Issue Nineteen: A Collection of Artworks by Platform Glasgow

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ISSUE 19 26 MARCH 2021 Front cover by Sam, submitted by Joyce Back cover by Rob Haughie TH

WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER When this is all over, And sanity is restored, Don’t take life for granted, As we did before. When this is all over The clouds will all clear, Take hold of your loved ones, Hug and hold them near. When this is all over, We’ll hear the birds sing, Listen to their melodies, The joy that they bring. When this is all over, And children can play, Let them be wild and free, To make up for lost days, When this is all over, Remember the brave, And the countless they saved. Rena Quinn

Annie Love on a walk with two friends, photo by Marlene Finnigan

ANDY McLAREN: GROWING UP IN CASTLEMILK Case study prepared by Stephen Campbell Andy McLaren was born in 1973, spending his first few weeks of life sleeping in a drawer in his mum’s parents’ house in Parkhead, before they found a place of their own in Castlemilk, where Andy would spend the rest of his childhood. Andy grew up sharing a one tiny bedroom with his three siblings, before the family moved to a three-bedroom property when Andy was 11 - a place the young Andy considered a palace. Andy’s skills were evident from a young age. Aged seven Andy joined Clyde Boys’ Club and by 11 he was fielding offers from Celtic and Eastercraigs. However, Andy felt a loyalty to Clyde and would remain there until he joined Rangers Amateurs at 13. Andy recalls his dad’s delight to see him in his favourite jersey. Scouts were at the family’s door so often that McLaren developed a degree of local fame and became known as “Andy the footballer”. The Castlemilk of McLaren’s childhood was an area which in many ways lived up to its reputation. Violent gang fights fuelled by alcohol were commonplace. “No prisoners were taken, and you had to be brave or stupid to get involved.” Nonetheless, despite the violence and personal traumas McLaren faced growing up, his abiding memories of Castlemilk are of a close-knit community, in which neighbours would keep an eye on each other and would always help out with a cup of sugar or pint of milk if someone was short. “There was an unspoken element of trust between people. We used to leave a key hanging on a piece of string behind the letterbox so me and my brothers and sister could come and go as we pleased. There was never a thought that somebody could use the key to burgle our house. For all the trouble and unsavoury incidents, there was a line drawn that people knew not to cross.” McLaren will always regard Castlemilk as his true home. “There's no denying that it is rough and ready, but like much of Glasgow I believe it also has a real warmth about it.” Andy McLaren scored for Scotland in a World Cup Final in 1989, but still ended up on the losing side for the Under 16s. He went on the represent the senior Scotland team in 2001. McLaren began his professional career with Dundee United where he would play for 10 years, winning the Scottish Cup in 1994 before leaving Tannadice for Reading, Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton, Dundee and Ayr United. During a second stint with Dundee United, McLaren would be released after receiving three red cards during a game against Clyde in 2006 for aiming a blow at a Clyde player, striking an opponent on the way off the pitch, and kicking a hole in the door of the referee’s room. In 2009 McLaren helped establish A&M Training (now A&M Scotland) to help young people avoid the pitfalls that affected his life and career. Excerpt from Local Heroes a project led by Professor John McKendrick of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University. For more information on the Local Heroes series contact John at j.mckendrick@gcal.ac.uk / 0141 331 8221

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WINDOW OF A SPRING ONION It was a crisp, sunny spring morn. My daily walk steered me in a gentle stroll through Auchinlea Park and Loch. Taking five on the bench, surrounded by the glow of the golden daffodils and a warm breeze caressing my cheeks, I was mesmerised by the sight of graceful, pure white, paired swans majestically and effortlessly gliding through the milk pond of the still and crystal water. This peaceful silence was briefly punctuated by an entourage of colourful mallards and the shrill of the passing flight of wings. Dreamily, my subconscious was tuned to a whisper enquiring ‘What is a Life Journey Like?’ An echo responded as if ‘Shrek’ was whispering ‘It’s like peeling off layers of an onion, full of anticipation, mystery and adventure, undulating between joy, sadness, highs and lows.’ Arriving home, as I turned the key, I felt a spark of motivation to do the artwork task. Hurriedly, I began to compile pages of colour and collage. Found a stencil, cut out like windows. I placed it as the top page. Poking fingers through the slits as if to seek signs of hope, blessings, good health, courage, endurance just like Shrek peeling off layers of onions to seek reassurance. As the last brushstroke was applied – finito! – a comforting smile emerged – quietly whispering – ‘2021 will be OK’ Kit McKeown

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DEUTSCHLAND Oh Deutschland we are so keen to greet you. On a little transit van then a big boat, so far away from home. From Star club to Kaiserkeller we roam. We play and play till all hours. Oh Bettina, We are so glad to meet yah. The purple hearts, uppers, downers, you are in our hearts, Bettina

When that boss guy shouts ENGLISH !!!. We are up there, John with his toilet seat round his neck and pink tutu Round his waist pink and bright. Bettina this for you. Falling in love again, Never wanted to, I can't help it. Susan Milligan

I am enclosing a stage set design for you based on Hamburg when the Beatles were there grafting before fame – here’s a piece to go with it too…

SMILE

A smile is a wonderous thing And all the joy it can bring So let’s see smiles across the land You’ll see it’s infectious when you can So help someone with a smile And make their day worthwhile A smile makes you a happy bunny And your days will always be sunny So fill the world with smiles and laughter I’m sure you’ll feel much better after Angela Cunningham

It’s at this time of year we looked forward to attending the Platform Spring Tea Dance which I hope returns in the future. Here’s a picture of this great dance with my husband and myself on the left of the picture. I hope all who read this read this can come to the next tea dance. Rena Quinn

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Good to hear from you – I like reading the book. Very interesting stories. Yes, it is still lockdown but me and the family are well and just following government guidelines. I am not a storyteller but love reading other people’s thoughts and writings. I had my first COVID vaccine and going for the my second at the end of the month. Hope you’re keeping well too. Hopefully meet again soon. John Seabaluck

To everyone engaged with Platform, hopefully there is a light at the end of the tunnel, vaccination programme is going well, hopefully the restrictions will reduce and we can all meet again face to face, greet each other with at least a welcoming smile (but would prefer a hug!) but thanks to Platform Zoom meetings it has kept us all together. The Clack and Yak on Mondays which included the Moon project with the Tron Theatre, a phone call to the moon which was exciting. Also involved in ‘Print Café’ at the moment which I must say is really good and at the end I will have my own design (hopefully) go onto a Tote Bag. So, to all at Platform, keep up the good work. It certainly makes life as it is at the moment more interesting. B.G.

This person goes into a hardware shop and asks for four candles and received fork handles… Years ago I was in my local library, went to the counter to ask for two pens and got two pence! Rob Haughie

The wind it whistles, howls and blows, Clearing away the winter shows, Sitting here within my four walls of bricks and mortar, Sensing the seasons change, the days no longer shorter, Inside my house my ears are blustering, With the sound outside, yet I feel no flustering, The world awakens, At these untimely shakings, Waiting to begin again and come to life, Spring upon us waiting to thrive, To heavy heart it brings a song of hope, That’s the true meaning of a world, in full scope. Dawn McTaggart

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Please share this picture of a winter aconite. Know that Isabel has been trying to find out what they look like. So there you are Isabel! There are summer varieties too. Jean Lawton

AMAZING USES FOR ALKA-SELTZER…

To clean the toilet – throw in two tabs, wait 20 minutes and flush! Polish your jewellery, put two tabs in a glass of water, immerse the jewellery for two minutes and there you go! You can clear a drain with 3 tabs followed by a cup a white vinegar, wait a few minutes and then run the hot water. For dull crystal glasses fill with a tab or two, hot water and leave for 1 – 2 hours. And there I was thinking it was for indigestion – LOL! Marlene Finnigan

FRANK McAVENNIE: GROWING UP IN MILTON Case study prepared by Kelsey Marshall Frank McAvennie spent his childhood days on the streets of Milton. He attended St Augustine’s where he was banned from playing for the school team because he was “too small and frail”. He then managed to get into an organised boy’s game but after having a “punch-up” with an opposing player, his dad imposed yet another ban on playing. Despite this, McAvennie enjoyed playing 20-a-side games of football on the streets with his mates. He was a self-proclaimed football fanatic, just like all the boys from Milton that he knew. He attended the Celtic game every weekend with his dad and uncle, which is why it was particularly special to Frank when they got to watch him play at Parkhead. McAvennie left school at the earliest opportunity, aged 15, going on to take a range of jobs. In his time, he was a road sweeper, motor mechanic, bin man and much more besides. He even tried out for the British Army but was rejected. Frank claims, due to his inability to hit the target! He had never considered football as a career option, “You watched that [football] and only the select few ever got paid to play”, he said. In fact, Frank only decided to become a professional player when he was scouted by Johnstone Burgh, one of the top junior sides in Scotland. When Frank began his football career, he was only paid £50 per week and his parents had to make sacrifices to support their son in his new profession. When St Mirren showed an interest, Tony Fitzpatrick, the St Mirren team captain and from the same part of Glasgow, knew money was tight for Frank and took him under his wing, driving to his parent’s house in Milton to take him to and from the club for training and matches. McAvennie is now regularly making TV appearances but never forgets his past – he remembers Milton fondly and his mother still lives there. McAvennie was born on the 22nd November 1959 and grew up in Milton, a housing scheme in north-west Glasgow. His professional career began when he joined St Mirren at the age of 20, before moving to West Ham United – where he was introduced to the celebrity lifestyle he is often recognised for. McAvennie then signed for Celtic and states that his proudest football memory is when he saw his dad and his uncle in the director’s box at his first game playing for Celtic. He would go on to play for a range of clubs including Aston Villa, South China and Falkirk. McAvennie also won five caps for Scotland (scoring once) before retiring at the at of 35 Excerpt from Local Heroes a project led by Professor John McKendrick of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University. For more information on the Local Heroes series contact John at j.mckendrick@gcal.ac.uk / 0141 331 8221