Recollections

Gordon Wright

Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Thank you to Gordon Wright for sending a copy of this photo to me and to Scotsman Publications for allowing me to reproduce it.

Gordon wrote

Parson's Green School

Living at Piershill

"Although I was born in Glasgow, our family moved to Edinburgh shortly after World War 2 to live, temporarily, with my Grandmother on my Father’s side.

We lived at 1 Piershill Square West till just after the Coronation in 1953 then moved to council accommodation in Northfield Gardens, where I lived until joining the RAF in 1962.

Parson's Green School Pupils

"The photo at the top of this page is of a group of school kids from the original Parson's Green School, (which burned down). Unfortunately, it does not show the school, only some of the kids that used to attend there.

I've never been able to find a photo of the old school building which is a great shame since it has gone forever now.

Gordon Wright, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England: October 28 + November 1, 2012

Recollections

Winnie Lisowski

Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Winnie Lisowski for responding to a comment from Gordon Wright above.

Winnie wrote:

Parson's Green School

Photo of the School

"Gordon Wright says:

"I've never been able to find a photo of the old school building which is a great shame since it has gone forever now."

Here is a photo of it:

Photo 2

Parson's Green school can also be seen in the background of this photograph of the Postal Bowling Club's bowling green."

Photo 3

Winnie Lisowski, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland: November 2, 2012

Photos of the School

Winnie sent the first of these two photos to me earlier in the year. I added both photos to the web site in February 2012.

Please click on the thumbnail images above to enlarge them..

Winnie Lisowski, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland: November 2, 2012

Recollections

Gordon Wright

Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England

Gordon Wright replied:

Parson's Green School

Photos of the School

"Thank you so much for the information on my old school and for the two photos shown. The one taken just after the fire was particularly poignant for me and, although the roof was missing in the shot, it brought back so many memories.

I always used to approach the school from the direction of Lismore Avenue, so that would be the first view of the building I got in in my schooldays.

It was also nice to see the other photo, although the old place was in the background. Please send my grateful thanks to Winnie Lisowski. Do you have any idea when Winnie attended the School and who her teachers were?

My last teacher was called Mr Baxter. I also remember a Mr Sharp being Headmaster at one point."

Gordon Wright, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England: November 14, 2012

Message for Winnie

Hi Gordon. I'll pass on your thanks to Winnie. I'll also ask her when she attended Parson's Green School, and I'll let you know the answer.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: November 15, 2012

Recollections

Winnie Lisowski
(née Veitch)

Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Winnie Lisowski for responding to Gordon Wright's Recollections 3 above.

Winnie wrote:

Parson's Green School

Gordon

"It's nice to know Gordon has now seen a photo of his old school."

Teachers and Friends

"I attended Parson's Green from 1953 until 1958.

- My teachers were Miss Robb and Mrs Karius.

- My cousin Mairi Macnab was a student teacher at this school in 1958.

- The headmaster, then, was Bob Mowat.

- My class mates were:

- Kenneth Chalmers

- Catriona Smith

- George Coleman

- David Adams."

Home and School

"I stayed in 5 Lismore Crescent which looked straight along Lismore Avenue, the way Gordon walked to the school.

Gordon might perhaps remember me by my maiden name which was Veitch.

There are now flats, exactly where the school once stood, overlooking the bowling green and of course the Queen's Park."

Winnie Lisowski, née Veitch, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland: November 16, 2012

Recollections

Winnie Lisowski
(née Veitch)

Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Winnie Lisowski who added:

Parson's Green School

The Janitor's House

"I just remembered that the janitor's house stood within the grounds of Parson's Green School and was entered from the street.

It was quite a large house and I use to play with the janitor's daughter, Christine, during the summer holidays.

I'm now wondering if the house still remains as I can't imagine it was damaged in the fire. I'll try to find out as I know someone who stays in the flats."

Winnie Lisowski, née Veitch, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland: November 17, 2012

Recollections

Winnie Lisowski
(née Veitch)

Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Winnie Lisowski who added:

Parson's Green School

The Janitor's House - Gone!

"I just been onto Google Earth to view the flats where Parson's Green school once stood, and found that the janitor's house seems to have gone.

I would imagine that it was demolished when the flats were built. That's a pity as it was a lovely red stone building."

Winnie Lisowski, née Veitch, Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland: November 20, 2012

Recollections

Nicky Bull

Tring, Hertfordshire, England

Nicki Bull wrote:

Parson's Green School

Donald John Harper

"I am researching my late father’s early life. I've just discovered that he attended:

- Parson’s Green between 1934-36 and

- Broughton 1936-9,

I'd dearly like to hear from anyone who was at these schools during this time, and if they recall my father, Donald John Harper, that would be a bonus. He may be remembered as having come to Scotland from the south of England, although his mother was an Edinburgh girl

Any photographs of the schools from this period would also be wonderful."

Nicky Bull, Tring, Hertfordshire, England: April 8, 2013

Recollections

John Archibald

Hastings, Victoria, Australia

Thank you to John Archibald who wrote:

Parson's Green

"We shifted from Dalry to Wolseley Place and I went to Parson’s Green School.

I remember:

- getting the Dandy and Beano at Renton's Newsagency. You had to order it.

- Leadbaker's bakers shop.

- McVitie & Price. I used to go there for a bag of stale tea bread for 6d."

Emigration

"I finished Finished my schooling at Moray House, then came out to Australia in 1950 with my parents.

Our family were Hearts supporters! P.S., remember. Kind regards to all in Dalry.

John Archibald, Hastings, Victoria, Australia: April 8, 2014