DOULTON FOUNTAIN

The recently restored Doulton Fountain now stands in front of the Peoples Palace in Glasgow Green with Queen Victoria overlooking the Palace.

The Fountain formerly stood near the entrance to the Green at Saltmarket.

MARY FOX FLORISTS

Mary Fox was a well known and busy florist with branches throughout Glasgow and the centre of the city. It was very popular for wedding flowers and all special occasions.

My parents Helen and Andrew Russell lived in one of the flats above the shop in London Road. This was their home when they were first married in 1928.

Lance Corporal ROBERT RUSSELL S/4570,
7th Battalion SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
who died on 25 September 1915.
Son of Mr. And Mrs. Finlay Russell
241 Mathieson Street, Glasgow.
Remembered with honour
LOOS MEMORIAL


THE BATTLE OF LOOS

25 SEPTEMBER - 19 OCTOBER, 1915

Compared with the small-scale British efforts during the Spring of 1915, this attack of 6 Divisions was a mighty offensive indeed - it was referred to as ‘THE BIG PUSH’. Taking place on ground not of their choosing and before stocks of ammunition and heavy artillery were sufficient, the opening of the Battle was note worthy for the first use of Poison Gas by the British Army.

Despite heavy casualties, there was considerable success on the First Day in breaking into the deep enemy positions near Loos and Hulloch.

But the reserves had been held too far from the Battle Front to be able to exploit the successes and succeeding days bogged down into attritional warfare for minor gains.

My uncle lost his life on the first day of the battle and his name is inscribed along with thousands of other men at the Loos Memorial.

Above right is a postcard he sent home at the start of the war.

‘Doon the Watter to Millport'

A summer holiday to Millport, Great Cumbrae
Meant a trip on the steamer from Largs or Wemyss Bay
For fun and games on the sands all day,
Ice cream at the Ritz Café.

Sandcastle competitions at Fintry Bay
Golf or Bowls for sport to play.
Hire of a bicycle round the island to ride
All this and more on the paradise island on the Clyde.

Lisa and Gordon decided we should all have a trip 'Doon the Watter' before the summer was over. It was put to a vote where we should go and it was decided that a trip in the Paddle Steamer Waverley would be a trip to remember and a date was decided.

On 17th August we met at George Square from where the coach took us to Largs to join the Waverley, the last sea going paddle steamer in the world.

A happy memorable day was had by all, thanks to Lisa and Gordon.

I thought I'd write a wee poem about our day. You can see it below...

THE WAVERLEY

A sail on the Paddle Steamer Waverley
Where tourists flock to spend the day
Up on deck we look over the side
To admire the scenery of the Firth of Clyde
Below deck with faces beaming
We admire the engines brightly gleaming.

First stop Millport where passengers alight
The old Pier and front a nostalgic sight
Then on to Arran where air so pure
Known as Scotland in miniature.
Mountains in the north at Lochranza
Kildonan in the south and view of Pladda.

We alight at Brodick Pier
Where buses wait for the Island Tour
Brodick with its lovely Castle and grounds too
Or climb Goatfell to see the view.

Soon its time to rejoin the Waverley
On her return at the end of the day.
We gather in the saloon as we sail away
Nearing the end of a happy day.
We are entertained by a young musician
Playing Scottish tunes on his accordion.

"FARES PLEASE"

My mother, Helen Russell was employed as a conductress for Glasgow Corporation Transport in the 1940's. She worked in Dalmarnock Tram Depot in Ruby Street in the East End and later in Langside Tram Depot in the South of the city.

My mother wore a green uniform with brass buttons, a skirt for summer and trousers for winter, a white shirt and green tie and a hat with a badge. My mothers Badge no was 4711. I still remember the number as 4711 was a perfume "4711 Cologne" and was a great favourite of my mothers.

Glasgow's Last Tram

Alan Fitzpayne was the son of Eric Fitzpayne, General Manager of Glasgow Corporation Transort. As a schoolboy aged 13 yrs he was allowed to drive the last Tram for seven miles from Clydebank to Dalmarnock in September 1962.

The tram he drove survived into preservarion and 40 years later in 2002 the 53 year old Alan Fitzpayne again drove tram No 1282 in an anniversary run at the National Tram Museum in Derbyshire.

Glasgow Garden Festival 1988

The ever popular Trams were one of the many attractions of the Festival. There were continuous queues, of people of all ages for rides on the old Trams.

Also very popular was the miniature Festival Railway taking passengers round the site of the many beautiful gardens. There were magnificent displays of Scottish gardens, Italian Gardens, Chinese and Japanese gardens, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh Pavilion and marquees with tropical plants and garden displays. There was also a Marina with luxury yachts and a Mississippi Showboat taking passengers for a sail.