Your memories: 'It was better if we took a couple of girls along'

When it opened in 1930, the New Victoria Cinema was a big attraction on the city's Southside.

Serving the entertainment needs of thousands of revellers for decades to come, it was a favourite haunt for Bill Prentice, who would attend on a Sunday night when the cinema became The Garrison Theatre, swamped with local servicemen.

"Those were the days when I was too young for National Service but was in the Home Guard. With my friend Tommy Hunter, who was also in the Home Guard, resplendent in our ill-fitting uniforms, we gained admittance," the 87-year-old from Bonnyrigg recalls.

"The reason we were able to do so was because we both worked for Waddies the Printers of Stockbridge, where the tickets for the theatre were printed.

"Richard Telfer at the organ was the highlight of the show. Dick Telfer, as we called him, magnificent in his white evening dress, seated at his mighty white Wurlitzer, he rose slowly from below floor level, the organ booming, up and on to the stage.

"To be there was so exciting and it was made even better if we were able to take a couple of girls along too.

"We had many wonderful sing-a-long evenings, singing all the popular songs of the days.

"All wonderful memories but with one sad note: my friend Tommy Hunter joined the Royal Marines and on April 2, 1945 at Lake Comacchio in Italy he lost his life in heavy fighting and was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously."

The cinema later became the Odeon and has been closed for many years.