Jude Barber
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judebarber.bsky.social
Jude Barber
@judebarber.bsky.social
Architect & Director at Collective Architecture, Scotland. Also co-creator of The Empire Cafe with writer Louise Welsh. Our podcast 'Who owns the Clyde?' is now live. Co-run 'Voices of Experience' with Suzanne Ewing & Nicola Mclachlan too.
Reposted by Jude Barber
It's such a privilege to be giving a talk about my research at the New Glasgow Society! Come and hear about 19th century men - and some women - who swam in the River #Clyde in #Glasgow + the ongoing citizen enquiry on 'Who Owns the Clyde'. Aug 19. Free! #rivers #water #SportingHeritage #Glasgow850
NGS Talks Series #6

As part of #Glasgow850, our ‘Talks’ series brings together writers, artists, and historians to uncover the many layers of the city’s history and culture. This month, Lucy @lucyjanes.bsky.social joins us to discuss the story of swimming in the #Clyde.
August 9, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
NGS Talks Series #6

As part of #Glasgow850, our ‘Talks’ series brings together writers, artists, and historians to uncover the many layers of the city’s history and culture. This month, Lucy @lucyjanes.bsky.social joins us to discuss the story of swimming in the #Clyde.
August 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Bonus episode of Who Owns the Clyde - some reflections on recent actions including meeting with Colombian River Guardians of the Atrato, our Mapathon, petition progress & much more! podfollow.com/who-owns-the... @judebarber.bsky.social @halinarifai.com
July 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
The council said it marks a 'major milestone' in its ambition to revitalise the area and deliver long-term economic and social benefits for the community 👇

www.heraldscotland.com/news...

July 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Delighted re cross party support @glasgowcc.bsky.social activation of River Clyde & explorations around ownership Thanks to council for commending #WhoOwnstheClyde Making🌊https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/scottishnews/25178687.glasgow-river-bus-clyde-explored-council/ @judebarber.bsky.social
Glasgow 'river bus' to be explored by council in bid to boost the Clyde
Opportunities to introduce a river bus along the Clyde while promoting options for water sports will be investigated by Glasgow City Council ...
www.glasgowtimes.co.uk
May 29, 2025 at 4:40 AM
It was incredible to meet River Guardians from Colombia with @louisewelsh00.bsky.social via @uofglasgow.bsky.social and @sciaf.bsky.social 👇
From Colombia's Atrato River to the River Clyde, communities are sharing how we can protect our rivers from harm to help them thrive.

The UofG & @sciaf.bsky.social talk on the topic included the Atrato River Guardians @mohume.bsky.social @louisewelsh00.bsky.social & @allangillies.bsky.social.
May 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
19th century city swimming + contemporary river rights: so nice to hear my historical research situated in the wider context of access to water by urban communities for fun & wellbeing in this excellent podcast podfollow.com/who-owns-the... by @louisewelsh00.bsky.social & @judebarber.bsky.social
Who owns the Clyde?
Who owns the Clyde is a 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 a...
podfollow.com
April 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
On Earth Day 🌍, @louisewelsh00.bsky.social and @judebarber.bsky.social , with co-producer @halinarifai.com , launch Episode 4 'Run River Run' of their 'Who owns the Clyde?' podcast (click here to take you to your preferred platform 👇 podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
Who owns the Clyde?
Who owns the Clyde is a 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 a...
podfollow.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
'The River Clyde used to be the lifeblood of Glasgow (...) and it could be again.'

In their podcast, 'Who Owns the Clyde', @louisewelsh00.bsky.social of UofG Creative Writing & Architect @judebarber.bsky.social launch a citizen investigation into the iconic river.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQSF...
Who Owns the Clyde
YouTube video by University of Glasgow
www.youtube.com
February 25, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
In our new bonus episode, Jude & Louise discuss Glasgow's 850th birthday, and their decision to launch a petition to the Scottish Parliament.

The petition calls for the River Clyde to be granted the legal right of personhood.

Could the Clyde become the lifeblood of Glasgow again?
February 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Thank you Rachel Amery @thescotsmanpaper.bsky.social for the fabulous feature on our petition to the Scottish Parliament to grant the River Clyde, and other Scottish rivers, the right to legal personhood- so it might flourish. Sign here! 👇 petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE...
February 11, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Such clear and concise analysis of the UK economic situation over the past 20 years 'We need profits reinvested back in'.
We need to distinguish between long run structural features in the economy and daily noise of numbers up and down. The UK has had long term challenges in terms of investment - both public and private - as I explained on @Channel4News ⬇️
January 18, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Louise gave a fabulous talk to launch the St Mungo Festival last week. It featured our podcast 'Who owns the Clyde?' and the petition to the Scottish Parliament to grant the Clyde the legal right to personhood. Great turn out, and the first event in the #Glasgow850 celebrations. 💥💥💥
January 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Spending a little time looking at how Dubliners embrace the Liffe reminded me to recommend Who Owns the Clyde?, a fascinating Empire Cafe podcast from @judebarber.bsky.social and @louisewelsh00.bsky.social. Well worth a listen. open.spotify.com/episode/4JSa...
TRAILER: Who owns the Clyde?
Who owns the Clyde? · Episode
open.spotify.com
January 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Happy 2025 to all! So… I was a little bit naughty in my speech to the Scottish Parliament before Christmas as I described Glasgow as #Scotland’s “only metropolis”. Cue gasps of astonishment! But… ladies & gents, I give you the evidence 👀👇😆😉👍!
January 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Great feature by Jody Harrison in today's @heraldscotland.bsky.social about our petition to the @scotparl.bsky.social to grant the River Clyde the right to legal personhood- with a lovely overview of the podcast too 👇
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2480156...
Call to give the River Clyde 'legal right of personhood'
Calls have been made to grant the River Clyde a legal right to personhood to safeguard its waterways from pollution and over-development.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 18, 2024 at 12:16 PM
Petition now live! Do sign our @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social petition to grant the River Clyde, and other Scottish rivers, the legal right to personhood. You can hear more about in EP3 of our 'Who owns the Clyde?' Podcast along with the discussion at our live event here podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
Our petition to grant the River Clyde, and other Scottish Rivers, the legal right to personhood is now live at the Scottish Parliament website. 💥💥💥 If you are minded, please sign the petition & share widely with those you think might be interested.👇https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2131
Petition: Grant Scottish rivers, including the River Clyde, the legal right to personhood
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to grant the River Clyde, and potentially other rivers in Scotland, the legal right to personhood by: * adopting the Universal Decla...
petitions.parliament.scot
December 14, 2024 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Honoured to be giving the opening lecture at 2025 St Mungo Festival, first event in the official programme for Glasgow 850, celebrating the city's 850th birthday! 🎂 What will I be talking about? The Clyde of course!
stmungofestival.co.uk Join us for a good start to 2025!
St Mungo Festival
stmungofestival.co.uk
December 12, 2024 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Concrete Dreams is front page of The Herald mag today. Features photos by @chrislesliephoto.bsky.social & words by @alisonirvine.bsky.social BUT if you get the book it has added dialectograms (couldn’t fit them in the paper)

www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...

Book: concretedreams.org.uk/book/
The story of a Scots town that was once 'a dazzling ship sailing across a hill'
Pic 21: The penthouses corridor in Avon Walk Pic 17: Interior stairwell of Town Centre Pic 22: John Kirkhope - Cumbernauld Resident and former…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 7, 2024 at 12:13 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Worried about #ElonMusk buying his way into UK politics? Think we need to take money out of our democracy?

Help #DemocracyForSale's people-powered plan to #SafeguardDemocracy by taking this short survey: democracyforsale.co.uk/safeguard Please share. Thanks!
Democracy For Sale
A survey into people's attitudes to the health of British politics from leading investigative journalists who write about lobbying and dark money
democracyforsale.co.uk
December 5, 2024 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Jude Barber
Yay! We've reached 3000 listens to our 'Who owns the Clyde?' podcast, across 14 countries with 5-star rating.🌟 Thank you for joining us on this citizen investigation so far. Do spread the word & leave any comments on your podcast platforms (as it helps). Listen here 👉 podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
December 6, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
We are fortunate to have collaborated with podcast producer @halinarifai.com in making & shaping 'Who owns the Clyde?'. Halina has expertly guided us in our first podcast with incredible skill & experience. She is involved in many brilliant projects & champions critical issues👇 www.halinarifai.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by Jude Barber
🚨SCOOP: UK government spent £450MILLION subsiding bills at one of Britain’s worst performing water companies

While South West Water’s owners paid shareholders £1.5 BILLION+ in dividends and company poured sewage into the sea

New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-g...
Revealed: Government gave £450m in subsidies to sewage-dumping water firm
New documents show government handed taxpayer cash to South West Water while the company paid out billions to shareholders and dumped raw sewage into the ocean
democracyforsale.substack.com
November 25, 2024 at 2:03 PM