March 1959
A Community Spirit in Camperdown
A Community Centre for the people of Camperdown is to open on Monday in St Clement's School, Balgarthno Place.Judging from the enthusiasm shown at Wednesday nights formation meeting, when over 100 turned up, the activities will be well supported. Perhaps the class on gardening will top the popularity poll - it will emphasise the practical side, and the names of those who join will be put in a hat, a draw made, and the winner will then have his garden done by his classmates!
There will be classes in dressmaking and embroidery, motor maintenance, art crafts, country dancing, badminton, handcrafts, drama, health and strength (men), keep-fit (women),and the two new ones for Dundee centres - the armchair traveller (travel talks and education about foreign parts) and public speaking and current affairs.
Dundee Are Back on the Points Trail
The return of George McGeachie and Alan Cousin has made for a much brighter Dundee. They've put new life in the attack and points are again coming in.
On Saturday they showed much better finishing power although they just beat Clyde 2-1. Five times they hit wood, and only super-saving by McCulloch kept the score down.
On Wednesday George and Alan kept up the good work against Celtic at Parkhead although not in the score sheet. McGeachie laid on the goal for Jimmy Bonthrone, while Cousin had several great bursts down the middle and had some terrific shots. Celtic got their goal from a penalty. The Dark Blues deserved the 1-1 draw.
In defence Jimmy Gabriel was a big star. He looks a natural successor to Bobby Evans as Scotland's centre-half. Both Evans and Gabriel were on view and, in my opinion, Gabriel won on points. Both were equal in the strength of their tackle. Both won nine out of ten balls in the air. But Gabriel had the edge on Evans in distribution. If Jimmy continues to turn in this sort of display he is certainly Bobby's natural deputy and eventual successor.
Dundee's defence earned the Parkhead point. Wing-halves Henderson and Curlett broke up many attacks. Best forward was McGeachie. Dave Sneddon had a quiet afternoon.
Dundee travel to Stirling today to meet the Albion. Tom Ferguson's lad are no pushover on their own ground, but a Dundee inform can take the points.
More Improvements at Tannadice
Dundee United officials are to push on with more ground improvements. Workmen have already started to build a concrete stairway with railings from the roadway to the top of the terracing at the east end of the ground. The cost will be £1000.
The west wall has been heightened by 2 feet and 4 inches and a coping stone laid. A new stand - there may be changes on the original blueprint - is still very much to the forefront but the directors will not move immediately. One director said " We badly need a new stand but a good team must come first. We will be concentrating from now on, on new players in the hope that we can give our supporters First Division football in another year."
The senior market will be closely watched, while the juniors are being checked out every week.
Mind Your Mother
Stobswell
For Mother's Day
Fresh cut flowers, fruit or chocolate
W. Inglis
51-53, Albert Street, Dundee.
Phone 84005.
After Tonight the Princess Will Be Just A Memory
Tonight will be a sad night for Miss Minnie McIntosh, 3, Blackness Avenue. For tonight the Princess cinema in the Hawkhill closes down. And for Miss McIntosh, its owner, it will be the end of a long and happy association.
Thirty-one years have passed since Miss Minnie took over management on the death of her father, who bought the cinema in 1917. An during that time the Princess has been her life. She carried on with the "family cinema" tradition set up by her father. The Hawkhill cinema has had several generations of families among its patrons. And Miss McIntosh will be just as sorry to be leaving them as to be leaving the cinema.
"I was thinking of making a speech from the stage tonight" she says " but I don't think I will. For my regulars always come on set nights, and I feel that, if I said a word or two tonight, I'd be rather snubbing the folk who came along earlier in the week. For it may sound funny you know, but some of my long-time regulars are as upset as I am about the old place closing. I've heard several times this week 'What'll we do when the old Princess goes'. And I am afraid they'll just have to do without because the cinema is no longer paying. There has been a big movement of people away from the Hawkhill, and my bunch of old faithfuls just isn't big enough anymore".
So the cinema goes - it's being hauled down, in fact, and by the end of April the Princess will be a memory of old Dundee. "Its part of the lease" said Miss McIntosh "I own the cinema, but not the ground, and the building has to go. It will take over forty years of memories with it. Harry Gordon played at the Princess in the days of cine-variety, so did many other old timers.
Miss McIntosh is leaving Dundee but not the cinema business. "I've plenty of faith in the future of the industry, I intend to open a cinema somewhere else just as soon as I can get a suitable one. After all, its my job, I've being doing it since I was a girl."
Employment
Shoe Trade Manager required for the Kirkcaldy branch. Wonderful opportunity for go-ahead man. Must have good experience of modern display and be able to control staff and stock. Keen first sales considered. Top wages and commission.
Wm. Pattersons & Sons,
22-24, Bank Street, Dundee.
New Industry in Dundee
Another new industry is likely to be established in Dundee this summer. The Bristol Tool and Gauge Company of Kingsmead, Bristol, are considering the project but are not prepared to make a definite statement at this stage.
They have invited applications for a manager for the project, which is concerned in tool-making and precision engineering. It is understood this is a private development, and has no connection with the Board of Trade scheme for assisting industries in Dundee to settle.
Hats, Hats, Hats
Women looking for an Easter bonnet will have a special fashion parade for their benefit next week. Messrs I.L. Geddes, Ltd., are running a "millinery only" parade on Monday and Tuesday (afternoon 2.30pm and evening 7pm) and on Wednesday afternoon.
Five models and four children will display over 100 hats for all occasions. Prices will range from 9s 11d to 8gns. The two under-five year old girls will take part in the afternoon parades and the other two, aged six and seven are to be "on" in the evenings.
The parades will be held in the Wellgate showroom and will last about one hour. Teas will be served to guests. Mrs E.M. Thomson, the manageress, will also be commerce for the shows.