July 1982. It may have been summer in this photo, but you wouldn’t know it due to the lack of trees, by comparison to the green scene today. The Sports Centre had just been built, new paths constructed back off the road and new roundabout at the top of a realigned John Street completed.
In the background Devlin Grove hadn’t even been started yet which must have seemed very open with views down to Craighead. Blantyre was changing rapidly. Can you just imagine if you had left Blantyre in 1979 and come back in 1982, three years later? You would be forgiven for thinking it was the wrong town!
Even by the end of 1982, the derelict tenements of Glasgow Road were just memories. The “future” had arrived.
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
Elizabeth Grieve Not for the better
Anne Irvine Not really a massive change here. Apart from as you say Devlin Grove up the following year
Margaret Duncan We lived in 32 John Street – just out of the picture – I remember the tenements (although they were vacated) just before they were pulled down – they were really in a terrible condition while families were living in them – it was good to see them go
Blantyre Project ive scheduled some posts about those tenements showing some pictures of the outside and some of the inside of several of the shops, just before they came down. Should be on the page in a few weeks.
You are right Paul! I left in ’79 and first trip back was indeed ’82 (for
Junior Cup Final which the Vics WON!).
The changes were dramatic indeed although I don’t recall everything being open at the end of May in ’82.
Can’t say I have ever loved ASDA historically or now. Killed off too many small businesses and products over time (IMO) have become inferior. Huge selection of course and it shocks me how many aisles are dedicated to crisps, chocolates and sweeties.
Not much better in my area of USA these days either. Progress???