Norrie Wilson took us on another trip down memory lane at a recent meeting of Largs Probus Club. It was a follow-up to his talk last year: Lost Glasgow – “Doon the Watter”.
This time he brought back memories of the Glasgow 800 celebrations of 1975 and also some events that were not celebrations He began by showing the mug that was given to all school children at the time.
Thousands had been made by Dunoon Pottery. The pottery relocated to Staffordshire not long afterwards. Norrie’s experience at school was of a potted history over the weeks of many things that had taken place that year.
Here are some of the highlights of Norrie’s talk:
The Programme of events
In 1975, Glasgow celebrated the 800th anniversary of its burgh charter, granted in 1175. This event was marked by a festival that was described as the “greatest celebration the city has ever seen.”
800 years had passed since Glasgow became a Burgh of the Barony, which entitled a market to be held on Thursdays and for the collection of tolls and market dues from all the goods entering the town. And that needed celebrating, in some style.
Major Activities
- Lord Provost’s Procession: A ceremonial parade featuring local dignitaries, floats and organisations.
- Highland Gathering: Held at Scotstoun, showcasing traditional Scottish sports and culture.
- Song for Glasgow Contest: Sponsored by the Evening Times, this contest encouraged local talent to celebrate the city through music.
Souvenirs
- Glasgow 800 Celebration Mug: Every school child received a commemorative mug featuring a design that included elements from Glasgow’s coat of arms, such as a fish, bell, bird, and tree.
Significance
The festival not only celebrated Glasgow’s rich history but also aimed to foster community spirit and pride among its residents. It served as a reflection of the city’s growth and cultural heritage, setting a precedent for future celebrations.
What else went on?Famously, the Wombles were booed off the park at half-time at Hampden during a friendly fixture between Scotland and Portugal as part of the celebrations. (Scotland won 1-0. ) Wimbledon is a long way away!
Not so great was the Glasgow Bin Strike, so bad that the Army helped clear the rubbish.
This was the most significant strike in Glasgow sine the Rent strike of 1915.
There was a fashion show in Buchanan Street, showing Glasgow’s “gallus swagger”.
Newspaper Closure
The Scottish Daily Express had closed its printing operations in Scotland and moved to Manchester in 1974. It was replaced by the Scottish Daily News which was hailed as Britain’s first worker-controlled, mass-circulation daily, formed as a workers’ cooperative by 500 of the 1,846 journalists, photographers, engineers, and print workers who had been made redundant. It was a left-of-centre daily newspaper published between 5 May and 8 November 1975 – it was not financially viable. Norrie observed that there are no Scottish owned papers, apart from those of D C Thomson.
Glasgow’s Inner Ring Road
The original plans for the Glasgow Inner Ring Road we originally published in 1945, but a hint of the controversy to come was also noted: The City Engineer, Robert Bruce acknowledged that people might think the necessary demolition for these improvements “drastic” but they should measured this against the importance and long-life of the overall objectives. However, the First Planning Report is often remembered for its proposals for the redevelopment of the city centre. Glasgow’s familiar grid system would be retained but all existing buildings would be demolished. The completion of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road was finally squashed in 1975 by the new Strathclyde Regional Council.
Hector Smith Another shocking event of 1975 was the murder of Hector Smith, he was shot dead at home in front of his terrified family by convicted bank robber and aspiring Loyalist terrorist Brian Hosie. Hector, a Jamaican-born dad of three, was living in the Woodlands district when he was gunned down as part of a botched plot to extort money from local women suspected of being involved in prostitution.
Hosie, a fantasist obsessed with paramilitary violence, who had been in Northern Ireland, concocted the cack-handed scheme while out drinking with two accomplices as a way of raising money for Loyalist extremists. Their actions would see the trio arrive at Hector’s flat to demand money from his partner, who the gang believed was a sex worker. Hector refused to hand over any money and was shot. “The alleged involvement of the Ulster Defence Association terrified people too, and there were real fears of importing the conflict in Northern Ireland over to Scotland.”
The Citizens Theatre, based in the Gorbals area, had been founded in 1943. As part of the theatre’s ongoing commitment to remain accessible, the Citizens endeavours to keep tickets reasonably priced. It is still active with productions today. However, in 1975 a flier advertising the spring season was condemned by Labour councillor Laurence McGarry for its depiction of Shakespeare , in drag with large cleavage, painted lips, corsets, suspenders and hand on hip”. The councilor felt the theatre was guilty of “playing to an intellectual minority rather than the great mass of the public”.
Glasgow’s Pied Piper
Norrie also mentioned busker William ‘Scotty’ McLean, who began his busking act in 1946 and kept it up right up until the early-to-mid 1990s. He had suffered a leg injury and resorted to basking which he could do with his gammy leg.
Scotty, from Garthamlock, was a kenspeckle figure about Glasgow for many years, and made a decent living busking in the streets and outside cinemas and theatres – rumour is he was a millionaire, who used to holiday in Florida every year (he wasn’t, and he didn’t!).
If you were very lucky, he might stick his twin penny whistles up his nostrils, and play them through his nose! Even with his gammy leg, he would easily have won Britain’s Got Talent.
Billy Connolly made his first appearance on ‘Parkinson’, made famous by the joke about parking a bike. He was applauded at Glasgow Airport when he returned.
Norrie also mentioned a 1975 picture of Glasgow underground taken by an American student. In a 2017 exhibition one chap was recognised and identified, a copy of the picture is now with his grandson. This is not the picture, but this is a train of the times.
If you want to see some nostalgic pics of Glasgow from the 1970’s, click here.
The vote of thanks was given by Roddy Eunson, who was working in Glasgow at the time, he, and I suspect everyone else, had really enjoyed the memories.,
Why not join us at our next meeting?
New members are always welcomed at the Club. If you are 50 or over, retired, or nearing retirement, (men only, I’m afraid, sorry ladies) you can attend three meetings as a guest and find out what a relaxed and friendly time we have. That’s plenty of time to decide whether to become a Club member or not. Please check out our programme and email info@largsprobus.org.uk if you wish to attend as a guest, or to enquire about joining.
Largs Probus Club will next meet in the Willowbank Hotel on Wednesday 10th December at 10am when Chris Wilson will give us a talk on Egypt – not sure what, so come along and find out!.