Scales

Donated by El Mexis (newsagents)

The scales were retrieved from El Mexis newsagents when in recent years it was used as studio space for the Arcadeum art projects.  These scales were presumably most commonly used for weighing out ‘a quarter of’ bags of sweeties.  Cue the nostalgic cravings for those of a certain age who fondly remember; Kola Cubes, Pineapple Chunks, Sour Plumes, Fruit Salads, Milk Gums, Jazzies, Sherbet Pips, Cherry Lips and Scented Satins…and many more!

Perhaps no coincidence that Muirhouse Dental Practice (who also feature in The People’s Museum of Memory and Myth) set up shop just round the corner.

Today the scales are filled with old pennies, a reference to the history of the local area and the All Care Centre’s name Pennywell.  According to folklore there are two likely sources of this.  In the early 19th century traders heading for the markets of Edinburgh to sell their produce would pay ‘a penny’ to allow their animals to drink from the well that was here, or would throw ‘a penny’ in to the well as an omen for successful trading at the market.

Scales

Donated by El Mexis (newsagents)

The scales were retrieved from El Mexis newsagents when in recent years it was used as studio space for the Arcadeum art projects.  These scales were presumably most commonly used for weighing out ‘a quarter of’ bags of sweeties.  Cue the nostalgic cravings for those of a certain age who fondly remember; Kola Cubes, Pineapple Chunks, Sour Plumes, Fruit Salads, Milk Gums, Jazzies, Sherbet Pips, Cherry Lips and Scented Satins…and many more!

Perhaps no coincidence that Muirhouse Dental Practice (who also feature in The People’s Museum of Memory and Myth) set up shop just round the corner.

Today the scales are filled with old pennies, a reference to the history of the local area and the All Care Centre’s name Pennywell.  According to folklore there are two likely sources of this.  In the early 19th century traders heading for the markets of Edinburgh to sell their produce would pay ‘a penny’ to allow their animals to drink from the well that was here, or would throw ‘a penny’ in to the well as an omen for successful trading at the market.

Scales

Donated by El Mexis (newsagents)

The scales were retrieved from El Mexis newsagents when in recent years it was used as studio space for the Arcadeum art projects.  These scales were presumably most commonly used for weighing out ‘a quarter of’ bags of sweeties.  Cue the nostalgic cravings for those of a certain age who fondly remember; Kola Cubes, Pineapple Chunks, Sour Plumes, Fruit Salads, Milk Gums, Jazzies, Sherbet Pips, Cherry Lips and Scented Satins…and many more!

Perhaps no coincidence that Muirhouse Dental Practice (who also feature in The People’s Museum of Memory and Myth) set up shop just round the corner.

Today the scales are filled with old pennies, a reference to the history of the local area and the All Care Centre’s name Pennywell.  According to folklore there are two likely sources of this.  In the early 19th century traders heading for the markets of Edinburgh to sell their produce would pay ‘a penny’ to allow their animals to drink from the well that was here, or would throw ‘a penny’ in to the well as an omen for successful trading at the market.

Scales

Donated by El Mexis (newsagents)

The scales were retrieved from El Mexis newsagents when in recent years it was used as studio space for the Arcadeum art projects.  These scales were presumably most commonly used for weighing out ‘a quarter of’ bags of sweeties.  Cue the nostalgic cravings for those of a certain age who fondly remember; Kola Cubes, Pineapple Chunks, Sour Plumes, Fruit Salads, Milk Gums, Jazzies, Sherbet Pips, Cherry Lips and Scented Satins…and many more!

Perhaps no coincidence that Muirhouse Dental Practice (who also feature in The People’s Museum of Memory and Myth) set up shop just round the corner.

Today the scales are filled with old pennies, a reference to the history of the local area and the All Care Centre’s name Pennywell.  According to folklore there are two likely sources of this.  In the early 19th century traders heading for the markets of Edinburgh to sell their produce would pay ‘a penny’ to allow their animals to drink from the well that was here, or would throw ‘a penny’ in to the well as an omen for successful trading at the market.