Buildings - St Margaret's Convent

St Margaret's Convent Recollections
The Postcard and some internal views of the convent		- The Cloisters - Entrance Hall - High Altar
1.	Jan Still Edinburgh	- Early History - 1960s - Today - Cottage - Postulants
2.	Lynda Maine Edinburgh	- Canada
3.	Madeline Beaumont Wirt Gainesville, Georgia, USA	- USA - Travel to School - First Day - At School - Francess Berry
4.	Madeline Beaumont Wirt Gainesville, Georgia, USA	- More Photos - Gillis House
5.	Jan Still Edinburgh	- School Houses
6.	Phyl Carruthers nee Allan Belford, Northumberland, England	- Age 5 to 8 - St. Cresentia's - Spring Time - School Classes - Friends - Lunch Times - My Sisters - Moving On - Return to Edinburgh
7.	Jim Gilmour Corby, Northamptonshire	- Mass - Breakfast - Father Hamilton
8.	Judy Corr Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA	- RAF Kirknewton - Schoolwork - Teachers - Sports
9.	George Smith Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- xxxxxx - xxxxxxxx

St Margaret's Convent

Postcard

Photogravure Post Cards

This postcard is from a series described as 'Photogravure Post Cards - Edinburgh South Side'. The cards were sold in packs of eight , packed in a window envelope, with a sheet of tissue between each card.

Neither the card not the packaging names the publisher. This card has not been posted and there is no transport in the photo, so I find it difficult to say when the photograph might have been taken.

However, judging by the occasional vehicle that appears in other cards in this series, it might be reasonable to date the photograph as being around 1920.

Inside St Margaret's Convent

Here are two more postcards of St Margaret's convent.

These are interior views. I don't know when the photos were taken.

The Cloisters

Entrance Hall

High Altar

Recollections

Jan Still

Edinburgh

Thank you to Jan Still who was a boarder at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, for sending her recollections of the convent.

Jan sent me her recollections of:

- the Cloister

- Museum Hall

- the High Altar

Jan also wrote:

Early History

"St Margaret’s was the first convent in Scotland after the Reformation. When it was built, there was nothing but farmland around; hence perhaps the high walls surrounding all the buildings and playing fields.

The original gated door at the front was clad with iron (front and back) and internal wood, making a total depth about 5 ins. It had studs in a gothic style on the front. There was a door, bolted and chained from the inside, through which we entered the main gates.

In my opinion, it gave the convent an imposing and portentous atmosphere. There was also a carved stone rope on the wall above the gate, tracing the upper circle of the gate."

1960s

"I boarded at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, as my Father worked abroad in the Far East until he retired to Edinburgh. I went there when I was 8, leaving at 18.

Even then, I loved the old buildings and architecture, though, needless to say, we never bothered to take photos of our school!

Today

"The convent is now the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh and I believe a Seminary too.

The door has been renewed with a new wooden one, no doubt, to create as a softer, less daunting exterior, but ghastly in my opinion! I think the carved stone rope on the wall above the gate has also been removed.

They have also upgraded the chapel, in what I would call a 'happy clappy' style.

The playing fields are now modern flats. Our netball court is now an entrance from Thirlstane Road with a car park!

Oh, well, t’was ever thus – creating 'carbuncles' out of lovely old buildings and unbuilt areas. When will they ever learn?"

Cottage

"Behind the Chapel that you can see in the postcard is a little cottage. The last I hear is that Cardinal Grey (who was an Archbishop when I was young) was being nursed in his old age by one of the nuns. He may have passed by now.

Cardinal Gray died in 1993.

Postulants

"The Convent also owned a building (next to the now car park facing Thirlestane Road) in which the Postulants lived until they became consecrated Nuns.

The Nuns always told us that you had 7 years to make up your mind about giving your life to God for ever, and virtually no time to consider marriage!

The Postulants' house and its small crab-apple orchard was 'out of bounds' to the boarders. Needless to say, one had to climb the wall and grab a crab-apple to prove you had so done. - innocent dares! Unfortunately, the young do not seem to have such innocent games now, nor such a secure, protected childhood."

Jan Still, Edinburgh: e-mail and guest book messages, December 28 + 29, 2007

Recollections

Lynda Maine

Edinburgh

Thank you to Lynda Maine, Edinburgh who wrote:

Canada

"This morning I noticed there was an article about St. Margaret's Convent Edinburgh. Is that the one that used to be in Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh?

If it is, there is a sister convent called St. Margaret's Convent in White Loan, Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I will try and find out if it is still there."

Margaret Maine, Edinburgh: January 3, 2008

Yes. The photograph above is of St Margaret's Convent at Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh.

- Peter Stubbs: January 3, 2008

Recollections

Madeline Beaumont Wirt

Gainesville, Georgia, USA

Thank you to Madeline Beaumont Wirt, now living in Gainesville, Georgia, USA, who wrote:

USA

"My father was in the US Air Force and he was stationed in Edinburgh, while I was a student at St Margaret's convent, approx 1961-1964. I was in 2nd thru 5th grade (- USA grades).

I have many strong vivid and happy memories of St. Margaret's. I was a day student. Most students were boarders."

Travel to School

" started school there at the age of 7 and I would get to school by taking the public buses (double deckers). I walked to the the bus stop and then had to change buses every day. (The first day I missed the change and the bus driver had to figure out what to do with me.)

I remember vividly going through the small door in the large arched gate. We would be met by the gate nun - she was always there each morning."

First Day

"My first day of school was the day of the week where we went to weekly confession. ( - lots of incense.) I had no religious instruction prior to that day and I did not know anything about what was going on. I was too shy too ask any questions (I was only 7 or 8).

I followed everyone else and when it was my turn, I walked to the door and opened it. It was a gigantic and creaking door. Inside was a tiny cubicle and it was dark. I heard a voice from out of nowhere telling me to "kneel down". I was scared to death but I knelt as instructed. There was a silence. The voice said, "Are you ready to make your confession"? I answered, "I am new. I am from America."

I was very frightened. The priest asked me to step outside. He made arrangements for me to have 'instruction' every day during lunch and an elderly nun met with me and taught me and gave me a chocolate each day. Eventually they deemed me ready for my First Confession and First Communion.

I was an adult before I had the nerve to share this story with my parents."

At School

I remember:

- the beautiful grounds. In the spring and summer we had our lessons in the field and we would make daisy chains as we listened to our teacher.

- having sewing lessons in the room just over the gate house. We learned hemming and embroidery.

- the chart where our 'marks' were recorded for conduct. I mostly got bad marks for conduct - either talking too much, or my uniform missing pieces, or losing my homework - on and on.

- helping at lunch by setting the table, and clearing the table and doing the dishes. At our lunches we had vegetables that the nuns had grown in their garden, especially potatoes and Brussel sprouts.

- the grotto and the chapel.

- being on the net ball team.

Francess Berry

"I remember the name of only one person during my time there. It was Francess Berry. She lived in Portobello and her mother had diabetes and had to give herself a shot every day, which I found to be shocking.

Francess: if you are reading this, please contact me. I'd love to reminisce."

Madeline Beaumont Wirt, now living in Gainesville, Georgia, USA.
The details above are taken from a message left in the EdinPhoto Guest Book: March 22, 2008

Contacting Madeline

Francess (or anybody else) if you would like to contact Madeline, please e-mail me and I'll give you her email address.

- Peter Stubbs: March 28, 2008

Recollections

Madeline Beaumont Wirt

Gainesville, Georgia, USA

Thank you to Madeline Beaumont Wirt, Gainesville, Georgia, USA, who wrote in the EdinPhoto Guest Book:

More Photos

"Thank you for posting three more photos of St. Margaret's Convent!!!

Gillis House

I read the recollections and have this question about the 'House of Gillis'

Was the Gillis House the one that wore the blue badges (and the three other houses wore red, yellow and green)? Dividing into teams with the colored badges is very British and unheard of here in the US. I'm pretty sure I was on the blue team and that we called it Gillis! I haven't thought of that for over 40 years!! What fun!"

Madeline Beaumont Wirt, Gainesville, Georgia, USA: .Guest Book: Jun 6, 2008

Recollections

Jan Still

Edinburgh

Thank you to Jan Still, formerly a border at St Margaret's Convent in the 1960s, for providing the answer to Madeline's question.

Jan wrote:

School Houses

"The House Colours were:

- Red = Trail

- Green = Clapperton

- Yellow = Menzies

- Blue = Gillis"

Jan also asked Madeline:

"Do the names of Janice, Karen, Joanie, Sheelagh and Paddy ring a bell with you?"

Jan Still, Edinburgh: Jun 6, 2008

Recollections

Phyl Carruthers nee Allan

Belford, Northumberland, England

Thank you to Phyl Carruthers who wrote:

Age 5 to 8

"I went to school at St. Margaret's from the age of 5 until I was about 8 - about 1960 to 1963.

I remember the Mother Superior was Mother St. John. I was taught first by Mother Dympna (who once hit me over the head with a rolled up newspaper for being naughty) and then by Miss Murray and Miss Dick."

St. Cresentia's

"I attended the building across the road from the convent, which was called St. Cresentia's (sp?) and which is now, sadly, a funeral home.

I can also remember a nun called Mother St. Patrick who used to do the laundry and had very red hands."

Spring Time

"In the spring we used to be taken outside to collect sticky buds from the horse chestnut trees. I was always fascinated by the way the buds burst and the bright green leaves unfolded."

School Classes

We learned to write with flat sided pencils in books lined in red and blue. I still write with an italic hand.

We learned sums with the Cuisenaire Rod system."

Friends

I remember that there was another girl in my class, who was also a protestant, called Elizabeth.

We were excused going to chapel, although I recall going to the Corpus Christi services and feeling very envious of the little girls who were going to be taking their First Communion. They got to wear such pretty dresses.

There was a boy in our class for a while, called Jimmy, and I remember an Indian girl who was, I think, called Danuta. I remember she fell and gouged her knee on an iron gate stop."

Lunch Times

"I used to go home at lunch time because I lived in Warrender Park Road. My father worked at the North British Rubber Company in Fountainbridge and we would walk back up the road together after lunch."

My Sisters

"I remember Mother Dympna being quite taken by the fact that I had identical twin sisters who went to Easter Road to watch the Hibs play football with a pink teddy bear mascot that had his own Hibs strip in green and white. They were big fans of Jim Easton and Joe Baker.

Later, my mum was personnel manageress at Goldbergs for a couple of years, and my sisters used to work there in the evenings with the man who did all the art displays. I think his name was Kevin Hind. They used to come home covered in glitter."

Moving On

"When I left St. Margaret's I went to Sciennes for a couple of years until we moved to Newcastle. My sisters went to Gillespies and my brother to Heriots."

Return to Edinburgh

"I was up in Edinburgh a few weeks ago and Cuthill's the Butcher is still in Warrender Park Road.

I was sad to see the convent. I remember it always being in a state of high polish with a lovely smell of polish - but the stone rope is still above the main gate. I was very happy there."

Phyl Carruthers nee Allan, Belford, Northumberland, England: August 15, 2008

Recollections

Jim Gilmour

Corby, Northamptonshire, England

Thank you to Jim who wrote:

Mass

"I can add a little to the history of the convent since I was an Alter Boy serving Mass to Father Hamilton who was the resident priest there for many years.

He was my mentor from about age 11-15 and helped me in the local scout group at St Katherine's Church at Gracemount.

I was brought up in Gilmerton Dykes Crescent (Hyvots Bank) and went to St John Vianney's RC school. So I had to walk from home to the convent for 7.30am Mass every morning."

Breakfast

"After Mass, I was allowed into the convent where the Poor Claire nuns, who were a closed order, made me my breakfast of porridge and tea with fresh round rolls."

Father Hamilton

"After breakfast, I used to sit with Father Hamilton in his sitting room, talking about scouting. He took me out on my first 7 mile journey.

He had lost his leg on the Normandy beaches, and was shot in the arm as he was being transported back to a landing craft on the beach.

At the High Altar, his metal leg would squeak, and he always had great difficulty in standing up, but he had a automatic Hillman shooting-break car which he drove like a madman!

I believe he is buried down near Melrose where he spent his last years.

He used to give one Hell of a sermon at St Katherine's at the first Mass on a Sunday. My mother was always frightened by him, but she always encouraged me to go to the convent."

Jim Gilmour, Corby, Northamptonshire, England: August 15, 2008

Recollections

Judy Corr (nee Valersky)

Thank you to Judy who replied to Madeline Beaumont Wirt's messages in 'Recollections 3' and 'Recollections 4' above.

Judy wrote:

USAF Kirknewton

"Madeline: I was so happy to see more pictures of my school. My Dad was in the USAF in Kirknewton, too. We were there 1952 through 1955. My Dad died shortly after his 90th birthday, about a year ago."

Schoolwork

"I have so many memories of school. We did most of our work in rough copy and then transferred what we wrote into good books that had the school name embossed in gold lettering on the covers."

Teachers

"I started in Transition Form

I remember:

- Mother Celceus

- Miss Bodie (Geography)

- Miss Auntphont (spelling off, but that is the way her name was pronounced)."

Sports

"I played field hockey and tennis. I remember striped summer dresses.

So many memories. I hope to hear from you."

Judy Corr (nee Valersky), Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA: September 2, 2008

Recollections

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote:

The Building

"I'm finding the correspondence about the convent very interesting.

I remember the sturdy iron clad door and the carved rope around the lintel from my days spent in the neighbourhood while at school at Boroughmuir. It was certainly an impressive building."

School Hours

"I regret that, at the time, I did not have the curiosity to ask questions about the place, and had no idea it was a school.

It seems that the school hours there were likely to have started earlier than ours - note the Altar Boy who started at 7.30am. So we would be unlikely to have seen quietly uniformed young girls trooping towards the gate."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: September 6, 2008