Rallying cry for rocking horse information

THE SEARCH is on for the famous rocking horse that was part and parcel of the early years’ experience for generations of primary one pupils in the former Rockfield Primary School, now The Rockfield Centre.

The rocking horse is fondly remembered since it resided in the primary one classroom which, was for many years, was Miss MacGilivray’s domain.

Jack Degnan, the last headteacher before the move to the new Rockfield School, thought the horse was broken and put into storage in the basement.

The janitor at the time set about re-furbishing it and the little horse is remembered as white or dappled with a real hair mane and tail mounted on a pendulum rocking mechanism. It was much-loved by everyone with some pupils remembering its name as Dobbin.

Sadly, in the move between the old to the new school the famous little horse disappeared. Now the hunt is on for any information that may lead to Dobbin’s whereabouts. Oban Communities Trust is also looking for a picture of the rocking horse, as it has been mentioned often in the oral history project, Memories Matter, a preview of which is due to be launched in October during the Mòd.