Here’s something you don’t normally see in local parades nowadays. Floats! Pictured in 1981 are several floats for the gala that year. Current health and safety rules mean a whole new level of safety needs to be considered before floats are permitted (an end to dangling legs over large wheels!) The decline of floats […]
What a photo! Outside Bardykes House, in the Avenue a few decades ago is the full vehicle fleet lined up for milk company, “Wilkies of Blantyre”. Pickups, milk floats and vans offering milk, butter, cream, rolls etc.. The drivers standing out their respective vehicles. With thanks to Sandy W again for sharing. Featuring Blantyre […]
This photo was kindly shared by Peter Leggate and is from 1981. Pictured is Glasgow Road, as police stop traffic to allow the Gala Day floats to go by. The photo looks eastwards towards Grants and Gilmour’s Buildings at the back, (near the junction of Forrest Street). Those buildings were amongst the last of […]
The location is Glasgow Road, the year is 1981 and it’s Gala Day. Pictured here, courtesy of my good friend, Peter Leggate are various residents from Springwells. They’re standing on board a decorated “Robertsons of Springwells” flatbed delivery lorry. Heading along Glasgow Road, the weather doesn’t look the best but hasn’t stopped crowds of people […]
Thanks to Monica Boath for permitting permission of this photo from 1980. I’ve not seen many photos of the old decorated floats from Blantyre Gala day, so this was a rare treat. As part of Blantyre Community Committee, we looked at bringing back floats to gala days at Blantyre, but insurance and halt and safety […]