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Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:57 pm
by Vinegar Tom
What a shame. I only got down there for the first time on Doors Open this year - fascinating place!

The case histories are worth the visit.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:14 am
by iBob
A great shame.

I never understood why the museum in Pitt Street continued after this museum opened.
Surely it must have been suggested they merge.
(Pitt Street is only open by appointment because it is in the centre of a secure building — often on security alerts.)
Totally unsuitable.

The entire building at St Andrew's Square is wonderful.
Could see it as an entire Museum of Scottish Justice - including the Strathclyde Police archive, Faculty of Advocates collection , Black museum, etc.
or how about looking up your family criminal history (pre 1900).
It would be unique.

You could staff it with the numpties from the Scottish Fingerprint Service - they are not much use for anything else.

If you have ever been unfortunate enough to visit Inverary Jail. http://www.inverarayjail.co.uk/
You will know what an enormous disappointment it is.
Properly put together a Glasgow museum could be a real winner.
There must be a use for this building besides flats.

We can but dream.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:06 am
by tombro
I'd say Glasgowken is most probably right !

When it comes to making money over losing history, authorities all over the world tend to choose the former because money talks.

Sad for Glasgow, sad for every policeman who has worked his guts out to keep the city safe and sad for all the descendants of those same police !

Tombro :(

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:15 am
by onyirtodd
HollowHorn wrote:I'm free on Wednesday 26th.



Mebbes Tam could pop over again. I'm sure you'd be pleased to take in a lodger furra wee while.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 11:19 am
by OLDFART
on first visit, i was a little disappionted. I was looking for 'black museum' sort of idea but once over that bit it was fascinating place. A merger with Pitt steet would have been ideal. It would be great if they could find an old police station and do it right. I know it will never happen as it cost money.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:45 pm
by Vinny the Mackem
From inside the Court itself. Apparently the building has been condemned and reports from the prisoners are that the brocks in the cells are coming out of the walls!

Chaos will descend from 8 December because all new District Court (or JP Court as they are now being labelled) custodies will take place in the Sheriff Court. How the hell that will be organised will be anybody's guess, as the Sheriff is fairly streched for custodies as it is.

Anyway, here's the pic!

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Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:42 pm
by Riotgrrl
OK, I've checked with someone, and the museum that is closing is 'GLASGOW POLICE', while the one at Pitt Street is 'STRATHCLYDE POLICE', hence the difference (which has to be organisational rather than actual.)

The one at Pitt Street is viewable by appointment, and is run by a doughty, long-serving, civilian police staff member. She is great, but a bit frightening. It's worth booking a visit if you can get 4 or 5 in a group to do it, just to see the Police women handbags from the 1970s! The woman who runs it is committed to the project, but not (I think) a trained curator or anything. When she retires I don't know what will happen to it, especially with the Moderniser Steve House in charge; he seems to have little time for sentiment.

On a different point, the merger of the district courts into the sheriffdom will be fine. They have the other building they use for the district courts, and there have been all kinds of planning meetings, etc. about it. The district courts in Kirkintilloch and Rutherglen are also closing, with their business moving to Glasgow.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:48 am
by AlanM
HollowHorn wrote:I'm free on Wednesday 26th.

I should be able to join you for a wee visit

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:34 am
by AlanM
AlanM wrote:
HollowHorn wrote:I'm free on Wednesday 26th.

I should be able to join you for a wee visit


I can't now unfortunately , something else has cropped up. :(

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:57 am
by BrigitDoon
I'm free from Wednesday onwards apart from next Tuesday morning (Dec 2nd)

Who's still in?

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 5:46 pm
by Ally Doll
A few snaps from Wednesday. It's a great museum, well worth saving.

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They have a selection of uniforms from the formation of the Police

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Stone of Destiny. The museum got to keep it after advising on the recent film. Apparently, it was kept in the office for two nights after the theft.

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Memorial

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Police uniforms from around the world

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The Court and cells complex above the museum are also very interesting.

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Court

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Holding cell, leading in to the court.

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Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:55 pm
by HollowHorn
BrigitDoon wrote:Who's still in?

Me. Anyone else?

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:56 pm
by John
I'd love to but I am back at work next week. Give my love to the old place.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:58 pm
by Josef
Maybe.

Re: Police Museum to close

PostPosted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:28 pm
by BrigitDoon
OK, thus far...

BrigitDoon
HollowHorn

Josef (possible)

no date set as yet...

Brigit available Wednesday onwards (but not Tuesday)

No idea where 'tis to, but I'm sure a kindly gent will provide instruction.