'Never mess with a Glasgow wean' - when Gorbals kids revolted over threat to playground

The spirit of standing up for what you believe in was as strong in 1967 as it is today, if these pictures from our archives are anything to go by. Today’s climate crisis school strikers and protest marchers could learn a thing or two from the kids of the Gorbals, incensed about the closure of their adventure playground, the Venny.

A children's demonstration against the loss of the Venny, their adventure playground in the Gorbals, in August 1967. Pic: Herald and Times

The adventure playground had been created with the help of legendary Glasgow folk singer and city school teacher Matt McGinn. It was a joyous mix of the fun and the almost-dangerous - rope ladders, tyre swings, precarious platforms and skelf-infested climbing frames.

The irreverent Mr McGinn told the Evening Times: “My job here is not to tell the kids to do this or do that, but to be there if they want help. Another important, if unofficial job, is to give them lights for their fags.”

This was not well-received by the council, which cut its annual grant to the park by £1000.

A little girl with her home-made poster as part of the campaign to save the adventure playground in the Gorbals, in August 1967. Pic: Herald and Times

But sit back and take it? Not a chance.

Armed with home-made placards and fierce expression, around 500 children – egged on by furious parents who said the Venny had provided their kids with a place to play and had reduced vandalism - marched on the City Chambers demanding the playground should stay open.

READ MORE: I Grew Up in Glasgow: 'Aged four, I became a police informant' - Gorbals memories

The story ended happily for the young adventurers – the council backed down, cancelled the funding cut and made some more cash available for the Venny.

Did you play in the Venny? Do you remember the protest march? Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories.