Pat Byrne's blog: Last week was quite a week

Home » Pat's Home Page Blog » Pat Byrne’s blog: Last week was quite a week

Pat Byrne’s blog: Last week was quite a week

I met a lot of people last week and was out and about much more than usual. I had a lot to catch up on as we’ve just recently returned from a fabulous holiday in Tuscany – read the review.

Creative Conversations

chapel event

On Monday I went along to Creative Conversations at the University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel. I always enjoy this event which showcases a wide range of writers in this wonderful venue. Last week was bit different from usual as the guest Behrouz Boochani,Iranian-Kurdish journalist, human rights defender, poet and film producer, was speaking via videolink with Jane Archer of Scottish PEN. I wasn’t sure how this would work but it was superb – Behrouz’ message regarding human rights was powerful and his connection with the audience amazing. Very thought provoking.

Another reason I enjoy this event is that you see so many familiar faces from Glasgow’s extensive literary community. It was smashing catching up with Maggie Graham afterwards at Patisserie Francoise on Byres Road .

Watch out for more brilliant events at Creative Conversations

Alasdair Gray’s Purgatory

purgatory

Alasdair Gray is an exceptionally talented writer and artist. A particular highlight of last week was catching up with him for a blether when I got a wee preview of his new book Purgatory, Dante’s Divine Trilogy Part Two.

Podcast: Jima and Pat’s West End Chat

pat and julie rea 2

Julie Rea, is my latest candidate for our Podcast: Jim and Pat’s West End Chat . Julie is super fun and an amazing writer. Watch out for the podcast being released very soon and hear all about Julie’s writing, and a bit about Old Kilpatrick, as we both come from the same village.

The Nancy Smillie Shop

It’s not all been about writing. I love popping into the Nancy Smillie Shop and had a good old chinwag with Basia, Lesley and Elaine. Elaine was very enthusiastic about a new range of gifts and treats created by a collective of artists living with complex epilepsy and learning disabilities. Well done sourcing this range, Elaine, they really are lovely – I bought a couple of gift sets for presents.

tea and biscuits gift set

Lunch at Kothel

basia and pat kothel

I met up again with Basia when we went along to Kothel at Kelvinbridge for lunch. It really is a lovely restaurant. A more recent arrival it’s added to the excitement of this very vibrant part of town.

Gorgeous

glorious kelvinbridge

I popped into Glorious vintage and retro shop. I was delighted to pick up a black cashmere jumper – like new and a steal. I also bought a fabulous multi-coloured woolly scarf for a fiver. An extra treat was chatting to one of the owners, Alan Fraser, You can catch Alan and his erstwhile chum David Belcher on their very entertaining Podcast Radio Free Partick. You can also catch me chatting with David on our Podcast.

Danielle’s 40th

We had a great time when we went along to celebrate my niece Danielle’s 40th birthday party in Duntocher Village Hall. Happy Birthday, Danielle. x

40 danielle

Pat’s Guide: Glasgow West End is going to be 20 years old

pat at uni feature 20th anniversary gwet

(Photo by Ian Marland)

I’ve been very busy preparing for our big 20th birthday. Can hardly believe it. I met Ian Marland of Glasgow West End Today – it was a beautiful day so we. had a stroll around Glasgow Uni. Ian made a video and wrote a feature about me and the website.

To catch our breath Jim and I went to the pictures to see The Joker – Joachim Phoenix is truly magnificent as Arthur Fleck. He brings to the role an awesome combination of mania and tragedy. Don’t miss it.

You can also catch up with lots of stuff on my What’s New

Here’s a selection of the listings:

So, now we are all set for a celebration at Cottiers. Watch out for the photos.

In the meantime, here’s a link back to 1999 and our launch party for the website.

All the best, Pat x

This section: Pat's Home Page Blog

Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog

Prevous page or post | Next page or post

Written by : Pat Byrne

Publisher of Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End; the community guide to the West End of Glasgow. Fiction and non-fiction writer.

Comments are closed.