Shopping

I was born in the DRI on 13th June 1925. I had four brothers. When I was four and a half years old I went to the Cowgate School. I lived in Constable Street. All my aunts and cousins lived beside each other. My Grandad lived in Wallace Street. I used to go my Gran's messages to Jackie's the butcher for beef, Massey's for messages, the Buttercup for butter, Martin Simpsons for pies and bread and the Mealstore for eggs. When I was about twelve I used to go to the washing house to do my Gran's washing. Read more......

I worked in a fruit shop in the Hawkhill, and it was the first time we had bananas in - this was 1946 or 47. Word got round and there were queues all day. To try and get the shop closed was almost impossible. The door which had to be bolted on from the inside, and was kept round at the back of the shop in Lyon's Close, to get the crowds away the boss had to run round for the door, then we had to be ready to throw some bananas into the crowd and them that were left in the shop had to be locked in and let out the back door into the 'Lyon's Close'. Next day, all over again. The worst bit was the bananas were green and hard. Read more......

My grandparents lived at Dunmore Lodge Ninewells on the Perth Road. As a child when my parents would take the journey from Birmingham to Dundee I would look forward to the walks down to the River Tay and the tram journey into the city. As I got older I was trusted to go on the tram each morning to fetch the hot morning rolls for breakfast. My grandfather worked as a gardener for the Dundee Council and set out the gardens at Magdalene Green and near to the Tay Rail Bridge. He died aged 100 at "The Rowans" nursing home. Read more......

I remember as a child going on a tram from Ninewells to Sinderins on the way to the family doctor up Blackness Avenue for our vaccinations, we had a drink from one of the water fountains. It had a chain with a bell shaped cup on the end. My mother used to get the coach built pram on one end of the tram and the driver used to fix it on. Of course she had to take the baby out. Read more......

My first childhood memories, were being brought up in my Grandma's house in Commercial Street. We lived with her for about 3 years until my parents got their own house. Dad had his fruit shop at the top of the Hilltown and what sweet memories I have of helping him in there. I wonder if anyone out there remembers his shop? I remember Largs, then Lowdens newsagent, Andrew G. Kydd, then my dad, Lyon Brothers the jewellers, then Sutherlands ... such memories. Read more......