Some interesting correspondence from Blantyre Miners’ champion Andra McAnulty which shows how outspoken he could be. He wrote in 1903 to the editor of the Labour Leader Magazine: “The following correspondence explains itself : Dear Comrade,—Enclosed you will find a printed circular inviting me, as a member of the District Committee of the County Council, […]
This is a wonderful little video taken in High Blantyre in 1947. It’s crystal clear as it was professionally filmed for the Coal Board on the very day the collieries were nationalised. Filmed at Dixon’s Pit 2, where now Priestfield cemetery stands, this 71 year old film features miners of the colliery and has […]
A letter sent into the Hamilton Advertiser on 10th September 1897 by a Frederick Farrell, asks that if Blantyre Miners are to form a Union, as had been attempted previously, it should not be undertaken lightly. The correspondence to the newspaper reads, “Sir, As another attempt is to be made to organise and get the […]
The date is 6th January 1947, the location is Dixon’s Pit number 3 in High Blantyre. This historic day was remembered by many people in Blantyre, for it was the day the Coal Mines were Nationalised. The NCB, (National Coal Board) took over from the Colliery owners in a Nationwide effort to save jobs and […]
I love this brilliant picture, taken from a film recently shown to me. Pictured in 1947, in exceptional clarity is Dixons Pit 3 at Priestfield High Blantyre. There are SO many people from Blantyre in this picture and I’m hoping some readers recognise people. The large crowd assembled on 6th January 1947 are watching the […]
Now this post may prompt a few interesting comments. Andra McAnulty in the 1880’s described Blantyre “A village of a kind, but, as a matter of fact, it was nothing more than a clay hole.” Around the same time, A Glasgow Herald reporter came to the village and said, that like many colliery communities, High […]
In 1947 when the National Coal Board was launched throughout the Nation’s existing collieries, Andra McAnulty was described nicely by the now defunct Blantyre Gazette. As he unfurled the National Coal Board flag at Dixon’s Colliery in High Blantyre, the paper said “This old war horse still going strong.” At the time Andra was 86 years […]