When the Wrought Iron Railings in front of Langside Farm were recently sandblasted in preparation for repainting, the mark "GLOBE", a Crown symbol, and "BEST" was revealed.
We presume this is the maker's mark. It was stamped on each section - in different places - and we photographed the two clearest impressions. We think the fence dates from around the beginning of the 20th century.
On one of the gate posts, in large raised letters is "P & R FLEMING & C. GLASGOW". A 1927 Glasgow directory lists this firm as "ironmongers, iron merchants, structural engineers, wire fence and gate manufacturers, and agricultural implement makers". They were obviously quite large in 1929, there were warehouses at 29 Argyle St and 16 Graham Sq, an iron warehouse in Stockwell St and a works in Kelvin St, Partick. We believe the firm started before 1871. (this information from Anne Hamilton & Heather Woodward).
P & R Fleming is obviously fairly local, but could our fence have been made in England? There was a "Globe Works" in Burnley that was an iron foundry, so was our fence made there? We feel that it is unlikely as the manufacturing centre of Glasgow is only about 25 miles away. The firm of Pollock, Whyte & Waddell was building 'Globe' gas and oil engines from around 1897 at the "Globe Engineering Works" of Glasgow. Did they also make fences?
Does anyone know about either of these factories? If you can help, we'd love to hear from you. Our 'phone number and addresses are in the box on the left.