This article is taken from "The Orcadian" dated Thursday, 7th December 2006.

Talking Shops

"More Talking Shops"

"His shop was the rendezvous for many old cronies, as shoemakers' shop usually are, when all the topics of the day were discussed and settled..." (1937).

"Settled", in the sense of opinions being expressed, although the people concerned did not have political clout sufficient to translate feelings or prejudice into action.

In this case the premises belonged to Alex Kirkness, a man whose long experience of business and extensive family connections ensured he was fully conversant with all that was going on in Stromness.

Although anything but a man who "put himself forward", Alex had a great interest in the town's affairs. Since he had no taste for council membership, the shop was an ideal setting for him to hear and exchange views.

It was well frequented, since Alex was the youngest of 12 children from Upper Lyking and, later on, Gyron, Sandwick, while his wife Marion (Begg) was one of 11.

From the time he set up for himself in the late 1870s, Alex Kirkness attracted regulars who loved to comment on current events, comparing them to parallel situations in the town's past.

For a long time, 43 John Street was one of the places to go for a yarn until Alex retired. He died at 134 Victoria Street in 1937, having seen generations of customers and visitors through his shop.

Another veteran shoemaker continued to provide that "service" at the other end: 55 Dundas Street was where Herbert (Bertie) Sinclair conducted his business, following his father's tenure.

The trade had been followed there since 1858, after the premises' use as an ale-house.

When Bertie retired, his shop had two widely-accepted claims for public attention: its appearance and facility as a story-tellers' resort.

"The old-world charm...was a constant attraction to visitors - the small windows, the low ceiling, the stone floor" (with one of the latter's flags shining in wet weather, indicative of its origin at the shore.

"This, they thought, was the authentic Stromness" (1962).

So were the people who gathered there, "many local worthies," who could be guaranteed to rehearse stories of some antiquity - most of them lost, if not all, to us print-dependent citizens, who may regret the disappearance of so much Stromness-centred oral narrative.

There were other "talking shops", of course, two of which may be touched on as examples of how the proprietor's personality could make a business something of a social focus over and above the commodity or service on offer.

"In Billy Clouston's, three old whalers lounged against the bar..."

This 1950s evocation of a well-patronised establishment at the South End early last century preserved the name of a popular publican, from "an old Stromness family," who followed work as a steward on the northern mail steamers with running the pub near the present museum.

William N. Clouston could entertain customers with stories of experience at sea or divert conversation onto cricket, a game he loved and promoted, being one of the Stromness club's founders.

In time, he had to retire through ill-health, but many of today's pensioners can recall their senior male relatives harking back to the days when you could go out on Saturday night with a shilling in your pocket and return, well-satisfied, having enjoyed the two gills of whisky and two schooners of beer that sum purchased.

Just as important was the camaraderie in a warm atmosphere. No doubt our local pubs and clubs would be inundated with custom, were they to revert to Billy's prices - although, in his day, one shilling was a consideration for those drinking at 3 South End.

The other source of anecdote was an Irishman with the love of a story associated with his race.

Patric (Paddy) Mee's barber shop was in a central position, at 29 Victoria Street. Accordingly it was convenient to drop in and hear what was going on - or said to be. Paddy had many stories - one of them, his autobiograpy, Marine Gunner, contained humorous descriptions of his war service.

First in Stromness as the First World War's end looked not far off, he returned, on being demobbed, to set up in the shop he was to occupy for 27 years until retiring in 1946, to return to his own country.

There can be no doubt that the owners of "talking shops" mentioned in this sketch made a contribution to the town's leisure amenity - out of the weather, sure of good company and not far from home, callers and customers could enjoy harmless, free entertainment.

But there were other opportunities and - some said - institutions affording conversation with kindred spirits: The Shelter, Pier Head Parliament and The Constitutional, matter for another week.