The Clydebank Post is serialising the content of the book ‘Asbestos and Clydebank’, produced by Digby Brown.

The book was launched in October to mark the 30th anniversary of Clydebank Asbestos Group.

Now the Post will feature case studies from the publication, with thanks to Digby Brown, CAG, and the individuals featured.

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Ina Allan, 76, is a Bankie who has lived in the town for literally her whole life after being born in the family residence at John Knox Street.

Sadly, she now suffers from mesothelioma but it has never been confirmed how she contracted the disease – whether it was from her work at a car dealer or from her home.

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I remember we’d sit on the midge bin and shout up to mum to throw down a piece and jam. It was a simple time back then but it was great.

There were jobs and people were happy and kind to each other. Those were really good days.

I remember when I was young you’d see people just pour out of Singers and walk down Kilbowie Road and head home or to the local pubs. Everyone in my family worked at John Brown’s.

My dad was a carpenter and worked in John Brown’s and my mother was a cleaner who also worked in John Brown’s – she would have to clean up the mess of the yard after the day’s work.

My grandpa worked at John Brown’s as well also as a carpenter.

There were so many ways I could have been exposed to asbestos.

My dad would come home covered in asbestos.

It’s in my home that I’ve been in for more than 40 years – I think the most of it is around the fireplace.

And I’m pretty sure the place where I used to work had asbestos in the building but this was never proven.

I was diagnosed with meso in 2020 – I’d never heard of it before.

I was just told about it over the phone because it was the middle of the Covid pandemic but this meant I couldn’t quite process things the same way.

The change to my life has been massive as I was always super-fit – I used to run marathons all the time and raise money for different causes for years and years.

It wasn’t until I dealt with Clydebank Asbestos Group that I was able to understand things and get the day-to-day help I needed.