Tag: Country life
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Listenin’ In
Barrowsgate eavesdrops on two women at the cinema and finds that they have a very low opinion of him – “he’s some kin’ o’ vritin’ cratur fa’s been awa foreign”.
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Washing – Plain and Fancy
Barrowsgate does the weekly clothes washing, a job he thinks that women make too much of a fuss about. His services will not be required for this task again in the future.
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The Curin’ Trade
Barrowsgate wonders whether there are any unwell people left, given the number of advertisments in the newspapers claiming to have cured people from every sort of ailment.
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Moses Esq. – Promoter
Barrowsgate is convinced that Moses was a Scot, and that he raised money for his church by organising sales of work. Note: The only printed copy of this Bittie is almost illegible but the typescript that was submitted to the BBC around 1958 can be downloaded below.
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Peats – a Peetifu’ Tale
Mrs Barrowsgate remembers cutting peat as a young girl and, after they move to a new area, she sends Barrowsgate out with a spade to look for some. Taking instruction from Wull o’ Mormon, Barrowsgate finds out that cutting peat is harder than it looks.
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Aikey Fair an’ a Flea
Barrowsgate enjoys a free day out at Aikey Fair but thinks he might have come home with one of the tiny performance artists he saw there. Background: The annual Sunday Fair at Aikey Brae preceded the Wednesday horse market, and was known for the somewhat dubious items being sold by tramps and hawkers. The Fair…
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Cookin’ an’ Coukin’
Barrowsgate eavesdrops on some ladies on the bus, and finds it quite educational.
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Exhibitions an’ Education
Barrowsgate goes to a Highland Show and learns a lot – from some of the well-heeled attendees.
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The Crack o’ Doom
Following the butter-making contest covered in last week’s column, Kildronan are out for revenge over Kilmaur in the egg-cracking competition but Aunty Barry has other ideas.