Edinburgh Recollections - Flora stevenson School

Recollections

Lorraine Bruce

Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland

Thank you to Lorraine Bruce who emailed me on behalf of her aunt, Christine Dutton.

Lorraine wrote:

Living at Royston

"My aunt, Christine Dutton, lived at 40 Royston Mains Crescent and went to Flora Stevenson school in 1944, aged 10. She remembers Miss Anderson, the history teacher."

Old Friends

"Christine says it would be lovely to hear from others who have memories or old photos of the school or"

Lorraine Bruce, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland: September 28, 2010

Reply to Christine Dutton

If you'd like to send a reply to Christine Dutton, please email me, then I'll pass it on to Lorraine for Christine; Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 2, 2010

Recollections

Gordon G Kinghorn

Andover, Hampshire, England

Thank you to Gordon G Kinghorn who wrote:

1955 to 1962

"I attended this Flora Stevenson School between 1955 and 1962. My brother and sister also attended from 1956 to 1963. I have many memories of the place and indeed the teachers at that time, namely Mr Ferris, Miss Imrie and Mr Reid, the Headmaster, to name but just a few.

Playground

"The playground was designed in an apartheid manner, girls and boys separated by walls and specified boundaries – and by the watchful eye of those teachers appointed to carry out playground duty. There was no mixing during those days."

School dinners

"I always considered school dinners to be excellent fare. I believe a child could be fed for five shillings per week, or 25p in modern jargon. My best friend at the time used to grab me and race to be first in the lunch queue, we would then wolf down whatever culinary delights were on offer then make for the playground to play football against the school’s Hearts supporters. We, of course, were fans of the mighty Hibs.

There was a distinct difference between myself and my then pal, Bert. My dinner tickets were always white, yet his were blue. I learned later from my mother that some children were not as fortunate as others. My father worked for a living, I was told, whilst Bert’s father was in a place called Barlinnie and not able to provide for his family at that time. I was sworn to absolute secrecy by mum and I never did divulge this information to a soul."

School Photos

"I have many recollections and some photos, including one or two of me kitted out in school cap and uniform, purchased from the outfitters in Raeburn Place, just down from Rankin's, near to Leslie Place, long since gone.

Gordon G Kinghorn, Andover, Hampshire, England: November 19, 2010

Recollections

Gordon G Kinghorn

Andover, Hampshire, England

Thank you to Gordon G Kinghorn for writing again with more memories of the time he spent at Flora Stevenson School.

Gordon wrote:

Do You Remember?

"I'd dearly love to hear from any former pupils, particularly those who attended the school during my time (1955-62).

I wonder if any of them remember three specific milestones."

1. Royal Visit

"Both Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh passed the school, en-route to God only knows where, some time during the late-1950s.

Teachers and many excited children spilled onto the pavement to wave as they motored by. It was all very brief, but the Royal motorised entourage did indeed pass by the school, and I'd like to know if any former pupils remember the event.

I hasten to add, the Queen’s visit to which I refer was not at the time of King Olaf’s visit in 1962 or that of the opening of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964, these ceremonies were considerably later.

2. Letter to US President

"In 1960, the Headmistress, Miss Imrie, decided that we should send a letter of congratulations to the newly elected US President, one John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

This communiqué was duly sent to Washington and I believe a reply was received by our Headmaster later in the year."

3. Letter to Astronaut

"In 1962, my teacher, Richard Ferris, informed the class that we would each assist in composing a similar letter of congratulations to astronaut, John Glenn, newly returned from his mission to orbit the earth, not once but twice, no less.

I can pleasingly report that Astronaut Glenn did respond to our dispatch, this being received shortly after I departed Flora Stevenson shores in the summer of 1962."

Gordon added:

Billy Simpson

"The primary reason for this link to the USA lay with a young man by the name of Billy Simpson, an American youngster who was a pupil at the school from around 1960.

Despite being as adolescent as he indeed was, he nevertheless had quite a bit of influence over one or two teachers AND a number of infatuated 10-11 year old girl pupils.

Billy’s family must have been Republican diehards – I vividly recall him telling me of his mother and father’s disenchant-ment with Kennedy’s occupation of the White House.

A very worldly youngster indeed, and most privileged by comparison to the vast majority of his peers – in particular, yours truly

The Simpson family resided in Blackhall but I can no longer remember the precise location. Dad of course was a US Government representative but I remain vague as to his precise occupation."

Gordon G Kinghorn, Andover, Hampshire, England, November 24, 2010

Other Letters?

"I wonder if either of these letters from across the Atlantic ever survived, and if there were any other communication projects undertaken by the pupils. If you know of any, I'd be hugely interested in hearing from them."

Heart-wrenching

"Flora’s was indeed a wonderful educational faculty and I’m sure it remains so until this day.

In fact, I do have one painful memory of the place. It was heart-wrenching. I experienced my first love at the school. The girl * lived in the Dean Village and sat a mere two desks away from my own.

I actually worshipped her, but never plucked up sufficient courage to tell her of my adoration. Good Lord, my heart ached daily for the attentions of that very pretty dark-haired girl. Sadly, she never gave me a second glance …ever !!!"

* Gordon gave me the girl's name. I've not included it here, but she may recognise herself !

Gordon G Kinghorn, Andover, Hampshire, England, November 24, 2010

Reply to Gordon?

If you'd like to send a message to Gordon, please email me, then I'll pass it on to him.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, December 1, 2010

Recollections

George Clements

Andover, Hampshire, England

Thanks to George Clements for responding to Gordon's comments in 'Recollections 3' above.

George wrote:

Gordon Kinghorn

"I did not go to Flora Stevensons school but my sister, Helen Clements, went there.

I knew Gordon Kinghorn because we both lived in Comely Bank Avenue. I lived in 92 and I think Gordon lived in 41, beside the stairs that Kenny Moody lived in.

George Clements, Manchester, NW England, England: December 3, 2010

Thanks George.

I've emailed Gordon to let him know about your message above.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, December 3, 2010

Recollections

Betty Moir (nee Drysdale)

Markham, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Betty Moir (nee Drysdale) for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Betty wrote:

School

"My family moved to Dean Park Street in 1935, and I went to Flora Stevensons school until I was age 15. We were evacuated to Fife but only for six weeks.

We started out on the lower floors at the school until qualifying, then went to the next floor. We finally reached the top floor and were then going to different periods for each class.

I'd love to hear from any of the people who went to Flora's

Work

"I worked at the Transport & General Workers Union at their office on Victoria street for 7 years before emigrating to Canada in 1954."

Betty Moir, Markham, Ontario, Canada
Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook: May 10, 2012

Reply to Betty

Unfortunately, I don't know Betty's email address. So, if you'd like to send a message to her it would probably be best to use the EdinPhoto guest book.

Search the guestbook for the message that Betty posted there on May 10, 2012, then click on 'Post a Reply' below her message, and add your reply.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, May 17, 2012