1921
A large crowd gathered at the Waid Park on Saturday afternoon, when the second annual interschool sports organised by NO 7 Anstruther District School sports Committee were held in brilliant sunshine. The schools represented were – Kingsbarns, Crail Kilrenny Cellardyke, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Arncroach and Carnbee. A special feature was the skipping rope exhibition with music organised by Mr P.C. Burt, sports master to the education authority. At the close Sir Ralph Anstruther presented the prizes to the winners, also the challenge cup to St Monans School with the highest number of points viz – 35. The runners up were Cellardyke with 21 points.
1922
Advert
Important preliminary announcement
During the night of 2nd May a serious fire broke out in the factory of Messrs John Martin & Co, Cellardyke makers of Ladies, Gents and Children’s ‘Martinco’ high class Oil silk and Oilskin waterproof coats.
Actual destruction by fire was confined to half-finished materials, but from adjoining departments thousands of finished garments and tens of thousands of self-coloured Cambric and Jap silks, which had not undergone any proofing process, as well as large quantities of coloured oilsilk (ready to be made up into coats) had to be hastily carried out and deposited on the ground at a safe distance.
These goods were unharmed by the fire, and only a few yards were touched by water but a portion was naturally soiled and put out of condition by the rough and hasty handling, and being thrown on the ground.
All are perfectly good for use, however and by arrangement with the insurance company and Messrs Martin.
We have secured for sale the whole of these practically undamaged goods amounting at market value to about £5000 and including the following :-
5259 Bright finish, fashionable Coloured Oilskin coats, in boys, girls, ladies and gents sizes.
1000 oilskin hats Sou’-wester to match
30 000 yards 6in wide coloured cambric or fine casement cloth.
2000 yards Fine Coloured Jap silks two weights 38 inches wide
4000 yards Coloured Oilsilk various colours, useful for hundreds of purposes.
There are now in the course of being delivered and marked off. It is hoped we shall be able to advertise the piece goods tomorrow.
Hunters (William Hunter and Co, Ltd) Wellgate, Dundee
Next advert 2 days later
Fire at Cellardyke factory
Huge offers of Materials
All quite undamaged
At extraordinary low prices
30 000 yards of Cambric or superfine casement cloth, closely woven, perfectly pure suitable for overalls, dresses, children’s rompers, hangings and curtains, mattress covers, furniture covers etc. ( Some of it is a little soiled at selvidges only and creased) Colours purple, grey, light tan, moss, green, saxe blue and black.
Regular value 1/9 ½; – Clearing price 7 ½ d per yard
300 yards superfine cotton taffeta, close fine weave highly mercerised finish; in nice shade of dark tussore, excellent for children’s frocks, casements, etc.
Regular value 2/3; Clearing price 1/ per yard
1300 yards coloured Jap silk, fine make, beautifully pure and soft. 38 inches wide. Colours crimson. Orange, Blue, brown, fawn, green, purple and black all perfect condition.
Regular value 4/6; Clearing price 1/11 ½ per yard.
3000 yards coloured oilsilk, beautifully soft and fine and absolutely waterproof. Can be machined or hand sewed like ordinary cloth into Ladies, gents, boys and girls coats, capes, little capes with hoods, children’s pants, waders, waterproof aprons, sheets, bathing caps, sponge bags, covers of all kinds and numerous other purposes. (Coats made of this material sell at 50/ to £3.) Colours are light and dark green, light and dark brown, Mole, purple, navy, light fawn, tabac, claret, emerald and Crimson. 36 inches wide.
Regular value 5/ 11; Clearing price 1/ 6d per yard.
180 yards heavy silk, rubber proofed on one side for making coats etc. rich quality very light and strong. In Navy Blue and mid brown; only 36 inches wide.
Regular value 8/11; Clearing at 2/ 11d per yard.
Post orders carefully attended to, and, if over 10/ value, sent post free. Terms- cash with order. Stamps should not be sent for amounts over 1/. Patterns sent on request to those at a distance.
Third advert
5259 Oilskin coats, girls and boys sizes
Fine cotton, light weight oilskin coats, raglan sleeve. S.B. buttons, leather stayed, 2 outside pockets, sleeve straps, neck tab etc. with and without belts. Some are soiled but a rub with a wet sponge cleans them as new. (followed by a lengthy description of sizes and colours)
Ladies and gents now sold out with the exception of a few drivers heavy black oilskin coats worth £2 (at 12/6d)
1923
Damage to the extent of about £300 was caused by fire which broke out yesterday in a hay loft tenanted by Messrs A.& F Bowman, butchers, Cellardyke.
The outbreak was observed about 2 o clock, and the local fire brigade, under the charge of Bailie Bett, was soon on the scene. Willing helpers assisted in the endeavour to prevent the flames spreading to adjacent buildings, and after hard work this was accomplished. Meanwhile the livestock – a bullock and a number of pigs occupying the stalls beneath the loft were removed to a place of safety.
The loft, which held about two tons of hay and other material was completely gutted. The premises belong to Mr W Fortune, engineer, Cellardyke.
Municipal Comedy in the East Neuk of Fife
Effort to Amalgamate Three Burghs
When kings of old created Royal Burghs they evidently had no thought of the exigencies of the future, and did not foresee the difficulties which might arise.
Kilrenny, Easter Anstruther and Wester Anstruther have for hundreds of years been Royal burghs despite numerous efforts to make the three into one, each still stand alone, although a visitor would find it impossible to discover the burgh boundaries.
Geographically the three burghs are one and in the latest attempt to bring about an amalgamation Bailie Carstairs of Kilrenny, which includes Cellardyke has succeeded in getting the town council to appoint a committee to consider the proposal along with representatives of the other two burghs. It is expected that Easter and Wester Anstruthers will form committees and that a meeting will take place at an early date.
An Unknown Quantity
The population of Kilrenny is about 2560. Easter Anstruther 1150 and Wester Anstruther 560.
In Kilrenny the amalgamation would probably be carried by a small majority and the feeling locally is that ‘East’ would agree to the proposal, but ‘West’ is and unknown quantity. In the long run the burghs would gain by uniting, but at first one, or perhaps two of the three would probably lose.
Bailie McIvor, Wester Anstruther, who confessed that he had not yet seriously considered the pros and cons of the proposal, stated that the rates in his town were comparatively low, and everybody paid, but in Cellardyke it was a different matter.
Provost Cunningham, Easter Anstruther, is of the opinion that amalgamation should have been agreed a long time ago. The rates could easily be adjusted over a period of years and it would be better for everyone concerned.
Fighting to the last ditch
This view is common amongst the younger generation, who are quite prepared to support the amalgamations. Some of their elders, however, will fight to the last ditch to preserve their Royal Charters.
Bailie Carstairs when he laid the proposal before Kilrenny town council pointed out that at present no one of the three burghs had money to embark upon any big scheme. An 18 hole golf course was highly desirable, but while they were divided the present 9 hole would have to suffice. In many other ways progress was impossible under existing conditions. The harbour was the basis of the community’s interest in fishing, therefore it would benefit the community to keep the harbour in such a condition as would entice the drifters to use it.
A Gibertian Situation
There are, of course, other aspects of the question which might influence the citizens when they come to consider the matter which has been spoken of at intervals for nearly 20 years.
They might. For instance, agree with Bailie Carstairs and others that the present position is Gilbertian. There are three Provosts, six Bailies, and eighteen councillors to atten the welfare of fewer than 4000 people. One man however acts as town clerk for the three burghs. He is an up-to-date Pooh Bah. If instructed at a meeting of Kilrenny Town council to communicate with the Easter Anstruther Council he sends a letter to himself, and after the meeting of the Easter Council he replies to himself, and submits the letter to Kilrenny Town Council.
As Town Clerk of Kilrenny he might think amalgamation quite an excellent proposal but as Town Clerk of Easter or Wester Anstruther ……….!!!!!
On previous occasions when amalgamation has been discussed the negotiations have always broken down, and there are still many who will fight strenuously against it, but the feeling is that there is now a greater chance of success.