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The Hilltown Dundee.
What you always wanted to know and were afraid to ask - Or sorry you did!!
The Hilltown in Dundee probably reached its epoch in the late forties, early fifties. It fostered its largest population; the war was over, the returning men had started procreation again; the place was awash with children, and most importantly, the mills were running at full-tilt. I think anyway (then I would), that this was a unique time in place and history. Many stories and reminisces have been written about the Hilltown. However, this is not intended as a chronology of facts, nor nostalgic recollection, but more of individual memories, reflections, suppositions, and yes, ramblings, of events, people, and places in the ‘Town on the Hill’.
I spent quite some time as a kid, and later as a young man, in hospital suffering from Rheumatic Fever. This is an account of my experience in the Children’s ward of Dundee Royal Infirmary.
Article I had published about life in the Dundee tenements.
Reminisces of St. Mary’s Forebank in the 50’s. Including sectarian riots, teacher brutality, and funny incidents.
My first day in the army. Although this page has a censorship warning regarding bad language, sex and violence, it seems for some reason to be the most visited.
Life and work in Japan. Includes Pachinko Parlours, karaoke Dens, and poetry.
A poem by Patrick McGonagall Murray!!!
Glasgow Branch Newsletter Archives.
The late ninety’s was a particularly active period in the history of the Glasgow Branch. Although, by no means considered its heyday (now unfortunately well beyond our ken), these times did account for some interesting perspectives, which lie comfortably within our personal memories of people, activities, events, opinions, etc. Perhaps this could be an appropriate time for recollection, reflection, or even (in some cases) revulsion.
As the editor of the Newsletter at that time, I was obviously the fulcrum for published activity, and retain access to the relevant archives, which I have now uploaded to my Blog for your perusal. Bearing in mind that the Newsletter in those days contained up to 16 foolscap pages, it could be a marathon read. However, it’s displayed in bite size segments, with the relevant highlights illustrated.
Important thing to bear in mind.1. They are reproduced in entirety – Any contributor reconsidering their opinions or objecting to republication – Relevant material will be removed immediately.
Issue one (August 1997)
Includes poetic introductions from Walter Proven and Lorn Macintyre, also an interview with Edith Watson.
Includes the Christmas Ball in the City Hall, Janette Shiach’s resignation.
Includes dancing etiquette by Helen Murray, country dancing espionage in France during the war, interview with John Johnston, Peter Knapman’s appraisal of the Society, Glasgow Herald announcement of the first ever meeting of the Society, preparations for the Society’s 75th Anniversary AGM in Glasgow. This is a Big Issue’ edition, give yourself plenty of time.
Includes condemning appraisal of RSCDS footwear by eminent Orthopaedic specialist, Day of Dance in George Square, details and information.
Includes Dick Daniel’s diatribe on the SCD experience, report on the Primary Schools Festival, the results of the Anniversary Dance Competition, the AGM ‘Follies’ Playbill, Mary Prentice obituary, Ruth Beattie’s reply to Peter Knapman, J.B Milne dance background, Alba club introduction, Ruth Nimmo joins the Newsletter Team.
This was the controversial ‘Bottle’ issue, and the one everyone refers to when remembering my time as Editor. Includes taking the floor by Marlyn Turbitt, Angus Fitchet obituary, Gay Rights, Reminisces of a Demonstration Team Dancer by Ruth Beattie, Taking the Floor by Ruth Rintoul, Seann Truibhas Willichan explained, Day of Dance in George Square reports, taking the Floor by Alasdair Brown.
