Pollokshields

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
population= 21,299
official_name= Pollokshields (Shields)
post_town= GLASGOW
unitary_scotland= City of Glasgow
language= English
latitude= 55.840568
longitude= -4.326162
postcode_area= G
postcode_district= G41
dial_code= 0141

Pollokshields is an area of the Southside of Glasgow, Scotland. Predating Bedford Park of London by nearly a quarter of a century,Fact|date=February 2008 it is sometimes claimed to be the UK's first Garden Suburb, despite having been planned and constructed before the movement's inauguration.Fact|date=February 2008It is a conservation area which was developed in Victorian times according to a plan promoted by the original owners, the Stirling Maxwells of Pollok, whose association with the area goes as far back aa 1270.

History

Pollokshields was stablished by the Stirling-Maxwell family in 1849, Pollokshields was set out or 'feued' by the Edinburgh architect David Rhind. Many well-known Glaswegian architects contributed to its development and, amongst others, it contains villas by Glasgow's other architectural genius Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. There are also several contributions by contemporaries of Charles Rennie Mackintosh including a series of good 'Glasgow style' tenements by the architect H. E. Clifford, who was also responsible for the 'A' listed Pollokshields Burgh Hall, in Scottish Baronial style which was inaugurated in 1890, with Maxwell Park. The ground for Maxwell Park was given by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell of Nether Pollok in 1888, and the park was formally opened at the same time. Such was its early population growth Pollokshields attained 'burgh' status in 1876. However, this ended in 1891 when after being offered favourable tax terms the residents of the burgh agreed to it becoming a suburb of the growing city of Glasgow. The Victorian and Edwardian architecture and the parks of this area have remained almost untouched, leaving the feeling of a leafy Victorian suburb, while being well within the city.

Modern Pollokshields is an area of ethnic diversity, home to large communities of mainly Asian peoples including Pakistani, as well as Indian origin. The area's commercial eastern side is home to a large number of South Asian shops (fruit, meat and clothes shops) attracting shoppers from all over Scotland.Fact|date=February 2008 Albert Drive is also known for its high standard of Pakistani takeaways.Fact|date=February 2008Albert Drive is also the location of the two Eid celebrations that occur every year when the Muslim community of Glasgow congregate to commemorate the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Muslims from all over central Scotland make their journey to the south side of the city.Fact|date=July 2008

Burgh Hall

The Pollokshields Burgh Hall was designed by H. E. Clifford during the Scottish Renaissance in the 17th Century and is currently listed as a significant building of Pollokshields. Built in Ballochmyle Red Freestone it was opened in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell who's coat of arms was carved in the building. The coat of arms depicted in the entrance porch of the stone of the Hall and is recorded in marble in the floor. To the oustside of the building there is very tall high tower, housing a turret stair and balcony. Throughout the building there are detailed stained glass windows, brought from the town of Pollokshields. The lodge house adjacent comprises of two flats; the Sanitary Inspector and the Park Gardener used these facilities for living in and they are currently privately let by the Burgh Hall trust. In 1891 the Burgh Hall passed into the hands of the Glasgow Council territory when the city extended its boundaries. In 1938 the back of the building was enlarged, however this had meant that the last end gallery in the spacious hall needed to be sacrificed in order to proceed building an extension.

By 1975 it was being used by the Social Work Department of Strathclyde Regional Council as an occupational day centre. In 1982 it was declared to be sold on the open market which later proved controversial to the residents of Pollokshields due to its connection to the heritage of the town and the historical significance to the area. Protests had further ensued and so a charitable trust was formed to ensure that the building would continue to be publicly owned. The Trust acquired the building for £1 in 1986. Only in 1991 was the title transferred with the condition that the derelict lodge house be restored within five years. Historic Scotland was supporting the heritage as well as other organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Development Agency and the local community and so the lodge house and the ground floor of ther Hall were completely refurbished and opened around 1997. The lower ground floor has since attracted further funding and what was once little more than cellar space and has been converted to a contemporary conference room, which still to this day can be directly accessed.

Education

The area currently has education establishment of approximately four primary schools and to an extent four secondry schools around the area and beyond, which include; Pollokshields Primary Junior and Senior schools as interestingly one school although spilt into two separate buildings on different streets for different age groups, Glendale Primary located on the south edge of Polloksheilds, St. Alberts Primary to the west and the private Craigholme School for Girls located on Nithsdale Road. It is also notable that these schools are in the immediate area. In addition to this there are the four secondary schools in the vicinity, strechting past the area. Bellahouston Academy located on the western edge of Pollokshields near just south of Ibrox stadium and Paisley Road West, Shawlands Academy inside the Shawlands area approximately a mile south of Pollokshields, Craigholme School Secondary on St Andrews Drive - an extention of the nursery and primary schools, and lastly Hutchesons Grammar School a private secondary founded on Beaton Road.

Demographics

Pollokshields has a total population of 21,299 (49.6% female and 50.4% male) [City Ward Fact Sheets 2007] as of 2008. 41.3% of the total population are below the age of 30. The largest group is the thirty to forty year olds numbering at 5,485. The elderly population is 3,086 accounting for 14.5% of all citizens.

Media

The are various forms of local media from pollokshields. Radio stations such as Awaz FM have been created which is an Asian community radio station which broadcasting on 107.2FM across pollokshields and the greater Glasgow area. Radio Ramadan is another station broadcasting during the beginnings of the religious months of Ramadan when Eid is about to commence. It currently has a broadcasting frequency of 88-89FM, although throughout recent years it has remained at a constant 87.7FM.Newspaper outlets include "The Glaswegian" a free paper covering the greater Glasgow area, "The Extra" which is another local free paper covering Glasgow South and Eastwood and lastly "Eastern Eye Scotland" is a tabloid relating news of Asian showbiz businesses, such as Bollywood. The 2004 film Ae Fond Kiss, directed by Ken Loach, was filmed in Pollokshields. This is the story of a second generation Asian man, who falls in love with a white girl. Pollokshields has also been mentioned on the Scottish band "The 1990s" debut album "Cookies".

Buildings

There are many religious buildings in the Pollokshields area, the most common are Mosques and Churches. Currently there are three Mosques, three Churches and one Gurdwara. Masjid Noor resides beside Forth Street in Pollokshields, and is place for all Muslims in the area and primarily is the staple Mosque for Friday Prayers.http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/tarlochan/tarlochan.communitycentre/tarlochan.mosques] Madrasah Zia-Ul-Quaran is the second of a three located in Pollokshields. This mosque is relatively small compared to other mosques around the area. Zia-Ul-Quran has expanded in recent years but still maintains its traditional size. Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam is the third in the area. It is situated on Nithsdale Road and is split up into two buildings, one of which is used mainly for Islamic classes after school, and the other is used for the local Muslims to pray their Salah Prayers. There is currently in the area only one Gurdwara, situated near Madrasah Taleem-Ul-Islam.The Church of St Albert the Great in Pollokshields was originally built for a congregation of the United Presbyterian Church. The Italian Renaissance design by John.B.Wilson was planned to be used for yet another building, Stockwell Free Church, in 1887. St Albert's original title was Albert Road Church, being named after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert, rather than the German saint of the same name who is the current patron. The Archdiocese of Glasgow acquired the church in 1965 for the new parish and with very minimal interference to the original interior or exterior design, it was brought back into use as a church in 1967. The cream sandstone facade has a very attractive octagonal vestibule and tall bell tower. St Ninian's church is part of the Scottish Episcopal Church located on the corner of Albert Drive and Pollokshaws road. [cite web|url=http://www.stniniansglasgow.org.uk/index.htm|title=St Ninian's Episcopal Church, Pollokshields, Glasgow|accessdate=2008-01-28] Pollokshields Church of Scotland was built as Pollokshields Established Church by Robert Baldie in 1877-1878. The architecture is mixed Gothic with an early English tower with tabernacles above the broaches of the spire at the southwest comer of the building. The tower has a clock face on each of its four sides. The south (entrance) front has a large geometrical window above a row of trefoil headed windows with stiff leaf capitals. The side aisles have twin lancet windows beneath the clerestory of triple lancet windows to the main church. The interior has aisle arcades formed by polished granite columns on high octagonal sandstone bases with French Gothic capitals supporting pointed arches beneath the clerestory windows and the high scissor braced roof trusses. Each column cap is different The timber roof of the side aisles and the main trusses add to the grandeur of the interior. The south balcony is reached by a staircase from the east porch. The deep chancel was remodelled in 1912-1914 with new organ, pulpit and communion table.

The Darnley Street Family centre is another notable building as it serves as a community centre, it also focus' on creating local youth clubs currently there are two, one that meets on Wednesdays specialsing in the male teen youths aged 8-14 years and a similar girls group meets on Thursdays for females aged 8-14 years.

The Clydesdale Cricket Club building is a sporting club situated at Titwood on the periphery of Pollokshields in the south of Glasgow. Founded in Kinning Park in 1848 by Archibald Campbell, it was formed by members of two previous clubs which played on Glasgow Green, to cater for the burgeoning residential developments south of the river Clyde. It is now the oldest surviving team sports club in Glasgow. On moving to Pollokshields, the club sold its previous grounds in Kinning Park in 1873 to a newly-founded football club called Rangers. At that time, the club also fielded a football team, Clydesdale, which came second to Queens Park in the first Scottish Cup final in 1874, after many associated with the club had been instrumental in the foundation of the Scottish Football Association.

Transport

Currently there are three railway stations operting in the area that are open. Near the Maxwell area Maxwell Park railway station situates, Pollokshields East railway station and Pollokshields West railway station are in the immediate area of Pollokshields. Closed railway systems include, Pollokshields railway station and Strathbungo railway station.

ee also

*Pollokshields Library
*Pollokshields Burgh Hall

Districts

*Crossmyloof
*Govanhill
*Strathbungo

References

External links

* [http://www.communitycouncilsglasgow.co.uk/pollokshields Pollokshields Community Council]
* [http://www.pollokshields.demon.co.uk Pollokshields Heritage]
* [http://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/tarlochan/tarlochan.communitycentre/tarlochan.mosques Information on Mosques in Pollokshields]
* [http://www.pollokshieldschurch.org.uk/ Pollokshields Church of Scotland]