Norma Marr in Canada emailed me these wonderful photos of Springpark, taken in the 1950’s in Auchentibber, High Blantyre. She told me, “I am attaching two images of Springpark — my auntie Gina (Georgina Patrick) was born in this house.
I also have the same image of the Auchentibber Inn that you have, it is a great photo but yours is superior in clarity. My grandfather John Patrick was a barman there. He worked for J.B. Struthers and was a trusted employee, often left in charge. I have an audio recording of my Auntie Gina talking about it and remembering him taking her to work.
Apparently she got up to a little mischief while there and turned on of the taps on leaving the beer to run all over. I don’t think she was allowed there after that!!”
I was able to reply with:
“Hi Norma, Just had time to digest all this. How amazing to think of John Patrick taking little Gina to work at the Inn (on occasion). I can well picture him walking along the country lane from nearby Calderside Row, stopping in at Springpark and then walking the short distance on again to the Inn. How beautiful it would be if more of these buildings still existed.
Norma Lawrence Marr Although John Patrick died at a relatively young age, my mother and aunt always remembered him as being a kind and loving father. He rests in Westburn Cemetery and I am so glad that I was able to visit his grave in 2007. Within a couple of months of his death, my grandmother, mom and aunt moved to Canada. My mom and aunt have passed away but today four generations of family survive him. I think he would be proud.
I do not think the boarded up window relates to the era of window tax. The upstairs window is not original to the house. I presume this was inserted when the upper floor was converted to a single flat.