WebMayJun18

www.westendermagazine.com | 35
Top Things To Do
in the West End
by Tracy Mukherjee
With May and June filled to the seams with
activities for all ages, you won’t be bored in the
months to come. One word seems to describe
most of what will consume our lengthy days
ahead. Think FESTIVAL!
Top for All Things Wildlife
Can you believe that it’s 30 years since the
Glasgow Garden Festival? Many of us will
remember our school trip to ride on the Coca
Cola roller coaster or sitting outside Para
Handy’s cottage. It’s also five years since the
RSPB launched its Giving Nature a Home project.
Giving Nature a Home working with Kelvingrove
Park and Museum, inspire groups to take part in
conservation. To celebrate both anniversaries,
Glasgow City Council in conjunction with the
RSPB has a series of events planned in the
annual Glasgow Wildlife Garden Festival,
Wildfest 2018. Both organisations want to
raise awareness of the green spaces in Glasgow
and the amazing amount of wildlife found on
our doorstep. Because of this landmark year,
WildFest will be running for three weeks, with
great outdoor activities. The annual festival, now
in its fifth year, encourages community gardens,
churches, schools in fact any groups to make the
most of the green spaces throughout the city.
WildFest has 40 groups holding events such as
walks, canoeing, art, science activities, open
community gardens, all to raise awareness of
Glasgow’s biodiversity. The event will showcase
just how much is being done by volunteers
across the city to encourage wildlife to flourish
by tending our dear, green place.
WildFest, Sat 12th May-Sun 3rd June
tffrspb.org.uk/about-the-rspb/at-home-andabroad/scotland/giving-nature-a-home-inglasgow/glasgow-wildfest
In the same vein, remember when playing in
the middle of the street was commonplace?
For one weekend in June, the good old
days return with the Street Play Weekend.
This initiative by Operation Play Outdoors and
Street Play Glasgow is supported by the City
Council and Glasgow Life. Various streets
throughout the city will be closed for children
and families to play safely. It’s unlikely that
hopscotch, kirby and skipping ropes will be top
of the bill, but we can dream! The Initiative hopes
that it will be a weekend where children can
reclaim their own streets to play in.
Street Play Weekend, Sat 23rd- Sun 24th June
FB/Street Play Glasgow
Top for Fitness
Making its first outing in the west the Sweat
It Festival jogs into SWG3 in May. “Choose
health, choose happiness” is the slogan for
the festival and with a timetable of events to
inspire even the most ardent of couch potatoes
(yip, that’s me) the day is guaranteed to be
enormously enjoyable. There really is something
for everyone: CrossFit, British Military Fitness
Bootcamp, boxing, climbing and parkour to name
but a few, will be available on the day. For the
more zen amongst us, there are a whole myriad
of yoga styles to try in the Yoga Den. After your
taster classes why not try a delicious juice from
the juice bars on site or some sumptuous bites
from the food stations? The Sweat It team has
thought of everything with healthy food demos
throughout the day where participants can learn
how to have nutritious, healthy meals without
missing out on taste. With guest DJs and DJs
from Pretty Ugly keeping the beats blasting,
there will also be a chance to browse the most
up to date fitness equipment with a number of
retailers attending the event. For tickets details
and more information –
Sweat It Festival, Sun 20th May
loosweatitfestival.co.uk