Tuesday 31 July 2018

Have a Butcher's at this Historic Signage

Following the closure of the short-lived Kowloon Bar and Kitchen at 72 Nithsdale Road, work being undertaken by the new owners has revealed a look back into the history of the village.  The rear of the building backs onto Nithsdale Street and the sign refers to a previous owner, William Bennie and Sons Butchers. The Post-Office annual Directory record of 1894/95 show that the said butcher was located at 62 Nithsdale Road, Strathbungo and even further back in 1878/79 the same directory lists William Bennie as living at 19 Titwood Place, Strathbungo and having a Flesher's shop at 4, 5 and 8 Titwood Place. Flesher being Scots for a butcher.


Titwood Place was the original name for what is now 18-76 Nithsdale Road.  Given the fact that the street was build in 1876 by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's partner Robert Turnbill a year after the architect himself had passed away, it's fair to assume that William Bennie would have been the first occupier of the building. Bennie also had another Flesher's shop at 29 Vermont Street.

The name change from Titwood Place to Nithsdale Road came with the development of Nithsdale Street, although reminders of its former title still exist, not least of all in the name of the Titwood Bar located at 52-58 Nithsdale Road.


Monday 19 March 2018

Strathbungo Village is Scotland's Seventh Best Place to Live

It's official our wee village on the South Side of Glasgow has been recognised as one of the top ten places to live in Scotland. The Sunday Times list of the best places to live in the UK has included Strathbungo Village within its top ten places to live north of the Tweed. Here's what they said about us:


 Sandwiched between the grit of Southside and the grand villas of Pollokshields, this family-friendly enclave unites an ever-improving menu of restaurants and cafes with an authentic sense of community. There’s a choice of secondary schools, and the improving Shawlands Academy is easing the pressure on tiger parents to fork out for private Hutcheson’s Grammar or move to East Renfrewshire. Strathbungo is 10 minutes from Glasgow Central by train; Queen’s Park and Pollok Park are close by, for a healthy helping of fresh air and green space; and, best of all, there are lots of beautiful Victorian properties. There’s also a playful energy that you won’t find on the other side of the Clyde. The gnarlier pubs have been replaced by gastro bars festooned with fairy lights, there are two artisan coffee shops, and Marchtown is a cool and classy wine bar/bottle shop. The real secret of happiness hereabouts, however, is to get involved in the events and mini-festivals organised by the Strathbungo Society.

Why we love it:  Village life in the heart of the city.
Melrose was named as the best place to live in Scotland, replacing last year's winner North Berwick. The former winner remains one of the top ten and is joined by Dundee, Orkney, Aberdour, the Black Isle, Aboyne, Morningside and Wigtown and the best wee secret in Scotland, Strathbungo Village.