Nothing short of starvation faced the miners and their families affected by the closing of Bardykes Colliery at Spittal in June 1905. The distressing state of affairs was the outcome of a dispute between Coalmasters Merry & Cuningham.. Ltd. (the Spittal colliery owners), and Mr. John Jackson, the proprietor of the land. The latter some […]
In October 1905, the Hamilton Herald and Lanarkshire Weekly News published a report, which rumoured that a new colliery was to be sunk in Blantyre. This was one, however, which did not come to pass. It said, “Should the report which we publish today be true regarding the opening of a new coalfield in Blantyre, […]
Not an everyday sight, but this photo somewhat reflects the end of mining in Blantyre. Captured by photographer Jim Donnelly, the remains of an old mining bogey or cart lies in the River Calder near where it flows into the Clyde. The location could possibly suggest this came from nearby former Blantyreferme, Priory or Newton […]
In July 1907, Mrs Mary Morgan, of Govanhill, Glasgow, initiated a new scheme in connection with the collieries belonging the well-known firm Messrs Wm. Dixon and Co., Ltd. In particular, at their collieries at Govan, Blantyre, and Carfin. The proposal was to encourage the young pony drivers in each pit to take a greater interest […]
In 1905, ‘Messrs Merry and Cunninghame, one of the largest mining firms in Scotland, were working a coal mine at Bardykes (Spittal) in Blantyre. Owing to some obstructions with met within their operations, they had lost some £3,000 within a very short period. Considerable sum worth around £400,000 today. The landowner, the Jacksons of Spittal […]
I have to admit being quite shocked by this next story, hearing something that I didn’t previously quite fully appreciate. I perhaps naively thought that workers, especially miners who were so used to working in the dark depths, would look forward to the Glasgow Fair holiday, which started out as a long weekend. A time […]
In 1908, an event occurred which threatened the eviction of almost all the residents at the former mining community of Caldervale (Fin Me Oot). A huge strike at the nearby colliery in late Summer/ Autumn of 1908 saw 450 miners “down tools” in protest at the “contracting out” system. By the end of the 12th […]