Ok, so you’ve probably seen this unusual illustration when clicking on this article and wondering what this is all about. The picture is fairly accurate, the story imagined by AI and yes, this IS to do with Blantyre and YES…those are clowns! This was a fundraiser in May 1897 to raise money for the Blantyre […]
Continuing some interesting local stories from the 1890’s, which I hope you’ve heard for the first time. In May 1897, people travelling along Stoneymeadow Road near the Dalton junction were being attacked at dusk. However, it wasn’t people doing the attacking! As the sun set, travellers heading back to Blantyre found themselves under attack from […]
On Tuesday 22nd June 1897, the children of the workmen of Auchinraith Colliery took part in Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, after being invited by Colliery owners. Merry & Cunninghame, (Coalmasters) reached out to the community in a rare display of generosity by sending out very artistic invitation cards directly to the children of workers, […]
Jim Henry shared this with Blantyre Project. This is the cover of a new forthcoming book about local Speedway. The cover photo is of Blantyre’s Tommy Miller. The book explores pre-war days – The Blantyre Crowd and post war – Ken McKinlay and Tommy Miller. Jim added, “The book I have in the pipeline will […]
During the late 1890’s, many Italians arrived in Blantyre. Numerous individuals had enterprising spirit keen on creating their own businesses and a name for themselves. On Friday 22nd July 1898, a little Blantyre girl named McGuire, the daughter of Patrick McGuire was queuing up with a number of friends at an Italian barrow or stall […]
Summer 1898 saw a huge music festival take place in Blantyre at the grounds of Blantyre Lodge (now the David Livingstone Birthplace grounds). On the afternoon of Saturday 13th August 1898, Blantyre Parish Brass Band put on an amazing free concert. The weather was beautifully fine and well advertised in advance, attracted a huge crowd […]
About 6am, on Sunday, 11th September 1898, Mr Dunn, the coachman of Calderglen House was awoken by somebody knocking at the stables attached to the grand house. On rising from bed, he found a man outside imploring for help. To his horror, amongst other injuries, one of the man’s hands was almost severed at the […]