Glen Cinema Commemoration Service

This year’s Glen Cinema Commemoration Service will take place as usual at 10:30am on on Sunday 31 December 2023 at the Glen Cinema Memorial in Dunn Square.

This year’s service, which is open to everyone and will be led by local person, Tony Lawler. On the 31/12/29, 71 children died due to panic caused by smoke coming from a smouldering film reel. Since the 80th anniversary of the tragedy in 2009, Paisley Buddies have been coming together at the Cenotaph in remembrance of the Children of the Glen.

Since 2021 the services taken at the Memorial statue in Dunn Square. The statue named Rattle/Little Mother is based on a 1920s children’s toy rattle and was created by artists Rachel Lowther and Kerry Stewart to mark the 90th Anniversary of the tragedy.

Tony said, “For fourteen years now we have come together to remember the Children of the Glen and this is the third year the service will be held at the dedicated memorial in Dunn Square. It is important we continue to remember the 71 kids who died on that tragic day. It’s our opportunity for us, as individuals, and, as a community, to offer our condolences to their families and loved ones. It is also an opportunity to show our continued support to the survivors and their families.”

The Commemoration Service this year, takes place between 10:30am and 10:45am, in Dunn Square, Paisley poet Fred McNeill will recite his poem “Children of The Glen”, Paisley singers and songwriters, Carol Laula and Tom Urie will sing their song, “Hush Now, Happy New Year”, a song they were commissioned to write as part of the 90th Anniversary, whilst a wreath will be laid in memory of the children.