December 1956
Fire-Side Carol Singing
Young members of St Andrew's Church are tackling carol singing in a new way this year.They will visit sick people in the congregation and sing to them right at their own fireside. There are about twelve people in their christmas choir. Number had to be kept down. They started rehearsing in October with Assist Minister Rev. William Henney as their leader They will probably spend about twenty minutes in each house.
"The original idea was to go round as many sick people in the congregation as we could visit in two evenings, travelling from place to place by car" said Mr Henney "but petrol rationing has put a stop to that. Now we can only go to people fairly near the church and we will walk from house to house"
The group will visit on Sunday 23rd December and perhaps Boxing Day.
Pooling The Petrol
Dundee commercial travellers have a plan which will help them get round the petrol shortage. For travellers get petrol for only 300 miles a month. Yet some covered an average of 2500 miles per month before the crisis.
The plan is called "Joint Journeys Scheme" and it is hoped to start it on January 7th. Local S.C.T.A President Mr H.A Richardson, is busy compiling a list of travellers, their cars and areas covered. He hopes to work out a system whereby their respective cars will be used in turn. 4 travellers who have the same area to cover will form a permanent foursome.
Palais, South Tay Street
Special Christmas Programme:-
Monday 24th December - Christmas Eve Carnival 8pm - 12.30pm....5/-
Tuesday 25th December - Christmas Revels 8pm - 12midnight....4/-
Wednesday 26th December - Boxing Day 8pm - 12midnight....3/-
Thursday 27th December - Special Snowball Carnival for young people 8pm - 10.45pm....2/-
Friday 28th December - 8.30pm - 12.30pm....4/-.
Dance to Andy Lothian and his band.
Bird Book
"Birds of Tayside" by Colin Gibson (a Museum and Art Gallery Publication) is a pocket digest full of information of birds of the area. It is the first in the series of booklets relating to Tayside region and is an attractive production costing only 2s 6d. There are many original drawings by the author.
Half a Ton of Coal for Miss Watt
A letter of commendation from the Lord Provost and the present of half a ton of coal was going to 72 year old Miss Matilda Watt, 35, Larch Street, who played the part of rescuer in a fire incident on November 20. This was decided on Thursday by the Lord Provosts committee. A citation from the Chief Constable was read, detailing Miss Watt's action in going to the assistance of 20 year year old conductress, Miss Margaret Jolly, whose dress caught fire.
Miss Watt had heard Miss Jolly screaming in her single room house above and after rushing upstairs put out the flames by clasping Miss Jolly against her. The old lady blistered he fingers.
Christmas Day Lunch
Special Christmas Lunch including Turkey...8/6.
It is advisable to book early at Franchi's Restaurant, 49, Overgate, Dundee. Tel:3801.
also Bank Street, Kirriemuir.Tel 89.
Charity Dance
Tuesday December 18 will be a late night at the Palais
A dance is to be held in aid of the Dundee Anglo-Italian community relief fund. It will be from 9pm until 2am and Andy Lothian and his band will provide the music.
Said Mr George Dundas, Palais Manager this week " We don't usually let the hall for private functions, but this is a worthy cause and we hope it is a big success.
An Olympic Coincidence!
Dundee light-weight boxer Dick McTaggart has reached the finals of the Olympic boxing tournament. If he wins he'll be the second McTaggart we know of to gain a gold medal.
Who is the other? Why, Geordie McTaggart, the hero of our story on page 25, where you'll see him on the high seas on his way to Melbourne.
Charity Christmas Trees
Illuminated Christmas trees will be set up at Dundee West and Taybridge Stations to draw girfts and money for local and railway charities. The opening cermony will be by Bailie Mrs Brougham at West Station on Monday at 11.30am and the trees will remain until January 3.