THE LATEST NEWSLETTER
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80, 81. 1, 2,
Gullane and Dirleton Local History Society
Gullane and Dirleton History Society Scottish Charity Number SC037547
December Number 2 Newsletter 2024
First of all, can we wish you a festive holiday season, however you intend to spend it. We are now almost half way through the session and hope you enjoy all that is to come in future lectures.
Sadly, we have to ask for a bit of help. Next year Carol is unable to take on the responsibility of Meetings Secretary, while we also need some physical help on meetings nights. For those of us who are left on the committee, we are so pleased that numbers have risen since the Covid Years, but as yet we have not had additional volunteers to undertake some of the tasks.
It’s not necessary to join the committee however, although it would be lovely to hear from anyone who would like to join us. We only have a few meetings a year and these are pleasant affairs.
1 We need someone younger and fitter (or two people) to help lay out the chairs at the start of meetings.
2 And we need someone to be in charge of the visual aspect of presentations, to be on hand to answer any questions from speakers.
3 And now we need someone to take over the planning of the 2025/26 meetings. We do have a list of potential speakers, but someone needs to be willing to book the halls and make contact with speakers and be on hand to introduce them on the night. Someone needs to do the job Carol has been doing and that Michael did before that.
You can contact us at the end of any meeting. There are always people at the back of the room at the tables. And we’d love to have new ideas to help the society succeed.
We still have an exciting programme for the rest of the year which we hope you will continue to enjoy and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year at Gullane, when Lesley Forrest will talk about Archerfield House and its history.
In the meantime, do enjoy Peter Gillies talking about his renovation of Ballencrieff Castle on Thursday 5th at Dirleton.
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2024/5 Newsletter: Number One
September is now with us and as I look out the window, at the haar, I review one of the most disappointing summers I remember.
But with autumn comes the first of the monthly History Society meetings that challenge sluggish minds and reveal both new ideas and undiscovered truths, whatever the weather. When you come to the first event on Wednesday 18th September at 7.30 at Gullane Village Hall, you will hear from Dr Hanita Ritchie about the Remarkable Women of East Lothian, the rich and powerful, as well as the ordinary women, the backbone of the county.
Like me, look forward with joy to a programme of lectures that will stimulate. On the first evening at Gullane, we invite you to take some of our programmes away to give to local friends and neighbours, to stimulate the group’s membership. New members often bring new skills and we on the committee find ourselves in need of new skills. There are many new homes in our area and as people retire, or move, they could well discover our charms.
And we are always looking for people with local expertise to tell us about the area’s past.
In particular, we are currently looking for people who can help us with some aspects of modern technology, both in the area of publishing materials and someone who will take over the responsibility of the visual aspects of presentations, enabling Eric to concentrate on the sound systems. Frankly, some of us lack modern skills. Speak to us at any meeting if you feel you have expertise to offer. You do not have to be a Committee member to help us.
If you are thinking of renewing your membership for next year, I do urge you to process your membership forms prior to the first meeting, although of course we take money at any time and in almost any form(though not crypto).
I look forward to seeing as many people as possible on the first evening and wish you an enjoyable, historical set of experiences.
Carol Tweedie
Gullane and Dirleton History Society
Newsletter Number 81 July 2024
Dear Member,
NEWSLETTER
Gullane and Dirleton History Society
Scottish Charity number SC037547 Number 81 July 2024
The 2023/24 programme of talks was very successful, with good attendance at meetings.
The February event, concerning the impact of WW2 on East Lothian, was particularly well received, with standing room only for some. A new sound system, introduced and managed by Eric Thomson, has enabled members to enjoy presentations more fully.
The summer outing to North Berwick’s Coastal Communities Museum was a great success.
Michael Thomson, Bill Nimmo and several of the Museum volunteers were on hand to guide members round the interesting exhibits. Lunch was then provided at the Glen Golf Course, with its magnificent view across Milsay Bay.
Dirleton Summer Fete was blessed with fine weather and the Society stand was particularly busy. Bill Nimmo’s quiz, centred on a display of old photographs attracted much attention.
Michael Thomson has resigned as Chairman of the Society, having performed that role admirably for many years. His departure leaves a huge gap to fill in many aspects of the Society’s organisation. Fortunately, Michael will continue to work on the Society’s archive.
His resignation was formally announced at the AGM, at which time Bill Nimmo made a speech in appreciation of Michael’s valuable contribution over the years and presented a pair of framed historic maps.
Unfortunately, the position of chairperson remains vacant. In the short term, the committee members have agreed to accept that responsibility on a rotating basis.
Furthermore, we require the services of an audio-visual guru to assist, particularly, with visual aspects of our meetings. This is vitally important to ensure that our speakers can continue to use projected illustrations to augment their presentations. The current committee feels it lacks the necessary IT skills and hopes that someone with such expertise can offer some assistance.
As we begin to plan for the 2025/26 session, we urge members to inform us of any speakers who might be willing to speak to the group in the future. We are particularly interested in people willing to speak about East Lothian topics.
And finally, if any members have copies of the book “Dirleton, Stories and Reminiscences” by John Fergie, which they no longer need, the committee would be pleased to accept these, since this book is now out of print and we feel it would be of interest to newcomers to the area. The Committee is always happy to accept copies of old photographs of the Gullane and Dirleton area, should you come across something that you might feel would be of interest for the future. Photographs can be scanned and returned quickly, so we are not asking for treasured snaps! We also bring to your attention the current display of old photographs in North Berwick Shops which will no doubt stimulate memories for many.