 |  | | | The Coronation in Greenock | There are 15 messages in this section. |
Georgina Baxter from Largs. Posted 28 Sep 2004.
I lived in a small cul-de-sac street in Greenock at the time of the Coronation in 1953. I was ten years old, nearly eleven, and it was a time of great excitement in our street. The adults, well actually, the mammies decided to have a street party. This caused great excitement. Unknown to us weans it was a lot of hard work and preparation for the parents. The street consisted of six closes on one side and three closes on the other side along with two pre-fabs. The top of the street was blocked off by a tall fence with what looked like railway sleepers. it might have been because the railway line backed on to our street and it was supposed to keep us weans from wandering on to the line.
While the adults busied themselves with the party, us weans got the job of painting a mural on the logs at the top of the street in the theme of the Coronation. We decided to paint a picture of the Queen with red and white paint. i don't think for a minute we painted it all ourselves but I do remember helping. It was great fun and for once you could get dirty and not get a row. Every day after school we would be out there working away until tea time and then back out again until bedtime. Oh, it was great fun!
At last, the day dawned of the Coronation. The tables were all set out with red, blue and white paper tablecloths and bunting hung from the houses criss-crossed over the street. The lamposts were decorated with flags and streamers.
We had a day off from school and had been given a red post office bank and a tin of toffees with a picture of the Queen on the lid. We had a great party and my mother brought out her accordian and played to start the dancing. The photographer from the local paper (The Greenock Telegraph) came along and took a photograph of us weans alongside our painting of the Queen and it was in the Telegraph the next night.
We had sandwiches, home-baked cakes, jelly and ice cream and I think the dadddies had a bottle of beer of maybe two. The mammies probably had a shandy to keep them happy. We danced and played games till we were exhausted and then we eventually were put to bed but we could hear our parents celebrating the night away.
Happy memories of childhood days... | | |
|  | owen McAulay from South Shields. Posted 21 Dec 2004.
Hello, You dont mention the name of your street. Was it anywhere near Chalmers Street?
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| | Jim McIntosh from greenock. Posted 17 Jan 2005.
The street described was Fullerton Street, this was beside Chalmers Street/Helen Street.
I was brought up in no 6 Chalmers Street from 1951 to 1960.
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| | Charlie McNab from Port Glasgow. Posted 13 Apr 2005.
Jim, my grandfather was born in Chalmers Street (The Garden City).
I am sure he was born and lived in Number 6...
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| | Peter Hendry from Adelaide, Australia. Posted 26 May 2005.
I can remember the Coronation very well. I lived in number 10, Chalmers street. I remember all the bunting and been given a bag of buns etc. Fullarton street, I remembers o well as my best friend Donnie Bell lived there. Friends from Chalmers street were Sid Evans, Robert Stevenson, etc and I remember the wee shop owner Maggie Horsley.
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| | Tommy Hill from Greenock. Posted 16 Sep 2005.
My family are from Chalmers street - the Murrays of number 2
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| | Rosemarie Polles from Washington D.C.. Posted 10 Nov 2005.
On reading this, I too believe it was Fullerton--although only 2, seem to recall all the red/white/blue and excitement!!!I was brought up in 9 Helen Street (1951-1967). Jim McIntosh I think I renenber you -- heard through a Greenock site from Joyce McEachran--same close as yours(now in Canada). Peter Hendry (name also very familiar) I knew Donnie Bell, Sidney Evans was a schoolmate and Robert Stevenson probably knew too. Would love to hear from anyone that might remember me. p.s. remember Maggie Horsley too!!
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| | Kevin McMahon from London. Posted 10 Nov 2005.
My father was born in 1912 in Chalmers Street and left for London in about 1931. He was a member of a large family of McMahons - weren't they all large in those days!
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| | Mary Magee from Scunthorpe UK. Posted 12 Jul 2006.
Dear Rosemarie I think I know you. I lived in Keir Hardie Street and my Granny lived in Chalmers Street where I always played with my best mate Kathleen Brewster. I went to Ladyburn School and left in 1964. My maiden name was Osborne. Ring any bells?
Best wishes Mary
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| | Mary Magee from Scunthorpe UK. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
Dear Georgina I sent you an e mail thinking I was sending it to Rosemary Monney, Do you have her e mail?
Thanks Mary
ps where did you live in Greenock
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| | Owen McAulay from South Shields. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
Was the little shop owned by two sisters, and they had the biggest alsation I have ever seen
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| | owen mcaulay from south shields. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
Are you related to poor billy who was murdered. He is often in my thoughts
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| | Rosemarie Polles from Washington D.C.. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
Dear Mary, Your name definitely rings a bell! I remember Kathleen Brewster. I too went to Ladyburn School;left in 1965 (played netball). My best friend was Catherine Falconer 6 Chalmers St). Knew tons of people from Gibshill--do you remember Billy Storie (lived in Chalmers Street and then Keir Hardy Street) originally came from South Africa and went to St. Mungoes! The twin Toshes (Alan & Rober). The Rorisons from Gibson Street were my cousins. It's a shame we can't exchange e-mails--this is the only forum I believe of contact. All the best. Rosemarie (maiden name: Mooney)
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| | WEE MAY HENDRY from GREENOCK. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
GREAT MEMORIES OF CHALMERS ST BORN NO 10 WENT TO LADYBURN SCHOOL TILL 1971,FAMILY MEMBERS PETER,LEO,CATHY AND BILLY.
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| | wee may hendry from childhood&schooldays. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
Hi to all greenockian's out there, went to ladyburn school, born chalmers st, family were peter,leo,cathy,(billy)and mee self can anyone out there remember.
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