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 […]
Colin Gilchrist of New Zealand has sent me this photo adding, “Thought you might be interested in the old Lanarkshire way of sealing the roads (red chips if I remember). I think there could be a McLean in the photograph as My Uncle and cousin both worked for the County road gangs.” Colin’s family are related […]
In 1927, Blantyre man Hugh McPherson was in a reflective mood. Speaking of his involvement in the rescue party of the 1877 Blantyre Colliery disaster, he wrote at the time, “For many years I have had a strong desire to put on record my experiences as an explorer in that great colliery disaster, but hitherto […]
Below are the recollections of Mr Hugh Brown, penned in 1927, concerning Blantyre Colliery Disaster. This is of particular interest to me as he is also writing about my great, great grandfather Mr John Bowie. “For many years I have had a strong desire to put on record my experiences as an explorer in that […]