Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From our issue of May 2, 2008100 years agoTHE opening of the chapel in connection with St Anne's House, Windsor Gardens, Musselburgh, took place. Archbishop Smith, who was to have been present, was unfortunately unab
le to attend. The opening was signalised by High Mass celebrated by Rev Father McGettigan, Musselburgh, assisted by Rev Fathers Long and Green as Deacon and Sub-Deacon respectively, from the Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh.
ON Tuesday afternoon, while some boys were amusing themselves on the beach to the west of Fisherrow, they found the body of a newly-born male child, lying on the beach. It was wrapped in a piece of black cloth, apparently part of a woman's skirt. The police were at once apprised of the fact, and the body was removed to the mortuary.
A SPECIAL meeting of Musselburgh Town Council was held with the Electric Company in connection with the unsatisfactory lighting.
50 years agoTHE Rev Miss Jean Robson held a unique position in Musselburgh, said Mrs A K Brown, at a meeting of the Old People's Handcrafts Class, as she was the only woman minister in the town. "I often feel that there are not enough women ministers around," said Mrs Brown, "as women can confide in another woman, where they would not confide in a man." Miss Robson, minister of the Congregational Church, confessed that she had, for some time, been curious to meet the members of the class.
THE Edinburgh District of the Ancient Order of Foresters held their half-yearly meeting in Musselburgh. Provost James Lannan, said that one of the loveliest names was 'Pride of the Esk.' This was a most appropriate name, and Musselburgh people had every reason to feel proud of their burgh. The Order was a mutual fellowship for the purpose of promoting thrift and benevolence, and securing financial assistance in times of sickness and distress. Court 'Pride of the Esk' was the second oldest instituted body in Musselburgh.
25 years agoTHE final meeting of the executive committee of Berwick and East Lothian Constituency Labour Party was held in Tranent. The constituency, which will be split up whenever the present Parliament is dissolved, will be replaced by the new East Lothian constituency and part of two Borders seats. Mr John Home Robertson recalled the history of the constituency which started in 1918. "Robert Spence was our first Labour MP in 1923. His maiden speech in Parliament on February 26, 1924, was about the Poor Law in Scotland after four years of Tory rule. His career was cut short after only one year and George Sinkinson's victory in 1929 was equally shortlived." Mr Home Robertson said when John Mackintosh won in 1966 he helped to make it possible to hold it almost continuously up to the present date.
EAST Linton Traders' Association are putting up a trophy for the winner of this year's Traprain Law Race. The race, to be held as part of the village's gala day, promises to be bigger and better than last year's inaugural event when 60 took part.
10 years agoTHE new extensions to North Berwick High School have been officially opened by East Lothian MP John Home Robertson. The work, which took two years to complete at a cost of £4.5 million, has resulted in an increase of more than 40 per cent of the original main building floor area. The new buildings include five science laboratories, two music classrooms, a recording studio, three practice rooms and two instrument rooms. Five new classrooms have been built for social science subjects, five new modern languages classrooms and four business studies classrooms as well as a new library and resources centre.
A TRUST was launched in Dunbar to purchase the birthplace of the town's famous son, John Muir, and transform it into an interpretation centre telling the story of his life. The John Muir Birthplace Trust has been formed by Dunbar's John Muir Association, the town community council, East Lothian Council, and John Muir Trust. It hopes to raise £90,000 to buy the property owned by photographer Stefany Hawryluk.
From our issue of May 9, 2008100 years agoAT Inveresk School Board, members discussed the water supply for Wallyford, Crookston and Cowpits schools. Mr Scarlett said the water supply at Inveresk was to be increased. A new six inch pipe was presently being laid from Musselburgh, and the work was partially accomplished. The people of Cowpits were to get the benefit of the additional supply, and he thought they ought to ask the Parish Council to give them a supply for the Cowpits school. The water for Crookston school was carted from Musselburgh, and the cost for carting was about 3s (15p) for 60 gallons, and it would also be a great matter if anything could be done to extend the supply to Crookston. Mr Young asked: "What's the good of taking the water to Wallyford. It would be nonsense." He questioned if the children used the water at the school at present. Mr Murray brought up the question of the filthy and unhealthy condition of the closets at Wallyford. In his opinion, the Board ought to see that their own premises were in a sanitary condition.
50 years agoSTRIPPERS at Carberry Colliery staged a lightning strike last Tuesday as a result of a dispute concerning loss of wages due to a mechanical breakdown. The local branch of the NUM persuaded the strikers to resume work on Wednesday morning. When, however, they turned up for work they discovered that two men had worked on the day of the strike. They therefore decided to cease work until the two men were sacked. At a meeting held on Wednesday afternoon, the miners agreed to accept the advice of the local NUM officials, and return to work on Thursday. The NUM delegate explained that the two men who had been working could not possibly be sacked as they had been carrying out union policy. When the strippers turned up for work on Thursday, the oncost workers decided to "pay them back in their own coin" by making the colliery idle for the remainder of the week.
MUSSELBURGH Labour Party were cock-a-hoop after Robert Arthur andJames K Arthur helped them gain two seats on the Town Council.
25 years agoTHE four main political parties this week launched their General Election campaigns for the new Parliamentary constituency of East Lothian. The candidates are Michael Fry (Conservative), Dr Michael Kibby (SDP/Liberal Alliance), Roger Knox (SNP) and John Home Robertson (Labour).
VANDALS caused about £35,000 worth of damage when they knocked over and smashed 66 headstones in St Mary's Parish Churchyard, Haddington, early on Sunday. Churchyard foreman Mr Gordon Pryde, who lives in the churchyard lodge, woke on Sunday morning to see large stones strewn across the grass. Some of the stones are beyond repair.
IT took Prestonpans minister Rev Colin Morton just eight minutes to complete a Times crossword puzzle on Sunday. And that was time enough for him to be declared the outright winner of the Scottish regional finals of the Collins Dictionaries/Times Crossword Championship in Glasgow. Mr Morton won an engraved glass goblet.
10 years agoTHIS year's Musselburgh Honest Lad is Steven Bestford and the Honest Lass is Leigh Williams. Bill Elgin, president of the Honest Toun's Association, and Councillor Norman Murray, leader of East Lothian Council, declared the results first of all to the candidates before making the announcement to the patient public outside the Brunton Hall.
TWO East Lothian beaches are the only ones in Scotland to be included in a prestigious Good Beach guide. Thorntonloch and White Sands Bay, near Dunbar, are among 125 beaches throughout the UK that are featured in this year's Reader's Digest Good Beach Guide.
VALERIE Beattie, a sixth year pupil at North Berwick High School, has become the first local participant in the John Muir Award Scheme to complete all three stages of the award. Valerie completed her Discovery Award on the Isle of Hoy, Orkney, her Conserver Award in Costa Rica, and Explorer Award in East Lothian.
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