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Recollections
Dorothy
Addison (nee
Jenkins)
Tsawwassen, British Columbia, Canada.
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Thank you to
Dorothy Addison (nee Jenkins) who sent these recollections of Joppa.
She hopes that others might respond with their own memories of Joppa.
Dorothy wrote:
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Growing up in Edinburgh
"I've
read with interest on your web site, what was like to live and grow up in
areas such as Granton and the Dumbiedykes, I found it all very
interesting. It makes one think about ones own area, and perhaps how
small and different in comparison - but at the same time how special." |
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Move to Joppa
"Our
family moved to Joppa in 1947. I was 10 and my brother was 13. It
was an established community, with very few young families." |
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Kids
"There
was only about 15 kids ages 9 to 12, all living within 4 or 5 streets from
our house, unlike where my husband grew up in Granton where he said there
were so many kids.
We
all played together. Our meeting place was Forsyth's Bakery, at the
corner of Morton Street and Joppa Road. We played every street game
imaginable, and had so much fun. The days were never long enough
We all
got an very well can't remember any fights, or arguments, a bit of pushing
and shoving, but all in good fun." |
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Cycling
"In the
summer, usually on a Sunday, we would all meet outside Forsyth's Bakery
then cycle to Gullane for the day. It was terrible for anyone who
did not have a bike. They felt left out. I remember
being in that position myself a few times.
The
sandwiches we took were usually in some state by the time we got there,
but we were so hungry, anything tasted good. Arriving home at night we
were so tired, I remember I could hardly peddle my bike. In those days
there was very little traffic to worry our parents, and we all looked out
for each other.
One of the older boys was called Harry Potter.
He always seemed to watch out for all the younger ones. A nicer
fellow one could never have known. Now his name is famous." |
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Pocket Money
"Joppa
had about 16 shops. Several of them such as the 2 newsagents, 3
grocery stores and the dairy, all required delivery boys. None of the
girls did this, but we gladly gave the boys a hand with their paper
routes.
The
girls ran for messages for neighbours and walked the local dogs, my
favourite thing. And when a new baby arrived, it was almost a fight
to see who would get to take it out in their big Pedigree pram.
We all
seemed to be able to earn a bit of pocket money for trips to the sweetie
shops, or for an ice cream." |
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Portobello
"Going
to Portobello was necessary. Our schools were there. Once or twice a
week it was Portobello Baths, especially Monday for mixed bathing, and
during the summer the Portobello outdoor pool, which was unbelievable."
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Scrumping
"Most
of the adults, including the local Bobby seemed to know all of us kids by
name. Most of the time we were good, but sometimes we did get into
mischief.
Joppa
had many big gardens with nice apples trees, we would keep our eye on
them, but could never wait till they were ripe. The girls were the lookout
and the catchers. Many walls had glass chips along the top, I suppose to
keep the likes of us out, but to no avail.
The
boys were up and over in a flash, and throwing the stolen goods to us,
which we would catch in our skirts. Nine times out of ten we would
be seen, by the house owner who would come out screaming.
It was
a mad panic, especially for the boys to get out before being caught. We
sure could run and, honestly, I cant remember anyone being caught.
What I
do think about, is why our Mothers never wondered why we had sore tummies.
I guess we groaned in silence." |
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Broken Leg
"One
summer, on the first week of school holidays, my brother fell down the
sand pit in the estate between Joppa and Musselburgh and broke his leg.
He was
laid up in the house for six weeks, couldn't get out as there was 28 steps
from our house to the street.
The
following summer he repeated this miraculous feat and broke the same leg
in the same sand pit.
This
time, however, he was fitted with a metal hoop on to his stookie (called
cast today) which allowed him to hobble about." |
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Another Accident
"My
brother's first outing was a catastrophe. It was on a Sunday.
He was a bit of a celebrity, and all the kids were having a look at his
broken leg as he was leaning on the ledge of Forsyth's Bakery window.
Someone
decided to give his metal support a kick, and crash he went right through
the window. Everyone scattered including me. How he was not
seriously hurt is unbelievable.
The
next morning, men were there boarding up the huge hole. Our parents and
the police were never any the wiser, John kept a low profile for a few
days. (I hope the authorities won't come looking for us now.)" |
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Teenagers
"As we
became young 'teens, we graduated from street games and just liked to hang
out together. In the evenings we would end our day by playing 'Truth and
Dares'. I'll not go into detail, but I am sure many will remember
with happy memories." |
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Kinderspeil
"I
attended the 'kinderspiele', a young people's group Joppa, twice a week. I
wonder where the name 'kinderspiele'
come from." |
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Concerts
"The
adults in charge of the group organized a concert every year, at Saint
Phillip's Church, Joppa. These were always a great success. We had such
a wonderful time.
Here
are photographs
of 'A Country Girl', the concert held in 1949.
©
©
I
wondered if anyone has photos from other concerts. I would love to see
them." |
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Dorothy Addison (nee Jenkins), Tsawwassen, British
Columbia, Canada: June + July 18, 2007
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