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July 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 July 3, 2009

100 years ago

MR Lauder, of Goshen, sent a special train direct to London from Musselburgh yesterday with twelve waggon loads of cabbages for the Metropolitan Market. There were some 40 tons' weight. Altogether this week he has despatched about 100 tons of cabbages. These facts show the scarcity of green vegetables in London.

ON Monday last the Medical Officer of Health for Musselburgh recommended the local authority to close Fisherrow Public School for a fortnight on account of an epidemic of scarlet fever among pupils attending the school and to prevent the disease spreading to the other districts of the town. The school was accordingly closed on Monday.

ON Friday afternoon last a sad accident occurred at Prestongrange Colliery, which resulted in the death of a lad named Borthwick Heap, residing in Market Street, Musselburgh. The boy had been engaged drawing hutches when his head got jammed between two of them, and he was killed instantaneously.

50 years ago

THE decision by Musselburgh Town Council's public health committee to pay out an extra 150 for the purchase of sufficient litter baskets for main streets and side streets in Musselburgh was described by Councillor Dr T Wright as "a shocking waste of the ratepayers' money." Councillor Mrs Burns quickly retorted: "We are dealing with health, Councillor Wright, and that is not a waste of anyone's money!" Councillor Wright was adamant it need not cost so much, and suggested that if they did not buy so many litter baskets they could acquire some oil drums and paint them bright yellow. Bailie Robert Waugh pointed out they must have attractively coloured litter baskets if they wished to consider the psychological effects.

MUSSELBURGH man Mr Martin Miller, who now lives in Casterton, Victoria, Australia, travelled twice to Melbourne to see Hearts play Australia and Victoria. "It was sweet music," he said, "to hear the Scots tongue again."

25 years ago

LABOUR District Councillor Tom Ferguson (Tranent North) has offered to quit after a row on a miners' picket line. Mr Ferguson (46) is a deputy at Monktonhall and a member of NACODS. Meanwhile, local regional councillor David Thomson is facing disciplinary action over his decision to vote against Tory colleagues. His move to side with Labour to award 10,000 to a group of miners' wives was crucial in the finely balanced composition of the council and has angered the Conservative group. And local MP John Home Robertson has asked why pickets arrested at Bilston Glen Colliery were held in police custody for 18 hours. The Labour MP, accompanied by Gavin Strang MP, visited the picket line at Bilston Glen earlier this week.

THE cost of completing Torness will be 84m more than first expected, the South of Scotland Electricity Board confrimed. The new cost is 1,181 million, an increase of 7.6 per cent.

10 years ago

THE Kirk Session of St Michael's Parish Church, Inveresk, has been forced to sell off the family silver in a bid to meet massive repair bills. The sale of three rare 17th century communion cups this week raised almost 90,000, which will help to save the building from the ravages of time. The goblets, which went under the hammer at Christie's in London, formed part of a set of four which were donated to the church by Alexander Seton, the Earl of Dunfermline and godson of Mary Queen of Scots. Originally kept in the manse, they were later transferred to a bank vault for safekeeping — only being seen in public on special occasions.

PORT Seton promenade has been commended in a street design competition. The improvements involved a partnership of LEEL and East Lothian Council. The project included the creation of two small play areas for children, landscaped viewing areas decorated with coloured concrete designs, improvements to the existing sea wall, new railings and geometric shapes along the new walkway.

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 July 10, 2009

100 years ago

ON Saturday afternoon last, Mr Harry Lauder, the famous comedian, visited the scenes of his boyhood at Inveresk, and was accompanied by Bob Allison, of the Marine Gardens, an old friend of his. They came down by motor, and first of all visited the churchyard, and Harry was greatly taken up with the holly bush at the gate where he says he kent a bird's nest. When Harry was in his teens he was sent to the carpenter trade with the late Mr Sandilands at Inveresk, but got the sack for choking the sow by forcing a "puddin' " downs its throat. Harry got his "leave" over this business, but he did not forget to visit the old shop on Saturday, calling on old Mrs Sandilands who, although confined to bed, was delighted to see him. Harry sang one of his songs to the old lady. He then went through the yard, and saw the pig-house where he choked the sow. Mr Lauder then took tea with Mr Thos. Sandilands Snr at Smeaton House, and hurried away to Edinburgh to be in time for his first performance at the theatre, taking away with him several photographs of the yard.

50 years ago

SISTER Galgani Gunn, daughter of Councillor and Mrs Thomas Gunn, who was educated at St Martin's School, Tranent, and Holy Cross Academy, Leith, is now a member of a religious order, the Medical Missionaries of Mary. In preparation for her work in Africa, she trained as a nurse, taking first place in her final exam for the RM Certificate. Next month Nurse Gunn leaves for Africa, where she will work in hospitals run by the Order. The Very Rev Father Fabian, Rector of Drum-Mohr Monastery, paid a moving tribute to Nurse Gunn at a presentation social in St Gabriel's Hall, Prestonpans.

ON Monday Musselburgh was honoured by a very important visitor, Miss Dollan, Sir Patrick Dollan's sister, who is a retired nurse. She had been on holiday and remained in Musselburgh until Thursday with an old friend of hers, Miss McKinnon, who was also a nurse. One of her engagements was a visit to Provost Lannan, who was delighted to show her around the town.

25 years ago

STRIKING miners turned their attention to Dunbar's Blue Circle cement works this week when they formed picket lines in an attempt to stop the delivery of coal necessary to fuel the enormous kilns. One lorry driver was treated for minor cuts and bruises after a brick was hurled through his windscreen as about 70 pickets demonstrated at the gates.

MR James Kennedy, Director of Finance with East Lothian District Council since 1975, retired last Friday after a total of nearly 47 years' service in local government. Mr Kennedy was presented with a gift of a camera, on behalf of the council's staff, by the Chief Executive, Mr David Miller.

THE pupils of Dunbar Primary School registered both joy and sorrow at a special gathering in the school hall. Joy because the holidays had come, sorrow because a very popular headmaster, Mr Tom Goring, was retiring. Mr Goring taught at the school since 1961, and has been head teacher since 1970.

10 years ago

THE newly-extended council headquarters in Haddington was officially named John Muir House on June 25 in honour of the East Lothian-born conservationist. To mark the occasion, an open day was held to give members of the public an opportunity to see around the new building and guided tours were available. The new HQ has its entrance in Brewery Park at the junction between the old and new buildings and provides public access to most council departments. The old entrance on Court Street continues in use as a public payments counter.

HEAVY rain brought the farm show at Haddington to an early and abrupt end last Saturday. The presentation of cups, trophies and long service medals had just been completed when the deluge began about 2.45pm. The remainder of the afternoon's programme had to be cancelled as visitors surrendered to the weather and headed home. Parts of the ground at The Haugh, Westfield Farm, became churned up by vehicles and some heavier equipment and vehicles had to be towed away by tractors.

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 July 17, 2009

100 years ago

THE other day while John Watson, the Fisherrow Harbour pilot, was returning to the harbour with his small boat after casting moorings for a motor boat off Levenhall, he observed some object moving up and down in the water about half-a-mile off the river mouth. He turned the boat in the direction of the object, and when he came within seeing distance was surprised to see it was a man on horseback. The horse was swimming out to sea while the man, who was almost overcome, clutched the reins with death-like grip. On coming up with them Watson had great difficulty in getting the man to let go his hold of the reins, but he ultimately succeeded in getting him into the boat. The horse was attached to the boat and the party set sail for the river mouth, which was reached in safety. Watson declares that if the man had been another 10 minutes in his perilous position he would certainly have been drowned. He was so exhausted that he had to lie down in the bottom of the boat after being taken into it, and this in itself caused some excitement for those watching from the shore.

50 years ago

ROBERT Bowman, 65 Pinkie Terrace, Musselburgh, will start his long journey to Sydney, New South Wales, on Sunday. He is sailing with a party of 40 boys, under the auspices of the Big Brother Movement, and he will sail on the good ship ss Orion from Tilbury Docks. The party consists of boys who will take up farming in Australia and some who will be placed in urban jobs. Robert wants to become a farmer and this is his big chance. The Big Brother Movement has sent 4416 boys to Australia since they started the scheme in 1927. The present sailing will be the 84th. All the boys are aged 16-19.

LORETTO RC School held their sports at Pinkie Playing Fields. After keen competition, St Michael's House won the championship. The girl champion was Monica Sochaczewska and the boy champion was Roger Laidlaw. On school closing day, prizes were presented by the Very Rev Canon Harold, after the pupils had listened to a few remarks from headmaster Mr T McKenna.

25 years ago

THE Airts Burns Club, Prestonpans, are to hold a special ceremony in the town on Saturday July 21 as part of their golden jubilee. The date is the 188th anniversary of the death of Robert Burns and the Pans club plan to commemorate it with a ceremony at the Burns Shelter in the town. This year is also the 25th anniversary of the erection of the shelter. The history of the club and the shelter will be given by hon. president Mr J Bush with the commemoration by Mr J McIlwraithe, president of the Burns Federation.

MARK Nicholson's expertise in the fast moving world of television and radio technology has won him top honours from the Co-op. For Mark (24), of Church Street, Tranent, has gained a Co-op Technician of the Year Award in the first national competition of its kind organised by the Co-operative Wholesale Society. He took time off from the test bench at East Lothian Co-operative Society to receive his award from William Patrick, the general manager.

10 years ago

A NEW pulpit has been donated to St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington. The gift given by the Friends of St Mary's in memory of their first chairman, the late Very Rev A Neville Davidson, will be officially presented at a special dedication service this Sunday. The pulpit is moveable and is constructed of finished oak, matching the North Gallery woodwork. It was designed by Messrs Crighton, Lang, Willis and Galloway, Edinburgh, and made by Campbell and Smith, Ormiston. The Friends will also present 12 specially designed and woven chair cushions to the church.

JULY has certainly been a month to remember for Mr Tom Goring. In the two weeks following his retirement as head teacher at Dunbar Primary School, Tom and his wife Marie enjoyed becoming grandparents for the first time when their daughter Margaret gave birth to a baby girl, and were equally delighted when their other daughter, Rosemary, graduated from university.

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 July 24, 2009

100 years ago

IT is thought that there are not so many Glasgow people in Musselburgh this year. The fever scare is said to be responsible for the absence of many families who were wont to spend the Fair Week here. Be that as it may, when one pays a visit to Fisherrow Links of an evening there appears to be as many people assembled there as in former years. The Glasgow folk get the name of being hard workers but, without doubt, they know how to make the very most of a holiday. Dancing is in progress every night on the Links and on the open space up the Grove and they all seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. During the day the favourite form of enjoyment is picnicking. The teapot and eatables are taken up the river side and the fun goes fast and furious. The high winds have not in any way interfered with the enjoyment of the holidaymakers, for the trees afford a capital shelter. It is a blessing the rain has kept off. There has been very little bathing or boating this year. The boathirers are naturally complaining bitterly for the Glasgow Fair Week is usually their harvest.

50 years ago

PARENTS at Wedderburn Hospital, Musselburgh, were thrilled when the Honest Lad Rob Morgan, accompanied by his Honest Lass Betty Russell, and the president of the Honest Toun's Association, Mr Derek Turner, visited every ward in the hospital. The official party from the HTA were met by Mr Moffat who then showed Rob and Betty round the various wards and introduced them to individual patients. On Tuesday the Honest Lad and Lass visited Brunton's Wire Mills, on Wednesday they visited Inveresk Paper Company and on Thursday they had a very full day, visiting the Musselburgh firm of Stuart, rounding off the day with a visit to the Red House Home.

ON Saturday July 18 the 61st Edinburgh (Musselburgh) Company of the Boys' Brigade returned to Musselburgh after a most successful and enjoyable camp at Yarrow in Selkirkshire. It hardly seemed like two weeks since the advance party had left Northesk Hall to pitch camp at Mountbenger beside the lovely River Yarrow.

25 years ago

A NEW pulpit has been donated to St Mary's Parish Church in Haddington. The gift given by the Friends of St Mary's in memory of their first chairman, the late Very Rev A Neville Davidson, will be officially presented at a special dedication service this Sunday. The pulpit is moveable and is constructed of finished oak, matching the North Gallery woodwork. It was designed by Messrs Crighton, Lang, Willis and Galloway, Edinburgh, and made by Campbell and Smith, Ormiston. The Friends will also present 12 specially designed and woven chair cushions to the church.

JULY has certainly been a month to remember for Mr Tom Goring. In the two weeks following his retirement as head teacher at Dunbar Primary School, Tom and his wife Marie enjoyed becoming grandparents for the first time when their daughter Margaret gave birth to a baby girl, and were equally delighted when their other daughter, Rosemary, graduated from university.

10 years ago

MUSSELBURGH folk, young and old, turned out last Friday morning to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of York to the Honest Toun. As Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, Prince Andrew was performing the official opening and christening of Musselburgh Sea Cadets' new headquarters in South Street. The royal visit marked the culmination of a five-year campaign by the management committee, staff, parents and supporters, who raised 60,000 and provided much of the labour to upgrade the building.

DIRLETON Castle has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest herbaceous border in the world. The U-shaped border measures 215 metres long with more than 30 plant varieties. Planting first started in the 1930s when the property was taken into state care but Dirleton Castle has included a garden feature since the 1200s, and still has traces of a formal terraced garden laid out in the 1500s. The idea for the world record bid came from district steward Peter Burns.

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 July 31, 2009

100 years ago

ON Tuesday morning, while a little girl named Helen Millar, seven years of age, daughter of a fisherman named Peter Millar, residing at 128 New Street, Musselburgh, was running along North High Street on a message, she ran into a horse and cart at the top of Fishers Wynd. The accident was witnessed by a number of people and a painter, James Telfer, gathered the child in his arms and immediately proceeded to Dr Young's surgery in Bridge Street. The little one only lived about five minutes, dying in Mr Telfer's arms as he was conveying her along the street. We understand there is no blame attached to the carter. The occurrence cast quite a gloom over the north part of Fisherrow.

THE tramway extension to Port Seton from Musselburgh is almost completed, and the running of cars over the system is likely to commence next week. We understand that a trial run was made yesterday over the track. The extension will be a great boon to people living down the coast.

50 years ago

ONCE again honour has come to Musselburgh through Patrol Leader Anne Scott of the 3rd Musselburgh Girl Guide Company, gaining the Queen's Badge. Anne is the first in the district to achieve this distinction. Since joining the Brownies at the age of seven, Anne has been a very keen member of the Guide movement.

FISHERROW man Peter Hamilton, who is treasurer of Musselburgh Town Council, has been appointed convener of Midlothian County Council finance committee in place of W Rutherford, Dalkeith, who resigned in May. It was a unanimous decision of the council and Treasurer Hamilton received many congratulations on his important appointment. The treasurer has been a member of Musselburgh Town Council for some 11 years. Last year he was returned unopposed for Ward I. In serious debate around the council table, his grasp of regulations and his handling of masses of figures gave him an advantage over opponents that he seldom failed to exploit.

25 years ago

DUNBAR'S derelict open air swimming pool is to be demolished and returned to its natural state. East Lothian planning committee agreed that officials should begin negotiations with the Scottish Development Agency. The decision follows a meeting with Bayswell Consultations, led by local hotelier Mr Robert McAusland, who were the only firm to show an interest in developing the pool and Castlepark Barracks site. Bayswell Consultants envisaged converting the swimming pool to a children's boating pond. There would also be a children's paddling pool and fishing pond. Amusements, indoor roller skating and a shop would be provided at the existing poolside changing rooms.

THE Church of Scotland plan to open the country's first drug rehabilitation centre at the former Tynepark List D School in Haddington by November. The building will house up to 16 residents who have already undergone hospital treatment but are still in need of proper residential care. Church officials have started to refurbish Tynepark.

10 years ago

THE popularity of mobile phones with Haddington schoolchildren has resulted in special policy being drawn up at Knox Academy. The issue was highlighted in a recent edition of the school newsletter which stated that staff have had to reprimand youngsters for using phones during the school day and, on two occasions in the past few months, mobile phones have gone off in classrooms. Although some schools have banned mobile phones outright, staff at Knox take the view that carrying them provides a measure of safety for some youngsters, particularly those who have to walk home in quieter areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL improvement works costing around 240,000 are to be undertaken in the Burnside and Redburn Road area of Prestonpans. The main work will be carried out at the communal area around flats at Redburn Road. Retaining walls will be built along with new steps, ramps and footpaths. The aim is to make the area more attractive and the programme will also include landscaping work.

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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