Sir, - How our town has changed for those of us aged about 70 years.

When we were children our nation was very proudly named Great Britain and we also felt both proud and somewhat amazed that such power could come from such a small nation. That seemed to me then a great start for life, belonging to “British is Best”. Certainly at colonising other nations whose “fruits” we now have to digest.

Some parts of society were the very best of British in our wee town, like fairness towards each other, helping the underprivileged, loving our parents and them us, which gave us good values in respecting all others and their property.

Seldom we witnessed cyclists on narrow street pavements, cycling through the Islands or remaining on the bike going down Stephen’s Brae. When we were very hard-up and shopping for morning rolls at the bakery long before the shop was open, the baker used to pop in extra rolls and even pop our tanner back in the bag!

We were admitted to the Swim Baths free of charge and that was in the poor ’30s.
Should we Invernessians not object to our town becoming so different and somewhat posh? Do we not realise we are all Rab Tamson’s bairns? (in God’s mind).
We have few characters noticeable on our streets now, like Forty Pockets, Georgie the Dude, Annie Bobo, Alicky Duff and the many who used to be lodged in our former model lodging house, which is now a church! I ask you!

I shall remain as one of these worthy characters, just...

Ally MacDonald,
(a 70-year-old foster child)
Westview, Nairnside