Welcome to episode 106 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat In this episode Pat chats with historian Florence Boyle  Florence is particularly interesting because she was born and brought up in Pat’s home village, Old Kilpatrick, West Dunbartonshire.  It was during the Covid lockdown that Florence took the opportunity to start researching and writing about topics she has long been interested in - and those are the stories about the amazing, ordinary people who lived in her part of the world. Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Undeservedly Forgotten – West Dunbartonshire Women by Florence Boyle Music by Jim Byrne

Episode 105 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat – Pat chatting to author Liam McIlvanney  In this episode Pat chats to award winning author Liam McIlvanney about his latest novel, the psychological thriller, The Good Father. Which is by all accounts a gripping read.  Liam is the Stuart Professor of Scottish Studies and Director of the Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies at University of Otago in New Zealand.  He has previously won The McIlvanney Prize at Bloody Scotland, an award named  in honour of his father William McIlvanney – creator of Tartan Noir.  The Good Father has been selected for the Long List for 2025.  Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Contact Liam McIlvanney: liam.mcilvanney@otago.ac.nz Music by Jim Byrne

Welcome to episode 104 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat Author Deedee Cuddihy chats with Pat Byrne – Scottish Funny Books In this episode Pat chats with the Deedee Cuddihy - author of a series of very popular and Funny Scottish Books. You will get a sense of Deedee's unique oeuvre from some of her book titles. Here we go:  I Love The West End of Glasgow I Love Scones The Wee Guide to Spooky Stuff Scottish Wedding Disasters Would Jesus Wear a Kilt How to Murder a Haggis The Wee Guide to Porridge I Love Irn Broo There are many more and they are all great! About Deedee Cuddihy Deedee was born and brought up in New York but has lived in Glasgow since the 60s.  After graduating from Glasgow School of Art, instead of persuing a career as an artist - which she said was too difficult  - she opted for journalism. Deedee started work with The West End News and Patrick Advertiser – before finding her real calling, writing about funny Scottish quirks.   You can buy Deedee Cuddihy's books directly from her website at www.funnyscottishbooks.co.uk  I’m sure you will love them. Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Buy Deedee Cuddihy's books directly from her website. Music by Jim Byrne

Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 103 Today I am chatting with Tim Rideout and Ian Stewart of the Scottish Currency Group. And, if you’re thinking, ‘Currency? Well, that doesn’t sound very interesting’, then stay tuned because Tim and Ian will have you convinced otherwise. In fact after this podcast you’ll be telling your pals that currency is the most important subject to learn about if they want to live in a successful Scotland. And that would be true. Tim and Ian chat about all things related to the upcoming Scottish Currency Group Conference. The conference will take place on the 21st of September, 2024, at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. If I were to reduce the aim of the conference to a single phrase, that phrase would be: ‘why an independent Scotland has to have its own currency.’ That's not their description, that's one I made up  - because that's the impression I got from reading the conference program.  I hope you enjoy my conversation with Tim Rideout and Ian Stewart of the Scottish Currency Group. Links Tim Rideout on Twitter Ian Stewart - Bylines Scotland Tim Rideout videos Ian Stewart on Facebook Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End Podcast music by Jim Byrne

Welcome to Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 102.  Today, Pat chats with Billy Kay – writer, broadcaster, multi-award-winning producer and promoter of the Scots language. Billy has a new book called 'Born in Kyle: A Love Letter to an Ayrshire Childhood.' I recommend it wholeheartedly; we attended a recent event at Glasgow University where he read from it and regaled us with many hilarious tales from his childhood. Check out Billy's website for his full biography, more great books, and details about upcoming events. Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Billy Kay Music by Jim Byrne  

Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 101 Dr Elisa Segnini and Rodrigo Hernandez Gomez chat to Pat about the exhibition ‘Masks We Wear’ Today Pat chats to Dr Elisa Segnini from the University of Glasgow and Rodrigo Hernandez Gomez from Hyndland Secondary School’s, Art Department. Elisa and Rodrigo talk about their exhibition ‘Masks We Wear’ - currently on at at University of Glasgow, Advanced Research Centre - until the 6th of April 2024.  That’s where we came across the exhibition and it was so good that we just had to meet them - tell the world about their work and the work of the talented pupils. The masks were created by S3 and S5 pupils at the school.  You can catch the exhibition until 6th April, 2024 at University of Glasgow, Advanced Research Centre. The couple came along with their lovely sons Icaro (7yrs) and Cosimo (4yrs) - they watched a cartoon - if you hear a noise in the background - that's them playing together in the next room. Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Read the feature on 'Masks We Wear' Advanced Research Centre at Glasgow University Music by Jim Byrne

Lesley Riddoch chats with Jim about her new film, Denmark - the State of Happiness Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 100 Welcome to Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat. Remarkably, this is episode 100. Hurrah! Well done to us. :-)  This is the second half of my chat with the esteemed broadcaster, podcaster, journalist and filmmaker Lesley Riddoch. In part one, we learned about Lesley’s formative years and we learned about the background to the making of her latest film, Denmark - the State of Happiness. In this second part of our chat, Lesley talks about the film itself and explains exactly why you must go and see it. And I agree.  It's a fabulous film. If you get a chance to see it, grab a ticket and go along. You’ll enjoy it.  Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Pat on Twitter Lesley Riddoch Music by Jim Byrne

Lesley Riddoch talks to Jim Byrne about, ‘Denmark - the State of Happiness’.  And more. Part 1 of 2 Episode 99 of Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat Lesley Riddoch is a tour de force. She is a political activist, pioneering publisher, writer, podcaster, independence and land-reform campaigner and, last but not least, a role model for women in Scotland and far beyond.  It was great to chat with Lesley about her student days at Oxford, her work in both the mainstream and independent media, the current state of Scottish politics and. of course, about the making of her latest film, 'Denmark - the State of Happiness'. It’s a brilliant, inspirational film that I recommend you seek out.  I guarantee you will enjoy this chat. Lesley is forthright, a natural storyteller and always speaks directly from her heart. Not only will you enjoy the podcast, it will be an education. Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Pat on Twitter Lesley Riddoch Music by Jim Byrne

Writer and writing tutor Dave Manderson Chats to Pat Welcome to episode 98 of Jim and Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat. Today Pat will be chatting to writer and former creative writing tutor Dave Manderson.  Dave works with literary organisations such as Scottish PEN, he organises and runs literary events and has presented illustrated talks on a range of different topics - including topics as diverse as serial killers and Scottish identity.  He writes both fiction and non-fiction. He recently curated a series of films written by Alan Sharp called, ‘From Greenock to Hollywood’, and he has written a book about the same Scottish filmmaker called,’The Anti-hero’s Journey’.  At the moment Dave is working on a book of short stories and a new novel.   Links Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Pat on Twitter Dave Manderson Dave Manderson on Twitter Music by Jim Byrne

Donella Campbell chatting to Pat about here book, The Girl Who Invented Dusty Springfield’

Episode 96 - Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat Pat chats with Jeane Freeman OBE We are thrilled to have Jeane Freeman OBE, former politician and SNP member, as our guest on the Podcast. Jeane is truly one of the good people in this world. You will know her best from the daily Covid briefings - at the height of the pandemic - as she put her heart and soul into trying to keep us all safe. Jeane's political journey began in 2016 when she secured the constituency seat of Carrick, Cumnock, and Doon Valley, becoming an MSP. By 2018, she had earned her place in the Scottish Cabinet. Hailing from South Ayrshire, Jeane was raised in a working-class family that supported trade unions and the Labour party. Her passion for helping others was evident early on when, in 1979, she became the first woman to chair the National Union of Students in Scotland. Even before her role as an MSP, Jeane had already accumulated a wealth of experience as a dedicated political activist. I hope you enjoy Pat's chat with Jeane Freeman. Links Jeane Freeman at Glasgow University Jeane Freeman at the Scottish Parliament Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End. @glasgowswestend Music by Jim Byrne Photo by: By Scottish Government - Social Security Scotland recruitment, CC BY 2.0  

Episode 95 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat - Johnny Smillie and Monica Queen of Tenement & Temple  - part two The second part of my chat with Glasgow’s own music legends Monica Queen and Johnny Smillie - of the band Tenement and Temple.  Johnny is known for his accomplished guitar playing, songwriting and as an in-demand music producer and Monica for her musicianship, songwriting and her incredible voice.  Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol said, Monica possesses one of the "greatest ever voices to come out of Scotland'. I couldn’t argue with that. :-) Apart from their own musical adventures - which stretch back to the 1980s and include the indie rock band Thrum, they have collaborated with, among others: Bell and Sebastian, Chris Connelly, James Grant of Love & Money, Chris Coco. Monica has duetted with none other than Shane McGowan of the Pogues. We chat about how they met, their musical influences, record deals, their adventures in America and working with big-name producers - including our very own Edwin Collins.  Links Tenement & Temple on Bandcamp Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End. @glasgowswestend Music by Jim Byrne

Episode 94 of Jim & Pat’s Glasgow West End Chat Johnny Smillie and Monica Queen of Tenement & Temple chat with Jim - part one In this episode I was delighted to chat to Glasgow’s own music legends Monica Queen and Johnny Smillie - of the band Tenement and Temple.  Johnny is known for his accomplished guitar playing, songwriting and as an in-demand music producer and Monica for her musicianship, songwriting and her incredible voice.  Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol said, Monica possess one of the "greatest ever voices to come out of Scotland'. I couldn’t argue with that. :-) Apart from their own musical adventures - which stretch back to the 1980s and include the indie rock band Thrum, they have collaborated with, among others: Bell and Sebastian, Chris Connelly, James Grant of Love & Money, Chris Coco. Monica has duetted with none other than Shane McGowan of the Pogues. We chat about how they met, their musical influences, record deals, their adventures in America and working with big-name producers - including our very own Edwin Collins.  And because we nattered on so much, I decided to split the chat across two episodes. Enjoy.  Links Tenement & Temple on Bandcamp Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End. @glasgowswestend     Music by Jim Byrne

Episode 93 Carla is a poet, she is the poetry editor at the Scots Language Centre, she’s an author, events organiser, and the host of the show 'Express Yourself' on Sunny Govan Radio.  The Express Yourself show features poets and music and as it says in the blurb, "The chat is minimal, but the banter maximum". Carla lives in Glasgow but originally she comes from Tain in the Scottish Highlands. Links Carla Woodburn Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End. @glasgowswestend     Music by Jim Byrne

I was delighted and excited to chat to Billy Kay: writer, broadcaster, multi-linguist, and champion of the Scots language - most notably through his book 'The Mither Tongue', which is quite rightly regarded as a classic of contemporary Scottish culture. Billy is a much-honored individual but, for many people, he came to prominence recently for his address to the Scottish parliament - the first ever to have been presented in Scots. Scots in the Scottish Parliament - heaven forbid! In this episode we chat about Billy's early life in his beloved Galston in Ayrshire, his education, his love of the Scots language and his passion for Scottish independence, which, as he sees it, is the only route to saving the language and culture of Scots. With his deep knowledge of Scottish history he effortlessly roams across several centuries of Scottish witers and characters: Burns, Sir Walter Scot, James Boswell, the painters JD Ferguson, Allan Ramsay and more. The thing about Billy is that - just talking to him - made me feel more intelligent than I am. that’s a talent! Enjoy. Links Billy Kay. Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End. @glasgowswestend @billykayscot   Music by Jim Byrne

Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 91 In this episode the writer Alan Gillespie talks about his first novel, The Mash House; it is a novel of isolation and fear set in an isolated Highland village on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.  Alan Gillespie is a writer and teacher from Fife. He has studied at the University of Stirling, Glasgow and Strathclyde.  His articles and stories have appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, the Herald, Northwards Now, New Writing Scotland and elsewhere. In 2011 he was awarded the Scottish Emerging Writer’s residency at Cove Park. The Mash House is his first novel.  Links Alan Gillespie Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Twitter: @glasgowswestend  

Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 90 In this episode Pat chats to Brendon McIlroy, the founder and Artistic Director of Glasgow based production company Halo Arts. Halo Arts is an innovative production company, delivering inclusive projects, productions and events. As well as his work with Halo, Brendon is West End Festival’s Senior Event Manager, having worked for the charity since 2007. Links Halo Arts Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Twitter: @glasgowswestend

Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 89 In this episode, Pat chats with Bob McDevitt, programmer of Glasgow's Aye Write festival; which I'm sure you know, is Glasgow’s Book Festival.  Among many other things, Pat gets the lowdown on this year's programme; how it will work online and how that presents both challenges and opportunities for new and interesting ways to present authors and their books.   Bob is also Programmer for Bloody Scotland, a keen photographer, and let's not forget, author of 101 Men in Kilts. :-) Links Aye Right - Glasgow Book Festival Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Twitter: @glasgowswestend

Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 88 In this episode Pat is chatting to Elspeth King, a curator, writer and social historian. As curator of social history at the People's Palace Museum, Elspeth and her team saw the small local history museum blossom to become an award winning, significant cultural attraction, held in great affection by the people of Glasgow. Equally appreciated was the magnificent Winter Gardens attached to the museum. Elspeth has written several books on social history, on the People's Palace and Glasgow's Barras.  Elspeth achieved further success as Director of the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. She was awarded an honorary Doctorate of the University of Stirling in 2005 for outstanding work in developing Scottish museums and in promoting Scottish history and culture.  Currently she is a prominent activist with the Save the Winter Gardens Campaign. Fighting to ensure Glasgow does not lose this iconic venue.  Links Save the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens for the City of Glasgow - supporter comments Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End Twitter: @glasgowswestend This photo is from Wikipedia and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.  

Lesley O'Brien - Part 2: Chatting with Jim Byrne about becoming a professional storyteller Jim & Pat's Glasgow West End Chat - Episode 87 In this episode storyteller, poet, singer, songwriter Lesley O'Brien talks about her own journey to becoming a professional storyteller, poet, songwriter and singer. It was a joy to chat with Lesley.  Save Carlton Studios This is our second special episode to Help Save Carlton Studios. Carlton Studios will close if money cannot be raised to see it through the current lockdown. With no financial help from the government, it is up to Glasgow's community of arts and music lovers and friends to keep the studio open until it can start earning its own keep again.  if Carlton closes it means a loss of income for many workers, including cleaners, café staff, music tutors, sound engineers, filmmaker and studio assistants. Links: Save Carlton Studios Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End