FORK pitching for a new year

The Annual General Meeting of FORK (Friends of the River Kelvin) will be held on Saturday 1 December in their headquarters at Ha’penny Bridge House in the Botanic Gardens at 12.30. This will follow the regular Saturday clean-up of the riverside.

Nominations are invited from members for Convener, Treasurer and Secretary. Currently the position of Secretary is vacant. The present Convener, Sally Johnston and Treasurer, Allan Twigg are both willing to stand again.

FORK fun doesn’t stop when it rains.

Rain didn’t stop play at the FORK Gala day on Saturday 9 June 2012.  A line up of more than 11 groups performed despite heavy rain between the  sunny spells at the annual event run by Friends of the River Kelvin. While the music flowed from noon till 7pm, stalls provided information and things to buy as well as ‘handknitted hamburgers’ . Children had an arts programme painting a collage of the natural environment around the River Kelvin, and an amazing puppet show. Professionally guided canoe trips were ‘just amazing,’ said one happy voyager. All of the activities were centred on FORK headquarters – the Ha’penny Bridge House in the Botanic Gardens at the junction of the tracks leading to Wyndford and Kirklee.

Said new FORK Convener, Sally Johnston: ‘This has been another exceptionally good and very enjoyable event, despite the rain. We thank everyone who helped and who took part. We plan to hold social evenings in Ha’penny Bridge House in the autumn for members. Before then, we hope to launch, officially, the very colourful boards painted by local school children, which protect the windows of Ha’penny Bridge House.’  For more information on Friends Of the River Kelvin, including their next Saturday morning litter pick-up on 7 July, see their website: www.fork.org.uk

Musical FORKS charm the crowds

 

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful day at the FORK Gala on 4 June in the Botanic Gardens at Ha’penny Bridge House. Formally opened by MSP Sandra White, many hundreds of people sat in the sun to be entertained by the musicians – who were still playing at 6pm when the Gala, technically, finished at 4pm. Then there were the stalls to browse, the dog show to challenge, useful things to buy, interesting things to learn and plenty of fun, food and cool drinks too. Canoe rides gave experience on the water.

The whole event is a great West End gathering where people mix and chat, meet and eat, sing and sort out the rest of the world. FORKS are Friends of the River Kelvin and the gala is a showcase for their work and philosophy – to care for the environment around the River Kelvin and to carry that care into other aspects of living.

Welcomed by the Big Fork himself, founder Mark Eden-Bushell, the day was well organised by the FORK Gala committee with FORK Secretary Charles Thompson busy in the background making sure everything fell into place.

Volunteers are welcome to join the FORK’s next river clean-up on Saturday 2 July at 10.30pm at Ha’penny Bridge House which is the organisation’s headquarters.

FORK GALA FUN IN THE SUN

There is no doubt it will be a good day on Saturday 4 June because that is FORK Gala day and traditionally it has been favoured with the warmth and brightness of the sun.

From 11am till 4pm, centred  in the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow near Ha’Penny Bridge House, Friends of the River Kelvin (FORKs) will offer food and entertainment, stalls and canoe rides, friendship and environment awareness strategies.

Throughout the day, live music is played by many wandering minstrels. People meet and chat, children have fun and entertainment. Books and tee shirts and other items can be bought. The beekeepers have honey in stock and welcome interest in their important, voluntary, work.

Don’t miss it!