My Carpet - A History of Templeton's

[@EdExploresScotland]

CORRECTION - The couple of images concerned with the carpet-making process bearing the name 'John Templeton & Co, 1927' are incorrect, and should read, 'James Templeton & Co, 1927.' This was an online error that has since been corrected. Apologies.

[@levistubbs8949]

Always look forward to your videos, learning all the time .

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. I'm learning all the time too. 👍

[@nicolamcdade3453]

Hi Ed. I wanted to thank you for this video. My mum was a weaver in Templeton's in the 1950's and told us so many great stories about working. there. At one point she was selected as the face of the company as part of an ad campaign run in the Glasgow Evening Citizen. She loved here time at the company, her mum was a Colourist and her dad worked in the engine room. So it was a family affair. She spoke of making the carpets for the Queen's ships and the carpet for the Coronation. She told how good Templeton's were to their workers too, with free dentistry and well being care packages, including a t a convalesance house in Ayr for employees. They were well ahead of their time. I was impressed with all the images you collected, too. I know there are many archive materials at Glasgow University, I plan to check out. This video was a real treat and a lovely ode to Templeton's. Thanks!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Nicola. I learned a lot about the carpet making process during research for the video. The following link will lead you to a page with many sources, including 1960s photos of the carpet-making process, pattern books, etc. issuu.com/guarchives

[@Chris-il6yh]

Can't wait for the vid on the curtains😁 👍👍👍

[@EdExploresScotland]

Coming soon!

[@johnledingham852]

A lovely video Ed. And your touching comments about the women and girls that lost their lives at work making carpets was touching. You obviously have a tender heart that comes through in your presentations. I often think I'm sharing a pie or an ale with you as I enjoy your programs, but alas, I'll leave you alone on the cauliflower soup. Keep well Ed.

[@sheilac3969]

I really enjoyed your video, thsnk you🤗

[@EdExploresScotland]

You’re welcome 😊

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

Good on you Ed. I'm originally from the Gallowgate and have very fond memories of the 'Glasgow Green Fair' held every in July from the 1950's.

[@lindamcshane5215]

Both my parents worked in Templetons. Mum was a card cutter and dad was a jacquard weaver. Happy times for them.

[@moto_scotland]

Eddy, who’d have thought that a film called ‘My Carpet’ could be so interesting! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the heyday of Glasgow carpet making and seeing the delightful Templeton’s building! The company certainly seemed to have had a ‘rollercoaster ride’ of disaster and success! Their carpets were magnificent in design and quality and like yourself, I mourn the passing of those times! Great video, sir! Keep them coming and enjoy your carpet - it’s a cracker! 💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. It was even more interesting trying to smuggle it onto the train!

[@laurenceegan6136]

All three older female members of my mother's family - including her mother and sister - were employed at Templeton's over the years. My mother worked as a finisher in her time there - something that put her fine eye for detail to good use (as both my nana and my mother herself would often recall.) You made an interesting point regarding the possible influence of the design work of the carpets on the architecture of the building itself. Neither of them are around anymore to ask such a question, however my nana was fond of mentioning the role of The Doge's Palace in the design of the factory building (despite having never travelled abroad in all her days!) The Titanic's floor coverings were also spoken of. But all this made me think of the design of the testing tower at the old Luma Lightbulb Factory across the river in Linthouse, which has the appearance of a big lightbulb in the sky. Thankfully, this is once again lighting up the night sky in that corner of the city, and is a reminder that we should try to preserve as many of the architectural gems our city has to offer as we can - though life goes on and progress is often necessary. This was an interesting video, and I learned some things I didn't know from it. It also provided me with pictures from the era in which my mother worked there. Edit: We actually had some carpets made in Templeton's in our homes when I was young (though they were hardly top-end) and I remember being upset when the last one was replaced with a plain red modern carpet with a deeper pile. I was obviously a sentimental child!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. I didn't know about the Luma Lightbulb Factory, but have always admired that building.

[@neilmckay8649]

Eddy, thank you for yet another enjoyable and informative insight into real Scottish history. I've put the pub on my list of places to visit, if only to try the soup.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Neil. It wasn't just the soup - possibly the best I've ever tasted - it was also the bready thing that came with it. Haven't a clue what it was, but it was tasty too.

[@ArmandoLoni]

Fascinating bit of history.... Thanks, Ed 👍🏻🍺

[@johnmcguigan7128]

I WAS BORN IN Tobago Place and Eds video bring back happy memories.I was fortunate to work all over the world, I reside in Rotterdam NL . Having married a woman from there and am very happy,but my heart is still in Glasgow,so ever time i fly home, i tink i have won the letters when my feet toch terra firma John Mcguigan The Dutch Connection. A big thans to Ed.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers John.

[@mojogaucho]

Thank you Eddy for another enlightening video. You have that rare ability to make Glasgow's history come to life. I think you're starting to give Sir Tony Robinson a run for his money! Keep up the good work.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks.

[@hucruslub]

Thankyou so much for this wonderful glimpse into Glasgow history and the making of the Templetons carpets. Your videos are always great to watch Ed and always informative. I'm always happy when a new video reminder pops up on my screen.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Dan. That means a lot to me. Thank you.

[@elorach9671]

Ed I just love your videos! Glad to listen to someone so passionate about Glasgow's history. Keep up the good work 👏

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@dougie6886]

Excellent excellent excellent .

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you 👍

[@williamwilliam5242]

Ed I swear your video of your travels are so inspiring🎉🎉🎉 thankyou

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks William.

[@1964biggmark]

wow what an interesting video, many years ago I worked with a friend who ran errands for a Miss Templeton who said her family were carpet manufactures ,she lived in a nice house with a mk2 jaguar which never saw rain lol, very pleasant lady who must have been in her 70-80s back around mid 1980s coincidence ????? didnt know about James Templeton Carpets then lol

[@annabellamarston448]

My aunt Euphemia Templeman worked at Templetons in the first quarter of the 1900s. She lost a thumb in an accident on one of the weaving machines. Her compensation was £ 7 .She became a cook and a housekeeper after her carpet weaving days were over.

[@EdExploresScotland]

£7 for a thumb. The mind boggles.

[@kevinprice5078]

Great Ed a worked for Stoddart Templeton in Elderslie before it closed and moved to BMK in Kilmarnock sad times loved it so did my father too he was in Templetons when Stoddart bought it years ago to see it with the management and engineering team .

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Kevin. Even after looking at the carpet-making process I still wonder how on earth they managed to put a carpet together. Sad to see so many iconic Scottish businesses gone.

[@ianlindsay1454]

Hi Eddy, This was so interesting, informative, entertaining. The best vlog you’ve made by far. Well done, we look forward to your next one. Ian and Angie.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. All the best for the New Year guys.

[@RG-5834]

One would never think that the story of a carpet (a real beauty I must say) would be so interesting and enlightening! Eddy, you certainly have the ability to do the research, tell a story and include the rich history behind it. Really enjoyed everything about this video, and I must try to make some cauliflower soup! Take care and best regards, Rob.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Rob.

[@stuartkennedy4202]

Great Eddie so informative and very interesting. In Elderslie next to me in Johnstone had the Stoddards Carpets which is all now gone with houses now there surprise surprise.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. Have a great new year.

[@voicezful]

This was both interesting and informative and the music accompaniment was spot on, sad but endearing at the same time. Was laughing at you getting that carpet home by train. I mind the time I got four narrow 16 foot long pieces of wood from B&Q as an impulse purchase, then took the commuter bus home - the driver's patence and amazing passanges all ducking and weaving until I got aboard and same disembarking. Oh the simple joys of life - thanks Eddy

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@martinqualters608]

Another great video mate...I really enjoyed that. STV should have you doing this on the telly, I reckon it would go down a treat,.A sort of history/culture version of weirs way, and remember how popular that was...keep em coming. Oh, and the soup looked the business, HAHA

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks. Best soup I've ever tasted. Even the sort of bread thing that came with it was ace. I'll definitely be back for more at the West Brewery.

[@charlesmcallisterrogers6135]

beautiful rug also so many things you can pick up i have a old sofa from balmoral castle i got in a furniture sale at scone palace, made so much better thank sofa these days from shops too. it amazing things you can pick up at charity days or charity shops in scotland.

[@bmclaughlin01]

Fantastic Ed, would love to see at detailed video on Paisley. 😊

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Billy. Yes, Paisley certainly deserves a decent insight. One of my most recent videos - The Old Canal - includes bits of Paisley.

[@bmclaughlin01]

@@EdExploresScotland I watched it Ed, loved it, really interesting. I was born quite close to the Canal and knew some of the history but I wasn’t aware of the disaster. It would be interesting to tell the story about St Mirren, the origins of the Abbey and Coats family in their prime (3rd richest company in the world at the time). I also loved your video on Glasgow University. Keep up the brilliant work 👍😊

[@annevans1619]

My grand mother Ann Pirie Mc Call worked at Templeton carpet factory in the 50s and 60s She sadly died of the lung disease from the fibres .I never met her .❤

[@lenaolivetti9366]

Thank you

[@HA-in1me]

Very interesting indeed. Truly a shame that a building like you showed us has now an added one of more modern style and not even remotely as good as the fairy tales one originally built as a factory. Unbelievable how nowadays factories are ' n e v e r ' built for their beauty or architecture but jut for their inner functions. Sad. We are not heading in the right direction.

[@thejacobitehiker4024]

Great video, Ed. My late Dad once worked as a labourer at Templeton's Carpet factory, I think in the late 60's?.

[@ladygardener100]

Another classic

[@colinriley123]

I have just watched two videos. In the first you delivered a monologue while eating what i think you called a Bridie. In the second you demolished a bowl of cauliflower soup while talking to camera. Both pieces were great viewing. I don't know how you get away with it, but it works!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Colin. It's nothing but a ploy to take viewers' minds off the fact that I can never remember what it is I'm supposed to be saying.

[@AlanHamilton]

Brilliant mate🎉

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks Alan.

[@MultiDrew83]

Excellent Eddy

[@MrMaharg65]

Another fascinating video Ed. Keep up the good work & mabey do one about Springburn. Another great part of Glasgow where myself & my family were raised & has been left a wasteland in the last few decades. ⭐️

[@EdExploresScotland]

I'd not considered Springburn, but that could be an interesting one. Many thanks.

[@MrMaharg65]

@@EdExploresScotland Also where the great Tom Weir & his sister Molly came from. ⭐️

[@charlesmcallisterrogers6135]

Your videos should have so much more viewers, just need good cacthy tags and titles but love your videos man took my gf and dog to the auchterarder walk you did which never knew about as live locally and carsebreck loch a old victorian ice rink beside gleneagles too which they all used to play curling in olden days. anyway just to say your videos are so well done and love them and inspired myself to explore our beautiful home of scotland more. so thank you, Charles

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Charles.

[@bigturboxr3i]

And here i thought this was going to be about Templetons the supermarket, we had one in Bathgate. Nevertheless that was a brilliant bit of work, very interesting indeed. I shall be lookin out for these places whenever im in town.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@jamesdouglas9420]

very good story, Ed are you going to do the history of the Navies grave yard at black water dam ?.

[@EdExploresScotland]

That's way up north from me, James. Realistically speaking, I may not get there. What's the story?

[@colingill8270]

Very interesting Ed

[@thedoc1210]

brilliant

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks.👍

[@petertempleton4239]

wel now that was most interesting , great channel keep up the fine work , btw my middle name is james :)

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. 👍

[@dannyd4282]

Great video nice bit of history but u must tell me .....was that soup on par with your pumpkin 🎃 soup u made last Halloween 🤔🤔🤔😊

[@EdExploresScotland]

Bit of a surprise there, to be honest. Yon cauliflower soup may well have been the best soup I have ever tasted. Take care.

[@raycroal]

really good music on this one aswell you're beginning to scare me lol

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks.

[@moeszyslak7304]

How about a trip down to Berwick upon Tweed? Plenty of Scottish history in a peice of land that os still disputed. The forts there are stunning...

[@EdExploresScotland]

A nice area indeed.