Harry Benson, A Must See Exhibition.

If you like photographs, then you must get to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery where you can see an exhibition by, in my opinion, the greatest living all round photographer in the world today.

Since I started taking photographs some forty years ago now, I have always greatly admired Harry Benson's work. He is equally at home covering a hard news event as he is taking portraits of Clint Eastwood.

When I was working in New York back in the eighties, I thought it would be a good idea to contact his office and see if I could meet up with him. To my utter astonishment I got a phone call a few days later with an invite to his apartment in Manhattan.

We had a long conversation about photography in general and he told me many tales of his exploits from the past, in particular his early days in the sixties where he had exclusive access to the Beatles on their meteoric rise to fame .

I asked if I could take a photo of him beside his iconic photo of the Beatles having a pillow fight in their hotel room in Paris just after they found out "I Want To Hold Your Hand " had topped the American charts. " Sure", he said, " As long as you take one of me and my wee dug".

The one thing we both had in common, was retirement. Neither of us had any real concept of what it meant and would both keep going until we couldn't pick up a camera any more. It was a real buzz for me to get advice from someone with his track record.
He was very modest about his achievements but when you are in his presence, you know you are with someone who has seen a lot.

I strongly advise that you don't miss his exhibition.

I Thought Squirrels Only Ate Nuts ?

Obviously not, or maybe the heat had got to this one and it was just trying to cool off.

I am well aware of the fact that the Squirrels in Kelvingrove Park are opportunists at the best of times but I have never seen one eating ice cream before.

Mini-Gist Hits Callendar.

Now before we start, I did not write any of this blog. That's all down to my old pal Tom Morton. I did take the photos right enough.


Imagine visiting a strange, but lovely town: you want to spend some time there, but how can you find out, instantly, which restaurants have special lunchtime offers, where to buy the best discount knitwear and who's playing at the local pub's music session?

In Callander, this summer, it will be easy: switch on your mobile phone's Bluetooth facility and, as you move about the town - one of the jewels of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - regularly-updated information from the town's businesses and attractions will tell you what's happening and, using full colour maps, show you where.

What's more, it’s all free. There are no costly download charges to the phone user and it is perfectly secure.

The system is called Mini-GIST (Miniaturised Geographical Information System for Tourism) and it turns each visitor's mobile phone into a fount of local knowledge. It's a unique, innovative and easy to use system developed by the Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing Research Group at Glasgow Caledonian University and adapted for Callander Enterprise with support from Stirling Council and Glasgow Caledonian University's KIT-Out the Park Project.

It's like having your own personal tour guide.

Derek Gallaher, manager of the KIT-Out the Park Project, which is helping co-ordinate the pilot scheme, due to start at the end of May, said it was tremendously exciting.
"Mini-GIST gives local businesses in Callander not only a chance to advertise themselves for free, but its adaptability means they can update offers and events as they happen. For tourists, the maps and information just open up the community for them in a completely new, intuitive and exciting way."

Frank Park, Chairman of local business group Callander Enterprise said:
"We're really excited. This system can instantly transmit tourist data to people's mobile phones via Bluetooth, from local access points throughout the town. The information will feature businesses and attractions that a tourist will find interesting, and can be filtered via special maps rather than a boring list of numbers. We can't wait to get the project active for this summer."

So this summer, why not head for Ben Ledi and the town at its foot, switch on your phone's Bluetooth facility, and browse your way through Callander!

For more information see:
www.mucom.mobi
www.kit-out.org

Elvis Hasn't Left The Building !

You see some scary sights walking around Glasgow.

Well how about this lot?

Don't worry, it was all for a good cause as they were on a charity "night out" to collect money for children's cancer research.

"You can take our photie for a few quid" said Elvis. What a bargain!

Does Anyone Know Where This Is ?

Answers on a postcard please.

This Could Be The Answer !!!!

Now this seems like a novel way of getting around and helping to save the planet at the same time. Everyone was peddling away like mad and seemed to be having great fun.

I think the guy at the back was in charge.

Champions...... Again !

Last Saturday morning took me to Ibrox Stadium for the Glasgow Schools under 15 final.

My youngest son Andrew was playing for Hermitage Academy and the scene was set for a cracking game. I was surprised that the teams didn't look at all out of place in such a
huge stadium. In fact they seemed quite at home and soon settled down and Hermitage started to constantly attack the Eastbank goal. It was nil,nil at half time.

With ten minutes to go, Andrew rattled one off the woodwork but minutes later Kieran Millar opened the score with a peach of a strike. Super sub Jamie Steeples, made the match safe shortly after and Hermitage took the game 2-0.

It was a great team effort and once again, credit should be given to the coach, Mr Morgan for taking them to their second cup win in a row.

Could it be a hat trick next year?