September Newsround |
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Widespread Tributes to Dowager Duchess of Hamilton
It was with a feeling of sadness that the community heard of the death of Elizabeth, the Dowager Duchess of Haddington on September 16th.
The Duchess had been becoming increasingly frail and died at her home in the Lennoxlove Estate aged, 92. Her life was eventful.
Her marriage, in 1937 to the future Duke of Hamilton caused a good deal of interest, her being a ‘Percy’ from Northumberland the traditional enemies of the Douglases for much of the middle ages.
It was allegedly to meet her husband, by this time the Duke, that Hitler’s Deputy, Rudolph Hess flew to Scotland in 1941 in what remains one of the most inexplicable mysteries of the Second World War.
Following their move to Lennoxlove Elizabeth became increasingly involved n community affairs and was the founder and driving force of the Lamp of Lothian Trust which literally changed the face of Haddington in the final quarter of the 20th century. Perhaps best known for the restoration of the partially ruined St Mary’s Parish Church, the Trust has also overseen the renovation of a number of previously derelict buildings in the Poldrate area. It is well known for the series of concerts it puts on annually and for its stewardship of the Bridge Youth Club.
The Trust are working closely with the Duchesses family to come up with a fitting tribute to her memory and the possibility of renaming the Bridge Centre in her name is one of the ideas currently being mooted
Iain Gray Says Thank You
East Lothian’s Iain Gray was quick to thank local supports for their help in seeing him being elected to the leadership of the Scottish Labour Party with what proved to be a ‘comfortable’ margin. Within hours of his success Iain was campaigning in Glenrothes where a crucial Westminster by-election is due to take place on November the 6th and the following day he returned to Prestonpans Labour Club to say thank you to all his friends in East Lothian. Mr Gray was quick to finds a place in his shadow cabinet for his defeated rivals, Cathy Jamieson and Andy Kerr, a move that has won the approval of at least one shrewd political observer and friend of ‘Newsround’. He told ‘Newsround’, ‘Both |
Cathy and Andy were challengers on merit and have a lot to offer the party. It is a measure of Iain’s stature that he has welcomed them on board immediately.’ Mr Gray’s appointment has been broadly welcomed across the political spectrum in East Lothian, and all eyes will be on his performances at ‘Prime Minister’s Question Time’ where there has been a general feeling that Alec Salmond has had an easy ride of late. |
Folk Club Celebrates 25 years of Music
Haddington Folk Club members past and present gathered in the town’s Railway Hotel recently to celebrate 25 years of their existence. The event include an open mike session, live music in the lounge and exhibition of photos and memorabilia gathered during the lifetime of the club. Haddington born Gill Bowman and local group Curmudgeon were the specially invited guests at a concert in the evening. Club spokesman Gordon Pearson told ‘Newsround’ that the club was born out of a desire to encourage live music (especially traditional music0 and to give everyone an opportunity to perform confidently and to join with others to share the enjoyment of traditional and contemporary music. |
The group began as ‘The Mercat Folk Club’ and for their first five years held weekly sessions I the Mercat Hotel.. In 1988 the club moved to the Pheasant, remaining there for seven years before moving to the Victoria Inn, the Toll Bridge and finally back to the Mercat where it is once again based. At the time of moving to the Pheasant irt was decide to rename the group the ‘Haddington Folk Club’ and that name has been used for the past twenty years. Anyone wishing to find out more about Haddington Folk Club’ activities can check out their website on www.haddingtonfolkclub.co.uk or contact Gordon Pearson Tel. O1620 822925 or email pearsong@btinternet.com |
Haddington folk club enjoying a gig in the Corn Exchange
Preparations in Full Swing for St Mary’s Martinmas Fair
Sat November 8th has been chosen as the date for St Mary’s Martinmas Fair, an event the normally raises over £,5000 towards the running costs of the church. Preparations are well under way and members of the congregation, friends of the church and anyone else so minded are encouraged to contribute to any of a number of traditional stalls or make a contribution in any way they can. |
Stalls to which they might contribute include, home baking, delicatessen, produce, books, new bric-a-brac, flowers and plants. Further information can be obtained from and offers of help made to:
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Charles Ingle Resigns from Community Council
High profile Haddingtonian, Charles Ingle has resigned from the Community Council less than six months after joining it in May. The reason for his resignation is not presently known and follows a noisy episode at their September meeting in which he took issue amongst other things with the community policeman and which led to an intervention by Sheena Richardson, Provost of East Lothian on the policeman’s behalf. Despite Mr Ingle’s reputation for controversy, Jan Wilson, Chair of the Community Council, who was unable to attend the September meeting said, |
‘In some ways I feel sorry he has resigned, because he has a wealth of local knowledge and local government experience and could have made a big contribution to our work.’ Charles Ingle was also a member of the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council from 1979 to 1982 at a time when the council was at a low ebb and threatened with extinction. |
Handbook Out
The Royal Burgh of Haddington District is delighted to announce that its 26th annual handbook and directory of organisations has been published and is currently being distributed free of charge to every household in Haddington. If you feel you could help with this distribution by delivering to a few houses in your district, contact Jan Wilson on Haddington 824816