Recollections

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Recollections Craiglockhart Primary School © Ashley Terrace, North Merchiston, to the NE of Craiglockhart
1.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Oxgangs Road North - Teachers and Janitor - Swimming - Ashley Terrace
2.	Shirley Gort (nee England) Severn, Maryland, USA	- 1956-58 - The School
3.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Boys and Girls - The Janitor's House - 'The Wee Ones'
4.	Shirley Gort (nee England) Severn, Maryland, USA	- Christmas - Knitting
5.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada and reply from Shirley Gort (nee England) Severn, Maryland, USA	- Knitting
6.	George Waters London, Ontario, Canada	- Christmas
7.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Old School Friend
8.	Valerie Turner Esk, Queensland, Australia	- Infant Hall Picture - Cabinets
9.	Valerie Turner Esk, Queensland, Australia	- Band of Hope
10.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Band of Hope
11.	Valerie Turner Esk, Queensland, Australia	- Band of Hope
12.	Valerie Turner Esk, Queensland, Australia	- The Belt - Miss Struthers - Miss Glennie - Books
13.	Valerie Turner Esk, Queensland, Australia	- Washing Dishes - Curtseying and Saluting - Air Raids - Fountain
14.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Display Cabinets - Books - Teachers - The Janny - Marching
15.	Anthony Ballard Peterborough, South Australia	- Teachers - Marching - Glass Cabinets - School Dinners
16.	Betty McGill	- Miss Lawson - Upstairs
17.	Alan Graham Port Perry, Ontario, Canada	- Schools - Teachers - Marching - Judith Bolton
18.	Jack Wylie Toronto, Ontario, Canada	- Marching to 'Colonel Bogey'
19.	Bob Henderson Burdiehouse, Edinburgh	- Marching to 'Colonel Bogey'
20.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Oxgangs Road North - Teachers and Janitor - Swimming - Ashley Terrace
21.	Betty Smith (nee White) Italy	- Teachers
22.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Teachers
23.	Tony Fleming Oaksey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England with reply from E Sutherland	- Tram and Bus - Swimming - The School
24.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Teachers
25.	Fiona Scott Borders, Scotland	- Teachers - Class Rooms and Lessons
26.	Brian McArthur Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland	- Teachers - Football
27.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- New Term - Shoes
28.	George T Smith Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada	- Segs - Tackets - Segs and Tackets
29.	Kate Hunter Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England	- Miss Struthers
30.	James McDougall Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia	- The Misses Lawson
31.	James McDougall Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia	- Harrison Park
32.	Margaret Cook (nee Fraser) Western Australia, Australia	- Teachers - Classmates - The School Building - Leaving Edinburgh
33.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Oxgangs Road North - Teachers and Janitor - Swimming - Ashley Terrace
34.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Kathleen Lamont
35.	Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh	- Church Services

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Oxgangs Road North

"I was one of the first intake of pupils, around March/April 1950, to attend the annexe of Craiglockhart Primary infant school.

The annexe was in Oxgangs Road North. There was two other classes attached to Craiglockhart along in Harrison Road. A railway line was quite near the school. I can just remember the trains, steam in these days, thundering past the school."

Teachers and Janitor

"My first teacher was a Mrs. Rae. I also remember Mrs Williams, Mrs/Miss Cowan, Miss Caruthers, Miss Glennie and Mr. Munro: also the Headmaster, Mr. McVicor. If I remember rightly he got the MBE, or the OBE. for services for teaching. I wonder if any other Craiglockhart people remember him.

The well know Scots Poet, Norman McGaig, also taught at Craiglockhart for a while.

The school janitor was a Mrs. Casey. She bawled and shouted at the children. Many of the children, including myself were scared of her."

Swimming

"We used to go to Bruntsfield Primary School on a Monday Afternoon for swimming lessons.

Lorraine, a daughter of the teacher, Mr Maz, was in my class. She was a terrific swimmer. I think she represented Scotland for swimming."

Ashley Terrace

"At the age of seven, I went to the larger Craiglockhart School in Ashley Terrace. I felt very grown up travelling to school by transport, getting a bus to Firhill and then getting a tram.

Oh how things have changed."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: September 25+26, 2006 and April 4+5, 2007

Recollections from

Shirley Gort (nee England)

Severn, Maryland, USA

1956 - 1958

"I am am American who attended Craiglockhart Primary School in 1956-58. I was just recently asked by my grandchildren about my early school life and naturally I started to recall when we lived in Scotland.

I was 9-11 and was the sort of child that just accepted life and made little note of it. So I was wondering if there are any pictures of my old school or any information on its history."

The School

"I have only fond memories of my time at the school.

- I remember that the girls were separated from the boys on the playground, but not in the classrooms.

- I remember that the classrooms were tiered (we went up on stair steps) and the desks were set at two pupils each.

- I also remember that the toilet facilities were outside on the playground and not inside.

Maybe someone out there would remember me. I wonder if the school building is even still there. It was really, really old when I was there"

Yes. The school building is still there. Here's a photo that I took of it in 2006.

Peter Stubbs, January 13, 2008

Shirley Gort, Severn, Maryland, USA: November 10, 2006

Recollections from

George T Smith

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith, now living in British Columbia, for sending me his memories of Craiglockhart Primary School.

George wrote:

Boys and Girls

"On the left (or south) was the Girls' Door:

On the right (or north) was the Boys' Door:

There was a sculpture above our door, up whose steps we used to march to the sound of a piano playing patriotic tunes e.g. 'The King is still in London' on the top landing.

The sexes were carefully segregated by a fence between playgrounds which were made of unforgiving concrete which provided excellent slides for boys wearing tackety boots."

The Janitor's House

"The house shown in the postcards was the Jannie's house. Heating was from a boiler under the boys area fuelled by coke which was stored in the NW corner of the boys' playground."

'The Wee Ones'

"During the war, brick air raid shelters were built in the back playgrounds. I think "the wee ones" (first graders) entered the school from the rear playground . The 'wee ones' had their classrooms on the ground floor set out around a hall with a well worn parquet floor guaranteed to put splinters into bare knees."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: November 11 + 14, 2006

Recollections from

Shirley Gort

Severn, Maryland, USA

Thank you to Shirley Gort, now living in Maryland, USA, for sending me her memories of Craiglockhart Primary School.

Shirley wrote:

Christmas

"I was thrilled to see these pictures of Craiglockhart School. I wish I could recall more.

I do remember us gathering in the Assembly Hall at Christmas for a special program and I believe that this was the first time I heard the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

Knitting

"I learned to knit there but unlike the rest of my fellow students, I never finished my first mitten. I had to keep taking it out, while the others had a pair at the end of the year. I didn't mind, however, as I took my training then made sweaters and afghans for my family. I never have made a pair of mittens yet.

I also learned that I can't sing, but sure did enjoy trying to learn. I really did love my time at the school, and though my memories are sporadic I do enjoy them when they come."

Shirley Gort, Severn, Maryland, USA: November 11 + 14, 2006

Reply from

George T Smith

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

George T Smith replied:

Knitting

"It was not only girls like Shirley Gort who learned to knit at Craiglockhart. We boys too learned plain stitch so as to be able to contribute to our Blankets for Soldiers programme. We learned to knit six inch squares which were stitched together to make these multi coloured blankets.

I have no idea what was behind all this as I can not recollect ever seeing a completed blanket but there were many similar programmes during the war which had some contribution to solidarity, I suppose.

Oddly enough no boys protested about knitting being a 'girly thing' though we did prefer collecting scrap iron and old pots and pans."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: November 20, 2006

Shirley added:

"That was really neat reading Georges recollections of knittings. I remember that the boys were in our class also, and few really complained. In fact they were some of the best knitters."

Shirley Gort, Severn, Maryland, USA: November 21, 2006

Recollections from

George Waters

'Scotty'

London, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to George Waters who left this message in the guest book

Christmas

"I was at Craiglockhart school from 1939 to1947.

The only name that comes to mind is Mr Cowe, Head Master.

I also remember:

- marching in to the piano every morning

- helping to stoke the boiler for the janitor.

I found it interesting how a photo can bring back so many memories: way too many to write about here.

Thanks for the photos. I can relive my childhood again".

Scotty.

George Waters, London, Ontario, Canada: September 25, 2007

Question from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Old School Friend who Emigrated

Lynda Maine tells me that she would like to get in touch again with a girl who used to be in her class at Craiglockhart Primary School. She used to stay in Colinton Mains then emigrated to Australia or Canada.

If that sounds like you, and you would like to contact Lynda, please e-mail me, then I'll pass on your message to Lynda. Thank you.

- Peter Stubbs: December 14, 2007

UPDATE

I'm pleased to hear that Lynda has now made contact with Val Turner (Australia) who used to attend Craiglockhart Primary school. Please see below for Val's memories of the school.

- Peter Stubbs: January 10, 2008.

Recollections from

Val Turner

Esk, Queensland, Australia

Thank you to Val Turner, now living in Queensland, Australia, who wrote:

Infant Hall Picture

"I went to see Craiglockhart school last year. I would have loved to have gone inside but it was weekend and the school was closed. All the memories, good and bad, would have come flooding back.

I even remember the large pictures on the wall in the Infant Hall, of Jesus sitting with all the children of the world sitting around him.

Cabinets

I remember the glass wall cabinets with a snake curled up in a jar, a huge stuffed eagle, many small stuffed birds and, I think, eggs of some description."

Val Turner, Esk, Queensland, Australia: December 31, 2007.

Recollections from

Val Turner

Australia

Val Turner added:

Band of Hope

"My sisters and I used to go to the 'Band of Hope' on Monday nights; what that was all about, Heaven knows, we just went along. And I was in the Brownies then the Guides. (Please excuse typing errors. Miss Glennie would have a fit!!)"

Val Turner, Esk, Queensland, Australia: January 3, 2008.

10.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Lynda wrote:

Band of Hope

"I remember the Band of Hope on a Monday Night. From what I can remember about it abhorred drink. etc. It was supposed to set you on the path of righteousness. No Drinking etc.

I went to the Brownies, but didn't like it and I came out, much to my mothers annoyance."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: January 4, 2008

11.

Recollections from

Val Turner

Australia

Val Turner replied to Lynda Maine:

Band of Hope

"I remember all the songs from the Band of Hope:

'Climb Climb up sunshine mountain, faces all aglow!!'

and something about the sunshine.

And we'd watch the magic lantern show, still photos on square pieces of glass. Children of today just couldn't possibly have the fun and excitement that we used to have.

Val Turner, Esk, Queensland, Australia: January 3 +12, 2008.

12.

Recollections from

Val Turner

Australia

Here, Val Turner recalls some incidents from her education.

Val wrote:

The Belt

"I got the belt almost every day:

- for being late for school

- looking out of the window

- dropping my pencil

- touching my hair

- getting all my sums wrong!!

I could have been a brain surgeon had I not been terrorised by the teachers; but I do say that the education we received was the best, and I can talk about almost anything (and I do!!) to anyone!!

But they went about it in the wrong way. I remember being the only one who put up her hand when asked if we understood the question, she looked round the class, said "Did anyone else not understand?" Silence, so muggins got the belt again!! So wrong. I learnt never to say that I didn't understand.

Miss Struthers

When Miss Hall was away sick one afternoon, we all piled into Miss Struthers class room and the question was:

'How do you spell 'usual'? Well, we were all struck with fear. All her class knew but none of us knew how to spell it so we were all marched to her desk where she flogged every one and she was so exhausted after that - over 30 kids!! - she was breathless!!!

Miss Glennie

Miss Glennie was so lovely. When my dad came back from the war he brought green bananas. (They now grow in my garden!!)

We put them in a cupboard and when they ripened I took one to miss Glennie and she was so thrilled with it, She told us all about how they grew and where.

Books

I remember the book, 'The Six o'Clock Series' that Miss Glennie would read for a few minutes before the bell went.

I'd love to get hold of a copy. In Papua New Guinea, where I lived for ten yeas, they grew nutmeg and other spices and things that were mentioned in that little book. The book had a picture of a clock on the cover, at 6 o'clock.

Another book which I loved from school was a reader book called 'The Blue Rose'. It had a picture inside of a lady in a lovely crinoline dress.

Val Turner, Esk, Queensland, Australia: January 4, 2008.

13.

Recollections from

Val Turner

Australia

Here are more memories of the school from Val Turner. Val wrote

Washing Dishes

"I remember my qualifying party at school, practising dancing (with boys!!) and wondering what on earth I'd be wearing.

We got ready for the party by helping to wash dishes with my beloved Miss Glennie and me drying. Struthers was washing up and stuffing the cutlery into a large jug to drain. I took them all out to dry and she yelled at me to put them back, then Miss Glennie told me quietly how to do it.

When I was older, I remember helping with the washing-up after school dinners in the Infant Hall, and Mr Cowe bursting through the door in a rage (wasn't he always??) telling me to get out. The women were all severely spoken to!!"

Curtseying and Saluting

"When I was in the infants, i remember curtseying to the teachers and the boys, saluting!! The head master, then, was Mr Miller (always in a brown suit)."

Air Raids

"I remember the air-raids. What fun!! The entire school would be marched outside to the air-raid shelters and given a sweetie each from the big jar.

We'd hope there'd be more air-raids next day so we'd have another sweetie! Oh! the innocence of youth!!!!"

Fountain

"In the playground, at the water fountain, the cup was made of iron and chained to the iron sink!! I still remember the taste of the water from that iron cup!"

Val Turner, Esk, Queensland, Australia: January 10, 2008.

14.

Recollections from

George T Smith

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

George T Smith, responded to Val Turner's comments (8 and 12 above).

George wrote:

Display Cabinets

"Val Turner's recollections of the specimen cabinet reminded me that , although on display in the Upper Hall, they were never explained or, to my knowledge ever opened.

I have faint memory of a dusty looking snake or lizard and other unlabelled exhibits."

Books

"I searched Abe Books for some record of the books she mentioned but apart from a detective story Blue Rose 1980 nothing rang any bells."

Teachers

"I remember the names Struthers and Glennie, but suffered under neither. My own teacher was a Miss Fergus, tall, skinny, and wearing an enveloping floral overall."

The Janny

"I remember stoking the boiler with the 'janny' and slipping up the back stairs from the boiler room into the school.

Why? Because they were there!

I remember, too, being puzzled why the janny's sons went to the Royal High and I had to settle for Boroughmuir."

Marching

"Most of all, I remember the marching in in twos to the sound patriotic music on the tinny piano perched on the top landing"

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: January 10, 2008

15.

Recollections from

Anthony Ballard

Peterborough, South Australia

Anthony Ballard wrote:

Teachers

"I attended Craiglockart School between 1941-1946. The headmaster at the time was Mister Miller, followed by Mr Cowe.

My Teacher was Miss Fergus, who was over-fond of the strap."

Marching

"We assembled in the morning in the Playground and marched indoors to such tunes as 'Cherry Ripe' and 'Dashing away with the Smoothing Iron', played on a Piano on the second landing, I think."

Glass Cabinets

"I remember the stuffed animals in glass cabinets, where we used to assemble for different lectures."

School Dinners

"Some memories will never fade. I remember the horrible School dinners at that time, Tapioca, Semolina and Sago were among the worst desserts!"

Class Mates

"Some of my class mates were:

- Jimmy Thompson

- Junior Marshall

- Alastair Pirie

- Robert Scougall?

- Florence Bowden

- Jimmy Ledbetter?

- brother and sister Morrison.

I should love to hear from any of my old schoolmates

Anthony Ballard, Peterborough South Australia: January 13, 2008

If you'd like to contact Anthony Ballard, please e-mail me and I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs: January 13, 2008

16.

Recollections from

Betty McGill

Betty McGill wrote:

Miss Lawson

"When I was just five, I had an angel for a teacher. Her name was Miss Lawson. She lived in Ivy Terrace or Myrtle Terrace *** and had a Sister who looked and dressed just as she did.

Miss Lawson will always live in my heart, not just my memory, for the kind lady she was. She wore long flowing dresses made of a dark velvet. She had dark hair and a fresh complexion.

We had Miss Lawson until we went upstairs."

*** See also, Recollections 30 below

Upstairs

"It hurts me still to talk of the shock we all got going from being taught by an angel !!!!! to a class taught by our new teacher.

- we were belted every day.

- boys ears pulled .

- ruler across the knuckles.

- ridiculed.

Well, I was so scared of her, I wanted her to like me. My next- door neighbour gave me some flowers to take to her at school, so I wrapped them in newspaper and handed them to her.

Well, all hell broke loose !!!!! she ripped off the heads of my lovely flowers and threw them in the bin, shouting at me: 'You think I'm an ogre don't you' !!!!!! I said in a very quiet voice: 'Yes, Miss'.

It's haunted me all these years. I'm going on 77 yrs young !!!!!"

17.

Recollections from

Alan Graham

Port Perry, Ontario, Canada

Alan Graham wrote:

Schools

"I went to Craiglockhart in the 1950s, leaving there in 1955 to go to Boroughmuir. Craiglockhart was not my first school as I went to Blackhall first. We moved to 40 Harrison Road, probably about 1949-50 and I then went to Craiglockhart."

Teachers

"One teacher I remember is Miss Weddell. She taught me at Blackhall and later moved to Craiglockhart. I remember when she got married. My mother took me to the Church to see the wedding, but I can't recall her married name.

Another teacher I remember is Norman McCaig the poet."

Marching

"As for marching into school to the sound of music, if I remember correctly, they played Colonel Bogey over the loudspeaker system .

Naturally, being boys we used to sing along but with the wrong words - something like "Hitler has only got one b... ."

Judith Bolton

"About the only person I remember that was in my class was a lovely young English girl by the name of Judith Bolton. She was the prettiest girl in school and all the boys (including me) were madly in love with her."

Alan Graham, Port Perry, Ontario, Canada: Message left in EdinPhoto Guest Book, May 30, 2008

18.

Recollections from

Jack Wylie

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jack Wylie, now living in Ontario, Canada, read 'Recollections 17' (above) from Alan Graham, another former pupil of Craiglockhart Primary School now living in Ontario, Canada.

Jack left a message in the EdinPhoto guest book on May 31, 2008 saying that he remembered the 'different words' that the pupils sung when they marched to the tune of 'Colonel Bogey'.

Jack wrote:

Marching to 'Colonel Bogey'

"I am now 71 years old, but I remember singing these words myself. I couldn't tell you the last time I even thought about this song. I'll bet it's not in the last fifty years. Talk about bringing back memories!

I don't imagine too many people will remember that song, although anybody that lived in East Thomas Street in the late 1940s and early 1950s will remember it."

Jack Wylie, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Message left in EdinPhoto Guest Book, May 31, 2008

19.

Recollections from

Bob Henderson

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

Marching to 'Colonel Bogey'

"I think if you asked any boy who went to school in the war years and just after, they would be able to sing you the schoolboy version. I can certainly remember every word."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh: June 1, 2008

20.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lynda Maine for leaving this message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Lynda wrote:

Mr McVicar, Headmaster

"I met an old school chum that was in my class at Craiglockhart School. She told me that she was a nurse at the old Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh.

She said that she met Mr. McVicar, the old headmaster of Craiglockart School, and that he was very pleased to see her. I wonder if any of that the people that went to Craiglockhart School remember him.

I do remember Norman McCaig teaching at Craiglockhart School."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: Message in EdinPhoto guest book: June 3, 2008

21.

Recollections from

Betty Smith (nee White)

Italy

Betty Smith wrote:

Teachers

"I read with great interest the postings about Craiglockhart School. I lived in Wardlaw Place and attended Craiglockhart from 1947 to 1954, then went to Boroughmuir.

My teachers were:

- Miss Campbell, a little lady with a floral smock.

- Miss Brindle, she was a bit strict and told my mother that I was a chatterbox so you can imagine what that meant at home!

Then we had Miss Foggo, and finally Norman McCaig. I still remember his classes with great fondness.

We had a sewing teacher whose name I can't remember but she was small with white hair in a bun if I remember rightly. What I do remember is her telling us to start and finish our sewing with three little stitches and always to be 'busy bees'.

I remember well Miss Struthers and Miss Harkins. The latter gave me the belt for talking while marching up the stairs to the dreadful piano being played by Miss Struthers."

Betty Smith, (nee White). Message left in Edinphoto Guest Book,: December 3, 2008

22.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Lynda Maine replied:

Teachers

"Yes, I remember Miss Struthers. I can still here her shouting from one end of the corridor to the other.

I also remember Miss Foggo, the sewing teacher. If I can remember, we had a Miss McKenzie who always looked very gentle and kind."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: December 3, 2008

23.

Recollections from

Tony Fleming

Oaksey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England

Tony Fleming wrote:

Tram and Bus

"I attended Craiglockhart School from 1954 (I think) until 1959, having previously been to South Morningside School. Although we lived near Colinton, and I was very young, I used to catch the tram, and later the bus, on my own. The fare was 1d for a child, but only 1/2d if one used a Pass!"

Swimming

"I, too, remember going to Bruntsfield School for swimming. We were issued with bus tokens to get there, but the pool was very small and the water cold. I still have the Elementary Certificate I gained for swimming (I think) two lengths."

Teachers

"Whilst I cannot remember the name of my first teacher there, I do remember Mrs Nichol who was rather fond of using the strap (at least on the boys - no sex equality in those days) - in my case for 'daydreaming' which she seemed to think I did rather a lot. I thought I was just 'thinking'!

My last teacher, I think for the final two years, was Mr Meek and he must have managed to get some education into me as I then went to George Watson's. I thought the headmaster at the time was Mr Vickers, but it may have been Mr McVicker as suggested by one of the other contributors. It's a long time ago now."

The School

"From the photographs, the school doesn't seem to have changed much at least on the outside - still rather old-fashioned and forbidding and large!

If anyone remembers me, do get in touch."

Tony Fleming, Oaksey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England: December 9, 2008

If you'd like to get in touch with Tony, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: December 13, 2008

Thank you to E Sutherland who replied:

Headmaster

"Tony Fleming, above, is correct. I was at the school for seven years from 1949. Mr Vickers was the headmaster when I was there. It was Mr Cowe when I started."

E Sutherland: August 4, 2009

24.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Lynda Maine replied to the comments from Tony Flemming (23 above):

Teachers

"I also remember Mrs Nichol, teacher at Craiglockhart school. I thought she was a very nice teacher. As Tony said the teachers were very fond of the strap."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: December 18 2008

25.

Recollections from

Fiona Scott

Borders, Scotland

Thank you to Fiona Scott for adding the comment below to the EdinPhoto guest book.

Fiona wrote:

Teachers

"I have been fascinated to read the entries re Craiglockhart school.

We we were all terrified of Miss Struthers, whether or not we were in her class. What a severe looking woman she was, with a very severe short haircut and very liberal with the belt.

When I started at this school in 1960, Miss Brown was the infant mistress (she had a very cosy sitting room) and Mr Bain was the new headmaster.

Mrs Weddell was my first teacher. She was strict but nice. The teacher I remember most clearly was Mrs Jones who was an excellent teacher. I had her for a couple of years. Following that I was taught by Mrs Harkins (who wore what we called 'kinky boots' (new 1960s fashion) and finally Mr Barrie, who had been a Japanese POW and use to tell us of some of his experiences.

There was a sewing teacher named Miss McKenzie, who was really nice to me, despite my ineptitude with a needle and thread. She also tried to teach me to knit on four needles. I enjoyed making peg doll pin cushions out of gingham fabric.

Mrs McIntosh taught music and we were taught to sing and sight read. I also remember Miss Rae (who wore her very dark hair in 'earphones') who taught infants."

Class Rooms and Lessons

"There were open fires in the class rooms. In winter, Mr Telford, the jannie, used to come round with buckets of coal.

Some of the classrooms had tiered platforms. I remember well:

- learning to read with 'Janet and John'

- mental arithmetic with 'The Daily Ten'

- learning to spell with the 'Spellwell Word Book'.

We also used to watch films in the first floor Assembly Hall. This had a platform/stage, behind which was Mrs Jones' room.

We listened to school radio programmes:

'Around Scotland' and '

'Singing Together', a weekly singing lesson programme.

I was interested to learn that Norman McCaig had taught at the school. I can't remember him so he probably left before 1960.

I really enjoyed being at Craiglockhart and have really enjoyed reading other former pupils' recollections."

Fiona Scott: Reply posted in EdinPhoto guest book: February 9, 2009

26.

Recollections from

Brian McArthur

Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland

Thank you to Brian McArthur for adding the comment below to the EdinPhoto guest book.

Brian wrote:

Teachers

"I was at Craiglockhart Primary School, about 1956-62. I remember 'Colonel Bogey', and Mr Bain the headmaster and Miss Struthers.

Football

I loved to play football. I represented the school 1st eleven for several years, and have many good memories of the school. It must have been good because I would run home at dinner time and be back again 30 minutes later.

I lived at Bryson Road, about half a mile away, and I would be back before the school dinner was out at about 12:30, all to get a game of footy before school started again at 1 o'clock.

I went to Merchiston Boys' Club as a minor from the age of 5 until I was in the men's team about 1968-1970.

Brian McArthur: message posted in EdinPhoto guest book: February 12, 2009

Recollections

27.

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to George T Smith who wrote:

New School Term

"After a visit to PT's (Patrick Thomsons in the Bridges) for, at best, a new blazer, cap and shoes, and perhaps some pencils and a pencil sharpener, I was regarded as ready for the new term."

Shoes

New Shoes

"On return to school, if new shoes were spotted, classmates would pursue you till they had had a chance to stand on the new shiny black toecaps and dent them. This ritual had a name which I have forgotten but was a bit like 'Giving you your dumps' on your birthday and was similarly good natured."

Summer and Winter

"In summer, we tended to wear sandals or 'rubbers' - black gym shoes, the great grandads of Nikes.

In the snow or prolonged rain, we wore 'wellies' or galoshes to keep our feet dry on the long walk to school."

Tackets and Segs **

"Shoes were usually leather soled. After a short while they would have 'tackets' hammered into them to prolong the wear. Heels and toes would have curved tackets, 'Segs', attached.

Most homes owned a last or had access to one for adding tackets to shoes and, since clothing was rationed any means to extend wear was used."

Car Tyres

"The Co-Op or 'Store' had a good shoe repair service with a turnaround time of about a week, though I remember one fellow pupil whose shoes were resoled at home using the tread from a car tyre."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
September 30, 2009

** See also 'Recollections 28' below

Recollections

28.

George T Smith

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

I asked George about the tackets and Segs that he mentioned (in 27 above).

George gave the following helpful reply:

Segs

"Segs was a trade name for rather delicate little tacks of moon- segment shape. I think they were meant for women's and children's shoes. They came on a folded card in a set and had three or more spikes. I think they varied in size and shape though the ovals seemed to predominate."

Tackets

"Tackets was a more generic terms for single-spiked shoe nail often of conical form. I imagine they were bought by weight as I cannot remember them on cards. I think they were meant for boots which have thicker soles than shoes.

(I've certainly heard of tackety boots. - Peter Stubbs)

Segs and Tackets

"Both Segs and tackets were effectively riveted to the sole as the action of hammering through to the last had the effect of spleening the spike."

George T Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
October 5, 2009

Recollections

29.

Kate Hunter

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England

Miss Struthers

Thank you to Kate Hunter, now living in Milton Keynes for sending me her recollections of attending Craiglockhart School.

Kate tells me that she was in Miss Struthers' class for the 4 or 5 years that she attended Craiglockhart. Kate expressed concern about the way that she and other children were treated in that class.

Let's hope that most teachers now realise the long-lasting impact that their actions can have on the children they teach!

Acknowledgement: Kate Hunter, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England: August 9, 2010

30.

Recollections from

Jim McDougall

Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Miss Lawson, one of the teachers at Craiglockhart Primary School, is remembered in 'Recollections 16' above.

Here, Jim has more memories of her and her sister.

Jim wrote:

The Misses Lawson

"Recollections 16 above say that Miss Lawson lived in Ivy Terrace. In fact, she and her sister actually lived in Primrose Terrace.

I used to live in Myrtle Terrace from around 1942 to 1956.

We used to call them 'The Witches'. They were always dressed in black, with black straw hats with artificial flowers in them.

Jim McDougall, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia: August 27, 2011

31.

Recollections from

Jim McDougall

Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Jim wrote again, adding:

Harrison Park

"I lived at 2 Myrtle Terrace. The Misses Lawson lived at about 30 Primrose Terrace. It was a great area to live in.

I have pleasant memories of 'mooching' biscuits from the ladies who worked in Westons.

Harrison Park and the canal were our usual haunts. The square at Westons was used for rounders, cricket, football and ball-tig."

Jim McDougall, Currumbin, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia: September 4, 2011

32.

Recollections from

Margaret Cook (nee Fraser)

Western Australia, Australia

Thank you to Margaret Cook for posting a message in th e EdinPhoto guestbook.

Margaret wrote:

Teachers

"I remember:

- Miss Struthers and that belt !!!!! I was in her class when she died. We (myself and another whose name I cannot recall) collected and took flowers to her sister's house.

- Miss McKenzie the sewing teacher, a lovely gentle lady

- Mr Bain the headmaster

- a little, chubby music teacher. I cannot remember her name."

Classmates

"I remember:

- Linda Thompson

- Joyce McNee

- Barbara Stewart

- Billy Robb

- Stanley Geddes

- John Falconer

- Kenneth Henderson

- Eric Weir who partnered me to the qualifying dance.

Good memories."

The School Building

"I remember:

- heated pipes that we used to hang our wet socks on.

- snowball fights from the girls' playground to the boys'.

- toilets in the playground, but then a new block was built and we had access from inside the school.

- Christmas service at St Michaels church?, Slateford Road.

- ice slides in winter

- the canal across from the school

- the cloakrooms.

Oh my, it's so nice to recall my childhood!"

Leaving Edinburgh

"I lived at 3 Hermand Terrace until 1968, then emigrated to Australia with my parents and sisters. I now live in Western Australia."

Margaret Cook, Western Australia, Australia:
message and email address posted in EdinPhoto guest book: February 1, 2011

33.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Thank you to Lynda Maine who wrote again, telling me that through the EdinPhoto site, she had now made contact with Janis Hall, another former pupil of Craiglockhart Primary school.

Lynda added:

My Class

"These are the people that I remember from my class at Craiglockhart Primary School:

- Elizabeth Davis (I still see her occasionally.)

- Christine Davidson (I'm still in contact with her.)

- Avril Grahame (now Clarke. I'm still in contact with her.)

- Graham Don (His father was a teacher at Tynecastle School.)

- Sandy Ramsay (He's been in Texas for 8 to 10 years: soon to return to Scotland.)

- Alastair Cossar (or Corsar)

- Dudley Clark (or Clarke)

- Janina ..?..

- Irene Sturrock

- Christine Kay

- Nina Turnhiem

- Irene Mitchell

- Irene Stevens

- Michael Paterson

- Lilian Wilson?

- Alistair Borthwick

- Kathleen Lamont (Since moved to Kilmarnock, Scotland, I believe)

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: August 22 and September 11+15, 2011

34.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Lynda wrote again about the last of the girls mentioned in 'Recollections 33' above:

Kathleen Lamont

"I met Kathleen Lamont at Craiglockhart School when I was about seven. She left when I was about nine or ten, to go to St Serf's School. One of her friends later told me that Kathleen and her family had moved to Kilmarnock. I wonder what happened to her.

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: September 8+14, 2011

35.

Recollections from

Lynda Maine

Colinton Mains, Edinburgh

Lynda Maine wrote:

Church Services

"Margaret Cook (32 above) mentions the Christmas Services at St Michael's church.

I remember the whole school used to go at Christmas time and Easter time for church services to the Candlish Church at Polwarth Terrace.

This church is now called Polwarth Parish Church - why the name changed is a mystery to me. I wonder if any children that went to Craiglockhart remember going to that church."

Lynda Maine, Colinton Mains, Edinburgh: September 26, 2011

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