MARYHILL PLAYS ITS PART IN CELEBRATING                                                     

                           HISTORIC CANALS                                                     

                                                  
                                                    
                                                    
September 21 2009                                                    
 
                                                    
MARYHILL Housing Association is again playing a vital part in the regeneration of the canal network which flows through this part of Glasgow.                                                    
                                                    
The Association had a key role in last weekend’s “Big Man 2” one-day community canal festival to celebrate the rich historical connection Maryhill has with the Forth and Clyde Canal.                                                    
                                                    
The event which attracted huge numbers of families was so named to celebrate a new engineering design - a giant steel structure known as the 'Maryhill Bigman', which will act as a footbridge at one of the junctions.                                                    
                                                    
This is a sculpture by renowned artist Andy Scott which will act as the support for the bridge and appear as though the sculpture is lifting it from the banks of the canal.                                                    
                                                    
The day included a huge selection of land and water activities for everyone to enjoy. Visitors were able to try their hand at canoeing, kayaking and angling demonstrations, or enjoy a relaxing boat trip.                                                    
                                                    
Meanwhile, the housing association entered a team in the dragon boat racing and performed respectably in what was gruelling race along the canal against competitors.                                                    
                                                    
Despite losing their first heat, the so-called “Maryhill Monsters” shaved a remarkable 30 seconds off their time in the second heat sparking huge applause and cheers from the spectators watching on the canal side.                                                    
                         
Captain Willy Briody, Director of Maryhill Housing Association said: “This was a superb event which brought the entire community together to celebrate the past and future of this canal.                                                    
                                                    
“It allowed people to see just what kind of contribution this waterway made to this area in the heyday of the canal network and now that it has been restored it is something worth celebrating.”                                                
                                                    
                                                    
Ends