Block of flats to be demolished as part of Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremon

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Five blocks are flats in Glasgow are to be demolished - as part of the Opening Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Six Red Road flats - which have dominated part of the city's skyline for 50 years - are remaining and five of them will be demolished in the biggest demolition of its kind ever seen in Europe.

The event will be shown live on a 100ft wide screen at the Celtic Park (home of Celtic FC) ceremony and to a huge worldwide TV audience.

The flats, which were once the tallest flats in Europe, are being demolished as part of a Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) regeneration project.

Eileen Gallagher, chairwoman of the Glasgow 2014 ceremonies, culture and Queen's Baton Relay committee, said: "By sharing the final moments of the Red Road flats with the world as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow is proving it is a city that is proud of its history but doesn't stand still, a city that is constantly regenerating, renewing and re-inventing itself."

Glasgow 2014: Red Road flats demolished for opening ceremony

BBC News
3 April 2014

Glasgow 2014: Five Red Road flats will be demolished live during the opening ceremony, as James Cook reports

Blocks of flats which have been part of Glasgow's skyline for almost 50 years will be blown up as part of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Five of the six remaining Red Road flats will be brought down in just 15 seconds in the biggest demolition of its kind ever seen in Europe.

The event will be shown live on a 100ft wide screen at the Celtic Park ceremony and to a huge TV audience.

The 30-storey structures were built in the mid 1960s.

The original eight tower blocks housed more than 4,000 people and were once the highest flats in Europe.

Regeneration project

They are being demolished as part of a Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) regeneration project.

Eileen Gallagher, chairwoman of the Glasgow 2014 ceremonies, culture and Queen's Baton Relay committee, said: "By sharing the final moments of the Red Road flats with the world as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow is proving it is a city that is proud of its history but doesn't stand still, a city that is constantly regenerating, renewing and re-inventing itself."

The first Red Road flat was demolished in June 2012

The opening ceremony of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games will take place at the 60,000 capacity Celtic Park, the home of Celtic FC, in the Parkhead area of Glagow. It is the largest football stadium in Scotland and the seventh-largest sports stadium in the UK, after Wembley (London, football, rugby league, rugby union, American Football, capacity: 100,000), Twickenham (London, rugby union, capacity: 82,000), Olympic Stadium (London, athletics and, when West Ham move into it in 2016, football, capacity: 80,000), Old Trafford (Manchester, football, capacity: 76,000); Millennium Stadium (Cardiff, rugby union, football, capacity: 74,000), and Murrayfield (Edinburgh, rugby union, capacity: 67,000)


"Glasgow's story is always one of its people; their tenacity, their genuine warmth, their ambitions. Marking the end of Red Road is very much a celebration of all of those things."

The first tower block was brought down in June 2012. The second demolition took place in May last year.

Homes evacuated

The five tower blocks will be brought down simultaneously during the opening ceremony on 23 July.

One tower block will remain which is currently used to house people seeking asylum in the UK.

As part of the ambitious operation, 887 homes will be evacuated from the surrounding area with an exclusion zone around the whole site.

Letters from Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson are being hand delivered to local people in the surrounding area on Thursday morning informing them of the plan.

The demolition will be shown live on a 100-ft wide screen at the Celtic Park opening ceremony on 23 July

Mr Matheson said Glasgow was going to "wow the world" during the opening ceremony.

"Red Road has an iconic place in Glasgow's history, having been home to thousands of families and dominating the city's skyline for decades," he said.

"Their demolition will all but mark the end of high-rise living in the area and is symbolic of the changing face of Glasgow, not least in terms of our preparations for the games."

Residents from homes being evacuated will be invited to watch the opening ceremony at one of two events organised in the local area, or at an event at Glasgow Green.

'Special place'

The Red Road flats have been a iconic presence on the Glasgow skyline for almost 50 years and inspired many books and films.

In 2006, director Andrea Arnold used the flats as the setting for her Scottish Bafta-winning film, Red Road.

Alison Irvine's 2011 novel This Road is Red was based on interviews with people living there.

GHA chairman Gordon Sloan said: "The Red Road flats were very popular in their day and hold a special place in many people's hearts.

BBC News - Glasgow 2014: Red Road flats demolished for opening ceremony

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

In a related story, Britain has added a new event to the Commonwealth Games, the "Blowing Sh*t Up" event. Scotland is expected to take the gold, with Northern Ireland competing for silver.

 

[lone wolf]

Who's going to live there when the Games are gone?

 

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Commonwealth Games organisers abandon Red Road flat demolition

Glasgow 2014 chiefs say they will not press ahead with plans to blow up five iconic tower blocks during the opening ceremony

Birnie Court is demolished in Glasgow. This was the second of eight of the Red Road tower blocks to be demolished. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images



By Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor
13 Apr 2014
The Telegraph

The organisers of Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games were forced into an embarrassing about-turn today after scrapping plans to demolish some of the city’s most iconic tower blocks during the opening ceremony.

Glasgow 2014 chiefs cited safety concerns for their decision not to press ahead with a scheme to blow up five of the six remaining Red Road flats and beam the footage to Celtic Park and more than a billion people worldwide.

But critics said they were attempting to save face after the scheme prompted a huge public backlash for being a crass stunt and insensitive to those who had lived in the tower blocks.

Civic leaders had previously insisted the demolition of the flats, which would take place in only 15 seconds during the event on July 23, would signify a city that was reinventing itself and save money on fireworks.

Alex Salmond today welcomed the decision not to press ahead with the plan despite both he and his ministers having previously supported it. It emerged last week he was secretly briefed about it in February.

The First Minister tried to downplay the row, saying it was insignificant compared to security problems encountered in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

However, questions over the controversial scheme and who was responsible threatened to overshadow tomorrow’s 100-day countdown to the Games, which will see the organisers unveil the design of the medals.

Announcing the about-turn, David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 chief executive, said: “We made it clear from the outset the absolute priority was safety and that this event would only happen during the opening ceremony if it was safe to do so.

“Over the past few days it has become clear that opinions have been expressed which change the safety and security context.”

He said the games organisers, police and Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) were “not prepared to allow what was proposed to be a positive act of commemoration to create risk for all concerned.”

While he did not give details, recent reports had suggested that some families living near the demolition site were vowing not to leave the blast zone in protest at the demolition.



Commonwealth Games organisers abandon Red Road flat demolition - Telegraph

 

[Nuggler]

Flat flats. who wooda thunk !!

 

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Thousands of athletes and officials have descended on Scotland's largest city Glasgow as it prepares for Wednesday's Opening Ceremony of this summer's next big sporting event - the XXth Commonwealth Games.

Special travel arrangements are now in effect, with Games Lanes affecting the Clydeside Expressway, the M8 across the Kingston Bridge and the M74 motorway.

Police said drivers caught in the specified lanes would be fined £50.

More than 4,500 athletes will compete in 261 events in 17 sports from Thursday before the closing ceremony on 3 August. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at Celtic FC's Celtic Park.

It will be the largest multi-sport event ever held in Scotland, although it previously hosted the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

There will be 71 Commonwealth teams at the event, representing every state and territory of the vast Commonwealth, including British Overseas Territories and British Crown Dependencies such as Gibraltar, Falklands, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man and, unlike in the Olympics, in which there is a UK team, the UK will be represented by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Expect Australia and England to top the medals table, as they have done in most Commonwealth Games. England finishing first or second in in the medals table on Scottish soil, just a couple of months before the independence referendum, would be an absolute joy.

Glasgow 2014: Thousands descend on Glasgow

21 July 2014
BBC News

Thousands of athletes and officials are descending on Glasgow as the city prepares for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

Special travel arrangements are now in effect, with Games Lanes affecting the Clydeside Expressway, the M8 across the Kingston Bridge and the M74 motorway.

Police said drivers caught in the specified lanes would be fined £50.

More than 4,500 athletes will compete in 17 sports from Thursday before the closing ceremony on 3 August.

Many of the venues are now in lockdown with parking and driving restrictions in force.

Michael Renshaw, director of transport and logistics at Glasgow 2014, advised people in the city to plan ahead before any journey.

"Many of the spectators know the city well but it's important to remember venues and much of the transport network will operate differently from what people are familiar with," he said.

Singer Susan Boyle was one of the Queen's Baton bearers on Monday

"All venues have very different travel options and there is no general parking available.

"Spectators can help make their journeys as easy and stress free as possible by planning ahead and visiting the Glasgow 2014 website to view and use all the available travel resources to prepare and plan for a great day out."

Athletes and officials are being taken straight to the Athletes' Village, at Dalmarnock, in the east end of the city.

On arrival, they are being greeted by performers from the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

The sporting preparations are running in tandem with the Queen's Baton Relay, which is touring the city ahead of Wednesday night's opening ceremony.

Among the baton bearers on Monday was singer Susan Boyle who carried it at the city's Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Children.

Meanwhile, Games organiser Glasgow 2014 said a suspected outbreak of norovirus at the Commonwealth Games athletes' village, which began last week, was now under control.

In other Commonwealth Games news, Unicef projects helping children in Commonwealth nations Bangladesh and Malawi have been awarded £750,000 as part of efforts to create an international legacy from the Games.

The funding, from the Scottish government and Sport Relief, is aimed at helping prevent child labour in Bangladesh and to give youngsters in Malawi skills to help them find jobs.

BBC News - Glasgow 2014: Thousands descend on Glasgow

The England Commonwealth Games team unveiled their kit at Manchester's famous Trafford Centre shopping centre in May:

England's Commonwealth Games team's kit launched at Manchester's Trafford Centre

Unveiling of England Commonwealth games team kit for Glasgow 2014 at the Trafford centre. England is one of only six teams to have competed in every Commonwealth Games since the first Empire Games in 1930. The others are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. With 611 golds, 612 silvers and 613 bronzes, only Australia has won more Commonwealth Games medals than England. Australia has been the highest scoring team for ten games, England for seven and Canada for one. Expect Australia and England to top the medals table again

Unveiled in Manchester on Wednesday, the red, white and maroon range will be worn by the 600-plus athletes and staff who will represent England in the Scottish City from July 23 – August 3.

Designed by official kit supplier Kukri, the pieces have been created to symbolise the attributes of strength, pride, commitment and courage, with the England Lion said to have been identified by athletes as a key symbol of the team.

Kukri will supply all of Team England’s delegation wear, competition kit and formal wear, while a replica range will be available for fans to buy via www.kukrisports.co.uk for the first time.

Kukri say they have introduced the maroon colour to compliment the traditional red and white colours of the St George’s Cross flag, the rich red alternative being synonymous with English heritage.

“Unveiling our kit is a unique moment for Team England on our journey to Glasgow 2014 and this is a very exciting day for us,” commented Paterson.

“The kit that Kukri have produced embodies what we represent as a Team and I am very proud that the athletes have been at the heart of the design of this kit.

“From the selection of Kukri to the scope of what kit was in their bag to the design itself, our athletes have led the way. We may be 17 sports , but we are united as a single spirit and our Team England kit is a true representation of that.”

Read more at Commonwealth Games England reveals Glasgow 2014 kit - Athletics Weekly

BBC News - Glasgow 2014: Thousands descend on Glasgow

Commonwealth Games England reveals Glasgow 2014 kit - Athletics Weekly

 

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The Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games starts at 9.00pm BST tonight, a spectacular event which will be watched by hundreds of million globally.

And, like that of the 2012 London Olympics, the contents of the Opening Ceremony are being kept a secret (although I don't think we can expect to see the Queen jumping out of a helicopter with James Bond this time).

The Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will attend the ceremony with the Duke of Edinburgh. Scottish singers Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald will be among those performing in front of a 40,000-strong crowd at Celtic FC's Celtic Park in Parkhead in the east end of Glasgow.

My brother lives in a flat which is just 530 yards (a quarter of a mile) from Celtic Park and he can see the stadium from his bedroom window, so not only will he be able to watch the Opening Ceremony on telly he'll also be able to hear it emanating from the nearby stadium.

Whilst the Opening Ceremony is being held at the 60,000-capacity Celtic Park, the Track and Field Events of the Games will be held at the 52,000-capacity Hampden Park, Scotland's national football stadium, in the Mount Florida area in the south east of the city.

Organisers have said ordinary Glaswegians will also be heavily involved, and the ceremony will show people around the world "what we're made of" in Scotland, while celebrating values of (of course) unity and diversity.

David Cameron will do his bit to boost the Games. In a speech in Glasgow on Wednesday evening, the prime minister will highlight the £14bn boost to the UK economy from the Olympics, and will say: "Part of our long-term economic plan is about promoting every part of our country to the world, and Glasgow's Commonwealth Games will give us another fantastic platform to do this."

It will be the first time the UK has hosted the Commonwealth Games since Manchester hosted them in 2002.

Among the athletes competing will be Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Kenya's David Rudisha and England's Mo Farah.

In all, 29 London Olympic gold medallists in total are in Glasgow, a DOZEN of whom will be representing England, which has its best chance of knocking Australia off the top of the medal table for the first time since 1986 - the last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Scotland.

Team Scotland have the chance to get the home crowd going on the first day of action with a number of medal prospects competing, particularly in the Tollcross pool. Michael Jamieson is aiming for a world record in the 200m breaststroke, while 2010 gold medallists Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick have the opportunity to repeat their feats on the opening day.

Glasgow ready for Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will attend Celtic Park ceremony where Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle will be among performers

Mark Tran
theguardian.com,
Wednesday 23 July 2014

The Queen's baton in Queen's Park, Glasgow, on the eve of the Commonwealth Games. Photograph: Glasgow 2014 /Getty Images

Competing at the Commonwealth Games could provide a breakthrough for young athletes, Sir Chris Hoy has said, as Glasgow prepares for an opening ceremony that Scots believe will recapture the excitement of the curtain-raiser of the London Olympic Games.

Scotsman Hoy, whose six cycling golds make him Team GB's most successful Olympian, said part of him wished he was competing, but he realised he was past his best.

The Queen, as head of the Commonwealth, will attend Wednesday evening's ceremony with the Duke of Edinburgh. Singers Rod Stewart, Susan Boyle and Amy Macdonald will be among those performing in front of a 40,000-strong crowd.

Organisers have said ordinary Glaswegians will also be heavily involved, and the ceremony will show people around the world "what we're made of" in Scotland, while celebrating values of unity and diversity.

"I know I will be very emotional," said Hoy of the opening gala at Celtic Park. "Part of me wishes I was competing, but I knew I was not going to be at my best so it was time to step aside. It was amazing to finish on top in London. I had a fair crack of the whip."

Reigning World and Commonwealth Games squash champion Nick Matthew is to be the England team's flag bearer tonight. The England team are the favourites to finish top of the medals table at this Commonwealth Games. They have finished second, behind Australia, at almost every Commonwealth Games since 1986, the last time they were held in Scotland, when England topped the medals table. Of the 29 gold medallists from the London 2012 Olympics which are at this Games, 12 of them are in the England team

Hoy, who made his breakthrough in Manchester's Commonwealth Games in 2002, sidestepped questions about any political significance of the Games for the Scottish referendum vote on 18 September. "It will be political for the politically minded, but for athletes it will be the last thing on their minds," Hoy told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

David Cameron will do his bit to boost the Games. In a speech in Glasgow on Wednesday evening, the prime minister will highlight the £14bn boost to the UK economy from the Olympics, and will say: "Part of our long-term economic plan is about promoting every part of our country to the world, and Glasgow's Commonwealth Games will give us another fantastic platform to do this."

Michael Cavanagh, Commonwealth Games Scotland chairman, said: "Driving around the city, I can feel it already and the sport hasn't even started yet. I think there's an enormous buzz in Glasgow and that's just going to continue. It's going to be absolutely fantastic and the opening ceremony will be extraordinary and get us off to a terrific start."

Among the athletes competing will be Usain Bolt, David Rudisha and Mo Farah. In all, 29 London Olympic gold medallists are in Glasgow, a dozen of whom will be representing England, which has its best chance of knocking Australia off the top of the medal table for the first time since 1986.

Team Scotland have the chance to get the home crowd going on the first day of action with a number of medal prospects competing, particularly in the Tollcross pool. Michael Jamieson is aiming for a world record in the 200m breaststroke, while 2010 gold medallists Hannah Miley and Robbie Renwick have the opportunity to repeat their feats on the opening day.

Australian flag-bearer Anna Meares and England's Sir Bradley Wiggins will be big attractions at the velodrome, where England will have eight Olympic champions.

England's cyclists are looking to dominate at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome

More than 1m tickets have been sold, although fears of empty seats remain, with plenty of room still left at many venues. Mike Hooper, Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive, said: "The way in which the people of Scotland, Glasgow and the United Kingdom have embraced these Games has been absolutely fantastic. Are we concerned? No. I'm sure we'll have availability up to the events themselves and that's just the reality. But if you compare these Games to Melbourne in 2006, I think they'll compare very, very favourably."

Wiggins injected a sour note into the hoopla. He complained that Hoy had been "done over" by the corporate branding on the velodrome in Glasgow that bears his name. "I'd be a bit pissed off if I were him, because they've stuck a great big Emirates sign over his name and it doesn't stand out that it's the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome other than a little thing as you walk in," he said. "It's more like a shopping sign with an Emirates thing on it." The airline is the official sponsorship partner of Glasgow 2014.

Last week there was a protest over the involvement of Atos as a sponsor of the Games. Atos previously administered fit-for-work tests for sick and disabled people.

Glasgow ready for Commonwealth Games opening ceremony | Sport | theguardian.com