Issue Seventeen: A Collection of Artworks

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ISSUE 17 26 February 2021 th

Front Cover Artwork by Simmi Saini Back Cover Artwork by Kit McKeown

A POEM JUST FOR YOU The winter, it seems, Has little to show, Very low temperatures, North winds and snow, It’s hard to believe, As streams stop their flow, That in this harsh landscape, Things can still grow.

I saw for myself, At the start of the year, An aconite blooming, It’s colour too clear, It fills you with hope, When things look austere That the spring and warm weather, Will, one day, be here. words by John Darley, submitted by Isabel Kean

“I hoped to draw a picture of the aconite, but I still don’t know what it looks like – any ideas?”

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DAVID FARRELL: GROWING UP IN DENNISTOUN Case study prepared by Lauren Tomassi David Farrell, now a taxi driver in Glasgow, began his footballing career at 16 years old. He initially tried out for the Scotland schoolboys team with an injured foot, which forced him to borrow boots in a bigger size due to swelling. Despite his long career, Farrell rejected the superstar status some footballers cultivate and claims he never wanted to be on the top, he just wanted to play football professionally. Farrell played for Hibernian FC and later made the move to coaching and managing, which he describes as a whole different ball game. Farrell hates the ‘stupid footballer’ stereotype because he always knew he was more than a player; he had brains too. In an insightful book and regular blog which Farrell began in 2014, he talks about how football is not simply about ability and skill but requires mental and physical toughness to succeed. The blog became “something of an online phenomenon” according to the Herald, in part due to the fact that Farrell’s writing comes across as open, honest, humorous and insightful.

Farrell says he is as proud of being a writer as he was of being a footballer.

Farrell grew up in Dennistoun describing the area as “full of rogues”, but welcoming and as good a place as any to grow up. Living along the road from Celtic Park, Celtic were not only young David’s team, but also his heroes, and he was determined to wear green on that pitch one day.

Despite Dennistoun’s rough reputation, Farrell claims it was easy enough to stay out of trouble. He admits getting close to a few fights as a youngster but he was much more interested in the ‘beautiful game’. David’s reputation as the best player in St. Mungo’s Academy, a Catholic secondary school in the Gallowgate, also earned him respect and protection from the hard lads. In Farrell’s autobiography he explores the link between football and sectarianism in Glasgow, explaining that he relished the hatred and passion of St Mungo’s games with their Protestant rivals at Whitehill Secondary School. Despite this and despite its inescapable connection with football in Glasgow East End, sectarianism was never a large part of Farrell’s personal or family life. Farrell’s father was from Royston, a staunchly Catholic area, while his mum was a Protestant with familial links to the Orange Order. Farrell never found sectarianism to affect his family life and he did not allow it to affect his friendships growing up - he would happily kick a ball with anyone.

Excerpt from Local Heroes a project led by Professor John McKendrick of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University. For more information on the Local Heroes series contact John at j.mckendrick@gcal.ac.uk / 0141 331 8221

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ONE SNOWY DAY Out in the garden is where the snow lay Very excited we ran out to play The feeling we got was happy and gay Oh how I remember that one snowy day In the snow we are playing On the brays we are swaying We all sing along to our happy song All on one snowy day.

Out in the garden is where the snow sat Put on our coats as we rose from the mat So happy so happy as we pulled on our hats The feet into boots we all shout in glee On one snowy day

THE SEASONAL BIRDS Listen to the birds sing loud and clear “Feed me please” is what they cry Through this dark December day Watch and listen as they play Little blue tits, blackbirds, finches And robins eat from the seed trays While starlings, crows and magpies Eat from the suet balls hanging low The pigeons chase away the sparrows I watch them all in pure delight then I refill the feeding station at night

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Baljinder

I’m doing well, I’ve been going to see mum, she is not bad. It was a surprise to see the snow and we might get more too.

My mum has been given the vaccine – she is fine.

I still get out to the shops and for fresh air. Still loving music and film.

Missing the cinema but hopefully in time they will open up again.

Susan Milligan

Two cows are standing in a field, one cow says: “Did you hear about that outbreak of mad cow disease? It makes cows go completely insane.”

The other cow replies: “Good thing I’m a helicopter.”

Angela Cunningham

Happy New Year!

It was certainly a year to remember. We will look back on this I’m sure, right now we must look forward and appreciate the services that kept us going, through Zoom, Newsletters, WhatsApp etc. They, for many of us, have been a god-send.

I’ve never spent so much time in the house but like many over Christmas learned a new skill over the cooker teehee!

“If food is stuck to the bottom of a saucepan, cover it with vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Soak it overnight and wash firmly.” \ \

Marlene Finnigan

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You have brought so much pleasure over the year with your editions.

This year has been very lonely at times living on my own. Missed all the shows and meeting up with my friends. Well done the Scientists for the vaccine and hope this will bring us all back together this year.

Sandra

THE NEWSLETTER When I read the writing of my friends, I forget about COVID, It makes amends Whose idea was the newsletter?

I keep looking out for stuff to send Reading it through makes me feel better Rena Quinn

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We praise the workers on the frontline And claim to be their greatest fans But we only show our gratitude with empty pans.

Get the jab if we can by sticking to government plans, Since Covid-19 began many people stop shaking hands But let us not be sad for God has a better plan.

Jim Rafferty

CHIC CHARNLEY: GROWING UP IN POSSILPARK Case study prepared by Samantha McRobert Chic Charnley was born 11th June 1963 in Oakbank Hospital in Glasgow.

He was raised in Killearn Street in Possilpark, an area that is considered one of the poorest areas in Scotland. As Charnley said, it was “a place where you had to have an honours degree in the University of Life to survive and succeed”. They breed them tough in Possilpark and you have to learn very quickly to look after yourself”.

Chic, as he became known on account of selling chickens, describes how he has made long lasting friendships that have survived to this day, explaining that “I met so many good families in that area” and “when you made a friend in that part of the world you had a genuine friend for life”. He was also particularly close to his grandmother, Agnes.

From a young age, Chic Charnley was always seen kicking a ball around with his friends. He attributes his desire to play football with making him a successful worker in his early years. Making reference to his job selling chickens, he recalls, “the quicker I sold them, the quicker I could join my mates for a kickabout”. He played for his school teams at both St Theresa’s and St Augustine’s.

Charnley left school at the age of sixteen. School learning was not recalled with fondness. He performed poorly, would always fail tests, and often skipped art class because the teacher would embarrass him.

Charnley stated, “I couldn’t stand the place and was desperate to get out into the big wide world”.

Chic Charnley played for many professional football clubs in Scotland, including Ayr United, Clydebank, Hamilton Accies, Dundee, Hibernian, Dumbarton and, most famously, for Patrick Thistle. He also played for several leading non-league clubs such as Pollok, Tarff Rovers and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy. During his time with Patrick Thistle, he played 126 times scoring 24 goals. He also played once for his beloved Celtic in a testimonial match at Manchester United. A natural talent, he was also known for his short temper, leading to him being sent off from the field of play 17 times in his career.

Excerpt from Local Heroes a project led by Professor John McKendrick of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit at Glasgow Caledonian University. For more information on the Local Heroes series contact John at j.mckendrick@gcal.ac.uk / 0141 331 8221

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