Glasgow celebrates with sandwiches, Orange walks ... and a police clampdown on parties in the park

Reporter

Sunday 3 June 2012

IN THE highly unlikely event that Her Majesty the Queen had stopped off for an ice lolly in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Park yesterday, she would have found it to be the safest place in all her kingdom.

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Ewan Fergus on Scotland’s celebrations

A massive police presence, including mounted units, plain clothes officers, mobile CCTV cameras, officers on bicycles and officers on foot monitored small pockets of youngsters in hooded tops and families enjoying the holiday weekend.

Strathclyde Police and Glasgow City Council had warned that a ring of steel would be thrown round the park to prevent a repeat of ugly scenes last year when an unofficial party to mark the royal wedding descended into an alcohol-fuelled rampage, prompting 29 arrests.

And when they said ring of steel this time round, they meant it.There was no suggestion of alcohol being consumed, and the closest thing to a thumping PA system was a busy ice cream van. Police had been alerted to reports of a mass party being organised via social networking sites, and there were fears thousands would head to the Kelvingrove.But in the end, the day in the park passed off peacefully.There were similarly civilised scenes across Scotland yesterday, with more than 20 official street parties arranged in the west of Scotland alone.Road closures were in place in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and Ayrshire as a result.Glasgow City Council said seven road closures were granted for street parties to be held. Eight official street parties are scheduled in the city between yesterday and Tuesday at Possil, Springburn, Pollokshaws, Bridgeton, Govan and Carmunnock.Yesterday's Govan street party was organised by the charity Starter Packs and took place outside their offices in Burleigh Street.Volunteers hung up bunting and set up tables and chairs for the event, which was opened by the newly crowned Govan Fair Queen at midday.Sarah Findlay, development manager at Starter Packs, said: "This party is about bringing our community together and celebrating our heritage and history here in Govan."Meanwhile a celebration of an entirely different form was held in Glasgow city centre with hundreds of people taking part in an Orange march to mark the Jubilee. Over the course of the weekend 22 marches by the Orange Order will be held across the city, with a number converging on the Evangelical Church in Cathedral Square today.Another royal celebration will be taking place in the shadow of the site for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Dalmarnock Community Centre.The event will kick off today at midday with an afternoon packed full of family activities, followed by a bar, entertainment and a DJ until midnight.Getting ready for the East end shindig was Kenny Faulds, who said: "There's no greater champion of public service than the Queen and Sunday will be a day for our community to look back over the last 60 years and look forward to the next."At least 31 street parties were approved by Edinburgh City Council, as well as a live screening of the Jubilee Pageant on the Thames. A 21-gun royal salute was fired at Edinburgh Castle at noon yesterday. And tourists at the castle, at the top of the Royal Mile, gathered to watch the ceremony which followed entertainment from a military brass band.Stirling Castle was stepping back in time to the royal court of the 16th century to mark the jubilee.The castle, which has been party to a number of royal celebrations over the years including the coronations of King James V and his daughter Mary, Queen of Scots, said activities included sword-fighting and displays of Renaissance fashions.In Dumfries and Galloway a range of events were held, including a royal exhibition at Kirkcudbright Town Hall, while street parties will be held in Church Road, Kirkcolm, Main Street, Sandhead and High Street in Dalbeattie.A jubilee party is to be held in Aberdeen's Duthie Park today, showcasing community performers, while in Perth competitors took part in the Kilt Run.

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Glasgow celebrates with sandwiches, Orange walks ... and a police clampdown on parties in the park

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