Peter Hoffmann The Stair 6 OXGANGS AVENUE EDINBURGH, a blog about the everyday life of eight families living in one of the post war new council housing schemes on the south of the city set in the lea of the Pentland Hills between the years 1958 to 1972. (Since 2017 incorporating the Facebook page, OXGANGS - A PASTIME FROM TIME PAST)
Comments
'And finally, not everyone’s being doing topical. In fact, here’s the rather lovely 6 Oxgangs Avenue devoted to the history of the development of the area, this week highlighting how the block of flats came into being. Could have been prompted by Who do you think you are? Or just a timely reminder that not everything worth blogging about is in the here and now.'
I could recall the image almost perfectly, but could never find one or any reference to it. I mentioned the badge to my brother Iain Hoffmann a few months ago and he too had a vague memory of them in the early 1960s. I never owned one; rather enviously I looked at them on the lapels of others' school blazers - I recall a girl at Oxgangs Park who had one.
Over the months I've regularly visited eBay each week but with no joy. However there was a positive to this - I've grown to like badges and over the months I've made an occasional purchase. The original reason for looking at badges had therefore almost vanished and then a few weeks ago I couldn't believe my eyes - it brought a gasp from me and instantly I had joined The Happy Smile Club! The boy's face is just as I remember him - a wee bit like a young Alf Tupper or Winker Watson, but an interesting sign of the times - why no girl's face?
It appears that a toothpaste company (Colgate?) worked in partnership with local dental authorities to promote good dental hygiene. It must have been prior to us joining Mr Russell's dental practice, but I recall my first and indeed last visitation to the school dentist at Firhill who was a bit of a brute and when combined with my own cowardly nature was a powerful combination. After a titanic struggle in the chair between the two of us, the dentist managed to stick the needle in to his own hand freezing it and he had to cancel all appointments for the next two hours. He told my mother to never bring me back. On the way out I shouted 'Ah suppose a badge is oot 'o the question!'
Reverend Ian Goring outside St John's Church on Oxgangs Road North which is closing. Pic: Greg Macvean
A CHURCH described as the “heart of Oxgangs” is to be sold under plans to merge its congregation with a neighbouring parish.
Falling congregation numbers and rising costs mean St John’s Church will join with Colinton Mains Parish from January 1.
Members will move down the street when it becomes the new Colinton Mains St John’s on Oxgangs Road North.
The decision has been met with “sadness and understanding” from both congregations.
Linda Stewart, 66, who has been a member of St John’s since she was eight years old, said it was a big loss to the Oxgangs community.
“I think it is difficult when you have been a member of a church for 50 years but I suppose we have to walk in faith together,” she said.
“The church has always been the hub of the community because back then there was no community centre, library, swimming pool or anything like that.
“It has been the making of a lot of people over the years but it’s a sign of the times, that a lot of people consider it their church but don’t go. In modern times people work on a Sunday and children play football, it’s just a changing society.
“It will be sad to see a building sold that holds so many memories for the people of Oxgangs.”
The church opened in 1956 and has been a community hub – where the likes of Cubs, Brownies, Guides, old people’s groups as well as the church congregation have met for more than half a century.
Rev Ian Goring, the interim minister at both churches, said the merger was reflective of what was happening in churches across Scotland.
He said: “All over Scotland there are churches that are uniting, that is the way it is for the church these days.
“It was decided that the two churches should unite and that was put to the congregations earlier this year.
“The decision was made that the building that is currently Colinton Mains should be the place of worship and will become the new Colinton Mains St John’s.
“It might not be one of the oldest churches but it has had an important impact on the lives of local people.
“I think a lot of people will be sad to see it go and wish it wasn’t going but I think they understand the realities of the Church of Scotland.
“They become like a family where everyone knows each other; to have to change that and break it up is very difficult.
“I think the hope with this new congregation is that it will be able to do more together and build a new identity to make us stronger.”
A last service will be held on Hogmanay before both churches unite at the Colinton Mains venue.
Colinton/Fairmilehead councillor Jason Rust, who represents Oxgangs, said the move represented the passing of a part of Oxgangs history, but welcomed the merger.
He said: “I was delighted to attend the Thanksgiving Service which saw people connected with the church through the decades as well as other local congregations come together.
“There is a wonderful history to St John’s and it has been very much associated with the local community for the past half century.
“Hopefully, the union with Colinton Mains will flourish and see a strengthened congregation.”
kate.pickles@edinburghnews.com
Social housing land to be sold off to Aldi
Gordon Macdonald at the site. Picture: comp
LAND which had been earmarked for social housing or community use is instead set to be sold to a budget supermarket chain in a move branded “a monumental error of judgement”.
Aldi has been chosen as the preferred bidder to purchase the former Oxgangs Social Work Centre and St John’s Parish Church, which have been packaged together as part of a deal between the Church of Scotland and the city council.
When marketing the site, the city had said that “a mix of community uses and residential is likely to be preferred”.
But despite two of 11 bids being made by social housing providers, a larger offer from the wealthy German firm has been accepted.
The news has been met with outrage, with the site seen as ideal for desperately needed new housing in part of the city that already boasts extensive shopping facilities.
Gordon Macdonald, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, called on city leaders to “stop this folly” and reconsider before the deal with Aldi was signed.
He said: “This is very disappointing. While there is such great need for housing in Edinburgh, this is the wrong decision for Oxgangs.
“At least part of this land was earmarked for housing. When there is pressure on green belt land in other parts of Edinburgh and the council has already reported difficulty in identifying land to meet its own housing quotas, it defies belief that it thinks we need yet another supermarket here.”
Mr Macdonald said that there were two large supermarkets and a Scotmid outlet within a mile of the site and that an Aldi store could put the nearby Broadway shopping centre at risk of closure.
One outlet in the centre, Broadway Convenience Store, was recently named health promoting retailer of the year in the Scottish Grocer Awards.
Mr Macdonald said: “A site of this size could provide over 70 much-needed affordable homes. ”
If the deal does go ahead, Aldi would have to win planning permission, meaning nearby residents and businesses would be entitled to object.
However, Green MSP Alison Johnstone said selling the site to the supermarket would represent a “monumental error of judgement by the council”.
She added: “Edinburgh desperately needs to build more affordable housing and the very last thing we need is another supermarket.
“Putting a superstore on that site would put unbearable pressure on the parade of shops right next to the site.
“We’re often told that brownfield sites like this are the first place where new housing should go, so I urge the council to look again at any bids from housing providers.”
A spokesman for Aldi confirmed that it had been chosen as the preferred bidder for the sought-after site, and said its plans would be brought forward in the coming weeks.
A council spokeswoman said: “This property has been through an open market sale process and negotiations are being finalised in order to determine the preferred bidder.”
If you wish to read The Stair in a readily available and easy to read format then it's available on Amazon. This is a print only version. At a later stage I will publish an illustrated version too including photographs.
A well written piece Peter, again the memories came flooding back especially when I saw the photos. I am scared to admit that under the second row of seats my initials may still be scratched into the wood a sign of a misspent youth or a dare I can't remember.
It is ironic after all the publicity given to Colinton Parish Church over the R.L.S statue that another icon of the area St Johns is near the end of its tether.
All the better off locals used to go to Colinton Church those who were able to afford to live in the area, Colinton was quite an exclusive scheme back in the 50 and 60s and the more working class stayed in the council scheme e.g. Oxgangs the main advantage living in Oxgangs was we had a pub and a bookies they had a better address.
I knew a few teachers at Firrhill Secondary who stayed in the Colinton area, I can't recall any staying in Oxgangs.
Do you re-call the pour-oots the newly weds used to toss to eager bairns fighting each other for the best spot nearest the bridal car? The photo of the stairs strewn with Autumn leaves reminded me that a surprising amount of money used to end up at the bottom buried under the debris that used to collect in the centre as in the photo; some times if you were really lucky and the conditions were right you were able to see two mini tornadoes swirling the leaves about
The amount of money that used land on the main road was unreal Health & Safety would be in their glory if that happened to-day, the danger of being born in the 50s is that I think we had more common sense than the generation of to-day ,you had to just to survive, a skelp on the lug is a good teacher so is a week's grounding especially if the schools were mid term.
I also remember after the pour-oot the queues in Ewarts the sweetie shop full of kids who couldn't wait to be parted from our pocket full off halfpennies, pennys, threepenny bits and silver sixpences. I remember once getting a two bob bit and thinking all my Christmases had come at once. In those days you could get a 16 bus to Morningside then get into the Dominion picture house to see the latest film (in my case it was Goldfinger)and buy a cone for about 5 shillings "25p"to the younger ones then get home and still have change.
It will be sad to see the demise of St John's even though I moved away in 1975 I still have very fond memories and that is something that can't be taken away, I will be at the service to-morrow, and also get some more photos to go with the ones I took at Hunters Tryst or what was left. I wonder what the next part in Oxgangs to vanish will be-is the air raid siren at the 27 bus terminus still there ? Saturday November 23, 2013
Anonymous Comment Hi Peter, Well I attended the Thanksgiving Service today at St. John's. It was a lovely service and well attended. However, what I am interested in is your associations with this Church? Did you or Iain go to one of the organisations connected with it, Scouts or Cubs? Or was your father an occasional visitor to the Church? I know he used to join Churches from time to time especially when he was trying to stay away from the drink. Apparently the ground is being sold probably for the building of homes for older people and the Church demolished. A pity because it is a lovely church, so simple and with lovely clean lines internally. I know the local Fellowship church people wanted to buy the property but the Church of Scotland weren't having it. The Fellowship people have the old hall that was part of the Episcopalian Church, St Hilda's was it, which was demolished and houses built there. They hope in time to raise enough money to build a church of their own. Some people know them as the happy-clappy people. Local people and some of their family are pastors in that church. Next Sunday there is to be a joint service at St. John's with the Colinton Mains Church congregation followed by a lunch, like today, soup, bread and cheese, tea/coffee and fruit cake, but good company. I was sitting across from Jason Rust our local Conservative Councillor locally known as the Boy Wonder. Regards. Sunday 24 November, 2013 Comment From Ruth Kaye (Blades) Hello Peter, Sad to see another church close but guess time waits for no one wonder what they will do with the building? Sunday 1 December, 2013 Comment From Lesley Orr Thanks for your fascinating blog, evoking so well the story and spirit of Oxgangs in the 1960s and 70s. It has been particularly touching to read your reflections about St John's church, and especially your very kind words about my dad Jack and mum Janet Orr. As you note, my sister Kathy preached at the service last Sunday (and she quoted a wee bit from your blog!) I was there too, along with our brother Callum (whom you remember was also an athlete, and is now a headteacher in Loughborough). My husband Peter Macdonald, and Callum's son Colin were also there to represent the extended Orr family. (Brother David lives and works in London and wasn't able to be there). It was a lovely occasion, and of course a day of mixed emotions for us. I still live near Edinburgh, and have revisited St John's on occasion over the years. There are still many old (and getting older...) familiar faces who have been in Oxgangs since the early days, and there is always such a warm welcome from these good friends. People remember my parents with such love and enduring affection - and it means a lot to us to read about the positive impression and impact they made on folk who were not directly involved in the church. Apart from the emotional connection I feel with the building, which holds so many happy memories, and which has been the space where so many significant markers in my life happened (I was the first baby baptised in St John's - in the hut which was used before the Riach building was opened - and was married there too) I love the clean and elegant lines, the combination of warmth and light, the fantastic chancel space. It speaks so eloquently of the spirit of optimism, hope for the future, participation of all, and community building which characterised the best of Oxgangs in the 1960s and 70s - and which your blog also captures.
I certainly remember the pouroots, the church fete, concerts and so much else...Keep on sharing the stories and pictures! Sunday 1 December, 2013
On the last day of December, 2013, the St John's Church, Oxgangs church bell will ring out one more time before becoming silent.
Last Sunday on a beautiful sun-kissed, mid-November morning I stopped by to hear the bell ring out for perhaps the very last time for me. It was a still and frosty morn. I walked the 360 degrees around the church and the old church hall and then entered the Narthex or vestibule inside St John's and unobserved, watched an elderly church warden making ready for the church service.
The gentleman wore a jerkin and cloth cap, but was as tall and erect as a (old) soldier. He walked up and down the side aisle; at one stage he carried a kettle; and then some plates and also some other objects.
Previously he had laid out the Order of Service at the front door of the church.
And all the while as he performed his duties he sang to himself. He was oblivious to me standing there. And whilst he had a good voice it could be better described as a happy voice. His happiness and joy could be heard in that voice. He was at one with himself. It was clear these were not really duties for him, He was so happy in making a contribution. I recalled the Latin phrase - ora et labora - to work is to pray.
It turned out that he was the church bell-ringer too - who says men can't multi-task! The church bell rang out five minutes before the service commenced, ringing out, calling the parishioners to worship. The elderly gentleman then emerged from the door of the bell tower and glided up the path to enter the church by a side door to join the congregation. The congregation was very small and the average age must have been around seventy years of age There was a feature on BBC Radio 4 the other morning saying Christianity in the United Kingdom may be dead in a generation. My visit brought this home.
Shortly before the service began I spoke at the top of the steps on Oxgangs Road North to a lovely and very pleasant older lady. I mentioned that as I was in Edinburgh I was keen to hear the sound of the St John's Church bell ring out one last time and to record it for posterity.
We exchanged some memories of times past.
She has attended St John's for many decades, indeed since she first lived at Redford at the army houses back in the 1950s. She pointed out to me another parishioner who had attended the church each Sunday since St John's first opened in 1957, the year after I was born.
I spoke of happy memories of the annual summer fetes and the marvellous contribution made to the Oxgangs community by the Orr family - the Reverend Jack Orr and his wife who had taught at Hunters Tryst School, also sadly no more.
The lady spoke to me about her sadness about the church closing on Auld Year's night and the challenges of joining up with Colinton Mains Church and how very good the incumbent minister, the Rev Iain Goring has been. She became quite emotional and I held her hand.
On a note of serendipity, she told me that next week, the Rev Orr's daughter, the Rev Dr Kathy Galloway, will be a guest preacher at a special church service (Sunday 24 November, 2013 at 11.00 a.m.) to celebrate the church's existence in Oxgangs, to be followed by a lunch in the church hall. Whether one is religious or not it's perhaps something to consider for anyone interested. Special occasions should always be acknowledged and marked.
John Donne has been mentioned by me before, particularly on a blog about the end of our school days at Hunters Tryst. And once again the sound of a church bell ringing out signifies something important; for when Donne spoke of 'For Whom The Bell Tolls, It Tolls For Thee', it does indeed because when something dies, we all die a little; I guess what Donne was really saying was that whatever affects one, affects us all....
Robert Louis Stevenson Day (RLSDay) is ready to be roundly celebrated once more - 13th November, his birthday.
Pre-RLSDay Delights
The marvellous Filmhouse will be screening adaptations of Stevenson's work in the days leading up to the event. Get into the spirit by going to see Muppet Treasure Island or Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
And if you have missed it, after more than a century, Edinburgh finally has a statue of one of our city's favourite sons himself, thanks to the generous Colinton community.
In partnership with the Association of Scottish Literary Studies and the RLS Club, you can pick up a copy of Strange Tales - Thrawn Janet, The Tale of Tod Lapraik and The Bottle Imp - for free at Edinburgh city libraries, as long as stock lasts.
All Day from 10.00
Tusitala, Teller of Tales Scottish Storytelling Centre
A master and pioneer of the short story form and a far finer poet then he ever claimed to be. To celebrate his diverse talents, the RLS Club are staging an all-day free reading of Stevenson's work at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Drop by and help celebrate Tusitala, Teller of Tales.
10.30 - From Oxgangs to Swanston with RLS
Explore RLS's South Edinburgh haunts with Carol Marr. The guided walk From Oxgangs to Swanston with RLS begins at Oxgangs Library and ends at Swanston Golf Club for tea and scones.
11.00 - Tusitala's Colinton
RLS's childhood is closely linked to Colinton where his Grandfather was the Minister. Hear readings from A Child's Garden of Verses and meet Alan Beattie Herriot, the sculptor of a new statute of RLS as a boy. Discover Tusitala's Colinton and visit the Manse garden where RLS played.
11.00 - Scenes (and Songs) From a Life
Starting outside the Writers' Museum, Allan Foster, author of The Literary Traveller in Edinburgh, will tour the haunts of the young RLS before a sing-song and refreshments at Captain's Bar with Andy Chung.
11.50 - New Town, Old Tales
Join Colin Brown of Rebus Tours as he explores the New Town, Old Tales, with reference to RLS and other writers. Starting from Charlotte Square, Colin will explore the light and the dark sides of the city with two personalities, just like Jekyll and Hyde.
13.00 - Follow in the Footsteps of RLS
Get your wellies on and join Scottish Natural Heritage for a walk from Stevenson's summer home in Swanston to the Hermitage of Braid. Follow in the Footsteps of RLS and enjoy the scenery, fresh air and listen to his well-written words.
14.00, 15.00 & 16.00 The Memories of an Edinburgh Boy
RLS loved Edinburgh, city of his birth and an important source of inspiration for him. Hear The Memories of an Edinburgh Boy and find out what the city meant to him through his own memoirs and A Child's Garden of Verses at The Writers Museum.
19.00 - An Evening with RLS ... and Louise Welsh & James Naughtie
And why not catch Louise Welsh and James Naughtie discussing their lifelong fascination for the man, his writing and his travels? Attend the #RLSDay finale, An Evening with Robert Louis Stevenson, an excellent event brought to you by Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Literature and Writing (CLAW), in partnership with the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust.
Getting to Know Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1850. And though he lived most of his adult life elsewhere, and died in Samoa in 1894, he remains one of Edinburgh’s favourite sons. A law graduate of the University of Edinburgh, he chose not to follow his famous lighthouse engineer father into the trade.
He became instead a man of letters – of essays, novels, poetry, stories – his most famous work, Treasure Island, has never been out of print. As a letter writer, a practical joker, a moustache wearer, a whisky man, his words and his life continue to inspire and excite folk today, in Edinburgh and far beyond.
Eric Mullen: I seem to remember Andy Williams visiting St Marks Church around about 1980 - I don't know why he would have done this but maybe I am getting senile and it didn't happen. Can anyone confirm?
Regarding Eric Mullen's query about Andy Williams visit to St Mark's Church I can confirm that he is indeed right and that his memory hasn't let him down!
After doing some detective work liaising with Mark Duffy, he told me that his dad, Jim Duffy, Colinton, Edinburgh confirmed that St Mark's School sang with Andy Williams at St Mark's Church in 1981. This was beamed onto the Johnny Cash Christmas in Scotland Show.
I seem to remember Andy Williams visiting St Marks Church around about 1980 - I don't know why he would have done this but maybe I am getting senile and it didn't happen. Can anyone confirm?
Comment From Alan Brown: Hi Peter, I was christened at St John's by the Rev Orr in 1967. I have a photo of me with my parents, brother and Auntie standing outside. Sad to hear this news, another link to my past slowly fades away. Comment From Anonymous:
Hello Peter I also was a member of St John's Church even although I was christened in Colinton Mains in 1956. I remember the concerts that used to be held in the main hall for the local community and also the BBs, the 17th I think would meet there as well as the Life Boys as they were called in the old days. I went to bible class then progressed to the big church. My most abiding memory was the annual fair held in the grounds and the main hall where all sorts of stalls were set up to raise funds for the church everybody used to turn up even teachers from all the local primary schools catholic and CofS, Oxgangs was a real local community in those days everyone knew everyone else. Unfortunately In this day and age those days are sadly gone but thankfully the memories remain, good and bad but in my case the good outweighs the bad. I notice that they are talking about closing the police station in Oxgangs, ironically I have the same scenario up here with my local station, so much for progress, sorry cost cutting, as Alan B said another link with the past fades away. I think I will have a trip to Edinburgh this weekend and take some pictures of St John's before it is turned into a building site.
Keep on doing the The Stair Peter you are slowly jogging the memories out of me that I thought were long gone Thank you.
Response:
Thanks for your very interesting e mail.
Because I drew down the curtain on Hogmanay 2012 I never got around to doing a variety of planned blogs-your e mail touches on some of them. Like you I too recall with great fondness the St John's Church Fete held annually each June-it really was a highly enjoyable day out. Looking at the area of the church it couldn't have been that large, but in my mind's eye it remains so. I vividly recall the bendy 'electric wire' (battery operated) that one tried to take a handle with a ring on the end from the start to the finish without the buzzer sounding-not often achieved as it took a steady hand-certainly beyond me today as it was at the time. The ice cream sold was always very pleasant and like the occasionally held fete day at Colinton Mains Church they held a sprint race for boys and girls on the grass area adjacent to the church building-I still recall receiving a colouring book and paints as a prize. There were excellent stalls selling all sorts of serendipities-it was from here and long before eBay we garnered our knowledge of ancient Dandy and Beano annuals. They always seemed to be very lucky with the weather; they really were sunny occasions and the volunteers-presumably church goers were equally sunny in their disposition, smiling and friendly-a really great and lovely day out for all the family-it must have warmed the heart of the Rev Jack Orr as he strolled amongst the happy crowd.
Similarly, I also recall performing in local youth club drama productions at the church hall-it was also probably one of several venues for The Pentland Festival-a blog which I really should get around to.
Writing this wee response and your planned visit to Edinburgh has just given me the idea to record the sound of the St John's Church bells before they are perhaps silenced for ever-I'm due to be down next month so will need to brush up on the technology.
One of the loveliest memories of living at Oxgangs between 1958 and 1972 was the sweet sound of the St John's Church bells which rang out every Sunday morning calling the parishioners to worship. They had a lovely tone to them, somehow fresh and inviting, but also serving as a reminder of church bells down the centuries too. Very sadly these bells may no longer ring out.
St John's Church, Oxgangs
Last year on 2 September, 2012 I did a blog which focused on the former St Hilda's Church, Oxgangs Avenue-the last paragraph of which said:And what of St Hilda's Church? The congregation first met in a cottage in Colinton and then moved to the existing hall in 1951. In 1966 a striking, state of the art Modernist building was opened; and yet less than half a century later the church was knocked down only a few years after the start of the 21st century. The coming and going of a church within a few generations says something about Christianity and lends some weight to recording these vignettes before they disappear of life at The Stair.
I got quite a surprise a few weeks ago when I noticed that St John's Church and Hall were up for sale-St John's-surely not? I decided to inquire a little further and entered into some correspondence. I received an update from the Rev Iain Goring as detailed below.
Hi Alison,
Last year I authored a blog entitled The Stair about eight families living in Oxgangs between the years 1958-1972 which has proved to be quite popular with followers from as far away as Australia-St John's Church is mentioned a few times and particularly Rev Jack Orr-I still put up occasional updates and noticed the church building and hall has been put up for sale. I wondered whether you would be kind enough to please give me an update on this and also the congregation.
Thanks Alison.
Best.
Peter Hoffmann
The charismatic, Rev Jack Orr
Hi Peter - Alison Swindells passed on to me your email to her about St John's Oxgangs. I arrived here on 15th August as Interim Minister and it is my task to take this congregation and the congregation of Colinton Mains to the point of becoming a united congregation on 1st January 2014. The two congregation are only half a mile apart and although they are very different in background and culture the Presbytery of Edinburgh has wanted them to unite and become St John's Colinton Mains.
Colinton Mains Parish Church
As you might imagine this is a difficult time for St John's people because the building chosen for the united congregation is Colinton Mains and they are deeply sad at losing their own building that has been so much a part of their life and the life of the area. As you have discovered, the building is to be put up for sale. That will be hard for people to see. There is a real hope that the site might be used for housing rather than for a supermarket which the area does not need - it already has two and a small local supermarket as well.
Come 31st December the building will no longer be used - and that will be another difficult time for people to come to terms with.
I hope this gives you a little of the picture of what is happening, but if you need any more info, then please do let me know.
Every best wish
Iain
Iain M Goring Interim Minister
Colinton Main & St John's Oxgangs
Mob: 07762 254 140
I'm sure all followers of The Stair will join me in wishing Iain and the new united congregation well-I can't recall whether Colinton Mains Church had bells-I don't think it does-if so it's a pity that the old St John's bell tower couldn't somehow be incorporated into Colinton Mains Church-as well as combining the two names a merging of the two buildings might go some way towards making it easier for those from St John's to adapt to life at the church down the hill-just a thought!
