I’ve been extensively investigating the history of Crossbasket Castle lately, and uncovered something of particular interest. The child of former Crossbasket owner James Kerr Clark was responsible for bringing Stalin to Churchill’s table in WW2!! “Lord Inverchapel, the man who made diplomatic history by persuading Stalin to dine at the British Embassy during the war, […]
Pictured here in 2009, is an emblum logo on the East Gable of Crossbasket House, High Blantyre. The initials are “J.C” which is the mark of James Clark, a well-known and respected merchant in Glasgow. James is credited with adding the Victorian part of the house on to the existing older tower. The house served […]
This newspaper clipping is from around 1953. Pictured is the Women’s guild who were celebrating a 50th Anniversary with a party. The clipping reports, “Fifty years old and still going strong” – and that was obviously so at the Jubilee Party at Blantyre Central Co-operative women’s guild. Cutting the cake are left to right, Mrs […]
One of the most eminent men to come to Blantyre was Mr. John Clark Forrest. Born in Shotts on 17th October 1832, John had strong connections to Blantyre. His mother was a Clark whose family had farmed Auchinraith Farm for centuries beforehand, with his grandparents buried in the High Blantyre Kirkyard. A military man at […]
During the cold winter’s of the last few years of the 1890’s, a theft was committed in Blantyre. Mr Peter Clark, a local miner decided to try to cheat the newly established gas network throughout Blantyre and between the 13th December 1896 and 26th May 1897 admitted to stealing almost 4000 cubic feet of gas […]