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For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
Dear friends of Scottish Studies,
This year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and if you are in the Toronto/Guelph area in September we would love to see you at the following upcoming events:
Friday, September 2: The next "Oor Club" talk will be on September 2 and will feature a talk by former Scottish Studies Foundation Director Douglas Gibson who will introduce us to his recently published book "Across Canada by Story." The book brings new stories about Robertson Davies, Jack Hodgins, W.O. Mitchell, Alistair MacLeod, and Alice Munro, and adds lively portraits of Al Purdy, Marshall McLuhan, Margaret Laurence, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Margaret Atwood, Wayne Johnston, Linwood Barclay, Michael Ondaatje, and many others. Details here: http://www.scottishstudies.com/920oorclub.htm
Sunday, September 4: Our Annual Tall Ship Cruise will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2016 (Labour Day Weekend) on the "Empire Sandy," Canada's tallest sailing ship, when we commemorate the arrival of the Scots pioneers in Pictou, Nova Scotia, back in 1773 on board the old ship Hector.
Entertainment will include Celtic band "Mystic Fyre," Highland dancers from the Bold Steps Dance Studio and piper Rory Sinclair. The CNE's spectacular Air Show is also on that day — an added bonus!
Tickets purchased in advance are $30 for adults and $5 for children (15 and under). Tickets purchased on day of sail: $35 adults, $8 children. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board the ship. Details are on our website www.scottishstudies.com or you can contact Heather Bridge at 416-902-7872, or by email at heather.bridgeconsulting@gmail.com
I might add that I went on this ship back in 2006 and you can see some pictures at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/ssf/..._sandy2006.htm
Saturday, September 17: The Scottish Studies Fall Colloquium will take place on Saturday, September 17 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Guelph (Robert Whitelaw Room, 2nd floor, McLaughlin Library). This event will pay tribute to the Foundation and we are delighted to have Professor Emeritus Ted Cowan of the University of Glasgow on hand to deliver the Jill McKenzie Memorial Lecture. Ted was professor of Scottish Studies at Guelph from 1979 to 1993 and inspired our early volunteers to establish a Chair of Scottish Studies there. Professor Cowan will be joined by Dr. Graeme Morton from Dundee University where he is Chair of Modern History; Dr. Elizabeth Ewan, who is University Research Chair and Professor of Medieval and Early Modern Scottish History at the University of Guelph; Dr. James Fraser, Scottish Studies Foundation Chair at the University of Guelph; and Dr. Katie McCullough, Director of the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University. More information here: http://www.scottishstudies.com/520-f...quium-2016.htm
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry World Tour: Following exhibitions in Victoria, Winnipeg and Wisconsin this summer, the Tapestry will continue on its North American journey and between now and December will be on display in Toronto, Charlottetown, New Glasgow NS and Montreal. The Scarborough Exhibition of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry will be at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 115 St. Andrew’s Road, Scarborough, Ontario: Monday, September 19 to Saturday, October 1, 2016. Weekdays: Noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 24/16: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 25: 2 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday Oct. 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Best wishes to you all.
David Hunter
President
Scottish Studies Foundation
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines. I might also add that in newspapers such as the Guardian, Scotsman, Courier, etc. you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish.
GERS - Good News for Scotland
Despite some of the headlines that followed, they were great news for Scotland.
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...-scotland.html
Polish migrants
Overtake Indians as most common overseas nationality in the UK
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/poli...e-uk-1-4213158
Riders take part in 20th Thunder in the Glens
Bikers have been taking part in one of Europe's largest annual gatherings of Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts in the Highlands.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...lands-37194250
Brexit: A tough to-do list for Whitehall
Voting to take the UK out of the European Union was the easy bit. Now time for the hard graft.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-37190357
World first for Shetlands in tidal power breakthrough
Nova Innovation deploys first fully operational array of tidal power turbines in the Bluemull Sound
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...r-breakthrough
Income tax may double for Scots after independence
The chronic state of Scotland’s public finances could be enough to double income tax bills after independence
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...rown-1-4216025
In for a penny, not for the pound
It is now acknowledged by independence campaigners that it should be re-thought. Even if it was the right policy, it left the campaign exposed.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37220135
Scotland's six best fish and chip shops revealed
THE Scottish shortlist will be narrowed down to compete for the regional and national title in the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards
Read more at:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifesty...h-chip-8556874
Scotland’s electoral map set to be redrawn
Four-fifths of Scottish constituencies will be affected by a review of parliamentary boundaries, according to a new analysis.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...rawn-1-4216191
Economic reality bites for Nicola Sturgeon
Case for independence within Europe rests on a contradiction in terms, writes Scott Macnab
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...geon-1-4216946
Tories hold 14-point lead over Labour in latest poll
CONSERVATIVES enjoyed a 14-point lead over Labour in a poll released as Theresa May chaired her first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...poll-1-4217631
Response to Prof Hughes Hallett Letter to the FT
The following letter from Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett appeared in today's FT
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...tt-letter.html
The Judges Judged
Media reporting of the routine work of Scotland’s busiest criminal courts the courts in our two largest cities is so desperately poor
Read more at:
http://www.scottishreview.net/KennethRoy76a.html
Herding Scotland's sheep back into the profitable pen
Here's a job with a difference - an ambassador for Scotland's sheep.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37244883
Why Sturgeon no longer has my backing over Brexit
Where once they stood side by side over Britain s exit from Europe, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon are now far apart
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...exit-1-4218100
Labour and Lib Dems will not support moves for second independence referendum
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have confirmed they will not support Scottish Government proposals for a second independence referendum in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Read more at:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...ce-referendum/
Pound jumps as UK manufacturing activity rebounds
The value of the pound has jumped after a survey indicated the UK's manufacturing sector rebounded sharply in August.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37242804
Electric Canadian
The Military Institute of Windsor
Communique - their July-August 2016 newsletter (pdf) which you might enjoy reading at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ly-Aug2016.pdf
Electric Scotland
Dollar Academy
This is my old Boarding School where I spent 7 years of my life and so thought I'd add a couple of YouTube videos I found. Scroll around half way down my page to find them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...e_alastair.htm
MacPherson, Burns, and Scott in their Relation to the Modern Revolution
An interesting article which I've added to our Robert Burns page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/burn...buns_scott.pdf
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 1 of the September 2016 edition which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Ornithological Reminiscences
By Shirley
I AM writing in Scotland, but you would hardly believe, if you had come here under cloud of night, that only a few meadows lie between us and a great city with its two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. Such utter seclusion as we enjoy within ear-shot of the roar of a mighty multitude is impossible in any other country. But Scotland has deep ravines and wooded hollows and ivied nooks where yon may hide yourself quietly out of the way at any moment, and listen to the murmur of the burns and the spring chorus of the woodland. It is no wonder that such a land should abound in botanists and bird-fanciers, that it should turn out poets and poachers, and should form a standard dish at every general election.
You can read this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/ornithol.pdf
The History of Galashiels
Added a couple of books to our Galashiels page in our Gazetteer which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vol3page66.htm
Scottish Railways
Added a new video about the Flying Scotsman and also a report on the Caledonian Railway which you can get to at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../industry5.htm
The Culdee Church
The Historical Connection of Modern Presbyterian Churches with those of Apostolic Times, through The Church of Scotland by Rev. T. V. Moore, D. D.
On the western coast of Scotland, near the bold juttings of the Ross of Mull, lies a little inland, only two and one-half miles long, by one and one-half broad, with but a few hundred acres of arable land, and nothing in its scenery or position to arrest the attention of the traveller. And yet of that bleak islet, Dr. Johnson, who never spake anyhing good of Scotland that he could avoid, was constrained to write, "That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain force on the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of lona!/"
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/bible/culdeechurch.pdf
The Terrible Parish
Got in some pictures of the famous bell which has been repainted by the local beadle and his son.
You can see these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter19.htm
General View of the Agriculture of the Counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk
By The Rev. Robert Douglas D. D. (1798)
This is one of those books where the s is replaced by an f which usually means it makes it a little challenging to read. However it is an excellent account of agriculture in this area and so have made it available for you to read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/agri...lkirkagric.pdf
The Border Magazine
An Illustrated Monthly devoted to Border Biography, History, Literature and Folklore. Found 5 volumes which I've made available for you to read.
I actually read around half of just one volume and found so much information that I had to stop or I wouldn't have got any other work done. I will be reading through all these volumes and am already finding reference to some excellent books that I will be bringing you. I will be hunting for the other volumes as they are a magnificent resource on the Borders of Scotland where most of the Scots-Irish had their roots.
You can read these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...r_magazine.htm
The Story
Sturgeon's Backyard
Thursday 25 August by Walter Humes from the Scottish Review.
The early evening news on BBC Scotland has been featuring reports on Govanhill on the south side of Glasgow. A source of concern for some years, the area has attracted adverse publicity with accounts of extreme poverty, poor housing, exploitative landlords, environmental pollution and street crime.
On the programme we heard of migrants working for less than the minimum wage and scavenging in refuse bins for food: it was also said that some were responsible for thefts of clothing from charity containers. The coverage included more positive aspects: well-attended language classes for adults and a vibrant musical culture involving many of the newcomers. Some long-standing residents, clearly committed to the area, said that it was unfair to paint an entirely negative picture. The campaigning work of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust received a favourable mention. A common view that the large Roma population was responsible for many of problems was challenged by pointing out that 42 different languages are spoken in Govanhill.
Viewers also heard from a lawyer and several charity workers who were clearly trying hard to improve the circumstances of the residents.
There were, however, some interesting omissions from the reports. Years of neglect and policy failure by central and local government have contributed to the present problems. Govanhill is part of Nicola Sturgeon’s constituency and it would have been interesting to hear her defend her record in responding to residents’ representations over several years. Similarly, the local councillor could have been asked why de-registered landlords were still being allowed to operate in the locality. One person we did hear from was the area commander of Police Scotland. On the BBC website he was reported as saying that the area did not merit its bad reputation. However, Ms Sturgeon, Glasgow City Council and the police all have a vested interest in claiming that things are not as desperate as some observers maintain: their positions should have been subject to much sharper critical scrutiny.
I know people who were brought up in Govanhill, at a time when it was a thriving community for the aspiring working class. Whenever they return there, they are deeply depressed by what they see. I also know a crime writer who set one of her novels in the area. She did a lot of research and gained valuable insights from people who live and work there, and who accompanied her on her visits. She is a strong woman, not easily intimidated. But she confessed that her experience led her to the conclusion that she would not be comfortable walking alone in the streets of Govanhill, even during daylight. I would be inclined to attach more weight to that comment than to those of politicians and officials who are keen to cover their backs.
END
There is additional information on our index page about the "History of the Gipsies" By James Simson (1866) which you can read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...sies/index.htm
You might also like to listen to "The Call of the Corncrake", Mary Maclean's evocation of island life read by Fiona MacDonald at http://www.scottishreview.net/Fiona2%202.mp3
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Electric Scotland News
Dear friends of Scottish Studies,
This year we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and if you are in the Toronto/Guelph area in September we would love to see you at the following upcoming events:
Friday, September 2: The next "Oor Club" talk will be on September 2 and will feature a talk by former Scottish Studies Foundation Director Douglas Gibson who will introduce us to his recently published book "Across Canada by Story." The book brings new stories about Robertson Davies, Jack Hodgins, W.O. Mitchell, Alistair MacLeod, and Alice Munro, and adds lively portraits of Al Purdy, Marshall McLuhan, Margaret Laurence, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Margaret Atwood, Wayne Johnston, Linwood Barclay, Michael Ondaatje, and many others. Details here: http://www.scottishstudies.com/920oorclub.htm
Sunday, September 4: Our Annual Tall Ship Cruise will take place on Sunday, September 4, 2016 (Labour Day Weekend) on the "Empire Sandy," Canada's tallest sailing ship, when we commemorate the arrival of the Scots pioneers in Pictou, Nova Scotia, back in 1773 on board the old ship Hector.
Entertainment will include Celtic band "Mystic Fyre," Highland dancers from the Bold Steps Dance Studio and piper Rory Sinclair. The CNE's spectacular Air Show is also on that day — an added bonus!
Tickets purchased in advance are $30 for adults and $5 for children (15 and under). Tickets purchased on day of sail: $35 adults, $8 children. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board the ship. Details are on our website www.scottishstudies.com or you can contact Heather Bridge at 416-902-7872, or by email at heather.bridgeconsulting@gmail.com
I might add that I went on this ship back in 2006 and you can see some pictures at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/ssf/..._sandy2006.htm
Saturday, September 17: The Scottish Studies Fall Colloquium will take place on Saturday, September 17 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the University of Guelph (Robert Whitelaw Room, 2nd floor, McLaughlin Library). This event will pay tribute to the Foundation and we are delighted to have Professor Emeritus Ted Cowan of the University of Glasgow on hand to deliver the Jill McKenzie Memorial Lecture. Ted was professor of Scottish Studies at Guelph from 1979 to 1993 and inspired our early volunteers to establish a Chair of Scottish Studies there. Professor Cowan will be joined by Dr. Graeme Morton from Dundee University where he is Chair of Modern History; Dr. Elizabeth Ewan, who is University Research Chair and Professor of Medieval and Early Modern Scottish History at the University of Guelph; Dr. James Fraser, Scottish Studies Foundation Chair at the University of Guelph; and Dr. Katie McCullough, Director of the Centre for Scottish Studies at Simon Fraser University. More information here: http://www.scottishstudies.com/520-f...quium-2016.htm
Scottish Diaspora Tapestry World Tour: Following exhibitions in Victoria, Winnipeg and Wisconsin this summer, the Tapestry will continue on its North American journey and between now and December will be on display in Toronto, Charlottetown, New Glasgow NS and Montreal. The Scarborough Exhibition of the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry will be at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 115 St. Andrew’s Road, Scarborough, Ontario: Monday, September 19 to Saturday, October 1, 2016. Weekdays: Noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, September 24/16: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 25: 2 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday Oct. 1: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Best wishes to you all.
David Hunter
President
Scottish Studies Foundation
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines. I might also add that in newspapers such as the Guardian, Scotsman, Courier, etc. you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish.
GERS - Good News for Scotland
Despite some of the headlines that followed, they were great news for Scotland.
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...-scotland.html
Polish migrants
Overtake Indians as most common overseas nationality in the UK
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/poli...e-uk-1-4213158
Riders take part in 20th Thunder in the Glens
Bikers have been taking part in one of Europe's largest annual gatherings of Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts in the Highlands.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-...lands-37194250
Brexit: A tough to-do list for Whitehall
Voting to take the UK out of the European Union was the easy bit. Now time for the hard graft.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-37190357
World first for Shetlands in tidal power breakthrough
Nova Innovation deploys first fully operational array of tidal power turbines in the Bluemull Sound
Read more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/environm...r-breakthrough
Income tax may double for Scots after independence
The chronic state of Scotland’s public finances could be enough to double income tax bills after independence
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...rown-1-4216025
In for a penny, not for the pound
It is now acknowledged by independence campaigners that it should be re-thought. Even if it was the right policy, it left the campaign exposed.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37220135
Scotland's six best fish and chip shops revealed
THE Scottish shortlist will be narrowed down to compete for the regional and national title in the 2017 National Fish & Chip Awards
Read more at:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifesty...h-chip-8556874
Scotland’s electoral map set to be redrawn
Four-fifths of Scottish constituencies will be affected by a review of parliamentary boundaries, according to a new analysis.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/scotlan...rawn-1-4216191
Economic reality bites for Nicola Sturgeon
Case for independence within Europe rests on a contradiction in terms, writes Scott Macnab
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...geon-1-4216946
Tories hold 14-point lead over Labour in latest poll
CONSERVATIVES enjoyed a 14-point lead over Labour in a poll released as Theresa May chaired her first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess.
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politic...poll-1-4217631
Response to Prof Hughes Hallett Letter to the FT
The following letter from Professor Andrew Hughes Hallett appeared in today's FT
Read more at:
http://chokkablog.blogspot.ca/2016/0...tt-letter.html
The Judges Judged
Media reporting of the routine work of Scotland’s busiest criminal courts the courts in our two largest cities is so desperately poor
Read more at:
http://www.scottishreview.net/KennethRoy76a.html
Herding Scotland's sheep back into the profitable pen
Here's a job with a difference - an ambassador for Scotland's sheep.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-37244883
Why Sturgeon no longer has my backing over Brexit
Where once they stood side by side over Britain s exit from Europe, Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon are now far apart
Read more at:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion...exit-1-4218100
Labour and Lib Dems will not support moves for second independence referendum
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have confirmed they will not support Scottish Government proposals for a second independence referendum in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Read more at:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...ce-referendum/
Pound jumps as UK manufacturing activity rebounds
The value of the pound has jumped after a survey indicated the UK's manufacturing sector rebounded sharply in August.
Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-37242804
Electric Canadian
The Military Institute of Windsor
Communique - their July-August 2016 newsletter (pdf) which you might enjoy reading at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...ly-Aug2016.pdf
Electric Scotland
Dollar Academy
This is my old Boarding School where I spent 7 years of my life and so thought I'd add a couple of YouTube videos I found. Scroll around half way down my page to find them at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...e_alastair.htm
MacPherson, Burns, and Scott in their Relation to the Modern Revolution
An interesting article which I've added to our Robert Burns page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/burn...buns_scott.pdf
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Got in Section 1 of the September 2016 edition which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Ornithological Reminiscences
By Shirley
I AM writing in Scotland, but you would hardly believe, if you had come here under cloud of night, that only a few meadows lie between us and a great city with its two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. Such utter seclusion as we enjoy within ear-shot of the roar of a mighty multitude is impossible in any other country. But Scotland has deep ravines and wooded hollows and ivied nooks where yon may hide yourself quietly out of the way at any moment, and listen to the murmur of the burns and the spring chorus of the woodland. It is no wonder that such a land should abound in botanists and bird-fanciers, that it should turn out poets and poachers, and should form a standard dish at every general election.
You can read this at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s/ornithol.pdf
The History of Galashiels
Added a couple of books to our Galashiels page in our Gazetteer which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...vol3page66.htm
Scottish Railways
Added a new video about the Flying Scotsman and also a report on the Caledonian Railway which you can get to at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../industry5.htm
The Culdee Church
The Historical Connection of Modern Presbyterian Churches with those of Apostolic Times, through The Church of Scotland by Rev. T. V. Moore, D. D.
On the western coast of Scotland, near the bold juttings of the Ross of Mull, lies a little inland, only two and one-half miles long, by one and one-half broad, with but a few hundred acres of arable land, and nothing in its scenery or position to arrest the attention of the traveller. And yet of that bleak islet, Dr. Johnson, who never spake anyhing good of Scotland that he could avoid, was constrained to write, "That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain force on the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of lona!/"
You can read this book at: http://www.electricscotland.com/bible/culdeechurch.pdf
The Terrible Parish
Got in some pictures of the famous bell which has been repainted by the local beadle and his son.
You can see these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist.../chapter19.htm
General View of the Agriculture of the Counties of Roxburgh and Selkirk
By The Rev. Robert Douglas D. D. (1798)
This is one of those books where the s is replaced by an f which usually means it makes it a little challenging to read. However it is an excellent account of agriculture in this area and so have made it available for you to read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/agri...lkirkagric.pdf
The Border Magazine
An Illustrated Monthly devoted to Border Biography, History, Literature and Folklore. Found 5 volumes which I've made available for you to read.
I actually read around half of just one volume and found so much information that I had to stop or I wouldn't have got any other work done. I will be reading through all these volumes and am already finding reference to some excellent books that I will be bringing you. I will be hunting for the other volumes as they are a magnificent resource on the Borders of Scotland where most of the Scots-Irish had their roots.
You can read these at: http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...r_magazine.htm
The Story
Sturgeon's Backyard
Thursday 25 August by Walter Humes from the Scottish Review.
The early evening news on BBC Scotland has been featuring reports on Govanhill on the south side of Glasgow. A source of concern for some years, the area has attracted adverse publicity with accounts of extreme poverty, poor housing, exploitative landlords, environmental pollution and street crime.
On the programme we heard of migrants working for less than the minimum wage and scavenging in refuse bins for food: it was also said that some were responsible for thefts of clothing from charity containers. The coverage included more positive aspects: well-attended language classes for adults and a vibrant musical culture involving many of the newcomers. Some long-standing residents, clearly committed to the area, said that it was unfair to paint an entirely negative picture. The campaigning work of the Govanhill Baths Community Trust received a favourable mention. A common view that the large Roma population was responsible for many of problems was challenged by pointing out that 42 different languages are spoken in Govanhill.
Viewers also heard from a lawyer and several charity workers who were clearly trying hard to improve the circumstances of the residents.
There were, however, some interesting omissions from the reports. Years of neglect and policy failure by central and local government have contributed to the present problems. Govanhill is part of Nicola Sturgeon’s constituency and it would have been interesting to hear her defend her record in responding to residents’ representations over several years. Similarly, the local councillor could have been asked why de-registered landlords were still being allowed to operate in the locality. One person we did hear from was the area commander of Police Scotland. On the BBC website he was reported as saying that the area did not merit its bad reputation. However, Ms Sturgeon, Glasgow City Council and the police all have a vested interest in claiming that things are not as desperate as some observers maintain: their positions should have been subject to much sharper critical scrutiny.
I know people who were brought up in Govanhill, at a time when it was a thriving community for the aspiring working class. Whenever they return there, they are deeply depressed by what they see. I also know a crime writer who set one of her novels in the area. She did a lot of research and gained valuable insights from people who live and work there, and who accompanied her on her visits. She is a strong woman, not easily intimidated. But she confessed that her experience led her to the conclusion that she would not be comfortable walking alone in the streets of Govanhill, even during daylight. I would be inclined to attach more weight to that comment than to those of politicians and officials who are keen to cover their backs.
END
There is additional information on our index page about the "History of the Gipsies" By James Simson (1866) which you can read at:http://www.electricscotland.com/hiSt...sies/index.htm
You might also like to listen to "The Call of the Corncrake", Mary Maclean's evocation of island life read by Fiona MacDonald at http://www.scottishreview.net/Fiona2%202.mp3
And that's it for this week and hope you all enjoy your weekend.
Alastair
Comment