GLASGOW THROUGH THE AGES DVD - Description
Presented by Scottish television's Angus Simpson, Glasgow Through the Ages takes us on a journey through one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in Europe.
From its pre-eminent position as the British Empire's second city and as the self-proclaimed 'workshop of the world', the story of Glasgow has been one of dramatic peaks and troughs.
In the 19th century the city fathers constructed a stunning legacy of grand buildings and bold statements around this already ancient city. They managed this because of the vast wealth generated from the heavy industries along the Clyde. Buildings such as the university and the city chambers reflected a city full of riches with an optimistic future.
It was the 20th century that brought the real drama and challenge for Glasgow and its resilient population. As the British empire contracted, so Glasgow fell on hard times, becoming the 'no mean city' of popular legend where slums such as the Gorbals became a by-word for urban deprivation and whose rebellious workforce on 'Red Clydeside' fought the disintegration of the traditional industries, bringing the city to the edge of chaos in the process.
Astonishingly the city reinvented itself once more. After some hard years Glasgow rediscovered some of its old talents in design and architecture, business and tourism. Charles Rennie Mackintosh's architectural genius was recognised at last and Alexander Thomson's great churches were saved and a new generation of artists like Pete Howson came to the fore, while the past was enshrined in the modern building of the Burrell collection.
'Glasgow's miles better' was the campaign and when, in 1990, the city was made European city of culture, the rest of the world was made to believe it.
The one constant in the life of the city for the past 100 years has been the sporting battle between the 'old firm' of Celtic and Rangers and the passion burns as brightly as it always has done.
Glasgow Through the Ages covers British sport's most enduring and intense rivalry from the beginning of the century to the present day.
This programme brings you the life and times of an extraordinary city through unique insights into people and the places that have seen it survive and endure to eventually thrive and reclaim its place as the second city of Britain.
