The Prefabs

A Memory of Wishaw.

We lived at 26 Stenton Drive at that time that mother was widowed. My mother, Katie, married my stepfather James Maule after being widowed. My father was James and his father was a saddler. Our house was burned down, there was 5 of us at that time; Andy, me (Peter), Jean, David and Jimmy and we stayed with an aunt in Millbank Road in the old tenement building. Then we were rehoused to a new house in Hazeldean Crescent, Coltness where sister Myra was born. Neighbors in the prefabs across the road were the Cook family and next door to us were the Reilly family. We had greyhounds which used to run at flapping tracks, including Wishaw. We had great fun as kids playing all sorts of games in the street most nights - very few tellies at that time. Also remember the 'model' in Alexander Street -what a place! Used to deliver papers on a Saturday night there - terrified every time I went in there! Also old Mary's shop furher along with her cat up on the counter, what a smell, she kept hens out the back. Great wee houses the prefabs and a great community spirit at that time. I remember firework displays organised on bonfire night ahhh, I could go on forever...