Glasgow West End: Sunshine and Showers

Added on Wednesday 13 Jun 2012

It's been a month of great variety, including soaring temperatures and torrential rain. At the week-end the kids got soaked to the skin on the bouncy castle at Cal McGreevy's sixth birthday party but we have managed to fit in some lovely sunshiney outings.

Fetes and Festivals

The Fete at Old Kilpatrick was great fun and what an absolutely glorious day. I went along with Frances and met Ann, Janet, Evelyn and hosts of other friends from the village and lots of my relatives. I also managed to miss loads of people as it was so busy.

Photo: jim byrne and the blackwoods southside festival. At the Southside Festival we basked in warm rays at the glasshouses in Queens Park. Jim Byrne and The Blackwoods provided suitably laid back sounds and left with smiles on their faces after selling a substantial number of Jim's CD The Innocent. Sabine, John, Ryan, Jim's mum and dad and other fans came along so we were a very happy little bunch as we lolled on the grass enjoying the sunshine and the good vibes.

Jim also played at The EFC Festival at The Victoria Bar, which was a lot of fun. Much of it down to the charismatic Mr Crawford Smith of Howlin' Radio; we saw the band play for the first time - they were swell and Crawford did a wonderful job organising the festival.

We travelled a little further for another musical outing when Jim and I went through to Linlithgow to the Folk Festival to catch Duncran McCrone play at St Margaret's Halls. Duncan put on a great show and it was good to see Murdie and the rest of the Linlithgow gang.

Next gig will be at Gibson Street Gala, which has a great line up this year including the samba dancers, the Electricats. Jim will be playing with his band The Blackwoods on the Otago Lane Stage at 5.15 p.m. Sunday 17th June - part of the West End Festival. It's one of my favourite events and I particularly enjoy catching up with the folk at GOW.

I managed along to another of my favourite places last week when I went to the Anatomy Building at Glasgow University for the launch of Glasgow Science Festival. If you've never been to this fascinating part of the university then seek it out. You won't be disappointed.

Everything's been happening at Kelvingrove

Another wonderful setting provided the backdrop when the Cardonald College Fashion Students had their Assemblage at Kelvingrove. It was marvellous - with plenty of talent on display. Good to see the event so well attended.

Photo: olympic torch kelvingrove. We also went along to Kelvingrove last Friday when we joined the throngs cheering on the Olympic Torch relay as it travelled through Glasgow. A blink and we would have missed it but at least the flame didn't go out and the bearer on his bike was wreathed in smiles.

 

I seem to have spent a lot of time this past month around Yorkhill and Kelvingrove. I had a meeting in the old Queen Mother's Hospital with staff from Yorkhill Children's Foundation who've been adopted as our special charity on the website. Afterwards I met Sabine Kocem in Duke's Bar, which has a whole new look these days and all sorts of interesting events going on.

Another day Jim, Ryan and I had dinner with Sabine at The Butchershop Bar and Grill - arguably the best burgers in Glasgow, although, Ryan definitely prefers playing in the park nearby in Kelvingrove.

They've made a great job of renovating the children's play area next to the pond and he had a a lot of fun there while Gran relaxed in the sunshine. He and I went there after having coffee with Jim in Offshore and James Carson also came along and tried one of their raspberry and soda drinks, which he reported to be 'very refreshing'.

The Lit Parade and other events

James and I had been at the St Andrew's Building finalising the plans for the event we've been organising along with Mo Blake and Josianne Azzopardi Mamo, The Lit Parade. This is also part of the West End Festival and will showcase the work of current and past MLitt Creative Writing students from the university. The event was all booked up very quickly and I think it'll be very entertaining.

I've also been along at the allotment every opportunity but it's an uphill struglle getting things ship shape after the long, gloomy winter weather and everything is a bit behind this year - except the weeds, which seem to have no problem flourishing. The Allotments Open Day is on Saturday 23rd June, 12 - 4 p.m.

I'm trying to get along to more events at the festival and I had intended perusing the programme with Jackie yesterday when we met up at the new cafe in the Botanics, which is really nice. However, we were too busy blethering, although, we did pop into the Kibble to have a look at the art exhibition. There is just so much to do and see in Glasgow and we are spoiled for choice.

At the week-end Jim and I went along to the degree show at Glasgow School of Art. It was absolutely brilliant and I always get such a kick out of just being in that building. It's definitely got the world's most delightful library. Altogether a great event. We both particularly liked were the work of a young Irish artist Aileen McEwen and we were also attracted to the twowomanswork exhibit by Caitlin McGrady and Sheila Price.

Shops and Design in Glasgow West End

Photo: black eyed suzy alison cowan.Another artist whose work is on display at the moment and well worth checking out is Alison Cowan's Past Times on exhibition at Christo's Great Western Road until 29th June.

Just along the road some artistry is also involved in the display of the produce at Fantoosh Fish, 537 Great Western Road. I'd been intending dropping into this shop for some time and it was even better than I had anticipated. The staff are very friendly and helpful and I left laden with all sorts of delicious fishy things. Including some amazing crab, scallops and delicious sushi. Good job it's not on my doorstep because it's pretty irrestistible - but just along the road so I'll be back.

Photo: mireille eustace. Having lot of coffee in the West End

I always enjoy a jaunt along Great Western Road, and I enjoyed a coffee with James in Enjoy, watch out for some new developments there very soon. I also popped into Nancy Smillie Jewellery Studio, where Genna has been busy adding new stock to their fabulous displays.

I've been hanging out and having coffees in various cafes in and around Byres Road and John and I had cappuccinos and delicious cake in Heart Buchanan. I also caught up with Lynne in Smug, Vinnicombe Street, for a wee catch up. I had a more leisurely conversation with Gillian one sunny afternoon at Ecco 88 at Anniesland and I met up with Mireille Eustace - complementary therapist in Atrium Coffee Shop, where I was fascinated to hear about all about the wonderful therapies she provides at Napiers in Cresswell Street. I'll be going along soon for some relaxation and rejuvenation.

Photo: wedding accessories. Vintage Weddings

Over the other side of Byres Road, in Ruthven Lane, I spent a very enjoyable afternoon in Circa Vintage. This shop has been in Glasgow's West End for more years than I can count but you just never tire of it. There were so many lovely retro and vintage dresses and accessories that it made me think how attractive these would be for any brides or guests inclined towards glasgow vintage weddings so I wrote a feature.

There are also some lovely gowns in Annie's Attic in Ruthven Arcade and I would seldom go a month without dropping in for a browse in Handbags and Gladrags. This month Maxine and Michael have surpassed themselves in gathering together so many excellent designer bargains. If you fancy looking good on a budget then get yourself down to Partick Cross. I picked up a super Radley bag for next to nothing.

A Play, A Pie and A Pint

A couple of weeks back I had a conference call with Colin Beattie from his office, where I also enjoyed a chat with Gina before popping down to a Play, a Pie and a Pint. I was delighted to see David MacLellan receive recognition and an award from The Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland for his production of the wonderful lunchtime theatre at OranMor. I've enjoyed many a memorable lunchtime there and I'm very much looking forward to their second summer panto Alice in Poundland

Photo: ashton lane off byres road. Byres Road

It might be a good outing for The Rosemount Girls as we need to meet up more often. We had great fun when I met up with Val, Rosemary and Margaret for Val's birthday at Tony Macaroni's at the bottom of Byres Road. We shouldn't leave it so long before we get together again as I can't keep up with all the news, including the ever extending Venditozzi Clan.

It's great to see new shops opening up down that end of Byres Road and I wish every success to The Glitter Room and Apple and Rye.

One of the highlights of last month was Paul Baird and Allison's wedding in Greenock Town Hall. It was a wonderful affair and the couple looked so happy so big congratulations to the pair.. We had a lot of fun at the celebration with Steph, Ciaran and Jane and Tom Fairnie and we all enjoyed Jim and Pauline Alexander's duet.

As usual there's lots of new stuff on the website. Including Roy Beers' Dining and Drinking Column. It was particularly good to see him reporting about The Ubiquitous Chip winning Scotland's Restaurant of the Year Award and Roy is now also keeping us up to date with news in Glasgow's West End.

Other new stuff on the site includes:

See also What's New and What's On