Speaker Ronald Sandford, 'Glasgow - A Tale of Two Cities'

“Glasgow – A Tale of Two Cities” was the theme of this week’s meeting of the The Rotary Club of St Andrews Kilrymont.

No, Charles Dickens has not suddenly been reincarnated and surfaced in Fife.

The guest speaker was Ronald Sandford, who spared no effort in explaining his views on his home city – either in a positive sense or noting some of its darker side.

Born in Glasgow’s South side, Ronald left the city in 1960 after schooling at Hutchesons’ Boys’ Grammar School to join the Royal Navy. He sailed in all of the world’s oceans as a high-ranking officer before returning to his homeland 16 years ago. The huge changes which had taken place in Glasgow during his absence prompted the “Two Cities” comparison.

As an example, Ronald cited instances such as that during his formative years, Clydeside had 29 shipyards employing upwards of 30,000 Glaswegians. Nowadays, only three yards are still operational. Proving, however, that the shipbuilding ethos is still alive in the UK.

With the demise of much of the manufacturing and engineering traditions, there had been a slump in the city’s fortunes. There were also worrying issues. Seven districts in the Glasgow area are in the top ten in the UK of areas of multiple deprivation.

But in recent years revitalisation had taken place and was still doing so.

Glasgow has more parks per capita than any other city in Europe. Buchanan Street boasted the first pedestrianisation of any thoroughfare in Europe. There was now a thriving retail industry; a plethora of galleries and entertainment venues; and the memory of Glasgow as both host of the Garden Festival and as Europe’s City of Culture.

Ronald believes Glasgow’s renaissance is due to the same things that made it the second city of the UK. Namely the residents’ pawky humour and ability to look on the bright side.

He quoted a favourite line from comedian Chic Murray which he remembers from his days in the audience at pantomimes. “Ma boy’s lassie is wan o’ they intellectuals – her tattoos are spelt right!”.

In those days, said Ronald, Glasgow resounded with laughter, whether on the east and north sides of the city or in the rather more salubrious south side.

Indeed, the boy left Glasgow to join the Royal Navy – but Glasgow never left the boy.

 The vote of thanks was given by David Sandford – who thanked his elder brother for bringing back so many memories.