A memorial service is set to be held on Hogmanay to honour the 71 children who tragically lost their lives in the Glen Cinema disaster in Paisley. The incident, which occurred on December 31, 1929, resulted in the death of 71 children and left over 30 others injured in a crush caused by panic due to smoke emanating from a smouldering film reel at the cinema.
For over a decade now, the Paisley community has been gathering on Hogmanay at the Cenotaph to commemorate the Children of the Glen. However, since 2021, the service has been relocated to the memorial statue in Dunn Square, just 100 yards from where the devastating incident took place. This year’s memorial service is open to everyone and will be led by local resident Tony Lawler.
The memorial statue, named Rattle/Little Mother, is a poignant representation of a 1920s children’s toy and was created by artists Rachel Lowther and Kerry Stewart as part of the 90th-anniversary tribute to the tragedy. The service is scheduled to take place at 10.30am on Hogmanay in Dunn Square, where Paisley poet Fred McNeill will recite his poem ‘Children of The Glen’. Singers and songwriters Carol Laula and Tom Urie will perform their specially commissioned song, ‘Hush Now, Happy New Year’, in remembrance of the lives lost on that fateful day.
The significance of this annual memorial service goes beyond remembering the past; it is an opportunity for individuals and the community to extend their condolences to the families and loved ones of the children who perished, as well as to show continued support to the survivors and their families. A wreath will be laid in memory of the children, ensuring that they will never be forgotten.
This heartfelt commemoration serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded at the Glen Cinema and the profound impact it had on the Paisley community. It stands as a testament to the resilience and unity of the town in coming together to honour and remember those who were lost on that ill-fated day.