Meliora Festival 2023

Meliora is a Latin adjective meaning “for the pursuit of the better”. The first Meliora Festival took place in 2022, as a way of celebrating re-openings and the opportunity to all once again come together and enjoy events in the community.

This year’s Festival incorporates the Gourock Highland Games as a key event, but don’t worry –you can plan out more great days and evenings out.  Here is just a selection of some Meliora events taking place this Spring/Summer.

• 5 May – 4pm: Opening of Gourock Pool 2023

The opening of Gourock Pool for the 2023 season takes place on Friday 5th May. The ‘big jump in’ starts at 4:00pm. Be one of the first to celebrate the start of the season in a fun filled afternoon.

•        14 May – 12pm: Gourock Highland Games- Battery Park 

Join us on Sunday 14 May from 12 noon for a great FREE day out for all the family! Piping, Highland Dancing, Heavies events, fantastic food and drink, funfair, crafts, gifts and a great selection of children’s entertainment!

• 15 May- 24 June- Bookbug Sessions- Central Library & Comet Festival 

Join Inverclyde Libraries for a free, friendly, fun session of songs, rhymes and stories for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families and carers to enjoy together.

• 16 June – 2-3pm: Silent Summer Tea Dance – Central Library

Grab your dancing shoes and come along to show off your moved at our silent summer dance.

• 24 June: Launch of the Summer Reading Challenge- Port Glasgow Library. 

Join Storytelling Duo Wee Storybox for a special performance to launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.Places must be booked in advance via Inverclyde Libraries Eventbrite page. The challenge runs from 24^th June until 26^th August.

• July-August: Craft for Adults- South West Library 

Come along, relax and have fun over the summer at our free craft event for adults, making a variety of items from recycled materials.

• July-August: Adult Lego sessions- Inverclyde-wide Library branches

Set aside some time to unwind and develop new skills in adult Lego building. Great fun and chance to channel your creative side!

• Mon 3 July – Fri 28 July 2023 (Monday to Friday): Summer Playschemes- Kilmacolm Primary School, Newark Primary School, St Patrick’s Primary School, Moorfoot Primary School, Inverkip Primary School and Wemyss Bay Primary School.

An assortment of fun filled days for Primary School age children. Places will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis daily.

• Thursday 3 August: Inverkip Community Hub- FIFA Tournament.

Inverkip Community Hub are hosting a FIFA Tournament on 3 August from 1-4pm. Ages 12-17 are welcome. Entry is FREE and there are prizes to be won. Come along and put your FIFA skills to the test!

• Sunday 20 Aug: Inverclyde Leisure Triathlon and Aquathon- Gourock Outdoor Swimming pool

A great swim, cycle and run challenge you can take part in as an individual or as part of a team.

• Sunday 10 September: Inverclyde Leisure Running Festival – Birkmyre Park Fitness Gym in Kilmacolm

From the toddle waddle to 3k, 10k and half marathon runs, there is something for all fitness levels.  Get training and take part in this fantastic celebration of participative sport.

• Saturday 29 July – Sunday 20 August: The Beacon Arts Centre 

The Beacon Arts Centre is hosting five different events as part of the Meliora Festival. The Beacon are holding events from July to August such as ‘Arts and Crafts’, ‘Book Bugs’, ‘Magic By Calum James’, ‘GET AHEAD GET A HAT! Storytelling with Calire McNicol’ & ‘Buff and Sheen’. All bookable through our website and box office!!

Find out about other upcoming events in Inverclyde here: Events- Discover Inverclyde