ROUKEN GLEN: BANDSTAND 2015 DATA STRUCTURE REPORT

ROUKEN GLEN: BANDSTAND 2015 DATA STRUCTURE REPORT

Author (s) Ian Hill Editors Report Date June 2015 Working Partners Funders Phil Richardson East Renfrewshire Council East Renfrewshire Council, Heritage Lottery Fund

Contents Summary... 3 Introduction... 4 Acknowledgments... 4 Project background... 7 Previous investigations... 7 Historical overview... 7 Methodology... 10 Excavation... 10 Archaeological Results: Excavation... 11 Overview... 11 Trench 1... 11 Archaeological Discussion... 12 Conclusion & Recommendations... 12 Recommendations for future work... 12 References... 13 Appendix A... 14 Context Register... 14 Photographic Register... 14 Finds list... 14 Finds Catalogue... 15 2

Summary This report outlines the results of a two-day excavation that took place between the 30 th and 31 st May 2015 at Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire. The evaluation was carried out in order to assess the potential for any archaeological remains relating to the site of a former Bandstand that once stood in the park. The project represents the first stage of a wider public engagement with the heritage of the park in relation to East Renfrewshire Council s Parks for People Award, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and contributes to one of the five key themes outlined in the archaeological project plan; Living on the Land: The Park as a living estate. One small trench was excavated on the former site of the Bandstand. Substantial deposits relating to its demolition were discovered. In addition, the remains of a rough stone, foundation wall were discovered, highlighting the potential for the discovery of further significant archaeological remains relating to the bandstand. The Bandstand once sat to the south west of the pavilion and, whilst starting out as a small park bandstand, was later redeveloped into a housed stage and outdoor seating area/amphitheatre. Today, nothing can be seen of the bandstand on the ground but, the location of the outdoor seating area is still discernible as a semi-circular embankment, and as a result of excavations carried out in May 2015 the remains of this once important place can now be reassessed and better understood. 3

Introduction This Data Structure Report presents the results of a two-day archaeological investigation of the former site of the bandstand in Rouken Glen Park, East Renfrewshire, which was carried out in May 2015. Rouken Glen is located approximately five miles to the south west of Glasgow, Scotland. The park is situated amidst a highly developed area within East Renfrewshire and is bounded to the north and east by residential housing, a golf course to the west and a railway to the south. The area that now forms the park has a rich archaeological heritage and contains sites dating from the prehistoric period through to the 20 th century. The bandstand itself dates to the early 20 th century, whilst its surrounding designed landscape dates from the early 19 th century. Acknowledgments East Renfrewshire Council, Rouken Glen Park and Archaeology Scotland would like to thank all the volunteers for their help with the project: Ross Wallace, Amy Halliday, Lorraine Dunn, H.W. Rutherford, 4

5 Figure 1: Location maps, Rouken Glen and study area

Figure 2: Trench location plan 6

Project background Previous investigations A short historical assessment of the development of Rouken Glen was undertaken by Richard Tuffin in April 2013, the results of which were detailed in Rouken Glen: Historic Issues Report (Tuffin 2013). As part of this, a brief history and map regression of the bandstand was completed, the results of which have been incorporated into the historical overview below. Historical overview The history of Rouken Glen as a public park has been previously outlined in the above-named report. The following therefore provides only a brief summary and reference to the full history is encouraged. The park was created in 1906 when the then-owner, Archibald Cameron Corbett, gifted the estate to the citizens of Glasgow. The park built upon a landscape that had already been shaped by the designs of previous occupiers, particularly around Birkinshaw House and Cottage and along the course of the Auldhouse Burn. By 1913 two bandstands and a pavilion had been added to the grounds, as well as a series of fountains. Otherwise, the basic designed landscape remained the same. The two bandstands were located to the south west of the pavilion. By 1947 the first of the bandstands (Figure 3) had been removed, the other (Figure 4) remodelled to create an amphitheatre. A miniature golf course had been added on the park s eastern periphery. The original curling pond had been absorbed by the creation of the boating lake and associated boat house in 1924. Most of the remainder of the park remained the same. A decade later the landscape remained unchanged, though two further structures had been added to the west of Birkinshaw Cottage. Today, the largest changes have taken place in the north of the park, where a garden centre has been added. Other than that, the layout of the paths, roads and plantings closely mirrors that recorded pre-1906. 7 Figure 3: The first bandstand in 1913 Figure 4: The second bandstand in its original form in 1913

Figure 5: The second bandstand seen to the left of the image in its original form Figure 6: The second bandstand in 1947, remodelled as an amphitheatre 8

Figure 7: The rear of the second bandstand was much more substantial than its original form 9

Methodology Excavation Between the 30 th ands 31 st May 2015 a small-scale trial excavation took place at the former site of the bandstand in Rouken Glen Park, East Renfrewshire. One small trial trench measuring 3m by 1m in extent was opened over the site of the bandstand in order to test the potential for any archaeological remains relating to the bandstand. The excavation was conducted in accordance with the Institute for Archaeologists Code of Conduct (IfA 2013) and the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation (IfA 2008). All archaeological features and deposits were recorded using standard Archaeology Scotland Pro-forma recording sheets. The results of the excavation are set out in detail below. All contexts, drawings, photographs and small finds recorded during the excavation are presented within Appendix A, found towards the back of this report. 10

Archaeological Results: Excavation Overview One trench was opened over the remains of the bandstand. The trench measured 3m north to south and 1m east to west. The trench was located within the area identified by map regression as being the location of the former bandstand. Trench 1 Below the 0.1m thick topsoil and turf (001) in Trench 1, which was a mid greyish brown, moderately compacted silty loam, there was a mixed brown and grey subsoil (002), which subsequently overlay a rubble and demolition deposit (003). The demolition layer (003) covered the whole trench and was 0.05m thick, a 1927 George V Penny was recorded in this layer. The rubble overlay a north to south running foundation wall for the bandstand (004), and its east to west return wall (006). Rubble layer (003) also overlay two further demolition layers (006) and (007), which were located to the east of walls (005) and (006), and likely overlie the original floor level of the bandstand, which was not revealed during excavations. The two foundation walls were constructed of rough-cut sandstone. Full dimensions for these walls were not revealed in the limited excavation area. Figure 8. Stone wall foundations (005) and (006). 11

Archaeological Discussion It is clear from the evidence presented above that the bandstand was comprehensively demolished, and the ground on which it sat has effectively been levelled and remodelled into the open space that we see today. The only visible evidence for the bandstand is a slight embankment to the south, which would have originally been the outdoor seating area. The excavated trench contained substantial demolition deposits; however there was definite evidence for structural remains relating to the bandstand. Whilst this evidence is rather slight, it does highlight the potential for the discovery of more substantial structural features relating to the bandstand. A number of the finds may date from the construction of the use of the buildings, particularly the 1927 penny and the Irn Bru bottle screw dating from the 1920-1950 period. However, it is not certain that these finds are directly related to the bandstand or post demolition. The wall foundations revealed in the trench were not fully uncovered, so it is difficult to determine their full extent, and whether the walls revealed were the main external walls for the bandstand building, or some form of internal divisions. The remains do highlight the potential for the discovery of further significant archaeological features relating to the bandstand, and further excavations could reveal its extent and form. Conclusion & Recommendations The archaeological evaluation of the former site of the bandstand revealed evidence for the foundations of a once important landmark in Rouken Glen Park, as well as deposits relating to its demolition. This evidence highlights the potential for the discovery of further archaeological remains relating to this important piece of heritage relating to the development and use of Rouken Glen Park. The small trench opened during the course of the archaeological evaluation clearly demonstrate that there are archaeological features and deposits relating to the bandstand. Future work would benefit from excavating a larger area, concentrating on the area around the trench described in this report, so that a better understanding of the archaeological remains of this important site could be achieved. This is particularly relevant in relation to the wall foundations discovered in Trench 1. By expanding the trench in this area the extent of this wall and its possible function could be determined. Recommendations for future work Expand the excavation area to investigate the extent of the wall discovered in Trench 1 and determine the full extent of the bandstand Investigate how the bandstand changed and was remodelled over time. 12

References Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014, Code of Conduct Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, 2014, Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation Ordnance Survey, 25 Inch map, Renfrewshire sheets 013 & 017, 1913 Ordnance Survey, 25 Inch map, Renfrewshire sheets 013 & 017, 1947 Richardson, P. 2013 Rouken Glen Park Archaeology Programme: Project Outline Archaeology Scotland Tuffin, R, 2013, Rouken Glen: Historic Issues Report, unpublished report prepared for Archaeology Scotland 13

Appendix A Context Register Context No Site- Subdivision Drawing Description Interpretation Stratigraphic Relationship 001 Bandstand Topsoil & Turf Topsoil & Turf Above 002 002 Bandstand Mixed grey clay with Mixed subsoil Below 001 rubble inclusions 003 Bandstand Stone, gravel, sand Mixed rubble deposit Below 002 and rubble 004 Bandstand Stone and rubble North to south Below 003 linear feature foundation wall for bandstand 005 Bandstand Rough cut stone wall East to west foundation Below 003 006 Bandstand Light orange-brown clayish sand with rubble inclusions 007 Bandstand Light orange-brown clayish sand with rubble inclusions wall for bandstand Likely demolition layer above interior floor of bandstand Likely demolition layer above interior floor of bandstand Below 003 Below 003 Photographic Register Photo Jpeg # Description Taken From Conditions # 1-2 P5300000- Working shots of Trench 1 Bright P5300001 3 P5300003 Trench 1 following removal of S Bright (001) 4-5 P5300004- Pre-Ex Shot of TR1 N Bright P5300005 6 P5300006 Detail shot of metal chain NW Bright 7-10 P5300014- P5300017 Post ex shot of trench N Bright Finds list SF No. Context Description Material 1 1 Pottery Fragments Ceramic 2 2 Metal Chain Metal 3 3 Coin Metal 4 4 Nails Metal 5 1 Glass Fragments Glass 6 1 Slate Fragments Slate 7 1 Rubber Bottle Stopper Rubber 14

Finds Catalogue Find Number Trench Context Fabric 1 (dominant) Object count Weight/gr Further Notes 1 1 1 ceramic 3 44 1 sherd heat affected, 1 sherd rim, 1 sherd coarse pipe fragment 2 1 2 metal 1 13 metal chain, toilet chain/plug chain? 3 1 3 metal 1 10 1927 George V Penny 4 1 4 metal 7 61 assorted degraded metal nails 5 1 1 glass 3 11 2 sherds green bottle glass, 1 sherd light green decorated bottle glass 6 1 1 slate 1 21 fragment of slate, possibly roofing slate 7 1 1 rubber 1 20 Barr rubber internal screw bottle stopper 1920-1950 15