As autumn approaches, horse chestnut trees are shedding their conkers, attracting local squirrels in Calder. The post invites readers to share memories and locations of notable conker trees in Blantyre, reflecting on childhood games of conkers and distinguishing horse chestnuts from sweet chestnuts, which are edible for humans.
Max McInness discovered a mysterious worn metal object while metal detecting in Blantyreferme. Shaped like a shield, it may have been part of a badge or ornament, likely dating from the Victorian era to the early 20th century. Despite its age, faint engravings of a bird suggest hidden historical significance.
Max McInnes discovered a small, cast metal object while metal detecting at Blantyreferme. The piece, depicting a horse-drawn artillery cannon and featuring the motto “UBIQUE,” is believed to date from the late Victorian or early 20th Century. Its worn condition suggests it has been buried for over 100 years.
In February 1892, Mr. McCaffrie, a spirit shop owner in Springwells, placed an advert in the Hamilton Herald seeking his lost fawn St Bernard dog, offering a reward for its return and warning against possession. This incident highlights the contrast between past and present methods of finding lost pets.
In March 1892, during Glasgow Subway construction, workers unearthed a large underground cavity containing a fossilized canoe, indicating its connection to an ancient floodplain by the River Kelvin. The site also revealed encrinities, intriguing geologists, as these fossils were previously known only from Blantyre’s quarries, leading to significant media attention.
Euan Matthews from the Blantyre Project reached out after finding a bottle from Robertsons factory while clearing his father’s flat. He questioned whether the “26” on the bottle indicated a 1926 origin, suspecting it might instead signify a batch, product, or volume due to its modern appearance.
Martin Weir, a dedicated metal detectorist, has shared fascinating discoveries from the Blantyre area, including ancient Mesolithic and Bronze Age artifacts. His latest significant find is a hammered silver penny from the reign of King Henry III, minted in Dublin around 1251-1254. This discovery sparks curiosity about its historical journey.