Bigman Festival

The Bigman Festival celebrates the regeneration of the Forth & Clyde Canal in Maryhill, North Glasgow. Back for its second year on Sunday 20 September 2009, the event attracted a record turnout of around 4,000 visitors enjoying a raft of fun-packed, free events on land and water celebrating the historic canal and its place in the wider regeneration plans for the Maryhill area.

As well as lots of family fun, Bigman2 gave visitors a great opportunity to see a scaled down version of the 30metre high Bigman sculpture by renowned artist Andy Scott which will appear to hold aloft the proposed iconic footbridge designed to link communities on either side of the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Artist Andy Scott explains: "It's a really exciting project to be involved in. I've worked in Maryhill for over 15 years now and know how important the canal was to the history of the area and the city of Glasgow. The design evolved from the structural engineering of a world unique bridge to link the communities and increase use of the canal. The intention is that the 'Big Man' holding up the footbridge will be representational of the historic ironworks, boat building and other industries that were found in the Maryhill area. I hope he becomes a symbol of the area's proud history and a beacon of hope for the future."

During the day-long event, visitors watched eleven teams competing in the colourful sport of dragon boat racing along the Kelvin Aqueduct and a waterpolo competition with five teams taking part: Glasgow University; Heriott Watt University; Dundee University; Stirling CC and Team Scotia.

They also enjoyed free boat trips to Stockingfield Junction; high energy, free sailing taster sessions for 8-14 year olds with the Royal Yachting Association Scotland (RYA) and their 'Sailing in the City' initiative; half hour free taster canoe sessions and mountain bike taster rides with Outdoor Adventure Glasgow; live music from SheBoom (reputedly Europe's largest women's drumming ensemble) and Kirkintilloch Silver Band; street entertainment by the famous Mischief La Bas and daring circus skills by Flambeau and Gazelle.

Local organisation Impact Arts were also there to promote the new board game based on the Forth & Clyde Canal which was created by The Waterways Trust Scotland and designed by Impact Arts.

Bigman was run by The Waterways Trust Scotland with support from British Waterways Scotland; Glasgow City Council; Glasgow Canal Regeneration; Queens Cross Housing Association Limited; Sustrans; Maryhill Housing Association; GHA; Cube Housing Association and Halcrow.

Further information on the Forth and Clyde Canal or other canals within the Scottish canal network can be found at www.scottishcanals.co.uk

For further information on Bigman2, visit www.bigmanglasgow.co.uk