Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #20 Rab Moir 8/5 Oxgangs Avenue

A later arrival at 8/6 Oxgangs Avenue after the Calder family left Oxgangs in 1966 were the Moir family who took up residence at the flat. 

I was the first person to meet Rab Moir. 

Rab will be remembered for his large Alsation dog and love of motorbikes - he was a a few years older than me, but he was small and squarely built - I had a friendly relationship with him and perhaps because I was the first person to befriend him felt he tended to look out for me. 

He didn't join in at football or much else, but clearly he had been a player, playing in the good St Patrick's Primary School team; the photograph is from the 1965/66 season taken at the Warriston Playing Fields - Rab is back row, extreme left.

Paul Kaszynski: Can't remember the dog's name but it used to leap into his arms, it was almost as big as him.

Dougie Begbie: Which dog - he had Beefy then Mushow.

Tam Smith: Yes Peter, Rab joined the rest of us later. He bid play some football with me, Colin Benson, Junior (David McLeod, 2 Oxgangs Street) and a few others from across the main road - Eric Carruthers; Tich, and Rab McMillan and Alex Cunninghan - Alex was a bit younger than us but he was a great player.

When Rab and I got our moter bike licenses we sat outside working under the street light; it was bloody cold at 11 o'clock at night. His big brother George helped sometimes, then we would take the bikes for a run - good times.

Lisa Sibbald: I remember Rab well. We used to often travel on the same No. 5 bus in the morning when I was going to school (Gillespie's) and he was going to Ramsay Tech. - and of course I was into motorbikes.

Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #18 Oxgangs Self Builds

Jim Hunter; The self builds on Oxgangs Road North being built by...themselves!

Caroline Cairney-Smith: I lived in the self build houses 312, Oxgangs Road North facing the main road.

Jim Hunter: Is Cairney your maiden name? Do you remember the scheme Christmas parties at St John’s?

Caroline Cairney-Smith: Yes my maiden name; yes I remember the parties; you might remember my brother Ian and sister Marlyn, depending on your age lol.

Jim Hunter: Marlyn rings a bell. I'm 59

Caroline Cairney-Smith: Marlyn 63 is the youngest; we were among the first to move in; Mum lived there till she passed away in 2004.

Jim Hunter: She is more Martin’s age. Now, I've heard many versions of how and who built these great houses. What do you actually know?

Caroline Cairney-Smith: As you know there are 50 houses in the scheme; people got together from all walks of life - some had a trade, some professional, teachers, drivers etc. The non trade workers did the labouring; my dad was a stone mason; bearing in mind these men built these houses after they had done a day’s work at there own jobs and at weekends it was hard work spending time away from there families, but worth it in the end - hope this helps.

Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #17 The McDonaugh Family

John McDonaugh: Alison, myself and Marion getting ready for James Scott’s annual Christmas party. My memory is of trifle and I’ve hated it ever since!

John McDonaugh: My first school photo with Alison and Marion aged around 11 and 4 years, me 6.

Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #16 Mrs Penny Forbes and baby Paul

Paul Forbes: Getting a bath in our pre-fab at Oxgangs Gardens from mum Penny Forbes. My dad used to light the coal fire in the morning before he went off to work. My grandchildren, literally, do not understand the concept of a living fire in the house. Great days, when performing community service meant helping your neighbour out!

Vanessa Campbell: Great pic Paul, I was born in a prefab, 1 Oxgangs Place. My mother was great friends with Penny; I have fond memories of the Forbes.

Paul Forbes: Thanks Vanessa. If I’m honest, I’m not sure if we were the Place or Gardens as we were right in the corner. Is Campbell your maiden name? Vanessa rings a bell, but the Campbell bit doesn’t.

Vanessa Campbell: I'm sure you were the Place, maybe Veitch will bring a bell?

Paul Forbes: It had to be Veitch! I remember you well. Oor wee end of the street was paradise!!

Vanessa Campbell: It was indeed Paul, glad you remembered. Such happy times.

Those Winter Sundays

Sundays too my father got up early

and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,

then with cracked hands that ached

from labour in the weekday weather made

banked fires blaze. No one thanked him.

I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.

When the rooms were warm, he’d call,

and slowly I would rise and dress,

fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him

who had driven out the cold

and polished my good shoes as well.

What did I know, what did I know

Of love’s austere and lonely offices?

Robert Hayden

Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #15 Tam Smith

Tam Smith taking his step-dad's car for a 'spin' circa late 1960s.

Extracts from 'The Secret Diary Of Retep Nnamffoh Aged Fourteen And A Half': 

Thursday, 8th July, 1971 '...Tam Smith and I spent the late, still Oxgangs evening hanging out telling each other jokes - no different from Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn a century ago on a dreamy American summer's evening.'

Sunday, 28th November, 1971: '...In the evening I enjoyed a good blether with Ali Douglas and Tam Smith - two of the best lads around. I then settled back on my bed and read my Shoot football magazine.'

Extracts from 'A 1972 Edinburgh Teenager's Diary': 

Friday, 14th January, 1972: '...After tea Gilbert Fraser; Jonathon Taylor; Ali Douglas; and Tam Smith and I were out chatting for ages. I came in later to enjoy some crisps 'n juice - a wee while since I've done that. I then settled down with Iain to watch the Friday Horror Film - it was pretty scary.'

Wednesday, 20th September, 1972: '...In the early evening I stood outside 6 Oxgangs Avenue talking away with Tam Smith (4/8 Oxgangs Street); Gilbert Fraser; and Willie Taylor (4/4 Oxgangs Street). Tam’s a nice guy as is Willie Taylor who’s a very gentle guy and so incredibly laid back that he’s almost asleep standing up! I was telling them all about my new job. Later on I went into watch Alf Garnet but it was pretty crap.'

Wednesday, 18th October, 1972: '...Oh, Tam Smith has passed on quite a stash of DC comics so I’ve got several days ahead of happy reading.'

Oxgangs-A Pastime From Time Past #14 The Calder Family, 8/5 Oxgangs Avenue

Front left to right Pamela, Bernie, baby George, Rosemary and Laurence. Dad Laurence and Mum Mary At back

I mentioned in a very early blog the Calder family who lived at 8/5 - there were four children (actually five!) all of whom were older than me - Bernard, Laurence, Pamela and Rosemary plus baby George. I didn't have a great deal to do with them, but I recall liking Laurence - perhaps he was involved with Douglas Blades in such exploits as racing around the four blocks (four Stairs) pushing an old pram with one of us crouched in it hidden under a blanket? When I met Douglas Blades at the end of October, 2012 he mentioned that he used to go up to play with the Calders and was envious that they had a top of the range Hornby Dublo train set with a displayed certificate on the wall whilst Douglas had to make do with a Tri-ang.

In the news column a while back I made mention of how Bernard had worked all his life at our beloved Dominion Cinema before dying a several years ago.

'The Dominion's chief projectionist Bernard Calder has passed away. The cinema said: "Over the last 44 years he had threaded the projector, prepped the lighting and lit the screens of the Dominion Cinema for tens of thousands of performances. His professionalism, dedication and love for the medium of film made him a pleasure to work with. We will miss him'.

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #13 1982 Commonwealth Games

Sports Heritage Scotland

Recognise the Scot in select company?

Ronnie Cutt: Paul Forbes

Peter Hoffmann: Indeed - Paul winning the first semi-final at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Brisbane, Australia. There were widely reported problems over accommodation at the games village with many unhappy sportsmen - Paul Forbes provided me with an update!

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #12 Christmas Party circa 1959

Front row seated from left to right : ?, ?, Gordon McKernan, Colin Mooney, Peter McKernan, Lisa Sibbald, Doreen Rutherford, ?, Joyce Vert being held by ?, ?, ?, Winifred McKenna, Anne Matthews, Susan Bailey.

Second row back - John Mooney, John Rutherford, Brian McGuire, Alan Gilchrist, ?, Caroline Mckenna, Lynne Gilchrist, back of someone's head!, ? Joan McKenna, Kathleen McKenna, one of the Kadobinski girls, Charles McKenna, ?, ?

John Mooney, John Rutherford, Jim McGuire, Niki Corrigan

Next row back - don't recognise many here. The girl in the centre with a big bow on top of her head is Isobel Brogan, then Barbara McKernan and Graeme McKernan, then Carol Duncan (with the patch over one eye) , then another of the Kadobinski girls at the end of the row.

From Lisa Sibbald: Christmas party at St John's Church Hall for the children from the self-build houses at Oxgangs Farm Drive and Farm Grove. Either 1959 or 1960. I'm in the front row in a white dress, looking in the wrong direction!

Jaqui Roden: The wee girls front row on the right look like it could be Susan Bailey and Ann Matthews..?!?!

Lisa Sibbald: You're absolutely right!

Caroline McKenna: Exactly looking the wrong way. I loved these parties. We got a little present which was magical.

Margaret Rutherford: Loved these parties! Although, can't see myself at this one; Niki and Wendy Corrigan, lived two doors up from McGuires. They moved away in the late sixties and Mrs Ford moved in after that, I think

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #11 Colinton Mains Bus Stop (Graeme Robb)

Colinton Mains circa pre-1954 (Photo courtesy Phil Green and Grandada Davies)

Peter Hoffmann: In helping to date this wonderful photograph Douglas Blades e mailed me to say that '...the (21) service was withdrawn from 7th March 1954 when the Service 4 was extended to Fairmilehead. Until then and when the trams were still on and before the area was well developed this bus linked from the trams (maybe at Firrhill) to Fairmilehead and also the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital on Saturdays and Sundays.

Linda Maddock: Sweet memories. Travelled that route a lot. I think it was a 27 bus.

Heather Rose: We use this bus stop nearly every day apart from the phone box being nearer the pillar box and the bus and clothes styles nothing much has changed

tChristine Rodhouse: They also went to Colinton. There are details on the Edinburgh Tram Club website which also has fantastic photos of Colinton going way back.
www.edinburghtrams.info - look at the first generation section.

I

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #10 Brian N. Cherie Clement, Oxgangs Bank, 1957-1977

Brian N. Cherie Clement, 103 Oxgangs Bank, 1957-1977

 Comment from Peter Hoffmann: 'Brilliant - love it - and very much of the period - reminds me of a photograph of the inimitable Douglas Blades (6/6 Oxgangs Avenue)'.

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #9 The Summer Holidays

The Sunday Post #1 (based on extracts from the book The Stair)

The School Summer Holidays

We recall the school holidays as a time filled with sunshine, literally and metaphorically; I'm no different. It was always a delicious moment awakening on the first few days knowing that you didn't have to attend school for six whole weeks.

However, for many of us at The Stair, particularly those of us in our teens, it didn't mean a long lie in bed. Instead, we would always have a job on the go, either delivering milk or newspapers - usually the latter.

However, outwith our paper runs and Sundays when we visited our grandparents at Portobello there was no structure to each day. Games of football would occur spontaneously, but mainly in the early evenings. During the day we’d go jumping the burn, following the burn from the lower part of Redford, through Colinton Mains, Firhill and on to Braid Burn Valley.

Small villages would appear in The Field (behind 2-4 Oxgangs Avenue and adjacent to Oxgangs Road North) where the girls would drape blankets over the perimeter fence to form tents.

Sometimes families packed a picnic and some blankets and headed off to Braid Burn Valley for an outing. We’d go far into the valley toward the grass steps at the outdoor theatre. An outing wasn't an outing without the children rolling over and over tumbling down the grass steps from the top to the bottom of the valley floor. Our picnics wouldn't include anything more than a sandwich and some orange squash.

As we grew a little older, there were other adventures to be sought out - Happy Valley Pond at Craiglockhart; the Craiglockhart Hills (The Craigies) and the Pentland Hills too.

If we ventured deep into the Pentlands, apart from the occasional plane overhead, you entered a different, quieter kingdom. It was a world where the air was fresh and light zephyrs blew through the gently swaying grass; sheep grazed on the hillside and birds flitted through the air. Stevenson wrote of the whoop of the curlews and they continue there to this day. On a visit to Swanston in autumn, 2012 I ventured there for old times’ sake and watched the birds still floating on the breeze, the way they did over a century before.

The Craiglockhart Hills are a delightful set of small hills just a fifteen minute walk from Oxgangs across Colinton Mains Park sports fields and the burn and through the old City Hospital grounds.

As with the Pentlands, we only visited these hills during the summer months. In later decades Alison (my wife) and I used to visit the Merchants Golf Course when the winter snows were there. Indeed she was the most exuberant sledger there - even when seven months pregnant with Atticus, much to her sister and my concern.

As with the Pentlands, when we visited The Craigies they always felt both familiar and unfamiliar and I always felt a certain sense of apprehension and excitement.

We would only visit them once or twice each summer. Part of the excitement was that we (always visited as a group) might bump into other older, bigger boys who could be menacing.

And second, because of the Merchants Golf Club groundsmen on their tractors. If they saw us they would try to chase us away; this always gave us a real buzz. On the blind par three third hole we'd sprint unseen on to the green, place a golfer's ball in the cup as if they'd achieved a hole in one and then hide in the woods. The golfer would search all around for his golf ball before taking a desultory glance in the cup followed by a merry jig.

Standing high up on the top of one of the Craiglockhart hills, quite close to the edge and looking down at the long grass on the valley floor below, with the gently swaying grass was quite mesmeric and hypnotic. Such was the effect I thought how easy it might be to be drawn over the edge. Just this week reading Richard Holloway's 'The Last Bus' he recalls experiencing similar feelings whilst up on Arthurs Seat.

It was great fun being up on Craiglockhart Hill because it would have been a sunny day which had attracted there in the first place.

Sitting high up on the dry ground with the grass gently swaying and the sun beating down and looking out over 360 degree views enabled us to take in the panoramic view and enjoy everything that is wonderful about the city with all of Edinburgh laid out before us. Being a clear day we could see clear across the River Forth to the north and the Highlands; turning around we could look to the Pentland Hills and to the south. As a boy I was getting my bearings, locating and fixing the world; it was a moment of meditation and contemplation.

Comment from Ruth Kaye: 'I always remember the summer holidays being sunny and warm although I am sure that cannot be true; it's obviously the rose tinted glasses. Like you I remember disappearing for the day with your parents having no idea where you were or how to get hold of you and we would then reappear at tea time'.

Comment from Pat Rafferty: 'At the time I loved the openness of the area - the hills, the walks and the hours spent on the Pentland Hills or Hillend and the Braid Hills too. As a family we used to go to Spylaw Park, Colinton with a picnic - soggy tomato sandwiches and a bottle of water which we all shared but I loved it and as there was seven of us we could play rounders too - great fun!'

Comment from Graeme Robb: '

You catch it perfectly. The freedom we had. Meet at the lamppost outside number one tell the younger kids they can’t play because we’re big boys. Off to the Braids to play Japs and Commandos or Best man Falls. Up into the Pentlands following the burn over Swanson to find a good spot to guddle for trout or beside the range at the pond collect tadpoles. We would be away all day sometimes with provisions but mostly not. No one worried they know we would return when ready. My kids and grand-kids unfortunately don’t have that freedom, shame.

Oxgangs - A Pastime From Time Past #8 Oxgangs Farm Drive Children

Photograph from Jaqui Roden of children, Oxgangs Farm Drive....Left to right. Jacqui Cowley, Sandra Sinclair, holding Lorraine Nicol, Irene Brown, Jim Hunter

The kids from 20/22 Oxgangs Farm Drive photograph by Bruce Fairbairn, provided by John McDonaugh 

The Wednesday Profile #1 'Doreen's Story - Full Circle'

As Ben Jones, M.D. says ‘The saddest thing about dying is that all the stuff you’ve learned goes in to the ground with you. Make sure you pass it on before you croak.’

Depending on what people contribute to the new Oxgangs and surrounding area Facebook page it has enormous potential to grow into something rich, wide and interesting – a rich cultural tapestry full of human interest stories where people can share their Oxgangs memories – the good, the bad – the colourful and the dull – exciting lives and those led quietly – some who have lived all their days in the community and those now far flung to America and Australia - they’re all of value and interest.

To help kick-start this aspect Doreen Rutherford Black (just taken early retirement) has very kindly agreed to share some of her early memories of Oxgangs as well as the obvious follow up question – so what happened next.

By the way, if anyone who would be keen to contribute something similar in the coming weeks and months but feel they might need some assistance with editing or putting their tale down on ‘paper’ I would be pleased to offer any help.

Full Circle – Doreen’s Story

'And the end of all our exploring/Will be to arrive where we started/And know the place for the first time.' T.S. Elliot

My family moved into a self-built house at 56 Oxgangs Farm Drive early 1956. I was subsequently born in that house in June that year.

There were many young families living on our street and two doors down lived the McKenna girls. They were my sister’s and my closest friends as we were around the same age. Lisa Sibbald was also one of our crowd. We are still in close contact with the McKenna girls.

We had a free and happy childhood even although times were hard financially. There was a strong community spirit where neighbours helped each other out by sharing food, babysitting and offering moral support. We didn’t have much materially, but we felt safe and loved and we all looked out for each other.

I was the youngest of three. I have a brother John who is six years older and my sister Margaret Rutherford who is 13 months older. Margaret was always very protective around me which had its ups and downs. I never had to worry about being bullied when people knew who my big sister was. I did feel a little suffocated sometimes as she tended to ‘mother’ me. I felt a huge sense of freedom in primary seven when she moved up to Firrhill High School.

My dad had various jobs including managing a car wash, insurance and double-glazing salesman. My mum worked part-time as an auxiliary nurse in the ENT department at The City Hospital. We were often invited to join the Christmas parties at the ward. Sunday School Christmas parties were always something to look forward to as well.

Most days we came home for lunch when at Hunter Tryst Primary and Firrhill High School.

When we were as young as 7 or 8 years old my sister and I were often sent to do the weekly shopping in Morningside. We learned from an early age how to be frugal and choose produce with the best value and had to carry heavy bags on and off the bus - can’t imagine any children of that age doing this now.

TV shows I remember were Top of The Pops naturally! Sunday Night at The London Palladium, (“Wakey Wakey!”) and Captain Pugwash. Sunday afternoon films during the winter brings back warm memories. Favourites include ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’; ‘Mrs Minniver’; and ‘Captain’s Courageous’.

Christmas and birthdays were always family affairs at our house with Granny and Grandad and our Great Aunts. Happy times.

My father was really keen on sports so during the summer holidays, his days off would be spent coaching my sister and me in running, high jump, hurdles and the long jump. My strength was the 100 metres sprint, but my sister was a great all-rounder. The year we won the Interscholastic Shield we both had won in our events.

At Hunters Tryst Mrs Berwick was a gentle and kind teacher. She must have had great patience to be able to control such a large class single handed, especially with the group of rascals, Peter Hoffmann, Geoff Hunter, John Kay and Norman Stewart along with others.

I loved Miss Sully. She was a great teacher, always fair, interesting and funny. I really enjoyed the years in her class.

As for Mr Hoddinot, I do not have any good memories of our time under his tutelage. I was always quite anxious in his class which meant I didn’t learn much.

All I can remember from his teaching is reciting the names of the Bible; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges Ruth, 1st & 2nd Samuel, 1st & 2nd Kings... and I can’t remember the rest. Not exactly useful! I think I still remember it to this day because I was so scared of the consequences had I not learned it.

I remember Miss Bateman as a very attractive, young, classy woman. I think she stepped in when Mr Hoddinot left.

I remember being quite friendly with Audrey Smith and Dorothy Davies because we both went to Miss Brown’s Ballet School. I was very fond of Rosemary Bennett (McMillan) and occasionally was pally with Joyce Colbron. In primary 7 I sat beside Jimmy Myles and we had a good laugh together. All through my time at Hunters Tryst I carried a torch for Stephen Drysdale.

I also hung out with Lorraine Gray ultimately. She had a gorgeous white Pyrenean Mountain Dog and I used to go for walks with her and her dog after school. Margaret Summers (Millar) came to our class in Primary 6 or 7. I also hung out with her a lot and she helped with our jumble sale for the orphanage.

The Pentland Festival stands out for me. I was cast in one of the shows and I loved it. The qualifying dance was also a strong memory. Harry Rookyardand Jim Myles asked me. Jim came to my house with chocolates. Harry hardly acknowledged me. I don’t think we even danced together.

I attended ballet from aged 5 to about 13 years.

Hunters Tryst was good in many ways, although I wasn’t sure about some of the teachers.

At Firrhill High School I think I was the smallest in the whole school and my first week was plagued by the older kids saying I was at the wrong school and that I should be in Primary 1. I think it is one of the reasons I started to smoke. I thought I might be seen to be older and one of the cool set.

I enjoyed the first two years but when having to choose a course in third year that might fit a suitable career, I was ill advised to choose a course that consisted mainly of art. This did not work out well and as a result I had to repeat my third year and take a more science based course. By this time I was really put off and couldn’t wait to leave after my O Levels. I passed all 5, but could have done much better had I chosen the correct course in the first place.

My first full time job was as a lab technician in the department of haematology at The Royal Infirmary. Whilst I enjoyed working there and learning so much I already had itchy feet. I stayed for two years and when I was 17 I left to spend 6 months working as an au pair in Paris.

I quickly got used to the French way of life and ended up staying for 5 years. I met my first husband whilst living in the Latin Quarter ‘Boulevard St Michel’. He is Venezuelan, so I had a great time socialising with the poets, musicians and artists.

Later I moved to Venezuela with my then boyfriend. I stayed there for almost a year but returned as I could not get a permit to work. I came home, and my boyfriend followed. We married at Bruntsfield Registrar Office in 1980. My husband did not speak English, so my aunt translated the vows so that he understood what he was getting in to.

We started a family fairly quickly. My son was born in 1982 and daughter in 1985. We remained together until 1992. We lived in Wardieburn. After our split I was in a long-term relationship with my late husband. We married in 2008. We lived in Gilmerton. He died in 2010. I moved back to Oxgangs in 2009 to the house I was born in.

Over the years I have had various jobs working in hospitality whilst my children were small. Then in the railway for 7 years then as a travel coordinator. Organising school and adult language trips abroad. I travelled a lot with this job and got to use my languages, French and Spanish. More recently I worked as an administrator for the business development team of the Blood Transfusion Service.

Travel is my passion and latterly I have made the most of this.

Doreen Rutherford-Black