Glasgow??

So you know Glasgow? Well, do you!!

Glasgow, the name.

        Glasgow can trace it history back to at least the 4th century, it was at that time a certain St. Ninian stopped by the Molendinar Burn, where the Cathedral is today, and consecrated a piece of land there as a Christian burial ground. Some hundred years or so later a St. Kentigern brought the body of a holy man Fergus to be buried at the St Ninian spot. St Kentigern stayed and set up a Christian community in the area. He later became known as St Mungo patron saint of Glasgow.

        The name 'Glasgow' has gone through considerable changes over the centuries. The earliest Charters refer to the city as 'Glaschu', while the earliest seals give several different spellings. In the seal of 1180 the spelling is 'Glesgu', and the seal of 1325 it is 'Glagu'. In 1297 the Earl of Warrenne and Surry to the English King refers to 'Glasgeu' in another letter from the same Earl it becomes 'Glascu'. In a letter from Hugh de Cressingham in 1297 to the King of England it has the spelling 'Glasgu'. In the Charter of 1324 by Robert the 3rd it is written as 'Glasgw'. Another Charter of 1419 by John Stewart, Lord Darnley has it as 'Glaschow'. Yet again the spelling changes in the will of Archbishop Betoun where he refers to himself as Archeuesque de Glasco.
 

Origins of the name

           It is generally accepted the name is not from Gaelic, as at the time of its formation this area was a Welsh settlement. It is probably from the Welsh 'Glas', and 'cu' or 'gu'; translates as 'Beloved Green Place' and is referring to the spot where Kentigern met Columba thus Kentigern becoming the Patron Saint of Glasgow. 

Radical Glasgow.

Mention Glasgow and various stereotypes jump to mind, dreadful slums, hard drinking, random violence, razor gangs, shipbuilding, locomotive makers and other heavy industries. What else is written about the city usually refers to captains of industry, architects, inventors, and medical men of note. Scratch the surface however, and you find another Glasgow with a long tradition, the real Glasgow, 'Radical Glasgow'.

          Glasgow can boast of a long tradition of radical movements growing from the ranks of ordinary people. People struggling not only to improve their own conditions but that of all working class people.

          Glasgow can lay claim to a series of firsts. Besides being the birthplace of the 'European Temperance Movement', the following are just some other firsts that can be added to its roll of honour: Birth of the Scottish Labour Movement.
First effective trade unions formed.
First trade union papers printed.
Scottish Co-op movement first established.
Scottish Labour Party founded.
First Trades Council in Scotland.
History of Glasgow Green

         The Glasgow Green has always been a focal point for the people of Glasgow and a cradle of social movements throughout its history. The following list is but a hint at the history of the Green: Through the 1700 and 1800s, the various reform movements.
Pre-1914, the woman’s suffrage movements.
1916, rent strikes.
1938 anti-fascist movements.
1971 U.C.S. crisis.
1984 miner’s strike.
 

Conclusion

        Both the above lists could be expanded depending where you place your focus, and no doubt will continue to expand as the people of Glasgow go on to face new challenges.
        I hope the following articles give at least some insight into that other Glasgow, the Glasgow that does not always find its story in the mainstream literature about the city, but is the true heart of the City of Glasgow, the city of compassion and vision. 

This article was lifted from Strugglepedia at https://spiritofrevolt.info 

 

Visit ann arky at https://spiritofrevolt.info

Anti-Racism.

          A little bit late with this, but it is always good to see the enthusiasm and the colourful banners. Glasgow's anti-racist march on Saturday 25th November was as usual a very colourful affair. Marching from Glasgow Green to George Square it made a powerful statement, that Glasgow stands against racism in any shape or form. When you consider the series of very large ceasefire in Gaza marches that have taken place across the country, there is no doubt where our values lie. Let's strengthen that stand of anti-racism and peace. Enjoy the images from the anti-racism march.

 

Visit ann arky at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

The Green.

          Gleswegians know your history, without your history you were never here. As George Orwell stated, "The best way to destroy a people is to destroy their history" So make sure that won't happen to us. Spirit of Revolt works hard at trying to preserve and make freely accessible to all, the history of the struggles of the ordinary people. Why not visit their website and delve into a wealth of information on the history, the struggles the victories and the pain of trying for that better world for all.

Spirit of Revolt Archives of Dissent Glasgow/Clydeside

This 25-minute film draws together 1000 years of writings about the area now known as Glasgow Green an integral part of Glasgow and its people the film is part of Spirit of Revolt Archive 

 https://spiritofrevolt.info/radical-history-on-glasgow-green/

 

 

Visit ann arky at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

1820.

 

             The struggle for freedom and justice is not a new struggle, generation after generation of ordinary people have been struggling for that better world for all. We owe it to them to continue that struggle, the struggle will be over when we overthrow the present system of state/capitalism that has spawned so much poverty, wars and insecurity for the mass of the world's population while heaping unimaginable wealth, privileges and power on the few.
           The Glasgow Keelie Group and others took to the streets to mark the state murder of one of those freedom fighters. James Purlie Wilson who was brutally hanged and then beheaded by the state on Glasgow Green for his part in the 1820 insurrection. This enactment took place in Glasgow on Sunday 27 August on Glasgow Green, at the Barras and in front of the Glasgow's People's,Palace.

       For more on the 1820 insurrection go to https://spiritofrevolt.info and click on Strugglepedia 

Visit ann arky at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

State Murder.

 

 

          Let's not forget those who gave their life in the desire for freedom for all. come on down to Glasgow Green Sunday 27th Aug 1-3pm commemorating the murder by the state of James Purlie Wilson hanged and headed on the Green in the State's brutal repression after the 1820 insurrection more on the 1820 insurrection https://spiritofrevolt.info click on STRUGGLEPEDIA 1820 Insurrection.

 

 

Visit ann arky at https://spiritofrevolt.info 

May Day.

 

          Spirit of Revolt's May Day picnic on the Green, despite changing weather, can be counted as a success. Though not as many turned up as we would have liked, but the Workers Memorial display attracted lots of passers-by, and by the amount of literature that we managed to hand out, it certainly was a great success. We managed to distribute lots of Anarchist Critic, Glasgow Keelies, Red and Black Poetry night leaflets, Red and Black Bookfair and Gathering leaflets, Spirit of Revolt business cards, plus lots of Radical Glasgow History Project leaflets. Encouragingly they were all taken with some enthusiasm. A big thank you to all those who turned up.

Two further coming events to mark Red and Black Clydeside May Week

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

Death for Bread!

           Once again Spirit of Revolt, and Glasgow Keelie Group, with assistance from other comrades put on a very moving and poignant display on Glasgow Green Drying Green area to mark Workers Memorial Day. The display will stay until after the May Day picnic on the Green May 1st. 3pm, to be held on the Drying Green, come along and celebrate workers day, May Day on The Green. This year saw the addition of high vis jackets, listing some of the deaths, illnesses and injuries people suffer from just trying to earn their daily bread. In no civilised society should working to survive risk life and limb, however in this society, where profit is the main motive of production, human welfare is listed as a cost and must be minimised to help increase profits for the shareholders who seldom indulge in the actual work, they just reap the bonuses. Not until we the workers own the means of production and distribution will we see human safety and well being at the top of the list. Only we, the ordinary people can create that environment, don't expect the shareholders and financiers to alter a system that allows them to live a life of luxury at other people's expense.

 

 

 

 

 

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info