Great Season For the Under 12s

  

As with other teams in the family, Drumchapel United under 12’s are looking forward to the new season . . . hoping to continue their winning ways.

 

The under 12’s were formed in August Last year and participated in the Strathclyde Youth Club League.

 

They also took part in two tournaments in Holland, coming home with two runners-up trophies.

 

An extended run in the Scottish Cup saw the boys reach the quarter final stage before losing away in Aberdeen on a cold, miserable January afternoon.

 

This run, along with a run on the Ian Wishart Memorial Trophy, saw the boys falling further behind in the league.

 

However, they kept on getting the required results and eventually pegged their newest rivals, Goldenhill boys club, Back with two games left.

 

Incredibly Drumchapel lost only one league game all the season, and that was on the opening day against Rangers SABC.

 

The final game of the season was the Ian Wishart Memorial Cup Final.

 

The match was played at St Roch’s juniors ground against Rangers SABC.

Working Together to bring £150,000 for skate park

EVERYONE is working towards it – to bring together approximately £150,000 of funding to build a state-of-the art multi-discipline skate park in Gascadden Burn Park, which is situated beside the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre.

Those involved are Glasgow City Council, Land services Youth services and Development & Regeneration Services, Drumchapel SIP, Drumchapel Life, the Community Forum, Drumchapel Environment Trust, The Safety Forum, a bunch of young people and a local councillor Paul Carey. The young people are working with Glasgow city council, Land services design team to design a skate park which will be attractive to both new and experienced boarders. The design includes bowls and street sections which can also be used by BMX Bikers and skaters.

Meanwhile, Drumchapel SIP are working with Glasgow city Council DRS, Land Services, Drumchapel Environment Trust and the Community Forum to secure funding, including and application to the new opportunities Fund (NOF) to contribute to the construction costs.

The young people also found the time in their busy schedule of meetings to deliver a presentation to NOF, highlighting the locally identified need for such a facility. Well done guys, you done good. . .

The majority of funding for the park has been identified. However, the group are waiting to hear from NOF, and if the application is successful the Skate park construction would begin in August and up-and skating in November.

The Skate Park is only one aspect of the phased development of Gascadden Burn Park, which is being transformed into a first class district play facility.

There are different sections of the park which will cater for different age ranges. When completed the park will provide state-of-the-art facilities for local young people and children in the heart of Drumchapel.

The good weather is on the way (I hope…Ed) and the light nights are here. So why not take a healthy walk up to Gascadden Burn Park and check out what has been done so far. You will be impressed.

We were.

River City Star gives out volunteer gongs

 

 

THIS year’s National Volunteers Week (1-7 June) was once again a great success.

The week is the UK’s annual celebration and showcase of the value of volunteering.

Events are held throughout the country which recognise and reward volunteer achievements.

Drumchapel Volunteer Promotion Group held an event in the Goodyear Social Club to recognise local volunteer contribution and commitment to the community.

A buffet lunch was kindly provided by the Goodyear Social Club, and Braidfield High School drama group provided fun and entertainment with their excellent performances.

The awards ceremony was compered by Joyce Falconer, aka Roisin drom River City. The group would like to thank Joyce for giving up her time to present the awards and for making it such a memorable day for the volunteers.

Many of the volunteers talked about their experiences and the perceived barriers related to volunteering.

The group is planning a consulation event later in the year and the information gathered will be used to ensure that as many local people as possible have access to opportunities to volunteer in their community.

A local volunteer commented: “It is my first time here and it’s great to meet other volunteers and to share experiences related to volunteering.”

A big thank you to everyone who contributed on the day.”

 

Getting Our Fair Share 

 

THE Scottish Community foundation has just announced the first two grants to be awarded in Drumchapel from the Big Lottery Fund Fair Share Trust.

The grants relate to the programme’s aim of supporting parents to manage their responsibilities and improve their families’ quality of life.

Local charity 3D Drumchapel has been awarded £60,838 over three years to help ensure the sustainability of its work providing a rounded package of support to local families, while Drumchapel Law & money advice centre will receive £44,810 over 15 months to provide a Crises Advocacy service to parents who need support in overcoming particularly difficult situations or are struggling to assert their rights and have their needs met.

 

St Clare’s Show off their new school

  

DRUMCHAPEL school children has the chance to shine recently when they welcomed new Council Leader Steven Purcell and his Grace, Archbishop Mario Conti to the official opening ceremony of their school.

Rehearsals and plans for this event, the culmination of a year in the new school, have been on going for months and pupils, parents and staff were delighted to show off the fantastic new facilities.

The school, which also houses the Drumchapel Family Learning, Drumchapel Outreach Creche and St Clare’s Out of School Care, has replaced two existing primary school buildings (St Clare’s and St Pius).

The doors to this brand new campus opened in August 2004, part of the first tranche of Council’s Pre 12 Strategy- replacing or merging schools which were recognised as being challenged – with occupancy rates as low as 30% and schools that were in a distressed state where a large number of repairs were outstanding.

To date over £125 million has been invested in primary and pre 5 sector and children all over Glasgow are reaping the benefits wit the state of the art buildings and facilities. With lots of singing and performances from all ages, invited guests were entertained during the afternoon’s celebrations.

PUPILS ON A HIGH NOTE!

  

PUPILS from Drumchapel High School will be among musicians taking part in a free musical workshop run as part of Lloyds TSB’s exciting Note for Note campaign.

Note for Note aims to inspire creativity in young people across the country.

The workshop will offer the children an exciting musical experience and will be run by the guildhall school of Music.

Kevin Mc Grandie, Drumchapel branch manager, Lloyds TSB Scotland, said: “Note for Note is all about bringing more music into local schools and giving new and unique musical experiences which really do make a lasting impression. Lloyds TSB are also delighted to have committed over £3m this year to the campaign.”

Helen Lenox, head of music at Drumchapel high school said: “We’re really excited about hosting one of the first Not for Note shops. For many of our pupils, this will prove a real eye and ear opener giving them access to music making in ways that would not have been possible otherwise.”

For more information about this exciting programme and for more details of how to take part, call 0845 9 400 400 or visit www.lloydstsb.com and click Lloyds TSB Note for Note link.

City’s great art attack reopens

 

99. KELVINGROVE Art Gallery and Museum reopened to the public on Tuesday July 11 after a three year refurbishment.

Before closing on June 29, 2003, to begin work on the refurbishment, Kelvingrove was the most popular UK museum outside of London, every year attracting more than one million visitors.

Lord Provost Liz Cameron said: “It is a great honour for me to open Glasgow’s favourite building, one that has a world wide reputation that will attract huge numbers of visitors to the city.

“The project has delivered a museum and art gallery fit for the 21st Century, and I am delighted and proud to say that it opens on time and within budget.

“I would like to pay tribute to all the Council staff and contractors who have worked on this project, and also thank our fellow funders without whom this project could not have happened.”

Key changes in the internal layout to Kelvingrove include a new temporary exhibition space, a conference and lecture theatre, education rooms, a restaurant and shops. The basement is now open resulting in an extra 35 percent of floor space than previously.

New (and old) features that seem destined to become Kelvingrove favourites are Spitfire LA198 from the 602 (City Of Glasgow) Squadron – hanging from the roof of the West Court – the Charles Rennie Mackintosh gallery, the Ceratosaurus and a collection of significant Egyptian treasures loaned from the British Museum.

The return of the legendary Dali painting Christ of St John of The Cross from the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art seems to be extremely popular.

Scott Taylor, Chief Executive, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “The impact of the re-opening of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on tourism in Glasgow simply cannot be overestimated.

“It was Scotland’s most popular free attraction when it closed in 2003 and will be one of Europe’s “must-sees” when it re-opens.”

Further information on Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is available from www.glasgowmuseums.com or on 0141 276 95

Yoker to get brand new learning centre

 

FOLLOWING the completion of a £2.8m refurbishment of the former Yoker Primary School in Kelso Place, the new Yoker Community Campus facility is preparing to open as a state of the art Community Learning, Employability and Personal Development Centre in the next few weeks. The new facility will provide digital learning, craft skills, childcare, music recording and internet access training opportunities along with a unique community café and training kitchen provision for local residents and will also provide employability support and career upskilling opportunities for employed and unemployed clients.

The official opening is scheduled for early autumn and the new Campus will shortly be advertising its initial programme of activities throughout the area.

Our celeb chef to open new café

 

DRUMCHAPEL’S own community chef, Allen Chalmers is set to take healthier eating to new heights with the launch of his new café in the soon to be completed Community Centre on Kinfauns Drive, which is scheduled to open in Dec 2006.

Allen first launched his mix of humour and good cooking 4 years ago by performing a “Ready Steady Cook” style presentation along with Hugh Donaghy at the launch of the Drumchapel LIFE Project.

The ready steady cook event highlighted how you can cook decent family meals for a week for less than £30.

Since then, Allen has run countless cookery courses in the area, given cookery demonstrations to groups of all ages and worked with many of our community centres cooks, to promote and develop health eating initiatives.

The Voice caught up with Allen to find out what we can look forward to when the café opens.

“First of all, I need to say that healthier eating is not about eating rabbit food all day. Good food, properly cooked from scratch using good ingredients is miles better and more enjoyable than the same old cheeseburger and chips day in day out”.

“In addition to constantly changing daily specials, there’ll be a wide variety of regulars on the menu. There’ll be really good soups, hot ‘n’ kickin chicken, Chinese rice, loaded hoagies, wraps, pastas, New York bagels, curries, the best baked potatoes ever, as well as some old favourites like stovies and macaroni cheese.

Visitors to the Community Centre will also be able to enjoy really good coffee, with some home-baked goodies like a thick chunk of moist banana bread, carrot cake or even just a simple freshly baked fruit scone. Even the toast will be made with decent bread!

Allen is a man of many talents (you might have spotted him on last years Children in need show. He performs as a comedian and pianist and you can listen out for him on his upcoming BBC radio show Dance Monkey Boy Dance which will air at Christmas on BBC Radio Scotland. The Voice wishes Allen luck, with both the new café and his radio show.

Awards For Forum Youths

 

At the recent AGM of Drumchapel Community Forum, nine members of Drumchapel Youth Network (DYN) received their Millennium Awards Certificate for Volunterring.

All of the young people involved were getting their final award for completing 200 hours voluntary work in the community.

The 200-hour certificate is the maximum award that is available for young people and is an award, which is recognised by colleges and employers as a valuable certificate.

First Minister Jack McConnell signs the certificate personally.

The Community Forum and DYN would like to thank Emma McLean who is the Millennium Volunteer Co-ordinator, and to congratulate the young people involved and hope that they continue to play an active and valuable role within their community.

 

Leg It Around Drumchapel

 

Friday Septmeber 29 saw the latest Leg-it around Drumchapel event at the Donald Dewar Centre from 10 am in the morning to mid afternoon.

“Leg it around Drumchapel” is a local walking initiative, which promotes and encourages walking as a positive physical activity and a fun way to keep fit.

Kevin Hutcheson, City Health Walk Coordinator, for the GGHNS opened the event and introduced Winifred McPhail, Volunteer Walk Leader who did short presentation on Leg-it around Drumchapel.

The Community Health Action Team have produced packs which are available from the CHAT team in Drumchapel Health Centre. The Map Packs contain information about the, routes, how difficult they are, and the plants and wildlife that can be seen on each route.

A walk through Garscadden Burn Park was organised as part of the event, which including school and nursery kids, participated in the walk.

The event finished up with a healthy options buffet, which was provided by Drumchapel L.I.F.E and in true partnership style, was prepared and served by another local project Stonedyke Neighbourhood centre.

Due to the success of this project, there are currently two walks per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, Those taking part have the support of trained volunteer walk leaders.

So why not Leg it around Drumchapel and get fit, For further information, contact Halah Almufti at CHAT on 0141 211 6166, or Karen Latta at LIFE.

Executive asks drinkers to drop out of a round

 

ARE you the one in a pub that is always accused of having short arm and long pockets?

Do you always pop off to the toilet when it’s your turn to buy a round? Perhaps you’re the person who deliberately slows down to a snails pace as you enter a pub just to be the last to reach the bar.

We can perhaps all recognise the round dodgers amongst us but a new TV advertising campaign has taken this to a new level by actively encouraging us to drop out of rounds for the benefit of our health and wellbeing.

So is this a case of a nanny state sticking its oar in or is there some benefit in deliberately dropping out of rounds? Well without a doubt round buying is a very friendly and sociable practise in pubs and it can also save us time going backwards and forwards to the bar all night.

What this campaign is really concerned about though is the affect that drinking in rounds is having on our health.

The number of alcohol related deaths is rising faster in Scotland than anywhere else in Europe, with male deaths from cirrhosis of the liver quadrupling in the last 50 years.

The death rate for women has trebled in the same period. When we drink in rounds we tend to drink to the speed of the fastest drinker which leads people to drink more than they would otherwise.

Once we are in a round it is also hard to come out of that round especially with the pressure we get from everyone else to “not be a lightweight” and “just get on and down it”.

The campaign is not aimed at completely eradicating round buying but is asking us to both take more responsibility for our own drinking, and also to have more understanding about other people if they decide to buy their own drinks (or switch to soft drinks for example). So remember next time you’re out for a drink as the adverts say ‘don’t push it!

If you have any comments on this article or are looking for any information or advice on alcohol feel free to contact Drumchapel Alcohol Support Services on 0141 944 8243 or email on dass@thegca.org.uk

Stonedyke’s new £30,000 play area

  

A Ceremony took place recently at Stonedyke Neighbourhood Centre to mark the opening of the new enclosed play area with safety surface.

The play area was funded by Glasgow City Council and Drumchapel Social Inclusion Partnership via the Communities Scotland fund to the tune of £30,000.

The ceremony was officiated by Glasgow City Councillor Paul Carey (Summer hill Ward) assisted by children of the Neighbourhood centres Parent and toddler Group.

Councillor Carey Said: “This is a prime example of partnership working between the council, the social inclusion Partnership and local Community Organisations.”

Raymond Finlayson, (project co-ordinator Stonedyke Neighbourhood Centre, said: “We only had three months to finish this project from idea to completion.”

“It is thanks to the contractors and supporting agencies such as Drumchapel Community Support unit that we managed to do it.

“This Resource will allow us to provide much- needed facilities for the benefit of local young children.”

The First D5k Fun Run

  

YOU may have seen the posters around Drumchapel advertising D5K – Drumchapel Fun Run and Thought “What on earth . . ? Are these people seriously asking me to RUN? For 5 kilometers… unless you really want to!

And if you do there is training available.

But anyone who has ever taken a walk round Drumchapel on a nice day has probably walked near enough 5 kilometers.

But it doesn’t seem like 5 kilometers when your walking along, chatting, looking at the gardens, meeting friends and neighbours, pointing things out to the kids or grandkids.

It’s a really nice way to pass the time.

Or you can do a bit of both, you can run a bit, jog a bit and walk a bit.

Sunday September 11 will see the first and, hopefully, not the last, D5K Fun Run Going Through Drumchapel.

Entry forms are available at most places where you see posters.

Just fill in the form and either hand it back into the Community Forum offices in Hecla square or into Drumchapel L.I.F.E at KCEDG in Ladyloan Place.

You can take part on your own – or how about getting together a bunch of friends and family to make up a team?

It will be a load of fun! You can have family teams, work teams, street teams, club teams, group teams, or just you and a bunch of your mates teams.

Youth Launch their reports on drugs

  

DRUMCHAPEL Peer Research Group proudly launched their recently completed report “Drumchapel Young Persons Area Study on Substance Use” at the first of a number of events, aimed at gathering the views of local people on the development of an area-wide drug and alcohol forum.

The peer Research group, which consists of local young people ages 17 to 22, have been working on the project for the past two years and are delighted the report is finally available.

The report is the work of six local young people with the support of a host of local agencies, including Scottish Drugs Form, Drumchapel Alcohol Support Service, Drumchapel Life, the Community Forum, Youth Services and Health Board.

The plan was to interview 100 local young people to get their views on how, and to what extent, substance use affected their lives, and the lives of those around them.

However, the young people have had to develop new skills to carry out the survey.

In fact they were the first group of young people in the UK undertake specialist training to carry out their survey. They eventually interviewed approximately 140 young people as part of the survey.

The report will be used by the agencies, and others, to shape existing services, and in some cases create new services which address the needs of local people.

Eleanor McDermot, Scottish Drugs Forum Co-ordinator for Drumchapel and group support worker, said:

“it gave local young people the chance to talk about their needs around substance use – whether these needs be around illegal or proscribed drugs, alcohol or tobacco, or the impact that the use of these substances has on family relationships, health and education.”

It is now down to local agencies to make sure the report does not “lie on the shelf” but goes on to have a real positive influence on the way young people’s services are planned for the future.

It has been a long haul for the group, sometimes two meetings and six survey interviews a week for weeks on end.

However, the survey has also enabled the group to go on a weekend residential training course and a research trip to Dublin for three days.

There were also two babies born during the project – one to a support worker, the other to one of the young people. It did not stop them soldiering.

Margaret Black, a member of the group, said: “We are delighted the report is out as it highlights the quality of work that can be produced by local young people with the right support.

“I realy enjoy working wit the peer search team. I hope the report is widely used by other service providers to better their services for young people.

“The peer research team has also given me the confidence to become an active member in my community, and the skills I have developed has assisted me in gaining full time employment. I also hope to be doing loads of other work in the future with the peer research team.”

The group would like to thank Eleanor Mc Dermot as well as Frank, Hugh, Kenny, Liz, Mark and all those involved in the project.

The group are not finished yet. They are about to embark on another piece of research which will be looking at young people’s awareness of local service availability in relation to.

Club is jumping for joy

  

DRUMCHAPEL Gymnasts club took part recently in the Milngavie Gala week floor and vault competition … and they came out on top.

All gymnasts in the level 1,2 and 3 sections captured medals in the gold, silver and bronze categories.

Danni Fraser was the over all highest scorer in her section, taking first place. Her team finished a very credible third place.

Rosie Cook Took overall highest in her section, with Nikkita Fraser taking second place.

Their team won the senior team champions trophy and the overall team champions.

Other gymnasts won medals sections on individual pieces and a great day was had by all.

Butler’s Bulletin

 

GLASGOW City Council’s innovative ‘Sense Over Sectarianism’ campaign was recently relaunched with new funding provided by the Scottish Executive.

‘Sense Over Sectarianism’ is a campaign which is a campaign which aims to stamp out bigotry and sectarianism in all its forms. It has come about due to a historic partnership between Glasgow City Council, The Scottish Executive, anti sectarian charity Nil by mouth, Celtic FC, Rangers FC, The Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland.

To Support the campaign I lodged a motion in the Scottish parliament highlighting the benefits of the campaign in its support of local community projects in promoting the anti sectarianism message. I also recently met with The Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson MSP to discuss the campaign and all efforts being taken to takle sectarianism.

Unfortunately, there is a small minority of people in Scotland who think it is acceptable to hold sectarian attitudes and on some occasions, to use it as an exuse for violence and intimidation.         ‘Sense Over Sectarianism’ has shown that it Is effective in encouraging local communities to come forward with their own projects to deal with the problem where it exists. The scheme also supports the use of teaching and educational materials to promote the anti-sectarian-message.

This is not a problem that will be solved in the short term and the Scottish Executive has acknowledged that, but if we are to change people’s attitudes doing nothing is not an option.

Through ‘Sense Over Sectarianism’ and other similar projects, we have a real opportunity to tackle bigotry in Scottish society.

 

BILL Bowman has been the manager of Anniesland Business Park for over a year.

His main duties are marketing the property and the daily needs and maintenance of the estate and clients.

This was a total career change, an engineer to trade, a methodical and planned routine was the way work was organised, Bill now loves the fact that in this job he never knows what he is coming into on a daily basis.

Anniesland Business Park is owned by Newstead Properties Ltd and has become a successful business location for local companies.

The estate benefits from 24 hour manned security, CCTV and other on-site facilities including canteen facilities and estate office.

The Newstead Properties Ltd portfolio of properties includes another 5 commercial properties throughout the UK that provide business accommodation.

The company also have a number of residential premises and has focussed on a mixed use scheme of commercial and residential units, this growth market continues with there flagship development Anniesland Glasgow, marrying residential and industrial holdings in harmony.

When asked about his opinion on Opportunities working in the West, Bill was very enthusiastic. Having been made redundant in his previous life he is very well aware of the support that organisations like Opportunities can provide.

He said: “I was feeling absolutely lost when I was made redundant and I tapped into a number of resources including a personal development course called STEP’S into excellence which then gave me the confidence to go on and pass the ECDL, this was quite an achievement as I didn’t even know how to switch on a computer.

“It is essential for improving and individual’s self esteem and dignity.”

Bill added: “It is great that Opportunities also provides business support and I’m sure that they won’t be short of clients in the West.”

 

Scotstoun gets ready to host School games

 

YOUNG people from all over the UK will get the chance to compete in the biggest ever school sports event in Glasgow between September 7-10, 2006.

The four day championships called the UK School Games will replicate the feel of a major multi-sport event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or the Commonwealth Games.

The Glasgow Games, the first ever UK School Games, funded by the Millennium Commission via a National Lottery Grant, will see 1500 children from all across Britain compete in athletics, table tennis and fencing at Scotstoun Leisure Centre, swimming at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre, and gymnastics at the Kelvin Hall. The games will also include Paralympic events in athletics and swimming.

Additional events will be added in coming years as the event moves to other cities across Britain.

Scotland’s Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said: “An inspiring and vibrant city with a track record for hosting great events, Glasgow, Scotland’s 2014

Commonwealth Games Candidate city, is the ideal location for the first UK School Games.

New support group in West for people with drink issues

 

ADDACTION Scotland recently opened a new alcohol support service for people living in the West of Glasgow.

Based in the Open Gate Centre, Hecla Square, Drumchapel, the Community alcohol support service (CASS) offers alcohol support to individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This can include people who have previously been homeless and are resettling in the West area, or those who are at risk of loosing their housing (for example, people who are having difficulty with budgeting and paying rent, who are not coping in housing due to emotional or mental health issues, or who may be at risk of homelessness due to family problems).

The service offers a range of support and opportunities including specialist alcohol interventions, support with emotional and mental health issues, work on individual goals, help in accessing training and employment opportunities and support in linking in with other services in the area.

Referrals are welcome either by telephone or in writing, and staff will arrange to carry out an assessment of individual needs in order to provide the best package support.

The assessment can take place at the CASS office, or we can arrange to meet at the client’s home or at a community venue if required. Individuals can refer themselves directly or can be referred through other agencies such as community addiction teams or housing providers. To make a referral, or for further information, please contact Addaction at:

 

Addaction West CASS

The Open Gate

44 Hecla Square

Drumchapel

G15 8NH

Tel: 0141 949 4884

Fax: 0141 949 4883

Forum is down but definitely not out

Over the past year, Community forums in Glasgow have been looking to secure long term funding to support communities to engage in the new Community Planning processes.

But on 28 August, the Board of Glasgow Community Planning Partnership decided to withdraw grant funding from all Community Forums in Glasgow as from December 2006.

The decision was the latest in a series of changes of direction that had seen Community Forums being asked to respond to varying demands over a period of months, and then a tendering exercise being agreed but not carried out.

Local community representatives are appalled by the decision.

“How can the community really be at the heart of community planning when our funding is taken away?” said Jim Wilson, Chair of Drumchapel Community Forum.

“This takes us back to the days when the local community was cut out of all important decisions.”

So how will communities be supported following this decision?

It appears that a complex network of structures will be put into place, but there will be no independent support for communities.

It is expected that staff from the big agencies – the Council, the Health Board and so on – will now provide support their existing staff.

A wide range of local projects groups and agencies, have worked with the Community Forum over the past five years.

And many of them have already contacted The Voice to express their disagreement at the withdrawal of funding.

But Drumchapel Community Forum will not be closing at Christmas.

“The Board has agreed that we will continue to operate in the short term, whilst looking for further funding.” Gordon Johnston, Manager of the Forum, said “We provide a service that is much needed in Drumchapel and we will continue to work with our members and our partners locally.”

The Forum will be circulating details and consulting with the community regarding its future plans locally in the near future.