July 1959

The Cowgate Porters Go On Holiday

West EndThe Cowgate Porters announced in the "Courier" this morning that they are going on holiday. A century tradition lies behind the name.

The Cowgate Porters are jute stowers. They came into being in the city, and their meeting place has always been at the foot of the Wellgate. They gather there in the early morning and again at dinnertime.

A representative of the jute manufacturers allocates jobs to them. But by custom the porters all have their own works. The job is handed down from father to son. During the holiday there will be a skeleton crew available to handle any shipments.

2000 At the Playtimes

More than 2000 children attended Children's Playtimes in Dundee yesterday. At Castle Green, Broughty Ferry, 400 children were entertained by Esther Clarke's Dancers. At Dudhope Castle (700 children) and Baxter Park (1000 children), entertainment was by Ken Bains and his Musical Sputniks.

Pleasure Drive

If you have an hour and a half to spare take a
Dundee Pleasure Drive
And see how your own city has expanded.
A 24-mile sight-seeing tour around Dundee.
Entirely new, including all the new housing estates.
Buses lave Shore Terrace between noon and 7.30pm daily.
Sunday July 26th to Sunday August 9th inclusive.
Adults 2/6 and Children 1/3.

Home Made Beer or Stout

Make your won beer or stout at home. 12 pints from 2s packet of Malt, Hops etc. Full directions on the packet. Special yeast 4½d per packet. By postage extra.
Radiant Health Centre,
City Arcade,
Dundee.

National Bank to Close

Hilltown (Dundee) branch of the National Bank of Scotland, which has been in existence for over 92 years, will be closed on July 30. Its business is being transferred to Strathmartine Road branch, less than 200 yards away.

Mr James Baraclay, manager at Hilltown branch for 23 years succeeds Mr Lumsden Rymer, of Kirkcaldy branch, who is retiring on August 22.

Mr Baraclay is a native of Stirling. His daughters Alison and Joyce are well known in tennis circles. They are being interviewed on Scottish ITV tonight, in the programme "Scots Sports".

Staying At Home?

Tay Wallpapers
23 Ann Street, Dundee
Open during the holiday fortnight to attend to your needs for paint and wallpaper.

Baharistan Leave Dock

The cargo liner Baharistan (10,550 tons) left the Caledon shipyard, Dundee this morning for preliminary trials in the North Sea. Her funnel colours, red and blue chevrons on a white background have made her the most conspicuous object on the Stannergate seascape for several weeks.

She was due to return to an anchorage later in the day to land her trials party. After dry-docking on the Tyne, she will run speed and acceptance trials off the English coast next week.

The Baharistan is for the Persian Gulf services of Strick Line, one of the P & O group of companies. Her owners are building in the Caledon yard for the first time.

Thursday 9th July 1959

Dundee enjoyed a warm, sunny day yesterday, but temperatures were kept down by a strong south-westerly wind. The noon temperature was 71degrees and rose to a maximum of 72. Minimum temperature was 55 degrees.

Probe on Tay Ferries

The recent breakdown and delays in the Tay Ferries' service were commented on by Bailie Robert McIntosh yesterday at Dundee Harbour Board.

It was agreed that a full report be made to the board in September.