Maryhill Primary, which dates from 1880, is about to open its doors once again this month after a multi-million refit to create new homes for local people.

And in a highly innovative development, the building's proud past has been recaptured after a class register dating from 1953 was found in the derelict interior of the school prior to its restoration.

Maryhill Housing Association saved the Corporation of Glasgow Daily Register for Primary 1/ 2 pupils who attended the school between August 1953 and June 1954.

They were taught by Teacher Brenda Young in what was then referred to as the "Infant Department."
The first names of the pupils found in the register have cleverly been preserved in ironwork on two new gates at the development. Appropriately, the girls' names have been added where the girls' gate once stood and the boys' names have been included where their entrance was.

Edith Ward, Chair of The Board of the housing association, said:

"Recapturing this piece of history is very much in keeping with us bringing Maryhill
Primary back to life. We hope local people will be pleased with how we have achieved this transformation which has restored and preserved one of our best known local buildings."

Earlier this year, Maryhill Primary triumphed at a major awards ceremony for its showpiece transformation of the primary school.

The association beat off stiff competition to capture the "Apartment of the Year" prize at the glittering Scottish Home Awards 2011 in Edinburgh last week.

The £4.6 million development has created nine apartments within the converted school building along with 19 new homes on Viewmount Drive.

The blonde sandstone building is "C listed" because of its architectural merit and was bought by the association from Glasgow City Council.

The school was earmarked for closure in 2006 because of falling rolls with pupils transferred to another school nearby. Prior to work beginning, it had lain unused and boarded up.

Donna Birrell, Director of Development and Regeneration said:

"Maryhill primary school contributed greatly to the life of Maryhill over the years and it is now back serving the community in the form of new homes."