"Glasgow miners and clickety bits".....

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:36 am

Hello Everyone
A few years back I discovered on the internet a story written by a lady about her Dad who was a coal miner in Scotland. It was a great read and one of the things I can remember is how she talked about the miners walking home on the cobble stones after a shift and the steel caps on the boots making a noise, and she referred to them as "Clickety bits" Of course I didnt put it in favourites and do you think I can find it again , so I was wondering if anyone else out there had read it and could steer me in the right direction.

rita · Post by **rita** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:09 pm

Hello Margaret
Hope you find your story, my grandad was a miner in Ayrshire although I didn't know him but I don't think it was just the miners who wore those boots as I remember my dad having a pair but he called them his TACKETY BITS but then again sometimes Ayrshire people have their own slang words.
Rita

DavidWW · Post by **DavidWW** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 3:30 pm

It wisnae jist the steel toecaps that led to the "clickety click" but numerous steel studs in the soles of the boots that prevented unnecessary and premature wear of the leather soles!

David

nancy · Post by **nancy** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 11:21 pm

Hi Margaret,Rita and David. Aye those "tackety bits"sure bring back memories from when i was a wee lassie in the 50s.My da worked in Paisley threadmills,both Coats Ferguslie and Clarks Anchor.All my memories of him seem to be with his Cap,Boiler Suit and Boots,or as we called them his(Bunnet,BilerSuit'n'Tackety Bits) Thinking about it,their feet must have been killin'them.How he did it for 47yr 1/2 I'll never know.He was so pleased with the granddaughter clock and watch that he got at his retiral.Now there's no mills left.Aye times are achangin' Cheers Nancy. PS I worked in Chrysler with a few people from Ayrshire,and we used to get such a laugh at our different sayings. Mind you some were the same

nelmit · Post by **nelmit** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 12:35 am

Margaret wrote:Hello Everyone
A few years back I discovered on the internet a story written by a lady about her Dad who was a coal miner in Scotland. It was a great read and one of the things I can remember is how she talked about the miners walking home on the cobble stones after a shift and the steel caps on the boots making a noise, and she referred to them as "Clickety bits" Of course I didnt put it in favourites and do you think I can find it again , so I was wondering if anyone else out there had read it and could steer me in the right direction.

Hello Margaret,

I don't know about that story but you can read about 'doon the pit' at www.tachras.com.

Annette M

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 2:05 am

Hello everyone
Well I have realized just why I really enjoy TS, not only do I gets lots of help on my questions, but everyone tells us their memories which is just wonderful. Thank you all for your help and it was a few years back when I read the story so guess my old grey head isnt as good at retaining things...re the Tackety /clickety bits..I do hope we can find the story as it was a good read.

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:22 pm

In my day as well as the 'tackety bits', the miners carried their helmets with the carbide lamp attached. The 'Face' men had knee protectors which strapped round their knees and made them look as though they walked with bent knees all the time. A lot of the East Lothian mines were only three foot seams!
When I was wee they didn't even have baths at the pit head and had to walk the mile home black faced. It was brilliant when they smiled - all pink lips and shiny white teeth!
Bath was a tin tub in front of the fire filled from kettles boiled over the black grate. At least the coal was supplied - after all they had dug it!

Life is easier but are we happier ?

Russell

smiddykilry · Post by **smiddykilry** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:24 am

Tackity Boots
I remember when I was a wee loon aboot 10 or 12 ma faither and brithers used to work on the farm, my Job was to keep the boots clean and well shod. About once a week I had to put each boot on a “last” pick out the worn tickets and knock in new ones.
I also remember getting my first pair and how we lads would fleg the lassies sliding along the stone steps at school with sparks flying.

smid

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:34 am

It is great to see all the memories from folk, I just wish I had book marked the page when I first saw the story years ago. Not only was there a story there were photos as well. Oh well will just enjoy the stories from folk at TS

rdem · Post by **rdem** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:48 pm

I remember distinctly as a child about 4 years old coming down stairs early in the morning. I would put on my dad tackity bits and waltzed into the kitchen singing a Gordon for me!. He would smile and my mother would roll her eyes realizing that she was up for the day, no chance of an extra nap!
Sadly, he died in the mine when I was nine years by a coal cutting machine. He was fifty years old and had been in the mine man and boy since he was 14, as his fahter and grandthers were.
We already had family in Canada and so we too joined the exodus after his death.

TalkingScot.com

"Glasgow miners and clickety bits".....

"Glasgow miners and clickety bits".....

Re: "Glasgow miners and clickety bits"

Tackety bits

tackity bits