Memories of Frank Smith Newsagent

Walking down the south side of the High Street there was Beatt and Tait’s, with Frank Smith’s a little further on. Now Frank was a gentleman, I worked for him, firstly with an evening paper round then latterly also a morning round, meeting Frank at the station to get the papers from the train and sort them for delivery. I also worked in the shop on Saturdays, usually taking bets for the horse racing on the phone in the back shop. Frank’s nom de plume was Smudge Newport. When I finished work on a Saturday in the shop Frank would give me my wages and a box of chocolates for my mother. This carried on all the time I worked for him. I also remember that it was not unusual to get Scottish Variety stars and actors visiting the shop on Saturdays as I think they preferred to lodge in Newport as opposed to Dundee where they would be appearing. Over the years they had come to know Frank very well and liked to pop in for a chat, perhaps a bet and to pick up their newspaper.