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

Flora says ‘thank you’

Govan Reminiscent Group members at their display in Fairfield on Doors Open Day. From the front: Flora Pagan (81), Jane Melvin (87), Jim 'the boy' McDonald (73) and Bob Watterson (85).

Fund-raiser Flora Pagan has just raised £473.63 for Action for Hearing Loss. The Govanite sold her own baking and jam in two days at the Doors Open Day event in the Fairfield building.  And the remarkable thing about her voluntary effort is that she is 81. ‘But £82 of that came from Dot Courtney’s tombola,’ exclaimed Flora who does not want the credit for her good work. ‘I want to thank everyone and let them know I’m very grateful for their donations and support.’  She admits she can’t sit still and likes to be ‘doing something.’  That ‘something’ generally means the jeely pan is on the boil or the baking is being prepared for the freezer. Last year Flora dedicated her work to a Diabetes charity and raised £2400.55p in  twelve months. ‘I decided to support Action for Hearing Loss this year,’ she said. ‘They have a clinic at the Southern General Hospital and I go there myself.’   She  finds ready buyers at the weekly Govan Reminiscence Group on Tuesday afternoons at the Hills Trust in Govan. ‘We’re always happy to welcome new blood into the Group,’ she said cheerfully.

The picture shows the Reminiscence Group team who had a display at the Doors Open Day in the Fairfield Building – from front- Flora Pagan (81) Jane Melvin (87) Jim ‘The boy’  McDonald (73) Bob Watterson (85).

The Group’s collection of artefacts helps illustrate what life was like for them in previous years. There were skipping ropes which girls used to play with but which unintentionally also kept them fit with the exercise. There was a ration book from World War 2 to illustrate how food was allocated fairly and in healthy proportions even when it was scarce. They use items like these to remember and record stories of past times to keep them alive for future generations. It also keeps their own minds alert and able to cope with making hundreds of pots of jam and counting the benefit for a good cause.