Paisley paused on Hogmanay to remember the children who lost their lives in the Glen Cinema disaster.
Members of the Paisley Development Trust held the fourth annual service to honour the victims and support the families and survivors of the disaster, which took place 83 years ago.
Paisley MSP George Adam, Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Jim Sheridan and Renfrewshire North and West MSP Derek Mackay joined members of the public as they stood in the cold and rain at Paisley cenotaph to pay tribute to the 71 children who died as a result of the tragedy in 1929.
Tony Lawler, treasurer of the Paisley Development Trust, opened the short service.
He said: “We are here to remember the 71 kids and pay our respects, as well as offer our condolences to their families and friends.
“We also want to offer support to the survivors.”
The Reverend Alan Birss, of Paisley Abbey, and Father John Tormey said blessings and prayers before three survivors – Jim McCallum, 88, Emily Brown, also 88, and 90-year-old Robert Pope – laid a wreath at the cenotaph.
Emily said: “It’s important that we have this ceremony every year to remember the kids who lost their lives.”
And Robert added: “We are very grateful to the Paisley Development Trust for organising this event every year.
“It means a lot to us.”
After the service, everyone was invited back to Hamishes Hoose pub, which is run by Paisley Development Trust chairman Piero Pieraccini.
December 31, 1929, became known as Paisley’s Black Hogmanay as the town witnessed the worst cinema disaster in British history.
More than 70 children were killed at the cinema, which was just off Dyers Wynd, after going there to watch a matinee showing of the cowboy movie Desperado Dude.
Within minutes, their excitement turned into a hellish nightmare as a smoking reel of film caused panic.
The children mistakenly believed there was a fire and that started a stampede towards the exit doors, which were locked.
Some of the youngsters suffocated, while others were trampled to death as they tried to flee the fire that never was.
To this day, Buddies have never forgotten what happened and a plaque commemorates the disaster at the site of the cinema, which is now a furniture store.
Mr Adam said: “The Glen Cinema disaster is such an important part of this town’s history.
“People in Paisley take a great pride in the town and it’s important that we remember such events.
“The Paisley Development Trust deserves our thanks for making this commemoration happen every year.”
As a result of the cinema disaster, health and safety legislation changed across the world, making it compulsory for entertainment venues to fit push-bar fire doors.
It also led to changes in the type of film that was used, with the old nitrate film, which was highly flammable, being replaced with safety film.
Mr Mackay, who is also Local Government and Planning Minister, said: “Now that I’m part of the government, I see how important different laws are to people’s lives.
“What happened at the Glen Cinema is an example of how a disastrous event can lead to a change in the law that is worthwhile.
“The loss of life inspired a change in the law and we should continue to remember those children from Paisley who suffered.”
Thursday 3 January 2013
http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/2013/01/02/paisley-remembers-tragic-victims-of-black-hogmanay-87085-32523614/
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