Friends Of Maxwell Park

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED!

2011-09-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

HELP - SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER 9.30 AM

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH THE RESTORATION OF THE GEORGE FORREST BED IN MAXWELL PARK. IF YOU FEEL YOU COULD SPARE SOME TIME TO HELP WITH WEEDING AND PREPARING THE BED FOR NEW PLANTS PLEASE CONTACT 07966867929.

THE FRIENDS WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD BRING YOUR OWN SPADES, FORKS AND HAND TOOLS PLUS WILLING MAN-POWER!

THE SUM OF £5,5225 HAS BEEN AWARDED BY POLLLOKSHIELDS AREA COMMITTEE BUT AS THE GREATER PART OF THIS WILL BE TAKEN UP BY ERECTING A FENCE (TO PREVENT OUR DOGS FROM DAMAGING PLANTS AND TO DETER THEFT) WE NEED TO SUPPORT LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WITH THIS PROJECT. FURTHER DONATIONS WOULD ALSO BE WELCOME TOWARDS THE PROVISION OF NEW PLANTS ALTHOUGH IT IS INTENDED TO RESCUE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE. IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO ERECT AN INTERPRETATION BOARD WITH INFORMATION ON GEORGE FORREST, HIS CONTRIBUTION AS A PLANT HUNTER AND HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THE STIRLING MAXWELL FAMILY, WHO FUNDED SOME OF HIS EXPEDITIONS TO THE HIMALAYAS.

Gardens in Britain owe a huge debt to George Forrest as he was responsible for bringing back over 30,000 specimens of 10,000 plants from China over a period of 17 years, at the start of the 20th century. The plants which he introduced into Britain included 300 new species of rhododendron (which was unknown in Britain until his discovery), azaleas, primula, gentians, conifers, orchids, magnolias, saxifrages and pieris - Pieris Forrestii adds a splash of colour to shady corners of many gardens. The list of material collected by Forrest is impressive and includes Abies georgei, Acer, Adenophera, Aster, Dacocephalum, Hemerocallis, Iris, Primula and Rhododendron forrestii.

SPRING NEWSLETTER

2011-03-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

At last spring has arrived!

As you may know the Friends of Maxwell Park obtained funding from Pollokshields Area Committee to restore the George Forrest bed at the Dalziel Drive entrance. This should be going ahead soon and will be fenced to stop our dogs from rushing in to select the first bush - it may also deter folk from stealing plants which has happened in the past.

To celebrate this the Friends are organising a trip to the Scottish Plant Collector's Garden in Pitlochry on Sunday 12th June. Please email/leave a note at the Burgh Halls if you wish to come along. The cost will be £15 to include travel and entrance fee.

SUNDAY 5TH JUNE - READY STEADY GROW

This year we are back in the Loggia to the rear of the Burgh Halls. Please come along and enjoy tea, coffee or soft drinks and home baking. As usual we will have a plant stall so if you have any plants you wish to donate they will be most welcome.

POND DRAINAGE

For the third year running attempts to drain the pond have proved unsuccessful owing to a mechanical failure and the bad winter when ice prevented the operation starting before the nesting season. Hopefully this will happen in the autumn.

A number of dogs have been taking to the water - this causes disturbance to nesting wildfowl so please keep dogs under control around the pond area.

Hector has been doing a great job of keeping the park tidy given the amount of working days due to cutbacks. Please help him to keep the beds tidy and place litter in the many bins provided! Again dogs off the beds please and ball games are best played away from formal planting areas.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23 NOVEMBER 2010

2010-10-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE STIRLING HALL POLLOKSHIELDS BURGH HALLS ON 23 NOVEMBER 2010 at 7 pm.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME ANDY CHRISTIE FROM HESSILHEAD WHO WILL GIVE US A SHORT TALK ON THE WORK OF THIS BUSY WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTRE.

MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME!

NEWS FROM THE PARK SEPTEMBER 2010

2010-08-26T08:45:00.000-07:00

Visitors to the park will have seen the wonderful Heritage Sign recently installed by Land Services! The larger section will have a plan of the park together with information on the features of the park and what wildlife to look out for during the year.

The Friends of Maxwell Park are delighted to have their section as this will enable us to keep you up-to-date with our activities.

We are appreciative that Land and Environmental Services felt this magnificent sign was justified for our Park when the budget cuts are so severe.

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR...........Sadly we think that the smallest of the cygnets has disappeared for good. The rangers aren't sure if Mr Fox - Vulpes vulpes is responsible or an enthusiastic dog. Four-oh as he was known, was not a very strong little bird and appeared to be somewhat ignored by the rest of the clan. Nature has taken its course as it was doubtful whether he would have survived on his own.

There have been recent sightings of the terrapins in the pond. We think they may be responsible for eating duck eggs in the spring please report if you spot them as they should be rehoused.

Two of the larger fish have been relocated to Queens Park where they have been placed in an enclosed pond so please no more fishing attempts as last year one of the swans had to have a line removed from it's throat. Thank you Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre! They also would ask that only grain and brown bread be fed to the wildlife as white bread and rice are not nutritious and results in the swans suffering from malnutrition. Again our thanks to Hessilhead who took our pair away over the winter for a bit of rehabilitation and concentrated feeding.

The Friends have recently been awarded funding from Pollokshields Area Committee to restore the George Forrest bed. You will be aware that plants in this bed have either been stolen or damaged by dogs and plans are underway to replant and fence the bed.

This notable Scottish plant collector and explorer made seven major expeditions to China between the years of 1902 and 1932 with the support of a wealthy syndicate of gardening enthusiasts including Sir John Stirling Maxwell of Pollok. Easily the most significant and popular of George Forrest’s planting introductions was his collection of rhododendron species revolutionising the world of rhododendron breeding.

A grant of £5,500 has been awarded to the Friends of Maxwell Park. We are grateful to the Area Committee for this generous amount which includes a transfer of a previous award for signage as this requirement has been covered by LES.

We shall miss Gus Morrison who will be leaving the Park in November. He has worked so hard to keep the Park looking good over the years and we wish him well. Thank you from us all Gus, for all that you have achieved and for your kindness and good nature - we will miss you!

The Ready Steady Grow Event in June was a great success and we enjoyed the various stalls and organisations that helped to make the day entertaining and we hope enjoyable for all. Our thanks go to all the bakers and helpers who gave of their time.

READY STEADY GROW EVENT 6TH JUNE 2010

2010-05-16T09:17:00.000-07:00

DIARY DATE!

SUNDAY 6TH JUNE 2010
1 – 5 PM
The Friends of Maxwell Park invite you to join them for:
Homebaked Teas/Coffees
Free Dray Rides Round the Park
Unusual Plants for Sale Plus Planters for the Patio
Workshops for Seed Boms! Children Welcome.
Pottery Painting and lots more

NEWS FROM THE PARK

2010-03-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

At last we can see some signs of spring in Maxwell Park and I hope we will see progress this year.

Those of you who kindly attended the AGM in December will recall we had received funding from the Pollokshields Area Committee for signage. We have been fortunate in having two new sings for the pond area installed by Land and Environmental Services and will shortly be having a large information board for Maxwell Park sited at the main Burgh Halls entrance. Land Services have promised us a section for the Friends to keep you all informed of progress and what is going on in the park.

You will have seen sign around the pond of the intended lowering of the water to plant new oxygenating plants and remove the large carp that have been quietly nibbling at these! The fish will then be transferred to an enclosed pond. It is hoped that this will improve the water quality.

Unfortunately it has since transpired that the mechanism to operate the out-flow is still faulty and the water lowering will now have to wait until next winter as the birds are already starting to nest. This is a great disappointment to us as we were all lined up to help the team from Environmental Services with this project.

Please use the "blog spot" to pass on any comments and suggestions that you may have as it is good to have a flow of local opinion.

The Friends of Maxwell Park will be taking part in the annual Ready Steady Grow Event on Sunday 6th June. A plant stall and tea/coffee stall will be open from 1-5pm and we hope to have the heavy horses dray from Pollok Country Park with us again this year for free rides around the Park. We also hope to have various conservation and wildlife groups with us - lots of information for all ages!

We look forward to June and hope that you will be able to look in and enjoy the afternoon with us.

With best wishes for a good summer!

AGM & AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

2009-11-08T10:22:00.000-08:00

Our AGM this year will be on Monday 7th December in the Park Room of Pollokshields Burgh Halls at 7 pm.

The Trustees would welcome anyone with an interest in Maxwell Park to attend and anyone wishing to join will be welcome. In order to vote for Trustees however, you are required in accordance with the Constitution, to be a member 21 days prior to the AGM. As we require 30% of membership to be present we do encourage you to come along.

NEWS FROM THE PARK

You may have heard that there is a move to use funds from Culture and Sport to develop a play area/football pitch in the park. Whilst the Friends would encourage a development which would be of benefit to park users, we are aware that owing to the ground conditions in the park (somewhat wet!) this proposal requires careful consideration and consultation with park users. Please be encouraged to voice your opinion - you don't have to be a member to have your say! As yet, there is no definite area for the location of the pitch - the old tennis court next to the George Forrest bed, the old putting green beside St Andrews Drive and the large grass area beside the pond are all possible sites. The park was once a swamp area and has a high water table - would it require massive drainage prior to installation? Perhaps a detailed feasibility study would be a requirement. Lets have your views!

The Trustees have been awarded funding of £2000 for new signage for the park. Working in conjunction with Land Services, we hope to have these in place for the Spring. One of the new signs will advise not to feed wildlife white bread, rice etc., brown bread and seeds would be great. You will have noticed the cygnets have gone. They are only at Hesssilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre as they were suffering from poor feeding and will be returned to us in the Spring.

We had a successful stall in June as part of Ready Steady Grow and our thanks to all who supported us, to new members for their interest and to the volunteers who manned the tea plant and various stalls.

The Trustees look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the AGM on the 7th December!

2009-06-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

READY STEADY GROW EVENT JUNE 2009

2009-06-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

We had a great day on the 7th June and were delighted to have the heavy horses and dray from Pollok in Maxwell Park with free rides. Thanks to Lorraine and Donna for their help.

Our cafe in the Loggia of the Burgh Halls proved to be a great success and thanks to everyone who provided home baking.

The plant stall was a sell-out with lots of unusual plants. Our thanks to Charles Coyle for his garden advice tips and to all those who kindly donated plants.

We had a fantastic response to our membership drive. It is important to be involved with our park and we are currently in discussion with Land Services regarding future plans and developments. We are all aware that budgets are tight and resources stretched so we aim to help in whatever way we can. If you have any ideas or thoughts please pass them on.

2009-06-24T05:29:00.000-07:00

SPRING 2009 NEWSLETTER

2009-03-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

We are now approaching the end of March and have been treated to our usual mixture of spring weather. One week we think it is getting warmer and the next we return to our usual mixture of blustery showers and cold winds. Let us hope April will bring some warmer settled days.

Following the AGM in November I have to thank all those who kindly attended, to the Trustees who have agreed to serve for a further term, and to the Burgh Halls for their assistance. I would also welcome our new Trustees and thank them for agreeing to serve. Our thanks go to Anne Mearns, who has stepped down after giving us such great support. She worked tirelessly to hand over a framework to enable future office bearers to provide good governance and we are extremely grateful to her for all that she achieved.

You will be aware of two major changes in the Park. Firstly, the vegetation has had a drastic haircut! This may appear to be somewhat severe but it will fill out and grow again and by lowering the height, greater security has been achieved for those using the pathways.

The pond level has been lowered to enable the debris to be removed and the inlet pipes checked. There was some delay as a new key had to be made but it would appear that the water flowing into the pond is of an acceptable nature. New planting of submerged vegetation will take place shortly as these are essential to oxygenate the water and provide food and habitat for aquatic animals and food for water birds such as coot.

Please don’t feed the wildlife! We would ask that bread and other foodstuffs are not left by the pond or thrown into the water. It encourages additional gulls to the area and in particular the black-backed gulls who kill the ducklings and other young chicks, as they also are tempted to the bread.

Following the successful Ready Steady Grow Event as part of Pride of Polloksheilds last summer, The Friends will be running a similar event this year but on SUNDAY
7TH JUNE. It is hoped to have a plant sale and tearoom in the Loggia of the Burgh Halls and any donations of baking and plants will be most welcome. Please phone
(0141 423 0734) or email friendsofmaxwellpark@hotmail.co.uk if you can help.
The date will be a better time of year for planting so please keep cuttings and any extra plants you may have.

We hope to have organisations related to biodiversity with us again this year and also an opportunity for our younger users to participate.

In the early summer we hope to run an outing to the Scottish Plant Collectors Garden at Pitlochry – a Mecca for plant enthusiasts with species from all over the world and in particular the Himalayas. The garden is built on wooded hillside above the Festival Theatre on 6. 5 acres and consists of a series of gardens illustrating the contribution that a selection of eighteen Scottish plant hunters have made over the centuries. More information regarding date and costs will follow shortly.

If you would like to join us please download the application form and if you would like to help out on the 7th June, please contact 0141 423 0734.

We look forward to a successful year in Maxwell Park!

Sarah Melville

2008-11-10T03:42:00.000-08:00

AUTUMN NEWSLETTER

Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter!

As we approach our 2nd AGM on 24th November here is an up-date on our activities during the summer:

READY STEADY GROW EVENT

Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who visited our stalls at the Ready Steady Grow Event at the Burgh Halls Maxwell Park in July. Our thanks go to Jackie and her team who ran a very successful tea and coffee stall and also to those who contributed a wonderful collection of plants and vegetables for the plant table. Also to all of you for supporting us including two of our local councillors-

A big thankyou to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre for giving everyone such good and helpful information about our wildlife. They were most impressed at the level of interest shown by all those that stopped at their stall and we hope we may continue to have a good relationship with them – they have kindly taken in some of the young swans as it is time for them to move on from the pond. Many of you will be aware that all is not well with the water quality and we have been keeping up to date with developments and are assured that the Parks Department are obtaining samples to clarify what is going wrong.

We are also extremely grateful to the Scottish Butterfly and Month Conservation Society. They attended the Ready Steady Grow Event and brought various leaflets and information material. Our thanks go to them for giving up their day to be with us. They have also been extremely helpful in providing us with a list of what to look out for in the park during the coming months. It has been suggested that we could develop a wildlife area to encourage butterflies to visit and we are currently planning the best way to progress this idea.

You may recall that the 27th July was one of the few hot days we experienced during the summer and thanks go to everyone for their support at this event which was part of the first new venture supported through the “Proud of Pollokshields” groups involved in increasing community participation in caring for our precious few greenspaces – and keeping the tradition of the Garden Suburb alive and flourishing!
We would thank the group for allowing us to be part of this successful day and hope that it may continue.

We are currently applying for funding from various bodies so that we can undertake a feasibility study do determine what you would most like to see happen in the park and we keep in touch with other relevant organisations in the district to enable a good dialogue of information to be exchanged.

We are very pleased to welcome Mansoor Bashir as a Trustee. He has kindly taken on the role of Treasurer having finished his current exams during the summer and a welcome back to Lesley Boyd.

We would be pleased to learn more of your views regarding Maxwell Park so do please visit the Forum on the website. Also we are always happy to welcome new members – an application form is available or you may wish to email us at: friendsofmaxwellpark@hotmail.co.uk

2008-11-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

2ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2008-11-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Friend

Our 2nd Annual General Meeting will be held at 6.30 pm in the Stirling Hall of Pollokshields Burgh Hall, Glencairn Drive on the 24th November 2008.

Please support the group and if you know anyone who would like to join us please bring them along. Voting by members will take place for new Trustees and Officers and if you would like a Nomination Form, please email us at: wwww.friendsofmaxwellpark@hotmail.co.uk

I look forward to seeing you on the 24th.

Yours sincerely

Sarah Melville
Chairman.

Swans In Maxwell Park

2007-09-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Ian Mackay

2006-06-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

Complete our online survey about what you'd like to see in Maxwell Park, Pollokshields, Glasgow.

Click here to take survey

Friends Of Maxwell Park

2006-05-05T10:49:00.000-07:00

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