Peeps into the past from the Courier archives
Sayings and doings of 25 years ago...
AMBITIOUS plans for a hotel and golf courses made headlines in the East Lothian Courier on April 9, 1999.
A £60 million hotel and golf course plan for Archerfield Estate, Dirleton, has locked magnate Sir Rocco Forte in battle with Edinburgh businessman Kevin Doyle, who wants two new golf courses and 100 holiday cottages on half of the estate.
The Forte application for a 180 bedroom hotel – which would restore crumbling Archerfield House to its former glory as centre-piece of the massive project – was lodged with East Lothian planners this week.
But the mansion, where Winston Churchill was among famous guests, is on part of the estate already bought by Mr Doyle’s company, Caledonian Heritable, from the Co-op Bank who acquired it after a previous development flopped.
The remainder is owned by Hamilton and Kinnell Estates, involved in an earlier bid to develop the mansion and entire estate for golf and holiday homes.
...and 50 years ago
A ‘£1 MILLION harbour project’ was revealed on the front page of the East Lothian Courier on April 12, 1974.
A £1,000,000-plus plan for improving the facilities for the fishing industry at Dunbar and building a marina for pleasure craft is being considered by the Town Council.
The basic proposals include the construction of a new breakwater at the entrance to the Victoria Harbour to provide protection to vessels entering and leaving the harbour; the deepening of the harbour basin; and the provision of jetties or quays within the harbour for an expanding fishing fleet for offloading, safe anchorage and easy access for repair and maintenance work.
It is anticipated that in due time a fish market with a Harbour Master’s office might be required. The internal work at the harbour would be necessary for there is a lot of water movement which at certain times necessitates boats being moved to the old harbour for safety.
...and 100 years ago
NIGERIA’S Assistant Commissioner in 1924 was none other than a man from East Lothian… as he returned to the county on leave, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on April 11, 1924.
Capt J.R. Anderson, a native of the county, who now holds the position of Assistant Commissioner in Nigeria, is home on leave.
Before going to West Africa, Capt. Anderson was in the colonial service in another remote outpost, the Leeward Islands. He started life in the office of Messers Fernie, Ferme and Williamson at Dunbar, and after an apprenticeship in the Mercantile Marine, he became associated with the police service in this country, from where he has risen by rapid steps to his present responsible position.