A Springburn Tradition

Today, a really interesting visit to Elmvale Primary School in Springburn to discuss how The Straw Locomotive could be at the core of the children's investigation, and how they could be encouraged to create their own scul?tures, Scottish in nature, questions and all.

Elmvale has a proud past. In total there were eight elementary schools in Cowlairs and Springburn to cater for the children of railway and ancillary workers. The school is the only one remaining in use as a primary school out of those original eight.

It's an impressive red sandstone building, a Board School, opened in 1901, with its Art Nouveau details, and a janitor's house which recalls Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Staff at the Mitchell were also in contact today to say they have located a book we are hoping to use, 'Glasgow: Locomotive Builder to the World'. Reviewed in The Herald in 1987 by George Wyllie around at the time of The Straw Locomotive, with the headline of.. Iron Men, Straw Days.

A future blip entry will feature the Wyllie-inspired artwork which the current pupils at Elmvale go on to make. It'll be fascinating to see what they create. A proud past: a promising future.