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Hasties Farm

No. 16 Victoria Street, Blantyre

Stonefield Farm which was known locally as Hasties Farm was situated in Victoria Street near to its junction with Glasgow Road. In the 1960's the farm declined to such an extent that it ceased to operate as a working farm and was sold by the Hastie family to Mr Robert Brown, a local Building Contractor, in 1963. In 1964 Bobby Brown leased out the main farmhouse and an adjoining building to a Taxi firm, whilst he himself opened a room at the right hand side of the entrance as a small Cafe in which he installed a piano and pianist who provided live music for the customers! The Taxi firm didn't last very long but the Cafe took off, and I am quite sure that it was then that Bobby Brown got the idea that with further adaptions to the remaining buildings, a Restaurant and Bar could be created within whilst retaining the architecture, heritage and historic old world atmosphere of the original farm!

When the conversion was complete, a food and drinks licence was granted and this together with the fine food, drink, audience participation and live music provided by 'The John Doc Trio' (John Doc, Bryce Sloan and John Healy) plus the unique ambience created within the restored barn, was instrumental in making the farm into a high class Restaurant and Bar, which was considered by many, the best in the West of Scotland. I must say here that it was during this time that many of our local talent came to the fore when they performed in front of a live audience.

Hasties continued to prosper, then in 1979 Bobby Brown decided to retire and sold the complex onto Sam Plotnikoff, a young business man from Glasgow. Sam carried on the same traditions and high standards of the Bobby Brown era, viz; fine food, drink and live music etc. I think it would be true to say that he improved Hasties image, when during a slight recession in trade, he refurbished the small Cafe-cum-lounge and opened it up as Bananas Disco and decided to bring some international stars to the Farm. Some of the celebrities, actors and artists who came to Hasties at that time, not all to perform, but just to see and be seen were, Matt Munro, Ruby Murray, Frank Ifield, Vince Hill, Marty Wilde, Jiminy Cricket, Alistair McDonald, Russel Hunter, Neville Taylor, Brian Taylor, The Dutch College Swing Band, The Livingstones, Christian, John Cairney, Aker Bilk, Andy Cameron, Hector Nicol, Jock Stein. Many of Celtic, Rangers and other Scottish Football teams players were seen from time to time.

In 1985, Sam a business man, decided that due to a slight decline in trade and to give himself some time to attend to his other interests in Snooker Clubs, put the farm up for sale. The 'Farm' was taken over by a Company known as Lanarkshire Holdings.

The Company did not have the same interest or charisma as the two previous owners and trade continued to decline. Conversions were made to the main dining area and other areas within the building which were renamed Zigfields, Barnums, Panama Jacks, Bananas, Happy Jacks respectively, but still the decline continued and the complex closed late 1989.

On Hogmanay night, 1990, just minutes before the bells, a fire was discovered in the roof space of the main building. The Fire Brigade was sent for. On arrival, the entire roof was seen to be involved and damaged to such an extent, that the building was considered unsafe and demolition was recommended. Some time later the buildings were demolished and Blantyre had lost the best Restaurant and Bar, with the best in Entertainment, in the West of Scotland. Call it what you may, Stonefield Farm, will always be known as 'Hasties Farm' to the clientele who still miss it to this day. "Blantir's no ra same withoot it, sure its no?"

Acknowledgements: Sam Plotnikoff, Frank (Jinxy) Regan, John Rodwell, John Cummiskey, Archie Daly, Margaret Allan, Mary McGinty, Andy Dewar, June Finlay, Cissy Long and many other's.

James Cornfield 2007

In 1975 Hasties burned down. My nana Kathy Brown was in South Africa at the time. She sent a postcard which arrived after the fire, in which she said, "Having a lovely time. See you soon. Keep the home fires burning." Little did she know what had actually happened.
 
Bobby Brown had the place fully rebuilt and open for business three weeks after the fire. The place was just a busy as ever, but it was never quite the same.
 
The Hasties Farm photo shows the place after the rebuild, as can be seen by the newer roof covering most of the length of the building.

Lon McIlwraith - Vancouver (Grandson of Bobby Brown)

Hasties Farm after Rebuild

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