Original June 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine featuring the Glengarnock Gleanings section. Includes a portrait and profile of John Kane, O.B.E., reports on Works and community sport, the Guide Mill picnic to Rothesay, and the Second Annual Works Sports Meeting. Fully transcribed and preserved below – original scans are above (pp. 103–105).
The issue also features the humorous illustration “Betty—and ‘Oor John.’”, drawn by Geo. Kirkwood, together with a humorous column titled “Swatches o’ Wut.” by the Kilbirnie Philosopher.
- Mr. John Kane – long-serving employee at Glengarnock Works, featured with portrait and an account of the courage for which he received the Medal of the Order of the British Empire
- Mr. Robert Craig, Jun. – Office Staff member congratulated for his achievements in the “Colville” Golf Cup Competition
- Illustration: “Betty—and ‘Oor John.’” – humorous cartoon drawn by Geo. Kirkwood
People Mentioned in This Issue (not alphabetical)
The following individuals are named in this June 1920 issue of Colville’s Magazine, including workers, organisers, sporting participants, community figures, writers, and artists:
- John Kane
- The Earl of Eglinton and Winton
- His Majesty the King
- Robert Craig, Jun.
- G. Paterson
- H. McBride
- G. Currie
- C. Clarke
- J. Reid
- J. Barrow
- J. McMurdo
- W. Johnston
- J. Henderson
- O. McQueen
- W. J. King
- B. Harris
- Mrs. J. Barrow
- Miss McQueen
- James Barrow
- Osborne McQueen
- D. Close
- W. Gilmour
- James Gibson
- P. A. Abernethy
- R. Breckenridge
- J. M. Ferguson
- Jack Bray
- D. Clifford
- J. Carleys
- J. Vann
- A. McDowall
- J. McGrath
- D. Torrance
- Mrs. McIlwham
- John (“Oor John”)
- Geo. Kirkwood
- Thomas Carlyle
- Sir W. A.
Portrait
Mr. John Kane, O.B.E.
Glengarnock Works employee and recipient of the Medal of the Order of the British Empire
Glengarnock Gleanings
From Colville’s Magazine
We have pleasure in reproducing the portrait of Mr. John Kane, who was presented, in April, 1918, with the Medal of the Order of the British Empire by the Earl of Eglinton and Winton, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Ayr, on behalf of His Majesty the King.
He was awarded the decoration for a display of courage and resource on the occasion of an incident occurring in the Works, the official notification of the award reading:—
“For courage in saving the lives of several fellow-workers who were buried in the lining of a furnace which they were repairing.”
Mr. John Kane was born in Glengarnock in April, 1867, and entered the Works as a moulder at the Blast Furnaces in his eleventh year. He has since been engaged in nearly every Department, and has, indeed, a good knowledge of almost all the work from Blast Furnaces to Locomotives, in which latter department he is now employed as a Driver.
Mr. Kane is a man of very powerful physique, and is most popular amongst his fellow-workers.
Another score for Glengarnock! Best congrats. to Mr. Robert Craig, Jun., of our Office Staff, who in the recent “Colville” Golf Cup Competition was third in the Contest for the Cup, and secured Second Prize in the First Class Competition. Now, what about the “Craig” Cup coming to Glengarnock?
The Guide Mill had the “deil’s ain luck” on the occasion of their picnic to Rothesay, on Saturday, May 15th, when they were favoured with one of the three fine days that are popularly understood to constitute our Scottish summer. They hope to secure the second of these days for another trip in July, and meantime negotiations are proceeding on behalf of less favoured mortals in the Works with a view to reserving the only remaining day for our Annual Sports Meeting! Some hope!
A jolly company left Glengarnock by motor at 9.45 a.m., and enjoyed the run to Largs, which was reached an hour later. In anticipation of the sail to Rothesay, one heard related the story of the kindly old lady who, enquiring after the health of one of our soldier lads during the War, blandly told him that “now your sailor friend has got his sea legs, I hope you will very soon get your trench feet!”
On arrival in Rothesay, dinner was served, and thereafter an adjournment was made to the Public Park, where an excellent programme of sports was engaged in with great keenness.
There were seven entries in Five-a-Side Football, and after some good games, the five consisting of G. Paterson, H. McBride, G. Currie, C. Clarke and J. Reid defeated J. Barrow, J. McMurdo, W. Johnston, J. Henderson and O. McQueen in the final by 1 goal 1 point, to 1 goal.
The 130 Yards Race brought out a field of eleven runners and was won by J. Henderson. Special Prizes were awarded to W. J. King and B. Harris.
The Ladies’ Prize was won by Mrs. J. Barrow, and Miss McQueen secured first prize amongst the girls.
Great satisfaction was expressed with the arrangements made for the comfort and entertainment of the company by the capable and energetic Committee, Messrs. James Barrow and Osborne McQueen, who were indefatigable in their efforts to make the day’s outing a memorable one.
The picnic projected for the first Saturday of July will be a joint one, embracing the 28 in. Mill, Shears, etc., and any desirous of attending should hand in their names to Mr. Osborne McQueen as early as possible. The destination will be Girvan, Ayr, or Balloch.
The Works Bowling Club played their first Parish Game on Tuesday, 18th May, at Glengarnock, against Lochwinnoch, with four rinks a side. The following is the result:—Glengarnock, 59; Lochwinnoch, 38.
Fixtures for the season are as follows:—
Kilbirnie v. Glengarnock, at Kilbirnie, 7th June; Lochwinnoch v. Glengarnock, at Lochwinnoch, 15th June; Glengarnock v. Ardeer, at Glengarnock, 19th June; Ardeer v. Glengarnock, at Ardeer, 10th July; Glengarnock v. Dalry, at Glengarnock, 3rd July; Dalry v. Glengarnock, at Dalry, 14th August; Kilmarnock Hospital Cup (6 rinks), 12th June; Eglinton Silver Bowl, 2nd June; Ayrshire Gold Bowl, 16th June. Skips—D. Close, at Kilmarnock; W. Gilmour, at Ayr.
The Club’s fixture with Kilbirnie, on 28th May, resulted as follows:—Glengarnock, 78; Kilbirnie, 143.
An interesting Inter-Staffs game took place on 29th May, when two Glengarnock rinks travelled to Motherwell to play two Dalzell rinks. After a keenly contested and enjoyable match, Dalzell were the victors by one shot up.
Garnock Tennis Club
From our Special Correspondent
A very interesting “bounce” game took place on 29th April, when Mr. James Gibson, Chemist, and Mr. P. A. Abernethy, Blast Furnace Manager, challenged Mr. R. Breckenridge, General Office, and Mr. J. M. Ferguson, Siemens Manager.
The game itself was really a rather comical one, as Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Gibson had never played before, but what was lacking in tennis skill was made up in wholehearted enthusiasm. Mr. Ferguson played a typical Scotch game—”canny and cautious,” and Mr. Breckenridge soon made it shown that he “has been” a player; but Mr. Gibson threw both discretion and balls to the wind. He certainly aimed “high.” Mr. Abernethy—whose nerves were highly strung—on the other hand seemed rather to enjoy the “love” game, but of course this is only natural considering he is so hard to catch. He ought to remember, however, the season is only beginning, and one can never tell what the “Net Result” will be. Mr. Gibson and he were beaten 6–1; so if gentlemen opponents can do that, there’s no saying what the ladies will do before the season is over.
Mr. Breckenridge and Mr. Ferguson certainly deserved to win, as they played so methodically—just like douce, quiet, married men. But all one can say is, probably Mr. Gibson would have done much better if he had had a nice quiet married man as a partner instead of such a frivolous, bouncing, young man.
On Saturday, May 1st, the eagerly anticipated game between the Union Tube Works, Coatbridge, and a Select Team from the Stevenston and District Welfare League was played at Coatbridge and resulted in a victory for the League Select by 4 goals to 1. Glengarnock Welfare was represented by Jack Bray, D. Clifford and J. Carleys, all of whom maintained their reputation by giving a sound display of football. The Coatbridge lads were keen and smart on the ball, but found it difficult to make headway against a considerably heavier team without a weak spot in it.
By the courtesy of the Management we were entertained after the game to a most delightful repast in the Works Canteen, and thereafter an enjoyable hour was spent in song and in looking over the Works. Before leaving we expressed our thanks for the kind reception accorded to us and extended a cordial invitation to the Union Tube Works team to play the return game at some seaside resort in Ayrshire at an early date.
On Kilbirnie Ladeside Field, on Saturday, 8th May, our younger Welfare Team made its debut in the Mavor Cup Competition, when the opposition was provided by the English Electric Co., Ltd., Scotstoun. Our team had been given a bye in the First Round, while the visitors had reached the Second Round after a draw.
For the first fifteen minutes of the game our boys could not settle down, and Scotstoun looked like winning easily. Gradually, however, we gained confidence and improved to such an extent that before half-time we had established a good lead that all thought of defeat had vanished from our minds. The second period was played in an absolute downpour of rain, which seemed to suit our boys, and in the end we retired winners of the tie by 8 goals to 2. Goal scorers:—J. Vann, 2; A. McDowall, 2; J. McGrath, 1; D. Torrance, 1; our opponents, 2.
After the game we entertained the visiting team to tea in the Hut Colony Dining-Room.
Betty—and “Oor John.”
Drawn by: Geo. Kirkwood
Mrs. McIlwham: “Noo, John, haud up yer heid and luk rale pleasant!”
The Welfare Team met Ardeer Cadets in a League game at Warner Park, Stevenston, on Wednesday, 5th May. The game (which was likened to a Water Polo Match) ended in a comfortable win for us by 4 goals to 0.
Kilwinning Amateurs were our opponents in a League game at Kersland Field on Saturday, 15th May. Both teams were strongly represented and a fine game terminated in favour of the visitors, who made most use of their opportunities and secured the only goal of the match. Our lads could do everything but score, and they paid the usual penalty for “fecklessness” in front of goal by losing the game.
What was considered to be a “weak” team journeyed to Irvine on Saturday, 22nd May, to meet the Irvine Blockwork in a League game. They, however, played their part so well that they brought home both points, with a score of 8 goals to 1.
We met a “League Select” Team on Kersland Field, on Wednesday, 26th May, in a benefit game for the League. An excellent game, in which Glengarnock shone remarkably well throughout, ended in a goalless draw, a result for which the “Select” have principally to thank their energetic custodian.
The Welfare Team has entered the Tournament conducted by Kilbirnie Ladeside F.C. for Juvenile Teams having a connection with a recognised Association, and is drawn against Barrmill Thistle.
Great interest is being evinced in the Second Annual Works Sports Meeting (under S.A.A.A. Laws) to be held on Kersland Field, Glengarnock, to-morrow, Saturday, 12th June, commencing at 3 o’clock.
The programme of Events is most interesting and varied and must appeal to all lovers of sport, and it is confidently anticipated that the Meeting will be patronised by a large number of spectators.
Beith Instrumental Band will be in attendance on the Field during the afternoon.
The Committee have added other three popular events to the programme, viz.:—Quarter-Mile Flat Race Handicap, Employees only; 75 Yards Flat Race Handicap, men over 40, Employees only; Pillow-Fight, any age, Employees only.
The Five-a-side Football Competitions have been proceeding merrily, and probably the Finals only will be played on the Sports Day.
The whole of the Tug-of-War ties will be pulled off on the day of the Sports, and will assuredly prove an attraction.
“Swatches o’ Wut.”
By the Kilbirnie Philosopher
I notice a report of a lady who makes £100 per week at the game of “bridge.” That’s nothing! Sir W. A. makes thousands at the same game.
Historical note: “Sir W. A.” is very likely a reference to Sir William Arrol, or to his company, Sir William Arrol & Co. The joke plays on the two meanings of “bridge”: the lady makes £100 per week playing the card game, while Arrol made thousands through building bridges. The Scottish engineer and industrialist was closely associated with major projects including the Forth Bridge, the replacement Tay Bridge and the steelwork for Tower Bridge. Sir William died in 1913, but his company continued under his name, so the abbreviated reference would still have been recognisable to readers in 1920. This identification is probable rather than certain because the magazine gives only the initials.
“Can there be a more horrible object in existence than an eloquent man not speaking the truth?” asks Carlyle. At that rate Westminster must be a veritable Chamber of Horrors.
“Female Barristers,” says a writer, “are expected to be quite as efficient as men.” I don’t know about the efficiency, but they will certainly claim a better figure.
A gentleman informs me that if you tire of anything in South Africa, you leave it at the door and it is gone in the morning.
There must be an awful lot of South Africans down here!
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