ALEX MARSHALL TO CARRY SCOTLAND FLAG DURING CLOSING CEREMONY

Lawn bowls hero, Alex Marshall, will be Scotland’s closing ceremony flag bearer, after Euan Burton carried the flag during the opening ceremony.

Tonight during the closing ceremony, before Kylie appears, Scotland’s attention will be centred on Team Scotland and their flag bearer Alex “Tattie” Marshall, part of the gold medal winning lawn bowls duo.

At 47 years old, Marshall has doubled his personal gold medal total, from two to four, after he won every game played at the Kelvingrove competitions. Now his record equals that of Allan Wells, a former Scottish athlete.

Alex started bowling at the tender age of eight, and had the support from both his father and grandfather.

He created a social media storm after saying “Get it up yae!” after beating England in the semi-finals of the lawn bowls, but Alex was quick to point out that nothing anti-English was meant by the celebration.

Marshall and his partner Paul Foster then went on to demolish Malaysia 20-3 in the finals to win their second gold medal of the Games. 

When asked how he felt about carrying the Scotland flag during the closing ceremony he said: “It’s a dream come true for myself. It’ll be one of the biggest things in my career and I’m just so looking forward to it.”

Alex Marshall will lead out 310 Scottish athletes, just like Euan Burton did during the opening ceremony at the start of the Games.

Team Scotland chef de mission stated: “Alex is one of the most popular and respected sportsmen of his generation and his record in Lawn Bowels, is second to none. The athletes and management of Team Scotland will be proud to follow Alex into the closing ceremony to celebrate what has been our nation’s most successful ever Commonwealth Games.”

This has been one of the most successful Games to be seen, and it is right that Alex Marshall should carry the Scotland flag, as he represents one of most successful Scottish athletes this Commonwealth Games has ever seen. Team Scotland couldn’t have picked a more perfect flag bearer.

COMMONWEALTH MURALS: ART OR GRAFFITI?

In 2009, Sam Bates, an Australian street artist, was contacted by Glasgow City Council to create artwork across Glasgow depicting all the sports included in the Commonwealth Games. He also painted some artwork that showed general landmarks and symbols associated with Scotland.

Having developed his craft for over fifteen years, Bates, aka Smug, has gained much expertise in the art of street displays. His creations can be seen all over Glasgow, and while not all of it is normally seen as beautiful, it intrigues people all the same.

The most seen murals by Smug portray the swimming, that is taking place in the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and a girl looking through a magnifying glass, but all of his artwork is seen daily by Glaswegians and tourists alike.

Originally from a small town near Sydney, Australia, he believes that Glasgow suffers from having a creative space for fellow street artists and graffiti experts. Most of the graffiti in Glasgow is seen as a blemish on the city’s image, but Smug is trying to change the perception that the residents of the city have of local street art from negative to positive.

Nathan Rafferty, a young Glaswegian boy, spoke about how he believes all the murals, in Glasgow, are art not graffiti. He said: “I think it is art because there is more detail to them, unlike graffiti which normally consists of letters.”

Some of Bates artwork can be seen as strange and extreme, but still unforgettable, due to the vibrant colours and unusual design. An example of his extreme artwork can be seen under the stairway across from the Kelvinbridge Subway Station, which shows a squirrel perched on a skull. 

More wildlife inspired artwork can be seen at Merchant City, by everyone either living or visiting Glasgow. This artwork represents the Scottish wildlife and the animals that live there, from red squirrels to badgers, and was created in 2013.

All of Sam Bates creations in Glasgow represent Scotland in some way, but the artwork seen along the stretch of wall from Gibson Street to Kelvinbridge Subway Station shows the history of Glasgow’s transport, from the past to the present. It was created around the same time the Museum of Transport was being built.

The Commonwealth Games murals, commissioned in 2009, represent the many different personalities of Scotland, and Glasgow in particular. 

Sam Bates paintings have a special “anti-graffiti” coating that stops the murals getting damaged and can be easily cleaned. This will help the artwork stay on the streets of Glasgow for many more years to come, and will hopefully inspire more street artists and graffiti experts to show their art where everyone can see, and appreciate.

ALEX MCCALL PROMOTES NEW BOOK AT KELVINGROVE BANDSTAND

Twenty year old author, Alex McCall, launches his new book “Attack of the Giant Robot Chickens” at the Kelvingrove Bandstand for Festival 2014. This is the first book Alex has ever published and despite being only twenty, McCall has aspirations to write more books for both children and teenagers.

McCall’s preferred target audience is teenagers and the location of this other story ideas are usually set in far off places, but for the Kelpie Awards he had to stick to certain guidelines. The guidelines included the story being aimed at 8-12 year olds, being set in Scotland, and it had to be 40,000-70,000 words long.

Alex won the Kelpie Awards in August 2013, but the book was published in February 2014, and despite being a relatively new author, he was delighted to be asked to be part of Festival 2014.

The Kelpie Awards are part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and has a grand prize of a published book and £2000.

McCall is currently studying Film Making and Screenwriting at University of the West of Scotland, and hopes to gain experience for writing in the future.

THE TEE BAR MAKES ITS MARK ON THE CLOSING CEREMONY

Since opening in late February, the shop has had its share of customers, but when a local community group, who had made contact with team Barbados, came in to ask for some t-shirts in Barbados colours, Robertson kindly offered her expertise. The result was ‘Glasbados’.

This soon became popular with the team themselves, who have ordered 200 more for the closing ceremony, and once again Robertson agreed.

Rather than other teams asking for t-shirts, individuals asked for specific shirts that either represent their own country or show how they have embraced Scotland. On the back of the Glasbados shirts, there is a thistle representing Scotland.

Being close to Hampden has made access to her shop restricted,  but that hasn’t dimmed her mood towards the Games at all. On the contrary, she has enjoyed every single minute of it, especially the opening ceremony. She doesn’t know if she will go to the closing one in person yet, or if she’ll enjoy it at home.

The most popular shirts in the shops are the ‘Aye’ shirts, the ‘Naw’ shirts and the ‘Mibbie’ shirts dedicated to the independence referendum in September. 

“We have some families who are split right down the middle, and they have an ‘Aye’ and a ‘Naw’. And I think it’ll be interesting around their dinner table in the evenings,” Kim said.

“They’re very popular, as are some of the Glasgow banter ones.”

Most of Kim's customers are people requesting special birthday t-shirts or shirts for special occasions. Some even ask for a slogan on a shirt, or something more personal that makes little sense to others. Her customers go there for something different - and different is what she excels in.

The weirdest shirts that have been requested are usually ones for stag nights and hen nights - t-shirts, she says, which tend to "raise an eyebrow".

In recent months, the Tee Bar has become more popular due to the warmer climate in Scotland. 

Kim said: “So, as the weather has been getting better, and people have been getting out and enjoying the sunshine, they’ve been coming in more and more often. And then they come back - so they come in and know that we can turn things around quickly for them, and if they have an event or a birthday, or they’re just looking for something a wee bit different, they’ll come back.”

Her favourite top is the shop is ‘Too Dumb for New York, Too Ugly for L.A.’ and a shirt that ladies can relate with saying ‘More Issues than Vogue’. She likes what she calls “ironic, sort of funny, catchy kind of t-shirts”.

With hopes to grow her business exponentially based on things such as word of mouth and big organisations - like the Barbados team - purchasing from her, Kim hopes to branch out to other communities and groups.

Kim used to be a journalist for The Herald, and has interviewed people like Chris Hoy and Andy Murray. The decision to open her own t-shirt shop was inspired by her nephew. The first shirt she made was for him - a top with his name, Lawrence, on it.

The Tee Bar may not be the biggest store, but the shop has some of the most unique t-shirts on the market. If you’re looking for original and quirky then The Tee Bar is the shop for you.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED: ATHLETICS

Here’s what I learned about one of the busiest sports of the Commonwealth Games:

1. There is no prejudice between nations

Fans everywhere in Hampden clapped for every competitor, no matter what nation they represented or where they came in the standings.

Despite there being only one Scottish winner, everyone in the stadium was astounded by the races and events happening all round Hampden Park. Everyone stood up for the national anthems of the winning nations, and no one booed or jeered any athlete who won or didn't quite make the final cut. The silence for the anthems showed that, no matter the athlete, respect is given to all if they deserve it.

2. The atmosphere around Hampden was electric

At every event I have been to during these Commonwealth Games I have to say that the crowd at Hampden is probably the best I have ever seen. Even the crowd at Ibrox for the Rugby Sevens was not quite as electric or as loud as the one at Hampden Park. To get the crowd started throughout the Games, the presenters choose a person, usually a child, from the crowds and let them push a big red button, which starts off the “opening sequence”. This time they chose a young boy from Jamaica to push it. Not only did he get into it, but the crowd did as well, giving the boy the feeling that he was one of the athletes competing - a nice touch and undoubtedly a brilliant experience for the boy.

3. Everyone got pulled into the exciting atmosphere of the races, even if they didn’t particularly like the event happening

Not everyone who goes to sporting events is a sports fan. People go for the atmosphere, or to say “I was there”. However, once the crowd starts to get behind an athlete it is hard not to get dragged into the roars and cheers from the surrounding fans. I've seen people who have never been to a sporting event in their lives cheer and scream for athletes they know nothing about.

4. Para-sports are integrated in with all the other events

Regardless of each athlete's varying abilities, they are all treated equally and fairly by officials and spectators alike. There is no added pressure, no special attention, and no discrimination against them. If they win, they win, and if they lose, they lose - but they lose as Commonwealth athletes, watched by everyone, and loved by most. 

5. Athletics is one of the busiest sports, due to the three or four events going on simultaneously 

During the athletics, I was confused as to where on the track and field I should look, as there were three to four different events going on at once, and even the cameras couldn’t quite keep up with the commentators. The athletics is undoubtedly one of the busiest and most complex sporting events to be staged her for the Commonwealth games. I've never seen so many athletes together in one place since the opening ceremony, and I doubt I will again until the closing celebrations, on August 3rd. 

NORTHERN IRELAND GRAB THEIR SECOND MEDAL IN THE GAMES

Paul Daly, Neil Mulholland, and Neil Booth lost 19-10 to South Africa, which results in a disappointing end to Booth's international bowls career. 

Skipper Booth was hoping to obtain his second Commonwealth gold, after winning in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, but sadly missed out when South Africa held on to the gold, while Wales beat Australia to win bronze.

Despite Booth being disappointed with the loss, he knows that the Northern Ireland team is in good hands with Daly and Mulholland. "These guys are super players and they will go on to win many more medals."

GLASGOW ADDS A DIVERSE RANGE OF MUSIC TO FESTIVAL 2014

The Old Fruit Market hosts A Festival of Music, and includes a wide variety of cultures who wish to share their music with others between July 28 and August 2, 2014.

The music ranges from contemporary folk music, to the invention of music, to a mix of many different types of music, and the countries ranging from Scotland and Ireland, to New Zealand, to Africa and South Africa.

The festival starts with contemporary folk band Peatog Faeries, and ends with Louis Baker, of New Zealand, who is said to sing with shades of Motown-era soul. And when the acts are over Festival 2014 DJs will keep the party atmosphere going until the people give up, or the neighbours start complaining – whatever comes first.

Each night starts at 9pm and ends late into the evening. It is rumoured that Team Scotland, as well as many other athletes, will be there at the venue. It is over 18s only and tickets cost £10 (unreserved standing and seating). 

So if you’re looking for a bit of fun, without the kids, then A Festival of Music could for you. And if you miss one night, there are still plenty of nights to go and plenty of acts to see. Even if the acts aren’t you’re cup of tea, you’ll have a night away from the kids and a night of fun and dancing. I say go for it, even if it’s only for one night.

WALES FINALLY WIN THEIR FIRST GOLD MEDAL

Francesca 'Frankie' Jones helped Wales win their first ever gold medal duing these Games, by beating Wong Poh San from Malaysia (silver medal) and Patricia Bezzoubenko from Canada (bronze medal).

With a flawless performance and a score of 14.500, Jones went into first place with more athletes still to go after her. Poh San went right after Jones, but Bezzoubenko wasn't until second last and looked strong at first until she had a tangle in her ribbon which resulted in a penalty.

Jones had already won the silver medal in Rhythmic Gymnastics Hoop, so winning the gold on the same day is quite a performance for Frankie Jones and Wales. So all that is left to say is well done Miss Francesca 'Frankie' Jones.

BILLY BILSLAND CYCLING HELPS TEAM MALAWI PREPARE FOR ALL CYCLING EVENTS

Glasgow is named the friendly city, and Neil Bilsland is the prime example of friendliness by gifting team Malawi with new bikes. Despite their bikes being functional, they were outdated and Neil wanted to make sure that they didn’t crash during a race.

“Everyone else has better kit them still.” Bilsland said. “We just wanted to help the guys out and make sure they enjoyed their time here in Glasgow.” 

Along with team Malawi, Billy Bilsland Cycles helped teams Ghana and Guyana, as they were in today discussing their orders. He said it didn’t cost the shop much and wants to do more to help teams with their cycles. 

“We are going to set up a Just Giving page, with a view a view to actually supplying and giving the equipment to take home. It makes you think what you can do, what you might do.”

With Scotland having such strong ties to Malawi and with the cyclists being “the nicest, friendliest guys you’ve ever met” Neil felt it was important to keep these ties strong. In 1990 the Special Olympics were hosted in Scotland and unfortunately the French team’s bike didn’t turn up, so Neil’s father Billy Bilsland supplied them with bikes. Like father, like son.

Neil’s family are very cycling orientated with his father who cycled in the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica, his uncle who raced in 1970 in Edinburgh, and his grandfather who was chef du mission in 1986.

In Billy Bilsland Cycles, Neil has two signed jerseys by David Millar, British road race and time trial champion of 2007, and winner of the 2008 Tour de France jersey of Carlos Sastre, all given to him by customers.

Neil is also a fan of the Tour de France, but also hasn’t had time to watch it every day. He went down to Yorkshire to see the Grand Départ, but has to watch the highlights at night to keep up with it. 

“I’ve had my fingers in my ears all day to not hear the results so the highlights are interesting when I get home at seven o’clock.” Neil laughs. “But I've hardly watched it in the last week because the shops been busy with the Commonwealth Games.”

Bilsland Cycles had quite a few tickets for the track cycling, but gave some tickets away to his customers. Since the Commonwealth Games started on Wednesday, Neil hasn't time to watch the Games due to his shop being so busy, but has been to see the track cycling on Friday afternoon and saw the tandem gold medal race that Scotland won. His workmates have also been to the cycling, but on different days.

Due to the popularity of the shop, seen by the amount of people in the store, and the new business with teams Ghana, Guyana and Malawi, I believe that Billy Bilsland Cycles will be mobbed by cycling enthusiasts from all nations, and I know that Neil and his team will be able to handle the mass of people, just like they did today. And I say to Neil Bilsland and team thank you for helping Glasgow show why we are called the friendliest city in Scotland.

FROM BEAUTY QUEEN TO COMMONWEALTH WEIGHTLIFTER

Sarah Davies started weightlifting back in September, 2011, through the influence of her partner Jack Oliver. After six months of dating, Oliver convinced Davies to join him in the gym and encouraged her to try out weightlifting, and she took to it like “a duck to water”. 

There are many different sides to Lancashire born girl, other than weightlifting and being a beauty pageant contestant. She is a county-level golfer, a Latin dancer and a former gymnast. She had always hoped that she would be able to compete in the Commonwealth Games as a gymnast, but never as a weightlifter.

Davies stopped doing gymnastics after finding it did nothing for her, unlike weightlifting. Despite focusing on winning a gold medal rather than a tiara, Sarah still wants to compete in future beauty pageants. In 2012 Sarah competed in the Miss Leeds pageant and won, but missed out on winning the Miss England pageant.

While training for the Games, the weightlifter is also training to be a PE teacher, but Davies has seen some reluctance in young girls to get motivated in sport. She believes that “if schools can get athletes into schools” it could help them get inspired and get them to focus academically and become more active. 

Sarah hopes to prove to aspiring models and pageant girls “strong is the new sexy” and it is better to have curves and be toned, rather than be skin and bones.

Davies has dreams of one day competing in Rio 2016, and being the first British female weightlifter to win gold at the Olympics. She also hopes to become an inspiration to young girls in both the weightlifting and beauty pageant competitions, and I know she can do it. If Davies wins a medal during the Games, I see her being one of the leading female role models, along with Nicola Adams (boxing) and Victoria Pendleton (cycling: track).

So Sarah Davies, I wish you the best of luck during the Games.

BUCHANAN STREET GETS SOME MALAYSIAN FLAVOUR ADDED TO IT

Not only do the people of Glasgow get to see the Malaysian athletes compete, but they are also getting a taste of the Malaysian cuisine through Ping Coombes' food truck outside Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.

Coombes cooked up dishes like Kari Ayam Chicken Curry, Curry Laska and Beef Bendang. The surrounding audience were given the Chicken Curry recipe on a card to make at home, for themselves or for a dinner party. Ping also gave little hints into how to cook the food her way (which was actually her mother's way as her mother taught her how to cook).

Born in Bath, Coombes isn't used to the fast paced popularity she is getting, but takes it in her stride as best she can. since winning Masterchef she has hit the ground running and hasn't stopped since. 

"I still can't believe I won," Ping states: "I get recognised when I am out now. It's crazy. I'm sure it will all die down soon though and in a few weeks people won't even remember who I am."

Ping went to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth on Wednesday, and posted on Twitter: "Just a tad excited that I'll be going to the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony tonight.” 

Coombes brings one of the only Malaysian food trucks to Glasgow. Glasgow is known for its diverse food cultures, but it lacks a vast amount of pan Asian recipes. If you would like to try it, then you better be quick as it won't be there for long.

Adams wants Commonwealth and Olympic gold before trying to go pro

Nicola Adams, representing England during the Commonwealth, starts her campaign on Monday in the flyweight category. Fellow Olympians Natasha Jones and Savannah Marshall (competing in the lightweight and middleweight categories respectively) are also part of the eleven-strong England boxing team competing in the Games. 

The team England boxer dreams of being the first woman to win the gold medal in the Commonwealth, and firmly believes that she can defend her gold medal in the Olympics. Nicola knows that going pro will change the name of women’s boxing forever, but doesn't want to leave the amateur circuit just yet, having her eyes firmly set on the gold. 

Nicola became the face of female boxing after winning her gold medal in London 2012, and says that it has its good days and bad days, but you’ll never see her without a smile.

Adams never let the hype of winning Olympic gold go to her head, and has kept her wits about her, and never bowed down to the pressure that was, and still is, sure to follow her success.

In 2012 Adams was named the most influential LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) person in Britain, after coming out as bisexual, but her announcement wasn't big news, compared to Ian Thorpe’s coming out.

Regardless of her Olympic success, Adams is still overwhelmed by the amount people now want to know about her, and what people are willing to do to have their five seconds of fame. She found out she has more “cousins” than before. She is still same bubbly boxer that she was before she won the gold.

Despite Nicola Adams representing England in the Commonwealth, boxing fans from all Commonwealth nations will be cheering her on and hoping that she attains that gold medal she is fiercely competing for.

Happy Belated International Mandela Day!

Ninety-six years ago on the 18th of July, in South Africa, one of the greatest minds to ever grace the Earth was born, by the name of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Nelson Mandela, known to his followers as Madiba or Tata, is known for his anti–apartheid movement, as well as his five year term as South Africa’s first black President.

His term started in 1994 and ended in 1999, and during his time as President, his government tackled the issues of institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. 

After his five year term as president, Mandela wanted a quiet family life, but after finding this difficult, he reverted back to a busier life, wherein he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation, which focused on rural development, school construction, and combating HIV/AIDS, an issue close to Mandela, as one of his children died of AIDS.

Even though Mandela had retired from politics, he still shared his views on politics in other contries. Publicly Mandela criticised “Western powers”, such as the 1990 NATO intervention in Kosovo, and the plans for the US and the UK to launch war in Iraq. He even criticised the treatment of Megrahi, who was being held in Barlinnie prison in Scotland.

Nelson Mandela announced he was “retiring from retirement” in June 2004, and retreated from the public eye, even denying most interview requests. He kept some involvement in international affairs, until February 2011.

During 2011-2013 Madiba was hospitalised for a respiratory infection, until on 23rd June 2013 his condition became critical. On the 5th December 2013, Madiba died surrounded by his family; however he will never be forgotten, as his life will be remembered not only by his family and friends, but the entire world as being one of the greatest minds to ever grace the Earth.

Mandela Day is a day which celebrates both his birthday and his achievements and hardships throughout his entire life. We reflect on what he tried to teach, not only South Africa, but the entire world, through his anti – apartheid movement.

Nelson Mandela will forever be remembered for years to come, through teaching in schools, through politics, through his family and friends, and through his wise words, which “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” 

Nelson Mandela

Born: 18 July 1918
Died: 6 December 2013

What cycling brings to the Commonwealth

Cycling is a worldwide sport that brings people from all walks of life together and give them a sense of belong.

Being a huge cycling fan myself, going to the track cycling to watch some of the most courageous athletes – in my opinion – was a dream come true. Not only did I get to see Sir Bradley Wiggins – first British winner of the Tour de France – but I also saw some great races and close calls.

On the way to the Velodrome, I met a mother and her son, eager to see the cycling as much as me. The son is part of a cycling club and he saw Bradley Wiggins (Wiggo) as his cycling hero, like many budding cyclists. I also met a lovely English couple going in the same direction as me, and they too were excited to see Wiggo on the track for England.

Not only was a former Tour de France winner there, but many Olympic cyclists had their turn trying to conquer the Games – as they did the Olympics. Names like Jason Kenny, Phillip Hindes, and Ed Clancy cycled for England, while para – Olympic athlete Aileen McGlynn cycled for Scotland in the Women’s Sprint B2 Tandem race.

During the race, the crowd (including me) cheered for every athlete – especially Wiggo and Aileen – showing the world watching that Glasgow really is the friendliest city, and it also shows that the Commonwealth really are the friendly Games.

Cycling, for many people, is a sport where accidents may happen, but the athletes get right back up again to continue, no matter the injury. There is no fouls or penalties like football, just good clean racing.

Cycling, for me, is a sport of endurance, courage and speed. From cycling at those speeds around the velodrome and to climb up to the top of the track amazes me. It also makes me wonder if they have a death wish or they are incredibly brave.

The Velodrome has been an inspiration to young and old cyclists, ever since it opened, and it has taught people more about the sport and what it can and will bring to their lives. Despite the belief that after the Games the velodrome will be turned into a bingo hall, I firmly believe that it will continue to be a success for years to come.

Commonwealth Venues

For the Future News 2014 conference, the delegates were given the chance to visit two of the venues going to be used for the Commonwealth: Celtic Park and the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome.

At Celtic Park each group was given the chance to have tour around Celtic Park and seethe facilities available. At the velodrome the delegates had the chance to see where the track and cycling will take place.

Also at the velodrome the delegates had a chance to speak to the head of Glasgow 2014 commission.

Every person seemed to have a good time at each venue, and I especially Celtic Park, being a big Celtic fan.

I could have only had this experience with Future News 2014! #fn2014

Capital FM Rocks

On the second day of the three day Future News conference, a group of Future News journalists were given the chance to see the inside of Capital FM.

The group were all thrilled with the opportunity to meet a professional radio presenter, who started as a member of the street team and had his first radio job at a hospital radio station.

The group were taken around the building and up to the studio where Callum Gallacher was reporting. They even got to see him reporting live. Callum gave the group a shout out on live radio in the middle of his broadcast.

After answering any questions they might have had about radio presenting, he was bombarded with requests to take 'selfies' and group pictures.

The head of Capital FM, and various other radio stations, gave the group 'Capital FM' pens and boxes of Belvita breakfast bars as gifts after their tour.

The group enjoyed their visit to Capital Fm, and to be honest, so did I.