YOU cannot beat a bit of Barras patter.

Times Past reader Rab Brennan, of Castlemilk, got in touch to share his memories of the famous Glasgow market, prompted by our recent feature on the stallholders and their witty conversations with customers.

“Reading about the old Barras patter brought back memories,” he said. “In 1959, when I was 17, a mate of mine who was born and brought up in Stevenson Street in the Barras, where he worked, got me a job there when I was unemployed for a short time.

“At a stall I was working on, the fella pulled out a woman’s show and shouted to his crowd: ‘A pair of shoes for a wummin wi’ wan leg’…..”

READ MORE: 'Get yer lucky knickers': Barras patter becomes permanent feature at Glasgow market

Jim Peddie, formerly of Springburn and now living in Motherwell, has enjoyed reading Times Past regular Eileen Hart’s memories of his old stomping ground.

“I enjoyed reading Eileen Hart’s memories of Springburn – I grew up there in the 40s,” said Jim.

“She mentioned getting a shilling for the meter and I remember that well. We also had to save up half-crowns for the TV.

“I wonder if Eileen and other Times Past readers remember the butcher’s steak pies, when you were given money for the ashet pie dish if you returned it? My big sister always refused to go in for the money, claiming ‘it was a riddy’. The pies would come in on a Thursday, I remember, and people would be skint. That two shillings for the pie case was a godsend.”

Charlotte Ann Skewis, of Townhead, recalls another cost-saving measure that will be familiar with Times Past readers.

“We lived in Townhead, across the road from the Royal Infirmary, and close to the oldest house in Glasgow, the Provand’s Lordship,” she said.

“I was a grown-up before I dared go in, and the same was true of the Necropolis. It really is a beautiful place, the Necropolis, the Victorians created some lovely sculptures. I was wondering if any Times Past readers remembered the saying ‘in on a Monday, out on a Friday?’

Glasgow Times:

“It referred to the pawn, which was a lifeline for many families. Known as your ‘uncle John’, just about every household used it.”

READ MORE: From 'little Mary Lee' to showbiz superstar: The Glasgow story of city legend 

And finally, Iain Henderson, of Ibrox told us: “I enjoyed reading the Mary Lee tribute in Times Past. She was a great singer, actress, comedienne and legendary variety and panto star.

Glasgow Times:

“She was in the same classroom at Lambhill School as my late mum Moira, who had fond memories of her. I remember writing to Mary Lee and Jack Milroy and I got a nice letter back – they remembered my mother from school.”

Share your memories and old photos with Times Past – we would love to hear from you.