In this bonus episode, Jude and Louise discuss the thinking behind their decision to launch a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for the River Clyde to be granted the legal right of personhood. Is it a wild idea or one rooted in existing law with the power to protect the Clyde as an ecosystem and potential to expand citizen access to the river? Could the Clyde become the lifeblood of Glasgow again? Louise and Jude also reflect on responses to the podcast and the petition so far, thanking those who have supported the podcast and their actions. They also share information about other initiatives and campaigns around the Clyde and other rivers. Their reflections end with a glimpse of what is to come in episode four, with an excerpt from a recent lecture given by Louise as part of the St Mungo Festival.

Links to references within this episode:

The Petition to The Scottish Parliament: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2131

Swimmable Cities: https://www.swimmablecities.org/

Keep Scotland Beautiful - Upstream Battle: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/upstream-battle/

Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust: https://www.fnlrt.org.uk/

BBC Article ‘ Anger over fee plan for small boats on River Clyde’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrn0k2lxgwo

St Mungo Festival Lecture: https://stmungofestival.co.uk/2025-1-lecture-one-welsh/

Should you have any thoughts, ideas or questions, please do contact Jude and Louise on whoownstheclyde@gmail.com

Or via socials at: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/the-empire-cafe.bsky.social1 and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_empire_cafe_23/

On 22nd October 2024, we welcomed an audience of around hundred people to Collective Architecture’s offices for a public event asking the question, Who Owns the Clyde?

We invited four contributors to present a brief provocation to the audience, who were invited to contribute their thoughts and ideas in return. As with all Empire Café events, this was a conversation rather than a debate.

Our audience was self-selecting. We were lucky to have city planners, councillors, architects, conservationists, building preservationists, mariners, activists, artists, academics, writers, students, engineers, designers and citizens from many other walks of life in the room. We are grateful to them all for their presence, enthusiasm and generosity in sharing their knowledge, thoughts and ideas.

If you have listened to previous episodes of Who Owns the Clyde you will already have met some of our provocateurs, they are,

Andy Wightman, Land Reformer

Caitlin Arbuckle MacLeod, Graduate Planner at Collective Architecture, Glasgow

Holly Bruce, Glasgow City Councillor (Greens)

Dr Andrew Hoolachan, Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Glasgow and Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute

This live bonus episode is presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh

Recorded, edited and co-produced by Halina Rifai

Please note this episode was recorded in real time and is longer than previous ones

Episode Three explores the reasons for and outcomes of fragmented ownership along the River Clyde. Louise, Jude and a wide array of informed contributors discuss possible futures for the ecology, economic and social potential of river and the city, if existing barriers can be overcome.

Jude and Louise issue a bold provocation and invite listeners to get involved.

Contributors Include, in order of appearance

Jackie Kay, poet reading ‘Clyde’ from her 2024 collection ‘Mayday’

John Moore, University of Glasgow Map Librarian, emeritus

Paul Sweeney MSP (Labour)

Ross Nimmo, Head of Place, Glasgow City Region

Holly Bruce, Glasgow City Councillor (Green Party)

May East, Educator, Urban Planner, Singer & Song writer

Caitlin Arbuckle MacLeod, Graduate Planner at Collective Architecture, Glasgow

Andy Wightman, Land Reformer

Ailie Cormac of Scottish Poetry Library reading recent Makar, Kathleen Jamie’s poem, ‘What the Clyde Said After Cop 26’, kind permission of The Scottish Poetry Library.

Presented, researched and co-produced by Jude Barber and Louise Welsh

Recorded, edited, sound design and co-produced by Halina Rifai

Original music by Graham Fagan and Ghetto Priest.

In this bonus episode, Jude and Louise reflect on the overwhelming response to the podcast so far. They meet together, in producer Halina Rifai’s kitchen, to discuss some of the feedback they have received from listeners and participants since launching the series. During the session they share some insights into the participants and themes that will be explored in Episode 3. The session ends with a snapshot from poet, playwright and author Jackie Kay.

This episode explores timelines and ownership of the Clyde, and why that matters today.

Includes poetry and music from The Empire Cafe.

Contributors include:

● Jim Carruth, Poet and Glasgow Makar from 2014 reading ‘Portrait of the Glassford Family’ from The Empire Cafe

● Andy Wightman, Land Reformer

● Sandra Whyte, former MSP, Scottish Parliament

● Statement from James McSporran, Peel Ports (recorded by voice actor)

● Paul Sweeney, MSP, Scottish Parliament

● Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council

● Various Clydeside contributors including residents, urbanists, artists, security guards, cyclists and passersby.

● Artist Graham Fagen and Ghetto Priest with music ‘I Murder Hate’.

● Recording of ‘Send Back the Money’ from Merchant City Voices by Jude Barber, Collective Architecture and Louise Welsh with students from the Conservatoire of Scotland commissioned by Glasgow City Council.

This episode introduced why the Clyde is so central to the City through discussions with local politicians, citizens, passers-by and informed guests.

Includes poetry and music from The Empire Cafe.

Contributors include:

● Malika Booker, Poet reading ‘Yonder Awa’ from The Empire Cafe’

● Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council

● Councillor Graham Campbell

● Andy Wightman, Land Reformer

● Sandra Whyte, former MSP, Scottish Parliament

● Various Clydeside contributors including residents, urbanists, artists, security guards, cyclists and passersby.

● Artist Graham Fagen and Ghetto Priest with music ‘I Murder Hate’.

Who owns the Clyde is a three-part citizen investigation into ownership of Glasgow’s iconic River, explored through a kaleidoscope of diverse voices, soundscapes, and poetry.

Co-hosts writer Louise Welsh and architect Jude Barber are joined by a range of contributors, as they dive deep into the murky waters of river ownership and untapped potential. From its banks, the riverbed, the water and the sky above. Exploring privatisation to public access, from historical legacy to hopes and dreams for the River.

Asking questions that matter to every citizen of Glasgow and uncovering how decisions made decades ago shape the city today.