logo
Glasgow Mela draws big crowd to Kelvingrove Park

Glasgow Mela draws big crowd to Kelvingrove Park

BBC News5 days ago

Scotland's largest South Asian festival drew more than 21,000 people to Kelvingrove Park on Sunday.Organisers hailed crowds at the Glasgow Mela as "a sight to behold", with live music, art and workshops on offer throughout the day.Festivalgoers also sampled food from around the world and tried their hand at a mix of sports including tennis, pickleball, kabaddi and volleyball.This was the 35th edition of the event, after it started in 1990 as part of Glasgow's European City of Culture celebrations.
Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of organisers Glasgow Life, said: "Seeing thousands of people pack out Kelvingrove Park for the Glasgow Mela is always a sight to behold. "The 2025 Mela proved why Glasgow is known the world over as a diverse, multicultural city full of artistic talent. The Mela is a firm favourite in Glasgow's cultural events calendar and provides fantastic free performances and a fun day out for everyone."This year was particularly special as the spirit of Glasgow 850 was woven into the programme."
Acts including Gtown Desi, Saloni and Maya Lakhani performed at the Mela, which means means "gathering" in Sanskrit.It aims to promote local artists and their rich cultural heritage, with funding provided by Creative Scotland.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The reign of Tommy Smith as the king of jazz is over — what now?
The reign of Tommy Smith as the king of jazz is over — what now?

Times

time2 hours ago

  • Times

The reign of Tommy Smith as the king of jazz is over — what now?

​ Tommy Smith is no longer the leader of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. But the saxophonist is still very much its face. Last week the musician stepped down as the band's artistic director after he was dismissed from Scotland's premier music and drama university, the Royal Conservatoire, over allegations he had a relationship with a student. Yet Smith's picture remains plastered all over the website of the publicly funded orchestra he founded 30 years ago. Its youth wing is even named after the musician. For decades, insiders say, the former teenage prodigy has been the king of Scottish jazz. His reign is now over. Some lament the loss of a genuine talent. Others last week were celebrating what they see as an opportunity for musicians to come out from under his shadow.

Fred West documentaries and Fifty Shades of Grey? Scots prison chiefs REFUSE to ban X-rated films from cells despite plea from staff
Fred West documentaries and Fifty Shades of Grey? Scots prison chiefs REFUSE to ban X-rated films from cells despite plea from staff

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Fred West documentaries and Fifty Shades of Grey? Scots prison chiefs REFUSE to ban X-rated films from cells despite plea from staff

Prison chiefs have shot down calls by frontline staff to ban some of Scotland's most hardened criminals from watching X-rated films and TV shows in their cells. The Prison Officers Association (POA) implored top brass to pull 18+ DVDs featuring extreme criminal activity, sex and drug use in the wake of an investigation by MailOnline. We revealed that amid an epidemic of violence behind bars, inmates at one of the country's toughest jails, HMP Barlinnie, are free to rent films about serial killers and sexual deviants – despite such X-rated films and videos being outlawed in English jails since 2013. The POA, which represents rank and file prison staff, said that with 'overcrowding, drug use, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside our prisons, the last thing we need is anything else adding to the tension or temperatures'. Yet the Scottish Prison Service last week said it would stand by its policy and refuse to review what films criminals can watch. Last night, Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Liam Kerr MSP said the failure to listen to concerns from staff was emblematic of the SNP 's soft-touch approach to justice. He said: 'This blatant refusal to review a policy that allows prisoners to watch inappropriate content will alarm law-abiding Scots. 'It sums up how the SNP's soft-touch attitude is embedded across all areas of Scotland's justice system and repeatedly panders to the needs of criminals. 'The POA want this to be reviewed and recognise many of these prisoners are behind bars for violent offences and should not have access to this content. 'Rather than passing the buck, SNP ministers should intervene and ensure the Scottish Prison Service rethinks this decision.' Earlier this month, MailOnline revealed a list of movies available to prisoners, obtained via freedom of information, include titles such as Saw, The Silence of the Lambs and American TV show Dexter, about a police forensic officer who kills criminals in his free time. Inmates can also watch TV shows about real-life child killers Fred and Rose West, Myra Hindley and Beverley Allitt, as well as highly sexualised content including Fifty Shades of Grey. Shockingly, US TV series Prison Break – about two brothers hatching a complex plan to break free from jail – is also available to watch. The revelations came after it was disclosed there have been more than 250 assaults on prison staff on average annually in the last decade. This year, the High Court in Edinburgh heard convicted murderer Robert Paterson plotted to have a guard at HMP Saughton 'seriously assaulted' with a handgun. In 2013, former UK Conservative Justice Minister Chris Grayling cracked down on the availability of such films and TV shows in prisons in England and Wales. Last week, the SPS was asked by Mr Kerr what action it was going to take in light of the approved Scottish list of films including titles seen to be inappropriate for a rehabilitative environment.

Lewis Capaldi honoured with touching tribute from Google as he makes emotional return to Glastonbury stage two years after Tourette's battle left him unable to finish his set
Lewis Capaldi honoured with touching tribute from Google as he makes emotional return to Glastonbury stage two years after Tourette's battle left him unable to finish his set

Daily Mail​

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Lewis Capaldi honoured with touching tribute from Google as he makes emotional return to Glastonbury stage two years after Tourette's battle left him unable to finish his set

Lewis Capaldi was honoured with a touching tribute from Google as returned to Glastonbury two years after his battle with Tourette's left him unable to finish his performance. The singer, 28, choked back tears as he declared 'I'm back baby' during his emotional return to Glastonbury's iconic Pyramid Stage for a secret set on Friday. In honour of Lewis' return, Google made a sweet tribute to Lewis as they added a 'welcome back' message to their search for anyone Googling the star. Below his name the words 'Welcome back Lewis - Someone we love' flashed up on screen alongside a love heart emoji. Google also posted a picture of the Scottish singer to its official Instagram, with the same caption. The Bruises hitmaker was greeted with cheers from the huge Worthy Farm crowd, following a two-year career hiatus. Delighted to be back in front of an audience he tearfully said: 'Two years ago I wasn't sure if I'd ever do this again, but I'm back baby!'. Lewis sung a number of his famous hits, before once chocking back tears as he performed brand new single Survive, which highlights the difficult period in his career following his last Glastonbury gig. Fans in the crowd could be seen crying and calling out his name before joining him in a rendition of mega-hit Someone You Loved. In his emotional speech, Lewis said: 'Glastonbury it's good to be back. Won't say too much up here today as if I do I might start crying, but I can't thank you enough for coming here and being with here'. 'Second times a charm hey! It's a short set today but just wanted to come and finish what I couldn't last time, also this was like the worst kept f*****g secret ever'. Following his set Lewis took to Instagram with footage of his performance alongside a post which read: 'Glastonbury it's so incredible to be back, thank you so much for having me x' Fans and famous friends rushed to the comments to welcome the talented musician back into the public eye. Sam Fender said: 'Return of The King', while Alan Shearer said: 'Love It': Paddy McGuinness gushed: 'Governor' and Jade Thirlwall shared a slew of loving emojis. Delighted to back in front of an audience he tearfully said: 'Two years ago I wasn't sure if I'd ever do this again, but I'm back baby!'' Following his emotional set at Worthy Farm in June 2023, the singer took time off to focus on his mental health and to 'adjust to the impact' of his Tourette's diagnosis. Also performing on Glastonbury's first day was CMAT, Lola Young, Alanis Morissette, as well Lorde with her own secret set. Meanwhile, Rizzle Kicks also made a return to the stage after their own 11-year hiatus and were joined by a surprise guest. Harley 'Sylvester' Alexander-Sule and Jordan Stephens performed the biggest hits, with the later introducing his mum on stage during their track Mama Do the Hump. Pointing to his parent, who was wearing a green wig, he exclaimed: 'Give it up for my mum!' as the crowd went wild. It comes hours after Lewis shocked fans by announcing his comeback on Instagram, sharing a snippet of his new song and the Henry Dockrill directed accompanying music video. Captioning his exciting post, he simply wrote: 'It's been a while…' before directing his followers to the link to his song in his bio.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store