Recollections

James Munro

Le Tonkin, SW France

Thank you to James Munro who wrote:

1946-51

"I attended Broughton School from 1946 to 1951, but the name, Graham Simpson, does not sound familiar to me. I have a class photo of our class 5A2."

Pipe Band

"I was in the school pipe band under the "strict guidance" of Bessie* Somerville, a French teacher - and thus I remember Bill Blair, the Pipe Major of the school band, who wrote to you."

* See also Recollections 8 below

Headmaster

"The headmaster was Dr. Thomas Black, who could certainly wield a tawse - you could hear him coming down the corridor with his metal heel caps !"

Rugby

"I played rugby for the 1st Team, then the 1st F.P.'s Team with:

- James Meiklejohn

- Bill Holland

- Willy Simpson (whose father ran a bagpipe business).

There were also:

- Alistair Mutch

- Crawford McLeary

- et alia."

Now Living in France

"As I live in S.W. France, I have never seen the Comely Bank school, not having seen Edinburgh for 35 years.

I would certainly like to hear from anyone whom I met."

James Munro, Le Tonkin, SW France: August 1, 2010

Reply to James Munro?

If you'd like to send a message to James Munro, please email me, then I'll pass it on to him.

Thank you . - Peter Stubbs, June 28, 2010

Recollections

Colin Campbell

Hampshire, England.

Thank you to Colin Campbell for responding to Muriel Crayner's message about Ian Granger in Recollections 4 above.

Colin wrote:

Ian Grainger

"I'm almost certain that Ian and I were both in class 3B2 at school. I even think we were in the same Cubs at Abbeyhill - something like the 134th Edinburgh Waverly

I have a photo taken all those years ago, somewhere.

I am domiciled in Hampshire. I left Edinburgh to become a Professional musician and even at my age (this year I will be 78) I am still playing.

Kind regards to Ian"

Colin Campbell, Hampshire, England: January 15, 2012

Reply to Ian Grainger

I've passed on to Colin Campbell the latest email address that I have for Muriel Crayner, in the hope that Colin will be able to get in touch with Ian.

Ian is Muriel's uncle.

Thank you . - Peter Stubbs, January15, 2012

Recollections

John Richardson

Chilcompton, Somerset. England

Thank you to John Richardson, who wrote:

School Pipe Band

"I was at Broughton school with:

- Graham Simpson (Recollections 1 above)

- Bill Blair (Reply to Recollections 1 above)

- Meta Gedrum (Mentioned in Reply to Recollections 1 above.
I remember her as being the brightest pupil in our class and have often wondered what career she followed.)

In fact Bill and I were amongst the original members of the school Pipe Band when it was started by the bane of my school life, our French teacher, Mrs Somerville."

Move to England

"I left Scotland in 1960 and have worked in many places in England for the British Printing Corporation. That is until Robert Maxwell made a mess of things.

Then I became a Director for the Mid Somerset Newspapers, based in Wells

During my travels in the 1970s/1980s, I met Blyth Wakeford and Alfie Hilson, both of whom were in the same class as myself, Bill Blair and Metra Gerdrim at Broughton. Blyth married a girl from Sunderland and eventually secured a job with the newspaper there as a compositor.

Alf became one of my customers when he became the Print Buyer for one of the biggest Mail order companies based in Worcester. (I never thought when I was at Broughton that I would be entertaining him to Lunch some day)

I'd be grateful if you would pass on my beat wishes to my old (!) class mates."

John Richardson, Chilcompton, Somerset, England: December 21, 2012

John:

I've sent emails to Graham Simpson and Bill Blair to tell them about your message above. Unfortunately, the email that I sent to Graham has been returned to me as 'undeliverable', so I'm not able to contact him. Let's hope that he'll take another look at this page and finds your message here.

- Peter Stubbs: January 18, 2012

Recollections

Babs McGill
(née Margaret 'Baba' Husband)

New Jersey, USA

Thank you to Babs McGill for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Babs wrote:

Remember Me?

"I lived in Broughton Court and attended London Street School, then Broughton Senior Secondary. I worked in Edinburgh till I left for USA in 1965.

Does anyone out there remember me? I remember:

- all the dance halls.

- the picture houses.

- Chambers Street Museum which was the only place you could 'hang out' on a Sunday!"

Babs McGill (née Margaret 'Baba' Husband), New Jersey, USA
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, September 2, 2012.

Reply 1

Cathy Luppino (née Cormack), Pennsylvania, USA, wrote:

Remember Me? - Yes!

"I remember you, Babs. Remember the Palais days? How are you?"

Cathy Luppino (née Cormack), Pennsylvania, USA, wrote:
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, September 3, 2012.

Reply 2

Jacque Blues wrote:

Remember Me? - Yes!

"Babs: My sister Doreen remembers you. We stayed at 17 Broughton Court. We were the Sharps.

Our Nana and Granda stayed next door to us, and Ann Morrison stayed along the landing, Do you remember us?"

Jacque Blues
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, October 2, 2012.

Reply 3

June Wood (née Robertson), Arroyo Grande, Central Coast, California, USA wrote:

Blues Family

"Hi Jacque: This is a long shot, but I am related to the Blues Family from Edinburgh."

June Robertson Wood, Arroyo Grande, Central Coast, California, USA:
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, October 5, 2012.

June also refers to several members of her family in her reply to Babs McGill's message posted on the EdinPhoto web site on September 2, 2012.

Reply 4

Jacque Blues replied to the message from June Wood:

Blues Family

"Hi June: phew, I haven't got a clue who's who in our family, I will have to ask my brother-in-law for some info lol. My other half's Mum and Dad were Charlie and Mary Blues.

Charlie originally came from Niddrie Mains Terrace. When he and Mary married, they set up home in the prefabs at Greendykes. They then moved to Niddrie Mains Road.

I think Charlie may have had a relative named Chrissie but I don't know if she was a Blues or became one through marriage - it's all too confusing for me but I'll certainly ask my brother-in-law and get back to you.

Do you live in Edinburgh? **

Jacque"

Jacque Blues
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, October 9, 2012.

** No: Arroyo Grande, Central Coast, California, USA

Recollections

Mae Eddie (née Graham)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Mae Eddie (née Graham), Toronto, Ontario, Canada for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook saying that she would be interested to hear from anyone who remembers her from school or work.

Mae wrote:

Broughton Senior Secondary School

"I was lucky enough to go to Broughton Senior Secondary School (1953-1957). I was in Commercial classes 1X1,2X1,3X1 & 4C."

Scottish Union Insurance Company

"I worked for Scottish Union / Norwich Union Insurance Co. in St. Andrew Square for ten years.(1957-1967). Then, a friend at work and I decided to immigrate to Toronto.

Now in 2013, I still miss Edinburgh so much and go back often. My wonderful education at Broughton Senior Secondary School and my working experience in Edinburgh put me in good stead.

It was only this year that I retired from a wonderful working career, spanning 56 years since 1957.

I'd love to hear from anybody who may have known me from school or who worked with me in Edinburgh."

Mae Eddie (née Graham), 60, Eyre Place, Edinburgh, Scotland THEN (from 1967)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Message posted in EdinPhoto guestbook, March 29, 2013

Reply 1

Cathy Luppino (née Cormack), Pennsylvania, USA, wrote:

Babs McGill

"Hello Mae, I just read your entry in the guestbook. I grew up in the Grassmarket and attended St. Ignatius and St. Thomas' Schools.

A good friend of mine attended London Street School and Broughton Senior Secondary (I'm sure she was in the Commercial classes). Her name is Margaret (BaBa) McGill (née Husband). You'll find an entry from her dated September 2, 2012 in the guestbook.

We all called her Babs - and still do! I came to USA in 1960. Babs came in 1965. I live in Pennsylvania. , Babs is in New Jersey. I'm sure she would love to hear from you. Good luck!"

Cathy Luppino (née Cormack), Pennsylvania, USA, wrote:
Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook, September 3, 2012.

Reply 2

Babs McGill

Hi Mae. Cathy Luppino has suggested that you might like to contact Margaret McGill.

Unfortunately, when Margaret posted her message in the EdinPhoto guestbook on September 2, 2012, she did not leave her email address.

However it sounds as if Cathy Luppino may well know Margaret's email address. I have an email address for Cathy, so if you'd like me to pass it on to you, please email me and ask for it..

Peter Stubs, Edinburgh, September 3, 2012.

Recollections

12.

Doreen Leslie (née Spence)

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Thank you to Doreen Leslie who wrote:

Broughton School

Sports

"I attended Broughton from 1950 to 1954.

- I played hockey while at school, and also for the Former Pupils before I left for Canada.

- I ran hurdles and track, and still have my Picardy House pin."

Teachers

"I remember:

- Dr. Black, the headmaster, with his heavy footsteps, striding the halls.

- Mr. Campbell the geography teacher with the Walrus moustache who had a wry sense of humour.

- Miss Jaffrey, the art teacher whose favourite colour had to be Magenta. She'd look at your picture and tell you that it needed a little something and always said try magenta there.

- Miss Stewart , a sweet older lady who taught French.

- Mr Cochrane, a young music teacher. That reminds me of being in the Usher Hall, doing Handel's Messiah.

- Mr Wallace, our Home Room teacher who taught Maths. Poor man. He fell over my book satchel as I had thrown it on a half-way staircase landing, as I was rushing out one lunchtime.

School Lunches

"I remember the Tapioca pudding with raisins that the boys used to say were more likely dead flies! To this day, I never eat Tapioca pudding."

School Song

"In closing, does anyone remember the Broughton School Song? I would like to know just for fun, as thinking about it has triggered all these old memories.

The song began: 'Broughton, our Hearts are Thine'."

Doreen Leslie (née Spence), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: July 27, 2014

Reply to Doreen?

If you'd like to send a message to Doreen, either because you remember the words of the Broughton School Song or for any other reason, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on Doreen's email address to you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 2014

Update

Please see the reply from David Pettigrew in Recollections 40 below.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 2014

Recollections

13.

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Thank you to Laurie Thompson who wrote:

Broughton School

School Song

"I don't know if my aging memory is playing tricks, but in my head, I'm getting the following words for the Broughton School song:

Mother of ours benign,

We that are call-ed thine,

Lovingly name thee,

Proudly proclaim thee,

Broughton Forever!"

This was in the 1958-64 era. If these words are wrong, maybe they'll at least jolt somebody else's memory into the right groove!"

Laurie Thompson: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire England: July 27, 2014

Reply to Laurie

Hi Laurie:

Your memory doesn't seem to be playing any tricks. Your memory of the school song agrees with Gordon Davie's reply below, except that he has included 3 more lines in the song.

Doreen Leslie (née Spence), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: July 27, 2014

Recollections

14.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie who replied to Doreen Leslie's question about the Broughton school song at about the same time as Laurie Thompson replied above.

Gordon wrote:

Broughton School

School Song

"I've just been reading Doreen Leslie's memories of Broughton School. I went there from 1969 to 1975. The first three years I was at the McDonald Road building, then after that I was out at Carrington Road opposite Fettes College.

I can only remember part of the school song, as follows. Some of the words were extended over more syllables than they actually had, to fit the rhythm, and I've tried to indicate that!

Mother of ours benign

We that are call-ed thine

Lovingly na-ame thee

Whether afar or near

Ever we hold thee dear

Lovingly name thee

Proudly acclaim thee

Broughton for e-e-ver!

Gowns and Mortar Boards

We would sing the song on Founders' Day, at a service in the church up the road. That was the only time that all of the teachers wore their academic gowns and mortar boards!

Some of them wore their gowns on a daily basis, though most of the younger ones didn't bother.

I think the only other time I've seen teachers wearing mortar boards has been in films, so most of the pupils found it quite amusing."

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: July 27, 2014

Recollections

15.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie for writing again.

Gordon wrote:

Broughton School

School Song

"I'm glad to find that my recollections of the Broughton school song match Laurie Thompson's. It's always nice when someone else remembers the same things, so I know that my memory is accurate!

As I recall, some of the words of the first verse were repeated (with a different tune) as the chorus, which might explain the slight differences between Laurie's recollections and mine. I think Laurie has come up with the complete chorus whereas I've got part of that and part of the actual verse."

Mortar Boards

"The teachers' mortar boards that we found so amusing were such a bizarre piece of headgear. I wonder who came up with that idea."

Mortar Boards

As often happens, the Wikipedia page comes has up with some interesting information - including these facts, and many others:

1. The mortar board got its name because its shape is similar to the hawk (a plasterer's or bricklayer' s tool) used to hold mortar.

2. The mortar board is believed to have developed from the biretta, a similar looking hat worn by Roman Catholic clergy, and possibly before that from a similar looking Roman skullcap.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 30, 2014

School Lunches

"In the original message Doreen Leslie mentioned school lunches. Now that she has brought them up (pun fully intended!) it reminded me of the strange way of serving them that went on in the McDonald Road building.

The dining hall was a long, narrow building with tables seating eight pupils against each wall. The boys sat on the left and the girls on the right, filling the tables from the top down, so if you wanted to sit with your friends you all had to go in together.

The boys simply sat down, but - and here is the strange part - each girl had to collect a meal from the counter and serve it to the next boy who was sitting waiting, before going back to the counter to fetch her own lunch.

This clearly wouldn't be acceptable in these days of equality, and even in 1969 it seems outdated, so I'm half convinced I've imagined the whole thing. Can either Doreen or Laurie confirm that this went on?"

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: July 27, 2014

Recollections

16.

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Thank you to Laurie Thompson who wrote:

Broughton School

School Song

"I was interested to read Gordon Davie's further comments on the Broughton School song, and his recollections of the school.

If we can just find another couple of old fogies who went to Broughton, we might be able to complete the song!"

The Dining Room

"As regards the school dinners, I remember that they took place in a basement below the main building, the (now-blue) door to which can still be seen on the right, just inside the main McDonald Road entrance to the buildings in the current Google Street View.

(The old building is still looking good, but, according to one Google entry, a planning application was made to convert the building to residential use in the form of flats. I don't know how far that got.)"

School Dinners

"As far as the dinners themselves are concerned, we never called them lunches. We bought ''Dinner Tickets'. I think that was what was actually printed on them.

I remember the dinners quite fondly:

- lots of stodge - stews, mince, potatoes, cabbage, etc.

- as a gesture to summer, a basic salad (lettuce and tomato) with the boiled potatoes and whatever meat was on the menu that day.

- My favourite pudding? The ubiquitous 'cake-and-custard', sometimes steamed puddings with raisins, and so forth. Often, they had the texture of, and tasted like, a slice of real cake.

How much nourishment was in the dinners, I don't know, but they certainly filled the hole!"

Serving the Dinners

"As regards the girls serving the boys, I don't remember that! I remember our contemporary girls as being very early/mid-sixties, bright and self-assured, and I can't imagine them waiting on table for their classmates.

However, I have to admit, I can't actually remember how the food got from container to table, although I do remember that there were 'dinner ladies', and the plates might have been served up by them, and then passed down the bench tables from one end to the other."

The Teachers' Dress

"Regarding the teachers' dress, I never saw a mortar board, although the black gowns were regularly worn by all the teachers I can remember."

Belts

"Did these gowns have a pocket for the teachers' belts? - the punishment belts, not the trouser support variety!. In my memory, these belts were always produced from the depth of the gown, much like a gunslinger making a cross-draw, but maybe I'm still traumatized!"

Laurie Thompson: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire England: August 8, 2014

Reply to Laurie

Hi Laurie:

Your memory doesn't seem to be playing any tricks. Your memory of the school song agrees with Gordon Davie's reply below, except that he has included 3 more lines in the song.

Doreen Leslie (née Spence), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: July 27, 2014

Recollections

17.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie who replied:

Broughton School

School Dinners

"I'm disappointed to learn that Laurie Thompson is unable to back up my account of how the school dinners were served. Maybe I am imagining it after all!

However, he is quite right in pointing out the location of the dining hall - the door in the bottom right corner of the face of the building as you come along McDonald Road. Unfortunately the way Google Street View is set up means you can't get a clear picture of that wall. However you can just make out the door to the left of the dining hall, which was the main entrance to the school."

Prefects at McDonald Road

"There was a flight of steps inside, and immediately at the top, on the left, was a stockroom which the prefects used as a common room. Up until 1969 only selected pupils became prefects, but the policy changed then and the whole of the Sixth Year was appointed. That was the year I started at Broughton, but I'm sure there was no connection!"

Prefects at Carrington Road

"In the new building out at Carrington Road, opposite Fettes' College, the prefects had a purpose-built common room where they would go to relax and drink coffee when they didn't have a class. I remember when I was a prefect, the school had a visit from the poet Hugh MacDiarmid. He came to the common room and chatted with us over a coffee, while we sat (metaphorically) at his feet.

I'm not sure why he came to the school, as he had (so far as I'm aware) no connection with it, other than the fact that one of the School Houses, for sports etc., was named 'Grieve' after him. ('His real name was C.M. Grieve.)"

Thank You

"It's wonderful how one person's memories will unlock those of someone else, and so on down the line in a chain reaction. Thanks to Laurie and to Doreen Leslie earlier, I now have several things I now feel compelled to put down for posterity, but that's for another day!"

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: August 10, 2014

Recollections

19.

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Laurie Thomson wrote again after reading Recollections 17 and 18 above.

Laurie wrote:

Hugh MacDiarmid

"I've just read Archie Foley's Recollection 18, and re-read Gordon Davie's Recollection 17. Regarding Hugh MacDiarmid, unlike Gordon and Archie Foley, I have no recollection of any mention of, or visit by, him during my years at Broughton."

Prefects' Room

"However, as regards the Prefects' Room mentioned by Gordon, I remember this quite clearly:

- partly because I've got a couple photos I took in it, in my last school week in 1964, tucked away in a box somewhere

- also because, being the only common room I have any personal experience of, it's the room I visualise as the sixth year common room described near the beginning of Ian Rankin's book "A Question of Blood" - even though the one in that book is set in a fictional school in South Queensferry and had a computer in it!"

Dining Room

"Finally, on Google Street View, if you 'walk' away from the school entrance towards Leith Walk then turn through 180 degrees at the first little tree in the parking bay next to the Annex Building, the blue Dining Room door becomes clearly visible."

Laurie Thompson: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire England: August 17, 2014

Recollections

20.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie for writing again.

Gordon wrote:

Subjects and Teachers

"Doreen Leslie's memories of her teachers at Broughton (in her Recollections 12 above) started me thinking about the teachers I had when I first went there in 1969.

- English: Mr Thompson. He was a jolly man with red hair (receding) and beard. He usually wore a brown corduroy jacket, though I can't quite remember if it also had the stereotypical leather elbow patches! He was also my class registration teacher, so we got to know him quite well.

One day he was absent, and the teacher who came in to take the register informed us that this was because his wife had given birth to a baby girl. When Mr Thompson returned the following day (no paternity leave back then!) he got a huge cheer when he walked in the door!

- Maths: Miss Kirkpatrick. It's probably fair to say I wasn't her favourite pupil - while I didn't exactly sit at the back of the class making disruptive comments, I was forever gossiping to my neighbour and generally messing around. I did just enough to get by, and from her point of view the problem was that she felt (rightly or wrongly) that if I just tried a bit harder I would do quite well. The trouble was that I just didn't "get" mathematics - I couldn't see the point of it, or when I was ever likely to need it in everyday life.

Note that I'm talking about Mathematics here, and not Arithmetic. These were actually two different subjects when it came to exam time.

Arithmetic, yes, I could see how that was necessary, but I could do that - even in those pre-calculator days I could do all the necessary calculations. Maybe not in my head, but give me pencil and paper and I would get there in the end. But stuff like algebra and calculus? I didn't think so.

- Technical Subjects and Latin: Maybe my attitude would have been different if I was in one of the technical classes, taking subjects like woodwork, metalwork, or technical drawing. But for some reason I was placed in the only first-year class which took Latin.

Our teacher was Mr McLaren, a very mild-mannered man whom we quickly discovered could be distracted from his lesson plan simply by asking him about his numerous holidays in Italy and Greece!

I was finally able to drop the subject at the end of my second year, and I still look back on it as a complete waste of time. Had I been in one of the technical classes I'm sure my life would have taken a different course, but it wasn't to be.

In these, days of course my parents would probably have appealed and got me transferred, but nobody thought like that then - the school had made a decision and that was the end of the matter.

- French: Miss Brill, who got married in the summer holidays after my first year and came back as Mrs Elder. This was another class where I used to mess about a bit, but I did learn the language (to a certain extent) and I can still get a general idea of the meaning of a passage in French.

About once a week, we would have vocabulary tests where we had to learn a list of words (about fifteen to twenty) then we were tested on them the following day. Most of us used to cheat by having a crib sheet to hand when we were doing the test - always making sure that we never got it one hundred percent right!

Then one day when Mrs Elder was absent, the class was taken by Miss McDonald, the Head of Department. She caught one of the class with a crib sheet and gave her two of the belt. (Yes, it was a girl.) That was the last time I cheated with the test - thereafter I learned the words on the bus on the way to school!

- Physics: Mr Armstrong. He had a somewhat dishevelled appearance, and I believe he suffered from a medical condition which made his eyes bulge out, a little like the comedian Marty Feldman. However he was very enthusiastic about his subject and I quite enjoyed his classes - at least the practical side, when we were allowed to do experiments. I got less keen later on the subject when the classes got a bit more theoretical!

- Religious Knowledge: Rev. Lee. His first name was John, and as soon as we discovered that, he was nicknamed 'Bible John', which was the name the Press used for a serial killer in a series of still-unsolved murders in Glasgow at the time!

- Physical Education: Mr Hamilton. Like many PE teachers he couldn't seem to grasp that there were some people who just didn't like, or couldn't do, sport.

I remember one miserable rainy afternoon, taking part in a rugby game at Wardie playing fields. As I had to play with my glasses on, I was unwilling to get involved for fear of breaking them, so I kept as far away from the action as possible.

At one point Mr Hamilton stopped the game and shouted at me to find out if I knew the current score. Fortunately I did, so I didn't get into too much trouble.

I also remember that he was picked to officiate at the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was issued with his official blazer, which he proudly wore to school. After a day or two somebody threw a bag of flour which hit him square between the shoulder-blades!

When Mr Hamilton retired, his place was taken by Ian McLauchlan, the Scottish international rugby player, known as 'Mighty Mouse'

- Support Staff: Then there was the laboratory technician, Theo Matthews, whose job was to supply the various pieces of equipment needed for each class, as ordered by the teachers in advance.

I mention him because not only did he live in the flat upstairs from mine, but he was my dad's best friend! This meant that any mischief I got up to in the science classes would be reported back to my dad, which may explain why I kept my nose clean there!

However the feedback worked both ways - he once told us of the time that Mr Armstrong had dropped into his office and sat on the workbench - right where a hot soldering iron was lying! He got up again (presumably somewhat faster than he had sat down) and moved along the bench a couple of feet then sat down again - not realising that Theo had also moved the soldering iron, so that he sat on it again!

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: August 12, 2014

Recollections

21.

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Thank you to Laurie Thomson for writing again.

Laurie wrote:

Teachers

"I've been reading Gordon Davie's Recollections 20 above, particularly those of his teachers, with interest.

Given the five-year gap between my leaving Broughton, and Gordon starting there, only two of the teachers' names he mentions are familiar to me:

- Mr Hamilton (PE). I remember him as a compactly-built man with sandy hair and freckles, wearing a dark tracksuit and white plimsoles and blowing vigorously on a whistle that he wore around his neck.

He's perpetually frozen in a short "video loop' in my memory, giving a very stylized and exaggerated version of 'selling a dummy' (a feinted rugby pass) on a cold frosty day on one of the rugby pitches at Wardie.

- Mr McLaren (Latin). My memory of Mr McLaren is very similar to Gordon's; a quietly spoken, gentle kind of man, always with a half smile on his face.

I think he recognized that the prospects of many of his pupils going on to take Lowers and Highers in Latin - at the start of the Swinging Sixties - were a bit slim, but he persevered, and wherever possible, tried to put the language into real historical Roman contexts (battles, etc.) for more interest.

For my part, I 'dropped' Latin, and took up French, at the end of my second year. Surprisingly, though, I subsequently found Latin to be of some use in guessing the roots and meanings of words in my English, French and (later) Spanish language studies. It was not much use in German, though.

Maths

"I generally shared Gordon's views on Maths, although I've occasionally used Geometry and simple algebraic calculations in later life at home and at work. Trigonometry, Calculus, log tables and such things though? Not a chance!

I've also (as Gordon touches on) had to explain to English friends, on a number of occasions, that Arithmetic was taught and examined separately from Maths at Broughton.

From my daughters' experiences with Maths at school here in England, I think that approach could be usefully introduced in schools in the south. Apart from being useful on a daily basis in its own right, Arithmetic is, after all, the solid foundation for all other kinds of maths and sciences. (Sermon over!)"

The Tawse

"Finally, in one of my earlier recollections, I made passing reference to the teachers' belts. I could not believe my eyes earlier this week when, via a chance eBay link, I discovered that someone in Scotland appears to have bought up substantial stocks of old teachers' tawse when corporal punishment was abolished back in the early 2000's, and is selling them for around £30 each!

To my mind, that's a nostalgia bridge too far!!"

Laurie Thompson: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire England: August 17, 2014

Recollections

May Eddie (née Graham)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

May Eddie (née Graham), Toronto, Ontario, Canada for writing again, a couple of years after sending her first message about attending Broughton School, her Recollections 10 above.

This time, Mae wrote:

Broughton School Song

"Yes, I still remember my lovely old School Song so well and I still sing it today. I first sang it in my first year at Broughton, 1953:

'Mother of ours benign

Broughton our hearts are thine

Lo-o-ving we name thee

Proudly we acclaim thee'ee

Broughton for e-e-ver!!'

I was so glad and lucky to have been schooled in this lovely school, with such great teachers and Dr. Walker, Headmaster.

It stood me in such good stead when I immigrated to Toronto where I had a very successful career until I retired recently J

Thank you Broughton!"

May Eddie (née Graham), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: email, April 9, 2015

Recollections

May Eddie (née Graham)

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

May Eddie wrote again, adding:

Gym Teacher

Joan Berry

"I noticed that our Gym teacher, Miss Joan Berry, hasn't been mentioned in the recollections above - or have I missed it?

Discipline

"Here is my story about a day that I remember from school.

I loved Sports! Could never wait to get into the Gym!

One morning as I rushed into the gym and immediately ran over the floor to the wall bars facing me. I couldn't wait to climb up them, and I did. Then I heard this voice shouting 'May Graham get down off those wall bars immediately!

In horror I got down, and in more horror she told me to go outside. That's when I saw a BIG leather forked strap in her right hand. Dutifully I held out my hand as she raised the strap over her head and gave me 10 of the belt! As if that wasn’t enough, she told me to write 100 lines that said 'I must not climb the Wall Bars in the gym'.

Without saying a word, and with a very red arm and feeling like crying, I dutifully went about my other classes!

That evening when I got home, I never said anything to my Mother about it. I just sat down at the kitchen table with a lot of lined paper, and started dutifully writing my 100 lines!

Of course my mother asked me what I was doing, so I told her the whole story expecting a little sympathy! Her reply 'Well you must have deserved it' and that was all she said!

Next day, it was back to school to deliver my lines to Joan Berry

Later I heard why she did this. Apparently earlier on in time, another girl (I don’t know who?) had run into the Gym like me, but had gone for the 'horse' and tried to jump over it, but fell and broke her arm or leg.

The Headmaster, Mr. Walker, had really given Joan Berry a hard time of it, and said that was never to happen again She was not to allow it to happen! Well, I didn’t fall and didn’t break anything but in Miss Berry's eyes I had done wrong!!

If that happened today, the teacher would be reported and parents would sue the school. Changed days! - but I would not have had it any other way. It taught me a lesson and respect, that I've carried throughout my life."

May Eddie (née Graham), Toronto, Ontario, Canada: email, April 11+20, 2015

May Eddie wrote again, adding:

Recollections

Margaret Christie Williams
(née Elliot)

Thank you to Margaret Christie Williams (née Elliot) who wrote:

Broughton School

Teachers

"I lived in Stockbridge at Leslie Place and was known as Christie My cousin, Billy Bruce, lived at Gayfield Square. We both attended Broughton High School from around 1952 to 1955.

I started my first year in a 'G' class and in the second year was promoted to an 'A' class. The two teachers that I remember best were:

- Miss Berry, the Gym teacher and

- Miss MacDonald, the French teacher."

Remember us?

"Is there anyone who remembers either me or my cousin, Billy? I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers us."

Margaret Christie Williams (née Elliot), Australia: 15 August 2015

Reply to Margaret?

If you remember Margaret Christie Elliot and or Billy Bruce and would like to contact Margaret, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: September 30, 2015

Recollections

Wendy Peacock

Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England

Thank you to Wendy Peacock who wrote:

Broughton School

Teachers

"Here are my recollections of teachers at Broughton Senior Secondary School 1959-1963.

- Maths was one of my worst subjects. For Maths, we sat in double desks and Mr McKendrick took great pleasure in lining up on the floor by his desk those who had made mistakes in their homework. Then we all held out our hands as he came down the line belting us.

- Later, one of the Maths teachers was a member of the Plymouth Brethren; we found her fascinating with her scraped back hair in a bun and pale face with no makeup.

- Our Music teacher was very interesting too; I cant remember his name but he was reputed to be a communist, which made him a goodie in my opinion. He played 'If I had a hammer' with great gusto.

- My favourite teacher was Miss McDonald who taught French. She was a brilliant teacher and a very nice person.

- I wish I could remember the names of the Lady Advisor, the German teacher, the Headteacher.

- I hated PE and the teacher terrified me. I was no good at any of it, so they let me drop games for extra Latin.

- As others have said Mr McLaren was a very kind man, I remember he had a huge Adams apple, but it was another little man we called Nero who supervised my extra Latin and I soon lost interest.

- I remember McKendrick, my Geography teacher, calling out: 'The next person who speaks is getting the belt', and it was me, asking for a rubber.

It was probably the only time I ever spoke out of turn in those early days. I never dared challenge McKendrick!"

Remember Me?

"I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me"

Wendy Peacock, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, England: October 4, 2015

Reply to Wendy?

If you remember Wendy and would like to contact her, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 4, 2015

Recollections

27.

Laurie Thompson

Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, England

Thank you to Laurie Thomson for writing again, this time in response to Wendy Peacock's Recollections 26 above.

Laurie wrote:

Broughton School

Teachers

"Here are my memories of the teachers when I was at Broughton:

- The German teacher that Wendy mentions might have been Mrs Mollison, a good-humoured lady, and also (to my mind) a very good teacher.

- Mr McKendrick (that Wendy mentions as a Maths and German teacher) taught m e Maths. He operated a zero-tolerance policy towards anything he didn't like, and was a dab hand at using the flying blackboard duster and chalk missiles to gain your attention, and also had a weapons-grade belt!

- It must have been a Maths 'thing'. His younger colleague, Mr Barclay, was of a similar ilk. Unsurprisingly, Maths homework and class test preparations always got high priority, and (it must be said) decent results

- The Geography teacher that I remember was Mr Brown ('Bruno'), who again was slightly menacing. However, much of what he taught has stuck with me, and has subsequently been beneficial in pub quizzes, watching Pointless, etc., as well as giving me a continuous awareness of my location in relation to the rest of the country and to the world. So his teaching technique was effective

- I remember the Music teacher Wendy mentions but, unfort-unately, not his name. I wasn't aware that he was a communist, but he often discussed - in an interesting way - things that didn't have any obvious link to music.

- Two Science teachers I remember were Messrs Thorburn ('Ecky') and Chisholm ('Chiz'), both of whom were very relaxed but effective in their delivery of their subjects.

Laurie Thompson: Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire England: October 6, 2015

Recollections

28.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie who wrote:

Lady Advisors

"I've just read Wendy Peacock's memories of her teachers at Broughton, in her Recollections 26 above. She is trying to remember the names of the Lady Advisor and the allegedly-Communist music teacher.

My time at Broughton was ten years after Wendy's, but the Lady Advisor when I started (not that I had anything to do with her!) was a Miss Todd. She retired after my first or second year and was replaced by a Miss Gibson."

I recall that her office was halfway between the first and second floors, on the boys' stairs - in those days the girls had a separate staircase and a visit to the Lady Advisor's office was the only time girls were allowed to use the boys' stairs!

Music Teacher

"As for the Music Teacher, there were two when I started. Mr Morrison-Smith was a very enthusiastic singer. I don't know his political leanings but from Wendy's description of her teacher playing 'with great gusto' this might be who she's thinking of.

The other MUsic Teacher was a Mr. Adam, a little man who had one leg shorter than the other and walked with a very pronounced bobbing motion. Some of the crueller members of my class would imitate this when he wasn't looking!

Latin Teachers

" 'Nero' whom Wendy says supervised her extra Latin was Mr. McLean. The only times I was in his class were when Mr. McLaren, my own Latin teacher, was absent.

The two were like chalk and cheese. Mr. McLaren was, as I've said before, a quiet, gentle man who could be easily distracted from his lesson plan simply by asking him about his holidays to Italy and Greece.

Mr. McLean, on the other hand, was old school, if you'll pardon the pun. He stood for no nonsense and we quickly learned not to mess around with him, even if we didn't actually learn any Latin! He too retired after I had been at Broughton for a year or two. (Are you seeing a pattern emerging here?) He returned, as one of the invigilators, when I was sitting my O-Grades and Highers.

I hope this has jogged a memory or two for Wendy"

Gordon Davie, Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: April 12, 2013

Recollections

31.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie for writing again after reading Linda Malcolm's Recollections 29 above.

Gordon wrote:

Broughton School

School Song

"Thank you to Linda Malcolm for supplying the definitive words to the Broughton school song. It seems that the rest of us just about had it between us, but Linda has settled the matter once and for all!

School Lunches

"Now, as I see that her final year at Broughton overlapped with my first, I wonder if she can confirm my memory (in my Recollections 15 above) of how the school dinners were arranged, with each girl having to serve a boy before she collected her own meal."

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: 26 October, 2015

Contacting Linda Malcolm

I've emailed Gordon to let him know Linda's email address, so that if he wishes to he will be ale to send an email to her about school dinners and perhaps some other aspects of attending Broughton School.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 27 October, 2015

Recollections

32.

Gordon Davie

Abbeyhill, Edinburgh

Thank you to Gordon Davie for writing again, still looking for confirmation of his memories of school dinners at Broughton. See his Recollections 31 above.

Gordon writes:

School Lunches

"I've contacted Linda Malcolm but, unfortunately, she has been unable to confirm or deny my memories of the school dinners, so the mystery continues.

Linda wrote:

"Hi Gordon

School Lunches

I don't remember that ,but then I never had a school dinner till I moved to the new school at Carrington Road and by that time I was no longer a pupil but a member of staff, having started work in the school office on 1 July 1970!

It doesn't sound very likely to me though.

Linda"

Lynda Malcolm, (née Robertson), West Lothian, Scotland: 27 October 2015

Gordon Davie: Abbeyhill, Edinburgh: 29 October, 2015

Recollections

33.

Jim Drysdale

USA

Thank you to Jim Drysdale who wrote

Broughton Pipe Band

My Pipes

"I lived in Royal Park Terrace and played in the Broughton Pipe Band about 1952. I was given my pipes when we disbanded and I took them with me to the USA. They were made by Lawrie and may be valuable. I've returned them to Scotland and intend to gift them to a piping school in Plockton."

My Instructor

"Mr Gates was my instructor. As far as I remember, he was a piper in the regiment that donated the pipes. If anyone can tell me more of his background or of the background of the pipes, I would be very grateful."

Jim Drysdale, USA: 9 December 2015, USA

In a follow-up email, sent the same day, Jim wrote:

Photos of the School

Broughton

Primary School

"I was delighted to find your pictures of my old school. I was at Broughton from about 1950 to 1956.

The Pipe Band

"I played in the pipe band and on the rugby team.

I'm very keen to get more information about the origin of the pipes and drums that we used. As I remember, they were donated by a disbanded regiment. I think our instructor Mr Gates played in that regiment.

Any help you can give with contacts who might refresh my memory about the pipe band would be greatly appreciated."

Jim Drysdale, USA: 9 December 2015, USA

Reply to Jim Drysdale?

If you remember anything about the Broughton Pipe Band and would like to send a reply to Jim, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on his email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, 13 December 2015

Recollections

36.

Iain Calder

London

Thank you to Iain Calder who wrote:

1940s

"I went to Broughton Secondary School in 1944 (maybe 1945) from Flora Stevenson Primary School. After my Highers I sat a Civil Service exam and went to live and work in London. I was in the RAF for over 30 years and travelled widely and lived in 'Foreign parts'."

Return Visit to Edinburgh

"I hope to visit Edinburgh at least once more. In January I will be 84 so it's unlikely that there are many, if any, Broughtonians of my vintage left. If there are any, I would love to hear from them."

Iain Calder, London, England

Do you remember Iain?

If you remember Iain Calder, or his brother Jimmy who still lives in Edinburgh, and would like to get in touch again with either of them, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on Iain's email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 3 November 2016

Recollections

38.

Clare Ross

Ontario, Canada

Thank you to Charles Lowson who wrote:

1947-52

Home and School

"I was at Broughton Secondary School from 1947 to 1952.

I lived at a distance from school in Pilton, Leith, and then Broomhouse so always travelled to school by bus.

I started in Class 1A2. I wonder if any other members of that class are still alive and kicking. I remember Clare Harrison (née Ross). She married John Harrison who attended the school at the same time."

Teachers and Lessons

"I can still recall Dr. Black, Headmaster, sweeping majestically along the corridors, his black gown billowing round him – an awesome sight! It was even more awesome to be called into his office for any reason.

- First thing in the morning we had 'Daddy Bruce', home room, for Religious Education, followed by Latin.

- How could I forget 'Squeak', our History teacher, who went around the class holding a ruler, hitting the desks and saying “Sit up, Sit up” while reaming off date after date for us to memorize?

- Then there was Mr. Valentine, English teacher who set an essay on the Benedictines over which I slaved. Other teachers' names, I don’t remember.

- For French, we had a lady who always looked so well turned out and showed great patience and encouragement with our stumbling efforts.

- Maths, Geography, and Art are probably best forgotten. They were not my strongest hours.

- I loved Physical Education (Phys. Ed.) and Sports.

- I am forever grateful to my Commercial teacher in years 4 and 5 for her training and insistence on good posture."

Events

I remember:

- Rabbie Burns Suppers

- Annie Laurie (yes, really), she of the beautiful voice and long dark hair.

- House rivalries at the Annual Sports Meet.

- Boys playing soccer in the playground at recess.

- Pipe Band practicing on the large playground beside the gym building.

- Making slides in the winter if it was cold enough.

- School dinners and counting the stones alphabetically and giggling with my friends***. Yes, girls sat to right of entrance and boys on left; at one time there were monitors to help.

- Becoming a Prefect."

UPDATE

*** I asked Clare if she could explain what she meant when she referred to "counting the stones ... ... ..." (above)

She explained:

"Aaah, yes. It was a silly game whereby we would set aside the stones or 'pits' inside the prunes and count them. If there were six stones that would indicate the Initial, in this case F, of the man you would marry!

That's where the teasing and giggling would arise."

Clare Ross, Ontario, Canada (since 1957): 30 January 2017

Usher Hall Concerts

"The Usher Hall concert was the big event of the year – choir auditions, practices at school for parts, then up McDonald Road to the Church for a few weeks of full choir practice before THE night.

On the night, we filed through the doors to our seats, nervous and excited, sitting down and standing up in unison, all eyes on our conductor standing on the dais, pianist to one side, both dressed in formal attire; the thrill of singing the Hallelujah Chorus with the whole audience standing.

Entering for their display the boys’ gym team walked down the stairs on their hands on to the stage. (John Harrison, later my husband, was on the team.)

We nervously waited Nervously waiting our turn to go on stage with the group of Scottish Country Dancers.

I am writing from my home in Ontario, Canada where we emigrated to in 1957. Unfortunately never in touch with our school friends but have a few old photos in the album."

Clare Ross, Ontario, Canada (since 1957): 23 + 25 January 2017

Reply to Clare?

If you remember Clare Ross, and would like to send a message to her, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 28 January 2017

Recollections

41.

Mae Cuthbert

Thank you to Mae Cuthbert who wrote:

1941-45

"I am a real 'oldie,' who attended Broughton Secondary School from 1941 to 1945. I would love to hear from anyone still alive who is old enough to remember Broughton at that time..

I have been trying to find the words of the school song, 'Broughton Forever', but without success.

David Pettigrew, Epsom, Surrey: 25 June 2017

Reply to Mae?

If you remember Mae and or Broughton in the early 1940s and would like to send a message to her, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on her email address to you so that you can send a message to her.

Mae

You mentioned the Broughton School Song. Several people above have sent their memories of the Broughton School Song.

The most recent was David Pettigrew. I added his comments to Recollections 40 above this morning. He send the original rehearsal sheet for the song

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 26 June 2017

Recollections

42.

Colleen Andrew (née Doig)

South Africa

Thank you to Coleen Andrew who wrote:

1962-63

Sheila and Dorothy Dickson (or Dixon)

"I'm trying to contact find two school friends who went to Broughton High School. They are the sisters, Sheila and Dorothy Dickson (possibly spelt Dixon) who attended Broughton High School about 1962 or 1963.

I have been looking for these two friends for very many years and would love to see how they are . If anybody could help me to find them, I would simply be over the moon .

Colleen Andrew (née Doig), South Africa: 17 August 2017

Coleen added:

Sheila and Dorothy Dickson (or Dixon)

"Sheila and Dorothy lived across from Chancelot Flour Mill, a building with a big clock. Their flat overlooked a large field, possibly a sports field. I lived very close, at 239 Ferry Road.

Sheila was the older sister. She had almost black hair and Dorothy had brown hair."

My Return to South Africa

"I was born in South Africa. I went back to live there as a young teenager and lost contact with Sheila and Dorothy. I've thought a lot about them over the years and it would be so wonderful to find out how their lives turned out.

Kind regards my maiden name was Colleen Doig now Colleen Andrew."

Colleen Andrew (née Doig), South Africa: 18 August 2017

Reply to Colleen?

If you remember have any information about Sheila and Dorothy and would like to send a message to Colleen about them, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on Colleen's email address to you so that you can send a message to her.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 19 August 2017

Recollections

Mae Cuthbert (née Carmichael)

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Thank you to Mae Cuthbert, who wrote:

1941-1945

"I was at Broughton High School from 1941 to 1945. Goodness, I can’t believe how long ago that was!

I would be glad to hear from anybody who was at the school at the same time as me. I am now 88, so the chances of anyone remembering me me are very slim. But, you never know!

I managed to download Broughton’s old school song, which brought back many memories. If you have a picture of the old school, before it was shifted, I would love to have it."

Mae Cuthbert (née Carmichael), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia (since 1950): 3+4 May 2018

Reply to Mae?

Do you remember Mae Carmichael? If you'd like to send a message to her, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on her email address to you.

- Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 29 May 2018

Recollections

David Douglas

Auckland, New Zealand

Thank you to David Douglas, who wrote:

1958 - 64

Music Teacher

"I attended Broughton School from 1958 to 1964.

The music teacher mentioned was Ronald Stevenson. He is the pianist in this photo of the Broughton School Choir, taken at the Usher Hall around 1953:

He went on to become rather a well known classical composer.

He was always going on about how his life would have been so much better in Russia where he would have been allowed to get on with composing music!

He told us he had been offered a job at a South African university but that it wouldn’t last long because of his political views - sure enough he was back quite quickly. He lived in West Linton and was nicknamed “Buffalo Bill” because of a little beard below his lip, moustache and longish hair.

He also wore a black fedora. He was quite a character, and could he play the piano! - anything from jazz to swing to classical. It was a privilege just to listen to the man. His No. 1 would have been Miss Caldwell who excelled at getting the Usher Hall concert/prize-giving organised each year - “Zadoc the Priest” eat your heart out!"

Other Teachers

"Other teachers who come to mind are:

- Mr. Higgins (his brother played for Hearts) for chemistry.

- Miss Barrie (Art) who became a well known artist.

- Head of Art was Mr. Smith.

- Our Games Master, of course, was“Hammy”.

- Miss McDonald tried her best, but never quite managed to get the best out of me at French.

David Douglas, Auckland, New Zealand: 2 April 2019