Westender Magazine Nov Dec 22

www.westendermagazine.com | 1

2 | www.westendermagazine.com

Romana

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Cover Image By Gregor Reid Photography

16

7

30

Contents

Regulars

4 Editor’s Letter

Shopping & Culture

7 Christmas Gift Guide

16 OFFER! Country Living

Magazine Christmas Fair

24 Author Interview:

George Paterson

28 Cover To Cover

44 Charity Pages:

Our Street Papers

Fashion & Beauty

8 WIN! At Rainbow

Room International

30 Fashion Shoot:

Going Out Out

Out & About

19 Restaurant Review:

The Prancing Stag

20 NEW! A Walk

With A View

22 Fitness First

38 West End Live

40 Top Things

Westender Living

48 Christmas Dining

53 Get The Look

60 Gift Of Art

24


Editor’s

Letter

Image © Gregor Reid Photography

My Christmas starts in July as soon as

I’m back from my summer break.

By time the big day comes around

I feel like I’ve done it already – bah humbug.

Oh the joy of always working two months

ahead of everyone else!

However, when we held the fashion shoot

at beGIN and then the images came through:

that was the start of the feel good vibes.

It. Is. All. Worth. It. So, kick back, grab a

cuppa and enjoy your bumper Christmas

Westender – there’s lots to love!

Our local gift retailers are on top form for

us again this year sussing out the best gifts at

great prices for all our loved ones. Their best

of the best suggestions start on Page 7.

And our new walking series kicks off with

a small stroll to an amazing view courtesy of

our new partnership with Pocket Mountain

books on Page 20. I’ll definitely be giving it

a go.

Whilst our author interview feature returns

with George Paterson on Page 24 fielding

questions on his fascinating debut novel from

local West End imprint, Into Books. Could

this be another Festive buy with our great

discount offer from Waterstones?

With features on fitness, restaurant and

book reviews, and our always fab interiors

articles, there’s a lot going on this edition.

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone

and I’ll catch up with you on the other side.

Suzanne Martin

/westendermagazine

/westendermag

/westendermag

To advertise call Suzanne on 07905 897238, or email suzanne@westendermagazine.com

Publisher: Westender Magazine

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial

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, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior permission of the publisher.


Join us this Winter for

relaxed, neighbourhood

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Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm (last booking)

Dinner 5pm – 9pm (last booking)

Sunday 12noon – 5pm (last booking)

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info@theprancingstag.co.uk

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Christmas

a merry west end

Gift Guide

for youngsters

Jellycat Forest Fauna Frog

£25, Papyrus

Guns ‘n’ Roses Babygro

£19.99, Pink Poodle

Rainbow Leather Baby Shoes


Braided A House – Ferm Living

£149, Hoos

Colour Changing Raincoats

£42, Cassiopeia

Pokemon A5 Printed Artwork

£8 Each, Decadent Riot

Frankie Lion Leggings £12.99

& Hoodie £27.50, Cassiopeia

Gingerbread Shaped Crayons

£9.50, Hatch

Jellycat ‘Maddy’ Snowman

£23, Spirito

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inter is upon us and that makes us

think of one thing – Christmas!

We have been delighted to be

working with GHD, taking part in seminars

on long hair dressing. The new GHD Curve

Thin Wand is one of our favourites to style

hair, creating beautiful tight and defined

curls that won’t move all night long! If you

haven’t already booked in for your hair

styling appointment for your Christmas party

night, now is the time to do so! Or if you’re

looking for the perfect Christmas gift the

GHD Unplugged Styler is a great idea, being

cordless, you can take it with you anywhere.

In the salon, we now have newly qualified

Stylist Alex on the floor, who is delighted to

have space in her column for new clients.

If you’re looking for a new hairdresser

who’s ahead of the trends and passionate –

get in touch! We are also looking for more

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Rainbow Room International

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0141 337 3370

rainbowroominternational.com

165 B Hyndland Road, Glasgow,

G12 9HT

Tel: 0141 3577374

www.cassiopeiaonline.co.uk

for her


Apothecary Candle Nr4

£40, Niki Jones

Star Scarf

£46, Spirito

Dansk Ring

£32.90, Cassiopeia

Large Abstract Scarf (140cm x 140cm)

£36, Decadent Riot

A5 Journal (4 designs)

£18 each, Bluebellgray

Selection of Fun Coasters

£4.99 each, Pink Poodle

Bee Cord Pinafore


Puffer W Coat – Rains

£469, Hoos

3D Printed Earrings by Wobbly Digital

£40, Papyrus

Harris Tweed and Leather gloves

£37.99, Cassiopeia


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health & beauty, what’s on, local authors

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For more info or to advertise

email: suzanne@westendermagazine.com

for a media flyer, or call: 07905 897238

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for him


Old World Journal


Rocking Whisky Glasses

£18.99, Cassiopeia

Isle Of Skye Cufflinks

£29.99, Cassiopeia

Stölzl Scarf – Wallace Sewell

£150, Hoos

Anderston Over Shirt in Taupe

£95, Finnieston Clothing

Chilly’s Tate Collection

£36, Papyrus

Beer Puzzle

£20, Spirito

A3 Unframed West End Print

£30, Nebo Peklo

Jack Henry Cleanse

£28, Orzel

Arrive & Drive Voucher – 2 x 15 min sessions in

60mph karts, £60, Larkhall Circuit


HOMEWARE . LIFESTYLE . ACCESSORIES

hoosglasgow.co.uk

715 Great Western Road, G12 8QX

for home


Large Mdina Tortoiseshell Bottle

£58, Trove

Snowberry White Fairy Lights

£39, Spirito

Range of Christmas Tea Towels

£14, Bluebellgray

Bruten Cushion – Sophie Home

£48 each, Hoos

Sara Miller Etched Gold Glass Vase

£39.99, Cassiopeia

Aye and Brew Tea Dishtowel

£14, Decadent Riot

Amber Davenport Ceramic

Decoration, £12, Hatch

Set Of Two Storage Tins

£18, Pink Poodle

Coorie 30cl Candle

£25, Arran Sense of Scotland

Concentric Cushion

£115, Niki Jones


KITCHENETTA AT THE CLYDESIDE

Sit back and relax in our sumptious

Clydside Cafe. Showcasing a selection

of delicious, freshly prepared and locally

sourced dishes by Glasgow partner

Kitchenetta.

Pop in and treat yourself a mouthwatering

Taste of Scotland Platter and why not

add a whisky flight alongside.

TREAT YOURSELF...

Toasted sourdough sandwiches

Taste of Scotland Platter

Brawsome salmon bagel

Fresh sandwiches

Cullen Skink soup

Soup of the day

Whisky flights

Whisky drams

Sweet treats

Hot drinks

GLASGOW’S ULTIMATE

SINGLE MALT WHISKY EXPERIENCE

CAFE | SHOP | TOURS

The Clydeside Distillery

100 Stobcross Road, Glasgow, G3 8QQ

info@theclydeside.com | +44(0)141 212 1401

Find us on:

for foodies


Wine Bottle Stop

£4.99, Pink Poodle

Chocolate and Whisky Tour

£30 Per Person, The Clydeside Distillery

Organic Bread Mix –

Nicolas Vahe, £10, Hoos

Personalise & Fill Your Own Whisky Bottle

£65, The Clydeside Distillery

Buckfast Chocolate

£6.99, Pink Poodle

Sparklets Ice Bucket

£45, Trove

Le Creuset Cast Iron Casserole

From £180, Papyrus

West End Suppliers

Arran Sense of Scotland 220 Buchanan Street arran.com

Bluebellgray 162 Hyndland Road G12 9HZ bluebellgray.com

Cassiopeia 165 Hyndland Road G12 9HT cassiopeiaonline.co.uk

Decadent Riot 11 Park Road G4 9JD decadentriot.co.uk

Finnieston Clothing 305 Byres Road G12 8UQ finniestonclothing.com

Hatch 340 West Princes Street G4 9HF hatchglasgow.co.uk

Hoos 715 Great Western Road G13 8QX hoosglasgow.co.uk

Larkhall Circuit Book Vouchers Online: vouchers.larkhallcircuit.com/c/arrive-drive-1

Nebo Peklo nebo-peklo.co.uk

Niki Jones 496 Great Western Road G12 8EW niki-jones.co.uk

Orzel 678 Dumbarton Road G11 6RA orzel.store

Papyrus 374 Byres Road G12 8AR papyrusgifts.co.uk

Pink Poodle 5-21 Cresswell Lane G12 8AA pinkpoodleboutique.co.uk

Spirito 317-319 Crow Road spiritogifts.com

Trove 557A Dumbarton Road G11 6HU troveglasgow.co.uk

Marco Zanusso Kitchen

Scales, £36, Trove


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‘W

e are all about colour, print, design

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super cute and brimming with functionality.

We are also known for our sometimes

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I’d popped into Gallus Alice for a sweary

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Bru range of choccies, tin candle and bath

salts – what more could a gal ask for?! Their

ranges are fun and different. Definitely not

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Jenni in Gallus Alice in Finnieston

Images © Gregor Reid Photography

colour I print I design I humour

PINK POODLE & GALLUS ALICE’S GUIDE TO LIFE & GIFTING

our socks are always popular and make

great men’s gifts. Our jewellery offer is both

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0141 221 6815

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@

the

PRANCING

stag

Reviewed by Amy Glasgow

/theglasgowdiet

Whenever I think of The Prancing Stag,

the phrase ‘hidden gem’ always

comes to mind. Tucked neatly away

beside Jordanhill train station, it’s easy to

miss – but to miss it would be a mistake.

This neighbourhood restaurant boasts

Scottish fine dining using seasonal produce

and classic flavours.

It’s a shame when we arrive that the

weather’s a bit dark and miserable, as their

covered terrace would be a perfect spot to

enjoy a glass of chilled wine in the sunshine.

Now though, with winter looming, there is still

something inviting about it, decked out with

outdoor heaters and cosy blankets.

We’re headed inside though, where

the restaurant feels warm and welcoming,

with plenty of fine wood finishing, rich leather

and stunning stone bar. There’s a good

buzz about the space for a Friday evening,

and by this point I’m absolutely starving,

so I’m extremely grateful when our server

brings over some freshly baked parmesan

and chive bread rolls with salted butter and a

homemade basil pesto. The super soft bread

dipped in that herby pesto gets me even

more excited for what’s to come and I’m glad

we were only given one roll each, as I could

have easily filled up on a whole basket.

The menu is varied but small, which I like,

and I opt for the crispy panko king prawns

with mango salsa and homemade sweet

chilli dipping sauce. The prawns are perfectly

crispy and crunchy on the outside, but soft

and perfectly cooked beneath the crisp

breadcrumbs. The freshness of the salsa and

the sauce, enhanced with the flavour of fresh

coriander, is right up my street.


On the other side of the table, my husband

has ordered the special: grilled black pudding

with crispy hens egg, apple puree and a

crisp sail of parma ham that adds a bit of

theatre to the dish. The egg yolk is still oozing

generously onto the rich black pudding and

the apple adds sharpness and sweetness to

an otherwise thoroughly savoury dish.

For the main event, I can’t resist the sound

of the rolled crispy pork belly and chorizo

with black pudding mash and red wine jus.

Being one of my favourite cuts of meat I’m

quite particular about it, but the pork here

lives up to expectations. It’s beautifully tender

and the red wine jus compliments it perfectly

– my only small criticism would be the skin

could have done with being crispier, I feel I

was robbed of my crackling!

The meal is finished off with a warm

chocolate torte, cherry compote and dark

cherry sorbet, and it is, quite honestly,

one of the best sorbets I have had, bursting

with that bold, intense cherry flavour.

It perfectly compliments the rich chocolate

torte, leaving me rolling out of The Prancing

Stag feeling full and satisfied. For three

courses each plus a few soft and alcoholic

drinks, the meal comes to a not unreasonable

£89, which I’d happily pay again – but if

you’re on a tighter budget, they offer a

fantastic market menu of two courses for £22

or three for £27 per person.

So, when are we going back?

The Prancing Stag

1a Ashwood Gardens, Jordanhill G13 1NX

0141 959 9666

theprancingstag.co.uk


autumnal dawdle with a view

Distance 2.75km Time 1 hour 15

Terrain minor road, unsurfaced paths, muddy in places

Map OS Explorer OL38

Access regular buses to Gartocharn from Alexandria and Balmaha

This is a short walk up a little hill,

but the outlook is truly world class

and should definitely be saved for a

clear day. Duncryne (or the Dumpling,

as it is known locally) was a favourite

of Tom Weir, the climber, author

and broadcaster, who used to live

below it. Only when you reach the

top of the volcanic plug is the view of

Loch Lomond revealed, the backdrop

of mountains arranged as if by design

to make the scene all the more

enchanting.

From the centre of Gartocharn head up

Duncryne Road to the left of the House

of Darrach, a mix of womenswear, gifts

and a coffee shop. After 750m go left through

a wooden kissing gate next to a large metal

gate to enter woodland.

Follow the path to the edge of fields and

then through two gates.

A further path, often muddy, leads up

towards Duncryne, between two fences.

Go through another gate at the end of this

path and turn right before taking a looping

trail round to the left (ignore a path to the right

higher up) to reach the trig point at the top of

the hill.


This is a place to linger – don’t rush back

down before savouring the view, one of the

best in all of Scotland. Weather permitting,

take a picnic to enjoy on the large grassy area

at the top. You are actually standing on all that

remains of a long-extinct volcano. This plug

is hardened magma and all the other rock has

been eroded over millennia.

Looking over Loch Lomond, you can see

islands ranged along the line of the Highland

Boundary Fault, which divides the Highlands

from the Lowlands. The loch contains 22

islands and 27 islets in total.

The late broadcaster and mountaineer

Tom Weir lived in Gartocharn for many years

with his wife, Rhona, and extolled the virtues

of this hill, which he regularly climbed. Despite

having made ascents of famous peaks across

the world from the Highlands to the Himalayas,

it remained one of his favourite summits. It is

also said he once broke his leg coming back

from Duncryne – not on the rocks but climbing

over his garden fence!

To get back to the start, simply return the

way you came as the hill is surrounded by

farmland, Project6:Layout often occupied 1 by 3/10/22 cattle. 14:18 Page 1

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The First Rule Of Fitness Club

with Five Gates Fitness

‘I don’t want to die without any scars,’ Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

I

’m happy to say boxing has gone quite

boutique since the days of Brad Pitt, toxic

masculinity and underground clubs.

And I’m pretty sure scars won’t be a problem The

when you visit Five Gates Fitness Club on

Ruthven Lane. Instead, I’m feeling the love

and comradeship in a space that’s brilliantly

kitted out with kettlebells, Aquabag boxing

bags, Venum boxing kits, Bikbox strength

and conditioning bars and a chill out coffee

and juice bar area that’s scented with

fragrant Reed diffusers.

Founder and personal trainer Martin

McGinley, who hails from Glasgow originally,

has the international sportsman CV you need

to kickstart your ‘get fit’ goals. He’s coached

at premium sites in London, Glasgow and

Edinburgh and also worked seasons at LA

Galaxy, the prestigious, David Beckham

endorsed soccer club, but it was during

lockdown that he found his niche, bringing

people (safely) together in an outdoor space

in Hyndland.

‘Training in a group at that time highlighted

how important social support can be when

working out and that’s something we’ve

been able to bring indoors since restrictions

eased,’ says Martin.

That friendship and banter certainly helps

when you are punching, jabbing and swinging

your way through your training paces at small

group sessions designed to help you build

power, strength and muscle.

club has already got more than 70

members, dedicated to getting their gloves

on and their fitness levels up. They are an

eager, committed bunch (I know, cause I

walk past the studio on my way to work most

days and it’s in full swing by 7am) but you can

attend a drop in session too or purchase a

trial pack.

‘We know people want to make healthy

choices and regular training is the best

way to start changing up your lifestyle’

says Martin, of the club’s dedication to

encouraging lifestyle routines.

The workouts too are tailored to your own,

beginner or more advanced level and Martin

is keen to stress that no one needs to get fit

before joining a session. You can scorch that

inner Nicola Adams or Anthony Joshua soul

when you find your tribe at the club!

Group training sessions reveal there’s a

real equal mix of attendance between the

genders, with woman joining in slightly higher

numbers just now. But you can go deeper

into training too, with tailored personal one to

one coaching sessions if you wish.

Five Gates gets it’s name from the (you’ve

guessed it!) historic five gates dotted around

Glasgow (Trongate, Gallowgate, Brigate,

Drygate and Westergait) and that’s kinda the

beauty of the club, whatever route you take

into fitness, meeting together here is the

ultimate goal.

fivegatesfitness.co.uk



Writer’s Reveal

meets George Paterson

WORDS TRACY MUKHERJEE


Author George Paterson is a writer, DJ and musician whose musical

work can be found in independent short and feature length films.

Having lived in London, he returned to Scotland in 2017 and splits his

time between his weekly radio show and his writing. From features

and reviews to screenplays, George has now added novelist to his list

of achievements. Here, he talks to Westender about his debut novel,

The Girl, The Crow, The Writer and The Fighter and how cinema has

influenced his writing.

Ican see from your bio that you are a

man of many creative talents – writer,

musician, DJ, screenplays. What made

you take the leap to writing a full-blown

novel?

By the mid 2010s I’d started to become a

little frustrated that my increasingly arcane

narratives were no longer fitting comfortably

into the five-minute songs that I’d been

writing. When the group I fronted at the

time, DMP, began to expand their official

website, my guitarist and ‘sonic life partner’

Gordon Moir encouraged me to push on with

the fictitious biographies that he and our

audience seemed to be greatly enjoying.

From then I began to extend myself a little

further with each piece, eventually jumping

headlong into the writing, completing a

couple of screenplays and a serialisation

of our band’s, at times, hapless attempts

to break into the music industry, titled

‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’.

That lengthy and personally satisfying piece

laid the foundations for ‘The Girl, The Crow…’

You are a Scot although you lived in

London for a lengthy period. But the novel

is very much a love letter to American

Crime Fiction. You’re clearly a fan.

Very much so! From childhood, I was a

voracious reader. Anything I could get my

hands on I’d devour. In my thirties though

I’d been concentrating on my family and my

career, so I guess I sort of lost my way a little

with fiction, preferring to focus more on nonfiction,

blogs etc.

By the time I hit forty, I’d started to dip my

toes into fiction again with Thomas Harris’

Hannibal and David Peace’s The Damned

United and Red or Dead, the latter of which

had a huge impact on me and undoubtedly

reignited my love for unique storytelling. From

then, not only have I immersed myself in the

American crime fiction of Leonard, Lethem

and Rudolph Fisher, I’ve rediscovered

satirists I once loved, like the playful James

Thurber and the more challenging, dystopian

musings of JG Ballard. Basically, I’ve gone

full circle and now I’m back to reading

multiple books at once with my latest

favourites being Jenni Fagan, David Keenan

and Mariana Enriquez.

The Girl, the Crow, the Writer and the

Fighter is your debut novel. You wouldn’t

know it! It intricately weaves two real life

historical characters – playwright Henry

Miller and fighter Sonny Liston – into a

fictional story, yet there are elements

of real events too. How on earth did you

come up with such an incredible idea?

The seeds of The Girl, The Crow, The

Writer and The Fighter were sown by an

article written by author/broadcaster Stuart

Cosgrove in 2015. He wrote of the infamous

Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston and

of the warmth he experienced from the

Scottish people when he briefly visited these

shores in the early 1960’s. I’d been messing

around with a couple of ideas that had come

to nothing, but this piece really resonated

so I started to write a short story based on

Cosgrove’s work.


Unfortunately, I couldn’t quite get the tone

I was after, so I parked it and moved back to

another thing I’d been playing around with;

a story based on letters written in the 1970s

by controversial author Henry Miller to a

young model he’d befriended in his dotage.

Like the Liston piece, I couldn’t quite

get it to stand until I read another article,

this time on ‘Highly Improbable Friendships’.

One such friendship was that between

playwright Samuel Beckett and wrestler/actor

Andre the Giant! It turned out that Andre’s

father had been a worker on Beckett’s French

property and the young Andre would often

catch a ride with Beckett into town where

they seemingly bonded over their mutual

appreciation for cricket! That’s when I started

asking the question… what if Henry met

Sonny?

The plot moves from 1930’s New York,

to Paris, travelling forth to Corfu.

The detail in your writing shows an

incredible amount of research has gone

into the book. Do you have an affinity with

any of the settings or indeed the time

periods the novel travels through?

I’m a true urbanite and am never happier

than when I’m traipsing around cities that I

know and love such as London, New York

and Paris. However, I’ve long held the belief

that the scope of a writer’s imagination

should never be limited by the parameters of

their experience and although I’m intimately

familiar with the cities, I’ve never been to

Corfu, Maine or St Louis, all of which feature

prominently in the book! That’s where the

hours of research came in. As for the time

periods, I have to admit that I’d have loved

to have been a free man in post war Paris,

like Henry and Sonny, listening out for the

strains of gypsy guitar in the air.

I’m a huge fan of 1940s Film Noir and there

are so many elements in your writing that

remind me of cinematic imagery of that

time. Where have your influences for the

novel come from?

I’m really glad you picked up on that, Tracy!

Whether it’s by accident or design, I tend to

write my fiction as if I’m watching the story

unfold on a screen.

While the book’s narrative influences

are derived from the works of Dashiell

Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon and Thomas

Pynchon’s Inherent Vice, the dialogue of the

piece is driven by my love of sharp, witty

screenwriters such as Nora Ephron, William

Goldman and Neil Simon.

The other ‘story’ in the book, takes

places in the 1980s in Maine; the third

character from the title, the Girl. Do you

want to tell our readers a little about

May Morgenstern and how she is linked to

the other characters in the book.

May Morgenstern is the heart and soul

of this story. A young waitress in a Maine

diner, May’s directionless life is turned

upside down by the bequest of a series of

letters, correspondence between her friend,

a recently deceased customer of hers and

someone who may or may not be notorious

novelist, Henry Miller. The deeper into the

letters she delves, the more complex her

own life becomes. And with it, some very

unexpected challenges.

The Crow… without giving too much

away, how would you describe the fourth

protagonist?

Malevolence and greed. Should’ve been a

politician.

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‘Your’ Henry Miller might be somewhat

different from the historic figure.

A famous lothario we all know, but how

did you come to write him as almost a

Phillip Marlow come James Bond figure?

I’d have to blame the late American character

actor, Fred Ward for that! I had a vague but

limited understanding of Miller and his works

as an elder ‘proto-beat’ figure from books like

Tropic of Cancer but it wasn’t until I’d seen

the movie Henry and June – which starred

Ward as a very muscular version of Miller –

that I’d started to develop a greater interest

in him.

Using Arthur Hoyle’s excellent The

Unknown Henry Miller as the road map and

Ward’s characterisation as my physical

template, I decided to drop the latter’s Miller

into scenarios that would force him to rely

on his real life cunning, charm and instincts

of survival. The deeper I ventured into the

story, the more I found that both the fictitious

and the true Miller were blending into this

baffled but resilient anti-hero. One I hope the

reader will root for, despite some of his more

questionable behaviour!

I didn’t mind, I said. I wasn’t sure how to

market the book to publishers and was just

after some feedback. I’m a slow reader, he

replied, so don’t expect a quick response.

Fair enough I thought, handing him a draft

copy. He sent me a message about three

hours later with a picture of page seventy-two

and the words…’We need to talk.’

From there, it’s been a non-stop adventure

that Henry Miller and Sonny Liston would be

proud of, culminating in the book’s recent

shortlisting for Best Debut at the Bloody

Scotland festival.

The novel is at its heart a murder mystery

but my goodness there are so many twists

along the way. How would you describe

the novel to the Westender readers?

A pacy, epistolary, ripping yarn, set over six

decades and three continents, peppered with

profanity, lashings of sex, drugs and Huey

Lewis and the News. It also has a lot of heart.

Suitable for readers of all ages!

The novel was published by Into Books,

part of Into Creative. You have a strong

relationship with Into Creative. Do you

want to tell the readers a bit about Into

Creative and how the publishing of the

novel came about?

Into Creative is an independent multi-media

company based in the West End, run by

a very inventive fellow named Stephen

Cameron. Its literary arm – Into Books – is a

small, intimate imprint which only publishes

books that the team are passionate about.

I’ve known Stephen for a few years now

and have been contributing reviews and

articles to the Into website and Into have

reciprocated by providing a playback space

for my weekly Lost in Music radio broadcasts

on 106.8 Cumbernauld FM.

On one of our regular walks around the

West End, I let slip to Stephen that my debut

novel was almost complete. Initially he was

reluctant to take a look at it for fear that he’d

have to disappoint a friend.

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1

The Women of

Troy

by Pat Barker

BY BRIAN TOAL

WESTENDER’s

COVER TO COVER

‘As the Greek fighters had pounded up the stairs,

she’d climbed on to the parapet and, at the exact

moment the fighters burst in, she’d leapt to her death,

her white robes fluttering around her as she fell – like

a singed moth.’ This was one of the options for those

women unfortunate enough to be trapped within the

walls of Troy when the Greeks poured through the

gates after Odysseus’ clever wooden horse allowed

them access to the besieged city after many years of

war. The other options were death, rape or surrender.

A few years ago I reviewed ‘The

Silence of the Girls’ by Pat Barker.

That novel followed the fate of

Briseis, a prize given to Achilles

and initially his slave, although

latterly a slave with lots of

latitude. Now, in ‘The Women of

Troy’, Briseis is with child, pregnant

with the child of the man who

killed her family. She was given to

Alcimus to look after, a piece of

property with no agency of her

own. This was Achilles making sure

that his child was cared for and his

legacy secured.

However, this position allows

Briseis more latitude and more

freedom than when she was simply

a slave. In this novel she is now

joined by Hecuba, Priam’s widow;

Cassandra, Priam’s daughter; and

Andromache, Hector’s widow.

These four women are the heart

of the novel and Barker cleverly

intertwines their fates, their struggles and their defiance as the

men sit around listlessly waiting for the wind to change and to

take them home. Helen, the reason for all that fighting in the

first place, is almost irrelevant after the war, but hated by both

Greeks and Trojans.

The Greeks are trapped on the beach for weeks as the

wind refuses to abate. Some feel that this might be a sign that

the gods are angry for the sacking of Troy, the desecration of

the temples and the raping of the women. Some are entirely

unrepentant. They play games and occupy themselves waiting

for their fate to be decided by the gods, whilst the women hatch

plans and simply occupy themselves with surviving, their fate

entirely in the hands of the men.

If, like me, you’re a huge Pat Barker fan, and if, like me, you’re

enjoying this recent surge of fiction retelling tales from the

Classical World, you’ll absolutely love this. Barker’s particular

skill is in humanising historical figures, bringing to life tales we all

know by forcing us to see life in an enemy camp through the eyes

of a beaten, abused, but ultimately unbowed female protagonist

who once again is faced with the chance to shape history.


Case Study

by Graeme Macrae Burnet

2

If you loved the blurring of

fact and fiction in ‘His Bloody

Project’, you’ll enjoyed being

toyed with in this depiction

of a rogue psychiatrist in 60s

London, taking advantage of

affluent, angst-ridden clients,

full of his own self-importance

and fuelled by drink, drugs and

the heady intoxication of his

own power.

The skilfull blend of fact and

fiction can lead to Googling,

until you remind yourself

of the futility of trying to

ascertain the veracity of a

work of fiction! The masterful

presentation of characters

and settings has enough

verisimilitude that you can be

forgiven for forgetting that

it’s a clever concoction, rather

than the biographical work it

purports to be.

The author’s ‘discovery’ of a

book in Voltaire and Rousseau

in Glasgow’s West End initially

piques his interest in the

charismatic charlatan, Collins

Braithwaite. He then receives a

consignment of six notebooks

which comprise the bulk of

the narrative of ‘Case Studies’,

cleverly intertwined with the

‘biographical’ information

on Braithwaite. This careful

layering effect allows the

reader insight into the author

of the notebooks, as well as

Braithwaite himself.

Although there are

serious issues discussed

such as identity, sanity,

truth and exploitation,

the novel is nevertheless

highly entertaining and funny

at times. We laugh at the

characters’ vanities and hangups,

just as we laugh at our

own. This is a good reminder

not to take ourselves too

seriously, and to constantly

question what is ‘real’ and

what isn’t. Metafiction at its

best.

‘When it comes to social

inequality in Britain, what

if poor people aren’t the

problem?’ So concludes

McGarvey’s latest offering

on class, a sequel to ‘Poverty

Safari’.

Since this polemic,

social divisions have been

exacerbated, food banks are

commonplace and a range of

other social problems often

attributed to the character

of those suffering, rather

than a system ensuring that

the poor stay poor. The fact

that Scotland has the worst

drug deaths per head in the

world is a scandal; the notion

that Britain is a meritocracy

is a joke when we see an

incompetent fool like Boris

running the country simply

because he went to the right

school and has the right

connections.

McGarvey doesn’t pull

his punches, but it’s not all

searing, relentless polemic.

That would be exhausting.

One of the aspects of the book

I found most interesting was

the candour around his own

changing circumstances and

how this affects his attitudes

and ability to comment ‘with

authenticity’ on poverty.

Part of the problem –

indeed, the ‘baked-in problem’

– is the fact that, once we

get a taste of affluence

and the trappings of being

middle-class, it’s easy to

forget our roots or to strive

as hard to improve the lot of

those others less fortunate

than ourselves. McGarvey

offers solutions to the three

main barriers to equality – in

education, employment and in

politics. They may seem radical

to some, but in this age of

Aquarius, anything is possible.

The Social Distance

Between Us

by Darren McGarvey

3

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LIVE

November

Tamzene

Wednesday 2nd November 7pm

The Poetry Club SWG3 swg3.tv

The first of a duo of Scottish female

artists I’m previewing in this edition.

Tamzene is a 20 something singer,

writer and multi-instrumentalist from

the coastal town of Cromarty at the

top of The Black Isle in the Scottish

Highlands. Her unique mix of Jamaican

and Irish heritage encouraged an

immersion in soul, funk and R&B from

an early age. She sights contemporary

artists like Birdy, Solange and James

Bay as influences as well as more old

school soulsters like Nina Simone,

Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack.

She’s a compelling proposition and

looks and sounds like the finished

article to me. This much soul, smarts

and ability in one so young is very

rare… coming from such an isolated

part of the world it’s even more

impressive. She has just completed a

successful run of summer festivals

all over the UK and Europe in 2022.

The world should be your oyster

Tamzene.

Choice Tracks: Tamzene 'New Beginning'

The Great Western Festival

Saturday 12th November All Day

Various venues in The West End

A quick mention of The Great Western

Festival… A music festival taking

place up, down and around the recently

voted third coolest street in the world

(Time Out Magazine ’22), Great Western

Road.

30 bands will perform across nine

venues in one day, you can see all

of them with just a £26 ticket!

I’m so disappointed I’m away gigging

in England or I’d be there with

bells on.

Highlights should be the Russian

dissident punk band Pussy Riot, indie

rock goddess Connie Constance and

the chaotic ENN.

Kristof Hahn

Friday 25th November 7pm

Cottiers Theatre cottiers.com

Kristof Hahn is a 63 year old German

guitarist and composer. He is best

known for his lap-steel guitar playing

with the New York experimental rock

band Swans. But his approach to the

lap-steel guitar is less rooted in

traditions but more drone-oriented,

creating vast soundscapes that at

times erupt into sonic thunderstorms

and resolve into ethereal melodies.

He deploys loads of technology in

his live shows, loops, triggers,

amp distortions, huge reverbs and

long delays but it’s all just there to

support his unorthodox pedal steel

playing which always takes centre

stage. He’s pretty mesmerising

when you surrender yourself to his

soundscapes. I hope they install an

adequate PA system in Cottiers for

him as his performances can become

sonically vast and deep very quickly.

Choice track: Kristof Hahn ‘Erwachen'


by Greg Kane

December

The Dunwells

Saturday 3rd December 2pm

St. Vincent Bowling Club ticketweb.uk

The Dunwells are two brothers from

Leeds, Joseph Dunwell (guitar, vocals)

and David Dunwell (guitar, vocals).

They swap and share lead vocal duties

often and when they play live they

are usually joined by a bassist and

drummer with all four of them singing.

They have been making their brand of

Alt/Folk/Rock since 2009 creating a

fusion of electronics with acoustic

instrumentation whilst drawing

influences from their shared love

of Elbow, Bon Iver and Damien Rice.

I have a great fondness for Yorkshire

(we even mention Leeds in a popular

song we wrote many moons ago) and

The Dunwells are the perfect

ambassadors for that fabulous part of

the world. They’ll go down well.

Choice track: The Dunwells

'Will You Wait For Me'

Lizzie Reid

Saturday 10th December 7pm

Òran Mór oran-mor.co.uk

Lizzie Reid is a Glaswegian

singer-songwriter. She famously

is the granddaughter of the iconic

trade union boss Jimmy Reid who

represented the Upper Clyde

Shipbuilders in the 70s. It may be just

coincidence but Lizzie Reid’s music

draws on iconic 70s songstresses like

Joni Mitchel and Joan Baez but she

can also stand shoulder to shoulder

with the more contemporary Laura

Marling and Jesca Hoop’s of this

world.

Her minimalistic masterpiece

'Cubicle' EP, released last year,

was nominated for the Scottish Album

Of The Year Award (SAY) and even

though her latest EP 'Mooching' is a

much more rockier and fuller offering,

she still retains her uber intimate

singing style which at no point feels

intimidated by the rhythm section

and electric guitars on her new

recordings. The venues hosting her

live performances are growing in size

and audiences every time she plays

now, it feels like she’s on the up.

Choice Track: Lizzie Reid 'Bible'

Paolo Nutini

13th-14th, 16th, 18th & 20th December

6.30pm, OVO Hydro sec.co.uk

The prodigal son returns. But what a

logistical nightmare this run of gigs

has become! The culprits they have

to thank for all this disruption are

the Danish trash metal band 'Volbeat'

who play on the 15th… there’s 'the

biggest Ceilidh ever' on the 17th…

and noughties boy band 'Blue' are

the spoilers on the 19th. But on the

plus side Paolo’s voice will be rested

during these breaks, so, assuming he

behaves himself on his days off he

will be on top form for all his shows.

A special shout out goes to his band.

What a talented bunch they are. His

bassist Michael McDaid has to be

one of the finest Glasgow has ever

produced and he’s the only surviving

member from the initial line up who

played on Paolo’s first album 'These

Streets' 16 years ago! Paolo has good

ears and taste and these shows should

be a special occasion for all.

Choice track: Paolo Nutini 'Abigail'


Top Things To Do

in the West End

by Tracy Mukherjee

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Oh, I do

love a bit of Christmas sparkle. And to get us all

in the festive spirit, Westender brings you the

Top Things to bring ye good cheer.

Top For Pantomime

Oran Mor’s Christmas offering this year is Rab

Hood and the Sheriff of Shettleston. Evil Sir Percy,

Sheriff of Shettleston steals from the hard-working

weegies. But from his hideout in the leafy

West End, our hero Rab Hood will stand against

the villainous Sheriff and steal back his devilish

dough. There may even be some time to woo the

beautiful songstress Maid Marion before she falls

into the clutches of the Sheriff and his promise of

the ladyship of Chateau Shettleston. Written by

the unmistakeable Morag Fullarton, it’s sure to

be another smash hit. Suitable for 14+ audience

members.

A little further down Great Western Road at

Webster’s, it’s time to awaken Sleeping Senga.

It’s Senga’s 18th birthday bash in Pure Posh Panto

Partick’s Panto Inn. But have we forgotten that

evil Elvira cursed wee Senga after being #TOTES

RAGING at not getting an invite to her naming

ceremony all those years ago? Gasp… a 100-year

nap may await our heroine… dah,dah, DAH!!!!

Rab Hood and the Sheriff of Shettleston

Tues 29th Nov – Sat 31st Dec

Oran Mor Theatre

w oran-mor.co.uk

Sleeping Senga

Fri 2nd Dec – Sat 31st Dec

Websters Theatre

w webstersglasgow.com

Top For Christmas Fetes

The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

returns to the SEC in November. The biggest

Christmas Fair in Glasgow brings craft makers,

designers and artisans together, showcasing

unique gifts, ideas for Christmas interiors

and plenty of festive food and drink. With the

opportunity to pick up some top crimbo design

tips in the myriad of workshops available, it’s a

fair that you really don’t want to miss.

For a truly ethical Christmas fair, why not

consider a trip to Drygate Brewing Company in

Dennistoun for The Glasgow Vegan Christmas

Market. With small, local businesses and strictly

vegan products, 25 stalls will feature sustainable

beauty, clothes, skincare and homewares.

It’s a family and pet friendly environment; there

are even pet friendly vegan products to buy.

With food and drink onsite too (vegan options

obviously available) this is a Christmas market

aimed at the ever-expanding vegan demographic.

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair

Thurs 17th – Sun 20th Nov

SEC Glasgow

w countrylivingfair.com

The Glasgow Vegan Christmas Market

Sun 20th Nov

Drygate Brewing Company

f the glasgow vegan Christmas market

Top For Kids

Elfingrove is back and set to become the UK’s

biggest ice rink this Christmas. It returns to

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum on the 24th of

November with a month long run of skating under

the stars. New for this year is the Snow Wheel,

a 15m wheel with private cabins. There is also the

toddler rink – a small, dedicated rink aside the

main ice rink where under 5s can slide and glide.

Relaxed sessions will also be available. These

are quiet sessions for visitors with autism or with

special/complex needs, given space to enjoy a

quieter Elfingrove experience where sound and

light will be adjusted to a more ambient level

alongside a lesser crowd. Oli Norman, creator of

Elfingrove and itison CEO, said 'Last year over

100,000 people came along to Elfingrove – this

year we’re going even bigger creating a larger


Top Things To Do

in the West End

rink and amazing new ways to enjoy Elfingrove

with our Snow Wheel and Skate Side Dining.'

Sounds like the perfect festive day out.

For a visit to Santa with a twist, why not visit

The Tall Ship with the kiddies? This Christmas,

the Tall Ship Glenlee will be the destination as

Santa’s Magical Express lands on the banks

of the Riverside Museum. Santa and his elves

will be entertaining onboard whilst the naughty

Grinch may even make an appearance!!!

Elfingrove

Thurs 24th Nov – Sat 24th December

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

w itison.com/elfingrove

Santa’s Magical Express

Weekends from Sat 3rd to Fri 23rd Dec

The Tall Ship Glenlee

w itison.com and search for Santa’s

Magical Express

Top For Live Entertainment

There is nothing like a good Christmas film

running up to the big day. We all have our

favourite classics – The Bishop’s Wife and

It’s a Wonderful Life come top of my list.

And then there are the blockbusters with

fantastic soundtracks. So, what a bonus that

the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall has combined

our love of both with their season of festive films

'in concert'. There are several to choose from:

the transatlantic romcom The Holiday, the iconic

Home Alone and everyone’s festive favourite,

Love Actually. I defy even the coldest of hearts

not to cry at the airport arrivals scene at

the end…

And staying on the theme of full-on crimbo fun,

the music song and dance event of the year

Christmas Spectacular, returns to the Royal

Concert Hall once again. The Scottish Concert

Orchestra and the Glasgow Chamber Choir will

be joined by Kerry Ellis and Ricardo Afonso to get

us truly in the Christmas mood. With the Jingle

Bell Dancers sprinkling some festive cheer,

this is a Christmas Cracker not to be missed.

Festive Events

Dates throughout December

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

w glasgowconcerthalls

Top For The Bells

If we make it to the end of this year without

further restrictions, lockdowns or more

terrifying news on the cost of living, I think we’ll

deserve a little celebration come Hogmanay.

Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central is

hosting the Gatsby Hogmanay Party on the 31st.

1920s glam is a must for this evening

of champagne and a sumptuous four

course meal. With feather flapper showgirls,

an authentic swing band and a resident DJ on

hand, this is a divine way to see in 2023.

Down on the Clyde, The Hogmanay Ceilidh at the

Ferry will bring in the New Year with the Colla

Ceilidh Band. And don’t worry if you can’t quite

remember all the steps drummed in at primary

school. With 25 years’ experience these guys

are experts. Including, if you’ll pardon the pun,

a step-by-step guide being called, guests will

have a ball – literally!

A three-course meal is also available before the

event.

The Gatsby Hogmanay Party

Sat 31st December

Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central

Ticket website – Eventbrite.co.uk

The Hogmanay Ceilidh at The Ferry

Sat 31st December

The Ferry

25 Anderston Quay G3 8BX

w the-ferry.co.uk

ADVERTORIAL


Magazine Promotion

Legal Matters

When Executors Go Rogue

Where two or more executors are appointed to deal with

the administration of a deceased’s estate they usually

manage to get the job done. Sometimes, however,

there can be a stalemate. The question of removing an

executor may then arise, writes Paul Neilly.

Under Scots law there are three ways

in which an executor may be removed

from office:

P There might be power under the terms

of the deceased’s will for removal but this is

unusual.

P There is statutory power for the court

to remove an executor under the Trusts

(Scotland) Act 1921. This power only applies

in certain situations: the court may remove an

executor or trustee who is or becomes insane

or incapable of acting by reason of physical

or mental disability; or who is absent from

the UK continuously for at least six months;

or who has disappeared for the same period.

In the case of insanity or mental or

physical incapacity, removal is automatic

once the ground is established. In the case

of an application on the ground of absence

or disappearance for at least six months,

removal is at the court’s discretion.

THE FUTURE

The Scottish Law Commission has proposed

reforms to modernise the way in which an

executor may be removed. In essence, the

Commission proposes that the statutory

powers under the 1921 Act and the ‘common

law’ grounds for removal of an executor

should be replaced by new statutory

provisions.

These should provide that an executor

may be removed by the court, on application,

if it is satisfied that he or she is unfit or unable

to continue to act or they have neglected their

duties as executor.

These would be welcome reforms,

however the proposal was made by the

Commission in 2014 and there is, as yet,

no sign of its being taken forward.

If Mitchells Roberton Partner,

Paul Neilly, can assist you please call

direct on 0141 548 1723, or email:

pdn@mitchells-roberton.co.uk

P There is a ‘common law’ power for the

court to remove an executor (or trustees)

under what is called the nobile officium of the

Court of Session.

The court must be satisfied that the

beneficiaries would be prejudiced or the

purposes of the will obstructed if the executor

were to continue in office. This is quite a high

test to meet.

Mitchells Roberton Solicitors

George House, 36 North Hanover Street

0141 552 3422

mitchells-roberton.co.uk

Finance

Matters

with Carley Mearns-Begley

BA (Hons) DipPFS

ADVERTORIAL

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Your Retirement Game Plan

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like. Then how can you make it a

reality? Being ‘in retirement’ is much

more than simply drawing an income. It’s also

about running an efficient home, managing

your tax-free cash (especially when interest

rates are low) and building a sustainable

income that will last your lifetime.

There’s no set retirement age these days.

Add to this the pressures of supporting both

older and younger generations, and it’s

clear a rethink is needed on how best to use

your savings. To adapt to changing needs,

you might need to consider other assets and

income sources alongside your pension.

So what you have is a situation that’s

both flexible and heavy on risk, whether you

choose to dip into your pension pot or remain

invested. Either way, you’ll need help and

expertise to face the challenges.

In retirement you’re also likely to

encounter a new set of risks. If you get off

to a poor start when you begin drawing your

income, with markets falling and returns

negative, your investments will have to work

much harder from the outset to maintain your

desired income. Another layer of complexity

in your retirement strategy is underestimating

how long your money needs to last.

The countless choices available

at retirement can be overwhelming.

At St. James’s Place, we’re here to help you

navigate these obstacles. We believe the

value of advice comes from building a strong

relationship over time and understanding

the needs of both you and your family.

We’re experts in the intricacies of modern

retirement. So you can worry less and focus

on the important things in life.

The value of an investment with

St. James’s Place will be directly linked to

the performance of the funds you select, and

the value can therefore go down as well as

up. You may get back less than you invested.

Equities do not provide the security of capital

which is characteristic of a deposit with

a bank or building society.

Get in touch! Iwf you’d like us to guide

you through the retirement minefield,

give us a call. We’re here to make a

difference to your future.

C. Mearns Finance

07504 503983

carleymearns.co.uk

carley.mearns@sjpp.co.uk


The INSP team in Glasgow,w Image © Gold Visuals – Matthew McGoldrick

changing the world

through street papers

Mike Findlay, Chief Executive of the International Network of Street

Papers, explains how the street paper network is tackling poverty

both locally and globally.

Most of us will know The Big Issue.

Here in Glasgow, you may have

purchased a copy near Central

Station or outside Waitrose on Byres Road.

You may even know your own local vendor

by name.

But, did you know that ‘street papers’

– publications sold by people experiencing

poverty, homelessness, or other forms of

marginalisation – exist throughout the world

as separate charities or social enterprises in

their own right, using creative ways to tackle

poverty?

Street papers provide people with an

immediate, dignified and legitimate way to

earn money whilst seeking to address the

causes of poverty through journalism and

advocacy.

Glasgow is home to the International

Network of Street Papers (INSP), a charity

operating both as the membership network

and news service for street papers.

INSP’s aim is to support street papers to

alleviate poverty and build a movement for

social change. Our membership consists

of over 90 street papers in 35 different

countries, each of them making a tangible

and lasting difference to the lives of people

experiencing poverty.

INSP champions the voices of people

who have faced social and economic

marginalisation. We know only too well how

such communities can face discrimination

and prejudice, and we believe in the power of

independent media to challenge perceptions,

counteract stereotyping and turnaround

the life chances of people facing multiple

challenges.

We do this through the INSP News

Service, a news wire connecting street paper

editorial newsrooms, fostering collaboration

and the sharing of stories and resources in

up to 24 languages thanks to our volunteer

translators. This means the same article

can be published in many street papers

simultaneously.


Our network covers the big news topics

of the day – including the Ukraine war,

climate crisis, restrictions on abortion

access, and the refugee crisis, to name a

few – all reported on through the lens of

homelessness and poverty.

As Steven MacKenzie, deputy editor of

The Big Issue based in Glasgow, comments

‘INSP’s News Service is a great way for

different titles from across the world to

collaborate and share. Each street paper has

its own editorial concerns and specialities.

Having a forum to connect to them all is really

useful and means we can take advantage

of frontline reporting being carried out in

their areas. In the last few months this has

been especially useful when reporting on

the Ukraine conflict. Street papers based in

neighbouring countries have been directly

impacted by the movement of refugees,

and being able to get that insight provides a

unique and personal way to cover big stories,

making our coverage stand out.’

Another way INSP is championing

underrepresented voices is through our

Housing for the People column, allowing

opportunities for writers from low-income

backgrounds to have a platform for

their stories. Coaching and mentoring is

provided, with each contributor treated as a

professional writer, receiving an income for

each published article. As one contributor,

Vicky Batcher, explains ‘It’s such a humbling

experience that others would find comfort,

encouragement and ideas from anything I

write. To be paid for, is another level all itself.

It’s such an honour to be asked to write about

my experiences for INSP. What power that

has and what a feeling of accomplishment

when I see “Vicky Batcher” in the by-line. It’s

life changing.’

I joined INSP in May of this year and I am

already struck by the depth of support people

receive from our members beyond the simple

transaction of selling street papers. Wide

wrap-around support is given for example

around wellbeing, practical assistance with

finances and housing, and employment skills.

As someone brought up with a strong

sense of social justice since childhood

(Dad led a career in social work, and Mum

worked with the NHS for decades), INSP’s

commitment to tackling inequality gaps drove

me to the organisation.

I am continuously inspired by our

members ability to think and act innovatively.

In Mexico City, the street paper Mi Valedor

works with local partners to ensure

vulnerable communities can access free

health services in a non-discriminatory way.

It is involved in several ‘vaccination days’

throughout the year, setting up services on

the street or in shelters for people to get

influenza vaccines, HIV and syphilis detection

tests, glucose and blood pressure tests and

general check-ups.

Over the past year, our network has

continued to face unprecedented challenges

due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However,

despite this – and, in some ways, spurred on

by this challenge – INSP has continued its

success. We have welcomed four new street

papers as members of our network: two in

Germany, and one each in southern Italy and

Brazil.

We are a small charity of only five staff

members in Glasgow, with one additional

colleague leading operations in North

America. But our ambitions are big:

our Global Street Paper Summit took place in

Italy this September allowing our members to

reunite for the first time since the pandemic,

and we are thinking through plans for a street

paper festival in 2024 coinciding with the

charity’s 30th Anniversary.

In Glasgow, we are keen to partner with

creative agencies and individuals who have

an interest in what we do. We are also looking

for new donors, supporters, and volunteers

to help us fulfil our mission of changing the

world through street papers.

w: insp.ngo

twitter: @insp & @MikeFindMedia

instagram: instagram.com/insp_agram


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Homes & Interiors

The turkey is in the oven, the sprouts

have been on for four days. It’s all going

to plan. Now for the fun part. Sparkles

or foliage, candles or lights? And what

about the centrepiece? How do you

produce…

the PERFECT

christmas table

by Tracy Mukherjee

From the 1st of Dec each year I live in 1940’s

Vermont a la White Christmas. It’s a chance

to embrace garlands and wreaths, soft

fairy lights and cosy candles. It’s a chance

to appreciate your home and your family.

And at the centre of Christmas is the table.

Christmas dinner, our loved ones around us,

laughing, eating, drinking and being merry

(I told you I live in a fictional festive ideal).

So that Christmas table, the aesthetic,

the theme? It’s kind of a big deal.

Fortunately, the West End is the perfect place to

get that table just right. So why not start at the

beginning… the actual Table. Turner Furniture,

the brainchild of Chris Turner was set up in

2003. Chris creates bespoke, let’s face it, works

of art.

Chris says 'At this time of year people are

getting ready for the festive season which is

typically a time for entertaining. The way a

room is set, its furnishings and decorations can

be particularly important when welcoming

friends and family, so I always want to make

sure my clients have the perfect pieces of

furniture from which to serve, talk-around,

dine on or just exhibit.'


Natural Table Decorations,

From a range available,

Niki Jones

496 Great Western Road

niki-jones.co.uk

—

Boclair Cocktail Table,

From £ 5990,

Hele Dining Table,

From £4800,

Turner Furniture

Strathcona Studio

Workshops

turnerfurniture.co.uk

07732 918556

—

Christmas Wreath Class,

£49.95,

Hyacinth House Floristry

950A Crow Road

hyacinthhousefloristry.co.uk

0141 571 3517

His stunning Hele Dining Table

is the perfect piece of furniture for

entertaining. Whilst contemporary,

it has a nod to the past in its stylish

design. The circular table provides

a practical use of space in smaller

rooms, ideal for welcoming small

groups of friends and family into

your home. Chris designed the

piece so that the solid Walnut

under-frame gives the table a

structural but elegant feel.

For that extra touch of elegance

throughout the festive season

the sumptuous beauty of the

Boclair Cocktail Table would be a

gorgeous addition to your lounge.

The designer himself admits it is

perfect for informal entertaining.

The piece combines stunning

Scottish Walnut with inset copper

triangles and is the perfect

talking point during after dinner

drinks. Chris notes of the design

'discussions are encouraged from

all angles and the wood split in the

table allows a glimpse at the abstract

lines of the table legs from above,

showcasing the craftsmanship

involved.'

With such skill involved,

what inspires his designs?

Well, the conception always starts

with the client’s functional or

aesthetic needs. 'Dining tables

when hand-crafted are created

for a lifetime and are made in the

knowledge that these pieces will

be cherished through generations.

My aim at the start is to create

a piece which complements the

surroundings whilst clearly stands

out as a talking point or piece of art

in a room. The materials used can

offer such a rich base for the design

of a table and how that piece of art

may look on completion.'

Turning to the look of your

Christmas table, or tablescaping as

its known, do you have a theme?

It's completely fine to mix and

match tableware if you are having

a larger gathering, just so long

as there is a common scheme,

be it colour, style, to the plates and

glass settings. And when it comes

to style of the table my goodness,

the possibilities! Decadent Luxury

or Scandi Chic?

Nikki Jones Boutique on Great

Western Road is the perfect

destination to pick up the items

you’ll need for a more natural look.

Niki’s inspired by craft and the use

of traditional techniques. As well

as homewares which have been

developed using her own design

ethos, the store also curates items

from other brands who share and

value the timeless design and use of

natural core ingredients reflected in

her own products.

And when it comes to the

Christmas dining table what are

Niki’s tips? 'For me it has to have

natural foliage and candlelight.

I remember as a child foraging

in the garden with my mum for

berries and ivy to decorate the

house at Christmas. I love the

tradition of Christmas and the

ritual of bringing out the same

decorations each year. I always

have green foliage on the table:

eucalyptus, ivy, I love to add some

red berries as high lights and I

always make clementine and clove

pomanders which smell gorgeous

and add a lovely pop of colour to

your table. Candlelight is essential,

I particularly like our beeswax

candles for my Christmas table.'

From Nikki’s own range, what

would she recommend? 'I love our

La Soufflerie, mouth blown glass

candle sticks with our natural

beeswax dining candles for the

Christmas table.


'I also love proper table linen

for Christmas, we are selling a

selection of linen table covers and

sets of napkins this Christmas.

It just makes the occasion feel more

special and creates a beautiful back

drop for all that delicious food. I love

to tie a bit of natural twine around

my napkins with a little sprig of

something green tucked into it

to add those extra little details at

Christmas.'

For expert advice on the floristry

aspect of the table centrepiece,

Gary MacLean of Hyacinth House

in Anniesland is the man to ask.

Gary says 'I would advise that

your Christmas table should

look natural but structured, try

to keep the scale of the design in

relation to your table. You also don't

need to keep your design as one,

you can separate into smaller

designs composed around the table.

Designs such as small vases and ties

around your napkins. Small sprigs

such as rosemary is good for this

and will give a lovely scent.

Hyacinth House Floristry are also

on hand to design your Christmas

bouquets to add a decadent touch

throughout your home.

Gary notes 'A must have in our

Festive arrangements would always

be pinecones, seasonal foliage

and Christmas decoration such as

cinnamon, berries or baubles.

Christmas Wreath Class,

£49.95,

Hyacinth House Floristry

950A Crow Road

hyacinthhousefloristry.

co.uk

0141 571 3517

—

Natural Table Decorations,

From a range available,

Niki Jones

496 Great Western Road

niki-jones.co.uk

—

Hele Dining Table,

From £4800,

Turner Furniture

Strathcona Studio

Workshops

turnerfurniture.co.uk

07732 918556

I like to design the arrangements

with a natural style.'

Though Hyacinth House isn’t

afraid to get some colour in to their

designs whether traditional or

with a more modern twist. 'We are

diverse, and design led with our

colour range,' adds Gary. 'From

metallics with frosted blues and

silvers to warmer gold tones, the

team’s "All I want for Christmas"

range includes traditional

Christmas berries but with fresh

pinks and white colours.'

In terms of the kind of foliage

we might use for our centrepiece

or indeed for our home-made

wreaths, what’s on trend this

year? 'Dried wreaths have stayed

strong from previous years as well

as the popularity of eucalyptus.

I expect that this will continue this

year. If making your own at home,

try to keep it simple and use foliage

from your garden if possible.'

To get that professional look,

Hyacinth House is running wreath

making evenings, so get along for

great tips and a glass of fizz to boot!

It would seem then, for that

perfect Christmas table, the West

End is your oyster. Or sprout.

It is Christmas after all.

The team at Hyacinth House will be

running wreath making workshops

for the Festive season. Dates are –

Nov 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th and Dec

1st and 2nd. Classes run from 6-8pm

with complementary fizz and nibbles

and cost £49.95.


specialists in

Creatively Designed

Furniture

www.turnerfurniture.co.uk

Email for more information or to book a consultation | info@turnerfurniture.co.uk

Custom built from our west end base, our super insulated

Garden Rooms are warm & cosy all year round.

Contact Mel Russell to arrange a site visit.

outsideingardenrooms.co.uk

0141 370 6102 / mel@outsideingardenrooms.co.uk


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Homes & Interiors


Festive dining

Odd assortment of chairs. Annual hunt for the extra leaves

for the table. Real table linen – washed, ironed, ready to go.

It must be the most wonderful time of the year! Looking for

fresh ideas for the big day? Look no further, our local interiors

retailers are packed full of ideas just for you. And breathe…

Ercol Teramo Table,

Medium Extending Table,

From £1249,

Forrest Furnishing

Ercol Teramo Chairs,

From £319 each,

Forrest Furnishing

Christmas Linen Table Runner,

From £47, Bluebellgray

Hot Toddy 35cl Candle,

£25, Arran Sense of Scotland

Christmas Linen

Napkin, From £21,

Bluebellgray

Colour Block Glass Candlesticks,

£10.99 each, Cassiopeia

Arran Sense of Scotland, 220 Buchanan Street, 0141 648 0082, arran.com

Bluebellgray, 162 Hyndland Road. 0141 221 0724, bluebellgray.com

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

Forrest Furnishing, 1175 South Street, 0141 300 7400, forrestfurnishing.co.uk

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All Images © Gregor Reid Photography

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Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 55

If problem fly-tipping is an issue in your

area; are having home remodelling work

done but can’t be bothered with warrants

for skips or neighbours assuming it’s theirs

to fill too, or are a landlord cleaning out after

a tenancy ends – then Ross, Tracey and the

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Thinking Of Selling Your

Investment Property?

During this cost of living crisis we

are experiencing just now, we have

had a few clients talk to us about

selling their investment property and

generating a bank of cash to rely on.

Property prices (at the time of writing)

are generally strong but perhaps have

peaked in terms of growth and some people

are looking for ‘cash security’. There are,

however, a number of things to consider

before disposal.

If your capital disposals so far this tax

year have resulted in a net loss, the decision

on whether to dispose of investments to

realise gains before the tax year will hinge on

the amounts involved.

Depending on your level of income, timing

your disposals, either before or after the end

of the tax year, could result in more of your

gains being taxed at 10% rather than 20%

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Transferring income between a married

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gains being taxed at the lower rates of

Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

Transferring assets between a married

couple or civil partners before disposal might

also save CGT, particularly where one partner

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not fully used their basic rate tax band or has

capital losses available. You should generally

leave as much time as possible between the

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The critical issues here are timing and

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any final action can potentially generate good

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Please note, in respect of a nonexempt

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Get in touch today: visit ammu.uk or call

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The Wee Kitchen Shop’s

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The Wee Kitchen Shop

Specialising In Beautiful Shaker Kitchens

A

nnie is in love. In love with her new

baking zone in her, quite frankly rather

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Well. I say ‘new’ but Annie and husband Craig,

believe in sustainability and asked Greg at

The Wee Kitchen Shop to incorporate the

existing hood, SMEG range, plate rack and

tiles into the new design. The previous shabby

chic kitchen was also sold on, so nothing was

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The hood and plate rack were custom

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‘Greg was really proactive,’ says Annie.

‘He loved the idea of reusing pieces we

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A sociable couple, Annie and Craig spend

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They’re true believers in shopping local.

But as it is also a well used and functional

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‘Greg’s all about zones,’ explains Annie.

When he learned I love to bake he set me

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Homes & Interiors

Bringing

Sculpture

Home

…for christmas

The joy of Christmas gifting is always in the giving.

But what to give that will raise an eyebrow and

a smile? Something thoughtful and maybe just

a little bit different. Regular Westender writer,

Diana Kiernander, searches on our behalf.


This is probably a really tricky time to have

Christmas. As the girl who once took up the

kind offer of a hot water bottle so I could keep

enjoying my wine whilst sitting outside at a

restaurant on a really hot Glasgow day (thanks

CafeZique in Hyndland!), I know all about the

havoc this cost of living crisis is causing as I try

to heat my house, so I’m not looking forward

to thinking about a present buying budget

(stop already with that awful word!) But, hey,

we’ve had enough years in a row of gloomy,

cancelled Christmas plans, so I say, this year

we just make sure our gift giving is special,

thoughtful and a little bit different.

And that is why I’m giving you this brilliant

idea to buy new, original artwork from

Sculpture Placement Group (SPG). It’s the

gifting of a piece of artwork to someone who

can then be fully involved in following the

creation and evolution of a unique piece of

sculpture from renowned, talented artists,

selected by SPG. And it’s also the solution to a

very 2022 problem! Go you! Read on to find out

more.

SPG is a Community Interest project, set up

in Glasgow by Kate Robertson and Michelle

Emery Barker that recognises sculpture, while

it is considered a declining artform, is one

with so much still to offer individuals and

communities. Sculpture plays a key part in

that buzzy sustainability story of 2022, since

the materials often used to create large-scale

works can sometimes end up in lifetime storage

set-ups, with the pieces mainly on display in

places for only a short time. And the SPG project

is tirelessly committed to finding community

or business-based adoptive homes for such

sculptural pieces.

But the gift idea is all about the creation of

a piece of sculpture on a much smaller scale.

SPG invites you to sign up and be part of its

exclusive club. For as little as £35 per month,

or a one-off, upfront payment of £210 (super

good value for what you get!), you get to choose

an artist from SPG’s current crop (details will be

on the SPG website listed below) and then you

follow the journey, through exclusive podcasts,

virtual studio visits and online events with your

chosen artist as they create the domestic sized

sculpture piece you can eventually take into

your home.

Previous names linked to the projects are

dynamic, hugely influential talents, including

the Brooklyn-based sculptor, sci-fi author and

visual artist Joseph Buckley whose work has

been variously infused with themes of post

colonialism, politics, family, British racism

and injustice. Also in the line-up is animator,

musician and sculptor Andy Holden, whose work

has been shown in Tate Britain, Venice Biennale

and Spike Island.

This project, and the club membership idea

is bursting with an element of surprise and

that’s everyone’s favourite characteristic of a

Christmas gift. A sneaky peak at the website

reveals Sara Barker is one of the sculptor names

in the mix for 2023. To me, her work hints at

science, gravity and metaphysical phenomena,

and the possibilities those things bring to a

sculptural piece would make me sign up. It’s a

brilliant gift idea, any time of the year!

sculptureplacementgroup.org.uk


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Letting

Matters

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If I were to clarify one thing for first-time

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Too often, a minor conflict between a

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We often find ourselves being ignored when

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tenant to leave.

There seems to be a deeply held belief

among new landlords that when their

relationship with their tenant breaks down,

they can ask them to vacate. Even leaving

aside the current moratorium on evictions, it

is never easy to force a tenant to leave when

you’ve become exasperated with dealing with

them.

It’s a situation to be avoided at all

costs. My advice is to choose your tenants

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tenancy starts, you’ve made a mistake and

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Property

Matters

with Walker Wylie

Estate Agents

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2022 was the first year we finally said

goodbye to most Covid restrictions in

Scotland and the property market in the

past 12 months has been record breaking

at points, as well as unpredictable and

daunting for some. We take a look back

over the past year and beyond into 2023.

FIRST QUARTER: The year started off strong,

with property prices in Scotland up 10.8% in

the year to January 2022, up from an increase

of 10.2% in the year to December 2021.

Glasgow saw an increase of 8.9%.

INTO SPRING: Rightmove heralded Quarter

2 of 2022 as ‘The Best Ever Spring Sellers’

Market’ and we saw the average asking price

in Scotland reach a record high of £178,000

being driven largely by demand outweighing

supply two to one.

SUMMER: Average house prices continued to

rise right through to July, only seeing a very

slight decline (0.1%) in August. The buoyant

market remained with property in Glasgow

continuing to sell above the Home Report

Value.

AUTUMN: Autumn saw uncertain times

across the UK, with rising interest rates

causing chaos amongst mortgage lenders

whilst financial institutions waited to see

what impact these budgetary changes would

have. The market saw a slight slowing after

the exceptional pace of the start of the year,

but properties continued to sell.

WHAT’S NEXT? As we continue to monitor

the financial landscape through winter and

into 2023, we know that this changeable

climate can bring concerns to property

owners and buyers. First time buyers

particularly may be concerned about

mortgage availability and facing challenges

they might not have experienced before.

We keep up to date with the daily changes

affecting the housing market in Glasgow and

use our 20 plus years of experience to ensure

we pitch your sale at the right level to ensure

you get the best price for your property.

We are always at the end of the phone

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through every aspect of property sales and

purchases. Uncertain times mean having

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If you are looking for expert advice from

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touch and we will be delighted

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Walker Wylie Estate Agents

148 Woodlands Road G3 6LF

0141 404 1333 / 07855 952298

walkerwylie.co.uk


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Walker Wylie Mortgages

148 Woodlands Road

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G3 6LF

info@walkerwylie.co.uk

0141 404 1333

www.walkerwylie.co.uk

Walker Wylie Mortgages is a trading name of Holyrood Asset Management Ltd which is

authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA no. 192637


Westender Magazine Nov Dec 22

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