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Memories of a childhood in wartime Leith. The trials and tribulations of the period, allied to the camaraderie of the community in facing up to an uncertain future made a lasting impression on John Stewart.
In our flat in No 1 Cables Wynd, Leith, the old fashioned cast-iron fire was never short of its homely warmth with the black soot covered kettle ever singing away to itself as it nestled in the glowing embers. This was our only source of hot water apart from the gas ring.
To the left of the fire was an oven and on the other side a water boiler with its brass draw-off tap still in place. I used to be fascinated with this and always wondered why it was not used. Seemingly the tank had a crack in it.
In front of the fire was a blue enamel hearth-plate to catch any hot ash that might have fallen from the fire.
Surrounding this was an expanding kerb with its companion stools. These contained all our polishes and shoe brushes as well as dusters. You did not dare sit on them next to the roaring fire or else you were in danger of suffering from 'tartan legs'.
Above the fireplace the gaslight jutted out from the wall, the fragile mantle protected by a glass globe. I still recall the distinctive pop as it was ignited and the continuous hiss as it burned. I was never allowed to touch it.
The open coal fire was our only source of heat although a certain amount was generated from the gaslight. With the single glazed windows, wax cloth covering the floor and constant draughts permeating into the room, the cold was never far away.
I remember well my granddad standing with his back to the fire and being warned 'Get away from the fire and let the heat out!' This was the war cry of everybody in the house.
Each house had its own coalbunker at the end of the balcony. It was capable of holding about 6cwt of coal. As time wore on, the dust from the coal settled on the bottom and gradually the storage capacity decreased.
What dust you didn't use for backing up the fire soaked with water was sold to a dealer who manufactured briquettes. These in turn were sold back to you as a substitute for coal. Being wartime, nothing could be wasted.
John Stewart, 2001
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