Maryhill Stained Glass: 130 year old mystery solved at last!

The mystery of the unknown worker has been solved. 

 

A stunning series of 20 stained glass panels were commissioned for the Maryhill Burgh Halls in 1878, featuring the many varied trades and industries of the area.

Most are easily identifiable images such as a gas worker, iron moulder, joiner or boat-builder. 

But one of the panels has remained a mystery – and with all the original paperwork having been long since lost, there was no easy way to figure out exactly what sort of job the ‘Unknown Worker’ was doing.

 

Years of research had been unable to positively identify it – and suggestions varied from a metal casting process, a brewing process or even a steam laundry.

 

 

This long-standing mystery has finally been solved by Glaswegian Michael Meighan, who has been researching for his new book ‘Glaswegians with a Flourish’. Said Michael:

 

“I was aware of the Maryhill stained glass puzzle, and I was as intrigued as anyone. While I was investigating the role of the Mechanics Institute in Glasgow – which was attended by Scotland’s first oil tycoon James ‘Paraffin’ Young -  I came across the Institute’s ‘Mechanics Magazine’ published in 1824 and held by the National Library of Scotland. 

 

On the front page of one of the issues was a drawing of a press almost exactly like the equipment being used in the stained glass window.

Imagine my growing interest as I started reading a ‘Description of the Great Bandana Gallery in the Turkey Red factory of Messrs Monteith & Co. at Glasgow’. 

 

This described in detail the process of using a hydrostatic press to impregnate and pattern cotton cloth with Turkey red dye. In this case this factory contained presses which produced bandanas for foreign markets including the iconic scarves worn by the American cowboys!

Turkey red dyeing was originally brought to Scotland from France, and became a massively important industry in the West of Scotland in the 1800’s. 

Besides cowboy bandanas, the British Redcoats were dyed with Turkey red, as well as beautifully patterned cloths which were exported throughout the world. 

 

The dyeing process was revolutionary as it allowed whole cloths to be dyed, rather than the threads from which they were made, shortening the process considerably.  One factory that had 16 presses of the type shown was able to produce 1600 pieces of 12 yards each in just ten hours.”

 

Heritage Development Officer for the Trust, Gordon Barr, said:

“Just when I started to think we’d never know for sure what was going on in this panel, I got a phone call from Michael out of the blue! We’re delighted to have the mystery solved, and fill in the last blank.

 

But just as one puzzle is solved, it also reveals more questions to be asked – we don’t know which company in the Maryhill area might have been using this process at the time the panels were commissioned – so there’s still more to find out to keep us busy!”

 

Thanks to a partnership with Glasgow Museums, who have had the glass in safe keeping for nearly 50 years, the restoration will also see a significant collection of the original stained glass windows, conserved and returned to the Burgh Halls for display once the building is re-opened later this year. 

 

In addition, the Trust has recently commissioned 10 new stained glass “Windows of Today” which will depict life in Maryhill as it is now. 

 

 

Notes to Journalists:  

 

This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk 

 

Further information is available from Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary on 07808 739627 or Dr Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 081 5202 at any time email: press@mbht.org.uk

 

Michael Meighan is the author of ‘Glasgow Smells’ and ‘Glasgow Smells Better’. ‘Glaswegians with a Flourish’ is due to be published in May and he is currently working on a book on Scottish Industry in which Turkey Red will feature.

Contact via email: Michael_meighan1@hotmail.com

Phone 0131 447 9461 or 0776 8282 155

 

 

About the Project

 

The 133 year old building is undergoing a £9.2 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls, save them for the community, create a thriving centre for business, and make the place once again the focus and beating heart of Maryhill.    Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured Halls and in so doing recapture the splendor of one of the city's best loved buildings. The restoration work began in November 2009 and is scheduled for completion later this year.

 

In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize as Best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds at the European Structural Funds Best Practice Awards.  

 

Maryhill Burgh Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days before Maryhill was a part of Glasgow. Built in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, they have lain derelict for the past eight years and are listed on the Buildings at Risk register.  Once restored, the Halls will include a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden.   Around 6 years of hard work has been put into developing proposals for the project. The Board of the Trust, which comprises local people and representatives from partners Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council, has worked tirelessly to deliver the restoration.

 

The contractor for the project Graham Construction has secured employment opportunities within the local community by creating three apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls restoration.  

 

Funding for the Maryhill Burgh Halls project has come from: 

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m 

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

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000 

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910 

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m 

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

Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund     £1.8m 

Historic Scotland     £500,000 

Scottish Government Wider Role Fund £750,000 

The Robertson Trust      £28,000 

 

Everyone who is interested in following the development of the project through to completion can view progress and comment on the project on the Trust's Website at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

BBC History Magazine Gallery

Fantastic gallery of images of the stained glass, the Halls and surrounding Maryhill on the BBC History Extra website!

BBC History Magazine Website

Video: Lifting up the Cupola

Historic Cupola Re-instatement from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

For over a hundred years, the facade of Maryhill Burgh Halls was topped by an elegant, octagonal cupola tower, crowned by a wind vane - but it was removed in the early 1980s as it was becoming dangerous.

Now, as a major milestone in the ongoing, award-winning £9.2 million restoration project, a brand new hand-crafted replica of the original tower has been lifted up to the roof - over 60 feet above the street - by a giant crane.

More details here:
http://bit.ly/dRBCvi

Press Coverage: Halls Cupola Re-instatement

Feature on STV Evening News, Thursday 27th January [Scroll through to 12 min 30 seconds in]

http://news.stv.tv/video/stv-news-at-six-west-20110127/

Local News Glasgow: Raising the Roof in Maryhill

http://www.localnewsglasgow.co.uk/2011/01/raising-the-roof-in-maryhill/

Website of Ratho Byres Forge News piece

http://www.rathobyresforge.co.uk/?q=node/380

The Glaswegian: Maryhill Burgh Halls Re-United With Roof Tower Three Dacades After It Was Removed

http://bit.ly/hYIcNm

Scottish Housing News: Maryhill Burgh Halls regains Crowning Glory

http://www.scottishhousingnews.com/dailynews.asp?week=31/01/2011#H304156

Construction Now Website: 

http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/index.asp?cat=news&period=lastweek#221917

Weekend Evening Times, 5 Feb 2011:

Towering Achievement: Maryhill Burgh Halls regains its crowning glory

For over a hundred years, the facade of Maryhill Burgh Halls was topped by an elegant, octagonal cupola tower, crowned by a wind vane - but it was removed in the early 1980s as it was becoming dangerous.

Now, as a major milestone in the ongoing, award-winning £9.2 million restoration project, a brand new hand-crafted replica of the original tower has been lifted up to the roof - over 60 feet above the street - by a giant crane.

The building contractor putting the building together is Graham Construction. The new cupola has been designed by JM Architects to be as close as possible a replica of the original, based on archive photos and drawings. Built by hand by specialist joinery contractors Hutton and Read, the cupola tower is an impressive 5 feet in diameter, 12 feet high, and is made from Douglas Fir, covered in hand-worked lead.

The wind vane is also hand made, designed and manufactured specially by P Johnston & Co. blacksmiths at Ratho Byres Forge. 

Irene Scott, Chair of the Trust said:

“Now fixed back on the crest of the roof, the stunning cupola restores the exterior of this historic listed building back to how it looked when it first opened in 1878. It helps show the grand scale and ambition of the original, as well as helping to make clear how much progress has been made in the lead up to the Halls finally re-opening later this year.”

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust added:

“The tower isn’t just decorative - it also forms a key part of the ventilation system of the refurbished building, which as much as possible uses natural ventilation to draw fresh air into the building. It’s great to see it back, and we’re delighted by the attention to detail and high-quality workmanship involved”.

Notes to Journalists:

This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

Further information is available from Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary on 07808 739627 or Dr Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 081 5202 at any time

e mail: press@mbht.org.uk

About the Project

The 132 year old building is just over half way through a £9.2 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls, save them for the community, create a thriving centre for business, and make the place once again the focus and beating heart of Maryhill.  

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured Halls and in so doing recapture the splendor of one of the city's best loved buildings. The restoration work began in November 2009 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.

In November 2011, the project was awarded a prize as Best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds at the European Structural Funds Best Practice Awards.

Maryhill Burgh Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days before Maryhill was a part of Glasgow. Built in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, they have lain derelict for the past eight years and are listed on the Buildings at Risk register.

Once restored, the Halls will include a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden.

Around 6 years of hard work has been put into developing proposals for the project. The Board of the Trust, which comprises local people and representatives from partners Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council, has worked tirelessly to deliver the restoration.

The outstanding architectural appeal and historic merit of the Halls is further enhanced by a unique series of stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill in the late 19th century, and which are currently in safe keeping with Glasgow Museums.

The restoration will also see a significant collection of the 20 stained glass windows, conserved and returned to the Burgh Halls. In addition, the Trust has recently commissioned 10 new “Windows of Today” which will depict life in Maryhill as it is now.

The contractor for the project Graham Construction has secured employment opportunities within the local community by creating three apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls restoration.

Funding of the project has come from the following sources:

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m

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

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m

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

Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund     £1.8m

Historic Scotland     £500,000

Scottish Government Wider Role Fund £750,000

The Robertson Trust      £28,000

Everyone who is interested in following the development of the project through to completion can view progress and comment on the project on the Trust's Website at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

Hands-on Workshops for the Windows of Today

On Saturday 15th January we held three free hands-on workshops in a local community hall, to give people who signed up in advance a chance to meet our glass artists, talk about their suggestions and ideas for the Windows of Today, and get to try out some of the techniques involved in making stained glass,

The designs created on the day will be fired by Alec in his studio, and later returned to the participants - meaning they all get a permanent souvenir of their involvement with the project.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryhillburghhalls/sets/72157625637075460/

As a special bonus, and thank you to those that attended despite the horrible weather on the day, participants that filled in a feedback form got to choose a item to take away from a huge Christmas Goody Hamper, which had been generously donated to the Trust by our contractors, Graham Construction.

Other workshops, talks and discussions have already been held with other community groups, including two different primary school classes (P6 and P7), 6th year pupils at a local High School, a carers group, a women's group, a writer's group, and youth group leaders. All of these have helped bring their own unique perspectives, ideas and suggestions to what should be featured in the new windows.

It's not too late to have your say - you can download our suggestion form here - but please get it back to us by January 31st at the latest!

Welcome to 2011

Happy New Year from Maryhill Burgh Halls - 2011 - the year we will be re-opening!

Windows of Today workshop

The community consultation workshops for the Windows of Today project are ongoing; here are some highlights from a recent hands-on workshop with local Primary 6 children, getting experience of painting and cutting glass, handling lead, and coming up with ideas of what should be on the new stained glass windows to represent modern Maryhill...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryhillburghhalls/sets/72157625637075460/

Stained Glass Workshop from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

Find out more at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/glass

Mid-December update

In this freezing and wintry weather, spare a thought for our hard-working contractors, who are still on site in weather cold enough to do this...

With the building not yet sealed from the elements, there's no way to heat it, making for freezing working conditions.

[the white blobs are ice, forming on the inside of the main roof, on the ends of nails sticking through holding on the roof tiles!]

Despite this, work is carrying on - new window frames are getting fitted to the Maryhill Road side of the main Hall:

In the cafe, the frame for the glazed curtain wall is being assembled from an enormous jigsaw of pieces. Once that's in place it'll be a big step towards being wind and water-tight.

Throughout the building, work carries on with the trunking and initial electrical work...

[Note the gloves!]

Evening Times: European Award for city halls £9.2m campaign

Full article is online here.

BBC Radio Scotland Culture Cafe

BBC's Claire English discusses the Burgh Halls project, the historic stained glass, and the new Windows of Today with Hunter Reid, Alec Galloway, and Gordon Barr.

Available to Listen Again until Dec 14th here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wchbl

Work continues despite the snow...

The current slightly inclement weather is having an effect on our rebuilding works - it's not very easy (or safe) to do slating in these sort of conditions, for example!

But other works are continuing - the glazed curtain walling for the cafe has arrived on-site, and work to clean-up and restore the cast-iron clock face has begun.

 

New windows are also starting to be fitted in the main Hall...

Parliamentary Motions

We're delighted that two of our local MSPs have lodged motions in the Scottish Parliament about the Burgh Halls this week:

*S3M-7482 Bob Doris: Maryhill Burgh Halls Urban Regeneration Award—That the Parliament is delighted that Glasgow’s Maryhill Burgh Halls won the award for Category 5, Best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds at the European Structural Funds Best Practice Awards at the Glasgow School of Art on 23 November 2010; considers that this prestigious award was hard won by the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust in recognition of its work in leading an inspirational community-focussed project; notes that the £9.2 million renovation project is half way toward completion and considers that it will see the 132-year-old structure being brought back from the brink of ruin to become one of Glasgow’s most prized community assets, comprising offices, café, public hall, recording studio, children’s nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden, and looks forward to the completion of the project in the summer of 2011.

*S3M-7480 Patricia Ferguson: European Award for Maryhill Burgh Halls—That the Parliament notes that what is considered Maryhill’s historic Burgh Halls has won the award for Best Contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds in the 2007 to 2013 programme; notes that this award recognises the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust’s work in involving the community throughout the project and undertaking significant ongoing outreach work with local organisations and the best practice for bringing together sensitive historic building restoration with dynamic contemporary design and new outdoor spaces; believes that the refurbishment of the halls, which is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011, will play a significant role in the ongoing regeneration of the communities of Maryhill, and congratulates all those who have played a part in bringing what it considers this important building back to life.

Supported by: Jackie Baillie*, David Stewart*, Bill Butler*, Charlie Gordon*, Hugh Henry*, Des McNulty*, Marilyn Livingstone*, Trish Godman*, Karen Gillon*

More details at: 

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBulletin/bb-10/bb-11-25f.htm

Press Coverage Round-up

Scottish Housing News covering the European Award Story:

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR MARYHILL BURGH HALLS 

Scottish Construction Now:

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR MARYHILL BURGH HALLS 

Heritage Lottery Fund News:

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR MARYHILL BURGH HALLS 

Glaswegian: Halls Restoration offers Window of Opportunity for Local Artists

Coverage of the Windows of Today project in The Glasgwegian

EUROPEAN AWARD FOR MARYHILL BURGH HALLS !

Maryhill's historic Burgh Halls received a prestigious award today.  The award was for Best Contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds in the 2007 to 2013 Programme.

 

The award was presented by Keith Brown MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning at a ceremony at Glasgow School of Art.

This award recognizes the Trust’s work in involving the community throughout the project and undertaking significant ongoing outreach work with local organisations and the best practice of bringing together sensitive historic building restoration with dynamic contemporary design plus new outdoor spaces.

MSP Keith Brown, left, presents the award to Trust Chair Irene Scott, with Hunter Reid and Donna Brooks. 

Chair of the Trust Irene Scott said: “The refurbishment of the Maryhill Burgh Halls will restore an invaluable cultural asset in Glasgow, upgrading it as a place for the local community to meet and socialise. It will also be a dynamic and important place for businesses and enterprises to flourish.”

 

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust said: 

“All of the Board Members of the Trust are delighted that the Trust has received this national award.  We would all like to say a huge thank you to the European Structural Funds Programme both for the award, and for the funding given to the Trust.  Thanks also to all of our funders, the project team and everyone else who has given their support to the project. We are all very much looking forward to the Halls opening next summer.” 

The 132 year old building is just over half way through a £9.2 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls, save them for the community, create a thriving centre for business, and make the place once again the focus and beating heart of Maryhill.  

 

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured Halls and in so doing recapture the splendor of one of the city's best loved buildings. The restoration work began in November 2009 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.

 

Maryhill Burgh Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days before Maryhill was a part of Glasgow. Built in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, they have lain derelict for the past eight years and are listed on the Buildings at Risk register.

 

Once restored, the Halls will include a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden. 

 

Around 6 years of hard work has been put into developing proposals for the project. The Board of the Trust, which comprises local people and representatives from partners Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council, has worked tirelessly to deliver the restoration.

The outstanding architectural appeal and historic merit of the Halls is further enhanced by a unique series of stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill in the late 19th century, and which are currently in safe keeping with Glasgow Museums.

 

The restoration will also see a significant collection of the 20 stained glass windows, conserved and returned to the Burgh Halls. In addition, the Trust has recently commissioned 10 new “Windows of Today” which will depict life in Maryhill as it is now.

 

The contractor for the project Graham Construction has secured employment opportunities within the local community by creating three apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls restoration.

 

Funding of the project has come from the following sources: 

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m

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

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m

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

Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund     £1.8m

Historic Scotland     £500,000

Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate    £750,000

The Robertson Trust      £28,000

 

Everyone who is interested in following the development of the project through to completion can view progress and comment on the project on the Trust's Website at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

Further information on the European Structural Funds Mid-Programme Best Practice Awards can be found at http://www.esep.co.uk/07-news-updates.html

ends

Notes to Journalists: 

This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk 

Further information is available from Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary on 07808 739627 or Dr Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 0815202 at any time

e mail: info@mbht.org.uk

Evening Times: Window of Opportunity For Maryhill

Evening Times, 15th November 2010:

Window of Opportunity For Maryhill

A Glasgow community is being given the chance to play a major role in the restoration of one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Read More...

Historic Cupola replacement takes shape

When it first opened in 1878, Maryhill Burgh Halls was topped by a dramatic octagonal cupola, featuring an air vent topped by a landmark wind vane. This was removed some time in the late 20th century when it became unsafe.

Part of the restoration of the building involves the replacement of a replica cupola to return the building to its original appearance. 

This replacement structure is now starting to take shape in the workshops of specialist contractors Hutton & Read Ltd.

An archive image of the Halls, showing the original cupola in place, can be seen on the RCAHMS Canmore site here.

A video of the leadwork being shaped onto the dome can be seen here:

Replacement Cupola Metalwork from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

Scottish Housing News: HALLS THROW OPEN THE DOORS FOR HANDS-ON HERITAGE PREVIEW

Scottish Housing News, 01 November 2010

HALLS THROW OPEN THE DOORS FOR HANDS-ON HERITAGE PREVIEW 

http://www.scottishhousingnews.com/dailynews.asp#H290177

Heritage Trade Taster Workshops - October 2010

Pictures and video from a series of heritage trade taster workshops, giving participants an opportunity to learn about joinery, slate & leadwork, and stonecarving and masonry work. There were also some chances to get some hands-on experience of doing some slating, plus helping with the restoration of the Halls itself by doing some pointing-work...

The three workshops were attended by 30 primary 7 pupils from a local school, students from Glasgow Met College, and a range of interested local adults, aged between 20 and over 80!.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryhillburghhalls/sets/72157625109109866/

Heritage Trade Workshop from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.

4 minute video showing some of the highlights of the third workshop

The feedback from the workshops was overwhelmingly positive, as was the level of interest people had in finding out more about both the trades demonstrated, and the Burgh Halls project in particular. One comment in particular drew attention to the benefit of discussing heritage trades and techniques against the background of a specific building and project, helping put the information in a relevant context.

The final word goes to one of our primary participants, who said:

“I’d like a job like this in the future”

Restoring the roof - original slates go back on the Halls

Reclaimed original slates from the roof of the Burgh Halls, which were taken off and tested, cleaned and re-shaped, have now started to be replaced on the main elevation to Maryhill Road, and shortly, to the front of the building.

In Gairbraid Avenue, on the new sections of roof above the former police and fire station facades, new slates have been applied, of a similar type and colour to the originals.

Interestingly, the original slates weren't made of Scottish slate - they are Westmoreland slate, from a quarry in England, which is where the new slates have been sourced from.

Elsewhere on the building, new granite cladding is being added on the new part of the building facing Maryhill Road.