Memories of West Stewart Street & Princes Pier
by Grace M Binnie, Cottage Identity
I lived in West Stewart Street, in the building next to the Gaelic Church and at the back of the Regal Cinema. My memory is full of lots of children all playing in the street, not many cars then. The boys played football and we girls played ropes, had chalk to play peevers on the pavement, played ball games like “three and you’re out”, as well as hide and seek. The boys would also climb the walls at the back of the cinema, and play at tossing coins. We all played hide and seek, and would hide in the closes. This would annoy some of the mothers.
West Stewart Street, Greenock © The Watt Institution
One in particular would always open her door and brush us out onto the street. We did not like her at all. But one day when the cattle were been driven to market, one of the cows escaped and managed to climb the three stairs to her door. She came out with her brush, shouting as usual, but for us her fright and her screams were great fun!
At the end of our street we would walk down Patrick Street to get to Princes Pier. You had to climb the wooden stairs, and pass over the cattle pens with the cows ready for market. We would jump up and down to make their moos much louder.
Patrick Street bridge to Princes Pier © The Watt Institution
We ran down the stairs and were on the Princes Pier. First stop would be the gangways. We were allowed to play on the gangways that were left near the walls, but not those near the water’s edge. When we heard the men shout and yell at us it was usually aimed at the boys, running as fast as they could and pushing each other off the gangway.
Princes Pier © The Watt Institution
We had fun playing tig, and even better fun when the Canadian Liners arrived. The pier was mobbed with people and we would play tig through the crowd of tearful people, crying and hugging, as some were leaving their families with not much hope of coming back. But we were too young to understand the sadness of the parting.
The railway station was completely out of bounds to us, with guards and ticket collectors at the entrance barring our way. But most of us didn't mind this, as we would love to run to play on the grassy bit between the Towers. Here we pretended to have a picnic: A JAMMY PIECE!
I have enjoyed sharing these memories.