Auld Earlston

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": 27^th 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”: 17^th 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 7^th 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 seated on the right - in possibly a Guild event

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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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.

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.