August 2025
In a previous post, there was coverage of the 1935 and 1937 brochures. DDHS was recently given a copy of the 1936 brochure by Jim Ferguson for us to copy, as we do not have this version. Below are three adverts which do not appear either in the 1935 or the 1937 brochures. Photos, text and links by Dr James Herring.
The advert above is for the Lido Cafe in the High Street. The King’s Palace Chinese restaurant has been at this address since 1983. In a previous DDHS post, there is more information on Joseph (Joe) Togneri who was too late in applying for naturalisation and was deported. He was killed on the Andora Star which held many deportees. The advert shows what people could buy at the Lido, locally pronounced Lie-doh as opposed to the Italian Lee-doh and it features the well known billiard hall. This was later known as the Snooker Hall and Dr James Herring and school friends remembers playing snooker in the late 1960s in the hall, after (but also during) school hours. The cafe was subsequently owned by Guy Togneri and his wife.
The concert pavillion referred to in the advert above was situated in Winterfield park. The pavilion aka Winterfield Pagoda was originally built to house Pierrot shows and you can read more about Scottish Pierrots here. There does not appear to be any links – at least not on Google – to any of the artistes but it does look a lively show, with 10 performers presenting songs, dances and jokes To Suit All Tastes. The pavillion had quite a large interior, so it could have Front Stalls, Stalls and Back at different prices. There is no mention of a bar and it is likely that 1930s licensing laws would not have allowed this.
This gas fired water heater was a novelty in the 1930s and possibly only available for purchase by the more affluent. The picture showing the heater being used by a woman in apron/pinnie identifies the market for this product i.e. it was assumed that women would be the main (only?) users and it would be seen as rather clichéd today. The Gas Works on Belhaven Road operated in the 1930s but there was a major upgrade of the gas holders in 1939 as the demad for gas grew with the building of more Council houses in the 1930s and 1940s in Dunbar.
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