A SUNNY day in Glasgow, a leader column in this paper advised on May, May 12, 1975, is rather like a wet one in Tahiti - refreshing but untypical. “Since Saturday’s official procession was designed to mark the history of Glasgow over 800 years,” it continued, “it was only appropriate that the heavens should open to greet the participants.”
Not even the rain could mar the ‘800’ celebrations, which got underway with what the Glasgow Herald described as “two of the most spectacular events ever staged in the city.”
On the Saturday, thousands of people (right) lined the streets from Kelvin Way to Glasgow Green as Sir William Gray, the Lord Provost, headed a gala cavalcade of 120 decorated floats, each of which reflected an aspect of Glasgow life. Drizzling rain gave way to a steady downpour, but the majorettes and the pipe bands cheered up the crowds.
“Rain,” the leader went on to observe, “did not prevent the Lord Provost from sitting atop the mail-coach, nor damp the ardour of bands, majorettes, and so on.”
At Glasgow Green, Billy Connolly opened a People’s Palace exhibition on the changing face of the city. His chosen song for the occasion? The Welly Boot Song.
The following day, however, witnessed constant sunshine over George Square, when BBC TV staged its largest ever Songs of Praise production, featuring the voices of 10,00 worshippers from across all denominations.
The service was watched by a huge TV audience.
The only sour note, the Herald added, was provided by a small group from the Twentieth Century Reformation Movement, led by Pastor Jack Glass.
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