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Compiled
by Roger Edwards, Special Projects Officer, Glasgow Zoopark, December
2000
1.
The founding of the Zoological Society, 15th December 1936, and
its early years
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Sydney
Benson |
Sydney
Benson thirty years later
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Glasgow
Zoo can be said to be the dream of one man Sydney Benson,
who was instrumental in founding the Zoological Society, and went
on to become the first director of the zoo, until his retirement thirty
years later.
The Zoological Society of Glasgow was founded on Tuesday 15th December
1936 at a meeting held in the Zoology Department of Glasgow University
chaired by the regius professor of Zoology at the University, Professor
Edward Hindle. |
Professor
Edward Hindle |
The
proposal to form the Zoological Society of Glasgow was put by Mr
A. McNab Chassels, Provost of Coatbridge, a nearby burgh to the
east of the city.
Two
weeks later the first office bearers were announced: president -
Professor Edward Hindle; vice-presidents - Provost A. McNab Chassels
and Mr John S. Clarke; secretary and treasurer - Mr Sydney H. Benson.
Other members of the committee were Professor L.A.L. King, Dr J.B.O.
Sneedon, Dr H.B. Cott, Mr Strachan Kerr, Mr Ancell Stronach, and
Mr Peter McNeish.
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The
first meeting of the Zoological Society of Glasgow took place on
Thursday January 28th, 1937 (a lecture given by Dr. H.B. Cott on
Snake Hunting on the Lower Zambesi ) at which a photograph
was taken of the first
Council. It shows Professor L.A.L. King, Sydney Benson, Strachan
Kerr, Dr H.B. Cott, Professor Edward Hindle, Peter McNish, Ancell
Stronach and Dr J.B.O. Sneedon. The inserts are Provost A. McNab
Chassels and John S. Clarke.
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First
Council
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Professor
L.A.L. King
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Sydney
Benson
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Strachan
Kerr |
Dr H.B.
Cott
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Professor
Edward Hindle
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Peter
McNish |
Ancell
Stronach
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Dr J.B.O.
Sneedon |
Provost
A. McNab Chassels |
John
S. Clarke
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The
first proposal was to create a four-acre zoo within the Empire Exhibition
held in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park in 1938, but this was rejected
by the exhibition organisers. Sydney Benson was photographed at the
Empire Exhibition in October 1938 with the founder of Whipsnade Wild
Animal Park, Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell.
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Sydney
Benson with
Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell
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Late
in 1938 the Society settled on the Calderpark estate just outwith
the eastern city boundary. A photograph dated February 1939 shows
a tour of the Calderpark estate beside the loch
. The only person easily identified is Mr A. McNab Chassels in the
bowler hat. The gentleman pointing the umbrella may be Professor
Hindle .
The
outbreak of World War II prevented development of the estate. In
1943 Professor Hindle left Glasgow on his appointment as scientific
director of the Zoological Society of London, responsible for the
direction of both London and Whipsnade Zoos.
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tour
of the Calderpark estate beside the loch |
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NOTES:
These notes come primarily from a taped interview with W.R.S. MacKenzie
(Society President) and others in July 1987.
1.
John S. Clarke , a former Glasgow Bailie, did all kinds
of things with Bertram Mills Circus. In the old Wilson's Zoo in
Oswald Street, Glasgow, he used to present tightrope walking lions
and lionesses twice a day for years, although I think he was originally
a journalist with Glasgow's Daily Record newspaper. He was also
involved with Andrew Wilson who founded the Craigend
Castle Zoo in Mugdock, Milngavie, near Glasgow.
2.
Strachan Kerr was for many many years the Secretary and
leading light in the Scottish Aquarium Society, not actually the
founder but went along to a meeting in 1926 and stayed. He was also
a major caterer on the South side of Glasgow.
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3.
The Loch (Webster's Pond). Peter Scott of the Wildlife
and Wetlands Trust (Sir Peter as he became) visited the site and
he said that the Zoo should be focussed with the loch being the
central point. Obviously, with Scott's enthusiasm for waterfowl,
that is what would immediately strike him.
4.
Professor
Edward Hindle , famed for discovering the golden hamster,
was usually seen accompanied by a Pekinese.
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Peter
Scott |
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