Get Glasgow Moving opened our special 10 year anniversary exhibition last night at the New Glasgow Society.
The exhibition charts the timeline of Get Glasgow Moving from inception through various actions and campaigns to now.
Big wins like the 2019 Transport Act and securing powers for public ownership of buses and pushing SPT to fully commit to bus franchising are interspersed with setbacks like Michael Matheson’s bus partnership incentives and delays to the implementation of the 2019 Act.
The opening last night was a gathering of long-term supporters and fresh faces with speeches from co-founder Ellie Harrison, former treasurer Susan Galloway and committee members Brenda McKay and Susie Wood.
Susan reflected on her time on the committee and how resilient you need to be as a campaigner in the current climate but that the Get Glasgow Moving activists manage to stay positive and, most importantly, have fun. The smiles in the pictures are not forced.
Much of this positive environment is created by the inimitable Ellie Harrison, who has lead the group since 2016. Despite the many setbacks, frustrations, long evenings and weekends, Ellie manages to keep an infectious upbeat attitude to campaigning that instils a belief that change truly is just around the corner.
Ellie, aided by a largely woman-led committee, including long-time committee members Brenda and Geraldine and former committee members Susan and Katy created one of the most uplifting campaigns happening in the city. They have built a campaign that has a welcoming atmosphere, open to new ideas, but — most importantly — gets stuff done.
I originally joined because I had a vague idea that public transport in Glasgow was shite and that it is better elsewhere. I did not expect to be presented with such a clear reason for why that is and a clear vision for how to fix not just transport but so many other problems in one fell swoop.
Here’s to another 10 years…
Come down and see the exhibition open everyday 12noon - 5pm until Wednesday 23rd September, New Glasgow Society, 1307 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8TL
Thought the exhibition was great - really inspiring! Thank you!