The Red Road...

[Former Member 1]

Few people in Scotland can have missed the news of tragic events that took place at Glasgow's Red Road Flats last week...

The flats have long-since had a 'reputation' as a deeply troubled place. Allegedly desolate and violent they've become in recent years a 'dumping ground' for asylum seekers. And a few years ago the decision was made to finally pull them down.

I grew up in the Red Road, and the place I knew was a very very different one from the picture that's typically painted. Certainly, most of the kids I grew up with did well in life and were the product of very positive upbringings by hard-working parents and guardians.

Returning to the flats later in life after completing my 'trade' was also a very positive experience. Clydeside TV (my first business) was actually started from the Red Road. And the place I left behind was filled with hope, wishes and dreams...

The negative stories and attitudes that have brought the Red Road to the point it's at now are many and various and in my opinion largely unfounded. I've been back to the flats several times over the past year or so completing the initial research for a film about the place. And even now, there's just not the 'threat' that you'd find in many other similar schemes around the country...

As these great steel-framed giants take their last mournful glances across the city they've watched over for the best part of a half-century, it's doubly-tragic that they're more likely to be remembered as the place where a desperate Russian family ended their torment rather than the place where thousands of Glaswegians lived, loved and got their start in the world...

The new film has the working title of "Skyscraper We'ans" and seeks to tell the positive stories of life in the tallest dwellings in Western Europe. It was due to go into pre-production this June, but events over the past week caused us to make the decision to bring that date forward...

Skyscraper We'ans is a labour of love. Encouraged by a fellow film-maker who has just seen his own 'non-commissioned' film released we've decided to just get on with making it rather than faff about trying to find a commission. That's not to say help, support and even sponsorship isn't welcomed, it most definitely is, but we're looking more for practical help rather than donations...

Basically we're looking for positive stories about the Red Road as well as any film photographs or video that anyone has. We stress here that we're looking for stuff that people can give us the rights to use... We'll digitise what we need if necessary (and supply the donators with copies) and return all original material...

We'd also welcome practical help in getting word of the project out. And with that in mind I'd like to express my thanks to Anna Burnside of "The Sunday Times" for giving me the opportunity to comment in the "Ecosse" section of this week's 'paper...

The rise and fall of Glasgow's Red Road - Times Online

[Edward]

Matt, great to read that some folks are trying to bring some context that includes the positive in the 'Red Road' story. It's not a community that I personally know much about - can I therefore just makes sure that you know about a couple of extensive and excellent Glasgow-focused community online forums where you might find it worthwhile searching for stories in? The first is (all one word) GlasgowGuide (.com I think) and Hidden Glasgow. The first one is the more likely source as it is for couthy and people orineted; the second is more about physical and infrastructure.

Just another thought - is Barmullocj FE collge a possible source for you? Many local kids must have gone their; I know when I did 'night school' there we passed by the Red Road to and from our classes.

[Former Member 1]

Thanks for the references Edward.

Sadly Barmulloch College was absorbed into North Glasgow college some several years ago. It was subsequently pulled down and the land used to build private housing. A contentious move actually since 'promises' had previously been made to the community in respect of what was a great community facility...

North Glasgow's 'presence' is now the former local library next to the community centre...

[Edward]

Mat that's sad news about Barmulloch College. From what I recall it was a high quality example of public-finded infrastructure so typical of what we got in mnay cases in the 60s. And I can't feel with any confidence that being merged with North Glasgow 'several years ago' would have turned out then for the best ... although of course the regime has changed since then and North Glasgow now seems to be undergoing something of a rebirth.

[Former Member 1]

It has to be said, the loss of the college has, in my opinion, left the are severely depleted. That had been compounded by the effective loss of the Library which at one time was an extremely useful and positive resource. As a kid I was able to teach myself basic electronics, optics, photography, film making etc... And develop many other skills through simply being able to access good quality Library books. Both from the (tiny) Barmulloch library and Springburn...

Likewise it was possible locally, at very low cost, to access woodworking and metalworking facilities, learn welding, even how to look after a car... All important skills and activities that not only kept a lot of kids out of trouble and off the streets; but gave them valuable life skills some of which lead to very positive careers....

The college of course contained many other facilities including an excellent swimming pool which was used by the community. And a wide variety of both leisure and vocational night classes were run there. I'm in no doubt that its loss has been a major contributor to the degeneration of the area. And I consider the justifications for its demolision to be wholly without foundation.

There has been no realistic or valid substitute provided, and I feel sure that's a pattern repeated throughout Scotland.

As I suggest in the Sunday Times piece; I AM concerned that we are in an endless cycle of built it up, let it rot, tear it down... With the only winners being the fat cats who make millions out of this process...