Recalling Leith from the Sunny Climes of Southern California
Margaret Syme nee Bowes looks back at some of her earlier days in Leith
Married to another Leither, Maurice Bowes, Margaret has lived in Escondido, Southern California since the 1960s. She has agreed to share some of her thoughts on her times as a youngster in the old port.
`I was born on October 10, 1935 at 64 Hawthornvale, Leith at my mother`s parent`s home. I would live there until I was married in 1960. My father had died in 1938 and my mother, sister and I went to stay with my grandparents.
`My early schooling was in Newhaven at the Victoria Primary School, and I have great memories of playing at the fish market near the harbour. In 1942, the school celebrated its 200 year anniversary, by putting on a show at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. All the school children were decked out in fishing costumes. The girls were dressed in colourful yellow, red, blue, and white while the boys wore the traditional fishermen`s costumes.
`I remember going to Jeannie McCorquodale`s shop - not many sweeties in those days, just raw carrots and turnips.
`I attended St Andrew`s Church in Newhaven and was in its junior choir for several years. Later I joined Bonnington Church in Leith (I believe that was razed to make way for homes - such a shame as it was a beautiful church. I was also a Sunday school teacher there for about four years.
`I left Victoria Primary in 1947 and attended Leith Academy for four years leaving in 1951. I used to take the No 7 tramcar from Stanley Road to the Foot of the Walk to go to school.
`On Saturday mornings I would attend the Capitol cinema in Manderston Street. I loved the serials that left someone hanging on a cliff.
`I knew all the picture houses well, the State, Palace, Capitol, and the Alhambra. I remember coming out of the State after the War when they had the lights on for the first time. It was just like Las Vegas to us then.
`When you look back they were such simple times compared to today, but I wouldn`t exchange them for anything.`
Margaret Syme (Bowes)
Escondido, California.
