   
MEMORY LANEThe PROL team received this email a few weeks ago........ 'I was born and brought up in Leith 72 yrs ago. Although I now live in Sutherland, Leith will always be home to me. I had a great childhood in Leith , and went to Dr Bell's primary and David Kilpatrick's secondary schools. It is a great pity that Leith ever joined Edinburgh . I never, ever say I belong to Edinburgh . IT IS ALWAYS LEITH . I remember the Kirkgate being one long street, with cute little shops and I loved, as a child, going in and out those shops with my mother. I lived in Kirk Street , and remember during the war when the landmine fell in Largo Place at Ferry Road . Our windows were all blown in, and my brother's pal was killed in that raid. That was a terrible night. I can remember the planes trying to bomb the docks and the railway, but as children we didn't realise the danger. We just had a great time, playing in the street, and getting on with our lives. The Leith motto was printed on all the lampposts, and the Leith spirit flourished. Leith will always be dear to my heart. If anyone wishes to go down memory lane with me, I would be thrilled to hear from you. Best wishes' Anyone fancy a wee gab? If you want to walk down memory lane or have an interesting story to share let us know by emailing enquiries@peoplesrepublicofleith.com and we will pass on your details. A ROYAL NON-COMMISIONED PAINTINGKing Edward the VII, acceded to the throne on the death of his mother Queen Victoria. He didn’t become King until he was 59 and until then had devoted himself to a life of pleasure. Despite a Danish wife and half a dozen weans Bertie (as he was known to his family) had a veritable harem of mistresses (allegedly). Despite this, and probably due to his popularity as King, with the nation, if not his wife, the royal playboy’s statue stands in Victoria Park. There are two narrow ledges around the statue and here my friends and I used to play for hours underneath the austere looking man. And so the statue stood year after year, unsullied except for the pigeons, until another hedonist, Kenny Blake (the Leith Jambo and, it should be said, the first boy this writer ever kissed) had a good idea. He and a few pals would paint it. After standing back to admire their handiwork, Kenny and his mates walked away over Victoria Park leaving one pal to administer the final brushstrokes. And he was caught literally red-handed by the polis. Seeing their pal apprehended by the boys in blue, I would like to report that Kenny and co did the honourable thing and came to the defence of their friend, but no, they legged it down the old railway line and ended up on Ferry Road. Here, in Kenny’s words: “we almost walked into the same police coming round the corner with their captive.” They dived into the nearest tenement and shot up to the first floor. And yes, they had chosen the very same tenement the police were taking the boy home to. They moved up the stairs hoping he didn’t live on the top floor. Luckily the boy lived on the second top floor, so the fugitives spent some time on the top floor until the police left. They congratulated themselves on evading the long arm of the law. But not for long. The boy shopped them all anyway. Kenny thinks they were fined £10 each for desecrating Bertie. Further more, and I well remember a crowd of us going along to witness this gala event, several of the embarrassed parents ensured Kenny and his mates gave Bertie a good going over with the soapy water and sponge, and as Kenny says; “It was better after we finished than before we wrote all over it.” by Fiona MacaulayABERFELDYAberfeldy formed in 2002 and named after lead singer Riley Briggs’s favorite childhood holiday destination. Riley spent years playing regularly in Edinburgh folk venues such as The Royal Oak. Through this he met and joined up with the other band members, Sarah McFadyen (fiddle/vocals), Ian Stoddart (drums), Ken McIntosh (bass). From touring and Radio airplay the band picked up a lot of interest, until Geoff Travis of Rough Trade heard early demos and flew up to Scotland to hear them and signed them on the spot. Their cutsey folk pop of their debut album ‘Young Forever (August 2004)’ enchanted many a listener, the NME gave it 9/10. Their first proper single “Heliopolis By Night” was single of the week. Rileys cynical offbeat lyrics and guitar works tremendously well with girl harmonies, xylophones and plucked strings. 2004 came to a climatic ending for them playing the biggest Hogmanay Party in the world in Princes Street supporting Blondie and Scissor Sisters. They have apparently spent the summer working on their follow up album. Releases to date "Vegetarian Restaurant" 7”promo single June 2004 "Heliopolis By Nigh"t Single Sept2004 "Young Forever" Album Sept 2004 "Love Is An Arrow" Single February 2005     |
