WITH Covid-19 restrictions, the world has felt a bit smaller this year. Measures introduced to prevent the spread of the virus mean Glaswegians have been unable to travel far from the city. The focus has been on the response to the pandemic. But, within the city chambers, there has also been a determination to look outward, beyond travel bans and looming Brexit deadlines. Just one week after all eyes had been on the American election, council leaders in Glasgow joined a virtual meeting with their counterparts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to sign off on an official partnership. The two cities – both seen as post-industrial – want to work together on major challenges such as climate change, racial injustice and health inequality.
Santa Clause himself paid a socially distanced visit to G53 Together to spread festive cheer on Friday. The group, a collective of organisations and volunteers established to support the community during the pandemic, held live Facebook event featuring Santa, stories and songs to help the community to get into the festive mood. The event took place due to worries about children missing out on being able to meet Santa in person at a grotto and being able to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.
Read more: Deputy council leader Councillor David McDonald, who had been working with Santa on the preparations for the event, said: Santa contacted me a few weeks ago. He told me that he was really going to miss getting to meet all the kids and their families, but he wanted to find a way to do that while making sure that everyone stayed as healthy and safe as they could be over this special time of the year.