Glasgow memories
Here are memories of Glasgow and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Glasgow or a Glasgow photo.
Working As Staff Nurse At Western Infirmary
I worked as a staff nurse at this fine hospital for several years in the sixties. I was hired to work in the Renal Unit-however, it had not yet opened when I started. I was put to work wherever extra hands were needed until it did.
I worked Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights as I was married with a baby. I remember my husband driving up this approach to drop me off for night duty. It was a great place to work, with marvellous experience - I learned at the "scene of the accident" as we all did then. I nursed Glasgow's first kidney transplant patient, whom I will never forget. I remember being sent out in an ambulance in 1968 (I believe) when a tenement building collapsed during the night of the "Great Storm". There was a tremendous sense of camaraderie between co-workers at the Western - we all helped each other without regard to rank or job e.g. the nuses would give the cleaner a hand... Read more
"Sunny Offs" at The Bank in Glasgow
I worked for the Bank of England's Glasgow Agency from 1969 to 1978 and remember that ,on really hot days in the summer , the Agent would give some of us an afternoon off to enjoy the weather. These became known as "sunny offs" and we all hoped the good weather would last a few days so that every one in the office benefitted as they were given to only two or three people per day. The office was run in a very disciplined manner and we had "messengers" who wore the Bank's livery which was very smart. I recall one of the agents wore spats even in the early 1970's which was something I had never seen before. The agency moved across the road to a smaller office in St Vincent Place and then closed altogether. The original red sandstone building lies empty today.
Glasgow Western
I trained in Glasgow Western during the reign of Miss Maimie Miller who was the Matron at that time - in the mid 1960s - she was followed by Miss Humphries. I have fond memories of that lovely big hospital - and of the smell in the conservatory which led to the nurses home. I regret losing my hospital scarf which was navy with the badge design on it. Spent some time in the Eye Department although we had to have experience in all departments before finishing. I recall eminent surgeons like Mr Mack - Urology, Mr K Fraser - chest surgery, Prof. Donald - gynaecology and of course DB Brown - General Surgery. Memories of being bussed out to Knightswood Hospital as a Junior Nurse to ensure we all got a peaceful sleep and then bussed back at night to the Western. I am still nursing and it saddens me when I compare today's training with the training I feel very privileged to have been part of.
919 Argyle Street 1961 to 1966
My grandparents lived at 919 Argyle Street for many years and as a child my mum, sister and I lived with them, it was cramped, very cramped, and when I had mumps I slept in grannie's bed in the "hole in the wall" and played with magnetic letters on a tin tray for pleasure. My fondest memories of my grandparents' flat was standing "in the sink" by the window to watch the Orange Day Parades once a year. That old sink was used for everything, bathing us kids, washing the clothes, preparing the vegetables, I can still see in my mind's eye my gran standing at the sink doing something or other. We had no television, only radio, it was entertainment enough having gran and grandad. Grandad was a docker on the Clyde.
Working in Glasgow
I worked in Glasgow for the best part of 16 years with the Wallis Fashion Company, who I am still with but in a different location. I would love to hear from anyone who also worked with the company over the years, but I would also like to find any information regarding my great-grandfather. My papa never realy spoke about his father as he didn't know very much, all I know is my great-grandmother Annie Lenord worked in a house in Glasgow during the war and my papa's father's name was Patrick Slowey who emigrated to America where he died. My great-grandmother came from a little village called Newmains, Lanarkshire. If you have any information please email me at: Rosebud28@live.co.uk
Wedding of John Breen to Jane Rose Grand Hotel
Recently I started an ancestor search on my parents, mother Jane Breen Dalzell, I have just discovered her great-grandparents were John Breen who married Jane Rose on the 4th November 1884 at the Grand Hotel. I would love to try and get more information on this, and maybe some pictures of the inside of the hotel.
Also Jane Rose lived in Woodland Villa, Copland Road, I am trying to find too?
Glasgow Agency of The Bank of England
"The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street" as the Bank of England is known maintained a small office in Glasgow fir many years. It was on the north side of St VIncent Place and I worked there between 1975 and 1978.
On fine summer days I would cycle to the bank from my home in East Kilbride about 15 miles to the south but I rarely had the energy to pedal the whole way home in the evenings as there is a climb of maybe 1000 feet. Sometimes I would get off and push for a particularly steep part of the route but on tough days I would put the bike on the train from Glasgow Central Station just round the corner from the bank!
I returned to Glasgow on a holiday trip in 2005 when I was celebrating my 60th birthday and revisited the site of my old bank work in the 1970's. Things seem so much cleaner now although there is more traffic and more... Read more
Rainy Days & Sundays
We used to go to Art Gallery & Museum on Sundays, especially if it was raining. We took the tramcar from Possilpark right to the door. My sister and our four brothers spent many happy hours there looking in wonder at all the amazing things in the display cabinets. We did not appreciate the art until much later, especially when we had to pay one shilling to stand in line to view Salvador Dali's painting of the Crucifixion, as it had apparently cost the Museum its entire budget that year! I am anxious to go back home and see the renovations that have taken place, I only hope they have not changed too much as it is one of my favourite places to visit.
Childhood
I was born and brought up in Possilpark from 1937 until 1958 and do not remember this mural. I guess things have to change, and I must admit the mural is very colourful and well done. I remember the Blind Asylum, the Co-op, Saracen Cross, St. Theresa's Church, all on Saracen Street (if my memory serves me correctly). My little brother and I used to go into the Co-op and watch the men in their white coats measuring out the sugar into paper bags, cutting and weighing the butter from the big slabs - no prepackaging in those days during the WWII. I have many happy memories of Possilpark.
Bell, Bain And Scott Lairs, Necropolis
In the Necropolis, Section Omega are a number of family lairs containing the following family lines. The Bell Family Lair has the following inscription, James Bell, Printer, 1806 to 1883( James Bell, my Great, great grandfather, was co founder of the famous Scottish printing house of Bell and Bain in 1831. Bethia Scott, his wife 1809-1891, his eldest son, William Scott Bell, printer, unmarried, 1847 to 1890, Isabella Scott Bell, daughter, 1850 to 1897, another daughter, Jane Martha Bell, 1849 to 1930. In the Omega section, in an adjacent lair are buried members of the Bain family with this inscription, Andrew Bain, Printer. Thomas Bain, his brother, 1816to 1839, Robert Bain, his brother, 1822 to 1848, Jane Fleming, his Mother, 1788 to 1854. Andrew Bain, 1810 to 1858, Jane Symington, his wife, 1817 to 1893,
James Bain, their son, 1841 to 1878, Andrew Bain 1844 to 1926, James Ernest Aspin, 1864 to 1932, Janet Kinghorn, his wife, 1868 to 1939. In the Omega section near James Bell is the... Read more
DAVIE BROWNS PARK
THIS IS MY GRANDA,S PARK WE HAVE AWE OOR MEMORIE,S HERE OF HIM ON HIS BENCH WINTER RAIN OR SHINE YOU,D SEE MA, GRANDA SITTING WAE HIS WEE RADIO+WEE CUP 2 KEEP HIM WARM !!! I REMEMBER HOW EASILY THE SQUIRREL,S TOOK TO HIM THEY CAME RIGHT UP TO HIM +WEE ROBINS +EVERYDAY FAITHFULLY HE WOULD HAVE THERE FOOD OR SEND US FOR MORE THIS IS JUST MY MEMORIE OF MY GRANDA,S PARK A LOVED GOING UP THE HAUGH JUST TAY SEE DAVY BROWN SITTING READING HIS PAPER,S HURRY UP GRANDA I WANT TAY SEE YOU IN 2007 ON YOUR BENCH WAE A BAG FULL OF NUT,S ALOVE YOU LOA,DS YOUR FIRST GRANDCHILD ALWIZ IN MA HEART ANGELA
Grandpa - This Will Always be Your Park
To a man in a million - Grandpa you're just simply the best.
We love you millions
Angela, Paul and Courtney.
and all your family - you have too many to write them all here
I love you Grandpa - Angela xxx
1st Caledonian Railway Bridge
The deck of this bridge was removed in 1966/7 and only the piers remain. There is an inscription on the Eastern face of the piers, in english and some other language (maybe greek) (I have a photo).
The photograph shows one of the Clutha River Buses, which operated from 1884 to 1903, coming into Jamaica Street pier, The Cluthas eventually became uneconomic when the Electric Trams were introduced and the Underground Railway was opened. The history of the Cluthas has largely been forgotten.
Last Bus Home
So you missed the last bus home, in my case to Castlemilk from St. Enoch's Square, after a night at the Locarno. It is winter, cold, wet and windy and you know you have to do it. Stand and wait for the number '2' bus to get me into Castlemilk but never near where I lived. Oh the thought of waiting for the stupid bus at the "Square" and the dreaded walk home, which was about 2 miles from the nearest bus stop!
If that wasn't bad enough, the wrath of your mother awaited you at the other side of the door ready with all she had to lecture once again (putting it nicely) of the importance of never again missing the 10 o'clock bus again, OR ELSE.
Come Christmas, waiting seemed a treat as the lights in George Square were gleaming and somehow all was well with the world, even your mothers words didn't seem as harsh.
But did I ever miss the bus again? you bet. Can't miss... Read more
Visiting Granda
My family used to travel from the countryside of Lanarkshire into Glasgow almost every weekend to visit our Granda in Carnwadric. I loved going from the centre of town out to Carnwadric in the tram and being able to 'turn' the seats for its return journey. Happy days.
Memories of Lanarkshire
Kelvinside Garage
This was a fantastic garage operated by Gordon Hood and a chap called Shearer. As a young lad I was mad about motorbikes and the garage helped me out now and again with things such as blast cleaning spark plugs. I suppose looking back Gordon Hood could be best described as a true gentleman, as he would never accept any payment for his help and friendly advice. I stumbled accross this photograph in my research of old petrol stations as I am building a museum complete with 1950s' garage forecourts at my home at Westoun near Coalburn in, South Lanarkshire. This museum is based on the history of transport. Gordon Hood had a smashing daughter, Sandra, and she was going out with Jim King from Auchinairn at the time. It would be great to hear from Sandra and find out the history of the garage, and if any other photos or memorobilia remain. The garage has changed somewhat over the years, bearing no resemblance to the 1965 photograph. Not unlike... Read more
My Mum's Birthplace
This is where my mum was born, 76 years ago.
Where I Was Born
Looking at the photo, the large building to the left was known as Moni's building when I was born there in 1957. My grandpa (Wullie Gray) lived just to the right of the Co-Op building shown at number 17/19 Paisley Road. He would have been 18 when this was taken. I believe the Co-Op is a Fumeral Parlour now but Moni's buiding is still there.
great photo
Regards Wullie Gray
Family History
The picture of the High Street, Paisley is part of my family history.
My grandfather, Thomas Paton, worked for his brother, James, who ran a wholesale and mercantile stationers in the High Street. This would have been in the last decades of the 19th century, as it is likely James died around 1898.
I have a few references to the business, and a reference written by James for my grandfather, who moved south and set up his own paper agent's business in or near The Strand (1900-1920s approx.)
It would be fascinating if anyone knows more about the Paton family.
When I Was Growing up
I remember being very happy growing up as a child in Paisley. One of my happiest memories was being given a golliwog outfit from the Robertson's jam factory. A certain amount was given out every year at Halloween by the factory.
I used to enjoy the Library and Museum which I visited each week, and as I got older the visits became more frequent.
I remember thinking how vast Coat's Mill was and how lovely the river that ran past it looked - sadly the mill has now been renovated into flats.
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