Earliest memory of Glasgow? I was born in my grandmother’s bedroom at 24 Carmichael Street in Govan in 1948. I was rushed to hospital as one of my arms was ‘blue’ – apparently my mother’s continual crossing of her legs under her while sitting had cut off the circulation. I recovered, but I do write with my left hand….
Describe your house: It was a first floor flat with two bedrooms and a bathroom, upstairs from my grandmother’s house. My uncle and his family lived on the second floor. We loved watching the lamplighter light our gas lamps each night. Every week we went to the steamie and hot baths on Summerton Road and had a nice wee bubble bath. The pub next door to us was called The Vaults and we played ball games against the straight walls, and skipping with long ropes, one end each and someone jumped in.
What school did you go to? Copland Rd Primary and Govan High. I remember marching into class to someone playing the piano; washing our hands with carbolic soap; going down to the ferry, across the Clyde, for a day at Kelvingrove – that was special.
Favourite local cinema? We had two good ones in Govan, the Plaza at the Cross and the Lyceum. I went to the Saturday morning shows – The Lone Ranger, Flash Gordon…it was great.
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Favourite local shop? I had a weekend job at Cuthbertson’s Dairy when I was 14. I spent the money I earned on clothes – What Every Woman Wants and Rita’s were good places for fashion.
Where did you go dancing? We took the trolley bus to the Dennistoun Palais when I was older
Best thing about growing up in Glasgow? In 1969, during a bad storm, our tenement was damaged and we moved to Denny. I went to South Africa in 1982, and now live in Alva. But the feeling in my heart when I get off the bus in Glasgow is hard to explain. I love my home city dearly and Kelvingrove means everything to me.
Happiest childhood memory: Going to the Govan Fair – it was so spectacular.
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