TWO Glaswegians have been left “humbled and proud” after scooping wins at the 2022 Fletcher of Saltoun Awards.

The Saltire Society has revealed Dr Adele Patrick, co-founder of the Glasgow Women’s Library, and George Parsonage MBE, chief officer of the Glasgow Humane Society, both received awards for Public Life.

The iconic awards were established in 1988 to recognise and celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs who shape the cultural landscape of Scotland in the fields of science, arts and humanities and public life.

Glasgow Times: George Parsonage MBE became Chief Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society in 1979, following in his fathers’ footsteps. George Parsonage MBE became Chief Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society in 1979, following in his fathers’ footsteps. (Image: Sourced)

Dr Patrick started as a volunteer with the Glasgow Women’s Library before establishing a lending library and museum repository of many types of historical and contemporary artefacts.

The only institution of its kind in the UK, the library is home to more than 20,000 books and 30,000 archival items.

She is particularly interested in the creative and imaginative development of the library as a unique feminist arts provision, (re)defining its physical spaces, digital platforms, learning approaches, programmes and resources.
Glasgow Times: Dr Adele Patrick, co-founder of the Glasgow Women’s LibraryDr Adele Patrick, co-founder of the Glasgow Women’s Library (Image: Sourced)

She said: “My sincere thanks to the Saltire Society for this incredible honour. I am humbled to join the wonderful past recipients of the Fletcher of Saltoun Award.

“I am accepting it as recognition for the wider equalities’ movement.

“Change-making has been a perennial and influential characteristic of many wonderful people in Scottish public life past and present.”

Mr Parsonage became chief officer of the Glasgow Humane Society in 1979, following in his father's footsteps.

The group was set up in 1790, with the ‘principal objective of preventing accidents in and around the waterways of Glasgow and the surrounding areas’.

Glasgow Times: George Parsonage MBE became Chief Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society in 1979George Parsonage MBE became Chief Officer of the Glasgow Humane Society in 1979 (Image: Sourced)

George has since been hailed for going above and beyond his call of duty after his first river rescue was in 1958 when helping his dad.

He has since then pulled more than 1500 bodies from the Clyde and rescued countless more.

Following law changes in 2005 which transferred responsibility for rescues to the Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Parsonage maintained a key advisory and educational role with regard to water safety until his retirement in 2019.

Glasgow Times: SourcedSourced (Image: Sourced)

Mr Parsonage said: “I’m very proud to receive this award.

“This is really kind of them to think of my work and acknowledge the work of the family and Glasgow Humane Society.”

 

 

Sarah Mason, executive director of the Saltire Society, said: “These worthy recipients of the 2022 Fletcher of Saltoun Awards are all leaders in their fields.

“Adele Patrick has been instrumental in growing and supporting the development of innovative arts and cultural projects rooted in equalities, combining academic research with community learning and teaching on gender and culture for over 30 years.

“George Parsonage’s service to the Glasgow Humane Society, and the safety of the waterways of the city, has been above and beyond the call of duty.

“His contribution both directly and as an example of selflessness to Scotland’s public life has been and remains exemplary.”

The Fletcher of Saltoun Awards have acknowledged more than 65 individuals in its 34-year history, advocating the brilliance, significance and impact of Scottish culture.