Our Memories of the `Sally`
Ian Ross
I'm afraid that my memory of The Salvation Army will not help you much, but it is still very vivid after over 40 years. On a Sunday morning the Salvation Army Band would march to the quadrangle in the middle of Leith Hospital where they would play a selection of hymns. I stayed with my mum, dad & sister on the top flat of the Store building and the living room was to the rear. When the windows were open in the summer, we could hear the music wafting up from the Hospital. Just have to close my eyes and I can still hear it - beautiful memories!
Karen Stewart
Where you are now:East Calder, West Lothian Comments: I attended the Sunday School in the early 1960s and I can recall there being 2 "birthday chairs" in the infants Sunday school downstairs. If you were a boy and it was your birthday, you got to sit in the blue painted one, likewise, a girl sat in the pink one. For some reason I never got to sit in these chairs. My birthday was in September so I couldn`t have been away on holiday. Another memory is the painting of General Booth. I always used to think that this was a painting of God. He looked scary and I got the feeling we were being watched all the time and had to be good.
Alex Wallace
I really respect the "Sally Ann" still do today, but more so during our childhood.They were there for us. I did in latter years feel uncomfortable, with them collecting,donation's in PUB'S it seemed to me contradictory to their Belief's. Anyhoo, one Friday Night sitting in our local Pub in Toronto at that time, we were approached by a member to give a donation, he looked like Benny Hill"s sidekick, I explained my thoughts , and Suggested,if he will drink a pint with us I would give him $10,he removed his hat,placed it under his arm and said "Forgive me, Lord for what Iam about to receive" ,chugged over the beer , replaced his hat,snatched the $10 and with a thank you and a little chuckle ,moved to the next table. Pat, said "IF YOU HAD KEPT YOUR MOUTH SHUT WE WOULD BE $10,RICHER. By the way she wis Shouting. Alec
Jean (Durie) McFarlane
Hi Alex I'm sorry the guy accepted your bet and 'let the old flag fall', as we Salvationists say. With my colleagues I sold the Warcry in every pub around Leith Docks when they were real spit and sawdust places - no women in sight - and I must have sung "The Old Rugged Cross" hundreds of times. The Army bonnets which we wore in those days assured us of the greatest respect and I was never nervous or worried about being in these places, rowdy as they might be. Nowadays the WarCry and Kids Alive are more likely to be sold on the streets since pubs are very quiet in the early evening but it's an important part of the Army's ministry. Thanks for giving me a wee trip down memory lane, Alex.
