Remembering the Railway at Earlston

The Berwickshire Railway through Earlston in the Scottish Borders was one of the many lost lines in railway history, serving the village 1863-1965.  It provided the link between two major routes - on the east coast the North British Railway between  Edinburgh and London  and in the central Borders the historic Waverley Route between Edinburgh and Carlisle.  The cross country line was built in three stages - to Duns in 1849, westwards to Earlston in 1863 and the final stage two years later in 1865  with the completion of the Leaderfoot Viaduct across the River Tweed. 

                        

 Earlston Station

"The Kelso Chronicle" of 20th November 1863 reported on the opening at Earlston with an  article which made the occasion seem rather prosaic and low key.  

In  contrast 14 years earlier in 1849, the nearby town of Dunse had  welcomed the railway with much celebration.  On the opening day the public were carried free of charge, the first train at 2.00 p.m. having no fewer than twenty carriages and it was reported "floral and evergreen arches bestrode the long serpentine row of carriage, a flag waving over the top of the little wooden hut which at present does the duty of a Station House and the Dunse Brass band played". [The Berwickshire Railway - Dunse History Society].

On December 4th 1863, "The Kelso Chronicle" noted   "The new railway [at Earlston] is in regular working order and appears to be giving great satisfaction.  The trains run smoothly and keep tolerably good time.  We are already feeling the benefit of railway communication". 

Station Road, Earlston, leading down to the railway. 

Copyright © A R Edwards and Son,  Selkirk.    (Cathy Chick Collection).   All Rights Reserved


 
Two trains in Earlston station
Copyright © A R Edwards and Son,  Selkirk.    (Cathy Chick Collection).   All Rights Reserved
 

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. 
  

                                       Leaderfoot Viaduct opened in 1865

 The Berwickshire Railway line was never a busy one, with roughly equal traffic of goods and passengers.  In Earlston, coal was brought in and stone from the local quarry taken out, with agricultural produce and livestock the mainstays of  business.   

Two prominent visitors through the station were Prime Minister Asquith in 1908, to make a speech in Earlston, and in 1944 General Eisenhower to inspect the Polish tank regiment stationed in the village.   [See earlier posts]

 

Prime Minister Asquith's party arriving at  Earlston Station in 1908

 

 General Eisenhower arriving at Earlston Station to inspect the 

Polish Tank Regiment stationed in the village in 1944.

Devastating floods across Berwickshire in August 1948 meant that passenger services were suspended,  due to parts of the trackbed 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. 

 Goods Train at Earlston.  March 1965.

Copyright ©  Bruce McCartney at http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/monorail/bmcc01.htm  

 All  Rights Reserved, 

Station staff at Earlston

Closing the gates of the level crossing at Earlston  

         

            The last train through Earlston Station - July 1965. 

On the left is the train's fireman;  on the right the couple who  worked the level crossing;  with their young son in the arms of the stationmaster. 

Copyright ©  Bruce McCartney at http://www.geoffspages.co.uk/monorail/bmcc01.htm  

 All  Rights Reserved, 

 

2015 and the site of the old railway line at Earlston

Copyright © N.F.Donaldson.  All  Rights Reserved.  

 Gates at the former Level Crossing Cottage.
Copyright © N.F.Donaldson.  All  Rights Reserved.  

 Berwickshire Rail Line, east of Earlston -
 now part of  Gordon Community Woodland
Copyright © N.F.Donaldson.  All  Rights Reserved.  

Postscript:  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 this all  changes in September this year, when part of the Waverly Line re-opens for 35 miles south of Edinburgh into the central Borders at Tweedbank   

Do you have memories of Earlston Station?  We would love to hear from  you - either click on Comment below, or e-mail:   auldearlston@aol.com  - Thank You.   

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Photographs courtesy of  the Auld Earlston Collection, 
Cathy Chick, N.F. Donaldson and Bruce McCartney. 

Day Trips by Wagonette and Bus - 1907 & 1936

It is the time of year when many local organisations are planning their annual outings - and it was no different in years gone by.  Here are some photographs from the Auld Earlston collection. 

1907 - Earlston Parish Church Choir Drive to Yarrow Manse.  

Setting off from the Red Lion Hotel.   Hopefully it would be a dry day as there was no protection from the elements?   It is a bit surprising that they did not choose to take the train from Earlston to Selkirk, via Newtown St. Boswells and then by waggonette to Yarrow. 

 

 

1936 - Ercildoune Church Choir Drive to the Trossachs.
Thirty years separate these two sets of photographs and the obvious comfort of an S.M.T. (Scottish Motor Transport) bus, compared to the horse drawn wagon of earlier days - also the outing to Loch Katrine was much further afield.  In the days before paid holidays, such an event would perhaps be the only outing ordinary people would enjoy. 

 

Alastair Munro (driver), Mame Weatherstone, Ina Mack, Louden Melrose (organist & choirmaster), Jean Mack, Rev. Peter Wylie, Douglas Aikman, Mary, P. Kerr, Dod White, Melville Purvis, George Chisholm, Jock Fox, Len fox and Mickey Purvis. 

Enjoying themselves - George Young, Bette Denham, Ina Mack, Mag Cumming, 

Mrs Bill Young, Jean Mack, Jock Cumming, Lizzie Burrell, Mary P.Kerr, 

Mary Young and Murial Gibb

Background:

From 1929 and the union of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland, the Parish Church was known as  Ercildoune Church, whilst Earlston United Free church took the name of St. John's. 

The two congregations came together in 1946 to become the present Earlston Parish Church.  

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For more photographs on village life, 

look at our Facebook page  Lost Earlston

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Schooldays on Show at Earlston Primary

The Auld Earlston Group was delighted to take part  in the recent Learning Partnership Open Day at Earlston Primary School.  

A photographic display was created of  schooldays past, together with pictures of wartime Earlston, the  railway era  and the Simpson &  Fairbairn Mill.  Visitors could also watch  a lap-top slide show and browse through the albums of press cuttings on Earlston.  

The Auld Earlston displays attracted many favourable comments  and was one of many stalls by partnership agencies present in the packed school hall to highlight how children learn and achieve.  


We look forward to working with the school on future projects. 

 

Auld Earlston Committee Members

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Earlston Flower Show, 1932.

Auld Earlston is grateful to Earlston Horticultural Society for getting in touch with this report and photograph  on their show of 1932.  It was regarded as "the finest which had been held for a long period of years" and ended in the evening with a dance to music by the Nenthorn Jazz Band.    Read on below......

The Earlston Horticultural Society Committee with the Countess of Lauderdale, who opened the show and Miss Mary Betts (Nurse Betts) who presented the bouquet (the picture is taken at the side door of the Corn Exchange, the site of which is now occupied by Hanover Close).

Front Row (left to right) G Graham (treasurer), Major Sharp of The Park, Mary Betts, Countess of Lauderdale, T Taylor (secretary), D Hogg, J Johnstone, T Bradford.

Back Row (left to right) J Cummings sen, J Mather, W Brockie, G Darling, R Ballantyne, W Purves, J Ross, J Cummings jun.

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Held in the Corn Exchange, the opening ceremony was performed by the Countess of Lauderdale.

Major R.W Sharp, of The Park, presided, and a large attendance of the public was present. In his introductory remarks, Major Sharp said it was a great privilege to introduce the Countess of Lauderdale on the first occasion she has attended a public function in Earlston. They all hoped it would not be the last. He noticed that since coming to reside at Thirlestane Castle, the Countess had been taking a great deal of interest in her home town of Lauder. He hoped she would extend her interest to include the sister town of Earlston.

The Countess thanked Major Sharp for his kind words, and expressed her pleasure in coming to the show. She was taking every opportunity of meeting her neighbours. The Earlston Show was one of the great functions of the year, and was reckoned as one of the best in the Borders. The standard of the exhibits had always been high, and from what she had seen it was higher than ever this year. The countess was only starting her gardening career, and was somewhat of a novice, but she was hoping to get a few tips today, and probably next year she would come back as a competitor and clear the decks. There is nothing better for people than taking a great interest in their gardens, and the Society was giving encouragement in this direction. She was pleased to see that the young people were being encouraged, and it was gratifying to see their splendid exhibits. She had much pleasure in declaring the show open, and wished it all success in the future. 

A lovely bouquet was presented to the Countess by Mary Betts, the youthful daughter of one of the chief exhibitors. On the call of Mr Tom Bradford, a cordial vote of thanks was given to the Countess of Lauderdale, and also to Major Sharp.

The  report in The Border Telegaph" noted that the show was one of the finest which has been held for a long period of years. No doubt the season has been favourable for horticulturists, but several young members have begun to take an interest, and their exhibits were extraordinarily fine. The vegetable section has always been a feature of the show, and this year was no exception, and in all classes competition was very keen. J.R Hope, of Wester Housebyres, a new exhibitor staged a lot of splendid vegetables. For a year or two the cut flower section has been rather weak. On the present occasion,  the reverse has been the case, as the exhibits would have held their own in shows of a larger size. The outstanding features were the sweet peas shown by John Johnston, Carolside, who again won the cup presented by the Countess of Lauderdale, and the gladiolii shown by Willie Brockie. The latter gentleman had some very magnificent spikes. Pot plants were, as usual, somewhat limited in competition. Fruit was scarcely up to the best standard, but the industrial section upheld its honourable place.

During the afternoon the show was well patronised. Musical sections were provided by Mr Fisher’s Orchestra. At the close of the show,  a dance was held, for which the music was provided by the Nenthorn Jazz Band. A great deal of the success of the exhibition was due to the untiring work of Tom Taylor, secretary, and George Graham, treasurer.     

Earlston Horticultural Society would like to thank Mrs Margaret Wilson, for providing the photograph and report featured.

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The Society continues  to be active in the village with an Annual Plant Sale and Coffee Morning mid May and its Annual Flower Show held on the last Saturday in August. 

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Earlston's Temperance March, 1908

In the vintage photograph below,  the Pipe Band leads a procession along Earlston High Street in 1908 to mark the "Semi-Jubilee" of the local Temperance Society.   

The Scottish Temperance Movement was founded by John Dunlop of Glasgow. concerned at the high level of consumption of spirits. He established an anti-drinks society in 1829.  For Dunlop a vital first step was education and social improvement.  

A more radical approach was adopted by William Collins, a publisher and evangelist,  who favoured total abstinence.   By 1831, the Scottish Temperance Movement numbered 44,000.   Local abstinence societies. often linked to religious denominations,  were formed and many of these offered classes and concerts as alternative entertainments. National groups also began to be established, with branches opening in many areas of Scotland, with the Band of Hope targeting  children to "Take the Pledge".  

By the close of the 19th century, the temperance movement was strong with Victorian morality  linking   drunkenness with ill-health, poverty and misery - an image often portrayed in Temperance literature. 

The movement's cause to cut excessive drinking  found favour in parliament with the passing of  the  1853 Licensing (Scotland) Act.  This prohibited Sunday drinking, except by bona fide travellers who were allowed to buy alcohol.  Of course some locals seized the opportunity in this loophole, by travelling  to neighbouring towns and villages to buy a drink.   

Temperance activity in Scotland peaked with the passing of the The Temperance (Scotland)  Act 1913  which gave voters in small local areas the right to hold a vote on whether their area should be "Wet" or "Dry".  

The First World War, however, meant that more pressing matters were the focus of the country and the Temperance Movement went into gradual decline, though abstinence pledges were still being signed in the 1940's.

Do you have any recollections of the Temperance Movement in Earlston.  

Did your parents or grandparents sign the pledge?  

Do share your memories by writing in the Comments Box below.

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Earlston launches First Moon Golf Course

Auld Earlston is committed to remembering the heritage of our village for future generations - and here is something that bit different from  recent history. 
 

The history of Earlston Golf Club, founded in 1906, featured in the last blog post HERE. Although its course never reopened after the Second World War, the Club itself continued playing on other courses. 

But in  November 2000, the  club launched a new initiative to pursue the purchase of land to build a  course on the moon and called for Moon Course Associate Members - as described on its web site HERE.  

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

  

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."

                                          

"As a result, the Club has featured in newspapers and magazines, on TV and on the web world-wide. It featured in Robert Duncan's 2003 Canadian TV documentary, "Golf - The Ridiculous Obsession".

There are now has around 70 local members who play in competitions throughout the Scottish Borders and the Club is expanding its presence around the world with Moon Course Associate Members in the USA, Canada and Australia. 

Preliminary negotiations have been opened with NASA, RKA and ESA, the US, Russian and European Space Agencies respectively, to provide transport to the course. The Russians have thus far provided the cheapest offer".

A First for Earlston!

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Earlston Golf Club - A Short History

With thanks to the website "Golf Missing Links" for giving  permission to use its  article on the history of Earlston Golf Club, together with the Club's recent activity which you will find HERE.

Earlston Golf Club was founded in  August 1906, making it one of the oldest in the country. The course  was designed by Willie Park of Musselburgh on land owned by Lord Binning . The nine-hole course was situated in an area known locally as “Caldies Hill” on high ground with sandy soil. At the time of its opening,  it was stated that "there were some rough and stony parts but the course was gradually improving".

Minutes of the meeting in 1906, with "20 gentlemen present", to set up the club.  

The Rev. Mr  N.C. Keith  was in the chair, with Mr Geo L. McDonald appointed  clerk. 

1909  
In May 1909 Mrs Young, captain of the ladies’ section, provided a handbag as a competition prize. It was won by Miss May Smith with a score of 58. 

James McDonald won the May 1909 monthly medal with a score of 86.

The AGM was held in the "small room" of the Corn Exchange in November 1909 with the Rev A B Taylor in the chair. It was reported that the course had very much improved and the membership was stable. The treasurer submitted the balance sheet which showed an income of £79/6s/9d and an expenditure of £48/1s/7d. The golf house fund income stood at £17/19s/10d. 

The following officers were elected 
Lord Binning, president
Colonel Hope, vice-president
G L McDonald, secretary
Management Committee – J Morris, D Hogg, G Angus, Rev N C Keith and Rev A B Taylor.

Ladies’ section;
Mrs Young, captain
Miss Ethe Herbertson, vice-captain
Mrs Newton, secretary
Committee – Mrs G L McDonald, Miss Aitkenhead, Miss Hewat, Miss Archibald and Miss Hogg.   

1913

Competitions were played on the Caldies Hill course on Saturday 31^st May 1913 with the following results: 
Gents’ competition – A A Burt, 40 nett; J D McDonald, 42; Geo Simpson, 43
Ladies’ – Miss Ruth Wallace, 58-4-54; Miss Jenny Kerr, 62-3-59
Juniors – James Hewitt, 113-18-95; Alexander Blair, 112-14-98
Mixed foursome – W F Aikman & Miss E H Hebertson
Gents’ approaching – Harry Aikmen  and Hardie Readman
Ladies’ approaching – Miss Jenny Kerr. 
 
1914
In 1914 the secretary was R F Garroch of the Temperance Hotel, Earlston. The club had a membership of 64 gents and 37 ladies. There was no entry fee. Subs for gents were 10/- and ladies 5/-. Visitors’ fees were 6d a day, 2/- a week and 4/- a month.It was emphasized that Sunday play was not allowed.
Results from the Spring Meeting played in May 1914; G Logan (scratch), 40; J R Borthwick (6), 41; A A Burt (11), 43. Ladies’ stroke competition; Miss Jenny Kerr (3), 54; Mrs Burt (8), 62. Mixed foursome; N C Keith and Miss Aitkenhead (11), 43 after a tie with G Logan and Miss Polls.  

During World War One, the course was ploughed up for food crops in support of the war effort, but playing resumed in the inter-war years. 

1925
On the Monday evening of the 22^nd June 1925,  the final of the juveniles’ competition was played, Tom Montgomery beat Douglas Wallace by one hole.

On the following evening twelve players motored to St Boswells to play a club match only to lose by 11½ mashes to ½. Although it was a heavy defeat for Earlston,  many of the matches were close.

Result of a mixed foursome played on Saturday 12^th September 1925:
First – Miss M Crozier & Tom Montgomery
Second - Miss A Millar & Willie Anderson
Third - Mrs W M Frater & Frank Mitchell
Captain’s Prize – Mrs J Aikman; runner-up, Miss J Turnbull
September medal – Mrs W M Frater
Gent’s section;
Wallace Cup – W Messer; runner-up, J Hewitt
Weatherston Shield – W S Donaldson
Captain’s Prize – R Crozier.

Also in October 1925 the final of the juniors’ match-play competition was played -  Adam Cummings beat Douglas Wallace by 2&1.

The club was organising weekly whist drives during December 1925, which were held at Mr Bolan’s Tea Rooms on Wednesday evenings.  

The prize presentation night was held in the Corn Exchange Hall on Friday 9^th October 1925. Following a successful golfing season, the club captain, Mr T Bolan, presented the prizes to the following;
Ladies’ section – Mrs Sharpe, Rose Bowl, Mrs D Broomfield was runner-up

1929
Result of the Spring competition played in May 1929:
A. M Keillor (club captain), 74-10-64
Dickson Fleming, 85-20-65 
William Messer, 83-14-69

Result of the June 1929 gent’s monthly medal:
D Fleming, 84-20-64
W Messer, 79-14-65
A Anderson, 81-16-65
R Thomson, 93-28-

On Friday 19^th July 1929 the final of the ladies’ competition for the Challenge Rose Bowl presented by Mrs Sharpe, The Park, took place. The winner was Miss Jennie Lunn;   Mrs W Donaldson was the runner-up. 

Playing in the August 1929 monthly medal, l Dr L G Campbell set a new course record of 32 – 5,3,3,4,3,4,4,3,3. The previous record was 36.   Playing in the same competition the following players qualified for the club championship; D Fleming, W Messer, J S Brockie, J A Hewitt, J Fairley, Dr L G Campbell, R Thomson and T Murray.

1936

The annual meeting was held in the Lesser Exchange Hall in December 1936, Mr D Denham presided. The treasurer submitted his financial report which was adopted.

The following office bearers were elected:
Captain, A R G Romanes 

Secretary, A R G Romanes
Treasurer, Miss M L Milton
Match secretary, A R G Romanes 

Ladies’ captain, Mrs W S Donaldson
Vice-captain, Miss N Hunter 

Competition secretary, Mr J Fairley
Ladies’ competition secretary, Miss I Mack
Committee of management – The Misses A D Douglas, I Mack, A Aitchison, A Millar, Mrs W Frater, Messrs D Denham, W Dobson, J Fairley, J Wilkie, D Fleming, T Fell.  

1939
The monthly medal winner for May 1939 was Miss J Whitelaw.
The June competition winner was Miss Margaret Spence.
Two stroke competitions were won by Mrs W Frater and Miss Whitelaw.
In a gentleman’s stroke competition R A Thomson and D W Denham tied.  
The final of the Wallace Silver Challenge Cup was played in July 1939 and was won by R Campbell who beat D D Fleming by 4 and 2.

1940  
The annual meeting was held in Rhymer’s Mill Canteen on Thursday 21^st March 1940, Thomas Bell presided.

The whole of the committee of management were re-elected. Office bearers;
Captain, T Bell;
Vice-captain, R Henderson;
Ladies’ captain Miss N Hunter;
Joint secretaries, R Keddie and J Fairley; treasurer, Miss M L Milton;
Committee – T Bell, R Henderson, J Fairley, D W Denham, R Keddie, D Hunter; green committee – D W Denham, T Bell and J Fairley.

Postwar

Play was suspended during the duration of the war, but afterwards,  the Club  could not manage to survive due to lack of funds. . The course was subsequently used as a motorcycle scrambling circuit. There were hopes that the golf club and course could be resurrected but unfortunately this never materialised. 

Earlston Golf Club has, however, continued to have outings and competitions to various other courses in the country.   In 2000, 91 years after its start, it launched a new initiative to create the first golf course on the moon! 

 Read all about it in the next post on the Auld Earlston blog. 

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 Postcard of the First Earlston Golf Club Gymkhana  in 1908


 

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