Recollections

1d.

The Whitehoose

Eric Gold, East London,  wrote:

The Pub

"The Whitehoose pub (The Whitehouse, Niddrie Mains Road) was a good pub although everyone in Edinburgh would disagree with me but you got a great pint there and there was always a punch up outside (ha ha ha).

The Whitehouse

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The pub was full off duckers and divers (people who live on their wits) and there was a lot of wheeling and dealing too. I remember going in for a quiet pint one Friday night and it was freezing cold.  I came out with a lovely sheepskin overcoat and a suit and shoes too (ha ha ha) there were bargains galore at the Whitehoose.

The Whitehoose was a listed building and is now closed.  I think the council will eventually knock it down. My auntie said that when it was first built in the mid 1930's it was a lovely place, art deco style with a function room up the stairs."

Eric Gold, East End, London:  March 4, 2006

Recollections

1e.

Craigmillar Castle

Eric Gold, East London,  wrote:

"The Green Lady"

"Craigmillar castle as we all know has a lovely bit of land surrounding it. The keeper had huge big black pigs and they were dangerous and they would bite you also chase you too.

My mother said, if you go near the castle brae the Green Lady will come out and catch you, as the Bogyman and her are cousins, so again I never went near the castle brae until I was an adult and by that time the pigs were gone too.

I remember I tried to feed one of the pigs one sunny Sunday afternoon with my cousin with an egg sandwich which he enjoyed but when there was nothing left he hissed and grunted at me then chased me too (ha ha ha)

 I will never forget these pigs."

"The Bogeyman"

"Eric's mum told him that the Bogeyman used to live in the 'Parkie's Hoose' in Queens Park and that when Eric's family moved from Dumbiedykes to Craigmillar and Niddrie, the Bogeyman had flit too, and was living in the old Niddrie House."

Eric Gold, East End, London:  March 13, 2006

Recollections

1f.

Alsatian Dogs

Eric Gold, East London,  wrote:

'Alsatian City'

"In Craigmillar and Niddrie and Bingham too, nearly every household had an Alsatian dog.  When we played in the parks, say football or cricket, the Alsatians would catch the ball and run off with it (ha ha ha). 

We had one too 'Big Max' a great Alsatian like my auntie's one next door called 'Rusty'.  We would go to Portobello beach and the dogs would jump on the bus too, and the conductor was frightened to take our fares even although the dogs were well trained.

In Portobello if anyone approached us,  the dogs would show their teeth and bark at them.  I remember a Police Officer said to us:  "You have a great friend there who is well trained and will look out for you."

He took us in to a pet shop in Portobello High Street and bought the dogs a few rubber bones.  When you threw them the dogs would run after them. He knew a family friend of ours and he took us to the police training camp for their dogs.

What a great day that was with all the ice cream and even our dogs enjoyed themselves too. I will never forget that day.

So Craigmillar got nicknamed Alsatian city."

Eric Gold, East End, London:  March 13, 2006

Recollections

2b.

Street Games

John Davie  wrote:

My "Gird" and "Tichie-Can"

"When I see my grandchildren now playing with their expensive toys and bicycles, my mind goes back to my "gird" and taking it for a run. It comprised a bicycle-wheel minus tyre and spokes which you kept on the move by hitting the rim with a bit stick.

I also recall making a "tichie-can" from a used tin can filled with holes made with a nail and with a loop of string affixed to the top. We would fill the can with paper and wood, light it, and keep it burning by whirling it around your head so that it roared and emitted smoke.

Message in guest book from John (Ian) Davie:  March 28, 2006

Recollections

3a.

Street Games

Marion Ramsay, Dalkeith,  wrote:

Tichie-Can and Yo-Yo

"I'm curious about 'Tichie Can'.  I wondered if that was Tich Davie's own invention.

I remember the Bobby on the beat. Saturday mornings.  We used to have yo-yo competitions. He showed us how to walk the dog and loop the loop.

Marion Ramsay, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland:  January 14, 2007

Recollections

3b.

Shops

Marion Ramsay, Dalkeith,  wrote:

Wauchope Crescent

"Round the corner from the launderette were 3 other shops. in Wauchope Crescent.  They were:

-   a grocers called Willie Watsons.

-   a fruit shop owned by Frank Hunter.

 -  a shoe shop  associated with Cunninghams on Niddrie Mains Road."

Pocket Money

"People came to the shoe shop with their 'Provi' cheques and kitted out their kids for school.  I know this because I used to help out on a Saturday afternoon to earn pocket money!

I also had a paper round. Charles Combe's Shop in Niddrie Mains Drive, across from Jimmy Neris' chip shop and Keith's the grocers."

Butchers

"Next door was a butchers, where you asked for a bone for the dog, although we never had one.  It was to make the soup with!!!"

Marion Ramsay, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland:  January 14, 2007

Recollections

4.

The County

John Gray, Portobello, Edinburgh  wrote:

"I used to get dumped  in The County by my father every Saturday, when he was a travelling salesman.  Saturdays was Bingham / Craigmillar visiting time.

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I thought that the Manager's name was Mr polo, but i see from a previous post that it was in fact the owner who was called Mr Paulo.

I was only about ten, so my memory is not too bad.  My lasting memory of him was that when we kids got a bit boisterous.  He had a big stick which he smashed against the wooden partition separating the walkway and the seats, and he screamed at us to 'shut up'.

Happy days, indeed."

John Gray:  Portobello, Edinburgh:  May 27, 2007