Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From our edition of August 7, 2009100 years agoON Wednesday next Musselburgh will be on holiday proper for the Fair period. As usual, the bell at the Town Hall will be rung after the clock strikes eight on Tuesday mo
rning to announce the commencement of the Fair. Many of the older inhabitants listen for the ringing of the bell on this particular morning, and the peals are sure to recall many pleasant memories of the days when the Fair was a gala time in the town. On Wednesday the race meeting will take place on the Links, while on Thursday the town excursionists go to Stirling for the day. There will be the usual large display of shows and attractions at the Links, and given good weather the holidays will be happily spent.
YESTERDAY the tramway extension between Levenhall and Port Seton was opened. Cars cannot be run at more than eight miles per hour through the burgh of Prestonpans and four mph through the points. On other parts of the line the speed limit was fixed at 12 mph. At 12 o'clock a special car was run from the depot with the guests.
50 years agoTWO small boys stood before the magistrates at a Juvenile Court in Musselburgh charged with stealing half a pound of growing peas, value one shilling, from a field. When asked if they were guilty or not guilty, both whispered "guilty." The Burgh Prosecutor said that the owner of the field had been troubled by boys making raids and at 5.10pm one day he saw through his binoculars two boys in the pea field. The farmer saw quite clearly that they were picking the peas and he jumped into his car and drove to the field where he caught them red-handed. The boys admitted in the presence of their parents that they had taken the peas. Said the Burgh Prosecutor: "Although the value of the peas is only 1s, boys have been a nuisance to the farmer." The boys told Bailie Hill that they had not been in the pea field before and they would not do it again. "I will admonish you this time," the magistrate said, and warned: "Keep out of the farmer's field." Another two boys pleaded guilty to trampling-in peas growing in a field.
25 years agoA HIGH level investigation into police behaviour during the arrest of some 40 miners in Tranent last Thursday is being sought by East Lothian Labour Party. The executive committee of the constituency party have informed the Chief Constable they are "deeply disturbed" at the behaviour of the police officers both during and after the arrest of striking miners outside a house in McNeill Way. Meanwhile, more than 20 miners' wives and friends took part in a sponosred walk of 20 miles on Sunday to raise money for the strike soup kitchen in Prestonpans.
MR George Pollock has been appointed as the sixth president of Longniddry and District Rotary Club. Formerly club senior vice-president Mr Pollock, of Campbell Court, is a director of Pollock (Scotrans) Ltd, a road transport firm based in Musselburgh. He is extremely honoured to be offered the new post and is looking forward to representing the club at national and international conferences. Longniddry and District Rotary Club was first formed five years ago.
10 years agoEAST central Scotland's independent radio company, Radio Forth Limited, has appointed a new managing director. David Johnston lives in the Haddington area and is a member of the town's pipe band. He is taking over from Tom Steele, also of Haddington, who is retiring early on health grounds. Mr Johnston (45), a married man with three children, has been with Radio Forth, first as a journalist and then Head of News, since 1979.
BILL Brodie, who has been the chairman of East Linton's gala committee for the last 24 years, was thanked for his dedication and service at a surprise birthday party held in the town's Crown Hotel. Mr Brodie was fooled into going into the Crown Hotel under the impression that a friend was celebrating their birthday. To his complete surprise he walked into a party of around 40 people who were assembled to celebrate his birthday. Special thanks go to those who orgainsed the party — Cliff McArthur, Isabel Stephenson, Christina Ingles and Edward Ingles. "I did not expect it, it was a complete surprise," said Bill.
Interested in local history? Find out more by contacting East Lothian Local History Centre and Scran, both of which hold fascinating records of life in East LothianFrom our edition of August 14, 2009100 years agoTHE tramway car ride along the coast for a distance of 10 miles, made possible by the opening of the new line to Port Seton, is likely to become a popular Saturday afternoon excursion with the Edinburgh folks. During last weekend more people patronised the Musselburgh cars than on any other weekend since the track between Joppa and Levenhall was put down. On Saturday it was estimated that no fewer than 17,000 people boarded the cars, while on Sunday the number was about 15,000. Every car on Sunday forenoon and afternoon was crowded to its utmost holding capacity. On Wednesday the cars had another busy day, bringing passengers to the Musselburgh races.
ON Saturday morning it was found on entering the ice cream shop occupied by Di Rollo at 155 North High Street, Musselburgh, that during the night the premises had been broken into and that a quantity of cigarettes, cigars and sweetmeats had been stolen. Fortunately, all the money, with the exception of about two shillings, had been taken away earlier.
50 years agoMUSSELBURGH Town Council clashed heavily once more over the question whether an application by Musselburgh & Fisherrow Co-operative Society Ltd for consent to erect a shop at Pinkie Braes should be heard in private by the town council. Councillor Dr T Wright, the lone independent, protested vigorously that there was no reason for barring either the Press or the public. It was, he believed, "just another habit picked up from the great Soviet Republic."
THE Earl of Home opened officially at Edenhall Hospital, Musselburgh, on Wednesday the first paraplegic unit in Scotland. Edenhall has treated limbless and disabled men for many years but this new service was greatly needed. The Earl of Home said that 20,000 Scottish war veterans had passed through the wards of Edenhall. Limbless patients had occupied the original Edenhall near Kelso during the First World War and gave their name to the present hospital.
25 years agoTHE site of the derelict miners' institute in Prestonpans is to be made available for housing. Lothian Regional Council have agreed to allow new development on the land, even though it is technically within the 'green belt.' Situated at the corner of Prestongrange Road and High Street, the site is presently owned by the local bowling club. They have already sought approval to sell the land in favour of housing from the district council, who in turn submitted the application to the regional council.
TRANENT Carter Festival started on a successful note last Sunday when the Old Parish Church was packed for the kirking of Carter Lad Jim Lynch and his Lass Roslynn Gladstone. Also in attendance were the town clergy Rev Alex Millar, Rev Tony Pepper, Father Somers and Lt Buckley and Miss Ritchie of the Salvation Army. The sashing ceremony was conducted by Tranent's newly appointed Police Inspector Riach. At the annual dog show, the trophy was won by a Sheltie owned by Mrs R McNeill.
10 years agoKEEN bird-watcher and former 'Goodie' Bill Oddie was in North Berwick this week to give a helping hand to the new £2.9m Scottish Seabird Centre, presently under construction at the harbour. The television personality, who is well known for his passion for ornithology, signed his name and made his hand print in a paving stone which will form part of a celebrity 'hall of fame' when the facility opens in spring 2000.
TESCO'S store in Dunbar will begin trading as a Co-op next month as part of a unique property deal between Tesco and Lothian, Borders and Angus Co-operative Society (LBAC). On Tuesday LBAC announced the deal in which ownership of the Co-op's existing 25,000 sq ft superstore in Paton Street, Galashiels, will become a Tesco store and ownership of Tesco stores in Dunbar, Carnoustie and Kirriemuir will be transferred to LBAC control. The Dunbar store will begin trading as a Co-op on September 13. There will be no redundancies as a result of the deal and all existing staff terms and conditions will be honoured.
Interested in local history? Find out more by contacting East Lothian Local History Centre and Scran, both of which hold fascinating records of life in East LothianFrom our edition of August 21, 2009100 years agoALL the twenty colliery districts of Midlothian and Haddingtonshire were fully represented at a conference held privately in the miners' offices at Dalkeith. Attention was called by the district delegate to a complaint of the Federation workmen at Prestongrange Collieries that a number of non-union miners were at work. The meeting decided that if the men complained of did not join the union within the next three weeks the Federation should have the power to order a stoppage of work at the pits in order to compel the men to join.
ON taking a walk round Musselburgh Golf Course on an afternoon, one is struck by the almost entire absence of golfers on the Links. The reputation of Musselburgh as a golfing centre is fast declining, and no effort is being made to check it. We have heard from time to time word of an 18-hole course being tried, and schemes have been tested, but we are in the same position as before. Procrastination! Wait! Wait! Yes, wait until it is too late.
50 years agoA PUBLIC appeal for funds to carry out the reconstruction of an old house in Musselburgh High Street, where the French ambassador lived at one time, may be made by the Town Council. Proposals for the reconstruction of the old house into a habitable four-roomed house were considered by the general purposes committee. Councillor T White pointed out that the council had a responsibility towards posterity, and that the house was architecturally valuable. He believed it could be made habitable, and also suggested that it could be used as a museum.
A REQUEST by Musselburgh Cricket Club for a better pavilion is to be considered by the Parks Committee. Musselburgh as a town is extremely interested in sports, and Provost James Lannan agreed with president of the Honest Toun's Association Mr F W Turner when the latter suggested that the town was very badly catered for as far as athletics was concerned.
25 years agoTHE two sites, in East and Midlothian, which make up the Scottish national mining museum, will be officially opened at a ceremony on Friday September 28. East Lothian MP John Home Robertson will open the new visitors' centre at Prestongrange, Prestonpans. Midlothian MP Alex Eadie will open the museum at Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange.
THE public inquiry into the building of a £600,000 railhead for the transportation of nuclear waste from Torness power station is to be held in Dunbar on October 23. The inquiry follows the decision of East Lothian District Council Planning Committee to refuse permission to build the siding at Skateraw, alongside the main east coast rail line.
A PRESTONPANS union official, active throughout the pit strike, has been sacked by the National Coal Board. The NCB have told Mr David Costello (41), 18 Robertson Avenue, he has been dismissed because of "gross industrial misconduct."
10 years agoTWO bullocks caused a stir in Haddington last Friday morning when they escaped from a field and made their way towards the town centre. The beasts, which had escaped from farmland in the Alderston area, were finally chased into the field bounded by the West Road and Pencaitland Road. Quick-acting farm workers then sealed off the land by putting iron gates across the various openings.
TEENAGE golfer Vikki Laing received the ultimate parting gift when she said goodbye to friends at Musselburgh Golf Club. Having secured a four-year golf scholarship at Berkeley University, California, Vikki set off for the States this week with hopes of reaching the game's highest level. In recognition of her achievements since joining the Monktonhall club eight years ago, the former Musselburgh Grammar pupil was presented with honorary membership by captain George McGill at a surprise farewell party on Saturday. Vikki said: "The party and honorary membership were a complete surprise. I feel very honoured."
Interested in local history? Find out more by contacting East Lothian Local History Centre and Scran, both of which hold fascinating records of life in East LothianFrom our edition of August 28, 2009100 years agoAN unfortunate outbreak of anthrax in a dairy in Musselburgh has had to be dealt with by the public health authorities. How the animal — a cow — became infected has not been discovered, but it is believed that it may have become ill through eating some foreign foodstuffs. The animal was at once killed, but the disease spread to four other cows and a horse. These had all to be slaughtered, and the carcasses were removed to Powderhall to be cremated. The authorities saw to the disinfection of the premises. Considerable sympathy is expressed in the town for the dairyman for the loss he has sustained. Anthrax is a very deadly disorder, and the flesh of animals dying from it cannot be touched by humans with impunity.
ALL roads led to Fisherrow Harbour when the swimming club held their annual gala. Never before has the harbour been thronged by such a crowd, which at one time must have numbered close on 4,000.
50 years agoIF any man can tell the story of a rigger's life that man is Tom Loch, now top man on Harbour Bridge, Sydney, New South Wales. Eldest son of Mrs Mary Loch (Mrs J Stark) he was born in Musselburgh and he led a seafaring life until he settled down and became a leading hand rigger. Now he spends most of his time high up on Harbour Bridge. Fifty-nine-year-old Tom may look like a Frenchman wearing a beret but his 'tongue' gives him away. His accent is an unmistakeable clue that he comes from the Honest Toun.
THE march of 50 Teddy Boys on the Wallyford Miners Institute on Sunday night brought the battle between Musselburgh and Edinburgh rival gangs to an amazing and terrifying conclusion following a series of incidents within the past two weeks. A dance was being held in the institute and as the mob of teenagers neared the hall, bottles began to fly. Fortunately, the police had been warned and, led by Chief Constable William Merrilees, in no time the gang was broken up.
25 years agoNORTH Berwick's new tourist information office is likely to be housed on the ground floor of a sheltered housing development on the former Carlaw Baxter site. East Lothian leisure, recreation and tourism committee has held a site visit to find new premises for the office which, although situated in a busy part of the town, is "unfortunately" situated between men's and women's public toilets.
HILLVIEW House in Main Street, Ormiston, may have to be demolished if attempts to sell it prove to be unsuccessful. The listed building has been in a derelict condition for some time and has been subjected to rat infestation. The property is free from rats at present but solicitors representing the owners admit it is proving difficult to sell.
WHAT is to happen to Tranent's Drill Hall once the town's new community centre is completed? That's the question being asked by the local community council.
10 years agoA PLAN to build two shops and six flats on a prominent gap site next to the County Hotel, North Berwick, has received the official go-ahead. But no part of the building is to be occupied until arrangements for five car parking spaces have been agreed. Interior Fabrics lodged the application for the development at 19-21 High Street. The gap site was formed after an unstable building was demolished some years ago and planners felt it "detracted from the character and appearance of the Conservation Area."
THE last phase of an extensive renovation programme at Wallyford Primary School was completed during the summer holidays. The school hall was repainted and the floor resurfaced, transforming this area into a much lighter and attractive place for pupils and staff. Work has also started to enclose the school playing field in an effort to maintain the area in top condition for the school and local clubs. Head teacher Gordon Hall congratulated parents on their efforts to support the school dress code for the start of the new term.
Interested in local history? Find out more by contacting East Lothian Local History Centre and Scran, both of which hold fascinating records of life in East Lothian
