Glasgow Amnesty group’s ball wins award

Glasgow University’s Amnesty International group is one of the winners of the organisation’s prestigious Human Rights Champion 2012 award.  Presented by Amnesty’s  Dan Jones on Sunday 15 April 2012 in Manchester the University team was recognised for their Secret Policeman’s Ball in the Queen Margaret Union (QMU) in February. ‘We raised more than £2000 for Amnesty – £300 more than last year – and the venue – which can hold 500 – was sold out,’ said Elena Soper who is the group’s Vice President. ‘The awards ceremony closes the annual conference and rewards top groups and individuals. Our group won the award for services to justice and dignity beyond the limits of human endurance. We’re all very proud.’

The group has 11 committee members and between 20 and 50 student supporters at any one time. This was the fourth Secret Policeman’s Ball and is organised as a good night out with stand up comedy. Since the committee had spent months organising the affair, they agreed to dress smart – see the photograph here!

Amnesty International fights for people around the world who are unfairly and often inhumanely treated or even killed because they have spoken out against harsh regimes. Their motto is ‘better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.’

Book Fairs blooming

Book Fair

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March.

10.00am to 4.30pm.

 We hope to see you there.

There will be two Book Fairs in April. The first over the Easter weekend from Friday 6th to Monday 9th, and the following weekend Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th to coincide with the Orchid Fair.

College challenge to secondary pupils

A scheme to encourage more senior students from secondary schools to opt to go to college was rolled out this week at Cardonald College.

Groups of students from Govan High, Whitehill Secondary and St Paul’s High were invited to the College and challenged in a series of activities to get a taste of student life there. College students were the mentors to each group of 10 secondary school pupils. Apart from practical workshops covering tv, fashion, hairdressing and beauty, music technology and construction – all courses offered at Cardonald – the pupils learned how College students manage their finances and how the college functions.

Said a College spokesperson: ‘The main aim is to show the options available here. Some may not be ready for the jump to University from school just yet. Others can come here to gain more qualifications such as Highers before taking degree level study.’

The 30 secondary schools with the lowest progression rates into higher and further education will be sending their S3 to S6 pupils in the College option.

 

Eathquakes and sinking ships – scholarly studies

TITANIC to the Great East Japan Earthquake Documentation of Disasters Public Event Thursday 22nd March Kelvin Gallery University of Glasgow 10am – 3pm The White Star liner Titanic sank after striking an iceberg in the North Atlantic in April 1912 and the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake took place almost a century later in March 2011. Both disasters sent shock waves round the world and were extensively covered in the world press that in both cases had to rely heavily on eye-witness accounts. The sinking of the Titanic still attracts huge public interest and the centenary will be commemorated in many events this year. Will the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake be similarly commemorated in 2111? The memory of the sinking of the Titanic was transmitted through images, film and records from before the events, the evidence of survivors and the reports of public enquiries on both sides of the Atlantic. The event was memorialized in public monuments such as that in Washington and subsequently in books and films. The memory of the Great Eastern Japanese Earthquake will be transmitted through the same media, but with the important addition of digital images and the recorded testimony made by eye-witnesses at the time, using mobile phones and other personal devices and uploaded on social networking sites. This joint symposium between Humanities Advanced Technology and Information Institute (HATII), University of Glasgow, and Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (IIIS), University of Tokyo, in Glasgow, will bring together Japanese and Scottish scholars and is free to members of the public.  10.00 Coffee & welcome 10.30 Titanic: Professor Michael Moss 11.30 The 3/11 Memorial & Archive: Professor Shunya Yoshimi 13.30 Documenting 3/11 and Community Recovery: Professor Katsushi Ikeuchi 14.15 Fragile Communities: Dr. James Currall 15.00 Coffee There is no charge for attendance and all are welcome. For more information or to register for attendance , please contact Kirsti-Ann Mullen, Kirsti-Ann.Mullen@glasgow.ac.uk

Honey stops for Eden Spring

A campaign by students at the University of Glasgow has succeeded in persuading the institution to drop its contract for bottled water from an Israeli company, Eden Springs.

In a well- argued and researched document, the Glasgow University Palestine Society (GUPS) showed that the company was illegally occupying the Golan Heights where the original Eden Springs water comes from. That company is the parent company of the Scottish based one which supplies Scottish sourced water throughout the campus.

Said Sarah Watson a founder of the Society who has travelled in the area and seen for herself what has happened to the Palestinian people: ‘The contract is worth around £200,000. This has been a long time coming – at least seven years. But we have a sense of achievement. It is scandalous for the University to spend so much money while it is sacking staff.’

Secretary of the GUPS, Catherine Harris, added: ‘This is absolutely fantastic news. We had around 500 students and 50 staff who had signed a petition urging the University to stop using Eden Springs company. The links are very clear and the company has forced people to leave that land at the Golan Heights to use the spring water for their own commercial gain. What they’ve done is illegal and that is acknowledged in international law.’

The campaign to stop using the Israeli company has been on-going for several years. But this is the first time the campaigners have compiled a dossier and presented it to the Principal. Glasgow is one of the last universities in Scotland to severe ties with Eden Spring.

Both Eden Springs and the University have been asked to respond and their comments will be posted as soon as possible after they are received.

 

Scratching to be a DJ

An enterprising university student has launched workshops to learn how to DJ. The skills are usually only taught through college HND courses. But Elaine Jappy has other ideas. The third year Commercial Music student at the University of the West of Scotland said: ‘The project is entitled ‘Everyone’s a DJ’. Each course will provide practical tutorial sessions on areas such as beat matching, scratching and using DJ software ‘Serato Scratch Live.’ I wanted something that allowed people to interact with music and take away practical skills. These workshops will give people who are not on HNDs, the chance to learn how to DJ.’

Tutors will include Derek Rollins, known as ‘DJ Dark D’. Derek has been DJing professionally since the age of 16. He has headlined Drum and Bass nights in Glasgow and Edinburgh as part of the ‘Pangea’ events held at Glasgow School of Art. He can also be seen frequently Djing in Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh.

The workshops will take place on the Saturday 17 and Saturday 24 of March at Berkeley 2 Studios, in Lancefield Street, Glasgow from 1pm till 5pm. For further information or to book a place see: www.everyonesadj.co.uk or call Elaine on 07597929309.

Rodeo round-up by vet students

The rodeo is coming to town on Saturday 14 April at the Glasgow Vet School Campus, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH. Organised by second year students of Glasgow University Veterinary Medicine Association, the popular event attracted 3000 people last year and raised £15,000 for charities. This year will be the 52^nd rodeo and will mark the 150^th year of the Vet School. (For more information on 150^th celebration see: – http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/aboutus/vet150/)

The beneficiaries from this year’s fund-raising will be: Scottish SPCA, Canine Partners, Riding for the Disabled and the Vet School Fund.

Since October the valiant band has been planning the charity day. They’ve received sponsorship from Burns Pet Food, Pets4 Vets; Les Ramblas Restaurant, Pet Crematorium and other companies. The committee and first year students played their part last month by bag packing in various large stores in Bearsden, Knightswood, Hillhead and Maryhill. Said their spokeswoman:’We raised money and received a great response from the public.’ They also received an unsolicited commendation for ‘brightening up a dull Saturday grocery shop’ with their yellow t-shirts, good manners and fun.

Companies have donated a wide range of prizes for the raffle, which will be sold by first year students from March until the Rodeo in April. The prizes range from a signed Scottish rugby shirt, family passes to Landmark Park, a Tanglewood TW29 DV acoustic guitar and bag, four club badges to Ayr Race Course, a chain saw sculpture and many dinner and beauty vouchers. To buy tickets at £1 each, contact: vet_rodeo@hotmail.com

On the Thursday12 April, the committee will stage a Sub crawl for all veterinary students to raise money for the Rodeo and as a final de-stress event prior to their professional exams.

On the day of the Rodeo, attractions will include fun family rides and displays, craft stalls, animal tent, dog show, reptiles and small animals tent.

Southside Festival plans under way

It’s already in lots of diaries – the Southside Festival on Saturday 26 May. Participation meetings have been held – giving the steering group useful feedback and generating interest. Another will take place on the Monday 19 March from 7.30 at the Govanhill Baths, 126 Calder Street, Govanhill. Glasgow. G42 7QR. All interested will be made welcome.

One of the topics will be the next Streetland Arts Festival as an essential part of whole.

Artist Luis McGill Art and his ‘Glasgow Venus’ project is likely to be a major player this year. (see picture)

The Glasgow Venus topic is ‘Occupation’ This is widely interpreted – from ‘occupying’ architecture in 3D to the all-female, three piece band Terminal Parade Local ‘occupying the architecture with experimental sound.’

Local resident and community artist Eilidg Graham will chat about what occupies her most as a community artist here and abroad at her annual residences. This will be done within the setting of a boxing ring so that people can experience the contrast in occupations.

Other contributions are anticipated from:

- Christina, a Govanhill resident who has raised her family in the area. She is a published poet, photographer and Youth Community Arts facilitator.

- Dr Katie Stewart, singer songwriter, seasoned local performer and partricipant in Govanhill Sculpture Group.

• Tilly Gifford local connected Environmental Artist ‘GSA’ shows her sketch book during her occupation with sharing and extending the seed bank globally during a hundred days psyching through monsoon and desert heat.
•  Luis McGill will be showing his 100-year-old recycled silver work of The Glasgow Venus in miniature and in manikin-sized ‘occupation’ of Govanhill’s community buildings – including the Calder Street Baths. Other work by Luis on the Venus theme will be shown in ceramic, acrylic, on canvas, in pastel, mono print, motif, street art and in animated films of The Glasgow Venus.
• Not to be missed!

 

Vote for the Scottish dancers on Sunday

Everyone reading this is asked to watch Sky 1HD at 6pm on Sunday 4 March when Glasgow dance group ‘Fear of the Unknown’ will be finalists in the ‘Got to Dance’ competition. They need viewers’ votes to win the £250,000 prize!!!

They are the only Scottish dancers to get to the final which will be in the London Olympia before 6000 people.

Chosen from the best dancers in the Robert Hamilton School of Dance in Gorbals, the ‘Fear of the Unknown’ are rehearsing five hours at a time on four days every week. Said Lorna Munn who at 24 is one of the senior dancers: ‘ We are focussed on the final and making our presentation perfect. It is breath- taking to reach the final. It’s a dream come true. We can’t wait!’

One of the male dancers, Pierce Meehan (24) who is studying for his HND in dance at Anniesland College said: ‘It is an incredible achievement to get to the final. Only a handful of dancers have got there! It is also a wonderful experience working with the television people. That’s very interesting and they couldn’t be better to work with.’

The group make all their own costumes which are stunning. But the theme for the final will be a closely kept secret till they hit the screen on Sunday 4 March at 6pm on Sky 1 HD.

In addition, the dancers at the School do a lot of charity work and have raised more than £200,000 for a variety of good causes.

To see the ‘Fear of the Unknown’ audition performance: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DurvxAbSB-gQ&h=mAQH5012yAQEmPLHu-v8souU1sx9qLq-0rOkJLwSwgOicgw

And take a look at their Facebook fan page for updates – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-of-the-Unknown/269468063113061

Voters on the button on Sunday 4 March!

Everyone reading this is encouraged to watch Sky 1HD at 6pm on Sunday 4 March when Glasgow dance group ‘Fear of the Unknown’ will be finalists in the ‘Got to Dance’ competition. They need viewers’ votes to win the £250,000 prize!!!

They are the only Scottish dancers to get to the final which will be in the London Olympia before 6000 people.

Chosen from the best dancers in the Robert Hamilton School of Dance in Gorbals, the ‘Fear of the Unknown’ are rehearsing five hours at a time on four days every week. Said Lorna Munn who at 24 is one of the senior dancers: ‘ We are focussed on the final and making our presentation perfect. It is breath- taking to reach the final. It’s a dream come true. We can’t wait!’

One of the male dancers, Pierce Meehan (24) who is studying for his HND in dance at Anniesland College said: ‘It is an incredible achievement to get to the final. Only a handful of dancers have got there! It is also a wonderful experience working with the television people. That’s very interesting and they couldn’t be better to work with.’

The group make all their own costumes which are stunning. But the theme for the final will be a closely kept secret till they hit the screen on Sunday 4 March at 6pm on Sky 1 HD.

In addition, the dancers at the School do a lot of charity work and have raised more than £200,000 for a variety of good causes.

To see the ‘Fear of the Unknown’ audition performance: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DurvxAbSB-gQ&h=mAQH5012yAQEmPLHu-v8souU1sx9qLq-0rOkJLwSwgOicgw

And take a look at their Facebook fan page for updates – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fear-of-the-Unknown/269468063113061

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