Portobello Online: New gallery feature

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Sep 2007, 10:21

Over at the mothership, Portobello Online, we have just introduced a new gallery feature. This replaces the one we have been experimenting with over the last few weeks. There are still one or two refinements to be made but it's up and running and I have already added several galleries.

It's difficult to know where to start with wangi's photography as he has so many good shots and then of course there is the ongoing postcard collection so there is plenty to keep me out of mischief for a long time to come. Keep checking for new additions.

The latest edition of the Reporter is up now as well along with the usual CC minutes, Maureen's reports, What's On etc.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Oct 2007, 14:13

A total of 16 galleries have so far been added to the new gallery feature on Portobello Online.

I have been concentrating recently on moving over Margeorie Mekie's postcards. There are currently 347 on view. I plan to complete the addition of captions and tags for the postcards before commencing on the next round of scanning, by which time the iMac should have arrived and I can stop peering into a laptop - not ideal for editing photos.

Tagging allows users to search for postcards on a particular theme. Give it a go but remember it's still a work in progress.

I have an agreement with Peter Stubbs that allows us to use each others photos on our respective sites (with third party agreement where required) so you can look forward to lots of new additions for a long time to come.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Dec 2007, 14:44

I have started to put together a new gallery featuring artwork by Portobello High School students at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=26

Lewis Harrold 2006

Look out for more of their work soon and hopefully some examples of video from PHS Media students.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Dec 2007, 13:45

Still working on Margeorie's postcard collection. Recently I have added 29 postcards featuring the Marine Gardens, which may be of interest to those of you who are following rathbone's writings on this subject based on his research of the Scotsman archive. The next batch are of the Outdoor Pool.

Look out also for a large collection of archive photographs from Scotsman Publications, many not seen since they were first published, that I will be adding to the gallery soon. There will be an opportunity to purchase prints for those interested.

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 09 Dec 2007, 00:59

Some of the artwork from the High School pupils is pretty good. Nice to see the local talent on show.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Dec 2007, 22:48

Lots more to come from PHS and I'm happy to add galleries for other local schools.

I've now completed the batch of postcards I have been working on and this evening I had the pleasure of visiting Margeorie to borrow the next album. Over the next few weeks you can look forward to more postcards depicting the Marine Gardens, the Outdoor Pool and Fun City along with more novelty cards, multi-image cards and plenty of Scottie dogs and tartan kitsch.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Dec 2007, 10:16

Just started to add the Scotsman pictures. There are 67 in total covering a wide range of subject. The first page alone has some interesting and dramatic shots, including the demolition of Marlborough Mansions.

At present I don't have either captions or dates for these photos, so feel free to pass on any information or memories they provoke.

The PHS gallery is looking good as well and I have more of their work to add over the weekend.

All pictures available to view at http://porty.org.uk/gallery4

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Dec 2007, 23:07

To date, a total of 438 postcards have been added to the Gallery at Portobello Online, including this one:

There are still around 150 new images to add from the album I'm currently working on and I'm frightened to ask how many albums remain. I spent about 30 minutes editing one particular postcard earlier today, meticulously removing every speck of dust (most of which only I can see), before I realised that at this rate I would be 137 years old before I completed this project.

What's happening outside? Is it winter yet?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Dec 2007, 23:13

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Jan 2008, 18:49

Another album completed! The postcard count now stands at 579 bringing the total number of images on the gallery to 989. The most recent additions are postcards of the outdoor pool and there are now 73 images in this category alone.

I'm now taking a break from the postcards to concentrate on my own family history. As this entails scanning and editing dozens of family photos it's a bit of a busman's holiday but at least it's a change of subject. I believe one of my ancestors was on board the Titanic and I'm sure there will be a few more stories to uncover.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:54

This is one of 13 new images I have added to the Portobello High School gallery. View all 76 images in this set at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=26

Caitlin Crighton – S3
Old Parish Church

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Jan 2008, 21:54

Yeah, I know what I said but it was just too tempting. The next batch is mostly of the 'novelty' type but includes one or two surprises.

This card is one I hadn't seen before of Brighton Park. 1970s perhaps? Anyone recall the green wooden hut?

While this card, sent from 16 Brighton Place in 1904, is a delightful find for the current owners. Who is the distinguished gentleman pictured? We aim to find out - watch this space.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 13 Jan 2008, 18:46

I mind that green hut very well.
Think it was the "parkies" hut. Is it no longer there?
My aunt lived in a house opposite Brighton Park so my cousins, sister and I spent many hours playing rounders there.
There used to be children's entertainment on a Saturday morning.
A wee wooden stage was set up and kids would queue to do a turn then a magician, Punch and Judy or suchlike would come on.
Cant remember the name of the hosts , Auntie something and Uncle something.

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 13 Jan 2008, 19:58

SoupDragon wrote:I mind that green hut very well.
Think it was the "parkies" hut. Is it no longer there?
My aunt lived in a house opposite Brighton Park so my cousins, sister and I spent many hours playing rounders there.
There used to be children's entertainment on a Saturday morning.
A wee wooden stage was set up and kids would queue to do a turn then a magician, Punch and Judy or suchlike would come on.
Cant remember the name of the hosts , Auntie something and Uncle something.

I remember the green hut too, but think it eventually got moved down to the bottom of that side of the park. Sure it was where the gardening tools were kept. Also remember the Saturday morning entertainment, I used to go along to watch but was never brave enough to join in!!!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Jan 2008, 20:50

SoupDragon wrote: There used to be children's entertainment on a Saturday morning.
A wee wooden stage was set up and kids would queue to do a turn then a magician, Punch and Judy or suchlike would come on.
Cant remember the name of the hosts , Auntie something and Uncle something.

Yes, I had a photo of that somewhere but, to my annoyance, can't find it at present.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 13 Jan 2008, 20:59

Bob Jefferson wrote:
SoupDragon wrote: There used to be children's entertainment on a Saturday morning.
A wee wooden stage was set up and kids would queue to do a turn then a magician, Punch and Judy or suchlike would come on.
Cant remember the name of the hosts , Auntie something and Uncle something.
Yes, I had a photo of that somewhere but, to my annoyance, can't find it at present.

Many many years ago the Betty Brandon School of Dancing performed there.
I think I have a photo in the loft somewhere or my sister might have one.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 13 Jan 2008, 21:01

Get digging Izzie - that's just the sort of thing I'm looking for.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 13 Jan 2008, 21:08

The stage was tiny and sometimes there could have been about 20 kids doing a dance needless to say there was always somebody fell off

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 15 Jan 2008, 15:13

I remember the green parkie's hut in the park. Am I right in thinking that it was later covered in a large wisteria - Soupy?

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 16 Jan 2008, 22:37

Just noticed so I'm going to have to apologise for my senility!!!

It was Abercorn Park that I went to( being a Joppa bairn!!)
No wonder I thought the hut had moved!!!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Jan 2008, 17:09

Most of the images in Margeorie Mekie's collection are of course postcards. However, there are many other items of interest including several 'cartes de visite' and cabinet prints produced by local photographers such as Kyles, Moir, Halkett and Bashford.

View the latest additions at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=18

Remember to click on DATE- to order by date added (most recent first) or use the search facility to find the images that interest you.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 24 Jan 2008, 19:54

I have just added 13 new images to the Portobello High School gallery to take the total to 89. These are paintings from the 2007 PHS calendar and all feature scenes from Portobello or Duddingston Village. Enjoy!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 03 Feb 2008, 19:31

I added another batch of postcards to the gallery over the weekend, mostly of the 'novelty' type. There are now 669 postcards available to view, while the total number of images in the gallery stands at 1109.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2008, 18:17

I picked up another couple of boxes of Portobello postcards today. Lots of beach and promenade scenes and one or two other interesting curiosities, including this out of focus photograph from the late 70s of the row of houses that stood in front of the Bath Street Lane cottages. They were derelict by this point and were later demolished.

My wife remembers, as a young child, playing with her friend, George-Paul in the house on the left. His mother was an actress named Bonnie Beach and his father was an actor who had a part in an early STV soap opera called 'High Living', set in a towerblock in Glasgow.

George-Paul moved with his mum to America and became a New York cop.

edit - factual correction

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 01 Mar 2008, 19:05

Bob Jefferson wrote: his father was an actor who had a part in an early STV soap opera called 'High Living', set in a towerblock in Glasgow.

I remember High Living and can still hum the theme tune. Do I win a fiver?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2008, 19:33

Probably. I read that there was a big fire at STV in the 70s and a lot of archive stuff was destroyed, including 'High Living' so it now exists only in our collective memory. You need to record your hum now while you still have all your faculties and can remember it.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 01 Mar 2008, 20:21

Bob Jefferson wrote:You need to record your hum now while you still have all your faculties and can remember it.

No need! You can listen to the tune here as it accompanies some mindless, gratuitous, virtual violence.

High Living theme tune

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2008, 20:47

How does she do that?

Anyway, you might be interested to know that you can now leave comments on pictures in the gallery, so please feel free.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Mar 2008, 21:19

The Postcard Gallery now contains 800 images, the most recent additions being postcards of the pier and Marlborough Mansions. Still a few months work ahead of me but the end is in sight!

I am keen to establish online galleries for local artists and you can look forward to the first of these tomorrow - a selection of water colours by Evi Carmichael.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Mar 2008, 21:54

Evi's gallery is now available to view at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=30

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 17 Mar 2008, 08:58

You might like to know that Evi's work is featured in the Holyrood Art Club's Annual Exhibition at the Candlish Hall on the first floor of St George's West Church in Shandwick Place from Saturday 29 March to Saturday 5 April.

Open 10:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday - Saturday. Closes 5 pm Wed 2 and Sat 5 April. Admission free.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Mar 2008, 19:01

The next Portobello artist to be featured in the Gallery is Martin Fowler, whose work can be viewed at:

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=31

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Mar 2008, 14:56

The idea of an artist's gallery really seems to be taking off.

Coming soon....

Galleries from local artists Mike Kinane, Allan Pendreigh and Lindsay McCrae.

A retrospective gallery of work by the late Ken Lochhead

Further suggestions welcome.

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 21 Mar 2008, 23:22

The latest gallery from Martin Fowler is just amazing eh? Great talent out there.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Mar 2008, 23:48

Absolutely. And speaking of talent, I have finally got round to adding a Lee Kindness gallery. In the end, I just selected 16 of my own personal favourites and linked them back to their respective galleries.

http://porty.org.uk/gallery4/thumbnails.php?album=33

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