In October 1898, the Hamilton Herald published a few amusing and interesting anecdotes, which were remembered and told by Blantyre man, Alex McMillan. The newspaper paid money for anybody sending in their worthy recollections and some of Alex’s old memories are certainly worth sharing here, if only to be preserved. Like this one….. In most […]
Tag: headmaster
1960’s Headmaster Davie Crawford
Now here’s a face many people may remember as children. This is Davie Crawford, headmaster of high Blantyre School on Hunthill Road. People may remember this man as being strict, but fair. Davie also stood as a prospective SNP councillor for the area but was never elected. According to my notes, he lived in the […]
David Crawford – “The Colossus”
Blantyre Project reader, Tommy Stewart sent a message recently about David Crawford, former Headmaster of High Blantyre School. Tommy told me, “Hi Paul, I was born and raised in Blantyre but now live in Colchester. I attended High Blantyre Primary School from 1962 – 1969. If it is of any interest to you, I attach […]
1979 Edwin Bonnar Retires
In March 1979, a familiar face retired from St Joseph’s Primary School, Blantyre. Mr Edwin Bonnar decided it was time to retire after 43 years in the teaching profession. In this photo, the headmaster of St Joseph’s Primary School is seen with just some of the thousands of pupils he taught. Do you remember […]
Major John Ness, Blantyre
Researched by Paul Veverka. Words from the book, “Blantyre Glasgow Road South – The Real Story” (c) 2017 **Update: Since writing this, I have revisited and now have a huge amount of expanded detail about John Ness, available in the Feb 2020 book, “Blantyre People” by Paul Veverka (c) 2020 During the late 19th Century […]
Stonefield Parish School
Stonefield Parish School Monday 25th October 1875 was a monumental day for Blantyre. In previous years the Village school at Blantyre Works had been filled to capacity and throughout 1875, no less than two new schools were being built. The first being Stonefield Parish School (affectionately known as Ness’ School) located on the later […]







