4 days ago
Wishaw man who left more than 50 years ago as a boy impressed by town's improvement
Alan Johnston lived in Lyman Drive in Coltness as a child
A former Wishaw native who left the town over 50 years ago is singing its praises after a visit with his dad.
Alan Johnston, 63, lived in Lyman Drive in Coltness as a child before moving to Nottingham in 1973 as a 12-year-old.
He returned to Wishaw this week with his dad Tom, who is 87, and insists that the town has improved since his childhood.
'It's been a long time since I've been here,' said Alan. 'I've come up with my dad and it will be his last time up here.
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'I noticed a massive difference in the area, some for better, some worse. But that's much the same everywhere. Overall the whole area has changed but it's fine. The whole area is better than when I left in 1973.
'I must say the town is nothing like people told me it was. The people are friendly and the shopping area isn't run-down.'
Alan also enjoyed a round of golf with his Uncle John, who is the course record holder, at Wishaw Golf Club.
He continued: 'I played a round at Wishaw Golf Club with my uncle, John Johnston, and the course is brilliant, it's massively improved. That was where I learned to play golf.
'My Uncle John is the course record holder. We played for a pound and I managed to win by one shot.
'Everyone was friendly and the place is in immaculate condition, the food, and the service – it was fantastic.
'My Uncle John also pointed out the cycle track at the bottom of the golf course, that was just derelict ground. It's easy to be negative.'
Alan met up with Les Hoey for he first time in 53 years, his pal from primary school, during his three-day trip north and also took a trip round to see his boyhood home in Lyman Drive.
He said: 'It's been 50-odd years since I last seen him. He looks a bit different but I could still tell it was him if I walked past him in the street.
'We've been speaking on Facebook for the last six or seven years, after I put a message on about Coltness High school. He picked it up from there and messaged me and asked if I was the person who lived in Lyman Drive.
'I remember his mum and the way she used to bake. It took me back, if I shut my eyes for a bit I was back in 1973. My dad used to take me and Les to Motherwell games, I remember them playing in the Texaco Cup against English teams.'
Alan was wholesome in his praise of Les's charity work with his DreamMaker Foundation charity work.
'It was great to see Les, he does fantastic work so I was hearing about that. What he does is incredible, I haven't got the strength to do that, he must be made of steel. I said to him he must be drinking Irn Bru and have it in his veins. He is an inspiration to me.'
Alan also took a trip to see his childhood home in Coltness.
'We drove up to the wooded area in Lyman Drive and there's now a nice kids' playground there where before it was just scrubland, it's nice.
'My old house was vastly improved and completely modernised. I think my dad paid about £3,000 for it back in the late 1960s.
'My dad took a bit of persuading to come back to Wishaw but he actually loved it.
'I will definitely be back up to play golf and meet up with friends.'
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