When I was born in 1955 I lived at 311 Lawmoor Street until 1964, then I moved to 2 Queen Elizabeth Square for the next 10 years. My "Ma" still lives in th Gorbals.
I went to St. Francis Primary and then to "Bonnies". I remember the roasted peanuts, tablet and the "George Pictures" as if it were yesterday. I have tons of memories, climbing the walls of the gravey on Cally Road and the boys guild trips to Balbriggan in Ireland.
Submitted by: Tommy Houston
Kettering, Northhamtonshire
26/12/01
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Does anyone remember a restaurant on Florence Street owned by a Mr Knotts? They sold slices of dumpling and rib, cabbage and potatoes. It was all a great and cheap feed!
Does anyone out there recognise my name? I was born in 72 Hospital Street in 1929, my maiden name was Carcary. I am new to computing and would like to correspond with anyone who remembers me.
Please email me at tomthoms@paradise.net.nz
Submitted by: Moira Thomas
Porirua/Wellington, New Zealand
25/12/01
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Hello to anyone who knows me.
I lived in the Gorbals all my young life in the 70's & 80's. If anyone wants to chat about the Old Playbarn on Cumberland Street, please email me at gerrygracie@blueyonder.co.uk
Submitted by: Gerry Gracie
East Kilbride, Scotland
21/12/01
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I'd like to get in touch with anyone who worked in the Co-op Offices in Coburg St during 1957 - 1962, and then 1966 - 1968.
The bosses were Miss McMaster, Miss Harkins, Miss Gemmell, then Tom Hamilton later in 1968.
Those were the days! I did key punching. Please email me at ruththomson42@hotmail.com
Submitted by: Ruth Thomson
Toronto, Canada
28/11/01
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Hi my name is Rosalind Hynes formerly known as Peddie. I'm searching family trees and I'm looking for information on the late Rev. Cameron Peddie who ministered at the Hutchesontown church as a faith healer. The late Cameron Peddie was my grandfather.
If anyone has any information on Rev. Peddie, can you please email me at hynesSupermom@aol.com
Submitted by: Rosalind Hynes
29/08/01
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Help... I am trying to contact Helen Wemyss from Australia, who posted an anecdote on the Gorbalslive site on 21/12/00 regarding living in the Queen Elizabeth Court Flats.
Helen, if possible could you email me at agnes@agnesgovan.fsnet.co.uk
Submitted by: Agnes
By email
19/07/01
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Does anyone know who the two boys were in the famous 1948 photograph taken by Bert Hardy? With all due respect to some of the "claimants" to be the subjects, it is chronologically impossible!
It is obvious that the two boys were about eight years old in 1948. That means they would be about sixty in the year 2000. Some of the claimants are over seventy which means they were probably doing their National Service in Germany or India at the time. Can somebody clear up this important piece of Gorbals history.
Submitted by: James Harkins
By email
12/07/01
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My father, Arthur Glancy who is turning 80 in September was born and lived in the Gorbals from 1922 until 1950.
To celebrate his birthday we are preparing a "This is your life" presentation and are seeking any information about that era. He lived at 63 and 65 West Street and later in Warick Street. He attended School and church at St John's in Portugal Street.
If you could contribute any information, particularly photos or refer us to those who may be able to help it would be much appreciated.
Email me at glancy@smartchat.net.au
Submitted by: Gary Glancy
Australia
12/07/01
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In response to William Ormonds request asking how Gorbals got it's name, a colleague at Gorbals Initiative had come across a book called "Third Time Lucky? The History and hopes of the Gorbals" by The Gorbals History Research Group. (phew)
In this it states;
"It seems likely that its name is a corruption of two old words "gar" and "baile" meaning the town's land and indeed the lands were purchased by the Town Council of Glasgow in 1650. Originally it was a village known as Bridgend, as it was located in the southern end of the bridge which since about 1285 spanned the Clyde." I hope this helps to answer your request if anyone knows differently then please post a message.
Submitted by: George Dunipace
Glasgow, Scotland
11/07/01
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I have a quick question, who named the Gorbals and why? reason is my pal asked me and I want to look brainy...
Submitted by: William Ormond
Kirkwood, Coatbridge
05/07/01
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Paddy Crerand played for Duntocher Hibs, I watched him as a lad. I was born in 1938 and served my apprenticeship in Singers in the 50s, I was in the same dept as Paddy. Paddy's brother in law was big John Ferry, I often wonder where big John is. He was a great guy from the Gorbals. I played a game of football for Yoker with Charlie Gallacher and we beat Blantyre Celtic 4-1. I remember Paddy's wife she was a bonnie lass with red hair.
Bye the noo! Hughie Carey a Bankie
Submitted by: Hughie Carey
11/05/01
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Does anyone know if there was ever a Drummond Ironworks in Gorbals during the mid 1800s? If you have information please email me at cpechal@home.com
Submitted by: Chris Pechal
California, US
30/04/01
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Hi, I just found this site and I'm hoping some native of the Gorbals can help me find information on Benny Lynch. I've read a couple of books on Benny, but I can't get enough of him. Any information on places in the Gorbals to visit relating to Benny would be appreciated. I know he is buried in St Kentigern's cemetery in Lambhills, but I don't know where that is so, any info would be brilliant. My email isn't working properly, so any replies through this site would be appreciated. I will check it regularly thanks.
Submitted by: Johnny
Kilmarnock, Scotland
28/04/01
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I was born at 453 Rutherglen Road in 1948 and went to Hayfield School, is it still there? My first teacher was Miss McKnight and I remember being in the school hall which had balconies around the 3 floors. Attended Augustine Buchanan Church but was christened by Rev Cameron Peddie at Hutchensontown Church. He was a great faith healer. We got our milk from Sloans Dairies and their house was at the back of the shop built in a courtyard.
Submitted by: Aileen Stewart
Luton, England
23/04/01
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Still looking for information on Michael Rushford? Also, I would like to hear from anyone who went to St. Bonaventures School between 1971-1974. My name was Margaret Flannagan at that time. If anyone remember's me or our school days, I would love to hear from you? My email address is a mocoyne@lineone.net
Submitted by: Margaret Coyne
Glasgow, Scotland
19/04/01
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My great great grandparents were married in Gorbals on the 25th of July 1845. They were William Murray and Grace Mitchell. The minister was the Reverend Walter Duncan. Would anyone know what church that would be? I'd appreciate any information you can give me. Please email gsrh1239@aol.com. Thank you
Submitted by: Gail Henry
Chicago, USA
12/04/01
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I was born at 33 Surrey Street in the Gorbals in 1948 parents Jeannie and Willie Howie. Moved to Govanhill around 1953, went to Holycross then Holyrood. Enjoyed visiting your website brought back a lot of memories. Still have brothers and a sister in Glasgow up in Castlemilk. If anyone remembers me or my parents, please e-mail me at Glaswegian@dellmail.com
Submitted by: Margaret Boyett
Las Vegas, USA
11/04/01
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Hi, I was brought up in the Gorbals and now stay in Australia and have been for the past 36 years. Due to an accident at work I am now disabled, paraplegic. I would love to talk to another Scottish paraplegic. Please email matty45@bigpond.com
Submitted by: Matthew McManus
Melbourne, Australia
29/03/01
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My parents were married in St. Francis, and I remember the Irish speaking in their native Gaelic tongue on the streets.
Thoroughly enjoyed your website.
Submitted by: Patrick Sweeney
Pearl River, New York
24/03/01
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My family lived at the corner of Crown Street and Caledonia Road, above the Crown Bar. I was born in 1952 and I lived there until I was married in 1971. I went to St. Francis Primary and Holyrood. I have lived in Canada for the last twenty years and would love to hear from any old friends. My email address is harmon@connect.ab.ac
Submitted by: Richard Harman
Fort Saskatchewan, Canada
23/03/01
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Thank you for all the great comments from Gorbals people about my website. It seems that despite the poverty and poor housing, most people have fond memories about living in the Gorbals. You have given me the encouragement to continue painting and writing about my experiences of growing up in Crown Street.
You can visit my website at http://www.thegorbals.co.uk
Submitted by: Sandra Goosey
Cardiff, South Wales
23/03/01
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Having looked at your photo in the virtual tour of the twomax building, I remember a 'land mine' falling there during the war.
P.S. A great history page you have made
Submitted by: Hugh Douglas
Arrochar, Scotland
19/03/01
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Edward McCaughan: Your friends may not have remembered the cinema by the name of the E.E.'s or Eglington Electoreum but by its slang name "The Geggies". I remember it well and all the other cimema's you mentioned. I think all of us (in the 50's) that were keen on the movies (pictures) would travel some distance to see an interesting film.
Submitted by: Edward McVey
Ontario, Canada
13/03/01
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Claim to fame!
Hi everybody, my uncle Leslie Mason features on the cover of Ralph Glasser's book, 'Growing up in the Gorbals', he is very much alive and well.
If any Gorbals agencies/businesses are launching new projects etc, he may make himself available for openings....offers!
I'm not promising anything, all I can do is ask him if you care to contact me at my email address stephen.din1@ntlworld.com
P.S. To A.Graham, I have heard of the wee peanut shop, smells and sounds good!
Submitted by: Stephen Din
Glasgow, Scotland
09/03/01
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Eddie O'Hagan where are you? Frank Ford in Whyalla, South Australia wants to contact you.
Please Note - There was no email address included with this anecdote, if you wish to reply please do so through this site.
Submitted by: Frank Ford
Whyalla, South Australia
06/03/01
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I believe that my grandparents Anne and William Barr had a dairy at 102 Polmadie Rd between the autumn of 1920 and spring of 1925. Does anyone have any recollections of the shop or know of a photograph? Note it might have been in Cramond Rd! Please email bill_barr@blueyonder.co.uk
Submitted by: W Barr
East Kilbride, Scotland
22/02/01
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Well now, your great web-site was suggested to me by a lady who resided in Kingston Street, and like myself now living in Canada. I read everyone of the nostalgic reminiscing of tales individuals contributed. I cannot get over the change in the Gorbals. I was born on Waddell Street, and lived for a time on Nelson Street. I went to Centre Street school, and Lambhill Street School. I took my Canadian husband to visit Centre Street School in 1968. The Headmaster's room had a roaring fire burning with a teapot warming by the side. It was a cold miserable day, so the sight and warmth of that fire is still very vivid in my mind. My husband was introduced to 7 cups of tea that day, as we visited people I knew who still lived on Nelson Street.
Yes, I remember the EEs cinema, as one of your contributors mentioned. We used to cheer for the cavalry who somehow always just arrived in time to save the day. Yes, I remember the ushers chasing us oot the door. I think there is not one street in the Gorbals I didn't roller skate over or cycled on, all the way up to the Maxwell Park. I took my children for a visit when they were kids. We had hired a van to visit Scotland, the furthest we got was Rothesay (I wanted them to see where I often spent my summers as a child). They were having so much fun climbing the dykes in the back courts (they were still standing). These back courts are gone now, but I have some wonderful slides of them. I will return someday to visit. Is Nelson Street still there, and if so, what is left standing? Please email doremi@attcanada.ca
I for one am very glad they stopped erecting these monstrous high rises. In saying that, I mourn the decimation of many fine buildings in the name of progress. I guess the powers that be in this case learned by devastating mistakes, especially in the South Side of Glasgow. I have book-marked your site for future updates. Thanks for the memories.
Submitted by: Rena Leblanc
New Brunswick, Canada
17/02/01
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Does anyone know where St Bonaventures School was situated, which street was it on? Please email me at dmurray8@home.com
Submitted by: Drew Murray
Oakville, Canada
14/02/01
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Having recently visited your website I noticed an entry from Helen Wemyss whom I would like to get back in touch with. Helen my email address is maur33n@ntlworld.com and it would be great to hear from you.
Submitted by: Jim Calvert
Port Glasgow, Scotland
02/02/01
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Hi, I'm looking for a photograph or poster by Oscar Morzaroll entitled 'golden haired lass'. It's a young girl wearing a pinafore and wellies walking by a close. If anyone has any information please email r.gd.macwhirter@talk21.com. Thankyou
Submitted by: P MacWhirter
Clydebank, Scotland
23/01/01
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I just read a book "A Sense Of Freedom" written by Jimmy Boyle telling of his life of crime in the Gorbals. What happened to him since he wrote the book many years ago? Please email philgovan@home.com
Submitted by: Phil Govan
Sidney, B.C. Canada
09/01/01
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My father, William Govan, was born at 10 Polmadie Street in 1884. I've never been to Scotland. Can anyone tell me if there is still a residence at that address? Please email philgovan@home.com
Submitted by: Phil Govan
Sidney, B.C. Canada
09/01/01
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Hi Folks
I lived at 56 Surrey Street in the Gorbals from 1939 - 1951 when we moved to Carnwadric. Attended St John's School until we went to Carnwadric and from there went to St Mary's Calton. On Saturdays we used to go to the "E.Es" cinema which used to be round about where Bridge Street subway is now. Its proper name was the Eglinton Electoreum. We kids were packed in at the front of the stalls, and when the feature was over (usually a Hopalong Cassidy Film), the usherette used to come to the front and order us kids out before the the adult films began. So just before the end of the kid's section, if you were sharp eyed you would spot several small forms crawling back along the aisle to the rear seats and sit beside some unsuspecting adult in order to stay in longer than we were supposed to. If the usherette challenged us the reply was "A'm wae him/her Missis", and generally got away with it. I only mention this because nobody I know from the Gorbals seems to remember the E.E. They all remember the Palace, the Greens in Ballater St, The Bedford and Colliseum in Eglinton St and the Cinerama in Victoria Rd. Sometimes we travelled as far afield as Govanhill where we frequented The Calder cinema and the Govanhill cinema where I first saw "Gone with the Wind". Happy Days!
Submitted by: Edward McCaughan
Glasgow, Scotland
09/01/01
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Collected anecdotes from 2001
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