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Blyth Bridge, the Old Mill c1955
Blyth Bridge, the Old Mill c1955 Ref: B759302
Memories of Blyth Bridge, the Old Mill
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Blyth Bridge & local memories
Read and share memories of Blyth Bridge and Peeblesshire inspired by Frith photos
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Year: 1955
Happy holidays
Spent many, many years visiting grandparents in Caste Craig then in West Mains with my parents John and Pam Watson. My father John was the only child of Hugh and Maggie Watson, whom we went to visit each year. We spent time visiting relatives in Biggar, Largs, Sea Mill, infact we spent time travelling all over the Border area, and always going to Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street. The photograph of the telephone box in Blyth Bridge bought back happy memories of walking down to the phone box with my sister and brother to wait for my parents to phone, (as we travelled up by train in later years, without 'mum and dad') house phones were not around then, going into the village shop to buy sweets and the daily newspaper. Waiting for the local mobile shop to come round on a weekly basis, no grocery shops around. In later years visiting on my own, taking my grandparents to the Old Mill Restaurant, now not in use, such a shame. Went back 2006, with my husband who took photos of me at the phone box. The village shop has gone, but the tiny hamlet was still as beautiful, visited old friends of the family still living in the area, Jenny Hogg and family, lovely to see her. New houses now built at West Mains. Happy happy memories. Last edited: 21/08/2007 15:31 by Pamala Sharman |
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Year: 1940s
A London Evacuee's Memories of Midlem. A memory of Huntworth, Somerset I was evacuated from London before the German bombs started falling. I think it was in 1939 or 1940 that I arrived at The Manse. I was evacuated to Midlem, Selkikshire TD7 4QE modern postcode, on the Scottish Borders. The address was:- The Manse Russell Place Midlem SELKIRK TD7 4 I think that "Russel Place" and the modern postal code are correct. The Manse was (is) in fact a large 'stand alone' house, situated in quite large grounds, and was occupied by the Hunter family. The Hunter family were: Jack and his wife May, and their three sons Billy, Jim and John. Annie was the maid. John and I were the same age. Billy and Jim were older. They had a dog called Tinker and pet rabbits. Jack, I believe had a high powered job in the police force. He frequently had to travel to Edinburgh. I believe that the maid, Annie and Mrs Hunter (May) did not 'love' me - poor poor me! I remember once that I was quarantined in a bullying fashion. I suppose that I had some kind of contagious illness. During my quarantine, I once caused the paraffin lamp to go out and this caused May and Annie to give me a terrible bollocking. On another occasion, I accidently knocked over a box which John was constructing with hammer and nails in the kitchen doorway. He absolutely lost his temper and struck me over the head with the hammer, causing me to bleed profusely. Annie, the maid quickly arrived. She treated my injury but showed absolutely no concern for my plight. John was her favourite. Billy and Jim attended school in Selkirk. They had to get there by bicycle. John and I attended the primary school opposite The Manse. Later, we attended a school in Lilliesleaf, which was a car's journey away. During the hours of darkness, the house, like all of the other houses in the village, had to be blacked out. No light was permitted to show. Sometimes the village policeman would come to the front door to inform the household about a chink of light showing. We often would see military vehicles trundling through the village. The house boasted one of those old fashioned iron ovens and hobs and swivelling platforms to place hot pots on. I cannot remember there being any electricity. Lighting was by paraffin and candles. There were pullcords in each of the rooms which were set up to a indicator board in the kitchen, in order to attract the maid's attention. The radio was battery driven. I cannot recall having a telephone. I remember that Mrs Hunter (May) used to go to a the nearby towns of Hawick and Selkirk to help prepare food parcels for British prisoners in German POW camps. The whole household used to be glued to the radio during news bulletens. I can only remember one or two surnames from that time:- Begbie. Young - - farmer who lived opposite "The Manse". Riley, Mrs - who taught in the local school. In 1944 (I was aged 8 and a half) and after the 'invasion' scare was over, the Hunter family moved to Edinburgh. I accompanied them and lived with them in Edinburgh for a few months. I was in Edinburgh in November 2007 and decided to visit Midlem some 63 years later, expecting it to be vastly different. I could not have been more surprised. It was almost as I had remembered it. The village smithy was still there but not in use. Outside of the smithy was a steel cartwheel tyre and a number of rusty horseshoes, one of which I 'stole' and later refurbished. My goodness! The smithy was always busy and there was always a goup of kids watching the goings-on of the blacksmith - forging horseshoes and 'shrinking' metal tyres onto the cartwheels and the like. I did not see a single soul in the village. It seemed deserted. Perhaps they were observing me and my partner from behind their curtains. I tentatively entered the grounds of the Manse, but unfortunately, no one was at home. I hope to make another visit and next time I shall perhaps knock on a few more doors. Last edited: 30/06/2008 16:24 by Jeff Brown |
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Year: 2001
A lovely and historical summer. A memory of Melrose, Roxburghshire My wife and I spent two months living in Melrose the summer of 2001. It was our home base as we travelled throughout the borders and the rest of Scotland. We chose Melrose for it's charm and convenience and rented Bow Cottage off Abbey Street, from Louise Buchanan, Jimmy Johnston's daughter. The cottage was perfect. My paternal side of the family is from the Borders and lived in many villages in Roxburghshire and Berwickshire. My GGG grandparents George Short and Janet Scott were married in Melrose in 1805 and she is buried in Gordon in St. Michael's churchyard. She passed away in 1825 and the headstone is still intact. George Short was the Miller at Stitchell Mill for many years. My Great grandfather John Hope Short was born in Eccles in 1844 and immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1860's. It was a wonderfull experience to spend time seeing all of the family's old homes and villages from the past and then to also enjoy the present and the people who now live there. If all Postmasters were as cordial and efficient as your postmaster John Collins, the world would certainly be a far better place. We returned for a visit this past October (2007)for a fortnight and stayed with friends in Ancrum and also visited back and forth with a cousin who lives in North Berwick. We were able to visit Melrose several times and enjoy some meals at Burt's. The time past to quickly. A part of my heart will always remain in Melrose and I hope that I am fortunate enough to return again. Al Short, Bainbridge Is., Washington State, USA Posted: 25/01/2008 18:30 by Al Short |
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Year: 1999
Fastest Ferret gets Guinness World Record A memory of Huntworth, Somerset On 11 July 1999, At the North of England Ferret Racing Championships held in Blythe, Northumberland, UK, an Albino Ferret called 'WARHOL' owned by Jacqui Adams of CHIRNSIDE, Berwickshire, ran the 32ft Tube Race in a WORLD RECORD 12.59 seconds. It's now 2007 and the Record hasn't been beaten still. Warhol was nicknamed Berwickshire's White Lightening by the press. Sadly Warhol died in 2002. Posted: 08/12/2007 18:36 by Jacqui Adams |
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Year: 1954
RAF Base A memory of Coldingham, Berwickshire I was born at the RAF base 2 Drone Hill where my father was based. I am now 54 years old and in July 2004 after losing my mother I came up to Coldingham to revisit the base, which to my surprise in now a caravan site, and the house that I was born in is still there. As you can imaging it was quite an emotional visit. The old Naffi is now the site clubhouse and there was a write-up of it being an RAF radar base, it closed in 1957 and I would be most grateful to anyone who can supply any old photos of how it used to be. We stayed in Scoutscroft caravan park. All the areas we visited including Berwick, Eyemouth, St Abbs and a lot more were so beautiful and we hope to revisit in 2009. We found the people of Coldingham warm, friendly and helpful, even the local pubs were a joy to visit. A memory to treasure. Last edited: 30/06/2008 10:07 by Christine Cowings |
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