First down the chute

from Falkirk and Jimmy Stirling from Coatbridge. Visiting Southend was like being back in Scotland.” bridesmaid at my parents’ wedding. She had two or perhaps three children and the family came from Meigle where her father had owned Tasker’s Lemonade factory.

“Her brother Bill was a tea planter in India and sadly died just two years after retiring. His grandmother, and my stepmother, Jeannie was truly a lovely lady. Dad and she were brother and halfsister.

“Lizzie’s sister Jean was a theatre sister in one of the major London hospitals during the Blitz. She was at my wedding in Lickey, Birmingham, and was a tower of strength to me at that time as my family were not sure about me marrying an ‘Englishwoman’. That was some 69 years ago, so their fears were misplaced!

“The marriage was held at the church where Lord Austin is buried and our photographs were taken just a few yards from there.” works of Scottish legends can be found in the north of England and in Courier Country. In Brechin a statue of radar inventor Robert Watson-Watt is in place and military sculptures are prominent at the House of Bruar and more recently the tribute work to the 51st Highland Division soldiers at Balhousie.

“A unique piece was unveiled in Montrose which paid tribute to Bamse, the Norwegian sea dog who was a mascot for mine sweepers based in the area during the Second World War. An outstanding work – the equestrian statue of Robert the Bruce – and his creation of football legend Denis Law can be found in Aberdeen.”

The photograph of the long chute in Carnoustie prompted a reply from Margaret H. S. Gethins (nee Tait), formerly of Terrace Road, Carnoustie, who was delighted to see it featured in the column.

She says: “My father (Bill Tait) was in charge of the roads and local amenities in Carnoustie at the time the chute was erected. When the chute was complete, he was the first person to go down it (to test it was safe, he said!) but I was the first child – aged about five. I’m now 95.”