Pollokshields
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Pollokshields is an area of the Southside of Glasgow, Scotland, the first planned garden suburb in the United Kingdom. Predating the better-known Bedford Park of London by nearly a quarter of a century, it claims to be the UK's first Garden Suburb despite having been planned and constructed before the movement was inaugurated.
Established by the Stirling-Maxwell family in 1849, Pollokshields was set out or 'feued' by the Edinburgh architect David Rhind. Many well-known Glaswegian architects contributed to its development and, amongst others, it contains villas by Glasgow's other architectural genius Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. There are also several contributions by contemporaries of Charles Rennie Mackintosh including a series of good 'Glasgow style' tenements by the architect H. E. Clifford, who was also responsible for the 'A' listed Pollokshields Burgh Hall, in Scottish Baronial style which was inaugurated in 1890, with Maxwell Park. The ground for Maxwell Park was given by Sir John Stirling-Maxwell of Nether Pollok in 1888, and the park was formally opened at the same time. Such was its early population growth Pollokshields attained 'burgh' status in 1876. However, this ended in 1891 when after being offered favourable tax terms the residents of the burgh agreed to it becoming a suburb of the growing city of Glasgow. The Victorian and Edwardian architecture and the parks of this area have remained almost untouched, leaving the feeling of a leafy Victorian suburb, while being well within the city.
Modern Pollokshields is an area of ethnic diversity, home to large communities of Indian and Pakistani origin. The area's commercial eastern side is home to a large number of South Asian shops, attracting shoppers from all over Scotland. There are three primary schools in Pollokshields, Glendale Primary, Pollokshields Primary and St. Alberts Primary. The area of modern Pollokshields is also home to a great many curry and kebab shops.
However, as with other areas in Glasgow, Pollokshields does not escape Glasgow's notorious gang culture. Many residents claim Pollokshields itself, is disciplined by the middle-aged men whom are highly respected amongst the young, rather than Strathclyde Police. A local gathering point for youths, and sometimes, the older men, is Halal Kebab - a fine South-Asian take-away situated on Albert Drive.
Many would consider the heart of Pollokshields to be Albert Drive in the modern part of Pollokshields. This is also the commercial centre to Pollokshields, with a number of fruit and vegetable and clothing shops located here. Albert Drive is also the heart of all the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations every year, in which a large police presence is usually required to ensure public safety during the gathering of noisy young Muslim people.
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