Barlanark
Coordinates: 55°51′21″N 4°08′15″W / 55.8559°N 4.1375°W
Barlanark is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is east of the districts of Budhill, Shettleston and Springboig, north west of Baillieston, west of Springhill and Swinton and south of Easterhouse, Easthall and Wellhouse (separated by Edinburgh Road (A8)).
Name
The name Barlanark is an apparently hybrid Gaelic-Brythonic name suggesting the hill at the clearing from the Gaelic bàrr and Brythonic lanerc meaning "clearing".[1]
History
Barlanark housing scheme was developed in response to the city's grave post-war housing needs: In 1952/53 over 2300 3/4-bedroom apartments were constructed and rented out to 'Corporation' tenants. There were also 5-apartment semi-detached houses, and 3-apartment terraced houses built, next to the Estate of Barlanark House,[2] which was constructed by David Hamilton in 1822, demolished in 1954. These tenement blocks were characterised by brick balconies, had good-sized gardens and modern toilet and bathroom facilities. Originally under local authority control, many are now under co-operative ownership.
Problems
Although Barlanark was relatively safe for its residents, the geographical nature of Glasgow gang culture, mostly district orientated, was imported from the slums that the residents were escaping from. From as early as the mid-1950s to the early 1960s the Bar-L gang evolved from the youth that resided in Barlanark. From the mid-1960s onward the gang expanded to incorporate outside members from surrounding areas. During the 1980s one of the best known members was Tam "the Licensee" McGraw (Thomas McGraw). The area became involved in the Glasgow Ice Cream Wars of the 1980s.
Schools and churches
The main schools of the area include Barlanark Primary, Sandaig Primary and Our Lady of Peace Primary. Barlanark Primary has merged with Sandaig Primary. Barlanark Primary was demolished to make way for a new RC primary school called our Lady of Peace, which replaced St Jude's Primary where new houses now stand.
Barlanark Greyfriars Parish Church is located at the junction of Edinburgh Road and Hallhill Road. It is the local Church of Scotland parish church. Greyfriars is home to a number of youth and adult organisations, including the 284th Glasgow Company of the Boys' Brigade, and Greyfriars Pipes and Drums, the only active pipe band in the East End of Glasgow. The 166th Glasgow Scout Group (founded 1954). The 67th Glasgow Girls Brigade, Brownie Guides and the Greyfriars Youth Project. Adult Groups consist of The Guild (previously Womans Guild) and 2 meetings of the AA.
The Local RC Church is St Judes and St John Ogilvie (now a joint charge of 2 local churches, St Judes Barlanark and St John Ogilvie Wellhouse) this sits between the Railway and Pendeen Road.
Economy
Hallhill Road contains a row of small size shops and a Community Centre. The road behind these shops also includes a local pub, Angies Bar, now closed.
Regeneration
Since the 1980s, the area has seen substantial redevelopment, with most of the 1950s tenements replaced by housing cooperatives. After the implementation of a re-generation program, the area has changed significantly, and nowadays the houses have all been refurbished to make Barlanark a much better place to live.
Community Development
The Calvay Centre[3] was opened in 2007, replacing the block of flats and shopping area. The Centre has a 12 place IT Suite as part of John Wheatley College's Learning Network, a 24 place nursery operated by Glasgow East Regeneration Agency and a family centre operated by Quarriers. The Centre is used to provide services for the local community and to offer meeting spaces for local groups and organisations.
Well known people
Well-known people from Barlanark include the actress Kathleen McDermott and Jim Scanlan Charlie and the Bhoys who stayed in the same close. The former footballer Pat Nevin and Pat Fairlie, from the pop group Marmalade. Others include the Swansea football player Steven Dobbie, West Brom's Graham Dorrans, and Michelle O'Brien who stars in the TV show River City. Paul Harvey, who used to play for Airdrie, also comes from Barlanark. John 'Hillbill' Hill owner of famous 'John Hill and Sons Painters' based in East London is also a son of Barlanark.
References
- ↑ Scottish Parliament placenames index
- ↑ http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/smihou/smihou008.htm gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk
- ↑ http://www.scottishhousingconnections.org/HA/Calvay/Other-Services/