Jimmy Whelan sent over this photo. He used to live in the village and in 2002, all residents were given one of these at the time to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. Jimmy Cornfield used to produce a regular magazine and its thought it was his idea to commemorate the Golden Jubilee with this medal on […]
Nathaniel Mains contacted me in September 2015, sharing these photos and adding, “My Grandfather William Mains playing bowls with the then Queen Elizabeth at Blantyre Miners Welfare circa 1945” I’ve seen one of the photos before but only in a poor resolution newspaper report. Nathaniel actually having the photos ensured they’re shared here in better […]
In 1938, Glasgow was hosting an Empire Exhibition. A marvellous event designed to attract people from afar. The event was attended by various Royals, including a visit by Queen Elizabeth and George VI. The tour included various suburbs and a visit out to Hamilton Town Hall where massive crowds had to be held back by […]
Blantyre has seen several Royal visits over the last Century, four in total that i can find. The first in 1929 when the Queen Mother opened David Livingstone Centre, the second in 1942, when , on a Nationwide Royal visit to boost wartime morale, she visited again this time to the Miners Welfare Bowling Club. […]
There’s no doubt about it, the second world war years must have been tough on the people of Blantyre. So, what better way to lift morale and community spirit by having none other than the King and Queen visit Blantyre in 1942. We would know her as the current Queen’s mother. King George VI and […]