Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From our issue of January 2, 2009100 years agoA MEMORIAL tablet was erected in Inveresk Parish Church by Major-General Starke to the memory of his ancestor, Major Hamilton of Olivestob, who built the property in Muss
elburgh known as Olivebank, and was one of the heritors of Inveresk and an intimate friend of the Rev Dr Carlyle, then minister of Inveresk. Major Hamilton was not only connected with the parish, but was a notable soldier and citizen of his day. The tablet is of beautiful design and of white and green marble. We understand Major-General Starke's mother was a grand-daughter of Major Hamilton. Meanwhile, at Musselburgh High UF Church, it was intimated that a deed to the value of £1,000, for the foundation of a scholarship called "The Glass Scholarship," had been received from Mr J H Glass of Mitcham, Surrey, in memory of his father, the Rev John Robertson Glass, the first minister of the Free Church, Musselburgh. It is for the benefit of boys with the congregation between the ages of 16 and 19.
50 years agoIN a hastily arranged meeting, miners gathered in the Playhouse Cinema, Dalkeith, to protest at the Coal Board's intention to close down 30 Scottish pits in the near future. Mr Peter McQuade ridiculed the idea that closing pits at Tranent, Ormiston and Edgehead and elsewhere was the solution.
MR Robert Lindsay Scarlett, Sweethope, Inveresk, is one of four who have been nominated to receive the Scottish Horticultural Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to Scottish horticulture. Mr Scarlett has been a member of the Scottish Horticultural Association from 1907.
TOMMY Torrance, Beulah, Musselburgh, was taken by surprise when he was given a presentation dinner by the local committee of the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers in recognition of his 60 years's service in the woodworkers' society. A native of Musselburgh, Mr Torrance (83) acted as president of the Musselburgh branch in 1911.
25 years agoEAST Lothian's Community History and Arts Trust know what they want for 1984 — money. They hope their level of funding will at least continue at its present level and hopefully increase so that ambitious plans for next year can go ahead. The trust is funded jointly by East Lothian District Council and the Scottish Arts Council, but fear any reduction in grant aid could sacrifice some of their plans.
BOOK up your summer holidays now before the 1984 boom starts, is the message being given by local travel firms. According to Mr Douglas Bell, of Ian Dickson Travel, 1984 is going to see an unprecedented boom in the holiday trade, with the main market being in France, Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal where the pound is strongest. Mr Bell anticipates holidays being much cheaper than in 1983. He explained: "Normally Thomsons are one of the first companies to release their new brochure in September or October, but others have been waiting to see their prices and undercut them."
10 years agoA NEW strategy launched by East Lothian Council to combat the problem of dog fouling and persuade more dog owners to clean up after their pets has proved to be a great success. The pilot project, part of an overall council anti-dog fouling campaign saw council dog warden Carl Howman, in partnership with Lothian and Borders Police, undertake a number of joint patrols throughout East Lothian. Areas identified as having a particular problem with dog fouling were visited and dog owners advised of their responsibility to clean up after their pet and the penalties they face if they refuse.
WORK to build a two-storey extension to Dunbar Primary School at a cost of £2,400,000 is expected to begin in April. The new building will accommodate eight classrooms, new toilets and cloakrooms, a lift, a new library and staffroom and extensions to the hall and kitchen. A new main entrance and janitor's office is also planned along with new access for pedestrians, an enclosed courtyard and improved security measures.
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 issue of January 9, 2009100 years agoFROM the police report for the year ending 30th December 1908, we observe that the number of persons cited and apprehended by the Musselburgh police during the year was 830 males and 90 females, being an increase of 142 over last year. There were 16 wife assaults (all convicted and fined), one indecent assault (sent to prison), two house-breaking cases, 32 for theft, three for reset, three for fraud, 18 for malicious mischief, 35 for gaming and betting, 431 for breaches of the peace and petty assaults, 16 for cruelty to animals, 13 for contraventions of the Education Acts, one for furious driving, eight for contravening the Harbour Bye-laws, 51 cases of drunk and disorderly, 11 drunk in charge of horses and children, one for breach of public house certificate, three deserters from the Army, one deserter from the Navy, 72 for police offences, 166 for street offences such as loitering on the footways and throwing rubbish on the street, two for trespassing and two for begging. The total is the highest ever recorded in Musselburgh.
50 years agoBILLY Anderson's enthusiasm for cat-walking along the narrow parapet of the New Bridge, Musselburgh, was chilled on Monday evening when he fell 20ft into the River Esk, and was given an icy bath and broke his two ankles. Billy, an 11-year-old schoolboy, was dragged to the bank by 50-year-old papermill worker David Naysmith, 41 Stoneybank Terrace. Mr Naysmith was on his way home when he noticed a youngster endeavouring, without much success, to drag Billy to safety to the south of the river. A drenched and dripping Billy was carried into a nearby cinema for warmth whilst waiting for the ambulance. He was taken to the Sick Children's Hospital.
MR John Boyd-Carpenter became the first Minister of Pensions and National Insurance in Musselburgh's history to visit the Honest Toun when he inspected the local pension offices in Mansfield Road. Mr Boyd-Carpenter was also the first Government Minister to visit the town since 1945, when the citizens felt honoured to receive a visit from Earl Atlee, the then Prime Minister.
25 years agoMANY parts of East Lothian welcomed 1984 in darkness as the worst weather of the winter caused numerous power failures to thousands of homes throughout the district. As the gales and torrential rain gave way to snow and blizzards, those who did have home comforts stayed indoors and few ventured out to first foot. The first of the power failures came shortly after the bells had rung in New Year. Power cables failed in a large part of Fisherrow, Musselburgh, and blacked out 1000 homes. On Monday a number of failures caused 2000 consumers in a large area of East Lothian to be without electricity. Homes were affected from Tranent to Dunbar.
AFTER 20 years of service with the Grandison garage family of Musselburgh, Mrs May Lees, of Prestonpans, has hung up her duster for the last time. She began her career as a cleaner with G & R Grandison at Wallyford Motors and later joined them at their new premises in Pinkie Road. A small presentation took place at the garage.
10 years agoTHE New Year Honours brought joy to East Lothian with news of awards for a number of people. There were celebrations in Musselburgh with the award of the Queen's Fire Service Medal to former Grammar School pupil James Napier, son of well-known Burgh residents Alex and Janet Napier of Lochend Road North. Haddington-based authoress Doris Ann Goodchild received an MBE for her services to illustration, particularly of guide books, and to the cause of education.
A PROGRAMME of work costing £24,000 to improve vehicle access to St Mary's RC Primary School in Haddington started this week. The work will include the widening of the access road, new drainage and resurfacing. An extra 12 parking spaces will be provided.
East Lothian MP John Home Robertson took a step into the 21st century with the launch of his own website on the internet. The MP is thought to be the first Scottish Labour MP to have his own website.
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 issue of January 16, 2009100 years agoON Monday afternoon Wallyford School was reopened after having been practically reconstructed. The chairman, Mr J W Scarlett JP, chairman of Inveresk School Board, said: "I can well remember this school kept by Miss Gunn in Wallyford House, and latterly in the one of the upper flats of the two-storey houses at the end of the present row. With the march of progress, the School Board of the day erected a building at a cost of £600, and opened Wallyford School on 14th September 1893 under the superintendence of a lady teacher. Thirty-two pupils were enrolled that day. Plans were passed on 5th April 1894 for an extension entailing an additional expenditure of £200. On 4th October following, the number on the roll was 88. As it was all along purely an infant school, those above Standard III had to walk to Musselburgh or elsewhere. The cost of this school, including the alterations on the present building, was £1530. Previously the accommodation was for 158 infants — now we have space for 210."
50 years agoCRUDENS Ltd, Musselburgh, will give opportunities for some immediate relief of unemployment when they start building the new factory for the precision and hand tool manufacturing industry at Jedburgh. The factory will be operated by the European subsidiary of the American firm of L S Starrett, and when in full production should employ approximately 1000. It is a great triumph for the Musselburgh firm to receive the contract as its cost is estimated at £250,000.
AFTER a lifetime in transport, Inspector J J Dunn, of the Scottish Omnibuses Ltd, attached to the Musselburgh Depot, retired after a varied career in the industry. Mr Dunn resides at 70 Inveresk Road, Musselburgh. Dundee born, he started work as a parcel boy on the Dundee Corporation Tramways in 1907 and then he came to the Coast Lines Musselburgh in 1929, and in time was appointed an inspector. He transferred to the SMT when the company took over in 1937. At a gathering in Edinburgh, Mr Dunn met Mr R Mackenzie, general manager.
25 years agoDUNBAR could soon have a new supermarket with parking for up to 62 cars — despite strong opposition from local traders. The council planning committee received an application from Queen Street Properties, Edinburgh, to build the 10,000 sq ft supermarket at Friarscroft. Dunbar Traders' Association said the existing shopping facilities were more than adequate for present and foreseeable needs.
TEMPORARY consent of two years has been granted on the use of a vehicle service bay at 135 High Street, Tranent, the yard formerly occupied by haulage contractor William Baxter & Sons. But East Lothian planning committee heard the building would be demolished if proposals to build a leisure centre on the site are approved.
A DEVELOPMENT brief for pensioners' houses at Elcho Nurseries, Longniddry, has delighted the local councillor, Tom Wilson. "It is an ideal site for elderly persons' housing," he said. The brief calls for a minimum of 10 houses to be provided.
10 years agoUP to 500 worshippers are expected to converge on the Brunton Hall this weekend as Musselburgh Fraternal of Churches stages a unique ecumenical event. For the first time ever, eight churches in the area will be closed on Sunday morning as congregations come together to mark the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
A SITE, which currently lies derelict at Cockenzie Harbour, could soon be under redevelopment. The former training workshop site adjacent to the harbour and fronting on to the High Street behind Cockenzie House was inherited by East Lothian Council from Lothian Region after local government reorganisation. The council would like to see the land and buildings developed together.
A FAMOUS Musselburgh brew is making a comeback after more than 30 years. Young's Nut Brown Ale was relaunched recently. It has not been brewed since the Musselburgh brewery closed in 1968.
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 issue of January 23, 2009100 years agoON Friday last the children attending Crookston School, from Deantown, Smeaton, Wallyford and Carberry, to the number of several hundred, were entertained to their annual treat by Mr R C Menzies, of St Michael's, Inveresk, at the school. The children were first served with an abundant supply of tea and cakes, after which a programme of songs and recitations was gone through. A cinematograph exhibition was also given, and the children enjoyed themselves heartily. Mr Menzies address the children and, at the close, the Rev Geo Duncan, who was also present, along with the Rev Geo Duncan, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Menzies for his kindness to the children.
IF there is no talk of introducing the birch rod for juvenile thieves in Musselburgh it is high time there was. No less than nine schoolboys appeared before the Magistrates this week charged with theft. A sound thrashing would do most of them good. A parent who freely uses the strap has seldom difficulty in keeping his children under control.
50 years agoMUSSELBURGH Streets and Lighting Committee decided to recommend to the Town Council that repairs should be carried out on the Old Bridge (Roman Bridge). Three tenders have been received for the work, and the lowest, that of James Miller & Partners Ltd, Edinburgh, was approved. Their price was £8576. Burgh Surveyor Mr W Dryburgh told the committee that it would take about six months to complete the job and that during the first two months the bridge would be entirely closed with no facilities for people to cross the river at that point when on the way to the station or mills in the vicinity.
AN application by the Scottish Gas Board for wayleave for a gas main from Goose Green, Musselburgh, to the Gas Works, some 700 yards, was considered by the Parks Committee. The design of the proposed aviary at Lewisvale Park was down for consideration but this was left over until the next meeting. The proposed layout of the old quarry at Haddington Road envisaged one ash football pitch and one grass pitch.
25 years agoHADDINGTON traders may soon become guinea-pigs for an experimental waste disposal scheme. The district council are seeking their agreement to try out new specialised equipment in the town over the next six months. Councillors heard that the firm of Tanks & Drums Ltd are prepared to supply 50 bins free of charge during the trial period. The bins are wheeled to enable ease of handling and manoeuvrability into the refuse system by a binflip mechanism.
THE history of Dunbar fire station started another chapter on Saturday when an impressive new extension was commissioned by Colonel V Cowley, Deputy Lieutenant of East Lothian. The extension, built at a cost of £30,994, has resulted in extensive upgrading of the station which, when built in 1958, cost only £4,829. The extension includes a kitchen, wash room, drying room, toilets and showers. Dunbar's first fire station, in 1946, was situated at Colvin Street, in an old body-building shop owned by the local joiner. The control room was sited in a building some distance away.
10 years agoTHE future of an old people's home in Gullane is in serious doubt. The Waverley Home, which currently has 27 residents, is one of four council-run old people's homes in the county. However, unlike the other three, which are either purpose-built or have been recently upgraded, Waverley is a converted house with higher than average running costs. The home's future is now being reviewed by East Lothian Council.
THE Friends of St Mary's have succeeded in gaining £46,500 in lottery cash to install a peal of bells in the historic kirk in Haddington after lengthy negotiations as it was the first grant relating to a Church of Scotland property. Now it will be possible to acquire and install a peal of eight bells in the tower — a gift to the Kirk Session to replace those removed by the English army when they retreated from Haddington in 1548. The new bells were cast in 1911 for the coronation of King George V and hung until recently at Dunecht House, Aberdeenshire.
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 issue of January 30, 2009100 years agoTHE management of the Gaiety Theatre, Musselburgh, has now been placed in the hands of Mr Dennis Glover, who intends to do everything in his power to make the place comfortable and attractive. Tonight and tomorrow night a splendid cinematograph display will be given, and a good variety company has been secured. The programme, which will include illustrated songs, is an attractive one, and should fill the house each evening.
AT the fortnightly Musselburgh Police Court, two carters were charged with not having lights attached to their carts when it was dark, and were fined 2s 6d each or two days' imprisonment. A charge against a local carting contractor and his carter for having cruelly ill-treated a horse by allowing it to be yoked to a cart while suffering from an open sore on its back was found not proven, after having gone to proof. A miner from Gateshead, who pawned a stolen chain in a pawnshop in Musselburgh, was fined £2 with the alternative of 30 days' jail.
50 years agoMR J Brown, secretary of Musselburgh Windsor Boys' Club, reports that in response to the paragraph which appeared in the Musselburgh News inviting boys to join the club, 46 boys turned up at the Cruden's gymnasium on Thursday evening. The officials were compelled to divide the new members into two groups. As the nights lengthen there will be coaching and trials at King's Park, Musselburgh. Morris Stevenson, the Windsor's inside left, will be in Motherwell's team to meet Amateur Scotland on February 2 at Fir Park.
MUSSELBURGH Town Council stand firm in their objections to the proposed new fire station at the junction of Duddingston Road and Milton Road West, which would make the Musselburgh Fire Station redundant. Musselburgh Town Council decided that the proposed new station would result in Musselburgh having insufficient fire coverage. The firemen themselves are split concerning the proposed close-down.
25 years agoNEW factory premises opened at North Berwick provide an excellent example of how technology can be transferred from a university department to a commercial product. The company, KC Heat Pumps Ltd in Tantallon Road, has developed heat pump technology to give a compact space-heating unit with a running cost so low that premises can be heated using electricity more cheaply than gas. While it is planned to produce the heaters entirely at the North Berwick premises, the company will be retaining the Heriot-Watt University laboratory for development work.
PROPOSALS to build 13 new houses at Woodhall Road, Pencaitland, have taken a further step forward. The proposed layout consists of seven single storey houses and six flats. All the houses will be two-apartments designed specifically for the elderly. The council hoped to increase the size of the site slightly by taking over part of the back gardens of 14-22 Queen's Drive.
10 years agoA GOLDFINCH owned by Graham and Tom Beck of Whitecraig came out top at the Scottish National Cage Bird Society's annual show at Ingliston. Bill Wilson, secretary of Musselburgh and Whitecraig Cage Bird Society, said: "In the 51 years' existence of the British championship, I don't think it has been won by anybody in this area, the nearest being Alex Baxter who challenged for the title during the 1950s, also with a goldfinch."
GLOBAL education arrived in Musselburgh this week with the opening of a new communication and resource centre at Loretto School. Opened by BT chairman Sir Iain Vallance, the £1.1m facility provides a new concept in information technology, enabling pupils and parents to access school systems from various parts of the world during school holidays.
TRANENT bowler Alex Marshall was still coming down to earth this week after becoming the world indoor bowls champion in Great Yarmouth.
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
