Govanhill Baths Community Trust ·

250 Celebrate Launch Of The Baths By Peter Mullan

Posted: 6th Feb. 2012 By Govanhill Baths

With 250 people packed around the front of the baths on Saturday 4th February Peter Mullan accepted a “golden key” from an Edwardian clad swimmer on the front door steps, cut the ribbon and turned the key for the first time in almost 11 years. Joined by MSP Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow City Council’s Depute Leader Archie Graham, the crowd’s roaring chant of “Save Our Pool” and a passing fire engine honking support, Peter declared the baths building open for business again!

Visitors streaming in were greeted by the magnificent Voicebeats choir rendering traditional international resistance songs along with those especially orchestrated by the late and greatly loved campaigner, Alistair Hulett

An Exhibition of photographs commemorated some of the major iconic moments and achievements of the campaign. Together with series of press cuttings and posters documented events from the time of the closure and 140 day occupation to the present day. Another section highlighted some of Trust’s publications and research projects.

With the front suite packed to overflowing Peter Mullan recounted his days as a swimmer when he lived in Alison Street and Niddrie Square with affectionate memories of the pool superintendent throwing swimmers” towels in the pool if they were slow getting out at closing time. He went on to make clear what a magnificent campaign had been mounted and sustained by the Trust and how he believed having come this far the baths themselves would indeed be opened again in this wonderful idea of a wellbeing centre.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP (and Deputy First Minister for Scotland as well as Minister for Health), a stalwart and visible supporter of the campaign over the years who as MSP advises the Trust’s Board, jokingly threatened to confiscate any pictures of herself in the exhibition that were ten years old but went on to say how she admired all the work the campaign had done and how important it was for the regeneration of Govanhill as a whole

Cllr Archie Graham with a touch of grim irony and light hearted self-deprecating City Council humour told the crowd that, before coming he had checked if the water had indeed been removed from the baths “just in case”. He too spoke of using the baths and went on to congratulate the Trust for what it had done. He told the crowd that GCC was finalizing its strategy of allowing local communities to take over council assets for their own use and the baths was one of these.

Fatima Uygun the Trust’s treasurer told of the detail of the original occupation of the baths on 20th March 2001 and the way in which Sheriff’s Officers arrived en masse at dawn 140 days later on 7th August to “take them back”. She told of the massive support given then and since by the community and many of the local shopkeepers, pubs and cafes. She made clear how those days were past and relations with the council were now excellent as they offered every support.

Andrew Johnson, the Chairperson said that the first part of the journey to a wellbeing centre and the re-opening of the baths was completed but the second part was only just beginning. He likened the work so far to a “Trojans Horse”, (a horse that also took ten years to build!) which was used to gain access before the final assault and charge to “victory”. He thanked individually Board members, Friends and staff who had supported and worked hard for the campaign over the years including in particular NORD Architecture for their sponsorship. He went on to acknowledge funding support from the Governments Equally Well Community Health scheme, The City Council, The Big Lottery, Historic Scotland, Santander Bank, the Scottish Community Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and many individuals.

Finally, he reported the most recent news. The Commonwealth Games Legacy Committee had awarded the Trust the usage of the ‘A Games Legacy for Glasgow’ branding and logo which was part Glasgow’s legacy ambitions.

Inga Zaiceva, our manager of the Emporium Charity Shop, presented all the speakers with delightful bouquets of flowers. Hot soup and refreshments rounded off the day as the many supporters present reminisced about the baths and talked of their future.

Youtube link to speeches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yTzlRdedT4

NOTES

The refurbishment of the front suite has been made possible by funding and support from; the government's Equally Well Community Health Pilot Project and the Govanhill Community Action (GoCA) group, a licence from the Council and City Property to occupy the front suite (with a view to the Trust taking over ownership in due course) and various funding over the years from the Big Lottery, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Scottish Community Action, Santander Bank and the GCC Area Committee. Historic Scotland has recently confirmed its commitment to assist in the refurbishment of the baths and there have been many substantial donations from individuals and our members. Our sponsors NORD Architecture have been major supporters and donators in kind for 8 years.

The new Centre’s Phase 1A will initially house the HQ of the Trust and its Centre for Community Practice (CCP). The CCP (www.centreforcommunitypractice.org )will provide a series of community-based programmes involving healthy eating (Govanhill Grub), Create (Arts programmes) and dedicated learning and recreation programmes for youth and 55+. It is planning an education unit to support local language and learning needs and runs a substantial music programme for local yourh. The facilities will provide excellent and much needed space for local community groups to use for a wide range of activities. It is proposed that Phase 1B will include the reinstatement of the learner’s pool, the “ladies” pool, Sauna and Turkish Suite and will include an arts suite, a greenhouse garden and a café. Phase 2 will redevelop the old “Steamie” into and event and market hall and Phase 3 will re-open the main swimming pool.

For more information 250 Celebrate Launch of the Baths by Peter Mullan

(Click an image to open the slideshow)