GETTING YOUR HANDS ON HISTORY!

Halls throw open the doors for exclusive hands-on heritage preview which proves a sell-out hit 

MARYHILL Burgh Halls has thrown open its doors for an exclusive “hands-on” preview as the £9.2 million restoration gathers pace.

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust held three free “Heritage Trades Workshops” for people ranging from 10 years old to over 80, to give them a feel of the impressive drive to bring the Halls back to life.

The workshops are part of the Trust’s ongoing education campaign to inform people of the work being undertaken after the incredible fund-raising target was reached. Work began on site last year and will be completed in Summer 2011.

Built in 1878, the Halls will soon re-open as an impressive 21st century community asset, which will recapture the splendid historic beauty of this architectural gem, and incorporate a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, and meeting rooms, all wrapped round a central outdoor garden courtyard. 

Primary school pupils from St Charles Primary, Maryhill, students from the Glasgow Metropolitan College (soon to become the City of Glasgow College) studying Construction Crafts as well as interested adults of all ages, many of who live locally, all took part in the Heritage Workshops, which were fully booked.

They received a tour of the building site, got to grips with wood, slate and stone, and enjoyed demonstrations from and asked questions of skilled craftsmen from Graham Construction, ScotCourt Stonemasons and South West Roofing. 

Dr Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer at Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “It was intended as a hands on experience allowing people to see what is really going on behind the scaffolding.

“Keeping people informed of our work is essential, because the Halls are being restored for the community. They are an iconic and treasured city building and the Heritage Workshops gave a fascinating insight into the building works, and the crucial role skilled craftsmen and women are playing to make that happen.

“Over a third of those attending live within 2 miles of the halls, and over two-thirds within 3 miles. That shows that local people are deeply engaged and interested in the restoration of their Halls.”

Those attending learned about:

*how traditional slates are carefully shaped by hand and fixed to a roof

*how traditional sash and casement windows work and how wooden sashes are jointed 

*how stone is finished and repaired

*where the historic stained glass which the Halls are famed for will be restored

*the difference between traditional lime and cement-based mortars and how construction techniques have changed over the centuries

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator for the Trust, added: “The feedback we got from locals, teachers and pupils was amazingly positive - especially from those that got the chance to do some re-pointing work in the Hall itself, providing a personal and long-lasting contribution to the restoration works.”

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust comprises of people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. 

www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

ends

Notes to Journalists:

The full breakdown of the funding received by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust for the restoration of the Halls is as follows:

Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2    £1.25m 

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m 

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m

Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund     £650,000

Scottish Government Town Centres Regeneration Fund     £1.8m

Historic Scotland     £500,000

Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate    £750,000

The Robertson Trust   £28,000

Total: £9.2 million 

News release issued by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com) on behalf of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further details from Ross on 07768 280021.

Doors Open Days Maryhill Walks 2010

The two walks for Doors Open Day 2010 seemed to be very popular. You can see what you missed in some of the images below, and a video of a short extract from part of the walk. 

Book early for next year's Doors Open Days, and keep an eye out on the website for other walks and events relating to the Burgh Halls and Maryhill in general.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryhillburghhalls/sets/72157625003205838/

Excerpt from Maryhill walking tour for Doors Open Day 2010 from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

3 minute excerpt from Doors Open Day's Maryhill tour on Saturday 18th September 2010.
This excerpt, from the portion of the tour at Maryhill Locks and the Kelvin Dock, gives a flavour of what the tour was like. It's unedited, and the tour guide didn't know he was being filmed, so be kind...!

East Dunbartonshire Gen: Unveiled: East Dumbartonshire Based Designer Creates New Gates for Halls in Glasgow

Reproduced by kind permission of East Dumbartonshire Gen/Re-Gen newspapers

Glasgow Magazine: A New Heart for Maryhill

A two page feature on the Burgh Halls and the stained glass can be found in the August/September issue of 'Glasgow' magazine.

Glasgow magazine has a circulation of around 300,000; a copy will be delivered to every household in Glasgow in the next few weeks.

The full issue can be downloaded in PDF format here.

Stained Glass Tender Opportunity: Help design the 'Windows of Today'

When the Maryhill Burgh Halls were opened in 1878, the local councillors commissioned a series of twenty stained glass panels, depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill at the time, from Glasgow-based designer Stephen Adam.

The Trust has funding in place, and has just issued a Commissioning Brief for, a major new stained glass-based arts and interpretation project called the ‘Windows of Today’.  

This will involve two main strands:
Firstly, a series workshops and hands-on opportunities for local people to learn about the history and practicalities of stained glass manufacture, while providing input into what they feel new stained glass should represent; 
Secondly, the design and construction of a series of brand new stained glass windows representing the Maryhill of today, based on the feedback and input from the local community workshops.

We would like to invite you to consider tendering for the contract to provide the services described above. Further details can be found here, or on the Public Contracts Scotland website at 
http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
(with Tender ID no. JUL080233).

Along with some of the original Stephen Adam stained glass, which will be displayed in the Halls on loan from Glasgow Museums, the newly commissioned ‘Windows of Today’ will feature prominently in the ongoing marketing and promotion of the Burgh Halls; this will therefore be a high-profile, large scale commission.

If you are interested in getting involved, please get back to me as described in the attached document by 5pm on the 16th of August; or if you have any specific questions or queries please don’t hesitate to get in touch in the meantime. info@mbht.org.uk Tel. 0141 948 1104

History in the making! Apprentices find work bringing Maryhill’s beloved Burgh Halls back to life

EXCITING plans to bring one of Glasgow’s most iconic buildings back to life is helping to create jobs for young people.

Maryhill Burgh Halls is undergoing a £9.2 million restoration thanks to a massive community effort led by the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.

And as the work continues, new apprentices have been hired to join the highly skilled team working on the project.

Contractors Graham Construction have taken on two young apprentices and a third will join them later this year.

YOU’VE BEEN FRAMED.......APPRENTICES DAVID McCLURE AND DANIEL DONNACHIE WITH PART OF THE HERITAGE OF THE HALLS – A REPLICA STAINED GLASS WINDOW WHICH IS PART OF THE RESTORATION

Seventeen year olds David McClure from the city’s Robroyston area and Daniel Donnachie from Springburn are both hard at work on the project which is due for completion next year.

Once restored, the Halls will be a fabulous 21st century community asset and be developed into a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden. 

Both teenagers whose apprenticeship is in joinery have been employed by Graham thanks to the involvement of Glasgow North Regeneration Agency.

They will return to North Glasgow College in August to continue their studies while also continuing to work on site at the halls.

David said: “This is very interesting job to be working on as part of our apprenticeship. It won’t be long until the halls once again become something that local people can be proud of and we’re pleased to be playing our part.”

Daniel added: “ We’re delighted to be involved in the restoration of Maryhill Burgh Halls and also very grateful for the training we are receiving with Graham Construction and at North Glasgow College.”

John McHugh, Contracts Manager at Graham added: “We have a strong commitment at Graham to employing young apprentices and ensuring they acquire all the skills they need for a rewarding and enjoyable  career .”

This week the two apprentices met representatives from one of the project’s major funders - the Big Lottery Fund - when it came to inspect the work following its £980,000 generous contribution towards the total raised. 

Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Chair Alison Magee and Committee Member Helen Forsyth toured the ongoing  work and were welcomed by Irene Scott, Chair of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.  

The Trust comprises of people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. 

The grant from Big Lottery Fund Scotland came from its “Growing Community Assets” fund in April last year.

Alison Magee said:  “When we made the decision to fund this community led project we knew that we were putting Lottery money in the hands of local people who had the drive, determination and passion to turn a dream into reality. Since then a year has passed and I am delighted to see what has been achieved so far and to meet those people who have given their all to get the project off the ground. I look forward to the day when I can return for the official opening of the Halls and join in the celebrations that the restoration of this much loved historical building will bring.”

ends

 

Notes to Journalists:

News release issued by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com) on behalf of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further details from Ross on 07768 280021.

Scottish Housing News: BIG LOTTERY FUND SCOTLAND VISITS MARYHILL BURGH HALLS

http://www.scottishhousingnews.com/dailynews.asp?week=19/07/2010#H275292

BIG PROGRESS AS THE HALLS TAKE SHAPE

Big Lottery Fund Scotland visits Maryhill Burgh Halls

MARYHILL'S historic Burgh Halls this week played host to a visit by the Big Lottery Fund Scotland which is a key funder of the restoration work.

Big Lottery Fund Scotland has provided grant funding to the tune of £980,910 - a major contribution to the overall £9.2 million cost. 

Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s Chair Alison Magee and Committee Member Helen Forsyth toured the ongoing work which is due for completion next year.

They were welcomed by Irene Scott, Chair of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.  

The Trust comprises of  people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. 

Once restored, the Halls will be a fabulous 21st century community asset which will recapture the splendid historic beauty of one of the city's most

treasured buildings and be developed  into a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting

rooms and courtyard garden. 

The grant from Big Lottery Fund Scotland came from its “Growing Community Assets” fund in April last year.

Hunter Reid,  Project Co ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust said: “The Big Lottery Fund Scotland money is a vital part of the overall funding needed to restore the Halls. It will allow us to hand back Maryhill Burgh Halls to the people of this community and make it a historic yet modern-day asset to benefit the people who live here and who are firmly in the driving seat.”

Alison Magee said:  “When we made the decision to fund this community led project we knew that we were putting Lottery money in the hands of local people who had the drive, determination and passion to turn a dream into reality. Since then a year has passed and I am delighted to see what has been achieved so far and to meet those people who have given their all to get the project off the ground. I look forward to the day when I can return for the official opening of the Halls and join in the celebrations that the restoration of this much loved historical building will bring.”

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) is the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding and is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.

BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

The Scotland Committee has been making Big Lottery Fund decisions on Scottish projects since March 2007. 

ends

Notes to Journalists:

The full breakdown of the funding received by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust for the restoration of the halls is as follows:

Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2    £1.25m 

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m 

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m

Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund     £650,000

Scottish Government Town Centres Regeneration Fund     £1.8m

Historic Scotland     £500,000

Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate    £750,000

The Robertson Trust   £28,000

Total: £9.2 million 

News release issued by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com) on behalf of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further details from Ross on 07768 280021.

Replica stained glass panel on display in Glasgow Club, Maryhill

On display in the foyer of the Glasgow Club Maryhill, Gairbraid Avenue.

The panel is the Engineers - The likely source of this panel is the Maryhill Engine Works on Lochburn Road, built in 1873 for the Clarkson Brothers. Possibly one of the brothers is featured here, explaining to the workman with the spanner the details of the next job. The building still exists in Lochburn Road.

The Andy Scott designed Firemen Gates can be seen in the background.

Thanks to Glasgow Museums for the loan of the replica panel.

Billy McAllister speaking at Big Lottery Investing in Communities launch

Billy McAllister of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust at launch of Big Lottery Investing In Communities Fund from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

The Burgh Halls Trust was a recipient of a previous round of Big Lottery funding.

Board member and former Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust Billy McAllister talks at the launch of the new Big Lottery Investing in Communties Fund about the importance of the Halls to Maryhill, and how the money from Big Lottery is helping bring the Halls back to life.

Site Progress: Late June

The facade retention steelwork on the former police station frontage has been taken down, now that the retained stonework is fully tied into the new steelwork behind it.

This former entrance will be a glazed window, giving views through to the cafe and garden courtyard beyond.

Standing in the middle of what will be the outdoor garden courtyard, looking in towards the double-height cafe space, and the main entrance from the shared courtyard with the leisure centre on the right.

In the main Hall, looking out towards the new garden room and courtyard. New doors will be formed beneath the windows, and the glazing will be re-instated. This also gives a good view of ten of the square windows, on which were hung the Stephen Adam stained glass panels showing the trades and industries of Maryhill.

New concrete floors taking shape in the new-build portions of the site, with the old stonework and roof of the main Hall on the right.

Site progress: Early June 2010

The final sections of steelwork for the new nursery and recording studio buildings has been delivered and erected on site, to the rear of the main Hall.

A lane of Maryhill Road was closed for 2 days to allow a crane to lift the new steelwork into position.

In the new attic floor above the main hall, the decorative trusses are wrapped in plastic to protect them while the new skylights are fitted.

Town Centre Regeneration Fund Case Study - Maryhill Burgh Halls

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/regeneration/town-centres/tcrf/CaseStudies/MaryhillBurghHallsGlasgow

Local News Glasgow: Maryhill Baths Formally Opened

http://www.localnewsglasgow.co.uk/2010/06/maryhill-baths-formally-opened/

Glasgwegian: Glasgow Club Maryhill Proving Splash Hit After £9million Revamp

Lord Provost officially opens Leisure Centre next to Maryhill Burgh Halls

Lord Provost Bob Winter unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the Glasgow Club Maryhill - a brand new leisure pool and indoor facilities on the site of the former Baths and Washhouses, next to the Maryhill Burgh Halls site. The centre is entered through a new courtyard created behind the retained facade of the former fire station, which will form a joint entrance with the Halls when they re-open in May 2011.

Glasgow Club Maryhill website

Latest site progress - new attic floor takes shape

New roofspace floor takes shape amongst the ornate original roof trusses, which will remain in place.

New steelwork behind retained facade of Police Station meets the main Halls building itself.

Inside the Hall, the new openings which will give access to the Garden Courtyard and Cafe areas of the new build.

Standing where the cafe will be, looking towards the retained wall of the former Police Station

St Charles Primary visit to Maryhill Burgh Halls

Pupils from St Charles Primary, Glasgow visit the Halls site to find out about the project, and the history of the buildings and the stained glass.

Getting a demonstration of how water always finds its level.

West End Website: Burgh Halls Update

New article on Pat's West End Website, bringing the story of the Halls up to date:

Maryhill Burgh Halls

Previous articles by Ian R Mitchell are also available on the same website:

Unlocking Maryhill

Maryhill Burgh Halls Restoration

Glasgow's Lord Provost visits Halls site to see progress

Bob Winter, Lord Provost of Glasgow - who grew up in Maryhill - today visited the Burgh Halls site to see how work was progressing.

Left - Bruce Malcolm, Sentinel Clerk of Works

Centre - Bob Winter, Lord Provost of Glasgow

Right - Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator, Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust

Evening Times - Inside Glasgow Videos - Maryhill

Featuring Hunter Reid of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust discussing the project.

Click on the video above to play. The Burgh Halls section is from approx. 3min 20 seconds into the video.