Tosh And I And Easy Pickings

A Memory of Newarthill.

Tosh and I and easy pickings

Hi everyone,
It's me again with the continuation of my wee story. I was taken by surprise how many people liked and responded to the story about Burnside Rd and my wee pal Thomas (Tosh) McGarry and it has gave me the inspiration to write more of the same. I am proud to say that I can guarantee this we story is applicable to every street in Newarthill, though the names may be different their actions were the same. I dedicate this to all our kind neighbours in the village then and now.

Living two doors down from the McGarry clan was great, what I remember about them was when you met any of them in the street, they always had a smile to give you. Like most of us that lived on the hill they didn’t have much, but rest assured they would give their last to help others. Tosh, and I smiled and laughed a lot as kids, especially when we were out of sight of our families the world was our oyster and at a young age, we looked for easy pickings.
Tosh and I, at the age of three or four used to play in what is the swing park at the back of both our houses, playing together every day made sure we bonded, and we became unseparable. In the lead up to us both starting school on the same day, we were both excited and looked forward to walking to school together. On the morning of our first day at school I was adorned with new school clothes and proper fitting shoes. My mammy (Polly) urged me to go next door to Mrs Tighe (May) to show her my shiny new shoes and clothing.
I excitedly ran to the door and chapped it, 'Mrs Tighe see ma new clothes' I said, birlin around as soon as she opened the door.
May gave me a massive smile and said I that I was looking very smart, taking my hand she led me into the living room and showed me off to some of the family. My eyes shone bright as she lifted her purse and said this is for being a smart boy, hugging me, she handed me a threepenny bit. That memory has stayed with me for over sixty years. Living next door to The Tighe family was a joy! Every year as soon as the clock struck twelve on New Year's Eve Charlie Tighe would first foot us, my mother Polly felt honoured that he continued his tradition for many a year. Polly felt if it were anyone else other than Charlie the Laird family would certainly have luckless year. She believed this so much so, that she kept the door locked just in case someone else tried to first foot us. The Tighe's were just a lovely god-fearing family.
I Being excited about going to school and having a thrupenny bit to share with Tosh at school, could see us having a penny caramel each and then smashing the other off the kerb to half it.
When it was time to leave for school my mother Polly took my hand, walking out our garden gate we turned right up the hill, as we did Tosh walked out with his mum Cathy McGarry holding Thomas’s hand they turned left out of her gate and walked down the hill. I was excited to see Tosh and I remember trying to break my mother's grip to walk with him. The women nodded and greeted each other. I turned around quickly as did Tosh when we walked past each other heading in opposite directions. I screamed, Tosh screamed and cried too. Pulling at my mammy's hand I shouted I want to go to school with Thomas. Polly bent down and explained that we were of a different religion and had to go to different schools because I was a Protestant and Thomas was a Catholic. I screamed again I don't want to be a Protestant I want to be Catholic like Thomas. It was heart breaking that morning for both of us. Though I am proud to say religion never stood in our way, in fact don't tell anyone this! PROMISE NOW! but later on, and around the age eight to ten I used to sneak into the chapel with Tosh, (I just got fed up sitting outside on the chapel step in the cold every Sunday waiting for him).
We sat near the back of the chapel, and I noticed everyone queueing towards Father Gillan, when I turned around Tosh and I were being shood over towards the isle by the adults at the side of us and to step forward, Tosh laughed as I nervously made my way and stood in front of the Father, with every part of my body shaking I watched Tosh’s every move and replicated it when it was my turn. Throwing my hands around my back I crossed my fingers and prayed that I would not be found out that I was a proddy dog as Tosh called me. My whole body almost stiffened to fend off the nerves as I tilted my head back and like a praying mantis, I rolled out my tongue and was aghast as I took holy communion!!! I can hear you all gasping and tutting. 😊 Father Gillan never batted an eye. That day, I was the nearest to being a Catholic than I ever had been, gosh my wish to be a Catholic nearly came true 😊

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