classroom on occasion. One master, who shall remain nameless, was
heartily disliked by all, more so when he doubled up as sports master
and insisted that we play with footballs that were always out of
shape.
Our weekends never seemed to vary, at least for those of us who
were still at school. We would go to the local picture house, better
known as the "Scratcher". In the days when we went, there was a
partition in front of the screen. Behind the partition was a piano
which was used to provide background music for the silent films.
The pianist was known to us all as "Auld Shiny Broo", and as he
played, the top of his bald head could be seen above the edge of
the partition. The poor man was often demented by the pieces of
orange peel, apple cores and bunched up paper bags which often found
their target on his bald head.
Sunday was not a popular day for us. We used to wonder why our Catholic
pals, who all went to worship at Drummohr Monastery in the morning,
could be allowed to play games, while we Protestants were forbidden
all forms of games. Sunday school, boys bible class, the church
and the lads meeting in the Town Hall in the evening, these were
all on the agenda. The penalty for poor attendance was that you
were not permitted to take part in the Sunday school picnics or
the lads' meeting outings. The threat of missing but on the outings
ensured a fairly regular attendance throughout the year. I recall
a couple of Sunday school picnics at Roslin and Craigmillar. These
two areas were relatively unspoiled then so we were able to have
a great time in the countryside surrounding the picnic areas. The
Boys' Brigade camp was really special. We spent a week under canvas
at Belhaven near Dunbar. At six o'clock in the morning we would
be out of our tents and washing up in the local farmer's horse trough.
At that time in the morning the water was freezing. Following the
completion of camp duties, making up beds, washing the dishes, etc,
we were free to go to the beach. Although it was summer, the beach
always seemed to be swept by a chill wind. The wind however did
not prevent us from enjoying ourselves. By the middle of the week,
most of us had run out of money and we were looking forward to Parents'
Day, which was a sports day, but even more important than the races
and five-a-side football was the thought of much needed sweet money.
After the camp had finished, we resumed our normal activities back
home. The beach was just across the road and a great deal of our
time was spent on the sandy stretch of beach which extended from
the Belfield Pottery to the "Craig". Before going in the water we
kindled fires with driftwood and coal, gathered further along the
beach. Mussels, limpets and "buckies" were left to boil in cases
filled with salt water until we felt hungry enough to come out of
the water and enjoy what was known as the
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