Doors Open weekend is here!

There is no doubt what a lot of people will be doing this week-end – Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September.  They’ll be knocking on doors that are specially open where they are invited in (usually at no cost!) to see what goes on in that place.

The magnificent Doors Open Day festival of Glasgow’s Built Heritage has more than 100 venues waiting for the visitors. Which doesn’t count the walking tours and talks which have been available throughout this week and the dozen allotments which will open their Gates on Doors Open Day weekend!

There are 16 new venues this year including the beautifully refurbished St Andrew’s Cathedral in Clyde Street. And there are free buses from George Square to Provan Hall in Easterhouse and a free bus service to Castlemilk Stables  thanks to Cassiltoun Housing Association whose offices are in the complex.

There will be a host of walks on both Saturday and Sunday which enable experts to tell the stories of the places on that route. Check the website for up-to-the-minutes details: www.glasgowdoorsopenday.com

And don’t forget your camera for the photographic competition as well as the Passport competition for everyone under 16.

Doors Open to new memories

by Lynsay Keough

For some people, Doors Open weekend is a chance to learn something new about Glasgow. For others,  it’s a rare chance to revisit old memories.
Such was the case at the Marlborough in Shawlands on Saturday, September 18. The Dancehall and function rooms now operate as the Shed nightclub. The red sandstone building was originally constructed between 1911 and 1912 and was designed by John H. Hamilton and William James Smith
However, the moment the doors  opened, it became apparent that sadly, not a whiff of the Marlborough’s elegance has not been maintained.
This did not detract from the excellent performance by TRAM Direct and Theatre Ecole who presented a specially devised dance and music sketch to capture times past in the Malborough. As Elvis played, many of the visitors reminisced about their experiences.
Said Mrs  Ferris: “My mother used to put on her long dresses and come here. Now my daughters come to the Shed .”
One lady had even happier memories: “I got married in here, 50 years ago. It was the happiest day of my life. But as I look around this place now, I can’t even make out where the wedding would have been.”

TRAM Direct would like people who have stories and photographs of the Marlborough in its heyday to get in touch for development of the story of the place. Call them on: 0141 423 6037or email: manager@tramdirect

For the first time, Doors Open Day this year also featured Open Gates – a chance to see some of the city’s green fingered citizens to show off their allotments. There have been allotments in the Oatlands area since the 1980s but due to the building and regeneration in the area they had to relocate. Developer Bett Homes provided the new site and a communal clubhouse.
Work began at the new site in Logan Crescent in March. The ground had originally been a main road. But everyone’s hard work has paid dividends and in a couple of months 15 allotments have colourfully sprung up, with some cabbages, I am reliably informed, being available before expected!
Saturday 18 September was not only their “Open Gates” but the official opening of the allotments themselves. Homegrown produce was available for sale and everyone enjoyed having their faces painted and joining in the celebrations.
It’s fantastic to see how all of the effort from the allotment holders has paid off so productively in such a short time.