Clutha Vaults

On a stroll in the city centre yesterday I saw that a famous Glasgow pub, the Clutha Vaults, has re-opened. The Clutha was destroyed in an accident in November 2013 when a police helicopter crashed into it, killing 10 and injuring many others.

On the outside wall is a mural depicting people who played or drank in the pub over the years.

 From the internet

Here they are (as far as I can work out)

Ship "Clutha No. 9" - this was a ferry that ran up and down the River Clyde around the turn of last century. Clutha is the Gaelic name for the Clyde.

Stan Laurel, comic actor. Stan grew up in Glasgow where his father managed the nearby Metropole theatre. He started there as a music hall act before going to America and teaming up with Oliver Hardy.

Dray horse delivering beer?

Mary Barbour, political activist.

Benny Lynch, boxer. World flyweight champion 1936. Came from across the Clyde in the Gorbals.

Johnny Ramensky, safe cracker. His skills were put to use in the Commandos during world war 2. Lived in the Gorbals.

Woody Guthrie, folk singer. Was in Glasgow in 1944 when he was a merchant seaman. He sang in the nearby Scotia Bar - maybe also in the Clutha?

Women at Paddy's Market? which was around the corner from the Clutha.

Spike Milligan, comedian. Visited when touring as a jazz musician.

Billy Connolly & Jerry Rafferty (hidden) in their Humblebums days.

Alex Harvey, musician. A Glasgow native.

Frank Zappa, musician. The pub has his autograph (when playing the Apollo in the late '70s?)

Jimmy Reid, trade unionist. Led the "work in" at Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in 1971.

John Martyn, musician. We were likely at school, Shawlands Academy, at the same time.

A trio of actors, Glenda Jackson, Rupert Everett and Glasgow born David Hayman. The Citizen's Theatre is just across the river in the Gorbals and no doubt the thesps dropped in for a drink.

A striking piece of art and likely to become a city landmark. The only thing that jars is that two of those featured (Lynch & Rafferty) died as a result of drinking.