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January 2008 Looking Back articles

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

From issue dated January 4, 2008

100 years ago

THE annual free breakfast was given to the poor of Musselburgh in the Town Hall on New Year's morning, when there was an attendance of about 300 grown-up people and children. There was a great falling off of grown-up people attending the function. Many people, although poor, are too proud — a well known Scottish characteristic — to attend the breakfast, while there are no doubt many poor people through age and infirmity unable to walk to the Town Hall in a cold winter morning, and it is to be hoped that by another year provision will be made by the committee in the way of sending out "the treat" to the deserving poor, who through infirmity are unable to attend personally.

PLANS for an extension to Fisherrow School were revealed to the School Board. Mr Millar, convener of the building committee, said the addition would consist of 12 new classrooms, accommodating 56 pupils each, cloakrooms and lavatories.

50 years ago

MUSSELBURGH firm Cruden's have become known for their generous help to worthwhile causes, and on Monday Mr Harry Cruden, chairman of the company, presented a cheque for 105 12/9 on behalf of Cruden's Social Club to Mr Alan Brown, who represented the Royal Blind Asylum. At the presentation, Mr Cruden was accompanied by Mr Robert Allan, director; Mr M R A Mathews, managing director; Mr R W Pollock, secretary of the social club; Mr David Allan and Mr W L Steeples.

IT is a long step from being an apprentice joiner in Musselburgh to holding a top grade position in the Ministry of Works, with a job that takes him all over the world, but such is the case of James M Marr, who served his time as a joiner in the Musselburgh firm which employed his father as a foreman joiner. A friend of James Marr, Mr Frank Wood, an architect, recalls that it does not seem so many years ago that James was engaged at work laying timbers on a house overlooking Longniddry golf course. And now word comes that he has been responsible for the supervision, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, of the erection of the new British Embassy building in Washington. When James Marr left Musselburgh, he was appointed a clerk of works for the City of Edinburgh.

25 years ago

THE Secretary of State for Scotland has upheld the South of Scotland Electricity Board's appeal for planning permission for the second phase extension to the Torness construction village complex at Thurston Gardens, Innerwick. A public inquiry was held after the board's second attempt to extend the village was refused by East Lothian District Council's planning and development committee in July last year.

A SUB-COMMITTEE is to investigate the cost of building a new manse on a site to the south of Longniddry Church, the congregational board have decided. The committee will also report on the state of the present manse and its likely cost to the church in the future.

THERE'S something wrong with the water supply in the Polwarth area of Prestonpans and the town's community council are unhappy with the explanation offered by Lothian Region. The water authority say the mains pressure in Polwarth is around 80lbs per square inch so any problems experienced with the supply is not caused by lack of pressure. They suggest the reason for the lack of flow is because the pipes into the houses are gummed up. Mr James Watt said this was possible as old lead pipes eroded and became flattened.

10 years ago

WALLYFORD woman May Boyle put a recent holiday to good cause when she stepped out for charity and raised 630 for Leukaemia Research, whilst fulfilling a long-time desire to walk the West Highland Way. May, who is employed by the National Portrait Gallery, decided to undertake the walk in aid of the Midlothian-based Dr J Andrew Newton Study Fund, after a chance meeting with Dr Newton's widow, Jan, a freelance designer at the gallery.

WEDDING couple Linda Porteous and Gordon Murray decided to ask guests to make a donation to a national charity rather than buy them gifts for their big day. Their generous gesture helped raised 1,885 for Lupus UK, a charity for the auto-immune disease which attacks the linings of vital organs. The couple decided to help the charity because Gordon was diagnosed with the condition a few years ago. Linda, who used to live in Spott and whose family now live in Dunbar, said: "When we were getting married we decided not to ask for presents because we both had our own homes and everything we needed."

THE Volunteer Arms, better known as Stagg's Bar in Musselburgh, has won the Scottish pub of the year award from CAMRA.

From issue dated January 11, 2008

100 years ago

WE regret to learn that Mr H B Tristram, who, for the past four years, has been headmaster at Loretto, has been forced to resign his position owing to the state of his health. Mr Tristram, who succeeded the late Dr Almond, was well known in Musselburgh, having in his boyhood attended Loretto. We understand the governors have elected in his room Mr Alan E Smith, MA, Oxon, at present HM Inspector of Schools for one of the divisions of Lancashire.

THE abstract of accounts for the parish of Inveresk reveal that the number of residents in the poorhouse is 25 —19 men and six women — of ages ranging from 33 to 89 years. The lunatic poor in the asylum is 28 — 17 men and 11 women — ages ranging from 27 to 67 years. The total number of poor in receipt of relief was 311 — 196 paupers and 115 dependents. The majority of allowances to outdoor poor are from 1s 6d (8p) to 3s 6d (18p) a week.

50 years ago

ON the last Friday of 1957, Provost Lannan and his wife visited Musselburgh's Maternity Hospital. While the Provost presented the mother of the first Christmas Day baby, Leslie Morrison, with a cheque for a layette set, Mrs Lannan looked after the baby. Provost and Mrs Lannan then toured the hospital, and Mrs Lannan distributed gifts of toy ducks and plastic rattles to the mothers for their babies.

RUGBY fans who are travelling to Murrayfield on Saturday will be catered for by special trains from Musselburgh, Duddingston and Leith North. From Musselburgh trains will leave at 1.30pm and 1.54pm, calling at Joppa, Portobello, Piershill, Abbeyhill and Waverley, arriving Gorgie East at 2.03pm and 2.27pm respectively.

OLD age pensioners from all over Musselburgh attended a dinner and entertainment in the Labour Hall, Musselburgh High Street, on Tuesday evening.

25 years ago

A CALL has been made for action to ease the pedestrian congestion outside the Co-operative Society funeral parlour in Tranent High Street. Mrs Helen Stewart, a housewife, of Lammerview, Gladsmuir, believes unnecessary distress is caused when mourners find themselves caught up in the long queues at the bus stop outside the parlour.

PROVISION for static caravans at Dunbar is very important and should be continued after the phasing out of provision at Winterfield and Kirkpark. The planning and development committee agreed to include provision for 100 static caravans in the Dunbar area local plan, which is to be the subject of an inquiry on February 1.

ALREADY the possessors of one BBC 'B' computer, staff and pupils at Aberlady Primary School were delighted when Corrine Greig of P7 won another in a national newspaper competition. Headmaster John Roy explained: "Corrine won the computer for the school with help from others."

10 years ago

PLANS to put up railings around the Jackie Crookston statue in Tranent's Civic Square have been delayed as a result of technical problems. It had been hoped the railings, which will be similar to those around the war memorial in Winton Place, would be in place by December, but Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council heard there had been a delay in the project.

PLANS are being drawn up for the possible conversion of an historic stable block at Amisfield Golf Course in Haddington. Construction worker Alistair Kettles, who is involved in building work at the course, said the stable complex had a dangerous building notice on it and was currently fenced off. But he revealed they were looking at conversion options for the block which was situated near the clubhouse.

ALISON Spencer, a former pupil of Dunbar Grammar School, has started work with Scottish Courage Brewers after graduating with a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Abertay, Dundee.

From issue dated January 18, 2008

100 years ago

A COW belonging to a local dairyman, while being driven along Bridge Street, Musselburgh, ran into the front shop of Mr Alex Thomson, tailor and clothier, the door of the shop being raised two steps. The workshop door faces the outer door, and the workmen endeavoured to get the cow to retreat, but as there was not sufficient space between the counter and the wall for the animal to turn, the task proved a most difficult one. With the assistance of the workmen from the shop, who had got out by a back door, the animal was safely dislodged from its position, not, however, before it had left some impressions of its visit. Several articles were slightly soiled.

DRAINS in New Street, Fisherrow, have been examined and the pipes are insufficient to carry off the storm water, Musselburgh Town Council heard. Councillor Millar pointed out that the Promenade wall had been undermined by the sea. All the sand had been washed away from the foundation of it.

50 years ago

BACK home in Musselburgh after a year spent studying in Switzerland is Walter Stephen, who won a confectionery scholarship worth 500. The 24-year-old baker put his scholarship to work and he has now returned to his father's shop with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of new ideas for making and baking tempting continental confectionery.

THE following resolution has unanimously been passed by the Musselburgh Labour Party and a copy has been sent to Mr George Willis MP: "That this meeting of the Musselburgh Labour Party regrets to learn that American aircraft from bases in Britain are flying over this country carrying hydrogen bombs."

THE 11th annual drama festival of the Scottish Miners' Welfare Drama Association will be held in Alloa featuring the Wallyford club, whose producer is Mr Pat Gormley. He has staged many brilliant performances in miners' dramas, mainly with the now defunct Fa'side Players.

25 years ago

TEN steel houses used as temporary accommodation at Elphinstone should be demolished as soon as possible, East Lothian housing committee recommended. Councillor Andrew Purves, the local member, said the houses, built in 1919, had caused the council problems for a number of years because of their poor condition with virtually no insulation.

THERE will be no new car park for Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve — because there have been too many difficulties in reaching agreement with the landowners. A recognised path system is being established as a route for visitors.

PENCAITLAND Amateur Football Club can go ahead with plans for improved changing rooms at the park but provision of a a fence round the perimeter would not be permitted. Councillor Tom Ferguson said the council had a very good deal out of the club. "All the improvements have been at no cost to us." Director of Planning Graham Duncan said a temporary fence could be looked at.

10 years ago

PROPOSALS for a major redevelopment in Wallyford took a step forward with confirmation a detailed planning application has been lodged for a community sports stadium, which could create 126 jobs. Midlothian accountant Howard Wallace has applied to East Lothian Council for permission to build a stadium. Given the go-ahead, the multi-sports facility would consist of a greyhound racing circuit, a floodlit football pitch, two all-weather pitches, a health and fitness gym, indoor games hall, veterinary centre, children's day care nursery and creche.

PRESTONPANS golfer Raymond Russell has secured a new sponsor as he looks ahead to the 1998 season. Raymond, who is currently ranked second in Scotland and 16th in Europe, has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with Edinburgh Fund Managers. As part of the deal, Raymond's golf bag will be branded with the Edinburgh Fund Managers' name and logo. The deal follows a particularly successful year for the Longniddry Golf Club member.

From issue dated January 25, 2008

100 years ago

MUSSELBURGH, like other towns where the community is mostly made up of the working classes, has felt during the past week or two the slackness of business which invariably follows the New Year holidays, and, when one begins to consider, this is not to be wondered at. We have resident in Musselburgh a large number of the mining fraternity, and on them a considerable portion of the shopkeepers depend, always, of course, remembering the extent to which the Store is patronised by this class. This week the miners receive their first full pay since before the New Year, and when that is taken into account it is an easy matter to account for the scarcity of cash at present prevailing.

THE annual concert given by the Inveresk Paper Company to their workers and friends has come to be regarded as the best musical entertainment of the year in Musselburgh. Inveresk Parish Hall was filled to overflowing. The programme, arranged by Mr Jas C Lumsden, was perhaps the best ever submitted at a local concert.

50 years ago

THE Secretary of State for Scotland does not think that he would be justified in asking the Midlothian education authority to reconsider their decision to send children from the Pinkie Braes district of Musselburgh to Wallyford Primary School. Musselburgh Town Council requested the Scottish Education Department to receive a deputation who would explain in greater detail their case against the County Council's decision to educate the primary school children belonging to Pinkie Braes outside the burgh. The Scottish Education Department replied that they felt no useful purpose would be served by meeting the deputation.

THE "girls" of the Handcrafts Class held a unique business meeting in the small back room adjoining St Peter's Hall, Musselburgh. Mrs A K Brown, popular president of the class, opened the meeting by asking for nominations for the presidency. One old lady finally said: "If you are able, Mrs Brown, what about you carrying on." The "girls" clapped their hands and the president was unanimously re-elected.

25 years ago

FORMER Prime Minister James Callaghan is to make a brief visit to Prestonpans when he will be the guest of the local Labour Club and East Lothian MP John Home Robertson. During his visit he will make a special presentation to Mrs Etta Kerr from Tranent who has given more than 65 years' voluntary service to the Labour Party. Arrangements are also being made for a visit to Prestonpans next month by Labour's education spokesman Neil Kinnock MP.

HADDINGTON could benefit by 100 jobs if Mitsubishi, the Japanese electronics firm, agree to start the production of video recorders at their local plant. Mitsubishi announced in Japan that as a result of growing demand on the European market, they intend to produce 5,000 video recorders a month in Scotland. If the Haddington plant, which at present produces colour television sets, received the work, it could mean an increase of about 100 employees, almost half the current workforce. East Lothian's industrial officer Richard Packham welcomed the possibility of more jobs.

10 years ago

RESIDENTS in Aberlady have won their fight to stop parking restrictions being imposed in Haddington Road and The Wynd. A decision by the former regional council to introduce restrictions in the area in November 1995 provoked anger in the village with a large number of local residents objecting to the proposals.

MUSSELBURGH'S new Tesco superstore could be up and running by Christmas after East Lothian councillors gave the go-ahead to planning proposals for the former Bruntons Wire Mill site. The planning committee's decision brings to an end several years of setbacks for the development of the major town centre site off Mall Avenue.

A GROUP from East Lothian has started the New Year by winning a prestigious Help the Aged Millennium Award to start an arts and crafts club for older people in Gullane. The Gullane Older People's Arts and Crafts Project has won an award of 3,138. It is run by a group aged between 71 and 90, and led by Elizabeth Rankine.

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