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February 2010 Looking Back articles

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

From our files of February 5, 2010

100 years ago

MANY footballers in Musselburgh will be pleased to learn that all arrangements have now been completed in connection with the Musselburgh Athletic FC's new ground at Olive Bank. The work of putting the ground into order will be proceeded with at once, and it is expected to be ready for use by the end of April. A great deal of expense will naturally be incurred in the levelling and fencing of the ground, and the committee are to make an appeal to the public for assistance.

AT the meeting held in Musselburgh Town Hall, over which Provost Simpson presided, it was arranged to open the soup kitchen in the courtyard of the Town Hall for a few weeks on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. A committee of ladies was formed and on Tuesday last the first dinner of the season was served to children and others. Each child is supplied with a bowl of soup and a slice of bread. There is no doubt as to the kitchen being well patronised.

50 years ago

THE skin of a seal has been on view in the dining hall of J&W Stuart Ltd, Esk Mills, Musselburgh, and there is a story behind this unusual exhibit. The seal was caught off the shores of Iceland in a net made by Stuart's and so impressed the skipper who caught it that he brought it into land, had the skin cured and passed it to the agents in Reykjavick with the request that it be presented to the firm who had made the net. When caught the seal measured seven feet and was of considerable weight, which speaks volumes for the strength and workmanship of the "Hercules" brand 12-ply nylon cod net in which it was caught.

MUSSELBURGH and Fisherrow Co-operative Society's football club have complained to the Town Council about the condition of the football pitches in King's Park. Councillor White and Mr J Malcolm, Parks Superintendent, together examined the pitches and were of the opinion that a certain amount of maintenance work would require to be carried out on those pitches.

25 years ago

EAST Lothian's heart transplant patient Ian Fender returned home on Wednesday — less than five weeks after his life saving operation. Ian (49), 24 McCall Gardens, East Linton, looked remarkably fit despite the long train journey from Peterborough, and said he was already looking forward to meeting his many friends throughout the district and enjoy time with his wife Pat and their sons Keith, Gordon and Colin. He was admitted to Papworth on December 28 after two phone calls from the hospital to his home, the first at 10.30am telling him he was on standby for a new heart and the second at noon saying he and Pat report immediately to Edinburgh airport for a special flight down to Cambridgeshire.

BAND leader Jim Johnstone played an anniversary waltz for Pat and Lizzie Gormley as they celebrated 50 years of marriage at Tranent Juniors Social Club. The couple have lived at 172 Northfield, Tranent, throughout their married life and Jim, a former neighbour, agreed to play for them.

10 years ago

RESIDENTS living beside a notoriously dangerous stretch of road on the outskirts of Tranent claim they are living in fear of their lives following an accident in which a car crashed into a cottage. East Lothian Council will soon be introducing new signs and road markings on the stretch of the A199 between the Dolphingstone Flyover and the roundabout at Wallyford Toll. Rose Stavert, who lives at Dolphingstone Cottages, and one of her neighbours, John Pearson, spoke to the News about their plight and said a tragedy was waiting to happen.

EAST Lothian Council worker Eric Galloway had a hair-raising experience this week. The revenues manager, who has been growing his hair since September 1998, decided to get the chop in his bid to raise cash for the children's charity Whizz Kidz. And he is hoping the hair cut at the Town House, Haddington, by hairdresser Debbie Taylor, will have netted over 1,000 for the organisation which provides mobility aids such as wheelchairs, trikes and walking frames for children who are not mobile.

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 files of February 12, 2010

100 years ago

THE day is past for saying much more about the public library proposal for the ratepayers, by a large majority, have decided that at least in the meantime they are not in favour of the institution of a free library in Musselburgh. It was found that while 525 had voted in favour of the adoption of the Free Libraries Act, 1353 had voted against it, a majority of 828. Although the question can come up afresh in three years, it is questionable if ever the ratepayers will have a further opportunity of participating in the bounty of Dr Carnegie, who was willing to give a furnished building as a gift to the town. The promoters were in no way anxious to rush through the proposal without first having consulted the wishes of the people, and although no doubt of the same opinion still that a public library would be of great benefit to the town, are satisfied that the ratepayers have had their say. There can be no doubting that the bogey of more than a penny per required for the upkeep of the library was the means of frightening a great majority of the electorate.

50 years ago

COUNCILLOR T White, Parks Convener, reminded Musselburgh Town Council that this was the centenary year of the Open Golf Championship, and the first man to win the Open Championship was a Musselburgh man, Willie Park. "I think we could do something locally," he suggested. There might be some means whereby this special year in the world of golf could be given recognition by the burgh. He believed that the Town Council and the Musselburgh Golf Club ought to co-operate on this matter. He reminded councillors that at one time the name of Musselburgh had been synonymous with famous golfers such as Willie Park. Provost James Lannan believed it would be a "grave sin" if Musselburgh let this centenary year pass without any form of recognition. Jocularly, Provost Lannan remarked: "Musselburgh has won the Open Championship 11 times to St Andrews 16 times. I think Musselburgh can claim to be the mother of golf if St Andrews was the father of it!"

25 years ago

LONGNIDDRY Primary School janitor Mr David Robertson received the surprise of his life last Wednesday. David, 8 Amisfield Place, turned up for what he thought was a PTA let. Unknown to him, however, his family and colleagues had arranged a surprise party to mark his retirement after 30 years of service. Teacher Mr Don Gamble was on hand to act as Master of Ceremonies for a special show staged that night by school staff. David's retirement gift from staff and children included a 100 note, a gallon bottle of whisky, a crystal rosebowl, a Teasmaid and tools.

NO extra Government money is to be made available to pay for the removal of an asbestos ceiling at Tranent swimming pool. Cost of the repairs is 40,000. The pool is linked to the town's new community centre and the removal of the asbestos ceiling has held up the opening of the 1 million complex. Director of Administration Mr Malcolm Duncan told councillors that their request had been unsuccessful.

10 years ago

VILLAGERS in Wallyford and Whitecraig are being urged to back their community councillors in opposing plans for an open cast mine near Elphinstone. Wallyford and Whitecraig Community Council has written to East Lothian Council objecting to an application by I&H Brown to extract coal from land at Harry's Burn over a five-year period. The community council's main concern is the impact of increased traffic, dust and noise on the environment of the two villages. It also fears a number of popular rights-of-way will be lost and that historic Fa'side Castle could be damaged by vibrations from the workings.

ENVIRONMENTAL protection workers are hoping heavy rainfall will aid recovery of the River Tyne and Letham Burn which were polluted by diesel last week. Swans, injured in the spillage, should make a good recovery and will be put back in their nesting areas once the all-clear is given. The source appeared to be an agricultural contractor's at Letham where it is suspected vandals pulled hoses from a diesel tank.

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 files of February 19, 2010

100 years ago

AT the annual meeting of the Musselburgh and Inveresk District Nursing Association, it was thought advisable owing to the pressure of work to engage the services of an extra nurse for four months during the year. The committee particularly desire to make it known that the nurse attends the sick poor and the working classes gratuitously, in their own homes without distinction of creed. Those who are better off, and who, at the sole discretion of the doctors, are occasionally attended by the nurse, when her time permits, are expected to contribute as they can afford to the funds of the Nursing Association. Sir Charles Dalrymple, Newhailes, said he was quite sure the work of the nurse was fully appreciated.

A SPECIAL meeting of Musselburgh Town Council was held to meet the deputation of ratepayers protesting against the golf course extension. Councillor Young said the class of people he moved among were entirely opposed to the 18-hole extension. The council agreed to Bailie Hogg's motion that they proceed no further with the extension.

50 years ago

A PROPOSAL to level and lay out Fisherrow Links was considered at a meeting of Musselburgh Parks Committee. Treasurer Peter K Hamilton recollected that many years ago a plan had been made in which the Fisherrow Links had been laid out as a sporting arena. This plan had not been carried out by Treasurer Hamilton proposed that the Burgh Surveyor should, if possible, try to get a copy of this plan for councillors. He suggested that the 1000 extra for the current financial year and the estimated 3000 for next year ought to be clubbed together. "Let us make up our minds that we are going to do it," said Treasurer Hamilton.

THE Hospital Board have drawn the attention of the Parks Committee to the state of the wall in the lane leading to Musselburgh Maternity Hospital. The wall was in such a derelict condition, they said, that it encouraged the lurking of undesirable persons who caused great annoyance to nurses and to people who had to use this road.

25 years ago

THE church bell is ringing once again in Ormiston after an enforced silence of almost three years. Its restoration to full working order has delighted the minister, Rev Colin Donaldson. The bell, believed to be about 150 years old, was removed from the former Byers Church and hung at Ormiston when the village church was completed in 1938. Several years later, however, cracks appeared in the short length of iron from which the bell hangs. More cracks were found and it was decided to remove the bell following fears that it might crash through the roof of the church. A new steel hanger has been installed and the bell once again summons villagers.

OFFICIALS of Prestonpans British Legion were counting the cost of a fire which caused extensive damage to the club. Seven fire engines attended the blaze in Rope Walk. Extensive damage was caused to the lounge bar, the women's toilets and an office. Damage is estimated at around 60,000.

10 years ago

THE new Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick has made contact with the past with the discovery of 30 late medieval burials. The skeletons of men, women and children have been unearthed during construction of the facility on a rocky promontory at the harbour and an archaelogical dig launched in an effort to discover their origins. The excavation covers more than a 120 square metre area at the entrance to the centre, which crosses Anchor Green, a grassy area where the ruin of the tiny St Andrew's church is located. This site has long been associated with witchcraft.

PRAISE has been heaped on the brave Musselburgh driver of a double decker bus travelling "out of control" on the A7 in Midlothian. Some 25 passengers were told to adopt the emergency position as the vehicle, with lights on and horn blaring, hurtled along for two miles. Stephen Lack (24), The Grove, was driving the bus when the accelerator pedal jammed. He kept his cool and was eventually able to apply to full brakes and bring the bus to a halt on a grass verge.

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 files of February 26, 2010

100 years ago

ON Friday evening last, about seven o'clock, there was considerable excitement in the High Street, Musselburgh, when it became known that Mr Frank Ferguson's drapery store was on fire, and crowds rushed to the scene of the outbreak. At the time of the outbreak there were a number of customers in the shop. The fire originated through the fusing of an electric wire in one of the windows, and before anything could be done the whole of the goods in the window were ablaze. Damage is estimated at between 200 and 300.

BOB Miller, one of the veteran fisherman-golfers at North Berwick, died on Wednesday at his residence in Victoria Road. He was of a rather sporting disposition in regard to golf, and had many tussles with contemporaries in olden days, amongst those being Jack Campbell of Musselburgh. Bob in later years took part in occasional foursomes with Ben Sayers and local amateurs. He was about seventy years old.

50 years ago

THERE was great joy in Musselburgh and district when news reached the town that a son had been born to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on February 19 and a telegram of congratulations was immediately sent by Provost Lannan to Buckingham Palace on behalf of the town. The minister of Inveresk, Rev Sidney Adamson, also sent a telegram of congratulations on behalf of his parish. Special prayers were said in churches throughout the district and on Monday pupils at all the local schools were on holiday.

AFILM show organised by Provost James Lannan was given to patients in Edenhall Hospital in the hospital recreation hall. The principal feature was the coloured film of the 1956 Riding of the Marches, and the brilliant pageantry of this great event was much appreciated even by many of those unconnected with Musselburgh. The film was introduced by Mr James Mackie, who gave a brief outline of the historical background. Tea was served to the audience and cakes and ice cream supplied by the Provost.

25 years ago

ORMISTON pensioner Mrs Chrissie Anderson was planning to play bingo in the village's bowling club last night — three days after scooping 100,000 in a national newspaper competition. The 79-year-old widow is turning her back on the champagne lifestyle she sampled earlier this week at London's Savoy Hotel. "It was the first time I have tasted champagne, the first time I have been to London and the first time I have been in a plane," said Chrissie. Before Monday, Chrissie had only 138 in her bank account. But her bank balance received a 100,000 boost when she became the winner of Express Newspapers Millionaire of the Month game. Chrissie celebrated with her son Peter (53), who owns the chip shop in Ormiston, and Game for a Laugh star Jeremy Beadle.

HADDINGTON'S latest minister took over his new charge this week. Rev Alastair Gray left Methil Parish Church after seven years to join Haddington West Church and was welcomed by the Moderator of the Presbytery of Lothian Rev Colin Morton.

10 years ago

IT was a dream come true for Stockport woman Elaine Rose when she visited Haddington to see the home and workplace of one of her ancestors, the surgeon John Mather who practised in the town in the latter part of the 19th century. And she was delighted to see the wooden fittings and glass and marble display cabinets in her great grandfather's former surgery and pharmacy in the High Street, now Jackson's Jewellers, were virtually the same as they would have been in his day. Mrs Rose and her daughter Wendy made the journey to see where Dr Mather once worked and the house above his surgery where he lived with his wife Ellen Brown whom he married in 1866 at the age of 47. He died at the age of 88.

OPPONENTS to a major development at Gladsmuir which would have more than doubled the size of the village were celebrating this week after an appeal was thrown out by the Scottish Executive. Major housebuilder CALA has had its planning appeal for 400 homes rejected, despite being represented by one of Scotland's top lawyers.

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

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