2 days ago
Ex-Glasgow bus and taxi driver's shock encounter with a giant snake
One he has never forgotten happened at the Round Toll in Pollokshaws.
'I pulled up at the stop, and a man shouts in the door, 'oi, mate, can I bring this on?'' recalls Jim.
'It was a Shetland pony.'
He laughs, with a shake of his head. 'I said, no, of course you can't. You really did see all sorts on the Glasgow buses.'
Last week in the Glasgow Times, Jim shared his memories of a dramatic night in the city's history. He was one of the fireman who fought in vain to save the St Andrew's Halls after a blaze broke out in the historic building in October 1962.
Jim, centre, with colleagues from Glasgow's fire service (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
Jim's service to the city has been remarkable, as in addition to his years in the fire service, and on the Corpy buses, he worked as a police officer and a taxi driver.
'I enjoyed the taxis, because you got to meet people, and really talk to them,' says the 85-year-old.
He adds, wryly: 'I mean, you met people in the police too, but not always in the best of circumstances.'
Jim recalls one night picking up a fare in the city centre.
(Image: Newsquest)
'It was a man carrying a big bag, and as we're driving along, I look in the mirror and see that what was in the bag is now over his shoulder – and it's a huge python,' he says.
'I nearly drove off the road. He said, 'it's okay, he ate yesterday' and I spluttered, 'I don't care when he ate, he's not riding in my taxi,' and I threw them both out.'
Now living in sheltered housing in Kirkintilloch, Jim loves to tell stories from his life growing up and working in the city. He has a son Graham and twins Laura and Ronnie, six grandchildren - Connor, Liam, Glenn, Ben, Bruce and Amy – and one great-grandchild, four-and-a-half-year-old Rhea.
Jim with daughter Laura and great-granddaughter Rhea (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
Today, Laura and Rhea are visiting, as Jim recalls his childhood in the East End.
He lived on Madras Street in Bridgeton, named after the Madras muslin which was woven into curtains in the factories nearby.
'I nearly got killed there, one day, when I fell through the roof of the place,' he says, cheerfully.
'I'd gone up to get a ball that had been kicked up there, and fell right through the roof. Luckily, because it was a Sunday, the place was empty and the looms weren't working.'
He adds: 'Had they been on, I would no doubt have been killed when I fell into them.'
As it was, Jim was badly injured in the fall. He jokes: 'So my mum waited a few days before she gave me a leathering.'
Jim and Helen on their wedding day (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
Glasgow has changed beyond recognition from the city he grew up in, acknowledges Jim.
'I went back to Madras Street not that long ago, and it has all gone,' he says, sadly.
Jim was a police officer for almost seven years, leaving the force when he met his wife to be, Helen.
'We met at the Albert Dance Hall,' says Jim, adding with a smile: 'I wasn't much of a dancer, but we hit it off.'
(Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)
Helen sadly died in 1991, when Laura was 18.
'My mum was the centre of our family, she kept us all together,' she explains. 'She had cancer.
'My dad had a really tough time after she died, coping with three teenage kids. It was hard.'
Despite his own health problems, Jim is still going strong.
'I just got on with my life, and there were plenty of ups and downs,' he says. 'I gave a lot to Glasgow, but I got a lot out of it too. And I've been happy.'
Share your stories of growing up in Glasgow by emailing or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
