Visit to the Museum of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Members of the Antiquaries were able to visit the museum recently opened by Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI). Seventeen members accepted the invitation and were welcomed at 11.30am on Tuesday 23rd May 2023 by a volunteer guide from Friends of the GRI. We were informed of the 200 years history of the hospital which was designed by the Adams family and opened in 1794 in grounds adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral. It is the oldest hospital in Glasgow.

Members of the Antiquaries in the Museum of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
(© I.S.Ruddock)

The museum exhibits the rich history of the GRI as a centre of scientific, medical and nursing innovation of which there are many examples on display, either as artefacts or as old photographs with explanatory captions. To cite but a few, there was information about Joseph Lister (antisepsis), William MacEwan (first to undertake brain surgery in Glasgow), Tom McIntyre (first to introduce X-rays as a diagnostic tool), Rebecca Strong who trained under Florence Nightingale (recognition of nursing as a profession and introduction of working practices that exist today), Ellen Orr (trained as the first female surgeon in Scotland), and the appointment of Jacqueline Taylor as the first female President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. And much more, including old photographs of the ‘chicken run’ – the glazed walkway between the GRI and the nurses’ home - as the group was invited to stroll the corridors of the ground floor which are lined by further exhibits, while in search of the atrium, the chapel and the cafeteria. 

This was the third mini outing of the Society's 2022-23 programme - the first being to Glasgow City Chambers in Glasgow, the second to the Berkeley Street Gurdwara and the third to the GRI Museum. Further outings are possible in the 2023-24 session depending on feedback, including suggestions for possible places to visit, preferably limited to the city and its immediate surroundings.

David Graham

Annual General Meeting and 'Every contact leaves a trace': Thursday 20th April 2023

This session's Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 20th April 2023 at 7.30 pm in The Park Centre, and is an opportunity for all members to have their say in the running of the Society. The various activities since the last AGM will be reviewed, the accounts will be presented for approval, and the office bearers and committee membership - for which nominations are sought - will be confirmed.

After the business part of the meeting, Ms Louise Nixon, will give a talk entitled 'Every contact leaves a trace'. Louise is Scottish Police Authority's West Coast Scenes of Crime Team Manager, and she will describe her career and give an overview of her work and various aspects of forensic science and its history.

Visitors are welcome at all of the Society's evening meetings.

The Society's contribution to East Dunbartonshire's Local History Month: 2.00pm, Thursday 23rd March 2023

As originally planned, the Antiquaries had arranged for the Chair of the Alexander Thomson Society to give a talk on the life and work of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, from his start in Balfron to becoming one of Scotland's most famous architects. His influence is most obviously seen in Glasgow, but also throughout the West of Scotland including Lenzie. This would have been the Society’s contribution to East Dunbartonshire’s Local History Month, but unfortunately, due to illness, the talk had to be cancelled with possible rescheduling on a later date. Rather than cancel the event itself, the Society's President, Dr Ivan Ruddock, volunteered to present ‘Memories of the Glasgow Garden Festival, 1988’ at the originally advertised time and place, i.e. 2.00 pm on 23 March 2023 at the Park Centre, Kirkintilloch. 

The decision to proceed was vindicated by a good attendance of members and non-members. The audience was first reminded of the many large exhibitions held in Glasgow prior to the Garden Festival, and then taken down memory lane with an overview of the location, the various themed gardens, the trams and trains provided to tour the site, the entertainment and the thrill rides, and the options for eating. The impact of the Garden Festival on the economy of Glasgow was also examined, as well as the current locations of some of the major exhibits. The talk was beautifully illustrated and expertly delivered. Great memories and a big thank you to Ivan.

David Graham

CANCELLATION: Scott Abercrombie: Alexander 'Greek' Thomson': 2.00pm, Thursday 23rd March 2023

Unfortunately, due to illness, the advertised talk by Scott Abercrombie on Alexander 'Greek' Thomson on Thursday 23rd March 2023 at 2.00pm will not take place. This event would have been the Society's contribution to East Dunbartonshire's 2023 Local History Month. In its place, Ivan Ruddock, the Antiquaries President, will present 'Memories of the Glasgow Garden Festival'.

The talk will be given in The Park Centre, Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch on Thursday 23rd March at 2.00 pm and is open to all.

Visit to Central Gurdwara, Berkeley Street, Glasgow: Tuesday 14th March 2023

In spite of the forecasted early morning fall of snow, 20 members of the Society made their independent way by public transport and by car to the distinctive flag pole at the front entrance of Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Berkeley Street, Glasgow for a prearranged tour. On arrival we were greeted at 11.00.am on Tuesday 14th March 2023 by our guide with whom the visiting arrangements had been made. These included a dress code of no tobacco, meat or alcoholic substances, and modest clothing to cover shoulders and legs if possible, and a head covering, although bandanas were also provided by the Gurdwara if required. Coats, shoes and socks were stored in lockers at the start of the tour.

The tour included two levels of the Gurdwara and consisted of an account of the origins of Sikhism in the Punjab region of the subcontinent of India in the mid-15th centenary and its subsequent evolution and development into one of the world's principal religions. The very important part played by its members in various military campaigns including both World Wars was also highlighted. Using plaques and charts arranged on the walls it was easy to learn of the history, articles of faith, practices and culture of Sikhism as narrated by the enthusiastic guide who, by a combination of teaching skills and good 'Glasgow' humour, held the attention of the group for some 90 minutes. The tour also included time to witness part of a religious ceremony and to take part in a period of meditation, all of which was accompanied with a background of 'live' music.

    

The Gurdwara's guide explaining the origins and beliefs
of Sikhism. (© I.S.Ruddock)

At the end of the tour, the group was invited to lunch, or 'langar' as the free food in a Sikh Temple is referred to, where we were served an appetising meal of chapati, curry sauce, pasta, French fries, a glass of water and tea. It was very evident why the hospitality of the Gurdwara is greatly appreciated as we learned it serves many hundreds of meals per day as a gesture to those in need and a contribution to the community.

    

Some of the Antiquaries members enjoying langar after the tour
of the Gurdwara. (© I.S.Ruddock)

As the group was gathering to leave, a vote of thanks was given to the enthusiastic, kind and very helpful guide whose skilled presentation gave us a much greater appreciation of Sikhism, and its involvement in Glasgow. Arrangements were also made for the Society to make a donation to the Gurdwara in appreciation of the success of the visit and in recognition of its humanitarian work.

David Graham

Scott Abercrombie: Alexander 'Greek' Thomson': 2.00pm, Thursday 23rd March 2023

Each year, Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries hosts an event in the programme of East Dunbartonshire's Local History Week or Month. This year, Mr Scott Abercrombie, Chair of the Alexander Thomson Society will speak on the life and work of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. 

Alexander 'Greek' Thomson (1817 - 1875) was a Scottish architect who was inspired by the style and motifs of Ancient Greece. His reputation suffered during the twentieth century along with that of other Victorian architects, but since the 1950s it has been restored, and his remaining buildings are now prized examples of Scottish architecture.

Thomson's Holmwood House, Netherlee Road, Glasgow, visited
by the Society on its 2016 Summer Outing. (© I.S.Ruddock)

The event will be held in The Park Centre, Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch on Thursday 23rd March at 2.00 pm and is open to all.