South Glasgow News December/January 2013/2014 by GlasgowNews Media

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Issue 56

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Work starts on major South Side projects

DELIVERY of Glasgow’s new £154m Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) at Polmadie, the South Side, has stepped up a gear as Glasgow City Council Leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson joined newly recruited apprentices on the Viridor site to mark the start of construction.

WORK is under way on two multi-million-pound regeneration projects that will change the face of Barrhead Main Street. East Renfrewshire Council began work on the £3.8 million Barrhead Foundry, which will see the current Barrhead Sports Centre transformed into a state-of-the-art community hub. At the same time, supermarket giant Asda is beginning work on its CONTINUES PAGE THREE

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Councillor Matheson joined Viridor UK Engineering Director, Alan Cumming, Scottish Regional Manager, Steven Don, Interserve Associate Director Bryan Kennedy and construction apprentices Peter Duffy, Josh Eadie and Joseph Smith. Getting work underway on one of Scotland’s largest green investment projects, a ‘sod cutting’ ceremony on site marked a changing gear for the project as demolition sub-contractors make way for the growing number of construction CONTINUES PAGE TWO

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2 December/January 2013/2014

Newly recruited apprentices on site mark the start of construction

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FROM PAGE ONE staff who will deliver the state-ofthe-art facility. The move follows the completion of work to carefully dismantle two iconic 66m reinforced concrete chimney stacks which towered over the Polmadie waste site for the last 55 years. The stacks were ‘nibbled down’ using a 250 tonne long reach excavator with breaker attachments. The £154m Glasgow Recycling and Renewable Energy Centre (GRREC) will have capacity to handle 200,000 tonnes of council green bin residual waste every year. The plant, working in combination with city wide blue, brown and purple bin recycling, will divert green bin residual waste away from landfill, saving millions of pounds, releasing recyclable resources from household waste and producing valuable heat and power from what will be one of the most advanced waste management facilities in Europe. With work underway to lay the foundations for the landmark facility, the project enters a ‘piling’ phase – inserting 12m concrete columns into the ground to provide strength and support to the facility’s base before erection of the steel framework commences in March 2014. Supporting over 250 jobs over the

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project lifecycle, the development is being undertaken by the UK’s largest recycler, Viridor, in partnership with Glasgow City Council with construction work being undertaken by Interserve Construction Ltd. Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Gordon Matheson said: “We are committed to creating a more sustainable Glasgow that delivers better for its people – environmentally, socially and economically. “This project has a significant part to play in delivering on that promise. Our partnership with Viridor will not only transform how we deal with our waste, but is already creating skilled jobs and supporting apprenticeships that are vital to the city’s economy. “And, at a time when big energy companies are delivering inflationbusting price rises, we will have the potential to create affordable heat and power. This is an opportunity to secure a future that is cleaner, more affordable and sees the city’s waste work for the benefit of Glaswegians.” Viridor’s UK Engineering Director, Alan Cumming, said: “As a Strathclyde graduate working on major energy projects across the globe, it gives me great pleasure to be delivering world class

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green infrastructure in my city as part of our £1.5bn UK investment programme. Getting shovels in the ground is great news, not only in terms of delivering a greener, more sustainable city, but also for investment in social capital including bright futures for young folk like Peter, Josh and Joe. “Our ambitious programme of community benefits is already making a real impact – from citywide education programmes supporting science and engineering, and over £5m of sub-contract opportunities available in the coming months to local businesses, to a broad range of routes into work on this landmark project.” Interserve Associate Director Bryan Kennedy, added: “The project is gathering real pace, with the move from demolition to construction start. We’re building a truly sustainable development at Polmadie in every sense. Over 11,000 cubic metres of rubble from the former building and chimneys has already been recycled on site to form the foundations of the GRREC. “What’s more, working with Jobs & Business Glasgow we’re gearing up to ensure even more local people benefit from jobs on site. With Viridor and Interserve community benefits officers now in post, and

Good reasons to quit smoking There are just over three weeks until New Year IF you smoke 20 a day, you could still save over £100 between now and New Year! You could have more money in your purse or wallet by the end of next week.

The local stop smoking support services are run by the NHS and are all free. There are drop in clinics across the South of the city which you are welcome to come along to. Just pop in for more info.

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our first tranche of apprentices, we’d encourage job seekers to visit our website at www.transformingwasteinglasgow.c om”. Nineteen-year-old GRREC Apprentice, Peter Duffy, from Royston, said: “Working on Viridor’s GRREC project is a great boost. After leaving school I travelled around construction sites doing odd jobs before talking a one year course at North Glasgow College in mechanical engineering. I enjoy being outdoors, using my hands and didn’t fancy the idea of doing a job where I would be stuck indoors. “Having been unemployed for a year after my course, I’m now in a good job, earning and learning whilst building one of the biggest recycling and energy projects in Scotland. It’s a brilliant start with a great team.” The development will bring more than 250 new jobs to Glasgow, support apprenticeship places and will produce enough energy to power 22,000 households. Once complete it will deliver a saving to Glasgow of 90,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. Work on the GRREC facility is due to be completed in 2016.

• Pollok Health Centre Tuesdays 1pm – 3pm • Pollokshields Health Shop Tuesdays 1.30pm – 3.30pm A recent client, Ralice, says “The chat every week and on-going support are the things that

have made a difference for this quit attempt.” Did you know that if you come along for support and use the Nicotine Replacement products or medication to help you quit, you are 4 times more likely to be successful. If you want to wait and quit in the New Year, there are relaxed, informal support sessions starting in January and February, as well as the drop in clinics. Just give us a call for more info. As well as saving you lots of money, quitting smoking can make huge differences to your health. Smoking is still the biggest cause of illness and early death in Scotland! Why not give us a call, make the change, and plan for a healthier, wealthier you in 2014. Call 0800 028 5208

December/January 2013/2014 3

Barrhead Main Street face-lift

FROM PAGE ONE new £22 million superstore. Contractors have begun demolishing the former health centre and library to make way for the 25,000 sq ft store. Convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “We are delighted to get work under way on our substantial investment programme in Barrhead, the Foundry. “This will be a fantastic addition to Barrhead and will really transform the Main Street. “The Barrhead Foundry will offer first-class services that will really make a difference to the people of the local community. “It is also the latest in a long line of major investments the council has made in the town to make it a vibrant and thriving community with the very best facilities. I look forward to seeing it take shape.” The Barrhead Foundry will see the sports centre receive a new two-storey extension and boast excellent new library facilities, improved sports facilities, flexible community meeting spaces, business support, back-to-work and employment help and a cafe. The first phase of work will see the reception temporarily relocated round the back of the centre and some other minor internal works before contractors begin building the extension proper in January. It is expected to take around a year to complete. The Asda store is being built on a redundant site behind the former health centre. It will

include a petrol station, parking for 250 cars and two electronic car charge points. The main contractor is Barr Construction and work on the new store will start once demolition of the health centre is complete. The store is scheduled to open in late summer of 2014. To allow the developments to take place, parking around both the sports centre and the site of the new store will be affected. Some of the parking in front of the sports centre will be reduced from next week. There will also be reduced parking at the side of the former health centre, and work is ongoing with contractors to ensure some space remains available in the run-up to Christmas. Once the health centre is demolished, a temporary car park will be provided on the site. This is likely to be available in the new year. In the meantime, car parking is available at Cochrane Street, Cowan Park and the John Kelly pavilion in Aurs Road. The council will also make alternative provision for blue badge holders as a priority. Councillor Buchanan added: “Parking around both sites will be limited and we aware that this will cause some inconvenience to local residents. "We appreciate your patience over the next few weeks – it will be worth it once these wonderful new developments for Barrhead are complete.”

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December/January 2013/2014 5

Financial assistance in place for victims

South schools science project huge success

GLASGOW City Council has put measures in place to provide financial assistance to victims of the tragic incident at the Clutha Vaults.

A SCHOOLS science initiative has been a massive success in East Renfrewshire.

Charitable funds administered by the council will be made available to support anyone facing hardship as a result of Friday’s events – including casualties and the families of those who lost their lives. The council is already in contact with some of those affected by the incident – and will announce further details of how help will be made available. Information on how members of the public who would like to donate to these charitable funds can do so will also be confirmed later. Leader of Glasgow City Council, Cllr Gordon Matheson said: "Those who are already suffering physically and emotionally need time to recover and to grieve. "Money will be very far from their thoughts, but Glasgow will not allow their suffering to be compounded by financial plight in their hour of need. "There will be people who are unable to work, or who face a lengthy road to recovery. Families

face uncertain times ahead without loved ones. "We can and will help them in the days, weeks and months ahead – and we know many of our fellow Glaswegians will also want to lend their support.” The council is also aware of proposals to stage a concert to benefit victims and their families and has pledged to provide a suitable venue. The Lord Provost said: "The tragic events of Friday night have left Glasgow with a real sense of shock and deep sorrow. "However, there is also pride in how the city has responded to such adversity and a renewed belief in the courage and compassion of our fellow citizens. "I feel that too. I have never been more proud to be a Glaswegian.” The Lord Provost later received a message of support from the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. It said: "My wife and I wanted to send our most heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to the families of those who were lost or injured in Friday's truly shocking helicopter accident in Glasgow. "Words can seem wholly inadequate in such circumstances,

but in offering every possible healing thought to those who survived, we also wanted to pay tribute to the emergency services and their exemplary response. "Glasgow has had to endure a tragic episode but, knowing the city and its people as we do, we have every confidence that it will find the necessary strength to recover.” Throughout the day, council staff have continued to support colleagues in the emergency services who are dealing with the incident. Staff have been operating a reception centre for family and friends of those affected by the incident, offering practical and emotional support as well as directing people to relevant services. They are also working with colleagues across in other services, such as the NHS, to ensure that individuals affected directly and indirectly will be able to access support when this is required. The reception centre has now closed, but any family and friends of those affected who require assistance will be supported by our standby team on 0800 811 505.

The Science Champions Initiative has been running for just over a year. And already East Renfrewshire Council is leading the field in Scotland with its work on the national programme. The project sees teachers in primary schools take on the role of ‘science champion’, assisting other teachers to organise teaching and workshops in class. Every primary school in the authority has a science champion – the only council in Scotland to have one in all schools. Some of the larger primaries have two. The aim is to get more children progressing in the sciences and the scheme is funded by the Scottish Government and the National Science Learning Centre in York. There is funding for high-quality training and resources and every school receives a digital microscope. It is now in its second year and has been hugely successful, with schools and the education department building on that success this session. Convener for education and equalities, Councillor Elaine Green,

said: “The Science Champions Initiative has only run for one full year and already it is a fantastic success. “Again East Renfrewshire has shown itself to be at the forefront in another pioneering programme and leading the field in Scotland. “With so much enthusiasm, hard work and drive going into it, I am confident our teachers will build on this success and help create some of the country’s scientists for the future.” A total of 99 per cent of teachers who took part in the first year judged the programme to have been very professional, while 90 per cent of leading educationalists involved said the East Ren teachers’ work was of a high standard.

6 December/January 2013/2014

Work commences on new £20m bus depot in the South Side

SPADES IN: Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Fiona Kerr, First Glasgow's Managing Director

FIRST Glasgow has officially unveiled the ten acre site that will become home to the company’s brand new £20m bus depot and headquarters in 2014. The honour of putting the first spade in the ground at the site at Gushetfaulds on Cathcart Road in the south side of the city belonged to local MSP Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister. She was joined by First Glasgow’s new

Managing Director, Fiona Kerr, two of the company’s longest serving employees, Mechanic Willie Walker and Bus Driver John McGregor, as well as First’s youngest apprentice, 16 year old Jak Monaghan. First confirmed that the new facility will be the biggest bus depot in the UK with space for up to 450 buses and 1200 employees. First has created room for an additional 150 buses as it aims to attract

more customers on to its services. The new depot will bring 300 buses and 800 employees from First Glasgow’s current headquarters at Larkfield into the same complex for the first time. Construction is due to be complete in October 2014 with the site fully operational in November 2014. Fiona Kerr, Managing Director of First Glasgow, said: “It’s really exciting to think that this time next year we’ll be

Typhoon aid drive by Philippines-born head girl

enjoying a state of the art facility specifically designed for operating and maintaining buses. “One of my main priorities is to increase the number of people using our buses. We are working extremely hard to achieve that by making our services more attractive. Indeed in the last 12 months we’ve invested some £25m in 151 new buses and put in place a significantly improved new network, simpliCITY, providing high frequency services for our customers. “Today’s £20m investment in our new depot and headquarters is great news for our customers – the new facility will help us improve upon an already strong punctuality and reliability performance and we hope it will encourage people to consider bus travel more often.” She continued: “Such is our commitment to growing our business and our confidence in increasing passenger numbers that we have created space at the new site for an extra 150 buses and 400 staff. “It’s great news that from November 2014 my colleagues will have the working environment that their talent, commitment and dedication deserve.” Meanwhile Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, whose constituency includes Gushetfaulds, commented: “I'm delighted that First is investing

A PHILIPPINES-born head girl at an East Renfrewshire school has spearheaded an appeal to help the typhoon-hit country.

Bianca Deladia, along with her sister Vanessa, put out a cash collection call to fellow pupils at Eastwood High. And their appeal has raised £500 for the Disasters Emergency Committee which is coordinating the aid collection. The generous pupils and staff at Eastwood raised this sum over and above a tremendous £1,000 plus for Children in Need on the same day. Head girl Bianca and Vanessa, who is in fifth year, were born in the Philippines and came to Scotland in 2006. They are from the province of Cavite which is two hours south of the capital Manila and still have aunts, uncles and cousins living there. Since Typhoon Haiyan struck the country they have been in contact with

significantly in a bespoke, state of the art, brand new bus depot and headquarters at Gushetfaulds. It is a real boost to the local economy and we're looking forward to welcoming First to its new home in 2014. It was a tremendous honour to be given the opportunity of putting the first spade in the ground." Securing the contract to construct the new headquarters is global infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty. Stephen Scott, Delivery Unit Managing Director for Balfour Beatty said: “We are delighted that First Glasgow has awarded Balfour Beatty the contract to construct its ambitious state of the art bus depot in the south side of Glasgow. We completed the infrastructure works for the depot and look forward to building on our strong relationship with our customer to deliver this project that will help revitalise an area which has lain derelict for many years.” Groundworks for the construction have already been completed and the entire project is scheduled to finish in November 2014. The development will consist of three separate buildings – a bus maintenance facility, a dedicated service tunnel with a deep clean facility and a specialist long-term vehicle repair unit. The service tunnel will be fitted with an automated chassis clean unit, two high-specification automated vehicle washes, fuel installation and facilities for vehicle testing and body shop repairs.

their family members and everyone is safe. However like much of the Philippines it has been badly hit and the girls’ family has been working to help those worse off, such as building shelters for people who have lost their homes. Here at home, Bianca, Vanessa and their family have been collecting and filling boxes with aid such as clothing and food supplies. They also plan further fundraising with other members of the Filipino community. She said: “Both Vanessa and I implore everyone to give as much as they can afford to assist with the disaster appeal.” Eastwood High had already organised a ‘dress as you please’ day to raise money for Children in Need. However, Bianca suggested it was also a good opportunity to help the Philippines appeal at the same time and the school community rallied round.

Please support UNICEF’s work for children affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Visit www.unicef.org.uk/typhoon or text UNICEF to 70123 to donate £3 CHEQUE THIS: Bianca, left, and Vanessa with their cheque for £500

December/January 2013/2014 7

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS - LESS THAN 4 WEEKS TO GO!

8 December/January 2013/2014

Games ticket allocation Dogs Trust appeal for children, over-60s to keep canines and groups announced cosy this winter GLASGOW City Council will allocate around 6000 tickets for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games competition sessions and ceremonies to children, over-60s and community groups.

These tickets - for the sports taking place in Glasgow during the Games, as well as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies - will be allocated by Glasgow City Council’s Education and Social Work Services, and Glasgow Life. Each of these three bodies will administer the process through a number of strict criteria. The council’s Education Services aims to reward inspirational children and young people, including pupils who have excelled in sports and other fields of endeavour such as leadership and community action, as well as volunteers involved in the sports programmes at the city’s schools. Social Work Services at Glasgow City Council will offer the tickets to children and young people who are looked after and accommodated - and older adults who are supported by the council. Glasgow Life will allocate tickets to

sports clubs and organisations, coaches, volunteers, sport development squads and through Glasgow Club promotions. Communities will also benefit from a limited number of tickets with distribution through local area legacy and engagement groups. Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Next year’s Commonwealth Games are for all the people of Glasgow, and I am pleased that the council has decided to allocate these tickets to both some of our most vulnerable people and some of those who contribute to the fantastic sporting life of the city. "What has been at the centre of all our planning is not only making 2014 the greatest ever Commonwealth Games, but making sure we leave a legacy that includes everyone in Glasgow. The people who receive tickets through this project will have a priceless memory of what will be an unforgettable time in our history and an inspiration for us in the future.” The total value of the tickets allocated will be up to maximum of just over £90,000.

WITH reports of the coldest winter for decades and record breaking snowfall on the way, Dogs Trust is reminding dog owners not to forget the needs of their four-legged friends. Dogs Trust have some helpful tips to help you keep your canines safe and warm and avoid potentially hazardous winter walks.

The selection and allocation process will begin in March 2014 and will be designed to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of tickets. The results of the process will be communicated in May, and the tickets will be allocated in June 2014. All applicants for these tickets must guarantee their attendance at the session and if they are unable to use them, must return the tickets to the allocating body as soon as possible.

• Let your dog’s winter coat grow, and if you have a puppy, short-haired or old dog, buy him a sensible winter coat with high visibility • Keep your dog on a lead if it is snowing very heavily. Snow can be disorientating and can affect a dog’s sense of smell so he can easily become lost. • Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing an ID tag in case he does get lost. • Make sure you wipe your dog’s legs, feet and stomach when you come indoors after an icy or snowy walk as the grit from the roads can damage their feet. • Never leave your dog in a car during extreme weather, hot or cold. • Do not let your dog walk on frozen ponds- the ice may not be thick enough to take his weight. • If your dog does fall through the ice never be tempted to go in after them but encourage them to swim back to you.

• Antifreeze is highly poisonous but tasty to dogs. Keep it well out of their reach and mop up any spills! Reported road casualty statistics from the Department for Transport for 2012 show that there were 2,241 pedestrians killed or seriously injured during the winter months, so take care when walking. Consider wearing high visibility clothing yourself such as jackets, vests or reflective strips on your clothes so you can be easily seen by motorists. Carry a torch or a head lamp which will help you be seen and also enable to you see to pick up your dog’s mess. Always make sure your dog is well trained and responsive to commands. For tips on training visit www.dogstrust.org.uk Dogs Trust Chief Executive, Clarissa Baldwin OBE comments: “With British Winter’s long nights and cold days, it is important to keep both you and your dog safe and warm when you are out walking. Dogs Trust has 18 Rehoming Centres across the UK and one in Dublin where all our canine carers work extra hard during the winter months providing blankets and heating to ensure all our hairy hounds are kept happy and healthy. We remind dog owners to follow the advice to make sure your dogs have a wonderful winter”

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10 December/January 2013/2014

Annual call to complete electoral registration form

Schools project up for global award

PEOPLE who will be 16 years of age or over on Thursday 18 September 2014 are being urged not to miss out on their chance to vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum next year. More than 300,000 households in the city will be this week starting to receive their annual electoral registration forms. Residents are being asked to update and complete the forms to make sure that no-one in Glasgow, who is eligible, loses their right to vote in any forthcoming elections and the Scottish Independence Referendum For the first time, a Young Voter Registration Form is included in the pack to give the opportunity to any resident 16 or over on 18 September 2014 the right to cast their vote in the referendum. And it couldn't be easier. Options for residents who have no changes to the form now include using either text, online or calling the electoral registration team to validate their form. For more information contact the Electoral Registration Office in Glasgow on 0141 287 4444 or visit http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?ar ticleid=3433 or http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/

CHINESE WAY: St Ninian’s pupils Christopher McNulton and Eve McAlpine and Anna Paterson and Arianno Fraioli from Our Lady of the Missions primary, who are all learning Mandarin and Chinese culture

A PIONEERING schools project has won a major Scottish award – and is now in line for global honours. East Renfrewshire has landed the Confucius Classroom Hub of Year 2013 award. This makes it Scotland’s top performer in the programme, which celebrates Chinese language and culture. But it also means it is one of the top 10 in the world, chosen out of 500. Now East Renfrewshire Council has been invited to the finals in China next

week. The hub is based at St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock, and head teacher John Docherty will represent the hub in Beijing. Convener for education and equalities, Councillor Elaine Green, congratulated the project on its worldwide success. She said: “This is an outstanding achievement by the East Renfrewshire hub. “To be chosen as the best in Scotland is very significant in itself, but to then be selected as one of top 10

in the world is absolutely wonderful. “I’d like to say very well done to everyone involved and wish them all the best in the final. “The Classroom has achieved so much in just a short time. Interest in learning Mandarin continues to grow and I know we will keep building on that success in the future.” East Ren is one of two Scottish finalists, the other being Fife. The area’s Confucius Classroom Hub was set up four years ago. It is a joint project between the Scottish and Chinese governments to promote Mandarin and culture. Since the hub started more than 50 pupils from across East Renfrewshire have sat SQA exams in Mandarin, including at advanced higher level. Lunch clubs help teach pupils about Chinese culture, there is a Chinese dance club and tai chi classes and projects such as art, cookery and fabric design. And two S6 pupils, from St Ninian’s and Mearns Castle, are in the running for a Chinese language scholarship at Strathclyde University. China funds a permanent teacher of Mandarin, who is based at St Ninian’s, and two seconded teachers who work with pupils in the area’s high schools and feeder primaries. It’s hoped a third seconded teacher will join the council next year. St Ninian’s head teacher Mr Docherty is delighted the work in East Renfrewshire is being recognised at national level. He said: “Well done to the teaching

staff and pupils who have been recognised with the Confucius Classroom of the Year 2013 Award. “It’s a superb achievement for a hub that has only been in existence for four years. “The work of the Confucius Hub is being extended across all school clusters in East Renfrewshire this year by the education department. “The teaching of Chinese language, supporting Chinese cultural activities across the different subjects, the development of language skills of our teachers, encouraging the uptake and learning of languages in all educational establishments, pre-five, primary and secondary, are recognisable strengths in our schools. “The work is very much in tune with the new national curricular developments being encouraged and developed in our schools and the young people are enjoying learning the language and taking part in cultural activities and competitions. “Many of our schools have seen a growing number of pupils receive national recognition in the different competitions sponsored by the Confucius Institute. “Success in SQA exams from Intermediate and Higher to Advanced Higher has been excellent. “One of the main developments for the future is to develop further the ability of our teachers to teach the language in pre-five and primary and we will do this through in-service training and authority conferences."

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December/January 2013/2014 11

12 December/January 2013/2014

Buy2Give charity fundraising programme lands in Glasgow “I am really looking forward to bringing Buy2Give to Glasgow” said Thomas Moan, who has been tasked with promoting the programme in Glasgow. “I have worked with a wide range of large and small community groups over the last 20 years and this is the best new initiative that I have ever seen. Not only does it raise money for local community groups or

HELP YOUR FAVOURITE CHARITY: Get your Buy2Give card today

A NEW innovative charity fundraising programme, Buy2Give, which has been successfully piloted across Ayrshire, is being extended to cover local communities across the South of Glasgow. By becoming a Buy2Give card or app user, local people can raise money for their favourite charity or community group by buying locally from approved Big Hearted Businesses.

A Big Hearted Business agrees to donate £2 of every £100 spent with them to the nominated charity of the Buy2Give member. So not only does

the programme support local charities, it also supports local traders and strengthens the local economy. Ken Robb, one of the founders of the Buy2Give programme said “This is an exciting time for Buy2Give as we see if the programme can be replicated in other areas. Since we started it in March, we have recruited over 600 local people to become Buy2Give members. Our Ayrshire Buy2Give members can already buy from over 60 Big Hearted Businesses in order to benefit their chosen charity. It is great to see another area ready to try it out”.

BIG HEARTED BUSINESSES: Join Buy2Give today

COMING SOON TO SOUTH SIDE: Thomas Moan is bringing Buy2Give to Glasgow

charities, but it also supports local traders to attract new customers, whilst also building the loyalty of their existing customers by becoming a Big Hearted Business”. Thomas is looking for charities, community organisations and businesses who would like to take part in the Buy2Give programme. If you

would like to find out more about the Buy2Give programme or if you would like to become a Big Hearted Business, go to www.buy2give.org.uk where you can register to become a member or book an appointment to find out more about being a Big Hearted Business.

WE CAN NOW OFFER LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION! WOS Media Ltd now offers its advertisers design, print and distribution services – all under one roof. Your individually designed leaflet can be inserted into any of our three monthly newspapers – The South Glasgow News, The East Glasgow News and The Ayrshire News – enabling you to reach our large customer base through a new and exciting form of advertising. We distribute 20,000 copies of each newspaper in areas of high footfall, including many of the major supermarkets. Contact WOS Media Ltd today to find out what we can do to help your business grow.

For further information on leaflet distribution please conatct Stuart Pennington on: 07792 362587 or email: stuart.glasgownews@gmail.com

December/January 2013/2014 13

14 December/January 2013/2014

The 12 Days of ‘Debtmas’

Credit Union welcomes Government campaign against payday lenders WITH Christmas just around the corner, Glasgow Credit Union has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new campaign urging the public to consider credit unions instead of payday lenders this Christmas. The 12 Days of Debtmas campaign, which is running in press, on radio and online, aims to highlight the financial options available to most Scots through their local credit union and is urging the public not to get into a financial hole this Christmas by avoiding expensive high interest lenders. Christmas can be a challenging time financially, with the additional costs of presents, food and celebrations on top of regular monthly bills and payments. As a result, many are faced with the hard decision to borrow money to tide them over and payday loans can seem like a quick fix. However, such creditors often charge interest rates of over 5,000%

APR. This is a huge figure when compared to credit unions, which are restricted by law to lending at a maximum of 2% per month (26.8% APR), with many, like Glasgow Credit Union offering much lower rates. Over 300,000 people in Scotland are already using credit unions, cooperatives that are owned and managed by the people who use them. Glasgow Credit Union, which is available to members living or working within the G postcode area, currently serves over 32,000 members and offers a range of savings, loan and mortgage products designed to help local people get the most from their money. Those looking to borrow money can choose from a range of personal loans with rates starting at 5.9% APR. Existing members can apply for an Everyday Loan which enables members to apply for funds from £500 up to £3,000 with an APR of 14.9%. June Walker, chief executive of

Glasgow Credit Union, said: “It is extremely encouraging that the Scottish Government has recognised the role credit unions can play in helping people sensibly manage their finances. Many people won’t have considered a credit union, so won’t even know it is an option for them. Whilst saving is at the heart of what we do, we also provide a range of loan products at highly competitive interest rates, designed to help our members when they need it most. “Christmas can be a difficult time and I would urge anyone worried about their finances over the next few weeks to look at their options and look at whether their local credit union can help. Unlike other organisations, we can help by providing people with ethical financial products that don’t come with extortionate interest rates. We also work with each member to ensure they are not borrowing out with their means and set up sensible repayment options.” Credit unions support a variety of members’ needs, working closely with them to promote responsible borrowing. In addition to encouraging members to make regular savings, many credit unions provide similar services to banks including mortgages and ISAs. Unlike payday providers, credit unions are member-owned and operate with their members needs in

mind; basing loan decisions on each individual member’s ability to repay the loan. Should a member’s circumstances change, Glasgow Credit Union will work with them to help them as much as possible; a clear distinction between the credit union movement and payday providers. Residents or those who work in a G postcode area who are looking to find

out more about Glasgow Credit Union can do so by visiting www.glasgowcu.com or calling 0141 274 9933. With more than 100 credit unions throughout Scotland, the Scottish Government is encouraging the public to log on and find their local one by visiting 12daysofdebtmas.com

Your local Pet Shop is now under new management For all your pet needs, come in and have a chat with Angela - your local pet advisor In n addition to all our ur lovely small a animals, budgies, tortoises and fi fish, we now also stock cockatiels t W e stock James W Wellbeloved, ellbeloved, Bur ns, We Burns,

Applaws and Natured A diet – always Naturediet lo ower than the recom mmended p price. lower recommended t W e are always happy ppy to help – if We

you’re looking for something y omething and you don’tt see it on the sh shelves, d don’ helves, talk to us, probably a and we can pr obably y get it in for you. t Remember – your local pet shop

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December/January 2013/2014 15

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16 December/January 2013/2014

Innovative £500k sch A £500,000 housing project run by East Renfrewshire Council has won a major national award. The housing team secured the honour after impressing judges with their unique mixed tenure improvement scheme. This groundbreaking programme aims to improve blocks of mixed occupation – council tenants, owner occupiers and private lets. Now the scheme has been hailed as ‘outstanding and innovative’ in the National Good Practice Awards 2013 run by TPAS, the Tenant Participation Advisory Service. The announcement was made at a

special awards ceremony in St Andrews where judges said East Renfrewshire was ‘head and shoulders above the rest’ in its category. East Renfrewshire’s accolade was in the ‘Together: Developing Communities’ section and was one of five awards made on the night. The scheme – the first of its kind in Scotland - was launched in April this year with a budget of £500,000. The aim is to improve ‘mixed’ blocks of housing then work with residents, whether tenants or owners, to create a lasting legacy. That legacy would mean residents taking more pride in where they live, keeping up improvements such as

garden maintenance and keeping closes clean. It has been a major success. Since April there have been 140 overgrown gardens tackled, more than 150 closes cleaned, more than 60 closes painted, and a range of improvements such as fence repairs and replacement, footpath improvement and tree and shrub removal. A ‘hit squad’ to tackle one-off requests from residents for work such as refuse clearance has been set up, employing local young job seekers. Small local firms have been given contracts to carry out many of the improvements, helping sustain around 20 local jobs.

And the project has won praise from local residents, who say it has led to improvements being maintained right across mixed housing blocks and improved community spirit. Also, by giving buildings and estates a makeover, empty properties that were difficult to let are now proving more popular. Convener for housing, Councillor Danny Devlin, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this scheme has been recognised at national level. “The council’s housing services team have come up with something that is not only innovative but has, without doubt, improved the lives of many of our residents.

“We have been leading from the front on dealing with the difficulties of maintaining mixed tenure estates – now other local authorities will be able to learn from our good practice. “Well done to everybody, in our communities and within the council, for devising something that has delivered so many benefits.” The Good Practice Awards aim to recognise and reward tenants, residents, officers and landlords for their fantastic work and commitment in improving services and building stronger communities. The scheme is also tipped for honours in the Cosla Excellence Awards 2013. IT’S A HIT: Members of the scheme’s hit squad with the trophy

December/January 2013 17

heme wins top award AWARD-WINNING: Council leader Jim Fletcher and convener for housing Danny Devlin check out the trophy

18 December/January 2013/2014

The Tin Forest announced at Glasgow's South Rotunda A celebration of Glasgow’s industrial past and creative future AS the finalé to an eight month project across Glasgow and the Commonwealth, exploring Glasgow’s industrial heritage and 21st century future, taking place as part of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme, the National Theatre

of Scotland will take over the South Rotunda on the Clydeside, creating a pop-up arts venue for a rich programme of performance and visual art. The iconic building will be home to an immersive puppet experience and

visual art installation, inspired by Helen Ward’s bestselling book The Tin Forest, and created by National Theatre of Scotland Associate Director Graham McLaren (In Time o’ Strife, A Doll’s House), in collaboration once more with celebrated puppet-designer Gavin Glover – the two previously worked together on the National Theatre of Scotland’s acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol. The South Rotunda will also provide the backdrop to: a seven day festival

created by international young theatremakers; a world class visual art installation; a large scale opening event, featuring live music from leading Scottish artists. All performances at the South Rotunda will be part of Festival 2014, the Commonwealth Games-time Glasgow based strand of the Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. The first phase of The Tin Forest project will see National Theatre of Scotland Associate Director Simon Sharkey (Jump, 99…100) lead a team of creative artists in engagement across the city and with four ex-industrial communities across Glasgow: Springburn (railways), Govan (shipbuilding), East End (steel) and Southwest (aircraft components). Taking as its inspiration the story of The Tin Forest, in which a lonely old man transforms his surrounding landscape from a place “near nowhere and close to forgotten” to somewhere “filled with all the things that everyone wanted,” the Company will invite participants to retell the story of their local community, the story of Glasgow’s industrial past and to imagine what the future might look like. Each community will work with a team of directors, writers, musicians, visual artists, choreographers and other theatre-makers, to devise and create a large scale site-specific event, to be performed in their local area in June 2014. A specially commissioned Tin Forest International Performing Company - an ensemble of 90 young theatre makers drawn from the 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth - will flood the city with site-responsive theatre, responding to the themes of

The Tin Forest and a selection of iconic Glasgow locations. Directed by Scottish Youth Theatre Associate Artistic Director Fraser MacLeod, they will perform on the city’s streets, bridges and public transport, and in parks, “stalled spaces” and public places. The Tin Forest International Youth Theatre Festival will bring together ten established youth theatre companies from around the Commonwealth. The companies are: Manifesto Jamaica from Kingston, Jamaica; FanFiction Comedy from Auckland, New Zealand; Made In Bristol from Bristol Old Vic, England; X Theatre from Dhaka, Bangladesh; Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre from Malta; YUVA EKTAYouth Unite from New Delhi in India. The four Scottish companies are Urban Fairytale Theatre Company from Glasgow; Collision from Buckhaven, Fife; Aberdeen Performing Arts Youth Theatre, Aberdeen; Physical Theatre Scotland from Edinburgh. These groups will devise and perform a piece in their home country - inspired by the concept of “near nowhere…to somewhere” - before presenting it to audiences in Glasgow at the South Rotunda from Thursday 24th to Monday 28th July. They will also take part in a residential theatre course, working closely with established, professional theatre-makers, engaging in cultural exchange and building on their existing skills and knowledge. The Tin Forest opening event will bring together all of the participants at the South Rotunda on Tuesday 22nd July, 2014, featuring live music and performance. For more information, visit: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com

Don Donate nate you your ur unwa unwanted anted fu furniture urniture and house household ehold ite items ems to help Ca Cancer ancer P Patients a atients Wee are alwayss looking for good W goood quality donations donattions and we will ill collect FREE from rom your home

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Lottery support extends affordable credit scheme AN organisation in Glasgow has been awarded a grant of ÂŁ1 million in National Lottery Good Cause funding to expand its affordable credit and financial inclusion service across the city.

Scotcash's 'Financial Inclusion in the Community' project will now be able to offer a package of loans and financial advice to more customers in Glasgow, offering them an alternative to expensive doorstep and high street lenders, along with practical help and advice on how to successfully manage their finances. Welcoming the Big Lottery Fund award of ÂŁ963,685 Scotcash Chief Executive Officer, Sharon MacPherson, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This funding will go a long way towards helping our financially excluded citizens access the financial products and services they need to make the most of their money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know that many people in Glasgow pay much more than better off families because they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t access banking, affordable credit or savings. This award from the Big Lottery Fund will allow Scotcash to deliver and promote financial inclusion across local areas where these services and products are needed most.â&#x20AC;? The Financial Inclusion in the Community project has been funded through the Big Lottery Fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Investing in Communities programme. It is one of a number of initiatives in Glasgow led by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Housing Association assisting some of the most financially vulnerable individuals and families across Glasgow. Over the period of the funding the project will provide more people with access to basic financial products, financial advice and affordable credit, including support to open credit union accounts. The project will also develop new outreach services in the east, west and south of the city, and enhance existing work being done in partnership with ng homes in north Glasgow.

Jackie Killeen, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Director, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Big Lottery Fund is committed to supporting individuals and communities most in need, and this ÂŁ1 million award to Scotcash does just that. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re delighted that with our Lottery support this project will extend its reach across Glasgow helping even more people to improve their financial prospects and break the cycle of damaging and expensive short term lending. In these tough times for Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s communities projects like this help build a better financial future for those most in need.â&#x20AC;? Scotcash is already working with a range of partners in Glasgow, including Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Central Citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advice Bureau and Glasgow Housing Association. By offering free financial inclusion advice Scotcash staff aim to support those who come to them to access the right financial service which may often mean signposting and helping clients set up credit union or high street bank accounts. Working with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays Bank, Scotcash can provide that crucial link to mainstream financial institutions, addressing the barriers associated with financial exclusion.

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More MyBus services available in the East End from next year

STRATHCLYDE Partnership for Transport (SPT) has announced plans to increase the number of buses on its MyBus service across Glasgow. The bookable bus service - which is available to take customers directly from home to shops, visiting friends, attending local clubs, Doctor appointments or hospital visits â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has proven so popular in the city that SPT is putting on an additional bus to meet the demand from January 2014. Following a tendering exercise, SPT awarded a ÂŁ260,000 contract to Glasgow Citybus Limited to operate the bus up until July 2018. SPT Chair Jim Coleman said:

"SPT has been providing vital public transport services to Glasgow residents for many years. MyBus is one of our most important services and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s particularly valuable for people who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easily access other public transport provision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transport is integral to helping people stay active and to feel they are part of society - be it through helping them to get their weekly shop or to go out with friends. Demand for the MyBus service had increased and SPT members felt strongly that we should respond to this by increasing availability of the service and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m delighted that will happen early next year.â&#x20AC;? If you would like to find out more about MyBus or to access this service, please call 0845 128 4025 or online at www.spt.co.uk.

QUALIIFICATIONS? NO PROBLEM! NO QUALIFICATIONS? you an adult ult looking to return to o education, looking Are you WR FKDQJH FDUHHHU RU Z DQW WR IXOÂżO \RX XU SRWHQWLDO" WR FKDQJH FDUHHU RU ZDQW WR IXOÂżO \RXU SRWHQWLDO" The Scottish Scottish Wider Wider Access Access Programme Programme (SWAP) (SWAP) offers offers free, free, independent independent The advice to to adults adults who who want want to to return return to to education education and and want want information information advice about courses courses available. available. SWAP SWAP Access Access Programmes Programmes are are run run at at local local about colleges and and have have been been designed designed to to prepare prepare students students with with few few or or no no colleges TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV IRU IR RU HQWU\ HQWU\ WR WR +1& ' +1& ' DQG DQG GHJUHH GHJUHH FRXUVHV FRXUVHV (OLJLEOH (OLJLEOH DGXOWV DGXOWV TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV PD\ UHFHLYH ÂżQDQF FLDO VXSSRUW ZLWK OLYLQJ WUDYHO D H QG RU FKLOGFDUH FRVWV PD\ UHFHLYH ÂżQDQFLDO VXSSRUW ZLWK OLYLQJ WUDYHO DQG RU FKLOGFDUH FRVWV 25,000 0 adults have have taken taken the SWAP SWAP route route to higher More than 25,000 providin ng opportunities in: education, providing Â&#x2021; Science, Techno nology, Engineering and Maths ths Technology, secondary education Â&#x2021; Primary and seco econdary educatio n

Â&#x2021; Nursing Â&#x2021; Health studies including occupatio nal therapy, rapy, physio therapy, occupational physiotherapy, po diatry, radiography radio ography and nutrition/dietetics nutrition/dietetics tics podiatry, SWAP Students; Lorraine, Lorraine, Clare, Clare, Yvonne, Yv Y vonne, Catriona, Catriona, Steven, Steven,, Robert, Robert, Tracy Tracy & Alison. SWAP Wider Access Programme Pro ogramme has been THE Scottish Wider colleges and universities universsities in partnership developed by colleges w have few or no to provide opportunities for adults who TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV WR SURJUHVV WR KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ TXDOLÂżFDWLRQV WR SURJUHVV WR KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ H th SWAP SW WAP AP P factor f t r help h l you? you? ? How can the Here are are some FAQs FAQs which may help you: Here Why? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To â&#x20AC;&#x153;T To get the education I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get at schoolâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was yearning to do something different g differ ent with my lifeâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To â&#x20AC;&#x153;T To o get a good job.â&#x20AC;? Changes? are starting to get it now. now w. My sister used to â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think people are p say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;get a gripâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but now sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ss telling people that her sister is going going tto o university!â&#x20AC;?, university!â&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was was a painter painter and and decorator decorator is before, now I am going to make a great great e nurse!â&#x20AC;? before,

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December/January 2013/2014 21

22 December/January 2013/2014

Glasgow businesses risk alienating consumers with lack of online presence CONSUMERS prefer to look for businesses online, yet almost half of local businesses lack a website, new research from hibu reveals.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Glasgow are making themselves invisible to potential customers because they are not keeping pace with consumers’ preference for using the web and social media to find local businesses, new research from hibu reveals. The research found that SMEs significantly underestimate how active consumers are online. Almost half (46

per cent) of SME employees in Glasgow said their business did not have a website, and less than a quarter (24 per cent) think that their customers actively use the web to search for products and services. In fact, the real figure is actually more than 3 times higher, with 77 per cent of Glasgow residents using search engines to research new local businesses, making it the most popular way to find new products and services. This mismatch means that SMEs could be missing out on a significant amount of business. More than half

(52 per cent) of Glasgow consumers said that they would be less likely to visit or call a business that did not have a website. Of local SMEs without a website, 73 per cent said that they did not need one. The research also revealed that Glasgow’s businesses are seriously underestimating consumers’ use of social media: 36 per cent of businesses believe their customers are not very active on social sites, whereas in reality 74 per cent of consumers are regular users of Facebook – and almost a fifth (17 per cent) use social media to research local businesses. The research was conducted online by hibu, a leading provider of marketing services to businesses, which polled SMEs and consumers in Glasgow and nine other major UK cities[i]. Other findings from Glasgow include: • 39 per cent of consumers say they are annoyed by businesses that don’t have a website • 79 per cent of consumers say that a poor quality website would make them less likely to visit or call that company – but only 18 per cent of local SMEs said that their sites were ‘beautiful’ and 21 per cent per cent admitted that they had not updated their websites in the last six months • 77 per cent of Glasgow consumers own a smartphone, and 39 per cent of

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all consumers say they are most likely to use a mobile device if they were checking a local business’s website before visiting or calling them Ian Clarke, Scotland & North East Manager for hibu, said: “Almost two thirds of consumers in Glasgow tell us that it is important to them to use local businesses, but businesses can only take advantage of this local loyalty if they can be found where customers are looking. If businesses don’t have a website, they are essentially invisible to the three quarters of Glasgow people who use internet search as their preferred method for finding local

businesses. “Smaller businesses often find the prospect of getting online daunting, but the research shows that failing to have a web presence is not an option. To be competitive, Glasgow’s smaller businesses must be as active as their customers in the online world. The good news is that today you don’t need any technical skills to set up an informative, regularly-updated website that will make your business visible and attractive to customers, and optimised to look good on every device.”

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LUSH first book, ‘Danger! Cosmetics to Go’, hits shops

Call or Call or email email uuss ttoday! oday! DANGER! Cosmetics to Go is the story of the company that preceded LUSH and tells of the meteoric rise and devastating fall of the dynamic cosmetics brand that revolutionised bathing and enchanted customers with their innovative offerings, all well ahead of their time.

Email: glen.glasgownews@gmail.com or call 0141 764 1808 and we’ll get back to you.

Despite its explosive arrival, Cosmetics To Go only existed for six brief years before losing everything. Here, for the first time, the founders of Lush share their thoughts and feelings on the rise and fall of their ill fated first joint venture, revealing the truth behind attempts to save the failing company and its eventual collapse. The book is a journey of invention, following the fortunes of this young company as they

create new, ground breaking products - set to revolutionise the cosmetics industry. Read all about the invention of the original bath bomb, shampoo bars and fresh facemasks that have since gone on to become some of Lush’s most iconic and best-selling products. Featuring artwork and photography from the original Cosmetics to Go catalogue, this new book is an essential read for Cosmetics to Go customers and fans and anyone who wants to know more about the origins of LUSH. Danger! Cosmetics to Go is available in Lush stores nationwide and online now for £19.95. For shop details and mail order call 01202 668 545 or order online at www.lush.co.uk

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December/January 2013/2014 25

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Keep Crabtree & Evelyn’s Gold Nail Lacquer, £6, in your handbag for a quick nail fix before last minute party invitations

Karora’s Skin Sensation CC Cream, £21.99, gives you flawless skin in a flash - great if you don’t have time to nip home and re-do your foundation

Christmas beauty crackers that will see you through the festive season Partying too much and being left with black bags and blemishes doesn’t have to be a problem, Benefit’s Fake Up Concealer, £25.50, hides it all!

Elemis’s Quiet the Mind Temple Balm, £16, is a post-party and Christmas-dayinduced-stree must have that cools and relieves headaches

M&S’s Limited Collection Highlighter, £5, is a beauty bag must-have, giving a healthy glow in a second

If you’re a smokeyeye staple type of girl, keep Superdry’s handy Smokey Eye Collection, £20, in your desk drawer for instant statement eyes.

Littlewoods.com’s Mylene Klass ‘Queen of the Night’ Pack of Three lipsticks, £19, are great for creating different looks for those day-to-night quick changes

26 December/January 2013/2014

Superstar DJs to play Glasgow Hydro

The Revolution returns

KING Tut’s New Year’s Revolution returns for its fourth consecutive year this January, bringing some of Scotland’s newest talent to ‘Britain’s Best Small Venue’. New Year’s Revolution promises to brighten up those dark and cold January nights with the best in new music!

SUPERSTAR DJs/Producers Calvin Harris and Tiësto are teaming up this December for a five city tour of the UK and Ireland, including a date at the new Glasgow Hydro on Sunday 22nd December. Their ‘Greater

Than’ tour is one of the hottest tickets this December. Calvin Harris and Tiësto are two of the biggest DJs in the world and, after collaborating on the song ‘Century’ together in 2009, these UK and Ireland dates will be the first time they have toured together ,

Support on the night comes from Pete Tong, GTA and Danny Avila.

Sunday 22nd December Glasgow Hydro Arena Tickets: £35 0844 395 4000

With 50 acts taking to the hallowed King Tut’s stage across the two week event, highlights of the event will include Campfires In Winter, Chloe Latimer, Deathcats & Tijuana Bibles. There will also be fantastic food offers to keep music fans belly’s happy, with gourmet bratwurst served with onions, pork belly with sage and onion stuffing and apple chutney in a toasted brioche bun or a gourmet King Tut’s burger all accompanied with a bottled beer or

Cameras at the ready! Short film competition is open for entries

CALLING all amateur and professional filmmakers – one of the UK’s biggest short film competitions is now open for entries and will be giving entrants the chance to win cash prizes and have their films appear on Channel 4.

Now in its fifth year, the reed.co.uk Short Film Competition 2014 invites budding and established filmmakers to create a three minute film for their chance to win a top prize of £10,000, funding for industry-recognised qualifications and a highly-valued

industry mentorship. Filmmakers are being asked to create short films of any genre, around the theme of ‘family business’. And, thanks to an expert panel of judges and partners – including BAFTA, Channel 4, Met Film School, Total Film, British Council, and Creative England, the calibre of entries is expected to be high. Mark Rhodes, Marketing Director at reed.co.uk, commented: “As the UK's biggest job site, we realised that reed.co.uk could provide the perfect platform for creative work to be seen and shared, and so, the idea of running a film competition was born. Five years on, the reed.co.uk Short Film Competition is now recognised as the fastest-growing shorts competition in the UK. “Our support for short film has always focused on giving talented, creative individuals an opportunity to showcase their work and, this year, we’re delighted to announce we will be screening the best of the

reed.co.uk Short Film Competition on Channel 4”. This year’s competition features more opportunities to win than ever before, with four prizes being awarded: • Grand Prix - decided by the panel of expert judges, one filmmaker will win £10,000 plus additional funding to showcase their film, expert mentoring and career advice, and funding for industry-recognised educational opportunities • Judges’ Commendation - also decided by the judging panel, £1,000 prize plus funding for industry-recognised educational opportunities • People’s Choice Award – chosen by the public via an online vote, £1,000 prize plus funding for industry-recognised educational opportunities • Best Young Filmmaker – entrants who are 25 or under on the 22nd of January 2014 will be eligible to win £1,000, an internship opportunity and funding for

cider for £5. Drinks promotions will also be running throughout the festival. King Tut’s New Years Revolution is perfect for fans of fresh, new music and comes with a guarantee that music fans will uncover their new favourite band over the course of the two weeks. There will also be a limited number of GOLDEN TICKETS on sale. For just £30 you can gain access into EVERY show of the festival. All tickets are available from the bar or you can go to www.kingtuts.co.uk or call 08444 999 990. For more information check out www.kingtuts.co.uk Tickets are on sale now from www.gigsinscotland.com or by calling 08444 999 990 and in person from King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.

industry-recognised educational opportunities Rhodes added: “We’re extremely proud of our association with short film and my hope is that our competition will continue to act as a springboard for the talented, hardworking filmmakers who continue to make this competition what it is.” This year, reed.co.uk has partnered with the British Council and Creative England to further boost the filmmaking careers of the competition’s winners. The British Council will fund the Grand Prix winner to take their film to festivals around the world, with Creative England providing them with bespoke training and mentoring, as well as ongoing career development and guidance. Furthermore, this year’s partnership with London’s Met Film School adds funding towards courses and qualifications in filmmaking to each of the four prize categories. Channel 4 will be screening some of the best entries this year in the Shooting Gallery which will air in early 2014. The deadline for entries into the competition is 22nd January 2014. Visit www.reed.co.uk/film for more information.

December/January 2013/2014 27

Join the UK’s most lavish New Year’s Eve party Promising to beat every other party in the UK in the sheer scale of glamour, Club Noir is the perfect way for the adventurous of heart to kick of 2014. This year’s extravaganza includes Club Noir’s spectacular burlesque performers, midnight festivities with a live ceilidh band, cabaret singers, ballet dancers, DJ’s playing music from the 20’s right through to current times and much more.

GLASGOW’S masters of glamour and decadence, Club Noir, are cranking up the lavish stakes with their most ambitious New Year’s Eve party ever at the famous O2 Academy Glasgow.

Tickets are just £22 and are already outstripping previous sell-out years. Visit TicketWeb for more. Tuesday 31st December 9 p.m. till 3 a.m. O2 Academy Glasgow

December Gig Listings

10th December Diversity The SSE Hydro Tickets: £33.50/£23.50 DOORS 18:30 12th December Haim O2 ABC Tickets: £13.00 DOORS 19:00 13th December Placebo O2 Academy Tickets: £26.50 DOORS 19:00

Elaine Paige announces 50th Anniversary Farewell Tour

ACTRESS, recording artist, producer and broadcaster Elaine Paige has announced her new UK tour for 2014, ‘Page by Page by Paige’ celebrating her 50th Anniversary in show business, is to be her farewell tour.

“I’ve thought long and hard about this decision, but feel this landmark event, my 50th Anniversary, is a good time to bid adieu. I’m really look forward to seeing everyone – it’ll be As If We Never Said Goodbye!” The tour includes her only Scottish

date at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 15th October. As “The First Lady of Musical Theatre” Elaine Paige has made a major contribution to the modern musical. Olivier Winner and five-time nominee, Elaine has starred in numerous productions in the West End and on Broadway. Elaine has also performed in concert worldwide from The White House to The Great Hall of the People in Beijing, from the Bolshoi to Sydney Opera House. Elaine swept to fame when she

created her award winning performance as Eva Peron in Evita. Shortly afterwards she created the roles of Grizabella in the original production of Cats - the classic song Memory becoming her signature – and Florence in Chess (which featured her record breaking number one hit I Know Him So Well with Barbara Dickson) Elaine’s other theatre productions include Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease, Billy, Anything Goes, Piaf, Sunset Boulevard in London and on

Broadway, The King and I, Sweeney Todd (New York City Opera) & most recently Stephen Sondheim’s Follies in Washington, New York and Los Angeles. She has worked twice with Sir Peter Hall’s Theatre Company in The Misanthrope and Feydeau’s Where There’s A Will. Elaine has also had many television dramatic roles plus her own TV specials and Royal Variety Shows, recorded 18 solo albums (4 multiPlatinum and 9 consecutive Gold), 7 cast recordings and has been honoured with numerous awards and has been honoured with an OBE for services to musical theatre. 2014 also marks the 10th anniversary of the hugely successful weekly BBC Radio 2 show Elaine Paige on Sunday. The programme, devoted to musical theatre and film music, continues to delight audiences of over 2 million listeners each week with its mix of music and interviews. This new headline tour, in some of the UK’s most beautiful theatres, will encompass Elaine Paige’s monumental career, with songs from the world of musical theatre and her hugely successful recording catalogue. Wednesday 15th October 2014, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall www.gigsinscotland.com 08444 999 990 Tickets go on sale Friday 29th November at 10am £25.00/£37.50/£55.00

17th December The Pogues O2 Academy Tickets: £32.50 DOORS 19:00 20th December Deacon Blue The SSE Hydro Tickets: £30.00 DOORS 18:30 20th December Travis Barrowland Tickets: £25.00 DOORS 19:00

28 December/January 2013/2014

HOME & Garden Holiday home owners asked to be prepared AS property owners prepare to close up their cottages and cabins, Scottish Water is teaming up with VisitScotland to provide some important winter advice.

The organisations are urging holiday home owners to follow the winter code - the simple steps to protect pipes, and your property, for the months ahead. 'Protect your pipes - Be prepared' is Scottish Water's winter message to customers across Scotland, whether in their family home or weekend retreat. Following this important advice can help to ensure peace of mind ahead of extreme weather conditions. The campaign encourages people to protect their pipes and advises them on how to prevent the headache of burst or frozen pipes, where to find their stop valve and what to do in an emergency. Scottish Water's message is being spread through a range of measures including email newsletters such as those issued by VisitScotland, leaflets, videos, social media channels, advertising and

partnerships with a range of organisations. Colin Houston, VisitScotland Quality Assurance manager said: “It is vital that owners ensure their holiday properties are winterready, so they don't get any unexpected surprises when they are about to welcome guests - either this season or come the spring. “As Scotland prepares to welcome the world with a line-up of truly world-class events, including the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Homecoming 2014, it is imperative that all visitors have a high quality experience, so all property owners need to do what they can to not only meet expectations, but to exceed them." The threat to holiday homes which are often left unoccupied during the winter is very real. Often burst domestic pipes aren't noticed until neighbours start to lose their water supply, or damage is caused. Visit www.scottishwater.co.uk/winter where you can find winter information, films and advice.

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Create a rainbow colour in your garden with Winter Stem

DURING the darker months of winter when the garden is dormant, plants with vibrant coloured bark come into their own making Winter Stem the perfect choice for the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Plant of the Month for December. Winter Stem is a versatile plant which provides different textures and stem colours to attract the eye and brighten the winter gloom in the garden. Stems and bark come in many

colours from olive green to yellow, orange to coral pink, brown to black and white through to silver. A garden can be enhanced by planting trees and shrubs that have interesting and colourful bark during the winter months. By using dogwoods, snake bark maples, willows and white washed brambles, there are plenty of colourful varieties to choose from in order to create winter effect in any garden or landscape. Most winter stems are best planted in groups to maximise their

impact and where they can be seen and appreciated. Winter stems perform best in full sun, in deep, moist, loamy soil. Try to avoid shallow and chalky soils. It helps to prepare the ground with copious amounts of organic matter. Different varieties include Cornus, Salix, Acer, Rubus and Betula and can be pruned to ground level in March, to ensure that a fresh crop of the brightest coloured stems are produced in the next winter. Varieties like Cornus are best planted in groups for better massed impact from a distance Pollarding, or removing the upper branches of a plant, is suitable for Salix (willow) and Eucalyptus and other types grown as small trees, and is another way of ensuring the brightest stem colour on new growth. Fertiliser will be beneficial after cutting back to promote new vigorous growth. Nominated and agreed upon by British growers and retailers, the HTA’s Plant of the Month campaign highlights the plants that are widely available and looking especially good each month. For more details, please visit www.the-hta.org.uk/plantofthemonth

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Boost for community sports hub

engaged with local schools and community groups to provide the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and lifetime involvement in sport.”

Whitecraigs is now seeking sportscotland and Lottery funding to offer additional sports at the club and further promote community participation in sport.

CHILD’S PLAY: At the official opening of the new toddlers’ play area at the rugby club are, left, head coach Mark Senter, left, Councillor Mary Montague, president Jon Jewitt, right and junior members of the club. Young Matthew Eagers-Hardie, a Whitecraigs Micro player, presented Councillor Montague with a bouquet of flowers

A RUGBY club supported by East Renfrewshire Council has opened a new development in a bid to introduce more members of the community to the sport. Whitecraigs Rugby Club – which works in partnership with the council – secured funding to help towards a £6,000 children’s area. The club is going all out to create a family-friendly environment in a bid to attract more people to get involved in sport for a healthy lifestyle. Now its new area has been officially opened by East Renfrewshire Council’s convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague. The council’s sports services works closely with Whitecraigs and, with the Scottish Rugby Union, help fund a rugby development officer post. Together, the club and council is also establishing Whitecraigs as a ‘community sports hub’, which means it is the base for a programme providing a variety of sports for all ages and the whole community. The new play area has been created thanks to the fundraising efforts of

members and a grant of £2,000 from the Scottish Rugby Union. Councillor Montague said: “I was delighted to be invited along to Whitecraigs to officially declare their new play area open. “The council has worked in partnership with Whitecraigs to develop and establish the club as a community sports hub working closely with the community and our schools. This sets our young people firmly on the road to healthy, active lives but it also provides people of all ages the opportunity for physical activity and friendship. “I have no doubt the club will continue to go from strength to strength.” The club’s president, Jon Jewitt, said the play area demonstrated the club’s commitment to being family friendly – and that Whitecraigs, in partnership with the council and Scottish Rugby Union, was working and investing to provide the greatest opportunity possible for the local community to take part in sport at the club. He added: “With more than 600 members and a growing youth membership of 200, the club is actively

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Hundreds of youngsters have had a ball at a major schools football festival

FROM BACK PAGE coaching – more than 120 hours this session – and in-service training for teachers. It’s been a big success in East Renfrewshire with thousands of children benefiting since the start of the challenge. More than 2,200 pupils in local primary schools have taken part in curriculum time coaching and festivals to date. Including the recent festival, there have been 17 in East Ren in total. More than 500 hours of free coaching

has been delivered in schools. And a total of 40 teachers have attended inservice football training. Convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague, called in to Giffnock to see the youngsters in action. She said: “This has been an outstanding programme for our young people and I was delighted to see for myself how much the children were enjoying it. “It’s vital that we play our part in encouraging boys and girls to be active and take up sport at an early

age. “We were delighted to team up with Tesco Bank and the SFA on the project that has benefited so many children in East Renfrewshire.” Adele Mills, community investment manager at Tesco Bank, added: “The Tesco Bank Football Challenge has benefited teachers, pupils and volunteers year on year and has an important aim of promoting health and wellbeing to youngsters in Scotland. It was great to see the children having such a great time today.”

Play from October to February for only £175. Please contact the secretary on 0141 886 6692 for full details.

Up To

WINTER

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December/January 13/14 Issue 56 WOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Media

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1194 Shettleston Road, Glasgow G32 7PG

FOOTBALL FESTIVAL IS A WINNER!

BOYS and girls from schools across East Renfrewshire have taken part in the Tesco Bank Football Challenge.

Nearly 500 pupils from 11 primary schools took part over the three days. And it was a huge success, with the P2 children involved hailing it as a real winner. The Tesco Bank Football Challenge

is a four-year community programme run in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish FA. It introduces football to P2 and P3 children (six to eight years old) across Scotland to help them develop a healthy and active lifestyle. The latest festival involved pupils from Braidbar, Calderwood Lodge,

Thornliebank, St Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Carolside, Busby, Eaglesham, Uplawmoor, Kirkhill, Giffnock and Neilston primary schools. At Cowan Park in Barrhead, a total of 75 children took part in the first leg of the football challenge. And there were two sessions at the Pro-Soccer five-a-side complex in Giffnock, with around 200 children at each. The football festival is just part of the overall challenge programme. It also provides free curriculum time CONTINUES INSIDE

PITCHING IN: Boys and girls from local primary schools taking part in the football festival with SFA football development officers, sports staff and Cllr Mary Montague