I READ with interest the article about the problems with development at Pacific Quay and immediately coupled it in my mind with the previous report about the proposal to bring the Royal Yacht Britannia to Glasgow.
Many years ago I left an industrial city and recently returned to a commercial centre. The changes are clear to see and very impressive. Being host to the National Garden Festival and named City of Culture and City of Architecture were all well-deserved accolades; but where is Glasgow's industrial history? Where is the ``Song of the Clyde''?
For a long time the Clyde was one of the leading shipping and shipbuilding centres in the world. What has been done to retain the memory of that period in the city's history? The marine hall at the Transport Museum holds many fine models of ships built on the Clyde and the Finnieston crane stands gaunt and lonely on the north side of the river. Do they really tell the story of a very important period in the life of the city?
Glasgow is very much in need of a strong reminder of its former prominence as a shipping and shipbuilding and to have Britannia as the centrepiece of a permanent exhibition would be good for the city.
I do not think it would be beyond the wit of the designers of modern theme parks to design an ``Annie McLeod Experience'' type of show re-creating the old ``sail doon the water''. Access should not be a problem as there is plenty of car parking and good rail access just across the river. A small cable-car over the river would add to the experience.
I would suggest to the City Council that there are times when even the most optimistic financial figures do not give a clear picture of the benefits which will accrue to the city and pride in our industrial past cannot be fully measured in financial terms.
Decisions have to be made from the heart and this is one of them. I appeal to the City Council to support the efforts of the Clyde Heritage Trust who are well aware of the city's financial problems and will be fund-raising.
Such a project can only enhance the prospects for development of the adjacent site at Pacific Quay.
Donald Grierson,
7 Tukalo Drive,
The Paddock,
Strathaven.
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