The Genn issue 127

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Glasgow East and North News

Your voice in the community 15-19

Next Edition 2nd May 2014

20-21

Battling Sectarianism Dealing with Scotland’s Shame

Spring Feature Things to do this Spring

23

30-32

Police Scotland The latest news from Police Scotland

Genn Sport With Tom Scott 3 bumper pages of local sport

500 JOB BOOST AT THE FORT

A

MAJOR development at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park has kicked off .

Once opened, there are expected to be around 500 positions within the new stores and restaurants.

0141 771 6488

The £45 million pound project will see a Marks & Spencer department store take up residence at the southern side of the park.

There will also be four further retail units and an additional restau-

rant.

With almost 100 outlets, Glasgow Fort is an award-winning shopping experience with 1900 free parking spaces.

Situated just off junction 10 of the

M8, it is home to leading shopping brands including TopShop, Zara, New Look, H&M, Next and Schuh.

There is also a Vue cinema and an array of eateries including Nando’s, TGI Friday and Pizza Express.

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GENN Glasgow East and North News

Missing Person

Your voice in the community

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POLICE Scotland continue to appeal for witnesses in relation to missing person Manvir Singh.

Manvir, known as Sonu to family and friends, is 21 years of age and from Linhe Avenue in Bishopbriggs.

He was with a friends in Renfield Street near to Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow city centre at around 1645hrs on Wednesday 19th March 2014 after which he got on the XX24 Stagecoach bus at Buchanan Bus

Station at 1715hrs.

He got off the bus at 2002hrs at St Andrews Bus Station and was seen on CCTV in the town at about 2100hrs.

Area Commander for East Dunbartonshire Chief Inspector Rob Hay said: “As time goes by we are all growing increasingly concerned for Manvir’s well being and despite extensive enquiries we still have been unable to trace him.

“We appeal to anyone who was on the XX24 bus which left Glasgow at 1715 on Wednesday 19th March to get in touch.

Did you see Manvir on the bus?

Did you talk to him either on the bus or at the bus station before he got on?

Did you see him get off the bus in St Andrews or did you see him in the town after eight o clock at night.

“We’d re-iterate our appeal for any information and ask people to get in touch with police on 101, through our facebook or twitter accounts, or if they wish to remain anonymous to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Manvir’s family are clearly distraught and just want to know that he’s safe and well.”

When he was last seen Mr Singh was wearing a navy blue hooded top with yellow markings on it, dark coloured jeans

and dark coloured boots.

He was also carrying a black bag.

Appealing for information about Manvir’s whereabouts last week, his father Harpal said; “Manvir is a much loved son and is known as “Sonu” to family and friends.

We haven’t heard from him or seen him from more than two weeks and we are very worried about him.

We know that Sonu got on a bus in Glasgow and travelled to St Andrews on Wednesday 19 March 2014, but we don’t know what happened to him after he got off the bus in St Andrews.

“We are keeping in touch with his friends in the hope that they may hear something from him all we want to know is that he is all right.

If anyone has seen Sonu or knows where he may be, please do get in touch with the police so that we know he is safe and well.”

His Mother Mrs Kirandeep Singh added “We just want you to know that you are not in any trouble and that everyone is worried about you.”

Anybody wishing to contact the police regarding Manvir should do so on 101 or if they wish to remain anonymous they can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.

WORK BEGINS ON £45m DEVELOPMENT AT GLASGOW FORT SHOPPING PARK A MAJOR development at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park has kicked off.

The £45 million pound project will see a Marks & Spencer department store take up residence at the southern side of the park.

There will also be four further retail units and an additional restaurant.

Phil Goodman, Centre Manager at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park, said: “We are delighted that this much-anticipated development has now started.

Marks & Spencer is a fantastic name to add to our list of stores and we are confident it will be a major draw for people visiting the Park.

“We are committed to supporting the local community and economy and providing meaningful support through schemes such as our tieup with Jobs and Business Glasgow for access to employment.

“This is a major development for Glasgow Fort Shopping Park.

It is almost a decade since we opened and this significant new phase is a fantastic way to celebrate.”

Once opened, there are expected to be around 500 positions within the new stores and restaurants. The Marks & Spencer store will include food, fashion and home departments.

As part of its commitment to local economic development, Glasgow Fort Shopping Park will be working with Jobs and Business Glasgow to maximise the number of job opportunities to those living in the local area.

Bailie Jonathan Findlay, Chair of Jobs & Business Glasgow, said: “We are delighted that hundreds of jobs are on

GENN Glasgow East and North News

their way to Glasgow’s East End with this new development.

Glasgow Fort is a significant contributor to the local economy and this news of further employment opportunities is very welcome indeed.

“It is great for Jobs & Business Glasgow to once again be working in partnership with British

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Land to fill positions and offer rewarding, quality, long-term local employment opportunities to Glasgow’s citizens.”

Cllr Maureen Burke added: “It is fantastic news that work on this major development is underway. Glasgow Fort has been a great supporter of the local economy and

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community of the East End and we are delighted that this multi-million pound project represents a further significant commitment and investment in the area.”

Work on the 112,000 sq ft development is expected to take around 12 months and the build is being managed by Kier Construction.

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Cops seize million £s of Glasgow gangsters’ dirty cash POLICE seized more than £11million from Glasgow criminals in the last year under dirty money laws.

Prosecutors used the tough Proceeds of Crime Act - POCA - to seize the huge sum of cash and cripple gangsters financially.

New figures obtained show Police Scotland delivered a series of blows to the city’s underworld in the past year.

Detectives in a dedicated crime squad launched a major assault on organised crime when the single police force was set up last year.

Police have arrested around 450 Glasgow gangsters since April - smashing scores of crime gangs.

Officers have targeted ganglinked criminals for a range of offences, from serious violence and drug dealing to money laundering.

A Chief Superintendent

warned: “It’s all about hurting those involved in serious and organised crime.

“Police need to be seen by the local community to be acting - putting doors in and arresting these people.

“We are targeting those involved in serious and organised crime with hard-edged policing.

“We are committed to tracking these individuals down and arresting them.”

In just one month last year, in the course of Operation Myriad, officers recovered £310,897 under POCA. The number of drug seizures is also up.

There were nearly 950 in 2013/14, an increase of 28% in Police Scotland’s first year.

Police believe the increase reflects the use of stop-andsearches by officers.

Specialist officers will scruti-

nise the finances and assets of anyone involved in organised crime, including homes, cars, bank accounts and properties abroad.

Police Scotland have increasingly used smart tactics to tackle organised crime, including proceeds of crime legislation.

Forensic accountants can now go after money as much as drugs and disrupt criminal activity.

Glasgow gangsters are finding life much harder than they have done in the past.

Police are examining their assets and investigating their front businesses.

Groups involved in the licensing trade have been shut down and ensured contracts have been taken away from taxi firms.

More than £80m has been seized from criminals over the past decade under Proceeds Of Crime laws.

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www.thegenn.co.uk SFHA echoes Shelter Scotland’s concern over proposed changes to Scottish Planning Policy COMMENTING on Shelter Scotland’s analysis of the delivery of affordable homes through the planning system, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said that it shares the charity’s concern that changes to the wording in the latest draft of the Scottish Planning Policy which states that affordable housing contributions “should generally be no more than 25%” could effectively be seen

as a maximum contribution, a change which could result in fewer affordable homes.

Susan Torrance, SFHA Policy Manager, said: “The SFHA was pleased to give evidence to Shelter Scotland’s study and we share its concern that changes to the wording in the latest Scottish Planning Policy could lead to a drop in the amount of affordable homes delivered.

“The use of planning policy

to deliver sites for new affordable homes has proven an excellent way to ensure that housing associations have been able to build new social rented and affordable homes to meet ever increasing need.

Any dilution of the use and scale of planning agreements at this time of rising house and land prices is not useful, and we endorse Shelter Scotland’s call for a review of the proposed new policy.”

Red Road flats demolition dropped from opening COMMONWEALTH Games organisers have dropped the demolition of the Red Road flats from the Glasgow 2014 opening ceremony.

Five of the blocks were to be brought down at the start of the Games in July.

The plan proved very controversial, with an online petition against the demolition gathering more than 18,000 signatures.

Glasgow 2014 said opinions being expressed about “safety and security” meant the destruction of the flats would not now feature in the opening.

Police Scotland said that because of these concerns the security director for the Games asked the chairman of the Glasgow 2014 board to reconsider the plan.

Opponents had questioned the message the demolition would send and described the plans as insensitive to former residents as well as asylum seekers currently living in the sixth block.

In a statement, Games chief executive David Grevemberg

said: “We made it clear from the outset the absolute priority was safety and that this event would only happen during the opening ceremony if it was safe to do The 30-storey structures were built in the mid 1960s and the original eight tower blocks housed more than 4,000 people. The demolitions will now be rescheduled Former Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie, who launched the petition, had been due to meet with Glasgow 2014 representatives to discuss the plan on Tuesday.

The petition called for the flats to be brought down with “dignity” and not as part of a ceremony spectacle.

The online petition which raised more than 18000 signatures shows people thought, that it was distasteful and disrespectful to beam the demolition to a billion people as entertainment.”

The event was to have be shown live on a massive screen at the Celtic Park ceremony and to a huge TV au-

dience.

Glasgow 2014 said the demolition was a matter for Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and would take place as part of their ongoing regeneration programme.

“It’s an indication that people power can be effective Local Labour MSP Patricia Ferguson said she was relieved by the decision and the Conservative sports spokeswoman Liz Smith described it as a “victory for common sense”.

Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow who raised concerns over the plans, has said that the rethink presents a “positive opportunity” for the area.

Bob believes that the attention that the issue has brought to the area, and the conversations that are now taking place within the local community, mean that regeneration plans for Red Road and environs can now be fully community-led.

He has contacted Glasgow City Council and GHA to ask them to engage widely over regeneration, and has pledged to work constructively in partnership with them.

£220 Million Transformation of Sighthill £220m transformation of Sighthill in the planning - hundreds of new homes and a new school campus - approved Planning permission in principle was granted by councillors for the development and, if all goes to plan, work will start towards the end of the year.

The proposals include around 650 homes, a school campus with synthetic pitches, new shops, a multi-faith centre, hotel and student accommodation, a new bridge over the M8 motorway providing better pedestrian links to the city centre, and a network of green spaces.

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: “The plans for Sighthill look tremendous and I look forward to the transformation of the

area in the coming years.

“One legacy of our Youth Olympic Games bid - which brought forward this project by two decades - will be the creation of a great place in which to live, work and study.

“The regeneration of Sighthill, while an enormous project in itself, is just part of our work to develop and unlock the massive potential of the north side of Glasgow’s city centre.

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MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN GLASGOW ON 15 April Glasgow Museums celebrated the Golden Anniversary of the opening of the Museum of Transport in Glasgow.

Glasgow Museums’ transport and technology collection is one of the best in the world, with more than 21,000 objects dating from about 1700 to the present day.

Glasgow’s first Museum of Transport opened in Albert Drive in 1964, the second in the Kelvin Hall in 1988 and the third and first purpose built museum of transport, Riverside Museum, opened in June 2011.

Riverside Museum will welcome its 3 millionth visitor in the coming days.

One of the six former city trams offered to Glasgow Museums, which was the catalyst that resulted in the birth of Glasgow’s first, dedicated Museum of Transport proudly greets visitors entering Riverside Museum.

The beautifully restored ‘Room and Kitchen’ tram dating from 1898 was adorned by a grand, golden, replicate 50 candle, almost 1 meter tall to mark the occasion.

Ian Stewart from the Scottish Tramway and Transport Society who was present when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother opened Albert Drive in 1964 and provided a flavour of the first Museum of Transport.

He was joined by Riverside Museum Manager, Lawrence Fitzgerald, who spoke about the huge advances made by the city in showcasing Glasgow Museums transport and technology collection.

Ian Stewart also had a poster announcing the forthcoming Official Opening of the first museum of transport at Albert Drive on 14 April 1964.

Background Glasgow closed its tram system in 1962 and six former city trams were offered to Glasgow Museums as examples of the fine transport heritage of the city.

There was no space to accommodate such large objects, so the search began for a home for the ‘caurs’.

The old tramcar works at Coplawhill on Albert Drive was selected and the process of converting the Victorian building began in earnest.

Glasgow opened the first Museum of Transport, on Albert Drive, in 1964, featuring the trams and many other transport related objects that were previously on display at Kelvingrove Art Gallery, including Scottish cars, horse drawn vehicles, bicycles and many more items.

In 1988 Glasgow opened its second Museum of Transport at Kelvin Hall in 1988.

Despite its popularity, this was never meant to be a permanent home for the city’s transport treasures.

Each year around 500,000 people visited before it closed on April 18, 2010.

Riverside Museum, Scotland’s newest Museum of Transport and Travel, is Glasgow’s third transport museum and the first purpose-built one.

It opened in June 2011 and is a fitting home for this wonderful collection.

It was recently announced as European Museum of the Year 2013 housing more than 3,000 exhibits, in over 150 interactive displays telling the stories of the people who made the term ‘Clyde Built’ famous and revered.

VOLUNTEER HOSTS Cancer Research NEEDED FOR GLASGOW EAST END Race for Life GROUP CONTACT the Elderly is looking for volunteers to host tea parties in their homes for older people in the city.

The charity has recently established its 10th group in the city – the Commonwealth Group in the East End. The group, made up of four volunteers and seven older guests, will have its first tea party on April 27th but urgently requires more homes to host parties in the future.

Hosts welcome groups of around 10 people in their homes on a Sunday afternoon a couple of times a year.

Margaret Oliver, West of Scotland Development Officer for Contact the Elderly, said: “We have a fantastic group of people signed up but unfortunately just one home hosting so far.

I can promise from the experiences of our groups across Scotland that this is fantastic fun for everyone involved and is a minimal commitment

GENN Glasgow East and North News

from hosts.

“Given the Games are just around the corner – both in time and location – we thought naming this the Commonwealth Group would make it a bit different. Although our guests tend to come from the East End, hosts could live slightly further afield.

“The parties make such a difference to the lives of our older guests.

Often it is one of their very few social outings and they so enjoy meeting new people and travelling across the city. Volunteers drivers and hosts also make new friends and it is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”

The tea parties take place one Sunday afternoon a month from 2pm to 4pm.

Hosts must have a downstairs toilet and easy access to their home.

For more information, contact Margaret on Margaret.oliver@contact-the-elderly.org. uk or 01389 605915.

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It can ruin everything without a second thought.

It will affect one in three of us but united we are stronger than cancer.

We will beat it.

Cancer’s going down.

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Show cancer who’s boss by taking on a 5k Race for Life event in Glasgow. Run, walk or dance your way through the course and help us say “cancer we’re coming to get you”.

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40 days, 400 communities, 4,000 Baton Bearers = 10 local young volunteers carrying the Baton across the North East of Glasgow WITH less than 100 days to go until the Commonwealth Games excitement is building.

The Queens Baton Relay is the curtain-raiser to the XX Commonwealth Games and 10 Active Champions, young volunteers have been successful in their bid to carry the Baton through their communities.

The team at legacy based project Active East waited with anticipation on the day of the announcements. Active Champion Daryl Campbell from Wellhouse was the first volunteer to get in touch “I am so excited to be involved in the Baton Relay thank you so much for nominating me”.

Daryl is 16 years old and volunteers across 3 local youth organisations: planning and leading physical activity sessions, sitting on a young grants panel for a Commonwealth Legacy Fund and assisting with community events.

He is full of enthusiasm and strives to develop not only himself but his peers and community.

Daryl was too young to apply to be a Clydesider but he desperately wanted to be involved in the Games and has embraced every opportunity to get involved.

He is trained up to be Clyde the Commonwealth Games Mascot and has supported numerous events, he is waiting to hear if he has been successful for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies Cast and becoming a Baton Bearer is the icing on the cake.

Using the Games as a catalyst Active East aims to create a legacy for young people living across the North East of Glasgow.

The programme consists of two strands: a young volunteer strand called Active Champions which is a bespoke programme tailored to their individual interests in sport and physical activity, this may be anything from delivery and coaching to promotion, and a Small Grants strand which provides partner organisations access to funding for new physical activity provision and training.

Since the launch of the Programme last year 55 local young people aged 14-25 have become Active Champions.

They have taken part in training in line with their interests in physical activity and are putting these new found skills into practice across 29 partner youth and sport organisations giving a total of 5000 volunteer hours.

48 small grants have been secured by partner organisations to run physical activity sessions and provide training to sustain these activities.

Active Champion and fellow Baton Bearer, John-Paul, lives and volunteers in Cranhill assisting with weekly Badminton sessions at the local Community Centre.

When asked what he enjoyed most about volunteering on the project he replied “helping the children progress and helping the coaches set up for the sessions”.

John-Paul is signed up to complete a Level 1 in Badminton Coaching and is keen to progress to become a sports coach.

Most recently he has been assisting High Performance Coaches at Scotstoun providing an Easter Programme to kids all over Glasgow.

“It fills me with immense pride as a father, as a native Glaswegian and Scot to know that my son is part of these great times and the spectacle to come” Father of Active Champion John-Paul.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is an incredible opportunity to get involved in the Commonwealth Games Celebrations and represent local communities.

Active Champion David Weir said “being a Baton Bearer I feel proud to represent young people with disabilities”.

Active East will be out on Sunday 20th July welcoming and following the baton on its journey across the North East of Glasgow.

Kirsty Partridge the Programme Manager for Active East said “I am delighted and honoured to have been nominated and selected to be a Baton Bearer.

It’s so amazing that the games will be on our doorstep and we can be part of the celebrations in such a unique and memorable way.

I am even more excited about the fact that 10 of our Active Champions will also be Baton Bearers and I am looking forward to the celebrations with them”.

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GENN New community facilty for Barmulloch BARMULLOCH Community Development Company (BCDC) have received major funding for a new community facility building replacing the existing hall in Quarrywood Road.

After seven years of work funding of nearly £2 million pounds have been awarded to the project.

The Big Lottery fund has awarded £1,075,000 to the project cost of approximately £1.7 million and BCDC have successfully applied for other grants to make up the difference.

Grants from Glasgow City City Council, Glasgow Housing Association and Unity Homes Housing association total an additional £130,000..

Work is expected to begin on the site in the autumn and

work is expected to be completed by October 2015.

The new premises will include 3 halls, two meeting rooms, a recording studio, a soft play area, a kitchen and state of the art projection equipment.

The new halls will replace the much loved Tenants Hall, built in 1955.

BCDC intend to organise activities for the benefit of local residents and we invite residents to offer suggestions on what they would like the new premises to offer. BCDC are confident this new facility will prove a major boost for the area and want local people to become involved.

Regular updates will appear on their website www.bcdcglasgow.co.uk/new%20build. htm

JOBS BOOST GLASGOW’S East End is celebrating a mini jobs boost.

High Street trader Home Bargains is launching a new city store at the Forge Retail Park at the weekend and has recruited up to 40 workers.

The retailer is investing £500,000 in a new 13,000sq ft store - a unit in Biggar Street which had been previously used by Sports Direct - which is due to open on Saturday.

Operations director Joe Morris said:

“We’re excited that this will be our eighth store in Glasgow and look forward to welcoming both new and existing customers through the doors.”

He added: “Forge ­ Retail Park will be a great location for us - we’re thrilled to be in a position to offer local people top branded goods at exceptionally low prices.”

The Merseyside-based discount retailer specialises in branded goods at low prices.

PAVEMENT CAMPAIGNERS BEMOAN STATE OF GLASGOW STREETS GLASGOW isn’t doing enough to get its pavements in shape for the Commonwealth Games, campaigners have claimed.

They found out the city council spends a smaller chunk of its roads budget on pavement repairs than Edinburgh, Dundee or Aberdeen.

But the bill for compensating victims of trips and falls across the country is an estimated £1million a year.

The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow this summer with the Commonwealth Games.

There will be huge numbers of people walking the city to get to the venues – we all want the city to be looking its best from all angles, not just from behind a car windshield.

“As everywhere in Scotland, we recognise council budgets are tight but every penny spent on improving our footways can help encourage walking, increase physical activity levels and enable vulnerable pedestrians to get around their commu-

nities safely.

“Ultimately, that will save us all money.”

A Freedom of Information request revealed Glasgow spends 9.2 per cent of its road maintenance budget on pavements.

In Edinburgh, it’s 31.9 per cent. Dundee spends 21.3 per cent and Aberdeen spends 19.1 per cent.

Spending on footway repairs fell between 2009 and 2013 by 20.5 per cent across Scotland from £19.5million to £15.5million, despite total maintenance spend increasing from £137million to £150million.

A council spokesman said: “This financial year has seen the council resurface 28 kilometres of footways.

“We invest in preventive treatments which enable us to treat larger areas of both footway and carriageways.

“Our investment strategy has a balanced spend between the two – reflecting the condition of each asset.”

MORE CLOCKED CARS ON THE ROAD THAN EVER A VEHICLE history expert, recently issued a warning to used used car buyers that 2013 saw an increase in the number of vehicles on the road with a mileage discrepancy, potentially signalling a worrying trend of more dodgy sellers ‘clocking’ cars to earn extra money.

The practice of clocking a car – adjusting the mileage reading to make it worth more – has been around for a number of years, and was in fact made easier with the introduction of digital odometers which removed the traditional telltale signs, as well as a surge in the number of so-called ‘mileage correction firms’ popping up that would alter a vehicle’s mileage no questions asked.

However in recent years, HPI had seen a drop in the number of mileage discrepancies uncovered by consumer checks, which was a positive sign that consumer vigilance might be winning the fight against the clockers – hopes which have now been dashed with these latest statistics.

In fact, based the SMMT’s used car sales figures for 2013, HPI estimates there could be as many as 486,000* vehicles with a false mileage on the road in the UK. These shocking statistics represent a worrying trend.

HEALTH IN THE FUTURE CITY ALTHOUGH health in Scotland has improved over the last century, Glasgow still faces serious health challenges.

Scientists have given it a name: the ‘Glasgow effect’.

Life expectancy at birth is the lowest in the UK – a reality that poverty, diet, drinking, crime or other behaviours cannot fully explain.

This event will bring together a diverse mix of people from a range of backgrounds to explore how technology and open data could improve life in Glasgow in the future.

The teams will compete for a £20,000 prize fund (T&Cs apply).

START Friday 25th April 2014 END Sunday 27th April 2014 The Hub, 70 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G511EA

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Dodgy sellers will take advantage of any angle they can when offloading a car and clocking is one of the easiest ways they can make a fatter profit.

In fact, research we conducted found that popular models such the VW Golf can double in value if they have 60,000 miles wound down.

But it’s not just an issue of money with clocked cars, there is also a safety concern.

Any vehicle that has done a lot more miles than the owner realises could have components that have been excessively worn, even if it looks okay to the naked eye.

Plus these cars are likely to have missed out on their scheduled servicing, meaning a mechanic missing vital signs of wear and tear.”

While the rise in mileage discrepancies we’ve seen is a worry, consumers can help stop the clockers by simply being more aware and conducting the appropriate checks before purchasing a used vehicle.

This is one of the oldest cons in the book, simply because it is so easy to do and is so profitable, but by the same token it is easy for consumer to be vigilant and conduct a history check. If they do so you can stop dodgy sellers making a fast profit

BIG LOTTERY FUNDING AWARDED FOR NEW MONEY ADVICE SERVICE SHETTLESTON Housing Association are pleased to announce that they have been awarded funding by the Big Lottery Life Transitions programme to deliver a financial inclusion service in Shettleston over the next five years.

The £374,000 award will enable the Association to employ two financial inclusion staff to deliver debt and money advice to Shettleston residents.

The staff will also assist financially excluded residents to access key financial products like a transactional bank accounts and affordable credit and to learn or improve IT skills that can open doors to the best deals in the financial market - from energy suppliers to home insurance.

Shettleston Housing Association Money Advice Service, SHAMAS for short, is part of the Association’s strategy to help tenants cope with the continuing economic downturn and the rolling out of welfare reform.

The five year funding period will correspond to the expected timescale for the introduction of Universal Credit and will aim to assist residents cope with the new demands this and other benefit reforms will place on them.

SHAMAS will be a pro-active service that targets tenants the Association knows would benefit from the input, rather than waiting for clients to come to them. SHAMAS will complement existing Association staff, like welfare rights officers and energy advisors, allowing us to offer Shettleston residents a truly holistic and comprehensive service.

Commenting on the award, Shettleston Housing Association director, Chris Cunningham said: “We are very grateful to the Big Lottery for funding this much needed service.

Debt is a major problem in our community and we expect things to get worse over the next few years, as the full effects of welfare reform are felt.

SHAMAS will be invaluable in helping people deal with current debt and establish good financial practices for the future.”

Association Chairperson, Annie McAllister, added: “It’s all too easy for people on low incomes to get into debt but extremely difficult for them to get out of it.

Thanks to the Big Lottery, Shettleston residents will now have the help they need to break the debt cycle.”

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Concierge Service Here to Help in North Glasgow

ng homes concierge staff Malcolm Wylie and Michael McKenna share a joke with Springburn resident Jean Smith.

THE Concierge team operate in the Multi Storey Flat areas of Carron, Balgrayhill, Wellfield and Parkhouse providing a service to ng homes customers.

concierge team and they recently helped an elderly tenant with a minor injury. Mrs Crace had accidentally cut her toe so she called the concierge who helped her and applied first aid to her cut.

The 24Hr service is provided to over 1,100 customers who live in ng homes’ multi storey and deck access properties. The main aim of the service is to make sure everyone feels safe and secure in their homes and are happy living in the North Glasgow community.

Michael takes up the story: “We were working in the block so were there in minutes. We cleaned Mrs Crace’s wound and dressed it.”

Jean Smith recently asked if the Concierge would help her with a curtain pole she needed putting up in her flat in Eccles Street. She said: “I had only ever asked the concierge before if they could take away big items like an old fridge, I had no idea they could also help with little jobs like putting up curtain poles. When you live on your own these are the kind of jobs that are hard to do so it’s great to know that by calling the concierge they can help me.”

Jean continued: “When the concierge service was being expanded we weren’t sure how it was going to work. But I have to say the service is just as good if not better than before.”

Michael McKenna and Malcolm Wylie are just two of the 28-strong

Springburn (East)

Email: info@nghomes.net

Ned Donaldson House, 50 Reidhouse Street Springburn, Glasgow. G21 4LS Tel 0141 560 6000 Fax 0141 560 6005

Mrs Crace said: “I am so thankful that the concierge staff came to help me. They are always available and they do a good job.”

Malcolm said: “We are happy to help where we can. We have reset TV aeriels, put up curtain poles, changed light bulbs but I think the biggest thing we help with is when tenants ask if we can give them a hand to move furniture around their homes – that’s a big help.”

Neighbourhood Manager Paul Johnson said: “We can respond quickly if anyone is in need of assistance. This can be anything from fitting a light bulb to cleaning up after a flood. If we can safely help we will.”

Customers in Multi Storey Flat areas operated by ng homes can call the concierge team 24 hours a day at their Station on 0141 558 8264 or have a chat with members of the team when they are working and patrolling in the area.

Website: www.nghomes.net @ng_homes

ng homes is a trading name of North Glasgow Housing Association

Possilpark (West)

Kenna Rossine House, 252 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow. G22 5LF Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005

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Community Networking Breakfasts continue to prove popular in North Glasgow IT was a full house at ng homes latest Community Networking Breakfast held in Possilpoint Community Centre in Possilpark with over 60 people attending.

The breakfast network began around 18 months ago with the aim of bringing together a wide range of community partners. Those attending include staff and volunteers from voluntary organisations, faith groups, education, social enterprises and public organisations.

The next Networking Breakfast will be held on Friday 9th May between 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Springburn Fire Station 47 Midton Street, Glasgow G21 4RS If you are interested in representing your organisation at these events please contact Clare Bird on cbird@ng2works.com or Margaret Layden on mlayden@nghomes.net or phone 0141 630 4288 if you would like further information.

The networking breakfasts are held monthly and there has been a steady increase in people taking part with over 150 names now on the mailing list for the event. The diversity of people and organisations has been beneficial in building new and existing partnerships and there are always new people coming along each month.

There is an opportunity at each event for short presentations from two speakers followed by an exchange of information and then its onto the real ‘networking’ where people catch up and connect with their community partners.

Following on from feedback from those attending the format of the breakfast was changed with a ‘Marketplace’ area now added where groups can set up information stands. This was so successful that it’s planned to operate a similar format for future community breakfasts.

George McGrandles, Area Commander, Fire Scotland addresses the group.

Margaret Layden, Regeneration Manager from ng homes, said: “This month’s community breakfast was the most popular yet and the change in format worked very well. It created a space where organisations could showcase their activities to local partners and the feedback from those attending showed that many contacts were made. There was a ‘real buzz’ around as people connected with each other and I would encourage others to attend”.

At the most recent breakfast the network heard a presentation from Gordon Lynch from ng2 on the recycling of waste electrical products where people can donate unused pc’s, mobile phones, tablets, printing cartridges, gaming devices and other items they no longer want.

Gordon was followed by George McGrandles, Area Commander, Fire Scotland who spoke to the group about the many community safety initiatives provided at a local level to promote fire safety and prompts were given to look out for people who may be at risk to encourage them to have a Home Fire Safety visit. Both presentations were well received and contacts were made by a number of partners to take forward.

Over 60 people attended the event in Possilpark

Speaking of the success of the networking breakfast programme, Michelle Smith, Assistant Head Teacher of St Theresa’s primary said: “I personally find the Networking Breakfasts very welcoming and friendly and staff make everyone feel at ease. The main benefit for me and the school is the opportunity to network with surrounding businesses and agencies in the area. Since attending the breakfasts, my school has made links with various agencies. Without the Networking Breakfasts these links would have taken a considerable amount of time to make”.

Next time around there will be a presentation from ‘Row for Shore Glasgow North, a group of local people who are interested in building a 22ft boat built from kit for the community to use. Also presenting will be a representative of Glasgow Kelvin College. ng2 staff Claire Bird, Gillian Halliday, Gordon Lynch and Janice Quinn at the networking breakfast

Springburn (East)

Email: info@nghomes.net

Ned Donaldson House, 50 Reidhouse Street Springburn, Glasgow. G21 4LS Tel 0141 560 6000 Fax 0141 560 6005

Website: www.nghomes.net

www.facebook.com/ngsportslegacy ng homes is a trading name of North Glasgow Housing Association

Possilpark (West)

Kenna Rossine House, 252 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow. G22 5LF Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005

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SUPPORT FOR NEW MARYHILL TRAIN SERVICE

FOLLOWING the recent success of winning a Sunday train service on the Maryhill train line between Queen Street and Anniesland, Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has urged locals to make full use of the new seven-day service and to get involved in a new campaign group, ‘Friends of the Maryhill Line’.

Bob, whose long-term drive for a Sunday service met with success in February when ScotRail made the announcement, is writing to 15,000 residents in the areas around the affected stations asking them to back a “Friends of the Maryhill

Line” group.

It is hoped the group will work to drive further improvements both to the line and in the communities around the stations.

At the launch of the campaign at his local station in Summerston, Bob said: “I am proud to have delivered a Sunday service for the local communities I serve.

It will better connect them with each other and with the city centre on a Sunday.

This will be a significant benefit for areas such as Kelvindale and Maryhill, right through north Glasgow to the likes of

Possilpark, Parkhouse and Ashfield.

“While some others were needlessly scaremongering over the line’s future, I concentrated on achieving this seven-day service.

We must now build on this achievement, and having been approached by several constituents, I am delighted to help spearhead a new ‘Friends of the Maryhill Line’ campaign.

“I am keen to ensure that residents know all about this new Sunday service and make full use of it.

I also want to improve the wider passenger experience, as well as conditions for communities located around the stations.

That is why I am contacting 15,000 households along the Maryhill line to make sure they are aware of the new service, and to hear their ideas about further improvements that could be made.

“I look forward to our new ‘Friends of the Maryhill Line’ going from strength to strength and ensuring that the communities I represent are at the heart of shaping future developments locally.

I would urge everyone to reply to my consultation.

“As far as I am concerned, our new Sunday service commencing on May 18th is just the beginning, and the future is bright on the Maryhill line.”

£10m lottery boost for community groups SCOTTISH community groups are to benefit from an additional £10m in grants from the Big Lottery Fund.

A total of 59 different groups will share the funding to improve local amenities across Scotland.

The Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland scheme will support village halls, arts and sports projects and schemes to develop unused land.

The grants, totalling £10,365,287, will help fund projects for a period of up to two years.

The investment allows for the development, improvement and creation of village halls, community gardens, art centres, sports and play facilities” Glasgow-based community projects received 10 separate funding The Glasgow City Council district was awarded the most separate grants, with 10 different awards, including five separate grants totalling almost £1.25m.

These grants included awards for a two-year project to transform an unused piece of land in Maryhill to a community space with gardens, as well as another grant for Mil-

nbank Housing association to rebuild a single-storey building into a new community cycle centre.

There was also another award of £250,000 to go towards the redevelopment of a derelict strip of land on the Clyde.

The Govan Workspace development is expected to cost £500,000 in total, with the rest of the money coming from the city council.

The strip of land is to be turned into a pathway designed to encourage leisure activities such as walking and picnicking near the waterfront Announcing the funding, Big Lottery Fund Scotland chairwoman Maureen McGinn said: “Our Community Spaces programme allows local people to get together and shape their neighbourhood by making better use of outdoor and indoor spaces.

“For some areas, the refurbishment of a village hall will create a welcoming centre which can support a range of activities.

For others, the transformation of a disused space offers a secure recreational place for everyone to enjoy

Cost of Games ceremonies rises by 49% THE cost of the opening and closing ceremonies at this year’s Commonwealth Games has risen by almost half.

Organisers Glasgow 2014 confirmed that the combined cost of both events was now £20,850,000 - up £6,850,000 or 49% on the 2012 estimate of £14m.

A spokesman said the extra costs covered developments at both ceremonies to maximise the spectacle.

The opening and closing ceremonies are key moments of the games, when the eyes of the world will be on Glasgow and Scotland.

They offer a unique opportunity to showcase the host nation, the host city and the talent of the Scottish people.

To make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, there have been some additional investments in the ceremonies.

Seven Lochs Project THE Seven Lochs Wetland Park is is a great place for people to get involved in the environment in their doorstep.

By working with local schools, youth and community groups, health projects and disabled people we will enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, learn about and help improve heritage and nature.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES • Enable people of all ages

and abilities, including young people, disabled people and people with poor health, to visit nature reserves and heritage sites in their local area and learn about why they are special and need to be protected.

• Increase understanding, appreciation and awareness of the unique wetland environment and heritage by getting more people involved an a range of activities, including

community archaeology, wildlife survey and nature conservation projects.

• Develop people’s skills and confidence, support training and create opportunities for new economic activity in the areas surrounding the park, which include some of the most deprived areas in the whole of Scotland.

See http://www.sevenlochs. org/

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EAST END SOCIAL ANNOUNCES NEW SHOWS SCOTTISH LIVE DEBUT OF TODD TERJE AT “THE OPTIMO (ESPACIO) BARROWLANDS REVUE” THE PICTISH TRAIL AND THE NEW MENDICANTS PLAY INTIMATE GIGS IN THE BOWLER’S BAR, BRIDGETON

OPTIMO’S continuing partnership with The East End Social delivers a stellar revue show that will see the Barrowland Ballroom transformed into a club bacchanal on Sunday, May 25th.

Featuring some of the most thrilling global and local electronic acts, the event - which kicks off at 5pm - will include unmissable live performances from Nordic electro seducer Todd Terje and throbbing hypno-groove pedagogues Golden Teacher plus DJ sets from Glasgow’s inestimable Optimo (JD Twitch and JG Wilkes), Hessle Audio’s Ben UFO and Beats In Space DJ Tim Sweeney.

Norwegian disco trailblazer Todd Terje has been elevating hearts and dance-floors for almost a decade, thanks to hypnotic astral-electro tracks like ‘Inspector Norse’, ‘Spiral’, ‘Lanzarote’ (with enduring ally Lindstrom) and his 2005 breakthrough single, ‘Eurodans’.

Terje’s Glasgow show will celebrate the release of his excellent debut long-player, ‘It’s Album Time’, whose day-glo Balearic charms include last year’s astronomical ‘Strandbar’ and a vocal cameo from Roxy Music’s own disco romeo, Bryan Ferry, who performs on a celestial, down-tempo rendition

of Robert Palmer’s ‘Johnny and Mary’.

Over the past five years Ben UFO has acquired a deserved reputation as one of the UK’s most daring and wide-ranging club music selectors, with his keen ear and technical ability enabling him to cut between eras, dance lineages and mixing styles with dazzling ease.

He co-founded Hessle Audio in 2007 with David Kennedy (aka Pearson Sound) and Kevin McAuley (aka Pangaea), while all three were students in Leeds.

Tim Sweeney is one of New York’s most sought-after DJs and best known for his radio show, Beats in Space which he has been running for over a decade.

The station showcases the best dance music – whether it’s disco, new wave, Chicago house, minimal techno, Krautrock or funk and soul.

Glasgow voodoo-groove deviants Golden Teacher started as a studio tryst between noisepunk triad Ultimate Thrush and analogue-house duo Silk Cut. Their tribal, pop-spattered sleaze soon besieged Optimo’s discerning ears, and the label has since issued the brilliant ‘Bells From the Deep End’ and ‘Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night’ EPs. Golden Teacher’s third, groove-lubed dispatch, ‘Party People / Love’ will be issued in April.

LOST MAP RECORDS’ SHOWCASE AND THE NEW MENDICANTS SET FOR BRIDGETON The East End Social is delighted to announce another two exciting additions to its programme.

The first, on the afternoon of Sunday 25th May, will be a Lost Map Showcase in the Bowler’s Bar (Bridgeton). Lost Map is the new imprint from Isle of Eigg resident, Johnny Lynch aka The Pictish Trail who will be performing a solo set.

Lynch previously ran the successful Fence Records and

set up Lost Map Records last year with the ethos of ‘a micro label and collective unshackled by style or genre’.

Sharing the Lost Map platform will be label mates Monoganon, a Glasgow-formed four piece band, who play a captivating concoction of psych-folk, art pop and slacker rock and Tuff Love (Julie, Suse and Michael formed the Glasgow-based band in 2012 and will be releasing their debut Junk EP in May).

Expect dazzling, sunstreaked guitar pop with mesmerizing lyrics, heart wrenching vocals and dreamy melodies.

The second addition is none other than The New Mendicants who play The Bowler’s Bar on 5th and 6th August.

Featuring Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Joe Pernice (Pernice Brothers/The Scud Mountain Boys) and Mike Belisky of The Sadies on drums, the band’s shows have been heaped with praise from music aficionados young and old.

They’ll be playing songs from their debut album ‘Into the Lime’ before a no-doubt rapt audience, crammed into the 150 capacity bar on the edge of Glasgow Green.

Having moved to Toronto last year, Norman was re-introduced to local Joe by Pernice Brothers drummer Patrick Berkley – both having worked with Norwegian band, I was a King in 2012. The band formed and they were soon booking recording dates.

They made their debut in a Toronto pub and recorded their debut album earlier this year.

The band blends bittersweet introspection and honeyed melodies on tracks from both frontmen’s extensive back catalogues alongside co-written material.

The East End Social is a unique project: part music programme, part community-engagement initiative and an official Culture 2014 event, part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme

Pictish Trail - Playing The Bowler’s Bar 25th May The Optimo (Espacio) Barrowland Revue Featuring Todd Terje (live), Optimo (DJ), Ben UFO (DJ), Tim Sweeney (DJ) and Golden Teacher (live).

Date: 25th May 2014 from 5pm-11pm Venue: Glasgow Barrowland Tickets: £18 (plus booking fee)

Lost Map Showcase Matinee with The Pictish Trail, Monoganon and Tuff Love.

Date: 25th May from 1.30pm – 5pm Venue: The Bowlers Bar, Tullis Street, Glasgow Tickets: £8 (plus booking fee)

The New Mendicants Date: 5th & 6th August 2014 from 7.30pm Venue: The Bowlers Bar, Tullis Street, Glasgow Tickets: £10 (plus booking fee) Stockists: www.ticketscotland.co.uk | www.eastendsocial.com

The New Medicants - Playing The Bowler’s Bar 5th and 6th August

The Sound Lab, a local project providing music and media tuition to young people in Tollcross and surrounding areas, are holding a celebration event in the Tollcross International Swimming Centre between 11am-2pm on Saturday 3rd May. Along with an exclusive premier of our short film starring local people and their views on the Commonwealth Games, we will have some experienced tutors delivering taster workshops in DRUMS, GUITARS and DJ MASTER workshops that you can ‘Come and Try’!

So why not come along and see what The Soundlab has to offer you? You can also tell us what activities YOU would like to see us provide!

The Sound lab are also starting a new series of music and media tuition workshops for young people age 10-18 on Wednesday April 16th 4-6pm In the Tollcross YMCA building so check us out on twitter twitter.com/TheSoundLab_Gla or Facebook facebook.com/TheSoundLabGlasgow

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BAE Systems modern apprentice lifts top Trades House title STEPHEN Deigman, a 4th year Engineering Technician Apprentice with BAE Systems Naval Ships, has won the Trades House of Glasgow Modern Apprentice of the Year Award (MAYA) 2014, which celebrates a learning path established by its Crafts back in medieval Scotland.

Stephen, who lives in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, is currently working on the Type 26 Global Combat Ship project and training to become a Piping Detail Designer.

“It was the Craft Guilds that united to form the Trades House in 1605, which established the apprenticeship system in Glasgow back in medieval times,” said Hamish Brodie, Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow.

We set up MAYA in 2006 to reinvigorate our efforts to promote the vocational and personal benefits that apprenticeships provide in training and development, showcasing the commitment and capability of candidates who have chosen this route to further their career prospects, while promoting traditional trades alongside more modern skills.

“Our warm congratulations go to Stephen.

While our six finalists are all a real testament to the exceptional apprenticeship schemes operated by each of their employers, our judges found that Stephen was an outstanding candidate and a strong advocate for the apprenticeship model.

He has proved a worthy winner of our title this year.”

Stephen was selected to represent his year group on the Apprentice Council and participated in the Apprentice Innovation Challenge.

This involved designing and manufacturing a seating device to allow wounded, injured or sick ex-service personnel to participate in sailing activities, for which he won a STAR award in recognition of his outstanding effort and achievement.

The winner and runners up of the annual MAYA initiative, sponsored this year by BAE Systems Naval Ships, was announced at an awards ceremony in the Trades Hall, home to the Trades House of Glasgow.

Charlie Blakemore, Business and Transformation Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, who presented the awards, said: “I am delighted for our apprentices who were recognised in the Trades House Modern Apprentice of the Year Awards this year, particularly for Stephen who took the top spot.

It was great to see apprentices from a broad spectrum of industries being recognised and inspiring to see a new generation of skilled apprentices being awarded at the start of their careers.

“Their success is not only testament to the commitment and enthusiasm they have demonstrated throughout their apprenticeship training but also the sense of pride they bring to their work.

As an integral part of our business, we are very proud of our apprentices and wish them all the best for a long and rewarding career.”

Second place in MAYA 2014 went to James McGhee, a Mechanical Engineer (Cross Functional) with ClydeUnion Pumps – SPX, and third place to Finulla McCloskey a Horticulture MA with Glasgow City Council Land & Environmental Services. Certificates of Commendation were awarded to three other finalists, Tammy Rice, a Food and Beverage Assistant with Hilton Glasgow, and also from BAE Systems, Fabricator/Plater apprentices, Andrew Mimnagh and Paul McKeown.

As the winner of MAYA 2014, Stephen was presented with an inscribed trophy, which will remain on display in the Trades Hall.

He also received an inscribed replica of the trophy, a cash prize of £400 and a certificate.

A second prize of £250 and a third of £150 was also awarded, along with certificates of commendation for all finalists.

MAYA 2014 was open to people employed in the Greater Glasgow area who are either working towards a Scottish MA, or were certificated no earlier than May 2013.

Candidates were assessed against the criteria of capability, contribution, commitment, overcoming difficulties, marketing and transferability, as well as the overall quality of the application.

The MAYA finalists hold their certificates in a line up with Deacon Convener Hamish Brodie, winner Stephen (centre front) and Charlie Blakemore of BAE Systems Naval Ships. Clockwise from front left: Finulla McCloskey, James McGhee, Paul McKeown, Andrew Mimnagh and Tammy Rice.

Students Snap up Computers in Photography Contest STUNNING images by Glasgow students have helped them win computers worth almost £2,000 in the Future City | Glasgow photography competition.

East End student Istvan Jancso was awarded the title of overall winner and lifted the top prize of a 13” MacBook Pro laptop.

His images included a beautiful Glasgow cityscape spread beneath a vast blue sky.

The 31-year-old is studying for an HNC in Photography at the Springburn Campus of Glasgow Kelvin College and plans to do an HND when he completes his current course.

The Clydebank resident said: “I have never won anything in my life, so I am over the moon.

I still can’t believe it.

“The computer is an amazing prize and will come in really useful for my course.

It will be fast and I’ll be able to use it for editing.

This feels better than winning the lottery because it’s not about luck but hopefully about talent.”

Entrants were asked to supply photographs of the city and its people which will be used to promote the £24million Future City | Glasgow programme which will show how technology could make life in the city smarter, safer and more sustainable.

Three lucky runners-up each won an ipad mini.

Mum-of-one, Simona Ciocarlan, is a photography student at the Clydebank campus of the West College Scotland.

She captured cyclists taking part in Glasgow’s inaugural Harris Tweed Ride on camera to create a bright and uplifting image of life in the city.

The 31-year-old who lives in Glasgow city centre said:

“I take my camera everywhere with me and I love taking portraits.

Glasgow is an amazing city for photography because of the architecture and the people who are so energetic and friendly.

“I’m very happy that one of my pictures was good enough to be selected by the judges.”

Teenager Sarah McAlpine is studying photography as part of her course on Computer Games (Art and Animation) at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The 18-year-old from Kilbirnie, Ayrshire, first took up photography after being offered a course in 6th year at Garnock Academy and her image of the Tradeston footbridge earned her one of the ipad minis.

She said: “I’m an artistic person and enjoy creating photographs. My images are of the River Clyde and buildings around the city.

I’m really happy to be a runner up.”

Christopher Silver, a student at Glasgow School of Art, took a striking portrait of two men he spotted in the street.

The 19-year-old from Scotstoun said: “Glasgow is a vibrant, cultural city full of diversity and life. As a part of my ‘Scottish Strangers’ series, I got the opportunity to talk to people from the city and learn their stories and thoughts about Glasgow.

It’s been very inspiring and I’m grateful for living in such a wonderful city.

Being considered for this competition has inspired me to continue my series and meet more people around the city.”

A spokesman for Future City | Glasgow praised the exceptional standard of entries.

He said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part - we

were impressed by the high quality of the entries which capture Glasgow at its finest.

“The stunning winning images show the abundance of upand-coming talent among Glasgow’s student population and are testament to the fine work being done by the city’s colleges and universities.

Well done to everyone involved and special congratulations to the winning four.”

Last year, Glasgow beat 29 other cities to win £24million in a contest run by the Technology Strategy Board – the UK Government’s innovation agency.

The city is now in the midst of a pioneering programme covering transport, health, energy efficiency and public safety.

Initiatives include the creation of a new state-of-the-art integrated city operations centre housing the city’s CCTV operators and TRAFFCOM – the team in charge of Glasgow’s traffic cameras.

A new network of digital CCTV cameras will also be installed to replace the outdated existing system.

Trials of intelligent street lights equipped with sensors which could monitor footfall, noise or air pollution will also take place in the city centre and on an off-road stretch of cycle route.

The lights will increase in brightness as they sense a cyclist approaching – improving safety and encouraging more people to cycle after dark.

Active travel phone apps, route optimisation technology, hackathons, renewable energy mapping and the creation of a City Technology Platform are all in the pipeline.

Find out more at http://open. glasgow.gov.uk/ or follow the programme on twitter @openglasgow

New Top Class City Restaurant THERE can be few restaurants in Scotland – let alone Glasgow - that can boast a culinary team with a similar level of credentials as Ox and Finch: the former Head Chef of the McLaren Formula One team, the Gordon Ramsay/Jason Atherton-trained former Head Chef of Gallery Mess at The Saatchi Gallery and a former Sous Chef from Michelin-starred Restaurant Martin Wishart at Loch Lomond.

With the combined skills of Jonathan MacDonald, Mario Podola and Daniel Spurr present in the kitchen, the doors of Ox and Finch, 920 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove, will open next month with one clearly-defined goal: to deliver the very best in relaxed contemporary dining.

The interior of the restaurant has undergone a lengthy backto-brick renovation.

A renovation which com-

bines elements of the building’s original 19th-century charm with the added ‘buzz’ of a modernistic open kitchen incorporated into the plans: offering diners a rare view into the working environment of a top kitchen.

Glasgow-based Stuart Black; with numerous high-profile international design commissions to his name; has presided over the interior architecture of Ox and Finch and the end result will convey a stylish and contemporary, yet relaxed and cordial, atmosphere.

Offering an innovative and flexible solution to seat 70 diners in the principal dining area and a further 10 at a communal table at the bar, Ox and Finch will also provide discrete private dining facilities accommodating 14 guests.

The Ox and Finch menu introduces a fresh selection of flavours and taste experiences to

Glasgow’s dining arena.

Seasonal food served in a sociable sharing style, with a firm focus on the best quality produce, preparation, cooking techniques and presentation.

The menu will include: Tartar of roe deer, hazelnuts and mustard; Braised ox cheek, roast cauliflower puree, thyme and bacon gremolata; Housecured gravadlax, fennel, radish, wasabi and edamame; 36 month-aged Jamón Ibérico de Bellota with Catalan tomato toast; Skate wing, samphire and caper burnt butter; and Valhrona manjari chocolate cremeux, salted popcorn, peanuts, banana ice cream.

With the inclusion of a seated bar area, Ox and Finch will also offer a substantial range of rotational and seasonal craft beers, bottled and on draught, alongside a carefully-selected wine list which has been paired to complement the food served.

11

GENN Biggest train timetable Scotland has ever seen SCOTRAIL has said it is “planning the biggest train timetable that Scotland has ever seen” to help transport Games spectators.

Extra carriages and more frequent services will be provided until late at night, with services running until 01:00 on some routes.

ScotRail said this was aimed at coping with an expected extra one million train journeys on its network during the Games period.

The train operator said it would unveil the timetable later this month.

It will be introduced on 21 July, two days ahead of the opening ceremony. It will remain in place for two weeks until the closing ceremony on 3 August.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said: “We have been planning

this timetable for almost two years - working with games organisers, local authorities and industry partners to balance the needs of spectators and customers across Scotland.

“I’m confident that we’ll make best use of every train, station and stretch of track available during what will be an extremely busy time for Scotland’s transport networks.”

ScotRail said it was due to hold talks with rail unions over staffing issues surrounding the Games timetable.

Last November, the RMT union called for “recognition and reward” payments to cover extra workloads before and during the event.

A ScotRail spokesman said: “We are making progress and are due to meet again soon with each of the trade unions to take matters further forward.”

GENN Glasgow East and North News

visit our new website www.thegenn.co.uk

Glasgow 7s this 3rd and 4th May at Scotsoun Stadium A WHOLE weekend of sevens rugby, music, entertainment and fun – all with a circus fancy dress theme.

Scotstoun Stadium is great venue for ‘clowning around’ at a family-friendly event like this – and the Glasgow 7s really does have something for everyone, including plenty of space for the kids to let off some steam between matches.

Circus fancy dress For the party animals among you, they are improving the ever-popular Party Stand and bringing back a mix of great music and on-the-spot entertainment. Bring your most creative circus-themed fancy dress and you could win some exciting prizes.

Scotland survived the tightrope walk to secure core status in the HSBC Sevens World Series for another season and will join New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, USA, England, Wales and many other huge names in sevens rugby, with plenty of speed, skill and agility on display.

All you’ll need to do is juggle your time, so you can take everything in!

Shettleston Energy Advice (SEA) delivers home energy advice to Shettleston residents, funded by Climate Challenge Fund since October 2012. Advising Shettleston residents of all tenure on how to save energy, reduce their energy bills and in turn reduce their carbon emissions.

Although the SEA team have been really busy with home energy visits we would like to help more homeowners in the area to become energy efficient.

The SEA team have successfully helped several homeowners in the area take advantage of Government incentives such as the Energy Assistance Scheme.

A SEA Project home visit resulted in an owner occupier gaining a FREE central heating system; after calling the Home Energy Scotland advice centre and meeting specific eligibility criteria.

This owner initially requested advice on whether she should pay to have temperature control valves installed to her existing radiators, and an estimate of how much she should be quoted by companies to ensure that she was getting the best deal.

At the time of the visit the owner had the original back boiler system with three radiators (which were all downstairs).

Although the system was still working, an initial assessment by Evelyn from the SEA project confirmed it was worthwhile calling the Home Energy Scotland advice centre for a full assessment under relevant Scottish Government schemes.

The homeowner now has a state of the art combination boiler with four

New East End Brewery

AS the sporting event of the Games draws ever closer, the race is on to get the Drygate Brewing Company on Duke Street up and running.

It might not have the scale of the Emirates Arena or Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in the shadow of Celtic Park, but it is shaping up to be a project like no other in Scottish brewing.

Drygate also represents a meeting of two very different - albeit Scottish - brewing cultures.

It is a joint venture between Williams Bros, a star of the craft brewing scene, and Tennent Caledonian Breweries (TCB), home of Scotland’s biggest beer brand, Tennent’s Lager.

Based in a former box factory, dating from the 1950s, and situated on the edge of TCB’s historic Wellpark Brewery, it promises not only to be somewhere to drink beer and learn how to make it, but a focal point for friends to gather and enjoy food, live sport and music in a variety of spaces.

Scott Williams, started Williams Bros with brother Bruce in 1992.

Designed by the award-winning Graven Images, and spread over two floors, it will feature a rooftop garden terrace, offering views of the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis (Drygate is derived from the

German for priest’s path).

Inside diners will have clear sight of the two microbreweries - one a fully commercial, 24-hectolitre operation, the other a “pilot” 250l-kit for budding home brewers - as well as the kitchen downstairs, allowing diners in the 130-capacity restaurant to watch their food being prepared.

There will be a shop, where beer made on the premises can be bought, and in each of the main bars 24 different craft beers will be on tap, 17 on the back bars and seven on the front.

And on the entertainment side it is hoped Drygate will host everything from jazz nights to live comedy, with the owners looking to draw custom from Dennistoun and the thousands of students based a short walk away at the University of Strathclyde.

Mr Williams hopes Drygate, which is scheduled to open in May, will forge a reputation as a centre for brewing excellence.

“New brewers are springing up all over the place, and it seems like it is everybody’s dream to open a brewery.

“But they can come along to Drygate if they have that dream, brew batches on a smaller scale but still commercial, and find out what response there is to their product. There is no investment required apart

from on a batch to batch basis.

“And if we can be this kind of nexus for creative brewing and fair enough they will all go on to build their own breweries after that - then that’s great.

“It’s really about encouraging the growth of the market, and players in it, rather than saying we don’t want anyone else to join it and just keep it to ourselves.”

One might think a project uniting two brewers at either end of the beer-making scale would inevitably lead to friction.

Mr Williams acknowledged the much bigger C&C Group, owner of TCB, does take a different approach than Williams to issues such as procurement, audits and quality checks, but on the whole he said the two parties have combined well.

And in spite of having to divide his time between Drygate and Williams’ own business, which includes bars, home-brewing shop and an expanding brewery, he has found the project to be extremely rewarding.

Mr Williams said: “It is a challenge but by the same token I am learning a lot about the industry.

When it launches, Williams and C&C will hand over the day to day running of Drygate to a new team currently being assembled.

radiators, including one upstairs and the owner is feeling the benefit already.

The homeowner is delighted with the difference the new central heating system has made to her home.

The homeowner still received advice from the SEA team after installation of this system.

This was to ensure the homeowner knew how to operate the system and that her new heating system was working as efficiently as possible for her needs.

“I am delighted to have a new central heating system and the property is heating up really quickly and keeping the heat for longer.”

“I am no longer dreading the cold winter months although I did benefit from insulation works to the property in recent years and now have the benefit of both improvements to look forward to” “The owner would like to advise all owners, especially pensioners, to take advice from the SEA team before paying out for repairs which may prove to be expensive”.

For free energy advice and to arrange a home visit, please call our energy advisers, Angela or Evelyn, on Freephone 0808 202 6565.

To find out more about Scottish Government incentives, call the Home Energy Scotland advice centre directly on 0808 808 2282.

The Home Energy Scotland hotline’s expert advisers can inform callers which of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes they qualify for, as well as giving personalised advice on how to make homes more efficient.

12

GENN Commonwealth Countdown AN exhibition of 2,014 uniquely designed flags created by community groups, schools and residents from across Glasgow’s east end was launched at Platform in Easterhouse last week, as part of local celebrations ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games this summer.

The showcase is the culmination of Glasgow East Arts Company’s Make 2014 Flags project, following a number of creative workshops with local groups who were encouraged to unleash their creativity and design the flags in drawing, painting, collage, photography and screen-printing sessions.

A host of local residents took part to ensure they ‘made their mark’ – the theme of the project - including P1-3 children from Ruchazie’s Budz club, Dalmarnock Primary School pupils, Royston Youth Action and members of Barlanark’s over 50 group.

The workshops were met with great enthusiasm: “This is brilliant; I love how all the flags are different.” – member of the Pavillion Youth Group.

“This is so exciting, the best day ever,” said one pupil at Dalmarnock Primary School.

Commenting at the launch of the exhibition last week, Councillor for the North East ward and board member of Glasgow East Arts Company, Maureen Burke said: “Bunting does seem to

Glasgow East residents fly the flag for the 2014 Commonwealth Games shout out ‘parties and gatherings’ - from community get togethers, to festivals and gala days.

This is what the Make 2,014 Flags project is all about – ensuring local people have an opportunity to celebrate and be part of the 2014 Games.

“This exhibition shows just how energetic and enthusiastic our residents are about getting involved and they should all be congratulated for their fantastic efforts – without their spirit of adventure, what a boring world we’d live in!”

Jackie Shearer, Arts Manager at Platform added:

“We are delighted at just how creative the groups were in coming up with their flag designs and the exhibition really is testament to their efforts and excitement about the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow.

“The project also leaves us with a lasting legacy, as the bunting will be available for local communities to hire for their own events and celebrations over the coming months and beyond.”

30 metres of the bunting will be out on loan to The Aye Write Festival at The Mitchell Library from Monday 7 April

to Friday 11 April.

Make 2,014 Flags was supported by funding from the Big Lottery Fund, Public Protection Fund Glasgow and the area partnerships representing the Glasgow North East area.

The project forms part of a programme of local activity co-ordinated by the Area Legacy and Engagement Group for Glasgow North East (ALEG), which has been working closely with a number of public, private and voluntary sector agencies to ensure that its communities have opportunities to be part of the Games and its legacy.

Glasgow man to represent Ghana at the Commonwealth Games JEDIDIAH Amoako-Ackah will be the first ever track cyclist to represent Ghana in the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

He will be competing alongside the world’s fastest track cyclists representing their respective countries during the games that is due to take place in July, the track cycling event will taking place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in the East End of Glasgow.

Jedidiah Amoako-Ackah otherwise known as ‘Jeddie’ was born in Asamankesse (Ghana) to in 1991, a twin and one of four Children.

The family immigrated to Botswana, where he lived for 5 years, some years later they eventually settled in Scotland in 2000, where he completed his primary school education at St. Stephens Primary School and later attended Lenzie Academy, for his secondary school education.

His passion for sports led him to study Sport Therapy at the University of Chichester in 2012, where he is currently studying.

He has intermitted a year out of the Sports Therapy course to make further preparation and train at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

The 23 year old was a fan of track cycling prior to the decision to take part in the game.

He said: “I was a fan of the sport for many years

and enjoyed cycling, but I never considered competing until last year, when the opportunity came to represent Ghana. I can remember watching the British team at the Olympics in Beijing 2009; it was captivating and very inspiring.”

On the inspiration behind his decision to take part in the Commonwealth Games, he stated that Sir Chris Hoy played a major part on wanting to compete as a track cyclist saying: “I started training at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome last year September, after a local businessman suggested the idea of representing Ghana at the Commonwealth games.

Track sprinters such as Sir Chris Hoy and Gregory Bauge have been my inspiration to bring the sport of track cycling to Ghana.”

Jedidiah is Ghana’s first track cyclist and that comes with a great honour and great responsibility, he is very proud to represent Ghana in such a great way and he is hoping that this will bring a spotlight on the country: “It’s a great honour to represent my country and I hope to put in a performance that will exemplify the excellence synonymous with Ghana.”

“South Africa are the only country in the continent that have invested in the sport, as a result they’re able to compete internationally in many

disciples of the sport hope to raise the interest of the Ghana cycling federation and all concerned to invest in the sport of track cycling with development programs and infrastructure such as The Accra Velodrome Project.

In addition, I believe this will be a great platform for promoting Ghana and its progressive cycling culture.”

The response he has been getting from Ghana has been very positive and he has even made plans about he can give back even more than he is already doing; “I’ve been getting a good response from Ghana, many people appreciate what I’m doing and I’m very humbled by their support.

I’m setting up a Charity to provide school children who have no means of transport with bicycles, so I hope to go to Ghana after the Commonwealth Games.

The charity is called “Gift-A-Bike Foundation”.”

Not only has he received great support from his home country Ghana, friends and family are also supportive of him and his ambitions.

“As you can imagine, my family and friends were very surprised, I think some thought I was playing a prank on them.

I’m sure some even questioned my sanity (I

do sometimes), but I’ve been working hard and they’ve finally ‘came round’ to the idea of me representing Ghana and are very glad I’m doing something positive for my country.”

The track cycling event will take place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as stated above, between July 24 and August 1, where Jedidiah will compete alongside other cyclists.

To show support for him, visit his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/iamjeddie.

13

GENN Commonwealth Countdown

Glasgow 2014 Facts • Women’s Boxing and the Mixed Team Relay event in Triathlon will make their Commonwealth Games debut at Glasgow 2014.

• Glasgow 2014 will have the largest ever number of fully integrated Para-Sport events with 22 medals up for grabs in five sports within the programme.

• 50,811 people put their names forward to volunteer at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, more than both Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006 combined.

• The Queen’s Baton Relay journeyed by sea to the tiny island of St Helena for the last time via the Royal Mail Ship St Helena. A new airport, which is due to be opened by 2016, will replace the five day-long sea route.

• Glasgow 2014 is the first Commonwealth Games to welcome volunteers from aged 16 on application.

• Glasgow won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games on 9 November 2007.

• Sir Peter Heatly opened the Glasgow 2014 HQ Commonwealth House and the boardroom inside is named in the legendary diver’s honour.

• War veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq were employed to work during the renovation at Glasgow 2014 HQ, Commonwealth House, all of them recruited through the Glasgow City Council’s Helping Heroes campaign which assists ex-soldiers in finding work.

• The Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh will feature in its third Games having been involved in 1970 and 1986. It is the only venue to be used in three Games.

• The surface at Hampden Park has been raised by 1.9 meters, transforming it from the home of Scottish football into an IAAF-standard athletics arena for Glasgow 2014.

• It has taken approximately 6,000 steel posts and 1,200 panels to create a deck for the transformation of Hampden. The deck weighs over 1,000 tonnes.

• A further 16,000 tonnes of stone, tar and rubber are now being placed on top of the deck as it readies itself for a track and field competition that will include over 1,000 athletes.

• Athletics has appeared on the programme of every Commonwealth Games, but only ten countries participated in 1930 at Hamilton.

• 3000 balls will be used across six sports during the Games; Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Squash, and Table Tennis.

• 840 shuttlecocks will be used across the Badminton competition at the Emirates Arena as the Commonwealth’s best players battle it out for the Gold medal.

• The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton was honoured with a national holiday when it arrived on the island nation of Nauru.

• The last time Judo was at the Commonwealth Games was in Manchester in 2002 meaning a gap of 12 years before it returns at Glasgow 2014.

• Glasgow 2014 will play host to the first Para-Sport Cycling (Track) events in Commonwealth Games history.

• Fiji, who will now be part of the Glasgow 2014 Games, have a total of 14 medals in their history, first competing in the 1938 British Empire Games.

• Team sports only appeared in the Commonwealth Games from 1998 onwards with Kuala Lumpur including Cricket, Hockey, Netball and Rugby Sevens.

• The ceiling height must be at least 12m above Field of play for Rhythmic Gymnastics which makes use of hoops, balls, clubs and ribbons.

• As President of the Kenyan National Olympic Committee, three-time Commonwealth Gold medallist Kip Keino, welcomed the Queen’s Baton Relay as it visited Kenya.

• Commonwealth Games history was made this week when the Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Rwanda for the first time ever in mid-January 2014.

• The Glasgow 2014 Marathon will start and finish in Glasgow Green covering a route that will take in iconic Glasgow landmarks including the Merchant City, George Square, Buchanan Street and the Clyde Arc. • The Lead 2014 programme, a partnership between sportscotland, Youth Sport Trust and Glasgow 2014 designed to develop leadership skills has seen the number of young people involved since its inception in 2011 surge beyond 50,000.

• The Glasgow 2014 Queen’s Baton Relay Baton has been designed by award-winning 4c Design. Established in 2002 by two design graduates of The Glasgow School of Art, William Mitchell (Product Design) and Robin Smith (Product Design Engineering), it comprises expert designers, engineers and model-makers.

• The 2,000-seat capacity Dining Hall in the Athletes’ Village will serve around 390,000 meals with more than a thousand different menu items.

• A weightlifting platform tested by elite Olympic and Commonwealth athletes has been donated to the Gladiator Weightlifting Club in Easterhouse by the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee.

• The Weightlifting weigh-in for athletes will be conducted two hours before the start of the competition and last for a maximum of one hour.

• Cydonie Mothersille’s Gold success in the women’s 200m Athletics was the only medal of any colour won by the Cayman Islands at the Delhi 2010 Games.

• Situated above the destination board at Glasgow Central station, the Glasgow 2014 Official Longines Countdown Clock will be seen by hundreds and thousands of commuters and visitors in the lead-up to the Games in July.

• Celtic Park’s entire South Stand will be transformed into Glasgow’s ‘Window on the

Commonwealth’ for the Opening Ceremony after the installation of a digital LED backdrop, the largest screen of its kind ever seen in Europe. Nearly 100 metres wide, it weighs 38 tonnes.

• The Official Glasgow 2014 tartan was designed by then 15-year-old Glaswegian schoolboy, Aamir Mehmood.

• The Games workforce uniform consists of red polo shirt, grey trousers, red and white soft shell jacket, red cagoule and grey hat. Workforce will also be given matching bags, umbrellas and a water bottle.

• Hampden Park will play host to the Closing Ceremony of the Games, at which Glasgow 2014 will officially hand the Commonwealth Flag over to the Gold Coast, hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

• The Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village Hair Salon will be operated by West College Scotland students who will provide hair-styling, make-up and grooming services.

• Athletes are expected to eat 500,000 pieces of fruit during the period the Village is open with plenty of vegetables too including an estimated 60 tonnes of potatoes.

• Glasgow 2014 has a team of nine Official Ambassadors spreading the Games message far and wide, including Great

Glasgow 2014 marks 100 days to go milestone with iconic Hampden images

GLASGOW 2014 this week marked 100 days to go until the start of the Commonwealth Games with a stunning aerial shot of Hampden Park, Scotland’s national football stadium temporarily transformed into an Athletics venue for the Games.

The Venue for Track and Field had a giant ‘100’ painted onto the grass infield for an iconic image which shows the still in-construction running track for the first time.

Hampden will be the centrepiece of the Games with more than a thousand athletes going all out for Gold and glory in over 48

events in seven days of competition.

A revolutionary solution has raised the stadium surface by almost two metres, gaining the width and length required for a world-class Athletics arena.

The aerial pictures also offer a view of Lesser Hampden, which has seen the construction of a new pavilion and will provide athletes with warm-up facilities.

With the clock counting down to the start of the Games, Glasgow 2014 will later today reveal the the creative elements that will form the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Medal Ceremony, including

the unveiling of the athletes’ ultimate prize – the Medals themselves.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, Glasgow 2014 Chairman, said: “It is now just 100 Days to Go until the start of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the biggest sporting and cultural festival Scotland has ever hosted and the UK’s next big sporting occasion.

“We are entering the home straight now and these last 100 days are our opportunity to do the final work necessary to ensure that we deliver an outstanding Games for Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.”

Britain’s Nicola Adams and Scottish comedian Billy Connolly.

• The 10 metre platform is the highest of three platforms/ springboards used in Diving.

• All of Glasgow 2014’s permanent sporting venues have been opened and have been used by both elite athletes and local people, making them both world-class and community relevant.

• The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, located in the Emirates Arena, has been described as ‘one of the busiest in the world’, with the venue welcoming a 350,000 attendance in its first year.

• The Queen’s baton’s handle is made of elm wood sourced from the grounds of Garrison House on the Isle of Cumbrae – a tribute to Scotland’s natural resources.

• The Queen’s Baton contains a granite ‘gemstone’ which is gifted to each nation and territory. Housed at the very top of the baton, it is released only by opening a clever puzzle mechanism.

• The Satellite Village in Dundee will host around 500 Shooting athletes and team officials during the Games.

• In the Full Bore Shooting discipline, shooters fire at targets across a range of distances

up to 1,000 yards.

• The most famous Boxing name to claim a Commonwealth Games Gold was Lennox Lewis for Canada in 1986.

• The diver Alexandre Despatie (Canada) has won nine Commonwealth Gold medals, the most of any single competitor.

• The Australian men’s team have won every hockey Gold medal since the first competition in Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Games in 1998.

• The Barry Buddon Shooting range was used for the fullbore rifle contest during the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986 • The iconic medals for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have been designed by award-winning maker and jeweller Jonathan Mathew Boyd, a graduate of the illustrious Glasgow School and Art. • The Culture 2014 and Festival 2014 Programmes officially launched in July 2013, a nationwide celebration including events, exhibitions and performances delivered on behalf of the Organising Committee by Glasgow Life and Creative Scotland.

• Scotland sit seventh on the Commonwealth Games all-time medals table with 92 Gold, 104 Silver and 160 Bronze medals.

14

GENN

TBreak gives musicians chance to play at T in the Park

T in The Park is Scotland’s largest music festival has been held annually since 1994.

This year, the music festival will celebrates its 20th anniversary and to mark this anniversary, they have chosen some of the world’s biggest artists and bands to play at the anniversary, with Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris headlining the event, they will be joined by

other artists including Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Paul Weller, Pharrell Williams and many more.

The event used to be held at the Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire until 1997, but since then it has been held at the Balado airfield in Kinross-shire.

Until 2007, it was a two day event but is now a three day event.

Attracting up to 85,000 each day and figures for 2013, were 250,000 people attending the festival over the three days travelling from across Britain and Europe.

It was described by Scotland on Sunday as “the country’s top fest”.

The music festival has been a platform for many famous acts over the past years including Oasis, Kylie Minogue, Snow Patrol, Beyonce and many more.

There are eight stages with the Main Stage being where you can expect to see the biggest acts.

Previous artists who have graced the main stage include Red Hot Chili Peppers and Iggy Pop. King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent

was inspired by the legendary Glasgow venue.

The stage is well known and it is a favourite of the artists. In this tent a general rule of thumb is that Pop acts appear earlier in the day, with the night rounded off by either a large dance or indie rock act.

Slam Tent is unlike the previously mentioned stages, it features a predominately electronic, dance and house line-ups.

Red Bull Bedroom Jam is a live music webcast for up and coming bands.

In an on-line interactive take, bands upload their music to the Red Bull Jam website and could win a chance to feature.

The bands also get a chance to play alongside other top acts such as Laura Marling and Echo & The Bunnymen.

T Break Stage is known as the “Scotland grass-roots stage” Tennent’s Lager invites unsigned acts to send in their demos, with which a panel of industry judges select 16 bands to play the stage.

The Ceildh Tent creates a completely different

vibe from the rest of the festival, self-described as “foot-stomping, hell-tapping and elbow singing” music.

BBC Introducing Stage is stage set up by the BBC; this stage is the place to go to support unsigned acts that are sure to hit your music radars soon.

The Genn spoke to one of the entrants to the T Break competition this year, Dennistoun based band The

Twisted Melons about what playing at T in the Park might mean to them.

Mark Johnson, drummer and backing vocalist said “We’ve played big gigs and festivals before, up to crowds of thousands, but none are as high profile as T in the Park.

I’ve gone regularly and it would great to play T. It would be good for our profile, and as always it would be great to have new

people hear our music.

We’re currently working on two albums and it would be great to get the chance to showcase some of the new material at such a high profile event” The T in the Park festival will take place from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13 and festival goers can expect to hear and see their favourite artists play across the eight stages.

Glasgow 2014 Medals unveiled

THEY are the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes that are the focus of training and commitment for 4,500 athletes across the Commonwealth and to mark 100 Days to Go to the Opening Ceremony, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Medals were revealed to the public for the first time.

The medals were unveiled this week in spectacular style at Glasgow’s iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which provided a stunning backdrop to the reveal.

The unique awards are silver gilt (for the gold) silver and bronze – the traditional makeup of medals at Commonwealth and Olympic events, and weigh in at 100g each.

They have been designed by internationally renowned jeweller and maker Jonathan Boyd

who worked with a team of eleven specialist jeweller-makers at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art (GSA) to hand make the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals through a series of complex and skilled processes meaning each one is truly unique.

They were revealed at a special event which also recreated the medal procession ceremony showing the ceremonial outfits to be worn by the male and female medal bearers, the trays the medals will be placed in and specially created gifts which will be given to the winning athletes.

The creative team behind the medal ceremonies also includes Paul Hodgkiss, designer of the wooden podiums, trays and gifts and fashion designer Kerry Nixon, who designed the dresses worn by the female medal

bearers and styled the male medal bearers with the support of Harris Tweed who made the specially-commissioned fabric.

The design team has drawn inspiration from many elements of Scotland including the Isle of Harris itself to the parks of Glasgow.

Incorporating the unique and iconic Harris Tweed fabric into the Medal Ceremony demonstrated the age-old tradition and artisan skills of the weavers in a modern and contemporary setting.

The event gave a glimpse of the moments of a lifetime for winning athletes which will be broadcast around the globe and highlighted the talents of three designers who have come together to create a beautiful and unique Glasgow 2014 Medal Ceremony which will be seen

by a global audience of 1.5 billion.

GSA has been involved with developing both the medals and the dress fabrics with the school’s Centre for Advanced Textiles printing the distinctive Glasgow 2014 Official Tartan material onto the silk fabric.

Former Commonwealth Gold Medallist and TV presenter Iwan Thomas hosted the event which also featured Scotland’s most decorated athlete, Allan Wells, MBE and aspiring future athletics star Joseph Amouzou, 18, who attends The Glasgow School of Sport. Joseph is the reigning Under 20 Indoor Triple Jump champion and hopes to compete in future Commonwealth Games.

The event was also attend-

ed by Glasgow 2014 Games Partners and representatives of business and civic Scotland.

Chairman of Glasgow 2014, Lord Smith of Kelvin, KT, who spoke at the ceremony said: “These medals are the coveted prize that all the athletes coming to compete at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have in their sights – the ultimate reward for all those years of toil, training and dedication.

Our medals are unlike any I have seen before and are a unique representation of the stunning, contemporary vision of Scotland that will be beamed around the world.

With just 100 days to go until the Opening Ceremony, the stage is now well and truly set for an outstanding XX Commonwealth Games.”

Jonathan Boyd said: “It’s a real honour to have been invited to design the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games medals. As someone who is extremely proud to live in the city of Glasgow and an avid sports fan, I am thrilled to be given this opportunity.

I hope I have designed something that stands proud as an interesting and unique object but, more importantly, something that celebrates each athlete’s individual achievement.

“Each of the medals was handmade in Glasgow by a group of internationally recognised jewellers. This could only have been achieved at The Glasgow School of Art. It has been a wonderful commission both for me and my colleagues in the Silversmithing and Jewellery department.”

15

GENN Battling Sectarianism

Sectarianism: No place in modern Scotland RELIGIOUS sectarianism has long been an issue in Scotland.

While few would disagree that sectarianism still exists in Glasgow in one form or another, there has been no consensus on its scale and nature within the city.

While such studies as the Life and Times Survey have attempted to measure sectarianism in Northern Ireland, little hard evidence exists for Scotland.

Indeed, Professor Tom Devine, editor of “Scotland’s Shame? Bigotry and Sectarianism in Modern Scotland” has recently highlighted the paucity of rigorous research examining the scale of sectarianism in Scotland There has, however, been a growing debate on the prevalence of sectarianism and how to address the problem.

The starting point is to examine sectarianism, as members of the public in Glasgow.

Indeed, what extent the issue of sectarianism would emerge spontaneously in discussions about participants’ own communities and the context in which it might do so look at sectarianism from the perspective of you, the public

in the context of practical issues about which the Council and its partners could develop policy and initiatives.

In popular understanding, sectarianism describes religious conflict rather than religious difference and a particular type of religious conflict.

While people recognise doctrinal differences between some Protestants and Catholics, they do not see any sectarian conflict between the mainstream Protestant and Catholic churches.

Sectarianism was also described as just one of many possible prejudices reflecting, for some, a belief that prejudice was part of the ‘natural order’ in which group cohesion tends to result from an awareness of similarity and difference – for example, in relation to such characteristics as race and religion.

Sectarianism in Scotland is, in this understanding, just one of many religious conflicts in the world and one of many different prejudices.

Given the widespread perception that sectarianism is common in Glasgow, the forms that it is seen to take are important because it gives an

indication of the nature of the problem.

According to our survey, sectarianism is most commonly observed through jokes between friends and by using sectarian terms to describe people Overall, 77% said that sectarian jokes between friends was either very or quite common, while 71% said that using sectarian terms was common.

Perhaps more alarmingly, around two-thirds (65%) of respondents felt that sectarian violence was very or quite common and a majority (58%) felt that sectarian threats and harassment were common.

Institutional sectarianism – in the labour market, by the Police or by the Council or other public services – was perceived to be much less common.

Even so, a number of respondents felt that sectarianism was common in employment decisions and a percentage felt that there was sectarian practice by the Police.

Yet when people were asked specifically about how the Police treat Catholics and Protestants, 45% said that both are treated equally, 29% said that “religion doesn’t affect how

people are treated.”

Overall, these findings clearly show that respondents believe that sectarianism is still prevalent in Glasgow and an issue of concern.

However, there are two aspects of this view that need to be emphasised.

First, sectarianism is seen primarily as an individual issue – as being about relationships between people rather than institutionalised prejudice.

Sectarianism and football Discussion of sectarianism in the focus groups regularly focused on the rivalry between Rangers and Celtic.

While most cities have rivalry between local teams that sometimes spills into violence, Glasgow is seen as peculiar in the intensity of the rivalry. In their origins and history, Rangers and Celtic reflect the divisions between Protestants and Catholics in Glasgow.

The Old Firm is therefore about more than a sporting rivalry and is still seen as reflecting a more fundamental social division between Catholics and Protestants.

This is not to suggest that support for Rangers or Celtic is sectarian in itself but it shows

a strong link between religion and support for the Old Firm in Glasgow.

For some, the role of football was so significant that it actually replaced religion as the source and focus of sectarian attitudes and behaviours.

Perhaps of more importance, support for Rangers and Celtic is also seen as reflecting the sectarian divide in Ireland, which, again, is seen to be about much more than religious difference.

Even in the face of pronouncements and action from the Clubs themselves, the Clubs’ histories, the symbolism surrounding them (the Union Flag versus the Irish Tricolour), the organisations and political movements that congregate around the Clubs and the highly visible activities of a small number of supporters, all help maintain the perception to some that Celtic is associated with Republicanism and Rangers with Loyalism.

While football rivalry can lead to violent clashes between fans in Glasgow, because of the relationship between football and sectarianism, some participants presumed all of the violence around Old Firm

matches to be a consequence of sectarianism rather than ‘ordinary’ violence that might occur at any football match.

There was, however, no consensus on whether such violence is sectarian in nature, or whether it is simply sporadic football violence, similar to that which is viewed as mindless hooliganism elsewhere.

Although sectarianism might have a strong link with football, members of the public were divided on the strength of the relationship.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) strongly agreed or agreed that sectarianism “is almost entirely confined to football”.

However, 37% of respondents disagreed with this.

Several focus group participants emphasised the role that alcohol plays in fuelling violence around Old Firm matches The aim of this study was to measure perceptions of what is acceptable behaviour with regard to sectarianism and, in particular, to measure the levels of prejudice that exist in Glasgow.

The only solution is to work together and fully stamp out sectarianism.

16

GENN Battling Sectarianism

Glasgow City Council: Common forms of Sectarianism in Glasgow

Tackling Sectarianism TACKLING sectarianism is part of ng homes’ Community Football Partnership with the Scottish Government.

Football is playing a pivotal role in increasing understanding and awareness of sectarianism and its consequences. Various activities including a series of workshops have been delivered to schools, clubs and groups in North Glasgow to ensure there is a consistent approach in tackling sectarianism.

Working in partnership with professional clubs has also been very powerful and has helped break down perceived barriers in the community.

We have taken significant steps to increase the opportunities for dialogue around issues of sectarianism, bigotry and hate crime to challenge long held discriminatory behaviours. This will serve to increase intergenerational dialogue over community sectarianism related issues.

Springburn (East)

Email: info@nghomes.net

Ned Donaldson House, 50 Reidhouse Street Springburn, Glasgow. G21 4LS Tel 0141 560 6000 Fax 0141 560 6005

By investing in the education of young people we will encourage a collective response from a new generation to eradicate this behaviour from our community in future years.

These informative and interactive workshops have been assisted in delivery by Dave Scott, Campaign Director from Nil by Mouth. Dave said “This is a fantastic project and a great opportunity for pupils and their families to come together with others to shape their vision of the future. There are challenges in this area but also a sense of pride and friendship. I’m sure this ng homes project will be a huge success.”

The project aim to raise awareness and challenge attitudes and behaviours towards sectarianism, equalities, respect and tolerance in North Glasgow. Giving a positive impact on those attending and help influence other people who come into contact with them. Sectarianism can seem a big problem but it’s far from an unbeatable one and by discussing matters openly and honestly progress will be made.”

Website: www.nghomes.net @ng_homes

ng homes is a trading name of North Glasgow Housing Association

Possilpark (West)

Kenna Rossine House, 252 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow. G22 5LF Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005

17

GENN Battling Sectarianism

Time for Reflection & Rehabilitation SINCE 2003, over 6000 people have been charged with sectarian offences in Scotland ranging from violence, vandalism, verbal abuse, to posting threatening messages on the Internet.

It’s easy to bandy figures around but we should never forget that behind every statistic lies a person.

For some young people identity isn’t an option or a choice. Grudge and grievance, real or imagined, are unthinkingly handed down from one generation to the next.

Sectarianism thrives on the idea that there has always been a ‘them’ and there has always been an ‘us’; outdated mind-sets endure only as long as they can carry people along in this tide, safe in the knowledge that ‘things have always been this way.’

Many ordinary people have been scarred by sectarianism yet all posses the terrible gift of being able to use this scarring to serve as a lesson, or a warning, to others.

This is why Nil By Mouth is campaigning for a manda-

tory rehabilitation scheme for anyone convicted of sectarian offences, involving victims, charities and past offenders themselves.

We are not naive enough to think that such a scheme would change every participant.

Yet experience has shown that there are those prepared to grasp the opportunity, acknowledge their mistakes and help challenge attitudes they themselves once held.

If we are to defeat sectarianism we must adopt a twin approach in educating our children and re-educating offenders.

A mandatory rehabilitation scheme for anyone convicted of sectarian offenses would tackle both issues in tandem.

And the time to do it is now!

Feb 2014 saw the publication of the long awaited Morrow Report providing Scottish Ministers with advice and perspective on the future direction of anti-sectarianism policy.

One of its most interesting

lines states ‘many senior and influential people across society’ had failed to acknowledge the problem or show the leadership required to tackle it.

There is a danger in allowing this to be viewed simply as a historical failing.

‘Institutional sectarianism’ can still be found and it thrives when left to lurk in the shadows, unchallenged and overlooked.

Those who posses sectarian attitudes mutter darkly and like to give the impression that they alone represent the hopes and fears of their respective communities. They tell us things have always been this way.

They rely on our apathy, apprehension and reluctance to become involved.

The hardest set of barriers to dismantle are those we allow others to build in our heads and for too long ‘Civic Scotland’ displayed a marked reluctance to properly address sectarianism.

Yet, there is huge potential for institutions, particularly within the public sector, to re-

inforce the message that bigotry’s had its day.

In 2011 Nil by Mouth launched our ‘Beyond Religion and Belief’ project seeking to raise awareness of sectarianism in the workplace.

Since then we have been reminded of the challenges many people still face: the teacher overlooked for promotion, the nurse abused in an A&E ward because of the colour of their tabard or the name on their ID badge, staff frozen out when overtime is available or the office worker constantly subjected to ‘banter’ from colleagues.

In 2012 City of Edinburgh Council became the first local authority to sign up to participate and we have since worked with hundreds of its staff.

The partnership has been

a success and feedback has been extremely positive yet other local authorities seem hesitant to become involved.

Why is this? Do they feel that it isn’t a problem or is it easier to avoid the elephant in the room?

It’s not as if there isn’t evidence of problems: several councils have had to discipline staff for sectarian behaviour over recent years yet when approached, they inform us that there isn’t a problem and things are being dealt with ‘internally’.

Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away and that is why we have contacted more than 100 public bodies offering to work with their staff, managers, HR departments and equality officers to ensure everyone is clear what’s not acceptable in a 21st-century

workplace.

There is also currently a procurement bill making its way through Holyrood which seeks to ensure public sector contracts and practices maximise wider social benefits and objectives.

Surely, it’s possible to insert a clause in this bill that would ensure any successful bidder for lucrative public sector contracts must have a stated anti-sectarian policy and offer awareness training to staff?

Neither of these proposals carry any real financial cost and would help provide protection for staff and clarity for employers. By signing up to these practical and cost-effective measures our institutions can help chase sectarianism out of the shadows once and for all.

Proud to battle Sectarianism Eastgate, 727 London Road,Glasgow, G40 3AQ Tel: 0141 276 7400 gcssenquiries@glasgow.gov.uk

0141 556 1195

Committed to tackling Sectarianism

Helenslea Community Hall, 48 Methven Street, Lilybank, Glasgow, G31 4RB

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GENN Battling Sectarianism

Scottish Government Committed to tackling Sectarianism “Sectarianism has blighted Scotland for too long. But working together we are committed to building a Scotland where sectarianism is consigned to the dustbin of history, a Scotland that recognises and celebrates that all our faiths and cultures make us a better, stronger nation.”

Popular Support – Perhaps the most crucial achievement of all is that the wall of fear, acceptance and silence surrounding sectarianism which confronted Cara when she launched Nil

By Mouth is slowly but steadily being eroded.

Many people are gaining the courage to debate the issue with each other in streets, homes, pubs and workplaces across Scotland.

Many schools and community groups have joined the campaign and are running their own initiatives to challenge sectarianism.

More individuals are gaining the courage to speak out against bigotry and stand up for their belief in a changing and more tolerant, multicultural society.

This has helped to put the issue in the media spotlight and on the agenda of politicians and organisations with the power and resources to help rid Scotland of religious hatred.

But there is still much work to be done.

“For far too long sectarianism has plagued In May 2013 Parkhead Youth Project was successful in securing funding totalling £91,245 from the Scottish Government for Anti-Sectarian work until March 2015. After recruiting Diane McKendrick as the Anti-Sectarian Youth Development Worker the Project has been working with young people providing activities and opportunities for young people to explore and learn more about the topic.

We applied for the funding because we think that this issue needs to be addressed as our experience had shown that many young people do not see sectarianism as a problem. For many it’s a way of life, the norm passed down from generation to generation. Like many issues the Project is keen to provide young people with information and the opportunity to challenge themselves and their peers and family on this subject. Especially within the realms of social media young people are exposed to a lot of offensive material and it is important for them to realise the consequences of being

the lives of many of our people. Tackling discrimination, wherever and whenever it arises, is the responsibility of us all.

This Government’s strategy on tackling sectarianism is based on funding key projects and bringing together organisations to work together to send a clear message throughout the country that sectarianism is never acceptable, never excusable.

While we recognise that sectarianism in Scotland is a complex social issue which needs to be addressed in a wide range of ways, we also have a great deal of hope for the future and believe that it is well within the capabilities of people from across Scottish society to tackle sectarianism once and for all.

It is, perhaps, not surprising that the deep rootedness of sectarianism in Scotland has led to a culture which fluctuates between silence and sensationalism, while other equality issues have been driven forward in a more holistic and coordinated way.

But what has been obvious to us is that sectarianism has had its day in Scotland, and there is an increasingly large groundswell of people who are tired of its worn-out rhetoric and the way in which it manifests itself in exclusionary and confrontational behaviour.

associated with this whether they realise it or not.

Throughout the duration of the “Nae Excuse Project” we aim to increase young people’s awareness of anti sectarianism.

By being involved in the Project we want young people to be more confident in challenging sectarian attitudes and behaviours and to spread this into the wider community.

To date the project has been involved in lots of workshops and activities some of the highlights were looking at designing a slogan by t-shirt printing workshops which gave us the “Nae Excuse for sectarian abuse”.

It has been great engaging with young people from various organisations including recently YMCA Boys Brigade Group, Youth Committee and also Reidvale

Youth n Action where they took part in “Sectarianism the Game Show” Coming soon in the near future PYP’s “Nae Excuse” will be producing some theatre around the topic of sectarianism and young people will be performing sketches at the PHA Youth Housing Conference on 22nd May and then working towards another bigger production at the end of the year. It has been great seeing young people and the workers themselves learn about the subject and promotes great discussion amongst everyone.

We also are hoping to have a Football Project on the go so anyone interested in drama or football get in touch with the Project or watch out for more information on our website www. parkheadyouthproject.org.uk.

www.parkheadyouthproject.org.uk

West of Scotland Housing Association received a grant from the Scottish Government to find out if Sectarianism affects communities in Glasgow.

WSHA’s Regeneration Services Team have been working in Camlachie, Royston and Cowlairs asking people if they think Sectarianism exists and how it affects them. Over January and February 2014 we held three events with Des Dillon, the playwright known for the show ‘Singin’ I’m no a Billy, He’s a Tim’.

Des helped us think about how Sectarianism affects our lives through some hilarious stories from his past and invited others to share their own experiences. We found that sectarianism touched many aspects of our communities and most people have experienced some form of sectarianism in their lives.

WSHA are continuing the project this April with children aged 8 – 12 years old from Cowlairs, Camlachie and Royston invited to get involved.

Over 8 weeks children will be able to create their own comic book about their community. The project will encourage children to explore different faiths and cultures within Glasgow and look at different stereotypes and how people are represented within their community.

Young people from 13 – 19 years old will also be given an opportunity to take part in the project creating a short animation about their own personal experience in their community. The workshops will explore sectarianism in Scotland and investigate how this can affect the people around them.

If you’d like to get involved in the project then please get in touch with us at WSHA. Email kirsty.hill@westscot.co.uk or call 0141 550 5642

GENN Battling Sectarianism

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GENN Spring

Spring into the Highlands

AS Spring gets well and truly under way and thoughts turn to a well-deserved break there is no better place to spend it than the glorious highlands and coasts of Scotland We didn’t really expect to be enjoying our Easter eggs while it was still snowing outside, but it seems to have been the case across much of Britain this year.

But thankfully now the clocks have been put forward we’re well on our way to the warmer weather, and we’ve got lots of activities to inspire you in Scotland.

The great outdoors beckons as the heather clad moors of the Scottish Highlands begin to awaken and fill with new wildlife once again after the cold winter months. There are many breath taking and challenging walks and climbs for outdoor lovers to pursue and a great choice of pubs and hostelries in which to partake of a warming dram of the regions famous whisky to follow.

Easter is a perfect time to go and discover what Scotland has to offer, whether you prefer the peace and quiet of the countryside or the cosmopoli-

tan buzz of one of the vibrant towns and cities there is something to please every age group and taste.

For families there are lots of well organised events to take part in over the holiday period and so many historic castles and visitor sights to see that one visit may not be enough!

In contrast there are also miles of glorious sandy beaches with superb coastal paths and abundant birdlife for those wanting to just go wild and get away from it all for a day or a week - so why not plan right now?

The Yorkhill Easter Egg Run Sunday 20th April

On Sunday 20th April, the streets of Glasgow’s west end will be alive with the sound of revving engines and tooting horns as hundreds of motor-bikers take to the streets to support Yorkhill Children’s Charity. The 6.5 mile parade, starting and finishing in the grounds of the hospital, is a fantastic a sight to see!

The 2014 run celebrates the 35th year of the Easter Egg Run and we hope to make this the biggest and best yet! Bikers to assemble from 11am in the staff car park, parade begins at 12 noon.

There is no registration in advance but we will ask every biker to make a suggested donation of £10 on arrival at Yorkhill.

It’s going to be a brilliant day – entertainment will be provided at the event site by the fantastic Revolt Rock Show and refreshments – including will be available

Splitting Hairs • HAIR EXTENSIONS • SPRAY TAN •EYELASHES

Open Tuesday - Saturday 9am-5pm

140 Westmuir Street, Parkhead, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 554 6044 Glaswegians urged to look out for cancer symptoms GLASWEGIANS are being urged to make sure they know the symptoms of bowel cancer.

With April the official bowel cancer awareness month, Macmillan Cancer Support is urging locals who don’t know what to look for to read up on the signs of the cancer and visit their doctor if they have any worries.

Macmillan Programme Manager Claire Brown, from the Macmillan Cancer Support @ Glasgow Libraries service, said: “While bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK, it can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases if it is diagnosed at an early stage.

Being aware of symptoms could help save your life.”

Bowel cancer is most com-

mon in the older age bracket, with eight out of 10 bowel cancer diagnoses being given to people over 60.

However, Macmillan Cancer Support wants everyone to be aware of the symptoms of the illness which include can include changes in bowel movements that last for six weeks or longer, blood in stools, pain or a lump in the abdomem, unexplained weight loss and extreme tiredness.

Claire added: “It’s really important people know the signs to look out for and go to their doctor if they are worried.

I’d also urge anyone who is dealing with a diagnosis of any kind of cancer, either directly or through a loved one, to visit one of our Macmillan information and support centres with-

in (library names).”

“We don’t offer medical advice, but we are here to offer a listening ear to anyone affected by cancer who needs support and can help people find reliable information on cancer and its treatments.”

To contact Macmillan@ Glasgow Libriries call 0141 281 2999. To contact Macmillan visit www.macmillan.org. uk or call 0808 808 00 00.

Scots urged to Be Ready for Easter PEOPLE across Scotland are being offered a final reminder to plan ahead as part of this year’s Be Ready for Easter campaign.

With coughs and colds still common during Easter, NHSScotland wants Scots to take a few simple steps to look after their health this month.

By knowing when their GP surgery is open, re-stocking their medicine cabinet and making sure they order any repeat prescriptions they need for themselves and those they look after ahead of Easter, people can ensure they make the most of the holiday weekend.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks, said: “With many GP surgeries across Scotland closed for up to four days over the Easter holiday weekend, it’s vital to plan ahead and ensure you and your family stay well this

spring.

“We are advising people to keep remedies for common ailments available, to make sure they have enough medication to see them through the holidays and to know when they can get an appointment at their GP surgery.”

The four key steps that Be Ready for Easter recommends this spring are: Restock your medicine cabinet if needed Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are also reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.

Use your local pharmacy Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need overthe-counter remedies or have

run out of any prescribed medication. First aid treatments for minor accidents such as plasters and antiseptic creams can also be obtained from the pharmacy.

Make sure you have enough repeat prescription If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period.

Know when your GP surgery will be open Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for four days during the Easter weekend, from 18th April to 21st April.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

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GENN Spring

DIY stands for ‘Don’t Injure Yourself’ this Easter AS MANY people in Scotland prepare to make the most of the Easter holidays and the onset of spring by reaching for the tools or lawnmower, a major health campaign is urging DIY and gardening enthusiasts to be prepared.

As part of the NHS Scotland Be Ready for Easter campaign, DIY and gardening enthusiasts are being urged to take care and be prepared to deal with any minor accidents before tackling those all-important home and garden improvements.

By taking a few simple steps and knowing when their GP surgery is open, re-stocking their medicine cabinet and first aid box if needed, and using local pharmacies to seek advice and to treat any minor cuts, bumps, bruises and scrapes, any enthusiastic painters, builders and gardeners can help ensure they stay healthy this spring.

Sheena Wright, Executive Director of Nursing and Care at NHS 24, said:

“Every Easter we see an increase in calls resulting from DIY accidents and we would encourage Scots to be prepared before they open the toolbox or garden shed.

“We are encouraging DIY enthusiasts to keep treatments for minor injuries, such as plasters and antiseptic, in the first aid box, visit their pharmacist for health advice and know when they can get an appointment at their GP surgery.”

“With many GP surgeries closed for four days over the Easter weekend, these are a few simple steps people can take to stay healthy.”

Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, many GPs will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland.

The key steps that Be Ready for Easter recommends this spring are: Restock your medicine cabinet if needed

Minor injuries such as small-scale burns, scratches, knocks and cuts can often be effectively treated at home with readily available treatment such as pain relief, plasters, iodine, antiseptic cream and wipes, gauze and tape.

Parents are also reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.

Use your local pharmacy Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication.

Know when your GP surgery will be open Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for four days during the Easter weekend from Friday April 18 to Monday April 21.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

Spring Birds YOU may see birds flitting backwards and forwards as they gather nesting materials this month.

Put up nesting boxes for birds.

You could hang a nest box opposite a window, in the hope of seeing the mother coming and going from the nest.

Boxes hung on walls can be safer from cats and other predators than those hung on trees.

A north or north-east facing position is best, as strong sun can make nest boxes uninviting.

Choose a height suitable for the bird species in your garden, after doing a little research.

When choosing nesting boxes, consider their design before buying.

Woodcrete (a mixture of concrete and sawdust) can be a better material than wood, as it is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Bird food catalogues often have helpful information about available products, as do the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust

for Ornithology and The Wildlife Trusts.

When putting out bird food, it is best to avoid peanuts and large chunks, as there is a risk that large pieces could be fed by adult birds to their fledglings, and this could result in choking.

Safe foods include: wildbird seed mixes (but not those containing peanuts or dog biscuit); black sunflower seeds (the birds will remove the outside casing, and the inner seed is soft); mild grated cheese; sultanas, raisins and currants (best soaked overnight); pinhead oatmeal; apples, pears and other soft fresh fruit; mealworms and waxworms.

Alternatively, you can buy fat balls from many garden centres and bird food suppliers.

This is an easy alternative, and you can be confident that you will be doing no harm.

To maximise the numbers of different bird species that you attract to your garden, it is a good idea to cater to their different feeding habits.

Hanging bird feeders attract

species such as tits, finches and sparrows.

Bird tables attract robins, house and tree sparrows, doves, pigeons, bullfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches and bramblings.

Food scattered on the ground attracts blackbirds, thrushes, wrens, and redwings.

Bird tables are best suited about a metre (3 ft) clear of cover or high vegetation, so that cats and other predators cannot launch themselves onto unsuspecting feeding birds.

They can be quite close to the window or patio, as many

Things to do, places to go around Spring time HOLI FESTIVAL How often does one get the opportunity to drench whiteclad Glaswegians in flecks of bright colour? Rarely.

It’s time to get yourselves down to Glasgow’s parks and get involved in a multi-coloured mess of organised chaos, inspired of course, by the original Holi Festival in India.

An event of wonderful vibrancy, Holi also welcomes big name DJs and entertainers, to make this one great springtime event in Glasgow.

SOURCE OF THE BREW Why drink beer in a pub when you can go straight to the source?

West, ironically in the East End of Glasgow, is a beer hall, restaurant and brewery in the stunning Templeton Carpet factory building.

One of Glasgow’s most protected buildings, the Victorian masterpiece was modelled on Doge’s Palace in Venice and within its walls carpets were created for the Taj Mahal, The White House and the Houses of Parliament.

Lovingly restored, the beer hall, which overlooks some of the brewhouse, marries modern elements with the beauty of the building, open plan, with exposed ventilation, light pours in through the massive windows, but dark solid woods and original flooring create a warmth and cosy feel too.

The crowd here are a blend of tourists and beer buffs, while others come for something a little different, great surroundings or pleasant banter.

West takes its brewing methods from the German masters and this influence spreads through the bar too, with beer served in tankards and available by the litre.

West’s most famous brew, St Mungo’s, flows freely, as do their other creations, Munich Red, Dunkel and Hefweizer to name a few, along with external crafts and your usual selection of spirits and wines.

Food is a mix of German and Scottish fare with pretzels and schnitzels sitting nicely alongside Scottish salmon and Shetland mussels.

The extensive beer garden outside overlooking Glasgow Green makes this the perfect lazy day spot when the sun shines.

WILD SPRING Spring is a magical time down in Dumfries and Galloway, the warming sunshine encouraging wildlife from its various winter lairs.

As the land and forests shake off the fug of winter and begin to unveil their colours, and the birds and animals begin the annual rituals that ensure the survival of their species, you have a good opportunity to see some of the fantastic spectacles of all scales and types that we have in West Scotland Spring can be seen in all its renewing glory right across the region but, the following places offer particular examples of what the season is all about and the world-class natural offering Bluebells at Carstramon Woods near Gatehouse of Fleet.

birds seem to get used to human activity, and are unlikely to be put off by coincidental human activity.

A bird bath can be a vital source of drinking water for birds.

Ensure that yours is kept topped up.

Models are available to attach to windows, walls and sills, if you are limited for space.

Changing the water regularly, and scrubbing the bath out with a mild detergent (available from bird food suppliers) can help to prevent the spread of disease.

Shandwick Square, Glasgow G34 9DT. Tel: 0141 773 0114 EASTERHOUSE OFF SALES - MARINALDO`S - UPKEEP POST OFFICE - ROUGE - B & M BARGAINS - MONEY STATION - SAVERS - ICELAND - LIVINGSTONE BROWN AUDREY BELL - DAY-TODAY -H & T PAWNBROKERS - SWEET GREETINGS - BRIGHTHOUSE - MEATMARKET - L & R SALON - GREGGS - JACKPOTS TOO - tv - LLOYDS PHARMACY - CREDIT UNION - EASTERHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH - FARMFOODS - C.A.B. - ABRAHAMS - BROWNS SOLICITORS - LLOYDS TSB - GRIERS - CENTAUR BAR - JOB CENTRE - MCDONALDS - LADBROKES - THOMAS RAE TAILORS - SPEEDY UNLOCKERS - L & L SALON - DONNAS TATTOO PARLOUR - SUNGLO TANNING STUDIO

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GENN

Legacy: But for whom?

UNLESS you are on some form of Disability Benefit, chances are you would not have heard of ATOS. This is a French healthcare company which the Government had given responsibility for work assessments on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

In effect this company determines entitlement to disability benefits.

It is the same company that sponsors the 2014 Commonwealth Games; was awarded the IT contract for these Games; and who chose the Games Volunteers or Clydesiders.

ATOS is a multinational IT corporation responsible for ‘screening’ disabled people for work.

In practice this means a highly lucrative contract worth at least £110 million per year whereby ‘disability analysts’ are given 45 minutes to decide whether someone is ‘fit for work’ or not.

With so much public money at stake, and with quotas to meet, ATOS are renowned (and hated!) for shoving people back into the workforce whether they were able to or not.

Their system, known as Work Capability Assessment (WCA) has been heavily criticised in Parliament, by the Church, by the British Medical Association and also by protest groups.

In 2010, 10,600 sick and disabled people died within six weeks of having their benefit stopped by ATOS; 1300 died after being deemed ‘fit for work’.

We are talking about people who had brain damage, terminal cancer, severe multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc., all being declared ‘fit for work’ by their WCA system.

On a separate occasion ATOS OK-ed a man as being ‘fit for work’ who just happened to be in a coma!

As a result ATOS had received sustained media criticism for its disrespectful maltreatment of some of the most vulnerable people in our society and has been subjected to continued protests by benefit claimants.

The reason why ATOS were chosen for the Games in the first place was because of their experience in providing Games Management and Information systems for the Olympic Games and other World class events.

The ATOS involvement in the Commonwealth Games inflamed benefit claimants, causing a recent occupation of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome by Disability Rights Campaigners protesting against the Scottish Government’s and Glasgow City Council’s joint decision to allow ATOS to sponsor the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Way back in 2007 when it

was announced that Glasgow was to get the Commonwealth Games, a group of pensioners were celebrating the wonderful news in their Community centre in Dalmarnock.

The site of the Community centre, at the intersection of Springfield Road and Dalmarnock Road, is now a bus park, or ‘Transport Hub’, for the Commonwealth Games: a totally unexpected result of the ‘wonderful news’ that these pensioners had celebrated.

These pensioners no longer have a Community Centre, but more poignantly, those with learning difficulties in the East End no longer have a Day Centre.

This used to be the Accord Centre, and those with learning difficulties and disabilities now had to be accommodated elsewhere, putting carers under pressure.

When it was announced that The Accord Centre was facing closure it was expected that a replacement centre would be the outcome, even with the intervention of Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, who visited the Accord shortly after his election victory.

As a Day Centre the Accord used to be very busy: it accommodated 120 young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, with an extended waiting list should places become vacant.

Its courses, such as drama, were very popular with its students.

They attended five days per week, from 9a.m. to 3p.m. daily, allowing their parents-cum-carers the freedom to go to work.

Closure would not only have had a drastic impact on the social life of friends and family of these vulnerable people, but would have put at risk their social education, who would now no longer be able to mingle with others having similar difficulties.

The suggested alternative was the failing Bambury Centre in Camlachie which needed some cash injection as it was facing closure because of failing the local community.

This was an inadequate replacement as this centre did not have the appropriate professional staff, such as physiotherapists and councillors.

The building was also shut between the hours of 11a.m. and 2p.m. daily, meaning that these vulnerable young people were left outside exposed to all weathers and had to fend for themselves during that period.

With the demolition of the Accord Centre, the East End has now become the only district in Glasgow that does not have adequate Day Care facilities for young adults with severe learning difficulties.

How do you explain the concept of the “Commonwealth Games Legacy” to these people and their families?

A visit to the spacious and busy car park of the Emirates Arena/Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome Complex most evenings tells its own story.

There one would find relatively new and relatively upmarket cars such as 4x4 – cars that the typical East Ender could not afford.

This complex is usually very busy but probably not with people from the East End who almost certainly would find membership beyond their financial means.

Keeping fit seems to be beyond the remit of the Games Legacy as far as the East Ender is concerned.

Crossing Springfield Road from this Complex is the site of the Athletes’ Village with the promise of houses for sale after the Games are over.

But with the cheapest of them starting at around £75,000 they are obviously not aimed at East Enders.

It would appear that the Games Legacy of the Village is the import of people from outwith the East End. One of the most publicised stories on the run-up to the Games was the high-profile eviction of Margaret Jaconelli and her family by around 100 police and sheriff officers.

She had purchased her 2-bedroom flat in Dalmarnock way back in 1976 and was the only resident still left in Ardenlea St. With the Commonwealth Games fast approaching, the Council wished to demolish the whole street which occupied the proposed site of the Athletes’ Village.

Everybody else in the street had been re-housed but Margaret stayed firm despite a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) being issued against her property.

As one of the rare individuals who owned property there, she refused to move until adequate compensation had been forthcoming.

The Council had no intention of discussing the matter any further with her and was told to “take it on the chin” by Councillor George Redmond.

The next thing she knew was being awoken at dawn on a March day in 2011 when

her door was being hammered down by the police and sheriff officers concerned.

She had been on a six year one-woman crusade to try and save her family from eviction whilst the rest of Dalmarnock was being flattened all around them.

The Glasgow City Council’s version of the story was that Margaret Jaconelli had refused to accept the ‘mediation’ on offer.

(This ‘mediation’ was offered by the Scottish Government but was initially refused by the City Council itself).

The trouble was that this ‘mediation’ had to involve the Jaconellis leaving their home in the first instance, before discussions and ‘mediation’ could even start!

Effectively, they were being asked to give up their only bargaining tool with no guarantees or concrete proposals on the table.

Why else would a family ‘choose’ to stay in such a rundown, rat-infested property unless they felt they had to?

Why else, unless all other reasonable options had broken down?

At one stage they were offered a mere 10 minutes to accept mediation on a Friday afternoon, and leave their home beforehand, or face forced eviction on the following Monday, incurring heavy fines as well for holding back the development.

By anyone’s standards this is not what is meant by ‘mediation’ – these are bullying tactics.

The local authority District Valuer had set a sale price on Margaret Jaconelli’s 2-bedroom flat at £30,000 despite Margaret Jaconelli’s conviction that an independent chartered surveyor had valued the property at £95,000. “I am not moving” Margaret said, “I need to get a decent settlement which would allow me to go and buy another property.

What could I buy for £30,000?” She had a point!

It was quickly established that there was not a single property in the East End of Glasgow going for less than £72,950 at that time.

This made a valuation

of £30,000 seem derisory.

The Govan Law Centre’s website called the City Council’s action “barbaric” and “positively un-Glaswegian”.

An offer of £90,000 was eventually forthcoming, but after having to live in a home with no services for around SIX LONG YEARS. Margaret Jaconelli has used her experiences in setting up the “Anti-Eviction Alliance”, whereby she would turn the campaign of her unfairly treated family into a deeper issue that is linked to the overall question of development and speculation on land and the use of CPOs as a tool for developers against working class people, who are less well off and less connected than wealthy speculators, and being increasingly targeted as a result.

Just a few hundred yards away and around the corner in Springfield Road the general store, post office, pharmacy, and even the local chippy – have all been forced out by the CPO and losing their livelihoods with no shop, no stock and no capital to set up again elsewhere. Games legacy?

In October of 2011, the police were asked to investigate what appeared to be lucrative land deals on the run-up to the construction of the Athletes’ Village, by Mr James Dornan, the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart.

As he pointed out: “Clearly, the Council Tax payers of Glasgow have to be confident that public money is being spent wisely.

Any suggestion to the contrary - that public money is not being spent wisely - has to be fully investigated.”

What he was alluding to were the following land deals:Near the Jaconelli’s home, at Springfield Road, was the property of a property developer, had managed to purchase this property some time around 2005 for an amount that was believed to be about £8 million.

It was subsequently sold on to the Council for £17 million in 2008 having £3 million added as VAT, making a total of £20 million of public money.

Note that this land was not subject to a CPO as other properties were in that area, including that of Margaret Jaconelli.

The price paid was around £1 million over the valuation price of the land.

The developer had argued that he did not know the site would later be developed as part of the Athletes’ Village.

This seems to have been an inaccuracy.

Another property speculator owned derelict land on Millerfield Road, again in Dalmarnock.

The developer had acquired the land in 1988 (Glasgow did not declare its aspirations to stage the Commonwealth

Games until 2004), for around £46,000, and on hearing that the land would be needed for the Athletes’ Village managed to sell it on to the Council for a staggering 120 times the amount he paid for it - £5.5 million!

Again, the land was not subject to a CPO. Another deal that James Dornan pointed out concerned David Murray, the former Rangers owner, whose company had bought the former site of Dalmarnock Power Station.

When the land was originally purchased in 2005, it had cost £375,000 and was heavily contaminated with poisonous metals and used as a rubbish dump.

The question arose: why would anyone buy contaminated land that presumably would be very costly to render safe?

What had he planned to do with the land?

He sold it on to Clyde Gateway for £5.1 million in 2009.

Yet again the land was not subjected to a CPO. In 2006, another company bought property in Dalmarnock for £1.6 million – just across the road from where the Jaconellis lived.

When the Athletes’ Village was announced for the site, the Council paid them £1 for the land, plus £1.7m, then ‘gifted’ them another valuable parcel of land nearby as part of the purchase deal.

This company was one of the businesses owned by the partnership who had made donations to the Labour Party.

These two had built up a property empire together, one arm of which (Stewart and McKenna Ltd) went bust in 2010 owing a massive tax bill.

Again no resort to CPO. Having investigated the complaint, a spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said: “Police inquiries were carried out in relation to this matter and there was no criminality established.” She added: “Our inquiries are now completed in relation to this matter.”

To the average individual the above land deals may have appeared to have been a bit “dodgy”, but apparently not as all the individuals concerned have been cleared by the Police.

The bone of contention here is the use of CPOs – or rather the lack of use: Compulsory Purchase Order powers were used by the Council to evict the Jaconelli family and to displace local shop owners.

These powers are allegedly designed to protect the public purse, and could have been used to drastically limit costs in all the cases mentioned here.

There is one law for the rich, on the face of it, and another one for the poor in Dalmarnock, who have to live with this “legacy”.

Is it a legacy or a loss?

23 Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

GENN Police Scotland

Local Police News William Hill Robbery

STAFF at William Hill, Saracen Street were subjected to a terrifying ordeal on the evening of Wednesday 9th April 2014 when an apparent customer threatened them with a knife demanding monies.

The male was handed the little money the staff had access to before making off.

Anyone with any information or who believe they may have witnessed this incident are being urged to contact the police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Female Assaulted

A 19 year old female was targeted by a male in the early hours of the morning on Saturday 5th April 2014.

The young girl was at McDonalds at about 2am with friends when she was approached by the male who engaged her in conversation.

Conversation soon turned sour and the male, unprovoked, became violent producing a canister and spraying the female and others in the vicinity with the substance.

The incident bore striking resemblance to an incident on 16th February 2014 when officers on foot patrol in the Wyndford area of Maryhill came across a male walking along the street shortly after 9pm.

The male was lost from their sight however on their turning a corner they were faced with the male pointing a canister in their faces.

The male subsequently discharged the contents of the canister in the officers faces.

This incident was also unprovoked and resulted in the male making off from the scene whilst his victims were incapacitated.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify and trace the male responsible and Police Scotland would urge anybody who may have any information with regards to these incidents to get in touch. Police can be contacted using the non-emergency number 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Shoplifters

OFFICERS were called to Tesco Express in Parkhead recently after staff stopped 2 males who had been acting together to steal from the supermarket.

Security staff there had contacted the police after the males attempted to steal computer equipment secreted in their clothing.

As a result a 19 year old male and a 20 year old male have been reported regarding the incident.

Schoolboy Victim of Robber

A 16 year old boy was attacked at a bus stop on Saturday 5th April 2014 on Gartloch Road, Glasgow.

The youth was waiting at the bus stop with his mobile phone in his hand about to send a message when he observed two males approaching him.

One of the males continued to walk past however the other grabbed the boys arm and attempted to take the mobile phone from him, successfully taking it after forcing the boy to the ground.

The males then made off and the boy was assisted by passers-by.

Police were contacted however prior to their arrival the stolen mobile phone was returned to the boy by two males in a vehicle who had witnessed the original incident and traced the male responsible nearby, taking the mobile phone back and returning it to its owner.

Unfortunately these males were unable to be thanked having left the scene prior to police arrival.

Officers were soon on the scene and the accused, a 40 year old male, was traced nearby.

He was later arrested and held custody to appear at court.

Kelvin Dock Set Alight

THE Kelvin Dock Public House on Maryhill Road was victim to a wilful fireraising recently.

A passer-by at 0400hrs on Monday 7th April 2014 saw thick black smoke billowing from the premises and contacted the fire service.

On their arrival the fire had taken hold having started at

the rear door to the premises and spreading within.

Thankfully no persons were injured and the fire was extinguished.

Had it not been for the quick call to the fire service the consequences could have been much worse.

Anybody who may have any information regarding the incident should contact the police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

False Report Results in Weekender

A 38 year old female clearly aggrieved by her ex-partner recently decided to take the matter into her own hands.

On Thursday 3rd April 2014 the female reported an incident to the police alleging her ex-partner had approached her in breach of bail conditions.

Officers began an investigation and on tracing the alleged suspect his shock and the statements of several others contradicting the females initial report led officers back to her door.

Having now found her allegations against the 30 year old male to be false she was arrested on Friday 4th April 2014 and held custody to appear at court following a weekend behind bars!

Drugs Detection

A 34 year old male has been reported to the Procurators Fiscal after being found in possession of a controlled substance within premises on Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow.

Officers were called to the premises after staff there observed the male with the drugs.

The male was reported in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Public Indecency

A HOUSEHOLDER saw more than he bargained for recently when he looked out his window and observed a vehicle parked immediately outside in the street.

The driver of the vehicle appeared to be conducting a sexual act in clear view of persons walking past.

Police were contacted who traced the vehicle and its occupant nearby.

As a result of the officers thorough enquiries a 25 year old male was arrested and held custody to appear at court in contravention with the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Drunk Driver

OFFICERS on patrol in the Saracen area of Glasgow on Thursday 3rd April at 2145hrs observed a vehicle which had apparently lost control crashing into the roadside barrier.

On officers approach the driver of the vehicle was attempting to reverse the vehicle from the barrier however then alighted the vehicle at which time it became clear to the officers he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

The driver thereafter failed the roadside breath test and was arrested following the incident.

Sex Offender Remanded in Custody

ON Thursday 3rd April 2014 two females aged 18 and 14 were within takeaway premises during the evening as one of them conducted her duties as a member of staff there.

About 2100hrs a male entered the premises and began making sexual references to them before committing acts of public indecency.

The male left after a shirt time having been told his actions were on CCTV. Police were contacted and the male was known to a member of one of the girls families due to his conduct at an event in the days prior to this incident whereby he shouted and swore at members of the public.

The 44 year old male was traced and arrested and held in custody to appear at court where he was remanded in custody.

Aggrieved Customers Anger Lands Them in Hot Water

A 59 year old female and a 40 year old male have landed themselves in hot water after an alleged kitchen disaster!

The female attended at the offices of the company she used to fit her kitchen to

complain about the services received from them at which time a confrontation ensued.

She was later joined by her 40 year old son who continued the altercation which resulted in a physical altercation.

Intervention by a third party caused the altercation to spill outside into the car park where weapons were shown by members of each faction.

Both parties then backed off from one another with the 40 year old male fleeing the scene.

Police were contacted and attended.

As a result of the incident the 59 year old female and three males aged 40, 29 and 31 have been reported to the Procurators Fiscal service.

Cash for Coffee?!

OFFICERS on patrol recently in the Shettleston area had their attention drawn to a male near to Ravel Row who appeared unsteady on his feet and shaking badly.

On speaking with the male he was found to have several jars of coffee which he stated he had just bought from another party for a vastly reduced price.

The males demeanour appeared to be that of someone under the influence of drink or drugs, or possibly too much coffee!

The 30 year old male was reported to the Procurators Fiscal service regarding the incident and was given some good advice regarding the future purchase of illicit caffeine!

Beat Doorstep Crime

FROM bogus callers to rogue traders, doorstep criminals are cunning, creative, and often very convincing.

Anyone can be fooled as these people are professional con artists.

However, the over 60s are often specifically targeted.

What is Doorstep Crime?

There are two main types: Bogus callers try to get into your home or obtain personal details by pretending to be someone they’re not, including: • Council staff • Meter readers • Charity collectors • Police officers

In reality, they are criminals trying to steal cash and valuables.

Rogue traders usually coldcall, claiming to be workers offering to make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway.

In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or unnecessary work We DO NOT recommend dealing with cold-callers for property maintenance and repairs to your home What can I do?

Stop!

Be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly • Use a door chain or bar • Always put the chain on before opening the door • Keep it on while talking to callers • Don’t feel embarrassed genuine callers expect you to be careful • If you don’t have a door chain, check from the nearest window.

Remember, door chains can be easily fitted • If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door Who should I call…

If I feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller?

Contact the police immediately on 999 If I see something suspicious in my area, or want more advice about doorstep crime?

Contact the police on 101 Try and take a note of vehicle details or registration numbers and descriptions of anyone suspicious If I want to contact the police anonymously?

Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also visit its website at www. crimestoppers-uk.org To find out more about home safety services?

Contact your local police station on 101 to arrange a free security survey Contact your local Trading Standards: Some operate No Cold Calling Zones or have lists of approved traders

24

GENN

Your Horoscope Predictions

By Eris

Aries

(21 March - 20 April)

Libra

(24 Sep - 23 Oct)

Avoid secret dealings and behind the door activities, especially the ones that are not clearly legitimate and justifiable. It can be better to be still, so you can feel the wind changing, than to row in the wrong direction. You are anxious with taking on an important or aggressive role within an association or relationship. You are on the go in pursuing allies and in the forming of new partnerships. Your close personal relationships are lively. Be aware of what you and your partner want for yourselves and what you want from the relationship.

Establishing a happy and harmonious work environment through friendly relations with co-workers or tidying up your work area comes into focus. You could find that your talents or skills are especially appreciated. Romantic and social activities may revolve around your working environment. Your physical appearance may be the target of your efforts and you may set out to improve or change your style/approach. In fact, you may be somewhat aggressive and have a short temper. Avoid being overambitious. Take charge of your life, but don’t bully others in the progression!

Taurus

Scorpio

(21 April - 21 May)

You will have a sense of awareness of your own limitations this month, leading up to your birthday phase, be they physical, emotional or even financial, as well as a sense of being confined and restricted. There could be some rivalry, hard feelings generated that could trigger off either of these reactions. NOT a time to go overboard, in terms of self-pity, to see troubles where none exist, or attempt to solve the world’s problems. It might be a good idea to maintain a low profile and be less vocal. Changes initiated now may prove beneficial in the long run

Gemini

(22 May - 21 June)

Cancer

(22 June - 23 July)

You are more peace-loving than normal, somewhat detached on a personal level and more connected to the outer-world. You will be more friendly, more magnanimous but also more extravagant. It’s an excellent time to take care of your health. You might decide to change jobs, and if your work has not been fulfilling in the past, then steps to make changes should be taken. Such a situation left unchanged could easily result in health problems, just as it could to routinely overwork yourself. Undesirable job pressures may lead to depressions and injuries.

(24 Oct - 22 Nov)

You may be making changes in your job/ profession, in your relationships with colleagues and co-workers, health and diet. There may be some mental strain, or perhaps financial difficulties, particularly relating to held-up payments that are still pending, salaries, servants, health and employee benefits or perhaps a bad debt or a cheque. Willingness to help and serve will pay dividends, both materially and in terms of a “feel-good” factor. Don’t expect gratitude and appreciation – just go ahead and do whatever needs to be done. This phase presents an opportunity to get rid of what doesn’t work in your life.

Sagittarius

(23 Nov - 21 Dec)

Capricorn

(22 Dec - 20 Jan)

This is a very playful period of the year, when you are inspired creatively and emotionally. After a period of selfprotectiveness, you are now more spontaneous and more willing to take risks.

A rich, fruitful and happy phase comes to you and you’re enjoying it. The spice of life is there for you in the variety of interests, activities, and feelings that you are bound to experience this month. Don’t fly too high or too far — risky moves, rashness, over-confidence that nothing can go wrong or just foolhardy behaviour. Some danger or possible mishap may be lurking. Risktaking, speculation must be avoided.

You tend to say what you believe now. Keep in mind that what you say or write now has impact, for better or for worse. Your responsibility and authority are likable qualities now, making this an encouraging period overall for socializing with those in a higher position than you, as well as for negotiations or social activities related to business. You are most charismatic and well-received on the job. You are socially go-getting right now, and success may come through your good managerial qualities or some form of artistic talent.

All your mental activity will be intensely personal, subjective and even egocentric. You are mostly cheerful in your approach to others, and perhaps somewhat intellectual this month.

As a result, fresh acquaintances and friendships come to you, giving pleasure, inspiration and ideas.

This month, you are most attracted to wit, cheerfulness, and verbal rapport. You are especially good at mediating conflicts. Try smoothing over differences using your diplomacy skills.

Play, enjoyment and pleasure help to strengthen and develop relationships.

Leo

Aquarius

(24 July - 23 Aug)

(21 Jan - 19 Feb)

You may feel that you’re in the grip of a force beyond your control, since it is a time for greatl or drastic, changes in your material as well as emotional world. This month, a financial boost is likely, or you may expand moneywise all the way through your partner/ associate. You are more tending to even differences in a partnership/ relationship regarding the sharing of authority, intimacy matters, finances, and other emotionally-charged topics.

Close relationships are intensified.

Either you or your partner shall demand a deeper unification.

You still need to learn to relate better with others, but now it’s more on the intimate and personal level – the exchange of ideas, innermost thoughts, personal beliefs rather than the emotions. Family ties, linkages of loving and caring now become sharing. Vital correspondence and contacts must not be neglected, or the necessary inputs, data and information for work-related projects, plans or activities.

No carelessness of any kind to be made if you want to achieve your goals. Siblings, neighbours, close relatives, friends, and co-workers may play a more important role than usual in your life.

Virgo

Pisces

(24 Aug - 23 Sep)

One-to-one linking appeals to you more than group activities or more casual associations. If single, you are more eager than usual to enter into a devoted relationship. In general, you are flexible when it comes to your affections – very willing to negotiate and make harmony.

Smoothing out your close/special affairs is what makes you pleased. Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

You may tend to show-off what you have and own, and you could be trying to demonstrate your worth to others.

Just a Thought Manifesting..... Cosmic Ordering..... The Law of Attraction.....

WHAT you focus on determines what you attract into your life.

Some people live as “victims” in their minds.

Everything is someone else’s fault and all kinds of bad things happen to them.

They focus and dwell on the problems, not even seeing the solutions.

So, not only are they victims in their own minds, they’re actually victims of their own minds.

Because these people feel that everyone else is the cause of their problems, they’re giving everyone else power over their lives; if others control their lives, only those other people can do anything to improve them.

And that’s not too likely to happen since they’re more interested in their lives.

If someone were to try to help them, would they accept it? Maybe not.

They clearly illustrate how our perspective determines our happiness and success and this has had a major role in others decisions to do what it takes to attract into their life the things they really want.

It’s not a black and white issue.

I want to make one thing clear: negative thinking and positive thinking is NOT a black and white issue.

Very few people are all one way and never the other - we all have moments or days when life looks good and times when it looks lousy.

It’s more like a sliding scale and most of us spend most of our time somewhere between the extremes.

Meaning there’s room for

improvement!

The person who finds him or herself toward the left end of this scale is not going to have a happy, fulfilling life, they’re only going to continue having problems.

This, of course, just serves to reinforce their negative thinking.

By the time this poor soul gets old, the self-perpetuating negativity will make him miserable, no one will want to spend much time with them and they’re likely to become something of a hermit, socially. probably blaming everyone else for their loneliness.

The person in the middle has faith that things will work out fine, without his/ her interference or much effort.

Not a bad place to be if you’re satisfied with your life or you inherited a lot of money and hope to live comfortably until the end.

But if you want to improve your life, if you want to manifest any type of abundance into your life, this isn’t where you want to be on the scale.

Hope is not a strategy for change.

The people living on or near the right end of the above scale stand an excellent chance of attracting the kind of things they truly want into their lives. these are the “anyone” they talk about in “The Secret” and other programs about Manifesting and The Law of Attraction.

Re-Program Your Mind to Create Massive Change in

The Genn Crossword

Your Life Think of your mind like a computer: Your unconscious mind is the hard drive where everything is stored and your perspective or conscious mind is your operating system.

If you want to change your feelings or life, you need to re-program your computer/ mind.

Upgrade your operating system.

There are various tools available for accomplishing this, some very effective, some less effective.

Some will work better for one person, while others work better for someone else.

In some cases, the effectiveness will depend upon how far you allow your conscious to relax.

Subliminal Programs Subliminal products and programs today come in three primary forms: text messages popping up on your computer screen, audible messages and inaudible messages.

The theory behind subliminal messaging is to bypass the conscious mind and introduce affirmations directly to the subconscious.

Affirmations Popping Up On Your Screen This type of program is similar in theory to reading affirmations but they effectively remove the ability to consciously filter or disagree with them.

The messages by default pop up momentarily in random locations on the screen;

CHECK FOR ANSWERS ON PAGE 29

Across

1. Block out (4) 3. Amaze (8) 8. Article of clothing (7) 9. Meaning of a word (5) 10. Board game (5) 11. An extreme attainment (6) 13. To the opposite side (6) 15. Upper deck of a ship (6) 18. Reptile (6) 20. Thick (5) 23. Nimble (5) 24. Look over carefully (7) 25. Got back (8) 26. Notable achievement (4)

Down (20 Feb - 20 Mar)

A time when you will truly need to “walk the talk”, stand by your beliefs and convictions. You will have a lot on your plate and most of it will pertain to money – both for immediate needs and future gains. Financial matters become important or at least the main focus, but good moves have to be thought out. Property and possessions, rentals, funds, investments, and even cash transactions. There may be profits or income from property, land and real estate. Don’t try for fast cash or the quick buck. That doesn’t last and can give you a sense of false security. You know what works best for you.

they’re there and gone so fast you can’t consciously read them but the subconscious catches them Audible Messages These are recorded affirmations you can hear, either with or without background music.

Again, the same theory as reading them, but requiring no concentration or conscious effort.

Through repetition, your unconscious starts to believe them.

Through personal experience, these work best if you keep the volume below the threshold of actually listening to them, to keep you from consciously filtering them as unrealistic for you Inaudible Messages In these programs, you’ll usually hear relaxing or pleasing music or nature sounds but you won’t hear the affirmations.

They’re at least mostly (if not completely) masked by the sound track you do hear.

However, your sub-conscious will pick them up, meaning they bypass your conscious mind and its objections altogether.

And some of them go further, using the latest brain wave technologies, such as binaural beats, to get your brain into the correct state and assure maximum absorption of the messages Affirmations Repeating affirmations to yourself to convince yourself that you are more positive or capable of more or a better life.

This is the longest-used re-programming tool and some people still prefer it.

1. Prestidigitator (8) 2. Tennis stroke (5) 4. Planet (6) 5. Disregarded (7) 6. Pay close attention to (4) 7. Periodic population count (6) 9. Pouch (3) 12. Vanquished (8) 14. Precipitating (7) 16. Pungent edible root (6) 17. Look up to (6) 19. Simian (3) 21. Female relative (5) 22. Impartial (4)

GENN

Your News

editor@thegenn.co.uk HAGHILL AFC have raised money for the Yorkhill Hospital Teenage Cancer Trust unit in a charity match against Postal United.

The charity match was played for Callum Dalziel, who is being treated for cancer at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

Callum is the cousin of Haghill and Postal player James Simpson.

The match ended with postal recording a 4-1 win.

The real winner however was the Teenage Cancer Trust unit, who benefitted from the proceeds of the match.

Pictured are Callum, two nurses from the Teenage Cancer Unit, James Simpson and James Smith of Postal United along with Billy Graham and Paul Hughes of Haghill AFC. Paul Hughes, Haghill AFC manager said “I’d like to show gratitude to both Haghill and Postal, Jim Mccarthy, John hughes and the Postal committee, Stephen McArthur from Haghill, Crownpoint Sports Centre and Margaret Collins and her staff and customers at the Lea Rig bar Cumbernauld Road Glasgow.”

25

0141 552 9977

HAGHILL AFC CHARITY MATCH FOR CANCER

ST ANDREW’S Secondary pupils Jamie Hendry and Kieran Oneil, both 12, decided that they wanted to make a statement and raise money for people with cancer.

They had a sponsored haircut and managed

to raise £452 which they will donate to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Both of their Mums are very proud as it was their own idea to do something to raise money for the charity

Schoolboys raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care

26

GENN Environmental

Weather aid funding paid out to beekeepers

SFHA welcomes domestic Renewable Heat Incentive but asks for cuts in ‘green tape’ COMMENTING on the announcement that the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) had been officially launched today (Wednesday 9 April), the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) welcomed the scheme which has been designed to cut the cost of renewable heating in off-gas areas.

The RHI, which was principally designed to help the UK Government to cut carbon emissions in order to meet climate change targets, will also provide affordable warmth in homes that don’t have access to mains gas.

David Stewart, SFHA Policy Manager, said: “We are delighted that the long awaited RHI has been launched.

Fuel poverty is a significant issue in rural Scotland, with the latest Scottish House Condition Survey estimating that 52% of households that don’t have access to mains gas spend more than 10% of their income on fuel bills.

A number of our members have invested significantly in renewable heating, including measures such as air source and ground source heat

pumps, solar water heating and biomass district heating schemes.

These systems are currently more expensive to install than gas central heating and electric storage heating, so the introduction of the RHI will help our members with homes in rural Scotland to invest in renewable energy, cut their tenants’ fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions.

“The SFHA is pleased the UK Government listened to lobbying by the SFHA and its members and decided to make social landlords eligible for the RHI, having initially planned to exclude them.

Housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland are already leading on the introduction of renewable heating – with landlords such as Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership, Hebridean Housing Partnership and Hjaltland Housing Association having already installed a large number of energy efficient measures.”

Mr Stewart continued: “There is, however, one issue of concern for the SFHA and its members.

It is currently proposed that to qualify for RHI, a household

must first undergo a Green Deal Assessment.

This assessment is designed to check whether there are low cost measures, such as cavity wall insulation, that could be installed to improve the property’s energy efficiency.

While this may be reasonable for individual owners, it is unnecessary for social landlords who know their stock well and have invested in low cost measures where they can be carried out.

“The Department of Energy and Climate Change proposes that the rule applies not only to new installations but to legacy applications where the measures have already been installed.

For Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership, this would mean funding over 1,000 assessments. This requirement would lead to unnecessary costs and there are also concerns that there are few, if any, qualified assessors in rural Scotland.

“We are therefore asking Energy Minister Greg Barker to cut back on this bureaucracy and allow our members to get on with improving the homes of their tenants and cutting their fuel bills.”

WALK FOR CHARITY

EACH year there is an abundance of charity walks and events that take place up and down the country in hope to raise money and awareness for specific causes, and they are growing in number per year.

According to the report, the events that raise the most money are treks, triathlons, cycles, parachute events, swims, runs and walks.

Some of those activities, such as parachuting or taking part in a triathlon or a cycling event, require a certain skill, fitness or braveness, where as charity walk is something that is more accessible, to most.

Many different charities such as the Rotary Foundation, Cancer Research, Red Cross and the British Heart Foundation, to name just a few, all put on charity walks varying in distances from one mile to twenty six, meaning that people can choose a route that suits them.

The majority of people who participate in charity walks are not experienced walkers and so

although walking may not be as challenging or strenuous as cycling or running, it is still important to train prior to the event.

The amount of preparation beforehand generally depends on the distance of the walk, for example people who are hoping to take part in a half marathon should begin planning two months or so before the walk, where as people opting for a full marathon should look at beginning training six months before.

Having the correct footwear and clothing is also important.

Walking shoes or running trainers are advisable as they offer

ventilation, comfort and support, it is also best to bed them in during training sessions so as not to be suffering with blisters around the course. Walkers are also advised to layer up with breathable t-shirts followed by fleeces, hoodies or jackets that are lightweight and easy to tie round the waist or stuff into a backpack.

Walkers should also ensure to keep hydrated throughout, so a large water bottle or even an hydration pack, depending on the length of the walk, is a necessity.

It is also advised to drink plenty of water beforehand.

VITAL payments have been made to Scotland’s beekeepers hit by last year’s bad weather, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has announced.

Scottish Government funding of £200,000 has been paid out to ten beekeepers across the country, including a local association training apiary.

The money was made available to help bee farmers restructure their businesses after the prolonged winter weather in 2013, which resulted in an estimated 4,000 colonies being lost.

Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland was hit with some of the worst snow in living

memory during last year, with some farmers seeing their entire colonies virtually wiped out “Bees not only produce honey and other products, but also act as pollinators for many crops and wild plants; this is why I felt it imperative to help bee farmers.

“This £200,000 aid package was vital in this process and proved to be an incredibly popular scheme, and I’m delighted that we have been able to provide support for beekeepers to restructure their businesses and rebuild their colonies.”

John Mellis, Scottish board member of the Bee Farmers’ Association of the UK said:

“The Bee Farmers who have benefited from this generous assistance are extremely grateful for the support which the Scottish Government has provided.

Without it some of our colleagues would most probably not have been able to stay in business and for the rest, the knowledge that assistance would be forthcoming meant it was possible to actively start rebuilding.

“Good progress has been made in restoring colony levels and the £200,000 in support has helped us to restructure and rebuild the businesses to ensure we have strong foundations moving forward.”

Increased penalties for littering and flytipping PEOPLE dropping litter or flytipping in Scotland risk being hit with higher financial penalties from April 1, 2014.

The rise in Fixed Penalty Notices will see those caught littering face an £80 penalty; while those flytipping could be £200 worse off.

The move follows a public consultation, which supported tougher penalties for anyone who doesn’t bin their waste or damages our environment by flytipping.

The penalty increase comes ahead of the Scottish Government’s National Litter Strategy - the first since devolution, which will be published later this year alongside the Scottish Marine Litter Strategy.

Commenting on the changes, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s natural environ-

ment is one of our greatest assets and we must do everything we can to keep it clean and litter-free.

It is easy to do the right thing and put your litter in the bin – there really is no excuse for littering.

“Tackling litter and flytipping costs us a staggering £78 million every year.

It’s impacting our economy, looks terrible and in some cases is affecting public health - none of us wants to see a litter-strewn environment; be it rural or urban.

It’s up to all of us to take responsibility for this problem and I’d encourage everyone in Scotland to take their litter home, recycle it or find a litter bin.”

Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA’s Development, Economy and Sustainability Spokesper-

raising environmental issues REDUCING YOUR ENERGY BILLS

son commented: “Litter and its effects have significant costs to both communities and councils.

Local authorities are committed to working with their communities and partners to reduce the negative impacts of litter and flytipping, and fixed penalty notices are one of a number of ways in which behaviour change can be encouraged.

“The increase from a £50 to £80 penalty for littering had strong support through the National Litter Strategy consultation and councils will seek only to use this increased financial penalty when other avenues of education and prevention have failed to stop those individuals who not only flout the law but also the efforts of the wider community to keep Scotland clean, tidy and litter-free.”

27

GENN Parliamentary Patter

Bob Doris MSP IT is often said that politicians tend to be distant and unresponsive to public opinion, so it should be welcomed that the organisers of this summer’s Commonwealth Games have cancelled plans to demolish five flats at Red Road as part of the opening ceremony.

When the plans were first announced, they came as a surprise to me and to locals, who heard about them through the media.

It quickly became clear there was no community support and that it would have been wrong to proceed with the plans.

If nothing else, the whole episode has at least demonstrated that in Scotland our public officials can and do listen to public opinion, and that is to be welcomed.

However, the people of north Glasgow – across a much wider area than just Red Road – must

not now be forgotten.

There is a real opportunity for Glasgow City Council to re-engage with us over how to regenerate our communities.

I have asked for a meeting with the Council to take this forward.

Likewise, I will meet with GHA to discuss how to proceed with the demolition process in a way that reassures the local community.

On another matter, I have been campaigning against the proliferation of payday lending shops in our communities.

They charge eye-watering interest rates to those who can least afford to pay, often without conducting credit checks.

The UK Government’s savage welfare cuts have swelled the numbers of those desperate for money and forced to resort to such lenders. Citizens Advice

Scotland have reported that they receive a hundred new calls every week from people who have run into trouble because of these loans.

The UK regulator, the FCA, currently has powers to withdraw credit licences from lenders, and I have demanded that they take such measures against the worst offenders.

I very much hope this will happen, but of course UK agencies are frequently poor at responding to and acting on the needs of Scottish society.

I would much rather the power to tackle such unscrupulous lending resided with the Scottish Parliament, which I am confident would act more speedily and be more responsive.

That is something that I very much hope will be rectified with a Yes vote this September!

Ruth Davidson MSP Parliamentary:

Constituency Office:

M2. 13 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP

1373 Argyle Street Glasgow G3 8AF

Telephone: 0131 348 6370

Telephone: 0141 357 2739 Text relay calls welcome

Parliamentary Office Information: Edmund Dalziel edmund.dalziel@scottish. parliament.co.uk

Constituency Office Information: Elaine Herlihy: reposnsible for constituency casework Tel: 0141 357 2739 Email: Elaine.Herlihy@ scottish.parliament.uk

Surgery Times:

If you wish to meet Ruth please call 0141 357 2739 or 0131 348 6370 to arrange an appointment

The role of an elected member within Parliament is one of great importance within the local community.

It is therefore also of great importance that each member, whether Councillor or MSP, is able to provide a constant train of information demonstrating their leadership abilities and their plans for the community.

At the Genn, we want to provide them with a platform which can be used to convey that information to your constituents and the public at large.

The Political Representation Forum is open to all elected members and allows you to connect with all parts of the community ensuring that everyone is represented fairly and equally.

This will also allow them to address local concerns in a public manner and provide information on the political demands currently facing their ward.

By taking part in our monthly forum they can be part of the Genn’s voice in the community, encouraging wider communication and engagement with their constituency and creating an open discussion regarding the betterment of the community and plans for the future.

This is a no cost forum designed to run alongside the Surgery Adverts

GENN Glasgow East and North News

your Member of the Scottish Parliament

Bob Doris MSP For Glasgow Region [SNP]

Contact Bob Doris MSP

Constituency office: 3rd Floor, Empire House 131 West Nile Street Glasgow G1 2RX

0141 353 0784 bob.doris.msp@scottish.parliament.uk www.bobdoris.org twitter.com/GlasgowMSP facebook.com/bob.doris.msp

Your Local Councillors

Patricia Chalmers Frank Docherty Jennifer Dunn Elaine McDougall Russell Robertson Gilbert Davidson Allan Stewart Chris Kelly Helen Stephen Yvonne Kucuk George Redmond Ruth Simpson Alison Thewliss Mohammed Razaq Martin Rhodes

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Shettleston Shettleston Shettleston Shettleston Shettleston Baillieston Baillieston Baillieston Baillieston Baillieston North East North East North East North East North East

Your Local MSP and MP Margaret Curran MP, John Mason MSP, Michael Martin MSP , William (Bill) Aitken, Robert Brown MSP , Patrick Harvie MSP Willie Bain MP Ann McKechin MP, John Robertson MP,

Due to the Easter Break look for your own representation surgery details in issue 128, out 2nd May Wishing All our MPs,MSPs & Councillors a very happy Easter from all at the Genn

28

GENN Welfare Reform

Scotland’s concern as UK Government announces Budget Cuts THE UK Government welfare budget cut will affect Scotland harshly; the cuts mean a reduction in support for families, children and those with disabilities in terms of housing and other types of benefits.

Since June 2010, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) announced a number of reductions to the welfare budget starting with the June 2010 Emergency Budget and concluding lately in the March 2014 UK Budget.

The cuts are spread across different areas of the benefit system with only pensioners being exempt from the changes.

The Scottish Government, following the publication of the updated policy costing in the 2014 Budget, it estimated the impact of the changes and extended it to 2015-16.

The result of these process, it was discovered that the Scottish welfare bill in 201516 alone have been reduced by just £2.5 billion.

The impact of the welfare reforms over the six years from 2010-11 to 2015-16 could result in the Scottish welfare bill being reduced by around £6 billion.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Association (SFHA), the voice of principal builders and managers of affordable housing rent in Scotland, released a detailed report this week to highlight the impacts of the benefits sanctions on housing associations and cooperatives in Scotland.

The report stated that Housing Benefit is a critical part of Scotland’s devolved housing system with nearly 60% of housing association tenants in Scotland currently rely on Housing Benefit to pay their rent, either in part or in full, and given that more a third of housing association tenants

are currently seeking employment, an increase in Job Seekers Allowance cuts will prove to be a significant risk for social landlords.

Since housing benefit claims are suspended as a result of a sanction, tenants are left with no income to pay rent.

These cuts can trigger a “catastrophic effect” on a tenant’s ability to pay priority debts and as a result, tenants that have never been previously been late to pay rents, now start falling into that category.

In severe cases, sanctions

have caused tenants to terminate their tenancy after being left with no income.

Jeremy Hewer, the Policy Advisor for SFHA, said: “Our members’ primary focus has rightly been on the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’ and the Benefit Cap. However, many advisers employed by housing associations are having to help families who are destitute.

Many social housing tenants are having to make stark choices about whether to ‘heat or eat’.

The SFHA would urge UK Government Ministers to acknowledge the evidence that was presented by the SFHA and other organisations to the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee on April 1, to gain a stark insight into the consequences of some of the welfare reforms.”

However, housing benefits will not be the only area that will be affected by the budget cuts but children will also affected.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has suggest-

www.gha.org.uk

ed that, after housing costs have been taken into account, 100,000 more children in Scotland will be pushed into poverty by 2020 because of the reforms.

And according to the Trussell Trust, the number of people using food banks has increased, with 56,000 people needing help between April 2013 and February 2014, this figures supports the Scottish Government claims that the results will affect children, families and vulnerable people.

Jon Dickie, of CPAG in Scotland, said the UK government’s approach to social security is “hugely damaging” for children and families.

He said; “ Behind these starks statistics are tens of thousands of children whose childhoods will be harmed, whose education undermined and whose health damaged as increasing numbers of families, both in and out of work, are hit by unprecedented cuts to the value of family benefits and tax credits.”

Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, warned that the cuts will set the fight against poverty back a decade and will hit the most vulnerable in Scotland.

She said: “We are committed to mitigating against the harmful effects of Westminster welfare reforms where we can – but the majority of the cuts are still to come.

These changes to the budget will not only impact on the most vulnerable in our society.”

“We want to develop a society that not only provides fair support and decent opportunities for all but also protects the vulnerable in our society.

The only way to guarantee that is to have possession of the powers to deliver it.

Only then can we finally stop these reforms from harming people who need our help.”

It seems that the budget cuts will affect Scotland greatly and it proves to be a great risk, especially for people that need these benefits to provide not only for themselves but also for their family and without these benefits, what choice will they have?

So is a Yes vote for Scottish Independence, what is needed for Scotland to avoid the consequences of the budget cuts?

29

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1. Mask 3. Astonish 8. Garment. 9. Sense 10. Chess 11. Record 13. Across 15. Bridge 18. Lizard 20. Dense 23. Agile 24. Inspect 25. Regained 26. Deed

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30

GENN Down Memory Lane

PETERSHILL JUNIORS, led by much-respected Match Secretary Jimmy Kiddie, were crowned Reebox Premier Division champions.

PETERSHILL Juniors’ sup- frew’s Western Park in search a Grant Inglis corner.

Elsewhere, BAILLIESTON of the title. porters won’t forget the conFew scoring chances were JUNIORS clinched Second tribution Gerry McLaughlin, captain Derek Edgar, Stuart created until the deadlock was Division promotion at Station broken 19 minutes from time.

Park. Opponents Port GlasMcDonald and Grant Inglis Pat Murray headed the win- gow had two players sent off made during their 1992-1993 in a 3-1 defeat. Jim Creaney ner past ‘keeper Frank Brogan. championship - winning sea(2) and Willie Weir were on Petershill went on to comson. target.

The 22-game Reebox Pre- plete an unbeaten eight-game SHETTLESTON JUNIORS mier Division campaign vir- run - losing just three league lost 2-1 against Lesmahagow games - when Central League tually went down to the wire between Peasy and city rivals President Angus Wallace pre- in the R.B. Farquhar Cup Pollok, whose team at that sented them with the Premier Semi-Final at Greenfield Park.

Shield and Championship Walsh gave Town a first half time included three future juntrophy before a 2-1 home win lead, but a stinging half-time ior football managers - Ronnie talk by ‘Gow manager Billy Lowrie, Gordon Wilson and over former champions LesWhitefield worked wonders. mahagow.

Stevie Easton.

John Barrett scored the McArthur struck twice in a Ex-Dunipace winger Grant opening goal and, after Colin three-minute spell.

Inglis gave the Springburn Lesmahagow defeated club a crucial 1-0 home win Crichton equalised, sponsors’ Bellshill Athletic 3-1 in the against ‘Lok, which ensured Man of the Match Paul Maher Peasy would travel to Ren- looped home a header from Final.

SCOTTISH YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION: Semi-Finals Yellow 0; Fraserburgh LInkUp F.C. 1, Westwood Rovers 4.

Age Group 1998 - Rossvale Thistle 5, Musselburgh Windsor 0; Fernieside v Hutchison Vale.

Age Group 1997 - Antonine F.C. Blacks 3, Syngenta 1; Tynecastle F.C. 5, Edina

Age Group 2001 - Hutchison Vale 1, Edina Hibs 0; Harmony Row YC 1, Rangers SABC 3 after extra-time.

Age Group 2000 - Ayr Boswell 4, Hillwood BC 2; Celtic Juniors “B” 1, Syngenta 2.

Age Group 1999 - Hamilton Accies 2, Blantyre BC

Hibs 3.

Age Group 1995 Baillieston Juniors 3, Barrhead YFC 5 aet; Colony Locos v F.C. Bonnybridge, Age Group 1992 - Goldenhill 1, Tower Hearts 1 ( 4-2 on pens); Mill United 1, Campsie Black Watch ( holders) 2 after extra-time.

Have YOU a favourite “Down Memory Lane” moment that can be shared with our readers?

We also welcome photographs to run alongside your article. email : sport@thegenn.co.uk.

KEEPER COACHING PAYS OFF A SPECIALIST goalkeeping coaching programme has paid off with three custodians set to play in National Youth Cup finals.

Jamie Picken (Under-15), Graeme Milne (Under-16), and James Penman (Under-21) have been attending sessions organised by the Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Academy.

Graeme is also through to the SYFA West Region Cup final for the second year running.

Set to celebrate their 20th anniversary this summer, coaches have helped the trio through a variety of work despite unfavourable weather conditions!

Group Coach Stephen Bryceland revealed: “We have had a tremendous response from North and East Glasgow Boys’ Clubs - including Baillieston Juniors and Summerston - and the plan is to cater for more this summer.”

Call 07772237185 for more

information.

Meanwhile, a forthcoming fund-raising evening has generated race sponsorship from Mr Douglas Denholm (Hamilton), Marshall Upholstery (Bearsden), The Wedding Store (Newhouse Industrial Estate), Park Lane-Group Property Company (Glasgow), Coronet Cleanteam (Coronet Cleaning), Technical Progress Ltd (Cumbernauld), and East Kilbride-based Stevie Cameron Event Logistics (East Kilbride).

It is a condition of acceptance of advertisement orders that the proprietors of this newspaper do not guarantee the insertion of any particular specified

dates or at all, although every effort will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers.

The proprietors reserve the right to alter or re-classify any advertisement to conform with the policy of the paper.

These regulations expressly prohibit advertising which claims that a trader has been endorsed or authorised by a body when they have not and prohibits the use of editorial content

FINNART TARGET BLACKPOOL WIN

FINNART Under-14 look the part in their new kit which has been sponsored by Mr Joe Morris, of DM Energy, Dalmarnock Road FINNART Under-14 coaches Mark McKenzie and Jamie McGowan insist their talented squad are more than capable of another Blackpool Tournament victory.

Last year, the East End team overcame Redcar, from North East England, 1-0 in the Under-13 final to cap an excellent first season.

Now some 12 months on and with additional experience behind them, the pair are aiming for more Scottish success.

Said Mark: “We had ups and downs in our short time together playing Soccer 7’s, but I am so glad we continued with the boys.”

Jamie added: “I have played and won league deciders, cup finals, and the Scottish Cup, but nothing will beat the feeling of the final whistle blowing at Blackpool last year - our first trophy as coaches!

“The football will take care of itself.

As long as the boys give their all we will be happy.”

Finnart skipper and last year’s Blackpool Player of the Tournament Kenneth Crampsie revealed: “It was a great team perfor-

mance, and everybody played their part.

It was an honour to lift the first trophy Finnart 2000’s have won, and we hope to do the same this time.”

Finnart will base themselves at the Colonial Hotel (South Promenade), which is ideally located for a day’s visit to thePleasure Beach.

The players will have unlimited access after their excellent fund-raising efforts included sponsored walks and selling football cards.

The boys will be well supported.

Two mini buses generously donated by Mitchell’s Hire Drive (big thank-you to them), and a couple of 9-seated cars will head for the seaside town in a party of 28 juniors and 19 adults.

Said Jamie McGowan: “We will dine together as a team with breakfast and an evening meal.

There will be regular updates of our progress on the Finnart 2000’s facebook page.”

TOURNAMENT games (17 minutes each way). Opening Day: 10.20am - Finnart v Redhall Star. 12.20pm – Finnart

v Pollok. 2.20pm - Finnart v Cameron Thistle.

Second Day: 11am - Finnart v East End. 12.20pm – Finnart v Cramamston. Top four teams go through to the Play-Offs, onto the Semi-Finals and the Final.

Meanwhile, the club held a very successful Race Night at the Bowlers Bar. Money was raised towards next season’s league fees, which have to be paid to keep the various teams afloat.

The Under-14s sold a Football Card on the night, and raised £200 towards the Blackpool Fund.

The winner was Vonnie Brady, who received a signed Rangers top.

Finally, great to hear 8 coaches have been going through their Level 1.1.

Badges to help some excellent work being carried out developing young teams at the East End club.

Those who participated were Michael Gallacher, Jamie Marr, Chris Watson and Danny Jackson (all Mini Kickers); Sean Burns (2003), Jimmy Peden and Gary Watson (both 2004), and Joseph Madden (Under-14).

ROVERS END NORTH CUP BID WESTWOOD Rovers overcame a tiring 300-mile round trip north to secure their first-ever place in next month’s Trans World Soccer Scottish Youth Under-15 Cup Final at Airdrie.

Fraserburgh Link-Up had emerged as clear favourites at Peterhead - hardly a neutral venue - following their 5-1 Quarter-Final thrashing of last season’s winners Tynecastle F.C. Not surprisingly, Rovers were immediately put under the cosh, and goalkeeper Jamie Picken had to produce a string of superb saves, while

GENN Glasgow East and North News

to promote a product when the trader has paid for the promotion without stating that it is an advertisement.

Claims that a trader is ceasing trading or moving when that is not the

‘Burgh ace Drew Masson also also hit the crossbar.

The North boys were left stunned after 14 minutes, when play-maker Josh Cochrane delivered an inviting ball into the penalty area and Liam Lawson guided a perfect finish past ‘keeper Nathan Stott.

Three minutes from half-time ‘Burgh managed an equaliser through Masson. Bailey Simpson had a Fraserburgh “goal” correctly ruled out for offside on the re-start.

Westwood immediately delivered a double knock-out.

Kieran Douglas dispatched another Cochrane-inspired cross into the net (53 minutes), and 13 minutes later the same player completely deceived ‘keeper Stott with a cross-come-shot that dropped into the net.

Matthew Cole smashed home goal No 4 nine minutes from time to complete a great afternoon’s work.

Hamilton Accies provide the next test for Westwood Rovers following their 2-0 victory against Blantyre Boys’ Club Yellow in the first Semi-Final at Robertson Park, Viewpark.

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31

GENN

CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL...CALL 0141 552 9977

AROUND THE GREENS GARROWHILL Bowling Club Match Secretary Alex Morrison is well prepared for a busy season, writes JACK HIGH. Mr Morrison, who thankfully along with Mr Ian Colligan (Shettleston) regularly supplies excellent bowling information and snippets of news to the GENN, has been organising Division 1 and Division 2 fixtures in the Glasgow North Eastern League.

If that workload - together with his own club business - was not enough, Alex has also been a Director of the Lanarkshire Bowling Association since 2008, and Secretary of the Monklands Bowling Association for the past seven years. Alex told me he only stepped in “to help them out!”

Speaking exclusively to GENN Sport, Mr Morrison revealed: “The Monklands Bowling

Association comprises of 18 clubs from the Coatbridge and Airdrie areas, along with Garrowhill and Gartcosh.

“They are celebrating their Centenary this year, and have elected me as President, which I consider a great honour.

“By doing so, Garrowhill will now host the Centenary Competition Final on August 16, and the Monklands Championship Finals on August 31.

“With the Lanarkshire Bowling Association I am attached to their West County team, which involves being away for seven Saturdays through May and June.

“I will have a busy year, but will try and keep you updated as things progress.”

Thanks to Alex Morrison, I now have a copy of the Garrowhill Handbook (Season 2014), which contains a wealth of information and dates.

Watch out for the club’s

League Cup on Sunday, May 4.

Three rinks will be used from 2pm.

I am also in possession of the Shettleston Bowling Club Handbook, which has become available through Mr Ian Colligan.

I would like to register my thanks to both gentlemen.

SHETTLESTON Ladies Section have their Opening Day on Friday, April 18 (1.30pm). The Culrain Street club entertain NORTH BRITISH on Saturday, April 19 (2pm).

Three rinks will be used the following afternoon (2pm) for the John Love Game, while another friendly is planned at MILTON OF CAMPSIE on Saturday, April 26 (2pm).

Looking further ahead, there is the LBA Champion of Champions (April 27), Mixed Pairs (May 4), and the Ladies Charity Day (May 5).

FOSTERS SCOTTISH CUP

Sunday Trophy Semi-Final - Cranhill United 3, Fairfield Sports and Leisure 1.

An own goal (3 mins), Marc McGeough (38) and Craig Halliday (77), with the Fairfield reply coming five minutes from time.

Harvester A.F.C. v Fintry Athletic (at Creamery Park, Bathgate).

Final to be played at Livingston on Sunday, May 4, and we will be running a special feature on the match.

Saturday Competition -

8th ROUND RESULTS: Glasgow Harp 2, Wellhouse A.F.C. 2; Finnart A.F.C. 1, Colville Park 3; Carluke Baptist 3, Eastfield A.F. C. 3. Replays - Wellhouse A.F.C. 1, Glasgow Harp 2; Eastfield A.F.C. 3, Carluke Bapist 1.

LSK SUPPLIES WEST YOUTHS

Trans World Soccer Scottish Youth Under-21 Cup Semi-Finals Campsie Black Watch 2, Mill United 1 after extra-time; Goldenhill 1, Tower Hearts 1 (4-2 on pens).

National Lady Darling Supplementary Cup Semi-Finals Falkirk Athletic 6, Bonnyrigg Rose 4; Harmony Row 0, Sauchie Juniors 2.

LSK Supplies West of Scotland Cup, Quarter-Finals East Kilbride Rolls Royce 4, Arsenal BC 0. Third RoundRutherglen Glencairn 2, EKFC 1.

Birdston Kennels Glasgow Cup, Semi-Finals Calderhill 5, Barrhead YFC

0; Mill United 3, Sauchie Juniors 2.

Only Sport Golden Goals Cup, Third Round Kilsyth 0, Goldenhill 3; Tower Hearts 3, Pollok Juvs 1.

Birdston Kennels League Cup-Semi-Final E.K.Rolls Royce 2, Antonine 0.

Premier Division Clydebank 3, Harestanes 3; Glasgow Ams/Arthurlie 1, St Peters Giffnock North 2; Johnstone Burgh 0, Steins 3; Rossvale 3, Rutherglen Glencairn 3; Bonnyton Thistle 5, Baillieston Juniors 3; Baillieston Juniors 1, Harmony Row 4; Harestanes 1, Bonnyton Thistle 4; St Peters 1, Steins 1; Rossvale 5, John-

stone Burgh 2; Clydebank 2, Glasgow Ams/Arthurlie 3.

First Division Antonine 3, Eastwood 2; East Kilbride F.C. 3, Glasgow University 2;Claremont 2, Falkirk Athletic 2; Vale of Leven 0, Pollok Juvs 3; Glasgow University 1, E.K. Rolls Royce 5; Kilsyth 5, Eastwood 2.

Second Division Erskine 1, Castlemilk BC 0; Port Glasgow 2, Giffnock 0; Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 5, Cumbernauld Colts 2; Stewarton Annick 2, Victoria F.C. 7; Wishaw W Wands 6, Cumbernauld Colts 0; Giffnock SC 0, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2; Castlemilk BC 2, Port Glasgow 2; Stewarton Annick 0, Erskine 4.

LATEST UNDER-21 CUP DRAWS Only Sport Golden Goals Cup Semi-Finals Vale of Leven/ EKFC/ Arsenal v Goldenhill / Campsie Black Watch.

Tower Hearts v Glasgow Ams-Arthurlie.

LSK Supplies West of

Scotland Cup Semi-Finals Kirkintilloch Rob Roy/ Tower Hearts v Glasgow AmsArthurlie/ Glencairn.

Mill United/ Campsie v East Kilbride Rolls Royce.

Trophy Centre League

Cup Semi-Finals East Kilbride Rolls Royce v Antonine.

Tower Hearts v Goldenhill.

Clubs note their is no League Meeting during April.

MATCH ACTION REPORTS

FINNART Under-14 Captain Kenneth Crampsie was delighted to accept a new kit which has been kindly sponsored by Mr Joe Morris, of DM Energy, of Dalmarnock Road. Finnart Coach Jamie McGowan told GENN Sport: “We want to say a massive thanks again to Joe for his continued support.” Finnart hope the rig-out will bring them extra luck during the Blackpool tournament.

FINNART AMATEURS 2, ST JOSEPHS 0.

MIDWEEK win for the Bridgeton team. Goals from Dale Wallace and Andy Robertson.

FINNART 3, BUSBY 1.

GOALS from Gareth May, Dale Wallace, and Andy Robertson.

FINNART 1, CAMPSIE 0.

UNDER-19 Cup semi-final win thanks to Jason McArthur.

Man of the Match - Kieran Malloy.

RANGERS SABC 0, FINNART 1.

MASSIVE win for the Under-14s and a great battling performance.

Recent signing from Celtic,Man of the Match Martin Scanlan, hit his third goal in as many games.

Team Sponsor - DM Energy, Dalmarnock Road.

KELVINDALE 1, FINNART 3.

GREAT first half football from the Under-14s, who led through a cracking Kalvin Rooney header.

William Gray blasted home a superb shot for their 2-0 interval lead.

Both goals set-up by Connor McKenzie, who sealed the points with a glorious 25 yard free kick after Kelvindale scored.

CARDONALD 4, FINNART 0.

UNDER-13 defeat.

FINNART 2003 lost 4-0 to Drumsagard (A). Top Player Ben Hobbs, down 1-0 against Drumsagard (B).

FINNART 2004 beat Eastfield 4-0 and Clyde 4-1. Goals from Smith 3, Reid 2, Redmond, Watson and Gordon.

Drawn games against Macabbi (1-1), and 0-0 Moorlands.

SYNGENTA 2, CELTIC JUNIORS 1.

UNDER-14 Scottish Youth Cup semi-final.

An own goal put ‘Genta ahead.

Mark McBeth equalised after 69 minutes, but Jake Coul-

ter netted what proved to be the winner eight minutes later.

QUAYSIDE 0, TYNECASTLE A.F.C. 6.

FIRST Round success in the Tommy Marshall Cup. James Jordan 3, Jamie Cochrane 2, and Chris Hughes on target.

TYNECASTLE A.F.C. 9, SKYE WANDERERS 1.

HAVING received a Second Round bye after Whinhall United folded, Tyne demolished third round opposition.

Counters from Cochrane 4, Taylor 3, Watson and Campbell.

POSTAL UNITED 3, POLLOK AMS 2.

LAST-minute winner against ten men.

Martin, Simpson and M Kerr found the ‘Lok net.

JOHNSTONE BURGH 1, MARYHILL JUNIORS 3.

GOALS from Monaghan, Rosi and Miller. Ten-man Burgh hit back through Gibson.

PETERSHILL 0, HURLFORD UNITED 0.

ITALIAN-born goalkeeper Bruno Maltoni made his competitive Peasy debut in the Super Premier Division.

Fit-again Stevie McNeil was listed among their substitutes.

RENFREW JUNIORS 1, ASHFIELD 6.

FREW trailed 2-0 at halftime following goals from McCluskey and Wells.

Barclay added a third, and after Renfrew replied, Wells completed his hat-trick, and McCluskey wrapped up the Western Park rout.

SAFA SELECT (A) 3, SAFA SELECT (B) 1.

LOCAL players featured prominently between both squads - Gary Gaitens, Stephen McDevitt and Robbie Peebles (Wellhouse), Thomas McCluskey (Blochairn Star B), and Michael Kerr (Postal United).

WELLHOUSE A.F.C. 1, GLASGOW HARP 2.

HOLDERS Wellhouse made a disappointing quarter-final replay exit from the Scottish

Amateur Cup at Greenfield.

Gary Gaitens gave them a second half lead. Michael Giblin equalised from the penalty spot, and almost immediately Paul Smythe scored a long range winner past ‘keeper Stevie McNeil.

LANARK UNITED 2, GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 0.

FIRST half goals from Renick and Jarvie at Moor Park.

MARYHILL 0, GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 2.

SECOND league win of the season for ‘Shire. Conner and Aitken netted.

ST ANTHONY 5, GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 1.

TWO early Ants goals from MacKay and Miller set the pattern. Stevenson hit another after 18 minutes.

Miller scored again, and Cusack bagged a double.

SHETTLESTON 3, CARLUKE ROVERS 4.

EX-Queens Park striker Ian Watt netted twice as Town trailed 2-1 and 3-2. Arnott also scored before Gray hit the Rovers’ winners.

CUMBERNAULD UNITED 1, PETERSHILL 1 (United won 5-3 on penalties).

PEASY crashed out of another competition - New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup third round - at Guys Meadow.

United took the lead in 34 minutes. Paul Woods, in his 100th appearance for Petershill, levelled with a second half penalty kick. *ASHFIELD bowed out of the same tournament, when Central District First Division visitors, Dunipace Juniors, secured a 2-1 victory at Saracen Park.

GOLDENHILL 1, TOWER HEARTS 1 (4-2 on pens) NO clean sweep this season for Tower after a semi-final knock-out defeat at Holm Park, Yoker.

Goldenhill now play record-holders Campsie Black Watch in the final at Airdrie next month.

CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL...sport@thegenn.co.uk

GENN CHAMPIONS READY FOR OUTDOOR SEASON CARMYLE will start their title defence in the Glasgow North Eastern League against visitors Belvidere, writes JACK HIGH. The pair were promoted from Division 2 last season after Carmyle finished 23 points ahead of third-placed Belvidere.

Runners-Up Rutherglen on 58 points and 13 behind Carmyle - are also in the topflight.

Relegated Kirkhill, North British and bottom-markers St Rollox move in the opposite direction.

Division 1 table-toppers Whitevale (64 points) held off the challenge of Mount Vernon by five points during the 36-game campaign.

A subsequent play-off between the respective divisional winners was hit by weather conditions at Mount Vernon.

However, Carmyle enjoyed bragging rights with a 19-shot shot victory over 11 ends.

Bill’s Tool Store, based within the Barras, will spon-

sor the Glasgow North Eastern Bowling Leagues for a third consecutive season.

Said League Secretary Alex Morrison: “We try to promote the name of Bill’s Tool Store in various ways - including stickers on the bowls.

“Last season, our sponsors kindly purchased four new shields, and we are delighted to have them on board once again.”

FIXTURES: DIVISION 1. APRIL 25 - Whitevale v Mount Vernon; Garrowhill v Blackhill; Chryston v Shettleston; Sandyhills v Rutherglen; Carmyle v Belvidere.

MAY 2 - Carmyle v Whitevale; Mount Vernon v Chryston; Garrowhill v Sandyhills; Rutherglen v Shettleston; MAY 9 - Whitevale v Belvidere; Mount Vernon v Rutherglen; Garrowhill v Carmyle; Blackhill v Chryston; Shettleston v Sandyhills.

MAY 16 - Rutherglen v Whitevale; Mount Vernon v Belvidere; Garrowhill v Shettleston; Sandyhills v Blackh-

PLAYERS WANTED

BROOMHILL Sports Club require adult players (all positions) for new amateur team, plus Under-21 level for season 2014-2015.

Call Alastair McColl on 07757690725.

MUIRTON A.F.C. seek players for Saturday Morning Amateur League.

Call 07940761875 or 07887527534.

BUDHILL Football Academy require players born 2002 (all positions) They will shortly be moving up from 7s to 11-a-side,and ideally seek players who have already competed at this level, or have experienced 7-a-side football, and are now seeking a new club.

Call 07453306788.

BUDHILL Football Academy are seeking girls to play in their Under-13 and Under-9 teams. Both have fully

qualified female coaches.

Call 07960344563 or 07876128464.

KINGS PARK Rangers A.F.C. urgently require an experienced adult goalkeeper for the Scottish Amateur Football League (Saturday football).

Home games at Glasgow Green, and Toryglen training sessions every Wednesday from 7pm.

Telephone Secretary Colin McDonald on 07534228797.

THISTLE FC 2001-2002 Under 13s are looking for all positions to strengthen their squad for remainder of this season and new season 2014.

Training is held on Tuesday and Friday evening at Soccer World, Ruchazie between 5pm-6:30pm Please contact Celia on 07983727071 or Steff on 07411133986

ill; Chryston v Carmyle.

DIVISION 2.

APRIL 25 - Kirkhill v North British; St Rollox v Parkhead; Baillieston v Foxley; Springburn v Tollcross; Springboig v Riddrie.

MAY 2 - Kirkhill v Springboig; Noth British v Baillieston; St Rollox v Springburn; Parkhead v Riddrie; Foxley v Tollcross.

MAY 9 - Riddrie v Kirkhill; North British v Tollcross; St Rollox v Springboig; Parkhead v Baillieston; Foxley v Springburn.

MAY 16 - Tollcross v Kirkhill; North British v Riddrie; Foxley v St Rollox; Parkhead v Springburn; Baillieston v Springboig.

RESULTS: Clubs take note they must be phoned on a Friday night to either 0141 771 9796, or 0141 573 8083, Saturday/Sunday to 0141 573 8083.

This will ensure Mr Morrison is able to update both divisions, and keep the coverage going in GENN Sport.

SHETTLESTON Bowling Club had a great Carpet Bowls League campaign.

Can they make a serious challenge for the Glasgow North Eastern League Division 1 championship?

LEAGUE PLAY-OFF between the winners of Division

LEAGUE OFFICIALS GLASGOW North Eastern Bowling League appointed the following officials following their Annual General Meeting Secretary - Alex Morrison (Garrowhill), Treasurer – Drew Wilson (North British),

plus Committee Members Dougie Wilson (Mount Vernon) and Alastair Dick (Rutherglen).

The league is being sponsored

by Bill’s Tool Store for a third successive season.

1 and Division 2 will take place at Chryston Bowling

Club on Sunday, June 29, at 2pm.

CANDY MANAGER BLOCHAIRN Star manager Andy Cameron will take over as the new St Roch Juniors boss at James McGrory Park during the

close season.

Club Treasurer Frank Brady has confirmed M and M Security, and ng homes are the latest club sponsors.

MIXED SOCCER CAMP COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING GLASGOW City F.C. are planning a mixed Soccer Camp for boys and girls (aged 5 -13 years), between July 28 and August 1, at Goals Soccer Centre, Shawlands.

The SWPL Champions have limited spaces are available.

The cost is £12 per day, or £50 for the week.

Please email the club on gcfcsoccercamp@gmail.com

JUBILEE FINALS SUNDAY, September 14, has been set aside for the Glasgow North Eastern Bowling League Jubilee Finals on Foxley greens

(2pm).

Meanwhile, congratulations to Foxley who are celebrating their Centenary this year.

THE Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Glasgow Green, is set to host this year’s Sports Council for Glasgow Annual General Meeting on

Monday, May 26, starting at 7pm.

A wide range of sporting organisations are expected to attend in good numbers.

INTER-REGION CUP UNDER-15 and Under-16 finals in the SYFA Inter-Region Cup are taking place at Toryglen Regional

Football Centre on Sunday, April 27.

The respective kick-off times are 12 noon and 2pm.

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