Frae `up the toon`.
Benny Glasgow
My name is Bernard (Benny) Glasgow and was born on 9th October, 1938 at 62 Tennant Street. I attended Bonnington Road Primary School then went on to Leith Academy Secondary. Like you John, I recognised most of the teachers you mentioned that included Rubber Lips Bathgate and Beaney Jackson - had to laugh at what you mentioned about them. I also remember the belt from Rubber Lips himself. I mind one time I kept pulling my hand away and he kept hitting his leg, obviously he was not amused.
I left school at 15 (1953) and became an apprentice blacksmith in the Stockbridge area. I married Margaret in 1960 and set up my own blacksmith business here in the Gilmerton area when I was 22. As you can imagine, it was hard work but the fruits of my labour have now been handed on to my two sons - don`t know if this is a good legacy or not! I have two daughters, one in the Police HQ, and one in the Tate, London.
Margaret and I are both retired now, and due to poor health, I have been encouraged to take up a new hobby, i.e., the computer. This is wonderful and hopefully will open new doors for me - it has already - thanks for your site.
I go to Leith regularly, in fact every week. I play snooker with one of my oldest friends for over 40 years. The snooker hall above the old Palace Picture House that has now been moved to the one above the State Picture House in Junction Road.
I have in my garden the old bell from Leith Academy - when I was carrying out repairs at the school - when it was getting upgraded to electric, and I acquired the old one.
The railway bridge at Bonnington Road - I used to walk along that and do you remember the old vinegar works in Tennant Street? There was a leak in one of the lorries and everyone was taking their milk pots, etc, and filling them with vinegar.
I remember the first picture house I was taken to was the Alhambra to see Sabu the Elephant Boy. Whether this is of any interest to you but you have conjured up a lot of old memories for me and my family. I was also in the 13th Leith Life Boys then joined the BBs who were in Academy Street - great days too.
Coming home from the BBs at night we used to go into the chippy in the Kirkgate - I think it was called Alberts - and used to ask for a pennyworth of the fried scrappings from the fish with plenty of sauce.
Regarding Leith itself John, there are many changes as you know and not all for the better. I remember the Kirkgate the way it used to be and used to walk down there and was mesmerised by all the hustle and bustle of life and hearing the singing and laughter at the old Gaiety Theatre which I managed to spot in one of your photos.
Benny Glasgow
