Bella the Beithir

That this House congratulates all those involved in the development and unveiling of Bella the Beithir, believed to be one of the biggest community artworks in Scotland, at the new Stockingfield Bridge on the Forth and Clyde Canal in Glasgow North on Friday 1 March 2024; notes that in Scottish folklore, the Beithir is a lightning serpent most often seen in summer evenings during storms, and that this sculpture, as imagined by artist Nichol Wheatley, has seven coloured mosaicked winds along her body and a world egg in her mouth symbolising hope; further notes that the new bridge reconnects the areas Maryhill, Ruchill and Gilshochill, and that Scottish Canals commissioned eight community artworks to form an art park, with making, connecting, building relationships and joy at its heart; notes that Bella’s body was formed using excess earth from landscaping work, reducing the development's carbon footprint by reusing 1,000 tonnes of earth, and that decoration of the Beithir requires some 50,000 handmade tiles and 6,000 scales to cover her 120 metre body, with production led by Louise Nolan and Ruth Impey from Make It Glasgow and involving input from across the local community including schools, women’s groups, youth clubs, individuals and families; notes that the project has been developed considering recent research evidencing the positive change engaging in arts and culture can lead to for communities and wider social benefits achieved as a result; and looks forward to the continuing decoration of Bella and development of her presence in the community.