NORTH KELVIN MEADOW CAMPAIGN

We’re mentioned a few times by various MSPs and we’d like to Thank each of them for that.

The debate was entitled Allotments, Community Gardens and Grow-your-own Projects.

We’re a bit of everything of course. So we have part of the land as Allotments (via raised beds) but equally important for many is the Meadow in the centre part and we also cater for bio-diversity via the small wood. Plus our community compost bins, community fruit orchard (started with 10 bushes) and engagement with schools and local people. So its worth reading the debate as we’re actually doing what these guys are talking about.

Click on link below and you’ll find it about half way down at col 22327.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor1217-02.htm#Col22327

Sandra White MSP (SNP) “………However, the recent experience of people in North Kelvin has not filled many in Glasgow with optimism. The council’s attempt to have the local people forcibly removed from the land that they have been using to grow their own food, without proper consultation or discussion of alternatives to the forcible removal of those people, goes directly against its stated aims. Although the council states in its strategy that it is guided by national legislation and public duties, it has acknowledged that, because of the archaic nature of the legislation on allotments, the statutory duty on local authorities to provide allotments is open to interpretation. Given that admission, I would be interested to know the minister’s interpretation of the duties on councils. I hope that she will also explain what recourse citizens would have if they believed that a local authority was not fulfilling those duties. If the minister accepts that the current legislation is open to interpretation, will she support a review of the legislation in order to address the uncertainties that exist not just in Glasgow but throughout Scotland?

Let us not forget that we are trying to empower individuals and local communities to provide for themselves and, as Jim Tolson has said, to teach future generations the essential skills of not just gardening but self-determination. Historically, due to many factors that warrant a separate debate, our sense of community and belonging has been eroded to such a point that many people now feel disconnected from the community in which they live. In areas such as those that we have spoken about in Jim Tolson’s constituency and in Glasgow, allotments can act as a focal point at which the community can come together and rediscover the values on which we in Scotland pride ourselves. That must also be seen as a fundamental aim of any national policy on the provision of green areas. “

Robert Brown MSP (Liberal) “……..It is worth considering the example of the North Kelvin Meadow and Clouston Street in the west end of Glasgow. A community group took over a disused green space and made it into a multi-use community space for the residents. They are not allotments, but there are raised beds, a fruit garden, composting facilities and a wild flower plantation. They have made an extremely good job of it and an area that was previously rather neglected is now attractive. Of course, in its wisdom, the city council has not taken the opportunity to move forward with the site; rather, it plans to sell the land, which is in an area of the city in which there is already substantial traffic congestion and a large number of tenemental properties, to a property developer. “

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green) ” I thank Jim Tolson for bringing this debate to the chamber today. I would like to reflect on a few of the issues that have been raised. Like other members, I was concerned to hear about what has happened in North Kelvin Meadows—it shows that we do not yet have the right mindset about allotments. I hope that more can be done to assist that group. …….”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

pre 1939 -  Records show there were never any buildings on this land.  Note Clouston Street was called Montgomerie Street and Sanda Street (we think) was called Gower Street.

The land was in two parts: The main part was owned by Kelburn Park. The smaller part where the small Wood is nowadays was a tennis court originally. This was owned by someone called Dallas and then Kirklee Tennis Club formed.

1939 (1st March) – Glasgow City Council buys both pieces of land using the powers of the Education Act for £4800. We don’t believe they are under Common Good.

1940 -  During WW2 there were barrage balloons on the Land. It was of course near to the BBC on Queen Margaret Drive and hence it was used to protect that building. Also during the War foreign soldiers (mostly Polish) had make shift huts on the tennis court which they stayed in.

1946 (from) Used as a sports ground for the local school which was beside Kelbourne Street. It had a running track, sports area and a tennis court. The old small brick building still on the land beside Clouston street was used as the pupils changing room (there were originally two, one for male and one for female).

At some point the School closed and was turned into a College after which the sports and tennis area gradually fell into an abandon state.

Local people still used the Land as it was a red blaze surface and had a football pitch with goals. However without upkeep from the Council it fell into a greater state of abandon and the goal posts were broken and taken away.

Its not known the last time someone played tennis but with trees of 20-30 feet high growing out of the court it will have been a long time ago.

Over the years local people continued to use the ground, but now with no upkeep from the Council. Dog walkers, and occasional games of football for example. There is also a Right of Way through the land from Kelbourne to Clouston street (used by many kids going to the local school).

1996 (approx) local people sowed grass seed onto the red blaze and planted some trees. They also did the occasional litter pick up.  Mother nature then does her thing and the beginnings of a Meadow are formed.

At some point the doors and windows of the old brick building were stolen and the place became a drinking and drug den. Local people didn’t like walking past it and inside it looked like something out of Trainspotting!

2004 (approx) Compendium Trust was formed with a plan for the land. This plan was to build flats on the old former tennis court area (now a Wood) and use that money to  build 5 a side football pitches on the rest. This plan was backed by Glasgow City Council but ultimately failed due to noise legislation i.e. football pitches too close to peoples homes. Compendium Trust then ceased.

2008 (March) the Council hires the local Scout Hall and shows 4 proposals for the Land. Each proposal is to build 115 flats but by different architects. Local people asked which one they supported. No alternative other than selling the land for 115 flats was put forward.   Very difficult process to find out how to object to these proposals.

2008 (July) Seeing so many people dismayed and appalled at having no alternative put to them a local resident hand delivers to 540 local flats a questionnaire asking them what they wanted. 85 people responded to the survey. All are against selling the land for flats.  Council rejects the questionnaire findings as they want the revenue from the sale. They point out that the revenue from the sale will be used for many good purposes such as renovating the football pitches off Maryhill Road.

2008 (October) North Kelvin Meadow Campaign is formed and residents start by clearing the land of litter, installing a litter bin, planting flowers and 470 bulbs, installing raised beds, mending fencing, installing compost bins, putting a door and shutters on the old brick building which is now used as a store room.

2008 The Council continue to state they want to sell the land for 115 flats. They have since chosen one of the 4 proposals and selected  New City Vision Ltd as their preferred buyer. The sale to New City Vision Ltd however doesn’t happen due to the Credit Crunch. Its pointed out to the Council that any renovation of the existing football pitches on Maryhill Road should stand alone on its own merits and not be linked in to what happens to this land.

2009 Support for the campaign is now hugely positive. Many local people who had never set foot on the land now do so. Loads of letters sent in to the Council and local Councillors. Online Petition started.

2009 (19th July) Local residents have a Big Lunch on the Meadow (100+ people take part).

2009 (July) two residents are taken to court by the Council for intending to put up communal Raised beds and bat boxes.

2009 (Dec) New City Vision Ltd signs the Missives with the Council. Its not sold. But will be  if subsequent planning permission is given.

Expected events:

2010 (Jan) Bore hole test drilling by Developer on the land.

2010 (Feb / March onwards) Planning application lodged and consultation started. Its at this point people can object to the development. Please do!!! (we’ll put more on this site when that time comes).

2011 If planning application is given this is the expected date that building will commence. Assuming the developer can find funding for the purchase.

2012 (Summer) Either people and their families are enjoying another summer on the Meadow OR they are realising that 115 flats means alot more cars outside their front doors.

Most people living in the city will have experienced seeing a fox at some point, but the other night really were quite unusual. I was walking through the Meadow late one night last week and took a short cut to see if the bin needed emptying. At first I thought it was a cat, but only about 7 feet away was a Fox. I immediately thought I must have been close to his (or her) cubs, but no sound came from Mr Fox, he just watched me. So I moved off slowly and he followed. I then took a wide walk round the Meadow and all the time the Fox was with me, sometimes 20 feet away , sometimes just 10 feet away. It was as if he was quite glad to see me and wanted to play. No doubt though looking for food. I had just seen the week before The Fantastic Mr Fox in the cinema and so believe me the similarity wasn’t wasted!

On the first anniversary of its formation, the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign  has been awarded a Certificate of Merit as part of Beautiful Scotland’s Neighbourhood Awards. Karen Chung, Treasurer of the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign, collected the award today at a ceremony in Motherwell Concert Hall.

The certificate was awarded as recognition for the environmental and community improvements the Campaign has made to a previously derelict site. The group won particular praise for tackling problems such as litter, graffiti and vandalism, and for positive efforts to communicate and engage with a wide cross-section of the local community.

Over recent months the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign has been threatened with eviction by Glasgow City Council, which wants to sell the land to a developer for flats. The land has never been built on and has always been a community resource. The campaign to retain the land as a community green space has attracted support from a wide cross-section of people, including MSPs Patrick Harvie (Green), Bob Doris (SNP) and Robert Brown (Lib Dem), as well as a petition of over 800 signatures.

Beautiful Scotland Assessor Brian Chennell praised the group’s work, saying:

“The project is at a very early stage but does have great potential, given the number of people involved and the size and location of the site. If they had the cooperation of Glasgow City Council, the group could develop the meadow into an alternative community area for the benefit of residents.”

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“There can’t be many community groups being threatened with eviction one day and winning awards the next. I am immensely proud of the work the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign have done over the last year, work which I know is inspiring people across Glasgow and more widely.

“This award is yet another clear message to Glasgow City Council – it must now be time to abandon your efforts to undermine the good work the North Kelvin Meadow Campaign is doing and instead get behind their efforts to improve their neighbourhood. The administration appear to have forgotten who they were elected to serve, but hopeully this award will refresh their memory.”

BBC Article regarding the installing of Bat Boxes

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8323003.stm

Glasgow Sunday Herald Article regarding the installing of Bat Boxes

http://www.heraldscotland.com:80/news/transport-environment/battle-stations-as-protesters-enlist-protected-species-in-fight-for-land-1.929639

Click here on the link to view the Herald Article on Scotland’s allotment summit published on 11 October 2009.

We all had a very pleasant afternoon today planting 475 bulbs in various parts of the Meadow. If you have any extra then please do come down and plant some.  Turnout today was 24 in total. The extra 75 bulbs were very kindly donated by Gill. Thanks to all who came down – hopefully we’ll see our results next spring / summer.

Some other misc topics on the go:

* We’ve sign up to www.1010uk.org   as the Meadow is a good place to do what we can on that subject. For example continuing to plant the Community Fruit Orchard – eventually we want to plant 200 Blackberry bushes, Raspberry bushes and Apples trees along the Kelbourne street side. So far we’ve planted 12. Its a beginning! We’re in the process of applying for grants to buy the bushes / trees.

* We’re in the December edition of Grow Your Own Magazine (obviously not out for a while). See www.growfruitandveg.co.uk

* We been interviewed and might be in the Holyrood online magazine soon that deals with that place of the same name. See www.holyrood.com

Hi all

Your all invited to a bulb planting event at North Kelvin Meadow on
Sunday 11th October at 2pm. That’s a week this Sunday so mark it in
your dairies.

We’ve got 400 bulbs all ready to plant. If all goes well the Meadow
should be a wash with colour next spring / summer.

Things to bring?
Yourself! Bulbs should be handled with gloves so bring an old pair.
Bring a trowel or spade if you have one (we have a few spare). That
it.

How long will the event last?
Don’t worry about coming down for a long time  - 30 minutes to an 1
hour is all that’s required.

How to plant a bulb?
Each bulb needs to be planted to a depth of 3 times its size. So dig a
small hole and place the bulb with its top facing upwards. If not sure
what is the top then plant it on its side. Cover with soil making sure
there are no obvious air pockets. If you need some decent soil to
surround the bulb then take some from the big white bags in the far
corner. Its as easy as that! What’s more, many of them should flower
year after year.

Can’t make that time?
Feel free to plant bulbs at other times if you have them. The more the merrier!

What’s the latest with the Land?
Not really that much! The Council still want to sell it, but haven’t
found a buyer. The local community increasingly see it as a place that
shouldn’t be built on. As the land is used more as a green space by
the local community the case strengthens to keep it as such.

Hope to see you then.

Meadow carrots: the Council plans to give them the chop - and we're not talking about julienning

The North Kelvin Meadow Campaign has learnt that Glasgow City Council has made plans to destroy the Meadow without informing the campaign group. Destructive actions could be taken as early as Monday, 21 September 2009.

After the Council’s legal action against the campaign group in July resulted only in two named individuals – Douglas Peacock, Campaign chair, and Karen Chung, treasurer – being prevented from putting up bat boxes and installing raised beds, it seems the Council went back to the courts in order to obtain a ‘decree of ejection’ – but didn’t tell us.

Wrongly addressed

The matter has been handled most peculiarly. Although Karen is appealing the interdict against her, and the Council obviously has her and Douglas’ contact details, papers relating to the ‘decree of ejection’ were not sent to them, but were instead addressed to ‘North Kelvinside Green Space, Clouston Street, Glasgow G20′ by the Sheriff Court – presumably the address given to the Court by the Council. Had it not been for the good offices of the enterprising Clouston Street postie – who delivered the papers to a well-known local personality, who passed them on to the campaign group – we might have known nothing about it.

Something is rotten in those marble-lined City Chambers, wethinks – unless we are to assume there is no one at Glasgow City Council who knows how to address an envelope properly. And it all doesn’t seem quite in order from a legal point of view. Ms Chung’s lawyer has therefore contacted the Council asking for clarification and that no eviction take place until a meeting can be arranged between the campaign group and the Council.

Watch this space!

To read the press release click here

For an object lesson in how NOT to address and envelope, click here.

Questions have been asked in the Scottish Parliament about the use of derelict land by local communities. The questions posed was:

Bill Kidd (MSP): Asks the Scottish Executive what support the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment provides to local authorities to allow local residents to make use of unused derelict lands in urban areas for the purpose of community growing projects, gardens and orchards. (S3O-7631)

Click here to see the transcript of the Minister’s response and the ensuing debate

Bill mentions the North Kelvin Meadow in his supplementary question as an example.