COMP CLOSED | Book Giveaway | My Gorbals Life

My Gorbals Life
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We are very pleased to be giving away two copies of Alan Gilfillan McLachlan’s book, ‘My Gorbals Life’, to our GrownUps members.

All you need to do to enter the draw is be a GrownUps member, make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter and fill in your details near the bottom of the page!

My Gorbals LifeAbout My Gorbals Life

NZ author Allan McLachlan’s memoir of growing up in the Gorbals during the Second World War is an unforgettable and evocative read.

Born in a rough place at a very rough time, Allan McLachlan grew up in the Gorbals, Glasgow during WWII.

Raised in a one-room tenement flat, it was a dirty, grimy and grim childhood, but through it all the family love and the community culture was the lifeline for Allan. The sense of humour and vivid recall that he has brought to his childhood memoir bring it all to life with incredible clarity.

This moving and remarkably vivid story of a Gorbals boyhood will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. All the atmosphere of the tenement life is here – the street games, school life and family struggles all tell of the remarkable community and the love of a family struggling through poverty and deprivation.

Described by readers as a Scottish Angela’s Ashes, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers.

About the Author

Born in prewar Glasgow and living in a poor tenement community, Allan’s childhood was shaped by his strong and loving family. Coping with poverty was part of daily life. After leaving school, he joined the Army and served in Cyprus as a radio operator. His skills in this area saw him emigrate to New Zealand where he became an industrial electrical specialist, married and had a family. He started his own business and enjoyed a lifestyle that would have seemed unimaginable to his childhood self. After a divorce in the late 1980’s Allan’s business expanded to Australia where he married again. When he retired, he returned to New Zealand with his wife Pippa to the countryside in Clevedon in South Auckland, where he still lives today.

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Terms and conditions

    1. You must be a GrownUps member and receive our newsletter to be eligible to win.
    2. Competition closes on the 9th April 2025, winners will be notified via email by 10th April 2025.
    3. It is your responsibility to ensure you correctly enter a New Zealand postal address where the prize can be sent. GrownUps will not take responsibility for prizes sent to incorrect addresses.
    4. Winners are drawn at random by the GrownUps administration team.
    5. GrownUps employees and family are not eligible to enter.
    6. By entering the giveaway, you approve for GrownUps to use your name on social media as winner of the competition.
    7. One entry per household.
    8. Prize in non transferrable.
    9. You must reside in New Zealand – the prize can only be redeemed within New Zealand.
    10. You must be over 50 years of age to enter, please check your details are correct in your membership dashboard.