From our archives

5 years ago

One of Scotland’s most distinguished arts institutions has elected its first female president. Glasgow Art Club, which has a rich 148-year-history, admitted women as members in 1984, but this week made Efric Mcneil, pictured, their first lady president. Ms Mcneil first visited the club, in Glasgow’s city centre, in the 1970s with her late husband, but in those days she could only be a guest, not a member. Now she sees her role as guiding the council of the club after it has undergone a major refurbishment.

10 years ago

The chairman of one of Scotland’s biggest transport organisations has quit after becoming embroiled in an expenses row. Alistair Watson, chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, was due to formally resign today on health grounds. He has been at the centre of an investigation into how public money has been spent by senior executives. Documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show a handful of top officials claimed £117,573 in the past three years.

25 years ago

A child who deliberately set fire to an artificial plant has caused a safety alert throughout Glasgow District Council. Officials were astonished at the speed and intensity of the blaze recently in the foyer of an Ibrox block of flats. They have since ordered that plant containers with artificial material should be removed from all council premises and such containers will not in future be installed. It is understood that the Health and Safety Executive is to mount a campaign warning the public of the fire hazard.

50 years ago

Eight students were arrested yesterday in Glasgow after two flour bomb battles outside Glasgow University Men’s students’ Union. About 50 students from Glasgow University attacked the Strathclyde Union in John Street with flour bombs and eggs. The police moved in and three students were arrested. They were charged with breach of the peace and will appear at the Central Police Court. At Glasgow University the recipe was the same: eggs and flour. This was Strathclyde students seeking revenge.

100 years ago

The theft of a motor car under somewhat remarkable circumstances is reported in Glasgow. The car was stolen from the owner’s garage about two months ago, and as he was unable to trace it he decided to try the effect of advertising his loss by an announcement on the cinematograph screen. By this means he received information which enabled him to recover it about a week ago. The car has, however, been stolen a second time.