Post-war years caught on camera

The photographs offer a slice of life from 1950s Glasgow

A unique photographic record of Glasgow and people living in the city in the 1950s is being published.

'Glasgow 1955: Through the Lens' features the work of dozens of photographers who took part in a city-wide survey that year.

The book contains 90 photographs which were taken by 86 people.

Partick Camera Club suggested the survey to create a social document of a city on the brink of change.

An exhibition of some of the prints is already open at the People's Palace on Glasgow Green.

About 300 images were originally displayed in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in September 1955 before being donated to Glasgow Museums.

The photographs form a remarkable collection which depict the changes happening in Glasgow Fiona Hayes The People's Palace

The city was recovering after the war, rationing had ended in 1954, trams ran across Glasgow and horses and carts were still a common sight, while cars were a rarity.

Many of the photos depict the overcrowded living conditions and poor housing of the time and the efforts that were already under way to build new homes for the people of Glasgow.

The photographs in the book were primarily taken by members of camera clubs, but other organisations also got involved, such as the Ramblers Association.

Other images include women doing washing in Partick Steamie, children in a wedding scramble in Gemmel Street and a series of images of the Clyde during its heyday.

Bailie Liz Cameron, the chair of Culture and Sport Glasgow, said: "The exhibition is a wonderful insight into the history of our city.

"The book will bring back a whole host of memories for some, but also offers a younger generation an insight into what life was like for their parents and grandparents.

"It's testament to the men and women who took the pictures that such a fascinating historical archive exists to be appreciated by a whole new audience more than 50 years later."

Fiona Hayes, from The People's Palace, said: "The photographs form a remarkable collection which depict the changes happening in Glasgow after the end of the war.

"Many of the scenes put buildings and landmarks that we are still familiar with today in a very different light.

"It shows clearly the challenges facing the city and the people of Glasgow in the mid 1950s and how they enjoyed themselves."