Scul?tor Exhibition at the Mitchell Library

Today, I explored the retrospective exhibition of the unique works of George Wyllie MBE.  It was a joy to look round his birds, boats, animals, bikes, drawings and writings. This is an amazing collection not to be missed.

One of the highlights is the reuse of scrap metal and harris tweed. The development of his projects is described in the detailed displays and film footage.

Useful Links:

George Wyllie Retrospective - http://events.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/george-wyllie-restrospective-in-pursuit-of-the-question-mark

George Wyllie Official Website - http://georgewyllie.com/

Competition to redevelop George Square

There are designs completed by six short-listed companies taking part in the international competition to redevelop George Square.  

Each design has a title and these range from:-

"Honouring the past, embracing the future"

"George Square - the urban salon"

"A mirror in the depth of flowery shelves"

"Walk through the past into the future"

"Glasgow's New Front Room"

"George Square Glasgow"  

These designs are going on display to the public from 9 January to 5th February 2013 at The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane, Glasgow.  

Please note the Lighthouse is open from 10.30 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday and from 12 noon to 5 pm on Sundays. 

It is expected that a judging panel will take the decision on the selected design and the announcement of the winner will be made on 18th January.   

Please let me know your comments about the six designs.

Useful Link:

Six shortlisted designs available online - http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=9594

Plans need to safeguard Sighthill Stone Circle

In recent months, concerns have been raised about the fate of the Astronomically Aligned Sighthill Stone Circle. This has arisen due to the plans for the redevelopment of Sighthill as part of the bid for Youth Olympics in 2018. 

 View of the Sighthill Stone Circle looking West.

These unique standing stones should be supported as significant features within the design for the new residential development and community facilities. Such stones are an educational resource and a major attraction for the Olympic Village and subsequent development. The stones provide a special environment for panoramic views across Glasgow.

  View of the Sighthill Stone Circle looking East.

These stones were created in 1978-79 by a council-led training project and they are the first astronomically aligned stone circle for at least 3,500 years, in Scotland. They are located in Sighthill Park which was the site of a chemical factory. To enable the Sighthill Stone Circle to receive planning approval, the contractors had to test the site thoroughly for chemical contamination in 1978 and there was none found.  

Useful Link:

Friends of Sighthill Stone Circle - http://www.sighthillstonecircle.net

Protect North Kelvin Meadow and Children's Wood

There are plans to erect a residential development on the site bounded by Kelbourne Street, Sanda Street and Clouston Street. I have submitted an objection on the basis that this is contrary to environmental policies of the City Plan. 

This land is open space and it has never been built upon. It should be recognised that this is community greenspace owned by the Glasgow City Council and consists of protected grassland and 480 trees within the Glasgow West Conservation Area.

The site is accessed via a Right of Way and this is not retained by the plans. Under policy ENV10 Access Routes and Core Path Network, the Right of Way has to be preserved as part of the city's support for access to walking, cycling and physical activity.

It is a site providing a valuable wildlife habitat and is part of the green network corridor between the River Kelvin and Dawsholm Park, the Canal and Ruchill Park. It is the home to a range of birdlife, foxes and bats. There is a wooded area within the site which is protected by policy ENV8 Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows. It is of significant ecological, recreational, historical, shelter and landscape importance.

The plans are also in conflict with the Council's Strategy for Outdoor Learning. Currently, the land is used for educational activities for children and a forest school has been established in partnership with four local schools.

The whole site is within the Glasgow West Conservation area and the proposed development does not fit with the area's architectural heritage due to its layout and the block structure of the housing. The development includes 2.5 storey Mews Houses which are not in keeping with the design of the local neighbourhood and are not sympathetic to the streetscape characteristics of the area.

 

Campaigners are gathering signatures for a petition and continue to seek support to protect  the Woodland and Meadow.

Useful link:

North Kelvin Meadow - http://northkelvinmeadow.com/

Stargazing Live Discovery Night

On Wednesday 9th January 2013, from 4.30-9pm visit the Kibble Palace in Botanic Gardens and Oran Mor Auditorium in Glasgow to discover the incredible wonders in the night sky.

FREE Activities for all the family including mini rocket building, stargazing with the experts, satellite demos, planetarium, and much more.

All events are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.

Useful link:

Stargazing Live - www.bbc.co.uk/stargazing

Hillsborough Tribute Song

I was very glad that the Justice Collective made it to No. 1 on the Christmas Single Chart with their tribute Hillsborough song, "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".

During 2012, I read "Hillsborough: The Truth" by Phil Scraton and wrote a book review for Greenprint, a publication of the Scottish Green Party.

This is a compelling account of the horrific tragedy of 15 April 1989 when football fans attended FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forrest at Hillsborough Stadium. It is English football's worst disaster which left 96 men, women, and children dead, hundreds injured, and thousands traumatized. There is an unfolding of the story of what happened in a matter of fact way that keeps you engrossed and engaged in the lives of the people affected. Phil Scarton has brought together the harrowing experiences of the disaster and shared the personal stories of the bereaved and the survivors which exposes their appalling treatment. Police statements initially alleging hooliganism and blamed Liverpool fans who were drunk and ticketless for the crush within the arena is detailed along with the national media response.

The Taylor Inquiry conducted in the immediate aftermath found the main reason for the disaster to be failure of police control and dismissed "hooliganism" as playing any part in the Hillsborough Disaster. However, there were contradictions exposed about this Inquiry including South Yorkshire police acceptance of liability in negligence, and the controversial inquest system which returned verdicts of accidental death when negligence had been clearly established.

This book highlights problems of the emergency response with only 14 of the 96 who died making it to hospital. Medical evidence is presented with reference to an anaethetist who treated the first emergency admissions. He treated at least nine admissions, some of which recovered from asphyxiation. Once consciousness was lost, it was not inevitable that death quickly followed. One of the survivors was unconscious for more than 24 hours. It is explained that if more had been done to rescue and resuscitate the dying earlier, with more efficency, then fewer people would have died.

The process by which a systematic review and alteration of police statements by South Yorkshire police managers and their solicitors is detailed. It makes it clear that South Yorkshire police resources were used to limit criticism of senior officers at the match.

I would recommend this read as it is very informative about the tragic events associated with the Hillsborough Disaster and provides deeper understanding of the 23 year campaign for justice for the Hillsborough 96.

Recycling Festive Trees

Today, I found my first Festive Tree dumped on a pavement. I hope I don't find too many more!

Dumped tree on Otago Street.

Real Festive Trees are being recycling by Glasgow City Council over the next two weeks. Please take any real trees to the designated sites for recycling. This includes Kelvingrove Park next to the bandstand.

Useful link:

Recycling Xmas Trees and Cards - http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7630