Greetings from Arran at postcard club
A truly wonderful evening was enjoyed by the Strathclyde Postcard Club on Monday evening (October 21) when Stuart Gough presented his display, An Arran Extravaganza, in the Graham Hills Building at Strathclyde University.
Stuart, from Corrie, began with postcards depicting old maps – giving rambles on different areas of the island – then many historic postcards showing multiple views of Brodick, Kildonan, Whiting Bay, Shiskine, Kings Cross and Lochranza; piers, hotels, war memorials, standing stones, castles, villages, museums, monuments and ships, which brought the tourists ‘doon the watter’ to Arran. Also viewed were paintings by Avril Paton, who was born on Arran, and the grave of Edwin R Rose, the tourist who was the victim of the Goatfell murder.
There was a stereoscope with many images to view; boxes of magic lantern views; old Victorian advertising cards; postcards of various bus companies which served the island – and with them many samples of timetables and bus tickets. There were also views of railways on Arran; Valentine postcards, in a frame displayed at a shop door, and many ephemera, including programmes for many shows etc. This was an amazing view of the past – and also the present – life on Arran.
Stuart also gave a wonderfully interesting ‘patter’ about the items displayed.
President Alex Magowan then gave the vote of thanks to Stuart for presenting a truly magnificent display.