Apologies for this story being SO far removed from the festive season, but I thought it was worth telling and shouldn’t be forgotten.
In Wednesday 21st December 1892, the annual festive soiree of Blantyre works Sabbath School (pictured) took place. Mr Hamill presided with Rev Burleigh and Rev Pryde attending. Several addresses were given and a choir gave beautiful performances, marking some hymns of the season.
The Children of Blantyre village then sang some of their own Christmas hymns before they and indeed all attending embarked on the “dismantling” of festive gifts from the well presented Christmas tree. Much amusement was had by the children as the large tree was precariously balanced on a revolving platform and as the organisers turned the mechanics on the platform to set motion to make the gifts easier to reach, the tree revolved, just about managing to stay up, much to the children’s delight!
The former Blantyre Works School, is pictured in that era.
My family are the Hamills, who were from the Blantyre area around the 1870’s.
They lived in Dixon’s Rows at that time.
Who is the Mr. Hamill mentioned at the start of The Revolving Tree article?
My family has David Hamill 1824 – 1879. He was killed as a result of injuries in the second coal mine disaster, Oct 1879.
Would like to talk with any other family members.
Kevin