Fundraising for Hyndland’s Old Station Park

Friends of Old Station Park have entertaining friends. The West End campaign to claim back space into community use in Hyndland, held a fundraiser which had top line performers.

Top of the bill was Christine Bovill whose amazing voice put such emotion into numbers from Elvis to Ella Fitzgerald  and from Edith Piaf to her own compositions that some members of the audience were moved to tears.

And an inspiring second was Keith Jack who made it to No 2 in the search for Joseph. Now he’s playing pantomime in Aberdeen and had his own fan club on the night demanding his autograph and dancing to his songs. A seasoned musician remarked his rendition of a Van Morrison number was better than Van’s!

He’s just finished his album tour and has dedicated his song ‘If an Angel Falls from Heaven’ to Children in Need.

But in many ways the stars of the show in the Novar Drive community hall, were the three Sharif brothers. Their hip hop dancing had the audience mesmerized. Ibrahim (19) Mohammed (18) and Omar (16) told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘It’s in our blood. Our father was a dancer.’ Self taught, they teach the art of these street contortions at Barmulloch Community Centre on Thursdays and can be contacted via email: ib_junior@hotmail.com

Olympic Bikes at Bannerman High

A £40,000 mountain bike circuit was opened in the East End last month at Bannerman High School by medal winning members of the Special Olympics cycling team.

The track, which was two years in the making, was a result of requests from pupils who wanted a venue where they could train without travelling a distance.

The only other inner city mountain bike track is in Pollok Country Park. It was opened in 2004.

Triple Olympic cycling champion, Chris Hoy, who opened the Pollok track said: ‘This new track may bring on the next generation of Olympians.’

Almost 100 individuals, including 60 pupils, gathered in the pouring rain on Tuesday October 21 to watch demonstration rides by the team.

Pupils from Bannerman High, and feeder primary schools Swinton, Sandaig and Caledonia also took part in races.

The 1km bike trail, which will also be open to the local community, has been constructed around the school’s football and hockey pitch. It is designed to improve the confidence of off-road cyclists and improve their mountain biking skills.

A hard grade circuit has jumps, ramps, cobbled stones and raised embankments while an easier grade circuit is made up of gentle bends and surfaced stone.

The track was funded by Sustrans, a leading UK charity focused on sustainable transport. It was built in response to the huge rise in popularity of mountain biking in Scotland.

Councillor Euan McLeod, Convenor of the Land and Environmental Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee told the gathering: ‘The young people of Bannerman High have been at the heart of this project.’

John Lauder, Sustrans Scotland Director, said: ‘Through our project ‘Tackling the School Run’ we know that more and more children are cycling to school. The more opportunities young people have to get on their bikes the more they will do just that.’

 

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: ‘It is hoped the track will also provide a bridge between the secondary school and its feeder primary schools, so easing the transition for pupils.’

Sunday Jeely Piece

For the first time in 35 years, jeely will be on the menu in Castlemilk on a Sunday.

From November 2 the Jeely Piece Club, which started in 1973, will open seven days a week providing a play service for children both locally and across the city.

Grace Lamont, depute director for services for five to 12 years at the club said: ‘Till now, the only place open on a Sunday in the area was the sports centre as our local swimming pool has been closed for three years. Anyone looking for a play service for children on a Sunday had to travel to the city centre, The Fort or East Kilbride.’

The fun is open to youngsters from age 0 up to primary 7 at the club on 55 Machrie Drive and the team intend to run the popular Saturday birthday parties across the weekend.

For parents, the Jeely café is a perfect place for some time out. Grace said: ‘Just sit back and let us do the work.’

For more information call 0141 634 7305.

Rangers Community Grants

Two caring Govan groups have been given a welcome injection of cash thanks to Rangers Football Club’s Community Grants Scheme.

St Constantine’s Parish Church has received £3,000 to buy replacement tables for their hall while Govan Care Project was awarded £820 to buy a laptop and accessories.

A special needs group, a pensioners’ group, a karate club and an Irish dancing group are some of the users of the hall.

St Constantine’s would now like to pass on the generosity by offering their fifty café style tables to other charitable organisations.

Cathie McGhee, chairwoman of both St Constantine’s Parish Church group and Govan Care Project said: ‘The tables are very sturdy and have laminate tops. We could split the tables among several groups, the only requirement is they collect them from us. We are ever so grateful to Rangers Community Grants scheme. It was fantastic news that we were to get the funding.’

Govan Care Project has used their new laptop to create a database. The charitable trust helps pensioners in the area so having database information at their fingertips will help them give a much quicker service. ‘We provide information to pensioners – anything from finding out about their pension allowance to setting up wheelchair hire. This new system will make a huge difference,’ said Cathie.

Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation Manager told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘The Community Grants Scheme was launched last season and so far has made 15 awards between £500 and £3000 to local groups totalling more than £28,000.’

This year’s allocation has been made but Connal invites local groups within the boundaries of the Govan/Craigton Community Planning Partnership to let him know if they are interested in being included in next year’s awards.

Contact 0141 580 8775 or email: rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk

 

Winter Fuel Savings Advice

With the cost of fuel rising dramatically, Money Matters, a charitable, community, money advice group based in Govan, held an information day on fuel poverty at the Pierce Institute (PI).

Greater Pollok Citizens’ Advice Bureau set up another at Pollok Health Centre and Ladymuir advice Centre held another in Cardonald Library.

More than 50 senior members of the Govan community dropped into the PI to find out how to save energy in their home and what grants they might be eligible for. They were also able to get advice on fire safety and credit unions. All left with free, energy-saving light bulbs, a device for powering down home computers and a wealth of leaflets on money saving tips.

Dick Carabine,  Chairman of Govan Community Council said: ‘The PI event has been a breakthrough, if something like this takes place in the area again more people are bound to come along.’

Debbie Young, Money Matters financial inclusion officer who put the event together said: ‘We will run another event soon – possibly just as the big winter fuel bills are due to come through the post.’

Among the agencies supporting the PI day were Age Concern Scotland, Glasgow Credit Union, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) and the Energy Saving Trust.

Fiona Herriot, Community Safety Co-ordinator with SFR said four people had signed up for home safety visits. She added: ‘Our home visits to advise on safety, are free.’

 

Helplines

 The Scottish Helpline for Older People, SHOP, can provide confidential advice to anyone over 50 on issues such as help with central heating bills and eligibility of benefits. The helpline is open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday, call 0845 125 9732 or Textphone 0845 226 5851.

 

Handypersons

 People over 60 and registered disabled people can access a free service to assist them with minor repairs and household tasks. Age Concern Scotland, in partnership with Glasgow Care and Repair, run the service for home owners and private rental tenants. They can fit smoke alarms and replace batteries, wire electric plugs, unblock sinks and even fit new locks and security items. Telephone 0141 420 3686 or 0141 433 2749, Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.

All personnel carry an ID photo card and wear official clothing.

 

Home safety visits

 

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) offer free home safety visits to everyone. They will carry out a home fire safety check and if required, can provide and install smoke alarms.

To arrange a free visit, call in to any fire station or freephone 0800 0731 999. All employees of SFR are required to carry official ID and will happily produce this on request from a householder.

 

Staff at the Ladymuir Advice and Information Centre on the Southside, hold a drop-in surgery in Cardonald Library every Thursday. They provide information on welfare rights and money issues. Call 0141 883 2153 to find out more.

 

The Energy Saving Trust is a government advice agency assisting homes and businesses to become more energy efficient. Call 0800 512 012 or log on to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk .

Memorial for Stillborn Babies

Old Eastwood Cemetery now has a fitting memorial to honour the 250 stillborn babies buried there.

It becomes the sixth memorial across four cemeteries in the city to have such a tribute for infants buried in common ground.

A small group of bereaved parents gathered in crisp autumn weather on Wednesday October 29 to lay flowers at the granite memorial stone at a poignant dedication service.

The memorial consists of a sapling tree in a chipped landscaped area where parents can grieve and find a place of comfort. The stone was donated by Co-op Funeral Care and bears the inscription ‘For all our babies briefly known but never forgotten.’

 

Paul Romano, the Council’s Chaplain conducted the simple service and a solitary piper played Flowers of the Forest.

Councillor Ruth Simpson, Executive Member for Land and Environmental Services said a few words and representatives from SANDS, Stillbirths and Neonatal Deaths Society, also attended.

Catherine Montgomery of Pollok lost her baby 51 years ago but it was only six years ago she learned her daughter was buried in Old Eastwood. Catherine had already placed a plaque in the cemetery and it has now been moved to the infants’ memorial area. She said: ‘You never forget, and with this memorial it is nice to think these babies will never be forgotten. I am so delighted this rememberance area has been created.’

Widower Kenneth Brierton of Muirend, who mourned his son Graham at the ceremony,said: ‘A fortnight before this service, I had had a memorial stone made. Now I hope to have it placed near the new memorial.’

Councillor James Dornan, leader of the SNP group of city councillors attended the service. He too, had personal experience of loss of a child.

He said: ‘The service was very touching and the memorial is a really important part of the grieving process.’

 Cath Curran of Shawlands helped instigate the creation of the memorial. Cath, who found out five years ago that her baby, John, was buried in Old Eastwood Cemetary, had already laid a memorial stone to the child under a nearby willow tree. She said: ‘When I placed my remembrance stone there, there was another cross marking another infant’s grave. I contacted Kenneth Boyle of Land and Environmental Services to see if we could have a memorial bench or something. What has been created has exceeded my expectations. It is lovely and very fitting.’ Cath now hopes that the other stones dedicated to lost infants and scattered around the area, can be added to the sacred memorial area.

The council’s other infant gardens are at St Kentigerns, Lambhill, the Necropolis and Linn Cemetery.

China Trip for Future Leaders

A GROUP of Glasgow youngsters visited China in November as part of a cultural exchange programme.

Organised by the British Council, the UK- China 400:An Exchange of Future Leaders, will initially enable 100 UK young people to visit the Far East. The primary aim is to strengthen the understanding between youngsters in both countries.  Over the next 12 months another 300 young people will visit different parts of the China. Organisers also hope to arrange a reciprocal visit to the UK, including Glasgow, for Chinese young people.

The Youth Counselling Services Agency (YCSA) is leading the 10 member Scottish delegation. Anita Yu of the YCSA said: ‘I am delighted to be part of this exchange programme as it is an excellent opportunity for me and the other participants to experience a new culture and learn from other young people from areas around UK as well as China.

‘It is a fantastic opportunity for me as China is the root of my heritage, but I have not visited it before. Although I am born into a Chinese family, my upbringing has been a Chinese culture within a Western society.  What I can experience during the exchange is a Chinese culture within a traditional Chinese society.’   

The China 400 programme was officially launched at the British Council HQ in London and has the support of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. 

The Glasgow group will travel to London, where they will join the 90 other youngsters before flying to Beijing.  Apart from the Chinese capital, they will visit Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang province. The visiting schedule will include youth organisations and educational establishments in villages and towns. The British Embassy in Beijing will host a reception in their honour.

Liam McEmerson, 21, from Clydebank says the trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Currently working for the Prince’s Trust, he said:  ‘This visit will broaden my mind and give me invaluable knowledge of how things are done in a different country.  Hopefully, some of the things I pick up, can be transferred to my current job here.  I am also secretly looking forward to eating some authentic Chinese food.’

Samira Adris, 22, is from Pollokshields. She said: ‘It will be the furthest I will ever have travelled.  I never imagined that working as a volunteer youth worker I would get to China.  I have been learning a few Chinese phrases and can’t wait to share my experiences with other youth workers in China.’

Awards for Castlemilk Martial Arts Club

 

Castlemilk Martial Arts Club is celebrating the success of its young members after they received special awards at the Junior National Course at Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs. Kerri McCullock,14, Megan Fitzpatrick, 13, Jodie Loughlin, 10 and Kayleigh Ferns, 9 were awarded trophies for their skills. Only 12 out of the 130 students taking part were recognised, which makes it a special coup for the four girls from Castlemilk. Chief instructor Paul Hanlon told the LOCAL NEWS: ‘I am very proud of them. They had to show many skills  including takedowns, throws, self defence attacks, as well as sparring, groundwork and pad routines to be selected for one of these prestigious awards.’ Paul has been involved in Martial Arts for over 20 years and runs five clubs in total, including two adult classes in Balornock.

The Castlemilk club has been running for four years and is open to 5 to 16 year olds and they meet at Castleton Primary School. They are currently seeking sponsorship to help develop the club. If you would like to get involved you can contact Paul on 0141 558 2169 or via email at paul.hanlon7@ntlworld.com.

Apprenticeships Lead to Housing Jobs

Twelve young people from the East End have successfully completed Modern Apprenticeships in Housing Administration. Milnbank, Parkhead, Tollcross, Shettleston and Thenew housing associations all took part in the scheme organised by the East End Housing Regeneration Forum. The Apprenticeship offered paid employment and the chance to learn about working for a housing association.
During the apprenticeship, John Wheatley College kept in close contact with them to make sure the arrangement was working. The young people who successfully completed their apprenticeships have graduated and have now found work.
Cheryl Burns, one of the apprentices which Thenew Housing Association took on, has found work with a housing association on Glasgow’s south side, while Sheree Greenhorn is now employed full-time at one of  Thenew’s offices in Green Street in the East End.
Cheryl said: ‘The Modern Apprenticeship programme is a great way of finding work and at the same time provides an opportunity to learn about what it is like to have a rewarding career in housing. I am very pleased to have found a job at Thenew.’
Charlie Turner, Chief Executive of Thenew Housing Association said: ‘We are proud to take part and share in the success of this programme. It created real job opportunities for young people from the East End and 11 are now working full-time.It is a great example of partnership working and we look forward to developing more opportunities like this in future for our young people.’
The East End Housing Regeneration Forum secured funding of £262,000 for the Modern Apprenticeship initiative and readily acknowledges this generous financial support from the European Union Social Fund, the Scottish Government, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership and Glasgow Housing Association.

Editorial – November

November is a time to remember. Not just Guy Fawkes whose legacy is a spectacular fireworks display done superbly well by Glasgow City Council, but other people who fought for what they believed was right and died in the process.

How many war memorials will be visited this month by bands of dedicated people who lay wreaths of red poppies and white ones for peace? And how many of those places will not receive another visitor till the same time next year. Most of such memorials are dying of neglect and vandalism.

Is there no band of volunteers willing to refresh these monuments to brave people?

Or is it something Clean Glasgow should add to its already extensive duties? Since there is no comprehensive register of public and private war memorials in Glasgow we invite readers to let the LOCAL NEWS know of any local war memorial you think needs to be remembered.

 Just email us on: newsdesk@localnewsglasgow.co.uk with MEMORIALS in the subject box or write to us at MEMORIALS, The LOCAL NEWS, Yam Publications Ltd, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow G2 8QD.

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