I Grew Up in Glasgow ‘ Glasgow people had good patter’

Earliest memory of Glasgow? Playing in and around my street.

Which street did you live on? Golf Drive in Drumchapel.

Describe your house: It was a semi- detached, three- bed Lawrence- built house in a ‘ leafy’ suburb. The garden backed onto a farmer’s field which ran alongside the Glasgow to Mallaig railway line.

At the end of the garden there were three apple trees – two eaters, one cooking – plus raspberry canes and blackcurrant bushes, all very handy until wartime rat ioning ended.

What school did you g o t o ? Hi l l he ad P r i m a r y a nd H i l l h e a d Secondary.

Favourite local cinema and w h y ? T he G aumo nt a t Anniesland Cross. It was easy to get to by bus or train. I went on Saturday mornings for the children’s programmes.

Favourite local shop and why? Our wee row of local shops – Gordon’s grocer, Pate’s Butcher and the double fronted Co- op, where I could buy broken biscuits in a row of old fashioned biscuit tins – a sort of pick and mix for biscuits. The shop had a central pay box, so when you paid, your money was put in a cup then attached to a wire . You pulled the string and it shot into the pay box and your receipt was sent back. They ground their own coffee beans, too, so there was always a nice, alluring smell in the shop.

Where did you go dancing? The Albert, the Locarno and the Cotton Club on Hill Street for the jazz.

Best thing about g r o w i n g u p i n Glasgow? The people. They were open, f r iendly and had good patter. There were lots of good places to explore, too – Kelvingrove, the Kelvin Hall for the c i r c u s . . . I even walked under the Clyde through the old tunnel. And I could get on my bike and be in the countryside in five or ten minutes. I remember going up to Milngavie and seeing what was left of the overhead railway that was supposed to go to Edinburgh but the war and lack of money ended that dream.

Happiest childhood memory: From around 1955 to 1964 and beyond, Glasgow was ‘ steaming’ ahead with new ideas and as much work as you could want. It was exciting.