A very kind unknown person has took it upon theirself to repair the Woodhead Well at The Avenue, Neilsland. I have no idea who the person was but if you are reading this, I would like to say “Thank You!” for this kind gesture. The well is approximately 143 years old. It is a relic from the past that represents the historical significance of the area. So it’s good to see the dressed coping stones have been re-cemented back in place!
Woodfoot Cottage c. 1909 looking towards Laighstonehall, which is in the background. The house stood by the small road bridge that travelled over the Earnock Burn at Woodfoot Road, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland. This is now the present-day location of a small area of ground between two private properties and behind the mini-roundabout at the foot of Sherry Drive.
Sadly the house was demolished c. 1960. This photograph is actually taken from a postcard. It was posted by Mrs M.A. McLachlan to her sister, Mrs Vallance, who at the time was a patient in Glasgow’s Western Infirmary. The name of the little girl sitting on the parapet is “Marion” which was also my mother’s name. And, presumably the people in the photograph are the family who lived at Woodfoot Cottage. Below is another photograph of the cottage taken from the Laighstonehall end of Woodfoot Road and looking towards Earnock c.1877. A peacock is just visible on the left-hand side of the road.
I would just like to express my sincere gratitude for the recent increase in number of followers and people who have chose to click that they like my page and or have taken the time to leave a comment and ask questions relating to my history articles/posts. It means a great deal to me and I can assure you that it has not gone unnoticed! Especially the people who have remained constant followers of my writing going back to c. 2012, when I wrote and shared information under my own personal profile in social media groups. And onwards through my evolution and formation of the former group I ran called: “Bygone Hamilton”.
I have been publishing my work for just over 5 years, and I can now truly state that I have successfully established my “Niche” topics and subjects as well as a confident style of the layout and design of my work that I share to various internet sources. Your support has provided me with the drive and enthusiasm to continue writing even though it has been difficult to gain recognition because of the large amount of similar pages and groups on social media with thousands and even tens of thousands of followers. But I am a firm believer in “Quality Not Quantity!”
Over the forthcoming months I will be editing and updating each of my posts. So that the same universal layout and design appearance is continuous throughout my work, with the addition of new information and details provided. And, of course I will continue to write and produce new articles.
Thank You Again For Your Support!
Terry.
David Charles Prowse MBE who was commonly known as “Dave Prowse” sadly passed away on the 28th November 2020 (aged 85). He was one of my childhood heroes. Dave was a British Heavyweight Weightlifting Champion, Bodybuilder and Successful Character Actor. Throughout the years he appeared in many great movies and television shows but the two main roles that defined his acting career are what he will always be remembered for, they are:
1): The Green Cross Man, who was a superhero styled figurehead invented to promote the Green Cross Code road safety campaign for children in 1975. As a result of his association with the campaign, which ran between 1971 and 1990, he received the MBE in 2000.
And 2): His portrayal of the Dark Lord Of The Sith, “Darth Vader” in the original Star Wars trilogy. Dave who was 6′ 6″ in height played the physical form of Darth Vader by wearing the costume and the voice for the character was provided by American Actor James Earl Jones.
During 1983 when the Star Wars movie: Return Of The Jedi was being screened at Hamilton Odeon, the What Everyone Wants Store on Cadzow Street also announced the launch of the sale of Star Wars toys and that Dave would be making an appearance. Unfortunately he cancelled, but my parents still bought me some toys and took me to see the movie! And again, during 1989 when I received news that my artwork design entry for the Lanarkshire school’s Stop, Look, Listen and Think road safety campaign poster competition came 3rd, he was supposed to pay the school a visit and he cancelled again! Thankfully, in later years I did get to meet Dave on a number of occasions at collector’s fairs, etc. He was always pleasant with me and took the time to pose for photos and chat as well as sign memorabilia. I think it’s fair to say that he loved to meet his fans as much as they loved meeting him.
May The Force Be With Him!
Dave Prowse R.I.P.
Ref: Wikipedia.
The above photograph belonged to my Grandfather Alexander (Axe) Murphy and I subsequently inherited it after he passed away. Many copies of the photo were printed and distributed amongst the family and close friends. It features Hamilton Champion Boxer Jim Higgins and Cowal Games (Highland Dancing) Champion Hannah Kemp. Although the location is not known it was most likely taken at a local exhibition hall. Jim’s Mother was Mary (Murphy) Higgins, and she was my Great Great Aunt.
The photo is dated c. 1921 and at that time Jim was 24 Years of age. His Date Of Birth was the 25th October c. 1896. He reached the age of 25 on his birthday, which was later during the same year the photo was taken! If you look closely enough you can see Jim is wearing his Lonsdale Belt which he won on 31 January c. 1921 by a Win on Points against Ernie Kid Symonds for the British Bantamweight Title. And, all of Hannah’s dancing trophies are displayed on the small table.
Jim Higgins is regarded by many local people including myself as being the town’s “Father Of Boxing!” Because he is the first known Professional Boxing Champion to hail from Hamilton. Around the same timeline there was another Hamilton Boxing Champion named John Fleming, who was better known under his fighting names “Johnny Brown” and “Hamilton Johnny Brown”. But he had won the East of Scotland Featherweight Title c. 1919 as an Amateur. He also won the Amateur Boxing Association Featherweight Title c. 1920, towards the end of the same year he turned Professional and subsequently did not win a Professional title until c. 1922. So, therefore Jim Higgins is the First Professional Boxing Champion from Hamilton, Lanarkshire. This achievement and statement of fact is something Hamiltonians should be very proud of and it should be recognised! He strongly influenced Joe Gans; the Father/Manager of Walter McGowan, who was another one of Hamilton’s Famous Boxing Champions!
Please note that the above newspaper obituary clipping incorrectly states that Jim “won a Lonsdale Belt after beating Harold Jones in February, 1920.” This is when he first actually won the British Bantamweight Title! But to keep a Lonsdale Belt you must win and defend it three times.
His professional boxing career began with a KO Win on the 17th February c. 1919 against Joe Clark. And, ended with a Loss on Points against Billy Smith on the 20th October c. 1930. He fought a total of 35 bouts. Won 19 (10 by KO), Lost 13 (8 by KO) and had 3 draws. The highlight of Jim’s boxing career success was when he won the Lonsdale Belt outright on January 31st c. 1921 in a record time of under one year (11 months, 8 days since first gaining the title) which was followed by two defences. To this day the record remains unbroken! In fact, during the year c. 1920 Jim Higgins had won both the British Bantamweight Title and the Inaugural British Empire Bantamweight Title. And as previously stated, he is the First Professional Boxing Champion from Hamilton ” Hamilton’s Father Of Boxing! ” He died on the 26th November c. 1964 (Aged 67) and was working as a doorman for an Argyle Street Bookmakers at the time. R.I.P.
Hamilton Historian. Terence (Terry) Murphy. Holding the original photo of
Hamilton’s First Professional Boxing Champion
” Hamilton’s Father Of Boxing! “
Jim Higgins c. 1921.
Ref: Family Photographs and Knowledge, Daily Record Newspaper and Wikipedia.
Hamilton Historian. Terry Murphy 