Celebrate sculptor Andy Scott's 'Maryhill Bigman'at this one day event, from 4pm - 8pm Saturday, 4th October, 2008.

The day has been developed to celebrate artist Andy Scott's latest engineering design of a giant steel sculpture, known as the 'Maryhill Bigman', which will act as a footbridge at Stockingfield Junction.

The day includes a huge selection of land and water activities for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can try their hand at canoeing, kayaking and angling demonstrations, or enjoy a relaxing boat trip along the Forth & Clyde Canal. There will be street theatre, model boats, exhibitions, arts & crafts and refreshments, as well as live music performances from a host of Scottish favourites including Tam White and his Shoestring Band, The Gutty Slippers, Punjabi No 1 and X-Factor finalist Nikitta. The day will round off in spectacular fashion with the 'burning' of the 'Big Man'.

The project has just received funding for the second stage of the design process and it is hoped that the event will encourage the local community to find out more about the future plans for the canal and the great things you can do and see on the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Andy Scott, the creator of the Kelpies (the centrepiece of the Helix Project), came up with the concept of the 30m steel sculpture after British Waterways Scotland asked the artist to design a public art work that would also become the bridge at Stockingfield Junction.

Andy, who works in Maryhill, said: "It's a really exciting project to be involved in. I've worked in Maryhill for over 15 years now and know how important the canal was to the history of the area and the city of Glasgow. The design evolved from the structural engineering of a world unique bridge to link the communities and increase use of the canal. The intention is that the 'Bigman' holding up the footbridge will be representational of the historic ironworks, boat-building and other industries that were found in the Maryhill area. I hope he becomes a symbol of the area's proud history and a beacon of hope for the future."

Bringing the 'Big Man' event to life is a partnership between The Waterways Trust Scotland, Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership (British Waterways Scotland, Glasgow City Council, ISIS), Cube Housing, Glasgow Housing Association, Queen's Cross Housing Association, Sustrans Scotland and Maryhill Housing Association. It is supported by Diageo.

Richard Millar from British Waterways Scotland said: "We are glad to be part of such a great community event that will offer lots of fun activities for locals and visitors to enjoy. The 'Big Man' will add a new dimension to the Forth & Clyde and this event marks a very exciting step towards regenerating this part of the canal. This is a true example of British Waterways Scotland's commitment to making the canals a focal part of the community and an asset to be enjoyed by all.

"We hope that the event on Saturday 4 October will encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the local canal and find out something they didn't know about this area. Maryhill is steeped in history and this event celebrates the past as well as looks to the future of the area. It will be both an entertaining and educational day out for the family."

Karen Moore, development director, The Waterways Trust Scotland, said: "The Big Man event is a fantastic opportunity to bring together the whole community to celebrate their waterway. The Forth & Clyde Canal has been transformed over recent years and we were keen to use this free festival to show local residents and visitors what a great place our waterways are, and how much they have to offer."

Michael O'Donnell, Diageo's Port Dundas site manager, said: "Diageo has a long history as an employer in the Maryhill area and across Glasgow so we are delighted to be supporting the event. This promises to be a great community occasion, showcasing a range of fun and environmentally positive activities on the Forth & Clyde."

A series of 'talking points', featuring stories produced by the Glasgow Storytellers will also be on site along with a unique storytelling tepee, recounting historic tales of Big Men and Maryhill which will entertain both young and old.

The day's event will conclude with the burning of a two dimensional drawing of a Big Man. Scottish artist Ewan Hunter in collaboration with Scott Associates, have produced the 'Fire Drawing' for the finale which is sure to be an amazing spectacle.

More about Maryhill: Unlocking Maryhill, Ian R. Mitchell

Musical Performers:

Tam White with his Shoestring Band: In an illustrious career spanning over four decades, Tam White has established himself as a troubadour in the truest sense of the word, acclaimed in mainland Europe as one of the great European blues singers and in his own country, Scotland, as a national treasure. In England blues legend Alexis Korner hailed him as "the greatest undiscovered blues talent of our time".
(photo David Harrold)

Since his early fame with the Boston Dexters in the 1960's (and as the first man to sing live on Top of the Pops) Tam has packed concert halls and clubs throughout the world, performing solo or with his big band, Tam White's Groove Connection or The Shoestring Band. Over the years Tam has played with and guested for John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Rev Al Green, B.B. King, Mose Allison to name but a few. This blues legend has been around so long Buddy Holly used to open for him.

Tam was the voice behind Robbie Coltrane's Big Jazza in the highly successful BAFTA award-winning BBC TV series, Tutti Frutti. In his other profession as an actor he played a major role as Clan Chief MacGregor in Mel Gibson's 'Braveheart', and acted in 'Man Dancin' with an accompanying CD of the same name. Tam's 60th birthday celebrations at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh were a testimony to Scotland's greatest blues singer, a performer at the height of his powers.

Nikitta: Manchester born Nikitta has had a passion for singing since she was about five years old. Her favourite artist and inspiration was, and remains to be, Celine Dion. However her first stage appearance did not come until she was aged eight, when she performed in a karaoke session in Turkey.

At the age of 13, and following a move to Glasgow, Nikitta teamed up with the local community music group, Northern Rock. With a remit to develop local talent, they took Nikitta under their wings and she was soon writing songs and performing live gigs around Glasgow.

In 2004 Nikitta made her first attempt at the X Factor competition but was sadly knocked down on the way to the auditions. An important factor in Nikitta's life is her mum, and during 2004 Nikitta learnt that she was seriously ill with breast cancer. Nikitta put aside her fast developing music career to look after her mother, who sadly died in 2005.

Nikitta has been determined to carry out her mum's wishes and dreams. Later in 2005 she returned to music scene, working with a band called Fugees United and as a support act to Ms Dynamite.

In 2006 Nikitta took another stab at the X Factor competition, securing a high position in the final selections. Although not ending up as a winner, she did become a winner with audiences throughout the world. Now determined to build on this step in her career Nikitta is set to tour as a solo artist in 2008 and is busy working on a debut single and album releases. Her debut single is due to be released in the Spring of 2008 and her album, entitled "Born Again", will follow later in the year.

Punjabi No 1 - Band and Dancers: Punjabi No 1 was established in 2000 and is a group for children from age 12-18 years, all nationalities. Punjabi No 1 very much aims to be a multicultural group to portray different music styles, and bring different cultures together.

All performers, singers, and dancers enjoy the group very much, regularly performing at major events throughout the country such as the Edinburgh and Glasgow Melas, and the World Peace Concert in Glasgow. The award-winning group have also toured India and Spain and have preformed alongside Jazzy B, Sukshinder Shinda, Kamal Heer, Munmown Waris, Jaswinder Narula, Inderjit Nikko, Nachater Gill, Saharha and many more.

The group have also made a music video with VIP records and have an album out called 'Dilmilde' by Munmeet and Rumeet Sandhu.

Surreal McCoy presents Big Rory & Ochie: Everyone's favourite 9 ft rascal, Big Rory will be out for a walk through Callendar Park with Ochie, his wayward mongrel. Inevitably, total confusion ensues as the amorous mutt wanders about, getting friendly with passers-by and doing who knows what else, with Rory in hot pursuit trying to contain the chaos.

Andy Scott: Andy Scott is a professional public sculptor with works as far afield as Alloa and Australia. He is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art and works out of his studio workshop in the Maryhill area of Glasgow. His portfolio covers a diverse range of sculptures and landmarks, including many community based projects. Well known pieces such as "The Heavy Horse" on the M8 motorway, The Ibrox Disaster Memorial, "The Thanksgiving Beacon" in Belfast and the recently unveiled "Rise" at Glasgow Harbour typify Andy's distinctive style of fabrication with an emphasis on draughtsmanship and dexterity creating accessible artworks. An overview of his professional practice can be seen at www.scottsculptures.co.uk

THE GUTTY SLIPPERS Five guys, with bagpipes and drums, a sense of humour, and pride in their national identity....The Gutty Slippers have taken their unique interpretations of Scottish, contemporary and novelty music to countless thousands throughout Scotland, the UK, Europe and America. Unique...entertaining...and very energetic...!