25 years ago

‘ACTION urged before Temple collapses’ was a headline in the East Lothian Courier on November 10, 1995.

A local conservationist is calling for urgent action to save an historic garden house and stable block from possible collapse.

John Woolman claimed that the buildings, which are more than 200 years old, had fallen into disrepair after “years of neglect,” and should be rescued for posterity.

They are situated on Haddington’s golf course at Amisfield – once the seat of the Earls of Wemyss.

Although a mansion house on the land was demolished, possibly in the 1920s, the Gothic garden house known as ‘The Temple’ and stables still stand and are now owned by the district council.

They are both listed as buildings of historical or architectural importance – category B – by Historic Scotland, and date back to the 18th century.

As such they are considered buildings of regional or “more than local importance”.

50 years ago

A HADDINGTON church was going to have a television for the first time, according to this story in The Haddingtonshire Courier of November 13, 1970.

When the congregation of the West Church, Haddington, attend the evening service on Sunday there will be a departure from routine.

Members will watch a television programme on a set which will be specially installed in the choir area.

The programme will be the first of six lectures to be given by Professor William Barclay, of Glasgow University, the well-known theologian.

The lectures are being promoted by the Baird Trust and this year’s subject is “Jesus Today – The Christian Ethic in the 20th Century”.

While television is a commonly used teaching medium in schools, it is probably the first time that it has made its appearance in a Haddington church.

100 years ago

A WOMAN from Ormiston received a shock after she was accidentally shot in the leg, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on November 12, 1920.

Robina Rankine (16), daughter of David Rankine, senior, roadman, residing at House o’ Muir, Ormiston, was accidentally shot in her father’s house last week.

She entered a bedroom, and had accidentally knocked down a loaded rifle, which had been left there by her brother, with the result that the weapon was discharged, and the bullet entered her right thigh.

She was examined by Dr Miller, Tranent, who ordered her removal to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where she is progressing favourably.