Three Judges Scoops Another Award

Good things come in threes at The Three Judges pub at Partick Cross. Last month it won its second award from CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – and it celebrated ten years of its resident Sunday jazz band – Muldoon’s Rag Time Band.

 

Alistair Boyd from CAMRA presented manager Angela Bradley with the coveted Glasgow Pub of the Year 2008 title. Only weeks before, the pub was named CAMRA’s Scottish Cider and Perry Pub of the Year 2008.

 Angela, who took over as manager in January 2008, told the Local News: ‘I’m over the moon to have scooped a second award so early in my bar managing career. The competition was of an exceptional standard so it really is an honour to win. It’s quite a change from working as a park ranger at the Botanics! And I’m loving every minute of it.’

On the night of the Pub of the Year presentation, each customer was offered a complimentary pint of cask ale on arrival. Added Angela: ‘Credit goes to the whole team. They have really pulled together and continue to deliver excellent levels of service and dedication to our customers.’

The Three Judges beat off stiff competition from pubs including The State Bar, Blackfriars and the Bon Accord to win the prestigious title after continuous monitoring and mystery visits from the Glasgow and West of Scotland branch of CAMRA.

A favourite with real-ale lovers, the Three Judges has enjoyed a long-term reputation for its varied range of regular and guest beers, and was awarded a bronze medal by leading UK licensed trade body The Publican for the Best Cask Ale Pub in 2006. The place to go for a combination of quality and choice, the pub has served over 5,000 different cask-conditioned ales from across the UK over the past fifteen years.

Angela threw another party to mark ten years of jazz on Sundays from Muldoon’s Rag Time Band, ‘It was a great night!’ said one customer who remembers most of it.

Pupils Create Art for New Riverside Museum

Eleven children from primary schools across the city have created drawings which are being displayed on hoardings around the site of the Riverside Museum construction site at Pointhouse, Partick.

A competition run through the Education Weekly Bulletin by the Riverside Museum Appeal, chose six lucky schools as winners. In the West – Thornwood and St Brendon. In the East – Avenue End. In the South – Battlefield, Langside and Blackfriars schools.

The children were asked to come up with a drawing of their favourite object in the current Museum of Transport in the West End or how they envisaged travel would look in the future.

Now the blue walls around the Museum site are adorned by brightly coloured pictures of transport of the past and the future.

The pupils joined with television personality Carol Smillie, Councillor Archie Graham, Deputy Chairman of the Riverside Appeal and Mary Grant, Managing Director of First Scotrail at a special unveiling event last month.

Derek MacLauchlan of Avenue End Primary School, designed an image based on transport of the future. His drawing of a car with rockets is bold and modern. Angela Mulholland, deputy head teacher at his school said: ‘It is nice for the children to be involved in a wider competition such as this. Derek is delighted as are the rest of the school.’

Gemma Conroy of St Brendon primary school spent four weeks on her drawing with support from her art teacher, Caroline Bennett. Head teacher Donal Currie said: ‘It is nice when something positive like this happens. Gemma is a lovely pupil and deserves the success.’

Humera Ahmed, Kyle Shields, Zino Merrouche and Lisa Robertson from Blackfriars Primary School produced their winning pictures of traditional transport at a school fun day. Head teacher John Lawson said: ‘When the children are out and about they like seeing people using older forms of transport. It is really good for them to see their work displayed somewhere where others can get enjoyment from it.’

Councillor Archie Graham said: ‘The children’s entries have been every bit as creative and colourful as the city’s transport history and are a fitting advertisement for the Riverside Museum.’

The artwork will remain around the site until the museum opens in 2011. The new museum, which will replace the Museum of Transport at Kelvin Hall, is being funded by Glasgow City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund which has put in £69 million. The Riverside Museum Appeal aims to raise the further £5 million required with £1.7 million of that already in hand. Riverside Donors are those gifting up to £5,000, Riverside Benefactors are those donating more than £5,000 and an individual can become a Riverside Patron if they donate more than £50,000. Visit www.glasgowmuseums.com and follow the links to find out how to donate.

Martin’s Bike Column – October 08

Pothole Patrol

I joined Councillor Danny Alderslowe on pothole patrol outside Queen’s Park just after 7.30 am recently, writes Martin Graham. The idea was to make cyclists aware of the Council’s commitment to repair potholes within 24 hours on main roads and within 5 days on side roads. We handed out leaflets and free bike maps to over 50 people and the response was tremendous: people were delighted that someone was taking an interest. Also, there was an element of camaraderie which let cyclists know that there were other folks out there concerned about their issues.

If you spot a pothole you can call the council on 0800 373635 to report it. You can also let Danny know via email at danny.alderslowe@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk

 

Pedal for Scotland

This year’s Pedal for Scotland took place on 14 September, and was the biggest yet, with over 5000 people making the 55 mile journey from Glasgow Green to Victoria Park in Edinburgh, via Linlithgow and South Queensferry.

There were plenty of refreshment stops on the way, and Avonbridge Parish Church laid on their usual home baking tent for the ravenous cyclists. The pit stop was needed as one of the biggest hills on the route is just after that village. At Linlithgow, Sustrans had a huge tent serving pasta, soup and sandwiches, the queue was massive!

Participants ranged from experienced cyclists to complete novices and special mention must be made of Patrick, aged 5, who was enjoying the day with his dad.

 

Bad Luck in the Clyde Cycle Tunnel

I’ve had a run of punctures recently, then a broken chain out at Mugdock Park. To trump it all, I was out on a ride with my brother and we went through the Clyde Tunnel. My bro ended up crashing just at the bend on the southbound cycle path. Luckily he was wearing a helmet and his wheels took the brunt of the force, but it could have been much worse, as the tunnel is a very enclosed space with a metal barrier running down it.

The tunnel is a great route linking Govan and Yoker, and is the only way to negotiate the river between the Science Centre and the Ferry at Whiteinch.

Glasgow City Council has recently secured funding to progress some upgrades to the tunnel, including a controlled entry system supported by CCTV cameras. Hopefully, this should discourage anti-social behaviour in the tunnel and make it a more pleasant environment for cyclists and pedestrians.

There is also talk of a new ferry between Govan and Partick which would re-instate a centuries-old link.

Girlz And Boyz Are Hair To Stay

A glamorous change has come over two retail units in Elderslie Street, Charing Cross.

Web designers David McSweeney and Gerry Maguire have found hair-raising success in meeting the needs of people who want to look their best on a girlznight or boyznight out or in.

So from supplying hair and beauty products for women and men on-line in one shop, they have now opened their own hairdressing salon next door.

The gn salon offers professional hair design and a unique experience. It complements their on-line business. Said Karen McDougall, educational Director; ‘People have high expectations today. We have high capability and we really care about people and their hair. Each person will enjoy a totally different experience from anything they’ve encountered before.’

www.girlznight.co.uk or tel: 0141 248 4555