Although we just moved the Cellardyke Echo on to this website last week. This is the 5th Anniversary of the Echo – the 253rd posting and over 338 000 words. All the postings are now on this site, boats and family names can be researched by using the “Search” option. Enjoy…
1925
Well-Known Fisherman’s Fatal Collapse.— The fishing community of Cellardyke and surrounding district have lost well-known figure in the person of Mr David Watson, who was found lying dead the vicinity of Blyth’s Park on Saturday afternoon. Mr Watson, who was well over 70 years of age, was the habit of taking stroll in the country, and only the same morning had done his usual visit to the harbour at Anstruther. For some time past he had been troubled with his heart, and it is thought that endeavouring to pass through a fence he collapsed, and never rallied. A butcher’s vanman brought the sad news to the town. Mr Watson was a successful fisherman, and retired some time prior to the war. He will be best remembered as owner and skipper of the fishing boat Providence. He is survived his widow.
1926
FIFE DRIFTER’S BUMPER CATCH. PARTING SHOT THAT REAPED SUCCESS.
27 Tons of Herring.
The story of a Fife steam drifter crew’s struggle with a huge catch of herring weighing 27 tons was told to a “Telegraph and Post” representative by members of the crew, while they were finishing a twenty-five hour stretch of work on the North Quay, Buckie Harbour, at an early hour this morning.
The drifter, Unity K.Y. 162, of Cellardyke (David Corstorphine, skipper), attracted much attention when she arrived Buckie last evening with herring level with her port side and her nets piled double the usual height on the starboard side. The Unity, after fairly successful season at Stornoway, was on her way home. She called at Wick for coal, and tried the Moray Firth, but only got five crans.
As a parting shot the crew tried 48 nets, instead of the usual 70, off Clythness yesterday. They began hauling at two in the morning, but got very little in the first few nets. Then, as they were hauling, they saw the herring in dense shoals strike their nets like phosphorescent wall of fish. So thickly were the herring enmeshed that each succeeding net yielded over half a ton.
Difficulty of Hauling.
The difficulty of hauling was accentuated by cross seas, which compelled them to leave parts of the line and nets and make several fresh starts to keep the boat from fouling the nets. The hauling process occupied over eight hours. The catch was sold, as estimated, at 140 crans, but actually turned out 137 crans, a wonderfully near guess. They realised from 36s to 27s per cran, or a total of over £200 for one draught of fishes. Had the herring arrived in the forenoon they would have realised much more, the delay hauling depreciating their value. Flare lamps were used by the fishcurers while working over the herring.
1927
Mr Alexander Watson, late of the firm of Robert Watson & Co., net and oilskin manufacturers, Cellardyke, died at his residence, Craigholm; Anstruther, yesterday. Active and energetic in all things, he took a great interest in education, and served for many years on Kilrenny School Board, where his business acumen made him a valuable member. Mr Watson was keen bowler, and always enjoyed a game with the “woods” and the society of his fellows. He was an elder of the Chalmers Memorial U.F. Church. Mr Watson was 62 years of age, and leaves a widow, two sons, and one daughter. A son was killed in the war.
CUPAR MAN’S APPOINTMENT IN NIGERIA. Mr David Lowrie, engineer millwright, 5 Bonnygate, Cupar, has received an appointment with the New Consolidated Gold Company, and will probably leave for Nigeria in the course of next week. A native of Cellardyke. Mr Lowrie served his apprenticeship with Messrs Balfour & Robertson, Pittenweem. During the war was engineer in the transport service, and in 1919 set up business on his own account in Cupar. His new position is that of machine shop overseer at one of the Company’s mines.
1930
WAID RUGBY CLUB’S TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN.
At the first meeting of the Waid Academy Rugby Club, Anstruther, short silence was observed in memory of their former captain, Robert Hunter, late of the Schoolhouse, Cellardyke, who was dux medalist and very highly esteemed among his school fellows.
1931
SAVINGS MOVEMENT IN EAST FIFE CELLARDYKE SCHOOL’S FINE RECORD. The annual savings bank report shows that the figure for Cellardyke School association has increased from £166 11s 6d in 1923-24 and £669 5s 6d for 1928-29 to £957 4s for the past year, with a total to date of £4159 15s 6d for the past eight years.
1932
CELLARDYKE PUTTING COMPETITION WINNERS. In the competition at Cellardyke putting green for prizes presented by Bailie W. W. Carstairs and Mrs Mvles, Holmsgarth, Cellardyke, the winners were:—Ladies 1st Mrs Hosie, 42; 2nd Mrs Elvin (after tie with Mrs Keith), 44. Gentlemen—1st W. Jack, 39; 2nd Peter Smith, 40. Alex. Stevenson won the boys’ prize with a record score for boys of 37.
In a special competition for prizes presented by Mrs Rowlands, J. Williamson beat L. Bowman in the final by 2 and 1.
1935
Cellardyke Man’s Embezzlement
Secretary of Ploughing Society
A Cellardyke Man who embezzled funds from a ploughing society appeared before Hon Sherriff Substitute Struth at Cupar on Tuesday and was fined £1.
Accused was Alexander Kennedy, carter, 2 harbour House, Cellardyke. He admitted that, between December last year and January of this year while he was acting as a collector of subscriptions for a society called the East Neuk of Fife Ploughing Society he received sums amounting to £1 8s 6d which he embezzled.
In the charge it was stated that he received sums ranging from 6d to 2s 6d from 20 people of the district. Accused said that he had paid back the money.
1937
CELLARDYKE SCHOOL APPOINTMENT Mr Alexander Kelso, first assistant of Denbeath Public School, Buckhaven, and headmaster of Buckhaven High School Continuation Classes, has been appointed interim headmaster of Cellardyke Public School. It may be recalled that the former headmaster of Cellardyke Public School, Mr Hunter, who held that appointment for many years, died suddenly a few weeks ago while on holiday at Crieff Mr Kelso has now taken over his new duties.
A fine was imposed upon George Moncrieff Hodge, plasterer’s labourer. 48 George Street, Cellardyke, who admitted liability in a collision between his car and another car driven by George Flett Horsburgh, fish merchant, 3 Kensington Grove, North Shields. The accident happened on 12th August in Toll Road. Kilrenny, and accused said he thought the accident was unavoidable —a high wall made the road almost “blind.”
According to Mr Henderson, accused came out of the side road and turned left without making sure that the main road was clear.
TAKEN ILL IN DRIFTER The steam drifter Corriedoune, of Buckie, put into Whitby harbour, yesterday, and landed a member the crew. Thomas Boyter, of Cellardyke, Fifeshire, for medical treatment. The man was taken to the Infirmary.
1938
THREE HURT IN FIFE CRASH MOTOR CYCLIST SERIOUS CONDITION. Two Fife motor cyclists, the driver and a pillion passenger, were injured in collision with car the junction of High Street and Park Place, Elie, on Thursday night. They are two men named Henien, thought to belong to Cellardyke, the elder of whom is believed to have sustained a fractured skull. The younger man suffered from cuts and bruises. They were taken to St Andrews Hospital. The driver of the car, Mr D. C. M. Thomson. Gowanlea, Earlsferry. Secretary of Earlsferry Thistle Golf Club, escaped with slight injuries.
Your research is very worthwhile, Richard. As I have said before, you have been bringing the past to life. And, of course, it is interesting to see places mentioned that you know well. I took a photo outside 48 George Street, only a week or two ago, as part of the Covid Lockdown project!
Thanks Iain.
Great Grandad in the bow of Unity and grandad at the wheelhouse (second left). Uncle Alex winning the boys putting prize!!