Latest news with #GlasgowVintageVehicleTrust
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Award-winning Michael Brawley Big Band marks 30th anniversary with series of gigs
It all began when musician Michael Brawley sent out a call to players in the Hamilton Advertiser back in 1995 in the style of First World War minister Lord Kitchener, which read '(Your) Swing Band Needs You' - and the rest, as they say, is history. It's 30 years since Lanarkshire's award-winning Michael Brawley Big Band first took to the stage - and it all began with an ad in the Hamilton Advertiser. And to mark the anniversary milestone, the marvellous musicians have a number of gigs lined up, including at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sunday Community & Family Day, at Bridgeton Bus Garage, this Sunday, July 27, performing two sets from 12 noon. Hamilton musician Michael Brawley sent out a call to players in the Hamilton Advertiser back in 1995 in the style of First World War minister Lord Kitchener, which read '(Your) Swing Band Needs You' - and the rest, as they say, is history. The band, which performs solely to raise money for well-meaning and worthy causes, has donated more than £60,000 to charity. Michael, 50, said: "Looking back, I'm proud of what the band has achieved. "I was two-and-a-half years into my degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland when I came up with the idea. "I'd played in jazz bands at school and knew there were lots of local players whose instruments were lying under their beds. "Eileen Mortlock, principal music teacher at St. John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton, and her husband, musician Ernie Mortlock, were great supporters. "We rehearsed in the school and our first gig was at a Christmas concert." The band went on to win a raft of awards at the National Concert Band Festival, the UK's largest festival for wind and big bands. The players secured a platinum award, two gold awards and a silver award at events in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Michael, who has a distinguished career as a musician and music teacher, still plays with the band on occasion. The group has been run for many years by a committee of players and its current musical director is Duncan Parkinson. Michael said: "Being a musician is part of something that you are. If you have that compulsion, you can't choose not to follow that path. "The band has such a good energy about it, and I'm thrilled that there are players still there who were there at the start. Here's to the next 30 years." The band's schedule in the past year alone has included gigs at the iconic B-listed Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow, Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort, Hamilton Pride, Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust (GVVT) and Coatbridge's Summerlee Museum. As well as the gig at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust Super Sunday Community & Family Day, at Bridgeton Bus Garage this weekend, locally, the band is performing at an event to mark 150 years of Lodge St Bryde in Uddingston on August 22 at 7pm. This is open to all and donations to charity are welcome on the door. And the band returns to GVVT on September 7 for the Blue Lights, Buses and Troops open day, celebrating the services, emergency and military; for more information, visit or the band's Facebook page. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Glasgow Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Chewin' the Fat star to be guest of honour at Glasgow event
Comic, singer, BAFTA-winning actor and DJ Karen Dunbar will officially "cut the ribbon" at Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust's open day on Sunday, July 27. 'I have a love of buses, and Glasgow - and buses in Glasgow,' says Karen, with a laugh. 'I'm always happy to go to community events when I can, and celebrate the culture of our city and the people who help preserve and honour it.' Karen Dunbar (Image: Karen Dunbar) A spokesperson for the event said: 'GVVT is stocking up on individual fruit trifles as we prepare to welcome a very special guest to our Family and Community Super Sunday. 'Karen Dunbar, star of legendary Chewin' the Fat, at last has escaped the corner shop and found a friend – more than a thousand of them, in fact, who will attend our sparkling, fun event at Bridgeton Bus Garage.' Karen's countless on-screen alter egos in the hit sketch show included the lonely shopkeeper, who took a little too much interest in the lives of her customers, in the hope of sharing a fruit trifle or two with them. The star will kick-start the show at noon, introducing the swinging sound of the Michael Brawley Big Band, supported by Super Sunday newcomers the Jump 'n' Jive Dancers. Other newbies include Ghostbusters Alba, complete with 12-foot-high Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Ectomobiles and charity merchandise. Other highlights will include toy and art stalls and community groups, including Glasgow North East Foodbank who will gratefully accept donations of tins, jars, pasta and more. (Image: Newsquest) Darth Vader and his Star Wars troopers return along with the classic Tunnock's van, superb model buses and boats, face painters, Wee Happy Shop and Bus, Clippies Café, and a new museum display. Visitors can also test their bus driving skills on the SIM1 simulator and their rowing prowess, courtesy of Clydesdale Rowing Club, and of course, browse around more than 130 vintage buses, lorries and fire engines. The event runs from 11am, with a free vintage bus service running to and from George Square with an added pick-up at Bellgrove Station. More details are available from the GVVT website.
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Spittal Primary's summer fair shone brightly despite the rain
Children enjoyed a wide range of free activities, including football coaching sessions provided by Lennon121 Coaching and engaging storytelling from local author JL Givins. The skies may have been grey, but spirits were anything but at Spittal Primary's third annual summer fair, held on Saturday. Hosted by the Rutherglen school's dedicated parent council, the event brought together families, pupils, and the wider community for a day packed with fun, learning and local pride. Despite the damp weather, the turnout was strong, with families showing enthusiastic support throughout the day. Children enjoyed a wide range of free activities, including football coaching sessions provided by Lennon121 Coaching and engaging storytelling from local author JL Givins. A highlight for many was exploring a vintage bus brought along by the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust — a nostalgic treat for all ages. The local emergency services also made a memorable appearance, offering hands-on fun and inspiration. Children had the chance to dress up, ask questions and even sound the sirens on both a police van and fire engine — experiences that sparked excitement and perhaps a few future career ambitions. While the children played and explored, parents were treated to a lively performance from the talented dancers of LGR School of Dance, who brought energy and entertainment to the stage despite the drizzle. As part of the day, the parent council also ran their popular pre-loved room, offering gently-used clothing, books and toys, along with free food donations kindly provided by Tesco. 'As a parent council, we recognise the importance of affordability and inclusion for all families,' said chair Susan McGeever. 'The pre-loved room is just one of the ways we aim to support our school community beyond fundraising.' The event raised approximately £2100 — funds that will go directly toward enhancing opportunities for Spittal Primary pupils. 'We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our local community,' McGeever added. 'In particular, we'd like to thank Healthy 'n' Happy and our local businesses, whose contributions helped make the day a real success.' Head teacher Stephen Miller shared their appreciation for the team's effort, saying: 'We are thrilled to share the fantastic success of our parent council 'Friends of Spittal' on their summer Fair, which brought together families, staff and the wider community for a memorable day. 'Thanks to the incredible efforts of our dedicated parent council, generous volunteers, supportive stall holders and enthusiastic attendees, the event was a wonderful celebration of community spirit. From exciting games, a bouncy castle and wonderful stalls to delicious food and dancers from the local dance school as entertainment, there was something for everyone to enjoy. 'Not only did the fair raise valuable funds to support school initiatives, but it also strengthened the bond between our school and the local community. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to making it such a resounding success. Thank you, Friends of Spittal — #TeamSpittal.' Rain couldn't dampen the fun, with colourful face painting and glitter tattoos adding sparkle to the day. Once again, Spittal Primary proved itself a shining star at the heart of the community. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. Article continues below
