Entertainment, like many things when I was an Oatlands boy, was quite an involved community affair.

Much loved street games like rounders, kick-the-can and hide ‘n’ seek were always favourites on the pastime menu and yes, I can admit the odd game of Chap Door (run fast).

Indeed an intense game of hide ‘n’ seek could sometimes include around 10 to 20 kids, and by the time the last ‘come oot, come oot’ was heard, it was well past sundown. Many a time when I was the last one hiding, I took it personally, that no one seemed in a hurry to find me, in fact sometimes the ‘seekers’ made their way home without bothering to let me know… all together now…’ahhhhhh!’.

The streets of Oatlands were always full of activity with many a windae having someone keeping an eye out for the weans and what we were getting up to. Neighbours shouting down for you to go to the shoaps and you would get some pennies for your efforts.

Playing in the backcourts of Cramond Street (especially at night) had a feeling of being in a Roman coliseum with a 360° audience from the many windaes above. Some houses even having poles reaching from the ledge flying their flags of the washing for that day, (long johns at half mast!).

The call of nature back then resulted in the downstairs journey and the big treasure chest key that gained you access to the landing toilet. I often peeked through the keyhole and said hello to my neighbours as they went up the sterrs. Or screamed as the light bulb went out during a nightime visit.

Many a local kid, like myself, relished the unique sound of the one tone trumpet and call of ‘any old rags!’ as the rag and bone man came into the street. The challenge of coming up with the traditional ‘auld claes’ rate of exchange was thrown into chaos by those of us who flew past our parents on the way down the close with anything we could grab from our wardrobes.

Much to our ma and da’s dismay the occasional ‘newer’ items of their clothing were on their way. The magical brown suitcase was then opened and the ragman gave you the choice from his buffet of gifts including, bat ‘n’ baw, a balloon, toy windmill and a fascinating wee plastic camera containing a negative that you could see when you held it up tae the light.

Once again many thanks to those of you who have contacted me and I look forward to hearing from you once the eagerly awaited ‘Oatlands Memories’ website is up and running, would appreciate any comments, suggestions, photies etc.