Edinburgh Recollections - Trinity Academy in the 1940s

Recollections Trinity Academy ©
Please click on one of the links below, or scroll down this page.
1.	Ed Thomson Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland During World War II	- My School - Music at Trinity 1 - Music at Trinity 2
2.	Joyce Messer North Island, New Zealand After World War II	- My School - Edinburgh - Graduation Robes - The Science Teacher - The English Teacher - Climbing Week - Thespian
3.	Winifred Huff (nee Mackie) California, USA 1948-53	- School Sports and Concerts - Youth Hostelling - Canada and USA
4.	Jim Mowat Edinburgh 1947-53	- Cairngorm Trip - Winnie and Ruth - Extra-Curricular Activities
5.	Brian V Fox Wells, Somerset, England 1940-46	- My School - The Science Teacher - The Maths Teacher - The Geography Teacher - Nicknames
6.	Brian V Fox Wells, Somerset, England 1940-46	- Drem Aerodrome - Rifle Team - Joke Whistle
7.	Joyce Messer North Island, New Zealand After World War II	- The Geography Teacher
8.	David Malcolm North Island, New Zealand To 1950	- Pirates of Penzance
9.	Michael Henderson Polmont, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland 1990-94	- Leith and Trinity Academy
10.	Alan Fentiman Bournemouth, Dorset, England 1967-72	- Trinity Academy
11.	Ruth Nordhoy (nee Hamilton) Whidbey Island, Seattle, Washington, USA 1948-53	- Friends - Granton Primary School - Trinity Academy

Recollections

Edward Thomson

Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland

Trinity Academy during World War II

Thank you to Ed Thomson, now living in a grace and favour flat in Glamis Castle, Angus Scotland, for telling me about two incidents at Trinity Academy in the 1940s.

Ed wrote:

My Schools

"I lived at 4 Summer Place and 5 Fraser Grove in Edinburgh and attended Wardie school then Trinity Academy before and during World War II.

I am a 'Toffee Aipple' *** school contemporary of Walter Hume and Douglas Beath and have read their recollections of Trinity on the web site.

I've written to tell you about two incidents involving Miss Caldwell, the Music Teacher, that happened when I was at Trinity."

*** Ed tells me that 'Toffee Aipple' refers to the 'T.A.' logo on the Trinity Academy school badge.

Music at Trinity - 1

"Miss Caldwell was acquainted with Dr Herbert Wiseman who did the BBC "Music for Schools" broadcasts. One day he visited our Music Class to give an illustrated lecture on Scots Songs.

I was sitting next to Peter Harkess (now in Oz) from Bonnington Grove. He was asked to sing the first verse of Nut Brown Maiden. This was typical of the music we 16-year-olds had to suffer.

Peter refused and was invited by Miss Caldwell to stand out in the Corridor. Wiseman's gaze fell on me. "Let me hear the first verse of "Wee Couper o' Fife", he demanded.

In solidarity with Peter, I refused with the comment "It's a lot of gibberish!!"

At this, Miss Caldwell intervened and sent us both down to Rector Weir's Office with the recommendation that we received six of the belt each for insulting the VIP visitor.

On our return to the Classroom we were given a round of applause from our Classmates and Caldwell stood banging the blackboard pointer on the floor demanding silence."

Music at Trinity - 2

"Miss Caldwell had very strong Classical music tastes Shostakovich, Greig and Bartok being among her favorites. She took a delight in playing records of them on the radiogram.

Fast forward to the day after VE Day there was an Assembly in the local Parish Church in Remembrance.

We were told we could bring records of our own to play in the Gymnasium where Crawfie, the Janitor, had set up a radiogram.

My contribution was a couple of military band marches which fitted the "Mood".

Ian Oldham, a classmate, an evacuee from blitzed Plymouth put on a Glenn Miller record he'd been given by a US serviceman.

Caldwell went up to the radiogram and switched it off ending the first ever Disco at Trinity Academy."

Edward Thomson, Glamis Castle, Angus Scotland: March 7, 2006

Recollections

Joyce Messer

North Island, New Zealand

Trinity Academy after World War II

Thank you to Joyce Messer, now living in North Island, New Zealand, for telling me about her time spent at Trinity Academy in the late 1940s.

Joyce wrote:

My School

"My parents were from Scotland (father Glasgow and mother Edinburgh) but moved to Cheshire before WW2 - then moved back to Edinburgh in 1947.

I went to Trinity Academy which I hated. I could not understand a word anyone said. Their Scottish accents were incomprehensible to me.

I used to be regularly strapped by the Latin teacher and the history teacher."

Edinburgh

"However I loved Edinburgh and have great memories of my teenage years there - selling programmes at the Festival so I could go to free concerts at the Usher Hall, dances at the medical school, the Heriot Watt and the Royal Dick Vet School.

I married a vet and came out to New Zealand."

Graduation Robes

"I see someone recalling Rector Weir at Trinity Academy. He was a Canadian.

Teachers always wore their graduation robes in those days during class and en masse looked like a collection of rooks."

Joyce subsequently sent more of her memories of Edinburgh.

Joyce wrote:

The Science Teacher

"I remember that the science teacher had apparently been involved in a car accident which had had severely damaged his hands. To improve his dexterity he was learning the piano and in particular Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

He had a film of Myra Hess playing this sonata and ran the film endlessly at every opportunity. I think it must have been at so- called free periods because I don't know what it had to do with science. A collective groan went up from the class every time Myra appeared in black and white on screen, pounding out Beethoven."

The English Teacher

"Another teacher was Miss Jamieson who taught English in one of the Nissen huts in the grounds which served as extra classrooms at Trinity.

She was given to banging the blackboard with a pointer shouting 'Eyes here.'

'Oh Miss Jamieson' some wag shouted: 'It should be I AM here' - the class nearly fell out of their seats with laughter, and I still think it's funny."

Climbing Week

"I have a photo taken with my precious Box Brownie of a group from Trinity who went climbing for a week (it seemed like a month) in the Cairngorms with the science teacher (whose name escapes me) and the maths teacher (Bulldog Drummond). It must have been around 1949/50.

I've asked Joyce if it will be possible for me to add a copy of this photo to the web site.

We camped by a stream which, when it rained overnight, became a raging torrent. Tents were washed out, food floated away and the wonder was no-one drowned.

Some of my toe nails came off later - the result of trying to walk and climb in borrowed boots that were too small.

We ended up in some huts which were at least dry. I think that whole area is now an up-market outdoor pursuits centre. Our week was basic and very down-market, but it has stayed in my mind!

Thespian

Mr Scott-Allan, by the way, was something of a thespian, and organised the annual Trinity Concert in the Usher Hall - usually of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

My feeling is that they were very well done. Certainly, a huge amount of work went into them. If pressed I could probably sing my way through several entire G & S operas.

Joyce Messer, North Island, New Zealand:

First two items: December 18, 2006. Remainder of items: April 27, 2007

Recollections

Winifred Huff (nee Mackie)

California, USA

Trinity Academy - 1948 to 1953

Thank you to Winifred Huff (nee Mackie), now living in USA, for telling me about her time spent at Trinity Academy in the late 1940s.

Winifred wrote:

School Sports and Concerts

"Ruth Hamilton, Maureen Coyle and I graduated along with our classmates in 1953 after 5 great years at Trinity.

My fondest memories are of Bangholm sports field, hockey games and track and field in the Spring, along with the great 'end of the year' concerts with Miss Munroe and Scott Allen; 'Trial by Jury', 'Iolanthe' and various others.

My favorite teacher was Bulldog Drummond, our maths teacher. He inspired me to teach. I now teach at the University, ESL* to international students."

* ESL = English as a Second Language

Youth Hostelling

"My friends and I spent one summer going with a school group to the Youth Hostels in the highlands, traveling on our bikes for about two weeks.

I remember I gave everyone a hair cut one night and we all looked like escapees from the local poor house!!!

Youth Hostels were a wonderful experience which probably caused me to discover the wanderlust in me. We eventually hostelled to Germany, Norway and all over Scotland."

USA and Canada

"Ruth and I have married and live in the U.S.

Maureen now lives in Canada."

Winifred Huff (nee Mackie), California, USA: April 29, 2007

Contacting Winifred Huff

Winifred Huff tells me that she would be pleased to hear from anybody who remembers her. If you would like to contact Winifred, please e-mail me and I will pass on your message to her.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs, June 3, 2007

Recollections

Jim Mowat

Edinburgh

Trinity Academy - 1947 to 1953

Thank you to Jim Mowat, who attended Trinity Academy from 1947 to 1953 for sending me these memories of the school.

Jim wrote:

Cairngorm Trip

"I remember both Joyce Messer and Winnie Mackie. They were both in the same year, one below me.

I was on the Cairngorm trip to which Joyce refers. Joyce and I were the senior pupils, supposedly helping the teacher, John Turpie. Bulldog Drummond was not on this trip.

I really enjoyed the week in the Cairngorms which gave me a taste for hill-walking which I never lost."

Winnie and Ruth

"Winnie and her friend, Ruth, were the pin-up girls of the school in those days. I remember them as stars of the hockey eleven. Ruth in fact attended the school re-union a few years ago."

Extra-curricular Activities

"I have many fond memories of Trinity and am grateful for the large number of extra-curricular activities which the staff ran - in particular rugby, cricket, basketball and chess, all of which I kept up after I left school.

School days may not have been the happiest days of my life but they were pretty close to it."

Jim Mowat, Edinburgh: October 3, 2007

Recollections

Brian V Fox

Wells, Somerset, England

Trinity Academy - 1940 to 1946

Thank you to Brian V Fox, Wells, Somerset, England for sending me these recollections of his time at Trinity Academy.

Brian wrote:

My Schools

"I was a pupil at Trinity Academy during the war years 1940-46."

Science Teacher

"We had a science teacher called Mr. Turpy. (I'm not sure of the spelling). He used to show us all kinds of experiments, one of which involved the use of ether.

At the end of the experiment he instructed us to dispose of the ether by pouring it down the lab bench sink, which we dutifully did.

However my friend (Peter Hutchison) and I lit the ether as it went down the sink and it ended up setting fire to a hidden gas pipe. Needless to say, it caused great consternation when flames came out of my exercise book drawer.

The fire was soon extinguished and all returned to normal. No questions were asked and the incident was soon forgotten."

Maths Teacher

"Our maths teacher was a Mr. Neil. He was an excellent teacher and a strong disciplinarian, and was responsible for me getting Higher Maths with distinction in 1946. Mr. Neil eventually became Headmaster of the school."

Geography Teacher

"The geography teacher was a Mr. Smith. We made his life a misery at times. On one occasion Peter misbehaved and was sent out of the class. He regained entry through a trap door in the floor of the world war one huts we were taught in.

Poor old Smithy couldn't understand how he kept re appearing without coming through the door. Occasionally he lost his temper and would fling his chalk eraser at the offending pupil."

Nicknames

"Nicknames were all the vogue at the time. I was called Medes and Peter was called Archy after Archimedes.

Peter and I used to get up to some pranks which I'm sure would have landed us in all sorts of trouble if done now.

They were happy days and I often wonder where all my class mates ended up."

Brian V Fox, Wells, Somerset, England: January 4, 2008

Recollections

Brian V Fox

Wells, Somerset, England

Trinity Academy - 1940 to 1946

Air Training Corps (ATC)

Thank you to Brian V Fox for sending memories of his activities with the ATC while at Trinity Academy.

Brian wrote:

Drem Aerodrome

"I joined the ATC whilst at Trinity and went on camps to Drem Aerodrome. The teachers involved were, to the best of my recollection, Mr.Turpie and Mr Neil.

We were taken up by the RAF on trips to give us a bit of flight experience. The aircraft involved were pretty sedate but on one occasion I went up in a Fairy Fulmar. The pilot asked if I wanted to do a few aerobatics, to which I replied: 'Yes'.

He then proceeded to scare the living daylights out of me by looping the loop, flying upside-down and nose-diving. I was desperate not to be airsick, as I would have had to pay 5 shillings to have it cleaned up, or do it myself.

However I managed to hang on until after landing and a friendly NAAFI lady gave a white-faced youth a cup of tea to settle him

Rifle Team

"We also had a .22 rifle team. My father, who was a Sergeant Major in the local Home Guard, managed to acquire some ammunition for me to practice. He also took me out onto the end of Granton breakwater with his men to fire a machine gun at targets floating in the Forth. It was great fun but highly unorthodox.

The father of one of my friends had a garage workshop in his back garden. It was 'off limits' to us lads, but we found a way in, and managed to make gun out of some .22 tubing. We took it to Cramond woods and fired it across the river Almond. We were caught by some local woodman and warned away.

Joke Whistle

The garage workshop featured in some other unfriendly neighbourhood activities, one of which involved a joke whistle won at a local fair.

It was huge, and almost impossible to blow. We overcame this by connecting it to a high pressure air tank. The resulting piercing noise was unbelievable and shattered the wooden pea inside the whistle. It also nearly drove the neighbour's dog demented. I don't know how we got away with it all, but we did."

Brian V Fox, Wells, Somerset, England: January 7, 2008

Recollections

David Malcolm

North Island, New Zealand

Trinity Academy to 1950

David Malcolm, North Island, New Zealand was one of the performers in Trinity Academy's production of 'The Pirates of Penzance' in 1950.

David sent me a copy of a photo of a rehearsal for the production. Unfortunately the copy was in poor condition, so I've not been able to reproduce it on the web site.

The following year, 1951, David went on to become a student at Leith Nautical College. He left Edinburgh in 1956.

David wrote

Pirates of Penzance

"I have a photograph of Trinity Academy's Head Teacher, Scott Allan, conducting a rehearsal of 'The Pirates of Penzance' for the school's end-of-year ceremony at Usher Hall. David appeared in the top left of the photo."

David Malcolm, North Island, New Zealand: January 16, 2008.

Recollections

Michael Henderson

Polmont, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Trinity Academy 1990-94

Michael Henderson left this message in the guest book. He would like to hear from others who were at Trinity Academy between 1990 and 1994.

Michael wrote:

Leith and Trinity Academy

"I moved from Leith 24 years ago to Polmont, Falkirk. I miss things I was brought up with and the people I went to school with at Trinity Academy between 1990 and 1994."

Michael Henderson, Polmont, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland: June 29 2008.

If you'd like to contact Michael, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Recollections

10.

Alan Fentiman

Bournemouth, Dorset, England

Thank you to Alan Fentiman who wrote:

Trinity Academy 1967-72

"There seems to be plenty of interest on the site about my old school, Trinity Academy, mostly from ex-pupils who are older than me.

I attended Trinity Academy from 1967 to 1972. At the time, I couldn't wait for my school days to be over but now that I look back on them, it is with fond memories. The fondest, perhaps, relate to the school production each year."

The School Production

"I recall 'La Belle Helene' and 'The Pirates of Penzance' and whilst I did not take part in them I did assist with the making of the scenery. It is just as proud a feeling when the curtain goes up and there in all its glory stands a pillar you helped to build, a distant skyline etc."

Teachers

"The most amazing thing about the memories of the 'older' former pupils was their mention of teachers who were still there in my years. Mr Neill was the Rector until, I think, about 1969, then William Brodie took over - a small, very stern and serious fellow. Mr Turpy, Miss Munro and Miss Jamieson were there also.

My first register teacher was a very pleasant chap called Mr Kennedy, English Department. I also recall very fondly Messrs Forsyth and Thompson in the Technical Department, Mr Storey in Art and Mr Khilo(?) and Miss Watt in French."

Sports

"Looking back from this distance, the memories of turning up at Bangholm at 8.30 on a frozen solid Saturday morning to play rugby also seem rosy - what a great thing time is!"

Alan Fentiman, Bournemouth, Dorset, England: July 5, 2008.

Recollections

11.

Ruth Nordhoy (nee Hamilton)

Whidbey Island, Seattle, Washington, USA

Thank you to Ruth Nordhoy, Seattle, Washington, USA who wrote:

Friends

"I've just spent a considerable time reading your web site. I couldn't tear myself away!!

I was pleased to read the comments from:

- Joyce Messer (2+7 above).

- Winifred Huff (nee Mackie) (3 above).

- Jim Mowat (4 above).

I've remained best friends with:

- Winifred Huff, now living in California and

- Maureen Coyle, now living in Vancouver, Canada.

A couple of years ago, we all attended a celebration of our 70th birthdays at Winnie's home."

Granton Primary School

"It's a long time since we three first met at Granton Primary School where we marched into class from the playground with Miss Rob playing the piano. The title of the song escapes my memory, but, of course, we had our own words for it!"

Trinity Academy

The hockey and tennis matches at Trinity are etched in my memory (although there are times I wish I had paid more attention my studies!!).

My sister, Sheila, who lives in Stockholm and I returned to Edinburgh for the school reunion. I have to admit I was disappointed to find that very few of my classmates attended, but had a good time anyway.

I have very happy memories indeed of Trinity and would be very happy to hear from any classmates from either Granton or Trinity Academy.

Ruth Nordhoy, Whidbey Island, Seattle, Washington, USA: August 10, 2008

Ruth Nordhoy

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

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: August 11, 2008

Recollections

12.

Winifred Huff (nee Mackie)

California, USA

Trinity Academy - 1948 to 1953

Thank you to Winifred Huff (nee Mackie) who wrote again.

Winifred wrote:

At School

"It's great to read so many stories about the people I used to know and and even went to school with at Trinity Academy.

Does anybody remember:

- buying a Penny Vance at the little 'Mom and Poop' store across the side street from Trinity Academy.

- all the times we came out of class for the day to find the air let out of our tires. Who did that?"

Winifred Huff, California, USA: August 11, 2008

Return to the School

"I made a trip back to Scotland with my daughter about 20 years ago and was happy to see that the old high school hadn't changed very much, I wonder if it has changed now?

Thanks to all who are contributing. It's so good to hear from you."

Winifred Huff (nee Mackie), California, USA: August 11, 2008

Trinity Academy still looks very similar to me today, at least from the outside.

- Peter Stubbs: 12 August 2008