Stephen Watson has sent in this wonderful photo. It’s High Blantyre Co-operative’s Shoe Department. Likely in the 1950’s, Stephen’s dad, James (Jim) Watson is the man pictured on the far right. My own grandfather John Duncan worked as a boot salesman for the Co-Op at one time, but I don’t see him in this photo. […]
Blantyre Summer Gala Day 1950. Hosted by the Co-op. Pictured third from the left is Marie Pollock (nee Cornfield). Marie’s daughter Margo shared this photo. A little perfect snapshot in time from almost 70 years ago! Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said: John Cornfield […]
It’s Gala Day in Blantyre so we need a fitting post today. The annual children’s gala day hosted by Blantyre Co-operative Society (Ltd.) was held on Saturday 31st July 1917. The weather was ideal for such event and war in Europe did not hamper attendance to any great extent. Close on 7000 people most of […]
This Blantyre photo from the 1920’s shows what appears to be Co-op workers at the back of a building. Judging by the lack of stripes on their aprons, I don’t believe they were fleshers, but may have been working in the dairy or bakery department. I’m inclined to think these are the bakers for […]
In January 1979, an intolerable situation existed in Blantyre. An agreement had been reached by Hamilton District Council with ASDA to provide a new store and work had even started on clearing the site. However, there was ONE major obstacle. The Co-op. Disgruntled at losing out to another supermarket, the Co-op had formally issued […]
In May 2018, Gordon Cook showed me something of interest that he had acquired. It was a metal Co-op token, perhaps preceding the more commonly known Bakelite ones. Although in poor condition, the name “Blantyre Co-op Society Bread 3” could be made out. Perhaps these metal ones, prone to rusting were phased out when a […]
My very good history colleague Robert Stewart told me recently about a carving that was part of the stonework on the Co-op’s former central premises on Glasgow Road, near Herberston Street. Robert said, “Carved on the corner of the building was a skep (pictured). A straw beehive, with lots of bees flying around it. […]