As we finalise the build up to the sell-out Celtic Connections Concert tomorrow, posted below is the latest press release about the UCS Work-in 40 Anniversary Celebrations. Have a good one tomorrow folks, and remember - there's more celebration in March!!
The organisers of the concert celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Clydeside’s important UCS Work-in today announced that the Celtic Connections event scheduled for February 5, was sold out of the cabaret seating that forms the bulk of the venue. Only a few balcony standing tickets are left.
In addition to the music, the packed audience will have a preview of the talents of Work-in cartoonist Bob Starrett. His cartoons and artwork will feature in the event programme, and on stage, actor David Hayman will dramatise some of his shipyard/Work-in stories, as well as some of the Work-in speeches.
The concert marks the inspiration given by the success of the Work-in to artists and musicians, and is being produced by Fair Pley with musical direction by Rab Noakes.
Bob said ‘It is a bit strange to have some of these things I have done over the years featured after this time, but it is great that the contributions of people involved in supporting the Work-in are being recognised.’
He has been working in the film industry for some time now, but he says none of the Hollywood stars he has met matches Work-in leaders, Jimmy Airlie and Jimmy Reid.
‘I could listen to Airlie over and over again,’ he says ‘and Jimmy Reid never let you down in terms of the clarity of his analyses.’
Other Links with 40 years ago are being kept as the concert starring musicians Jimmie Macgregor, Arthur Johnstone, Dick Gaughan, and Alastair MacDonald. Fraser Speirs, Scotland’s premier harmonica-player, will be there. Other musical performers include James Grant (of Love and Money), and Emma Pollock (of The Delgados). Rab Noakes will, round off an exceptionally busy Celtic Connections by performing too. (He has already played in his own concert and been musical director, producer, compere and performer for the sell-out Gerry Rafferty commemorative concerts).
Rab himself says “It was always going to be a busy festival for me this year but I would never turn down the opportunity to be part of commemoration and celebration of this momentous event. It is an opportunity also to underline the indelible links between trade union activities and arts and culture.”
In addition Eddie McGuire’s new composition - Work-in at UCS - a celebration suite - will feature. Eddie wrote an original piece for saxophones in 1971, that he presented to Jimmy Reid. This piece will be performed by Eddie’s traditional music band, the Whistlebinkies, Sax Ecosse and Alba Brass. Poet Tom Leonard will give a short reading. Well known actor and musician Dave Anderson is MC for the night.
Stephen Wright of organisers FairPley said “We are delighted that Celtic Connections has recognised the UCS 40th Anniversary by staging this concert on the last night of the festival. The support of musicians and artists was a key feature of the Work-in. As the concert on 5th February will demonstrate, their successful fight forty years ago to save shipbuilding on the Clyde continues to inspire artists to this day.”
The concert is being sponsored by Unite the Union, inheritor of many of the UCS unions’ members. Unite’s Scottish Secretary, Pat Rafferty said “The UCS campaign touched all facets of community and country - including artists in many spheres. It is fitting that a working class struggle is remembered in a festival that connects so many artists. It should provide an example for the struggle of today’s trade unionists.”
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