It's fascinating seeing the town before I was born. This is the Greenock my Dad remembers growing up. So many people and shops. Not much of either now.
I was born in Greenock my dad worked at Lithgows so did my Granda my dads dad...im hoping to come back and see it...i know its changed but its where I'm from I'm proud of it...
First ever football match . Cappielow Oct 1970. Bobby Collins playing for Morton . A teenage Joe Jordan came on as a sub .!! The school friend I went with that day died in an accident in 1981. I've had 40 years more than he got. But I still remember that day . RIP Gordon 🙏
Good that it started at one end of the town and worked its way West in order - a lot easier to work out where places were rather than just a jumble of pics 👍
It was a little down at heel in places but still much better looking than it is now. It had some character, at least. So many lovely old buildings replaced by roads, concrete and glass. My mum worked in some of the old places as a young woman in the 1940's - Marks and Spencer, The Tontine Hotel and the Kings Theatre (was that The Odeon in this film?). She used to tell me lots of stories about Greenock when I was little, I enjoyed hearing them but I wish one of us had written them down. Some of them are just hazy memories now and she died last year so I can't ask her. She'd have loved this video. She had a school friend called Bessie Keegan and another called Maria something, an Italian name I've forgotten (I keep thinking Ciccone, but maybe thinking of Madonna?). Her parents owned a confectioners and chip shop IIRC. She had another schoolmate who died (with her Mother) in the Greenock blitz, I think her mother was disabled and couldn't go to the shelter and her Daughter stayed with her 😢. Mum went to St Columbas High school in Peat Road. Teachers she spoke about were "Soapy" Hudson, Miss McCurdy or Mr?) and various nuns she wasn't fond of. Born in Manse Lane, lived in Carnock Street, then when bombed out, moved to Crawberry Road. Apart from the rump of Carnock Street I think they're all gone. Anyone remember the Bamford family in Carnock Street? The 1930's and 40's so probably not much chance of anyone left from that era. Thanks for sharing this ❤
My mum (now 83, McAllister is her family name) was born and bred in Crawberry Road, 2nd youngest out of 9 kids :) I will ask her later tonight when I see her if she can recall the Bamford Family
Fond, but sad, memories of a thriving, working town. Many independent retailers plus cinemas and other leisure facilities providing excellent service and not a drop of litter on the streets. What went wrong?
The government went wrong all corrupt,along with every government type establishment. Still people cant see this. There is a war going on not Russia a quiet war not a lot know about. Getting rid of reptiles from in amongst humanity. Good and evil at war but God wins!❤
My family is from greenock Scotland. I’ve heard stories of them being ship builders. Last name Tierney which is typically Irish. Couldn’t find much more info on them. Would love to learn more.
As I was growing up, this was going. I never really appreciated what had been till this video. All I knew were the roads and that mini flyover where the A8 meets the A78. Not pretty. I well remember the Scott Lithgow crane and it heaving into view as you reached Port Glasgow. Now that's gone and there's a Tesco. At least the Comet was put back beside the car park, but even that's gone now.
That video definitely brought back old memories and it gave me a bit of a scare and how long ago it was my grandkids will be shocked to see it, as for clean street I seen the guy with his brush and barrow in one of the pics👍
It's fascinating seeing the town before I was born. This is the Greenock my Dad remembers growing up. So many people and shops. Not much of either now.
Plenty of junkies if they count as people.
fantastic i was born 1956 this made me greet well done
I was born in Greenock my dad worked at Lithgows so did my Granda my dads dad...im hoping to come back and see it...i know its changed but its where I'm from I'm proud of it...
First ever football match . Cappielow Oct 1970. Bobby
Collins playing for Morton . A teenage Joe Jordan came on
as a sub .!! The school friend I went with that day died in an accident in 1981. I've had 40 years more than he got.
But I still remember that day . RIP Gordon 🙏
I was born in greenock gibshill my parents also lived in branchton road and angus road
Wonderful, like a time warp!.
Simpler, happier times, and a lot less cars around!.
No global warming, no mobile phones, no Covid!.
Good that it started at one end of the town and worked its way West in order - a lot easier to work out where places were rather than just a jumble of pics 👍
John S Phillips.... I got my first bike there 👍🏻
I am traveling to Greenock to visit with a friend next spring..so looking forward to it
It was a little down at heel in places but still much better looking than it is now. It had some character, at least. So many lovely old buildings replaced by roads, concrete and glass. My mum worked in some of the old places as a young woman in the 1940's - Marks and Spencer, The Tontine Hotel and the Kings Theatre (was that The Odeon in this film?). She used to tell me lots of stories about Greenock when I was little, I enjoyed hearing them but I wish one of us had written them down. Some of them are just hazy memories now and she died last year so I can't ask her. She'd have loved this video.
She had a school friend called Bessie Keegan and another called Maria something, an Italian name I've forgotten (I keep thinking Ciccone, but maybe thinking of Madonna?). Her parents owned a confectioners and chip shop IIRC. She had another schoolmate who died (with her Mother) in the Greenock blitz, I think her mother was disabled and couldn't go to the shelter and her Daughter stayed with her 😢.
Mum went to St Columbas High school in Peat Road. Teachers she spoke about were "Soapy" Hudson, Miss McCurdy or Mr?) and various nuns she wasn't fond of. Born in Manse Lane, lived in Carnock Street, then when bombed out, moved to Crawberry Road. Apart from the rump of Carnock Street I think they're all gone. Anyone remember the Bamford family in Carnock Street? The 1930's and 40's so probably not much chance of anyone left from that era. Thanks for sharing this ❤
My mum (now 83, McAllister is her family name) was born and bred in Crawberry Road, 2nd youngest out of 9 kids :) I will ask her later tonight when I see her if she can recall the Bamford Family
Fond, but sad, memories of a thriving, working town. Many independent retailers plus cinemas and other leisure facilities providing excellent service and not a drop of litter on the streets. What went wrong?
The government went wrong all corrupt,along with every government type establishment. Still people cant see this. There is a war going on not Russia a quiet war not a lot know about. Getting rid of reptiles from in amongst humanity. Good and evil at war but God wins!❤
Great video. It looks to me like the Oak Mall and flyover destroyed the whole look of the town centre.
These photos were taken by my great grandfather. My mother is in a couple of them as a little girl walking with her mother.
Wow! that is great to know!
My Dad took me to the Odeon to see my first film Castaway with Hayley Mills, my Dad went to sleep 😂
Brilliant! Happy memories!
My family is from greenock Scotland. I’ve heard stories of them being ship builders. Last name Tierney which is typically Irish. Couldn’t find much more info on them. Would love to learn more.
Hi Brianna - check out my blog The Greenockian - I have lots of tips for researching family from the area. Good luck with your search. Liz
As I was growing up, this was going. I never really appreciated what had been till this video. All I knew were the roads and that mini flyover where the A8 meets the A78. Not pretty. I well remember the Scott Lithgow crane and it heaving into view as you reached Port Glasgow. Now that's gone and there's a Tesco. At least the Comet was put back beside the car park, but even that's gone now.
Awesome! I love it!....But? Woolworths? As a young 17yr old, student, I worked there, part time, unloading the lorries.
Would be helpful to show street names for us born before 60s.
Sorry, should have thought of that!
That video definitely brought back old memories and it gave me a bit of a scare and how long ago it was my grandkids will be shocked to see it, as for clean street I seen the guy with his brush and barrow in one of the pics👍
Certainly big changes since then.
Born in Greenock in late 1950's I was surprised to recognise many of the places shown, nothing like a good dose of nostalgia ..... Sigh!
Wish the toon was the same today x
Life was simpler back then Sunday morning going for papers, not so many cars whizzing past you crossing roads was safer back then.
What happened?
"Knock it down and put a road through it," he said.
Crazy thing is doesn't even look much different now
Hasn’t changed much except dirtier and emptier.