Caithness CWS - Community Pages - Arts - Edinburgh John O'Groat Literary Society 1959

This small literary magazine from 1959 has been uncovered and we would be interested to hear from anyone who has copies from other years. Contact bill@caithness.org
Edinburgh John O'Groat Literary Society 1959
Cover Design Title Page Editorial (See Below) Dunnet Head A Sonnet Fae Dannie A whiff Of the Country air The Phantom Pedlar Chuist an Act The Joiner's Shop 'E Reflections O' Sanny Scrabster In the mist Havers Sea shells On the Sea shore Caithness Humour Edmonton A Tale of Hallowe'en Fowk A Dinna Lek True Reflections And Tales Peerie John Of TheOrcades A Caithness Memory In Praise Of Thurso Odds And Ends The Duck That Died Twice For 'E Bairnies - The House On The Moor The Phantom Hind Caithness Morning Takin' Long	James S Ryrie Donald C Manson Jane Thomson Twonine Nona Nita H Padwick A. N. Actor Puffag Sanny Morven Alle Trang Ronald Thomson Humoresque E. C. B. Don Manson Anon. Spokeshave Nits H Padwick Carolyn Andrew J D A. M. D. Torquil A B McLeod a B McLeod Bardsmirkie J M F
Editorial It has been customary to devote a few lines on this editorial page to our appreciation of the talent and generosity of our contributors, but we feel that the time is ripe for a more comprehensive survey of our own particular literary field. We remember in our youth being exhorted by our headmaster at a school prize-giving ceremony to disseminate our knowledge gained by study, for the benefit of others. “What!” We thought “Hand out all our hard-swotted learning on a plate to all and sundry? - Not likely!” However, the innate wisdom of this advice can prevail with us all through our more mature years, and our powers of self-expression be magnified thereby. There are already strong indications that the novelty and thraldom of television are on the decline and there is little doubt that we will all be better for a return - however gradual - to where individuals are the mainspring and not merely the spectators in life’s panorama, and rejoice in sharing by the medium of colourful prose or cadent poem, a vivid picture of something that has inspired them and which may add to our common treasury of remembered joys. We hopefully rely on our members committing to paper something interesting, beautiful, or humerous, affecting our home county, which would indeed be lost if buried in the dusty vaults of moribund memory, bringing its own reward in being shared with a wider circle of friends. It is much to be hoped that at some not too future date it may be found possible to publish a comprehensive selection from our magazines in the form of a bedside book that would be treasured by Caithnessians wherever they may be. To all our contributors we extend with great pleasure our sincere thanks for providing time and finding inspiration to enable us to present another magazine of well-sustained quality. The artistic cover, skilfully designed, and once again generously donated by Mr James S Ryrie, is an attractive testimony of his sustained interest in our magazine, and we voice the unanimous sentiments of our members in expressing our deep appreciation of his kindness. We have also great pleasure in thanking Mr Donald C Manson for designing again this year the distinctive title page, a most valued enhancement.