December 2007

Post by **TheGorbalsAdmin** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:01 pm

Message to Anna Graham. Your post certainly brought a tear to my eye and the memories came flooding back. I`m sure it was the same for you........thanks for sharing. Alex

Submitted by: Alex Not Submitted 20/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Hi to Colin read the book and it was brilliant. Good memories of all the lads you mentioned in the class at Bonnies. I was the guy who came running into the class as you mentioned when one of the lads set himself on fire. Wee Frankie was at the blackboard and just froze probably because of the state I was in. Really enjoyed the humor and felt great that one of the lads had done so well for himself.Somebody mentioned Big Chris Purcell another good man from yesteryear. Alex and Peter as well. Was it wee Peter that had his leg in a sling for years? I can't remember. Whatever happened to Johnny McClafferty? Anyway well done Colin hope you do a follow up. Speak to you later. Mick.

Submitted by: Mick Connolly Glasgow, Scotland 20/12/07 Email: weemick@btinternet.com
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To Colin McFarlane Don't be bothered by the likes of Tam Craig and all the other soor faces oot there that disnae appreciate a good book full of humour and a true appreciation of what it wis like to be brought up in the Gorbals. Their heids are full of "selective amnesia"- seem to remember whit they want tae remember. Your book is true and will have people enjoying it for its sheer humanity long efter the whingers are all gone. And while I am getting up my steam- who said the Cumbie were Irish? Whit planet are they on? The old cliche of scratch the hand of a Glasgwegian and you'll get Irish blood is a truism. To that extent then, the Cumbie were Irish. In the late 50's early 60's I knew several, of the so called wee hardmen in the Cumbie. I ran about the Clelland Bar and I do not recall WAN MEMBER WITH AN IRISH ACCENT. So go an bile yer heid youse that are green wi envy that someone from the Gorbals can pen such a great book. You should be proud that WAN OF YOUR AIN was talented and brave enough to spend time getting the whole feel of the Gorbals spot on. We don't all have tae work wi were hawns and get durty tae be industrious yi no. Some of us actually have a brain and use it!! I'll be first in line for a ticket to see the Block Buster Movie The Real Gorbals Story. But it is Xmas and I need to be a bit more charitable. So......God Bless you one and all. Merry Xmas EVERYONE! A REAL GORBALS PAL.

Submitted by: A real Gorbals Pal Oz 20/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Tommy Boyle I kin put yer mind at rest in part o yer quest u hiv nothing in common except yer name wi that man as u put it BOYLE his oldest brother PAT is now deceased and never had any family yer name sake tommy lives in usa n awe his family are in the states but that is not ti say he hasnt got a few runnin aroon somewhere but they widni hiv his name understand! harry lives in edinburgh he never married as far as a no n the same goes fer him as tommy and is probably younger than you anyway now ther uncle jimmy who is dead wis an sp booky but in london thats no ti say he never ran a book elswere now if you put jimmy boyle inti yer computer yil get a look at him n maybe yil see if u think ther is any resemblance ti yer family n the booky wan looked jist like him in the photo noo the boyles only hid 3 men in that side o the family james john thomas noo john n thomas are oot so maybe if yi kin try a london site yi mite be lucky wi jimmy the booky but ti ma knowledge nea ! chance jimmy the book writter his son got murdered in the oatlands so nea affspring ther the close cousins ther wis billy hung aboot smyths corner but noo nothin ther he went ti the army got married done a lot o wheelin n dealin he widni gie yi the time never mind his name n coold talk his way oot o a time capsule the next wan wis jist known as boyle ran wi the cumbie in the fifties n wid fite wi his shadow n his shadow usually won the next wan wis boaby now he wid give his name ti anyone or anything pure o heart loved awe wimin a jist dont understand how he kid be a rangers man noo here is a chance johnny the henry the 8th o the boyle clan if yiv herd o picadilly jim may i introduce gorbals john o the mile high club aye n even on the runway too ther is that many boyle,s in the gorbals that a man hid ti make sure he wis no commttin incest wi a lassie becuase her name wid sure ti be boyle hope this wee bit helps u tommy lookin at another anecdote of yours the boyles i tell u! about were born in the 20s the the 30s n 40s so dont see any connection there gid luck in yer quest Boyle.

Submitted by: Boyle Oz 20/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Trying to trace a John McGill who lived in Southportland Street then Rutherglen Road late 50's he moved to Possilpark he lived with his gran mother we were brought up together but lost touch when he went to Possil would be grateful for any info merry xmas and a happy new year to all Gorbals folk near and far.

Submitted by: Myra Glasgow, Scotland 19/12/07 Email: myrajigy1@aol.com
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I have noticed over the last few weeks there has been a lot of bickering between a lot of the old Gorbalites about who knew this one and that one, who was in the gangs and who was not. I was born and brought up in the Gorbals, and the only people I was scared of was my Mum& Dad, I knew what I would get if I missbehaved, a thick ear.There has always been folks who lived in the Gorbals years ago still live on a wee story about how they were in the best Gangs, knew the big Gangsters, went to school with Jimmy Boyle,they tell everyone,they sat next to him in school, they knew his son, his Mum , his cat and his Dug.Okay some of these people did know people like that, but to my knowledge they don't go about bumming to everyone with there stories, they are the real men.The rest of them are quite sad really.Nothing very exiting must have happened to them in the last 40 years. The real hardmen of old from the Gorbals must have a good laugh at some of the stories from these unkn! own numpties.Anyway laugh and the world laughs with you, talk crap, and everone laughs at you. TA TA Agnes.

Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 19/12/07 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk
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Doris when a wis a kid in lawmoor st i ran aboot wi the darki gang led by the robinsons of kidson st we hung! aboot the caly rd. gravy n years later i wis wi arti n sabu n Sabu fea errol st said come up ti ma cousens wi me n who should it be but a big singlet clad Nigerian guy Robinson eatin a big bone I KID U NOT no meat jist a bone! n he said hiv a bite ten quid [a u thot a wis gonni say "B"i will leave that ti u iv things dont go ti plan the morra ok doris]noo he didni hiv wee bowls or plates he jist hid the bare widden table wi lumps of bony meat n wis gettin stuck inti it so ti no offend him a took aff ma jacket n shirt n got stuck inti it too he said "the gid thing aboot u is yi always make yersel at hame" then the luagh like mer o a scream that hid a gleswegian accent too THAT WIS SUNDAY DINNER GORBALS STYLE a always thot sabu n artie were cousins but then i found out no way sabu cooldni SING!

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 19/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Hi doris and ten quid enjoy all your wee messages and can relate to all the names that crop up, smudger, smith, dodgy gaitens, scobie, by the way doris did you get the photos i sent to your niece of the old bonnies boys a while ago? Anyway have a great xmas and happy new year and hope you are keeping better t.q. awerabest jack {ben} duffy

Submitted by: Jack Duffy Basingstoke, England 19/12/07 Email: jduffy4@sky.com
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To add to the debate about the best Gorbals books, I teach literature at Glasgow University and in my opinion the top five Gorbals books are: 1.No Mean City - MacArthur 2.The Real Gorbals Story - Macfarlane 3.Growing Up in the Gorbals - Glasser 4.Sense Of Freedom - Boyle 5.The Gorbals an Illustrated History - Eunston

Submitted by: Teacher Glasgow, Scotland 19/12/07 Email: Not submitted
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TO TAM CRAIG I grew up with Colin Macfarlane and we went to the same schools and we played togther for years in the Dilly...to say he is not a genuine Gorbals guy is ridiculous..in the mid 1960s even as a kid he was a well known character in Crown Street as were the other kids like big Chris Purcell, Peter McCluskey, the Shannons, Alex Wilson. Albert McGinty...on the other hand you say you know everyone in the Gorbals...I still live there and everyone I ask has never heard of you! Anyway Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you and all the real Gorbals people. ps if you bothered to read a recent copy of the Sunday Mail you will see that the Gorbals movie project is true!

Submitted by: Bonny Boy Gorbals, Glasgow 19/12/07 Email: Not submitted
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Alex a lived ther from 57- 62 i may hiv known wilkies but one thing a did know wis a guy done a wilkie thru ma windea i lived 321 same side as u , n ther wis a fight up 323 somdi gate crashed a christenin whoops double wilkie rite thru ma windea low doon hoose well a widnea put it past some o them thistle st. guys ti throw him up inti a 3 story windea a gid chance a do know your family but a better chance u know mine as a wis a tough guy used ti walk ma wifes toy poodle up ti the church ti let it do the business nea bother even tho it wis 1am a won some money n bought her an ocelot lamb fur coat n awe the kids wid shout "nea drawers misses" wee "FRS" if they wid hiv caught up wi us ma misses wid hiv set her pet pussy on them a also hid an Armstrong Sydley car that sat outside ma door didni drive it jist sat ther a guy that lived up above the govenhill bar put cement powder doon the radiator so gid fer the goose gid fer the gander a put salt doon his throat then i go! t a white motor bike used ti take it inti ma single end at nite well a couldny afford anymer salt jist in case so ther wis me the wife fur coat poodle n we cooldni leave her pet pussy behind doin the travels n bye the way the guys paid fer the windea wid u no!with apologies too ! when a think aboot it a wid be shyte scared o me too widnea no if a wis charles manson or jist a nutter--same thing--BUT TRUE-- hope no offence usein the WILKIE but i bet yi hiv heard it awe before awera best fer the new year alex n hope ti write ti u again ten quid

Submitted by: TEN QUID OZ 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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I was jist reeding a mail on the page, fay a Dr .T Abu, noo that would be a nice bit of Culture change. Used ti know a lassie that wis merried tae a man of colour African and Tosh he met him when he was selling pictures in all the offices in LA Airport, This man he was in some head Honcho job at the Airport. So Tosh being quite,a talker, they hit it off. So any hoo, they invited us for a African home cooked dinner. So am all excited as in those days I would eat anything that was differant. So sits doon at the table which by the way was set with all the good dishes, and floweres I felt quite honered, next thing this bowl of stew appears, she has a maid, I dont know what got to me the most, a maid or a bowl of stew, which was good just some kind of musky flavour, and you know them wee bowls ah could hiv eat three of them plus the African breed Of course me being who I am I told them, and they thought that it was hilarious And as for all the fancy wines, that was his hobby, After a few sipsof this one and that, ah couldnt tell the viva la differance, they thought that was funny to. I told him George some people laugh at any thing. In all it was a nice evening. Oh And J Paton, I used to hiv inlaws who lived at six the Nuek Wishaw a cul de sac and fields wi coos in the fields, it was great to go there oh and they gave you Stew for breakfast. That was considered a holiday So best o British ti yi awe D A M

Submitted by: Doris Austin aka McIntyre C.A., USA 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Colin Mac Farlane I do duly apologise you were not born in Fort William that was only meant as a para phrase, but I know you were not born in the Gorbals and I can prove this so be careful about saying your a Gorbals man, yes you did stay there, but thats it. I didnt have the same sleepy life style as you I worked all my life selling briquettes and coal on Saturdays was my first job I lived in 247 Thistle street next door to the bookies and the fruit shop, then I served a five year apprenticeship working hard and at 22 had my own business so you can see I never had that much time to sleep!! My great great grandparents came from the Gorbals and to this day our families are large in numbers from toryglen to tollcross I knew everyone in the Gorbals as did my family and the site is genuinely full of Irish although I dont think you are, read 10 Quids reply to me that might just confirm what i wrote, I have no need to argue any points I witnessed the life in the Gorbals 1st hand, and sorry once again your wrong the cumbie was an irish gang, in my time and in my two older brothers time and in my younger brothers time, ask 10 Quid he knows. It appears your response to me was in deed showing me guilt. Anyway son have a great new year!

Submitted by: Tam Craig Glasgow, Scotland 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Nae vernaculer, Great to read all and sundry inputs but being born in a sngle end there and growing up during the 40's / 50's living back there in the 60's it's clear most inputs are from emmirants who have made their wee haven away, personally went through all that £50 assited passage, up a close in W Nile St for S A other places for NZ the States decided if I could'n't make it here bugger it will, The clap about this yin an' that is fact they existed an' that cannot change. Why were they "Bad" there were some hard buggers going about what for drugs ? drink ? power ? lived next door to a big family of gents but were always "Ahem" nae drill nae packdrill salt o' the earth whit the keech they done it for God knows. Same goes for your Boyles did not live to far away above the best Baker ever, Tommy if you read this good luck ol'pal is wee Maguire still alive ? having said all this the place was populated with Teauchters and Paddys forced to seek who else would have moved into the hovels provided, pay the rent go to the "factors" another bliddy joke ask to get the roof fixed or some else not important like an open sewer we made it folks and I hope the aerosoles who gathered their bawbees roast might not be well known but when the tenements were at the end of their lives most properties were given to pennieless dossers along with with a few bob so that the owners did not have to pay for the demolition GROWL GROWL GROWL Still the best folk a ever ! met and wid dae it awe again still got a notion o' that wee ice cream factory on the caley road 'tween Mathie St an' Sandyfaulds where used tae hing about the open door in the summer go the messages for the lassies an' get a banana ice cream take it roon the corner into the top o' Mathie up the hgh back an' watch the men making brushes, enough the noo.

Submitted by: Anon Not Submitted 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Ten quid and Doris,another one to get your teeth around and you must also say this one fast over and over again...I rattled my bottles in Hollexes yard.Good luck.

Submitted by: Tommy Boyle Leicestershire, England 18/12/07 Email: thomasboil@tiscali.co.uk
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To Christina and James Philbin I haven't heard anything from you over the last couple of months but I hope you are both hale and hearty. If you can, do a wee posting and let us all know how you are. You have helped me and I guess hundreds of ex Gorbalites with your recollections of times past. Here's wishing you both a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. The most important of these of course is HEALTH. Love Rita

Submitted by: Rita Moffat Glasgow, Scotland 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Colin Macfarlane's life story The Real Gorbals Story is a welcome addition to all that has been written about the place before. Unlike No Mean City this book is full of humour and wit that captures the optimism of the Gorbals people. I read it on the beach abroad but even reading it there I could feel the atmosphere of the place overcoming me. It's a must buy for all those who have an interest in the neighbourhood and all its good, bad and ugly characters.

Submitted by: Desperate Dan Glasgow, Scotland 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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T.Q hope that Betty will keep us informed of your operation, just in case yir no up ti par (grin) I know it is the recovery , and as we MATURE it takes twice as long ti bliddy heal and getting in your case yir savvy back. I wonder what age the webmaster is , just curious. I remember one o the lassies in my class , her name was Kathleen Scanlon, and she was a May Queen, she was one bonnie lass and I think the other girl was Sally Dodds , she took some teasing about her last name , you know dods o this n that,.....well we got oor xmas tree up it looks nice, made me think back on a xmas in snowdon st, We got a wee tree mere like branch , made our own decorations oot o papar squares and tore the edges and bent them to gether and hung them fay the ceiling, and getting back to the tree we had candles but ma Da said to dangerous although wi that condensation running doon the wa nae chance of anything burning in that room. Nae toys or new out fits , a apple n orange and a choclate Santa Clause that you held oot from eating it but not fur long. OOr Bertha she could alwasys last better than me and Arie. We thought that wis a great and first Xmas for us three. Ma Maw she was a baker as alot of wim! min were in those days, and I can always remember coming up the staires , you could smell the cinnamin and spices she would be baking with , and the scullery was nice and warm , and we would get a drink of that real strong ginger beer that was sold at that time . And then the hoose getting all scubbed and wi a bit o luck some new curtains, and watchcloth or linoleum as it is named now fur the flerr, noo that wis Xmas some thing new fur the hoose. And how aboot the men and women who would come and sing in your back yard fur coppers, ma Maw she would give her last , her and Mrs Kelly, two poorest familys up the close maist weans. But noo Nereday that was awhole different ball game big time parties lasted fur days , one would go out two more wid come in. In all oor wee scheme was pretty cool. as always best of health and have a great xmas and new year DAM

Submitted by: Doris Austin aka McIntyre California, USA 18/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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To Tam Craig...I have only ever been in Fort William once on a day trip! As the Real Gorbals Story says I was born and brought up there...to say the people on this site are mostly Irish and the Cumbie were as well is absolutely ludicrous...you certainly didn't live in the same Gorbals as me and if you did you must have been sleeping most of the time! Great, wild people and remarks by you will never ever replace the truth. Merry Christmas to all my real Gorbals pals! Colin

Submitted by: Colin MacFarlane Pontypridd, UK 17/12/07 Email: colinmacuk@yahoo.com
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Hi Ten Quid you lived at the top of Thistle St? What years and did you remember any of the Wilkie family? We lived in 345 & 359. Right accross from the old gushet! if you remember any of them please get in touch. My granda was Archie and grannie Agnes. Between the two closes we had five fammilies. Those where the days. Thanks Alex.

Submitted by: Alex Dublin, Ireland 16/12/07 Email: brnadettenln@yahoo.ie
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I am on Glesgapals board and one of our members is looking for Billy Hamilton. Can any of you help me in this request. Contact me via email if its easier. Bye for now, Norrie I hope you dont mind me bringing this up again but Amanda is looking for her father and I said I would try this site again . All i know so far is he's around 51 or 52ish he was married to Ruth Adams who'd be around 50ish now, they had 2 children Karen and William, they must be late 20's early 30's. they lived in either the gorbals or rutherglen back in 78/79 maybe. Ruth stayed with her sister Brenda Adams (aunt really) in granton ST, billy stayed in Roseberry ST i think that was when thy were at school, marydoll said they all used to go to Wolsley ST Primary then went onto Adelphi Secondary (not the red sandstone 1) it was the white 1 new at the time. Billy was a year above marydoll and Ruth i think. marydoll thought that they were living in govanhill, but then she emailed to say that their now living back in the oatlands or rutherglen, not to sure. Any new info would be gratefully appreciated.x

Submitted by: Norman McNamee Glasgow, UK 16/12/07 Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com
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Hi to everybody and a very merry Christmas. Can anybody please help me, I am tracing my family tree and my dads family come from Glasgow and the Gorbals, his mother is Mary Ann Kilkie,a very large family in the area and his father was Patrick James Boyle. Addresses I have for them are 4 Roukenburn St Thornliebank Glasgow around 1933, the last one my father remembers was 132 South Portland St Gorbals. I have found that my grandad Patrick James Boyle died at 10 1/2 Eglinton st Gorbals in 1946. As the name Kilkie in Glasgow are all linked can anyone tell me if the names Boyle are all linked please? Yes a little dicky bird has suggested I could be related to that man Boyle but please I am not trying to glorify him as we dont know any of the Boyles. Any info given will be very much apreciated so go on make someones Christmas and help fill in life long gaps.

Submitted by: Tommy Boyle Leicestershire, England 16/12/07 Email: thomasboil@tiscali.co.uk
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James Haggerty, Jimmy, I have had problems with my PC and have lost your email and home address could you please contact me, thanks Frank

Submitted by: Frank Ford Whyalla, South Australia 16/12/07 Email: frankford@SA86net.com
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Its amasing what a bottle of whiskey can do Webmaster, but joking aside thanks for printing my point of view, we all have opinions and I am satisfied But I still have a problem how do I get it to you!! Ten Quid mentions Glen Fid he is going over the top, I was thinking more of Teachers ha ha that used to be made in the Gorbals, and I never drank it for numerous reasons Ten Quid would know why, all the best for the new year Big Tam

Submitted by: Tam Craig Glasgow, UK 16/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Doris dea yi know this wan got ti say it fast--IM NOT A PHEASANT PLUCKER--IM ONLY PLUCKING PHEASANTS FOR THE PHEASANT PLUCKER'S SON --AND IM ONLY PLUCKING PHEASANTS TILL THE PHEASANT PLUCKERS COME! noo say it as fast as yi kin over n over a few times gid xmass party wan awera best all ten quid

Submitted by: TEN QUID Oz 16/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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I am collating stories from anyone interested, about life in the Gorbals around the time of the Queen Elizabeth flats.This is for an exhibition and storytelling session at the Gorbals Library on Monday 14th January 2008. So if you have any stories, ditties or intereating memories from this time and would be happy to share them with me, please let me know; I'd be happy to speak on the phone , meet up in person or e- mail,Kind regards Allison Galbraith. al.story@hotmail.co.uk

Submitted by: Allison Galbraith Lanark, Scotland 15/12/07 Email: al.story@hotmail.co.uk
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My father John Brown was born in Hospital St. around 1941. He was the oldest of 5. He has 2 brothers Tony and Manus. 2 sisters Kathleen and Patricia. His mother was Mary (nee Heron) and my grandfather was Mandy Brown. My father worked in a bar at the Eglington Toll and as far as I can remember being told, my grandmother used to have a wee fruit and veg business. Does anyone remember them? My dad now lives in Donegal (Rnafast) with my mother Eileen (O'Donnell). I would love to hear from anyone who remembers them please.

Submitted by: Paul Brown Galway, Ireland 15/12/07 Email: paul.brown@covidien.com
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James McAvoy i hear they are looking for a new vehicle for you well wid yi like ti buy a new HYUNDI GETZ am willin ti sell cheap!a need a gallon o petrol fer ma ROLLS!
Doris aye remember them well we wull soon be singing F-N- ALL F-N-ALL when wull we get ethenall we cant afford gas -or even pet-ranol so hurry up n give us F-N-ALL or we wull just get back ti the Churchill Prams am ridein yer pushin am mer than 1/2 wi back ti childhood noo a cooldni see over the top wi the hood up noo we get smaller n smaller as wee get aulder n aulder no a bad way ti travel a dummy stuck own a bottle o V,P,WINE as yer a T-TOTLER n am an EMPTY BOTTELER ye canny push yer granny aff the bus HIV A MERRY XMASS U TOSH N AWE THE REST O THE FAMILY am celibri-celebrush-celibrent-ache "F"it nearli drunk hick fea oh am shik noo shen squid

Submitted by: TEN QUID Oz 15/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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A Dont want ti put a dampner own anyone in perticular but talkin aboot movies WARNERS gave jimmy boyle $2MILLION US as a retainer ti write a book fer them a few years ago hope neabudy takes offense but it came fea the horses mouth so ti say!n a no he gets up at 4 in the mornin ti day his wurk but i wis up at 3 this mornin canni sleep makin the most o it in awe a get is 2 sore legs efter chasein a big spider awe over the house tryin ti hit it wi ma granweans shoe WELL AM NO GETTIN MINE IN A MESS!!a nearly keecked masell when a went ti hit it the first time a fell on ma knees n rolly pollied over didni no were the "FR" wis wits rang wi us when we are weans we kid drap aff high dyks noo we fall on the flair n we are awe but greetin n rubbin awe the sore bits " ACHE F THE SPIDER AM AWE SORE!"

Submitted by: TEN QUID Oz 14/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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I was just wondering if any body out there knew kevin dooley he has a twin brother brian an about 16 other siblings he spent his childhood in the gorbals some of his other siblings are Jimmy, William, Eileen and Michael most of the afore mentioned live in london now I would be most grateful for any help he saw me through my darkest days I want to thank him

Submitted by: Jane Price Tyne and Wear, UK 14/12/07 Email: pwincess-jane@hotmail.com
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To Agnes 8/12 Thanks for your words of encouragement. Ah jist get hacked off with the dramatics of hard men stories etc, etc If thats all there was we wouldn't be alive today. As for being well dressed????????? The clothes we wore were hand me downs or stuff from the Barras and the Bridgegate. But they were washed and ironed and sometimes we felt like toffs if the stuff was good. Sometimes not...the clothes were sometimes too big and we were told "Och ye will grow intae it" Be thankful said my grannie we went tae school with no shoes on. Food, well ah never ever remember going hungry for long as there was always soup on the go with all kinds of bones lurking about it which you sucked the ham or the mutton off. A piece n' dook was a slice of bread dipped in the stew or mince and that was a meal. Friday it was fishsuppers if the men came in with their pay pokes and it wiz up tae Greasy Peter's fur fish and chips. I always got the wee skinny bit of the end of the fish tail. I swore to myself that when I grew up I wid have a whole fish supper all to myself and I did and do-frequently.I haVE THE BUM AND THE BELLY TO PROVE IT! WEE Wummin too

Submitted by: Wee Wummin Too Glasgow, Scotland 14/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Hi I am trying to find any photo of my grandfather JAMES BOYLE he was a well known bookie in the gorbals and the calton and dropped dead at Ayr racecourse in 1954 where he went by the name of James Scott His famiy were well known in the Gorbals Thanks

Submitted by: George Duncan Glasgow, Scotland 14/12/07 Email: GEORGE.DUNCAN@SKY.COM
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Doris Austin Oh, but ah enjoy the stuff you put on the site-great imagination and a way with words. You just take me there , loved the bit about the flashback to Lewis's in Argyle Street I would love to be able to take my grand weans there! The grotto seemed to go on for miles with glittery snow, sledges fairies, elves, and piles of MAGIC. The magic is missing don't you think these days? Maybe me getting too old to feel it. Call me VICTORIA MELDREW IF YOU LIKE! I Loved to hear too about the hoat baths. It felt like a beacon walking back from the Gorbals Baths-big bursted red face and legs like corned beef. Full of myself I wiz, dead gallas Gorbals Glamour-a hid a BATH! Aw the best to you and a big GET WELL SOON TO TEN QUID YIR PAL. Wee Wummin Too

Submitted by: Wee Wummin 2 Glasgow, Scotland 14/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Wee Wummin Ach, am glad you didnae take offence non was intended. Ah jist had wee emotional flare up because of associations with he who shall not be named. I truly think that all of us have a wee bit iron in the blood and don't like being told what to do-that's what makes us strong characters and able to take life's knocks. Never saw the film but went to see the play and David Hayman played the lead. I agree a superb Actor and has been on the tele a lot in some excellent dramas. The play was on in Glasgow -oh maybe, 15 plus years ago. The thing that sticks in my mind was how the theatre was packed with middle class liberals going on about the deeper meaning of the sculpture produced by you know who. SH--- I would dearly love to take them back in time to a day in the life of a Gorbalite particularly one of the women who had been threated with a beating for not paying up to the "money lender" Enough about that. If you like books that give a good story and a good fright try Stephen King if you have not already done so.Guaranteed it will have you looking under the bed at night before you turn in for the night! I am not looking for another argument but if Colin wants to push his own barrow don't you think he is entitled to?Good on him I hope the film plays it true-the humour as well as the bad stuff. Anyway enjoy your Xmas and Ne'rday-will have a large drink in my hand on the stroke of midnight to toast you and all the good people that populate this site. Wee Wummin2

Submitted by: Wee Wummin 2 Glasgow, Scotland 14/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Looking for anyone connected to these families, Reid, Treacy, Greer, Kennedy,McGovern, McKenna. They lived mostly in the Kinning Park area, married in St John's Church Portugal St. My Granny worked in Miss Baird's Tea rooms for many years if that means anything to anyone? Cheers- Jan

Submitted by: Jan Reid Aberdeen, Scotland 14/12/07 Email: Jan@kx1.co.uk
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Another Wee Wumin, i was not taking offense life is too short just making a statement of fact i love reading true fiction as most of the books that are read are just that! that book real gorbals was too tame for a hardened reader now come on who is kidding who here making it into a movie i think colin is pushing his own barrow here! putting your obvious hatred of boyle to one side for the moment the movie is a must see film the acting of David Haymen was first class especially the prison sequences a great actor making the film a must see love him or hate him !so we shall just agree to disagree ok all the best for xmass and a happy new year wee wumin

Submitted by: Wee Wumin South OZ 14/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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ten quid you made me laugh honest i never done a maltesers only a we dribble now and again i was only five i wont eat maltesers again after that story good luck at hospital

Submitted by: wet wet wet Glasgow, Scotland 13/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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I remember the Churchill Prams , they were very classic. And dont they have a Pram shop on Sauchihall St , mind you that was many years ago, it was with a lot of pride if you could afford one, and those beautiful summer canopies that went with them... Hey T Q remember this wee ditty we used tae sing walking ti the ducksie. And we would do all the actions of bowing and curtising, ready now . Oh and PULEEZE nae body take offence it is only a old song. OH PLEASE DO KEEP OFF THE GRASS TO LET THE LADIES PASS HERE COMES THE CUNTSTABLE SLIDING ON HIS ASK NO QUESTIONS TELL NO LIES SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND YOU WILL CATCH NO FLIES BUT did change it to Police man for the kids its a haund me doon , I have them all singing about Skinny malinkie long legs,I belong to Glasgow and a couple of others. Still hoping to hear any info of the Blacks Weirs and Lennons all from Oregan St and Erole St..And if any one has any Pictures of my sister Bertha sure would love to have them for my niece Yasmin her daughter thank you Doris. As always best o health Dam

Submitted by: Doris Austin aka McIntyre Slo, C.A. 13/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Doris am no bad the hospital sent fer me n on a went 200kilo.roon trip got ther n they said u didny hiv ti come up here we hiv awe yer info this is the 6th time u no!"F" SAKE am a bit stooopid jist like ti pay $1-40 litre fer petrol get corns in ma erse probably got cought wi a speed camera over takin a truck in the rain eyes sore from peerin thru the windscreen no ti mention ma nose gettin rubbed aff wi the same screen ma spinal fusion playin hell wi ma BACK n LEGS as a take ma feet aff the excelarater it floats up on ti the dashboard as i hiv nea control over it the leg has gone ti sleep "FN" aotomatics then THE DOC tells me "u no this is a very dangerouse op u are gettin on the 21-12-07 at 8-30 in the mornin" a said "wull yi waken me up ti put me ti sleep fer the op?"are yi sure thers nea auld body parts like erse holes n blood n guts yi would like me ti take doon ti the incinerator afore a throw masel in i mite hiv better luck ther GUESS WHAT! on the way home we c! alled into the casino n won $150 on roulette ache things are not awe that bad it mite pay fer a few gallons o petrol OCHE WHEN ARE WE GETTIN ELECTRIC CARS? HIV A GID N HAPPY XMASS DORIS from EBINEEZAR SCROOGE

Submitted by: TEN QUID Oz 13/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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TO Wee Wummin 1 Don't be so offended I wiznae telling ye whit ye should read or no read.I was jist making 2 points 1.The Author of A Sense of Freedom in my estimation is a despicable character and blighted the life of many a decent person in the Gorbals. HIS STORY WAS PAINTED IN A WAY TO CAUSE A SENSATION. SMALL MAN WITH A BIG BIG EGO. BUT HIS STORY WAS NOT TYPICAL OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THOUSANDS OF US.2. As has been pointed out before on numerous occaisons we all had hard and difficult, lives living in the Gorbals but it did not make us into ANIMALS. Now if you like a gory story that is your choice and your own money that buys the books you like. Good on you. Just don't expect the rest of us to agree that man was a hero or a real man. WEE WUMMIN 2

Submitted by: Another Wee Wummin Not Submitted 13/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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when i wis a wee boy i got hit by the proverbial MILANDA bread van u see this wee dug took a liken ti ma leg n i kicked him were the sun dont shine n he chased me into n out of an air aid shelter in lawmoor st smack inti the van fracturing ma skull after hospitalization n gettin holes drilled in ma heid (now thers an openin fer somedi)i came home but wisni allowed oot-sooo! ma da n his pals who hid a band came ti ma street climb up on the same shelter n played jazz wi 2 Charlie Chaplin imitators tap dancers i wis sat on a chair at the windea n they played not only fer me but fer everyone who cared ti listen THER WIS HUNERS O FOLKS Hingin oot the windeas sittin roon the shelter n aye even dancin in the street in 1944 ther wis a war on but that day wis fer fun n wan thing the gorbals folk coold do wis enjoy life poor n awe as it wis n BIG TAM yer rite a wis fea irish stock noo how coold yi guess that as most folk who came from the gorbals were of irish origin mines hundred or mer years ago baith fea SLIGO orange n green a mixed up marriage but know somethin fer awe ther troubles wi me included they stuck tigether ti the end ma da said yi dont need religin as long as u support the celtic!maw always said "he is daft thers only wan team the BULLY WEE" clyde to those who dont know! n TAM a never bashed any ma family or stole anythin i wis a wurker a never killed anywan althow a wanted ti n i nearly did some guys jist give yi the shytes n as fer irish BASED gangs WIT!Thats a first! noo if yi want ti talk SRA aye another time!did yi mean u owe me or the webmaster a bottle o the gid stuff? Mc Farlane like us awe if yi lived in the gorbals long enuff yer a gorbalonian if u read Alex Bowie of paisley anecdote 2-11-07 he sums us awe up beautifully n BIG TAM hiv a gid yin n awera best ten quid

Submitted by: TEN QUID Oz 13/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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Och , ti awe you folks that used ti go ti the Ducksie and the sonny pond , and we actually swum in that mud hole and as soon as some one spotted a big turd every one was oot the pond till they caught a couple of them big turds And as fur the swimming costumes as we callled them in those days , man they were made oot o wool and when you would cum oot thw watter the weight o them bliddy thing the croch wis doon ti tir Roae Maries (knees) and gaves yi scurves while I am oan a roll how aboot them public baths in Roseberry street , thrupence and a big jaggy towel tae dry yi aff. Mind yi if ah rember right the watter wis so hoat by the time yi goat yir bum in she would be rattling oan the door right, you lot nooo times up , shut yir face ,you would hear ah hivnae even got ma wullie in yet, now I know why aah cannie eat Lobster thats how it must feel getting boiled alive oh jist scunners me at the thought. then yi would walk hame , hoping that all yir pals could see yi not that you would be missed as yir bliddy legs were red from the boiling watter and then they knew yi hid a bath did feel clean though by time you got in the bath after easing in wi yir toes first , it took a bit of time Ha Ha , next thin! g the doors were alll getting opend right ,thats it yi hiv been in long enough nae pleasure of playing it like you used to see in them daft American films were every one hid baths and wee duckies . As always good health ti ane n awe D A

Submitted by: Austin aka McIntyre Slo, USA 12/12/07 Email: Not Submitted
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I have read the real gorbals story i did not like it, the cumby i am fed up hearing about i felt i had read this book before but i realized it was like me and my pals sitting talking about the gorbals. We lived there so we knew all this the gorbals when i was young had a lot of good people a lot more good than bad if the neighbours had a quarel it was soon made up if that person needed help to hell with the gangs we tried our best to ignore them our circumstances were not perfect but we enjoyed living in the gorbals.

Submitted by: Sonny Glasgow, Scotland 12/12/07
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Wee Wumin good on you read what you like i hiv awe the books u hiv mentioned and went ti school wi brady but the one of manual i hiv not seen or heard of would like to get ma hons on him never mind the book. He murdered a good pal o the wifes n she gave the photos to the media n we didnt know who the killer was, but we hunted for ever it seemed i had a very sharp knife for him n i made ma girlfriend at the time keep one in her bag i wis dancing wi Anne knielands jist a month or so (before she got murdered) her works dance gymozas in howard st in the plaza n still hiv a photo o her n the wife she lived in bellshill in a converted farm house n manual lived out that way too we hiv never had closure on that as he got found not proven but we heard he admitted to a total o 15 murders as he was getting hanged "WHO DONT BELIEVE IN THE DEATH PENALTY?" noo Brady ache another time! the folk who condem u dont know the consequences o book burnin!

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 12/12/07
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Tam Craig Meet Branigan, Flannigan, Milligan, Gilligan, Duffy, McGuffy, Malachy, Malone Rafferty, Lafferty, Donnely, Connely, Dooley, O'Hooley, Muldowney, Mahone, Madigan, Cadigan, Lanahan, Flanahan, Hagen, O'Fagan, O'Houlihan, Flynn, Shanahan, Manahan, Hogarty, Fogarty, Kelly, O'Kelly, McGuinness, MaGinn Clancy Boyle Doyle Coyle thet will do ti begin noo fer the jewish lutherainians poles n tuchters ache yi owe the webmaster a bottle o glenfidiech pay up tam craig noo that sounds SCOTCH!

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 12/12/07
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I would like to wish everybody on the gorbals site a very merry Christmas, and a great 2008. Agnes herrity.

Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 11/12/07
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Here it is a dumpling cake 2cups water 1lb raisins 1/tspoon nutmeg 1/4 tspoon ginger 3//4 cups sugar 1/4 cup o butter or Maggie ann 1 t/spoon cinnamon 1/2 t/ spoon cloves, then put all the ingredients in to pot bile fur 5mins let it cool I normaly stick it into the fridge tae cool. Then add 3cups o flour 1teaspoon baking soda then 2 eggs mix it well put into a greased bundt pan and bake for 1/half hours 375 deg it is sooooo gooood, ma grand kids we make at least ten for friends and who ever even donated a couple to the good will it seems to go doon well. si you can toast a slice in the frying pan just ti broon it or with, hhhmmmm jummmers, Birds eye custard or ice cream hid tae laugh at wee wummins tale of well dressed kids in the gorbals when we got oor claithes fi the parish if you were lucky you got to wear it but mostly ended up in the pawn she must hiv been one o the lucky wans. I wish people would not take offence at what I rabbit oan aboot it is not meant for any one to feel slighted and we all have our own versions of life in the Gorbals ACTUALLY I lived in ha ha in the oatlands and some folks thought we were well aff because we hid a Corpoation hoose 2 Snowden St. Always clean windaes and sterrs but not to much oan the inside as who hid the money fur fine clothes and furniture lucky jist ti get a square meal and a lot of weans didnae get that. Ma Maw always hid a peece fur any one might jist be a bit o margerine or jam but it was better than nowt.O here is a ? fur yi in the forties is it true that the Docks wis awe proddies and freemasons and caflicks couldnae get a job. Tosh said as soon as you gave tour address they knew if yi wir a caflic or a dan or a old tin can. As fur me I never noticed as the factories were always hiring. I worked in Twomax I was an overlocker, then a couple of other wee jobs then off ti Templeton carpet factory, piece work I still hiv the scars oan ma fingers fae the bliddy machine but it wis considered good money in them days oh and it wis ayways waaaarm inside. So I hope some of you will try the dumpling cake and let me know how it fares. Best to every one merry Xmas and a great Nereday. TQ whits happening wi yi Tony he is a cousin o Tosh and from the Garn Gad went to see John and he said he cant talk but is aware of everything that is going oan I wull hiftae get his address, he was always wan o ma favourites so again be happy and as healthy as ye cin be DAM

Submitted by: Doris Austin (aka McIntyre) Slo, Canada 11/12/07
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JUST SPOTTED THIS ON-LINE! Scots Star Lines Up Gorbals: The Movie 2007-10-07 By NORMAN SILVESTER ATONEMENT star James McAvoy is being lined up to play a young man growing up in one of Scotland's most notorious slums. Movie bosses have approached bestselling author Colin MacFarlane about his book, The Real Gorbals Story. And they want McAvoy, who recently starred in the Idi Amin drama The Last King of Scotland, to play MacFarlane, whose book is based on his life in the Glasgow slum in the 50s and 60s. MacFarlane, a former journalist who has also written a successful biography of Tom Jones, says he was contacted by Columbia Tri-Star last week. He said: "McAvoy is one of the biggest things in Hollywood and they are looking for a new vehicle for him. There was an article about my book in the Hollywood Reporter and they are talking about using McAvoy as the star reflecting on his life in a seriesof flashbacks. "They want me to go over and discuss a screenplay based on the book. They are also talking about getting Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle on board. "Their idea is that it would be a movie similar in style and budget to Trainspotting or Neighbourhood Saints." McAvoy, 28, of Drumchapel, Glasgow is being tipped for an Oscar nomination for World War II drama Atonement. The BAFTA-winning actor, who got his break in TV's Shameless, is shooting Wanted with Angelina Jolie. He has also been tipped to play the part of engineer Scottie in a new Star Trek movie. MacFarlane, 52, now works as a property developer in Pontypridd in Wales. He was born in Crown Street, the same road that was home to the fictional Johnny Stark in the classic book No Mean City. The Real Gorbals Story details the poverty, violence and humour of life in the community.

Submitted by: Larry MaCoy New York, USA 11/12/07
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Hi everyone, i hope you all have a lovely chrismas and a great new year, i will be in glasgow for new year i just love it, not the same as years ago but i still love being there. Jackie turnbull, fran sanny, s duff, i wish you all the very best for 2008, and hope to hear from you all in the new year. I will have a drink for you all at the new year haha, can't wait to hear all the great storys on the site, and i bet there will be a few haha, have a great time, love pat davis

Submitted by: Pat Davis Islington, London 11/12/07
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I am trying to contact Peter Glendinning Gibb. I believe we are related and I have information to share. Please write to me at the e-mail address below.

Submitted by: Nancy USA 11/12/07 Email: nshut@aol.com
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Hi writing to see if anyone knows or was friends with my parents HARRY FARREN he lived in 186 hospital street and has brothers Charlie Farren, Pat Farren and Bridie Farren, was at St Johns primary and was also at Our Lady St Margret's secondary. My mother ROSALINE FARREN (WARD) lived in 27 Caledonia street and went to St Francis primary and Holyrood secondary. Winnie Ward and Charlie Ward are her borther and sister. Would be great to hear from anyone who knew them and my parents would love to hear from old friends.

Submitted by: Harry Farren & Rosaline Farren (Ward) Glasgow, Scotland 10/12/07 Email: marcfarren@hotmail.com
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Hello all, jist went intae the big hardware store, and I swear on ma maws grave, ah got the biggest flashback of the xmas grotto in the big Store named Lewis's right on Argyle St. As always us urchins waited in line, rings roon oor necks, as it was to cauld ti waaash nae instnat hoat watter in them days. But let me tell ya I had the biggest smile oan ma face, as we went there fur the heat and of course dae the nasty. But just going up and doon in the Elevator and walking though all the beautiful stuff, and jist lookin That wis considered a day oot, and if wi a bit o luck if ane us had a broon copper we would buy the chipped fruit, that the man used ti sell oot side the front door, boy we thought we hid died and went ti heavan. Oh and the first time Artie n me and a couple of his pals plus Julia Murray went as teenagers ti buy ane o them yankee ice creams a Knicker bocker Glory, felt like we were real grown ups, and hing oot and listen ti the music. We were the first anes oan! the street ti get a radiogram. Sister irene she goat it oan tick fae Clydsdales, buggered aff ti new york, brother Lenoard he got stuck wi the payments, he buggers aff ti new York, oh so did Kathleen as well. You know ti this day ah dont know if it ever git payd fur. But we hid sum grate paties in that hoose especially when all the Austin mob cousins oan the Austin side, and awe Edwards pals they would awe cum oan leave at the same time. Anyhoo the noo being it is around Xmas I have one of the well in ma opinion a great receipe fur a dumpling cake. And being that this wee note is so long will put in another note Awe ru best DAM

Submitted by: Doris Austin (aka McIntyre) Slo, C.A 10/12/07
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Friends from Gorbals, join us to celebrate Jesus at the center on the 23 December 2007 in St. Francis Centre Starting from 1.00pm. There will be a variety of food for all. You will have an opportuinity to taste African dishes. Join us 10am every sunday for worship. Gorbals is a very friendly community. The Community spirit is very high. We have enjoyed this for the past several months of using St.Francis centre. The people of Gorbals are very nice people. This is our thank you for creating such a friendly atmosphere. Keep up the good work. A warm welcome awaits you. See ya.

Submitted by: Dr T.Abu Glasgow, Scotland 09/12/07 Email: mfmglasgow@yahoo.co.uk
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Has anyone heard of sheru ram who set up a small cash and carry in the gorbals in the sixties and seventies selling school wear and clothing? He passed away in the eighties at a good age possibly 75yrs old, all information would be appreciated.

Submitted by: Raymond Glasgow, Scotland 09/12/07 Email: kilty.cauldbum@virgin.net
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Does anyone remember the Taggart family of 5 thistle street (the pen) from 1947 (when I was born) to 1954. We moved up to the end of thistle street across from the fruit and vegetable store run by the Mcnaughtons. Then to Ardencraig quad in Castlemilk in the late fifties. Went to Gorbals and then Strathbungo. Love the site.

Submitted by: Tommy Taggart Sebastopol, USA 09/12/07 Email: Tigobar@aol.com
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Vantas dead right an the ice lollies were worserer Paragon? naebody paid to get in whit way the stick door, the finger door, the hard door be sittin there wi yir jersey oan an cummin oot wi a jumper an wan o the doors wid burst open an wee shadows wid be skitin aw ower the place by the way if ye mind drap onything on the flair leave it whit ye might pick up wisnae whit ye drapped as ye say wanse boredum set in... wan o' the favourites wis "Whit's the password" nae prize fur guessin an it wis usually whit wis on the flair if ye wur daft enough tae rummage about there, the Bees wis a different Camlachie bouncers awe ower the place wis watchin the Dolly Sisters wan Seturday waitin fur the three Stooges or somethin comin oan we wur aw fed up an smert erse blaws up ma tottie crisp bag bursts it seconds later wis oot oan the pavement nae messin Yir joggin ma memory too much Mr

Submitted by: Anonymous 08/12/07
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To all glaswegians and folk from the gorbals.. have a great christmas and a fantastic new year. awe the best maria

Submitted by: Maria Welsh Dunedin, New Zealand 08/12/07 Email: terry_maria@hotmail.com
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Another wee GLASGOW WUMMIN sorry but i will read what i like and i read that sorry name for a book the real gorbals on my flight to new zealand what a boring flight my friend gave me A SENSE OF FREEDOM to read on my way home and i was hoping my flight would just keep going now you will say i should not have read hindley and brady or peter manual i have read both also hitler-stalin-polpot-and edi amin to name a few it is our right to understand people and the world and not bury our heads in the sand to pretend it never happened like the church wanted us to do and never learn to read or write or understand yes i have read the bible too. now i want to read the karan! back from my holiday in NZ to the land of free speech and thank goodness they dont burn books! Wee Wumin

Submitted by: Wee Wumin South Oz 08/12/07
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FAO: The other wee glesga wummin. Congratulations on your very straight talking e-mail about the people who only talk about the gorbals in a way that would make people who have never lived in the Gorbals think we were all nutcases with knifes & guns, and gangsters, most of the ones who talk like that should take there blinkers off and talk about the Gorbals as a great place to live, with good family's working Mum's & Dad's, well dressed children, happy times, with lots of laughter, and fun, good neigbours helping each other. Yes a lot of times the Gorbals got a bad name for the right reasons, but it was not the way everone lived. Thanks again other wee glessga wummin. Agnes.

Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 08/12/07 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk
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To Ten Quid, are you Irish or come from an Irish family, cause I have tried to write several articles but they all get passed on to the the bin, I genuinely think this site is for all the Irish who lived in the Gorbals, this will not be printed either I know this because scottish people are not welcome on this site only the would be gangsters of yesterday how can grown men still talk about the cumbie an irish based gang who terrorised their own families, thieves and murders who brought shame on the Gorbals and the guy Mc Farlane didnt come from the Gorbals but Fort William and he writes a load of crap sorry but that was a book not about the real Gorbals I was born in Thistle Street as was my great great grandparents all scottish and real Gorbals people if this gets printed I will give you a bottle of whiskey Big Tam.

Webmaster Note - This website is intended for everyone with relations or an interest in the Gorbals. Any anecdotes that could cause offence will not be printed. So, I'll be expecting that bottle of whisky!

Submitted by: Tam Craig Tollcross, Glasgow 08/12/07
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RE: THE REAL GORBALS STORY Hey i was around the Gorbals at he same time as Macfarlane and i remember him well. He was a bit of a wildman and after reading his book I can tell he still is. Macfarlane like myself was a member of the local Cumbie gang and I can remember him in his Levi Sta Press trousers and hand made Arthur Black shirt. He was always well dressed and had a good line in patter. He was quite bright at school and recognised as a good story teller. I was going to write a book about the Gorbals but there is no way I could match this as it is a real page turner. Well done Colin you have come a long way from the wild streets of the Gorbals. I remember you once quoting to me the line,"Men who are not mean have got to walk these mean streets."...and you were absolutely right. The streets of the Gorbals were wild yet exciting places for every one of us.

Submitted by: Bonniesboy London, UK 07/12/07
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I have just read Colin Macfarlane's The Real Gorbals Story amd it really is a great read. I notice people are now raving about it worldwide. Here is a review I saw today on Amazon...this book has certainly got people talking again about the old Gorbals AMAZON REVIEW....DEC 6 2007 This biography by a real Gorbals boy is by far the best ever written about the old Gorbals. Colin Macfarlane grew up there as a street kid in the 1960s and he describes all the drunks, the hardcases, the gangs and gang members,the back street singers, the jakes, the crumbling tenements, the boozers, the flymen, and the honest working people who made up the community. This tome beats other books on the old Gorbals by a million miles. Macfarlane's story is full of twists and turns that have you turning each page with great expectations. He also, for the first time, captures the magnificent sense of humour and patter that existed and it is hard not to have a good old fashioned belly laugh at the patter and goings on. Macfarlane, although explaining in the book that he left school at 15 with a limited education, is also a great writer and compelling storyteller. This stupendous unique biography really is a must for anyone who grew up in the area or for those who have wondered wh! at it was really like to live in the notorious Gorbals. THE REAL GORBALS STORY is an instant classic of our times, the best book about the Gorbals ever! Every house in Glasgow should have one.

Submitted by: June Casey Glasgow, Scotland 06/12/07
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Hi there WEE Wummin 3/12/07 Gonnie gies a break! That book and and the subsequent play had nothing to do with real men more with real cowards. Don't forget his reputation was built on frightening the life out of women and men who couldn't pay back the money that was loaned to them at high rates of interest. Please stop going on about the so called hard men, gangs etc etc Lets instead, celebrate the fun and laughter and most of all the hardworking decent folk who strived to give their children a decent upbringing in very difficult circumstances. Most, against all the odds were highly successful. Forget the rest of the trash. Can't for the life of me understand why anyone thinks a "hardman" is someone who done time at the taxpayers cost. Enough makes me sick to my stomach when I think of all the deserving Gorbalites who died without owning there bolthole in the sun. Anyway on a lighter note A most heartfelt Merry Xmas and good Gorbals New Year to you all. WEE WUMMIN 2

Submitted by: Another wee GLASGOW WUMMIN Glasgow, Scotland 06/12/07
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Wet Wet Wet - hi ther u remind me of my class at camden st school we hid ian sloane BRADY the moors murderer in oor class always a weirdo but the guy who sat next too me wis the splitten image o oor wullie in the beano wi big thick glasses we both sat at the front becuase i hid bad eyesite too n widni wear ma specs wire wans i wis sure they wur barbed wire aff wi them thru them ti the shyte hoose noo this is were wee wullie should hiv been many a time as ther wis this awefull smell n i felt guilty! wis never sure if it wis me or him then wan day a caught him oot - he stons up leans on the desk n we didni know wit underpants were in them days a no a didni he looks at me wi his teeth clamped tight n doon his legs they rolled 3 malteasers well thats wit they looked like n a dont think we hid them in those days! "yu dirty bas.!" a yelled ! like u he got sympathy n i got ti sit up the back row wi fanny o herren snottery nose lassie n awe she wanted ti do wis play doctors! the teacher didni believe in corporal punishment jist sit yi doon wi a python veteranian!!

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 06/12/07
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Hi Bridget, sorry I lost your email address, been a lot happening, my sister Margaret died, I've been away on holiday for 3 weeks. Glad you enjoyed your trip to Las Vegas, great place to go, hoping to back next year myself. Do you ever see anyone from the Gorbals? Great memories, how is Ann and the rest of your family ? keep in touch.

Submitted by: J McDonough Burnley, England 05/12/07 Email: perthycottage@hotmail.co.uk
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Was surfin' today and canme across this great site. as born 1946 in 16 Mathieson Street. Noticed an entry (2005) from Edward Healy who lived next close. Shall try and contact him but he may have changed his email address by this time. Would love to hear from anyone who knew us. Our extended family all from Gorbals Patons, Farrells, Rileys, Smiths and McGhees.

Submitted by: Don Paton Wishaw, Scotland 05/12/07 Email: donaldpaton@yahoo.com
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Hi, it is still good to read all your stories, i have had some nice e-mail from people who knew my family, and i have sent e-mails back to them, so if there is anyone out there that knows my family it would be great to hear from you. My dads name is Davis Barney, lived in portugual st, luv pat davis

Submitted by: Pat Davis Islington, London 05/12/07
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FAO: Rose - u said it beautifully n truthfully but some o these guys were o a religion that did not allow them to jump aff at the red lite or so drunk they didnt feel it cummin! ma mither in law hid 14 n her man wisni a drinker well no when a knew him! n they didni awe live as wis the case wi many a family but wumins lib changed awe that n ther is mer divorces noo than ever in history n am no blamin wan or the other but iv been merried 50yrs n a widni change a thing. ma wumin says am the boss as long as i do as am told!

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 05/12/07
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FAO: Wee wumin new zealand. I maria here i see you came from hospital st, I came from 122 hospital st. I would love to read the book i will try and find here in shops. Arrived in nz on 5th feb 1975. Hope to hear from you kind regards Maria

Submitted by: Maria Welsh (Eadie) Dunedin, New Zealand 05/12/07 Email: terry_maria@hotmail.com
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Hi again. I am trying to find any information or anybody that remembers my grandad Patrick James Boyle known as Paddy born 1908. He married Mary Ann Kilkie at st francis church Gorbals in 1935 but died in 1946 at 10 1/2 Eglinton st. My gran Mary Kilkie was of a big family around Glasgow and The Gorbals but i found she died around the year 2000 but we never knew any of them. I am finding it very very hard to find any information on Patrick so i would love to hear from anybody who might be old enough to remember him or anybody by the name of Boyle who might be related, i refuse to except that a family can totally dissapear, is somebody hiding something?

Submitted by: Tommy Boyle Hinckley, England 04/12/07 Email: thomasboil@tiscali.co.uk
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Hi Ten Quid and Doris. Have enjoyed reading all your emails. But especially the one you wrote about the men walking to work and the woman charging to the steamie. I thought that once about my wee Da as I watched him getting ready to walk through the a blizzaed to get to work at Yarrows. That was quite a walk from the Gorbals. He did itevery winter whatever the weather. I remember thinking one morning, "noo that's a real hard man. He told me he went into the Broo one morning to sign on and the guy behind the counter told him he was called up to the army and ended up in North Africa. Survived that and a prisoner of war camp. Somebody told me he ran aboot wi a team called the Hatchet but he never mentioned that to any of us. We knew he had done a bit in his time with my uncle Danny McCauley (Stick) but then he married and grew up as you say. My Da never missed a days work in his life fought for his country and never asked anybody for anything. He died skint like most then in the Gorbals but a few people knew he had been here. So keep the stories coming almost all of us enjoy them and awra best. Mick.

Submitted by: Mick Glasgow, Scotland 04/12/07 Email: weemick@btinternet.com
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Anonymous hi there aye a remember Jimmy Nisbet n alot mer as a KID i used to follow the crowd to the malsie as we called it to watch the hard men fight for money awe the guys formed a big circle n placed ther bets- 2 guys wid strip too the waist n on it went boots heed n fists none stop till one o them couldy get up then fer "F" sake the winner would shake hands wi the loser n even buy him a drink n no a PENNY VANTAS either did yi like them? watered doon water wi coloring in them!-some o the HARD MEN then i remember are awe deed like dan cronin, paddy slowie, dan o neil n a few a hiv fergot noo the RITZ wis better than the paragon u git splitters in yer erse ther the ritz u could sometimes find a seat wi nea springs pokin yer erse n yi could buy a watery orange drink now the paragon cost nothin as wee barny knew ma family well! n the drinks were free as long as u kin climb up the pipe ti the cistern! imagine the weans deain that noo wan thing a miss wis the patter fea ! the audiance in a love scene some brite spark wid scream out as the scene dimmed in a kissen bit "shes gettin her h---!" wit a place! the hall wid burst inti laffter! awera best

Submitted by: Ten Quid Oz 04/12/07
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Looking for any details/memories/photos of "Nancys Restaurant" in Cumberland Street (Eglinton Street end)...for the owners grandaughter..Carol Nouillan..thanks!

Submitted by: Colin Mackie Glasgow, Scotland 03/12/07 Email: colin@southernnecropolis.com
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Sorry Doris and Ten Q. I have to somewhat agree with some of the things said by Graham for one thing you said some working to feed their families. Would not sound too bad if they did not have 10 to 15 kids living in a 2 room place. Father coming home drunko. Ok for the men to talk when half the wifes life was lying on her back for a drunk on payday after boozing half the pay away.

Submitted by: Rose Newburg, USA 03/12/07
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I went to abbostford school 1950 to 1956 miss buchanan was my teacher i loved her i used to wet myself and she would take me in behind the piano and dry my pants on the hot pipes. Now a teacher would be scared to do that, i was also jealous of a girl called carol in my class she always had a tin of zubes and a fancy hanky a tof ha ha and all I had was a red face!

Submitted by: Wet Wet Wet Glasgow, Scotland 03/12/07
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Anyone have memories of my publican father, John Adams, who owned The Tavern in Ballater Street before opening the Riverside Tavern in Waddell Court? Sadly, he died four years ago in Inverness after returning to Scotland from Spain. Thanks to this website, I stumbled across this link to my Dad and the Riverside Tavern itself. http://www.oldglasgowpubs.co.uk/riversidetavern.html Best regards. Tony

Submitted by: Tony Adams Glasgow, Scotland 03/12/07 Email: tonyadams78@yahoo.co.uk
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Anyone know of Margaret McCusker, Frances, Hughie and Edward Bonnar? Went to school with Margaret McCusker to John St. Sec. in Tullis St. Bridgeton. Lived in Gorbals from 1936-1951

Submitted by: Jean Gartely (Nee Fairie) Melbourne, Australia 03/12/07 Email: gorbals@aapt.net.au
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TOO all you folks who like too have a good read about the gorbals read the true story of jimmy boyle it will shock the living daylights out of you the first part all about the south side and bonnies school and the thieving the cumbie too, the different prisons in scotland he was in and the folk around him NOW thats a real mans book! and im a wee wumin but i came from hospital st 50yrs ago so i got the video, my that was frightening but i prefer reading like a james gagney type of gangster book! cheerio

Submitted by: Wee Wumin New Zealand 03/12/07
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