Anything you'd like published here?  Special family occasions of interest to Stanley folk or looking for old pals etc?  Click email icon at the bottom of the page.

We've just  belatedly heard from Glen Dow of the death of his Mother in Canada Helen (Nel) (McGregor) (Dow) Pearson in 2009.  She was born in Stanley on 22 November 1911 to Duncan and Margaret McGregor.  Her Father Duncan was killed in action in France on 13th November 1916 aged 30 years.  Details of this are shown on the Stanley War Memorial page   Nel married Jim Dow of Kinnoull Hill Perth and they had 4 children;  Stewart, Duncan, Frank (died at birth) and Margaret and lived in Store Street Stanley.  The family emigrated to Toronto in 1946 and a fifth child, Glen was born in 1948.  Her husband James died in Toronto in April 1958 and she remarried Eric Pearson of Toronto in 1961.  Eric passed away in 1994. Nel spent her golden years in retirement in her "little cottage" in Severn Bridge Ontario until her death on 8th June 2009.

Wishing family and friends at home and overseas a Very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2012.

Nan Tait

Rena Buchanan (nee Lambert) has changed her email address and you can get in touch with Rena by clicking the link below:

Happy Birthday to Gordon Howie, Lorna West, Nan Tait and Donella (Dawn Harbison) Firth who will all reach the age of 65 in October.  Gordon 2nd, Lorna 20th, Nan 27th and Donella 28th.  Best wishes to you all.  

Best wishes to Beth Kennedy who celebrated her 80th birthday on 22 May 2011.  Beth was Stanley School Senior Girl Dux in 1945.

Welcome to baby Harvey Nathan Stanley Matulewicz born on 27 May 2011. Harvey weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds 9 and a half ounces and is the first Great Grandchild of Alma and Les Allan.  Mother Nadine and baby doing well. 

On Wednesday 20 April 2011, after a long illness bravely fought, May Williamson (nee' O'Brien) dearly beloved wife of Arthur and mother to Rhona, Corinne and the late Pamela.  A very much loved and respected mum, gran, mother-in-law and sister and friend to everybody.  Both May and Arthur and their families contribution to the folklore of the village is immense. The thoughts of the villagers, contributors to the website and all who knew her, are with her family at this sad time.  Her husband Arthur is a Stanley footballing legend and our sincere condolences go out to him and all friends and relatives.  

To Jimmy Donaldson (Hartlepool) & Ian Wells (Aberdeen).  A very big thank you for your visit to my home in Dunkeld about mid-day on Sunday 20/03/11. ( should really have been at church but had a very sore knee)  I felt very humble that two lads, younger than myself, and coming back to Stanley, before heading off to The Emirates Stadium  in London to support Scotland against Brazil, would fit in the time to give me a visit.   I thoroughly enjoyed their visit, to the extent that I was asked to join them on a walk down the back of the Mill on the Sunday.  Funnily enough, my knee never bothered me till the return journey and we decided to go from the road between Scottie's auld hoose (at the Mill gates) just a couple of hundred yards along to  Jock Taylors auld hoose at the orchard, then the Red Lodge we decided to take a return trip , via the Curling Pond, before we reached Scottie's hoose.   The Curley was a big disappointment. Nae water and everything overgrown.   However.  On Stanley On.  Thanks for the visit.  Funny how all the true Stanleyites, Gordon Howie, Billy Hancock, Sandy Wann, Dave Berwick, & Jimmy & Ian. who have been all over the world, always like to start their homecoming with a trip down the 'back o' the mill".       

Pate Cameron

Cammie Hughes celebrated his 64th birthday in the Strathord Inn on 20 March 2011 with friends and family.  Happy Birthday Cammie. 

Alan West

A sad week for the older Stanley residents with the passing of Alan West (ex Airntully) in Winnipeg, Canada on 4 March 2011.  He was aged 89 and emigrated to Canada in the 1950's.  He was a blacksmith to trade and worked in Canada as a machine engineer.  He was one of a family of twelve of whom six survive.  (Jessie, Bert, Dot, Isobel, Norman & Aileen).  He is survived by his wife, Peggy (nee MacLean) - sister of Jack MacLean, Murray Place and also by his son Alan, Jnr.  His late brother Jim, captained Stanley Juniors for many years and there is a photograph of Jim on the website under "Your Page" then Fitba' photos - 6 (4).

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Jimmy Pirie

Jimmy Pirie the butcher passed away on 9 March 2011.  He was aged 91 and until a few years ago was Britain's oldest working butcher.  Jimmy was born in Stanley in June 1919 and started work as a butcher, aged 14 in 1933. During his working life he won no fewer than 131 UK and international awards, the highlight being the Sausage Scottish Championship and  Scottish Haggis Championship in 2005. He is survived by his son Alan who carries on the business.

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Alec Kennedy

Alec Kennedy retired postman from Athole Drive passed away on 9 March 2011.  His wife, Marion (nee Panton) passed on several years ago.  He is survived by his son, Roy.   Alec was a very popular postie in Stanley for a long number of years and his photo is on Stanley Photos No 4 (2).

Sincere condolences to all friends and relatives of the aforementioned Stanley personalities.

Happy Birthday to Rene Coghlan (nee O'Brien) who celebrated her 80th birthday on 3 March 2011.  Hope you had a really special day!

Tom Robertson was buried in Inverness-shire on 24 February 2011.  He was Stanley School sports champion in 1941 and along with his Uncle, Allan Donaldson, who was about the same age as him, were known as "The Powderhall Pair" for their sprinting prowess.

Many Happy Returns to Calvin Strickland on his 65th birthday on 7 January 2011.

Looking for old School Friends

Neil Ferguson who used to live next to the Surgery in Perth Road and opposite the tennis courts would like to hear from anyone who remembers him.  Neil and his family emigrated to Australia in 1965 when he was 12 (so that would make him around 57 years old).

Billy Morrow who now lives in Fife is trying to contact an old schoolfriend Fifi O'Brien who he lost contact with some years ago.  

Old School Friends -  1963-1972

Anyone who remembers  me and wants an excuse to escape  the wife for the evening  and  have  a small  alcoholic  beverage I would love to hear from you    Lived in Stanley from 63 till 72  and if you know me  you will remember I was football daft and still am.  Working in Perth now but live in Cowdenbeath with my wife of 25 years.   Love to get to know my old school pals again.  It's been 35 years.  Where has the time gone?    Love to talk about the best days of  my life and they were spent in Stanley as a boy.

      Tony Scott  

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