Recollections

1.

Brian Gourlay

Biggar, Lanarkshire. Scotland

Thank you to Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland, for sending me the photograph above, of his parents' shop at 119 Piersfield Terrace.

Bryan wrote:

1948

"Here is a photo of the shop that my parents owned at 119 Piersfield Terrace.

We lived in the back room of the shop for two or three years. We didn’t have the luxury of a bath – just one big room with a toilet in a cupboard at the back, with iron bars on the one window."

2008

"Surprisingly, the shop is still there.  It is now a smallish newsagent and general food shop – even although there is a big Morrisons right across the road.

I went in a few months ago and found it was immaculate and, although much changed, the front interior was still recognisable from 60 years ago. The young, friendly Asian chap serving could hardly believe that I lived in the back room which is now just used as a store – although he told me the toilet is still in the corner and the iron bars are still on the window."

 The Shop

"The mainstay of the shop was selling cigarettes and sweeties to patrons of the Carlton picture house directly opposite.   It’s a pity the signs in the window aren’t clearer, other than:

-   Gold Flake

-  Hornimans Tea

-  Oxydol soap powder

-  Benedict Peas.

We moved away towards the end of 1948."

Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland:  October 11, 2009

Piersfield Grove

The shop at 119 Piersfield Terrace was close to the junction with Piersfield Grove. The photo below was taken from the top of Piersfield Grove.

   ©

Recollections

2.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson for finding another advertising sign in the shop window.  Bob wrote:

 The Shop

"There is a 'Players Please' cigarettes sign, just under the Hornimans Tea sign.

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh:  October 12+17, 2009