“The Elder Echo” (Cluny Lodge & Chamberlain)
Guess who has been Tattie Howking! We have gone for Quality not Quantity!
Mrs Jo Samuel, Dr Austen Gardiner & Mrs Beryl Deans of the Garden Club at Cluny Lodge.
September, 2013
Quote: It is even harder for the average Ape to believe that he has descended from Man. H. L. Mencken
Dear Friends
And no, H. L. Mencken was not a woman!! Just thought I better get that point cleared before we go any further! What another busy three months we have had with concerts, strawberry teas, trips on the Canal, trips to the Borders to visit Abbotsford House, the Edinburgh Tattoo Rehearsal - not to mention our usual outings to Scots Pine Tearooms in Eddleston, Merryhatton Garden Centre in East Fortune, Railbridge Bistro in South Queensferry and Musselburgh for Ice-Cream, Kingswood Hotel in Burntisland, Kings Acre Golf Club in Lasswade to name but a few.
On the ‘quieter’ side we have enjoyed French Wine & Cheese Evenings, a series of talks on famous Artists, a series of talks on Whisky Smuggling in the Highlands - the list goes on - oh yes and visits from the animals at Zoolab. Storytelling and Poetry Readings with a few good comedies and excellent documentaries thrown in for good measure.
The weather over the Summer has been ‘one out of the bag’ - sometimes too hot - but this has allowed us to get out and about more as well as enjoying sitting in the gardens and going for walks - who said it always rains in Scotland?
So what is coming up? A trip on the boat on the Falkirk Wheel, through the Antonine Wall along the Canal and its locks, watching the scenery go by as we enjoy afternoon tea. Halloween just around the corner with all the excuse we need for a ‘full of nonsense and fun’ time. Then in November we have the Christmas Fayre (I know, I don’t want to think about Christmas just yet either).
A Macmillan Afternoon Tea at Cluny Lodge on Wednesday 25th September at 2.15 pm this is a fundraiser for the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity and there will be a donation bucket at the door - family and friends most welcome. The Annual Macmillan Coffee Morning is being held two days later at various venues throughout the UK - last year 115,000 people were involved and raised a record £15 million. As it isn’t suitable for us to hold a ‘Coffee Morning’ on the dedicated date we thought we would do our bit to help by having an ‘Afternoon Tea’ - so tell your family and friends and see how much we can raise for this tremendous charity.
2
Building Alterations & Decorating
Cluny Lodge:
New Roof Lawn
The artificial turf placed on the flat roof outside Balmoral Dining Room which we reported on in the last Elder Echo, has now been extended to cover all the flat roof area - this has now been completed.
Balmoral Assisted Bathroom
This bathroom situated by the Dining Room in Balmoral is in the process of being upgraded and when completed will have a shower wet-room facility beside the bath.
Balmoral - Room 51
The upgrade has taken place to the ensuite in this room.
The Maintenance Manager and Staff appreciate the co-operation of the Residents, Staff and Visitors that is shown during the unavoidable disruptions that can occur from time to time.
Remember, if any Resident or Relative has any questions regarding work being undertaken, please do not hesitate to speak to the relevant Unit Manager or ask to see Mrs Fay Angus-Knowles or Mr Jim Gordon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Memorial Service
For sometime now at Cluny Lodge, we have discussed at various Resident’s Meetings and with those who do not attend the meetings for whatever reason - how they felt would be the most appropriate way in marking the passing on of Residents. As a result of the passing of Mrs Ruth Thomson, this once again was discussed as Ruth herself was always very supportive in trying to create a meaningful way of recognising the fact that each and every Resident to us here is not just a name or a number - everyone in their own unique way contributes to what is Cluny Lodge.
It has been decided that a ‘Celebration of Life’ will be held every three months to mark the passing of those in the previous three months - the months will be the same as the Elder Echo Newsletter.
Our first service will be Sunday 22nd September at 2.00 pm in Argyll Main Dining Room where afterwards we will enjoy afternoon tea - everybody is very welcome including family and friends. 3
New Appointment
General Manager, Elder Homes
Mrs Fay Angus-Knowles has recently been appointed as the General Manager of both Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain Care Home. Born and educated in Aberdeen, Fay set off at the age of 19 travelling to many countries where she gained wide experience in different aspects of the Hospitality Industry - Spain, Italy, France to name a few, during this time Fay was able to hone her skills in Cooking something that she really enjoys, oh yes Red Wine too! Travelling is high on Fay’s interests and of course languages go hand in hand with this.
On her return to the UK, Fay worked in the Management of the Corporate Entertainment area with many prestigious companies including the Carnegie Hospitality and the contract for the World Rugby Cup, Invergorden Distillery - PA for Marketing Director before becoming the International Assistant for the Export Department. Fay managed Lennoxlove House at Haddington for the Duke of Hamilton for nearly eight years - Weddings, Corporate Events and the Hotel side. Archerfield House the Country Retreat near North Berwick which is also used for Weddings, Golf and Corporates - Fay was Manager here for eight years prior to joining Elder Homes.
Fay and her partner live on the sea front at Portobello, they also have a home in Tuscany which they are at present renovating and redecorating.
When I spoke to Fay, she said how much she is looking forward to working at Elder Homes - especially the hotel side at both Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SVQ - Scottish Vocational Qualifications
Mrs Lee Baines - Unit Manager at Chamberlain, obtained SVQ in Management and Leadership in July
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dementia
Just a reminder - there is a Library of Books, DVD’s and Leaflets on Dementia which has been set up for Staff, Residents, Relatives and Friends to borrow from – this can be found in Chamberlain on the first floor and in Heather Franklin’s Office at Cluny Lodge, please do not hesitate to ask or if you wish to speak to Sheryl Henderson (Balmoral Unit Manager) on the subject, Sheryl is more than welcome to meet with you.
4
Concert at Chamberlain - Gary Copeland entertaining Residents from Cluny Lodge & Chamberlain
Dr Austen Gardiner singing - Cluny’s answer to Frank Sinatra.
5
Did You Know?
As some of our Residents both at Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain do not originally come from the Morningside-Bruntsfield area we thought this article might be of interest.
Edinburgh Ladies Golf Club
There was a Golf Course across the road from Blackford Pond which was exclusively for Ladies - The Edinburgh Ladies Golf Club, Blackford Brae. This was in the early 1900’s (South Oswald Road) and was replaced by Astley Ainslie Buildings during the 1920’s. It is recorded: Saturday 7 June, 1902 third competition of the season was held. Miss J G Broun won the scratch prize with a score of 73, Miss Whyte and Miss Watson tied for the net prize with 77. Mr Lindsay was the Secretary and Mr W J Menzies, W.S., was Captain - of the Edinburgh Ladies Club?(So why did the Ladies Golf Club have gentlemen as the Secretary & Captain?)!! Records show that golf was played in Scotland by women hundreds of years ago. Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have played in East Lothian in 1700’s - first description of Ladies Golf competition is recorded in Musselburgh in 1810 between the Town’s ‘Fish Ladies’
Church Hill Theatre Church Hill Theatre, originally Morningside Free Church, was built by Edinburgh Architect Hippolyte Blanc in 1892, he was known for his buildings in Gothic revival style. Edinburgh City Council purchased the building in 1960 and consequently it became the Theatre which we know today. When you are passing, have a look at the two Pillars in front - made out of Pink and Black Granite - the Pink Granite has carved circles representing people, events and the area
If you stand on the roadside footpath and look at the Theatre - on The Pillar on the Left you will see - starting at the top: 1] The Initials MS - representing Muriel Spark (author of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”) A spark plug - representing a dynamic community Golf Tee, ball and club heads - representing Golf which it is said to have first been played on Bruntsfield Links 2] Mathematical symbols - representing John Napier (1550-1617) inventor of Logarithms 3] A bee - representing Industry of locals 4] A mouse and a computer - representing the computerised servants of Napier University and around. On the Black Granite spaced between the Pink are the words: (from the top) Greenhill - Merchiston - Boroughmuir
On the reverse side of this Pillar: 1] A quill pen - representing local writers 2] The Drunken Doo (dove) - refers to the occasion of John Napier preventing his neighbour’s Doos stealing his corn. 6
3] An artist’s pallet - representing creative arts in the area 4] Sounding holes of a stringed instrument - representing music
The Pillar on the Right (as you look at the Theatre) starting from the top to the bottom: 1] Chi-Rho - the Universal Christian symbol 2] The proscenium of a Theatre - representing Church Hill Theatre 3] A Piano Key and a Kipper - representing Morningside life: a piano in the parlour and a kipper in the kitchen. 4] A shuttle and thread - representing linen weavers of Tipperlin On the Black Granite spaced between the Pink are the words: (from the top) Church Hill - Morningside - Tipperlin
On the reverse side of this Pillar: 1] The Burning Bush - for Holy Corner and Church Hill 2] Miss Prism’s Handbag - features in “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Noel Coward - which was the first performance held in the Church Hill Theatre. 3] An Egyptian Cat - representing local streets with Egyptian names e.g. Nile Grove, Egypt Mews 4] The Bore Stone - on which the Royal Standard is said to have been raised to muster the Scottish Army on the Boroughmuir in 1513 before the Battle of Flodden (The Bore Stone is sited further down the road towards Morningside shops)
7
Chamberlain International Restaurant
WARNING! WARNING! - Invasion of France
No, this wasn’t another D-Day Landing, nor was it the arrival of Mary Queen of Scots but it was more frightening - some of the Residents from Chamberlain were on the Eurostar heading at speed to Paris for Dinner and it was believed a Resident from Cluny Lodge was with them. Now what is wrong with this? I hear you ask - nothing, but it was rumoured they had a Kiwi on board too (hence the Eurostar - Kiwis can’t fly). Pilot Captain Lee and Navigator Sylvia had assured the Residents that there wasn’t much difference between a Plane and a Train so instead of Jet-Setters they had now become Train-Spotters!! I have it on good authority that they had a fantastic meal and evening - Patè with French Crisp Bread, French Green Olives, Gruyere de Comte and Cantel Salers Vieux Cheese Nibbles, Brie & Berry Quiche, Petite Chocolate Cups with Crème and Strawberrys - Chilled Prosecco, followed by Coffee and Petite Madeleine’s with After Dinner ‘Sevens’ (because there is an hours difference between Edinburgh and Paris!!)
L to R: Dr Austen Gardiner (Cluny), Miss Nancy Wilson & Mrs Balfour-Murray (Chamberlain) talking in French.
8
L-R: Dr Austen Gardiner (Cluny), Miss Nancy Wilson & Dr Kathleen Merricks (Chamberlain)
Molly (S & L) wearing sparkling proof that she recently visited France!! L-R: Mrs Marshall and Mrs Balfour-Murray relaxing after the meal. 9
Captain Lee welcoming everyone ‘on board the Eurostar for Paris’
Fairmilehead Singing Group
An Independent Group of people in Edinburgh organise and have an afternoon for those in the Community who have a degree of Dementia but who also enjoy singing.
At Fairmilehead Church Hall every two weeks, a few Residents from both Chamberlain and Cluny Lodge go by Taxi with Carers up to the Church where the afternoon starts off with a coffee or tea and chat which is a great way for the Residents to meet and mix with people in the Community. After everyone has ‘quenched their thirst’ and met up with people they have met previously, the singing starts and for the next 45 mins or so, a Singing Leader with an accompanist on a keyboard leads the songs, a mixture of favourites from yesteryear, songs from musicals and film and always includes a selection of Scottish songs which everyone enjoys - the rafters ring with the voices but as the organisers say “we are not a choir and we do not aim for a performance - the emphasis is on enjoyment and fun” - there is always a ‘grand circle’ where everyone can walk around singing whether it be to the Lambeth Walk or something similar - a lot of fun as you can tell by the photos following.
10
Mrs Sybil Deuchars (Chamberlain) Mrs Isobel Joyce (Cluny Lodge)
Miss Mary McKie (Cluny Lodge)
11
John MacPherson DFC, MBE Bomber Command Navigator and University Administrator
As we had intended to start a series of articles in the Elder Echo of those Residents who had served their Country in Uniform during WW2 - we thought it appropriate to start with this article regarding John who passed away recently at Cluny Lodge. This article appeared in The Scotsman - written by Niall MacPherson.
Born: 25 October, 1920 in Inverness. Died: 4 July, 2013 in Edinburgh, aged 92
John MacPherson was a wartime Pathfinder Navigator, one of the few Bomber Command aircrew to survive five years of continuous flying from 1941 to 1946. After the war he had a distinguished career as deputy secretary of Edinburgh University.
On 13 July, 1942 - 12 aircraft from 115 Squadron at RAF Marham waited to take off on a mission to Duisburg. In Wellington X3471 Pilot Officer John MacPherson was on the chart table, his pilot Brian Grimston. Although only ten days into flying together there was already a bond of respect between these two young men from highly different backgrounds - MacPherson a Scot, brought up in poverty by a single parent in Inverness, and the honourable Brian Grimston of the English aristocracy, second in succession to the Earldom of Verulam.
At 12.25 am they reached their turn to take off. Front gunner Volante pulled up the escape hatch and they took off on the grass runway lit by paraffin flares. They crossed the coast at Cromer, then the searchlights and flak on the Dutch coast, and penetrated the defensive box of German Me110 fighters without incident.
At 15,000 feet on their run they were bracketed by four 88mm shells. Canvas was torn from the fuselage and there was the ping of shrapnel against the geodetics. Grimston, slammed the aircraft into a diving turn to port and turned for home - but the starboard engine spluttered and died. The chances of getting home on one engine were poor.
Forty minutes to the Dutch coast, and with crucial wireless and instruments gone, they were unable to tell altitude as they crossed the North Sea through rain squalls. Suddenly came a yell from the front turret: “Trees passing the port wingtip.” They ploughed cross a field and emerged festooned with half an English hedge just short of a massive oak tree.
Navigator and tail gunner were sent to look for a farmhouse. MacPherson, with his Inverness accent and black leather flying boots, was assumed by the farmer to be German and was greeted with a double barrelled shotgun - cocked.
Only the Anglo-Saxon expletives of the tail gunner convinced the farmer that all was well and the aircraft was consigned to the care of the Watton home guard. This was only the first of many hazardous events to occur during the last six months of 1942.
12
John MacPherson was born in Inverness in 1920. Shortly after his birth his father left and he was brought up alone by his mother in a two-room slum with a shared outside privy. aircraft, He proved an able pupil at the Central School and Inverness Royal Academy, but was at the time widely regarded as somewhat idle. In 1941 he commenced training as a pilot at RAF Fairoaks, but was judged unsuitable on account of motion sickness.
He was transferred to training as an observer and, having acclimatised, never again experienced air sickness. Navigational training from Scottish bases was initially on the famously unreliable Blackburn Botha aircraft on which he completed 36 flights.
Gunnery training was completed on another obsolete aircraft, the Fairey Battle. In April 1942 he transferred to No 20 OTU Lossiemouth and continued training on the much more reliable Avro Anson. On 26 May, 1942 came the sudden change to a Vickers Wellington and a trip to RAF Stanton Harcourt. With other trainee crew he had been commandeered to make up numbers for the 1,000 bomber raid on Cologne on 30 May, 1942 - recorded succinctly in his log book “War Operations Cologne - night flying 5 hrs 50 minutes.”
In July 1942 came the start of full operational flying with a flight of 115 squadron from Marham and then, in September 1942, 156 squadron at Warboys. Throughout this tour he was with pilot Brian Grimston and crew. Losses were high and dices with death were frequent.
Marking the Dummer Zee approaches with Pathfinders 4 inch reconnaissance flares, their aircraft was caught by the big blue master searchlight allowing the satellites to come in. This was a situation that was almost invariably fatal. Rather than dive, Grimston stalled the aircraft and it dropped like a stone losing the searchlight. It required extreme skill to regain control. Dropping mines on La Rochelle, they were hit by a flak ship with cannon shells going through the fuselage above the port main plane.
With the drag of lost canvas they were an easy target for night fighters. Fortunately, an SOS produced three Polish Beaufighters which escorted them in a crash landing at Exeter. Then, tragically, on 28 August in a raid to Nurnberg the aircraft was raked by cannon fire from a night fighter and the wireless operator was killed. On that night 34 percent of the Wellington force was shot down and five aircraft were lost from 115 squadron. In the Operations Record Book the MacPherson Grimston aircraft is shown as “Returned Safely to base.”
In October 1942 he was awarded his Path Finder Force Badge. Trained in traditional navigation by dead reckoning, compass, wind-speed, barometric pressure and the stars, he went on to be one of the pioneers of electronic navigation, especially Mark 1 Gee, which he demonstrated to the Duke of Kent.
13
Between November and December 1942 he completed five missions to Turin and Genoa, targets way beyond Gee range and requiring exquisite traditional navigational skills. To make the distance an overload petrol tank was bolted down the middle of the fuselage in place of the catwalk, rendering the aircraft super-inflammable and obstructing the escape hatch.
On the first Italian mission he recalled being summoned to the cockpit to admire the amazing sight of Geneva lit up by streetlights - a sight not seen elsewhere in wartime Europe, where blackout was universal.
Equally memorable was the experience of being dived on by a Fiat CR42 biplane fighter, which kept its distance from the turrets of the Wellington. In old age John would claim to be the last person to have engaged in air warfare with a biplane fighter. For his navigational skills on these missions he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which he received from the King at Buckingham Palace in 1943.
On 28 January, 1943, MacPherson was posted to 1656 CU. Less than three months later Lancaster ED6 15 of 156 squadron was lost over Kiel with the death of his former crewmates B Grimston and S J Volante.
May 1944 saw MacPherson on operations with 166 squadron flying Lancasters from RAF Kirmington. Daylight operations over France were now possible with fighter cover by Spitfires, but night operations remained hazardous and he recalled watching five of his squadron go down at the “Massacre at Revigny” of 14 July, 1944
On 12 August, 1944 he flew his 55th and last combat operation on the U-boat pens at Bordeaux. The aircraft took a hit from 88mm flak and a piece of shrapnel that narrowly missed the navigator’s table is now in the family’s possession. After combat operations he continued to fly with the RAF in a transport role, his last flight being in a Liberator returning home from the Far East on 1 March, 1946
In Autumn 1946 he started his studies as a mature student at Edinburgh University, gaining 1st Class Honours MA in 1950 and subsequently LLB with distinction. He joined the University Administration in September 1950 as personal assistant to the Secretary.
Promoted to assistant secretary in 1954, his main work for 30 years was as clerk to the University Court. He also worked closely with the Faculty of Medicine throughout his career. He was also much involved in national and international conferences and functions, being mainly responsible for the organisation of the Edinburgh British Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in 1951.
He was also closely associated with the organisation of the Installation of the Duke of Edinburgh as Chancellor in 1953, with the World Congress of Mathematics, the International Rose Congress and many others. He was chairman of the Village Committee of the 1970 Commonwealth Games, where he was village commandant.
14
He was secretary to the Edinburgh Meeting of the Commonwealth Universities Congress. He was awarded the MBE in 1971. He was for many years vice-president of the Sports Union, a life member of the Royal Medical Society, and the unashamed billiards champion of the Staff Club, of which he was a founder member.
On 13th August, 1942 John MacPherson married Vera Muir. They had four children, Frances, Niall, Hugh and Mark. Hugh pre-deceased him in 2001 and Vera died in 2004. He leaves three children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren of whom he was touchingly proud.
15
Gardening Clubs - Cluny Lodge Garden Club
Remember the seeds we retrieved after the wind had upset the trays - well here are some of them - mostly zinnias and the odd sunflower
16
I remember my Father asking a pal of his who was gardener on a large estate up near Aberdeen - “Can ye tell me when is the right time tae plant the tatties, Jock?” “Well take your breeks doon, an your drawers, an if ye can sit wi your bare ‘bottom’ on the rigs - then that is when it’s time tae plant” (Resident Dr Austen Gardiner explaining why maybe we didn’t get as big a harvest as we had hoped for!)
But the proof was in the eating - they were boiled to perfection by the Kitchen Team with freshly picked mint. 17
Chamberlain Garden Club
Look out Cluny Lodge - these are Chamberlain’s Potatoes - a later harvest - “all good things come to those who wait”
An Outing to Abbotsford House
The home of Sir Walter Scott, our best known writer of Scottish Stories, who in the early nineteenth century introduced the world to the beauties of the landscape and images of Scotland and her characters. For some of us, we were given a copy of Ivanhoe and told to read it! What a better alternative would have been a visit to Abbotsford. Situated in a lovely wooded valley in the Borders, it is an imposing Victorian edifice, surrounded by lovely formal gardens.
Inside it is really interesting with some small fairly dark rooms. There is a library with a vast number of books, a room with a wonderful selection of weaponry, a dining table set with china and many various antiquities from other countries.
The audio system is simple and excellent. A very pleasant outing after a picnic in the grounds. (Contributed by Mrs Anne Bryden, Chamberlain & Elder Echo Resident’s Committee)
18
Miss Nancy Wilson in Abbotsford House
Mrs Balfour-Murray in Abbotsford House
19
Sitting in the sunshine at Abbotsford - Mrs Balfour-Murray, Miss Nancy Wilson & Miss Mary Bannerman
The Morris Garden
The garden is named after the sculpture of Morris in the Circular bed. Morris is said to have given Rob Roy MacGregor into the hands of the authorities. He is seen on his knees asking for forgiveness from Rob’s wife Helen. The sculpture was presented to Abbotsford in 1850 by William Lockhart of Milton, the half-brother of Sir Walter’s son- in-law. The sculptor was John Greenshields who died before he could complete it.
20
Edinburgh Tattoo 2013
The day for our visit to the rehearsal at Redford Barracks dawned, it was what I call a 'grey day' and the forecast was rain! However off we went. A very comfortable place was found for us and a comfortable seat. The day may have started grey but soon became sunny. When we got back again we looked a little red - my nose started to peal.
The Tattoo started with singing the National Anthem this followed By Auld Lang Syne, we somehow managed to hold hands and it made us all ready to enjoy ourselves. There was a great deal of marching with the Massed Bands, Pipes and Drums - it wasn't all marching though, later in the programme the Erskine girls danced which was very nice, there was the colourful dancers from Korea and then from Mexico - both were accompanied by the drums. The New Zealand Army did a lot of marching and counter marching, they were joined by the girls of the Lochiel Marching Drill Team also from New Zealand - but not before the males had performed the Haka! Then came the War Horse. It really is a wonderful contraption. There were two men, I think, inside an open frame designed like a horse which was most realistic - the horse and its movements were so good too. The most amazing scene was The Imps Motorcycle Display Team from London - there were some adults organizing but the group are children from the age of 5 to 16 both boys and girls. They did some amazing stunts that you would have thought wonderful if performed by adults.
It all came to an end with the Massed Pipes and the march past, as they passed us they all looked so serious except the Mexicans, who smiled and waved. We had had a lovely morning.
(Written & Contributed by Mrs Jo Samuel, Cluny Lodge & Elder Echo Resident’s Committee)
21
To All New Residents at Cluny Lodge & Chamberlain
June – August 2013
Madame Rejan Heron Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Mrs Eileen MacDougall Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Margaret Antrobus Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Jean Stenhouse Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Marjorie Buist Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Mrs Shiela Macdonald Balmoral, Cluny Lodge
Birthdays Celebrated - June to August 2013
Happy Birthday
Miss Mary Bannerman Chamberlain Mrs Joan Kavanagh Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Miss Anne McKenzie Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Miss Joan Fleming Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Doreen Bransfield Chamberlain Mrs Margaret Antrobus Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mr James Anderson Chamberlain
Residents in the “Special Club of 90 Plus” – Happy Birthday
Mr William Frazer 90 Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Miss Mary McKie 90 Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Aileen Calder 92 Chamberlain Mrs Beryl Deans 92 Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mrs Isobel Joyce 93 Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Mrs Ruth Edwards 95 Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Mrs Margaret Farago 96 Argyll, Cluny Lodge Mr Ian Isles 96 Balmoral, Cluny Lodge Mrs Eileen Malloch 97 Chamberlain Mrs Jean Pyper 99 Chamberlain
Residents in the “Very Special Club of 100 Plus” - Happy Birthday
Miss Lena Tannent 106 Chamberlain
22
French Cheese & Wine Evening
Recently the Residents of Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain both enjoyed their own French Cheese & Wine Evening where various cheeses were sampled and commented on - a very popular evening with many Residents attending and at Cluny some visitors and family also joined in to make a very successful evening.
It was interesting to hear some history attached to the different cheese e.g.
Brie de Meaux - in the 8th Century the French Emperor Charlemagne first tasted this cheese in the company of a Bishop and approved it so much that he ordered 2 cartloads to be sent to him annually.
Comtè Cheese - also called Gruyere de Comtè - began in the 12th Century when shepherds would spend Summer in their remote huts of the Jura Mountains and the distance between towns of any size meant that the cheese would need to mature over a longer period.
Ossau - Iraty - produced from sheep’s milk in the Northern Basque Country
Cantal Salers Vieux - one of the oldest cheese in France - back to the time of the Gauls and became known when served at the table of Louis XlV of France.
And so the evening went on with everyone being able to taste the above varieties of cheese and others, while enjoying a glass of wine or juice - so much so, that at the end while clearing up we realised the camera was still sitting waiting to record the evening and everyone had gone to bed!! What a great excuse to repeat the evening at a later date!!
23
Trip in the Barge on the Union Canal
Punting on the River - something we often hear or read about and it conjures up the image of lying back in the sun while the boat effortlessly, glides along under the weeping willow trees, trailing your fingers in the water while the punter does all the hard work. Well we might not have been punting but nothing can beat going on one of the Seagull Trust Barges along the Union Canal - we had the sunny day, we lay back in our chairs on the foredeck (I think that is what you call the front?!) and relaxed, as we gently motored along at 3 to 4 miles per hour watching the passing scenery, the wild flowers on the banks, the walled garden with the vegetables and flowers growing, the children waving from the tow path, the ducks teaching their little ones to swim and then afternoon tea set up - this is the life - with a very capable lady Skipper on the wheel (everybody on the boat are volunteers and deserve our thanks for the great service) - and no we didn’t trail our fingers in the water, couldn’t reach it and there might be eels!! The Residents of both Cluny Lodge and Chamberlain once again this year had the pleasure of going on the Union Canal, this time boarding at the Ratho Bridge Inn and going along for 45 mins before turning around the Island in Wilkies Basin and travelling back - the photos say more about the afternoon than words can.
Very difficult to see where the reflections stop and start - it was such a perfect day.
24
Chamberlain Trip
L to R: Miss G. Kirk, Miss M. Bannerman, Mrs J Pyper, Pat (S&L), Dr K Cameron, Ian (S&L Driver), Miss N. Wilson
25
Recently passed away -
June to August 2013
Mrs Annette Stuckey Argyll
Annette was with us at Cluny Lodge for over 6 years during which time we came to know not only Annette, but her husband Len as well - Len visited most days assisting Annette often with her meals. Annette was born and lived in North London all of her life apart from a few years as a boarder at Sidcot School in Somerset during WW2. On leaving school Annette’s first job was in a Newspaper Office in Fleet Street where she was involved in essential press and media for wartime distribution of war news - it was here that she met Len. Annette worked in various secretarial jobs in London over the years including 14 years as Secretary to an A & E Consultant at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield. Annette and Len had two children - Nicola and David - and as Nicola lived in Scotland, Annette and Len were regular visitors to Scotland for over 30 years before eventually moving north permanently. Annette loved travel and visited many countries which gave her the opportunity of meeting people and experiencing other cultures - antiques and gardening were also of great interest to Annette. Annette was a gentle lady who always had a smile for everyone, never complained and lived very true to her principles as a Quaker.
Mr James Crichton Balmoral
Jim was born in Edinburgh and went to Heriots where he enjoyed playing Rugby and after leaving, continued to play at Goldenacre for Heriots - a cartilage operation on his knee eventually stopped Jim from playing. Jim always enjoyed sport and kept up his sporting links - an Honary member of Bruntsfield Golf Club, a Life member of Goldenacre Rugby Club. Jim trained as a civil engineer and had a very interesting job as project engineer for the then newly formed Hydro Electric Board in 1945, working all over Scotland including Rothesay, Inverness and Cruachan near Oban. Jim and his wife Grace had two daughters - when Jim wasn’t working he enjoyed being with his family on walks, going to concerts, the cinema and the theatre - a family man first and foremost. A real DIY man, Jim could turn his hand to anything around the home which included cooking too and on retiring, Jim became interested in gardening - especially growing roses. Jim and Grace enjoyed travelling and over the years visited many countries - Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, America, Canada and Morocco. Over the three years Jim lived with us, we got to know a friendly, humble man who loved nothing better than to hear that you had visited one of the Hydro Schemes he had been involved in - Jim’s face would light up.
26
Mr John McPherson Argyll
In his own words “I had an interesting and exciting life” - John came to Cluny Lodge at the beginning of last year (2013) after living in Edinburgh for many years - born an only child John went to Inverness Royal Academy and would have liked to have gone on and studied Medicine but times and money prevented this. In 1939 when war was declared, John went into Forestry but 9 months later he joined the Royal Air Force and served as a wartime pathfinder navigator, one of the few Bomber Command aircrew to survive five years of continuous flying from 1941 to 1946. John was awarded the DFC (Distinguised Flying Cross) for his navigational skills, this was presented in 1943 by King George Vl at Buckingham Palace.
In 1946, John started his studies as a mature student at Edinburgh University, gaining 1st Class Honours MA and subsequently LLB with distinction after which he joined the University Administration and later on became Assistant Secretary but his main work for 30 years was as clerk to the University Court. In 1970 when the Commonwealth Games were in Edinburgh, John was chairman of the Village Committee, where he was the village commandant - John was awarded an MBE the following year for his services.
John met his wife Vera when they were at school together - they married in Inverness Cathedral during the war and went on to have a family of four children followed by five grandchildren and then eight great-grandchildren - all of which John was very proud. The John we came to know was a private man who was always happy to talk to staff when they visited him - on Lancaster Bombers, on Rugby, Racing, Snooker and when Zoolab came for a visit, John surprised everyone by coming along to the Conservatory and being happy to ‘talk’ to the tortoise, white rats and gecko as well as the snake - as he stroked them.
Mrs Kathleen Law Chamberlain
Mrs Kathleen Law came to live with us at Chamberlain in July last year - a very elegant, well read and well-travelled lady who had studied Law at St Andrews University, graduating with a first class honours degree. Kathleen was the first lady Solicitor to become a partner in a prestigious law firm in Edinburgh (Balfour & Manson) - an achievement that Kathleen was very proud of. During WW2, Kathleen served with the W.A.F repairing radios. A very friendly lady who always had a lovely smile, Kathleen enjoyed reading her newspaper and discussing what was happening - but above all - family, honesty and manners were values that she held high.
27
Miss Margaret Baptie Balmoral
Margaret was born in Edinburgh and went to Sciennes Primary School before going on to Boroughmuir High School, on leaving school Margaret studied Shorthand and Typing before moving down to London in the hope of becoming more outgoing as she knew she was a very shy girl. Margaret served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force - rising to the rank of Sergeant, before going on to work in Administration at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as well as secretarial work - Margaret also worked for a number of years as PA to the Finance Director at the Scotsman Newspaper.
A real character with a good sense of humour is how Margaret’s friends described her, someone who enjoyed travelling and would regale her friends with great stories - when Margaret moved to Cluny Lodge over four years ago, you would often find her reading a book - always an avid reader Margaret used to make daily visits to the local library when she lived in Marchmont. Margaret was very close to her only brother Andrew who she called ‘Baps’ - honesty, integrity and politeness were very important to Margaret.
To the families and friends of these Residents, we thank you for allowing us to be part of their lives. Our thoughts are also with our Residents and Staff Colleagues who have recently lost loved ones.
28
Outing to Edinburgh’s Reminiscence Centre
This did not seem to have a lot going for it. It was one of our very best hot summer afternoons and the Centre was a room in a building tucked away in a small back street in Leith. However the lady-in-charge gave us a great welcome and we were all installed in comfortable sofas and given tea and biscuits. We were shown some very interesting photos on screen, views of old Edinburgh and scenes of school days and family life in the 1920’s. The room was packed with memorabilia of every kind, which provoked much discussion and hilarity and gave us an insight into the previous lives of some of the audience.
Reminiscence is always pleasurable and fun and excellent for encouraging conversation, but also makes one realise the importance of the here and now and opportunities for the future. (Contributed by Mrs Anne Bryden, Chamberlain & Elder Echo Resident’s Committee Member)
Inside the Reminiscence Centre
Do you remember rooms like these?
29
Time for a Laugh
Art Appreciation Annie was a wee lassie who went to Paris on her first BIG visit to another country - this was a school trip in the early 50’s and the group were chosen from those who possibly wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity because of the struggle that many families had after the war. On the list of “Things to see in Paris” was the Louvre and the famous painting “The Mona Lisa” - hushed silence as the children gathered around to see this famous work of art and then Annie was heard to say: “Ma Maw widnae gie it hoose room” (a true story recalled by a school teacher on the trip, Miss Nancy Wilson, Resident Chamberlain)
The Nativity After reading and then singing about the Nativity, the children were then asked to write a story about it. One of the pupils asked the teacher how to spell ‘Wayne’ - “Why do you want to know that?” Heaving a big sigh, the boy said “You know you just told us - about Wayne in the manger”
Heaven Teacher “Tell me what you know about Heaven?” Child “It’s full of shoes Miss” Teacher “Oh really, why do you think that?” Child “It’s where all the soles go”
Collection In Church one morning when the plate was being passed around a small voice was heard “You don’t pay for me Daddy cause I’m not 5”
Sunday School A Sunday School teacher asked her class to take time and write a letter to God that afternoon when they got home and to bring it along next Sunday. One little boy wrote ‘Dear God, we had a good time at Church today. I wish you had been there’
30
L to R: Mrs Jane Thompson & Miss Grace Kirk making friends with the animals from Zoolab on a recent visit to Chamberlain.
Reminder
The Newsletter “The Elder Echo” has been going for some years now but remember - this is your Newsletter – Residents, Staff, Relatives & Friends. The Newsletter can only be as good as the news, information, comments etc that is contributed by everyone, so anything you would like to share with others or comment on, please pass on to a member of Staff who will make sure it gets to the Committee, or if a Resident would like to join others on the Newsletter Committee – they would be more than welcome.
The next issue of “The Elder Echo” will be in December, 2013 Newsletter Committee: Cluny Lodge Miss Kathleen McGovern (Argyll) ,Mrs Jo Samuel (Balmoral ), Mr Ted Ruddock (Argyll) Mrs Barbara Bell (Argyll) Dr Austin Gardiner (Argyll) Chamberlain Mrs Anne Bryden, Mrs Jean Pyper, Dr Kathleen Cameron, Dr Cunningham, Miss Nancy Wilson Molly Smith (Staff)
31