Edit What do you know about Baillieston?
Baillieston is on the north side of the Clyde, in the East End of the city.
It is to the west of a major interchange between the M8, M74 and M73 motorways and the A8 trunk road, between Coatbridge, and Shettleston.
There is a railway station as well as the (long filled and disused) Monkland Canal north of the district, at Easterhouse
There are a number of churches in Baillieston, including the original (1833) but disused Baillieston Old Parish Church in Church Street and the new (1973-76) St Andrew Parish Church of Scotland in Bredisholm Road at the corner with Muirhead Road (visit their website at http://www.standrewsbaillieston.org.uk).
There are two Roman Catholic churches, St Francis of Assisi Church in Crown St and St Bridget's in Swinton Road, the latter built by the Pugin company from 1891-93.
There is a small Episcopal Church of St John also in Swinton Road, built in 1850. The Mure Memorial Parish Church in Garrowhill was built as part of the garden suburb opened in 1940.
Calderbank House, was on the lands formerly known as Blackyairds above a ravine on the North Calder Water. It was an early 19th century building in Baronial Style which burned down in April, 2002.
Crosshill parish church in Church Street built in 1833 and though now superseded by the new St.Andrew's church nearby is still standing and surrounded by its graveyard.
St Catherine's House in Swinton Road was the original Mure Memorial Miners' Church built in 1882 and is now a home for the elderly.
Rhindmuir House was an 18th Century mansion, demolished in the 1970s.
Baillieston Juniors was founded in 1919 and played at Station Road until the 1990s when the ground was sold off for housing.
Their greatest season was 1979-80, when they won the Scottish Junior Cup, the Glasgow Dryburgh Cup and the McLeod Cup.
The star player, Davie Wilson was signed from the Juniors to Rangers in 1956 and played for Scotland.
In 1987, Alan Dinnie left the Juniors to play for Partick Thistle F.C. and was also capped for Scotland.
In the same year, Tommy Elliott was transferred from Baillieston Juniors to Partick Thistle.
A Baillieston Thistle team preceded the Juniors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and won the Scottish Junior Football League twice: in 1893 and 1894.
This side also featured a future Rangers and Scotland player, in the form of Willie Reid. Its name is kept alive by the Scottish Amateur Football Association team Baillieston Thistle AFC.
Another amateur team, Red Star Baillieston AFC plays at Stepford Edinburgh Road. There is a Baillieston Girls Football Club and Baillieston Ladies Football Club, both have supplied players to the national teams.
Baillieston has given the football world some star players
I play for Bailliston
Having read about Baillieston and the football history, there is also another sport which is seldom seen in the news for Baillieston and it's bowling.
The Bowling Green is situated on Edinburgh Road behind Kaldi's Restaurant.
The club has over the years produced some fine Champions espcially in the Tierney and Maguire families and this year we have a great rink representing the club at Northfield in Ayr.
In a couple of years time the club will also be celebrating its centenary.
I think you will also find that Baillieston Juniors won the Coronation Cup (I think it was in 1953 but it may have been 1954) - this was to celebrate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
baillieston juniors fc are still going strong and have teams from u21 to under 8s.the u13 team won the lanarkshire youth fa league cup in may 2008.l
Is Baillieston the poor relation in the East End of Glasgow? It is regarded as belonging neither to Greater Easterhouse nor to the official 'East End' (Bridgeton, Calton, Parkhead, Tollcross and Shettleston as far as I can tell.) Could this be due to our G69 postal code? Until recently the Scottish Executive was confused as to whether businesses starting in Baillieston belonged to Glasgow or Lanarkshire! Money is pumped in to other areas around us and yet nothing is being spent in Baillieston. Witness the excellent play parks for kids in Auchinlea Park (Easterhouse), Tollcross and Glasgow Green to name a few, yet we have a tiny fenced area suitable for 3 - 6 year olds with a few swings, small climbing frame, chute and roundabouts. The Tollcross festival may be a poor relation to the West End festival, but at least it exists to serve the people in the afforementioned 'East End'. Garrowhill and Easterhouse also have events, but what about us? Is it because of our G69 post code? Should we look to change to G35?
John Bell has the nail on the head. 1975 was a disaster for Baillieston, why didn't the people do a Bearsden and refuse the Glasgow takeover?
People in Baillieston need to make their voices heard and take part in local groups now there is no community council or other pressure type groups to ensure that funding is made available to the area,you see if a hinge squeaks long enough you will eventually oil it.
And who will be first to stand up and be heard ?
John Watson : John and Robert above are spot-on. Sadly Baillieston lost its identity when it became part of Glasgow in 1975. It used to be a really nice village in Lanarkshire, and Baillieston folk were proud of the place. Now it has a most unusual Main Street I have ever seen, it is almost totally made up of Bookmakers shops, Public Houses and Take-aways. Many outsiders have nicknamed it "The Drive Through Take-away". Let's hope that the credit crunch takes some of them away, eh!
Well said (Sook?)
Baillieston has been neglected by Glasgow council since 1975. The Main St is a disgrace, anyone driving through would think we are all overweight alcoholic gamblers.
Most people are doing there best to tittivate there houses and gardens up and make the place look good, but the main st just lowers the tone of the whole place. Why don't we oil that hinge.
So we have all these complaints, what are we going to do ? I am willing to stand up and be counted, are you ????
I agree with all of the above comments, remember Shillinglaws the hardware store and even the fishmongers, everything on hand, what is there now but pubs and bookies. Does anyone remember the nice flowers we used to have on all the lamposts in the main street! How times have changed, the east end and Easterhouse have more money put into regeneration than Baillieston the forgotten village, yes we used to be a village!
Thats right I remember Shillinglaws it added a bit of class to the Main St. There are no decent shops anymore and we are all fed up with all the takeaways and bookies. Not many people care nowadays, they just travel to Glasgow to shop.
I dont think anything is going to happen anytime soon. Glasgow council are pouring money into areas that have been neglected for decades, they will wait until Baillieston reaches that stage.
I see this thread has come to a standstill, apathy strikes again.
The year 2012 see's the Centenary of Baillieston Bowling Club and we are looking for information from fellow bowlers who have played there over the years and any people who have pictures and stories about the club over the time its been opened for our centenary brochure in 2012.
I agree with all of the above comments with the exception of the refereces to 1975 the historical rose tinted glasses have got to come off it's in the past .I work all over Lanarkshire and some of the deprevation is appalling it's not councils who let places run down it's people who live in them if you keep badgering councils they have to answer you whether it be through councillors or community councils Go to you local councillor's surgery and ask about forming a Community Council Garrowhill did because the people care about thier area living in council property doesn't give you an excuse to opt out> As Paul Paterson said earlier Baillieston Jnrs are thriving as a youth football oganisation yet these kids don't have a place to play in Baillieston,Lindsay Park is a quagmire at best , it needs substantial upgrading but we are told there is no funding availiable because of the economic downturn People need to get up off the communal backside and let themselves be heard and means you.
Baillieston has five main football pitches; Swinton no changing facilities; Lindsay Park no changing facilities; Maxwell Park no changing facilities; Barrachnie no changing facilities and Bannerman which has changing in the school and will soon be upgraded to 3g.
Easterhouse which has fewer people living in it have in one facility with 6 full size grass pitches and 1 astro turf park all with first class changing at Lochend School alone.
In the Easterhouse area they have the sports centre, the Hub, and Stepford all brought about because the people of the area have gone out and fought for these facilities.
So what's going to happen ?
Is anyone going to do anything ?
There's more to Baillieston than fitba parks so let's get some community activity ideas on the council desk.
Let's smarten the village up and stop giving licences for more bookies and take aways.
Well done Paul Paterson for making constructive comments.
If we didn't use the bookies, pubs and take aways so much, then there would be no need for them. Supply and demand.
The credit crunch doesn't seem to make any diffrence.
I don't think other types of shops would make any difference 'cause you would still go to large retail outlets for better choice and value.
Shops such as Asda, Tesco etc have killed local trade. you need to look forward and move on- not back to "Shillinglaws"
I remember Baillieston (although I may see through rose tinted glasses) growing in the 60, and early 70,s when there was a sense of community, with the Local Miners Welfare, cafe club, to name but few - the Fanny Benson Bus Trip.
What a community, it is sad to see the decline.
Gerry Rhodie
Livingston
Baillieston was a country village up until 1975 (I make no apologies for mentioning that year) and there was a sense of community which I think is sadly lacking nowadays.
We never got much from the old county council, but Glasgow corp are neglecting the area.
If we could organise a community meeting and vote in a committee to speak for us, it would be a huge step forward.
Who will stand up and help organise ?
Fanny Bensons bus trip...the highlight or the year for many Baillieston weans.
Every Fair Monday to Prestwick or Saltcoats from Fanny's house in Muirside Street.
I have many fond memories of Baillieston, but since I've been gone for 45 years I can't comment.
When I Googled Baillieston, I was taken aback by the number of houses, but lack of facilities.
I remember when Barlanark and Easterhouse, block after block of tenements and not a shop in sight.
If I could offer any advice, get onto the elected Officials and don't back off until your demands are met!
Politicians have a fairly good life and they are always looking for re-election.
That's how we get things done in Canada!
Cheers
Tom Brown (Old Wood Road).
I would stand to be a community committee person, we need all the help we can get.
Maybe we could get some swingparks and things for the wee kids.
I'm not sure what would be good for the teenagers, maybe a youth club like we used to go to.
A youth club would be good because it would get the kids of the streets and they could have a dance once a week but no alcohol it could be supervised by adults. A video arcade would be a good idea too.
Baillieston could lose Lindsay Park for good.
There are strong rumours that Morrisons want to build a new supermarket in place of their existing one.
Watch this space.
People have to shop around now a days and they need to have shops that give us a chance to look for the best prices.
Maybee Morrisons would be a good idea.
They can watch fitba on TV.
Bailliestons no a village anymore, it's just a housing scheme like Easterhouse or Shettleston. You can all complain all you like, but is anybody going to do anything to help improve the situation ?
Great idea that, destroy all the parks in Baillieston and build supermarkets on them.
We already have Morrisons, Lidls, Iceland, the Co op and soon to be Tesco Express.
As for watching fitba on tv, kids and adults can't play football on tv.
If the rumours are to be believed not only will building on Lindsay Park destroy a recreational area it will also destroy what little is left of Baillieston Main Street.
I really don't understand what u mean Paul Paterson "building on Lindsay Park destroy a recreational area it will also destroy what little is left of Baillieston Main Street"
Lindsay Park is at the other end of Bailleston for the majority of people, who makes the effort to go there, and what is there for people when they do get there?
I agree with that comment of Mary McInnes, Lindsay park has never had anything to attract people to it except maybe for some undesirables, and as she rightly says, it is the opposite end of Baillieston for the majority of residents.
Readers of this page might be interested to know about an article recently published in the Evening Times referring to a new housing project to be built on the fields adjacent to the Lindsey Park.
These plans are extensive as they propose to build right down through the old farm to join up with the new housing already built at Broomhouse.
Bredisholm Road looks like it will become the main access route for the next phase of the proposed development with the Lindsey Park written off as a potential community facility!!!
A public event will be held at Baillieston library on 17th Nov between 3pm and 7:30pm about the proposed development at the land of the former Crosshill Farm.
Further information may be obtained from: Turley Associates 80 St Vincent Place, Glasgow G2 5UB Tel: 0141248 9233
Persons wishing to make comments on the proposal should contact Turley Associates by 20th Nov 2009.
The Community Council should have received notification about this proposal and the council will have had 3 weeks to comment on the application.
Question: Who are Baillieston Community Council and where/how often do meet?
LEAVE THE PARK ALONE.
I lived in Baillieston at 85 Main St. in the late 50s and early 60s, and played in the park for many a happy hour.
I now live in Manchester, but when I visit my Mum who lives in Kirkintiloch I often call into Baillieston and have a look at the park and have a peek in at 85 Main St, I love Baillieston.
If anyone can remember me: my name is Billy Mccrory, one of my school kid friends was tommy bingham.
williammccrory06@aol.com.
Thanks Billy
I'm not surprised that more housing is to be built on possibly the last remaining green belt around Baillieston.
We all know this is the way it goes nowadays, there is no community spirit around.
When they built down at the Calder River that spelt the end of the countryside and the village as we knew it, and please don't remind me that's progress, I know that but it is sad to see what I believe to be a general decline in the area.
Liz Daisley
Born and brought up in Baillieston.
I would like to know if anyone had any relatives who played for Baillieston Juniors around 1937/40?
Do you have any photos ?
I went to the cafe club, when the beatstalkers, pathfinders, the deljacs with Frankie Miller all played, those were the days.
I went to the cafe club every sunday night and if I had the money I would go on a wednesday too. Beatstalkers, Gaylords, I helped Cathy and John on the door along with Charlie McCaig. Lots of fights when the gangs came down from E'house and the Bar-L.
Patricia Brazil(nee Rhodie) Born and bred in Baillieston,remember Baillieston Juniors cup final in 60's,lot's of changes since then,love coming back for holidays,sadly not a village anymore.
I was a cafe club punter, remember John Owens, Dennis Harrington, Charlie McCaig were a few in my time. Beatstalkers, Dean Ford and the Gaylords, Chubby Checker, they were the days.
I think that a lot of people (including myself), talk more about what doesn't happen in Baillieston rather than doing something about it. Maybe we should all put our money where our mouth is and sort this out!?
Okay Janie what would you like us to do and how much money would you like us to put up personally.
Hi all
Its great to hear the stories of the cafe club.. those were the days.
I was told by my father if he caught me coming out of the cafe club , he would skelp my jaw.
One night around 10.45 I came out with a lumber, I looked down South Scott St, only to see my father coming uo for his newspaper.
I took to my heels, left the guy, ran up and round the corner into the main st.
Cannot remember what happened after that, does anyone remember the 'legion' at Garrowhill Park, I used to go there too.
I also remember people skipping into the cafe club by the back window in the toilet.
I remember Phylis and Sheila Rae, would be the first ones up on the dance floor.
Gee those were the days indeed.
Lets have more stories of our cafe club in the sixties, and remember Baillieston as it was in the good times.
The sixties were the best.
Liz D
Aye that's the good stories of the cafe club Liz D, what about the viscious fights, slashings etc., there were some mental punters hung around it.
Ann George and Liz D bring back so many memories.
I remember when I used to go to John O'Donnell's Cafe Club Dances on a Sunday Night and Tom Reynolds would leave early to go home and watch 'Maverick, (James Garner) at 10 o'clock.
He just could not miss the programme.
I also got in quite a few fights when I palled around with Dennis Harrington; we were pretty tight in those days.
Dennis had a bad name, quite undeserved, because he was a very loyal and caring guy who would back you up to the hilt.
The place we call Baillieston has a special meaning, not because of its geographic location, but because of the people who inhabited it, who built it, who gave it its character.
I have many regrets that I never returned to Baillieston after leaving in 1965, but I am determined that I will come home to my Birthplace in 2010.
I look forward to having a few Pints, or is it litres nowadays?
Tom Brown
Yellowknife
Northwest Territories
Canada.
Baillieston was a great village before the '60's, when the young yins decided they were the only ones who mattered, that's when the fights and the gang culture rose up around the area.
Those loyal and caring guys at the cafe club were crazy with a knife or sharpened steel comb, they found their niche in life, being gangsters.
I don't want to hark on about the good old days, but Baillieston is just another housing scheme within Glasgow.
People seem to have lost the compassion & caring for their neighbours, maybe they are just too scared to offer help nowadays, as people take friendliness as a weakness, they are just out for themselves, and that is not only in Baillieston.
Not having lived in the area for 10yrs I only hope that the community gets together and works for the good of Baillieston.
It's still pints Tom Brown.
My ancestor was Alexander Thomson McLean who was Minister of Bailliston U P Church in 1881. He is living at UP Manse next to Larkhill Farm House which is next to Robertsons Road does anyone know which Church this was and where Robinsons Road i.e. The Manse was located. Appreciate any help as I have been unable to trace.
Are the Baillieston people still proud of the village today ?
Sam Sutton age 55 now, lived S.Scot. Street, Provanhall cresc.at J.Murray Centre.
My home village is bit run down now.
Still like to see old friends mentioned not seen or heard from for years.
I remember co op building Toni's Cafe
Karen ask your relatives.
Sam Sutton age 55
Toni's Cafe was not in the Co-op building
Hi Sam Sutton how are you?
Toni 's Cafe was where the Clydesdale Bank is today.
My uncle Harry used to take our Charles and myself up to Toni's every Saturday for ice cream and sweeties.
I loved Toni's chocolate teddy bears.,
Alec Johnson's barber's shop was across the road, where the Thistle Bar is now.
Also a great thank you to the Japps who had Hanlons cake shop near the Co-op building.
I remember and loved the candy balls and the home made tablet. and while I am at it, Lorimers sweet shop up in Buchanan St across from Baillieston School.
Also Maggie Reynolds fruit shop next to Toni Tobia's cafe.
Hows that for great memories.
Liz Daisley
Sam Sutton says Hi Liz I am fine.
I remember all the places you mentioned.
Calderbank house where I was born is no longer there.
I lived above the post office where my mum worked. along the street was Coleman's bakery.
The aluminium factory where my grandad worked was next to Baillieston public school beside the football park.
I was on the commnity council for around 3 years,, when it was re-established in 1999, Ican assure you that we as a group worked hard for the area we held meetings gave up a lot of our own free time,fought for play areas and youth facilities, there is a mass apathy in baillieston even to this day people want others to do the work then they will come along to the openings and smile sweetly after the work has done a community is what the people make it, we do not have a community because too many people think oh! someone else will do it and it never gets done I have first had experience of this due to people saying what are you going to do not what can we acheive together, but I had to move on due to work commitments they are trying to steart up the community council agai any takers hands up please !!!
Well Isabel I would like you to get back on the council comitte and do stuff for us because Baillieston is getting a wee bit auld fashioned in terms of not enough fancy shops or things for the young yins and us older people to do. I don't want to go to pubs all the time as I am a tee total person.
I would willingly help in any capacity in the community council, I have many years of experience in community and recreational committees. I can be contacted on 447835541483