Original April 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine featuring the Glengarnock Gleanings section. Includes a profile and portrait of Hugh Munro, a portrait of juvenile champion Andrew McDowal, along with local social events, football activity, community gatherings, and reports from the Works. Fully transcribed and preserved below – original scans are above (pp. 67–68).
The issue also features a humorous illustrated piece titled “Useless!”, drawn by Jas. Holmes of Glengarnock, reflecting everyday workplace life and humour of the period.
- Mr. Hugh Munro – long-serving employee at Glengarnock Works, featured with portrait and profile
- Mr. Andrew McDowal – Juvenile Champion, Scottish Inter-Works Sports (1919), shown in portrait
- Illustration: “Useless!” – humorous drawing depicting two men in a washroom setting drawn by Jas. Holmes, Glengarnock
People Mentioned in This Issue (not alphabetical)
The following individuals are named in this April 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine, including workers, organisers, and community figures:
- Hugh Munro
- Andrew McDowal
- D. W. Reekie
- Mr. Cunningham
- Dr. J. Cunningham (Stewarton)
- John Peden
- James Calderwood
- James Whyte
- Dr. Broom
- J. Callen
- James Bain
- Rev. R. B. Andrew, B.D.
- Rev. H. Clarke M’Coll, M.A.
- Wilson Anderson
- Captain David Colville
- Mrs. David Colville
- Robert Hamilton
- Robert Breckenridge
- David Craig
- Miss Busby
- Mr. Shaw
Portrait
Mr. Andrew McDowal,
Employee, Glengarnock Works
Mr. Hugh Munro started work in Glengarnock in 1889, at the old Basic Cupolas in the Bessemer Department. During his unbroken service of 31 years he has since been employed in various departments, but for the past twenty years has been in charge of the Exhaust Plant of the Chemical Works.
Although steadily occupied thus, Mr. Munro has devoted a great deal of time and interest to public affairs. About 25 years ago he began to take an active part in the social and political life of the community, and was Chairman of the Kilbirnie Branch of the I.L.P. for a considerable period.
In 1913 he unsuccessfully contested a seat at the local Parish Council Election, but in 1914 he was co-opted to the Council in place of a retiring member, and has been a member ever since. In 1914, also, Mr. Munro was elected to the late Kilbirnie School Board, holding office until the new Education Authority came into existence.
Mr. Munro was recently elected to the County Council; and serving also on the Parish Council and the local School Management Committee, his leisure time is very fully occupied. In County Council work he is a member of no fewer than eight important Committees, besides various other sub-Committees in an ex-officio capacity.
He also acts as Works Delegate in the Blast Furnace Department, is President of the local branch of the Blast Furnacemen’s Union; Conciliation Board Delegate; Joint Treasurer of the Conciliation Board; and a member and Trustee of the Union. He was selected from the General Council to represent his Union at the British Trades Union Congress in 1919 and 1920. During the War, when the Government decided to send Labour representatives to the front, Mr. Munro was chosen and proceeded to France as a representative of his Society.
He also acted as Chairman of the Works War Relief Fund during the last four years; and to show their appreciation of his services in this connection, in April, 1919, his fellow-workers presented him with a handsome gold watch.
It may be said that in every movement of a progressive character in the district Mr. Munro’s services are in request. Possessed of a very retentive memory, a good platform speaker, a keen debater, ever hopeful and courageous, one who believes in fair dealing between master and man and is capable of taking an intelligent view of both sides, Mr. Munro only needs to be known for his worth to be appreciated.
On Saturday, 13th March, an Inter-works Football Match took place at Kersland Field between Dalzell Sparks and Glengarnock Sparks. Previous to the game it was evident that there was keen rivalry between the teams and their followers, and both sides were sanguine of success. Right from the start both teams went at it in cup-tie style, and a dour struggle followed before Halbert registered the first goal for Glengarnock by a well-timed effort. This was the signal for renewed effort by Dalzell; and before the interval was reached Thomson had equalised for his side.
In the second half Weir notched a second goal for Glengarnock, who, after a hard contested game, ran out winners by 2 goals to 1. A return game will be played at Motherwell when a date can be arranged.
The players, accompanied by several friends, met in the Hut Colony in a social capacity, under the Chairmanship of Mr. D. W. Reekie, and after a welcome repast purveyed in Mr. Cunningham’s usual excellent style, a pleasant time was spent in song and story. The visitors were given a hearty send-off; all pledging themselves to “meet again some ither nicht” at Motherwell and renew the acquaintance so happily begun.
Glengarnock Vale F.C. held their Annual Supper and Dance in the Orange Hall, Glengarnock, on Saturday, 13th March, when over 30 couples sat down to the festive board, under the Chairmanship of Mr. John Peden. During a most enjoyable evening, songs were rendered by various ladies and gentlemen. Mr. James Calderwood’s Band provided excellent music for the Dance, and Mr. James Whyte ably officiated as M.C.
The Ambulance Class was brought to a close on Sunday, 21st March, when 20 members presented themselves for examination. Dr. J. Cunningham, Stewarton, Examiner for St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association, conducted the examination and tested the Class in Oral, Practical and Transport work. To the younger aspirants for Certificates, anticipation of the ordeal had perhaps been somewhat trying; but they had been so well grounded in the work by their esteemed Lecturer, Dr. Broom, ably assisted by the popular Class Secretary, Ambulance Attendant J. Callen, that they emerged from the examination with credit to themselves and their instructors.
The members of the Class tender sincere thanks to Dr. Broom for his excellent lectures, and for his obvious interest in the progress of each individual.
The Y.M.C.A. Chess Club brought a very successful season to a close on March 22nd. The weekly meetings have been well attended, and the new players have made rapid progress. The Handicap Competition was won by a first-year player, Mr. James Bain, who, by steady and consistent play, scored the greatest aggregate of points.
The Club look forward to next season with every confidence and hope that other new members will join as well as any more experienced players in the district.
The Sale of Work and Cake and Candy Sale held in the Y.M.C. Institute, on Saturday, 27th March, was a marked success. The Rev. R. B. Andrew, B.D., presided and introduced the Rev. H. Clarke M’Coll, M.A., who, in declaring the Sale open, spoke in warm admiration of the work that the Y.M.C.A. accomplished during the Great War. From his own experience, he related how the needs of the men on the various fronts were met, often amid personal danger to the officials who ran the huts. It was a vital necessity that as we had stood together in the days of destruction, so we should stand shoulder to shoulder in the days of reconstruction.
He trusted the day’s effort would result in a handsome donation being handed over to the Dowager Countess of Eglinton’s Red Triangle Fund.
The stalls all looked very tempting, laden as they were with good things, which met with rapid sales amongst the large audience present. Music by Mr. Shaw’s Orchestra was rendered, and solos sung during the afternoon, with much acceptance. Much credit is due to the local Ladies’ Committee for the efficient manner in which the Sale was organised and carried to such a successful issue. It is certain that the amount to be handed over to the special effort for Y.M.C.A. work in centres abroad will greatly exceed the expectations of the local Committee.
The Scottish Inter-Works Sports Meeting will again be held in Glasgow, on a date to be announced later. Meantime it may be accepted that the usual Flat Events and Five-a-side Football Competitions for ages 14 to 21 (and in a limited number of events over 21) will be included in the programme. It is hoped Glengarnock lads will support this Meeting with the same keen spirit displayed in former years, and that every effort will be put forth in defence of their title of Scottish Inter-Works Champions.
Portrait
Mr. Andrew McDowal
Juvenile Champion, Scottish Inter-Works Sports, 1919
Our Boys’ Welfare Football Team met with its first reverse of the season in a League game versus Kilwinning Amateurs, at Kilwinning, on Saturday, March 13th. Certain incidents in connection with the game are the subject of investigation by the League Committee, and meantime the game is not to be included in the League Table.
On Saturday, March 20th, we met Fleming’s Merksworth F.C., at Paisley, in the Third Round of the Prince Albert Juvenile Cup Competition. The opening exchanges presaged a rattling good game, and in that no one was disappointed. W. Welsh drew first blood for us. Ends were changed without further scoring. On resuming, Merksworth gave a much improved display, without, however, penetrating our defence. Clifford scored for Glengarnock, and was followed later by J. M’Kie beating the custodian for the third time. Towards the close Merksworth registered a point; and a most enjoyable game ended in favour of Glengarnock by 3 goals to 1.
Merksworth entertained us royally after the match; and we returned home feeling that our visit had laid the foundation of a friendship which we hope to renew and strengthen at no distant date.
Glengarnock now passes into the Fourth Round, in which 8 teams remain.
The Welfare F.C. first Grand Select Dance will take place in the Walker Memorial Hall, Kilbirnie, on Saturday, 24th April, at 5-30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from members of the Club.
Glengarnock has entered the Scottish Welfare Football Association Cup Competition, confined to Works teams and lads who had not reached the age of 17 before 1st September, 1919. Trial games are being played with a view to selecting a representative team to do battle in the Competition.
Garnock Tennis Club held a very successful Dance on Tuesday, 9th March, in the Walker Memorial Hall, Kilbirnie, 65 couples being present. Music was supplied by Law’s Orchestra.
The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held on 1st April in the Masonic Hall, Kilbirnie, a good turnout of members being present. Mr. Wilson Anderson, Treasurer, reported that the financial position of the Club was very satisfactory.
The following Office-Bearers were elected:— Hon. President—Captain and Mrs. David Colville; President—Mr. Robert Hamilton; Vice-President—Mr. Robert Breckenridge; Captain—Mr. David Craig; Secretary—Miss Busby; Treasurer—Mr. Wilson Anderson.
It was arranged that the Courts be opened on Saturday, 24th April, at 3 p.m.
Things We Are Asking.
If it wouldn’t be advisable, considering the eminence Glengarnock holds in the steel world, to invite the King to a yacht race to be arranged on Kilbirnie Loch?
How would it do if “Colville’s” bought all the standard suits from the Government and presented them to the workmen who get theirs burned through accident?
What did a certain official mean who said it couldn’t be done because the men hadn’t standard figures?
What’s this about a movement to present each of the Motherwell men with an illuminated address in expression of the love and admiration we feel for them?
Whose bright mind suggested, in an argument on Shorter Working Hours, that we should have only two—and these should be meal hours?
Who was it that, when asked to go for a pair of stretchers to stretch a new belt, went down to the Ambulance House for them?
Who knows the ladies’ opinion of our Mag.? Would it not be a gracious act for them to tell us?
Has a lady ever remained so long silent? And will they use up the whole of the Mag. when they do get going?
“Useless!”
Drawn by: Jas. Holmes, Glengarnock
1st Gent.: “Rather nice, Erb, ’aving a barf in yer ’ouse, ain’t it?”
2nd Gent.: “The barf ain’t no bally use, old sport. Can’t get any coal to keep in it now!”
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