Saturday 31 August 2013

Beacon Arts Centre - First Beam of Light Celebration


The delayed launch of hundreds of paper boats made by schoolchildren in Clydeside took place in Greenock today as a homage to internationally renowned Scottish artist George Wyllie. 

The young people, aged 4-18 spent the last six months of 2012 studying the work of the late George Wyllie - one of Inverclyde's most famous residents - as part of the Whysman Festival 2013. 

 The launch of the boats – dubbed The Origami Fleet – was due to take place on Hogmanay last year at The Riverside Museum in Glasgow, but had to be postponed due to high winds. 

 The paper boat fleet, made by school pupils studying the work of the Glasgow born artist as part of the George Wyllie Education Initiative, as launched in the Firth of Clyde just beyond Custom House Quay in Greenock, where Wyllie was based for many years. 

 Pupils from 10 local authorities involved in the initiative attended the launch of the Origami Fleet, which was sent on its way by Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.  
Following Mr Russell's speech, pupils from four participating primary schools sang George Wyllie's 'Paper Boat Song'. The four schools were from Inverclyde and Renfrewshire.

Lone piper, Stuart McMillan MSP, played The Skye Boat Song as the boats were scattered in the Firth of Clyde ifrom the tug 'Anglegarth'. 

The fire protection boat set of its water cannons as the paper boats hit the water and foghorn blared out over the water. 

The launch was part of the new Beacon Arts Centre’s First Beam of Light celebration, an afternoon of free arts activities, including workshops, exhibitions, street theatre, live debate, bands, choirs and a ceilidh.


Beacon Arts Centre on Custom House Quay from the River

The Question Mark


Schools Choir Entertain


'Swans' Procession


'Swans' Procession


A 'Swan' Bids Farewell


'Swans' Farewell to the Paper Boat Fleet


Paper Boats are Scattered from the Tug 'Anglegarth'.


Foghorn is Sounded Aboard the Anglegarth


A Few of the Origami Paper Fleet

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Barge Move - Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


This morning we witnessed another section bound for the wind farms.

The section was loaded on to a barge and the tugs 'Biter' and 'Beaver Bay' assisted in the move as it progressed down the River Cart and underneath the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge, and then on down to the River Clyde.

The tow will be taken over by another tug - the 'Osprey Fighter' - for the long sail round to Methil in Fife.


Barge and Load Approach the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


Barge Passes Under the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge


 Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge


'Biter' Assists the Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge

Barge and Load Pass Under the Bridge 

 The Wind Farm Structure Heads to the Clyde


A Tight Squeeze at the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

Nervous Moments as Barge Inches Past the Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

'Beaver Bay' Assists the Move

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.