The Ross Bandstand
Princes Street Gardens
|
Scotland
v
England Rugby International
being shown on the large screen |
©
|
© |
© |
© |
Romeo
& Juliet
Performance |
© |
© |
Beach Volleyball |
© |
Jazz on a Summer's Day |
© |
The Ross Bandstand
Recollections |
Many of Edinburgh's residents and former residents must have
memories of the Ross Bandstand.
©
|
Recollections
1.
Yvonne Cain
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
|
Yvonne Cain (née Dorr), now living in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,
recalls:
|
1950s
Saturday Mornings
"I remember going to Ross band stand on a Saturday
morning and getting up on stage trying to sing and dance."
Yvonne Cain, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: October
2006
|
Recollections
2.
Peter Stubbs
Edinburgh |
1960s
and
2006
"I've lived in Edinburgh since 1963. I remember talent concerts
held at the Ross Bandstand (on Saturday mornings?) and Scottish
Country Dancing on weekday evenings in the 1960s. I noticed this
summer, 2006, that the Scottish Country Dancing evenings are still being
held.
Other recent events held at the Ross Bandstand include:
- Rugby International screening on a large screen TV.
- Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Concert.
- Easter Passion Play.
- Performances of 'Romeo & Juliet' and 'Midsummer
Night's Dream'."
Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 2006 |
Recollections
3.
Lilian Young
USA |
Thank you to Lilian Young, USA, who wrote: |
1978
"I've made several return trips to Edinburgh
since leaving at the age of 19 in 1966.
My cousin who left Edinburgh in 1955, aged 8,
came with me on my visit in 1978,
She recognised Princes Street Gardens and
recalled, in particular, the bandstand where we watched the Betty Brandon
School of Dancers and 'Punch & Judy' shows. Then, we were allowed
onto the dance floor to dance 'The Grand old Duke of York' and other such
childhood dances."
Lilian Young, USA: November 29, 2006
|
Recollections
4.
Kim Traynor
Tollcross, Edinburgh |
Thank you to Kim Traynor, Tollcross,
Edinburgh, who wrote: |
1958-59
"I remember several summer evenings, as a wee
laddie, watching performances at the Ross Bandstand.
In about 1958 or 1959, Jimmy Shand played
there when his band was appearing at the annual Ideal Home Exhibition in
Waverley Market.
After the display of Scottish Country Dancing,
members of the public took to the floor and started swirling around while
he belted out ‘The Bluebell Polka’.
I think it was at that moment that I first had
the feeling that there might be something special about being Scottish."
Kim Traynor, Tollcross, Edinburgh: February 8, 2010 |
Recollections
5.
Judy Tomlin
Ontario, Canada |
Thank you to Judy Tomlin who wrote: |
1930s
to
1940s
Question
"My great Uncle Benjamin Coyle's daughters
performed on stage at the Ross Bandstand, but I do not know which ones.
they were.
There were:
- Jane Tillbrook Coyle b. 1931
-
Winifred Clara Tillbrook Coyle b. 1932
-
Patricia Clarissa Coyle b. 1946.–
I'd like to know if anyone remembers them.
My mom was Annie Coyle, born 1924, in
Leith.
Her brother Thomas still lives there on Halmyre, off Lorne."
Judy Tomlin, Ontario, Canada, November 22, 2013 |
Reply to Judy Tomlin?
If you'd like to send a reply to Judy,
please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you.
Thank you.
Peter Stubbs,
Edinburgh: November 22, 2013 |
Recollections
6.
David Mitchell |
Thank you to
David Mitchell for sending me a copy of a photo taken by Nigel Baxter at
the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, probably some time before
1960. I'd like to add the photo to
the web site at some stage, but cannot yet because I believe that it may
still be under copyright. I don't know whether or not Nigel
is still alive, and if not, who now holds the copyright on his photos.
However, I am able to add David's comments about Nigel's photo below,
and have now done that. I hope you find his comments
interesting.
Peter Stubbs: 7 December 2017
David wrote: |
Princes Street Gardens
Children's Hour
"Nigel Baxter’s photograph was taken at
the Ross Band Stand in Princes Street Gardens. It almost certainly
shows a 'Children’s Hour' entertainment.
In the late-1950s and the 1960s, this
entertainment was provided daily during the school holidays. Judging
from the shadows and the lack of fathers present the photo is likely to
have been taken on a weekday morning."
The Entertainment
"The shows followed a consistent pattern:
- The
first half would be either a talent competition, open to all comers, or
a Scottish Country Dancing session lead by a teacher from one of the
Dance Schools in the city. A team of dancers from the school would
demonstrate the dances after which the audience joined in.
- The
second half of the show was provided by professional acts and included a
range of magicians, puppeteers and a family of acrobats. The shows were
compéred by ‘Uncle Max’ and music was provided on the accordion by
‘Uncle Bob’. Bob was blind and was led onto the stage by Max. On days
when the professionals failed to turn up, Uncle Max would lead the
audience in community singing."
The Stage
"The date of the photograph is almost
certain to be earlier than 1960 when the wooden dance floor was replaced
by a shiny (and slippery) tiled surface, set flush with the tarmac shown
in the photograph
A park attendant would remove any rain from
the tiles with a giant squeegee mop before dancing commenced. If the
rain persisted then the performance was generally cancelled."
Free Shows
"There was no entry charge for the shows, or
for entry to the talent competitions. Competitors just had to turn up
early at the back of the bandstand to register their names. They were
then seated on the stage in a long row before being called up, one-by-
one, to perform.
I entered several times, either reciting
poetry or playing the recorder (loudly and badly). I remember winning a
ten shilling book token for the recorder playing, not because I had
talent but because everyone else sang either 'I want to be Bobby’s Girl'
or 'Nobody’s Child'.”
David Mitchell: 5 December 2017 |
|