Kingsway
Burndept-Vidor
Can ye mind o' Burndept-Vidor
West Kingsway Industrial Estate
Clockin' in-an-oot each day
At the battery factory gate
Can ye hear the soond o' the Can Press
Thumpin'-oot cans week-by-week
Presses makin' sae much din
Ye'd tae shout tae try tae speak
Workers a' the time
Conversin' in sign
Did ye ken the man shovelling Black Mix
Wha was striken-doon ae day
Wi manganese poisonin
(He was paid "hazard" pay)
Rows o' inspection lines
Quality Control
Inspectors in white jackets
In their important role Read more......
The Queen's Visit
I remember when the Queen came to town about 1957 or 58. There was a bus provided by the school, we were transported to the Kingsway to see her but when everybody had to get their bus back I got lost and another bus had to take me to the Eastern School in Broughty Ferry.
Downfield Days
I read George MacDonald's story about his dad being a manager at Bonar Long. I worked in the office at Bonar Long and was office girl and then secretary for about 3 years to the works manager whose name was Roy MaCdonald, so I think it may have been his dad. I left in 1960 to go to another job but still have fond memories of my days at Bonar Long. As a teenager I remember going to Kidds dancing and to the Chalet at Broughty Ferry. I now live in rural Manitoba, Canada. I am 67 years old now but still have many happy memories of my time growing up in Dundee. Read more......
My Favourite Route
My favourite route has to be Downfield. I travelled for many years to work and for pleasure on the Downfield tram. When we came back to Dundee, Downfield was almost a village before it extended as it is to-day. Monday morning many of us would get on the tram at School Road and for seating for us all, it would be the semi-circular seat at the back upstairs. There was much hilarity as the Saturday night at the Palais was recalled. The Conductors knew you and took an interest in the current boyfriends. You were greeted by most people who you met regularly. Read more......
Post War Dundee
Saturday afternoons in the early 1950s for my sister Moyra and myself were very special. I was 6 years old in 1952 and my sister 12.
We boarded the Downfield tram at Fairmuir, rushed up the stairs to claim the 'J' shaped seat at the front window, and headed for the terminus at Downfield. Read more......
Culture Shock
We moved to Church Street and then in 1929 to Dens Road. Dens Road School was across the road and I started at the nursery class there when I was three and a half years old and then started at the 'big school' at four and a half. This is me in Miss Barrie's infant class in 1930. Dens Road was a great school and I was there from three and a half years old to nine years old. Read more......
Employment Places
I worked in Dundee from about 1949 to 1952. Firstly at Bonar Long on the Kingsway, then as a dispatch clerk with Thomson Shepherd & Co., Shepherd's Lane. My next job was with Robert Kellie & Son, Dock Street. All these places of employment have now gone.
