It’s been another quick year, hasn’t it!? The year draws to a close and as with each Hogmanay, here’s my little personal message to end December and 2025 with. First however, sincere THANKS are offered to everybody here for their continued interest, support and engaging so actively on the website, on Facebook, Instagram, X, messenger and email. It’s greatly appreciated and I’m still learning a LOT!
Blantyre Project had a few 2025 highlights….
- Now in much better health, I was able to return to hosting community talks and presentations in the latter half of the year, the High Blantyre 150th Anniversary being a highlight.
- Significantly ramped up content on Facebook, showcasing daily photos in engaging manner, as well as my usual research. Facebook grew to 17,000 followers!
- Now over 178000 photos on the main Blantyre Project website!
- Book sales were steady with proceeds all going to local good causes.
- Thrilled to meet and make new friends on and offline, helping some visitors from abroad!
but a couple of things didn’t quite go to plan:
- I was unable to take several open book drafts to publication, still having to finish them. I won’t rush this aiming to make each book as best as it can possibly be.
- A busy year offline with construction projects, meant less time to research, and as such, my usual daily articles became quite intermittent at times. Hopefully back on track for each day in 2026.
- I had a couple of unexpected further kidney operations, meaning I had to step further back from community meetings and events as I recovered from health issues. I didn’t get to make as many history presentations as I would normally. Apologies, I hope I haven’t let too many people down in that regard.
So what about 2026?
Blantyre Project is 15 years old in 2026 and this year instead of promising a whole load of things here for the coming year, I’m going to take one day at a time! No commitments, no pressure, so stress! I’m admin of half dozen pages online, and Blantyre Project is by no means the largest, so my spare time in evenings and weekends for online activities is limited. I’ll still be writing and scheduling new articles here on a daily basis and there’s plenty more new photos and articles to come! Nowhere near done and I have an abundance of material still to research, show you all and post about!
During 2026, when it comes to publications, I’m keeping it simple with only 2 aims.
- To get my first novel completed and finished. “The Trials of Little Bird” – a tale of Irish immigration, set in the 1870’s, which I’m already proud and excited about, even in its 70% unfinished state!
- And , I’ve also been writing about the history of the Livingstone Memorial Church in detail, which really needs to be completed soon.
Finally, please don’t be offended if I don’t immediately get back to you in comments or messages. Don’t forget, I only do this in spare time only, an evening and weekend hobby behind a challenging, full time construction job, which I enjoy very much. It continues to be YOU who I learn from. Your comments and engagement keeps me so highly motivated.
If you can do ONE thing in 2026 to help Blantyre Project, it’s simply comment on the posts.
Now as 2025’s final hours tick away, it’s time to celebrate! Time for Hogmanay dinner…….my glass is half full and family beckon me to close down this laptop.
Here’s wishing all Blantyre Project readers all over the world best health, good fortune, peace and happiness in 2026. Happy New Year! Paul V
