Edinburgh History - Bonnington Primary School

Recollections

Alan Hislop

Edinburgh

Alan Hislop wrote:

Question

School Badge

"I'm trying to remember what was on the Bonnington Primary School badge. Can anybody tell me?"

Alan Hislop, Edinburgh: January 19, 2010

If you know the answer to this question, please email me then I'll pass your message on to Alan.

Thank you . - Peter Stubbs, January 19, 2010

Recollections

Reply

Allan Mathewson

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Thank you to Allan Matthewson for replying to Alan Hislop's comments above

Bonnington Primary School

School Badge

"Alan Hislop was once a classmate of mine. The question that he asks above is an old one, but I've just come across it.

I'm sure that the emblem on the Bonnington Primary School badge was a ship with the initials B and S."

Allan Matthewson, Perth, Western Australia: July 4, 2014

Recollections

Danny Callaghan

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to Danny Callaghan who wrote:

School Badge

"Sorry, I cannot answer Alan Hislop's question about the school badge, but I do have a recollection about Bonnington School

Meals

"My cousin Mary Hope (née Dick) was the Dinner Lady / Cook at Bonnington School in the 1970s and 1980s, possibly even longer. At that time, councils were trying to reduce the cost of school meals by introducing pre-cooked cheap product meals from central kitchens.

My cousin dug her heels in about the need to the kids good wholesome cooked meals. Her argument, quite rightly, was her grandson was a pupil there and she was not going to see him fed with the inferior meals.

She won support from the head, teachers and parents, and continued to cook meals on site. I think it would be fair to say that she was formidable character when she dug her heels in.

Sadly, Mary Hope died in 2005."

Danny Callaghan, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland:
January 19, 2010 + February 13, 2012

Recollections

Keith MacKay

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thank you to Keith MacKay who wrote:

Canada

"Hugh Mcgill was my grandfather. He lived in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada where he died."

1893

I came across a book given to him for perfect attendance at Bonnington Road School in 1893. The book is 'The life of Queen Victoria' Peoples' edition, 1887."

Family

In trying to trace my grandfather's roots. I'd like to know how old he was at this time. This might give me some idea of when he immigrated to Canada, and some information about his siblings and parents. I'm trying to build a family tree.

Keith MacKay, Calgary, Alberta, Canada: May 29, 2010

Reply to Keith Mackay

If you'd like to send a reply to Keith, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs: May 29 2010

Recollections

Patricia Niccolls (née Wynne/Watt)

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Thank you to Keith MacKay who wrote:

School

"I went to Bonnington Primary School until the early-1970s."

Accident

"Around 1971 or 1972, when I was 12 or 13 yrs old and on the last day of school before the break, I fell through the skylight and landed approx 30ft below on the marble floor of the school corridor.

I spent many weeks in hospital and convalescence then my parents moved to England and I now live in Phoenix, Arizona, USA."

Question

What Happened?

"I'd love to find some information of that event and to hear from any of the students who were at the school at the time. It would be nice to hear something."

Patricia Niccolls (née Wynne/Watt), Phoenix, Arizona: February 12, 2012

Reply to Patricia

If you'd like to send a reply to Patricia please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs: February 12, 2012

Recollections

Danny Callaghan

Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Thank you to Danny Callaghan, who sent Recollections 2 above for writing again.

Danny wrote:

School Closed

"Bonnington Primary School closed in 2008 and is currently being renovated. It is to reopen as a Gaelic Language School in 2013."

School Badge

"I have tried to find the answer as to the school badge, but without success. The front of the school has the Leith Crest and also busts of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson so they may have formed part of a school badge."

Danny Callaghan, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland: February 13, 2012

Recollections

Ginny Smith

Thank you to Ginny Smith who wrote on the subject of the school badge, already mentioned by a few of the contributors above.

Ginny wrote:

School Badge

"I’m sure the badge showed a building. Maybe it was the outline of the school. I think it was a white picture drawn on a black background."

Ginny Smith: April 10, 2012

Recollections

Judy Tomlin

Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Judy Tomlin, Ontario, Canada, who wrote:

My Mother

Annie (Nancy) Barnes Anderson Colye

"My mother was born in Leith. She lived on Breadlebane Street, South Leith, and attended Bonnington Primary School.

She had several brothers and sisters, all of whom raised families. Her brothers and sisters were:

- Thomas (Tommy): now aged 87 and living in Leith.

- John.

- Euphemia (Phemie): now aged 95 and living in England.

- May.

Annie married my dad, a Canadian soldier, in 1945 at South Leith Parish Church.

Here are two photos of Annie. Does anyone remember her?"

Judy Tomlin, Ontario, Canada: April 25, 2013

Photo 1

Annie Coyle and her young cousin.

This photo was taken in 1940s, shortly before Annie emigrated to Canada.

Photo 2

Annie Coyle on her Wedding Day

Annie's was married at South Leith Parish Church in 1945.

Reply to Judy?

If you'd like to send a reply to Judy, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Judy. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: April 25, 2013

Recollections

Dave Scott

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to Dave Scott who also remembers the accident that Patricia had at the school (mentioned in her Recollections 4 above).

Dave wrote:

Accident

"Wow Patricia! I remember tyour accident that day at school.

I remember you guys going off to explore the attic. We were in the class room. I think it was the holidays coming up because I think we were playing board games or something.

Then the huge crash. It really shook me up. I guess you must have left the school after that because I don’t remember ever seeing you get better.

Bonnington School

"I was just googling Bonnington Road School after my sister emailed me saying that it had re-opened as Edinburgh’s only Gaelic School. I found your comment during my search."

Remember Me?

"I'm not sure if you’ll remember me. I'm David Scott. I live in Vancouver, Canada, now.

Here is the only class photo I have. It was taken before your time though, I think.

I’m in the back row, on the far right. Do you have a school photo from that time?"

Dave Scott, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: January 5, 2013

Recollections

James Ramage

Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland

Thank you to James Ramage for also replying to Patricia about the accident that she had at Bonnington School (mentioned in her Recollections 4 above).

James wrote:

Accident

"Patricia:

I remember the accident exactly the same way as David Scott described it in his Recollections 8 above. It was the last day of school and we were playing games in the classroom when we heard the crash in the corridor. I hope you are keeping well, and out of the attics these days!

Regards:

Jim (James) Ramage -standing next to David Scott in this photo.

James Ramage, Bonnington, Midlothian, Scotland: January 30, 2014