Have yourself a 'Finnie' little Christmas

Commonwealth Games Mascot “Finnie” added a festive sparkle to Thenue’s end of year Christmas community event.

The popular mascot – who is the face of the Glasgow 2026 Games - dropped in to the Calton Heritage and Learning Centre.

Organised by Thenue Communties, the charitable subsidiary of Thenue Housing, the occasion featured a host of fun including:

• A tea dance starring Jon Ritchie’s popular musical ensemble “That Swing Sensation”
• Free food in the form of burgers, hot dogs and hot chocolate for everyone attending including local kids
• Free selection boxes for youngsters
• The opportunity to meet Finnie – the friendly unicorn named after the Finnieston crane which is a River Clyde landmark  

Rosie Robertson, Centre Manager at the Calton Heritage and Learning Centre said the event was the perfect way to celebrate the festive season with the community, as usual, taking centre stage.

Rosie said “We were delighted with its success and hope that it put those attending firmly in the Christmas spirit. The Calton Heritage and Learning Centre is a place for bringing people together throughout the year and it was the perfect way to round off 2025.”

Thenue Communities thanked Easterhouse arts venue Platform and Glasgow Life for supporting the occasion.

And in a remarkable act of selfless festive generosity, east end businesswoman Jane Ann Patrick delivered her state of the art “Steak and Burger” mobile food and beverage unit to the CHLC and paid for the food and drink herself!

Jane Ann’s mobile food centre is a familiar site at Celtic Park and other sporting venues like Murrayfield in Edinburgh but as a born and bred eastender she felt compelled to help out Thenue when she heard of the occasion.

Rosie added: “Jane Ann contacted us and we were blown away by her generosity. As a successful business entrepreneur of many years standing she personifies the Christmas spirit of giving. We remain profoundly grateful to her and her team including her lovely granddaughter who served our hungry guests.”

Selection boxes given to the children were supplied by Thenue’s contractor Mears, local east end business Allan Menzies & Co and also Jane Ann.