Woolies in Summer!

'Rita was sixteen years
Hazel eyes and chestnut hair She made the Woolworth counter shine...' Nanci Griffith

When we had some money we sometimes took a trip into Woolworths at the east end of Princes Street.

One reason for our visit was to buy some cheap gold crucifixes, a reaction to us watching too many Hammer Horror Dracula films!

Paul Forbes; Peter Hoffmann; Iain Hoffmann; and Boo-Boo Hanlon  at Woolworths circa 1971
(Ironically the only person 'not smoking' (Iain) is the one smoker today!)

When a wee group of us ventured in we had some brilliant fun and many laughs. 

Woolworths staff circa 1970/71 Photograph Janet Duff

There was a cafe within Woolies on the first floor where we would treat ourselves to a plate of chips and a drink. 

Afterwards we would see who could be the most daring by making up awful confections or cocktails from the array of condiments on the table; we would mix together a little salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar and knock it back! 

Afterwards a regular feature was to crowd into the photo-booth within the store for a photograph with much fun and hilarity as we all tried to squeeze in clambering over one another!

Paul Forbes, Peter Hoffmann, Iain Hoffmann and Boo-Boo Hanlon at Woolworths, 1971/72 - who would believe the 'two smokers' on the left would be running for Scotland at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the 800 metres and 4x400 metres relay together at Edmonton, Canada!

PS Check out Nanci Griffith's rather lovely Love at the Five and Dime which references Woolworths and the journey through life from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GK462XnRjQ

Saturday 3rd July 1971

It’s one of the best feelings in life to awaken on a lovely summer's morning at the start of the long summer holidays; 6 weeks of bliss ahead. 

I went into town with my birthday money and treated myself to a new pair of Levis and then went to Woolworths to get a pair of baseball boots which will see me through the summer. I love wearing the boots. They're always such a snug fit and great for all my athletic adventures to come; playing football, jumping the burn or off the roof and doing my wee jobs. The only problem with them is they start to smell a bit after a month or so. 

After dinner I settled down for an afternoon watching Wimbledon with a bottle of Globe Red Kola and a bag of Golden Wonder crisps. What a great final it was too, a five setter with John Newcombe overcoming Stan Smith. I was wanting Newcombe to win but I like Smith too. In the evening Nana, Gaga and Aunt Heather dropped by. Late on I finished off a good first Saturday of the holidays watching Parkinson.