Polmadie

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Polmadie
gaelic_name=
os_grid_reference= NS595625
latitude=55.816667
longitude=-4.233333
population=
unitary_scotland= Glasgow
lieutenancy_scotland= Glasgow
post_town= GLASGOW
postcode_district = G?
postcode_area= G
dial_code=
constituency_westminster=
constituency_scottish_parliament=
static_

static_image_caption=
edinburgh_distance=
london_distance=

Polmadie is a district of Glasgow, a city in Scotland. Polmadie is situated south of the River Clyde, and adjacent to the Gorbals.

The most prominent landmark within Polmadie is the twin chimneys of a now disused waste incinerator plant operated by Glasgow City Council. Also located in the area is a large railway maintenance depot for Virgin Trains, which is the most northerly train stabling and maintenance area on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), since the line runs through Polmadie on its final approach into Central railway station. The area is also home to BOC's industrial gases filling plant and main Scottish base.

The area will eventually be bisected by the controversial extension to the M74 motorway. The present plans for the project entail an elevated dual carriageway road to be constructed alongside the WCML tracks and atop the site of derelict houses in the area. In addition, an interchange on the motorway will be provided with Polmadie Road.

Polmadie waste facility

Polmadie is the home of Glasgow's only materials recovery facility (MRF) [ [http://members.aol.com/sandaig/polmadie/index.html Polmadie MRF ] ] . The MRF is based in the building of an old incinerator

History

Hospital of St John

According to the minister of Govan, writing in New Statistical Account of Scotland in 1835, the ruins of the "Hospital of Polmadie" were still to be seen at the end of the 18th century. This famous “"hospital"” - actually a combination of asylum, orphanage, old folks home and hospital - was dedicated to Saint John, which suggests that it might have had some connection with the Knights Hospitaller. It was in existence before 1249 during the reign of King Alexander III, for a charter still exists in which he confirms the Hospital’s privileges. On 24 May 1371 King Robert the Bruce issued a confirmation of these privileges at nearby Rutherglen. The first Master of the "Hospital of St John at Polmadie" we know of was Patrick Floker, confirmed by Bishop Robert Wishart on 30th March 1316.

The hospital was financed mostly by income from the lands of the Parish of Strathblane but also by the pious grants of lands and revenues by local landowners and merchants. For example, in 1329, Bishop John of Glasgow gave half the lands of "Little Govan" to the hospital. There was a catch, though, for at least some of the revenues were dedicated to supporting one of the canons of the Chapter of the Cathedral - who was a Mr John de Berwick. Another act of piety, by the feudal superior of the lands was to free it of its obligations to them - taxes, and such like. This was done by Malcolm, Earl of Lennox in a charter dated 1st July 1333. By this time, the finances of the hospital were becoming important enough to be engaged in trade or commerce. There is a document by "Adam, son of Alan" a burgess of Dumbarton relating to the appointment of attorneys to deal with "Polmadie Hospital".

Another sign of its growing importance is that the next "Master of Polmadie Hospital" we know of - Walter de Kirkintilloch - was a confirmed by a royal, and not just an Episcopal, charter, issued by Queen Margaret, wife of King David II - on the 18th of May 1367 at Edinburgh.

The Hospital accepted people of both sexes, and they needed therefore to have nunsas well as monks at the hospital. On the 10th May 1391, Bishop Matthew of Glasgow presented Gillian de Vaux as a sister to the hospital. (James Cleland in his Annals, 1829, seems to think this was a pauper, but Vaux was in France .)This bishop also issued a decree to restore William Cunningham, Vicar of Dundonald to the administration of the Hospital. This suggests that the Master was now not wholly involved in running it. In fact, the Master tended to be a canon of Glasgow Cathedral, using some of the revenue of the Hospital endowments to fund his work as a priest of the the Cathedral. On the 12th January 1427, Bishop John Cameron formalised this by a charter which established the lands of "Polmadie" and the Parish of Strathblane as a prend of Glasgow Cathedral. The Prebendary got the revenues of these lands on condition that he provided a Vicar for Strathblane (as well as maintaining and educating four boys in singing for the choir of the Cathedral). He also had to find someone to look after the Hospital. These arrangements were confirmed by Pope Martin V on 5th December 1429. The Hospital continued at least until 1540 (well before the Reformation) when it was said to have been "abolished". A little further west, and nearer the River Clyde was a Lepers' Hospital dedicated to St Ninian which lasted into modern times.

Transport

ources on-line

*
*

References