Below: some of my photos from 1971. The occasion was the re-dedication of the Free French/Cross of Lorraine memorial in Greenock. I missed out on the ceremony on the Lyle Hill but took some photos down by the water instead. (I'm not sure exactly where I took these - Custom House Quay perhaps? If someone could tell me I'd be very grateful!)
Aunt Gwen holding up the Greenock Telegraph to show the page about the day.
14 comments:
I don't recognise the building at all,its certainly changed quite a bit.
Interesting pics though.
Thanks Gerry. Yes, everywhere has changed since those far-off days!
Hi Jane, I'm not sure..could that be the 'hotel' (I've forgotten the name) behind the band...i.e. the Custom House building would be to the right off the picture...?
If it is the 'hotel' it is now a bit decrepit looking and understates what it could be - for example a wonderful restaurant or other type of social gathering place..
Nice pics though anyway. Br, Denis.
Thanks for this Denis - I'll try to check it out when I'm back in Greenock next!
...more than a thusand words, thanks.
I hope to move to Greenock in a few months time, after being 60 years away from Scotland. So, I´m trying to catch up a little bit, and your pics are helping me....
Rodney Rychwalski
Thank you Rodney and I'm so glad that the blog is helping you. It's fantastic that you are moving back to Scotland after so long away and I wish you all the very best for the future. What an exciting time for you! (I hope to move back next year after 47 years since I lived there full time!)
I´m on my way now Jane. We bought a flat at Brisbane Street. I already know Greenock a little bit and it is fantastic. Your blog helped me in another way too. When I google , for the first time I find that I 'belong' to Soctland/Greenock again. It is through your blog. THANKS!
You're very welcome and I'm thrilled to know you're on your way back - and a flat in Brisbane Street is fantastic! (The very street where we lived when I was little!) Thank you so very much for your kind words and I'm glad my blog has helped in some way. I wish you a very happy life in Greenock - why not start a blog here about your experiences? I'd love to hear from you again anytime too.
Very best wishes, Jane
This is very interesting-the same street. I liked the little cafe on the left hand side walking from Nelson Street. Do you know it? Our flat is a little bit more west, close to to the corner with Robertson Street. I belive the building (tenement) is some 120 years old. Best wishes//Rodney
Hello Rodney,
I was at 47 Brisbane St, ground floor. You'll be closer to Ardgowan Square where my relatives lived beside the Bowling Green. Do you mean the Aulds Cafe next to the post office? If so then I do know it - we visited it last year! (They do lovely apple and cinnamon doughnuts and I like the fern cakes, empire biscuits and crumpets too, though I'm not supposed to eat wheat) When did you move into your flat? It sounds a very exciting time!
Best wishes, Jane
It is 43 Brisbane Street, first floor flat. There was (and still is) a top floor flat at 45 Brisbane Street for sale; and 23 Brisbane Street flat for sale. We will rent out the flat for about two years.
Right, the cafe I referred to is indeed the Aulds Cafe near the post office. Next time I´m there I will try the apple and cinnamon doughnuts, the fern cakes, empire biscuits and crumpets. We enjoyed plain and fruit scones. What is a the fern cake? Is it plant that has no flowers and grows in woods? Long light green fragmented leaves? You see, apart from age 1-5 (in Dundee) I don´t know Scotland.
Yes, a fern is the plant you mention but the cake is a small round cake with a fern leaf pattern in the icing.
Best wishes, Jane
I and several more boys and girls from St.Lawrence St. walked around Greenock, as we celebrated the end of the war [1945 or 6 ]I was about 11yrs.old. Parties everywhere,celebrating homecomings.We ended at the Lorraine Cross.Nothing fancy then no protection and a dirt road. The view was lovely and a sunny day we sang and chatted then we rounded up and headed home. We then got lost and just kept going until we reached home. Nothing was said, as in those days we had nothing to fear and came home when we were hungery
Many thanks Theresa -so fascinating to read your comment. What a time that must have been when the war ended, impossible to really imagine for those of us who didn't live through those days.
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