WOMEN OF THE HERITAGE WALK For much of history, the inhabitants of Gorbals faced daily challenges to make ends meet; then as today, women bore a disproportionate share of poverty. But there is another strand to the Gorbals story, that of a sharing economy. As one woman within reminisces, “Everybody helped each other, you know. When times were good you shared with others. When times were bad, others helped you out.” Little of Old Gorbals survives, so you will need to use your imagination!

Begin at Victoria Bridge [1] my travels.” By the mid 19thC, (b: 1854). Here the 13thC following the Irish potato wooden bridge at the edge of famine and Highland clearances, ’s boundary crossed to the masses disembarking at Bridgend, a row of turf cottages Broomielaw were increasingly on sleepy Gorballes Muir. When desperate, and Gorbals acquired the bridge was rebuilt in stone a reputation for overcrowding, in 1345, Lady Marjory Stewart sickness and poverty that of Lochow funded an arch, haunted it into the 20thC. which bore a carving of her Before crossing, glance at the head. By 1771 the village, now mural of women hawkers Gorbals, had grown to 3,000. on Clutha Vaults pub. Many Irish seeking seasonal work Irishwomen in Gorbals worked might find a bed at compatriot as weavers, but some preferred Molly Gillespie’s (1766–1826). self-employment, giving their Her Gorbals lodging house name to Paddy’s Market. This charged thruppence a bed, but grew around Bridgegate in the kept two free for the destitute. early 19thC, convenient for The motley guests included Gorbals hawkers. From 1935 the “beggars, fortune-tellers and better-off rented railway arches. rowly powly gentry”. In 30 Others traded in Shipbank Lane Front Cover Image: Staff at Whitefield’s years, she provided shelter to outside, but when police came, Drapery Warehouse, 1936 (L-R) Rose Sacharin, Sylvia Balkin, Doris Antick © 50,000, and was, wrote Hawkie, they had to grab their “dollops” Scottish Jewish Archives Centre. the itinerant broadsheet seller, (bundles) and run. Despite Main St (now Gorbals St) looking north (1868-71) by Thomas Annan, Glasgow “the most charitable person traders’ protests, the market City Libraries, Information and Learning I have ever met with in all closed in 2009. Cross bridge, turn left into classes at Abbotsford Primary, children formed the bulk of riverside walk to Glasgow ensuring the community’s patients at Glasgow Medical Central Mosque [2] (b: 1984). children would not lose their Mission, which opened its 19thC Gorbals was diverse. mother tongue. Some still teach Oxford St dispensary in 1884. After the Irish came European today at the Central Mosque. It aimed to heal the “sinful, as Jews, fleeing Russian then later Cross Crown St, turn right into well as the merely sick” and Nazi, persecution. Tenements Florence St. its services were required into commonly housed Jewish, the mid-C20th, when the all- Scots and Irish families together, A decade before Scottish female staff included small but and affinities developed. universal health care in 1948, formidable ‘bible-woman’/nurse Christian women lit lamps for Florence St Clinic [3] targeted Celia ‘Goldie’ Goldfein. Funding Jewish neighbours on Shabbat, the health of Gorbals children, for the firstGlasgow Samaritan and in return, shoes might be with sun-ray treatment to Hospital for Women (est. 1886) mended or a loaf baked. The prevent rickets. Nearby, where in South Cumberland St was community supported several the Mosque stands now, raised by medical staff who synagogues and institutions, was the area’s first centre perceived a dire need among and a mikveh (women’s ritual of healing, St Ninian’s Leper poor women for gynaecological bath) was provided at Gorbals Hospital. Founded in 1350, services. It later moved to Baths. Last and in smaller year of Glasgow’s Black Death, , developing into one numbers came South Asians tradition holds that its patron of the largest such hospitals responding to post-WWII was the aforementioned Lady in Europe. Turn left to cross labour shortages, the men Marjory. In 1900, plague again Ballater St, then first right into later joined by their families. visited Gorbals. The first victim Commercial Rd. Grey skies and dark interiors was fish-hawkerMrs Bogie were a shock, but neighbours from this street (then Rose St). This iron-framed mill, assisted with unfamiliar When funeralgoers became commonly known as Twomax appliances like Hoovers, and infected, the authorities banned Clothing Factory [4] (b: 1816), in turn discovered the delights Irish wakes. 16 died before now houses social work of curry. Many Asian women, quarantine and disinfectant services. The billow from its skilled dressmakers, worked halted the outbreak. Outwith chimney which rotates like a in textile factories. From the such crises, addressing gaps in weathervane is Smokestack 1960s, educated Muslim women health provision for the poor (1994) designed by self-taught taught extracurricular Urdu fell to charities. Women and artist Rita McGurn (1940–2015). 3

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Molly's History (1826), Broadsheets Collection, Glasgow Room, Mitchell Library; Two women outside Links’ drapery shop, Main St (1907) © Scottish Jewish Archives Centre; Shafiqa Hassan teaching weekend Urdu School, Abbotsford Primary, 1973 courtesy of Parveen Ibrahim; Samaritan Hospital for Women (1886), Glasgow Caledonian University Archives (Heatherbank PL6060). Route length: 4km / 2.5 miles Terrain is flat pavements and paths, except grassed approach to Stop 10, which is uneven underfoot. 3

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Staff of Glasgow Medical Mission (L-R) Dr Mae Oastler, Mrs Steel, Miss Celia Goldfein, Mrs Smith, gorbalschristian.homestead. com; Smokestack © Steve Hosey/; Children in the Gorbals © Newsquest (Herald & Times); Detail of Orchard Plan (2004) © Amanda Currie, 4

Weaving mills like this were of anthrax in 1878, resulting in (b:1965) designed by Sir Basil the site for bitter industrial three women’s deaths. Turn Spence. Campaigning by disputes in Glasgow from the right into Old Rutherglen Rd to Gorbals Labour MP Alice Cullen 1820s. Operating spinning enter Rose Garden [5]. (1891–1969) was rewarded mules (machines) had long by Glasgow Corporation’s been a male preserve, but when “The Rosie”, a former burial ambitious programme of slum factory owners introduced first ground, was a precious green clearance and building. When lighter, then “self-acting” mules, playground for children living the Queen visited the site, women could be employed in cramped “single-end” (one Cullen insisted she view an as operatives. Unemployed room) tenements. Today it old single-end, wherein Her male spinners organised to contains two works by women Majesty enquired, “Is this all?” terrorise female workers. The artists. To the north is the Delighted with their new sky- intimidation and violence bronze Rose War Memorial high kitchenettes and indoor included beatings, vitriol- (2005) by Liz Peden, specifically bathrooms, some women throwing and shootings, and dedicated to Victoria Cross nevertheless missed the one worker’s mother was winner Private James Stokes tenement camaraderie. Spence murdered. A parliamentary (1915–1945), but serving as a enthused that on washing report described how one tribute to all from Gorbals who day, the flats would resemble factory owner “found it gave their lives during conflict. “a great ship in full sail”, and necessary to dismiss all female By the east wall is Gorbals suggested tenants could grow spinners from their works, and Orchard (2004) by Amanda peaches on the balconies. In to employ only male spinners, Currie. Free for all to harvest, practice, elevators broke down, most probably the very men it serves a practical as well as and people were blown off their who had attempted their ruin.” artistic function in an area that feet by gusts round the base. Elsewhere, Gorbals women historically suffered poverty and Plagued by damp, the flats were were employed in the Adelphi malnutrition. Leave via south demolished in 1993. During Hair Factory in Ballater St, gate, go left then take second the explosion, bystander Helen which spun horsehair like wool. right into Queen Elizabeth Tinney, 61, lost her life. More The factory’s shape earned it Gardens [6]. flats fell in 2016 to make way the nickname “coffin works” but for housing on a more human working conditions could also On this site once stood the scale by New Gorbals Housing be deadly. Russian horse manes notorious high-rise flats of Association. Turn left into were the source of an outbreak Queen Elizabeth Square Cumberland St. 6 9

Alice Cullen and Queen viewing model of high rises, 1961 © Newsquest (Herald & Times); Lilias Graham and children at Braendam House, by permission Lilias Graham Trust; Heroine of Matagorda illus. Swain (1873) commons.wikimedia.org; Helen Crawfurd (1920s) © Gallacher Memorial Library,

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Gorbals Boys [7] (2008) and respite centre. She later Magdalene Smith, her husband, recreates Oscar Marzaroli’s gifted the house to the Lilias and housekeeper Mary iconic 1963 photograph in Graham Trust which continues McNaughton. The women bronze. Sculptor Liz Peden her legacy, assisting families died in 1933 when, shielded says, “The Gorbals always had affected by social exclusion and by their umbrella, they walked this reputation of the men with poverty. Follow Cumberland under a tramcar. Local children the big rough and tough image, St to cross Caledonia Rd and know this monument as the and this cut right through that.” enter the Necropolis. White Lady, and believe her Walk on to St Francis Centre [8]. gaze turns you to stone. Exit At the northeast corner of the by main gate, turning left St Francis Church (b: 1881), (b: 1840) along Cumberland St to cross now a community centre, lies the Heroine of Matagorda, at lights. Enter second metal serves as a backdrop to discuss Agnes Reston, nee Harkness archway on your right, then the contribution of one Gorbals [9] (1771–1856). Harkness take left fork alongside grassed activist driven by faith. Lilias accompanied her soldier area. Continue through Violet Graham (1917–2008) husband to Matagorda, Spain Hallside Place, then left into was a Scottish aristocrat who during the Napoleonic Wars Cumberland St [11]. moved to Gorbals in the and showed great courage 1950s as a lay worker with the under siege. As the troops Born at no.175 (demolished), Episcopal Church. She joined withdrew, she made several suffragette, pacifist, and the Gorbals Group, a radical desperate forays under fire to communist Helen Crawfurd Christian ministry inspired rescue her son and belongings. (1877–1954) endured by East Harlem ministers Back in Glasgow, the family imprisonment and hunger who lived among those they lived on her husband’s army strikes for the suffragette served. Her tenement flat in pension but after his death, cause, but quit the prowar Abbotsford Place was a hub for Harkness became an inmate wing in 1914. During WWI locals seeking advice, women’s of the Town’s Hospital and she organised strikes against groups, children playing and Poorhouse for the next decade. rent-hiking landlords, and trainee social workers. Graham A public appeal in 1845 gave spearheaded the Women’s believed the Gorbals needed her financial independence, Peace Crusade. At her funeral not only bread, but roses, and but now 74, she chose to it was said she “personified all established a holiday scheme remain in the poorhouse, that was best in revolutionary for children that runs today. paying board until her death. womanhood”. She was not the On inheriting the family manor Follow route southwest to a only local suffragette. When Ayr house near Stirling in 1972, she white monument of a veiled racecourse was firebombed in opened its doors as a holiday woman [10]. Buried here are 1913, the identity of the woman 11

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Catherine Taylor © Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum; Girl in a Wood (1928) © Estate of Hannah Frank; Ida Schuster in “The Balcony” by Genet (1982) © ; Unity Theatre touring bus (1946 ) © Glasgow University Library.

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responsible was guarded by Russian-Jewish immigrants. The youngest of nine born to her family for 90 years. It is Her father ran a photographic Yiddish-speaking Lithuanian now believed she was Gorbals and scientific equipment shop immigrants, she began acting cinema cashier Catherine on Saltmarket, and perhaps aged 15 with the Jewish Players. Taylor (1868–1930). Before early knowledge in this area In 1941, the Players merged the suffragettes, Chartist led Frank to sign early works Al with other groups to form organisations such as Gorbals Aaraaf – a mysterious, brilliant the Unity Theatre, touring Female Universal Suffrage star. She trained as a teacher, in a converted RAF bus to Association (est. 1839) attending only evening art bring political theatre to the campaigned to extend the classes, yet became skilled in masses. Their major success vote to all men. Still, even several different media. She was The Gorbals Story in sedate political activities is best-known for her austere 1946, which played to over such as temperance teas yet romantic monochrome 100,000 people in six months. had chairwoman Agnes drawings, but after 1952, Set in a crowded tenement, its Lennox (flourished 1839– sculpture became her focus. For characters represent a cross- 1841) denounced as a “brazen- much of her life her work was section of postwar Gorbals faced jade”. not widely known, but after her society, including a Highland niece championed her work in baker, Irish labourer and Indian Go right into Pine Place, advance of her centenary, Frank peddlar. Schuster says “The left into Errol Gardens, finally achieved recognition Unity Theatre was a particular then straight into Hospital as the last living Glasgow Girl. response to a particular time. St. Cross the car park and Turn right into Gorbals St. These were heady days and a busy junction at lights after the war we really felt to arrive under the railway Behind the modern atrium of utopia had arrived.” She turned arch [12]. Seven Arches the Citizens Theatre [13] (est. professional in the 1950s, (2016) by Liz Peden and 1945), the auditorium of the and directed the inaugural arts group WAVEparticle 1878 theatre is preserved. This production at the Tron Theatre remembers notable locals. The and the Linen Bank diagonally (est. 1981). She still takes to the reproduction of Girl in a Wood opposite are among the last boards today. (1928) pays tribute to Hannah remnants of Victorian Gorbals. Frank (1908–2008). Frank was Actor Ida Schuster (b. 1920) born in South Portland St to has appeared here for decades. For further reading, visit the Women Make History pages at the website address below. For more insight into women’s history contact Glasgow Women’s Library to find out when our two hour guided walks of Gorbals and other areas of Glasgow take place. You can also download our maps and audio tours from our website.

About Glasgow Women’s Library Glasgow Women’s Library is no ordinary library. It is the only Accredited Museum dedicated to women’s history in the UK, and also a designated Recognised Collection of National Significance. A place for browsing, borrowing and being inspired, GWL is welcoming, free and open to all, with programmes of events and activities that offer something for everyone: from film screenings to literacy support; from talks to supported volunteering opportunities; and from exhibitions to workshops.

About Women Make History Women Make History is GWL’s women’s history project. Volunteers research and deliver pioneering Women’s Heritage Walking tours in Glasgow and produce related maps and audio tours. Other activities include talks, workshops, recording the histories of living heroines, exhibition curation, tour guiding, training and ongoing women’s history detective work. For more details contact GWL.

How to get involved Glasgow’s women’s history is still largely hidden from the general public. There are many ways to get involved to address this. Why not join our women’s history detective or tour guide teams? You may have information you think could be added to this tour or suggestions of how it could be improved. If so, we want to hear from you. Some people choose to support GWL by becoming a Friend. This is an invaluable way of ensuring that GWL will be around for future generations and details can be found here: http://womenslibrary.org.uk/how-to-get-involved/become-a-friend/

Contact us To find out more about GWL, Women Make History, our guided tour dates and maps and audio tours of other routes please visit our website: www.womenslibrary.org.uk, or email us at [email protected]

This trail was developed by the Glasgow Women’s Library Women Make History Gorbals Detectives group and supported by Area Partnership. Edited by Heather Middleton. Designed by Kirsty McBride. © GWL 2016

Special thanks to Fiona Frank, Deborah Haase, Steve Hosey, Elspeth King, Carole McCallum and Ida Schuster. “Everybody helped…” quotation from interview with Ida Schuster, 2016.