Shortly after the lockdowns ended, local resident Jean McLean and I met where she kindly gave Blantyre Project a nice gift. It was a student project she did many years ago in the early 1960s and the subject matter was “Blantyre”. Bound in a nice folder, Jean all those years ago wrote an historical survey […]
When I was visiting the David Livingstone Birthplace grounds last weekend, I decided to take a walk beyond the park and into the wilder field to the west of the playpark. It’s been a long time since i was on that particular piece of land and was pleased to see the path still there, verges […]
Prior to 1905, the Methodist congregation had been for many years worshipping in Dixon’s Halls just off Stonefield Road and for a long time had been feeling that accommodation was not sufficient for their needs. Year after year, especially as the 1890’s progressed to 1900, the congregation had been steadily growing and this was an […]
By the start of the 20th Century, the mission of St Joseph’s had made remarkable progress since its inception in 1877. For a considerable time prior to that, the Catholics of Blantyre had their spiritual requirements administered in Hamilton. Mass however, was celebrated and Sunday School conducted in a block of houses in Dixon’s Rows, […]
In Summer 1905, Messrs May & Cyclops hosted a travelling boxing saloon tent in Blantyre. The business employed several “star” boxers who would take on local men for big prizemoney, usually generated by purse monies of the audiences. One such fight took place between Blantyre’s Joe Smith and one of the travellers, Mr. Pasha Liffey. […]
** Update! Thank you everybody! The target has been hit! All running costs here are covered for the next 12 months. Much appreciated. Thank you to everybody who donated. Original Post: Enjoying Blantyre Project? Can you please Donate a little to help with 2022 Running Costs? As a non-profit charitable website providing a FREE service […]
According to a Motherwell news page, it’s been announced that Jon Doc of the “Jon Doc Trio” has passed away. Blantyre folk may remember the popular band that played often in Hastie’s Farm at Victoria Street in Blantyre during the 1960’s and early 70s. Jon Doc played at Hastie’s from Wednesday to Sundays, and on […]