Rich history of swimming

“I WAS interested to read of Dundee Olympians,” says a Dundee reader, “but I wonder if Billy Smith was getting mixed up when he mentions Cissie Stewart?

“I think he may have been referring to Annie Sweeney, who was a well- known attendant at the swimming baths and who worked at Michael’s in the evening. I am sure that she was also a black belt in judo.

“Mention should also be made of Bob Sreenan who was a double Olympic swimmer – he took part in the Helsinki games of 1952 and then again in Rome in 1960, when he was the oldest participant for Great Britain at 26 years, 119 days.

“In Rome he was joined by another Dundonian Ian Blyth.

“Both men were members of Whitehall Swimming Club and it was a great achievement for the club to be represented in this way.” “I WAS interested to read Brian Christie’s memories of dances in Perth City Hall,” writes Peter Milne of Coupar Angus.

“This was also the venue for the very popular annual Banker’s Ball and Police Ball.

“I remember being present at the Coronation Ball when it was announced that Hillary and Sherpa Tensing had made the first ascent of Mount Everest.

“During the war and for a short time

I wonder what readers think of the latest flavours from Discover New England, the home of popular ice cream makers Ben and Jerry.

Some of the more unsual flavours that makers have come up with include lobster, made by a company in Maine. It is their most popular shipping item!

Or how about peanut butter and marshmallow? This is also known in the States as Fluffernutter and is a favourite with all ages.

Kentucky Bourbon is fused with cream and brown sugar to make an unusual flavour available in Connecticut.

It makes chocolate chip, mint, strawberry and vanilla seem rather less adventurous, but, I suspect, rather more palatable to most of us. after National Service, recruits reported to the old Queen’s Barracks where they were billeted in what was known as The Dyeworks.

“After six weeks’basic training, members ofThe BlackWatch moved to hutted accommodation in the grounds of Scone Palace or Kinfauns Castle. Argylls were billeted in the requisitioned City Hall.

The practice was for members of that regiment to perform the duties of orderly bugler and orderly piper there. On one occasion, no Argylls being available I (Black Watch) filled in.

“I played Lights Out followed by Reveille, Jankers and Breakfast Pipes before returning to barracks for the usual chanter and band practices.

“A short time afterwards, I spent a little more than a month as the last orderly piper at Scone Palace before it closed down. Another Perth man, the late David Brodie, was the last orderly piper at Kinfauns Castle.”