B R O U G H T Y   M E M O R I E S

Please use the new message board to post your memories about Broughty Ferry
 

GRAHAM L HEGGIE, DUNDEE, SOUPERHEGGIE@BTINTERNET.COM

Hi  I was born 1945 in King Street I have an elder brother George and a younger sister Sheila  both our grandparents lived in the ferry my grandfather George Heggie was a baker with Goodfellows  my grandfather George Black was a motor mechanic /taxi driver with  Simpsons taxis (offic beside the station  then at Beach Crescent (the big red house on the corner of St Vincent Street ) we moved to Fintry in 1953 but spent long good summers with my granny black  started my time as baker in J R Ingrams in grey street  like an earlier writer said Ferry folk seem to have travelled the world  I have a brother in Queensland and others seem to just travel.

Graham L Heggie

bill morrison, kirriemuir, billmono@hotmail.com

does anyone remember the old wartime mine at the harbour?

i seem to remember it was used for a collection for the lifeboat?

would be wonderful to have a picture of it and also the old wooden ladder at the beach at the castle, i think it was used for lifeguards?

Graeme Stevens, Berlin, Germany, graemejstevens@hotmail.com

The Ferry has been part of my life since the first days I can remember. Always coming and going and staying and leaving. The friendliest place on earth, that's the Ferry. I would like to take the opportunity of using this message to create a lasting memory of my great Uncle Andrew Robertson who died last week (December 2006). A great man who is an example of the ferry at its best.

Vicky Grazebrook, S Buckinghamshire formerly St Andrews, vicky@grzbrk.demon.co.uk

Dear Sirs,

Broughty Ferry Lifeboat Disaster

At this anniversary of the Broughty Ferry lifeboat disaster here is my experience that you may know these men have not been forgotten.  I knew no-one on that boat but the disaster affected my thoughts deeply.

Then a St Andrews student aged nineteen I had always loved storms.  That night, thrilled by the storm, a friend and I battled our way to the end of the pier.  The darkness was scary and fun, exciting stormy wind blew my hair, waves crashed against the pier with vibrant dramatic sound.  We were already soaked by rain and spray when a huge wave leapt higher than the rest sending us running back laughing with the wind.  We were young and wild and exhilarated. I went back to my woman’s residence (Mackintosh hall) excited and energised by the force of the night.

The next morning as I hurriedly dressed for lectures the radio was on. I stopped in my tracks.  “Lost with all hands”.  “The Broughty Ferry Lifeboat”.  So near.  Those brave men trying to save others while I had been laughing and loving life.  

Wind and storms still exhilarate me but since the 8th December 1959 my thoughts turn to these men each time and I wonder if today’s storm is harming someone somewhere.  Your men have not been forgotten.

Yours sincerely, Vicky Grazebrook

Kathleen Downs Scharton, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA, kscharton@cox.net

I grew up in Broughty Ferry in the 1950's and early 60's after which my family emigrated to St. Petersburg, Florida (1963).  My mother's name was Beatrice McCormick Roy (married name Downs).  I have "so many" fond memories of Broughty Ferry from playing at the park and beach in the summer, to walking down to the fish and chip shop on Friday evenings with my sister to pick up those delicious, newspaper wrapped bags, of steamy fish and chips for the family's evening meal.  I attended Grove Academy and my mother worked at the limb fitting center as a nurse.  I'd love to hear from those of you who may have known my mother and our family.

Lynne Baker (nee Webster) , Stockport, lynne.baker50@ntlworld.com

Have enjoyed visiting your web site.  Fone memories of the Ferry.  I went to Grove Academy from 1975-1979 and moved dowm south in 1986.  Would be nice to hear from anyone who knows me.  My father Craig Webster still lives in the Ferry.

Sonja Nic Rafferty Germany,

I am not famous like the poet Mc Gonnagol but I have written a poem about Broughty Ferry, too. Being a German school teacher I was a guest at Grove Academy twice (in 1998 and 2000)I have published this poem in a German internet poetry corner (penname: Sonja Nic Rafferty)

Thankyou. Your poem is in the miscellaneous section.

mary gibb, south yorkshire, mary.gibb2@btinternet.com

i was born in Aberdeen in 1958 my parents moved to church st broughtyferry.in my grandads old house.spent my last two school years at the grove.my mums maiden name was scott.I moved to south yorkshire in 1960, lived their ever since.i still come back to visit the ferry.visiting this page brings back happy memorys. 

 16/5/01, brian.hutch@bigpond.com

Re: Heather Hoare,  I'm an ex ferryite living in Perth western AUSTRALIA.i know your cousin Norrie gall,I can put you in touch with him via my contacts in the ferry ,no problem, regards, Brian Hutcheson. e mail brian.hutch@bigpond.comau

Neil donald, 23/07/01, brian.hutch@bigpond.com

message for neil donald.are you bruce donalds brother?..if so i rember you,i was in the same year as bruce at the grove,i now live in perth western australia,i was mates with norrie gall and norrie paton,can you e-mail me info on my old flatmate and pal dode smith..regards,brian hutcheson a.k.a hutchie..

Rodger Davidson, Salisbury East South Australia, rodger.davidson@dhs.sa.gov.au

Hi. I was given your Home Page Address by my daughter and I would like to say it's great. I was born in Dundee and lived in Broughty Ferry until I was six years old when our Family moved to Australia in 1954,I have never been back but I do have cousins who live there Peter, Alan & Brian Smith, I hope they read this and E-mail me.

Brenda Matthews, England, siscobe@hotmail.com

looking for a Thomasina Downy Davidson... believed she lived in Broughty Ferry.. She would have been born in 1930

michael arthur gall, chelsea london, weefatmike@aol.com

I was born in Burnbank Nursing Home in West Ferry in the summer of 1949 and brought up in Broughty Ferry attending both Eastern Primary and Grove Academy.I then went on to  study at Dundee Art College, before moving south to London. I then moved again to New York where I continued to paint. While at Dundee Art School I  had been lucky enough to meet a very talented and good looking artist, Joyce MacDonald. We are still together after 33years and have three fine sons,Digby MacDonald Gall,Sean MacDonald Gall,and Kyle MacDonald Gall. All my family have left the ferry now, My father, Arthur Simpson Meredith Gall has been dead for 23 years now and I still miss him so much. My mother,Isobel Gall, lives in Edinburgh now with my wee brother Alistair Gall.They live near to my sister Eleanor Brown. My memories of the ferry are so many,that it is difficult to know where to start,so here goes. I remember Johnny Galls garage in Fort street opposite our house at 47, great for steel marbles and lots of interesting parts of old rusty metal. My grannie and grandad Gall lived at 45 Fort street next door. Grandad had a workshop at St, Aidens Church on the Long Lane at the corner of St.Vincent street.Dr.Chalmers house at the corner of Long Lane and Fort street where we played with  all the Chalmers children .Hugh Tully had the Eagle pub on the corner of King street and Fort street and Jimmy Forbes had the greengrocers on the opposite corner. My grandfather came to live with us at 47  when my grannie died,her name was Nora Simpson and she was always so kind to me. I remember Davie James the bookies in Fort street where my grandfather put on  his  bets on the horses when he retired.Tom Petrie lived upstairs,at 143 King street in what became Sandy Neaves house later on,  and Mr.Petrie did the garden and it was so beautiful to me and thinking back  it is still paradise to me.Well I guess  its the same for us all , when we think back on these times in the past a warm rosy feeling envelopes us. Yes for me the ferry is truely a magical place and the best place to have a wonderful childhood. Just recently I have started to paint Broughty Ferry from my memory. I guess it's like the song "don't cry for me Broughty Ferry,the truth is I never left you..." Well I could ramble on and on about the ferry but that is enough for tonight..anybody who wants to contact me will make an old beachie very happy Xxx

sheila hart, gloucestershire, sheila.hart@publicom.biz

Any suggestions for a venue for a small private party for my mum's 80th birthday. She's in Balcarres residential home in the Ferry and is a bit frail, so a pub may be too much for her, but I think would welcome some pampering and perhaps sea views. We're talking 6-10 people for a meal, maybe with musical entertainment. I'm a lapsed dundonian, well out of touch, so would welcome any help you can give. The birthday's June 7!! Many thanks in anticipation

PAUL COOK, DUBLIN,

GREAT TO SEE PICTURES OF BROUGHTY FERRY. I HAVEN'T BEEN THERE FOR SO LONG. I USED TO LIVE ON TAY STREET AND WAS A PAST PUPIL OF EASTERN PRIMARY SCHOOL.I WENT THEN TO MONIFIETH HIGH UNTIL I LEFT IN 1984. IF ANY ONE REMENBERS  MY NAME DROP ME LINE

rebecca white, oxford, rebecca.white@univ.ox.ac.uk

lovely pictures - i miss home! would be great to have some more on the site though. thanks

Jim Davie, Southampton, jim@lautrec.fslife.co.uk

1) Could you tell me how often the site is updated?

Every couple of months

2)  Would it be possible to put the date of   the last on the home page?

It should be on the main home page.

Thank you for publishing such a great site. I am Broughty born and bred and enjoy the site immensly.

Hermione Cameron, London, hermione@hermionecameron.freeserve.co.uk

Hi There! I have just listed a great atmospheric postcard on ebay.co.uk. I was looking for some background and found your site! Perhaps it would interest visitors to your site who know of a Mr and Mrs Strachan who moved to Holborn in London around 1905. (Who knows!) It is written from 'your mother' and mentions Willie, Alec and Tom. I hope this is useful. All the best, hkc67 on ebay

MRS ROSALYN BARCLAY, GLASGOW,SCOTLAND, rosmbarclay@tiscali.co.uk

I`m trying to find out about Reres Lodge as one of my relatives worked there in 1900`s. His name was David Thom.Thanks for any help.                   

David Greig, California, USA, dagreig@earthlink.net

I am looking for information about my grandfather, Charles Alber Greig born in yur city on  05/26/1881. Hopefully his parents names. Can you point me to a knowledgeable source?

sam engelstad, Boston, USA, sengelstad@partners.org

My Norwegian uncle, Jens Arentz, with his navigator, LAC Korsness, crashed their Mosquito aircraft into the sea about 1 mile south west of Buddon Ness on April 30, 1944.  Only a wheel and fuel tank were recovered.  I might like to visit some day.  Any information on what the area around the crash site is like?  The aircraft belonged to the 333 Squadron (then RAF, later incorporated into the newly established Norwegian Air Force) out of Leuhars. SE

Tricia, Ayrsire, hfleming@hfleming.plus.com

Visited Broughty Ferry many years ago as a child when my granny lived in Dundee.  Just wondering if the childrens dogems and outdoor track and outdoor pool are still at the beach.  Have thought about visiting the area with my daughter and wondered if they were still there?

Pat Holden, Spain, h.brian @terra.es

 I remember visting Broughty Ferry with my parents Norman and Mary Ross at the end of the war and we stayed at a house called Craigie or Craig y Gowan could anyone please tell me who owned this house and lived there at that time. Thank you.

Billy Balham, Broughty Ferry,

Sorry to be a pedant, but my Eastern Primary School teacher, Mrs King, would have had a fit at the use of apostrophes in your home page.  Plurals do not have an apostrophe.  An apostrophe means a letter is missing, so it should be; "It's the essential guide", and "Its cafes".

Yes, yes. yes. You are correct and have every right to be pedantic. Unfortunately, I am strapped for time when I update web pages so I just do it the best I can in the time available. I am sure there are plenty of typos and grammatical errors on the website but, as long as I get the essence of Broughty Ferry on the web site, I am happy. Thanks for your email..

Ian Collins, Perth WA Australia, icollins612002@yahho.com.au

I am a ex Broughty Ferry, away back in 1944/1969. I havent seen anything of Broughty Ferry for over 26 years. I attended Grove Accademy before I went to Boarding School. If their is any 0ne who is from Broughty Ferry who would like to correspond with me. I am hoping to see B/F in 2 years time.

karen belford, new york, usa, klbel65@aol.com

Greetings from New York! This may sound like an unusal request but I am going to give it a go anyway.  I will be traveling to the Ferry in October with my two brothers, sister in law and my 4 yr old niece. I have been on the net and cannot locate any self catering services in the Ferry. Would you know of any place that I could email ?  We are coming over to celebrate my Gran's 90th birthday.  We have another reason for coming, May 3rd of this year my father passed away and we want to bring his ashes back home. Dad was born in Dundee. Saying that, I am also trying to locate two of his childhood friends. Grant Anderson and Kenny Fairbrother. I think Grant lives on Tweed St in Dundee but I have no idea where Kenny lives, last time I saw him he was living in Canada, but my Mum told me he is back in Scotland. Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Regards,

Karen Belford, Chestnut Ride, New York

Ian Collins, Perth Australia, icollins612002@yahoo.com.au

I am an ex resident of Broughty Ferry. I have just discovered this web site. I havent seen B/Fsince 1977. I am hoping to visit Broughty Ferry when I come over in 2006. If their is any one that still remains in Broughty Ferry they can contact me on the above e-mail address. I do like your web site very much.  Yours Sincerely, Ian

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If you have a memory about Broughty Ferry, whether 80 years ago or just last week, please share it with all of us. It might be eating a Visocchi's cone on a hot Saturday or walking the dog on rainy Sunday on the beach. Perhaps its old school teachers or new friends met on holiday.

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