Wednesday 24 October 2018

Journal Jottings of My Life: October 2018

Blogging has taken a back seat this past month, as the Auld Earlston exhibition has taken up so much of  my time at the computer - so a lot to catch up on here.

THE EXHIBITION PROVED A POPULAR DRAW  


 



 


The theme of "Earlston in War and Peace:  1914-1949"   drew a large audience throughout the two days.   Visitors had the chance to browse through information panels  vintage photographs, memories of older residents,  and memorabilia of  life in the first half of the 20th century. Among topics featured were Earlston soldiers, prisoners of war, the German air crash of 1943, Polish troops in the village,  and the sterling efforts of the community to raise money for both national causes and local war comfort charities.  Drawing particular  interest was a table of the weekly rations available for one person in 1942. 


As a contrast, the displays on the inter-war years focused on Earlston at work and leisure, including a look at housing, wages & prices, and the 1934 Ercildoune Pageant which depicted scenes form local history.



Throughout the event, four slide shows attracted capacity audiences who enjoyed a tour  around Earlston's people and places, with the history and anecdotal  commentary  sparking lively discussion. The programme ended with a unique short film of Earlston in the 1930's, showing rural life, schoo

All in all a great weekend and very satisfying to hear such positive feedback from visitors.  But I was shattered afterwards!  

KNIT-A-SQUARE -  www.knit-a-square.com
 As if this month was not busy enough,  I am hosting the October online discussion for the African charity that invites us to knit or crochet squares.  These are sent to Africa and then sewn up into blankets by the various communities and distributed to orphanages and nurseries, primarily for children suffering from AIDS.  The theme this month is "The Seasons"  - right up my street, as I particularly like interpreting them in colours, with my first four squares below.



People post their contributions for comment  on the Square Forum page   and there are some wonderful examples of individual skills on show. 

FALL FOLIAGE PHOTOS (Try saying that quickly and repeatedly!)
Autumn is my favourite month.  I recall as a child scuffing my shoes through the leaves, and enjoying the crunchy sound - this still appeals to me!  I love the colours of brown, bronze, burgundy, green and gold.  Has this anything to do with the fact I was a "September" baby - as were my grandmother, mother, aunt, two uncles and husband?   These colours were staples in my wardrobe in the days when I was a brunette, and still feature today in my  home decor.  

My idea this month was to get out and about  with my camera, but a sprained ligament in my leg has left me largely inactive, so not to be.  Instead  I am taking a look back at earlier photographs to remind me how beautiful the Scottish Borders is this time of year.  We are lucky to live here!


Photographs all taken around Earlston, 2017   


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Journal Jottings   
  Recording my everyday life for future family historians   


This blog developed from the "Genea-Pourri" prompt yon Randy Seaver’s blog Genea-Musings.  I decided to change his title for my own version of this regular online diary.  



Banner Photograph: 
Looking down on the Earlston High School from the Black Hill, 
taken by my daughter