Evening Times

It's Not Funny When They Want Your Money

CALL me selfish - and you would be right. None of my family are drug abusers, need any form of rehabilitation, certainly aren't criminals, don't even spit gum on the pavement. The closest we've come to a social worker is a do-gooder friend who genuinely believes she can help people so mired in deprivation that they are almost back in the primordial soup.

First Class Service From Bus Driver Over Lost Travel Pass

One day last week I boarded a First bus in the city centre. Shortly after disembarking I realised that I had dropped my travel card on the bus. The following day I called the lost property office but was told that it hadn't been handed in.

Times Past:Coronation Day, Dumbarton, 1953

When the Queen celebrated her coronation on June 2, 1953, there were street parties across Scotland. Although Glasgow's main thoroughfares were bedecked with all types of banners and flags, other areas also looked the part.

Barras Id Cards 'Will Not Stop Criminals'; Boss Fires Warning On Glasgow Plans to Crack Down On Illegal Vendors

THE boss of the trust that runs Glasgow's Barras market today said giving stall holders photo ID badges would not stop criminals trading near the market. Tom Joyes, managing director of the Barras Enterprise Trust, said legitimate traders backed the scheme, which could see stall-holders wearing identity badges within weeks.

Workers Praised After Near Disaster at 200ft

A FIRE chief today praised two workers who prevented a tragedy by stopping a heavy maintenance cradle from crashing 200ft onto a busy street. The metal bar their cradle was attached to snapped at the top of the UGC Cinema building in Glasgow.

Brief Encounter; with Anita Roddick

ANITA Roddick, entrepreneur and founder of the Body Shop, was born in 1942 to an Italian immigrant couple living in Littlehampton, Sussex. She trained as a teacher, before a spell on an Israeli kibbutz turned into a trip around the world. On returning, she met husband Gordon and they opened a restaurant, then a hotel in Littlehampton.

Mum of Tragic Asthma Boy Vows to Sue Doctor; Solicitor Instructed After Sheriff Slates Gp Over Youngster's Death

THE mum of a boy who died after an asthma attack has vowed to take legal action against the GP she blames for his death. Michelle Hynes today laid flowers outside the Central Health Centre in Cumbernauld where her eight-year-old son Owen Charleston collapsed. He later died in hospital.

Reality Tv Challenge for Feuding Neighbours

FEUDING families, couples and neighbours are being sought by the makers of a new reality television show. Producers of The Cell are heading to Glasgow in a bid to recruit squabbling partners, neighbours and friends for the series, which will be shown on satellite station Challenge TV.

Celtic Fans Sign Up for Tribute to Hero Larsson

HUNDREDS of Celtic fans have signed a petition which will be presented as a leaving gift to Henrik Larsson at the end of the season. The Thanks for the Memories Henrik petition has already collected almost 1000 signatures, with the number growing by the day.

Families Tune in to Web's Broadband

web-users in Provanmill, Glasgow, joined the information super- highway as a broadband service was switched on. Around 300 homes and businesses registered with provider BT, meaning all but one of Glasgow's 22 BT exchanges now have the super- fast service.

Police Hunt Two After Gun Raid

POLICE are hunting two armed robbers who threatened staff and held up a store. The robbers made off with a four-figure sum after forcing staff back into the Lidl shop in Shiskine Drive, Maryhill, Glasgow, as they where closing on Tuesday.

Jab Alert As Mumps Cases in City Soar

GLASGOW is at the centre of an alarming rise in mumps among teenagers. Confirmed cases of the disease in Scotland have soared to 49 since December 1 - almost double the tally of 26 cases for the rest of 2003.

Bosses Try to Find Jobs for 1000 Axed Boots Staff

A JOBS fair was being staged to help workers hit by the closure of the Boots factory in Airdrie today. Boots is to close the plant with the loss of 1000 jobs. Around 500 workers currently remain as the company winds down the operation ahead of production lines stopping in February 2005.

Theatre

NINE out of 10 lovers of musicals will say they prefer it - but Cats may be running out of lives. Andrew Lloyd Webber's stunning soundscape, charting the lives of the Jellicle felines awaiting their annual ball, lit up London's West End for 21 years, was seen by millions and hailed the best musical of all time.

Alert Over A77 Repair Snarl-Ups

MOTORISTS are being told to prepare for delays on the A77 as the road gets a (pounds) 480,000 facelift. Drivers en-route to Ayrshire between Whatriggs and Bellfield interchange are asked to vary journey times or use alternative transport during improvements to the busy road.

Strike Action Could Lead to Travel Chaos

SUBWAY users could face travel chaos next month as workers threaten industrial action. Staff who maintain the trains, escalators and ticket machines balloted for strike action following management plans to restructure their working practices without increasing pay.

Dvd & Video

Sykes Network DVD retail Eric Sykes is the comedians' comedian. He is the master of the sitcom and almost any British comedian working today would acknowledge a debt to his classic TV shows. Now the first colour series is out on DVD.

Tolerance Zones 'Won't Solve Vice Girls Problem'; Report Links Trade to Drugs and Crime

tolerance zones for prostitutes are not the answer to the problem of vice girls, a report claimed today. Glasgow City Council welcomed the research conducted in four countries, which also claimed legalising prostitution wouldn't cut human trafficking.

Bar Browser; the Latest Booze News

Sound DJs THE Library on Sauchiehall Street is rounding up the sounds of the city's clubs with its new line of weekend entertainment.

Buffet Banquet Where Quantity Beats Quality; Chukoku, 298 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow 0141 332 8120

THE low-energy bulb behind the Moll's eyes flared to a 100 watt spotlight: "I know. Why don't you call it 'soup kitchen chic'? "Well, for a start," I replied, "It implies some kind of style. So if you find any let me know," all the while kicking myself for not having thought of it first.