Walk for Nature

Thanks to Gill Coombes who stopped in at GalGael on Thursday 15th July and held a workshop as part of her Walk for Nature. Gill is travelling around the UK, spreading the word on how we can all do our bit to be kinder to the planet our communities and ourselves by living a greener lifestyle. We were very inspired by her and will do our best to build on what we already do while looking at new ways to be better global citizens. Good luck for the rest of your journey Gill.

Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival

We returned once more at the end of June up to the Moray coastline to the beautiful harbour of Portsoy for their annual festival, and we seem to be building up a respected reputation for our crafts and boat displays and for the work we do here in Govan. Once again we had a great time and the weather was fantastic. First Minister Alec Salmond was keen to visit us and we give him a tour of our crafts demonstrators and he was very happy to offer photo opportunities to those who asked. If you want a flavour of the event follow this link for pics;

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gehanmacleod/Portsoy2010?feat=email#

Govan Fair 2010

With the guys in sharp suits and the dames in glamorous evening wear the GalGael "Swing yir Kilt"Big Band hit the streets at this years Govan Fair. Tuxedos and tartan were the order of the day to get Govan swingin'. The band backed up vocals from the "Flat Pack" who crooned their way through streets lined with finger- clicking Govanites. Many thanks to Rhiannon Campbell who did sterling work in creating our artwork for the float and to Frank McKeown and everyone else who helped out.

Also big thanks to Recoil Breakdown Services for the use of their vehicle.

See more pics at;

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gehanmacleod/GovanFairPix10?feat=email#

Lord High Commissioner visit.

We were very pleased to welcome the Lord High Commissioner, his wife and their retinue (posse) on Saturday. They appeared to be very inspired by the GalGael workshop and the work we do here. It was also nice to catch up with our old friend Rev. Richard Frazer from Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. Lord Wilson and his wife Natasha had a good blether with the guys at the workbenches who commented how friendly and approachable they were. It is an important element of what we do here, to engage with people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds to break down preconceptions and to realise that behind it all- we are all just people.

GalGael Bute Forest Benefit Gig 4th March

As part of our ongoing open evenings on a Thursday night we held a benefit gig to support the community buyout of the Rhubodach forest on the isle of Bute. It was a cracking night and very well attended - over 80 people crammed into the workshop to hear about the buyout project and to immerse themselves in a night of music, poetry and rap. The entertainment proceeded once everyone was fed - no mean feat considering the turnout! Alastair McIntosh opened up the proceedings by explaining the nature of the buyout and the progress thus far. The music was kicked off by our very own in house bard Tam McGarvey who treated us to a 'bit of voodoo' and one of his own numbers 'Elvis for a day'. Next up was the wise woodlouse from the hearth of England, poet George Hardwick. George's poems struck a real resonance with the folk at GalGael - 'Whether you know it or not you shine like a star'- especially the poem that involved the gifting of a beautiful wooden staff to be completed by Rory, one of the youngsters in attendance that night. Then we were treated to some 'not so scary rap music' courtesy of little Jimmy Davis - who was making one of his first public appearances and performed admirably. Luke Concannon followed with a couple of his original compositions and the night culminated in a world exclusive. Luke and 'MC Ali Mac in the house' treated us to a rousing number entitled 'Homage to Young Men' - a poignant piece that got the crowd whipped up into a frenzy. By way of an encore and farewell, everyone, led by Luke all joined together in one final group singalong. Bits and bobs of this night were recorded and broadcast on Sunny Govan Radio 103.5FM.

This was merely ONE of our ongoing open nights down at the GalGael. Every Thursday from 5pm our doors are open to come and share our skills with yours and vice versa. Food and love guaranteed - hopefully see you there soon

http://www.buteforest.com/
http://www.sunnygovancommunitymedia.org/

31st March 2010: GOOD NEWS

The forest buyout has been approved by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/minister-approves-land-buyout-on-bute-1.1017352

GalGael Hoolie Show on Sunny Govan Radio 103.5FM

Sunny Govan Radio 103.5FM have asked us here at GalGael to produce a monthly HOOLIE show - a sort of audio diary of a month in the life of GalGael. We have produced two shows so far that went out at 7pm on Wednesday 1oth and 17th of March. These programs featured interviews with staff and trainees alike. Thanks to interviewees Omair, Norrie, Gloria, Tam, Marie, William, Gehan and Luis in particular - who provided us with a beautiful original song called 'The Activist'. It has been decided that a monthly show would have a greater variety, with less pressure than a weekly deadline so that the Hoolie show has a more effective impact. We intend to try and record for posterity everything that the GalGael is involved in from the 'Navigate Life' course to the Open nights on Thursday, not forgetting the Friday away trips and everything else that makes up the GalGael melting pot.

This is a great opportunity to get our voice, our message out there, so it is heard by more and more people. We will keep you updated on show scheduling times as they become apparent.

Finally a big thank you to everyone at Sunny Govan Radio for this exciting joint venture

http://www.sunnygovancommunitymedia.org/

GalGael now on Twitter

You can now check out Twitter for GalGael up to the hour goings on.

Its easy to sign up at;

https://twitter.com/