Interviews of Bill Paterson

In this interview, Bill Patterson (b. 1947, Dunbar) recalls his early life in Dunbar, where he lived until 1967, his working life and his return to the town in 2011. Recalling his early childhood, Bill speaks about shops and businesses in Dunbar and remembers that some families, such as the Togneri family owned several businesses in town, including the Lothian Hotel.

He also remembers how the town changed over his youth as factors such the opening of the cement works which brought a lot of new people into the town. He also recalls different parts of the town especially the outdoor swimming pool which was often the centre of activity.

Home life was in Bull Close where he was bathed in the sink and where his father kept hens and grew vegetables and flowers. He also remembered the fruit trees, which belonged to the Potts, the brothers who owned the pub downstairs. Bill's mother took in lodgers during the holiday season and he remembers they often came from Glasgow, Edinburgh or Newcastle and would often return year after year.

Bill also talks about his schooldays and getting into trouble for his capers. Bill left Dunbar aged 20 to join the Edinburgh City Police before later moving on to the Dalkeith force. He talks about his time with the police, especially as a probationer in Edinburgh, and, towards the end of the interview, talks more about his earlier memories of Dunbar and his father's working life.