The original features will be restored and the space converted into offices for the Agency’s Social Economy Team and Greater Govan Money Matters advice service. Even the old cells will be transformed into ‘incubator’ units for budding entrepreneurs. This work is scheduled to be complete by the spring of 2009. 

Said Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Glasgow City Council’s Development and Regeneration Services, ‘The preservation of Orkney Street Police Staiton and its historical legacy to the people of Govan, is a priority for the Council. We are particularly pleased to provide £1.75million from our City Growth Fund to make this happen.’

Linking with this, will be an £8m housing development at Broomloan Road - Govan Road where Govan Housing Association will build around 70 homes on vacant land to the north and east of the police station. These properties will be to rent, for low-cost home ownership and for sale privately. This project is due to start late next year.

Govan Cross will be re-vitalised through almost £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund announced as the LOCAL NEWS went to press.

Concentrating on the Pearce Institute and surrounding historic features, it will enable shop front improvements to be made along Govan Road, Burleigh Street and Langlands Road. The Aitken Memorial Fountain, Cardell Halls and Sir William Pearce’s statue will be repaired and restored and a quality surface will link these key buildings and features to enhance the historic core of Govan.

Local MSP Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the news. ‘There are exciting times ahead for Govan and this award will help to bring ambitious plans to fruition. Govan has a truly unique heritage which is of great importance to the people who live and work here and to Glasgow as a whole. The Pearce Institute has been part of the fabric of Govan for over 100 years. It has a hugely important role to play in the regeneration of the area.’

He added, ‘I listen to radio in a different way now. I know how things are done and know what way I’d have done the things I hear.’

Now he’s intent on passing on his expanded knowledge to others. ‘Sunny Govan has been brilliant for me,’ said Sandy who is registered disabled with a condition which makes his body go to sleep while his mind is still active. ‘I’ve always been interested in radio and intrigued by it.’

He started doing radio programmes from his boyhood at Corseford School then gained a grounding at the Southern General Hospital Radio. ‘Radio was always what I wanted to do,’ confided Sandy.

Since becoming a regular presenter on Sunny Govan Radio he hasn’t looked back. ‘Sunny Govan has been tremendous for me and with the training I’ve received here and the back up through the certificate, I’m getting a real buzz.’

His greatest moment on air, so far, was interviewing Francis Healey, a star of River City.

On the site of the Stepping Stones on the corner of Leslie Street and Keir Street they  intend to have a Barnardos Apna for disabled children and six 2 and 3 bedroom flats. The total cost will be £1.5million.

Local residents have set up a new community association – the Leslie Street Greenspaces Group  – to oppose these changes and have leafletted hundreds of homes.

Ajaz Ahmad, a resident and member of the group said, ‘These parks are well used by all sections of the community and green spaces are in limited supply. The trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them because they are over 100 years old.’

Another resident Anna Matthews, (32), who is a youth worker told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘I’m against these plans because of the parking and the increase in traffic. If this goes ahead it will make things ten times worse’

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister and Govan MSP said, ‘I support this campaign. It is very important to have new houses but not at the expense of valuable green spaces. There is already too little green space in this part of Pollokshields, I have submitted a letter of objection to the planning department. There are alternative sites to build houses on and I think these should be considered.’
Pollokshields Community Council’s Chairperson, Fatima Uygun, said, ‘There are plenty of other sites in Pollokshields which the Association could use.’

Over 100 letters of objections have been submitted already. Pollokshields Councillors Khalil Malik and Irfan Rabbani are both opposed to the plan.

The third Pollokshields Councillor, David Meikle, sits on the Glasgow City Council’s Planning Application Committee and therefore has to remain objective and impartial.

Patrick McGrath, Director of Southside Housing Association told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘The Save Our Parks campaign is misleading as the two formal parks in Leslie Street will be unaffected by our proposal and indeed may benefit from it. Issues such as parking and trees will be looked at by the Planning Authority and it may reject our proposal or ask us to amend it depending on how it views these matters.

‘Land for social purposes is very limited. Barnardos has been in temporary accommodation for 12 years. Most sites are sold for private development at prices we cannot afford.’

The validation of the application was expected to be confirmed by Glasgow City Council as this paper went to press.

‘Their opinion would carry a lot of weight,’ said Ronnie Convery, spokesman for the Archdiocese. ‘But ultimately the decision rests with the Archbishop.’

Archbishop Mario Conti will celebrate Mass at 11am on Sunday 11 November at Duns Scotus.

The new book, funded by newly established Scottish charity South Glasgow Heritage and Environment Trust (SGHET) and Glasgow City Council, was 18 months in the making. It features stories about some of the characters buried in the cemetary, has illustrations from Sunday Herald Illustrator Adrian B. McMurchie and even has a map guiding you round the final resting places of the people featured in the book – hence its pocket size.

Colin said, ‘This book is a landmark for the Southern Necropolis and opens a window in time into Glasgow’s past. We have to respect and value these places and remember the vast heritage they hold. People left headstones for a reason and we shouldn’t forget that.’

Colin’s co-author Paul told the LOCAL NEWS, ‘I’m relieved it’s finished! It was a lot of hard work. If people knew more about where they came from they would take more pride in their community. The Southern Necropolis is a snapshot of the people that made Glasgow the second city of the empire - from the people who paid for buildings to be built to the people who cleaned them.’

SGHET Chair, Isobel Barrett commented, ‘The turnout at the launch has been well worth the effort it has taken to get here and reflects the upsurge in people’s interest in family history.

‘The Southside has a great wealth of history and heritage and people are desperate to find out what part their family had in that story.’

Anderston/City Councillor, Phillip Braat attended the launch  and added, ‘This was a great event and is the culmination of people coming together to promote and develop awareness of the rich history of the cemetery and the social fabric of Glasgow.’

The book costs £5.99 and is available from Waterstones, www.cityofthedead.com, and will be available in all Glasgow’s public libraries.

Those with an interest in the city’s graveyards can also check out Colin’s websites at www.southernnecropolis.com, and www.glasgowgraves.co.uk.

They got together after a grant from the Craighead Institute. This paid for two consultants to work with local people who want to make a difference. Their first meeting was in March, when they set up a group to train to  carry out research in their community.

During May and June they went to four different locations across Gorbals and spoke to 226 people but only 116 filled out the forms.

The big difference in their research is that they spoke to people living in Gorbals who would never have had the chance to say what they thought of their area. This was empowering the people to help make their community better.

After the research was concluded, they held a public meeting to discuss the findings. Around 30 people attended. They discussed issues around youth, community and environment.

 The main issues for young people were lack of play areas and a community centre, gang fights, territorialism and lack of a secondary schools.

The main problems for the community were the need for two community centres, one in the centre and another further out; to have better and regular bus routes in the area; to have cheap child care so people could work; to stop people affected by drugs using the local chemists and to provide alternative services. There was racism being suffered by the asylum seekers and refugees who live in the area.

The issues affecting the environment were: litter, dog fouling and graffiti.

The group then drew up action plans to implement these findings.

Also in attendance was Frank McAveety, Shettleston MSP who said, ‘Any discussion about making a difference to a community is always welcome. By this group taking the initiative, we hope that we can provide the proper solutions that Gorbals desperately needs.’

Over the four years he has took classes ranging from pilates to computing, photoshop to yoga and holistic therapies to computer maintenance.

Robin said, ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed learning all these different subjects. However my favourite was computer maintenance and if I had been younger this would have been the career path that I would have taken.’

Paul Green thanked everyone involved in the marathon project which had turned ‘dreams into reality.’

He said, ‘Support for this has been phenomenal especially from Westminster MP Ian Davidson, MSPs Johann Lamont and Charlie Gordon and local Councillors Willie O’ Rourke and Alex Glass.’ He was especially proud of the fact that the whole development – including the construction companies and retailers – had provided 3000 jobs. ‘Thanks to Greater Pollok Working Partnership at least half of these jobs will go to local residents.’

Of the 80 units in the bright avenue that wends its way through the 1 million square feet of retail space, only four are still available to rent. Opening day saw 25 units ready for business with another 25-30 scheduled to be up and running by the time this edition of the LOCAL NEWS is on the street.

The final element – a winter garden complex linking the mall with the bus station and providing many of the ‘dining experience’ eateries as well as a spectacular water feature – should be open by February next year. ‘Architecturally, Silverburn breaks the mould,’ commented Paul Green. ‘We consider it will be the best shopping centre in the UK.’

The first signs were that local residents agreed. ‘This is a wonderful centre and badly needed,’ said Betty Murdoch who lives in nearby Southpark Village. ‘I can shop locally now. Many of the staff are local people and they are giving friendly and attentive service.’ Trombonist Nigel Cox was one of the Slide Effect Quartet playing at the mall opening. ‘I’m from Dormanside Road originally,’ he said between tunes. ‘I think this place is nice – but it is huge!’

Margaret Baldwin said she couldn’t wait to see all the shops open. ‘The place is fantastic. We’ve waited a long time for this and there is a real buzz already.’ Her daughter Mary Theresa Baldwin was thankful the place was open before Christmas. ‘This will save me trailing into town for Christmas presents. That’s impossible with two youngsters. But Silverburn is only ten minutes’ walk for me now and I can bring the wee ones with me.’ She praised the help she’d received from staff at the Wedge as she searches for the right training and job opportunities for herself as a single parent. ‘Like a lot of single mums, I plan to go back to work.’

Pensioner Hugh Livingstone was checking out the place to hold a special family birthday celebration. ‘This is a vast improvement on the original Pollok Centre. But until all the shops are open it won’t come into its full glory.’

Councillor Willie O’Rourke is already looking ahead. ‘I foresee problems with the poor surface of the roads round about but this is a wonderful place.’

Built on the site of the former Bellarmine Secondary School, Silverburn will incorporate different art works over the next few years. One of them will be based on wooden chairs from the school.

The Silverburn site stretches over 72 acres. It has sophisticated car parking with red and green lights above each bay to let approaching drivers see at a glance, where there is an empty space. And it has its own motorway link – junction 2 off the M77. The motif used to identify the place was designed by the famous ‘Timorous Beasties’.

During the construction not one serious accident was recorded far less a fatality. Said Richard McInally, site safety manager, ‘There has been an exceptional safety ratio at Silverburn especially considering up to 3000 people were working on the site.’

Project Manager Richard Low was one of the key people up all night preparing for the ‘soft’ opening of Silverburn. ‘This is an emotional moment,’ he said as the doors opened to let shoppers in. ‘And there is a feeling of complete relief!’

The plans changed a great deal during the 12 years of site acquisitions and planning permissions. ‘But we have always included the local community in developments.

‘Now they have tremendous opportunities on their doorstep.’

On his arrival in Govan, he says he was shocked and disappointed at how poor the area was and how the Army seemed to be disconnected from the rest of the community.

He plans to change that. First, the 126 year old hall which he considers is beyond repair, would be demolished to make way for a new two story building on the same site. The main prayer hall in the current Grade ‘B’ listed building can only accommodate 300 people.

A new hall is planned to accommodate 500 people on the second floor. This would also be available to let for other functions.

The ground floor at the back of the building would be converted into a children’s play area and crèche.

A ground floor café would provide meals for pensioners and there would be a drop-in centre for the homeless. This would replace the Salvation Cafe and shop in Burleigh Street which served the people of Govan for 25 years before it was closed last Christmas because it was losing money and was not up to current health and safety requirements.

Counsellors would be available in the new facility, to help those with drink or drug problems. And there would be secure car parking. Plans also include a charity shop selling clothes and furniture.
The cost of Major Tyrrell’s plans will be around £2million.

He said, ‘Despite the bad state Govan is in, we still love it and all the people here. Our dream can only be achieved by working and involving local residents, organisations and businesses. We also need to get the support of Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and other funding bodies to raise these funds. I will be using the past 20 years’ experience that I gained raising money for similar projects all over Britain. I am very confident of having a proposal ready by April 2008.’

Major Tyrrell (60), comes from East London and worked in insurance before joining the Salvation Army as a soldier. He has been a Major for the past 15 years and worked as a public relations officer at the Army’s HQ in London. He has also worked all over Britain and in many countries around the world.

Prior to their Govan posting, the couple were in Estonia, part of the old Russian bloc, for four years. ‘Estonia is still a developing country with a lot of poverty and social problems such as HIV,’ said Major Tyrrell.

He added, ‘The people here are more friendly and open. We hope to replicate the idea that worked in Estonia of giving hope and love to the local people by providing a centre which is open to everyone of any culture. His motto is: “With a heart to God! With a hand to man!”

Under the Govan regeneration plan, one option proposed for Golspie Street, where the Citadel is based, is to make it into a tree lined street with no parking. This would be problematic for the Salvation Army because they need secure parking.

If the Major’s proposals are rejected, then the Army may have to leave the area. They cannot afford to buy  land or property in Govan as prices are so high. The current building is not good enough to be sold on and has to be demolished.

On Friday November 23, a Mass will be said in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church at 6.30pm followed by a reception and exhibition in the school.

‘We will trace the Lourdes story through the pictures of events over the decades.’, he added. Anyone with material for the exhibition should contact Mr McAuley at the school.