Monthly Newsround

with Bob Mitchell

bobmitchell6@tiscali.co.uk

Local campaigners have breathed a massive and mutual sigh of relief on hearing that plans for an impressive ‘Cultural’ Centre’ to be housed in the Sinclair Building in Haddington’s Lodge Street has been given the green light. The £7.3m centre, which is set to house county archives, a museum/heritage centre, a local history centre, and to be the new Haddington branch library was thought to be in some jeopardy following mutterings

from protesters from Musselburgh and North Berwick and a review by the new SNP/Lib-Dem administration of the previously passed plans. Happily, following assurances that the centre will not spell the end to initiatives elsewhere in the county and an agreement from the council that it will underwrite the project to the tune of £5,548,547, the much sought after amenity is set to become a reality by 2009.

The Haddington/Aubigny Twinning Association is already planning for what they believe will be a busy year in 2008. Twinning continues to go from strength to strength in the area and 2008 is a special year in that it will feature the ‘Commice’. This event, which takes place in Aubigny, every seven years will be held on the weekend of 5^th and 6^th of July and since many Scots have happy memories of previous Commices

the cross channel ferries are likely to be busy. Planning for the years activities is like to accelerate after the association’s AGM which will be held in the Buffet Room of the Town House on Wednesday 21^st November and will feature a talk entitles ‘Me and France’ by Wallace Lochart. All residents of Haddington and district are invited to attend and will be made very welcome.

MSP Iain Gray has met Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to press for improved rail links in and through East Lothian. High on the MSP’s wish list is an improvement in local services which would include stopping at East Linton. Mr Gray claimed that “A local service with stops at intermediate stations would complement the East Coast Main Line service perfectly. In particular, a local Edinburgh to Berwick service

would make Queen Margaret University more accessible for thousands of local students and potential students.”

A reinstatement of the Haddington rail link seemed less likely in the short term but the minister agreed to listen to the case when he meets with local campaigners.

Haddington Athletic have made an excellent start to the season, winning 6 out of 8 games and losing just one. The Hi Hi find themselves top of the league as the contenders for the single promotion slot start to emerge from the pack. If the present form continues then spectators at Millfield will not be short of goals to savour.

1. Haddington Athletic	8	6	1	1	26	10	+16	19
2. Fauldhouse United	8	6	1	1	19	5	+14	19
3. Broxburn Athletic	7	6	0	1	24	9	+15	18
4. Edinburgh United	8	4	1	3	12	12	0	13
5. Harthill Royal	5	4	0	1	13	6	+7	12

The trustees of the recreation club in the Sidegate, fondly remembered by generations of Haddington men, have finally bowed to the inevitable and wound up its affairs. Mr John Main, a spokesman for the Trustees said ‘ many, many people, myself included has very happy memories of the recreation club, but time has moved on’. The premises had been showing signs of wear and tear for a long time and would have cost a fortune to restore. The club ceased to operate in 1992 and has since been sold on.

Mr Main, who confessed to using the clubs facilities when he should have been at school, recalled how its constitution made it very clear that only males could be admitted, a situation that is no longer acceptable in this day and age.

However, it is an ill wind , and fourteen local organisations including the Day Centre for the Elderly, the Scouts and the Guides have received an unexpected windfall as the funds were recently dispersed to worthy causes.

Everyone associated with the Knox Academy were delighted to hear that it has received a glowing report from HMIE inspectors who visited the school in February of this year. Key strengths identified in the inspectors’ reports were “pupils attainment in national examinations and pupils’ achievements in music”.

Teachers, too, were praised, with special mention being made of “the high quality of teaching in science”. While delighted with the accolade, teachers are not content to rest on their laurels, and have already drawn up an action plan to ensure that they continue to impress in the future.

Hard on the heels of their most successful ever, exhibition by local artists and an equally upbeat craft fair, both held in the Corn Exchange in October, the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council has now got its eyes firmly set on Christmas.

Chairperson, Jan Wilson explained that the exhibition and fair has been organised by the community council for the last seven years and provides low cost opportunities for locals to showcase their talent. Sales at both events have surpassed those of previous years and the general public seem to approve if visitor numbers are anything to go by.

However, Christmas is just round the corner, and preparations are already on hand to host a bumper Childrens’ Christmas Fun Day, Workshop and Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 25^th November. An open air fairground will be situated in Market Street from1.00 pm until 6 pm, while arrangements have been made with Santa to hold a grotto in the corn exchange from 1.00 pm until 3.30 pm. Torches can be bought in the corn exchange prior to the torchlight procession which leaves from just outside at 4.45 pm. A Carol Service will commence outside the Town House at 5.00 pm and will culminate in the switching on of the Christmas lights.

Jan reminds us all of the huge expense involved in buying, maintaining, erecting and dismantling Christmas lighting each year and encourages any would be sponsor to get in touch with her on 824816