History of Blackburn

29/05/2026

We share the funeral arrangements for our beloved Dad / Pops, Joe Stewart.

Service on Monday 8th June at 12:30pm, Livingston Crematorium, then on to Blackburn Bowling Club.

Family and friends are warmly welcome to come and pay their respects ❤️

27/05/2026

It’s with deep sadness we share that Joseph Stewart has sadly passed away this morning 27/05/26.

A former miner from Polkemmet Pit, a proud dad/pops, a loyal pal, and a man who lived his life surrounded by family, friends, laughter and stories. Known by many names.. Josie, Joe, Big Joe, even “Blackburn’s Tom Jones”, but to us he was simply, Pops.

He had a big presence in our small town, and he will be missed more than words can say.

We’re also going to take a little break from the page for a while. Thank you to everyone for the kind messages and support.

26/05/2026

Still time to order your copy of my first children's picture story book. 36 pages and book size is A4 landscape. The story is about Blackburn Galaday with the Burnie Buddies who are a number of different animals, birds, insects all with different characters. Cost is £8 with £2.50 from each book going to the Gala day fundraising. comment on here or message us, thanks David

25/05/2026

Long before the Blackburn Punks or Bushwackers, you had the Ladeside Crew (who remain undefeated even till today may i add) This was mid 1970s. That's me in the mustard extra thick sheep wool jumper in mid July. It was all the rage back then lol. My wee sister Maryann in front with the blue dress and Janet Thomson beside her. I have posted the original a while back but with some enhancing this is a million times better. 50+ years ago and for some mad reason i can still visualise the whole of the flats inside and out, yet i cant remember what i did this morning lol

25/05/2026

1990 and some fantastic fundraising from Blackburn Primary School for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Who can you name from the photo? It's only 36 years ago😳
Thanks to Elaine Clark for sending this and allowing it to be shared to the History of Blackburn Page.
West Lothian Courier

24/05/2026

Leia Campbell is the next star to come from Blackburn with a quite stunning debut song written by herself and released on spotify. Leia has many more tracks and without a doubt will become a top artist in the music industry. I am sure many on the History of Blackburn page will support Leia all the way.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1rZ4gsrjsX9HINSZd1mX0r?si=SRK9gv8pQguaNxODPo_mSA&fbclid=IwY2xjawR_51pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLdjgxaExtRVFUc1pxeWh3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgUOv34Pr_MZ03ihcyNdspWusJe9FxbNoKXAfGhzQB6owsGqR_uysHn7bjZa_aem_XYIux6e5irxV-nNNz7KUIg&nd=1&dlsi=0e4557a526d344e9

Leia Campbell · Hello and Goodbye · Song · 2026

23/05/2026

With only 3 weeks until Blackburn Galaday i am looking for around 40 people to carry these flags around with the parade. Flag sizes are 3ft x 2ft & 5ft x 3ft and are on light bamboo canes. Get in first and book your country. This could be a spectacular and colourful sight to the parade but i really need the good people of Blackburn to help. Individuals, clubs, teams, schools, all are more than welcome. If we can pull this off this year then it's something we can build on in the years going forward by adding more and more colour throughout our parades in the future. Come on folks lets make the best Gala day parade in West Lothian the most colourful too. ps if you have your own flag and wish to join in great, just let me know for numbers taking part. Message myself here, thanks David. ps please share this post
UK flag taken

22/05/2026

Drew McNeil (left). And myself Jimmy Bat Young. My parents garden 3 Beechwood Rd. be around 1966/67. My axles were custom made by Dad in British Leyland.
Thanks Jimmy for sharing this with the History of Blackburn and for sparking memories for so many people who made their own bogey's including myself, they were great fun.

20/05/2026

ORDERS BEING TAKEN NOW!
Today it's something different from the History of Blackburn.
This children's picture book was started by myself way back in 1995, then it was put up into our loft and forgotten about for the past 30 years. It's finished now and what better way to show it than to use it to raise much needed funds for Blackburn Galaday To go along with our Galaday, our village will forever have its own children's picture book, another first for a Galaday, i believe. So if you would like to order a copy/s drop us a message on the History of Blackburn page. Once i get an idea of numbers we can sort payments before we order. Thank you

19/05/2026

Sent in by Kenny Millar, absolutely heartbreaking.

Kenny "newspaper clips reporting the death of my grandfather in 1962.
He was killed in an accident in the Lady pit at east Whitburn. My dad was Alex Millar ( name misspelled in the article). He witnessed the whole accident. Apparently my dad had to walk home after this and tell his mum- my Granny Meg- that this had happened."

As hard as this is for family i must thank Kenny for wanting to share this part of his family history with the History of Blackburn. Kenny's Granddad Richard Millar will always be remembered for the brave family man he was, as is Kenny's dad.