On Wednesday 6th March 1895, Mr William F Hendrie, an early photographer in Blantyre gave a wonderful limelight lantern view showing for the public. Featuring his own photographs, the event combined not just displaying photos, but a lecture on the Homes, Haunts & Lyrics of poet, Rabbie Burns.
The event took place in the Stonefield Parish Church Hall and a special treat also combined his colleague Mr Ritchie’s choir, where readings and renditions formed part of the programme. I’ve increasingly been thinking Mr Hendrie and Mr Ritchie, as neighbours were also good friends and shared a love of photography.
More in known about this event according to the Hamilton Advertiser who published it in advance in a small advert. It was said Mr Hendrie’s name was well known in the Blantyre District and as such a full, crowded house was expected to see his photographs. These were delivered by no fewer than 150 limelight lantern views and featured many negatives taken in Ayr and Rabbie’s habitat whilst the Blantyre Joiners Association were on an outing in August 1894.
Incredibly, I think I have some of these actual photos in my own collection, shared by Alex Bowie. Until this article was researched, I never knew why a Blantyre collection of photos contained many photos of Ayrshire also. So I’ve shown some here , but kept some back for when I properly research the joiners outing. It would appear Mr Hendrie and Mr Ritchie took the camera on these joiners outings on various occasions and I suspect visited Ayrshire more than once.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Anne Clarke Harder times but simpler times
Pauline Duke Is that Brig o doon in one of the photos?
Blantyre Project yes
Rena Caullay Love the pictures a simpler time, thank you for sharing.