The Malcolm Group, a logistics company based in Linwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland. The company provides logistic services including road and rail transport, warehousing, and terminal management. Other group activities include civil engineering, plant hire, construction, primarily groundwork and vehicle maintenance.
Also situated in Brookfield, Merchiston Hospital was commissioned as a replacement for Broadfield Hospital at Port Glasgow, and was established by converting a 19th-century building known as Merchiston House in 1948. Two new wings were added in 1958. Modern facilities were created on the site in 1984 and the mansion was subsequently demolished. After services transferred to the Southern General Hospital, Merchiston Hospital closed in 2008. The buildings were demolished in 2013 in order to better secure the site. After the demolition of the hospital buildings in 2013, the site was converted into a large housing estate, significantly increasing the size of the village.
We’re interested in getting any old photographs and stories of Brookfield. If you can help please get in touch.
Fundraising
Village Council
Brookfield Village Council (Scottish Charity No: SC006461) is made up of volunteers from the village and, as a charitable body, is responsible for managing the assets owned by the village. Ownership of the hall is determined by the Constitution and the First Object of this states:
“The Trustees shall hold, maintain and preserve all funds, land and property belonging to the Council, for the benefit of the residents of The Village. In particular they will maintain the village hall and environs, which they own, and the village green and play area, which they also own, so that they can serve the interests of all the residents of the village of Brookfield and especially the young and the old.”
What we do:
Support village organisations, which are autonomous
Organise and run social events
Facilitate external hall hires, which generate much needed income
Maintain the fabric and environs of the hall
Ensure the hall remains financially viable
Comply with charity regulations
Community Council
Brookfield Community Council, like other Community Councils, is set up under the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils, which has been approved by Renfrewshire Council. Brookfield Community Council has its own Constitution, which also has been approved by Renfrewshire Council. Each year the Community Council receives an Administration Grant from Renfrewshire Council to assist with running costs.
In terms of the Scheme, members are elected to serve for a period of four years. The Community Council shall comprise of a minimum of seven members and a maximum of 21 members. Brookfield Community Council meets on the second Thursday of the month, every second month in the Village Hall Library at 7.30pm. These meetings are open to the public and are usually attended by our local Renfrewshire Councillors and Police Scotland.
Minutes of the meetings of the Community Council are distributed not only to members of the Community Council but also to Renfrewshire Council, our local Councillors, MEPs, and MP. The Paisley Daily Express also receives a copy. Minutes are also displayed on the notice board in the Village Hall along with an agenda for each meeting. The Annual General Meeting is held on the last Thursday in October in the Village Hall.
Our role: