Nice to get a response from young Kaitlyn's ma up there in Kirkwall, poor wee soul has really landed in hot water as Mum will now have her in the sink every night - there was me thinking I was doing her a favour.
Last night I was heading off to the Installation at Lodge No 151 Defensive band, so all dressed up and snapped before leaving by the "Chief of Staff".
Into town with Sparky Mark to the Edinburgh Masonic Club, where we were met by the Tyler in his traditional costume which dates back to the formation of the original Defensive Band who were formed to protect the City from John Paul Jones and the American pirateers. He is probably the only Tyler in existence who holds a musket at his outside post.
The installation was very good with Derrik Mills and Dougie Sneddon in brilliant form - well worth watching - a lot of time and effort put in by both of them.
Afterwards I had a chat to Thomas Hamilton King , a "bowtow" - the name given to those who were born in the original fishing port at Newhaven, by Edinburgh . I say this as Newhaven is now an integral part of the city on the shore of the River Forth, but which was once a thriving fishing port and also renound for the building of the old Scottish wooden warships. The Michael, or Great Michael, commissioned by King James and launched in 1512 as the biggest ever warship, twice the size of the Mary Rose.
The King family going back to Great Grandfather were all fishing folks or merchant seamen, but when Tommy's father met his mother who came from Leith - just a mile along the foreshore, he was totally cut off by the rest of the family, links which still remain severed. His wife worked in the ropery - rope works at Leith which I have seen pictures of. The father, who came from a wealthy family suffered badly during the great depression, and with no family support was reduced to selling matches and bootlaces.
Our Tommy, now mainly confined to a wheel chair, was a past master of no 151, BUT - was also a professional footballer being the goalkeeper for Hibernian and several other teams during his youth.
It is facination just who you meet and what you can learn out the blue.
No comments:
Post a Comment