Cessnock

Cessnock is an interesting ethnically diverse area of the Southside, located a short walk from the river.

Shopping
The area has many ethnic grocery, fruit and vegetable shops and deli's selling a whole range of ethnic foods including Indian, Polish and Japanese

Architecture

Cessnock has several important pieces of architecture in close walking distance. Walmer Crescent, a curved tenement building designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson is situated within the heart of Cessnock. The BBC Scotland headquarters, designed by David Chipperfield are located 10 minutes from Cessnock on the River Clyde. Also the House for an Art Lover designed by  Charles Rennie Mackintosh is situated in Bellahouston Park on the southern boundary of Cessnock.

The Cessnock Subway station has the only surviving signage from before the Underground Stations were modernised in the 1970's.

Parks
Cessnock has two parks Plantation Park to the East and Festival Park to the North, Festival Park being one of the few reminders left of the 1988 Garden Festival. Bellahouston and Pollok Park are both a short walk from Cessnock.

Festivals
There are not a Cessnock Festival as such, but the area normally takes part in the Subway Festival and of course the Riverside Festival is held only ten minutes walk away.

Links
Cessnock Wikipedia
Alexander Thomson Society

Stellar Sounds

I basically love anything thats happens in the Planetarium, its one of my favourte places in Glasgow. I think I'd like it if they turned it into a dentist's practice . . actually thats not a bad idea would be a lot more relaxing staring up at the stars than at a peeling ceiling (Though I don't fancy the idea of a woman with a drill trying to operate in my mouth in the dark. Maybe they could wear night vision googles. )

Anyway I digress - my point is that anything that happens at the planetarium is usually pretty good fun and so the below advert sounds great.

Stellar Sounds
Music under the stars! That's right - For IYA 2009, we've got live music in the planetarium.
The stars have been an inspiration to writers for centuries and have featured in thousands of song lyrics from the nursery rhyme Twinkle, Twinkle and Rock n Roll Star by Oasis to Eminem We Made You (Rock Star) and Stardust by David Bowie.

To book tickets please phone 0871 540 1000.
Wednesday 12th August
Rio Callahan, Funksion and Federation of the Disco Pimp will entertain gig goers under the stars.
The Planetarium offers the chance to see a night sky as it should be seen, with thousands of glittering stars above us. Most city-dwellers have never seen a clear night sky, as light pollution is now a serious problem throughout the Western world. These exclusive gigs are the chance to experience music in a truly unique venue. Doors open at 7pm, with the gig starting at 8pm. Over 16s only, £12. A cash bar will be available.
For more information call 0871 540 1000.

Have a Drink with the Stars!

I love all the lectures at the Planetarium so will try and pop along to the below event. The big lie back seats are really comfy though, so try not to have too many drinks or you might find yourself drifting off and snoring like a bear. (I heard one very recently and they snore extremely loud.) I'm not sure what the Galileo affair is all about but it sounds like a spy thriller.

"Following considerable success of our first lecture you may be pleased to hear that there will be a cash bar available from 6pm to 7pm to supplement our March 25th evening lecture.

We hope this will add to your enjoyment of the evening, allowing you to meet and have some refreshment as well as hear Brother Guy Consolmagno's account of "the Galileo Affair". "

OTHER SCIENCE CENTRE NEWS

"A few places left for our sleepovers

What a way to kick off the Easter School holidays! We've got a few places left for a sleepover on April 3rd. A fantastic line up of events, including star gazing, a live link-up with astronomers in Perth (Australia - just to be clear!), a chance to kip down amongst the exhibits and a breakfast to get you started the next day.

There's limited spaces available, so please follow the link above to find out more or email Joanne Foo"

Written in the Stars

Next week we are off on a big adventure to Japan so there will be no posts for a few weeks. Obviously we are very excited but I've just found out about an event happening in Glasgow which we're sadly going to miss.
The Planetarium (one of my favourite attractions in Glasgow) is having a wee poetry evening which I think will be brill. Lying back in nice comfy chairs in the dark, watching the amazing stars floating across the sky which someone with a nice voice reads you poems sounds great and its only £5. Someone is going to have to go and tell us all about it.

Poetry readings in the ScottishPower Planetarium
Try something different this winter! Experience the sky as never before and be amazed as we join poets Liz Lochhead and Jim Carruth under the spectacular sky in the ScottishPower Planetarium.
For centuries, poets have been inspired by the night's sky to write verse. Enjoy a glittering evening under the stars as we travel through time and space accompanied by some favourite star poems.
Doors open at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.
Cost £4.95
Car park cost: £1
For more details email mailto:jo.foo@glasgowsciencecentre.org or to book please call 0871 540 1000.

SMASHING TIMES: HOW TO BUILD A PLANET

23rd of October 2008
Dr Helen Fraser will take you on a journey from the Northern to Southern hemisphere skies, to regions where new planets have been found, around baby stars and into chemical cauldrons of our galaxy. Your feet certainly won't touch the ground during this exploration of the greatest construction projects in space- both man-made and natural- as we discover how planets are formed.
Glasgow Science Centre
Doors open at 6.45pm for a 7pm start.
Tickets £4.95
Car park cost: £1

For more details email jo.foo@glasgowsciencecentre.org or to book please call 0871 540 1000.

WINTER NIGHT SKY 2008

Gav and I did the Winters night sky course at the Science Centre last year and it is brill. Highly recommended try and get a ticket while you can. Info below.

In collaboration with the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Science Centre's ScottishPower planetarium presents Winter Night Sky 2008.

Don't hibernate this winter! Swap the comfort of your couch for a spectacular view of the stars in one of Europe's best planetariums. Join Jo Foo and Steve Owens as they take you on an adventure across the winter night sky. Learn how to locate the north star, discover the planets, understand nebulae, and delve in to the history of astronomy!
The Winter Night Sky class is for everyone, from absolute beginners to enthusiasic amateurs! Please note, there are no exams or homework, just ten hours of relaxation under the glittering stars!
The class will run on Monday evenings, 1900 - 2100 from Monday 13 October until Monday 10 November 2008

To book please call University of Glasgow 0141 330 1853 or go to link and quote Winter Night Sky coursenumber "G188". Course cost: £50

Glasgow bridge is not falling down, falling down

Just read on the BBC that the squinty bride will be reopening on the 29th of June. Thats good news as I got very used to using it as a short cut and also because we recently had guests to stay who wanted to see the new bridge and it was a bit embarrassing when we had to show them it covered in rope and scaffolding.

Quay Conversations

Think it might be a bit late to post about the below, but it does sound interesting. We will try to post further in advance of future shows. Or maybe email the address at the bottom of the post for further deatils.

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To celebrate the uniquely collaborative space of the BBC's new headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow, Radio Scotland has a monthly series, Quay Conversations, in which Janice Forsyth talks to key figures whose work is helping shape the future of Scotland.

On the evening of Monday, 31st March, Janice plays host to three people who can give a unique insight into urban regeneration and the importance of communities:

Bliss Browne, founder of Imagine Chicago, a pioneering urban regeneration project, whose work is now being used a model here in Scotland; Bob Holman. best known for his work in Glasgow's Easterhouse, and who for the last thirty years has devoted his life to community groups; and Darren McGarvey, aka LOKI - a 24 year old rapper from Pollock, who's committed to challenging the stereotypes of the streets he calls home.

In 1991, Bliss Browne - banking executive, mother of three, and an ordained Episcopal priest (she was the first woman ever to preach at Westminster Abbey) - gave up a sixteen year corporate career to found Imagine Chicago. Saddened by seeing whole communities within her home city written off as having no future, her aim was to inspire civic engagement, foster links between cultures and generations, and cultivate hope and aspiration. The processes her organisation has developed for bringing together fragmented communities have now been picked up as a model for regeneneration and renewal across the globe, including projects in Scotland.

Bob Holman is a retired professor of social policy, community worker, anti-poverty campaigner and grandparent. He too, gave up a career - his in academia - to devote his time to community projects - living and working within the community he was helping. Holman is best-known for setting up successful grassroots schemes in two neglected communities; the Southdown estate in Bath (for 11 years), and later, in 1987, he moved to Glasgow's Easterhouse, where he helped to establish FARE - Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse.

Darren McGarvey aka LOKI is Glasgow's best known rapper, whose songs deal unflinchingly with the realities of life in Glasgow. He grew up in Pollock, has been involved in community groups since his teens, teaches children to rap, worked his way out of supported accommodation, and is determined to make us all remember that "every ned is a human being, with a heart and a soul and a story".

Join Janice and her guests for a glass of wine and a discussion about the importance of community and a dream of "a world in which nothing and no-one is wasted".

The evening will consist of interviews and discussion with the guests followed by audience questions, with drinks from 6pm, recording starting at 7pm.

The programme will be broadcast at 1.15 pm on Wednesday 2nd April on BBC Radio Scotland.

Please mail to: quayconversations@bbc.co.uk if you would like to come along.

In addition, if you have a question you'd love to put to Bliss, Bob and Darren please let us know.

Cherry and Heather - Cessnock

Cherry and Heather Fine Foods opened around a year a go on North Gower Street, in Cessnock. I've been in several times, but mostly to buy ingredients or cakes for my parents coming to visit. Today I went in and tried their vegetarian sushi box, now I love sushi.....But I can't face getting sushi from the supermarket and even M&S sushi is below par. But this was fantastic, fresh and tasty and only £1.95 for a box. Cherry and Heather is a fantastic little deli/cafe selling vegitarian sushi, noodles and freshly made sandwiches on ciabatta bread click here to view their menu. They also have a great selection of cakes, teas and coffees. There is limited seating but it can comfortable sit a few people and in the summer they have seating outside.
It's not only a great deli/cafe it also has shelves full of continental and East Asian dry foods. So if you're into cooking or just like the finer things in life, then this could be the place for you.
It's open Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm

Walmer Crescent Association - Cessnock

The Walmer Crescent Association, founded in 2004, is a great example of what happens when people get together with a common objective. The Association aim is to protect and improve the conservation area and the grade A listed building and enhance the area around the Crescent.
Last year the residents and other Cessnock locals got together on the first Saturday of every month to have a clean up around the listed building....now the litter level is much better and also, the council cleansing guys have got better a cleaning up since they realised that the local residents were being proactive.

The Walmer Cresent Association next meeting is on the 14th of November at the Doctor' surgery waiting room. The association is not just for residents of Walmer Crescent but for anyone interested in the improvement of the Alexander 'Greek' Thomson building and the general Cessnock area.
Membership of the Association is five pounds but you don't need to be a member to go along to meetings and help out at any events.

e-mail : info@walmercrescent.org for more details and for more info on the Crescent and Alexander 'Greek' Thomson click here

We are all in the gutter . . .

. . . but some of us, are doing a fantastic course in astronomy at the Planetarium.

Me and my flatmate are doing a five week course, "The Winter Night Sky" organised through Glasgow University's Adult Learning scheme. Last night was the first night and it was really enjoyable. Playing to a packed house of 110 happy spectators, our guide Steve Owens (Head of the Planetarium) was extremely interesting and infectiously enthusiastic. His passion for the subject was very evident and he offered to answer questions from the audience before the class, during the class, at the break, after the class or by via email between classes happily handing out his email address to everyone. I hope for his sake we don't all start emailing in with questions immediately.

If you've never been to the planetarium you really should give it a go. You lie back in large comfy chairs, looking up at the huge white dome ceiling. As the lights dim, the ceiling appears to vanish and a spectacular vista of stars hangs all around you in a crystal clear precision that sadly we don't see very often in real life. When the stars first began to sparkle above us and the milky way revealed itself, there was an audible wow from the audience and as I looked about the room, everyone had big grins on their faces like little kids.

As I mentioned above the lecture itself was excellent, covering a simple introduction to astronomy and pointing out some of the more well known constellations - Orion, the plough etc. Steve then explained about the changes that you can see in the sky, from the passage of the sun and planets, to the waxing of the moon. As he talked people shouted out questions and we would shoot off into intriguing tangents but always returning to the main topic. Sadly, if you think this all sounds like fun, I'm afraid this particular course is fully booked, but I'd recommend contacting the Science Centre and finding out about any other classes that are on.

While you can attend the planetarium during a visit to the Science Centre - the day time talks are aimed at kids and though you will get the wow factor of just seeing the dome in work, the shows only last 30 mins, which just isn't long enough to take it all in, so a longer course is best.

If you don't feel like committing to a full 5 or 10 week class however, there are also monthly lectures on the last Thursday of the month. The next one therefore is on Thursday the 25th at 7pm. Booking is essential so call 0871 540 1000. Tickets are £4.95.

Robots in disguise

On Thursday I dragged Ann along to the Imax, at Pacfic Quay to see the new Transformers movie on the big, big screen.
To begin with I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't in 3D but it turned out to be a blessing, as we would have left with a serious headache otherwise.

While I did enjoy the film, it does suffer from an overuse of the cgi camera. Directors can now use computers to achieve pretty much any shot they want, no angle or camera movement is out of bounds. But just because they can make the camera do a 360 spin, shoot up the side of a building, through an explosion and then fall to the earth doesn't mean they should.

The second half of the film is told almost entirely through this ever moving camera, which constantly flies up, over or around the Transformers, who themselves are made of thousands of constantly moving parts.

I find that the constant movement while effective in moderation during fight sequences does have quite a distancing effect. I think subconsciously the brain knows that the movement the camera is going through is not actually physically possible and it draws your attention to the fact you are watching a film. While this can be used intentionally to a directors advantage for example the sectional pans in David Fincher's Fight Club it is just off putting in your average blockbuster where its sole use is to be flashy and show off.

In saying all that, it is a film about giant alien robots coming to earth to have a big fight so I probably am being a bit harsh. Don't go looking for high art, go looking for popcorntastic big old robotic fights, a bit of humour and some high speeding chases. The first half of the film is good fun, with our young hero first coming into contact with the big robots to humorous effect and showing off the bad guys at their genuinely menacing best.

The last hour or so however all gets a bit busy for its own good, with a huge raft of characters introduced for not much reason and with the bad guys lacking the killer punch they displayed at the beginning of the film.

At £8 its a bit pricey but the film does show off the Imax massive screen to good effect and I think it is probably worth the cost.
Harry Potter 5 is also still on in selected showings with the last half an hour a full 3D spectacular. Ann is keen we go see that while its still on. The Imax website has info on times and dates for these two films along with their regular short film format which gives you the Imax experience at a cheaper price.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

One thing I miss about living in rural Scotland, is being able to see the stars on a cold winter night. However the Glasgow Science Centre is running a 'Winter Night Skies Evening Class' so maybe this will suffice.

The course is due to start on the 22nd October 2007, costs £48 and covers astronomy basics by exploring the winters night sky in the Science centres planetarium. If your interested in going along you can call them on 0141 330 1835/1860

If your an astronomy fan but don't fancy joining the evening class, there is also 'The tale of how modern astronomy began' a talk by Stuart Clark on the 4th of October at 7pm. Tickets are £4.50

call 0141 330 1835/1860 to book.

A bit of colour down the Clyde - 'Poised Array'

I went over to the BBC Scotland Building after work tonight to have a look at the new public art piece by Toby Patterson. The piece cost the BBC £350,000 and is seemingly the most expensive piece of public art ever commissioned in Glasgow.

With a superstructure made from steel cast in Grangemouth, and its multi-coloured shapes also made, from glass fibre reinforced plastic plywood, in Scotland, the work, Paterson said, was intended to hint at the manufacturing history of the Pacific Quay site.

The 25 coloured shapes are based on portions of the Ordnance Survey map of Scotland. Paterson said: "I spent a while looking at maps, and the shapes are taken from them. It represents the topography of Scotland a wide range of different areas. I am not saying which shape is where - there is town and country, Highlands and islands."

I like the piece, I think we should have more public art in Glasgow, especially around the river. However the piece does appear quite isolated, that may be because the whole area around the BBC building is lacking life. There is nothing there to encourage people to use the space, but hopefully that will change.

The piece is entitled 'Poised Array' but Patterson is hoping that the Glasgow public give it a nickname....any ideas

Links: the herald

Science Centre

I've got some family over from Canada at the moment and so we decided to do something touristy and took them along to the Science Centre at Pacific Quay/ Cessnock on Monday.

It was absolutely hoaching with people - there were millions of kids just running around, playing with all the different exhibits, giggling, screaming and generally having a great time.

From previous visit I knew that the exhibits are mainly aimed at kids, but there is enough going on to keep the big people occupied too. There are hundreds of different little stands, covering all aspects of science - from light refraction and prisms, to motor power/ pendulums and pistons, to biology and the inner working of the human body. Each is explained through a simple working model/ test/ game or experiment and a short card explaining the principles. I got the feeling that kids were more interested in playing the games and moving on as fast as possible and not so bothered about hanging around to understand what it was all about. Kids probably get more out of it if some of the principles have been discussed before they get there.

While most of the Centre seems to stay the same, there are enough changing pieces to make return visits worthwhile - not sure if the changing of items is due to design or due to over enthusiastic kids puling to hard. My favourite thing - as was the case on my previous trips - was the reaction wall - a wall covered in little white dots which light up randomly. The time it takes for you to hit a sequence of these is recorded and you can add you time to a long list on the wall. (I got 2.17secs this time - not my best, but there was a large line of kids waiting for a shot so I couldn't practise for long.) We then took a break to get some food - the last time I was there they had a really nice wee cafe. Not sure if they were having problems yesterday - but there was next to no food and hardly any staff serving. We ended up with some rubbishy wee pies and some crisps. Quite disapointing when there are large images of fresh sandwhichs and piping hot soup hanging up all over the place and pretty unhealthy - given we'd just learned about eating rubbish in the biology exhibit upstairs.

One new exhibit - which I didn't manage to get a shot of - was the brain power machine. You and an opponent sit at opposite ends of a table with headbands on which run to a small machine and which in turn are connected to a glass tube, fixed to the table. In the tube is a a ball and the idea is that you try and enter a calm, meditative like state which then forces the ball into the other players goal and you win. looked like good fun and I might have to go back another time to check it out.

We missed out on the brain machine as we had tickets for the planetarium show - which was brill and well worth the extra £2. It is a bit short and is aimed at the kids - with some audience partition required in the form of oohing, aahing and pretending to blow away the clouds. The effect however is amazing and you really do feel like you are lying back looking up at a glorious, clear, star filled sky. Not sure if they run any other kinds of talks - maybe aimed at older kids/ grown ups, or if they run specific talks that you can go to without having reattend the rest of the centre, but if they don't, then they should.

We also didn't make it to any of the free, workshops/ talks or experiment which take place throughout the day in the various lecture theatres, lab rooms - these too look like fun and allow the kids to dress up in lab coats and play about with some experiments. Actually when I think about it, despite being there for three hours we hardly scratched the surface of the place - not only did we not do the above, we also didn't go to the upper floor or manage to go to the Imax or even go up the tower. A second trip is in order.

Science Centre - whats on and directions

River festival photos

Well we made it down to the River Festival at Pacific Quay on Sunday - just as the glorious sunshine of Sunday morning disappeared.

SECC with a mass of people milling around not sure what to try out next. We were amazed at how mobbed it was - even in the middle of the afternoon on the second day. Looks like it was a great success.

The two main zones were were, on the south, the Science Centre and the BBC and on the north - the Crowne Plaza hotel and SECC - though the Science Centre was the main area for most of the shows.

It you are a fan of boats or boating - (which Glasgow being the home of the shipbuilders there must be a few) then the River Festival was the place to be. Even if you are not a fan of boats though there was plenty to see - lots of fair ground rides and stalls, lots of wee places to have food - tents with music, a giant inflatable loaf of bread for kids to play in and the farmers market at the south rotunda.

We sadly didn't actually have a shot on anything - but we did watch a lot of smiling faces zooming about on the river in speed boats, saw a some crazy zap kat boat racing and watch a queues of people wandered on around and off a vast array of boats - from still serving navy ships to old riggers. Now I'm not a big fan of ships ( I get travel sick on the bus into town sometimes) but I did enjoy seeing the Vital spark and a miniature puffer moored up beside. They are the kind of ships I imagine when I think of the Clyde - with black billowing smoke and short, sharp toots and whistles to passersby.

One very interesting thing we learned - was that the high speed tours of the Clyde by Seaforce are actually an all year round event - and you can sign up to 1 hour or 5 hour tours of the river. That sounds like fun and we will definitely try it out soon. (We kind of think the Clyde is part of the Southside.)

The fat captain of the Vital Spark slugs down a Guinness.

In the navy - There was also a still serving navy ship on display - there was a also a stand where you could sign up and join them. It made me think that times have changed a fair bit - and I imagined the scene a few hundred years ago - with sailors from the navy wandering the crowds and just grabbing people that looked navy material and just press ganging them onto the ship. ( I wonder how many of the tour visitors - didn't actually make it back off on Sunday.

The Squinty bridge - at 5:30 a ton of sponsored yellow ducks were to be dropped from the Finneston Crane - with the first past the bridge the winner. It had started to rain by that point so we'd done a bunk.

The River Festival - now in its third year looks to be going from strength to strength and next year we'll have to try and make it down a bit earlier and actually try out some of the fun on offer.

Puffers on the Clyde

I've been meaning to go to the River festival the last couple of years, this year my wee nephew might be visiting, so I am definitely going to take a wander over with him. It's taking place fair weekend, the 14th and 15th of July, between the science centre and the squinty bridge.

There seems to be lots going on and it's free. I am rather looking forward to seeing the old puffers and since the entry to the tall ship is free, during the festival, I might have a look around, I always pass it and think I should go.

On the sunday they are having a duck race for charity, they'll release a thousand ducks into the clyde, from the squinty bridge, and they'll race against a bright yellow car...brilliant. Maybe SSH should sponsor one.

Here's the programme of events, lets hope for sunshine.

EDIT: Click here to see our photos from the festival

3D Harry Potter at the imax

I've been meaning to read the Harry Potter books for along time. Two weeks ago I borrowed the first book from my niece Gemma, and read it in three days. I really enjoyed it , so much so that last night I started the fourth book [yes I am a fast reader and yes I am slightly addicted]

Today I noticed that the the Imax Theatre are showing The Order of the Phoenix' in 3D, from the 13th of July.

I think I'll be purchasing some tickets for that...though I'll have to finish the fourth and fifth books before then.

http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/harrypotter5.aspx

Trying to be the 'favourite aunty'

I have my two little nephew’s coming to visit me this weekend. I am hoping the weather improves, it’s not great today, but Metcheck say’s it’s going to rain and unfortunately they’re normally right.

If it’s sunny I thought I could take them to Queens Park for a taster sailing course at the pond, and bring some bread for the ducks. Then we could have a quick look around the reptile house [I’ve never been before] and then a game of lawn bowls, at the council greens. Perhaps we could help Alburt in his quest to find the best café in the Southside and try out Queen’s café’s ice cream.

If it rains, then it could be a day to visit the Imax [seemingly they’re showing Harry Potter] and the Science Centre. I’ve been a couple of times now, the last time we were there, we sat in on a paper aeroplane making class, it was fun.

Or maybe I'll just have to learn and like playing the playstation....

Yoga - Downward Dog

I was once a committed Yoga practitioner, practicing at least three to four times a week. I’ve lost my way over the last few years but I am now on a mission to get back into it. I’ve always struggled to find a yoga class I enjoy here in Glasgow. While looking on the net I came across Divya Yoga Scotland, a charity committed to bringing free yoga classes to Glasgow, to improve the health of the Scottish population. Classes are held every night at 6 o clock in Kinning Park and they’re FREE, so I thought I might check them out.

I took Nicole along with me, who unintentionally has become part of SSH. Everyone at the class was really friendly and helpful. The class runs from Monday to Friday so ideally you should go to every class, and not as we did and join half way through. The teacher and fellow yoga goers looked after Nicole and myself, and made sure we knew what we were suppose to do.

If you’re use to yoga classes at your local sports centre, you’ll find this class quite different. The focus is predominantly on the breath [Pranayama]. So during the class we practised seven different breathing techniques, some specifically concentrating on the breath and others, combined with yoga positions. I found one of the breathing techniques quite difficult, but the attitude in the class was just to take a break, if you need one, so I did.

There is a wide range of ages and cultures at the class, everyone was very friendly, and the class itself was quite light hearted. The class does focus on healthy eating, and I found it a little distracting when the teacher discussed this during the class. The class might not appeal to everyone, but I’d recommend you go and try it at least once. I am reserving judgement until I’ve been a few more times, but I have to admit I felt really good after the class.

http://divyayogascotland.org.uk/