ST MUNGO FESTIVAL SERVICE – GLASGOW CATHEDRAL
Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a privilege to be able to
address you this evening as part of the annual St Mungo Festival
Service. Thank you Reverend Whitley, and to the organising
committee of the Service, for this kind invitation.
It is always a pleasure to be here in this extraordinarily beautiful and
atmospheric building, but as a University Principal and ViceChancellor, the Cathedral has special significance. You will all know
that Glasgow Cathedral sits on the site, where Saint Mungo founded
his church in the 6th Century. You may not know, that in 1451, the
University of Glasgow was founded by Papal Bull from Pope Nicholas
V. It was this Charter that allowed the Bishop of Glasgow, William
Turnbull to establish the University. He served as its first Chancellor,
and the first lectures were held in the Cathedral. Today, the city has
five successful international Higher Education institutions, the
University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
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Caledonian University, The Glasgow School of Art and The Royal
Conservatoire of Scotland. They all contribute to the culture of our
great city and to the combined value of nearly a billion pounds to the
city’s economy every year. I can assure you this vast sum does not
come solely from students engaging in lots of eating, drinking and
retail therapy.
As we look to a New Year with hope, expectation and excitement, I
cannot help but reflect on what a difficult beginning and end to the
year it was for so many families in the city. At the beginning of the
year, the city was still mourning the shocking loss of ten of our
citizens in the appalling Clutha Vaults pub helicopter accident. We
can well remember the stories of how, in the immediate aftermath
of that accident, the people of Glasgow ran into danger to try help
survivors. Ordinary civilians bravely demonstrating their strength of
character in that terrible accident was mirrored by our firefighters
who saved the Rennie Mackintosh Building from a raging fire in May.
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Without their intervention the building would have been forever lost
to us, but the speed with which Director, Tom Inns and his team
reacted to the horrible fire meant that thankfully no precious lives
were lost.
But then just before Christmas past another dreadful accident in our
City Centre resulted in the tragic loss of six lives. Nothing we might
say can assuage the grief experienced by the loved ones of those that
were lost, but I hope it is has been some small comfort for families to
know that as they grieved, their city grieved with them. The informal
memorial at George Square, at which more and more flowers
continue to be placed, shows the depth of emotion that our people
still feel.
In the past year, Glasgow has been the location for another form of
remembrance. In August, here in Glasgow Cathedral, a
commemorative service was held to mark the centenary of the
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outbreak of World War One, and remember those who died and
suffered in the Great War, particularly from the Commonwealth
nations. It was attended by Prince Charles, the Prime Minister, the
First Minister and other Commonwealth heads of government, and
featured speeches by Sir Trevor McDonald and Kate Adie. In total,
200,000 Glaswegian men went to war from Glasgow, 35,000 were
left badly injured, and 18,000 lost their lives, giving what Abraham
Lincoln described as “the last full measure of devotion.” The city also
honoured their service with other events, including a light and film
show called ‘Glasgow’s War’ projected onto Glasgow City Chambers,
and a photographic exhibition of war memorials curated in St
Mungo’s Museum.
Just before Christmas, I had the opportunity to visit Ypres Cathedral,
for a performance featuring the author Michael Morpugo, actress
Virginia McKenna and Voices at the Door, of Morpugo’s short story
‘Best Christmas Present Ever.’ This play brings to life the remarkable
event in 1914 when German soldiers along the frontline laid down
their arms to play football and embrace the joy of Christmas with
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their British enemies. It was humbling to visit the Menin Gate in
Ypres and be informed there that it was a Regiment of Scots who
were the first to lay down their rifles to make peace for just one day.
Whilst rightly reflecting on some of the difficult issues faced last
year, we should of course also remember that 2014 was a truly
historic and remarkable year for Glasgow, with so much to celebrate.
The highlight was the Commonwealth Games which brought the
streets of our city alive. I was privileged to be able to attend the
Opening Ceremony for the Games, and whilst I wouldn’t have
wanted to try dancing as a Tunnock’s Tea Cake, it was a really
spectacular start to a spectacular Games. In the run up to the event,
the Queen’s Baton Relay was carried in front of streets lined with
people, and we were fortunate enough to host a leg of this at GCU.
Our campus was also decorated with colour when the Flag Bearing
Ceremony for the Pacific Islands took place. The Games also saw an
unprecedented demand for tickets, and they were worth fighting for,
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as enthusiastic fans were treated to the sight of Scots winning a
record haul of medals. The carnival atmosphere extended beyond
the sporting venues, with over half a million people visiting the Live
Site at Glasgow Green. It was no surprise when at the Closing
Ceremony, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation,
Prince Tunku Imran, said: “Glasgow, you really have delivered in
every aspect, the best Games ever.”
At GCU, we were proud to recognise Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive,
David Grevemberg, for the leadership he provided, with an Honorary
Degree at our Winter Graduation Ceremony. We should remember
however, that the Games would not have been possible, without the
15,000 Clydesiders, those local volunteers, who gave up their time,
and were the backbone of the success. From the warmth of their
welcome to visitors, to packing out venues, to volunteering, it really
was the people of Glasgow that made the Games.
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And it is wrong to think that the excitement in our city ended in
2014, with the Commonwealth Games and events like the MTV
Music Awards. Glasgow has another extraordinary year to look
forward to, including hosting the World Championships in
Gymnastics and Judo, as well as the MOBO Awards. Our young
people will also benefit from the legacy of the venues developed for
the Games for decades to come, as we seek to nurture their
potential through sport, education and cultural experiences.
One of the parts of my role that I most enjoy is hearing about the
inspiring work that the students of our institutions engage in. So
often our students exemplify the spirit and actions of ‘Glasgow
people.’ A particularly inspirational individual, is GCU student and
winner of the Sunday Mail Young Scot Award, Gemma Steele.
Gemma helped to raise the funds to build and operate an Orphanage
in Nakuru, Kenya, whilst also studying Occupational Therapy. Just
over two years ago, armed robbers broke into the orphanage, and
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Gemma was held at machete point during the ordeal. Undeterred,
she showed remarkable resilience and bravery by continuing to lead
the development of the children’s home, and last she year she was
rightly recognised for her achievements.
In the same way that the founder of our city, St Mungo, dedicated
his life to service and selflessness, Glasgow’s young people can
amaze us with their dedication to helping others. Indeed, as I
reflected on the past year, it struck me that the phrase ‘People Make
Glasgow’ crafted by the very clever Scott Taylor and his team, really
is no mere marketing slogan.
A city thrives on the quality and character of its people. In my career,
I have been fortunate enough to work all over the world, yet during
my eight years in Glasgow, I have been truly struck by the
exceptional qualities of its people. It is a spirit that transformed a
tiny settlement on the Molendinar Burn, into a global and
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cosmopolitan city. It is a spirit that can show dignity and compassion
in dark times, but great joy and warmth during times of celebration.
So, when I think of this remarkable city and its remarkable people, I
have faith that we will continue to live up to the aspirations of its
Founder St Mungo, and Glasgow will continue to flourish, or as
Councillor Matheson said at the opening of the Games: “Bring it on.”
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