The green space between Cypress Avenue and Bardykes Road was the subject of controversy in June 1968, when nearby residents displayed their anger at having to see their green space in front of their homes, ripped up. The open space was turned into a construction site that summer as drainage from the nearby Calder Remand Home/School […]
Elaine Kerr was out walking in Greenhall in recent weeks and noticed some carvings on a tree on the former Estate, which is now a public park in High Blantyre. She kindly shared her photo here. However, whats curious is that the carvings were made when the estate was still private in 1946 (which seems […]
I’ve walked past this tree a few times in Greenhall Park and often thought how beautiful it is. Unusually for Greenhall, this particular tree is whole and never been storm damaged. My wife recently remarked that its like “how trees are supposed to be”, a reference to its health, shape and beauty. On that […]
Pictured here a year ago in December 2014, is the High Blantyre Christmas Tree at Kirkton. I like this very atmospheric photo shared by Robert Stewart. It captures serenity and a festive atmosphere, but I also like it as its close to home. For me, the Christmas tree symbolises a focal point for our […]
Thank you to Robert Stewart for sending in this photo he took at Crossbasket Estate of another Monkey Puzzle Tree! Now thought to be around a dozen in Blantyre. Robert noted there were several younger trees nearby and added, “do you know that the semi-precious stone ‘Jet’ is fossilised monkey puzzle!” I cant help but think this will […]
Many Blantyre residents will recognise this tree. It is of course, the Monkey Puzzle tree in Victoria Street. Located at the corner of the Crescents, on the junction with Victoria Street, just across from the chemist shop. The tree is known to have been there over 80 years ago. Tom Martin in Canada attended Calder […]
I noticed a question online a few weeks ago where Californian man Glenn Orr asked the question, “Does anyone know if the theologian James Orr had any connection to Blantyre? He was born 1844 in Glasgow, and my great great grandfather Robert Robertson Orr lived in Merry’s Row in Blantyre. There are many James Orr’s […]