MINISTER VISITS THE HALLS SAVED FOR MARYHILL

Praise for “cultural gem’ as Alex Neil sees first hand how historic halls are being brought back to life

Monday, April 26 2010

     

THE campaign to save Maryhill's historic Burgh Halls took a major step forward today.

132 years to the day after the Halls were opened, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil visited the ongoing £9.2 million restoration project, which will breathe new life into the iconic Halls and save them for the community.  

Alex Neil and Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust Chair Irene Scott, with reproductions of two of the stained glass panels in the background

The Minister's visit follows a contribution from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund of £1.8 million - the largest single piece of funding in the £9.2 million total.

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust raised this remarkable sum to secure a bright future for the treasured halls and in doing so recapture the splendour of one of the city's best loved buildings. Work began in November 2009 and will be completed in May 2011.

 

Maryhill Burgh Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days when Maryhill was a Burgh. They were built in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, but have lain derelict for the past eight years and are listed on the buildings at risk register.

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 courtyard garden. 

While at Maryhill the Minister signed a steel beam which forms part of structural steelwork which is ongoing at present.

More than 5 years 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 have worked tirelessly to deliver the restoration.

Funding of the project has come from the following sources: 

Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2    £1.25m 

Heritage Lottery Fund    £990,000

Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund     £980,910

European Regional Development Funding    £1.279m 

Glasgow City Council Better Glasgow Fund     £1.02m

Glasgow City Council Vacant and Derelict Land Fund     £650,000

Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund     £1.8m

Historic Scotland     £500,000

Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate    £750,000

The Robertson Trust      £28,000

The outstanding architectural appeal and historic merit of the Halls is further enhanced by a unique series of stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill in the late 19th century and which are currently in the city archives.

The restoration will also see a significant collection of these 20 windows, which were taken out for safe keeping in 1963, returned to the Burgh Halls.

Facsimile of the Steel Moulders panel, showing where in the Halls the stained glass was originally displayed

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: “The £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund has succeeded in encouraging dynamic public and private sector organisations to get involved in regeneration projects that will have a lasting and widespread effect. 

“The refurbishment of the Maryhill Burgh Halls will restore an invaluable cultural asset in Glasgow, upgrading it as a place for the local community to meet and socialise. 

“It has a rich artistic history and I hope that with this funding, it will once again take its place as one of Scotland's cultural gems.”

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust, said: 

“All of the Board Members of the Trust are delighted with the progress of the works on site and would like to say a huge thank you to all of the funders, the project team and everyone else who has given their support to the project. We are all very much looking forward to the Halls opening in May 2011. 

“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 new website at www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk

Meanwhile, the contractor for the project Graham Construction is intending to maximise employment opportunities within the local community by creating two apprenticeships in joinery to work on the Halls’ restoration during the next few months

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Notes to Journalists: 

This news release is issued on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust by Ross Wilson Public Relations www.rosswilsonpr.com - PR Consultants to the Trust. Further information is available from Ross Wilson on 07768 280021 at any time

e mail: ross@rosswilsonpr.com

A selection of images of the Halls are available. 

New steelwork erected on site

The first consignment of steelwork for the new build portion of the Burgh Halls project arrived on site early this morning. The contractors have wasted no time, and already the first sections of it have been erected behind the retained facade of the former Police Station.

The majority of the steelwork will be erected by the middle of next week.

UNVEILED! First glimpse of magnificent gates for Maryhill Burgh Halls

MAGNIFICENT new gates which will adorn the reborn Maryhill Burgh Halls were revealed for the first time this week.

The specially designed and produced gates will be an important feature of the Halls when their restoration is complete in around 16 months time.

They were commissioned by Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust which is overseeing the transformation of one of the city's much loved buildings into a vital community asset.  Funding for the gates has come from Glasgow City Council.

The Halls have lain empty for several years but a highly-successful fundraising campaign by the Trust has raised an astonishing £9.2 million. Work got underway in November  last year. 

The striking and visually appealing gates in a slate grey colour were created by internationally-renowned designer and craftsman John Creed and built at his workshop in Milton of Campsie

John made the gates in “hot forged steel” in a traditional manner. He got his inspiration for the work from the stunning leaded glass panels depicting the 19th century trades and industries of Maryhill and which were a feature of the Halls before the were removed in 1963.

The panels were designed and manufactured by Stephen Adam, one of the foremost stained glass artists of the time. They remain in safe keeping in the city archives and a number of them will be brought back to the Halls once restoration is complete. 

The leaded divisions used in the such stained glass windows is a highly visual feature and once these panels are returned, the gates will be seen as an ideal complimentary feature.

John who is a former lecturer at The Glasgow School of Art is a highly acclaimed architectural and sculptural metalworker and designer. In making them, he was keen to ensure the gates will be sympathetic to their surroundings. 

Small polished stainless steel elements are included in the design to evoke a sense of light in reference to the stained glass- a feature in keeping with John's desire to ensure innovation and originality.  

Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary Hunter Reid said : ”The three new sets of gates at the top of the existing entrance steps to the Halls and in front of the exits onto Maryhill Road are works of art of a very high quality and ambition.  They will create a bold, dynamic and contemporary additions which will reflect and reinforce the solidity and presence of the Burgh Halls.”

Once restored, the Halls will recapture the splendid historic beauty of this treasured building and be developed into a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden.  Capital Funding for the Halls project has come from Scottish Government City Growth Fund Phases 1 and 2, Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery - Growing Community Assets Fund, European Regional Development 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 Housing and Regeneration Directorate

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Hats Off As Work Begins On Halls!

£9.2 million restoration of Maryhill Burgh Halls gets under way 

November 23 2009

HAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT....... MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF MARYHILL BURGH HALLS TRUST CELEBRATE THE FUNDRAISING TRIUMPH AND THE START OF WORK.

WORK to bring Maryhill's historic Burgh Halls back to life is officially under way.

Members of the Board of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust have now officially handed over the building to the contractors Graham Construction who will transform it into a vital community asset by May 2011.

The task was only made possible after a staggering £9.2 million was raised to fund the Project.

The most recent development came earlier this month when the Trust purchased the former Maryhill police station which is next door to the halls and the adjoining land from Glasgow City Council who are a partners in the restoration.

The brilliant campaign to breathe new life into one of Glasgow's most historic and much loved buildings received the final pieces of funding to secure its future in October. 

The Halls were the seat of municipal government in the days when Maryhill was a Burgh. The buildings were constructed in 1878 and designed by renowned architect Duncan McNaughtan, and have lain empty for some years. Once restored, the Halls will recapture the splendid historic beauty of this treasured building and be developed into a modern public hall, a café with a heritage exhibition, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and a courtyard garden. 

Billy McAllister, Chair of the Trust, said: “There can be no better example of urban regeneration than our drive to restore and equip Maryhill Burgh Halls for the community and our city. We are delighted and very grateful to have reached our target and excited now that the work is under way.”

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of the Trust added:  “The Trust is indebted to all of the funders who have contributed so generously to this deeply rooted community project.  Congratulations should go to the Board and the Members of the Trust and all of the local people who have put so much hard work into shaping this dynamic and much needed facility.”

So far, more than 5 years 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 have worked tirelessly to make the restoration a reality, as have members of the support team.

The building's architectural appeal and historic merit is further enhanced by 20 outstanding stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of Maryhill in the late 9th century.  These were designed and manufactured by Stephen Adam, one of the foremost stained glass artists of the time. The panels are currently in safe keeping in the city archives.  The restoration will also see a significant number of the collection which was removed in 1962, conserved and returned to the Halls.

Notes to Journalists:

This news release is issued on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com) on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further information from Ross Wilson on 07768 280021. A selection of images of the halls is available in jpeg format and these can be forwarded if required.

THE BEST NEWS YET FOR Maryhill BURGH HALLS!

£1.8 million is biggest single cash boost to date

August 6 2009

TWO housing associations involved in the ambitious regeneration of a historic Glasgow landmark are celebrating after another bumper cash windfall.

Maryhill and Cube Housing Associations have welcomed the news that Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust  has secured a massive £1.8 million putting the restoration campaign within  touching distance of the £9.2 million needed to bring the halls back to  life.

The remarkable boost has come from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund and is hard on the heels of other large funding  announcements obtained within the last year.

Work is scheduled to start on site  within the next 3 months on the project to reinvigorate one  of the city’s best loved buildings and turn it into a vital 21 century  community asset.  

Welcoming the latest funding, Billy McAllister,  Chair of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “This is the best news yet and  the biggest financial contribution to our work. We are absolutely  delighted.”

Once restored, the Halls will recapture the splendid  historic beauty of this treasured building.

It will be developed into a modern public hall, cafe, 11 offices, a commercial and a community recording  studio, a nursery, meeting rooms and courtyard garden. 

The regeneration project is  being overseen by the Board of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, which comprises of  people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - the two housing associations and Glasgow City Council. 

Willy Briody, Director of  Maryhill Housing Association, added: “The £1.8 million is yet another piece of  good news for this highly successful campaign by the Trust. It brings  the restored halls a step closer and that is great news for the Maryhill  community.”

Lynn McCulloch, Chief Executive of Cube Housing Association said: “Cube’s ambition for the Halls has never wavered and with this fantastic support we are confident that Maryhill people will be enjoying them again soon.”

ends

News release issued by Ross Wilson  Public Relations www.rosswilsonpr.com on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.

Further information from Ross Wilson on  07768 280021.

£1.2M NEW FUNDING BOOST FOR MARYHILL BURGH HALLS

European money pushes total to half of £9.2 million needed

May 26 2009 

MARYHILL'S historic Burgh Halls have received a new and massive cash injection as the drive to restore them gathers pace.

We can exclusively reveal that the Halls have been awarded £1.279 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

The money means that around £4.5 million in funding has been secured and work is on course to begin in September and be completed in early 2011. The total cost is £9.2 million.

The money which comes from the “Lowlands and Uplands Scotland 2007-2013 (European Structural Funds) Programme” is the THIRD major cash boost in just FIVE months. In JANUARY the Heritage Lottery Fund announced £990,000 while in APRIL, the BIG Lottery Fund promised £980,000.

Welcoming the latest funding, Billy McAllister, Chair of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “This is great news and represents the biggest piece of funding to date as we endeavour to bring the halls back to life.

“There can be no better example of urban regeneration than our drive to restore and equip Maryhill Burgh Halls for the community and our city. We are delighted and very grateful to be receiving this European money. Such sizeable funding is a major boost to our work.”

Once restored, the Halls will be a 21st century community asset which will recapture the splendid historic beauty of one of the city's most treasured buildings.

The ERDF money is on top of the £1.25 million given over the past 3 years to the project from the Scottish Government's Cities' Growth Fund, delivered through Glasgow City Council. 

The Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate has also supported the project with around £200,000 funding to date. 

Crucially, the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust plans to announce other successful funding bids later this summer.

The regeneration project is being overseen by the Board of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, which comprises of people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. 

The City Council currently owns the halls but will transfer their ownership to the Trust. 

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “The overall proposals will add a new dimension to the area and consist of a dynamic blend of well considered and sensitive historic building restoration with strong contemporary new build additions.”

Willy Briody, Director of Maryhill Housing Association, added: “This long-awaited restoration will re-awaken our historic burgh halls and deliver a much needed community asset. We're pleased to be playing our part in such an important restoration.”

Lynn McCulloch, Chief Executive of Cube Housing Association, said: “The Halls are one of the few remaining historic buildings in the area and are an important link to Maryhill's fascinating past.  They were officially opened in 1878 but have lain empty for the past eight years. They are listed on the buildings at risk register and it's important for a community controlled landlord like Cube to contribute to the regeneration of the whole community and not just the housing”. 

Ends

 

News release issued by Ross Wilson Public Relations www.rosswilsonpr.com on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.

Boost for Burgh Halls

European money pushes total to half of £9.2 million needed

May 25 2009 

MARYHILL'S historic Burgh Halls have received a new and massive cash injection as the drive to restore them gathers pace.

We can exclusively reveal that the Halls have been awarded £1.279 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

The money means that around £4.5 million in funding has been secured and work is on course to begin in September and be completed in early 2011. The total cost is £9.2 million.

The money which comes from the “Lowlands and Uplands Scotland 2007-2013 (European Structural Funds) Programme” is the THIRD major cash boost in just FIVE months. In JANUARY the Heritage Lottery Fund announced £990,000 while in APRIL, the BIG Lottery Fund promised £980,000.

Welcoming the latest funding, Billy McAllister, Chair of the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “This is great news and represents the biggest piece of funding to date as we endeavour to bring the halls back to life.

“There can be no better example of urban regeneration than our drive to restore and equip Maryhill Burgh Halls for the community and our city. We are delighted and very grateful to be receiving this European money. Such sizeable funding is a major boost to our work.”

Once restored, the Halls will be a 21st century community asset which will recapture the splendid historic beauty of one of the city's most treasured buildings.

The ERDF money is on top of the £1.25 million given over the past 3 years to the project from the Scottish Government's Cities' Growth Fund, delivered through Glasgow City Council. 

The Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate has also supported the project with around £200,000 funding to date. 

Crucially, the Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust plans to announce other successful funding bids later this summer.

The regeneration project is being overseen by the Board of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, which comprises of people living or working within the local community and 3 key partner organisations - Maryhill Housing Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. 

The City Council currently owns the halls but will transfer their ownership to the Trust. 

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, said: “The overall proposals will add a new dimension to the area and consist of a dynamic blend of well considered and sensitive historic building restoration with strong contemporary new build additions.”

Willy Briody, Director of Maryhill Housing Association, added: “This long-awaited restoration will re-awaken our historic burgh halls and deliver a much needed community asset. We're pleased to be playing our part in such an important restoration.”

Lynn McCulloch, Chief Executive of Cube Housing Association, said: “The Halls are one of the few remaining historic buildings in the area and are an important link to Maryhill's fascinating past.  They were officially opened in 1878 but have lain empty for the past eight years. They are listed on the buildings at risk register and it's important for a community controlled landlord like Cube to contribute to the regeneration of the whole community and not just the housing”. 

 

News release issued by Ross Wilson Public Relations www.rosswilsonpr.com on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust. Further information from Ross Wilson on 07768 280021.

LIGHT FANTASTIC!

Stunning illumination brings Maryhill Burgh Halls back to life 

September 15 2008 

A STUNNING illumination is bringing life back to one of Glasgow¹s much-loved historic buildings. 

Maryhill Burgh Halls will this week be bathed in light as its ongoing 

restoration is unveiled to the public for the first time. 

Lord Provost Bob Winter will officially launch the Maryhill Burgh Halls 

Illumination Project and Exhibition in Maryhill Road this  Thursday. 

It will provide the first glimpse of the ambitious £9 million project to 

breathe new life back into this part of Maryhill. 

Maryhill Burgh Halls was the seat of municipal government in the days when 

Maryhill was a burgh. Built in 1878 and designed by renowned architect 

Duncan McNaughtan, it has lain derelict for some years. 

The building's architectural appeal and historic merit is further enhanced 

by outstanding stained glass panels depicting the trades and industries of 

Maryhill in the 19th century and which are currently in safe keeping in the 

city archives. 

But they have been carefully recreated using animation and light and now 

form the breathtaking centrepiece of the illumination as they are projected 

onto the building on Maryhill Road. They show the work of linen bleachers, 

calico printers, canal boatmen, bricklayers and other workers. 

Lord Provost of Glasgow, Bob Winter said: " I am thrilled to be launching 

the Maryhill Burgh Halls Illumination Project and Exhibition. The stained 

glass windows are iconic and a really great tribute to the skills and crafts 

that this city was built on. That coupled with the building's rich 

architecture and aesthetic appeal make this a great occasion for the people 

of Maryhill and beyond." 

Billy McAllister, Chair of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust which is undertaking 

the work, said: "The illumination of Maryhill Burgh Halls is a red letter 

day for the work being done to reinvigorate this outstanding historic 

building.   

It is vital to preserve the city's rich architectural treasures and the 

Burgh Halls represent a building well worth saving. Illuminating it brings 

back life to the building and we want local people to see that their beloved 

Burgh Halls are being looked after, are being saved and will be a hub for 

the local community for generations to come." 

Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary of Maryhill Burgh 

Halls Trust, added: ³The Trust comprises of members of the local community 

and those with an interest in the project.  The Board members are people who 

live or work in the area, together with representatives of Maryhill Housing 

Association, Cube Housing Association and Glasgow City Council. The Trust 

has spent five years putting together proposals to drive the project 

forward. 

"The overall proposals consist of a blend of well considered and sensitive 

historic building restoration with strong contemporary new build additions. 

So far funding has reached around £1.5 million. We have a long way to go to 

reach our £9 million target but the illumination project ensures we are 

firmly on our way.  We hope to able to start on site next spring with the 

main construction works." 

Funders for the Illumination Project are Glasgow Community Planning 

Partnership Community Regeneration Fund and Glasgow City Council Canal City 

Growth Fund. 

Other funders for the project to date include The Scottish 

Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate Regeneration Division 

(formerly Communities Scotland); Glasgow City Council, the Community 

Regeneration Fund, Cube Housing Association, Maryhill Housing Association, 

the Scottish Government Cities Growth Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund & 

many other generous organisations & individuals 

Following the launch by the Lord Provost a slide show and talk was given on 

The Maryhill Stained Glass Panels by Stephen Adam  by Ian Mitchell, local 

historian and Trust member. 

An exhibition about the Maryhill Burgh Halls project is being held in 

Maryhill Library during normal opening hours from September 15 to 20. This 

is part of Doors Open Day - Glasgow¹s Built Heritage Festival.

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Organisations involved in the  work being done now: 

The Designer of the Illumination Project is Adrian Stewart of DO Architecture. The Contractor for the Lighting Project is Scottish Hydro Contracting The project team for the main building proposals is: Gardiner and Theobald - Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Planning Supervisors JM Architects Buro Happold - Structural and Services Engineers The Advance Stonework Contract has been carried out by Scotcourt Ltd. The Conservation Management Plan for the project has been carried out by Austin, Smith, Lord - Architects. 

Notes to Journalists: 
This news release is issued on behalf of Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust by Ross Wilson Public Relations (www.rosswilsonpr.com), PR Consultants. Further information is available from Ross Wilson on 07768 280021 at any time e mail: ross@rosswilsonpr.com Hunter Reid, Project Co-ordinator and Company Secretary, is available for interview before and during the September 18 event. Ross Wilson will be attending and you are encouraged to ask for Ross if you are attending. Hunter can be contacted on 0141 948 1105 during office hours. email hreid@maryhill.org.uk Images of the illuminated building, courtesy of DO Architecture, can be obtained by calling Hunter Reid.