The Spring, 2013 Strathbungo News has just gone to the printer’s. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed and to everyone who looked over the semi-final draft and caught errors and omissions! You can download a pdf of the newsletter by clicking the link below:

2013-4 newsletter web final

I’ve lived here for more than ten years. It’s a community I know and feel safe in but with the news of a gang rape in a lane off Pollokshaws Rd this weekend, I’ve been struggling to think of ways to show this is not a community that turns a blind eye to such acts – that this is not a place where people can commit crimes and expect to get away with it.

The Society will be writing to the local police to request increased patrols, particularly in the back lanes, and to our councillors to push for improved street lighting but the bottom line is:

This is OUR neighbourhood and we all need to make sure it is not a safe place for people to carry out vile criminal acts.

We need to be vigilant about what is happening outside our windows once the shutters are closed.

We need to take a stand, to call the police when we have concerns and to challenge those whose behaviour makes us feel insecure in our homes and on our streets.

What can we all do to make our community’s spirit visible? What can we do to demonstrate that this will not be tolerated?

Anyone with information about the attack on Saturday night should contact London Road Police Office on 0141 532 4600 or call the non-emergency Police Scotland number 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On two occasions last night (14/4/13) at around 8pm, I noticed a suspicious cyclist hanging around the lanes between Nithsdale, Regent Park Square and Queens Square. At one point he was walking up RPS looking at houses, having left his bike (dark mountain bike) at the top of the street. He was wearing all dark clothing with his hood drawn almost completely over his face – only his eyes and nose were visable. I didn’t see him again after he realised that I was watching him.

As I didn’t see him doing anything untoward, I didn’t feel it worthy of calling the police however, bearing in mind the attack on a female on Saturday night and recent break-in, would ask that residents keep their eyes open.

Apologies for the short notice – I’ve just realised the next committee meeting is tomorrow night – blame the Easter holidays. As usual, we’ll be in Grianach from 7.30pm, everyone is welcome to attend and we should have the agenda available before the meeting. Safe to say there’ll be Bungo In The Back Lanes discussion and, crucially, we’ll be looking for an acting treasurer as our current treasurer is moving to Pakistan next month.

Hi Folks

Just to let you know about an exciting new development in the south side. Wild Flours, a new wheat and gluten-free bakery based in Langside is launching this coming week. Glad Cafe, 1006A Pollokshaws Road is hosting a mini-launch on Tuesday 9th April between 4 and 7 pm. This event is open to all to come along and view Wild Flours cakes, meet the team and try out some yummy gluten-free goodies. Come along and taste the difference.   For further information visit our website www.wildflours.co.uk or get in touch enquiries@wildflours.co.uk.

As Spring approaches! Residents of Strathbungo might be interested to know that Glasgow City Council operates an Assisted House Garden Maintenance Service, free of charge for those residents who are eligible.

To be eligible, residents must:

be a Glasgow City resident Council Tax payer;
be aged 70 or over;
have an existing medical condition that limits his/her ability to maintain his/her garden
have no able bodied persons aged 16-69 in the household.

Residents can expect to receive up to eleven grass cuts per household and three hedge trims. The service will commence in March and run through until October with the grass cutting service first cycle taking place from 25 March to 14 April. The hedge trimming first cycle will take place from 6 May to 16 June.

The contact number for enquiries is 0141 287 5064.