Belly dancing in the Winter Gardens!

Friends of Glasgow Green have organised a display of belly dancing in the Winter Gardens in Glasgow Green this Saturday between 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

I'm advised that members of the public are invited to enjoy and take part in the music and dancing, and have a coffee and a snack. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I'm sure that bellies of all shapes and sizes are most welcome!

If belly dancing isn't your scene, FoGG are also hosting a return visit by the Parkhead Salvation Army Band, who will be in the Winter Gardens on Sunday 19th of December, also between 1.30 and 2.30. Last year's event was just wonderful, a perfect oasis of joy to escape the Christmas shopping rush! It's a really lovely event, free and open to all!

Pipes on the Green

Friends of Glasgow Green and the Saint Francis Pipe Band teamed up again on Sunday to put on a performance next to the People's Palace on Glasgow Green. They got perfect weather and a nice gathering of locals and tourists.

Congratulations to Margaret Hattie and her fellow members for another successful event!

Piping on the Green

Following on from their very successful event last summer, Friends of Glasgow Green will again be playing host to the Saint Francis Gorbals Pipe Band, this Sunday 8th of August at noon at the pergola next to the People's Palace. It's a free event, and a nice wee taster for the upcoming World Pipe Band Championships.

Hope to see you there!

Friends of Glasgow Green AGM

Just a wee plug for the AGM of Friends of Glasgow Green, which is next Thursday at 3pm in the People's Palace. I've written in the past about their activities, bringing the Salvation Army to play at Christmas and a Pipe Band in the summer; they are always on the look out for new ideas and new members.

FRIENDS OF GLASGOW GREEN

IS GLASGOW GREEN IMPORTANT TO YOU?

DO YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN ITS PROMOTION AND ITS FUTURE?

Come and meet us at 3 pm on

THURSDAY 27^TH MAY 2010

In the WINTER GARDENS

3.00: FRIENDS OF GLASGOW GREEN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (Refreshments Available)

ALL WELCOME

Christmas Spirit

Things have been pretty hectic since my last post - Christmas has arrived and, as usual, caught me completely by surprise. I can finally blog now, having gotten all my Christmas cards written and posted out. Instead of sending the standard Council one, I took some pictures of the Christmas lights around my ward, and with some help via the wonders of technology, they turned out quite well. If one pops through your door, I hope you like it!

One of the great treats about being a Councillor is getting to attend all kinds of events at Christmas time.

This year, I had the great pleasure of attending the St Michael's Primary Christmas celebrations, which included each year group putting on a musical event of their own, followed by the Nativity which was acted out and read by the younger children in the school. There's nothing quite like it to put me in the mood for Christmas.

The children were wonderful, and incredibly enthusiastic - not usually a surprise, but the evening performance I attended was their second show of the day! It's great to see everyone pulling together to create such a special event; the head teacher was quick to use the opportunity of a captive audience of proud parents to praise the achievements of their children over the year. The Parent Council raised a lot of money, which will go towards trips and events next year. The staff had also contributed to a hefty hamper of goodies.

On Saturday, I attended a Christmas Carol Concert in the Winter Gardens of the People's Palace on Glasgow Green.

This was organised by Friends of Glasgow Green, with the entertainment provided by the Parkhead Salvation Army Band. FoGG are keen to put on events to showcase all that the Green has to offer, and this certainly hit the mark.

People visiting seemed quite taken with the whole thing, and the Band said they'd be willing to come back next year.

The most magical moment came when the glasshouse turned into an inverted snow dome as a blizzard whipped up outside; it was almost as if the band had summoned the weather!

I finally got my tree up on Saturday night - Michael, this picture's for you.

On Sunday night, I went along to the Salvation Army's own Carol Concert in their hall in Parkhead. I was made very welcome, and enjoyed the service and chatting to people afterwards. I'm not in the habit of attending religious services, but I do feel that if you're going to celebrate Christmas, it's important to reflect on the reason for the season.


I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to blog again before Christmas - if not, best wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas. I hope santa's good to you!

Gala days

It's been a busy summer, not least because there have been so many local events! As any politician worth their salt will tell you, Gala Days are a great chance to meet local people. I really enjoy them!

I've already blogged on the Calton Fun Day and the East End 5K; these were swiftly followed by a PEEK barbie, Gala Days in Dalmarnock, Bridgeton and Lilybank, a Friends of Glasgow Green event, and the extravaganza that is the Glasgow Show.

I've eaten candy floss, rowed a boat, danced, chatted to firemen, helped a wee girl who had bitten her lip, listened to pipers, had a massage, watched football, and drawn raffle tickets. I also fear there may be a picture in the Glasgow East News of me with Cllr Redmond and Frank McAveety sliding down a bouncy castle! It's all great fun, and everyone involved made great efforts to ensure the success of every event.

The pictures are of the Bridgeton Gala Day balloon race, the Humane Society Boathouse from the river, and Margaret Hattie, Chair of Friends of Glasgow Green, who arranged for the St Francis Gorbals Pipe Band to play in the ampitheatre next to the People's Palace. It was a great success, and well recieved by tourists and locals alike.

Friends of Glasgow Green AGM

Quick post to promote FOGG's AGM tomorrow. All welcome!

The Friends of Glasgow Green AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held in the Winter Gardens of the People's Palace at 3pm on the 11th June 2009.

Notifications of any motions or nominations for Committee appointments should be lodged in writing with the Secretary Mr. Martin Dean at 59 Monteith Row Glasgow G40 1AU, or, by e-mail through johnhughes50@yahoo.co.uk

Prior to the meeting, arrangements have been made for the Glasgow Green Heavy Horses and Dray Cart to be available for trips round the "Green" from 2pm.