YOUNG women weavers who were crushed to death in Glasgow's worst workplace accident are to be remembered at the official launch of the new Calton Heritage and Learning Centre.

A candle-lit procession is being held tomorrow night after the opening of the area's only community hub which has been built in the East End for almost £1million.

For five years local activists with the Calton Area Association (CAA) campaigned for a centre which could become the focal point for the area.

But community leaders were denied the use of empty churches and schools while property developers refused to sell them land on which to build a hub.

Instead the centre has been built in the grounds of a garden created more than 120 years ago in memory of 29 young weavers who were killed when a wall was blown over at the site of the original Templeton's carpet factory at Glasgow Green.

The garden had become neglected. Today it's been upgraded and is also the site of the new Calton Heritage and Learning Centre which sites next to the headquarters of Thenue Housing.

Betty Cosgrove, who chairs the area association, said: "This is a dream come true. For five years we had been campaigning for a community hub after local people told us it was the one thing they wanted."

The housing association helped activists access funding with lottery money and £100,000 from supermarket giants Morrisons which created a cash pot worth £998,000.

Activities such as bingo and line dancing are already held at the hub which will also be a meeting place for youth groups.

The new centre will also be used to help the unemployed prepare for the world of work and further education with college courses and projects. Locals will also get access to a Glasgow University degree course.

Centre manager Rosie Robertson said: "We want this to be the gateway to a new life."

Former Labour councillor Ruth Simpson will officially open the centre tomorrow.

The candle-lit procession begins at 5.15pm.

Thenue Housing Chief executive Charlie Turner, said: "The local community has been campaigning for a much-needed facility like the centre for many years.

"Much hard work has gone into the effort by many local people. Thenue Housing is proud to have played its part in helping turn the Calton Heritage and learning Centre into a reality."

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk