1895
Mr Black reported that the Committee had received three offers for the bath to be fitted up in Cellardyke schoolhouse. They had decided to accept Mr Dalzell’s offer at £2 5s. The offers of the others amounted to £4 12s each. The quality of the bath was the same in each. The Committee’s action was approved, the Chairman remarking that there was a very great difference between the offers.
On Tuesday forenoon, while Robert Addison was working at the sawmill in Mr Cormack’s premises the thumb of his left hand was caught by the saw and cut into the bone. He was attended by Dr Wilson, and it is hoped that he may still retain his finger.
At 38 West Forth St. Cellardyke, on the 19th inst., by the Rev. Mr MacAlpine, Alison B. Henderson, to Michael Doig, son of Captain Doig, S.S Faith, Aberdeen.
Considerable anxiety was felt as to the safely the Shields liners, Bernicia and Hibernia, both which are manned by Cellardyke crews but both were reported at Newhaven Wednesday afternoon.
1896
About eight o’clock on Monday morning, James Christie, carter, Shore Street, Cellardyke, was found dead in bed. For some months back he had been complaining of a pain in his chest, but he was always able to go about and attend to his work up to Saturday night, and on Sunday appeared to be in his usual health, retiring to bed in the evening between nine and ten o’clock. His granddaughter went to call for him on Monday morning when she found him as above stated. His wife was from home at the time attending to a daughter. The body was medically examined, and heart disease pronounced to be the cause of death. He had been dead an hour previous at least before he was called. He was 59 years of age, and was well known in the district.
David Davidson, jun, fisherman, Cellardyke, was brought before Provost Anderson, and Bailie Darsie at Anstruther Burgh Court, last Friday charged with having on Saturday night 12th instant, in Shore Street, conducted himself in a drunken and disorderly manner, and with using obscene and insulting language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. He pled not guilty. Sergeant Anderson and Constable Wright gave evidence to the effect that about eleven o’clock at night, accused came along Shore Street with several companions cursing and swearing and using very obscene language. Accused was much the worse of drink. They had frequent complaints from the inhabitants about the bad language used on the streets by young lads Many of their young lads with no provocation whatever swore at large. The Provost—For the sake of doing it?Sergeant Anderson—Yes, apparently only for the sake of doing it. The Fiscal craved a conviction, and said the language used was very disgraceful. On being told that the Magistrate found the charge proven the Fiscal produced two previous convictions. The Provost—l suppose it is of little use to say a word to you, but you can see for yourself it is a most disgraceful thing for a young fellow to go about at that time of the night disturbing people, and using such language as has been proved you used. It is a most disheartening thing to all in the community who take any thought of right or wrong, to see young lads like you rearing up and showing such determined bad conduct. I wish I could say something which would move you to take a serious thought of what you are about, and where it is to end. The sentence of the Court is 7s 6d or 5 days.
1897
The Cellardyke fishermen had a public meeting on Saturday night, and unanimously decided not to sell any herrings in the winter fishing before half past seven o’clock in the morning. A Committee was appointed to approach the local curers, and get them to adhere to this rule, and also to communicate with the fishermen of Pittenweem, St Monans, and Buckhaven, and get them to observe this hour. The curers have since cordially agreed to co-operate with the fishermen in making the hour 7.30 in the morning.
In educational matters the year has seen the reopening of Cellardyke Public School at a cost of fully £2500. The school is one of the largest and best equipped in the East of Fife, and has accommodation for 650 pupils.
1898
A meeting of fishermen was held on Monday to consider a request to appoint a deputation to attend a fishermen’s meeting at Montrose on an early date for the redress of fishermen’s grievances. The meeting separating without coming to any definite conclusion on the different points, and it is understood that Cellardyke will not be represented.
THE BAZAAR. —Sir John Gilmour of Montrave has kindly consented to open the bazaar to be held in Anstruther Town Hall in the end of February for the Common and Public Park in and Cellardyke. Mr Scott Davidson of Cairnie is to perform the opening ceremony on the second day of the bazaar.
FISHERMEN’S UNION AND BENEFIT SOCIETY. — The annual meeting of this Society was held on Saturday night. Mr John Dick presided. The Treasurer’s statement showed that the cash on deposit receipt at the beginning of the year was £820, and the income had been £92 5s 1d, making a total charge of £912 5s 1d. The expenditure was £88 4s 6 ½ d leaving £820 on deposit receipt, and £4 0s 6 ½ d in treasurer’s hands. In addition to the cash in bank for permanent fund was £600, making the total credit of the Society £1424 0s 61/2 d. The number of members on the roll is 166. 29 members and 12 windows received aliment during the year. The number of sick at the present time was 4, number of widows and number of annuitants 2s. The financial statement was approved. Messrs Thomas Cunningham and W. Smith (Bruce), were elected trustees, and the following appointed directors: —Messrs D. Wood (Birrell), P. Muir (Davidson), James Martin, John Bett, Alex McRuvie, James Smith (Carstairs), and A. Cunningham
PARISH CHURCH SOIREE. —The annual soiree in connection with the above Church and Sunday School, was held on Wednesday evening in the Town Hall, which was crowded. Rev. Mr Ray presided. After the singing of the 2nd paraphrase, Miss J. Wood opened the programme by singing the “Rowan Tree” in a fine manner, followed by Mr Peter Smith with a recitation. which was received with loud applause. The meeting was addressed by Rev. Mr Reid, Crail, and Rev. Mr Murray, Anstruther, who both gave humorous speeches. Rev. Mr Dunlop, Elie, gave a very instructive address on the different types of courage. Master James Hepburn, a young member of the choir, was very successful in his song of “Nancy Lee,” as was also Mr James Wood, who gave in a very fine manner “Forgive and forget, little darling.” A number of children trained by Miss Rennie gave a number of hymns and recitations during the evening which were much enjoyed. The usual votes of thanks were moved at the close, and a very successful meeting was brought to a close by Mr Ray pronouncing the benediction.
APPLICATIONS FOR RELIEF Kilrenny Parish. . An application was read from Mr Brown, Easter Pitkierie, applying for relief to Elizabeth Aitchison, residing there. She is 64 years of age, a native of Newburn, and partially disabled. She had been in this parish for 20 years. Messrs Dobie end Paton said the case was a very deserving one, and it was agreed to give 3s 6d each week and a ton coals. The second was from John Gardiner, East End, Cellardyke, who was wholly disabled, and 75 years of age. He had been in Cellardyke all his lifetime. His wife was years 76 years old. The sum allowed was 5s per week.
1899
On Tuesday, the first herring for the season was delivered at Anstruther by the Cellardyke boat New Kate. A cran was put out, and sold at 25s per cran.
Anstruther. In the East of Fife the staple industry has had a most successful year at all the different fishings. The winter herring fishing yielded 15 775 crans, an increase 10,562 crans over 1898. It. was the best season since 1892, The prices kept up fairly well throughout, although on several occasions they were reduced to 1s and 2s per cran owing to the large quantity landed. One new feature of the fishing which tended to keep up the prices was the curing of the fish for the Russian markets. This was the first year this was attempted, and as the returns were remunerative to the curers, it more than likely the curing of the herring will be resorted to every year. The spring deep sea fishing was also prosecuted with fair measure of success by the fishermen, while the “drave” at the north ports was peculiar in this respect, that exceptionally high prices were realised, and those crews which caught herrings were sure of making money. Some of the Cellardyke boats were very successful, having upwards of £600; while none of the fleet were below £100. and the average earning was close on £200. The boats returned from the Scarborough and Lowestoft and Yarmouth fishings on the last week of November, the season having proved to them to be the best on record far as the money earned was concerned. The average of the 25 crews engaged was fully £500, and this works out a gross total of £12,000. Assuming that the salesmen’s commission and expenses were £2000, this leaves the large sum of £10 000 having been brought from the south by these crews, some of the members of which have received fully £100 per man as their share. Never before has such a lot of money been brought back, and the result of it is already seen in the orders that are being given for new boats of about 70 feet in length.
Fife County Council
It was reported that the cookery and laundry classes finished at Auchtermuchty and Buckhaven on 4th December, and new classes had been opened at Strathmiglo and Cellardyke with a satisfactory attendance.
CELLARDYKE COOKERY CLASSES.—A start made to these classes in Cellardyke Hall on Monday night by Miss Blackwood. A number were enrolled for cookery and an equal number for laundry, but more are expected tonight at seven o’clock.
LIFE IN A BESIEGED TOWN.—Mr Young, son of Thomas Young, Edinburgh, and grandson of Mr David Davidson, Cellardyke, and a telegraphist named Mitchell, left Ladysmith on Saturday, November 25, and have arrived at Estcourt after a long and circuitous march on foot, via Elandslaagte and Weenen. They passed various Boer camps on the way. Both are tired, but well. They declare that Ladysmith is as safe as a church. Many of the civilians have dug out caves on the banks of the Klip river. The neutrals are living in camp under Mount Bulwana, which has been nicknamed Funkumdorf. One or two of the smaller hotels in Ladysmith are still occupied, and the people amuse themselves with sing-songs. The military engage in football, cricket, tent pegging, and so forth, despite the shells, and two newspapers with skits, illustrations, and literary articles are published. Provisions are still abundant. Meat is 10d a pound, and bread 3d. Numerous families, including women and children have refrained going to Funkumdorf