Geocachers'+Glasgow

__**Geocahers' Glasgow**__
This metasaga is based on a trip round Glasgow Geocaching. If you want to combine the two activities then register online to become a member of a worldwide treasure hunting club, then complete this metasaga. We try not to give too many clues away in relation to the exact locations of the cache.


 * __Time is running out__**

A cache by AMAZO

This modern sculpture of a square clock on top of running legs is located very appropriately outside Buchanan Bus Station on Killermont Street, where the sight of passengers racing to catch a bus is not unknown! The "Clyde Clock" was commissioned by Radio Clyde to celebrate its 25th year as an independent local radio station and its asssociation with the local Cowcaddens area of the city. The clock is 20 feet high and is covered in stainless steel. It was created by artist George Wyllie who is well known locally for his idiosyncratic art works such as "The Straw Locomotive" which consisted of a full size steam locomotive, constructed from straw, and suspended from the Finnieston Crane as part of the 1988 Glasgow Garden Festival. The Clyde Clock was intended to be installed in December 1999 in time for the Millennium - but construction work on the adjacent Langs Hotel resulted in a postponement into the new year. The clock forms a focal point in Concert Square - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is just across the road. The clock was also intended to be a meeting place and chimes just once each day at 8pm - said to be the "ideal meeting time".

//**"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."**// by Douglas Adams


 * __Questions__**

When does time fly or drag for you?

How are you with deadlines?

What would be your ideal location at 8pm at night?

What are your time management skills like?

Are you running to stand still, keep up or keep ahead?

**//Head for the next stop. Geocachers may wish to divert through Strathclyde University and solve " Callanish"//**

__**St Mungo**__

A cache by Feverpitch

Kentigern was born at Culross in Fife where he was given the name Mungo, meaning "dear one", by __ [|St Serf,] __ who ran a __ [|monastery at Culross] __. __ [|St Serf] __ then oversaw Mungo's upbringing.Mungo became a favourite and was bullied by the other boys. At the age of 25, Mungo began his missionary work on the banks of the River Clyde. Here he was welcomed by people previously converted to Christianity by __ [|St Ninian,] __ and here Mungo built his church, close to the confluence of the River Clyde and the Molendinar Burn. Since the 1200s the site of this early church has formed part of __ [|Glasgow Cathedral.] __ Mungo worked on the banks of the River Clyde for 13 years until the anti-Christian King Morken of Strathclyde drove him out in about AD565. But in the 570s King Rhydderch Hael of Strathclyde, having overthrown Morken, invited Mungo to become Archbishop of Strathclyde. Mungo later returned to the River Clyde, where his church became the focus of a large community that became known as Clas-gu or "dear family". From these beginnings emerged the modern city of __ [|Glasgow.] __ It was here that Mungo died, apparently in his bath (, on Sunday 13 January 614. He was buried close by his church, and today his tomb lies in the centre of the Lower Choir of __ [|Glasgow Cathedral,] __ probably on the actual site of his grave. In order to make someone a Saint, it was necessary to proved that the candidate had performed miracles during their lifetime. St Mungo was said to have preformed four, referred to in a poem: //** Here is the bird that never flew **// //** Here is the tree that never grew **// //** Here is the bell that never rang **// //** Here is the fish that never swam **// Look for the images in the coat of arms and on the lamp post.

Now a major tourist attraction cathedral precinct can be a busy place. Tourist buses stop and spew out visitors who swarm over the precinct and cathedral. The most suprising view of the cathedral was during the Glasgow light festival where images were projected on to the building. It was stunning.

**Cachers your find here is unusual.**


 * __Questions__**

The cache and the light show are suprising and unconventional. How do you fit this description and when are you the most unconventional and surprising?

When have you been forced out, made to leave?

To be made to feel welcome is wonderful. Have you ever returned somewhere and were you made welcome?

The light festival completely changed the cathedral. When do you completely change your appearance and how do you do it?

Mungo was a favourite. Have you ever been in a position where a classmate or colleague was the favourite and how did you feel?

What would be in your coat of arms?

**//Head for the next stop. Geocachers may wish to consider St Kentigern's Riddle.//**


 * __//Lady Well//__ **

A cache by Big Rab

When Christianity came to Britain, pagan holy and healing wells were aggressively rededicated to the Virgin Mary and other saints while remaining places of Old Religion practice. Also known as 'Our Lady's Well', Glasgow's Ladywell is an artesian spring noted on early city maps and can be reliably assumed to predate the city. It lay just outside the city wall and Drygate Port in medieval times and will have refreshed Romans travelling the old Carntyne Highway east-west between forts along the Antonine Wall.

Today it is erroneously believed to have been sunk for use of commoners denied access to a nearby Priest's Well - which was reserved for the wealthy living in the old City. Local people used the Lady Well for their water supply until the early 19th century when the threat of contamination from outbreaks of cholera and typhoid forced its closure. It was thought that the spring may have been tainted because of its nearness to the graves.

In fact, its wellhead was jointly rebuilt by the Merchants House and City Council in 1835-6 for enclosure in a new wall when the Fir Park behind it was turned into a gardened burial ground. The Ladywell was still in public use while most wells in Glasgow were closed, after fresh water piped from Loch Katrine transformed the city's health and sanitation in the 1860s. An old article says the Ladywell was the last public well to be closed but gives no date. The classical wellhead installed by the 1836 restoration bears no resemblance to the original - an open round one - and remains there today.The Ladywell remains capped. The current lintel stone (its second) notes the 1836 rebuild and another by the Merchant's House in 1874. A plaque commemorates its most recent refurbishment by Tennant Caledonian Breweries in 1983. Tennant also sponsor one of Scotland's largest music festivals.Their brewery is close by.


 * Questions**

What would you sponsor if you had great wealth?

Interesting that the money used to restore the well came from tobacco and alcahol. What vices or bad habits do you have?

Water gives life to things. What is a watering hole for you, somewhere that brings you to life?

What are you thirsty for?

What music do you like and why?

**//Head for the next stop by retracing your steps back to the cathedral. Geocachers may wish to consider "The city of the dead" or on the way to our next stop "Merchant city", both of which are puzzle caches.//**


 * __//Stan Laurel was here//__ **

A cache by Bilbobaggins 2k

Founded in 1857 on the Trongate in Glasgow, Scotland, the Britannia quickly became famed as being the most popular place of amusement in the city and 1500 people would cram themselves onto wooden benches for every show. The audience gained itself a reputation for "leaving no turn unstoned" and over the years the stage saw performances by such greats as Dan Leno, Harry Lauder, Marie Loftus, Charles Coburn, Harry Champion, W. F. Frame and of course, the debut of a sixteen year old Stan Laurel in 1906. ** Stan Laurel has gone, but the Britannia music hall still exists on Glasgow's Trongate. **

Since the time that this little hall opened on Glasgow's Trongate it has captured the hearts and imaginations of the visiting public. Over the years Britannia changed name and ownership many times, being known as "Campbell's Music Saloon", "Hubner's Cinematograph", the "Tron Cinema" and most famously the "Panopticon".

By 1880 Britannia had become known as "Pre-eminently the most popular place of amusement" and in 1896 the first moving pictures enthralled the Britannia audience.

In 1906, a young man named Albert Earnest Pickard took over the running of the music hall and renamed it "Panopticon". Pickard was a man of diverse taste. Between 1906 and 1938 the building housed not Just music hall and cinema entertainment, but also freak shows, waxworks, carnival and zoo.

But it was in 1906 that Pickard allowed a young Stanley Arthur Jefferson to make his debut. In later years this young performer changed his name to **//Stan Laurel//** and is today one of the best known comedians of all time.

Although famed for the entertainments, Britannia's stage has also been used as a platform for many social & political issues from the Temperance movement to the trade unions.

Alas, in the wake of modern cinema buildings and the depression of the 1930's, the Britannia Panopticon closed.

If you wish to visit the restored Panoptican visit their website, but for a little piece of nostalgia visit the sweetshop any day.

__**Questions**__

What sweet brings back memories of your childhood or sweet do you associate with certain people? Did your granny always have pandrops or soor plooms? Go on buy yourself a treat they even have sugar free.

What makes you laugh, really laugh?

Are you part of a duo ? Describe your partner.

Stan Laurel got a break here. Have you ever been given a chance? Where and when and how did it turn out?

What would your stage name be?

Music hall was famous for the introductions given to acts. Can you write one for yourself or a boss?

**//Head for the next stop. Geocachers may wish to look for "Cross QR nearby" or look for the "lighthouse" on the way.//**


 * __Citizen Firefighter__**

A cache by Ninawiski Adopted by Big Rab

On 17th June 2001, a bronze sculpture entitled "Citizen Firefighter" was unveiled in Glasgow city centre. The statue by Kenny Hunter, one of Scotland's foremost sculptors, is a tribute to all firefighters past and present who have served in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

The work was commissioned by SFR as part of three challenges given to it's Millennium Working Group. The first two projects, an ecumenical service at Glasgow Cathedral and a Fire Service Exhibition within George Square in Glasgow were an outstanding success.The third and the most challenging project was to raise funds for the commissioning, siting and unveiling of a bronze sculpture within the SFR area so as to recognise the contribution and to celebrate the work of firefighters, both past and present, for their service to the community.

A committee formed from representatives of SFR, Glasgow City Council and the art world had the difficult task of selecting an artist to be commissioned for the work. The person chosen was Kenny Hunter, a well known and respected Scottish artist. To gain an understanding of the work of the Fire Service, Mr. Hunter spent time in all departments of SFR, and experienced firefighting first-hand by attending various incidents with a crew from Maryhill Fire Station. He commented "These experiences became a vital part of the artwork's creative develoment".

It was always the intention of the team to have the finished artwork sited in an open street area, so as to enable the general public the opportunity to view and enjoy the statue as opposed to it being erected within SFR premises. The sculpture is for the communities we serve and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just the firefighters it represents.

With this in mind,and working closely with Glasgow City Council, a site on the corner of Hope Street and Gordon Street was identified. This is a very busy thoroughfare and is adjacent to the entrance of Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest railway station.Take a seat at the taxi rank and watch the comings and goings. It is anticipated that the statue will become not only a city landmark, but also a meeting place for local people and visitors to the city.

Less than 3 months after it was unveiled, Citizen Firefighter became a focal point for the people of Glasgow after the terrible events of Tuesday September 11th in New York. The statue seemed to many to be the right place to leave flowers and tributes to the many firefighters who died in those events. On October 23rd 2001, the Scottish Fire Brigades held a ceremony of commemoration at Citizen Firefighter for those 343 members of the global family of the fire service that lost their lives in the selfless pursuit to save others.


 * Questions**

Have you a special meeting place and who do you meet there?

How do you serve the people of your area or organisation?

What do you raise funds for?

If you could meet anyone at this statue who would it be and where would you take them in the city?

When do you firefight in your work place?

What is the most dangerous or frightening thing you have faced?

Take a train somewhere or shadow someone to understand their work better.

**//Head for the last stop on this circular walk. Geocachers may wish to look for "Atrium Court//****//" or take photo here and claim the challenge.//**

__**Madeline Smith - Blythswood square**__

A cache by BIg Rab

Madeleine was the first child of an upper-middle class family in [|Glasgow] ; her father James Smith (1808–1863) was a wealthy architect, and her mother, Janet, the daughter of leading neo-classical architect [|David Hamilton]. The family lived at No 7, Blythswood Square, Glasgow. She broke the strict [|Victorian] conventions of the time when, as a young woman in early 1855, she began a secret love affair with Pierre Emile L'Angelier, an apprentice nurseryman who originally came from the [|Channel Islands]. The two met late at night at Smith’s bedroom window and also carried on a voluminous correspondence. Smith’s parents, not knowing that Madeleine was carrying on an affair with L'Angelier (whom she had promised to marry) found a suitable fiancé for her within the Glasgow upper-middle class — William Harper Minnoch. Smith attempted to break her connection with L'Angelier and, in February 1857, asked him to return the letters she had written to him. Instead, L'Angelier threatened to use those letters to expose her and force her to marry him. She was soon observed in a druggist's office, ordering [|arsenic], and signed in as M.H. Smith. Early in the morning of 23 March 1857, L'Angelier died from arsenic poisoning. After Smith’s numerous letters were found in his lodging house, she was arrested for murder.

At trial, Smith was defended by noted advocate [|John Inglis, Lord Glencorse]. Although the circumstantial evidence pointed towards her guilt, the jury in her trial freed her by way of the verdict " [|not proven] ", which said that they did not believe she was innocent of the charge, but the prosecution had failed to make a strong enough case against her. Crucial to the case was the chronology of certain letters from Smith to her lover l'Angellier, and as the letters themselves were undated, the case hinged to some extent on the envelopes. One letter in particular depended on the correct interpretation of the date of the postmark but this was unfortunately illegible, and attracted some caustic comments from the judge; but it should be noted that the vast majority of these postmarks were quite clearly struck .In any case, it transpired that when the police searched L'Angelier's room, many of Madeleine's letters were found without their envelopes and were then hurriedly collected and stuck into whichever envelopes came to hand. It is small wonder the jury returned a verdict of 'Not Proven' and Miss Smith was set free.The notoriety of the crime and trial were scandalous enough that Smith left Scotland.Recent research has cast serious doubt on Smith's guilt.

Blythswood square has a very dodgy reputation as an area where ladies of the night do business. This of course maybe another one of Glasgow's urban myths.


 * Questions**

When have you had serious doubts about someone?

Is there something you would really like to proove?

When have you written something and regretted it, either a letter or an email?

Have you buried anything from your past?

What is your reputation like?

__**Completing the circuit**__

Return to Buchanan street bus station and meet someone at another statue, the "Wincher's stance". Go for a coffee, lunch or pre theatre dinner at one of Glasgow's favourite eateries. Enjoy! There is more to this city that once had a very bad reputation of its own.

**//Geocachers you can carry on caching and completing challenges set around the city. Happy Hunting and TFTC.//**