Red Ribbon Day at Shawbridge

 

More than 60 people have already gained skills from the The Shawbridge Employability Office which officially opened today.

Councillors Stephen Curran and Colin Deans were joined by staff and management from Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency (GSWRA) for the cutting of the ribbons.

The centre, based on the ground floor at 21 Shwawbridge Arcade in G53, has been operational since April but – having been so busy – only got round to the red-ribbon opening today.

The centre which focuses on helping people learn the skills and gain the know-how needed to get back into the job market has already been a roaring success.

Stephen Curran, has for six years been a councillor in Newlands and Auldburn, and was delighted with the centre opening.

He said: ‘It gives a real boost for the Pollokshaws area. Since it opened in April we know already that it has made a big difference locally.’

In the past four months it has already helped 37 people with IT training and a further 25 people getting accredited qualifications.

Councillor Curran continued: ‘It can make a huge impact on the community.

‘With the recession making so many people unable to find new jobs this will help the area by giving people a chance to get back into work through the training and qualifications available here.’

The Shawbridge office is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays and helps leads clients on a course back into employment.

The course – which includes guidance, advice, CV preparation, job search skills – is funded by partner agencies including Glasgow City Council.

To contact Shawbridge Employability Office please call 0800 013 1338 or log onto www.gswra.co.uk

Stockline Explosion – It Could Happen Again

An inquiry into the 2004 ICL Stockline Plastics explosion in Maryhill which killed nine people and injured 45 has strongly criticised the factory owners and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to recognise the risks associated with using liquid petroleum gas (LPG). The Chairman of the Inquiry, Lord Gill, offered a scathing indictment of the HSE. He said: ‘Nearly five years after the explosion HSE has still not produced a coherent action plan to deal with underground metallic pipework and the risk of recurrence. While the probability of another explosion may be low, the consequences of a similar event, should it occur, may be catastrophic. A sense of urgency would be the appropriate response to the serious issue of public confidence that this disaster has raised.’ Elsewhere, the report clearly identifies that the corroded underground pipework carrying the LPG was the source of the leak which led to the explosion, and that the pipes were ‘out of sight, out of mind’ leading to complacency about maintenance. The report concludes by recommending a full investigation into all UK sites which have buried LPG pipes.

A spokesperson from ICL Plastics Ltd made the following statement: ‘We have welcomed the public inquiry from the outset, and at its conclusion, we believe that all relevant aspects have been thoroughly and properly scrutinised.’

It continued ‘ICL have ceased all use of LPG processes,’ and concluded ‘The ICL companies wish to express profound sadness and apologise for their omissions and the shortcomings of those who were responsible for the health and safety of the employees. Our feelings of deep sorrow and regret remain following events that happened in May 2004.’

Ian Tasker, STUC Assistant Secretary, speaking on behalf of five of the bereaved the families, said: ‘This report reinforces our case that we have made all along – that ‘soft touch’ regulation simply does not work. Time and time again, the employers ducked their responsibilities. ‘The culture of neglect which caused this tragedy was only possible thanks to the companies ability to, in their own words, side step the Health HSE – a tactic that the regulator should have identified and put a stop to.’

 

 

Gorbals Fair 2009

Editorial July 2009

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list is probably the antithesis of current thinking in some parts of Glasgow.

Her Majesty has included in the long list of people she had chosen to recognise, individuals from every walk of life. What they share in common is the fact that they have done something for others that is deemed laudable.

Here in what was the second city of the monarchy’s  vast empire, considering what we can do for others isn’t flavour of  the month.

For example: the £74 million new Museum of Transport which is taking shape at the confluence of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde, has not included in its proposal any plan to enable people a few yards away across the water, to get there simply and easily.

For centuries there has been a ferry at Govan, doggedly weaving back and forth from Water Row to Partick. But that was scrapped a couple of generations ago. Maybe the high level Go Ape facility that has now been scrubbed from the Common Ground in Pollok park could give us a clue to 21^st century transport across the river and institute an aerial railway – a cable car.

Come to think of it, why don’t we have them going to the Science Centre, the Universities and Colleges, hotels, theatre and concert halls too? A central cable car hub on the River would perhaps tempt more river borne traffic. There’s been nothing worth mentioning seen on the River since the demise of the Pride of the Clyde riverbus and the craft we only see during the two days of the  River Festival (25/26 July this year).

Memorial Walk for Moira Jones

On Sunday 7 June, 2009, the second commemorative ‘Moira’s Walk’ was held in Queen’s Park, in memory of Moira Jones, the sales consultant who was murdered there in May 2008. On the day, her parents – Hugh and Beatrice Jones – launched the Moira Fund in honour of their daughter.

Starting from the Victoria Road gates, around 80 people including local residents, councillors, MSPs and MPs, walked through the park to Moira’s Orchard where they stopped at the wild cherry tree which was planted last year, shortly after her body had been found nearby.

In announcing the Moira Fund, Beatrice Jones recited a poem she had written. (printed here) She said: ‘This dear green place was Moira’s view because her flat overlook this park. She loved it and you Glasgow people too. I think she’d approve of what I say, and would have thought my words appropriate.’

Hugh Jones, added: ‘We decided to set up the Moira Trust in honour of our beloved daughter and to leave a lasting legacy. After the suffering and hardship we went through we did not want others to have to go through that. We saw a gap in the provision of support offered to families and decided this was needed. The spirit of today is very positive. The people who are here have touched us very much and the future is very good. I would like to thank everyone who has come today. And a big thank you to Councillor Danny Alderslowe for organising this event. He has been a wonderful support.’

Danny said: ‘I feeling sad today but at the same time uplifted. I am very proud of the family for their bravery and courage. I am also very proud of the community who came united to show that they do care and wish to offer their support.’

A song – Macgregor’s lament – was sung in Gaelic and English by Babs Macgregor Frank McAveety, Shettleston MSP and David McKenna from Victim Support Scotland also spoke.

David said: ‘The Moira Trust is a wonderful tribute and legacy for Moira and will support families who have been affected by murder.  At a time like that, there is huge pressure on relationships, families and friends. There are also financial implications because people are grieving and cannot work. So the aim of the trust is to make things better for the families of murder victims.’

The Moira Fund will support those who find themselves bereaved through violent death at the hands of another and will give out grants. This will enable: access to specialist bereavement counselling; access to respite and/or retreat and participation in a support network for individuals whose lives have been affected through murder or manslaughter. For more information visit the website: www.themoirafund.org.uk

W 506

*In April this year, after a trial that lasted 28 days, Marek Harcar (33) from Slovakia was found guilty of the rape and murder of Moira Jones whose body was found in Queen’s Park in May 2008. He will serve a minimum of 25 years.

* Moira was born in Weston, Staffordshire, and moved to Glasgow in 2003. Her flat overlooked Queen’s Park on Glasgow’s Southside.

* Within days of the Park being reopened after Moira’s body had been found, a healing walk was led by local Councillor Danny Alderslowe to the orchard where a cherry tree was planted. There are 60 trees in the orchard.

 

POEM FOR MOIRA

Moira’s Orchard

by Beatrice Jones

 

On the night Moira suffered and died

Some passed heedless on the other side.

It happens world-wide not just here

I don’t know why. Maybe it’s fear

Or what’s it got to do with me?

Whatever the case you’ll all agree

That if Moira’s Orchard is to bear fruit

Today’s caring spirit must take root.

And branch and spread and intertwine

With other communities, all races, all creeds

So together we can scatter seeds

Of peace and tolerance, near and wide

Of neighbourliness and civic pride

Of respect for others and active care

So that when help is needed, help is there

 

Still more needs to be done, of course,

Laws must be changed and rules enforced.

Those we’ve put at the top must ensure

That everyone feels secure.

That human rights don’t seem all one way

And that decent folk get their say.

 

Moira was unknown to most of you

But when we lost Moira you hurt too

You also grieved. We were not alone

We needed support and support was shown

In the park, in court, in the press, everywhere

We are given respect, we know people care.

With you, Moira’s Orchard will surely thrive

And her precious memory be kept alive

Castlemilk Community Champions

The residents of Castlemilk can hold their heads high after sweeping two from six of the Glasgow south-east Community Champions awards at Langside Hall in June.

In truth, all of the short-listed nominees at the Evening Times sponsored event were winners, but it was the area of Castlemilk that came up in a positive light time after time.

The biggest cheer of the night came when Lord Provost Bob Winter announced the Team Award to Castlemilk Pensioners’ Action Centre.

The roof nearly came off when the call was made, and no less than 17 of the volunteers and staff took to the stage to collect their accolade, roared on by an audience of some 250.

The Castlemilk Pensioners’ Action Centre not only provides over 100 meals a day but offers recreation and day trips for the 500 users from the area.

Project co-ordinator, Melanie O’Donnell, 32, was delighted with the gong.

She said: ‘We are all absolutely over the moon. We have been going for 23 years, but this is the first time we have won an award.’

‘There was about 50 pensioners wanting to come down tonight, but we could only take so many.’

However, the pensioners back at the centre have all the mod-cons, and were kept up to speed, as Melanie explained.

She said: ‘The ones down here have been texting the folks back up the road and everyone is very, very pleased’.

Castlemilk also came up trumps when the Public Service Team Award was scooped by Castlemilk High School.

Other winners included; Mount Florida Primary 7 children who organised Flofest – a project aimed at championing multiculturalism, Staff nurse Cath Christie won the public service award and Allison Drummond won the Neighbourhood award.

And there was hardly a dry eye in the house when Mary Claire Boyce collected the award on behalf of her late father and former police man Charlie Boyce.

Save Our Schools go to the Scottish Parliament

Save Our Schools campaigners took their case to the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to overturn Glasgow City Council’s decision to close 11 primary and nine nursery schools.

The LOCAL NEWS joined parents from affected schools on their trip to Edinburgh on 14 May to seek support for their cause from MSPs.

There was a party atmosphere on the train, with parents singing songs and chatting to commuters about the closures.

On arrival at Waverley station, it was a quick march down to the Parliament with banners flying. The group was met by Robert Brown MSP who had booked a committee room. Other MSPs in attendance were Patricia Ferguson, Sandra White, Paul Martin, Bob Doris, Anne McLaughlin, Ron McWilliam and Bill Kidd. Frank McAveety also attended, but did not participate. At the meeting, Bob Doris stated that he would ask the Parliament’s education committee to examine the issue. Paul Martin said that a petition on the matter would be heard on 16 June. Bill Kidd considered that a judicial review would be the best way to reverse the decision, specifically a legal challenge on aspects of the consultation process, such as the erroneous information in the documents and the failure to provide the consultation documents in languages other than English.

One of the parents pointed out that Bellahouston Primary school was 75% multi racial, so the accessibility issue was particularly important for parents with children there.

After the meeting, MSPs went to the chamber for the regular Thursday session on First Minister’s Questions.

Parents and supporters gathered outside the Parliament building, where they cheered, waved banners and chanted to show their continued determination to fight the school closures.

Wyndford Water Fight

 

Parents at the re-occupied Wyndford Primary School in Maryhill staged a water fight in defiance of council attempts to end their protest. The building was previously occupied during the Easter holidays by the Save Our Schools campaign. On the last day of the summer term, a group of parents decided to re-occupy the building to protest against the school being lost to the community.   Wyndford Primary is one of 20 schools and nurseries targeted for closure by Glasgow City Council. As previously reported in the LOCAL NEWS, Wyndford has been the focus of a sustained protest campaign by a group of parents trying to save the school and others across the city. Speaking inside the occupied building, Nicola Rathmill said: ‘We have had at least six people at all times inside the school. A council workman came one morning and said he had to check the gas. Before we knew it, he had cut the cold water supply. So we decided to have a water fight in defiance. The council say that they want to use the building as a recreation and family centre. Well if the building is good enough to be used for that it is good enough to be used as a school, that’s what the community really needs.’ Nicola has a son in primary one at Wyndford. He will now have to travel 1.4 miles to Kelvindale primary and 58 other children from the school will be travelling on an unsupervised bus to Parkview primary. Nicola went on: ‘The council are telling these kids that they are not worth educating in their own community.’ SNP councillor Billy McAllister was present at the school during the water fight, to show his support. He told LOCAL NEWS: ‘The school is the only thing in this densely populated community. It is used for community meetings and for children’s sports such as football and badminton. This event today shows that the community spirit is still alive and kicking.’   

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: ‘The parents are in the building without permission. The school is closed and will not re-open. The protest is futile.’

 

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