Sponsored by

December 2009 Looking Back articles

Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News

From our edition of December 4, 2009

100 years ago

WITH the exception of one drifter, the Fisherrow fishing fleet have all returned from the English fishing. On the whole, the results are very poor, some of the sailing boats' crews having scarcely made as much as will pay their food. One of the sailing boats made 200, and one drifter 600, and the other drifter about 400. There is, however, little rest for the deep sea fishermen, and they will soon be away again to prosecute their calling off the Irish coast.

ON account of Christmas Day and New Year's Fay falling upon a Saturday, it was agreed by Musselburgh School Board to close the schools for a full fortnight instead of 10 days as formerly. The Xmas holidays will therefore extend from the 27th Dec. till the 10th January. The Board wished it to be clearly understood, however, that although a fortnight's holiday was granted on this occasion that it would not form a precedent, and a paragraph was inserted in the minutes to that effect.

50 years ago

AT a presentation dinner in the Melville Castle Hotel, Dalkeith, 20 drivers attached to the Musselburgh depot of Scottish Omnibuses were awarded safe driving medals and certificates to mark their many years of accident-free driving. They were (Musselburgh unless stated): 5 year medal — George Meikle, Tranent Road, Elphinstone; Joseph Rigg, McPhail Square, Tranent. 6 year bar — George Burnside, Milton Road East; James Mercer, Lochroad Terrace, Tranent; Thomas Hamilton, Moir Terrace. 7 year bar — Edward French, Goosegreen Avenue; Roy Foster, High Street, Prestonpans; William Knox, Delta Avenue; William Scott, Cantie Gardens. 9 year bar — David Chisolm, Kilwinning Terrace; John Dickson, High Street, Tranent; Archibald Dickson, Wolsely Terrace, Portobello; William Fagan, Rothesay Place; Leonard Griffing, Gardiner Place, Prestonpans; Henry Horsburgh, Danderhall Crescent, Danderhall; Robert Nisbet, Windsor Park; William Phillips, Inveresk Rd; James Preston, Polwarth Terrace, Prestonpans; David Smith, Polwarth Terrace, Prestonpans; Frank Somers, Linkfield Road.

25 years ago

DUNBAR came one step closer to having its own supermarket on Tuesday when East Lothian District Council's planning and development committee approved outline plans for a development at Friarscroft. The plans were submitted by City and Northern Ltd who intend to build a 9,000 sq ft supermarket with parking for about 96 cars. Councillor John Stephenson said: "The people of Dunbar are looking forward very much to the probability as opposed to the possibility of a supermarket on this site."

A LINK between two churches was re-established at Prestongrange Church, Prestonpans, on Sunday. Rev Alex Miller, of Tranent Parish Church, presented long service certificates to eight elders with at least 30 years' experience: David Finlayson, John Muir, Charles Fraser, James Ritchie, Alexander Rankin, George McClelland, Walter Thomson and Edward Marshall. The link between the two congregations dates back to 1544.

10 years ago

WORK is to begin shortly on the first phase of Dunbar's Hallhill Healthy Living following the release of funds from East Lothian Council. Policy and resources committee members agreed to award a grant of 250,000 towards the project, the aim of which is to provide every member of the community, regardless of age, ability and sex, the opportunity to take part in some form of sport. The Hallhill project has been successful in attracting funding from a variety of sources including a grant of 988,627 from the Lottery Sports Fund. Councillor Norman Hampshire said he was delighted to reach this particular stage.

ORNITHOLOGISTS and nature lovers could soon be flocking to the Musselburgh lagoons following this week's opening of a new birdwatching facility at Levenhall Links. Shallow water pools have been created from ash from Cockenzie power station and will now provide new community recreation facilities — featuring a boating pond, amenity grassland and a nature reserve of wetlands, scrub and meadows.

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

From our edition of December 11, 2009

100 years ago

A REPORT by Inspector Fraser was submitted to Musselburgh Town Council backing up the Chief Constable's suggestion regarding the appointment of an extra policeman. In Musselburgh they had only 12 policemen for an estimated population of 15,000, and there ought to be at least one policeman for every thousand inhabitants.

MR Rodger asked Inveresk Parish Council if anything could be done in the way of affording shelter to those who came to the office for poor relief once a fortnight. He did not know whether the council would be willing to grant the request or not, but he was often sorry for the poor people. There was always a group standing at the door on pay mornings from a quarter past eight waiting for their money. They stood there exposed to the weather and exposed to the gazes of the passers-by. He thought the council might consider the advisability of opening up the council's meeting room for them, and they might also have a fire in it. Let the poor people be treated humanely. The council unanimously agreed.

50 years ago

A REVOLUTIONARY garage, made of sheet metal on a rigid frame, with a unique swing-up door, can be seen at the Blue Ball Garage, Bridge Street, Musselburgh. Designed by Mr Norman Pass, proprietor of the Blue Ball, it will eliminate many of the site problems of car owners, especially those living in council houses. Made entirely of steel there are no fire risks and this mean that erection nearer to your house will now be possible. It takes up the minimum of space, 14ft x 7ft, and 6ft at its highest point. The garage is to be provided in sections for easy delivery and erection. Cost will be approximately 55.

The 7th Battalion City of Edinburgh Home Guard met on Monday evening in the British Legion Hall, Musselburgh, to wind up certain outstanding affairs of the club. The club had approximately 120 available for disbursing and they decided to donate 75 per cent to the Red House Home for Boys and the remainder to the Old People's Voluntary Welfare Committee.

25 years ago

A NEW permanent nave altar was blessed and dedicated at Sunday's Parish Communion conducted by Rev Alex Black at Holy Trinity Church, Haddington. The altar was given in memory of Alison Thomson, a former member of the church, and was made by Yesterwood of Gifford in solid oak bearing the verse "Christ is Risen — Alleluia."

IF there is a special day in the year for you, why not mark it by floodlighting Scotland's most important Saltire? That was the message delivered to Scots by Mr Cecil G McGregor, President of the St Andrew Society, at its special dinner on St Andrew's Day. One major project has been the provision of a flagpole and impressive saltire in the churchyard at Athelstaneford near the spot where Scotland first took the saltire as its flag. The original plan was to floodlight the saltire throughout the year, but electricity costs have now reached a level of around 2 a night and the Society is anxious to maintain regular floodlighting of the flag.

10 years ago

PLANS for Musselburgh's new health care centre at the former Bruntons wireworks site are expected to be finalised within the next few weeks. Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust confirmed this week it was currently working out the details, with a view to submitting a planning application to East Lothian Council early in the new year. A spokesman for the Trust said the health care centre would "slot in" as part of the overall Mall Park development project. "The hope is we can get a start on site in the summer of 2000. That would enable us to have the centre open in the first half of 2001," she added.

DISCORD in an East Lothian kirk congregation has led to its minister leaving for another church. Rev Alexander Noble has quit Dunbar Parish Church following a "lack of rapport" with his kirk session. A meeting of Lothian Presbytery was also told of "disharmony" amongst the kirk's own officers. Presbytery's Douglas Forgan said: "My committee was fully aware that the ministry at Dunbar had not been a happy one."

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

From our edition of December 18, 2009

100 years ago

A LONG letter was read at Musselburgh Town Council from Mr Maughan, Levenhall, calling the council's attention to the excessive speed of motor cars after passing Loretto gates going in the direction of Levenhall. He had seen them going along the roadway at a speed of 25 miles per hour. He favoured the idea of the policemen being provided with stopwatches. Treasurer Niven said the letter was quite true. He had seen cars going at a very high rate of speed himself. It was agreed to refer the matter to the police. Meanwhile, Mr Landale, Burgh Surveyor, reported that there were not a sufficient number of lamps on the Promenade at Fisherrow owing to the increase in the number of dwelling houses.

AT Musselburgh Police Court, Bailies Walker and Millar, prior to commencing the business of the court, referred to the departure of the Procurator Fiscal, Mr Fraser, who leaves Musselburgh to take up his new duties as Deputy Chief Constable. Bailie Walker said Inspector Fraser had been inspector of police for 20 years, the last 16 as Fiscal.

50 years ago

WHEN Mr E G Willis, MP for East Edinburgh, recently asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps were being taken to make accommodation at Edenhall Hospital, Musselburgh, available for general hospital needs, the Rt Hon John Maclay replied that the Regional Board had arranged that the accommodation available at Edenhall, after the priority needs of pensioners had been met, would be used for orthopaedic and paraplegic beds which, he said, were urgently needed.

THE Pavilion Bar, High Street, Musselburgh, is being reopened on Thursday December 24 after complete renovation and redecoration. Inside the well-known public house the effect of great comfort has been achieved. Mr Alex Marshall, the proprietor, hopes to get a local personality to perform the official opening. One of the new features is a cornice designed and made by his son, Dan. The cornice depicts all the ingredients and brewing processes that go into the making of a pint.

25 years ago

EAST Lothian MP John Home Robertson has asked the Lord Advocate for an explanation into the arrest of a striking miners' leader at Blindwells opencast site on Monday. Mr Home Robertson said he wanted to know why Mr John Russell, chairman of Prestonpans strike committee, was detained in custody for 24 hours on an obstruction charge. At Blindwells, eight police vans were parked inside the entrance to the site along with a Black Maria. A double decker bus, filled with police officers, was parked opposite St Joseph's School playing fields. Another Black Maria was parked, out of sight of pickets, at a layby on the North Berwick road, about 200 yards east of Prestonpans. A police car was parked throughout the morning on Meadowmill Bridge. Mr Home Robertson, who with Gavin Strang MP addressed 300 pickets outside the entrance to Blindwells, said: "I want to know the number of police officers and vehicles deployed at Blindwells on Monday, the cost of this police operation and the purpose of blocking the Tranent to Meadowmill road to traffic."

10 years ago

MUSSELBURGH ice cream manufacturers Di Rollo had the opposition licked when they took part in one of the trade's most prestigious competitions. Set up in the Honest Toun in 1899, the family-run business was able to celebrate its centenary in style, winning national acclaim for its vanilla ice cream and recognition as a top Scottish manufacturer. One of hundreds of British and Irish companies represented at the annual Ice Cream Alliance competition in Harrogate, Di Rollo clinched the Silver Challenge Cup for the best vanilla ice cream in its class. The Musselburgh company also won the Larry Guerri Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Scottish manufacturer with most points in the competition.

A SITE has been earmarked for a new indoor swimming pool in Prestonpans. Polwarth Park has emerged as the favoured location for a new six-lane pool and hydrotherapy facility. It is expected to be completed in 2001. The hydrotherapy unit, the first of its kind in East Lothian, will be used by disabled people to help them exercise.

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

From our edition of December 25, 2009

100 years ago

SIR, I observe that after much dilly-dallying and procrastination, the Town Council of Musselburgh are at last likely to send out the plebiscite cards for the free library. That Musselburgh is sadly in need of an institution of this kind must be apparent to all thoughtful citizens, and when every town of any importance, and very many small villages with hardly a fourth of our population, have all free libraries, , it is surely time that Musselburgh, whose population is daily on the increase, should also fall into line in this respect — H. Graham.

A GRAND concert took place in the Town Hall, Musselburgh, under the auspices of the Fisherrow Continuation Classes and in aid of the school library. Colonel Whitelaw, in his opening remarks, said that, formerly, they had continuation classes in the Grammar School, which were attended by about 30 to 40 pupils, but now they had 210 on the roll. The concert was arranged by Mr A Hope and staff.

50 years ago

THE person who writes on the walls of the passage between Downie Place and North High Street, Musselburgh, obviously has a sense of humour, and has reserved his piece de resistance for the Christmas season. Following the decision of the Town Council to repaint the walls, police officers kept a night-and-day watch in a vain endeavour to ensure that nothing more was written on them. Despite the watch, the mysterious writer caught the police off-guard and was able to white-wash on the magnanimous message: "We wish all our readers a very happy Xmas!"

MUSSELBURGH firemen acted as hosts to their own children and to six boys from the Red House Home on Saturday afternoon. Before the children were provided with fancy hats, they decided that the firemen's helmets would act as excellent substitutes. A magic show was followed by ice cream and jelly, and limeade or orangeade.

25 years ago

PRESTONPANS pensioner Mrs Mary McNeill was surprised and delighted to receive her concessionary coal on Sunday morning. What she didn't bargain for was the coal porter dumping half the load in her front garden. Mary (64), of 2 Middleshot Square, looked on in amazement as the porter dumped five bags of coal over her hedge. In the end the police had to be called after the porter refused to put the coal into the bunker at the back of the house. Mary, a miner's widow, said she was "still shaking" two days after the incident.

A NEW supermarket is earmarked for the former Baxter's haulage contractor's yard in Tranent High Street. The site, which has planning permission for a sports and leisure club, has been acquired by East Lothian Co-operative Society Ltd. The Co-op already have permission to build a new supermarket at the rear of their former registered offices in Bridge Street. But general manager Mr William Patrick said they now considered the former Baxter's yard the better location.

10 years ago

A GROUP of local folk in North Berwick are determined to find a site in the town for a day centre for the elderly. The comment was made by Elma Danks at a meeting of the community council. She explained they were trying to find a site for a purpose-built day centre and were planning to liaise with groups for the elderly which used the Hope Rooms and community centre. Mrs Danks stressed: "We are pretty determined to find a site for a day centre and our preferred option is the workshop site in Forth Street."

IMPROVEMENTS are to be carried out to improve safety at the zebra crossing area at Links Road, Port Seton. In response to complaints since the crossing was installed last year, and following three incidents in which children or elderly people have been knocked down on the crossing, Colin Baird from East Lothian Council's transportation department was invited to a meeting of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council. Mr Baird confirmed that improvements will be carried out before the end of the financial year.

• Email to a friend
• Print this page