Category Archives: Gibson collection

I was out at Carloway on Tuesday and helped to interview about 50 girls. It took us over 3 hours and we were much in need of refreshment and so did full justice to Cathy’s tea and new laids when it was over … Stornoway 12th Jun. 1919

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs and Mr Gibson have been interrogated by the press. Mrs Gibson has also been busy conducting interviews for a local Unemployment Tribunal, and also reports progress with house-building developments in Stornoway. The next in our series of letters from … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on I was out at Carloway on Tuesday and helped to interview about 50 girls. It took us over 3 hours and we were much in need of refreshment and so did full justice to Cathy’s tea and new laids when it was over … Stornoway 12th Jun. 1919

Mamma … has promised to go to Carloway for an Unemployment Tribunal meeting. It is said that the officials here in connection with Unemployment now number 27. It is rumoured that the Government are going to solve the Unemployment problem in Lewis by taking the unemployed on to the official staff, on the same principal as the well-known community whose members made a living by taking in one another’s washing! … Stornoway 8th Jun. 1919

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson has at last obtained some temporary relief from housework, though remains busy with public commitments. Meanwhile, stormy weather causes difficulties for picnickers and voyagers, and peace celebrations are afoot. The next in our series of letters from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Mamma … has promised to go to Carloway for an Unemployment Tribunal meeting. It is said that the officials here in connection with Unemployment now number 27. It is rumoured that the Government are going to solve the Unemployment problem in Lewis by taking the unemployed on to the official staff, on the same principal as the well-known community whose members made a living by taking in one another’s washing! … Stornoway 8th Jun. 1919

Mamma has had a cold in her throat since she went across the Minch last time. She is a member of an Employment Local Advisory Committee and some of them were down at Bayble yesterday holding a court of referees to consider claims for continuance of out-of-work donations … Stornoway 5th Jun. 1919

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

We apologise for the lack of a Gibson blog last week, due to covid! This week, we hear that Mrs Gibson has paid the price for her busy schedule, whilst Stornoway building works have not been progressing as productively. Jean, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Mamma has had a cold in her throat since she went across the Minch last time. She is a member of an Employment Local Advisory Committee and some of them were down at Bayble yesterday holding a court of referees to consider claims for continuance of out-of-work donations … Stornoway 5th Jun. 1919

Sunday we were at tea with Miss Shaw and went with her to the Old West Kirk in the evening. Stayed after the service and went round looking at the beautiful windows, some by Burne Jones and Rosetti … Stornoway 2nd Jun. 1919

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson has had a busy time in mainland Scotland: as well as attending meetings, she has socialised with friends and relatives, made plans to refresh her wardrobe, and admired Pre-Raphaelite art. But she is glad to be back home, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Sunday we were at tea with Miss Shaw and went with her to the Old West Kirk in the evening. Stayed after the service and went round looking at the beautiful windows, some by Burne Jones and Rosetti … Stornoway 2nd Jun. 1919

Mamma … had been unable to get a room in any of the Glasgow hotels near the station and so had had to travel during the night. She had a good crossing of the Minch, however, and slept over it very nicely, in my well known fashion … Stornoway 29th May 1919

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr and Mrs Gibson have been passing each other like ships in the night. Mrs Gibson has had a tranquil ferry crossing, whilst Mr Gibson has both budgetary and literary opinions for Jean. The next in our series of letters … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Mamma … had been unable to get a room in any of the Glasgow hotels near the station and so had had to travel during the night. She had a good crossing of the Minch, however, and slept over it very nicely, in my well known fashion … Stornoway 29th May 1919

I’m getting on all right, and managing quite well about my two meals, but I find it difficult – curiously enough – to settle down to things when Mamma isn’t here. I shd. have done quite a lot of things this week end & haven’t done almost any of them … Stornoway 25th May 1919

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson has been pondering the nature of personal reputation, as well as pining for Mrs Gibson. In rather more dramatic news, he tells of a successful rescue mission. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on I’m getting on all right, and managing quite well about my two meals, but I find it difficult – curiously enough – to settle down to things when Mamma isn’t here. I shd. have done quite a lot of things this week end & haven’t done almost any of them … Stornoway 25th May 1919

Mr. Anderson and the boys have started to make a tennis ground below the hockey goal. They have faith. There is much hockey. The second match between pupils and staff was last week, and the staff have improved so much with practice, that instead of losing by a dozen goals or so, they lost by one – 3 to 2. We have a fine school team now, if we had only another school to play with … Stornoway 18th May 1919

Posted on August 11, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson has enjoyed hearing of Jean’s posh mini-break. He also recounts how the Nicolson Institute is expanding its sporting activities, and that his long service at the school is to be honoured. The next in our series of letters … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Mr. Anderson and the boys have started to make a tennis ground below the hockey goal. They have faith. There is much hockey. The second match between pupils and staff was last week, and the staff have improved so much with practice, that instead of losing by a dozen goals or so, they lost by one – 3 to 2. We have a fine school team now, if we had only another school to play with … Stornoway 18th May 1919

I have been answering a letter from your cousin George. He is now back in Pittsburg and has got a post with an Insurance Company. He sent copies of the snapshots he took when here. Most of them had come out nicely … Stornoway 11th May 1919

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson tells of family news from across the Atlantic, a naval departure, and an exciting technical innovation for the island. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on I have been answering a letter from your cousin George. He is now back in Pittsburg and has got a post with an Insurance Company. He sent copies of the snapshots he took when here. Most of them had come out nicely … Stornoway 11th May 1919

Lovely weather here – almost hot indeed. On Wednesday afternoon I was up after school seeing a hockey match between pupils and teachers. It was dreadfully hot work. The pupils won again 4 to 3, so the teachers have vastly improved. Mr. Brown was in goal … Stornoway [9th May 1919?]

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

In this week’s letter, Mrs Gibson reports that the Nicolson teachers are still suffering sporting ignominy. She has a hectic schedule as ever, but has found time for entertaining and for a sing-song. She is also worried at the prospect … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Lovely weather here – almost hot indeed. On Wednesday afternoon I was up after school seeing a hockey match between pupils and teachers. It was dreadfully hot work. The pupils won again 4 to 3, so the teachers have vastly improved. Mr. Brown was in goal … Stornoway [9th May 1919?]

Great efforts are being made by the Staff just now to get themselves into form for their return hockey match, in order to retrieve the 13 to 0 of their last match. You just ought to see Mr. Ewen and the vim with which he charges into it. Miss Maclean and Miss Mitchell continue to take great interest in the game and are very keen for its success among the pupils … Stornoway 8th May 1919

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson is in a sporting mood, and has been observing new developments around Stornoway. There has been sad news about a family friend, and Mrs Gibson is, as ever, in thrall to housework. The next in our series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Great efforts are being made by the Staff just now to get themselves into form for their return hockey match, in order to retrieve the 13 to 0 of their last match. You just ought to see Mr. Ewen and the vim with which he charges into it. Miss Maclean and Miss Mitchell continue to take great interest in the game and are very keen for its success among the pupils … Stornoway 8th May 1919