Council plans musical farewell for Pope

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Renfrewshire Council is offering to arrange a musical farewell when Pope Benedict leaves Glasgow Airport at the end of his visit to Scotland in September.

Renfrewshire's Provost Celia Lawson and Council Leader Derek Mackay have written to leading government and church representatives to suggest that a local pipe band and choir provides a musical farewell as Pope Benedict leaves Glasgow for London on September 16.

The pope will spend the first day of his four day visit to the UK in Scotland. Having met the Queen in the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Pope Benedict will travel to Glasgow where he will host an open air mass at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

"It is an honour that His Holiness is visiting Scotland," said Renfrewshire Provost Celia Lawson.

"As Glasgow Airport is within Renfrewshire, the council would want to mark this auspicious occasion in an appropriate way. We feel that a musical performance by a choir and a pipe band would be an ideal way of doing that."

Renfrewshire Council’s Leader Derek Mackay said: "We realise there will be lots of suggestions for the leaving ceremony at Glasgow Airport.

"Renfrewshire is well known for having a strong musical tradition. The people I’ve spoken to in Renfrewshire are all very supportive of such a farewell event. I hope that our suggestion can be taken forward."


Press release issued: Friday 23 July 2010