Blantyre Memories

[mcblondie]

Hello all,

I have just been reading all the posts re: Blantyre and what a great read, although i wasn't born until 1963 some of these stories struck a chord with me as i remember many characters from Blantyre. I originally lived in Parkville Drive and then moved around the corner to Burnside Crescent where i lived in my Granny's house. my aunt and uncle with there kid in one room, my aunt and her partner in another and me and my siblings in another. It was a five apartment. My granny was married to a Lithuanian and he had a beautiful garden, one of the best in Blantyre apparently. He could grow anything, he was also a cobbler as well as a miner. I remember some of the neighbours in and around the scheme. Big Bella being one of them, she was a lovely woman who would come to my granny's house and gossip about everyone pretty much like your modern day Dot Cotten from East Enders lol. Then there was this old man in Burnside Crescent, i think he was Polish (not sure) but he sold everything from his living room. e.g. Combs, clasps, kirby grips alsorts of goodies. Does anyone remember them?

The Farrells lived above my granny in Burnside Cres. They were a really nice family, near enough everyday we would run to the shop for them, and in return they would give us all there "ginger bottles" and we would take them to the "big shop" on Springwells crescent. I remember the "Model" it was a scary looking building with all the homeless peeps lurking around. I also remember there was a little shop just passed Robertsons Ginger Factory where we used to go buy rolls/bread, but i can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Also does anyone remember the fruit/veg van that used to go around the streets? It was a big brown van. There was also a couple who used to go around in there car/van selling used clothes, i only knew them as Lizzy the "pack woman" she would come into the houses with a large sack with all the used/unwanted clothes and sell them to people. Her husband i remember was a quiet man who stayed in the car, and he had a large lump on his forehead.

Last but not least, I remember the first time I saw a black man, his name in Blantyre as everyone knew him was "George the darkie" anyone remember him, i remember he used to come and collect money from the families but what for i am not sure? He was a very pleasant happy person, but i cringe now when i think back, he would come to the door and i would shout "it's George the darkie Gran" I'm sure there are other memories, but at present i can't think of anymore.

[emanday]

Last but not least, I remember the first time I saw a black man, his name in Blantyre as everyone knew him was "George the darkie" anyone remember him, i remember he used to come and collect money from the families but what for i am not sure? He was a very pleasant happy person, but i cringe now when i think back, he would come to the door and i would shout "it's George the darkie Gran" I'm sure there are other memories, but at present i can't think of anymore.

More innocent times then, though. This was par for the course and, to my recollection, a chap called Joseph used to live in Dennistoun around that same time. He was always Joseph the darkie to us, but would NOT tolerate his name being shortened to Joe!

As I say, more innocent times - but destined to change.

[joette]

My Mum & her family were sent to Blantyre after they were blitzed out of their Mountblow home.
She has fond memories of the place & her time at Hamilton Academy.
I remember the Rag Man used to come round the doors & blow a trumpet.He would give balloons for rags.
When my Dad was little he was very delighted to recieve a penny-whistle from the rag-man.When his Mother asked him what he had given him he told her "My Sunday clothes I'm no going to the Sunday School anymore".
I think he was about four at the time.
My Mum says that the rag lady that came down their way was putting her son through Glasgow University.My granny always had her into the house for a cuppa & a use of the lavatory when she came on her rounds.She would have all sorts wrapped in a big blanket tea-sets,towels & no doubt balloons.She would leave her bundle at my Granny's & trek round the neighbours before returning.
I don't remember seeing any Afro-Carribeann people(apart from the telly& films) until I was an Adult.

[Davie]

Like Mary,
I grew up in the East-End of Glasgow and cannot recall any person of Afro Caribbean, (not even Joseph) descent living there.
Or for that matter any Asian families either.
At secondary school in Dennistoun, in the early 60s I don’t think any coloured pupil attended.
Even at the Barras, at this time, only mind two "coloured" blokes, selling healing ointments.

My family, the Watson’s, lived in Blantyre and worked in local pits for years.
The “Uncles” eventually moved to Kenya and South Africa.