Stanley Mill Regulations 1852 – Doctor Andrew Thomson
These are extracts from a book discovered in the Mill in 1979 and as told to the local paper by the assistant works manager at the time the late Jim Shaw. (Thanks to Doctor Andrew Thomson for giving me access to this.
Stanley Mill 1964 – Fiona McConnell
I left Perth Academy in 1964 (in Stanley terms I was an Academy Ashbucket – i.e. working class but managed to pass the eleven plus) and saw an advert in the paper for a Junior Shorthand Typist/Secretary at Stanley Mills. I got the job and living in Store Street it was great as I could […]
Stanley Mill 1953-1959 – Jim Harvey
Stanley was the furthest north cotton mill in Scotland and was brought into use around 1787. The manufacture of cotton thread is a long process and requires a great number of different machines to provide an end product. Taking into account the number of departments and the machinery involved there was a requirement for a […]
A Spooky Story – Thomas Cunningham
I can remember on quite a few occasions being taken by surprise and on one particular occasion by absolute bloody fright! The first, we (myself, Paul Coleman, Dave Cowan and the one and only Lee Mcgillvray and a few others who’s names escape me for the moment!) Were walking through towards ‘The white bridge’ along […]
Will we ever see your likes again? – Exile
(Nostalgic ramblings of a semi–deranged ‘local’ 50 years removed) They used to spin fine cottonIn buildings proud and tallNow there’s no cotton mill at allThe buildings are still standing(Unlike the Temperance Hall)The word “Museum” says it all Spinners, weaversRefuge for school leaversWill we ever see your likes again?No mill workersDiscarded every oneWhile speculators ‘cut and […]
Wee Smeekie Slipped Awa’ – Exile
On the death of a great school pal Wee Smeekie slipped awa’, Ne’er again he’ll chase a ba’, Ne’er again he’ll chase a lass, Or mak’ a tellin’ cross-field pass, He lies in peace at Auchtergaven, Laid to rest on January eleven, Baith legs had gone, he couldnae see, He survived until two thousand and […]
Wee Bella – James Ferguson (Nisbet Noble)
Dedicated to Mr and Mrs Samuel King Street, Stanley By Mr JAMES FERGUSON on the loss of their only and much-beloved Daughter “Wee Bella” Our little one sleeps ! And Naturu untiring vigil keeps Over her head where the wild flowers wave And the soft winds marmer above her grave The requiem that the earth […]
Toodle Puddle – Alastair Shiach
Poem by Alastair Shiach. A tribute to Geordie Stewart read at his retiral party at New Stanley House in 2008. A man from Stanley we’re here to cheer One and all from far and near Rich man, poor man, laird and gentry Have come on pushbikes and a Bentley It’s Geordie Stewart we’re here to […]
The Tinkers Tale
(With apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan) I’m such a very model of a 1950’s tinker man,Inertia betrays me as I languish in my caravan,Filched furtively from Petrie’s farm, appropriated Runciman,I’m such a very model of a 1950’s tinker man, My horse and cart are only part of being recognisable,My raiment too, may give a clue, […]
The Stanley Poem – Exile
Reminiscing can come easy, When you have time on your hands, Reminiscing can come easy, When you visit foreign lands, And so it was in Portugal in 1995, I cast my mind, To days gone by, And thanked God I was alive, Thoughts took me back to childhood, All those people, many gone, Such a […]