Old Craighall memories
Here are memories of Old Craighall and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Old Craighall or a Old Craighall photo.
There are no Memories posted yet for Old Craighall - why not be the first!
- Add a Memory for Old Craighall
- Add a Memory to a Old Craighall photo
- Start another search
- See Old Craighall homepage
Memories of Midlothian
Childhood
I was the son of the cobbler at the Klondyke pit. All the kids at that time played in the streets or went up to the pit head baths for a shower, this was because there were no baths or showers in the miners' houses. Everybody in the village at that time knew all the kids and all the kids knew the adults. I used to go across the bridge which crossed the main road so that I could see my dad mend the miners' tackety boots. The houses were small affairs, a bedroom and a living room, the coal cellars were all outside, in my dad's case it was down the stairs. I see the school seems to be the same, alas the village is no more than a housing scheme now.
The Klondyke 1952 - 1954
I lived in Bingham at this time and left school on the Friday and started work on the tables on the Monday day shift 6 - 2, after about a week I moved up to the bashing on as it was called on the tumblers, there I met a man (I say man because I was just a 15 year old kid), called Sporter who took me under his wing so to speak, then it was on to the Snibbling where we had a very happy time trying to be the best at this. I progressed to Underground training out at the Lady Victoria, this during 1952 - 1953. On completion of the training I was allowed underground, my first job there was with an old man, he must have been old because one day he asked my name and when I said Joe he said no, not your first name, your surname, so I said Gibson, he then asked for my mother's maiden name so I told him Scott,... Read more
Born in A Very Special Place
I was born in Dalkeith in 1936 and shortly after moved to 17 Gibralter Terrace, Dalkieth, Midlothian, Scotland. I was the fourth to be born and already had an older sister by 5 years and two older brothers. By the time I was 11 years old I had another two sisters and two brothers.
We lived in a 3 bedroomed council house with a sitting room, scullery, bathroom and toilet (combined). Only two of the three rooms were big enough to accommodate the four brothers in one, three girls in another and the third was the small box room my oldest sister was in. Our ma and father had a double bed in the sitting room.
We were pretty crowded when I think back but at the time none of us thought about it. We certainly never complained, as it was a fact of life that could not be changed. I remember how loud and busy our house always seemed to be and that all the playing of friends of... Read more
Remember The Dukes
I played tenor sax with The Dukes in the late 1950s. They had a great line up: Tam Easton on drums, Bill Young on base guitar, Willie Finlayson on vocals, Alec Hutchinson on rhythm and the fabulous John Fairgreive on lead guitar. Probably one of the best around at the time. How I wish I could roll the clock back. Keep rocking guys. All the best. Bill Bryce
Two of The Dukes Lived in Bonnyrigg
I played tenor sax with The Dukes in the late 1950s. Tom Easton played drums, Bill Young played bass guitar, Alec Hutchieson rhythm guitar and the fabulous John Fairgreive lead guitar with Willie Findleyson singing. Both John and I lived in Bonnyrigg, Bill Young in Loanhead, and the others in Penicuick. We played all over the place and had many many great nights out. I eventually came to live in London, but the lads were still playing till fairly recently. I have not seen them for a long time now; but often wish I could wind the clock back sixty years. Rock on boys, All the best. Bill Bryce
Memorybank total
We're very pleased and excited by your response so far to our "Share your Memories" community.
You've shared 26,169 memories of 5,731 towns & villages across the UK - keep them coming!
Find Memories
Simply search for your favourite places to read others' memories and share your own.
Tips & Ideas
Not sure what to write?
It's easy - just think of an important place in your life and ask yourself:
How does it feature in your personal history?
What are your best memories of this place?
How has it changed over the years?
How does it feel, seeing these old photos of your favourite place?
Do you remember stories about the local community, its history and people?
Start now!
It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the orange "Add your Memory" icon to begin.
Places this week
Here are some of the places you've shared memories of this week:
- Braunton, Devon
- Orpington, Kent
- Harrow Weald, Middlesex
- Chelmsford, Essex
- Gawber, South Yorkshire
- Gravesend, Kent
- Bromley, Kent
- Plumstead, Norfolk
- Cefn Fforest, Gwent
- Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Frimley Green, Surrey
- Hindhead, Surrey
- Hounslow, Middlesex
- Methilhill, Fife
- Chelsea, Greater London
- North Broomhill, Northumberland
- Ramsey St Marys, Cambridgeshire
- Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
- Loughor, West Glamorgan
- Savernake, Wiltshire
- ... and lots more - Browse this week's memories now.
Your memories
To jump straight to the memories you have added already to the Community, click here
I Remember When...
This stunning compilation highlights some of the best stories selected from the thousands contributed here on the
Frith website. The result is an absorbing chronicle of British life from the Second World War to the mid 1960s.
A colourful treasure trove of memories, "I Remember When" is an
irresistible mix of personal stories and recollections that affectionately reveal the detail of everyday life in Britain.
