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Gretna And Gretna Green

I remember all of the things written about Gretna in the 1950s already published. The sweet shop also sold wonderful red ice lollies. My best friend was Linda McTravers. My uncle was drowned in the Solway Firth in 1917, long before my birth but the shadow of his death hung over our lives. My father and his other 5 siblings also went to Gretna school. My father was taught by Mr Glasspool as was I. I remember the fish and chips shop, Toni was the owner. The fair held once a year was held on the bomb crater created when Gretna was bombed in the Second World War. The doctor's surgery was held in the green hut at the bottom of the High Street, next to Tatnals the drapers' shop. I was born in Gretna Green in 1947. I played with my brother in the Blacksmith shop, we often played in the old carriages and we played at stage coaches. I have a copy of the Blacksmith's Story signed by the last Blacksmith Priest in 1940. My grandmother used to talk of the train crashes at Gretna during the First World War. My name was then Dewsnap. I have many more memories but do not want to get boring. Yours, Judy. I now live in Cornwall.

Written by Judy Selby-Boothroyd. To send Judy Selby-Boothroyd a private message, click here.

A memory of Gretna in Dumfriesshire shared on Saturday, 16th January 2010.

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RE: RE: Gretna And Gretna Green

I was born at Mossband in 1943 (Johnstone). I had three older brothers, Clifford, Dennis & Michael. We were all happy, had loads of fun. We all went to Gretna School. I never liked Miss Mitchell, she taught the first of the infants, she used to hit me for writing with my left hand. We got the bus to school, and came home for our dinner. We once came home to find an armoured tank crashed in the front garden, the poor soldier was killed, he was only 21 years old, that was in the early 1950s. It was great to watch all the steam trains passing from our front window. We had many great times down the River Esk collecting mushrooms, also looking for birds nests, and getting wood for the fire. Great memories. I can remember all the families that lived there very well. I also remember most people from school. Our dad worked at the Guards Farm, then went in the Air Force, then when he got demobbed he went on the Air Ministry security at 14MU, then in 1956 we went to live there. Maureen x

Comment from Maureen Newton on Monday, 16th January 2012.

RE: RE: Gretna And Gretna Green

Hi Maureen I wonder if we knew each other, I was born in Gretna Green in 1947. My name was then Dewsnap. We then moved away to live with my grandparents near Penrith for a few years. We then returned to the area and lived in the huts at Mossband. My mother worked at the big house there. I think the Tinnings they were called. My father was an AA patrol man. I went to Gretna school on the bus from Mossband, I cannot remember the date but was there on my 10th birthday in 1957 and had already lived there for a while. We later moved again but to Springfield. I remained at Gretna School ,my class was then in the Annexe. I remeber a poor old tramp who used to walk around Mossband in the cold and snow. He was found dead one day under a hedge. I have some vague idea that I remember Cliff but think possibly I am muddled but he may have known my brother Joe. I also have a sister called Morag. Hope you may remember me Regards Judy

Comment from Judy Selby-Boothroyd on Tuesday, 17th January 2012.

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