Magdalene

About half a mile south of Portobello

 

Recollections

1.

Carol Lamond

Argyll

Thank you to Carol Lamond who wrote:

Fruit Shop

"My Uncle Hector and his wife, Peggy,  owned a fruit shop / deli at Holy Corner for many years.

I have fond childhood memories of my Mum being given balsa wood baskets containing 'chipped' white peaches and occasionally pomegranates.  My sister Jackie, my brother James and I could choose one piece each and enjoy."

These fruits seemed so exotic at a time when we were living at Magdalene and my mother was only able to purchase a couple of apples, a couple of oranges and a banana on a Saturday.

Grocer's Shop

"My Grandpa James (Jimmy Hastie) had a grocers shop along with my Grannie Agnes (Craig) at Brunstane Bank in Joppa - I think in the 1970's.  The shop was sold to Mr. Bryce who used to drive a mobile bakers' shop around our scheme in Magdalene."

On the Streets

"At Magdalene, I remember:

-  the rag and bone man. Regardless of how many clothes you gave him, you still got the same 'gift'

-  the chip van with its vats of boiling fat

-  the fish van

-  the fruit van (which definitely allowed my mum the chance to buy more fruit for us because it was cheaper)

-  Mr Rendall's mobile grocer shop.

-  Also Barrs juice lorry

and, my favourite

-  the old man who used to come round with a box of toffee apples for sale for 6d, He would shout:

 'tawfyapulsforrrrsaaaiiiiiiilllllleee'.

He would carefully place the box on the ground and then snort loudly and then 'gob' right next to the shiny red caramel-coated delicacies.

This did not bother us children, but my mum was mortified."

Carol Lamond, Argyll, Scotland:  October 8, 2009

  

Recollections

2.

John Clark

Magdalene, Edinburgh

Thank you to John Clark who wrote:

Magdalene Gardens

"My family lived at 3/5 Magdalene Gardens.

Memories

"I have  great memories of:

-  jumping the burn

-  Daisy chip shop

-  the bakers that I still visit, 40 years later.

-  the Walker family at No.7

-  St Martin's Church, where the Boys' Brigade met.  Sadly, it has been knocked down.

Neighbours

"They were simple times.   We played fitbaw all day.  The thing i remember is that most poeple were happy having moved into a new house from inner-city tenements.

We all got on well,  and I'm glad that I was brought up in Magdalene"

John Clark, Magdalene:  July 31, 2013

 

Recollections

Around Edinburgh

 

 

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