From living cheek-by-jowl in tenement closes, in one of the city’s densely populated peripheral housing schemes, Andy said it has become a less communal existence with streets now separated by tracts of derelict land.
A longstanding advocate of the area and community representative no one wants to see it prosper more than he does.
Looking out across the vacant land left by demolition behind the shopping centre he points out amenities the people once had.
He took the Glasgow Times around the area as part of our joint investigation The future of Glasgow with our sister title The Herald.
He said: “We had the Mercat Theatre and a vibrant cinema. There were community facilities and a bigger range of shops.
“We had Drumchapel Opportunities, which led to many people getting start-up businesses off the ground and becoming successful.”
The contrast with the view today is stark.
Andy said: “Now there’s lots of vacant and derelict land. It is an abyss that has been filled with fly-tipping.
“Unemployment and poverty is a big issue here.
“We have had a food bank for a long time and a new community pantry is opening up.
“That’s good but what it shows is there is a huge problem with poverty.”
Over his lifetime he has seen the depopulation and decline in Drumchapel.
Andy added: “We had 13 primary schools and three secondary schools now we have three and one.
“We’ve gone from a population of 36,000 to 13,000. It is beginning to grow again but slowly.”
Looking around Drumchapel plenty of land is available for housing but Andy said it’s not being fully utilised.
Despite the obvious problems, he remains optimistic for the future and said he has good grounds for this.
“Andy added: “I’ve been in Drumchapel for more than 50 years. I love the place, I want to see it thrive and be successful.
“I think there is a bright future ahead.”
He speaks about the Levelling Up money from the UK Government coming to the area.
He said: “I have grounds for optimism for the future for Drumchapel.
“There’s plans for housing as part of the Levelling Up funds, money Drumchapel managed to acquire from the Westminster Government.”
“Finally, things seem to be on the up.
