FREE - Issue 146
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PROUD TO BE SCOTTISH
Glasgow East and North News
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Community Pictures Photographs of your community
Your News Your news stories
Next Edition 30th January 2015
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Political Forum Read Dr. Don’s View
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Sport Look back at the year with Tom Scott
ROGUE DRUGS WARNING
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ETECTIVES fear a particular batch of drugs may have been involved as the man’s death comes at a time of increased concern over potentially lethal batches of drugs. 3 men know to have died nationally as result of ROGUE ECSTASY
In a statement warning about the dangers of drugs, an NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde consultant in public health medicine, said: “People taking unregulated recreational drugs are playing Russian roulette with their lives.
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No one knows exactly what these drugs contain or how strong they are. I urge anyone who feels unwell, or knows anyone who appears unwell after taking recreational drugs to seek early treatment.
“In particular, anyone who is hot to touch or has a high temperature, is experiencing muscle cramping, has blurred vision, is confused, agitated and feels unusually high or anxious should attended their nearest A&E department as soon as possible.
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Glasgow marks 200th birthday of famous son and founder of Canada An academic conference exploring the legacy of Canada’s First Prime Minister who was born in Glasgow was held at the City Chambers Saturday 10 January
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THE life and legacy of John Alexander Macdonald was followed by a civic dinner attended by delegates including keynote speaker and leading Scottish historian Professor Sir Tom Devine, the High Commissioner of Canada, Gordon Campbell, the Chief Whip of the Canadian Government, John Duncan and current and former leading Scottish politicians. Sir John known as the Father of the Federation emigrated to Kingston Upper Canada with his parents when he was five years old. The conference coincides with his birth in the city 200 years ago which is believed to have been in Brunswick Place. However, like his legacy, his birth is contested. His father Hugh in personal
GENN Glasgow East and North News
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papers logs his son’s birth date as 11 January 1815. However, a certified extract from the registration of his birth states 10 January. Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said: “Sir John A Macdonald was a statesman who made a huge contribution to Canada. I’m thrilled his home city is hosting this significant academic conference and civic dinner to explore his legacy. Becoming Canada’s first Prime Minister is a momentous achievement and one that we were proud to celebrate.” Sir John’s legacy as the founding father of Canada is complex and contradictory. A lawyer, businessman and hugely successful politician who reached the highest office; his personal life was punctuated by tragedy.
TOP 12 TIPS TO STAY SAFE THIS WINTER WINTER brings added risks of fire and theft, and with winter upon us, more people heat their homes to combat the cold weather. Accidental dwelling fires increase in the winter months compared with the rest of the year, Unfortunately, it is also the season for property crime. Research shows that homes are 15 percent more likely to be burgled in winter than in summer. To help in the prevention of crime and the prevention, detection and containment of fire, note this 12-point guide to staying safe over the winter: 1. Fit a smoke alarm. Test your smoke alarm weekly and change the batteries at least once a year. 2. If using an electric blanket, make sure the cord isn’t frayed or worn before plugging it in. 3. Going away? Do not post on social media about your travel plans. Do install a timer to switch lights on and off so that the house appears to be occupied.
4. Do not keep keys in a place that is visible from outside, such as hanging on hooks, and do not hide keys near a door, such as under the doormat, as thieves know to check these places. 5. Don’t forget to keep your garden gates locked, too. 6. Consider installing a motion activated exterior light to welcome you home after dark – and deter unwanted visitors. 7. Never leave fires, candles or any form of exposed flame in the home unattended, and ensure children are always supervised when around fires, candles or matches. 8. If using gas-, oil- or coal-burning appliances, use a CO alarm to be quickly alerted of carbon monoxide dangers. Ensure the home is properly ventilated and equipment is regularly serviced and maintained. 9. In the kitchen, keep a fire blanket or suitable extinguisher handy. 10. Avoid wearing baggy clothes while cooking and
around heaters, candles and open fires. 11. In case of a fire, have a plan. Make sure you have more than one escape route should your exit become blocked. 12. Use common sense. A house fire can start unexpectedly at any time. “People need to be particularly careful at this time of year as they resort to additional heating. Thousands of homes suffer some form of fire each year, and for many, the consequences can be devastating in both loss of life and property. What is really staggering is the number of homeowners who have still yet to fit any form of fire or smoke alarm, and those who have but don’t test them regularly. Likewise almost anyone can find themselves a victim of domestic burglary. By following basic precautions and using common sense, we hope that people can take small but meaningful measures to reduce the chance of their home being burgled
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EAST END GETS COUNCIL BOOST
TOWARDS the end of 2014, Glasgow City Council was awarded £1.8million for the restoration of Westmuir Street School, a landmark ‘B’ Listed Building located on the main shopping street in Parkhead. The recent funding announcement represents a major boost to the project which had already secured £2.2million through the Parkhead Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative, a five year regeneration programme funded by the council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland. With a full funding package now in place the council and its project partners, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Parkhead Housing Association, will progress works to repair the historic building and transform the vacant space into a local enterprise centre with a mix of community and office space. Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Jobs and the Economy at Glasgow City Council, said: “Tremendous work has already been carried out at Parkhead Cross in recognition of the importance of this historic centre in the East End, and this additional funding will allow the council and our partners to continue with the regeneration of the area through a number of projects such as the restoration of Westmuir Street School.” Jim Strang, director of Parkhead Housing Association, said: “This project will restore one of the East End’s major landmarks into community use, and fits in very well
with Parkhead Housing Association’s regeneration of its community. The Association works very well with all its partners, especially the council, and we are delighted to be part of this wonderful project.” The project will address the lack of modern office accommodation within Parkheadattracting business back to the town centre and increasing footfall on the high street. And the early signs are encouraging with project partners already receiving expressions of interest from organisations keen to relocate to the new facility when it opens in 2016. This project is expected to deliver 50 construction jobs; 5 construction apprenticeships created; new business premises capable of accommodating up to 100 jobs; 1,740 square metres of new business space created; and the potential to generate surplus rental income for re-investment in Parkhead Housing Association community regeneration activities. Glasgow City Council is also involved - with Parkhead Housing Association - on the work on the restoration of the Eastern Necropolis Gate Lodge that has recently begun. The Lodge dates back to around 1860, and has lain vacant for a significant period, and the work that is now underway will see repairs to the building and its conversion into a residential unit. The project, expected to be completed in summer 2015, will substantially improve the appearance of the entrance to the Eastern Necropolis.
FOODBANK CHARITY GAME
OLD FIRM supporters are joining forces to raise money for an East End foodbank. Forty Celtic and Rangers fans have bid for a jersey in the match which will go ahead at Glasgow Green on Sunday, January 18 ( 2pm kick-off). Former Baillieston Juniors and Finnart Amateurs player Joe Reid is behind the idea, and hopes to raise a substantial four-figure sum. He said: “The age range of the players will be from 18 to 65 years. “We have asked families who will be attending to bring alonga tin of any description, and food bags will be made up at the side of the pitch. “The amount of people who have offered us help is amazing. It has grown arms and legs.”
VOLUNTEERS WANTED LOCAL volunteers will tackle a trek across South East Asia later this year to raise money for the Marie Curie Hospice at Stobhill Hospital. The great adventure takes place between October 1523. More information is available at www.mariecurie.org. uk
NEW PREMISES FOR GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY GLASGOW Women’s Library are very pleased and excited to have relocated and to be up and running in a new permanent home in Landressy Street in the east end. This huge undertaking marks the start of a new chapter in the life of Glasgow Women’s Library. Phase 1 of the overall building relocation and renovation strategy has involved the redecoration of and minor changes to the ground floor library space. The GWL lending library collection is now accessible and the exciting learning programmes are ongoing. There are still some minor works to undertake in this Phase,
Phase 2, to follow, is very exciting indeed, involving major internal refurbishment works to build dedicated archive and museum spaces and a new learning venue. There will also be significant external structural works and the installation of a lift. While this is in progress, there continues to be limited access to the archive and museum collections and some items remain in external storage. GWL still need to raise funds, both towards this building work and towards increased running costs for the upkeep of this remarkable, historic building, so please do support them through the Women on the Shelf initiative or by becoming a Friend of GWL You can help GWL to raise vital funds towards making
the new permanent home fitfor-purpose and accessible: They urgently need to raise money for further renovations and fit-out costs and need your support! Women on the Shelf is an ideal way to stake your claim and invest in the future of the Women’s Library. It also has another purpose: it gives you the opportunity to dedicate a part of the Women’s Library premises to a woman of your choice, building a living, working tribute to the great (but often neglected or hidden) women in Scotland. For £10 you can sponsor an individual book, or for £100 you can sponsor a shelf and dedicate it to a woman of your choice. You can also sponsor an entire section of the Library for £1,000.
DRUGS WARNING FROM POLICE SCOTLAND AND NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE POLICE Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are issuing a warning about the dangers of drugs following the death of a 24 year old man in Kirkintilloch on Saturday 10 January 2014. Around 1525 hours on Saturday afternoon, three men, aged 24, 23 and 16 years, were taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after falling ill at a house in Waterloo Close, Kirkintilloch. The 24 year old man died a short time later. The 23 and 16 year old are still detained in hospital where staff describe their condition as serious. Detective Inspector Greig Wilkie, Govan CID, said today: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the men taking ill. A post mortem will take place regarding the death of
the 24 year old man. “One line of enquiry being pursued by officers is that a type of Ecstasy may have been involved, however, this has still to be confirmed. “With regard to the type of Ecstasy – it has no markers on it and is described as either clear capsules containing white powder or in tablet form which are pink in colour. “Whether or not drugs have been involved in this case, I must take the opportunity to stress just how dangerous drugs are. We all know that illicit drugs are extremely dangerous, usually contain dangerous chemicals which can have an adverse effect on your health. “People need to understand the devastating effect they can have so my advice is, don’t risk it and report any information to the police.” Police Scotland continues
to work with its partner agencies including health officials and medical staff in connection with this investigation. Dr Emilia Crighton, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Consultant in Public Heath Medicine, said: “People taking unregulated recreational drugs are playing Russian roulette with their lives. No one knows exactly what these drugs contain or how strong they are. I urge anyone who feels unwell, or knows anyone who appears unwell after taking recreational drugs to seek early treatment. In particular, anyone who is hot to touch or has a high temperature, is experiencing muscle cramping, has blurred vision, is confused, agitated and feels unusually high or anxious should attended their nearest A&E Department as soon as possible.”
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COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME SUPPORTING ALMOST 100,000 LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN GLASGOW THE SNP’s Council Tax Reduction scheme is helping to support 530,000 low-income households in Scotland – 98,970 of them in Glasgow. New figures for the last year show that over 200,000 pensioners across the country who would otherwise have seen bills rise have been protected as part of the scheme. When the Westminster Government abolished Council Tax Benefit in 2013, the Scottish Government and local authorities stepped in to replace it with the Council Tax Reduction scheme. On average, those benefiting from the scheme receive an average reduction of £12.76 per week to their Council Tax bills. Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow, said: “The Council Tax Reduction scheme is a great example of the Scottish Government taking action to soften the damage done by the UK Government’s welfare cuts. “This scheme, along with other measures to address poverty such as free school meals, mitigation of the Bedroom Tax, and the extension of childcare for three- and four-year-olds, is particularly important in areas with a large number of people on low incomes such as Glasgow. Today’s figures show that almost 100,000 households in the city will benefit. “However, the Scottish Government can only do so much with the powers at its disposal. We need full control over tax and welfare matters in order to remove ourselves from Westminster’s austerity agenda which is doing so much harm to people in Glasgow and throughout the country.”
Anne Mctaggart Welcomes Back Jamie Stewart to Parliament
GLASGOW Labour MSP Anne McTaggart this week welcomed back 94 year-old great grandfather and church elder Jamie Stewart to the Scottish Parliament to once again address MSP’s at time for reflection. Mr Stewart was invited to speak at Parliament in October last year and his performance was so warmly received that Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick invited him back to address MSP’s. Mr Stewart is an elder in the Church of Scotland High Carnytne Parish Church in Glasgow and author of ‘A Glasgow
Bible’, ‘Proverbs in the Patter’ and his most recent book, ‘Still Running: The Seven Lives of a Glasgow Phenomenon’. He is a former champion amateur athlete and professional actor and was also a Queen’s batonbearer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Ms McTaggart said “It was a pleasure to be able to meet with Mr Stewart and hear his address at Time for Reflection. He again read a passage from the Bible, this time about the three wise men, and put his own unique Scottish twist on it and I know that fellow MSP’s enjoyed his performance just as much as I did. His books are fantastic and I would encourage people to find out more about this incredible man. I would like to thank Mr Stewart for coming along to Parliament and I look forward to hopefully seeing him address MSP’s again soon.”
Weapons in Scottish Schools A HACKSAW, kitchen knives and BB guns were among the items brandished by pupils as weapons in Scotland’s schools over the past two years, research by the Conservatives has shown The Tories used Freedom of Information to gather information on weapons in schools, with 17 out of 32 local authorities providing a response. Some of the items were confiscated from primary pupils while more of the serious weapons were removed from youngsters up to the age of 17 Lego, Mr Men toys and even maracas were also among the haul confiscated in schools after pupils either used or threatened to use them as weapons. The number of incidents involving a weapon increased slightly in 2013/14, up to 181 from 174 in 2012/13. Other items included an electric shock lighter, a pool cue, planks of wood, a large magnet
and a bamboo cane. The party’s education spokeswoman said: “This is a shocking list of weapons, ranging from the very dangerous to the ridiculous. “Parents will be extremely concerned to read some of the examples set out here, not least those weapons that can cause serious and even fatal injury. “Teachers should not have to work in this kind of environment, and many of these incidents will have been disruptive not just to individual pupils, but entire classrooms. “We need to make sure those capable of getting their hands on such dangerous items are taken out the classroom for the safety and welfare of other children who just want to learn. “I hope the Scottish Government keeps a close eye on these examples and ensures the trend begins to move downwards in future years.” A Scottish Government
spokesman said: “We are committed to educating young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying dangerous weapons, and have invested heavily in various violence reduction measures with young people across Scotland through schools, stakeholders and local authorities. “This includes the delivery of educational programmes such as No Knives Better Lives, Medics Against Violence and Mentors in Violence Prevention, all of which aim to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of getting involved in violence and which help shape positive attitudes and life choices. “Our general approach in terms of tackling violent crime is working and this is in evidence through recent statistics showing that violent crime decreased by 10% between 2012-13 and 2013-14 and is now at its lowest level for 40 years.”
NEW NOVEL FROM GLASWEGIAN AUTHOR A REAL life story about a Glasgow Born author who has defied all the odds. Here is one of the best upcoming authors of this year: Vivika Widow. She is the talented writer behind ‘Red Snow’ and at the end of January will be releasing the highly anticipated ‘Conflict of The Throne: Fall of Freedom’. Vivika has already written a hit prequel to ‘Conflict of Throne: Fall of Freedom’ called ‘Rogue Battalion’ and now that Fall of Freedom is on the brink of release her fan base is skyrocketing. When Vivika (Real name Tracey Connelly) was involved in the near-fatal car accident doctors did have to resuscitate her, and it is from the experience of being technically dead that she drew inspiration for her pen name, Vivika Widow. From this experience Vivika felt inspired to get the absolute most out of life and to encourage others to do the same. At the age of 11 she won the Safari Young Writer’s
Award – 1996 for her poem ‘The Summer Rain’ which sold thousands of copies and gained some vital funding for her school. Being a sufferer of Turner’s Syndrome meant that when she was born her parents were told she would have severe learning difficulties and wouldn’t be able to attend mainstream school. But Vivika overcame the odds and went on to be a star pupil throughout school. At secondary school she encountered another hurdle when she was involved in an almost fatal car accident. Doctors said it was a miracle she survived, but from there she returned to school, excelled in her exams and then moved on to medical studies at University. Throughout her life Vivika has always written, from children’s stories to poems to novels. After university Vivika decided to focus on her writing career full-time and has gone on to become a successful published author. Three years ago she decid-
ed to utilise her personal experience and medical knowledge, and formed the charity Ragdolls UK. Ragdolls aims to support children and young adults suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, Down’s Syndrome, Turner’s Syndrome and other genetic disorders. They help to fund pioneering research at Queen’s Medical Research Institute in Edinburgh in the field of Paediatric Endocrinology and genetics as well as providing up-to-date information and support for sufferers and their families. Vivika has pledged that when it launches, ‘Conflict of the Throne: Fall of Freedom’ proceeds will be donated to Ragdolls UK to help this vital cause which is very close to her heart. Due to Vivika’s increasing fan-base and popularity multiple production companies have been in touch and one, which is purely animation-based, has penned a screenplay for a large-budget feature length animated movie of ‘Rogue Battalion’.
This is scheduled to move into pre-production in July 2015. Proceeds from this and all of Vivika’s written work go to her charity Ragdolls UK. She has also been in contact with dozens of representatives from Book Festivals throughout the country looking for her to participate in the festivals.
With the release of ‘Conflict of The Throne: Fall of Freedom’ on the horizon, a launch party has been organised in her home city of Glasgow and the guest list includes some notable figures of stage, screen and politics, to be there on the night to support the launch of this highly-anticipated novel.
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GENN 11,200 CHILDREN IN GLASGOW TO BENEFIT FROM FREE SCHOOL MEALS DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM PAUL MARTIN MSP All P1-P3 children will be eligible, saving families £330 With all pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 3 set to be entitled to a free school meal from Monday 5th January, the SNP is highlighting the importance of the policy, with an additional 135,000 children expected to benefit throughout Scotland – 11,200 in Glasgow – and families of every eligible child saving at least £330 per year. The move – which is being provided with £70.5m in revenue funding and £24.8m in additional capital funding by the Scottish Government – will provide P1-P3 children with guaranteed access to a healthy, nutritious meal and could positively shape children’s eating habits for the rest of their lives. The policy has been sup-
ported by campaigning organisations across civic Scotland including Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, trade unions and Children in Scotland. Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said: “That all P1-P3 children will be entitled to a free school meal is a major step forward, and is a policy which will benefit pupils and their families alike. “We all know that the early years of a child’s life are the most crucial and can shape their habits for a lifetime, so ensuring our children have access to a healthy lunch could see real improvements in Scotland’s public health in the future. “Ensuring the youngest pupils in our schools have ac-
cess to healthy and nutritious lunches can also play an important role in improving attainment and helping pupils to achieve their best in class. “As well as helping our children to be healthier and achieve more in school, this policy will also provide a real boost to family budgets in tough financial times – with families benefiting to the tune of £330 per year for every eligible child. “That over 11,000 additional children in Glasgow will now have access to a healthy, free school meal is another example of the Scottish Government taking real action to make our country a better place - and I am very proud that it is the SNP who are taking this important measure forward.”
The Health Benefits of Walking NOW 2015 has arrived, it’s important to feel happy and motivated for the new year ahead. The winter blues can affect many people, but walking can have a positive impact on any lifestyle. Winter walks are great for strengthening the heart and 100 calories can be burnt in a half-hour walk, so having the right foot-ware is essential for keeping comfortable. Exposure to sunlight also helps to top-up Vitamin D supplies and improve happiness. One answer to a happy healthy 2015 is, get your shoes
on and get out walking and the further good news is, that
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Good Vehicle Operator’s Licence Gerald Murphy trading as Gerald Murphy Transport Limited of 5 Forbes Drive Motherwell, ML1 3UP is applying for a licence to use 279 Shettleston Road, Glasgow, G31 5JL as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicle and 0 trailers Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commisioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehils Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commisioner’s Office
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GLASGOW’S HOPE STREET REMAINS SCOTLAND’S MOST POLLUTED NEW figures ranking Scotland’s dirtiest streets confirm that air pollution remains a public health crisis in Scotland, according to analysis by Friends of the Earth Scotland. The campaign group analysed official 2014 air pollution data for two toxic pollutants and revealed that pollution levels persistently broke Scottish and European air quality standards, with devastating health impacts. It revealed that Glasgow’s Hope Street continues to top the list as the most polluted street in Scotland. Glasgow resident, Mic Starbuck (aged 65), suffers from asthma and is especially vulnerable to air pollution. An episode of air pollution five years ago caused Mic to suffer an acute and prolonged attack of breathlessness which landed him in hospital for three days. He still attends as an outpatient. He said, “Air pollution affects my ability to breathe, so I have to take seven kinds of medication every morning and carry an inhaler and epi-pen with me at all times. If there is an increase in air pollution when I am out, I have to seek shelter, and there are some parts of town which are no go areas for me. “I do not think I should have to put up with dangerous air pollution every time I step outside my front door. I have the right to breathe clean air but I am excluded from normal activities and parts of Glasgow because of the poor air quality. “The Scottish Government has a legal duty to reduce air pollution, and these results show that they can no longer hide. The fig leaf has been removed and it’s obvious that the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council need to redouble efforts to improve air quality. “Glasgow City Council has shown it is unwilling to take this health crisis seriously, because it has continued to kick the prospect of Low Emission Zones for the city into the long grass.” Emilia Hanna, Air Pollution Campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said, “Yet again, Scotland’s streets are shown to have dangerous levels of toxic pollution which are breaking legal limits that were due to be met in 2010. Pollution levels in our urban
areas are showing little sign of improvement with some key streets even more polluted than in 2013. “Air pollution is responsible for more than 2000 deaths in Scotland each year and costs the NHS here up to £2 billion annually. The time has come for our polluted air to be treated as the public health crisis it really is. “Although today’s air pollution is mostly invisible, its impact on our health is crystal clear. Breathing in polluted air increases your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, or developing cancer. Children are also particularly vulnerable, with exposure to air pollution restricting lung development, leading to longterm health problems. It has even been linked with autism in children. It is unjust that children, who are not in any way responsible, are often suffering the most. “The Scottish Government is starting to show signs of action but it is painfully slow. A new Low Emission Strategy was promised by the end of 2014 but has yet to appear. The Low Emission Strategy is the crucial blueprint which should spell out when people in Scotland will finally be able to breathe clean air. If the Scottish Government gets it right, then its Low Emission Strategy will save thousands of lives every year. “We need the Scottish Government to cut traffic levels and clean up vehicle emission standards. We need better cycle and walking paths, cleaner public transport, and Low Emission Zones rolled out in cities across the country. “To have any chance of success this strategy must provide money for cash-strapped councils to pay for desperately-needed measures on air pollution. It is very worrying that the Draft Budget shows no increase in funds for action on air pollution and suggests the Scottish Government plans on spending 200 times as much money next year on building new roads as on tackling deadly air pollution.” Low Emission Zones are where the most polluting vehicles are banned from key areas of cities and have proven to be successful in several major European countries including London.
East End Games health study ONE of the long term aims of organisers was to boost the health and wellbeing of people across the city. But despite more than £140m being spent on new and upgraded facilities in the East End, new research suggests the best way to raise the activity levels of people in the area is to get them out walking. A 10 year research programme which aims to investigate the impact of investment in housing, regeneration and neighbourhood renewal on health and wellbeing. The Glasgow University group, which spoke to more than 1000 householders in Bridgeton, Calton, Camlachie, Dalmarnock, Gallowgate and Parkhead, has now released an 88 page report looking at how the Games has impacted on physical activity in the East End. It says: “Both the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council expressed an intention to use the 2014 Commonwealth Games to inspire more citizens to become physically active. “This report looks at the prospect of this being achieved in the East End of Glasgow.” Researchers say consider-
able cash has been spent on new and expanded sports facilities in the area which benefit those already engaged in sport and also provides community facilities for local people. But the report adds: “It is clear sizeable groups in the local population would need additional targeting and support in order to attract and enable them to use the facilities, including women, the middle aged, older people and the many adults with long term health problems who lack confidence in the ability to engage in sport and physical activity.” Researchers suggest they should be encouraged to walk regularly and that more shops, recreation and cultural centres should be provided to give them a reason to leave their homes. They say: “Walking costs nothing, can be part of a daily routine, requires little extra time and can be accomplished by people in even quite poor health. “Short bouts of walking, from three to 10 minutes at a time, can be accumulated over a day, benefitting aerobic fitness, reducing blood pressure and risk factors from cardiovascular disease.”
FINAL LETTER FROM YES SCOTLAND IT’S almost impossible to summarise 2014. The highs of playing a part in a campaign that energised and inspired a nation. The lows of that Friday morning when the results came through. Mind you that was quickly followed by the most amazing show of determination and strength of purpose as thousands upon thousands of people joined the three pro-Yes political parties. This chapter of the campaign for independence is over. But the work continues and I don’t want you to miss out on the chance to stay involved. That’s why I’m writing to encourage you to pass your details on to one of the many groups which were involved in Yes. SNP membership is more than 94,000 and still growing. The Party is mid-way through selecting Westminster candidates and will be launching groundbreaking initiatives in the New Year to ensure that members get every chance to contribute their time and ideas
to the campaign. The Scottish Greens have seen their membership grow by more than 500% and are also selecting candidates for what will be their biggest Westminster campaign yet. The party now has branches across the whole of Scotland, campaigning on issues such as fracking, TTIP and the Living Wage. The SSP has also seen an increase in membership and a continued interest in campaigning. Of course we can’t forget our friends at National Collective, Women for Independence, Business for Scotland, Radicial Independence Campaign and Generation Yes. Thank you for everything you have done. I have one final ask. Don’t lose touch with the broader campaign. Make your final action of this year joining the SNP, Scottish Greens, SSP or one of the many non-party campaign groups in the movement. Let’s keep the spirit and the positivity of the Yes campaign alive.
Peter Vardy brings £1500 of Christmas cheer to people in need at Easterhouse foodbank
Nicola Kay, Customer Experience Manager at Jaguar Land Rover Aberdeen and Helen Conway, Handover Specialist at Land Rover Aberdeen delivering food to their local foodback just before Christmas.
IN line with its policy of working with the communities in which it operates The Peter Vardy, automotive retailing group has successfully concluded a Christmas initiative which combined financial support with practical, on-theground help. The Peter Vardy Foundation, which co-ordinates the company’s wide-ranging charitable activities, has given £1500 to each of its twelve sites - a total of £18,000 across the group - to buy food for nominated organisations in each of the areas in which the dealership or office is situated. At the group’s Head Office, all food purchased will be donated to the Easterhouse Salvation which launched last year in a direct response to the approach of local residents. Martyn Bellshaw, who is director of Anderston Community Action and the Peter Vardy Chaplain, said: “Food poverty is a massive problem and the company’s wish is to provide practical help for people in immediate need. “Our key aim is to support local communities and make a difference - transforming lives, transforming communities. We are supporting local bodies which provide a strong local
FIND US ON FACEBOOK COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPRINGBURN Community Council will hold their first-ever public meeting on January 23. Organisers are hoping for a good response from locals to tacklea wide range of issues at Springburn Parish Church from 7pm-9pm.
service for people in need.” The Peter Vardy Group operates Vauxhall dealerships and five prestige dealerships selling Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, BMW and MINI. In Glasgow, it has the CarStore which is the largest indoor used car showroom in Scotland. Its Chief Executive, Peter Vardy, who was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Entrepreneurial Scotland awards in November has fostered a culture within the company of meaningful charitable activity. The group devotes 10% of its profits annually to worthwhile community enterprises, allowing it to beneficially affect lives across Scotland. Recent beneficiaries have included Children in Need, Teen Challenge, MacMillan Coffee Morning, Christian Aid and Living Below the Line. Mr Bellshaw said: “We are anticipating that a lot of people would like to support this initiative. If you would like to get involved, please speak to Easterhouse Salvation Army Foodbank directly. “The best person to contact is Tom Mitchell on 07889 755 773.”
CLEAR-OUT FOR CHARITY HAVING a New Year clearout of surplus items from 2014? Well, the Salvation Army Shop in Fernbank Street would welcome any small household goods and clothes, while Marie Curie Cancer Care has launched an appeal for donations of unwanted clothing/toys for their shop which can be located at Springburn Shopping Centre.
GENN Glasgow East and North News
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GENN SPORTS COUNCIL FOR GLASGOW AWARDS JAMES COUNTER, Eastbank Karate Club, Commendation in Outstanding Performance International Junior.
of the Year by Sportscotland. Caroline Wilson,from Glasgow Girls F.C., was named Volunteer of the Year Junior, and previously won the Sportscotland Local Young Volunteer of the Year. Having played with the club’s senior women’s team and studied sports coaching at Glasgow Metropolitan College, Caroline has already attained her HNC and SFA badges at Level 3. Glasgow Girls’ Under-12 and Under-13 teams are reaping the benefit of Caroline’s expertise during their twice-weekly training sessions and weekend
games. Jodie Wiseman ( Whitehill Swimming Club) received a Commendation in the same Volunteer of the Year Junior section. Since joining Whitehill as a young swimmer in 2001, Jodie has helped teachers working in the learners pool, which requirers incredible patience and determination. Jodie has progressed onto becoming a qualified swimming teacher at UKCC Levels 1 and 2. The latter involved an eightday course with plenty of preparation work, but this has uundoubtedly helped her in terms of verbal description and physical demonstration.
James Counter, of Eastbank Karate Club, collected a Commendation in the Outstanding Performance International Junior category. A Scottish internationalist, James has won every major UK individual title, secured a silver
medal at the European Championships (Portugal) last February, and is currently rated World Number 3 - making him the highest-ranking Scottish fighter. Last year, James brought home numerous awards from competitions across Europe.
CAROLINE WILSON, of Glasgow Girls F.C., named Volunteer of the Year Junior.
FOUR local sporting stars have been honoured by the Sports Council for Glasgow. Gregor McVean was rewarded for his outstanding work with junior badminton players by winning Coach of the Year Junior. His understanding of player development at Glasgow Satellite Squad - from beginner through to advanced level - has
been helped through attending coach workshops, achieving the UKCC Level Two qualification, and being part of the Glasgow Coach Mentoring Programme. An influential member of the coaching team at the Glasgow International Youth Badminton Championships, Gregor, who has attended tournaments in Belgium and Denmark, was also named Local Young Coach
GREGOR McVEAN,of Glasgow Satellite Squad Badminton, receives the Sportscotland Local Coach of the Year a few days before winning the Sports Council for Glasgow Junior Coach of the Year.
JODIE WISEMAN, Whitehill Swimming Club, Commendation in Volunteer of the Year Junior.
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How Scotcash can help borrowers as payday loans cap comes in
By Niall Alexander
“Murphy’s Law”, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Your car breaks down or the washing machine goes, or, as someone said to us for this article, “…and the wee man smacked his wee hammer off the telly” (read on), there’s never a good time for it to happen. Right?
What to do when “it” happens; when you need money, quick. Savings? Great, if you’ve got some set aside, but money’s tight; and Glaswegians save less than any other place in Scotland, so that’s not always an option. Friends or family? Possibly, if they’ve got it to give, and if you’ve got them around you to ask, or if you don’t still owe them for the last time “it” happened. Bank, hmm, ask your bank for £300; they’ll see that as an overdraft if you’re lucky, but if you are on a low income, or on benefit banks aren’t likely to entertain you. Provident? Shopacheck? Wonga? Expensive, yes, but possible. Some even allow missed payments, and when the cash is needed, the interest they charge becomes a necessary evil. Borrowing money to meet immediate crisis needs or for planned events like Christmas and birthdays can raise your stress levels, it can leave people feeling pretty helpless, and it can lead to people making decisions around credit that they often regret later. Medical research identifies links between debt and stress, a simple Google search will return 102million articles! Step Change, a debt charity, report that three in every four people they talk to said they couldn’t cope with an unexpected cost. In 2015 it is not going to be easy to get a loan from payday lenders; new rules and limits on the costs of credit (the payday loan cap) mean fewer people will be approved for a loan, even if they have paid off their loans in the past. Those most likely to be rejected will be people on the lowest incomes or on benefits. Across Glasgow as many as 11,000 people who got a loan in the past year, can expect to be rejected this year.
The payday cap means that Wonga, Money Shop, QuickQuid and the like cannot charge borrowers more than 0.8% per day for the loan, and they can never charge more than double the amount that is initially borrowed. So, £100 for 1 day, would be £100.80, for ten days £108.00 and for 30 days £124. However, all these lenders will become far more particular about who they will, and will not, lend to. Seven North Glasgow residents shared their borrowing experiences with us, just before Christmas. Their names have been changed to protect their identities, but their stories are genuine, like Helen, in her twenties, in a relationship, with children who said: “We needed £500 for the motor, to get it fixed, alternative was getting a log book loan” Or Clair, a single parent in her thirties, who told us: “I was frantic, I needed £200 for school stuff, uniforms, and the wee man smacked his wee hammer off the telly”
“I love them, I’ll be back next year, paying back a small amount every week” Scotcash are a not-for-profit lender, they look to cover costs, nothing more. Four in five loans from the Springburn office go to people who rent their homes in North Glasgow. New offices are open in Possilpark, and at Hawthorn, Spireview and Blochairn Housing Associations. They lend from £50, and they won’t burden people with more unaffordable debt. Sensible lending, designed to help you out. For the last word, Helen told us: “Not for profit, I didn’t know that, it shows that they are for the people, only bringing so little back in interest, it’s more for the people, more down to earth, they’re normal, decent people, deal with you in a professional manner”
It’s not always unplanned stuff either, George, A single man in his sixties told us; “I needed £500 to go to family in England over Christmas” Michelle, whose two children had their birthdays in the two months leading up to Christmas told us how this added to her budgeting problems and stress levels: “Christmas is a big issue for me, birthdays too, I’ve got two with birthdays October and November, Five weeks between birthdays and Christmas” The people we spoke to were all now customers of Scotcash, the affordable credit lender, based in the ng homes office in Springburn. They were familiar with doorstep and payday loans and had either recently used Scotcash to get their loan. They liked their experience, telling us: “straight-forward, nice, friendly, a really good company, it helps me out, I’m happy with the amount I’m repaying” “they took info over the phone, then they looked at me, they showed the borrowing against others, sounded promising, I had fingers crossed, they’re not judgemental, some people go looking down on you…it was like the world had been lifted off my shoulders, I was straight online to buy the uniforms, I’ve never missed a payment, it’s not leaving me skint”. “Repayments are a lot fairer than what you’d pay anywhere else, that’s personal experience, if you’ve not got the cash (to repay) at Wonga you’re rattled with their charges, here, I’ve got flexibility, they’re fair and reasonable”
Affordable Finance Are you looking to borrow money to pay for those “emergencies” or planning a holiday in the summer – Can you really afford to pay out £150 more than you need to? Compare our rates:
£400 over 32 weeks Scotcash Provident Borrow £400 £400 Admin Fee £24.00 Total APR 96.75%* 399.7%** Total Repayable £486.72 £640.00 Weekly Repayment £14.46 £20.00
Total Saving £153.28 *Rates may vary
**Loan featured on www.providentpersonalcredit.com April 2014
(92.83% Representative APR) Call us now on 0141 276 0525 to book an appointment or apply online at www.scotcash.net
Scotcash also provides: • Bank accounts • Money Advice • Savings • Energy Advice
In addition to the Monday to Friday service Scotcash provide in Springburn with Tricia Will, customers can now visit professional Loans Officer Julie Spence in Saracen House, Possilpark on Thursdays and Fridays. To make an appointment for either office please ask a member of staff at the reception desks or call Scotcash on 0141 276 0525
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 @ng_homes
ng homes is a trading name of North Glasgow Housing Association
Possilpark (West) Saracen House, 139 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, G22 5AZ Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005
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New handyperson service for disabled and elderly customers tenants and residents. The Handy Person Service is here to help you carry out those jobs with complete peace of mind knowing that you will get a good job done by a fully trustworthy operative. We give you our assurance to help you feel completely at ease using this service.
So what do you need to provide?
What sort of work can be done?
How long will each appointment last?
• Door and window repairs and adjustments. (eg. locks added, new trickle vents etc). • Minor joinery work (adjustments to kitchen cupboards, pelmets, internal doors etc). • Additional internal draught proofing. • Shelving and cupboard fitment. • Fixing down loose floor covering and other trip hazards. • Putting up grab rails/handrails/curtain rails/ blinds. • Fixing pictures/mirrors etc to walls. • Moving furniture/building flat pack furniture. • Changing light bulbs, fitting lampshades.
Each appointment will be limited to a maximum of 1 hour (this doesn’t mean just one job e.g. in 1 hour a curtain pole can be put up, a light bulb replaced and a cupboard door hinge adjusted).
Are there any jobs that cannot be undertaken by this service?
Need a cupboard door adjusted, a light bulb changed or flat pack furniture assembled and can’t do it yourself? Sometimes it can also be expensive to get an expert in so ng homes have introduced a new Handy Person Service for elderly and disabled
• Gas work cannot be undertaken or any work to the heating and hot water system. • Electrical, plumbing/drainage work will not be possible using this service. • Work that will structurally alter the property in any way. • The Handy Person will not carry out any works that would be part of our normal maintenance service. • Work will not be allowed in the loft or roof space.
The Handy Person service is free but you will have to pay for and provide your own materials and fittings/fixtures. Our Handy Person will carry tools and small items such as screws and nails to assist.
What if you are not sure if the Handy Person service covers your required job? Call us and ask! Our Customer Service Officers or your Housing Officer will advise you of whether your job can be completed or if appropriate book it in as repair. How do you order a job? To order a job please call 0141 560 6000 or 0141 336 1300 and press option 1 which will take you through to the Repairs Team. If your request qualifies for the Handy Person service a morning or afternoon appointment will be booked for you. If your request doesn’t qualify for the Handy Person service, and where appropriate, it will be logged as a repair on our system.
Rita loves home upgrade Rita Ferguson loved her home in Springburn but things became a bit difficult when she had to start using a wheelchair to get about. She found she couldn’t manoeuvre her electric chair around her home without hitting off the skirting boards and walls. ng homes staff have now carried out some major changes to give her full access to her living room and bathroom. Rita says: “I am absolutely delighted. They moved the door in the living room, changed another one to make access at the front easier and gave me a sliding door in the bathroom.” Rita was born with cerebral palsy and didn’t walk until she was eleven years old. She says: “I stood up to the sound of Elvis and started walking.”
ng2 400 Petershill Road, Springburn, Glasgow, G21 4AA Tel: 0141 630 4252
Rita has good neighbours and didn’t want to move. She keeps busy helping out in the shop and with the bonus ball fund raising at the Disability Community’s centre in Possilpark. She lives with her son Glen and has other family nearby. She got around with the help of walking aids until four years ago but now needs her electric wheelchair to remain independent. Rita said: “I want to be comfortable in my home and make it the way I want it. After the workmen finished I got the decorator in. I love it here as it’s near everything. I can go to the shops, dial a bus and get out and about. “The work ng homes has done has been just brilliant and I am so happy they made it possible.”
Email: info@ng2works.com
Rita with Maintenance Assistant Phil Wilson.
Website: www.ng2works.com
ng2 is a subsidiary of ng homes
ng in the community
Saracen House, 139 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, G22 5AZ Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005
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Clydesdale Bank to Recognise Community Spirit in Glasgow COMMUNITY groups in Glasgow are invited to enter an awards programme which could see them share a funding boost of £75,000 to make a real difference in their local area. Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards - now in its third year - is open for applications. Clydesdale Bank will make donations to registered charities and not-forprofit organisations to recognise them going the extra mile. Groups are invited to enter the awards scheme under one of three categories: financial education; employability, and environment. The awards are open to a range of organisations across the third sector who can demonstrate their support for the local community. This could include groups promoting access to financial education, helping to upskill people for the workplace or aiming to improve and protect the environment. Each of the three categories will have an overall winner which secures £10,000 of funding, along with three highly commended that will each be awarded £5,000. Debbie Crosbie, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Executive
Director and newly appointed Chair of Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, said: “Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards aim to recognise and support the invaluable contribution that voluntary and charitable organisations make to their local communities. “It’s been inspiring to see the great work being carried out over the past two years and the difference our support can make to third sector groups which provide such vital services to their communities.” Clydesdale Bank’s sister organisation, Yorkshire Bank will also award £75,000 to local organisations as part of the programme. This brings the total funds available for community groups up and down the country to £150,000. For further information about Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation’s Spirit of the Community Awards or to enter, people can visit www. cbonline.co.uk/foundation or go into their local Clydesdale Bank branch to receive an application form. The closing date for applications is Friday 6th March 2015 and the winners will be announced in summer 2015.
@gennnewspaper LABOUR REFERENDUM HYPOCRISY ON NHS LAID BARE THE SNP highlighted Labour’s deception and hypocrisy on the NHS as Ed Miliband’s party is now admitting what they denied during referendum campaign - when they were in cahoots with Tories. Labour’s dossier published 5th Jan 2015 specifically talks about more privatisation, the introduction of charging for services and a reduction in NHS spending. It says: “The NHS cannot survive” five more years of a Tory government. However, during the referendum – playing their part in the No campaign alongside the Tories - Labour vehemently attacked the Yes campaign for pointing out the dangers to Scotland’s NHS of continued Westminster spending cuts and privatisation. Commenting, Bob Doris MSP, who is Deputy Convener of the Health and Sport Committee at Holyrood, said: “Labour simply can’t be
trusted, as they have completely changed their tune when it comes to protecting the NHS. “Last year they were promising Scots that our health service was safe under Westminster control – now they are saying the exact opposite. “The fact is that the privatisation of the NHS started under Labour, and continued Tory privatisation and spending cuts pose a threat to Scotland’s budget and therefore health service - something Labour denied in the referendum. “For Labour to now be pointing fingers is the height of hypocrisy, and the people of Scotland will not be fooled. “At the General Election in May it is vital that more SNP MPs are returned to Westminster to serve Scotland and work to protect Scotland’s budget and deliver more powers that will enable the Scottish Parliament to protect the NHS for the future.”
Rosemount Development Trust takes on its first Modern Apprentice
JACKIE Kerr, Chairperson of the Trust says we are delighted to welcome Marc Steele, to the Trust as Administration Assistant. Marc, a local resident of Royston, will be based in the Trust’s office at Rosemount Business Park in Charles Street,
Royston. Recruited through Glasgow City Council’s Commonwealth Youth Development Fund Marc joined the organisation on 1st December 2014. The modern apprentice programme provides opportunity for practical work experience, whilst gaining a qualification. Marc will progress through a variety of office based roles leading to ‘SVQ level 3 in Business Administration’. Managing Director, Maureen Flynn says this is a fantastic opportunity for Marc and we will ensure he receives the best training and opportunities to progress his skills and knowledge in all aspects of Business Administration. SVQ Training will be provided by Jobs and Business Glasgow; with the Trust’s Finance Officer, Sharon Bryson as Mentor, providing guidance and support to Marc throughout his apprenticeship. We are also delighted to welcome Kirsty Aird to the new post of Property Services Administrator. Picture to follow. Kirsty commenced employment with the Trust and its subsidiary Rosemount Workspace in November 2014 and comes with a wealth of experience working in a similar environment Kirsty has worked in the public, private and voluntary sectors in a wide variety of roles. She has worked for Skills Development Scotland, Scottish and Southern Energy and the Banbury Centre in the East End of Glasgow. Kirsty will be the first point of con-
tact in ensuring excellent customer care services to our tenants at Rosemount Business Park and at our other site, the Millburn Centre.
NEW CHANNEL 5 PROGRAMME LOOKING FOR CONTRIBUTORS
A NEW home makeover programme for Channel 5, with each episode it aims to help homeowners that have either suffered at the hands of unreliable workmen, or are living with bodged work and DIY disasters that are affecting their daily life. They are looking for people to nominate their friends, family, neighbours – or even themselves – so they can help them out! The presenter along with the build and design team help the homeowner by fixing the bodge job so they can get their home life back on track, and along the way they’ll share lots of tips and tricks for the audience at home. The team is challenged to repair and renovate the bodge jobs and give the home owner a dream room in just one day. They have a budget to fix the building work but we always want to go the extra mile and furnish a room for the ultimate ‘wow’ factor. For this, they rely on the amazing generosity of the local
community - retailers, manufacturers and skilled volunteer tradesmen. Having found a great family in Glasgow who need help,
they are now looking for more families and individuals in the same locality. However throughout the series the team of trusty trades-
men will travel the entire breadth of Britain so are accepting applicants from every corner www.ricochet.co.uk
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We have recently extended our lease agreement to see us commit to our current location for at least a further 15 years and as part of this extension we are in the final stages of completing the plans for a full and exciting centre refurbishment scheduled to take place in 2015. This will not only see a full cosmetic facelift to the centre but changes in the layout that will offer a more accessible and much brighter environment and make visiting Market Village in to a real destination shopping location. Not only will we be looking to keep our current mixed offer of trades and retail types but also hope to add a new edge to the centre to cater for different customers and age group.
NHS Keep Well Bensons Cafe
Corbie Blinds
Candy Skulz Tattoo Studio Inkstop & UK Canvas Pistol Piercing
SK Cuisine Chinese Take-away
R&LG Servicing
First 4 Phones
Fergusons Pets
Clyde Leisure Amusements
Beauty by Laura
Jens Haby & Fancy Dress
Balloons 4 U
Little One’s
Herson Shoe Repairs
Oceans Nail
Hair City
Digitrade Computers
Daughters Cafe
B&C Luggage
SSS Direct Fashion
Personal Pressies Bear Shop
Sweets and Treats
Turkish Hair Salon The Forge Jewellers
Charlie’s Butchers The Jewellery Store Kwik Stitch Alterations Top Attractions Fashion
The Beauty Box Blind Option
Wishes 4 U
Oceans Nail
Sharon’s Hairdressing
Jamni Hair & Beauty Supplies
Wet Walls & Lighting Healthier Smoker Vape 4 U
Botany Bay Shoes
THE MARKET VILLAGE AT FORGE SHOPPING CENTRE OPENING HOURS 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday 11am to 5pm Sunday
For life’s essentials... Established since 1989 Over 40 independent traders Local businesses, local traders Huge range of products & services all under one roof
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Fencing Upgrades in Parkhouse ng2 have been carrying out work for tenants in the Parkhouse community erecting new fences and removing old ones, the team have also cleared away overgrown hedges. Mr McHugh of Glenhead Street is delighted with the work and said: “The guys have been great and I am really pleased with the quality of their work and the new fencing they have put up for me.” Properties in the Parkhouse area Before formed part of a stock transfer a few years back to ng homes and one of the issues tenants in the area had highlighted was a need for upgraded fencing and paths. ng2 Supervisor David McIntyre said: “We are delighted that tenants in Parkhouse are happy with the work we are doing in providing new fences in the area.”
After
Margaret Thomson, Chairperson of ng2 said: “We continue to deliver on the promises we made to tenants at the time of the stock transfer and this work will continue across North Before Glasgow.”
After
Take part in our Sports, Health and Education survey and you could win a £50 Shopping Voucher! We want to find out how healthy, fit and active people in North Glasgow are and also what you think of the local facilities. Telling us what you think in this short, easy to complete survey will go a long way towards building on and improving the range of activities and the quality of facilities in your community. You don’t need to be a keen sporty type or body builder to take part, we want to hear from as many people from North Glasgow as possible so this survey is for everyone in the community. Please visit the link below to get started: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nghactivedec14jan15 If you don’t have access to a computer you can also complete the survey at your local ng homes offices, please ask at reception for help on how to do this.
Friday Night Club at Springburn Leisure Centre
ng sports legacy is busy working away on planned activities for 2015 and all will be revealed soon but in the meantime here’s what we have got on offer at the moment:
Also on the horizon is the return of the Wrestling clubs with lessons for adults a possibility!!! There are also plans afoot for a Kai Club (Martial Arts) for 5-7yr olds and their parents.
Tuesday Night Community Basketball restarted this week with Glasgow Storm Basketball Club and Scottish Sports Futures and will continue on Tuesdays from 5pm-6pm at Springburn Academy.
Please take note that for pre-school swimming lessons parents should contact Springburn Leisure Centre to book on 0141 557 5878. Finally, if there’s any sports activities that you’d like us to develop in North Glasgow please get in touch with ng sports legacy Co-ordinator Greg Cann on 0141 630 4254 or on Facebook/ngsportslegacy or Twitter @ngsportslegacy.
Friday Night Club returns on Friday 23rd January 4pm-6pm at Springburn Leisure Centre so make sure the date is in your diary!
Remember next Cook n Go is on 28th Jan at Salvation Army Halls Springburn, contact us for more info Remember next Song and Shimmy is on 30th Jan at Balgrayhill Community Centre, contact us to book your place
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 @ng_homes
ng homes is a trading name of North Glasgow Housing Association
Possilpark (West) Saracen House, 139 Saracen Street, Possilpark, Glasgow, G22 5AZ Tel 0141 336 1300 Fax 0141 560 6005
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WOMEN FEEL WINTER BLUES MORE
WOMEN pay the heaviest price in winter, after a recent survey showed that females are up to 50 per cent more likely to suffer from the winter blues than men. Women struggle the most with the reduction in daylight, citing a range of problems such as finding it harder to get up in the morning than men (44 per cent versus 30 per cent) and harder to get motivated (37 per cent versus 28 per cent). Since the clocks went back, women are seeking solace in comfort food far more than men (33 per cent versus 21 per cent). One in five men (21 per cent) claim they have not been affected by the reduction in daylight at all, compared with only 15 per cent of women. The survey also shows how big the overall impact of the winter blues really is. A huge three quarters (72 per cent) of the 2,000 people questioned in the Anglian Home Improvements survey said the reduction in daylight over the winter has a negative impact on their mood, while 66 per cent say it leaves them feeling less motivated. More than 6 out of 10 people (62 per cent) report a negative effect on their overall sense of wellbeing, with almost the same amount (59 per cent) saying the reduction in daylight over the winter impacts on their eating habits. The research also identified some of the things people do to help themselves feel better during the winter, with those who spent time outdoors or
sitting by a window generally feeling the effects of the winter blues less starkly – something that is not unexpected, according to a behavioural psychologist Three quarters of the British population suffer from the winter blues, as the changing seasons, the lack of natural daylight and the passing of the summer months affect us both psychologically and physiologically during the winter. The research shows that women are 50 per cent more likely to suffer from the winter blues than men, which is backed up by scientific evidence and is highly likely to be related to women’s increased sensitivity to cyclical changes – hormonal, biological or seasonal. The shorter winter days and lack of daylight cause hormonal changes in our bodies, increasing the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, which makes us feel lethargic and demotivated. Additionally the winter blues can make us crave sugary foods and carbohydrates, so again it’s no surprise that more of us comfort eat during the winter months and we often feel even more fed up when we gain weight as a result There are a number of practical ways in which we can beat these mood changes. Regular exercise increases serotonin, a mood-enhancing hormone, and taking a Vitamin D supplement can help too. And of course, as the survey reveals, comfort behaviour such as cosying up in front
of the TV, looking forward by planning or booking a summer holiday, or ‘nesting’ by making home improvements are also great mood enhancers. But more than anything, simply being outside on a bright day or sitting or exercising by the window, especially if south-facing, can be the single most effective thing you can do to make yourself feel less gloomy and more energetic and motivated. While cosying up in front of the TV (58 %), booking a holiday (28 %) and planning or making improvements to our homes (26 %) will always be popular ways of whiling away the winter, it is widely accepted that increasing the amount of natural light we get provides the key to beating the winter blues. It is fascinating to see the many different methods people adopt in winter to help keep their spirits up, from updating their homes to going for walks or watching the birds in the garden. According to the survey findings, only 10 % of us currently sit by a window in the winter to help ourselves feel better, yet doing this – at work or at home – is a quick and easy way that most of us can instantly feel better, completely free of charge. With windows and conservatories being so much more energy efficient these days too, you can – and should – be just as comfortable sitting next to a window or in a conservatory in winter as anywhere else in the house.
500,000 UK SENIOR CITIZENS ALONE ON NEW YEARS DAY
THE unseasonal heartache comes as new statistics reveal, older people in Britain are relieved that Christmas and New year is over • 40% of older people are relieved when Christmas and New year is over • 20% of older people don’t look forward to Christmas Day or New year day • 3% of older people never received a Christmas present last year with 2% not seeing anyone enter their home until
end Feb The research, has revealed that 20% of older people wake up on Christmas morning dreading the day ahead then have the same heartache at New year. Hardly surprising when you consider that almost one in 20 older people didn’t receive a single present last Christmas. The worst part about Christmas Day or New year day for almost one in 10 older people is spending so much time alone,
with a further 11% revealing they get upset when they see other people with families who visit Almost one in 10 older people said they ate a pre-purchased ready meal on Christmas Day. In the UK more than half of all 75 year olds live alone and one in ten suffers ‘intense’ loneliness but is reluctant to ask for help and 17% of older people think Christmas or New year is ‘just like any other day’.
http://www.nhsinform.co.uk/screening/cervical/
GLASGOW TO BE SUSTAINABLE CITY
Labour supports Coalition of Carers in Scotland’s New Year’s Resolution GLASGOW Labour MSP Anne McTaggart has supported Coalition of Carers in Scotland’s New Year’s Resolution to ensure that carers across the country get the support they need and that their rights are enshrined in the Carer’s Bill. Scottish Labour is committed to stopping the postcode lottery of support and services for carers and agree that they should have the right to
support based on a National Framework. This commitment was reaffirmed by our pledge to give the Care Inspectorate the authority over carers’ services and support. Ms McTaggart said: “It is vital that the 59,648 carers in Glasgow have the same access to support as every other carer in Scotland. That is why I support the Co-
alition of Carers in Scotland’s calls to have the right to support for carers based on a National Framework. The SNP need to ensure that their Carer’s Bill is not just kind words but ensures that carers have the right to support and services. Too often they are forgotten and taken for granted; they deserve our support and appreciation.”
GLASGOW is striving to become one of the most sustainable cities in Europe by 2020. Green Year 2015 will mark the city’s journey from Steam to Green. This year is the 250th anniversary of inventor James Watt conceiving of the combustion engine while walking on Glasgow Green. His eureka moment kick-started the
industrial revolution which transformed Glasgow and the world. Glasgow is continuing it’s transformation with a drive to grow its green economy, protect the environment and create sustainable energy projects. Each month of 2015 will have a green theme such as improving energy efficiency, using water wisely or creating quality
open spaces. A packed calendar of events is being planned around the themes which will encourage everyone from businesses to schools and community groups to get involved. A Green Year mobile phone app is developed which will enable people to keep up-tospeed with the activities as well as picking up tips on how to become more environmentally aware. A major Green Jobs Fair is also in the pipeline which will highlight the array of employment opportunities on offer in the city’s thriving renewable energy sector and the type of skills and qualifications needed to pursue careers in that field. A green film festival is also organised in conjunction with the Glasgow Youth Film Festival. Glasgow’s exciting Green Year 2015 backed by Unitar, the training arm of the United Nations.
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100s caught in Drink Driving Initiative
A TOTAL of 255 motorists were caught driving under the influence in the last three weeks of 2014 under Scotland’s new lower legal limit. The figures show a 27% drop in the number of people behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs, with 348 caught over the same period last year. The change in the law reduced the legal alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg in every 100ml of blood from December 5. Police Scotland stopped and breathalysed 13,346 people between December 8 and 29. Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: “This equates to nearly 640 drivers being breathalysed each day. It is heartening, therefore, to see a reduction in the total numbers of drivers who are drinking before getting behind the wheel, the fact that 255 people have still chosen to do so, and in doing so have put themselves and others needlessly at risk, is still entirely unacceptable in my view. “There is no doubt that the new limit, and what it means, is challenging a lot of people and we shall continue our efforts throughout the season and beyond to make sure that we reinforce the ‘don’t risk it’ message, prevent deaths and collisions, and make our roads safer.” Road Safety Scotland and the Scottish Government had been running the campaign throughout the festive period warning motorists not to drink at all if driving.
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BENEFITS OF FLEXIBLE WORKING
OVER three quarters of employers welcome shared parental leave despite concerns about its complexity and many are considering adapting their maternity packages in light of the new legislation, according to a survey of employers by Workingmums.co.uk. The survey of over 400 employers, found 81% welcomed shared parental leave, with 19% - mainly smaller businesses - saying they would find it difficult to implement in their organisation. Some 13% were still unaware of SPL and 19% were aware, but were unsure what impact it might have on them. Over half [56%] said they were still preparing a policy on it with challenges including increased paperwork for smaller businesses and concerns about the complexity of dealing with mums and dads who work in different organisations. A quarter already had a policy on it by early December. Many employers said they had either adapted their company maternity package [15%] and a further 39% were considering adapting it, for instance, reducing what they offered to mothers in order to increase what they offer to dads. The survey, published in the same week as government statistics on employee attitudes to shared parental leave, also questioned large and small employers about the impact of new legislation on the right to request flexible working, which was extended to all employees in June. It found that 11% would be more cautious in granting flexible working as a result of the extension and 53% said they would grant it on a case by case basis despite 30% saying managers find it hard to manage multiple requests. Some 58% of employers think flexible working im-
proves retention, with only 9% saying it doesn’t. Only 3% think it makes workers less efficient with 36% saying staff who work flexibly are more efficient. The biggest benefit of flexible working was retention of staff, particularly women returning from maternity leave. While 25% said they faced no challenges in implementing flexible working, for those who did the biggest barriers were that their business or their clients demanded set hours. However, there still appear to be a number of employers who are not aware of it or had not thought deeply about its implications. It will be important for those who emerge as leaders in this area to spread information about what they are doing to make the new legislation work so that others, particularly those with fewer resources, can see the benefits. It is also good to see the positive attitude of employers to flexible working. However, a small number say they will be more cautious as a result of the extension of the legislation to all employees. Caution is understandable, but there are many employers who already offered flexible working to all employees and have established a flexible culture who are reaping the rewards. Employers may need more support to implement a truly flexible culture rather than reacting on an ad hoc basis to requests. Of the 408 employers surveyed, the majority were organisations with over 1,000 staff. The next highest category was employers with between six and 50 employees. They covered sectors ranging from education, banking, engineering, IT and recruitment
£8.3m funding boost for Glasgow NHS welcomed THE announcement of extra funding for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board has been hailed as a clear demonstration of the SNP’s commitment to ensuring Scotland’s NHS gets the resources it needs. Health Secretary Shona Robison announced that the Health Board will receive an extra £8.3m in 2015/16 to help with the rising cost pressures facing the NHS. In total the uplift for NHS [health board] for next year now stands at £54m. Following the announcement, Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow and Deputy Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee,
said: “This announcement of an extra £8.3m for Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board will be welcome news for patients throughout the area. “In all, it brings the total amount of additional funding for the NHS in Glasgow announced for next year to £54m. “Advances in technology and the development of new medicines make an incredible difference to the treatment of patients, but often there are rising costs that come with such developments. This increased funding will help to address those increased pressures and ensure that patients in Glasgow receive the best healthcare possible.
“The SNP is the only party that can be trusted to protect the NHS. At the weekend, Ed Miliband highlighted that, like Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, he is prepared to continue the public spending cuts we have suffered with the Tories. We also know Scottish that Labour’s new Chief of Staff is in favour of privatising the NHS to deliver £20bn of cuts to public spending. “In contrast, this funding announcement shows the SNP’s determination to ensure that Scotland’s NHS has the resources it needs, and underlines that it is only the SNP who will always stand up for Scotland’s health service.”
Knitting competition launched by SEA team!
SOMETIMES simple, old fashioned solutions work best and the SEA team reckons Doug the Caterpillar is just what’s needed to prevent nasty winter draughts in your home. Some of you may have seen Doug before as he is currently the spokes-insect for Home Energy Scotland’s TV ads.
Having a Doug in your home will keep you warmer, save on your fuel bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Home Energy Scotland has produced an easy to follow knitting pattern so that everybody can knit their own Doug. You can find the pattern by clicking onto the web sie To encourage everybody to
get knitting, the SEA team are running a knitting competition! Once you have knitted your Doug, take a photo of him in your home and send us a copy - from your phone, by email or even an actual photo - before the end of February. The best entries will win an energy saving hamper. If you need some help getting started – perhaps you never learned how to knit or can’t remember your plain from your purl - why not visit your local knitting group. The Shettleston Knitting Group meets at Shettleston library every second Thursday at 6pm and will be happy to share their expert knowledge. The group starts up again on Thursday 15th January 2015.
MADE IN BRITAIN STILL CARRIES WEIGHT DO you think that we manufacture fewer or more goods in this country than we did 30 years ago? If you think it’s less then you’re not alone; in a recent YouGov poll three quarters of the 2,000 adults surveyed believed that UK manufacturing was lower than it was three decades ago. But in reality our output now is actually 25% up on the production levels of the early eighties and it’s continuing to rise. If you thought British manufacturing was dead, think again. According to Katja Hall, Deputy Director-General of the CBI, ‘demand for British-made goods remains buoyant…and firms have high hopes for the coming quarter’. A ‘Made in Britain’ label on
products certainly seems to have a positive effect on many companies’ order books as Cressida Grainger from Mathmos, a British brand founded in 1963 by the inventor of the lava lamp, testifies: “Made in Britain is short hand to the consumer that Mathmos lava lamps have a strong heritage and are of excellent quality. It is central for us in separating our products out from the all others. Our British-made lava lamp sales are up by 25% since we started emphasising their Made in Britain credentials’. The demand for British-made goods is particularly high from overseas, where the perceived quality and craftsmanship of our home grown products is held in
high esteem. A womenswear brand that sources 70% of its production locally, tells me: “Made in Britain means artisanship and quality worldwide. BRIC buyers don’t want Chinese made products”. But what about British consumers? Does a ‘Made in Britain’ label matter to them too? According to the YouGov poll which was carried out this year for the EEF, The Manufacturers Organisation, yes it does. Seven out of ten respondents said that they prefer to buy goods that have been made in Britain. Women in particular say that buying British is important to them, with 75% agreeing that
they would buy UK-made goods over those made abroad, compared to 71% of men. Independent research carried out by Make it British in 2013 concurred with these findings. It also established that many people were willing to pay more to buy British, particular the older generation. Superior quality, support for the UK economy, and job creation were the main reasons cited for their choice. Whilst the creation of jobs is a very good reason for buying British-made goods, in reality one of the biggest challenges that many of the manufacturers in this country face is how to attract people into those jobs and train them up into a skilled workforce. Industry bodies such as Cre-
ative Skillset do a great job in implementing apprenticeship programmes, but passing on skills to a new generation can take time. In sectors such as fashion, which was one of the first industries to be hit by production going offshore in search of cheaper labour, much of the workforce is nearing retirement age, and there are only a few years left in which to train up the younger generation in order to meet the growing demand for UK production. Much of this growing demand is coming from companies reshoring their production from overseas. According to the Manufacturing Advisory Service, the top reasons for doing so being to reduce cost, improve quality
and shorten lead times. clothing company, cites customer demand as the main reason that they recently re-opened a production line in the UK again after years of making in Tunisia. They supply a lot of the big High Street retailers and need to be able to offer them the choice of where their goods are made. A ‘Made in Britain’ label is now becoming much more important to them again’. If the current trend is anything to go by, then many UK businesses might want to rethink their sourcing strategy, if they haven’t done so yet. And those firms that are already making in the UK might want to ensure that they are shouting loudly enough about their brand’s ‘Made in Britain’ credentials
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Keep Your Valuables Secure
MANY people will have received valuable gadgets as presents and may not have thought about taking steps to safeguard them against thieves. Children and young people may have received expensive headphones, phones and tablets which they will want to show to their friends, but they also need to be aware that there are criminals out there who can also see these items, when they are on view. Chief Inspector Stevie Hazlett, Area Commander for Glasgow East said: “By registering their valuables on www.immobilise.com owners can put details of their prized possessions on a national database that police can access and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.” “The on-line service is totally free and is quick and easy to
use. Items marked as being registered with ‘immobilise’ are less likely to be stolen, and households displaying ‘immobilise’ stickers are less likely to be targeted by housebreakers.” Here are some basic safety tips which can be followed which will prevent you becoming a victim of crime in the first place, please consider the following; How can I secure my valuables when out and about? Security mark valuable items. This makes it harder for thieves to sell them on. It also helps police to ensure items are returned to you if they are found. Record details of your mobile phone, laptop, tablet, camera and other property at www.immobilise.com. Install a tracker device on your mobile devices which could help find them if they’re
stolen. Don’t leave personal possessions, such as handbags, unattended when out and about. Make sure they’re in sight if you’re in a bar or sitting at a table in a restaurant. Try not to display cash, expensive items or jewellery too overtly. Insure your belongings and keep your insurance details handy. What else can I do to protect my mobile phone? Keep it out of sight and don’t attract attention to it when not in use. Use the security lock. Keep a record of the 15 digit IMEI number which is unique to the device and record on www.immobilise.com. To find the IMEI number, dial *#06# on your mobile phone. If lost or stolen, contact the police and service provider immediately.
The Forge Jewellers PRE-OWNED STOCKISTS OF ROLEX, CARTIER, OMEGA ETC
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Glasgow to host festival of cat videos
THIS spring will see the UK premiere of an international festival dedicated to the internet phenomenon of cat videos. Programming originally shown at the Internet Cat Video festival in Minneapolis will be shown during city’s film fest in spring As part of the Glasgow film festival, audiences in Scotland will be able to view feline-themed programming originally shown at the Internet Cat Video festival at the Walker
Arts Center in Minneapolis, the United States, which has been running for three years, with online favourites including Henri le Chat Noir, and presenting the Golden Kitty (People’s Choice) award for the best footage. The festival will be held at Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art. The film festival’s producer, Corinne Orton, said: “It’s a bit of a strange one for a film festival, but our audiences have always responded with enthu-
siasm to the more unusual aspects of our programme. “The response online has already been overwhelming – some people on Twitter have told us they’ve actually cried with excitement – so it’s going to be an interesting atmosphere.” The growing economy of internet cat videos and titles such as Grumpy Cat, Keyboard Cat and other felines are helping people make careers out of YouTube videos.
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Rosemount Lifelong Learning
ROSEMOUNT lifelong learning is a charity based in Royston. We have 2 sites – our newly opened Learning and Events Space at Royston Road and our Childcare service at 221 Milburn Street. Rosemounts mission is to improve chances for local people by providing high quality childcare and increasing lifelong learning opportunities in an approachable and supportive community setting. Rosemount delivers a range of services which include A Childcare Service which provides a nursery and day care facility for children of parents from the local community. Our Childcare service currently has some places available. For enquires and pricing information please call 0141 552 3090.
The Young Parents’ Project – This project provides a city wide service working with young people aged 15-19 (extending to 24 for care leavers) who are pregnant or have children. The project assists young parents to overcome barriers including childcare and progress into employment, education and training and sustain positive outcomes. The Family Links Addiction and Parenting Service - This service supports and provides interventions for children and families affected by drugs and alcohol misuse. Time for a Change Programme (TFAC) - is a 10 week employability/personal and social development programme that aims to improve the confidence, core skills, financial management, tenancy sustainability and employability of the participants. Community Learning Service (CLS) delivers a range of community based adult learning opportunities. Please see below for our current learning opportunities. IT The IT suite is open Monday and Friday 9.30am – 5pm and Tuesday – Thursdays 9.30am – 8pm. Learning is done on a flexible learning basis which means you book in for a 2hr slot at a time that suits you and you can come as little or as often as you like and study at your own pace. Support is available from out IT tutors and you can
work on your own projects or study a range of qualifications aimed from the total beginner to the more confident user. We offer free SQA qualifications in ‘Using a Keyboard’ and ‘ICT Core Skills Level 4’. We also offer the British Computer Society qualification the ‘European Computer Driving License’. We offer this course both on a per module basis and as the whole 7 module qualification. This course is chargeable but can be paid for using an Individual Learning Account. Please contact us for more information about prices. For further information about Individual Learning Accounts please see http:// www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ section/funding . We also offer support around on line job search and applications including using Universal Jobmatch and support for creating your own CV. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) ESOL Assessment and Advice Sessions These sessions are delivered in partnership with the ESOL Network Project. The sessions help you to find English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes in Glasgow. When you come along to one of the testing and advice sessions someone will give you an English level test and help you to find community and college English language classes. near where you live ESOL classes.
We provide a variety of ESOL classes at a range of levels including ESOL literacy, Access 2 and a mixed level conversational class. Our Access 2 class is delivered in partnership with Glasgow Life. We advise all new learners looking for ESOL classes to attend an assessment session where you will be advised on the appropriate class for your needs. Adult Literacy and Numeracy Trouble with words, reading & writing, or numbers? Would you like to brush up your skills but are not sure where to start? At Rosemount, we can help you with reading, writing, spelling, numbers, form filling, kids homework and a whole range of other things. We are able to offer 1:1 support and group work both during the day and evening. Please phone Marianne or Lorraine for a chat on 0141 553 0808. All support is offered free. Brush up your skills using tablets, Thursdays 10.30am -12.00 noon and also Thursdays 6.00-7.30pm, Free Come along to our relaxed, fun class. We can work on spelling, reading, writing, numbers and homework and try using iPads, tablets and computers. Maths Class, Tuesday 6.007.45pm, Free Numeracy class for core maths skills. Other learning opportunities Elementary Food and Health, Mondays 9.30 –
11.30am, 16th February - 9th March, Free. £5 returnable deposit required which will be returned on completion of the course. Certificated by The Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland. Please note due to funding criteria this course is open to Royston Residents only. The course content includes • An Introduction to Food and Health • The Energy Measures and Influences on Food Intake • Function of Food • Eating for Health - Food and Well Being • Putting It All Together – Action Planning • Revision and Exam - the course is assessed by a 30 question multiple choice exam at the end of the course in order to gain the qualification. Introduction to Jewellery Making, Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon, 25th February – 13th May, Free. This course is delivered in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College. On the jewellery course learners will be taught how to use craft tools associated with the manufacture of beaded jewellery. They will be taught how to identify, use and care for the tools and how to create a variety of types of beaded jewellery, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces etc. There will be set projects that will allow the learners to utilise their own ideas and design skills with input from the lecturer and also introduce
different types of materials that can be used to create a high standard of beaded jewellery. By the end of the course each learner should have a wide selection of beaded jewellery designed and manufactured by themselves as well as an understanding of the tools and materials needed to create them. Psychology and Sociology for Care, Mondays 1 – 4pm, 2nd March – 1st June, SQA Accredited, Fee waiver available. Gain an insight into how society influences our behaviour, how we develop throughout our lives and the effect of life events on us. This 12-week introductory course is for anyone with an interest in Psychology and Sociology and may be useful if you work in care or with the public. This is an SQA accredited course at Intermediate Level 1. This course is suitable for people who haven’t studied care before and/or who wish to progress on to further study in care. This course is offered free to anyone qualifying for a fee waiver which includes being in receipt of benefits and being on a low income. This class is delivered in partnership with City of Glasgow College. The North East Glasgow Men’s Group, Thursday 2 – 4.30pm, Free At their weekly meetings in Royston, the North East Glasgow Men’s Group gather at
the 160 Club. The men have a shared interest in promoting the overall physical and mental health of all its members. The group meet every Thursday between 2 - 4.30pm at the 160 club, to have a chat, cup of tea, read the papers and have a game of pool. During the year, the group also organise learning opportunities for its members, invite guest speakers and visit places of interest around the city and beyond. Over the last year the men have visited places such as Glasgow Cathedral and Scottish Parliament, as well as some of Glasgow’s finest monuments. In the summer months the group also played some lawn bowls and invited guest speakers from different organisations to give talks. Talks have included information on mental health and healthy living, visits by local authors and fire safety. We are also interested in learning new skills and using these for leisure or for work. Group members have also learned map reading, healthy cooking and basic first aid skills to use outside of the club, to maintain their own and others health. The group is also given extra support from Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH) which provides additional support for some group members. The Men’s Group is member-led with the Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and other committee members leading the development of the group. The Royston Rag The Royston rag is a community run newspaper reporting on events, opportunities and issues in the local area. The paper is written and edited by volunteers with regular meetings to make sure The Rag is reporting on current and relevant topics. We are always looking for new people to get involved in the writing, marketing, design and distribution of the paper. So if you have any time from 1hr a month to volunteer we would love to hear from you. CONTACT US For more information or to book a course please phone us on 0141 553 0808 or drop into Rosemount Lifelong Learning, 102 Royston Road or Find us on Facebook Rosemount Lifelong Learning or Twitter@flexirosemount
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Burns’ Night 25th January
D MILLEN BUTCHER Tel: 0141 763 2135
427 Carntynehall Rd, Glasgow G32 6LQ For all your quality meat products
ORDER YOUR BURNS SUPPER HAGGIS NOW! “THE BEST STEAK PIES IN EAST GLASGOW” MADE FRESH EVERY DAY
BURNS Night is annually celebrated in Scotland on or around January 25. It commemorates the life of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born on Jan-
uary 25, 1759. The day also celebrates Burns’ contribution to Scottish culture. Burns’ best known work is “Auld Lang Syne”.
Haggis, neeps and tatties traditionally eaten in Scotland on Burns Night Many people and organizations hold a Burns’ supper on or around Burns’ Night.
These may be informal or formal, only for men, only for women, or for both genders. Formal events include toasts and readings of pieces written by Robert Burns. Ceremonies during a Burns’ Night supper vary according to the group organizing the event and the location. The evening centres on the entrance of the haggis on a large platter to the sound of a piper playing bagpipes. When the haggis is on the table, the host reads the “Address to a Haggis”. This is an ode that Robert Burns wrote to the Scottish dish. At the end of the reading, the haggis is ceremonially
sliced into two pieces and the meal begins. Burns’ Night is an observance but it is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Robert Burns was born in Alloway, Scotland, on January 25, 1759. He died in Dumfries, Scotland, on July 21, 1796. He was a bard (poet) and wrote many poems, lyrics and other pieces that addressed political and civil issues. Perhaps his best known work is “Auld Lang Syne”, which is sung at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Scotland, parts of the United Kingdom, and other places around the world.
Burns is one of Scotland’s important cultural icons and is well known among Scottish expats or descendants around the world. He is also known as: “Rabbie Burns”; the “Bard of Ayrshire”; “Scotland’s favourite son”; and in Scotland “The Bard”. Robert Burns’ acquaintances held the first Burns’ supper on July 21, the anniversary of his death, in Ayrshire, Scotland, in the late 1700s. The date was later changed to January 25, which marks his birthday. Burns’ suppers are now held by people and organizations with Scottish origins worldwide,
Contact DM Hall Commercial Department 14 Newton Place, Glasgow, G3 7PY 0141 332 8615
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ARE YOU SURE YOUR JOB SUITS YOU? The GENN is now expanding it’s advertising sales team: We are looking for highly motivated individuals to join our expanding sales division. The right sort of candidate will be dynamic, with exceptional communication skills, eager to learn and have a burning desire to succeed. If you’re already a talented salesperson - we will give you the one thing that is guaranteed to make you better – a product that people genuinely desire! If you have no previous experience - but have the character and tenacity to become a top sales person and genuinely want to earn over 20K in your first year, we want to hear from you! As a company, our first published newspapers were just 20 pages, but today in our sixth year we have grown to becomeyour voice in the community and recognised as the number one free newspaper in the area, printing 20000 copies. With this expansion, we urgently need to find the fresh talent that will enable us to continue our growth. Successful applicants will be offered a package with basic + commission, plus the opportunity to progress within a rapidly expanding company. Are you: Intelligent / Quick witted Articulate / Gift of the gab Hard Working / Grafter Determined to be successful / I want more! A great communicator / Always win the argument If this describes you, we want to hear why you think you should be part of our team.
email info@thegenn.co.uk telling us why we should employ you
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GENN Credit unions can provide a viable alternative to payday lenders? WITH the cap on short-term loans now in force, people may turn to loan sharks for crisis funds. Many have joined their local credit union to help it plug the gap The new price cap on payday loans introduced on 2 January means that all short-term credit is now capped at a daily rate of 0.8%, default charges cannot exceed £15 and the maximum paid back cannot exceed twice what the lender borrowed. But what will happen to the 70,000 potential borrowers that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates will no longer be able to access this type of credit? They will fall prey to illegal loan sharks, says the payday loan industry body, the Consumer Finance Association (CFA). It points to research by the consultancy, Policis, on payday lending in the United States, where 45 states have a price cap on short-term loans and 60% of such borrowing is unregulated. Others point to the rise of credit unions. In Ireland, 63% of the population belong to a credit union and membership has increased since the financial crash. There are now 462 credit unions in the UK, with 1.1 million
members; less than 2% of the population. Unlike in Ireland, where they were developed for people in rural areas with little access to credit or savings, here we have a much more competitive financial services landscape. In May 2012, the Department for Work and Pensions published a report that said the sector was “not financially sustainable” because of high cost structures and low interest rates. Since then the government has signed a £38m deal with the Association of British Credit Unions (Abcul) to modernise the sector. It has also increased the monthly cap on interest rates they can charge from 2% to 3% to help credit unions generate both more income and lend to members with a higher risk profile – although Abcul has as yet no figures on numbers of new high-risk borrowers. To generate more income, credit unions also need to attract more customers on a regular income, like You. Abcul’s aim is to attract a further one million members by 2019. Traditionally credit union services were slow and inconvenient, but now you can ac-
cess your money instantly on the phone or online, around the clock. You can open a current account, savings account, or choose from a variety of loans and insurance policies. You can stop myour money being used to fund environmental destruction or human rights violations and vote for the board of directors, or stand for election yourself; all directors are also approved by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Unlike a building society or bank, members of a credit union must share a common bond; something that unites them, such as a location or a trade. Glasgow credit union was started 25 years ago to service the employees of Glasgow city council. It is now the largest in Britain, both in terms of assets and membership. Of its 36,000 members, 600 have used the union to take out a mortgage, a service now on offer at three credit unions elsewhere. Shortly before Christmas, these members became the first in the country to receive a mortgage rebate; at 5% interest, they received several hundred pounds each.
Other credit unions, such as my own, do offer small shortterm loans to unemployed people, but, says general manager Colin Eddy, it does not give out loans to someone who it believes “will be disadvantaged by it”. Credit unions are “not an immediate answer” to payday lenders. The answer, is preventative – to create a longer-term, “responsible alternative”. Does your credit union host free money management advice sessions for members who are not eligible for a loan. The Church of England is getting involved too and has launched To Your Credit campaign to promote the growth of credit unions and other community finance organisations. It is mobilising church-goers to join up and is promoting debt advice services and money skills courses, with plans in place to launch a network of credit union-run savings clubs in primary schools connected to the church. To be fully effective the sector will have to grow both in terms of capacity and capability, and helping them to do this is a key element of the church’s initiative.
39% of Scottish residents asking for financial support, were in debt because of council tax bills SCOTLAND has the highest payday loan debts and level of council tax arrears throughout the UK, latest debt charity figures show. According to StepChange, the average Scottish debt as a result of using payday lenders was £1,438 - £129 more than the rest of Britain. From January to June 2014 this charity gave advice to 4,369 Scottish residents who were worried about their financial situation. StepChange also revealed that 39 per cent of Scottish residents asking for financial support in this period were in debt because of council tax bills. The average figure owed by Scots was double that of other UK citizens with the former owing £1,534 compared to £798 across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Energy bills have been another problematic area for
Scottish residents, who had the largest average electricity arrears (£616) of any British country. People who sought help in Scotland also had an average debt of £665 in rent alone. A spokesperson for Trust Deed Scotland, providers of debt advice and solutions, responded to StepChange’s figures. They said: “These figures demonstrate how thousands of Scottish residents are seeking debt advice because of the pretty bleak current economic climate. However, there are plenty of people who require help with their finances who have not asked. “At Trust Deed Scotland we are committed to arranging repayment plans for those in financial hardship which means people can pay affordable rates payday lenders do not offer.
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HYDRO “SECOND BUSIEST IN WORLD” THE Hydro venue has been ranked as the world’s second-busiest live entertainment arena. The 13,000-capacity building was beaten to the top spot by London’s O2 arena in the list compiled by Pollstar, a trade publication for venues and tours. With more than 1,000,000 visitors last year, The Hydro ranked higher than Madison Square Garden in New York. Since opening in September 2013, it has hosted concerts by Rod Stewart, Prince, Katy Perr y and the MTV Europe Awards. The stage version of the television comedy Still Game played for 21 performances at the venue during a three-week run last year. The Hydro was previously third and fourth in Pollstar’s quarterly calcu-
lations during 2014 but the latest poll covers attendance for the whole year. Peter Duthie, chief executive of the SSE Hydro and SECC, said: “To be positioned as the second-busiest arena globally just 15 months after opening is absolutely outstanding. “We wouldn’t have received this accolade without the support of the artists, their promoters, our staff and of course the 1,045,344 fans that visited us last year. “Looking ahead we won’t be slowing down, with over 90 performances already confirmed for 2015. The SSE Hydro is truly a world-class events venue with a world-class reputation.” Performers set to appear at the venue this year include One Direction, Taylor Swift, Sir Elton John and Take That.
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Sexual Health Awareness
RECENT research into the public’s attitude to sexual health coincided with STIQ Day. STIQ Day was held on 14th January to raise public awareness of sexual health issues in the UK. The research was conducted by a leading provider of sexual health testing services. Questioning more than 1000 adults across Great Britain in January 2015 they found some key points: • 8% of those questioned would ignore an STI diagnosis and carry on as normal if they had no symptoms. • 6% believe that you cannot have an STI if you do not have symptoms. • 12% also thought that having a shower after sex would prevent them catching an STI. . • Women seemed to adopt a more responsible attitude than men with 48% of women saying that they would make sure that partners were tested for STIs compared with only 24% of men saying that they would reduce their risk in this way. In the main, the research suggested that the majority of people in the UK had a good level of awareness although there were some slightly worrying results. For example, 5% of respondents believe that using a lubricant will prevent the transmission of an STI. 4% believe that using a contraceptive pill will also offer protection against sexually transmitted infections and the same number thought that having a wash after sex would confer the same protection. 83% of respondents correctly identified that none of these actions would prevent an STI being contracted. The survey questioned participants about how they would go about reducing the risk of a sexually transmitted infection and 87% said that they would use a condom every time they had sex. 90% of women would adopt this approach, compared with 83% of men. Almost two thirds (64%) would
reduce their risk of an STI by making sure that they did not have multiple sexual partners. This option was more popular with women than men (69% vs. 59%). 25-34 year olds were least likely to adopt this approach (56%) Over a third (37%) would try to reduce their risk of getting an STI by making sure that all of their sexual partners are tested. Double the proportion of women said this than men (48% vs. 24%). One fifth (21%) said that they would take all of the precautions suggested to reduce their risk of catching an STI. Women were far more likely to choose all options than men (29% vs. 12%). The majority of respondents would tell their sexual partner if they were diagnosed with an STI (86%). Four fifths (78%) would do so in person, with only 1% of people saying that they would use an anonymous notification service provided by a sexual health clinic. Participants were asked about how they would respond in terms of lifestyle changes in the event
that they were diagnosed with an STI. An overall 8% said that if they had no symptoms and were diagnosed with an STI they would be likely to ignore the diagnosis and carry on as normal. More than four-fifths (83%) said that if they were diagnosed with an STI they would be likely to stop having sex completely until they are treated and cured (where possible). The results show that women are more open to giving up sex completely than men. 88% of women say that they would adopt this approach until cured, compared with 77% of men. The only way to be sure that you do not have an STI is to get tested and this has never been easier. Along with the full range of testing available through online clinics, many local NHS services and sexual health charities now offer testing by post. STIQ Day was launched a few years ago occurring every January to encourage regular sexual health testing. Whether the testing is done through a private clinic or a free public service, sexual health is an important aspect of our general wellbeing. All sexually active people should be encouraged to get tested so as to be able to get treatment and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The STI Clinic is a UK healthcare provider that allows individuals to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by post. Its goals are to deliver a service that is fast, reliable and comprehensive. It achieves these aims by offering: same-day dispatch of the chosen test kit and next-day results for most tests; laboratory-based analysis of samples and treatment for anyone who tests positive.
Venue: Church of the Nazarene, 12 – 14 Burgher Street, Parkhead Cross, Glasgow G31 4TB Dates: Every Thursday, 22nd January to 26th March 2015 Times: 10am till 12noon Please note there is no crèche available for this course
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GENN Community Pictures
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PARK AT THEATRE ROYAL in a historic fountain, a graffiti artist sprays his story, a busker finds his only appreciative audience in a bag lady and a flag-waving bully rants worn out political beliefs. Their stories intertwine creating a modern day fairytale that is alternately sharp, funny and cruel. The tour will begin in Glasgow at the beginning of October with performances in Paris and across the UK. Jasmin Vardimon says “We are delighted to present this updated and reworked production of Park. Surprisingly I find the themes explored and social comments even more relevant now than they were 10 years ago. Bullying, otherness, alienation, gender and homelessness are all explored in this island of urban lives. It is exciting to revisit these concepts with the perspective of time and with a fresh and multitalented cast and we are happy to bring the work back to our repertoire following high demand for its return.”
THIS winter, acclaimed choreographer and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jasmin Vardimon takes her company on the road with their highly praised work, Park. Recipient of the International Theatre Institute Award for Excellence in Dance and newly appointed honorary doctorate at Royal Holloway University, the Israeli born artistic director of Jasmin Vardimon Company, brings this visceral, kaleidoscopic and athletic slice of modern urban life back to the stage in a reworked and re-imagined production ten years after its acclaimed premiere to sell out audiences. With newly introduced 3D imaging, Park presents a collision of physical theatre, text, athletic dance and funky music, delivering fresh statements about our time. Park is an urban oasis, a place of refuge from the ordinary where eight characters play, fight, fall in love and learn to survive. In this playground of relationships, young lovers wrestle
A leading force in British dance theatre for nearly twenty years, Jasmin Vardimon has built a reputation for challenging, exciting and visually stunning dance and continues to add to the body of critically acclaimed, artistically respected yet accessible work both for the company she formed in 1997 and for some of the leading dance companies across the world. Born and raised in Israel, she has been an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells since 2006, Jasmin has also been recognised with the positions of Associate Artist at The Place in 1998 and at Yorkshire Dance as a Partner from 1999 – 2005. This year she was awarded an honorary doctorate from The Royal Holloway University. Enjoying sell-out performances across the UK and internationally, Jasmin Vardimon Company’s works include: Freedom (‘Breathtaking, mesmerizing and frequently thought provoking’ – South Wales Echo), 7734 (‘Theatrical gold. Piercingly powerful’
- Daily Telegraph) Yesterday (‘Beautiful. A deft theatrical touch’ - The Observer), Justitia (‘Terrific – stylishly designed, vividly played’ -The Guardian), Park (‘Extraordinary... sexy and beautiful’- New Statesman), Lullaby (‘Dangerous and beautiful impassioned and remarkable’ - Daily Mail). n the Summer of 2014 the company received £3million from The Arts Council as part funding towards The Jasmin Vardimon Dance Laboratory in Ashford. The remaining funds have been matched by Ashford Borough Council. Jasmin has also been commissioned to choreograph for the Royal Opera House (Tannhäuser, 2010) and for ROH2s OperaShots season with composer Graham Fitkin at the Linbury Studio (Home, 2012). Other commissions include Bitef Theatre Belgrade, Hellenic Dance Athens, CandoCo, WID, Bare Bones, Transitions and curating the Dance Ballads Festival at the Oval House. Park is on at Glasgow Thetre Royal on 28th January
GLASGOW CREDIT UNION WINNER
WELL done to Janet Mcclure who won top prize in The Big G Lottery draw on 29th December. Janet, who works for Glasgow University, collected her prize on Hogmanay – what a great way to start the New Year! If you haven’t already joined The Big G Lottery, call
0141 274 9933 to request a lottery application form. Tickets cost just £1 each and the draw takes place every 4 weeks. As well as a brand new car there are also 13 other cash prizes ranging from £500 to £50 to be won. The next lottery draw will take place on 21st January
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Police Scotland
Local Police News CARNTYNE BREAK INS
POLICE in East End of Glasgow are encouraging householders to remain vigilant following some break-ins to homes in the Cantyne area over the festive period. Two males were seen in the area, one on a bike with dark clothing and may be linked to the offences. Should anyone have information in regard to these incidents or who may be responsible you are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity of people in your area who they are unsure of either by contacting 101 or in an emergency 999. Basic steps can be taken to protect your home, which in the main are to remove opportunities for thieves to strike. Ensure doors and windows are secured, even when you are within your home Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks or in easy
to access places where an intruder may find them. Security mark your property with your postcode and house number Record details of valuables and keep them from open view. Vehicle crime is also an area where owners can take steps to reduce the chance of becoming a victim of crime. Don’t leave vehicle keys in sight or near to insecure windows or doors where a thief could reach in or through a letter box and steal them. Don’t leave valuables in sight in vehicles. During colder weather don’t leave your car engine running and unattended whilst it defrosts Activate car alarms if fitted and ensure vehicles are left secure. For further details visit the Police Scotland website.
CHARITY HOCKEY MATCH
POLICE Scotland officers recently played an ice hock-
ey match in memory of those who lost their lives in the Clutha disaster. The match also raised for money for charity. The officers, who are part of the Scottish Police Ice Hockey section, went head to head on Saturday 29th November 2014 at Braehead Arena with their colleagues in the UK Fire-fighter Ice Hockey Team. The event was held to commemorate all those who lost their lives in the disaster and to recognise the efforts of everyone in the emergency services who were involved. £1 from every ticket sold was split and donated to The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund and The Firefighter’s Charity. In an effort to raise even more funds, the evening also had a prize raffle and spectators were able to purchase a variety of gifts and items which were donated by local businesses and shops. The teams are delighted to announce that they have
raised over £8000, which will be split between the two charities and hope to make this an annual event to try to raise even more money for charity. The original intention was to raise the funds for the Clutha Memorial Fund, however, this had already closed for new funds. Therefore, the Scottish Police Benevolent Fund and the Firefighter’s Charity were nominated as the beneficiaries.
APPEAL FOR INFORMATION – GLASGOW CITY CENTRE
POLICE Scotland has today released CCTV images of two men whom they wish to trace in connection with an investigation following a theft by housebreaking and wilful fireraising in Glasgow City Centre in January 2014. The incident occurred on Tuesday 14 January 2014 at Rebel Rebel, a barbershop on
Union Street, Glasgow, near to Glasgow Central Railway Station. The first man is described as white, aged between 35 and 40 years, approximately 5 ft 8 in height and at the time of the incident was wearing a green jacket. The second man is described as white, aged between 35 and 40 years, approximately 6 ft in height and at the time of the incident was wearing a light hooded top blue, jeans and blue trainers. Anyone with information is asked to contact Glasgow City Centre Police Office on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.
DRUGS RECOVERY – GLASGOW CITY CENTRE
AROUND 2030 hours on Monday 12 January 2015,
Police Scotland Officers acting on intelligence, stopped a car on Broomielaw, Glasgow and recovered a quantity of drugs – believed to be Diamorphine – with an estimated street value of seventy thousand pounds (£70,000). Two men aged 23 and 24 years have been arrested and are presently detained in police custody in connection with the recovery. A full report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
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GENN GENN YOUTH Addressing youth, teenage and parent issues across seven areas
· Apprenticeships and Employability · School leavers · Education · Families · Gangs · Justice · Social action
YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS THIS event aims to raise awareness of the Youth Achievement Awards to employers and employability staff. The Glasgow North East Youth Achievement Consortium, made up of most third sector organisations and Glasgow Kelvin College, have been working over the last 4 years to incorporate these awards into their many programmes and services. Many of these organisations work with the most vulnerable young people often leave school with little or no qualifications. Four years ago Glasgow did not have an Operation Agency
to support the delivery of these awards. Now this partnership approach to the delivering of these awards, the consortium, is now one of the busiest in the UK support hundreds of young people to gain a qualification in a formal or non-formal learning environment. Glasgow has some of the lowest education attainment rates in Scotland these awards offer young people the opportunity to gain a SQA levelled qualification through participating in something they enjoy, the young person can work and develop through the awards programme
to taking the lead on a piece of work and could achieving the highest award level the Platinum award which is equivalent to an advance higher qualification. The event showcases the work of a number of partners and offer up workshops to increase your understanding of the work that young people do to achieve the awards. If you are a local employer or work in employability this event is a must for you. To book on the event http:// youthachievementevent. eventbrite.co.uk/?s=31950490 or contact linda@yomo-online. co.uk
Active Champions
Inspiring young people aged 14-25 to build their skills, experience and shape the growth of the programme is the aim of Active Champions. Young volunteers who are or want to get involved with a local club/ group can apply to become an Active Champion. Active Champions will choose which route they want to follow. The options available within each are not exhaustive and will be flexible in response to young people. Within each route there will be choices available and awards and training in; coaching and youth work, refereeing and officiating, promoting and running a club or health and first aid.Active Champions will be accredited through Youth Achievement Awards.
TEENAGE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DYNAMIC PARENTING DISAGREEING with your parents is a natural part of growing up, but when the arguments start to cause you a lot of concern or distress it’s time to find a way to talk. Teenagers and teen problems don’t have to be a completely alien subject to parents. Although it might seem like yesterday that parents were pushing their teen around in a buggy, chances are that they will grow into an hormonal mini adult. Parenting teenagers comes with its own challenges from anger and puberty hormones to new relationships and secondary schools. Most families have heated arguments from time to time, especially as children grow into young adults and start to assert themselves. Families won’t always get on all of the time, but this page will have some ideas/tasks to help you look at what is causing the rows and how you may be able to break a pattern of arguing Everything you need to help and support you and your teenager or you and your parents. This new regular feature will run in each issue thanks to our page sponsors. As children get older, we have to get more imaginative in parenting methods! Ordering kids to their room or sending them to the naughty step might have worked when they were young, but they’re youths/ teenagers now and quite rightly want to be treated as such. By adapting parenting methods to suit a childs growing sense of independence and by offering friendship and help when it’s needed then applying rules where necessary is the key to parenting todays youth. It’s often helpful to think about what we were like at that age (including any frustrations we might have had with our own parents) and try to apply those thoughts and feelings to our children as they walk the path to adulthood. • Children are given responsibility from an early age. They have always been responsible for doing
their homework, and putting away their own things. Being responsible for their own actions. Having a job that they do in the house, for which they are responsible. At 12 and 16 they should now keep their own bedrooms tidy, and have one job to do in the house, other than that they are free to spend their time as they wish. As a parent, do not defend them if they are wrong, they have to take the responsibility for what they have done. • Teach responsibility from a young age and try to install the same qualities you show yourself. It’s also important youths are able to act confidently and stand up for themselves and by giving them that extra space to learn and grow (as opposed to watching over their every move) they become better equipped to deal with tricky situations and overcome problems. • Young people approaching adulthood need a whole new approach and adults need to learn how to parent teenagers - daunting, isn’t it and teenagers need to communicate their new parenting need • Parenting teenagers can be enjoyable, hard, exciting, and challenging and as they grow up, the need is to find new methods that provide adequate levels of love and support that don’t infringe on their new found sense of pride and independence. It’s a long and windy road, but one that can be successfully navigated with the right advice and information! • We cant supply an instruction manual to parents for youths nor can we supply instructions for youth to parents, but what we can do is dedicate this page to parents, youth and teenagers to help make sure you get to know your child all over again and you both stay happy and sane through their teenage years. We will also have suggestions of where to turn for help and advice if things get a little tough.
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Beauty
Films with Craig Gardner
With Denni Gee Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is an absolute Winter must have for everyone! This award winning cream has also been praised by make-up artists and beauty editors for many years now and no self respecting model would be without this cult product in their make-up bag. ·First created in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden to soothe skin, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant became an instant and overwhelming success. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant also aids in the temporary relief of: • Chapped lip • Smoothes rough spots on your knee, feet and elbow • Softens tough, hard cuticles and hangnails Dermatologist, clinically and allergy tested. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant is suitable for all skin types.
Ask Denni... Question: In what order do I apply all my skin care products? Answer: Staring at a cabinet full of serums, creams and gels and trying to figure out how and when to apply them all for the best results can be overwhelming, but the easiest way to think about it, is go from lightest to heaviest. Here’s your cheat sheet: After cleansing, apply eye cream (then avoid the area—layering products can irritate the area’s delicate skin), followed by serums (you can layer a couple on top of each to target different skin concerns, but give them each a minute or so to absorb), then moisturizers or light creams, then—for an extra boost of radiance and hydration—oils (some oils feel as light as serums, but their makeup doesn’t allow moisturizers to penetrate through them to the skin). The last step in your routine depends on the time of day: In the morning, finish with sunscreen. It acts as a barrier and anything you put on top will reduce its effectiveness, so use a light hand when applying your foundation. In the evening, finish with a retinoid—the creams and serums you put on before it will help prevent redness and dryness
He’s Captured my Heart by Karen Frances Out January 28th 2015 Contemporary Romantic Erotica (set in Scotland)
Libby has always put her family first, so much so that her two-year relationship has ended leaving her broken hearted. Enter Alexander Mathews, an arrogant American businessman who convinces Libby she might not be the good girl she always thought she was. Content to care for her niece and look after her father’s hotel on the shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland, Libby begins to piece her life back together.
She is completely unprepared for the entrance of Alex into her life. He strikes her as arrogant and domineering, but regardless, the sexual tension between them is palpable. Libby fancies herself a good girl, but Alex quickly seduces her. Libby finds she is soon addicted to the passion she feels in Alex’s skilful hands. Libby has never been so confused. Who is Alex Mathews, really? An international playboy, or could he truly be the man of her dreams? When a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend turns violent and she questions Alex’s loyalty to her, Libby must decide if she wants to let this charismatic stranger from across the pond truly capture her heart. What follows is a passionate tale of love set against a dramatic Scottish landscape.... About Karen Frances He’s Captured my Heart is written by native daughter of Scotland Karen Frances. She lives just outside of Glasgow with her husband of 17 years and their five children. After years of reading passionate stories set in America and the UK, Karen decided that Scotland would be the ideal setting for a romantic affair. Then her husband took her on a trip to Loch Lomond. She already had the names bouncing
around in her head and that’s where He’s Captured my Heart was first born. “I had a niggling feeling to write but had pushed it to the back of my mind. When my husband and I visited Loch Lomond I fell in love with the place all over again. Writing gave me a means to forget the daily pressures of our family business and gave me something to do just for myself - not the kids, not my husband and not the business. Just for me. And now, it is being enjoyed by others - it is an incredible experience.”
Taken 3,” directed by Oliver Megaton, is both lazy and tremendously overwrought. Anchored, as always, by a sincere performance by Liam Neeson, as well as the additional gravitas provided by Forest Whitaker as the police officer tracking Neeson down, the film pulses with indifference. “Taken” and “Taken 2” were preposterous, but entertaining: care had been given to the plot as well as the filming so that they worked as thrillers Taken 3” doesn’t want to take the time to set things up carefully or clearly, so that while you can perceive that you are on the highway out to Malibu, or careening along the 405, the film doesn’t use the specific landscape or architecture to help tell its story. It’s just a frantic, flash-cutting frenzy. Even the slower, more intimate family scenes feature so many swooping-up-from-below shots and so many sudden inserts that moments (emotional or physical) are never given a chance to land. Taken 3” also has international criminals, but
changes the formula, and from here on out there will be spoilers. Granted, nobody enjoys the “Taken” films because they are grounded in reality, but “Taken 3” pushes that envelope so far that the overall effect is numbing. Bryan is so indestructible that he survives a car crash that nobody could survive (with nary a scratch on him), and is able to dodge the bullets of an automatic weapon firing at him from only three feet away. Effective car chase scenes involve care in the execution: it’s not enough to show a car flipping over in slow-motion, surrounding it with 100 quick edits designed to disorient. Ironically, that approach ends up making it look like the movie is trying too hard. The best moments in “Taken 3”, strangely enough, are the repeated swooping aerial shots that move the predictable plot forward. Unfortunately, those aerial shots also give us time to think thoughts like, “Maybe I should have waited until it was eventually on tv.
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Music
With Mark Johnson
THE BIRD THAT NEVER FLEW
THE Bird That Never Flew is the second of a series of EPs based on the crest of Glasgow from experimental Hip Hop duo Hector Bizerk The EP is accompanied by a film by Hendo and MacKenzie and is partially based on the work of long time stage collaborator and artist Pearl Kinnear. For me Hector are best known for their drumkit heavy sound, a primal,
pounding backdrop provided by Audrey Tait to supplement the razor tongue of Louie. Describing themselves as experimental Hip Hop, they have recently expanded their sonic palette with the EP The Fish That Never Swam, which added a soul and funk influenced horn section. The Bird That Never Flew is much more of a departure and explores new
sonic territory and possibilities. “A Pearl Paints a Thousand Pictures” combines an acoustic guitar with lyrics inspired by the surrealist street art creations of artist and long time onstage artist Pearl Kinnear. Dreamy female backing vocals crescendo as the delivery and lyrics build in intensity, touching on the dumbing down of culture. The acoustic aesthetic
soon drops out and is replaced by a more haunting modern, urban, ambient synthesizer sound for “People Make Glasgow” and the lyrics take a darker turn too. A distorted, heavy techno drum sound, in the style of Mike Dred with brutal ambient synth soundscapes has the power of electric shock therapy while the lyrics cut to the side of Glasgow that no one likes to talk about with the accuracy of a surgeon’s scalpel. From the history of slavery and imperialism that underpinned Glasgow’s industries of the past, British cultural imperialism to the current death industries in Glasgow no stone is left unturned in it’s critique of the social problems of the city. Though the lyrical content is bleak, a glimmer of hope prevails – “Imagine if we got it right just once.” “Trouble Is Not A Place” features Scotland’s Makar, Liz Lochhead, adding additional vocals, over a crushing industrial synth soundscape with warped
percussion sounds, reminiscent of Glasgow’s industrial past. Lyrically, this is a comment on modern online culture and the shallowness and hollowness of it - “Looking at the world through an iPad, quoting some philosophical bullshit someone somewhere told you meant something to someone……Imaginations quarantined, putting Ebola through Norton AntiVirus software, looking at your loved ones through Windows 7 safe mode like you have a binary brain code” The song also takes aim at GCHQ and their accomplices in the Five Eyes security network, exposed in the Snowden files. “Everybody lay low, they know what you’re clicking, what you’re viewing, Big Brother tapping all his siblings” and expanding on the dumbing down of culture in general - “watching the downward spiral, kids all say it’s sick” “Eton Feast” is an a cappella comment on post-indyref sentiment. It encapsulates the feel-
ing of the young people of Glasgow and their disbelief at the outcome of the vote. It takes aim at the issues that resonated with people – Austerity, Foodbanks, Land Reform – that were at the heart of the Yes campaign’s success in Glasgow. Final track “The Bird That Never Flew” moves into different sonic territory again, with tabla and guitar, almost bowed in it’s texture, shifting into a more assonant harmony. Lyrically it’s an extended metaphor about post-industrial Britain and the effects of Friedmann economics on working people, being sold a dream that effectively traps them. Stylistically a departure, The Bird That Never Flew for me is Hector Bizerk’s most accomplished, cohesive work yet, a very brave and bold EP, dispensing with the pleasantries of pop production and a band not afraid to spread it’s wings harmonically, texturally and lyrically. A powerful, psychedelic, experimental Scottish Hip Hop masterpiece.
Scottish bands set for SXSW
SOUTH by South West (SXSW) is an annual Film, Music and Interactive conference and festival held in Austin Texas. It is one of the largest muisc conferences and festivals in the world. This year eight Scottish acts have been invited to play. These are: Dave Arcari (Blues), Hector Bizerk (Hip Hop), Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire (Americana pop), United Fruit (pop rock punk), Fatherson (rock), The Twilight Sad (Misery pop), The Amazing Snakeheads (Rock n Roll) and Holy Esque (upbeat pop). The festival this year is held on March 13th-22nd.
Dave Arcari
Fatherson
The Amazing Snakeheads
The Twilight Sad
United Fruit
Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire
Holy Esque
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Your Horoscope Predictions By Eris
Libra
(24 Sep - 23 Oct)
The emphasis this week is on the world outside your window and beyond your front door. For some your social life is accentuated, while for others the opposite will be true, although the subject of your friends and the circles you revolve in are never far from your mind either way. Perhaps you have concluded that certain stressful situations are so unnecessary and unwelcome, you need to keep a closer check on who you allow through your firewall.
Aries
Three planets in Aquarius, signal romance for those who are single and looking, or ready to enjoy afresh all the good things an existing association has to offer. For much of this week both Venus, the planet of love and Mars governing passion and physical intimacy, occupy a region of the sky that suggests fun, flirtation, recreation and affairs of the heart. An agreeable atmosphere is in the stars besides, with a creative and stimulating trend set to liven up your current relationships and prevent them from becoming stale.
Taurus
Scorpio
(24 Oct - 22 Nov)
(21 March - 20 April)
(21 April - 21 May)
The longer you spend at home this week the happier you will be. With your family to keep you company you are revelling in this supportive atmosphere and the good feelings surrounding you. But even when you’re alone, you feel nurtured and replenished by the secure and sheltered environment that is your sanctuary. Only true quality time spent within these walls is in short supply, since the demands of the outside world and any professional commitments, keep you on your toes.
Gemini
(22 May - 21 June)
Stand outside in the dark of night, away from artificial lighting and look upwards at the sky. If you are lucky you’ll see it resembles a vast dome and because the Earth is basically spinning in space, a similar arrangement continues beneath your feet, even though it is out of sight. If you were to align the heavens with your sign and then assess the layout of the planets this week, you’d notice the vast majority are occupying this hidden sector.
Sagittarius
(23 Nov - 21 Dec)
You are never at your finest when facing endless routines. You adore variety and your quicksilver nature is adaptable enough to cope with fast changing circumstances. While many would be feeling harassed, tense and stressed, your versatility in a stimulating situation comes to the forefront and you often benefit from a change to what you do normally, especially this week. Probably your perfect scenario involves a short vacation, somewhere you have never been, but that has always interested you.
The best thing to do now Saturn has entered your sign, is to accept that over the next three years, your proverbial chickens will be flocking home to roost. This is not necessarily unwelcome news, since where you’ve worked hard and put in the necessary groundwork, the reward for your efforts is comparatively close at hand. However, in certain fields of endeavour, you cut corners in the interests of expediency and now have the consequences to face.
Cancer
Capricorn
(22 June - 23 July)
There is an element of balance to seek this week, ensuring your needs and expectations align with those of other people. Although you aren’t usually thoughtless or lacking in tact and consideration, your desire for independence and extreme awareness of anyone attempting to manipulate or control your behaviour, leads to an impulsive and thoughtless reaction if you aren’t careful. You may feel you hold all the cards and enjoy a wholly unassailable position as a consequence.
Leo
(24 July - 23 Aug)
Your relationships feel more rewarding and harmonious than for a while, yet you are troubled by the sense they continue to hold you back. With Jupiter retrograde in your sign you are keen on expanding your frame of reference, but you are struck by how many promising leads appear to have grown cold, without reaching their full potential. While your pride represents a stumbling block, with both Mercury and Venus in your opposite sign this week, you shouldn’t be waiting for the universe to come to you.
Virgo
(24 Aug - 23 Sep)
Across large swathes of the world the holiday season is an occasion for overindulgence, as the excessive consumption of food and drink combines with reduced levels of exercise. Not everyone succumbs to this unfortunate mixture of course, if you live in an area where winter sports are popular or enjoy seasonal weather that is more conducive to an outdoor lifestyle. However, many are beginning the year with a raft of good intentions based on getting fitter, tackling their dietary indiscretions and developing better health habits.
(22 Dec - 20 Jan)
A number of planets in your money sector highlight financial issues, a subject that is generally close to your heart. You have been unsettled by your outgoings recently, some of which are linked to the time of year, while others have arisen more unexpectedly. Still, you have developed a strategy for dealing with these expenses. There are some folk of your close acquaintance, who might be interested in learning about your moneymaking plans and what is more, have resources of their own they would be willing to commit.
Aquarius
(21 Jan - 19 Feb)
Mars remains in your sign until the end of this week, where it is joined by Venus and Mercury, taking the rougher edges off your experiences and quickening the pace of events. While you’ve become habituated to your position behind the scenes and rather enjoy the advantages of a low profile, three planets in your sign won’t let you get away with this and call your whole way of dealing with the world into question. Remember primarily who you are these days, then ensure that first impressions are conveying the right picture.
Pisces
Just a Thought How to Turn an Aspiration Into a Daily Change DON’T a year from now, wish you had started today. Start with a simple statement: what do you want to be? Are you hoping to someday be, fitter or a writer, a musician, a designer, a programmer, a hairdresser, a carpenter, a street artist, an entrepreneur, an expert at something? How do you get there? Do you write your intention on a piece of paper, and put it in a bottle and launch it to sea, hoping it will manifest? No. The universe isn’t going to make this happen. You are. I’m going to lay down the law here, based on many experiments, done in the last years: nothing will change unless you make a daily change. You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. If you’re not willing to make it a daily change, you don’t really want to change your life in this way. You only like the idea of learning to draw/speak Spannish/ play guitar etc. You don’t really want to do it. Let’s name a few aspirations: Get fit,lose weight, write a book, stop procrastinating, fall in love, be happy ,travel the world, drink more water, learn Spanish, save money, take more pictures, read more books How do you turn those lofty ideas into daily changes? Think about what you could do every day that would make the change happen, or at least get you closer to the goal. Sometimes that’s not always easy, but let’s look at some ideas. • lose weight – start walking every day, for 10 minutes at first, then 15 after a week, then 20 …
once you are walking for 30-40 minutes a day, make another change — drink water instead of juice. • write a book – write for 10 minutes a day. • stop procrastinating – I can already hear the ironic jokes about how people will deal with procrastination later (ha!). Anyway, a daily action: set a Most Important Task each morning, then work on it for 10 minutes before opening your browser/ mobile device. • fall in love – go somewhere each day and meet/social with new people. Or do daily things that make you a fascinating person. • be happy – do something each day to make the world better, to help people. • save money – start cutting out smaller expenses. Start cooking and eating at home. Sell your car and bike/walk/take the train. Start looking for a smaller home. Do free stuff instead of buying things. • drink more water – drink water when you wake up, then every time you take a break (once an hour). • learn Spanish – study Spanish sentences in quotes or songs and listen to audio tapes 10 minutes a day. • take more pictures – take pictures at lunch or on the way home and post them to your blog. • read more books – join library,read every morning and before you go to bed. You get the idea. Not all of these are perfect ideas, but you could come up with something that works better for you. Point is, do it daily. How to Implement Daily
The Genn Crossword
Changes This method is fairly simple, and if you really implement it, nearly foolproof: 1. One Change at a Time. You can break this rule, but don’t be surprised if you fail. Do one change for a month before considering a second. Only add another change if you were successful at the first. 2. Start Small. OK, I’ve said this two million times. No one ever does it, though. Start with 10 minutes or less. Five minutes is better if it’s a hard change. If you fail at that, drop it to 2 minutes. 3. Do it at the same time each day. OK, not literally at the same minute, like at 6:00 a.m., but after the same trigger in your daily routine — after you drink your first cup of coffee in the morning, after you arrive at work, after you get home, after you brush your teeth, shower, eat breakfast, wake up, eat lunch, turn on your computer, first see your wife each day. 4. Make a huge commitment to someone. Or multiple people. Make sure it’s someone whose opinion you respect. For example a commitment to studying at least 10 minutes each day Be accountable. Keep a diary or update a Google spreadsheet each day showing how many minutes you have studied each day, and share the spreadsheet . The tool you use doesn’t matter — you can post to Facebook or Twitter, email someone, mark it on a calendar, report in person. Just make sure you’re accountable each day, not each month. And make sure the per-
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Across
1. Goddess of love (5) 3. Revoke (7) 7. Floor show (7) 9. Oversight (5) 10. Last letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 11. Rising warm air current (7) 13. Symbol of disgrace or infamy (6) 14. Sour (6) 18. Inscrutable (7) 20. Type of snake (5) 21. Photo book (5) 23. Luxurious (7) 24. Commotion (7) 25. Restorative (5)
Down (20 Feb - 20 Mar)
The arrival of Mars in your sign on January 12, means it is time for those plans you’ve been working on lately, to glimpse the light of day. But while you are busily getting this party started, remember the red planet is such a forceful and energetic influence that a degree of self-awareness is advisable to get the most from it. It is important to keep busy and physically active if you can, since the energy of Mars is so strong. This planet can stress you out, cause arguments and even create the circumstances where an accident is more likely to happen
son is checking. If they don’t check on you, you need to find a new accountability partner or group. 5. Have consequences. The most important consequence for doing or not doing the daily habit is that if you don’t, the people will respect you less, and if you do, they’ll respect you more. If your accountability system isn’t set up this way, find another way to do it. You might need to change who you’re accountable to. But you can add other consequences a promise to Facebook friends that to donate £50 to charity each time you dont follow through on a commitment. The consequences can also be positive — a big reward each week if you don’t miss a day, for example. Make the consequences bigger if you miss two straight days, and huge if you miss three. 6. Enjoy the change. If you don’t do this, you might as well find another change to make. If the daily action feels tedious and chore-like, then you are doing it wrong. Find a way to enjoy it, or you won’t stick to it long. Or find some other change you enjoy more. That’s it. Seven pretty simple steps, and you’ve got a changed life. None of these steps is impossible — in fact, you can put them into action today. What daily change will you make today? I have a program designed to help you make changes in this way, with built-in accountability and step-by-step plans covered over next coming issues.
1. Asinine (7) 2. Satire (7) 3. Turn on an axis (6) 4. Unguent (5) 5. Mischievous fairy (3) 6. Live (5) 8. Transience (7) 12. Gruesome (7) 15. Explanation (7) 16. Forceful and extreme (7) 17. Educational institution (6) 18. Intone (5) 19. Musical speed (5) 22. Saloon (3)
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PULSE Dance and Theatre Arts PULSE is a dance class, run by mother and daughter, Jaqueline and Nicola Duffy, in St. Andrews church hall in Dennistoun. Most of the kids attending Pulse live and attend school in the local area. Competing nationally is something most of the kids in the area could only ever dream of! These kids work so hard and have really bonded with their teachers and each other! In September, Pulse entered the Scottish heat of the biggest group dance competition in the UK. Three out of seven of their
routines made it to the finals, held in Blackpool Opera House in January this year. 24 Pulse dancers aged between 10 and 25 rehearsed and fundraised to get to the finals in Blackpool, where they came second overall in the adult age category and won 1st place in the mixed hip section! Now the aim for the team is to compete as often as possible and fundraise to open their own studio so that Pulse can get bigger and better! For more information contact Nicola Duffy on 07773407749 or email pulseproductions@outlook.com
BLUE BELT DECLAN DECLAN Dobbie is a Primary 3 Pupil at St Bridget’s in Baillieston. He lives in the Swinton area and has just turned 7 He’s already a blue belt having gained white, yellow tag, yellow, green tag, green, blue tag, blue and has passed 6 gradings. He is in training to do his red tag grading... then he will go on to do additional belts which are red, black tag and black belt.
He has gone from strength to strength and has gained in confidence, fitness and shows great respect for others. Declan fought as an A class player in the Scottish taekwondo open this year at Bellahouston. He is studying under Andrew Campbell, a 4th Dan instructor who won the STV RBS unsung sporting hero for the club by giving generously to Coatbridge Food Bank.
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CURRAN AND BAIN VOTE FOR £30 BILLION AUSTERITY CUTS UNBELIEVABLE decision as Glasgow’s Willie Bain, Margaret Curran and Labour give full backing to Chancellor on accelerated austerity. The House of Commons 12 Jan approved the UK Government’s Charter for Budget Responsibility, which commits the next Government to eliminating the structural deficit by 2017-18. To achieve this will require already-agreed spending cuts of £45 billion to be increased to £75 billion. Many including Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow region, have condemned the decision by MP Willie Bain and the Labour Party to commit themselves to an additional £30 billion of Tory spending cuts Having described the Charter as a “gimmick” and a “silly political stunt”, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls proceeded to vote for it. He was joined by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and all bar one Scottish Labour MPs. The SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party voted against. Bob Doris said: “This finally puts the lie to any claim by Labour to oppose the Tories’ austerity plans. “They have now committed themselves to supporting an additional £30 billion of spending cuts for the next three years, to be paid for in
part by capping the welfare budget. “Labour have previously boasted that they would be ‘tougher than the Tories’ on welfare spending, though when playing to a Scottish audience they underplay this. After last night’s vote, Willie Bain and his colleagues will never be able to do so again. “In a lame attempt to manufacture a veneer of disagreement with the Tories, Labour criticised George Osborne’s failure to cut the deficit as quickly as promised, immediately before following his MPs through the lobbies. The only real difference between them is that the Tories are at least honest about their intentions to slash spending. “We know that the most vulnerable people are already suffering as a result of the spending cuts which have already been imposed. It’s clear that if either Labour or the Conservatives form a majority Government this year, this will be merely the tip of the iceberg. The austerity agenda which has already imposed so much misery – while failing even to meet its targets on deficit reduction – will accelerate. “The only hope of an escape from this bleak future is for a large contingent of SNP MPs which will restrain the cutting instincts shared by the Blue and Red Tories.”
MARYHILL HOUSING ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARYHILL Housing Association has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive. Lynn Wassell will take over in the Spring and comes to Maryhill from Partick Housing Association where she has been Chief Executive since 2011. Lynn has a wealth of experience of the housing sector and spent over 10 years with the WM Housing Group in the West Midlands and prior to that held housing roles in four city councils – in Coventry, Corby, Derby and Leicester. She is currently Chair of the Board of River Clyde Homes in Inverclyde. Announcing the appointment, Interim Chief Executive Alan Brunt said Lynn would bring energy and drive to Maryhill and had been the most impressive candidate from a very strong field of applicants. Alan said: “We are delighted that Lynn is to be the new Chief Executive of Maryhill
Housing Association. Lynn has had a very successful period at Partick Housing Association and we congratulate her on her new appointment.” Lorain Mackinnon, Chair of the Board at Maryhill Housing Association, said: “The Association is delighted to have appointed Lynn as our new Chief Executive. We are in no doubt that Lynn brings with her huge experience of housing and a strong commitment to the ideals of the housing association movement. She is the perfect choice to take Maryhill Housing Association forward.” Lynn said: “I have very much enjoyed my time at Partick Housing Association and am proud of what the Board and the team have achieved. I am excited to be joining Maryhill Housing Association and look forward to taking up the post in the Spring.”
FULL LIST OF SCOTTISH MPS WHO VOTED WITH GOVERNMENT FOR AUSTERITY CUTS Douglas Alexander Paisley and Renfrewshire North Willie Bain Glasgow North East Gordon Banks Ochil and South Perthshire Anne Begg Aberdeen South Russell Brown Dumfries and Galloway Michael Connarty Linlithgow and East Falkirk Margaret Curran Glasgow East Iain Davidson Glasgow South West Thomas Docherty Dunfermline and West Fife Brian Donohoe Central Ayshire Frank Doran Aberdeen North Gemma Doyle West Dunbartonshire Tom Greatrex Rutherglen and Hamilton West David Hamilton Midlothian Tom Harris Glasgow South Jimmy Hood Lanark and Hamilton East Cathy Jamieson Kilmarnock and Loudoun Iain MacKenzie Inverclyde Michael McCann East Kilbride , Stathaven and Lesmahagow Gregg McClymont Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch Anne McGuire Stirling Graham Morrice Livingston Iain Murray Edinburgh South Pamela Nash Airdrie and Shotts Fiona O’Donnel East Lothian John Robertson Glasgow North West Frank Roy Motherwell and Wishaw Anas Sarwar Glasgow Central
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Political Forum
Dr Don’s View
The column which cuts though the garnish SO, the festive season is over, I hope all went well for you and yours. Now we can all look forward to Burns night on the 25th. Not only is that date significant for Robert Burns enthusiasts ,but it’s the date set by the Cameron/ Clegg /Miliband trilogy, supported by Brown and Darling, for the publication of the Scotland Bill. It is promised that this bill will contain the increased devolved powers for Scotland. As Dougal of Magic Roundabout would say “that’ll be the day”. As if increased Scottish Devolved powers would take precedence over General Election survival strategies. In the meantime, the people of Scotland need to turn their focus towards May 7th,, the date of the General Election which is only 11 weeks from now. This election will decide the immediate future of Scotland, and it will be decided by the MPs we elect. Scotland cannot afford to have 40+ MPs obediently trooping into the voting lobbies at Westminster, voting with the party whether it’s good for Scotland or not. Scotland needs strong representation in Parliament this time, and we are not going to get from those who have sitting in safe seats for the last 5 years. Scotland has provided over 40 ‘safe seats’ for the Labour party for decades, so, let’s stop for a moment and look at what a ‘safe seat’ is. It’s when the sitting or aspiring MP can depend on being voted in regardless of the party’s policies or performance. It is in fact an insult to the intelligence of the voters. In the case of the Labour Party, they have deluded the electorate for years that they represent the working classes and, as the majority of Scottish electorate are working class, they have had a free ride to Westminster every time. It was once a good joke that ‘the only person who ever went to Westminster with serious intentions was Guy Fox, but now it’s no joke anymore, especially for Scotland. This time, go along to your local library.
Take out Hansard, (that’s the diary of the House of Commons) check out what your sitting MP has voted for and against. Find out what he/she has achieved by way of promoting or attracting new business or employment to your constituency. In this I mean ACHIEVED, not talked about. When I conducted this exercise with my sitting MP, I found he hadn’t spoken on any subject in four years. We simply cannot allow that situation to be continued. Nor can we accept a situation when there is only one Tory MP at Holyrood, whilst the economy is run by the Conservatives. This will be the first opportunity in decades for Scotland to vote themselves a real voice at Westminster. Those of us who took to the streets in the referendum for ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ need to donate the same effort, if not more, to make sure we have a strong Scottish voice in Parliament. The referendum shone a light on those Westminster politicians who cared about Scotland, and those who just wanted to keep their job. Let’s be careful who we send down there, for neither David Cameron, nor Ed Miliband has Scottish Interests on their agenda. Parliament will be dissolved on March 30th and it would be wise for Cameron and Miliband to heed the prophesy ‘beware the ides of March’, they know what happened to Caesar. They will no doubt be emulating Mark Antony by calling “Friends, countrymen, lend me your ears”, but do they have the message that the electorate wants to hear? If they lose, wait for the plaintiff cry, “Et tu Nigal?” However, despite all the predicted doom and gloom, I always have an eye open for a lighter moment in politics. This week I have to credit Adam Boulton with the political quip of the week when he said “the UKIP fox is in the Westminster hen house” Back at Holyrood, Jim Murphy would be wise not to view
CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across 1. Venus 3. Rescind 7. Cabaret 9. Lapse 10. Omega 11. Thermal 13. Stigma 14. Rancid 18.Cryptic 20. Cobra 21. Album 23. Opulent 24. Turmoil 25. Tonic
Down 1. Vacuous 2. Sarcasm 3. Rotate 4. Salve 5. Imp 6. Dwell 8. Brevity 12. Macabre 15. Account 16. Drastic 17. School 18. Chant 19. Tempo 22. Bar
his visitors pass as his ticket to the post of First Minister. It only gets him into the wee room allocated to the Scottish Labour Party, and according to the recent polls, he might be a bit on the lonely side in there after 2016. Maybe they will reserve a seat for him in the visitor’s gallery. It might also be prudent to stop issuing statements about what he will do when he is First Minister, especially those like “1000 new nurses paid for by the Mansion tax.” Not only had he not consulted Ed Miliband before his statement, he has managed to upset his English Labour colleagues and even Boris Johnson. Looking at his recent statements, methinks our aspiring First Minister is a ‘loose cannon’ in the making. Look out for more gems of wisdom under ‘Murphy’s Law’. Still bumbling on at Westminster is the ‘English votes for English Laws’ debate. Sounds patriotic, pity no one knows how to implement it. The Tories are suggesting three alternatives, the Lib Dems want a constitutional reform, and the Labour Party are sitting opposite with their arms folded, not only refusing to even take part in the debate, but viewing it as yet another Tory cunning plan to reduce the number of Labour MPs. As I warned a few weeks ago, there are growing signs that Gordon Brown’s devious ex-spin doctor the Red Baron, Peter Mandelson is worming his way back into politics through the back door of Ed’s weaknesses.
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I see he has managed to get himself elected as Joint President of the Pro- European Influence Group and is securing tabloid column inches by setting himself up as a mentor calling for a Labour party ‘Team Effort’. I have the suspicion he sees himself coming off the bench if Labour win. It’s going to be difficult to predict this general election as there are so many combinations to play with. UKIP may take 20 seats off the Conservatives and Labour and the SNP may take 20 seats off Labour in Scotland, That’s not going to help either major party. A possible result may see a Tory/ UKIP coalition keeping Labour out, but as long as there are sufficient SNP members in the house, Scotland’s interests will be heard loud and clear. By the way, if anyone is not busy in February, and would like to attend a Tory fund raising dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, there are tickets still available. For a trifling £15,000 you get to sit with a Cabinet Minister. If you are slightly short of the readies, you can get to sit in a corner with a Junior Minister for £5000. Any suggestion of trying to buy the election will be treated as defamatory and malicious, but if anyone feels they have a burning need to be there, let me know and I’ll pass on your request. Judging by the veracity of the opening salvoes of the major political parties this week, I may have to adopt the motto of the 11th Hussars, ‘Through the mud, through the blood, to the green fields beyond’ to steer a path through the fog of political accusations, rebuttals, claims, counter claims and political promises. Watch this space Dr Don
POLL SHOWS LABOUR TO BE WIPED OUT LABOUR would be left with just four seats in Scotland if a general election was held tomorrow, according to a poll. The poll found that 52% of Scots would vote for the SNP if there was a Westminster election tomorrow. The poll puts Labour support at 23%, support for Conservatives at 10%, Liberal Democrats at 6%, the Greens on 6% and others at 3%. The findings mean the SNP could secure 54 seats at Westminster, with Labour taking four and the Liberal Democrats one, according to the Electoral Calculus poll. Ed Miliband would find it almost impossible to win the election in seven months time without a holding onto a subsantial number of Scottish MPs. Election expert professor John Curtice said: “According to STV the estimated 25% swing from Labour to SNP would leave Labour with just four seats and give the SNP 54. If we were to assume there was a 25% swing everywhere, the Labour figure could in fact be just one, with the SNP on 57. Either way, anything approaching such an outcome could destroy Ed Miliband’s hopes of becoming Prime Minister.” According to the poll, the only Scottish Labour MPs to survive would be Willie Bain in Glasgow North East, Tom Clarke in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill and Ian Davidson in Glasgow South West. Shadow leader of the Commons Thomas Docherty, who is a Scottish MP, previously told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme that the party was in a “dreadful position”.
“We’ve got to be honest about ourselves. We have very low esteem with the electorate. The electorate looks at us and has no idea what our polices are. We have a moribund party in Scotland that seems to think that infighting is more important than campaigning,” he said. “And we have a membership that is ageing and inactive. We can return to be the grown-up party that wants to be in government or we can self-indulge like a throwback to the 1980s and watch our party implode, the SNP win again, the Tories win again, and have another referendum.” The result would radically alter the electoral map in Scotland, turning almost the entire country SNP The poll was carried out amid a turbulent period for Scottish Labour, which followed the resignation of leader Johann Lamont She stepped down with an attack on UK Labour colleagues whom she accused of treating Scotland as a “branch office”. Winning the leadership race Jim Murphy pledged to end the streak of “losing Labour” in Scotland. Reported as saying He was not interested in left-wing Labour or right-wing Labour, or old Labour or new Labour. I’m interested in losing Labour. “I want to end that period of losing Labour here in Scotland, starting with the UK general election in 2015, where I’m confident we can hold all the seats we currently have but pick up one or two on top, and also win that election in 2016 for the Scottish Parliament.”
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Civic Scotland open letter to IDS calls for suspension of roll-out of Universal Credit
AN open letter to Iain Duncan Smith calls on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to immediately suspend the roll-out of Universal Credit in Scotland until the process of legislating for new powers for the Scottish Parliament is complete. The letter is signed by the leaders of 57 civic organisations from across Scotland – ranging from business and finance to social care and food banks - and housing associations that are due to be part of the next stage of the roll-out of Universal Credit that is scheduled to start in February. The letter says: Dear Mr Duncan Smith, We – the undersigned – are writing with a united voice from across Civic Scotland to call on the UK Government to immediately suspend the further implementation of Universal Credit in Scotland until the process of legislating for new powers for the Scottish Parliament is complete. We know from the Smith Agreement that the bill for further powers that is currently being drafted will include significant new welfare
powers. The detail of how these powers will interact with the Universal Credit system will be complex and require careful consideration and planning. The legislation around welfare is complex and is regularly being adapted: since the enactment of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, there have already been over 40 Statutory Instruments passed by Westminster to bring into force many of its provisions. Any system of welfare has to be safe and secure. Driving through Universal Credit
in Scotland at this stage will create unnecessary administrative complication in an already complex process. The sensible way to rollout Universal Credit in Scotland is to do it once, when the Scotland-specific elements have been carefully planned and incorporated into it. This would avoid wasting precious time and scarce resources, and would protect vulnerable people in our society from bureaucratic change that could wreak havoc. A key recommendation of
the Smith Commission was to significantly improve intergovernmental working between Westminster and Holyrood, this is a golden opportunity to do just that. So we ask you to act immediately to suspend the next phase of the roll-out of Universal Credit in Scotland, before it is scheduled to start in February. Our diverse, united voices demonstrate that our call is not about politics. It is about protecting the most vulnerable people in our society and creating an effective, robust new system
for delivering welfare. Our call is about responsible, effective governance. We would welcome the opportunity for dialogue with you on this important matter. The open letter has been co-ordinated by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). Some of its members have been part of the pilot of Universal Credit and more will be affected as it is rolled out. Mary Taylor, Chief Executive of the SFHA said: “With the next phase of Universal Credit due to be rolled out in February Iain Duncan Smith MP still has time to take the decision to suspend that process in Scotland, and the Smith Agreement gives him a legitimate reason to do that. With the backing of so many respected voices from across Civic Scotland, we hope the Secretary of State will choose to give further time for the new Scottish powers to be integrated into Universal Credit, thus protecting the most vulnerable people in our society and creating an effective, robust new system for delivering welfare.”
SFHA: Chronic shortage of affordable rented housing must be addressed to tackle homelessness COMMENTING on the latest homelessness statistics published by the Scottish Government (1), the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said that in order to tackle homelessness, the chronic shortage of affordable rented housing must be addressed. Maureen Watson, SFHA Head of Policy, said: “The SFHA is pleased to see a reduction in homeless applications. However, the number of households in temporary accommodation has risen slightly, and the fact remains that too many people are experiencing homelessness in Scotland today. “While we take encouragement from these statistics that the homelessness prevention policies and initiatives put in place by our members over recent years are continuing to bear fruit, the fact remains that there is a chronic shortage of appropriate affordable rented housing across Scotland.”
HOUSING OPTIONS HELPS DISABLED, VETERANS AND OLDER PEOPLE IN 1997 Housing Options Scotland was established to provide a unique public access service to all disabled people throughout Scotland. Today they provide information and advice to disabled people, veterans and older people. They do not provide housing. The main aim is to ensure that disabled people, veterans and older people can access the right home for them. They advise on social rent-
ing, private renting, and home ownership. Housing Options Scotland has three main areas of activity: • They assist disabled people, veterans and older people by advising them on, and supporting them through, the complex design, financial and legal processes involved in buying or renting a property • They provide information, advice and training on housing and disability issues to the public, private and voluntary
sectors to improve the service our clients get • They raise awareness of the problems clients face in relation to their housing, and highlight the solutions and opportunities that exist Housing Options Scotland works with all 32 local authorities and our service is open to anyone who is disabled, has a disabled family member, is a veteran or an older person. Volunteer & Development Manager Fraser Gilmore said
HOSmates programme has been growing from strength to strength since it started in 2012, and in the last few months of 2014 we sat down with our current HOSmate Volunteers and talked about how to develop the programme for 2015. We now have 5 fully trained HOSmate Volunteers who are either disabled themselves or are a carer for a disabled person, and have been through the process of finding the right
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house in the right place. The programme has offered disabled people, older people and veterans across Scotland the opportunity to engage with a trained volunteer who has personal experience of what they are going through. In December we invited clients and ex-clients along to meet our current HOSmate Volunteers, to learn more about the HOSmates Programme and to see if they wanted to get involved.
So in 2015 our HOSmates are growing! We are recruiting more HOSmate Volunteers, doing more training, developing new and innovative ideas, all with the aim of offering disabled people, older people and veterans the support of our HOSmate Volunteers. If you would like to know more about HOSmates contact Volunteer & Development Manager Fraser Gilmore at fraser@housingoptionsscotland.org.uk.
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CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL...CALL 0141 552 9977 or email: sport@thegenn.co.uk
Glasgow Girls FC – Season 2015 GLASGOW Girls FC began their preparations for the 2015 season last week and on Sunday had a friendly between their 1st Team and Development Team. The 1st Team edged a very competitive match in which both teams were able to play fluid, passing football in spite of the adverse weather conditions. This match was the first opportunity to don the Glasgow Girls strip for some new signings, and I was able to catch up with them and their managers after the match. Shannon Todd joins Glasgow Girls having previously played with the Development teams of both Hibernian and Celtic. Shannon has seen the club improving recently, and is keen to play her part: “over the last couple of years Glasgow Girls have definitely developed a lot and come a long way. I’m looking to fight my way into the team and hopefully get a good position in the league. I can see us finishing in the top three and getting promotion.” Her positivity is matched by the 1st team’s other new signings, both of whom are returning for a second spell at the club. Karla Palmer came through the youth system before moving to Glasgow City for a year, and is now back at Glasgow Girls after a year out, and agrees with Shannon that the club has developed well in the last few years: “We’re a club on the up. I think we can go all the way; we’ve definitely got the ability to do so. Personally, I’m looking to play week in-week out and develop as a player.” Charmaine McGuire spent some time with Celtic before returning and says she’s glad to be back. She is looking for a settled 2015: “I’m looking for a lot more game time; I’ve played a lot of different positions and I’m looking for a steady one.” On Glasgow Girls’ prospects this season: “I think we can do really well, there’s definitely potential and I think this season is going to be good for us.” Robert Watson, 1st Team manager, is impressed with his new signings and is con-
fident of a successful season. “I’m really happy with the contribution of the three new signings. It’s very hard to come straight into a team after only two training sessions, and they’ve done well. The new girls bring with them experience having played with teams like Glasgow City and Celtic. Last season we finished mid-table in Division 1, a consolidation season, so this year we’re really hoping to finish in the top four and to reach the Scottish Cup Last 16. Increasing the squad with the new girls can only be a good thing, for both the new signings and those that were here last year, and I’m confident that we can achieve our goals this year.” The Development Team have also recruited a high standard of player. Lauren McGregor has played with a variety of teams including Glasgow City, Kilwinning, and Celtic, and has chosen to move to Glasgow Girls because “there are a lot of opportunities and the club can only progress further. There’s a good vibe about the club and I think we’ll do well this year.” Personally, Lauren hopes “to get back to playing 1st Division football and get consistent performances every week” whilst looking for the team to do well in both the league and cup. Marissa Storie and Lauren Bullock have both joined from Hamilton Academical for similar reasons. Marissa sees that “Glasgow Girls has a better structure in place, which will help the team out very much”, and can see the differences already: “they’ve implemented a lot of the good things in the game today.” Lauren agrees, commenting that “there is a really good set up at the club.” Marissa is looking “to build on what I already know and hopefully move up the leagues”, and Lauren is the same: “I’m still young and needing to develop. Hopefully here I can work at my own level and look to progress up. They seem like a really good bunch of girls so it looks good for the rest of the sea-
son.” Alison Barr comes to Glasgow Girls from a slightly different route, having spent the last number of years as a coach, rather than a player. “I chose Glasgow Girls because I knew it is an ambitious set up and they’re looking to challenge high up, so I’m excited to be a part of that, even at the development level.” As it’s her first full season for a while, Alison is just looking “to get back playing regular football; if I can try and get myself in the starting line-up week in-week out, then I’ll be quite happy. With my coaching background, if I can offer any help to the younger girls coming through, that would be great too.” Seeing the good structure at the club, Alison is positive about the future: “we’ve got a really good chance; there’s a really good confidence about the team and the coaching staff are great. Everything at the club is ship shape and there’s a really good camaraderie in the group, so I’m expecting big things.” Development Team manager Edward Gallagher was pleased with the performance in the friendly and with his team. “I think our new signings did well today. With any team, putting everyone together will take time to gel, but we were competing with a top 1st Division side today, and we matched them for the majority of the match; that’s very pleasing. One of the first things I said when I arrived was that we needed a bigger squad, so hopefully this works well for us and I hope the way we play will please the players that we’ve signed. As a development team, we’re hoping that at the end of the season, most of our players can step up and play 1st Division football, and looking at the team just now, I’d say that the majority could do that. We want to be successful, and if we do our job right, everybody does the best that they can do, then our players will develop and learn the Glasgow Girls system and we will improve and win games as a result of that.”
WORLD CLASS ATHLETICS AT THE EMIRATES ARENA
THE Emirates Arena will celebrate its third year of hosting world-class athletics, as the Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match returns to Glasgow on Saturday 24 January. This year will see teams assemble from Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Scotland, France and Germany. Witness each team fiercely battle it out to win the illustrious Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match title. In 2014, a sell-out crowd
witnessed European 100m Champion James Dasaolu storm to victory in the 60m, while fans favourite Kim Collins staged an impressive win in the 150m. The GB & NI men’s 4x400m team were also on fine form recording a stadium record and seeing off the Olympic Champions Bahamas in the process. 39 year old Bernard Lagat showed age is just a number winning the 3000m, with European Indoor Champion Holly
Bleasdale taking the plaudits in the pole vault and Richard Browne in the T44 60m. The Sainsbury’s Glasgow International Match also saw breath-taking displays from the Scottish contingent with Guy Learmonth, Laura Muir, Chris O’Hare and Libby Clegg all recording victories to the delight of the home crowd. Who will be victorious in 2015? Secure your seats to find out! Tickets on sale now!
GENN SPORT FEEDBACK
Hi Tom, Thanks very much for including in Issue 144 the history of the Garden Gnomes at Garrowhill Bowling Club. The coverage was very accurate and gives me the chance to publicly thank all
the volunteers who carry out this work. Thanks again, Donald McCallum, Garrowhill Bowling Club. Sports Editor’s Reply: You are most welcome Don-
ald. I have had great feedback from bowlers at other East End clubs regarding this story. Given many food for thought when it comes to bowling publicity. I hope they take your lead!
BISHOPBRIGGS CONSULTATION
SPORTS fans, families, residents, clubs and organisations were invited to have their say on proposals for a new multi-million pound sporting facility. East Dunbartonshire Council, in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust, are moving ahead with the development of the Huntershill sports project in Bishopbriggs. The plans include a new changing pavilion, 3G floodlit sports pitch, six-lane running track, three tennis courts, upgraded sports pitches, access road, fencing and parking. A public consultation event was held in the community meeting room of Bishopbriggs
Library Thursday, January 15. People and groups were being given an opportunity to drop in, view and comment on plans, and also put questions to the project team. Councillor Alan Moir, Convener of Development and Regeneration, said, “This is a terrific opportunity for people to get an early glimpse of the exciting plans for Huntershill. “I am, of course, delighted that work is continuing on the facility - which is shaping up to be very special indeed. The support of residents, sporting groups and organisations is going to be invaluable. The council previously pledged £2.9million of capital
funding in 2014-16 towards the project, which includes £500,000 committed by EDLC, who will run the new facility. EDLC and the Council have also been successful in a stage 1 sportscotland facilities grant application. This is now being progressed to a stage 2 application where they hope to secure up to £500,000, which would take the total cost of the project to £3.4m. Support has come from the Council’s capital programme which is funded differently and completely separate from the revenue budget, which pays for day-to-day services. The aim is to have the facility completed by August 2016.
CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL...CALL 0141 552 9977 or email: sport@thegenn.co.uk
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JUNIORS: SUPER FIRST DIVISION HAGHILL CONFIRM KIT DEAL
POLLOK, wearing white against Neilston, are one of the clubs being touted for Super First Division promotion this season. TOP-FLIGHT domestic football for the first time in 15 years - that is the target facing SHETTLESTON JUNIORS this season. Finishing Super First Division champions or runners-up will guarantee Town promotion. Third place means a two-leg play-off against the club which finishes third bottom in the Super Premier Division. Junior football’s old Central League set-up - prior to the admission of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire-based clubs- was initially reorganised in 1968. Older supporters will remember the A, B and C Divisions featuring 4 up/4 down promotion and relegation. Shettleston won the A Division (1977) before losing out to Glasgow Perthshire (B Division table-toppers) in a title play-off. Fast-forward to 1986 and a name switch in keeping with the senior Scottish League, which brought Premier, First and Second Divisions. Having achieved First Division promotion in1992, record books show Town were consistent mid-table Premier performers - the only blemishes being relegation disappointments in 1998 and 2000.
The Super League “tags” were introduced in 2003/2004. Shettleston had secured a championship some twelve months earlier, and , after a respectable first season top-five finish, the Greenfield Parkers only won three of their 22 games en route out of the division they currently occupy exactly 11 years ago. GENN Sport has been taking a close look at the promotion contenders. POLLOK: Favourites. The Newlandsfield Park club had been an ever-present fixture in the Super Premier Division until they were relegated last season. Manager Tony McInally has been over the course before with Cumbernauld United and Shotts Bon Accord, who also won the Scottish Junior Cup under his guidance. A 4-3 win over Town at Newlandsfield on January 3 opened up a 14-point gap at the top of the table. MAYBOLE: Finished fourthtop last season thanks to an outstanding record (eight wins) away from Ladywell Stadium. New boss Carlo Walker made a winning start (3-0) against former Central District First
Division champions Neilston Juniors, who came up this season with Shettleston. CUMBERNAULD: Have consistently punched above their weight under Manager John Queen. Fifth-place last season, Central League Cup runners-up and West of Scotland Cup Semi-Finalists. Defeated Blantyre Vics in the Sectional League Cup Final (early November). GLENCAIRN: Mid-table a year ago. Like Maybole, their home form has been disappointing. Managed a 0-0 draw at Shettleston in early October, but Manager Willie Harvey (ex-Vale of Clyde) will be seeking a better level of consistency during the second half of this campaign. ROB ROY: Former Petershill player Stewart Maxwell faced a major rebuilding job when he took the Manager’s job last summer. Failed to avoid relegation after a play-off against Shotts Bon Accord. Now ground-sharing at Cumbernauld after selling their Adamslie Park home, the odds are they might have to wait another year for promotion.
TOWN ACADEMY EXPANDS SHETTLESTON Juniors Community Kids Football and Coaching Academy has been expanded. Over 165 kids have been registered since August, 2014. Due to the demand and feedback from parents, GENN Sport can reveal three additional weekly training nights and six new teams are now part of the project. Said Organising Secretary Tracy Biggins: “We started off on a Sunday afternoon at the Juniors’ ground on Old Shettleston Road. “To make sure we had a demand for weekdays, a tri-
al session was organised at Greenfield Football Centre, Duror Street. The numbers responding were great even in bad weather. “We have sessions there on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Hopefully, nine teams will go forward into the leagues during February/March.” Two 5-a-side teams (2006) and a 2007 Fun Fours squad managed half-a-season at Townhead and Toryglen respectively until late November. The former are moving onto 7-a-side outdoors at Toryglen,
2007s go into Townhead, and a brand new 2008 squad will experience Fun Fours. Tracy added: “Unlike many clubs who hold trials and select players on their ability alone - and that can often bring disappointment to youngsters - our teams are set-up purely on the child’s commitment to football. If kids turn up on a regular basis - ours must train at least two hours a week - they will find a place.” Parents seeking more information on age groups 20032008 can find out more. Email: tracy@shettlestonjuniorsfootballclub.co.uk
LOOKING GOOD... Haghill A.F.C. display their brand new kit sponsored by Milnbank Housing Association. HAGHILL A.F.C. Manager Paul Hughes has publicly thanked Milnbank Housing Association for giving the trophy-chasing amateur football club a brand new strip. Said Paul: “Extreme thanks
to Milnbank and in particular Alan Benson for his generosity and support.” Despite suffering a defeat against Salvesen (Edinburgh) in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy in the first
half of the season, Haghill are well placed to challenge for every available domestic trophy. GENN Sport will be covering their games within the Airdrie and Coatbridge A.F.L.
GENN SPORT - INSIDE TRACK
ST ROCH have released Ryan Dakhill, Ross Carrigan, and Danny Haslett. Jamie Johnstone has come in on loan from Annan Athletic. Candy Rock Treasurer Frank Brady has left the club after four years of excellent service and commitment. Striker T.J. McCluskey, who was on loan from Albion Rovers, has returned to his senior club. PETERSHILL captain Ross McCabe made his 200th appearance for the Springburn club in their 2-0 defeat against Clydebank at Holm Park, Yoker. Peasy have received offers for transfer-listed left-sided defender Craig Palmer, who has
joined Arthurlie. BAILLIESTON Thistle have drawn Kilbowie in the Second Round of the Greater Glasgow Premier A.F.L. Challenge Cup. BANNERMAN A.F.C. are away to Kilbarchan Thistle. GLASGOW Girls F.C. are set to play February pre-season Under-15 friendlies against Morton, Linlithgow Rose, Hamilton Accies and Motherwell. GLASGOW City F.C. have signed 19-year-old Scottish Youth goalkeeper Megan Cunningham from Hamilton Accies, attacker Hayley Lauder, who last played at Swedish club Vittsjo GIK, and 116-times capped Scotland international defender Rhonda Jones, from
SWPL rivals Celtic. SWPL Players’ Player of the Year, Denise O’Sullivan, has extended her stay with the Scottish treble winners for another two years. Glasgow City F.C. Youth Academy are looking for coaches to assist at Under-11 level. Those interested should contact sportymcd@aol.com SYFA West Region Under-15 team made a winning start to the defence of their trophy in the Inter-Region tournament at Sir Alex Ferguson Park. West raced into a 4-0 halftime lead against South West, who stormed back but could only find the net three times after the interval.
WINTER CARPET BOWLS INDIVIDUAL Competitions will dominate this month’s indoor action, writes JACK HIGH. NORTH BRITISH venue. SINGLES - Whitevale v Springboig. PAIRS – Shettleston v Garrowhill. TRIPLES - Garrowhill v Mount Vernon. RINK - Mount Vernon v Garrowhill. Other competitive action is as follows: SPRINGBOIG venue. SINGLES - Shettleston v Mount Vernon. PAIRS -North British v Whitevale. TRIPLES - North British v Shettleston. RINK - North British v Whitevale.
MOUNT VERNON venue. SINGLES - Garrowhill v North British. PAIRS -Sandyhills v Springboig. TRIPLES – Springboig Sandyhills. RINK - Sandyhills v Springboig. Venue 4 Byes - SINGLES Sandyhills. PAIRS- Mount Vernon. TRIPLES - Whitevale. RINK - Shettleston. Semi-Finals at SHETTLESTON. SINGLES - Garrowhill or North British v Shettleston or Mount Vernon. PAIRS - Sandyhills or Springboig v North British or Whitevale. TRIPLES – Springboig or
Sandyhills v North British or Shettleston. RINK - Sandyhills or Springboig v North British or Whitevale. Semi-Finals at SANDYHILLS. SINGLES - Whitevale or Springboig v Sandyhills. PAIRS - Garrowhill or Shettleston v Mount Vernon. TRIPLES - Garrowhill or Mount Vernon v Whitevale. RINK - Mount Vernon or Garrowhill v Shettleston. GARROWHILL will host the Grand Finals this month. Next month, the Top 10 tournament is up-and-running, and once again GENN Sport will be following all the action.
CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL... CALL 0141 552 9977 or email: sport@thegenn.co.uk
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CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL...CALL 0141 552 9977 or email: sport@thegenn.co.uk
AROUND THE GREENS
MATCH ACTION REPORTS
GARROWHILL Bowling Club Senior Match Secretary Phil Porter has revealed the depth of planning behind their dedicated competitions for members at Douglas Drive, writes JACK HIGH. Mr Porter, who was responsible for supplying excellent trophy-presentation photographs to GENN Sport last season, is rightly proud of his section. He said: “Seniors are members of the club in general. “The Senior Singles and Senior Balloted Pairs both run during the bowling season. And just like the other competitions, ours are played on the club’s Finals’ Day. “The 2014 Singles had 90 entries, and the Pairs attracted
80 (40 teams). The Seniors play in the Monklands League – Sections 3 and 4 - and the W.K. Wilson Tournament. We can have around 20 players every Wednesday afternoon representing Garrowhill in these games.” Three one-day events form another major part of the Seniors’ programme. The “Muppet” Pairs competition can feature up to 56 members in June, and has been sponsored by the Forge. Last August, “The Friendly Fours” brought together two Garrowhill members and two visitors. Around 90 players competed, and the competition was
promoted by Glasgow Law Practice, Baillieston. The following month - despite the absence of a sponsor - the “Senior Balloted Triples” had a field of 62 players. Mr Porter added: “Sponsorship is important and helps reduce the overall cost of the day, and we are very appreciative of their support. At all our events we have a two-course meal, raffle and everyone has an interest in the Dumplings Award for the team with the lowest points! We also invite members of the club, who have been unable to play due to ill health or other commitments, to be our guest at the meal, and also enjoy the social occasion.”
Only Sport League Cup, Second Round - Broomhill 1, Renfrewshire Thistle 4; Gleniffer 1, St Mirren 6; Westfield 1, Calderhill 3; Barrhead Arthurlie 1, Castlemilk 6; Erskine 4, Giffnock 3. Only Sport Golden Goals Cup, First Round - Wishaw W Wands 1, Rutherglen Glencairn 4. Birdston Kennels Glasgow Cup, First Round-Giffnock Soccer Centre 2, Castlemilk 1; St Andrews 1, Westfield 3. Second Round - Albion Rovers 4, Broomhill 2.; Gleniffer 3, Renfrewshire Thistle 5; Bridgend 2, Rosebank 2 (2-4 on pens); Dunipace 0, Barrhead
Arthurlie 1; Kirkie Rob Roy 21s 3, Harmony Row 3 (4-5 on pens); St Peters Giffnock North 0, Glencairn 2; St Mirren 8, Milngavie 1. LSK Supplies West of Scotland Cup - Second Round Johnstone Burgh 3, Broomhill 0; Holytown 0, Antonine 1. Premier Division - Baillieston Juniors 2, Campsie 0; Johnstone Burgh 1, St Peters Giffnock North 1; Glencairn 2, Campsie 0; Harmony Row 2, Steins 1; Bonnyton 2, E.K.Rolls Royce 2; Rossvale 3, Johnstone Burgh 1. First Division - Victoria F.C. 0, Claremont 2; Pollok 3, Glasgow University 0; Port Glasgow 6, Kirkie Rob Roy 21s 1;
Claremont 0, Sauchie 3; Victoria 5, Vale of Leven 3; EKFC 2, Port Glasgow 3; Eastwood 1, Wishaw W Wands 0. Second Division - Albion Rovers 1, Westfield 2; Bishopton 7, Erskine 0. Third Division - St Andrews 3, Dumbarton 8; Holytown Colts 3, Broomhill 3. National Lady Darling Cup Draw. QUARTER-FINALS: Penicuik v Bishopton; Giffnock Soccer Centre v Victoria F.C.; Rutherglen Glencairn v Johnstone Burgh; Musselburgh Windsor v Gleniffer Thistle. Games to be played on Saturday, February 7.
Saturday, January 17. Scottish Junior Cup, Fourth Round – Clydebank Shettleston Juniors (1.45pm) Central District First Division - Larkhall Thistle v Vale of Clyde; Maryhill Juniors v Renfrew Juniors.
Central District Second Division - Glasgow Perthshire Newmains; Royal Albert v St Roch. Scottish Under-21 Youth Challenge Cup, sponsored by Trans World Soccer. Quarter- Finals : Rossvale v
St Peters Giffnock North; Antonine v Baillieston Juniors; Wishaw W Wanderers v West Park United; Harmony Row v St Mirren YFC. Games to be played on Saturday, January 31.
TROON 2, PETERSHILL 0. GOALS in each half from Dale Moore at Portland Park. PETERSHILL 6, ROSSVALE 1. WINGER Mark Lamont bagged a second successive hat-trick in the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup following a First Round treble against Cambuslang Rangers. Stephen McGladrigan also netted a hat-trick. Ardalany replied for ‘Vale late on. ROB ROY 1, SHETTLESTON 2. COMEBACK striker Scott Anson bagged the winner at Guys Meadow. McIntosh put the visitors ahead, and McMenamin equalised. SHETTLESTON hit a crucial second-half goal in their 1-0 pre-Christmas victory over Irvine Vics at Greenfield Park. Two minutes from time,a shot deflected off Steven Gregory and flew past Chris Lamb. Irvine hit the post through Kevin Adam, and had Reid Brown red carded. CARLUKE 3, VALE OF CLYDE 0. TIN Pail found themselves two down at the interval. Smillie and Kindlan netted. The former hit No 3. WISHAW 0, ASHFIELD 0. RED cards and two missed Wishaw spot-kicks. CAMBUSLANG RANGERS 1, GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 3. BOTH clubs are seeking Central District Second Division promotion this season, so this was a big result for the Keppoch Park lads. Burns converted a home penalty kick in 58 minutes. John Hempstead hit back with three goals. WISHAW HSFP 5, POSTAL UNITED 2. OUT-fought and out-thought in testing conditions, United made their exit from the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup. Chris Dunnett and James Smith netted. WOLVES B.C. 4, CUMBERNAULD COLTS F.C. BLUE 0. COMFORTABLE win in the Under-14 Regional Cup Third for Wolves, who scored twice in each half. Jamie Hendry and Brandon Fallon scored early. After half-time, Jay Nelson and a cracker from Dylan Price secured their place in the Fourth Round ballot. Team Sponsor - Impulse Dental Laboratory (Shettleston). HAGHILL A.F.C. 4, EAST END A.F.C. 0. PLAYED on a difficult Lochend School surface, Richard Perriss and Calvin Scolin settled any first half nerves. Substitute Gary McDougall made an immediate scoring impact, and also set-up Perriss for his second of the game. Team Sponsor - Milnbank Housing Association. CRANHILL UNITED 3, ROSLIN DA VINCI 2. FOSTERS Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy. Last season’s Lothian and Edin-
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GARROWHILL Bowling Club Senior Balloted Pairs winners, John Marshall and Ian Muir. Photograph taken and kindly supplied to GENN Sport by Mr Phil Porter.
LSK SUPPLIES WEST YOUTHS
FOOTBALL FIXTURES CARD
burgh A.F.L. Premier Division winners were twice behind at Stepford Road. Callum Skene and Craig Donaldson netted for Roslin. Cranhill Team Sponsor - David Millen, Quality Family Butcher, Carntynehall Road. ST ROCH 4, NEILSTON JUNIORS 1. FRIENDLY at Crownpoint. T. J.McCluskey (3) and Rab McGuire. Craig replied for the Farmers’ Boys. EAST KILBRIDE YM 3, BROOMHOUSE F.C. 5. CALEDONIAN League clash. David Omozik (3), Craig Scott and Joe Carlin. FERNHILL 2, CRANHILL UNITED 2. LEAGUE Cup. Cranhill were twice ahead (2-1 at half-time) before losing 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out. Kennedy and Martin scored. Goalkeeper Don Scott saved Fernhill’s first attempt, but that went for nothing when Paul Martin, Kevin Martin and Chris Campbell missed from 12 yards. Cranhill Team Sponsor - David Millen Quality Family Butcher, Carntynehall Road. HAGHILL A.F.C. 13, GLASGOW THISTLE 2. SIX different goalscorers in this friendly at Haghill. Gary McDougall (3), Kieran Hughes (3), Calvin Scolin (2), Richard Perriss(2), William McArthur (2), and James Simpson. Team Sponsor - Milnbank Housing Association. DIRRANS A.F.C. 2, POSTAL UNITED 1 AET. THIRD Round of the Colville Park West of Scotland Amateur Cup at Kilwinning. Cochrane and Sanderson netted for the Ayrshire Premier Division club. United’s reply came from James Dunnett. HAGHILL A.F.C. 3, AIRDRIE WORKMANS 1. GREAT end to the old year for Haghill, who came from a goal down to reach the League Cup Quarter-Finals. Top scorer Richard Perriss cancelled out Airdrie’s first half opener. The strong-running Craig Davis replaced Stephen Hannah, and he set-up Martin Fox to make it 2-1. Davis went on a great solo run and slotted home No 3. Haghill had two other “goals” chalked off. Team Sponsor - Milnbank Housing Association. PETERSHILL 3, KILBIRNIE 1. PEASY completed a league double over Ladeside. Daniel Irvine (27 mins) and substitute Kieran Daw (70 ) scored their first-ever goals for the Springburn club. Chris Wilson had equalised for Kilbirnie after 63 minutes. Stephen McGladrigan restored home advantage ten minutes later. GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 2, EAST KILBRIDE THISTLE 5. JAGS had gone behind to goals from Begg and Tait.
trading or moving when that is not the case and false claims (or creating the impression) the trader is not acting in the course of a business are also prohibited.
Before the interval, Kinghorn replied. Doubles from McFadden and O’Hanlon completed a stunning result. WELLHOUSE A.F.C. 5, LOGIE HARP 0. AFTER three postponements, Harp had to give up ground advantage, and Wellhouse were never in any danger at Greenfield. Rab Welsh scored after one minute in the Foster Scottish Amateur Cup Fourth Round. Brian Hughes netted three times, and Paul Ross completed the scoring. Logie were lucky to escape with a 5-0 drubbing. Next up a Fifth Round clash against hosts Hamilton F.P. * TYNECASTLE A.F.C. made their cup exit with a 4-3 home defeat against Glasgow University. CLYDEBANK 2, PETERSHILL 0. TWO second half goals gave struggling Bankies the points at Holm Park. A Jordan Kennedy own goal (54 mins) was followed 19 minutes later by a Jamie Campbell strike. Peasy defender Chisholm was sent off after collecting two bookings. GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 2, ROYAL ALBERT 1. GOALS from Mark Tait and Ross Cameron. VALE OF LEVEN 3, ST ROCH 4. LAST-minute winner from Jordan Logan, who also netted in 70 minutes. T.J.McCluskey (7 mins) and Darryl Naismith (39) hit the other Candy Rock counters. Cowan, Wilson and Monaghan scored for their Alexandria hosts. POLLOK 4, SHETTLESTON 3. WHAT a start to the New Year. Allan McKenzie put ‘Lok ahead. Town hit back through Scott Anson and a Jamie Darroch own goal. Before the interval, Darroch and Winters struck for a 3-2 lead. A game-changing five minutes in the second half saw Danny Boyle sent off for collecting a second yellow card. Referee Docherty awarded Pollok a spot kick after Jenner and McKenzie came together in the penalty area - soft award in my opinion and Kieron McAleenan sent Bryn Halliwell the wrong way from 12 yards. Town kept battling and Kenny Marshall headed home in 81 minutes. SHOTTS 0, PETERSHILL 1. PEASY won the points with a Jordan Kennedy goal in 87 minutes. EAST KILBRIDE 3, ST ROCH 2. SHOW Park defeat despite a Rab Maguire double. GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 2, PORT GLASGOW 1. GREAT second half display from ‘Shire. Goals from Mark Begg and J.P.Craig. TYNECASTLE A.F.C. 5, WEIRS 1. TORYGLEN friendly. Scorers: Cochrane (2), Taylor, Semple and Howe.
GENN Glasgow East and North News
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WEE BUDDYS CELEBRATE ACTIVE AWARD
BUDHILL Football Academy are expecting another busy and demanding year after collecting their first-ever club success at the Active Awards Night. Some 200 guests attended the event at Celtic Park to celebrate the amazing journeys and experiences of Active Champions, Mentors and Partners, following an unforgettable year. Budhill won the Most Innovative Physical Programme 2014. The award, sponsored by Youth Scotland, recognised the successful journey of a programme developed through their Small Grants process, demonstrating consultation and sustainability. Other nominees were Tollcross YMCA, Fuse Youth Café and Glasgow Girls F.C. The Wee Buddys’ involvement has been praised by Mr David McArdle, S.F.A. International Disability Team, and top-brass at the Scottish Youth Football Association. Budhill supremo Billy McNaught revealed:
“As a club we have never won any kind of award, so this is a fantastic boost for everyone. Active East gave us a grant to do taster sessions for kids with learning disabilities. We started with Croftcroighn last October, and now have three others on board at Hampden, Langlands and Broomlee. “Alongside our Eastbank Hub Partners, we also completed a Road Show - the first of it’s kind in Scotland – covering Eastbank, Wellshot, Quarrybrae and Thorntree. We were helped in this project by David Martin (Active School Co-Ordinator) and Ian McGregor (Glasgow Life). “We offer a training programme consisting of two (one hour) sessions a week, followed by a 60-minute game, or alongside our mainstream players’ every third Saturday, which has helped break down barriers. “The teams play in a mini tournament within these primary schools.
PLAYERS WANTED
GOALKEEPERS at Boys’ Club, Amateur or Junior Football level for specialist winter coaching sessions under floodlights at New Petershill Park. To pre-register, please call 07403452960. BUDHILL Football Academy (East End) are offering Football For Girls in four new age group teams. Call them as follows: Under-15 – 07876128464, Under-13 - 07554232193, Under-11 – 07960344563, and Under-9 07734919930. BUDHILL Football Academy 2003 team are moving up from 7-a-side to 11-a-side football, and will be signing new players. Call 074553306788. BUDHILL Football Football have spaces in other age groups for new talent. Contact numbers are listed. Boys born 2009 - 07515888624. Boys born 2008 - 07534522141. Boys born 2007 - 07412964163.
Boys born 2005 - 07765538006. Boys born 2004 - 07867507009. BUDHILL Football Academy are S.F.A. Approved, have First Aid certificates, and Child Protection clearance. Additional coaches are always welcome. FINNART need goalkeepers born 2003 (one), 2006 (one), and 2007 (two). Call Jamie Marr at 07903886708. SHETTLESTON Juniors Football Coaching Academy require players in a variety of different age groups. Youngsters will be coached three times a week at Greenfield Football Centre, Duror Street, and a Sunday afternoon (1pm2pm) on the Juniors’ Greenfield Park. Email: tracy@shettlestonjuniorsfootballclub.co.uk SOUTH CAMLACHIE under-19s seek a goalkeeper. Telephone 07886910913.
WINNERS.... left to right - Nicole McCurry (Tollcross YMCA), Lee Mooney (Fuse Youth Café), Steven Moncrieff (Budhill Football Academy), Rebecca Simpson (Youth Active Manager), and Billy McNaught (Budhill Football Academy).
The fee to the parents is one penny. We call this the Penny Club. Seven lucky kids are given their own football kit consisting of strips, jackets and water bottles from Active East as part of the grant.” With full qualified coach-
es in place to highlight their achievement of being classed as a Disability Inclusive Club, Budhill’s future will bring together 34 teams and 160 players. Next on their agenda is a Cerebral Palsy Team for kids (aged 8 or 9), with bimbo pos-
terior paediatric walkers. Buddys have accessed a pitch behind Belmont Autos, Tollcross. And thanks to Steven Hewden Hire, on London Road, two units will be erected - providing much-needed home and away dressing rooms, and storage space.
The youngsters’ pride and joy will arrive when Mr Stephen Baird (Hewden) kindly paints a third container featuring Budhill’s distinctive club orange colour. Surely a fitting tribute to an outstanding East End-based set-up.
JIMMY McLUCKIE COACHES WANTED
THE former President of the Glasgow Sunday Amateur Football League (now Sunday Central A.F.L.) sadly passed away a week before Christmas. Current President Alex McDow-
all said: “Jimmy did a number of positions in our league and indeed helped start the process of change to the new Sunday Central A.F.L. Our thoughts are with his family.”
FOSTERS DATE
AMATEUR clubs involved with the Fosters Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy should
note Sixth Round games will take place on Sunday, February 8.
THREE Scottish Youth Football Association National Squads defeat Australian touring teams in games at Toryglen Regional Football Centre. RESULTS: Under-15 - SYFA
7, South Queensland 0. Under-16 - SYFA 3, South Queensland 1. Under-17 -SYFA 2, Melbourne All Stars 0. Nine West Region players featured in the Under-17 victory.
TOURING TEAMS LOAN DEALS
PETERSHILL have sent ex-Blantyre Vics front man Stevie McDonald out on loan to
Rob Roy, with midfielder/forward Dominic O’Halloran moving in the opposite direction.
SHETTLESTON Juniors Football Coaching Academy are looking for additional coaches to help them meet a demand in
creating new, young age groups. For more information, email: tracy@shettlestonjuniorsfootballclub.co.uk
SIXTH Round of the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup is
scheduled to go ahead on Saturday, February 7, 2015.
BUDHILL Football Academy have revealed the successful involvement of four kit sponsors. Twenty new strips were each bought by the Shettleston and Tollcross Housing Associations. Mat Test purchased a full kit
for their 2004 (white) team, and Gilfillan House Building supplied the 2006 age group with strips, jackets and tracksuits. Meanwhile, Black and Lizars (Shettleston) have sponsored Budhill for a three-year period, and discounts up to 30%.
BROOMHOUSE F.C. are organising a Speakers Night as part of their 20th birthday at the Shettleston Juniors Club
on Saturday, February 7. Donations are welcome, and a few tickets are available. Call 07557406190.
AMATEUR CUP
KIT SPONSORS
SPEAKERS NIGHT
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