Update

It’s been another busy period with lots to do and seemingly less time to fit it all in. Since my last post here just some of what I’ve been up to

13^th June – Spent the day in Edinburgh at a CIPFA training course learning all about local government finance, yes it was as exciting as it sounds!

14^th of June – Set off as part of a small SNP convoy of cars from Glasgow for the 30 miles trip west to Faslane. I’ve been to Faslane on a number of occasions for the standard blockading of the main gates of the base, this time it was something a bit different. After a march from the peace camp the hundreds in attendance linked arms and home made chains around the 2000 meter fence of the base, it was a tremendous site.

15^th of June – Sunday was not to be a day of rest, I joined fellow YSI members in Airdrie leafleting for independence

16^th of June – This was a day full of meetings dealing with ward issues, including a group of local residents who have been at war with the GHA due to the sub standard level of refurbishment work at there tenements. Hopefully we’re now starting to get somewhere and the problems are being repaired.

17^th of June – The highlight of the day was attending Strathclyde Youth Awards of Merit for the second year in a row (phots from last year) to present awards to many well deserving young people and youth group leaders from across the Strathclyde region. It’s always a great privilege to Bailie at events like that and recognises the outstanding achievements of ordinary people.

18^th of June – I put my CIPFA training to good use at the Finance Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.

Later on I attended the Thorntree Primary School Showcase; it was an impressive show much better that the stuff that passes for talent on certain TV shows.

19^th of June – More meetings in the chambers and in the ward, including a fairly heated residents association, some residents got a bit upset over what was a rather trivial matter.

Afterwards I joined Tartan Hero and others in George Square at an event organised by Positive Action in Housing to highlight the problem of asylum seekers who have become destitute. Volunteers would be sleeping out in the Square to raise awareness of the asylum seekers who are being forced to sleep rough on our streets rather than being sent back to the country they fled. It was a humbling ending to the evening and put the small problems at the residents association into perspective.

20^th of June – The office week ended with a Culture and Sport organised tour of their managed facilities in the east end of the city, it was an entertaining and education visit. Stops on the tour included the brilliant People’s Palace, the impressive sporting facilities on offer at Glasgow Green football centre and Tollcross leisure centre, I even got to try out the new range of Power Plates, a new machine that gives you maximum impact with minimal effort, that’s my kind of excersie.

We also had a look at the site of the new national indoor arena and velodrome for the Commonwealth Games and ended with a visit to the Bridge at Easterhouse a community hub with a difference linking the local college, library, theater, recording studios, community space, and swimming pool together in a modern and superbly designed environment.

Looking ahead tomorrow is one of the highlights of the nationalist year, the annual Bannockburn march and rally. It gives us an opportunity to remember one of the most defining moments in Scotland’s history. It’s always an event I look forward to, let’s just hope for sunshine.