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A West End Festival Wander, June 2014

I had a very enjoyable day yesterday (15.6.2014) taking in some West End Festival events. I started off at Paintings on Railings. The paintings, photographs and posters look great hanging on the railings at Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens and it brings a lovely bohemian feel to the Botanics, showcases the work of local artists and gives people a chance to meet them.

I enjoyed a chat with Alan Richardson and Stephen O’Neil. It’s great to see this event, which started way back in 1996, still operating and Stephen has done a great job taking over from Lynne Scobbie, who for many years organised the event as part of the West End Festival.

Stephen’s work is very eye-catching with and his Tunnock Tea Cake images have proved to be a huge hit with my ex-pat family and friends. I also love his Rennie Macintosh prints.

For many years I’ve been a big fan of Alan’s images of iconic Glasgow buildings and locations and also love the gorgeous turquoise and blues in his sea scapes.  I’m honoured to help market his work through my website: www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/whats-on-art-artists-and-exhibitions/

After I left Painting on Railings, I walked on along Queen Margaret Drive and up the hill to Wilton Street Gala. It took place in the lovely community garden and was a very lively neighbourhood affair – very well attended with lots of smiling faces – some of them painted. There was live music, a great selection of stalls and the most amazing home baking. I bought some Scotch dumpling, iced gingerbread and sponge cake with almonds and cherries – we had that today with custard for our sweet. It was delicious.

The Bridge Gala was also in full flight so I strolled on down to Kelvinbridge via Belmont Street and cut into Lacrosse Street to The Coach House Trust, where I had a lovely browse around the market garden. I bought some runner beans, which I’ve planted beside my sweet peas, and also picked up a lovely wee tub of lavender and a very healthy pink petunia.  The sun had finally come out and there were lots of people sitting at table in the cobbled lane enjoying coffee and cake; in the community garden kids were having fun on a bouncy castle.

My last stop off was at The Little Urban Achievers Club, Great Western Road, where there was a Retro and Craft Fair at the back of the bar. I was delighted to hear some of the regulars were supporting the event – dragging themselves away from the bar and the football to buy bath bombs etc. I couldn’t resist and bought some of the Twa Birds hand made soaps and a delicate vintage necklace with green glass beads.

I was absolutely laden but managed to fit some scones from Cottonrake in my bag and a couple of frozen Italian dishes from COOK.

Kelvinbridge is certainly enjoying the West End Festival and today there was a huge queue for CATS outside the new Websters Theatre.

Watch out for more great events at the West End Festival – it continues until 29th June, 2014.

Pat Byrne, 15th June, 2014

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