In May 1977, Strathclyde Regional Council came up against a public outcry that roads in Blantyre were only being done up because a royal visit of the Queen Mother was due. After years of neglect, council workers were spotted nearly every day in April and May out in various Blantyre streets, prompting residents to complain […]
In early 1902, there was not a street or road in Blantyre which was causing so much comment and complaint to authorities, as Station Road. At times, especially in wet weather, conditions were deplorable and with homes planned, the road was significantly too narrow. The complaints had arisen particularly in 1901 when a large drain […]
Shared from within the Project folder High Blantyre resident Jean McLean gave me is this photo. Taken in the early 1960’s at David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre. The centre looks well kept, whitewashed and cared for. Summer visitors walk around the grounds, the men in that era wearing suits for a nice day out. I’m unsure […]
Amongst some of the first visitors to the newly opened National Memorial to David Livingstone in 1929, were several important visitors from Africa. Amongst them, Chief Tshekdi Khama of Serewe, Bechunaland Protectorate (second from the left) took time to come to Blantyre and see the memorial first hand, making sure he also visited the new […]
The third from four photos of the David Livingstone National Memorial, now rebranded as the David Livingstone Birthplace. Of course, this is Shuttle Row, built in the late 18th Century, a couple of decades before David was born. The photo dates from the late 1950’s or early 1960s and people of a certain age may […]
This postcard is one of a series of four, which were taken around the late 1950’s or early 1960s. In the days before drones, this clever aerial photo captures the beauty of the David Livingstone Centre and grounds, set against the scenic backdrop of the River Clyde and nearby weir. To the left the remnants […]
Continuing a look at how the David Livingstone Centre came to be. Written in 1943 by Rev James Macnair, this transcript documents the efforts made to save and turn Shuttle Row into a museum in 1929. Today, the story of how manuscripts and other gifts were obtained. “The Memorial Trust has been markedly fortunate in […]