'Ramblin Toes' walk through SunnyGovan!

December '99

Johnny Currie from Drumoyne Road.

Thursday, 23rd December 1999 and I'm out for a pint, (or two!) I'm walking westwards on Govan Road from Lorne School towards the Govan Town Hall, going for a drink. After walking 'the miler' I deserve, and need, a wee refreshment but my memory goes back to when we had more pubs than food shops!
First one that I miss is The Whitefield Bar and then Mones Bar (remember Mone sat in the high stool and only allowed you one drink at 5pm on a Friday before sending you home with the wifes wages?)
The Rose Queen where Eugene McGowan was very strict and still refused to serve you if you looked underage, even if you had birthlines in your hands.
The Clyde Vaults (also known as the Red Lamp, and later Kai Johansen's , The Three Ell and then Campbells, now called 'The Bells'.
The Bells is the only one still standing, so I pop in for a quickie. I discover that it is now owned by Billy Sweeney (who also has The Intermizzo in Renfrew Street in the city) and presently managed by a very talkative Eddie, who also happens to be a good barman. He tells me he worked for years on the railway but was made redundant. After my wee rest I leave and continue on my way, I don't want to leave Govan Road but where are The Queen's (owned and managed by John Scott), The Old Vic with wee Mary, Archie and later Alice, Welsh's (changed to the Welcome Inn by Big Steph and managed by Peter Dunn), The Castle managed by Ian and Davie Mitchell, twins who were very different characters, Ian the businessman and Davie the 'patter' merchant, and then Kennedy's. All gone!!!!!

The Govan Arms (managed by big Bill whose chargehand at one time was Glocksy) The Commercial, managed at one time by Billy Harley Senior, The Waverley, which was the old post office and finally Brechins Bar (the Black Man). Thankfully it is still there so it's time for another 'pit stop' and I find out that Crawford Brechin now owns it after he recieved it as a birthday present from his dad!
The Stag, Weavers and the Lyceum Bar are all away but the Glen, (managed by Billy Harley Junior at one time), offers me my next drink and I discover why it's now called "Richard's", that's because Richard Wilson is now the proud owner! I cross the road to the Beauty Parlour, The Harmony before stumbling into The New Govan Arms (formerly The Fairfield Bar)
The thought of all these pubs are making me feel tipsy but I've only had five drinks! After a great pint of Guinness I'm off again and looking for The Rob Roy, The Wee Victoria and the Elderpark Bar (No.1) but they've all disappeared and there's no need for me to nip into the park to sleep it off as we would do in the fine weather! I'll just nip in to the library and see what happened to all the old haunts.

Looking towards the cross from Orkney Street.

The same view now - only the bank remains.

Johnny Currie

TAKE ME ON THE NEXT WALK PLEASE.

TAKE ME BACK TO THE LAST WALK PLEASE.

Take me back