Details of Bishopton that George Sinclair shared with us are below.

George was a kind and patient man. He past away in 2002, but during our dialogue he put up with all my questions about Bishopton around the 1920/30's.

Where the answer is not obvious, I'll give a hint to what the question was in bracketed italics.

My name is George Sinclair I attended Bishopton Public School In the1920s. I lived at Dargavel and Formakin during that time. I was one of the first Patrol Leaders in the Scouts .If you would be interested in history of that time, I would be delighted to supply some. I have been in Canada for forty-three years (43) But I still yearn for information from Scotland. I am ninety years old and my family had a Surprise Party for me last week complete with Piper and local dignitaries. I would be happy to correspond with you and to find out if there is any one left who remembers me.

To continue from where I left off. The post office was near the railway station and opposite Poplar Avenue, there was Hosie's Grocery Store run by a father, mother and a daughter Jesse. They delivered around the area by horse and buggy down towards Greenock Road was the only carpenter in town, Weir by name. This part of the town was called Rossland.

Names that come to mind are Mickey McIntyre, Jack Adams, they both went to schools in Glasgow, after finishing at Bishopton school (grade four) it was either Paisley Or Glasgow Schools that were available This is a very rambling account I will continue later..

Hi Stuart

Here I am again ---- From the Post Office, we go down a little road to Greenock Rd., there was a family Kininmonth's, a father and two brothers who ran a hay bailing and threshing business -- used to travel from farm to farm with huge steam tractors .It may not be news to you but the Bishopton - Houston area was one of the finest agricultural areas in Scotland.

The desire for a rock free area with a good depth of soil was the attraction for the munition complex. Many fine farms were eliminated --- Gibbs of Gladstone --- Lyles of the Ditch ---- Lyles of Brangary --- Youngs of Crooks ----Paisleys of Newton and Glenshinnok, to name a few. Also, at that time, every farm had Clydesdale horses, the only means of propulsion for farm implements at that time. Foals were reared and were and were readily sold in both Canada and America at good prices.

My spelling may be faulty so please excuse me if I make a few mistakes (I'll correct anything obvious but it's fine).

Lets travel west, past Forsyths Garage (end of the village heading to the Clyde) on the opposite side of Greenock Rd, at the fork leading to Ingleston House--there used to be a cluster of old buildings, The Old Inn, this is where the horses were changed and travelers would rest on the journey between Greenock and Glasgow and vice versa. Prior to the railway going through all freight was taken by road. I'll continue later. Best Wishes till next time.

Hi Stuart

Here I am again, I hope you have been getting my notes alright. One thing I omitted to do was give you some idea of the dates of my previous notes Mostly, I have been reminiscing about (1918 to 1929 approx.). After 1929--I was just remotely connected with the area. I lived at Dargavel cottages when the Goffs owned the estate, after that there was Miss Maxwell, then her nephew took over. My mother and I moved to Formakin--to what was then Paddockrig Farm we raised poultry there for some years until my mother remarried. I had frequent (run ins ) with Mr Holmes about damage (he claimed) was caused by the hens scratching near his trees and shrubs finally we capitulated and left. I could write a book about John A Holmes if anyone would be interested. You may have questions you wish to ask ---- I would be happy to try to answer them!

Stuart. I will attempt to answer some of your questions. Re the Curries -- there was a family by that name who owned a nursery next to the railway station they were there for a few years but sold out to a Mr Martin I lost track of the Curries after that.

You had a question ---what games did we play in school---there was quite a steep slope to the school playground (there still is) which restricted some games but we did play Football (soccer) and Rounders (We call it Baseball here) Marbles were played in many different games. During the chestnut season (autumn) there was great competitions in Bullying .I take it you how to play that game. There were many chestnut trees around and there was an avenue from Slateford Lodge to Erskine House planted both sides with Chestnuts---A haven for schoolboys when the fruit was ripe.

Back to where I left off last time. The proprietor of the Golf Inn was a Mr Wade, I was in school with his son (Sonny) Just up the street was the blacksmith's shop Stirrat by name and son Jack. The Village Hall had caretakers Naismiths by name. I'll need to put my thinking cap on again. It's a pleasure for me to revive old memories and I thank you for your kindness in putting my name forward to perpetuate the name. I will continue later Perhaps you have further questions?

Hi Stuart

I was not much into politics when I was in Bishopton school but I do remember there were two representatives from the Bishopton area, who sat on the Renfrewshire County Council --Mr Gibb (Farmer) and Mr Cross (Ingleston) a member of the landed gentry. Mr Gibb used to visit the school in his capacity as a Councillor. I hope my memory serves me correctly. The teachers in the school were Headmaster Mr. J Duncan and two lady teachers who travelled from Paisley each day --- Miss Burnside and Miss Allan, that was the compliment when I was there.... Games played in the school yard were restricted due to the steep slope of the playground but we did play rounders--they call it baseball here and many games with marbles Football (soccer) we played in a field rented from one of the farmers, usually Porton or Newton, during lunch break we played on the road behind the school. Bishopton had a resident Doctor -- Dr McGuire and had the assistance of the Houston doctor -- Dr Laurie, when necessary. There were no big political issues that I can remember---life was more peaceful then but mostly dominated by the powerful Landlords. I hope you have a very successful (Bishopton Day) and good weather.

I asked George about the social groups at that time, i.e., Community Council or PTA

I hope you are really getting something out of my meandering but I am not too well versed in the above subject.

Most of the (goings on) was started by someone who was interested in fulfilling a need in the community i.e. Boy Scouts, Matt Patterson started this organisation with his brother Emmie and they had a group of very enthusiastic boys. They met every week and did all the usual things camping etc. Matt went on to become an employee of the Singapore council as an engineer and was taken prisoner by the Japanese and suffered horrible torture. I lost trace of him after the war, Emmie went on to become a veterinary surgeon and was attached to the Royal Stables in England.

Then there was the Boys Brigade, they had a good following with their own band, and always had a good turnout when they put on special shows, usually in one of Lyles fields at the Porton... I never really knew who the principals were but Jack Adams and Mickey Mcntyre were two members.

There were few other organisations and any there may have been would have been sponsored by one of the two churches i e The Band Of Hope was run by the Free Church and held regular meetings in the church hall this made the young people aware of the dangers of drinking. Drinking was one of the main problems among the youths, drugs were unknown in these days - Big changes!

I am sure there was no PTA and if there was a community council or committee I was unaware of it.....We had an annual horse show and the Hunt Club put on Equestrian competitions, these are the things I remember.

I hope I have been of some assistance (you have - thanks)

George moved away from Bishopton many years ago and eventually settled in Canada. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all the time he has taken to help us.

When I was informed he had passed away I was greatly saddened. He took the time and I was stunned to have found out that he was that boy who John Holms hit with a stick for whacking weeds!

Folk Lore that turned out to be true!