In this bonus episode, Jude and Louise discuss the thinking behind their decision to launch a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for the River Clyde to be granted the legal right of personhood. Is it a wild idea or one rooted in existing law with the power to protect the Clyde as an ecosystem and potential to expand citizen access to the river? Could the Clyde become the lifeblood of Glasgow again? Louise and Jude also reflect on responses to the podcast and the petition so far, thanking those who have supported the podcast and their actions. They also share information about other initiatives and campaigns around the Clyde and other rivers. Their reflections end with a glimpse of what is to come in episode four, with an excerpt from a recent lecture given by Louise as part of the St Mungo Festival.
Links to references within this episode:
The Petition to The Scottish Parliament: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2131
Swimmable Cities: https://www.swimmablecities.org/
Keep Scotland Beautiful - Upstream Battle: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/upstream-battle/
Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust: https://www.fnlrt.org.uk/
BBC Article ‘ Anger over fee plan for small boats on River Clyde’: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgrn0k2lxgwo
St Mungo Festival Lecture: https://stmungofestival.co.uk/2025-1-lecture-one-welsh/
Should you have any thoughts, ideas or questions, please do contact Jude and Louise on whoownstheclyde@gmail.com
Or via socials at: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/the-empire-cafe.bsky.social1 and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_empire_cafe_23/