When waiting outside the Blytheswood Hotel for my next set of passengers Billy Connolly, accompanied by bell boy, slipped almost anonymously across the road to his car. Ordinarily I would have approached the Big Man for a chat and picture, as he's always seemed to be a very down to earth,very approachable. But he looked frail, very frail as he walked slowy across the road. Nevertheless he looked very distinguished all in black - t-shirt, trousers and loafers were all black contrasting with his following white hair.
On his way back to the hotel he stopped by two police officers , he chatted with them for what seemed an age
including posing for several photograph.
His presence soon attracted a crowd but he continued to chat with one and all. This is where I took the opportunity to photo bomb in reverse (see above:-)
Having seen the frail Billy I can understand why he chose to record his part in the Openjng ceremony despite actually being in the Stadium on the night.
Part of his piece was the Story of how and why Nelson Mandela Place - at the heart of the retail town centre Apple, H&M. Nike, Zara et al - came to be renamed after one of the most famous & revered South Africans.
- Glasgow was the first city in the world to honour Nelson Mandela with the Freedom of the City, in 1981, nine years before he was released from prison.
- In a bold move to send a message to the then apartheid regime, the council also renamed St George's Place as Nelson Mandela Place in 1986. This was seen as highly significant as this then became the address of the South African Consulate, which was based there!
This story underlines for me how warm@generous people of Glasgow.
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