BAILLIESTON is a far reaching ward, stretching from Queenslie in the north to Broomhouse in the south.

With a population of more than 30,000, the area encompasses a large number of residential housing schemes including Springboig, Garrowhill and Swinton.

For the last two council elections the area has been presented by two Labour and two SNP councillors, with Labour’s James Coleman securing more than 36 per cent of the votes in 2012.

In the same year the SNP’s David Turner received around 20 per cent of the vote, with a turnout of around 33 per cent overall.

Along with housing, the area has numerous churches and nine parks, while the motorway acts as a boundary at the top of the ward.

The M8 Baillieston interchange provides a crucial link to the city centre.

Catherine Kyle, who has lived in the area since 1981, is a Co-ordinator for Mary’s meals and said the organisation is helped greatly by donations from churches in the area.

She said: “Marys meals itself is non denomination, our group we are very fortunate that we have five churches around us and we have somebody from every church that comes in to help. It’s great that everybody comes together.

We’ve got people who come from Cumbernauld and Airdrie who have small prayer groups and who come and donate things once a month, we’re really quite well supported in the community.

“The community is absolutely fantastic, mums from schools taking in their kids uniforms, donating food, we’ve got the same people that come in every week with towels and backpacks.”

Despite a strong sense of community, Catherine said there are still things which need improved in the area, to help make a big difference.

She said: “We’ve got a playgroup in St Bridget’s and it’s been closed this last week because there’s nobody to run it. I think that’s quite sad that there’s nobody to run it when there are the facilities.

“It’s pretty quiet and crime-free, but the only problem personally is the dirt on the streets.

“Repair the pavements, potholes and all those things as well, I think.Baillieston is a good area to live in because of the community but then if you go to the younger people who don’t go to church or get involved I don’t know what’s there for them to do.”

For this year’s elections, The SNP will be hoping existing councillor David Turner secures his seat again along with fellow candidate Elaine Ballantyne.

Labour will be standing two candidates including current councillor James Coleman, and running mate Theresa Keenan.

The Green party, LibDems and the Tories are all standing one candidate and hope to take the a seat from the SNP or Labour.

FRANCO Wilson, 50, who is unable to work due to a long term disability, said:” There are a lot of people who need something to do in Shettleston.

“Just because you are not employed doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some volunteer work and there is nothing in Shettleston like that.

“This a good community but the council need more centres for the young ones and the older ones especially with the bingo closing. There is a bit of vandalism as well.

“I always vote for SNP.”

TRACY Haughey, 39, has worked in Shettleston for 20 years and said she likes the area.

She said: “I have never had any trouble here. “Everyone knows each other so it’s quite friendly.

“Rubbish has gotten better compared to what it used to be like. There is quite a bit of dog fouling in the area but I don’t think there is much that the council needs to improve on.

“I feel quite safe here.

“My husband usually votes so I probably will too. I don’t know who for yet.

MARGARET Spencer, 75, is retired.

She said: “ This is a good friendly area but its a pity everything is changing.

“There is an awful lot of vandalism now, there is always rubbish on the streets. At least the dog fouling isn’t as bad as it used to be.

“There are a few buildings being brought down, the place needs more community centres for all ages or youth centres for the young ones to keep them busy, that could lessen the vandalism as they would be otherwise occupied.”

JIM McLean, 90, retired is retired and says things have improved in some parts of the area.

He plans to vote in the elections but is unsure who for.

He said: “There isn’t anything for the elderly to do. They are shutting the bingo.

“The council needs more lights on the streets at night time, a lot of the lights don’t work.

“More investment could make a massive difference. There is rubbish everywhere, people leave everything from mattresses to litter to dog poo.”

MOHAMMED Kashir, 27, cafe owner, said he will be voting SNP in the election.

He said:” There used to be a lot of problems in Shettleston but everything has gotten better. “I think the council is doing a good job, the taxes for smaller businesses aren’t that high,

“The people don’t care about the rubbish, they throw it everywhere and anywhere. What could improve the area would be installing CCTV on the main road,as there are no cameras right now.”

ANGELA GLASS, 29, an unemployed mum-of-two : “Shettleston is friendly but I have two kids and there is nothing to do for anyone over five. years old.

“There is a lot of open space that could be turned into centres for kids to play in.

“There could be more development focusing on making the area better. Kids are bored and have nothing to do whatsoever, it would be good for the council to consider changing that.

“There is a lot of rubbish problems, especially with dog fouling.”