Winter Newsround |
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‘Best Ever’ Christmas Fayre Puts Townsfolk in the Mood
Community Council Chairperson, Jan Wilson claims that this year’s Christmas Fayre at the start of the Festive Season was the ‘best ever’ as the Corn Exchange was packed and a large number of families participated in the town centre torchlight procession. The event which featured a visit from Santa Clause and culminated in the switching on of the Christmas Lights and the Carol Service has now firmly established itself in the Christmas calendar. Dads and Mums were treated to coffee, tea and sandwiches while the children enjoyed the traditional apple and orange. The scouts added to the overall atmosphere with the use of their ‘snow machine’ and everyone appeared to go home happy.
As the big day neared, Santa combined with sleigh and sweets made a trip throughout the town much to the delight of the youngsters and some who were not quite so young. All will be pleased to hear that he intends coming back next year!
Burns Celebrated with a Bang in the Year of Homecoming
January 2009 heralded the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and Haddington groups and organisations were in the forefront of the celebrations. Haddington Burns club marked their own 120th supper in a double celebration which was presided over by local enthusiast David Murray. On the 24th, Grants Braes Burns Club teamed up with the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council for a ‘Birthday Bash’ that continued past midnight when the company sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and ate cake in the Bard’s honour. Later on that day the Haddington Society of Change Ringers performed a special routine to mark the occasion as the Scout celebrated with family and friends. A large number of organisations chose to mark the bard’s birthday this year and in keeping with the concept of a ‘Year of Homecoming’ activities are set to continue throughout the year. |
St Mary’s Parish Church has dedicated their flower festival in August to Robert Burns and at the same time they will host a prestigious exhibition of Burns memorabilia as part of its nationwide tour. Apart from Aberdeen, Haddington is the only east coast venue for the exhibition with will come here directly from the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. The West Church, during Haddington Festival Week will provide the venue for the world Premiere of a play ‘The Mother of all Burns’ written by Bafta winning author Andrew Dallmeyer and featuring local singer/actor Coreen Scott and a professional actress playing Agnes Broun the mother of Robert Burns who lived for many years at Grants Braes just outside Haddington. The play will then move to Lennoxlove for the rest of the week where another seven performances will take place in the Grand Hall. Prices are very competitive and the play is highly commended to all users of this site. |
Joy as Town Gets £800K Cash Injection
Community leaders and members of the local business community expressed great satisfaction at the news that Haddington is to receive £812,000 from Historic Scotland to help regenerate the town centre. The scheme known as Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) recently awarded grants totalling more than five million pounds to nine towns throughout Scotland. Haddington’s allocation was the second largest mainland award after the £888,050 given to Cumnock in East Ayrshire and the money can be used for repairs and improvements to private homes and businesses as well as restoring local landmarks to bring them back into use. |
Haddington Business Association’s spokesman, John Main said ‘This is very positive news. Improving the general appearance of ailing properties will undoubtedly help to boost the image of the town. We’ve got a unique high street and we want it to be looking its best.’ Jan Wilson, Chair of the Royal Burgh of Haddington and District Community Council told ‘Newsround’, ‘This is fantastic news.’ |
‘Here’s to the Next 300’ as Haddington Bowling Club marks a Special Birthday
2009 is a massive year for Haddington Bowling Club as it prepares to celebrate its 300th birthday in style. The club, the oldest in Scotland was formed in 1709, just two years after the Union of the Parliaments and some 36 years before the Battle of Prestonpans. Whilst admirers of Robert Burns are rightly celebrating with gusto the bards 250th anniversary, Haddington bowlers are keen to point out that they are a massive 50 years ahead of the game. |
The club, whose most successful player is former UK Singles Champion and Scottish skipper Gus Blair, plans to celebrate with a commemorative publication and hope to take advantage of the long summer evenings by hosting a number of high profile friendly matches. In this, old habits perhaps die hard: the club was in existence for a massive 170 years before the electric bulb was invented! |
St Mary’s Play Safe as Scaffolding Erected
Anyone passing St Mary’s parish church recently will have noticed the substantial scaffolding and safety netting which have been erected. The trouble arose when a regular, routine inspection revealed that some of the heavy stone pinnacles which crown the buttresses of the church had come loose causing a potential risk to passers by. |
The emergency measures were taken immediately and the churches busy schedule, including its festive programme was unaffected. The Rev Jennifer Macrae was quick to confirm that there was no danger to worshippers, passers by or the many tourists who regularly visit the church. Repairs will take place after detailed costings are received from a firm of specialists. |
Hi Hi’s impressed by new boss’s pedigree
On announcing the appointment of their new manager recently, Haddington Athletic Juniors were able to reveal that the successful candidate has acquired an interesting c.v. that belies his comparative youth.
Club chairman, Drew Donaldson explained to ‘Newsround’ that 39 year old David Griffiths has almost twenty years of coaching experience gained both in the U.K. and abroad. The Welshman completed a four year course with the National Soccer Association in America and has also held down jobs in Iceland and his native Wales.
Through the course he struck up a friendship with classmate Steven Highway (Liverpool Youth Development Academy) and has forged useful links with the Merseyside giants.
Mr Donaldson said he was delighted to have made the appointment and Mr Griffiths is equally pleased to have taken over the reins of the ambitious county side. It is expected that an assistant with good local knowledge will be appointed in the near future.