“Pleengs” Celia Craig 65

We spent oor eftir oor at the herber. It seemed like the best place to be The haill, lang, glorious summer Watchin the boats comin in fae the sea.

On warm summer nichts in oor village We daundered awa doon the toon Ti watch cricket, play rounders and kick-the-can Till the darkness began ti come doon.

Then alang ti the Den in the autumn For rosehips and haws – plenty there. We threeded them, maakin fine necklaces. There were rowan berries ti spare.

Next came guisin and turnip lanterns, The candle grease smellin sae strang, Then awa ti the tattie pickin, Gid fun, though bits were o’er lang.

Then came bangers and squeebs and sparklers, The bonfire flames rising high But already cauld winter was threatnin, Wi snaw dingin doon fae the sky.

Sledgin wis best in the winter, Doon the brae at the back o the Hall. There wis snawba’s and snawmen and slideys. Watch oot! Dinna crash on the wall!

We hid perties and concerts and Sinty, Hame-made garlands deckin the wa’s And a new velvet frock, sae bonnie, Wee gold sandals ti dance in the ha’s.

Christmas and Mission Hall services, Hogmanay and First Fittin wis fun. Then New Year, followed by Burns Nicht Wi Easter soon comin on.

Syne snawdraps heralded springtime, Pale primroses specklin the braes. We githered them, up fae the Cauldwall Fir wir mithers ti pit in a vase

“Wee gold sandals ti dance in the ha’s!”