July 1955
A Fairytale Ship - Fit for a Queen
Like a giant swan, Britannia glided alongside King George V. Wharf on Tuesday, shuddered, and gave a faint ripple on the water astern, then nestled to her tethers. Her shining Royal blue hull, white upperworks, cream coloured masts and funnel, gave her a true air of regality.
Long after the Queen had left the city, seamen and landsmen alike wandered along the dockside to wonder at her beauty. The high swan bow - her sparkling brightwork and cleanliness, the result of endless hours of polishing and scrubbing by her hand-picked crew of seamen whose privilege it is to wear their jumpers tucked inside their bell-bottom trousers and whose honour it is to have the flashes "Royal Yacht" sewn at the top of their sleeves.
As at last I saw her, bathed in floodlight on Wednesday night, Britannia appeared like something out of a fairy tale. She was a sight to warm every heart, not only those of the British craftsmen who built her fit for their Queen.
Britannia is one of the few ships to boast three masts, but all three are just as necessary as they were in sailing ship days. When the Queen is on board the flag of the Lord High Admiral (The Queen) is flown at the foremast, the Royal Standard at the main mast and the Union Jack at the mizzen mast.
As the Queen stepped ashore on Tuesday these three flags were replaced by two White Ensigns, indicating the ship was dressed for a special occasion and the flag of Vice Admiral Sir Conolly Abel-Smith, Flag Officer, Royal Yacht, was struck at the foremast.
Ponsford's Cycle's
Dundee's Royal Visit is over, but you can now look forward to a
"Royal Holiday" on a Cycle
all the best makes are available at
Ponsford's, 169, Overgate and 31/33, Ann Street, Dundee.
South Church Fabric Fund
A children's fancy dress parade, a model railway and the appearance of the MacLean Ladies Pipe Band will be the leading attractions at the large-scale garden fete in the Seaview grounds, Monifieth, today in aid of the South Church fabric fund. Besides the usual stalls, a palmist will be in attendance. The fete will be opened by Lady Wedderburn.
Royal Competition
This is for children only - many of the thirty thousand children who saw the Queen and Duke on Tuesday must have little stories to tell - amusing, dramatic, sad or otherwise.
The "People's Journal" would like to print some of these stories. So get out your pens, children and tell us what happened to you on the day the Queen and Duke came to Dundee. There's a prize of a guinea for the best letter, with Coronation Crown pieces for others used.
Address your letters to:- "Royal Day" the "People's Journal", 7, Bank Street, Dundee. To reach us not later than Wednesday 6th July.
Mother's Help For London Family
London Family - require mothers help, brand new house, girl of nine and boy of four. Fare paid, 50's. Apply to Mrs Hiscox, Charalyn, Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham, Kent.
Dog of the Week Column
There were 38 requests for last week's dog, King. He went to Miss Gove, Old Craigie Road, Dundee.
A Grand Night Out
Three buses on Wednesday night took over one hundred pensioners on an outing. It began with a run to the top of the Law, then continued to Glamis Castle and Kirriemuir, where there was supper and then onto Finavon Castle. The old folk were formerly employed by Jute Industries Ltd. The evening was organised by Manhattan Works Social Club.
Award Winning Performance by Dundee Violinist
In the Arbroath Music Festival 20 year old Dundee violinist June Smith, 15 Helmsdale Avenue, won the Eddie Cup for the best violin performance in the festival. Now she has been awarded the Silver medal for gaining the highest marks in the top three grades (honours) of the Trinity College of Music examination for Dundee and District. June who was already a bronze medalist of the Trinity College, works in the Corporation transport offices in Bell Street. A pupil of McArthur Patterson, Whitehall Street, she is a member of Dundee String Orchestra.
Rare Books Display at Central Library
Books that the Dundee public rarely see and never touch were on display in Central Library on Wednesday when a party of foreign teachers, en route for a civic reception at the City Chambers were shown round the library by Mr Alec Small. Beautifully bound and illuminated, the books worth £600, were laid out on the table upstairs. Although rare many of them were printed by modern publishing houses. Mr Small explained some of the books were worth over £50 each.
Summer Show of 1955
Next week at the Palace
Produced by Desmond Carroll featuring
Johnny Victory, Dennis Clancy, Copa Cousins and Larry Macari Quintet.
All star cast
Phone 4061 and book now
Tickets:- 3/6; 2/6; 2/-; 1/6.