News
The Boyhood Memories of Johnn Pottinger
Isla Rosie 12/06/2009 11:51:00
Stromness shops and traders
IN the garden of the middle house on the south side was a tall black
'Kippering Kiln' where the Laughton family of fishermen smoked their
catch, much in demand locally. Jess, the daughter, was another of my
classmates. Over the garden wall the fishing boats were drawn up on the
shingle beach which lent character to the overall scene.
continued from last week
In the upper house next the road, lived the Mowat sisters, and latterly, Harry Mowat, who had been a missionary in Nigeria, who came home to retire. He was responsible for the Nigerian artefacts in the museum.
Across the road was a former cottage, rather adding to the picturesqueness of this setting, but now used for storage. On the seaward side, a modern concrete sidewalk and railing gave uninterrupted view towards the sea, and to the Point o' Ness, beyond. On the right stood a row of new council bungalows, then known as the Well Park Scheme, so-called from the roadside well midway along. Where the houses terminated was a piece of waste ground upon which stood a small cottage known to have been a former Dame School before the Education Act of 1874 placed all such schools under one roof.
I understand this area has been earmarked for a Memorial Garden in honour of George Mackay Brown - Stromness's own poet - a truly fitting testimonial to a great writer! George lived on the upper side of Well Park - already noted as a site of
learning.
I have fond memories of summer evenings on the Putting Green across the way with both George and Sylvia Wishart, each game punctuated with much laughter and witty comment, so relaxed and refreshing as both were splendid companions. Whether serious dialogue or frivolous commentary, an education in itself as well as great entertainment!
This was before Sylvia went to art school. Although Sylvia latterly had the distinction to become an RSA she was never one to seek the limelight, being content to use her artistic skills in interpreting the local scenes, which she loved, in all its varied moods upon canvas. Now sad, indeed, that both these friends have gone from our midst. Yet we are richer for such memories of both poet and artist. Memory hallows this spot - a truly fitting locale for a Memorial Garden in which to honour such talented Stromnessians!
The road continues along the shore below the Putting Green towards Stanger's Shipyard, left derelict since 1922. The road crosses where the ships were launched from the patent slip. During World War One the yard was commissioned by the Admiralty to build whalers and picket boats - a hive of industry before ultimate closure. The long, two-story building within its high-walled yard was taken over by the army in 1939.
It is worth mentioning at this point that Kirkwall artist Stanley Cursiter bought it after the war and turned the main building into a fine house and studio, keeping the outside proportions apart from additional, larger windows. He named his new acquisition Stennigar, from the shoreline between Warebeth and Breckness - a name that otherwise would have been forgotten from the lack of usage.
During his tenure here, Stanley could be found seated in his glassed-in mobile studio, in all weathers, painting the passing scene, or as sheltered from the elements, making superb representations of rough, crashing seas along the western craigs.
It was obvious his great love for Stromness as he chose to come and live here each summer to paint the surroundings. He later sold Stennigar, but happily, came to end his days in town. His enthusiastic support, forever to the fore!
n to be continued