WE TAKE a look at the stories making headlines in East Lothian 25, 50 and 100 years ago.

 

25 years ago

 

THERE was an unusual wedding held in Garvald, reported the East Lothian Courier of November 17, 1995.

The village of Garvald witnessed a wedding with a difference on Saturday.

Locals joined Julian Hopkin, 47, and Lyn, 46, of Juniper Cottage in celebrating their marriage at the village hall, and watched as the bride-to-be was led along the streets by a piper to the hall, dressed as a bridesmaid, while her two daughters dressed as brides.

Lyn, who is from York and has only lived in Garvald for three weeks, said: “We did it because at my age you don’t want to get all dressed up, and I wanted my daughters to feel what I felt on the day.”

The bride wore a beautiful burgundy and cream dress, and her daughters Samantha, 25, a page three girl from London, and 14-year-old Rebecca, stunned onlookers with their white wedding dresses.

 

50 years ago

 

‘NORTH Berwick pool may be made smaller’ was a headline in The Haddingtonshire Courier on November 20, 1970.

In an attempt to cut down the running costs of its swimming pool, North Berwick Town Council is investigating the possibility of reducing the amount of water which has to be heated by building a wall across the pool to make it smaller.

Various suggestions have been put forward about reducing the volume of water in the pool, including the building of an island. But when the Council met on Tuesday the Burgh Surveyor, Mr James Dalgleish, told members an island would cost £2,000 and added: “The way to cut down the size of the pool is to build a wall to reduce its length.”

Meanwhile, the building of the town’s sports centre began.

Four o‘clock on Monday afternoon marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of sport in North Berwick for it was then that Provost J. C. Fowler cut the first sod on the site of the town’s new Sports Centre at Grange Road.

It is hoped to have the work finished for the burgh’s Sports Festival Week, which starts on June 6 next year.

 

100 years ago

 

A SWIMMER broke another Scottish record, told The Haddingtonshire Courier of November 19, 1920.

At the Grove Swimming Club Annual Gala, Mr G. K. Baillie, whose sister was for several years pond mistress at North Berwick, and who has for some years given exhibitions at the local swimming galas, made a successful attempt to break the Scottish 100 yards’ record of 59 seconds, held by Mr W. H. Haynes.

Mr Baillie, whose time was 58 4-5ths seconds, is the holder of the 50, 100, and 200 yards’ championships of Scotland this year, and the holder of the 50 yards’ Scottish record.