The Empire Cafe
LightNews LightNews
banner
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
The Empire Cafe
@the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
340 followers 290 following 30 posts
The Empire Café explores Scotland & Empire through events, places, writing & conversation. Co-created by Louise Welsh & Jude Barber. Podcast 'Who owns the Clyde?', co-produced with Halina Rifai out now. https://podfollow.com/who-owns-the-clyde/view
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
louisewelsh00.bsky.social
In other news . . . Delighted that Who Owns the Clyde podcast won Environmental Podcast of the Year at the Independent podcast Awards! podnews.net/press-releas... @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social 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
October 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Wow- we've been shortlisted for the Heritage Champion Award at this year’s Inspiring City Awards, reinstated for Glasgow's 850th anniversary by @heraldscotland.bsky.social and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. In great company alongside so many inspiring groups and people all round. 💥💥💥
August 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
daisyabbott.bsky.social
Are you from a racially-minoritised or mixed heritage? Are you interested in exploring Glasgow's colonialist history and its legacies?
A free 5 part workshop gives space for these discussions, starts 21st Aug.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...

#anti-racism #history #Glasgow #decolonisation
Exploring Glasgow’s heritage from a racially literate perspective
This short workshop series will explore the relationships that People of Colour have with the history and heritage of Glasgow.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Our new Reflections 03 Episode is out! Louise & Jude discuss their investigation into ownership around the Clyde, their Petition, meeting Colombian River Guardians, joining Swimmable Cities, their live Mapathon for @archifringe.bsky.social, & their collaborations with @chrislesliephoto.bsky.social
July 30, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
daisyabbott.bsky.social
Empire Retold: other voices from the British Empire Exhibition
Garnethill Gallery, The Glasgow School of Art
Thursday 17 July 2025 – Saturday 9 August 2025

gsaexhibitions.co.uk/exhibition/e...
Poster image for an exhibition called Empire Retold: other voices from the British Empire Exhibition Garnethill Gallery Thursday 17 July 2025 – Saturday 9 August 2025 It shows five different representations of The Tower of Empire (a.k.a. Tait's Tower) which was the centrepiece of the exhibition in 1938.
July 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
glasgow.ac.uk
The latest episode of the 'Who Owns the Clyde' podcast by
@louisewelsh00.bsky.social of UofG Creative Writing & Architect @judebarber.bsky.social is now live 🎧

Episode Four further explores river rights & access to waterways 🌊

Listen: podfollow.com/who-owns-the-clyde/view
April 24, 2025 at 9:26 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Thank you to elected members on the @scotparl.bsky.social Civic Participation and Petitions Committee for their thoughtful and informed consideration of our Petition this morning. Fabulous to hear this will remain open, there will be further discussion and some steps. We will post more news soon!
March 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Our petition to the Scottish Parliament goes to Committee this Wednesday. Hear @louisewelsh00.bsky.social talk brilliantly about the petition, podcast, Clyde and river rights on Saturday's @bbcradio4.bsky.social Today show from 1hr 43m 10secs 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Today, 01/03/2025
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
A fascinating & hopeful river-moment: Lewes District Council agrees to recognise a Charter of Rights for the River Ouse.

“The Ouse has long been taken for granted…this is the beginning of a journey to give the river a voice & ensure its wellbeing for future generations.”
elflaw.org/news/histori...
Historic decision sees River Ouse set to become first in England with legal rights - Environmental Law Foundation
Lewes, – In an exciting and groundbreaking decision, Lewes District Council have agreed to recognise the Rights of the River Ouse, paving the way for the Ouse to become the first in England to have its legal rights recognised by a local authority. The decision represents a major step in the UK’s environmental movement, […]
elflaw.org
February 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
glasgow.ac.uk
'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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
markjmcintyre.bsky.social
"To solve a problem, you have to understand the problem".

Extremely important discussion, answering questions most Glaswegians will have had on the severance, disconnected and under-used nature of much of the Clydeside.

Who owns the Clyde & how might things change?
open.spotify.com/episode/0BWv...
Photo looking eastwards from the Squinty Bridge on the River Clyde in Glasgow, with the city centre and Kingston Bridge in the distance. The photo shows the inaccessible riverside path running along the south side of the River Clyde for 500m along Mavisbank Quay, between the Squinty Bridge and Springfield Quay. The path runs through privately owned land and has been blocked off by a metal fence since the construction of the Squinty Bridge, meaning there is no viable walking path on this side of the river. Despite this being a direct route connecting key destinations and various neighbourhoods to one another and to the city centre. Photo showing land use around the Finnieston Quay in Glasgow, next to the SEC campus. The image shows the Finnieston Crane, surrounded by cobbled quayside, formerly used for loading goods and heavy machinery onto Clyde-going vessels. At this location, it's possible to see rail lines embedded within the cobbles, which were used long ago by trolley cars and trains transporting goods along the quayside. The site is adjacent to the Scottish Event Campus, the city's principle venue for concerts and exhibitions, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each month. The space in the photo is fenced off and used as a car park. Photo showing the public realm next to the Ovo Hydro venue, part of the Scottish Events Campus. The photo shows the venue in the background, which draws tens of thousands of visitors for concerts and events each week. In the foreground is vacant, grey cobbled space, with two empty benches and weeds. Screengrab of the Spotify title card for the "Who Owns The Clyde?" podcast episode, "Live Public Event at Collective Architecture". The introductory text reads: On 22nd October 2024, we welcomed an audience of around hundred people to Collective Architecture's office for a public event asking the question, "Who owns the Clyde?".
December 14, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
ailsaboyd.bsky.social
This petition has been set up by the people behind the podcast Who Owns the Clyde?, which is well worth a listen for the issues behind this.
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · Dec 14
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 11:07 AM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
valmcdermid.bsky.social
We learned from the locals in NZ that this had led to significant positive changes for the Whanganui River so let’s do it for the Clyde!
December 14, 2024 at 10:56 AM
Reposted by The Empire Cafe
zoestrachan.bsky.social
Should rivers have rights? Pleased to see Who Owns the Clyde? expanding their citizens' investigation 🌊 @louisewelsh00.bsky.social @judebarber.bsky.social
petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE...
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 13, 2024 at 5:42 PM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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 9:07 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Hear @louisewelsh00.bsky.social talking about the Clyde and the podcast at the opening lecture of the 2025 St Mungo Festival on 6th January 2025! 💥💥💥
louisewelsh00.bsky.social Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · Dec 12
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 13, 2024 at 6:27 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
How might the Clyde be more healthy & accessible over time? Like the Seine in Paris or Spree in Berlin. The Swimmable Cities initiative is a global grassroots movement supporting the connection of city dwellers & their urban waterways. #swimmablecities
Charter and campaign here👇
swimmablecities.org
Swimmable Cities
Urban Swimming Culture & Urban Waterway Restoration
swimmablecities.org
December 8, 2024 at 7:35 AM
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
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
the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
Episode 1 of our podcast opens with writer, poet and multi-disciplined artist Malika Booker reading her wonderful poem 'Yonder Awa' from our 2014 Empire Cafe anthology of the same name, edited by @louisewelsh00.bsky.social. You can listen to Malika opening EP1 here 👇 podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
December 2, 2024 at 11:35 PM