If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk

The 1988 Garden Festival changed how the world saw Glasgow, and how it saw itself. It lives on only in people’s memories as the buildings, objects and artworks from this temporary event are gone forever – or are they?

Urban Prehistorian Kenny Brophy, Project Leader Lex Lamb, and Holder of the Official Garden Festival Umbrella Gordon Barr for a conversation with Niall & Fay in front of a live audience, to learn how they have used crowdsourcing to build an ever-growing digital record of the hundreds of pavilions, sculptures and attractions that made up the Garden Festival, as well as the experiences of those who made it happen.

Items with Garden Festival stories to tell were discovered across the UK and further afield, from the large (the Coca-cola Roller Coaster, now in Suffolk) to the small (a Garden Festival tea-towel, now in Papua New Guinea). But in addition to relic artefacts and traces in the landscape, the team identified something else: the absence of a proper record of this pivotal event, while memories fade and documents are lost.

Hear how the 1988 Festival was put together, taken apart and spread around the world, and how with the help of hundreds of individual submissions and leads After the Garden Festival are striving to preserve the legacy of a summer where Glasgow shone.

Highlights:

1. Reflecting on the Legacy of the Garden Festival (00:00 - 02:30): The discussion opens with reflections on how the Glasgow Garden Festival has shaped the city’s landscape and cultural memory.
2. The Impact of Urban Regeneration Projects (07:45 - 09:30): Insights into the broader impact of urban regeneration efforts in Glasgow, particularly those initiated in the wake of the Garden Festival.
3. Personal Stories and Memories of the Festival (15:30 - 17:00): The guests share their personal experiences and memories of attending the festival, highlighting its significance on a personal level.
4. Challenges in Preserving Historical Sites (23:00 - 25:00): The conversation turns to the challenges faced in preserving the historical sites associated with the Garden Festival and other urban regeneration projects.
5. Looking Forward: Future Projects and Their Potential Impact (30:45 - 32:00): The episode concludes with a discussion about future urban projects in Glasgow and their potential impact on the city’s cultural and physical landscape.

Learn more:

• Check out After the Garden Festival’s website here to learn more the project 
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

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This week we explore Glasgow's love-hate relationship with brutalism and discuss our upcoming Brutal Glasgow exhibition with digital curator Rachel Loughran and Glasgow based illustrator Nebo Peklo (Natalie Tweedie), who’s work will be displayed in the interactive, multimedia exhibition.

The idea for the exhibition arose from Rachel's admiration of Natalie's drawings on Twitter, and united by their shared interest in brutalism they have come together to create Brutal Glasgow. They also discuss the significance of brutalism in Glasgow, touching on its artistic, social, and political aspects, and the debate over whether to demolish or restore such buildings

Rachel and Natalie emphasise the personal and emotional connections people have with these buildings, how they change over time, and their potential for renewal and hope. 

Highlights:

1. 00:00:00 - 00:00:03 Rachel Loughran starts by discussing the public's "knee jerk reaction" to Brutalist buildings, setting the tone for the episode.
2. 00:19:42 - 00:19:43 Natalie Tweedie acknowledges the complexity of evaluating Brutalist architecture, saying, "That's such a huge question," indicating the depth of the discussion.
3. 00:40:12- 00:40:15 The conversation touches on the need to "have a proper look" at Brutalism and the factors surrounding it, suggesting a deeper exploration of the topic.
4. 01:00:07 - 01:00:09 There’s a personal reflection on exploring Glasgow, particularly the East End, highlighting how Brutalist architecture influences perceptions of different city areas.
5. 01:19:21 - 01:19:24 The episode concludes with a mention of Glasgow Heritage, encapsulating the importance of the city’s architectural legacy and the podcast's role in preserving these discussions.

Key Moments

• Complexities of Brutalism - polarising views.
• The historical and cultural significance and value in preserving these buildings.
• How the architectural style of Brutalism connects to a broader understanding of Glasgow city's character and history.
• Focus on Glasgow Heritage, emphasising the significance of the city's architectural legacy 

Learn more:

• Check out Natalie’s work on her website 
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

In this episode, Fay meets Luna Amanita, co-director of the Wash House Garden - a groundbreaking community enterprise rejuvenating the land behind the historic Parkhead Wash House. 

The garden, once a local focal point, continues to prioritise community, seamlessly weaving together the well-being of both people and the environment, cultivating enduring connections through community-based food growing. 

Luna discusses the importance of community engagement in deepening the connection with the land. She also talks to Fay about beekeeping and its educational value for the Wash House Garden team and their volunteers.

Join us as we explore their mission to make the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of gardening accessible to all.

Highlights:

1. Introduction to the Wash House Garden
   • Timestamp: 00:00:00 - 00:00:37
   • Luna Amanita describes the Wash House Garden in Parkhead, East Glasgow, noting its diverse volunteer base and the various capacities in which people engage with the space.
2. Historical Significance and Current Use of the Land
   • Timestamp: 00:02:00 - 00:03:35
   • Luna explains the historical background of the land, believed to be the drying ground for the old Parkhead wash house and possibly used for food growing during the war. She discusses the transformation of the space into a market garden.
3. Gardening Practices and Soil Health
   • Timestamp: 00:04:00 - 00:05:17
   • Luna details their ecological gardening practices, emphasising soil health through composting and organic material. She mentions the challenges and labour involved in maintaining the garden.
4. Beekeeping and Education Initiatives
   • Timestamp: 00:13:00 - 00:14:00
   • Luna talks about their beekeeping program, including hive inspections and the educational courses they offer. She shares her personal experience and the responsibilities of managing the bees with her team.
5. Community Engagement and Volunteer Involvement
   • Timestamp: 00:20:10 - 00:21:05
   • Luna discusses the variability in volunteer numbers and the importance of community engagement. She highlights efforts to make the garden more accessible and responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.

Learn more:

• Connect with The Wash House Garden via their website and follow them on Instagram @TheWashHouseGarden
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #Is Glasgow Walls Could Talk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

Filmmaker and visual artist, Bash Khan has been working across Glasgow for over 15 years. Growing up in the city he developed a love for the buildings surrounding him, but more importantly he developed a love for the people and communities that used these spaces. 

In this episode, Bash talks to Niall and Fay about how he came to be interested in photography and his work across Glasgow. A passionate advocate for public gathering spaces, Bash highlights the importance of accessible, communal areas for storytelling and connection. The conversation also touches on the visual and emotional impact of his large-scale projections on communities. 

This episode offers a profound look at how art, community, and public space intersect to create powerful narratives that resonate deeply with viewers.

Highlights:

• 02:06 — 02:09 Highlights the intrinsic value of individuals in the community.
• 02:24 — 02:28 Reflects on the value within communities.
• 11:03 — 14:02: The importance of recognising diverse contributions within the community.
• 23:63 — 25:55 Bash Khan talks about the role of planners in community projects.
• 35:55 — 39:52 This segment focuses on valuing individuals within the community.

Key moments

• Discussion on valuing people's roles and acknowledging their efforts.
• Highlights the need for effective planning and involvement from the community to ensure success.
• Underscores the necessity of appreciating people's contributions and efforts.
• Addresses the need to recognise and cherish each person's unique contributions.
• Emphasises the collective strength and importance of community members working together.

Learn more:

• Have a look at Bash’s work on his website 
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk, what would they say about the female architects that have worked in the industry in the city? This is something that Jude Barber, Nicola McLachlan and Suzanne Ewing have been focussing on since establishing Voices of Experience. 

After noticing how male dominated the industry is they worked to start pairing younger female architects with older female architects, many of whom had retired, to record their conversations about their work and experience in the industry.  

In this episode, hosted by Fay, and recorded on International Women’s Day, Jude and Nicola tell us more about their inspiration for establishing the group, their plans for its future, and their experiences in the industry.

Highlights:

• Introduction to Women in Architecture
• Early career challenges and milestones for women architects
• Mentorship and building support networks 
• Future vision to enhance gender diversity

Key moments

• 00:00 - 02:00 — Discussion on the representation and contributions of women in architecture.
• 05:00 - 07:00 — Insights into the early career challenges and milestones for women architects.
• 12:00 - 14:00 — Importance of mentorship and building support networks within the industry.
• 18:00 - 20:00 — Personal stories of overcoming gender biases and industry obstacles.
• 25:00 - 27:00 — Discussion on future initiatives to enhance gender diversity and inclusion in architecture.

Learn more:

• Find out more about the Voices of Experience conversations on their website 
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

In today's episode, Fay introduces Layla Sadr Hashemi and Ume Chauhdry, who share their experiences with the project Thistles and Dandelions, designed to connect ethnic minority women with Glasgow’s cultural heritage. This initiative by Empower Women for Change has been transformative, fostering a sense of belonging among participants.

Layla, originally from Iran, and Ume, from Pakistan, discuss their initial struggles with isolation, language barriers, and cultural differences upon arriving in Glasgow. Discovering EWfC provided them a supportive community and opportunities for personal and professional growth through workshops and training.

Thistles and Dandelions, one of EWfC’s significant projects, ran throughout 2023, engaging women with Glasgow's heritage beyond just observation. Layla and Ume also describe their involvement with the David Livingstone Birthplace, learning skills in curating, conservation, and exhibition planning, which enhanced their confidence and sense of community. 

Highlights:

• Symbolism of the thistle and its representation of Scottish history and resilience.
• Layla and Ume discuss the specific challenges that immigrants face when adapting to life in Glasgow.
• Emphasis on the importance of community support in helping new Scots feel welcomed and empowered.

Key Moments: 

• 00:00:00 - 00:01:00 — Introduction to the Thistles and Dandelions Project: Discussion on the project's symbolism and objectives.
• 00:05:15 - 00:06:30 — Challenges Faced by New Scots: Layla and Ume discuss language barriers and cultural integration.
• 00:12:45 - 00:14:00 — Empowerment Through Community Support
• 00:20:30 - 00:22:00 — Personal Stories of Overcoming Adversity: Layla and Ume share personal stories of resilience.
• 00:28:15 - 00:30:00 — Future Vision for the Project: Plans for expanding the project's reach and impact

Learn more:

• You can find out more about Empower Women for Change on their website
• Learn about the Thistles & Dandelion project on their project blog 
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

This episode promises a heartfelt and insightful exploration of Glasgow’s architectural heritage and the enduring legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh as Niall welcomes cultural historian Dr Robyne Calvert, a leading expert on Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald. 

Robyne shares her journey to Glasgow in 2007, inspired by Mackintosh's work which she first encountered two decades ago. Her deep connection to Mackintosh’s architecture, particularly the Glasgow School of Art, is a central theme as she discusses her new book, "The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art," which was released in April by Yale University Press.

Robyne recounts her experiences working at the Glasgow School of Art, including the devastation of the fires in 2014 and 2018, and reflects on her transition from being a captivated student to a dedicated scholar.

Highlights:

• Robyne Calvert’s journey and deep connection to the Mackintosh restoration project
• The unique aspects of Mackintosh's design
• The significance of historical photography to the preservation process

Key Moments

• 00:00:27 — Mackintosh's design, not strictly mathematical and intricate reconstruction
• 00:00:42 — Showcasing Mackintosh's bespoke craftsmanship
• 00:02:26 — Calvert’s PhD and deep connection to the Mackintosh restoration project
• 00:06:05 — Museum object handling to ensure historical accuracy and preservation.
• 00:08:42 — Photography significance in restoration, capturing details otherwise lost.

Learn more:

• You buy Robyne’s book The Mack here
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

Can a band tell the history of a city? And if so, what would that look and sound like? That’s what Professor David Archibald and his band, The Tenementals, are setting out to do. 

In this episode David, a Professor of Film & TV at the University of Glasgow, discusses with Niall and Fay the innovative project which aims to make and tell history through music rather than traditional academic means. The conversation explores how the band, composed of academics, artists, musicians, and filmmakers, challenges conventional historical narratives.

Despite the challenging landscape of the music industry The Tenementals have resonated with audiences, particularly young people, and have so far received an enthusiastic response - they’ll be releasing their first album later this year. 

––

Highlights:

• ‘Liberated from books’: How The Tenementals’ history is told and made in song
• Why one song, Peat Bog Soldiers, has already made history
• Hear a little of The Tenementals live in Glasgow  

Key Moments:

• 00:00:00 — Can a rock band make history? 
• 00:01:15 — The Tenementals, a wild research project
• 00:02:00 — Constructing a transmedia history of a city
• 00:18:37 — Songwriting process
• 00:33:01 — Hope and Revolutionary Histories 

Learn more:

• You can follow The Tenementals on Facebook @TheTenementals and on Instagram @Tenementals
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

In episode two, Dr Alasdair Whyte, a Gaelic singer, writer, and Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, joins Fay to explore the medieval Gaelic roots of Glasgow through its place-names.

Alasdair's research takes us into parts of Glasgow where Gaelic was spoken a thousand years ago. In this green landscape where cattle grazed, we even catch a shadowy glimpse of the farmer's daughter who owned Shettleston. Yes, Shettleston! When you know where and how to look, place-names are full of human history. 

In this conversation Alasdair draws on the evidence in his recently published book Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names, co-authored with Katherine Forsyth and Simon Taylor. It caused quite a stir and we are about to find out why.

Highlights:

• Uncover the Gaelic origins of Glasgow's place-names with Dr. Alasdair Whyte.
• Hear stories behind names, like the medieval farmer’s daughter of Shettleston.
• Explore findings from "Glasgow’s Gaelic Place-names," co-authored by Alasdair Whyte.
• See how Gaelic names reflect Glasgow's landscape and features.
• Understand the importance of preserving Gaelic place-names.

Key Moments:

• 00:00:10 — The significance of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
• 00:19:41 — The origins and meanings of Gaelic place names in Glasgow
• 00:38:10 — Gaelic place names reflect the natural landscape and features of the area
• 00:41:05 — The evolution of place names and their adaptation over time
• 00:51:08 — Preserving Gaelic place names and promoting cultural heritage awareness

Learn more:

• You can buy Alasdair’s book here
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

How often do you rush through Glasgow Central Station without a second glance? Never again! Join us on a live, on-location tour with guide Jackie Ogilvie. Discover the station's fascinating history, hidden architectural details and a behind-the-scenes look at the successful Glasgow Central Station tours. Plus, learn about Jackie's exciting museum project in the works.

Highlights:

• Live tour experience with guide Jackie Ogilvie
• Unveiling the hidden history and architecture of Glasgow Central Station
• Exploring the popular Glasgow Central Station tours
• Exclusive scoop on Jackie's upcoming museum project

Key Moments:

• 00:00:01 — The stories underneath
• 00:32:00 — Welcome to the Museum
• 00:53:00 — WWI Memorial Art Installation
• 01:05:00 — The Victorian Platform
• 01:15:00 — Central Station’s evolution

Learn more:

• Visit ​​https://www.glasgowcentraltours.co.uk/index.aspx for more information on Glasgow Central Station tours.
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)