February Newsround
2008

With Bob Mitchell

News Archive

Lovers of birds and wildlife have joined with those of us who simply approve of fair play in applauding the decision to allow the pigeons to return to their long time home in the doo’cot adjacent to the town’s Lady Kitty’s Garden.

Nobody knows how long the pigeons have been there but they found themselves unceremoniously evicted to make way for the town’s Visitor Information Centre, which opened in April of last year. The Centre has been a great success attracting many visitors and proving to be an undoubted asset to the town. The missing pigeons have, however, ruffled a few feathers.

Community Councillor and nature observer, David Motherwell, who first mooted the idea of using the doo’cot as an information centre, is definitely on the side of the pigeons.

He explained to ‘Newsround’: ‘The pigeons involved have no great pedigree, in fact you could say, that in many ways they are at the bottom of the heap, but it was heart breaking in the dead of winter to see them clinging to the bell tower at St Mary’s Church or searching in vain for an entry point to their former home. The Visitor Centre is a great attraction,’ he conceded, ‘but I quickly came to wish that we had left things as they were’.

Now it seems that all can be well and it is hoped that birds and humans will be able to cohabit peacefully. Soon perhaps the whole episode will be perceived as being ‘Much A Doo About Nothing!’

Haddingtonians of a certain age will fondly recall the now defunct Picture House, as being an absolute focal point of everyone’s social life in an age when the silver screen reigned supreme. For too long, it seems, would-be cinema goers have had to travel out of town, to central Edinburgh, the Fort or the Brunton Hall in order to indulge their passion. But that has all changed.

The Haddington Seniors Film Club has been in existence for over a year and held its first AGM in January. Members voted overwhelmingly to continue with the project.

The club was started by the Trinity Centre Management Committee and is supported by Holy Trinity Church and the Haddington Day Centre. It meets in the Trinity Centre on the first Thursday of every month at 1.30 p.m.

During the first year the films shown ranged from ‘golden oldies’ like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘African Queen’ to ‘Shirley Valentine’ and the new film version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. The first 2 films of the new season demonstrate the same diversity with ‘Ladies in Lavender’ on 7^th February, (made three years ago with Judy Dench and Maggie Smith) and ‘Rebecca’ on 6^th March, (the famous version with Lawrence Olivier).

Annual membership is £10 and £2 for visitors. New members and visitors are very welcome. There is no obligation if you just want to come and try it out.

Further information is available from the secretary, Pat Fawcett, tel. 01620 820344

The well established Haddington and District Day Centre will celebrate its birthday this month with only five candles on its cake. Yet it has been a well-loved part of the town for twenty years!

The Day Centre first opened its doors on the 29^th of February 1988 and is holding a party to celebrate the occasion on the same date this year.

Centre manager, Caroline Scott, said, ‘we are always on the look out for things to celebrate and our clients will party at the drop of a hat! Of course we celebrate our ‘birthday’ every

year, but since the 29^th only comes round every four years, this year’s event will be that bit more special.’

The Day Centre has gone from strength to strength since it opened twenty years ago and is now deep in negotiation regarding the acquisition of larger, modern premises which are deemed to be a must. They will shortly start fundraising for their latest new mini-bus without which they would be unable to function.

Everyone associated with Haddington Rugby Club are eagerly looking forward to its history making involvement in the Borders League. The league is the oldest in the world and is respected wherever the game is played.

Haddington President, Bill Swan, explained that the time seemed right for the club to seek new challenges both on and off the field and an initial approach was made to the border clubs in November. They promised to vote on the issue in January and the decision was made on the 23^rd.

Bill believes that the move will bring great benefits to the club, in the shape of two more home games against quality competition, with a real opportunity to increase sponsorship and revenue. It is expected that this will push up the already high standards at the club and hopefully increase development at all levels.

Although the involvement of a club quite clearly not geographically in the borders in their league might seem controversial, Haddington has long enjoyed cordial relationships with most border clubs. Bill Swan explained that over the years Haddington Rugby Club has supported annual sevens tournaments throughout the region and have built up a reputation as a credible outfit that is well run and plays a high standard of rugby. Haddington, he argues has much in common with many border towns with regards to size, rural location and the type of people who choose to live there. He hopes the move will be of benefit to everyone concerned.

We wish them well.

Members of grants Braes Burns Club, who meet in the town’s Tyneside Tavern are preparing for a busy year prior to the 250^th anniversary of the poet’s birth in 2009. A huge ‘Homecoming’ is planned for next year when Scots from all over the world will be attracted back to Scotland to take part in the Burns celebrations. While the bulk of the visitors will head for Ayrshire and Edinburgh, East Lothian has its own ‘hidden gems’ that are more than worth a visit.

Club secretary, David Murray, informed ‘Newsround’ ‘While we cannot be certain if Burns ever visited Haddington, his mother and brother Gilbert lived for many years just outside the town at Grants Braes and are buried with other important family members in the churchyard at Bolton. We are in the midst of an ambitious project to tastefully restore the three main sites relating to the family in time for next year’s celebrations. The grave and its surroundings are being carefully renovated and railings that were removed during the Second World War have already been replaced’.

For the first time in living memory, part of the walls of the cottage will be exposed to public view and the nearby monument and well are in line for tasteful restoration by a local, master craftsman. The icing on the cake will be the creation of a woodland walkway between the monument and the well, which will allow safe pedestrian access between the sites in what will be a beautiful setting.

The project will be finished in time for the 2009 birthday and Grants Braes Burns Club is planning a series of first-rate events and celebrations throughout that year.
A guided tour of the sites can be arranged at any mutually agreed time by contacting Bob Mitchell on 01620822029 or preferably, at bobmitchell6@tiscali.co.uk

The project has been made possible by the generous funding provided by amongst others, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Viridor Credits, and the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council.