Boys’ Brigade 125th Anniversary

More than 750 people crowded into Glasgow Cathedral to mark the 125th anniversary of the Boys’ Brigade (BB) in October with boys from, naturally, the 1^st Glasgow Company taking many of the duties during the service. This included laying a wreath on the plaque in the Cathedral to Sir William Smith, the BB founder. The Boys’ Brigade is the oldest existing uniformed youth organisation in the world.

Despite heavy rain which forced the displays and activities before and after the service to be held in the nave of the church, the Anchor Boys, the Junior Section and the Company Section all gave of their best. The 231^st Glasgow Company’s pipe band also entertained.

The Right Revd David Lunan, Moderator of the Church of Scotland gave the address. 

And celebrations will continue till April when a Tattoo will be staged in Braehead Arena to showcase the talents of BB members from across Scotland.

A Seniors Dinner was held at the end of last month in Rutherglen Town Hall. 

From its origins in Glasgow in 1883 the BB has spread to over 64 countries around the globe and it has been an inspiration and influence to countless of other youth organisations.

This session of 2007-2008 is, in fact, the 125^th session of the 1st Glasgow Company In May 2008 the Company held its 125th Annual Inspection which was a great success. The Company is still very active and continues to serve young people in the same area of the city.

The Glasgow Battalion has six districts covering six geographic areas. Within these districts there are 76 smaller companies. A total of 3074 boys and 801 staff are managed by the Scottish headquarters which are based in Ibrox.

Stroke Club celebrates anniversary

The first ever stroke club in Scotland continues to go from strength to strength as it celebrates its thirty fifth year of service in the East End.

Lightburn Harmony Club, which started in 1973, holds the unusual record for the length of time the organisers have served in the voluntary sector.

The seven core volunteers have given 111 years’ service among them. Jean Miller, founder member of the club with 30 years’ service said: ‘We are a club for the forgotten people in society.’

Every Monday between 12pm and 3pm they gather to give those affected by a stroke the chance to regain their confidence and to help them integrate back into society.

In May the club was dealt a blow when they lost their home in Shettleston Halls when it was gutted by fire. However, they have found new accommodation in nearby Shettleston Community Centre.

Jean said: ‘In the past, if someone had a stroke, they went home and were told not to talk about it. We set out to give people somewhere to speak of their experience instead of bottling it up.’

Currently the club runs one bus from Easterhouse and one from Shettleston to shuttle people to the centre with donations and goodwill enabling willing volunteers to continue their work.

Anyone in the area affected by a stroke and looking for more information can contact Jean on 0141 774 5635.

Prince Edward Visits Glasgow’s East End

Bannerman High School in the East End, has hailed a visit from Edward, Earl of Wessex as a great success.

Prince Edward was all smiles as he watched a dozen mountain biking pupils demonstrate their two wheeled skills. The £40,000 mountain bike circuit was opened recently at the school and 50 students were using it to gain credits in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

 

Rob Ross, Sport for Learning teacher at Bannerman High, said: ‘The visit was a great happening. All too often we hear about the negative side of learning in the East End but this shows there are far more positive things taking place. It was a shining example of learning.’

Second year pupil Darren Martin said: ‘After we cycled round the circuit, His Royal Highness asked us what we were trying to achieve by taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and what we were doing on the track. I said: – having fun, keeping fit and keeping safe.’

During his packed schedule in Glasgow, Prince Edward was given a guided tour of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games 2014 offices, accompanied by Lord Provost Bob Winter. He met John Scott, Chief Executive of 2014 and the team behind the games.

Kerri Farnsworth, Project Manager of Glasgow 2014 took her third encounter with Royalty in her stride. Kerri, who lives in Kelvinbridge, said: ‘He asked me about my involvement with the Manchester Games in 2002 and I told him about a pre-volunteer programme which got workless people involved in the games. We plan a similar programme for Glasgow.’

Another place Prince Edward visited was Diageo’s Dundashill Cooperage near Spiers Wharf in Glasgow. There he viewed traditional coopering skills and more modern mechanical techniques. The Dundashill Cooperage produces 82,500 casks each year and among the staff are four apprentice coopers learning the skills at the on-site apprentice school. As well as building casks, the team also repairs and rejuvenates casks.

Later, he attended the inaugural Earl of Wessex Awards for Cooperage, held by the Incorporation of Coopers at the Trades Hall in Glassford Street in the city centre. Addressing the gathering of coopers and industry representatives, the Prince described coopering as a ‘fantastic and genuine skill’ saying ‘long may it continue’.

 

 

Olympic Bikes at Bannerman High

A £40,000 mountain bike circuit was opened in the East End last month at Bannerman High School by medal winning members of the Special Olympics cycling team.

The track, which was two years in the making, was a result of requests from pupils who wanted a venue where they could train without travelling a distance.

The only other inner city mountain bike track is in Pollok Country Park. It was opened in 2004.

Triple Olympic cycling champion, Chris Hoy, who opened the Pollok track said: ‘This new track may bring on the next generation of Olympians.’

Almost 100 individuals, including 60 pupils, gathered in the pouring rain on Tuesday October 21 to watch demonstration rides by the team.

Pupils from Bannerman High, and feeder primary schools Swinton, Sandaig and Caledonia also took part in races.

The 1km bike trail, which will also be open to the local community, has been constructed around the school’s football and hockey pitch. It is designed to improve the confidence of off-road cyclists and improve their mountain biking skills.

A hard grade circuit has jumps, ramps, cobbled stones and raised embankments while an easier grade circuit is made up of gentle bends and surfaced stone.

The track was funded by Sustrans, a leading UK charity focused on sustainable transport. It was built in response to the huge rise in popularity of mountain biking in Scotland.

Councillor Euan McLeod, Convenor of the Land and Environmental Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee told the gathering: ‘The young people of Bannerman High have been at the heart of this project.’

John Lauder, Sustrans Scotland Director, said: ‘Through our project ‘Tackling the School Run’ we know that more and more children are cycling to school. The more opportunities young people have to get on their bikes the more they will do just that.’

 

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: ‘It is hoped the track will also provide a bridge between the secondary school and its feeder primary schools, so easing the transition for pupils.’

Winter Fuel Savings Advice

With the cost of fuel rising dramatically, Money Matters, a charitable, community, money advice group based in Govan, held an information day on fuel poverty at the Pierce Institute (PI).

Greater Pollok Citizens’ Advice Bureau set up another at Pollok Health Centre and Ladymuir advice Centre held another in Cardonald Library.

More than 50 senior members of the Govan community dropped into the PI to find out how to save energy in their home and what grants they might be eligible for. They were also able to get advice on fire safety and credit unions. All left with free, energy-saving light bulbs, a device for powering down home computers and a wealth of leaflets on money saving tips.

Dick Carabine,  Chairman of Govan Community Council said: ‘The PI event has been a breakthrough, if something like this takes place in the area again more people are bound to come along.’

Debbie Young, Money Matters financial inclusion officer who put the event together said: ‘We will run another event soon – possibly just as the big winter fuel bills are due to come through the post.’

Among the agencies supporting the PI day were Age Concern Scotland, Glasgow Credit Union, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) and the Energy Saving Trust.

Fiona Herriot, Community Safety Co-ordinator with SFR said four people had signed up for home safety visits. She added: ‘Our home visits to advise on safety, are free.’

 

Helplines

 The Scottish Helpline for Older People, SHOP, can provide confidential advice to anyone over 50 on issues such as help with central heating bills and eligibility of benefits. The helpline is open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday, call 0845 125 9732 or Textphone 0845 226 5851.

 

Handypersons

 People over 60 and registered disabled people can access a free service to assist them with minor repairs and household tasks. Age Concern Scotland, in partnership with Glasgow Care and Repair, run the service for home owners and private rental tenants. They can fit smoke alarms and replace batteries, wire electric plugs, unblock sinks and even fit new locks and security items. Telephone 0141 420 3686 or 0141 433 2749, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.

All personnel carry an ID photo card and wear official clothing.

 

Home safety visits

 

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) offer free home safety visits to everyone. They will carry out a home fire safety check and if required, can provide and install smoke alarms.

To arrange a free visit, call in to any fire station or freephone 0800 0731 999. All employees of SFR are required to carry official ID and will happily produce this on request from a householder.

 

Staff at the Ladymuir Advice and Information Centre on the Southside, hold a drop-in surgery in Cardonald Library every Thursday. They provide information on welfare rights and money issues. Call 0141 883 2153 to find out more.

 

The Energy Saving Trust is a government advice agency assisting homes and businesses to become more energy efficient. Call 0800 512 012 or log on to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk .

Apprenticeships Lead to Housing Jobs

Twelve young people from the East End have successfully completed Modern Apprenticeships in Housing Administration. Milnbank, Parkhead, Tollcross, Shettleston and Thenew housing associations all took part in the scheme organised by the East End Housing Regeneration Forum. The Apprenticeship offered paid employment and the chance to learn about working for a housing association.
During the apprenticeship, John Wheatley College kept in close contact with them to make sure the arrangement was working. The young people who successfully completed their apprenticeships have graduated and have now found work.
Cheryl Burns, one of the apprentices which Thenew Housing Association took on, has found work with a housing association on Glasgow’s south side, while Sheree Greenhorn is now employed full-time at one of  Thenew’s offices in Green Street in the East End.
Cheryl said: ‘The Modern Apprenticeship programme is a great way of finding work and at the same time provides an opportunity to learn about what it is like to have a rewarding career in housing. I am very pleased to have found a job at Thenew.’
Charlie Turner, Chief Executive of Thenew Housing Association said: ‘We are proud to take part and share in the success of this programme. It created real job opportunities for young people from the East End and 11 are now working full-time.It is a great example of partnership working and we look forward to developing more opportunities like this in future for our young people.’
The East End Housing Regeneration Forum secured funding of £262,000 for the Modern Apprenticeship initiative and readily acknowledges this generous financial support from the European Union Social Fund, the Scottish Government, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership and Glasgow Housing Association.

Third Election in Baillieston

The sudden death of Labour Councillor Douglas ‘Dougie’ Hay on 27 September, means Baillieston will soon have to hold a third by-election.

Aged 76, Dougie had been a full time trade union official for the National Union of Public Employees from 1978 till his retirement in 1995. He came out of retirement to stand for the Baillieston multi-member ward in May 2007 and was elected with 1341 votes alongside Jim Coleman who polled 2689 votes.

Lord Provost Bob Winter said: ‘Dougie was a respected Councillor who was very conscientious in his work for his constituents. He was a man of independent mind who was passionate about social justice and public service in particular about the NHS and its founder, Nye Bevan.’

Steven Purcell, Labour group leader in the City Council, said: ‘Dougie was a great champion of the underdog. He was passionate about his constituents and was very proud to represent Baillieston. His quick wit and intelligence proved great fun at social occasions and added to the lively debate in the Labour group and in Council meetings.’

Councillor Hay had served the Baillieston area at Strathclyde Regional Council from 1975 until its abolition when he then represented that neighbourhood as a City Council councillor from 1996 till 1999 when he retired from that aspect of politics.

A joiner to trade he served his apprenticeship at Wylie & Lochhead and worked for more than 30 years in John Brown and Govan Shipbuilders’ yards.  He was active in the 1971 ‘work-in’ at Upper Clyde Shipbuilders. An outdoors man, he was a keen skier and walker and taught his three children to ski and camp. He established the John Smith Memorial Walk as a charity fundraiser for the Scottish Labour Party. He was involved in planning the 50^th and the 60^th anniversary celebrations of the National Health Service.

Dougie is survived by his wife Janet, his children Kirstin, Gavin and Shona and seven grandchildren.

Doors Open Day – Introduction

More than 50,000 people walked through the Doors Open at 135 historic and key buildings in Glasgow in September, leading the organisers to propose another week-long festival for next year.

Traditionally, Doors Open has run over a weekend in September. In this, the 19^th year of the event which enables properties to open their doors to visitors, talks, walks and other associated events were programmed over seven days.

Rosie Elliot, Area Co-ordinator with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust said: ‘This year has been a huge success with the numbers of visitors up at all buildings. All the walks were fully booked the week before.’ However, the team of six at Glasgow Building Preservation Trust had their work cut out to cope with the huge demand. But they managed it!

Top of the poll was St Andrew’s in the Square which attracted 2,500 visitors.

Govanhill Baths, closed seven years ago amid local fury, attracted more than 1000 people to see the present state of the magnificent Edwardian Baroque interior and the future plans by a Trust to transform the building into a Community Sports and Wellbeing Centre

 North Doors Closed

Said Rosie: ‘It is a real sadness to me that there were no Doors Open venues this year in the North of the city. I really want some for next year and would welcome suggestions from LOCAL NEWS readers. It involves a lot of commitment and time to the people who are responsible for the venue, but I know there must be some good places that visitors would want to see.’

If you have a suggestion for a building in Glasgow’s Northern sector you’d like to see included in Doors Open next year then email the LOCAL NEWS on : localnews@btconnect.com and tell us where it is.

Doors Open Day – East End Healthy Living Centre

The East End Healthy Living Centre’s Doors Open event celebrated the facility’s third birthday with several hundred people joining the party at Crownpoint Road.

Recently refurbished, the café was well tested, the children’s play areas indoors and out, were busy and there was plenty to see and do. The beautifully equipped gym offered taster sessions for their Lifestyle programme. Computer nerds and geeks congregated in the computer room. Those interested in the arts and crafts side of healthy living, could see the work of the Picture Perfect Photograhic Club, the creative writing class,  the Weaving group and the Cooking Club.

The alternative stress centre based within the G40 building runs relaxation and massage classes among others and provides counselling too. Outside, the professional standard running track is used by Shettleston Harriers and Red Star Athletics Clubs and full sized football pitches, tennis courts and five-aside all-weather sports space are all there for interested individuals. The Centre’s facilities are open to the public with special rates for residents in selected parts of the G40,  G31, G32 and G4 postal code areas covering Shettleston, Baillieston, Calton and the East End. The Centre’s management team are working to secure the future of the community complex in partnership with the exciting developments in the East End where the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be based.

Doors Open Day – Easterhouse Bridge Arts Centre

The Bridge Arts Centre is a new building created to literally ‘bridge the gap’ between a 1960’s swimming pool and the new John Wheatley college in Easterhouse. The venue includes a 210 seat theatre and workshop space, a recording studio, a café, a library and meeting rooms. The space which the building now occupies was long used as a shortcut by local people, so the architects developed the idea of a ‘covered street’ to permit the free flow of pedestrians through the space, but with enough facilities to tempt them to linger and find out what is going on. The results have been impressive. The library has gone from being one of the bottom five in Glasgow to being one of the top two in the city. 

 

« Previous Page — Next Page »