A wreath was laid on New Year’s Eve to remember the children who died in the Glen Cinema disaster.
On December 31, 1929, 71 children died and more than 30 were injured in a horror crush due to panic caused by smoke coming from a smouldering film reel at the Glen Cinema in Paisley.
Despite several weather warnings being in place, survivor Emily Brown joined Buddies at the service which took place at the memorial statue in Dunn Square – just 100 yards from the scene of one of the most heartbreaking incidents in the history of the town.
The event on Tuesday marked the 95th anniversary of the tragic event which led to the death of the children on what became known as Black Hogmanay.
More than 600 boys and girls were crammed into the auditorium watching a matinee showing when black smoke began billowing into it.
In the projection booth, a spool of film had caught fire and, according to reports from the Paisley Daily Express at the time, was subsequently thrown by a worker into a passage leading to the hall.
As smoke filled the room, the youngsters within grew panicked, leading to a devastating crush due to a fire door being locked and preventing them from escaping.
The annual memorial event has taken place every year since the 80th anniversary – with the exception of 2020.
It was organised by the now defunct Paisley Community Development Trust and is being carried on by former members such as Tony Lawler.
Tony said: “We have been coming together as a community for 15 years to remember the children of the Glen and this is the fourth year the service was held at the dedicated memorial Dunn Square.
“It is important we continue to remember the 71 children who died on that tragic day.
“It’s an opportunity for us, as individuals, and, as a community, to offer our condolences to their families and loved ones. It is also an opportunity to show our continued support to the survivors and their families.”
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