Royston, Glasgow

Royston/Roystonhill is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde. It was previously known as Garngad and is still known as such by residents with a familial link to the area. It is notable for its large population of Irish Catholic descent, this heritage is becoming even more strongly supported, with an annual St Patrick's Day Festival Glasgow Irish Festival 2010 now being a regular event supported by the whole community.

There are few vestiges of the old Roystonhill in evidence these days other than a few street names, some street having succumbed to development. The church steeple has been converted into a tower monument and the church hall carries on its service as a local community centre. The former convent has been relocated in the Robroyston area.

The previous stigma of deprivation earned in its slum years, has largely been shed with the recent program of newbuild housing and renovations to social housing. The area is now being used to home asylum seekers and other immigrants of various ethnic groups, a program not without social problems for the area.

A former Member of Parliament for the area, Michael Martin, was Speaker of the House of Commons from 2000 to 2009. However he will be more remembered as the speaker who presided over one the biggest scandals in UK political history, with the wholesale abuse of expenses and privilege being destined to remain in the mind of the local populace.

The social club for the Irish Roman Catholic community was traditionally known as the Hibs Hall (Hibernians Hall).The Hall was sold by the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1969 to St. Roch's RC Parish before being sold to a local private concern and renamed "The Huddle Club". The club was burnt down in a fire in the early 21st century.

Royston was the venue for street parties celebrating Celtic F.C. League wins in 1999/99 and 2000/01. The first street party was a semi-planned, semi-impromptu gathering along the Royston Road which became the inspiration for the second street party. The street party of 2000/01 was much more professionally planned and included a stage with live music as well as murals being painted and a video produced to mark the event.^[1]

Notable residents

Kevin Rutkiewicz, professional footballer, was born in Royston.

External links

• Royston Road Project
• Royston Community Social Networking Site
• Life Link Glasgow (Formerly Royston Stress Centre)

References