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Glasgow Times
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
8 photos of Glasgow's Easterhouse which capture 60 years of history
Easterhouse in the East End was one of the new 'schemes' built on the outskirts of the city to ease overcrowding in the centre. Slow progress in providing amenities like shops and schools led to a range of problems and for many years, the area struggled to shake off its tarnished reputation. In recent decades, Easterhouse has transformed itself into a thriving community with a successful arts and culture hub, employability programmes, grass-roots projects and popular schools. Our archives are full of fantastic photographs which help to tell the story of Easterhouse through the decades. What are your memories of growing up in Easterhouse? Get in touch by emailing or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG. Frankie Vaughan (Image: Newsquest) The 60s In one of the most bizarre events in the history of Easterhouse, Hollywood singer Frankie Vaughan famously intervened in Glasgow gang warfare in the 60s. Many dismissed it as a publicity stunt, others felt he really was trying to do some good for the people of the city. Frankie's intervention was a huge success – he even invited some of the gang members to a "peace conference" in Blackpool - and his fund-raising gala, Not the Gang Show, kickstarted the Easterhouse Project, a community youth club built in the heart of the housing scheme to offer youngsters an alternative to street fighting. A knife amnesty was held during Frankie's visit, and three binfuls of weapons were handed in – later, some Glasgow mothers complained their sons had raided their kitchens for knives so they could get their picture taken with Frankie. Cathy McCormack (Image: Newsquest) THE 70s Cathy McCormack was a former factory worker who fought tirelessly for better housing conditions in the scheme where she raised her three children. She successfully campaigned to win investment from the council to improve the dampness in the area's housing stock, an issue that was causing ill health and sickness among both young and old. Cathy spoke at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the link between poor housing and health. In 1992 she was involved in setting up the pressure group, Scottish Public Health Alliance. Young people outside Easterhouse Project in 1984 (Image: Newsquest) THE 80s Young people at the Easterhouse Project in 1984. (Image: Newsquest) THE 90s Actor, writer and comedian Elaine C Smith was given a warm welcome on March 27, 1990 when she officially opened a new women's centre in Easterhouse. At the time, she was best known for TV sitcom City Lights but since then, she has many more credits to her name including Rab C Nesbitt, Naked Video, Two Doors Down and King's Theatre panto. Ian Duncan Smith (Image: Newsquest) THE 00s Ian Duncan Smith famously visited Easterhouse in 2002 as Tory leader while his party was in opposition to Tony Blair's Labour government. Greeted by scenes of semi-derelict and boarded up tenements and rubbish-strewn gardens, he was taken aback by the levels of deprivation in the area, pledging 'compassionate Conservativism'' vowing to help change things, in what became known as the 'Easterhouse epiphany.' This Easterhouse street is dominated by the local water towers (Image: Newsquest) THE 2010s The view from this Easterhouse Street is dominated by the imposing water towers, an impressive local landmark looking a little like something out of War of the Worlds or Doctor Who … Children in costume celebrate the re-opening of Provan Hall (Image: Newsquest) THE 2020s This joyful photo was taken at the re-opening of Easterhouse's Provan Hall in 2023. The building dates back to medieval times – a reminder that there is more to this part of Glasgow than its days as a housing scheme on the edge of the city. Located close to the Fort retail park, the building overlooks Auchinlea Park in Easterhouse, part of the Seven Lochs Wetlands. Built in the 15th century as a hunting lodge for Glasgow Bishops, it is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and leased by Glasgow City Council.
Glasgow Times
28-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Glasgow Times
Ask Janice: My wife puts me on diets and I am sick of it
I'm always on a diet and I'm sick of it. It's not my choice but my wife says I live on junk food, drink too much alcohol and I'm overweight. (Obese actually, according to her). I really enjoy the odd chippie or kebab after a few pints and can't see what harm it's doing if I'm happy. Her friend caught me with a big breakfast at the burger van, and suggested I admit to my wife about the stuff I eat behind her back as she spends a fortune on healthy food which is a waste of money if I'm still eating crap. If I do tell her, it will cause a massive row, so what do I do? Joe. Dear Joe, This friend should keep her big interfering nose out of your business. Joe, your wife can sniff out your chippie and kebab habit like a Bassett Hound, and she will also be aware that your waistline isn't shrinking any, despite her efforts to curtail your fatty beige food consumption. As you have discovered, changing habits can be extremely difficult, so rather than waste her time, money, and effort, and you secretly scoffing forbidden food, you both need to be honest with each other. She is clearly concerned about your health and well-being, so try to understand her thoughts and why she is going to these lengths to improve your diet. You need to explain to her just how difficult you find the changes she expects you to conform to, and hopefully, if you both communicate and compromise, you'll find a way forward. Otherwise, this scenario will be an endless cycle of frustration. Shop, cook, and eat together. Work out meal plans which include a once-a-week big breakfast and a homemade chippie tea etc. Smaller portions of what you do like instead of larger ones of foods you don't might help too. Best of luck. Dear Janice, My partner asked me to give him driving lessons. He says that if I show him the basics, he will then be confident enough to book proper professional lessons. I understand where he is coming from, but he blows a fuse at the slightest thing, and I can foresee a fallout before we've started the engine! Plus, I don't feel confident enough to take someone out on the road. How do I get out of this? James. Dear James, Driving instructors need to be patient, communicate clearly, and adapt to different learning styles. They also need to be confident enough to let strangers take control of their vehicle. You don't have that confidence, therefore, giving your petulant partner control of your car is not an option. If he has a birthday coming up, pre-book a block of lessons with a professional instructor, but if he doesn't, just pay for it anyway as it will be money well spent. It may well dent your bank balance, but it will save your sanity and your relationship. Got a question for our agony aunt? Email askjanice@
Glasgow Times
02-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Ask Janice: 'I'm worried I might be pregnant - what do I do?'
During the Easter break, I had sex with four guys, and now I'm worried I might be pregnant. I knew three of them, but the other one was just a random. I can't eat or sleep for worrying that I might be pregnant and which one could be the dad. I can't speak to my parents as they would be furious, and that's putting it mildly. I'm not ready to be a mum and want to finish my college course, so what do I do? I feel like going out and getting wasted to blank all this out. Help. JJ. Dear JJ, Getting wasted was most likely what got you into this mess, so don't even think about it. You certainly made best use of the Easter break, and although I'm not here to judge, you need to consider the wider implications of your promiscuous behaviour. Apart from a potential unwanted pregnancy, your sexual health (and your partners') is at risk. Visit your GP and get a pregnancy test done immediately. If positive, your doctor can advise on your options and discuss a paternity test, if needed. Your doctor will also arrange for you to be tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, regardless of the outcome of these tests, you need to be supported emotionally, so please chat to a trusted friend or relative, as support and guidance are crucial at this time. It's also the perfect time to reflect on your behaviour which has resulted in such emotional turmoil. You have a career looming ahead, and in order to manage your life going forward, you must take responsibility for your actions. Bed-hopping with strangers is short-term gratification for long-term guilt and emotional baggage. It's also immature, unsafe, and a recipe for a lot of future unhappiness. I have no doubt you'll be fine if you clean up your act, stay safe, and learn the valuable lessons these last weeks should have taught you. Take care. Dear Janice, I work in a busy factory, and it seems like every week I am putting cash into envelopes for someone's birthday, new baby, wedding, or leaving do. I have never had a card or gift, and although that sounds childish, I really can't afford to spend my hard-earned money on people I barely know. I don't want them thinking I'm the only mean one if I don't want to contribute to everything. Nicole. Dear Nicole, You will not be the only person who begrudges paying into these endless envelopes because, like you, most people feel obligated to contribute in order to conform with their colleagues. Sure, it's a lovely gesture, but from now on agree that it makes more sense for everyone to contribute to a smaller group, i.e., people whom they work closely with on a regular basis. This means you won't constantly be spending on strangers but will enjoy giving to people who actually mean something to you. Got a question for our agony aunt? Email askjanice@
