In 1892, a report highlighted the dire housing conditions in Victorian Blantyre, revealing severe overcrowding and poor sanitation. It reported incidents of numerous occupants living in cramped spaces and called for urgent regulatory measures. This situation reflected the harsh realities faced by families in industrial Blantyre during that era.
With thanks to Caroline Johnson for sharing these photos of Stonefield Public Park, Blantyre. Taken in the early 1980s when there were still lovely flowers in the park.
Here’s a strange little story from 131 years ago. On Tuesday 5th December 1893, Blantyre man James Downs stood before the judge in Hamilton Sheriff Court. The charge? Selling “unsound” meat to the public. The strange part however, was that James wasn’t a butcher, nor worked in a butchers. He owned his own premises, but […]
On Wednesday 13th December 1893, the Stonefield Independent Co-Op (SICS) held their annual Christmas soiree in the Masonic Hall which was well filled. Mr G McKinley occupied the chair. Local artists entertained the attendees. Miss Maggie McCafferty, Messrs Paul Langtry, J.M Lomie and J Dunlop with C.R Baptie acting as accompanist. At a suitable interval, […]
Some parts of Blantyre history are of course sensitive and at times have subjects with a difficult story to tell. But, not wanting to shy away or ignore such events, they are included here, as these things happened and are part of our overall history. On Thursday 12th July 1894, the Orangemen of Broxburn, Hamilton, […]
On Thursday 2nd March 1905, two small Blantyre boys stood in the dock at Hamilton Sheriff Court charged with pilfering in Blantyre. David Murdoch and Charles Dickson from Stonefield were charged with stealing a ‘Daily Record’ newspaper and 2 copies of ‘Chips’ Periodical from a parcel at Blantyre Railway Station. A Mr. Ritchie represented the […]
Hoping readers may recognise parents and grandparents amongst these two pictures. Both are from 1930 and feature Masonic Lodge Livingstone No 599. The photo with the 3 men at the front was the Annual Social and Dance, which was held on 21st March at Stonefield Freemasons Hall. The other photo with the men and women […]