Here’s a nice local anecdote from 1892. During the 1880’s and early 1890’s, water pipes were being run into Blantyre streets for the first time as the County Council sought to improve sanitation and living conditions.
Whilst the water was being led into streets, an old resident who was generally housebound heard the pickaxes in the street and curious, came to see what was going on. He calls out to the labourers, “Whit are ye diggin the holes fur?”
One of the workmen speaks up. “We’re bringing the water fae the burn tae yer very door!”
The resident stands in disbelief and clearly was puzzled not understanding pipes were to be laid. “Bringing the burn tae ma door ye say? Bringing the burn through our town an ah’ll git ma legs broken trying tae step o’er it.” moaned the old man. “How dae I get oot ma hoose? Weans will fall intae it and droon! Ah’d rither carry the water fae a mile away.”
Suitably illustrated!
