1900
At one time a woman resided in Cellardyke who was believed by the credulous to be a witch. One man in particular had no doubt in his mind that she could transform herself into shape of a four legged animal in an instant. On one occasion with the view of drawing him out on that subject, a neighbour addressed the credulous man as follows:—Dear me, Jamie, how can it be that Betty appears to be so stiff in the mornings” “Stiff in the mornings?” cried James “How can it be otherwise, when she runs the hale night as a hare.”
BETTY NICOLL, THE CELLARDYKE WITCH. One of the principal achievements of Betty, which gained for her the character of being in league with the Evil One runs thus:—During a Lammas drave, about 30 years ago, the boats returned day after day without catching anything. The spirits of the men were sinking, and gloomy forebodings were rife among the fishers of the Dyke. Betty heard what was going on, and went to the wife of a fisherman to advise with her about the impending calamity. “I will tell you what to do,” said Betty, “just follow my advice, and yell get plenty o’ fish.” Betty took a halfpenny from her pocket, and spat on the one side and then on the other with becoming gravity. “Now” said Betty, “put that bawbee into your man’s right boot afore be gangs out to the fishing, and my name’s no Betty Nicoll if he come hame toom handed.” The woman followed Betty’s directions, and it turned out as she predicted, the boat came home laden with fish, each man had £7 for that night’s deal, and no other boat caught a single herring. The fisher who relates this story, and into whose boot the halfpenny was put, is living in Cellardyke at this day. Published in East of Fife Record – Friday 18 May 1900 Extracted from the Pittenweem Register of 1850
SCOTTISH COAST MISSION.- The fishermen at Cellardyke have made a request to the Scottish Coast Mission to send an agent to Sound, Shetland, asking, if at all possible, that Mr Boyd, of Methil, should be sent. The directors decided at their last meeting to try and comply with their request, and the missionary will leave early in June to conduct a four weeks’ mission during the herring season. That the fishermen themselves should ask for Mr Boyd’s services is very complimentary to the missionary, and is another evidence of the good work done by him when amongst them last March. During his absence, Mr Hodge, the agent at Kirkcaldy, will visit the ships in the dock two or three days every week.
THE PATENT SLIP AT ANSTRUTHER —As formerly reported in our columns, a Limited Company was formed some months ago to construct a shipway for repairs of boats and other vessels at the Harbour. The slip has been in course of construction for some months at the east harbour. The length of the cradle, on which boats vessels are placed, and which runs up and down on rails, is 90 feet, while the breadth of the slip is 19 feet. The slip rails are 245 feet in length. An engine of 8-horse power has been fitted up to work the cradle, but it has gearing equal to 30-horse power. From the gentlemen who took part in the formation the scheme was bound to prove a success. The construction of the slip was entrusted to Mr James Millar, boatbuilder, and he has carried it through in a most thorough and satisfactory manner. Mr W. Balfour, Ovenstone, has acted as engineer for the word, and with his usual and well-known resource has overcome all difficulties. The only delay in completion has been the tardiness in delivering the boiler, which, however, was unavoidable owing to the brisk state of the iron market. The work is now, however, quite complete, ‘and steam was got up by the middle of last week. On Friday last., the first boat was placed on the cradle, and successfully hauled up in presence of a large turnout of onlookers. The first boat to be placed on the slip very appropriately bears the name “The Reform”—belonging to Mr Alexander Rodger, Cellardyke. The boat, after being guided on to the cradle, crept up noiselessly, but slowly and surely, and was in position for repairs without a hitch. Mr Millar manned the boat, and Mr Balfour the engine, both in a masterly manner. The slipway will be a great convenience to fishermen for getting their boats cleaned, caulked, or repaired, and will save them much expense by rendering it unnecessary to go to distant ports for such accommodation. The Company has been floated with a capital of £1100, and it is expected the shareholders will get a fair return. The Chairman of the Company is Mr John Marr, and Mr H. Watson, solicitor, is the interim Secretary.
DEATH OF ANOTHER VOLUNTEER AT THE FRONT. ONE OF THE FIFE CONTINGENT. News has been received that Private James Bayne, son of William Bayne, baker, Cellardyke, has died of pneumonia, at Bloexnionte in. Private Bayne was one of the contingent of volunteers for South Africa. He left with the unit of the Fifeshire Rifles. 6th V.B. Black Watch, who were stationed St Andrews early in February. Deceased was about twenty-five years of age, and he was a general favourite with his comrades.
DEATH OF FIFE SOLDIERS IN AFRICA.— A more insidious enemy than the Boer is now thinning the ranks of the British Army in South Africa. East Fife has given two victims to the scourge of the climate, enteric fever. One of these was Private James Banye, of Cellardyke, a lad who gallantly volunteered from the local Rifles into the Black Watch, on the first call. He left Perth in February last, going to Southampton. Ever since he landed in South Africa he had been unwell, and it is supposed he must have contracted cold on the railway journey between Perth and Southampton. Deceased was in his 25th year. He was of a bright and cheery disposition, and was a great favourite among all classes. The second is the son of our townsman, Mr Alexander Grieve, gardener. His son James, who was only 21, enlisted in the Army Service Corps some years ago, and his steadiness won him two steps up the ladder. The sad records from the hospitals form to-day the only cloud upon the march to Pretoria, and amid the national rejoicing there is extended a tender sympathy to all the relatives of those who are cut down.
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