Link to The Herald’s letters page

The Trust champions the city’s unique architecture and built environment. We are here to promote and encourage the understanding, appreciation and conservation of Glasgow’s historic buildings for the benefit of the city’s communities and its visitors, now and in the future. The Trust is supported by Historic Scotland and Glasgow City Council and led by a Board of Trustees, who now wish to refill the post of Office/Finance Administrator

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Office/Finance Administrator £15,000 (plus pension) Ref 06

We are seeking a candidate with substantial administrative experience to work within an office environment giving administrative support to the other three staff members of the organisation. You will also provide monthly reconciliations and maintain operational liaison with external accountants and be responsible for the organisation’s petty cash. You will also be the first point of contact with the general public. Ideally you should be able to demonstrate an interest in conservation and heritage issues.

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The Trust is committed to equal opportunities and its policies promote the equal treatment of all job applicants and ensure that no one is unfairly treated on any grounds. The post is subject to the availability of external Trust funding.

If you are interested in applying for this post please download the following:

Administrator job specification 2012

GCHT Administrator Application pdf

GCHT Administrator Application (Word)

Completed applications should be posted to:

The Director,

Glasgow City Heritage Trust,

54 Bell Street

Glasgow

G1 1LQ.

Or emailed to info@glasgowheritage.org.uk with the subject heading “Completed Job Application”.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 23 May 2012 at 10am.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet the Director and to take a practical test on 6 June 2012.

The best candidates will then meet Trustees in a final interview on 12 June 2012.

For further information about the Trust please have a look at other sections of the website. If you have any questions that are not answered here please contact us.

Less than a decade after the canal had been closed a band of volunteers were already working away trying to clean it up and motivate people to join in. By the time the Millennium Commission was established Tommy and the volunteers from the Forth and Clyde Canal Society and other organisations along the canal corridor had organised a movement strong enough to persuade the local authorities, and the government, that this was indeed a people’s project and to fund the two canals restoration.

It was a real joy to hear about this success story and its ongoing effect on local communities — such as the Helix Project at Grangmouth, the Big Man in Maryhill, and Padlesports at Port Dundas all spin offs from the canal’s success.

And to prove that all their efforts were worthwhile … well, look at the smile on Tommy’s face now!

Do contact us to let us know if you have seen them and, of course, what you think of them.

We will be holding an exhibition on repairs and maintenance, and there is a new section of the website devoted to it as well.

David Millard from Millers Flooring Specialists gave a brief history of linoleum which Millers has been selling through the business established by David’s great-grandfather in Bridgeton Cross in 1893.

Linoleum, which is produced and marketed by the name Marmoleum, through the brand leading producer of this product, Forbo-Nairn, continues to this day to be an excellent choice for floor covering in your home and in the commercial environment where it is more commonly used. The product contains six key ingredients.

• Linseed Oil – which forms the basis of the product
• Rosin – a natural binding agent which gives the Linoleum strength and flexibility
• Woodflour- which ensures colour fastness and is why the linoleum maintains its vibrant colour through its life
• Jute – Used as the backing on which to calendar the linoleum cement
• Limestone – which is finely ground to attain a specific density in the product
• Pigments – used to create the many colours available

Linoleum was invented by Englishman, Frederick Walton in 1855, when, after noticing the rubbery flexible skin of solidified linseed oil that had formed on a can of oil-based paint, thought that it might form a substitute for the expensive Indian rubber. By 1869 Walton’s factory in Staines, England was exporting to Europe and the United States.

In 1877, Kircaldy in Fife became the largest producer of linoleum in the world, with no fewer than six floorcloth manufacturers in the town, most notably Michael Nairn & Co., who had been producing floorcloth since 1847. In 1874 however, Walton had become unhappy with Michael Nairns use of the name Linoleum and brought a lawsuit against them for trademark infringement. However, the term had not been trademarked and he lost the suit.

Linoleum is considered to be the first product name in the world to become a generic term.

Linoleum as a product is still going strong over 150 years after its invention and after 120 years co-operation between Nairn’s of Kirkcaldy and Millers.

The product today can boast many criteria that ensure its position as a very popular choice for consumers.

It is made from 97% Natural raw materials, 70% of which are renewable and is made from 40% recycled content. The product is naturally anti-bacterial, resistant to MRSA, E-Coli and Norovirus, does not harbour dust mites and is completely biodegradable.

Another reason Linoleum continues to be very popular, is its capability to create personal inlaid designs. With its vibrant colour bank and the ability to cut out shapes and assemble them in the floor; with imagination the design opportunity is endless.

John Thomson, who has worked with Millers for over 20 years and is their finest design installer, has installed many projects for Millers in hand cut linoleum which include;

• Marilyn Monroe
• Elvis
• Space theme
• Tweety pie
• Batman table
• A giant 8-Ball
• An underwater fantasy scene with a sunken ship, a treasure chest, seaweed and fish

John then spent two hours demonstrating the best and safest ways to cut linoleum into geometric and freehand shapes to inlay.

At the end of the demo John removed the piece to finish … the end product will be on display soon in the Bell Street office so we will update with pictures then.

EVENING TIMES Tuesday March 20 2012

Council pays out £300 000 to end tenement fights

City steps in with more than 300 essential repairs

EXCLUSIVE

By GORDON THOMSON

MORE than 300 repairs costing a total of £300,000 have been carried out to tenements across Glasgow after coun- cil bosses stepped in following squabbles among neighbours.

The repairs have included new roofs and repairs to damage caused by major water leaks.

Council officials have used powers under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to carry out so called “stitch in time” repairs to multi-occupancy build- ings. These include tene- ments where some of the flat owners have been un- willing or unable to pay their share of the bill.

The council hopes to re- cover every penny paid.

The repairs have been carried out since 2010 and bills have been sent to residents.

Details were revealed as 150 homeowners, land- lords and property man- agers were due to attend a seminar in the Light- house, in Mitchell Lane, to try to tackle Glasgow’s increasing problem of communal building repairs.

It was organised by the council, along with Glas- gow City Heritage Trust and conservation archi- tect firm Hypostyle.

Gordon Urquhart, the Trust’s grants officer, said: “Many people come to us desperate for help because they do not know where to turn when faced with roof repairs or crumbling windows.

“Often, this is exacer- bated because one neigh- bour will not pay for re- pairs, leaving a greater burden on the responsible owners.”

Jo Parry, of Hypostyle Architects, said: “In many cases the property owner is part of a tenement and has no idea of the condi- tion of their block.

“It is only when prob- lems happen that it high- lights the property may require repair.”

Richard Brown, the council’s executive direc- tor of Development and Regeneration Services, said: “The council is com- mitted to protecting and enhancing the city’s out- standing built heritage.”

A council spokesman added: “Where the major- ity of owners are in agree-

ment to go ahead with the work, the council can cover the shares of those owners who won’t or can’t pay their contribution.

“Those who did not pay will receive a council invoice that includes a 15% charge to cover our legal and admin costs.

“We can negotiate a re- payment plan with own- ers struggling to meet costs. But those who refuse to pay will have their deeds of ownership marked, which allows the council to reclaim the cash if the property is sold.”

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk

7pm – 9pm

54 Bell Street

Tommy Lawton, one of the original band of campaigners who oversaw the resurrection of the Forth and Clyde Canal, will provide an illustrated lecture outlining the vital role canals have played over more than 200 years.

It is staggering to think that as far back as 1790 the waterway system was developed to allow the growth of early industry in the west of Scotland. Although Tommy has not been around for ALL that time, he has seen massive changes in the attitudes towards, and the financial support for, the Forth and Clyde Canal.

His talk will also highlight many of the heritage sites along the route of the canal, some in poor repair, some having undergone restoration and renewal thanks to the canal project.

Please join us for what promises to be a most enlightening evening.

Refreshments will be served. £3 donation requested. Booking essential by emailing info@glasgowheritage.org.uk or by calling 0141 552 1331.

7pm – 9pm

54 Bell Street

From the restoration of King William to the magnificent Necropolis gates reinstatement, Dennis McCue has overseen most of the work carried out in monuments and parks around the city over the last decade or so. He certainly knows his gold leaf from his bronzes, and his Italian marble from his Scottish granite and with several of the works paid for by grants from Glasgow City Heritage Trust it promises to be an illuminating evening for supporters of GCHT.

Then Ruth Johnston from the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis will focus on the Necropolis to describe its history, some of the architects whose work features there, the symbolism of the stones and the stories of some of the people, from all walks of life, that are buried there.

Refreshments supplied. £3 donation requested. Please book on 0141 552 1331 or by emailing info@glasgowheritage.org.uk

10am – noon

54 Bell Street

This traditional skills workshop should definitely put a spring in your step.

Linoleum is a natural product made from 97% natural materials, most of which are renewable or recycled. The key raw materials used in its production include linseed oil from flax seeds, wood flour and jute, the natural backing material. Despite having been around for more than 100 years it is now gaining respect as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and sustainable floor coverings.

But designers like it because of its almost unlimited potential in creating patterns and unique works of art.

Linoleum was once part of the thriving textile industry based in Glasgow, particularly in the East End. In 1893 William Millard established Miller’s Linoleum Stores in Bridgeton. Today his great-grandson, David, continues the family tradition and is one of the few suppliers of linoleum. Miller’s expert lino layer, John Thomson, will demonstrate the skills needed in this rare craft. (John recently featured in the television documentary series You Deserve This House.)

Learn more about how to cut and create using one of Scotland’s most versatile and long-lasting products.

£10 donation requested. Places limited so please book by emailing info@glasgowheritage.org.uk or calling 0141 552 1331