I like this amusing story from 1896 which appeared in a local newspaper. Andrew Gibson of Bowie’s Land, Blantyre told a story about his son. The boy was at Stonefield School and that particular day was being taught fractions by his teacher. The lesson was, if you have an orange, and you are offered a […]
Tag: oranges
Simpler Times, 1904
On Saturday 2nd January 1904, the New Year was welcomed in around Blantyre with kindness from the Salvation Army Corps. That evening, 200 poor local children from “backgrounds of poverty” were invited along to the Salvation Army HQ, where through the kindness of local people they were treated to oranges and sweets in abundance. Tea […]
Fog Signals & Simple Pleasures
It’s the little simple things in life we have forgotten about. This new year report is from Blantyre in 1903. THE NEW YEAR.—All the public works in the district closed on Wednesday for the holidays. At the collieries, work will generally be resumed on Monday. The usual ringing of bells and the blowing or […]



