Friends Of Maxwell Park

FRIENDS OF MAXWELL PARK



The crucial role that parks and green spaces play in enhancing people's quality of life is being recognised and it was felt that Maxwell Park, central to our area, would benefit from the formation of a voluntary ‘Friends’ group being set up. Many of you will be aware that following our AGM in November 2007 the Trustees have now formed a Management Committee and have obtained charitable status from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator under number SC038570. We are pleased to have been recognised by the Community Council and have a growing membership. During the summer we joined the "Pride of Pollokshields" and were happy to take part in the very successful Ready Steady Grow Event which took place in the district. We are pleased to be able to work with various bodies with an interest in the Park’s development. These include the Parks and Recreation Department of the Glasgow District Council, the Pollokshields Liaison Group which includes Pollokshields Heritage, and the Community Council. All have shown a keen interest and indicated their support. The aim of the group is to lobby support to develop the Park, raise funds for physical improvements and organise local events and activities.

You are welcome to complete a small questionnaire which is available on line, or you may wish to come and talk with our representative at the Pollokshields Strawberry Sunday Event which is being held on Sunday 4 June from 1pm in the park.

PARK HISTORY

When Sir John Stirling Maxwell gifted about 21 acres of land for a place recreation in April 1889, the Commissioners of Pollokshields Burgh had first to have the land thoroughly drained, as it lay upon a peat bog. Sadly, the original drainage has sunk too far to be effective and Land Services are constantly tackling flooding problems.

All spring and surface water was directed to the lowest point where a large pond was created. It was popular in the early part of the 20th century for sailing model yachts, with skaters in the winter, and subsequently as a boating pond for a number of years. It has now been transformed into a wildlife habitat and visitors can observe many varieties of birds now breeding and taking advantage of the newly-formed reedy island as a safe haven for nesting. Bulrushes and irises now edge the water and the pond has also been planted with oxygenating plants to assist in keeping algae at bay.

Throughout the years considerable time and money has been provided by local residents including 528 yards of privet hedging. A few members of the general public have no respect for the remaining hedging – it seems to be too much trouble to walk as far as the next official entrance!

On the afternoon of Saturday 25th October 1890, there was a large gathering at the handsome ironwork bandstand (which was the Park’s centrepiece) to witness the opening ceremony, in conjunction with the opening of the new Pollokshields Burgh Hall in the north-east corner of the Park. The Third Lanark Band did the musical honours for the occasion, for which they received £5 5s. The Park or the ‘Mackie’ as it was known, became hugely popular, it was recorded that one day in August 1893, 9,500 people entered it during the opening hours of 6am until 10pm.

To celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee five local schools took part in a huge demonstration of loyalty on 19th June, 1897. Because there was so little stir on the approach roads each school contingent safely entered the Park by a different gate. A very pretty spectacle was provided by the banners, floral decorations and varied colours of the costumes. A programme of vocal and instrumental music was given by the Glasgow Select Choir and Male Voice Choir, then medals, bags of sweets and pastries were distributed to 4,574 enthusiastic youngsters. The end of the proceedings was hit by a downpour of rain and the processional order was revised to allow rapid exit for everyone. The sodden field was deserted save for one solitary policeman amid a wilderness of pastry bags and other relics of the fete and feast.

THE HAMILTON FOUNTAIN 1908-1989

The Misses Hamilton of No. 47 St. Andrew’s Drive wished to erect a fountain in Maxwell Park as a memorial to their father and two brothers, who had all enjoyed wild fowling over the mossy bog that existed before the Park was created. They wanted the fountain to be exactly in the centre of the Park but the estimated cost of re-siting the bandstand that was already the centrepiece was too costly at £100, so the flower garden was suggested and approved.

The Hamilton Fountain was designed by Burnet, Boston and Carruthers, Glasgow, and executed by the Royal Doulton Company in their London works, the chosen material being their white Carrara vitrified stoneware, used extensively for architectural work.

The Fountain was officially unveiled before a large audience in Maxwell Park, in April, 1908. Over the years the Hamilton Fountain fell into gross disrepair, both age and vandalism being blamed. It was shuttered for several years until demolished in 1989, when it was stated that there was no funding for repair or maintenance. The spot is now identified only by the large flowerbed created with the edging of the original basin.

History written and researched by Sheila Ogilvie.

The Friends Of Maxwell Park can be contacted on friendsofmaxwellpark@hotmail.co.uk