Cyber attacks, a jazz scandal and the city's best scoops

Morning readers. Another Monday, another briefing bringing you a round-up of local news and recommendations to get your week off to a startling start.  

A gentle reminder that we’re throwing a welcome party next week. Get the inside scoop on the stories we’ve published over the past nine months, grill us as you see fit, and help steer the direction of the good ship Bell by telling us what we should cover next. It’s at Civic House and Parveen’s are serving up some snacks. Don’t miss. Tickets and info here.

Onto your briefing. 

Glasgow in Brief

🚨 A new information poster on reporting hate crimes is to be displayed around Glasgow after incidents reportedly soared by 42% since last year. Journalist Sarah Hillier reports that the council–produced campaign will appear in the likes of transport hubs and social housing concierges after the surge in hate crimes, although police claim this is due to more awareness around legislation and changes to recording processes. 

🎷 The former head of jazz at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has resigned from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. It follows reporting in the Mail on Sunday that Professor Tommy Smith had been sacked from the Conservatoire after allegations he had had a relationship with a student. The Times takes us “inside the scandal”. Smith founded the SNJO three decades ago, and was awarded an OBE in 2019. Smith also founded the ‘Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra’, the youth wing of the SNJO, and remains the face of both — but for how long remains unclear. The 58 year-old has yet to comment on the accusations leveled against him. 

🧑‍💻 A slew of Glasgow City Council services remain offline two weeks on from the cyber attack of June 19. These include paying parking penalty charges (unfortunately payments can still be made via the automated telephone payment enquiry line, so there’s no getting off the hook), as well as the planning portal. Legally, planning applications must be available for a 12 week pre-application consultation, which isn’t possible while the portal is down. The GCC website says they are working on a “temporary solution” to “allow planning applications to be viewed within the usual notification period”. In the meantime, it would appear all planning is at least technically on hold in Glasgow. A number of other services are down, including ordering certificates from city registrars and reporting pupil absences. There are fears customer data has been compromised in the breach, while the investigation into the “malicious activity” related to third-party servers run by ICT supplier CGI continues. The council has also released a warning about “suspicious messages” relating to parking tickets, stating it will never call, email or message to ask for banking details. 

🪦 Drumchapel’s notorious Drumboys mourned the anniversary of Billy McGuire over the weekend, in style. McGuire was stabbed to death almost five years ago in Clydebank, and would have celebrated his birthday this weekend. A rap video — the latest in a long line of hagiographic tributes — was released in memory of McGuire by Manchester rapper and YouTuber Jordan McCann on Saturday. The music videos appear to have been commissioned by the murdered victim’s brother Bob McGuire, a supercar dealer now based in Dubai. Bob McGuire is said to be an associate of another Dubai figure, Ross “Miami” McGill. McGill is former capo of the Union Bears, who has been implicated in the recent spate of gangland killings across the Central Belt and in Spain. The memorials to the late McGuire also included a supercar parade through the streets of Drumchapel, followed by a fireworks display. On one video posted to the Drumboys’ Instagram page, a group is seen firing a heavy barrage of fireworks towards a police van, which opts to remain at a safe distance as the group shouts “fucking bams” and “fucking terrorised” between bombardments. 

🥐 Which popular West End bakery was U.S. superstar Lana Del Rey spotted patronising the day after her Hydro show? Guesses in the comments. 

Stories you might have missed: 

💰 Glaswegian activewear brand and influencer favourite, DFYNE, has been ranked the UK’s fastest growing company (The Times; £)

🪦 Vandals have attacked a Catholic cemetery in Barrhead (BBC)

🏗️ Two high-rises in the Gorbals have been demolished to make way for socially rented homes (Glasgow Times)

🚌 Neil Oliver narration quietly dropped from Glasgow tour buses after years of backlash

Read/listen/watch: Glasgow Glasto recap  

Glasgow was well-represented at Worthy Farm over the weekend. Franz Ferdinand brought Peter Capaldi on stage to sing ‘Take Me Out’, an invitation taken up by the actor with aplomb. Lewis Capaldi made a surprise return to the Pyramid Stage, closing his set with hit single ‘Someone You Loved’, two years after not being able to finish the song on the same stage, and subsequently taking a career break for his mental health. Meanwhile, a kilted corto.alto opened West Holts on Friday, while Biffy Clyro were the penultimate act at the Pyramid. Rod Stewart also welcomed Lulu up to sing ‘Hot Legs’ as part of his legends slot. The less said about Stewart’s tin-eared Reform comments the better.  

We also rec: 

📚 Youngest ever winner of the Carnegie award says her book was “ignored” by 60 agents

🍜 Kirsty Wark reviews Noodles & Dumplings

Catch up and coming up: 

• The Times reported (£) on the “civil war” at the heart of the Scottish Greens — with a spotlight on the “Glasgow faction”. On Saturday, we profiled Ellie Gomersall, who is leading a challenge for Patrick Harvie’s Holyrood seat, for our weekend read. 
• Ever tried to buy a house in Glasgow? Then you’ve probably come up against the ‘offers over’ system. Calum used data to map how the practice is massively inflating house prices in popular areas.

How not to buy a house in the Southside

The ‘offers over’ system is vastly inflating property prices — and predicting gentrification

The BellCalum Grewar

• Robbie dug into the myths and misinformation surrounding Glasgow’s ‘bridges to nowhere’, leftover from when the city centre was going to be flattened in favour of an inner ring road.

Unconstructive critique: Peacock’s, 62 Battlefield Road

There are, charitably, three foodstuffs I am willing to queue for: chips (only if fried to order); pastries (solely on weekends); and ice cream (exclusively on sunny days). That said, I have a deep-rooted aversion to queuing for food — or worse, being spotted in a bakery line — a deeply embarrassing state of affairs, let’s all be honest. Such is the popularity and quality of La Gelatessa on Nithsdale Road, that the queues are said to be occasionally visible from space when the mercury rises. Alternative options on balmy days are therefore required. Rather than the aforementioned Italianate gelato, Peacock’s in Battlefield specialises in North American inspired ice cream. While I prefer the former spot for its punchy, bold flavours and silky smooth consistency, I’ve also seriously enjoyed scoops of vanilla and blackcurrant, cherry blossom and Japanese pear from Peacock’s recently. Plus, there was scarcely a queue to mention. We’re keen to hear your reccos for the city’s top scoops. For Calum’s money, it’s Nowita in Hyndland. What about yours? —Robbie. 

Glasgow calendar: Yell along to Canada’s finest pop

Fresh off a triumphant Glastonbury set, Canadian crooner Alanis Morrisette brings her brand of furious guitar-pop to the Hydro on 5 July, with Liz Phair opening. Get tickets from £55. All together: it’s like raaaaaaiinnnnn… 

Other dates for your diary:

🐞 Maryhill’s Home Start Hub is running a family climate event with gardening workshops
10.30am, 3 July, free

🎨 Explore vibrant woodcuts and prints in GoMA’s latest summer exhibition from Canadian/Irish artist Ciara Phillips
From 10am, free