Reconvening the Govan Parliament

On Saturday 31st March about 100 folk gathered on a mound by the Clyde at Govan to honour this  ancient place of assembly. More than 2000 years ago people built a giant earthwork (known as Doomster Hill) by the river - a hill that was to become the parliament hill of the kingdom of Strathclyde for 200 years around the year 1000AD.

The ceremony was part of the Govan Together event 'Seeds for the Future', which celebrated one year of Govan Together activities, and also a wee celebration of GalGael's 15th anniversary. It was conceived and led by Matt Baker and Tam McGarvey, and the 2000 year timeline read on the mound was written by Tim Clarkson and Matt Baker.  (Although the 'Reconvening of the Parliment' wasn't formally part of 'Nothing about us...,' the timeline that was read out is also featured on our blog as series of posts on Govan's History.) Event management was by Fablevision Studios on behalf of Govan Together.

Processing from the Pearce Institute to the mound in the Riverside Housing Scheme (far right is John 'Jack' Sweeney - former Trades Union activist and carrier of the Govan stone for the Scottish Democracy Cairn )

Marchers arrive at the mound and the firebasket lit by the GalGael - Riverside Museum and Tallship in the background

Assembled around the fire

The public gallery - Riverside housing

Reading the timeline - centre (holding paper) Tam McGarvey and Brian McQuade (eminent Govan historian and 2012 Olympic torch bearer), also holding paper = Gehan MacLeod and on her left Allan and Ricco of the GalGael

Enjoying the fire

photos by Ben Rush

First Armada Workshop

The Nothing About Us crew was invited to be part of the final Govan Together event on Saturday at the Pearce Institute in Govan... this was the inaugural public Govan Armada building workshop - the pictures tell their own story:

We shared the amazing MacLeod Hall with the mighty GalGael (the boatbuilding table is in the foreground)

Part of our decorations around the hall - these are designs from the Harland Waymarkers

A great way to spend an afternoon - and the first 10 boats in the Armada complete and ready for the water on April 28th
Thanks to everyone at Govan Together for having us - Pearce Institute, Centre for Human Ecology, Fablevision, LegUp Community Garden and Govan and Linthouse Parish Church.

Govan Materials

River Clyde Driftwood - cleaned courtesy of GalGael

River Clyde bottles - cleaned courtesy of Martin Campbell

Ready for inaugural 2012 Govan Armada building workshop at Govan Together event tomorrow

Flotsam

Flotsam in the largest of the three Graving Docks - when built (in late 19th Century) this was the largest dry dock in the world

Today was spent collecting Flotsam from the abandoned dry docks in Govan (The Graving Docks). This will form the raw material for the building the Govan Armada II - a fleet of model boats each carrying a mesage which will be launched out into the Clyde 28th April.

It is important to the project that the material used for the Armada is not new stuff introduced to teh Clyde but, instead, be things that are already in the river.

We were joined for the day by Martin Campbell who is one of the artists working on NothingAboutUs and three good people from Govan-based Centre for Human Ecology - Verene, Amrita and Jen.

We made a good show for the guys who were enjoying the sunshine in the Docks

Amrita and Martin flotsam fishing

Project vehicle gathering a load

A grand day - thanks to all!