'Ramblin Toes' walk through SunnyGovan!
November '99
Craig Robertson from Copeland Road.
Tuesday, 02nd November 1999 and I'm going for a walk!I've
just came up the moving stairs from the Govan Cross Underground station. The sun is shining, though there are a few clouds on the horizon, so I think we may get a little rain ;-)On my left there is the Govan Cross bus station where you can catch a bus to almost anywhere. It is modern with shelters for most bus passengers and at 0934 it is quite busy.I start walking west on Govan Road, the taxi rank is on the other side of the road at the corner of Water Row. I'ts been in the same place for many
years, right next to where the public toilets used to be. They are now closed. On the other side of Water Row is the well known Thomson's dentist where Phil McAvety worked!, (GET IT? Fill my cavity!;-), and further down on the same side, where Jack's Rolls were made many years ago, landscaped ground is now the home for many travelling showpeople with their caravans, stretching down to the River Clyde.I continue my walk along Govan Road past the 'Burroo' and the JobCentre built within the buildings
of the Govan Cross Shopping Centre. The largest store in the shopping centre is the Co-op (no divi number these days), and there are many other shops, all undercover, including RS McColl, Forde Opticians, etc. The Govan Indoor Market is also enclosed within the centre, and many a bargain can be found at these 'Barra-like' stalls. There are new flats built opposite on Govan Road, next to the Bank of Scotland, where many years ago the Post Office stood. It is now situated on the other side of the block, next to
the showpeople site.Next block is where the Pearce Institute sits. Looking as splendid as it did when it was built, it now houses services for the community, and next door and behind the building is the oldest graveyard in Govan, which backs down to near the river and is bordered by a new housing estate, built where Wanlock Street and McKechnie Street once stood. The Lyceum is still there, though nowadays it's a bingo hall, and looks slightly negleted.Facing the Pearce Institute is the' Black
Man' the statue of Robert Pearce, and ofcourse the name of the pub built on the corner of Govan Road at Burliegh Street. I continue my walk along Burliegh Street where the shopping is still as exciting as it always was and come face to face with 'Number Six Harmony Row' . This is the old St Anthony's school, now a business centre with many small business's settled into what was once classrooms. St Anthony's chapel still sits on the corner and the church bells ring at funerals and other occassions in Govan. The
'Chapel Hoose' is still where it was and I pass it heading west on Langlands Road, past Roseneath Street and the Co-op undertakers until I come to Shaw Street where David's Butchers is still in operation, (Murray's butcher's is still around the corner next to the Modern Bookshop).
Future stars?I turn right and walk down Shaw Street towards Govan Road and stop for one of Watson's Bakery's famous pies. Delicious. The Harmony Bar is facing Watsons on
the corner with Govan Road and opposite that at the corner is Richard's (formerly The Glen) and to the right in Govan Road is still Lennox's and the Lyceum Cafe facing the old cinema.My walk continues as I turn left and continue westward on Govan Road towards Fairfields, now known as Upper Govan Shipyards or Keaverners but always known to Govanites as Fairfields. The Old Govan Arms (formerly Donnely's) is on my left facing Luath Street. A small roundabout now sits at the junction of Golspie Street/Govan
Road and there are the 'Kirkcare' Senior Citizen flats built diagonally opposite the Fairfield main entrance. On the other side of Golspie Street is the St Anthony Primary school which sits adjacent to the Elder Park. Anyone remember Andy McNiels bike shop etc?I walk on past the Elder Park and head towards Linthouse, Clyde Tunnel and Southern General HospitalThe rain is starting to fall.
Think I'll head to the Elderpark Library for a wee rest!
Elderpark
Library.TAKE ME ON THE NEXT WALK PLEASE.
TAKE ME BACK TO THE LAST WALK PLEASE.Take me back
