Once again the lairs and residents of the Southern Necropolis were the unique venue for the Gorbals contribution to Glasgow’s ‘Doors Open Weekend’.

Yours truly was the tour host and adding the living history element were the excellent performers from Gorbals Youth and Community Theatre and TRAM Direct.

Introduction to the proceedings was undertaken by popular character and gatehouse architect Charles Wilson (aka actor Paul Kozinski) who welcomed all present. Then I hosted a flick through some of the chapters in the story of the Southern Necropolis.

The who’s who or should I say ‘Who was Who’ of the cemetery tour included, Peter Ferguson (founder of the Band of Hope in Glasgow), George Thomson (Engineer and Shipbuilder from Govan), the Geddes Family (Humane Society Officers), The White Lady (legendary iconic monument), Wee Willie White (Glasgow character), Alexander Greek Thomson (Architect) and other individuals – all pieces of this unique historic jig-saw.

One well known and much asked about resident is Sir Thomas Lipton. Even now, he is as well known around the globe as he was in the heyday of his business empire. During this chapter of the tour, I likened him to an 1800’s version of Richard Branson. Both men share a unique talent in business promotion. Lipton was strongly influenced by his early days in the United States and came up with many ways to promote his goods: employing a popular cartoonist of the day for his adverts, walking pigs through the streets with ribbons round their necks and giving them the name ‘Lipton’s Orphans’, (the animals themselves unaware of their true destiny). He even devised the idea of Lipton’s Money – similar to vouchers payable for different amounts spent in his shop.

 From the back quarter of the Central Section we were introduced to ‘watch and wake’, the tradition of the three days watch over the departed corpse. This was to make sure that it was departed and had no intentions of a surprise return to life. In the early days of the Southern Necropolis there were tales of individuals who were not quite as ready to meet their Maker as was generally thought.

Some inventions at that time included a device fitted to the inside of the coffin, activating a bell at ground level to alert passers by (the modern day equivalent perhaps being buried along with your mobile phone. Making sure of course that there was enough credit should you need to connect with those above.

Back to the days of death in pre-18th century and we are told of ‘Mort Coffins’, where the body is placed in a shroud and knotted at each end. The coffin having bolts that were withdrawn as it was lowered down, thus allowing the coffin to be used again – dead sneaky eh!

 During the tour we were pleased to announce the official launch of the Gorbals Heritage Environment Trust  (GHET) website, which will provide a local and worldwide platform to promote the historical and educational assets of the Gorbals and its environs. There is a strong, growing interest in the Gorbals and its rich heritage, and the Trust is keen to encourage people to ghet involved. Anyone wishing to join or contribute (related skills or otherwise), should get in touch: GHET, St. Francis Centre, 405 Cumberland Street, Gorbals, G5 or visit the website at www.ghet.org

Looking forward to seeing those coming to our new Southern Necropolis ‘Resurrecting History’ Tours. The first Saturday and Sunday of each month, starting 1pm at the gatehouse.

The Happy Reaper.