A MEMORIAL to one of Scotland's worst-ever tragedies has been unveiled in Paisley town centre.
The Glen Cinema disaster of December 31, 1929, claimed the lives of 71 children and injured more than 30 after a smoking film canister caused a panic during a children's matinee with more than 600 present.
The metal gates on the main exit doors had been pulled shut, stopping them from opening and leading to a fatal crush.
Around 100 people gathered yesterday for a short ceremony, hosted by Renfrewshire's Deputy Provost Cathy McEwan, to commemorate the tragedy and see the town's first permanent memorial.
Commissioned as part of the 90th anniversary, it has been installed in Dunn Square, close to the former cinema site, with the unveiling also attended by remaining survivors Robert Pope and Emily Brown.
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Addressing the crowd, Deputy Provost Cathy McEwan said: "The event is known as Paisley's Black Hogmanay and local people still feel the pain of the tragedy very deeply.
"The impact on our community was monumental but Paisley people have real strength and pull together in times of need.
"For the first time, we have a place dedicated to the children and families of the Glen Cinema, within sight of the place itself."
The statue, called Rattle/Little Mother, was created by artists Rachel Lowther and Kerry Stewart, who worked with the local community.
Rachel said: "The Glen Cinema pierced the heart of Paisley and we are very aware of that pain.
"We hope people will come to love the statue but what matters to use most is we did right by Emily and Robert and the families of the Glen Cinema children."
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Tony Lawler, one of the working group who helped create the memorial, added: "It is important Paisley town centre has a dedicated memorial to be a focus for the annual commemoration service.
"We will never forget the children of the Glen Cinema... this is a fitting and beautiful memorial and this is their space now."
To create the memorial, Kerry and Rachel worked with community groups including the STAR project, Paisley Community Trust, and pupils from Paisley Grammar School.
It was funded by the Rotary Club of Paisley and by Future Paisley.
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