There's nothing more beautiful than potential, community ownership and historic school buildings, with Martin Avila, Kinning Park Complex

If Glasgow’s Walls Could Talk

Have you ever wondered why there are so many historic school buildings in our city?

The high number of old schools in Glasgow relates to the Education Scotland Act of 1872, which made elementary education compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 5 and 13. In Glasgow alone, 75 new schools were built between 1873 and 1918.

The cost, upkeep and preservation of these massive Victorian and Edwardian School Board buildings has been a constant challenge for the council, the pupils and teachers and the larger school communities.

So what can community’s do to save these buildings? Are they salvageable? Are they even worth saving? In this episode we focus on a great example of a community taking ownership and repurposing a historic school building. The Kinning Park Complex is an independent multi use community space in the Southside of Glasgow, located in an old red sandstone building and originally built in 1916 as an annex to the Lambhill Street Primary School. Martin Avila, former Director of Kinning Park Complex, talks about the challenges and the joys of community ownership.

Keep an eye on our website glasgowheritage.org.uk, join us on social media @GlasgowHeritage and follow #IfGlasgowsWallsCouldTalk

This podcast was produced by Inner Ear for Glasgow City Heritage Trust.

This podcast is kindly sponsored by the National Trust for Scotland and supported by Tunnock’s.