Needles click to aid veterns

Residents of Lambhill Court Care Home on Glasgow’s Southside, knitted a tidy sum for Erskine, the charity for armed services veterans.

They raised £100 from selling goods they made during activities sessions in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday and handed over the cheque in November.

Manager, Iain Ballantyne said: ‘Erskine is a charity which our residents can relate to. Many of them and their family members went through the Second World War. We are proud of the residents and of Frances -who has a parent living in Lambhill – for taking this on and raising money for such a fantastic charity.”

The knitting, selling and the presentation were organised by Lambhill’s activities co-ordinator, Mary Fox.

Erskine fundraiser Alan Moss said “This is a terrific donation. We, at Erskine, are delighted everyone at Lambhill Court has been thinking of our brave veterans. Donations are vital to continue to provide the high standard of care our veterans deserve so this will make a real difference. Thanks very much and well done to everyone for the successful fundraising.”

Such encouragement of activities and participation in its community is given priority at Lambhill Court, where there are currently a few places for new residents. All five care homes in the Lambhill Court group meet the same standard and staff are expected to treat each resident ‘as if he or she was your own parent.’ For further information please contact Deepak Poddar tel 07786 735 709

www.lambhillcourt.ltd.uk

Erskine has been looking after veterans for almost 100 years and is the leading care organisation for ex-Service men and women in Scotland.

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Susan sings for Glasgow

Susan Boyle sang for the audience at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow on Wednesday 3 October. She appeared at the end of the stage show of her life story with a superb Elaine C Smith playing and singing the role of Susan.

Throughout the UK tour of ‘I Dreamed a Dream,’  Susan has put in a surprise appearance on a few occasions. The Glasgow audience had decided she wouldn’t be turning up and had started to rise from their seats and put on their coats after giving several curtain calls to Elaine and the wonderfully ‘in voice’ cast.

Then the lights dimmed and rose again – and there was Susan in an elegant crimson dress and she sang and sang to the full house which was on its feet applauding her all the way.  Having won a talent competition with her beautiful voice and unexpectedly, unsophisticated appearance. the 40 something woman became an overnight international phenomenom.

While Elaine has a great voice and played the role with elan, Susan’s voice has even finer timbre and range and captured an already well-satisfied, 95% female, crowd.

Thank you Elaine and cast and THANK YOU Susan for sharing your very human story that resonates with the lives of all too many people.

 

 

Inspiring citizens honoured by Lord Provost

Actor, funny man and stage presence for 60 years, Johnny Beattie was given Glasgow’s Loving Cup at a civic dinner on Thursday 5 April. ‘I was totally surprised,’ said Johnny who has starred in River City TV soap for ten years.

The fresh looking 85-year-old recollects with total clarity his first day treading the boards. ‘It was May 19^th 1952 at the Tivoli in Aberdeen.  I was with Robert Wilson who was the biggest name around in Scotland at that time. I was the comic – you could tell that by the pillerbox red suit I was wearing!’ Johnny who was honoured by the Queen some years ago with an MBE, added: ‘I’ll keep on working till I’m found out.’

The Loving Cup is Glasgow’s highest honour and is presented to a person who has brought distinction and honour to the Dear Green Place.

Lord Provost Bob Winter presided over the annual awards ceremony  when a roll of honour of key people is thanked publicly by the city for their contribution to its wellbeing.

In what was almost his last public event as Lord Provost, Councillor Winter said: ‘This event is truly one of the most rewarding for me as the city’s Lord Provost. It is such a great occasion when we can honour people from diverse walks of life who all have one thing in common – a commitment to Glasgow and its people. I can think of no better way to express our gratitude to these outstanding men and women by celebrating their achievements this way and presenting them with the Lord Provost’s award and one of them with the Loving Cup.’

The gold awards are in the form of a medal and were given to:

Prominent Accident & Emergency consultant Mr Ian Anderson for improving the health of the people of Glasgow and in keeping the city at the forefront of postgraduate medical education. Based at the Victoria Infirmary, his views are frequently sought at national and international level. He is one of the founding Fellows of the Faculty of Accident and Emergency Surgeons and one of its longest serving Council Members. He was elected President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2009. He has also played a key role in establishing collaborations with Medical Schools and hospitals in the South of India.

BAE Systems Maritime received the Lord Provost’s award for business. It was accepted by Mr Angus Holt on behalf of the company which is on track to deliver six Type 45 Destroyers for the Royal Navy by the end of 2013. Four have already been handed over. It also produces Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and the Type 26 Global Combat Ship among other complex engineering programmes and services. The yards at Scotstoun and Govan employ 3000 people which includes 140 apprentices and 30 graduates in training.

Professor Jane Duckett was presented with the Lord Provost’s Award for founding the Scottish Centre for China Research at the University of Glasgow. Since its establishment in 2008 it has developed distinctive new MSc programmes in Chinese Studies. A leading international scholar in contemporary Chinese politics, Professor Duckett was instrumental in setting up the Confucius Institute at the University in 2011. It is testament to her dedication to enhancing the understanding and knowledge of China in the communities of Glasgow and the West of Scotland, and her pledge to support the business communities as they reach out to work with Chinese industry.

Dame Elish Angiolini received the Lord Provost’s Award for her services to Law and Justice. Like Johnny Beattie, Dame Elish was born in Govan. She was Solicitor General from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Advocate of Scotland, and was the first woman, the first Procurator Fiscal and the first solicitor to hold either post. Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to the administration of justice, Dame Elish holds honorary degrees of Doctor of Laws from Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian and Aberdeen universities. In September she will replace Andrew Dilnot as Principal of St Hugh’s College in Oxford.

Donald Shaw, founder of Capercaillie was presented with the Lord Provost’s Award for the Performing and Visual Arts. Through his work with the band he built up an international network of contacts and musical partnerships which he has grown in his work with Celtic Connections. A performer, composer, arranger and musical entrepreneur, Donald was acknowledged for his unique contribution to music in Scotland, and Glasgow in particular. His direction of the Celtic Connections festival makes it the city’s largest, most nationally and internationally significant festival.

Robert Booth, who retired in 2011 after 33 years’ service – latterly as Executive Director of Land and Environmental Services at Glasgow City Council – received the Lord Provost’s award for his public service. He joined Glasgow District Council in 1978 and fulfilled senior management roles in both Housing and Building Services before being appointed Director of Land Services in March 2003. In 2007 he became Executive Director of Land and Environmental Services, with responsibility for managing the city’s road network; parks and open spaces; parking; refuse services; enforcement; trading standards; and the design and project management resources of the council. He received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2011 for services to local government.

The Lord Provost’s Sport Award went to Walter Smith, one of the most successful Scottish football managers in history. He managed Rangers (twice) and the Scottish national team as well as Everton, and was awarded the OBE for services to football in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1997. Previous winners from the world of football in this category include Sir Alex Ferguson (1993) and Ally McCoist (1996).

Bailie Jean McFadden received her award for services to local government. The city’s longest standing councillor, she was first elected to Glasgow Corporation in 1971.

She held key positions in various areas of the council most notably as Leader of the Council (1979-1986) and 1992-94) and also including Opposition Leader (1977-1979), and Vice Lord-Lieutenant City of Glasgow from 1981 to 1992. She was also President of COSLA 1990-92 and City Treasurer 1986-92, and was awarded the CBE in 1992 for services to local government.

The Lord Provost’s Special Award for an Inspiring Individual was presented to Julie McElroy. Despite cerebral palsy, mobility problems and profound deafness, Julie has trekked in the Himalayas, canoed Loch Shiel.

She has used her expertise in assistive technology to make outdoor sports accessible to disadvantaged disabled young people in India. She is an ambassador for Bobath and has received the prestigious John Muir award after completing four adventure challenges and inspiring other disabled people to enjoy the great outdoors.

Club enjoys Burns’ lunch

The House for an Art Lover’s music room was full when Glasgow South Business Club President, Remo Pisaneschi welcomed members and guests to their annual Burns lunch on Tuesday 24 January.

Govan High School music students entertained the crowd as people assembled and their Heidie, Iain White, piped in the haggis. Club member, journalist Grace Franklin, gave her usual flamboyant performance of Burns’ Address to the Haggis. The toast to the Immortal Memory of the Bard was given in humorous fashion by Alan Murray who is modest about his knowledge of the poet. In the course of his illuminating and witty speech, he sang one of Burns’ songs and recited verses from several poems. An effective tour de force that was as entertaining as it was enlightening. Alan is a Govanite by birth and early education. He currently runs a new styled, multi uses, community centre in Maybole, Ayrshire.

Honorary Life Member, Frank Bendoris, thanked all the contributors. The Club, which meets monthly, has important guests signed up for future meetings, including Brian Souter and First Minister Alex Salmond. Full information from the Club’s website: www.glasgowsouthbusiness club.co.uk

Run – for kids’ sake!

TV personalities Debi Edwards and Raman Bhardwaj have joined thousands of others and signed up for the Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run on Sunday 4 September with the youngsters’ event on Saturday 3 September.
They took a photo opportunity this week to encourage others to sign up for the event before the registration deadline of Friday 19 August.
Said STV news reporter Debi: ‘I’ve taken part in the Great Scottish Run a few times before and it’s a brilliant day with a fantastic atmosphere – there’s always a great crowd lining the streets to cheer the runners on. Like Raman, this year I’ll be running for STV Appeal 2011 to help raise funds for children affected by poverty. It’s such an important cause and I’m delighted to support it in any way I can – it will make the race an even more memorable experience.’ She will be running in the half marathon.
Added STV sports presenter Raman who will tackle the 10k: ‘After taking part in the 10k for the first time ever last year, I’d encourage anyone to give it a try. It’s a fab day. And the feeling when – not if – you finish, is fantastic. Not only is it a great opportunity to support a charity that might be important to you, but you’ll give your fitness a boost at the same time. I’ll be running in support of STV Appeal 2011 to help combat the shocking extent of child poverty in Scotland, and I hope others will join me in supporting this fantastic new charity in its first year.’
Described as the largest mass participation sporting event in the country, organisers Glasgow Life, on behalf of Glasgow City Council, are urging people to pull on their trainers and take part in Scotland’s biggest running festival.
The 10k and half marathon races will be on Sunday 4 September and the 1.5k and 3k junior races on Saturday 3 September. Scotland’s elite wheelchair athletes will also be taking part in 1.5k and 3k races on the Sunday.
Sign up at www.runglasgow.org
On average, runners raise £1.5 million for charity each year.
The Bank of Scotland is a long-standing supporter of sports and arts in Scotland. Said a spokesperson: ‘Through our sponsorship we aim to support emerging talent across Scotland and to inspire and support young people, colleagues, communities and businesses all the way through to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.’
Photographer:  Ian Watson.

Gok takes a look in Scotstoun

Words and photograph by Stuart Maxwell

The construction of a new community centre in Scotstoun is ahead of schedule according to the Chair of the local group heading the project.

Heart of Scotstoun, a group of local volunteers, are close to realising a 12 year old dream by opening a new community centre in the area, in an economic climate that has seen many such centres close across the city.

On Wednesday 13 October, Chair Maria Fletcher told the LOCAL NEWS that: ‘the building should be completed by the end of November, ahead of schedule’.  All is going to plan, the facility will officially open for public use in April 2011.’

Said Maria: ‘Scotstoun’s last community centre closed its doors 12 years ago. The centre will provide a focal point and is a great example of a community getting together to make a difference.’

This effort has been aided in no small way by charity worker Mhairi Owens, who spent two months working with the Heart of Scotstoun after being selected, from over 1000 applicants in 2009, to undertake a Vodafone funded placement.

On the day that TV celebrity stylist Gok Wan visited the site on Balmoral Street, Mhairi told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I was in between jobs and decided to offer my services for a charity. A friend told me what the Heart of Scotstoun were trying to do and it sounded like a worthwhile cause. It has been very rewarding being involved.’

Mhairi added: ‘The vodaphone World of Difference placement gave me the chance to get involved with this charity and has left me inspired to do more.’

The World of Differencee programme pays individuals to work for a charity of their choice for a two month period. The face for the Vodafone initiative is stylist Gok Wan, who visited the Scotstoun development to see the fruits of Mhairi’s efforts.

Gok told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘Travelling across the UK and seeing all the work these guys do is a real eye opener and very emotional.’  Gok, who has made a name for himself persuading middle-aged people to go naked on TV, added: ‘It’s great to be in Glasgow, I’ve been here many times and it’s a very stylish city.’

Come April, Scotstoun should have a very stylish new community centre.

Queens Cross Gala day to be at Firhill

Actress Libby McArthur will launch Queens Cross Gala Day on Saturday 21 August at Firhill Sports Complex in Hopehill Road from noon till 4pm.

The River City star will join local residents to enjoy a feast of free entertainment including belly dancing, live music, a bouncy castle, face painting, the Brazilian martial art/dance form called Capoeira, trampolines and street performers.

The fun has been organised by Queens Cross Housing Association and the Garscube Community Foundation. Around 30 stalls will offer information, advice, home baking, bric-a-brac and super raffle prizes.

The Regenerators, a band of Queens Cross Housing Association staff, will also play. A BBQ will raise funds for the Courtyard Café and a beer tent will be available for over 18s.

Even rain won’t spoil the carnival atmosphere – if the weather is bad , the festivities will move into the main hall of the sports complex.

Libby, who plays Gina in River City, is patron of the Garscube Community Foundation. She has also starred in shows such as Rab C Nesbitt and Hamish MacBeth.

She said: ‘I would urge everyone to join in this tremendous community gala day. Queens Cross Housing Association and Garscube Community Foundation work hard in the local community for all residents. Staff and volunteers also work hard on the day to provide this free event. So come along and join the fun!’queens-cross-gala-poster

Homecoming for Leon Jackson

Home Showcase for Leon Jackson

Best known for being an X Factor winner, Leon Jackson is looking forward to coming home to Glasgow on a whistle-stop visit. Fans can see him at the o2 ABC in Sauchiehall St on July 10 for an intimate gig.

He applied to audition for the X Factor as a way to gain experience and things took off from there. Leon’s style has changed and developed a lot since 2007 and he is now much more in control of the writing and producing of his music.  He has been working on new material in the studio recently and feels happy with his more relaxed, honest style. The new songs are his own project and have a rich, three dimensional feel that really does reflect how much more comfortable he feels with this new acoustic direction. The sound is simple and the production minimal. At the moment there is no clear timescale for the release of the new material but the o2 ABC showcase will offer a sneak preview as well as, possibly,  some amazing covers like Ernie Halter’s Lighthouse or Different Lives. Don’t make assumptions based on a talent show, Leon’s found his own style

Copycats fans wanted at the Quay

Fans of the extremely successful games show ‘Copycats’ have a chance get up close and personal by being the audience for the next series which is being recorded in Glasgow.

The BBC’s Scottish headquarters building at Pacific Quay is the venue in July. If you want to be a part of the picture, the free tickets can be booked by email from: copycats@bbc.co.uk or by phone on 0141 422 6571. The recording dates are Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 July; Tuesday 13 to Thursday 15 July; Tuesday 20 to Thursday 22 July.

Hosted by Sam and Mark, the show comes from the same Children’s BBC team responsible for hits such as ‘Raven’, ‘Wait for It’, ‘Stakeout’ and ‘Ed and Oucho’s Excellent Inventions’.

‘We’d like to invite viewers and fans to take part, as audience members, in the studio recordings which are due to take place in July, during the summer holidays.’ said their spokesperson.

‘This is an amazing opportunity for adults and children aged from 9 to 13, to come into Studio A at Pacific Quay and be part of the audience for Copycats. The show itself will feature a fantastic mix of mimes, drawing and musical cubical games, with brand new challenges facing the contestants as the two teams compete head-to-head. Misunderstandings lead to some hilarious guesses, and make this a show not to be missed!’

Lucky audience members will enjoy a ring-side seat throughout the fun, and get to cheer on the teams with Sam and Mark!