A GIRL holds her brother’s hand as she prepares to cross Govan Road on their way to the shops. They look as if they are out to get their money back on that empty ginger bottle and use it for some more skoosh or some of their favourite sweets.

This is the view towards Water Row, with Pearce Lane just beyond that third taxi.

The British Linen Bank had been on that site since 1899. The five-storey building had some fancy external decorations and, on the extreme left of the picture, you can just see the bank’s doorway is topped by an elaborate sculpture of the prow of a boat. This is flanked by two winged wind gods blowing the boat; the sail has the inscription B L Co.

The British Linen Bank was originally founded in 1746 to develop the Scottish linen industry and the branch in Govan showed the importance of weaving in the district.

Bank of Scotland took over the British Linen Bank in 1969 and that name is no more. The Bank of Scotland now has its branch at the Govan junction.

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