Candy and Donald Talk about Andy Neil
This episode is a conversation about the life and adventures of leading rally driver Andy Neil, with her children Candy and Donald. Andy or Annie and her sister Chrissie or KiKi were born and brought up in a pig farm at Tollcross. Andy never sat a driving test, yet she drove trucks for the pig farm and competed in rallies including the Monte Carlo rally.
We talk about her life, her rally driving career, the pig farm, her family, memories of Tollcross, the politics of land ownership in Glasgow, a firearms armistice amongst many other topics.
Before the conversation started Candy, Donald and I talked a bit about how poor my internet connection was, so you’ll hear that mentioned at a certain point in the episode. Needless to say the connection improved once my son stopped playing the Xbox.
To get us started we talk about Candy and Donald’s lives and then go into the story of Andy’s life.
This episode of TFtE is presented in association with another artist in residence in Glasgow, Rebecca Fraser’s Today Museum, whose project LIFE explores and archives what life is like in 2021 for the people of Shettleston through their stories and objects.
For more information on Rebecca’s work please visit: https://www.todaymuseumparkhead.com/
Thank you so much to Ann Dundas, Donald’s wife, who rang me up to see if we’d be interested in these tales. Thanks Ann, that was a brilliant suggestion!
Please scroll down to see some brilliant photos that Donald and Candy kindly provided to illustrate this story.
Episode Links:
Easdale | Flesher | Corbett St & Easterhill St | Scottish Rally | Morecambe Rally
Monte Carlo Rally | Lanarkshire Car Club | Morgan cars | Vanguard cars
8 comments
Comment by Allan Phillips
Allan Phillips December 27, 2022 at 6:07 am
Really interesting podcast, brings back memories as my dad was one of the co-owners of the cosmetics firm that rented a building on the old farm. I remember my dad taking me there on a Sunday or during the school holidays. I’d go off wandering about what was left of the farm exploring.
Comment by Alasdair Satchel
Alasdair Satchel January 31, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Brilliant! I’d have loved to have seen it. It was fascinating to talk with them both. Thank you!
Comment by Tony Ercolino
Tony Ercolino April 5, 2023 at 7:21 am
I have the great privilege of saying that Andy was my neighbour for about 10 years in Easterhill Street, Tollcross . She was a lovely lady and we spent my hours listening to her stories of Haydale the pig farm she owned, the cars she drove and her many travels. Maria and I will always remember this unique lady with great fondness and the many happy memories of how kind she was towards my children Francesca and Paolo. Andy was a legend.
Comment by Tim Morozzo
Tim Morozzo September 28, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Thanks, Tony! We’re glad this brought back some happy memories 😊
Comment by Noleen Craig
Noleen Craig October 26, 2023 at 4:07 pm
I’ve just came across this after an attempted Google search of Andy. I couldn’t remember her surname at first , then it came to me. I used to be a carer with g.c.c. back in early 2000’s. Andy was one of my clients. She was an amazing lady, with spectacular stories to tell. Loved the rally tales. Her bedroom adorned with reg/number plates from various travels. It was very sad when she passed away.
Comment by Tim Morozzo
Tim Morozzo November 3, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Glad you found the website, and we hope you enjoyed the podcast 🙂
Comment by Stuart M. Flanders
Stuart M. Flanders August 15, 2024 at 1:15 pm
A very interesting talk with Candy and Donald from Tales fae the East.
I remember Annie and Chrissy and Haydale very well although I never remember Chrissy ever being called Kiki.
My knowledge of Haydale and the family comes from the fact that my father Jimmie Flanders worked for Auld Neil ( that’s what we called him but, my father always referred to him as ” the boss ) for about 14 years until in 1961 my family immigrated to Australia.
But the talk brought back a lot of memories from my childhood, especially when I helped my father with what they called ” boxing fat. ” and believe me when I say ” I’ve boxed a lot of fat.” A lot of stories and a lot of water under the bridge. But if anyone’s interested
I’d be more than happy to pass on the part I know about Haydale, and the Neil sisters.
Comment by Alasdair Satchel
Alasdair Satchel September 11, 2024 at 12:01 pm
Thanks Stuart, that’s so good to read! We’re so glad that their stories connected with you. Should we ever be able to bring Tales Fae the East back we’d love to hear those tales! If you had the time and wanted to write them here, they’d be very much appreciated, too.
Thank you again!