Original January 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine Glengarnock Gleanings section. Includes local news, football results, YMCA activities, and a historical report of a tragic accident. Fully transcribed and preserved below – original scan is above:
People Mentioned in This Issue
The following individuals are named in this January 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine, reflecting members of the local community, staff, and associated organisations:
- Colin M’Cosh
- James Finlay
- J. M. Ferguson (Hon. Secretary)
- Dr. Broom (Ambulance Class instructor)
- A. B. Millar (team representative)
- A. M. Chalmers (Welfare Supervisor, Tollcross Works)
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In connection with the Y.M.C.A. at Glengarnock, in which many of our workers are keenly interested, a Chess Club has just been formed. The Club meets every Monday evening, and the Committee hope to arrange a series of matches with other teams. They are desirous of forming the nucleus of a strong Club; and all players and others in the district wishing to take up the game are cordially invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary, Mr. J. M. Ferguson. The annual subscription is 2s. 6d.
It is with deep regret we have to record the sad fatality which overtook two of the younger members of our Staff. Colin M’Cosh and James Finlay were employed as clerks in the Mills Office and had finished work for the day on Wednesday, 3rd December. After leaving the office they appear to have gone round to the Chemical Works and mounted the spiral stairs leading to the top of the scrubbers, where they were overcome by gas.
Their non-arrival home caused search to be made all night, but without result. It was only on the following morning that the scrubbers were spoken of, and immediately a band of young men hastened there and found both boys beyond recovery. Those who went up first were also gassed, and several were rescued with great difficulty.
Both boys were sixteen years of age, and exceptionally well liked by all who knew them. They were of exemplary character, taking part in all that tended to the bettering of lads like themselves, and their early removal is a distinct loss to the community. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the bereaved parents.
An Ambulance Class, with nearly 30 members, has been formed and is meeting in the Ambulance Room, on Sunday afternoons, at 4 o’clock. The Class is conducted by Dr. Broom, whose lectures are proving most popular and are followed with the keenest and most intelligent interest. We have already learned much that would otherwise have remained obscure for the lecturer’s happy knack of description and apt illustration. The attendance hitherto has been extremely good, and it is hoped it will be maintained throughout the whole Course of Lectures.
We reproduce a photograph of a group of our competitors who, by their united efforts, gained for us the proud title of “Scottish Inter-Works Champions,” together with the custody of the “Reid” Trophy, presented for competition in 1919 by the North British Locomotive Co., Ltd. The Juvenile Championship also fell to Glengarnock. Mention should be made of our Tug-of-War team which came through its second year in competitions without having a single “pull” recorded against it; no mean achievement and one which fully justified its title to the Works Championship.
A team has been entered in the Prince Albert Trophy Competition, which is being conducted by the Scottish Welfare Football Association, and is open to all Works in Scotland. There is an entry of 43 teams and Glengarnock is drawn in the First Round against Wm. Simons & Co., Renfrew. The game falls to be played on our ground on or before 31st January.
Our Boys’ Welfare Team was entered in the Stevenson and District Welfare League, and at present holds pride of place in the League Table with 12 points for 8 games played. Of these 4 have been won and 4 drawn, and 35 goals have been scored for, and 15 against, the team.
GLENGARNOCK v. – PLAYED AT – RESULT
Stevenson Y.M.C.A. – Warner Park – Draw (3–3)
Do. (return) – Ladeside Field – Draw (no goals)
Beith United – Den Field – Draw (2–2)
Irvine Hearts – Do. – Win (7–2)
Ardrossan Shipyard – Do. – Win (8–1)
Do. (return) – Ardrossan – Win (4–1)
Kilwinning Victoria – Den Field – Win (5–0)
Half-time score. Owing to heavy rain, the game was, by request of Kilwinning, stopped and full points awarded to Glengarnock.
An eagerly anticipated event successfully took place on Friday, 2nd January, when we travelled to Glasgow to meet Stewart & Lloyds’ Welfare Team in a friendly game. Our team, accompanied by Mr. A. B. Millar, reached Tollcross Works soon after 10 o’clock, where we were met by Mr. A. M. Chalmers, Welfare Supervisor at Tollcross, and several members of the team. When the game was got under way we found the ground ice-bound and the footing consequently exceedingly difficult.
We changed ends with a lead of 3 goals to 1, and maintained our lead till the whistle sounded, when we retired victors of a good game, pleasantly contested, without further addition to the score.
By the courtesy of the Managing Director, we were most hospitably entertained to a sumptuous lunch in the Works’ Canteen after the game. On behalf of our team, Mr. Millar asked Mr. Chalmers to convey our warmest thanks to his firm for the kindness extended, and gave a warm invitation to the Tollcross team to visit Glengarnock.
We afterwards proceeded to the Alhambra to witness the pantomime “Cinderella,” later enjoying an excellent tea at the Regent Tea Rooms. This is the first day’s outing of the kind we have had, but we hope it may prove the precursor of many more.
Caption under image:
Winners of the Scottish Inter-Works Championship Challenge Trophy, 1919.
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