The People's Journal

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Bob Jefferson
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The People's Journal

Post by Bob Jefferson » 07 Feb 2009, 22:42

Anyone remember this publication from the D C Thomson stable? It started out back in 1858 and enjoyed great success for some considerable time. In latter years it headed steadily downmarket before folding in 1990.

I was recently shown an issue of the Edinburgh and Southern Counties edition from August 1963, which featured Portobello. The set of 15 photographs and accompanying text feature in the latest addition to the Gallery section at Portobello Online.

You can view the gallery at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=49

You may well recognise some of the people in the photos, perhaps even yourself.

With many thanks to Izzie, who is the girl furthest to the left of the stage in this photo.

Image


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Bob Jefferson
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Post by Bob Jefferson » 07 Feb 2009, 23:00

No, but you win a prize if you can spot Sean Connery.

Two of the captions don't have photos and are instead reproduced below:
Bella McNab is the cheery wee body who takes the spectators’ money at the entrance. She took the job “just to get me out in the air during the summer,” but is already wishing it could go on all year round.

“It’s a marvellous job,” she said. “I meet new people every day, and I’m always making friends.

“I’ve got to watch out for kiddies,” Bella told me, “the fly wee devils climb up over the turnstiles and rush past.

“I’m very suspicious of the exit turnstile,” she went on. “The first day I was here I got stuck going through.

“I had to wait till my relief came up before I could get free. And there was a queue waiting behind me to get out!”
Jimmy Thomson, 1 Brand Gardens, Portobello, is the chief engineer. It’s his job to keep all the plant running smoothly.

“Sometimes if there is a breakdown, special parts are rushed from the makers to get the pool back into action in the shortest time possible.”

Jimmy told me something about the wave-making machine. It needs a 150 horse-power machine to power it, and it costs about 15s an hour to run.

Jimmy likes the friendliness amongst the staff.

“Have you noticed that all the lady attendants are wearing copper rings?” he asked.

“It was like this. I made myself a ring from some scrap copper in my workshop. The ladies admired it and I got no peace until I had made them one each.

“I’ve made so many of them I’m thinking of going into business,” he laughed.

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Izzie
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Post by Izzie » 08 Feb 2009, 08:49


BeachBum
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Post by BeachBum » 08 Feb 2009, 10:00

Izzie wrote: There is only one Wally here :evil: :evil:
Who is that then? Name & shame.

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magbagpuss
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Post by magbagpuss » 08 Feb 2009, 10:26

Bob , one of your best , I remember the pool like that and am sure I was at the party in the park . Although I hasten to add I was just a wean !!!! :roll:
whatever, am i bovvered

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