It feels like it's been there forever but, if it were a person, it would just be starting school and would probably still need help tying its shoelaces. 5th Blocker Skates, run by our very own Marshall Lawless, came into being at the end of 2011 and is celebrating its 5th birthday in style this coming weekend!

Haberbashery & Marshall Lawless on the 5th Blocker steps waaaaaaay back at the start.

This Saturday, skaters from all over will be converging on the Arc in Glasgow for a day of scrimmages, followed by a karaoke party at Garnethill Multicultural Centre in the evening. There will be PRIZES and stalls, including a 5th Blocker one featuring sizing stock from many suppliers. For more details check out the event page here.

A Glasgow landmark for roller derby addicts, 5th Blocker also has an online shop for all your quad skate needs here. You can contact them for advice or information on stock, and if you pop into the store there's always someone on hand with knowledgeable advice on all things roller derby. As their leaflet says, you just can't be sad on rollerskates!

Stefanie Mainey of London Roller Girls popped in for a visit while she was up to run the GRD bootcamp earlier in the year.

If you've been inspired by all this talk of roller skates, and are looking for something new to do in the New Year, we've set the date for our next Glasgow Roller Recruits new skater intake: 8th January. Get it in your diaries, get those resolutions written, and we'll follow up sooooon with more information!

Here at Glasgow we love it when people come to our games, especially if they've travelled from far and wide to see us. That's why we're especially delighted to introduce to you our fantastic new sponsors, Euro Hostel Glasgow!

You too could stay in a room like this! GRD checks out the dorm room facilities at EH! Glasgow.

Euro Hostel Glasgow is located on Clyde Street just a block away from Central Station in one direction and St Enoch's Underground Station in another, which puts them in the perfect location for access to all the glories Glasgow has to offer.

Not only do they offer comfortable rooms at great prices but they are a mere 19 minutes walk from The ARC Sports Centre, the venue for our Home Teams Season Opener and many other games throughout the year. Great news for derby fans across the country! Check out the handy dandy map that'll get you directly from EH! to ARC.

There are even luxury VIP suites available which are perfect for a whole team to stay in together; imagine travelling up on your coach and taking care of all your accommodation in one go! No awkward drop offs, no need for complicated meeting places - you're already together in one budget-friendly spot. Oh, and did we mention the free WIFI? Essential for all #teamselfies of course. Sound good? Visit Euro Hostel Glasgow's group page to find out more.

But that's not all! They also have smaller private rooms, dorms and even a bar and restaurant on the premises so it's great for travelling alone or with small groups of friends and family too. We hope that next time you visit us here in the Dear Green Place you'll check out Euro Hostels, for a budget stay - your way.