Hi, Danny,
Coming from a family of twelve holidays were never expected but as an eleven year old I
was able to enjoy through the Glasgow Corporation "Fresh Air Fund" and one of the most enjoyable which I shared with my older brother was one to Castle Toward in Dunoon.
This was for those who probably not afford a holiday for one reason or another.
You would get a train from Glasgow to Gourock and then a ferry across to Dunoonand then a coach to
the castle with its long imposing drive to the main gate and the bus would stop about 50 yards from the Castle doors. This would allow the children who were going back home to Glasgow and as the two groups passed each other the ones going home would paint a terrible picture of the food and conditions and also the regime that was imposed on the departing guests.!! Every morning at 10 am mail would be distributed to those that were sent and if any child was fortunate enough to get a parcel with sweets and comics then the adults in charge would confiscate the sweets and at a later part of each day would share the sweets amongst all the other children. No one ever complained about this arrangement.
Two things I remember the first was the stunning view from our dormitory upstairs looking out to the
Firth Of Clyde and I saw many submarines sail by usually conning tower showing.
The other memory involved an open day where parents were allowed a visit on the 3rd Sat
of a 4 week holiday and on this particular day my brother and I who were two out of a group of 46 boys and girls would wander about on the gravelly drive and watched as all the other parents would
arrive and connect with there delighted children. At 2-30pm we were the last two boys without our
expected parents trying not to look too disappointed when in the distance about 300 yards in the
distance came two people on a little light blue Vespa Scooter.They were soaked to the skin with only
very light clothing and they had come all the way from Glasgow over the "Rest and Be Thankful and because they had arrived late they never even got a cup of tea. But when they arrived my older brother was crying and it was not till they were leaving did I realise why!!As I started blubbering when they were starting to leave. The point i would like to make was that they did not us down and I have
in my own life tried not make promises that I could not keep.!!!
I also made my first woodwork where I made a small paddle steamer which was propelled by an elastic band.!! Very happy times .
Best regards Reg
Cheers, Sheila