War has erupted in a Glasgow peace garden as a Tai Chi group for pensioners has been forced out over insurance issues. For more than ten years, elderly participants gathered weekly at the sanctuary known as Glasgow's Hidden Gardens to perform an hour of early-morning Tai Chi. But the 'shocked' pensioners say they have been hounded out by a new management team that introduced rules requiring them to obtain insurance cover for their pastime.
The news of their expulsion has left the dedicated group 'in tears'. For many, the class has been a 'lifeline to so many people on their own', offering connection and solace to those who are bereaved or disabled, according to retired judge Anne Murray. She said: 'It's a really lovely friendly group who all look out for each other. But now we have been told we are no longer welcome. It's a shocking way to treat elderly people.'
For many members, the meetings were their only opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy fresh air. 'Several of our members have been in tears because these get-togethers were the highlight of their week,' Murray added. 'The Hidden Gardens is a lovely big space which is rarely used by others at the time of the morning we go there, so we cannot understand why we've been told we are not welcome.'
Garden's Mission Contradicted
The Hidden Gardens hosts dozens of events weekly and boasts that it 'serves as a beacon of hope and possibility' and 'is a living embodiment of our commitment to peace, inclusion and environmental regeneration'. Its own website states it 'exists primarily to make a difference in people's lives by improving the wellbeing of the community'. Another group member, Siobhan Mcfadyen, said the 'get togethers mean such a lot to us', keeping the group 'healthy and connected'. Around 30 people belong to the group, but half regularly attend and have used the gardens for over 10 years 'without any issues'. However, in the past year, 'things changed and it became clear we were no longer welcome'.
Management's Actions
Murray claimed that the Hidden Gardens management invited the Tai Chi class to join another movement group. She added that the new CEO, Mahri Reilly, 'turned to me one day and said "your days here are numbered" before walking off. I was shocked'. 'The Hidden Gardens is supposed to be a place of peace and harmony, but now we feel we are stuck in all-out war,' she said. A letter from Reilly warned the group could no longer use the grounds due to 'health and safety, and insurance reasons'. Reilly stated: 'The group will not be permitted to use the space and will not be connected to or supported by the organisation in any way including the use of facilities, resources or staff time.'
Reilly also claimed staff had been spoken to disrespectfully by group members, but then invited them to join the new movement group. The claim infuriated Mcfadyen, who hit back: 'Nobody has been disrespectful to any staff. The former management team had no issue with us, but Miss Reilly is now threatening to lock the gates on us.'
Council Response
Glasgow City Council's Green Party councillor Jon Molyneux, who heads The Hidden Gardens Trust, said: 'The gardens is a much-loved space for people and nature which welcomes thousands of visitors every year, both casually and for organised events. Organised Tai Chi sessions were previously delivered as part of a funded programme which ended in 2024. We have since engaged with members of that group in an attempt to ensure that its activity could continue. Anyone looking to hold an organised event in the Gardens needs to complete a booking form and satisfy conditions of booking, which include having appropriate insurance. As yet, members of the former Tai Chi group have not been able to satisfy our conditions of booking. We remain in dialogue with members of the group and have offered to support them.'
