Red Road - 23

Back to the Red Road again in time for the 10 am opening. The second day of the Doors Open weekend.

I got some interesting panoramas over Glasgow this time but couldn't resist this one.

As mentioned yesterday the flat open to the public is on the 23rd floor. However there are actually 30 floors. So today I went off on my own up the staircase to explore. Great views from the 30th floor but the staircase windows were welded shut. Went to floor 29 and it was the same story. But on floor 28 I got one of the windows which opened a bit. Too many of the pictures (like yesterday's) were through dirty windows, so it was good to be able to squeeze the small camera through and try to hold it steady for a few pictures. Interesting to see how small the cars look! (May be worth a look in LARGE.)

In the flat there are lots of interesting items although I did rush around a bit. The following info caught my attention:-

Incorporated into the design of the Red Road estate was an underground entertainment complex, which included Mecca Bingo and the Brigg Bar. These buildings have been boarded up for years, the bingo finally closing after a fire. Rumours of infestation of Rats, fleas, and flies, kept the buildings tightly sealed. Last year Safedem arranged visits for members of the Red Road Project to view the buildings and for the Open Museum to gather objects for their collection archiving the Red Road flats.
The Bingo was inches deep in water with stalactites made from chemicals released from the fabric of the building over many years of leaking water. The Bingo hall held an eerie atmosphere as if the laughter and banter of past residents had been suddenly interrupted by an earthquake - bingo tickets still lay on chairs and tables and a small stuffed panda - most likely someone's lucky mascot - lay abandoned in the aisle.
The Brigg Bar held the same atmosphere of eerie rushed departure and felt like walking through a ghost shop.