February 2023

Posted on March 31, 2023

A Very Old Book

Sometimes you get something that you are scared to touch. Not always in a bad way. I was in The Huntarian Library at The University of Glasgow to photograph William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories & Tragedies. At 400 years old it is pretty rare and valuable.
It was fascinating watching Keira McKee, a Book Conservator at University of Glasgow, working on the first folio copy, which is held in the Library’s Archives & Special Collections. Not one I will be signing out to take home for a few weeks to peruse over a coffee.

The Tall Ship Glenlee

I remember going on board the Tall Ship Glenlee when it first arrived in Glasgow. It was certainly ready of some restoration but everyone could see its potential. I have been there at art exhibitions, jazz concerts and many photocalls including for the pantomime.
I met up with Ray Macfarlane, Trustee and deputy chair of National Heritage Memorial Fund with Fiona Greer, Glenlee Development Director. The Glenlee has landed £1.8 million in funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund through its Covid-19 Response Fund, keeping the icon of the River Clyde afloat and securing its future for years to come. I met some of the volunteers working on her too. What a nice bunch.

A Trip to the Borders

I had another visit this month to the amazing Marchmont House in the borders with the Wasps Studio artists It was to highlight a partnership between Wasps, Scotland’s national provider of studios and Marchmont Makers Foundation who had given two Glasgow-based artists, Ally Wallace and Vicki Fleck, the opportunity to be residents on the estate. They were delighted to be experiencing this early visit to see round.

Music In Motherwell

I have not been to Motherwell for quite a while. It used to be a regular trip for me to cover the football at Fir Park. I was quite taken with Motherwell Concert Hall. I was photographing Once Upon A Tune by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, conducted by Ellie Slorach. The concert was presented by author and illustrator James Mayhew. Over 500 kids loved watching the drawings being sketched on the big screen to the music.

The Glasgow Taxis Cup

An event I cover every year since going freelance is the Glasgow Taxis Cup.
The event has more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17 sports in the biggest one-day student inter-varsity competition across Scotland. The trophy is a stunning old piece of silver.
We always think of different ideas for each year’s photocall. One year we even had a horse. As always the star is the Glasgow taxi. This year we had a bunch of students in their sport specific dress at the University of Glasgow with its amazing view across the city. It was lovely and sunny but cold in the shade. We did leave the heater on for the poor swimmer sitting in the cab in his trunks.

Category: Uncategorized Tagged:

Leave a Comment