Run for fun

While New Year resolutions to get fit are still around, the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k is being promoted for the 20^th year. Clyde 1 presenters Knoxy and Shebahn Littlejohn will formally launch the event on Wednesday this week to the female drummers and pipers of the famous Williamwood Pipe Band. The musical involvement highlights the fact that there will be music every 500m of the popular run to boost flagging runners’ spirits and to add to the fun-day atmosphere.

Taking place on Sunday 13 May starting at Nithsdale Road, the race attracts around 10,000 runners who will progress through the Southside via Maxwell Park, Pollok Park to the finishing line in Bellahouston Park. To sign up or for more information, see the website: www.runglasgow.org

South West GCPP gather

Words and Photograph by Stuart Maxwell

Glasgow South West Community Planning Partnership (GSWCPP) gathered on Tuesday 21 September for an annual conference where, with members of the local community present, they reviewed successes of the past year.

The Partnership brings together representatives from public, private, community and voluntary organisations in order to improve public services.

Held at the Palace of Art in Bellahouston Park, the Board gathered, said Lawrence O’Neil, who is Engagement Network Co-ordinator, ‘ to look back over the past year and give local people the chance to come along and talk with those involved in the service.’

He added: ‘In essence we’ve always tried to involve the community. The meeting – not to blow our own trumpet – was about the positive things the South West Partnership has achieved over the past year.’

Lawrence gave the example of a manwho came to the organisation recently. ‘He was 55  and had worked as a painter and decorator but had been out of work for the past few years. He thought he was too old to get another job.

‘Through the South West Regeneration Agency – which is represented on the Partnership board – this man got work experience in the catering industry, something he had always wanted to do. Now he has a paid job. This is much better than simply helping someone get their benefits.’

The annual conference also introduced Superintendent Ciorstan Shearer, the new representative on the board for Strathclyde Police, following the retirement of Kevin Duffy, who,   said Lawrence: ‘Is away to put his feet up somewhere.’

Set up in 2004, the Partnership  has five themes. These are: a working Glasgow, a learning Glasgow, a vibrant Glasgow, a healthy Glasgow and a safe Glasgow. Run by the Glasgow City Council, the South West Partnership is one of five such local groups across the city.

Contact your local local community planning Partnership group at www.glasgowcpp.org.uk/

High hopes from Bellahouston Mass

An estimated 70,000 people flooded into Bellahouston park for Pope Benedict XVI’s mass on Thursday 16 September. The day went without any trouble and was seen as a great success.

Glasgow set the standard for the rest of  the papal visit, said Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council.

He said: ‘The Papal Mass in Bellahouston Park was an incredible event that showed what Glasgow can do. It was a wonderfully joyous occasion for the thousands of people who were there and everyone else who watched it on television. The park looked magnificent, the weather was fantastic, and the ceremony and spectacle of the Mass was awe inspiring.’

Councillor Matheson had earlier met the Pope and the Queen at a State Reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Later, he greeted the Holy Father when he arrived in Glasgow and waved him off as he left the city after the Mass.

He said: ‘On a personal level, to have met the Pope three times during the day was an enormous honour and the memories of the day will live with me for the rest of my life. I think he won a lot of hearts in Scotland just because he is self-evidently a very thoughtful and holy man.

‘I was a 15-year-old schoolboy when I saw Pope John Paul II with my family in Bellahouston Park in 1982. I never thought for a minute then that I’d one day welcome his successor to our city.

‘It was an historic honour and I am so proud of the work done by the council staff who were involved in the project and helped make the day a huge success. It proves once again that we are more than capable of organising and staging major events of worldwide significance. It also boosted the reputation of the city in a way that money can’t buy and stands us in very good stead for staging the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.’

He added: ‘In 1982, we had two years to prepare. This time we had only six months. To stage an event like that in such a short space of time was an outstanding achievement.’

Pope challenges the young faithful

Photographs and text by Stuart Maxwell

The congregation of Blessed John Duns Scotus Church in Gorbals shared their short pilgrimage to Bellahouston Park to celebrate Mass with Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday 16 September, with the LOCAL NEWS GLASGOW. Here is a view of this historic visit.

The 50-strong congregation met at 12 noon outside Bridge Street underground where Father Edmund, Church Guardian, handed out information packs and the all-important wrist band allowing entry.

Each person has paid £20 for the privilege of taking part. Many in the congregation had been at Bellahouston in 1982 when Pope John Paul II visited.

Retired Labour Councillor, James Mutter, was one of them. He remembered: ‘ It was a great day, with almost 300,000 people crammed in. There’s going to be lot more room this time’. An estimated 100,000 were in Bellahouston Park this time. He added: ‘This brings back memories for I was with my sister the last time and she’s dead now.’

Alighting at Ibrox, the congregation started the two miles walk to the park with a local resident playing the flute to entertain them. Said James: ‘I’ll just about make this but might need a wheelchair back!’

Arriving at Bellahouston, there was a sea of flags blowing in the wind as people jostle to get to their allotted spaces. Blessed John Duns Scotus folk were in zone 26, to the left of the stage. They had plenty to keep them interested as they wait for the Popemobile to arrive from Edinburgh, where the Queen had formally welcomed His Holiness.

Children’s choirs from local schools and singers such as Susan Boyle and Michelle McManus led the praise throughout the day.

Despite a strong police presence, the atmosphere was relaxed and the happy anticipation felt by members of the congregation, seemed to be shared throughout the park.

St Helen’s Primary school chanted to the whole of Bellahouston Park: ‘Welcome to Scotland, Pope Benedict’.

Father Edmund commented: ‘Everyone here is united in their faith, including those of my congregation. Having the Pope visit us, gives us a feeling of great solidarity.’

A sea of yellow umbrellas went up to show where the priests were for those taking Holy Communion.

A large proportion of the people attending the event were young people and the Pope spoke to them directly: ‘You face many temptations – drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol. These things are destructive. The only thing that lasts is the love of Jesus Christ. Search for Him. Know Him. Love Him. He will set you free.’

Added the Pontif: ‘the Church belongs to you.’

Men run for their lives

More than 3,300 men from across Scotland pulled on their running shoes on Father’s day – Sunday 20 June – to run the unique 10k organised by the Men’s Health Forum Scotland (MHFS).
Sunshine helped to boost the energy levels of the runners who launched from Bellahouston Park, Glasgow in what is the UK’s only 10k for men.
Smashing the course record by one minute and three seconds, Robel Nagash, 26, from Thornliebank, Glasgow, crossed the finishing line in 30.47minutes. Robel arrived in Scotland five months ago as an asylum seeker having spent seven months walking across Sudan and two months crossing Libya from Eritrea. He’s been running and training for three months with the Bellahouston Harriers.
Robel was followed by Robert Quinn from Paisley, in 31.52 minutes. In third place was David Millar from Irvine who ran the distance in 32.15 minutes, having achieved first place in 2008 and 2009.
Recent figures show that men in Glasgow have the lowest life expectancy in the UK.
Eva Asante, Director of the Men’s Health Forum Scotland, said: ‘There was a fantastic atmosphere and everyone had great fun. We are determined to raise awareness among men of the need to look after their mental and physical health. The MHFS 10k for Men is a great way to do this and I hope that next year’s event will attract even more participants.’
To register your interest in next year’s MHFS 10K for Men or to see if you were snapped by the MHFS photographers, visit: www.mhfs10kformen.org

Lourdes Secondary, the Eco warrior

Lourdes Secondary School in Cardonald, broke up for summer with the vegetables planted and a fast-growing reputation for being an Eco warrior.

Pupils have sprouted green fingers and created two raised beds to grow beetroot, lettuce and cabbage among other produce. When ready, the vegetables will be handed over to the home economics department as Lourdes ploughs on relentlessly, determined to reduce it’s carbon footprint.

The venture was funded by a grant from the Community Volunteer Scheme in recognition of the school’s efforts for the environment.

Last December, led by geography teacher and Eco-school coordinator, Vincent Raeburn, Lourdes joined in the Stop the Climate Change Chaos protest from Bellahouston Park and marched all the way to Kelvingrove.In May, Vincent led Lourdes in a ‘Sustainability Week’.  As well as talks from Heather ‘fae the weather’ and other experts, each school department was asked to come up with imaginative ways to educate pupils to look after the planet.

In drama class, kids produced plays showing the negative effect everyday habits can have on the planet. Geography lessons had the pupils designing and building their own Eco-houses, while a team from Strathclyde University asked pupils to design communities for the future. Here, pupils were made to consider the implications decisions could have on the environment.

Vincent thinks this initiative showed pupils that actions can be taken that are good for both society and the environment.Vincent said: ‘At Lourdes we are working to get pupils to think globally and act locally.” He stressed that environmental issues should be tackled by young people because ‘this planet is their future place of work.’ He added: ‘The whole school is trying to become far more environmentally minded. You can’t just expect the politicians to sort it out. We all have responsibility and that includes the kids.’
Vincent and the pupils’ efforts have already bagged Lourdes one Green flag. Next year he says efforts will be doubled to try to get another. The Lourdes Eco-machine will not rest idle over the summer.

Mass in Bellahouston Park is Glasgow highlight of Pope’s visit

Glasgow is to be the second stop in Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK in mid-September. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, the 83-year-old pontiff will celebrate mass at Bellahouston Park.
The Archdiocese of Glasgow has confirmed that mass will take place on the afternoon of September 16 before a crowd that may be as large as 125,000 people.
In 1982, 250,000 people saw John Paul II celebrate mass at the same venue. Health and safety legislation dictates that crowd numbers be controlled and entry to the event will be by ticket.
The Pope’s first day in Scotland will start at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, where he will meet the Queen. After the Bellahouston mass, he will fly to London.
Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti said: ‘I am delighted that Pope Benedict has confirmed his visit to the UK and especially glad that it will begin in Scotland. I am pleased and honoured to know that the first mass to be offered on British soil will take place here in Glasgow.

September date for papal visit to Glasgow confirmed

Glasgow is to be the second stop in Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK in mid-September. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor, the 83-year-old pontiff will celebrate mass at Bellahouston Park.
The Archdiocese of Glasgow has confirmed that mass will take place on the afternoon of September 16 before a crowd of up to 125,000 people.
In 1982, 250,000 people saw Pope John Paul II celebrate mass at the same venue. Health and safety legislation dictates that crowd numbers be controlled and entry to the event will be by ticket.
The Pope’s first day in Scotland will start at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, where he will meet the Queen. After the Bellahouston mass, he will fly to London.
On Sunday, September 19, Pope Benedict is expected to beautify Cardinal John Henry Newman at a ceremony in Coventry.
Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti said: ‘I am delighted that Pope Benedict has confirmed his visit to the UK and especially glad that it will begin in Scotland. I am pleased and honoured to know that the first mass to be offered on British soil will take place here in Glasgow.
‘It is perhaps coincidental but maybe providential that this visit comes in a year of anniversaries, many of them relating to the reformation. The last papal visit brought about a qualitative leap forward in inter-church relations.
The Pope noted this in his address to the Scottish bishops just last month: ‘The Church in your country, like many in Northern Europe, has suffered the tragedy of division. It is sobering to recall the great rupture with Scotland’s Catholic past that occurred 450 years ago. I give thanks to God for the progress that has been made in healing the wounds that were the legacy of that period.’
‘My hopes for the visit are that it might promote a rediscovery of the religious history of Scotland and that it might boost ecumenical relations,’ the archbishop added.

Big John calls it a day at awards bash

Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency (GSWRA) celebrated the festive season with their annual awards ceremony at House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park.
A fun affair – yet tinged with sadness due to the retirement of father-figure John McLaughlin – celebrated some of the great achievers in Govan and the south west of Glasgow.
John McLaughlin MBE was up till recently a Board member and previously a Chairman of GSWRA.
He was a pioneer not only for GSWRA but its forerunner, the Govan Initiative.
A couple of John’s friends (aka The Govan Chairman due to his wooden crafting of miniature chairs) including Scottish Boxing King Tommy Gilmour were unable to attend but paid plaudits on a pre-recorded DVD that was beamed into the dinning hall.
Gilmour spoke of how it was a privilege and a pleasure to know John and said: ‘When the ship building went he was the man that kept the faith and the pride in Govan.
‘John might have an MBE but I think that a knighthood or sainthood would be more appropriate.’
On collecting his award John kept things brief, saying only: ‘It’s been great being with you all, thank you.’
Alison Sinclair, Chief Executive of GSWRA and host at the event hailed Big John’s effort in helping schools, businesses and communities, before going on to the awards ceremony.
The winners of the Business Excellence Awards included;
Partnership Working Award – Reed in Partnership
Supporting Local Businesses Working – Glasgow South Business Club
Commitment to Partnership Working – Cardonald College
Significant Person Achievement – Angela Williams
There were also fifteen year service awards handed out to Mary Teresa Smith, John Currie and Mae Campbell.