This year, for the second year in a row, the Glasgow Hellenic dancers made the trip to the Royal Concert Hall to perform at the Global Glasgow Festival on the 28th October, an event organised by the City Council’s Education department and Cultural & Leisure Services. Also on the card was an African musical group consisting of young Glaswegian musicians and a Punjabi dance troupe along side some other colourful acts. Our group came together well on the night to give one of their finest performances of the year. Our younger dancers also put on two performances for Glasgow schools during the day to help solidify the Greek Community’s place as one of Glasgow’s most active ethnic communities.

Andreas Hadjiktoris
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the loss of one of our good friends and loyal supporters, Andreas Hadjiktoris. Andreas, who many will know as the owner of Glasgow’s  Andreas’ Greek Deli, passed away suddenly over the summer. He will be greatly missed by Glasgow Hellenic Youth Club, the Greek community and all who knew him.

Christophoros Christophorou
Last month we also lost one of the best loved members of the Greek community in Glasgow. Christophoros Christophorou (83), fondly known as Toffis by his friends, was from the village of Katodrys in Cyprus. He was a regular at St. Luke’s church and had his own barber shop until recently. He will be missed by all, including his 7 children, 27 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Ullswater October 2003
by Kon Kibaris

For the second time now, Outward Bound has provided a memorable experience for members of the Greek dancing group. This time, Kon, Thenna, John and Nevena were the participants. From our Loch Eil weekend we knew to expect a lot of difficult stamina building exercises and tasks, and in the first day we were not disappointed. We started with a brisk walk up a local hill at the Ullswater Centre, followed by a pitch black 40 minute navigation through an underground tunnel matrix. Finally there was just enough time before lunch to do the "trapeze", involving climbing up a 30 foot telegraph pole and standing on the top before jumping out to catch a trapeze in front of you. Since our last trip to Outward Bound saw us doing many of these things already, we asked for it to be made a little more challenging—we didn’t expect to be doing it blindfolded, but most of the time to face a fear and come out of it alive is an exhilarating adrenaline rush, and we enjoyed every minute of it. 

However, our surprise was yet to come. All being veterans of the Outward Bund experience, it was decided that we should become mentors for two groups of Greek children from the London Greek school we were in contact with. Our main goal for the weekend was to have each group build a raft and get everyone in each group out on it at the one time. Needless to say, building a raft to fit a group of 12 people isn’t easy, a tight squeeze in fact. So it was hard not to fall in, but everyone jumped in afterwards anyway so as not to miss out on the fun. Fun? Did I say fun? It was very... very cold. Showing them the ropes was quite a challenge - they were a lively bunch, but everyone got on just fine and it looks to be a good bond made with another group of Greeks and Greek dancers.

Events planned for 2004…..10-15 year olds  Saturday 14th February 2004:  Take part in a hill journey up the Whangie with your friends. You will have a number of problems to solve on route that will allow you to get the next part of the map, good luck!  The day would normally cost £30 but it has been heavily subsidized by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, so you only pay £7.50.   Saturday 17th April 2004 Twenty young people will get a chance to try canoeing and raft building. You will learn how to control a canoe and build your own raft at Castle Semple Country Park. The day would normally cost £30 but it has been heavily subsidized by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, so you only pay £7.50.  Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th May 2004: Take part in a two-day multi-activity residential. You will get to have a go at a wide range of activities from rock climbing to mountain biking. The two-day residential would normally cost £120 but it has been heavily subsidized by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, so you only pay £30.00.

Congratulations

Eleni Panaretou and Graham on the christening of their new baby son Michael in October
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Androulla Costa and John Gaffin on their wedding at St. Luke’s Cathedral on 12th October
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George Manias and Maria Karapanou, both students in Glasgow, on their wedding at St. Luke’s Cathedral on the 18th October
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Rea Christie and Costa on their upcoming wedding in December
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& finally, Demos Euthymiou also on his upcoming wedding in 2004...

Events @ St. Lukes

Mondays

7-8.30
Greek dancing 8-15 years

8.30-10
Greek dancing 16-25 years

Thursdays
Seminars on Orthodox faith and spirituality, everyone welcome, in English, 7.30

14th December
Christian Fellowship Christmas Market

20th December
Greek School, Greek Dancing & Outward Bound Christmas Party (postponed from 8th Nov)

21st December 
Greek School Celebration

4th January
Cutting of the Vassilopita (New Year’s Cake), Christian Fellowship

February
(date to be announced)

Christian Fellowship SocialEvening

For information about any of the above events please contact Father Constantinos at St. Luke’s Orthodox Cathedral