During Spring 2011, staff and volunteers at the National Trust for Scotland’s David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre said farewell to a much-loved local landmark as the Queen Mother’s Copper Beech Tree was felled. The tree, which was planted when the museum opened in 1929 by the late Queen Mother, had become infected with Meripilus giganteus, a […]
A cracking BIG tree at Kirkton on display this year as South Lanarkshire Council prepare Blantyre for the forthcoming festive season. The Council put up the tree at High Blantyre Cross last week, decorating it with festive lights yesterday, Tuesday 15th November. There’s a tree now put up at Glasgow Road too. Although Blantyre no […]
A previously unseen photo today of Stonefield Public Park. Taken just under 60 years ago, you can see how busy the park was. People out walking with children and prams, playing in the playpark at the back and not quite at the full height of summer yet, judging by the empty shallow boating pond. However, […]
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 […]