Jim Robinson writes:

In the past few years I have received several items of correspondence relating to past members and have managed to collate and edit all the material.
Some of the photographs are very old and I haven't been able to put names to faces in every instance. If anyone out there can help in this regard I would be very grateful.

In no particular order-

1. Tommy Watt's diary for 1932/33.

2. Robert Liddell, Club prize-giving in 1946

3. Bill Sweeney, Army days with Ernie Scally

4. Patrick McGowan, photograph from his son Paul

5. Stuart Dick, medals from 1929 and 1931

Robert Liddell

Robert emailed:

In a further email Robert was able to provide this photograph taken at the Club's 1946 Prize Presentation held in the old Cadoro Rooms in Union Street.

Bill Sweeney

Bill emailed:

'Hi,Jim,

The approximate year for the photo's is 1959, seems like yesterday. I have seen Ernie's pictures on your website.To say he's worn well is an understatement, I think he looks in great shape, if you can,give him my very best regards.
In the pic's I'm the one wearing spec's with my arm around Ernie's shoulder.
I was a member of the Newark R.C.,from Port-Glasgow,spent all my youth on the bike doing all the usual things, ie.club runs,the youth hostels,time trialing twice a week,training---The best times of my life,never lost my interest in cycling.
I emigrated to the USA in1963,when I left Scotland my profession "draughtsman" I worked for a major company "Fluor",highlight I was manager of piping on the"Trans Alaskan Pipline".,later I became "Design Engineering Manager"for the South African office.
Now retired I live in Bellingham, Wa. USA. and have taken an interest in this Internet, hitting all the West of Scotland cycling club websites,which brings back great memories.
I regestered with the "Gale".
I notice all the Greenock clubs as I knew them are gone,could only find "Inverclyde Velo".
Look forward to keeping in touch thru the "Gale" site.
All the best

Bill Sweeney'

Patrick McGowan

Patrick's son, Paul, emailed:

'Hi This picture of my Dad (Patrick B McGowan) and and his friend (Bobby Cadzow) in Nightingales jumpers. He joined the army in 1943, so I suspect this pic' must precede that (early 40s). I'd be interested in your view of the jumper, as your site describes the pre-war colours as blue and gold hoops on a cream jersey. I've got loads of pic's of him on the bike, but this is the only one wearing a pukka jersey. He won a few trophies and medals. I regret to say, we now can't find any of these. If you wanted to use the pic, you might be better scanning it yourself, as you'd probably get better quality. Hope it's of interest. Paul McGowan'

Stuart Dick

(contributed by Jim Hay)

 Stuart Dick – Gale member 1928 to 1932

During his time as member of the Nightingale Cycling Club, Stuart lived in Midton Street, off Petershill Road, Springburn.

Stuart’s daughter, Barbara Bailey, made contact with info about his cycling days. Although born and brought up in Springburn, Barbara now resides in Whitby.

Barbara has two medals belonging to her Dad :

One is from the “famous” Tourist Trial 100 miles in 8 hours - ladies were allowed 8 and a half hours. The other is from a 25 mile Time Trial Standard.   Both medals are Hallmarked Silver.

Interestingly, my Mother (Jane) was a member of the Gale at this time and completed the Ladies Tourist Test in the same year. I still have her medal in its case.

Many ex-members will have mixed memories of the Tourist Trial. There were times when it was anything but a Tourist event !

Seemingly Stuart had many happy memories of his time in the Gale.

 ---ooo---

The connection made with Stuart Dick was truly historical. About three years ago I had joined the Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society in pursuit of some of my ancestors. I had registered on their web site that one of my “Name” interests was the surname Hay. The idea is that members are encouraged to make contact through the site and exchange info about possible common ancestors.

Following this, in July 2005 I received an email from Barbara Bailey, who had some forbears by the name of Hay who had lived in Springburn about the same time as my lot.

We exchanged some info and Barbara was a great help to me – she knew her way around the “records” very well and was obviously an experienced genealogist. Although our forbears lived near each other in Springburn, it seems that we are not related despite common dates and locations. Her lot were originally from Musselburgh, mine from Aberdeen. I suppose in the 1880’s they probably knew of each other in Springburn.

The next email from Barbara was to the point “ I know this is a very long shot, but would you by any chance be the Jas B Hay involved with the Nightingale Cycling Club ?”

Barbara tells her story: “I was in Galashiels at the Borders FHS premises, and the lady there, Gwen Stein, who was extremely helpful, got chatting and it transpired that she had worked in Stobhill Hospital and had met her husband there. I happened to mention that my Dad had been from Springburn, and in the Nightingale and she said that her husband had been too.

 I have some old photos that I said  I would send to her, and that prompted me to look at the Nightingales website - hence the putting of two and two together of the Jas B Hay.  I'm not a genealogist for nothing !!

It transpires that Gwen's husband's brother is in one of the photos with my Dad.  If you want to see them I can try to email them to you [they are quite big files] or I can possibly send you copies - let me know.”

Barbara forwarded the images, which went to Jim Robinson, our friendly web guru, who was surprised to spot his Dad, Sam, in the photos. In fact, I believe this is the earliest picture the family have of Sam Robinson. Sam was Club Secretary from pre-WW2 until the late 50’s. Long-serving Gale member and Sam’s pal, Eddie McCabe,was also in the photo.

Gwen Stein is of course the wife of John Stein, long time resident in Innerleithen. I think he was captured by a “Border Reiver” nurse while in his sick bed in Stobhill !
John became a member of the club about 1950 through his brother Adam, the brother in Barbara Bailey’s photos. Stuart Dick is sitting on the left in photo 1 with open neck shirt, and sporting his Gale club badge.

Thanks a lot for making contact, Barbara, and many thanks for the photographs to add to the archives of the early days of the Club.