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Sally Army bids to put heart back into Govan
 
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Major Tyrrell hopes the Salvation Army's Govan HQ, left, can be redeveloped as a new support base Pictures: Jamie Simpson
Major Tyrrell hopes the Salvation Army's Govan HQ, left, can be redeveloped as a new support base Pictures: Jamie Simpson
 
 

by Chris Irvine

THE Salvation Army has launched ambitious plans to put the heart back into a Glasgow community.

Commander Major Derek Tyrrell says as Govan begins its regeneration, his organisation will play a key role - by providing services for people.

It already proposes to build a charity shop, book shop and cafe at Govan Cross, run by full-time professional staff, and it is also hoped to redevelop its headquarters at Golspie Street to provide a range of facilities for everyone from kids to the unemployed and pensioners.

The grade B-listed building, which cannot be demolished, has repeatedly been a target for theft and vandalism over the years and the inside has become beyond repair.

But whether the building is redeveloped or they move to new premises, Major Tyrrell says it will create a support base.

It hopes to build a multi-purpose hall within the building, used during the day for work with the elderly such as dinner clubs and senior activities.

It would then become a sports hall in the evenings with climbing frames, indoor football and netball.

Other ideas that may be introduced include an after school club and an elderly programme which would help with everything from chiropody to form filling.

Major Tyrrell said: "The people of Govan are part of the heritage here as much as the buildings.

"Recently though, this fine community has lost its heart - we want to help find it again.

"We're not trying to build a come and get saved shop' or ram religion down your throat, but we are here to galvanise the community and provide people with something to do. We want people to stop looking down and look up for a change."

Originally from Hackney, London, Major Tyrrell has travelled the world with the Sally Army for the past 37 years.

He said: "We are first and foremost a church but we want people to know we're actively part of this community. It's about working in the town with mothers and toddlers, the elderly, teenagers, the unemployed.

"We don't want people wandering the streets all day, or sitting in a room by themselves all day. That's no way to live your life."

Celebrating the Citadel choir's 90th anniversary, a cappella group The King's Singers are performing at the Couper Institute on Clarkston Road in May.

Major Tyrrell added: "I think for the first time we're actually putting our money where our mouth is, and having events like this are a good way to increase our profile, upgrade the image of the Army as well as the area."

The Evening Times told last month how Glasgow City Council plans to create a conservation area in the heart of Govan which could bring in close to £1million heritage lottery grants and help restore the area's historic buildings.

Publication date 04/04/08
Posted by: tony, Richmond on 1:19pm Fri 4 Apr 08
I lived in a one-room flat in Golspie Street in the mid-sixties, before Glasgow did to Govan what Hitler couldn't. I remember lying in my folding bed-chair on a Sunday morning, in this 'hovel'(as we called it), trying to sleep off the excesses of the night before to the sound of the Salvies' marching band. This must have been Heaven's revenge!
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Posted by: The Missing City, Glasgow on 3:42pm Fri 4 Apr 08
I lived in a one-room flat in Golspie Street in the mid-sixties, before Glasgow did to Govan what Hitler couldn't.


Unfortunately Tony, most of the people today don't understand this as they seem to blame the people themselves for the social upheaval and the problems that go hand in hand with the madness that was created - but the real stamp of authority was the acts passed by parliament in London as you will no doubt know!
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Posted by: fatweegee, dunfermline on 6:37pm Fri 4 Apr 08
I'm a Govanite born and bred and the powers that be where still pulling down streets of tenements well into the '80's and if they had their way would pull down the shipyards to get development land on the waterfront. Even big parts of Linthouse, Moorepark and Teucharhill were being demolished up to last year - the whole area has been neglected by succesive councils/governments
. Walk along Langlands Road/Golspie Street and there are 4ft tall weeds growing out of the pavements - where there was housing the council are intent on putting up cheap industrial units. The consevation project should help but the main issue is to try and make the area more attractive for people to live in, re-affirm the community feeling and re-populate the area.
Strt this by demolishing the shopping centre and get the shops back out into the tenement buildings where they were before.
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Posted by: trench, possilpark on 3:04pm Sat 5 Apr 08
there is not enough salvation army soldiers (as these people like to be called,) they do magnificient work all over the world, any catastrophes anywhere these folk are there to help in any way,and they help any religion, most of them have come from non wealthy families so know how to give moral support as well as the neccesary requirements.....ONW
ARD CRISTIAN SOLDIERS !all the best in your endeavours.
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