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From our April 6, 2007 edition100 years agoA FISHERMAN named James Hamilton was brought before Musselburgh Police Court charged with playing cards on Fisherrow Links on Sunday. He admitted the offence. There were many complaints from people who frequented the Links and Promenade on Sundays. The Magistrate imposed a fine of 10s (50p) or seven days.
50 years agoBAILIE James Hill made a fighting speech in Musselburgh Town Hall to repudiate Councillor Brash's allegation that the houses in the Wimpey scheme had cost more than was necessary. He said: "Councillor Brash has mentioned that a house in Bonnyrigg costs little more than £1,000. But it was the type of house we, as a council, set our faces against — a space-saving house, lacking all the cupboard space a housewife most likes to have."
25 years agoAS British warships sailed for the Falkland Islands, two East Lothian mothers spoke this week of their fears for their children in Argentina. Mrs Ruth Tweedie, Forth Street, North Berwick, expressed her concern for her 24-year-old daughter Mrs Julia Johnston and her family on a sheep farm in the south of the country. And Mrs Joanna Graham, Stables Cottage, Gosford, near Aberlady, worried for her 18-year-old son, William, who left in January for a six-month working holiday in the Argentine.
A 1981 autumn fair held in North Berwick in aid of the RSPCA and organised by Steven Wright
A FOUR-PAGE architects' brief outlining regional council proposals for community education facilities in the Red School, Prestonpans, has been released. The region is spending £67,000 on the Red School and work should be completed in about two years.
THE future of the Peter Pottery Gallery seems more secure following a meeting of the gallery's supporters in Haddington on Sunday. A special meeting of the Friends of Peter Pottery Gallery was called to discuss the future of the facility because of increasing difficulties in running the premises at the Sands as a commercial venture.
10 years agoONE of East Lothian's longest serving and best known local government officials is now looking forward to a life of leisure — and voluntary work. After 30 years at the forefront of developing and maintaining the district's highways and byways, civil engineer Ken Minty, who has experienced two major council re-organisations, decided the time was ripe to retire. Mr Minty (62), 36 Erskine Road, Gullane, is a keen golfer and plays on Kilspindie, Aberlady.
A NEW priest has been appointed to St Mary's RC Church in Haddington following the death of Canon Daniel McGuinness in February. Father James Friel (63), who is currently parish priest at Christ the King in Grangemouth will officially take up the post next week.
WE'RE all off to sunny Spain! That's the message from members of Dunbar Day Centre, who are looking forward to a Spanish trip later this month. A party of 20 centre members and volunteers are off to Benidorm for a week's holiday.
MUSEUM staff and volunteers in North Berwick are preparing for a busy visitor season. The museum attracted 9,000 visitors last year, and they hoped to do even better.
From our April 13, 2007, edition100 years agoMUSSELBURGH Public Health Committee recommended that furnishings and furniture be obtained for the Eskgrove Hospital at an estimated cost of £400, and also that estimates be obtained for supplies of bedding. The committee also recommended that a number of representative persons be invited to the opening ceremony.
50 years agoA CHANGE was made in the composition of the Musselburgh Municipal Bowling League. Instead of two leagues, as last year, there will be one consisting of 18 clubs. The following teams constitute the league: Auld Brig, Auld Hoose, Bakers' Union, Borderers, Citizens, Clarion, Corporation Welfare, Electricity Board, Eskvale, Forth, Hearts Supporters, Hibernian Supporters, Ladies, M&F Co-op Welfare, Newfield, Optimists, SMT, Thistle.
25 years agoPLANS to make the first mission of mercy to strife-torn Poland from East Lothian next month may be hampered if a suitable vehicle cannot be found. Mr Stanley Godek, former proprietor of the Maitlandfield House Hotel, plans to return to his native country in the middle of next month to deliver the hundreds of donations to help the people of Poland which have flooded into his home at 5 Somnerfield Grove, Haddington.
The OES Traprain Chapter at a sale in Haddington in 1981
TRANENT School Council chairman Mr James Boyle has hit out against Lothian Regional Council's "cavalier" handling of the belting issue in schools. The decision "angered" the school council and members agreed it was "irresponsible and arrogant." Mr Boyle said: "The decision to ban the belt was taken without any prior consultation."
HADDINGTON Rugby Club may soon be given the use of Knox Academy playing fields at a reduced rate - thanks to the efforts of District Councillor David Thomson and Regional Councillor George Gray. Since regional council cutbacks last year, it now costs the club around £30 a time to hire playing facilities without the advantages of clubs in the west of the district who can use the subsidised Pinkie playing fields in Musselburgh.
10 years agoDUNBAR'S former lemonade factory was destroyed by fire which broke out on Wednesday evening. Firefighters battled into the early hours of the morning to bring the blaze under control, and occupants of three nearby flats were evacuated from their homes as a precaution. The fire in the building, situated between Dunbar High Street and Lawson Place, began around 7.45pm. It is believed to have been started deliberately.
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a massive extension to the Tesco supermarket in Haddington were finally given the go-ahead this week. However, the new extension can only be used once agreements have been reached over additional parking to serve the larger store. The extension, to be built on the west side of the existing supermarket, would have a floor area of 1,125 sq m, of which 765 sq m would be additional sales area. There would also be 225 sq m storage areas and a 135 sq m coffee shop.
A SPECIAL presentation is to be made to Prestonpans Infant School teacher Mrs Jean Purves who retired recently. Mrs Purves, whose career at the school spanned 30 years, taught many of the parents of her present pupils. She was involved in every aspect of school life.
From our April 20, 2007, issue100 years agoON Tuesday afternoon, a very pleasant function took place in Inveresk Poorhouse. Miss Gertrude M Hodges, who has been for over nine years matron of the institution, who is retiring on account of her approaching marriage, was presented with a beautifully illuminated address and a solid silver tea service.
50 years agoTHE ordination and induction of Miss Jean Bell Robson MA, in the Congregational Church, Links Street, on Friday evening was a milestone in Musselburgh's history. For it was the first time a woman had ever been ordained in the Honest Toun. Members of the congregation and many visitors crowded into the church to encourage and welcome the woman who was shortly to become the Rev Jean Robson
25 years agoTHE Scottish Development Department have re-affirmed that work on the Tranent bypass will start this summer and on their section of the Musselburgh bypass in mid-1983. Members of East Lothian planning committee welcomed the commitment at their meeting on Tuesday after depute director of planning Mr Ian McNeill reported agreement had been reached on many of the items which had concerned the district council about the bypasses.
Prestonpans Rosemount Boys Club U-11s, pictured in 1981
TWO hospitals in East Lothian were severely disrupted for an hour last Wednesday when the NHS unions took their initial action in support of their pay claim. East Fortune and Roodlands were the hospitals affected as hospital workers made their claim for a pay rise in line with the rate of inflation, currently running at 12 per cent. The Government has offered them four per cent.
THE provision of a new indoor swimming pool in Dunbar is still considered vitally important, East Lothian planning committee heard. But it is clear the council cannot finance such a development themselves in the short term. Councillors considered proposed changes to the draft Dunbar area local plan.
10 years agoRESIDENTS in Tranent are being urged to co-operate to hel catch a vandal with a difference who is interfering with the town's street lights. At first council and electricity officials believed it was simple vandalism which was responsible for floods of complaints about lights being on 24 hours a day in various parts of the town. Now, following further inquiries, it is thought the culprit has intimate knowledge of the time clocks which control the street lighting systems and how to gain access to the control panels.
PRESTON Lodge High School pupil Hilary Walinck will be off to London next month, thanks to her success in a national essay competition. Hilary, a first year pupil, is one of the prize winners in the annual essay writing competition organised by the Derby-based Christian Education Movement.
EAST Lothian Council this week agreed to press ahead with plans for a CCTV scheme in Haddington town centre, despite receiving a lower grant from the Scottish Office than anticipated. The council had submitted a bid to the Scottish Office for funding of £88,000 towards the closed circuit camera scheme for the town centre. The total capital cost has been estimated at £199,000.
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