Man on Baker Lane

[McK]

Has anyone else been accosted by the old man living in one of the flats on Baker Lane (between the end of Market St by PMs and South St)?

Last year, when I was walking through to South St, he banged on the window asking for help. I thought maybe his wife had fallen or something, or he was being attacked. In fact, he dragged me in and asked me to help him with his mobile phone. He must be in his 70s, he seemed drunk, and the house stank of booze and bird shit. There were no carpets and there were empty bottles, birds and cages everywhere.

He was pretty incoherent, though I found out he used to be a cab driver here. I felt sorry for him, but he wouldn't let me leave. Eventually, I ran out, after trying to explain I didn't know how to work his phone. I felt stupid.

Anyway, this year a friend of mine had almost the same experience. The guy banged on his window and asked for her to help him -- this time with a broken video recorder. It was intimidating, apparently, although maybe that sounds ridiculous.

Anyone else had the same experience?

[Raindance]

[s]McK wrote on 14:16, 9th Feb 2005:
Anyway, this year a friend of mine had almost the same experience. The guy banged on his window and asked for her to help him -- this time with a broken video recorder. It was intimidating, apparently, although maybe that sounds ridiculous.


Hahaha! That was my flatmate, he was fairly disgruntled by the whole thing. Apparently the old guy used to play for East Fife (he had lots of newspaper clippings and such).

Apart from that, I have nothing to add. I've never been accosted myself.

[hr]
Where I'm from is not who I am

[queen of scots]

Oh yeah - he's banged on the window and yelled out to a friend and I before...but we just ignored him! When I see him now I just look in the other direction and keep on walking - he makes me feel really uneasy.

Another friend of mine had an office which looks out on Baker Lane and saw him being brought home by the police, drunk, a fair few times.

We know him as the Troll of Baker Lane, for some reason. And have you noticed, his Christmas tree is without fail the first one to go up in St Andrews every year!

[hr]
Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.

[Happy-Go-Lucky]

Where is Baker lane again? I can't remember, and can't find it on the maps. With this nutty man, sounds like a place worth avoiding.

[Paul]

[s]Happy-Go-Lucky wrote on 16:46, 9th Feb 2005:
Where is Baker lane again? I can't remember, and can't find it on the maps. With this nutty man, sounds like a place worth avoiding.


Just for you:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x ... newmap.srf

[hr]
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." - Proverbs 3:5-7

[queen of scots]

It's between the narrow end of Market Street, and South Street, directly opposite the little bookshop called 'Bouquiniste' on market street. Or, if you're walking along South Street in the cathedral direction, then it's just past the Medieval History department, and before you reach Psyche's Garden.

On one side of the lane there are houses, on the other there is a garden where Madras kids often eat their lunch. I wouldn't worry about avoiding it in the day, although if I'm by myself late at night I would usually go round by the main road.

[hr]
Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.

[Bread Roll]

Did it used to be called something else? Baxter Wynd or something?

[exnihilo]

The sign reads, and has done for at least 10 years, "Baker Lane formerly Baxter Wynd".

[flarewearer]

is this the old dude in the flat cap often to be seen drinking int he central?

[hr]...We sing of landscape and memory and the urgency to do it now; in the street and in the fields...

[shabba!]

[s]McK wrote on 14:16, 9th Feb 2005:[i]
Has anyone else been accosted by the old man living in one of the flats on Baker Lane (between the end of Market St by PMs and South St)?

Oh my god, yes! That man is fr-heaky! He banged on the window when i went past but after about two minutes of soundless communication and vast attempts at lip-reading i ran away. I cant believe you went into his house!...

[flarewearer]

[s]Bread Roll wrote on 18:38, 9th Feb 2005:
Did it used to be called something else? Baxter Wynd or something?


Baxter Wynd is scot's for Baker Lane, the change is merely an anglicism

[hr]
...We sing of landscape and memory and the urgency to do it now; in the street and in the fields...

[queen of scots]

I've always wondered why they actually bothered changing the name...it's not as if it was difficult to say or anything. Surely in a Scottish town we should have kept a Scottish name?


[hr]
Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.

[Guest]

That happened to my friend earlier this week! He was actually quite frightened, and he's a big guy! I don't walk there anymore because of it.

[flarewearer]

[s]queen of scots wrote on 09:54, 10th Feb 2005:
I've always wondered why they actually bothered changing the name...it's not as if it was difficult to say or anything. Surely in a Scottish town we should have kept a Scottish name?


You'd think, but then they did change the name of Tayport from Ferryport on Craig to suit the English rail traveller, there was a trend for this sort of thing at the time.

[hr]
...We sing of landscape and memory and the urgency to do it now; in the street and in the fields...

[Jos Dad]

[s]flarewearer wrote on 13:00, 10th Feb 2005:
then they did change the name of Tayport from Ferryport on Craig to suit the English rail traveller, there was a trend for this sort of thing at the time.


And "Ladybank" was "Ladybog" until the railway came: maybe they were concerned about the lack of convenience.