Where did you grow up? I was born at home, which was 94 Nicholson Street in the Gorbals. It was a room and kitchen ground floor flat – I can’t believe I’m calling it a flat. We left there when I was 10 to move to a big house in the country (a four-apartment in Househillwood). But that’s another story.
Describe your family: There was Ma, Da, me and my four brothers - Thomas born 1951, (I was born 11 months later), then the twins Samuel and David 11 months after that then Ian six years later. I still think my wee Ma was a superwoman. No disposable nappies, washing machines or any modern conveniences back then.
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Earliest memory of Glasgow? There was a competition when I was young that was all about the Fairy Snowman. When the Fairy Snowman was in the area, he would pick a house at random and if you could produce a packet of Fairy Snow washing powder, then he would give you a fiver – a fortune back then. One day, he picked us, and as my Ma used Persil, she stalled him while we were sent to the local shop to buy a packet of Fairy Snow. Because everyone knew he was in the area and had planned ahead, all the shops were sold out so sadly, we missed out on that reward.
What school did you go to? I went to Gorbals Primary. Every Thursday the ‘sprays’ came - portable showers set up in the playground, a great idea to give all the weans who did not have baths in the home a proper wash. I remember hail, rain or shine we were sent in with a block of carbolic soap, a scrubber and a towel. You were given around five minutes to shower, then the water went off. You quickly got dried, dressed and ran back to class (a lot faster in the winter – brrr.)
Happiest memory? Across the road from the school was the Medical Mission where we went to Sunday school . It was really good for us, taking us on trips to the country now and then, what a treat. All the kids got Easter eggs and at Christmas time we all got a small gift, donated by children from churches in the better off areas such as Anniesland. The teachers were very kind and taught us to be kind.
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