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May 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 May 7, 2010

100 years ago

IN the Central Assembly Rooms, Mr John Thomson, gardener, Prestongrange, was entertained and presented with various gifts by the Horticultural Society members and others on the occasion of his departure for Canada. Mr Thomson, who was one of the most successful gardeners in the district, has been at Prestongrange for the past 21 years, and held the distinction of having presented at the Edinburgh Horticultural Society's show some years ago a chrysanthemum plant with no less than 130 blooms on it.

THE monthly meeting of Musselburgh School Board was held in the Grammar School. The clerk reported that Fisherrow School was full and there were only a few odd places in Newbigging School, and something would require to be done in the way of considering the matter. The chairman asked it was meant to be something of a temporary nature, but it was hinted that a new school would likely be required.

50 years ago

THERE will be no Ward 3 Gala Day in Musselburgh this year owing to lack of public support. Parents were given a chance to redeem their previous apathy and were urged to attend a meeting in Campie School when they could say whether they wished their children to enjoy a gala day this year as they have done in the past. One parent, Mrs M Burrows, of Mitchell Street, turned up to the meeting. One by one the gala days throughout Musselburgh have folded up owing to lack of support. Ward 3 Gala Day was the first to be set up in Musselburgh ten years ago — and it is the last to close down. Although Ward 4 Gala Day — in Fisherrow — may have been the most picturesque of the town's galas, Ward 3 Gala Day was recognised as the most carefree.

MUSSELBURGH Parks Department are bulldozing the common ground at Fisherrow Links. Several football pitches and tennis courts are contemplated.

25 years ago

A COMMEMORATIVE plaque has been erected in recognition of the Scottish Special Housing Association's development in Lamer Street, Dunbar. The plaque, in recognition of the 1984 Saltire Society Award for Good Design, was unveiled by Professor David Daiches. He said the Association deserved congratulations for their remarkable development which introduced new housing standards.

THE Scottish entertainer Jimmy Logan married Glasgow lass Pamela Donald at a secret service in Spott Parish Church last Friday. Only about 20 guests were invited to the service, conducted by local minister and friend of the family, Rev Lawrence Twaddle, who introduced Jimmy to the area.

PRESTONPANS Community Council are asking for the backing of all local organisations in a fight towards the reinstatement of sacked miners.

10 years ago

ANNE Picking has been selected as East Lothian Labour Party's choice to fight the next Westminster General Election. Labour agent John Russell said: "This has been a thorough and searching selection process that started way back at the end of January with 22 expressions of interests from throughout the county." East Lothian MP and MSP John Home Robertson said: "The members of East Lothian Labour Party have made a very wise choice." Provost Pat O'Brien said: "Anne has a big challenge ahead of her. She is more than fit for the task." A jubilant Anne said: "I will repay the trust put in me by party workers." Anne, of Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, was one of six candidates. The others were Walter Thomson, Longniddry; Margaret McCulloch, Dunfermline; Lorna Shiels, Edinburgh; Doug Maugham, Dunblane; and Charles Mannan, Ashton-under-Lyne.

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 May 14, 2010

100 years ago

THE death of King Edward VII caused great regret in Musselburgh, as well as in other towns and villages of the kingdom. At noon on Tuesday King George V was proclaimed at the Market Cross, Musselburgh. A platform was specially erected at the south side of the Cross, and there was a large gathering of citizens present to witness the ceremony. Provost Simpson proposed "a long life and a peaceful reign to King George V." He said that the great sorrow into which the nation had been plunged by the death of King Edward would affect none so much as him to whom this day we have sworn allegiance. Many will be speculating as to how he will wear the mantle of his popular and tactful father.

AT the Musselburgh Arms Hotel, a company of young men met to do honour to one of their number, Mr Jas. Colville, son of Mr Colville, watchmaker and jeweller, Musselburgh, who leaves in the course of a day or two for Winnipeg, Canada. Mr Colville has for the past 10 years been in the office of the Summerlee Iron Coy, Prestongrange.

50 years ago

FRIDAY was an eventful night in Musselburgh's history as newly-elected Provost of the Honest Toun, Peter K Hamilton, announced from the balcony of the Town Hall that Douglas Gifford, 178 High Street, would be Honest Lad for the coming year, and that Margaret Hall, 146 North High Street, would be the Honest Lass. This popular result was enthusiastically acclaimed by a crowd of several hundreds of people who stood waiting in the street below.

A SPECIALLY invited company of friends attended a preview of the new Home Handyman's Supply shop at 159-161 High Street, Musselburgh, on Tuesday. They were conducted round the premises by the partners Mr D Smith and Mr G Gorrie. The new shop is believed to have the best range of wallpapers in Musselburgh — if not the Lothians. Seven different wholesalers supply paper and paint.

25 years ago

ONE of East Lothian's historic doocots is to be demolished — despite the reservations of district councillors. The Newbyth Doocot at East Linton has decayed rapidly since a major survey in 1963 and is now in a ruined state, the planning committee heard. The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland agreed that the 24ft by 17ft building was past repair. Planning director Graham Duncan said the doocot, which houses 950 nests inside, was beyond repair or restoration. The committee agreed demolition and to look at carrying out a survey of the 70 doocots in the district.

PRESTONPANS Day Centre will be officially opened at a special ceremony next Friday. The guest of honour will be Mrs Jean Nisbet, widow of former regional councillor Jimmy Nisbet who worked towards the provision of such a centre for the town.

10 years ago

A YOUNG Prestonpans footballer was celebrating this week after scoring one of the world's fastest goals. Sandy Green needed just three seconds to find the back of the net for Preston Athletic against Threave Rovers in an East of Scotland first division match at the Pennypit on Saturday. The speed of the strike — his first for the club — astonished players and fans alike. Referee James Bee, who could hardly believe his eyes when he looked down at his stopwatch, confirmed the time of the goal as three seconds.

LOTHIAN Presbytery has approved in principle proposals by Dunbar Parish Church to upgrade the heating system in the church hall. Members were advised that the congregational board wished to complete the phased programme of the heating system and consultants had been employed to produce the necessary specifications. The upgrade is estimated at 9,000. Rev John Mitchell said the church had sufficient funds to meet costs.

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 May 21, 2010

100 years ago

THE new public hall presently in course of erection at Wallyford is nearing completion, and when finished will look a substantial building. It is of corrugated iron, and is being built by Messrs Spiers & Co, Glasgow. The erection looks well from the road, and will be a credit to the village. It may be mentioned that the miners did all the excavating work in their spare time free of cost, and are greatly interested in the building operations. The hall is to accommodate some 340 people, and will be opened by the Right Hon Sir Charles Dalrymple on June 3.

ON Monday evening a meeting was held at Wallyford for the purpose of inaugurating a Boys' Brigade Company. Mr J W Scarlett JP presided and others present were Mr W E Grimwood, Mr T McMeekin, Mr S McFedries, Mr James Robertson and Mr Beveridge. After some discussion it was unanimously agreed to form a company to be known as the 1st Inveresk Boys' Brigade, with Mr Beveridge as captain and McMeekin as secretary.

50 years ago

FROM now on applications for Proclamation of Banns of Marriage will not be received at the Old Manse Lodge. The Kirk Session have decided in view of the sale to move the location to the Kirk Hall, Dalrymple Loan. This alteration underlines the almost certain passing of an old landmark in Musselburgh, for it is now very likely that the Old Manse will be taken down and the ground used for a new building. It will shortly be no longer possible for many hundreds of husbands and wives, as they pass along Inveresk Road, to see again the Manse where so many marriages took place.

PLANS for Musselburgh to have a 9ft by 5ft Pictorial Electrico Map were discussed. Councillor Stuart Strachan said: "We have many historical spots in this locality which ought to be made known to tourists." Councillor Tom White pointed out modernistic ways were not necessarily unsightly. The committee voted in favour.

25 years ago

MR John Russell, chairman of Prestonpans strike committee during the pit dispute, who was held in custody for 24 hours after being charged with breach of the peace, has had his case dismissed from court. Just before Mr Russell was due to go on trial concerning the alleged offence outside the gates of Blindwells opencast mine on December 10, Depute Fiscal Mrs Gillian More told the court that his original plea of not guilty had been accepted. The circumstances of Mr Russell's arrest caused an outcry when it was revealed he had been detained in custody on a charge of obstruction, which was later changed to breach of the peace. His case was taken up by local MP John Home Robertson who asked the Lord Advocate for an explanation. Mr Home Robertson also consulted Mr Donald Dewar, the Shadow Secretary of State, a lawyer, who said it was "unusual" to be held for so long on such a minor charge. Mr Russell said: "I am very pleased."

10 years ago

TROUBLE could be brewing for macho members of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council. As arrangements were discussed for the community council's millennium tea dance, taking place on May 26, secretary Harriot Knox declined to take part in tea-making duties. While other female members offered to buy biscuits and look after the catering arrangements, Mrs Knox demanded to know why the men did all the "macho" jobs while the women made the tea. Pointing out that this was a "millennium" tea dance, she protested: "How far have women come in 2000 years, when we are still making the tea?"

A PHENOMENON known as the "Polson Pimple" is hampering play at Tranent's bowling green. A council spokesman explained part of the green had subsided. It is believed an area of rock lies beneath the green and as soil is washed away during wet weather the solid surface is unaffected and remains as a pimple.

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. Also try Lothian Lives.

From our files of May 28, 2010

100 years ago

ALTHOUGH there was no attempt to do things on a big scale, the proceedings on Friday last at Musselburgh were quite in keeping with the tributes paid to the memory of the late King Edward VII in other towns of a similar size. With business suspended in the majority of the public works and the shops closed, the streets in the early part of the day assumed almost a Sunday appearance. As the forenoon advanced, however, the High Street became more lively and few were observed going about without wearing something to indicate their sympathy with the solemn proceedings of the day. Shortly after noon the local brass bands paraded the town playing the "Dead March" and other appropriate music, and crowds of people were to be seen wending their way to Inveresk Parish Church, where the public memorial service was held. The service was a most impressive one, and will long be remembered by those who were privileged to attend it. The shops remained closed for the remainder of the day as were all places of recreation and amusement.

50 years ago

COUNCILLOR James Lannan brought up the question of how much longer the repairs of Musselburgh's Old Roman Bridge would take at a meeting of the Streets and Lighting Committee. "I think the Romans themselves walked over in more congenial conditions," exclaimed Councillor Lannan. He said he had heard of young ladies spraining their ankles because of the condition of the bridge. People were wondering when contractors were going to start.

ALTHOUGH half the houses in Musselburgh belong to the Town Council there is still difficulty in rehousing tenants whose houses have been condemned, stated Councillor Dr T Wright. He believed that if some of the municipal tenants had originally built houses for themselves, Musselburgh would have had sufficient council houses for people who really needed them.

25 years ago

THE official stone laying ceremony for Dunbar's latest old folk's home was conducted last Friday. Permanent Under-Secretary at the Scottish Office, Sir William Fraser CB, officially opened the grounds of Dunbar's former Cottage Hospital as the site for a Civil Service Benevolent Fund home. Renamed Lammermuir House, the 2.3 acre site in East Links Road will provide five residential wings, each containing seven bed-sitting rooms. At a cost of 2m the completed project, which will include a smaller sheltered housing unit for local old folk, will also offer employment for about 40 people.

BELHAVEN Brewery has extended its operations by buying two units at Spott Road Industrial Estate, Dunbar. The new units, amounting to a total of 30,000 sq ft, will be used as a centre for the firm's distribution, servicing, cellar, service sales and administration.

10 years ago

A "WONDERFUL day" was had by all, locals and visitors alike, when HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, travelled to North Berwick on Sunday to officially open the new Scottish Seabird Centre. The sun shone and thousands of onlookers lined the streets leading to the new 3m facility on the site of the former harbour pavilion, creating a happy community atmosphere bursting with civic pride. A sea of children, including Law Primary School pupils, Beavers and Cubs, waved Union Jacks and Saltires, and were kept amused by stilt walkers and jugglers until the Prince arrived.

AROUND 140 people attended a special ceremony to mark the reopening of the refurbished Salvation Army Worship and Community Centre in Prestonpans last Saturday. East Lothian MP and MSP John Home Robertson and Provost Pat O'Brien were among guests who gathered for the ceremony led by Major Robert McIntyre.

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. Also try Lothian Lives.

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