Delve into the past with a look through the columns of the East Lothian News and Musselburgh News
From our issue of July 4, 2008100 years agoA SAD fatality occurred at Aberlady, a little girl named Doris Martin, seven years of age, being drowned in the bay and another girl of about the same age, Minnie Perkins, h
aving a very narrow escape. The children, who had been wading in the bay, had, on the tide going back, been swept off their feet by the strong under current. Their screams attracted attention and Mr John Peat, chauffeur to Mr Menzies, St Michael's, Inveresk, ran down to the beach and waded in towards the children. Although sinking and being sometimes over the head in the water, he managed to reach one of the girls, Minnie Perkins, who was not so far out, and he brought her ashore. Both girls were floating when Mr Peat waded out but, unable to swim, he went as far as he dared. Mr J Wilson, Kilspindie, and Mr J Anderson, Aberlady, got a boat and rowed out. By this time the other child had disappeared. The unfortunate child was the daughter of Mr Geo Martin, steward to Mr Punton, The Lodge, Aberlady.
50 years agoCHEERING thousands greeted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in the Honest Toun. The Queen had chosen to see Loretto School, and for two hours and more she and the Duke made a very comprehensive tour of the buildings and spoke to many of the boys and their masters. They watched Norman Lamont (16) binding books and listened intently while he explained his craft.
THE Post Office authorities are of the opinion that the Pinkie Braes district is adequately served by the existing sub-post offices at Levenhall and Wallyford and they are not prepared to authorise the establishment of a sub-post office in Delta Road.
A CELEBRATION party was held on Monday night in the Clifton Rooms. The happy couple, who have been married for 25 years, were Mr and Mrs William Brooks, both of Musselburgh. Mr Brooks, who is a slater and plasterer to trade, is a cousing of Mr Joseph Sykes, who was best man at his wedding, and who owns a shop in Fisherrow.
25 years agoMARTIN Williamson (15) from Haddington has been selected to represent East Lothian at the 15th World Scout Jamboree in Canada. Selected by Area Commissioner Ian Campbell and District Commissioner Graham Coe, Martin left Waverley Bridge by bus with other Scottish Scouts on Sunday. The Scouts were flying from Prestwick to Toronto.
A £156,000 European grant for turkey meat processing at East Lothian producers Fenton Barns (Scotland) Limited has been welcomed "with delight" by South of Scotland Euro-MP Alasdair Hutton. Two years ago the firm had to cut back its operation and change direction to survive. Now it is the only fully integrated turkey operation in Scotland producing turkeys from chicks right through to cooked breast and leg meat.
LOTHIAN Presbytery paid tribute to their retiring clerk, Rev Alex Hutchison, formerly of Pathhead, and welcomed his successor, Rev Arthur Hill, North Berwick.
10 years agoEAST Lothian schoolchildren could soon be tucking into mince and tatties again, following a decision to reintroduce beef on to school dinner menus. Beef and beef derivatives have been absent from school dinner menus for more than two years now after East Lothian Council decided to withdraw them in April 1996. The controversial decision came in the wake of the BSE crisis amid fears that eating contaminated beef could result in humans contracting Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, or CJD as it is commonly known.
THE future of St Joseph's School near Tranent looks uncertain with the news that it is not to be the venue for the new East Lothian Centre for Lifelong Learning. Instead, East Lothian Council has decided to locate it at Alderston House, Haddington, after learning it would cost too much to bring St Joseph's up to the required standard. It is understood up to £500,000 would have been necessary for the work involved. The new centre will run in partnership with Jewel and Esk Valley College.
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 LothianFrom our issue of July 11, 2008100 years agoON Saturday last, a child, three years of age, named Martha King, through the effects of having the previous day fallen into a pail of boiling water which had been standing outside the door of her parents' home in Newbigging, Musselburgh, died. The sad affair was much commented upon in the neighbourhood and much sympathy expressed towards the parents. Meanwhile, a Musselburgh miner named Neil Giffen, while at work in the Penny Pit, Prestonpans, was knocked down and badly hurt about the legs and body by the breaking away of hutches. The unfortunate man was removed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by Musselburgh and District Ambulance Waggon.
THE local troop of the Lothians and Border Horse held their last drill at Pinkie Park, Musselburgh, before going to camp. It was expected that the commanding officer, the Duke of Roxburgh and Lord Binning, were to be present to inspect the troop, but to the disappointment of the spectators, the gentlemen did not put in an appearance.
50 years agoJUDGING from the large crowd of race-goers streaming into Musselburgh on Monday evening, the Joint Committee seem to have found the answer to all racing enthusiasts' prayers in evening racing. Nearly 10,000 people were present. "It is a record since the introduction of evening racing at Musselburgh five years ago," said Mr W McHarg, Clerk of the Course. At a fine evening's racing, the Ayr trainer, G Laurence, and the Dunbar trainer, G Boyd, both saddled two winners. One person who seemed more interested in the people watching the races than in the actual horses was the comedian Jimmy Logan. Complete with cigar and a grin, he did not seem to regard the sport with the same degree of seriousness as other racing enthusiasts.
MR Robert L Scarlett, Inveresk, has presented to Edinburgh a number of "Scots thistles" and these are being displayed at the City Chambers after having been on show at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The plants range in height from eight feet to ten feet, and many people are looking at them.
25 years agoMONDAY August 1 has been set as opening date for the £2,026,018 purpose-built 72 bed unit at Haddington's Herdmanflat Hospital. Named the Hopetoun unit, it was designed for the care of the mentally handicapped and will come into use on August 1. It consists of three 24-bed wards for patients with varying degrees of mental handicap. Included in the building is a modern therapy department with a gymnasium providing space for music, occupational and speech therapy, physiotherapy and recreation.
A DOCUMENTARY novel by Peter McNeill, one of Tranent's most famous sons, has been published thanks to the co-operation between East Lothian District Library and Remploy. Blawearie, Mining Life in the Lothians, was first published in 1887, and is based on Peter McNeill's experiences in the coal mines in the mid 19th century. He was born in Tranent in 1839, of a mining family. His great grandfather was one of the last miners to work as a serf, and his mother worked in the pits until 1848.
10 years agoCOMMUNITY councillors in Tranent are compiling a dossier of complaints from people claiming to have been injured on slippery paving slabs in the town centre. For the past two years the community council has been trying to convince the council that there is a problem with the slippery surface of the paving slabs installed during the town centre improvement scheme. Chairman Peter Swain said they had already received a considerable response from people who had been involved in accidents with the paving slabs.
NORTHESK Church, Musselburgh, is to have its first female minister after 160 years. At a special service, members unanimously chose Rev Alison Matheson as their sole nominee to fill the vacancy. The church has been without a rector since January when Rev Ron Brown retired after 16 years at Northesk. Mrs Matheson (35), originally from Dundee, said: "I am looking forward to coming to Musselburgh and I am delighted the congregation have chosen me." She lived for three years in Budapest before moving to the Mayfield area of Edinburgh.
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 LothianFrom our issue of July 18, 2008100 years agoMR Barclay, Burgh Surveyor, reported to Musselburgh Town Council that during the month four cases of scarlet fever had been brought under his notice, and that there were at present eight cases of infectious disease being dealt with in the hospital. He also reported that during the month two quarters of beef had been seized at the slaughterhouse and destroyed, being unfit for human food. Bailie Kelt asked if it were possible to prosecute in connection with the diseased animals brought to the slaughterhouse? Mr Barclay said that it was impossible, for the people did not know the animals were diseased before being taken to the slaughterhouse. The parties had been quite willing to give up the diseased part. Treasurer Young said he did not think it right that the other part of a diseased animal should be considered as fit for human food.
MUSSELBURGH Town Council heard that the Chief Constable had agreed to their request for two additional police.
50 years agoTHE new British Legion club premises in Musselburgh were opened by Mr T Matheson — his first official occasion as national chairman. The chairman of the club, Mr Robert Trainer, welcomed Mr and Mrs Matheson, and amongst the guests were Provost J Lannan, Lieut-Colonel The Hon D A Balfour (area president), Mr A S Stuart (area chairman), Chief Constable W Merrilees (Lothian and Peebles Constabulary), Major Russel Thompson, Mr George Means, Captain Douglas Morton and many members from nearby branches. The Rev Dr D Stiven gave the Grace and Mr J M Russell acted as MC.
THE newly formed branch of Musselburgh Young Unionists have so far held two successful summer outings. The first was a skittles evening at the Abercorn Inn, Piershill, when members participated in a lively game. Following this, a busload of members and their friends enjoyed a very successful evening run to Dollar. There will be no meetings in July and August, but it is hoped there will be an outing in September.
25 years agoSCOTTISH hospitality is alive and well and living in Dunbar — at Cruachan, East Links Road — a guest house run by Mrs Elspeth Wood. Cruachan is one of three guest houses in Britain — and the only one in Scotland — recently added to the British Tourist Association's commended country hotels and guest houses, which offer an outstanding welcome, excellent food and value for money. Mrs Wood acknowledges all the help she receives from her husband Bill, who does the decorating, and her two daughters Sheila and Morag, who help out in all sorts of ways.
A FORMER pupil of Dirleton Primary School, Keith Stewart, after achieving both sporting and academic success at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, has now gained a place at Oxford University. Keith's parents, Mr and Mrs Douglas Stewart, who own the Castle Inn, Dirleton, are extremely proud of their son's achievements. Besides winning the silver medal for English, Keith won the prize for Scottish history and the sixth year art prize.
10 years agoPLANS to build a 21st century village on the site of the Bruntons Wiremill in Musselburgh are currently under scrutiny by councillors. Applicants Gleeson Homes are seeking permission to develop the 5.67 hectare site for mixed use including a residential area, a small industrial estate and a televillage. A televillage comprises ordinary two and three bedroom flats and houses, each containing an office and cables connecting them to a central office. The idea is that, in the future, more and more people will be able to work from home.
SPECIAL needs auxiliary Isabel MacKay was given a good send off when she retired after 21 years' service at King's Meadow Primary in Haddington. Past pupils and staff gathered for a reunion on the Monday and the next day Mrs MacKay, the longest serving member of staff at the school, was presented with parting gifts including a porcelain figure and crystal lamp. Head teacher Donald McGillivray paid tribute to the work of Mrs MacKay, who lives in Ormiston with her husband Ian.
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 LothianFrom our issue of July 25, 2008100 years agoA HAPPY gathering of railway servants and others took place at Athole House, Newbigging, Musselburgh, the residence of Mr Alexander Rodger, for the purpose of presenting him with a testimonial. Mr Rodger has just retired from the service of the North British Railway Company, having reached 65 years — the age limit. He began railway life about 50 years ago on the Tranent branch, but soon got promotion to the position of guard, running all over the system. For the past 32 years he has been traffic inspector between Inveresk and Berwick, having also charge of Macmerry, Haddington, North Berwick and Berwickshire branches. All the collieries in Inveresk and Tranent districts were under his supervision. In the name of the subscribers, Mr Wm Stewart, of Messrs Deans & Moore, Inveresk, made the presentation which consisted of a gold brooch to Mrs Rodger and a set of the Waverley novels and purse of sovereigns to Mr Rodger. Mr Rodger suitably replied and the company was thereafter entertained to supper.
50 years agoMUSSELBURGH Town Council has approved the following recommendations made by various committees: Four tenders received for the supply and installation of mercury discharge street lamps in Millhill, James Street and Pinkie Road were opened, and it was recommended that subject to consent to borrowing being obtained, the tender of AEI Lamp and Lighting C Ltd, amounting to £855 15s 2d, being lowest, should be accepted. A communication from Musselburgh Old People's Voluntary Welfare Committee requested that a seat at present situated at the junction of Ashgrove and Pinkie Road be restored to its former location, as the old people who were in the habit of using this seat were finding the new position very exposed. The Town Clerk reminded the meeting that this seat had been re-sited twice recently at the request of the County Council. Consideration of the matter was continued, and the Town Clerk was instructed to consult the County Council about restoring the seat to its location before it was last moved.
25 years agoFORTY men have been made redundant at William Baxter & Son Ltd, Tranent, the long established civil engineering firm. The company, which also carries out haulage and plant hire, was put in the hands of the receiver last month. Last Friday was the closing date for offers for the firm. East Lothian MP John Home Robertson said it was "very depressing" that one of the oldest firms in the district was in such a plight. "It is all the more depressing because Baxters would likely have been involved in work on the construction of the Tranent and Musselburgh bypass project."
EAST Lothian District Council planning committee refused permission for six solar panels to be erected on a house in Pencaitland. Mr J McNeil proposed to install the panels on the two storey house known as Deanwood, opposite the war memorial. A report said: "The three panels on the front of the house are conspicuously seen from public areas as substantial and alien features which look quite out of place on a finely detailed building such as this."
10 years agoTESCO will shortly be starting its recruitment campaign to find 236 local people for the new store in Musselburgh, which is due to open in November. Musselburgh is the first of three Tesco stores to open in the area, with Dalkeith and Colinton due to open in 1999.
A VACANT site in the centre of Haddington, which has remained empty since the Haddington blitz during the Second World War, could be restored to its former glory. Property developer Hartfield Homes is hoping to obtain planning permission to build shops and flats on the area opposite the local Co-op in Market Street. The buildings on the site were destroyed during an air raid on Haddington which left three dead — two of them soldiers — five seriously injured and a dozen slightly hurt. Amisfield Park, a former prisoner-of-war camp, now the local golf course, was hit with 40 incendiary bombs, and Market Street and Hardgate were also attacked. The area was bombed by a German aircraft at 8.30pm on March 3, 1941.
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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