#renfrewshire

[unteriors]

Kilcreggan View, Greenock, Renfrewshire.

[scotianostra]

Edinburgh Park Heads

W S Graham.

Doesn't this one have great character? Or is it just me?

William Sydney Graham, known to his friends by his middle name, was born in Greenock, on 19th November 1918. He was educated at Greenock High School, leaving in 1932 to become an apprentice draughtsman before studying structural engineering at Stow College, Glasgow. In 1938 he won a years bursary to Newbattle Abbey College, which was very close to my High School in Dalkeith.. Sydney became interested in poetry, he initially looked to Joseph Macleod for mentorship around this time. He began publishing in the early 1940s, including a collection brought out by the great Glasgow printer and publisher William Mclellan, who did so much to encourage and promote contemporary Scottish literature.

According to Poetry Archive Graham was neglected in his own lifetime but his reputation as a major modernist romantic has been growing steadily since his death. The verse on his plinth is an extract from a longer poem, and as per usual I prefer another of his poems. And it is probably due to me having vivid dreams from time to time and trying to make sense of them. My dad has featured in some, and I had a difficult relationship with him, I think my two brothers will no doubt feel the same. However my dad tried to reconcile a bit during his later years, he was a great grandad to my sisters laddie, Stephen. He got on well with an ex girlfriend that I used to come up with when I lived in Somerset, she loved dancing with him at the club. Anyway the last line of the poem is what resonates most with me, or perhaps it is because he also spent some years in the South West of England, in his case it was near St Ives in Cornwell, anyway the poem is called To Alexander Graham, which I assume was his father's name.

Lying asleep walking Last night I met my father Who seemed pleased to see me. He wanted to speak. I saw His mouth saying something But the dream had no sound.

We were surrounded by Laid-up paddle steamers In The Old Quay in Greenock. I smelt the tar and the ropes.

It seemed that I was standing Beside the big iron cannon The tugs used to tie up to When I was a boy. I turned To see Dad standing just Across the causeway under That one lamp they keep on.

He recognised me immediately. I could see that. He was The handsome, same age With his good brows as when He would take me on Sundays Saying we’ll go for a walk.

Dad, what am I doing here? What is it I am doing now? Are you proud of me? Going away, I knew You wanted to tell me something.

You stopped and almost turned back To say something. My father, I try to be the best In you you give me always.

Lying asleep turning Round in the quay-lit dark It was my father standing As real as life. I smelt The quay’s tar and the ropes.

I think he wanted to speak. But the dream had no sound. I think I must have loved him.

[newmosbiusdesigns]

[hamoudablog]

Swan sunrise by markshephard800 https://flic.kr/p/2k8iHkR

[mostly-history]

Arthur Lasenby Liberty (1843 – 1917), who founded the Liberty department store in 1875.  He was an early enthusiast of paisley in Britain.

Paisley uses the Persian boteh design, a teardrop-shaped motif with a curved upper end.  It was imported to Europe by the East India Company during the 1700s and 1800s, and after the arrival of Kashmir shawls, it became extremely popular.  Kashmir shawls were imitated all throughout Europe, particularly in Wales and the Scottish town of Paisley in Renfrewshire.  Although “paisley” has become the usual term, American quilt-makers still call it “Persian pickles”, and the Welsh textile industry uses the term “Welsh pears”.

[bokehboyzies]

Here’s a few pics from the last week or so.

[hdeu]

July has been crazy busy and I feel like despite taking a ton of photos, I’ve not really posted much. So here are some sunsets I’ve enjoyed recently. . . . . . #vscocam #landscape #sonyrx100m3 #scotland #visitscotland #gopro #scotlandshots #scotlandsbeauty #unlimitedscotland #hiddenscotland #sunset #lightbro #sunsetchasing #cycling #running #trail #explore #adidasrunning #fromwhereiride #fromwhereirun #mountains #lochlomond #renfrewshire #paisleyis #fromwhereidrone (at Scotland)

[unitlife]

Kriss Kyle - Renfrew - 30/04/18