Wartime events

“Bearing in mind that Britain was very much at war, the forward-looking Corporation of Dundee produced a programme of holiday events for the period Saturday July 1-8 1944,” emails Donald Abbott of Invergowrie. “Included were concerts with a list of artistes at Baxter Park and Broughty Ferry Sands with seats costing 3d.

“A Children and Youth Sports Programme at Tannadice Park was included with entertainment by the Dundee Police Pipe Band and the military band of the Gordon Highlanders. There was also a childrens’ sand building competition at Broughty Ferry and a whole plethora of concerts city-wide – including City Square, Dudhope Park, Riverside Drive and Orchar Park, mostly by military bands .

“On four days of that week, military band concerts were to be held in the Caird Hall , admission 3d. The music was relayed to City Square.

“Punch and Judy shows are advertised at five venues together with a fun fair and circus at Riverside Drive. There were golf, bowling, tennis and putting competitions at various venues.

“One of the highlights is the sailing of the paddle steamer B.L. Nairn from the West Protection Wall to Newburgh daily for that week with a timetable of sailings with time ashore at Newburgh of two and a half hours. The return fare was 2/6 for an adult and 1/3 for a juvenile, both return. Single fares are quoted also with prams and dogs costing 6d.

“The City Fathers did well in promoting these events for the benefit of stay-at-home holidaymakers, the vagaries of war causing appreciation of such home grown activities.”

Today’s photograph, supplied by a Broughty Ferry reader shows Strathmartine Road, Dundee with a Downfield-bound tram in the centre of the Kingsway. Grant’s furniture van can be seen on the left heading towards their store in the Murraygate, with the...