Edinburgh History - Recollectons - St Mary's RC Primary School

Recollections

Edith Caulfield

(née Cavanagh)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh) who wrote:

1949-1956

"I was born at 24 Castle Street, and went to St Mary's RC primary school in York Lane from 1949 to 1956. The teaches I remember were:

- Mr Clark

- Miss Loftus

- Mr Molvay

- Miss White.

My surname, before marriage, was Cavanagh. Is there anyone out there who attended St Mary's at the same time, and perhaps was even in my class?

I came to Canada in 1958, but still call Edinburgh 'home', I've been back 3 times. The last time back was in 2007. I brought my mom's ashes to be buried with her parents in Bathgate."

Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: June 5, 2009 + email, July 1, 2009.

If you would like to contact Edith, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to her.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: June , 2009

Recollections

Louis (Paul) Freeman

Highlands, Scotland

Thank you to Louis (Paul) Freeman who wrote:

"I attended St Mary's Primary School at York Lane with my sister Deirdre. We left in 1949 to live in Ireland. I fondly remember Miss Loftus but I can't remember the other names on Edith Caulfield's list (in 1 above).

I seem to remember a Miss Griffiths also, but I could be wrong. I retired to live in the Highlands, eight years ago.

Last year, I travelled to Edinburgh and visited York Lane. The school is now a residential property. The main entrance is now bricked up and the playground is now a private car park for the residents. The swings at the bottom of the hill across the road are still there, although it is now a modern play area.

I still have happy memories."

Louis (Paul) Freeman, Highlands, Scotland: July 7, 2009

Recollections

Ron Goldie

Peine, Germany

Thank you to Ron Goldie who wrote:

Teachers and Pupils

"I attended St Mary's School in York Lane too, between 1951 and 1956, I think. I remember some of the teachers mentioned above.

It would be very interesting to find out how some of the old pupils and classmates are doing now."

Ron Goldie: August 4 2009

Football

"The picture shows our football team at St Mary's, taken by my father. I remember the names of some of my playing colleagues in the picture. Maybe they'll recognise themselves.

I was the goalkeeper, until we were beaten 21-0 one day. You know puberty, more interested in girls than football, etc.

I'm the original 'hide under the bed goalkeeper', whose mother tried to entice me out with a chocky bicky and saying:

'Never mind son, most goalkeepers get beat 21-0 at some time in their career.'

Needless to say, I didn't follow a career in football."

Ron Goldie: August 5 2009

Living in Germany

"I'm writing this from Peine, Germany, where I have lived for the past 25 years. No, I wasn't a soldier, just one of Thatcher's 4 million unemployed, who had to venture elsewhere to look for work."

I hope this message is of interest to anybody who was wondering, as I was, 'Where are they now?' I'll be interested to see if I get any e-mails as a result of this wee story."

Ron Goldie: August 5 2009

Messages for Ron Goldie

If you remember Ron Goldie and would like to contact him, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him.

Thank you. Peter Stubbs, August 5, 2009

Recollections

Edith Caulfield

(née Cavanagh)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Edith Caulfield who replied:

Pupils

"It's great to see some responses about St Mary's school, York Lane. I cant place the name Ron Goldie but if he went to the school around the same time I did maybe he can remember some of these names:

- Margaret Faulkner, Mary Faulkner, Ann Faulkner, James Faulkner. This family lived above the Deep Sea Restaurant at the top of Leith Walk.

- Jacqueline Haddon

- Sandra Watson

- Anna Gerrity

- Edith Greer

- Cathy Morrison

- Anne Dowie

Sorry, but I can't remember any of the boys' names."

Miss White

and

School Dance Team

"Also, did I mention a teacher, Miss White? She taught the 'qualifying class' as it was called way back then.

I was in the school dance team and we won the 'cup' at the Usher Hall. I think that was in either 1955 or 1956, and there is a picture somewhere of the class with the cup and Miss White taken on a small balcony in the school that overlooked the playground."

More Photos?

I have contacted both the school and the church in search of any photos from that time. It would be great to find some.

My memories of the school and that time are so happy. Please pass this message on with the hopes that others may read and perhaps recall their own happy times at the school."

Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: August 7, 2009

Recollections

Ron Goldie

Peine, Germany

Thank you to Ron Goldie who replied to Edith Caulfield's comments above.

Ron wrote:

Teachers and Pupils

"Yes, Mary Faulkner was the one name I recognised there. If I remember correctly, she was in my class. I think she was a very shy little blonde girl if my memory serves me well enough.

Another girl I do remember was Judith Flynn, who lived in Brunswick Street, I believe.

Edith Caulfield may remember The Goldies - me, Peter, Kenneth, Gordon and Douglas. I think we were a fairly well known tribe around that time. Naturally we all were at St Mary's at different times as there are a couple of years between us all.

Come on Edith, jog my memory. Think of some of the names."

Ron Goldie: August 4 2009

Recollections

Edith Caulfield

(née Cavanagh)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh) who replied to Ron Goldie's recollections 6, above:

School

"Ron is correct. Mary Faulkner did have blonde hair and she wore it in pigtails. I think she was in the class ahead of me. Her younger sister, Margaret, was in my class.

The names of two boys in my class were, I think, John Rafferty and Ian Gillespie. My older sister, Doreen Cavanagh, also went to St Mary's perhaps Ron would remember her?"

Cathedral

I remember that at St Mary's Cathedral, at that time, there were Father Davidson and Monsigneur Breen.

Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Message left in EdinPhoto guest book: June 5, 2009 + email, July 10, 2009.

Recollections

Danny Callaghan

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to Danny Callaghan who wrote:

1950-1957

"I attended St Mary's (York Lane) school - known as that to differentiate it from St Mary's (Leith) - from August 1950 till June 1957. During that time, I also joined the cubs and eventually the scouts which met in the gym of the school."

Stars

"In one class, we had a star awarding system of gold and silver stars for attending Mass before going to school during Lent. We had been told that the Mass really only consisted of Offering, Consecration and Communion, so I felt I was justified in saying I had been at mass and got my gold star by just getting into church for the offering. I did not want to be the only one with no gold stars."

Fires

"When I was there, the school was still heated by coal fires in the classrooms. I used to be one of the coal monitors, taking coal to our class as well as to the younger pupils' classes. We also had milk monitors."

Teachers

"Teachers I remember are:

- Miss Loftus (infant teacher)

- Mr Mulvey

- Mr MacCabe, the head master

- Mr Mulhall, his successor

- Fr Davidson. I think he was the main school chaplain.

Pupils

"Here is a photograph of his class, taken about 1953. I am at the rear-left in this photo. Please click on the thumbnail image below to enlarge this photo and read more names of people in the photo.

My Father at St Mary' School

"My Father, also Daniel Callaghan, attended the school as well from about 1914 till 1922. At that time you did not leave to go to a secondary school.

Here is a photograph of his class at St Mary's School, taken about 1920. My father is the tall boy, 3rd from the left on the back row."

Two Photos

"The photographer had been standing in the same spot for both photographs above, but turned through 180 degrees."

St Anthony's School

"After St Mary's Primary School, I went on to St Anthony's Secondary School. (Toni's). Rosie Carr and Liz Livingston where in my class there."

Daniel Callaghan, Falkirk: October 19, 2009

Recollections

Edith Caulfield

(née Cavanagh)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh) who wrote again after reading Danny Callaghan's comments above.

Edith wrote:

Teachers

"I remember all of the teachers that Danny mentioned above, along with the first 3 names on his pupil list. I was baptized by the school chaplain that Danny remembers, Father Davidson.

There was another infant teacher. She was elderly with red hair. She taught my sister, Doreen. I think her name was Mrs. McFarlane.

I think Mr. Mulvey was the teacher we kids feared the most.

Photos

"I thank Danny so much for the pics. I will come across one of my class eventually. I would have been just one year ahead of Danny

Gold Stars

"I also remember the Gold Star routine for Mass. They also used to ask what color the Priest's vestments were on Monday morning, to find out if you had attended Mass. I got caught a few times.

In School

"I remember marching up the stairs to 'Pomp and Circumstance' or it was also called 'Land of Hope and Glory'?

We always had the coal fire going in the classroom and the crate of milk was placed beside it., I also remember we had to take turns in cleaning up the teachers' Staff Room."

Janitor

"The Janitor's room was just inside the door. He had large brass bell that was rung for playtime etc."

Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: October 23, 2009

Recollections

10.

Danny Callaghan

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to Danny Callaghan who wrote again, letting me know that he had been in touch with Edith Caulfield (Recollections 10 above) and telling me more about his memories of St Mary's Primary School.

Danny also sent me a photograph of his class, 30 pupils photographed in the classroom at St Mary's school by Elas of Edinburgh.

Unfortunately, I've not yet discovered who owns the copyright for Elas photos, so I've not been able to add this one to the web site. However, I have included Danny's comments about it below.

Danny wrote:

1950

"I initially started at the Easter intake in 1950, but due to then getting every childhood illness I was put into the Summer intake 1950.

I remember queuing up with my mother, and Alex Eagan and his mother, to register on our first day at school. I cannot remember if I cried. The teacher was, I am sure, Miss Loftus. The classroom was just behind the janny's office.

Danny Callaghan: October 27, 2009

Rival School

"As with all schools, you had an arch rival school. Ours was East London Street School. This school has now gone and the building has been taken over by St Mary's. So I suppose in the end we beat our rivals."

Danny added:

Recent Local History

"It is vital that local recent history is recorded, or else all we will be left with is about wars, politics, bankers and football. I am finding it very interesting."

Daniel Callaghan, Falkirk: October 27, 2009

Recollections

11.

Danny Callaghan

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Danny has done further investigations into the history of St Mary's School.

He tells me that:

- he was in one of the houses in the school this week, but he found it difficult to orientate as parts had been rebuilt.

- RCAHMS (The Royal Commission on Ancient & Historic Monuments in Scotland) has a photographic record taken at the school before the building was reshaped in 1999.

Peter Stubbs: November 19, 2009

Recollections

12.

Jim Flynn

Oxgangs, Edinburgh

Thank you to Jim Flynn who wrote in reply to Ronnie Goldie's comments in 4 and 6 above,

Jim wrote:

Football Team

"I believe I was in the same class as Ronnie Goldie. Some of the lads in the photo certainly were.

Please click on the thumbnail image above to read the names of the players that Jim remembers from this photo.

Jim added:

Teachers

"I was at St Mary's from 1951 till 1958 when I left to go to St Anthony's.

My first teacher who took the 'infant' class was Miss Corrigan. If memory serves me well, I was then taught by Miss White, Miss Harkins then Miss Loftus who danced on the BBC programme 'The White Heather Club'.

She used to take Scottish Country dancing classes at the school. I then went to Miss Edwards and Mr. Clarke before leaving for Secondary School. I think Mr. Mulvey was the Headmaster when I was at the school.

I hope this might jog a few memories."

Jim Flynn, Oxgangs, Edinburgh: January 24, 2010

Recollections

13.

Diane Watters

Edinburgh

Diane Watters wrote

Jim wrote:

Football Team

"I believe I was in the same class as Ronnie Goldie. Some of the lads in the photo certainly were.

Please click on the thumbnail image above to read the names of the players that Jim remembers from this photo.

Jim added:

Teachers

"I was at St Mary's from 1951 till 1958 when I left to go to St Anthony's.

I hope this might jog a few memories."

Diane Watters, Edinburgh: June 8, 2011

Recollections

14.

Diane Watters

Edinburgh

Diane Watters wrote:

Question

Post-1961

"I'm researching the history of St Mary's Primary School at York Lane and at its new home East London Street.

All these old photos are great.

I'm wanting to find out more about the school post-1961. We have a good record of events up until then. Do you know who might be able to help?

Reply to Diane?

If you'd like to send a reply to Diane, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: June 12, 2011

Recollections

15.

Win Johnston
maiden name

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Following up Recollections 10 and 11 above, Win Johnston wrote:

Swimming

"Like Danny Callaghan, I too went to St. Mary’s York Lane Primary School. We went to Broughton School for swimming lessons with Miss Docherty. I remember being told she swam the English Channel.

Around 1952, Miss Docherty entered me, Pat McMurray, Kathleen Henderson and Eileen O’Connor to represent St. Mary’s in the relay race for the North of Edinburgh Swimming Competition and we girls won the Dean Trophy.

Our photo was in the Edinburgh newspaper. I wish I had a copy of it."

Win Johnston: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: July 15, 2013

Recollections

16.

Win Johnston
maiden name

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Win Johnston, who sent me this photo of re-enactment of a scene from a school concert, taken on the roof garden of St Mary's School, York Lane

tells me that her teacher at the time was Miss White.

Win added:

The Strap

Miss White and Mr Mulvey

"Miss White didn’t like giving the strap so she would send us to Mr Mulvey to do the job.

He used to soak his strap in water overnight to make it stiff, and it was split in two about 4 inches from end and really hurt.

School was tough back then."

Win Johnston: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: August 3, 2013

Recollections

17.

Edith Caulfield

(née Cavanagh)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh) for writing again. Edith wrote Recollections 1 above 4 years ago, and now she writes:

1949-1956

"I've just seen the picture of St Mary's York Lane in Recollection 16 sent in by Win Johnston

The very small girl to the left of the girls in costume is my older sister Doreen Cavanagh, so great to see this. Thank you Win."

"I'm still waiting for a picture of me to surface. I was at the school from 1949 to 1956."

Edith Caulfield (née Cavanagh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: August 4, 2013

Recollections

18.

Stuart Fraser

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Stuart Fraser for sending me the three photos below of St Mary's Primary School, York Lane.

Stuart wrote:

Photo

First Communion Class

c.1924

"This photo was taken in the school playground. My mother, Monica Tiernan, is in the middle row, far right. I don't know the name of anybody else in this photo."

Enlarge this photo

Photo

School Class

c.1949-51

"The pupils in this photo are:

BACK ROW: Stuart Fraser, Unknown, Unknown, Thomas Thompson, Unknown, Unknown, Joseph Radin.

FRONT ROW: Martin Colvin, Rab Gray, John Wynne, Ronnie Turnbull, Unknown, Joseph McLean, Peter Davidson.

I was given this photo around 1953 by John Wynne in exchange for some sweets! I carried it around in my blazer for years, hence the bad condition."

Enlarge this photo

Photo

Country Dancing Competition

c.1951

Enlarge this photo

Stuart Fraser: 14 November 2016 (4 emails)

Recollections

19.

Al Love

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Al Love asked the question below. Do you have an answer to it? If so, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on Al's email address to you.

Andrew wrote:

Question

Which Secondary School?

"My Late Wife was born in 1940 and went to St. Mary's Primary School in York Lane .

I wonder if anyone who has contributed to the EdinPhoto web site could tell me which Secondary School pupils would have gone to after St Mary's Primary School.

Although might Wife and I were together for 35 years before I lost her, this was something that never came up."

Al Love: 25 December 2017