Recollections

1.

Alex McEwan

Australia

Thank you to Alex McEwan for leaving a message in the gust book.

Alex wrote:

Family

"From about 1942 until about 1955, I lived in what we called the 'pend' right next to Davie's Cafe, which is now the kids farm in Gorgie Road.

My brother and I were brought up by my mother because my father left us when I was 2.  But my brother and I turned out OK.  I also have twin half-sisters, somewhere in Edinburgh.

I've lived in Oz for the past 38yrs."

Laundry

"I went to Dalry School, then to Tynecastle School.  (Happy memories.)

I remember the laundry, right opposite Tynecastle school.   My mate, Norman, and I used to make a few bob putting the ladies washing tubs on a old pram we had and taking them up McLeod Street."

Beer

"We used to get into the Hearts ground after the matches and pinch the beer bottles.  We got, I think, either a penny or tuppence back on them from the Greentree Pub, but once we got chased by these two huge dogs and just made it to the fence."

Fish & Chips

"The best fish and chips were in Wardlaw Place.  It was always packed."

Biscuits and Rolls

"We used to get the broken biscuits and day-old rolls."

Tivoli Cinema

 "I used to like visiting the blacksmith's shop, just round the corner from the Tivoli Cinema.

Does anyone remember getting into the Saturday serials?   I think we paid thrupence and a couple of jam jars.  Glass was scarce after the war.

And how many of you paid for one, then opened the side door for your mates, and sometimes got caught?  Them were the days!"

Football

"We used to play football nearly all day in Ballgreen Park."

Asa Wass

"Reading some of these posts, Asa Wass's yard was a popular place.  He was a very nice man.  You never haggled.  He said his price and that was it, but he would give regular customers a wee bit more."

Dance Halls

"Our dance halls were the Palais, the Lugarno and the Cavendish at Tollcross.  I never set foot in Fairleys."

Work

"I used to work in the tannery, and at Ingles Green Laundry, and at the rubber mill.

I used to be a conductor on the buses, as well.  My father came on my bus and thought he was going to get a free ride but I charged him the shilling for his fare."

Return to Edinburgh

"We've been back to Edinburgh a few times and we've seen all the changes."

Alex McEwan:  Message in Edinphoto Guest Book: June 4, 2008

Recollections

2.

Janet Porteous

(nee Janet Horne Cleland Eagle)

Northern England

Thank you to Janet Porteous for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book.

Janet also sent a reply from her mother's to Alex McEwan's recollections of living in Gorgie (1 above):

Janet Porteous' mother wrote, to Alex McEwan:

The Pend

"I lived in Wheatfield Road, Gorgie.  I know the 'pend' that you mention.  My Mother's cousin lived there.  Maybe you knew them.  They were Adam Fraser and his wife Margaret (Peggy).

The Tinny

"I used to use Davie's Cafe a lot when I was younger.  Like you I also went to Tynecastle School and used 'The Tinny' (washhouse).

Entertainment

"The Green Tree pub was certainly on the corner of McLeod Street.  Then, we would get our chips at Wardlaw Place.

I used to go to the Lucano in Slateford Rd. I also remember Dalhaigs where the tannery used to be.  The Tivoli was very popular as was the Poole's Roxy cinema and the Lyceum.

Sadly, the Roxy is now a shop and some flats and the Lyceum, and Lucano are now gone.  The Tivoli is just a shell now and the Palais de Dance now, like a lot of cinemas now, has become a Bingo Hall!"  **

Move from Edinburgh

"I no longer live in Edinburgh. We moved to Northern England 40+ years ago, but I still miss it.  I love to get up as often as I can to see the changes in my city - some good and some, well, not so good!"

Janet Porteous, Nee Janet Horne Cleland Eagle:  November 4, 2008

**  The Bingo Hall in the old Palais de Dance building at Fountainbridge has now also closed, and a lot of new developments are being built around it.

A new Bingo Hall, Cinema and Bowling Alley opened a few years ago at Fountain Park, about half a mile to the west of the Palais.

Peter Stubbs:  November 15, 2008

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