Friends of West Newsletter

Issue 46 fgw.org.uk May 2011

Preserving and enhancing the character and amenity of Glasgow’s West End

FGW IS A LOCAL AMENITY SOCIETY WITH CHARITABLE STATUS SCO 24748

“FGW Conversazione” CONTENTS Friday 20 MAY 2pm – 3.30pm Conversazione 1

Grosvenor Hilton Hotel West End Festival Events 1

Great Western Rd at Byres Rd Summer 2011 Visit 1

Terrace Bar, First Floor Convener’s Column 2

Tea/Coffee/Scones - £5.50 a head Reports of Recent Events 2

Come Along and Pay on the Day Lansdowne Project 3

Planning Applications 4/5 3 conversation pieces of West End interest… Local Heritage Talks 6 and socialise in comfortable surroundings… Guided Walks 7/8 On Sale: Books/Cards/Hyndland Centenary DVD FGW Committee 8

FGW EVENTS LANSDOWNE EVENTS in the WEST END FESTIVAL in the WEST END FESTIVAL

22 FGW GUIDED WALKS Lansdowne Heritage Day with local history experts including GCHT’s Launch of G. Urquhart’s Lansdowne Book 18 FGW “LOCAL INTEREST” TALKS Sat 18 June, 10am – 4pm at Hillhead Library in assoc. with Glasgow Life, and Art Adventure Day supported by GCC Hillhead Area Committee Sat 11 June, 10am – 6pm

Friends of Glasgow West August 2011 Visit West Meets East: Bridgeton Regeneration & CWG2014 Wednesday 17 August 2011, 1 pm – 5 pm with Ian Mitchell, author “Glasgow: This City Now” £15 per person in advance - Includes light refreshments If you wish to attend, PLEASE NOTIFY COLIN COX 0141 337 3735 or [email protected]

CONVENER’S COLUMN REPORTS We’ve had a veritable plethora of events This year’s West End Lectures, once since the last issue – reported below. again very competently hosted and And check the front page of this issue - arranged by FGW Secretary Colin Cox, there are plenty more to come! gave a fresh in-depth look at 8 topics of Our planning applications team – current heritage, architectural, musical, Iain Wotherspoon, David Howat, Kate historical and social interest. Audience Richard and myself - continues working feedback was excellent. VERY hard to keep up to date with new The West End Lectures will run in 2012 Planning Legislation, and to look at all – either in Glasgow University DACE, or new proposals for Glasgow West – independently if the necessity arises. about three hundred a year. Recently, During the on-going public campaign we met with Enforcement Section staff to save DACE, FGW wrote a letter of (a separate entity from the one that strong support referring to high-value deals with Planning Applications) to local collaboration over 15 years. discuss some general concerns. Our Conversazione at the Especially notable in June’s West Grosvenor Hilton Hotel in End Festival are Local Heritage Talks March was a pleasant and which we’ve organised in collaboration sociable occasion with with Glasgow Life and Hillhead Library. lovely fresh scones, jam FGW was fortunate to receive support and cream! Roger Guthrie of £1000 from Hillhead Area Committee brought a very heavy cast for these. FGW committee member iron “Elmbank” baluster Mary Donald and I enjoyed working with (see left), David Martin told the highly enthusiastic and competent us about his “Taking Care Katrina Brodin, West Area Libraries of Older Buildings” course, Manager, and her team at Hillhead, to and David Robertson create this year’s new programme. spoke on Cottier’s and New West End Heritage Walks, 10am on Lansdowne. The brief Wednesdays in May, July and August, EGM held that day, will be from Botanic Gardens Main Gates. reported at the 2011 AGM. Introduction to the area and its buildings with David Alcock. Free of charge. At Trades Hall in February, a dozen Partick Heritage Trail by G. Urquhart FGW members were welcomed by Roy was originally published by Partick Fayre. Parkin, toured round many sumptuous Now, with their blessing, it has come rooms, and were then regaled with under FGW’s wing with our other Trails, Trades Hall history and afternoon tea. which we subsequently commissioned The Taking Care of Older Buildings from Gordon, based on the highly eleven-week course, currently running successful original Partick model. FGW at Glasgow Metropolitan College, has funded a recent update to this trail, and attracted a very worthwhile enrolment of Glasgow City Heritage Trust has twenty-three in all – people working in supported us to print 5000 copies of the property management, construction new version. Available at local libraries. trades, planners, an architect and p.2 owners of listed buildings. Lansdowne Heritage Day, 18 June 2011

10.15 am John Honeyman, Architect of Lansdowne with David Stark

11.30am Alf Webster and his Stained Glass, with Robin Webster

2.00pm Book Launch: “A Notable Ornament” Gordon Urquhart, publ Glasgow City Heritage Trust the author

Lansdowne Art Adventure, 11 June 2011

Painting demos and workshops, including Alasdair Gray painting all day And Allan Richardson painting outside in the morning Art Photography, exhibition and workshops with Tom Donald Stained Glass Demonstrations: Steve Richard - Etched Glass: Junko Eager

Further details on all West End Festival Events: fgw.org.uk

HISTORIC A NOTE FROM LANSDOWNE COTTIER CONFERENCE Lansdowne Parish Church continues its Held within the restored in Cottier fruitful collaboration with Friends of Theatre building itself, this Glasgow West, Four Acres Charitable Trust conference was entitled “Before and other interested parties from the Mackintosh: Daniel Cottier, William community. The church and halls are a Leiper and the “First Glasgow busy community hub, used recreationally, School” for music and arts, dance and theatre, social action and 'interest groups', health The conference coincided with and well-being, religion and spirituality... Sir Angus Grossart’s launch of the excellent new HS publication about Elsewhere you will find news of the West Daniel Cottier, “Cottier in Context”, End Festival Art Day, local walks and the edited by David Robertson. launch of historian Gordon Urquhart's definitive new book about Lansdowne. In An audience of seventy heard tandem with FACT and FGW we also fascinating presentations from a wide anticipate the formation of Friends of range of experts: David Robertson, Lansdowne in due course. Dr Hilary McCartney, Ranald MacInnes, Prof. John Hume, Michael The Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Davis, Simon Green, Linda Cannon, Glasgow is reviewing its strategic plan. At Max Donnelly, Dr Elizabeth Cumming time of writing I cannot say what the and David Mitchell. outcome will be. Meanwhile in Lansdowne we work with our parish grouping, The conference was so well received Presbytery and people of good will, towards that highlights are being run again on continuing an open, welcoming and Friday 24 June – see foot of p6. cooperative Christian presence within the site. Roy Henderson p.3

CURRENT WEST END PLANNING APPLICATIONS

AN OVERVIEW of what we do… Of course a few proposals are Thankfully, three-quarters of the three irrevocably unacceptable, e.g. because hundred or so planning applications they involve unjustified listed building made annually in Glasgow West demolition, or major irreversible damage Conservation Area are fine, and will to the character of the Conservation indeed “preserve or enhance the Area: here we often work with character of the Conservation Area” as community councils and other local stated in Glasgow City Plan 2. residents in a vigorous public campaign. Such development delivers the kind of Where we have seen that the long-term improvement to the area’s independent, high-quality information Victorian and Edwardian building stock necessary for well-considered planning which we have all seen over recent years. decisions, is deficient or even lacking, we have commissioned professional Glasgow West Conservation Area: evidence, such as the Engineering - is a long-standing, already-developed, Structural Report for Botanic Gardens built-up neighbourhood, Garage by John Addison, and the more recent Conservation Appraisal of Otago - is covered by Article 4 directions Lane, produced by MAST Architects (additional conservation controls), with FGW’s Iain Wotherspoon. - has over three hundred listed Large increases in Licensing provision buildings, many of them grade A, have occurred in the West End: we - has a very high planning applications supported the “Overprovision” case for rate, both in city and national terms, Byres Road, and are very concerned - is a place where money-making from about the concentration and scale of development is relatively easy. alcohol provision in . FGW guiding principles are based on: PROGRESS ON HOUSES OF MULTIPLE OCCUPATION (HMOs) - National Planning Legislation By Jean Charsley - Glasgow City Plan 2 We did it! Councils and licensing - Glasgow West Conservation Area Appraisal boards can now take into account over- - Our experience and understanding of provision of HMOs in an area, licensing local trends and the local scene. boards can refuse to consider a licence For any initially unacceptable proposals, until planning has been settled, and we often suggest various improvements most remarkable of all, Pauline in specific detail to make them more McNeill's amendments designed to acceptable under Glasgow City Plan 2. enable licensing boards to refuse a licence if a room has been subdivided We think this is worthwhile, as our or kitchens or bathrooms moved from suggestions (which technically we have original vertically stacked services in a to couch as “objections”) are definitely tenement, were accepted by unanimous taken up in some cases, often being vote. Jean and others were thanked by incorporated as “conditions of consent”. MSPs for their efforts. Our own FGW full appreciation is recorded here too! p.4

SAVE OTAGO LANE Campaign CLOUSTON STREET Having withdrawn the previous Otago This site, also known as North Kevin Lane development application in Meadow, is a large plot of GCC land, to January, the developer lodged a be sold to a developer for about £10m, reduced application in February with with the intention of being partly built much the same footprint, and broadly over, and some left as public space. similar negative impact on the The North Kelvin Meadow Campaign character of the Conservation Area. wishes the whole space to be brought For technical reasons this required only into public use i.e. not built on at all. a 3-week consultation period, but even The pre-application period for the in this short time, there was again a developer’s proposals generated much huge number of objections. public participation, including FGW. FGW strongly supported this renewed The proposed 20% of public space public campaign. definitely requires to be significantly increased, maybe doubled, and its We now await what we think must be a location moved away from being further refusal, as the current proposals locked in the middle of the housing still fail by a long way, to “preserve or development, to create a genuinely enhance the character of the usable solution. conservation area”, amongst their numerous other failings. Debate on the nature of the public use raised many ideas, one very sensible

suggestion being Allotments operated BOTANIC GARDENS GARAGE by a local trust. Working with local Councillor Martha We are now awaiting fresh proposals. Wardrop and long-standing Botanic

Gardens Garage campaigner Sam Maddra, David Howat, FGW Vice ORANMOR Convener, is now looking for a positive Planning Permission and Listed future for this building, which is owned Building Consent have been granted by Arnold Clark. retrospectively for the “Blue Hoop” on the spire of this B Listed building. This VODAPHONE MAST decision was a long time coming – in proposed in Wilton Street fact 15 months after the Hoop was installed, just before Christmas 2009. In February, Vodaphone submitted an application for a telecommunications OranMor made a recent application to mast located in a grossly unsuitable re-appropriate into their own private position between the tenements at the use, a stretch of public pavement at the west end of Wilton Street. Great Western Road corner which had been compulsorily purchased from the FGW submitted an objection letter, and Church in the 1930s. Following strong also supported a campaign by local objections voiced by Hillhead residents who approached us for help. Community Council, FGW and many This application was speedily refused. others, GCC refused this application. p.5 Historic Maryhill GUIDED WALKS Thur 9 June, 7pm Combining work by many of Glasgow's leading In the West End Festival architects, including Mackintosh, with housing All Tickets £7, buy in advance from all eras from Victorian to post war, Maryhill from Barretts in Byres Road retains a distinctive identity and holds some of Glasgow's best kept historical secrets including The Quirky West End --NEW-- Maryhill Burgh Halls, re-opening later this year. Friday 3 June, 7pm This varied walk, led by Gordon Barr of Maryhill Why do many us love the “quirkiness” of the West Burgh Halls Trust, will take in Maryhill itself, the End - and what does this mean anyway? Join canal that made the area, and a selection of Ann Laird to investigate some of the places and landmark buildings, stained glass and artwork. buildings that charm and delight visitors and residents, and consider the range of influences Artist’s View of the West End that may determine their future. Fri 10 June, 7pm Kenneth Burns, local historian and longstanding Science Celebrities --NEW-- West End Artist, describes the impacts felt by the Sat 4 June, 7pm artist in a walk around some of his favourite A stroll with Ian Mitchell around places buildings and streets. Free post-card sized prints. associated with eminent scientists who either Forth & Clyde Canal worked in or were from Glasgow (Black, Kelvin, Sat 11 June, 2pm Lister, Rankine, Ramsay etc.), taking us through Canal historian and writer Guthrie Hutton leads the University area, and into you through some of Scotland's major waterway, and the Park district. transport, industrial and historical sites, including The Lansdowne Area many hidden treasures and the breathtaking city Mon 6 June, 7pm viewpoint at Spiers Wharf. Return journey on Conservation expert David Martin visits board "Voyager" or "Gipsy Princess". Lansdowne Church and examines other local Park Circus Area architecture including Lansdowne Crescent Mon 13 June, 7pm nearby. Currently "at risk", Lansdowne Church Roger Guthrie perambulates through the requires significant funding to secure the future of magnificent Park Circus area, Britain's pre- its landmark spire and world-class stained glass. eminent example of early Victorian town Glasgow University, Old & New planning. In recent years, many of architect Tues 7 June, 7pm Charles Wilson's splendid terrace houses have Bob Crawford, local historian and formerly of the been converted back to residential use. University Estates and Buildings Dept, tours 'old and new' in the University's West End campus, Our Expanding Heritage --NEW-- from Sir George Gilbert Scott's 1870 Gothic Main Tues 14 June, 7pm Buildings to the elegant modern buildings in New design anywhere is potentially controversial, University Avenue. and certainly so in the West End. Have you ever wondered which new buildings of today could Greek Thomson’s ‘Sixty Steps’ become the listed buildings of the future? Join Wed 8 June, 7pm Ranald MacInnes of Historic Scotland in a tour of Join Roger Guthrie, Alexander "Greek" Thomson the area, and see what you think! expert, in a perambulation around the West End to discuss the well-hidden gem, the "Sixty Steps" Greek Thomson’s ‘Sixty Steps’ and some splendid listed buildings designed by Wed 15 June, 2.30pm (Short Walk) this world-class genius. ---See Wed 8 June p.6

Dowanhill - Jewel in the Crown Historic Hillhead Thurs 16 June, 7pm Thurs 23 June, 7pm Local expert Fionna Eden-Bushell explains the Visit Hillhead, the oldest part of the Victorian history and architecture of the grand and elegant West End, with local expert Fionna Eden-Bushell, churches, terraces, pleaure gardens and villas of including early terraces and tenements, and Dowanhill, including the superb "facelift" of A- some modern buildings, in this University haven. listed Crown Circus. Hyndland Old Station Victorian Cast Iron Splendour Fri 24 June, 7pm Fri 17 June, 2.30pm (Short Walk) Local historian Ann Laird visits the site of the ---See Tues 21 June former North British railway station, now the site Partick and Dowanhill of the "Old Station Park" project, and tours Sat 18 June, 7pm Hyndland's elegant red sandstone tenements, Fiona Sinclair, president of Glasgow Institute of churches, bowling club, and school. Architects, describes features and styles West End Cinemas --NEW-- portrayed in the much-loved Victorian and Sat 25 June, 2pm Edwardian buildings of Partick and Dowanhill. A stroll with Gordon Barr, joint editor of the World Tour of the West End ScottishCinemas.org website, highlighting Sun 19 June, 7pm examples of the full range of cinema architectural David Martin explains how architectural history, including converted roller-skating rinks, inspirations from overseas are reflected in some the earliest purpose built halls, and the peculiarly West End buildings. Scottish 'back-court' theatres. This walk will highlight cinemas that were, cinemas that are, Best West End Tenements and cinemas that might have been. Mon 20 June, 7pm Ann Laird, local historian, visits a selection of the Partick Heritage West End's 40 'listed' Victorian and Edwardian Sun 26 June, 2pm tenements, including Avril Paton's famous Gordon Urquhart explains the long history of "Windows in the West". Partick village, its mills on the River Kelvin, the development of two major shipyards, and its time Victorian Cast Iron Splendour as a Burgh in the Victorian era. Tues 21 June, 7pm Roger Guthrie, expert on Glasgow's Victorian architectural cast-iron, looks at the West End's FGW COMMITTEE world-class collection, including some of the grant-aided restoration projects which have Convener: Ann Laird brought them back to life. Vice Convener: David Howat Secretary: Colin Cox Treasurer: Iain Wotherspoon North Kelvin Committee Mary Donald, Eric Kay, Wed 22 June, 7pm Ian Mitchell, Kate Richard, Bill Waller Kenneth Burns, West End artist and local AHSS Rep: Audrey Gardner historian, visits bridges, churches, schools, a Newsletter: Eric Curtis variety of domestic buildings and occasional industrial relics to the north of the River Kelvin. Published by Friends of Gla sgow West Includes North Woodside Old Flint Mill, "Greek" Thomson's 60 steps, and the imposing terrace at c/o Ann Laird, 16 Dudley Drive Glasgow G12 9SB

Wilton Crescent. Free leaflet included. [email protected] p.7 0141 334 6354

FGW Local Interest and Heritage TALKS

AT HILLHEAD LIBRARY All talks free. Full details in West End Festival Brochure In collaboration with Hillhead Library. Supported by GCC Hillhead Area Committee

Art Photography Old Glasgow through the lens th Saturday 4th June 2pm Thursday 16 June 7pm Tom Donald Douglas Annan

North Woodside Parks and Heritage Monday 6th June 7pm Friday 17th June 2pm Ian R Mitchell Dennis McCue GCC LES Ewen Donaldson Manager of Village Vibes . th Tuesday 7 June 7pm Michael Dale, WEF Director, and The West End Means Business Glasgow Centre for Population Health Monday 20th June 7pm

Evelyn Hogarth Top Tier Owner The Glasgow Undergrounds th Martin Fell TchaiOvna Owner Wednesday 8 June 7pm Alan Macdonald Tennent’s regular

Colin McKay

Great Western Road and the The Quirky West End st Building of the West End Tuesday 21 June 7pm Ann Laird

Thursday 9th June 7pm Celebrating The Gordon Urquhart nd Wednesday 22 June 2pm Gartnavel Hospital and Chapel Irene O’Brien Mitchell Library.

Saturday 11th June 2pm Town and Gown Fergus Sutherland rd

Thursday 23 June 2pm Celebrating Community Tommy Gore, President of GU SRC, Monday 13th June 7pm Prof. Frank Coton, Vice Principal

Peter Gotch Athole Lane Improv. Soc, Neil Johnston Friends of Old Station Park Health and Heritage April Chamberlain K’side Allotments Ass. Thursday 23rd June 7pm Chairman David Howat, FGW Manager of St Mungo’s Museum

of Religious Life and Art, with Tales from the Tollbooth Heather MacLeod of WalkGlasgow

th Tuesday 14 June 7pm Bill Black Cottier and Leiper “Mini-Conference” Friday 24th June 2pm Tenement Management Old and New... th David Robertson, Ranald Macinnes, Wednesday 15 June 7pm Linda Cannon, Simon Green Ann Flint, housing consultant Highlights from the March 2011 Historic Lorraine MacDonald, President of the Scotland Cottier Conference. Property Managers’ Assoc. of Scotland. Family Fun! Sunday 26th June 2pm