What's New

• 25 March 2010

  Yvonne Murray launches Strathclyde Park Triathlon

  

  Strathclyde Country Park, the triathlon venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will be hosting the opening leg of the 2010 British Triathlon Super Series on Sunday 23 May, and to launch the event former British and Scottish endurance runner Yvonne Murray was joined by Elite Scottish triathlete Kerry Lang, and Scottish Triathlon Junior Squad athletes Gavin Alexander and Cliona Ferguson, for a triathlon master-class in Strathclyde Country Park today.

  Murray, who won gold at the 1994 Commonwealth Games and Olympic bronze in the 1988 Seoul Games, will be coming out of retirement  to participate in the Strathclyde Park Triathlon Novice race on the 23 May as part of a relay team which will be known as Team Murray. The remaining places will be taken by journalists.

  “I am delighted to be here in Strathclyde Country Park today helping to launch the first leg of the British Triathlon Super Series.  It is fantastic that all the athletes, whether Elite or Novice, will get the opportunity to compete at the triathlon venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games."

  Over 100 Elite athletes will complete in the British Triathlon Super Series event, which will also see the race hold ITU Triathlon European Cup status and signifies the first ever ITU Triathlon European Cup event to be held in Scotland.  In addition to the Elite athletes, there will be hundreds of Age Group athletes competing in two distances; Novice - 300m swim, 10km cycle and 2.5km run and Sprint - 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

  Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said:  “The mass participation element of the first leg of the British Triathlon Super Series at Strathclyde Park will showcase the venue’s sensational landscape and impressive facilities to a whole new audience of amateur triathlete. 

  “This is a rare opportunity for enthusiastic Novices to race alongside the world’s best athletes in their field at what will be the triathlon venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  This leg of the Super Series also has the added kudos of being an ITU Triathlon European Cup event, which will ensure the competition has a fantastic support and an impressive turnout of spectators.”

  Category: International Events
• 25 March 2010

  NVA launch Witte Fietsenplan (White Bike Plan)

  

  NVA are re-enacting the infamous Witte Fietsenplan (White Bike Plan) for Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art 2010.  The original Witte Fietsenplan (White Bike plan) was an anarchic free transport programme in Amsterdam started by the Provos, the Dutch counter culture movement of the 1960’s. The initiative was the source inspiration for the (PUB) Public Use Bicycle systems which has been updated and ‘officially’ replicated in cities worldwide.

  NVA’s White Bike Plan will celebrate the political and ecological drives behind the original action by providing 50 white bikes free for the festival audience to use to travel between venues. There will be a central drop-off point for bikes at the Glasgow International Festival Hub courtyard on 54 Miller St each night up to 9.30pm as well as having bike drop off points at other festival venues. The universal combination lock code for the bikes is 6510. NVA have published a Witte Fietsenplan (White Bike plan) pamphlet that will be available at the festival hub and participating venues.

  NVA have also curated a small exhibition on the Provo’s Witte Fietsenplan at the Glasgow International Hub at 54 Miller Street. Opening times of exhibition: 10am – 8pm daily throughout the festival.

  Category: International Events
• 24 March 2010

  Darius to perform at Burns an' a' that! grand finale night

  

  The ninth annual burns an’ a’ that! Festival is set to be one of Ayrshire’s most spectacular events in 2010, and is regarded as one of the largest arts and cultural festivals in the west of Scotland.

  The new grand 2010 festival venue of Ayr Town Hall provides a fitting new home for the operatic talents of recent Popstar to Operastar winner Darius as well as a range of other big name acts including Wolfstone, Shooglenifty, X Factor Stars and the best in unsigned bands.

  Featuring four spectacular days and more than 20 artists, the opening night on Thursday 27th May features music from the finalists of the AYRPLAY competition, Scotland’s biggest competition to find the latest hot property to emerge on the music scene.

  Friday boasts finalists from the most recent 2009 ITV X Factor series including favourites Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, Jamie Archer and Lucie Jones.

  A complete change of pace on Saturday, as the Town Hall welcomes leading Scottish folk musicians Shooglenifty, The Wherries, Haggerdash Folk and renowned fiddler Alistair McCulloch, amongst others.

  The Sunday night Festival Finale has seen a fitting close to each of the last two years’ festivals and this year is set to follow suit with performances from Scotland’s finest, with Pokey Hats, comedian Geoff Boyz, Wolfstone and Darius.  An eclectic mix of bagpipes, drums, soloists, rock, latin, classical and comedy will ensure there really is something for everyone!

  In addition to the four headline events, the heart of the festival of course remains with the wide and varied programme of community events that run throughout the week. From food and drink events showcasing the best in local produce to children’s fun and games at the beach, from author talks and photography exhibitions to motorcycle madness and Ghost Walks wi’ Rabbie there really is something for everyone!

  Category: National Events