Latest news from Water Row

Last year I blogged about proposals to turn the land on the east side of Water Row into an ‘official’ car park. The proposals were met by objections from many people who felt that this historic area at the heart of ancient Govan could be put to better use.

I also blogged about the Ghost Of Water Row, a project undertaken by Edo Architecture to highlight the rich heritage of the place.

Well, we’re now halfway through 2013, and here’s an update on both items…

First, the immediate plans for a car park have been put on ice. The circumstances behind the decision are explained in a letter from Glasgow City Council which can be seen at the website of the Water Row Action Group.

Secondly, the Ghost Of Water Row was nominated for a national architecture award – and went on to win! Alongside such grand edifices as Aberdeen University’s new library (cost: £30 million), this evocative little structure of spruce and lace is now ranked as one of the 12 best new buildings in Scotland. The honour was bestowed by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland at their recent awards dinner in Edinburgh.

So, two encouraging pieces of news for Water Row, the oldest street in Govan and one of the most ancient routeways in Scotland.

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WRAG website – letter from Glasgow City Council (26 March 2013)

BBC news report on the RIAS awards

A series of stunning images of the Ghost Of Water Row can be seen in this blogpost by architectural photographer Tom Manley.

Website of Edo Architecture (Ann Nisbet & Andrew McAvoy).

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Govan Fair 2013

This year’s Govan Fair takes place on Friday 7 June, with a grand procession of floats and bands parading through the town. The colourful pageant continues a tradition reaching back to the 18th century when the Govan Weavers Society revived the old fairs of medieval times.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend this year’s festivities, but I’ve written a short article on the history of processions for the printed programme. In the article, I take a long look back through history, to the Viking Age of a thousand years ago, when the kings of Strathclyde used Govan as their main ceremonial venue and as a place for their own processions.

If you happen to attend the Fair and pick up a programme, you’ll see my article a few pages in, together with others relating to historical and cultural topics from Govan’s past. In the meantime, here’s a link to the Procession page at the Govan Fair website:

Govan Fair 2013 – The Procession

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