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Flora Stevenson Primary School Comely Bank |
Edinburgh Recollections Flora Stevenson School |
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1. |
Lorraine BRUCE |
- Living at Royston - Old Friends |
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2. |
Gordon G KINGHORN |
- 1959 to 1962 - Playground - School Dinners - School Photos |
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3. |
Gordon G KINGHORN |
- Do You Remember 1. Royal Visit 2. Letter to US President 3. Letter to Astronaut 4. Other Letters 5. Heart-wrenching |
| 4. |
George CLEMENTS |
- Gordon Kinghorn |
| 5. |
Betty
Moir (née Drysdale) |
- School - Work |
| 6. |
Sheila Stevenson (née
SYME) |
- 1944-54 - Jacqueline and Gordon |
| 7. |
Arthur SUTHERLAND |
- Gordon Kinghorn - Other Friends - Betty Simpson - Hector Snoddy - Jonesey and Sheila - Punishment - Royal Visits |
| 8. |
Ruth HOLLOWAY |
- 1958-65 - Teachers - Gang Hut - Fight - Research |
| 9. |
Anna ASHTON |
- 1955-61 - Pupils - Teachers - Library - Punishment - Highlights - Return Visit to Edinburgh |
| 10. |
Thelma CHALMERS |
- 1939 to 1949 - Class Photo |
| 11. |
Joan
TAYLOR (née LAMB) |
- 1946 - Class Photo, 1946 - Teacher - Pupils |
| 12. |
David HOLLINGDALE |
- 1941-48 - Teachers - Class Photo - Class Mates |
| 13. |
Mark DONALD |
- 1940s - Helen Doig |
| 14. |
David HOLLINGDALE |
- JohnYoung |
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Recollections 1. Lorraine Bruce Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
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Thank you to Lorraine Bruce who emailed me on behalf of her aunt, Christine Dutton. Lorraine wrote: |
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Living at Royston "My aunt, Christine Dutton, lived at 40 Royston Mains Crescent and went to Flora Stevenson school in 1944, aged 10. She remembers Miss Anderson, the history teacher." |
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Old Friends "Christine says it would be lovely to hear from others who have memories or old photos of the school or" |
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Lorraine Bruce, Dingwall, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland: September 28, 2010 |
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Reply to Christine Dutton If you'd like to send a reply to Christine Dutton, please email me, then I'll pass it on to Lorraine for Christine; Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 2, 2010 |
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Recollections 2. Gordon G Kinghorn Andover, Hampshire, England |
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Thank you to Gordon G Kinghorn who wrote: |
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1955 to 1962 "I attended this Flora Stevenson School between 1955 and 1962. My brother and sister also attended from 1956 to 1963. I have many memories of the place and indeed the teachers at that time, namely Mr Ferris, Miss Imrie and Mr Reid, the Headmaster, to name but just a few. Playground "The playground was designed in an apartheid manner, girls and boys separated by walls and specified boundaries – and by the watchful eye of those teachers appointed to carry out playground duty. There was no mixing during those days." School Dinners "I always considered school dinners to be excellent fare. I believe a child could be fed for five shillings per week, or 25p in modern jargon. My best friend at the time used to grab me and race to be first in the lunch queue, we would then wolf down whatever culinary delights were on offer then make for the playground to play football against the school’s Hearts supporters. We, of course, were fans of the mighty Hibs. There was a distinct difference between myself and my then pal, Bert. My dinner tickets were always white, yet his were blue. I learned later from my mother that some children were not as fortunate as others. My father worked for a living, I was told, whilst Bert’s father was in a place called Barlinnie and not able to provide for his family at that time. I was sworn to absolute secrecy by mum and I never did divulge this information to a soul." School Photos "I have many recollections and some photos, including one or two of me kitted out in school cap and uniform, purchased from the outfitters in Raeburn Place, just down from Rankin's, near to Leslie Place, long since gone. |
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Gordon G Kinghorn, Andover, Hampshire, England: November 19, 2010 |
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Recollections 3. Gordon G Kinghorn Andover, Hampshire, England |
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Thank you to Gordon G Kinghorn for writing again with more memories of the time he spent at Flora Stevenson School. Gordon wrote: |
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Do You Remember? "I'd dearly love to hear from any former pupils, particularly those who attended the school during my time (1955-62). I wonder if any of them remember three specific milestones." 1. Royal Visit "Both Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh passed the school, en-route to God only knows where, some time during the late-1950s. Teachers and many excited children spilled onto the pavement to wave as they motored by. It was all very brief, but the Royal motorised entourage did indeed pass by the school, and I'd like to know if any former pupils remember the event. I hasten to add, the Queen’s visit to which I refer was not at the time of King Olaf’s visit in 1962 or that of the opening of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964, these ceremonies were considerably later. 2. Letter to US President "In 1960, the Headmistress, Miss Imrie, decided that we should send a letter of congratulations to the newly elected US President, one John Fitzgerald Kennedy. This communiqué was duly sent to Washington and I believe a reply was received by our Headmaster later in the year." 3. Letter to Astronaut "In 1962, my teacher, Richard Ferris, informed the class that we would each assist in composing a similar letter of congratulations to astronaut, John Glenn, newly returned from his mission to orbit the earth, not once but twice, no less. I can pleasingly report that Astronaut Glenn did respond to our dispatch, this being received shortly after I departed Flora Stevenson shores in the summer of 1962."
4. Other Letters? "I wonder if either of these letters from across the Atlantic ever survived, and if there were any other communication projects undertaken by the pupils. If you know of any, I'd be hugely interested in hearing from them." 5. Heart-wrenching "Flora’s was indeed a wonderful educational faculty and I’m sure it remains so until this day. In fact, I do have one painful memory of the place. It was heart-wrenching. I experienced my first love at the school. The girl * lived in the Dean Village and sat a mere two desks away from my own. I actually worshipped her, but never plucked up sufficient courage to tell her of my adoration. Good Lord, my heart ached daily for the attentions of that very pretty dark-haired girl. Sadly, she never gave me a second glance …ever !!!" * Gordon gave me the girl's name. I've not included it here, but she may recognise herself ! Gordon G Kinghorn, Andover, Hampshire, England, November 24, 2010 |
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Reply to Gordon? If you'd like to send a message to Gordon, please email me, then I'll pass it on to him. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, December 1, 2010 |
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Recollections 4. George Clements Manchester, England |
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Thanks to George Clements for responding to Gordon's comments in 'Recollections 3' above. George wrote: |
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Gordon Kinghorn "I did not go to Flora Stevensons school but my sister, Helen Clements, went there. I knew Gordon Kinghorn because we both lived in Comely Bank Avenue. I lived in 92 and I think Gordon lived in 41, beside the stairs that Kenny Moody lived in. George Clements, Manchester, England: December 3, 2010 |
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Thanks George. I've emailed Gordon to let him know about your message above. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, December 3, 2010 |
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Recollections 5. Betty Moir (née Drysdale) Markham, Ontario, Canada |
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Thank you to Betty Moir (née Drysdale) for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Betty wrote: |
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School "My family moved to Dean Park Street in 1935, and I went to Flora Stevensons school until I was age 15. We were evacuated to Fife but only for six weeks. We started out on the lower floors at the school until qualifying, then went to the next floor. We finally reached the top floor and were then going to different periods for each class. I'd love to hear from any of the people who went to Flora's" Work "I worked at the Transport & General Workers Union at their office on Victoria street for 7 years before emigrating to Canada in 1954."
Betty Moir, Markham, Ontario,
Canada |
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Reply to Betty Unfortunately, I don't know Betty's email address. So, if you'd like to send a message to her it would probably be best to post a reply to her in the EdinPhoto guest book, below the message that she posted there on May 10, 2012.*** *** Please ignore the comment above and read 'Update' below. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, May 17, 2012 |
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Update I received a message today from Betty, letting me know her latest email address, so if you'd like to send an email to Betty, please email me and ask me for her latest email address. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, October 30, 2015 |
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Recollections 6. Sheila Stevenson (née Sime) Ontario, Canada |
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Thank you to Sheila Stevenson (née Sime) for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Sheila wrote: |
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1944-54 "I attended Flora Stevenson School from 1944 to 1954*. I'd love to hear from any schoolmates who remember me. Jacqueline and Gordon Also, I'm trying to locate Jacqueline and Gordon Armstrong or their children. Jacqueline's maiden name was Falconer. They lived in Edinburgh. I lost touch with them in the 1960s.
Sheila Stevenson, Ontario,
Canada
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Reply to Sheila? If you'd like to send a reply to Sheila, please email me, then I'll give you her email address so that you can contact her. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, June 4, 2012 |
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Recollections 7. Arthur Sutherland York, Yorkshire, England |
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Thanks to Arthur Sutherland who wrote: |
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Gordon Kinghorn "I've just read the recollections from Gordon Kinghorn. He was in my class at Flora Stevenson's, then I think moved up to Bellevue Secondary, I had heard he joined the Army, which probably accounts for his current location. If I recall correctly,Gordon was one of twins, and had an older brother." Other Friends "I played with Gordon occasionally, and I wonder if he recalls visiting the Mixie, an overgrown field on Orchard Brae where - Brian Otter - Stewart (Boris) Scott - Norrie Johnstone, and I had built our Gang HQ, a dugout." Gordon lived round the corner from Dianne Morrison who lived in the first floor corner flat above the newsagents, the Clingons. No, they weren't aliens from Star Trek!." Betty Simpson "I also befriended Billie Simpson ho lived in Blackhall. I did not know her family, but was once invited up to his duplex, above the American Consulate in George Street. He also joined the Life Boy Company that I was in. I still have a Photo of us dressed as a Witch and Noddy for a 'Halloween do'." Hector Snoddy "Oh yes, and then there was Hector Snoddy. He lived in the cottage at the fork of Arboretum and Glenogle because his dad was head honcho in the Botanics." Jonesey and Sheila "Further up Comely Bank Avenue lived Pat Douglas, I had a childhood crush on both these lasses, unrequited. But, sometimes, for a change, I would walk home with another couple of lasses. I forget their full names but remember that they were usually referred to as: - Jonesey, a gawky bespectacled female with a speech impediment, and - Sheila who, to a young lad like me, appeared a bit more normal. That's how cruel kids can be!" Punishment "I remember: - Richard Ferris - Mr Brown, the battleaxe - Miss Imrie, the battleaxe Headmistress - Miss Smellie, the music teacher who punished me because the girl behind me peed on th floor and it ran down the slight incline and stopped to the side of my desk. So muggins got kept in for not pissing on the floor, a fact my mother could never quite grasp. This scarred me for life." Royal Visits "I don't recall the Queen passing the school but do remember being taken from our secondary school to line the route at the North Bridge for the visit of King Olaf of Norway. I also remember being in the audience to see Yehudi Menuhin receive the 'Freedom of the City'." Arthur Sutherland, York, Yorkshire, England: July 29, 2013 |
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Recollections 8. Ruth Holloway New Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Ruth Holloway for sending her memories of Flora Stevenson School. |
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Ruth wrote: 1958-65 "I lived in Comely Bank Road and went to Flora's 1958-69* and knew Kenny Moody. Afterwards, I went to the old Broughton Senior Secondary, which was regarded as one of the best non-fee-paying secondary schools in Scotland at that time." Teachers "The teachers I remember at Flora Stevenson are: - Miss Mickey, my lovely first teacher - The wonderful Mr Ferris, later on - Miss Imrie, and - Mr Reid, of course At first, the teachers often called me Alison, as I am named Alison Ruth, although I always use the name 'Ruth'. Gang Hut "I remember the Gang Hut in the Mixie, and going there with the boys! I was very quiet to begin with, but became quie a tomboy." Fight "I remember being challenged by Maggie (Smith?) who lived in Bedford Court to fight her after school. Eventually, I did fight and won, although I was not in the habit of fighting." Ruth added: Research "I'm currently researching anecdotal history of Stockbridge and how it changed through the 1960s, so if you have any memories of people and places, please get in touch." Ruth Holloway, New Town, Edinburgh: October 13, 2013 (2 emails) |
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Reply to Ruth If you'd like to send a reply to Ruth, in response to the request in her final paragraph above, please email me, then I'll pass on her email address to you. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh, October 13, 2013 |
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Recollections 9. Anna Ashton (née Graham) Australia |
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Thank you to Anna Ashton who wrote: |
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1955-61 "I was a pupil at Flora Stevenson's School from 1955 until we left for Australia in April 1961. I don't have any class photos and I'm not sure if any were taken. Pupils "I remember: - Gordon Kinghorn - Recollections 2 above - as a name. - David Begg, who I think went to Sydney, probably in 1960 - Francesca Crawford - Alison Longbone - Moira Prior - Billy Simpson, as a smart boy, but not as an American." Teachers "I have good memories of Miss Mickey, Miss Imrie and Richard Ferris, who I wrote to a few times in our early days in Australia. I can also recall the needlework teacher. Her name eludes me, but what I learnt was invaluable. I guess I enjoyed the subject. I still have my piece of embroidery and lap bag from very early. Library "My clearest memory is of Richard and the library we had in a tin trunk. I was an avid reader and he certainly encouraged that. I still can recite those historical dates from 1603! There must have been other teachers, but I can't remember their names." Punishment "I remember two instances of being punished unfairly: - The first was with the student teacher who I was keen to impress as we shared the same surname, Graham. I was the go-between of a note passing, and was caught with the note. - The other time was when someone else reporting that I had used what was considered to be a very rude word, 'bum'. I hadn't, but I got 2 of the strap anyway!" Highlights "Highlights that I can recall include: - Seeing the Queen's Cavalcade, my first experience of a 'parade'. My memory of it is evoked by flag waving and excited crowds. - Making 'slides' on the ice in the playground - Country dancing in the big hall - though the boys never seemed to be very keen. Pre-adolescents had often had (and still have) a reluctance to have anything to do with the opposite sex in such activities as dancing, where, God forbid, you may have to hold their hand.. A pretty common reaction from teachers and adults was to suggest that girl/boy "germs" aren't contagious so let's get on with the activity and not worry about who you are holding hands with. - School lunches, especially when we had soup with bread rolls and cheese, and fried eggs, or the dessert, apricot halves on a shortcake base with a meringue rim. Return Visit to Edinburgh "I'm heading back to Edinburgh for a visit later this year, to show my daughter and granddaughter where I started my schooling." Anna Ashton (née Graham), Australia: March 26 + 27, 2014 |
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Recollections 10. Thelma Chalmers Cairns, Queensland, Australia |
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Thank you toThelma Chalmers who wrote after reading the comments in Recollections 1 above by Lorraine Bruce about her aunt, Christine Dutton. Thelma replied: |
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1939 to 1949 Christine Ditton "I attended Flora's from 1939 to 1949. Christine, being 10 in 1944, is the same age as myself, having been born in 1934. The name Christine Dutton doesn't ring any bells, but I did have a Christine Rennie in my class." Teachers "I remember: - Miss Anderson, who was referred to by the children, rather unkindly, as Granny Anderson. - English teacher, Mr Wimberley. - French teacher Miss Gray. - Maths teacher Mr Thompson." - Headmaster Mr Cromarty." Thelma Chalmers, Cairns, Queensland, Australia: April 27, 2014 |
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Recollections 11. Joan Taylor (née Lamb) Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
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Thank you to Joan Taylor who wrote: |
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1946 School Class "Here is an old class photo (poor condition) of Miss Anderson's Primary class 1946 at Flora Stevenson School. I was at Flora's from 1945 until the year the Secondary classes closed and I was transferred to Bellevue School for my last year of school.
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Joan Taylor, nee Lamb, Burlington, Ontario, Canada My father, George (Dod) Lamb, Coal Merchant, and his siblings, my brother and my sister (Alex and Ena), all attended Flora's. Teacher "One teacher stood out for me. It was Miss Grey, my French teacher, as she bought her coal from my father and I always felt I was being watched." Pupils "I can only remember some class names as it was a long time ago, hence the condition of the photo which has travelled a long distance. BACK ROW: Robert Miller, Stewart ?, Freddie Palmer, Gilbert Anderson, James Calder, Robert Hodge MIDDLE ROW: Lillian MacLean, Margaret Melrose FRONT ROW: Arthur Miller, Alistair Day, Ann Wilson, Joan Lamb (4th right), Muriel Dickson" Joan Taylor (née Lamb), Burlington, Ontario, Canada |
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Recollections 12. David Hollingdale Barnton, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to David Hollingdale who wrote: |
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1941-48 "I attended Flora Stevenson School from 1941 to 1948 when, after the 'Quali', I went to the Royal High School - (the real one in Regent Road)! Teachers "My first Teacher was Miss Guthrie, then Miss Bishop and finally the delightful Miss Catherine Cook. The headmaster was Mr Robert J K Cromarty." Class Photo "Somewhere in my house I have a class photo taken at Middleton Camp c. 1946, but I cannot find it." Class Mates "Class mates thatI can remember were: - Ian Watson - John Young - Jimmy Gunn - Sheena West - Eva Craig (I fancied her!) - Gladys Arnott - Thelma Meldrum - The Hunter twins - Frank Simpson- - Jim Harkness - Ian Stevenson (with whom I am still in touch) and several others, many probably now deceased. I'd be pleased to hear from anyone of that era." David Hollingdale, Barnton, Edinburgh: 17 October 2015 |
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Reply to David? Do you remember David Hollingdale ? Maybe you are one of the people that he has listed above. If you'd like to get in touch with him, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on his contact details to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 18 October 2015 |
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Recollections 13. Mark Donald Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Mark Donald who wrote: |
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Helen Doig 1940s "My gran, Helen Doig, attended Flora Stevenson School. She loved her time there, and would always say 'I went to Flora Stevenson.' She was born in 1934, but sadly is no longer with us. I'd love to see if anyone remembers her or has any photos of her class." Mark Donald, Edinburgh: 21 October 2015 |
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Reply to Mark? Do you remember Helen Doig, and would like to get in touch with Mark to tell him, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on his contact details to you. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 21 October 2015 |
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Recollections 14. David Hollingdale Barnton, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to David Hollingdale for writing again. John wrote: |
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John Young "In my Recollections 12 above, I included a short list of classmates, the second being John Young, who was a close friend, although we lost touch after leaving Floras. I have now discovered that he joined the RAF, and flew as a flight officer in Shackletons based at RAF Kinloss. On 21st December 1967, Shackleton XF 702 crashed into a hillside below Creag Bhan, Lochailort. All 13 crew members, including John Verner Young were killed instantly. The largest part of the wreckage was less than 3ft long. The impact scar is still visible on the hillside where a cairn has been erected. I found this rather sad." David Hollingdale, Barnton, Edinburgh: 13 February 2016 |