Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From our issue of June 6, 2008100 years agoTHE children attending the various Sabbath Schools in connection with Inveresk Parish Church held their annual picnic at Saltoun in parks kindly granted by Mr Fletcher. The
day was ideal and the children, to the number of over a thousand, were conveyed to Saltoun in two special trains. It was no easy task to look after such a large number of children and the superintendents of the various schools — Messrs Wilkie, Stirton and Bennett — and the other teachers had their work cut out for them.
A PUBLIC meeting was held in Baxter's Hall, Musselburgh, to fix the rendezvous for the annual town's excursion, which for several years has been so successfully managed by the Trades' Band Committee. There was an attendance of about 200 present. Votes were taken on places suggested, the two highest being Carlisle and Newcastle. A final vote was then taken when Carlisle was decided upon as the place to be visited this year. The fare is 4s (20p) return.
50 years agoCHIEF Constable William Merrilees handed over a 12-inch television set to the boys of Red House Home, Musselburgh, on behalf of Mecca Dancing Ltd. Mr W Scott, chairman of the governors of Red House Home, received the TV set on behalf of the boys. Provost James Lannan thanked the representative of Mecca Dance Halls, Mr J Cameron, on behalf of the people of Musselburgh.
MR J Ness, sanitary inspector, submitted a report to Musselburgh councillors on the hours of business and charges for facilities in the public washhouse. He had found that the attendance was at its peak on Mondays and declined each succeeding day of the week. Mr Ness suggested the washhouse should be closed on Friday and Saturday, but that an evening session should be held on Thursday. He also proposed that the scale of charges should be reviewed as it was out of proportion with present day prices to provide such facilities at the washhouse for 1/- (5p) for two hours. It was agreed the evening session was "worth a trial."
25 years agoTHE last cinema in East Lothian, the Playhouse in North Berwick, has been sold, and will cease to operate as a picture house from August. Mr Alexander Braid, general manager of Caledonian Associated Cinemas, said the company very much regretted they had been forced to sell, but explained the Playhouse had been operating at a loss for some years. At one time there were at least eight cinemas operating in the district, one each in North Berwick, Dunbar, Haddington and Tranent, and four in Musselburgh.
AN offer of amalgamation was turned down by the Board of Directors of East Lothian Co-operative Society Ltd, it was revealed in their latest financial report. Retiring president Mr John Robertson has confirmed the amalgamation would have been with Scotmid, the Scottish Midland Co-opertive Society Ltd, which has an annual turnover of £80m. He added the board of the Tranent-based society, which has an annual turnover of £11m, decided "not to entertain the question of amalgamation."
10 years agoCOMMUNITY councillors in Tranent are looking forward to the installation of CCTV in the town centre later this year. Members of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council were told it was hoped work on the installation of the closed circuit television cameras would begin around August and be completed in November. Community council chairman Peter Swain said it was now proposed to install an additional camera at the rear of the library. Cameras are proposed for the High Street, Church Street, Bridge Street, Loch Road and Well Wynd.
STAFF and pupils at North Berwick High School will soon be bidding farewell to the rector George Smuga. Mr Smuga (50) has been appointed head teacher of the Royal High School in Edinburgh. Mr Smuga, who has been on secondment to East Lothian Council for the past year as manager of quality assurance, started his job at North Berwick High in August 1990. The former Modern Studies teacher previously taught at Portobello High and Beeslack, Penicuik.
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 June 13, 2008100 years agoWHILE John Manson, apprentice electrician, Kerr's Wynd, Musselburgh, was amusing himself with a couple of percussion caps, used by miners for exploding dynamite cartridges, one of them exploded and blew off a portion of the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, besides injuring his face and one of his eyes. It appears he had been endeavouring to cut one of the caps in two with a pair of pliers when the accident took place. Dr Horsburgh was sent for, and dressed the wounds.
A LETTER was read to Musselburgh town councillors from the Secretary for Scotland intimating that he had agreed to the proposed speed restrictions of motor car speed within the burgh to ten miles per hour from the Ship Inn to Loretto, in Fisher's Wynd, Newbigging, Shorthope Street, and Kerr's Wynd. A letter was also read from Mr Robert Couston intimating a claim for damage done to his cycle caused by the dangerous state of the road near the tramway rails.
50 years ago A TOUCH of colour was added to the station ceremony on Monday morning when Provost James Lannan, with the wave of a green flag, signalled the departure of Musselburgh's first diesel train to Edinburgh. Under ordinary circumstances the diesel train would have moved smoothly off at the press of a button. Monday, however, was no ordinary day and though the flag may be regarded as an anachronism, it retains some of that picturesque quality which never fails to attract children and crowds. Some of the town's oldest worthies vied with the very young in showing interest in the two-coach train, which is yet another landmark in British Railways' policy of replacing steam trains by diesel. The stations served are Musselburgh, Joppa, Portobello, Piershill, Abbeyhill, Waverley, Haymarket, Gorgie East, Craiglockhart, Morningside Road, Blackford Hill, Newington and Duddingston. Perhaps the greatest asset of the diesel coaches is the absence of smoke and steam. A high standard of lighting also makes certain that night time travel is cheerful and that no possible eyestrain could result from reading.
25 years ago EAST Lothian was not forgotten when the Queen's Birthday Honours were published. Aberlady author Nigel Tranter and Longniddry man Barrie Abbot, a director of both the Society of Master Printers of Scotland and the Scottish Newspaper Proprietors' Association, both became Officers of the British Empire. And Sergeant George Aitken of the Royal Corps of Transport, from Haddington, receives the British Empire Medal.
MR John Home Robertson took his seat in the Commons on Wednesday as the Labour Member of Parliament for the new constituency of East Lothian. The former MP for Berwick and East Lothian had a 6,241 majority over the Conservative candidate, Mr Michael Fry. Alliance candidate Michael Kibby was third and Roger Knox (SNP) fourth. The bookies favourite to become the new Labour leader, Mr Neil Kinnock, will be in East Lothian next week. Mr Kinnock will deliver the fourth John P Mackintosh Memorial Lecture at Prestonpans Community Centre.
10 years ago A FORMER social club and well-known pub in Prestonpans could be turned into housing under planning applications which have been lodged with East Lothian Council. Cruden Homes Ltd are seeking planning permission to build 26 houses on the site of the former Castlepark Social Club in West Loan. The club, which was known locally as Billy's Bar, has been closed for some time after the premises were gutted by fire several years ago. The buildings were latterly demolished and the site cleared. Meanwhile, plans have been lodged with the council for consent to change The Gothenburg public house in the High Street into residential accommodation. Applicants John Murray and Scott Murray are seeking consent for the change of use and alterations to the former pub to turn it into a house and flat.
REV Andrew Bain (42) was formally instituted as the new rector of Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church in Haddington. A service, conducted by The Most Reverend Richard Holloway, Bishop of Edinburgh, was held in the church.
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 June 20, 2008100 years agoMANY ratepayers rightly consider that the rates are quite high enough without anything being thrust upon them in the shape of an additional burden, and consequently the proposed scheme for the securing of a free library and institute for Musselburgh is likely to meet with considerable opposition from certain sections of the community. Musselburgh at present has nothing in the shape of a public library and institute or, in other words, has no place where the youth of the town can spend a few hours in a winter evening in comfort. It seems ridiculous in these days to find a town with over 14,000 of a population without a library and institute.
THE firm of Messrs J & W Stuart of Esk Mills Net Factory, Musselburgh, afforded their employees a day's outing at the Scottish National Exhibition. No less than 800 of the workers and friends took advantage of the opportunity. The company left in two special trains from Musselburgh, direct to the Exhibition Station at Gorgie.
50 years agoTHE proposal to withdraw the full-time fire station at Musselburgh and merge it with a new fire station at Duddingston crossroads has met with considerable opposition, especially from members of the South-Eastern Fire Brigade in the Musselburgh station. The town council wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland, protesting against this measure. Now the men at the fire station have started canvassing for signatures. Already they have obtained 1500 signatures from people in the Stoneybank area, with only six refusals.
MR Robert Dickson, 30 Promenade, Musselburgh, head greenkeeper in the Parks Department, retires this week after 28 years' service and, on Wednesday afternoon, no one was more surprised than he when he was the main figure in a presentation ceremony at Lewisvale Park attended by the Provost, the Parks Superintendent, and his fellow-workers. In the First World War he was in the Royal Navy and was awarded the DSM. Then he was quite happy to take up his career as greenkeeper in Musselburgh.
25 years agoDIRLETON Primary School will be saying goodbye to their head teacher Mrs Helen McKay at the end of this term. Mrs McKay, the widow of Jack McKay, the first headmaster of Law Primary in North Berwick, is leaving to get married. After the wedding, in July, she will still have the same initials, when she becomes Mrs A MacKenzie. Although she is leaving for the happiest of reasons, Mrs McKay said she would be very sorry to leave Dirleton. Her new home will be in Nottingham.
THE Salvation Army suite of buildings in Kirk Street, Prestonpans, will be officially opened by the Territorial Commander, Colonel Wesley Harris. The Prestonpans Corps can trace its history back to January 27, 1918 , when George Marshall began holding meetings in his home. The first convert was a 14-year-old called James Malcolm. On February 15, 1920, the Corps settled into rented accommodation in Cookies Wynd, where they worshipped until June 23, 1968. More recently they were in the Grange Church Hall.
10 years agoCOMMUNITY councillors in Prestonpans are hailing the news that the town is to get its own swimming pool — after a wait of more than 30 years. East Lothian Council has agreed to set aside £30,000 in this year's capital budget for design fees for a pool. Council convener and Prestonpans East councillor Pat O'Brien said the money would be used for design and architectural fees, but stressed planners were stilling looking at suitable sites for a pool in the town.
CARE worker Bunty Stephen is planning to do a tandem sky dive to raise money for the charity which provided care for her late husband when he was terminally ill with cancer. Bunty (53), of Brodie Avenue, North Berwick, wanted to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief as a way of saying thanks for the care and support provided to her late husband, Sandy, who died from cancer two years ago. She will travel to the airfield near Alnwick, Northumberland, where she will undertake the dive if weather conditions are suitable. Bunty has two children and four grandchildren.
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 June 27, 2008100 years agoA SPECIAL meeting of Musselburgh Town Council was held to consider whether or not the town council were to fall in line with other towns in giving General Booth a public welcome on the occasion of his visit to Musselburgh. While they might not agree with all the methods adopted by the Salvation Army in carrying on their work, still General Booth was an outstanding social reformer and they were bound to recognise him as such. The council agreed to extend a public welcome to General Booth. A platform is to be erected at the Cross.
A MEETING of those interested in the formation of a junior football club for Musselburgh was held in the Central Bar Rooms, Mr Robert Mackie presiding. After an expression of opinion it was agreed to form a club and the following office bearers were elected: President, Mr R Mackie; vice-president, Mr D Jardine; secretary, Mr W Hickie; treasurer, Mr Jas Gray. A committee was also elected.
50 years agoWHEN fire broke out in Dickson's Store Room, Millhill, last Friday, Musselburgh fire station were "hot on the job." Seconds after they had received the call they were down at Millhill. Immediately they unwound a new hose — only to find that there was a puncture in it. So while the fire blazed at one end of Millhill, the street was flooded at the other — but not only with water. Children coming out of school, children returning to the Red House Home, children, children, children. For half-an-hour they gloried in the improvised paddling pool.
PRESIDENT Wm Wilson welcomed a good turnout of members' wives and lady friends for the annual ladies' night on the green of the Musselburgh Bowling Club. The weather was not of the best, nevertheless the full game was played and the ladies enjoyed themselves both on and off the green. A satisfying tea was followed by harmony, and for this part of the evening much of the success was due to accordion selections by Mr David Gardiner. "Auld Lang Syne" concluded a happy night.
25 years agoEAST Lothian Constituency Labour Party are to nominate Mr Neil Kinnock as the next Leader of the Labour Party. Mr Roy Hattersley will receive their nomination for Deputy Leader. The nominations were agreed just four days after Mr Kinnock was in town to give his vision of the Labour Party after the general election. The Welsh MP, however, had to call on his campaign manager, Livingston MP Mr Robin Cook, to deliver the John P Mackintosh Memorial Lecture. Mr Kinnock was under doctor's orders to keep quiet because of a throat infection. More than 400 people packed into Prestonpans Community Centre while others watched on the big screen set up in Prestonpans Labour Club's marquee.
A TOTAL of more than 300 people have now signed the petition in East Linton deploring the lack of a village policeman. Since so many have already signed, it has been decided to stop collecting signatures a the end of the week. The petition will be sent to John Home Robertson MP, who will pass it on to the Chief Constable.
10 years agoROAD measures are to be taken in Wallyford at a cost of more than £100,000 following public consultation. Traffic calming proposals will be imposed on the A6094 and Salters Road based on the introduction of single lane narrowings and two pelican crossings. The sum of £60,000 has also been set aside for carriageway and footway reconstruction in Strawberry Loan, which is collapsing.
REV John Wilson and his wife Mary, an auxiliary minister, are set to leave the Gifford area to start a new life in Sutherland. But the couple admit the move will be "quite a wrench" after 13 years in the village. The couple are bound for Altnaharra where Mr Wilson will take up a new job as minister at Bettyhill. At the moment his duties cover three charges, Bolton and Saltoun linked with Humbie and Yester.
A NEW sheltered housing development currently under construction in East Loan, Prestonpans, is to be named Johnny Moat Place.
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
