Back to 1979 and Glasgow Road again, this time at its junction with the former Herbertson Street. A photo from James McGuire’s Collection showing the old co-op halls which were clearly at the end of their lives.
For a time before this Blantyre & Whitehill Accies took over the upstairs part of the derelict hall for their premises, the kids used to train in the hall itself! The photo here shows windows broken, and a shadow of the grand building this once was.
Blantyre’s first Chinese Restaurant was “the Lucky House” on the far right of this building. Not to be confused with another of the era, further up Glasgow Road next to the YMCA. Much to the amusement of Blantyre residents, that one was called “The Sha’Tin”. However, Lucky House was next to the co hall and faced out on to Glasgow Road.
During previous decades, the dancing would be held in the upper halls. Some Blantyre residents may remember parties and dances up there hosted by bands like “Don Star and the Midnights”
The yellow sign was Reid’s the Printers, and let’s face it, they didn’t move too far although it must have felt like a palace when they moved to their big, new red premises nearby (now G Watson Printers).
I have a copy of the architects plans for this hall, which I’ll post soon when I do a more in depth analysis of the Glasgow Road buildings and businesses.
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(Still remember her Co-Number
I remember the co-hall well.. every Thursday after school my sister Terri and I would go to elocution classes (Mrs. Annabelle Perrie from Larkhall) took the class. My sister hated going but I couldn”t wait for school
To finish. I won lots of certificates and awards for elocution. That was a big part of childhood. When classes finished we always got chips on the walk home (across road from co-op. If anyone knows me I was into the drama as well. Oh happy happy memories.
Ps I remember Kathleen Duffy.
Thank you for letting me share these wonderful memories. Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
From the old prefabs in Park Lane.
Wonderful site
😊
My first ever job when I left school (John Ogilvie, and to John Krawczyk I was in your brother Stan’s class ) was working as an “apprentice mechanic” on a YTS in Wheels….. The owner was a guy called Martin Johnston and whilst I was only there for 18 or so months, he taught me a lot… Yes they did sell bicycles, but that was only for a few months in the run up to Christmas 1978…… I never made it as an apprentice mechanic and eventually moved into sales…….