GOW Community

17/05/2026

13/05/2026

GOW in the swinging 60s

I’ve been looking at this photo again and it really makes you think about the West End in those days.

It was taken in May 1966 inside the In Gear boutique on Gibson Street.

Susan Boyd is sitting there wearing one of Marion Donaldson’s early mini-dresses and reading a Petticoat magazine. She was the daughter of writer and broadcaster Eddie Boyd and went on to become one of the key scriptwriters for EastEnders until her early death in 2004.

Behind her, Clifford Hanley — son of the author and well known Glasgow media personality Cliff Hanley — is painting a mural onto the window.

In Gear was Glasgow’s first fashion boutique, opened by Ann and Gerry Hirst. They were Marion’s first customers. At the time she was teaching art during the day and sewing her designs in the evenings. She and her husband David had returned to Glasgow from London that year on the back of a scooter, bringing Liberty fabrics with them as they began the label.

This pic stands as a sign of the times, almost a work of art, but also a testament to the amazing creative people who populated our area back then and still do to this day!

Thank you to Lost Glasgow for first bringing it to my attention.

Pic is from the Marion Donaldson archive

12/02/2026

Many of our residents may remember Libby Walker from her time here, and her contributions to backcourt art activities. Great to hear of her recent success.

Good luck, Libby! 😍

28/08/2025

A new sign at the end of our street by the appropriately named GlaIKIT initiative. https://glaikit.scot

06/08/2025

As the bandstand fills the air with music here’s a nice reminder of how we are the centre of Glasgow’s music scene.

9 Glasgow West End locations you should visit if you are a music fan