It's déjà vu for Bill, 81, as he goes back to old school

Published on Monday 27 July 2009 10:28

IT was three-quarters of a century ago, but Bill Hoatson remembers his first day at school as if it were yesterday.

Now, aged 81, he is going back to the site daily after his old school was replaced by a council care home.

It is a full circle for Mr Hoatson, who only lives 100 yards from the North Merchiston Care Home.

"I did find it strange coming back in here for the first time, but of course it has changed completely," said the former brewery worker of 44 years, who has always lived in the area.

The old North Merchiston Primary school building was destroyed by a fire in 2002, and it has now been rebuilt to provide more space for elderly people, both residential and day care.

"It was a long time ago so some memories aren't too clear," added Mr Hoatson. "We grew up in the area and I knew most of the children anyway from playing together.

"I remember the mums all grouping together and walking us to the school gates on the first day and waiting outside.

"I can't believe that I used to come to the primary school in my younger days and now I am here as a pensioner."

Although he holds his old stomping ground in high regard, he said he wasn't too sorry to see it go in 2002.

He recalled: "There were a lot of rumours before then of what may happen to it, with some being that it could become a home for juvenile delinquents, but now it's opened as this and it is fantastic.

"It is much better than sitting at home alone. I enjoy the company and speaking to other people who live in this area as a we all chat about how things have changed over the years."

The day service, which can cater for 18 people, is a wing of the care home, and is aimed at giving resources and activities to elderly, vulnerable people without taking them out of their own home altogether.

Sheila Allan, 78, another former pupil and now client of the service, said: "I have many happy memories from my days at school here – it really was a good school – and now I am delighted to be able to come for the day care service and meet up with people and talk about the old school, the area and make new friends. I always look forward to coming here."

The city's health and social care leader Cllr Paul Edie added: "It is important to develop good quality services to meet the needs of our growing older population so they can live as independently as possible at home. Day services like North Merchiston allow this to happen.

"Without these facilities many would be completely isolated in their own homes but they can now build and develop relationships and contacts with people in their community."