Mary Barbour statue in Govan to be unveiled soon - all you need to know

Glasgow City Council awarded planning permission to The Remember Mary Barbour Association (RMBA) to erect the statue close to Govan Subway Station on Govan Road.

It comes after The Evening Times revealed that the statue would be unveiled on International Women’s Day on March 8 at 11am.

Mary Barbour, above, campaigned to improve housing and conditions for working people during the 1915 Rent Strikes.

The 1915 Rent Strikes exposed and protested against landlords who took advantage of the wartime economy to hike up rents for workers, evicting those who could not pay.

The city-wide rallies and demonstrations forced a change in the Government’s rent legislation.

A social pioneer, Mary was also elected as one of the first woman councillors for Glasgow in 1920, and appointed the first woman Bailie of the City of Glasgow in 1924.

The proceedings for the unveilling of the statue will kick off at 11am.

Entertainment will be provided by Susan Morrison, Maeve Mackinnon, Whistlebinkies, Govan Allsorts Choir and the People’s Past, People’s Future Choir.

The RMBA also revealed that local schoolchildren will be representing Mary Barbour’s Army as they parade from the Pearce Institute to Govan Cross, led by the Govan Schools Pipes and Drums Band.

A spokesman for RMBA said: “For safety reasons we have requested the closure of Govan Road between the Cross and the Pearce Institute. This will make additional standing area available if required.

“This area is public space and will be taken up on a ‘first come’ basis so if you want a great view - come early.”

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