The Rise & Fall of Springburn - 14/05/18

Seagate Rotary’s speaker on Monday was club president Eric Greig, on the history and sad decline of the Glasgow area of Springburn.  Eric spent his early childhood in Springburn, and on a recent visit after 50 years away was horrified at how the burgh had been destroyed and the community lost.

Once a small village 2 miles from Glasgow, from the 1830’s Springburn gradually developed into an industrial town producing one quarter of all the world’s steam locomotives, as well as having many other works including the 100 acre St Rollox chemical factory with the tallest chimney in the world.  Springburn was gradually absorbed into the greater conurbation, but in the 1950’s the heavy industry declined and Glasgow redevelopment in the 1970’s saw 85% of the housing demolished and the population and community scattered.  

The destruction continued with the construction of the expressway through the centre.  Where there was once a proud, productive and self sufficient community, there is now a sorry enclave of unemployment and deprivation.  This story prompted comments on similar areas where industrial decline and poor planning have caused problems.  A Vote of Thanks was proposed by Fiona Lee.