Thanks To Edwin!

A Memory of Ferniegair.

The posting by Edwin has brought back many memories of the1940's. I know exactly the locations described in his "memory". The hut was owned and operated by Johnny Irvine. Johnny only had the use of one arm, but could wrestle big jars of sweeties with his good arm to sell to the children. I well remember "the huts" and also remember Marion Matheson (who went to school with me) and who was Edwin's neighbour). One of the family from the estate gatehouse across from the huts was also a class mate of mine. He was Jim Dow, who went on to become a baker and owned a couple of bakeshops.

I met Jim back in 1963 when I was home on holiday visiting my parents, (I emigrated to Canada in 1954). We met by the banks of the Avon in the High Parks while we were both walking with our wives!

I also remember Miss Smith. As well as being a teacher she was a Brownie leader. (Can't remember if she was "Grey Owl or Brown Owl.) Both of my sisters' Margo and Anne were brownies with Miss Smith.
The Headmaster with the limp was also named Smith and he lived in the headmasters house next to the school, Other teachers I can remember were Miss Lennox, Miss Ballantyne, Miss Chalmers and another headmaster was Mr Whitelaw.

I lived with my parents and sisters at 6 Ross terrace and can remember that at the foot of our garden there was a farmer's field where, in season, the land was ploughed by a horse drawn single coulter and the harvest was brought in with a minimum of machinery and a maximum of human labour. The farmers field was bounded on one side with a bing, the refuse from the Ferniegair Colliery where there was a huge chimney (smoke stack) just across the road from the church.

Many more memories, but these will do for now. Thanks for getting me started Edwin, "Stewart Bell"

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