Showing posts with label Leisure Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leisure Time. Show all posts

Sunday 1 October 2023

From Punk Rock to Moon Buggies

Earlston's contribution to world history (or let's take a light-hearted, time travelling culture tour)


In 2015, there was a TV show called 'Six Degrees of Separation'. The show centred on finding a connection between six unlikely objects.


So, for a change this month, we'll look at the connections between six unlikely topics - punk rock, Caribbean sugar plantations, BAFTA TV Awards, New York book publishing, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Moon buggies - which are all linked to Earlston.


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Tom Davidson (https://tomdavidson.co.uk), the Earlston-based artist, has his gallery on Earlston High Street. The gallery is where his grandfather, Willie Alchin, had the village baker's shop.


The shop now doubles as Tom's studio and gallery, where he creates stunning lino-cut prints of local landscapes. His ability to capture light reflecting off the Leader river or sunshine piercing through the trees of Cowdenknowes Woods is a joy to behold.


But Tom also gained fame in another of the arts - music.


Tom studied at Carlisle University and joined The Limps, a punk rock band. The band released several singles and appeared on the John Peel Show in 1979.


The Limps(1)


The band eventually broke up, and members drifted off to do their own thing.


Their music lives on, though. They appear on a recently released compilation album with bands like The Jam, The Stranglers, Siouxsie and the Banshees.


Gary Crowleys Punk and New Wave(2)


There's a whole new audience that appreciates their music.


A film studio recently contacted the band asking to feature their track 'Someone I Can Talk To' on the closing credits of a new movie still in production. Its release date has not been announced, but look out for its title - 'The Snack Shack'.


Sugary snacks, like music, can hit the right note or, as they call it in the food industry, the bliss point. This is where the snack has just the right amount of sweetness. Any sweeter and it would be too sickly; any less, it wouldn't be sweet enough.


The bliss point makes you come back for more, which is great news for dentists and sugar producers alike.


John Redpath was an Earlston man who made his fortune through sugar refining in Canada.


John was the son of farm servants working on farms in the Earlston area. His father had the foresight to see the changes in store for farm workers due to the 'improvements' between 1760 and 1830.


The 'improvements' centred around better fertilisers, drainage, and more selective crops. As a result, farms became more productive and larger. The downside was that the farms needed a smaller workforce. Thousands of families left farming during this period in what became known as the lowland clearances.


John was fortunate in that he managed to get an apprenticeship with his uncle, a stone mason in Edinburgh. However, by the time John became a master mason, the Napoleonic Wars had just finished releasing thousands of soldiers, including stone masons from the engineering regiments, into the job market. Consequently, John decided to emigrate to Canada.


Within a few years, John had established a successful construction business. Seeing an opportunity and with enough spare capital, he constructed a sugar refinery in Montreal importing raw sugar from Caribbean sugar plantations.


John made his fortune from sugar. He returned to Scotland just once, but he took the time to visit Earlston when the Corn Exchange was being built. He presented the villagers with the clock in the Corn Exchange tower that chimes the hours as his lasting legacy.

In Canada, you can buy Redpath sugar in almost any grocery store or supermarket to satisfy your bliss point. Of course, not just humans enjoy sugar; horses also have a notoriously sweet tooth.


Redpath Sugar(3)


Satisfying your sugar tooth and eating too much sugar will likely result in putting on weight, which in turn will slow you down. Presumably, the same is true for horses as well as humans.


Slow Horses was the name of a TV series starring Earlston High School former pupil Jack Lowden. Jack graduated from the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2011. He was nominated for the BAFTA TV Award (2023) for Best Supporting Actor in his role of River Cartwright. The series follows a team of intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes.


Jack Lowden(4)


The series is based on the book 'Slow Horses' by Mike Heron and published by Baskerville.


Slow Horses(5)


And talking of publishers, Robert Carter was an Earlstonian who established a publishing company in New York.


Robert was born in Earlston in 1807 with an apparent unquenchable thirst for knowledge. At an early age, Robert showed his love for books when he watched an auctioneer dispose of the household effects of a neighbour.


Robert Carter(6)


Included in the sale was a copy of Josephu's works, complete in one thick volume. When the auctioneer asked, 'How much am I offered for this?' Robert replied in a faint voice, 'Fourpence'. The auctioneer immediately handed the book to Robert, saying, "You shall have it, for you are the smallest customer I have had today'.


By age fifteen, Robert was holding night classes for local boys. Robert went on to attend university.


Years later, he gave up his teaching job in New York and opened a bookstore on the corner of Canal and Laurens Street in 1834. From selling books, he began to publish books at his New York book publishing company, Robert Carter and Brothers.


That first book no doubt changed Robert's life just as some of the books he published and sold would change the lives of others.


No wonder they say that the pen is mightier than the sword.


Of course, the most famous type of Scottish sword is the claymore, the weapon of choice for hundreds of years.


In 1745, when Bonnie Prince Charlie led his Jacobite army south towards London, the army camped at Fans, a few miles from Earlston. When the army marched southward again, it was discovered that a soldier had left his claymore behind.


Bonnie Prince Charlie(7)


When news of the army's imminent arrival in Earlston, locals feared the Jacobites' notorious reputation for looting. Valuables were hidden wherever possible. Horses were hidden in a hollow below Caldies Hill known as 'Howe of Hope'. The exact spot had provided Covenanters a meeting place one hundred years before.


Caldies Hill is part of the old Earlston Golf Club. 


On August 8th 1906, a meeting was held in the Smaller Exchange Hall to discuss the formation of an Earlston Golf Club. Twenty men attended, and the site chosen for the proposed course was Caldies Hill, owned by Lord Binning. The Chairman of the meeting, Rev N C Keith, advised the group that he had already gained permission from Lord Binning and his tenants.


On August 30th, Willie Park, a professional golfer and course designer, visited the site to draw up the plan for a nine-hole course.


The course was officially opened on Wednesday, November 7th 1907. However, the first competition occurred in October 1907 for the Silver Challenge Cup, presented by Issac Wallace, an Earlstonian who had emigrated to Australia. The Cup was won by Robert Lountain with a score of 79.


The game prospered in the village with both ladies and gentlemen sections. Two businesses, John McDonal, Saddler, and John Weatherston, Watchmaker, stocked clubs and balls.


Despite the best intentions, the Club was forced to close by the end of World War 2 due to a lack of members and funds.


However, the Club members were undeterred and boldly decided to open a golf course on the Moon.


To quote the Club's website (https://www.earlstongolfclub.com/):


With the purchase and restoration of the original golf course being unattainable at an Earlston Golf Club Committee Meeting in 2000, it was agreed to pursue the purchase of land to build a course on the Moon. This transaction was completed on November 3rd 2000, and initial planning was soon under way.

 

 There are 18 Seas on the surface of the Moon, each of which has a Latin name which has been translated and given a Scottish Borders flavour to reflect the origins of the Club.

 

The holes on the Earlston Golf Club Moon Course were named to keep the authenticity of the course location whilst ensuring that the history and traditions of the Club are echoed in each hole.


One can assume that Moon buggies will be substituted for golf buggies.


Moon Buggy(8)



Credit links

Do you know of any unlikely topics or objects that are connected and linked with Earlston? Let us know in the Comments section below.

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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Wednesday 22 June 2022

Celebrating 50 Years of Earlston Civic Week - Photographic Exhibition

Auld Earlston in conjunction with Earlston Civic Week

Presents

“A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA”

A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

CELEBRATING

“50 YEARS OF EARLSTON CIVIC WEEK”


Monday July 4th 2022

6.30pm - 9pm

At the Rugby Club

 

Free Entry

Silver Collection in aid of Auld Earlston Funds

 

         Please Note:  Refreshments are not available at this event

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Wednesday 1 June 2022

Royal Celebrations in Earlston

As we come to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the  throne, a look back to earlier royal celebrations in Earlston.  

CORONATION CELEBRATIONS IN EARLSTON 

The Queen's Coronation 2nd June 1953 with the  programme following very much the pattern of other major royal occasions through the century.   

The morning began with an open air service in the Square, conducted by the Rev. Duncan, followed by  a Fancy Dress parade with Earlston's Coronation Queen Margaret Amos, and open-air dancing in the Square.  In the afternoon, sports took place  in the Haugh.   The evening saw a dance in the Corn Exchange and the day ended with a bonfire on the Black Hill.  All members of the community were remembered.

  • For "old folk"  a TV show with afternoon tea was on offer at  Earlston Hall and at The Park, home of Mrs Sharpe, with Earlston WVS providing transport.

  • The sick and invalid of the village were presented with a bouquet of flowers and a souvenir gift.

  • Earlston Junior Secondary School had raised enough money to present the younger children with a Coronation mug, whilst older children received  sweets. 
The newspaper also included in its report a long list of prizewinners in both the fancy dress and sports events. 
 
A Personal Memory:    I was nine years old,  not then living in Earlston.   I had been busy making  red, white and blue decorations at school,  creating  a coronation scrapbook, collecting my coronation mug (presented to all children) and playing with the doll my mother made for me, dressed as the Queen with a long velvet purple train, embroidered in gold thread.  (How I wished many years later I had kept it). On the day itself we woke up to the news on the radio that Everest had been conquered and watched the coronation procession and ceremony on our new 10-inch screen black and white television - one of the first in the  street, with a full household of my aunt and uncle and neighbours crowding in.
 

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In 1937, King George VI was crowned and the village celebrated the  coronation in style with a church service, a fancy dress parade, with over 200 characters, led by the popular Earlston Clown Band, sports for all ages (including an  "old man's'" race and a married women's race),  and  presentations to children of commemorative souvenirs.

The Southern Reporter of 24th May 1937 gives us a detailed report on the activities. 

 

"The celebrations at Earlston commenced with a combined church service which began in Ercildoune Church, conducted by the Rev. Peter Wylie, and the Rev. John Gray, St. John’s. The praise was led by a united choir.

In the afternoon a series of juvenile athletic sports were held on the football pitch which was kindly lent by Earlston Rugby Football Club. The sports were witnessed by a crowd of adult spectators numbering over 1100. The juvenile events comprised flat races, sack races, obstacle races, and pillow fights, while for grown-ups there were an old man’s race, a married women’s race, and a tug of war.

Mrs Ferguson of Carolside handed over to the younger children Coronation souvenirs in the form of silver spoons engraved with the heads of King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth. Elder children received copies of Salute the King by Arthur Mee.

A fancy dress pageant was held, headed by the familiar clown band. Mr J. W. Murdison, attired in clerical garb acting as drum major. There were over 200 characters on parade. Several beautifully decorated lorries kindly lent by Messrs W. and A. Rodger, representing various scenes and types were greatly admired"

   
         

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1911 saw the  coronation of King George V with a report in  "The Southern Reporter"  29th June 1911, with "the boisterous weather" not being allowed to dampen  enthusiasms.

"EARLSTON'S FESTIVITIES. On Thursday the town was decorated with flags and bunting, all business was set aside, and all thoughts turned to the celebration on that eventful day. At 11 a.m. the Territorials (under Lieut. Sharpe), the Boys' Brigade under the charge of Serg. Wilkie, and the school children, mustered in the Market Square and headed by two pipers, marched to the Parish Church, where a united service was conducted bv the Rev. C. Keith, and numerously attended by members of both congregations. A short address appropriate to the  occasion was given and the proclamation of the Coronation was read by Colonel Hope, one the elders of the church.

At 1.30pm   the scholars again assembled and took their way to the sports field at Cowdenknowes, being followed by a great crowd of onlookers and participants in the competitions. As the grass was wet, a platform had been erected for dancing, where festive crowds footed it bravely for hours. Notwithstanding the showery and somewhat boisterous character of the weather,  the sports were carried on with the greatest enthusiasm, and all the events were contested............

 At 8 o'clock what was the noteworthy feature of the whole day's proceeding - the  fancy dress parade.........This part of the day's proceedings was successful beyond  anticipation, and those who took part are congratulated on the brilliancy of the show.

A bonfire on the Black Hill and a fine display of fireworks, Colonel Hope's handsome contribution to the Coronation festivities, concluded the rejoicings.  Notwithstanding the rain , which fell in occasional heavy showers as the night wore on, many made their way to the top of the Black Hill, whence over 30 other similar bonfires could be seen. Others contented themselves with a view from a vantage ground nearer home."

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JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS 

These were more muted occasions. 

1935 marked the Silver Jubilee of the reign of King George V and his wife Queen Mary - our Queen's grandparents.  "The Southern Reporter" of 18th April 1935 outlined  plans.

 "King’s Jubilee.—A meeting to arrange the local celebration of the King’s Silver Jubilee was held in the Public School on Wednesday evening, Major Sharpe, The Park, presiding. It was unanimously agreed to hold sports for the school children on the football pitch, and in addition to being entertained to tea, those between the ages of five and ten will be presented with chocolate in Jubilee containers, while those over ten will receive a suitable book. The committee hoped to be in a position to present children who are not of school age with a small gift. It was decided to open a subscription list to defray part of the expenses, contributions to be sent to the honorary treasurer, Mr R. A. Dodds. Commercial Bank, Earlston. "

                                                  George V Silver Jubilee Mug

In 1897  Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee was celebrated  - 60 years on the throne, 
 
 The vision of purchasing land for a public park failed to raise sufficient funds, plus  the failure to secure a band for the occasion, meant the plans were scaled back to a sports event and the lighting of a bonfire on the Black Hill. - as reported in "The Edinburgh Evening News" of  8th  June 1897.


Free vector graphics of Queen

Image courtesy of Pixabay.

1887 marked Queen Victoria's 50 years on the  throne.  Although other Border communities celebrated the event in style, no press coverage was traced on Earlston's contribution.  However local knowledge passed down the decades noted that trees were planted in the Market Square to mark the occasion.

An early photograph c.1900 show the feint out of young trees around the Square.


T
oday we can still take pleasure in seeing this tangible legacy in Earlston  from a fine Royal occasion held 135 years ago.

 

 


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Sources:  

Contributed by Susan Donaldson, 

with photographs of Royal souvenirs from her family collection.