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Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Public to gain access to over 150 iconic Glasgow buildings
As part of one of Scotland's most celebrated cultural events, the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival has unveiled its 2025 programme. The free event, which will take place from September 18 to 21, will open the doors of Glasgow's architectural landmarks to the public, offering rare glimpses inside some of the city's most iconic sites. The Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival will run from 18-21 September (Image: Supplied) Read more: Should Barlinnie become a listed? Most responders had the same thing to say Organised by the Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust, with support from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Glasgow Life, the festival has been a part of the city's cultural calendar since 1990. The theme of this year's festival is Glasgow: The Visionary City, aiming to celebrate the city's innovators and creatives. David Cook, chief executive of Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust, said: 'We have proudly organised the Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival for more than 35 years, celebrating the city's rich architectural and cultural heritage. "This year, the festival comes to life thanks to our dedicated staff team and up to 600 volunteers, who are all ready to welcome you as you discover Glasgow's visionary history – past, present and future. 'If you've never experienced the festival, this year is the perfect time to join in.' The festival forms part of the wider Glasgow 850 celebrations, which honour the 850th anniversary of Glasgow's Burgh status. Over four days, thousands of people are expected to explore Glasgow's open buildings, engage in family-friendly workshops, enjoy performances and exhibitions, and even partake in ceilidhs. Among the standout highlights, visitors have the chance to explore the newly transformed Citizens Theatre in the Gorbals and witness ongoing restoration work at the Govanhill Baths. People will also have the opportunity to explore the usually locked-up St Vincent Street Church and take a rare guided tour of the Kelvin Court flats. At the centre of the action will be the festival hub at the Advanced Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, where visitors will get the chance to enjoy a programme of free exhibitions, talks, films, workshops and family-friendly events. Moreover, the festival has partnered with the National Trust for Scotland to spotlight 'Mackintosh Illuminated', a project celebrating the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald. More than 150 of Glasgow's breathtaking buildings, cultural landmarks and secret spaces will open their doors (Image: Supplied) More: Explore Glasgow's hidden 20th-century architecture with new app Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and convenor for culture, sport and international relations for Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow has amazing architecture, a vibrant cultural sector and rich architectural heritage and the Doors Open Days Festival is a wonderful way to learn more about our city's many brilliant buildings and the people who have made them so. 'In the year Glasgow celebrates its 850th anniversary, the 2025 Doors Open Days Festival theme – Glasgow: The Visionary City – fittingly invites people to look ahead and share their hopes and ideas for the future of our city. "The festival is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors from near and far to step inside the likes of theatres, museum stores, factories, studios and universities to discover how each one has helped Glasgow to become an internationally renowned hub of culture, sport, tourism, learning, business and so much more." Tickets for this year's Glasgow Doors Open Days are available now. To book, and to explore the full programme of events, visit the Glasgow Doors Open Days website or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
The Herald Scotland
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2025 programme unveiled
Organised by Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust and supported by Glasgow City Council, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Glasgow Life, the festival has been a beloved part of the city's cultural calendar since 1990 and forms part of Doors Open Days, a national celebration coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust. The theme of this year's festival has been revealed as 'Glasgow: The Visionary City' which aims to celebrate those who have helped shape the city into the innovative, creative and resilient place we know today. The festival forms part of the wider Glasgow 850 celebrations, which commemorate the 850th anniversary of Glasgow's Burgh status through a wide range of year-long events and activities designed to showcase the city's history, culture and future aspirations. READ MORE: David Cook, CEO of Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, said: 'We have proudly organised the Glasgow Open Doors Festival for over 35 years, celebrating the city's rich architectural and culture heritage. 'This year, the festival comes to life thanks to our dedicated staff team and up to 600 volunteers, who are all ready to welcome you as you discover Glasgow's visionary history – past, present and future.' Over four days, thousands of people are expected to descend on the city to explore open buildings, explore family-friendly workshops, enjoy performances and exhibitions and even dance in ceilidh's as part of the thorough programme of events. Among the highlights, visitors have the chance to be among the first to explore the newly transformed Citizens Theatre in the Gorbals, as well as go behind the construction tape at Govanhill Baths to see ongoing restoration work at the building. Visitors have the chance to be among the first to explore the newly transformed Citizens Theatre in the Gorbals (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) People will also have the opportunity to explore the usually locked-up St Vincent Street Church and scale its dramatic tower, as well as take a rare guided tour of the Kelvin Court flats, a private art deco gem in the west end of the city. At the heart of the action will be the Festival Hub at the Advanced Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, where visitors will be able to enjoy a buzzing programme of free exhibitions, talks, films, workshop and family-friendly events inspired by this year's theme. The festival has also partnered with the National Trust for Scotland to spotlight 'Mackintosh Illuminated', a project celebrating the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald, two of Glasgow's greatest creative minds. Mr Cook continued: 'If you've never experienced the festival, this year is the perfect time to join in. 'With more than 150 free events, talks, tours and activities for all ages, it's a unique chance to enjoy both hidden gems and iconic landmarks in our world class city." People will also have the opportunity to explore the usually locked-up St Vincent Street Church Niall Murphy, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, added: 'As proud supporters of Glasgow Doors Open Days, we are delighted to see the festival return to showcase Glasgow's architectural heritage and tell the stories of the people who shaped our great city. 'As we celebrate the city's 850th Birthday, this year's theme of 'Glasgow: The Visionary City' seems appropriate. 'Over the centuries there have been many visions of Glasgow, it has been both an enlightenment city and a city of the Industrial Age. 'So, we welcome the challenge of asking festival goers: What type of city will Glasgow be in the future?' Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life and Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations for Glasgow City Council, said: 'Glasgow has amazing architecture, a vibrant cultural sector and rich architectural heritage and the Doors Open Days Festival is a wonderful way to learn more about our city's many brilliant buildings and the people who have made them so. 'In the year Glasgow celebrates its 850th anniversary, the 2025 Doors Open Days Festival theme – Glasgow: The Visionary City – fittingly invites people to look ahead and share their hopes and ideas for the future of our city. 'The festival is a unique opportunity for residents and visitors from near and far to step inside the likes of theatres, museum stores, factories, studios and universities to discover how each one has helped Glasgow to become an internationally renowned hub of culture, sport, tourism, learning, business and so much more.' Tickets for this year's Glasgow Doors Open Days are now available. To book, and to explore the full programme of events, visit:
ABC News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Archibald Prize People's Choice Award won by Loribelle Spirovski
4 time Archibald finalist Loribelle Spirovski has been announced as the winner of the 2025 People's Choice Prize for her portrait of didgeridoo virtuoso player, William Barton. The portrait was inspired by William's composition Birdsong at Dusk, and in a radical departure for Loribelle it was painted entirely with her fingers. The Archibald prize is Australia's most prestigious portraiture competition held every year at the Art Gallery of NSW and this painting was the clear favourite of the 40, 842 visitors to the Archibald who lodged a vote this year. Guest: Loribelle Spirovski, Archibald Prize People's Choice Award 2025 winner Producer: David Cook
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Corinthian football figures fans celebrate joy of collecting
Between 1995 and 2011, British modelmaker Corinthian created and sold thousands of figures of footballers, known lovingly as Big Heads. Though the company has long since gone, the joy their toys bring is as strong as ever. Why? It's a sweltering day and 200 people are crowded into the stifling Scrutton Bland Premier Suite at Essex County Cricket Club in genuinely couldn't look any happier to be men aged from their mid-30s and up, they have come from across the country to attend the first Corinthian Convention in almost two their retro football shirts betray club allegiances, all enmities are set aside for the one thing they share - an undying love of Big Heads. High Wycombe-based Corinthian made toys for cereal packets before scoring big with the release of its debut range of England players in 1995, with the launch party at a Marlow hotel attended by goalkeeper David as Headliners, figures from English and Scottish clubs and leagues across the world swiftly popular range was rebranded as Prostars several years later and collectors clamoured for more, with conventions held annually in Birmingham from 1999 to 2007, before Corinthian closed in 2011. The 2025 convention has been organised as part of the Essex Retro Football Show by the Corinthian Collectors Club (CCC), a group started by fans of the figures on Facebook in 2021, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the figures' Cook, a 39-year-old marketing lecturer from Burton upon Trent, typifies many of those started collecting when he was nine, having been hooked by a Warren Barton England 96 secret sachet.A childhood of trawling toy shops for Corinthians ensued, but enthusiasm waned in the teenage and early adult years as other distractions emerged, before finally returning in recent years to his first love. "It just takes you back to those fond childhood memories," he says, adding: "Maybe it's also about control."There is a lot in adult life you can't control, but your collection, that's something you can actually do something about."The CCC community is also a big part of the attraction for David. "It's nice to know there are a few other saddos, ahem, I mean like-minded collectors like me," he is now just two figures away from completing his set of the original Headliners range, an impressive - and costly - feat."I can justify it by saying these are an investment," he pauses, everyone knows what's coming next."Not that I'll ever sell them." Craig Robinson, a 39-year-old stock giftware company manager from Scunthorpe, never had the departure from collecting that most did."The joy has never left me," he the creator of the encyclopaedic Corinthian Archive website, has literally written the book on Big Heads, his Football Crazy Corinthians Mad launched in has more than 10,000 figures in his collection, including dozens of one-off highly coveted master models produced by Corinthian to show what completed figures could look include the likes of Niall Quinn and other Sunderland players who were planned but never released as the Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League. "In a way my collection is worth nothing," he says, "because I would never sell it."For me now, the biggest enjoyment is actually helping other people get stuff for their collections."The connection to childhood joy and distraction from woes of adult life are strong for Craig. The Newcastle United fan still gets "giddy now" at the memory of his father picking him up from school one day and pulling out a Shaka Hislop from behind his says he was the "right age" when the Big Heads were released and they were a "good price point", his £5-a-week pocket money buying two figures. His collection will never be complete, and neither does he want it to be."It's about the journey," he says. "Once you complete it, then what?" For many, the 2020 coronavirus pandemic was a re-entering point into the hobby."Covid rejuvenated it," says Dave Rule, a 57-year-old toy dealer and Corinthian specialist from Epsom in Surrey."People had more time and money, they went up into lofts, found their old collections and started thinking about completing them," he has been trading Corinthians for 27 years, having started as a collector who wanted to sell some of his market "died a couple of times", he says, first when Corinthian dropped the Headliners brand at the turn of the century and again when the firm folded in now things are almost back to their peak, he says. Fellow dealer Blain Hoskins agrees the hobby is enjoying a 37-year-old Dogs Trust kennel supervisor from Stockton started selling Corinthians to downsize his own collection during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also rediscovered the joy of it all in the process."It's the nostalgia," Blain says, reminiscing about his first purchase, England's Rob Jones, and creating games with his brother Connor using figures and an old Subbuteo pitch. The figures can and do sell for hundreds of pounds, there are mutterings of "bargain" as someone agrees to pay £300 for the ultrarare Norwegian national team 12-pack in Dave's convention collector, arms laden with boxes, bids his comrades a cheery farewell with: "I've spent a fortune, I'm going to have to sell a kidney in the car park now."There are also many tacit agreements to not tell wives and partners about purchases made today, an understanding among collectors that probably dates back to the first conventions. The old gatherings, held mainly at Villa Park, were the centrepiece for trading in Big Pomeroy is now a high-flying economist in the London banking world, but back then, he was a schoolboy from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, with one dream - to become of the envy of all by having a figure made of lost at the 2002 convention's Microstars World Club League, a game played using Corinthian figures, the then 13-year-old spent months devising a winning strategy to take the title in 2003 (crucial to his success was a green-based England Paul Scholes). The prize was a model of the winner, with James opting to sport the kit of his beloved Newcastle United."It is still my greatest life achievement," he says, gazing adoringly at the figure still claiming pride of place on his desk."My wife is sick of me bringing it up when we meet new people and it's what I always go to at a corporate event when you have to tell people something interesting about yourself," James says."Half of people have no idea what I'm talking about, but the rest get very excited about it." Personalised figures have taken on a whole new lease of life in recent years, thanks to the advances in 3D printing and skilled painters like Andrew 45-year-old Manchester United fan from Newton Abbot, Devon, is a postman by day and delivers on collectors' requests at nightHe rediscovered his collection during lockdown and things "snowballed" from there. He repaints figures into the iconic kits that symbolise moments and memories for fans."We grew up in that lucky era where football was at its peak," he says. "It was just getting big and global but it wasn't yet solely about the money." For Dan Lilley, who founded the CCC in 2021, bringing back the convention has been the fulfilment of a wanted the club to be more than just buying and selling, it was to be a community, a distraction from the stresses of daily life, a haven for collectors."We bonded over these little figures," he says. "Now we are all friends." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fort Worth area state senator announces retirement; House member seeks seat
Shorlty after Texas Sen. Brian Birdwell announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2026, state Rep. David Cook said he would run for the seat. Birdwell, a Granbury Republican representing Senate District 22 since 2010, thanked Jesus, his wife Mel, his constituents and his staff members for their support throughout his four terms. 'It has been the high honor of my life, on par with commanding United States soldiers, to serve my fellow Texans for over 15 years,' Birdwell stated in a X post. Cook, 53, is a Mansfield Republican serving his third term for House District 96. He ran for House speaker before this past legislative session. In his announcement, he thanked Birdwell for his service, calling him 'the personification of a servant leader.' 'While we've accomplished a great deal, there's more work to be done!' Cook stated in the news release. 'I look forward to hitting the campaign trail to earn the support of the people of Texas Senate District 22.' Other officials also showed their appreciation for Birdwell, including Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare. Some of Cook's priorities include securing the border, lowering property taxes and supporting public schools, among others, according to his website. Birdwell, 63, will finish the remainder of his term, which will end in January 2027. The next Texas Senate election is in November 2026. Senate District 22 represents the counties of Bosque, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Falls, Hamilton, Hill, Hood, McLennan and Somervell, as well as parts of Ellis and Tarrant counties.
