Mosspark
Encyclopedia
Mosspark is a district
in the Scottish
city of Glasgow
. It is situated south of the River Clyde
, in the south-west of the city.
The housing density and extensive green space were inspired by Raymond Unwin
and the Garden city movement
. The area is almost unique within the surrounding area with its tree-lined streets and boulevard stretching the length of the area at its most northern point. Entirely residential, the scheme's green and semi-rural setting was intended to provide a healthier alternative to the city's traditional tenement landscape, which had become too much identified with urban corrosion. Although flats featured in Mosspark's plans, two-thirds of the housing stock was built in the form of cottages, semi-detached and terraced, and surrounded by gardens. The dwellings were built to high standards with spacious rooms and modern conveniences including the clean new energy source of electricity. Over time the area became one of the most desirable for Corporation tenants and was dominated by higher-income families.
The district's exclusive character had arisen because it was generally not cost-effective for the Corporation to build such prestigious, low-density developments, especially in the depressed economic climate of the inter-war years. Mosspark was consequently a showpiece of modern planning in Glasgow, but it could not serve as a realistic blueprint for the Corporation's long-term housing strategy. Simlilar later housing schemes were built like Knightswood although the blueprint was changed to cheaper building materials, fireplaces were removed from the bedrooms and interior walls were no longer brick.
and Paisley Canal railway line to the south which separates the area from Corkerhill
. Oddly, the nearest train station is Corkerhill
while Mosspark railway station
more accurately serves South Cardonald and northern Pollok.
. There are no public houses in Mosspark, the nearest being the Parkway Bar in Cardonald.
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:...
in the Scottish
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...
city 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...
. It 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....
, in the south-west of the city.
History
Mosspark and the lands of East and Mid-Henderston were incorporated into Glasgow in 1909. They covered seventy-two hectares of farmland and their acquisition was prompted by the need to develop peripheral communities to help ease the city's notorious overcrowding. The First World War was crucially important in determining Mosspark's pioneering place in Glasgow Corporation's housing programme. In 1919 ground breaking legislation made it compulsory for local authorities to implement planned housing schemes, underpinned by subsidies. As a result, Mosspark became the most ambitious of the Corporation's immediate post-war developments.The housing density and extensive green space were inspired by Raymond Unwin
Raymond Unwin
Sir Raymond Unwin was a prominent and influential English engineer, architect and town planner, with an emphasis on improvements in working class housing.-Early years:...
and the Garden city movement
Garden city movement
The garden city movement is a method of urban planning that was initiated in 1898 by Sir Ebenezer Howard in the United Kingdom. Garden cities were intended to be planned, self-contained communities surrounded by "greenbelts" , containing proportionate areas of residences, industry and...
. The area is almost unique within the surrounding area with its tree-lined streets and boulevard stretching the length of the area at its most northern point. Entirely residential, the scheme's green and semi-rural setting was intended to provide a healthier alternative to the city's traditional tenement landscape, which had become too much identified with urban corrosion. Although flats featured in Mosspark's plans, two-thirds of the housing stock was built in the form of cottages, semi-detached and terraced, and surrounded by gardens. The dwellings were built to high standards with spacious rooms and modern conveniences including the clean new energy source of electricity. Over time the area became one of the most desirable for Corporation tenants and was dominated by higher-income families.
The district's exclusive character had arisen because it was generally not cost-effective for the Corporation to build such prestigious, low-density developments, especially in the depressed economic climate of the inter-war years. Mosspark was consequently a showpiece of modern planning in Glasgow, but it could not serve as a realistic blueprint for the Corporation's long-term housing strategy. Simlilar later housing schemes were built like Knightswood although the blueprint was changed to cheaper building materials, fireplaces were removed from the bedrooms and interior walls were no longer brick.
Transport
To the North of Mosspark is Bellahouston ParkBellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
and Paisley Canal railway line to the south which separates the area from Corkerhill
Corkerhill
Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of Glasgow, on the Paisley Canal Line from Glasgow, and still houses engine sheds and sidings, although Corkerhill signal box was demolished in the late 1970s Corkerhill was originally a farm and a few houses to the southwest of...
. Oddly, the nearest train station is Corkerhill
Corkerhill railway station
Corkerhill railway station serves Corkerhill, a district of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and lies on the Paisley Canal Line 5 km west of .- 1967 to 1983 :...
while Mosspark railway station
Mosspark railway station
Mosspark railway station serves the Pollok and Cardonald areas of Glasgow, Scotland. The station is on the Paisley Canal Line 6 km west of and is managed by First ScotRail....
more accurately serves South Cardonald and northern Pollok.
Facilities
The area has a great deal of amenities in spite of its rather small size, including a church, school, bowling club, several shops and a park directly facing the much grander Bellahouston ParkBellahouston Park
Bellahouston Park is a public park in the South Side of Glasgow, Scotland, between the areas of Mosspark, Craigton, Ibrox, and Dumbreck, covering an area of . It is based around Ibrox hill in the centre, with commanding views over most of the city, exceptions being views to the east that are...
. There are no public houses in Mosspark, the nearest being the Parkway Bar in Cardonald.
In popular culture
- Some outdoor portions of the sitcom Still GameStill GameStill Game is a Scottish sitcom, produced by The Comedy Unit with the BBC. It was created by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, who play the lead characters - two Glaswegian pensioners, named Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade respectively....
were filmed in Mosspark. - The TV show VidsVidsVids was a late-night, humorous video review show hosted by peroxide blond Welshman Nigel Buckland and the tall, long haired, bearded Glasgow native, Stef Gardiner....
used an empty shop in Mosspark as the storefront in the show.
Notable people
- Peter MullanPeter MullanPeter Mullan is a Scottish actor and film-maker who has been appearing in films since 1990.-Early life:Mullan, the sixth of eight children, was born in Peterhead in the northeast of Scotland, the son of Patricia, a nurse, and Charles Mullan, a lab technician who worked at Glasgow University. He...
, Scottish actor and film maker, former resident. - Chris PendergastChris PendergastChristopher-Paul Peter Pendergast BA PGDE , commonly known as Chris Pendergast is a Scottish born Gaelic Footballer of Irish descent...
, Irish-ScotsIrish-ScotsIrish-Scots are people who live in Scotland who are of immediate or traceably distinct Irish ancestry. Although migration between Ireland and Scotland has an established history owing to their close proximity, Irish migration to Scotland increased exponentially in the nineteenth century, and was...
, Gaelic Footballer. - William M. Gall, `Caledonia', sports journalist.
- Robert J. MurrayRobert J. Murray-Biography:Robert J. Murray was born on August 30, 1934 in Marlborough, Massachusetts. He was educated at Suffolk University, receiving a B.S. in 1961. He then attended Harvard University, receiving an M.P.A...
, Scottish songwriter