New era starts for CCH in Maryhill

The deal is sealed. City Treasurer Paul Rooney and CCH Board Chairperson Anna Dyer shake on the handover of the CCA building to the Trust.

A new era has started for Community Central Hall (CCH) in Maryhill Road. The Trust which runs it has been gifted the building by Glasgow City Council.

City Treasurer, Councillor Paul Rooney made the announcement today (Thursday 27 September 2012) during 35rd anniversary celebrations of the popular venue.  He said: ‘I’m delighted to be part of the decision to transfer the premises to CCH. The City Council will only do this where best practice is clearly seen and good management has an identifiable track record.’

He added: ‘This place is well known for the public inquiries – such as Stockline – held here. But it has an amazing level of users, workers and volunteers.’

Anna Dyer, Chairperson of the Trust Board which runs CCH, thanked Treasurer Rooney and said: ‘We have a new future to look forward to now because we can access more funding. This will keep the building in community use for future generations.’  She paid tribute to John Gray who, as a Strathclyde Regional Councillor more than 35 years ago, fought to retain the former church for the community.

At an evening reception for members and supporters of CCH Anna presented John with a silver salver to recognise his foresight and his fight.

A clearly delighted John told this website: ‘We were ecstatic 35 years ago when we got possession of the halls. There was a lot of support and a good committee. When the caretaker Jimmy Gordon handed over the big bunch of keys he said all the furniture had been taken away. I discovered the Council had a store full of furniture and got permission to take what we needed. With the Boys’ Brigade, the committee and a whole team of helpers, we made a lot to trips back and forward with two vans till we furnished the place.’ He said the first thing the committee did was double the wages of the caretaker.

An exhibition of past times and community activities is on display in the CCH. Built by subscription in the 1920s, it was used as a church until it became a Community Trust and registered charity 35 years ago.

The anniversary celebrations included a pacey variety concert hosted by Dave Anderson. ‘This is a fantastic facility,’ he told the audience in the Reid Hall. ‘I’ve been using it since I was a boy.’ Entertainment included a toe-tapping routine by pupils of LA Stage School which is one of the newest groups to make CCH their home. Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) provided two splendid sets. First up was a dance and music piece with adults and children singing lullabies from around the world. Later they gave a fashion show with the models dressed in beautiful outfits reflecting ethnic and antique costumes from a wide variety of countries sometimes re-interpreted to show the fusion of cultures.

The world’s longest running Scouts’ Gang Show – the Glasgow Gang Show – gave a harmonious preview of their own show which takes place in November. ‘We’ve been rehearsing in the CCH for 15 years because the facilities are so good,’ said their spokesman.

A seven strong Gospel choir with accompanying drummer from the Redeemed Christian Church of God which worships in the CCH, gave a non-stop praise session which had the power and the conviction of ten times their number.

Commented Dave Anderson at the end of their set: ‘That’s a far cry from the joyless Presbyterian church style I grew up in!’

As the night wore on and the audience decreased, the second half of the show moved to the CCH cafe. The stalwarts who remained had a brilliant treat from Dave Anderson himself. He played keyboard and sang to give a humorous insight into his own musical upbringing. ‘A song I wrote years ago is currently included in ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ thanks to Elaine C Smith remembering it,’ he told the appreciative audience as he sang it for them. With wit and humour, he brought the anniversary event to a happy close.

Friday 28 September was day two of the 35^th anniversary celebrations with a children’s fun day complete with a real fire engine and a play bus, a community exhibition in the CCH and dancing to the Black Havana Diamond Band in the evening.

Inspiring citizens honoured by Lord Provost

Johnny Beattie receives Glasgow's Loving Cup for the honour and recognition he has brought to the city.

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 receives her Lord Provost's Award from Lord Provost Bob Winter.

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.

Bailie Jean McFadden, leaves the council after 41 years' service.

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.

Julie has inspired others to be adventurous despite disabilities.

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.

New Chair and Vice Chair for City Marketing Bureau

Councillor Matheson (centre) with dancers Jay Saunders and Rebecca Coates, launch the Merchant City Festival. Photograph by Stuart Maxwell

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, has been appointed Chairman of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) with Bailie Hanzala Malik supporting him as Vice-Chair.

Councillor Matheson is a graduate of both Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities. He is a chartered member of the Institute of Personnel and Development and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. First elected to Glasgow City Council in 1999,  he is a Councillor in Ward 10 (Anderston/City).
Previously, Councillor Matheson had been City Treasurer and Executive Member for Education and had served as a board member of a variety of organisations including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Court of the University of Strathclyde.

Commenting on his appointment, Councillor Matheson, said:  ‘I am delighted to be taking up the position as Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
‘The economy remains at the heart of this administration’s strategy and the dynamic activity undertaken by GCMB in securing major events and conferences for the city helps support Glasgow’s tourism industry, which employs more than 30,000 people.

‘GCMB is known for punching well above its weight and it is vital that it continues to have the necessary support to continue this work.’

Bailie Malik is a Councillor in Ward 11 (Hillhead) and has been a Glasgow City Councillor for 15 years.

He has a BSc in computing with business administration and has served as Chair of Life Long Learning; Senior Vice Convener of Education; Convener of Development and Regeneration Services and was until recently Executive Member of International Affairs.

Bailie Malik, said: ‘As Vice-Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, I relish the opportunity to help drive leisure and business tourism into Glasgow and feel sure that my experience gained in international affairs will be useful in this regard.’