Charles Rennie Mackintosh

31st March saw 35 Friends enjoy a day out devoted to Charles Rennie Mackintosh which included visits to House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park and Scotland St School. We enjoyed a tour of the House, especially the splendid music room (pictured), though sadly the rain meant less time spent in the lovely garden and looking at the new sculptures.

Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh

Scotland St School brought back happy (?) memories of schooldays to some of our members when we visited the old classroom with its tiered rows of wooden desks with inkwells. On hand was the “Horrible Heidie” to keep us in check but he didn’t stop us appreciating the architecture and designs of Mackintosh’s remarkable building.  

Tommy’s War and Tommy’s Peace

The diaries of Thomas Cairns Livingstone are an invaluable resource for anyone wishing to know about Glasgow in the years between 1913 and 1933. When they were up for sale, the Friends Executive Committee were pleased to be able to contribute £1,000 pounds to their purchase. Their story was ably told in a lecture given by archivist Barbara McLean on 28^th March. Topics covered included rent strikes and rent restrictions, shortages of everything from sugar to matches and the coming of Belgian refugees. The subject raised many questions and comments from the audience.