Four Years of the Auld Earlston Blog

This month marks four years since the Auld Earlston blog was launched in 2015;  the aim to present articles, press cuttings,  and photographs on many aspects of Earlston's past ranging from work and leisure, institutions, transport, wartime, and individual Earlston worthies who made  their mark at home or abroad. A list of the topics featured  is given on the right of  the screen. 

So take a look  back here  at some of the most popular articles featured over the past four years.

Looking Back at the Past Year

• "Black Sheep" continue to attract interest, notably The Murder and Execution of Robert Scott in 1823.
  
  
  Scotsman:  1st November 1823
  
  
• Life as an Earlston Land Girl:  A vivid personal account of life as a land girl at Georgefield Farm, Earlston in 1944-45 - the work, the food, and leisure time.
  
  
  
• Memories of Earlston People and Places by Rev. William Crockett (1866-1945):  A prolific writer William Crockett wrote of growing up in the village where his father was postmaster  and his memories of the Square, the West End  and travelling out of Earlston.
  
  
  
• Earlston Men Before the WW1 Military Tribunals:  We tend to think that World War One Military Tribunals dealt primarily with conscientious objectors,   but newspaper reports of the day  show that men sought exemption from service in the armed forces for a variety of reasons - amongst them men from Earlston.

In Previous Years

• A Look at Earlston Churches - In 1866 Earlston had three churches Ercildoune Parish Church, West United Presbyterian Church and East United Presbyterian Church, with religion and integral part of community life.

A charming tinted image of the Parish Church in early 20th century

• Travel around Earlston in Times Past - An Earlston travel timeline looking at development from the building of Craigsford Bridge c.1737 to the new bridge over the Tweed at Leaderfoot in 1974.

• Earlston's Village Blacksmiths:  The Brotherston family of blacksmiths continue in business in Earlston today, but in times past  there were many other blacksmiths in the village by the names of  Aitken,  Dickson,  Scott, Sudden, Lee,  Waldie and Wilkie. 

• Earlston's  Kirk Session Records - Censure and Charity  - The records  provide us with a unique  social commentary on life in the village at the time, as the church provided help to the poor and needy, but censure to those involved in what was regarded as moral turpitude. 

 As late as 14th October 1901,  a woman was brought before the Kirk Session  to be questioned on her "sin of fornication and having a child out of wedlock".

• Earlston Reading Room - A look  at the past   - and the future - for the Earlston Reading Room which dates from 1852.   It was a  symbol of  Victorian self-help and the  desire for education.  The rules and regulations make entertaining reading. 
   
  The Reading Room on the left, next to the Corn Exchange.  The photograph pre-dates 1921 when the pump tower on the right was demolished to make way for the war memorial. 
  
  

• Wartime Air Crash over Earlston  - An account of the air crash of 1943 when a German bomber came down near the village, killing all four members of the crew.  In 2015 the daughter and grandson  of the pilot made a moving visit to  Earlston to commemorate this war time tragedy. 

• Earlston enjoys Dances, Parties, Socials and Shows.  - photographs from  the past of people enjoying themselves in Earlston. 
  
  
  The Young Wives' Group, 1980's.

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Auld Earlston welcomes contributions from readers to feature on the blog.

Please contact:   auldearlston@aol.com