in bedrooms, bathrooms were added, there was piped water and sanitation

and also street lighting which was a joy after the black—out of war time. In

addition streets were improved and resurfaced with pavements on which to

walk.

‘In 1923 there were two pubs in the village, a policeman, a district nurse,

together with a post office and two churches. Mr. Patrick, shoe repairer was

in the main street where Mr. Verner now lives. Mr. Lumsden, who lost a leg

in the 1914-18 war and became caretaker ofthe Men’s Club, also mended

shoes. Maggie Malcolm’s (now Margate) sold sweets, biscuits, lemonade, etc.

Henry Laing’s shop sold groceries, soap, paraffin etc. Jessie Wilson ran the

post office and also sold haberdashery, writing paper postcards, etc. (where

Mrs.Hacking now lives). Mrs. Craig at the top where Mr.Polompo now lives sold

newspapers and groceries; we had our “Courier” delivered every morning as

we do nowadays. Where the new houses on Sunnyside are below the

Lemonade Works (now used by J. and D. Walker Bros.), Willie Young butcher,

came round with his van. Mr. Arkle ran a market garden and came round with

a horse and cart selling fruit and vegetables; he also sold coal and would collect

goods which came by rail to Guardbridge Station. William Niven & Sons

moved their butchers’ shop (Marina Cottage) to Church Street, St. Andrews

in 1923, but continued to use their slaughter house, where Mrs. Weir Breen

now lives, for many years. Mr. Sweeney had a tailor’s shop in Upper Main

Street where the late Mr. and Mrs. Cockburn lived.

‘Taylors’ Nurseries were well known for their plant, seeds, tomatoes, bridal

bouquets, wreaths etc. It was a family business run by the late Mr. Robert

Taylor and his sons — latterly by his grandson.

‘One could hear the anvil ringing early in the morning from the village

smiddy as Mr. Cunningham, the blacksmith, prepared the shoes for the work

horses from the surrounding farms. Mr. J. Walker who was an expert in

wrought iron work then took over and there are some beautiful examples of his

work still to be seen in the village today.

‘Andrew Thom & Sons had a family joiners business on the site of the

garden where Sir J. McPetrie now lives. His workshop was previously the Old

Free Kirk in which hand made coffins were produced. All the joiners trained

by Andrew Thom were excellent craftsmen.

‘The primary School was staffed by a Headmaster who lived in the School-

house assisted by three lady teachers. There were also travelling music, art,

and gym teachers. Evening classes, which included dressmaking, were popular

and were taken by Mrs. Stobie, the Headmaster’s wife.

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