SPOTLIGHT ON …. FRIENDS OF THE SOUTHERN NECROPOLIS

ONE of our busiest Streets Ahead groups was back in action in October with its yearly Halloween history walk around the famous Gorbals cemetery.

The group runs fantastic community events all year, including the touching Poppy Walk for Remembrance Sunday – which this year featured a special dedication in honour of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Founder Colin Mackie, pictured, explains: “Both events had a great turnout of local people, and Police Scotland came along to support us too.

“At the Poppy Walk, for which we worked in partnership with Gorbals Men’s Shed, we were joined by representatives of the armed forces.”

The group, which has dedicated itself to preserving and enhancing the graveyard – which is home to many notable Glaswegians including architect Alexander Greek Thomson and global grocery genius Thomas Lipton – has a number of interesting projects on the go.

Thanks to funding from the Gorbals Ideas Fund, they are adding decorative stones and a circular feature for the Greek Thomson Memorial Circle, and our recent Streets Ahead grant of £1500 will help them produce heritage packs for local schoolchildren as part of its Resurrecting and Preserving History Project.

Colin adds; “We are also hoping to turn our attention to the important gatehouse which stands at the entrance to the Southern Necropolis.

“We are hoping to attract funding for the building’s restoration and re-use as a unique history and community resource.

“We have lost so many of our classic buildings across the city that is vital we try and raise awareness about this iconic structure – designed by Southern Necropolis resident Charles Wilson.”