Enjoy World Cultures for free!

To follow the Delhi handover of the Commonwealth Games flag to Glasgow, Saturday 16 October has been designated World Cultures Day at Glasgow Museums Resource Centre in Nitshill on the Southside of the city.
Running from 10am till 5pm the FREE event will feature sessions in traditional dance from visiting artistes from Ghana and India. There will be the chance to go on a special tour of the city’s internationally renowned World Cultures collection which is kept safely at the Resource Centre when the thousands of items are not on show.
Booking in advance to have a dance session is advised. There will be, in addition, plenty of drop-in activities for young and not so young people.
The museum experts who run the Resource Centre will offer workships in world crafts, including Mehndi and shots on their Wii POD. The South West Area Play Team will be providing an under-5s play area too.
To find out more, or to book a dance session, phone the Resource Centre on 0141 276 9300 or email GMRCbookings@glasgowlife.org.uk

Working on the Nite Zones

Two new Nite Zones were launched in Glasgow on Friday 24 September as the fight to combat violent crime continues.

The two new zones, on Albion Street in the Merchant City and Byres Road in the West End, will see marshalled taxi queues- often a source of trouble when pubs and clubs close- and more CCTV cameras, as well as better street lighting.

The launch of the two Nite Zones takes the total in Glasgow to four. The initiative was born in 2005, on  Sauchiehall Street and Gordon Street the two city centre spots chosen to pilot the scheme.

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson believes the initiative has been a success, and is confident the expansion into further zones will prove justified. Said Gordon: ‘Nite Zones have helped to significantly reduce levels of violent crime in recent years by creating safe areas for people to wait for transport home. We believe that expanding an already successful concept will lead to fewer incidents and will build on the city’s reputation of being a safe and enjoyable place to visit at weekends.’

Stewards will attempt to curb queue jumping while Glasgow Taxis Ltd continue to support the scheme, pledging that the flow of taxis will equal the flow of pleasure seekers pouring from pubs and clubs after the last bell has been tolled. Pleasure seekers should be able to find out where their nearest Nite Zone is situated, as many local pubs and clubs, near the four spots, have jumped aboard the scheme and may provide information on request.

The two new Nite Zones form part of Strathclyde Police’s Policing Plan for the weekends. City Centre Commander, Superintendent Bernhard Higgins sees the expansion as a good example of the cohesion at play within Glasgow’s public services. Said Bernhard: ‘ The extension of the Nite Zones to take in the Merchant City and the West End is a positive step which will enhance current service provision and will demonstrate the determination of the Council, Police and the GCSS to work together to make Glasgow City centre one of the safest places to visit in the UK.’

According to the Strathclyde Police the Glasgow city centre saw 24,023 crimes reported in 2009 with 24,847 already reported this year.

The new Nite Zones will operate every weekend from 11pm- running until 2am on Byres Road and 4am on Albion Street.

Minority Situations

Nayyer Umeed ran in this year’s Glasgow’s Great Scottish Run to raise awareness of a minority in his homeland who are being persecuted. Nayyer is a Pakistani Christian. He believes that his family in Pakistan are in danger following an increase in what he sees as groundless violence toward Pakistan’s Christian population.

His story is common in his homeland but unheard here.  However, on Saturday 2 October CHRISTIANS in MINORITY PLACES is a conference at Findlay Memorial Church on 56 Clarendon Place, St Georges Cross. Those from many denominations will hear Christians tell their tales of faith based persecution. Just go along to the church 2-5pm or 7-9pm.

Highland cattle descend on Pollok

A spectacular Cattle show will conclude an important conference on the future of Highland cattle this Saturday 2 October.

The 7th City of Glasgow International Highland Cattle Show will see 35 breeders from Scotland and 175 entries compete in 13 separate classes. The show will be judged by German, Dr Stephen Janz who, by inspecting the age and sex of the cattle, will decide which is this year’s Supreme Champion.

Last year saw a 3 year old heifer, Garbh Allt 34th of Balmoral, crowned Supreme Champion Animal. This year, gates will open at 9.45am and judging on the 13 classes will commence at 10am. Entry is free and there is plenty of entertainment, even if your fancy is not cattle. Also on offer: a fresh food market, a pipe band, a silver band, children’s rides and inflatables, plus much more. You can even fit a Clydesdale with new shoes- if you are game?

The event will be the culmination of a conference that began in Burrell Collecton building on Wednesday 29 September. The 3rd International Gathering of Highland Cattle Breeders is an attempt to maintain and improve breeding standards worldwide and conserve the quality of Highland Cattle. The title of this year’s gathering is ‘The Future of our Highland Breed’.  Experts from the Cattle Industry will address the conference.

Get to Pollok Park this Saturday – it is an event not to be missed as it isn’t often you can get up close and personal to so many fierce beasts.

Pictured above:  Ian Bowie, President of the Highland Cattle Society and Helen Davidson, Sales Manager UK, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau at Pollok House where Highland cattle such as the one pictured, are a visitor attraction.

Photograph by: Iain McLean

A somewhat different Pope on the way

Words by  Joshua Modaberi

By name there may be two Popes but be sure they have very different prerogatives. The one who has just left Glasgow, Pope Benedict XVI, is wrestling what he sees as aggressive secularism. The Pope on his way to Glasgow literally wrestles, topless, in a ring, to try and win gold belts.

This latter Pope represents Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling and will be looking to tear the house down at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena in January.

The Pope D’angelo Dinero is looking forward to returning to Glasgow for the third successive year, but this time he will be looking to bring some gold around his waist – in the  form of the Heavyweight title.

Said The Pope: ‘When we arrive for the tour in January I will be coming over to Glasgow as TNA Heavyweight champion! When The Pope and TNA arrive in Glasgow there is going to be a lot of good times – fans should come out and enjoy the live action that TNA provides. When The Pope D’angelo Dinero is about, you can guarantee that something special is going to go down. ‘ He certainly exudes a tad more fight than the Pope from Rome.

Both previous TNA tours to Glasgow have been a sell out. This is set to be the most star studded Maximum Impact tour to date with wrestling legends Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair part of the company. Said the Pope ‘I grew up watching the likes of Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Working with two legends of the wrestling world is a great pleasure. ‘

The stars of TNA are coming to Glasgow on Thursday 27 January 2011. For more information go to tnawrestling.com  Perhaps if you are lucky,  the Pope will bless your giant Styrofoam hand!

Gorbals primed for stock transfer

by Lynsay Keough

New Gorbals Housing Association (NGHA) is preparing to ballot members on the second stage of stock transfer. If agreed, it would give them control of the 1574 homes currently run by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA)

The ballot of tenants starts on the 25 October and runs until 15 November.
If the majority of tenants favour the transfer, then NGHA will become their landlord.

They would provide all the housing services directly and arrange all contracts affecting the housing e.g. repairs, stair cleaning and landscaping.
Said Fraser Stewart, Director  of NGHA: ‘We hope to maintain the momentum that this transfer proposal has created and carry it forward through our work in the Gorbals area for the next three to five years.’

The summary of their Transfer Pledges are:

New Gorbals Housing Association guarantees that their office will remain based in the local community, with services delivered locally.
Rents will not rise by more than inflation plus 1% for the next 5 years.

Locally based teams will carry out the repair work.

Closes will be cleaned with hot soapy water and the frequency of litter picking will increase.

Graffiti will be removed within 7 days.

Bin chutes and bin areas will be cleaned more frequently and action will be taken against dog fouling.
All tenants will keep all of their present rights and entitlements e.g. Housing benefit, transfer entitlements and Right to Buy.
In terms of additional investments:
All properties which do not have SKY/HD satellite reception will get it, free of charge (this does NOT include subscription!).
All tenants who are members of GHA’s Glasgow Gold will receive a £50 exit payment as the scheme would not continue for NGHA Tenants
Grants will be made available to tenants/residents groups for minor works, additional planting and seating.
Security, lighting and the introduction of controlled entries will also be a priority.

NGHA hope that by keeping their priorities locally based, the needs of their tenants will be best, and quickest, served.

Added Fraser: ‘We have big plans for the Riverside with a community room, more cameras and landscaping.’

The ikonic Norfolk Court tower blocks were scheduled for demolition as the LOCAL NEWS went to press, and 80% of the residents who moved out chose to remain in the Gorbals. ‘That says something about the attachment of people to this place,’ he said.

Flavour served with grace= Grace and Flavour

Who’s not in need of some Grace and Flavour now and again? Well, a new cafe in the Trinity Church in Daisy Street,  Govanhill is serving up ample portions of both. The flavour is in the soup, sandwiches and cakes, the grace is in the service – the new cafe -named Grace and Flavour – is run by church Minister, Rev Lily McKinnon plus a fleet of 19 lady volunteers who have successfully taken the Food Hygiene Certificate.

Grace and Flavour is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am till 1.30pm. Previously, the space was a computer room.  When funding dried up the  service had to be discontinued and the 20 computers were given to local causes. But, undeterred, Lily has redeployed the space thanks to a £5000 grant from the Church of Scotland Pilot Scheme for Parish Development Fund.  She believes the new cafe will help weave communities together in an area plagued by social problems.

Said Lily: ‘We opened  on 21 September.  Trinity Church of Scotland is in the heart of Glasgow’s largest multi-cultural priority area where long term unemployment, crime, drugs and alcohol abuse are the normal way of life for many.’

For Lily though, the enterprise is much more than simply providing a cafe: ‘I want to get these volunteers beyond just preparing and serving’, explained Minister Lily. She added: ‘Part of the whole idea is to get them integrating in the local community.

‘For example, we are going to run a creche on a Monday so that the Roma women can bring their children and they can integrate with the English speaking people of this community. At the moment they are isolated and we want to break what I see as a communication barrier.’

On Friday 5 November the Cafe will be opened officially by the Rev Neil Galbraith, Moderator of Glasgow Presbytery and founder of Glasgow, The Caring City Charity.

All baking is homemade and prepared with local produce and complements the rich array of aromatic, freshly ground, coffees and varieties of teas. All art work that adorns the walls is provided by students from Hollybrook special needs Secondary School. Two students from the school, Abbas Shaukat and Amy Balantine, are currently doing work experience at the cafe.

Hit for Six

The cricketers who batted for the survivors of the floods in Pakistan have now raised £9197.44 and still hope to reach their target of £10,000. Said Raza Sadiq, Chairperson of the Active Life Club which helped organise the Super Sixes event: ‘This was a collective efforts to help the most needy and to show that Glasgow cricketing community and local individuals and businesses are united to support such a noble cause.’

The cricketers have teamed up with the UCare Foundation which is building 600 houses in five affected areas. The funds raised from the Super Sixes will go towards building two primary schools. One will be in Charsada where an Edinburgh Village of 100 houses is being created by Ucare. The second school will be in Muzaffarragarh where Ucare is building 200 houses to be named the Glasgow Village.

Added Raza: ‘This is a great effort. We are part of the bigger picture. By showing solidarity and having 100 sponsors we are helping to create schools which will provide education for coming generations.’

He invites anyone with further ideas for support or who wishes to donate to contact him at Active Life which empowers young people through sports. tel: 07791896634 website: www.activelifeclub.org

From an earlier report by Elyas Hussain

The Super Sixes fund raiser was held at Clydesdale Cricket Club and was organised by Active Life Club, Hamilton Cricket Club and Clydesdale Cricket Club.

Around 700 people attended to watch the 16 West of Scotland teams of six players, aged from 12 to 60 battle it out among them.

The winning team was Clydesdale which beat Drumpellier 88 runs to 57.

The Active Life Club’s own team was knocked out in the semi-finals.

Trophies and medals to all participants were presented by MSP Nicola Sturgeon who is Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing assisted by Mohammed Razaq, Glasgow City Councillor for Maryhill/Kelvin.

Individual awards were: Best Bowler, Mohammed Ali Clydesdale CC. Best Batsmen, Mohammed Kamran, Queenspark CC. Player of the Tournament, Omar Hussain Clydesdale CC.

The funds raised by the day will go towards two primary schools which will be called Active Life Club Primary Schools and built in two of the areas where Ucare Foundation are building houses.

Harminderjit Singh, captain of Clydesdale CC said: ‘It feels really brilliant to have reached the finals and to win. We are really delighted. The money raised for the victims of the floods in Pakistan has made it worthwhile.’

Nicola Sturgeon told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I am honoured to be here on this very important day to support the cricketers in raising money for the people affected by the floods in Pakistan. They have done a wonderful job and raised a fantastic amount. Hopefully, this will help ease the pain and suffering of the victims.’

Raza Sadiq, founder and Chairman of Active Life Club said: ‘We are really delighted with the day and the amount raised and we were really humbled by the response.’

He extended his thanks to everyone who took part, everyone who sponsored and supported and everyone who donated.

When in a crisis – reach for the chocolate. So there must be a monumental crisis if there is a whole National Chocolate Week scheduled in October.

But where is the crisis?

The Labour Party has sorted out its leadership with Ed winning over big brother David who seemed to be Scotland’s favourite.

The floods in Pakistan have abated and only 8 million people are left homeless. That’s almost the entire population of Scotland. So the 600 houses the UCare Foundation is building with the donations from Scotland will be a drop in the ocean but welcome relief to the people who have lost everything – including loved ones.

People in Scotland – led by UCare Foundation and Glasgow Central Mosque – recognise the enormous devastation of the mountains  of water which flooded over vast regions of Pakistan.  Watch and listen to the You Tube video clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ysi373cA5s

After seeing that, the very pleasant evening spent at the Cookery School in Stockwell Street learning to decorate cupcakes and make chocolate seemed quite frivolous. Truly, it was theraputic and very enjoyable. And reminded me of a veteran aid worker who said the first sign that people were moving out of the traumatised state of any crisis in the war zones they’d worked in, was when the women started to put lipstick on again…

Right now it is food and shelter that is needed in Pakistan, not chocolate and cupcakes. But with the ability of those here who can eat chocolate without thinking about it, some of the 8 million homeless, destitute people who are our neighbours in this global village, can be provided with shelter and hope so that one day they may, again, eat chocolate and wear lipstick.

Alzheimer concert on Friday 15 October

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