Proud of these poets

“It was interesting to read about the unveiling of the Scots war poets’ memorial,” emails Helen Lawrenson of Wormit. “Having taught English in Dundee, Fife and Perthshire, I have a deep fondness for the war poets and have always been proud of those who hailed from Courier Country.

“What particularly attracted me to your correspondent’s item was his relationship to James Bell Salmond. Mr Anderson no doubt knows of Salmond’s varied interests: apart from his writing and editing career, he excelled at sports – before the war he had been president of the Athletic Union at St Andrews University.

“Later he worked on the Dundee Advertiser, and became editor of The Scots Magazine – where he rendered ineffable service to Scots literature by his encouragement of younger writers, such as Neil Gunn, Hugh McDiarmid and Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

“He and his wife were keen walkers, supporting the Grampian Club and the Scottish YHA, and were also members of the Abertay Historical Club.

“I came across Salmond’s novels, as well as his poetry, when researching the history of Scottish country dancing in Dundee. Not only were he and his wife regular dancers, but in 1945 he was elected President of the Dundee branch of the Scottish Dance Society – soon to be renamed the Royal Scottish Dance Society by King George VI. We are proud of J.B. Salmond: Black Watch officer, friend of Wilfred Owen, sportsman, walker, historian, novelist, editor and poet – but also a man who loved the dances of his native land!” were taken, I would have been only eight months old, but I have heard many tales of events.

“Callander’s Foden DG is a classic, obviously a 6x4. The inner rear wheels have been removed and the outers fitted with snow chains to give grip in deep snow, with sand ballast to give weight. It must have been cold on the back!

“Angus County Council minutes of February 1941 show Ministry of War Transport purchasing two heavy Cuthbertson of Biggar snowploughs to be placed in Arbroath District depot. Perhaps that is one fitted to the Foden in the 1947 storm.” mantles and candles for light. We had bleeding hacks on hands and heels.

“It was very deep snow, three to four feet in depth. Once the enjoyment of sledging passed, winter was miserable. 1963 was a bad year with burst pipes and unpassable roads, but nothing compares to 1947.”

Jim Howie, of Broughty Ferry, has sent in this postcard of Carnoustie’s Taymouth Street in 1905. An obliging carter has stopped and posed for the camera.