WebJulAug2018

www.westendermagazine.com | 1 

jul/aug

2 | www.westendermagazine.com 

BROOMHILL LAUNDRETTE 

& DRY CLEANERS


Contents 

Regulars 

4 Editor’s Letter 

51 Mum’s Notebook 

48 Community feature: 

Back Garden G3 Growers 

Fashion, beauty & health 

8 Sun, Sea & Sexy 

Swimwear 

36 WIN! At Rainbow 

Room International 

52 Health Matters 

Going out 

16 West End Live 

with Greg Kane 

18 Top Things 

Art & culture 

22 Writers Reveal 

meets Helen McClory 

26 Cover to Cover 

38 Meet the artist: 

Victoria Cassidy 

Food & drink 

32 Sweet Liberty 

35 Restaurant review: 

El Perro Negro 

37 Bar review: 

The Left Bank 

Westender business 

42 Going green 

Westender living 

54 Playful Pastels 

59 Summer Scentsations 

61 Talking Texture 

COVER IMAGE Bikini & cover up, 

Silks. Trainers, Daniels Footwear


Editor’s 

Letter 

W 

ho needs an excuse to get outdoors 

when we’re only 30 minutes drive to 

Loch Lomond & The Trossochs 

National Park to the north and a short hour 

from the stunning Ayrshire coast to the 

south? We lucked out with the weather on our 

latest swimsuit fashion shoot (see P.8) down 

at Troon – or Costa Del Troon as it is now 

know at Westender HQ! What a great day out 

we had, I mean what a hard shift we all put in 

to make the images the very best they could 

be, ahem. 

However there’s a lot to keep us closer 

to home over the next couple of months – 

the West End’s out and about scene just 

keeps giving! Read Greg Kane’s round up of 

great gigs from The Doghouse Roses at The 

Doublet to Paul Simon at The Hydro (P.16), 

and our Tracy’s fave picks from the Pride 

Glasgow march in mid-July to the European 

Championships the first two weeks of August 

on pages 18 and 19. And as always with the 

long school summer holidays in full swing, 

Michele Gordon of The Language Hub, has 

plenty of ideas to keep your wee cherubs 

entertained on page 21, or just a break from 

killing each other and muttering the B word 

as it’s known in my house (yes, I do mean 

‘Boring’!). 

Above: Suzanne Martin, Westender editor. 

Below: On location in tropical Troon for the 

summer 2018 swimwear shoot with model 

Katie Lapping from Superior Model Management. 

Living in such a beautiful country with 

some of the best produce to be found in 

the world and the most dramatic scenery, 

it falls to us to live as lightly on this earth as 

is humanly possible – a theme writer Loraine 

Patrick picks up with this edition’s business 

article on Page 42. Three local companies 

are tackling plastic waste, congestions and 

pollution, and standardised business models, 

in light of a desire to do better for the planet 

today. 

And Mother Earth and her bounty gets a 

community together on Page 50 – and we’re 

all invited! New members are being actively 

sought for The Back Garden G3 Growers 

and you don’t need to have green fingers 

– yet, that will come. Help is needed to bring 

in the harvest and it’s all hands on deck in 

this wee hidden gem in Finnieston. It’s a 

fantastic way to get the kids outside, off the 

Xbox and learning where their food comes 

from whist making new friends. Let’s face it, 

the nights will be drawing in soon enough – 

so head out and about in our glorious West 

End and enjoy it, fingers crossed, in a bit of 

sun! 

Suzanne Martin

www.westendermagazine.com | 5


EDITOR 

SUZANNE MARTIN 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

GREGOR REID 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 

EMILY DONOHO, 

MICHELE GORDON, GREG KANE, 

PAMELA LEGGATE, NICOLA MAULE, 

TRACY MUKHERJEE, 

ROBERTO PARRUCCI, 

LORAINE PATRICK, 

SUSAN ROBERTSON, BRIAN TOAL, 

LIBERTY VITTERT, 

HANNAH WESTWATER 

HAIR & MUA 

TERRI CRAIG 

STYLIST 

JACKI CLARK 

WESTENDERMAGAZINE.COM 

INFO@WESTENDERMAGAZINE.COM 

07905 897238 

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& INSTAGRAM 

Publisher: Westender Magazine 

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contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions 

resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. 

Westender Magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form – electronic, 

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life’s a 

beach 

sun, sea & sexy 

swimwear 

images gregor reid 

stylist jacki clark


10 8 | | www.westendermagazine.com

www.westendermagazine.com | 11 9 

BIKINI, Silks 

SUNGLASSES, IOLLA 

opposite page 

Bikini, FAT FACE 

SUnglasses, iolla 

Previous page 

tankini, silks


10 | www.westendermagazine.com

www.westendermagazine.com | | 13 11 

FRONT COVER & 

CONTENTS PAGE 

jacket – Glasgow Vintage Co 

sweater – Hobbs @ HOF* 

skirt – Miss Selfridge @ HOF 

shoes – Daniel Footwear 

earrings, multi stone ring, 

bracelet – Cassiopeia 

necklace, green ring - Owen Bisset 

TITLE PAGE 

Male Model 

biker jacket – Glasgow Vintage Co 

jacket – Minted 

jeans – Diesel @ HOF 

t-shirt – Barbour @ HOF 

Female Model 

jumpsuit, jumper – Just For You 

belt, bag – Mango at HOF 

bracelets, earrings, black ring, blue 

ring – Owen Bisset 

necklace – Cassiopeia 

shoes – Daniel Footwear 

PAGE 8 



PAGE 9 

Male Model 

jumper, shirt – Fat face 

jacket – Glasgow Vintage Co 

shoes – CCW 

Female Model 

shirt – Ralph Lauren @ HOF 

skirt – Just For You 

boots – CCW 

black ring, pink ring, 

earrings – Owen Bisset 

necklace – Cassiopeia 

OPPOSITE PAGE 

t-shirt – Mango @ HOF 

skirt – Fat Face 

socks, bracelet – Cassiopeia 

earring, orange ring – Owen Bisset 

THIS PAGE 

shirt – House of Fraser 



shoes – CCW 

*HOF – House Of Fraser 

CREDITS 

Photographer Gregor Reid 

gregorreidphotography.com Stylist 

Vivienne Masters viviennemasters. 

co.uk Hair & Make-up Terri Craig 

terricraig.co.uk Models Kerr 

Cochrane, Niamh McNamara@ 

colours agency.com 

Bikini, Silks. necklace, nancy smilie 

opposite page - Bikini, silks

14 12 | www.westendermagazine.com 

swimsuit, silks. shorts, primark. socks, osiris. necklace, nancy smilie

www.westendermagazine.com | 13 15 

COVER up, SILKS 

Sunglasses, cassieopia 

model KATIE LAPPING @ superior model management 

MUA terri craig, terricraig.co.uk 

stylist jacki clark, jackiclark-stylist.co.uk 

photography gregor reid, gregorreidphotography.com


LIVE 

July 

Paul Simon 

Wednesday 11th July 6.30pm 

SSE Hydro, thessehydro.com 

Where do you start when previewing 

a Paul Simon gig? His seven decade 

career, over 100 million albums 

sold, the sixteen Grammys, his 1987 

ground breaking album 'Graceland'? 

Quite a legacy to leave behind and 

by all accounts this is his final ever 

tour (He’s 77 years old now), so if 

he’s on your bucket list then you kind 

of have to go to this one. 

I’ve always had a soft spot for 

Paul Simon, his sense of melody/ 

rhythm and guitar playing are just 

so compelling to me. As a 20 year 

old in the mid 80s I found myself 

working in the same recording studio 

in New York where they were piecing 

together his album 'Graceland'. Every 

morning I would turn up at the studio 

and hear all these incredible African 

rhythms, harmonies and melodies 

emanating from the other side of the 

door at Studio One at Sigma Sound on 

Broadway. Made quite an impression 

on me. His standards have never 

slipped either with his 2016 album 

'Stranger To Stranger' regularly 

playing in my kitchen. I’ll be going. 

Choice Tracks: 

Paul Simon 'Wristband' 

Fazerdaze 

Sunday 22nd July 7.30pm 

The Hug & Pint, thehugandpint.com 

If you like your Indie pop soft and 

dreamy then Fazerdaze is definitely 

for you. Cure and Pixies fans 

will also find something here to 

like. Fazerdaze is the project of 

Amelia Murray, a 25 year old indie 

songwriter from Wellington, New 

Zealand who mostly sings about 

young life’s transitional moments. 

She released her debut self-titled 

EP in October 2014, recording it 

entirely in her bedroom studio in 

Auckland for the legendary Kiwi pop 

label Flying Nun Records. 

She’s out with her four piece band 

on a world tour promoting her 2017 

album 'Morningside'. Go see her if 

you dare to dream. 

Choice track: Fazerdaze ‘Lucky Girl’ 

Doghouse Roses 

Wednesday 25th July 8pm 

The Doublet, @thedoubletbar 

I really like Doghouse Roses. This 

alt-folk duo from Glasgow are Paul 

Tasker and Iona MacDonald who both 

sing and play guitar. They formed in 

2006 through a shared love of all 

things Gillian Welch, Pentangle & 

Airport Convention with smatterings 

of Trad and Americana thrown in for 

good measure too. Iona MacDonald 

takes on the roll of lead vocalist 

with Tasker singing the lower 

harmony when required. She really 

has such an engagingly beautiful 

voice and coupled with Tasker’s skill 

and dexterity on guitar they fully 

deserve the tag '… Glasgow’s version 

of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings …' 

(I personally think MacDonald has a 

much nicer voice than Welch) 

They’re playing upstairs at The 

Doublet, a little gem of a place 

hidden between GWR and Kelvingrove 

Park. You’ll need to make sure you go 

early though if you want a seat. 

Choice Track: Doghouse Roses 

'To Decide'


by Greg Kane 

August 

John McCusker & Roddy Woomble 

Thursday 2nd August 7.30pm 

Milngavie Town Hall, ents24.com 

John McCusker is the Bellshill born, 

much lauded fiddler/composer/record 

producer and Roddy Woomble is the 

front man for the band Idlewild and a 

much respected writer and journalist. 

These two have worked on many 

projects together most notably on the 

collaborative studio album between 

Scottish writers and musicians entitled 

'Ballads Of The Book' in 2007. 

But recently they released the 

album 'Before The Ruin', another 

collaboration, but this time featuring 

the multi award winning singer/ 

guitarist Kris Drever too. 

Choice track: John McCusker, 

Kris Drever, Roddy Woomble 

'The Poorest Company' 

Dean Friedman 

Friday 3rd August 8pm 

Òran Mór, oran-mor.co.uk 

'Do you still love me?, Yes I still 

love you … you mean your not just 

being nice?, No I’m not just being nice 

…' Recognise these lyrics? Are you 

laughing yet? … how about now? 

Having just gone through quite a 

painful break up, this song resonates 

more than ever with me nowadays. Dean 

Friedman, who penned these immortal 

words is an American singer songwriter 

from upstate New York who hit his 

peak in the late 70s with the iconic 

hit records 'Ariel' and 'Lucky Stars'. 

The success of these two songs has 

allowed Friedman to sustain a 40 year 

career as a professional musician 

touring all over the world year after 

year playing to dedicated crowds. 

He was one of the first musicians to 

crowd source the funding of an album 

such is the affection of his fans, 

releasing said album 'The Treehouse 

Journals' in 2002. 

Choice Track: Dean Friedman 

'Lucky Stars' 

Stella Donnelly 

Wednesday 22nd August 7.30pm 

The Hug & Pint, thehugandpint.com 

I was going to preview the Britney 

Spears gig at the Hydro later this 

month but Stella Donnelly’s song 'Boys 

Will Be Boys' just stopped me in my 

tracks. Stella Donnelly is a 25 year 

old musician born in Wales but raised 

in Fremantle, Western Australia. 

She began popping up on people’s 

radar due the fact that one week before 

Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo 

hashtag started trending, she released 

her slow-burning breakthrough song 

‘Boys Will Be Boys’. It really is such 

a powerful piece of music. Her recent 

2018 EP 'Thrush Metal' confirms that she 

is definitely not a one trick pony, with 

strong songwriting, singing and guitar 

playing on display. Stella Donnelly is a 

real find. 

Choice track: Stella Donnelly 

'Boys Will Be Boys' 

Want to hear more? Go to the West End Live Playlist on Spotify – 

open.spotify.com/user/kudzu/ 

playlist/1cJ92QKzyxrEvJZctS8iqX?si=nSN8tMATQJW3haJ0yedTvg


Top Things To Do 

in the West End 

by Tracy Mukherjee 

Top for Being There For You 

Friendsfest was a sell out last year when 

it toured the UK. With 'Friends' continued 

popularity unwavering, the 90s comedy 

sensation turns Victoria Park into NYC’s Soho 

this coming July. With Monica, Joey and Ross’s 

apartments all on show as well as a Las Vegas 

Little White Chapel, you’ll need that coffee in 

Central Perk. There is an opportunity to buy 

memorabilia in the Friendsfest shop and pose 

for an 80s style High School prom photo. Could 

there BE a more fun event this July? 

Comedy Central presents Friendsfest, 

6-15th July, Victoria Park. 

friendsfest.co.uk 

Top for Celebrating Diversity 

On Saturday 14th July the annual two day Pride 

celebration takes place in Kelvingrove Park. 

Starting with the parade through the city streets 

to Kelvingrove where the main event is being 

held. The festival itself is packed with fun for 

young and old over the Saturday and Sunday. 

The music stage features the likes of Mel C and 

the Sundaes. With a fairground, food village and 

of course super popular dog show, it’s a day that 

celebrates diversity, inclusivity and above all, 

downright fun! 

Pride Glasgow 14-15th July, 

Kelvingrove Park. 

festival.pride.scot/tickets 

Top for Luvvies 

Can you believe that since their 1st festival, 

Bard in the Botanics have staged more than 50 

productions, entertaining more than 70,000 

audience members? Up until July 28th there is 

still a chance to brush up on your Shakespeare. 

The 'Star Crossed Lovers' season continues with 

Romeo and Juliet and Anthony and Cleopatra 

until July 7th. With Much Ado About Nothing 

and Edward II still enthralling audiences until 

July 28th, there is still ample time to immerse 

yourself into ye olde world of the Bard. 

Bard in the Botanics, Botanic Gardens 

bardinthebotanics.co.uk 

Top for…Summer 

Shenanigans 

With school holidays in full swing, our little 

munchkins needn’t be clinging to the nearest 

Nintendo, whining into their cereal that they 

are bored by July 1st. Instead why not consider 

some healthy outdoor fun, courtesy of the West 

End Adventure Group? Registered with the 

Adventurous Activities Licensing Service, the 

group enjoy activities such as kayaking, rock 

climbing, archery and bushcraft. The adventure 

weeks run throughout the summer holidays and 

are suitable for children of 8 years and over. 

West End Adventure Group 

westendadventure.co.uk 

Top for Top Dogs 

For further summer entertainment for the kids 

but more especially for your four legged friends, 

why not visit Pet Fete at the Riverside Museum 

this August? This family and dog friendly festival 

is a great day out. A petting zoo, wildlife rescue, 

birds of prey and the ever popular dancing dogs 

– heelwork to music – will all be there at the 

Riverside. There is also a fun dog show, fastest 

recall and 'have a go' agility. With information 

and advice on other pets including rabbits and 

cats, it’s a lovely day out for the family with an 

added bonus on raising awareness of animal 

welfare causes. 

Pet Fete Scotland, Saturday 11th 

August, Riverside Museum, Glasgow. 

petfete.co.uk


Top Things To Do 

in the West End 

Top for A Stretch of the Legs 

As we make the most of the summer months, 

there is nothing better than a good old walk 

whilst learning a little history to boot. Glasgow 

Historic Walks have a great range of guided 

walks organised this summer. The weekend 

walks in particular are worth a look. Did you 

know for example that St Patrick was raised 

on the river Clyde in Old Kilpatrick? Or that 

the remains of Robert the Bruce are in a tiny 

churchyard in Dumbarton? Through a series of 

fascinating walks through Glasgow and beyond, 

Glasgow Historic Walks will guide you through 

the history right under our feet, whilst exposing 

the truly wondrous sights right on our doorstep. 

glasgowhistoricwalks.com 

Top for Sport 

With many a public house showing the World 

Cup throughout June and July, you’d be forgiven 

for thinking this is THE sporting event of the 

Summer. But, my friends, you would be wrong. 

For in August, Glasgow and Berlin co-host the 

inaugural European Championships. Given that 

Glasgow has hosted a number of world class 

sporting events in the past few years, it is no 

surprise that the city proudly sits in the top 

five cities in the world to host sporting events. 

A multi sports championship, Glasgow will be 

host to aquatic, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing 

and triathlon events. Venues include Scotstoun 

Sports Campus, Glasgow City Centre, Loch 

Lomond, Knightswood Park and the SSE, as well 

as the Emirates Arena, Strathclyde Park and 

Tollcross International Swimming Centre. 

European Championships Glasgow 

2-12th August, various venues. 

europeanchampionships.com 

To celebrate this fabulous sporting event, 

Festival 2018 will be running concurrently over 

the 11 days of the Championships. With the best 

in music, art, dance and theatre, Festival 2018 is 

a cultural festival bringing communities across 

Scotland together during the summer. Many of 

the main events will be held in George Square, 

with free events for all. There will also be a big 

screen to allow Glaswegians to catch up on the 

days sporting events from Glasgow and Berlin. 

An added bonus is that right around the corner 

Merchant City Festival takes off with art, design, 

film comedy and a carnival. After all this, you 

might feel just as exhausted as the athletes! 

glasgow2018.com/festival-2018 

Merchant City Festival, 2nd-12th Aug 

merchantcityfestival.com 

Top for Summer Music 

The Fiesta and Fold festival takes residence 

in Kelvingrove Park on Sat 30th – Sun 1st July 

with a quite spectacular line-up of iconic acts. 

Along with Nile Rodgers and Chic are Earth Wind 

and Fire who played up a storm (if you’ll pardon 

the pun) at Glastonbury last year, Emeli Sande 

and Morcheeba to name but a few. The two day 

festival promises a boogie wonderland in the 

park where the heat just might lead to a disco 

inferno! Ahem, sorry. 

And the music doesn’t stop there. All of this is 

a pre-cursor to the annual Summer Nights at 

the Bandstand in July and August. A sublime 

line up of new kids on the block and legendary 

stars will dazzle on the bandstand this summer. 

From Bryan Ferry to The Fratellis, OMD to Imelda 

May, it’s certainly an eclectic mix. This summer 

we really are spoiled for musical choice. 

Fiesta and Fold, Sat 30th June 

& Sun 1st July, Kelvingrove Park. 

westendfiesta.co.uk 

Summer Nights at the Bandstand, 

July and August, Kelvingrove 

Bandstand and Amphitheatre. 

ticketmaster.co.uk/Summer-Nightstickets


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Endmum’s 

West 

notebook 

by Michele Gordon thelanguagehub.co.uk 

Is it just me or has summer come early this 

year? Whatever the weather, the summer 

school holidays are upon us. Yes, that 

time of year when you wonder how you 

can cover all your kids time off with your 

two weeks annual leave. Lock them in the 

wardrobe for the remaining five weeks? 

Call in sick and hope no one will find out? 

Or play the lottery and hope to win on time to 

afford at least part-time child care. Decisions 

decisions! 

For working parents summer holidays 

can create serious child care problems. 

We are quite lucky as I can take Ruby and 

Leon with me to The Hub while working. 

However, if you don’t have child care issues 

the kids will drive you up the wall within a 

short period of time because you’ve run 

out of ideas about what to do with them. 

But there is help at hand! Although most 

regular children’s activities stop over the 

summer, there are many providers who run 

special summer activities to offer plenty 

of entertainment. There are many camps 

which focus on sporty things and quite a few 

organisations are spread across the West 

End so no need to travel far. 

Glasgow Life run a holiday activity 

programme during the Easter and summer 

school holidays each year (glasgowlife.org. 

uk) for 5-11 year-olds which is a mix of play, 

sport and arts & crafts; places for these sell 

fast as they are very reasonably priced. 

There are other organisations like 

Summer-In-The-City (summer-in-the-city. 

co.uk) for 5-16 year olds which use Jordanhill 

Campus as their base in the West End. Daily 

rates are £25 per child or £125 per child per 

week, or £65 per child per week for half days. 

The advantage here is that your child can be 

cared for from 8am-6pm if need be. 

Another popular one is Camp Indy 

(campindy.co.uk) based at Kelvinside 

Academy which is open to ages 5-14. 

If you have set yourself a smaller budget 

and are just looking for the occasional activity 

then look up Glasgow Life’s website again 

as you will find anything from indoor bounce 

and rhyme sessions to story book readings, 

arts and crafts to outdoor sports activities in 

various parks, all of which are free. 

Or alternatively, check out one of the 

sessions at The Hub. We run weekday 

activities for children and adults. Some are 

language immersion classes, some are arts 

and crafts based and others learning about 

different countries and cultures. 

This way you still have some cash left to 

treat yourself and the kids along the way with 

some yummy food for example. We like The 

Big Mouth Coffee cafe on Dumbarton Road 

(bigmouthcoffeecompany.com), they have a 

very reasonably priced basic children’s menu 

and staff are very friendly too. 

If they fancy more of a ‘restaurant 

atmosphere’, as they call it, Ruby and Leon 

will chose Tony Macaroni on Byres Road 

(tonymacaroni.co.uk). But our personal find 

of the year so far, which we only discovered a 

few weeks ago, is definitely 1010 on Radnor 

Street (1010glasgow.com). They serve 

very tasty burgers and children aged 10 or 

younger eat for free! This only leaves me to 

wish you all a great summer and lots of fun 

whatever you do. Einen schönen Sommer 

Euch allen und bis bald!


© Sinead Grainger 

Writer’s Reveal 

meets Helen McClory 

WORDS LORAINE PATRICK


It is said there is no better way to spark 

the creative genius than to pack up and 

travel. Ernest Hemingway had a bolt-hole 

in the Florida Keys, F. Scott Fitzgerald loved 

to escape to the French Riviera and Virginia 

Woolf spent seaside summers in Cornwall. 

Closer to home one of Scotland’s up and 

coming authors is spending her summer on a 

writing retreat in Portugal. Helen McClory is a 

name you may recognize. She won the Saltire 

First Book Award for her short fiction in 2015 

and her second collection came out earlier 

this year. Mayhem & Death is published by 

Scottish independent publishing house 404 

Ink who champion alternative writing. Helen 

took time out from her break to tell us more. 

Firstly thank you for interrupting your 

summer travels to talk to us – you are 

midway through your time in Portugal. 

What has taken you there? 

It is no problem at all. I am here volunteering 

on a small farm. I get room and board, and 

time to write. It’s basically a self-arranged 

residency for me. It’s wildflower season right 

now and everything’s gorgeous. 

What kind of writer are you – do you use 

trips like this to inspire and put pen to 

paper or are you a disciplined sit down at 

a desk kind of writer? 

I use trips all the time to inspire me, and to 

try to get an understanding of a new culture 

and landscape. I think you can only write 

about somewhere if you’ve really immersed 

yourself. But then, I also try to write little and 

often. Desks are a no – I write lying down on 

my bed. It’s surprisingly comfy. 

Your new book Mayhem & Death was 

published earlier this year, can you give 

our readers a flavour of what to expect? 

It’s short stories, flash fictions, and a novella 

– they are all connected (in ways I won’t 

spoil here – the reader can guess!) and they 

are all about loneliness, loss, moments of 

connection and strangeness in the everyday. 

You have won awards for your flash 

fiction. What is it about this style of 

writing that appeals? 

I love writing flash – it’s a disciplined thing. Sit 

down with an idea, a line, or even a title. Write 

until it’s done, until the story unpacks itself 

into its tiny space. Set it to rest, and edit, then 

understand what you have. I hope the reader 

sees the concentration of the language – 

a flash fiction isn’t just a paragraph of text 

but almost like making something physical. It 

usually has to be read a few times to let it sink 

in. I love reading flash too. When it’s good, it 

lives up to the name – bottled lightning. 

Can you explain the differences between 

Flash fiction, short stories and novellas? 

Are there specific word limits you need to 

adhere to? 

Flash fiction is broadly anything under 1000 

words, short stories anything above, right up 

until it becomes a novella – which is anything 

over 18,000 (more or less). I just write with 

the idea that everything I’m going to make 

will be short, but if it needs to be longer, I let 

it breathe. The form chooses itself, based on 

the ideas as they come. 

One reviewer describes Mayhem & Death 

as being a ‘delicious anecdote to the 

up-lit’ that is around. Are you looking for 

readers to challenge fears rather than 

provide escapism? 

I love the idea of my writing being an 

anecdote to something – though it doesn’t 

have to be against anything else. I wrote 

this book for the lonely – to build something 

that would speak to them, acknowledge 

them. It’s a steely kindness, I hope. No point 

in shying away from how difficult life is, even 

as we’re saying, we’re here, together, now, 

in it. 

In reviews of the book The Romantic 

Comedy, Automaton Town and Take Care I 

Love You are all singled out for particular 

praise, do you have a favourite tale? 

Can you single one story out and give us 

a flavour? 

I really enjoy Take Care, I Love You, because 

I got to experiment with that one a little. 

I used a little of the contents page from 

the Wikipedia page for the Fermi Paradox, 

which is about why, given how many planets 

there are in the universe, we haven’t been 

contacted by aliens yet, and put this together 

with a kind of narrative about a very lonely 

person. It’s a poem more than a story, but it 

could be either. That’s how I hope my work is, 

hard to classify, but still with heart.


The book finishes with a novella 

(Powdered Milk) revisiting characters 

from the opening story – do you have 

plans to revisit any other characters or 

stories at a later date in perhaps longer 

form? 

I have no plans as yet. But I won’t rule it 

out. It might be in a shorter form, too, if it 

happens. 

You describe yourself as a writer with a 

‘moor and a cold sea in your heart’ what 

do you mean by this? 

It refers to where I grew up – the landscape 

of Skye is still there, still coming through my 

work, I think. 

Although you spent your early years in 

Skye, you are now settled in Edinburgh – 

via Glasgow where you studied literature 

– where feels most like home? 

I love Glasgow, and would love to live there 

again. However, home is a moveable feast. 

My student days were a hard-working period. 

All I did was work and hang out with writers. 

I would like to live in Glasgow when I’m not 

up to my eyes in essay deadlines! 

I thoroughly enjoy your observations 

on twitter (@HelenMcClory) you really 

seem to engage with your followers. How 

important is it for you to have a social 

media presence? 

I think Twitter has helped me connect with so 

many cool people, and find opportunities all 

over the place – I love it, even though it can 

be stressful (and a distraction). I think it keeps 

my finger on the pulse and also inspires me. 

Once I wrote a day of flash fiction to prompts 

people gave me there, and it was intense but 

really rewarding. I can’t say how important it 

is, but it’s a big part of my life. 

Competition! 

We have two signed 

copies of Mayhem & 

Death to give away. Visit 

westendermagazine.com and 

click on competitions by the 

31st of August 2018. 

You are appearing at the Edinburgh Book 

Festival on 24 August, what can you tell us 

about your event? 

I’ll be appearing with the excellent Canadian 

writer Camilla Grudova, who also happens 

to love the weird and dark in fiction, and is a 

new friend of mine, so the craic’s going to be 

good. During festival time the city pulls on all 

its fancy clothes, dances about with people. 

Don’t listen to the moaners – it’s never better 

than in August. 

Who are you looking forward to seeing? 

I don’t have the catalogue yet! But I will be 

happy to see Camilla! 

We are looking forward to seeing you 

at the Festival; can you sum up why our 

readers should buy your book? 

I think they should buy it for two reasons 

– one, it’s been put out by two amazing 

Scottish women who are running their own 

publishing house out of a spare room (and 

wouldn’t you want to support that?) and two, 

because the stories in the book are written 

for you. They’re just waiting right there, for 

you to get stuck in. 

Check out the full programme of 

events and book tickets for the 

Edinburgh International Book festival at 

edbookfest.co.uk 

Mayhem & 

Death 

£2 

OFF 

* 

RRP £8.99 

*Exclusive offer for WESTENDER readers 

at Waterstones 351-355 Byres Road 

branch only, by 31st August 2018.



1 

BY BRIAN TOAL 

WESTENDER’s 

COVER TO COVER 

Summer is approaching, so it’s time to get your 

beach novels packed. If you haven’t yet read ‘Eleanor 

Oliphant is Completely Fine’, get it in your suitcase. 

It has been winning awards as far back as 2014. 

Eleanor 

Oliphant is 

Completely Fine 

by Gail Honeyman 

If that’s not enough of an incentive 

to buy the book, Honeyman is 

based in Glasgow and much of 

the novel is set in our beloved 

West End, although there is an 

occasional foray to the South 

Side. However, you’ll be pleased to 

know that the protagonist is fairly 

disparaging of what the South 

Side has to offer. 

Eleanor Oliphant is one of 

the most intriguing protagonists 

you’ll ever meet – eating the 

same Tesco meal deal every day, 

drinking two litres of vodka every 

weekend and cooking pasta with 

pesto every night. She’s a woman 

of routine, lives alone, has a fairly 

mundane job and doesn’t have any 

friends. As the plot unravels and 

elements of her past are gradually 

revealed, we begin to understand 

how damaged she is, why she is 

damaged and who caused the 

damage. She is terribly naïve 

with very little experience of the 

everyday trivialities of our culture, 

so any discussions about television 

programmes or celebrity gossip 

leave her mystified. 

She is also a fantasist, which 

is not surprising given her 

traumatic childhood, but these 

fantasies eventually lead to crisis, 

then epiphany, then finally into 

the denouement of the novel, 

which I won’t mention here, 

of course. 

Her mother features on a regular basis, calling once a week 

and veering between intrusive questions and pure vitriol. Eleanor 

is left reeling from these sessions and often it’s only the thought 

of the weekend vodka which sees her through the next few days. 

Raymond – a scruffy IT chap from the same building – befriends 

her and they soon meet for lunch and coffee regularly. She begins 

to learn about social conventions and is introduced to more and 

more people, gradually finding that she can almost function as a 

regular member of society. It’s all starting to go so well, but don’t 

be fooled. This isn’t a romance, and if there is a happier ending 

than the bleak beginning, it’s anything but a ‘happily ever after’. 

We’ve got to know Eleanor so well by this point that we can’t be 

sure that her recent progress will be maintained or that she won’t 

press the self-destruct button again. 

This novel is hilarious and terribly sad. This novel is about how 

the past can damage you, how your parents can damage you, 

how society is largely oblivious to the damaged individuals who 

walk amongst us. They often seem to be completely fine.


Ready Player 

One 

by Ernest Cline 

2 

For summer reading you 

can’t do much better than 

this. Ernest Cline has created 

an action-packed futuristic 

adventure romp which takes 

place in the ‘real’ world and 

in the virtual world of the 

OASIS, a world created by an 

eccentric multibillionaire gamer 

Halliday. 

The main protagonist, 

Wade, along with millions of 

other gamers, are captivated 

by Halliday’s legacy – all of 

his vast wealth for the one 

who finds his ‘Easter Egg’, 

a term used to describe a 

prize hidden deep within a 

game. The ranks of the ‘sixers’ 

who work for IOI (basically 

the Evil Empire / Google / 

Amazon) are essentially the 

storm troopers who are out to 

prevent Halliday’s wealth going 

anywhere but into their gaping 

maw. 

Cline was a teenager in the 

Eighties, so the book is packed 

with arcade games, songs 

and film references which will 

amuse and delight anyone the 

wrong side of forty, like the 

writer (of the novel and this 

review). 

Teens and adults alike 

should find much to delight 

them in this engrossing 

thriller with more twists and 

turns than the Stockiemuir 

Road. It’s now a Spielberg 

blockbuster, but I’d recommend 

reading the book first as the 

attention to detail is breathtaking 

and watching the 

film in the summer holidays 

will be more rewarding. 

The list of acknowledgements 

is testament to the amount 

of gaming research Cline has 

done to ensure authenticity. 

And finally, one for the little 

‘uns. The fifth instalment in 

the hilarious series about a 

family of hyenas masquerading 

as humans will provide a lot 

of fun for the kids as well as 

some subtle and not so subtle 

double entendres for the 

adults to enjoy. 

The Bolds already have 

their hands – or paws – full 

training up their students to 

integrate into human society: 

Craig the wild boar, Snappy 

the goose and Miss Paulina, 

an otter with ambitions to 

become a nun. However, life 

is about to get much more 

complicated when a thieving, 

rude and ravenous fox begins 

to steal from the houses on 

Fairfield Road. 

The inevitable 

neighbourhood watch meeting 

takes place with many 

of the overreactions and 

pettiness which many of us 

will recognise, and the Bolds 

find themselves the only ones 

sticking up for the rights of the 

foxes. The hosts of the meeting 

– Richard and Zoe Bingham 

– are hilarious caricatures 

as we’ve all got neighbours 

like this. 

When Mossy the fox, the 

thief in question, is caught in a 

trap in the Bingham’s garden, 

the Bolds and their friends 

swing into action in a bold 

and ingenious rescue attempt. 

I’ll say no more at this point 

in order to maintain the high 

octane tension! 

Suitable for P4-P7, your 

kids will love the jokes and 

clever word play, as will any 

adult reader fortunate enough 

to read this to their charges. 

Julian Clary is a genius. 

The Bolds Are 

In Trouble 

by Julian Clary 

3


The trademarks Ovo and Cirque du Soleil are owned by Cirque du Soleil and used under license. Design: Bob King Creative Ltd. 

‘A SPECTACULAR SHOW 

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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 29 

Images I Gregor Reid 

summer sushirrito 

There’s a new portable lunch craze on 

the scene – the fresh and tasty sushirrito 

at Wudon! Situated half-way between 

the Botanics and Kelvingrove Park, Wudon 

is the perfect summer lunch pick up spot for 

a healthy bite to eat while topping up your 

vitamin D levels in a West End park. 

With three fish and meat combos to try the 

Wudon sushirrito is a hand held sushi burrito 

to be eaten on the go. If time’s an issue 

simply call ahead and your made-to-order 

lunch will be ready to go when you are. 

A generous sushi maki, Wudon’s sushirrito 

is made with your choice of filling rolled 

in seaweed and rice. And the fillings? A 

pan Asian taste sensation of peppery beef 

with crispy shallots in a sweet and savoury 

teriyaki dressing makes up the Beefy Sumo. 

This option can also be made with 

tofu (£6.95). 

Or why not try the fragrant Panko Mango, 

or fresh Sake Salmon sushi burritos? I loved 

the Panko Mango for the succulent coconut 

coated chicken in crispy Panko breadcrumbs 

wrapped in fresh fruit mango salad, the 

tastes all so clean and fresh for a light 

summer’s day lunch. 

@ 

WUDON 

The healthy Sake Salmon sushirrito option 

is just the choice to opt for pre-holiday. Fresh 

raw slices of salmon and cucumber are rolled 

in a kimchi dressing – taste buds tingling yet? 

Whether it’s a snack on the run or a quick 

lunch time treat en-route to the Botanics, 

Wudon’s sushirritos are a fresh, tasty and 

portable option. 

Sushirritos are available for a limited time 

only and at just £7.95 each they’re tantalising 

on the palate yet light on the wallet. For even 

more value pick up the new Sushiritto Loyalty 

Card and pick up every fourth sushi burrito 

for FREE! 

Collect a stamp every time you buy a Sushiritto 

and get your 4th one free! 

1 2 3 4 free 

on 4th 

visit 

One stamp per table or per takeaway 

This card must be presented at time of payment 

Offer expires 31/08/18 

Wudon 

535 Great Western Road 

0141 357 3033 

wudon-noodlebar.co.uk


THERE 

ARE SO 

MANY 

WAYS TO 

LOVE 

JOIN // HOST // SHOP 

For more information: 

www.stelladot.co.uk/lorainepatrick 

lorainepatrick1@me.com


Images I Gregor Reid 

artisan bread 

coffee & plants at 

Artisan bread from Freedom Bakery and 

freshly ground Oven Bird coffee, two 

of many great local food producers to 

be found on the menu, and for sale, at new 

Thornwood café Tulipané. 

Tulipané owner, Lesley, is a well kent 

face in these parts, ‘Thornwood is a 

neighbourhood I know and love. When I 

met Joe Molinari and saw what a lovely 

job he was doing with number 682 it felt 

like a perfect fit, I wanted to be part of the 

regeneration of a neighbourhood full of real 

characters. The inspiration for Tulipané came 

from café culture in Italy and it seemed a real 

organic pairing presenting in season plants 

for sale, and flowers for order too. 

‘We open at 7.30am as we’re at the main 

bus stop for the new hospital so knew coffee 

on the go and takeaway food would be big for 

us. We’re not just a café.’ 

Lesley is passionate about using local 

seasonal ingredients and suppliers, ‘my 

suppliers are all local with a strong ethical 

attitude to the environment. I love their 

personal service and enthusiasm for what 

I’m doing and how proud they are to see their 

produce prepared and served with passion. 

Luckily I have great staff who are very 

welcoming and fantastic with our customers.’ 

Freedom Bakery and Bavarian Bakehouse 

supply a range of fresh breads, rolls 

and ciabattas Tulipané fill with delicious 

combinations of ingredients. All salad, veg 

and dairy produce comes from Seasonal 

Produce ‘a supplier of old who became a 

friend,’ says Lesley. Tulipanes breakfast 

menu is served all day with eggs supplied 

from Corrie Mains Farm – you just can’t beat 

them! 

With an extensive breakfast and lunch 

menu with options for vegans, vegetarians, 

the gluten intolerant (gluten free and vegan 

cakes, bread and pastries are from Wild 

Flour Bakery), Lesley is bringing something 

fresh to the area and locals are loving their 

new stylish café. Helped along by the secret 

carrot cake recipe from Huckleberry Bakers 

…shhh. 

Tulipané 

682 Dumbarton Road G11 6RB 

0141 339 2223 

tulipane.co.uk


Nice, or a bit naughty? 

The choice is yours! 

Guilty Pleasures from 

Westender’s American 

in Glasgow 

Image I Gregor Reid


Cherry chocolate 

coconut popsicles 

by Liberty Vittert 

K 

Shopping List 

350g pitted cherries 

480mL unsweetened 

almond milk 

400mL coconut milk 

200mL coconut cream 

1/2 tsp salt 

1 tsp vanilla 

100g shredded coconut, 

75g ground almonds 

100g chopped dark 

chocolate 

or 

for an adult version 

substitute 400ml coconut 

milk for 400ml Baileys! 

L 

Bikini bodies suck, but I get it (don’t have one 

obviously, but understand their usefulness). 

And of course along with bikini bodies comes the 

bikini diet. Oy vay. 

Now I make bikini diet food (sometimes) but 

hand to God I just can’t really get into it. Nothing 

ever tastes quite as good as the ‘real thing’. 

But a few weeks ago, my brother was visiting and 

he is lactose intolerant (he doesn't seem lactose 

intolerant when I slip a couple slabs of butter in the 

scrambled eggs I make for breakfast, but whatever). 

So, as the dutiful sister, I pulled out all the stops, 

and whipped up these Cherry Chocolate Coconut 

Popsicles that are actually lactose free, have no 

added sugar, and are vegan to boot (depending on 

your choice of chocolate). 

I have to say, I even surprised 

myself (I ate three in one sitting). 

As a firm hater of healthy food, 

I can personally attest that these 

are pretty darn good. Or if you 

just can't help it and need to be a 

little bit naughty there is an adult 

twist on this delicious ice too! 

Method 

1. Blend everything well, except the 

chocolate. 

2. Stir in the chocolate. 

3. Pour the mixture into paper cups 

(or fancy moulds). 

4. Let the moulds freeze for 20 minutes 

before putting the stick in. 

5. Let the whole thing freeze overnight. 

6. Enjoy your healthiness! 

PAPYRUS 

SPECIAL 

OFFER 

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Lolly moulds 

worth £4 when 

you spend over 

£20 in Papyrus 

Cookshop 

*Exclusive offer for 

WESTENDER readers 

at Papyrus, 

374 Byres Road


Summer stunners 

www.nancysmillieshop.com 

53 Cresswell St. Glasgow, G12 8AE t:0141 334 4240 425 Grt. Western Rd. Glasgow, G4 9JA t:0141 334 0055

@ 

El Perro 

Negro 


Image I Gregor Reid 

Reviewed by 

Roberto Parrucci 

Its name immediately brought up memories 

of my time in Spain, when in Cordoba 

I used to eat at the ‘Rey de los perritos 

calientes’ (the king of hot dogs) caressed by 

the Andalusian sun, a fresh beer in hand. 

These days of incredible summer weather 

in Glasgow can trick the mind indeed. 

But, a glance at the window and a chat with 

the staff bring me quickly back to Glasgow’s 

foodie paradise, Finnieston. Hungry after a 

busy day’s exertions, we decided to stop by 

El Perro Negro. Here, at number 966 Argyle 

Street the most rarefied burgers in town are 

rumoured to be found. 

The location is intentionally minimal 

– no frills to distract you. The focus is solely 

on the burger, the handsome protagonist of 

your meal. 

The selection will please both classic 

burger lovers and those striving for more 

unconventional combinations. The classic 

burger definitely stands out for the quality 

of the meat, yet it’s the more contemporary 

additions that make this place an absolute 

must go. 

Advised by the knowledgeable staff at 

the counter, I plumped for Korean gochujang 

chicken wings as a starter followed by a deep 

fried tofu burger, as I felt these would be the 

real standout – and I was right! My mouth 

was blessed by an explosion of flavour. 

The starter of chicken wings was simply 

delicious. So much so I tore them to the 

bone; following the primordial advice of my 

empty stomach. The tender and juicy chicken 

meat contrasted with the crispy sesame 

coating. All topped with fresh spring onion 

and battered in the now famous gochujang 

spice, I felt I should have ordered more. 

But alas, the tofu burger was waiting for me. 

It looked delicious and cute. The orangeshaded 

tofu slice was topped with the cutest 

strips of carrots ever seen. I’m not usually 

a fan of tofu but this burger really made me 

reconsider. All tastes were well balanced 

and complemented each other – the wee 

spicy bit deliciously beefing up the taste. But, 

if spice is not your thing, perhaps opt for 

milder choices. 

Last but not least, we decided to taste the 

buffalo and blue cheese fries. If gochujang 

doesn’t give you enough inner heat, add 

these fries and your mouth will start to swell. 

Dip them in truffle mayo (courtesy of the staff 

to us!) to add another distinctive flavour to 

your meal. 

All this burning made you thirsty? 

Unfortunately, El Perro has no alcohol 

licence, but, and here comes the kicker: the 

venue has partnered up with neighbour The 

Brass Monkey, which means you can enjoy 

‘the best burger in town’ while sipping a crisp 

pint in arguably one of the hippest bars in the 

West End. Isn’t that just a treat? 

El Perro Negro 

966 Argyle Street G3 8LU 

el-perro-negro.com

36 | Westender www.westendermagazine.com 

Magazine Promotion 

RRI 

I 

by John Parker 

t’s a time of celebration for us at Rainbow 

Room International Great Western Road 

as our salon has just turned an incredible 

20 years old! Our opening date was the 1st 

of June 1998, so we celebrated over the 

weekend with cakes, balloons and fizz shared 

with our clients. We are also celebrating this 

occasion by taking our staff for a day out to 

Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the summer, we 

wouldn’t be where we are today without our 

team and we love to award and treat them for 

all their hard work. 

For the second year in a row some of 

our Rainbow Room International team also 

helped style the artists hair at TRSNMT 

Festival, where we hosted a pop-up salon 

backstage, providing haircuts and hairstyles 

to the artists at the festival. Our Rainbow 

Room International team have previously 

styled hair backstage at many high profile 

events including the MOBOs, the Scottish 

BAFTAs, The Scottish Style Awards and 

also T in the Park, where we were resident 

hairdressers to the stars for eleven years! 

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Hypnosis clients are also offered Lyn’s Mind 

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Head to lynlyonshypnosis.com to read a 

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@ 

The 

Left Bank 

Reviewed by 

Emily Donoho 

The Left Bank, now a Gibson Street 

institution, opened in 2006 to awards and 

shiny reviews for its luscious, innovative 

take on Scottish cuisine. Since then it 

has drawn a steady crowd of students, 

academics, and locals. It was a hotspot of the 

Glasgow University geography department, 

the gathering point for celebrations whenever 

someone completed their PhD, and during 

graduation, don’t expect to get in. 

While it’s famous and frequently reviewed 

for its excellent food, I visited at 9pm to 

have a couple of drinks. The interior hasn’t 

changed since it opened in 2006, or since 

I was last there in 2012, with its distinctive 

split-level architecture, tables and comfy 

sofas (they are incredibly comfy) hidden 

around corners or up the stairs on the 

mezzanine level. The mix of glass panels, 

brick, and wood is fashionable, the exposed 

brick combined with modern materials 

seemingly a thing in a lot of bars and 

restaurants these days aiming for that look 

that is both ‘retro’ and postmodern. At least 

the Left Bank wears it easily, like it’s not 

trying too hard to be cool. It just is. 

If you want a quiet drink midweek and 

don’t want to fight the crowds or overly loud 

music in a busy venue, I recommend it. 

The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed; 

you can have a conversation with your mates 

without shouting, something I always look for 

in a bar. It’s unsurprisingly busy at meal times 

but seems to clear out around 9 – at least on 

a Wednesday – so you can find a seat and be 

very chilled out about the whole experience. 

The bar has a small selection of beers 

on draught, but they have been chosen by 

someone who knows they don’t have many 

pumps and selected their beer with care: 

Tennent’s, Staropramen, Drygate Pilsner, 

Joker IPA, and a rotating craft beer, which 

was Fraoch the night I was there, as well 

as bottles from the Williams Brothers’ 

brewery. Unfortunately, the Fraoch was off 

that evening, but Joker is always a reliable 

favourite for the microbrew enthusiast. 

For whisky lovers, there is a reasonable 

selection, about a dozen malts, some of them 

pretty rare like a 41 year Ardmore. It’s mainly 

a restaurant, so it carries the extensive wine 

list you’d expect from a good restaurant. 

But where it prides itself are its cocktails, of 

which there are a wide array, from classics 

like Martinis, Margaritas, and Manhattans, 

to their own concoctions with names like 

Highand Rose or the Symphony. I’m not a 

frequent cocktail drinker nor a particularly 

discerning one, but in James Bond style I 

tried a Martini and all I can really say is that it 

was an excellent Martini. 

The only real downside is that it’s relatively 

expensive. A pint cost nearly £5 and cocktails 

are more than £7. Nonetheless, for a relaxed 

night out or for boldly trying inventive 

cocktails, it’s a delightful little bar. 

The Left Bank 

33-35 Gibson Street G12 8NU 

0141 339 5969 

theleftbank.co.uk 

Image I Gregor Reid


Power of Paper 

& Victoria Cassidy 

WORDS NICOLA MAULE MAIN IMAGE GREGOR REID 

Shifting her 9 to 5 from artist to curator 

was for Victoria Cassidy a pretty 

straightforward move. ‘Running 

a gallery has always seemed like a very 

natural thing to me, having been involved 

in the arts since my teens.’ Encouragement 

was pressed earlier in life on learning ‘the 

more academic subjects of maths, physics 

and chemistry – art was frowned on and 

regarded as a “hobby” rather than a career,’ 

she adds. Cassidy followed expectation until, 

‘I realised that I wasn’t actually happy on that 

path - so, in my final year of school I sat my 

Higher Art and was accepted to Glasgow 

School of Art.’ 

Choosing Printmaking as her speciality 

she reflects on this way, ‘Perhaps the 

sciences I studied at school drew me to it? 

The technical processes and the chemistry of 

it suited my methodical approach to making 

images and even now this early training 

informs the way I paint. I always claim that I 

paint like a printmaker.’ 

Mansfield Park Gallery is a permanent 

high street space which launched in 2006, 

an established fixture in Glasgow’s West End 

retail landscape. The gallery is traditional in 

name, offering and therefore expectation but 

it’s the artist understanding and view which 

I would argue enhances its value – offering 

a unique position among many other high 

street galleries. ‘I have developed a great 

network of artist friends who are happy to 

deal with someone who knows first-hand 

what it’s like to be an artist herself. I also 

hope that my experience will be useful to 

anyone interested in buying art for the first 

time, I don’t hang anything on the gallery 

walls that I wouldn’t hang in my own home 

– and I set that bar high,’ she tells me. 

Cassidy holds a rich collection of works 

on the walls and in the sleeves. ‘Scotland has


a tradition of producing great artists and as 

a nation we should be proud and supportive 

of that – it’s not all about highland cows 

and wee white cottages, there is so much 

more interesting and challenging work being 

produced and that’s what excites me and 

makes me feel privileged to be a part of it all,’ 

she adds. 

Her own work is also represented but 

with modest self-promotion. When browsing 

through the range of artists on the gallery 

website I was quite struck by her pieces 

– initially drawn to the wonderful pattern and 

balance of elements in her early pictures, 

the use of Egyptian hieroglyphics and 

symbolism. It was only after a little further 

research I understood that the artist was 

also the gallery owner and this made it all the 

more interesting. 

Holding a deep interest in the power of 

paper as a carrier of history she explains, 

‘I’m fascinated with the idea of ancient, 

foreign civilisations whose culture is revealed 

to us through the discovery and deciphering 

of fragile paper documents, scrolls, old 

maps and decaying texts,’ and is ‘equally 

fascinated by the contrast between these 

ancient civilisations and the new cultures 

that have replaced them. ‘Compare the 

hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt to the work of 

the later Muslim artists who, being forbidden 

to represent animal or human forms 

used their creativity to produce the most 

beautifully, decorative and mathematically 

precise pattern work,’ she adds. 

I would also extend this to a sympathy 

in Cassidy’s pictures not only towards the 

beauty of these ancient references but she 

evokes, through her choice of subject matter 

the value of these cultures – and something 

else – the practise of artists and makers 

consciously acknowledging their view of the 

human position within their pieces. Islamic 

art for example is not only beautiful in its 

decorative aesthetic for the reasons Cassidy 

Only Through Tears & Diminished 

© Victoria Cassidy


Navigating by the Stars © Victoria Cassidy 

notes but there will often be a deliberate 

break with precision in the logic of pattern 

by the artist – a sign or offering of humility, 

of our humanness, the premise that only God 

is perfect. This practice of the intentional flaw 

is recognised throughout the world within 

many cultures and religions. The Navajo 

Indians for example would weave rugs, 

offering a different colour thread through 

the pattern as a way for part of the spirit 

of the weaver to escape and to show their 

imperfection in contrast to the creator, again 

considered perfect in comparison. 

It also reminds me of that piece of ancient 

wisdom which in Japan is known as ‘wabisabi.’ 

A difficult view to explain, but this story 

is often used to demonstrate the beauty of 

its sentiment – In the height of the Japanese 

autumn, in one of Kyoto’s majestic gardens, 

a tea master asked his disciple to prepare for 

tea ceremony. The young man trimmed the 

hedges, raked the gravel, picked the dried 

leaves from the stones, cleared the moss 

path of twigs. The garden looked immaculate: 

not a blade of grass out of place. The 

master inspected the garden quietly. Then, 

he reached at a branch of a maple tree and 

shook it, watching the auburn leaves fall with 

haphazard grace on tidied earth. There it was 

now, the magic of imperfection. There it was, 

the order of nature, never far from the hands 

of humans. There it was, wabi-sabi, thought 

master Rikyu – the father of Japanese tea 

ceremony. (1) 

Cassidy’s most recent work are all 

mixed media (acrylic/ watercolour/ ink/ gold 

leaf) and influenced by Japanese prints 

and culture, deconstructing images from 

Japanese masters and combining them with 

modern European poetry and song lyrics. 

Fall © Victoria Cassidy 

‘I have never been to Japan, but I am 

planning to travel there next year and hope to 

explore the difference between modern hightech 

Japan and the old culture of geishas and 

tea ceremony. This should form the basis of a 

new body of work,’ she tells me. 

It is the practising artists approach to 

running a gallery that I find wonderfully 

refreshing – enriching the customer 

experience through that empathetic 

connection between the artist, their work and 

the buyer. ‘I would hate for anyone to feel 

awkward about coming into my gallery, when 

I’m sitting behind the desk I’m here to help 

(even if you’re not ready to make a purchase) 

I will still be happy to answer your questions 

and chat to you about the work on display. 

So, don’t be shy,’ she adds. 

Make sure when you do visit you look 

out for Cassidy’s own pictures – the gallery 

experience will bridge the gap between 

artist-curator and buyer in a much more 

direct way. I’m very much looking forward to 

viewing the new body of Japanese work that 

her upcoming trip may inspire. 

(1) psychologytoday.com/us/blog/betweencultures/201701/the-beauty-imperfection 

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Excess packaging, 

single use plastic, 

toxic manufacturing 

processes – every 

purchase or service we use 

has an environmental impact. 

Loraine Patrick meets three 

West End companies building 

businesses around caring for and 

appreciating our environment. 

Caroline Thompson-Noble hopes her 

new venture makes environmentally 

friendly products more accessible. 

The Green Place on Dumbarton Road is a 

one-stop shop for green home and lifestyle 

items. From sustainable paint brands to 

locally manufactured cleaning products and 

natural skin care, she has an alternative to 

many mainstream products. 

Describing her carefully thought out 

stock selection is a real lesson on how to 

make informed buying choices. She explains 

the background to her ecologically friendly 

paint. It’s recycled from unwanted emulsion 

she says, so it reduces the amount that 

goes to landfill. ‘The paint goes through a 

reprocessing process where it is filtered, 

blended and then has natural pigments 

added to it. It has a lovely quality to work 

with and is slightly thicker than trade paint.’ 

The green on the interior shop wall is one of 

the 28 shades in the range and reflects the 

beautiful depth of colour the emulsion can 

achieve. Caroline estimates around 55 million 

litres of unwanted paint is thrown out every 

year and many of us don’t realise how toxic it 

is. ‘If it gets into water courses it can pollute,’ 

she warns. 

It is not just the environment that benefits 

from going green our health does too. 

Another brand of paint in store is made 

entirely from plant derivatives and natural 

minerals and is safe enough for customers 

with allergies or respiratory conditions. 

Caroline explains ‘People often tell you not 

to paint when you are pregnant; and there 

is a good reason for that. It was only when I 

got my own house and started doing it up I 

realised there are so many chemicals you can 

be exposed to.’ 

Cutting down on plastic waste has 

become a public priority particularly since 

the impact on the world’s oceans was 

highlighted in the BBC series Blue Planet 

2. The Green Place offers refills on around 

a dozen household and beauty products. 

‘I had a lady in yesterday who filled up five 

bottles, it maybe took 10 minutes out of her 

day but I think the amount we are taking out 

of the earth is too much. It is not sustainable. 

Business models have to change.’


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Charlie Mulholland from Zedify the 

cargo bike delivery service (formerly called 

Outspoken Delivery) couldn’t agree more. 

When he started up as a bike courier 

in Cambridge his aim was to enjoy the 

outdoors, now he hopes his expanding zero 

emission delivery service has a positive 

impact on Glasgow’s congested streets. 

Explaining how his company works he 

says, ‘our aim is to do the least number of 

miles possible. One of our biggest clients is 

TNT (a worldwide shipping company) and we 

are helping them take vans off the road by 

doing many of their last mile deliveries. 

‘We try to do everything with a moral 

and ethical outlook,’ he continues. ‘We do 

not put fumes into the city centre and all my 

employees are paid a living wage. Barring 

the occasional horizontal hail shower our 

cyclists are happy. We strategically use an 

electric van to maximise the use of our cargo 

bikes, which I appreciate does not solve the 

congestion problem but it does mean we can 

deliver bigger loads.’ 

Zedify have won funding to trial a pilot 

delivery scheme in Edinburgh to help 

independent shops. A similar scheme ran 

in London over Christmas. ‘10 retailers 

signed up to offer free delivery to customers 

living within half a mile and it proved hugely 

successful.’ 

The aim ultimately is to replicate the 

scheme in the West End of Glasgow. ‘Imagine 

being able to buy your favourite cheese from 

IJ Mellis, your bread from Cottonrake Bakery 

and your pick of fruit and veg from Roots and 

Fruits and we could deliver all three for free 

to your home. That’s the absolute dream,’ 

he laughs. 

Whist the Zedify couriers are out in all 

weather – come rain, sleet or driving winds 

(yes even in the summer months) local mum 

Mel Russell’s new company aims to help us 

enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather. 

The highly insulated environmentally 

sustainable garden rooms she is 

manufacturing are designed to give you the 

space you need – whether that’s for growing


teenagers, a place to work from home or 

simply a room to relax and enjoy the garden. 

The high spec rooms are built from Mel’s 

Anniesland workshop. ‘They are a step up 

from conservatories,’ she says, ‘cheaper than 

a house extension and a million times more 

solid in construction than a summerhouse or 

garden shed.’ In Scotland it has mainly been 

joinery firms who have built these types of 

rooms but by focusing solely on her flat pack 

design Mel is able to keep costs down and is 

able to design, build and install for around a 

third cheaper than other manufacturers. 

Sitting in the office-cum-spare bedroom 

in her back garden in Jordanhill it is easy to 

appreciate the appeal. The birds are singing, 

it is warm and cosy, and we are surrounded 

by greenery. You feel a million miles away 

from the busy residential streets of the West 

End but it has all the comforts of home. 

Surprisingly you don’t need a big garden 

to make these rooms work and in most 

cases you don’t need planning permission. 

There are numerous health and wellbeing 

advantages to being able to enjoy an 

outdoor space year round and Mel is 

putting proposals together for a wheelchair 

accessible room after an enquiry from a local 

old folks home. ‘It is such a safe and warm 

space,’ she says, ‘and a great way to enjoy a 

garden whatever the weather.’ 

Outside In Garden Rooms marks a new 

direction for Mel who was formerly a director 

in a web design business. ‘I think businesses 

are becoming more and more aware of their 

responsibilities to the environment,’ she says. 

‘It is important for me to deliver a product 

that is as sustainable as possible within a 

budget range. These rooms should last for 30 

years. In house building people are becoming 

acutely aware of their moral and ethical 

responsibilities. Our rooms have to deliver 

now but also have longevity.’ 

Caroline from The Green Place sums up 

the mood, ‘There are lots of great producers 

here who are thinking both about their 

livelihood and the environment. It is great not 

only to buy local, but to demonstrate there 

are alternative business models out there that 

aren’t just about making lots of money.’ 

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Accountancy 

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by Bruce Wilson & Simon Murrison 

Contractors: employed or selfemployed? 

That is the question. 

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IR35 rules applied to contractors. 

Now HMRC is looking to extend the 

reforms to the Private Sector as early as 

spring 2019. This will have ramifications for 

the flexible working economy that is fast 

becoming the back bone of UK business. 

What is IR35? 

IR35 is an ‘intermediary tax’ rule that applies 

to contractors providing a professional 

service as a partnership or limited company. 

Why does IR35 exist? 

Designed by HMRC to capture people falling 

between the cracks of being employed and 

self-employed contractors. HMRC argues 

contractors working through a genuine 

partnership or limited company are often 

‘disguised employees’ avoiding paying the 

correct tax. 

How to check contract status? 

You should determine if your status is 

different from the employees working 

beside you. Consider where you fit in with 

the organisation, the pay and benefits you 

receive, the level of risk and rights you have. 

Have your say 

HMRC launched a consultation to extend the 

reforms into the private sector. The deadline 

to have your say is 10th August 2018, you can 

do this by visiting www.gov.uk/government/ 

consultations/off-payroll-working-in-theprivate-sector 

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aspirations for the 

GOOD LIFE 

WORDS Hannah Westwater 

Fennel, chive, peppermint and mangetout; 

lavender, oregano, borlotti beans, 

shallots, perpetual spinach and kale; 

rhubarb, gooseberries, tomatoes and 

cucumbers, parsnip, garlic and sorrel. 

You’ll find these and more nestled in the 

heart of Finnieston tenements tended to by 

members of the G3 Growers committee. 

The Back Garden is a community project with 

an unusual twist – a former dumping ground 

transformed into a serene haven for greenfingered 

locals of all abilities, where members 

receive ‘a share of the produce for a share of 

the work’. 

Set back from Argyle Street and found 

down an unassuming lane off Brechin Street, 

the circle of buildings around the Back 

Garden provides a remarkably effective shield 

from the noise and fumes of nearby traffic. 

Instead, members can enjoy respite from the 

city in the tranquil space lined with benches, 

bunting and colourful flowers planted to 

attract wildlife. ‘It’s good to be outside, get 

your hands in the soil, watch things grow and 

nurture things,’ says committee chairperson 

Anny Deery. ‘There are so many health and 

social benefits.’ 

The project bloomed in 2011 when the 

Partick-based Annexe Communities group 

won a grant from the Climate Challenge 

Fund. The land, gifted by Glasgow West 

Housing Association on a 15-year lease, was 

transferred to the G3 Growers committee 

a year later. With an annual fee of just £10,


the garden now has between 30 and 40 

members who are asked to spend two hours 

per month working in the space. 

The Back Garden is run entirely by 

volunteers, many of whom also work full-time, 

but gardening-focused education is always 

o n offe r to t h o s e w h o wa n t to t a ke p a r t . 

A small library of relevant literature is 

available for members to borrow from, 

and external organisations sometimes offer 

one-off training on all elements of horticulture 

– right down to the difference between 

compost and soil. 

Community and accessibility are 

important values to the people behind the 

fruit and vegetable garden, whose mission 

statement sets out a plan to promote healthy 

bodies and minds. The garden is equipped 

with long-handled tools and the raised plant 

beds – designed as such after toxins were 

found in the soil, left behind from when a car 

mechanic service occupied the site – are set 

far enough apart to allow wheelchair access. 

Further to this, the group has developed 

a wealth of resources which provides simple 

instructions for all kinds of gardening and 

upkeep required – all to ensure the project 

continues to welcome new recruits who 

needn’t worry about their level of experience. 

Put simply, you could ‘come along, not know 

what you’re doing and be totally fine’ – Anny 

emphasises that in the Back Garden, there 

are no skill expectations in place and that 

usually, members learn by doing. 

The committee also puts a big focus 

on local engagement, frequently working 

with nurseries and primary schools to help 

children understand the process their food 

goes through from seed to plate. The social 

and nutritional benefits are great, repeats 

Anny, but the perks extend even beyond 

that – a teacher recently remarked that kids 

spraying plants with water were developing 

their motor skills, too. 

Involving the local community’s youngest 

members kickstarts a chain reaction which 

resonates with adults, Anny adds, ‘At events 

we’ve had kids doing things like making 

coleslaw, and as a result of that the parents 

have signed up as members. Then at home, 

off the back of having seen and done that, the 

children wanted to help chop the vegetables 

and get involved in the food preparation 

process. There are so many little knock-on 

effects like that.’ 

Ecology is another priority for the 

gardeners, who pride themselves on 

harvesting all-organic produce using simple 

but innovative alternatives to pesticides. 

Plastic tubes lined with copper, for example, 

act as a harmless repellent to insects which 

could damage the crops. The G3 team also 

makes their own compost and leave comfrey 

to decompose in water for later use as a 

natural fertiliser. 

One challenge facing the G3 Growers is 

the lack of visibility the project has due to 

its location – ‘some people might think it’s 

only for the people who live around here, or 

that it’s an allotment or private garden,’ says 

Anny. Another is that, as the garden grows, 

so too does the demand for manpower and 

so they are looking to welcome as many 

new members as possible in the coming 

months. They are also hoping to recruit a new 

treasurer so that they can invest time into 

pursuing community funding and developing 

the garden into a multi-purpose space. 

Moving forward, the Back Garden and its 

members hope to encourage more vulnerable 

people to get involved, providing a safe and 

enjoyable space to socialise and learn new 

skills. In the meantime, you’ll find them just 

off Brechin Street making the most of our 

evasive Glasgow summer. 

facebook.com/thebackgardeng3


Health Matters 

GP Dr. Pamela Leggate, of Glasgow West Medical Practice, 

discusses a sensitive, yet common, complaint – incontinence. 

Not a normal part of ageing and not to be tolerated. Pick up 

some top tips here, there’s no need to put up with it. 

It’s not something we talk about much 

but urinary incontinence is actually more 

common than you think and is no laughing 

matter! There are two main types – Stress 

incontinence (nothing to do with anxiety) 

where urine leaks out when you cough, 

sneeze or jump on a trampoline (as you do); 

and Urge incontinence when you need to go 

and you need to go right now or else… 

Women are more commonly affected 

than men and will often ignore or put up 

with the symptoms for years rather than 

suffer the embarrassment of admitting they 

have a problem. Incontinence can be more 

of an issue as you get older but should not 

be accepted as a normal part of the aging 

process. 

Stress incontinence is caused when the 

pressure from the full bladder is too great 

for the bladder outlet to withstand. It is more 

common in women after childbirth, which can 

weaken the pelvic floor muscles, but is not 

inevitable. Often small amounts of urine will 

leak or dribble, sometimes larger amounts 

will flood out. In these cases, the first 

treatment option is to try to strengthen pelvic 

floor muscles with regular exercises. 

You can find instructions for pelvic floor 

exercises on NHS Choices and there’s 

even an NHS app called ‘Squeezy’ which 

you can download from the App store 

(£2.99, currently only for IOS, but can be 

used on an apple watch – who would have 

thought it?!). 

If you’re struggling to get the hang of 

the exercises yourself, there are specialist 

physiotherapists who can help (ask your 

GP for a continence clinic referral) or there


are various electronic devices (which to be 

honest look quite scary – I would recommend 

getting some advice from a physio before 

spending any money). 

As a last resort, surgery can sometimes 

be an option – pelvic floor repair will tighten 

up pelvic floor muscles and improve any 

associated prolapse. Surgery as always has 

its risks though so should not be embarked 

on lightly. 

So what about Urgency? Normally the 

bladder will fill up gradually and alert you 

to the need to empty it well before it gets 

totally full. In Urge incontinence that process 

doesn’t seem to work properly. In most 

cases we don’t know why. Sometimes called 

irritable or overactive bladder, the bladder 

will overreact to filling up partially and tell you 

that you need to pee urgently, often resulting 

in leakage when you can’t get to a toilet in 

time. Again, more common in women as you 

age but not to be tolerated as a normal part 

of growing older. Urge incontinence can be 

treated with medication which will calm an 

overactive bladder. Treatment is limited by 

potential side effects (dry mouth, blurred 

vision, confusion), but can be life changing. 

Some basics that can 

be helpful in all kinds 

of urinary issues: 

1. Make sure you are emptying 

your bladder properly when 

you go. If in doubt, stand up, 

sit down and pee again (double 

micturition). Stale urine lying 

in the bladder will increase 

inflammation and can cause urine 

infections. 

2. Reduce caffeine intake. 

Caffeine is in coffee, tea and fizzy 

drinks. It can cause irritation of 

the bladder making you pass 

urine more frequently and with 

more urgency. 

3. Improve fluid intake. 

People who are worried about 

incontinence will often try not 

to drink fluids but, paradoxically, 

this can cause more concentrated 

urine which will then irritate the 

bladder. Drink plenty during the 

day but maybe avoid taking large 

amounts of fluid later at night. 

4. Bladder training. If you feel 

the need to pee every hour, 

try stretching it out to an hour 

and ten minutes with a gradual 

increase in the length of time 

between visits to the toilet. 

5. Avoid constipation. A bunged 

up bowel can put pressure on 

the bladder and, especially in 

children, can be implicated in 

urinary problems. 

6. If all else fails, wear an 

incontinence pad! They can be 

bought in most supermarkets, 

ordered online, or if you’re not in a 

rush, ask your nurse of GP to refer 

you to the continence clinic.


Homes & Interiors 

bluebellgray 

Playful 

by Susan 

Robertson 

Pastels 

As we’ve been lucky this year to bask in a serious dose 

of summer sun, flowers are in bloom, barbecues have 

been trundled out of retirement, and the leafy green 

spaces of the West End have been bustling with activity. 

Susan Robertson looks at summery palettes to bring the 

season into our homes.


The summer season is an inspirational one, 

there’s much beautiful nature to be admired 

around us even in our city location. Very often, 

nature is the perfect starting point for creative 

inspiration, and the journey of colours over the 

last few months have led us from an abundance 

of marshmallow pink tree blossoms of spring, 

to the grassy greens, bright yellows and soft 

lilacs of summer. 

As always, any look starts with selecting 

your perfect palette to create a space that you 

find inspiring or restful. Think about holiday 

memories, summer picnics and indulgent 

ice-cream colours as you pull together your 

inspiration for a fresh, summery look in your 

home. 

Start building up a collection of colours and 

ideas into one place, adding cuttings from 

magazines, snaps of flowers you see when out 

walking the dog, or statement accessories you 

see in a local boutique – pull it all together into a 

‘look’ and an ‘ambience’ and then tailor that to 

your individual preferences and spaces. 

There are many general colour ‘feels’ that you 

can create within a summery theme. You can go 

big and colourful – think sunflowers, Blackpool 

rock, beach hut brights. Or you can go down a 

softer route of the pastel palette. Within this 

itself, there is still a plethora of possibilities in 

which direction you take this to create your final 

look. 

You can choose a pale and subdued approach, 

balancing chalky white walls with light sky blues 

and pale pistachio and mint ice-cream greens, 

balance these with soft white muslins, light 

lemon cottons, intricate flowery prints and pale 

peachy velvets for a really elegant and airy look. 

Or you can go bolder, and layer up different 

tones of similar colours, for example a 

strawberry milkshake pink wall, layered 

with deep dusky rose furniture statements or 

fabrics, then use strong accent colours with blue 

undertones – vibrant teals, luscious lilacs and 

crisp cornflower blues. One of the many appeals 

of this palette is how easy it is to harmonise 

many tones from across the colour spectrum. 

It’s also a great excuse to get the brush out and 

bring a whole new look together without needing 

too much new furniture. A good sanding of a 

chunky wooden chest of drawers, then a lick 

of one of the stronger paint colours, can make 

a huge impact. Obviously you’ll be restricted 

by your existing furniture and budget – if you 

have expensive bespoke units, you will work 

to complement what you have already invested 

in. But generally, you can really transform your 

home by just re-jigging your furniture between 

rooms, changing the colour scheme, and then 

the only investment you need to make is in a 

range of fresh paint, and a bit of time and elbow 

grease. 

Farrow & Ball



I recently saw a lovely upcycle job of a chair done 

in this pastel palette. It was on a TV programme 

so may ring a bell if you also saw it but it was a 

simple wooden spindle back chair, with each of 

the spindles painted in different pastel colours. 

The designer added a great touch to this with a 

small band of gold paint around some of the leg 

spindles which really tied it together. It’s such 

a forgiving palette, it will also allow for some 

hand-painting in a way that other looks just 

wouldn’t, and everything from wooden stairs 

to brick walls can look fantastic in this pastel 

palette. 

Once you have the palette and the painting 

done, use carefully chosen accessories to add 

a final flourish and tie it all together. This is a 

great excuse to invest in a statement item, a big, 

chunky lamp perhaps with a colourful shade, or 

a sumptuous rug. Or find a colourful vase – and 

use your imagination about the seasonal flowers 

you would choose to fill it, as a good indicator to 

further inform your look. 

Having had a July wedding myself some years 

ago, I chose hydrangeas for the bouquets. I 

love the simple boldness of these flowers and 

they represent summer to me. I went for cobalt 

blue and purple in my colour scheme, but 

hydrangeas can be enjoyed across this whole 

palette, from sugary pinks to pale mints. Have 

a think about the types of summer seasonal 

flowers that appeal most to you. Some of my 

other seasonal favourites are the wonderful iris 

with its vibrant purple and yellow streaks, deep 

lilac freesias with their fresh summery scent, 

hot pink gerberas, dusky fragrant sweet peas, 

or sweet blue cornflowers. This list in itself can 

form the basis of a wonderful palette for your 

room, and bring it all together with a vase of 

your favourites as a final treat to yourself after 

all your hard work. 

And finally, complement the scent of the 

fresh flowers and the grass-cutting outside, 

with some room perfumes or scented candles. 

The directory page in this edition gives some 

great ideas for summery candle scents, but 

generally think citrus and verbena, coconut and 

cotton, basil and sea salt to transport you to your 

favourite summer escape. 

bluebellgray


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Summer Scentsation 


Whether it’s a lazy Sunday morning with coffee and 

newspapers, a day at the beach, or a busy family barbecue 

when the sun’s out we like to take every opportunity we have 

to grab some al fresco quality time. But when the weather’s 

not on our side how better to bring the sunshine in than 

with some summery scented candles? 

Sunshine Candle, 

£5.99, Liquorice tree 

Grapefruit & Neroli Candle, 

£12, Spirito 

Oudh Geranium, 

£30, 

CoLab Store 

Amber & Bergamot Candle, 

£29.99, Cassiopeia 

Seaside Mimosa, 

£18.99, Papyrus 

Cassiopeia, 165 Hyndland Road, 0141 357 7374, cassiopeiaonline.co.uk 

CoLab Store, 11-13 Downhill Street, 0141 570 1766, colabstore.co.uk 

Liquorice Tree, 431 Great Western Road, 0141 339 0648, liquoricetree.com 

Papyrus, 374 Byres Road, 0141 334 6514, papyrusgifts.co.uk 

Spirito, 317-319 Crow Road, 0141 337 3307, spiritogifts.com

60 | www.westendermagazine.com



The first impression in any home 

space primarily comes from its colour 

scheme. The general look is created by 

a combination of the use of colour, and 

the capturing, reflecting and enhancing 

of light, Susan Robertson explains. 

Talking 

Textures 

Farrow & Ball 

by Susan Robertson 

Texture plays its vital 

part right down to the 

last detail! 

In order to add depth and ambience, you need 

to think of texture. This simply refers to the 

surface quality of any material so whether 

it’s smooth or bumpy, or crumbly or jaggy. 

Texture is separate to what can be seen, and 

is rather what can be felt. But it can also be 

perceived differently depending on how it 

looks next to things, how close you are, what 

the light is like. 

So there are various ways to add and 

manipulate the look you create using texture. 

Start with the colours that you use. How can 

you add a sense of depth or tactility to these 

rather than flat, one dimensional units of 

space? There are a range of lovely paints to 

help with this which are either chalky or sandy 

or even have a suede or leather ‘feel’ to them. 

You can also go down the ‘shiny’ route using 

reflective or high sheen colours to bounce light 

and create ambience.


Think about the 

materials in the rest of 

the room 

Most recently, there’s a growing trend for 

the ‘ombre’ look. This is basically a blended 

graduation of colour from light to dark. It looks 

great on long hair and is a popular choice 

available in salons now. But it’s also becoming a 

more popular concept in interior design. If you 

can imagine a loose watercolour background 

landscape, where a pale colour starts at the top 

and merges naturally down to a dark finish at 

the bottom, this can be a great effect on any wall 

and, if you have that artistic flair, it can be really 

effectively achieved with painting directly, and it 

looks great on a slightly textured wall to give the 

feel of a canvas. 

You can also use wallpaper to create texture. 

My memories of textured wallpaper probably 

aren’t the best. This harks back to the days of 

the woodchip effect which covered our entire 

family home when I was a child. Then, when 

that was eventually, and painstakingly stripped 

off by hand in the days before steam wallpaper 

strippers, it was replaced by other textured 

wallpaper that had little bobbles and bubbles in 

it that were pressed and poked by kids over the 

years creating a truly deflated effect. And I also 

remember the floral textured options that were 

popular then. 

Thankfully, products have evolved 

significantly since my childhood and there is a 

great range to choose from to give a different feel 

to the wall and you can add a subtle softness to a 

flat wall. You can also make a flat wall look and 

feel like a brick wall, or other creative illusions 

to enhance and create depth to any room. Large 

prints and patterns can also enhance the overall 

look and you can find these with mixed finishes 

within the same pattern. 

Then you need to think about the materials 

in the rest of the room. What furniture will 

you choose? Will you go for bumpy old wooden 

chairs, or smooth plastic? Will you use a cool, 

rough stone for your kitchen worktop, or a shiny 

polished stainless steel option? Will you use 

more metal or wood, natural or synthetic, cold or 

warm to the touch? 

And another key consideration when thinking 

about texture, is the type of effect you want from 

the fabrics in the room. How do you want to feel 

when you touch the materials of your room, this 

is a key consideration when you’re planning any 

space. A big comfy sofa will create a different 

response and feel depending on the fabric it’s 

covered in. If you can imagine the enveloping 

softness and resulting ambience of velvet or cord, 

as opposed to the more rigid canvas or linen 

fi b r e s . 

Then think of layering these to add further 

depth and interest. Big scatter cushions work 

well in sturdy hessians or thick velvet, then soft, 

downy cushions are lovely in light cotton or wool, 

topped off perhaps by some faux fur touches to 

add an opulent feel. Does it feel cold, or need 

softened? Immediately change the ambience 

with a cosy throw or a fluffy rug. Will you choose 

heavy woollen curtains or opt for smooth roller 

blinds? Texture plays its vital part right down 

to the last detail. For example the material you 

choose for the lampshades, whether you opt for 

stripped wooden doors, or go for gloss paint. 

Even the artwork on a wall can be flat, shiny 

framed prints, lumpy open oil paintings on 

canvas, or even hanging tapestries. 

All can look visually beautiful, but only with 

the complementary value of their texture, do all 

elements fully engage in perfecting your room. 

The Store Interiors


The Store Interiors, 26 Munro Place, Anniesland, Glasgow, G13 2UP 

0141 950 1333 | www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk 

Email: sales@thestoreinteriors.co.uk 

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QUOTE WESTENDER AND RECEIVE 15% DISCOUNT 

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Email: sales@thestoreinteriors.co.uk 

ROOFING, SLATING, STONEWORK, LEADWORK 

0141 404 6242 • GLASGOWSLATERS.CO.UK 

TheStore - HIS - Emma.indd 2 07/12/2017 09:48


Westender Magazine 

Interiors & All Trades 

Keeping your home working for you. Whatever you need whenever 

you need it – find reliable local tradespeople here. 

We’re your local experts in all 

aspects of painting and decorating, 

interior, exterior and specialists in 

hanging designer wallpapers. 

for a Free No Obligation Quote 

call Kevin on 07984 880199 

or Derek on 07525 202102 

or email us at 

bespokedecor@yahoo.co.uk 

T: 0141 321 1012 

2/2 1758 Great Western Road, 

Glasgow G13 2TL 

Painter & Decorator » Plaster Skimming 

Ames Taping & Coving » Period Windows 

Hand-painted Kitchens 

Call Frank – 07906 395341 / 0141 945 3975 

francisscullion@yahoo.co.uk


Before 

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66 | Westender www.westendermagazine.com 

Magazine Promotion 

Legal Matters 

Who is my neighbour? 

by Donald Reid, chairman at Mitchells Roberton 

The Smiths and the Browns live next door 

to each other. Their back gardens are 

divided by a hedge. One day wee Jason 

Brown’s ball flies over the hedge and hits the 

Smiths’ wee dog Prince in the eye. He yelps. 

Mrs Smith happens to be relaxing in her 

garden in the canopied swing she purchased 

last week at B&Q. She is distressed by the 

injury to Prince. She confiscates Jason’s ball. 

That evening Mr Brown appears at the 

door and demands Jason’s ball back. 

The Smiths don’t like his tone and refuse. 

The volume of dialogue rises. The Smiths see 

fit to criticise Jason’s general behaviour and 

the disciplinary failings of his parents. 

The conversation widens (as it does) 

to discussion of the hedge. The Smiths 

say they have measured and the hedge is 

on the wrong line depriving them of a foot 

of ground. Mr Brown furiously goes and 

fetches a copy of his land certificate and 

with stabbing gestures asserts that what he 

has title to is his and they should back off. 

Unfortunately, while not counter-challenging 

the Smiths’ parenting skills he does see fit to 

question the legitimacy of their parentage. 

The conversation ends unhappily. 

The next week the Browns go on holiday. 

When they return they find the hedge has 

gone and a six foot lap fence has been 

installed on a line about a foot more to their 

side than the hedge had been. The shadow 

cast by the fence is greater and the Browns’ 

garden is as gloomy as the Browns feel by 

this turn of events. Another acrimonious 

doorstep conversation ends with Mr Brown 

promising to ‘get my lawyer onto this.’ 

3. If when the Smiths go on holiday the 

Browns see fit to remove or move the fence 

they do so at their own peril and not on the 

solicitor’s advice. 

4. The last time the solicitor had a case like 

this it went to court. Her clients won the case 

but were so out of pocket and stressed by it 

that they wished they had never started. 

5. If the Browns can’t live with it they should 

seriously think of moving. 

The Browns mulled this over and decided 

their solicitor was a spineless wimp. They 

phoned and told her this and said they would 

go elsewhere. The solicitor said she was 

sorry to hear that. She concluded the call 

and went next door and high fived with her 

colleagues. The Browns looked elsewhere, 

and found a lot more wimps. 

The moral of this tale? Try not to fall out 

with your neighbours. If you must, make sure 

it’s for a bigger reason than 1/1250. 

If Donald can help please 

contact him on 0141 

552 3422, or email dbr@ 

mitchells-roberton.co.uk. 

The Browns consult their solicitor who listens 

to their tale then offers the following advice: 

1. This dispute is more about wee Jason and 

wee Prince than the fence. 

2. The land register title plan scale is 1/1250. 

It is not precise enough to resolve a dispute 

over a foot of ground. 

Mitchells Roberton Solicitors 

& Estate Agents 

George House 

36 North Hanover Street G1 2AD 

0141 552 3422 

www.mitchells-roberton.co.uk


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e info@theweekitchenshop.co.uk

‘hello’ 

West End 


Corum. There’s nobody better at selling houses. 

Contact Corum West End today for a free valuation 

of your home. 

Contact us on 

0141 357 1888 

Visit our website 

corumproperty.co.uk 

Corum West End, 

82 Hyndland Road, Glasgow G12 9UT the best sellers

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