Tag Archives: Glasgow City Council

Scottish Government back the Burrell

The Scottish Government has awarded £5m towards refurbishment of the Burrell Collection to help with their plans.

The ‘internationally significant’ museum has received support from the Scottish Government ahead of a major modernisation programme.

The Burrell Collection closed in October 2016 for a £66 million refurbishment of the A-listed building. The project – the Burrell Renaissance – is essential to ensuring the site can continue to house the 9,000-piece collection, enabling expanded display space while improving facilities and the visitor experience.

Announcing £5 million Scottish Government funding towards the cost of the project, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Burrell Collection is a world-class and internationally significant museum, with many rare and wonderful items. Not only that, but the building in Pollok Country Park is also a much-loved architectural gem.

“Currently only 20% of the collection is on public display at any one time and these substantial refurbishments will enable a much more significant part of the collection to be exhibited.

“I am pleased we can contribute £5 million towards ensuring that the building becomes a fitting 21^stcentury home for the Burrell and I look forward to the museum reopening in 2020.”

Councillor David McDonald, Chair of Glasgow Life and Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “This is fantastic news and we are very grateful to the Scottish Government for what is a ringing endorsement of our ambitious plans for the refurbishment and redisplay of the Burrell Collection. Sir William’s great legacy has been described as the greatest gift a city has ever received and we have a duty to protect and promote the collection in the years ahead.

“Our plans will provide a world-class home for the 9,000 treasures, massively increasing access and enjoyment of the collection for generations to come.”

Justin Townes Earle launches UK tour at Òran Mór

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Justin Townes Earle today releases his companion album to 2014’s acclaimed Single Mothers, an LP of brand new material entitled Absent Fathers. Featuring 10 new tracks, the album forms the second half of a once intended double album. It was previously announced that Earle would release “Call Ya Momma” as lead single from the collection.

With a full UK tour kicking off at Glasgow’s Òran Mór on 17 January and signing off at London’s Union Chapel on the 6th of Feb, the Americana maverick will be playing tracks from both and more at the shows (full dates below).

Both albums were recorded live with his four-piece touring band with only days of rehearsal leading up to recording to keep the ideas fresh. Tracks “Picture in a Drawer’ and ‘It’s Cold in This House’ are only Justin, his guitar and his pedal steel player Paul Niehaus. Justin Townes Earle is the the son of iconic country musicican Steve Earle.

On arguably his most raw, yet lyrically personal and refined material to date Justin addresses the issues of his troubled former years with a brutal conviction.

Single Mothers was released on September 9, 2014 / Absent Fathers is released today via Loose Music.

17 Jan GLASGOW, Oran Mor (Celtic Connections)

18 Jan GATESHEAD, Caedmon Hall

19 Jan MANCHESTER, Band on the Wall

03 Feb LEEDS, Brudenell Social Club

04 Feb NOTTINGHAM, Glee Club

05 Feb BRISTOL, The Tunnels

06 Feb LONDON, Union Chapel

Glasgow Cycle Hire scheme welcomed by environmentalists

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Glasgow Cycle Hire Scheme will Boost Health and Reduce Pollution

On the day that the first Cycle Hire Scheme in Glasgow is launched, environmental campaigners have welcomed the £586,000 scheme.

Friends of the Earth Glasgow Coordinator Sara Barry said:-

“We are delighted to see that Glasgow City Council is taking the need for better cycling facilities in the city seriously. Together with the newly proposed cycle routes across the city, we are hopeful that the cycle hire scheme will lead to a reduction in air pollution and to better health.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland Air Pollution Campaigner Emilia Hanna said:-

“The new cycle hire scheme is great news for Glasgow. This scheme will improve people’s health, reduce carbon emissions, and help tackle Glasgow’s air pollution problem.

“Cycling keeps you fit, your heart healthy and can increase your life expectancy. It is the green, modern way to travel. London’s cycle hire scheme has transformed attitudes to cycling and walking and hopefully the same will happen in Glasgow.

“The scheme needs to be combined with more cycle routes across the city to increase opportunities for cycling and to ensure those on bikes feel safe on the roads.

“This is a positive step in the right direction, but more still needs to be done to tackle Glasgow’s air pollution crisis. Air pollution is a silent killer, causing over 300 deaths in Glasgow each year alone.

“Air pollution causes asthma, strokes, heart attacks and is the leading cause of lung cancer globally. Groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems are the most vulnerable to the negative effects of air pollution.

“Glasgow City Council needs to tackle traffic congestion through a traffic reduction target for the city centre, and needs to tackle toxic pollution from cars, buses and freight vehicles through a low emissions zone.”

This is a link to the council report on adopting the scheme which will cost £586,000 over three years.

Scottish Waterways Trust launch their app

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Scottish Waterways Trust have an app.

They encourage you to download it to find out the story of the canals and waterways across Glasgow and they also need to know your stories..

Unlocking The Story, a project to uncover, explore and celebrate the social and industrial history of Glasgow canals. These have have played such a defining role for the communities of North Glasgow from their industrial heyday through to the current renaissance led through the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project.

This interpretation project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Heritage Trust, with the involvement of the Scottish Waterways Trust, Scottish Canals, Glasgow City Council, Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, Lambhill Stables, Glasgow Sculpture Studios and the National Theatre of Scotland, with a team of volunteers old and young.

Download our free smartphone app to explore the canal towpaths – either in person or from the comfort of your own home! See where you are on our fantastic illustrated map – or travel back in time with archive photos, audio clips, and videos.

The App is available for both iPhone and iPad, plus Android devices.

Contact details released for relatives

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A telephone number for members of the public who are concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the Glasgow helicopter crash has been established.

The Police Scotland Casualty Bureau number – 0800 092 0410 – is now live.

Callers should ONLY contact the Casualty Bureau number if they have concerns for relatives who may have been in the Clutha Vaults pub or surrounding area at the time of the incident.

Contact Details

As above, the telephone number for members of the public who are concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the Glasgow helicopter crash is

0800 092 0410

Callers should ONLY contact this number if they have concerns for relatives who may have been in the Clutha Vaults pub or surrounding area at the time of the incident.

Eight dead following police helicopter crash

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Following the major incident at the Clutha Vaults, Stockwell Street, Glasgow around 2225 hours on Friday, Police Scotland have confirmed that the number of fatalities has risen to eight. Three of the bodies were found within the Police Scotland helicopter.

14 remain in Glasgow hospitals where they are being treated for a variety of serious injuries.

A major investigation is underway and the Air Accidents Investigations Branch will also conduct an inquiry into the cause of the crash.

Police Scotland, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service still have significant resources on the scene and continue to work together to rescue and recover those still inside the building.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said:

“Our thoughts and condolences are very much with the families of those who have died and those who have been injured in this tragic incident. We are working alongside our emergency services colleagues in the ongoing rescue operation. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the people of Glasgow who helped in the very early stages following the incident and commend their courage.

We are dealing with a very sensitive and complex operation and we expect that emergency services will be at the scene for some time. We would thank the public for their co-operation as our officers and other emergency service colleagues continue this difficult task.”

Flags to fly at half mast following helicopter crash

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First Minister has met with resilience committee and instructed that flags will fly at half mast. First Minister Alex Salmond and Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, have visited the command centre coordinating the multi-agency emergency response to the helicopter crash that occurred in Glasgow last night.

They received an update on the incident, including the confirmation by Police Scotland that at that point one fatality was confirmed. Subsequent reports confirm that there have been eight fatalities.

The First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Justice held a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee this morning. Mr Salmond has instructed that Saltire and Lion Rampant flags outside Scottish Government and Historic Scotland buildings will fly at half-mast this weekend as a mark of respect.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: “I have visited the control centre and spoken to officers and emergency staff from Police Scotland, the fire service the health service and the ambulance service. “All of us have seen over the last few hours, the speed and effectiveness of the mobilisation of the emergency services in dealing with this tragedy. “We’ve also heard of the instinctive courage of ordinary Glaswegians going to assist their fellow citizens in extremity.

“This is a black day for Glasgow and for Scotland. Our condolences go to those who will be bereaved, our solidarity with those who have been injured.

“But it’s also St Andrew’s Day and it’s a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy, and the response from our emergency services and ordinary citizens has been exemplary.”

Remembrance Sunday service in George Square

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Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will lay a wreath at the service in George Square at 10.30am. A Guard of Honour will be formed by the Royal Navy and music will be provided by Her Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty will lead the service in George Square and members of the public are invited to observe the ceremony, during which Glasgow’s First Citizen, in her role as Lord Lieutenant, will lay a wreath.

The Lord Provost said:- “Anyone who wishes to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in conflicts is welcome to attend. This is a poignant event at which all the military are represented. There are always ex servicemen and women there too.”

A Guard of Honour will be formed by the Royal Navy and music will be provided by Her Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines.

Anyone wishing to attend should arrive in George Square for 10.30am.

First Minister Alex Salmond will attend the service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and lay a wreath with 17 year old Army Cadet Colour Sgt Sean Collister, a pupil at Craigroyston High School Edinburgh.

Photo by John Preece

Zombie Attack in Johnstone!

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THE Johnstone outlet of Cook and Indi’s World Buffet found itself subject to a zombie attack on Halloween when staff dressed as the living dead to raise funds BBC’s Children in Need.

Cook Gill, co-founder of the restaurant, said: “The Zombie attack was great fun and our customers loved it – as did our staff! In the event, we raised hundreds of pounds for Children in Need – maybe Zombies aren’t so scary after all!”

Cook and Indi’s World Buffet offers five different cuisines (Indian, Japanese, Sushi, Chinese and Italian) and over 100 dishes. As well as Darnley, it has outlets in Glasgow, Hamilton, Bishopbriggs and Johnstone – with more opening soon.

£100 Winter Warmer on offer from Glasgow council

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Glasgow residents aged 80 and over are being urged to apply for their annual £100 Affordable Warmth Dividend.

For a third year, Glasgow City Council is offering older city residents money to help heat their homes during the winter.

Since the council introduced the dividend in November 2011, a total of 30,000 payments have been awarded to help older Glaswegians stay warm as temperatures plummet.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Sustainable Glasgow, met May Dryden, aged 85, of Cowcaddens who receives the dividend.

The great grandmother said: “I think this is a fabulous initiative which will make a terrific difference to a lot of people. It is a wonderful thing for the council to do and very important. I would encourage other people to apply for it.”

Councillor Matheson said: “Older people are particularly vulnerable during cold weather and many worry about how they will pay their heating bills as energy prices continue to rise.

“I’m delighted that for the third year running, the city council can help residents over the age of 80 keep warm during the winter.

“So far, we’ve been relatively lucky with the weather this year, but two years ago we had the coldest winter on record. I’d ask everyone to be prepared. If you think you might be eligible for the Affordable Warmth Dividend please apply to the council.”

Those who received it last year will be sent a letter from Cllr Matheson advising them the dividend is available again. In addition, anyone the council can identify as eligible from our records will also receive a letter urging them to apply. People can receive payment by cheque or directly into their bank.

Glasgow residents aged 80 plus who have not received the dividend before can obtain an application form from the council’s website (link below) or by phoning 0141 287 7961.

Dividend payments are not restricted to one per household. If more than one person aged 80 or older lives in a house they can apply separately. Elderly people living in residential care or hospitals can also apply. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2014.

People who take up the £100 dividend can also receive impartial energy tips from Glasgow Home Energy Advice Team (G-HEAT) on 0800 0929002.

The council has pledged that income generated from its sustainability projects will contribute to Warm Glasgow, the long-term initiative to make affordable warmth a reality for all in the city.

Further information on the Affordable Warmth Dividend is available athttp://www.glasgow.gov.uk/affordablewarmth