Community launch radio show amid Kibble Palace entry-fee controversy
A community group protesting plans to charge entrance fees to Glasgow’s botanic gardens, is launching a radio show.
Keep Kibble Free is a page set up by Glasgow residents angered by the city council’s plans to charge £3 for entry to the historic Kibble Palace.
The west-end attraction has been occupied every Saturday since March in soft-protest of the council’s proposal.
Members have been using the space to knit, sing and share fond memories of the gardens.
Now, the group are launching a radio show, broadcasting their activities during the protest.
Special guests are planned, with River City actor Tam Dean Burn having already attended the community’s events.
Among the activities broadcasted will be art workshops and a protest song written by campaigners and accompanied by Glasgow band, Brass Aye.
Anthony Docherty, who set up a petition to demand the plans are revoked, said: “Kibble Palace is used daily by local people, often young families.
“You can hear children laughing and asking questions about the palace and its plants, it’s a great educational tool.
“You see people meeting and catching up, I often speak to older people who say this is where they get their daily social interaction.
“Charging people who may not be able to afford to enter, you are damaging the people of Glasgow’s mental health, physical health, and destroying generations of children’s learning and childhood memories.”
The group have made it clear they plan to occupy the space till the council revokes its proposals.
A spokesperson for the council said: “This is a measure intended to support the council-wide effort to identify almost £50m worth of savings to cover a funding gap for this year.
“The budget aimed to protect services and jobs where possible and has looked to deal with the gap by raising revenue wherever we can.”
The charges are part of the council’s efforts in raising £185,000 to make up the city budget for the year.
Despite proposing the charge of £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions in February, a date has not been announced for the charges to come into place.
The protest campaign can be found on Facebook at Keep Kibble Free and the hashtag “DinnaeFiddleWiTheKibble”.
