MAR 2015 ISSUE 7
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Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
THE ROAD TO CHANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW M VARISH C
Scottish actor and writer Matthew McVarish set out nearly two years ago on a massive 10,000 mile journey to walk across Europe and raise awareness of child sexual abuse issues across the continent. He’s met world leaders, made a speech at the UN and spoke to the Council of Europe, encouraging discussion over legislation that affects the lives of more than 82 million people. His journey took him to the capital cities of 32 different nations and helped give a voice to the victims of abuse, after he too was abused by a family member in his childhood. During his journey, he faced scorching temperatures in Greece, freezing conditions during a blizzard in Slovakia and even walked through a hurricane in Poland. He was greeted by crowds at destinations throughout the walk and was even joined at one point by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. Matthew spoke to TSA about his extraordinary journey, his personal audience with the Pope and what’s next for the Road to Change project. Here’s what he had to say: In your own words, can you tell me about the Road to Change project; what it involved and ultimately what you were looking to change? Practically, it was a 10,000 mile walk visiting every single EU capital on foot to raise awareness for the prevention and healing of child sexual abuse. I have no particular love of walking but I realised if I did something that extraordinary, it would attract media attention and I was trying to raise awareness about something no-one wanted to talk about. That was very successful and I managed to get on TV, newspapers and radio in over 30 languages and then when I got to every city, my focus was the governments. I knocked on the doors of governments and parliaments across Europe and asked them to abolish the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse.
Can you tell me about the problem behind the statute of limitations and why you would like to see this abolished? It’s a law that stops victims from pressing charges. We don’t have it in Scotland and we don’t have it in the UK at all. What it means is that if your house is burgled and you report it seven years after it happens, there’s very little they can do. On most crimes there’s a sort of reasonable limit on how long you can have to report the crime. But with child sexual abuse, it’s such a unique crime that often it takes a long time for the victim to come forward. In some countries a child could have as little as five years to report the crime – so a four year old has until the age of nine to report it to the police. That’s in the Czech Republic. My uncle abused me here in Scotland and because there is no statute of limitations here, I reported him to the police when I was 25; he was immediately arrested and went to prison. If I’d reported him in several other EU countries, the police would have told me the crime had expired and he would have gone free. So for me it’s about raising awareness but it’s also about an urgent child protection crisis. How did you come up with the idea to approach the problem in this kind of way? Do you know in the movie Forrest Gump, where he’s running across America? People kept stopping him and asking him why he was doing it; whether he was running for equality or women’s rights. He didn’t particularly have a reason, he just felt like running. I remember thinking that if he actually did have something to say, it would have reached a lot of people. Before I set out on the Road to Change, I went to 200 companies in Scotland and because I was walking for child sexual abuse, no-one wanted to know. They warned me to change the project to ‘the walk to protect kids’ or something general like that because if you say you want to open a
conversation about child sex abuse, even though I was walking for prevention and healing, companies get scared about the association. We need to push through and stop being scared to deal with this issue head on.
Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
A lot of very influential people around the world came out to meet you and walk with you. What was that experience like and how do you think that might help the project? Meeting the Pope really was quite amazing. I’m not Catholic at all but he is a world figure and this current pope seems to really symbolise a potential for big change so I was really excited that I got to speak to him. As a survivor, it was personally quite transformative because he looked me in the eye when I said I was sexually abused and I could feel that he was genuinely compassionate and he said he was sorry and he blessed me. I don’t think you need to be Catholic to feel moved by being acknowledged in that way. It would be amazing if everyone who’s been sexually abused could be acknowledged in that way. What has the response been like from other survivors to the campaign and the work that you’ve done to raise awareness? Since I started the Road to Change I’ve had so many emails that I couldn’t number them and I’ve just had even more survivors contacting me this week telling me that they’ve pressed charges for the first time in their life and it was the
Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
Road to Change that inspired them. I’ve had countless numbers of survivors tell me that they’ve started counselling for the first time or told their families for the first time. These are victories for our society and as we become more comfortable talking about this, all these little changes are going to create a massive change. There’s a sort of tsunami coming with all of this that no-one can see yet. What for you were the toughest parts of the journey? I used to say that the walking was the easy bit. One of the hardest things was definitely getting emails and messages from people who would contact me saying that their child or someone they knew was being abused and they didn’t know what to do. I would have to take that and make sure that person got in contact with the relevant authorities in the relevant country. Can you imagine that kind of email arriving quite regularly but then starting to arrive from a lot of different countries? By the time I finished on Saturday, I had 300 private Facebook messages from people, a lot of them survivors, wanting to meet me and speak to me personally. Obviously I want to help as many people as I can but I’m not a counsellor and I don’t have those skills so that’s quite tough. What I am able to do is direct people to great organisations like the Moira
Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
Anderson Foundation – who helped me and my family. If anyone reading this article needs help, they can contact them for support. Matthew is about to embark on a new offensive as a part of the ONE in FIVE campaign to promote the ratification of the Lanzarote Convention, the main legal instrument to protect children against sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information, Derek Healey visit congress-1in5.eu. @Healey26
Photo credit: Amanda S Thompson
THE WAY WE ALL REGISTER TO VOTE IS CHANGING You can now register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by phoning Glasgow City Council’s Electoral Registration Office on 0141 287 4444. You will need your National Insurance number to register. Further information is available on our website at www.glasgow.gov.uk/ registertovote Studying away from home? You need to make sure that you’re on the updated register, or you might not be able to vote in future. As a student you can register at both your term time address and at the address you live at outside of term time.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS MAKE SURE YOU’RE IN
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MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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HAMILTON’S ANSWER TO PAVAROTTI Dubbed “Hamilton’s answer to Pavarotti”, 24-year-old William Boyle shot to internet fame after a video of him performing Nessun Dorma on the last train home from Glasgow made its way onto Facebook. William, from Little Earnock in Hamilton, was returning home after a works’ night out when he was convinced by a group of strangers to join them in a song. What they weren’t expecting was for him to belt out the opera classic Nessun Dorma and stun them all with his voice. One reveller recorded the exchange on his mobile and the clip has now been covered by media outlets around the country such as the BBC, Daily Record, Classic FM and STV. William believes the clip may have been seen more than a million times since it was first uploaded and says he is still stunned by the response. “We were on the train home after a work night out and a group of people were having a bit of a sing-song and a dance and we were just laughing along,” he explains. “Then a girl noticed me from singing in the clubs in Hamilton and everyone was egging me on. “I was a bit apprehensive at first but eventually I just went for it and the rest just kind of fell into place and the train went crazy. Waking up the next morning and checking my phone, it was just a complete and utter shock. When I first saw all the attention on my Facebook, I thought maybe something terrible had happened. When I opened it up, my jaw just hit the floor. “I’ve never really been a popular person so it was totally bizarre. I’m just really glad that I can make people happy and hopefully brighten up their day a little bit.”
Despite singing regularly in bars around Hamilton, William has never had professional training and says he learned his skill from listening to music and trying to copy some of his favourite musicians in his bedroom. Despite this lack of training, people were taken aback by his performance and praise has been flooding in for his rendition of the opera classic. “It’s really strange. The way I look at it, it doesn’t usually happen to someone like me,” he said. “It’s pretty surreal, really. It’s been amazing with some of the comments I’ve been getting and the interaction with people that I’ve never even met. I’m just pleased that people are watching it and enjoying it. That’s all I want to do really. “My friends can’t believe what’s happened and they’ve all been really supportive. My mum and dad have been over the moon with it as well and they can’t believe it’s happening to me. Singing is something I’m trying to achieve as a career so for people to have seen me singing and for it to have had this response is just really overwhelming.” William is hoping that his new found fame will lead to
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some new opportunities in his singing career. In the past, he has mostly sung in clubs or for charity events but on-theball viewers have already sussed out a fortuitously-named potential duetting partner for William in the future. “I’d love to sing professionally. I sing opera but I sing other things as well,” he said. “A lot of people are saying because of my surname that it would be great if I could sing with Susan Boyle. I’m not related – at least I don’t think I am – but a lot of people have suggested that. “I remember where I was when I first saw the video of her singing and how it made me feel so to think I might be able to give someone that kind of feeling is just amazing. I’m not sure that duet will ever happen but for now I’ll just keep on Derek Healey singing anywhere that’ll have me.” @Healey26
William Boyle becomes internet hit
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What’s On
What’s On: GCU News
GCU Students welcome Pat Nevin back to campus GCU students and staff welcomed former footballer and alumnus Pat Nevin back to the campus as he retraced his career footsteps for BBC’s The One Show.
Pat studied for a degree in commerce at one of GCU’s founding institutions, Glasgow College of Technology, from 1981 before leaving to pursue a career in football. He
Students from GCU have progressed to the regional $1m Hult Prize finals Students from Glasgow Caledonian University have successfully advanced to the regional finals of the sixth annual Hunt Prize, the world’s largest student competition and start-up platform for social good. The 2015 Hult Prize will focus on building start-ups that provide sustainable, high quality early education solutions to ten million children under the age of six in urban slums and beyond by the year 2020. The Glasgow Caledonian students have been gaining stamps on their passports as they have been competing in five cities around the world for a chance to secure the $1 million start-up fund to launch a sustainable social venture. This year, the prize focuses on building social enterprises to address early childhood education in developing countries. The GCU teams proposal involves developing a programme to train local practitioners in Bangladesh in early childhood education. The Hult Prize is in partnership with former US President Bill Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative. The innovative crowd sourcing platform identifies and launches social ventures that aim to solve the most pressing challenges. President Clinton said: “The Hult Prize is about more than the solution to the problem, it’s about how the world has to
work in the 21st century.” Each team selected was chosen from more than 20,000 applications, received from over 500 colleges and universities in over 150 countries. The Hult Prize regional final competitions will take place on March 13 and 14, 2015 in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai and Shanghai. The team is composed of Emma Harris, Pedro Rosalis, Anna Marin, Annabelle Njenga and Usman Modibbo, students on GCU’s MSc in Social Business and Microfinance programme. Professor Simon Teasdale is coaching the team and will be joining them, along with Programme Leader Michael Roy, at the regional finals in London. Following the regional finals, one winning team from each host city will move into a summer business incubator, where participants will receive mentorship, advisory and strategic planning as they create prototypes and set-up to launch and scale their new ventures. A final round of competition will be hosted by President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative at its annual meeting in September, where CGI delegates will select a winning team, which will be awarded the $1 million prize. Emylie Howie @EmylieHowie
AT CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
Pat Nevin returned to GCU enjoyed a 19-year playing career, turning out for a number of clubs including Clyde FC, Chelsea, Everton and Motherwell. He also won 28 caps for Scotland. His career-long fight against racism and sectarianism in football started during his student days when he was actively involved in the anti-apartheid campaign. During his visit, Pat met GCU archivist Carole McCallum and examined the Anti-Apartheid Movement Scottish Committee Records, which are held at the University. He toured the Hamish Wood building and met up with friends from his student days in the refectory. Then it was time to record a jingle for Radio Caley, face the interviewing skills of GCU’s multimedia post grads and reunite with one of his former lecturers, Professor Hugh McLachlan. There was even time for a short kick-about on campus. Pat rounded off his visit by delivering an address to students and staff in the Students Association building, which focused on his anti-racism and anti-sectarianism work. His return to GCU will be shown on an upcoming episode of The One Show.
GCU students take part in fundraising campaign
Glasgow Caledonian University’s (GCU) annual student telethon has launched this week in a bid to raise funds for the University’s widening participation and community engagement initiative, the Caledonian Club. During the three-week campaign, student callers will speak to GCU alumni and ask them to donate to the award-winning initiative.
TV news anchor appointed Honorary Professor GCU welcomed TV news anchor and newly-appointed Honorary Professor John MacKay to celebrate the achievements of the University’s postgraduate journalism students. As a reporter then news anchor for STV, Professor MacKay has been at the forefront of Scottish media since the 1990s, covering major stories including the Lockerbie bombing, the Dunblane shooting, the opening of the Scottish Parliament and last year’s Scottish Referendum. Students, staff, journalists and broadcasters attended Professor MacKay’s address, which started with stories from his early days with the Sunday Post through to his current broadcasting role.
Presenter John MacKay
GCU hosts Climate Justice Fund project session On March 2nd, GCU hosts a networking session to draw together the Climate Justice Fund projects recently announced by the Scottish Government. Supported by the ScotlandMalawi Partnership and NIDOS, a network that unites the international development sector to promote effectiveness and collectively influence the policy agenda, the event brings together organisations including Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Scotland, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Water Witness, Oxfam and the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.
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What’s On: GU News GLASGOW UNIVERSITY FASHION SHOW
AFTER DARK 2015
Glasgow University ‘After Dark 205’ Fashion Show
Glasgow University students hosted their inaugural charity fashion show on February 21st with the aim of putting on ‘one hell of a night’ while raising money for the Beatson Pebble Appeal. The afterDARK themed evening, held at Hunters Hall, was a resounding success and promoted some of the most creative and talented up-and-coming Scottish designers, including Ten30, Limeblonde, Rachel McMillan and Dick Winters. Glasgow University students were scouted on campus to model at the show and the 600 guests were wowed, not only by the exquisite designs featured on the catwalk, but also by the incredible hair and makeup – provided by #Blow Finnieston and The Academy of Makeup. The students aimed to raise £20,000 for the Beatson Pebble Appeal and the money generated from the fashion show will be used to fund staff, equipment and groundbreaking research in the University of Glasgow’s cancer research laboratories. It’s not clear exactly how much was raised as the funds are still being counted but the students definitely achieved their aim of putting on one hell of a night. 21-year-old executive, Euan Keltie, was there on the night and said it was a ‘very well organised and marketed event’. He added: “The evening was spectacular”.
What’s On AT GLASGOW UNIVERSITY
Court approves £775 million Estate Strategy At its meeting held on 24th February, Court approved a Campus Estates Strategy involving investment of £775m in the Estate over the next ten years. This is to be made up of: • £450m of new capital investment • £175m of capital investments which have already been committed • £150m of anticipated maintenance and refurbishment spend Ann Allen, Director of Estates and Buildings told E-News: “The decision of Court is a major milestone for the University of Glasgow and confirms our commitment to developments which will ensure we are fully fit for purpose for students, staff and research colleagues.
2015 CCNi Debate: Spontaneous brain activity – spook or spirit? The Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi) is hosting its annual debate on Thursday 19th March 2015 at 1pm in the Senate Room, University of Glasgow. The debate will feature 4 international experts on functional imaging, neuroanatomy and brain network dynamics debating the topic ‘’Spontaneous brain activity— spook or spirit?” The speakers are Professor Gustavo Deco (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Professor Marieke Schölvinck (Ernst Strüngmann Institute), Professor Andreas Kleinschmidt (University of Geneva), and Professor Alain Destexhe (CNRS).
World’s oldest printed books soon available for your viewing pleasure A new exhibition, opening at the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Art Gallery will mark the end of a project to create a unique publicly accessible digital catalogue of over 1,000 of the world’s oldest books.
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LOWER THAN ATLANTIS
There have been several bands over the last few years who have achieved huge amounts of success after putting in a few years of hard work; Don Broco, Twin Atlantic and even The 1975 to name just a few, and Lower Than Atlantis are just the latest band to deserve the success that they have worked so hard to achieve. The Watford quartet (if you do not know much about them already) have been around for a while now. Having built up quite a following over the last few years with the release of three albums and some incredible live performances to boot (Hevy Fest 2011, anyone?), Lower Than Atlantis appear to have finally earned the mainstream recognition they deserve with the release of their eponymous fourth album late last year. The success of the album’s singles such as English Kids in America and Emily, contributed to some significant amounts of airplay on Radio 1 and was undoubtedly a contributing factor in the selling out of their show at London’s Koko earlier this year.
In order to build on this success, the band have announced a headline tour of the UK and Republic of Ireland with support from We Are The Ocean and newcomers to these shores, PVRIS. They will be appearing in cities such as Newcastle, Manchester and Dublin, as well as the night they roll into Glasgow on April 13th. Ahead of their Glasgow show and tour as a whole, I spoke to lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mike Duce about the band’s plans for this year, as well as their experiences of playing in Glasgow previously. And in true rockstar fashion, he carried out the entire interview while cleaning his garden. You had a great time last year with the hugely successful release of your album and you have kicked off this year with the show at Koko. After your tour in April, what are the rest of your plans for the remainder of 2015? We have a lot of international stuff coming up in the pipeline. UK-wise however, we will hopefully, because things have been going so well, have another few singles come out from this album which is mental because we’ve released four already. Two
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The Interview: Lower Than Atlantis
more and we’ll have released half the album as singles which is absolutely nuts. Normally, you would only be given the opportunity to release two or three! Bands often say they have a great time when they play here in Glasgow. What have your and the rest of the band’s experiences of playing in the city been like? We absolutely love Glasgow! When we worked on building sites before the band was able to support itself, we would finish work and drive to Glasgow. We’d then play the show, drive home for five o’clock in the morning and start work again at six. Obviously, it was really tiring but totally worth it. We used to play at a little bar called La Cheetah as well as some other weird little places in front of around 20 people, and then just go out with the locals to clubs like the Cathouse, where we would sample many of the local beverages that were on offer, if you know what I mean. Whenever we come to the city we still like to have a good time. Of the venues you have played in Glasgow, do you have a favourite? We’re not fussed, to be honest. Whether it is a small club show or a big one, we are not bothered. It is all the same to us, we just go out and play really badly, and that’s pretty much it!
You’re playing at some pretty big venues on this tour, including the Garage. Depending on the success of this tour, will you try and play in even bigger venues next time round?
by Aidan Scott @bigaidan a.scott@tsaglasgow.com
Lower Than Atlantis hea Republic of Ireland with dline tour of the UK an d su Ocean and newcomers pport from We Are Th e to these shore They will be s, PVRIS. a p p earing in citi Manchester es such and Dublin, as well as th as Newcastle, into Glasgo e night they w on April roll 13th.
Yeah, that is the next logical step I suppose. This was meant to be a small tour originally but then the shows all sold out really quickly and as a result the venues were upgraded, some of them three times over. We weren’t expecting that to be the case with this tour, so I don’t really know what the plan is yet because it constantly keeps changing. Even when the first single Here We Go came out, the reception it got exceeded all the expectations we had for this album so to be perfectly honest, we are just winging it now and having a laugh while we are doing it. You are bringing PVRIS on tour with you, who have recently been building up quite a reputation here in the UK. Are you glad that you are the first band to bring them across the pond to the UK? Yeah. I loved their album, White Noise. When we booked them for the tour, we thought: “Oh they sound good, let’s ask them if they want to do it.” We weren’t sure if they’d be able to because no-one here had really heard of them and they were still a relatively small band in the
States. Not to mention, they weren’t touring so much yet. Since announcing them though, they’ve been played on Radio 1 and things seem to be going really well for them. We also have We Are The Ocean on this tour. We have known them since we started the band and they have been good friends of ours for years, and they actually took us on tour in 2011, so now we’re kind of repaying the favour. Once the interview was over, Mike actually went on to talk some more about the band’s experiences of playing in Glasgow and one thing was obvious; this city is definitely one of the band’s favourite places to perform. So unless you are not really into pop-punk inspired songs with some great hooks to sing along to, then you should really be heading along to see Lower Than Atlantis at their Glasgow show in April. You will not regret it. Lower Than Atlantis will be playing at The Garage on April 13th.
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What’s On: In March
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL
COMEDY FESTIVAL
Get ready to laugh until your jaw aches as Europe’s largest comedy festival is now in its thirteenth year and as always it’s bringing an unmissable line-up, with some of the biggest names in comedy, to Glasgow’s comedy lovers. The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has a proud reputation for not only securing huge, household names but also for championing local talent and giving new performers a chance to shine. This year Frankie Boyle, Jimmy Carr and Al Murray are among the headliners fans will be clamouring to see but with over 400 shows taking place across 46 venues throughout the festival, there’s plenty to see and do. BBC comedy will be teaming up with the festival to host comedy writing workshops at The Stand Comedy Club and as we are now in the run-up to the general election, there will also be a topical discussion about the state of political comedy, held in collaboration with The Sunday Herald. The festival also features a number of shows that received critical acclaim at last year’s Fringe Festival, with the likes of Alun Cochrane, Jamie MacDonald and Josie Long all revisiting their hugely popular Fringe shows. Families can also get in on the fun as there are plenty of shows that are catered to a young audience. Louis Pearl is bringing his beloved ‘Amazing Bubble Man’ show to the King’s Theatre on March 28 and on March 21 Funz and Gamez will be performing their sell out Fringe show at the Tron Theatre which should delight adults and kids alike. One of our interviewees, Craig Johnstone – who’ll be performing his first show at the GICF – noted that fans of the festival should “take a chance on lesser known acts”. So with that being said you should check out Craig and Christopher Macarthur Boyd’s show ‘Fair Play To Them’ at Yesbar on March 21, Ashley Storrie’s ‘A Very Tall Storrie’ on March 20 at Blackfriars Basement and Chris Dinwoodie’s ‘HaHa Cadabra’ at The Admiral Bar on March 28. However, even if those acts we’ve recommended don’t sound like your cup of tea, you’re guaranteed to find something you like at the festival – there are over 400 shows taking place remember!
Competition Time! WIN TICKETS TO GLASGOW’S INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL’S TOP SHOWS!
WE ARE OFFERING TICKETS TO
7 LUCKY WINNERS! 2 X TICKETS AL MURRAY
2 X TICKETS BURNISTOUN
The Pub Landlord King’s Theatre 22nd March
Live and For Real! King’s Theatre 25th March
2 X TICKETS RICH HALL
2 X TICKETS TOM STADE
Rich Hall’s Hoedown Garage 29th March
Decisions, Decisions King’s Theatre 28th March
WE ARE OFFERING TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS TO SEE AL MURRAY, RICH HALL, TOM STADE AND 1 PAIR TO SEE BURNISTOUN.
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MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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What’s On: In March
5 Minutes With STEWART LEE
by Derek Healey @Healey26 d.healey@tsaglasgow.com
Stewart Lee is set to bring his BAFTA and Comedy Award-winning stand up to Glasgow this month as part of his new tour, A Room with a Stew. The tour will see him visit 66 cities between January and June this year and his performance in Glasgow is sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s Comedy Festival. He spoke to TSA about his new show, the fourth series of Comedy Vehicle and how his material has changed over the years. You’re playing the Clyde Auditorium on the 19th ahead of a new series of Comedy Vehicle. Can you tell us a little bit about what people should expect from the gig? The gig will be two sets of between 50 and 70 minutes in length. I will cover four subjects over about thirty minutes each. The four subjects will probably be Islam, urine, UKIP and wealth. I may change one for something else. There will be no encore. This tour is me trying to work out six thirty minute sections for the next BBC2 series. It must be very different writing for stand up than writing for a 20-30 minute television programme. How does your approach change and how much of it is just a straight cross-over? Is there anything that just wouldn’t transfer over? When I am writing a proper tour show of two hours in length I try to have a story and stylistic developments that work over that length of time. Also the character of me can be in a very different place at the end of the show to the start. When I am writing the 30 minute bits for TV, which this tour is comprised of, I try to do the same sorts of things but over successive 30 minute periods. Also I can’t destroy the character or have him radically changed at the end of a section as he has to come back out of the box next week. You’ve been making people laugh professionally for more than 25 years. Your personal life and circumstances have obviously changed a lot during that time. How do you think that’s affected your approach to comedy and your material? Because I have dependents and a wife I’m less reckless and would be less likely to do material which would have me killed, which is a shame. As a great French clown theorist Gaulier said: ‘A comedian should be operating at the level where their next move would result in their death.’ I don’t know if I agree with that but being a parent has made me more sensitive to cruelty and tragedy in the world, because you imagine it happening to people you care about. My youthful cynicism has become instead a defeated hopefulness as I’m now a stakeholder in the world. I am also tired and unfit as a result of kids, so I run around even less than I used to. Some UKIP supporters got pretty upset with one of your shows. How do you feel when you hear that someone’s taken exception to something
you’ve said? Is that controversy essential for a good comedian? I don’t feel controversy is essential for a good comedian and never set out to court it. It is an incidental by-product of me trying to be funny about things that interest me, like the nausea induced by seeing a dog defecating on the pavement. The dog did not intend to sicken you. Your disgust was an accidental by-product of its natural function. How much does your performance on stage reflect your real-life political views and do you consciously dial down (or up) your views during a performance? The onstage me is more PC, more jealous, more bitter,
more patronising, more smug than me, but all those things are elements of me, which I am better able to handle now I think as a result of being able to embody them on stage And finally, what’s your favourite joke? Don’t have one. It depends on who is telling it, and where, and why You can catch Stewart at this year’s Glasgow Comedy Festival and in venues throughout Scotland. He is set to play Inverness Eden Court, Perth Concert Hall and Glasgow Clyde Auditorium on March 17, 18 and 19 respectively. For more information, visit stewartlee.co.uk.
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What’s On: In March
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx
5 Minutes WithC
c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
MICHELLE M MANUS
In the 12 years since winning Pop Idol, Michelle McManus has added TV presenter, radio DJ and columnist to her CV and along the way she’s had some hilarious moments – moments which have formed the basis of her new show Michelle McManus: Reality Reloaded. Can you tell us a bit about your show and how you got involved with the festival? Well, it’s a follow up to my original show Michelle McManus’ Reality the Musical which we’ve done at the Fringe for the last two years, which sold out both runs and done really well. So the comedy guys in Glasgow were really keen for me to do a brand new show but along the same line so that for those who’ve seen it, it’s not too far removed from the original and for those who didn’t see the first show, they’ll still get a flavour of what it’s all about. What should fans expect at the show? Obviously there’s a lot of singing in the show as that’s what I’m known for but there’s also a lot of comedy in the show which is something quite different for me. The original premise of the show was just about my life since Pop Idol and some really random things have happened to me because of it and when I was telling those stories, the audience were howling and I thought ‘I may be onto something here’. So there’s a lot of comedy in the show and I’m not a stand-up comedian at all, I just tell stories about things that have really happened to me because I’m not afraid to slag myself off and I think the audience like that. I heard that comedian Bruce Devlin helped you write the show, what was it like working with him? Bruce is one of my best friends on the planet and the thing is that my stories are funny but then he gets his hands on them and sprinkles his magic comedy fairy dust over it, he’ll kill me for saying that, but he is like my little Tinkerbelle. He takes the story and makes it go from being amusing to being hilarious and that’s just what Bruce does. We’ve been best friends for over 10 years, so he completely gets me and writes in my voice. Are you feeling nervous at all about the show? I’m extremely nervous because I’ve went from doing really small, comfortable gigs at the festival to around 200 people to the Kings which is potentially 1,800 people if we sell it out. This is a proper theatre production and this time around I’ve written it with Bruce, I’m producing it myself, I’m bringing on board the band and I’ve done basically everything myself – I’ve done all my own costume designs and I’m properly in control of this big show – so it does make it quite nerve racking. Are there any other acts you’re looking forward to seeing at the festival? I’m a big fan of Burnistoun and I think they’ve got a show on a couple of nights after me and I’m really looking forward to seeing that. I’m also just looking forward to seeing Glasgow, it looks so fabulous when these events come to town and there will be tourists coming in and visiting the city for the festival and I really love seeing Glasgow during these types of
events. Glasgow’s an amazing city and it really comes into its own when hosting these events, so I can’t wait for the buzz around the city because the festival gets bigger each year. Why should people come see your show? I really hope people come to see it because it is just one night only. It’s a proper sing along with massive big numbers and it pays homage to Dorothy Paul and Elaine C. Smith, I’ve grown up watching them and it’s in the style – if I can be as bold as saying that – as those big strong Scottish women who can
sing and tell jokes and do all of that. And finally, we’ve been asking other GICF performers their favourite jokes, so what’s yours? Oh I’m appalling at remembering jokes, I always mess up the punch line. I actually don’t know, I just love listening to jokes and stories. You can catch Michelle’s Reality Reloaded on March 24 at the Kings Theatre.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
15
What’s On: In March
A Chat With... ALUN COCHRANE
‘Dour faced’, ‘grumpy’ and ‘cheerfully miserable’ are all frequently used descriptions of award winning comedian, Alun Cochrane. However, during our chat about his Me Neither tour (which he’s bringing to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival on March 29th) I get the sense that he’s actually, dare I say it, a really nice guy. He laughs often and speaks passionately about his trade, whilst also filling me on why people think he’s grumpy, the downsides of touring and snowballs. How’s the reception been to the tour so far? It’s been great, yeah it’s been really good. I’ve got a lot of stand-up shows under my belt, I’ve done solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival since 2004 and I honestly think, I know I would say this because I want people to come, but I honestly think this is probably the best stand up show I’ve ever done. What should fans expect from it, what does the show involve? I just do stand-up about whatever I think is funny, so there’s stuff about my family. I kind of have a tiny little unwritten rule in this one that I kind of wanted it to be about things that happen outdoors. Why outdoors? I’ve never really told anyone this but it’s partly because I done a Radio Four show about my house, which was based on a previous Edinburgh show, so I did a tour of my house and it has just been repeated actually, and then when I was starting to write new stand-up, I tried to move away a little bit from what I’ve just done, even if it’s just in subject matter. It’s still the same bloke talking but yeah I tried to do stuff that wasn’t based in the house. There’s a lot about
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
walking the dog or just being out with the family and there’s bits of stuff that’s news based, but I don’t rule anything out – if I think it’s funny then I say it.
You seem to be described often as ‘grumpy’ and ‘dourfaced’, is that just an on-stage persona? I think there is an element where my stand-up personality is slightly grumpier than me but it kind of happened a few years ago where I had a bit of material about how much I didn’t enjoy skiing and I just had this phrase in it where I said “I have the capacity to suck the joy from any of life’s joyful experiences” and people really, really laughed and people nodded as if to say “yes, that’s true, I already knew that about you”. So I thought, well maybe this is a thing people like to hear about, so if it works then make it grow, it’s not insincere, I don’t just make up things to get angry about because that would be pretty shit. After the tour wraps up, what have you got lined up? Any more acting roles? (Alun starred in Trying Again last year) No, I’ve not got any more acting but that would be great, I loved that because it’s much easier than stand-up, you don’t have to write it and make it up and do it yourself and it’s definitely less lonely to be an actor. But no, first and foremost, I always think of stand-up. I’m on Frank Skinner’s radio show in London every week, so that takes up a bit of travel time once a week but on top of that I’ll be doing stand-up comedy in clubs and I’ll be developing a new hour of stand-up to take to the Edinburgh Festival this year as well. You mentioned there about the lonely element of standup, is that the worst part of being on tour? Yeah, I mean every now and again you do a venue and they don’t realise you are a human being. You have a great show and you come out and no-one says “well done”, they just stack up all the chairs and you go home thinking “oh my god,
I thought that was good, maybe it was actually really shit” but that’s just one of the hazards of being on tour on your own, you have to learn to toughen up a little bit and not be so bloody needy. So then what’s the best part of being on tour? I really like the fact that I get to do the whole show. You know when you do stand-up in clubs, you can be on after someone who has done something really similar to what you want to talk about and it feels a bit like an echo if I then go on. But on tour, that doesn’t matter at all, you can do whatever you want and that’s a really nice feeling. You can take a load of people you’ve never met before and make them laugh your way for as long as they are there and it’s a nice feeling. And finally, what’s the best joke you’ve ever heard? I think the first dirty joke I remember hearing was when my mum told me this joke, “what’s the difference between a snowman and a snowwoman” and the answer is “snowballs”. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
CRAIG JOHNSTONE 22 year old Craig Johnstone will be making his Glasgow International Comedy Festival debut on March 21 at Yesbar. You should definitely listen to one of his comedy idols, Susie McCabe who describes him as ‘without doubt one to watch’ and head along to his show. How did you get into comedy? I used to go to comedy all the time and watched it in places all over Glasgow and one night I saw someone called Susie McCabe and after the show, I spoke to her and asked how I could get involved and she told me about a course at Strathclyde University so I went and did that. What did the course teach you? Well the course was taught by a woman called Viv Gee and she took us through what stand up is, how to do it and how to be comfortable doing it. Without Viv, I don’t think I’d have had the confidence to try it. I’d always fancied doing it and with her guidance I was able to take it on properly and enjoy doing it. The course is eight weeks and in the last week you build up a five minute set and then you perform it at your very first gig. How do you feel you’ve progressed since then? Well, I’m really enjoying it and I’m getting noticed more which is nice. I started with five minute slots and I’ve built it up to about 20 minutes in a support slot.
I heard that after coming out, you got a better reception at gigs? Is that true? Yeah definitely. I think it’s because I was more at peace with myself and I was able to use that to my advantage. Using my sexuality on stage did work for me so it’s something I’ve kept a hold of and it’s really easy to make jokes about yourself and it then makes people in the audience a bit more comfortable as well. So you’ve been well supported on the circuit since coming out then? Oh definitely. If you think back to fifty years ago, if you’d made a joke about being homosexual it would be totally unheard of and now it’s so common you can make a joke about it and people will laugh at it – no matter what sexuality you are, it’s funny. I’ve never had any negative reactions to being gay, not at all with
any audience and I think that doing it in Glasgow, it’s so much more recognised that if there was any one negative person there, the audience wouldn’t have it and that person would be quickly ousted. What are you most looking forward to about the Glasgow International Comedy Festival? I think it’d be doing my own show. I’m really looking forward to it, my face is on a poster and I’m doing it alongside one of my best friends in comedy Chris and it’s going to be great fun and there’s no place better than Scotland for doing comedy, simple as that, it’s just brilliant. And finally, as we’ve asked all the other GICF performers, what’s your favourite joke? My favourite was told to me by my supervisor – How do you turn a duck into a northern soul star? Put him in a microwave until his bill whithers...
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T IN THE PARK 2015 LINE-UP ANNOUNCED!
Imagine this: its a warm summer morning, you wake up to a beautiful view of clear blue skies, mountains in the distance, scenery of a historic castle and oh yeah, thousands of empty cans of beer. That’s right, it’s time again for T in the Park, but it now has a new home – Strathallan Castle. The prestigious Scottish festival will make a return once again for a weekend you will never forget. This year, taking the stage, you can expect to see The Libertines as well as fellow headliners Kasabian and Avicii. Other acts performing include Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds, The Prodigy, David Guetta, Sam Smith, Alt J, The Courteeners and fellow Scots Twin Atlantic. Stereophonics are also on the line up for their ninth time and seem pretty excited about it, saying: “We are really looking forward to being back at T in the Park this year for our ninth appearance at the prestigious festival and are excited to perform at the Strathallan Castle for the first time.” Someone who is looking forward to make their longawaited debut to the crowd at T is Avicii who said: “Really
looking forward to getting back to Scotland for one of the best festivals in the world! Can’t wait for July 11th.” Just in time for the tickets going on sale at 9am on Friday 27th February, T in the Park – a festival ran by DF Concerts and Tennents Lager – announced that another debut act at the festival would be Mark Ronson. ‘Uptown Funk’ was one of the most successful songs of 2014 and with his new album ‘Uptown Special’ being declared as some of his most ‘inventive and vibrant’ work to date, we’re sure he will be accepted with loving arms at Strathallan Castle during this exciting weekend in July. The event will take place in one location, over a variety of stages. The main stage will play host to headliners The Libertines, Avicii and Kasabian as well as many other acts. You can expect to see bands such as The Prodigy taking over Radio 1 stage with acts also playing in the Slam Tent and for T break, where you will see up and coming bands, soloists and DJ’s.
T in the Park are expecting an astonishing 85,000 fans to attend this year’s festival, which runs from 10th July – 12th July. Tickets are available now from www.tinthepark.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk and are also available over the phone on 08444 999 990. Day Joanna Mullan tickets are available from £82.50 @joannamullan with weekend camping tickets starting from £205.
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Battlefield Road T: 0141 636 6838 • The Village, East Kilbride T: 01355 222270 Glasgow West End T: 0141 337 3135 • Uddingston T: 01698 801 383
t i n t o t a p a s b a r. c o . u k
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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What’s On: In March
COLOURS 20TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
Part 2
When you’re celebrating 20 years of bringing the biggest names in dance music to Scotland, one birthday party is most definitely not enough. Following their first sold-out party back in February, Colours are delighting fans once again with a second birthday party, on March 7th at The 02 Academy. This time round they are promising all their tranceloving fans a night to remember with the legend that is Paul Van Dyk. The award-winning German DJ, who is no stranger to Colours events, has been at the forefront of the electronic music scene for over two decades. During those two decades, he’s had an incredibly successful career as an artist, DJ and producer and has remixed for the likes of Madonna, U2, Justin Timberlake and Depeche Mode, to name a few. He’s also notched up some pretty impressive accolades; he was voted the world’s No.1 DJ twice by DJ Magazine’s “Top 100 DJs poll” and he was the first artist to receive a Grammy nomination, in 2003, for the newly added ‘Best Dance/ Electronic’ album. His superstar profile and immense talent have led to over 3.5 million albums being sold worldwide but away from the world of music, he uses that profile to give him a voice in the world of politics. Paul Van Dyk’s charity Rückenwind – which supports Berlin children affected by poverty, so they have equal opportunities for education and growing up healthily – has led to regular dialogue with Germany’s politicians and policy makers on diverse issues.
At the 20th birthday party, part two, you’ll also be treated to the likes of Simon Patterson. The Belfast born ‘master craftsman of melancholic melody’ (try saying that three times fast), has also had an illustrious decade long career with 17 consecutive number one’s on Beatport – with tracks like ‘Brush Strokes’, ‘Shadows’, ‘Dissolve’, ‘The One’ and countless more. He’ll be in familiar company playing on the same night as Paul Van Dyk. Back in 2005, when working with Richie Kayvan under the name ‘Dogzilla’, their track Without You was named Paul Van Dyk’s ‘track of the year’. Colours have also lined up performances from two of the most talented DJ’s to come out of the ‘electronic dance breeding ground’ that is The Netherlands. Sied Van Riel, who has also appeared on the DJ Mag ‘Top 100 DJs’ list, was given Trackitdown.net’s trance award for ‘Best New Face’ back in 2008 and since then his profile has continued to rise and rise, cementing his position as one of the most talented trance DJ’s and producers around. Menno De Jong has been DJing since his teens and in the years that have followed, he’s founded his own label, Intuition Recordings. His records have been championed by the likes of Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto and he’s performed at clubs and dance festivals all over the world, including Mysteryland, Global Gathering and Electric Daisy Carnival. The huge celebration of 20 years of Colours, will also see Ben Nicky tearing up the decks. The uber talented artist has previously been described by one of the worlds greatest DJs, Armin Van Buuren,
as “one of the hardest working artists in the scene” and it’s not hard too see why. The label owner, promoter, producer, DJ, worldwide brand owner and social media guru is one of only a few DJs to mix live on Radio One’s ‘essential mix’ and in 2013 he launched his own trending brand ‘Head F**k’ which is a spiral on the usual generic mash up that includes added effects, samples and sounds that give him a more unique and twisted production. It’s a night that is not to be missed – so book Courtney Hendry your tickets now via @courtneysarahx www.ticketweb.co.uk.
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What’s On: In March
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
ST PATRICK’S FESTIVAL 2015
Glasgow’s gearing up to host the fourth annual St Patrick’s Festival this March and the city will be bidding the thousands of visitors from across the globe who are expected to visit a warm “Céad Míle Fáilte” (a hundred thousand welcomes). The Glasgow St. Patrick’s festival is a non-profit organisation and all funds raised are reinvested in future festivals and it also helps support the Emerald Lunch Club – a project which provides afternoon lunch and entertainment for the elderly Irish community throughout the year. Every year the festival promotes the rich Irish cultural heritage of Glasgow and Scotland and celebrates the ‘cultural diversity’ of modern Scotland with free and ticketed events at venues across the city including Malones, Merchant Square, the Shed and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The 14-day festival is packed full of entertainment that’ll appeal to the whole family with a selection of popular acts from traditional, folk and Irish music signed up to appear at the festival. John Spillane, one of Ireland’s most beloved singer/ songwriters, will be performing songs from his new album ‘Man Who Came In From The Dark’ on March 8 at Malones. The new album is a result of his time
spent during the past year when he travelled Ireland and wrote songs about Irish legends, people, towns and rivers. One of the most popular events at the annual festival is the family fun day on March 14 in Merchant Square. The free event is the perfect way to introduce youngsters to the diverse and interesting Irish culture with music, dance, competitions and plenty more. Another festival must-see is the two-act play ‘Hame’, which focuses on the O’Donnel family from Glasgow in the midst of the independence referendum and how this affects the different generations of the O’Donnell clan. The play runs from March 10-14 at The Shed. Dr Padraig O Neill, chairman of Glasgow St Patrick Festival, said of the festival: “We have an intensive programme of music, song, dance, film and theatre, planned for this year’s Festival. “The official ball will take place in the Crown Plaza Hotel on Saturday 7 March and the festival will culminate with the family day in the Merchant Square on March 14. “We hope to showcase the best of Irish culture and we look forward to the support of Glaswegians and visitors in celebrating St Patrick’s.”
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MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
19
What’s On: In March
by Cameron Willis @CameronWillis92 c.willis@tsaglasgow.com
PUT YOUR NY RESOLUTIONS TO THE TEST WITH THE 2015 RESOLUTION RUN January. The month that starts off with reinvigorated self belief and that “I-will-go-to-the-gym” attitude and that finishes with a flat full of strewn about pizza boxes, the scent of self-deprecating shame and a new found appreciation for the solace of February. In January we try to do too much all at once, and despite knowing this come February, we make the same mistake every year. But New Year’s resolutions are not about achieving everything by February 1st, they are about achieving it throughout the year. And that’s why the Resolution Run is a great way to put the January blues and the February recuperation to bed, and kickstart those get-fit resolutions into action.
The 10k race is on Sunday the 8th of March and is organised by the Stroke Association. The race starts and finishes at Glasgow Green and the course at Bellahouston is notoriously hilly and challenging, but don’t let that put you off. You can walk, run, sprint, jog, whatever you want, and get round the course in support of a fantastic cause and, of course, those promises you made to yourself on Hogmanay. Both will be timed, so if you’re taking part, you can see just how much difference you’ve made to your fitness by the time of next year’s event. Registration for the event costs £12.50, but for an extra
£2.50 you can get a Resolution Run running vest and add just a little bit more to helping those affected by strokes in the UK. If you manage the slog, besides proving yourself right to all your pals who said you wouldn’t get anywhere when you told of your get-fit resolution in January, you’ll also be commemorated with a Resolution Run medal. So take the resolutions seriously this time. Get to Glasgow Green on the 8th, don your resolution bib, and make 2015 the year that you finally pushed yourself to achieving your fitness dream.
The events listed below were correct and up to date at time of going to print but please check the venue’s own website prior to booking
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Gig Guide: Music & Clubbing FRI 6TH MAR
SAT 14TH MAR
CLUBBING: VOODOO PRESENTS: SAM FELDT & HENRY KRINKLE 10pm – 3am, The Arches ABDOMINAL AND THE OBLIQUES 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy BELTUR + RETURN TO THE SUN + CAMMY BLACK + JOHN CARSON 8:30pm, King Tut’s
ZULU 9pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SAT 7TH MAR
GOGO PENGUIN 8:30pm, King Tut’s IDLEWILD: SORREN MACLEAN 7pm, 02 ABC CLUBBING: LOVE MUSIC 11pm, 02 ABC CLUBBING: COLOURS 20TH BIRTHDAY PARTY PART 2: PAUL VAN DYK 9pm, The Academy THE SENSATIONAL DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE BAND 7pm, Oran Mor ALAN ANDERSON 6pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SUN 8
TH
MAR
COVES + LUSTS 8pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy IDLEWILD: ELLA THE BIRD 7pm, 02 ABC BOOTLEG BEATNIK 9pm, The Howlin’ Wolf SUNSET SONS 8pm, King Tut’s
CLUBBING: TEN WALLS: LIVE AV SHOW | + MARIBOU STATE, WILL SAUL 10pm, The Arches
COLD OCEAN LIES + THE PHANTOMS + MADE AS MANNEQUINS + THE DARK JOKES 8:30pm, King Tut’s
RUSTIE (LIVE) + NIGHTWAVE 7pm, The Arches
CLUBBING: LOVE MUSIC 11pm, 02 ABC
CLUBBING: PROPAGANDA 11pm, 02 ABC DENNIS LOCORRIERE 7pm, Oran Mor
CLUBBING: SANKEYS 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 10pm, The Arches
MARCH OF THE MODS 2015 IN AID OF TEENAGE CANCER TRUST 4pm, 02 ABC
EUROPE / BLACK STAR RIDERS 6pm, 02 ABC
GUS MUNRO AND FRIENDS 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf SUNSET SONS + Man Made – 8pm – King Tut’s – 8th March
MON 9
TH
MAR
THE QEMISTS + TEKLO 8pm, King Tut’s
COLLIE BUDDZ 7pm, MARKUS FEEHILY 7pm, 02 ABC
THURS 12
TH
MAR
LONELY THE BRAVE + HANNAH LOU CLARK 8pm, King Tut’s THE SELECTER 7pm, 02 ABC
STEEL PANTHER 7pm, The Academy
CLUBBING: JELLY BABY 11pm, 02 ABC
BRIAN KELLY 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
LEO & ANTO (THE SAW DOCTORS) 7pm, Oran Mor
TUES 10
TH
MAR
MODESTEP 7pm, 02 ABC CLEAN BANDIT 7pm, The Academy THE HIGH KINGS 7pm, Oran Mor THREE CARD TRICK 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
WED 11
TH
MAR
THE EMERALD ARMADA + JOSHUA BURNSIDE + RUNAWAY GO 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy PURPLE 8:30pm, King Tut’s ARCHITECTS 7pm, 02 ABC BAZ SIMPSON 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
ROY ZEPHYR 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
FRI 13TH MAR CLUBBING: LAIDBACK LUKE + D.O.D. 10pm – 3am, The Arches AUSTEROS + HAPPY ACCIDENTS + KIMBERLY STEAKS 8pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy DAMIEN DEMPSEY 7pm, 02 ABC MIAMI MONROE 7pm, 02 ABC CLUBBING: PROPAGANDA 11pm, 02 ABC SIMON BRETT 9pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SUN 15TH MAR
IDEAL MEXICO PRESENTS: EUGENE’S PSYCHEDELIC BASEMENT & DEATH SHANTIES 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy PERDURAMO 8:30pm, King Tut’s PAUL BREADY 9pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
MON 16TH MAR
NERVANA (NO.1 USA TRIBUTE TO NIRVANA) 7pm, 02 ABC
ANTHROPROPHH (THE HEADS/ BIG NATURALS) + BATTERY FACE + THE CHERRY WAVE 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy CLUBBING: PROPAGANDA 11pm, 02 ABC WILKO JOHNSON – THE ‘STILL KICKIN’ TOUR 7pm, 02 ABC ALAN ANDERSON 9pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SAT 21ST MAR
FOUR YEAR STRONG + HIT THE LIGHTS, FOREVER CAME CALLING, LIGHT YOU UP 6pm, The Arches BIG BOY BLOATER + MELISA KELLY 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy CHUCK RAGAN AND THE CAMARADERIE + SKINNY LISTER 8:30pm, King Tut’s KIESZA 7pm, 02ABC
SAM SMITH 7pm, The Academy
CLUBBING: LOVE MUSIC 11pm, 02 ABC
CRAIG HUGHES 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
REECE HILLIS 7pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
TUES 17TH MAR
VESSELS 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy SAM SMITH 7pm, The Academy THREE CARD TRICK 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SUN 22ND MAR
SHAHYAD AND BARAN 7pm, 02 ABC
BRIAN KELLY 9pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
WED 18TH MAR
MON 23RD MAR
HOT TIN ROOF 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
BILLY LOCKETT + MEGAN WASHINGTON 8pm, King Tut’s
THURS 19TH MAR
KARNIVOOL 7pm, 02 ABC
RAGLANS + THE TALES + THE LAPELLES + ORTHODOX 8pm, King Tut’s AMARANTHE 7pm, 02 ABC CLUBBING: JELLY BABY 11pm, 02 ABC THE HUDSON TRIO 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
CLEAN BANDIT – 7pm – The Academy – 10th March
FRI 20TH MAR
CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS 7pm, The Academy WOLF ALICE 7pm, Oran Mor ROCK HUNTER & HOUND DOG FRASER 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
TUES 24TH MAR WARPAINT 7pm, 02 ABC
THREE CARD TRICK 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
KIESZA – 7pm – 02 ABC – 21st March
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
21
March 28th – GBX Anthems at The Arches
WED 25TH MAR SLEATER-KINNEY 7pm, 02 ABC TYCI – OFFICIAL SLEATERKINNEY AFTERSHOW 11pm, 02 ABC ELEMENTAL 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf TH
THURS 26
MAR
FUSE ODG 7pm, 02 ABC BIPOLAR SUNSHINE 7pm, Oran Mor
MON 30TH MAR WALKING ON CARS + PORT ISLA 8:30pm, King Tut’s
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT 7pm, 02 ABC
KILL IT KID 8:30pm, King Tut’s
RIVAL SONS 7pm, The Academy
CLUBBING: JELLY BABY 11pm, 02 ABC
TUES 31ST MAR
THE SUBWAYS 7pm, Oran Mor GUS MUNRO 10pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
FRI 27TH MAR
UNIVERSAL THEE + HOW TO SWIM + HELLO CREEPY SPIDER + MISS THE OCCUPIER 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy CLUBBING: PROPAGANDA 11pm, 02 ABC SIMON BRETT 9pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW + WILLIAM BECKETT + ALVAREZ KINGS + HELLO FUTURE 8pm, King Tut’s
WED 1ST APR FYFE 8pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
THURS 2ND APR
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS 8pm, King Tut’s ABOVE & BEYOND 7pm, The Academy
FRI 3RD APR
SAT 28TH MAR
SWIM DEEP 8:30pm, King Tut’s
THOUSANDSOUNDS + UPROAR + MHAIRI CAULFIELD 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy
SAT 4TH APR
CLUBBING: GBX – THE EASTER BUNNY 9pm – 3am, The Arches
JAILBREAK: LIMEHOUSE LIZZY VS LIVEWIRE AC/DC 6:30pm, 02 ABC SKYY BOII 7pm, 02 ABC CLUBBING: LOVE MUSIC 11pm, 02 ABC THE STRANGLERS 7pm, The Academy PUBLIC HOUSE ORCHESTRA 6pm, DJ DARREN ROCOCO 11pm, The Howlin’ Wolf
SUN 29
TH
MAR
BROKEN RECORDS + SPECIAL GUESTS 7:30pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy ANDREW MONTGOMERY 8:30pm, King Tut’s
VINTAGE TROUBLE 7pm, 02 ABC
ROBIN TROWER + JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR 7pm – 10pm, The Arches COUNTERFLOWS FESTIVAL PRESENTS :NEIL MICHAEL HAGERTY (ROYAL TRUX) + GUESTS 8:45pm, Nice ‘N’ Sleazy ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK PRESENTS: THE WORLD TOUR FEATURING PIERCE THE VEIL & SLEEPING WITH SIRENS 7pm, The Academy
SUN 5TH APR MARIKA HACKMAN + SOPHIE JAMIESON 8:30pm, King Tut’s GOATS DON’T SHAVE 7pm, 02 ABC RICK ROSS – LIVE IN CONCERT 7pm, The Academy
March 13th – Return To Mono at Sub Club – 11pm-3am
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
The events listed below were correct and up to date at time of going to print but please check the venue’s own website prior to booking
23
Gig Guide: Comedy & Theatre FRI 6TH MAR
SUN 15TH MAR
THE FRIDAY SHOW 7:30pm, The Stand
A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar
KANE BROWNOWEN O’NEILLPHIL WALKERGARY LITTLE 6:45pm, Jongleurs
ANDREW LEARMONTH ALL THE PEOPLE I’VE EVER LOVED WILL DIE 7pm, The Old Hairdressers
SAT 7TH MAR
THE SATURDAY SHOW 7:30pm, The Stand KANE BROWNOWEN O’NEILLPHIL WALKERGARY LITTLE 6:30pm, Jongleurs
SUN 8TH MAR
MICHAEL REDMOND’S SUNDAY SERVICE 7:30pm, The Stand COUNT ARTHUR STRONG: SOMEBODY UP THERE LICKS ME 7:30pm, The Pavillion
MON 9TH MAR FRANKIE BOYLE – I’M BETTER THAN THIS 7:30pm, The Stand
TUES 10TH MAR RED RAW 7:30pm, The Stand
WED 11
MAR
TH
FRANKIE BOYLE – I’M BETTER THAN THIS 7:30pm, The Stand SINDERELLA 2 7:30pm, The Pavillion, until 21st.
THURS 12
TH
MAR
ROB DEERING – MUSICFACE 6:30pm, The Stand
FRI 13TH MAR A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar BRENDON BURNS 7:45pm, The Stand CHRISTIAN O’CONNELL BREAKING DAD 7:30pm & 9:15pm, Blackfriars Basement HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI LIVE 8pm, Oran Mor JIMMY CARR FUNNY BUSINESS 8pm, Clyde Auditorium
SAT 14TH MAR A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar ANNA DEVITT LAST ONE STANDING 7:30pm, The State Bar
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE NERD KIND 4:30pm, YesBar JOHN HEGLEY NEW & SELECTED POTATOES 7:30pm, The Stand LEE KYLE THE ULTIMATE WORRIER 6pm, YesBar LLOYD LANGFORD OLD FASHIONED 9:30pm, The Stand
MON 16
TH
MAR
BBC COMEDY WORKSHOPS SCRIPTS: HOW DO YOU WRITE A COMEDY? 5:30pm, The Stand JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH A WEE KEN TO REMEMBER 8pm, Citizens Theatre
TUES 17TH MAR 50 SHADES OF SMAY 8:30pm, The Old Hairdressers BBC COMEDY PRESENTS ‘BEST OF RED RAW’ 9:30pm, The Stand HENNING WEHN EINS, ZWEI, DIY 8pm, Citizens Theatre
WED 18TH MAR 50 SHADES OF SMAY 8:30pm, The Old Hairdressers CHUNKS OF THE YEAR 2015 9pm, The 13th Note CRAZY FOR YOU 7:30pm, King’s Theatre DYLAN MORAN OFF THE HOOK 8pm, Clyde Auditorium GARY DELANEY PURIST 9:30pm, The Stand JAMIE MACDONALD THAT FUNNY BLIND GUY 7:30pm, YesBar JOSIE LONG CARA JOSEPHINE 7:30pm, The Stand NINA CONTI IN YOUR FACE 7pm & 9pm, Tron Theatre
THURS 19TH MAR COMMISSIONED 7:30pm, Tron Theatre
BROTHERS AND SISTERS... IT’S THE REVEREND OBADIAH STEPPENWOLFE III CHAT SHOW 5:30pm, The Stand
CRAZY FOR YOU 7:30pm, King’s Theatre
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE NERD KIND 4:30pm, YesBar
STEWART LEE A ROOM WITH A STEW 8pm, Clyde Auditorium
ELLIE TAYLOR ELLIEMENTARY 9:15pm, Blackfriars Basement FREDDIE FARRELL & MASAI GRAHAM STAND UP 6pm, YesBar JIMMY CARR FUNNY BUSINESS 8pm, Clyde Auditorium JOHN SCOTT DISSENT 7:15pm, YesBar
NINA CONTI IN YOUR FACE 8pm, Tron Theatre
FRI 20TH MAR A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar ABSOLUTE IMPROV MUSICAL 8pm, The Old Hairdressers AN EVENING OF PUBLIC SHAMING WITH JON RONSON 8pm, Citizens Theatre
ANNA MORRIS WOULD LIKE TO THANK... 8pm, Tron Theatre ASHLEY STORRIE A VERY TALL STORRIE 7:30pm, Blackfriars Basement HOW TO BMR 8:45pm, Audio YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS THE STRENGTH OF STREET KNOWLEDGE 7:15pm, YesBar CRAIG CAMPBELL CRAIG CAMPBELL’S – THRILLING MIC HUNT! 8pm, Garage CRAIG HILL GIVE HIM AN INCH... 7:30pm, Oran Mor CRAZY FOR YOU 7:30pm, King’s Theatre JULIA SUTHERLAND IS FEELING KIND OF FUNNY 10pm, YesBar
SAT 21ST MAR A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar BETHANY BLACK IDIOT 9:15pm, Blackfriars Basement CRAIG HILL GIVE HIM AN INCH... 7:30pm, Oran Mor CRAIG JOHNSTONE & CHRIS MACARTHUR BOYD ‘FAIR PLAY TO THEM’ 6pm, YesBar
TUES 24TH MAR
SAT 28TH MAR
BBC COMEDY PRESENTS ‘BEST OF RED RAW’ 9:30pm, The Stand
50 SHADES OF CLAIR 6pm, The Admiral Bar
BRIDGET CHRISTIE AN UNGRATEFUL WOMAN 7:30pm, The Stand MICHELLE MCMANUS’ REALITY – RELOADED 7:30pm, King’s Theatre
WED 25
TH
MAR
CRAZY FOR YOU 2:30pm & 7:30pm, King’s Theatre
ALLY HOUSTON 7:30pm, The Old Hairdressers
DARREN CONNELL FAT CHOPS 7:30pm, Blackfriars Basement
CAVE COMEDY RADIO LAST PODCAST ON THE LEFT 7pm, Oran Mor
KEVIN DAY STANDY UPPY 7:45pm, The Stand
A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar ABSOLUTE IMPROV 8:30pm, Tron theatre AMERICA STANDS UP 7:45pm, The Stand BROTHERS AND SISTERS... IT’S THE REVEREND OBADIAH STEPPENWOLFE III CHAT SHOW 5:30pm, The Stand CHRIS DINWOODIE HAHA CADABRA 8pm, The Admiral Bar CHRIS FORBES & DAVEY CONNOR STAND UP 8:30pm, Blackfriars Basement
THE LAST LAUGH 10pm, YesBar
IAIN STIRLING EVERYTHING 9:30pm, The Stand
SUSAN CALMAN LADY Like 5pm & 8pm, Citizens Theatre
PAUL CHOWDHRY PC’S WORLD 8pm, Citizens Theatre
DES CLARKE THE TROUBLE WITH BEING DES 8pm, Citizens Theatre
SUN 22ND MAR
WE’LL MEET AGAIN 2pm, The Pavillion
A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar
FRED MACAULAY TWENTY FIFTEEN 7pm, King’s Theatre
THURS 26TH MAR
AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD 7:30pm, King’s Theatre
JANEY GODLEY HONEST TO GODLEYN 7:30pm, Oran Mor
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO WESTMINSTER 8pm, Citizens Theatre
LARRY DEAN 7:15pm, YesBar
BILLY KIRKWOOD LET’S WRECK THE PLACE! 7pm, The Stand CARINA MACLEOD BLONE OUT OF PROPORTION! 7:30pm, YesBar DARREN CONNELL FAT CHOPS 7:30pm & 9:15pm, Blackfriars Basement PAUL CURRIE FFFFFFFMILK! 3pm, The Stand THE OLD PAMPHLETEERS GRUMPY OLD MEN 9pm, YesBar
AN ALMOST EXPLOSIVE TRANSYLVANIAN DEATH-RIDE 8pm, The Old Hairdressers DOROTHY PAUL CLASSIC DOROTHY 2:30pm & 7:30pm, Citizens theatre ELEANOR MORTON LOLLIPOP AND THEN ANOTHER BIT 8:30pm, Blackfriars Basement THE LIFE & MUSIC OF JIM REEVES 7:30pm, The Pavillion
FRI 27TH MAR
THE CHUCKLE BROTHERS 2pm, The Pavillion
A PIZZA LUNCHTIME COMEDY 1pm, YesBar
MON 23RD MAR
ABSOLUTE IMPROV 8:30pm, Tron Theatre
4 FIFERS FOR A FIVER 7:30pm, YesBar BBC COMEDY WORKSHOPS COMEDY COMMISSIONING: WHAT HAPPENS? 5:30pm, the Stand JASON JOHN WHITEHEAD SHARING TOO MUCH WITH STRANGERS 7pm, The stand STAND UP FOR MND 7:30pm, King’s Theatre
ANDREW DOYLE ZERO TOLERANCE 9:15pm, Blackfriars Basement ANDREW LAWRENCE REASONS TO KILL YOURSELF 7:45pm, The Stand JANEY GODLEY HONEST TO GODLEYN 7:30pm, Oran Mor BEATLEMANIA 7:30pm, The Pavillion
LOUIS PEARL THE AMAZING BUBBLE MAN 2pm, King’s Theatre TOM STADE DECISIONS, DECISIONS 9:30pm, King’s Theatre THE DOLLY PARTON STORY 7:30pm, The Pavillion
SUN 29TH MAR
ALUN COCHRANE 9:30pm, The Stand DESKY LEWIS LOVE, DEATH AND BISCUITS 3pm, YesBar ELAINE MALCOLMSON ARRANGEMENTS 6pm, YesBar JUKEBOX DURIE A COMEDY LECTURE ON FOOTBALL AND MUSIC 4:30pm, YesBar MARTIN MOR PRESENTS CHEETAH 7:30pm, The Stand
MON 30TH MAR I AM THE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: INSANE CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING SPECIAL 7:30pm, The Stand
TUES 31ST MAR
RED RAW 7:30pm, The Stand
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r e v o t e g Tar s t n e d u t s 0 0 0 , 80 TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CONTACT 0141 222 2202
OUR PICK MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
25
OF THE MONTH
It’s no great secret that Scotland’s music scene is a thing to be proud of. So here at TSA, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to present you with our monthly pick of who we think are doing epically well in Scotland right now. Keep your eyes out for these up and coming bands. This is TSA’s ‘Pick of the Month’.
HOLY PISTOL CLUB Hailing from West Dunbartonshire, Holy Pistol Club are one of the most exciting bands on the Glasgow music scene right now. Their polished performances and satisfying blend of soul and indie-rock have led to award nominations and lauded live performances all over the city. Now they’re getting set to record their first EP and with the eclectic style of their previous releases, it’s hard to put your finger on what exactly that might sound like. The band draws influences from a variety of sources meaning that each track sounds totally different from the next but somehow in amongst that mess of musical fibres, Holy Pistol Club seem to have found their own sound. And as brilliant tracks such as Shake It and Bye Bye Baby demonstrate perfectly, it just seems to work. “You can definitely hear some of those influences in our music,” explains lead singer, James Cairns. “You can hear the Beatles and those big choruses and you can pick up on all those sounds. I think it keeps it interesting and it keeps it fresh. “I think it’s quite hard to describe. The five of us have all got different influences, from Bruce Springsteen to Motown and the Beatles to Queens of the Stone Age. It can be quite frustrating when you’re going for a bevvy together but when you’re working on a new song, those different styles and influences make it all the more interesting.” The band are now getting set to piece together the track list for their EP, set for release this May, but with enough songs in place to fill an album three times over, Holy Pistol Club find themselves with a nice problem to have. James says the plan is to speak to fans and find out what they want to see on the release but it’s hard to see how a band with such an expansive back-catalogue could possibly whittle down their collection to just four or five songs. Regardless of what they pick, the EP is set to be one of the most interesting Scottish releases this spring and James is keen for it to encapsulate the energy of the band’s live performances as well as showcase their diverse style.
“Our plan right now is to release the EP in May,” he says. “We have the EP launch on the 28th in King Tut’s and we’re going to be doing an iTunes release and then going out and doing more gigs for the promotion side of things. “We like to play really highly charged gigs with big songs and big choruses. If you like a melody but big punchy verses that make you want to sing along, then that’s what we hope people take away from it. That’s really what we’re going for.
“We’ll speak to the people who come to the gigs and ask them what they want to see, whether it’s some of the older tracks or more of the newer ones. Because we have that different range of songs, it’ll be good to get interacting with the people that follow us and see what’s current. We’ll need to see what happens but whatever ends up on there, it’ll have our sound and hopefully people will want to listen to it.” Not familiar with Holy Pistol Club? Check out our essential track picks: Shake It, By Your Side and Big Bad World. Holy Pistol Derek Healey Club will be at Nice ‘n’ Sleazy on @Healey26 11th April.
26
What’s On: LGBT+
GAY ICONS WHO’S YOUR LGBTIcon? It’s easy to idolise your favourite celebrities, especially when everyone seems to arrive prepackaged with a reality show, perfume and fashion line and is so accessible on social media. No celebrity feels the adoration, however, reserved for gay icons, for whom fandom takes on a whole different meaning. Every letter in the LGBTI community boasts their own distinctive icons; from Ellen DeGeneres – who sacrificed her sitcom by coming out, unable to work for years before securing her hugely successful talk show – to Laverne Cox – a likeable, ground-breaking trans woman of colour who became the first trans actor to be nominated for an Emmy award – people in the spotlight living authentically have the ability to inspire, comfort and even represent us. But what makes a gay icon? Sure, it helps to be queer. The significance of seeing someone who identifies like you succeed in any field cannot be overstated. Neil Patrick Harris, for example, is arguably iconic in being one of the first openly gay actors for whom their career has sky rocketed regardless of their private life. He and his husband David Burtka also have the cutest family (seriously, look at their Halloween photos), presenting the image of samesex parenting to a wide audience. But of course, being queer isn’t necessarily a pre-requisite in cultivating an LGBTI following. Look at Madonna, who was a militant gay rights
activist when it wasn’t the best time to be. She promoted safe sex and talked frankly about HIV/AIDS when her own government wouldn’t, challenged gender and sexual politics throughout her career and is a vocal opponent of LGBTI discrimination in any form. She is the first in a long line of straight women who have been adopted by the LGBTI community for one reason or another. One thing that baffles me is when any straight female pop star immediately awards herself the title of ‘gay icon.’ Just because you sing electro-pop doesn’t make you a gay icon (looking at you, Ariana Grande, Jessie J and many others). Whether you have an undying love for Cher, David Beckham or Bert and Ernie, gay icons are important because they have something that resonates with us that your average Joe celebrity doesn’t; an empathy with queer issues. Here are my personal LGBTIcons, and how they have made the cut in my book. Bow down before them. Gwen Stefani – My number one, she’s earned a place by challenging gender stereotypes, being the talented and versatile front woman of an all-male band and writing hugely personal, almost melodramatic songs for nearly thirty years. I could go on. She’s the queen. I don’t care what you say. Tegan and Sara – if you’re queer and grew up during the mid-00s, odds are you would have listened
to Canada’s prime identical-twin-lesbian-pop-duo, who as well as being amazing musicians and singers are staunch activists for equality. Plus they’re really funny and sang Everything is Awesome from The Lego Movie, which is absolutely worth a mention. David Bowie – Of course Bowie’s made the cut. When he arrived on Top of the Pops as Ziggy Stardust he immediately changed gender and sexual politics in pop culture forever. He toys with gender roles, embodying androgyny before anyone else, and as a bisexual demonstrated that not everything is black and white. And his music isn’t bad, either. He’s going to be massive one day. Robyn – She sometimes slips under the radar, but that’s why we love her. She’s all ours. Sweden’s ultra cool, futuristic pop star has the innate ability to make us dance to heartbreakingly sad, brilliantly executed pop music. And she’s blonde, which seems to be a common denominator. Courtney Love – HEAR ME OUT. Yes, she is unhinged and hard work. But what self-respecting gay icon isn’t? Some prefer their gay icons to have a little edge, and Courtney certainly has that in spades. Her band Hole is an angsty, feminist alt-rock outfit that is so underrated largely due to her own self-destructive behaviour. But she is immensely talented, self-aware and has always been an advocate for the LGBTI community. In my book she’s legit. Debbie Harry – Debbie is truly iconic. One of the few women to emerge so successfully from the US 70s punk movement, she and her band Blondie made a name for themselves by creating amazing, genre-defying music while she proved to be one of the coolest, sexiest frontpeople of all time. So underrated. But that’s fine with us. We want to hear your LGBTIcons! Get in touch at @ TSA_Glasgow or @jonny_stone_ to let us know which icons are close to your heart.
Ellen Degeneres
Gwen Stefani
Laverne Cox
Neil Patrick Harris
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
27
by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_ j.stone@tsaglasgow.com
SUSAN CALMAN
BRINGS ‘LADY LIKE’ TOUR TO GLASGOW COMEDY FESTIVAL We’re lucky to have great queer comics in the UK – with hugely successful comedians including Craig Hill, Sue Perkins and Graham Norton – but they’re still somehow in the minority. However thanks to people like Susan Calman, who is performing at this year’s Glasgow International Comedy Festival, ensures that quality is better than quantity. Described by Time Out as “one of the best female comics to ever come out of the land of bagpipes and haggis,” she is quickly becoming one of Scotland’s favourite comics. And happens to be a lesbian. Born in Glasgow, Susan studied law at Glasgow University – where she performed last year – before quitting her legal career to become a comic. She has become a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, is often on panel shows like Have I Got News for You and QI and in 2009 was awarded the Best New Scottish Comedian at the Real Radio Variety Awards. Calman has had an enormously successful year last year, hosting Don’t Drop the Baton – a comedy show that ran throughout the Commonwealth Games – and winning the award for Best Radio Comedy at the Writers’ Guild of Britain Awards for her show Susan Calman is Convicted. Her Lady Like tour takes her across the UK for her first headlining comedy tour, but she’s making a homecoming appearance at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre on 21st March as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. And for anyone dying to see her outside of Glasgow, worry not. She’s doing a whole tour of Scotland, so everyone can get their Calman fix. Her show presents a woman getting older and somewhat wiser, and is “a call to like ourselves no matter what others say.” Calman presents herself almost more a storyteller than a comic, showcasing moments from her life with her own brand of touching and universal humour. Described by Metro as “joyous proof that some of the best things come in small packages,” Susan Calman’s honest and über Glaswegian humour is something to be seen.
THE BIG GAY LUNCH Perhaps other than the wedding I had to attend at the end of the Christmas season – who organises a wedding after a solid month of competitive drinking and binge-eating? – it’s nice having the chance to dust off your tux and get suitably suited and booted every once in a while. This April sees the return of The Big Gay Lunch, a superb day-long, black-tie event in aid of The Equality Network. The fancy affair, organised by Tartan Partnerships, follows a hugely successful evening held on Valentines Day at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow, which featured a performance from the Paisley Music and Opera Society’s production of Hairspray and appearances by Nancy Clench and Lacy Rain, two of Scotland’s finest drag
queens. Their next event takes place on 11th April, held once again at the Radisson Blu, and is guaranteed to be a swanky event with guest performers, fizz and a certain gaiety you just don’t get from other black tie affairs. Aside from going by a sublimely succinct event name, The Big Gay Lunch raises muchneeded money for The Equality Network, Scotland’s leading national LGBTI charity. Since its establishment in 1997, The Equality Network has worked tirelessly to achieve equality and improve the human rights of LGBTI in Scotland, tackling issues that are often overlooked in mainstream media such as the holding of a European Conference on LGBT intersections with Race and Disability and publishing “Sanctuary, Safety and Solidarity,” the first research into the cause of LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. The Equality Network’s campaigns are invaluable, and your ticket for The Big Gay Lunch facilitates all their ground-breaking achievements. Whether you buy individual tickets or persuade your nearest and dearest to buy a table together, you are guaranteed a hugely enjoyable day celebrating LGBTI culture in Scotland and raising money for a charity that has already achieved an enormous amount in such little time. Individual tickets are £45, and don’t worry if you can’t make April’s lunch as there will be a further Big Gay Lunch in June.
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MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
29
by Jonny Stone @jonny_stone_
What’s On: LGBT
+
OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE MUCH WORK IS STILL TO BE DONE TO GUARANTEE SAME-SEX AND GENDER EQUALITY
Saturday 7th February saw Glasgow Caledonian University host the Out for Independence conference. Out for Independence is the LGBTI wing of the SNP and have remained active in the months following Scotland’s referendum for independence. Affiliated to but independent of the SNP, the group’s primary cause is promoting equality in Scotland and ensuring gay rights are protected and prioritised. The conference proved to be the largest conference for LGBT people ever organised by a UK political party and ran in conjunction with LGBT History Month. It was a hugely successful day jampacked with informative discussions, workshops and Q&As addressing the many issues regarding LGBTI rights in Scotland. The conference was kicked off with a key note speech by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, whose appearance followed her speech for Successful Women at Glasgow, promoting women in the working world, aiming to inspire students and facilitate their ambitions. The SNP was the only political party to be actively involved in LGBT History Month. Ms Sturgeon’s speech was an inspiring and riveting introduction to the event. She touched on the enormous pride she feels for the progress Scotland has made in ensuring LGBTI equality, specifically her involvement in the passing of equal marriage in 2014. She spoke of attending the first same-sex wedding of Susan and Gerrie DouglasScott who were in attendance (actually, Susan had to leave to officiate another same-sex couple’s ceremony!): “Rarely have I experienced such a profound sense of new beginnings as I did when I was at Susan and Gerrie Douglas-Scott’s marriage on Hogmanay in Glasgow. It is right and proper that couples should
j.stone@tsaglasgow.com
be able to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation, and have the same opportunity to experience the kind of happiness I did on my wedding day.” Ms Sturgeon acknowledged that much work is still to be done to guarantee same-sex and gender equality, and also mentioned that the last LGBTI conference they held took place in a room of about 20 people; the enormous audience and media coverage indicates the inspiring progress and visibility of LGBTI rights in modern Scotland. There was time for Sturgeon to answer questions from the audience, which ranged from her stance on fracking to what she felt should be done to address the need to support LGBTI people with mental health problems. I asked her a question regarding blood donation for gay throughout the conference from all walks of life. and bisexual men, who currently have to abstain from sex It was a day of celebrating our achievements in for a full year before giving blood. This is discriminatory, the fight for equality, but more importantly of seeing as the ban disregards those who have been proven assessing what needs to be done to continue. We HIV negative while allowing straight men to give blood have achieved a lot, but LGBTI equality has not been without such requirements. Ms Sturgeon was aware of achieved, and the political leaders must address this the law, and when asked what she would do to change fully in the lead up to May’s general election. this, she replied that the law makers follow expert medical LGBTI activists and allies have made their voices opinion, but that the issue is something that will remain heard, so the party leaders better be listening. under review. Aside from the First Minister’s key note speech, the conference included an informative transgenderrelated workshop – focussing on laws that will help facilitate transgender equality – delivered by Nathan Gale from the Transgender Alliance. Such laws include lowering the age at which people can transgender and adapting legal documents to acknowledge nonbinary people. Other events throughout the day included a speech by MSP Marco Biagi, who at the age of 28 became the youngest person to have won election to Holyrood and was a staunch supporter of equal marriage, discussing the challenges and opportunities for LGBTI people in politics. Furthermore, there was a panel discussion and Q&A on international LGBTI equality with MEP Alyn Smith, Kirtsy MacAlpine from Yes LGBT and Scott Cuthbertson from the Equality Network. What was most inspiring was the broad range of attendants TSA journalist Jonny Stone with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
“One of the loveliest occasions I have attended since becoming First Minister was as a guest at one of Scotland’s first same-sex weddings...”
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MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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Tapas Tuesday’s
AT TINTO
If you’re as indecisive as me when it comes to ordering food, Tapas gives you the opportunity to pick and choose and have a selection of wondrous continental scran at your disposal. It’s also the answer to a fussy eater’s food prayers. At Tinto, there’s a menu that will satisfy even the most frustrating of eaters demands, and one that means picking only three or four is as hard a task as picking one. From Pata Negra Ribs, to a Baked Goats Cheese dish with carmelised red onion, to braised steak and chorizo deliciousness topped with manchego cheese on some delicious Spanish bread. And every Tuesday, they’re only £2.50 each. The Tinto Tapas restaurant was first set up in Battlefield, and such has been the success of their Spanish finger food, it has spread its reach throughout Glasgow. Tinto is now in Uddingston, East Kilbride, and most recently (and where I had my first Tinto experience), on Hyndland Road in Glasgow’s West End. With Spanish inspired décor and warm inviting colours, Tinto starts off where competitors lag behind. The feel and look of the place makes you think more Gijon than Glasgow, and with comfortable pillow laden seats and a Spanish Bull wall mural watching over you, it’s like a continental getaway in the West End. Now, to the food. An extensive menu, and an ever changing specials board, makes it hard just to settle on a few dishes. The Pata Negra ribs are perfectly sweetened, and the chorizo has the smoky yet spicy vibrancy that makes the sausage so popular. Potatas bravas are a must, and the
time to settle on what you want, because well, there’s so much to choose from. Take the risk on a Tuesday, £2.50 per dish is a steal at one of the best Tapas bars in the country with a sterling and growing reputation. In fact, how long is it until it’s Tuesday again?... array of goats cheese infused dishes make it impossible to pick between them. I settled on a gorgeous almond crusted goat’s cheese tart, and I had to fight with my ever expanding belly to stop me ordering more. I flipped between hot and cold, and a cooled chicken dish with a coriander and lime sauce was the perfect start to the meal. It is also worth mentioning that Tinto offer a large selection of blackboard specials, which are changed daily, and it was definitely clear that they pride themselves on their wide selection of Spanish Beers, Wines, Liquers, Brandys and Sherry, which are only available at Tinto. But don’t just take my word for it. There’s a medley of Spanish succulence across the whole menu, and you’ll need
Other fantastic deals include: Daily deals of 3 Tapas for £7.95 from the Main Menu with a choice of 50. This offer is available between 12pm & 5pm. Between 5pm & 7pm the offer is £9.50. Menu Deldia which offers a fixed price of £5.95 for a Main Plate of example Pork Belly, Chicken with Chorizo Lamb Cordero (moor style lamb), or Seabream. They also offers a fantastic additional discount of 20% for student card holders ( not applicable Tuesday nights). What more could you ask for?
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STILL SHOWING IN CINEMAS KINGSMAN: SECRET SERVICE – THINK BOND, BUT FUNNY.
PICK OF THE MONTH
CINDERELLA (PG)
This new ‘streetwise’ spy mystery has something for everyone, from hilarious interactions between Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson to unbelievable gadgets and a gag-filled yet somewhat gritty plot.
JUPITER ASCENDING
Yes, it’s a beautiful film with spectacular effects but you get the sense that the effects have been used as a clever way of masking how terrible the film actually is. Not even the impressive cast could save this dull sci-fi flick.
50 SHADES OF GREY
As an early 90s baby, I was pretty much brought up wanting to be a Disney princess, watching about five Disney movies a day. My favourite movie was Cinderella, so I’m sure you can only imagine how excited I am for the release of the most recent adaption of the Disney classic, directed by Kenneth Branagh. So, who is the lucky girl who gets to play a Disney princess you ask? Well, sadly its not me, so the only other person it could possibly be is Lily James, who some of you may recognise from Downton Abbey. You can tell there must be a lot of pressure induced when taking on such an iconic role, which James confirmed by saying that playing the universally known Disney princess is “the most amazing, unbelievable thing” but she also branded it “completely terrifying.” Richard Madden will be picking back up his sword, after a gruesome end in as Robb Stark in HBO’s fantasy
series ‘Game of Thrones’, to take on the role of Prince Charming. The Scottish actor must be looking forward to having a happy ending for once, after not having the best of endings in his most notable work. He told an Access Hollywood reporter earlier in the year ‘I die in everything’ and explained why he was drawn to the role, saying: “I loved the script and I loved Kenneth Branagh [the director]. That’s what really kind of pulled me to it actually.” Also joining the mainly British cast is Oscar winning actress, Cate Blanchett, who is starring as the legendary evil stepmother. Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, will be portrayed by young English actresses, Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera and we can’t forget about the beloved fairy godmother now, can we? Helena Bonham Carter has taken on the role and will be wearing the fluffiest of gowns with the sparkliest of wands (we hope). As you can probably tell, I can barely contain my excitement for March 27th, when this highly anticipated (not only by me, I hope) movie is released in cinemas worldwide. I have huge hopes for this movie and with Lily James quoting the role as being a ‘cocktail of every sort of emotion’, I’m sure the film will feel the same. So even though Orange Wednesday is over and you might have an exam the week it’s released, get your hands in your pockets and start pre-booking tickets, as it is expected to be a huge success. Cinema-goers worldwide! Get whips and chains & Christian Grey out of your mind – Jamie Dornan can stay in there if you want – there’s a new blockbuster approaching with glass slippers, pumpkins, mice and evil cats, Cinderella is coming to a cinema near you! Cinderella hits cinemas nationwide March 27th.
Book Corner
Do not watch this with your mum, the ridiculously cringe-worthy dialogue will have you squirming in your seat. Fifty shades really doesn’t live up to the hype and if you’ve not read the books, then you’ll be extremely disappointed with the ending.
Joanna Mullan @joannamullan
STATION ELEVEN
THE STORYTELLER
CRASH AND BURN
You might feel like you’ve read enough books about the collapse of society due to some terrible disease or infection too last a lifetime but Station Eleven’s beautiful depiction of life, after 99% of the world is wiped out, should definitely be given a chance.
What would you do if a beloved, 90-something year old, member of your community asked you to kill him? Refuse? What if he then told you he was once a Nazi SS Guard? This story will haunt you with it’s description of life in a concentration camp and you’ll struggle along with main character Sage as she tackles huge moral issues.
This tense psychological thriller will have you up all night with its intense twists and shocks. The complex story of Nicole Frank’s mysterious life will have you guessing right up until the very end.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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What’s On: In The Movies
We take a sneak peak at what’s in the movies this March.
CHAPPIE (12A) Every child comes into the world full of promise, and none more so than Chappie. Like any child, Chappie will come under the influence of his surroundings – some good, some bad – and he will rely on his heart and soul to find his way in the world and become his own man. But there’s one thing that makes Chappie different from anyone else: he’s a robot. This upcoming sci-fi film comes to us from Blomkamp, who also brought us the brilliant District 9 and the not so brilliant Elysium. It stars Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, and of course, Sharlto Copley as Chappie. Chappie sees the title character kidnapped at birth by two gangsters who leave him standing at a fork in the road of life between good and evil. He later becomes the adopted son of a strange, dysfunctional family and Hugh Jackman and his mighty mullet convince Sigourney Weaver to unleash their new super robot to go off and kill Chappie. Chappie is in cinemas nationwide on 6th March.
Chappie: Starring Hugh Jackman, Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel & Sigourney Weaver
HOME (U)
INSURGENT (12) Insurgent raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Kate Winslet), the leader of the powerhungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Insurgent is the second film in the adaptation of Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy of young adult novels. Insurgent will be in cinemas nationwide 18th March Shailene Woodley in Insurgent
DreamWorks Animation’s latest animation adventure, Home, is hitting theatres March 27th. Based on the best-selling book “The True Meaning of Smekday” by Adam Rex, Home is guaranteed to delight moviegoers of all ages. When Oh, a loveable misfit from another planet, lands on Earth and finds himself on the run from his own people, he forms an unlikely friendship with an adventurous girl named Tip who is on a quest of her own. Through a series of comic adventures with Tip, Oh comes to understand that being different and making mistakes is all part of being human. And as he changes her planet and she changes his world, they discover the true meaning of the word Home. Home is a 3D animation family film starring Rihanna, Jim Parsons, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Martin.
GET HARD (15) Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart team up for what is sure to be a hilarious duo in Get Hard. Ferrell plays James King, a millionaire investment banker wrongly convicted of embezzling millions. He has 30 days to prepare himself for San Quentin Prison. To do so, he hires his friend Darnell Lewis, played by Kevin Hart, to prepare himself for his 10 year sentence. What James doesn’t realize is that Darnell has no more experience with prison life than he does. Get Hard treads similar ground to ’80s comedies such as Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, and Brewster’s Millions with Richard Pryor and John Candy, upending racial stereotypes by showing how absurd they are. Get Hard in cinemas nationwide March 27th.
FURIOUS 7 (12A) Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of Fast & Furious 7. Furious 7 features the last film appearance from the late Paul Walker. Shooting was subsequently delayed to allow for script rewrites and the actor’s brothers Caleb and Cody Walker were used as stand-ins to complete his final scenes. Jason Statham plays the film’s main villain in this one after making a brief appearance in Fast & Furious 6. Furious 7 in cinemas nationwide April 3rd.
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Lifestyle: Student Life & Advice
by Emily Moulds Writer for the The Daily Touch
16 THOUGHTS YOU HAVE WHEN CONSIDERING A MASTERS DEGREE From time to time, us graduates wrestle with the idea of doing a masters degree. Sometimes, the prospect of returning to university seems downright ridiculous, whereas on other days the idea is strangely appealing. 1. What better way to spend my menial savings than on further education? After all, knowledge is power, right?
6. I suppose I could do a masters in a similar, but more specialised, field to my first degree…
11. But do employers really see a masters degree as being any more impressive than an honours degree? Probs not…
7. But it would help if I actually had a life ambition before I decide this stuff.
12. It would be nice to feel challenged again. I miss doing assignments. There I said it! 13. What if I’m not clever enough? Masters degrees sound pretty hard and I think I reached my intellectual peak at GCSE.
2. But, then again, I was thinking about going travelling…or getting a mortgage… 3. It leaves me open to the possibility of taking a completely different direction.. Midwifery anyone? 4. Although, what about that other degree that I did? Was it all a waste of dollar and time?
I don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life
8. Oh! Going back to uni would mean that I can get away from the boring old 9-5, make new friends and get back on it! 9. Nah, I would have far too much work to have any form of social life. I would need to take it very seriously because I’m all grown up and stuff. 10. It would probably give me the edge on all those other irritating graduates when applying for jobs. How dare they?
5. Or would a masters be the key to me becoming leader of the free world? You’ve got to admit it’s a possibility.
14. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my lazy evenings in front of the TV and replace them with late night library sessions again. Effort! 15. That being said, anything that delays the inevitable status as an official working adult and maintains my residency in Neverland sounds just fine to me. 16. Erm, hold on… How long does a masters thesis need to be?!
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
GIGS OF THE MONTH
A REVIEW OF THE TOP GIGS GLASGOW HAD TO OFFER IN FEBRUARY
YOU ME AT SIX Pop-punk fans everywhere rejoiced when You Me At Six and All Time Low announced their co-headline tour and whilst those fans had very high expectations, the bands took it in their stride and put on the ultimate show. Although everyone was there to witness the incredible show put on by two of the biggest bands in the genre, support act Walk The Moon surprised with their energetic opening to the show and it’s safe to say they’ve gained heaps of new fans. All Time Low carried on from Walk The Moon and kept up with the high pace the support had set with their brilliant opening. They kicked things off with ‘A Love Like War’ and got everyone fired up when they continued with some old favourites like ‘Weightless’ and ‘Stella’. The SSE Hydro seemed packed and almost full to its 13,000 capacity (which made for brilliant mosh-pits) and although many people were there because they are huge fans of either All Time Low or You Me At Six, nearly everyone I spoke to said both acts were outstanding. 14-year-old Anna Ferguson was there to see You Me At Six (one of her favourite bands) but noted that All Time Low put on a ‘really, really great performance’ – and she’s now a firm fan. She added that the entire show was amazing, saying: “There was a great atmosphere, everyone is just really enjoying themselves and the crowd have all been so nice to each other”. Admittedly though it did seem like the sixers (You Me At Six fans) slightly outnumbered the All Time Low ‘hustlers’, as it was deafening when they finally took to the stage after the break.
ROYAL BLOOD On the 22nd of February, Glasgow gave an incredibly warm welcome to Brighton rock duo Royal Blood on the first night of their two shows at the Barrowlands. Recently recognised by the BRIT Awards as ‘Best British Group’, there was certainly no shortage of anticipation in the air as the audience awaited their arrival. It’s just past nine o’clock when the boys stroll onto the stage. Drummer Ben Thatcher ascends to a raised platform on the right-hand side while frontman Mike Kerr takes his position at the microphone on the left. Royal Blood begin their set with their single Little Monster’s B-side, Hole, and, immediately, the audience is jerked into action, jumping and moving and singing along to every line. The energy in the room is overwhelming, and due to the Barrowlands still being a reasonably small venue, it takes only a couple of songs before every single member of the audience is utterly drenched in sweat. It’s astounding how many people in the venue know every song, inside and out, to the extent that the audience unanimously
s w e i v e R
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Hearing ‘Room to Breathe’, from their new album ‘Cavalier Youth’, live was great as the eager crowd got involved and sang along word-perfectly to the track. Starting with this also seemed like a nod to their more mature sound that they’ve grown into over the last few years. However, they weren’t afraid to pull out some classics such as ‘Stay With Me’, ‘Underdog’ and fan favourite ‘Reckless’ – which were coupled well with the fireworks and huge beach balls that were dropped intermittently. Frontman, Josh Franceschi, showed off his
sings along with every note in Kerr’s bass solo in the mammoth Little Monster and hangs in a unified suspension before the colossal break in the bluesy groove-driven Loose Change. One of the highlights of the night arrives just over the halfway point in the set, when Kerr suddenly drops the opening riff of T. Rex’s 20th Century Boy. Having never performed this cover before, the 70’s glam rock song comes as an immense delight to the Royal Blood fans and the excitement in the room peaks. Throughout the night, Thatcher and Kerr’s performance is solid, and in between dodging flailing limbs and people tossing themselves in and out of mosh pits, you can hear the artful musicianship between the two. When listening to Royal Blood on record, it’s immediately obvious that their powerful blend of garage rock and blues would sound its absolute best in a live environment, and this couldn’t be more true for their performance at the Barrowlands. The visceral energy in their music is incredibly infectious, and as a result they have the crowd in the palm of their hand throughout Eilidh Harrison the entirety of their set. Phenomenal.
stunning vocals during the emotional track ‘Crash’ and got fans involved by encouraging them to get out their phones, resulting in a sea of twinkling lights that made the arena look gorgeous and the atmosphere intensify. It was a genius idea to combine these two hugely talented young bands, who are both at the top of their game, as it created an unforgettable show. Both acts were huge crowd pleasers and they’ve both definitely expanded their already massive fan Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx bases.
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GIGS OF THE MONTH
A PREVIEW OF THE TOP GIGS GLASGOW HAS TO OFFER IN MARCH & APRIL
LONELY THE BRAVE
Comes to King Tut’s on 12th March
BIPOLAR SUNSHINE
Comes to Oran Mor on 29th March Manchester raised, Bipolar Sunshine, may have already had a strong fan base thanks to the two EP’s and singles he’s already released and due to supporting big acts such as Rudimental, London Grammar and Bastille, but the release of ‘Daydreamer’ on 8th February has firmly cemented him in many ‘ones to watch’ lists (including our own) and with his biggest UK headline tour to date, starting in March, we’re certain he’s going to attract a whole new wave of fans. Due to the intelligent, unique and soulful lyrics that Bipolar Sunshine has become synonymous with, we should warn – his music will be stuck in your head all day.
Cambridge quintet, Lonely The Brave announce their headline tour for early 2015. Off the back of a huge run of co-headline dates, with UK alt-rock band, Marmozets, and having had a stellar summer taking in festivals across Europe, including Reading and Leeds, Rock Am Ring and Glastonbury, Lonely The Brave will play a full headline run of shows from March 4th taking in 16 dates across the UK with a stop off at Glasgow’s very own King Tut’s on 12th March. Having one of the most exciting live shows in the UK rock scene at the moment, with David Jakes goose-bump-inducing vocals as striking live as they are on record, this tour, with supports acts still to be announced is sure to be a highlight of 2015.
KWABS
P r ev i e w s RAG ‘N’ BONE MAN
Comes to the Broadcast on 21st March
Fans of Rory Graham, aka Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, will be ecstatic come March when his new EP ‘Disfigured’ drops on the 9th before he heads out on a UK tour in support of the EP, stopping off in Glasgow on the 21st. If the new EP is anything like his previous offering, Wolves, then it’s sure to be a huge hit. Fans of the soulful singer are continually entertained by his versatility as his sound is never restricted by any musical boundaries and effortlessly skips across genres from hip-hop, to blues, funk, soul and back again. You can catch him in Broadcast on 21st March.
Comes to 02 Academy on 16th & 17th March The UK’s most exciting soul star Kwabs (full name Kwabena Sarkodee Adjepong) has announced he will be the main support on Grammy-award winner Sam Smith’s March UK and European tour. Kwabs commented, “I just got the amazing news that I’ll be supporting Sam Smith this year on his UK and European tour. There are few artists I’d be happier to be sharing the stage with right now. Thanks for the invite Sam! Looking forward to meeting some of you soon.” If you were unable to get tickets to the sold out show and you want to hear the sultry soul singer’s voice, Kwabs has also announced details of his long-awaited debut album entitled Love + War. This 12-track LP is set for release on May 18th through Atlantic Records.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
Sudoku
QuickCrossword
ACROSS 1. Flabbergasted (6) 4. Venom (6) 8. Expel, force out (5) 9. Pivot (7) 10. Colonist (7) 11. Chess piece (5) 12. Never dying (9) 17. Confess (3,2) 19. Repeat (7) 21. Leaf vegetable (7) 22. Gloss (5) 23. Motor fuel (6) 24. Shortness of sight (6) DOWN 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 9. 13. 14. 15. 16. 18. 20.
Relaxed (2,4) Tipped off (7) Praise highly (5) Slanting (7) Twilled fabric (5) Calling (6) Immediately (9) Placate (7) Drastic reorganisation (5-2) Thrown carelessly (6) Rupture (6) Ingenuous (5) Prose composition (5)
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You may recall that Uranus is travelling through your sign. This is the planet associated with entrepreneurship. Aspects involving this planet suggest much could be gained by selfinvestment.
Taurus
Cash flow could be affected by events quite beyond your control after Saturn stations on 15th. From then, and until the lunar eclipse on April 4th, you may well be affected by world events that challenge you to think about financial matters differently.
Gemini This could prove a stormy month: if not on the political stage then perhaps by way of natural disaster. It certainly seems likely that the period March 17th through April 4th will be tense at many levels. We should, perhaps, all be prepared for the unexpected.
Cancer
March could be a taxing month – in all senses of the word. It might suit you then to discuss recent developments with your financial advisor – and do so early in the month.
Leo
With both Venus and Mars moving through Aries (another Fire sign), it would be understandable if relationship-wise you were ‘all fired up’. You might also be willing to take more risks than usual.
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EASY
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March Horoscopes Aries
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8
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4 1
3 9
6 7
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Place 1-9 in each row, column and 3X3 box
Sagittarius
How does the cosmos affect your life? Horoscopes can show you how to have fun in love and build lasting relationships!
Volatility might be the key word. Highs early in the month could be followed by extreme turbulence in the days leading into the Equinox before slight recovery before end of the month.
Virgo One of your great gifts is concern for others. In fact, you can raise worry to an art form. Note though that with both Venus and Mars moving through fiery Aries, it’s possible that much has flared up out of proportion and can be solved early next month.
Capricorn Social networking is the big theme this month. The interesting thing about this is that you could find yourself with people whose backgrounds are hugely different to your own.
Libra
Aquarius
Anticipate the need to dance to yet another pulse soon – though probably not until after the lunar eclipse early next month.
There’s a saying that ‘still water runs very deep’ – which could apply to you presently. Remaining passive and inscrutable seems highly likely this month.
Scorpio
Pisces
Those born under Scorpio are said to have finely tuned financial acumen. It may be that a venture you’ve been pursuing for at least half a Saturn cycle (as much as 14 years) could reach a significant turning point around Saturn’s station on 14th.
Two extra-ordinary planetary clusters occur this month. During the first week of March you could have something to celebrate. At the very least it appears a change of financial direction seems likely.
Crossword and Sudoku results from February’s issue 1
A S S 10 O C 13 I A 17 T E 6
T
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U
A M I S S
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R T
A 21
L
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F I N N A L E
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T A 9
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S N O W S T O R M
8 1 5 7 6 2 9 4 3
9 7 4 3 8 1 2 5 6
2 3 6 4 9 5 8 7 1
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4 9 8 6 2 3 7 1 5
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EASY
5 6 3 1 7 9 4 2 8
3 5 2 9 4 8 1 6 7
6 4 9 5 1 7 3 8 2
7 8 1 2 3 6 5 9 4
5 2 6 9 1 3 8 7 4
8 4 3 2 6 7 1 9 5
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Lifestyle: Student Life & Advice
by Nathan Ouriach Writer for the The Daily Touch
18 THINGS NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT GRADUATE HOUSE SHARING Sharing a house at university is something special. You all have the same free time, you were all able to get to know each other beforehand and, despite the palpable smell of Fosters and that one housemate who persists in stealing milk, it was a happy place. But for graduates house sharing is a different, competitive beast. You no longer count as a student and lose all the benefits that come with it. Welcome to the desperate world of the nomads.
5. Despite signing up for email alerts, you will always be too late. Receive them on the way to work to ring up at lunch time and be told it is no longer available.
1. It’s all a big popularity contest. In highly competitive areas it takes more than just having the money to get a place. You need to be able to clean up after yourself as well as play the entertainer.
14. You’ll never see your housemates’ rooms. Like a house within a house, the bedroom becomes your only real piece of property. A bit like those tents in Harry Potter.
6. You will meet a lot of weirdos.
15. You’ll also never use the front room.
Actually, I think I’ll keep looking.
You’ll basically be watching TV with strangers.
7. You will make up interests just to satisfy would-be housemates. 2. You should prepare to be rejected.
“Looking for a housemate with an interest in horology and land amphibians.” Yep. That’s me.
Back to having spareroom.com open on an incognito window at work.
8. The age range of your flatmates can be… unnerving.
3. Speed Flatmating is a thing.
Being close to your work, being affordable and being tolerable are the necessities. It’s not until moving in you realise you are living with two 40 year olds, a 17 year old and a dog.
You get so desperate that you end up spending your Tuesday evenings in the weird, drunken limbo of Speed Flatmating. Disclaimer: it is not a date.
9. You will live with people who work shifts and probably never see them. 10. It’s always someone’s Friday night. Don’t expect to sleep when it’s your Tuesday but their Friday.
11. You will lose all enthusiasm to make new friends. 4. You will never be above posting desperate Facebook pleas. “Anyone know of a cheap room going in East London? Thanks.”
16. Just because you’re all adults now doesn’t mean there won’t be petty arguments. 17. You won’t know what to do when you see your housemates outside. What a moment it is when you realise Sarah from downstairs also takes the no. 73 at 08:32 every morning.
With years at uni building relationships and years ensuring you keep in contact with your friends from home, add in the small talk at work and by the time you’re in your house you just want to face plant the pillow.
12. You’ll be even more attached to your things. And there aren’t enough hiding places for your precious uni branded mug.
13. There is always a de facto house leader. Chances are your houseshare has an authoritarian who has lived there for years. This Van Wilder will act like the place is theirs.
18. But on the plus side, landlords are a lot nicer. You are finally a real, functioning adult. No need to be conned by letting agents any more.
Why can’t we just all live on one long corridor again?
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
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A SALT(Y)
REVIEW
crackling, peppered ham and marinated peppers. The highlight, however, was the bowl of pulled pork which was spicy and had the perfect texture. It was a superb selection and indicated the vast array of cuisines and delicacies available. Furthermore the portions were ideal for sharing, and luckily my vegetarian friend’s presence enabled me to enjoy the pulled pork all to myself guilt-free. The menu revolves every week or so, ensuring your lunch will never be the same. With a menu as diverse as theirs, the idea of an ever-evolving menu is exciting and mouth-watering. Salt also boasts an extensive and appetising deli. The counter has everything you would wish from a deli and more, with a vast array of meats, olives and sweets. Most mouth-watering was the broccoli and quinoa loaf, which we would have ordered if we were not completely full. Their deli, however, is to-go; Salt offers individual portions of meals, which is ideal for when you’re eating solo (ain’t no shame) and the prospect of buying a ton of ingredients for yourself seems pointless. Whether you are looking for a meal to enjoy straight away or a few ingredients – locally
S
Opening in December of last year, Salt has a prime West End location at the bottom of Byres Road, perfect for students looking for something to eat beyond the library vending machines. With a welcoming, artisanal-vibe décor, there is a bar and a few tables, ideal for when you and your pals are sick of trapsing around looking for somewhere other than Gregs. It’s not an enormous lay out, which lends itself perfectly to creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere. My friend and I were lucky enough to sample their unconventional menu, which undoubtedly has something for everyone. We both had tacos, but they differed enormously in filling and flavour. They were presented beautifully: three miniature taco shells placed on wooden plates, each looking appetising and, because of their miniature size, somehow super cute too. For mine, the tacos were filled with Korean prawns, which had a real kick to them and were served with rocket, cucumber cubes and carrot slices. My friend, appearing as a vegetarian representative, enjoyed taco filled with sweet potato and feta rosti, with rocket, balsamic vinegar and pesto. All the flavours complimented each other perfectly; it was impressive how distinct and respectively delicious our taco orders were. We then enjoyed a sharing platter, with each dish presented perfectly in a tiny bowl on a wooden plate. The platter included delicious black olives, pieces of pork
D TU
sourced and reasonably priced – to make the perfect meal, Salt’s extensive deli is the ideal pit stop. Salt also boasts a huge variety of food items from all over the world to ensure your home cooking is that little bit more special. Between the fine panetonne and Italian sweets collection, the various kinds of coffee bean for the caffeine lover in you and the many condiments you don’t realise you need, Salt seems to offer something for everyone. Plus, many of their products are locally sourced and independently manufactured. This includes jarred goods with the most glorious puns imaginable; In a Pickle Lily, Rabbie’s Burnie Mustard, Hot Date Jam…come for the food – stay for the puns. The shop is perfect for when you want to indulge in some culinary treats. With super friendly staff, an eclectic, unusual menu for a reasonable price and a superb deli to inspire you to channel the master chef inside, Salt is the ideal place for when you fancy Jonny Stone eating something a little more @jonny_stone_ special, a little less ordinary.
E NT
0141 404 7404 0141 334 7956
WE’LL FIX YOUR PHONE WE ALSO DO: Data recovery • PC and Mobile phone sales • A wide range of computer and mobile phone accessories
25 Byres Road G11 5RD www.pwsads.com/foneplus/
Braw burgers and magic milkshakes in the West End 526 Great Western Road @brgrgla brgrglasgow Tel: 0141 339 1199 w www.brgr-glasgow.com
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
41
Lifestyle: Student Life & Advice
by Sean Talbot Editor of The Daily Touch
16 REASONS WHY 2ND YEAR OF UNIVERSITY IS THE WORST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE The hangover of first year with the looming worry of third year. Cue the world’s smallest violin.
1. You move out of halls and away from the close-knit campus community.
6. After the summer retainer fiasco, and the price of your rent, you’ve probably never been poorer. You’re paying top dollar to live in squalor because that’s just the way it is. Your landlord is a rip off, you feel cheated and the student loan company are still being late (or outright wrong) with payments. Not to mention now having to factor in the cost of taxis on top of the usual night-out expenditure – and if you’re the type to lose your friends you’re looking at a costly and lonely ride home.
13. As a result, you get your first 2:2.
7. As a result you seem to do a lot less. Money and distance are the two factors that contribute to your growing boredom. The guys who lived downstairs are now a 20-minute bus ride away and neither party can be arsed to visit.
8. Your local is probably full of them. 2. You end up far away from everyone and everything.
Goodbye £2 pints and a median age of 19; hello John Smiths and aggressive side-eye.
Chances are, in first year, you were only ever a couple of minutes – even seconds – from all your friends. If your flatmates weren’t up for anything you simply headed to the flat next door, or downstairs, or the building opposite; there was always someone nearby you could go to without a need to plan anything. But now you’ve moved into the surrounding urban sprawl and nothing is the same.
9. Everyday kind of feels like groundhog day.
14. And everything you write is now burdened with the reality that it now “counts”. Every time you get a low grade you have to make up for it with the next thing you submit, or risk going into final year and being written off by your lecturers. Unlike first year, where every slip up was brushed off because “it doesn’t really count,” you’re now overly-conscious of the fact that what you’re submitting is affecting your overall degree grade – which is actually making things worse.
3. Due to the panic of renting a house for the first time, you probably ended up with something just short of inhabitable.
15. You need time off more than ever, but can’t rest because you actually have to spend it studying.
The only downside to first year was the stress of securing second-year housing. Nobody knew what they were doing but absolutely everyone was told it was a competitive market. Get in early or lose out. Except everyone got in early, and seemingly everyone lost out.
First year you is shaking their head because all you want is to go home; you need some replenishment from mum and dad. It’s just a shame you have the worry of 3 essays and some required reading hanging over your head the whole time.
4. You complained about the state of halls, but that’s a palace compared to where you are now. Your furniture doesn’t match, you have mould issues and probably even some problem neighbours who hate you simply for being a student.
5. You also have to deal with bills and stuff.
#groundhogday 10. You ended first year on a high, and this year just isn’t living up to the hype. Taken out of context, you’d probably be having a great time. But you can’t stop comparing it to first year and it doesn’t stand a chance. The disappointment is palpable.
11. You thought freshers flu was bad, until you experienced the sub-zero temperatures of student housing. What. Is. The. Deal. With. This.
12. Either the work gets a lot harder, or the marking is a lot stricter. You kind of breezed through first year, somehow going mental every night yet never seeing your grades suffer. It lulled you into a false sense of security. You didn’t think you needed to up your game or change your studying habits because they worked just fine last year, but the rules have changed.
16. But the worst part: everyone else feels the same. 2nd year: It’s a collective ball of cb-fucking-a.
But at least it leaves you determined to have an amazing 3rd year. Which you do.
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What’s On: In April
by Cameron Willis @CameronWillis92 c.willis@tsaglasgow.com
LOVE ACTION EASTER WEEKEND AT THE ARCHES There’s something reinvigorating about Spring. Flowers grow, lambs jump about, Jesus rose from a nice wee snooze in a tomb etc etc. But perhaps more importantly, the miserable, freezing cauld, soaking hoards of Scotland become a little bit more optimistic with Summer on the horizon. It’s like a sauna/swim detox after a heavy weekend of absolute carnage. So sweat out all the badness, gear up for a weekend of madness, and welcome this much-needed season of change with the Love Action Easter Weekend in association with Colours at The Arches. It’s over the course of a full weekend, from Thursday April 2nd to Sunday April 5th, and with more acts than you can shake the proverbial stick at on show, it’s all set up to provide the perfect start to the springtime. The event launched last year, and consisted of a 3-day festival in this fair city and an arena at the EH1 Music Festival. It attracted a massive 3,000 people. This year, all the events are at The Arches, and it promises to be bigger and better than the last.
The Thursday night kicks the weekend off with a special showcase from UK Trance label Anjunabeats. The Above & Beyond owned and operated label started in 2000 and has went from strength to strength. The lineup includes Andrew Bayer, ilan Bluestone and special guest Grum, with highenergy, hard-trance kicking the weekend into action and promising to whip the Glasgow crowd into a Love Action hungry frenzy. House label Defected Records take charge of the Friday. They promise the cream of their crop, with big house sounds and some of the biggest names in the scene set to make an appearance. UK chart topper MK headed up last year’s lineup, and he does so again this year in the Friday’s stand out slot. Simon Dunmore, Franky Rizardo, Sonny Fodera and Sam Divine top up the Defected inspired line up, delivering some of the finest house music around. Friday’s house theme continues on the Saturday, and a mix of up-and-comers and established acts makes for an enticing lineup. Seb Fontaine, Danny Avila, twoloud, Ummet
Ozcan, Danny Howells, VINAI and John Please Wimmin. Need I say more? If house and EDM are your thing, the Saturday’s for you. Arches favourite Hot Since 82 heads up the Sunday lineup to send the weekend off in style. His last gig at The Arches was a sell-out, and this one’s shaping up to be no different. Joining him on the bill are Hamburg’s Tensnake, Patrick Topping, and son of legendary SubClub DJ Harri, Jasper James. The Sunday is the perfect end to a big weekend, and this lineup has got many people excited. The weekend is aiming to grow year on year and become a mainstay in Glasgow’s revered clubbing calendar. A weekend pass costs £75 (+BF), if you think you’re a seasoned enough sesh-pert and laugh at the prospect at four days of relentless Arches chaos. Super earlybird one day tickets are £18 (+BF), normal earlybird tickets £24 (+BF) and standard one day tickets £30 (+BF). So get in quick if any of these lineups have you looking out your dancing shoes in excitement. It’s a trance infused housey mix up of melodic madness, and if that’s what you’re into, there’s no better way to welcome a wee bit of sunshine in the springtime. If any. We are in Scotland after all.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
The Interview: Years & Years
5 Minutes With...
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
YEARS AND YEARS Mere hours before their performance at the BRITs after party, I chatted with Mikey Goldsworthy, a bassist who makes up one third of Years and Years – the winners of the BBC’s Sound of 2015 poll – to chat about their new single King (one of Zane Lowe’s hottest records in the world) and their plans for the rest of 2015... Congrats on the Sound of 2015 win! How does winning something as huge as that make you, Olly and Emre feel? Thanks! Well there’s a bit of pressure but I think we’ve always done what we thought was right and it’s got us this far so we’re just going to kind of keep our heads down and keep doing that. It’s a very impressive win and you were also runners up for the Critics’ Choice Awards at the BRITs, what is it about your music that you think appeals to people? Good question, I think there’s a lot of dance acts at the moment who have a different singer each time and I think
because we have everything in house, we’re slightly different, so maybe that?
So King was released on the 1st of March, can you tell me a bit about it? Well, we’d written it quite a while ago, like end of 2013 but it’s changed quite a lot, it used to be quite moody in some of the verses and now it’s like a dancier, pop track so we took the best bits and then three or four versions later we finally got to that one. Is writing a collaborative effort from all three of you? Yeah, it’s a collaboration but Olly writes all of the lyrics. You just got 10 million views on Take Shelter and all of your videos seem really creative and expressive, do you have a lot of input into the videos? Yeah we’ve always done our own videos, we try to write down everything we want to do and bounce ideas off the director but yeah we have a huge part to play in them.
When can your fans expect the debut album to be released? The album’s going to come out in summer, hopefully June and it’s now about 90% done.
Are you excited to play T in the Park? What other festivals have you got lined up? Oh yeah, I’m excited about all the festivals. We’re playing Glastonbury as well, none of us have ever been before so we’re excited. And finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2015? We’ve got the UK tour just now and then we’re going to America for about a month, then we’re doing a European tour and all the festivals and then another UK tour. We’re so busy, I can literally tell you what I’m doing in December. Years & Years new single ‘King’ is out now.
10
THOUGHTS OF A...
Marketing
Student
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Oh, what I learned last week already doesn’t apply. Why does this industry have to change so fast? That was a good nap. Wait I need HOW many respondents for my research? Better get started. I wonder how many of my Facebook friends have blocked me because I share too many surveys. Oh man, that market research is due tomorrow? Time for a nap.
“Oh you study PR? I already work in PR, I hand out flyers for this bar.” Face Palm.
That is SUCH a sexy SWOT analysis.
Did I just share that tweet to my personal account, or my professional account?
OoOoOh, new follower on LinkedIn. I wonder if its an Account Manager, a Sales Manager, a...nope, just another classmate. This job looks promising... company car, OTE of way over my current salary. Nope. Door to door. NOPE! I can’t even finish this social media strategy. What am I doing in life?
Joanna Mullan @joannamullan
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DIRECTED BY GRAEME WATT. WRITTEN BY STEPHEN ARTHUR AND GEORGE STEWART.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
45
Lifestyle: Student Life & Advice
by Courtney Hendry @courtneysarahx c.hendry@tsaglasgow.com
ONE DRESS ONE MONTH
Sometime last year, I read about a group of students from Glasgow University who were embarking on the ‘One Dress One Month’ challenge and I couldn’t help but think how awful yet brilliant it sounded. The aim of the challenge is to spend a full month wearing just one dress to raise money for charity. It sounds simple and I suppose it is but in the month of February, in Scotland, when it’s generally around 2 degrees, it gets pretty tough to team the dress with anything other than tights – or in other words, the most evil creation in women’s fashion (I now have an unreal hatred for black opaque tights). ‘One Dress One Month’ is based on The Uniform Project, which Sheena Matheiken started back in 2009. The creative director challenged herself to wear one dress for an entire year and make it look different each day and raised money to send less fortunate children to school along the way.
Her original idea has now been replicated all over the world and other fundraising initiatives, such as One Dress One Month, have now been created. Glasgow Women’s Aid is the charity the Glasgow University girls have supported for the last few years and it is also the charity that I chose to support during my ODOM challenge. Glasgow Women’s Aid, which runs refuges across the city for women and children fleeing domestic violence, relies on donations to fund its vital services to the 5,000 women and their children who contact the charity on a yearly basis. The charity services are incredibly important because sadly we are still living in a world where violence against women exists. Shockingly, one in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives and on average, two women per week are killed by a male partner or expartner in the UK. Throughout the month, I kept a diary of the challenge on my blog (https://beforeiam21.wordpress.com/) to keep
myself motivated and to hopefully provide inspiration to anyone who takes on the challenge in the future (I obsessively read every other ODOM blog I could find before starting). Hopefully sharing some of my ODOM diary excerpts will encourage other people to get involved with different fundraising ideas and help support Glasgow Women’s Aid – and if you do take on the ODOM challenge, remember to bulk buy tights, they seem to be intent on ripping near enough daily.
One Dress One Month Diary Entries Day One – Originally, my lovely boyfriend was going to pick the dress (and it was going to be awful) but we both kept forgetting and eventually settled on this stripey number the day before I started. I think it’ll be easy to make it look different throughout the month and yes, I get to wash it! The only times I won’t be wearing the dress is at work, because I have to wear a uniform and at the gym, though I’ll be wearing it to and from.
Day Four – Popped into the TSA offices today to get a look at issue six! Dressed it up a bit today with a smart blazer and heeled boots. So amazed at all the donations, thank you so much – £93 raised so far! Just so you know where your donations to Glasgow Women’s Aid might go, a £10 donation can provide an emergency support pack for a woman fleeing domestic abuse. Women often turn up at GWA with just the clothes on their backs and an emergency pack can provide them with essential items like toiletries, nappies & food.
I did ODOM because I wanted to raise money for Glasgow Women’s Aid and I’ve posted a lot in this blog about why I wanted to fundraise for this particular charity but I think these statistics are more important than anything I could ever write: One in four women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives Two women per week are murdered by a partner or ex-partner Women who are living with domestic abuse are five
Day Fourteen – Now halfway through my one dress one month challenge and was so excited to get to wear heels and dress it up last night for a quadruple 50th birthday party. The fundraising is still going very well, thank you all so much again, raised 72% of the target in just under two weeks. All the money raised goes directly to Glasgow Women’s Aid and they use it to provide information, support and refuge services to those affected by domestic abuse. £20 could allow for a woman to take part in an activity with other women in refuge, like yoga or stress management, to help build her self-esteem, health and well-being.
Day Twenty-Two – Was so cold today so tights, boots & a big jacket were very necessary! You can just see the dress peeking out from underneath. Current total is sitting at £285 and although I’m so thrilled and thankful to have made my target, it would be amazing to raise £300 for Glasgow Women’s Aid.
times more likely to suffer from depression In 90% of incidents of domestic abuse, where children are present in the home, the children will be in the same or the next room On average a woman will be assaulted 35 times before reporting it to the police 100,000 children in Scotland are living with domestic abuse It will cost the charity in excess of £1.6 million to provide their services in the coming year and although
Day Twenty-Eight – So after twenty-eight days of wearing my little stripey dress, I’m finally free! When I started, I thought it would be amazing to raise £250 so I’m ridiculously happy that thanks to everyone’s generosity, that target has been totally smashed! It’s now sitting at £420 but the page will be left open for another while so if you’d like to donate please do so.
they are currently able to provide 38 family spaces in seven refuge bases across the city of Glasgow, they were forced to turn away 344 women seeking refuge in the past year as their services are increasingly stretched. If you would like to support the services Glasgow Women’s Aid provides you can do so by visiting their website www.glasgowwomensaid.org.uk to make a donation or you can get involved in the charities fundraising events by emailing volunteers@ glasgowwomensaid.org.uk.
46
What’s On: Games & Gadgets
by Aidan Scott @bigaidan a.scott@tsaglasgow.com
PICK OF THE MONTH
Gadgets Galore
SMARTEYEGLASS
Spring is fast approaching and with it, the new year of game releases. Here are just a few of the games and gadgets we think you should be looking out for in the month of March.
Sony have decided to fill the Google Glass void with the release of their SmartEyeglass this month. The glasses will have a compass, camera and gyroscope on board although it will set you back around £620.
POWER PEN BATTLEFIELD HARDLINE One of 2015’s most anticipated releases, Hardline is a first for the Battlefield franchise in that it takes the player away from the military scenarios that they have been accustomed to and on to the streets of Los Angeles in the fight between the police and criminals. If you are fretting over the possibility of not having the same standard of weapons that you could use in previous games, don’t worry. The military equipment is still here, only this time you can also use tasers and handcuffs on enemy players, you know, if that’s your thing. EA Games have promised that the game’s story mode will not be so linear this time round and instead will give the players different opportunities to determine how well they conclude each crime
Other games to look out for…
(PS4, Xbox One, PC)
Red 5 are selling a new pen that doubles as a phone charger. Compatible with most smart phones, the Power Pen can charge your phone, be used as a stylus for your touch screen and also as a simple ballpoint pen.
mission. In this sense, it does not sound all that different from LA Noire. Of course, on the grand scale of things, not many players who buy this game will be doing so for the story mode. Online play has always been, and is the main attraction of Battlefield. The usual online modes are still present but this game adds some new ones relevant to the inherent crime theme. For instance, these new modes include a heist scenario which involves a team of criminals trying to break into a vault and getting the money to an extraction point before a team of police are able to stop them. Battlefield Hardline will be released on March 19th.
CITIES: SKYLINES (PC)
BLOODBORNE (PS4)
There have been many popular city building games over the years; Tropico is one that encourages you to build a city on your own personal island while the SimCity franchise has been the undoubted king of this genre. This kind of game never seems to decline in popularity and so the next one off the conveyor belt arrives on Steam this month in the form of Cities: Skylines. The game describes itself as an “endless sandbox”, in that there will be no limit to what you can build. The thing that makes this game most interesting however is that users will actively be encouraged to create mods that can be shared online, in order to constantly keep the game moving forward. Cities: Skylines will be released on March 10th.
In an exclusive for the PlayStation 4, the developer of the Dark Souls games have made their latest foray into the role-playing genre. Set in the fictional gothic city of Yharnam, players must find the antidote to a disease that has left the city’s inhabitants in a bestial state. The game promises to be unpredictable in its storytelling techniques and will provide players with a variety of options for progression. If you are familiar with the aforementioned Dark Souls, then you will know just how difficult that game was. The good news here is that Bloodborne will not be any more difficult as the developers hope that it will still be playable for the average gamer. Bloodborne will be released on March 27th.
STAR TREK REMOTE CONTROL
Amazingly, the gadget store are also selling a Star Trek Phaser remote for your TV, for when you want to change the channel with the accompanying sound effects!
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
47
The Interview: Mini Mansions
by Eilidh Harrison e.harrison@tsaglasgow.com
MINI MANSIONS Though we’re just a couple of months into the new year, 2015 is already shaping up to be an impressive year for music. With returns from the likes of Modest Mouse, Björk, Sleater-Kinney, and a host of other diverse artists, it seems like this year is standing up to be the year of the comeback album, and L.A. psychedelic pop band Mini Mansions are no exception. On the 23rd of March, Mini Mansions will be releasing their sophomore album, The Great Pretenders, as a follow-up to their 2010 self-titled debut. I had the pleasure of sitting down with vocalist Michael Shuman on the 22nd of February before their performance at Glasgow’s Barrowlands to discuss the band’s latest effort. “Don’t bring it up,” Michael laughs as I gear up to ask about the band’s hefty five year gap between their debut and their upcoming The Great Pretenders. “Five years later, we’re more mature,” he tells me. “We love the first record, and we love what we did, but it was an experiment in becoming Mini Mansions, whereas with this, we knew what to do as we went into making this record. Lyrically, it’s a lot more emotional, and more personal. The bass playing is really phenomenal,” he notes, grinning as bassist Zack Dawes enters the room. “But yeah. It’s more focused. It’s more fun.” Having met Zack at a fateful basketball game when Michael was just eleven years old, the band have an incredible longstanding friendship with one another, and it shows in their music. Those who have listened to Mini Mansions will recognise that their sound is an unusual one with plentiful echoes to a number of other genres. I pose the impossible question to Michael: how would you go about describing your sound to somebody who hasn’t heard your music before? He hesitates a moment before answering. “Well, no-one wants to come off egotistical and say, ‘We have a new sound!’ No one wants to say that. But it is hard to describe, and I think the easiest way is to say that it all stems from psych-pop music, you know, 60’s/70’s pop music. “When we started the band, we based it off of a certain co-admiration for like, obviously, The Beatles, Elliot Smith, Devo, a bunch of bands. But we have a wide array of bands we listen to; from hip-hop to jazz, just whatever. I don’t think we try to throw everything in there, but maybe that’s why. All these influences kind of pile together.” With such an eclectic mix of music influences, I’m curious to find out what recent albums have caught his eye. I ask him if 2014 housed any particular artist or record that really stood out for him, to which he gives a rather sheepish smile. “See, I’m really bad at listening to new records,” he admits, “I’m really awful. I actually, for the first time, just got Spotify. I’m not a big fan of how it treats artists, but it’s a great platform, and it’s a great way to find out about new music, so that’s been my effort in trying to find new music. Like, put on a new record everyday on Spotify, or whatever it is, just to get the juices flowing and get my taste back. I used to love music so much, I used to go to shows every night and now I don’t. But I think it’s because I play so much that it’s the last thing on my mind. Anyway, that being said, I think we’re all big fans of Father John Misty. Loved his last record, I love his new record. Last year, I liked that St Vincent record, and the Father John Misty record.” If you’re in any way familiar with the alternative music scene, you’ll know that Michael Shuman not only lends his talents to Mini Mansions, but has also been standing as the bassist for rock titans Queens of the Stone Age since 2007. Inevitably, this incredible association has provided him with
a substantial influence within the music business, and as a result, The Great Pretenders will be featuring a number of impressive artists including The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, and notably, Arctic Monkeys’ frontman Alex Turner. “We’re just close friends,” Michael says of Alex, “he was just coming by the studio when we were making the record and we had an idea for a different character, a different voice on a song. It was supposed to be like a British, thuggish voice. He doesn’t have the most thuggish voice,” he laughs, “but it’s definitely British! He’s definitely from Sheffield. We had been trying to figure out what we should do exactly and then he was just there and it just made sense.” Mini Mansions are currently touring alongside Royal Blood in support of their upcoming album, and their anticipation for its release is palpable in their performance. They play through their catalogue of both old and new songs with incredible gusto and passion, which makes them a joy to watch. It’s not everyday
that a band so obviously and utterly immersed in the joy of performance and creation comes strolling into prominence. “I’m just really excited for the record to be out there,” he says in closing. “We’ve been waiting years. Songs have been developed over awhile, but, yeah, it’s been like a year and a half since we really started recording it. It’s been awhile, so we’re ready.”
48
Lifestyle: Student Life & Advice
by Charlotte Coster Writer for the The Daily Touch
10 THINGS YOU’LL HATE ABOUT HAVING HOUSEMATES AT UNIVERSITY You love your housemates, you really do. But sometimes you wish they just weren’t there. 10. And there is no such 1. They slow down the internet.
5. And it’s never anyone’s turn to take out the bins.
Why is it that everyone is downloading stuff at the precise moment you want to watch a film? Cue raging when it takes 5 hours to watch a 2 hour movie.
9. Being ‘in sync’ is a real thing. And it’s dangerous.
thing as privacy.
You know how occasionally you just want to be left alone? That’s not an option any more.
Men run for your lives.
2. There is no milk. Or butter. Or bread. Or anything. Could you, like, no be here?
Whatever you thought you might have leftover in your fridge…you don’t any more It feels like a fat man is sitting on my uterus
6. There is never any hot water. Ever! Even if you get up first.
3. They are always having a better social life than you.
But despite all this, you know you love them really.
ARE LOOKING FOR STUDENT WRITERS TO JOIN OUR GLASGOW TEAM! DO YOU MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA?
ARE YOU LOOKING TO ENHANCE YOUR CV?
Normally just when you want to go to sleep.
JOIN A GROWING TEAM?
RECEIVE UNLIMITED BANTER?
ACCESS AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF TEA? 7. Or toilet paper. 8. All toiletries are communal. Apparently.
4. There are pizza boxes everywhere.
THEN JOIN OUR GLASGOW TEAM TODAY AND BE PART OF SOMETHING
BIG! SEND US AN EMAIL TO info@thstudentadvertiser.co.uk OR SEND US A MESSAGE ON FACEBOOK
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7
49
Let’s Review: Album of the Month
by Aidan Scott @bigaidan a.scott@tsaglasgow.com
PICK OF THE MONTH
THE CRIBS – FOR ALL MY SISTERS It has been three years since the release of their last studio album but The Cribs are finally back with their latest effort “For All My Sisters”. The three-piece band from Yorkshire have been known as one of the best British rock bands around since the release of their debut album back in 2004 and trust me, “For All My Sisters” serves to solidify that reputation. The album kicks off with the bass-heavy “Finally Free”, a great opener that gives you a taster of what is to come; a record full of songs with melodic, sometimes anthemic, choruses that are sure to go down well in a live environment. That’s not forgetting the multitude of powerful guitar riffs that The Cribs pull off in their own weird way. It’s not long before you get to the album’s first single “Burning for No One”, of which the opening lyric “dancing on the street” really sets you up for catchy, dance-nature of the song. This is one that is sure to feature in indie clubs wherever it is popular and a song that I would not be surprised to hear in the charts at some point. “Mr. Wrong” quickly passes by with its echoes of punk and while it is a reasonably good track, it is one of the rare weak tracks on the album as a whole. However, “An Ivory Hand” quickly makes up for the former’s shortcomings. Featuring a chorus with a melody and harmonies evocative
of the Beach Boys, this is a potential single and one that I can imagine going down very well with fans. “Simple Story” slows the album down a little with its mellow instrumentation and structure but does provide an atmospheric contrast with some of the album’s earlier tracks. The album gets back into the swing of things with its next few tracks “City Storms”, “Pacific Time” and “Summer of Chances”, which could all be potential singles releases as the year goes on. All three have some great vocal hooks and again, I can see them all being popular with festival crowds this summer. This is the strongest section of the album which is a bit of a shame as the following songs fail to live up to the quality of the rest of the record. Don’t get me wrong, “Diamond Girl” and “Spring on Broadway” are relatively good but the rest of the album sets the bar high and I just don’t think that these songs are able to reach that. The album closes with “Pink Snow”, the band’s attempt at an epic closer and at this they largely succeed. The song sounds big, which is always a good thing, and ends with a great instrumental section. Job done. Overall, it is a very good return to action for the band and while it may not light up the charts, it has some songs on it that could easily be the feature of festival highlights this year.
Look Out For Madonna: Rebel Heart
You’ll likely have already heard plenty about Madonna’s 13th studio album, thanks to the ageism row that’s erupted and those impatient hackers who insist on releasing content early but we won’t be able to judge the full nineteen-track album until March 9. However, the lead single Living For Love has us firmly convinced that the original Queen of pop is back on top form. On this latest album she’s roped in producers such as Avicii, Diplo, Mike Dean and Kanye West and each has influenced various tracks in excellent ways and have made the excitement surrounding the album grow feverently.
The Prodigy: The Day Is My Enemy After watching the short film ‘Can You Hear Me?’ which was released to promote the bands upcoming album, one fan put it best when he commented: “If that’s a teaser for what’s to come from the new material, we are all in for a f***ing mental time!” It’s the first studio album The Prodigy have released since Invaders Must Die back in 2009 and founding member Liam Howlett has described the album as “violent-sounding” and assured it would “wipe the floor” with the modern-day DJ scene – we can’t wait.
James Bay: Chaos and the Calm
The BRITs Critics Choice Winner’s highly anticipated debut album will be released on March 23 and if the rest of the album is as impressive as the insanely infectious Hold Back The River and the soulful Let It Go then it’s safe to say he’ll live up to his solid reputation as one of the most talented up and coming singersongwriters around.
EMPLOYMENT
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TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT www.s1jobs.com/recruiterprofiles/tsa CHEF ££££ COMPETATIVE Primestaff Hospitality/Catering/Tourism Glasgow We are currently looking for Chefs who have experience working in a care home or similar environment, hold a valid PVG and who are familiar with specialist dietary needs. These shifts are to cover holidays , sickness and busy periods. Applicants must also have an SVQ3 in professional cookery and have previous experience working in a care home. You will also be asked to complete a skills test.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY £salary not specified East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust Executive/Management Dunbartonshire East East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust Independent Director opportunity. Applications are invited from those who have an interest in public service and are passionate about promoting Leisure and Culture Services. East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture is an established company limited by guarantee with charitable status responsible for the strategic and operational management of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Leisure and Culture Services. To qualify for this challenging and rewarding opportunity you should be knowledgeable in either or both Leisure and Cultural services and/or skilled in a profession or other capacity that will add value and support to the Board. On average, you will serve on the Trust Board and Sub Groups around eight times per year with Board Meetings taking place in the evening, normally in Kirkintilloch, although you may need to travel to other venues on occasion.
FACE TO FACE MARKET RESEARCH INTERVIEWER Competitive pay rates Ipsos Mori Marketing/PR Edinburgh Face-to-Face Market Research Interviewer earn £63 – £80 per day* plus Travel Expenses. Do you enjoy visiting different communities, meeting new people and finding out about their lives? Are you a good listener? Are you looking for an exciting role where no two days are the same? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have just the role for you. As a Market Research Interviewer with Ipsos MORI, we’ll pay you to travel throughout your local area, talking to people about their interests, political views, opinions and concerns. In this role, you’ll never be stuck in an office and you’ll never have to sell anything. Maybe you’ve read about us in the newspapers? Almost every day one of our opinion polls or surveys hits the headlines. Many of
these are conducted by our existing team of door-to-door interviewers, working without appointments. We’re looking for confident and outgoing people who aren’t fazed by the idea of knocking on a door, introducing themselves and quickly building rapport with the person who answers. You’ll be interviewing them on behalf of many different clients including government bodies, the media, national companies and charities. A genuine interest in the lives of other people is essential. What we can offer: High quality training with ongoing support. 6 hour working day. No early starts! Afternoon/evening and weekend work. Part-time hours with the opportunity to progress to full-time hours if desired. Flexible hours to fit around your other commitments and help you find the right work-life balance. Competitive rates of pay: £63 – £80 per day + travel expenses and holiday pay. Opportunities to develop your skills and work on a wider variety of surveys. What you can offer: Internet broadband via a wired-router at home. Able to work at least 6 hours a day, including evenings and weekends, for at least 2+ days a week. Use of a car with full supporting documents including full driver’s license. Documents to verify your identity and to show you’re eligible to work in the UK. Basic computer skills. Based on 6-hours and dependent on results.
CASUAL FESTIVAL EVENT STEWARD £7.28 ph showsec Customer Services Edinburgh APPLY NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THE SHOWSEC TEAM. Showsec is the UK’s most trusted crowd management, venue and event security specialist, with an international reputation for excellence. We are delighted to announce that we are now recruiting for casual festival event staff to be a part of thrilling and exciting large scale events during 2015 including: T in the Park, Download, Creamfields, V Festival, Wireless London and many more! Casual Festival Event Safety Steward. The hours of work available are varied and flexible – you choose when you want to work! Due to the nature of the work you must be over 18 to apply. A Steward is an essential part of any festival and large scale event safety management team, acting as the eyes and ears of the event and festival. At all times a Steward should be aware of and ensure the care, comfort and wellbeing of all categories of spectators. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. To work as part of the event and not a spectator. To understand their health and safety responsibilities to self and others, including those with special needs and children. To ensure familiar with the layout of the site/ venue and the available facilities including first aid, toilet, water in order to assist the public with relevant information. To attend pre-event briefings, ensuring familiar with arrangements for evacuating the audience, including coded messages. Carry out
pre-event checks. To ensure an even flow of people entering the venue/event. To staff restricted areas, segregated areas, exit and entry points. To monitor crowds for signs of overcrowding. Investigating any disturbances or incidents. To provide casualty management until qualified help arrives – by raising the alarm and providing necessary and appropriate help. To respond to emergencies – by raising the alarm and providing necessary and appropriate immediate help and assisting the emergency services as required. To provide a high standard of customer care.
SALES CUSTOMER ADVISOR – PART TIME Competitive plus benefits Arnold Clark Customer Services Edinburgh Hours of work will be Monday – Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm. We now have opportunities for individuals with or without previous Insurance experience eager to join a progressive, friendly workplace. We offer the right candidate an ideal opportunity to join and grow with us at this exciting time. We are looking to recruit a dynamic and committed individual with excellent customer service and interpersonal skills to deal with inbound and outbound telephone calls effectively. Working with commitment, you must be highly enthusiastic and confident with a dedicated approach to obtaining results and working to targets. As we are governed by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) you should have the ability to meet quality standards, such as adherence to call scripts, compliance with insurance regulations and error rates in data input. You should possess outstanding communication skills, the ability to build rapport quickly and be able to overcome objections with ease and professionalism. You must be computer literate with excellent keyboard skills. This vacancy is for our Arnold Clark Insurance Contact Centre, Edinburgh. With a turnover in excess of £2 billion, over 160 branches nationwide and an ever expanding portfolio, Arnold Clark is proud to be Europe’s largest independent motor dealer. The successful candidate will benefit from excellent working conditions, extensive training, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the industry. EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE ARNOLD CLARK GROUP IS OFFERED SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY REFERENCE AND DISCLOSURE CHECK. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
RECEPTIONIST Competitive plus benefits Arnold Clark Admin/Secretarial/PA Glasgow Being the first point of contact with our customers, the role of receptionist requires you to have excellent communication skills and a friendly manner, as well as being polite, courteous and organised. You will be required to deal with customers face to face and over the telephone confidently as well as direct them to the appropriate department or person efficiently. This vacancy is for our Harry Fairbairn BMW/ Mini Dealership, GIffnock. Hours of work will be Monday – Friday 8.30am – 6.00pm. The successful candidate will benefit from excellent working conditions, extensive training, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the industry. With a turnover in excess of £2 billion, over 160 branches nationwide and an ever expanding portfolio, Arnold Clark is proud to be Europe’s largest independent motor dealer. EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE ARNOLD CLARK GROUP IS OFFERED SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY REFERENCE AND DISCLOSURE CHECK. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
SALES ADMINISTRATOR – PART TIME Competitive plus benefits Arnold Clark Admin/Secretarial/PA Glasgow You will be required to assist in the smooth running of the department and duties will include, the ordering and delivery of new and used cars, taxing, invoicing, hire purchasing and other administration tasks. Good communication and computer skills are essential and you must be able to work on your own initiative. Hours of work will be Thursday & Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm. With a turnover in excess of £2 billion, over 160 branches nationwide and an ever expanding portfolio, Arnold Clark is proud to be Europe’s largest independent motor dealer. This vacancy is for our Vauxhall Dealership, Mount Vernon. The successful candidate will benefit from excellent working conditions, extensive training, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the industry. EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE ARNOLD CLARK GROUP IS OFFERED SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY REFERENCE AND DISCLOSURE CHECK. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7 GROUP SERVICE OFFICER TBC Topstaff Cleaning/Domestic/Caretaking Glasgow Topstaff Employment is looking to recruit a part time Group Service Officer (20hrs) for our client in the Hillington area. The successful candidate will be require to carry out general maintenance within and around a modern office building. Key Responsibilities. Maintenance of the grounds – lawns, shrubs and trees. Ensure paths and car park are cleared of ice/snow and leaves. Frequent checks to maintain stocks of tea, coffee, sugar, water (boardroom), toilet rolls, soap etc. General maintenance of building – identify and carry out where possible. Banking – cheque deposits, cash etc. Transport – Airport drop offs/pickups, meetings etc. Weekly washing of Company cars. Manage recycling bins. We are looking for a reliable person who proactively identifies, arranges and administers (where possible) a scope of tasks and procedures within an agreed schedule, who can also demonstrate the following: Proven interpersonal and team working skills. Professional and approachable. Ability to plan, prioritise and manage workload. Must have a readiness to adopt a flexible approach to tasks. Reliable/Adaptable. Hours of work. Monday – Friday 8am – 12 noon (flexibility required). Previous experience within a similar role would be an advantage but not essential. Driving licence essential.
TELEPHONIST – PART TIME MATERNITY COVER Competitive Plus Benefits Arnold Clark Customer Services Linwood (Renfrewshire) Being the first point of contact with our customers, the role of telephonist requires you to have excellent communication skills and a friendly manner, as well as being polite, courteous and organised. You will be required to deal with customers face to face and over the telephone confidently as well as direct them to the appropriate department or person efficiently. This vacancy is based at our Toyota Dealership, Linwood. Hours of work will be Monday – Friday 1.00pm – 5.30pm. With a turnover in excess of £2 billion, over 160 branches nationwide and an ever expanding portfolio, Arnold Clark is proud to be Europe’s largest independent motor dealer. The successful candidate will benefit from excellent working conditions, extensive training, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the industry. EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE ARNOLD CLARK GROUP IS OFFERED SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY REFERENCE AND DISCLOSURE CHECK. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
SERVICE ADVISOR – PART TIME Competitive plus benefits Arnold Clark Customer Services Glasgow Hours of work will be Saturday 8.00am – 5.00pm and Sunday 8.00am – 5.00pm. We are seeking a service advisor to assist in the running of the service department. You must possess excellent communication skills, be able to work as part of a team and have a courteous and friendly manner when dealing with customers. You will be required to record all details, keep track of cars that are worked on and liaise with
TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT www.s1jobs.com/recruiterprofiles/tsa the workshop and senior service advisors. A full driving license for a minimum of 1 year is essential. This vacancy is for our Harry Fairbairn BMW/Mini branch, Giffnock. The successful candidate will benefit from excellent working conditions, extensive training that could lead onto an IMI training Programme, life assurance and private health care, making our package one of the best in the industry. With a turnover in excess of £2 billion, over 160 branches nationwide and an ever expanding portfolio, Arnold Clark is proud to be Europe’s largest independent motor dealer. EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE ARNOLD CLARK GROUP IS OFFERED SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY REFERENCE AND DISCLOSURE CHECK. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
CHURCH AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR £19,893 – £21,843 pa pro rata Bethany Christian Trust Social Services/Housing/Childcare Glasgow Safe Families for Children Scotland. Supporting families who are experiencing difficult and challenging circumstances. 2 Posts. 22.5 hours, Permanent, based in Glasgow. SFFC provides trained volunteers to give parents the time, skills and confidence to deal with difficult and challenging circumstances and to support their children at home. SFFC projects are provided through local churches and faith communities to encourage greater community resilience and sustainable support networks. Bethany Christian Trust is the national partner for Safe Families for Children (SFFC) throughout Scotland. We are looking for two part time experienced and dynamic candidates to recruit and train volunteers as well as representing SFFC Glasgow to a wide range of stakeholders. The successful candidates will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You will be able to represent SFFC Scotland in a wide variety of settings but particularly in churches. You will have a proven track record in building networks and relationships and able to work creatively and independently. The post will require flexible working with regular evening and weekend work. As Bethany is a Christian organisation this post carries an Occupational Requirement in line with Equality Act 2010. Please note that one reference must be from your church minister or leader to endorse your live and active Christian faith and commitment. Successful applicants for this post will require an enhanced disclosure and membership of the PVG scheme.
BOARD DIRECTOR N/A Dance Base Executive/Management Edinburgh Dance Base. Dance Base is governed by a highly-skilled voluntary Board of Directors. We are now looking to appoint a new member who has strong financial expertise.Based in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, Dance. Base is a National Centre for Dance. Our primary aims are to support dance artists and choreographers by: cocommissioning, producing and presenting exceptional performances, strengthening our connection with audiences and participants, andincreasing access and opening up the enjoyment of dance to the whole community. Our mission is to encourage and celebrate the potential for dance in everyone. This mission is delivered through two programmes:
the professional programme and our participation programme. We are looking for someone with a strong commitment to making a difference to the Scottish dance and arts sectors. Specifically, we are seeking a new member with significant financial experience and/or an accountancy qualification. If appointed, we anticipate that you may need to devote an average of 1 day per month to Board duties. By joining this board you will have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic and influential board, one where there is an opportunity to make a significant and positive difference for the Scottish dance community. As such, we encourage applications from individuals who feel they have both the experience and the dynamism to successfully fulfill the demands of the role.
REFERRALS AND ADMIN COORDINATOR £16,601 – £17,542 pa pro rata Bethany Christian Trust Social Services/Housing/Childcare Edinburgh 15 hours, Permanent, based in Edinburgh. Safe Families for Children (SFFC) mobilises volunteers from local churches to assist struggling families, particularly those at risk of losing their children to the care system. By offering short-term hosting to children and befriending to parents SFFC volunteers become the cutting edge of Christian compassion in action helping to turn back the tide of family breakdown, one of the most corrosive issues in contemporary Scottish society. Bethany is the national partner for Safe Families for Children throughout Scotland. We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic candidate to support our Family Support Manager and Church and Volunteer Coordinators as they seek to support more families in crisis. This role will be demanding but also highly rewarding offering the successful candidate the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of struggling families. The successful candidate will have strong administration and communication skills. This post will be first point of contact with SFFC in Edinburgh so the successful candidate must have an excellent telephone manner, dealing confidently and competently with all enquiries and referrals. You will be able to use you own initiative, be able to work under pressure and solve problems quickly. As Safe Families for Children Scotland is a Christian organisation this post carries a requirement to be in sympathy with the missions, vision and values of SFFC. Successful applicants for this post will require basic disclosure.
DEPOT / WAREHOUSE OPERATIVES [WEEKENDS ONLY] £Competitive DPD Logistics/Distribution Edinburgh Depot/Warehouse Operatives [Weekends Only] Based Edinburgh, EH28 8PW. DPD is a leading time-critical carrier providing both national and international delivery services. With over 40 years in the UK express market, DPD combines fantastic people, amazing service, innovative
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products and state of the art technology to deliver an incredible customer experience. Our operation in Edinburgh is classed as a ‘Super Depot’, located just off the M9 near Newbridge, and we have a number of opportunities for Depot/Warehouse Operatives working weekends only (Saturday and Sunday). Saturday shift: 6am to 11am (5 hours)Sunday shift: 7am to 11am (4 hours). As Depot/Warehouse Operative, you’ll enjoy a hands-on role in a busy distribution operation, which will require: The character to cope with the demands of a fast moving warehouse environment. The flexibility needed to work across all areas of the warehouse / depot. The ability to work to deadlines in a physically demanding environment. Relevant warehouse experience is not essential, as full training would be provided. Due to the location of the depot, you will ideally have your own transport. We’re growing at a rapid rate, which means you can look forward to a secure and rewarding future with great development opportunities in an increasingly successful and expanding company.
SESSIONAL SUPPORT WORKERS Salary: £7.77 – £8.01 per hour Alzheimer Scotland Social Services/Housing/Childcare Dunbartonshire East Sessional Support Workers – East Dunbartonshire. Salary: £7.77 – £8.01 per hour. Contract: Sessional (hours variable). We are looking for unique people who can provide personalised support to people with dementia in a variety of settings. Our support workers are at the heart of our services. As a support worker you will enable people to maintain skills and independence, provide company, stimulation and the opportunity for people with dementia to remain actively involved in their community. Successful applicants will have sound social care values and a positive approach to dementia. You will also have good communication skills and a caring attitude. A willingness to learn and participate in training (including SVQ’s) is essential. Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage. We aim to provide support to people with dementia at the times that are best suited to them and therefore it would be advantageous if applicants have good flexibility and availability which may include evenings and weekends. The successful candidate for this post will be subject to a criminal check through Disclosure Scotland.
TAX ASSISTANT £Competitive Package Blair Cadell Solicitors Accountancy Edinburgh We are looking for a tax assistant to help us with personal, trust and executry tax. A knowledge of trust exit and 10 year charge calculations would be beneficial. We have Pertax software for calculations. We are looking for approximately 12 hours per week, times to suit. Blair Cadell are a well established firm of Solicitors and Estate Agents in Edinburgh and are an Investors In People company. NO AGENCIES PLEASE.
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TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT www.s1jobs.com/recruiterprofiles/tsa
VOLUNTEER GARDENER/ SUPERVISOR
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY WORKER – SPORTS
Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Glasgow
Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Glasgow
Quarriers Family Resource Centre is based within the North East of Glasgow. The centre provides support to families with children up to the age of 12 years and day nursery service for families with children up to 3 years of age. VOLUNTEER ROLE: Volunteer gardener and supervisor of parent volunteers. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: This is an exciting opportunity for anyone with green fingers to lead parents in maintenance of garden and to provide support where required. MAIN TASKS: The main tasks will be to keep the garden in good order allowing for areas of free play for children using the centre and to be in regular contact with parent volunteers. Support a group of parent volunteers to maintain and develop garden area and develop the garden in accordance with parents and centre’s needs and wishes.REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALITIES & EXPERIENCE: Previous experience and knowledge of gardening. Supportive and warm approach. WHERE & WHEN: Quarriers Family Centre within office hours. COMMITMENT REQUIRED: Once a week for at least six months. TRAINING & SUPPORT PROVIDED: One to one support from member of staff on a regular basis. MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT: 18 years. SELECTION PROCEDURE. Volunteer application form, meeting with project manager, references and appropriate level of disclosure check.
Do you enjoy sports and keep fit activities such as badminton, cycling and happy to share your skills and interests with young people. Then this volunteer opportunity is for you. Quarriers Stopver project provide supported accommodation to young homeless people. We are looking for a volunteer to initially assist stuff with activities such as cycling, badminton, walking or any other specific activity skills you may have. Required skills and Experience: Excellent communication skills, good sense of humour, empathy, a positive attitude, activity experience (hobby or professional) and open minded. This opportunity will take place as and when required at the Stopover project in Glasgow. Training provided. On the job training, induction, Elearning and possible training tailored for the role. Minimum age for this role is 21 due to the nature of the service.
VOLUNTEER MOUNTAIN LEADER Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Glasgow Quarriers Stopover Project provides supported accommodation for young homeless people aged 16-25. We are looking for a Qualified Mountain Leader to assist staff in taking groups of people we support to go hill walking. MAIN TASKS. The main task will be to assist staff and lead groups of young beginner’s mountain climbing. One member of staff has mountain leader training but not completed assessment as yet, this staff member will also be on each outing. REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES. The volunteer must be Mountain Leader Qualified. An understanding of young people’s behaviour. Patient and understanding. WHERE AND WHEN. Central and West of Scotland. COMMITMENT REQUIRED. Once per month for a full day. Must be able to commit to at least 6 months. TRAINING AND SUPPORT PROVIDED. Induction to QuarriersSupervision. Any other training needs/requirements identified. MINIMUM AGE FOR ROLE. The volunteer must be aged 25 or over, this is due to the nature of the role and service. TRANSPORT. Travel costs will be provided. Transport to the activity will also be provided. SELECTION PROCESS. Volunteer application form, meeting with project staff, reference and PVG check. RESTRICTIONS. The volunteer must be Mountain Leader Qualified
FEMALE VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER TO ENJOY ACTIVITIES out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Glasgow Quarriers Calvay project provides outreach support to adults with a learning disability to live as independently as possible. VOLUNTEER ROLE: This volunteer role is to befriend a young lady with a moderate learning disability to go shopping, cinema, concerts etc. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: To allow the young lady to access her local community in a purposeful way on a more regular basis. REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALITIES & EXPERIENCE. Good communication skills, good sense of humour, patience and very outgoing. WHERE & WHEN. East End of Glasgow – from a few days per month to a few days per week – whatever you can offer. COMMITMENT REQUIRED. 6 months minimum commitment to help build up a relationship with the young lady. TRAINING & SUPPORT PROVIDED: Induction to Quarriers, adult support and protection, first aid , equality and diversity. RESTRICTIONS: Females only please. MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT. 21 years old, this is due to the nature of the role. SELECTION PROCEDURE. Application form, meeting with project, reference and PVG.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS VOLUNTEER Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Edinburgh Our Fundraising department are responsible for generating all funds for Quarriers. We rely on people like you to help us keep our services running and to allow us to support people in the best way possible. A Volunteer is needed to assist with the organisation of community events, working as part of a voluntary committee with support from our Community Fundraising Team. Main Tasks include: Organising events and activities. Working with and coordinating the local committee. Counting/banking & banking money. Making/developing new Contacts Liaison with Events and Community Fundraising Team Building local relationships. Sourcing
prizes and donations. Event promotion. Required Skills/Qualities/Experience. Good communications skills. Good Numeracy skills. Good time keeping. Agrees and supports Quarriers ethos. Trustworthy Ability to travel Flexible. Outgoing Enthusiastic & approachable. Organised. The opportunity will take place in the Edinburgh area or alternatively West Lothian area, ongoing with no other set times. COMMITMENT REQUIRED: This depends on the work undertaken but many of the activities are straight forward and easy to organise. This could possibly only require around 4-5 hours per month. TRAINING: Pre-event meeting/briefing with events team as well as on the job training. Out of pocket expenses will be covered. Minimum age is 18. SELECTION PROCEDURE: Application form, informal meeting, disclosure check and references.
VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER (MALE) – GREENOCK Out of pocket expenses provided Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Inverclyde We are looking for a volunteer befriender to spend time with B, a man supported at our Westview Service in Greenock. Westview provides a residential service to people with disabilities. The main tasks of the role would be for the volunteer to build a relationship with B and help him access local activities. The volunteer should be a happy go lucky person, and would be great if they have an interest in darts and snooker. This opportunity will take place in Greenock at the Westview Centre. We are looking for the volunteer to be able to commit to at least 6 months, 2-3 hours a fortnight.Training provided will include: Induction to QuarriersFire and safety. Epilepsy training. First aid. Adult protectionThere is disabled access at the service and expenses will be provided. Selection process will include volunteer application form, meeting with Team Leader/staff member, reference and PVG check.
VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATOR/ MINUTE TAKER Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Ayrshire North We are looking for a volunteer to assist with administrative and minute taking duties at our Lyssenmore service in North Ayrshire. Lyssenmore is a housing support service for adults with disability. The staff team consists of 1 project manager, 5 team leaders, one F/T administrator, 6 senior practitioners and around 90 contracted and relief support workers. The volunteer would be an essential part of the team providing support to team leaders and staff in taking minute of meetings such as reviews or meetings with family members.Main Tasks. Minute taking. Support individual teams undertaking various administrative tasks. Skills and Experience. Experience of using any/all Microsoft office applications. Good interpersonal skillsGood organisational skills. This opportunity will take place in
Manse St, Saltcoats, although the volunteer may be asked to assist other staff teams in the area. The office base is on ground level with wheelchair ramp in place. Commitment would be a minimum of eight hours per week. The days and hours will be negotiable.Training and Support. Introduction to Quarriers. Induction and support provided by team leaders or project administrator. Training on Quarriers internal systems such as QOLSelection procedure will include an application form, interview, references and appropriate level of disclosure
VOLUNTEER GROUP WORKER Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Renfrewshire We are looking for a volunteer to assist at our Renfrewshire Head Injury Service. Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service provides support to individuals aged 17-64 years old and their families and carers who have an acquired brain injury. Support takes place in the individual’s home, out in the community and at our facility at Spinners Gate. The service also facilitates groups for individuals with an acquired brain injury. The Volunteer Group Worker will help facilitate the Sunshine Group every Friday and do some route planning and one-to-one work if required. Main tasks arriving early to the sunshine club every Friday (12:30) to set up facilitate games and interact with the people we support tidy up after the session route planning with people we support if required to enable them to live independently in the community, and any one-to-one support – this will be discussed and agreed beforehand. Required skills, qualities and experience. Good listener and communicator outgoing good organisiational skills. Where and whenSunshine Club held in the Tannahill Centre, Ferguslie Park in a Friday afternoon from 1pm-3pm. Renfrewshire area if route planning.Commitment required Friday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm. To attend three team meetings per year and to attend Quarriers Training. One year’s commitment is desirable, although this can be discussed. Training and support provided. Regular Supervisions. Support from Development Workers. To attend Training: Induction to Quarriers, Emergency First Aid, Adult Protection, Brain Injury Awareness and Safer Handling of People. Due to the nature of the service, the minimum age for this role is 18. Selection process will include volunteer application form, meeting with staff, reference and PVG check.
VOLUNTEER BEFRIENDER/GROUP ACTIVITIES COMPANION Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Glasgow We are looking for volunteers to accompany people we support to attend group activities run by Quarriers. Southwood Drive is a 24 hour supported living service that supports three ladies to live in their own home. The three ladies
MARCH 2015, ISSUE 7 have a learning disability and require a range of support. Southwood Drive is based in the Kingspark area of Glasgow near to excellent transport links, and the ladies have their own cars. Purpose of this role. We require a number of Volunteer Befrienders and group activities companions to support one of the ladies to attend group activities run by Quarriers on either on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. The group activities run from 11am – 2pm on these days. This would mean that she would be able to meet new people, catch up with old friends and gain new experiences. Main tasks. To pick up person we support and either drive to or take a taxi to the location of the group activities program. Support the person to participate in the activities at the group. Support the person to order lunch. Support the person to travel home again at 2pm. No experience is necessary, all that is required is that you are an excellent communicator, patient, compassionate, fun and willing to learn. This opportunity would take place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10:30am and 2:30pm on any of these days – preferably Monday. Commitment required would be one day per week for 4 hours for a minimum of 6 months. Training will be provided in the form of an induction as well as: adult protection training emergency first aid safer handling training there will be a named member of staff to provide support for the role. A driver is desirable as the person we support has their own vehicle: however it is not essential. Selection process will include application form, meeting with manager for an informal chat, l reference and PVG check. Potential volunteers will have the opportunity to initially go with member of staff to group activities to become familiar with the person we support and the group activities.
MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST £16,660 – £18,654 per annum for 37.5 hours per week full year Dr Young and Partners Admin/Secretarial/PA Edinburgh Medical Receptionist (Term Time Only33 weeks of year), This is a fixed term contract for a period of 12 months. SALARY: £16,660 – 18,654 per annum for 37.5 hours per week full year Pro rata for this post – for 22.5 hours per week/33 weeks pa – £6,343.61.-7,102.86 pa (paid over 12 months £528.63-£591.90 per month) HOURS OF DUTY: 22.5 hours per week worked – 12.30pm – 5.30pm Monday to Friday with 30 minute break per day. The post-holder will require to be flexible and will have to be available occasionally to work amended hours to meet Service needs as required including holiday cover to 6pm on occasion. During two weeks of September each year the post-holder will require to work full time hours as this is a peak time in the practice. ANNUAL LEAVE: 18 days rising to 19 days after 5 years service plus 4 days Public Holiday per annum. ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: Immediately accountable to the Head Receptionist. Ultimately to the Practice Manager/Partners. JOB PURPOSE: To provide a service to patients, clinical staff and to act as a focal point of communication between patients, doctors and all other staff. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) To receive patients and other visitors to the Practice, dealing with all appointment bookings for all clinics. Processing requests and enquiries promptly and efficiently whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.
TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT www.s1jobs.com/recruiterprofiles/tsa 2) Answering telephones, making appointments and ensuring all messages are recorded and passed promptly to the appropriate person. 3) Pull and refile patient records as required if paper records. 4) Process “Partners” information updating patient lists to Practitioner Services as required. 5) Electronically file results and correspondence using the Docman system within the computerised patient record. Complying with the Practice Policies and Procedures re format of the electronic record. 6) Participate in workflow duties, ensuring that all correspondence received within the Practice is scanned and workflowed on a daily basis to the appropriate individual. Ensuring that items returned for actioning by Receptionists are actioned promptly. 7) Assist with administration tasks from outside agencies and Head Receptionist including general housekeeping of Reception areas, changing of consultation noticeboard, opening and closing checks of Reception area to ensure smooth running of service. 8) Registering new patients, giving advice on patient status options then inputting new patient details onto the data base and updating details as and when required to ensure accurate patient database. 9) Responsible for issuing accounts and processing private income from patients attending clinics, receipting and recording details, balancing cash tin and passing on income on a daily basis to the Practice Manager. 10) Switching over phones am/pm as required from out of hours service. 11) Any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post. The Practice is paperlight, therefore most of our processes are undertaken electronically. Much of the work involves interaction with patients and other Practice staff. Many of the activities require individual work on the computer. Training in all duties and the Practice clinical system will be given as part of the induction process. We use Vision clinical system. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: Confidentiality of personal patient information is paramount and the successful candidate will be required to sign a Declaration of Confidentiality. SUPERANNUATION: The post holder may apply to join the NHS contributory pension scheme. Details will be provided by the Practice Manager. HEALTH & SAFETY: In carrying out the duties of the post, the post-holder is required to take reasonable care to avoid injury or accident which may be caused by work activity. Duties must be performed in accordance with Practice Procedures. The post-holder must familiarise themselves with the Practice Health & Safety Policy. A no-smoking policy applies within the building. LOCATION/ FACILITIES: This post is based in the Practice, Richard Verney Health Centre, 6 Bristo Square, Edinburgh. The employer is Dr S Young and Partners. We operate over three floors within this building and have no staff parking facilities. Disposition Ability to work as part of a Team but also using own initiative. Friendly, tactful, approachable and sympathetic to patients. Pleasant and professional telephone manner. Physical requirements. General good health. Good attendance record. Particular requirements of post Enthusiastic and willing to be adaptable to changes within the Practice. Able to meet with occasional need for flexibility in terms of working hours. HEALTH & SAFETY ASSESSMENT: There are no particular Health & Safety risks associated with this post. A VDU assessment will be undertaken for all computer equipment used. Training and induction will be provided in all areas
of the post and to the Practice in general.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY ASSISTANT AND SILVER SURFER TUTOR £0.00 Bield Housing & Care Fundraising/Voluntary Dundee Bield, one of Scotland’s leading providers of housing and care, is highlighting the important role that volunteers can play in assisting older people to enjoy happy and fulfilled lives. With developments spread across Scotland, Bield has launched an appeal to find friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help out with a range of volunteer work such as social activities assistants, befrienders and tech savvy assistants for its Silver Surfer Project. In particular, Bield are keen to recruit new volunteers at Bonnethill Gardens – a very sheltered development in Dundee. Implementing programmes of social activities have proven to be a huge success, allowing tenants to enjoy the opportunity to interact and socialise with others in their development and community. Bield’s volunteer social activity assistants are vital to ensuring to the smooth running of social events organised by a development, such as games afternoons, bingo nights and DVD afternoons; while volunteer befrienders are key to combatting tenant isolation as they provide one-on-one companionship for a tenant over coffees, walks or any other activity. Befrienders also boost the confidence of tenants by accompanying them to various social events, encouraging them to interact and socialise with others in their development or wider community. Jeni Sinclair, Volunteer Development Worker for Bield, said: “Our befrienders and activity assistants are an integral part of our volunteering scheme as both roles encourage tenants to get out and about and meet new people, which we believe is very important. ”Another popular feature for tenants is Bield’s silver surfer tutors – a project that teaches tenants how to use modern technology, such as iPads and PC’s, allowing them to keep up with friends and family, as well as surf the net at their leisure. Jeni said of the silver surfer project: “This project is incredibly important as it opens up a whole new digital world for our tenants. “We look to ensure our tutors work at the pace of the tenant meaning they learn at a speed that is comfortable for them. “Tutors are great because they teach tenants how to do so many new and exciting things such as surfing the net, buying groceries online and how to email and Skype friends and family. ”Along with looking to recruit volunteer Silver Surfer Tutors; Bield’s Bonnethill Gardens in Dundee are also looking for volunteer social activity assistants to help with games afternoons, bingo nights and DVD afternoons. We are also looking for Social Activity Assistants to support and run weekly activities on a Tuesday afternoon. Tracy Murray, manager at Bield’s Bonnethill Gardens, said: “Having volunteers at our development is very important as it means that we can carry out more activities with greater help.“We like to vary our activities each week for tenants and games such as bingo or beetle
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drive are great fun and give tenants the chance to have a cup of tea and chat with their neighbours. “We are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our tenants and the positive feedback we have received proves that this programme is incredibly beneficial and rewarding for our tenants and our volunteers.”Bield’s volunteering team in Dundee has been so successful that Jeni Sinclair and her team have recently received the Volunteer Friendly Award from the Volunteer Centre Dundee. This award is an acknowledgement of the excellent efforts made by the volunteering team in Dundee to select volunteers to work in different roles across various developments in the city. Jeni said: “Volunteers play an incredibly important role within Bield as they assist with important things such as activities and social interaction within our services and developments. “Volunteers really highlight and share our belief that we can better the lives of the people who use our services and so their help and contribution to Bield is priceless.”
VOLUNTEER – SOCIAL ACTIVITY COORDINATOR £0.00 Bield Housing & Care Fundraising/Voluntary Fife Local retirement housing is looking for new volunteers to help expand the social activities offered to tenants. Bield Housing & Care are appealing for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help out with the engaging programme at The Knowe, a retirement development in Kennoway, Fife. The social activity programme was introduced in line with Bield’s “free to be” ethos, which lets people make their own decisions about how they live their lives while also being there to support them when they need it. Volunteers only need to give up a few hours once a week to help out with a range of activities that have a hugely positive impact on the residents, such as games and bingo afternoons and coffee mornings. Many of the tenants feel that the social activities available to them at the development are important for getting them out of the house and socialising within the community. Scheme manager, Rae England, agrees that this programme is vital in enhancing their quality of life. Rae said: “This programme, whether it’s a bingo night or just time spent catching up, really enriches the lives of our tenants.“We are constantly striving to adapt, evolve and enhance the social activities that we can provide for the tenants in Kennoway. It is always worth it to see them enjoying themselves and having fun.“The support they receive from the volunteers encourages them to continue to socialise and interact with the other tenants. It gives them a real sense of community.”Bield is a registered charity that came from humble beginnings, starting out with just one development in Bo’Ness to become a major of a wide range of housing and services for around 20,000 older people across 22 local authority areas. If you are over 16 and interested in becoming part of team dedicated to enriching the lives of older people We thank everyone for their enquiry, however we hope that you
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TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE VACANCIES, PLEASE VISIT www.s1jobs.com/recruiterprofiles/tsa
understand that not all enquiries will result in volunteer placements. Full training and support will be given and out-of-pocket expenses paid.
VOLUNTEER – BEFRIENDER £0.00 Bield Housing & Care Fundraising/Voluntary Cumbernauld Bield Appeals for Volunteers in Cumbernauld. A very sheltered housing development in North Lanarkshire is looking for new volunteers to help launch a Befriending project for tenants. Bield is appealing for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help out with the engaging programme at Campsie Gardens, Cumbernauld. The Befriending project is central to Bield’s “Free to Be” ethos, which lets people make their own decisions about how they live their lives while also being there to support them when they need it. Volunteers are invited to become a Befriender, visiting residents on a regular basis for a chat and a cup of tea, and to go out and about, enjoying local activities together. The Befriender project, already successfully implemented at other Bield developments, offers vital one-to one companionship, allowing tenants to maintain social contact and feel more included in the local community. One Bield tenant said: “I have no relatives left and have outlived most of my old friends, so the Befriending project has been very welcomed by me”. Ann Gowans, Development Manager at Campsie Gardens agrees that the initiative is vital in encouraging social activity amongst tenants. She said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our tenants who feel isolated or unable to get out on their own. “Many would love to be able to do some of the activities they used to, and with the support of someone else this could be possible again. ”Bield is a registered charity that came from humble beginnings, starting out with just one development in Bo’ness to become a major of a wide range of housing and services for around 20,000 older people across 23 local authority areas.If you are over 16 and interested in becoming part of a team dedicated to enriching the lives of older people in Scotland, contact Ann Gowans on 01236 795 767. We thank everyone for their enquiry, however we hope that you understand that not all enquiries will result in volunteer placements.
OLUNTEER BEFRIENDER FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES – MOODIESBURN Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Lanarkshire North Quarriers Cumbernauld Supported Living Project provides a range of support services for adults and children with learning or physical Disabilities and acquired brain injuries in the North Lanarkshire area. Predominately the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Moodiesburn and Chryston areas. W is in his late 40’s and lives in the Moodiesburn area. W has learning disability and lives in his own home. He is looking to expand his friendships in the local area and participate in community activities. A volunteer befriender is required to engage, support and develop a friendship with W in the activities he enjoys doing, possibly in his home and local community. A volunteer befriender will give W the opportunity to meet new people. And for W to form
other supports in his local community. A befriender will also allow W to be able to participate in the activities he has an interest in. The volunteer befriender will accompany and provide some support to W in the activities he enjoys. W enjoys playing Wii games, going bowling, walking, arts and crafts, football, badminton, swimming, fishing, going to the cinema. W also enjoys dancing, playing musical instruments and amateur dramatics. This opportunity will take place at W’s house and surrounding area. Times are negotiable and can range from volunteering on a weekly basis to a monthly basis although a commitment over a 12 month period is essential. Training will include:The volunteer befriender will be supported by existing staff, team leader and manager. It is expected that the volunteer would work alongside Quarriers staff for a period of time to get to know A. A volunteer induction and review procedure will be provided. Possible relevant mandatory course to be completed. Induction to Quarriers. Emergency First Aid. Fire safety Awareness. Basic food Hygiene (work book)Other training courses may be available. Skills should include: Patient, empathy skills, good sense of humor, friendly, caring, enthusiastic. The volunteer (if suited) should be aged 21 or over and would have to commit to volunteering for a 12 month period.
VOLUNTEER COOK out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Cumbernauld Cumbernauld Supported Living provides support to a large number of adults and a small number of children with learning difficulties in a variety of settings from Supported Living to support in a family home. VOLUNTEER ROLE: The role of the volunteer cook will be to bulk cook 7 main meals and 4 lunches for the gentleman every week. The meals will meet the specific requirements of the gentleman. All recipe’s will be made available to the worker. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: To provide healthy meals for the person being supported that meets his specific dietary requirements. MAIN TASKS. Create 7 main meals that contains very little protein. Create 4 lunches that contains very little proteinFreeze the meals. Cookery skills essential. WHERE & WHEN: Weekly In the gentleman’s home in Carrickstone, Cumbernauld. COMMITMENT REQUIRED: We would hope the volunteer can commit for six months to a year. TRAINING & SUPPORT PROVIDED: Food Hygiene TrainingInduction to Quarriers. RESTRICTIONS: Both male and female applicants would be welcome. SELECTION PROCEDURE. Application form, meeting, references, PVG disclosure. DISABLED ACCESS. There is disable access to the property. TASTER SESSIONS: Interested applicants would be welcome to come along to the project to meet the people we support prior to commencing volunteer role.
SOCIAL ACTIVITY ASSISTANT AND SILVER SURFER TUTOR £0.00 Bield Housing & Care Fundraising/Voluntary Dundee Bield, one of Scotland’s leading providers of housing and care , is highlighting the important role that volunteers can play in assisting older people to enjoy happy and fulfilled lives. With developments spread across Scotland, Bield has launched an appeal to find friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help out with a range of volunteer work such as social activities assistants,
befrienders and tech savvy assistants for its Silver Surfer Project. In particular, Bield are keen to recruit new volunteers at Bonnethill Gardens – a very sheltered development in Dundee.Implementing programmes of social activities have proven to be a huge success, allowing tenants to enjoy the opportunity to interact and socialise with others in their development and community. Bield’s volunteer social activity assistants are vital to ensuring to the smooth running of social events organised by a development, such as games afternoons, bingo nights and DVD afternoons; while volunteer befrienders are key to combatting tenant isolation as they provide one-on-one companionship for a tenant over coffees, walks or any other activity. Befrienders also boost the confidence of tenants by accompanying them to various social events, encouraging them to interact and socialise with others in their development or wider community. Jeni Sinclair, Volunteer Development Worker for Bield, said: “Our befrienders and activity assistants are an integral part of our volunteering scheme as both roles encourage tenants to get out and about and meet new people, which we believe is very important.”Another popular feature for tenants is Bield’s silver surfer tutors – a project that teaches tenants how to use modern technology, such as iPads and PC’s, allowing them to keep up with friends and family, as well as surf the net at their leisure. Jeni said of the silver surfer project: “This project is incredibly important as it opens up a whole new digital world for our tenants.“We look to ensure our tutors work at the pace of the tenant meaning they learn at a speed that is comfortable for them.“Tutors are great because they teach tenants how to do so many new and exciting things such as surfing the net, buying groceries online and how to email and Skype friends and family.”Along with looking to recruit volunteer Silver Surfer Tutors; Bield’s Bonnethill Gardens in Dundee are also looking for volunteer social activity assistants to help with games afternoons, bingo nights and DVD afternoons. We are also looking for Social Activity Assistants to support and run weekly activities on a Tuesday afternoon. Tracy Murray, manager at Bield’s Bonnethill Gardens, said: “Having volunteers at our development is very important as it means that we can carry out more activities with greater help.“We like to vary our activities each week for tenants and games such as bingo or beetle drive are great fun and give tenants the chance to have a cup of tea and chat with their neighbours.“We are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our tenants and the positive feedback we have received proves that this programme is incredibly beneficial and rewarding for our tenants and our volunteers.”Bield’s volunteering team in Dundee has been so successful that Jeni Sinclair and her team have recently received the Volunteer Friendly Award from the Volunteer Centre Dundee. This award is an acknowledgement of the excellent efforts made by the volunteering team in Dundee to select volunteers to work in different roles across various developments in the city. Jeni said: “Volunteers play an incredibly important role within Bield as they assist with important things such as activities and social interaction within our services and developments. “Volunteers really highlight and share our belief that we can better the lives of the people who use our services and so their help and contribution to Bield is priceless.
COMMUNITY LINK VOLUNTEER Out of pocket expenses Quarriers Volunteer Centre Fundraising/Voluntary Elgin Lifelinks Community Connections is person centered group planning. In Moray, we are going to use this model to engage carers and people with dementia and connect them into community, family and peer networks. This project focuses on helping families to continue to lead full and active lives in their local community. Each family will require a community link volunteer to do this. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: The Community Link Volunteer will be required to attend the 3 half day events and work through the Lifelinks program with a family. They will also be required to follow up links with the family inbetween the 3 sessions to enable community links to be nurtured. The potential volunteer would act as a community link person to support and facilitate a family with dementia to link to their community, their families and to peers to lead a full and active life. MAIN TASKS. Delivered over 3 half day monthly sessions, Lifelinks focuses on helping families to continue to lead full and active lives in their local community. Community linkvolunteers will help families achieve this. In-between the monthly Lifelinks session, link volunteers will be required to link to their family and support / encourage them to connect to the community, family or peer connections that will be identified at the Lifelinks sessions. i.e. if they wanted to connect to a community walking group or become a volunteer, the link volunteer may offer to take them to the first walking session or visit the volunteer centre. REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALITIES & EXPERIENCE: Good listener, open minded, patient and flexible. Good communication skills. Good interpersonal skills. Sensitive and respectful of confidentiality. Nonjudgmental. WHERE & WHEN: Elgin – Community Link Volunteer Training in November / December. Once trained, link volunteers will be invited to a 2 hour briefing session along with the Lifelinks families, where volunteers and families will be matched up. Link volunteer will be expected to attend the following 2 half day Lifelinks sessions (1 per month and running approximately 3.5 hours which includes lunch) along with their family – as their friendly link volunteer. There will also be a celebrate event at the conclusion of each Lifelinks project and although not facilitating, volunteers will be invited to attend. It would be expected that volunteers complete this cycle to provide sustainability of relationship with the family. This is a rolling program and volunteers have the opportunity to be part of the longer term Quarriers Lifelinks program. COMMITMENT REQUIRED: To complete a minimum of one complete program with the hope that they will continue to volunteer for future families through a rolling program. Delivered over 3 half day monthly sessions – but this may vary slightly to ensure outcomes are achieved. TRAINING & SUPPORT PROVIDED. It is agreed that Quarriers will organise an appropriate training program which will include an introduction to Quarriers and the relevant policies, and an introduction to the Lifelinks Community Connection Project. Training will also include Person Centered Group Planning approaches and facilitator skills training. MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT. 18 upwards, this is due to nature of the project. Travel expenses will be covered but facilitators will be expected to be able to travel to Elgin.
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Volunteering opportunities now available with Yorkhill Children’s Charity – apply today! We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities at Yorkhill Children’s Charity and we need your help! Whether you’re looking to gain experience for your CV or want to make a difference to the lives of the children who are treated at Yorkhill Hospital, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch to find out more about volunteering Browse our range of volunteering opportunities at www.yorkhill.org Call our volunteering team on 0141 201 6917 Email: volunteer@yorkhill.org
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