Something to Aim at In Life

The Current Mrs Creel reminded me of an incident reported in the Aberdeen Press and Journal in 1978.  There is a Gents’ Public Toilet at the junction of Union Terrace and Union Street in Aberdeen.  It is entered by downward granite steps into Union Terrace Gardens; the toilets are a listed building (mainly because of the highly decorative tiling) and they are located directly underneath a statue of King George VI.  ‘Former public toilets under a semi-elliptically arched arcade that bears the footpath of Union Terrace above. The toilets retain some fine interiors.’ (Historic Scotland)

In 1978 a local councillor went into use the facilities and noticed the same attendant was always there.  He asked the council employee where he went on holiday.  It had never even occurred to the toilet attendant (Joe Gordon) that he was allowed a holiday and indeed he was proud of the fact that he’d never had a day off in 17 years.  The councillor was quite aghast and returning to the Council HQ arranged for the man to have two weeks off immediately.

The Councillor went into the gents’ toilet four days later and was stunned to see the same toilet attendant sitting in a deck chair.  He’d also taken in a lot of sand and spread it evenly around and had a bucket and spade and some small flags.  He was sitting under a sunlamp, knotted hanky on his heid, wearing his string vest and eating an ice cream.  The councillor asked what he was doing.  The attendant couldn’t understand and said he had received a letter from Aberdeen City Council  indicating he should immediately take two weeks off at his own convenience.

Wind picking up from the south east.  Rain later.