Our heritage is our future, say conservationists

Belfast man Ross Wylie, who studied geography at the University of Glasgow, is extending his stay in the city after being offered an internship with Glasgow City Heritage Trust to investigate the history of the area through its architecture.

Ross said: “I was delighted to be offered the internship after my studies. It’s a fascinating topic, with some of the buildings designed by historically renowned architects such as Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, who designed a number of building such as the one on Lorne Terrace.”

Just one week into the post, Ross has already been shown around most of the area in East Pollokshields by local historian Niall Murphy.

He said: “Some of the buildings are very impressive and, at the end of the investigation around mid-October, we’ll start to put an exhibition together to share what we’ve learned with the public”.

Individuals and organisations can also apply to Glasgow City Heritage Trust for conservation grants.

The Trust’s Karen Mailley-Watt explained: “Our current work is in the East Pollokshields conservation area, among others across the city. Ross will be researching the heritage and built environment of the area over the next eight weeks and creating an exhibition to showcase the area’s architectural heritage and future conservation efforts.

“The project will also help residents within the boundaries to get grants for maintenance of their properties and information on sustainable and appropriate conservation.” To find out more about the grants available, go to glasgowheritage.org.uk.