The King of Cranes

Jamie Borthwick • Published 5 May 2010 13:00

THE 'King of Cranes' opened to the public again, with the admiration of Bankies young and old.

It was a day to remember for one youngster whose poignant poem won him the opportunity to sound the horn and officially get the visitor season started for 2010.

The doors to the 150ft landmark were symbolically thrown open on Saturday, with a blare of the John Brown's horn and a procession of hardy volunteers abseiling down the structure for charity.

The new crew of guides organised trips up to the blustery platform where visitors could take in the amazing views up and down the Clyde.

The crane's owners had worked with St Eunan's Primary to find a great poem about Titan.

The winner, 11-year-old Kieran Doherty, from Drumry, was interviewed live on YOUR Radio then gave the horn a good 10 second blast - but the budding scribe said he had to conquer a fear to enjoy the honour.

He told the Post: "I'm really afraid of heights."

The opening kicks off a season of visits to the crane from tourists and schools across the country, which are being educated on the history of Titan with a pack from Clydebank Re-built.

Eleanor McAllister, managing director of the regeneration company, said it was a "hugely important" day for Clydebank's heritage.

She said: "A lot of people coming to Titan are grandparents bringing their grandchildren - it is a generational thing.

"Nobody who sees the Titan can fail to feel that sense of power which Kieran captured very well in his poem.

"It was a worthy winner and we were delighted to have him to open the crane for the new season."

'The Titan Crane' by Kieran Doherty

The Titan Crane stands firm inside the ground.

It's quiet, too quiet, you can't hear a sound.

This tower is mighty yet no-one understands its powerful magnificence.

This crane once made history and brought victory to us all.

And now, a shipyard long lost, left to the tourists.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 05 May 10

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