Evening Times

Thanks to a Wonderful City

I have just returned to the US from a four day visit to Glasgow. What a wonderful city! The architecture is fabulous, as is the shopping (although I would have wished for a better exchange rate!). However, Glasgow's best asset is definitely its people.

Times Past; Clincart Road, Mount Florida, 1955

TODAY we have out-of-town hypermarkets and internet shopping. Back in 1955, a trip to the shops was a rather different experience.

Volunteers Needed for Charity Bid

DAREDEVIL volunteers are wanted to raise funds by abseiling down a city centre multi storey hotel. Hepatitis charity C-Level provides support for more than 5000 people in Glasgow who have the disease.

Firm Denies Immediate Strike Threat

FIRST bus bosses today assured passengers there was no immediate strike threat to services in Glasgow. First Glasgow managing director Eric Stewart said he was working flat-out with union officials to prevent industrial action by drivers in a row over pay and conditions.

'Nightmare' Life of Slashed Bus Driver; Cash and Job Fears Add to Trauma of Knife Thugs' Vicious Attack

A BUS driver who was slashed three times on the face by a thug has told how his life has become a living nightmare since the attack. Charlie Robertson, 30, said he is still traumatised and unfit for work after the vicious assault on his bus five months ago.

Manager Wins (Pounds) 6500 Over Unfair Sacking

A MANAGER has won an unfair sacking claim against a top Robert Burns tourist attraction. The Burns National Heritage Park at Alloway, Ayrshire, has been ordered to pay (pounds) 6811 compensation to former operations manager Caroline Turner after she won her unfair dismissal claim.

Sky Diver Sent Suicide Text; Death Plunge After Split with Student Girlfriend

SKYDIVER Alastair McLaren sent a final text message to his student girlfriend moments before plunging to his death. Police officers checked his mobile phone which he left in the aircraft to see if he had sent a suicide message to girlfriend Hannah Bradman, a classmate of Prince William at St Andrews University.

The Sound of Laughter Is Always Here - It's the Best Way to Deal with Pain; Volunteers' Week: Hospice Helpers Reveal Happiness Is the Best Medicine to Help the Terminally Ill

TERMINALLY-ill cancer patients have received care and attention from the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow for 21 years. Volunteers play a vital role in providing that care. Currently more than 400 people devote valuable time and energy to the hospice and its 11 shops throughout the city. As part of Volunteers' Week, which runs until Monday, we talk to three volunteers from very different backgrounds who work at the hospice. As MAUREEN ELLIS found out, there is much laughter, so...

'Chocolate' Taxi Hunt After Theft

POLICE are searching for the driver of a taxi advertising chocolate who helped the victim of a robbery in Glasgow's east end. Officers investigating the attack on a man in Melbourne Street want to speak to the driver of the black cab which had an advert for Galaxy chocolate on it, and his two female passengers.

I Don't Want to Be a Celebrity - All I Want to Do Is Play

THREE hundred women will meet in Glasgow City Chambers tomorrow night for the 2004 Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year awards, which salute the women who live to help others. Playing in front of them will be the award-winning teenage violinist, Nicola Benedetti - who, as she tells BRIAN BEACOM, is delighted to have been asked to take part. By Brian Beacom

Bid to Hit Drug Trade and Crime

POLICE and council bosses are meeting today to discuss the impact of serious crime on communities. Strathclyde Police and East Renfrewshire Council are holding a joint seminar aimed at raising awareness of the threat posed to the community and organisations by criminals.

Charles Is New Star of City's Fame Academy; Prince Receives Unique Degree From Glasgow's Performing Arts School

PRINCE Charles took centre stage among Glasgow's stars of the future as he received an honorary degree from Scotland's leading talent school. The Prince accepted the honour and met young hopefuls from all over the world during a visit to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Extortion Ordeal After Kidnap at Gunpoint

A MAN has been jailed for six years for kidnap and extortion at a remote farm. Victim James McPhee was kidnapped and held in handcuffs in an isolated farm building while his family was told to hand over (pounds) 105,000.

Exclusive; Too Fat to Breathe; Scots Kids so Obese They Need Ventilators to Keep Them Alive

OBESE children in Glasgow are having to sleep connected to ventilators in case they stop breathing in their sleep. A top consultant today revealed growing numbers of fat kids were having to be connected overnight to machines in their homes, because without them they could stop breathing - and in extreme cases could die.

Charity Scams to Be Outlawed

rogue charities have been targeted in a massive crackdown to protect unsuspecting donors from scams. New regulations unveiled today will force Scots charities to reveal how much of the money raised goes to good causes.

Shock Plan for Cuts at Hospital

HEALTH chiefs have revealed shock plans to downgrade a major hospital in the west of Scotland. NHS bosses in Argyll and Clyde plan to downgrade Inverclyde Royal in Greenock, and close four other hospitals for the elderly and mentally ill.

Alarm As Freed Lifers Go Back to Jail

A RECORD number of inmates serving life were released from Scots jails in 2003 - and more than half were sent back to prison. Scotland's Parole Board annual report today revealed that 55 life prisoners were released last year, compared with 53 in 2002 and just 39 in 2001.

Travellers' Clinic Is City's First

GLASGOW'S first high street travel clinic opened today. City nurse Kate Sweeney has set up shop in the city centre to help protect holidaymakers and business travellers from exotic diseases.

Pipe Band Reel Keen On Safety

CANADIAN pipers joined with the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band to promote safety in Glasgow. The Calgary Police Service Pipe Band were in town for the Safe and Sound in Glasgow event this week.

Bar Bosses in Battle for Top Award

SIX Glasgow bar bosses are in the running for the Pub Manager of the Year award. The Scottish Licensed Trade Awards is the annual search for the country's best bar manager.