More than just book
When I set out to write 'The Buttercup', little did I realise where that journey would take me and the effect it would have on some people's lives.
It all started off in a very normal way, when I wrote down my memories and trawled the Internet for articles references and records. However, this was nothing like enough for a book so I soon decided that the only way forward was to write letters to every newspaper in Scotland, appealing for information from former Buttercup employees and members of the Ewing family. I also spent days at records offices trying to track down Andrew Ewing's relatives, as well as the Buttercup liquidator to obtain his permission to view banking records. Amazingly I had almost 100% success and was able to contact most of Andrew Ewing's great nieces and nephews - and the liquidator.
As regards former employees, my oldest interviewee was 95 year old Euphemia Murray, who started work in the Buttercup in 1926. Others, who had lived at the poultry farm included Margaret Russell, from 1922 and Rena Lloyd from 1935. I also tracked down the personal secretary of Andrew Ewing's successor, John Noble, as well as John Noble's children.
I visited and interviewed many of these people, which was an absolute joy. Although I had never met any of them before, there was an immediate camaraderie, born out of a common background and, in many respects, it was like going home. Through this process I obtained a lot of information and photographs, but more important, I also made many good friends.
This process eventually brought together many members of the Ewing family who had never met, as well as others connected to the Buttercup. who had not seen each other for more than sixty years. It also put me back in touch with some of my old primary school chums as well as my old primary school – which now has a Ewing House!
Last week, Edinburgh City Council opened a city park next to the site of the old Buttercup Poultry Farm – called The Buttercup Farm Park. In Innerleithen and Dunbar, two former Buttercup shops have been renamed The Buttercup Studio (although they are not linked) and, in Glasgow, there is now coffee shop called The Buttercup Dairy Company. A film of the Buttercup Poultry Farm, shot in 1934 has also been discovered and I have been approached by a film maker about a possible documentary or dramatisation of the story.
While book sales could have been better, those who have bought it appeared to have enjoyed the story, with many coming back to buy more copies for their friends. The record is twelve, but two or three is more usual. Others have posted excellent reviews or sent me heart-warming letters of thanks. Some have past connections with the company or Andrew Ewing and I was intrigued to find out that I wasn't the only child to receive half a crown when I crossed his path!
My most abiding memory of the whole project was when I hand delivered a copy of my newly published book to 97 year old Euphemia Murray, who was by then in a nursing home. The joy in her face brought tears to my eyes, and that moment itself was enough to make it all worthwhile!
It all started off in a very normal way, when I wrote down my memories and trawled the Internet for articles references and records. However, this was nothing like enough for a book so I soon decided that the only way forward was to write letters to every newspaper in Scotland, appealing for information from former Buttercup employees and members of the Ewing family. I also spent days at records offices trying to track down Andrew Ewing's relatives, as well as the Buttercup liquidator to obtain his permission to view banking records. Amazingly I had almost 100% success and was able to contact most of Andrew Ewing's great nieces and nephews - and the liquidator.
As regards former employees, my oldest interviewee was 95 year old Euphemia Murray, who started work in the Buttercup in 1926. Others, who had lived at the poultry farm included Margaret Russell, from 1922 and Rena Lloyd from 1935. I also tracked down the personal secretary of Andrew Ewing's successor, John Noble, as well as John Noble's children.
I visited and interviewed many of these people, which was an absolute joy. Although I had never met any of them before, there was an immediate camaraderie, born out of a common background and, in many respects, it was like going home. Through this process I obtained a lot of information and photographs, but more important, I also made many good friends.
This process eventually brought together many members of the Ewing family who had never met, as well as others connected to the Buttercup. who had not seen each other for more than sixty years. It also put me back in touch with some of my old primary school chums as well as my old primary school – which now has a Ewing House!
Last week, Edinburgh City Council opened a city park next to the site of the old Buttercup Poultry Farm – called The Buttercup Farm Park. In Innerleithen and Dunbar, two former Buttercup shops have been renamed The Buttercup Studio (although they are not linked) and, in Glasgow, there is now coffee shop called The Buttercup Dairy Company. A film of the Buttercup Poultry Farm, shot in 1934 has also been discovered and I have been approached by a film maker about a possible documentary or dramatisation of the story.
While book sales could have been better, those who have bought it appeared to have enjoyed the story, with many coming back to buy more copies for their friends. The record is twelve, but two or three is more usual. Others have posted excellent reviews or sent me heart-warming letters of thanks. Some have past connections with the company or Andrew Ewing and I was intrigued to find out that I wasn't the only child to receive half a crown when I crossed his path!
My most abiding memory of the whole project was when I hand delivered a copy of my newly published book to 97 year old Euphemia Murray, who was by then in a nursing home. The joy in her face brought tears to my eyes, and that moment itself was enough to make it all worthwhile!
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