My Kelty memories
8 May
I lived at Lassodie in the 50's and attended Kelty Public for about 4 years. I remember a Miss Stevens as being my first teacher in the infants. Unfortunately for me, she had taught several of my older brothers and sisters, and would often make comparisons between us.
On my first day at school, I had travelled in on the bus with my brother and sister, but nobody realised that the infants got out earlier, and because i couldn't read, I got on every bus that came , and asked " is this the Gask bus? "until I got the right bus!
The only name I remember was my best pal at the time, who was called Harry Ireland. My family were regulars at Ebeneezer Hall, which I believe is now a boxing club.
When we moved from Lassodie, we stayed for a short time in a house on Blairadam Estate.I remember that winter in particular, probably 1962/63, as it was very severe. I was pally with the family of the estate gardener, a Mr Devanney, who lived in the house which formed part of the walled garden. It was a beatiful place to stay, and the house, North Blair,had some beautiful features and furniture. I distinctly remember a large, heavy dark table, with rams heads carved at the top of each leg.
I remember in the Spring we regularly visited a derelict castle in the area, which was very exciting for us. At the entrance to the estate, there was an old double decker bus parked up and an old man, who might have been Polish lived in it. I think he maybe repaired shoes. I sometimes popped in on my way home from school and will always remember the strong smell of parrafin, as I don't think he had any other form of heating or lighting.
My mother was very friendly with the wife of the blacksmith, Bob Mcpherson who had a business in Kelty. They lived somewhere on the other side of the estate from us, in the forestry, and had a large family. I believe a son still runs the blacksmiths.
My family moved away from the area around the Autumn of 1963 but I will always remember that time fondly.
I'm sure a van from the Coop came out to Lassodie and I think one of the men was called Louis and played the big drum in the pipe band. I remember seeing him at the Gala with his leopard skin on. I also remember onion Johnnies, Tinkers, tramps, and a man who sold hares and rabbits from a bicycle, visiting us at Lassodie.
I remember being told about an old air raid shelter somewhere near the bus station, which we visited one lunchtime.
The more I write, the more memories come back, but I won't go on.
Follow us on: