The Digger Documentary

Hello,
At last, the long awaited BBC Scotland documentary on The Digger has been screened. I have mentioned The Digger a few times here and I must admit I'm a fan, though this programme did reveal the darker side of the magazine which I have been studiously trying to ignore in pursuit of my weekly giggle at the gangsters.

The Digger is a sort of OK magazine for neds or a demented vigilante rag depending on your view. Every week it lists the antics of local criminals- those on the streets, in the police force and in authority. Personally I'd rather it focused more on the police and their dodgy dealings than on the depressing antics of ill educated drug addicts but it is what it is.

I was surprised to learn that it's circulation is now at 11,000 -not bad at all for a 50p self-distributed magazine. I was more surprised still that only two people have been forced out their homes because of it, one being a convicted paedophile whose picture appeared on the cover and the second being The Digger himself, who is the the most unfortunate position of being hated by both the criminal classes and the police.

The programme also featured a poor looking sod by the name of Brian who'd had a contract put out on him after being called a grass in The Digger, something which he vehemently denies being. I was disturbed by the attitude of James Cruikshank (the ruler of The Digger) who didn't care much because Brian is 'a twit'. From what I saw on the programme it's fair to say that Brian probably should repeat a year or two of school but for heavens sake, even I think he doesn't deserve to die. I have no idea what the truth of the story is and in any case the people he's alleged to have informed on sound like total scum, if he did clipe he's done society a favour. I think The Digger made a bad move there.

That said many of the criminals featured are quite pleased to achieve minor fame by appearing in The Digger so it's not all bad news. The programme was not without it's lighter moments in particular the documentary makers stint as the magazines court photographer, which involved a jammed camera and the pursuit of a sex offender through the Gorbals in an attempt to get that elusive cover shot. Sadly the viewers only saw the sex offender from a distance so I'm unable to hunt him down and throw rocks at him for your amusement.

One also has to admire the hard work and dedication of the magazines founder James Cruikshank who carries on in the face of threats both legal and physical. Let's face it there are easier ways to earn a living. Being able to put out a magazine without the backing of the usual publishing and distribution networks, not to mention without advertising is an undeniable achievement not to mention rather inspiring.


Cheerio

Pie Factory Terror

Hello,
I have mentioned The Digger before I'm sure but I can't seem to find the correct post to link back to. Anyway for those that don't know The Digger is a small Glasgow based magazine, well more like a fanzine really and it's wonderful, though very naughty. Unlike other fanzines it's not about music or football but crime and wrongdoing in the city of Glasgow. It's also an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the alleged links between organised crime and the Labour Party in the West Of Scotland. No stories on that front for the last few weeks but experience tells me it won't be long.

Oh and take a tip from me, should you find yourself dining with Jack and Bridget McConnell (see under The Big Conversation anti-social behaviour) , don't mention The Digger or the Lyons. Could make things awkward during the cheese course.

To return to the matter in hand, this weeks Digger contains a tale so remarkable I hardly know where to begin. Perhaps it will be easier if I just give you the facts. The action takes place in Pars Foods in Milton. Imagine the scene, all is quiet as the workers get down to a bit of pie filling when suddenly a commotion! One Ratis Hanberts is alleged to have assaulted a female colleague in the factory changing rooms, attempted to rape another, touched up a male member of staff, forced 'terrified pie -fillers to run for cover' before being pinned to the ground by the factory owner and handed over to the police.

Obviously I don't condone such behaviour but I confess there is a small part of me that admires anyone who makes their first day in a job that eventful. I mean it takes me weeks to drop the obliging facade. This guy was trying to rape all and sundry within two hours of starting his first shift. He even managed to kick and punch the factory owner in the head a couple of times before the police arrived.

As for what provoked such an extraordinary outburst who can say? I have always had my concerns about men being allowed to work with meat. It seems to have an odd effect on them. I've never known a butcher that wasn't a pervert.