Loftus Hall?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 May 2009, 08:40

I was contacted recently by someone who emigrated from Portobello in 1957 and now resides in Arizona. She is looking for information about Loftus Hall in Portobello, which she thinks was somewhere around Marlborough Street or Bellfield Lane. Dance classes were held there on a Saturday morning with Miss Cranston and it may have had other community uses.

Can anyone help?

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 11 May 2009, 09:52

Bob Jefferson wrote:I was contacted recently by someone who emigrated from Portobello in 1957 and now resides in Arizona. She is looking for information about Loftus Hall in Portobello, which she thinks was somewhere around Marlborough Street or Bellfield Lane. Dance classes were held there on a Saturday morning with Miss Cranston and it may have had other community uses.

Can anyone help?

I'm not at work today (RoS), but I'll have a quick rummage tomorrow and see if the Sasine Register holds any clues. On my official lunch break, of course!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 May 2009, 10:19

Thanks. In the meantime I've been out for a walk and found it! It's currently the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Marlborough Street, next to the United Reformed Church (which is up for sale btw). A neighbour was able to give me some more information. It was indeed at one time known as Loftus Hall and may have been a school originally, connected with the church. It was briefly a Railwaymen's Club before they moved to Bath Street before being bought by the JW.

Any further info gratefully received.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 11 May 2009, 10:30

What a treasure trove of information! Well done, Bob.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 11 May 2009, 17:16

And mind that Marlborough Street used to be Wellington Streeet

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 11 May 2009, 18:43

SoupDragon wrote:And mind that Marlborough Street used to be Wellington Streeet

Thanks for the heads up!

Any idea why the cahnge of name?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 May 2009, 19:55

Duplication with street names in Edinburgh. Same reason Hope Street changed to Rosefield Street.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 12 May 2009, 10:28

Yup Bellfield St was Melville St when I was growing up
Pittville St- Pitt St
Figgate St -Tower St

There may be a few others that i can't bring to mind at present

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 12 May 2009, 10:41

There used to be a Hope Street in Leith as well around the corner from Union St ( now Casselbank St and Kirk St )
There must be quite a few places that ended up being renumbered also

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 16 May 2009, 15:33

I don't remember a Loftus Hall maybe it was before my time. I'm sure I would remember it as my maiden name is Loftus.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 18 May 2009, 09:49

Black Mamba wrote:I don't remember a Loftus Hall maybe it was before my time. I'm sure I would remember it as my maiden name is Loftus.

I've never heard that surname before BM. Seems too much of a coincidence that you came from Portobello and there was once also a Loftus Hall - there must surely be a connection. Maybe you're descended from Portobello blue blood and we'll have to curtsey the next time you come to visit ?

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 18 May 2009, 10:26

My folks were all portobello and Joppa.
I was brought up at Hilltown but was never away from Porty and Joppa. It always feels like coming home when I manage through.
I still have a cousin in Porty. There's not much family left now apart from myself my sister and two cousins.

I'll remember about the curtsy if I see any of you next time I'm through though

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 18 May 2009, 10:51

Complete tangent BM, but just had a look at your flickr pics. Homer would love all that cycle porn. I thought it was just him who got excited by chrome - his latest bike is even called a Kona Sutra!!

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 18 May 2009, 11:06

I'm a right bike nut Marya. I'm glued to the Giro on Eurosport every day (rest day today, no racing). I never miss the Tour de France. We're all pretty keen in this house. Like the sound of Homers bike. I'd like to see a photo. Cool name too

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 18 May 2009, 11:16

I'm sure he'll be delighted if I take a photo of his true love!
You weren't one of those roadie nutters, who did the recent Bealach Na Ba challenge were you BM? Homer did it for 'fun' and combined it with my other pet hate, camping. Add in hailshowers and the whole package is more akin to my idea of hell. Needless to say, I gave it a miss....

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 18 May 2009, 12:27

No I'm not up for that kind of punishment. I did get caught in hail on Saturday though. I was soaked right through

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Loftus Hall?

Loftus Hall?

Re: Loftus Hall?