Going back exactly 70 years ago to Stonefield Public Park. This previously unseen photo online shows the beautiful flower display marking the very special occasion of the building of the Livingstone Memorial Bridge in 1952. Flowers planted to a specific design showing not only Livingstone’s profile, but the bridge itself using thousands of little colourful […]
Many people have been left wondering why Stonefield Public Park was changed in name to McAnulty Park in Blantyre. It was of course renamed in honour of Andra McAnulty, champion of the miners and member of Blantyre Parish Council. The adjustment to name was difficult for residents, including myself. I still call the park Stonefield […]
When you think of the beautiful grounds at David Livingstone Birthplace, just off Station Road, Blantyre its hard not to notice the considerable improvements which have been made this summer. From the nicely renovated working fountain and renovated lion statue, to the stunning new planting around the statue and buildings, its easy to miss all […]
117 years ago, on Saturday 9th June 1905, the Blantyre Co-Operative held their annual gala day. The weather was beautiful, but without a public park in Blantyre, the gala had to be held on private ground. The donated venue for that day was the farm field in front of Croftfoot (my own home) in High […]
If you’ve been to the David Livingstone Birthplace grounds lately, you’ll have noticed some improvements going on. Including at and around the Lion Statue, which has had a bit of a makeover. As well as the new planting around the base of the statue, it’s been cleaned up and renovated. If you look really closely, […]
I was a little sorry to recently see the old tree in the middle of the David Livingstone Playing Grounds had been felled. This must have happened in March or April 2022 and its willow-like appearance could be seen in many photographs over the decades. However, the tree was isolated, alone in the middle of […]
On 14th February 1907, Mr. John Dunlop wrote into the Hamilton Advertiser with a letter which contained not just complaint but lots of suggestions and foresight. John lived in Douglas Street in High Blantyre and was particularly concerned about the lack of facilities in Blantyre as a whole. I’ve recorded his interesting letter below, shown […]