Experience of International Brigader sells out local venue

The revival of Willy and John Maley's play From the Calton to Catalonia has sold out its launch performance in the Calton Heritage Centre this Friday. The play, which deals with the experiences of their father as a volunteer in the Spanish Civil War, is being produced as a rehearsed reading as part of the MayDay celebrations organised by Glasgow Friends of MayDay. After the launch it will go on a small tour.

The play was originally written in 1990 and first played at Glasgow's MayFest that year. It was notable for showcasing  a very early appearance of Gary Lewis, later known for Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York and currently starring in Outlander. Lewis has also been involved in the development of this performance.

The rehearsed reading is directed by Martin McCardie, and features Bruce Morton, Maureen Carr, Davie Mackay, Erin McCardie, Matthew Gallacher and Claire Gray.

Martin explained:  “This play was a product of community theatre that was vibrant in Glasgow in 1990 and through the Mayfest years. The subject matter is one that is rarely taught in schools but is part of Scottish history that should never be forgotten. Some younger members of the cast knew nothing about the Scottish involvement in the Spanish Civil War. They do now!”

The launch takes place in the new Calton Heritage Centre, this Friday (1 May). An entirely appropriate venue, both from the title of the play, and from the publishers, Calton Books, an independent radical bookshop in Glasgow's London Road.  Local residents have responded making this first performance a sell-out.

Tickets are still available for the rest of the small tour - Irvine on the 2 May, Glasgow's Oran Mor on the 3, Bo'ness on the 8, and Greenock on the 10. Details of booking from http://www.fairpley.com.

MayDay celebrations start with a cracker

2014’s MayDay celebrations have started with two excellent events and a considerable increase in the interest levels.

1915 Rent strikes in Glasgow

Last Saturday, the new Friends of MayDay (GFoMD) organised ‘Walk through the War’ had its first outing and a small but interested band took a couple of hours to visit a number of Glasgow sites associated with events linked to different campaigns connected to the First World War.

Starting at the site of the notorious Duke Street Jail – used to imprison suffragettes, anti-war campaigners and strikers – the walk wound its way via George Square, the Clyde and Bath Street to the old St Andrew’s Hall building. The rain kept off and the history of those radicals still fighting while war raged was laid out through the city!

Good news for fans of these walks is that a joint application to Glasgow’s Doors Open Day organisers on behalf of GFoMD and the Scottish Labour History Society has been successful, and both the ‘walk through the War, and a variant on last year’s East End Walk (from Bridgeton to George Square) will feature in this year’s (September) programme.

From First War to Spanish War

Then on Thursday, a different war featured, as Calton Books launched their reprint of John and Willy Maley’s play From Calton to Catalonia based on their father’s experiences as an International Brigader in the Spanish Civil War. It’s available from Calton Books – their FB site is here. 

Willie Maley was present to introduce the book and expand on the fascinating character that his father must have been. Particularly good for an ex-colleague of mine – Dougie Hay – to get a mention! And proving that Glasgow is the biggest village in the world, the MayFest connection came full circle – the first outing of the play was part of that lamented festival!

Some great music, from Chris and Paul of The Wakes wound up a cracker of an evening!

March and rally to the Cabaret

A great start to this year’s mayday celebrations! On to the MayDay rallies on Saturday across Scotland, and in Glasgow on Sunday! And remember to get your tickets for the Great MayDay Cabaret at Oran Mor on Monday night. Tickets across the bar in OM, on line from their website,  or from the GFoMD stall at the O2 Academy Rally on Sunday.

Mandela's Birthday & a new Bookshop

Once again I seem to be taking to the blog to apologise for the tardiness with which I post here. Do I have a reason? Not really - an excuse, yes - a valid reason, no. 


The excuse is that I have been involved in a bit of a nostalgiafest over the past month. Returning to an old school reunion in Surrey and doing a considerable amount of research to track down past friends and comrades. (I'm worse at keeping in touch than I am at posting on here!). Comrades? Yes indeed - even the soft underbelly of British capitalism produces lefties occasionally! Maybe I'll write more about this fascinating experience shortly, but to get on...


Another anniversary that needs to be marked - and far more worthily than my old school's - is that of Nelson Mandela. Yes, Madiba will be 94 next week, and to mark the significant occasion ACTSA are sending another book container to South Africa from Glasgow. The container is 9 tonnes and will take over 1,000 boxes of books destined for school libraries in South Africa - it costs £3,500 to send, a not inconsiderable amount to raise (reasonable though it is). The books are at Hillhead Library in Glasgow, and the container will be packed there before being sent off from George Square.


ACTSA are looking for volunteers to help pack the container on the 18 July, and volunteers to donate to the cost. John Nelson John.Nelson@actsascotland.org.uk or 01698 426781, is the man to contact re volunteering. Donations to the shipping costs can be sent to ACTSA Scotland, 52, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4AA.


This is the first of an annual Mandela Day celebration, in Scotland and Archbishop Desmond Tutu has sent a short video message in support, a link to which can be found in a Scottish Government news release at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/06/tutu-mandela-day28062012  

Calton Books

Another interesting development (particularly for those of us who like the feel of the printed word as well as its digital counterpart) is the establishment of a new lefty bookshop in Glasgow.

Our old friends at Socialist Productions are behind the development of Calton Books. As the name suggests the bookshop is at 159 London Road at the Barras (beside the old style sweetie shop). As you might expect, they also sell Socialist Productions material as well as a range (wide and getting wider) of new and 'pre-loved' (love the marketing jargon, Robert!) books. They have a twitter page here to keep up-to-date with the new development. Currently open at the weekends (Fri, and Sat 10.30-4.30; Sun 11.30-4.30. Tel: 07590 262987/07510 292573 email: caltonbooks@socialistproductions.org. 

A development well worth supporting!