‘Hi there. Can I help you?’
Words by a volunteer
These are often the first words uttered by a volunteer when someone passes through the main doors of Maryhill Burgh Halls and until you get an answer, you have no idea what they’re looking for.
It could be someone looking for the offices of one of the tenants without realising that there’s a buzzer system and it’s your job to go outside with them and select the right buzzer; OR
It could be someone looking to view the latest exhibition – be it the gallus Glasgow suffragette Jessie Stephen or photos of Maryhill from fifty years ago – and it’s up to you to show them where the exhibition is, point out a couple of things and then stand back and let them do the talking. It’s amazing what you’ll learn; OR
It could be a wee girl in for the regular music lessons with her granddad and he’s given her some money to spend in the well stocked shop - buttons and bows can be a girl’s best friend; OR
It could be someone who’s not been in the Halls for many years – or maybe never at all – who are amazed at how the modern offices and recording studios exist in tune with the refurbished main hall with all the fantastic stained glass from about one hundred and fifty years ago and the other, slightly more modern, stained glass from when the Halls were saved from destruction about twenty-five years ago. There’s that tremendous WOW factor when you walk through the doors from the modern to Maryhill’s past history – all in stained glass, waiting to be admired; OR
It could be the recognition of the amazing talent of Jo Sunshine and her story, as they walk past her crayon and pastel works encompassing so much of the world, including unicorns and Lock 27; OR
It could be how the Heritage Wall outlining the path of the Forth and Clyde Canal through Maryhill is complemented by the replicas of all the stained glass which show the many trades that grew up beside the canal; OR
It could be the surprise of a young person when you take them up the stairs to the mezzanine floor and explain what the clippie would do with all the seats upstairs on a tram when it reached the terminus but didn’t need to turn round before it started its return journey. Older folk just make a sweeping gesture with their hands, cos they know, and they recognise the signage from the Olde Tramcar Vaults pub; OR
It could be smiling at all the youngsters coming and going from the Primrose Nursery and whilst it’s not compulsory to say ‘Hi’ to the children, we all do; OR
It could be pointing out the Firemen Gates, as they leave the Burgh Halls with a smile on their faces, and explain that they were made by Andy Scott of the Kelpies’ fame and reflect the time when the building played host to the Fire Station, the Police Station and the local steamie; OR…….
Well, whatever it is, as a volunteer, hopefully you’ve answered their questions and they go away to tell their friends about the friendly reception that they got from the folk at the friendly reception where they bought some smashing Maryhill Burgh Halls souvenirs but the real attraction is Maryhill Burgh Halls. It’s the building that’s the star.
