July 2010

Post by **TheGorbalsAdmin** » Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:49 pm

Hi Everyone. I lived at 45 Sandyfaulds Street in the 50's & 60's. The folk I hung around with were Caroline & Marie Smith, Marie Viola, Catherine and Lucinda Reid, David and Irene Cameron, Jim Brown, Florence and Anne Burton, Sophia Coyle, Christina Sommervile, George and Sandra Kernachan & Jesie Adams to name but a few, I'm still in touch with some of them. I moved to Waddell Court when it first opened and went to Hayfield then Adelphi. I lived straight across from St Francis School gates - I remember the shop wee Murns, the back court singer with the fur coat the rag and bone man through the pen. He had a club foot and kept his horse and cart in a stable there, whip and peeries, the games a bogey the mans in the lobby your no het. It's good to remember those times.
Submitted by: Doreen Jamieson (nee Rice)  Harrogate, England 31/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Looking for Grady Marion, Ron, Mick, Rose lived at 134 Rhymer Street. Half brothers and sisters to George Dunbar - there mother was Ann Jane. Any info or contact appreciated.
Submitted by: Angus Dunbar Cheshire, England 30/07/10 Email: keurgon1@aol.com

Did any of you ever go to "The Tea Meetings?" It was a kinda gospel revival meeting in a little room off Commercial Road. A few of us rag a muffins would go there for tea and crumpets and biscuits supplied by very nice people, however we had to sing some gospels songs. I can only remember "Deep and Wide" and "My Cups Full and Running Over." Does anyone know the rest of the words to those gospels songs? Mick.
Submitted by: Mick Gallagher Glasgow, Scotland 29/07/10 Email: dumpingram@hotmail.com

Rita, thanks for your letter. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Another wee thing I remember was going to football matches and collecting "Beeries" - it was for the boys only that one. We would wait till the match was nearly done and collect the empty beer bottles and put them in a sack. Mind you some were not empty but full of pee! Oh the memories of that! We then took them to the pub and got a couple of pennys for them each but alas the pubs started to put stamps on the labels and that virtually put us out of business. It was a great way of getting money and go to the Palace on a Saturday night - probably still smelling of pee! A few years before that, we used to pay our entrance by Jellie jars - now can anyone remember those days? Iain.
Submitted by: Iain Hossack Glasgow, Scotland 29/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

I remember my mother giving me, on occasion, thruppence (in old money) to run down to the Moy Bar on a Friday to get my father and him giving me the same to say he was not there. Sixpence got me a bag of chips! Oh happy days! Sorry to hear about Mick Rushford, he was a hellava character.
Re. making tablet, I have had many a go and it comes out like nothing I have ever seen sold as tablet, possibly like the tablet the 10 commandments were written on, but then my cooking skills probably break every one of them! All the best everyone and enjoy the summer noo that it is here (no it's no, yes it is, no it's no)!! I get a bit annoyed when it rains in July then someone up the road reminds me it is the fair and I think, of course, it always rained at the fair, so that proves global warming is no as bad as it is made out to be, but maybe having my turkey on the beach at Ayr this might prove me wrong. I remember going over to the shows at the fair and happy summer songs on the waltzers and motorbikes. In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry always makes me smile. Cheerio for now. What is your favourite summer memory from your days in the Gorbals?
Submitted by:Auld Soosider Llanfair, Wales 28/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi! I was hoping someone might remember John McDonald from 345 Lawmoor Street. John was my uncle, born 1909. I am trying to find out where he went and if he's married. John still lived at this address in 1945/46 according to the votors register. I would love to know more about him as I never met him and it was my mother's greatest wish to see her brother again. Sadly she never got her wish. Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light as to what happened to my uncle John McDonald.
Submitted by:Sandra Vancouver, Canada 28/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. Cathy Kennedy - I told Mary I was in touch with you. She said to tell you she will be in Canada on the 16th of September. She wanted to give her friends phone number in Canada but I said that wasn't advisable, so I don't know if there is anyway round this impasse. I know she would love to meet up with you if possible. Cheers, Pammy.
Submitted by:Pammy Young Glasgow, Scotland 27/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Are there any of the scallywags who frequented the 'Molls Mire' pub out there ?? I think there is!!! Maybe not giving your real name, but thats ok, who is ?
Submitted by: Big Giant Wee Man Glasgow, Scotland 26/07/10 Email: biggiantweeman@yahoo.com

F.A.O. Cathy Kennedy - Hi Cathy, Mary told me she was talking to you in Tenerife. She said you were looking great. Beattie's Crisps must have been some work, your ma, my ma, and wee Agnes Dillon. If you remember it moved to Cambuslang but my ma said it wasn't the same. I think the Cambuslang lot weren't very friendly towards people from the Gorbals...I wonder why? As to me, yes I am still in Castlemilk (nae time aff fur good behaviour). Castlemilk has changed quite dramatically - there is now a mix of social housing and owner occupiers, plus the population is a good bit less. (I think they shipped a lot of the riff raff off to the colonies, Canada mostly). When you think about it, when we moved to Castlemilk in 1960, nearly all of our part of Lawmoor Street moved en masse to Hoddam Avenue, the 4 closes from 59 to 65 were practically all our old neighbours from the Soo Side. I hope you keep in touch Cathy - it's always good to hear from old friends and neighbours
Submitted by: Frank (Wee Pammy) Young  Glasgow, Scotland 27/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi Agnes - me a legend, steady on!! I have been called many a name but never that, hee hee. Bye for now, Norrie.
Submitted by: Norman McNamee 26/07/10 Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com

The Gorbals Church in Cumberland is now Demolished(very sad)Does anyone know if another church was built to take its place. I am not a church person, but its a shame for the people who did use the Church. I went to the old Abbotsford Chalmers Church in pollockshaws Road when I was young.I know a lot of the people went to the new Gorbals Church when Abbie closed.Does anyone remember the Teese Family, bobby Nimmos family,The Armour Family. they all done a lot for the church,as did my Dad, he was an officer in the BB, He was Bill(William) Kerr. GORBALS ON THE STREETS WHERE WE LIVED. I bought this CD at the Forge Market yesterday (Saturday). It's really good. I have seen a lot of the photos before, but it was good to hear the patter of the wee guy on the DVD - what made it extra special was it showed Bedford Street where I was born and brought up, Abbotsford School that I went to from 1953 till 1961, St. John Church where my daughter was christened 40 years ago, Devon Street where my hubby and I had our first house when we married and many many more places that I have great memories of. It lasts 45 mins. Anyone who has already bought it or anyone who buys it will love going through THE STREETS WHERE WE LIVED. Regards to all Agnes.
Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 25/07/10 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk

Caltonian - I went to school with nearly every one of the guys you mentioned playing football with and I married Chic Doris's cousin. Small world!! My da is 80 in January and I am trying to get together a story book about everything he's done. His name is Joe McCluskey and we stayed in Camden Street. As a boy, he stayed in Commercial Street. He went to Canada in the merchant navy when he was younger. He worked for Scottish Farmers milk and delivered to Castlemilk when it was a new scheme. His milkboys all came from Castlemilk so if you were one of them I'd love to hear from you. He also worked on the buses out of Larkfield Garage before getting a black hack and drove one for years. Believe it or not, he worked right up till a couple of years ago in the Queens Park Hotel homeless unit so if anyone knows him and can send me any stories I would be grateful. His ma moved from the Gorbals to Pollok in the 50's so he was also known in Pollok and about the Shaws. Thanks again.
Submitted by: Helen Doran Glasgow, Scotland 24/07/10 Email: helendoran@aol.com

I am trying to find out if anybody knew a lady called Janet McDonald Wilson. She lived at 139 Wolsely Street and worked in a restaurant. She had a son, Davy Wilson, who was born 31/7/1937. He is trying to trace a brother he thinks he may have. Davy cannot read or write and he was evacuated to the highlands with his family circa 1941-42. Davy recalls that both he and a brother were moved together but were separated after a short while. Please could anyone with a memory of Mrs Wilson contact me at my email address. Thank you. Ivor Smith.
Submitted by: Ivor Smith  Inverness, Scotland 24/07/10 Email: ivor122@btinternet.com

Tablet was brilliant - gave a lot of it to my neighbours and their wanes. They want me to make more ha ha! Thanks girls and everyone for your help. Someone mentioned pies, so lets go got a reciepy? I will end up with my own bakers here, Charlie McMurray
Submitted by: Charlie McMurray Glasgow, Scotland 23/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Talking of old Gorbals characters maybe Doris and Artie will remember Lazarus Dubbin who ran the ragstore? Always wore a long black coat down to the ground and bowler hat. We used to climb to the roof of the ragstore when it was shut, wait for the rats to appear and drop bricks on them. No Xbox 360 in those days. By the way, I lived at the corner of Lawmoor Street and Caley Road and went to St. Bonnies. Proud to be an old Gorbals boy - Jack.
Submitted by: Jack (Ben) Duffy Basingstoke, England 23/07/10 Email: jduffy4@sky.com

I have been writing in here for many years and it is so good to read again happy chatter - goodbye troublemakers but alas still the odd persistent ones refusing to leave our beloved Gorbals site alone. This place is normal again - please can you leave us alone - your trying to trick the Webmaster with your Glesga slang which is shameful. Pack it in because us good folks didnae want you, you do not impress anyone except yourself, let the webmaster do his job without this kind of jiggery pockery.
Submitted by: Iain Cleary Glasgow, Scotland 22/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Auld biddy - thanks fer yer kind words...very much appreciated. It's great tae see ye back oan here again. Awrabest, Scunnered.
Submitted by: Scunnered 22/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi there Ian Hossack - yeah, bogies were the gemme. We had a few boy racers running up and down Moffat Street at the UCBS Garage bit. Lovely smooth road surface there to get the bogies going a treat. Hiv tae say, I'm not really a bogie person - more of a peerie person but some of those bogie's were a work of art. Coloured tin taps put on in a pattern. Dead gullus or whit? Same tin taps that were tied oan to yer shoes and voila you became Ginger Rogers. Versatility - another Gorbalite quality. Do remember the orange boxes too? Carrying their wee crouched up pasengers. Some brave weans always willing tae show aff for a derr, used to get hudges from the back of lorries, whilst balancing wan leg oan the bogie and the ither leg stuck out tae the side. Scared of NUTHING so we wurnie. But isn't that gist the spirit of Gorbalites? Rita x
Submitted by: Rita Moffat Glasgow, Scotland 22/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi Gorbals friends, I'm trying to find any relatives of David Drummond Campbell, born 23 July 1886 at 45 Adelphi Terrace, Glasgow. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
Submitted by: Colin Jacques Newcastle, England 22/07/10 Email: geordiebestmate@hotmail.co.uk

Strange you cannot get Scotch pies in England yet we can get them here in Melbourne. We can also get Bridies and Scotch sausage.
Submitted by: John Bonar Melbourne, Scotland 21/07/10 Email: jbonar@y7mail.com

Just a few lines to let people know George Kirk sadly passed away on 15/7/10. Gone but not forgotten. Funeral is Saturday 24th 10am at John Duns Scotus, Gorbals. RIP COOKIE BOY.
Submitted by: Jinky Glasgow, Scotland 21/07/10 Email: johnjo1968@hotmail.co.uk

Hello to you Marie Kelly. Is it all right to ask what part of USA you will be going to? Jane.
Submitted by: Jane Harrison Canada 20/07/10 Email: cathykennedy25@hotmail.com

Hi Pammy, I remember when our mothers worked in the crisp factory - it was great getting crisps every night. Are you still in Castlemilk? I met your Mary in Tenerife a couple of years ago.
Submitted by: Cathy Kennedy Toronto, Canada 20/07/10 Email: cathykennedy25@hotmail.com

F.A.O. JOHN ADDISON. Well done to you John - it is great to read a letter that makes sense. In the 5 years I have been writing on the Gorbals Website, it's now not the fun it used to be with the good banter, jokes, nice letters I enjoyed reading. And even the sad letters. Good for you speaking up for I'm sure a lot of people who enjoy this site. I hope you have great success in getting all the rubbish thats going on. Good luck to the Webmaster - you have a big task ahead. Regards Agnes.
Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 19/07/10 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk

Does anyone remember the Jewish Bakery and Deli in Crown Street? My mum used to send me in every week for bread and muffins. It was the best bread around and the muffins were lovely and crisp. After you ate that bread there was no way you could go back to the white bread again.
Submitted by: Catherine Davidson  California, USA 18/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

My mother was born in 1927 at number 38 Norfolk Court. Her maiden name was Helen Jackson, daughter of William Jackson (fruit dealer) and Helen (nee Kerr). She had an elder sister Sadie and brothers George, James and John. I am not sure when she left there but I know that she and her siblings were orphaned when she was 12 after her parents died close together. My mum eventually moved to Nottinghamshire, England to join the Women's Land Army after a period in service in Dunfermline. Her married name was Tysoe. She passed away a few years ago now - she never spoke about the past as I think it was too painful. My biggest regret is that I didn't talk to her more about what happened while she was still alive. All I have is a letter to her and her brothers from the Chaplain of Barnhill Institution following the death of her mother and it is only recently I have come to realise that this was a poorhouse I think at that time. I believe my mum's brothers joined the armed forces and apart from the youngest brother John she had no more contact with her family. I know it is a long shot but I am hoping that someone somewhere has information that might connect me with relatives in the Glasgow area. I am looking for the children of George and James Jackson and their sister Sadie (Sarah) whose married name I'm afraid, I don't know.
Submitted by:Gail Tysoe Notts, Englandbr> 18/07/10 Email: kalki09@live.co.uk

Three cheers for the Webmaster - perhaps now we can all enjoy reading the Gorbals mail.
Submitted by: Iain Cleary Glasgow, Scotland 17/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. NORRIE MCNAMEE - I have had "The Gorbals - An Illustrate History" since it came out, and I had read the names on the Acknowledgements Page, but it was only when I first went onto the Gorbals site and I saw your name after reading some of your letters through the years that I knew your name from the book. You give a great deal of detail to people who need information on different things. I have used your information many times when I have been looking for photos and stories about the Gorbals. You're a legend Norrie, keep up the good work. I was born and brought up in Bedford Street, so I am 100% a Gorbals girl. Regards Agnes.
Submitted by: Agnes Glasgow, Scotland 16/07/10 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk

OMG! What is it with you old foggies? I'm a bit of a youngster at 46 yrs old! I love coming on this site to read about the old times, but all I read is argy bloody bargy. Get a grip of yerselves people - life is too short for that. If getting old is all about being abusive then God help me, I don't want to go there - shoot me now! I'm a Glasgow girl myself, now living in England, but Glasgow is in my blood. Please stop bickering and write some good things - it's fun to read about the old times. Come on you old foggies, shake your shammies and have fun!
Submitted by: Glesga Lassie Glasgow, Scotland 16/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Does anyone remember the Whites of George Street? There was Betty, Jessie, Wull and Walter. Mum was a character - Agnes,dad was Henry Baker White. He had 3 brothers, Bobby, George, Walter and his sister was Nellie.
Submitted by: Grace Rutherford UK 16/07/10 Email: grace.rutherford3@ntlworld.com

Thank you Webmaster for removing the filthy contents letter sent in by someone calling themselves Mrs Gorbals. Hope that's the last we hear that language. I see that someone else called H. Walker on here - we are not related people but would you please tell me where you are from? Many thanks for now.
Submitted by: Helen Walker Basingstoke, England 16/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Another character in the old Gorbals was Dennis the Menace Frazer. He was a gentle giant and as mad as a brush. We paled together with the slavens broons. We were always up to mischief. We used to make bogeys out of wooden orange boxes then a plank of wood with roller skates on the bottom. You could even have a passenger inside the box. It looked similar to a big skateboard. We used to dress the box up with the metal lids of the scretaps or ginger bottles. Anyone remember them? We used to go up and down Hospital Street, Thistle Street and Caley Road....great days.
Submitted by: Iain Hossack Glasgow, Scotland 15/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Absolutely wonderful news from the WEBMASTER. Since my friend Melvin passed away, I have hoped that this day would come, when derogative letters from troublemakers would stop. Let's hope it does and thanks to John Addison for his concern. We can now feel free to call people "Big" or whatever they are called now. I am proud to be a Gorbals man and hope we can enjoy the site for what its real intentions are. Billy Malcom.
Submitted by: Billy Malcom Glasgow, Scotland 15/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

To Rena or Carol Ross of Naburn Street (1950's) I think - Rena wrote a book. Get in touch please.
Submitted by: Margaret Graham Glasgow, Scotland 14/07/10 Email: magsmay44@hotmail.com

Hi - the Jannie wae mer sad news. Ah dae voluntary work as a befrender at Drumchapel. Av been visitin a guy at drumry hoose residential. He passed oan on Monday 12th July. He wiz a retired polisman who grew up in Centre Street, Tradeston. As a say he passed oan at 82 years of age. He began his police trainin at Oxford Street polis skool. He learnt his trade ploddin the beat alang Carlton Place, up Eglinton Street and aw the other streets in n oot bak doon tae Oxford Street. He worked here fer a number of years and ended up becumin CHIEF INSPEKTOR AH GLESGA. No bad fer a soo-side boy. Err the years a visited him (am 56yr auld). We sherd sum stories!!!!! A wis only a wee guy wen he wis jailin ma da etc, altho, based at Pitt Street,he NEVER FORGOT WER HE CAME FAE!!! Many a sher aboot the shebeens, the characters etc. fae the Gorbals, as he wid say THE SALT OF THE EARTH. His funeral is at the Linn on Fri 16th - al salute the man fae the Gorbals. It wis a pleasure tae know him. God bless ye inspector Bill. Thanx fer the memories. R.I.P. the Jannie x.
Submitted by: James Fletcher Glasgow, Scotland 14/07/10 Email: jimthejannie@btinternet.com

To Anne and Catherine - thank you girls for coming up with the tablet recipe. I shall be making it on Saturday. It's a shame I cannot invite you up for a bite, but let's hope I do it right this time round. Thanks both of you, Charlie.
Submitted by: Charlie McMurray Glasgow, Scotland 15/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

In the summer of 1961 about 30 [boys+girls] of us fae Big Bonnies went on a school swap holiday to Versailles [outside Paris]. Anybody out there remember? Also round that time my tenement which butted on to Big Bonnies playground collapsed - can anyone remember? I left Glesga in 1968 to build bricks halfway roon the world - 'am writing my life story so ask any readers for any info please. Only started to learn using a laptop early this year. We never had them in the soo-side when ah was a boy. Thanks for any help, Wee Danny.
Submitted by: Danny Gill London, England 15/07/10 Email: gilldanny1@googlemail.com

1955 I was working in Dixons Blazes as an apprentice engineer. I interrupted two tradesmen talking - "that was really rude among HARDMEN!" One of them gave me a bunch of fives sending me crashing down a flight of steel stairs! The next day the three apprentices (Boomer big Dennis and me) decided to get some revenge as the tradesmen stayed together so did the apprentices! It was lunch time and they were playing pontoon while eating their lunch around a huge fire in the plumbers hut. All the huts had a padlock on the outside making it easy for us to lock them in, we had a balloon which each of us "Peed in! With the aid of a ladder we quickly climbed on top of the shed, Boomer with a wet heshing bag would quickly cover up the smoking chimney as I dropped the "P.bomb" - their screams of "Bass" is heard above our laughter! As we could imagine, the smelly dust exploding all over them and their pieces as they tried to make their way out of the hut! Yes it takes hard men to get their own back on other HARD MEN! Aye and is that not true whats your name thingmay jigger ache whatever yer called! "You didn't believe it well I can't help you!" Tenquid
Submitted by: Tenquid Australia 15/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hopefully the site will get back to good old memories now......well done Webmaster and Mr Addison. Now to more important business - SCOTCH PIES. Why is it we can't get the real thing over the border? We can buy them out of a well known frozen shop but they're rubbish. Also out of 1 of the supermarkets down here - rubbish as well. Oh for a good SCOTCH PIE. Can any Gorbalites help?
Submitted by: Ann Davies England 15/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Thank you for your e-mail John.
As Webmaster for the anecdotes section of the GorbalsLive website, it is my responsibility to ensure that messages are proof read and, where necessary, amended before being published. Not being from the Gorbals and being relatively new to the role, it is almost impossible to differenciate between those of honerable intention and those whose sole purpose is to "upset the applecart" so to speak. I would also like to point out that, as with the majority of content on the Internet, the comments on here merely represent individual views and not hard fact.
As Mr Addison quite rightly points out, however, such defamatory comments are not in keeping with the intended puropose of this website: to share your stories and experiences of living and working in the Gorbals. To this end, I would respectfully ask that no more anecdotes be posted containing derogatory comments directed toward individual contributors. They will not be posted on the website.
Regards WEBMASTER
Submitted by: WEBMASTER 14/07/10

F.A.O. Penny McPhee Thorton England. I sent you an email a good few days ago but never got an answer so I gather you are not the same Penny that I knew from Cumberland Street next to the Red Star cafe?
Submitted by: Amelia McKinlay Glasgow, Scotland 14/07/10 Email: ameliamckinlay@msn.com

Hi Jack McDonough. I remember the Melba - I lived facing it in Carfin Street. I was called up in 1955 - it was the Majestic or the Sticks - when I got demobbed in 1957, it was the Melba. It was a great wee dance hall my pals and I had some great Saturday nights in it - happy memories.
Submitted by: Phil Mack Glasgow, Scotland 14/07/10 Email: philipmack@hotmail.com

F.A.O. Marie - I lived at 113 Hospital Street. Thanks for reminding me of the Rutherglen Road address. My husband said his mother went to the steamie in Calder Street, but I knew there was one in the Gorbals. I remember going there to the public baths. You went there when you were too big to get bathed in front of the fire in a zinc tub. I think the women who worked there must have been trained by the Gestapo, because they scared the hell out of us. My kids had their own bathroom, so it was hard to explain to them that we shared a toilet with four other families. It was hell, but it taught me never to take anything for granted. Did you ever play peever with a shoe polish can? We had to do that if we didn't have a real peever.
Submitted by: Joan USA 14/07/10 Email: artandjoan@att.net

To the Webmaster and to all on Gorbals Ancedote: Firstly the recent letters submitted ridiculing two persons ie. Father Peter Devlin and Tam Craig are so serious that they are open to legal action. The letters are threatening and libelous. I hope in future that these type of letters are interrupted and not printed. This forum is for peaceful, calm, humane beings who in their latter years want to meet either old friends or talk about their happy pasts. IT IS NOT for criminals or insane people such as these small minded idiots. Please Webmaster, get rid of them for the sake of the good living Gorbals people. I myself was a well known character in my youth and to this day I am known to a lot of Glasgow people I call friends. Disrespect to Father Peter is something we won't tolerate. He was a friend of my mother's and a number of people in the Gorbals. The person who is complaining is thousands of miles away in a foreign land - what does he know and what gives him the right to persecute a very old and well respected man? I have checked the mail on this forum and it appears this Tenquid has non-stop insulted several people on here. I do not know the other person (a Mr Tam Craig) but I know of him and must tell the people on here who are insulting him ought to be very careful - there is not one Glasgow man who does not know or have heard of his family, so we could have a war because of the sick people writing on here. I hope this can be avoided. As for me, I am naturally not happy that this was printed and I will certainly look into it all. Please Webmaster protect these innocent elderly people on this site from getting this type of unnatural abuse. My Sincere Regards, John Addison.
Submitted by: John Addison Glasgow, Scotland 13/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

I did not make the posting on 24/6/10. (It has now been deleted - Webmaster). I have not made any postings under any other names. To reiterate, my intention was not to offend anyone. I think it would be helpful if people would state what age they are. I am a Gorbals boy through and through but I just have never heard of 90 percent of you - it may be an age thing, different generations. I have never heard of Father Devlin - was he at St. Lukes ?? I was a St. John's boy, Father Duffin was the main man in the late 60's early 70's. I am against people telling lies on this site, the truth cannot hurt but who decides who is telling the truth and who the liars are? In conclusion, I expect like me you have much more to bother you than what is being posted on an obscure site about what happened in a place that just doesnt exist anymore. I should know - I live here.
Submitted by: Big Giant Wee Man  Glasgow, Scotland 14/07/10 Email: biggiantweeman@yahoo.com

I remember Rutherglen Road steamie sooo well. I was born at 122 Hospital Street, Gorbals. Left there when I was 12 for Castlemilk.
Submitted by: Marie Welsh (nee Eadie)  Dunedin, New Zealand 14/07/10 Email: terryand maria@xtra.com.nz

F.A.O. Charlie Murray. Here is the tablet recipe from an old Sunday Post. Two pounds sugar, six ounces condensed milk, four ounces butter, one cup milk, half teaspoon vanilla. Melt butter in large pot, add two milks, stir, then add sugar and mix well. Don't let it boil until sugar is melted. Boil for twenty minutes medium heat, stirring frequently. Take from the heat and add vanilla, and beat with a wooden spoon until creamy, about five minutes. Pour into oiled sandwich tray and cut into squares. Enjoy!!
Submitted by: Catherine Davidson San Diego, California 14/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. Charlie McMurray & anyone else who loves homemade tablet. Here is recipe for best delicious tablet ever, I've been making it for over 30 years. Allow almost an hour from start to finish - it can't be hurried, or it might burn/stick to pot. INGREDIENTS:- 2 lb sugar(white/brown/or both mixed) tin condensed milk + cup ordinary milk 4 oz butter teaspoon vanilla essence METHOD:- melt butter slowly in large heavy pot add both the milks, stirring with long handled wooden spoon, add sugar, KEEP stirring and DONT let it boil until sugar melts, then boil on low to medium heat for 15 - 20 minutes stirring constantly to prevent sticking to pot. Take from heat and add vanilla essence and beat for 4 - 5 minutes with wooden spoon until it looks creamy and gets thicker. Quickly pour into baking trays to cool and set, preferably overnight. (Line baking trays with tinfoil as it's easier to remove tablet when set) Enjoy!!
Submitted by: Anne Smith Glasgow, Scotland 13/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Mick,when we moved to the calton, I went with my mum to the steamy - it was in the Glasgow Green near Templetons. They had a place in the Green where you could hang your clothes to dry. I don't remember stomping with my bare feet. Thank goodness for washing machines - I don't know how our mums did it with all the washing they had! Herself the Elf Emily Biros.
Submitted by: Emily Biros [Eaglesham]  California, USA 13/07/10 Email: glasgowlassie@hotmail.com

F.A.O. Charlie. If you Google "Scottish Tablet Recipe" you will find quite a few. If you can't find the site just send me an e-mail and I'll forward the best ones.
Submitted by: Joan USA 13/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hiya Tenquid. Couldn't get on the site and the withdrawal sympton were just awful. You will get the whip and peerie and a whole packet of coloured chalk from a toy shop called The Sentry Box in Great George Street, Glasgow. They have a website - you should be able to contact them and hopefully they will send you one. If you look back the postings, Cathie from Blackpool located an Internet business called....something Big Top. You can buy one there. Under £4 and the best money I have spent in years - your grandweans will luv it. Beats the computer games hands down. I hope that Wee Betty disnae get jealous with me telling you where to buy yer whip and peerie. Maybe you could buy her one as a surprise? I promise you won't get her to stoap. She'll start a big craze in Oz.The media will want you on the radio, on chat shows etc. You could set up big World Wide competitions. Maybe yer Saturday nights could be spent in Leagues for the Protection Of the Peerie? Ach ave done that to death. Keep trucking Tenquid!
Heh all you Glaswegians and Ex-Glaswegians-guess what? Glasgow has been voted the 3rd most visited city in the UK with London and Edinburgh coming first and second. I have to say the city looks brilliant day and night. Right along the River Clyde with the Squinty Bridge and the Armadillo - very distinctive, very Glasgow. For me though, it's the old story of when in Glasgow look up. The variety and beauty of the buildings walking along Hope Street, St. Vincent Steet and Bath Street is gobsmackingly braw. Do we still have deep social problems, a real poverty of opportunity and some awful drug and alcohol problems? Yes. But we also have a lot to be proud of. Let's dwell on that fact jist for a wee while. All you ex-pats - do you remember the feeling of coming home back into Central Station in a steam train. The steam, the smell looking doon onto Jamaica Street. Feeling kinda proud and hiving a strong feeling of belonging. Maybe you were away from a day at Saltcoats or Troon? Ah kin still feel it...brings tears to a glass eye so it diz...Good old Glesca toon. Rita x
Submitted by: Rita Moffat Glasgow, Scotland 13/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hello - just thought I would pop in a quick note and say hi to one and all!
Hi Scunnered! Thanks for the apology, most admirable! I enjoy your postings, well done!
Hi Mick Gallagher - I was a very, very young Mammy myself (1966) and I used to go once a week to the Steamie with my washing! It was hard work! I had two wee babies, a husband with a dirty job and the ordinary wash of everyday! I remember "bumping" my pram down four flights of stairs (Cramond Street), going back up the stairs and lugging down the washing wrapped up in a sheet, loading up the pram and going off down to the Steamie! My mother-in-law looked after the two bairns and it took almost four/five hours to get the washing done! Those were hard days! Remembered fondly! Auld Biddy (nickname for Old Elizabeth).
Submitted by: Auld Biddy England 13/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. James Fletcher - you're dead right James. You can take the people out the Gorbals but you will never take the Gorbals out the people. Respect mate.
Submitted by: Pat Holland London, England 13/07/10 Email: patlyonsholland@hotmail.co.uk

Hi, I'm trying to find Robert Maxwell. He lived in Toryglen and went into the army in the eighties. Last heard he was in Germany, but that was a long time ago. He would be 46yrs old now. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Submitted by: Anonymous Glasgow, Scotland 12/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi Agnes. Check the acknowledgements page of The Gorbals and Illustrated History. See a name you recognise? Bye for now, Norrie.
Submitted by: Norman McNamee Inverness, Scotland 12/07/10 Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com

Thanks pals for the answer that was annoying me. To The Jannie and Norman - I still have not done the tablet ha ha, I think I'm past it but not bad for a 78 year old!! Take care of yourselves. Good luck. Charlie.
Submitted by: Charlie McMurray Inverness, Scotland 11/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. Tenquid & Mrs Gorbals, probably the same person. I consider myself to be a moderately quiet and inoffensive guy. During the 1970's, I used to feel a shiver down my spine when I heard the Cumbie gang was close by. I would keep well away from their patches. The name Addy (John Addison) frightened me. He was the leader of the Young Cumbie. I was a Gorbals boy but never in a gang. So to actually see this guy famous in his time write in here (he was probably in a par with the other gang members before him like Boyle more in your time.) To see with my own eyes that this man has come clean on here about his youth has shocked me but it is good he has done this, although his name and that of the Cumbie gang will always remind of some lonely days I spent hiding. I do respect him for writing in here and sticking up for his friend the priest. My point - why can't you do the same? John Addison has shown he is a changed person and writes a good letter, but you are trying to destroy everyone of us on here. Give us all a break and lay to rest.
Isabella, I am sure I know you and your brother but he was about a year or two older than me. I think him and Tam Craig ran about Turriff Street and Cavendish Street in those days. I did not know them personally but knew of them. A lot of people on here give him stick but he does not deserve that. I think you lived just off Egliton Street at the side of the Office bar is that right? Did you know Brian Black or Iain Wright? Thanks for the letter you sent me, cheers John.
Submitted by: John Miller Inverness, Scotland 11/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

James Fletcher, thank you for all your kind words means - a lot to me. I use my now married name on here because I still live in the Gorbals - if i put up my maiden name, I am sure I would be remembered and I like to remain private. That's my reason as I have read some people got bother when they gave their names. I read a lot of the postings and I can remember some of the people who are named, like Andy Thomston. I was at his wedding. I knew him really well and was sad when he died.
Submitted by: Marie Kelly Glasgow, Scotland 11/07/10 Email: may51@hotmail.co.uk

I wonder if there is anyone out there who went to the Melba Dance Hall in Govanhill, Inglefield Street I think. I met my wife Anne there 50 years ago this Christmas Eve. We had some great nights there listening to a group called The Downbeats playing all the latest hits. We got married four years after we met, 46 years next month. We moved to England after we married. Still think about Glasgow a lot. Come up for weekends now and again. My wife had a friend called Margaret Douglas, are you still about Margaret?
Submitted by: Jack McDonough England 10/07/10 Email: perthycottage@hotmail.co.uk

As well as Smith's crisps, there was also a crisp factory up Mathieson Lane called Beattie's Crisps. They also had a blue twist of paper containing salt. Sometimes if you were in the Bees watching a cowie picture, you would dip your hand in for a couple of crisps and the wee packet of salt would be caught between them. Believe me, a mouthful of salt is no laughing matter when you'd nae money to buy a drink of ginger. Cheers.
P.S. good to hear from big John Addison, like me an old St. Lukes boy.
Submitted by: Frank (wee Pammy) Young  Glasgow, Scotland 10/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

It's Saturday night 9.30pm and all the drunks are coming out of the pubs with their carryouts to drink at home. We kids are standing at the pub door watching all the drunks staggering all over the street, hardly able to walk. The funny thing about all of this is we are not afraid - we were more safe then than we are now.
Submitted by: Catherine Davidson San Diego, USA 09/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Cheers for all the info on the crisps. I remember waiting for my da to come home on a Saturday night from the pub - he would always bring me home a packet. Many a time I fell asleep in the kitchen waiting for him. Still, it was a big thing in my time. sometimes there was no salt at the bottom! Come on help me on the tablet, someone.
Submitted by: Charlie McMurray Glasgow, Scotland 09/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Did any of your mammy's ever take you to the 'steamy'and had you stomping about with your bare feet in a big tub of warm soapy water filled with the weeks dirty washing? Mick.
Submitted by: Mick Gallagher  Glasgow, Scotland 09/07/10 Email: dumpingram@hotmail.com

Hi Fiona, check your email - I have sent you a selection of Gorbals photos. Hope your MIL enjoys them. Bye for now, Norrie.
Submitted by: Norman McNamee Glasgow, Scotland 08/07/10 Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com

F.A.O.FIONA FROM CUMBERNAULD - If you would like to give your mother-in-law something to bring back lots of memories of Waddel Street and the rest of the Gorbals there is a book called THE GORBALS, AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY. It is full of photos of the Gorbals, and there photos of waddel Street. I have been buying and collecting books about The Gorbals and Glasgow for a lot of years, and this is my number 1 favourite. I have had it for 14 years, it fact it is my second copy because I gave my first one to my friend when she was here on holiday from Australia. She was born and brought up in the Gorbals like myself, so she treasures it. Anyway excuse me for rabbiting on. The book was writen by ERIC EUNSON, published by Stenlake. www.stenlake.co.uk. I think you can get it from Amazon. Good luck Fiona if you do decide to get it - your mother-in-law would spend many many hours looking at the photos and reading the wee bits about the Streets. Agnes.
Submitted by: Agnes Herrity Glasgow, Scotland 08/07/10 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk

Tenquid, please tell me it was not you who verbally attacked Father Peter? I cant believe, you would stoop that low. I believe someone sick and warped did this not you . WE ALL HAVE OUR FUN ON HERE BUT WHO EVER DID THIS IS WELL OUT OF ORDER AND VERY VERY SICK IN THE HEAD. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU Billy
Submitted by: Billy Malcom  Glasgow, Scotland 08/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Rita Moffat, that is a classic of the review you did on Tenquid and Doris and unlike yourself I used to "try" and spin the peerie but all around me become more prevalent at Highland dancing as I whipped their ankles more than I whipped the peerie. As I am in Australia and would really like to get one for my granddaughter as I have not seen them here, have you any ideas where I could get one? I know she would love to have one. She is the type of a loner I have been wanting to post to you for a while but being a male I didn't want to give the wrong impression but now I am being associated with Doris it would be quite okay to play with the peerie! Really enjoyed your posts and I am serious about the peerie! "Please believe me!" Tenquid
Submitted by: Tenquid Australia 08/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

"Billy Malcolm - ahm no nasty ah jist tell the truth so if ye don't like whit ah write dont read it. yer defending the same Tenquid that oan here attacked yersel, Melvin and Auld Malky. The wan minute ye say Tenquid wis wrang tae attack Auld Malky then say ye dont blame Tenquid. make up yer mind man ye cannae huv it baith weys. ah know you were pally wae melvin, well melvin didnae deserve the abuse either that he goat fae Tenquid (and ithers) so im puzzled at yer loyalty tae ten quid an DO NOT write oan here you kin say enythin "with confidence" aboot me cos yer talkin dung. ye huv nae idea mate whit yer talkin aboot. ah pointed oot that yer pal Tenquid tells lies. Did he reply tae say ah wis wrang? NAW cos theres nae wey oot when yer caught red haunded and called oot oan it. so insteed he tells a joke oan here thats aulder than methusialim and pits in the names o enybody thats ever challenged him an then he trys tae insist aw the stuff aboot him is aw fae wan person using different names, he knows it isnae but wid cut his tongue oot afore he wid admit theres several folk oan here jist dont like him. I hear his nose is noo bigger than pinnochios. So let the razor king defend himsel. Scunnered RIP Melvin + Auld Malky."
Submitted by: Scunnered 08/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Tam Craig - don't be such a sook. Someone had claimed that you and Father Devlin are both the same so I just wrote a little poem in jest. "You don't understand - that word means a joke!" I signed the post as Tenquid so what has Doris got to do with it. One post you are condemning her, the next one you are apologising. You are only 60 and I am only menopausal when I click my red shoes and become Doris and I can assure you we don't have to protect Father Devlin as I used to go about with two priests from the Roman Catholic church. We played lawn bowls together. One played guitar and didn't drink or smoke the other drunk like a fish, bet on the horseracing and was a bit of a womanizer. Now these two guys can take a joke so I am sure Father Devlin as he is a priest and not just somebody pretending to be a caped crusader would take a joke as it was intended. I was brought up as a Prodi but I am an agnostic and the pair of them never ever tried to change my views! "Ache shivers what the world is coming to! Canni richt a wee ditty noo do you believe it!"
Submitted by: Tenquid Australia 08/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

I wonder if anyone knows a Charles Deehan - he lives in Glasgow. I am trying to get in touch with him. My dad and his dad were young flyweight boxers back in the 1930's and used to train at Sammy Wilson's Gym. He left me a message on the Benny Lynch website but no e-mail address. I would like to get in touch with him so if anyone out there knows him would you please get in touch with me. Thanks webmaster - great site. Herself the Elf, Emily Biros.
Submitted by: Emily Biros California, USA 07/07/10 Email: glasgowlassie@hotmail.com

Anyone remember Mamies Transport Cafe on Crown Street? What dinners....out off this world!!
Submitted by: Gorbals Born Breed Glasgow, Scotland 07/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

I'm writing on behalf of my mother-in-law, her name is Josephine Niven who grew up in the Gorbals (Waddel Street) with her two sisters June and Sharon, mum - Jenny and dad - Joseph in the late 50's. Does anyone have pictures of the area? so that I can pass them on for a surprise, as that time in her life is what she talks about fondly.
Submitted by: Fiona Cumbernauld, Scotland 06/07/10 Email: dazawoo@hotmail.co.uk

"F.A.O MARIE KELLY. Wishin ye well fer the future n yer trip across the pond, the statement that you made is bangon, NEVER FERGET WER YE CAME FAE, good/or/bad, that's witz rang wae sum folk, they dae ferget, you keep postin oan here, yer a true GORBALS WUMMIN, wishin u n yer famly well, may your god be with you. the Jannie. x"
Submitted by: James Fletcher Glasgow, Scotland 06/07/10 Email: jimthejannie@btinternet.com

Looking for my BOYLE family.....Patrick James Boyle was my grandfather, born 1908 in Glasgow. He died aged 38 at Eglinton Lane in 1946. His wife was Mary Boyle maiden name Kilkie living at Organ Street in 1933 before they were married in 1935 and Patrick was living at Naburn Street. His parents were Rose Boyle, maiden name Montford or Mountford and Francis Boyle who were married at St Johns church Portugal Street, Gorbals in 1901, living at 94 King Street, Tradeston. People might not make the connection as Patrick appeared to have no children but he had 8 who were taken into care at a young age and one dying at birth. Ruckhill Camp (check spelling) appears on some birth certs and my grandmother Mary re married in the early 50's havin two other children who I am in touch with but they have no knowledge of Patrick or his family. I think I have a brother and sister for Patrick who are - Agnes Boyle born 1901 at what looks like 29 Queen Mary Street, Bridgeton and John Boyle born 1904 at what looks like 213 London Road, Camlachie, Glasgow. It would be good to know of any other relatives and has anyone seen a grave for any of the above names? Will it be the Southern Necropolis or the Rose Garden?
Submitted by: Tommy Boyle Leicestershire, England 06/07/10 Email: tommyketchup123@hotmail.com

Ten Quid, Boyle or Doris, what are you on about? You like to cause trouble with people. You're always upsetting folk on here. Looks like now Scunnered and 311 are right about you, I don't care about your insults but to disrespect a man of the cloth even I would not do that. You attacked me for absolutely no reason. I have never said a word against you. You are ridiculous and should not be allowed to write such disgraceful comments. Is it the male menopause?
Submitted by: Big Tam Craig Glasgow, Scotland 06/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Hi Cathie from Blackpool. The Scotlands and Sullivans were cousins, the Scotlands were my cousins. They were William, Tommy, Hughie, Bridget and Susan. Great memories. Best wishes Bob.
Submitted by: Bob Kidd Bristol, England 06/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

F.A.O. Harry Young - you're right Harry about where have all these people came from. I looked back 2 years of the site and not a mention of any of those names, ah the plot thickens. Agnes.
Submitted by: Agnes Herrity Glasgow, Scotland 05/07/10 Email: agnesherrity@hotmail.co.uk

F.A.O. Charlie McMurray - the name of the crisps wiz Smith's plain, the bag wiz blue, twirled at the tap o' the bag tae keep the salt fae fawn oot. So had choice, crisps wae/withoot salt. Smiths re-introduced the salt bag, wae a wee squer wanin latter years, as fer the tablet? Buy a bar. Only jokin'. Take care, THE JANNIE.
Submitted by: James Fletcher Glasgow, Scotland 05/07/10 Email: jimthejannie@btinternet.com

Hi Charlie McMurray, I remember crisps with the little blue salt bag in them, think they were Smiths Crisps (Salt 'n' Shake). Bye for now, Norrie.
Submitted by: Norman McNamee Glasgow, Scotland 05/07/10 Email: norman_mcnamee@hotmail.com

Does anyone remember William Devine born 1931 and lived in Crown Street, Glasgow? He did his National Service at RAF Ouston in 1954. Any info. would be amazing.
Submitted by: Lillian Hetherington Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK 05/07/10 Email: shijlabatt@hotmail.com

"Nark it the lot o' ye jings never seen as much clabber in ma puff bliddy pensioners the lot an still argy bargy away an' bile yer heids the lot o' yese geez yir apposed tae mellow as yi get aulder, noo pit that in yer pipe an' smoke it."
Submitted by: Anonymous Glasgow, Scotland 05/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Please can anyone tell me if they have school photographs of pupils from Abbotsford Place around the 1956-62? Please, if you can give me any help. Thanks, John.
Submitted by: John Miller Inverness, Scotland 03/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

I remember when I was at Bonnys and we were playing football in the playground and a group of boys from Adelphi pelted us with rotten eggs and tossed ginger bottles at us. Ducking and diving some of us chased them but we were the ones who got done, and we had to clean up their mess, but we did the same back to them a week later. Does anyone at Bonnys remember that day, in 1967 Waddell.
Submitted by: Waddell Glasgow, Scotland 03/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Irene Muir - did you live in Eglington Lane or know someone from there? I might know you.
Submitted by: Charlie McMurray Glasgow, Scotland 02/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Some words for you all: midgie raker, rag man, penny dainty, gloryhole, closet, doon the dunney, dae the hole, fitba, flea pit, bevvy, kerry oot, spere grun, skitters, sanies, just a few auld expressions. Any more out there?
Submitted by: Gerry McCann East Kilbride, Scotland 02/07/10 Email: Not Supplied

Used to play football for St. Lukes under Willie Wallace, Tam Daly,Wee John Dougan fae the the Calton and we had good teams at St Mary's. Whatever happened to Eddie Brady, Bert Curry, Mick Cassidy , Danny O'Neill, Jonjo McGeever, Ricky Richmond and the best of them all was a boy called Chic Doris. He died young but what a player - this was about 1968/69. Hope they are all getting on all right. RCT.
Submitted by: Caltonian Glasgow, Scotland 01/07/10 Email: phinnie07@live.co.uk

F.A.O. John Miller - Ref. John Swandells was still in South Africa in 2001. When I left, he was in Johannesburg but spent a lot of time in Durban. John approached me in a club in Hillbrow, Jo-Burg in 1980 as he had recognised me. He was quite a regular at my home in Eglinton Street when I was younger. His sister Ann and my sister Anne were very good friends. I think John was possibly a friend of my brother Alistair. Either way, John and I remained good friends. If you supply me with an email address I can give you an address that will know where John is now if he is still in South Africa. Which brings me to my next story F.A.O. BIG TAM CRAIG. He was another person who spent time in my home. He was a bit of a lad as they say and if memory serves me right he got into quite a lot of trouble as did my brother who was his friend. Being a bit younger than BIG TAM, I only remember snippets from adult conversation in those days as one was meant to be seen and not heard so I'm not as sure about things as certain people THINK they are about someone they don't know. Nice to see you haven't lost your ability to take care of yourself BIG TAM. Ally MacLeod's youngest sister.
Submitted by: Isabella Henriques Rotherham, England 01/07/10 Email: i.henriques@btinternet.com

Well my time has come to soon be leaving the Gorbals. I will always come back on here just to see what is going on. I walk round here sometimes remembering how it used to be and the good times that we had. Most of the old southsiders are gone now but there families carry on. I take with me all my memories and the love I still hold for the Gorbals. My place I will soon be is the USA. But it will never make me forget were I came from and how good my life was growing up in the Gorbals. I still have four weeks to go so I have time to come and see the old stories. All of you who come on here do a good job, so keep up the good work.
Submitted by: Marie Kelly Glasgow, Scotland 01/07/10 Email: may51@hotmail.co.uk

Cathie from Blackpool, did you go to Abbotsford Place during the 60's and then Strathbungo? If so, you might remember me? Do you remember Mr. Buchanan the headmaster and Miss Murray?
Submitted by: John Miller Inverness, Scotland 01/07/10 Email: Not Supplied