Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard

Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard Open Mon-Fri, 1-4pm Free Entry! Fairfield Heritage Museum, celebrating the history of Fairfield
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For over 150 years Govan has been the centre of shipbuilding on the River Clyde. Here some of the finest, most luxurious liners, steamships and naval vessels were designed, built and launched. Today the former Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Offices on Govan Road still pay testament to its greatness. Voted one of Glasgow's most admired buildings, this iconic, A-listed edifice has been

restored in a £6 million project to create a new shipbuilding Heritage Centre in the heart of Govan. Since 2011, our growing team of volunteers have been helping to research Govan's unique relationship with the shipbuilding industry. The result is a fantastic Heritage Centre, that tells the story of how Govan became the 'Shipbuildingest Burgh in the World' and the Fairfield Shipyard the lifeblood of a community.

05/10/2023
Still tickets left for our next talk by Paul Feely, Academy and Engineering Director for BAE Systems Naval Ships will ta...
04/10/2023

Still tickets left for our next talk by Paul Feely, Academy and Engineering Director for BAE Systems Naval Ships will talk about the plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 6:00pm - 7:00pm

A talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.

02/10/2023
01/10/2023
Only a few days left to get tickets for Saturday's talk here at Fairfield Heritage: From Daring to Duncan: the story of ...
28/09/2023

Only a few days left to get tickets for Saturday's talk here at Fairfield Heritage:
From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

Still tickets left for "From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45". A talk by  MSP about the modern shipb...
27/09/2023

Still tickets left for "From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45".
A talk by MSP about the modern shipbuilding methods and technologies used to build the Royal Navy Type 45 ships.
Sat, 30 Sep 2023 at 2pm-3.30pm

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

Fairfield Heritage will be open this bank holiday weekend including Monday, 1pm-4pm.  Free Entry!
22/09/2023

Fairfield Heritage will be open this bank holiday weekend including Monday, 1pm-4pm. Free Entry!

Still tickets left for "From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45".A talk by  MSP about the modern shipbu...
22/09/2023

Still tickets left for "From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45".
A talk by MSP about the modern shipbuilding methods and technologies used to build the Royal Navy Type 45 ships.
Sat, 30 Sep 2023 at 2pm-3.30pm

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

New Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.An upcoming talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Appli...
22/09/2023

New Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.
An upcoming talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde. Get your tickets via Eventbrite link ⬇️
Wed, 11 Oct 2023 6pm - 7pm

A talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.

Still tickets left for upcoming talk: Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the Clyde. Miles Oglethorpe will talk ab...
22/09/2023

Still tickets left for upcoming talk: Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the Clyde.
Miles Oglethorpe will talk about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane.
Wed, 1 Nov 2023 2pm - 3:30pm

A talk about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane.

Fairfield Heritage is opened today for Doors Open Days 2023. Today 2 of our tenents; The Marketing Department  and  will...
17/09/2023

Fairfield Heritage is opened today for Doors Open Days 2023. Today 2 of our tenents; The Marketing Department and will be opening areas not normally seen by the public.

17/09/2023

One of the many Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival events here in Govan. More happening with The Govan Stones and Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard.

Come along and meet Murial and Jasper as they board the Empress of Britain. Doors Open Days
16/09/2023

Come along and meet Murial and Jasper as they board the Empress of Britain. Doors Open Days

Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the ClydeA talk by Miles Oglethorpe (Historic Environment Scotland) about the ...
14/09/2023

Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the Clyde
A talk by Miles Oglethorpe (Historic Environment Scotland) about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane. Wed, 1 Nov 2023, 2pm-3.30pm.

A talk about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane.

Still tickets left for the talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy. Sat, 30 Sep 2023, ...
14/09/2023

Still tickets left for the talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy. Sat, 30 Sep 2023, 2pm-3.30pm.

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

New Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde A talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbui...
14/09/2023

New Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde
A talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde. Wed. 11th Oct 2023, 6pm-7pm.

Paul Feely, Academy and Engineering Director for BAE Systems Naval Ships will talk about the plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.

The talk will cover:
• The background and the need for a teaching Academy
• Specifics of the capabilities and timing of the Academy facility that will be built in Scotstoun
• Plans for the Naval Ships Early Careers Programmes (Apprenticeship and Graduate)
• Details of BAE System Naval Ships STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) attraction programmes

A talk by BAE Systems Naval Ships about their plan to establish an Applied Shipbuilding Academy on the Clyde.

GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS 2023Sat 16th September: Artemis Scotland Ltd present "Muriel" and "Jasper".Sun 17th September: T...
11/09/2023

GLASGOW DOORS OPEN DAYS 2023

Sat 16th September: Artemis Scotland Ltd present "Muriel" and "Jasper".
Sun 17th September: The Shipyard Trust & Govan Reminiscence Group.

This year’s Doors Open weekend Fairfield Heritage will also offer tours throughout the day of parts of the building normally closed and a glimpse into work of the tenants Craft Prospect, a space engineering firm and TMD, an international marketing agency.

Designed in 1890 to the highest standard with an imposing grandeur that reflected Fairfield’s status as ‘the’ global centre of marine engineering and shipbuilding excellence, this A-listed office building has been imaginatively re-purposed to accommodate 21st-century technology and innovation....

SATURDAY'S DOORS OPEN DAYS AT FAIRFIELDJoin us for events at Fairfield Heritage, organized in partnership with Artemis S...
11/09/2023

SATURDAY'S DOORS OPEN DAYS AT FAIRFIELD

Join us for events at Fairfield Heritage, organized in partnership with Artemis Scotland Ltd, specialists in costumed interpretation. You will see Fairfield's maritime and shipbuilding displays afresh through the eyes of "Muriel" and "Jasper", who are attending the launch of Canadian Pacific's Empress of Britain in 1955.

11/09/2023

Crew from HMS Glasgow joined pupils from their affiliated local school in delving into their namesake city’s long and proud history of shipbuilding.

08/09/2023

“Work in Govan” was our topic for Thursday walk and again we had this amazing opportunity to visit the Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard museum.

We had a private tour delivered by Jim and as you can see we were a good crowd again 😍 we were so happy to welcome Weekday Wow Factor folks joining our walk and visiting the museum.

Thank you Colin for serving us tea and coffee afterwards. Brilliant service as usual 😊

Our walks are free to join and no booking is required. Come along next Thursday at 10.30 am - the meeting point is The Pearce Institute reception 🤗

Invisible Glasgow
Invisible Cities
Govan Community Project
Paths for All

It was great to have Invisible Glasgow visit us at Fairfield Heritage on one of their epic walking tours, this time with...
08/09/2023

It was great to have Invisible Glasgow visit us at Fairfield Heritage on one of their epic walking tours, this time with Weekday Wow Factor, our guide Jim a former employee at the yard was happy to show everyone around, thanks for visiting everyone!

Invisible Cities
Paths for All
Govan Community Project

New volunteer oppurtunities here at Fairfield Heritage listed on Volunteer Glasgow
08/09/2023

New volunteer oppurtunities here at Fairfield Heritage listed on Volunteer Glasgow

Workshop Assistants required at Fairfield Shipbuilding Museum to help children learn about Glasgow's shipbuilding legacy. Fairfield Heritage is looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers at our heritage venue, to help deliver school workshops about the fascinating story of Glasgow’s shipbuildin...

It was great to have Susan Calman in at Fairfield Heritage this week, Susan was speaking to maritime historian Ian Johns...
08/09/2023

It was great to have Susan Calman in at Fairfield Heritage this week, Susan was speaking to maritime historian Ian Johnston for her new Channel 5 programme "Tales of the City".

New volunteer oppurtunities here at Fairfield!
07/09/2023

New volunteer oppurtunities here at Fairfield!

Workshop Assistants required at Fairfield Shipbuilding Museum to help children learn about Glasgow's shipbuilding legacy. Fairfield Heritage is looking for friendly, enthusiastic volunteers at our heritage venue, to help deliver school workshops about the fascinating story of Glasgow’s shipbuildin...

Fairfield Heritage is glad to be taking part in Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival again 🚪🗝️Opening times:Saturday 16th Se...
25/08/2023

Fairfield Heritage is glad to be taking part in Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival again 🚪🗝️
Opening times:
Saturday 16th Sep 10am – 4pm
Sunday 17th Sep 11am – 4pm

This year’s Doors Open weekend will offer tours throughout the day of parts of the building normally closed and a glimpse into work of the tenants Craft Prospect, a space engineering firm and TMD, an international marketing agency.

On Saturday, Artemis Scotland, specialists in costumed interpretation step back to the 1950s with “Muriel” and “Jasper” as they prepare you for the launch of the Empress of Britain at Fairfield.

On Sunday, The Shipyard Trust look to the future and give a brief presentation about why they think the achievements of Clydeside industry should be more widely celebrated. Kids activities too!

1048 Govan Road, Govan. G51 4XS
Click the link for more Info:
https://glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/building-no-booking/fairfield/




Still tickets left for Canadian Pacific’s Three Empresses of Britain.  Faye Hammill’s talk looks at the three Empresses ...
24/08/2023

Still tickets left for Canadian Pacific’s Three Empresses of Britain. Faye Hammill’s talk looks at the three Empresses of Britain built on the Clyde and the evolving role of the ocean liner.

Faye Hammill’s talk looks at the three Empresses of Britain built on the Clyde and the evolving role of the ocean liner.

Welcoming events for people, family and friends living with dementia or memory loss.5th September and 3rd October, 2.00p...
24/08/2023

Welcoming events for people, family and friends living with dementia or memory loss.
5th September and 3rd October, 2.00pm-4.00pm.
Email: [email protected] to book places.

Still some tickets left for Sunday's talk: Canadian Pacific’s Three Empresses of Britain. Faye Hammill’s talk looks at t...
23/08/2023

Still some tickets left for Sunday's talk: Canadian Pacific’s Three Empresses of Britain.

Faye Hammill’s talk looks at the three Empresses of Britain built on the Clyde and the evolving role of the ocean liner.

Faye Hammill’s talk looks at the three Empresses of Britain built on the Clyde and the evolving role of the ocean liner.

23/08/2023

Sean Connery producing a documentary on Fairfield's shipyard workers in Govan, Glasgow for STV. Sean is seen here working out of a site office in the shipyard. (1971)

Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the Clyde.Upcoming Talk at Fairfield by Miles Oglethorpe of Historic Environme...
23/08/2023

Scotland’s Uplifting Heritage – Giants of the Clyde.

Upcoming Talk at Fairfield by Miles Oglethorpe of Historic Environment Scotland about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane.

Wed, 1 Nov 2023 2.00pm-3.30pm

A talk about the evolution of one of Glasgow’s most iconic gifts to the world – the Giant Cantilever Crane.

New Upcoming Talk at Fairfield!From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45.A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about...
23/08/2023

New Upcoming Talk at Fairfield!

From Daring to Duncan: the story of building the Type 45.

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

Saturday, 30th Sep 2023, 2.00pm-3.30pm

A talk by Paul Sweeney MSP about the Type 45 ships built for the Royal Navy.

A welcoming event for people, family and friends living with dementia or memory Loss. 5th Sep and 3rd Oct 2-4pm. Booking...
21/08/2023

A welcoming event for people, family and friends living with dementia or memory Loss.
5th Sep and 3rd Oct 2-4pm.
Booking Required.

We are open today from 1pm to 4pm ⚓
20/08/2023

We are open today from 1pm to 4pm ⚓


Fairfield Heritage celebrating the history of Fairfield shipbuilding & engineering in Govan ⛴️⚓🧑🏻‍🏭Govan's own shipbuild...
19/01/2023

Fairfield Heritage celebrating the history of Fairfield shipbuilding & engineering in Govan ⛴️⚓🧑🏻‍🏭
Govan's own shipbuilding museum is open Monday - Friday 1-4pm and FREE to visit, no booking required!
Come along and explore Glasgow's industrial heritage and hear the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard 🚢⛓️🛳️
You can access Fairfield Heritage via the iconic statues entrance on Govan Road, or through the equally iconic Fairfield Shipyard gates at the rear of the building



Address

1048 Govan Road, Govan
Glasgow
G514XS

Opening Hours

Monday 1pm - 4pm
Tuesday 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4pm
Thursday 1pm - 4pm
Friday 1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+441414455866

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HMS Implacable Commissing card 1944
Yesterday's board away day on Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility at the fabulous board room of Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard
What a day we had yesterday 🤩

Our project welcomed people from Central and West Integration Network who made the day ❤️

Our theme was Housing and we walked around the Govan area to show our visitors all places that support not only locals 🤗

Sunny Govan Community Radio was our first stop where our walk leader Angie introduced the local radio station and how people can access the live broadcast 🎶

The Portal Arts in Gallery 966 and Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC shared some useful leaflets to let our visitors know what kind of support they might find there 🌸

Angie also included the shipyards in Govan with the Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard museum 🚢

Elder park and the library was our next stop where Angie talked about the history and importance having these places in Govan.

Maslows Community Shop - Govan and Starter Packs Glasgow and Make Do and Grow CIC were other stops to gain some helpful information and tips.

Mary Barbour Statue was very important stop to explain the amazing work that Mary did for the local community 🏘️

Our very last stop was the council stall to say hello to Susan from Govan Housing Association where she represented the community and services 🤩

We would like to say a big thank you to all participants yesterday ❤️ we had such a good time and we hope to see you next week 🤗
Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival is the annual event celebrating the city’s architecture, culture and heritage. It began as part of the City of Culture celebrations in 1990 and has grown to include over 100 historic buildings, theatres, museum stores, factories, studios and breweries. Running from 12-18th September this year, it is a joyous opportunity to further explore our shared built environment. The old advice in Glasgow was always to look up to see local architecture that you miss when you are shoe-gazing your way along familiar streets. This is a chance to be invited in to hear the real story behind familiar landmarks.

For a surprising visit, book to see The Revelator at Barclay Curle by the Clyde. An old shipyard building is now home to The Revelator, a handmade circular wooden building sculpted with traditional joints, the vision of artist Stephen Skrynka and a team of local volunteers.

Holmwood is a family home in the Southside, masterfully designed by Alexander Greek Thomson and preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. The doors will be open to the property, designed for paper magnate James Couper and his wife in 1857.

There's an opportunity to tour the James McCune Smith Learning Hub on University Avenue, one of the most significant new buildings in the city with views of the west end from the seventh floor terrace.

A further glimpse of local industrial heritage comes from Fairfield Heritage, a monument to marine engineering and shipbuilding excellence in Govan.

The Pyramid at Anderston will be hosting a mini-exhibition of photos that we have recently found during renovation works which depict the construction of the building and the changing landscape of Anderston in the late 1960's.
Our great grandfather, Francis Toner, moved his family from Ireland to Govan to work in the shipyards. Sadly, he was involved in a serious accident whilst working on a ship which resulted in his death a year later. The family lived in Helen Street but moved to Mansefield Street (which became Pearce Street) and our great grandmother nursed him in a room at the back of a confectionary shop. He was only 34 years old. Looking at the list, on the Govan Press, it appears that accidents were very common. 😞
My grandfather Archie Paterson (caulker) who started work in the yard in 1897. I attach a photo of his trade papers, yard photo 1914 (he's back row, extreme right) and the notice from the Govan Press of him being wounded in WW1 (1916, France). He continued working at the yard till the late 50's and received a gold watch for working on both Fairfield, Empress of Britain (1905 and 1956). He lived at 52 Fairfield Street (across the road). My father and myself (both Archie) followed in his footsteps and working in the yard, though my 45 years could not eclipse the 60 years of my grandfather.
Found this ad on the web.
I was a sailor first ... I sailed the sea ...
.. Those are the beginning lines of the autobiographical song written by Ringo Starr (with Dave Stewart) ... 'LIVERPOOL 8' ...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D98quoAcWnI

So what's it all about ...
The year was 1956 and RiNGO had not yet turned 16 years old ...

And ... Here is the story behind the lyrics ...

___________________ ⭐🔑

In RiNGO's OWN WORDS ...

“I was a sailor first, and it was on the SS St Tudno to Llandudno. It left at 10 in the morning and came back at eight o’clock every day.

“I wanted to go deep sea because everybody in our neighbourhood, there was always a lad in any family was in the Merchant Navy.

“If you did those coastal boats you stood a good chance of getting in the union and getting your deep sea ticket. Anyway, it only lasted five weeks because they didn’t like my attitude."

___________________ ⭐🔑 ____________________

The Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company...
From the 1890s until 1963 the company would ply their main route from Liverpool to Llandudno along the Menai Strait and around Anglesey, carrying up to 2,500 passengers a day during the busy summer season.

In 1956, a 15 years old Richy Starkey, known the world over today by the name RiNGO Starr, was hired as a bar waiter on the SS St. Tudno, one of three pleasure steamers operated by the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company.

Being a sailor had a certain appeal for the ladies, Ringo later recalled chatting up girls using the line 'I'm in the navy. I just got back'. When suitably impressed young ladies would ask 'when did you leave?' he'd reply 'Ten o'clock this morning.'

But he only lasted at this job about 5 weeks, when one morning, arriving for work hung-over, he had words with his boss and was sacked on the spot.

But the firing was an important part of his life because ...
It was at his next job, after this firing, where he met up with several co-workers who got him interested in Skiffle music and founded a band together ... The Eddie Clayton Skiffle Band ...
And started him on his road to professional drummer ...

___________________ ⭐🔑 ____________________
Here is a picture of my Papa who worked in the ship yard, Archie Reid
https://www.change.org/turanemeksiz

LET'S SAVE THE WORLD'S LAST STEAM SHIP S/S TURAN EMEKSIZ!
PLEASE SIGN FOR RESCUE!!!

S/S Turan Emeksiz, the world's LAST STEAM SHIP, built on a special order in Glasgow/Scotland (Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company) by Maritime Enterprises City Lines in 1961, may not die like her other sisters!!

This ferry, which shuttled between the two sides of Istanbul from 1961 to 2005, was sold to a private enterprise in 2007 and turned into a Hotel & Restaurant ship in Mudanya.

The pandemic in early 2020 also affected this last steamship, and its manager pulled S/S Turan Emeksiz's pier from the quay. For the last 1 year, the ship has been abandoned to its fate. During the negotiations with the operators, it was stated that the ship would be emptied and dismantled. It is obvious that the end of these processes will go to the ship dismantling facilities in Aliağa.

We would like to see the S/S Turan Emeksiz ferry at the Kadıköy or Karaköy pier, which is a constant haunt as an art and culture monument with the contributions of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and/or the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The memories of this beautiful lady, the last of the 9 sister ferries, which are the symbol of Istanbul, are for the sake of memories and we think that she deserves this value as a beautiful trace of history.

Names of 9 “Devekuşu” sisters:

S/S Kuzguncuk
S/S Kanlıca
S/S Pendik
S/S A. Kavağı
S/S Atakoy
S/S İnkilâp
S/S Harbiye
S/S Teğmen Ali İhsan Kalmaz
S/S Turan Emeksiz
Fablevision Studios Memory of Water EU Creative Europe UWS Creative Media Academy Film City Glasgow Govan Help The Pearce Institute Govan Shed Glorious Govan GalGael Fairfield Heritage - the story of Glasgow's greatest shipyard Govan Youth Information Project Dry Docks Cafe Glasgow Press - Letterpress Printers Riverside Hall, Govan Sunny Govan Memories Acumfaegovan Get into Govan Cafe 13 Glasgow Live Glasgow Times HeraldScotland

We are delighted that the feedback we have worked to put together; on community priorities of heritage, tourism, learning, jobs, training, employment and recreation have been taken on board...

Over the past year we have had some constructive dialogue with New City Vision Ltd about their emerging plans for Govan Graving Docks and how we can work with them to reactivate the site.

Crucially, we are aiming to establish the scope for negotiation over the extent of housing in the overall development, particularly on the Govan Road edge along the large No.3 dry dock and we're looking forward to NCV's response on that point.

We are also working to agree a roadmap to community ownership of the site.

At this stage it is encouraging that NCV have adopted some of the recommendations from our Govan Voices consultation and that through Tom Laurie they have also sought to constructively engage all of the key local stakeholders in shaping their strategy and plans.

It is clear that we have gained important concessions from NCV on behalf of the community and while there is still a lot of progress to be made in reducing the housing footprint, they seem to have taken some welcome steps in the right direction.

You can see NCV's latest plans athttps://www.transformingplanning.scot/media/1672/115-new-city-vision-ltd-appendix-b.pdf
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