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Glasgow East and North News

Your voice in the community 18-19

Christmas Countdown Get ready for Christmas

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GLASGOW PRIVATE HIRE

Next Edition 31st December 2015 PROUD TO BE SCOTTISH

Eastends Biggest & Best

Dr. Don’s View Political Commentary

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OAKWOOD PRIMARY GO ROBOTIC

WE, the Primary 7’s in Oakwood Primary have recently had a once in a lifetime chance to work with second year Royal Conservatoire students for a 6 week drama project. This helped us to develop our skills in projecting our voices, keeping our concentration, building our confidence and making bolder movements using our bodies. The project was named Robotics Incorporated and the theme was Nature vs Technology. We were split into 5 groups and named ourselves, THE DREAM MACHINES, TEAM DYNAMITE, TEAM ENERGISERS, TEAM FABULOUS and MICRO CREW. The performance was like nothing we had ever done before because it was unscripted and constantly adapted with our ever changing creative ideas and imagination. We reflected on questions such as ‘What would the world be like if all the light ran out?’ ‘What makes us human?’ and ‘When are nature and technology enhanced/impaired by one another?’ During the 6 weeks we had the opportunity to use different technologies to enhance our learning and performance including projectors, camcorders,

stage lighting, sound boards and Ipads. There were lots of opportunities for outdoor learning where we created installations and sculptures using natural materials. Within the first 2 weeks we created our first full scratch performance to our P6 audience. They gave positive feedback about our focus, energy and characterisation, which was great, but we needed even more confidence in ourselves. That made

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to thank yourself, the Sports Editor, Advertising and Production staff for all your help and support towards Budhill Football Academy throughout the past 12 months. The GENN is our local newspaper for keeping everyone up-to-date with what is going on at our Academy. Permit me some space in your page by way of paying tributes to others. I would like to thank Scottish Sports Futures for funding Active East, and especially Kirsty, Rohanna, Colin, and Daniel, who I think all do a great job. Thanks too, Active East for supporting and allowing our Academy to go from strength to strength. Some News About Our Academy: We have our SFA Quality Mark, and Quality Mark Disability Inclusive Award, with 22 teams, 47 volunteer coaches, and over 250 kids involved within the Academy, as well as our young Active Champions. We have our own football pitch in Tollcross (East End of Glasgow), and are in talks to get our units on there - these kindly donated by Howden

Hire, London Road. We enjoy partnering up in our community and promoting, not just our club, but all the Active East partners. We have personally teamed-up with Barlanark Community Centre, Tollcross YMCA, Fuse Youth Cafe, the Hub Easterhouse, and Reidvale Centre via an introduction to boxing. Budhill also work with Disability Secondary School, Cardinal Winning, Disability Primary School, Croftcroighn, local Primary School, Avenue End, Glasgow Life, Easterhouse Platform, and new partners, the Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Academy. This is what, in my eyes, Active East is all about. New For 2016: We are in talks with Scottish Veterans Residences’ up in Cranhill. This is a half-way house where Army veterans - both men and woman-come back from tours serving our country, We will be working closely by offering them a coaching roll in our community to help with their rehabilitation. Steven Moncrieff, our Vice Chairman, toured Afghanistan, and upon his return home admitted “putting time into the kids (through coach-

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ing) helped me with my rehabilitation.” Budhill Football Academy are also in talks with Alzheimers Scotland. Even with this horrible illness, we have found that most sufferers can relate to football in some sort of way. I have a dream (don’t know where I heard this, but this is my dream). As my daughter Kayla has learning difficulties, I would like to be the first in Scotland to have a Primary Disability League. We would send Disability-Approved coaches from our Academy to support and teach kids football, then on a Saturday ( once a month) bring all the Disability teams together to play each other. This would break down barriers, as the kids would play alongside our mainstream Academy youngsters. Through this dream, we can help break down the stigma that kids who have a disability can’t play football. Maybe some funders (a sponsor) would like to share in my dream! I would love to come back to the GENN Newspaper in 2016, and announce to everyone: “I am fulfilling my dream.”

Thanks again, sir, for allowing me space in your excellent publication to record my thanks and reveal “my dream.” Our very best wishes to everyone. Billy McNaught, Chairman, Budhill Football Academy - “the largest Academy in Glasgow’s East End.” Dear Editor I write to share an experience I recently went to the cafe near Central station, and had a breakfast... I’ve always seen this paying on service on Facebook that Americans do! So I thought I’d ask if a lot of homeless people come in? The woman behind the counter looked at me strange so I began telling her about the paying on service and she said yes we do get a lot of homeless people coming to the cafe and a few of the workers buy them a meal! So I said could I please pay on a meal for a homeless person to have, she said yes. Fantastic! So when your doing your weekly shop please just spare a thought for the homeless this winter and if you can please use the pay on service.... Just think of all those people who don’t know when or where their next meal is! Thank You Rose Simpson

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us work harder and push further on to be even better. Here is a quote from Lewis Fraser, a student from The Dream Machines ‘My favourite part was building a lasting friendship with the children and all of the kids have an amazing imagination with excellent self-confidence’. On Thursday the 3rd December we had our dress rehearsal in front of the whole school. The performance that day was excellent. We received marvellous

comments from the teachers and our friends. That same evening was our last performance and even though we were sad we still stayed in character and focused to prove to our parents that we were capable of performing in front of a really big audience. Our parents were extremely proud, some even shed a few tears. By Primary 7 Pupils Jack Alexander, Mirran Mullan, Michael Sands and Megan Scally.

SNP FINANCIAL ALLEGATIONS THE SNP will continue to bank tens of thousands of pounds a year from the taxpayer for the two scandal-hit MPs no longer in its ranks, The party’s landslide victory in last May’s General Election saw it qualify for more than £1 million a year of taxpayers’ cash to support its parliamentary activities.The payment, known as Short Money, is calculated by the number of seats and votes a party won, regardless of how many MPs it has each year. This means that even though Natalie McGarry and Michelle Thomson both of whom are fighting allegations of financial irregularities – are currently not in the SNP, the party is still benefiting from their election victories. Natalie McGarry is the former SNP MP for Glasgow East. The Short Money for the Glasgow East MP McGarry works out at more than £100,000 for the five-year parliamentary term. Critics have called on the SNP to turn down the funding while Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said the rules needed to be redrawn. He said: “Financial support for opposition parties, which don’t have the resources of the civil service to call upon, is an important part of a fair democratic system. “The element which relates to votes should be about the election result. “However, if an MP resigns or is expelled from a party, it seems only reasonable to re-

duce the ‘per seat’ element.” Short Money is named after former minister Edward Short, who drew up the system in 1974 to compensate opposition parties for not having access to Whitehall resources. It pays for work such as researching alternative policies to the Government of the day. Securing 56 of Scotland’s 59 seats has seen the SNP’s share of Short Money jump from around £100,000 a year to just over £1 million. However, George Osborne was accused of “attacking democracy” last week when he announced a 19% cut across the board to Short Money but no such cut for Government advisers. The Lords is also not having its taxpayer-funded support money cut by the Chancellor with the £1m-a-year pot for unelected peers last night dubbed a “plush fund” by SNP MSP James Dornan. Natalie McGarry withdrew from the SNP whip amid a police investigation over apparent discrepancies in money raised for a pro-independence campaign fund. It is claimed Miss McGarry is still waiting for full details of the allegations to be put to her.

GENN Christmas message from Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop of Glasgow

THERE is something magical about Christmas time, something which is universal in its appeal. At a human level there is the natural excitement of the young (and not so young) at decorating the house; buying and receiving presents ; visiting Christmas trees and cribs in our city centres; taking time off work and eating good food and (occasionally) watching good TV! All in all it’s justly been called “the most wonderful time of the year.” But Christmas is also the cruellest of times. For families who have lost a loved one at this time of year it can be an

ordeal to get through rather than a season to enjoy. Our own city of Glasgow has had two years of overwhelming tragedy to cope with in the shadow of the Christmas lights. This year my thoughts and prayers will, in a very special way, be with the families of all who suffered in the Clutha and Queen Street tragedies. And looking around us, as the world reels from terror attacks, we could be forgiven for despairing. Pope Francis even went as far as saying that Christmas festivities could seem a “charade”. He said: “We are close to Christmas. There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes, all decked out, while the world continues to wage war… The world has not understood the way of peace. The whole world is at war.” It’s a sobering thought, and one which, at a human level troubles us. What are we to do in the face of so much sorrow, conflict and pain around us? The answer is not to be found in glib phrases on Twitter, nor is it to be discovered by scouring the world’s libraries in search of a philosophy which will give us all the an-

swers. Rather the answer is to be found in the crib. There, if we care enough to look - not only with our eyes but with our imagination and memory and heart - we see a child shivering in a smelly, humiliating cave, with parents anxious and troubled about his future. At a human level it is a pitiful sight. But with the eyes of faith it is the scene which lightens our heart and gives us reason to hope. Emmanuel – literally God is with us – is the only key to understanding the brightness and shadows of this Christmas season. For if God is with us, if God (to use the imagery of St John Paul II) has broken through space and time to enter our world - even though the times seem frightening and the omens dark, we have the promise of something greater than the light of the Christmas tree or the parcelled up gift of socks or gloves. We have the light of hope for us and our loved ones, and the gift of eternal life if we choose to accept it. For those reasons I continue to say with confidence – “Have a happy and holy Christmas.”

NEW BANDSTAND FOR POSSILPARK A NEW bandstand, pop-up stalls and picnic tables are to be installed in Possilpark as part of a £120,000 revamp. More than 1500 people from the local community voted on three design options for the space at Saracen Cross, on Balmore Road, following plans to rejuvenate the neglected public space. Known as ‘The Benches’ and ‘The Cobbles’, the area is currently home to a dilapidated bandstand, concrete seating and overgrown area. The city council, which has part funded the project, said the space was poorly lit and

had become a target for anti-social behaviour with “people merely passing through as a means to get somewhere else.” Over the past six months, local schools, community groups and residents have been consulted on what improvements they would like to see. Their feedback was turned into three design options which were put to the vote, with more than 1500 people taking part. The winning design features a new bandstand at the centre of an events space, with a market area for local businesses to provide pop-up stalls or a small

outdoor market Chairman of the Possilpark/ Ruchill Thriving Places group Chris Kelly said: “I am very pleased the regeneration of the Millennium Square and bandstand area in Possilpark is progressing, particularly as local residents have been key to deciding how it is improved. “I hope that the area will become one that all local people can use and enjoy, providing a multi-use space for a range of events and activities for the whole community.” The project is being funded by the city council and Sportscotland

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Celebrating 15 years at SSF inspirational awards night

WHAT a fabulous start to what always promised to be an amazing evening, live filming for the Riverside Show on STV Glasgow and then a flash mob dance performance with SSF staff and students from Glasgow Kelvin College. This Scottish Sports Futures (SSF) Awards night was held to mark 15 years of this amazing charity which uses the power of sport to inspire young people to make positive lifestyle choices. The inspirational evening was compered by James Dean from Platform and Active Champion Andrew Marley. James said: “We were delighted to be involved and it was great to see so many great programmes and young people being recognised for their efforts. Personally I loved working with Andrew and it was great to see him take the lead and MC the event for his own development and it certainly works well for SSF”. Ian Reid OBE founder and chief executive started SSF 15 years ago with a vision and aim to use sport to engage young people across Scotland to educate and inspire them the evening was testament to what Ian and his staff have achieved. Ian welcomed the 320 guests; SSF

staff and board members, award sponsors, partners, funders and most importantly young people and friends and family. He said: “For me this is the best night of the year as it brings together partners and friends to celebrate the achievements of some of the amazing young people from across Scotland that we are privileged to work with. Our aim is to help build a safer, stronger and healthier Scotland and young people are key to enabling this.” He then welcomed to the stage Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health who said: “In the twelve months I’ve been privileged to do this great job, I have been able to see for myself the power of sport to change lives for the better. I have seen how projects, like the Active East project in the east end of Glasgow, are delivering lasting and beneficial change to young people”. “They do this not only by providing young people with opportunities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, but also helping them to learn new skills, meet new people, and increase their confidence and self-esteem. In short, it’s about improving life chances. At the same time, you

are also making communities stronger by using sport to bond people across communities.” Simon Denny Funding Officer from Big Lottery who sponsored and presented the ‘Active Mentor of the Year’ said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and hearing all of the stories you have achieved as an organisation. Well done for organising such a fun and enjoyable evening bringing out the best of the young people’s successes”. Without the support of partners, sponsors and funders, SSF would not be able to reach and impact the young people who live in communities facing disadvantage. The awards night was an emotional and inspirational reminder of what can be achieved through partnership working, putting young people at the heart of everything we do. Winner of the Coach of the Year Award Precious James Miene sums this up when he said: “Volunteering with twilight has literally change my life it’s given me a purpose and a drive to make an impact in people’s life for the better would not change it for the world and I can never thank them enough for the chance of put a smile on someone else’s.”

City Building gives big to good causes

LEADING Scottish construction company, City Building, has presented two charities with £10,000 each following successful fundraising activities. The cheques were presented to Cash for Kids and Kidney Research UK at Glasgow City Chambers following a charity golf day jointly organised by City Building, and the Lord Provost’s and International Office. City Building selected Cash for Kids and Kidney Research UK to receive these funds as part of its community engagement programme allowing the firm to give something back to the city. Clyde 1 drivetime DJ Grant Thomson was present to accept the donation on behalf of Radio Clyde’s Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas campaign which is aimed at making Christmas Day better for thousands of vulnerable

children in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. The money donated by City Building and the Lord Provost’s office will be used to provide more than 400 children in Glasgow and the west with either a hot meal, clothes or a gift this Christmas. Debbie Fraser, Charity Manager for Radio Clyde Cash for Kids said: “Generous donations, like City Buildings’, have a huge impact on the work we do and will ensure that hundreds of vulnerable local children have something to look forward to on Christmas day. “Every penny goes directly to the children as all of the administrative costs of the charity are met by other means. Thanks to everyone at City Building.” City Building, with support from its suppliers and staff from the Lord Provost’s and Interna-

tional Office, raised the money by organising and participating in a charity golf day at Sandyhills Golf Course earlier in the year. Graham Paterson, Executive Director of City Building said: “We are pleased and proud alongside the Lord Provost to present these £10,000 donations to Cash for Kids and Kidney Research UK. “At this time of year when we are all looking forward to Christmas it is great to be able to give something back to good causes like these. It is particularly poignant that £10,000 of the money raised will be used to improve the festive season for more than 400 children across the city. “I’d like to thank all our team and supply chain as well as the Lord Provost’s Office for their generosity which has enabled us to hand over such an impressive donation today.”

Alexandra Park Consultation GLAGOW City Council Land & Environmental Services are carrying out a consultation on the future of Alexandra Park. The plan sets out the future management, maintenance and development of the Park, and has been produced by Glasgow City Council with support from working partners to provide not only a long-term vision, but also details of actions required to achieve the vision, and covers the period between April, 2015, to March, 2020, with a detailed activity of works for that period. The Alexandra Park Vision is: “To ensure that Alexandra Park continues to provide leisure and recreation opportunities for local people, and contributes to outdoor education. and the health and well-being of local communities.” The purpose of the Management Plan is to: “Provide a framework within which all future Management of Alexandra Park will be carried out. The Plan allows any person involved in the park to understand how and why decisions are taken, and the reasoning behind the policies and proposals for action.”

The plan’s target audience is the local community and other stakeholders such as “Friends of” Groups. Its style and content should ensure continuity of purpose and consistency in service delivery. It is intended to be a flexible, working document that will be reviewed and updated regularly. Alexandria Park is one of Glasgow’s most significant parks, one of four designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. The 104 acre park takes its name from Princess Alexandra, the wife of the future King Edward VII, who officially opened the Park in 1870. The highest point of the park gives views north to Ben Lomond and south to Tinto Hills. The City Improvement Trustees purchased the park in 1866 from Mr Walter Stewart of Haghill. The central pedestrian entrance to the park is through ornamental gates from Alexandra Parade, and has outstanding features including the duck pond, and McFarlane Saracen Fountain. There are facilities to suit all ages and abilities including formal recreation such as bowling and golf, children’s

play areas, and quiet areas for passive recreation and contemplation. There has been recent investment in the park including the installation of a new outdoor gymnasium, introduction of additional formal play equipment, wildflower meadow creation and a new mountain bike course to improve the visitor experience. The local community is being encouraged to contribute their thoughts via the consultation process. Go to glasgow. gov.uk/consultation. The questionnaire will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Alternatively, paper copies can be viewed and comments made at Dennistoun Library, 2a Craigpark, G31, 2NA, Haghill Primary School, 415 Cumbernauld Road, G31, 3LS, or the Community Hub at Alexandra Park, next to the Bowling Greens. The consultation process will end on Friday, January 8, 2016. We would like to thank Dennistoun Community Council for contacting the GENN with all information.

Recognition for Innovative Partnership THE Marie Trust and Glasgow Kelvin College were recognised at the College Development Network (CDN) Annual Awards ceremony last week, taking Commended in the Essential Skills Award category for their highly successful partnership in delivering an exciting pilot project. The project is designed to develop and support learners’ skills and confidence to enter and sustain education, employment and training. It was felt that this was a highly innovative and effective approach, which uniquely services the community to provide positive destinations and progress for vulnerable learners. Each year the CDN Annual Awards celebrate the outstanding projects and initiatives taking place in colleges the length

and breadth of Scotland. Around 200 guests from the college sector, industry and Scotland’s key educational agencies gathered to recognise the talent, skills and achievements of colleges, their staff and learners. This year the awards featured eight categories, reflecting key priorities in the college sector. Alan Sherry, Principal, was there to proudly cheer on the worthy nominees. He said: “Glasgow Kelvin is delighted to be involved with this innovative project with the well-respected Marie Trust. The impact of the programme on the lives of the learners involved is remarkable and the support they receive throughout is second-to-none. It is the hard work of the learners

themselves and, of course, the skilled staff who work with them, which continues to make this trail-blazing programme such a success. We are delighted it has received national recognition in this way. Well done to everyone!” Congratulations go to all staff, from the College and Marie Trust, and to the learners who have been involved with the project. Pictured with the award are, l to r Lynn Rae, Marie Trust Tutor Maggie Murphy, Glasgow Kelvin College Curriculum Manager Frances McKinlay- Marie Trust Team Leader Martin Steel- Marie Trust Administrator and Frances Curran, Glasgow Kelvin College Tutor.

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Tel: 0141 776 6668 Fax: 0141 776 6638 A WELL-ATTENDED ‘Celebration of Adult Learning’ event was held to mark Adult Learners’ November, and was hailed as a success by everyone involved. Bridgeton Community Learning Campus was delighted to host the event. The North East Glasgow Adult Learners’ Forum, which has representatives from a wide range of local and city-wide organisations (including Glasgow Kelvin College and Glasgow Life) was established earlier this year and has been a strong unifying force for adult learning in the East and North East of the city. Each organisation has the opportunity to discuss and share ideas and, where possible, resources to encourage people back into learning, building their confidence and hopefully gaining employability skills where they’re needed.

All member organisations were involved in the exciting event, which invited local people to come in and find out more about each of the organisations and enjoy a roll and a cuppa. There were taster activities on offer to enthuse attendees in a wide range of learning opportunities – from healthy living to creative writing and lots in between, including card and jewellery making. In addition learning providers provided additional learning information and guidance to attendees on their specific learning needs. People were left in no doubt that adult learning is an exciting and fun thing to do – and it’s there for everyone in our community! On the basis of this year’s event, the Forum is looking forward to making plans for next year’s Scottish Adult Learners’

Week. The North East Adult Learners Forum was formally established in January 2015 and meets regularly throughout the year at Glasgow Kelvin College. The Forum includes representatives from organisations across Glasgow and the event was organised by Glasgow Life and Glasgow Kelvin College. It included input from Bridgeton Community Learning Campus, All Write, All Together Glasgow, Axis Health Hubs, British Red Cross, Community Craft Club, Cranhill Development Trust, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Glasgow Life, Glasgow Kelvin College, Glasgow Women’s Library, Learning Works, Move On, North East Recovery Communities, Rosemount Lifelong Learning, Skills Development Scotland and Volunteer Glasgow.

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Glasgow bin lorry inquiry overlooks critical pedestrian safeguards A YEAR on from the Glasgow bin lorry crash, which killed six pedestrians, charity for everyday walking, Living Streets says that critical safeguards for walkers have been overlooked. The results of an inquiry into the crash this month deemed that the main responsibility lay with the driver and that better medical checks and education for other drivers into the dangers of losing control are needed. But with six crashes, involving HGVs and pedestrians, recorded in Scotland in the past year Living Streets argues that other critical recommendations on pedestrian safety risk being overlooked whilst all the focus is on the driver. Stuart Hay, Living Streets’ Scotland Director said: “Better medical checks eliminate only

one risk factor to pedestrians from bin lorries and other heavy goods vehicles. Living Streets Scotland remains gravely concerned about the number of large vehicles manoeuvring in close proximity to pedestrians, especially at busy shopping times. “We believe the risks around timing, frequency and routes used by waste and delivery trucks in busy town and city centres merits further investigation.” Lorries are over represented in incidents involving pedestrians being killed or seriously injured. Living Streets wants more to be done to reduce the threat posed by large lorries in busy urban areas. Measures should include better designed lorries, management of the time and amount of vehicles entering town and city centres,

slower speed limits and driver training. Living Streets would like all to be considered and developed as part of a long term strategy to protect pedestrians. Hay says: “Sadly the Glasgow crash last Christmas is an extreme but not unique incident involving a large vehicle hurting pedestrians. This danger was recently illustrated by a runaway truck crash in Edinburgh on a busy road next to the station We appear to be seeing more of them on our streets, as a result of more frequent deliveries and increased competition by waste and recycling hauliers. More needs to be done to better protect pedestrians from delivery vehicles ‘wrong time’ and ‘wrong place’ incidents. We want to see action now to avoid any other tragedies of this kind.”

LOCAL FUNERAL DIRECTOR

ALLAN Menzies is a local who grew up in Parkhead all his life and had a passion to help people in their time of need, he has worked for multi national funeral directors and also small independent funeral directors and after 10 years has decided to open up his own business helping people throughout Glasgow. Allan has lost a lot of people close to his heart and under-

stands the importance of ensuring every last detail of a funeral is carried out to perfection. He also felt when working for the bigger firms you lose that personal touch and thats what he prides his business on the personal touch and the importance of making funeral arrangements as easy for every family as possible, we will travel anywhere to make funeral arrangements whether it be a family members home, care

home, hospital, or whether you would like to come to our funeral home, we also realise that the financial side of a funeral can be very expensive but we offer all inclusive funeral packages from £1595 saving £1200 compared to the co-operative funeral care and £1600 compared to dignity funerals and we guarantee that we will make funeral arrangements more personal and professional than anyone else.

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E: allanmenziesfuneraldirectors@gmail.com W: www.allanmenziesfuneraldirectors.com

1369 Gallowgate, Parkhead G31 4EX

BOOST TO RAIL SERVICES IN SCOTLAND • The UK government promised passengers in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Motherwell a world class cross-border rail service and today that is being delivered as new contract for the TransPennine Express franchise is awarded. • The UK government announces intention to award TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited. • Operator will bring in a new, direct Liverpool to Glasgow service with new electric trains, and additional services from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh, including at weekends. • New Northern franchise, awarded to Arriva Rail North Limited and serving communities across the north of England, also announced. • Together, these operators will oversee a massive £1.2 billion boost to rail services across the north of England and into Scotland, with 500 brand-new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, thousands more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience. RAIL journeys between Scotland and England will undergo a massive transformation, thanks to a significant package of improvements being delivered in a new franchise deal, the UK government announced this week. The UK government has announced that it intends to award the TransPennine Express franchise to First Trans Pennine Express Limited, in a deal that will deliver brand new, state of the art high-speed trains on cross-border routes, extra services from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Motherwell to the north of England, and free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations. The deal with First Trans Pennine Express Limited forms part of the biggest transformation in decades to rail services across the north of England and into Scotland. Together with Arriva Rail North Limited – which has today been awarded the contract to run regional and commuter services across the north of England – the two operators will oversee a massive £1.2 billion boost to rail services across the north

of England and into Scotland, with more seats, more services and a host of improvements to deliver a modern, 21st century passenger experience – helping to rebalance the economy and bring the country closer together. UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We promised passengers in Scotland a world class cross-border rail service – and I’m delighted that we have found an operator that will deliver exactly that. As a one nation government we are committed to closing the economic gap between north and south, and ensuring that Scotland continues to benefit from being part of a strong United Kingdom. “In 2004, the last time these contracts were awarded, the government did not plan for growth – today we’ve put that right. “First Trans Pennine Express Limited went far beyond our requirements with exciting, ambitious plans that will make a real difference to customers, and help Scotland and the north of England realise

its full economic potential by ensuring it has a modern 21st century transport system.” First Trans Pennine Express Limited will operate services on the TransPennine Express franchise – which runs intercity services across the region and into Scotland – from April 2016 until March 2023. The operator will invest more than £400 million in new rolling stock across the franchise, and in Scotland, they will introduce: • 31 brand new, state of the art 125mph trains – equivalent to 155 carriages - running on cross-border services on the East Coast and West Coast Main Lines • a new, direct Liverpool to Glasgow service from December 2018, with new electric trains • additional services from Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh from December 2017, including stops at Motherwell, plus extra weekend services • a new hourly service to Edinburgh from Newcastle, via Morpeth, extending the existing Liverpool to Newcastle service • free Wi-Fi on trains and at stations by July 2018, with media servers on trains providing entertainment and information to smartphones and tablets • discounted advance fares for 16- to 18-year-olds and jobseekers The deal will also mean significant returns to the UK government and better value for the taxpayer. The government will receive £400 million in premiums from First Trans Pennine Express Limited over the life of the franchise; previously, the franchise was subsidised by the government. The amount of annual subsidy the government pays for the Northern franchise will be reduced by £140 million by the end of the nine-year contract.

Be Health-Wise – remember your repeat prescription NHS 24’s is reminding anyone taking long-term medication to plan for the festive holidays as part of this year’s ‘Be Health-Wise This Winter’ campaign. The Be Health-Wise campaign features Dr Owl who has been busy twit-twooing reminders about how we can look after ourselves during the busy winter period. Having the right medicines is part of this, as NHS 24’s Head of Pharmacy, John McAnaw explains: “Winter can be a time for lots of minor ailments so we should all have things like paracetamol, ibuprofen and rehydration salts to hand. However, it is really important that people who rely on repeat medicines check what they have, and make sure they have enough to cover the festive holidays. Winter can always throw up a surprise, especially in terms of weather so don’t leave it to the last minute to order and pick up your repeat prescription. Or-

der only what you need and collect it in plenty of time – the last date for ordering this year is Friday 18th December to be sure of having your medicines before Christmas.” The Be Health-Wise This Winter campaign is supported by Community Pharmacy Scotland. Harry McQuillan, Chief Executive Officer says: “Our community pharmacists are there to support people with advice about their health and wellbeing and they can also give ideas about what to keep in the house at this time of year to help with seasonal illnesses. They can also help with emergency supplies of medicines or dressings so it’s worth knowing where your local pharmacist is and what their opening hours are over the holidays.” Advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www. nhsinform.co.uk

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Glasgow Science Centre Charges Up Power Exhibition VISITORS to Glasgow Science Centre can now feel the force of wind in a hurricane booth, generate power in a dance-off and demonstrate nuclear fission by setting off a box of mouse traps with a ping pong ball with the opening of the new Powering the Future exhibition. The £1.5M exhibition, opening 10 December, shines a spotlight on the science and technology underpinning the future of our energy supply and is expected to welcome more than 1.8 million visitors during its five-year life span. Through a series of 60 fun and engaging exhibits visitors will be encouraged to consider how we can meet increasing energy demand reliably, at an acceptable economic and environmental cost. Glasgow Science Centre has gathered support from all sectors of the energy industry, policy makers and government agencies to create this interactive exhibition. It is the first time that the energy industry have come together to present unbiased information which highlights the challenges we face with our future energy supply. Exhibition partners include the Scottish Government, oil and gas industry skills organisation OPITO, Scottish Enterprise, SSE, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, National Grid, EDF Energy, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Power Energy Network and Doosan Babcock. Dr Stephen Breslin, chief executive of Glasgow Science Centre said: “As the world’s leaders meet in Paris

to discuss Climate Change, we are launching Powering the Future – an exhibition that brings to life how relevant this global event is to each individual. “Scotland is already demonstrating how renewable energy generation will play a vital role in our future power generation mix and this exhibition will help raise awareness of the energy

challenges we are facing, the science behind power generation and the role that we all have in creating a sustainable energy future. “The Powering The Future exhibition has taken years of planning and we are really excited that the time has come for us to open the exhibition to our visitors. “It is one of the most ambitious ex-

hibitions of its type ever staged in the UK and will help the public recognise the challenges we face with energy supply and the need for an energy mix. Launching the new exhibition, Fergus Ewing, Minister for Business, Energy & Tourism said; “Powering The Future highlights the issues that affect each and every one of us, young and old, and this exhibition helps to

make science accessible and fun. We need to inspire our next generation of scientists and engineers who will contribute to finding long-term solutions to our energy needs as we change the way we produce and use our energy.” John McDonald, Managing Director of OPITO, added: “Inspiring young people to develop an interest in the energy sector is critical if we are to create a pipeline of talent for years to come. “The oil and gas industry is a major contributor to the UK economy, so it is vital that we help inform, inspire and educate future generations about the career opportunities it presents. The Powering The Future exhibition will open up the oil and gas industry to a whole new audience and give young people a deeper understanding of the diverse range of roles the sector encompasses.” Andrew Hunt, CEO of Doosan Babcock, said: “As the energy mix becomes increasingly diverse and the shift to low-carbon and decentralised sources of energy gathers pace, it is important for us to translate the complexities of energy engineering and technology in a way that is tangible and interesting to the public. Powering the Future provides a great platform for this, helping us engage communities with the pioneering progress of the energy sector and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.” For more information please visit www.glasgowsciencecentre.org, follow on Twitter @gsc1 using with the hashtag #GSCPTF.

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ng homes Welcome to the Community event is a success

ng homes organised a ‘Welcome to Your Community’ event this week aimed at bringing new tenants together to meet with others in the community and to find out more about community activities and services across North Glasgow. The event which was held at Possilpark Parish Church in Saracen Street was very busy with over 60 people across all age groups and cultural backgrounds coming along to socialise with each other. There was real energy around the room as people chatted away to their neighbours whilst enjoying a wide selection of delicious Chinese food prepared by Asian Gourmet restaurant. The meal was organised by Mr Lu and Mr Chung who provided this FREE of charge to the Community as part of their continued work with ng homes in promoting integration in the community. Residents who came along on the day had the opportunity to talk to members of ng homes housing and regeneration teams about activities in the area and information on further support. A number of other organisations were on hand to talk to people such as Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS), Community Police, EPIC 360, Jobs & Business Glasgow, Skills Development Scotland, Tenant Participation Advisory Service (Scotland) and the Volunteer Centre. ng homes Volunteers and members of the local community group, Chancers, came along to encourage new residents to get involved in community activities and local resident, Bob Moir, treated everyone to tunes from his accordion.

Lynne Cooper, Assistant Director of Housing Operations at ng homes said: “The event proved very popular with our new tenants and their neighbours and it was great to see people mixing together and getting to know each other. It also provided an opportunity for tenants to hear about all of the services and activities on offer in their community. We would like to thank everyone who helped out at the event.”” It’s the first time that Andy Chung and David Lu have supported a big event with ng homes and Andy said: “We were delighted to see so many people at the event, enjoying good food, having fun and integrating into their community.” David Lu added: “We would like to continue to work in partnership with ng homes and support more community events and activities in future.” Due to the success of the first event it is planned to hold this kind of event every 2 months to welcome new tenants into the North Glasgow community

The day was very successful in connecting people up to a range of services with 6 people signing up for Home Energy Checks with the ng homes advisor and 5 people signing up for Home Fire Safety Checks with SFRS. Some residents made appointments with EPIC 360 for additional financial advice and others with the Volunteer Centre and Jobs & Business Glasgow.

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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Afternoon Festive Tea building bonds across North Glasgow ng homes was host to over 60 people this week at the Bob Allan Conference Centre in Saracen House. The ‘drop in’ event was aimed at residents in the ‘Fifty Plus ‘ age group to give information on the variety of activities going on in the area.

Santa Visits Sheltered Housing Residents at Christmas Party

There was a range of organisations also on hand to give information on services: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Meal Makers, Good Morning Service, Possobilities, Glasgow Disability Alliance, Royal Voluntary Service, Glasgow Film Theatre, Visibility, GCVS Community Connectors, ng homes Home Energy Checks and Drink Wise Age Well. Through the Build, Bridge, Bond programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government, there is increased activities for the ‘Fifty Plus’ group who want to be more connected within the community, meet new friends and become more active. Highlights have included the monthly Song, Shimmy and Sausage Roll events that provide a lovely hot meal, entertainment, dancing and a lot of fun along the way. The Afternoon Tea programme run in partnership with Scottish Ambulance, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and Police Scotland has also been popular with people enjoying a lovely tea, entertainment and getting some important safety messages. There has also been excellent work done in developing growing spaces, visits to the Cinema, music and exercise classes. The Build, Bridge, Bond project also has a remit to work across cultures and has recently delivered a series of successful multi-cultural events such as the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and St Andrews Multi-Cultural Ceilidh. Residents have also enjoyed some fun activities such as Oriental Exercise and African Drumming. In the coming months there will be further activities such as Film Nights, Art projects, music and much more. Regeneration Manager for ng homes Margaret Layden said: “There is no need to sit at home alone and we would encourage people to come along to these FREE activities within the community where you will always receive a friendly welcome.”

CHRISTMAS was in full swing last week when ng homes Sheltered Housing residents got the festive season off to a great start. Residents from Gourlay Street, Kemp Street and Carron Crescent in Springburn and Barloch Street in Possilpark enjoyed a Christmas lunch followed by entertainment from keyboard maestro Donny Findlay at their Christmas party held in the popular Cadder Freestone social club. Santa and his elf helper also made on appearance and gave everyone Christmas cards. Sheltered Housing Manager for ng homes Karen Johnson said: “Our sheltered housing residents know how to enjoy themselves and really have the Christmas spirit, with Santa and his elf turning up it was a real treat for everyone too.”

Rose Makara from Parkhouse who attended the event this week said: “I enjoyed this event as this is my first experience of ng homes in the community and it makes it easier to find out information about services and what’s going on in the area.” Chairperson of ng homes John Fury who is involved in a lot of community events and is a member of the Red Road Young ‘Un’s Concert Party said: “These events are an opportunity to meet people, perhaps your new neighbours, and to make new friends. I would encourage older people to come along for a chat, get something to eat, find out what’’s going on in your community and most importantly have some fun.” If you would like to find out more please contact your Housing Officer or a member of the ng homes Regeneration Team.

ng2 400 Petershill Road, Springburn, Glasgow, G21 4AA Tel: 0141 630 4252

Email: info@ng2works.com

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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Quarriers receives £80k boost at Christmas fundraiser QUARRIERS, one of Scotland’s largest social care charities, received a significant pre-Christmas boost this week as it raised a huge £80,000 at its annual festive fundraiser. Generous guests dug deep yet again as they enjoyed the charity’s 22nd Noel Lunch with a programme of fine food and entertainment at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel. Following last year’s £1 million milestone event, Fred MacAulay returned as guest speaker for another historic afternoon for Quarriers, along with entertainment from the Singer Swingers, as it raised its highest ever amount at a formal event – generously topped up to £80,000 by Faxco and Samsung. All funds raised at this year’s Noel Lunch will go towards the charity’s range of children and families services which help thousands of families across the country through residential, respite and drop-in services, as well as offering nursery facilities, emotional and practical support and health advice, among others. Speaking at the event, Alice Drife, Quarriers’ Chief Executive, said: “Quarriers children and families services will benefit greatly from everyone’s efforts and it’s very humbling to see so much support for a service that has a hugely positive impact on the daily lives of so many people.”

“As well as our guests, particular thanks must go to Fred for being as entertaining as always, Phil Genoe for his tireless efforts, along with the rest of the Noel Lunch committee and Glasgow Marriott staff, to make the day a success. Phil Genoe, Chairman of Quarriers Noel Lunch Committee said: “It’s been another fantastic year and I’m overwhelmed by the sheer generosi-

ty of our supporters. It’s always a brilliant event and I take personal pride in this fundraising milestone which is a very welcome bonus.” As one of Glasgow’s longstanding festive social fundraisers, Quarriers’ Noel Lunch is the charity’s flagship annual event, raising awareness of its services and generating funds to help deliver its range of inspiring projects.

SCOTTISH ENGINEERING HALL OF FAME CELEBRATES JOHN LOGIE BAIRD JOHN Logie Baird, the man who was the first in the world to televise objects in motion has been inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame. Professor Malcolm Baird, the son of John Logie Baird, provided some original material for the Hall of Fame website and said “Scotland’s contributions to engineering are so great that it came as a surprise to me that the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame has only been in existence for a few years. The descendants of John Logie Baird in Scotland and Canada are delighted that he has been included and we hope that the SEHF will inspire bright young people to continue Scotland’s great tradition of engineering and innovation”. Chairman and founder of the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame, Gordon Masterton said “The Hall of Fame shows how Scotland can rightly claim to be one of the most important seed beds of great engineering accomplishments since the 16th Century. Engineering inspired enterprise has been part of Scotland’s DNA for nearly half a millennium. John Logie Baird is one of Scotland’s outstanding examples of ingenuity, invention and perseverance. We would like to see the public participate in nominations for the Hall of Fame, especially if it expands our group of living engineers and women engineers. Citation forms can be downloaded

from the website:” http://www.engineeringhalloffame.org/index.html Derek Elder, Chair of the IET’s Scottish Policy Group said: “The IET has an annual John Logie Baird Lecture in his memory. That is a measure of his importance in the history of technology. The Scottish En-

gineering Hall of Fame award is richly deserved.” The Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame was launched in 2011 by The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland (IESIS), and is supported by engineering institutions, museums and trade bodies, including the IET.

Robertson Group tempting 12,000 young people to a life in construction ONE of the UK’s leading infrastructure firms today announced it has engaged with over 12,000 youngsters this year in an attempt to bolster numbers entering the construction industry. Robertson Group, which has 18 companies within its portfolio, will celebrate its achievement at 1pm today at a Get into Engineering awards ceremony in Glasgow - or-

ganised in conjunction with Clyde Gateway and University of West of Scotland. They began their efforts in January this year when the firm decided to address the dwindling numbers of young people choosing a life in construction. Since then, Robertson Group has welcomed thousands of children and young people to experience class

room engagements, workshops and site visits, all designed to enhance their perception of construction and encourage future employment within the industry. Derek Shewan, chief operating officer, Robertson Group, said: “Job levels in construction are still below pre-recession levels and have failed to keep pace with work demand. Data from the Office

of National Statistics showed that in June 2015, employee numbers were 8.7percent lower than in 2007 but construction output was only 1.6percent lower over the same period. That’s why the industry needs to do more to attract youngsters into construction. “Our goal was to engage with 7,000 young people in 2015. And as you can see we have exceeded that target. “We have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of young people who, as a result of meeting with our team, have decided that a life in construction is for them. And we thought today would be a great platform to announce the success of the programme because the young people in the room are the result of it.” All ten pupils at the ceremony – five from St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow and five from Trinity High School in Rutherglen – have been working with Robertson Civil Engineering on the development of the Cuningar Loop Bridge project. Once in place, the new Glasgow landmark will connect the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village in Glasgow’s East End to a new community green space. The

bridge is scheduled to open in early summer 2016. Also in attendance at the awards ceremony will be programme contributors Clyde Gateway and University of West of Scotland. Natalie Phillips, Education, Business & Community Growth Project Manager with Clyde Gateway said: “Supporting local pupils into careers and further or higher education is one of the key aims of Clyde Gateway and our Get Into Engineering Programme over the past three years has been a huge success in helping to achieve this. “Robertson has become one of our key partners in the delivery of this innovative programme and there is no question that the unique learning opportunities they provide for pupils are ideal. Not only are they enjoyable, interesting and informative but they also give everyone involved the perfect introduction to what is involved in engineering and construction.” Dr Stuart Tennant of University of the West of Scotland’s School of Engineering and Computing said: “We are delighted to be actively involved in the Get into Engineering initiative which gives

high school pupils the opportunity to experience different areas of the industry and also get a feel for university life.” Robertson Group plans to continue its youth engagement activity over the longterm to safeguard the sector and mirror Government ambitions. In 2014, more than 15,000 people signed up to UK Government work placement training schemes in the building sector. And with 275,000 new affordable homes in the pipeline, Ministers have promised more construction work is on the horizon. The Scottish Government outlined in its Construction Industry Strategy 2013-2016 that the sector represents 10% of total Scottish jobs, contributing over £21.4bn of GPD to the Scottish economy. And despite the challenges that the industry has faced since 2006, which included slumps in output and 30,000 people losing their jobs, it has remained resilient. For more information on Robertson Group visit www. robertson.co.uk. For details on Get into Engineering search #thisistheplace or visit www.clydegateway.com.

GENN College Continues Its Winning Ways GLASGOW Kelvin College is proud to report that, once again, their Building Services Engineering students have beaten almost all comers at the Scottish Building Services Engineering Apprenticeship Awards, which were this year held at the Walled Garden, Penicuik. Ten of Kelvin’s students walked away with awards, with the first prize in all four categories (Service & Maintenance, Heating & Venting Pipe Fitting, Heating & Venting Pipe Welding and Refrigeration/Air Conditioning) being swept up by the talented engineers: William McCaskill, Cameron Fletcher, Gary Bickerton (who also won

the overall Craft Apprentice of the Year Award) and Nicholas Stevenson. Other Kelvin College winners included Donald Peteranna, Jonnie Donnelly, Mark Simpson, Daniel Cooper, Jordan Verrecchia and Ryan Foley. This is a real tribute to the excellent working relationship which the College’s BSE staff have with partner employers and with their students, helping them to learn and flourish to be the best they can be. A delighted Alan Sherry, Principal, said: “Once again our talented students have excelled themselves by scooping up these prestigious awards. It is so important that

the skills they have learned are recognised by professional bodies as this stands them in good stead for their own future career and for a growing economy. “These young students are to be commended for their commitment and hard work which will continue to make their employers proud of their achievements.” H&V Installation Pipefitter Apprentice of the Year, Cameron Fletcher (McGill Mechanical & Electrical Ltd) is pictured being presented with his award by Duncan Sibbald, Scottish Chairman of the B&ES Scotland. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Glasgow Residents Offered Easy Option for Pre-Christmas Clear Out through Free Furniture Re-Use Hotline GLASGOW residents looking to make space for visiting Family members over the festive period can have bulky furniture items collected for free through the National Re-use Phone Line. The free service, managed by Zero Waste Scotland, collects unwanted items such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, sideboards, tables, sofas and beds that are in re-usable condition and takes them away to be used again. The service is a hassle-free way to move items on that you no longer want in a way that’s good for both planet and pocket. The free service also ensures items in good condition go on to have a longer life, which reduces their impact on the environment. Local residents can simply call 0800 0665 820 to pass their items on. Items are collected by local re-use organisations which sell the furniture to support good causes. The phone line is open from 9am to 5pm and you can donate online at any time at www.reusephoneline.com. Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland com-

mented: “Whether you’re making space for visiting relations, have ordered a new sofa in time for Christmas or are looking to buy furniture in the post-Christmas sales, the National re-use phone line takes the hassle out of passing on old items, and sends them on to be used by someone else. It means you can avoid a trip to the tip, help someone in need and help the planet all in one phone call. “Glasgow City Council’s bulky uplift service will be closed from 18th December until 10th January, but the National Re-use Phone Line will be open for enquires about passing on items in good condition that can be re-used up until 5pm on Christmas Eve, on the 29th, 30th and 31st December and re-opening on 5th of January.” To ensure your item can be collected, Zero Waste Scotland does advise householders to check that sofas and armchairs have their fire tags still in place to comply with regulations around re-sale, and to ensure items are not broken or damaged as they would not be able

to be collected. Encouraging greater re-use of items is a key part of Zero Waste Scotland’s work in creating a circular economy, where products and materials stay in the highest value state for as long as possible. Around half a million of sofas are sent to landfill each year in Scotland. However, around a fifth are currently re-used which generates £1.5m to the Scottish economy through sales and employment and saves the equivalent of 4500 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 750 cars off the roads. Re-using items is significantly more environmentally friendly than recycling them. For example, re-using 100 sofas saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon compared to recycling them. The Recycle for Scotland website has a wealth of information about how to reduce your waste and re-use more often as well as information on recycling, providing a one-stop shop for ways to become a zero-waste household. Find out more at www.reusephoneline.com

Wishing all our residents a Merry Christmas Our office will close at 12 noon on Thursday 24 December 2014 and will re-open on Tuesday 5 January 2015 9am. Please note a telephone answering service will be available during 29 & 30 December during office hours and until 12 noon on 31 December.

Our call out service, for emergencies only, is available 24 hours per day on 0141-551-8131

53 Ballindalloch Drive Glasgow G31 3DQ Call 0141 551 8131 www.milnbank.org.uk

Closed 24th December 4pm Open 6th January 2016 9 am Looking forward to 2016 Happy New Year to all

Tollcross Housing Association, 84 Braidfauld Street Tollcross, Glasgow, G32 8PJ Tel: 0141 763 1317

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FEARS FOR SCOTTISH HOMELESS THERE are fears that Scotland’s ambitions to tackle homelessness are under threat according to a new report published 8 Dec by national homelessness charity Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The report shows 28,615 homelessness assessments by councils last year – a fall of 5% on the previous year. However, taking into account use of Housing Options services, the overall level of homelessness demand remains steady at around 54,000 presentations, while the number of households in temporary accommodation remains in the range of 10-11,000 at any one time. The findings are from state-of-the nation report The Homelessness Monitor: Scotland 2015 – an independent study commissioned by Crisis and funded by Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation tracking the impact of economic and policy developments on homelessness in Scotland. The report reveals how homeless people are being forced to spend more and more time in temporary housing due to pressure on the supply of affordable homes, rising demand and cuts to benefits. The introduction of the prevention approach known as ‘Housing Options’1 created a major opportunity to intervene at an earlier stage and tackle homelessness before people get into crisis, but caused controversy. The report raises concerns that some councils were using Housing Options to deny people their statutory rights, limiting assistance to just signposting to other services. Glasgow continues to face exceptional challenges from the unusually high numbers of people with complex needs sleeping rough in the city combined with a shortage of temporary accommodation for single men. Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “The Scottish Government has blazed a trail when it comes to tackling homelessness, but there’s no room for complacency. “We’re calling for a new

cross-departmental strategy to tackle homelessness and strengthen the role of prevention and early intervention, particularly for those affected by changes to the welfare system, and boost support for the hardest to help. More needs to be done to support young homeless people, who are at particular risk from welfare cuts, while the proportion of people who are homeless and have complex needs such as mental health problems and substance dependency appears to be growing. “We also need action to ensure that by the end of the next Parliament, no one should live in unsuitable temporary accommodation, particularly B&Bs, for more than 14 days.” Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of JRF, said: “Getting to grips with the housing crisis is key to driving down homelessness, so Scotland’s commitment to building much needed, genuinely affordable homes of all tenures is extremely welcome. However, building new homes takes time. JRF supports the UK government’s long-term aim of a higher pay economy with lower need for welfare, but reducing benefits before new homes are built and higher wages have the chance to plug the gap will leave many low-income households struggling to make ends meet.” Lead author, Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, said: “There is a lot to praise in Scotland when it comes to tackling homelessness. The Scottish Government’s renewed focus on homelessness and health, alongside improved protection and entitlements for young care leavers and the Scottish Welfare Fund are all very positive recent developments. “But the threat posed by welfare cuts and benefit sanctions – especially for young people – is very real, and risks undoing much of this progress.” Key findings: • Rough sleeping is experienced by almost 5,000 adults2 in Scotland each year, with about 660 sleeping rough on a

typical night – the vast majority of them men. • Local councils across Scotland have reported that homeless people are spending significantly longer periods in temporary accommodation • There is currently substantial anxiety in Scotland about the implications of welfare reform for meeting the costs of temporary accommodation • There was a marked upturn in local authority evictions in 2014/15, reflecting the rise in rent arrears at least in part due to welfare reform • The lower rate of housing benefit for under 35s (Shared Accommodation Rate) continues to cause significant problems in limiting the access of younger single people to the private rented sector. The announcement in the recent Comprehensive Spending Review that the Shared Accommodation Rate will be extended to those living in the social rented sector is a very major concern in Scotland where single people under 35 make up a very large proportion of those accepted as homeless. The research also references a ‘cultural antipathy’ on the part of some local authorities to the use of both the private rented sector in general, and shared accommodation in particular • Benefit sanctions are a core concern for the homelessness sector in Scotland, affecting people’s ability to avoid or move on from homelessness, as well as the financial viability of some accommodation projects Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. Our purpose is to end homelessness. Homelessness is devastating, leaving people vulnerable and isolated. We believe everyone deserves a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilled and active life. We are also determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and to change the way society and government thinks and acts towards homeless people and are happy to promote www.crisis.org.uk

GLASGOW FORT SET FOR TENTH YEAR OF MIDNIGHT OPENING HOURS Last year, around 40% of trips PIONEER of late night shop- forefront of late night shopping ping in Scotland, Glasgow Fort, is set for its tenth year of being open until midnight for the festive season. Until Wednesday 23rd December, the shopping and leisure centre will be open from 9am to midnight giving Christmas shoppers 15 hours a day to get their present buying all wrapped up. Over the course of the 10 days, Glasgow Fort will be open an additional 26 hours bringing the total shopping time to 150 hours. Glasgow Fort was the first centre in Scotland to open until the witching hour in 2006. Phil Goodman, Centre Manager at Glasgow Fort, said: “We have always been at the

in Scotland and are delighted to be celebrating our tenth year of offering our customers the ultimate opportunity to complete their Christmas shopping with no fuss. “Being open for 15 hours each day helps to contribute to a calmer and more enjoyable Christmas shopping experience as there is no great rush from crowds to hurry through the tills. “With retailers set to ring tills until the witching hour for 10 days, shoppers have plenty of chances to come here after work and get their Christmas shopping all wrapped up before enjoying a good meal or visit to the cinema to round off their trips.”

to the centre happened between 6pm and 12am. Shops tend to see an increase of around 25% in visitor numbers compared to the week before once midnight trading is launched. On Christmas Eve, the centre will open an hour earlier at 8am and remain open until 5pm for last-minute purchases. It will then reopen at 8am on Boxing Day for sales shoppers through until 7pm. Glasgow Fort welcomed a number of leading names this year including a flagship Marks & Spencer store and clothing retailer FatFace, jewellery brand Pandora, as well as eateries Wagamama and Tony Macaroni.

Charity searching for angels to help older people this winter THE dangers of icy and wet footpaths can result in older and vulnerable people being left stranded in their homes during bad weather. Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is urging people to become ‘Snow Angels’ to help reduce feelings of isolation this winter. A ‘Snow Angel’ is simply someone who clears ice and snow from outside their house and their neighbours’, if they are less able to do so themselves. Becoming a Snow Angel is as easy as equipping yourself with rock salt and sparing a few minutes at the beginning and end of the day to grit. Alternatively, you can get in touch with your local council and find out if they have a volunteer scheme you can join. Alan Benson, 46, is a wheelchair user. He finds getting around in icy weather very difficult and in the past has not left his home for a month due to a fear of falling out of his chair. Alan Benson says: “I had my very own Snow Angel once; I don’t think they even realised. I lived in a

block of flats and one winter it snowed heavily. It was particularly treacherous and very nasty. Someone kept clearing the outside path from the front door so I could get out. I’m forever grateful; it was such a generous act. “I think it would be great if people became Snow Angels this winter. It can make such a difference to people’s lives.” Sophie 7, Michael 5 and Hannah Thompson 3 are Snow Angels in their village, just outside Elgin. Together with their dad, Chris, they clear paths with a homemade, push-along plough. Chris Thompson says: “The children push the plough about 100 metres up and down our street to help clear access to our elderly neighbours’ houses. “They know how the snow and ice can create problems for our neighbours and stop them going out to the shops or to see friends. They like to help me as much as they can to make sure they can still get out and about in the bad weather. Plus, they enjoy being able to build a much bigger snowman with the

snow they collect.” Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland, said: ‘Each year thousands of people across Scotland are admitted to hospital after slipping on ice or snow. This prevents a lot of people from leaving the house during bad weather, which can result in loneliness and all the health problems associated with not being fit and active. ‘We hear a lot about the importance of gritting and making roads safe for drivers, but pavements and walkers are often overlooked. This winter, we are urging not only local government to ensure these people are not forgotten, but also asking everybody to think about their neighbours.’ More than 200 snow angels will be recruited around the country to help communities this winter. Visit the Living Streets website to find out more about being a Snow Angel and how you can join them: http://www.livingstreets.org. uk/snowangels If you’re already a ‘Snow Angel’ or have benefitted from one, Living Streets would love to hear from you.

BRITONS BIN 7,800 TONNES OF BRUSSELS SPROUTS AT CHRISTMAS ENOUGH TO FEED GREECE, PORTUGAL, CZECH REPUBLIC, FINLAND AND IRELAND LOVE them or hate them, Britain is expecting to see Brussels sprouts on its plates this Christmas, but surprising research released today by recipe delivery service , reveals that one in five sprouts end up in the bin. On average 38.3 million kilos of sprouts are bought at Christmas and 7.8 million kilos are thrown away. Despite the addition of bacon, walnuts or a hearty splash of gravy, 151 million sprouts are scraped from the plate into the bin each year. According to Gousto’s research, three quarters of the UK’s population buy Brussels sprouts to cook over the Christmas period, with people in

Scotland and the South East of England buying the most. Yet the humble “Brassica oleracea” significantly contributes to Britain’s festive food waste mountain as 318 million of them rot in vegetable drawers up and down the country. Frighteningly, research only accounts for what is overbought by consumers and does not factor in supermarket waste. Whilst the sprout may be a small consideration at Christmas, it is an example of Britain’s increasingly wasteful food habit. Statistics from WRAP UK state that the UK produces over of food waste each year. With food being an important part of festive celebrations and food marketing at its peak at this time of year, we all buy more than we actually need, But the sprout statistics show that vegetables and fresh produce are significant contributors to our food waste mountain. Whilst we should always buy wonderful homegrown fresh vegetables, we must eat what we buy, and be more creative when it comes to cooking our veg. Over-boiled, soggy sprouts must be a side-dish of Christmas past and instead we must look upon this brilliant vegetable as a yummy centrepiece of a healthy festive plate. Sprouts are grown in the UK from October through to April and are obviously a favourite over the Christmas period – with over 80% of the UK production sold throughout December and our aim is to distance Brussels sprouts from the over boiled, grannies dinner perception of years gone by

GENN Scottish government backing for pavement parking law welcomed LIVING Streets Scotland has welcomed confirmation that the Scottish Government plans to support legislation banning inconsiderate parking on pavements and drop kerbs. The move signals the end of years of legislative wrangling which has left vulnerable pedestrians in Scotland unprotected. Furthermore, speaking at the Local Government Transport and Infrastructure Committee, Transport Minister Derek Mackay confirmed action on the issue would be in the 2016 SNP manifesto if the transfer of power from Westminster was delayed.

Stuart Hay, Director of Living Streets Scotland said: “Scottish Government’s support for the principle of banning pavement parking is a massive breakthrough. The Transport Minister’s commitment to bring forward legislation offers the best way to get strong and fair pavement parking laws for Scotland. “The statement confirms progress on Holyrood gaining powers to pass new laws on parking offences. The ball is now with Secretary of State for Scotland to quickly fulfil previous commitments to transfer powers. “Unless Secretary of State for

BANNERMAN PUPIL CROWNED ACTIVE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

Mike Melvin, of sponsors Melvin Creative, presented the Active Champion of the Year 2015 Award to 14 year-old Saskia Barclay.

A 14-year-old pupil at Bannerman High School has been voted Active Champion of the Year 2015. Saskia Barclay, who collected the award at a recent presentation evening organised by Scottish Sports Futures, emerged as the winner from a Category which included four other nominees. Budhill Football Academy Chairman Billy McNaught revealed Saskia has been carrying out voluntary coaching sessions, and working with their youngsters for over two years. He said: “We are all absolutely delighted that Saskia has won this award - it is a fitting tribute to her dedication not just to Budhill Football Academy, but other local organisa-

tions. “Saskia has played for us and her school team, and is a coach in her own right with our 2008 age-group.” Already recognised as one of the youngest Active Champions aged 14 years, Saskia Barclay helps deliver a Disability Football Session one day each month in an Additional Support Needs School, and has also pledged to carry out four nights of coaching every week elsewhere. The GENN would like to thank Budhill Football Academy Chairman Billy McNaught for his help in obtaining a photograph of the presentation from the Scottish Sports Futures Evening at Marriott Glasgow Hotel.

Scotland acts promptly Holyrood won’t be in a position to pass the bill before the Scottish election. Mr Mackay’s commitment that a future SNP-led government would legislate after May 2016 will reassure vulnerable pedestrians that action is on the way. We look forward to similar commitments from other parties. “Living Streets Scotland wants the law to be clear: parking which blocks pavements and drop kerbs should not be permitted where it results and danger and inconvenience to pedestrians. The prospect of safer streets is a great Christmas present for pedestrians.”

CHRISTMAS DAYS OUT WORTH visiting over the Christmas holidays are these two gems Tramways’ the Glasgow international art-space with the prestigious role of hosting 2015’s Turner Prize nominees outside their usual home at Tate Britain. With the winner due to be formally announced in December, this is a chance for the public to see a representation of the artwork shortlisted and it truly is an experience. The work of the four shortlisted artist’s work -Nicole Wermers, Assemble, Janice Kerbel and Bonnie Camplin - could not be more different and whatever your take on modern visual art, it stimulates the mind and leaves you questioning the forms and everyday experiences of everyday life. While one exhibit features chairs with fur coats slung over the back, another is a series of short songs - some just seconds long. Next on the agenda a name that is now indelibly connected to Glasgow and Scotland Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The city’s most famous son, his style is apparent throughout Glasgow and his masterpiece - Glasgow School of Art - was voted by the Royal Institute of British Architects as the finest building designed by a British architect in the last 175 years. Today, following a devastating fire which ripped through the building in May 2014, you can no longer access the interior while building work is ongoing. But student-lead tours are still very much available, be impressed as we your taken through the basics of this architectural masterwork. All monies raised via the tours go to support the school. Afterwards onto the Willow team room on nearby Sauchiehall Street, also designed by Mackintosh and still a cafe. You can see the doors, mirrors and windows all still in situ, while enjoying a cream tea or sandwich, allowing you to take in his fabulous work.

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GENN Let’s Look Back....Review of the year

January POLICE Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde issued a warning about the dangers of drugs following the death of a 24 year old man in Kirkintilloch on Saturday 10 January 2014. A rogue batch of Ecstasy tablets was blamed for the death. 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 pro-

February gramme funded by the council, Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland. Glasgow’s Hope Street was named one of the most polluted streets in Europe. Glasgow’s NHS announced an £8.3 million funding boost. Rosemount Development Trust welcomed 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 Scottish Government

announced the start of free school meals for Primary 1-3 pupils. This was opposed by local MSP Paul Martin. Glasgow Women’s Library relocated and to a new permanent home in Landressy Street in the east end.

March EFFORTS by NHS staff to reduce hospital mortality in Glasgow hospitals have been hailed as figures show mortality ratios have fallen significantly since 2007. Figures published this month show that the standardised mortality ratio at hospitals in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area fell by 18.2 per cent against the regression line figure used to measure long-term trends. GLASGOW Kelvin College HND Jewellery Design student, Gurveen Singh from Livingston, amazed judges at the recent world-renowned Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards 2015 by carrying off a Gold Award and a Highly Commended for her exquisite 2D designs. LYING nestled and out of

Europe. The Go4SET project is linked to recycling and renewable company Viridor, and partners Glasgow City Council. Teams of second-year pupils will link-up with companies and universities during the 10-week long course. THE Scottish government announced a block on planned fracking operations, pending further inquiries. NEW legislation and tighter border controls are being used to identify fee-dodgers if they attempt to leave the UK. Sun-seekers passing through airports and sea ports are being warned they will be “inconvenienced” if

they have outstanding fines to pay. The UK Government’s E-Borders initiative and the Immigration Act 2014 allow a greater sharing of information between the police and third parties, facilitating more in-depth checks.

to Barrs’ company goes to a new charity every few years. This year’s beneficiary is the Yorkhill Children’s Hospital Medicinema. SCHOOLCHILDREN tuned in to waves of a different nature at Maryhill Locks on the Forth & Clyde Canal Thursday 19th March as part of Cleaner Canal Science, an innovative science-based anti-litter project led by Glasgow Science Festival (University of Glasgow) and the Scottish Waterways Trust. Working with the Glasgow Science Festival team, pupils from St Mary’s Primary School became ‘Citizen Scientists’ for the day. Operating a hydrophone to listen to fish, passing boats and other waterway sounds, they got closer to the wildlife to better

understand the harmful effect of careless littering on Glasgow’s historic canal. POLICE Scotland launched a new awareness campaign to tackle wildlife crime. Nearly 250 wildlife crimes were recorded by Police Scotland between April 2014 and February 2015.

Day, dubbed OrangeFest, will took place, from 9.30am to 4.30pm. on a wet day. GLASGOW North Eastern Bowling League Secretary, Alex Morrison, has paid tribute to the memory of former official Jimmy Hayes, who sadly passed away this onth, . Alex succeeded 85-year-old Mr Hayes in 2011, and was among those who attended this week’s funeral service at Daldowie Crematorium. Said Alex: “ Jimmy was a stalwart of the Association, having joined the Committee to lend a hand in 1994, before taking over as Secretary in 1999. THIS month UK Music published Wish You Were Here 2015 – A new report that reveals the vast contribution of music tourism to the local

economy within Scotland. The study showed that over 721,000 music tourists visited Scotland in 2014 to attend a concert or music festival. These visitors generated £280 million in total for the economy, and helped sustain 2081 full-time local jobs.

April sight for nearly 70 years, a letter written by a little boy to his friend during World War Two has been discovered at Blair Castle during their winter conservation works. The short letter, which has been in hiding since 1945 behind a radiator in the Castle’s grand ballroom, is believed to be correspondence between two young evacuees who had been sent to the safety of the countryside until the end of the war. EAST End schoolkids were going for gold at this year’s FARE Legacy Games. The FARE Legacy Games previously known as the Mini Commonwealth Games - saw more than 900 pupils from 26 primary schools take part in a range of sports. FANS of rare red squirrels

are being urged to upload details of any sightings to a new website. Campaign chiefs at Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) are calling on the public to help out and report the locations of any red or grey squirrels they have spotted whilst out and about.

QUEENS Cross Housing Association launched a history project with a difference at an event at Glasgow’s historic Mitchell Library on Friday 27 March. Funded by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, the project, called Historical Connections, brings together local history and digital learning. SHOULD you find yourself enjoying the cool, refreshing taste of Scotland’s exclusive ginger, Irn Bru, and feel the clink of a glass bottle against your teeth, you could help ill children across the nation. Cumbernauld’s own Jimmy Rexter is the local charity trooper. His trade: collecting Barr’s glass bottles. The money he gains from returning the fizzy drink bottles back

Group in a deal worth £5.7m, paving the way for what has been a vacant and derelict area on the banks of the River Clyde to come back into use for the first time in almost 40 years. A NEW North Glasgow community group hub opened at Broomfield Road Centre. Refurbishment work - helped by grant aid - has transformed the facility, which will be used by a local boxing club and welfare rights organisation. Office space is still available to rent by small businesses and community groups. A LOCAL community group can continue its work with hundreds of young people thanks to funding from Glasgow Fort. Craigend Community Youth Group, which launched in 2012, now has around 250

members. Glasgow Fort’s funding has been matched by Glasgow Housing Association and allows the charity to remain in its current premises at Avenue End Primary School, as well as supporting the introduction of two SQA-approved awards.

DETAILS were revealed of a range of projects which will result in £400million being spent in Glasgow over the next 10 years. The work will include a new bridge, cycle routes, improved roads and pavements and the creation of avenues of trees. The cash will be spent on public realm work at Argyle Street, Cathedral Street, Central Station, King Street, North Hanover Street, Sauchiehall Street and West Nile Street. Almost £84m will be spent at Canal which is regarded as a gateway to the north of Glasgow. AN event organised by the Orange Order was held in Glasgow’s George Square on Saturday 6th June. The Cultural and Heritage

May FIGURES from the Scottish Government show that more than 20 people died in drug-related incidents in the Glasgow City Council authority area. That means that there were 0.16 deaths per 1,000 Glaswegians – the 2nd highest ratio in the country. A total of 448 drug-related deaths occurred across Scotland in 2013 – an average of 0.08 per 1,000 people. The Western Isles was the only area to record no drug-related deaths. THE latest stage on the ongoing transformation of the East End will see 550 homes constructed on the site of the former Dalmarnock Power Station, it was revealed this month. Clyde Gateway has sold the 22 acre (8.9 hectare) Dalmarnock Riverside site to Link

A RECORD £27.9bn worth of Scottish goods and services were exported across the world in 2013, according to official data released this month. The figure represented a rise of £1.9bn, or 7.2%, on the previous year. The largest sectors were food and drink and refined petroleum. America remained the largest single market for Scottish exports, with an estimated £3.9bn of goods, followed by the Netherlands (£2bn), Germany (£1.9bn) and France (£1.8bn). THIRTEEN secondary schools are taking part in a science and technology programme which could transform Glasgow into one of the most sustainable in

June

GENN Let’s Look Back....Review of the year

July POLICE Scotland this month launched the latest phase of its ‘We Can Stop It’ rape prevention campaign with a hard-hitting post watershed TV and viral ad – a first for the single force. Aimed at 16-27 year old men, the ad will only be broadcast to viewers after 9pm on on-demand viewing services. More than one third of rapes reported in Scotland are carried out by men in this age group. A VAN belonging to construction giants City Building stopped and seized as part of a £200,000 drugs haul. As part of a major operation, officers crashed in to the vehicle before detaining and arresting its two occupants on suspicion of dealing. THE Council and Glasgow

August City Foundation, the charitable element of Glasgow City Football Club, are entering into a formal agreement to explore the development of a joint sport and community wellbeing facility in Auchinairn, East Dunbartonshire. If plans go ahead as intimated, it will involve building the first purpose built women’s football stadium in the UK and will be home to the Scottish Champions. UK construction leader McLaughlin & Harvey is steering the way forward at the Glasgow Fort shopping park extension. Appointed as main contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey’s Glasgow office will deliver a steel framed multi-storey car park creating 601 new car-parking spaces

along with four restaurant units at the destination leisure facility. The new car park, which will bring total car parking spaces up to 2,500, will be located between Vue Cinema and the Smyths Toys store and will have five levels, including parent and child and disabled spaces.

September HIV outbreak fear after the number of new cases through drug injection more than trebled in a year,here in Glasgow. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) usually sees about 10 cases of HIV through drug injection each year. But since the start of this year there have already been 36 cases identified. Health workers are concerned about the spike and measures are in place to encourage people not to share needles and to use protection during sexual intercourse. MILTON Memorial Garden, a community-led project to commemorate lost loved ones, officially opened to the public together with the adjacent Community Garden this this month.

Milton Memorial Garden was created in 2011 when local resident and former serviceman Chris Woods planted a tree in the open patch of ground beside Milton Community Garden to commemorate fallen soldiers. Interest from local residents peaked, and a number of memorial boxes were laid and planted up with trees and flowers. SIGHTHILL residents have had their first look at images and plans for a five-year regeneration project worth £250 million which will transform the local community. A Glasgow spokesman for Transforming Communities issued the following statement: “We were delighted by the response to the Sighthill Community Information Day. “Not only in the number of

ing Club TWO MPs donned hard hats to see for themselves how a pair of Glasgow tower blocks are coming down as part of regeneration plans for the area. Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central and Natalie McGarry, MP for Glasgow East joined GHA Chair Gordon Sloan to get a bird’s eye view of how the Bluevale and Whitevale tower blocks at Gallowgate in Glasgow’s east end are being deconstructed piece by piece. STAFF at Glasgow Fort are to set off on an epic adventure walking the distance from Glasgow to Peru to raise funds for a local primary school. Groups of people who

and I am glad to say that there was plenty of scran left for the many members also present. The Men’s Shed was started up in March 2014, when Jane McBride of SHA asked members of the public to a meeting to help with the problem of elderly men in the local area, being left with nothing to do, except stare at the wall or the telly, or waste their time and money in the pubs or bookies. A GROUP of MPs and Peers said legal cannabis markets should be tested and drug use decriminalised as part of a radical new approach to drug use. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Drug Policy Reform wants an overhaul in global narcotics policy.

It says the “war on drugs” and “blanket prohibition” have failed. The group also believes certain human rights laws could be used to claim that those who possess cannabis should not be treated as criminals.

on Hanson Street, opened its doors to the public on October 3rd and 4th. Artists welcomed the public along to have a peek into their world/and studio. The building hosts an array of artists/makers including painters, sculptors, jewellers, textile artists and multi-media arts. ACTION in Scotland to prevent domestic abuse will take a major step forward with the national roll out of the Disclosure Scheme from 1 October 2015. National roll out of the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse (Scotland) (DSDAS) follows successful pilots in Ayrshire and Aberdeen. DURING a meeting between Bob Doris, SNP MSP for Glasgow and John Cahill

of First Glasgow this month Bob urged the bus company to halt its plans to move the M3 bus to an hourly service from 19 October. The M3 serves a number of communities and in particular links Westercommon with both the city centre and Stobhill Hospital.

October people who came along, but also in the interest shown and positive reaction to the plans for the area. POSSILPARK butcher Gary Walker won a gold award at the 2015 Scottish Craft Butchers Steak Pie Evaluation.

MANY Brits think there aren’t enough hours in the day. However, a new study from Microsoft Office 2016 has found that the average British adult admits to being “productive” for just 4 hours and 30 minutes per day out of all waking hours, work and play. Glasgow is the UK’s most productive city (5 hours) with Sheffield being the least (3 hours 54 minutes). A BODY recovered from a burn in Glasgow has been confirmed as that of a man who went missing in August. George McCarrick, 31, from the Pollok area of the city, was last seen in mid-August and was reported missing by his family the following month. WASPS Artists’ Studios,

work at the shopping and leisure park will walk the length of Glasgow Fort’s boardwalk 9200 times between them with a goal of raising £5000 for St Rose of Lima Primary School to install a state-of-the-art sensory room.

DRIVERS in Glasgow have paid more in fines this year for traffic offences caught on CCTV than in any other UK council area. The £4m total is 11% of the UK figure and takes the amount raised by Glasgow City Council since 2013 to £11m. Glasgow City Council currently has 15 CCTV cameras in operation. There were 131,238 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued in Glasgow in 2015 - the highest number in the UK. A PAPER tag from the Glasgow Taxis balloon launch has been found 600 miles (around 1000km) away in Germany. The balloon launch was part of the celebrations for the 70th Anniversary of the

November THERE have been calls for Glasgow to follow Edinburgh as they become the first city in Scotland to be granted powers to crack down on legal highs. Substances worth £50,000 were handed over by shopkeepers to Trading Standards in Oct after a sheriff ruled them “unsafe”. VOLUNTEERS and countless hours of hard work have contributed to the long-running success of Stobhill Kidney Patients Association. That is the opinion of Chairman Ian Clydesdale who, together with his top-table officials, was delighted to receive a cheque for £4,502 from a Charity Day organised by Dougie Brennan at Whitevale Bowl-

POLICE in Scotland have said they remain alert to all terrorist threats after a report that a woman in Glasgow may be poised to carry out an attack. A Sky News investigation claims that individuals are being recruited by so-called Islamic State as “lone wolf” bombers in the UK. Using fake identities reporters said they were told about a woman in Glasgow who was “ready to attack”. ON Wednesday the 5th August 2015, at 2pm, the Shettleston Men’s Shed (SMS), was officially opened when Chris Cunningham and Jane McBride of Shettleston Housing Association (SHA), cut the tape signifying the event. This allowed the many guests to get at the buffet,

December Glasgow Taxi Outing in June, sponsored by Optical Express. The balloon tag was found in the small German town of Schneverdingen, around 35 miles south of Hamburg, by Hans-Heinrich Heuer and returned to the Glasgow Taxi Outing Fund. AS the number of women becoming officers with Police Scotland continues to rise the force is celebrating 100 Years of Women in Policing with the installation of a Time Capsule at the Police Scotland College, Tulliallan. Around 70 invited guests attended a reception this morning (Wednesday 25 November 2015) to view the contents of the oak casket, which included a range of historical items - a vintage

policewoman’s tunic, oldstyle handcuffs, a baton of the kind previously issued to women officers (which was significantly smaller than that of their male counterparts, and designed to fit inside a police issue handbag), a cravat and a policewoman’s hat.

Gordon McCracken Photography

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Christmas Countdown

GENN

THE A-Z OF CHRISTMAS

A IS FOR… ADVENT The traditional run-up to Christmas is derived from the Latin word ‘Adventus’ which means ‘coming’. Fancy that! B IS FOR… BAUBLES Traditionally hung from a decorated tree – a custom which dates backs to pagan times. C IS FOR… CHESTNUTS A Christmas must year for a thoroughly aspirational and middle-class take on a traditional Yuletide treat. D IS FOR… DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH This festive ditty was composed by Anglican priest George Ratcliffe Woodward in 1924. The tune is based on a dance song which dates back to the 16th century. E IS FOR… EGGNOG How did this drink – popular with our cousins over the pond – ever catch on? It’s made from

milk, raw eggs and booze F IS FOR… FIG PUDDING The traditional ‘plum duff’ is a Christmas staple – though it’s almost certain someone at your do will have to have something else because the combination of booze, fruit and suet is just a little too rich. G IS FOR… GOOSE FAT A must after explosion in popularity of roast potatoes done in the fat of geese, which seemed to happen at some point during the late ’90s H IS FOR… HOME It’s where the vast majority of people will be spending Christmas I IS FOR… IVY This green evergreen has been part of winter tradition since the pre-Christian festivals to ward off evil spirits and celebrate new growth. J IS FOR… JINGLE ALL THE

WAY Christmas wouldn’t just be Christmas without a viewing of this rib-tickler K IS FOR… KRIS KRINGLE Also known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Pere Noel, among other things. L IS FOR… LATE NIGHT SHOPPING The virtues of which were famously extolled by Roll Deep in their 2010 hit Good Times. M IS FOR… MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL Unquestionably the definitive reading of Dickens’ epochal Christmas yarn N IS FOR… NUTS The festive season witnesses a sharp spike in the amount of nuts sold O IS FOR… ORANGES Christmas is peak season for vitamin C fanciers. Tangerines and satsumas are in abundant supply, while if you’re really daring you could try studding an orange with cloves. Don’t eat it, but hang it up and let the truly delightful festive aromas waft around your abode P IS FOR… POINSETTIAS These luscious scarlet beauties really brighten up a festive home, but watch out if you’ve got cats and dogs – as they’re pretty toxic to canines and felines Q IS FOR… QUEEN’S SPEECH The first royal broadcast was at Christmas in 1932, and was

made by George V. He broadcast from Sandringham, speaking words written for him by Rudyard Kipling. The royal speech became an annual event – the first televised one was in 1957 R IS FOR… ROAST Whether you’re pigging out on a plump juicy bird or gobbling down on a nut cutlet, Christmas dinner roasted one of the best bits of Christmas S IS FOR… SANTA’S SACK Bulging at the seams with presents for good girls and boys alike. Make sure your presents are covered

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, Please Don’t Hurt My Pet This Year KEEPING our four legged family members safe during the holidays can be a difficult task. There are the ornaments, plants, presents, lights -- oh, and the Christmas tree Let’s take a look at some simple steps that will allow your pets to join in the holiday fun this year, while avoiding any trips to the animal emergency room. Christmas Tree Tips: 1. Place your Christmas tree in a corner, blocked off from your pet’s wanting eyes. If this doesn’t keep your dog or cat from attempting to jump onto the tree, you can

place aluminum foil, a plastic drink bottle filled with knick knacks, or anything else that creates noise on the tree’s bottom limbs to warn you of an impending tree disaster. 2. Tinsel can add a nice sparkling touch to the tree, but make sure you hang it up out of your pet’s reach. Ingesting the tinsel can potentially block their intestines, which is generally only remedied through surgical means. 3. Do not put lights on the tree’s lower branches. Not only can your pet get tangled up in the lights, they are a burning hazard. Additionally, your dog or cat may inadvertently get shocked by biting through the wire. 4. Ornaments need to be kept out of reach, too. In addition to being a choking and intestinal blockage hazard, shards from broken ornaments may injure paws, mouths, or other parts of your pet’s body. 5. For those buying a live Christmas trees this year, keep the area free and clear of pine needles. While they may not seem dangerous, the needles can puncture your pet’s intestines if ingested Other Great Holiday Item Tips: 1. Did you know holly, mistletoe, and

poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs or cats? If you normally use these plants to decorate your home, they should be kept in an area your pet cannot reach. 2. Edible tree decorations -- whether they be ornaments, or cranberry or popcorn strings -- are like time bombs waiting to happen. These goodies are just too enticing and your pet will surely tug at them, knocking down your wonderfully decorated spruce. 3. Burning candles should be placed on high shelves or mantels, out of your pet’s way -- there’s no telling where a wagging tail may end up. Homes with fireplaces should use screens to avoid accidental burns. 4. To prevent any accidental electrocutions, any exposed indoor or outdoor wires should be taped to the wall or the sides of the house. 5. When gift wrapping, be sure to keep your pet away. Wrapping paper, string, plastic, or cloth could cause intestinal blockages. Scissors are another hazard, and they should be kept off floors or low tables. By all means, go crazy sprucing up your home and wrapping presents. But make sure you do in a way that is safe for your pet(s) this holiday season.

T IS FOR… TURKEY Not the bird – the country. St Nicholas, the fourth-century Greek bishop of which the legend of Father Christmas sprung, actually resided in what’s now modern-day Turkey. Steal a seasonal snog with under the mistletoe this year. V IS FOR FOR… VIRGIN MARY Without whom there wouldn’t be much of a Christmas W IS FOR… WHITE CHRISTMAS ACCORDING TO THE METER-OLOGICAL BOFFINS AT

THE MET OFFICE, We’ve only had three over the past 10 years, so chances are that this Christmas won’t be white X IS FOR… XMAS NUMBER ONE There have been some truly woeful tracks sat atop of the hit the charts at Christmas Y IS FOR… YULE LOG a) A delicious chocolate dessert b) Something produced on Boxing Day morning after a day of heroic overconsumption Z IS FOR… ZULU Always on over Christmas.

Christmas Bath Bombs

Material 1 ½ cups McKenzie’s BiCarb Soda ½ cup McKenzie’s Citric Acid 1 scoop Potpourri (Glitter or Holly leaves Optional) A few drops of Sweet almond oil (from chemist) A few drops of Essential oil, such as Peppermint or ginger Red and Green Food colouring Moulds Method Sieve together the McKenzie’s bi-carb soda and the McKenzie’s citric acid in a large mixing bowl, then add. In a small bowl, combine 6

drops of your chosen essential oil with 1/2 teaspoon of sweet almond oil and food colouring as you desire. Step 3 – Take 1/2 cup of dry mix and stir in the oil mixture slowly so things don’t start fizzing! Wearing rubber gloves, work the oil mixture into the dry ingredients with your finger tips until it stays compressed when squeezed. Wipe a little sweet almond oil inside the mould and fill with the mixture, packing in firmly. Repeat from Step 2 to make your other bath bombs and leave to set for 24-36 hours before removing from mould.

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Christmas Countdown

Keeping your home festive and secure this Christmas AS Christmas approaches homes become stocked with presents and goodies which can be all too attractive prospect for thieves. This Christmas Keep Safe, secure your home and deny criminals a Christmas this year. Police Scotland’s top tips for protecting your home: • Thieves know that over Christmas there will be high value presents and maybe more cash in your house than is normal. Keep your home secure - lock all windows and doors, don’t leave gifts in view of the windows and keep cash in your home to a minimum. • If you’re having a house party with lots of guests, it can be all too easy for a thief to slip in unnoticed. Make sure you know everyone who is there. If you’re going to a party, don’t let anyone tailgate you into a house or through a controlled entry door who may not be a guest. • Protect any gifts you’ve bought for your friends and family. Register mobiles, tablets, laptops and cameras at www.immobilise.com. I you are giving them a good quality bike make sure you include a good quality lock, and register bikes

at www.BikeRegister.com. • If you’re going away for Christmas, keep your home secure. Lock all windows and doors, set your house alarm if you have one, use timers on lights, cancel any deliveries and ask a neighbour or friend you trust to keep an eye out while you’re away. Inspector Ewan Henderson said: “Christmas nights out are planned in advance, so just taking a few minutes to think about the security of your home will mean everyone’s Christmas can be fun-filled. “Posting photos on social media of nights out are an everyday occurrence. What we are asking is that you think about it before you post the messages. Are you inviting someone to break-in to your home by advertising it is un-occupied? Could the messages be posted the next day?” Peter Kirwan, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, said: “We’re encouraging people to ask a neighbour to keep an eye on their house when they go away. Small things like moving curtains and taking in mail can help make a place look occupied and reduce the risk of a house breaking.”

Have Some Festive Fun in Lanarkshire JINGLE all the way to Lanarkshire this winter, from Christmas markets, pantos and a trip to Santa’s grotto - there is something for everyone this festive season. New Lanark World Heritage site will be adding to Lanarkshire’s calendar of festive fun with their enchanting Christmas Experience. Visitors can travel through time with the Spirit of Christmas Ride, make their own Christmas decorations at the Activity Zone and even take a selfie with Santa. Tickets are priced from £9.50. For a star studded panto performance visitors should look no further than the Town House Hamilton, which will see Britain’s Got Talent star Edward Reid play the Fairy Lovabelle in Sleeping Beauty. Performances run until 9 December, with tickets priced at £14 for adults and £12 for children. The Folksy Theatre Company are bringing a classic tale to life with their performance of Charles Dickinson’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Biggar Corn Exchange on Friday 18 December and at Chatelherault Country Park on 19 and 20 December. Tickets cost just £12 for adults and £8 for children. Elsewhere, Snow White and her 7 dwarves will be marching down

to Motherwell Concert Hall for a wickedly funny show where singing and dancing will be compulsory! This year’s show will run throughout December until 3 January 2016 with tickets ranging from £12 to £16. Since 2000 Music in Lanark has been hosting talented performers from around the world, with genres ranging from clas-

sical chamber music, opera and jazz to traditional Scottish. Music In Lanark is based at The Institute at New Lanark with many concerts held at other venues appropriate to the music, in and around Lanark. Why not add a little Italian flavour to your Christmas season and head down to watch swing pianist Rosanno Sportiello play jazz and

classical piano on 12 December at The Institute at 7.45pm. Music will include Duke Ellington, Cole Porter and George Gershwin. All Music in Lanark tickets are moderately priced with some for just £1. For more information on these great events, and many more, please visit www.visitlanarkshire. com

RECORD NUMBER OF CHRISTMAS DINNERS THE number of festive meals sold in the first two weeks of December h a s n e a r l y t r i p l e d f ro m a ro u n d 9 0 , 0 0 0 b a c k i n 2 0 1 1 t o a t u r ke y- g o b b l i n g 2 6 0 , 0 0 0 p l u s l a s t y e a r. P u b s a n d re s t a u r a n t s h a v e re v e a l e d t h a t t h e number of bookings made t h ro u g h o u t D e c e m b e r t o h a v e n e a r l y t r i p l e d i n re cent years. I n a re c e n t c o n s u m e r s u r v e y, 6 5 % o f c o n s u m ers said that they would b e h a v i n g m o re t h a n two Christmas dinners t h ro u g h o u t D e c e m b e r w i t h 7 % re v e a l i n g t h e y ’ d b e e n j o y i n g f i v e o r m o re . 8 2 % o f p e o p l e a re ex pecting to celebrate with family and 64% of us look f o r w a rd t o t h i s t h e m o s t . Celebrating with friends (30%) along with the o f f i c e p a r t y ( 2 0 % ) w e re also high on the list and i n t e re s t i n g l y, j u s t o v e r 10% of us actually look f o r w a rd t o w o r k p a r t i e s the least. “ W h e t h e r y o u ’ re e n t e r t a i n i n g f r i e n d s a n d re l atives, travelling to see

f a m i l y, o r e v e n h a v i n g t o work over the festive period, Christmas is rarly s t re s s f re e . W h i l s t c a r v i n g t h e t u r ke y o n t h e 2 5 t h is seen as tradition, our survey shows that in act u a l f a c t , m o re o f u s a re h a v i n g m o re t h a n o n e C h r i s t m a s d i n n e r a s a re sult of catching up with f r i e n d s a n d re l a t i v e s a t their local and even as part of a Christmas shopping trip. “ O n e o f t h e re a s o n s f o r this is the simple convenience of eating out. Not having to worry about cooking means that people have one less thing to think about – making t h e p ro s p e c t o f h a v i n g Christmas dinner out m u c h m o re a p p e a l i n g . ” O t h e r s t a t s re v e a l e d that Scottish families will be entertaining the most guests on Christmas D a y, w i t h 1 4 % o f t h o s e a s ke d a c c o m m o d a t i n g f o r 1 5 g u e s t s o r m o re . A n d i f y o u ’ re n o t t u c k i n g i n t o t u r ke y, 3 7 % o f u s w o u l d choose steak as an alternative.

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Things to think about before buying a pet this Christmas BRITONS thinking about buying an animal as a Christmas present should be thinking about the lifetime costs and long term needs, rather than the short term novelty, according to MedicAnimal, the UK’s leading online pet healthcare retailer. Owning a dog or cat over its lifetime (including initial purchase cost boarding fees, vet visits, insurance, food and preventative healthcare) can be up to £31,000 and £17,000 respectively for dogs and cats. Many dutiful owners are prepared for the costs and workload involved, however many are not aware of the day-to-day expense of looking after a pet. In 2014 alone, the RSPCA rescued and collected almost 130,000 animals. “Having a pet is one of life’s most rewarding experiences but we should not begin this journey at Christmas. Pets need time to settle into a new environment and Christmas is simply not the right time for it. It is just far too hectic, noisy and confusing for a new addition to the family. Much better to introduce a new pet outside the Christmas festive season when the proper time, patience and love can be given to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Being a pet owner is a 10-15 year commitment and should not be taken lightly, especially when taking into account the total cost over the pet’s lifetime.” Ahead of Christmas, we have put together a useful list of things to take into consideration before buying a four-legged friend. 1. Lifetime costs When one is thinking about owning a pet, cost is not normally the first thing that comes to mind…but it should. Owning a dog or cat over its lifetime (including initial purchase cost boarding fees, vet visits, insurance, food and preventative healthcare) can be up to £31,000 and £17,000 respectively for dogs and cats. Onethird of this cost goes to feeding your pet with another third being veterinary fees. This is why you should always consider pet insurance. 2. Insurance Taking pets to the vet for checkups or surgery can be an expensive business, yet only 15 per cent of UK owners have insurance cover for their pets. Comparison sites are a great way of looking across the market for pet insurance, but remember cover will vary according to the age, breed, sex and the medical history of your pet. Recent research conducted by market research company Key Note

said the average annual premium for insuring your pet is currently around £325. Take this into consideration and remember that insurance is far cheaper to have in the event of an illness or accident. 3. Vaccinations Vaccinations are key to ensure your pet is protected against the most common transmittable diseases, many of them being lethal. However, the biggest reason to vaccinate is to make sure your pet has a full physical exam on an annual basis (this is part of the vaccination cost). As it is plainly obvious, our pets cannot talk and they need us as owners to be observant both visually (walking, eating and drinking habits) and physically (coat, skin, lumps and bumps). On average, vaccines can cost around £60 for the initial course (two vaccines normally given 4 weeks apart) and £40 for the annual booster. 4. Parasites Parasites can be extremely detrimental to your pet’s wellbeing but are easy to prevent. There are many products on the market that can be either given by tablet or pipette (on the skin at the back of the neck) that will prevent your pet being infested with fleas/ticks or infected with worms. Products that treat both fleas and worms together tend to require a prescription from your vet but many individual treatments can be purchased online providing you supply some important pet details such as its breed, age, weight and whether your pet is pregnant. This would typically cost around £5£10 per month with flea treatment carried out monthly and worming every three months. 5. Food Whilst each pet has different

nutritional needs, depending on their age, size and lifestyle, feeding them the right food is immensely important for their health and wellbeing. This is specifically important as they grown from one life-stage to another, puppy to junior, junior to adult and adult to senior. Each stage requires different levels of minerals, vitamins, protein, fat and carbohydrates to suit the breed and age of your pet. There are many premium food brands that provide exactly this as well as veterinary diets that can be given for the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, allergies, joint and kidney disease to name but a few. The owner of an average 10kg dog can expect to pay approximately £150 per year for a dry premium diet and double this if you include wet /tinned food. 6. Weight It is not only humans who need to fight the battle of the bulge, animals also need to watch what they eat. Plump pets are at a risk of a whole host of illnesses including diabetes and heart problems, just like us. Make sure you know your pet’s optimum weight and invest in a pair of scales. The best way to weigh your pet (if small enough to hold) is to weigh yourself first on normal scales, then to repeat it whilst holding your pet. The difference will be your pet’s weight. For larger pets, you can invest in pet scales (£100-£300) or alternatively many vets are happy for you to come in on a regular basis to weigh your pet within the clinic itself. 7. Breeding Whilst watching videos of cute kittens and loveable puppies is the perfect way to procrastinate from basically any chore, having

new-borns could be rather more challenging. Ensure you speak to your vet early on about your neutering. Neutering males will reduce roaming and prostate problems whilst neutering females (especially if done before their first season) drastically reduces the incidence of breast tumours. Neutering costs are typically £55 for male cats, £75 for female cats whilst male dogs can vary from £120-£240 and female dogs from £160-£320 depending on the size and breed. 8. Microchip The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is easily implanted under the skin at the back of your pet’s neck and can be done either by your veterinarian or sometimes your local charity. This handy device means that if your pet goes missing, they have a unique code traceable back to you. It is also a means to prove ownership in case your pet is stolen. Do not forget that microchipping your dog will become compulsory from the 6th April, 2016. A fine of £500 will be payable if not paid within 21 days of being served a notice. You have been warned, please do it, it is quick and painless (for both you and your dog!). Getting this done by a vet would typically cost around £15-£20 and many charities will also have ‘Free Microchipping’ days throughout the year. 9. Teeth Without opposable thumbs your pet cannot really brush his teeth first thing in the morning or last thing at night. However, dental hygiene is still important and it is important you brush their teeth (finger brushes and pet toothpaste is available) and/or provide them with treats and toys designed to remove plaque and calculus. Bad teeth not only smell bad but can easily lead to heart valve issues if left untreated. Treats that look after your dog or cat are relatively inexpensive, however a trip to the dentist would cost typically a minimum of £150-£200 as a full general anaesthetic is needed and should also include IV fluids and a pre-anaesthetic blood test if your dog is elderly (normally the case in chronic dental conditions). 10. Love Well this is the whole point of having a pet and will return your love a million fold if you do carry out the nine points above! Shower your pet with love and they will provide your home with that unconditional love that only a pet can provide. Also do not forget that stroking your pet has been scientifically proven to reduce your blood pressure. Now, it does not get better than that!

tional Girls Choir’s effortless singing. This is the ensemble’s third album on the Signum Classics label conducted by Christopher Bell, and will be released on Friday 8th January 2016, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of NYCoS itself. Karen Cargill said, “This is a beautiful collection of songs. I have very fond memories of performing some of Head’s pieces at singing competitions when I was younger,

and this gave me a chance to revisit them whilst being involved with the incredible voices of the National Girls Choir. They are fantastic ambassadors for singing in Scotland.” The central song-cycle, Snowbirds, demonstrates Head’s passion and proficiency for sensitive and effective word setting. It comprises seven songs based on the 1919 publication of the same name by Brahmin poet Sri

Ananda Acharya. Alongside this are the composer’s most popular works, The Ships of Arcady and The Little Road to Bethlehem. In April 2015, NYCoS National Girls Choir gave the world premier of Gary Carpenter’s work featured on this disc, The Food of Love – Book 2, based on text by William Shakespeare. The CD is released on Friday 8th January 2016, priced at £10.

NEW NATIONAL GIRLS CHOIR CD

NYCoS National Girls Choir is releasing a new CD with its patron, international mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, and pianist Philip Moore, featuring the first ever recording of Michael Head’s (1900-76) song-cycle Snowbirds. As well as music by Head, Only a Singing Bird includes works by Gary Carpenter, Ken Johnston and Stephen Deazley, with the music’s rich emotion and drama being brought to life by NYCoS Na-

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Love Your Liver

DURING the festive season, it has almost become tradition to eat one’s weight in food, enjoy more than a few glasses of wine, and then come New Year, turn to a diet or detox to counteract the effects and shift any excess pounds gained. While it is important to enjoy ourselves and celebrate, putting our livers at risk is not the best way to start the New Year. Here, we have gathered a few top tips with the aid of Consultant Hepatologist, Dr Alastair O’Brien from The London Clinic. • Alcohol and heavy drinking, particularly binge drinking, can cause serious damage to your liver. Try replacing that aperitif with a mug of herbal tea to aid digestion. Drinking plenty of water will also help flush out toxins and keep you hydrated, especially before bedtime • Data suggests that sitting down for long periods can increase your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Why not enjoy a winter walk or an active game with the family instead of that traditional repeat of everyone’s favourite Christmas film? • We all enjoy a few portions of ‘naughty’ food over the festive season, such as chocolates, sausage rolls and lashings of salty gravy. Try replacing seconds with a portion of fruit or extra veg instead. • You may be tempted to change your diet or lifestyle in the New Year, or take part in a campaign like “Dry January”. Having a goal to focus on will help you to feel motivated. Sign up for a 5K run, or a marathon if you’re feeling brave. Then you’ll have an admirable reason to order an orange juice when you’re under pressure from your mates in the pub. And remember, it’s better to eat a healthy balanced diet all year round than subject your body to big changes over short

periods. But why are these small steps so important? The first stage of alcoholic-related liver disease (ARLD) is alcoholic fatty liver disease. Drinking a large amount of alcohol, even for only a few days over Christmas, can lead to alcoholic fatty liver disease - a build-up of fat in the liver. This is reversible, if you stop drinking alcohol for two to three weeks, your liver should return to normal. According to Public Health England, the UK is one of the few countries in Europe in which deaths from liver disease are increasing. There has been a 40% increase in liver disease deaths in the UK since 2001, despite the fact that it is largely preventable and often due to alcohol and obesity. A report states that liver disease in the UK is the glaring exception to the vast improvements made during the past 30 years in health and life expectancy for chronic disorders such as stroke, heart disease, and many cancers. Mortality rates for liver disease have increased 400% since 1970, and in people younger than 65 they have risen by almost five times. Liver disease is the third most common cause of premature death in the UK and the rate of increase of liver disease is substantially higher in the UK than other countries in Western Europe. People are also less likely to count the units they consume in December compared to the rest of the year. The average alcohol consumption over the festive season is 62 units – the equivalent of 30 glasses of wine or 22 pints of beer. This equates to eating 200 gold coins, and would take 7 hours of jogging to burn off. A common misconception is that liver problems are only suffered by people in their fifties or above who are overweight

or heavy drinkers. I have seen people in their twenties and thirties in my clinic with cirrhosis of the liver. The worrying aspect is that for the most part, this damage is of our own creation. The good news is that in terms of fatty liver disease, it is proven that by losing 7% of your body weight, liver tests should return to normal, and losing 10% will largely get rid of the fat from your liver.” How do you know if your liver is damaged? A new way to find out if you have liver damage is to undergo a Fibroscan and gives you an accurate picture of the health of your liver. Any cause of long term liver injury, be that alcohol excess, chronic hepatitis virus infection or several other conditions, will cause progressive liver inflammation which results in scarring or cirrhosis. Traditionally the only way to tell how much scarring someone with possible liver disease had was to do a biopsy, which is invasive and carries a small risk of complications. The benefits of this new technology are the Fibroscan assesses scarring without a biopsy. A normal, healthy liver is soft and quite elastic, whereas scarring causes the liver to become stiff, and the more scarring there is the stiffer the liver becomes. Using ultrasound technology, the Fibroscan passes a harmless wave into the liver to assess its elasticity, and analyse how much scarring there is in a safe and painless way. With a better understanding of the state of damage to the liver it is easier to empower people to make the necessary changes to their lifestyle before it’s too late. With a better understanding of the state of damage to the liver it is easier to empower people to make the necessary changes to their lifestyle before it’s too late.

“HANDSOME” MEN REJECTED HANDSOME men are rejected for competitive jobs as good looks signalling competence can make handsome men seem threatening to future colleagues. Handsome men may be rejected for competitive jobs, research proves, but are preferred for roles that require cooperation. Assistant Professor Sun Young Lee found that handsome men are seen as more competent, so managers in collaborative workplace departments hire good-looking male candidates over less good-looking ones. Similarly, in workplaces with rewards for team performance, a decision maker prefers handsome male employees, as they help further their own success. However, in competitive

workplaces such as sales departments, good looks signalling competence can make handsome men seem threatening to future colleagues. If decision makers expect to compete, they would rather discriminate against them. With her co-authors from the University of Maryland, London Business School, and INSEAD, Dr. Lee didn’t find the same effect for pretty women as female attractiveness wasn’t associated with competence. She believes it’s because physical stereotypes interact with gender stereotypes. Managers are affected by stereotypes and make hiring decisions to serve their own self-interests, so organizations may not get the most competent candidates.

With more companies involving employees in recruitment processes, this important point needs attention. Awareness that hiring is affected by potential work relationships and stereotyping tendencies can help organizations improve their selection processes. For example, engaging external representatives may improve selection outcomes as outsiders are likely to provide fairer inputs. Also, if organizations make managers more accountable for their decisions, they’ll be less motivated to pursue self-interests at the expense of the company. These findings come from four experiments published in the journal Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.

MAPPING BRITAIN’S BOOBS BRITAIN’S busts are getting bigger, with the “average” bust size bursting from the C-cup to a massive 34G, according to a new survey. The latest poll asked 1,000 British women what their average bra size was before professionally measuring them to get an accurate result. The study - conducted by “plus bust” underwear range Curvy Kate - found dramatic growth in bust amongst UK women, from 8-22. It found Scotland is home to the biggest breasts in the UK, where the average lady has a staggering 34HH bra size. Women in Wales are close in second for the most voluptuous bra sizes, where the average size measures a massive 34GG. The Midlands, Northern Ireland and the north follow, measuring at 32G, 34G and 36H respectively.

But according to the survey, the smallest boobs in Britain are found in the south, where the most common bra size is 30G. The growing bra size is represented by the increasing de-

mand for bigger bras from the underwear retailer. Sales over the last few years show the demand for fuller cup sizes have increased, with 66 per cent of sales now above an F cup.

CHRISTMAS…for some this does not conjure happy or warm feelings… …Loss of a loved one, a breakdown of a relationship, financial difficulties, past trauma or a reminder of a lack of families ties, can be some of the reasons that this time of year brings up feelings of dread and a multitude of emotions, as you face the days and weeks ahead. This can be a challenging time and along with forthcoming work parties, family gatherings, and the pressure of gift buying, this can also intensify the feelings of loneliness along with feelings of wanting to escape from it all. Glasgow has the highest suicide rate in Scotland and suicide rates are highest in areas of deprivation. The North East of Glasgow has many communities of high deprivation – this issue is on your doorstep, if not in your home. But what the statistics often don’t show is the hidden distress that many more people are living with. Some of these ‘hidden’ people are themselves living with suicidal thoughts, some are supporting someone else who is suicidal, and others are trying to cope with the loss of someone they love who has

died by suicide. Do you know where to get help? Carolyn Wood from Pure Potential Scotland is doing a piece of research on behalf of the North East Glasgow Suicide Prevention Forum to find out: What would make our communities suicide safer? We want your opinions and ideas on: Do you feel confident in helping someone who is at risk of suicide? Do you know people/services to contact? If you were feeling suicidal, who would you speak to? What do you feel is needed in your community when someone is feeling suicidal? What is required once a person’s suicide crisis is over? What is working locally at the moment in terms of support/resources? What helps you feel safe – services/networks/supports? What is missing - any gaps in supports/resources? What would help you feel safer? Our hope is that following the work we may be able to apply for funding to address any identified needs and make a real difference in our

communities. Whoever you are, whatever your circumstances, we want to hear from you so we can make the communities of North East Glasgow suicide safer for all. Your opinion really counts and we want to hear from you so please take a few minutes and get in touch. Please email Carolyn at carolyn@purepotentialscotland. co.uk If you are feeling that you can’t cope… …You don’t have to face any of this on your own this Christmas. There are people that are ready and willing to talk to you, no matter what your issue is or if you are supporting someone else. Please seek out someone you can trust to talk to. Here are some helplines that will have someone you can talk to: Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90 Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 HOPELineUK: Confidential Young Suicide Prevention Advice for people under the age of 35 Call: 0800 068 41 41 Text: 07786209697 Childline: 0800 11 11

What would make our communities suicide safer?

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STRAWBERRY PANCAKES

A DELICIOUS, easy breakfast to make Christmas morning. A guilt-free recipe that the whole family can enjoy. Get the kids in the kitchen and warm your heart with this delicious recipe. Ingredients (makes 6 Pancakes) 1 250g punnet fresh strawberries 2 Tbsp Sugar 1/2 cup Fresh orange juice 1/4 cup Water 1 Tbsp Extra Water 2 tsp Cornflour 2 Egg Whites 2 Tbsp Sugar-Free Maple Syrup (Queens) 1/2 tsp Bi-Carb Soda 1 cup Buttermilk 3/4 cup Self-Raising Flour Cooking Spray Method Sauce: Remove the green hulls from strawberries then chop three quarters of the strawberries into small cubes. Thinly slice remaining strawberries, leave to one side. Place diced strawberries into a medium size saucepan with sugar, orange juice and ¼ cup water. Bring to boil then reduce to a mod-

erate boil for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Combine extra water with cornflour, then add to pot and give the mixture a good stir. Add remaining strawberry slices and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and leave to one side. Pancakes: In a medium size mixing bowl, beat egg whites and maple syrup for 1 minute. Add bicarb soda to buttermilk, then combine with egg mix. Sift flour into mix in one go, gently folding ingredients together. DO NOT BEAT as this will make the pancakes tough. The less

CHRISTMAS JELLY SQUARES

An eye-catching dessert that is sure to impress your guests. Ingredients (makes 20 squares) 2 small boxes red (strawberry) jelly 2 small boxes green (lime) jelly 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 sachets unflavored gelatin Method In a bowl dissolve the strawberry boxes of jelly into two cups of hot water. Pour into a flat container. In a separate bowl, dissolve the lime jelly into two cups of hot water. Pour into a flat container. Chill the two containers overnight.

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Cut the two jelly flavours into small blocks. Mix together carefully in a large shallow container. In a separate bowl, dissolve 2 sachets of unflavoured gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water (or according to packet directions). Add dissolved gelatin to 1 3/4 cup hot water and condensed milk. Cool. Pour cooled milk mixture over jelly pieces and allow to chill overnight. Notes... You can tweak this recipe for any occasion by substituting different coloured jelly. Rainbow (red, blue, yellow, green) looks really effective for children’s parties.

the mixture is moved, the lighter the pancakes will be. Coat a non-stick frypan or griddle with cooking spray and pour 4 pancakes around 8cm wide, spread mixture a little with a spoon. Have stove on medium heat to avoid pancakes burning. Cook 2-3 minutes or until edges start to set. Spray top of each pancake, then turn and cook a further 2 minutes or until centres are firm to touch. Repeat until you have 12 pancakes. Serve 2 pancakes per person and divide sauce equally between each portion. Serve hot or cold.

VEGETABLE SLICE

THIS healthy vegetable slice delicious served hot or cold. Ingredients (serves 8) 6 cups Grated fresh vegetables (any of the following: carrots, brocolli, cauliflower, sweet potato, parsnip, zucchini, capsicum) 1/2 cup Chia seeds 1/3 cup Linseed/flaxseeds

4 eggs Lightly, beaten 1 packet Maggi “herb potatoes” recipe base 1 1/2 cups Grated cheese (cheddar is nice) Method Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl - except the grated cheese.

Line a 9 X 12 inch casserole/ baking dish with greaseproof paper. Place vegetable mixture in dish and top with grated cheese. Bake at 160 degrees for 40 mins. Cool slightly before cutting - I served this with a balsamic glaze and fresh tomatoes.

Christmas Roast Turkey

Roast Turkey is eaten for Christmas dinner in Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Ireland, Nigeria and the US, as well as for Thanksgiving in the US. If you’ve never tried roasting chicken or turkey before you will be amazed how easy it is - far easier than many suppers prepared on the hob - and the smell of it cooking on a Christmas morning is one of those little things that make Christmas special. Go on give it a go... Turkey Buying Guide To Serve/Turkey Size: • 4-6 people: 5 lbs/2.3 kg • 6-8 people: 8 lbs/3.6 kg • 8-10 people: 12lbs/5.4kg Turkeys don’t come small but if you only need a little portion but still want a traditional turkey dinner, you could try buying a turkey crown or turkey breast fillets. Or buy big and think up some ingenious ways of using the leftovers -. You can freeze leftover cooked turkey and use it in January or February. Turkey Thawing Guide If you’ve decided on a frozen turkey don’t forget to thaw it carefully. To thaw store the bird in it’s packaging in a cool place. Always check the body cavity for ice to check it’s fully thawed.

Turkey size / Thawing times • 5 lbs/2.3 kg: 20 hours • 8 lbs/3.6 kg: 24+ hours • 12 lbs/5.4 kg: 25 + hours Cooking Instructions Take out the giblets and use to make stock. Stuff the neck end with your choice of stuffing fold the neck skin back under (never stuff the body cavity as this may stop the meat cooking properly). Put in a large roasting pan you can get these very cheap from supermarkets in the run

up to Christmas. Brush the skin with melted butter and cover the breast with streaky bacon to stop it drying out. Put in a pre-heated oven and cook for 20 mins per pound/450g weight, plus an extra 20 mins, at 180 C/Gas 4. Baste the turkey every so often with the juices that run into the roasting tin. If the skin and bacon starts to get too brown, cover loosely with foil (if the foil is too tight the meat will steam rather than

roast). When cooked, the juices should run clear. Allow the turkey to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving otherwise it’s too soft and flaky. You can use this time to crisp off the roast potatoes in a hot oven. Use the juices left in the baking tray to make gravy on the hob. Serve with cranberry sauce, sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes and vegetables.

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TIS the season to be jolly, so get in the mood with some mulled wine at a Christmas market. With Christmas nearly up on us, time to start thinking about gifts, decorations and turkeys. With so many cheap city breaks on offer, swap the annual trudge around your local high street for some festive fun at one of Europe’s best Christmas markets and you’ll be floating in the air. Here are our top picks, but if you know of any other Christmas markets worth a mention then email info@thegenn.co.uk Bremen, Germany Until – 23 Dec There’s nowhere better to get fuzzy on vats of hot wine than Germany, the spiritual home of the Christmas market. The northern city of Bremen has one of the best, strung along the banks of the River Weser in the shadow of the city’s medieval fortifications. Here you’ll find German taverns with open fires and a life-size walk-through advent calendar, not to mention jugglers and other street entertainers to distract you from the shopping. Heart-warming hand-holding Christmassy moments fuelled by warmed alcohol are guaranteed - expect to pay about€3 per cup with a

GENN TRAVEL €3 mug deposit. Don’t be distracted too long though, there are traditional wooden handicrafts and cinnamon stars to stock up on too. Opening times: Mon-Sat 10am - 8:30pm, Sunday 11am-8:30pm Prague, Czech Republic Until – 1 Jan Prague is fairytale fabulous any day of the year, but come Christmas the Czech capital really twinkles. Wander through the city centre from Old Town Square to Wenceslas Square, stopping off at the red-canopied wooden huts for wooden toys, embroidered lace and traditional Christmas decorations. Check out the array of Czech glass baubles and ornaments on offer - they’re famous for their quality and beauty and make a great festive souvenir. Sustain yourselves with barbecued sausages (klobasa) and mulled wine - don’t miss the nativity scene at Old Town Square, where the kids can pet sheep, goats and the Christmas donkey. Once you’re totally shopped out head up to the castle, one of Europe’s largest and most impressive via the gorgeous Medieval Charles Bridge - at its best late at night when the crowds have left. Opening times: daily 10am-10pm, food stalls are open until midnight

EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Brussels, Belgium Until – 3 Jan At 2km long, with over 250 chalets selling all manner of seasonal souvenirs, plus a fairground and a constellation of Christmas lights, Brussels’ market is Belgium’s biggest. Beneath the fairy light Ferris wheel and vast Christmas tree (a gift from the city of Riga), the scent of chocolate tempts you on from stall to stall - stock up on delicious Belgian chocolates and creative gifts with an eco-friendly slant. Don’t miss the nightly Sound and Light show at the Grand Place UNESCO World Heritage site and listen out for marching bands and traditional concerts. Opening times: MonThurs 12pm-9pm, Friday 12pm10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-10pm Amsterdam, Netherlands Until - early Jan Santa Claus really comes to town in Amsterdam where you’ll find not

THE MAGIC OF TENERIFE IN the finale of Series 9 of Dr Who, the Doctor returned to the Canary Islands, where the first two episodes of the series were filmed. The Doctor wasn’t on holiday, however – the landscapes of the island group, which vary greatly, make them ideally suited to the science fiction genre. Produced by the BBC and starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez, the iconic programme used the volcanic landscape of Mount Teide in Tenerife in the first two episodes to replicate an alien world. The final episode of Peter Capaldi’s second series was shot, in part, on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. It is not only television companies that have been

drawn to Tenerife – the island’s filmography also includes a number of blockbuster films, including Fast & Furious 6, the 50th highest-grossing film of all time, and the Clash of the Titans and Wrath of the Titans films, which were huge box-office successes. The fifth instalment in the Bourne series, starring Matt Damon, was also filmed on the island. In the film, the Tenerifan capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife stands in for Athens. But what draws these world-renowned productions to such a small island, only slightly larger than Greater London? In an area of just over 2,000km2 Tenerife has a huge range of potential film settings. Holidaymakers might be aware of the black sand beaches and breathtaking cliffs, but may not have ventured far enough to see deserts, subtropical forests and volcanic areas, and the island’s two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Teide National Park – containing the world’s third-largest volcano – and San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a colonial city founded at the end of the fifteenth century. Sharon Backhouse, Director of London-based company GeoTenerife, which champions the diverse regions of Tenerife, said, “Tenerife’s natural beauty makes it perfect for film, but what’s even more incredible is how many different settings can be found there. The volcanic peak of Teide looks like the surface of another planet, and to think that within a short drive a production company could be in a unique laurel for-

just one Christmas market but 26! These are the city’s regular markets but with tinsel on as they turn their festive dial to 11, filling the city centre as well as the suburbs. Top picks for visitors are the markets on Leidesplein and Museumplein, where villages of wooden chalets await, with hearty festive food and hand-warming drinks. Sample the go-to snack for the occasion: olibollen (Dutch doughnuts). – oliebolen do you good as they ward off evil spirits, apparently, and there’s ice skating to burn them off anyway! Make sure you check out the Amsterdam Light Festival if you’re visiting between November 28th and January 17th to see the sky above city’s canals lit up like the Northern Lights. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK Until - 4 Jan Stretching from the Mound, along East Princes Street Gardens

and around the Scott Monument, the main market is packed with arts and crafts, while the Children’s Market at Santa Land has face painting, Christmas crafts and treats for little ones, plus a Christmas Tree Maze that leads to the elves’ workshop (tickets start at £3). Head to St. Andrew Square for a ride on the double carousel (from £4) and take a spin on the Big Wheel in the city centre (£6). Strasbourg, France Until - 31 Dec Strasbourg is charming any time of year but at Christmas it’s the picture-perfect winter wonderland, with towering fir trees on the Place Kléber (a 400-year-old custom), timbered houses festooned with red and white heart and fairy light stars strung across its cobbled streets. The city’s Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570, so expect plenty of tradition in everything from the gifts to the

est, a desert or beneath breathtaking cliffs is incredible. “Add to this a charming and well-preserved fifteenth-century city and a wealth of modern architecture, plus one of the most consistently sunny climates in the world. “Tenerife’s importance to the global film, television and commercial production industries has been cemented in recent years as companies realise the benefits of working on the island. That is why now is an opportune time to meet with industry leaders in London and discuss the ways in which they can take advantage of this unique location with the help of the assistance of the Tenerife Film Commission, which has been valuable to a huge number of productions.” Tenerife’s versatility in terms of filming locations is just one factor that attracts production companies, tourists and to the island, however: 1. Excellent transport links Although its landscape and weather are unlike those found in Europe, Tenerife’s relative proximity makes it an attractive film destination. Only a twoand-a-half hour flight from Madrid and four hours from other major European cities and with the same time zone as the UK, Ireland and Portugal, it is very close to Europe. 2. Experienced professionals Tenerife has a healthy local film industry. Whether actors, extras, producers or equipment is needed, the Tenerife Film Commission helps to connect foreign production companies with the best local talent. 3. A film-friendly island Having welcomed many film, television and commercial production companies to the island, Tenerife’s

food. A speciality is bredele, a festive biscuit that comes in flavours such as orange and cinnamon - perfect Christmas decorations for hanging on the tree back home as a memento. Opening times: daily 9am-7pm Copenhagen, Denmark Until - 3 Jan Copenhagen is a true design city so you’ll find no tacky gifts here. Instead shop for beautifully knitted crafts, fine leather goods and chic Christmas decorations. Tivoli Gardens (Vesterbrogade 3) has the best market, with 60 stalls as well as daily illuminations, a fireworks festival and performances by the Pixie Band. There are also some 27 different rides and the chance to meet Santa. Check out the market down at the harbour in Nyhavn too, for Danish specialities and plenty of mulled wine. Opening times: daily 11am-11pm, Friday and Saturday open until midnight

government and residents have earned a reputation for being film-friendly. For example, a section of newly-built motorway was made available to the makers of Fast & Furious 6. 4. Consistently good weather Tenerife’s latitude and its position in the Atlantic mean that it enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year (an average of eight hours and fifteen minutes a day) and average temperatures of 23°C. This makes it ideal for outdoor filming. 5. Unbeatable tax incentives Tenerife is in the Special Canary Zone, which means that businesses pay 4% corporation tax, compared to a European average of 25%. On top of this, foreign producers can qualify for a 35% tax rebate if they invest at least €1 million in the Canary Islands and hire a local production company. 6. Brilliant accommodation and service infrastructure Tenerife’s hotels are regarded some of the best in Europe, and it has 75,000 beds at three, four and fivestar establishments.

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HAPPY AND HEALTHY By Lillian Gunn We all think we know what happiness is meant to mean and we all want to be happy right? Well it’s not as easy as you might think. Ask anyone what they think happiness is and they might say things like how it felt when they got the new car or a nice new carpet or maybe a pizza with garlic bread. If you think about any material things you have bought and how they made you feel remember the actual feeling only lasts for a short time. Then we look around for something to fill the void we have created. The truth is we will never be truly happy if we keep searching for it outside of ourselves by continually buying things we don’t need and eating that pizza and garlic bread. We will stay discontented and probably get really sick of pizza in the long run unless we actually try to look within for the answers. Its not hard to do as I said in my last article on stress, thoughts are very powerful and our internal system was created for us to enjoy inner peace and happiness without any outside help. It’s only a thought away. A simple trick to get our body back to homeostasis (balance) and therefore happiness, is to basically use our breath as a simple tool. Sit comfortably and take slow easy breaths in and out gently resting between breaths. Try to forget about what you have been conditioned to

think you need to make your life happy and just let the mind settle and if you get annoying thoughts just go back to thinking about your breath and relax a bit more. Know that you cannot buy happiness and contentment it only comes when you realise you don’t need things to be fulfilled. Look at that word full ..filled. Could it be any clearer. And its not with pizza - I am thinking way too much about that - I think I need to do some breathing exercises. Anyway to get back to what makes us happy, if we really think about the concept of happiness as an emotion then it must follow we can create our own level of it by being content and take just a little time to understand just how fleeting it is when we try to buy it with material possessions which in the end only make us more discontented. We need to rethink a lot about what makes us who we are, this is just an overview I hope you find useful. In the meantime here are a couple of pieces of nutritional information which I hope will be useful in you journey to heath and wellbeing. MYTH BUSTERS 1) Low-fat’ is good for you. Modern society has largely been indoctrinated into the mindset that fat clogs your arteries and makes you fat, and should thus be avoided. But nothing could be further from the truth. Tropical oils like coconut and palm, as well as grass-fed butter and meat fat is actually quite healthy

for you. These saturated fats help promote healthy brain function and regulate proper hormone production. Popular vegetable oils, on the other hand, which oftentimes are hydrogenated and morphed into trans fats, are a primary cause of heart disease and other illness, and should be avoided. 2) You need to eat less salt for better health. This claim assumes that most people are consuming high amounts of synthetic, refined table salt, which is highly toxic and responsible for causing widespread cellular inflammation, hence the many warnings about salt intake. But what most people do not know is that unrefined, all-natural sea and mineral salts are completely different, as they are packed with health-promoting minerals, electrolytes, and other important nutrients. Eating lots of sea and mineral salt, in other words, is actually good for you. 3) Eating eggs raises your cholesterol. The medical system has gone back and forth on this one, but the truth about eggs will always remain the same - pasture-raised eggs from healthy chickens are an excellent source of both protein and cholesterol, and are not in and of themselves a cause of heart disease. And removing egg yolks and eating only the whites, as many people now do, can actually be detrimental to your health, as eggs should be eaten in complete form for optimal nutrition.

WINTER DRIVING TIPS

WINTER driving tips fall into 3 categories: vehicle preparation to minimise the risk of breakdown, techniques that slash the risk of collision, and the emergency kit. Tips can be implemented easily – with little expertise - and make motoring safer and less stressful.The battery helps start the engine and works harder in low temperatures for a number of reasons - so check its condition. Warning signs that it is struggling include a sluggish, churning, sound as the ignition key turns. It is preferable to replace a battery early than wait for it to fail and cause a breakdown. Life expectancy varies, but a reasonable benchmark is 5 to 7 years. Windscreen wiper blades improve visibility but perish faster than some people recognise – so check for condition. Signs of excessive wear include a hard texture, splits, and permanent smears on the windscreen. Furthermore, ensure that the vehicle has washer fluid and that the blend of washer/water is correct for the season to prevent it freezing. Consult the bottle for details. Choose fluid carefully as some brands are far more freeze resistant than others. Good tyres enable a vehicle to steer, brake and handle properly – so check condition. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central 75% of the width, and around the circumference. The RAC, however, recommends “at least 3mm” as the tread clears water so the vehicle makes contact with the road. Insufficient tread might cause

it to float which eliminates any ability to steer. Check the tyre pressure too. The correct setting is typically found on a sticker on the b-pillar, or the manual. Also check for bulges, cracking, tearing and punctures. Finally, consider purchasing winter tyres which provide superior traction at lower temperatures Antifreeze prevents the water that cools the engine freezing so check its level against minimum and maximum markers on the reservoir. The manual confirms where to look in the engine bay. Lack of antifreeze can – in the most extreme case – cause enough damage to write-off a vehicle. Anti-freeze minimises corrosion too.Winter ice, snow and condensation minimise visibility so clear every window. The vehicle’s ventilation system eradicates condensation, even more so if it incorporates an air-conditioning element which is a dehumidifier. Ice can be removed with a spray and scrapper. Never pour hot water onto the glass as any sudden temperature change could make

it crack. Finally, remove snow from the roof to prevent it sliding forward and covering the windscreen. Winter rain, ice and snow minimise traction so the driving style has to be modified. Brake early/smoothly, steer progressively rather than sharply and accelerate without stamping on the throttle. Looking far ahead and anticipating what is required make such tasks easier. Furthermore, switch off cruise control when there is very little grip to ensure optimum control of the throttle. Cruise control, after all, keeps sending power to the drive wheels irrespective of any patches of ice and standing waterBreaking down or getting stuck in traffic is more hazardous in the winter thanks to the cold and reduced visibility – so pack an emergency kit. Popular items include: a collapsible shovel, high visibility jacket, warning triangle, torch, phone charger, food, drink, warm clothing, foil blanket, de-icer/ scraper, snow grips for shoes, first aid kid, snow chains and an emergency battery starter.

Busy times for Shettleston Air Cadets

THE last couple of months have been very busy for the Air Training Corps Cadets 1089 Squadron based in Killin Street Shettleston. The Squadron played an active part in the annual Remembrance Day commemoration parade in Glasgow’s George square joining other

Cadet organisations and past and present military personnel at the cenotaph, we also carried out a collection to gather funds for Poppy Scotland at the Forge shopping complex at Parkhead. There was also a Battle of Britain church service in St. Stephen’s church in Glasgow

city centre attended by cadets from all the West of Scotland Squadrons. At the Wing Activity Centre in Cambuslang, the cadets have been involved in a couple of competitions namely Aircraft model making and an Aircraft Recognition Quiz. Unfortunately, the high level of entrants from the Cadets of

the other Squadrons who took part meant 1089 did not win either of the events. The Squadron recently held a very successful open day that allowed residents of the East End to come and sample some of the activities available within the Air Training Corps organisation. This resulted in a number of boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 17 joining the Squadron and also a couple of adults, who had been Cadets in their teens, joining as Civilian Instructors. We also had members attending camps in Scotland, England and Ireland recently, other cadets participated in kayaking.One of our Civilian Instructors recently completed a charity bike ride while a nephew of another Civilian Instructor has started his 35-day solo walk to the South Pole. Another Civilian Instructor arranged a visit for the Cadets to the Rolls Royce facility in Inchinnan where they had guided tours in the factory. November will also see a number of cadets attend a full

day at the Wing Activity Centre making use of the facilities in this recently opened building. All of these events supplement and compliment the weekly classes and tasks we do on parade nights. A recent inspection by the Wing Squadron Leader at the Cadet Centre culminated in promotions for a couple of Cadets, one being promoted to Corporal and another going from Corporal to Sargeant The Squadron will be running a Christmas raffle to raise funds that will be used to subsidised the range of external activities, skiing, kayaking, camping that are available to the Cadets. The prizes include

2 return flights to Glasgow to London with British airways. There will also be a Christmas disco for the Cadets. We will also provide support for the school fayre of one of our local Shettleston primary schools with cadets getting involved in the beat the goalie event. The Squadron parades every Tuesday and Friday evenings 19,30 until 21.30. anyone, boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 17, who may be interested in joining the Squadron can come down to any of these evenings to find out more about the opportunities or email 1089@aircadets. org or telephone during parade nights 0141 778 1089

CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across 1. Lovers 4. Asylum 9. Rifle 10. Radar 11. Dress 12. Magnets 13. Yields 15. Person 19. Fiddles 21. Gamut 23. Alarm 24. Drier 25. Tremor 26. Shriek

Down 1. Laundry 2. Verse 3. Refused 5. Shrug 6. Ladders 7. Marks 8. Beams 14. Endgame 16. English 17. Network 18. Aside 19. Feast 20. Limbo 22. Merci

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Music

With Mark Johnson GIGS OF THE YEAR 2015

King Crimson

Queen & Adam Lambert SSE Hydro - Wednesday 14th January Having grown up knowing Queen’s music and admiring the vocal talents of Freddie Mercury I was very sceptical of going to see Queen without Freddie and John Deacon, and how wrong I was. Adam Lambert filled Freddie shoes in a his own way, adding his own twist to the material, but giving it the respect it deserved. As an arena show it had everything, clips from days gone by, the band out in an island in the middle of the hall doing an acoustic set and Brian May’s incredible guitar solo with the screens showing

a journey through the galaxy. Hits from start to finish, they are still a massive band despite not releasing any new material since the 90s. Kathryn Joseph - King Tuts Wah Wah Hut March - Thursday 5th March I’ve seen the Scottish Album of the Year award winner several times all over the country this year, but this one sticks out, because it was the first and left the deepest impression. Coming in to see Kathryn’s now famous piano and Marcus’ array of percussion and synthesisers, I was curious as to how the album would translate live. From the

Kathryn Joseph

first note I was transfixed, A haunting, powerful spellbinding performance. In terms of impact, this is a show that long live in the memory. Like a psychedelic, a Kathryn Joseph show creeps up on you and breaks you apart before putting you back together in the most charming, emotional, haunting, healing way. King Crimson - Usher Hall Edinburgh - Thursday 18th September Described by Jimi Hendrix as “the greatest group in the world” I have to wholeheartedly agree. With a show based around the first few incarnations of Crimson mainly, with a few pieces from the two guitar era, this retrospective offered a lot more than just nostalgia. Led by a front row drum kit trio of Pat Mastelotto, Bill Rieflin and Gavin Harrison joined by a back line of Mel Collins on sax, Tony Levin bass with Jakko Jakszyk on second guitar and vocals, along with guitar virtuoso and Crimson head honcho Robert Fripp. Spellbinding musicianship, new arrangements and all the fan favourites, this has to be my top show of the year. I doubt I will ever see a group of

musicians who can move me to the same extent as long as I live. Absolutely sensational. Pronto Mama - Hug And Pint - Saturday 18th July East End boys Pronto Mama have been a force to reckon with in Glasgow’s music scene with their mix of indie, pop, fusion, jazz and barbershop. In an intimate setting with perfect sound and a crowd willing to listen this was a standout show, from the all out in your face electro prog of Eden through thejangly guitar pop of Goose Steps and the funk pop Rubber to the intimacy of Memory Song and Sentiment. A show from a band in top form. Fish - Midstock Festival, Dalkeith Country Park - Saturday 12th September Scottish prog legend Fish returned to his hometown for a final performance of Marillion’s Misplaced Childhood al-

the town’s Market Square. Donovan - Pavilion - Saturday 3rd October Glasgow’s most important musician returned to his hometown to kick off his 50th anniversary world tour. In the plush Pavilion theatre we were treated to so many hits from the Rock n Roll hall of famer. With a back catalogue full of worldwide hits including Catch The Wind, Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow I couldn’t help but love this gig. Though his accent may have changed over the years, Donovan is still a Maryhill boy at heart, with patter about his Uncle Jim and his formative years in the pubs of Maryhill, teaching him a folk song tradition that has shaped his musical career. Though a bit twee in comparison to modern songwriter,s Donovan’s quality still shines through with so many folk and psychedelic classics that stand up to this day.

capacity crowd dancing from start to finish. Best suited to an intimate arena this is the best I’ve seen them this year. Relentless energy, big beats with crushing guitar and synth noise. Brilliant stuff. Hector Bizerk - Oran Mor Saturday 23rd October What a year this has been for Hector Bizerk, from SXSW earlier in the year through headlining a stage at T in the Park to having 5000 people bouncing around at Wickerman as well as releasing their album The Waltz of Modern Psychiatry. I have seen Hector many times and could put in several of their shows, including the sold out summer show at King Tut’s, but for me this was the one that established them as one of Glasgow’s biggest bands. In a packed out Oran Mor they took on almost mythical status with hundreds of people reciting Louie’s complex rhymes back word

Donovan

bum which had it’s 30th birthday this year. With his best live band since early in his solo career this was as good performance of the singer’s most popular piece of work, in his hometown, where the lyrics for Kayleigh are written in stone in

Crash Club - Flat 0/1 - Saturday 3rd October Crash Club are a band who can start a party anywhere they go and were on top form as the headliners of Tenement TV’s Flat 0/1 stage. Joined onstage by Be Charlotte they had the

for word. During the show as Louie lifted the Hector Bizerk flag high above himself someone turned to me and said “Hector Bizerk aren’t a band, they’re a country.” - Maybe it’s about time for A Place Called Nowhere to apply to the UN.

VETERANS FOR PEACE RELEASE CHRISTMAS SINGLE DURING the Christmas of 1914, soldiers on multiple fronts of the First World War put their weapons down and made an unofficial and illegal truce. When the celebrations ended, many would not go back to war with each other. The popular story has been re-told many times as a Christmas miracle. This December 18th, an organisation of veterans of the British military and Tom Morello, guitarist with Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave’s new Firebrand Records release “Christmas Truce” a holiday single and video to promote the ide-

als behind that truce – soldier-led resistance against war and militarism. Written by Firebrand Records co-founder, folk singer, and longtime anti-war activist Ryan Harvey, “Christmas Truce” is performed by Belgian-born, London-based singer Fenya, an active member of London’s Food Not Bombs. Accompanying the song is a video shot with members of Veterans For Peace UK, featuring former soldiers of conflicts stretching from the Second World War to the present interventions and occupations in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan.

“The Christmas Truce lives in the hearts of millions of people,” says Veterans For Peace UK coordinator Ben Griffin, who served in Northern Ireland, the former-Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment and the Special Air Service. “However we need to move on from the idea of a truce being something that is only carried out at Christmas. Throughout history soldiers have formed truces with their supposed enemies; in fact soldiers often find that they have a lot more in common with the enemy than with their own governments.”

“I wrote this song to tell a simple story that reflects a much larger reality,” Harvey says. “Soldiers have spoken out, protested, and revolted in almost every war in history. We encourage and need this resistance, because historically, it is one of the single strongest factors in bringing wars to an end. At a time when a civil and proxy-war is ripping Syria apart and the world seems to be lingering on the brink of yet another global catastrophic conflict, this ever-relevant song references history to describe the present.” “We hope to convince people that war is not the solution to the

problems of the 21st century,” Griffin concludes. Veterans For Peace UK is a voluntary ex-services organisa-

tion of over 300 men and women who have served in every war that Britain has fought since WW2

GENN

Your Horoscope Predictions By Eris

Aries

(21 March - 20 April)

Obstacles you have been facing, when it comes to your career concerns and professional interests, aren’t looking to resolve themselves. The same applies to any goals and ambitions with a worldly slant, based on concrete achievements and tangible objectives, you’d hoped might serve to define your future. A new angle is essential and the days ahead are your chance to pinpoint this, either in tandem with those who have made life difficult, or alone if that is impossible. Any negotiations are best scheduled for earlier on in the week.

Taurus

(21 April - 21 May)

Venus the planet of love, continues its voyage through your relationship sector. This helps smooth over any difficulties in your closest relationships, promotes even greater harmony where no conflict existed and encourages fulfilling associations to enter your orbit. This doesn’t mean there is no need for you to make an effort, as in the most rewarding and positive fashion, you’ll get furthest creating a scenario where such influences can come your way, rather than assuming a passive role.

Gemini

(22 May - 21 June)

A new moon in your relationship sector, adds to a complicated picture where your closest associations are concerned. It encourages you to leave the past behind you and to place outstanding loose ends on the most solid footing practicable, so you can focus in the future when the need arises, on more pressing developments than your interpersonal affairs. In some instances, this may mean certain people departing from your circle, where you have tried repeatedly to rectify problematic issues only with little real success.

Cancer

(22 June - 23 July)

Libra

(24 Sep - 23 Oct)

Mars in your sign until early next month is not the most comfortable planetary influence you can imagine, especially at a time of year when bonhomie and friendship are near the top of many lists. Instead there is a sense that you’re unwilling to be pushed around, deliberately or otherwise by people and circumstances. Such assertive energies trouble you especially, when viewed through a lens of concern for the sensibilities of other people. You are inclined to seek the advice of those closest to you.

Scorpio

(24 Oct - 22 Nov)

Venus remains in your sign. Although a visit from this planet has a reputation for laying minor relationship stresses to rest, this is an annual influence without the impetus to address more deep-seated concerns. Thus, while it can help you to resolve certain issues from your dim and distant past, the fallout from which continues to undermine your peace of mind, Venus only provides the means by which to tackle these anxieties and leaves their actual resolution in your own hands. As a child there were occasions when you felt you had no control.

Sagittarius

(23 Nov - 21 Dec)

When it comes to Saturn in your sign, it is tempting to focus on the downside. This is to some degree inevitable, when you consider the gap between the strictures and limitations associated with this planet, compared to the broader scope and extended horizons that are traditionally your domain. Still, just as this planet’s arrival spells the end of a chapter and potentially an entire episode in your history, so every conclusion implies a fresh start in one way or another. The new moon in your sign on Friday sums it all up, as you continue putting the past behind you while simultaneously, setting the scene for a brighter future…

Capricorn

(22 Dec - 20 Jan)

Your professional interests keep you on your toes this week, although that is hardly unusual nowadays. Eventualities arise you hadn’t anticipated and did not schedule the time for, while other people seem to make the situation worse, rather than offering their assistance. Then again, at moments like these, maybe it is unreasonable even to imagine this is what they ought to be doing. Perhaps you need to focus on your own concerns, rather than expecting anybody else to save you from your chores and responsibilities?

As you struggle to make your mark on the world, it is wise to remind yourself that your achievements are not the only yardstick by which you will be judged. Think how when you first meet somebody, you instinctively look for clues, that help you categorise and then deal with that individual. Their mannerisms for example; their accent or the clothes they wear, help you understand and then compartmentalise that person’s background and circumstances. So if you are sticking with an image that nowadays seems a little jaded, the arrival of Mercury in your constellation represents the ideal time for an enlightened makeover…

Leo

Aquarius

Just a Thought

MAKING IT HAPPEN

LUCK is not a plan, but you can plan to have more luck when you have an idea, want something, start up a business or engage in any enterprise. Here are 13 proven ways to make it happen: 1. Forget about superstition. If a great opportunity arises out of the blue, is that luck? Or is it the result of a great impression you left on someone else, who then steered the new opportunity your way? Much of what we think of as simple good fortune can be explained if we look hard, so forget about a lucky horseshoe and study what “luckier” people do. Be a nice person to meet nice people. 2. Take the initiative. If you go through life knowing only one Latin phrase, make it this one: Audentes fortuna iuuat, or “fortune favours the bold.” (If you would like a slightly more modern interpretation, look to hockey great Wayne Gretzky: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”) Regardless of how you articulate it, you increase your odds of winning dramatically simply by stepping up to the plate, you got to be in it to win it. 3. Focus on a few things. Chances are, if you’re reading this you are or you want to be an interesting and ambitious person. You probably have all kinds of great ideas. The real trick, however, is to pick a few things that you’re really good at and enjoy, and focus on them. Doing so funnels your efforts into the activities that are most likely to show success and bring you more luck. 4. Become a little more expert. A little bit of wisdom goes a long way, and this strategy mul-

tiplies the effectiveness of the two items you just read. So many people take themselves out of the running for great opportunities, only to be surprised when other people who don’t have greater expertise or talents take advantage of them. So increase your confidence every day by becoming a little bit more expert than your audience. Make lifelong learning a cornerstone of your plan, and improve the odds so you’ll be ready when opportunity knocks. 5. Meet more people. If single and want a partner, set a goal: Meet and chat with a 100 different women/men in a single year. The idea is that you only needed to be right once. The same thing applies in other contexts. Would you feel lucky if a new connection led to a great opportunity, or would you think that you had improved your odds of knowing the right person simply by meeting more people? 6. Call old friends. Meeting new people is important, but networking isn’t just about adding people to your LinkedIn profile. Instead, the most powerful relationships can be the longtime ones you’ve had, based on friendship, trust, and shared experiences. So, instead of just reaching out to new people, be the one who nurtures old relationships. (Easy tip: Go to your reunions.) 7. Make a game of failure. No matter what you try, you will fail sometimes. The trick is to overcome your fear of failure, so as to have many more opportunities to succeed. Each day, give yourself a little reward for winning the failure game--making 10 failed sales calls, or making the

The Genn Crossword

effort to do 10 seemingly fruitless introductions. This attitude also stops you from resting on your laurels. If you have a big victory on any particular day, you still need to go out and fail a few times to win the game. 8. Visualize success and plan for it. Think about your goals every day. Imagine what success will look like, and work backward to figure out how you will get there. A few years ago, I read a book written by a professor who had been trained as an engineer. His first order of business was to show a 365-column Gantt chart, with the last day representing completion of the plan. It was overwhelming at first to plan and work to this, but I came to appreciate it. Figure out where you want to be a month or a year from now, and work backward. 9. Craft your story. Stories are the most powerful form of communication. The great news is that you get to craft your own story. The way you tell it impacts everything about your relationships with other people. Remember, the story needs structure. It needs a theme and compelling characters. And it needs to involve a worthy struggle. Can you describe those elements in your life? 10. Share your story. When a good friend of mine got out of the military a decade ago, his story went something like this: Recently discharged veteran wants to meet the world’s most interesting people, write about them, and find a way to make a living. He told just about everyone he knew. Eventually, someone he had shared it with let him

know about an opportunity that really changed his life: He wound up working for Bob Woodward of The Washington Post and later reporting from Iraq for the newspaper. People love a good story, and they want to help make yours come true. 11. Write down good things. One of the most surprising things learned as a chronicler of other people is how little we actually remember of our own lives. Longtime readers of this column might already know that I’m a big fan of the diary method of keeping a journal. Regardless of how you do it, recording the pieces of your life allows you to chart what you’ve done successfully and reminds you to follow up on opportunities. 12. Copy from the greats. Pick a couple successful mentors and study and copy them 13. Put others first. Think about how creative people benefit from being organized. Doing so frees your mind from the routine so that you can focus on truly unique challenges. Apply the same principle here. Pick a few successful mentors and imitate them. Their past performance isn’t a guarantee of your future results, but it’s probably a good place to start. Yes, it’s Lucky No. 13 on the list, but this is perhaps the most important item. Whether you call it karma, or simply the notion that people like to help people who have been good to them in the past, the notion that no good deed goes unpunished is simply wrong. In the long run, focusing on helping others achieve their goals often opens new opportunities for you, as well.

CHECK FOR ANSWERS ON PAGE 24

Across (24 July - 23 Aug)

(21 Jan - 19 Feb)

Four planets in Sagittarius, signal an enjoyable week. Your domestic situation and family affairs seem less tense than they have been, while money worries are off the radar, temporarily at least. This situation won’t last forever, so make the most of your opportunities while you can. Indulge yourself and create time for hobbies, enjoyment and sporting pursuits, depending on your individual inclination. Relaxation and entertainment prove equally vital to your well-being, as do more practical commitments. Your pets and children aren’t just another responsibility.

A generally fortunate picture characterises your week, despite all the stresses that others seem to be experiencing. Your professional affairs are progressing reasonably well, while those in authority appear more amenable and are kindly disposed towards your efforts and endeavours. While your finances are still convoluted and uncertain after the meltdown of a few years ago, you continue to prove fortunate where any shared financial dealings are concerned. It may be that your partner has a positive impact on your material security, or that financial institutions and other sources of revenue step forward to fill the breach.

Virgo

Pisces

(24 Aug - 23 Sep)

Mars in your money sector increases your outgoings, while Uranus suggests financial assistance is hard to come by and less than dependable, even if you do strike it lucky. This means you are probably better not to rely, on sources of external finance if there is any alternative. You may prove astonishing fortunate with the cash you need arriving just at the last moment, but the chances of that happening are distinctly higher if this represents a bonus you were not expecting. A flutter on the lottery or the stock market could prove profitable within reason.

1. Venus de Milo versus some Valentine couples (6) 4. Find refuge in easy lumber (6) 9. Plunder with arms (5) 10. Palindrome instrument (5) 11. Decorate a garment (5) 12. Short publication catches attractions (7) 13. Replace pieces of land beginning of February with crops end of July (6) 15. For each child is individual (6) 19. Fidgets with musical instruments (7) 21. Complete range found in mega mutation (5) 23. Some warning given in ideal army (5) 24. More ironic machine (5) 25. Endlessly shake a woody plant, to a greater extent (6) 26. Disoriented hikers shout (6)

Down (20 Feb - 20 Mar)

Neptune is your ruling planet, since the characteristics linked with it are naturally in harmony with the traits of your sign. Thus, while some might respond to its extended stay in your region of the heavens with bewilderment, you are more likely to witness a resurgence of compassion and an intuitive awareness, of your environment and what is right for you. This sensitivity and malleability prove tricky for some, as they belie a steely certainty regarding other priorities, since both elements of your personality coexist. You are equally a perfect partner and the fiercest foe, while the battleground of shared resources is the backdrop.

1. Sounds like clean cut grass, not wet (7) 2. Serve a jumble of poetry (5) 3. Short umpire employed and turned down (7) 5. Some foolish rugged gesture (5) 6. Used with snakes for a game (7) 7. Replace an apple core in public places with a meal starter that makes the grade (5) 8. Supports rays (5) 14. Final stage could lead to checkmate (7) 16. Confused his glen with a language (7) 17. Communicate to catch employment (7) 18. A facet of speaking (5) 19. Find cafe astir, so wine and dine (5) 20. Dance, slim body essential (5) 22. Sounds like clemency in France, thanks (5)

GENN

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EASTERHOUSE BOY READY TO REPRESENT SCOTLAND AT DANCE WORLD CUP FINALS

DECLAN BAILEY can start preparing for the trip of a lifetime to Jersey next June - representing Scotland at the Dance World Cup Finals. Young Declan (14), who lives in the new Estate near Easterhouse Station and attends St Ambrose School in Coatbridge, is astudent at the highly-acclaimed G12 Studio Glasgow. Head Dance Teacher Lynne Miller this week praised the impact and dedication he has shown within their organisation. Speaking exclusively to the GENN, Lynne revealed: “He is a treasure and such a talented hard-working young man. “Declan has previously performed several times at the King’s Panto, with stars such as Darrius, and for Scottish Ballet starring in Hanzel and Gretal. He also performed for Cameron McIntosh in the Oliver Tour around the UK, and is a born star - always achieving success due to his hard work and dedication. “We are really excited about how well the students have done. Declan has qualified for his boys modern solo. He is one of three boys to make this section, while one of the other G12 boys also took one of the places, so we thrilled “A contemporary duet, which is beautiful, a hip-hop duet, a tap boys trio and for a hip-hop group, so you can see how talented he is right across the board covering numerous dance genre’s.” Revealing a rare insight into the background of the event, Lynne continued: “The Dance World Cup is a contest ran by the organisers of the World Cup and the Olympic Games. This has involved 38 countries, 18,000 competitors, nine dance genre’s - acro, contemporary, ballet, national, tap, modern jazz, modern showdance, hip-hop, song and dance. “We have students placed in seven of these genre’s for solos, duets, trios and teams, so I very excited that our students will be the first to represent Scotland at this prestigious competition. “If there are any local businesses or companies that would be keen to sponsor Declan - or for that matter our other students we would be more than happy to speak with them.”

Declan’s mother, Jeanlouise, was equally enthusiastic about the achievement in reaching the Finals and admitted: “I don’t know where he gets his passion for it! “His school work has not suffered in the slightest. He is on his way to doing National Five, and knows what it takes to achieve that. Plus, his teachers and the school have been great with him, and he has not neglected his studies at all. “Like any other boy growing up, Declan tried football and karate. The crunch came when his football coach told us our son was more interested in watching dance classes going on next door, so the decision was made to get him into a set-up that would help him. “I have to say Lynne Miller has been a god-send. When Declan and all the other children were in a competition to get this far, he was out on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. “Lynne gave her free time on a Sunday, never took a penny, and even paid for a facility herself where they, including Declan, could put in extra practice hours. She is totally professional in everything she does, and is not slow in letting them know what has to be done, but the kids totally respect her. “It is a fantastic achievement and speaks volumes for the effort everyone has put in. It has been a journey for them - including Lynne.” The Dance World Cup Finals will take place from June 20-July 2, 2016, but Declan has another important event on Boxing Day, when he celebrates his 15th birthday! * G12 Studio offers a wide variety of classes in all aspects of Performing Arts. In the Dance Programme, they offer Hip-Hop. Jazz, Salsa, Tap, Stretch, Choreograph Freestyle, Modern and Ballet for all ages, in addition to a full Drama and Vocal Section. Whether you are seeking a Fun Fitness Class, Professional Class, Drama, Vocal, Mother and Toddler Group or even preparing for an audition, G12 Studio are sure to have something suitable or you. Give them a call on 0845 299 0842, or visit their website: www. theg12studio.co.uk

STUDENTS from G12 Studio await confirmation they have been chosen to represent Scotland at the Dance World Cup Finals in Jersey next year.

PROUD mother Jeanlouise Bailey and 14-year-old Declan Bailey, who will represent Scotland at the Dance World Cup Finals in Jersey next year.

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BUDHILL Football Academy 2005 Oranges enjoyed a day-out at the Delta Force PaintBall, East Glasgow, prior to their Player Awards presentation. Left to Right - Michael McGrath, Luke McNaught, Kai Mitchell, Jamie McLean, Jamie Haxton and Kian Duffy. All names, information and photographic content kindlyÂ supplied by Budhill Football Academy Chairman Billy McNaught.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Jack Wotherspoon.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Ally Dott.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Jamie McLean.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Kian Duffy.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Kai Mitchell.

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Jamie Elliott.

Budhill Football Academy 2005 Orange Team Awards

BUDHILL Football Academy Coach Steven Moncrieff with Jamie Haxton.

GENN

Political Forum Labour’s Vision for the Scottish Economy

SPEAKING to business leaders Alex Rowley deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party set out his vision for Scotland’s economic future and highlighted the key areas where labour will be campaigning over the coming months to make Scotland a fairer more prosperous nation. Mr Rowley stated: “We share their view with our message that there can be no one left behind. Our ambition is for full employment and to achieve this we need an anti-poverty strategy sitting at the heart of government driven by a partnership of government at every level, employers, trade unions and the third sector, with skills and employability at its heart. “Our ambition is for full employment and to achieve this we need an anti-poverty strategy sitting at the heart of government driven by a partnership of government at every level, employers, trade unions and the third sector, with skills and employability at its heart. “At the heart of Labour’s ambition for full and good employment, must be a new partnership – a partnership which recognises that government on its own cannot, and will not, achieve either full or good employment.” Mr Rowley also highlighted Scotland’s housing crisis in his speech and the letter sent to SNP Housing Minister Margaret Burgess calling for action on the housing crisis. Mr Rowley stated: “Housing is one area which we can and should address now as the gap between housing need and supply is bad for people and bad for our economy. It drives up prices and inflates rents in the private sector. “I am therefore asking the government to take the following steps: • “Set up a partnership with

local government to drive a national plan for house building into each local authority area. • “Carry out an audit of all land within the public sector in Scotland • “Require each local authority area to establish a Housing Board that will work with developers to oversee and deliver new house building in each area, will consult with local communities and will begin the planning process for establishing mixed housing developments that will deliver both public and private sector housing across Scotland. Key housing figures: • There were 150,000 households on local authority housing waiting lists across Scotland as at 31st March this year. • As at 30th June this year there were 10,666 households in temporary accommodation. • Between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2015 councils received a total of 35,764 homelessness applications • Every 18 minutes a household in Scotland is assessed as homeless. That is 81 a day. • Over 1 in 10 households in Scotland are affected by dampness or condensation (or both). • 940,000 households are in fuel poverty in Scotland - 39% of all households. • 75,000 households are overcrowded in Scotland. • Homeless children in temporary accommodation missed an average of 55 school days, equivalent to a quarter of the school year. • Over the last 10 years, the number living in the private rented sector has doubled to 368,000. • The number of households in poverty in the private rented sector has also doubled in the last decade to 120,000. “I suggest that these statistics should galvanise government and society into action.”

Dr Don’s View

The column which cuts though the garnish HERE we go again, yet another promise unfulfilled. Despite assurances from the Government that foreign aid to India would cease by this month, it has now been increased to £275m. India is spending zillions on a space programme and has a nuclear arsenal costing just as much, yet we are giving them £275m. What colour is the sky over the foreign aid department. Are they living in a cave cocooned from the austerity the rest of us are having to endure? Foreign aid now totals £11b for last year. As I have asked before, where is the benefit to the UK taxpayer? What I did notice was that these figures were sneaked out under the cover of the Syria bombing stramash hoping they wouldn’t be noticed. Not on my watch! Well, last week in Westminster things got a wee bit steamie, but Cameron got his way, and now we have daily bombing sorties over Syria and Iraq. Is it going to make the UK safer from the local nutter sitting listening to the daily drivel in his mosque from a bitter and twisted Imam? Is bombing Syria going to deter radicalised clowns who live here from filling a bag pack with explosives and blowing themselves up on the misguided belief that they will be martyrs? No, David Cameron may live to regret what Jeremy described as a ‘rush to war’. His legacy may be bloodshed on the streets of London again. Let’s hope the decision of the SNP to oppose the bombing at least keeps the streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh safe. Jeremy

may have a few dissenters on his front bench, but he still has a massive mandate at national level, and a reshuffle will sort out the likes of Hilary Benn. Here we have an MP, the latest version of the Benn dynasty, on his third attempt at being elected, who hasn’t spoken a word in the last parliament, but felt it right to stand up last week to support the Conservatives proposal to bomb Syria. Alex Salmond was right when he said Hilary’s father, who was so far left he was falling off the edge, ‘would be birling in his grave if he had heard him’. To compare Isis with the fascists of Franco, Hitler and Mussolini displayed a woeful gap in Benn’s research, and despite the glowing attributes to his speech by some, I fear he is going the same way as his father who was described by Harold Wilson as ‘one who has immatured with age’. For some political pundits to now acclaim Hilary Benn as the ‘white knight’ who will succeed Jeremy on the basis of his one and only speech, just confirms to me that the Westminster commentariate are living in a bubble like Emperor Ming (remember him?) The by-election in Oldham again confounded the experts. It was predicted to be a Labour loss in the aftermath of the free vote in the commons together with the widely reported demise of the Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. But again, the well paid political editors in the mainstream establishment media have miscalculated the grass roots support Jeremy has,

and it came out in spades in Oldham with a huge majority. Well done the wee man! I am filled with admiration for Jeremy, not for all his comments or ideals, but for the fact that he has faced his critics and dissenters within his own party with a dignified stance, standing his ground, unafraid to state what he believes in, and sticking to it. I know I have cracked this joke before that the only person to go to Westminster with serious intentions was Guy Fawkes, but in Jeremy, we have one. I don’t think he wants to blow the place up, be he has sure as hell put a firecracker up the rectums of a few in the House. The so-called Labour ‘moderates’ who have been, and still are, trying to undermine Jeremy, appear to be snubbing the huge mandate he has won. That alone could be dangerous to long political life ambitions. They appear also to have forgotten that, as leader, he can arrange a re-shuffle anytime he likes, and can relegate the few who are attempting to grab the steering wheel to the back benches. Personally, I think he is a survivor and may outperform expectations. They should give the wee man a chance! Always on the alert for humour in politics, I spotted the laugh of the week. The Pimco Group, an International Asset Management and Investment Company, have just hired a new advisor. His CV shows that in his last job he sold off the gold reserves just before they rocketed to an all time high, and that he spent all

the money his old employer had before he left. Yes, you guessed it, PIMCO have hired Gordon Brown as an Advisor. Their HR manager must be on something. I also notice that another Labour stalwart has shown great dexterity for spending. The not-so-late lamented Jim Murphy spent so much on his election campaign, mostly on extravagant team salaries to cronies, that he, like Gordon Brown and Alistair Harding, has left the cupboard bare for Kezia Dugdale. It’s hard enough for Kezia to find candidates for what looks like being a bloodbath in May, but now, thanks to Jim, she hasn’t the funds to support what candidates she does have. Meanwhile, we have Mr Cameron jetting around the world trying to drum up support for his EU reforms, and getting nowhere. Everyone is ultra polite, but there is no sign of any support. Cameron himself flits between trying to convince us he is getting broad agreements whatever that may mean, to threatening to lead the OUT campaign if he doesn’t get his way. I notice he has already given up on his time scale saying ‘these things take time.’ More like hedging his bets to me. For his latest comment of ‘I am prepared to be flexible’ read, ‘ I have failed!’ This week the Scottish Parliament will be publishing their draft budget. This is important as it will show what the SNP intends to do with the new devolved powers. Take time to read it, this will have an effect on you! Watch this space. Dr Don

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GENN DEDICATED SCOT IS FIRST PERSON OUTWITH USA TO WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR SERVICES TO AUTISM A SCOTSMAN has been recognised by an esteemed U.S. organisation for his unwavering dedication to improving services for those living with autism. Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) presented Cambuslang-born Jim Taylor with their Award for Excellence in Education at their annual OCALICON Awards on Thursday 19 November. Jim, the only person from outwith the U.S.A. to be presented with an OCALI award, has worked in the autism field for almost 37 years and, now an independent practitioner, is currently involved in projects in schools and adult services across Europe with his brand Jim Taylor: Know Autism. His innovative approach to autism is, in his own words, “all about the autism”. By addressing the impact of autism and placing an emphasis on developing an individual’s strengths and potential, he helps them overcome barriers presented by their condition. This shunning of a “one size fits all” approach leads to an improvement in service provision and life experiences for those involved. The awards, which took place in the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, saw Jim pick up the accolade not only for his services to those living with autism – but also for the work he puts in to educating others about his successful practices. The Celtic FC Foundation, which has always supported the work Jim carries out,

partly sponsored his trip to take part in OCALICON 2015. Jim said, “I’m so honoured to receive this amazing award which, for me, is validation and proof that the “all about the autism” practice really is working. “Having my work recognised by such a prestigious overseas organisation shows that here in Scotland, we’re definitely getting something right – and I’m extremely proud of that fact.” Shawn Henry, OCALI’s executive director, said, “It was both a pleasure and an honour to give this award to Jim. He is a true inspiration and travels the world over to make sure that he is doing the best for those with autism.

“Jim has always talked about everything coming from the strengths of people with autism and that we should look at the strengths of all individuals. We are truly blessed that, because of Jim’s strengths, and because of what he does, he make the world a truly better place. “I’d like to personally thank him for his true commitment and excellence.” For Jim, the impressive OCALI achievement comes just months after being the third person ever (and only Scot) to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Autistic Society. For more information on Jim Taylor’s work, visit www.jimtaylorknowsautism. com

BILL BUTLER TO STAND FOR LABOUR’S GLASGOW LIST BILL Butler, a Glasgow City Councillor and the Scottish Labour candidate for Glasgow Anniesland constituency, is to stand for Labour’s Glasgow List. The ballot, which will take place in January next year, will rank Scottish Labour’s candidates for the Glasgow regional list at next year’s Holyrood elections. Commenting on the news, Bill Butler said: “I am delighted to be on the ballot paper for the upcoming selection. “The Labour Party faces a significant challenge five months out from May’s election. The Scottish Labour Party has much to do to regain the trust and confidence of people in Glasgow and across Scotland.

“I believe I offer the necessary experience, combined with the passion and principle needed to start the fightback. I will spend every day over the next five months campaigning to regain that lost trust, and fight for every vote. “This great city of ours needs a strong Labour voice, that will protect the most vulnerable in our communities and fight for a fair deal for our city. Glasgow needs a strong Labour voice that works tirelessly to represent its citizens. I pledge to work with communities across Glasgow, and speak up on their behalf in the fight to achieve a fair deal for our city. “This is the case I will make to Labour members in Glasgow, and to the people of our city.”

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BUDHILL SCOOP SECOND MOST INNOVATIVE ACTIVITY AWARD BUDHILL Football Academy officials are celebrating a second successive Most Innovative Physical Activity Programme Award. Exactly 12 months ago, Chairman Billy McNaught, pictured, and his dedicated squad of volunteer coaches claimed a first-ever Academy success at an event superbly organised by Active East. Now, after Scottish Sports Futures highlighted a widerange of accomplishments involving young people and organisations as part of “Cel-

ebrating 15 Years”, Budhill’s Junior Buddy’s emerged ahead of four other nominees to claim top-spot. GENN readers will have followed the outstanding contribution by Junior Buddy’s in the local community. Having been launched at Barlanark Community Centre, they are also flourishing within Tollcross and Shettleston. Budhill’s innovative idea has been a huge success with mothers and toddlers aged 18 months-plus across the East End of Glasgow.

Billy McNaught ... delighted with another Innovative Physical Activity Programme Award.

Speaking exclusively to the GENN, Budhill Chairman Billy McNaught explained: “The focus is on fun, physical literacy, with a sporting feel, but we also build-in social interaction, meeting and mixing with other children. “Budhill Football Academy are most certainly looking to expand this programme in other areas based on our success, and we can also develop something for parents, too, whilst the sessions are taking place. “Our long-term thinking is we want to create another Most Innovative Physical Activity Programme for 2016.” Meanwhile, Budhill Football Academy were far from finished at the Marriott Glasgow Hotel, which hosted the glittering evening. Linking-up with Barlanark Community Centre/Free Junior Buddy’s Programme, Budhill finished runners-up to Judo Scotland in a category called Active East Building Partnership of the Year 2015. Budhill Football Academy Coach Saskia Barclay, aged 14, was named Active Champion of the Year 2015. The GENN would like to thank Budhill Football Academy Chairman Billy McNaught for his help in obtaining photographs from the Scottish Sports Futures Evening.

Budhill Football Academy... out in force at the Presentation Evening.

Claire Lindsay and Trisha Mitchell, representing Budhill Football Academy, display the runners-up certificate from the category, Active East Building Partnership of the Year 2015.

GENN Let’s Look Back....Sport review of the year

January THE first month of 2015 will be remembered for high winds, heavy rain, sleet and snow, which shut-down West Region football completely over two different week-ends. Shettleston were “first-foots” at Pollok’s Newlandsfield Park, and their 10-men were edged out in a 4-3 thriller. The same scoreline favoured an SYFA West Region Squad, who almost blew a 4-0 lead inside 23 minutes against South West Under-15 in the opening game of the Inter-Region Cup. South Camlachie Y.P. A.F.C. lost 7-1 at Woodside in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup (Fifth Round), and Baillieston Thistle crashed out 4-2 in a replay at Letham. The first meeting had finished 2-2. Wellhouse A.F.C. were left frustrated by three successive

February weather-hit Scottish Cup postponements at Hamilton F.P. A subsequent switch to Greenfield Football Centre was ruled out by snow at the end of January. Budhill Footall Academy pushed ahead with ambitious plans for their set-up after winning a first-ever club award at Active East. Budhill, Finnart and Westercommon Star received Quality Mark Awards from the Scottish Football Association at Firhill Stadium. Maryhill Black Star needed extra-time in a 3-2 win over West of Scotland Cup opponents Blantyre RGM. Cranhill United midfielder Andy Dorrans scored twice as they crushed Dundee Social 5-1 in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy Round 5. In the

same tourney, Westercommon Star beat Westhill 5-2. Shettleston saw their Fourth Round Scottish Junior Cup clash against Clydebank postponed three times at Holm Park, Yoker. All four Scottish Under-21 Cup Quarter-Finals, plus an entire domestic programme suffered the same fate.

HEAVY overnight frosts set in and frustrated everyone with junior, amateur and boy’s club teams idle. Broomhouse F.C. travelled north and beat Nicolls 1-0 in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup, and returned late afternoon to enjoy a successful Speakers Night as part of their 20th Anniversary at Shettleston Juniors Club. Victoria F.C., Bishopton, Rutherglen Glencairn, and Musselburgh Windsor reached the National Lady Darling Under-21 Cup Semi-Finals. Westercommon Star conceded a late goal against Cross Tavern ( West Lothian) in the Scottish Sunday Trophy. Arsenal Boys’ Club lost 3-0 at Clydebank F.C. in the Trans World Soccer Scottish Under-19 Cup. Glasgow Girls held their Annual Awards Evening. Three age

last-eight of both the Scottish and West Cups in only their third season at this level. Ten-man Shettleston Juniors went down 4-1 against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup Quarter-Finals at Greenfield Park. Talbot would go on to win the national trophy, and be crowned Super Premier Division champions. Glasgow City bowed out of the Women’s Champions League Quarter-Finals. Having taken a 2-0 first-leg lead, Paris Saint-Germain won the return fixture 5-0. Cranhill United continued their Fosters Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy campaign with a very comfortable 3-0 victory against Semi-Final opponents Dalkeith. Holders Harvester A.F.C. knocked-out Fairfield Sports and Leisure 4-3 on penal-

ties (2-2) in the other semi. Man of the Match Jmaes Smith (2) and Marc Murphy netted as Haghill A.F.C. beat Jerviston 3-1 in the Knock-Out Cup Final at Airdrie. Garrowhill Bowling Club Ladies raised £1600 from their first charity day.

EDINBURGH Monarchs progressed to the next round of the Spring Trophy following their scond-leg 51-42 win over Glasgow Tigers. Broomhouse midfielder Joe McGowan hit the winner against Gartcosh United in their Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup Quarter-Final replay at Greenfield Park. The first game finished 0-0. Finnart 2000 age group (Under-15) won the Blackpool Cup on penalties against Glenrothes Strollers on Easter Monday. Finnart Under-16 squad lost their Final 1-0 against Barrhead Yellow, while a 2004 age group finished third out of eight teams in a first-ever visit to the popular holiday resort. SAFA Select beat Leinster Senior League 5-4 on penalties (1-1) to win the Graham Hark-

March GLASGOW City completed pre-season games with a 2-0 victory - Fiona Brown scored twice - at Durham WFC. City also swooped to sign SWPL Player of the Year, Kerry Montgomery, from Spartans. Mount Vernon beat Foxley 10-9 ( 13 ends) in the West of Scotland Indoor Bowling League Play-Off at Shawfield. Holders Garrowhill beat Sandyhills 6-2 and Springboig edged out North British 30-29 in the Carpet Bowls League Top 10 Semi-Finals. Garrowhill won the Final 8-0. Heavy overnight rain wiped out most of the amateur and junior football programme on March 7. Broomhouse managed a game and beat Blantyre Celtic 2-1 in Round 7 of the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup. In doing so, the East End club had reached the

their pre-season schedule with defeats against hosts Manchester City (3-2) and the visit of Chelsea (2-0). Foxley won the West of Scotland Indoor Sunday League, while Mount Vernon recorded a lastgame victory against Parkhead to clinch the Saturday League Shield - and set-up the annual Play-0ff at Shawfield.

ness Memorial Trophy. Shettleston, North British, Whitevale and Mount Vernon were among bowling clubs opening for the new season. Haghill A.F.C. secured the Airdrie and Coatbridge League championship with a 4-0 win over Lochgreen. Petershill stunned Pollok 2-0 in the Euroscot Engineering Central League Cup (Second Round) at Newlandsfield Park. Man of the Match Kieran Daw scored twice. Finnart Amateurs went down 4-2 against Goldenhill in the Friday evening Centenary Cup Final at Fullarton Park, Tollcross. Broomhouse F.C. crashed 3-0 against Craighill in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup Semi-Final. Holders Glasgow City

thrashed Hutchison Vale 11-0 in the SWP League Cup Quarter-Finals. Fiona Brown grabbed a hat-trick. Aberdeen overcame Inverness 2-1, Celtic defeated Stirling University 4-0 and Hibernian kept their nerve to edge out Spartans on spotkicks after they served-up a 2-2 draw.

themselves for a hectic spell of speedway action, with six away meetings, and three at home over a four-week period. Half-way through the Glasgow North Eastern Bowling League outdoor season, Carmyle topped Division 1, and St Rollox were Division 2 table-toppers. Postal United named Darren Carroll as their Player of the Year. United manager John Hughes quits after a successful five-year tenure with the East End club. Culrain Street, Shettleston, attracts a huge amount of praise from visiting officials for the condition of their greens. A number of Scottish and GBA ties take place at the club. Finnart Under-16 win the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

League championship, while the club’s Under-15 squad finish third-top of the Glasgow and District Youth Football League. Finnart 2003 enjoy the experience of a weekend tournament at Southport by way of preparation for their step-up into 11-a-side football.

April

May GLASGOW North Eastern Bowling League received a boost with the GENN Newspaper sponsoring a brand new Shield for their Play-Off between the winners of Division 1 and Division 2. Cranhill United defeated Harvester A.F.C. 2-0 in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy Final at Livingston. David McKay scored twice. Garrowhill Bowling Club hosted a GBA trial match. Shettleston Bowling Club Ladies raised £1590 during a charity day at Culrain Street. Foxley Bowling Club staged the first of five Community Days. Maryhill Black Star beat Dennistoun Vale 2-1 in the SSMAFL Challenge Cup Final at Thorniewood United’s ground. Ashfield pulled out of the Central League Cup allowing St

groups were honoured. Finnart revealed a major grassroots expansion programme. No fewer than 11 teams would come under the Bridgeton-based club banner. Shettleston Bowling Club were crowned Eastern Carpet Bowls League Champions. Whitevale pulled out of their two remaining fixtures, and also withdrew from the Top 10 competition. February 14 brought Valentine Day “smiles” for Shettleston, when they knocked Super Premier Division Clydebank out of the Scottish Junior Cup 3-2. Wellhouse A.F.C. overcame Hamilton F.P. 3-0 in their much-awaited Scottish Amateur Cup match. That earned them a home Sixth Round meeting with Milton A.F.C., who promptly won 3-0! Glasgow City also continued

June Roch to claim a Quarter-Final tie against Thorniewood. Tynecastle A.F.C. came from a goal down to win 2-1 against Whitefield Rovers – and clinch the SSMAFL Premier Division title. Bargeddie Amateurs announce they are putting a team into Saturday Morning football for season 2015-2016. Budhill Football Academy secured a three-year sponsorship deal with Shettleston- based Black & Lizars. Springburn Thistle won a Greater Glasgow Premier A.F.L. 3rd/4th Division Play-Off 2-1 against Rannoch Amateurs. Shettleston Juniors recorded back-to-back promotion - this time from the Super First to the Super Premier Division – behind champions Pollok Juniors. Maryhill Juniors Under-21s

beat Bishopton 3-1 in the Glasgow Cup Final at Grenfield Park. Manager Jim Delaney had already agreed to see out the season with his squad before moving into the junior set-up at Lochburn Park. Haghill A.F.C. completd a clean sweep of domestic honours (four) in the Airdrie and Coatbridge League.

POSTAL United A.F.C. are defeated 3-0 by Greenock HSFP in the Cinema Cup Final. Finnart Under-15 (2000) beat Dean Thistle from Kilmarnock 3-0 in the GADYFL Cup Final at Stepford Road. Glasgow City extended their remarkable unbeaten record of never having lost a Scottish Cup match over a three-year period, when they beat Hibernian 2-1 after extra-time in the Ainslie Park Final. Vale of Clyde lost 5-3 on penalties against Thorniewood United in the Central League Cup Semi-Final. Finnart held various age group Player of the Year presentations in Bridgeton, and are rewarded with excellent turnouts. Glasgow Tigers prepared

GENN Let’s Look Back....Sport review of the year

July ST ROCH extended their excellent links with the local community by organising free coaching sessions for youngsters at two North Glasgow venues. Jim Delaney taok his first pre-season session as manager of Maryhill Juniors after the step-up from their Under-21 team. Shettleston Bowling Club hosted the GENN Newspaper-sponsored Glasgow North Eastern League Division 1 and Division 2 Play-Off. Mount Vernon (Division 1 champions) beat promoted Division 2 winners St Rollox 6-2 on points, and with a surplus of 25 shots at Culrain Street. Bill’s Tool Store sponsored the entire two-division domestic programme again this year. Glasgow City and Hibernian prepared to resume the second half of the SWF Premier League

August title race. Maryhill Juniors reach the final of the Dunipace Juniors tournament - four clubs participated - but lose to the hosts 5-4 on penalties. Baillieston Juniors leave Under-21 football, and are accepted into the Caledonian Amateur Football League. Whitevale Bowling Club hosted a Sunday Charity Tournament. Proceeds went to Stobhill Kidney Patients Association. Junior clubs started their pre-season training, made new signings and organised warm-up games. Shettleston join Petershill in the top-flight. Maryhill, who finished third-top in the Central District First Division last term, competed against Vale of Club and newly promoted St Roch. Relegated Ashfield had a new

manager (Robert Docherty), and their opponents included junior new boys, Gartcairn, and Glasgow Perthshire, who were pipped for promotion by St Roch. Petershill were paired against Super Premier Division champions and Scottish Junior Cup holders, Auchinleck Talbot, in the First Round of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.

NEW Postal United A.F.C. Zander Simpson settles into the job amid arranging pre-season games, training and accessing a host a fresh signings. Wellhouse Amateurs, former Scottish Cup and West of Scotland Cup winners, are given additional time by the Central Scottish A.F.L. to get a squad together amid rumours they could fold. Despite attempts to keep the club afloat - they started in 1976 – Wellhouse are forced to pull the plug. Founder member Robert Noble wins the SFA West Region Grassroots Volunteer of the Year Award in a special presentation at Firhill West of Scotland Under-21 Youth League Match Secretary Robert Toohill announced over 40 clubs will be in membership for the new season. A few new

£1000’s worth of football kit, goalie gloves, footballs, and equipment for kids and F.C. Messi Town in Sierra Leone. St Roch announce they have sold over 120 season tickets at James McGrory Park. Laura Welsh (Garrowhill) earns a call-up to Bowls Scotland Elite Squad.

GENN Sport reveals the exclusive story behind Glasgow Kelvin Camanachd winning the Scottish Hydro Under-14 Development Cup at Mossfield, Oban. Maryhill Juniors boss Jim Delaney praises the work carried out by David Scanlin, Groundsman at West of Scotland Science Park, in helping to improve their Lochburn pitch. Finnart B.C. Under-16s earn a top-flight place in Division A of the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth League. Robbie Shea wins the Foxley Bowling Club championship for the sixth time. Liz Shea secures her 4th ladies’ title. Ian Beattie wins the Shettleston Bowling Club championship for an incredible record-breaking 11th time! Scottish Amateur Football League appoint Richard Bryers to

September PETERSHILL and Vale of Clyde both need penalty-kicks - but win through - in the Sectional League Cup Semi-Finals. Respective goalkeepers - Stevie McNeil and Jon Connolly play their part. McNeil stops a first half effort from Kevin Watt, and another THREE in the shoot-out after the match against Rob Roy finishes 1-1 at Guys Meadow, Cumbernauld. Connolly saves one in Vale’s 4-2 success against Wishaw Juniors, who fight back from 2-0 down and level through McGeachie (91 mins) and Maguire (94). Meanwhile, Peasy frontman Stephen McGladrigan, sustains a knee injury (cruciate) which will sideline him until 2016. Finnart Under-16 prepare

themselves for a busy schedule by forming a unique partnership with the Punisher Kickboxing Academy, who will work on their players’ fitness, and that of the East End club’s Under-17 squad. Vale of Clyde beat North Region hopes Hall Russell United 2-1 in the First Round of the Scottish Junior Cup. Tollcross Bowling Club win the Belhaven Invitation Triples Trophy organised by Foxley. Glasgow Tigers Speedway make their exit in the KO Cup after a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Newcastle. Foxley Bowling Club exact revenge on Cardonald (winning by two shots) in the rematch of their Commonwealth Games Centenary Cup. Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Coaching Academy raise over

Cup. Postal United go out 4-3 on spot-kicks (3-3) at Gartcosh United. Shettleston lose 6-4 at lower-league Benburb in the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Injury-hit Tynecastle A.F.C. go down 3-2 against Windlaw in the Stax Trade Centres Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Glasgow Green. Petershill beat Newtongrange Star 1-0 (Michael Daly after 60 mins) in the Scottish Junior Cup. St Roch are held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Kennoway Star Hearts, who go through in the replay 4-3 on penalties after the pair share six goals. A week after suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Glenafton Athletic, Town bounce back in style by defeating table-toppers Pollok Juniors 1-0 at Newlands-

dies Championship, while Margaet Hicks lads a treble President’s, Victoria Cup and Nominated Pairs. Linda McDougall (Garrowhill) was defeated in the Monklands Bowling Association Singles Championship. Emma Boyle and Taylor Morrison won the Junior Pairs title.

run their representative team, and ex- Postal United boss John Hughes is brought in to run the Central Scottish A.F.L. Select Squad. Pollok beat 2-0 in the Super Premier Division, while Maryhill Juniors suffer a third successive Central District First Division defeat (1-0) against Rossvale at Springburn. Glasgow City open up a six-point SWF Premier Division lead, when they beat nearest rivals Hibernian 2-0. City Blacks Under-13 move into the Scottish Youth Cup Final after crushing Celtic 7-1. Their Under-17 and Under-15s squads are reach their national Finals. Dougie Brennan, from Whitevale Bowling Club, tells GENN Sport his Charity Day produced £4502 for the Stobhill Kidney Patients Association. Glasgow City lose both legs of their last 32 UEFA Women’s Cham-

pions League against English champions Chelsea Ladies. Gavin Ross (Vale of Clyde) sustains a double leg- break against Annbank United in a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup tie, which is abandoned by the referee. Petershill beat Vale of Clyde on penalties (1-1 over 90 mins) in the Sectional League Cup Final at Cambuslang

October

November AFTER four weeks of Carpet Bowls League action, Garrowhill and North British overtake Shettleston, who drop into third place. Glasgow Tigers reveal their end-of-season Award winners, and new signings. Clare Shine hits a superb hattrick for Glasgow City in their 3-0 Scottish Cup Final victory against Hibernian at rain-lashed Ainslie Park, Edinburgh. The match covered “live” by BBC Alba - ensured City finish the season with a fourth successive treble and 9 league titles. Budhill Football Academy reveal an extensive list of top-class Community Projects. Tynecastle A.F.C. crush Cadzow Welfare 14-1 – SIX goals coming from striker Jamie Cochrane - in the Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland

names come into the fold, but one famous club departs - record Scottish Cup winners Campsie Black Watch, who have been in existence since 1943! Finnart 2003 team win the Glasgow City Cup tournament. Glasgow Tigers boss Stewart Dickson hails his patchwork squad as they beat Workinton by 17 points at the Peugeot Ashfield Stadium. Glasgow City appoint former Scotland and Aberdeen striker Scott Booth as their new Head Coach following the surprise resignation of Eddie Wolecki Black. Finnart Under-16 (2000) win the Harmony Row Centenary Cup tournament staged at Glasgow Green. Cath Reid wins the Baillieston Bowling Club La-

December field Park. Glasgow Girls F.C. conclude a fantastic seven- day tour of Gambia. Many friends are made as they play four games, catch-up on sightseeing and participate in local community coaching. Glasgow City striker Denise O’Sullivan makes a clean sweep of all three Club Player of the Year Awards.

SEASON tickets prices and new supporters’ deals are revealed by Glasgow Tigers Speedway as they sign World Cup star Ben Barker. Finnart B.C. announce their intention to set-up a 2009 Fun Fours team in time to enter the Glasgow and District set-up next February. Broomhouse F.C. have tickets available for a Speakers Night at the Shettleston Juniors Social Club on January 30, 2016. Semsa A.F.C. reach the Semi-Finals of the President’s Cup after a second-leg victory against Kelvinbridge, and Maryhill Black Star reach the Challenge Cup Final at the expense of Shawbridge. St Roch Juniors extend the contracts of John Stark, Robert Maguire and Kenny Jarvis.

Budhill Football Academy organise a pre-Christmas Night out for 200 kids and coaches at the Showcase, Bargeddie. Tynecastle A.F.C. boss Bernie Vallely bemoans an injury list which has grown to 11 players. The First Round of the Health Rewards Cup produces loads of goals - including 12 from Lea Rig A.F.C. a week earlier. Central Scottish A.F.L. Select Manager John Hughes announces two sponsors are on board in the shape of PSL Teamsports and VIP Salon (Glasgow). Glasgow East B.C. pair Sean Twigg and Robert Copland are named in the SYFA West Region Under-17 Squad. Shot Stoppers Goalkeeping Coaching Academy prepare

to enter their 22nd year - the longest-running set-up in Scotland - with a special Presentation Day at Glasgow Club, Petershill. A 12-week Winter Programme, based at the same venue, attracts over 24 goalkeepers, and is set to resume on January 25, 2016.

GENN

BROONIE SPOT-ON FOR STAX STRATHCLYDE SELECT VICTORY MARYHILL Black Star goalkeeper Brian Brown was the hero for the Stax Trade Centres Strathclyde Saturday Morning League Select against the Central Scottish A.F.L. in the Inter-League Cup Quarter-Final at rain-lashed Dalziel Park, Motherwell. The clash had been due a week earlier on grass at the same venue, but was postponed due to ground conditions. Second time around, the overhead conditions had not improved, but the all-weather surface at least allowed both teams to serve up a good, old fashioned cup-tie. The fact they did - in front of a soaked band of followers - is tremendous credit to every single player. Brian Brown came into his own in a penalty-kick shootout after the match finished

1-1. Jamie Docherty (Maryhill Black Star) had fired the Saturday Morning team ahead, but Haldane United’s Lee Dickson equalised. Goalkeeper Brown produced three top-class saves as SSMAFL clinched an Inter-League Cup Semi-Final place against Aberdeenshire, who had received a Quarter-Final bye. The winning Stax Strathclyde Saturday Morning League Select was: Brian Brown (Maryhill Black Star), Gary Carmichael (Blochairn Star), Mark Gourley (Dennistoun Vale), Scott Faulds (Tynecastle A.F.C.), Grant Fleming (Southside), Alan Allison (Maryhill Black Star), Matthew Burns (Southside), Alex Docherty (Maryhill Black Star), Darren O’Donnell (Dennistoun Vale), Gavin McLeod

(Maryhill Black Star), Jamie Docherty (Maryhill Black Star), Dylan Knox (Bargeddie A.F.C.), Donnie Wilson (Dennistoun Vale), Chris Jackson (Southside), and David Carson (Maryhill Black Star). Scott Faulds was named Manager’s Man of the Match. The Referee’s Man of the Match vote went to Matthew Burns. The other Semi-Final looks quite tasty, too. The Caledonian League overcame Edinburgh and Lothian 3-0 thanks to goals from Niall McClure, Alan Inglis, and Kevin McCarron. Stewart Auld bagged a double - alongside goals from Lewis Gardiner and Michael Howie – as Ayrshire defeated the Scottish Amateur League 4-2, who responded through Stephen McAuley and David Edward.

SPORTSCOTLAND CONFIRM ANNUAL RESULTS OF GRASSROOTS VOTING

WORKING in partnership with Sports Council For Glasgow, Sportscotland have announced results for their Local Coach, Official and Volunteer Awards. Nominations in each category were submitted at the same time as the Annual SCFG voting. It was fitting they were announced and presented on the same evening at Glasgow City Chambers. The winners list is as fol-

lows: Young Persons Coach of the Year - Lena Robertson (Glasgow Satellite Squad Badminton). Community Coach of the Year - Alex Paterson (Glasgow Tigers American Football). Performance Development Coach of the Year - Laura Williamson (Glasgow City F.C.). Performance Coach of the Year - Gerry Fleming (Eastbank Karate Club). Young Coach of the Year -

Caitlin O’Hara (Glasgow City F.C.). Disability Coach of the Year - Angela Turner (City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club). Technical Official of the Year - Lesley Whitehead (Glasgow Disability Tennis). Volunteer of the Year (Junior) - Ian Atkinson (City of Glasgow Seals Swimming). Volunteer of the Year (Senior) – Gillian Allan (Glasgow and North Strathclyde Badminton).

STAR SET FOR MARCH FINAL

MARYHILL Black Star can start preparing for the Stax Trade Centres Challenge Cup Final next March. In the second Semi-Final at Glasgow Green, goals from Alex Docherty, Jamie Docherty and Chris Barr earned them a

3-1 victory over Shawbridge A.F.C. Star will now line-up against Windlaw, who beat Tynecastle A.F.C. 3-2 in the other Tuesday evening Semi-Final at the same venue. Meanwhile, it is congratu-

lations to Semsa A.F.C., who have qualified for their first-ever Semi-Final. Leading 6-2 from the first-leg of the H.Jarvis Ltd Presidents Cup Quarter-Final, Semsa went through 12-6 on aggregate against Kelvinbridge.

SATURDAY MORNING AMATEURS STRATHCLYDE SATURDAY MORNING AMATEUR FOOTBALL LEAGUE SPONSORED BY STAX TRADE CENTRES. Stax Trade Centres Challenge Cup, Semi- Finals Tynecastle A.F.C. 2, Windlaw 3; Shawbridge 1, Maryhill Black Star 3. H Jarvis Presidents Cup, Quarter-Final, First Leg - Kelvinbridge 2, Semsa 6. Second Leg - Semsa 6, Kelvinbridge 4 (Aggregate 12-6). Stax Trade Centres Premier Division - AS Airdrie 2, Dennistoun Vale 8; Blochairn Star 2, Tynecastle A.F.C. 1; Dennistoun Vale 1, Maryhill Black Star 1; Windlaw 1, Renfrew 0; AFC Ravenscraig 1, DennistounVale 5; East

Dunbartonshire 5, AS Airdrie 2; Maryhill Black Star 2, Blochairn Star 3; Shawbridge 7, Kirkintilloch Thistle 1; Tynecastle A.F.C. 4, Windlaw 6. Stax Trade Centres First Division - Bengal Lancers 3, Tantallon 3; Victoria Croftfoot 2, Calderglen 2; Bengal Lancers 1, Quayside 1; Cambusnethan 5, Westwood 3; Tantallon 1, Semsa 3; Victoria Croftfoot 3, Petershall Villa 1; Petershall Villa 1, Glenwood 5; Semsa 4, Tantallon 1. Stax Trade Centres Second Division - Carluke 2, Westercommon Star 7; Bargeddie 4, Carluke 2; Barshaw 4, Chaplains 1; E.K.Accies 0 DTI 1; Kelvinbridge 10, Hardgate 2; Westercommon 7, UB United

1; Carluke 5, Plains 3; Chaplains 0, AFC Manhattan 4; Westercommon 1, Barshaw 3. Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Cup, Third Round- AFC Ravenscraig 1, Dirrans 4; Southside 3, Kilbowie Union 0; Symington 1, East Kilbride Thistle 3; Calderglen 2, Glasgow University 5; Vale of Girvan 0, Southside Whitecart 2. Inter League Cup Competition, Quarter-Final - Stax Trade Centres Strathclyde Saturday Morning League 1, Central Scottish A.F.L. 1 (3-0 on pens). Semi-Final Draw - Ayrshire v Caledonian A.F.L. and Stax Trade Centres Strathclyde Saturday Morning League v Aberdeenshire.

FOCUS: GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL

WELCOME to another look at the grassroots game in East and North Glasgow. Every fortnight we will focus on the players, teams, and coaches making the headlines. Where possible, we would like to feature a photograph in our round-up. BUDHILL Football Academy have been busy organising several activities for their youngsters. Three different age groups participated at the Hamilton Accies Football Festival. The 2007 squad formed three teams, 2008 (two), and 2009 (six). In midweek, a pre-Christmas Night Out was organised at the Holywood Bowl. Coaches and around 200 players were involved. Meanwhile, the award-winning Junior Buddy’s had a Christmas Party on Monday. Watch out for coverage in the next issue. Big thank-you to Chairman Billy McNaught for all his help and support. FINNART B.C. GENN Sport would like to thank Jamie McGowan (2000 age group) and Jamie Marr (2007) for their assistance throughout the past year. PROGRAMME ONE: 2007. Team A.Game 1. Lost 4-2.

Jack Marr and Shaun Fredrickson. Star Player Zach Fenwick. Game 2. Won 9-3. Star Player Jack Marr (3), Calum Blair (2), Zach Fenwick (2), Shaun Fredrickson, Aiden Coll. Team B. Game 1. Lost 3-1. Dylan Haining. Star Player Jayden Docherty. Game 2. Won 3-2. Star Player Aiden Sinclair (2), Mason McCausland. Team C.Game 1. Won 8-4. Jack Marr (3), Zach Fenwick (2), Mark Weldon (2), and Star Player Mikey Allan. PROGRAMME TWO: 2004. Finnart 5, Scotland Navy 3. Thomas Reid (2), Ryan Smith (2), Jay Gordon. Finnart 3, Kelvindale Thistle 2. Jay Gordon, Ryan Smith, Jamie Riordan. 2005. Finnart 1, Kirkwood Colts 3. Finnart 0, Palace Park B 2. 2006. Finnart 3, Broomhill 7. Preston Power, Leon Power, and Corey Kennedy. Finnart 1, Rangers SABC 9. Constant defending, and goalkeper Kris Watson pulled off several fine saves. Robbie McArthur netted with a shot in off the crossbar. 2007. Team A. Game 1. Lost 6-4. Star Player Jack Marr (3), Calum Blair. Game 2. Won 8-2. Jack Marr (4), Star Player Calum Blair

(2), Shaun Fredrickson, Jayden Docherty. Team B. Game 1. Won 12-2. Star Player Kaden McKechnie (6), Dylan Haining (3), Aiden Sinclair (3). Game 2. Won 8-4. Kaden McKechnie (3), Mason McCausland (2), Dylan Haining, Aiden Sinclair and Star Player Riley Milliken. Team C. Game 1. Won 7-2. Star Player Kyle Ahern (4), Aiden Coll (2), Morton McCaig. Game 2. Won 6-4. Jack Marr (2), Star Player Aiden Coll (2), Mark Weldon, Morton McCaig. Well done to all the coaches and young 2007 players, who will now switch from Super 5’s to 7-a-side football in February, 2016. Watch out for an exclusive article with Coach Jamie Marr in our next paper. 2008. Game 1. Lost 2-1. Star Player Alexis Faulds. Game 2. Lost 2-0. No Star Player vote. Game 3. Won 4-1. Taylor Gibson, Leon Paton, Ashton Quinn, Lewis Lindsay. Star Player Alexis Faulds. Game 4. Won 5-1. Star Player Leon Paton (2), Lewis Lindsay (2), Taylor Gibson. Player of the Day was Alexis Faulds. Tireless running, some great tackles, and interceptions. Passed the ball well from the back.

GENN SPORT - YOUR FEEDBACK

Hi Tom, Last week saw the end of our successful season at Super 5’s within the Glasgow and District Youth Football League. We would like to say a massive thanks to all the parents,

grandparents, and other family members who have been so supportive to our team. We couldn’t do it without them. I would also like to thank you, and the GENN staff for the continued support pro-

vided in 2015. It has been very much appreciated. I hope everyone reading this has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Come on the Finnart Star! Thank you, Jamie Marr, Finnart 2007’s.

JAGS AVOID SHOCK FIRST ROUND HARVEY CUP EXIT MARYHILL Thistle have avoided a shock Glasgow Colleges Jim Harvey Cup First Round exit. An all-Premier clash against Rosehill United resulted in penalties following a 2-2 draw, and Jags went through 3-0. Division 1 mid-table Muirton also had a nail-biting pen-

alty kick shoot-out against Division 2 hosts Singer CFC. Once again regulation time produced a 2-2 draw, but the East End club won 5-3 on spot kicks. RESULTS: Albion 3, Glasgow Medics 1; Ansar YFC 5, Greater Glasgow 2; CambuslangUnited 2, Anderston

Athletic 3; Clydesdale 4, Central 1; Glasgow Islands 5, F.C. Innter 0; Lokomotive Glasgow 4, Glasgow Ansar 1; Maryhill Thistle 2, Rosehill 2 (3-0 on pens); River Nevis 2, Shawlands Accies 6; Silverburn 6, Olympic 2; Singer CFC 2, Muirton 2 (3-5 on pens); West Stone 5, UCS 3.

SUNDAY CENTRAL ROUND-UP

Premier Division - The Hub 0, Cranhill United 4; Windlaw 1, The Treble Two 8. Division 1 - AFC Polonia Glasgow 2, Old Kilpatrick 4; Calderside 6, Haldane United 0; Eastfield Star 6, Glasgow Rovers 1; Fernhill 6, Gartferry 2; Overlee Partizans 8, L&N Academy 1; Division 2A - Albion 0,

Lea Rig 5; Glasgow West 3, Brunswick 8; Govan United 5, Gorbals United 8; Phoenix United 4, Rosehill Thistle 2; Division 2B-Bishopbriggs 2, Castlemilk United 5; Broadwood Clyde 2, Crownpoint United 5; Lanarkshire Forrest 4, Red Star Baagrade 0. Division 2C - Strathclyde 3;

Rosehill Thorns 1, Rutherglen Rovers 4; Strathclyde West 0, Provanmill Thistle 13; South Lanarkshire Ravens 2, Cambuslang Football Academy 5; Burnside 2, Eastend Rovers 4; Cambuslang Football Academy 11, Strathclyde West 2; Provanmill Thistle 3, Rosehill Thorns 1; South Lanarkshire 2, Glasgow Rangers 6.

AMATEUR FOOTBALL GAMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19. H. Jarvis Ltd President’s Cup, Quarter- Final, Second Leg Southside v Petershill Villa; Westwood Rovers v Bengal Lancers.

Stax Trade Centres Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League, Premier Division - Dennistoun Vale v Renfrew. First Division - Tantallon v

Quayside. Second Division - Plains v Westercommon Star. * May be subject to change in the event of previous cup-tie postponements.

GENN CLUB NEWS...FEATURES...MATCH ACTION REPORTS SPECIAL... email: sport@thegenn.co.uk

WINTER CARPET BOWLS MATCH ACTION REPORTS - Garrowhill. WEEK EIGHT: North British 6 points, Garrowhill 0 points (31-9 shots); Shettleston 5 points, Sandyhills 1 point (24-16 shots); Springboig 2 points, Foxley 4 points (21-23 shots). FIXTURE BROUGHT FORWARD FROM WEEK TEN Shettleston 4 points, Mount Vernon 2 points (26-18 shots). Free - Mount Vernon. WEEK NINE: Mount Vernon v North British; Garrowhill v Shettleston; Sandyhills v Springboig. Free - Foxley. WEEK TEN: Springboig v Garrowhill has been re-arranged for December 22, and all games will be played at Springboig; Foxley v North British. Free - Sandyhills. The venue (s) alterations Ian Colligan has intimated means Garrowhill, Mount Vernon and Springboig will be hosting First Round pairings in the Individual Competitions. VENUE 1, in order as previously listed: Singles - Foxley v Springboig.

Pairs - Mount Vernon v Springboig. Triples - Mount Vernon v Sandyhills. Rinks - Sandyhills v Shettleston. VENUE 2: Singles - Shettleston v Garrowhill. Pairs - Garrowhill v Foxley. Triples - Springboig v Shettleston. Pairs - Foxley v Garrowhill. VENUE 3: Singles - North British v Mount Vernon. Pairs - North British v Sandyhills. Triples - Foxley v Garrowhill. Rinks - North British v Mount Vernon. Byes. Singles - Sandyhills. Pairs -Triples - North British. Rinks Springboig. North British will be Venue 1, and Shettleston retains Venue 2 status. Sandyhills Bowling Club are hosting Finals Night, week/commencing January 18, 2016. Holders Garrowhill have been drawn against North British in what should be a superb game in the First Round of the Top 10 Competition. DRAW: North British v Garrowhill; Mount Vernon v Sandyhills; Shettleston v Springboig. Bye - Foxley.

Premier Division - Harmony Row 0, Pollok Juveniles 5; Johnstone Burgh 0, Rutherglen Glencairn 0; Tower Hearts 2, St Peters Giffnock North 0; Bonnyton Thistle 4, Antonine 2; Rutherglen Glencairn 1, Rossvale 1; East Kilbride Rolls Royce Youth 4, Claremont 2; Pollok Juveniles 2, St Peters Giffnock North 2; Bonnyton Thistle 2, Tower Hearts 2. First Division - Glasgow University 2, Giffnock 1; Holytown Colts 2, Steins Thistle 5; Victoria F.C. 4, Broomhill 4; Bishopton Juniors 3, Steins Thistle 4; Milngavie B.C. 0, Vale of Leven 3. Second Division - Hamilton Accies 11, Campsie F.C. 1; Ashfield 3, Grahamston 1; Glentyan Thistle 0, Hamilton Accies 6; Hamilton Accies 6, Castlemilk 0; Drumchapel Amateurs 8, Campsie 4; Johnstone Burgh Youth 2, Erskine 3. National Lady Darling Cup,

First Round - Vale of Leven 6, Giffnock Soccer Centre 2; Dunbeth 3, Murieston 1; St Mungo 1, Jeanfield Swifts 0; Drumchapel Ams 4, Milngavie 1. LSK Supplies West of Scotland Cup, Second Round- Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 3, Albion Rovers 3 (4-1 on pens); Vale of Leven v Rossvale; Tower Hearts v East Kilbride Rolls Royce Youth; Wishaw W Wanderers v Bishopton Juniors; Steins v St Mungo. Only Sport Golden Goals Cup, First Round - Rutherglen Glencairn 5, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 4; Rossvale 2, East Kilbride Rolls Royce Youth 0 Birdston Kennels League Cup, Second Round - Tower Hearts 8, East Kilbride Rolls Royce Youth 1; Steins 1, Rutherglen Glencairn 2; Harmony Row 0, Antonine 0 (3-1 on pens); Albion Rovers 2, Bonnyton Thistle 5; Giffnock 6,

Holytown Colts 16; West Park United 4, Johnstone Burgh B.C. 1. Birdston Kennels Glasgow Cup, First Round- Grahamston 4, Hamilton Accies 1; Glentyan Thistle 6, St Andrews 2. LSK Supplies West of Scotland Cup, First Round - Renfrewshire Thistle 4, Erskine 2; Victoria F.C. 0, Tower Hearts 2; Drumchapel Amateurs 0, Bishopton 5; Rutherglen Glencairn 2, Glentyan Thistle 0; Antonine 2, Johnstone Burgh 0; Ashfield F.C. 1, Harmony Row 0. Second Round - Wishaw W Wands 5, Bishopton Juniors 3. Only Sport League Cup, First Round - St Andrews 2, Johnstone Burgh Youth 6; Hamilton Accies Inverclyde 5, Grahamston 1; St Mungo 5, Renfrewshire Thistle 3; Drumchapel Ams 3, Erskine 3 (2-4 on pens); Baljaffray 2, Campsie F.C. 1; Glentyan Thistle 2, Ashfield F.C. 2 (4-5 on pens).

TYNECASTLE A.F.C. 14, CADZOW WELFARE 1. RUNAWAY win for Tynecastle in the Third Round of the Colville Park Country Club West of Scotland Cup. Jamie Cochrane bagged SIX goals. Other counters from Steven McGlinchey (3), Garry O’Hanlon (3), Chris Hughes (pen), and Andy Dearie. MARYHILL BLACK STAR 6, EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE 1. FLOODLIGHT Premier Division clash at Springburn. Goals from Alex Docherty (2), Scott Gibson, Sean Magee, Danny Hazlett and Johan Cornell. Man of the Chris Barr. STEINS 2, FINNART B.C. 3. GAME abandoned (1999) due to the weather conditions at half-time. Correct decision from the referee. Kieran Boubekri (2) and Mark Taylor STEINS 1, FINNART B.C. 3. RE-MATCH of the previously abandonded game. Finnart were denied a first minute spot- kick when Kieran Boubekri was clearly upended. However, the same player was not to be denied, and he raced through the Steins defence, rounded the goalie and scored. Boubekri struck yet again after taking possesson from a Steins defender, and had the confidence to finish in the same manner as his opening goal! Finnart captain, goalkeeper Ross Fisher,pulled off a fine save as the homesters attempted to reduce the leeway. If anything, the Bridgeton team looked more likely to find the net again. Aiden Traynor produced a 30 yarder which was well saved by the goalkeeper, who immediately denied Shaun McCourt when faced with a 1 versus 1 situation. McCourt curled home a great finish (3-0) before Steins pegged one goal back on the stroke of half-time. Man of the Match Aiden Traynor. BELLSHILL ATHLETIC 1, CENTRAL SCOTTISH LEAGUE SELECT 4. TUESDAY evening friendly at Glasgow Green. High quality 90 minutes played in a great spirit by both teams. Doubles from Haldane United pair Allan MacPherson and Lee Dickson. EAST KILBRIDE Y.M. 5, BROOMHOUSE F.C. 1. TABLE-toppers Broomhouse trailed 3-1 at half-time. E.K. were right up for the clash. Ross McDonagh (5 mins), Craig Tocher (9, 60), Connor McCann (28, 81). KENNOWAY STAR HEARTS 3, ST ROCH JUNIORS 3 (4-3 on pens). SCOTTISH Cup Third Round replay. Candy Rock trailed 1-0 af-

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SECRETARY Ian Colligan has confirmed alterations to a couple of venues staging Individual Competitions in January, writes JACK HIGH. Speaking exclusively to GENN Sport, Ian said: “I have had to change some venues due to clubs having renovations carried out. “ The First Round (Venue 2) will now be played at Mount Vernon. “ The Semi-Final (Venue 1) is now going to be played at North British Bowling Club.” Meanwhile, the initial 10-week programme of League games has continued to produce some topclass action. RESULTS: WEEK FOUR: Shettleston 0 points, North British 6 points (14-25 shots); Mount Vernon 6 points, Sandyhills 0 points (30-9 shots); Garrowhill 6 points, Foxley 0 points (45-10 shots). Free - Springboig. WEEK FIVE: Foxley 4 points, Mount Vernon 2 points (20-16 shots ); North British 5 points, Springboig 1 point (33-13 shots); Sandyhills 2 points, Garrowhill 4 points (8-22 shots). Free - Shettleston. WEEK SIX: Mount Vernon 4 points, Garrowhill 2 points (1815 shots); Foxley v Sandyhills was postponed, and has been re-listed by Mr Colligan. Springboig 6 points, Shettleston 0 points (1812 shots). Free - North British. WEEK SEVEN: Sandyhills 2 points, North British 4 points (1920 shots);Foxley 2 points, Shettleston 4 points (14-28 shots); Springboig 0 points, Mount Vernon 6 points (11-22 shots). Free

PLACINGS P

Shots For

Shots Against

Pts

North British

182

118

Shettleston

190

132

Mount Vernon

142

133

Garrowhill

168

131

Springboig

117

147

Foxley

163

Sandyhills

140

LSK SUPPLIES WEST YOUTHS

ter 18 minutes. Before half-time the scoreline changed and the visitors took a 3-2 lead through Danny Irvine, Chris McFadyen and Brian Henderson (pen). Henderson picked up a second yellow card on 65 minutes, and within seven minutes Star Hearts equalised. Straight into penalties after 90 minutes. Kennoway went through 4-3 on spotkicks. POLLOK JUNIORS 0, SHETTLESTON 1. TOWN produced a great display and fully deserved to take all three points on Glasgow’s South Side. Shettleston were a tight defensive unit, and superbly handled anything that ‘Lok could create. Home fans were left stunned when Shettleston hit the decisive goal on 68 minutes, following a Chrissy McCormack free kick, which bounced through the packed six-yard area and finished in the net. Scott Anson claimed the goal! MARYHILL BLACK STAR 2, BLOCHAIRN STAR 3. SPRINGBURN Park hosted an excellent Stax Premier Division clash in terrible weather conditions. Star led 2-0 at half-time through Chris Barr and Darryn Florence. VALE OF CLYDE JUNIORS 1, DUMBARTON UNDER-20s 0. TUESDAY floodlight friendly. First half goal from Ryan Connolly at Glasgow Green. ALBION A.F.C. 0, LEA RIG A.F.C. GOOD second half display finished off a stubborn Albion team. Goalscorers: James Smith, William Graham, Gareth May, Brian Eaglesham, and Calvin Scolin. STAX STRATHCLYDE SATURDAY MORNING LEAGUE 1, CENTRAL SCOTTISH A.F.L. 1 (3-0 on pens). QUARTER-Final of the Inter League Cup competition. Jamie Docherty put the Sunday squad ahead, and Haldane United’s Lee Dickson equalised. Goalkeeper Brian Brown (Maryhill Black Star) saved three Central Scottish penalties. SCOTLAND LADIES 10, MACEDONIA 0. EURO 2017 Qualifying match at New Love Street. Despite poor weather conditions, Scotland lit up proceedings with their new pink kit - and a feast of goals. Hayley Lauder (Glasgow City) was named Player of the Match. City team-mate Jo Love scored her first-ever international hattrick, while Jane Ross, who has left Swedish football to join

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.

Manchester City, netted four goals. Others counters came from Lauder, Jennifer Beattie and Lisa Evans. TYNECASTLE A.F.C. 4, WINDLAW 6. INJURY-hit champions Tynecastle continued their recent poor form with a Stax Premier Division defeat at Stepford. Graeme Watt (2) and Steven McGlinchey (2). SHAWBRIDGE A.F.C. 1, MARYHILL BLACK STAR 3. TUESDAY evening Stax Trade Centres Challenge Cup Semi-Final at the Green. Star secured a March (2016) Final place with goals from Alex Docherty, Jamie Docherty, and Chris Barr. Colin Graham was voted Man of the Match. FINNART B.C. 3, MILL UNITED 0. FIRST of a 2003 double header against United.First half lead after a Jay Murray free kick was partially saved, and Jamie Avery netted the rebound. An own goal put Finnart further ahead. Maxwell Peasah and Man of the Match Jamie Avery wrapped up the points. DECEMBER 5. ALL local junior clubs had their fixtures postponed. Three were due on all-weather parks – Ashfield (at Benburb), Petershill (home), and St Roch (Carluke Rovers). Annbank United v Vale of Clyde West of Scotland Cup game ruled out for a third time as Storm Desmond kicked-in. FINNART B.C. 11, BANNOCKBURN 0. SECOND Round of the Under-16 Regional Cup, and Man of the Match Danny Gordon produced a great display from the middle of the park. Goals from Jamie McGowan Jnr (2), Kalvin Rooney (2), Jack McIlveen (2), Gordon (pen), Ross McCallum, Martin Scanlan, Adam Hamilton and Stephen Devlin. DENNISTOUN VALE 4, KINROSS 0. GREAT Fourth Round result in the Fosters Scottish Amateur Cup. BROOMHOUSE F.C. beat visitors Larkhal Thistle 2-0, BAILLIESTON THISTLE managed a 1-1 draw at Cammachmore, and MARYHILL THISTLE defeated Cambusnethan Talbot 2-1. MARYHILL BLACK STAR lost 2-0 against homesters Holytown Colts Youths. CRANHILL UNITED 2, LEA RIG A.F.C. 2 (4-1 on pens). HOLDERS United taken to penalties in the Third Round of the Scottish Amateur Sunday Trophy at Stepford Road. Gareth May (2) for Lea Rig.

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YEAR OF LOCAL SPORTING SUCCESS

WHAT a record-breaking year 2015 was for local sport - in more ways than one! GENN Sport recorded the achievements of shinty for the first time, when Glasgow Kelvin Camanachd won the Under-14 Scottish Hydro Development Cup at Mossfield Park, Oban. Cranhill United A.F.C., in only their fourth competitive season, reached the Fosters Scottish Amateur Trophy for the second successive year. This time - 12 months after losing 1-0 against Harvester at Livingston United returned to the same venue and upset the odds. David McKay scored twice in a fully-deserved 2-0 victory, which saw the national trophy return once to Glasgow’s East End. Postal United had a short one-season stay in the Central Scottish Premier Division, and were relegated after winning promotion to the top-flight the previous year. The club suffered an even bigger shock when boss John Hughes decided to quit after a five-year stint which included two Scottish Amateur Football League titles. He has since been appointed Select Team Manager with the Central Scottish League squad. Broomhouse F.C. made a big impression in their first-season entry to the Caledonian League. Despite missing out on promotion, the East End team reached the Quarter-Finals of the Scottish Amateur Cup and Col-

GLASGOW KELVIN CAMANACHD... hit the headlines after winning the Scottish Hydro Development Under-14 Cup at Mossfield Stadium, Oban.

ville Park Country Club West of Scotland Cup. Haghill A.F.C. left the Airdrie and Coatbridge Sunday League with a clean sweep of four trophies, and re-entered the Sunday Central set-up under the name of Lea Rig. The most sensational amateur story to emerge via GENN Sport was the shock announcement in August that Wellhouse had folded. Founder Member Robert Noble was

one season short of a 40th club anniversary. Tower Hearts Under-21 have never been far away from honours in the LSK Supplies West of Scotland League, and they obliged again by defeating Bonnyton Thistle 2-1 in the League Cup Final. Finnart B.C. 2000 team won the Blackpool Cup at Easter - the second time in three seasons -plus two pre-season tournaments. Finnart’s 1999 squad were crowned

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth League champions, and in August their 2003 side won the Glasgow City Cup. Scottish Women’s Football was again dominated by Glasgow City, who held off second-placed Hibernian to clinch their 9th consecutive Premier championship. In October, they beat the Edinburgh club 3-0 for domestic treble number four. It is also worth noting last March City

PLAYERS WANTED BOWLERS DANCE

GOALKEEPERS at Boys Club level/ Pro-Youth. A second phase of the Monday Night Project will take place at Glasgow Club Petershill. Also Saturday morning sessions at the same venue. Contact the Head Coach at 07403452960. PETERSHILL F.C. 2004 are seeking a goalkeeper for their Saturday Morning Central League team. Call Kenny Robertson on 07808712469. ST ROCH Juniors Football Club have girls and ladies football, and want to hear from the local community. Contact Head Coach Paul McManus on 07775592031 or email: strochsfcladies@gmail.com. BUDHILL Football Academy have a number of talented grassroots teams playing a variety of small-sided, non-competitive games, leading up to full 11-a-side football. Saturday morning and Sunday involvement. Training two nights each week, and games Saturday morning. Call 07765538006. ARSENAL Juniors B.C., based in Maryhill, are looking for players born 2005. The team trains twice a week at Firhill Sports Complex. Phone

07889550238. BARGEDDIE COLTS want players born on or before 2010. Call Chris Wright at 07450847292. LENZIE Y.C. 2001 are looking for players. Games played on a Saturday morning. Training takes place two nights a week. Contact Billy on 07818096752. LENZIE Youth Club Mini Kickers, ages 3, 4 and 5 years, have started in the area. To register your son/ daughter, text all details to Billy on 07818096752 or email: lyc1980@ hotmail.co.uk. BARGEDDIE Amateurs, in their first season of Saturday Morning football (SSMAFL), are looking for players for all position. Kickoffs are 10am, and they play home games at Lochend, Easterhouse. Call 07854032058. GLASGOW THISTLE A.F.C., Division One of the Sunday Central A.F.L., are currently looking for players. Their present training base/ night might change. Contact them at 07767143603 or email: glasgowthistle@live.co.uk.

GARROWHILL Bowling Club are hosting a Christmas Dance on Saturday, December

19. Music will be provided by Crossroads.

YOUTH COACHES

GLASGOW City Youth Coaches Tommy Little and Michael McDougall have

successfully completed their Scottish Football Association C Licence.

ROCH INJURY BLOWS

ST ROCH Juniors have been hit by injury blows to Robert

Maguire (collarbone) and Kenny Jarvis (ankle ligaments).

MARSHALL TROPHY

THREE East End clubs will play in the Jimmy Marshall Trophy (Second Round) next month - East Kilbride Rolls

Royce v Millbeg Villa, Easthall Star v Shawlands, and Lochgilphead Red Star v Finnart Amateurs.

email: sport@thegenn.co.uk

made club history by reaching the Quarter-Finals of UEFA Women’s Champions League. Junior football received a widespread coverage in the GENN, and we were delighted to report Shettleston had clinched back-toback promotions, and would join champions Pollok in the Super Premier Division. Maryhill finished third-top of the Central District First Division, and St Roch moved out of the Second Division - just pipping promotion rivals Glasgow Perthshire. Ashfield suffered their third successive relegation season, and Robert Docherty replaced John Conlin as manager. In October, Petershill beat Vale of Clyde on penalties to win the Sectional League Cup. Glasgow Tigers Speedway reached two national Finals as the GENN devoted new coverage to the sport with articles and photographs. Bowling forms a popular part of GENN Sport thanks once again to good people like Ian Colligan, Alex Morrison, and Philip Porter. Among the many achievements covered was Ian Beattie (Shettleston) winning the Club Championship for a record-breaking 11th time at Culrain Street. * Many thanks to everyone who has contributed sports news about their club/team to the GENN throughout 2015.

KIDS PARTY

GARROWHILL Bowling Club will hold their Annual Chil-

dren’s Party on Sunday, December 20.

JUNIOR GAMES

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19. McBookie. Com Super League Premier Division - Petershill v Beith; Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Shettleston. McBookie. Com Central District First Division – Carluke Rovers v Maryhill Juniors; Larkhall Thistle v St Roch. McBookie. Com Central Dis-

trict Second Division - Glasgow Perthshire v Benburb; Gartcairn v Ashfield. New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup, First Round - Annbank United v Vale of Clyde. Kick-offs 1.45pm. Supporters should check with their local junior club regarding any late fixture switch or pitch inspections.

PRESENTATIONS

UEFA marked the achievement of three Scotland players winning 100 International caps with presentations to Gemma

Fay, Kim Little and Leanne Ross prior to last month’s 10-0 victory against Macedonia in Paisley.

TOP scoring St Roch striker Jordan Logan has agreed to ex-

tend his stay at James McGrory Park until July, 2017.

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