NIGHTS out and seasonal celebrations of Glasgow in days gone by always spark our readers’ memories of growing up in the city.

Since our Thanks for the Memories series began two years ago, we have received lots of letters and emails from Glaswegians past and present, who recall happy times at Halloween, fantastic Christmas carnivals and more.

Our features on entertainment in the city prompt many to recall days spent at the cinema, the old theatres and school events.

Reader Jim McGregor has published some of his memories in a collection of poems and prose called Brevitas.

He points us to ‘The Kelvin Hall’, a short piece of prose written about the famous venue which once hosted circuses, travelling fairs and more.

“It wuz like openin’ a door tae excitement,” he writes. “The Carnival at Kelvin Hall. Especially comin’ in from a dark wintry Dumbarton Road.

“Ye were enterin’ another world wance a year wi flashing lights, music, the noise, the helter skelter, the dodgems, the merry go round, the waltzers….”

“Noo and again ah won a coconut, but whit wid ah dae wi a coconut? In the end ye were mer likely tae leave wi empty pockets than wan o they big fluffy toys oan the tap shelf.

“Still, ye knew a’ this when ye went in. It didnae spoil any o’ the excitement..”

We have delved into the history of some of Glasgow’s best theatres, including the Citizens in the Gorbals and the grand old lady of Hope Street, the Theatre Royal, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year.

Stage doorkeeper Gary Painter, who has worked there for 20 years, told us a little bit about the history of the place.

“There were originally two main Theatre Royals, one on Queen Street and one in St Enoch Square, which was demolished for the station to be built,” explains Gary, 43, who is from Queen’s Park.

“It was a real honour to be allowed to call your theatre ‘royal’ and usually the patent was attached to the proprietor rather than the building.

“The first theatre on the present site was designed by George Bell and called Bayliss’ Coliseum Theatre and Opera House, and it opened on November 28, 1867.”

Over the decades, it survived fires, enjoyed a spell as the home of Scottish Television, and changed hands many times.

Reader Margaret McGlashan wrote to us about her happy memories of dressing up for Halloween at Mathieson Street School.

“I remember going up the closes, chapping the doors for our Halloween,” she said. “My favourite costume was Carmen Miranda, I used to sing her song, I Yi Yi Yi Yi Like You Very Much!”

She adds with a laugh: “We went into one house and the woman invited us in, saying, ‘don’t worry about the man lying in the long box..he’s just sleeping, and he likes a good sing song!’

“When I went home and told my mother, she was horrified….”

The cinemas of old Glasgow always figure strongly in our readers’ memories.

At our drop-in event in Possilpark Library, Joe McGarry recalled: “I remember the cinema, the Astoria, just around the corner from the Mosshouse, where my mum and dad would take me on a Saturday morning.

“I can see it all in my head. I remember scootering up and down in front of the house, visiting the fairground – I think it was called White’s Shows – across the road.”

Fellow Possilpark visitor Jim Ferguson, sister Anne and cousin Linda, also recalled the cinemas in Springburn, including the Princess, the Astoria and the Kinema, “which was a right old fleapit, shaped like a coffin,” smiled Jim.

Like many neighbourhoods, Springburn had several to choose from, and taking along food and drink was essential.

Anne added:“We used to get pieces thrown out the window of the tenements at us – all wrapped up in greaseproof paper.”

Jim laughs: “And we’d get the sweeties you got with your ration book in a wee cone.”

We would love to hear more of your Glasgow memories – where did you grow up? Where did you work? What are your favourite memories of your old neighbourhood? Can you remember the old theatres, dance halls and shops? Which ones stick in your mind?

Through our regular library drop-in events, which have now taken place all over the city, and our letters page and email banks, we are compiling a fantastic archive of stories and pictures, all dedicated to the city we love.

Please write to Ann Fotheringham, Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB or email ann.fotheringham@heraldandtimes.co.uk with your stories and photos. Don’t forget to include a contact email address,or telephone number.