Thursday 13 October 2022

THE WEATHERLY SISTERS - ELLEN & MAGGIE

 The fourth part of our Weatherly Story profiles the lives of Ellen (Cissie)  and Maggie, the sisters of  Edward Weatherly profiles the life of  Edward Weatherly, son of John P. Weatherly  and grandson of  Thomas Weatherly   who founded the family business in Earlston.  

Ellen Sarah Patterson Weatherly (later known as Cissie)  was born in Earlston  in 1889, the elder daughter of John Patterson Weatherly  and Margaret Thomson Winter  – her middle names in honour of her paternal grandmother.  

The young Ellen made her name in the  local newspapers when she received a music award from the Royal  Academy of Music  in 1906. 

                                          Berwickshire News: 14th August 1906 

Ellen's musical interests later  led to her involvement with the  Earlston Orchestral Party.  

On her father's death in 1907, her mother took over the Post Office, and following her death, Ellen at the age of 25 became Postmistress,  as reported in "The Berwickshire News"  of 8th December 1914. 

 

A photograph of the  Weatherly post office, dated 1910. Could the figure in the doorway be Ellen, aged 21?

Also in December 1914  the newspaper revealed  Ellen's ambitions with a report:

"Miss Ellen Weatherly has obtained one of 50 scholarships offered by a London Correspondence College, whereby she is entitled to a journalistic training under Mr. T. Sharper-Knowlson, a training in free-lance journalism, and in the art of story writing.   Miss Weatherly has, it is understood, already done some highly creditable work in the art of story writing.   We hope she may make further advances in an art which appeals to her, and in which she promises to become a proficient. "

Ellen was clearly not reluctant to  voice her opinions, writing a letter to "The Berwickshire News" on 23rd October 1923   on the issue of church sales of work damaging local businesses:

"Berwickshire Shopkeeper on the Church and Trade

In a Letter to the Press, Miss Ellen S. P. Weatherly, Merchant, Earlston, - (whose father and grandfather were natives of Berwick, and well-known in Berwickshire, in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in North Northumberland) – says –

I desire to bring to notice, in the hope that Shopkeepers in Earlston and similar places be benefited.

For some years past Earlston Parish Church has elected to hold a sale of work in aid of some church fund or other; invariably it is held the week before Christmas.   This year, no other excuse being forthcoming, a sale is being instituted “in aid of the renovation of the organ.”

There is no doubt that these sales do incalculable harm to shopkeepers – at this season of the year.   Why should they take place at this particular time?   It is practically taking the bread out of the mouths of these who are dependent upon trade, and who, in turn, are expected to contribute their share to church fund.

In all the Border Churches it would, I think, be difficult to find such a spirit of selfishness as obtains in Earlston, and surely this spirit is not in keeping with the Christian life".

One wonders what reaction this provoked?  The Weatherly family attended the United Free Church which was often at odds  with the Parish  Church. 

The only later mention of Ellen in the local press was in April 1937 when she was listed as a stall holder  in a sale of work to raise funds for a new motor mower for  Carolside Cricket Club.  

 

Younger sister, Margaret  Thompson Weatherly (Maggie)   was  born in 1891.  She   worked behind the scenes, keeping house and helping at the Post Office when required. 

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s,  Margaret was  mentioned regularly in the local papers because of her musical ability.  She "rendered a musical selection at the pianoforte" at a Women's Guild Social;  "Indebtedness was expressed for officiating at the organ" for a Bible Class Social;  and she was a performer at a Children's Christmas Treat  event. 

Memories

Many local residents today have memories of the two sisters,  who both died in 1970.  They were regarded as  typical spinsters, Victorian in attitude and sober in dress. They came across as rather forbidding characters, in their appearance and voice,  striking fear in many  a recalcitrant child.  With Ellen "you had to watch your Ps and Qs", whilst Maggie "did not suffer fools gladly".

Deaths

Ellen died 21st January 1970 aged 80,  and Margaret 10th December the same year aged 79.  An obituary on Ellen appeared in "The Berwickshire News": 3rd February 1970.   No obituary nor death announcement was traced on her sister Margaret.


                                           Berwickshire News:  3rd February 1970

Both sisters were buried beside their parents in Earlston Churchyard. 

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Contributed by Auld Earlston Members -  Susan Donaldson and Sheila McKay

Saturday 30 July 2022

Edward Weatherly (1892-1946) - Earlston Soldier, Baker & Confectioner

 The third part of our Weatherly Story profiles the life of  Edward Weatherly, the  son of John P. Weatherly  and grandson of  Thomas Weatherly   who founded the family business in Earlston.   

Edward William Sprott Weatherly was born in 1892 to John Patterson Weatherly and Margaret Thomson Winter.  Two sisters followed  - Ellen Sarah Patterson Weatherly, born in 1889 and Margaret Thomson Weatherly,  born in 1891 - both are remembered still today by  many local residents.

Edward did not follow in his parents’ footsteps into the family business, but became a baker and confectioner.  He was active in the community life of the village as a church elder, President of the Bowling Club and a member of the Rifle Club.  As with most men of his generation, the First World War proved a searing experience. 

Wartime Service 

Edward's  Service Record showed that he joined up, ahead of conscription  at the age of 22 on the 12th May 1915.  His medical record noted his height as 5 feet 8 inches, and  his address the Post Office,  Earlston.

                                          Edward's signature on his recruitment record.

Edward was badly wounded and was awarded the Military Medal  - as revealed in this report in   “The Berwickshire News”: 2 November 1918:

“The 2 gallant youths who in last week’s “News” were reported to have been awarded Military Medal are well known Earlston ‘callants’.

(1)  Corporal James Burns……… [who will be remembered today by many older residents]

(2)  The other distinguished soldier is Gnr. Edward W. S. Weatherly, Postmaster, Earlston, only son of Mr. J. P. Weatherly, Postmaster, Earlston  and brother of Misses Weatherly of the Post Office, and Agent for the ‘Berwickshire News’.    The gallant Earlstonian comes from of an old Berwick Family.

Gnr. Weatherly volunteered for Active service in Motor Machine Gun Corps, but was afterwards transferred to the Royal Tank Corps. 

 He has seen active service in France and had many hair-breadth escapes in the imminent deadly tank.     As an example of the hardship he endured, he was nearly frozen to death when on sentry-go and after doing his allotted time at his post it was several hours before he could be thawed out of his refrigerated condition and his temperature raised to normal.

A few months ago the tank in which he was serving was struck by an explosive shell and many of its occupants killed.   He himself received several severe wounds, the result of one being the loss of his left eye.   He has no fewer than 14 wounds in his pelvis.

The doughty deeds of these gallant soldiers thrills everyone who hears it and their fellow townsmen offer them their heartiest congratulations on their display of such fearless bravery and contempt of danger in their defence of King and Country.”

Serving in the Royal Tank Corps - motto "Through mud and blood to the green fields beyond” - was by all accounts an appalling  experience.  Tanks, known initially as "land battleships" were first in action on the Somme in 1916.  Men inside them had to contend with intense heat, noise and exhaust from the engine, violent movement as the tank crossed the ground and molten metal splash as bullets struck the plating. Men would often be violently sick or badly incapacitated.    (https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/tank-corps-in-the-first-world-war/)

Edward’s name was recorded in the Roll of Honour printed in “The Berwickshire News:   7th January 1919.


 Postwar Family Life  

In 1924, Edward married Mary Webb at Holy Trinity Church, Melrose.  Three children were born to the marriage  -  John Patterson Weatherly in 1923, named after his grandfather; Margaret Campbell Weatherly  in 1926; and in  1928 Frederick Edward Weatherly.

Edward had worked initially for William Shaw, baker at Lauder, before opening his own business in Earlston in the late 1920s.   

 Near tragedy hit the family when their young son was involved in  a road accident. "The Southern Reporter":  27th October 1927 noted:    

“The four year old son of Mr Edward Weatherly, who has lately opened a cafe in the High Street Earlston,  was playing about his father’s premises, when he darted between two heavy wagons attached to a heavy traction engine belonging to Mr James Cochrane, contractor, Earlston.  The child was knocked down but extricated by a passer-by. After  medical assistance had been procured, it was found that the child’s foot had been badly crushed.  He was conveyed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary." 

Given that the little boy was not named in the press report, it is assumed this must have been Edward's elder son John, born in 1923. Edward's  cafe and bakery on the High Street   was next to  the Post Office on the east side of Post Office Close.

                 

Edward's cafe and bakery premises in a photograph taken much later around 1987 - the occasion a procession marking the Guild centenary, 

During the 1930s several articles in the local press  showed  that Edward Weatherly   of The Café, Earlston, gave demonstrations of Cake Icing at various venues around the area; such a one at Earlston Women’s Rural Institute, as reported in "The Southern Reporter”: 17th June 1937: 

“A meeting  of Earlston WRI was held  in the Good Templars Hall – Miss Vera Davidson presiding over a large attendance.  The demonstration was cake icing and decorating by Mr Edward Weatherly, the Café, Earlston  who kindly presented two cakes.

Edward died in the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh  23 April 1946, with an announcement in “The Scotsman”  newspaper  -  “beloved husband of Mary Webb and son of the late John P. Weatherly, post-master, Earlston."   

”The Berwickshire News” of 7th May 1946 printed an obituary  giving us a picture of Edward’s life.                                                                                                   

 "EARLSTON MAN’S DEATH

The death took place at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after a brief illness, of Mr. Edward Weatherly, The Gables, Earlston, who was in the bakers and confectionery business.

Mr. Weatherly served his apprenticeship at Earlston Co-operative Society and thereafter went to Edinburgh. He returned to his mother’s business at the Earlston Post Office.  

At the outbreak of the 1914-18 war,  he joined the Tank Corps and was wounded.   He was awarded the Military Medal. 

He worked in Wm. Muir, Baker, Lauder and in 1927 he opened the business of The Café in Earlston.

Mr. Weatherly was an elder of Ercildoune Church, now the United Parish Church, and was an ardent worker for his Church.  Recently he was elected president of the Earlston Bowling Club for the second year in succession. Mr. Weatherly was also a member of the Earlston Rifle Club and a very grand marksman on either the indoor or the outdoor ranges.

Mr. Weatherly is survived by Mrs. Weatherly and two sons and a daughter.  The funeral to Earlston was attended by a large company of mourners."

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Postscript:

  • Edward's widow, Mary survived him by more than forty yeas, until her death  in Melrose in 1989, aged 97.
     
     
    Mrs Weatherly, third from the left, on a Guild trip. 

  • Edward's  two sisters, Ellen  and Margaret took over the running of Earlston Post Office, following their mother's  death in 1914. They never married and are remembered today as two rather  austere spinsters.  Both died in 1970.

  • Edward's elder son  John Patterson Weatherly (1923-2006) became a well known figure in Earlston,  taking over from his aunts Ellen and Margaret at the Post Office  He qualified as a pilot during the Second World War  and was heavily involved in many community organisations.  He also served as Cornet in his birthplace of Lauder. 

  • Edward's daughter Margaret, born in 1926,  did not marry and died in Earlston in 1993 aged 66.
     
     
  • Edward's son Frederick, known as Fred, was born in Earlston in  1928.  He carried on his father's cafe and bakery business for several decades, with Weatherly's Scotch pies and morning rolls special favourites of the local community.  Fred   died in Melrose in 1994 aged 65.

     
  • The two brothers took to the stage in this Earlston Dramatic Club performance.

    Fred fourth from left - John third from right. 
     
     Sources

Contributed by Susan Donaldson and Sheila McKay  

 

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Wednesday 6 July 2022

How Earlston Civic Week Began - A Profile of Its First Chairman, Colin Smith

We are delighted to feature this article by Shirley Smith on her husband's involvement in Earlston Civic Week as its First Chairman in 1972.

 Colin arrived in Earlston as a history teacher from a wee village in the  north east of Scotland called Aberchirder.  That village celebrate its flower show with a weekend of festivities and Colin was surprised that Earlston didn't do something similar.  

As he settled into village life, he became involved in the local Scout group, as he had been a Scout himself.  One night in the Black Bull over a pint, he spoke with others about what could be done to provide some fun for the people of Earlston .  Following this discussion, members from each organisation in the village were invited to  a meeting in the Black Bull to see what interest there was.

From that meeting a committee was formed with Colin accepting the position of Chairman and plans for a week of entertainment were formed.

Sunday - Children's flower service;  the Bowling Green was open to all. 

Monday - Talent Contest in the school hall. 

Tuesday - Cycle Treasure Hunt;  Pet Show; and Novelty 5 a sides. 

Wednesday - Over 60's Entertainment;  It's a Knockout  with a demonstration from the Peebles team that had taken part in the TV competition,  and then local teams competed against each other.   Health & Safety wasn't really spoken about then, when there were slippery slopes lathered  with washing up liquid and pools created from bales, polythene and gallons and gallons of water. 

Thursday  - Cafe Chantant with hostess tables;  Disco for under 16s.

Friday -  Buffet Supper Dance held in the Marquee.  The buffet supper was prepared by the ladies on the committee and was well attended.  Toilets were very basic with no lighting available, but there were no complaints.  

Saturday - Fancy Dress Parade;  Pigeon Liberation;  Sports;  Black Hill Race;  Beer Drinking Competition; and a Dance to the Sunbeams in the Marquee finish off the week .


                                            Photographs of Civic Week in the 1970s.

The First Civic Week in 1972 had been made by the people of Earlston for the people of Earlston.  A huge amount of fun had taken place. 

As the years passed the committee tried to add new items into Civic Week - Professional Wrestling for a few years; Superstars Competitions;  Country Music Shows one featuring Sydney Devine for the 10th Civic Week; Andy Cameron and Marmalade; Street Races involving wheeled vehicles; Panto Horse Grand National; Torchlight Parades and Firework Displays are just a few. Some of these are still a part of Civic Week today.

Colin was particularly happy with the “We’ll Fix It” requests that came in - from having a wee boy’s dreams of being a firefighter come true during Its a Knockout with the help of Melrose Fire Crew,  to helping a senior citizen realise her dream of a ride in a helicopter courtesy of the RAF. Many of the requests didn’t involve too much arranging but brought about lots of fun and enjoyment.

In 1977 Tommy Graham wrote the Earlston Song which brought pride to all in Earlston as all the Common Riding towns had songs attributed to them and now so had we.

Colin remained as Chairman until 1986 and was a member of the committee for a couple of years after that. 
 
He loved being involved in the formation of Civic Week and considered how successful it became,  down to having committee members who worked tirelessly for the events and to all the non committee members who gave their time or resources to help out, to all the sponsors especially in the beginning when Civic Week started from nothing and most importantly to the people of Earlston for the tremendous support given to Civic Week -  by the amazing attendances at events and through participation in such a wide range of activities. 
 
Colin was a great organiser but success came from everybody working together.
 
 



Photographs of Civic Week in the 1980s. 
 
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