Those who know me well, know that I like to collect old ‘artefacts’ and things from Blantyre’s past. A little piece of nostalgia that I hope to put into a dedicated Blantyre museum someday. The latest addition to my collection are these signs? Recognise them? For decades they were the signs above the entrance to […]
Spartan was a clever Alsatian dog who finds himself written into Blantyre’s history here. ‘Spartan’ belonged to Mr Robert Frame of Hillview Drive, Blantyre and in 1967, the dog died aged 16 and a half. For many, many years before, Spartan and Robert delighted Lanarkshire audiences with brilliant displays of road safety. The dog was […]
Remember the beautiful walking cane I posted about recently? Well another has turned up! From the same family. Jan Jackson sent me these photos saying, “Here’s another walking stick to add to your collection! This one probably spent a lot of time resting in your hallway in previous years. Also included is the […]
The Blantyre carvings depict three Stations of the Cross on a cliff face overlooking the River Clyde, below the site of the former Blantyre Priory, and across the river from the remains of Bothwell Castle. A number of myths have been presented regarding their origin, some even claiming they were carved by monks during medieval […]
Jane Wright who lives in Melbourne, Australia has a rather fascinating Blantyre heirloom. An ivory walking stick, once owned by “J Jackson Esq, Barnhill, Blantyre.” Jane messaged me, “My Grandmother was named Janet Manson nee Jackson. Born in Scotland, she came to live in Australia, eventually moving into a nursing home at New Farm in […]
I have another little addition to my ever expanding collection of Blantyre memorabilia! This tea caddy dates from 1933 and celebrates the Jubilee Anniversary of Blantyre Co-op Society Ltd (1883-1933). It’s a metal canister which would have stored tea (which it still smells of!). The address of 14 Herbertson Street is featured on the in. […]
A curious if not somewhat amusing story next. In 1921, Robert Meldrum was an asphalt worker, a tenant living at “Rosebank” at Rosebank Avenue, Blantyre. Now, Robert had a small stable at the back of his home and he kept a collection of goats, tending to them, his hobby. One weekend in November that […]
Next time you’re at the David Livingstone Centre, look for this lamppost outside the Cafe at the Africa Pavilion. You’ll notice carefully the words “Blantyre” on the old cast lampost. Below it on the glass pane it says “LMS Railway”. Did you know this lamp was salvaged from an era gone by at Blantyre […]