Special service to mark 89 years since Paisley cinema disaster
A COMMEMORATION of Paisley’s Glen Cinema disaster which saw 69 children crushed to death will take place today.
Survivors will join the family of victims and mourners from across the town as they pause to remember the lives lost 89 years ago.
Poet Fred McNeill will join Paisley Abbey’s Reverend Alan Birss to speak on the sombre event, which draws in almost 100 people each year.
Piero Pieraccini, chair of the Paisley Development Trust who host the event, told the Evening Times: “It’s a very solemn event and to have the Reverend there adds that religious element which can be emotional. A lot of people come together to remember those children.
“In 1929, there was a lot of pressure on women to make sure houses were spotless for the new year and the men to work, so that’s why as many as 1,000 children ended up there and, even for those who survived, it was extremely traumatic.”
Around 1,000 children arrived at the Glen Cinema for a matinee screening of Western film The Dude Deperado.
A reel of film caught fire in the projection room and the container burst open allowing smoke to enter the hall.
The youngsters within panicked and ran for the emergency door which led to Dyers Wynd, however, it could not be opened as it was padlocked and had to be opened inwards.
The children were crushed against the door.
An inquiry into the tragedy confirmed there were an insufficient number of exits in the building.
The building’s manager was charged with culpable homicide but found not guilty after he confirmed the doors were locked on occasion to prevent children sneaking into a screening without paying.
The disaster prompted a major change in safety regulations in cinemas throughout the country.
Survivors were taken away for a week’s holiday by Paisley Town Council thanks to a relief fund which was quickly set up by town residents.
The cinema suffered smoke damage but never reopened.
The building has since been taken over.
Piero said: “At the time survivors were told to forget about it.
“They were taken away for a week to West Kilbride for a week and that was it but today there would be grief counselling and all sorts of support put in place.
“This is a form of closure for them to have it remembered on Hogmanay.”
The event, which has been running since the disaster’s 75th anniversary in 2004, will begin at 10.30am.
Guests will gather at the town’s Cenotaph, just minutes from the Grade B listed building which still stands in the centre of the area, before heading to the Burger and Keg for a hot drink. All are welcome.