Scottish Memories

World Alzheimer’s Day 21 September 2011

This is my life …

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Over 80,000 people in Scotland live with dementia every day. So do their carers, partners and families. Alzheimer Scotland provides information, advice and specialist dementia support.

Find out more Call our Dementia Helpline free on 0808 808 3000 (open 24 hours).

www.alz s c o t . o r g

Alzheimer Scotland – Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Registered Office: 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN. It is recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315.

Scottish Memories • September 2011 Our cover image, painted by David Young, depicts a quaint village school at playtime

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M m i is published by Warners Group Publications plc, 5th Floor, 31-32 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JD, UK website: www.scottish-memories.co.uk

PUBLISHER Janet Davison jand@warnersgroup.co.uk

EDITORIAL Managing Editor: Matt Hill matthewh@warnersgroup.co.uk Tel: 0113 200 2912

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Consultant Editor: George Forbes Contributors: Myra Douglas, Bobby Harvey, Aileen Torrance, Carrie-Ann Smith, Matthew Donnachie, James Hendrie, Cameron Slater, Crispin Andrew, Dorothy Connor, Barbara Sutherland, Anne Graham, Kathy Wallace, Colin Salter, Jim Black, Lisa Main, Joyce Somerville, Lesley Proctor. Landscape photography: Dennis Hardley (details on page 54).

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BACK ISSUES Back issues are available from the Scottish Memories subscriptions department, tel: 01778 392020. ISSN 0968-7874 DISCLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every care is taken to ensure that the contents of the magazine are accurate, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any resulting unsatisfactory transactions, but will immediately investigate any written complaints.

COPYRIGHT No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher.

© WARNERS GROUP PUBLICATIONS PLC 2011

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W lc m t Reading the many stories in this issue about that dreaded first day of school brought back plenty of memories for me, and I have to admit, to begin with I wasn’t too keen on being left in that strange building with all those strange children. In fact, my first few days were mostly spent devising more and more cunning ways to escape and chase my poor mum up the road!

more and more cunning ways to escape and chase my poor mum up the road!

Thankfully, as I gradually grew out of that first pair of wee grey shorts, I began to realise what fun school could be. Where else could you be amongst such a large group of friends, play games, sing songs, act the fool, and swap football cards? Oh, and there was quite a bit of learning too, in between those long playtimes, though the lessons don’t come to mind quite so readily! At the time we never believed our teachers when they told us that school days are the best days of your life, but looking back it certainly rings true.

Fast forward a few decades and now I’m the one telling the youngsters to enjoy their school days! It’s lovely to watch my own children, who are now both at school, as they begin to socialise with their friends and learn the routines of the school day. We often find ourselves looking back on times gone by and wishing things were the same today, but at least that traditional adventure of going to school is something future generations will continue to enjoy. They might use computers in the classroom now, but I bet most of the games and songs of the playground aren’t that dissimilar to the ones described in this issue!

C t ts 5 Then and now Scotland’s oldest theatre saved, Doors Open Day festival, Highland history goes digital, ancient pilgrim trail to reopen

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32 My first… day at school We begin our new series of ‘My first...’ memories with readers’ recollections of their first day at school

13 A Circle of Gentlemen Matthew Donnachie explains why a secret Jacobite society has opened its doors to the public for the first time

14 Memories mailbox Readers’ letters. Plus, George Forbes’ popular Writing to Remember column

16 Scottish war brides in Canada Uplifting and poignant memories from the Scottish brides who made new lives across the Atlantic after World War Two

34 Why we love The Steamie Colin Salter recalls his time on tour with the popular stage show The Steamie

36 Tales of Grews Well We explore the legends attached to an ancient Perthshire well which was believed to have miraculous healing properties 39 Reader memories The dough school, Fifties fashion, the lightning grocer, soldiering in the 1940s and treading the boards with Roy Castle

20 Oor wee school A nostalgic look at classroom life in the 1950s when pupils were seated according to ability and the janitor patrolled the corridors with pride

22 The Scotsman who led England The career of Belshill cricketer Mike Denness who captained England

24 Year to remember: 1955 Films, music and headlines from the Fifties

27 Destination Loch Lomond Your in-depth travel guide to the beautiful Loch Lomond region

45 Scottish Memories Book Club Wonderful books at fantastic prices!

47 Fiction: No boys allowed A nostalgic story about a young boy’s views on his big sister’s wedding gift showing

48 Sights and sounds of Scotland We give you the lowdown on the latest books and CDs with a Scottish flavour

50 A life of laughter The career of affable Glasgow showman Tommy Morgan

52 Puzzles WIN! Put the kettle on, sit back and relax with our page of puzzles and competitions!

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WIN £1,000 BY WRITING A SCOTTISH POEM!

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Fun in the Sun! Stan Laurel’s

‘The best job in the world!’… memories of a Butlins Redcoat

Shopping in

Stan Laurel’s Stan Laurel’s Scottish roots Scottish roots How an Ulverston lad How an Ulverston lad How an Ulverston lad How an Ulverston lad became a Hollywood hero became a Hollywood hero

Scottish roots How an Ulverston lad became a Hollywood hero the Fifties

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ATITSBEST

ATITSBEST

NOSTALGIA

NOSTALGIA

WINTICKETSTO SCOTLAND’S COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL

TO SCOTLAND’S COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL SCOTTISH NOSTALGIA ATITSBEST

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The best days of our lives

Playground games,favourite teachers,and the first day of school

A new life in CANADAThememoriesofScottishwarbrides

Seaside shows Summer entertainment at Rothesay Winter Gardens

Shopping in the Fifties When going to the shops was a family expedition!

Discover scenic Scotland in beautiful WESTERROSS

BORDER FLOODS OF 1948 • MEMORIES OF 1951 • RUSSELL CROWE’SVISITTO DUNCARRON

BORDER FLOODS OF 1948 • MEMORIES OF 1951 • RUSSELL CROWE’SVISITTO DUNCARRON

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READERS REMEMBER… • Fashion in the Fifties • Going to the flicks •A trip to the sweet shop

Why we love The Steamie

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J Sc M m i today n ’ n 2 u ! S ag 23 r d s…

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