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Memories of Inverness

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Shared Memories of Inverness

Inverness, Balnain House 2005 (ref: I25728)

Year: 1920s Grandmother lived at Balnain House
My grandmother was widowed in 1920, her husband having stayed in the Army to tend the graves in France where he succumbed to influenza. Grandmother was left to bring up 6 children on her own with little money. She was given a brand new council house (Dunain Road I think) but could not afford the rent and had to move into a 2 room flat in Balnain House. How on earth she managed I will never know - there was one toilet for 4 families.

It was great to see the old house being renovated but an absolute disgrace that it is no longer a music venue but offices for SNH - most of the rooms are unoccupied meaning it will once again fall into disrepair.

Posted: 02/03/2008 13:58 by Fiona Macdonald

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Inverness, from the Castle c1890 (ref: I255003)

Year: 1950 INVERNESS
Thoughts of Inverness come flooding back when I remember my time off work at the Glen Affirc Hydro Electric Project in 1949-1950. My two friends from work Bill Collins and Andy Anderson and I would climb into my Morris 8 roadster and head for the 'big city' for a night out. We'd enjoy a lovely venison dinner and a few drinks at a good hotel. Then later on we'd go to the Caledonian Ballroom to their saturday dances dances. The young ladies were lovely and we never ran short of dance partners.
This was a wonderful ballroom. It had a sprung floor, making it easier to dance on and less tiring for the dancers as the night wore on. There were two orchestras, one played Old Time Scottish Music the other Modern Dance Music. Each would play a set for about fifteen minutes and then the other would take over. We always had a great time here and then we'd head back to camp at Cannich in my little car. Usually singing to the top of our voices, slightly under the influence, but never rowdy.
Those were such happy days and although I have been back to Inverness twice since then I still haven't managed to confirm if the Caledonian Ballroom is still there and operating, can anyone confirm this ?
I'd love to hear from Bill Collins or Andy Anderson of they are still around.
M. Denman Lalonde

Posted: 29/01/2008 00:05 by Denman Lalonde

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Family
My name is Philip Beach- my Grandmother hails from Inverness. Her maiden name was Isabel Martin, born about 1890, her sister's name (married) was Euphemia Archibald who lived to be 101 in my hometown of Rochester, NY USA. Isabel married Powlus (or Paulus) Beach, and moved to Nova Scotia, Canada in the mid 19 teens. They had 6 children- 5 girls and a boy, my father Charles Osker Beach. I currently live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I am 50 years old. Does anyone have a memory of my family?

Posted: 02/08/2006 18:00 by Philip Beach

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