A Quick Trip to Scotland Via Australia

I have recently been trawling the Australian newspaper archive (trove.nla.gov.au) in order to write my latest publication – “The Gossiper’s Association”. This is a fictional account of actors Cicely Courtneidge and Thorley Walters’ year in the Antipodes. Of course while I was having a rummage in there, I had to see if there were any references to British village halls. Perhaps there had been some fracas that our own newspapers had been shy to report.

What I did find in the Canberra Times in 1963 was brief reference to Duffus Village Hall in Scotland, the village near where Gordonstoun School is situated. Famous for a certain Royal alumni, the school apparently used the hall for an annual handicrafts exhibition. In 1963, young Prince Charles was notable in his absence from this worthy exhibition in what was then a glorified Nissan hut. Where was the lad? The Canberra Times had the answer. He was in trouble. Apparently he had been on a visit to Stornoway on the school boat and (brace yourself) had purchased an alcoholic cherry brandy in the local hostelry for 2 shillings and sixpence. All concerned probably thought it a good idea if he lay low for a while. They didn’t want a press hoo-ha between the pottery tables.

The Canberra Times reported that the Washington Post had called for the prince to be caned (slow worldwide news day this, obviously) but the laid back Australians were of a different mind. They finished their report with the line:

“He sounds alright to us.”

Good on ya, mates.

Here is a link to my new book "The Gossiper's Association" just in case I have piqued your interest:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gossipers-Association-Courtneidge-Thorley-Australia-ebook/dp/B07XTHJJ2Z

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Woods Ware China at the Serving Hatch

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