John McNicol & Sons - Strathbungo's Zulu Connection

The removal of the signage for 1st Class Restorations above the alleyway at 674 Pollockshaws Road has revealed another glimpse into the history of the village in revealing the name of JOHN MCNICOL & SONS JOINERS & VAT & TUN BUILDERS.

Although we haven't been able to discover anything more about the company at this site we did find them in Grace's Guide to British Industrial History  which states that that the company was established in 1904 and in 1914 were located at 202 - 204 Rutherglen Road, Glasgow, employing 12 people and listed as 'Joiners and vat and tun builders. Specialities: vats, wooden tanks of all sizes and shapes and erected at home and abroad/ chemical tanks; refrigerators; wooden shives and plugs: general turners'.

When the Birmingham based Kynoch company closed their ammunitions factory in Ireland which had employed almost 5,000 workers during World War 1 and moved production to Umlazi in South Africa in order to supply explosives to the gold mining operations on the Witwatersrand, 

John McNicol & Sons erected all the Vat Plant for the South African Factory which initially employed workers who had transferred from the Irish plant and the town of Umbogintwini or "Mbokodweni" in Zulu was established to house these Irish immigrant workers.  John Udal who was the general manager of both the Irish and South African sites aggressively pursued the recruitment of local Zulu workers with 15 years old boys being offered five-year apprenticeship with the factory with Kynoch providing being accommodation food and payment 12/- a month, rising to 16/- following completion of their apprenticeships.

The South African Kynoch company diversified into the production of fertilizer and grew from strength to strength.

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.