Site is really great, first class, plenty of info to read and does take me back. Some of the names mentioned I do not know except a Carse family who stayed in Easter Road. Bill and John Carse were very friendly with me; we haunted the dance halls both in Leith and Edinburgh. Eldorado in Leith, Fiareys in the Kirkgate, Palais in Fountainbridge, Cavendish at Tollcross, and the Plaza in Morningside.
When we were learning to dance it was at Dixons in Albany Street. Mr Dixon made you get up to dance, no chance to to sit and watch. Then we went to McDonalds in Fettes Row, a small dance hall but very friendly. I did at one time go to the Palace ballroom at the Foot of the Walk above Woolworths. Then a friend of mine told me what kind of place it was and I stopped going, well I was rather shy at that time. I just lived for ballroom dancing.
Back to Bangor Road. The lads there that I was friendly with were BIll Robb who stayed in Bangor Lane, he served in the Navy during the War; John Paterson who stayed in Bangor Road who also served in the navy; Arthur McPhillips who served in the RAF before moving to Liverpool after the War; George Simpson who stayed in Bangor Road. We would often go to the pictures together before I took up dancing.
After the pals were demobbed, every weekend was spent drinking which meant we were broke by Monday. I had to pack this in for it was too costly.
The Tartan Retail Warehouse is now there where once stood Block B number 75, the tenement at the bottom of Bangor Road with outside toilets on the stairhead shared with other families. Mum and Dad moved there during the War.
The house was a two apartment; the livingroom had a double bed and a cot. Across from the bed was a cooker. Parents slept in the double bed. In the other room were two double beds; my two sisters sleeping in one and my two brothers and me in the other.
At the window was the sink for washing dishes and other things. At this particular house we did not have a clock so we had to hang out the window to see the time on the Store clock in Great Junction Street at the top of Bangor Road. If it was misty, I would put on my trousers and run up the road so far until I could make out the time, and then back to bed if it was too early.
I managed eventually to get a permit from the Union that allowed me to purchase an alarm clock, and no more looking out the window or putting on trousers to go and check the store clock.
I do remember the store horses that were stabled in Burlington Street. The smells and the noises used to waken me up when I was on night shift.
Tuesday 16 July 2002
I was a tram driver at Tollcross. I joined the Edinburgh Corporation Transport (ECT) in 1955 after I left the Railway as a fireman. For a short time I was a conductor and trained during my own time to become a tram driver. After passing my test, I drove the trams for about a year and then trained to become a bus driver at the Central Garage in Annandale Street. I enjoyed driving the trams and it was a pity to see them go - that`s progress for you.
For a short time Central Garage was my depot. Later I got a transfer to Longstone Depot where I remained for five years. When the new Marine Garage at Portobello opened, I was transferred there with the bus service No 44 that I was double-shifted on. This was a great route to drive on, plenty of time and not too busy. Passengers got to know you and were always pleasant.
In 1964 I was promoted as an Inspector (Shark) and remained for over 24 years. For five years I was a Floor Inspector in the Central Garage. During the rest of my years I was a Desk Inspector, Patrol Van Inspector, and I was on driving tuition for 14 years.
Henry Downie
