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.

• Tim Rideout on Twitter

Podcast music by Jim Byrne

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.

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

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.

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

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. 

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

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.

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

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.

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

We have another great guest. Pat will be chatting with Glasgow West End’s own, Donella Campbell. Donella is the writer of the book, ‘The Girl Who Invented Dusty Springfield’. 

Dusty Springfield, certainly one of my favourite singers of all time.

This is a meticulously researched book, which covers the singer’s early life, as Donella seeks to find the person behind the trademark mascara and blond beehive.  

It is the story of her transformation into one of the 1960's most iconic and best singers.

• Pat's Guide To Glasgow West End

Music by Jim Byrne

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.

• Jeane Freeman at Glasgow University

Photo by: By Scottish Government - Social Security Scotland recruitment, CC BY 2.0

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

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. 

• Tenement & Temple on Bandcamp

Music by Jim Byrne