The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 28. Daisy and Doris: Having a blether about Leith.
Release Date: 11/25/2024
The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 38. Nancy's stories: From Abbeyhill to Dublin and London.
The Seagrove Sessions
In the episode we spend some time exploring Abbeyhill in the 1950's and 60s. The shops, businesses, picture houses and school. Nancy tells us of her teenage travelling- to London and Dublin. Dancing up town. School days and her early jobs. Her early married life in a room and kitchen in Leith and her eventual move to Portobello. For information about the work of NEDC's Seagrove Centre go to : Photos: Lost Edinburgh and NEN.
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The Seagrove Sessions:Episode 37. Allen's stories: From watching trams to delivery boy.
The Seagrove Sessions
Allen was brought up in the Parson's Green area of Edinburgh. His childhood memories include his many escapes from his parent's garden, at the age of six, to watch the trams at Northfield Broadway. His many delivery jobs, before and after school- milk, rolls and papers. An abortive attempt to become a car mechanic and his eventual job at a printers. Part two will follow!
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 36. Nessie's stories: From Gas mantles to single ends
The Seagrove Sessions
Nessie paints a vivid picture of her childhood in Leith. Starting off in Tollbooth Wynd, at the bottom of Kirkgate, in a single end. At the age of four the family had moved to Burns Street. She tells us all about life at home, of gas light, out side toilets. Her father being away at war, in Burma. The great sense of community but also how family life wasn't always the easiest. It's another evocative step back to bygone Leith.
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 35. Shelagh's stories from Pitt Street Edinburgh to engineer at Ferranti
The Seagrove Sessions
Shelagh was born and brought up in Pitt Street, Edinburgh, which is now the north part of Dundas Street. It was an area ful of tenements, shops and industry. We hear about Nan McKenzies's grocer shop, watching the dancing at the Ross bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. The dangers of jiving at the Palais, when your partner forgets to warn you he's about to hurl you over his shoulder. Her time at Ferranti as an engineer. It an episode full of laughter. For information about The Seagrove Centre go to: or on facebook find us at NEDC The Seagrove Centre.
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 34. Anna's stories: Tales from Edinburgh in the 1960s and 70s.
The Seagrove Sessions
Anna was partially named after the officer her father served as a batman to in WW2. We hear about the shell shock her father suffered from, her early marriage after a holiday romance. Her short term jobs and her love of dancing. Its a great snap shot of growing up as a young adult in the 1960s. For more information about the work of North Edinburgh Demetia Care go to or follow us on facebook- NEDC, Seagrove Centre.
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 33. Raymond's stories: Monkey dung to Big Daddy!
The Seagrove Sessions
It's Raymond in this episode of The Seagrove Sessions. From early life in St James's Square, living on the 5th floor in an attic room with a shared toilet, to the luxury of moving to a new house in Niddrie. We hear all about his long career as a time served plumber and exactly what the lethal concoction 'monkey dung' was. His long hobby of wrestling. Success at the British wrestling championship and the strange sight of Big Daddy emerging from a mini car. Enjoy and please remember to share. For more information about the work of the Seagrove Centre go to: or follow us on facebook:...
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 32. Agnes- District Nurse and Midwife in Galloway.
The Seagrove Sessions
Agnes was brought up on a farm near to Whithorn Abbey in Galloway. She trained as a carer, nurse, then midwife and worked largely in the community in Wigtownshire. She tells us of her happy childhood in the countryside and how she would relax, singing with her sisters. Tales from the south west of Scotland. (Please be aware that the interview does contain reference to stillborn pregancy.)
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 31. More Liverpool tales from Kathleen.
The Seagrove Sessions
This time round Kathleen tells us about going across the water- the river Mersey- to go swimming in an open air pool and dancing at the Palais de Danse, to The Beatles! We hear about going to the pictures, playing rounders in the street and a house heated by coal fires. All in Kathleen's wonderful Liverpool accent.
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the Seagrove Sessions: Episode 30. Hermine- a journey from Austria to Scotland.
The Seagrove Sessions
Hermine left her village in Austria aged 17 and moved to London. Quite a change of scene. She worked in central London as a hairdresser, commuting every day from Surrey. After two years she moved to Scotland, where she studied at Newbattle Abbey College and then Edinburgh University. She spent seven years working at Cranston Street Women's homeless hostel. A fascinating life journey.
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The Seagrove Sessions: Episode 29. Tommy's sea going tales and a grim tale of lobster eggs!
The Seagrove Sessions
Tommy tells us some tales from his working life. Its a varied one. From carer to delivering confectionary around the UK, to a life on the ocean waves. Its certainly a grim reminder of how dangerous sea faring and the dockyards can be. As for those lobster eggs- Yeuk!!
info_outlineTwo great storytellers in conversation about Leith- Daisy and Doris. Memories of a time not that long ago but now such tales offer us glimpse into a very different world. Going to the washhouse, wandering down streets no longer there, visiting shops long gone. As always what makes these memories so evocative and important is they are about everyday life.