Life in 1970s Maryhill displayed at new Glasgow exhibition

The George Ward Collection is now open at Maryhill Burgh Halls, displaying photographs, items and video footage of what life was like 50 years ago in the streets of North West Glasgow.

It was put together by a team at the halls and George's son Richard, who has been keeping the items safe since his father's death two years ago.

He said: "To see it here, at this stage, is fantastic.

"My dad was a keen photographer, he liked to take cinefilm and document family events and things.

"In the 70s, he started taking footage of Maryhill in the state it was in because he knew something was going to happen.

"A lot of its character was getting demolished, including buildings. When he saw that, he would try to save street signs, plaques and bits of lampposts.

"We have shields which used to be up on the pub. They were getting put in a skip when the pub was getting renovated and he salvaged them.

"They are irreplaceable.

"He also had a few street signs, including Whitelaw Street, where his family originated."

The displayed objects were restored by the 61-year-old and provide a unique window into the architecture of the time.

There are also a few personal items, including a letter and a Maryhill v Celtic football game poster displayed.

He said: "We didn't set out to have an exhibition.

"We were going around the different museums in Glasgow and I jokingly said to my wife 'I have a couple of things of my dad's, I wonder how that would go'.

"It just mushroomed into this.

"The staff have done a tremendous job.

"I don't know what my dad would have thought of it, it was never something we discussed."

George, who was a roofer, was known for carrying his camera around and often held viewing parties at his home, sharing the footage he gathered.

Richard remembers following his dad around in the city as he took images, dozens of which are on show.

They depict tenements, pubs and structures, many of which no longer exist.

Richard said: "This is all disappearing, it's strange. It's surreal seeing this now.

"There have been big changes. It will be great for people coming in from Maryhill and seeing what it was like previously.

"Many of them wouldn't know where these photographs are from. The generation of that era is nearly wiped out.

"One boy was assisting me with trying to transfer the cinefilm to a digital format and we discovered his grandfather was in the footage and he never knew him.

"So, there could be people out there who will see their relatives in these videos.

"They are all local people. It's really exciting."

One picture from the collection (Image: George Ward)

The films can be viewed as part of the exhibition as they play on a loop.

These archives will change every month because there is too much film to play all at once.

The current selection includes footage of the filmmaker's friends at the pub, playing dominoes, drinking, joking about football and even the last day the historic Horseshoe Bar traded with the name.

You can also see shots of cars moving on the streets and people living their daily lives.

George aimed to capture the city in its simplicity.

About his dad, Richard said: "He was born on Gairbraid Avenue and lived all his life here.

"He stayed in Maryhill for over 60 years.

"He used to take us on walks along the canal, the Kelvin, different areas and speak about his childhood."

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George was a Celtic fan and a member of the Celtic Cine Club, recording games and showing them to supporters.

Some of this footage will also be shown in the coming months.

He was also well-known in his community for viewing parties.

His son said: "Everyone would be invited over for a film night. He would set up the projector and people would come.

"They all enjoyed it. His friends would attend who are in the films as well, and they would have a laugh.

"They went to play in the park, play bowls and he documented everything of the era."

The collection, which also includes two cameras used by George, opened last Friday and is available to view for free at the community centre until May 11.