In April 1977, Blantyre lost one of its long established traders.
William Black’s bakers shop at 84 Glasgow Road closed its doors for the very last time, after serving in Blantyre for 54 years. Mr Black was by then 73 years old and as Blantyre headed into a new era of development, it was time for him to hang up his baker’s apron and retire.
Born in 1904, Mr Black had been a baker for 60 years by that time, starting out in this profession during WW1 at only 13 years old and as an adult once had a shop in Stonefield Road.
The shop on the north side of Glasgow Road, the one he retired from, was of course bought under compulsory purchase order bought by Strathclyde Regional Council who were building the new EK Expressway through that area.
The Black family had planned to continue as bakers in Blantyre but an application from Mr. Black’s son, Eric to convert the old RBOS premises at 166 Glasgow Road into a bakery and shop, was turned down. Hamilton District Council giving the reason that it did not fit into the Blantyre development plans.
Mr. Black upon his retirement said of this, “I feel this is unfair. After all these years as an established business, I feel the Council could have found somewhere in the town for my son.” Mr Black hoped to have an active retirement and said that getting up at 3am to start work will be a hard habit to break after 60 years. Mr Black was also the organist for Livingstone Memorial Church.
What’s YOUR memories of Blacks? Anybody work there? Remember what it was like inside?
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Carole B Buchan My Mum brought Abernethy biscuits from Black the bakers.They were the best ever!
Alex Forrest Used to love getting up early in the morning and going to the bakery for fresh rolls straight from the oven going home and having warm rolls & butter for breakfast.
Janette Brown Went to Blacks bakers with my Grampa for rolls and cakes.
Maureen Tennent Sadly missed.
Margaret Stewart Maureen Tennent are you by any chance related to Jim tenant he was my brother Ian Stewart’s friend. He’d be in his 70s now.
William Morley Typical of our council if that’s next to the Stonefield Tavern there’s no reason why they couldn’t let him have the old bank it was either a furniture shop or second hand shop at one point which never lasted any length of time.
Jeemo Lisboa Best ever Rolls
Maureen Hawthorne I used to love going there, with my Nana.
June Hislop I loved the morning rolls and tea breads , when I worked in the office at the co-op I did the breakfast run and even though we had our own bakery everyone wanted a Blacks roll. Happy memories.
Sheena Thomson I stayed above his shop in the early seventies, his bakery was down the back my Gran and grandpa stayed in the same building from as far back as I can remember, my two uncles stayed in the flats at the other side of the pen close. Couldn’t wait to get out of there we were over run with mice.
June Hislop Sheena Thomson my wee pal Ian Gilmour lived down there.
Colin Dee The rolls I use to.get 2 on my way work I had quarter of gammon in my pocket to put on them.
Steven Heron As usual Council and councillors have a lot to answer for in the wrecking of Blantyre.
Mary Dawson I lived in Forrest Street and I used to go up to Blacks with my dad in the early morning to get fresh made rolls before going to school. I loved the the “Well Fired “ ones. In other words Black ones. Another injustice by the council. However, it hasn’t dimmed my memories.
Drew Semple I can remember Maggie who worked in it, don’t think her surname was Black, but we knew her as Maggie Black.
Anne Marie Murray I remember Black the bakers well it was across the road from us in Stonefield Road. Remember Maggie who worked there…
June Gorrance My mum was brought up next door in 86 Glasgow Road.She lived there until she married in 1958.The family name was Cox.There was my grandpa Paddy & granny Rosie & 5 children Thomas (Topsy) Rina,Dan,Joey & my mum Iris who was the youngest.She always spoke of the wonderful morning aroma of freshly baked bread,rolls & cakes.If I am not mistaken I seem to remember her also talking of the not so pleasant smell of Jock Richardson’s potted hough !! My aunty Joey worked in Black’s bakery as a girl & once told me that she had an under the counter “trading seam” going swapping Black’s cakes & scones for Richardson’s sausages!!
Kirsty Wilson Least we still have family run Jinxys Bakery, best rolls about.
Robert Izett When I was young there was 4 or 5 Home bakerieis now only Jinksy in HB.
Joyce Hamilton Remember it well. My mum Jessie Hamilton worked there for a while.
John Corny Cornfield The Stonefield Road shop my family used often, just around the corner. Saved going doon the street To Littles
I do indeed remember Mr Black’s bakery and a Mr Black who was my grandfather’s friend. One day my grandfather took my sister and I into Mr Black’s shop, only it was in the back where all the magic happened and Mr Black happened to be making toffee in little fairy cups. He gave both my sister and I one each and we thought it was heaven and that he was such a lovely man. He must have been a gentleman as my grandfather, while he would talk to anyone and everyone, went out of his way to introduce us to Mr Black and had a very amiable conversation while my sister and I just melted with the toffee! He had a cap on as I recall and looked quite handsome? That is my memory.