Grassroots Organic to provide catering for Maryhill Burgh Halls

The refurbished Maryhill Burgh Halls are set to re-open towards the end of October 2011 – and when they do, the café and catering facilities will be provided by long established Glasgow company Grassroots Organic. 

Irene Scott, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust said “The Trust is delighted to announce that the well known Glasgow business, Grassroots Organic, will be both the operator for the Cafe within the buildings and the catering provider for functions in the Halls.”

Louise Duncan, Director of Grassroots Organic said "We are really looking forward to opening up in Maryhill in the fabulous spaces in the newly restored Halls.  When we started our store and restaurant at St George’s Cross in Glasgow over 10 years ago, it was with the aim of promoting better nutrition and good health.  That aim holds true today and will be the focus of our operation at Maryhill Burgh Halls.  At Grassroots, we pride ourselves on the quality and tastiness of our food – both meat and vegetarian.  Our catering for weddings and events will be tailored to customer requirements and budgets.   We will also circulate a monthly newsletter with a focus on seasonal foods and we will hold classes and talks suitable for a variety of age groups focussing on health weeks and health issues."

Image - From left to right: Melanie Farrow, Halls Manager; Louise Duncan, Director, Grassroots Organic

The Halls will be an exciting new destination for both the local and wider community and will once again be the beating heart of Maryhill.  If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, or to find out about our facilities for meetings, events, weddings and dinners, please get in touch – email us at info@mbht.org.uk or ring Halls Manager Melanie Farrow on 0845 860 1891 for more details or to make a booking.

Melanie Farrow, Halls Manager said: “The Trust is delighted that the buildings will soon be open for business and would like to invite everyone who is interested to come and see the buildings and make use of the facilities.”

The 133 year old buildings, which contained 20 stained glass windows designed by Stephen Adam in 1878 depicting the trades of Maryhill, have undergone an over £9 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls, save them for the community and create a thriving centre for local people and business use.  The restoration work began in November 2009. Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured Halls and in so doing recapture the splendour of one of the city's best loved buildings. In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize for best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds.

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 garden courtyard.  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.

The Funders for the project are: European Regional Development Funding , Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2, Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund, Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund, Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund,  Historic Scotland, Scottish Government Wider Role Fund, The Robertson Trust.

See the Windows of Today being made!

Designs for the new windows are now complete – you can find out more about the designs and the design process at:

http://www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/glass/

The windows are now in full production in Alec Galloway’s studio and we would like to invite you to visit and view the work being created.

Alec’s studio is part of the Inverclyde Open Studios Event taking place on Friday 16^th (morning only), Saturday 17^th & Sunday 18^th September where he will be presenting demonstrations of his work.

contact details:
t: 01475 529337
m: 07590296606
e: alec.galloway@tesco.net w: www.alecgalloway.co.uk

studio opening times:

Friday 10am to 12pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday 10am to 5pm

Address: Studio 2, Earnhill Rd, Larkfield Industrial Estate Greenock PA16 0EQ 

Directions: Turn into Earnhill Road at the top of Larkfield Road (Opposite Gourock Cemetery). Follow road up to the top of the hill. Studio 2 is on the right next to Stepper Technology Disabled access but no disabled toilet. 

More details can be found at the Open Studios event webpage at:

http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/arts-development/inverclyde-open-studios/

(Alec Galloway's details are on Page 18 of the PDF)

Press Coverage: Heritage Trail Launch

Evening Times:

Walk Back in Time!

"A new guide has been launched to celebrate the impressive architecture, rich history and picturesque scenery of Maryhill."

West End Extra:

Boots were made for walking (along the Kelvin)

"WESTENDERS are being called north this week, as Maryhill burgh halls launches a new self-guided walking tour to draw history and nature lovers into the area."

The Glaswegian:

Rich History of Maryhill in Walking Tour

Round up of the impact of the walking guide on the Glasgow City Heritage Trust site here:

http://www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/grants/heritage-grants/sample-heritage-projects/maryhill-heritage-trail/

We need your help: Maryhill Music Project

How would you like to help design the Maryhill Burgh Halls new Youth and Community Music programmes ? 

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust wants to hear from you about the sort of musical events and activities you would like to take part in.

By completing this short online survey you can help ensure you get the programme of events and activities that you want. 

 

We want to hear about your current experiences of music and culture in the North Glasgow area, and what you'd be interested in finding out more about, or possibly getting involved in. Is there anything that's stopping you at the moment?

Given the chance, is there anything - from performing, to recording, from the artistic side right through to the technical behind-the-scenes stuff that you've always wanted to do?

 

Think big: the sky's the limit!

Please help us develop a meaningful and exciting programme of events by completing our online survey, which can be accessed via the link below. It's just 5 questions, and will only take a few minutes. Thank you!

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MaryhillBurghHalls

 

For further information please contact:

Christopher Gray

chris@ictus-music.co.uk

Maryhill’s Strong Attractions of Scenery

“Maryhill possess in itself and in its environs such strong attractions of scenery as draw many visitors from Glasgow…” – Gazetteer of Scotland, 1884

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust is launching a new free self-guided walking tour as an introduction to some of the history, heritage, and regeneration going on in the Maryhill area of Glasgow.

The varied walk takes in the historic heart of Maryhill, as well as the peaceful, sunken green corridor of the River Kelvin valley, some stunning views from the raised portions of the Forth & Clyde Canal, and highlights the surprising number of historic buildings, interesting architecture, and important social and industrial heritage in the area.

 “We’re very excited to be launching this walking guide”, said Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer for the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, “Maryhill is a part of Glasgow often overlooked on the standard tourist trails, something we hope to change! You’ll see historic buildings (including the restored Burgh Halls and Maryhill Leisure Centre), ancient monuments (such as the canal locks and aqueduct), and one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s least well known buildings. You’ll follow the route of old railways lines, discover the location of many of the famous Maryhill stained glass panels, and maybe even see the odd heron or swan along the way.”

The full colour, lavishly illustrated 16-page guide is free to download from our website at www.mbht.org.uk/walks and you can also pick up a printed copy at local libraries, and leaflet distribution sites throughout the city. The website also has larger print and mobile-formatted versions available as well.

The design and distribution of the guide has been funded by a grant from the Glasgow City Heritage Trust. Torsten Haak, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, is delighted to have been involved with funding this new trail through the Trust's Heritage Grant programme.
“Maryhill has a fascinating, but somewhat overlooked, built heritage” he commented; “and this new heritage trail is a great way of highlighting and celebrating the multitude of diverse historic buildings in the area.”

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust will also be running free guided versions of the walk throughout the summer months; see the website for more details.

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 or Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, on 0845 860 1878 at any time

email: press@mbht.org.uk

The PDF version of the walking trail can be found at      http://www.mbht.org.uk/walks

Everyone who is interested in following the development of the project through to completion can view progress and comment on the project:

Website: www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/Maryhill_halls
Facebook: facebook.com/maryhillburghhalls

About Glasgow City Heritage Trust

Glasgow City Heritage Trust champions the city's unique architecture and built environment. We are here to promote and encourage the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow's historic buildings for the benefit of the city's communities and its visitors, now and in the future.

Find out more at: http://www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/

About the Burgh Halls Regeneration 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 splendour 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 a number of 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 7 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

Burgh Halls site team raise funds for Yorkhill Teenage Cancer Unit

A collection was taken on site for the Yorkhill Teenage Cancer Unit. The total raised from the Maryhill Burgh Halls Site Operatives was £370.00 Pounds.

The money will go towards buying games etc. to be placed in the Family/Entertainment room in the Unit.

Gregory Holland, Christopher Gallagher (Graham SMT) hand over the Cheque to the Ward Manager Lesley Wilson and Staff Nurse Jenn Dunn.

In addition, Graham Construction has secured employment opportunities within the local community by creating three apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls restoration.

Burgh Halls regains its Manager!

The post of Halls Manager at Maryhill Burgh Halls has been vacant for many years. Now, with the Halls set to re-open later this year after an award winning multi-million pound regeneration project, Melanie Farrow has taken up the post to run Halls fit for the 21st century.

Melanie’s new role will draw on her extensive experience in both personal and professional arenas; she has been running venues and events of all sizes for nearly twenty years, and has a keen interest in dance and fitness practice – all of which will stand her in good stead in making a renewed success of the Burgh Halls.

 

From left to right: 

Melanie Farrow, Halls Manager; Irene Scott, MBHT Chair; Hunter Reid, Project Coordinator

Melanie said:

“Having previously worked on a number of new build arts related projects, I am relishing the prospect of working with Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust and the reinvigorated Halls. I am looking forward to working with the local and wider community to make the Halls an exciting destination, and help make them once again the focal point of the community.

If you would like to get involved, or to find out about our facilities for meetings, events, weddings and dinners, please do not hesitate in getting in touch – email us at info@mbht.org.uk or ring 0141 948 1131 for more details!”

Heritage Development Officer Gordon Barr added:

 “From some of the old Burgh Minutes, it seems that the first holder of the post in 1878 was one David MacFarlane, and that the post of Hall Keeper used to have a uniform consisting of a specially made coat, waistcoat, trousers and cap. We may have to look into reinstating this tradition for our new Halls Manager when we re-open later in the year!”

Irene Scott, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust said: “The trust are delighted to have Melanie join the team in this new, and crucial role. We’re sure that she will help make the Halls a great success.”

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

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

 

Press Coverage: Mystery Stained Glass Panel

BBC News website: Mystery solved over Maryhill Burgh Hall glass panel [4th May 2011]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13269760

Radio Scotland Newsdrive, 4th May 2011 [Available to Listen Again for 7 days; approx 57 minutes in]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010t4s9

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...