POLITICIANS should always be wary of going up in a balloon as there is a temptation for journalists to make some quip about too much hot air. Here we have an unusual trio of funnyman Billy Connolly, breakfast television presenter Selina Scott, and then Secretary of State George Younger publicising the Glasgow Garden Festival.
The picture though does not tell the whole story. For a start, it is in London in September, 1985, nearly three years before the festival took place.
They were supposed to soar into the skies, but air traffic control would not allow it in Central London, so the balloon was merely tethered 30 feet off the ground.
The launch was held in London to publicise the festival to business leaders and travel companies, but Glasgow Council leader Jean McFadden boycotted the launch as she said it was only held in London as it was convenient for George Younger and she wasn’t going to spend the day travelling to London simply to be an adjunct to a Tory Minister. Ouch.
Selina was a big star back then although she now lives a quiet life on a Yorkshire farm. She once made a documentary on Donald Trump and claimed he spent years afterwards pursuing her as she refused to sleep with him. Wonder what happened to him?
Mr Younger did make it to Glasgow in January, 1983, when he accompanied Margaret Thatcher on a tour of The Herald’s office in Albion Street to mark the newspaper’s 200th anniversary, before He is wearing a bow tie as they were going on to a Chamber of Commerce dinner. Mrs T was very relaxed and kicked her shoes off when she sat in the news editor’s chair.
George was also a successful MP as he held the Ayr seat for the Tories from 1964 to 1992. Here he is campaigning in 1983 with the photographer, Ronnie Anderson, catching him beside a suitable poster. Clever people these photographers.
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