On Wednesday 6th March 1895, Mr William F Hendrie, an early photographer in Blantyre gave a wonderful limelight lantern view showing for the public. Featuring his own photographs, the event combined not just displaying photos, but a lecture on the Homes, Haunts & Lyrics of poet, Rabbie Burns. The event took place in the Stonefield […]
Exploring a now defunct former Blantyre Club. The “Blantyre Socialist Field Club” went from being an idea in early 1895, to a fully fledged club by that summer. On Sunday 30th June 1895, the Blantyre members had their first ramble, a collective walk to the countryside. The official name was “Blantyre & District Socialist Field […]
This photo is previously unseen online and I believe was taken at former houses at School Lane in High Blantyre. As with other recent photos on Blantyre Project, once again it’s the children of the Ritchie family, David Ritchie their father being the photographer. From left to right, this is Robert, Jessie and Kate Ritchie. […]
Today’s picture is High Blantyre lassie, Miss Ritchie. This is certainly one of joiner and photographer, David Ritchie’s children, but I’m not sure which one. Lizzie? Minnie? The picture is from just before 1900, making it over 120 years old. The Ritchie family lived at one time on School Lane, then at Broompark Avenue in […]
Let’s go to the late 1890’s next and back to the remarkable series of photographs taken by early photographer David Ritchie. Queen Victoria was still on the throne when these two Blantyre lassies were photographed, a held up bedspread providing a more pleasing backdrop. That may just be a hand at the top left! These […]
These little Blantyre faces are Lizzie, James and Minnie Ritchie. A photo as clear as can be but remarkably was taken in 1896, some 124 years ago! Their father was David Ritchie, a master joiner and likely the person who took the photo. Their mother was Mary Ann Fleming. The parents married in Strathaven in […]
Warnock & Walker – were also known as Warnock, Walker & Co (Contractors). This was a former late 19th Century joinery business at High Blantyre formed in 1877. In July 1877, they were advertising for workers in their mill. According to Naismith’s Directory of 1879, it comprised of two formidable skilled tradesmen, namely Mr David […]