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Drummond Street Leading to the west off Nicolson Street, South Side, Edinburgh |
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Eric Gold |
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Eric Gold |
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Eric Gold |
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Richard Martin |
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George Stewart |
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6. |
Jim Irvine |
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Recollections 1. Eric Gold East London |
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Thank you to Eric Gold (known to many as Eric McKenzie), formerly of Dumbiedykes and now living in East London for sending his recollections of Rutherford's Bar: Eric wrote: |
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Rutherford's Bar After seeing these photos or Rutherford's Lounge Bar, Drummond Street, taken in 2007, Eric Gold (known to many as Eric McKenzie), formerly of Dumbiedykes and now living in East London, wrote: "Many thanks for putting up Rutherford's photos on the website. I feel a thirst coming on (ha ha ha)." |
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The Previous Owner Rutherford's has recently changed hands. Eric remembers the previous owners, and tells me: "Bob the owner, sadly deceased, used to say if anyone commented on the decor, 'You are here to drink and if you think we need a coat of paint get some and paint and if you do a good job I will let you have a pint free' (ha ha ha). He was a really funny man." |
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Eric Gold: East London, February 4, 2007 |
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Recollections 2. Eric Gold East London |
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Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote: |
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Stewart's Bar "The Bar across the road from Rutherford's was Stewart's. It now has a fancy name, like the 'Rat and Carrot'. So all and sundry now use Rutherford's or the Captains Bar or other haunts in the Southside." Eric Gold: East London, February 4, 2007 |
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The Brass Monkey I like your new name for 'Stewart's Bar', Eric! I went to see it last week and found that, in fact, it changed its name about six years ago, to become 'The Brass Monkey'. Here is a photo of it, taken last week: - Peter Stubbs: February 11, 2007 |
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Recollections 3. Eric Gold East London |
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Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote: |
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James Wood & Son "Wood's barber's shop across the road from Rutherford's was very busy. I used it a lot. The guy who cut my hair was called Mario." Eric Gold: East London, February 4, 2007 |
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Recollections 4. Richard Martin Borders, Scotland |
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Thank you to Richard Martin who wrote: |
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Central School of Ballroom Dancing "Immediately next to Rutherford's Bar was an open staircase leading up to The Central School of Ballroom Dancing, run by Reggie Harkins and his partner Marjorie." |
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Dancing Lessons at The Afton "The Central was where the beginners started. After a number of classes, they graduated to the more advanced dance studio, The Afton, in Niddrie Street (on the right of the High St just down from the Bridges) - not to be confused with The Excelsior at the foot of Niddrie Street, a public dance hall. "Many pupils from the Afton qualified for Imperial Dance Medals at either Bronze, Silver or Gold level. A number of couples went on to compete, successfully, in National and International amateur competitions." |
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Stewart's Bar "I have many good memories of Saturday nights in Stewarts. Two young ladies from the Salvation Army regularly came in, not to drink, but to sell their Magazine, 'The War Cry'. They were always asked to sing the hymn 'The Rugged Cross', which they did. I don’t know if many people took a copy of the magazine but after the Hymn they certainly got many donations in their collecting tin." |
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Richard Martin, Borders, Scotland: August 5, 2008 |
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Recollections 5. George Stewart South Edinburgh |
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Thank you to George Stewart who |
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Stewart's Bar "I used to work at Laws newsagent, just opposite the Wee Anderson. I delivered papers to the Wee Anderson and also to Stewart's Bar. Incidentally, Stewart's Bar had a gem of an owner, Peter Cunningham. He always gave my brother, Jim, and me a bag of crisps when we were delivering. Years later, I worked with Peter's brother, Ian Cunningham, also a great guy. Unfortunately, Peter died of cancer. Later, I believe his sister and nephews Alan and Elliot worked at Stewart's." George Stewart, South Edinburgh: August 25, 2008 |
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Recollections 6. Jim Irvine Liverpool, Lancashire, England |
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Thank you to George Stewart who |
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Stewart's Bar 'Blues Sesssion' "The mention of Stewart's Bar in Drummond Street brought back lots of memories for me. In the 1970s, weaver and tapestry-maker Harry Wright ran a 'Blues Session' there on a Thursday night. What little 'blues' I can still play on the guitar derives almost entirely from there. An old school friend from Holy Cross has put several photos of the session crowd onto her Flickr site. I met up again with Harry Wright 5 or 6 years ago and he had just started back into guitar playing after a break of 30 years. Unfortunately he died about 18 months ago." Jim Irvine, Liverpool, Lancashire, England: August 27, 2012 |