A school class at James Cark School, St Leonards, around 1966

James Clark School Recollections
1.	Joan Martin (nee Hogg) Beckenham, Kent, England	- 1940s and 1950s
2.	Joan Martin (nee Hogg) Beckenham, Kent, England	- David Ramsay, Photographer
3.	Bryan Gourlay Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland	- 1952 Photo
4.	Doris Crook (nee McCraw) Edinburgh	- 1957 to 1960
5.	Lorraine Gulam Edinburgh	- 1972
6.	Catherine Taylor (nee Clark)	- Jimmy Clark, Newsagent
7.	Jimmy Davidson East Lothian, Scotland	- 1960-63 - Teachers - Music - Memories
8.	Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery East Lothian, Scotland	- School Friends

Recollections

Joan Martin (nee Hogg)

Beckenham, Kent

Joan Martin (nee Hogg) writes:

1940s and 1950s

"I went to Preston Street School and on to James Clarks during the forties and fifties. Both my parents went to James Clarks, my mother becoming school secretary to Mr Scott.

It was very interesting to read about about David Ramsay, the photographer, and the letters written to him by Mr Scott. If they were type-written, perhaps my mum typed them!

Although my parents were mortified I didn't go to Boroughmuir like my brothers Ian and David, I received a very good education at James Clarks and I ended up with a very good job in St. Andrews House as a P.A. to Mr MacLehose, an Assistant Secretary, in the Department of Health.

I also read with great interest the recollections of Bryan Gourlay. I used to sit in front of him at primary school - he was always checking my answers over my shoulder! These were extremely happy days

Kent

"Unfortunately I have lost touch with my old school friends. The family lived in Montague Street - a far cry from where I live now in Beckenham, Kent.

I married Freddie Martin (George Heriots) - a dentist - and we have two sons and three grand-daughters. Growing up in Edinburgh when I did was indeed a delight and I look back on those days with great affection and especially when I think of all my old friends in Montague Street."

Joan Martin, nee Hogg ('Hoggy'), Beckenham, Kent: November 18, 2007

Recollections

Joan Martin (nee Hogg)

Beckenham, Kent

Thank you to Joan Martin for contacting me again to tell me more about the photographer, David Ramsay (1905-1998).

Joan also mentioned that a copy of a letter to David Ramsay ('Edinburgh' paragraph 2 above) and further information about the life and photography of David Ramsay can be found in the Edinburgh-Places web site.

Joan wrote:

David Ramsay, Photographer

"David Ramsay:

- was raised at Arthur Street, Dumbiedykes

- attended James Clark school.

- joined 'The Scotsman' as a photographer in his 20s.

- became responsible for pictures/features for 'The Evening Dispatch' and 'Weekly Scotsman'.

- served as a photographer in the front line in Burma in WW2.

- emigrated to Australia in 1947."

Joan Martin, nee Hogg ('Hoggy'), Beckenham, Kent: December 2, 2007.
Thank you to Joan for telling me about the Edinburgh-Places web site.

Recollections

Bryan Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

1952 Photo

Bryan Gourlay (See the 4th paragraph of 'Recollections 1' above) has now sent me this photograph of Preston Street Primary School, taken probably around 1952. Please click on the photo to enlarge it.

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Recollections

Doris Crook (nee McCraw)

Edinburgh

Doris Crook (nee McCraw) wrote:

1957 to 1960

"I attended James Clark's school from 1957 to 1960. My class teacher was Mrs Tompter. (This may be the wrong spelling.)

I'd like to hear from anyone who attended at that time. I lived in Grange Road on the south side of the city and still live near there now."

Doris Crook, Grange, Edinburgh: November 4, 2007

Recollections

Lorraine Gulam

Edinburgh

Lorraine Gulam, Edinburgh, wrote:

1972

"I went to Jimmy's until about 1972. Has anybody got any photos to share from these years I'm nearly 50 now so it would be good to look back."

Lorraine Gulam, Clermiston, Edinburgh: October 9, 2007

Recollections

Catherine Taylor (nee Clark)

Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Catherine Taylor (nee Clark) wrote:

Jimmy Clark Newsagent

"I have found the James Clark School pages, and wonder if any of the former pupils remember my mum & dad's shop.

They were at St Leonard's Street from 1954 until the early 1970s when they moved across the road to the old co-op bakery shop.

A great many of the schools pupils bought their single cigs, ice lollies and sweets from the old shop."

Catherine Taylor (nee Clark), Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England: February 10, 2008

Recollections

Jimmy Davidson

East Lothian, Scotland

Jimmy Davidson wrote:

1960-63

"I wonder if any of the Southsiders who use this site remember me, Jimmy Davidson. I went to Jimmy's around 1960-63. Some classmates included:

- Cliff Davidson from Oxford Street, just off Lutton Place

- John Robertson, Canongate

- Alec Purves, Canongate

- Johnny Archibald, Prestonfield

- Alec Wood (Beanman below used to call him Splinter !)

- Alan Mitchell

- Ian Welsh, etc.

Some of the guys a year or two ahead of our year included:

- Peter Foley ( a good football player/ goalkeeper?)

- Bobby Wright

- Derek Johnstone ?

Teachers

Teachers at that time included:

- Sandy Jack (Beanman). He taught English and was a great guy

- Mr Malcolm

- Mr. Young

- Sandy Chisholm who taught Maths

- Mr. Cossar a gym teacher

- Mr Brown an Art teacher who I think taught Kenny Skeel, who has sadly very recently passes away.

Music

"We used to live in Bristo Street above the Argyle Bar. Later , we moved to the Pleasance and Simon Square.

As a teenager, I used to go to 'The Place' in Victoria Street and 'Bungeys' in Fishmarket Close, off the Royal Mile, next to the old Police Station, often both on the same night.

I remember groups like 'The Embers' and 'The Boston Dexters'. Great live music !"

Memories

"If any of the above names ring a bell I'd be happy to hear from you."

Jimmy Davidson, East Lothian, Scotland: May 30, 2008

Recollections

Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery

Old Town, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery who replied to Jimmy Davidson's notes above.

Lyndsay wrote:

School Friends

"I don't know if Jimmy Davidson has heard back about his chums from school yet.

- Bobby Wright used to live at his Auntie's house, just up the street from me at Niddrie Mill. He was also in my class at Niddrie Mill Primary School. I was in his 'gang' after school. He now lives in Craigmillar, and is or was a painter. Unhappily, his son was killed in the conflict in Afghanistan. He was awarded posthumously, a medal for bravery.

- Cliff Davidson used to go to the speedway, when it was at Meadowbank,

- I went to the speedway with a girl called Lorraine Raeburn who lived at Surgeon's Hall in the stair next to the La Scala. She knew David Cameron. from Niddrie Mill. Both of them went to " Jimmy Clark's School, so maybe Jimmy Davidson will know them as well"

Lyndsay Montgomery: July 23, 2008

Recollections

Jan Frost (nee McConnell)

Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland

Thank you to Jan Frost who wrote:

School Friends

"I went to that James Clark School for the years 1951 to 1954 doing a commercial course. I would love any information or pictures about that time.

My name at school was Janet McConnell."

Jan Frost, Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland: August 7, 2008

If you'd like to contact Jan, please e-mail me so that I can pass on your message to her.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: August 8, 2008

Recollections

10.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Jan Frost who wrote:

James Clark School Exhibition

"I visited the Nelson Hall today to see the James Clark School exhibition. I enjoyed it very much. I spoke with an elderly lady there who showed me in one of the photos in the exhibition. It was of the house she grew up in.

The Slidey Stane

"The photo in question was of basalt forming part of the foundations of the school. She pointed to a small patch of this rock, I'd say about 18 inches square, and called it the Slidey Stane

She also confirmed that there was another Slidey Stane on St. Leonards Hill.

From our conversation, it emerged that I had the wrong idea of a slidey stane, thinking it would be big enough to slide on. The children of the time were only referring to the shiny slidey surface of these stones."

Bob Henderson, Edinburgh, August 8, 2008