In Kelvingrove Park this Sunday 20th June 2010 the Glasgow Mela celebrates its 20th birthday.

More than 30,000 people are expected to descend on Kelvingrove Park for the eight-hour event which will host three stages of entertainment ranging from live Malaysian music to traditional Asian cuisine.

The free event kicks off at 12pm with street theatre, arts, funfair rides and cultural exhibits also making the line-up. Attractions include Punjabi and Bhangra music stars Jaz Dhami and JK as well Bollywood's Desi Bravehearts, circus acts and Japanese drummers.


On Sunday 13th June 2010 the West End Festival parade will begin in Kelvingrove at 3pm with entertainment running from 12:30.

The famous Mardi Gras parade will feature samba bands from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cumbria and London, 500 dancers and costume acts.

The stages in Kelvingrove Park will include acts such as Brass Monkeys, The Amphetameanies, Destino, Brooksy & the Sound Collectors and Clanadonia.

You can download a Festival Sunday Map and Information sheet (PDF) which lists all the bands and stages (PDF courtesy of the West End Festival website).

Remember to visit the craft and information stalls which will be situated in Kelvin Way.




On Sunday 13th June Kelvingrove Park will again be the venue for the main celebrations of the West End Festival

The 2009 festival, the first year where Kelvingrove played host to the Mardi Gras parade, was judged a great success and attracted large crowds.

You can see more photos of the festival on flickr and information via the WEF Wikipedia entry.

Blaes Pitches

The photo above-left is of the north pitches, site of a proposed 3 metre high fence. Members of the public have contacted us regarding the recent resurfacing work, about sightlines and spoiling of view from/to Park Circus and officials suggesting that the pitches would no longer be available to the public for kickabouts etc. if they were fenced off.

Concerns should be addressed to Planning.Representations@drs.glasgow.gov.uk with City Council Planning Ref#: 10/00764/DC




Recently we have been contacted by several park users who have reported their concerns to us on the following issues:

1. proposal to erect a 3 metre high fence limiting access to red blaes pitches and spoiling sightlines to Park Circus
2. removal of flowers and shrubs as a cost-cutting measure
3. continued neglect of the bandstand and excessive time taken to progress its restoration plan (despite overwhelming public support)
4. the "superschool" involving a greater incursion into the park and more tree-cutting than suggested in the plans (see Google Maps)

On the issue of the red blaes pitch on the north side of the park - the proposal to enclose this pitch with a a 3metre high close mesh fence would prejudice the Council's own Recreational Greenspace Standards by removing a football pitch, currently freely available to the public, from unrestricted public use. The site is currently well used for a very wide range of sporting activities not restricted to football (i.e. cricket, lacrosse, frisbee, jogging and other exercises etc.). The erection of a high fence would also spoil important sightlines to the heritage area of Park Circus (as shown in accompanying photograph). Concerns should be addressed to Planning.Representations@drs.glasgow.gov.uk with City Council Planning Ref#: 10/00764/DC


Conservation Day at Kelvingrove Park - Wed 12th May
A chance to get help create and manage wildlife habitats in Kelvingrove Park. Activities on the day include wildflower planting and some weeding of the butterfly garden. Come along and help make your local park better for wildlife. This activity is being organised by RSPB and Glasgow City Council.
If you want to book a place or get more details please contact: Alistair Allan, RSPB Information Officer on 07796 310 547 or email alistair.allan@rspb.org.uk


UNISON Rally to defend public services - Saturday 10th April. Assembles from 9.30am in Kelvin Way and march up Gibson St, Woodlands Road, Great Western Road, Byres Road and back to Kelvingrove Park via University Avenue for an 11am rally. Rally plus fun stuff for kids will be held on grassy slope below Park Circus - more details and an event map can be seen on the UNISON Blog.


The 'Wagner Garden Carpet', a rare 17th century Persian carpet, will be on display at the Burrell Collection over Easter.
Penelope Hobhouse, gardener and garden historian is giving a lecture on Iranian gardening and gardeners on Saturday 27th March in a symposium with the Iranian-Scottish Association. See the Burrell website or phone 0141 287 2563 for more information.


Some park wildlife and conservation events taking place in February and March 2010.

17th Feb - Creation of a new wildflower meadow
Meet at riverside entrance to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum at 11am.

10th March - RSPB Conservation Days
Join the RSPB for a day of practical work managing wildlife habitats in the park. There will be a Conservation Day once a month and work will vary depending on the season. Tasks will include managing the butterfly garden and helping to create a new meadow. Numbers are limited. Please email Alistair Allan Alistair.Allan@rspb.org.uk , to request a place. For general information about work involved on the day call Cath Scott, Glasgow City Council on 0141 287 7026.

21st March - Spring into Life
Meadow creation public event 11.00-15.00 Riverside entrance to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum


Several dog-walkers have reported a lost dog to us (see photo). She is long-haired brown with a black back and white front paws and has been running around Kelvingrove Park and Gibson Street too scared to be approached. Please if you have any information. National Pet Register and Cardonald Cat & Dog Home can be helpful in tracing lost pets.
Update 11/12/09 - There is a similar dog listed on flealess.org, we have contacted the owner and are waiting for a reply. Their dog has returned home, so this is a different dog.


A Facebook group has been set up called The Amphitheatre Restoration Committee (ARC). ARC are not connected to the Friends of Kelvingrove Park, but share our aims:
"The Amphitheatre Restroration Committee (or ARC) is campaigning to ensure that the public park area is restored and may be put to its proper and artistic use. We are hoping to raise awareness of the issue and enable people to realise the advantage of its potential as an arts and science venue. Potentially, the Amphitheatre can be used all year round by arts groups in the summer months for performances and in the winter months used by science groups for observation and astronomy lectures. This is a space rich in history, rich in opportunity, that has been ignored.".

Check out ARC's forthcoming film about the Bandstand, their advice page on contacting your local councillor about the Bandstand, and the many good stories and links supplied by members.

Thanks Joe Joeboy and uploader Garnethill1 for finding this great footage of The Silencers at the Bandstand:


The next meeting of the Friends of Kelvingrove Park is on THURSDAY 26th NOVEMBER, from 7.30 to 9pm at Hillhead Library (small hall upstairs). Hear the latest news about the Bandstand & Amphitheatre. You can join the Friends at this meeting, which is also our annual general meeting. Look forward to seeing you!



The fountain has been temporarily switched off while the contractors fix a leak in the old underground pipework. Hopefully this work won't take long to complete as it was good to see it going again after such a long time.


The Restoration works to the Stewart Memorial Fountain are complete and the unveiling ceremony will take place on the 14th October 2009 at 3pm - the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first sluice gate at Loch Katrine. The restoration incorporates a more environmentally friendly water recycling system and there have been extensive repairs to the stonework including the reintroduction of cherubs missing since the 1930s.


The restoration of the Stewart Memorial fountain is progressing, and with bands, theatre companies and festivals clamouring to use the bandstand this summer, there could be no better time to prioritise the restoration of this brilliant venue which once brought so much to the people of Glasgow. Every month this website receives messages of support, as well as many who are angry that such a simple building restoration has taken so long.
The Friends of Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow City Council parks officials are currently working with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to make this long-awaited dream a reality. You can download our leaflet on the Bandstand restoration here - more details will follow.


The West End Festival parade is on Kelvin Way this year, so come along after midday on Sunday 14th June or visit the Glasgow Mela on Sunday 21st June. Here's a list of June events in the park:

•Kelvin 5k Fun Run - Saturday 13th June 2pm - Partick Trinity Church present the Kelvin 5k Fun Run: a great day out in Kelvingrove park, to raise money for Radio Lollipop. £5 entry, Free BBQ for all runners.
•West End Festival, Un-Named Melody - Saturday 13th June 3pm - music performance at the skate park, the result of ten intensive workshops and rehearsals at Hillhead Library and Learning Centre
•West End Festival Parade, Scotland's Mardi Gras - Sunday 14th June 12pm - more details at www.westendfestival.co.uk

•Sing Out for Peace! - Saturday 20th June 11am - march off from George Square at 11.30 am followed by a musical rally in support of peace and the cause of nuclear disarmament in Kelvingrove Park from 12.30 pm •Glasgow Mela 2009 - Sunday 21st June 12pm - The annual colourful celebration of Glasgow's rich cultural diversity returns. Expect music, dancing, food, drink and a tremendous family day out.


After a long period of renovation, the An Clachan café has opened at the east end of Kelvingrove Park in the former toilet building beside the playpark. It serves sandwiches, soups, scones, cakes and baby foods. Customers can use the toilets for free while non-customers can use them by donating a pound to charity. Opening hours are 8am-6pm daily.


Another nearby Friends group, The 'Friends of Kelvingrove Square' are having an Open Day on Saturday May 16th from 12am to 4pm.
Kelvingrove Square is on the south side of Kelvingrove Park between Derby Street and Kelvingrove Street. They are looking to canvas people's views on how to develop the square and there will also be face masks for kids, papermaking, planting and a quiz.


News from Glasgow City Council that the Stewart Memorial Fountain, in Kelvingrove Park, is to return to its former glory in a project costing £512,000.
Work begins on Tuesday (May 5) and includes the installation of an underground water recycling system, which will allow the fountain to operate in a sustainable manner for the first time in its long history. The work is being carried out by Hunter and Clark for Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Glasgow City Heritage Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and Scottish Water.

Friends of Kelvingrove Park - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TUESDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2008

In the small hall, upstairs at Hillhead Library, Byres Road, Glasgow at 7.30pm.


** GOOD NEWS ** As of 27th December 2008 Grissom has been found safe and well, in Pollockshields, months after he went missing in the West End!
Dog-walkers are great supporters of the Friends of Kelvingrove Park - dogs love parks! We would like to return the favour and ask everyone to look out for a dog called "Grissom" who slipped his leash on University Avenue and has been roaming around the West End for the last month. He is a black and white lurcher, if you see him anywhere then please call 07854 665 602 or .


The Friends of Kelvingrove Park are working with Glasgow City Council on a project to bring the sparkle of flowing water back to the Stewart Memorial Fountain.

Together with Woodlands & Park Community Council, Glasgow City Council's Land and Environmental Services, Scottish Water, Glasgow Heritage Trust and "Education Outreach" in Culture and Sport Glasgow, the Friends are hoping to raise awareness and improve knowledge of the fountain, which celebrates what has been described as "One of the greatest feats of civil engineering since the Romans" - the building of the huge 50 mile pipeline from Loch Katrine in the Trossachs to supply Glasgow with clean water.

Following the successful restoration of the Doulton Fountain at Glasgow Green, the plan is to have a recycling unit to support continuous water flow.

To support this project, the Friends of Kelvingrove Park, and Woodlands & Park Community Council are putting out an appeal for memorabilia: old photographs (especially of the eight large bird sculptures that were part of the design), also postcards, films, poems, paintings, sketches and other material that we could borrow, copy and return. Please send items to: Dennis McCue, Land and Environmental Services, 37 High Street, Glasgow G1 1LX. Tel. 0141 287 5142 or .