WELCOME TO THE BURGH BLOG
The Maryhill Burgh Halls blog offers a rich tapestry of stories, research, and reflections that celebrate the history, heritage, and community spirit of Maryhill, Glasgow. It features contributions from local historians, volunteers, and staff.
Scroll down to read—and email info@mbht.org.uk if you would like to share something of your own.
Maryhill - West End Festival Events
Tuesday 5th June - Maryhill Walk (7pm)
Combining work by many of Glasgow’s leading architects, including Mackintosh, with housing from all eras from Victorian to post war, Maryhill retains a distinctive community identity and some of Glasgow’s best-kept historical secrets – including the Maryhill Burgh Halls, re-opening later in 2011. This varied walk, led by Gordon Barr of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, will take in Maryhill itself, the canal that made the area, and a selection of landmark buildings, stained glass and artwork – some of which no longer exist.
Further details & ticket information:
http://www.westendfestival.co.uk/49,1805/events/walk_maryhill/
Tuesday 12th June - Free Hillhead Library Talk: The Crown Jewels of Maryhill (6.30pm)
Gordon Barr takes you round Maryhill’s wealth of interesting history, centred around Maryhill Burgh Halls and their unique series of iconic stained glass windows showcasing the historic trades of the area. Hidden away for decades, the restored windows are now back on display, and full of interesting stories…
Free talk, no tickets required. Hillhead Library, Byres Road.
http://www.westendfestival.co.uk/49,1668/events/the_crown_jewels_of_maryhill/
Saturday 16th June - Canal Cruise from Spiers Wharf to Maryhill! (2pm)
Join canal historian and writer Guthrie Hutton and work your passage from Spiers Wharf to Maryhill (and back) aboard “Voyager”, exploring some of Glasgow’s canal side industrial archaeology. A trip at walking pace that requires no actual walking!
Further details & ticket information:
http://www.westendfestival.co.uk/49,1817/events/walk_canal_cruise/
Saturday 23rd June - The Muppets in Maryhill! (11am)
It's time to play the music, it's time to re-light the lights - as film returns to Maryhill Burgh Halls for the first time in decades!
The popular Grosvenor Cinema of Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s West End, as a part of The West End Festival, are proud to present a ‘Community’ screening of the brilliant family movie ‘The Muppets’ at Maryhill Burgh Halls on Saturday 23rd June at 11am.
Tickets are only £1.00 but be there as you will also see a demonstration of authentic 35m projected film.
Further details:
http://www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/updates/muppets-in-maryhill.html
First Tango Milonga a great success!
A fantastic night at our first regular Grand Charity Argentine Tango Milonga on Saturday night, raising over £300!
The next evening is on 23rd June, with a class for beginners before the start of the main milonga - get in touch for more details!
The events will raise money for our Burgh Halls choir - led by Maeve Mackinnon, who you can hear singing in a brief excerpt during the video clip.
Find out more about the choir, and how to get involved, here:
mbht.org.uk/choir
Video Clip:
Photo Gallery:
Grand Charity Argentine Tango Milonga - Saturday May 26th
Grand Charity Argentine Tango Milonga
at the fabulous award winning Maryhill Burgh Halls,
10-24 Gairbraid Ave, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 8YE
Saturday 26 May - 8pm till 11pm
Entry £6 before 9pm or £8 after
Come along to dance or just enjoy the atmosphere of captivating Argentine Tango music.The proceeds of the evening, run by Robert and Agnieszka, will be used to support arts and cultural activities in the local area of Maryhill.
The Milonga will be run regularly on the 4th weekend of each month and may be on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday at varying times.
Classes for beginners by Robert and Agnieszka will commence in July during the hour before the milonga.
"Clean Plates Cafe" - part of the Grassroots Organic family - will be open for light bites and refreshments.
Opening Events Roundup
Thanks to the hundreds of people who came along to the various events and make our re-opening week such a success. Here are some of the highlights...
Maryhill Burgh Halls officially re-opened last week - with the descendants of many of those who attended the original opening in 1878 in attendance, 134 years to the day.
Andrew Robertson, Great-great Grandson of the Provost who originally opened the building in 1878, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Cultural and External Affairs, Irene Scott, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, and Glasgow’s First Citizen, the Rt Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Bob Winter cut the cake using the original ceremonial silver key first used to open the Burgh Halls 134 years ago to the day.
Maryhill celebrated the official re-opening of its much-loved Burgh Halls buildings with a series of free events celebrating its rebirth as a community hall, business centre, nursery, cafe, exhibition and recording studio spaces.
Events included a free lunchtime concert with award-winning classical musicians, an open rehearsal featuring Glasgow Orchestral Society, a free tea dance in the Hall, a party organised for young people from nearby East Park, a formal evening opening ceremony, and a free public Open Day with tours, talks, music, performance, dance and ceramic workshops, and even a vintage fire engine in attendance.
The open day included a performance with award-winning singer Maeve McKinnon, accompanied by children from two local primary schools, as well as local adults, singing songs about the trades depicted in the historic stained glass windows.
Several hundred people from Maryhill and beyond were welcomed to the historic buildings for these events.
Monday's Free Lunchtime Concert
Featuring:Barbara Downie, Violin, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,Havilland Willshire, Piano, Dean of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, andJamie MacDougall, Voice, Presenter BBC Scotland
Video Highlights:
Photo Gallery:
Tuesday's Free Tea Dance with Willie and Anne
Video Highlights:
Photo Gallery:
Thursday Evening's Re-opening Ceremony
Photo Gallery:
Saturday's Open Day
Building tours, music performances, exhibitions, talks, activities, ceramics workshops, demonstrations, plus vintage and modern fire engines on display.
The day included the Songs of the Trades Choir Performance - Featuring award-winning singer Maeve McKinnon - a concert comprising 2 local schools and a community singing group, with a selection of songs entirely a-Capella in English, Scots and Gaelic.
Video Highlights:
Photo Gallery:
Some of the press coverage for the events...
BBC News: Revamped Burgh Halls Set to ReOpen
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17853013
Evening Times: Social hub reopens after £9.2m renovation
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/social-hub-reopens-after-92m-renovation-historic-burgh-hall-is-set-to-serve-maryhill.17409196
BBC Radio Scotland: Good Morning Scotland
Halls Manager Melanie Farrow and Andrew Robertson, great-great-grandson of the Provost of Maryhill that first opened the building in 1878, on Good Morning Scotland (feature appears approx. 54 mins in):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ghg1c/Good_Morning_Scotland_26_04_2012/
Maryhill Burgh Halls in 1908:
Maryhill Burgh Halls in 2012:
Event: SensoryO - Opera for Toddlers!
Come with us to a magical, night-time world, take a train ride through the jungle, and meet a friendly lion who sleeps under the stars…
Following the phenomenal success of BabyO, Scottish Opera’s groundbreaking show for 6 to 18 month olds, SensoryO is a brand-new interactive performance for toddlers and their carers. Aimed at kids between the ages of 18 and 36 months, this 30-minute show is rich in sound, rhythm and music.
The set is inviting and tactile and, with its unique audience in mind, it introduces toddlers to live performance in a relaxed and intimate environment. Featuring a mixture of live and recorded vocal music and percussive sounds, SensoryO also uses smells, textures, actions and simple but striking visuals to inspire the imagination and bring the adventure to life.
TICKETS £12 (1 adult and 1 toddler)
Additional adult tickets can be purchased for £7.
Maryhill Burgh Halls, Glasgow
4 11 12 May 11.30am & 1.30pm
5 May 10am & 11.30am
Tickets: Glasgow Club Maryhill, 34 Gairbraid Avenue, Glasgow G20 8YE
Tel: 08444 771 000
Press Release: Maryhill: The Burgh is Back in Business!
The 134-year old Maryhill Burgh Halls officially re-opened this week - with the descendants of many of those who attended the original opening in 1878 in attendance.
Maryhill celebrated the official re-opening of its much-loved Burgh Halls buildings with a series of free events celebrating its rebirth as a community hall, business centre, nursery, cafe, exhibition and recording studio spaces. The dynamic light filled spaces, designed by J M Architects, create the perfect backdrop for historic and modern stained glass windows and heritage displays.
Events so far have included a free lunchtime concert with award-winning classical musicians, an open rehearsal featuring Glasgow Orchestral Society, a free tea dance in the Hall, and party organised for young people from nearby East Park .
The events will culminate on Saturday 28th April with an Open Day from 10am to 4pm, with free tours, talks, music, performance, dance and ceramic workshops, and even a vintage fire engine in attendance - everyone is welcome.
There will also be a performance at 2pm on Saturday with award-winning singer Maeve Mackinnon, accompanied by children from two local primary schools, as well as local adults, singing songs about the trades depicted in the historic stained glass windows.
The formal re-opening on the evening of Thursday 26th April saw a trio of special guests declaring the many years of campaigning, fundraising, and building restoration works complete.
Irene Scott, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said:
"The 26th of April is an extremely significant date because exactly 134 years ago the Halls were first opened. According to the Glasgow Herald at the time, ‘the proceedings took the form of a cake and wine banquet, and there was a large attendance of people connected with Maryhill.’
The significance of the occasion comes from the aspirations of the many local people, like Kenny McLachlan, and many others, who fought so hard over many decades to see this magnificent building saved and now re-opened. To me, it expresses the spirit and determination of a lot of people to overcome resource constraints and strive for excellence. Perhaps the most important dimension of all about this building is that it is here for the benefit of the community to use and enjoy in the years ahead."
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Cultural and External Affairs, said:
“Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust has carried out a magnificent job in both delivering this project and in providing a sustainable future for such an iconic local building.”
“Buildings such as the Burgh Halls sit at the core of Scotland’s cultural identity and, together, they form part of Scotland's unique contribution to the world's built heritage.”
Glasgow’s First Citizen, the Rt Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Bob Winter, who grew up in Maryhill, said:
“I grew up in Queen’s Cross and so the Burgh Halls and the Baths have always been very important to me. I had my first bath on a Friday night in the Baths and also learnt to swim there – which probably saved my life when I went for a dip in the canal. I also had my first ever dance in the Burgh Halls.
“I am now absolutely delighted to see the wonderful job that has been done in restoring the Burgh Halls to full modern standards, while retaining wonderful features like the historic artistic stained glass. I am confident that Maryhill Burgh Halls will again be a much-used and much-loved venue and resource at the heart of this great community.
“I must pay tribute to the wonderful work undertaken by Hunter Reid, the tireless
Project Co-ordinator at Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, his colleagues and the local committee for the wonderful work they have put in over a number of years to raise the money and produce such a magnificent refurbishment.”
Andrew Robertson, who presented the original silver key which was used to open the Halls in 1878 said:
"134 years ago, my great-great grandfather James Robertson was the Provost of Maryhill, a prosperous and independent burgh outside Glasgow. One of his duties was to open these Burgh Halls - then a marvellous new building to house the local municipal offices – and in so doing, he received a ceremonial silver key. My grandfather passed this key on to me, over 50 years ago; since when it has lain in the dark, in my sock drawer. Now my family and I are delighted to be able to restore the key to the light of day, here in Maryhill amidst its heritage roots, and place it on permanent display at the rejuvenated Burgh Halls."
More details on the opening events and the concert and other events on Saturday's free Open Day are available on our website at
www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/opening
or by ringing 0845 860 1878.
Notes to Journalists:
This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk
Further information is available from Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 081 5202 or Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator 07807 739627 at any time or email: press@mbht.org.uk
About the Regeneration Project
The 134 year old building has undergone a £9.6 million restoration project, which has breathed new life into the iconic Halls, saved them for the community, created a thriving centre for business, and made 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 now complete.
In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize for best contribution to Urban Regeneration in Scotland through the use of European Structural Funds at the European Structural Funds Best Practice Awards ceremony.
In March 2012, the project won the Scottish Civic Trust's MyPlace award.
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 over 10 years and were listed on the Buildings at Risk Register. Now open, the Halls include a modern public hall, cafe, 12 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden. Around 8 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 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 £1.327m
Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2 £1.26m
Heritage Lottery Fund £1.16m
Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund £980,910
Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund £1.02m
Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund £675,000
Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund £1.8m
Historic Scotland £593,000
Scottish Government Wider Role Fund £764,000
The Robertson Trust £28,000
Everyone who is interested in viewing photographs of the development of the project before and during construction and at completion can do so andcomment on the project on the Trust's Website at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk
Re-Opening Week Events in Late April
To celebrate the re-opening and completed restoration of the 134-year old Maryhill Burgh Halls, we are delighted to announce a series of free public events in late April - please come along to see the building, and what’s on offer!
Lunchtime Concert Performance
________________________________________
Open Rehearsal with Glasgow Orchestral Society
________________________________________
Tea Dance with Willie & Anne
________________________________________
Building Re-Opening Day - FREE
Press Coverage: MyPlace Awards
The Herald:
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/maryhill-refurbishment-wins-heritage-prize.2012038512
ScottishArchitecture.com:
Architecture & Design Scotland
http://www.ads.org.uk/scottisharchitecture/highlights/maryhill-burgh-halls
Motion in Scottish Parliament:
Maryhill Double-Whammy in Scottish Civic Trust MyPlace Awards!
The award plaque in the Halls - we'll find somewhere nice to display it permanently!
Hunter ReidMusical Book Launch
Maryhill Music from Maryhill Burgh Halls on Vimeo.
Alan Falconer on Guitar, James Guy on Clarinet, and Jim Barton Vocals.
Appearing at a book launch for the Maryhill Writer's Group, held a Maryhill Burgh Halls on Monday 5th March 2012.
European Commission Visitors At Halls
Today we welcomed visitors Egle Morkunaite and Marc Blondiau from the European Commission. The Maryhill Burgh Halls project received a generous grant of c£1.3m from the European Regional Development Fund.
Press Coverage: Historic Stained Glass
BBC News Website Picture Gallery: Stained glass windows return to Maryhill
Evening Times: Opening Windows on the Past
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/features/editor-s-picks/opening-windows-on-past-1.1148999
Sunday Herald: Brighter future for city landmark
http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/opinion/brighter-future-for-city-landmark.16830513
Craft Scotland: Historic Stained Glass Returns to Maryhill Burgh Halls
Maryhill’s Crown Jewels Return Home
Historic Stained Glass back in the Burgh Hall for first time in nearly 50 years!
When Maryhill Burgh Hall first opened in April 1878, pride of place up in the main hall were twenty stained glass windows showing the trades and industries of the area.
Some of the finest pieces of non-religious stained glass in Scotland, they were taken out of the building for safekeeping in 1963.
Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust has been working closely with Glasgow Museums to allow a number of the original panels to be seen again in the building they were designed for - and now, at long last, they are back!
10 original panels back in place in the Main Hall
Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer for the Trust, said: “It’s a dream come true to finally get to see these stunning windows where they belong - back in Maryhill and back in the Burgh Halls.
They are full of hidden details and stories - parcels addressed to Paisley, Newcastle and London sit on the platform in the Railway Workers; the Soldiers panel shows two guardsmen about to go to the Barracks Canteen; and the Canal Boatman even has a patch sewn in his trouser leg at the knee (you can even see the stitches!). As we gear up to fully re-opening the Halls, having the stained glass back in place is the perfect icing on the cake!”
Marie Stumpff, Senior Conservator for Glasgow Museums said:
“The restoration of the Maryhill Burgh Halls has provided the funding and opportunity to conserve and restore the 20 stained glass panels by Stephen Adam which depict the trades of Maryhill. This work was carried out by Scottish Glass Studios, and we are delighted with the outcome. It was a fantastic project to be involved in, giving us the opportunity to study the panels closely and find out more about their history."
"One of the panels, the Canal Boatman, which can now be seen close up in the foyer of the Halls, has been given special attention. Like all of the panels in the series, it had suffered significant paint loss. This is not an uncommon problem with stained glass of that period. Conservators were able to bring back some of the details by plating the original glass with very thin clear glass, which has been painted to enhance the original drawing. This reversible technique has re-instated lost detail and improved the readability as well as the aesthetic appearance of the picture.”
Canal Boatman panel on display in the foyer
• Why are the windows important ?
The windows are not just important pieces of art history, but also social, industrial, and fashion history as well.
They show ordinary people going about their jobs - with working clothes & industrial machinery shown in incredible details.
It’s very rare for working people to be shown honestly like this - not dressed up or stylised - - plus two of the panels even feature women workers who are normally even less often seen.
For many of the panels, we know which companies they show and exactly where they are set; for some we even know who some of the people are that are depicted in them.
Main Hall, with 10 original panels facing the 10 new Windows of Today
• What does it mean for Maryhill to have them back on display?
The stained glass has formed the centrepiece of the long-running campaign to re-open the Burgh Halls as a community facility fit for the 21st Century.
The panels - along with a number of other Maryhill-related artefacts from Glasgow Museum’s Collections - are now on display in the building.
• Where & when can I see them ?
Ten of the panels are hung up in the main hall, as close as possible to their original positions. They face the ten new stained glass panels designed in 2011 by Alec Galloway, which are designed to complement and contrast with the originals.
One panel - the Canal Boatman - has had extra restoration work done on it, and is mounted in the foyer, so visitors can get up close and see the intricate painted detail.
We’ve also created a display wall - designed by Anna Montgomery, with illustrations by David Lemm, which features illuminated small-scale copies of all twenty panels against a background of a map of the Burgh of Maryhill made of Caithness Stone.
We are running regular guided tours - details are on the website, or ring 0845 860 1878 to find out more.
The cafe is also now open, initially on Monday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm.
Heritage Wall display with replicas of all 20 panels
Notes to Journalists
This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk
Further information is available from Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 081 5202 at any time or email: press@mbht.org.uk
About the Regeneration Project
The 133 year old building has undergone a £9.6 million restoration project, which has breathed new life into the iconic Halls, saved them for the community, created a thriving centre for business, and made 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 now complete.
In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize for 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 open, 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 £1.327m
Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2 £1.26m
Heritage Lottery Fund £1.16m
Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund £980,910
Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund £1.02m
Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund £675,000
Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund £1.8m
Historic Scotland £593,000
Scottish Government Wider Role Fund £764,000
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
Cafe now open!
Our cafe, run by Grassroots Organics, is now open for the sale of teas, coffees, filled rolls and nice cakes!
Why not pop in for a cuppa between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday ?
The menus will be expanded over the next few weeks.
Free Building Tours - Book your place now! [Updated]
Press Coverage: New Stained Glass
Scotland.org: The official web-portal to Scotland
World's First Ever Interactive Stained Glass Window
West End Extra:
The Daily What:
Space-age windows come to Glasgow
Heritage Lottery Fund:
Maryhill’s new stained glass windows of today revealed at last!
The Metro, 14 Dec 2011, page 3
New crown jewels of Maryhill: Interactive Stained Glass Windows make their debut...
also:
The Herald Arts Magazine, 10 Dec 2011: Colourful Stories
Read the full text on author Jan Patience's blog here.
Greenock Telegraph, 9 Dec 2011
plus, a motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament:
Motion S4M-01590: Bob Doris, Glasgow, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 14/12/2011
That the Parliament welcomes the news of the world’s first interactive stained glass windows being revealed at Maryhill Burgh Halls; recognises the technological achievement in incorporating a 2D barcode that can be scanned by visitors’ smartphones, automatically directing them to a webpage containing further material and information on the designs; acknowledges that the set of 10 features the Maryhill-born Turner Prize winners, Douglas Gordon and Susan Phillipsz, Jaconelli’s Café, local primary school children and the signature of Mrs Mary Hill, the lady who gave her name to the area; notes the long history of stained glass in Maryhill from the creation of the original “crown jewels of Maryhill” in 1878 when the burgh commissioned 20 stained glass windows to showcase the trades and industries of the area, and celebrates this initiative, which can attract and inform the next generation of visitors to the crown jewels of Maryhill, both old and new.Supported by: Margaret Burgess, Kevin Stewart, Mike MacKenzie, David Torrance, Ruth Davidson, Stuart McMillan, Christina McKelvie, Humza Yousaf, Clare Adamson, Willie Coffey, Jamie Hepburn, Dennis Robertson, Colin Beattie, Bill Kidd, George Adam, Dave Thompson, Roderick Campbell, Adam Ingram, Annabelle Ewing
Maryhill’s New Stained Glass Windows of Today revealed at last !
Press Release:
Set of ten includes the world’s first ever interactive stained glass window!
Stained glass is an ancient art form that stretches back hundreds of years. Now, here at Maryhill Burgh Halls, we’re ready to reveal the world’s first ever interactive stained glass window.
Scan the 2D barcode in the window with your smartphone, and you’ll be automatically taken to a webpage explaining the designs and giving information about the glass.
While the new glass is as modern as can be, stained glass in Maryhill has a long history: in 1878, the then Burgh commissioned twenty stained glass windows to showcase the trades and industries of Maryhill. They were designed by the artist Stephen Adam, and have become known as the crown jewels of Maryhill.
In 2010, Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust decided to commission ten new stained glass windows, to celebrate the completion of the multi-million pound restoration of the Halls.
Around 250 local people - ranging in age from 6 to well over 65! - got involved in the process, learning about the techniques involved in stained glass making, creating their own stained glass, and crucially, having their say as to the kinds of things the new windows should depict.
Featured in the original 1878 windows were boatbuilders, glassblowers, iron moulders and a canal boatman - what things would the people of modern Maryhill like to see captured in glass for the 21st century?
Glass artist Alec Galloway, working with community specialist Margo Winning, has distilled the hundreds of comments and suggestions down into a variety of themes depicted in ten new windows.
Alec says: “I have to thank everyone at Maryhill for giving me their time and having faith that I could deliver the ideas that were presented - the key to the project has been the close community involvement and the fact that so much has come directly from the people and imagery of Maryhill itself.
I wanted to create something different from the original 1878 Adam windows, but that would sit along side them and not become overshadowed. They are defined by the screenprinting technique, something that I'd only really done on a few pieces before - this then marks them out as being pretty unique as an architectural glass scheme anywhere in the UK.
I really do look forward to seeing them permanently on display in the Burgh Halls!”
Margo commented: “It quickly emerged that the multiple layers of communities that make up Maryhill were very keen to express their thoughts and ideas in a range of ways; including writing, drawings, glass making and in endless interesting discussion and chat. It provided an enormously valuable introduction and connection to the area and community, letting me learn more about the place and people in a few weeks than I otherwise could have in years. It has been a delightful project to be involved in.”
Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer for the Trust, said:
“We’re really excited to finally see the results of all the hours of workshops and talks, and the effort put into this, not just from Alec and Margo, but from the literally hundreds of local people who got involved in various ways to have their say, try out some of the techniques involved in making stained glass, and in some cases, have their images actually featured in the glass itself.
The original Adam windows - which thanks to Glasgow Museums will be coming back to be displayed in the building very soon - have lasted over 130 years. Hopefully in another 130 years - around the year 2145 - the descendants of some of the school pupils featured in these new windows will be coming to the Burgh Halls to see just what their great-great grandfather looked like when he was in Primary 7 !”
Key funding for the Windows of Today project came from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:
“In 1878 the most magnificent stained glass windows were unveiled to celebrate the opening of the Burgh Halls. Over a hundred years on, the art of stained glass has inspired the community to come together again to celebrate their rich heritage. With their roots in the past, these new windows are a symbol of the future and the people of Maryhill should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”
The ten new windows have the following themes:
Education - featuring Primary 7 children from a local school
Culture - featuring Maryhill-born Turner prize winners Douglas Gordon & Susan Philipsz
Social Heritage - featuring Jaconelli’s cafe
Heavy Trades - featuring the Maryhill canal and locks
Workers - featuring the Bryant & May match factory
Space Age - featuring a local company that makes satellites
Youth - featuring a local youth club
Sport and Leisure - featuring the Maryhill Harriers running club, and 2 local football teams
Regeneration - featuring the Burgh Halls itself, and the silver key that opened it in 1878
Diversity - featuring some of the many different cultures now making up Maryhill
Connecting all the windows are excerpts from archive maps of the area, and lines from the song ‘Voices’, written by Kevin McDermott, about growing up in the Maryhill area.
Notes to Journalists
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. To date it has invested over £500million in Scotland’s heritage.
Further information
Please contact Shiona Mackay on 01786 870638/07779 142890 (shionamackay1@btinternet.com) or Jon Williams on 0207 591 6035 (jonw@hlf.org.uk). Website www.hlf.org.uk
This news release is issued by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk
Further information is available from Gordon Barr, Heritage Development Officer, 0794 081 5202 at any time or email: press@mbht.org.uk
About the Regeneration Project
The 133 year old building has undergone a £9.6 million restoration project, which has breathed new life into the iconic Halls, saved them for the community, created a thriving centre for business, and made 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 now complete, with the building due to open fully in the very near future.
In November 2010, the project was awarded a prize for 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 open, 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 £1.327m
Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2 £1.26m
Heritage Lottery Fund £1.16m
Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund £980,910
Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund £1.02m
Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund £675,000
Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund £1.8m
Historic Scotland £593,000
Scottish Government Wider Role Fund £764,000
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
Live Music Returns to the Halls At Last!
Musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, including Barbara Downie (on violin, at the back of the photo) accompanied children from Maryhill Primary School in the Halls at Doors Open Day 2005 - this was the last time that live music was performed in the Halls before the major restoration works commenced.
Now, in October 2011, Barbara returned to the refurbished Halls to see how they'd changed - and make sure that the acoustics were still up to standard!
Other musicians and orchestras are also following suit, and it's fantastic to hear the building alive with music once again.
Evening Times: It's A Key Moment in City History!
From the Evening Times, Tuesday 27th September
Astonishingly, more than 133 years later, one of the original keys has been discovered, in time for next month’s re-opening of the restored building.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/it-s-a-key-moment-in-city-history-1.1126161
Unlocking the past with Maryhill's silver key!
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.
Welcome to the Maryhill Burgh Halls Blog
Here you will find in-depth research and snippets into our local history which has been conducted by volunteers, staff and friends of the Halls.