The 1988 Garden Festival changed how the world saw Glasgow, and how it saw itself. It lives on only in people’s memories as the buildings, objects and artworks from this temporary event are gone forever – or are they?

Urban Prehistorian Kenny Brophy, Project Leader Lex Lamb, and Holder of the Official Garden Festival Umbrella Gordon Barr for a conversation with Niall & Fay in front of a live audience, to learn how they have used crowdsourcing to build an ever-growing digital record of the hundreds of pavilions, sculptures and attractions that made up the Garden Festival, as well as the experiences of those who made it happen.

Items with Garden Festival stories to tell were discovered across the UK and further afield, from the large (the Coca-cola Roller Coaster, now in Suffolk) to the small (a Garden Festival tea-towel, now in Papua New Guinea). But in addition to relic artefacts and traces in the landscape, the team identified something else: the absence of a proper record of this pivotal event, while memories fade and documents are lost.

Hear how the 1988 Festival was put together, taken apart and spread around the world, and how with the help of hundreds of individual submissions and leads After the Garden Festival are striving to preserve the legacy of a summer where Glasgow shone.

Highlights:

1. Reflecting on the Legacy of the Garden Festival (00:00 - 02:30): The discussion opens with reflections on how the Glasgow Garden Festival has shaped the city’s landscape and cultural memory.
2. The Impact of Urban Regeneration Projects (07:45 - 09:30): Insights into the broader impact of urban regeneration efforts in Glasgow, particularly those initiated in the wake of the Garden Festival.
3. Personal Stories and Memories of the Festival (15:30 - 17:00): The guests share their personal experiences and memories of attending the festival, highlighting its significance on a personal level.
4. Challenges in Preserving Historical Sites (23:00 - 25:00): The conversation turns to the challenges faced in preserving the historical sites associated with the Garden Festival and other urban regeneration projects.
5. Looking Forward: Future Projects and Their Potential Impact (30:45 - 32:00): The episode concludes with a discussion about future urban projects in Glasgow and their potential impact on the city’s cultural and physical landscape.

Learn more:

• Check out After the Garden Festival’s website here to learn more the project
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

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This week we explore Glasgow's love-hate relationship with brutalism and discuss our upcoming Brutal Glasgow exhibition with digital curator Rachel Loughran and Glasgow based illustrator Nebo Peklo (Natalie Tweedie), who’s work will be displayed in the interactive, multimedia exhibition.

The idea for the exhibition arose from Rachel's admiration of Natalie's drawings on Twitter, and united by their shared interest in brutalism they have come together to create Brutal Glasgow. They also discuss the significance of brutalism in Glasgow, touching on its artistic, social, and political aspects, and the debate over whether to demolish or restore such buildings

Rachel and Natalie emphasise the personal and emotional connections people have with these buildings, how they change over time, and their potential for renewal and hope.

Highlights:

1. 00:00:00 - 00:00:03 Rachel Loughran starts by discussing the public's "knee jerk reaction" to Brutalist buildings, setting the tone for the episode.
2. 00:19:42 - 00:19:43 Natalie Tweedie acknowledges the complexity of evaluating Brutalist architecture, saying, "That's such a huge question," indicating the depth of the discussion.
3. 00:40:12- 00:40:15 The conversation touches on the need to "have a proper look" at Brutalism and the factors surrounding it, suggesting a deeper exploration of the topic.
4. 01:00:07 - 01:00:09 There’s a personal reflection on exploring Glasgow, particularly the East End, highlighting how Brutalist architecture influences perceptions of different city areas.
5. 01:19:21 - 01:19:24 The episode concludes with a mention of Glasgow Heritage, encapsulating the importance of the city’s architectural legacy and the podcast's role in preserving these discussions.

Key Moments

• Complexities of Brutalism - polarising views.
• The historical and cultural significance and value in preserving these buildings.
• How the architectural style of Brutalism connects to a broader understanding of Glasgow city's character and history.
• Focus on Glasgow Heritage, emphasising the significance of the city's architectural legacy

Learn more:

• Check out Natalie’s work on her website
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)

In this episode, Fay meets Luna Amanita, co-director of the Wash House Garden - a groundbreaking community enterprise rejuvenating the land behind the historic Parkhead Wash House.

The garden, once a local focal point, continues to prioritise community, seamlessly weaving together the well-being of both people and the environment, cultivating enduring connections through community-based food growing.

Luna discusses the importance of community engagement in deepening the connection with the land. She also talks to Fay about beekeeping and its educational value for the Wash House Garden team and their volunteers.

Join us as we explore their mission to make the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of gardening accessible to all.

Highlights:

1. Introduction to the Wash House Garden
   • Timestamp: 00:00:00 - 00:00:37
   • Luna Amanita describes the Wash House Garden in Parkhead, East Glasgow, noting its diverse volunteer base and the various capacities in which people engage with the space.
2. Historical Significance and Current Use of the Land
   • Timestamp: 00:02:00 - 00:03:35
   • Luna explains the historical background of the land, believed to be the drying ground for the old Parkhead wash house and possibly used for food growing during the war. She discusses the transformation of the space into a market garden.
3. Gardening Practices and Soil Health
   • Timestamp: 00:04:00 - 00:05:17
   • Luna details their ecological gardening practices, emphasising soil health through composting and organic material. She mentions the challenges and labour involved in maintaining the garden.
4. Beekeeping and Education Initiatives
   • Timestamp: 00:13:00 - 00:14:00
   • Luna talks about their beekeeping program, including hive inspections and the educational courses they offer. She shares her personal experience and the responsibilities of managing the bees with her team.
5. Community Engagement and Volunteer Involvement
   • Timestamp: 00:20:10 - 00:21:05
   • Luna discusses the variability in volunteer numbers and the importance of community engagement. She highlights efforts to make the garden more accessible and responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.

Learn more:

• Connect with The Wash House Garden via their website and follow them on Instagram @TheWashHouseGarden
• Follow Glasgow City Heritage Trust on social media: @GlasgowHeritage #Is Glasgow Walls Could Talk
• Produced by Inner Ear (innerear.co.uk) for Glasgow City Heritage Trust
• Sponsored by Tunnock's (tunnock.co.uk)