‘I was born in Glasgow near the centre of the town, I would take you there and show you but they’ve pulled the building down’

…fitting words from Billy Connelly’s catchy wee tune (World Tour of Scotland CD), being that my family’s first Oatlands place of residence at 74 Cramond Street is, indeed, now just a memory.

Recent visits to the People’s Palace rekindle my amazement when I see the single-end mock-up that resembles the home that we all shared together. The bed recess is just like the one that as a wee boy, I used to poke my head out of the curtains to give the rest of the family a song or two. And the times spent joining in the panic when the fireplace ‘lum’ would catch fire.

Family gatherings were a regular weekly event with a wee sing-a-long into the mike of my Granda’s reel to reel tape recorder. My own personal musical contribution coming via two shiny teaspoons being passionately battered off my knees (at one point advancing up to table spoons… ouch)!

But alas! My cutlery clashing career (some tongue twister, eh), was soon brought to an end with my memorable slot at Gorbals’ John Mains Community Centre local talent show. I was beaten into second place by a wee lassie and her ventriloquist dummy (sure I saw her lips move!).

At school, our music teacher ‘Miss Christie’ was a unique character of a lady and had a rerr way of dealing with bullies or those who refused to share their vocal talents with the rest of the class. A stand-up solo performance of either ‘Up to the top-Come down again’ or ‘Rocka-ma-soul in the bosom of Abraham’ soon turned on the auld ‘riddies’ and perhaps made the guilty parties think twice the next time!

On a final note this month, I would like to express my sadness for the family of young Rhys Jones who was recently gunned down in Liverpool.

I can’t help but think back to when I was growing up in Oatlands and the welcome presence of our local beat bobby, affectionately known as ‘Big Dougie’.

The mere sight of him at the corner was enough to make you think twice about anything. Indeed it was not unusual for him to escort you up to your hoose door should you be out in the street after dark.

Happy and safer days perhaps eh – what do you think? See you a’ next month!