23 October 2021

Positivity being what it is, I took myself in from the back garden - my hide away space - yesterday afternoon, to make two phone calls to two long established family friends. My maternal granny often said, that when people come to mind, it is a sign to make contact with them. That is exactly what I did, and found them both to be doing fine, considering everything. The second person I called, spoke briefly and asked to call me back, I suggested after it started to get dark. Thus ensuring a little more time digging and tidying, in those brief moments of autumnal sun and day light. In conversation it was mentioned that there had been an item of news earlier, that I would be interested in...I most certainly was. Indeed I am delighted to hear the outcome of the long awaited deliberations of the SOBC (Strategic Outline Business Case), on the future of the twice fire ravaged Glasgow School of Art. As announced by Professor Penny Macbeth, The Director of The Glasgow School of Art. Thankfully it finds in favour of a faithful reinstatement of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh's iconic building. This news certainly lifted my spirit and has fended off any deflated feeling with the storm that is thrashing us here at the moment. The idea that the place that inspired so many of us fortunate enough to pass through those magic swing doors at the top of it's sweeping entrance steps, can actually rise again is wonderful on many levels. It gives back the opportunity to inspire future artists and designers of every discipline, from every corner of the world... It gives other opportunities for creative skills and expertise in traditional building techniques, and training, and employment... It gives back a unique building to our country and the wider world... But it certainly and most of ALL gives back the Great City of Glasgow - my own adopted home for almost forty years - and its wonderful people, back the special building and place that they were most proud of. Their sadness and concern at it's two devastating fires, and their generosity and contribution to it's repair was outstanding and overwhelming. This is good news and the outcome we had hoped for. KB