Man arrested following death in December

Following the death of John McGinnity, (61) in Shawholm Crescent, Pollokshaws on Thursday 9 December 2010, Strathclyde Police report that a 35 year old man has been arrested and is detained in police custody in connection with the death.
A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and a court appearance is likely before the end of the year.

Call for Post Office and Credit Unions to work together

The Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster has published a report on their examination of the postal services in Scotland and say the network is in a precarious position financially.

‘Many Post Offices in Scotland remain vulnerable to closure and customers face the threat of a demise in the provision of postal services,’ they say among their conclusions and recommendations.

The investigation involved the 13 strong committee, chaired by Glasgow South West MP Ian Davidson, visiting many rural, island and some urban post offices. They also interviewed key people in the Royal Mail Group, Association of British Credit Unions and the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, among others.

‘The Universal Service Obligation (USO) to deliver and collect six days a week at a universal tariff are ‘fundamental to the future of postal services and the Post Office network in Scotland,’  says the Committee. But they express concern that the financial sustainability and viability of many remote and rural communities rest on that Service and therefore they strongly resist any deminuation of it.

Ofcom could waive that USO under some clauses in a Parliamentary Bill and the committee say that waiver should only apply to a very small number of addresses. They also reject the potential of Ofcom to ‘cherry pick’ the most profitable parts of the network as it would be detrimental for Scotland.

After visiting Pollok Post Office in Silverburn and learning first hand, how the Pollok Credit Union took over the Post Office to turn it around to become a successful, viable business, the committee recommended stronger links between the Post Office and Credit Unions. ‘We would urge the Post Office to be more proactive in co-operating with the Credit Unions and other financial service providers to increase throughput,’ they say.

Looking ahead – Glasgow and the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary Elections

By Erik Geddes

The 2011 Scottish Parliament election is only five months away. The late winter and spring political landscape will be dominated by jostling, posturing and campaigning by all the main parties, and possibly the return of that well known independent, George Galloway.

Glasgow is divided into nine regional constituency areas; Anniesland, Cathcart, Kelvin, Maryhill & Springburn, Pollok, Provan, Shettleston, Glasgow Southside and – despite no longer being in the citiy’s council area – Rutherglen. Each one merits a seat in the Scottish Parliament. On top of this, there are seven Glasgow regional list seats where we will see a greater variation in the parties due to the second choices people make on their ballot papers.

After winning by the slimmest of margins in 2007, the SNP minority Scottish Government had an incredible, extended honeymoon of 18 months. But they have come under fire from all angles recently. If the bookmakers are anything to go by they will lose to Labour on Thursday 5 May 2011.

Despite Nicola Sturgeon’s Glasgow Southside seat being one of Labour’s key targets, the Nationalists have time, yet, to retain their standing and credibility both in Glasgow and across the nation.

Bill Aitken, a Conservative List MSP for Glasgow, who has been in office at Holyrood since the Parliament’s inception in 1999, will be retiring from Holyrood. Bill, a Partick Thistle supporter, is a name and character who will be sorely missed by the Tories who have never polled particularly well in Glasgow in recent times. The next time round is unlikely to be any different. Also calling it a day will be Labour’s Margaret Curran who will focus on her role as Glasgow East MP at Westminster.

The smaller parties, collectively known as ‘the others’ will be hoping to poll better than the three seats they won in 2007. Two of these went to the Scottish Green Party. In 2011, for the first time, the Scottish Green Party will stand on a ticket where the environment is not top of their agenda. Instead they will push for what they describe as ‘responsible revenue streams’ and a reduction in the cuts on public services programmes. They are hoping that Glasgow will not only return Patrick Harvie but also Councillor Martha Wardrop who will be second on the Green regional list.

Rumours of an internal rift at the Glasgow Lib Dems due to Katy Gordon being top of their list, were denied by the careers advisor who is hoping that she will be voted into the Scottish Parliament along with existing MSP Robert Brown. She narrowly lost Glasgow North to Ann McKechin in the 2010 general election.

What could be interesting is if – as expected – George Galloway confirms early in the New Year that he will be standing. Despite dozens of phonecalls and emails over the past couple of months, George hasn’t got back to us at the LOCAL NEWS yet. This may be due to his own busy schedule or his ties with other, far larger, Scottish media organisations. One thing is certain – the other parties won’t be welcoming George back to Scottish politics with open arms.

The return of Galloway won’t help the Scottish Socialist Party as it could split what remains in Glasgow of the left wing vote.

SSP spokesperson Ken Fergusson compared George Galloway’s expected return to the Scottish political arena to a character from Alan Bleasdale’s 1980s Boys From The Blackstuff drama. He said: ‘It looks a bit like ‘Gissa Job’. He tied his wagon to a political career in London – then lost it. His policy is George for Glasgow – but that doesn’t tell us too much about what he wants. I suspect we will be looking at just another Labour MSP if he gets elected.’ In 1987, Galloway won the Glasgow Hillhead seat at Westminster. In 1997 and 2001 elections he won Glasgow Kelvin.

Labour would feverishly refute any parallel between themselves and the former Big Brother contestant who was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003. There will be no love lost between the Labour candidates and George at the hustings, if he stands. And while George clearly has some respect for First Minister Alex Salmond, Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris who will stand in Maryhill and Springburn and on the list, isn’t too keen on George.

Bob said: ‘I don’t see George Galloway as a threat. He despises Scottish democracy and offers nothing more than personality politics to the people of Glasgow, who deserve better. ‘The Scottish Parliament is still in it’s infancy and the 2011 term will see the development of our working democracy, the last thing we need is George Galloway using it as a platform for his own ends.’

The LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW will interview all of the candidates standing at the May 2011 Holyrood elections so sign up for your weekly ENEWS by clicking on the last line of this one and entering your details. That way you will receive your weekly ENEWS letter direct to your inbox.

New Year message from Glasgow’s Lord Provost

Bob Winter's exclusive for Local News Glasgow

One of the privileges of being Lord Provost is that, as First Citizen, I have the opportunity
of meeting and greeting people from all corners of the world on behalf of the people of
Glasgow.
And I have to say that the overwhelming reaction I receive is that they love Glasgow and
its people.
I also regularly meet and work on behalf of my constituents as one of their council representatives.
The people of Glasgow are unique and, as a proud Glaswegian myself, I have witnessed our city
change and reinvent itself from a place of heavy industry to a modern and thriving metropolitan centre.
Indeed George Galster, Professor of Urban Affairs at Detroit’s Wayne State University, this month,
comparing the fortunes of Detroit and Glasgow, praised local government, the social welfare system
and regional planning arrangements for allowing our city to prosper.
New Year is traditionally a time to gather friends and family together and reflect on the year that has
passed. It will be a year to remember.
We as proud hosts of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and have been working hard with our partners
including the Scottish Government to ensure that this event leaves Glaswegians with a lasting,
positive, legacy. We are consulting widely with them to achieve this.
Despite the global economic downturn, we have committed ourselves to projects that will deliver a
sensational Games: the M74 extension which will be completed in June next year and the
development of the Athletes’ Village and the National Indoor Sports Arena.
We’ve also just reclaimed the title of UK Curry Capital and are working hard to promote our city as a
UNESCO City of Music and a City of Science.We also have a Royal Wedding to look forward to.
The credit crunch is the bad news that all of us will remember this year. We are all having to spend
less and make our money go further – including the Council. We, like you, want to make sure that
businesses and jobs stay in Glasgow for the benefit of the people of the city and the wider economy. Let us hope that the New Year brings better news on the economic front.
In the mean time, I wish you all a Happy New Year.

New health initiatives launched

Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s smokers and dieters are being offered support to overcome their health issues in 2011.

The estimated 268,860 smokers in the Health board’s area are being urged to take advantage of the wide range of NHS services to help them quit the habit.

Almost one in ten of them tried to do so in 2010. But around a quarter of the adult population still smokes, though a high percentage are wanting to give up as a New Year Resolution.

Of those resolved to stop smoking,  30% plan to go it alone without any support. However, evidence shows that people are more likely to succeed if they get help.

A marketing campaign, starting on January 1, aims to make people aware of the support available and how to access it. The campaign will tell smokers that they are far more likely to succeed by calling Smokeline for free on 0800 848484 to find the right quitting method that suits their lifestyle.

Thanks to a Scottish Government partnership with Scottish Slimmers, dieters will – for the first time – also be able to get stop smoking type support at their weekly slimming classes.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: ‘Giving up smoking is the biggest single thing anyone can do to improve their health but you’re more likely to succeed if you get help, rather than relying on willpower alone. ‘There’s a huge range of support available – from face-to-face or online to nicotine replacement therapy and group classes – and Smokeline can help you find the quit method that’s right for you.

‘This year we have teamed up with Scottish Slimmers to help people quit at the same time as they’re shedding pounds. This is particularly relevant as many people fear they’ll actually put on weight if they give up smoking so might put off the decision to quit.

‘However, with the right support, dieters can give up too and get twice the benefit for their health. This partnership with Scottish Slimmers is another example of how many and varied ways there are to quit smoking.’

• Alexandra Howie, Marketing Director, Scottish Slimmers, said:’New year is the ideal time to take a fresh look at your lifestyle and identify simple ways to improve your health.

‘We’re confident that, with the combined support Scottish Slimmers and Smokeline, those looking to makeover their lives in the new year are more likely to  be successful if they get support.’

Mary Mills, from Airdrie, quit smoking in 2006, but subsequently gained weight. Mary lost more than six stone at Scottish Slimmers, despite also being diagnosed with lung cancer. She said:

“My advice for anyone who is looking to get healthier is to make use of the support available. For me, working towards goals as part of a group makes it easier to stay motivated and focused on the end result. Scottish Slimmers provided me with that support and thousands of people benefit from group smoking cessation services for the same reason.”

Craig Molloy, from Glasgow, decided to quit smoking when his partner was pregnant. His GP prescribed a course of Champix and referred him to the local stop smoking group for a six week course.

He said: ‘I’d tried unsuccessfully to quit using patches so, for this attempt to work, I knew I’d need a different type of support. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the stop smoking group but was really pleasantly surprised after my first session. I found the support from the other members and the group leader invaluable.

‘The group helped me to stop doubting myself and made me realise that my willpower is strong and that I really could quit for good. The group leaders were also ex-smokers so were speaking from experience. They knew exactly what we were going through so we all trusted their advice.’

As part of the campaign, a Scottish Government roadshow will tour Scotland to inform and advise smokers who want to quit. Visitors will be able to take lung ageing and carbon monoxide tests and also pick up quit calendars to support them through their quit attempts.

The roadshow will visit  Clydebank Centre on Tuesday 4 January from 9am till 5pm and it will be in Paisley at Tesco, East Lane the following day from 9am till 5pm.

For further information on the various quit methods available, plus advice and support call Smokeline on 0800 848484 or visit www.canstopsmoking.com.

The stop smoking campaign runs online and on radio from 1 January  for eight weeks.

A free DVD to help people is available by texting ‘quit’ to 83434 or text ‘match’ to 83434 to request a callback from Smokeline.

Welcome to the year of austerity

The LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW  team wishes every one of our estimated 80,000 newspaper readers and the 1000++ via  ENEWS letter, a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.  May 2011 bring you good health and happiness and every success you wish for.

That being said, some of us believe this is the start of a year – or several – of austerity. For those who’ve never encountered that word, it means ‘reduced availability of luxuries and consumer goods,’ according to the dictionary.

Following the veritable feast of food and gifts and consumables devoured over Christmas, most people won’t be too worried about slimming down for a week or two. Then the pangs of want start again when the burn of the workout begins to bore.

Drawing in the belt is not just a physical effort it needs a conscious mental switch.  Doing without is different from doing fine with less.

Surveys have shown that around 16 days after making a resolution, the resolve vanishes and old habits kick back in again. So maybe at the start of each new day we should sing to ourselves the old song: ‘One day at a time.’  That way, by day 16, we may have established a new habit that is easier to keep.

Good luck! Let’s know how you get on.

Foolish drivers face losing vehicles if found over the limit.

Despite a festive campaign to reduce the number of people driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, more people than last year offended in the third week of the Campaign, said the senior Police Officers’ body, ACPOS.
Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson, ACPOS lead on drink driving, said:  ‘I am horrified that our figures are rising compared to the same period last year. We have detected 110 people who still thought it appropriate to drive while under the influence of alcohol and another 10 who were caught driving while impaired by drugs.  Over a holiday period, where there are more people on the road innocently visiting friends and relatives, it is hard to understand why people would put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while unfit to do so. As we enter the final week of this campaign, I would remind all motorists that police forces across Scotland will continue to target drink and drug drivers on a daily basis and, where appropriate, request that their vehicle be seized.
‘The message must get to this minority of drivers who continue to risk their lives and the lives of other road users. Don’t risk it. Don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
‘I would encourage anyone who suspects that a person is driving or attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to contact the police. Either call the police direct via their local office or 999 or through the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 where the information will be treated in the confidence of anonymity.’

Incidents of note:
Central Scotland –
Four people apprehended for drink driving and four for driving under the influence of drugs.
On 23 December in the Stirling area a vehicle was left running and unattended to defrost the windows outside the owner’s house. The vehicle was stolen and later observed by the police and stopped after a short pursuit. The driver of the vehicle, who was reported for stealing it, was also found to be under the influence of drugs and he was a disqualified driver.
Dumfries and Galloway –
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary detected two offenders for drink driving and two for driving under the influence of drugs.
In Dumfries a 39 year old man failed to stop following a minor road accident. He was later traced to his home address and provided a reading of over three and a half times the legal limit.
Fife –
Fife Constabulary detected seven offenders for drink driving.
Grampian –
Grampian Police detected 13 drink drivers and one for driving under the influence of alcohol.
A 16 year old was reported for drink driving, he had also stolen the vehicle and was driving without a licence or insurance.
Lothian and Borders –
Lothian and Borders Police detected 13 offenders for drink driving.
On 23 December in Edinburgh a 22 year old mam was charged with drink driving. He had a pending case for a similar offence from October 2010 and a request to forfeit his vehicle has been made.
During the afternoon of Christmas Day, in the Scottish Borders a 31 year old woman, decided to test drive her child’s petrol driven quad bike in a public place, she collided and damaged parked vehicles and slightly injured herself. She later provided a positive breath test of over two and half times the legal limit and was also charged with driving without a licence or insurance along with various other offences.
Northern –
Northern Constabulary detected eight offenders for drink driving.
Strathclyde –
Strathclyde Police detected 51 offenders for drink driving and four for driving under the influence of drugs.
In Ayrshire a driver was stopped and charged with drink driving, it was discovered that he had a similar pending case from early December and a request has been made to forfeit his vehicle.
A 19 year old in Greenock, stole his father’s car and subsequently crashed the vehicle. He provided a reading of nearly three times the limit, he was also charged with driving with a provisional licence and without insurance.
In Lanarkshire, a man stole a HGV from his employer’s yard, he was arrested for drink driving and provided a reading of more than 3 times the legal limit, he was also charged with disqualified driving and other driving offences.
Tayside –
Tayside Police detected 12 offenders for drink driving and 1 for driving under the influence of drugs.
In Perth a 20 year old man was traced following a road accident, which he had failed to report, and was found to be over 3 times the legal limit.
In Dundee a 78 year old man who was driving without lights was stopped and found to be almost twice the limit.
Also in Dundee a 22 year old man was arrested for drink driving having provided a reading of more than twice the limit, he was also a disqualified driver and he had a previous conviction for drink drug driving. A request has been made to forfeit his vehicle.

Last chance to dance at Glasgow’s ceilidh

Revellers hoping to attend Glasgow’s open-air Hogmanay ceilidh in George Square will be able to snap up the last remaining tickets on the day – Friday 31 December.
Around 5,000 people are expected to pack into the Square for the spectacular show in association with Diageo. This year’s event will be a traditional affair with party-goers dancing through the bells to some of the best known ceilidh bands around.
Tickets priced at £19 for adults, £9 for children with a family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children costing £50 are available at www.glasgowloveschristmas.com or can be booked in person at the Ticketsoup box office at the SECC or by phoning 0141 564 4220.
They can also be purchases from midday on the 31st December at the box office at the Premier Inn Hotel, 187 George Street, Glasgow.
Headline acts include Capercaillie, Skerryvore, Salsa Celtica, The Black Rose Ceilidh band and the Williamwood Pipe Band. The spectacular “midnight moment” will see thousands of fireworks set off from the roof of the City Chambers.
As well as the ceilidh music and dancing, revellers at this year’s event will also be able to take part in a number of family-friendly activities. Organisers Glasgow Life, have teamed up with the Royal Caledonian Curling Club to give party goers the chance to try out one of Scotland’s national sports on the ice in George Square. There will also be a kids zone with Scottish themed arts and crafts, face painting, storytelling and games consoles and gadgets for teenagers.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost Bob Winter said: ‘Our Hogmanay celebrations in George Square are always one of the hottest tickets in town. It promises to be a sensational way to welcome in the New Year.’
Entry to George Square will be from 7.00pm on Friday 31 December.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LOCAL NEWS

The end another year and all of us at the LOCAL NEWS would like to wish all readers, advertisers, contributors, supporters and anyone who sent us Christmas cards, a very happy, merry and warm Christmas and delirious New Year. We look forward to 2011! Trave safe this Christmas

Rosshall Academy in charity double

Pupils from Rosshall Academy have been so busy helping others this December that they’ve hardly had time to get excited about Christmas themselves!

On Monday the 20th December, 1st year students took on the task of guiding blind people, in a ‘Sighted Guide Challenge’. They did so to raise cash for The Micro and Anophthalmic Children’s Society (MACS), a charity that supports families with children who are born partially or fully blind.

Rosshall pupils had been investigating the human eye in an optics course at school and their decision to do the ‘Sighted Guide Challenge’ raised £330 for MACS!

Not finished for Christmas yet, Rosshall Secondary then turned their eye to Uganda. Tapping into the creative side, pupils made mounds of Christmas cards and baked a mountain of cakes that were sold to the local community.

The £122 they raised will go to The Dwelling Places Charity, that helps street children in Kampala, Uganda.

The effort of Rosshall Pupils to look outside and choose to help others is an example of the gritty charity that continues through Christmas. It is an example for us all to follow.

Next Page »