The Aunties

My first memory of the 'Aunties' was probably as a youngster of three or four going to their house in Arbroath Avenue, Cardonald at New Year. The New Year Party was quite an event. Most members of the Aitken family attended and often there had to be two sittings for tea. We always had a feast of food and goodies. Aunt Ellen had baked; iced fairy cakes with a cherry on the top being a favourite of mine. Cake stands groaned with baking and the cup of tea that went with the meal was the best I have ever tasted in my lifetime, made with good Glasgow water that had not been tampered with.

After tea, we all adjourned to the front room, which was only used on special occasions. There we played games and the adults talked. I remember one game where we had to match cut-up postcards. I also remember a couple of tricks shown to us by my Uncle Tom which I used to share with my classes over a quarter of a century of teaching.

As I grew up, I never ever saw any great change in my 'great aunties'. They always looked the same; always wore a hat when they were out, and could turn up anywhere at anytime. We met them in Ayr, in Troon, in Partick, in Dunoon. I even met them one day in Milngavie, where I found them sitting on a park bench eating a poke of chips. I recall their love of anything Royal, and their huge collection of Royal Family books which we loved to look through as children. They never missed our birthdays,and always gave us presents at Christmas and eggs at Easter time until we were sixteen.I remember the Easter eggs used to come with a pound note tucked inside the box.

Aunt Helen was a wonderful seamstress. my mum remembers how she made clothes for all the children in the family. She could recite the alphabet backwards at the age of 91.

Aunt Mary worked in a shoe shop, where she was manageress. I remember how presents were sent in many an empty shoe box. I also remember visiting her at the Easifit shop in Renfrew before she eventually retired.

The 'Aunties' loved to be out and about and knewevery tearoom, cafe and restaurant the length and breadth of the country. They were both passionate about 'the family' and were always in touch with their brothers' families, passing news from one branch of the family to another. They outlived all of their siblings, Aunt Helen reaching her 92nd birthday and Aunt mary her 79th. They are both very much missed to this day, but memories of them and time spent with them are warm in our hearts today.