Auld Earlston: Travel & Transport

Showing posts with label Travel & Transport. Show all posts

Monday 24 July 2017

Earlston Historic Bridges

A Look at the Historic Bridges around Earlston.

CRAIGSFORD BRIDGE

Craigsford Bridge over the Leader Water was built around 1737. Until the building of the new toll road (the later A68) at the end of the century, it was the main route to Edinburgh. Sometimes it is referred to as the Mill Brig.

A modern view of the bridge

LEADER BRIDGE

The Leader road bridge
with the Craigsford Bridge and Simpson & Fairbairn Mill in the background.

RAIL BRIDGES AT EARLSTON

The rail bridge over the Leader water was demolished in 1989, 24 years after the last train ran through Earlston,

A wintry view in 1955 of what was known as the Tin Brig,
carrying the railway line through Earlston.

CAROLSIDE BRIDGE

The graceful late 18th century bridge spanning the Leader Water links the neighbouring estates of Carolside and Leadervale.

"The Statistical Account of Scotland" of 1834 in the chapter on Earlston gives us a beautiful description of Carolside

"Poised on a green plateau beside the River Leader and sheltered by surrounding slopes of its own extensive woodlands, as a sweet and secure asylum from the toils and troubles of the world'."

Over the years, the Carolside estate was used by Earlston Girl Guides, Earlston Cricket Club, for Home Guard training in the Second World War and as the location for the 1934 Ercildoune Pageant, depicting scenes from local history.

Two views of the bridge in more recent times:

A lovely view of the Leader valley, looking down on the little Carolside Bridge.

Carolside Bridge - July 2017

THE THREE LEADERFOOT BRIDGES

An unusual view of the lower old Dryburgh road bridge built 1776-80. It replaced a ferry crossing over the River Tweed, on the route that is now the main A68 north to Edinburgh. Its narrow structure, more used to horses and carts, remained in use for 200 years, until a new road bridge spanned the river in 1974.

In the background is the famous Leaderfoot Viaduct built in 1865 and the major engineering feat of the Berwickshire Railway Line from the east to cross the River Tweed. The statistics are impressive - the viaduct stands 126 feet (38 m) from the floor of the river valley, and its 19 arches, each has a 43 feet span. Interestingly it was referred to in a newspaper article of December 1864 as the Drygrange Viaduct.

The Berwickshire Railway was badly affected by severe flooding in 1948 and services to the east of the county were particularly affected. The last train ran over the viaduct in 1965. It is now under the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

A charming tinted photograph, c.1900.

A steam train crossing the Leaderfoot Viaduct, c. 1959

One of the last trains over Leaderfoot in 1965

The Viaduct remains a popular spot for photographers today - here a view taken from the old road bridge which is now only open to walkers and cyclist.

A view of the three bridges, spanning two hundred years of history.

***********

With thanks to everyone who has contributed photographs
to the Auld Earlston collection.
We are always pleased to receive
further photographs, postcards and documents on the village.

Please contact: E-Mail: auldearlston@aol.com

Wednesday 25 January 2017

Earlston - the first with an aerodrome in 1931

This poster from local historian, the late John Weatherly, is now in the collection of Auld Earlston. Printed in Galashiels, it appears to be a "shell" poster, with space to fill in the details of date and venue.

The event promised

"Famous pilots, aerobatics, stunts, looping, rolling, upside down flying, crazy flying and walking the wings at 100m.p.h. by Daredevil Draycott - the man who rides the winds" - plus passenger flights from 5 shillings a time.

But where and when did these events take place. Did you know that Earlston once had an aerodrome? A search of local newspapers provided information.

"The Scotsman" of 1st August 1931 had a brief item under the headline "Earlston's Aerodrome" - also carried by "The Hawick News & Border Chronicle".

"The Berwickshire News" of 28th July 1931 gave a fuller account, with the revelation that the local firm of Messrs Wm Rodger & Sons owned the plane.

"Earlston is very fortunate in being the first town in Berwickshire to witness an aeronautic display. On Monday evening a large number of Earlstonians were entertained to a succession of thrills by the advent of an aeroplane, the property of Messrs W. Rodger & Sons which gave several aerial exhibitions at a newly constructed aerodrome at Purveshaugh, Earlston. The enterprising firm is lucky to have secured the services of an skilled aviator and pilot in the person of Mr J. Hinklin of Hornchurch and late of the Royal Air Force. They have also secured the services of a competent ground engineer viz Mr. J. Hellon of the Scarborough Aero Club. The pilot gave a thrilling exhibition of flying in the presence of a crowd of nearly 400 spectators, many of whom were desirous of "getting up". Messrs Rodgers gave a couple of free flights which were greatly enjoyed and appreciated. It is understood that operations are to commence immediately".

The next week's paper of 4th August 1931 noted that

"A considerable number of spectators...visited the Purveshaugh Aerodrome , near Earlston...when about 100 persons of both sexes, mainly young people, booked flights and were taken up in Messers Rodgers aeroplane. The plane had also been in commission the previous evening when 50 passengers went up. All seemed to enjoy the novel and enthralling sensation".

What was the background to this event?
Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first powered flight on December 17th 1903.

The aeroplane came of age in World War One and tens of thousands were produced in the UK alone. But, despite there being hundreds of sites used by fixed-wing aircraft across the UK, most British people had never been close to an aircraft and it appears that a quite large proportion of the population still hadn't actually seen one.

On 24th July 1924 "The Southern Reporter" thought it noteworthy to write that:

"Three aeroplanes passed over the west end of Earlston about 8.30 a.m but were observed by comparatively few persons.

Wikipedia

Following the First World War, experienced fighter pilots were eager to show off their new skills, flying into towns across the country, as well as taking paying passengers for rides. It was men like Alan Cobham who promoted air tours to raise awareness of the importance of aviation. To attract the crowns, he included displays of not just aerobatics, but stunt' flying too.

Not all sections of society were in agreement with his intensive event schedule. in Berwick, the Lord's Day Observance Society objected to Commercial Air Displays and Pageants being held on a Sunday - but the council decided to take no action. on the complaint. (Reported in "The Southern Reporter": 3rd December 1931.)

"The Berwickshire News" of August 1932 reflected the interest in this new form of transport with reports~

"Considerable interest was evinced....by several Earlstonians of the younger generation, especially when one of Messrs Rodger's aeroplanes landed in a field adjacent to the local football pitch owned by Mr Alexander Brownlie, The machine which had just arrived from Blairgowrie after a successful series of fights, under the pilotage of Mr Wells, made a convenient landing preparatory to being overhauled for further service. "

An optimistic writer in "The Berwickshire News" of 9th September 1930 expressed the hope that@

"We must concern ourselves with the laying out of aerodromes. I thoroughly believe that it will not be long before every town planning scheme will include provision for aeroplane traffic."

In Britain commercial air travel began with the formation of Imperial Airways in 1924 and developed in the 1930's for those people who could afford it. A flight from London to Brisbane, Australia, for instance, (the longest route available in 1938) took 11 days and included over two dozen scheduled stops. One advisement boasted "By Air to South Africa or India in less than a week!"

1939 of course changed the face of air travel, as war became the focus.

Never again was Earlston to be at the forefront of the aeroplane age in the Borders.

Sunday 18 September 2016

Early Days of Earlston's Railway

As we mark the first anniversary of the return of the Borders Railway, a look back at the early days of the original railway which passed through Earlston 1863-1965, linking the east coast Edinburgh to London route with the historic Waverley line through the central Borders.

Some of the issues reported by local newspapers of the past sound familiar!

THE PLANNING

"The Southern Reporter" of 12th January 1861 reported that the plans were in the hands of parochial teacher Mr. Aitkenhead and available for inspection. The route for the railway was outlined as:

"entering the parish by a bridge across the Leader, then across the fields belonging to Misses Whales (gingham manufacturers), passing the foot of the West U.P. Manse garden, and crossing the road from Earlston to Redpath......

For farmers, their main concern was for a grain market and a public meeting was held in the Reading Room to progress the matter with banker Mr. Smail appointed honorary secretary. (The Southern Reporter: 12th January 1861)

Travelling and postal arrangements were also under scrutiny, as noted in "The Southern Reporter" 5th August 1863. Take note of the powerful prayerful language used in their argument to the Railway Directors

"The community of Earlston were impressed with the courteous manner in which Mr George Wallace of the Commercial Inn and proprietor of the present conveyance to and from Melrose had served the public - to often with slight advantage to himself. It was considered it necessary to forward a petition to the Directors praying for him to continue as their postmaster. The petition ash been signed by merchants, traders and other influential parties. Should the Directors deem it fitting to grant the prayer of the petition, their so doing would satisfy the public and confirm a boon on an obliging and industrious public servant."

THE OPENING

Thar the opening was imminent, was reported in "The Southern Reporter" of 29th October 1863. The Government Inspector had passed along the line; the construction company had dismissed a considerable number of their men and the horse stock was authorised for sale.

The actual opening in Earlston was reported in "The Kelso Chronicle" of 20th November 1863 with an article which made the occasion seem rather prosaic and low key, and contrasted with bands and bunting that marked the earlier opening in Duns. But like its modern successor "the number of passengers has far exceeded expectations".

ACCIDENT

But just one day after the opening of Earlston Railway Station, "The Kelso Chronicle" of 20th November 1863 headline read "A Serious Accident on the Berwickshire Railway" near Dunse.

"This line which opened with much promise on Monday, was the scene of a rather serious mishap on Tuesday. ....A train on its way to Earlston with a few coal trucks, two carriages and two passengers was startled by the axle of the one of the trucks giving way and tearing the rails....both carriages and trucks were dragged off the line, but fortunately none were precipitated over the embankment.........A large force of navvies were on the line and were exerting themselves to get the line in order again. They intended to work all night and have it finished for the next day's traffic.........it was necessary to delay trains, much to the annoyance of a great number of passengers attending Dunse Fair.

LEADERFOOT

The major engineering feat on the line was the crossing of the River Tweed and the building of the Leaderfoot Viaduct, which involved a nineteen arch structure 907 feet long and 126 feet above the level of the river bed. Interestingly it is referred to in a newspaper article of December 1864 as the Drygrange Viaduct.

One of the last trains over Leaderfoot in 1965

at http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/monorail/bmcc01.htm

DELAYS
The item in "The Southern Reporter" of 24th October 1867 may strike a chord.

"The railway arrangements of the North British appeared to be of the most annoying and expensive description...........to our mortification and the chagrin and disgust of between forty and fifty farmers and business men whose time is worth money, we were kept two and a half hours waiting on the train.......The Berwickshire Company may find their small dividend will be reduced to nothing and the public will lose all confidence in the line."

POSTSCRIPT
But the Berwickshire Railway survived. Devastating floods across the county in August 1948 meant that passenger services were suspended, due to parts of the track bed being washed away. Repairs were never fully carried out and only freight services continued on part of the line, which was eventually closed without ceremony on 16th July 1965 - marking the end of the 102 year old line of the Berwickshire Railway through Earlston.

In 1969 amidst the notorious Beeching Cuts, the Scottish Borders lost all its rail services, making it the only region in mainland Scotland without a train station. But that all changed in September 2015 when part of the Waverly Line re-opened for 35 miles south of Edinburgh into the central Borders at Tweedbank.