|
Recollections Keir Street and Heriot Place
Two streets to the north of
Lauriston Place, |
|
Recollections |
||
|
1. |
Anita Razzell |
- Military School of Cookery: Question |
|
1. |
Jim Robertson |
- Military School of Cookery: Answer |
|
1. Reply 2. |
Neil
Macdonald |
- 25a Keir Street - Possible Meeting - My Grandfather |
|
2. |
Anita Razzell |
- Demolition - Dancing |
|
3. |
Henry (Rae) Phillips |
- Family - Neighbours - The Neighbourhood |
|
4. |
Ken Boak |
- Demolition |
|
5. |
Ken Boak |
- Heriots |
|
6. |
John Burnett |
- Family - Neighbours at No 12 - Other Neighbours |
|
7. |
Lynda Maine |
- Fortune Teller |
|
8. |
Patricia Manderson |
- Betty Brandon's Dance Classes |
|
9. |
Margaret Johnston |
- Photo - The Blind Man - Neighbours |
|
10. |
Michael Slattery |
- 1946-58 - Mary Wallace's Shop - Maggie's Chip Shop - Puppet Theatre - Piping and Dancing - Heriot's School |
|
11. |
Nancy Abbott |
- Heriot Place |
|
12. |
- Tenement Demolition |
|
|
13. |
Tony White |
- Mr Pendreigh - Neighbours - Bonfires |
|
14. |
Tony White |
- Latch Key Kids - Latch Keys - Stair Notices |
|
15. |
Ron
Dingwall |
- Heriots School: Ma Wallace's Shop |
|
16. |
Allan Dodds |
- Heriots School: Ma Wallace's Shop |
|
17. |
Angela
Cochrane |
- 12 Keir Street: James Cochrane |
|
18. |
Saeeda
Clayson |
- 10 Keir Street |
|
19. |
Terry Cox |
- Norrie Stenhouse - Andy Pendreigh |
|
19. Reply 1. |
Stacey
Barnes |
- Andy Pendreigh |
|
19. Reply 2. |
Steven Colquhoun |
- Keir Street - The Pendrigh Family - Sandy - Andy Pandy - My Mum and Dad - My Cousins - My Great Gran - My Gran - The Fortune Teller - Mrs Farmer - Pipe Music - Family Moves |
|
20. |
Thomas
Harrison |
- The Vennel - Stories and Families |
|
21. |
Steve
Collier |
- Kenya Cafexxx - Our Home - 2 Keir Street - Our Local Shops - My Family - Our Neighbours - Ma Wallace's Shop - Clifton Hall - 'The Jewsy' |
|
22. |
Allan Dodds |
- Heriots School: Kenya Cafe |
|
23. |
Judith Gaminek |
- 18 Keir Street |
|
24. |
Pete Nolan |
- Grassmarket and Keir Street |
|
Question 1. Anita Razzell (née Canale) Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada |
|
Thank you to Anita Razzell for providing two photos of his grandfather, William Sutherland Low. |
|
Anita wrote: Military School of Cookery Question "Here are two old military photos of my Grandfather, William Sutherland Low. He was born in or around Montrose on Feb 5, 1891 and lived at 12 Keir Street, Edinburgh from about 1937 until his death on September 22, 1961.
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Anita Razzell, British Columbia, Canada I wonder if anyone can give me any information about the uniforms or the 'School of Cookery' that he was attached to. In the photo above, William is seated on the left, wearing a white jacket. He is next to the standing man. The photo below, taken in 1918, is of : - William Sutherland Low. - his wife, May. - his son, John. - baby, Dorothy.
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Anita Razzell, British Columbia, Canada Anita Razzell, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada: November 11, 2008 |
|
If you can answer the questions that Anita asks, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: November 18, 2008 |
|
Question 1. Reply 1. Jim Robertson Berlin, Germany |
|
Thank you to Jim Robertson who left a reply in the guestbook. |
|
Jim wrote: "I would say this photo could be a Course photograph for Regimental cooks, with so many different cap badges, as they did not have an army catering corps during that period and each Regiment had there own cooks. Or, it could also have been a military HQ Group on exercise. This would also explain all the different cap badges worn. Personally I would go for the first one. It's the most likely one." Jim Robertson, Berlin, Germany: Message left in EdinPhoto guest book, November 22, 2008 |
|
Question 1. Reply 2. Neil MacDonald Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland |
|
Thank you to Neil Macdonald who wrote: |
|
25a Keir Street "I was born in 7a Graham Street which later became 25a Keir Street, so I've just been looking at the Keir Street recollectons on this page. The first entry that I looked at was from Anita Razzell. Well, my stomach jumped to say the least. I saw the first picture she had posted, and have that very same photo, myself." "I've been looking for information regarding my grandfather, Fred Huthersall (born 30 Jan 1901) and his war activities - and there he is on the left side of the back row, of the picture, standing two rows behind Anita's grandfather Fred also used regularly to visit us, as he was a pig breeder in a smallholding at Damhead and his collection rounds hit Lothian Road and off Princess Street. Possible Meeting "It makes you wonder, after 50 years, if he and Anita's grandfather may have passed each other in Graham/Keir Street, unaware they had gone through similar experiences, or if that 100yds between Anita's grandfather's house and our house was just that small step too far. My Grandfather "According to family stories, my grandfather was lead horse rider of a horse-drawn gun team. While at Redford barracks, Edinburgh, there was an explosion resulting in my grandfather being hospitalized at Piershill Barracks/hospital where the damage to his leg/hip nearly resulted in amputation. Thanks to the intervention of a girl, who was part of the now St Andrew's and St George's West war wounded visitation team, Fred not only kept his leg but he gained a girl friend who later became his wife. My grandfather didn't discuss the wars. I think he would not have been able to return to full active duty on recovery, and would possibly have been transferred to the catering side." Neil MacDonald, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: 23 October 2016 |
|
Recollections 2. Anita Razzell (née Canale) Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada |
|
Anita Razzell added: |
|
Demolition "Here is a photo of the north side of Keir Street, taken in 1969. This side of the street has been torn down. Does anyone know when this happened?" Dancing "My memory of visiting my grandparents in Keir Street is of the music coming from down the street from the BETTY BRANDON SCHOOL OF DANCE. Many was the time that the thumping of tap shoes in unison could be heard down the street." Anita Razzell (née Canale), Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada: Nov 23 + Dec 5, 2008 |
|
If you know when the north side of Keir Street was demolished, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Anita. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: December, 2008 |
|
Recollections 3. Henry (Rae) Phillips Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Henry (Rae) Phillips, Edinburgh, who wrote about the time when he lived in Keir Street. Rae wrote: |
|
Family "I lived at no. 12 Keir St. from 1946 until about 1958. The North side was still there when we left. I went to George Heriots school so I really was on the doorstep. My mother, Gladys Phillips, who is now a sprightly 91 worked at Goldbergs for a number of years. My dad, Harry Phillips, was the second person to have a car in Keir Street. It was an Austin 7." Neighbours "Some of the names I remember are: - Mrs Sinclair, who lived at No 12 - Mr & Mrs Pat Smith, also at no.12 - The Slattery' family and a blind man who lived almost opposite on the north side of the street. - The Hymans, a Jewish family who lived where the Art college is now situated. - Mr Beck, an inventor of some sort. He lived just along from us and was the first person to have a car." The Neighbourhood "There were gas lights in our stairs. We had a huge bonfire on the land to the south of Keir street, which was also looked on to by that section of Lauriston Place. Davey, the co-op milk man, was round every day with his horse and cart. Even when we moved out to Greenbank Drive, we still had milk delivered by the same Davey with horse and cart, right up 'till about 1960." Any names or memories that anybody has would be welcome." Henry (Rae) Phillips, Edinburgh: May 5, 2009 |
|
Recollections 4. Ken Boak Redhill, Surrey, England |
|
Thank you to Ken Boak who wrote: |
|
Demolition "Anita Razzell's photo of Keir Street in 1969 (2 above) brought back some vivid childhood memories for me. I started at Heriot's in 1972 as a boy of 7, and I remember watching the demolition of Keir St. during my lunch breaks - for almost a week. There was a tall crane fitted with a demolition ball, taking swings at the wrecked tenement. We all cheered when a big lump came down, with dust and soot and the old wallpaper still on the walls. I was standing at the edge of the site at the top of the Vennel. The exact timing of this would be during the summer term, probably of 1974 - though I could be a year out, either way." Return to Heriots "I walked past this site again last Saturday, while revisiting Heriot's for their 350th Anniversary exhibition, and remembered the demolition. I stopped specifically to remember what I had seen all those years ago. The area has never been redeveloped - it's still a car park after 35 years." Ken Boak, Redhill, Surrey, England: August 27, 2009 |
|
Recollections 5. Ken Boak Redhill, Surrey, England |
|
Thank you to Ken Boak who added: |
|
Heriots "I attended Heriots between 1972 and 1976. I remember the lunchtime trip down the Vennel to the chip shop in the Grassmarket. Hence my interest in the demolition of Keir Street. I'm struggling to remember the north side of Keir Street prior to the demolition. Perhaps most of it was already down, and it was just the last corner at the Vennel end that was finally demolished. That area of town was very scruffy in the early 1970s. Demolition, rather than renovation, was the order of the day. Ken Boak, Redhill, Surrey, England: August 28, 2009 |
|
Recollections 6. John Burnett Burntisland, Fife, Scotland |
|
Thank you to John Burnett who wrote: |
|
Family "My grandparents, the Sinclairs, lived in the middle on the top floor of 12 Keir Street. I lived with my parents, Robert and Elizabeth Burnett, and two brothers, Raymond and Robert, round the corner at 10 Graham Street, later renamed Keir Street." Neighbours at No 12 "I remember, living at 12 Keir Street, were: - Mrs Sinclair - Mrs Millar - The Orr family - the Moody family - O'Donnel, a dancer on The White Heather Club - The Low family (see 1 above.) - also Margaret and Willamina?
- Mr & Mrs Pat Smith
and their sons Terry and Michael. There was also another couple who owned the art shop at Greyfriars. They had a big Alsatian, Joe, who barked like mad when we came down the stairs after listening to 'Journey into Space' up at my Granny's." Other Neighbours "Others that I remember, living in Keir Street, were: - the Slattery' family and a blind man who lived almost opposite on the north side of the street. - the Hymans, a Jewish family who lived where the Art college is now situated. He used to go ballistic if you went into the ruins of the synagogue. - Mr Beck, an inventor of some sort. He lived just along from us and was the first person to have a car. - the Phillips family Was there not a fortune teller in the street?" John Burnett, Burntisland, Fife, Scotland |
|
Recollections 7. Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Lynda Maine who wrote: |
|
Fortune Teller "John Burnett (Recollections 6 above) talked about someone telling fortunes in Keir Street. I can remember my mother and one of her friends went there. She was actually quite good, and told my mother a few things that came true. Her name was Mrs Farmeras She. she and her husband moved to somewhere off Dalry Road. There was always a waiting list to see her." Lynda Maine, Colinton, Edinburgh: April 26, 2010 |
|
Recollections 8. Patricia Manderson (née Slattery) Australia |
|
Thank you to Patricia Manderson who wrote: |
|
Betty Brandon's Dance Classes "I lived at 5 Keir Street and attended Betty Brandon's dance classes with my sisters. I used to go to nursery school at the top of the Vennel steps. I emigrated to Australia in 1967." Patricia Manderson (née Slattery), Australia: May 23, 2010 |
|
Recollections 9. Margaret Johnston (née Slattery) Australia |
|
Thank you to Margaret Johnston (née Slattery), Australia who wrote: |
|
Photo "I've just found this photo, taken, about 1956,on the steps of 5 Keir Street, Edinburgh" Please click on this thumbnail image to enlarge the photo and to read about who is in the photo. |
|
The Blind Man "I noticed people asking about the blind man who lived in Keir Street. Others in the photo are my cousins from Ayr. His name was Gavin. He lived in No. 11." |
|
Neighbours "Other people that I remember from Keir Street are: - The Greenans. - Rosie Gaffney and her mother. - The Frisks. - The McLeans. We kids had great fun in our street, playing peevers, skipping and rounders at the Flodden Wall Who could forget Mary Wallace's shop in Heriot place and Maggie's fish and chip shop at the foot of the Vennel." |
|
Margaret Johnston (née Slattery), Australia: June 3, 2010 |
|
Recollections 10. Michael Slattery Australia |
|
Thank you to Michael Slattery who wrote: |
|
1946-58 "I lived at 5 Kier Street from 1946 to 1958 - what an experience, which was never matched by our family's move to to The Inch!" |
|
Mary Wallace's Shop "I remember Mary Wallace's wee shop where you could buy a penny Vantas and where we might be sent to get some bread or margarine when supplies had run out. Mary always seemed to have just sat down to her tea when I'd come in for the messages!" |
|
Maggie's Chip Shop "I mind being send down the Vennel steps to Maggie's chip shop to get chip suppers - always with the warning from Mum, 'Tell her I don't want reheats!'." |
|
Puppet Theatre "I had glove puppets and used to write plays and perform them with Rosemary McKinley at No 9. The performances were in the 'area' in a wooden theatre that Rosemary's father, Rab, had built for us." |
|
Piping and Dancing "My godmother was Rosie Gaffney. She lived with her old mother at No5, in the flat below us. We were a piping & dancing family. Dad would often have us practice in the lobby. Can you picture it? 3 pipers and 6 or 7 dancers bouncing up and down and 'gi'in' it laldy', till Rosie banged on her ceiling with a broom. Perhaps she wasn't fond of piping and dancing!" |
|
Heriot's School "On the other side of the Flodden Wall, of course, there were the young gentleman of Heriot's School. I'm not sure whether the wall was keeping them in or us out!" |
|
Michael Slattery, Australia |
|
Recollections 11.
Nancy Abbott South Africa |
|
Thank you to Nancy Abbott for posting messages in the EdinPhoto guest book |
|
Heriot Place "I used to live in Herriot Place opposite George Herriot School. I went out with a Robert Burnett who had brothers Raymond and John. We had friends, the MacDonalds, a large wonderful family. If I remember, there was also a John Swan. I have so many happy memories of these days. The area was rich in history with some wonderful characters. I think there was a fortune teller who used to live round the corner. I would be interested to hear from anyone who lived in that area. I left in 1969 when I joined the army to become a nurse." Nancy Abbott (née Gilchrist), South Africa: Messages posted in EdinPhoto guest book, January 23, 2011 |
|
Recollections 12. Tony White |
|
In 'Recollections 2' above, Anita Razzell wrote: "Here is a photo of the north side of Keir Street, taken in 1969. This side of the street has been torn down. Does anyone know when this happened?" Anthony White replied: |
|
Tenement Demolition "The buildings on the north side of Keir Street were demolished not long after the photo above was taken in 1969. I lived at 17 Keir Street (just out of shot on the left of the picture) until the summer of 1969. Our flat, along with all the other buildings on that side of the street, was subject to a compulsory purchase order to enable expansion of Edinburgh Art College It was very frustrating that the land where the buildings stood was cleared but lay virtually unused for many years after as the tenements were fine, spacious properties that needed only some modest restoration. The wall at the end of the street encloses George Heriots school. Could that possibly be old Mr Pendreigh with the 'best dug in Edinburgh' just in front? Surely no!" I wonder who those children are at the stair front?" Tony White, Edinburgh: November 25, 2011 |
|
Recollections 13. Tony White Edinburgh |
|
After reading 'Recollections 12' above, I asked Tony White who Mr Pendreigh was. He replied: |
|
Mr Pendreigh "Mr Pendreigh was a local 'character' at Keir Street. (I hope I've spelled his name correctly.) I was very young when I left Keir Street and it's a long time ago, but I remember him well - and his dog. The dog looked older than him. He appeared in the film 'The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie' as a street busker. They filmed a brief scene on the Vennel steps, and Mr Pendreigh was included to give the scene some authenticity, I guess." Neighbours "Some other local people I remember from Keir Street include: - the Swans - the Cooks - the Laidlaws - the Wilsons - the Craigs." Bonfires "Someone mentioned a bonfire (a bonny, in the vernacular). These events took place in a bit of wasteland known as 'The Lane'. That was the area between the blocks of houses in Kerr Street, Heriot Place and Lauriston Place. It included a ruined piece of property that looked a little like an old fort and was gloriously named 'Chuckaboombas' - I suppose because it was a good vantage for throwing (chucking) stones." Tony White, Edinburgh: November 29+30, 2011 |
|
Recollections 14. Tony White Edinburgh |
|
|
Thank you to Tony White for writing again with more memories of growing up in Edinburgh. Tony remembers the latch keys from several of the tenements where he has stayed in Edinburgh after leaving Keir Street at the age of eight. Tony wrote: |
|
|
Latch Key Kids "It's safe to conclude that the term 'latch key kid' is American in origin even if the practice it describes, of children coming home from school and letting themselves into the family home while their absent parents are still at work, has been commonplace in Edinburgh for goodness knows how many years." Latch Keys "A latch key as I know it was a form of door entry technology giving access to any of the common stairways in tenements across the city that had a suitable latch key lock on the street door. It would let you into the stairway, but not any of the flats therein. It was basically a very primitive form of key. From the street, the key could be placed into a slot in the door handle plate and then lifted to raise the latch on the inside of the door thus releasing the lock. A small metal plate within the mechanism offered some security and acted as a guide for the key itself which was designed to fit the width and depth of the plate. That was the theory. In practice, if you knew how, you could open just about any latch with a deft flick of your finger or with a lolly stick or with your house key or whatever. It would be surprising, to me at least, if there are any latch keys in practical use in Edinburgh now, as they have been made obsolete by buzzer entry systems and more sophisticated and secure locks and keys. As a paper delivery boy back in the 1970s, I was issued with a latch key. In truth, it was more bother than it was worth. I learned how to open all the doors without it before long. I reckon a lot of folks now would be aghast at people's casual attitude towards security in those innocent days." Tony White, Edinburgh: November 30, 2011 |
|
|
Latch Keys Thank you to Tony White for also sending me a photograph of a latch key. It's a long time since I last saw one of those, but it looked very familiar to me from the time in the late-1960s when I lived in a tenement at Comely Bank. I expect that seeing the photo of the key would bring back memories to others as well. I'll investigate the copyright of that image and see if I can add it to this page on the web site. Stair Notices Another item that I've not seen since then is the cardboard notice that was passed weekly from one neighbour to the next . It read:
The notice had string attached to its two top corners so that it could be hung over your neighbour's door knob. Replies? It will be interesting to see if anybody replies telling me that these keys and notices are still in use in some parts of Edinburgh. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: December 3, 2011 |
|
Recollections 15. Ron Dingwall Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland |
|
Thank you to Ron Dingwall, Bathgate, West Lothian, who wrote: |
|
Heriot's School Ma Wallace's Shop "I was a pupil at Heriots between 1960 and 1965. I remember Ma Wallace's shop very well. She opened at 8.30 every morning and there was always a queue of hungry schoolboys waiting The counter was already laid out with 1d, 2d & 3d sweets to be bought and consumed before classes started, or even in class. Lunchtime was exactly the same and I'm sure she made her 'fortune' from us Herioters. One incident, however, sticks in my mind. That was when the Headmaster Wm. McL Dewar tried to ban pupils from using the shop. I can't remember the reason but I think he had a formidable opponent in Ma Wallace as the ban was very quickly reversed and happy days were here again. I don't remember the date but I think it was probably 1961-62." Ron Dingwall, Bathgate, West Lothian: December 4, 2011 |
|
Recollections 16. Allan Dodds Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England |
|
Thank you to Allan Dodds who wrote |
|
Heriot's School Ma Wallace's Shop "Ma Wallace is the same person as I referred to earlier. Her shop was actually in The Vennel, around the corner. Ron Dingwall's comments are apposite. The school's tuck shop was no match for Ma Wallace's confectionary - no single Woodbine cigarettes for starters!" Allan Dodds, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England |
|
Recollections 17. Angela Cochrane Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
|
Here is a message that Angela Cochrane has posted in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Angela wrote: |
|
Question 12 Keir Street James Cochrane "I believe my father, James Cochrane, lived at 12 Keir Street Edinburgh in April 1956. I'm not sure how long before that or after he lived there. He died in 1975 (age 43). I'm trying to locate my half-brother whose birth name was John. His mother's name at the time was Rose Docherty. I noticed that some of your contributors also appeared to have lived at or around number 12 Keir Street at that time. Should anyone be able to provide me with any information i would be greatful. Many thanks," Angela Cochrane, Message posted in EdinPhoto Guestbook |
|
Reply to Angela Cochrane? I hope that Angela will receive a reply to her message. If you'd like to send a reply to her, please: - EITHER post a reply below her message in the EdinPhoto web site - AND/OR click on the 'Email' link that appears after her message in the Guestbook, then send an email to her. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: January 22, 2013 |
|
Recollections 18.
Saeeda Clayson Norfolk, England |
|
Thank you to Saeeda Clayson (née Sulaiman) who wrote: |
|
10 Keir Street "The posts above, about Keir Street brought back so many happy memories of growing up there. We moved to No.10 Keir Street in 1970, I think, and my family (the Sulaimans) lived in the area for the next 20 years or so." Games "I too remember: - Bonnies* in the lane - Japs and Commandos too, using the derelict building as a fort (well it was the 1970s!) - Exploring the old tenements, before they were demolished to make way for the art college car park." Neighbours "The characters I remember were: - Mr and Mrs. Webster who's wee dug was as broad as it was tall. - the Pattersons. - the Ramsays. - the Macleods. - the Hutsons. - and loads more." Shops "In my day: - the chippy down the Vennel was Tarry's - the shop on the corner of Lauriston Place / Heriot Place was Jackie's. All our pocket money was spent here: - on comics and - on home made penny ice lollies. Single fags were bought from the shop in the Grassmarket, so you didn't get 'shopped' to your Mammy! Sometimes, as a special treat, we'd be allowed a deep fried scotch pie from the Kenya cafe next to Jackie's." Fortune Teller "I wonder if the fortune teller, that I've seen mentioned, lived at No.10 as my mum said a psychic used to live in our house. I'd love to find out more as quite a few weird things happened in that house. Thanks for the memories" Saeeda Clayson (née Sulaiman), Norfolk, England: 8 October, 2015 |
|
* = Bonfires |
|
Recollections 19. Terry Cox Fairmilehead, Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Terry Cox who wrote: |
|
Norrie Stenhouse "Just been reading the thread about Keir Street, and thought I'd put my tuppence worth in. I only played in Keir Street (and Graham Street, as the bit onto Lauriston Place used to be called) for a short while when I was pally with a boy from No. 28 Lauriston Place called Norrie Stenhouse." Andy Pendrigh "I see the mention of a Mr Pendrigh. The only person that I remember from Keir Street must've been his son, or grandson, Andrew Pendrigh. Being called Andy Pendrigh, he went under the nickname of Andy Pandy, but no-one called him that to his face, as he was a tough little guy, and didn't like it." Norrie and Andy? "Does anyone remember either of Norrie or Andy?" Terry Cox, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh: 23 October 2015 |
|
Reply to Terry? If you remember either Norrie or Andy and would like to send a message to Terry Cox, please email me to me to let me know, then I'll pass on his email address to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 25 October 2015 |
|
Recollections 19. Reply 1. Stacey Barnes |
|
Thank you to Stacey Barns for replying to Terry Cox's comments above. Stacey wrote: |
|
Andy Pendrigh "Hi. We saw Recollections 19 above. Andy Pendrigh was my father-in-law. He sadly passed away 2 years ago. In later years he was known as Pandy. He leaves behind a son, a daughter and 4 grandchildren. I've heard him talk of living at Keir Street." Stacey Barnes: 8 February 2016 |
|
Recollections 19. Reply 2. Steven Colquhoun Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Steven Colquhoun for responding to several of the comments above. Steven wrote: |
|
Keir Street "I was intrigued by this recollections page about Keir Street. Here are some memories from my family, in reply to the recollections above from Terry Cox, Tony White and Angela Cochrane." The Pendrigh Family Sandy "I spoke to my mother, who was Joan Pendrigh, grandaughter of Sandy Pendrigh who starred very briefly (5 seconds) in 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', as an Organ grinder with Candy the dog. Here is a photo taken at the time. Sandy Pendrigh and Candy
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Steven Colquhoun
Andy Pandy "Andy Pandy was my uncle, and he was a complete rebel. (Tollcross Rebels) Andrew died a few years ago, sadly." My Mum and Dad "Angela Cochrane's mother and father, Jimmy and May, were Maid and Best Man at my Mum and Dad's budget priced wedding. My Mum and Dad used to do their courting at the bottom of the Vennel which leads out to the Grassmarket. They all went to the 'Wee Windaes' for a meal after the wedding." My Cousins "My cousins, who all stayed with my Gran, went to the music school at Heriot place: - Gerald, Eric, Brian, Paul, Annie, Joan, John, Francis, Margaret and Andrew were all Pendrighs." Pendrigh Family Members Margaret, Joan holding Andrew (Pandy), John and Frances Pendrigh
My Great Gran "There must have been about 12 people staying in my Great Gran's house at a time. Unfortunately my Gran's family were known as the Gypsy family, as relatives were always coming and going, using 3 Keir Street as a kind of half-way house." My Gran "My Gran and Auntie Anne brought up my Grandad's kids, as he was a merchant seaman. My Gran died when my Mother and siblings were quite young." Gran and Sandy Pendrigh
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Steven Colquhoun
The Fortune Teller Mrs Farmer "My Mum remembers Mrs Farmer, the 'Fortune Teller', whom she said was always being raided by the Police for some reason. I think Mrs Farmer used the the more exotic name of 'Mrs Farmeras' for her business." Pipe Music "My mum also remembers the pipe music, and didn't realise that is came from Mr Slattery's flat, but remembers the music and noise of the dancing to this day. Family Moves "The Pendrighs moved from Livingston Place to Marshall Street then to Keir Street before moving South to Hatfield with my Auntie Anne and Uncle Jimmy Smith. What a great trip down memory lane that was especially for my Mother Joan Colquhoun (nee Pendrigh)." Steven Colquhoun, Edinburgh, 8 February + 5 March, 2016 |
|
Recollections 20. Thomas Harrison Buckstone, Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Thomas Harrison who wrote: |
|
The Vennel "I've been searching for a photograph of my birthplace. I was born on 18 February 1936 at at 19 The Vennel, around the corner of Keir Street. it was a main door house directly opposite the Flodden Wall. I wonder if any of your contributors from this area have any memories or photos." Stories and Families "I recall many of the stories that I've read on this Keir Place page. My family relations all lived in the area, in The Vennel, Grassmarket and Portsburgh Square. I remember the Hughes family, Harrison family, Cormack family and Smith family. Thanks for memories." Thomas Harrison, Buckstone, Edinburgh: 21 November, 2016 |
|
Reply to Thomas? If you'd like to send a reply to Thomas Harrison, please email me to me to let me know, then I'll pass on his email address to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 26 December 2016 |
|
Recollections 21. Steve Collier Edinburgh |
|
Thank you to Steve Collier who wrote: |
|
Kenya Café "I’m currently researching my Mum’s family tree and was looking for information on the Kenya Café, which was on Lauriston Place and was part owned by Mum’s Auntie Jean (Hardie). I don’t remember who her business partner was, but the café was in a row of shops that included a cobbler’s (owned by Maurice Brown) and a funeral director if my memory is correct." Our Home - 2 Keir Street "We lived in the first floor flat at No 2 Keir Street, on the corner of Heriot Place, from when I was about 10 months old till we moved to Viewforth Square in 1966. (I’m 63 now.) Mrs Duthie lived above us. Our house at Keir Street was rented from Edinburgh University where my Dad worked as a lab technician." Our Local Shops "I used to deliver papers for the newsagent/ post office that was in Lauriston Place, next to a grocer’s shop (Rae’s, I think) and an optician’s with the unlikely name of Frank Seymour! Honest!." My Family "My mum and Dad were Charlotte and Frank. I remember Mum going to see Mrs Farmer (Farmeras) to have her fortune told, and her tea leaves and her palm read. Like one of the previous contributors, Dad also had an allotment on The Meadows for a couple of years. The allotments there were to the east side of Middle Meadow Walk, near to Melville Drive. Sadly, both Mum & Dad are now deceased (Dad in 1993 and Mum in 2013) as is my sister Lorna who died in 2016. My brother Iain was born in 1965." Our Neighbours "I recognise some of the names of people mentioned in various posts: – Norrie Stenhouse and the Pendrigh Family. They lived right opposite us. – Old Mr Pendrigh. He went everywhere with his wee dog. – Keith Bell who I think lived at No. 7 or 9 Keir Street. – Colin Fairgrieve from Graham Street as it was then. – Michael Taylor and his sister, Margaret. They lived, I think, at No. 5. – Mr Paul who lived below us in Heriot Place. He was an RAC Patrolman who drove a mini van and had a big Alsatian dog. Ma Wallace's Shop "I remember Ma Wallace’s shop too, though Mum always referred to her as Mrs Wallace because it sounded more polite. I used to be sent there to by a 'forpit' of potatoes – 3 1/2 lbs in old parlance; 1.5 kgs for younger readers." Clifton Hall "I also recall attending Junior First Aid classes in the Clifton Hall in Graham Street, as well as that being the venue for dance classes and social events. I think I went to a family wedding anniversary party there too." 'The Jewsy' "There was a derelict plot on the north-west corner of Keir Street and Graham Street that I think used to be a synagogue or something similar – at any rate it was always referred to as 'The Jewsy' and was treated as an adventure playground by us kids. I ended up in casualty on more than one occasion after falling from the walls!" Steve Collier, Edinburgh: 19 April 2017 |
|
Reply to Steve? If you'd remember anything about Kenya Café and would like to send a reply to Steve Collier please email me to me to let me know, then I'll pass on his email address to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 26 December 2016 |
|
Recollections 22. Allan Dodds Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England |
|
Thank you to Allan Dodds for replying to Steve Collier's Recollections 21 above. Allan wrote: |
|
Heriot's School Kenya Cafe "Many of us Herioters used to frequent the Kenya Cafe as the food in the school refectory was practically inedible and for the same price as a school lunch ticket - 1/4d in the 1950s - we could purchase glorious pie, beans and chips; far preferable to the greasy, lumpy and inedible mince served up to us in the refectory." Allan Dodds, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England: 25 April 2017 |
|
Recollections 23. Judith Gaminek Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
|
Thank you to Judith Gaminek who wrote: |
|
Edinburgh Visit "When I was 21 years old, I visit4ee Edinburgh and had a fabulous time. I did not go home at the end of my 3 week holiday, but stayed for 2 years! I lived for 6 months at Dinmont Drive in The Inch, then for a few months in Keir Street, then found a flat in Jamaica Mews (I loved that flat!" Keir Street "I was STUNNED when I read Saeeda Clayson’s Recollection 18 above) when she mentioned her neighbours, ‘the characters’, “The Ramsays”! In Keir Street, I lived with (Rab) Ramsay, his mother Jean, and his younger brother and sister, David and Jacqueline – The Ramsays! And yes, they were ‘characters’, to say the least! I also remember 'a wee dug in Keir Street, a sweet little black and white terrier named Judi. I don’t remember her owners’ name, maybe it was the Websters! Judi was the only dog I remember ever seeing on Keir Street, other than the Ramsays’ Labrador mix called ‘Spike’. I always felt sorry for Spike." Judith Gaminek, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: 2017 |
|
Recollections 24. Pete Nolan Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
|
Thank you to Pete Nolan who wrote: |
|
Grassmarket + Keir Street "I was born in The Grassmarket in 1936. I knew the area well, along with the families that Thomas Harrison mentions in his Recollections 20 above My pal lived in Keir Street, opposite the Flodden Wall. Pete Nolan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: 28 April 2018 |