Graveyard tea party launches campaign
IT WAS Glasgow’s most unusual birthday party.
The guests drank tea and wore special t-shirts and the whole thing took place in a graveyard!
The celebration honoured one of the city’s most famous citizens with cake and a cuppa, almost 90 years after his death.
Community group Friends of the Southern Necropolis (formerly Southern Necropolis Action Group) held the unlikely party to remember Thomas Lipton, the world-famous grocer who is buried in the Gorbals cemetery.
The group – a former Evening Times Streets Ahead awardwinner – also launched its own T-shirt on the day, to raise funds and promote the Southern Necropolis as an interesting place to visit and an environmental and historical hub.
The group’s founder, Colin Mackie, explained: “It was a really special afternoon and we had a great turnout.”
He added: “The sun shone and we raised our teacups to toast Sir Thomas, who was a man ahead of his time.
“His aspirations and ideas were groundbreaking and his entrepreneurial skills and character helped him make his mark on households all round the globe.”
Colin added: “Sir Thomas was originally from the Gorbals, and he is still remembered and fondly discussed to this day.”
Sir Thomas was born on May 10, 1850 and grew up in the Gorbals.
A tall, dapper figure, instantly recognisable thanks to his signature polka-dot bow-tie and sailing cap, he became famous for the tea which is still sold today.
A humble and generous man throughout his life, it is believed he left as much as a million pounds to charity in his will when he died in October 1931.
The T-shirt, which proclaims “every stone tells a story”, was designed by Christina Milarvie Quarrell. To order the T-shirt, email info@southernnecropolis.com.