Polmadie
Encyclopedia
Polmadie is a district
of Glasgow
, a city in Scotland
. Polmadie is situated south of the River Clyde
, and adjacent to the Gorbals
.
The most prominent landmark within Polmadie is the twin chimneys of a now disused waste incinerator plant operated by Glasgow City Council. Also located in the area is a large railway maintenance depot for Virgin Trains
, which is the most northerly train stabling and maintenance area on the West Coast Main Line
(WCML), since the line runs through Polmadie on its final approach into Central railway station. The area was also home to BOC's industrial gases filling plant and main Scottish base, until they moved to a more modern facility in early 2007 to Cambuslang
just outside Glasgow
.
The area will eventually be bisected by the controversial extension to the M74 motorway
. The present plans for the project entail an elevated dual carriageway road to be constructed alongside the WCML tracks and atop the site of derelict houses in the area. In addition, an interchange on the motorway will be provided with Polmadie Road.
, writing in New Statistical Account of Scotland
in 1835, the ruins of the Hospital of Polmadie were still to be seen at the end of the 18th century. This famous “hospital” - actually a combination of asylum, orphanage, old folks home and hospital - was dedicated to Saint John
, which suggests that it might have had some connection with the Knights Hospitaller
. It was in existence before 1249 during the reign of King Alexander III
, for a charter still exists in which he confirms the Hospital’s privileges. On 24 May 1371 King Robert the Bruce
issued a confirmation of these privileges at nearby Rutherglen
. The first Master of the Hospital of St John at Polmadie we know of was Patrick Floker, confirmed by Bishop Robert Wishart
on 30 March 1316.
The hospital was financed mostly by income from the lands of the Parish
of Strathblane
but also by the pious
grants of lands and revenues by local landowners and merchants. For example, in 1329, Bishop John of Glasgow gave half the lands of Little Govan to the hospital. There was a catch, though, for at least some of the revenues were dedicated to supporting one of the canon
s of the Chapter
of the Cathedral
- who was a Mr John de Berwick. Another act of piety
, by the feudal superior of the lands was to free it of its obligations to them - taxes, and such like. This was done by Malcolm, Earl of Lennox
in a charter dated 1 July 1333. By this time, the finances of the hospital were becoming important enough to be engaged in trade or commerce. There is a document by Adam, son of Alan a burgess of Dumbarton relating to the appointment of attorneys to deal with Polmadie Hospital.
Another sign of its growing importance is that the next Master of Polmadie Hospital we know of - Walter de Kirkintilloch - was confirmed by a royal, and not just an Episcopal
, charter, issued by Queen Margaret
, wife of King David II
- on the 18th of May 1367 at Edinburgh
.
The Hospital accepted people of both sexes, and they needed therefore to have nun
s as well as monk
s at the hospital. On the 10 May 1391, Bishop Matthew of Glasgow
presented Gillian de Vaux as a sister to the hospital. (James Cleland in his Annals, 1829, seems to think this was a pauper, but Vaux
was in France.) This bishop also issued a decree to restore William Cunningham
, Vicar
of Dundonald
to the administration of the Hospital. This suggests that the Master was now not wholly involved in running it. In fact, the Master tended to be a canon
of Glasgow Cathedral
, using some of the revenue of the Hospital endowments to fund his work as a priest of the Cathedral
. On the 12 January 1427, Bishop John Cameron
formalised this by a charter which established the lands of Polmadie and the Parish
of Strathblane
as a prend
of Glasgow Cathedral
. The Prebendary
got the revenues of these lands on condition that he provided a Vicar
for Strathblane
(as well as maintaining and educating four boys in singing for the choir of the Cathedral). He also had to find someone to look after the Hospital. These arrangements were confirmed by Pope Martin V
on 5 December 1429. The Hospital continued at least until 1540 (well before the Reformation
) when it was said to have been "abolished". A little further west, and nearer the River Clyde
was a Lepers' Hospital
dedicated to St Ninian which lasted into modern times.
Polmadie is home to Alstom
's Polmadie Depot on the West Coast Main Line
.
The Glasgow firm of Alley & McLellan was a significant producer of smaller commercial vessels as well as the world's leading manufacturer of steam lorries (later Sentinel Waggon Works
of Shrewsbury).
The location of the Alley & McLellan construction yard in Polmadie might appear perverse, as the yard had been built a considerable distance to the south of the river, with the expansive final approach into Glasgow Central Station
imposing just one of many unbreachable barriers between it and the Clyde. However, the company specialised in supporting the far reaches of the British Empire
by constructing vessels that were dismantled into kit form once they had been completed. The resulting set of parts was frequently enormous and a logistical nightmare to transport; re-assembly also depended heavily upon the availability of skilled hands at the customer’s premises. However, as in the case of the Chauncy Maples, this was frequently the only viable option when the ultimate destination was very far inland, away from any semblance of modern communications.
(MRF). The MRF is based in the building of an old incinerator
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, a city in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Polmadie is situated south of the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
, and adjacent to the Gorbals
Gorbals
The Gorbals is an area on the south bank of the River Clyde in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. By the late 19th century, it had become over-populated and adversely affected by local industrialisation. Many people lived here because their jobs provided this home and they could not afford their own...
.
The most prominent landmark within Polmadie is the twin chimneys of a now disused waste incinerator plant operated by Glasgow City Council. Also located in the area is a large railway maintenance depot for Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
, which is the most northerly train stabling and maintenance area on the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
(WCML), since the line runs through Polmadie on its final approach into Central railway station. The area was also home to BOC's industrial gases filling plant and main Scottish base, until they moved to a more modern facility in early 2007 to Cambuslang
Cambuslang
Cambuslang is a suburban town on the south-eastern outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland. It is within the local authority area of South Lanarkshire. Historically, it was a large rural Parish incorporating nearby hamlets of Newton, Flemington, and Halfway. It is known as "the largest village in...
just outside Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
The area will eventually be bisected by the controversial extension to the M74 motorway
M74 motorway
The A74 and M74 motorways form a major motorway in Scotland. Following an extension opened on 28 June 2011, it connects the M8 motorway west of Glasgow to the English border at Gretna, creating an alternative route for traffic moving from the south to the west of the city...
. The present plans for the project entail an elevated dual carriageway road to be constructed alongside the WCML tracks and atop the site of derelict houses in the area. In addition, an interchange on the motorway will be provided with Polmadie Road.
Hospital of St John
According to the minister of GovanGovan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
, writing in New Statistical Account of Scotland
Statistical Accounts of Scotland
The Statistical Accounts of Scotland are three series of documentary publications covering life in Scotland in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries....
in 1835, the ruins of the Hospital of Polmadie were still to be seen at the end of the 18th century. This famous “hospital” - actually a combination of asylum, orphanage, old folks home and hospital - was dedicated to Saint John
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
, which suggests that it might have had some connection with the Knights Hospitaller
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
. It was in existence before 1249 during the reign of King Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
, for a charter still exists in which he confirms the Hospital’s privileges. On 24 May 1371 King Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
issued a confirmation of these privileges at nearby Rutherglen
Rutherglen
Rutherglen is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. In 1975, it lost its own local council and administratively became a component of the City of Glasgow. In 1996 Rutherglen was reallocated to the South Lanarkshire council area.-History:...
. The first Master of the Hospital of St John at Polmadie we know of was Patrick Floker, confirmed by Bishop Robert Wishart
Robert Wishart
Robert Wishart was Bishop of Glasgow during the Wars of Scottish Independence and a leading supporter of Robert Bruce. For Wishart and many of his fellow churchmen the freedom of Scotland and the freedom of the Scottish church were one and the same thing...
on 30 March 1316.
The hospital was financed mostly by income from the lands of the Parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Strathblane
Strathblane
Strathblane is a village and parish in the registration county of Stirlingshire, situated in the southwestern part of the Stirling council area, in central Scotland. It lies at the foothills of the Campsie Fells and the Kilpatrick Hills on the Blane Water, north of Glasgow, east-southeast of...
but also by the pious
Piety
In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that can mean religious devotion, spirituality, or a combination of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility.- Etymology :...
grants of lands and revenues by local landowners and merchants. For example, in 1329, Bishop John of Glasgow gave half the lands of Little Govan to the hospital. There was a catch, though, for at least some of the revenues were dedicated to supporting one of the canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
s of the Chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
of the Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew...
- who was a Mr John de Berwick. Another act of piety
Piety
In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue that can mean religious devotion, spirituality, or a combination of both. A common element in most conceptions of piety is humility.- Etymology :...
, by the feudal superior of the lands was to free it of its obligations to them - taxes, and such like. This was done by Malcolm, Earl of Lennox
Maol Choluim II, Earl of Lennox
Mormaer Maol Choluim II of Lennox was mormaer of Lennox from 1303 to his death....
in a charter dated 1 July 1333. By this time, the finances of the hospital were becoming important enough to be engaged in trade or commerce. There is a document by Adam, son of Alan a burgess of Dumbarton relating to the appointment of attorneys to deal with Polmadie Hospital.
Another sign of its growing importance is that the next Master of Polmadie Hospital we know of - Walter de Kirkintilloch - was confirmed by a royal, and not just an Episcopal
Episcopal polity
Episcopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
, charter, issued by Queen Margaret
Margaret Drummond (Queen)
Margaret Drummond was the second queen of David II of Scotland and a daughter of Sir Malcolm Drummond, Knt. by his wife Margaret, née Graham....
, wife of King David II
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
- on the 18th of May 1367 at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
The Hospital accepted people of both sexes, and they needed therefore to have nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s as well as monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s at the hospital. On the 10 May 1391, Bishop Matthew of Glasgow
Matthew de Glendonwyn
Matthew de Glendonwyn was a late 14th and early 15th century bishop of Glasgow. He was elected to the see after the death of Cardinal Walter Wardlaw, his predecessor as bishop. He was elected sometime between Wardlaw's death in September and Matthew's first appearance as bishop-elect in December...
presented Gillian de Vaux as a sister to the hospital. (James Cleland in his Annals, 1829, seems to think this was a pauper, but Vaux
Vaux
-People:*Calvert Vaux , British-born American architect and landscape designer*Richard Vaux , an American politician, mayor of Philadelphia, and a member of the U.S...
was in France.) This bishop also issued a decree to restore William Cunningham
William Cunningham
William Cunningham , English economist, was born at Edinburgh, Scotland. He was an eminent economic historian, a proponent of the historical method in economics, and an opponent of free trade....
, Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Dundonald
Dundonald, South Ayrshire
Dundonald is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland.-The village:The village is mostly known for Dundonald Castle, which was built in the 14th century by king Robert II, on the ruins of a castle built earlier Dundonald (Gaelic: Dùn Dhòmhnaill) is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland.-The...
to the administration of the Hospital. This suggests that the Master was now not wholly involved in running it. In fact, the Master tended to be a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew...
, using some of the revenue of the Hospital endowments to fund his work as a priest of the Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew...
. On the 12 January 1427, Bishop John Cameron
John Cameron (bishop)
John Cameron was a 15th century Scottish cleric, bishop of Glasgow, and Keeper of the Privy Seal.A licentiate in decrees , and provost of Lincluden, he became an official of the bishopric of St Andrews, and a canon of Glasgow, as well as secretary to Archibald Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, who...
formalised this by a charter which established the lands of Polmadie and the Parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Strathblane
Strathblane
Strathblane is a village and parish in the registration county of Stirlingshire, situated in the southwestern part of the Stirling council area, in central Scotland. It lies at the foothills of the Campsie Fells and the Kilpatrick Hills on the Blane Water, north of Glasgow, east-southeast of...
as a prend
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
The church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew...
. The Prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
got the revenues of these lands on condition that he provided a Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
for Strathblane
Strathblane
Strathblane is a village and parish in the registration county of Stirlingshire, situated in the southwestern part of the Stirling council area, in central Scotland. It lies at the foothills of the Campsie Fells and the Kilpatrick Hills on the Blane Water, north of Glasgow, east-southeast of...
(as well as maintaining and educating four boys in singing for the choir of the Cathedral). He also had to find someone to look after the Hospital. These arrangements were confirmed by Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
on 5 December 1429. The Hospital continued at least until 1540 (well before the Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
) when it was said to have been "abolished". A little further west, and nearer the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
was a Lepers' Hospital
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
dedicated to St Ninian which lasted into modern times.
Transport
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
's Polmadie Depot on the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
.
Shipbuilding
Sentinel Waggon Works
Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd was a British company based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire that made steam-powered lorries, railway locomotives, and later, diesel engined lorries and locomotives.-Alley & MacLellan, Sentinel Works, Jessie Street Glasgow:...
of Shrewsbury).
The location of the Alley & McLellan construction yard in Polmadie might appear perverse, as the yard had been built a considerable distance to the south of the river, with the expansive final approach into Glasgow Central Station
Glasgow Central station
Glasgow Central is the larger of the two present main-line railway terminals in Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland. The station was opened by the Caledonian Railway on 31 July 1879 and is currently managed by Network Rail...
imposing just one of many unbreachable barriers between it and the Clyde. However, the company specialised in supporting the far reaches of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
by constructing vessels that were dismantled into kit form once they had been completed. The resulting set of parts was frequently enormous and a logistical nightmare to transport; re-assembly also depended heavily upon the availability of skilled hands at the customer’s premises. However, as in the case of the Chauncy Maples, this was frequently the only viable option when the ultimate destination was very far inland, away from any semblance of modern communications.
Polmadie waste facility
Polmadie is the home of Glasgow's only materials recovery facilityMaterials recovery facility
A materials recovery facility or materials reclamation facility or materials recycling facility is a specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers...
(MRF). The MRF is based in the building of an old incinerator