Waterside Miners Welfare & Social Club: Archives & Memories
3. 1962 – Extracts Selected from Minutes of Committee Meetings
(Committee members included A. Buchanan, R. Beattie, W. Nicol, J. Brownisky, J. McDermot, W. Wright, A. West, R. Smart, T. McLuckie, E. Stirling, J. Bowie, A. Hyndman.)
1962 – Yes, I remember then! Matt Wilson, Age 11½
1962 was a hectic time for us in Waterside. Here’s an extract from my diary, describing a typical week, involving the Waterside Club Hall.
Sunday
I went to the Sunday School in the afternoon, taken by Mr Jim Kirk and Mr Bobby Beverage. We sang a new song, 'There’s A River Flowing Deep and Wide, Hallelujah!'
Collection money: one shilling.
Monday
I went to the Life Boys (Sure and Steadfast) in the evening.
We had marching to the piano, played by Miss Stevenson (she’s nice).
Shouted at by Mr Ian Little and Mr Archie Smith.
Collection Money: one shilling.
Tuesday
I went to the Snooker Hall with Campbell Renshaw. We play billiards because snooker is too hard to count. We are watched over by Mr Jim Hunter, who gives us tips.
Cost for one hour : one shilling.
Rest of Week
A write-off – skint.
To hear two of Matt's songs on YouTube, click on the links below:
The Waterside Bing
Waterside Down By The Luggie
I went to the Sunday School in the afternoon, taken by Mr Jim Kirk and Mr Bobby Beverage. We sang a new song, 'There’s A River Flowing Deep and Wide, Hallelujah!'
Collection money: one shilling.
Monday
I went to the Life Boys (Sure and Steadfast) in the evening.
We had marching to the piano, played by Miss Stevenson (she’s nice).
Shouted at by Mr Ian Little and Mr Archie Smith.
Collection Money: one shilling.
Tuesday
I went to the Snooker Hall with Campbell Renshaw. We play billiards because snooker is too hard to count. We are watched over by Mr Jim Hunter, who gives us tips.
Cost for one hour : one shilling.
Rest of Week
A write-off – skint.
To hear two of Matt's songs on YouTube, click on the links below:
The Waterside Bing
Waterside Down By The Luggie
Mining Tales
The Wee Pit Moose
Wm. Surgeon, Waterside
Wee cunnin’ thief I’ve gript ye noo
Nibblin’ my piece an' napkin thro’
An certies, but I’ll punish you
This nicht for that.
Straicht hame I will tak you to
Thy foe the Cat.
Wi thee did I fairly deal
I’ve geid ye share o’ ilk a meal
But noo tae think that ye wad steal
An’ napkins tear
Angry as the Deil
Ye mak me swear.
Ah, fear beats fast within thy breast
Dinnae heed me pair wee beast,
I wadnae hurt ye I the least
Nor cruel be.
Ye’re welcome aye tae hae a feast
Alang wi’ me.
Here in this dark an’ dismal Mine
Whaur we can hae nae bricht sunshine
The Miner's he’rts baith leal an’ kin’
Tho’ he seems croose
My hin’ maist bite I’d share it syne
Wi thee puir Moose.
Nibblin’ my piece an' napkin thro’
An certies, but I’ll punish you
This nicht for that.
Straicht hame I will tak you to
Thy foe the Cat.
Wi thee did I fairly deal
I’ve geid ye share o’ ilk a meal
But noo tae think that ye wad steal
An’ napkins tear
Angry as the Deil
Ye mak me swear.
Ah, fear beats fast within thy breast
Dinnae heed me pair wee beast,
I wadnae hurt ye I the least
Nor cruel be.
Ye’re welcome aye tae hae a feast
Alang wi’ me.
Here in this dark an’ dismal Mine
Whaur we can hae nae bricht sunshine
The Miner's he’rts baith leal an’ kin’
Tho’ he seems croose
My hin’ maist bite I’d share it syne
Wi thee puir Moose.
Answer to the photo identification puzzle from Chapter 2: members of the Buchanan family.
Next up: Part 4 – the year 1963 – the new club takes shape
Edward Z. Smith
2018
2018