Unique in Dundee

“Your readers did well to recognise the area in a recent picture featuring the playpark,” says Ron Soutar. “I was diverted by not recognising the swings. I don’t remember them in that piece of ground which led all the way up to Upper Baffin Street.

“The building in the foreground was occupied by Matwin Printers. Soutar Bros had the premises behind a large sliding gate and the vehicle could well be mine. The firm was started in 1925 by my father, Jim Soutar, in Foundry Lane manufacturing fish and chip ranges, mainly for the Italian chip shops, but progressed to maintenance of farm machinery and then to steel structures.

“My father designed and built the crane referred to with the telescopic jib which was unique in Dundee and perhaps Scotland. It was hired out occasionally. I don’t remember the incident with the crane mentioned, but the flat part of Grove street had to be used sometimes as part of the premises. Nobody bothered!

“It may have been an early trial and I’m sure they would have been careful to make sure no one was at risk. Later, Civil Engineering took over and we moved to Emmock. The property in Grove Street (actually 142 Broughty Ferry Road) was compulsorily purchased for the housing development around 1974.

“Coincidentally, ‘Cossy’, one of the Cosgrove family, occupied the business premises close by at the top of Market Street and was a frequent visitor.”