Earliest memory of Glasgow?

In the early 50s, I remember my gran taking me to see this man called Syncopatin’ Sandy playing the piano non-stop in the window of a furniture store under the Hielanman’s Umbrella. Big crowds would gather to cheer him on – he was trying to break a world record.

Where did you live?

Springburn. It’s good to know many Times Past readers had fond memories of tenement living – mine are not quite so warm. ...

Describe your house: T

There were five of us living in a single end with an outside toilet, sharing with another two families, in a tenement block. My mum, dad, older sister, younger sister and me were all crammed in to this tiny house. In 1949, we moved to Balornock, to a three-bedroomed house with an inside toilet. It was great – finally, no more zinc baths on a Friday night.

Favourite local shop?

Lots of houses were getting built in Glasgow back then but there were no shops. Round the corner from us, Mrs Green made toffee apples and Mr Black, who was a retired barber, used to cut our hair in his house. Mr Stewart turned his shed into a fruit shop and my ma would say – ‘go to the hut and get me some spuds.’ I worked as an apprentice butcher in Cowcaddens – it was called David Duncan’s, on New City Road.

Happiest childhood memory:

Mrs Smith in the close turned her water boiler into a deep fat fryer and made the best chips ever…

READ MORE: I Grew Up in Glasgow: 'I met Jean at the Majestic but was too shy to ask her out'

Many readers like Jim have shared their favourite moments in a lifetime spent living, working and playing in the city. We would love to hear yours.

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