Christmas 2019 Westender Magazine
www.westendermagazine.com | 1
WESTENDER
nov/dec
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Real Christmas Trees
FREE DELIVERY @ West End Garden Centre
(pre order to guarantee your delivery slot)
We will be stocking 100s of freshly cut real Christmas trees
in all sizes from 1st December …
X Nordmann Firs 4-15ft
X Fraser Firs 4-9ft
X Pot Grown Trees 3-4ft
X Christmas Wreaths
Come and enjoy some Mulled wine and shortbread whilst
picking your perfect tree from your Christmas tree forest.
We will have members of the team to help select
your favourite tree.
West of Scotland Cricket Club
40-44 Peel Street Glasgow G11 5LU
Call 07964672211
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Contents
Regulars
4 Editor’s Letter
24 Mum’s Notebook
42 Cover to Cover
Lifestyle
7 READER OFFER! 2-4-1
Tickets for The Country
Living Christmas Fair
17 West End Christmas
Gift Guide 2019
34 A Shop That’s Close
To Home
Fashion, beauty & health
8 Mono Fashion
25 WIN! At Rainbow
Room International
Going out
26 Top Things
28 West End Live
with Greg Kane
30 Musician Interview:
The Pastels
41 Restaurant Review:
Five March
Westender living
45 Winter Warmer
4 | www.westendermagazine.com
Editor’s
Letter
Iapologise in advance but I am going to
say it…the dreaded ‘C’ word – Christmas!
There you go. That wasn’t too painful now
was it? Ok, maybe a bit. The 25th December
does seem to whizz round earlier and earlier
each year but as always we are helping you
to prepare with our Christmas Gift Guide
loaded with goodies from our West End gift
boutiques (Page 17).
Keeping it local remains our theme for
Pamela Palongue’s shopping guide on page
34. Visiting the local florists, grocers and
markets of the West End, Pamela promotes
the great value and choice we have right
on our doorstep – whilst supporting local
businesses and families too.
As the nights draw in and the weather
deteriorates what a great excuse to cheer
ourselves up by visiting one of our great
music and entertainment venues. We could
all do with some cheering up (oh yes we
could!). There are pantos for young and old at
Websters Theatre and Oran Mor, Elfingrove
magic at Kelvingrove, street parties and
Christmas markets on Vinicombe Street, plus
many more – so check out our Top Things
happening in the West End this winter on
page 26.
SWG3, the QMU, The Hug and Pint, and
the Armadillo are all featured in Greg Kane’s
top music listings this festive season on page
28. We are blessed with venues from intimate
spaces to world class facilities hosting the
likes of Scottish songstress Magpie Blue
to the 80s icons a-ha. And to add to this
bounty, The Great Western festival launches
this November, bringing top bands such
as Songhoy Blues and Cass McCombs to
community spaces around Great Western
Road. Heading the line up at the Maryhill
Community Central Halls are The Pastels.
Read Nicola Maule’s interview with Stephen
Pastel on page 30 about why they chose to
get involved.
This is our last edition of Westender for
2019. A huge shout out must go to our regular
advertisers who’ve supported us throughout
the year. Without you we couldn’t do it.
Literally. So let’s give a huge cheer for small
local businesses sharing the love this winter!
Suzanne Martin
www.westendermagazine.com | 5
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EDITOR
SUZANNE MARTIN
PHOTOGRAPHER
GREGOR REID
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
AMY GLASGOW,
MICHELE GORDON,
GREG KANE, NICOLA MAULE,
TRACY MUKHERJEE,
PAMELA PALONGUE,
SUSAN ROBERTSON, BRIAN TOAL
HAIR & MUA
TERRI CRAIG
STYLIST
JACKI CLARK
WESTENDERMAGAZINE.COM
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Country Living Magazine Christmas
Fair is back at the SEC from 21-24
November 2019. The annual
celebration of all things festive is a must for
anyone looking to find everything for the
perfect Christmas celebration under one roof.
Source beautiful decorations and original
gifts from gorgeous garlands and beautiful
baubles, to glassware, scented candles and
stylish cards. Arts and craft lovers can pick
up haberdashery, ribbons, fabrics, sewing
kits and craft essentials – everything required
to get seriously creative this Christmas.
Over 350 of the UK’s finest designers,
makers and boutique businesses will gather
together under one roof to offer unique gifts,
decorations, crafts, food and drinks and
inspired interior ideas.
For the foodies, the temptations and treats
are endless. An exclusive collection of artisan
food and drink producers will give visitors
the chance to sample authentic regional
delicacies such as gourmet sausages and
hams, local cheeses and pâté, Christmas
cakes, puddings, chocolates and tempting
festive drinks.
The day out wouldn’t be complete without
a glass of fizz. The Viking Cruise Champagne
Bar is a great place to review purchases, plan
the rest of the day’s shopping or just relax
with a glass of Champagne.
2-4-1 TICKETS*
Guarantee your place at the show by
purchasing 2 for 1 tickets for £19. Simply
quote promo code: 241CLGPR16 when
booking online at countrylivingfair.com
or call 0844 209 7348.
* This offer provides 2 tickets for £19, the advanced
entry cost for one adult visitor. The offer is not
valid for VIP tickets or add on ticket items. No cash
alternative is available. A £2.20 book fee applies
per transaction. The closing date is 17 November
2019. Calls cost 13p per minute plus network access
charges.
2-4-1 TICKETS*
QUOTE: 241CLGPR16
CHRISTMAS
FAIR
GLASGOW 21-24 NOVEMBER
Unique gifts
★★★
More than 350 artisan exhibitors
★★★
Inspiring style ideas
★★★
Top tips for festive entertaining
★★★
Crafting workshops and free to attend talks
TO BOOK
*
TICKETS, VISIT: COUNTRYLIVINGFAIR.COM CALL: 0844 209 7348
Discount valid on advance adult tickets only. Not valid on VIP or add-on ticket options. A £2.20 booking fee applies per
transaction. Calls cost 13p per minute plus network access charges. Quote 241CLGPR16 to gain your discount. Offer expires 17 November 2019
The must-attend Christmas event
8 | www.westendermagazine.com
LIVE
LIFE
IN
MONO
photography GREGOR REID
stylist jacki clark
mua terri craig
top, river island.
trousers, h & M
bag, pink poodle
Jewellery, cassiopeia
shoes, daniel footwear
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dress & shoes, next
BAG, pink poodle
www.westendermagazine.com | 11
jacket & Trousers, jasmine
boots, daniel footwear
COAt, ted baker. Dress, next. Shoes, daniel footwear
12 | www.westendermagazine.com
top, river island. Skirt, top shop. bag, monsoon
necklace, cassiopeia. shoes, new look
www.westendermagazine.com | 13
dress, h & M
14 | www.westendermagazine.com
Dress, ted baker
Jacket, top shop
hat, jasmine
bag, monsoon
shoes, primark
stockings, eurasia crafts
photography www.westendermagazine.com gregor reid, gregorreidphotography.com | 15
stylist jacki clark, jackiclark-stylist.co.uk
MUA terri craig, terricraig.co.uk
model kate boyle
blouse, river island
skirt, topshop
shoes, primark
model courtesy of
coloursagency.com
16 | www.westendermagazine.com
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Tel: 0141 357 7374
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health & beauty, what’s on, local authors
& artists, interiors & more
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for a media flyer, or call 07905 897238
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Christmas
a merry west end
Gift Guide
for kids
Peter Rabbit Egg Cup Set
Made from Eco-friendly Bamboo
£10.95, Cassiopeia
Dinosaur Lights
£25, Spirito
Recycled Pencil Range
Boxes from £12.50
Nancy Smillie
Mini Fox Terrier Toys
£5.95 each, Nancy Smillie
Sophie la Giraffe Star Activity Toy
£22.99, Cassiopeia
Jellycat Leek Soft Toy
£9.95, Papyrus
Nape Textiles Scrunchies
£12 each, Wuid & Stitch
Alex Makes Kids Lampshade
£35, Wuid & Stitch
Magnetic Dress Up Game
£12.99, Spirito
18 | www.westendermagazine.com
for her
www.westendermagazine.com | 19
Arthouse Unlimited Gifts
from £4.95, Nancy Smillie
Stork Print Kimono Gown
£69.95, Nancy Smillie
Silver, Gold and Opalite Ring from
Banyan £95, Cassiopeia
Miami Vice Tote Bag by Freitag (various colour
options) £75.00, CoLab Store
Green Thomas Houndstooth Shawl
£110, Hoos
Lab 6 Candles and Diffusers
£25 each, Wuid and Stitch
Necklace £105
Spirito
Keyrings £9.99
Cassiopeia
Original Duckhead Olive
£26, Hoos
Alice Dansey-Wright Tote Bag £40 & Purse £20,
Love & Squalor
20 | www.westendermagazine.com
for him
The Whisky Game £22
Cassiopeia
ESWS RAF Ejector Seat Parachute
Wind Shirt £55, Wuid and Stitch
Chilly’s Matte Blue Water Bottle
£20.00, Papyrus
Green Thomas Semaphore Black Scarf
£130, Hoos
Light Up Globe
£90, Spirito
Roka Urban Bags selection
from £32.50, Cassiopeia
YLF Shower Gel from Triumph &
Disaster £25.00, CoLab Store
Olive Pearson Rugby Cowal
£46, Wuid and Stitch
Click Clock £54.95
Nancy Smillie
Large Book Light £64.95
Nancy Smillie
for home
www.westendermagazine.com | 21
Sada Blue & Green Steel Vase
by House Doctor £75, CoLab
Wagging Tail Clocks £44.95 each
Nancy Smillie
Santa Ducks starting
from £9.95, Cassiopeia
Octopus Bowl
£145, Spirito
Light Up Folklore Circle Large £44
Small £24, Spirito
House Doctor Scented Candle
£12.50, Hoos
Upcycled N Salvaged Lamp
(heat gun lamp) £85, Wuid and Stitch
Glass Terrarium £49.95
Papyrus
West End Suppliers
Cassiopeia 165 Hyndland Road G12 9HT cassiopeiaonline.co.uk
CoLab Store 11-13 Dowanhill Street G11 5QS colabstore.co.uk
Hoos 715 Great Western Road G13 8QX hoosglasgow.co.uk
Love & Squalor 427 Great Western Road G4 9JA loveandsqualor.co.uk
Nancy Smillie Shop 53 Cresswell Street G12 8AE nancysmillieshop com
Papyrus 374 Byres Road G12 8AR papyrusgifts.co.uk
Spirito 317-319 Crow Road G11 7BU spiritogifts.com
Wuid and Stitch 86 Dumbarton Road G11 6NX
22 | www.westendermagazine.com
1
The Nickel Boys
by Colson Whitehead
BY BRIAN TOAL
WESTENDER’s
COVER TO COVER
Colson Whitehead’s previous novel, The Underground
Railroad, won a Pulitzer prize and was endorsed by
Barack Obama.
It conveyed the testimonies of
former slaves who had escaped
the American south, neither
exaggerating the brutalities
endured nor pulling any punches
when depicting the attitudes of
the white slave owners. In his new
novel, The Nickel Boys, that same
raw depiction of the harsh realities
of being black in a white world is
utilised to stunning effect.
The main protagonist, Elwood,
is thrust into The Nickel Academy,
a reform school where education
is minimal and work in the form
of cheap labour for the white
population is par for the course.
Elwood’s crime: simply being in the
wrong place at the wrong time.
As the novel progresses, we begin
to understand that very few of
the ‘students’ at Nickel Academy
have done much to merit their stay
there, as the seemingly arbitrary
arrests of black youths provide a
constant stream of free labour to
fulfil a plethora of manual tasks,
bringing in a handsome profit for
the white governors of the school.
Students are regularly beaten,
isolated for days at a time, as well
as simply disappearing.
For students who have really
overstepped the mark there is
The White House, a building in the
middle of the complex where boys
are taken at night and beaten to
within an inch of their lives. This
is the fate Elwood suffers not
long after arriving at The Nickel
Academy, intervening in a fight
and getting caught up with the
rest in a group punishment. He is
inspired by the words of Dr. Martin
Luther King, and is determined to overcome oppression through
non-violence, just like his hero. Whitehead describes the ensuing
brutal beatings briefly and the injuries and long-term damage is
catalogued, but these stark, sparse accounts are actually a more
effective way of conveying the true horror of what went on, where
others could lean towards ghoulishness or gratuitous gore.
The novel opens with a grisly find by construction workers
on the site of the former reform school, so we know from the
beginning the fate that often awaited these boys. What makes
this novel so terrifying is that it’s all based on real events, as
the endnote confirms. The inspiration for this book is the Dozier
School for Boys, which was a reformatory school in Florida which
ran for more than a hundred years. Just recently, Florida officials
announced that they would begin the search for more bodies on
the site.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the appearance of this
book, mainly because of the huge popularity of The Underground
Railroad, and many saw this as a sequel. Whilst that’s not entirely
true, it is certainly a continuation of Whitehead’s exploration of
black history in America and what underlies the still simmering
racial tensions plaguing that land.
www.westendermagazine.com | 23
Top Marks For
Murder
by Robin Stevens
2
Top Marks for Murder is book 8
of the Murder Most Unladylike
series, a series which focusses
on a group of high school super
sleuths. I must admit, I’m new
to this series but if number
8 is anything to go by, many
younger readers will find this
series highly entertaining.
The novel is set in
Deepdean, a private school
for girls – girls of the highest
echelons of society only, don’t
you know? There is the usual
banter, cattiness and snobbery
you would expect from this
setting (fans of Malory Towers
will enjoy this) before a
murder rocks the school to its
foundations.
One of the group of sleuths,
better known as the Wells
and Wong Detective Society,
spots a murder from their
dorm window and the game
is afoot. Through dogged
determination, guile and wit,
the girls, with the help of a
friendly local Police Inspector,
manage to narrow down the
list of suspects by a process
of elimination. Another murder
along the way only serves to
complicate matters.
Do they catch the culprit
in the end? What do you
think? It’s not going to tax the
brains of any young readers,
but they’ll enjoy the chase.
The characters are amusing,
the plot speeds along with
many twists and turns along
the way, and the concept of
teen detectives will appeal to
many younger readers. This
would be an ideal stockingfiller
and will entertain the
youngsters during those long
winter nights.
Jason announces after years
of silence that he identifies as
a girl and wants to live life as
a girl. He starts to grow his
hair and wear more feminine
clothes, and these very visible
changes lead to consternation
amongst his family and friends,
despicable name calling and
online comments, as well as
support from some surprising
quarters.
The novel focusses primarily
on his younger brother, Sam,
who struggles to deal with
the loss of his big brother and
can’t accept that his big sister
is essentially the same person
with whom he loved spending
time. Sam is bullied mercilessly
at school for his brother’s
situation and takes this out on
Jason, who is now known as
Jessica.
To add to this tension,
his mother is a high-profile
cabinet minister who is
vying for the top job, and
this situation is at best a
distraction and at worst an
embarrassment to her and a
real obstacle to her chances
of becoming Prime Minister,
as her rivals use this as
ammunition against her.
This book has caused a
bit of a backlash from the
trans community over Boyne’s
representation of a trans
teenager and he was criticised
for making the focus of the
novel the family, rather than
the person transitioning.
However, others have
commented that this is the
book’s strength, and I’d agree.
The ending is perhaps a bit
too neat. Nevertheless, this is
a thought-provoking book for
any teenager to read, whether
cis or trans.
My Brother’s Name
Is Jessica
by John Boyne
3
24 | www.westendermagazine.com
Endmum’s
West
notebook
by Michele Gordon thelanguagehub.co.uk
Is it just me or has this last year been a
particularly fast one? It seems not that long
ago we opened our multilingual lending
library in September, hosting Halloween
parties, preparing for St. Andrews events and
planning our Christmas festivities at The Hub!
As you know, I like Christmas a lot:
particularly the time in the run up to the big
day. There is so much anticipation of things
to come, lights and decorations everywhere
and the smell of Christmassy things. It is
especially lovely to see children bursting
with excitement, asking all sorts of questions
around Santa and how it works. Just Magic!
I also like Christmas as it gives a little
extra time to do things as a family. I do miss
some of the German Christmas traditions.
I miss celebrating the four Sundays of Advent
and a proper Christmas market. In Germany,
Christmas markets are the place where you
spend hours with friends, singing carols while
enjoying some Glühwein and eating either
very greasy or very sweet food. I have always
thought that the West End should have its
own little Christmas market on Mansfield
Square and I still live in hope that one day
this will become a reality. In the meantime,
we have decided to get a start on things by
hosting a one day only Christmas market
inside The Café Hub on the 1st of December
(11am-5pm). But maybe our scheduled
Advent Sunday family brunches (11am-1pm)
are more to your taste; either way, we hope
to see you.
But there are many more things to
do throughout the West End starting in
November. One of the early events is the
musical at the SEC ‘How The Grinch Stole
Christmas’ (13th-17th November) which has
been described as ‘A genius of a show! A
total delight for both kids and adults’.
If you are looking for events where you can
purchase some gifts and yummies instead
then check out the beautiful range of handmade
crafts, cards, gifts and delicious baking
at the annual Paul O’Gorman Christmas Fair
on the 24th of November at Knightswood
Community Centre (201 Alderman Road).
And if you missed the opportunity last
year to make your own Christmas wreath,
sign up to the wreath making workshop
hosted by The Floral Design Boutique at
McPhapps on the 28th of November and 5th
of December (23 Sandyford Place).
If you are looking for more entertaining
things for children then visit the Riverside
Christmas Festival weekend (7th & 8th
December). Its event square will be
transformed into a traditional fairground with
free rides and carousels for all to enjoy.
There are also various pantos available.
We have tickets again this year for The
Webster’s Theatre production of ‘The Pure
Amazing Wiz of Oz’ (416 Great Western
Road). We love the cast and the theatre, they
always put on a very funny and interactive
show; last year I had tears running down my
face with laughter. However, the one ‘must
do’ thing this year will certainly be Elfingrove
at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
between the 5th and 23rd December.
The team behind GlasGLOW is turning
Kelvingrove into Elfingrove, with a night time
tour of the museum (5.30-10.30pm) where
‘the magic of Christmas is brought to life’;
we’ll definitely be buying tickets for this!
And don’t forget the official ‘switching on the
lights’ on the Vinicombe Street Christmas
tree on the 1st of December at 5.30pm,
always a great event among the many
Christmas stalls and live music bands and
choirs.
This leaves me to wish you all Frohe
Weihnachten und ein frohes neues Jahr, until
next year!
www.westendermagazine.com | 25
CHRISTMAS
AT
RRI
by John Parker
What a quick year it’s been and at
Rainbow Room International, we
have so many things to celebrate.
Throughout the year we have been
celebrating our 40th anniversary but as well
as this, we’ve also been celebrating Co-
Owner and Director of the George Square
salon, Dylan Brittain, finalising for the
Scottish Hairdresser of the Year category at
the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards.
This month we will attend the awards to
support Dylan and we all have all our fingers
crossed for him. Should he win he will take a
space on the British Hairdressing Awards Hall
of Fame for winning the category three times.
In the lead up to Christmas we have
fantastic treatments and colour services
available. If you want to keep your hair
looking full of life, in a healthy condition
and with super shine, we have many hair
treatments including a Glossing service
to ensure your hair is vibrant during the
Christmas party season! Do also be sure to
pop in for your winter trim to keep you hair
free from split ends!
317-319 CROW ROAD G11 7BU
0141 337 3307
SPIRITOGIFTS.COM
WIN! Rainbow Room International
are offering one lucky reader a hair
makeover in their Great Western Rd
salon. For your chance to win go to
westendermagazine.com and click
on competitions by the 31st Dec ‘19.
Rainbow Room International
607 Great Western Road G12 8HX
0141 337 3370
rainbowroominternational.com
26 | www.westendermagazine.com
Top Things To Do
in the West End
by Tracy Mukherjee
Top For Festive Festivals
The West End celebrates the coming of winter
with some fabulous entertainment for all the
family. Take a wander to Ashton Lane on 1st
December for the Winter Wonderland. The
lane will be transformed into the North Pole;
there might even be a visit from Santa himself!
The kids will love to get into the feel of this most
magical of seasons, especially as, rumour has
it Elsa and Olaf from Frozen might be making
a guest appearance. Expect a fair few festive
food stalls serving warming goodies on a cold
December day. If that isn’t enough, why not
take a weight off in one of Ashton Lane’s many
welcoming taverns and listen to the Christmas
choirs that are taking part in this fantastic day?
Meanwhile along on Vinicombe Street it’s time
for the Christmas Lights Switch On. As well as
Vinicombe Street, Cresswell and Ruthven Lane
will also be joining in on the 1st December with
Christmas shenanigans beginning at noon. There
will be entertainment all day on the main stage
and in the lanes all leading up to the big switch
on at 5.30pm.
If you still have some festive spirit left over, head
along to the Riverside Museum on 7th and 8th
December for the museum’s annual Christmas
Festival. With traditional Christmas markets
lining the resident Victorian street, you may well
happen upon Mr Scrooge! There will be Victorian
fairground rides and free carousels, so this is
definitely not one to miss.
Winter Wonderland at Ashton Lane
Sun 1st Dec, 12 – 6pm
fb:Winter Wonderland at Ashton Lane
West End Christmas Lights Switch On, Sun
1st December, 11am - 6pm, Vinicombe St,
fb:West End Christmas Lights Switch On
Riverside Christmas Festival,
Sat 7th - Sun 8th Dec, 11am - 4pm,
Riverside Museum, Pointhouse Place
fb:Riverside Museum
Top for Christmas Magic
We’ve long been aware that Kelvingrove Museum
is a magical place, but this December experience
the magic up close as Kelvingrove is transformed
into the spectacle that is Elfingrove. Events
company ITISON have made a spectacular
success of Halloween’s GlasGLOW; but now
(with the help of Santa obviously) visitors will be
able to have a magical night at the museum too.
The show promises a 70-90 minute tour of the
museum with light and sound installations not to
mention the big Magic of Christmas finale. There
is even a mystical ancient secret to be revealed
as you make your way through the museum’s
ethereal glow…
The event is a super addition to our many
Christmas staples. Roll on December and
prepare to be dazzled!
Elfingrove, Kelvingrove Museum and
Art Galleries, Thurs 5th – Mon 23rd Dec
w:itison.com/elfingrove
Top for Christmas Present
It’s Good 2 Give may not be a charity well known
here in the west, but it’s one that’s making
waves across Scotland. The charity supports
young cancer patients and their families in many
ways not least of which through their stunning
Ripple retreat set on the glorious shores of Loch
Venachar in Loch Lomond National Park.
In support of the tremendous work this charity
does, the inaugural Glasgow Blingo will be
taking place in January at the Radisson Blu
Hotel. This sparkling ladies lunch is a chance
to dress up with the gals for a fizzy drinks
reception, followed by a sumptuous three course
meal. Included in your ticket is some superb
entertainment throughout the afternoon and of
course, eyes down for the main event – BINGO!!!
There really is very little anyone needs at
Christmas these days when we can buy buy buy
www.westendermagazine.com | 27
Top Things To Do
in the West End
with a click of the computer mouse. And that
purchase rarely gives us the pleasure that we
hoped it would. But helping others whilst having
a ball at the same time? Well that’s a Christmas
present that LITERALLY will keep on giving.
It’s Good to Give Blingo
Radisson Blu Hotel, G2 8PD
Fri 31st Jan 2020, 12.30pm – 5pm
Tickets: Tables of 10 - £550
Bookings t:07428737516
e:shonagh@itsgood2give.co.uk
w:itsgood2give.co.uk
Top for Christmas Markets
It’s always lovely to open a pressie on Christmas
Day to find something unique and thoughtful.
And those gifts are often those chosen with love
at the myriad of craft markets taking place at
this time of year. Making a welcome return to the
Botanic Gardens, Tea Green Festive Market are
gracing the elegant Kibble Palace once again
with their fine art, craft and design pop-up event.
The markets are running for one weekend in
November and one in December.
Along in Knightswood the annual Paul
O’Gorman Christmas Fair and Tearoom gives
you the chance to pick up some unique home
furnishings, children’s clothes, jewellery and
much more whilst raising funds for local causes.
If you are in the City Centre, Art On The
Exchange in Royal Exchange Square provides
a great opportunity to choose from lovingly
designed products from local talented creatives
and designers. With so many opportunities to
purchase that special something there really is
very little excuse for a boring present this year!
Tea Green Festive Market
Sat 16th – Sun 17th Nov & Sat 7th – Sun
8th Dec, 10am - 4pm Kibble Palace,
Glasgow Botanic Gardens w:teagreen.co.uk
Paul O’Gorman Christmas Fair and
Tearoom, Sun 24th Nov, 1pm – 4pm
Knightswood Community Centre G13 3DD
fb:The Paul O’Gorman Christmas Fair
Art On The Exchange, various
dates throughout Nov and Dec,
Royal Exchange Square, G1 3AH
fb:Art On The Exchange 2019
Top for Pantos and Shows
There must be something in the water, because
never before has there been such a choice for
live entertainment over the Festive period to
suit all age groups. Glasgow Mask and Puppet
Theatre have a fantastic programme of events
for younger audiences. Look out for The
Snow Child and Handsome and Gretel. If it’s a
Panto you are after, there are several choices.
At Websters Theatre join Dotty for a Glaswegian
twist on a very famous tale in The Pure Amazing
Wiz of Oz which young and old will enjoy.
Meanwhile at Oran Mor, Dixie Whittington: The
Hamecoming is a tale of our heroine trying to
make her way back to her Granny in Glasgow and
is aimed at an adult audience.
The broadway musical Elf takes to the boards of
the colossal SSE Hydro for one weekend only as
everyone’s favourite Buddy puts on a Christmas
spectacular with a 30 ft Christmas tree in tow!
Better get those tickets soon as these shows are
bound to be popular.
Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre
w:maskandpuppet.co.uk/whats-oncalendar
The Pure Amazing Wiz of Oz, Websters
Theatre, Sat 30th Nov - Sat 4th Jan,
w:webstersglasgow.com
Dixie Whittington: The Hamecoming
Oran Mor, Mon 25th Nov – Sat 28th Dec
w:playpiepint.com
Elf – A Christmas Spectacular
SSE Hydro, Sat 14 & Sun 15th Dec
w:thessehydro.com/events
28 | www.westendermagazine.com
LIVE
November
a-ha
Friday 1st November 7pm
The SEC Armadillo, sec.co.uk
a-ha are a Norwegian band formed
in Oslo in 1982. Founded by Morten
Harket (vocals), Magne Furuholmen
(keyboards, guitars) and Paul
Waaktaar-Savoy(guitars), the band
rose to fame during the mid 80s and
are most notable for their global
hit record Take On Me. They have
sold in excess of 50 million records
worldwide and continue to tour every
year. Another notable fact is that
singer Morten Harket is listed in the
Guinness Book Of Records for the
longest live note held; he held a note
for 20.2 seconds. Now I don’t know
who is timing these things but I’ve
always felt sorry for Morton having
to hit that E5 note in Take On Me on
stage every night. Anyway it should be
an 80stastic night full of swooning
quinquagenarianettes.
Choice Tracks: a-ha 'Take On Me'
Marc Rebillet
Wednesday 6th November 7pm
SWG3, swg3.tv
Artists breaking through on their
YouTube channels is a common 21stcentury
occurrence these days
and Franco/American Dallas born
Marc Rebillet’s craft is tailor-made
for the YouTube generation, who watch
to see the bedroom hipster perform
music, comedy and performance art
with an array of musical instruments
and a loop station.
He began publishing YouTube videos
of himself improvising songs in his
apartment in 2016. These videos
began to go viral through Reddit and
Facebook garnering a huge, hyperengaged
loyal fan base.
Watching him do his thing on
YouTube is truly mesmerising. He
builds his songs from scratch using
only his prodigious natural talent
and his trusted Boss RC-505 loop
station referencing Prince, Vulfpeck
and classic R’n’B along the way.
He takes calls from his fans when he
does live streams on Sundays with
the broadcast morphing into a sort
of radio show with him presenting,
chatting and creating music on the
fly. It can be a bit chaotic at times
but the 300,000 subscribers he has
suggests no-one seems to mind.
He’s out on his quirkily named
Comeback World Tour in 2019.
Choice tracks: Marc Rebillet
‘You Were there'
Magpie Blue
Tuesday 19th November 7pm
Hug and Pint, thehugandpint.com
Millie Hanlon-Cole aka Magpie Blue
is an incredibly gifted 19-yearold
female singer songwriter from
Edinburgh. I think I’ve caught this
one early as she has only two songs
listed on Spotify, but what assured
and compelling recordings they are.
You get the sense listening to her
of an old head resting on young
shoulders, of someone who has the
emotional intelligence to channel
real feeling into their music. Having
already gained comparisons to the
likes of PJ Harvey and Anna Calvi, her
Jeff Buckley-esque vocals inflect with
a sense of raw melancholy. Once again
the Scottish music scene produces
another prodigious talent. I look
forward to watching her meteoric rise.
Choice track: Magpie Blue ‘Haunted’
www.westendermagazine.com | 29
by Greg Kane
December
Beak>
Friday 6th December 7pm
QMU, qmunion.org.uk
Featuring members of Portishead and
Moon Gangs, Beak> is the musical trio
of Geoff Barrow, Billy Fuller and Will
Young from Bristol who craft dense
and atmospheric music inspired by
Dub, Krautrock and The Beach Boys,
quite a mix.
But the band have a pretty simple
ethos of playing music for enjoyment
sake and laying it down live and as
one in the studio. What comes out
of these sessions is, to these ears,
a contemporary take on 'prog' that is
soulfully executed and both playful
and serious in equal measure. In the
10 years that they’ve been together
they’ve toured extensively all over
the world and released three albums,
the latest one '>>>' was released in
2018. At times they remind me of the
iconic 70s band King Crimson but
they definitely have their own sound.
The city of Bristol’s mantra is Keep
Bristol Weird and Beak> certainly
subscribe to that. Very enjoyable
modern prog.
Choice track: Beak> 'Sex Music'
Clairo
Sunday 8th December 7pm
QMU, qmunion.org.uk
Claire Cottrill known professionally
as Clairo, is a 22-year-old American
singer-songwriter from Carlisle
Massachusetts. Her fame escalated
after releasing the song Pretty Girl
in 2017, a lofi produced song that
attracted over 40 million views on
YouTube. Now describing your music as
'lofi' often hints at a 'do it yourself'
attitude to creating your stuff,
but this girl is the daughter of one of
the most influential marketing men
on the planet, namely Geoff Cottrill
(Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Converse,
The Grammys, to name but a few).
So I’m thinking not much of what she’s
doing is left to chance. Nonetheless
she does create a sound that is
compelling in it’s delicacy. She’s
surrounded herself with some clever
and thoughtful music makers too who
help her produce some genuinely
beautiful music.
Choice Track: Clairo 'Pretty Girl'
The Japanese House
Monday 16th December 7pm
SWG3, swg3.tv
The Japanese House is an English
indie pop act from Buckinghamshire,
aka 23 year old Amber Bain. She makes
dreampop electro music utilising
the smarts of Bon Iver’s producer
BJ Burton and recording at said Iver’s
studio in Wisconsin, USA. She’s also
been nurtured and supported by the
guys from the band The 1975. There’s
just something about left-handed
guitarists, to me they come across as
more genuine than their conventional
contemporaries and playing her
Fender Stratocaster upside down,
Amber Bain delivers honest, beautiful,
heartfelt music. She also plays most
of the instruments on her lastest
album Good At Falling admitting to
being a bit of a control freak, but it’s
definitely not to the detriment of the
record. Pretty English Rose pop music.
Choice track: The Japanese House
'Maybe Your The Reason'
30 | www.westendermagazine.com
Talking Shop With
The Pastels
WORDS NICOLA MAULE IMAGES JOHNNY MCLAUCHLAN
Nicola Maule speaks to Stephen McRobbie from influential Glasgow band,
The Pastels, about record labels, record shops, and the ever changing
musical landscape. This November The Pastels take to the stage at
The Great Western, a brand new multi-venue festival right on our doorstep.
The Pastels are playing at The Great
Western festival in November, which
is showing to have a great line-up of
bands, at a number of venues throughout
Glasgow’s West End. What was it about
this festival that made you sign up to play?
It was a combination of things. It seemed
potentially exciting and the timing was good
for us. We’ve worked with the promoter, 432,
in the past and we knew that they would trust
us and help us realise an event that we would
all be proud of. I’m wary of the word ‘curate’,
it’s become such a cliché, so it’s more a
co-operation between us to put something
amazing in place for one of the shows,
in Maryhill Community Central Hall. So far
we’ve got Sacred Paws, Lightships and Molly
Linen playing, we’re about to add a couple
more and DJs. We’re hoping it can become a
real hub for The Great Western festival.
Your last album Slow Summits was
released in 2013 through indie label
Domino Records, and shortlisted the
same year for Scottish Album of the Year
– did you enjoy reconnecting with your fan
base at this time?
With regards to Slow Summits, we never
felt disconnected from our fanbase as we’d
been playing live from time to time and of
course working on other things that became
public domain like the collaboration with
our friends, Tenniscoats, the Two Sunsets
album. We’d been doing some film and
theatre things too so it felt not too much like
a massive comeback. We were very proud
when it started to get good reviews and
we could see that people liked it. Great to
make the shortlist of the Scottish album of
the year. I think many people always feel an
affection for a group’s first music but maybe
we managed to make people feel an affection
for our most recent music. I only hope that
we can do it again, we’ll always try to come
up with something that’s better than we’ve
done before.
Being a part of Glasgow record shop,
Monorail, you clearly love being immersed
in the music scene – are you always
on the lookout for new bands and still
enjoy watching live music as much as
playing?
Being involved in Monorail Music gives
me a different perspective. I get to hear
so many different records, it’s healthy and
sometimes daunting trying to keep up.
For me, I prefer playing music to watching it,
it’s just a bit more satisfying. That said, I have
seen some amazing shows this year – Jarv
Is, Julia McFarlane’s Reality Guest, Trash
Kit. I’m proud to be working with Spinning
Coin through our label, Geographic, and
on a Strawberry Switchblade retrospective
too. I try to keep learning and try to keep my
enthusiasm. So far it’s not been a problem.
www.westendermagazine.com | 31
32 | www.westendermagazine.com
After your first single, Songs for Children,
released on Whaam records in 82’ I read
that you released a cassette tape. Did that
format give you more control and how do
you feel about the resurgence in releasing
tapes recently as an ‘old school’ format?
I actually can’t remember what came first.
We were really keen to reach an audience
and impatient so we were always trying to
take things into our own hands. Cassettes
were easy and cheap – a good format for
where we were. I understand them coming
back round because they still maybe seem
more fun than a file. I think they’re extremely
niche objects but they have a place. I still
like a well made mix tape with a nice piece of
handmade art.
You have always been in what seems to
be a crowd of musicians that were very
comfortable collaborating with each
other. Is this something that you still enjoy
and are there any new collaborations in
the offing?
We’ve not really got anything planned but
would like to make another record with
Tenniscoats sometime. I think of The Pastels
as a collaboration – between the various
musicians in the group and the sound
engineer. Sometimes it’s good not to colour
everything in to the nth. Then you’re leaving
space for a collaborator. If Kicking Leaves
had been too realised Craig Armstrong might
have felt there was nothing for him to do.
Instead he was able to help give it a particular
identity which we loved.
How do see the music industry moving
forward considering the seismic changes
that have taken place since The Pastels
started out?
I’m not sure what changes are coming next
– people listen to music in so many different
ways. Even on our label, Domino, some of
the artists are reaching their fanbase mainly
through streaming. I think people are after
a mixture of convenience and quality. The
quality part is ultimately really important.
That’s why so many people still love listening
to records.
The Great Western is an all-day multivenue
music festival on Saturday 23rd
November. For full listings and ticket sales
go to: tgwfest.com.
www.westendermagazine.com | 33
Celebrate
Esteem Beauty’s
10th Anniversary
this Christmas
528 Great Western Road
G12 8EL
0141 334 3254
esteembeauty.co.uk
esteembeautyglasgow@gmail.com
Purchase a voucher (£99 or over)
and receive a complimentary
voucher of the value of £30
Vouchers are only valid for six months from the date of issue.
Vouchers cannot be redeemed for cash. Vouchers can only be
used towards full price services unless stated. All vouchers
cannot be redeemed in conjunction with other offers and
are not valid towards the purchase of products.
34 | www.westendermagazine.com
A SHOP
that’s close to home
When the holidays roll around, you might be tempted to jump online, make
a few quick clicks, select the standard shipping, and choose the generic gift
wrap for Auntie Claire. It’s quick, it’s easy…and completely devoid of any
forethought or sentiment. Yet it’s fun to shop in the neighbourhood where
all the store owners know your name and greet you with a smile.
WORDS PAMELA PALONGUE
IMAGES GREGOR REID
When it comes to the holiday fare
you’ll be serving family and friends,
you’ll want the healthiest and best
ingredients you can get. By shopping the
local independent markets, you can ensure
that everything is fresh, and hasn’t been
sitting in a warehouse for months. Also,
shopping local helps to support small
businesses, which in turn, helps support local
families.
One thing the area independent
merchants all seem to have in common,
is that they are passionate about what they
do and how they do it.
One local business is Anderson’s,
located at 92 Queen Margaret Drive in
North Kelvinside. This establishment has
been at this exact spot for over 100 years!
And though you may have noticed a new
name outside (Barvas & James) the family
that runs it is still the same. Because they
have pivoted from a fruit market into flowers
and gifts, they felt they needed a new name
to reflect the change. But John, who is
the great-grandson of the original owners,
will still be offering fruit – just with a slightly
different twist. People will be able to order
fruit online and have it delivered right to their
door!
With some larger scale businesses,
ordering produce online might be a bit risky,
since fruit and veg can vary in quality and
freshness. The difference with Barvas &
James is that it is ordered, hand-selected
and delivered by John and his family. It is
a plan with all the convenience of online
www.westendermagazine.com | 35
shopping, but from people that you know and
trust. Watch for the launch soon!
The shop itself has lovely pots, candle
holders, luxurious bath products and even
speciality chocolates! As much as possible
John stocks products that are sustainably
sourced from local suppliers. If you’re not
sure what to buy someone, why not select a
lovely plant that will add some colour to their
home? A surprise bouquet will always light up
someone’s face as well. John, his wife Nicola,
and their team of florists create stunning
displays from top quality seasonal blooms.
And, as they are an independent florist, each
bouquet or arrangement is a custom creation.
From late November, be sure to stop by
their shop to pick out your Christmas tree!
Many families have made this their annual
ritual. They will have Nordmann Firs, and also
Living Spruce Trees if you prefer to plant your
tree in the garden after Christmas, and they
deliver.
John’s great-grandparents who were from
Barvas on the Isle of Lewis, would be proud
of the company that they started in Glasgow
over a century ago. Barvas & James is an
enduring family legacy.
Another familiar face in the neighbourhood
since 1979 is Roots, Fruits & Flowers.
Its owner, Garth, has a long history with fresh
36 | www.westendermagazine.com
www.westendermagazine.com | 37
produce, which began with working for a
competitor’s fruit market, before leaving to
start his own.
His initial foray into fruit, has morphed into
a company that sells fruit and veg, flowers,
whole foods, a whole foods deli and catering
service! (They probably couldn’t fit all of that
on the sign) They offer fruit and veg boxes,
which are a mixture of fresh, local produce
that can be delivered to your door either
weekly, or bi-weekly. The contents of the box
changes according to what’s in season, so
you have to be open to eating with the natural
variance of harvesting times.
The Whole Foods Deli, as the name
implies, uses whole foods and organics in
the dishes, with vegan and gluten free dishes
on the menu, which again are prepared
according to what’s in season. They also
have delicious gluten-free cakes for dessert!
You can have Roots, Fruits & Flowers cater
your holiday meal or party, for innovative
recipes that are good for you. But don’t delay!
Kieran recommends ordering by the 1st of
December to avoid disappointment. This year
they will be offering organic turkeys.
If you’re looking for a gift (and who
doesn’t love food?) you might consider
one of their lovely cheese hampers or their
full breakfast hampers. They’ll surely be
appreciated and well-digested.
Roots, Fruits & Flowers will also have
Christmas trees for sale, including organic
and Living Trees and they’ll deliver to your
door. The company has been moving things
around a bit, with the flower shop and the
fruit market trading places, but by the time
you read this, they should be all settled in.
Another great way to shop several local
businesses in one place is the Glasgow
Farmers Market at Mansfield Park. Held on
the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month,
this market may be a bit of a misnomer.
There’s plenty of farmer’s produce, but
there’s also lots of other interesting things
from soup to soap.
38 | www.westendermagazine.com
The Caurnie Soaperie, located in
Kirkintilloch comes to the market and sells
their natural skin care soaps, shampoos,
shower gels and lotions. They even have their
own organic herb garden where they grow
their own nettle for use in their products.
They happen to be the oldest and last
working soap makers in the world who use
a natural soap making process known as
coldprocess. In two years they will celebrate
their 100 year anniversary!
At the other end of the spectrum is
Root Candy. This energetic group of young
entrepreneurs just launched in August,
and sells baked goods and sweets that
contain healthy ingredients such as beetroot
and carrots. If you’re needing something
interesting for a dinner party that will be
innovative (and tastes great) stop by the
market for some of their wares.
And there’s organic fruits and veg offered
by Bellefield Organics from Abernethy,
where you can pick up a little farm to table
action. The market is also home to around
40 vendors, including those specialising in
fish, pork, lamb, and even a local importer of
French Provencal delicacies. Many shoppers
drive from several miles away to attend
the Mansfield Park Market. Residents of
Glasgow’s West End are so lucky to have
such a lovely market right at their doorstep.
It’s great to support all the local
merchants who care so much about the
products they bring to you and your family.
barvasandjames.com
rootsfruitsandflowers.com
citypropertymarkets.co.uk
www.westendermagazine.com | 39
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40 | www.westendermagazine.com
Qi Gong
with Ulrike
Taiji Qi Gong – Shibashi
Learn these gentle and graceful exercises
that enhance your health and wellbeing
Now open in Jordanhill
Family owned and run, the restaurant serves
modern Scottish food, using seasonal Scottish
produce. Perfect for friends and family to enjoy
a meal in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.
Book online, email or call.
0141 959 9666
info@theprancingstag.co.uk
www.theprancingstag.co.uk
1A, Ashwood Gardens
G13 1NX
New classes starting in 2020
For more information:
Email: u.litschka@gmx.net
Mobile/WhatsApp: 07942 494028
Ulrike Litschka
Certified and insured instructor for Qi Gong
Classes • Tuition for small groups • 1-to-1
www.westendermagazine.com | 41
@
Image I Gregor Reid
Five March
Reviewed by Amy Glasgow @theglasgowdiet
Ithink there is somewhat of a divide
developing between the people who love
‘small plates’ and the people who don’t.
Luckily for Five March, I’m on the loving side.
Who doesn’t want the chance to try 12 dishes
instead of two?
I’ve visited Five March a couple of
times now and it still feels like one of those
‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’ spots, nestled
into Elderslie Street, a mere moment from
bustling Charing Cross.
If you do manage to notice it as you walk
by, it is most certainly worth dropping in.
The minimalist, Scandinavian-style décor
might leave some cold, but the welcoming
staff does a perfect job of warming you up
– and if that doesn’t do it, then their list of
unusual and inventive cocktails definitely will.
The ever-changing menu focuses on fresh,
seasonal produce and celebrates a wide
range of cuisines, with distinct Asian and
Middle Eastern influences.
All plates are, as mentioned, designed to
be shared, with a fantastic mix of seafood,
meat and vegetables on offer. In fact, the
vegetable dishes are often where Five March
shines.
Take, for example, the confit garlic
panisse, with sweet potato, zuni pickle,
almond and parmesan crumb. A perfect
plate of textures and flavours that will convert
even the staunchest of meat-lovers. The fried
potatoes are also not to be missed – a staple
on the menu, the only thing that changes
about them is the flavour of aioli they are
paired with.
The real winner though is the charred
octopus with corn, radish, cucumber,
grapefruit and puffed rice. Both fresh and
smoky, this dish pairs perfectly charred and
tender octopus with a smooth and sweet
corn puree and zesty grapefruit. It is a dish
not to be missed.
If you are looking to cleanse your
palate after your meal, I highly recommend
the lemongrass and kaffir lime posset,
which feels both luxurious and refreshing.
For something a little richer, the chocolate
parfait with peanut butter granola is
incredibly indulgent.
To be perfectly honest, there was very
little on this menu that I did not enjoy.
Some might say that the mixture of such
different dishes might make the meal feel
inharmonious, but I feel the opposite is true.
Every dish is perfectly balanced, and seeing
that level of skill on every plate only shows
how talented the team of chefs at Five March
truly are.
Five March
140 Elderslie Street G3 7QF
0141 573 1400
fivemarch.co.uk
42 | Westender www.westendermagazine.com
Magazine Promotion
Image I Gregor Reid
Accountancy
Matters
by Bruce Wilson & Simon Murrison
Is There An App For That?
At Murrison & Wilson we make it easier
for individuals and businesses to get
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Under MTD spreadsheets are outdated in
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There’s an app for everything but where do
you begin?
We can help. Working with small to
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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 43
Legal Matters
Hate Thy Neighbour
Words from Donald Reid, Chairman at Mitchells Roberton:
West End tenement living can give rise to conflict over noise or use of
communal spaces. How do you deal with those less than considerate
neighbours? Read on to find out more.
The capacity for human beings to fall
out with each other is amazing.
A resident in a converted big house
in Pollokshields thinks it’s OK to store his
six old motor bikes permanently in the
communal front hall. A ground floor resident
in the West End padlocks the door to the
communal rear garden area to stop an upper
proprietor exercising his dog on the grass.
The upper proprietor retaliates by taking the
dog into the front garden owned exclusively
by the padlock wielding neighbour. Residents
of a steading development agree among
themselves that they can place their own wee
garden huts in a shared area. A new owner
moves in and erects an outhouse the size of
the Taj Mahal.
These examples come from actual cases
I have had referred to me. What we have
here are bullies and victims. Understandably
the victims turn to their lawyers but there
are at least two difficulties. First: contrary
to fokelore bullies are rarely cowards in my
experience. A ‘lawyer’s letter’ might put
the fear of death into most people but to a
bully such a letter is often gleefully received.
The obnoxious behaviour gets cranked up.
Second: lawyers are expensive. Even
to send a lawyer’s letter requires an initial
meeting with the victim, looking at evidence,
and then composing the letter. A few hundred
quid is gone and the bully just laughs the
letter off. So we need to consider court action
and if the bully squares up to fight the action
the costs can move from the disturbing to the
downright frightening.
My advice is first to ask the victims if
they have legal expense insurance. Lots of
household policies now routinely include
this but remember, prospects of success
are not the same as justice or fairness.
If there is no insurance nor enough money,
what can be done? All I can suggest is polite
confrontation. The victim should pluck up
courage to go and see the bully in the hope
that an offer to bury the hatchet might work.
Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t,
because the bully says he’s not bullying the
victim but the victim is bullying the bully so
the victim is the bully and the bully is the
victim.
The capacity for human beings to fall out
with each other is amazing.
If Donald Reid can help please
call him on 0141 552 3422, or email
dbr@mitchells-roberton.co.uk
Mitchells Roberton Solicitors
& Estate Agents
George House
36 North Hanover Street G1 2AD
0141 552 3422
www.mitchells-roberton.co.uk
44 | www.westendermagazine.com
The Store Interiors, 26 Munro Place, Anniesland, Glasgow, G13 2UP
0141 950 1333 | www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk
Email: sales@thestoreinteriors.co.uk
TheStore - HIS - Emma.indd 2 07/12/2017 09:48
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www.westendermagazine.com | 45
Homes & Interiors
winter
warmer
by Susan
Robertson
This is the time of year when we really want to
love our homes the most. Whether we’re everready
for guests, snuggling in front of the fire,
or hosting the Hogmanay bash, it’s the season we
want to feel warm and welcomed.
The natural touch is a key interior trend for 2019.
Combining soft wools and woods with warm
chocolate browns and creams is a relaxing backdrop
for a festive flourish.
The classic festive feel never goes out of fashion
and luxurious touches of red or green velvet
immediately nod to the nostalgia of traditional
trimmings. Many of us still opt for the turkey (or nut
roast) dinner, the mince pies and the old films, and
alongside the mulled wine – it’s nice to have a touch
of traditional warmth in our environment too.
Once you have the soft, warm backdrop, you
can add the festive touch to whatever greater or
lesser extent you prefer. Think about the natural
plants and flowers of the season as the core way
to effortlessly bring the season into your home. It
doesn’t take much to create an impression if you’re
sticking with the traditional favourites. Just a bowl
full of holly immediately says ‘Santa’ or some
strategically placed mistletoe adds a festive edge.
Bring the outside in with some chunky pine cones or
twisty twigs. Spray with a touch of gold paint, or
46 | www.westendermagazine.com
hang little baubles from the twigs to easily add that
understated sparkle to your room.
The Christmas tree is of course the seasonal
focus point. For me, when I was growing up,
this was an annual traipse of a mission, getting from
forest to borrowed roof-rack to wrong sized pot.
It was never guaranteed the tree would last to the
big day, and very often the hoover was full of needles
before Santa had fired up the sleigh. However this
is no more. There’s no need to travel or scrabble for
your tree this year. There’s an array available right
on our doorsteps. The West End Garden Centre is
even creating a festive forest. Owner Martin says,
'We’ll have hundreds of trees for people to choose
from, locally sourced with non-needle options – all of
which can be delivered free of charge'.
Whatever you do to decorate your tree, is a matter
of taste and tradition. But bear in mind that you
can also borrow a few snippets from a branch or
two at the back to create little natural touches in
place settings, or table displays. Even for your
present wrapping, think natural and keep it simple.
Use brown paper to wrap your presents, with a
personalised red ribbon, or even some traditional
string then tie it off with a sprig of holly, or a tiny
pine cone or tree clipping. Make a simple old-school
printed gift tag with a star or a tree cut from an
old sponge or a potato, get the kids involved in the
process and it will be easy, cheap, fun and admired
under anyone’s tree.
And our local florists are also gearing up for
supplying our creative Christmas needs, with a
wide array of festive florals available. Hyacinth
House is also running wreath-making workshops in
November and December. Meaning that not only can
you pick up everything you need to add that natural
outdoors touch to your home, but you can also
learn the creative skills to make a fresh Christmas
statement with simple plants and products.
As we’re bringing the outside in this year, think
about your outside space too. Are there some trees
you can gaze out on that can hold a few lights, can
you make a festive bird feeder to bring a winter robin
to your windowsill, could you hang a few decorations
from the rose bush? Also have a think if there’s a
better way to maximise your outdoors too. Outside
In Garden Rooms are based in the West End and they
can create standalone new rooms in your garden in
as little as two weeks. So – if you need a new space to
put a gym, an office, or a relative this winter, keep
your options open and consider all your spaces.
And remember that Christmas is a season of the
senses, the sounds of jingling bells, crunching frost,
and carols; the sights of the lights and colours; the
feel of the velvet cushions and the fluffy slippers;
and the smell of the fresh pine, cinnamon and clove.
Invest in a few good quality candles to add that spicy
scent to your home, or better still – get the mulled
wine on the stove and light the fire.
West End Garden Centre 40-44 Peel Street G11 5LU
Hyacinth House Floristry 950A Crow Road G13 1JD
outsideingardenrooms.co.uk
The image on this page is of products available from
The Store Interiors, thestoreinteriors.co.uk
www.westendermagazine.com | 47
48 | www.westendermagazine.com
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www.westendermagazine.com | 51
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