Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From issue dated December 7, 2007100 years agoAT Musselburgh School Board, members were told that Fisherrow School had a roll of 1104 pupils and accommodation for 926 pupils, which showed an attendance of 178 pupils more than there was room for, but structurally they had not room for 926 as apart from overcrowding the teaching staff had to do their work under serious disadvantage. Four classes of 261 pupils were found under the charge of four teachers in two rooms. Mr Millar said: "The trend of education is to make smaller classes. At the present time there were 56 in the classes, which might be reduced to 45."
EMPLOYEES of the Musselburgh Electric Tramway Company met in a social capacity in the Musselburgh Arms Hotel to show their respect and esteem for the assistant manager, Mr H Young, in a practical form on the occasion of his appointment to Bo'ness, where he is to act as manager of the electric light undertaking.
50 years agoDR John Riddell, medical officer of health, gave his annual report to members of the Musselburgh Health Committee. He emphasised that although there was no change in the death rate, there had been a considerable change in the causes of death. Deaths from heart diseases and accidents had increased, whereas the number of deaths from tuberculosis had maintained the previous year's low record. There were 70 deaths from heart troubles, compared to 20 in Dalkeith. Over the county, the number of stillbirth averaged 85 per thousand, in Musselburgh the average was 40 per thousand. "Musselburgh is fortunate," said Dr Riddell, "in that she has a maternity hospital."
MUSSELBURGH Finance Committee agreed to recommend the introduction of a scheme whereby ratepayers might gradually make payments of rates by purchasing adhesive stamps which will be affixed to a special card bearing the name and address of the purchaser. The stamps, value 10/- (50p) each, will be on sale at the Burgh Chamberlain's Office on Mondays and Saturdays, as soon as possible after January 1958. It was decided that a charge of 1/- (5p) should be made when a person joined the scheme, in order to defray the cost of the card and stamps.
25 years agoCOCKENZIE power station is a target for a nuclear missile, general purposes convener Graeme Campbell told members of his committee. And he claimed this was the type of information they could glean from sending a delegate to a conference on nuclear-free zones in Manchester the following day. He asked for homologation of his decision to send Councillor John Caven (Inveresk) to represent the council at the conference. However, this led to another row erupting between the Labour and Conservative groups over their differing approaches to nuclear arms, with Councillor David Whiteford (Gullane) disassociating his Tory colleagues from any such action.
WELSH guardsman Simon Weston this week braved the horrific injuries he sustained during the Argentinian attack on the Sir Galahad to receive his campaign medal from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace. One man who was immensely proud but not in the least surprised at this extraordinary show of courage was 21-year-old Simon's father, David, a chiropodist in Dunbar. An ex-RAF doctor, David, who lives in West Barns, said although he was shocked by the terrible burn injuries to Simon's face, back and legs, he knew that, given his son's determination, and not a little help from modern medicine, his son would survive.
10 years agoTRANENT Primary School's new library was officially opened by local councillor Bishop Shepherd last week. Councillor Shepherd was joined by Claire Riding, eldest girl pupil at the school, and Alexander Keith, the youngest boy, to perform the official opening ceremony. The new library was praised by head teacher Julie Cunningham who said: "This is a great new facility, welcomed by both pupils and staff."
THE legality of a £7.7m grant by the former East Lothian District Council to the East Lothian Community Development Trust could rest on the interpretation of one word. At a hearing branded a "waste of time and money" in Haddington, members of the Accounts Commission for Scotland were asked to consider whether the word "anything" meant just that, or if it meant anything apart from funding.
EAST Lothian can once again be flushed with pride after scooping up top awards in the Loo of the Year competition. The county is no stranger to winning prizes for the quality of its public toilets and this year is no different. As well as being named the top local authority in the whole of the UK, the toilets in the village of Gifford have been declared the best unattended loo in which to spend a penny.
From issue dated December 14, 2007100 years agoPROVOST Simpson drew Musselburgh Town Council's attention to the filthy condition of the foreshore on account of the coal washings from the pits at Prestongrange. This was a matter which affected the whole community of the burgh, and it was their duty to try and do what they could to remedy the existing state of maters. He thought they should make a representation to the Local Government Board. He would even go a step further. It affected Portobello beach as well, and he thought if they drew the attention of the Portobello representatives to the matter they could make a joint representation and see if they could not do something to prevent the existing state of matters.
COUNCILLOR Walker asked Musselburgh Town Council power to buy a horse for the Cleansing Department, which was granted. It appears that a horse had been purchased in Orkney, but that it was not suitable for the work and had to be re-sold.
50 years agoTHE question of the re-marriage of divorced people by ministers of the Church of Scotland was discussed by the Presbytery of Dalkeith. Dr David Stiven, Inveresk, the convener of the committee on overtures, said that "opinion was divided." Some members considered that in no circumstances should the marriage of "innocent" or "guilty" people be solemnized by a Church of Scotland minister. Dr Steven said: "My own suggestion is that while no minister should be required to solemnize a second marriage against his conscience, the re-marriage of innocent parties to a divorce should be permitted by the church, but not the remarriage of guilty parties. I recognise that in some cases this may be hard, but for the general good, a practice and procedure — to be adopted throughout the church — must be simple and 'understanded of the people'."
THERE were many entries in the "Win a Victor" competition and although the top prize did not come to Musselburgh, the SMT Sales & Service Co Ltd announce that consolation prizes have been awarded to: Mrs W Hood, 6b Church Street, Tranent; R P S Jones, Court Street, Haddington; W L Turpie, 48 Eskview Avenue, Musselburgh. More than 75,000 men and women nationally had been given a ride in a Victor by their Vauxhall dealers as the first condition of entry.
25 years agoTHE former Robertson Hall, off Lindores Drive, will be officially opened this evening as the new Tranent Scout Hall. The opening ceremony will be performed by Area Commissioner Mr Ian Campbell, who praised the Tranent group this week for their efforts in upgrading the building. Group Scout leader Bill Plain said they leased the building from the district council in June after previously meeting in the former Wishart-St Andrew's Church Hall in Haddington Road.
Santa Claus drops into a party at Prestonpans Infant School in 1981
JOHN Home Robertson, Berwick and East Lothian's Labour MP, met representatives of the local railwaymen at Dunbar last week when they discussed recent press comments about a possible threat to the future of the Edinburgh-Newcastle line. The MP said later: "The East Coast line is vital for East Lothian and Berwickshire. Important industries depend on this link and passenger services on this line are essential for local people." He promised to raise the mater with British Rail chairman Sir Peter Parker.
THE planting of 10,000 daffodil bulbs at open spaces in Prestonpans to improve the appearance of the town is a blooming good idea, the community council agreed. The suggestion comes from secretary Peter Forbes.
10 years agoKIRK ministers and elders have agreed that trusts and kirk sessions should not be stopped from applying for funds from government bodies including those which receive lottery cash. A vote was taken on the issue at the monthly meeting of the Presbytery of Lothian. During a lengthy debate ministers, including Rev Cameron McKenzie, West Church, Haddington, made impassioned please to fellow members to shun lottery money but others felt the cash could be used to help conserve churches which were part of the national heritage.
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to convert a Dunbar hotel into flats and develop a caravan park and houses in its grounds has been given the go-ahead despite a recommendation by council officials it should be refused. East Lothian planning officers had recommended the application at the Battleblent Hotel be turned down because it was contrary to local plans. There had been two objections from local residents.
PLANS to twin North Berwick with a fishing town in Denmark are back on again. Moves to forge links between the East Lothian town and Kertemunde were put on a back burner earlier this year pending a local government election in Denmark, but the mayor had been re-elected.
From issue dated December 21, 2007100 years agoLAST night the servants and employees at Loretto were entertained to their annual Christmas treat by Mr and Mrs Tristram in the spacious dining hall at Loretto. The first item on the programme after a sumptuous tea was a cinematograph entertainment, which was exceedingly enjoyed by all present, more especially the children, who were hearty in their applause as the different animated pictures were thrown on the screen.
MUSSELBURGH Ladies Golf Club held their annual dance in the Town Hall, when there was an assemblage of about 60 ladies and gentlemen present, representative of the Royal Musselburgh, the Musselburgh New, the Insurance and Banking, the Portobello and East Lothian clubs. This function has come to be regarded as the ball of the season in Musselburgh, and consequently no expense or trouble was spared in endeavouring to make it a success.
50 years agoALLEGATIONS by tenants of private houses in Musselburgh that council housing schemes were given preferential treatment in electric street lighting were refuted by the Streets and Lighting Committee. Before the committee was a petition by residents of New Street and Promenade about inadequate street lighting. Burgh Surveyor Mr Dryburgh explained that only the post-war housing schemes had electric street lights. Pre-war schemes were still, in many cases, gas-lit. Electric lights were installed in the later developments because a standard had been introduced.
FIVE-YEAR-OLD David Cunningham, who lives with his mother and father at 80 North High Street, Musselburgh, was thrilled when he met a real film star. David is at present in the Sick Children's Hospital, Edinburgh, recovering from pneumonia. On that day of days, Virginia McKenna visited the hospital and toured the wards handing to the boys and girls toys which had been collected for them. When she reached David's bed she stopped and handed him a beautiful motor car. David later described Virginia as a "very nice lady film star" and his only worry now is to get home to Musselburgh and bring his new motor car with him.
25 years agoNO snow clearing or gritting work is to be carried out in East Lothian until a dispute between the district council and Lothian Regional Council over who should pay for the work is settled. In the past, district council recreation and leisure staff have carried out the work on an agency basis for the regional council. However, after last year's severe winter in which around £10,000 had to be paid out for the work, the region decided they will only be responsible for overtime payments and not for work carried out during the normal working day.
AN East Lothian garage is playing a major part in this year's Blue Peter television appeal to raise money for kidney dialysis machines. Mr David Gorman, owner of the "Ask for Morris" garage in Cockenzie, is refurbishing a 1967 Morris Traveller which has been donated by a Banff woman. Work on the E-registered car will probably start after the holiday season and should take three weeks to complete. It will be auctioned about February with the proceeds to the appeal.
EAST Lothian District Council have agreed to stand by the promise of £7,500 towards the cost of an extension to the Ross High Rugby Club premises even though their application to the Scottish Sports Council has failed.
10 years agoA CHRISTMAS crisis was narrowly averted in Tranent this week when Santa's sleigh broke down as he was on his way to greet local children. Santa was due to arrive at Tranent Day Centre on Monday evening to meet local youngsters and receive their letters. The event is organised annually by Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council with help from the local Rotary Club. However, disaster struck as Santa was on his way to Tranent, when his sleigh developed technical problems near Blindwells. Fortunately, a special sleigh breakdown recovery unit of Santa's little elves was sent to rescue the stricken Father Christmas, who arrived at the day centre in the nick of time to meet the waiting children.
A DUNBAR electrician and teenage musician have been presented with two of the town's top awards. Bill Crowe (58) was given the Community Council Award in recognition of the work he has done for the town's Christmas lights for a number of years. The town's Bowe Cup went to 15-year-old Lana McEwan in recognition of her musical talent. She began playing the cello at the age of nine and took up the piano two years ago. Lana won Dunbar Grammar School's young musician of the year title two years ago. She was selected for the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland.
From issue dated December 28, 2007100 years agoAT Musselburgh Town Council, the question of giving the Tramway Company the necessary powers to run their cars on Sunday during next year was under consideration. The Provost's motion that the right be granted was carried by his casting vote.
EVERY colliery district in Mid and East Lothian was represented at a conference of miners in the Federation Offices at Dalkeith on Saturday. The delegates were instructed to support the Lanarkshire Association representatives in a motion urging the Labour Party in the House of Commons to introduce a bill during the next session of Parliament to prevent employers evicting workmen who occupied dwelling houses belonging to colliery companies during trade disputes, and also urging that a close scrutiny be made of the forthcoming housing legislation with a view of defeating any attempt to make eviction easier.
50 years agoMUSSELBURGH Provost James Lannan once more drew attention of the Lothians River Purification Board to the pollution of the River Esk when he spoke at a meeting on Monday afternoon. "The people of the town are up in arms about the condition of the river, which is digusting and just like an open sewer," said Provost Lannan. "After seeing what goes into the Forth estuary, I can well understand why there are no fish there!" he exclaimed. He described how effluent, in the form of white foam, was specially noticeable at weekends when, he said, the condition of the river was sometimes horrible.
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THIRTY boys from the Red House Home, Musselburgh, travelled through to Glasgow on Christmas Eve to attend the Scottish premiere of Around The World In Eighty Days. Transport for the boys was provided by Miss L di Rollo, who is greatly interested in Red House. On Christmas morning Miss di Rollo gave a free cinema show to all members of the Cinema Club and, in fact, to all the children in the burgh.
25 years agoTHE past year has been a marvellous one for the people of Prestonpans, Mr Gerald O'Brien, chairman of the town's community council said. The highlight of the year, in his view, was the opening of the new community centre to complement the adjacent health centre. And the people had shown their community spirit by supporting the appeal to buy equipment for the health centre. More than £4,000 was raised in a few months, he said.
Roy Baines of the Keeper's Arms, Tranent, joins customers at their Christmas party in 1981
THE kidney machine appeal fund launched in February to buy a £6,500 dialysis machine for Dunbar man George Denholm has reached its target. Money started pouring in as soon as the fund was launched by kindly residents in the Dunbar area who heard how George, of 13A Lamer Street, had to make a 60-mile round trip to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary twice a week for dialysis treatment.
A PUBLIC meeting is to be called early in the New Year to advance plans for the provision of a day centre for the elderly in Haddington. Haddington and District Community Council is fronting the ambitious campaign to provide the town with this long-awaited recreation facility. An invitation to visit the Hollies Day Centre in Musselburgh had been taken up by various people.
10 years agoHADDINGTON'S Herdmanflat Hospital has been earmarked for closure, with the transfer of in-patients to a new purpose-built unit at nearby Roodlands Hospital. Health bosses say the proposal, which could take several years to come to fruition, should not be seen as a closure but as an enhancement of psychiatric services in the area and a move towards community-based care.
EAST Lothian man Peter Ritchie has been promoted to a top international police job. Detective Inspector Ritchie (48) takes up the job of Europol Drug Unit Liaison Officer at the Hague on January 1, for a period of three years. DI Ritchie, who has served with the police force for 23 years, comes from a well known fishing family.
DUNBAR-BASED Belhaven Brewery is set to have one of its merriest Christmases ever. For the leading regional brewer in Scotland, which was floated on the Stock Exchange last year, has just announced record results. Interim figures for the 26 week period ended September 28 reveal that turnover is up 14.3 per cent from £17.04 million to £19.48 million. Chief Executive Stuart Ross commented: "We are delighted to announce a cracking set of results." Belhaven has extended its pub estate from 69 to 72 houses.
