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The Empire Cafe

@the-empire-cafe.bsky.social
369 followers 299 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. podfollow.com/who-owns-the-clyde/vi…

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Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Excited to be co-directing Watershed with @judebarber.bsky.social www.eventbrite.com/cc/watershed... lots of exciting events inc children's storytelling from Tawona Sithole, @tamdeanburn.bsky.social playing the Clyde & Commonwealth poet laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh the Whanganui River & much more
eventbrite.com
Watershed, Festival 2026 at the Briggait, Glasgow
Series of events, discussions and exhibitions at the Briggait Glasgow from Who owns the Clyde, over two weekends during the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Merchant City Festival. Themed around Common...
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Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
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...
podfollow.com
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
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. 💥💥💥
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Dr Daisy Abbott @daisyabbott.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
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
eventbrite.co.uk
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.
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
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
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Dr Daisy Abbott @daisyabbott.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
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.
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University of Glasgow @glasgow.ac.uk · 24/04/2025
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
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
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...
podfollow.com
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
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!
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
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.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - Today, 01/03/2025
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
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Robert Macfarlane @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
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...
elflaw.org
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, […]
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University of Glasgow @glasgow.ac.uk · 25/02/2025
'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...
youtube.com
Who Owns the Clyde
YouTube video by University of Glasgow
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
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?
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
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. 💥💥💥
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
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...
heraldscotland.com
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.
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Mark McIntyre @markjmcintyre.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
"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?".
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Dr Ailsa Boyd @ailsaboyd.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
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.
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Val McDermid @valmcdermid.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
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!
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Prof Zoe Strachan @zoestrachan.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
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...
petitions.parliament.scot
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
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
petitions.parliament.scot
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
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! 💥💥💥
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
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
swimmablecities.org
Swimmable Cities
Urban Swimming Culture & Urban Waterway Restoration
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
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
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
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...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
The music that flows through our podcast is 'I Murder Hate', kindly shared by artist @grahamfagen.bsky.social. It is Ghetto Priest's interpretation of the words of 17th century scottish poet Robert Burns, co-produced by Graham to coincide with his 2009 exhibition "somebodyelse" in Stirling.
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Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Interested in the real cost of privatisation, the River Clyde and river rights in general? Check out Who Owns the Clyde podcast. We're grateful to our many contributors from across disciplines and political parties podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
It was a pleasure to talk with Cllr Holly Bruce about her work to embed a feminist approach within Glasgow's city planning and what this might mean for the future of the Clyde & city. She generously shared thoughts & key actions. Hear Holly in Ep3 'Clyde Rights' and bonus live event episode.
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
We met Kate and Mary of Clydeside Gardens to talk about their transformation of an underused space at Glasgow Harbour. They have created a vibrant and biodiverse community garden. Thank you for sharing insights into the project and its impact. We hope to talk more on this very soon.
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
We had such an engaging conversation with Paul Sweeney MSP on the Clyde's maritime history. He introduced us to the book 'Half of Glasgow is gone' by Michael Dick and his amazing collection of posters, literature and maquettes. You can hear Paul in Ep 2 'Sold down the River' and Ep 3 'Clyde Rights'.
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Hello. For those recently joining us, you can listen to our three part podcast 'Who owns the Clyde?' through the usual platforms. Our citizen investigation mixes conversation, poetry, music and contributions from many amazing people. Podcast links here 👇 podfollow.com/who-owns-the...
podfollow.com
Who owns the Clyde?
Who owns the Clyde is a three-part citizen investigation into ownership of Glasgow’s iconic River, explored through a kaleidoscope of diverse voices, soundscapes, and poetry. Co-hosts writer Louise ...
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Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Thanks @robbiejourno.bsky.social for taking the time to discuss Who Owns the Clyde podcast with Jude and I. Excellent feature!
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
'Can the Clyde become a person?' -read about our podcast & event in this lovely feature @glasgowbell.bsky.social. We have submitted a petition the Scottish Parliament to grant the Clyde legal personhood- now going through the motions. We will keep you posted! www.glasgowbell.co.uk/can-the-clyd...
glasgowbell.co.uk
Can the Clyde become a person?
Glaswegians have rights. Maybe our river should too.
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
You can listen to our bonus 'live event' episode, which is a recording of our gathering (of around 100 people) at Collective Architecture, Glasgow. With amazing contributions and provocations from the audience and guests. Listen wherever you get your podcasts 👇 pod.fo/e/284153
pod.fo
Who owns the Clyde?: Live Public Event at Collective Architecture
On 22nd October 2024, we welcomed an audience of around hundred people to Collective Architecture’s offices for a public event asking the question, Who Owns the Clyde?We invited four contribut...
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Louise Welsh @louisewelsh00.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
If you missed our @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social public Who Owns the Clyde event at Collective Architecture earlier this month, or would like to revisit, check out our new bonus podcast open.spotify.com/episode/0BWv... Featuring a wealth of diverse voices. Thanks to producer @halinarifai.com 💦
open.spotify.com
Live Public Event at Collective Architecture
Who owns the Clyde? · Episode
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
We love our podcast trailer created by Gabby Durnan of Graphical House. 💜
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The Empire Cafe @the-empire-cafe.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Lovely to be here. We've a three-part podcast out called 'Who owns the Clyde?'. Plus a few bonus episodes and reflections. Do listen- wherever you get your podcasts 👇 open.spotify.com/show/4qWayog...
open.spotify.com
Who owns the Clyde?
Podcast · Who owns the Clyde · Who owns the Clyde is a three-part citizen investigation into ownership of Glasgow’s iconic River, explored through a kaleidoscope of diverse voices, soundscapes, and po...
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