Harriers gear up for the holidays

By Alex Mackay

While most people were enjoying their Christmas holidays Shettleston Harrier athletes tested their fitness over a variety of events.

Highlights at the Kelvin Hall Yuletide meeting included a 3m 47cm clearance for Ian Paget in the pole vault and an easy victory for Nicola Mackay in the shot with 8m 77cm. In the endurance events, Euan Penrice recorded 2.26.33 over 800m and his older sister Laura recorded 11.18.21 for 3000m.Veteren athlete Denis Williams, running indoors for the first time, ran 10.07.94 in the 3000m. The sprinters and jumpers were also busy, with John Ruddy running a swift 7.45secs over 60m and Ava McLean recording 9.66. The Glasgow School of Sport jumpers also posted some impressive distances in the long jump through Mahad Ahmed (5.73), Joseph Amonzo ( 5.55) and Ingles Lumfuankenda (5.16).

Daniel Bradford, running the Ribble Valley 10km on Boxing Day, recorded a new personal best of 31.40 to follow up his run of 17th in the North Eastern Counties Championships a few weeks ago.

Matthew Gillespie and Lachlan Oates have been rewarded for their good form with selection for Scotland at the Celtic International Event in Edinburgh next week. An Inter-area event is also included and a number of Shettleston athletes have been selected for the West District or for the Scottish Universities team. Unfortunately a number of senior men had to turn down selection, including Matt Sullivan,Tewolde Mengisteab, Jethro Lennox and Tom Owens, but those who are running include:

Senior Ladies – Lindsay MacNeill and Shona Robertson

Senior Men – Paul Sorrie

Under 17 Ladies – Stella Winters and Laura Penrice

Under 15 Girls – Myrtle Breckenridge

Under 15 Boys – Ryan Flannagan

Universities – Michael Gillespie and Adam Peters

 

Learn to lip read

Deaf Connections in Norfolk Street, Gorbals, offers free lipreading classes to deafened and hard of hearing adults. Additional classes are held in Shettleston as well as in Clydebank, Hamilton, and the Vale of Leven.

These sessions are suitable for any adult with hearing problems whose first language is English. Qualified tutors can help them and also people who already have some lipreading ability as the tuition provides much more than learning to lipread.

An understanding of the different types of deafness people can have, how that is caused and best managed is shared. Advice is given on effective use of hearing aids which are bone-anchored or cochlear implants as well environmental aids. Lots of different ways to improve communication skills are communicated in the classes which run all year round.

It is worth checking beforehand to arrange an appointment or discuss individual needs so that each person makes the right choice of class. Contact Carol Grice, Hard of Hearing Services Manager by email:carol@deafconnections.co.uk or follow the link for more information: http://www.deafconnections.co.uk/HearOn-services-for-hard-of-hearing-people/lipreading-classes.html

 

 

Free lipreading class available

Deaf Connections in Norfolk Street, Gorbals, offers free lipreading classes to deafened and hard of hearing adults. Additional classes are held in Shettleston as well as in Clydebank, Hamilton, and the Vale of Leven.
These sessions are suitable for any adult with hearing problems whose first language is English. Qualified tutors can help them and also people who already have some lipreading ability as the tuition provides much more than learning to lipread.
An understanding of the different types of deafness people can have, how that is caused and best managed is shared. Advice is given on effective use of hearing aids which are bone-anchored or cochlear implants as well environmental aids. Lots of different ways to improve communication skills will be communicated in the classes which run all year round.
It is worth checking before hand to arrange an appointment or discuss individual needs so that each person make the right choice of class. Contact Carol Grice, Hard of Hearing Services Manager by email:carol@deafconnections.co.uk or follow the link for more information: http://www.deafconnections.co.uk/HearOn-services-for-hard-of-hearing-people/lipreading-classes.html

Historic AGM for Parkhead

Parkhead Housing Association’s annual general meeting this week was an historic one for several reasons. For the first time in 28 years there was an election for the Association’s Board and the Chief Executive, James Strang, made a strong plea for a ‘fair share’ of the Scottish Government’s investment budget which was to be announced the following day.
Mr Strang, who is also Chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing told tenants and guest speaker, local MSP John Mason: ‘When the Scottish Government’s budget for the next three years is announced, we need to see that even in hard times, housing has taken no more than its fair share of the pain. Building new homes doesn’t just help people in serious housing need; it means keeping people in jobs and creating new jobs. And a stronger economy is what Scotland needs when times are tough.’
He went on: ‘This year has seen a record low in the number of social rented homes given the go-ahead. In the current climate we expected some cuts but we didn’t expect to see the programme decimated in the way it has been. A fair budget for housing next year means more homes can be given the go-ahead this year, so we call on Ministers to deliver on this.’
In response, SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, John Mason said: ‘Parkhead Housing Association does tremendous work in the East End of Glasgow. I am delighted that they are now my Constituency Office landlord.
‘I recently attended the unveiling of 25 of the Association’s new flats and the restoration of two neglected tenements. These are a great boost for the Parkhead area where there is a real demand for good quality, affordable, rented housing.
‘Despite Westminster’s cuts to Scotland’s budget, the Scottish Government is still committed to building new houses and plugging the demand for new affordable housing. I fully support that and would put housing at the top of my list if there is to be any extra capital expenditure available.’
A film was made of the evening which also included entertainment for all the guests.
Five candidates stood for the three Board places. Current Chair and longstanding Board member John Ferguson was re-elected along with Liz Kennedy and former Board Member Maureen Eden. The unsuccessful candidates – Ina Rennie and Jim McKenzie – were thanked for their excellent service during their time on the Board.

Speaking about the board elections, Parkhead Chair John Ferguson MBE said: ‘Parkhead Housing Association is a successful community-based housing association, but we’re nothing without the involvement of our tenants. The fact that we’ve had so much interest from Parkhead tenants wanting to join the board shows the dynamism of the organisation and the community spirit that’s alive and well in the East End of Glasgow.’
The AGM – the Association’s 34th – was held in Parkhead Congregational Church.

GLASGOW’S ELECTION STUNNER

In an extraordinary night which changed the political landscape of Scotland, Glasgow voters rejected long established Labour Party names: Charlie Gordon, Pauline McNeil, Patricia Ferguson and Frank McAveety.
Instead the Scottish National Party (SNP) was able to declare: ‘It’s a stunning night.’

Nicola Sturgeon was returned to the Scottish Parliament for the newly configured Glasgow Southside with 12,306 votes to Labour Stephen Curran’s 7957 votes.
SNP gained Anniesland constituency by seven votes for Bill Kidd who polled 10,329 votes to Labour Bill Butler’s 10,322.
In Cathcart Constituency James Dornan took the seat for SNP with 11,918 compared to Labour Charlie Gordon’s 10,326
Kelvin Constituency was won by Sandra White with 10,640 compared to incumbent Labour’s Pauline McNeill who polled 9,758.
Glasgow Shettleston went to SNP’s John Mason with 10,128 compared to Labour Frank McAveety’s 9,542.

The only seats to stay in Labour Party hands were:
Newly aligned Maryhill and Springburn constituency with Patricia Ferguson polling 9884 compared to SNP’s Bob Doris on 8592.
Glasgow Pollok seat stayed with Labour’s Johann Lamont with 10,875 compared to SNP Chris Stephens’s 10,252.
Paul Martin kept Glasgow Provan with 10,037 in contrast to SNP Anne McLaughlin’s vote of 7,958.

As other wins for SNP were being announced during the Glasgow count, Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘The SNP is now a force to be reckoned with across Scotland. This is a triumph for our Positive campaign. Our job now is to unite Scotland and to lead.’
In a bitter response at the podium her opponent, Labour’s Stephen Curran said: ‘The SNP will never get away with this in Glasgow.’
Sandra White commented later: ‘The SNP has broken the back of Labour in Glasgow with our Positive campaign.’
Labour’s Pat Ferguson said: ‘I’m proud and privileged to have served this constituency. I was the first Labour MSP for the former Maryhill/Springburn constituency and do not take one single vote for granted for one second. I am there to fight for every sector of the community in this new constituency and to make sure they are dealt with fairly.’ Her SNP opponent, Bob Doris, announced his wedding in his speech. ‘Four years ago I didn’t mention Janet my girlfriend in my thank you speech. Today I’m mentioning my fiancee Janet and soon she’ll be Mrs Doris!’ He also said the overall results in Glasgow and Scotland were ‘staggering’ for the SNP. And in an impassioned plea he asked for ‘even more positive results next time.’
John Mason who won and later lost the Westminster seat in the city’s East End, and secured the Shettleston constituency for SNP at Holyrood, first praised the outgoing Frank McAveety who had been the Labour MSP for the area. ‘We must thank him for all the work he’s done in Glasgow’s East End.’ But he went on: ‘The SNP ran a positive campaign – securing the M74 completion work, the Commonwealth Games and the rail link to Edinburgh as well as the council tax freeze. But Labour ran a negative campaign, running down the SNP and running down Scotland. The Labour Party must take a long, hard look at themselves.’ In promising to have a visible presence with a shop in Shettleston and being easily contactable by his constituents he added: ‘It is an incredible privilege to be trusted by the voters to serve this constituency.’

Frank McAveety in his farewell speech said: ‘I’ve served the East End of Glasgow for 22 years – as a teacher, a city councillor and as MSP. I care passionately about my city and its problems.’ Amid shouts and boos from the assembled crowd at the Glasgow constituencies’ count in the city’s SECC, he went on: ‘This country is now polarised. The Commonwealth Games was a Labour led initiative as was the National Indoor Sports arena. We made the largest investment in schools and education and I will work tirelessly to win this seat back for Labour.’

At 4am when it was clear that SNP had made remarkable gains in Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I’m thrilled. There are quite stunning results across Scotland.’
In Cathcart were Labour’s sitting MSP Charlie Gordon lost the seat to SNP’s James Dornan, James Dornan said: ‘Charlie conducted his campaign in a gentlemanly fashion.’ In an emotional speech he went on to say: ‘I will represent everyone in this constituency. It is the area I was brought up in. I raised my kids here. We have worked hard day and night for the past three months and I thank all those who worked like Trojans to secure this positive result for the constituency.’
A sombre Charlie Gordon responded: ‘I’ve been a Labour Party activist for 42 years. I leave this stage tonight a wealthy man. Wealthy because I have my health and a wonderful family.’

Paul Martin who retained Glasgow Provan for Labour ranted about the SNP cuts. When his SNP opponent, Anne McLaughlin took the podium, a re-count was in process for the Anniesland Constituency where initially one vote appeared to be the difference between the lead candidates. She forecast: ‘These successes in Glasgow and across Scotland are not a one-off for the SNP. By electing SNP in force in Glasgow, the city has broken the link of people’s dependency on Labour for ever. If Labour continue their scurrulous attacks on Scotland, their lies will be found out and the people of Scotland will stop listening to them.’

In Glasgow Kelvin where SNP’s Sandra White took the seat from Labour’s Pauline McNeill, Sandra paid tribute to Pauline’s hard work in that community and said: ‘The SNP have aspirations for the people of Scotland. We believe every person deserves to have aspirations.’
In her turn, Pauline McNeill said: ‘I represented the area for 12 years. I did my best for everyone and I’ll miss them. I’m proud of what we achieved and hope that whatever happens with the government of Scotland that everyone will unite on the issues in the Scottish Parliament that will take the country forward. The UK coalition is wrecking our lives.’

As the night wore on a two party state emerged in Glasgow’s voting between SNP and Labour.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat’s highest vote was in Glasgow Kelvin where Natalie McKee got 1900 votes. In Anniesland, Lib Deb Paul McGarry got 1000 votes. In Cathcart, Eileen Baxendale got 1118 votes. In Maryhill and Springburh, the Lib Dem candidate, Sophie Bridger, got 833 votes. In Pollok, Isabel Nelson got 490 votes. In Provan, Michael O’Donnell got 413 votes and in the Southside constituency, Lib Dem’s Kenneth Elder got 612 votes.

Conservative Ruth Davidson became an MSP on the List vote. She said: ‘I’m pleased the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will continue to have a presence in Glasgow. It’s needed with the SNP being rampant! ‘

The last vote to be announced around 6am in Glasgow was the Anniesland constituency where a recount had taken place because of the narrow margin. The final result was: Bill Kidd, SNP, took the seat with 10,329. Bill Butler, Labour was close behind on 10,322. Next was Matthew Smith of the Conservatives who polled 2,011 and Lib Dem’s Paul McGarry received 1000 votes with the Communist party of Britain’s candidate, Marc Livingstone taking 259 votes.

In a victory speech, Anniesland constituency winner by seven votes, Bill Kidd said: ‘My opponents behaved in an exemplary fashion and the outgoing Bill Butler has done fantastic work in the constituency. I and the SNP will work hard for the next four years to ensure carers are treated in the manner becoming to a civil society and that our country is not despoiled by Trident – British weapons of mass destruction.’
In his turn, Bill Butler thanked his team ‘We fought hard and I don’t think we let the party down. This is not my farewell to politics where I’ve been for ten and a half years. I will continue to campaign for social justice – socialism as I know it – I will renew my opposition to the new Trident and will be on any platform with those who do that too.’ He singled out his mother, Patricia Ferguson who retained the Maryhill and Sprinburn seat, for special thanks for her support.
The only other candidates in Glasgow’s eight constituencies were Tom Muirhead an independent in Kelvin where he polled 405 votes and John McKee, an Independent in Cathcart where he polled 450 votes.

Election count down started

They’re off! The Scottish Parliament election race has started with the formal announcement of candidates after nominations closed on Tuesday 29 March. All the names are listed here for the EIGHT Glasgow constituencies – Anniesland, Cathcart, Kelvin, Maryhill+Springburn, Pollok, Provan, Shettleston and Southside. Described as ‘too close to call,’ by one pundit, the results in this election promise to be very interesting. All the major parties are contesting each seat and a few independents and other smaller parties are out to win votes too. Voters will select the name of the Constituency Candidate with their party name from lilac coloured voting paper. The candidate with the most votes wins the seat.

There are 15 different parties jousting on the REGIONAL list which requires the voter to select the party of their preference from a list on a peach coloured ballot paper. Each party will list their candidates so voters can choose to make their X against a name or the party. Seats will go to the winners by a mixed method of the number of votes received and the number of constituency seats that parties win in the Region.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election will be on Thursday 5 May 2011. There is still time to check you are registered to vote: see website: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Postal votes can be applied for until 5pm on Thursday 14 April. Application forms can be filled in on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk The same deadline applies for anyone who wishes to nominate a proxy to vote on their behalf.

Glasgow Anniesland
Bill Butler, Scottish Labour Party and The Co-Operative Party
Bill Kidd, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Marc Livingstone, Communist Party Of Britain
Paul McGarry, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Matthew Taylor Smith, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Glasgow Cathcart
Eileen Janet Gladys Baxendale, Scottish Liberal Democrats
James Dornan, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Charlie Gordon, Scottish Labour Party
John Joseph James McKee, Independent
Richard Alan Sullivan, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Glasgow Kelvin
Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Natalie Elizabeth McKee, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Pauline McNeill, Scottish Labour Party
Tom Muirhead, Independent
Sandra White, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
Sophie Bridger, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Bob Doris, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Patricia Ferguson, Scottish Labour Party
Stephanie Murray, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Glasgow Pollok
Johann Lamont, Scottish Labour Party and The Co-Operative Party
Andrew Ellis Morrison, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Isabel Nelson, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Chris Stephens, Scottish National Party (SNP)

Glasgow Provan
Majid Hussain, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Paul Martin, Scottish Labour Party
Anne McLaughlin, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Michael O’Donnell, Scottish Liberal Democrats

Glasgow Shettleston
Ruaraidh Dobson, Scottish Liberal Democrats
John Mason, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Frank McAveety, Scottish Labour Party and The Co-Operative Party
David Alexander Wilson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Glasgow Southside
Stephen Curran, Scottish Labour Party and The Co-Operative Party
Kenneth Carmichael Elder, Scottish Liberal Democrats
David Meikle, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish National Party (SNP)

The REGIONAL list for Glasgow is:

All Scotland Pensioners Party
Jimmy Deuchars
Eamonn Joseph Kelly
Brian Stevenson McNair
James Black

British National Party

Joseph T Finnie

Angus Jim Matthys

Paul Brandy Stewat

Carl Edgar

Christian Party “Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship”
Bob Graham
John Cormack
Archie Linnegan
James Martin McLeod Boyd
Christine Mary Sinclair Cormack

Pirate Party UK
Finlay Archibald
Mark Robert Wood
Asmaa Hounat
Stuart Murray

Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Ruth Davidson
Martyn McIntyre
Andrew Morrison
Richard Sullivan

Scottish Green Party
Patrick Harvie
Martha Wardrop
Alastair Whitelaw
Moira Crawford
Stuart Clay

Scottish Homeland Party
John Mitchell

Scottish Labour Party
Hanzala Shaheed Malik
Drew Smith
Anne McTaggart
Richard Michael Edward Tullett
Anna Dyer
Carla McCormack
Judith Fisher

Scottish Liberal Democrats
Katy Gordon
Robert Edward Brown
Eileen Janet Gladys Baxendale
Paul McGarry
Natalie Elizabeth McKee
Kenneth Carmichael Elder
Isabel Nelson

Scottish National Party (SNP)
Nicola Sturgeon
Humza Yousaf
Bob Doris
Sandra White
Sid Khan
James Dornan
Bill Kidd
Anne McLaughlin
Chris Stephens
Jim McGuigan
Mags Park

Scottish Socialist Party
Frances Curran
James Nesbitt
Daniel O’Donnell
Anthea Irwin
Carol Hainey
Andy Harvey
Wullie McGartland

Scottish Unionist Party
Danny Houston
Alan Kennedy

Socialist Labour Party
James McDaid
Joy Rosemary Berrington
Ken Capstick
Ella McCart Rooney

The Respect Party
George Galloway
Angela McCormick
Brian Smith
Ferial Eiayeb
James Foley
Ryan Stuart
Irene Lang
Gordon Morgan

UK Independence Party (UK I P)

Mark Bekusch
Neil MacLeod
Stuart James Maskell
Ramsay Urquhart
Peter Richards

JOHNSTONE Caroline
Independent

For all information relating to elections visit: www.glasgow.gov.uk/elections

Prince commends Sustainable Glasgow

Story by Grace Franklin  Photographs by Stuart Maxwell

The Duke of Rothesay started it in Glasgow yesterday.
Aiming to encourage people to START to do what they can to make better use of natural resources and protect the environment, Prince Charles is making a whistle-stop tour of the UK in a train fuelled by recycled cooking oil, to visit good examples of what is being done already.
START – is a co-operative of partners who have all started down the eco friendly line.
The initiative was launched in Glasgow with the Duke going walk-about among the stands in Glasgow Central Station.
After being welcomed by Lord Provost Bob Winter, he chatted with people in the crowd and made Nancy Gray’s day. From Shettleston, the 74-year-old is an avowed Royalist. ‘I just love the Royal Family,’ said the retired tailoress. But when

Prince Charles shook her hand and said he hoped he was not interrupting her day, she went all aflutter. Literally shaking with excitement, Nancy told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I came here specially to see him.’ She followed the Royal entourage around all the stalls which highlighted what could be done to START looking after the planet better.
Price Charles – who is correctly addressed as the Duke of Rothesay when he is in Scotland – first dropped off a pair of his old green cord trousers into the Oxfam clothes recycling point.
Waitrose showed off their new trolley which can be borrowed by customers from their Byres Road shop, starting this week. It is fitted to the customer’s bicycle and enables them to pedal home with a big amount of shopping.
Cube Housing Association was able to illustrate their new district heating scheme on the Wyndford Estate in Maryhill. The cost effective system delivers low-carbon energy and reduces carbon emissions in a whole neighbourhood.

Virgin Money had a wish tree to get people to promise to do something – and they’ll come back to you in a month’s time to see if you’ve done it for the planet.
B & Q staff showed the Prince how they make peat free compost. ‘He was really interested in what we’re doing,’ said Douglas Szafranek.
Husband and wife team Alan and Hazel Tomkins were delighted to be presented with their award for sustainable business for their restaurants which include Gamba, Urban and Dining Room in Glasgow. The first such award from the START group, the company has worked to train staff in food safety, minimising waste and maximising on local produce. Said Alan Tomkins: ‘It is very special to have been recognised for this.’
Four young apprentices from City Building’s Queenslie training centre in Glasgow, explained to the Prince how they are building two different models of sustainable houses to test what works best. Said Laura Twigg (18): ‘He was interested in the fact that we used tyres as one of the building materials.’ Michael Connelly (17) commented: ‘It was a great honour to meet Prince Charles. I never would have imagined I’d meet a member of the Royal family one day.’ Naveed Mohammed (19) admits he’s been bragging about meeting the Prince since he knew he’d been selected for the START event. And Brian Docherty (17) found the Prince asked a lot of questions about the pipe layout in the sustainable houses.

Glasgow City Council had a large number of stands in their exhibition. Most noticeable was a Peugeot electric seven seater vehicle which came from Allied Vehicles in Possilpark and is one of the fleet of electric vehicles the city has purchased. Said Allied Vehicles managing director Paul Nelson: ‘The Prince was very interested in the project. Glasgow city has purchased 10 of these seven seaters and 30 smaller vehicles – called Peugeot Partners – from us.’
Quietly in the background, Richard Bellingham, Senior Research Fellow on energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, was pleased that a report produced by the Institute had brought together so many of the organisations in Glasgow which are STARTing to implement sustainability procedures. ‘By drawing in the right partners, the benefits will be real for the city and more likely to be supported and therefore, stronger,’ he said.
At the end of the tour, Jane Wood, Chief Executive of Scottish Business in the Community said that Scotland – home of the Enlightenment – should be proud of leading the way in carbon reduction and sustainability as instanced by the work shown on the stands the Duke of Rothesay had toured. She was wearing an eye-catching outfit designed by Joey Dee of Edinburgh and using 75% recycled materials.
Before Prince Charles boarded his train to go to Edinburgh where a similar exhibition was to be visited, he told the assembled crowd: ‘START is all about what each one of us can do for the benefit of our children and our children’s children. It can be really simple to make better use of natural resources. Each of the major sponsors of START have their own message because they know their own customers best. Through these initiatives we are leading by example and showing what can be done to make that first step to sustainability.’
He added: ‘Glasgow is good at working together. This will take the city forward to develop the brand Sustainable Glasgow.’

City adds to school closures roll call

Glasgow City Council has announced plans to close more primary schools.
The future of Stonedyke Primary in Drumchapel and St Mark’s in Shettleston will be decided at an executive committee meeting on Friday.
Both schools have rolls less than 50% of capacity, and the condition of both has been rated as poor.
Special needs schooling is also set for a shake-up, with St Joan of Arc in Possil and St Aidan’s in Carntyne due to be demolished. Pupils will be sent to a new facility at the site of St Vincents.
Pupils from St Vincent school for the deaf in Tollcross will be transferred to St Roch’s in Royston.

Carmyle computer class turn hi-tech tecs

Pupils in primary six and seven at Carmyle Primary School who have ventured into the realms of crime scene investigations made a big breakthrough with their case when they asked a policeman for help.

The young sleuths are taking part in a six-week course that challenges their imaginations and equips them with the IT skills they’ll need in the years ahead. It also offers them a peek into the world of real crime fighting beyond the sets of television series such as CSI.

While the children learned how to examine fingerprints, hair samples, identify tyre prints and use digital microscopes, they also had the chance to question Constable Steven Docherty of Shettleston Police Office about his day-to-day work. Questions about DNA were high on their agenda as they put Steven through his paces – without the good cop, bad cop routine.

The course is the brainchild of ComputerXplorers, an educational franchise company which operates in 20 countries and offers information technology courses to children aged from three to 13.

John McGill, who set up ComputerXplorers South West Scotland earlier this year, said: ‘We’ve taken the pupils through some of the steps that the CSI investigators go through, fingerprinting, powder analysis, digital photograph analysis, and dental imprinting. With that, the kids have a great time. They bite into a piece of fruit and someone guesses who bit the fruit by looking at dental imprints in styrofoam plates.

‘The first analysis is with the eye,’ John explained. ‘To deduce who bit the the apple – and it’s not a serious crime – requires analysis of top and bottom teeth. We use digital imaging as well, and the whole point of our classes is to bring technology into the fun experience. We’re training kids for job that don’t yet exist but it’s clear technology is going to be a huge part of that.

‘It’s a real core life skill we’re trying to teach them through the fun, and through the educational aspects of CSI and forensics.’

Not everyone is good at sports, John said, so learning collaboration and presenting to peers in his class means that children can enjoy their creative side.

Headteacher Linda Logue said: ‘This class has been very popular and after consultation with parents, we hope to be running another in January.

‘The children are very motivated and actively engaged in every session, learning information and communication technology and problem solving skills without realising it.’