Old Dalbeattie and Palnackie - Softcover

Byrom, Bernard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1840334932 ISBN 13: 9781840334937

Publisher: Stenlake Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

Bernard Byrom's introductions and captions are always entertaining and this book is a prime example. He combines solid factual research with lively anecdotes to provide us with a captivating read. Spanning the life of Dalbeattie from the late 19th to the mid 20th century the photographs range from atmospheric Edwardian images of horse-drawn carriages and one of the earliest bicycles at the junction of High Street with Mill Street to a strikingly evocative picture of 1914 recruits to the 5th King's Own Scottish Borderers drilling in a crowded High Street on the eve of war. Quarrymen at Craignair granite quarry are nicely caught shaping the famous stone which went to make the Eddystone Lighthouse Manchester Town Hall and the Thames embankment (amongst other famous locations) and the Edwardian ladies of the glove factory are featured at work and taking a well-earned break. The reputation of Dalbeattie gloves must have been excellent as we are told that they were worn by Captain Scott and his party.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Bernard Byrom's introductions and captions are always entertaining and this book is a prime example. He combines solid factual research with lively anecdotes to provide us with a captivating read, complementing an imaginative selection of images.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

The last ship to be built at Dalbeattie was the Jane Elizabeth but she was known throughout the area as "The Curse". This had nothing to do with her career; the story goes that at her launching the gentleman who was performing the naming ceremony accidentally dropped the bottle with which the christening should have been done and, instead of saying the name of the vessel, he uttered a hearty curse!
By 1825 there were an innkeeper and five publicans and spirit dealers in the town. This number was regarded by the Kirk Session as being far too many for such a small town. In 1829 and again in 1830 they complained of excessive drinking and riotous behaviour. They were also concerned about the number and character of the lodging houses in the town, saying that they were largely occupied by sturdy beggars or vagrants of a dangerous type who infested the parish. In spite of these strictures, by 1837 there were seven hostelries in the town...

About this edition

• Publisher: Stenlake Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1840334932
• ISBN 13: 9781840334937
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 56