From our May 4, 2007 edition

100 years ago

A VERY sad accident occurred at Wallyford Colliery on Tuesday. A young lad named Thomas Gilroy, son of Alexander Gilroy, miner, left school only recently and began work at the pithead of the colliery. It seems that on Tuesday he was passing between two waggons when one of them was set in motion, with the result that the poor lad's head came between the buffers of the waggons. Death was instantaneous. He was only about 15 years of age, and was a promising young lad. Much sympathy is felt for his family in their very sudden bereavement.

THERE passed away at Cowpits, Inveresk, Alexander Fowler. His mother, Betty, who died some 10 years ago, was one of the last women engaged in the pits, and got the Queen's Bounty, as it was called, of 5s (25p) given to every woman who was prevented from working in the pits.

50 years ago

MUSSELBURGH will soon have a new club — a Saturday forenoon club for boys and girls who attend the matinees at the Hayweights Cinema. The manager, Mr George Williamson, said that it was felt that there was a decided need for a club of the kind in the town. It is intended that special films will be shown and, in addition, there will be competitions for singing and dancing.

MRS E Shanley and Mrs M Loch acted as Musselburgh delegates at the Scottish Council of Women's Citizens held at Rothesay. Mrs Loch proposed the following resolution: "That coal rationing should now be ended, and that we should be allowed to choose our own coal merchants without registering." This motion was seconded by Arbroath and passed unanimously.

COUNCILLORS and prospective councillors of the Ratepayers' Association met in Loretto Hall and painted a drab picture of present-day Musselburgh. They told of a once proud town which was now wallowing in a financial crisis with a debt of £2.75 million round its neck and hundreds of people living in slums while comparatively well-off council tenants basked in the sunshine of low rents. All tenants were also paying exorbitant rates.

25 years ago

UNLESS "faint hopes" for recovery can be realised, the takeover of Prestonpans company Archibald McMillan by Robert Morton D-G Ltd has fallen through. The news came as a "great blow" to management and former workers at McMillans and will mean that up to 30 men made redundant when McMillans closed have seen hopes of regaining those jobs dashed.

AS the 'war' between Britain and Argentina escalates, a Tranent mother waits anxiously at home waiting for news of her son. Mrs Ina Doig's son, Jim, is currently in the embattled area serving as leading radio operator on board the Invincible. Jim was home on leave before the crisis flared up. Since then, Mrs Doig, of 11 Young Avenue, Tranent, has not heard from him.

HENDERSON Hall, Tranent, is to be sold. This was announced by the parish church earlier this week. The Henderson Hall was given to the kirk session of Tranent Parish by the trustees of Tranent Catholic School in May 1889. Fifty pounds was paid by the Rev William Caesar, parish church minister, for the building. In 1974, the yard adjoining the hall was gifted to Rev Alex Miller, minister of the Parish Church, by Mrs Margaret Galway of Hounslow, Middlesex.

10 years ago

SOUP and sandwiches will be on the menu instead of school dinners for pupils in East Lothian every Friday. The move, announced as part of the council's budget cutbacks last month, will save an estimated £20,000. The new meals service means staff, pupils and school visitors will be served up hot soup, a range of sandwiches and takeaway service on Fridays instead of the full menu served from Mondays to Thursdays.

EAST Lothian's new mobile library was launched last week by Councillor Ann McCarthy with the help of Labour's John Home Robertson, Emily Smith (93) and month-old Jennifer Spilsbury, both of Pencaitland — the service's oldest and youngest members. Children's author Robert Crowther also joined them at the East Lothian Library and Museum HQ in Haddington to help wave off the vehicle on its first journey.

EWAN Clark of Longniddry Scouts camped out in every month of this year to gain the Scout Movement's prestigious Zodiac Award which was presented to him at the annual general meeting of East Lothian Scouts by the president, Sir Charles Fraser. Also receiving his Zodiac Award was Luke Humphrey from Pencaitland.

From our May 11, 2007 edition

100 years ago

OF late a great deal has been said about the dog racing that has gone on in the Mall Park Recreation Grounds, Musselburgh, in so far that the noise created has been an unmitigated nuisance to residents. Dogs can bark and dogs can bite, but it cannot be said that they can indulge in such a volley of oaths and foul language as that which formed the sequel to a junior football match in the park on Monday night. A great crowd had been attracted to a match between Wallyford Violet and Dalkeith Thistle, and the decision of the referee about a winning goal scored by the Dalkeith team in the closing minutes in semi- darkness was so much resented by the spectators that he was set upon by a lot of the hooligan type as he was leaving the grounds, and brutally kicked about the legs. Some of the committee men endeavoured to protect the unfortunate man, and two constables succeeded in forcing their way through the crowd and held back the rowdies.

50 years ago

A SMALL party of Guides from the 7th Musselburgh Company set out in glorious sunshine for the first camp of the season. When they arrived at the chosen site at Winton Castle, it looked a perfect picture. But the north-east wind was soon howling over the site and never really dropped until the Monday afternoon when the camp was almost finished. There was rain and even snow in between times. On Monday morning Sir David Ogilvy kindly showed the party over the castle.

MUSSELBURGH Labour Party swept aside all opposition at the Municipal Election on Tuesday. The rout of the Ratepayers' Association candidates was complete — all four were defeated in no uncertain fashion.

AFTER 40 years in the Transport Service, driver Fred Waller is retiring. He first started as a driver in 1912 and later transferred to the Coast Line Services. When they were taken over by SMT, Fred carried on and has been with the company ever since. Retiring at the same time was Adam Rogers, maintenance staff, at the local SMT depot. A special farewell dinner was held in their honour at the Co-operative Tea Rooms, Musselburgh.

25 years ago

COUNCILLORS saw red this week — at a Tranent shop painted yellow! For East Lothian's planning committee ruled the colour scheme was an advertisement. And, as such, they considered it was detrimental to the general amenity of the area. As a result, the committee refused planning permission to Mr T Gray for the display of advertisements at 92 High Street. A former pet shop, the premises are now used for the sale of motorcycles and accessories.

OUTLINE planning consent was granted this week for a £1 million sheltered housing development at the former Dunbar Cottage Hospital. The Civil Service Benevolent Fund want to convert the existing building into four staff houses, East Lothian's planning committee heard. Residential accommodation for the elderly would be contained in a large building centrally located in the site.

ANOTHER sighting has been reported of a puma prowling in East Lothian. Mr Thomas Catleugh, 1 Papana Cottages, Garvald, reported to police that he saw the animal near Garvald Mains Farm about 2pm on Sunday. The previous week, Innerwick farmer Mr Andrew Ritchie suspected that two lambs may have been killed by a puma.

10 years ago

EAST Lothian's two MPs were this week still celebrating their part in Labour's landslide General Election victory. In the East Lothian constituency itself, sitting MP John Home Robertson saw his 1992 majority of 10,036 leap to 14,221, despite the boundary changes which saw part of the Honest Toun lost to the new Edinburgh East and Musselburgh constituency. The changes brought further joy to neighbouring MP Gavin Strang who also saw his majority increase to 14,530. He was rewarded with a position in Prime Minister Tony Blair's new Cabinet as Transport Minister.

THE charge of St Clement's, Wallyford, and St Ninian's, Musselburgh, is to have a new minister. She is Rev Moira McDonald, who takes over the post vacated by Rev Sandy Bonnar's move to Perthshire.

WORK by world famous artist Picasso is now being exhibited at North Berwick Museum. Picasso: Histoire Naturelle is a national touring exhibition from the Hayward Gallery, which first went on the road in July 1993.

A MOVE by East Lothian Council to harmonise harbour charges throughout the county has attracted protests from users.

From our May 18, 2007, issue

100 years ago

ON Tuesday forenoon, Major A G Ferguson, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, visited Musselburgh and inspected the local section of the force. This was done in the Town Hall in which the force, consisting of Inspector Fraser, one sergeant and 12 constables were drawn up in line and received Major Ferguson with a military salute.

IN response to the request made by the Musselburgh Merchants' Association, the Secretary of the Post Office has written: "It has been decided to institute a despatch from Musselburgh by the train leaving at 8.52am." We are pleased this much needed reform has been granted.

WHILE working at Carberry Colliery, George Moffat, residing in Cowpits, got his collar bone broken and was otherwise injured by a fall of coal.

50 years ago

MUSSELBURGH Town Council's longest serving member, Councillor James Lannan, JP, was on Friday evening installed as Provost of Musselburgh. He was invested with the chain of office by Mr David Taylor, Town Clerk, who was also first to congratulate him on attaining this high honour. Provost Lannan first entered Musselburgh Town Council in 1934 and has served on it for 21 years with only a short break during the years 1946-49.

LAST Saturday was an important day for Brownies in Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig. Over 200 of them, together with their officers, met in the grounds of Pinkie to hold their "revels" in celebration of their centenary year. The proceedings ended with a "pow wow" and a "grand howl" was given to Mrs Forbes Mackintosh as a thank you for the use of her garden.

A FAREWELL presentation of a barometer with a silver engraved plate was made on Friday to Mr Thomas Lyon by Lieut John A Currie on behalf of the 469 (Musselburgh) Sea Cadet Corps, the "Indefatigable," of which he is commanding officer. Mr Lyon is leaving Fisherrow for Arbroath at the end of the month, and was thanked for his services.

25 years ago

VIGOROUS lobbying of headmasters and and club officials in Prestonpans and surrounding villages is taking place this week as a local councillor fights to save plans for a swimming pool in the town. The construction of the pool in Preston Lodge was proposed by the deposed ruling Labour group in the region and placed on the capital programme for 1982-85. However, one of the first motions put forward by the new Tory administration was to cite Dunbar as top priority for the swimming pool. This would inevitably put back the 'Pans pool which has been promised since the new Preston Lodge High School was built 14 years ago.

The fight to keep a DHSS office in Tranent is now in full swing. However, survey statistics on the use of the office have been challenged by the department and they remain adamant the office will close at the end of this month.

CLAIMS that Dunbar, as the most remote burgh in East Lothian, is being neglected were roundly condemned at the district council's policy and resources committee. Leonard Hassall, chairman of Dunbar and District Ratepayers Association, "put on record their dismay at the apparent lack of interest on the part of the council."

10 years ago

EAST Linton's Garry Menzies won't be sitting with his feet up on the day he turns 40. Instead he will be facing one of the most gruelling sporting challenges of his life. He and his brother, Roy, have decided to celebrate the event by cycling around East Lothian to raise money for the local Macmillan Cancer Relief Appeal. Both brothers will be 40 on Garry's birthday, Wednesday June 18 — Roy will celebrate his 41st nine days later — and they aim to raise in excess of £1,000.

ROAD bosses faced a grilling when they attended the monthly meeting of North Berwick Community Council. They were told in no uncertain terms that motorists and pedestrians in East Lothian were concerned about the deteriorating state of the county's highways and byways.

DETAILS about Haddington could soon appear on the internet as part of a local initiative to attract tourists to the town. For the local community council is considering putting information about the burgh on the worldwide computer web in the hope that surfers may choose it as a holiday destination. The idea was mooted by Bob Mitchell, who enjoys surfing the net during his lunch hour.

From our May 25, 2007, edition

100 years ago

UNDER the most auspicious weather conditions, the new infectious diseases hospital, which has been erected for the burgh of Musselburgh at Eskgrove, was formally opened last Friday afternoon. It consists of administrative block, No.1 pavilion, enteric fever pavilion, and laundry block. The No.1 pavilion contains a male ward (four beds) and female ward (six beds). The final cost of the buildings, including furnishings, is £5940.

THE Rev George G D S Duncan, BD, who was inducted to the pastorate of Inveresk Parish Church the previous Thursday, was formally introduced to his new congregation on Sunday forenoon by Rev Dr Donald Macleod, of Park Church, Glasgow.

THE new iron railing has now taken the place of the old wooden one on the Jubilee Bridge across the Esk in Musselburgh, and is a great improvement.

50 years ago

PINKIE Braes' Parents Association are determined that their children should be educated in Musselburgh, and refuse to consider that there is no alternative to allowing them to travel to school at Wallyford. At a meeting of Musselburgh General Purposes Committee, it was obvious that they had the backing of all Musselburgh councillors in their fight against Midlothian County Council's decision. Councillor T White said there was sufficient school accommodation in the burgh. Classrooms in various schools, such as Fisherrow, were lying empty and he believed that the sending of Musselburgh children to Wallyford was a gross waste of money.

EARLY on Saturday morning a long queue of excited children snaked its slow length from the Hayweights Cinema, Musselburgh, up Bridge Street and along North High Street for the grand opening of the Hayweights Cinema Club. Promptly at 9.30am the doors were opened by cinema manager George Williamson, and the cinema was rapidly filled with several "unfortunates" arriving late turned away. Tiny Jacqueline Morocco, 17 Stoneybank Gardens North, was led forward and shyly presented Honest Lass, Nan Archibald, with a beautiful bouquet. Honest Lad Sinclair Aitken was cheered.

25 years ago

SUBJECT to conditions, Tranent is to have a permanent taxi base in Elphinstone Road. Councillors agreed on Tuesday to extend temporary consent to full consent. In February the planning committee granted taxi operator Robert Campbell 12 months temporary consent to convert industrial land on Elphinstone Road to a taxi base on a site adjacent to the one currently proposed.

PRESSURE from a district councillor succeeded in overturning a recommendation to bring Space Invaders to a Tranent shop. Allan's Records and Tapes, 94 High Street, proposed a games room with six machines. Planning officials decided objections were on "moral and not planning issues" and they were not considered relevant. Councillor Tom Ferguson objected: "I am opposed to the recommendations on the basis that it is not an appropriate location. Simple as that."

AN impassioned plea was sent out this week by members of Aberlady's community association on the eve of a vital annual general meeting. For if not enough people turn up at the meeting, there is a chance the hall will have to close. They need the committee to organise the fund-raising events they need to pay their overheads.

10 years ago

HISTORIC paintings were destroyed and antique furniture damaged by smoke in a blaze at Lennoxlove House, the family seat of Scotland's premier peer, the Duke of Hamilton. The fire broke out following a corporate dinner in the Great Hall but was confined to the Oak Room whcih was the supervised designated smoking area.

THE campaign group which fought a tireless battle to try and save North Berwick outdoor pool has finally decided to throw in the towel. Funded only by enthusiasm for the town and for the open air swimming pool, a small group formed Save The Outdoor Pool (STOP). The future of the outdoor pool area will be included in a major plan for the revitalisation of the town's harbour area. A bid to the Millennium Commission for funding towards the creation of the Scottish Seabird Centre at the site of the harbour pavilion is still being processed.

A NEW heritage centre in Athelstaneford the birthplace of the Saltire, Scotland's national flag — was officially opened on Monday. A 400-year-old stone doocot, behind the parish church, has been transformed into the heritage centre, at a cost of £90,000. Author Nigel Tranter unveiled the new facility.