St Abbs

A Memory of Coldingham.

My name is Lynda Drew (nee Howarth). I remember St Abbs very fondly. In fact I have very great memories of the best holiday I can remember. My father, Stanley Howarth, was stationed at Coldingham with the RAF for a while during the 2nd world war. Mum, Edith, went to join him and they lived at St Abbs, in Rock House, which I know is still there. They made good friends there with a lady called Louie. They used to go to the dances held in Coldingham. Louie married a fisherman called Jotty I believe. About 1954 I spent all my school holidays staying with Aunty Louie, they lived in the little house that backed onto the bottom of the hill, just behind Rock House. They had 2 boys I think, and I stayed up in the attic room. We used to go on Uncle Jotty's fishing trawler every day over to Eyemouth. I made great friends with the local kids, especially a boy named David Earsman, Lugsman was his nick name, and a girl called Myrtle who had thick plaits.

I also made friends with a girl whose mother used to work at the Lairds House, and we used to eat honey comb in the big kitchen. I attended the local kirk on the hill, walked over to the lighthouse and taught myself to swim at the lovely beach.
I used to race the scouts that came to the village, down the hill, and the winner got a shilling I think. Uncle Jotty was also on the Life Boat too whenever it was called out.

I just wonder if anyone remembers me, I went there again, about 2 years later, and stayed in a boarding house on the main road, near the bus stop I think. It was a wonderful time in my life, one of my dearest wishes is to go back there one day.

Although living in Australia now, I will never forget my St Abbs. If anyone does remember me or my Mum and Dad, it would be great to hear from you. My email is -showarth@aapt.net.au and I am on facebook - Lynda Drew

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