‘EVERY WEEK THE FOOD BOX COMES IN AND YOU SEE THE SMILES ON THEIR FACES’
Recent reports of deer deaths have worried the council
KAREN TURPIE stops for a second and chews on the words. “I am forever grateful for it,” the mother-of-five eventually settles on, looking across her living room and towards her guest. “You’ve not just made a difference to me. You’ve made a difference to all of us. “
It’s Thursday morning in Dalmarnock and in a house hidden away at the end of a cul-de-sac under the watchful eye of Celtic Park she’s speaking to David Cairns for the first time.
The “it” Karen, a shop assistant, is grateful for is quite simple: fruit and vegetables.
Her family is one of nearly 60 in the city benefiting from a new scheme brought to the East End by David which hands out vouchers to locals to exchange for free boxes of the good stuff and a delivery has just arrived when she sits down to speak with him and the Glasgow Times.
“I don’t feel guilty anymore,” she says, holding her youngest son Alexander, 2, in her arms as he bites into an apple. “Having to sacrifice something just to get them fruit was hard.
“The amount we get, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee before. It is really good quality massive help.”
As she speaks, her other kids – Caiden, 10, Reigan, 9, and Ava, 6 – are laughing in the kitchen, tucking into the day’s delivery.
“We’ve been getting it since before Christmas,” the 33-year-old, who is also mum to 13-year-old Caitlyn and says home-schooling has been “hard”, adds. “They love fruit and veg. They are not picky eaters, which is so nice.
“They love it. I sometimes never get to see any of it!
“It’s healthier for them than sweeties and definitely means less expensive trips to the dentist.
“I had to buy frozen vegetables. We just couldn’t afford to get it fresh.
“Every week that box comes in and you can see the smiles on their faces. They’re usually desperate to get the fruit even before I’ve had a chance to put it down!”
Karen’s kids are just some of the hundreds who, each week, find themselves tucking into fresh fruit and vegetables courtesy of the initiative. Launched last September in the city, it sees families in need identified and given Rose Vouchers – from the Alexander Rose Charity – and is run alongside Glasgow City Council, West of Scotland Housing Association, Thriving Places, Church House Bridgeton, and Firm Banana. stuff.
It is a
But, it all came from David’s own experiences of poverty.
“I got involved in this because about 10 years ago I became homeless and was living in hostels,” the project coordinator, 56, says. “It was difficult being homeless and I found it difficult going to soup kitchens or asking for free food.
“There are lots of groups talking about poverty but a lot of them just go to meetings and don’t do anything.”
Traditionally, the Rose Vouchers have been used in exchange for produce at markets. However, unlike in, say, London, where these are plentiful, David quickly realised they would need to adapt to Glasgow’s needs.
That’s where Bridgeton delivery
company Firm Banana came in and each week they supply around £500 worth of produce to homes across the East End.
“It has made such a difference to the community,” owner Gerald
Connor says a little earlier when he and daughter Wallis drop off the box. “People look forward to us coming. It is making a positive change to people and getting them into better habits.”
For David, that is key and with £150,000 in funding guaranteed for three years he hopes to roll out the scheme to more communities in Glasgow.
“The hope is to work with the likes of Thriving Places to put on cooking classes when it is safe to do so,” the West End man adds. “I got a lot of help when I was really struggling and I wanted to do something. We want to get young children in the habits of eating it regularly and rather than it being a one-off or a treat it’s something they have naturally.”
If you live in Parkhead, Dalmarnock or Camlachie area, please contact the Thriving Places PDC team to see how you can benefit from the Rose Voucher Scheme or become involved in the project via Yvonne.Liddell@westscot. co.uk or on 079 8519 4495.
VISITORS to Pollok Park are being warned to remain vigilant after posters appeared warning of wildlife hunting.
Glasgow City Council has asked visitors to keep control of their pets while in the popular South Side park often frequented by dogwalkers, following alleged incidents of deer being chased and killed by dogs let off of leashes.
In a notice to visitors, the council claimed: “There have been a number of incidents in the park of dogs chasing and killing deer.
“If you suspect a wildlife crime has taken place regarding dogs and deer or any other animal, then please report it to local wildlife crime officers.”
Currently, hunting with dogs is illegal in Scotland.
Legislation is also in place to enforce that pet owners keep control of their dog at all times, or be hit with a “Dog Control Order”.
Glasgow City Council has also warned that similar behaviour has been reported across several parks in the city.
Locals voiced their support of the notices, with one saying: “I constantly see dogs off leashes in Pollok Park.
“There’s nobody about to check on it.”
Another added: “Idiot owners think it’s funny to let their dogs chase the deer.”
A council spokesman said: “There have been incidents in parks all across the city where owners have allowed their dogs to run out of control.
“At Pollok Country Park there was a recent incident where a dog off the lead attacked and killed a fully-grown roe deer.
“But there have also been other incidents elsewhere where swans and other birds have been attacked by dogs.
“Dogs have entered fields at Pollok Country Park and harassed pregnant cattle and young calves, which can lead the cattle to kicking out in selfdefence.
“This puts the dogs at risk of harm but also the owner if they follow their pet into the field to try and retrieve them.
“The national outdoor access code is clear that owners must keep their dogs under close control at all times.
“It is a criminal offence to let a dog chase a wild animal and if a dog cannot be kept under control then the owner may face a Dog Control Order.”
Inspector Ryan McMurdo from Pollok Police Station reminded park visitors to keep an eye out for any illegal behaviour, while also reminding dog walkers of their responsibility in open spaces such as Pollok Park.
He said: “Allowing a dog to chase a wild animal is an offence and any incidents reported to police would be thoroughly investigated.
“We want people to enjoy green space in Glasgow, including Pollok Park, but it is important to do so responsibly if you have a dog.
“Anyone exercising their dogs should make sure they keep their pets under close control and on a lead if walking near wild animals or livestock.
“Anyone who witnesses a possible wildlife crime is asked to call 101 as soon as possible to allow police to investigate.”
I constantly see dogs off leashes in Pollok Park