Thursday 21 November 2013

Allison Arms - Best Bar None

The Allison Arms has long been at he centre of Strathbungo, being established in 1884, the popular Free House offers a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike. Having been under the same ownership for some 27 years now, the public house continues to go from strength to strength.

The Allison Arms offers a wide range of Draught beers, Malts & spirits and has recently established itself as a provider of one of the largest selection of German bottled beers on the Southside of Glasgow.

Its growing reputation has been recognised with the achievement of the Gold Award from All Bar None, a national Awards Scheme for all licensed premises across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which rewards excellence.

Well done to Babs and her team for serving the village so well.

The Allison Arms, 718 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow. G41 2AA.Tel: 01414231661.

Friday 2 August 2013

We Run Strathbungo

Whilst the Village doesn't have its own running club, it is well served with the two Bellahouston Clubs, with the Road Runners meeting on Mondays and Wednesdays and the Harriers training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  There is also a group of non affiliated runners who meet up outside Shimla Pinks. 

These and various jogging clubs and individuals are often seen running through the Village, as part of their training runs and/or commutes.   The Great Scottish Races (10k and Half Marathon) as well as the Southside Six include part of the village in their route.  Part of the Women's 10k course is just outside of Strathbungo and the Men's Health 10k route is just a little further away.  With the weekly 5k parkrun and various other races being held at Pollok and Bellahouston Parks, Strathbungo is a great place for runners.

There are quite a lot of runners living in Strathbungo and many villagers lend support to the participants of the various races which pass through or close to the Village.  With the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow in 2014 it is hoped that more people will take up sport and join their local clubs, including the good residents of Strathbungo.

Friday 12 July 2013

Bradfords No More - Strathbungo Bakers Go Bust

 
10 Torriesdale Street
In 1924 Hugh Bradford with his sons, William and Hugh, established Bradford's Bakers, with a small shop in Niddrie Road. The business was transferred to Nithsdale Road, during the 1930s where it remained until December 1969 when Bradford's Bakers sold their Nithsdale Road premises (now William Hills) and the third generation grandson of the founder, Hugh Robert Bradford and his wife Helen, started afresh by opening a small shop at 10 Torrisdale Street with only three employees. The quality and range of goods was increased and a wide variety of bread was introduced, with wedding cakes becoming a particular speciality.
Bradfords Nithsdale Road

In 1984, Bradfords opened its first city centre shop in Cambridge Street, Glasgow, incorporating chocolates and a tearoom service alongside its traditionally bakery shop.

The business quickly outgrew the premises at Torrisdale Street and so the bakery was moved to new premises in Giffnock. From here the company grew to supplying a total of 9 retail outlets



By 1982 the shortage of space had become so acute it became necessary to move again. This time to the present 2 acre site at the Waterfall Bakery.. In 1984 the company opened its first City Centre shop, in Cambridge Street, taking the opportunity to expand the range further to include hand made chocolates and also opening a separate tearoom.


In 1989 their flagship shop was moved from Cambridge Street to Sauchiehall Street taking over the former Sir Hugh Fraser's department store. Tat the time, the site was the largest artisan bakers shop in the United Kingdom situated on three floors and occupying over 5,500 square feet of retail space.
The business opened a new expanded bakery in 1993 to supplying their 12 retail outlets all within the Glasgow area, including the one at 10 Torriesdale Street.
In January 1998 the company launched a new associated company - Miss Cranstons Tearooms but the company had perhaps expanded themselves too fast and in 2011 they came close to liquidation after HM Revenue and Customs attempted through the courts to have the business wound down.
It was clear from the Strathbungo shop that the company was facing financial difficulties and on Glasgow Fair Friday, 12th July 2013 the company still owned by Helen Bradford and her daughter Claire Bradford appointed Grainger Corporate as liquidators.
In a statement, Bradfords said it was "with great sadness" that its retail branches had now closed.

It said: "We would like to thank all of our customers and employees for their loyal support over the years. 
 
"It has been a pleasure to serve the Glasgow public through our branches, but we regret that due to the impact of increasing costs and adverse trading conditions we were unable to continue despite our best efforts following action from creditors.
"In keeping with our desire to provide the best possible service to customers, we will be contacting all those who have placed an order with us so that we may either fulfil the order, or provide a refund.

"Bradfords Gift Website and The Bakery ATM will continue to trade and are not affected by the branch closures."

Thursday 4 July 2013

Greater Shawlands Republic in Strathbungo - 4th Aug 2013

Stratbungo is well served with a variety of entertainment in the village.  Live music at Samuel Dow on Thur, Fri and Sat evenings, live music in Kelly's most Sat and Sun evenings.  Karaoke on Sat nights in the Allison Arms and live music on Sunday afternoons too.

If you like live music, magic and comedy with a healthy portion of political satire, then we are without doubt the best place to be in all of Scotland, if not the world!  


The Greater Shawlands Republic (GSR) which champions the right of south side people to govern themselves in an independent, socialist republic, venture into the Village once a month to extend the hand of fraternal friendship to the good people of Strathbungo and even Regents Park too.

Hosted by the GSR Treasurer Bruce Morton and First Deputy Andrew Learmouth the monthly meetings also include music and songs by Tales Of Jake, card magic by Stuart Thomson and top comedy acts.  

The GSR returns after the summer recess with an agenda for change, a motion to carry and a reason to keep on going, on Sunday August 4th at 8pm in the basement bar in the Bungo on Nithsdale Road.  The guest comedian is local resident Patrick Harvie look-a-like Silky.

 
Silky
 
Patrick Harvie

We can't guarantee that Patrick will be there but you'd need to be green not to be.

Get your tickets here

Monday 24 June 2013

Bungo in the Back Lanes 2013

Boozing in Bungo
The early morning monsoons were replaced by a fine sunny day in time for the Bungo in the Back Lanes Festival.  This was my first time in attending the annual event held in the Regents Park suburb in the Village.  

Andrew Downie of the Bungoblog had contacted me and asked me if I wanted to meet him and participate in the history/architecture walk, which he had inherited. I gladly accepted and it was good to meet a fellow, local, social historian.  We met outside of Sammy Dow's pub and although the rugby being shown in the bar kept some potential walkers indoors, we had a small and interesting group as we explained the history of the Village before commencing our walk through the streets of Regents Park.  Like the Pied Piper we gathered more support as the walk progressed and met a number of the local residents along the way.

I thoroughly enjoyed the walk and comparing notes with Andrew and at the end of the walk, I strolled through the back lanes enjoying the ambiance and atmosphere of the event, with its variety of stalls in the lanes themselves as well as in the garages and back gardens of the locals. There was a fine community spirit about the day and a few weel kent faces too, including GSR's Bruce Morton and a Gutso and Relish BBQ selling Strathbungo Sizzlers and a Glasgow cat or two too.

If you haven't been along, it's well worth a visit but try and take in some of the rest of the Village too.

Strolling in the Lanes
Strathbungo Cellist

GSR Treasurer Bruce Morton spinning some tunes in the Village
A Str'bungo Feline

Monday 10 June 2013

Bungo in the Back Lanes Notice

The Annual Bash held by the Strathbungo (Conservation Area) Society will be held on Saturday 22 June at 1pm in the back lanes of Regent Park.  See you there?

Monday 3 June 2013

Get on Your Bike in Strathbungo


Strathbungo's cyclists have been well served  for a number of years, particularly when Willy Bain left Crossmyloof's Craig Mcmartin's cycle shop to set up his own specialist repair shop at 359 Pollokshaws Road. 

However the village is now even better served with the recent addition of Bikes+.  Andy Sims, ex Dales and Alpine, has set up business in the former DVD Exchange Shop at 613 Pollokshaws Road.  Cytech qualified, Andy hopes to fill a gap in the market providing repair, maintenance and sales of less expensive bicycles.  With a Standard Service costing only £25 and a Full Service £60, Bikes+ is a welcome addition to the cycling community in Strathbungo.

Andy Sims
Bike+
613 Pollokshaws Road
Strahbungo
Glasgow
G41 2QE

Tel: 0141 423 5634   

Thursday 30 May 2013

Strathbungo Businesses

There are a wide and diverse range of businesses located in Strathbungo, here are some of them: