The Cellardyke Echo

1852

The Union sloop, Alan, of and for Peterhead from Newcastle with a cargo of coals, was stranded this morning at Cellardyke to the Eastward of the Harbour of Anstruther; Crew saved. She had missed stays, and drifted ashore, notwithstanding that her anchors were thrown out to prevent it. She is expected to be got off.

1853

On Monday evening last the Sabbath Schools in this burgh and neighbourhood held their annual meeting in the Free Church here—Mr Fowler, Cellardyke, in the chair. There might be about 400 children present, besides numerous attendance of parents and others interested in the young. Reports of the various schools, five in number, embracing a variety of interesting statistics, were read; and appropriate and excellent addresses were afterwards given by the Rev. Messrs Gregory and Meikle, conveying suitable instruction to the young and old, and also encouragement to the teachers to persevere in their labours. Looking on the broad field of youthful and happy countenances the area of the church presented, one could not help thinking—here is field containing gems richer far than all the gold regions of Australia, offering to the earnest and successful teacher—the spiritual digger—a rich and satisfying reward.

ANSTRUTHER.—Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners’ Royal Benevolent Society.—the books of this branch of this charitable institution having just been closed for the year 1852, we are enabled to give, the following as the result of the year’s operations. The annual membership fee 2s. 6d., and ninety fishermen and thirty-four mariners enrolled themselves, yielding the society £15 10s. The relief granted was more than usually high. Grants were made to twenty-four members, amounting to £31 8s. 7d. —of which relief to the extent of £3 7s. was given to the crew of the “Union” of Peterhead, wrecked off Cellardyke ; £3 10s. to two mariners wrecked at the whale fishery; £5 10s. to three fishermen who lost their boat and sails by the November high tide and storm; and £19 Is. 3d. to fishermen to enable them to replace lost nets and lines.

1854

The fourth annual soiree of the Anstruther, Cellardyke, and Kilrenny Juvenile Abstinence Society, was held in the U. P. Church Monday last week. The chair was taken by Mr H. B. Mackintosh, President of the Society, and after prayer and praise, the Chairman said that the flight of another year had brought them together again, …….Fifty new members had been added, and the number now on the roll was 550. There had been two summer excursions, and the monthly meetings had been kept up with interest; but, indeed, the cause was equally prosperous over all the world, and that in a short while public opinion would be so much in favour of abstinence that it would quite the fashion to be an abstainer. Mr Andrew Gilchrist then gave an address on the ” Poisonous Effects of Alcohol on the Human System,” and delighted the audience by reciting a piece of “appropriate and original poetry…… Mr Fowler of Cellardyke rose to present a testimonial from the juvenile abstainers to Mr Mackintosh, who about to leave this locality for Coupar-Angus. It consisted of a very handsome silver inkstand….. Mr Mackintosh had to thank the young collectors, but, above all, his warmest thanks were due to the young hearts who had so freely parted with what was to each of them a large sum of money, that they might give him this silver inkstand, as proof of their love. But he did not need this to convince him that they loved him, for every day proof of it met him on the streets in their sweet smiles and sparkling eyes……The Rev. Mr Kerr then addressed the children on “The importance of each of them thinking that he had a work to do, and how he was to do it,” and, after a parting address by the Chairman, this interesting meeting was closed by pronouncing the benediction.

1855

Enclosed berths from £16 16s 0d

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This line since its establishment has Conveyed more passengers to Australia than any other in the Kingdom, and no ship belonging to it has ever put back or met with any accident involving loss of life, not withstanding they have  made the quickest passages on recored, namely

Marco Polo         –             

First Voyage 5 Months 21 days

Second Voyage 6 months

Third Voyage 6 Months 4 days

Lightning            –

From Melbourne   63 days

These ships have all been constructed by the First Builders of the day including McKay of Boston and Hall of Aberdeen.

For terms of Passage , Freight &c apply to the owners

James Baines & Co Liverpool

Or to

Robt Stewart- Dundee

J.Jeffers Wilson – Kirkcaldy

James Howie – St Andrews

Thomas Brown – Cellardyke

J Dewar-  Cupar

1856 – John O Groats Journal

Cellardyke—Energetic Fishermen.—Cellardyke is one of the busiest towns on the coast of Fife, and its people about the most enterprising. It is not long since, they finished a dock which cost them no small siller, and now, as will be seen from the report in to- day’s paper, they are determined to have a harbour, and it does one good see the right royal independent manner in which they about it They do  not stand and beg of Hercules or any other power, but they say let us in the first place show what metal we are made of—let assess ourselves first, and show that we deserve to succeed ; then let us apply to the Fishery Board, and others interested, for the quota they are willing to give to the undertaking—a mode of proceeding which we have scarcely ever yet known fail, and therefore I have unbounded faith in the success of this scheme. The undertaking a heavy one, and their unanimous and hearty resolve to try it, to do their best deserves all praise. But although the undertaking is heavy, the object is admirable, and worthy of a long pull, a strong pull, and pull altogether;  and if that is given which, from the spirit manifested at the meeting, we will have doubt it will, its I success is certain, and the advantages to Cellardyke incalculable. We, therefore, cordially and heartily I with the project good speed, and commend all interested in the district.

1857

THE CRAIGNOON HARBOUR PROJECT.—ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING.  A public meeting of the inhabitants of Cellardyke was held the lnfant School last Tuesday evening, for the purpose of receiving a report of the progress made the committee during the year, and resolving on future proceedings—James Fowler, Esq., chief manager, in the chair. The Chairman called on Mr Mackintosh, the secretary, to read the resolutions adopted at the public meeting held 20th December 1855, in virtue which the scheme was then organised and this meeting now held. He also read minutes of meetings of committee and correspondence during the year. Mr Martin read his audited account

 Weekly contributions from fishermen, £378      3s           0d

Donations,                                                                     £2           0s           0d

Bank Interest,                                                               £7           4s           6d

Total                                                                                 £387     7s           6d

Expense of survey, and boat for surveyors, . . . £24          3s           6d

Other expenses                                                            £4           8s           6d

Leaving a balance in favour of the scheme. .       £358      15s         6d

The Secretary then read the Report by the Committee as follows

“On 2oth.December 1855, the fishermen of Cellardyke, in public meeting assembled, unanimously resolved to adopt measures for the erection of a low water harbour at Craignoon, and for the carrying out of the resolutions then adopted, appointed your committee, who, in now resigning their trust into the hands of their constituents, beg to report their proceedings during the year. .

“ The meeting of the 20th December having been fully reported in the Cupar papers, 600 copies thereof were purchased, a copy handed in to each house in Cellardyke, and copies sent to influential parties connected with the district. A wide interest thus excited in the efforts being made.

On 29th December 1855, Cellardyke was divided into four districts, and committed to the charge of eight collectors, who were instructed to uplift weekly the contributions agreed to be paid by each skipper. The collectors most regularly and efficiently discharged this duty

“On the  night of 6th January 1856, a sudden and heavy gale destroyed boats and nets in Anstruther harbour to the amount of £725. The committee took immediate advantage of that circumstance, and opened a correspondence with Edward Ellice, Esq., M.P. for the burgh, who recommended a memorial to the Board of Fisheries for a survey of Craignoon, and for assistance. A memorial was at once drawn up and signed 369 fishermen in Cellardyke. A similar memorial in favour of Craignoon was drawn up, and having been signed 1243 fishermen, residing in the towns of Dunbar, North Berwick, Cockenzie, Prestonpans, Fisherrow, Newhaven, Buckhaven, Pittenweem, St Andrews, Broughty Fern-, Auchmutty, and Ferryden, both petitions were transmitted to the Board of Fisheries. The Board immediately granted a survey, on condition that the promoters should pay £20 towards its cost. A public meeting was called, and the consent of all interested cordially granted.

Mr Stevenson, the Board’s engineer, visited Cellardyke in March last. The committee met with him, and fully explained the wants and wishes of the fishermen ; and the survey was proceeded with.

“On 13th June last, the committee received from the Hon. B. F. Primrose, Secretary to the Board of Fisheries, a plan by the Messrs Stevenson, engineers to the Board, of a low-water harbour at Craignoon, which would embrace space of nine acres, and the erection of which would cost £27,000. The committee met, and having maturely considered the plan and report, were unanimously of opinion that, while the report as to the site was favourable, yet the estimated cost was so much above their expectations and beyond the means of the fishermen of Cellardyke, that unless Government should give a very liberal grant, or the plan be very materially modified, the project must be altogether abandoned; and deputation was appointed to wait on the secretary and engineers to the Board, to state these facts and make suggestions. The deputation accordingly waited on these officials in Edinburgh, and were cordially received. The result of the interview was that modified plan could be produced, which would reduce the estimated cost of the harbour to £21,000; hut this plan the engineers were not inclined to recommend, and the promoters were advised rather to carry out the larger sketch its integrity and to press Government for a grant sufficiently large to complete it. The result of this conference was communicated to a general meeting of the inhabitants, held in June last.

A correspondence was opened with Admiral Bethune of Balfour the superior of the burgh, with the view of interesting him in the harbour, and a deputation waited upon him in August last. He received the deputation very cordially, and expressed himself favourable to the erection of a harbour suitable for all the wants of Cellardyke.

In August last the special Commission appointed by Government to examine and report on the Board of Fisheries and the Harbours in Scotland, visited Cellardyke. Your committee had special interview with the Commissioners, and placed in their hands memorial detailing the rapid increase of the fishing- trade, and the want of harbour accommodation and shelter- and urgently pressing the claims of Cellardyke for Government assistance. The Commissioners also visited and inspected Cellardyke Harbour and Craignoon, and the committee gave them all necessary information. The Commissioners’ report will not be made public till Parliament assembles.

On the 5thinst. the committee met, when the Treasurer reported that, after paying all expenses incurred, there was a balance in bank to the credit of the fund of £358 15s. 6d. ” The committee then considering that this meeting is to finally resolve whether the scheme of collecting funds for a new harbour is to be continued or abandoned, agreed to recommend to the contributors, that in respect no definite report has yet been made the Government Harbour Commissioners, and as no Government aid need be expected, unless fishermen show their worthiness to be helped by helping themselves, and as the abandonment of the present machinery would be equivalent to the abandonment of the entire project of low-water harbour —the scheme be continued for another year, a committee and collectors appointed, and a certain weekly rate be paid by each fisherman. (Signed) “James Fowler, Chairman.”

The Chairman then made few appropriate remarks the present position of the scheme, and read extract from the Scottish Press regarding the Commissioners’ forthcoming report on harbours, and the probability that aid may be pretty extensively given. Various parties having expressed their opinions the following resolutions were moved, seconded, and unanimously and with much applause agreed to:— “

1.” Resolved— That this meeting having heard the committee’s report of their proceedings during the past year, is fully satisfied with the diligence with which the trust committed to them has been discharge J, and that the thanks the subscribers and whole community are due to the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Collectors, and to the several members of Committee for their gratuitous labours.

2. Resolved— That as the necessity for harbour accommodation and shelter is becoming daily more urgent, that the resolutions adopted December 1855 for the erection of a low water harbour, be still adhered to during the current year, I and that the rate to be paid weekly by each skipper 3s. or 4d. per share.

3. Resolved—That the committee shall consist of all the skippers of line boats and the following gentlemen:—James Fowler, chairman; H. B. Mackintosh, secretary; and John Martin, treasurer.”

The meeting was largely attended as the monstre meeting of fishermen in December 1855; not one dissentient voice was raised; and the enthusiasm in the movement for a low-water harbour, instead of having weakened, appears to have very considerably increased If success does not follow, the fault will not be with the fishermen of Cellardyke. The usual complimentary votes having been passed the meeting separated.

We don’t know anything more gratifying than the above report. The inhabitants of Cellardyke, in their unanimity and determination, have given lesson greatly needed by many other localities, and which in their own case cannot fail ultimately to secure the important object they have in view.

1937

Epidemics of flu and mumps are of increasingly serious nature Anstruther. The fishing fleet, however, not badly affected and it is expected that several boats will start to the winter herring fishing to-night. The epidemic of mumps is giving cause for alarm at Cellardyke School, where over 100 pupils, about a third of the roll, are absent from this cause. There are only 30 cases of flu.

At Waid Academy the rector stated today that 104 pupils, 25 per cent, of the school, were absent through illness. While a big proportion of these absentees was due to mumps, he said, the greater proportion are absent from influenza.

1938

For Sale, by Public: Roup, within the TOWN HALL, CELLARDYKE, on WEDNESDAY, the 12th day January 1938, at 11 o’clock Forenoon, ALL and WHOLE that TENEMENT, Number 57 GEORGE STREET, CELLARDYKE, in the United Burgh of Kilrenny. Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester, and County of Fife, consisting of Two Dwelling-Houses, the House on the lower flat being, until recently, occupied by Peter Queripel, and the House on the upper flat being occupied by Stephen Barclay, together with Washing-House, Cellars, and other Offices, and the Ground pertaining to the said Tenement bounded said whole subjects as follows, viz.:—On the north or north-west by George Street; on the east or north-east by subjects belonging to Mrs Lucy Shirreff; on the south or south-east by the seashore; and on the west or south-west by subjects belonging to Mrs Elspeth Motion. UPSET PRICE—£225.

1939

VERDICTS IN HARBOUR ACCIDENTS. The jury returned formal verdicton the deaths of two men who died from injuries received at Aberdeen Harbour in public inquiries held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. The first inquiry was on the death of Mr Thomas Flett, dock labourer, 23 Virginia Street, Aberdeen, who died almost instantaneously when he fell from staging while assisting to discharge a cargo at Aberdeen Harbour. …………… Mr John Cunningham, fisherman. 63 John Street, Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife, died as the result of a hand injury received when his hand was crushed between a ship berthing at Aberdeen Fish Market and the quay. His hand had to be amputated, and he died from a crushed fracture of the right hand and septic infection.

1941

A director of Messrs Robert Watson & Co-, Ltd., oilskin manufacturers, Cellardyke, has retired after being with the firm for 43 years- He is Mr David Mitchell, Glendower, Anstruther, and he was presented with a gold watch by the employees. Another presentation at Cellardyke was to Mrs Gardner, George Street, who received a cheque in recognition of her long service with the same firm. She has worked there for 50 years, and is carrying on.

1943

Provost Carstairs, Anstruther has received from Cellardyke Public School (per Mr Blair) £6 for Fife Branch Red Cross Society, and for Fife Prisoners of War Fund, and £1 1s from Mrs Nairn, Commercial Schoolhouse, Dunfermline, for Fife Branch Red Cross Society.

1944

A whist drive and dance in Pittenweem School in aid of the Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund, and organised by Mr J. Watt and Mrs Horsburgh, realised £55. ………… Mr Blair, Cellardyke, gave a short address on the work of the P.O.W. fund promoters. Provost J. Lawson gave address and moved thanks. Mrs Blair (next-of-kin representative the fund) handed over the prizes. A dance followed to music by Brand’s band.

1945

New Year’s Honours List

Acting Chief Boom Skipper James Muir, Cellardyke Fife.

Offers Wanted – for fast motor cruiser, 28ft x 6ft, cabin saloon, Bentley racing engine, speed approx. 28-30 miles per hour, some work to do, May, 83 George Street, Cellardyke

1946

The recent slight outbreak of paratyphoid fever in East Fife coast area was traced to a girl who was selling ice-cream in a shop in Cellardyke. This was stated Fife Public Health Committee at Cupar Friday by Dr G. Matthew Fyfe, County reply Mr H. H. Edie, Cornceres, Anstruther. The girl herself had the trouble in mild form, got better, but was still carrying the germs and infected the ice-cream. A fair number of people who consumed ice-cream on particular day got the infection. The doctor agreed with Bailie William Fleming, Anstruther, that the shop in question was very clean. The Committee agreed to express dissatisfaction at the reply which had been received from the Department Health regarding the observations made by the M.O.H. on the Dried Egg (Control Use) Order, 1945, and the need for fixing a standard for ice-cream. The Department stated the Food Minister had decided it was not appropriate to prescribe any standard for ice-cream. One reason being that so far as ingredients were concerned it could only prescribe very low fat content. It was agreed to raise the matter with the County Councils Association.

1947

East Fife was hit by one of the fiercest gales for many years. At Cellardyke, tiles and slates were ripped from roof-tops, and street lamp near the harbour was wrenched from its wall brackets. Anstruther had a spectacular display, giant breakers hurling spray 40 feet above the outer pier. East Fife fishermen have been unable to put to sea this year.

1948

East Fife fishermen decided yesterday to recommend to their national association that the maximum price for herring should be increased from 89s 10d to 98s per cran.

The decision was  taken at Anstruther yesterday, when the problem of reconciling prices with the rising costs of gear was discussed at the annual meeting of the East Fife branch of the Scottish Herring Producers’ Association.

Mr W. Meldrum, St Monance, who proposed the increase, said the price herring in the second year of the war was 98s. Since then prices had come down, whereas the price of gear had increased by 300 per cent. ……….Mr M. Gardner, Cellardyke, said a “fleet” of ropes had increased in price since the beginning of the war from £25 to £105, and a net, formerly £16, was now costing between £36 and £46.

1954

BUSINESS NOTICE NYLONS: guaranteed invisible repairs, per stocking. Mrs Scott, 28 James Street, Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife.

1966

A FIFE line fisherman has died In the Icy waters off Faroe on his first trip of the New Year. He was Mr Robert Duncan (5I), a member of the crew of the Kirkcaldy registered Line-fishing boat Silver Chord, which operates from Aberdeen. News of his death was broken yesterday to his family at Cellardyke. He was married, with one child. Mr Duncan Is understood to have fallen overboard. His shipmates managed reach him but were too late to save hm. He was dead when they got him back on board. . Skipper James Muir headed the Silver Chord into the Faroese port of Trangisvaag to report the tragedy.

It was expected that the Silver Chord would calling for home with Mr Duncan’s body —but It was uncertain last night If she had been able get under way.

Confirming the tragedy, spokesman for the vessel Aberdeen agents said he was unable to give details the accident or the ships likely movements. He had had difficulty in making telephone communication with Trangisvaag.

1930

CHILDREN’S CANTATA AT ANSTRUTHER. An enjoyable children’s concert in aid of Cellardyke Improvement Committee’s funds was held last night in Anstruther Town Hall —Provost Readdie presiding. Among the interesting and humorous items submitted was an operetta by T. Maskell Hardy.

The following took part: —Peter Roy, showman; Margaret Watson, king; Iris Palmer, queen; Douglas Keay, tinker; Gladys Nicolson, Chinaman; Catherine Smith, Jap; Peter Murray, sailor; Margaret Carstairs, sailor. The assistants were Alex. Laing and Jim Doig.

Action songs were also given, and community singing by the audience was a feature.

CELLARDYKE GUILD SALE OF WORK. Cellardyke Church Women’s Guild sale of work realised over £85. This sum will be used to defray the cast of new heating apparatus and other church improvements.

A “welcome home” Was  given to  Anstruther fishermen last night, when the local Burns Club treated them to a supper and musical entertainment in Cellardyke Town Hall.

There was a large company presided over Mr C H. Maxwell.

Details of an important scheme, which would be undertaken the council under the unemployment grants proposals, were submitted at a special meeting of Anstruther Town Council last night.

Bailie Crooks said that it was likely that a grant would obtained for the scheme for the institution of sewer outfalls and also for demolition and road work at George Street and Dove Street, Cellardyke.

There was no chance, however, of getting grant for the work to be done the repair of the sea wall at the east end. This work was considered purely maintenance, and could not figure as a grant subject. The council decided to undertake the repair of the whole of the wall provided the grant was obtained.

1932

DISORDERLY CONDUCT AT ST MONANCE

Three Cellardyke men were fined by Hon. Sheriff Lumsden at Cupar yesterday for disorderly conduct.

They were Alexander Myles, carter. 9 James Street; Mitchell Anderson, joiner, 2 Fowler Street, and John Marr Braid, carter, 33 Shore Street —all of Cellardyke. admitted that on 4th December on Station Road, St Monance, opposite the bus stance, cursed and swore and committed a breach of the peace; and (2) within the ex-servicemen’s hut, St Monance, assaulted James Fyall, son of, and residing with. James Fyall, fisherman. Rose Street. St Monance, and threw the contents of a lemonade bottle his face.

All three admitted having in the same place shouted and bawled and committed a breach of the peace.

Mr George Brander. Procurator Fiscal, said there had apparently been a dance on that night, and accused were annoying the other dancers. His lordship imposed a fine of 15s on Myles and 7s 6d each of the others.

BOAT-BUILDING IN CELLARDYKE BOAT-BUILDING is booming in Cellardyke. Down at the harbour and in the streets there is no unusual activity. The town wears that pre-occupied demeanour, habitual to her after the close of the Yarmouth fishing. And the population is—to all appearances —quietly and methodically engaged in preparing for the coming “winter herring.” Nor is there anything secret or sinister about the new “industry.”

Through the efforts of the Ratepayers’ Improvement Association, a large pond has recently been completed “east the toon,” beside the famous Cardinal’s Steps. This pond, which, I understand, is the largest of its kind in Fife, is to be formally opened early in the New Year as a yachting pond. During the summer months it will be used for swimming.

A “Model Boat Club” is presently in process of formation. Nearly every man, young and old, is interested, and every day we see a boat-laden procession going pond-wards. In garrets, cellars, back shops, and by cosy firesides in the winter evenings, every “man body” in the town, from the youthful schoolboy to the aged “Dey,” is busily engrossed in making “model boats.”

Each dainty vessel is perfect in every detail, and thus reflects the greatest credit on the skill, ingenuity, and patience of her builders. There is no flaw in her exquisite workmanship, no error in her dimensions.

With white sails set, she awaits that thrilling moment when, carried proudly thither in the arms of her builder, she is launched not only into her native element, but also into strenuous competition against her sister ships. It is charming sight to see the tiny craft, sails all taut, darting through the wind-ruffled wavelets of the pond, responding, as it were, to the shouts of encouragement from admiring and enthusiastic spectators, some of whom in their excitement run the risk of toppling into the water.

“THE FIFIE” At the first casual glance the boats seem to differ only in size and colour.  A closer scrutiny reveals the fact that each has been designed from either of two models. The “Fifie ” type, which has no connection with our old friend of the Tay Ferry, is modelled on the lines of the  old-time fishing boat.She has two masts and carries jib, main, and mizzen sails. Her direction is controlled by the weight of her keel and the manipulation of her sails. The yacht models, on the other hand, have been designed to take the path of least resistance. As they cut through the water, their long, slender, graceful lines are easily discerned. Their complement is one mast and four sails, fore jib and aft-jib, main-sail and top-sail, and they are directed by a rudder.

AN OLD AMBITION

The new bathing and boating pond has been the result of the united efforts of Cellardyke Ratepayers’ Improvements Association to foster the spirit of enterprise and to supply by artificial means that something lacking in the natural endowments of their burgh.

The “Dykers ” are well noted as a keen-witted, far-sighted, and progressive community; it has long been their ambition to make their clean and caller town valuable asset to her inhabitants. They are now endeavouring not only to cater for their own requirements, but also to minister to the needs of those who spend a brief annual holiday on their shores.

YOUTH ROUSED

This new “industry” or “hobby,” as some may term it, has awakened the interest of Cellardyke youths. It has roused their latent ability and stimulated their ambition, for not only must they emulate their experienced elders, they must also attempt to surpass them by exhibition of workmanship superior to that of the “old-timers.”

Although the spirit of rivalry is abroad, it is a friendly and kindly spirit. Each man tries to outvie his neighbour in the production of “champion racer.”

Well and merrily, therefore, may the bonny boaties speed, their billowing sails filled by the sportive winds of the Forth.

1933

An explanation of the new Unemployment Insurance Bill in relation of fishermen was given by Provost Carstairs, Anstruther, at large meeting of fishermen in Cellardyke Toun Hall. Mr Jack Graham, who was a member of the deputation which recently visited the House of Commons, presided.

Mr David Christie, fisherman, 26 Rodger Street, Cellardyke, has been appointed chief coxswain of Anstruther lifeboat in succession the late Mr Martin Gardner. Mr Christie has been member of the lifeboat crew for a number of years, and has acted recently as bowman. He has been connected with the fishing industry all his life, and is recognised as a skilful and capable seaman. . Mr M. Gardner (Thomson), skipper of the Acorn, has been appointed bowman in succession to Mr Christie.

CELLARDYKE SAILING CLUB OFFICIALS COMPETITION WINNERS. At the annual mooting of East Fife Model Sailing Club, Cellardyke, the following office-bearers were appointed: Commodore, Dr D. C. Wilson; vice-commodore, Mr James Bett; hon. secretary, Mr David Reid; hon. treasurer, Mr A. O. M. Bett; committee-Messrs David Mitchell, James Laing, Wilson Allan, William Smith, James Stewart, Martin Sutherland, George Brown, David Scott, Thomas Murray, and James Williamson, jun. In the final of the Mitchell Cup competition, with Dr D. C. Wilson as umpire, and Mr James Bett as starter, the winners were: —27 in. and under—Adrian Lowrie 30 in. and under —Alex. Rodger, jun.: 33 in. and under —Alex. Rodger, jun.; 36 in. and under —Vice-Commodore James Bett; over 36 in. —Martin Sutherland. 113 models were entered.

1934

CELLARDYKE DONATIONS TO CHARITY. The employees of John Martin & Co., oilskin manufacturers, Cellardyke, have raised the sum of £85 for charitable purposes during the past year. This sum, which includes the proceeds of various whist drives, has just been disbursed as follows: Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. £25; Dundee Royal Infirmary. £25; Anstruther and Cellardyke Nursing Association £20- Edinburgh Sick Children’s Hospital, £5- Local Ambulance Fund, £5; Lifeboat, £5

This week’s Cellardyke Echo will begin with a story that came to light with another of Susan Cathcarts photos.. This one a fantastic photo of the steam Liner and drifter the Rambler SN 247 which was built in Blyth in 1898.

The Rambler was bought by brothers John and Robert Stewart (grandfather of Ian Stewart who became a founder member of the Rolling Stones) approx. 1904

They had decided to buy a newer boat than the one they were working and came across Rambler. Before a deal could be struck, John Stewart was taken ill with flu and confined to bed. He had misgivings about The Rambler…feeling it didn’t have much protection for its crew in poor weather and intended speaking to his brother to persuade him it wasn’t the boat for them.

However, Robert went ahead and bought the boat without consulting John.

Robert Jnr (nephew to Robert Snr and son co owner, the above John Stewart and Mary Ann Bett, Born 13^th Jan 1884 at 24 James Street,) was a deck hand on the boat and one of the first trips to Yarmouth he was washed overboard and drowned, on the 11^th of Nov 1905

John blamed his brother for the loss of his son and two brothers never spoke again.

Although Robert’s death was on the 11 Nov it was reported in the newspapers this week. I had not noticed Robert’s loss a Cellardyke one before as the vessel was recorded as Shields owned, she retained her Shields registration until she was lost in 1918 struck by a mine.

1905

SCOTTISH BOATS HOME FROM ENGLISH FISHING. FISHERMAN’S SEASON. THE TOLL OF VICTIMS. The last of the Scottish boats left Yarmouth and Lowestoft during the past week for home, and the English fishing for 1905 has ended so far the North British fleets are concerned. …….Compared with 1904, the crews have come back to Scotland with practically doubled earnings.. ….. The Scottish fleets at Yarmouth and Lowestoft numbered just over a thousand sail, and out of all this large flotilla moving to and fro almost daily it is satisfactory to record that only six boats have been lost. These were the Breadwinner, of Peterhead, which sprang leak and foundered; the Kirkcaldy boat The Prior, which was sunk by collision with the Peterhead boat Johanna Petrie; the Wick boat Fruitful, that was wrecked on the North Sand in a gale while making Yarmouth harbour; the Banff boat Pomegranate sunk by the Aberdeen steamer Hogarth off Lowestoft; the Macduff boat Maggie Ann, wrecked Lowestoft; and the Port Gordon boat Industry, sunk by a steamer in the North Sea while homeward bound. The Scottish death-roll has been sad one, and the sea claimed a full toll of victims from the fishermen who venture on the deep ………….. Among those who are now numbered with the dead have been John Eason, drowned from the Kirkcaldy boat Children’s Friend; James Taylor, drowned from the Jennie Taylor, Fraserburgh; William Milne, drowned from the Buckie boat Lady Seafield; Skipper Hendry, drowned from the Port Gordon boat Industry; George Muir, of the Banff boat Fidelity, who died

in Lowestoft Hospital; Robert Stewart, drowned from the Rambler, belonging to North Shields; and, worst of all, the seven, hands lost from the Banff boat Pomegranate, which was run down Scottish steamer while homeward bound recently off Lowestoft.

1922

The steam drifter Camperdown, which belonged Skipper James Muir. Cellardyke, has been sold to Mr Reid, fisherman Buckie

1924 ( returning to the photo of Black’s oilskin Factory and later Crisp factory it appears in the paper this week too)

OILSKIN FACTORY AND DWELLING HOUSES IN CELLARDYKE FOR SALE.

There will be exposed to SALE by Public Roup, within the Town Hall. Cellardyke, on Wednesday, 31st December, at 2 p m .unless previously disposed of by private bargain,

1. Those extensive PREMISES in JAMES STREET. Cellardyke. Long occupied by Alex Black & Co: as a Net and Oilskin Factory. The buildings include -floor areas of 1200 square yards, Drying Floors, Paint Shop, Stores, and Sewing and Cutting Rooms. There is also a good Saleshop, Office, Storerooms and Engine-House. &c. All equipped with the usual fixtures. – There is Steam power and Heating Plant, and 10 sewing and cutting machines. The Premises are well situated and adapted or the trade, or could be-sub-divided for other purposes, immediate occupation. – – – LOW UPSET PRICE, £ 550. Feu-duty nominal.
2. That Modern DWELLING-HOUSE. No. 29 James Street, Cellardyke, adjoining: above Factory, containing-6 Apartments with Bathroom (H. & C). Kitchen. Offices and Garden all in Excellent Order. Immediate Occupation

Assessed rental in late Owner’s occupation was £17.

UPSET PRICE. £550. Feu-duty nominal. For further particulars apply to GUTHRIE & MAXWELL. Solicitors; Anstruther Who hold the Title Deeds and Articles of Roup.

The accounts in connection with Cellardyke municipal putting green show a credit balance of £51 16s 7d. This was reported to Kilrenny Town Council, and it was resolved to credit the Common Good account with £40 and place the balance on deposit receipt.

A vote of thanks was accorded to Bailie Bett, convener, for his service in connection with the putting green. Bailie Bett intimated that he wished to be relieved of the work, and Councillor Thomas Gardner agreed to take his place.

Applications were submitted for the post of town officer and hall keeper for Cellardyke. It was agreed to include the duties of scavenger, and to appoint the present scavenger, Mr Christopher Moir, 22 James Street, Cellardyke, at wage of £2 weekly, with house free of rent and taxes.

NEW DIRECTORS OF CELLARDYKE SAVINGS BANK. Mr Robert A. Fowler, chairman, presided at the annual meeting of depositors of Cellardyke Savings Bank. Mr H. Watson, Anstruther, joint manager, submitted an abstract of the transactions for the year, which showed a considerable increase the deposits. Messrs James Buttars, Alex. Myles, and T. S. Laverock were elected directors in room of those falling to retire. The following appointments were made:—Chairman, Mr R. Fowler; joint managers, Messrs A. C. Mackintosh and H. Watson; cashier, Mr Lawrence Smith.

1926

SUCCESSFUL CELLARDYKE CHURCH BAZAAR. £670 was realised at Cellardyke Parish Church bazaar, which was held the Town Hall. Anstruther. The bazaar was opened by the Rev. W. L. Levack, Belmont, Glasgow, formerly Leuchars. The money was required for the building of a church hall. Mr Levack said it was forty-three years ago since Cellardyke Parish Church came into being, and great work had been done since then. It would impossible to carry on the many organisations unless they had adequate accommodation.

1927

Mr and Mrs George Keay Shore Street, Cellardyke, have celebrated their golden wedding. A happy family gathering assembled in Town Hall to congratulate them. Their family includes five daughters, all of whom were present at the celebration. There are 22 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. In addition to a purse of sovereigns, Mr and Mrs Keay were the recipients of numerous gifts.

George Hodge Melville, fish-curer, “Croma,” Cellardyke, was convicted on evidence, in Cupar Sheriff Court on Tuesday, of having, on 29th August, on the Guardbridge -St Andrews public highway, driven a motor car in a negligent manner, failed to keep a proper look-out in front, and caused the car to down Charles Grubb, coal merchant. 2 Albany Place, Andrews, and injure his right arm. Grubb said he was walking close to his own side

1928

A change of diet was the explanation offered at Cupar Sheriff Court to-day in a charge under the Sale of Food and Drugs Art 1875, and the Sale of Milk Act, 1901. The case was one in which James Carstairs farmer, Clephanton Farm, parish of Carnbee, was charged that, on 7th November, in James Street, Cellardyke, he sold by the hand of his son one pint of “sweet milk to Robert Just, 15 Lamond Street, sanitary inspector for the St Andrews District, which milk was not genuine sweet milk, as it contained less than 3 per cent of milk fat.

 Mr N. Robertson. Cupar, solicitor for accused, tendered plea of guilty, and said that the milk contained 2.73 per cent of milk fat instead of the requisite 3 per cent

The explanation given was that at the time this contravention was committed the cows had been put a kind of turnip known the mammol turnip, which was a sort of soft watery turnip. The weather was too wet for him to carry good turnips from his land for the cows, and he had to rely on a supply of these turnips. He had also taken the cows off hay. The milk had not been tampered with at all. Dudley Stuart imposed a fine of 40s.

1929

OFFICIAL NOTICE—PROPOSAL TO CHANGE A SHIP’S NAME,

I. A. N. CUNNINGHAM, of Anstruther, hereby give Notice that, in consequence of change of ownership and family reasons, I have applied the Board of Trade, under Section 47 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, in respect of my ship SD ALICES KY 210, of Anstruther, official number 125,259, gross tonnage 84.03 tons, of register tonnage 35.15 tons, heretofore owned by- Henry Bett, Shore St., Cellardyke; Agnes Bett. West Forth St., Cellardyke; Davina Bett, Rodger St., Cellardyke, for permission to change her name to ” DAWNAWAY ‘ to be registered in the said new name at the port Anstruther as owned by James Davidson, 30 Rodger St., Cellardyke; Robert Davidson, Dove St., Cellardyke; Alex. Davidson, West Forth St., Cellardyke; W. W. Carstairs, West Forth St., Cellardyke; A. N. Cunningham, Harbour Head, Anstruther.

( Interesting that Willie W Carstairs’ (later Provost Carstairs)  boats that he invested in all had ‘away’ as part of their name.. Winaway, Onaway, Dawnaway and Gleanaway)

Two Cellardyke boys who obtained cigarettes from an automatic machine by means of a piece of copper which they found upon the beach were admonished by Sheriff Dudley Stuart at a Juvenile court yesterday.

Both lads admitted that they inserted a piece of copper into the shilling slot of an automatic cigarette machine at the door of the shop, 12 Rodger ‘Street Anstruther, occupied by William Leslie, tobacconist and thus obtained a packet of cigarettes, which they stole. On their behalf, Mr R Davidson, solicitor, stated that the boys had just left school, but were unemployed. It was only a piece of mischief, as want the cigarettes to smoke

1901

A model small boat race was to have taken place at Cellardyke yesterday afternoon among the fishermen but, the wind having died away, tor race was postponed until the New Year.

1904

Before Bailie Ritchie at the Police Court on Monday, George Radley, carter, Balfour Place, was charged with having, on Monday, 12th September, at Bridge Street, sold to David Brown, fish hawker, James Street, Cellardyke, a driving whip, which had found Monday, 29th August, at the Links near the R. and A. Clubhouse. He pleaded not guilty, but the Magistrate, after hearing evidence, found the charge proven, and imposed fine of £1, with the option of five days in jail.

1905

There was an impressive scene at Torry on Saturday afternoon when the funeral of John Burgoyne, aged about 30 years, fishery officer, under the Fishery Board of Scotland, at the Bay of Nigg Fish Hatchery, and of the brothers Andrew and Wm. Henderson, aged about 20 and 16 years respectively, sons of Mr and Mrs John Henderson, Menzies Road, Torry, took place. The greatest sympathy has been manifested in the community with Mr and Mrs Henderson in the loss of their two sons, who perished as the result of the wreck of the trawler Star of Hope, on the rocks at Collieston early on Tuesday morning, as also with Mrs Burgoyne, who has been left with a sixteen months-old son, and the attendance the seafaring class at the funeral was very large, a company of between 500 and 600 following the two hearses…….. The chief mourners were Mr John Henderson (father), his brothers Andrew Henderson and Mr Leslie Henderson. His nephew Mr Alexander Henderson, his six brothers-in-law from Cellardyke Robert Montador, Mr James Dick, Mr John Smith, Mr James Watson, Mr Robert M’Cruvie, and David Brown. Beautiful wreaths were sent from, among others, Mr Andrew Walker, owner of the ill-fated Star of Hope, and Mrs Walker, Holburn Road, Aberdeen…….

1907

Lord Salvesen yesterday closed the record and ordered proof in two actions by Peter Lindoe ship owner, Haugesund, Norway, owner of the screw steamship Adria, against William Geddes, 13 East High Street, Portgordon, owner of the fishing boat Strathlene of Portgordon, Banff, and William, Reid,11 James Street, Cellardyke owner of the boat Elsie Reid. Kirkcaldy. The pursuer sues each of the defenders for £65. The pursuer’s vessel was leaving Peterhead harbour at 1.50 p.m. on 26th June, 1907, when it is said, notwithstanding that she, by whistling, gave warning that she was preparing to leave, was run into by the defenders’ boats, one after the other, and sustained damage on the port bow. The boats, it is maintained, entered the harbour against the signals from those on the pierhead. The fault averred is careless navigation and want proper seamanlike care.

The defenders deny that the Adria’s whistle was blown, and say that no notice was given to them by signal or otherwise that harbour entrance was blocked. Owing to the configuration of the harbour of Peterhead it is impossible for anyone approaching from the eastward to see the entrance till, they are close to it, and the entrance is very narrow. The fault, it is therefore maintained, was part of those in charge of the Adria.

1908

Several Cellardyke fishermen spoke at an enquiry about the use of the seine net for catching herring by Newhaven fishermen (this method is described and is what later became known as the ring net)

Philip Gardner, fisherman, Cellardyke, said there was a great waste of immature herrings at Newhaven. The fishermen always followed the fish up the Forth, and followed them down to the spawning grounds . He had never fished higher up than Kinghorn Ness. It was in January they went up the Firth, and later on they came down to opposite Anstruther or to the Mav Island and the Carr. The great success which had attended the winter fishing in the last four years might be accounted for by the fact that the boats were larger, and fishermen used double the quantity of nets than they did before.

1913

Under the auspices of the Dundee Technical College Navigation School and the Fife and Kinross Secondary Education Committee, navigation classes have been opened for fishermen from Cellardyke and Pittenweem. The classes are under the management of Captain Johnston, of the Dundee Navigation School, and assistant. The attendance of fishermen at the enrolment at Cellardyke was 34 and at Pittenweem 30.

1914

The body of Robert Davidson, fisherman, Cellardyke, was found drowned in Kilrenny Mill Burn, at the east end of Cellardyke, yesterday. It conjectured that Davidson was attempting to cross the burn, which was in flood, by means of some stones, one of which must have given way, with the result that he had fallen forward and struck a stone. There was deep mark on his forehead. Deceased was in his 71st year, and leaves a widow and family of seven—four sons and three daughters.

In the Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday— Sheriff Laing on the bench—proof was led in action at the instance of James Muir (Keay). Fowler Street, Cellardyke, Fife, registered owner of the steam drifter Innergellie, KY604. John Muir, Shore Street; George Keay (Reid), Shore Street; David Corstorphine, Dove Street; George Smith, Fowler Street; William Muir, James Street, all of Cellardyke; and Alexander Reekie, fisherman, St Monans. all in the county of Fife; against Andrew Whyte, Alexander Stephen Whyte, Andrew Whyte, jun., and Robert Whyte, all of Frederick Street, registered owners of the steam herring drifter Resolute, FR. 536, craving the court to pay the sum £102 3s 7d for loss and damage sustained by pursuers’ vessel on the 15^th October, 1913, while she was lying moored in the usual fashion the river at Yarmouth, when the defenders’ vessel, it was alleged, came up the river and recklessly ran into the Innergellie striking her on the side abreast of the fish hold. As result of the collision the Innergellie sustained damage, the cost of repairs of which was £24 2s 1d; and pursuers’ vessel was prevented from proceeding to the fishing on 15th October, when additional loss was incurred amounting £78 1s 6d.

1916

Thirty-three years ago the late Mr Stephen Williamson, M.P., along with Mr James Fowler, London, acting on the expressed wish of the latter’s then recently deceased father, Mr David Fowler, of London and Adelaide, presented to Cellardyke the fine Town Hall, which has proved so useful a centre for the municipal and social life of the community. We have now to mourn the loss of the joint donor, Mr James Fowler, who died on 5th inst. at Dyxcroft, Rottingdean. He was director of the well-known firm of D. & J. Fowler, Ltd., of London, Adelaide and Perth, Australia, and was the only son of Mr David Fowler, who with his brothers, Messrs James and George Fowler, all sons of the late Provost James Fowler, Cellardyke, founded the firm in the early ’fifties of last century.

1918 Weekly casualty list………… Wood 290657 R (Cellardyke)

1886

The meeting for thanksgiving, which it has been for number of years the custom to hold on the return of the fishermen from the South, was held in the Hall, Cellardyke—the Rev. G. MacAlpine presiding. The hall was filled, and the meeting was taken part in by Messrs Thomas Smith, Robt. Montador, Wm. Watson (Boyter),John Birrell, and Wm. Watson (Smith).

The annual concert of the Anstruther and Cellardyke Cricket Club came off on Friday evening. The artistes were a quartet party and comedian from Edinburgh. The audience, unfortunately, was meagre, and the drawings will not pay expenses. The assembly which followed the concert was excellently attended, and is the best the Club has had. Mr G. Shepherd’s quadrille band from Edinburgh furnished the music

1887

A grand bazaar in aid of the building fund of Cellardyke Manse was held in Anstruther Town Hall on Friday and Saturday. The proceedings were inaugurated with no little éclat on Friday forenoon in the presence perhaps of the largest and most fashionable gathering that ever assembled on a like occasion in the East of Fife, …………….. Mr Anstruther, M.P., who was cordially, or rather enthusiastically received, spoke in the most appreciative terms of the object of the- bazaar. He also alluded to Mr Ray’s success, the church, in his three years’ ministry, having increased from fifty to over three hundred members………….. The business of the day teas now begun, and continued at the several magnificently furnished stalls with so much spirit that the sale closed about 10 p.m. with drawings to the amount of £330.

1888

Nearly the whole of the Cellardyke boats which have been fishing from Lowestoft and Yarmouth have returned. The season has been a most unremunerative one, and about half of the eighty boats have not cleared expenses. The highest fished boats have realised from £150 to £200, but the great majority have only netted fro £60 to £80, while a few are as low as £10. The average will not exceed £70, the lowest it has been for a long number of years. The winter herring will not begin until another fortnight yet.

Unrequited toil. “I’m waitin’ for my faither,” sobbed the little urchin on the pier, where he had been shivering for hours in the rain. So it was to east and west, but the last of the fleet is now safe in the harbour— the Alaska on Sabbath, and the Magdalene Hughes on the ensuing day.  It is the same weary tale from first to last. A father and two sons in separate boats had only 18s 6d to the fireside, and not one, but hundreds were still more unfortunate. All over the Scottish coast as a whole, indeed, this is the poorest voyage in the record the fishing. The hapless veteran, George Smith, of St Monance, perished Lowestoft bar, with the sail set for home, but otherwise we may say with all thankfulness to Heaven our hardy mariners are once again with safe and well. All accounts agree the unexampled severity of the weather. “I never saw the like o’ it,” said the veteran with a touch grey his haffits. “There were six wrecks 0n the sands when we left Yarmouth to cross the Wash, with the spray flying like spindrift. We took Sunderland with the anchor towing astern, so as to be ready for the worst. A lull saw us at sea again, but it was to encounter the gale blowing so fiercely that sea and sky seemed to meet; she danced like a curlew amongst the foam when the big Zulus were lying like broken winged geese in the wind. We were glad take shelter a second and third time in the run—by far the stormiest, as I have said, of my two twenty voyages to Yarmouth. With little or rather no inducement to uncoil hook and line for the haddock fishing, the skipper and his men are everywhere busy for the coming drave. Thus at every turn eident fingers are knitting the snow like wreaths to the head rope as to be ready with the first signal of herring life in the Forth. It is early, no doubt, but we hear of this and that trial without a single scale, but it would appear that the cod and its congeners are flitting in considerable numbers on the coast, from the success which has now and again attended the experiments at St Monance. The Onyx and the Twins had their white nets on board in the first of the week, and this is likewise the case on the other side of the Billowness, but as a rule little is to be expected till Christmas, when the English buyers begin to hover like gannets on the scene., The inshore fishing has been resumed this week, not a few of the veterans being only once or twice at sea during the month of November. We regret to observe that the haddock shoals are still as light as ever, while the returns are so low in the of the consignments to Glasgow as not to exceed 7s a  basket. “Grumble, wha wadna grumble?” exclaimed an honest matron the other day at the Braid Wynd, “no sae muckle as the ootgie for bait, and bairns wheenging for a piece.” An East of Fife Magistrate visited Aberdeen this week, and was not a little astonished to find 30 steam vessels engaged in the fishing. Some were at work with that most pernicious of all implements, the trawl, but with many, if not most, it was with hook and line. One vessel with both landed a take that realised £80, but what arrested the attention of our visitor most all was find the fishermen laying their boats on the beach in order to form little clubs or associations for the hire of a steam liner. Indeed, the success of these vessels was so marked that every possible effort is being made to increase the fleet. He himself was asked to report on the North Sea boats on sale in the East of Fife. We may here observe that it was the day and night study of the late Mr Christopher Pottinger to construct an engine and propeller such principle that it could be fitted to these boats, at a cost not to exceed £100 to £150, to solve the problem in all save the expense, but he died with the conviction that the day would come when the Cellardyke fleet would be fitted with steam. He was convinced, from what he knew of the intelligence of the skippers of Fife, that they could be their own engineers, and this opinion just been curiously borne out in the experience of Captain Peter Muir, of the Fulmar, who mastered the secret that he could work the engine of the vessel in a fortnight. With, this, however, is pleasant to observe the enterprise in the kindly old ways the coast. A dashing little clipper was launched Saturday week by Mr Gardiner, Stonehaven, for another of the Catterline crews employed by the well-known St Monance merchant, Mr William Mather. She is quite a model of her class—sharp as a wedge, but so wide in the beam so as both to sail well and row well, as the greybeards like to say. She is named the Annie Mather, in honour of the beloved one of Mr Mather’s household. He was unable to be present, and this was the one cloud, so to speak, in the jubilee, but his place was well taken by his eldest son, who is deservedly favourite with one and all in the romantic little Village of Catterline.

1890

St Andrews – In consequence of the rough weather, the fishermen have not been able to get out for several days. Yesterday, however, the weather was favourable, and all the boats went off to the fishing ground. They returned in the afternoon. Some the boats had had a remunerative fishing, while others were less fortunate. Unlike the fishermen in St Monance, Pittenweem, and Cellardyke, those at St Andrews have a plentiful supply of bait. The mussels on the South side of the Eden belong to the town, and they are supplied to the fishermen at a rate somewhat less than that accepted from outsiders. Last year the town, after supplying the local fishermen, sold between £200 and £300 worth of mussels for bait to fishermen from the North and elsewhere. The fishermen at the coast should at once apply for bait to Andrews.

1892

Thomas Anderson, Fisherman Cellardyke was fined 10s 6d for assaulting PC wright – Mrs Murray (Blyth) , Cellardyke for assaulting her sister , was mulcted in a fine of 7s 6d. Both Fines were paid.

1894

At a conference of Cellardyke fishermen this week Skipper John Carstairs was appointed a delegate to the East Coast Fishermen’s Conference to be held at Aberdeen on the 22nd inst. The delegate was instructed to vote for the close time of the herring fishing to extend from the end of April to the 10th of July. Skipper Gardener held it was high time the fishermen of Scotland were uniting to prevent everything being taken from them. It was once possible to get a living at their own doors, but now long voyages had to be made, and the trawlers were working Saturday and Sunday. The Fife fishermen were being forced to compete with them on the Sunday or lose their situations. The old Scottish respect for the Sabbath, he added, was fast dying out. The delegate was instructed to bring up the subject at the conference, along with other questions.

1896

The fleet of Cellardyke boats, which have been fishing at Yarmouth and Lowestoft, arrived home on Friday. The takes for the ranged from £170 to £300.

Grocer and Wine Merchants Business for sale

The subscribers invite offers for that well established business presently carried on by Mr William Walker 25 James Street, Cellardyke.

The Stock, which will amount to about £100 to be taken at mutual valuation.

The turnover in spirituous liquors has averaged about 285 gallons, the rent for the premises is £26 per annum and a lease for a period of years may be arranged.

1876

Thirty-one of the Cellardyke boats that have been employed at the herring fishing on the Suffolk and Norfolk coasts returned in the course of this week, and the remaining 22 are expected daily. The enterprise has been attended with a gratifying of success, three, if not four crews, having upwards of £500 each for their two months’ absence, seven between £400 and £500, and the others sums ranging downwards to £130. The average over the fleet is estimated at fully £250, which represents a total sum of £13,250. The expenses, of course, fall to be deducted, bat these will not amount to £3000.

1878

We understand that on Saturday last cheque for was received, in aid of the building fund of the proposed Mission Church in Cellardyke, by Mr Thomas Brown, of the Post-office, from Stephen Williamson, of Liverpool, whose name has been so freely associated of late with the representation of the St Andrews burghs. This donation, with others lately received, have, we learn, raised the fund to about £2500, which fully covers the estimated cost of the church, exclusive, however, of the class-rooms or the hall in the rear, which are expected entail a further outlay of some £500.

1879

The Magistrates of Kilrenny held Criminal Court on Friday, when the following cases were disposed of:—A schoolboy named David Boyter, was charged with malicious mischief by wantonly throwing a seashell though the window of Cellardyke Public School. He was convicted, but in respect of his youth and other mitigated circumstances, he was only amerced in the sum of 5s. The proceedings now assumed more exciting character when three wives of Cellardyke to wit Catherine Smith or Gay, Isabella Mitchell Key, and Elspeth Watson or Lowrie—were charged with stealing potatoes from a field near the Urnet Mill Road and on the farm of Kilrenny Mill. They one and all indignantly protested their innocence, when Thomas Moyes, farm servant, and Police Constable Black, deponed to having seen them with a crowd of others lifting the potatoes which had been ploughed up, but not finally gathered from the field. It was admitted that none the crop was found in their possession, and further that they evinced no sign of guilt by running away; on the contrary that they met the constable with the frank explanation that they were guarding their children or friends from the risk of trespassing in the field, on which they knew watch bad been set. Exculpatory evidence was led to this effect at considerable length, but the Magistrates held that the Fiscal had established his case, and imposed on each a fine of 7s 6d, or 8 days’ imprisonment. The Cellardyke Town Hall was literally packed, but though the sympathy of, the audience was unmistakably with the panels, still nothing occurred to disturb the order and respect due to Court of law.

(Another paper describes Boyter throwing a satchel not seashell through the window)

1881

Cellardyke – The effects of the gale were seen here in the overthrow of stacks of straw and corn, while the streets were strewn with slates and debris from the house tops. Information was received on Sunday that one of the Cellardyke boats, on its passage home to Anstruther, was wrecked on the Boulmer rocks, to the northward of Alnmouth. The whole of the crew were saved. The boat was insured by the Fraserburgh club, and, according to the latest reports, there is some hopes that the stores and part of the boat may be saved.

1883

Fully more than a twelvemonth ago the interesting experiment was made in the Cellardyke fleet to substitute what is known as the ketch or dandy rig for the lugsail- The Pioneer—the boat in question—has fished two seasons at Lowestoft and one at the Shetland isles &c. She has thus been tested, to speak, in all waters, and so far it would seem with the most unqualified success. ……….. yielding to the pressing offer of one of the Lowestoft skippers, her owner Mr Robert Cunningham, has sold the little favourite for the sum of £275, he and his crew arriving home by rail in the end of the week. Satisfied, however with the superiority of the rig, several of our KY skippers are to adopt it, are told, on the earliest opportunity.

Sixty Cellardyke boats have been engaged at the herring fishing at Yarmouth and Lowestoft during the past two months, and these have now all returned to Anstruther. The enterprise has been fairly successful, the highest sum realised by one crew being £460, while the average will be about £250, giving a total about £15,000 as the gross amount earned.

1884

INTERESTING JURISDICTION CASE. An action at the instance of John McGregor, carpenter and fisherman, Lybster, against Philip Anderson, fisherman, Cellardyke, for £7 17s, being dispute concerning a fishing transaction in Fraserburgh, came on for disposal. Mr Finlayson, for the defender, urged a plea of want jurisdiction, on the ground that defender, who was only temporary resident in Fraserburgh, had left the town when the summons was served. …….The Sheriff—admitted that the permanent residence of the defender is Cellardyke, in the county of Fife, where he fisherman, and that on the 4th of July last he came Fraserburgh, where he practised his vocation as a fisherman until the 6th of September, being a period of two months and two days. After forty days’ residence in Fraserburgh there was undoubtedly jurisdiction over him in this Court, which under other circumstances might have been made effectual, but it is admitted that on the 6th of September, three days before any attempt to serve this summons was made, the defender had returned to his permanent place of residence, and, therefore, it seems to me that the temporary jurisdiction which had been acquired over him in this county was then lost.

Thomas Thomson, shoemaker in Cellardyke, whose name is so well known as a successful exhibitor on both sides of the Tweed, obtained, in the Crystal Palace Show on Monday, the first prize for his silver spangled pullet, ‘ and the third for a cockerel of the same brood, while the mother was highly commended. The same magnificent young birds carried off the first honours with a silver medal Perth, and in the interval were equally fortunate in the great Dairy Show in London.

No little interest was excited in the west end of Cellardyke over the following little war, which came before the .Magistrates there Saturday—Provost Skinner and Bailie Williamson on the bench. Alexander Blyth, carter, and his wife, Janet Trail, their son David, and their daughters Ann, wife of John McKay, fisher, Janet, wife of Neil Graham, carter, were charged with assault by striking and kicking their neighbour, Alexander Keith, carter; also with breach of the peace. They pleaded not guilty, but after hearing evidence the Magistrates found the father and mother guilty, and fined the one 15s, and the other in 10s 6d, but the verdict in the case of the son and daughters was not proven.

The next case the tables were turned by the complainer, Alexander Keith, being placed at the bar charged with striking Alexander Blyth two or three blows on the left eye to the effusion of blood, committed a like outrage on the son, with dealing two or more blows the mother’s face, and also the back of the daughter, Mrs McKay, so to fell her on the ground, on the same eventful afternoon. He also denied the accusation, and was defended by Mr Cook, but after the witnesses had been examined at great length, the Magistrates found the charge proved, and fewer than five previous convictions being recorded against him he was fined 20s.—

Three juveniles, Henry Watson, Robert Brown, and John Gardiner, were charged with stealing turnips from the neighbouring fields as farmed by Mr Cairns, Kilrenny Mill. Pleading guilty they were each, in respect of their tender age, fined half-a-crown.

1866

On Monday afternoon, we believe, a Prussian vessel was discovered by Cellardyke fishing boat in a sinking condition. The vessel, it appears, had been water-logged, and the crew were glad to escape from her. The crew went into the fishing-boat, were landed in Fife, and afterwards, we are informed, came on to Dundee at night. Should this be so, doubt they will be sent home immediately by the Prussian Consul.

The vessel was the Alexandrine of Wolgast, from Tayport to Stettin.

1870

Boatbuilding trade

The success of so many local crews at the herring fishing on the Suffolk coast is encouraging our boat builders to speculate the hope of better times. There are five builders between St Monance and Cellardyke, but the trade is so unprecedently dull that not a single boat at present being built to order, though in three of the yards hulls are being constructed on sale. At first sight this may seem hazardous work, considering the different opinions and different fishings on the coast, but the experience of the last year or two has proved that there is seldom much difficulty in finding an owner for a good boat of about 45 feet long, as boats of this class can be conveniently employed all the year through. The hull of a fishing boat, including an outfit oars, masts, &c., may said to cost about £2 10s per foot, though this price is seldom exactly adhered to in the present keen competition of the trade, or as it sometimes happens, from the peculiar conditions attached to the order. It is curious to observe the wide difference of opinion which a few years may bring about. Less than six or seven years ago, so much were the boats increasing in size that practical men were convinced that a new era was at hand, when the deep sea lugger would take the place of the ordinary fishing boat, and local readers will remember how strongly this idea was by the promoters of the Anstruther Union Harbour. Experience, however, has in the meantime settled the question, and boats on a somewhat smaller scale than the models of some half a dozen years ago are now preferred as being by far the most convenient and profitable. Still, many substantial improvements have been carried out on boats of a recent build. In every case they are now provided with cabins and nearly decked, and from the very general favour with which the “flush” deck system, so successfully introduced by the ingenious Cellardyke builder, Mr Alex. Cunningham, is being regarded by our fishermen, there is good reason to anticipate that it will ere long be the rule with the first-class boats of this coast.

5 boatbuilders in 1870 would be

Cellardyke – John A Millar, Alexander Cunningham,

Anstruther Christopher Pottinger

St Monans,  John Miller and John Robertson Snr

1872

This has been an anxious week the coast of Fife, from Buckhaven to Cellardyke, as the hardy crews, who have braved the herring fishing at Yarmouth, were on the voyage home, which, in these times of storm and disaster, can only be compared to stealing a march on treacherous enemy. There were fewer than seventy boats at the southward, and many eyes have consequently been wistfully gazing the waters of the Forth to catch a glimpse of the coming sail of a father, a husband, or a brother. The crews at Lowestoft made a trip to the fishing-ground Monday night, and only prepared for the voyage on the following day but several of those at Yarmouth sailed northward on Monday afternoon, and arrived home on “Wednesday evening. The first sail that specked the distant horizon was about dusk, and proved to be the boat of Skipper John Montidore, of Cellardyke but others soon followed in her wake, as wind and weather were all that could be wished. The passage is the great danger to our Fife crews engaged in this venture, as the long voyage of four hundred miles is not only beset with the tempestuous weather of the season, but the coast of England may well be the dread of the mariner, for nowhere is there such dangerous lee shore, and the large number of screw steamers trading upon is another source of serious peril to sailing craft. The success of the boats has been much hindered by the unsettled weather, and many have done comparatively little but in general it may be said to range from £109 to £250, though the great majority are nearest the first quotation.

1873 (an interesting letter in the Scotsman from a Wick Fisherman praising the Cellardyke Men)

Wick, 20th November 1873. Sir. —I beg to return, thanks to “A Cellardyke fisher “for the valuable information contained in his letter of the 17^th. All of us here know that Cellardyke fishers are crack fishermen but some of us here are old enough to remember when their voyages for haddocks were not the long ones they now are, and at that time Anstruther and Cellardyke were great in haddocks. In the olden time, too, their boats were not ” large-decked boats,” their lines not long, and the hooks on them not a tithe of that they now use, and then they took as many haddocks as now, for the population they supplied was great. Is that true? How long, pray, is it since 40 to 60 miles’ voyages for haddocks were resorted to? Did Cellardyke fishers jump at a leap from small open boats to large decked boats, ‘ and from paddling inshore into those untried waters? Is the far-off ground they now fish as prolific as it has been?—that is, does the old number of hooks yield the old number of haddocks? Is it necessity that has caused the old “waters to be deserted, and big boats, lines eight miles long, with 11, 600 hooks, called into use? and that baa driven them 40 to 60 miles off shore; to get haddocks ? .

We here do not paddle inshore as our fathers did, and in boats 18 to 20 feet of keel. We use large decked boats about 40 feet of keel, with eight men each, and can do no good unless we go 15 to 20 miles off shore. To that ground we have most of ng made 80 voyages, and we only average 10 tons a boat, for which we have been paid £ 9 a ton. Off that deduct bait, 10 tons, at 52s a ton, and all that is left us for 12 weeks is £7—seven pounds a man.

“We shall profit by the information we have got. Since twenty miles won’t do, -we must try -five and twenty, or thirty, use more hooks, and leam to haul lines on pretty rough ground, and in pretty rough weather. By giving these matters careful consideration— -by fishing for knowledge—we may in time so conduct our pursuit that the out and inside waters may be so fished that both may be made to yield enough and to spare. The fact that our little-fished rough ground gives more and larger haddocks than the safe and often-fished seems to point in this direction. —I am, &c.,

A fisher

1875 –

Anstruther, at the old harbour the east pier at the bight has been forced out and is in danger of falling down; while the harbour wall in Shore Street had two breaches made in it. Upwards 20 feet of the wall recently erected at the Cross was thrown over into the street, which on Monday morning was almost impassable on account of the stones and debris with which it was covered. The piers at the new harbour sustained no damage; but 100 feet of a line of rails on the east quay was washed away. At West Anstruther, where extensive damage was done during the last storm, several new breaches were made the wall, and the old ones considerably widened. The wall at east end of Cellardyke had also two breaches made it, and a number of fishing boats lying on the beach were in such jeopardy that it was considered necessary to send the bellman through the town on Sunday afternoon ask the male inhabitants to turn out and assist in placing them beyond the reach of the sea.  

In a previous posting and other discussions we mentioned the terrible storm at this period in 1875 when the Cellardyke and St Monans Boats were lost and the memorial was erected in Kings Lynn. Thane, Quest and Beautiful Star of St Monans, and the Janet Anderson and Vigilant of Cellardyke.

This is how the news began to break

No previous storm has ever created such anxiety in Anstruther and Cellardyke as that which prevailed in the end of last week. For the past two months upwards of forty Cellardyke boats have been engaged at the herring fishing at Yarmouth and Lowestoft and on Wednesday last week a large number left these ports for home. When the storm broke out on Friday thirty-one were on the sea; but in the course of that night and Saturday fourteen out of that number arrived safely at Anstruther harbour. The crews reported the storm to have been one of the most severe they had ever experienced and when no intelligence was received of the other seventeen boats up to Saturday night , the gravest fears were entertained for the safety of the 108 men who formed the crew . During the whole of Sunday the piers were crowded by the relatives and friends of the missing fishermen anxiously watching for the appearance of the boats. In the course of that day other twelve arrived, and the crews of these stated that the storm had been most violent between Saturday night and Sunday morning. One of the crews had been obliged to shoot eighteen of their nets, which in a short time were torn to pieces, for the purpose of keeping the boat ‘ s head to the waves, another put out eight nets; while a third had one of their sails in the water. One boat had one of the sails split while rounding St Abb’s Head, and was driven into Dunbar Bay. Yesterday, a telegram was received stating that one of the boats after being four days at sea, had put back to-Lowestoft. One of the missing boats entered the harbour yesterday afternoon. During the gale on Saturday morning one of the crew, a married man named Robert Brown, was struck by the fore-yard and so severely injured that but little hope is entertained of his recovery. Last night three Cellardyke boats had not been heard of. Each of the boats has a crew of six men. Intelligence has been received of the drowning of two Cellardyke fishermen during the storm, the boats to which they belonged, having taken refuge in Yarmouth and Grimsby Harbours. Their names are John Watson, aged about 22, and unmarried; and — McRuvie, 17 years.

1848

MELANCHOLY CATASTROPHE AT CELLARDYKE.

We very readily give insertion to the following communications regarding the late melancholy catastrophe in the hope that the attention of the benevolent may be thus called the destitute condition into which many are thrown by this disastrous event:—

To the Editor of the Fife Herald

Balcarres Nov 14 1848

Sir, —May I request that you will be kind enough to insert the enclosed letter your journal? It is an answer to inquiries respecting the late melancholy event at Cellardyke, and is from a source which perfect reliance may be placed.

By giving it publicity, it may the mean be the means of interesting the benevolent in the fate of these sufferers thrown Providence upon the protection the more fortunate, those still in the possession of blessings winch they have lost.

The clergyman of the parish, another gentleman, and myself, will see to the distribution of any funds which may be subscribed. The British Linen Company and Commercial Bank have kindly offered to take charge of any monies subscribed— Believe me, very faithfully yours,

James Lindsay.

The “John and Mary,” fishing-boat of the largest class, belonging Cellardyke, John Smith, master, with a crew of eight men, went to sea at two o’clock on Friday morning the 3^rd  instant.

The weather came very stormy, with heavy squalls, and the sea running very high, that many the boats were in great danger.  As the John and .Mary has not since been heard of, and some articles connected with boat were seen floating at sea that morning, and several other articles belonging the missing boat have been driven on shore, there is every reason to conclude that either she must have been run down by a vessel, or gone down in squall.

By this melancholy event eight industrious fishermen have been drowned, leaving six widows and twenty two children to mourn their loss. The particular circumstances of each of the bereaved families are follows : John Smith, master and owner of the boat, left a widow and four children, the eldest five years, the youngest seven months.

James Fleming, left a widow pregnant, besides seven children from two to sixteen years old.

Henry Reid left a widow and seven children, five of whom are under fourteen years, the youngest being born on the same morning on which the father perished.

Thomas Fleming, left widow and six children, four whom are from nine to sixteen years old. A son Thomas Fleming perished along with his father.

James Dick, left widow and two children, eldest five years.

David Birrell left widow, supposed to be pregnant.

James Dickson, unmarried.

From personal knowledge of each particular ease, I can say that the crew were sober industrious men, some them the most respectable of their class ; and, while some of the widows are not so destitute as be entitled to parochial relief, yet most of them are without any means for present support, and, especially while suffering under the pressure of such a heavy calamity, cannot be expected to be able to do anything for themselves or their families ; and if by any means a small sum could be raised for relief of their present necessities, it would be thankfully received.

James Fowler.

Subscriptions for the widows and orphans the fishermen of John and Mary fishing-boat, lost sea in the Frith of Forth, on Friday the 3^rd November 1843.

George Dickson,                              £1

James Fowler,.                  50s

Collection at the United Presbyterian Chapel, £3 12 s

John Marr,                          2s

John Leckie                        2s 6d  

John Smith,                        7s 6d

James Lindsay, .                 £8

Lord Lindsay,                      £ 5

Lady Lindsay,                      £2

Mrs Lindsay                        £2

Sir Coutts Lindsay,            £2

Lady Trotter,                      £2

T. Francis Cust,                   50s

1850

CELLARDYKE.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That, in Virtue of the Powers contained Act passed in the “Third and Fourth Years of his Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled, An Act to enable Burghs in Scotland to Establish a General System of Police,” the Occupiers of Premises in that part of the Burgh of Kilrenny called Cellardyke, of the Yearly Rent or Value of Ten Pounds sterling and upwards, are hereby required to meet upon Wednesday, the Twenty-Seventh current, at Twelve of the clock Noon, for the purpose of electing one Commissioner in the place of one going out of office, in terms of said Act.

JAMES FOWLER, Chief Manager. Cellardyke, Nov. 13, 1850.

1851

John Black, ferry port on Craig and James Gardner, Cellardyke were fined in the sum of 5s , each for allowing their dogs to go at large.

1855

CELLARDYKE.—Harbour Accommodation.—On Sabbath last, one of our boats was considerably damaged by grounding upon an anchor Anstruther harbour, which had been carelessly put down, without being buoyed. Respecting Anstruther harbour, generally, it may be said, that the alterations now being made on the east pier, are likely to be a source of considerable annoyance to our Cellardyke fishermen, especially if the steamer is to have her berth at the new pier as is proposed. If the fishermen were at all unanimous, they might soon be quite independent of Anstruther for harbour accommodation, as in a very few years, and almost without any sacrifice on their part, funds might be raised for providing themselves with a harbour at ” Craignoon,” a locality which is allowed by all hands to be among the best for safe and deep water harbour that could be found on the coast, and where abundance of material could be found on the spot. We glad to see some movings in this direction, at present amongst them; and we think, from the present prosperous state of the fishing, also from the large increase of boats belonging to the town, and from the more confined accommodation at Anstruther, there never was more suitable time to commence a scheme for our fishermen providing themselves with a harbour, which could taken at all states of the tide, and all kinds of weather. We have no doubt, whatever, that if the fishermen themselves were to enter upon such proposal with energy, subscriptions to a very large amount would be readily obtained.

1858

Farm in the East of Fife to Let

To be let for 19 years and entered to at Martinmas next.

The farm of Barnsmuir in the Parish of Kilrenny, containing about 200 and seventy five imperial acres or there by.

The lands are furrow drained, and subdivided, are all of good quality and are capable of producing all kinds of crops. They are well situated for roads, manure and markets, being distant from the shipping town of Crail about one mile, and from the town and shipping port of Anstruther, about three miles, where a weekly Corn Market is held, and from whence steamers proceed to Leith three times a week.

……..

Ample supplies of towns manure and fish offal may be obtained at Anstruther and Cellardyke and the farm has the right to th sea weed cast upon its shores.

1860

Summary Trial.—On Tuesday last, Adam Thomson, carter. Anstruther Easter, was placed at the bar of the Sheriff Court, charged with the crime of assault, in so far as on 18^th October last, he did, within his own house in Anstruther Easter, assault Margaret Ritchie, and did with his fist strike her a number of severe blows the face, and one of her eyes, and knocked her to the ground, and did seize hold of her by the hair of her head and drag her about, whereby she was seriously bruised and wounded, and lost the sight one of her eyes:  Farther, Thomas Robertson cooper, Cellardyke, having interfered to prevent further violence, Thomson struck him a blow a severe blow on the face, by which he was injured in his person. Thomson, who was defended by Mr Davidson, pled not guilty, but on proof being led. Sheriff Taylor found him guilty of assaulting Margaret Ritchie, and sentenced him sixty days’ imprisonment, and the charge of assaulting Robertson not proven. It appeared from the evidence that Thomson was in a state of intoxication when committed the assault, and as it was a very serious one, the Sheriff sentenced him to the longest term of imprisonment he could inflict in the Summary Court.

1862

During the past eight days the weather has proved very favourable for seafaring purposes. The boats have been regularly at sea, and their success, it is gratifying to add has been highly encouraging. The fish, however, still continue small irregular in size, which has caused considerable variation in prices – haddocks frequently selling on the same day from 9d to 3s per dozen; cod, from to 1s to 2s 6d each, and other fish in proportion. This season, all our local or Cellardyke boats have been exclusively engaged in white fishing, although in many of the newspapers they are reported as among the trawlers who resort to St Andrews Bay. It true, that when this mode of fishing was introduced here about fourteen years since by Rothsay fisherman, who practised it with great success in the “Frith,” several Cellardyke fishermen were the first to adopt a system which then seemed both legitimate and profitable. A short experience, however, convinced them of their error, and some years since – much to their credit – it was voluntarily abandoned and the whole of their trawling apparatus sold.

On Saturday afternoon last, as the schooner Elizabeth of Aberdeen, on her passage from that port to Wemyss, was tacking in the offing of Caiplie—a gale at the time prevailing from the eastward—she missed stays and was driven ashore. Fortunately this occurred at a point of the coast which was much sheltered, and the weather becoming more moderate in the course of the next tide, she was floated off and taken into Crail harbour, apparently little the worse of the mishap. The conduct of the fishermen of Cellardyke in this case is deserving of the highest praise, as no sooner was the dangerous position of the vessel observed, than they hastened to render assistance, and to their prompt and active exertions, her safety is in a great measure to be ascribed.

A second report adds

….Thomas Tarvit, at great personal hazard, went on board to aid the crew. On the tide receding, the crew abandoned the vessel, considering her wreck inevitable; but mainly by the skilful exertions Tarvit, and the weather becoming more moderate, she was floated off in the course of the next tide, and taken into Crail Harbour…..

1865

The Lifeboat. -Some disappointment has been felt for a week or two past, in consequence of the lifeboat not having been sooner despatched to this quarter. It was announced that the boat bad been fully completed, and was ready for transmission about a month ago; and rumour has been often at fault as to the day when she was to arrive at the railway station, it is now confidently reported, however, that she may be daily expected. The lifeboat house is being proceeded with as rapidly as the unsettled weather will admit. A day or two of good weather is still needed to complete the mason work, but any delay that may take place will not embarrass the committee, as temporary accommodation has been obtained for the lifeboat in Mr Hepburn’s fish curing premises. The feeling prevalent amongst the Cellardyke fishermen warrants the expectation that an enthusiastic reception will be given to the boat, which will probably be drawn with a crew of gallant fellows on board and in full sea going order from the railway station to the east end of Cellardyke. The procession, of course will lose much of its effect if the Volunteer band be absent and to secure their services, it is to be hoped that a speedy application will be made to Mr Addy, their esteemed major.

1930

A project is afoot to bring miniature golf to Anstruther, Cellardyke Improvements Committee are believed to be considering the laying down of a course to help the finances of the organisation.

The Cellardyke Town Hall would be the venue for the new course.

1931

Dairy business and premises in Cellardyke, For Sale, Privately, Shop, 38 Rodger Street, Cellardyke, with 5-Apartment DWELLING HOUSE above, and Byre, Stable, and Cart Shed, &c., in connection therewith. Assessed Rental, £24. Feu-Duty, £1 2s. There will be included in the sale the Dry-Dairy Business and Milk Round carried on by the late James D. Dow. Early occupation. For further particulars apply to MAXWELL &, DOW, Solicitors, Anstruther.

“Jock” Brown, the St Andrews- Canadian golf professional, attached to Summerlea Club, Montreal, is now on the Atlantic on his way home, where he will take part in his parents’ golden wedding celebrations. He has been in Canada during the past ten years, and has figured prominently many big tourneys. ……

His parents, Mr and Mrs Jas. Brown, 17 South Castle Street, St Andrews, celebrate their golden wedding early in December. It was on December 2, 1881, that the old couple were married in Kilrenny. Mrs Brown, who was Miss Elspeth Robertson before her marriage, belonged to the East Neuk. They were married by Dr Anderson, Cellardyke.

Mr Brown who is a retired fisherman, remembers the time when as many as 150 fishermen used to pursue the fishing industry at St Andrews.

11^th Nov

At Anstruther Memorial a short service was conducted by Revs. George Ogg. James A. Paterson, and Thomas R. Sneddon, and at Cellardyke Revs J. H. Prvde. James R Lee and J F. Kington officiated. A wreath from Cellardyke School was laid at the Memorial, and also two wreaths from the Town Council, one from Cellardyke and one from Anstruther.

Cost of Laying Pavement Provost Readdie presided the monthly meeting of Anstruther Town Council, when consideration was given to the question of laying foot pavements at the municipal houses at Cellardyke. Provost Readdie said the cost of laying concrete at both sides of Burnside Place and at parts on the north and south sides of Fowler Street would amount to about £200, taking about 7s to the square yard. If the pavements were tarred it would be half that cost. On the Provost’s suggestion the clerk was instructed to write to the Department of Health to ascertain if the repair fund would be available for the laying of proper foot pavements……

Offers for the repair of the pavement at Cellardyke School were submitted and that D. Motion, Cellardyke, was accepted.

A letter from the secretary of Cellardyke Ratepayers’ Association was received expressing dissatisfaction the council’s action in appointing Mr Small. West Anstruther as scavenger for Cellardyke.

1932

The employees of Messrs Robert Watson & Co., oilskin manufacturers, Newburgh, were entertained to tea by the firm in the Masonic Hall on the occasion of the recent wedding of Mr Andrew D. Mitchell, member of the firm.

Mr David Mitchell, Cellardyke, presided, and welcomed the company. Mr Mitchell stated he was proud of the relations existing between the firm and the employees.

Mr George R. Watson associated himself with Mr Mitchell’s remarks.

After tea games and dances were engaged in, and sketches were also given, and at the close Mr Charles Batchelor, on behalf of the employees, thanked the firm for their kindness.

Mr and Mrs A. D. Mitchell were present, and took part in the programme.

Exhibition of East Fife Products

A WALK ROUND THE STALLS. The exhibition was visited large crowds of people on both days, and courteous attendants pointed out the merits of the goods displayed. A walk round the hall proved an education.

Mrs Burnett, Arncroach, showed some quaint specimens of wrought iron work, including such useful articles boot scrapers, umbrella stands, and hinges of antique appearance but undoubted strength.

The various industries of Anstruther, Kilrenny, and Cellardyke were well represented. A. & W. Myles had on view Yatsman coats, Argyle leggings, and double cotta aprons for fisher folks, and further along Melville & Son, Cellardyke, showed Loch Fyne red herring and kippers.

Fish baskets, a potato creel, net needles, and a boat fender were included in the exhibit of the Fishermen’s Supply Store; and gate-legged tables were the speciality of Gray &. Pringle. Then came a collection of golf clubs laid out by D. W. Brodie & Coy., East Fife Golf Iron and Cleek Works, Anstruther, followed by a display children’s clothes, incorporating woollen coats in useful shapes and pretty colours, and oilskins by Martin & Co., Cellardyke.

Leather coats and short suede coats were a feature of the stand occupied by Watson & Coy., Cellardyke. The six stages in the manufacture of golf cleeks were demonstrated Mr James Anderson, golf cleek manufacturer, and the next exhibit also featured golf clubs made R. Brodie & Son, Anstruther. Cough mixtures and cold cream for various purposes, prepared by A. N, Bowman, chemist, were commented by many people. Two sets of fire irons, made Mr James Ramsay, Kilrenny, were greatly admired, and the next exhibit was by Mr Alex. Aitken, boat builder, Anstruther, who showed excellent models of a sailing boat and part of a motor boat.

One of the most interesting stands was that of Miss Mary J. Downey, Kilrenny, whose hand-painted pottery and china in original designs is worthy special note. Fruit and flower bowls, powder bowls, cigarette boxes, and candlesticks, preserve jars, tea and coffee sets, vases, and wall plaques all beautifully done, were only a few examples of her skilful art. A tapestry picture, with which she won first prize at the Highland Show in Dundee and a special prize at the W.R.I. rally at Kirkcaldy a fortnight ago, was exhibited. Mr Charles M. Grieg, The Loan, Anstruther, an ex-soldier, had on view several sea-grass stools of good workmanship. Mrs Bett was prominent with overalls. Mrs Dick, Cellardyke, is an expert in leather-work and hand weaving. On her stand were becoming leather golfing hats, tee-cases, shopping bags in leather, leather cloth, and Glamis fabrics, tea cosies, purses, and handbags. There were also beautifully knitted jumpers and hand-woven scarves in delicate colourings, as well as a good variety of articles suitable for Christmas parties and as prizes for bridge and whist drives. She is willing to send boxes of her goods on approbation to postal inquirers.

1934

ST MONANCE LAUNCH. A 46-feet-long fishing “nabby” was launched yesterday from the yard of Walter Reekie, boatbuilder. St Monance, for Mr M’Creath, Girvan. This ring-net boat will be driven by a 60 h.p. Gleniffer Diesel engine, and is fitted with all the latest appliances. She was named A.J.J. & T. by Miss Doris Martin, Cellardyke.  (This vessel was later to become Peter Murray’s 1^st Boy Peter, her name board is in the Museum)

1935

East Fife Orchestral Association – at a meeting in the reading room of Cellardyke Town hall, decided to resume practices, with Mr Alex Reid as Conductor

FORMER COXSWAIN OF CELLARDYKE LIFEBOAT

Death of Mr Wm. S. Sutherland

The death took place suddenly at his residence, 4 Harbour Head, Cellardyke, last night of Mr William S. Sutherland, who was a well-known and highly respected figure in the burgh. A native of Cellardyke, he was 67 years of age.

In January, 1915, he joined the Royal Naval Reserve, and left the service in 1919. During the war he was chief skipper. He was skipper of the steam drifter Fifeness until his retiral in 1932.

On 15th May, 1905,he  received a bronze medal from the Royal Humane Society for saving life from drowning, when he dived from the point of the east pier and rescued a boy.

He was first coxswain of the local lifeboat for 30 years, from 1903-33 When the present lifeboat’ was christened ii> 1933 received certificate of service from the Duke of Montrose

He was an enthusiastic member of the local British Legion Committee and also of the Royal Arch’ Chapter. He had no family, and is survived by his widow.

Excessive Speed – Charged with driving a heavy lorry at a speed of 27 m.p.h., Dysart Road, on Tuesday, 15^th Oct., Thomas -Murray, a Cellardyke motor driver, was fined 7s 6d by Baillie Collyer at the Police Court on Monday.

It is reported from Calcutta that Mr Thomas Gardner, a native of Cellardyke, and son of the late Mr Martin Gardner, Fowler Street, Cellardyke, has been badly hurt falling down the hold of his ship. He is the second officer of the s.s. Mangalore, present in Calcutta. In falling into the hold Mr Gardner sustained serious injuries, including a fracture of the pelvis, dislocated wrist, and superficial head wounds. His recovery is expected to take about three months.

1938

CELLARDYKE SPEAKER AT PITTENWEEM. Pittenweem Baptist Church Christian Endeavour held their monthly consecration in the church hall ~ Ml Ella Barnett presiding.

Miss B. Wood, Cellardyke, gave an address on “Church Membership.” Miss Wood also rendered a solo. Miss Ina May Hughes played the accompaniments.

1939

A disturbance in a ’bus had a sequel at Cupar Sheriff Court on Tuesday, when two Upper Largo men were fined. They were James Sydney Harris, motor hirer,  1 Manelian, and David Kinmond, motor driver, North Feus, both from Upper Largo. They admitted having created a breach of the peace in Main Street, Upper Largo, on 8th October, and Harris also admitted a charge of having assaulted the ’bus driver, Thomas Smith, 10 Fowler Street, Cellardyke, by hitting him on the chin.

Mr R. D. Gauld, solicitor, Cupar, for Kinmond, said that the two men were rather the worse of drink. Harris appeared to have fallen out of the door of the ’bus when it stopped. Kinmond did not see any assault, but took part in the argument which followed.

According to the depute Fiscal, Mr A. S. McNicol, Harris had fallen at the door of the ’bus, and then stated that he would report the driver. The driver had come out of his cabin to see what was wrong, and Harris hit him on the chin. Harris, who admitted a previous conviction, was fined £2 5s, and a fine of £1 5s was imposed on Kinmond.

1940

Anstruther District S.M.C. have been unsuccessful in their protest to Fife County Council against the installation of an airraid warning siren on Cellardyke School.

1941

Cellardyke Man Missing.

Mr and Mrs Alex. Rodger, 30 West Forth Street, Cellardyke, Anstruther, have been notified that their son, John Smith Rodger (22), who was a shipwright (4th class) on the Cossack, is reported missing, presumed killed. He joined the Royal Navy in June. 1940. , .

Presumed Killed on Naval Patrol Service.

Mr and Mrs T. Watson, 3 East Shore, Pittenweem, have been .notified that their son, Thomas Butters Watson (22), is missing, presumed killed on naval patrol service. The young man who was fisherman before joining up was married only six weeks ago to Cellardyke girl.

Lighting Offenders at Cupar. …….. Others who were fined flor lighting offences at their homes and business premises in their charge included: John Shearer, shoemaker, 21 Toll Road, Cellardyke (at the Dundee Equitable Shoe Shop in Roger Street, Anstruther),

1943

CELLARDYKE NURSE’S SUCCESS Miss Chrissie M. Smith, Duke Street Hospital, Glasgow, has passed out gold medallist in the recent final examination, and is now a State registered nurse. Nurse Smith is a daughter of Mrs Smith, 18 Rodger Street, Cellardyke.

1944

Mrs Wallace, 67 John Street, Cellardyke, has received intimation that her son, L-Cpl. Adam Wallace, previously reported missing at Arnhem, is now a prisoner. He was a signaller with the airborne battalion of the K.O.S.B. Educated at Waid Academy, was with the Clydesdale Bank in Dunoon before joining up.

1948

TOO OLD At 51?

A decision by the General Purposes Committee that a sub-committee should consider applications for the post of janitor at Cellardyke School after Anstruther School Management Committee had recommended that the present temporary janitor (age 51) be retained in the post, came in for a great deal of criticism. Bailie D. Mitchell, Anstruther, protesting against the decision of the General Purposes Committee, said it was a downright slight on the Anstruther School Management Committee, who had recommended that the present janitor be retained. Upholding the decision of the General Purposes Committee, Councillor Gatherum said that Anstruther School Management Committee had to come under the regulations of the Education Committee. It was up to the small committee appointed to choose a man for the post. Bailie Blarney, Cowdenbeath, said it was a question of principle. Under the superannuation scheme 45 was the age limit. Supporting Bailie Mitchell that the temporary man should have been considered for the post, Bailie Wright pointed out that the Ministry of Labour was appealing to older men and women to return to industry. After all there was very little difference between a man of 45 and a man of 51. If a man of 51 was considered an old man then 95 per cent of the Education Committee should be sitting at their firesides. Bailie Fraser, St Andrews, said that he could not understand all the unnecessary fuss. One would actually think that they were concerned with the rectorship of Dunfermline High School. There was very strong feeling in the east of Fife over the appointment and he thought the matter ought to be remitted back. After further discussion, it was agreed by 24 votes to 6 to remit the matter back to the General Purposes Committee.

1952

FIFE PROVOST LEFT £92,170 Provost William Watson Carstairs, OBE. J.P., manufacturer, of 18 West Forth Street, Cellardyke, who died on September 29, left £92,170 4s. In his will, lodged with the Sheriff Clerk Fife at Cupar yesterday, he bequeathed to the Town Council of Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter, and Anstruther Wester, over which he presided for 20 years, portrait himself in oils and a picture, “The Tea Clipper Race,” in view of its historical connection with both Anstruther and Cellardyke. His only other public bluest is £250 to Chalmers’ Memorial Church, Anstruther.

FOR SALE, as a going concern, the Business of FURNITURE MANUFACTURERS carried on by FIFE FURNITURE, Ltd. (in Liquidation), at CELLARDYKE, ANSTRUTHER, Fife, comprising the Heritable Property, Plant, Slocks of Raw Materials and Unfinished Goods. Particulars from the Liquidator, R. S. CLARK, C.A., Commercial Road, Leven

BUS DRIVER WEDS CONDUCTRESS Bus conductress Miss Nora Henderson, only daughter of the late Mr D. Henderson and of Mrs Henderson, 11 West Street, St Monance, was married in St Monance Church hall yesterday. Bridegroom is bus driver Henry B. Anderson, younger son of Mr and Mrs G. Anderson, Braeside, Burnside Terrace, Cellardyke. Ceremony was by Rev. J. S. Rough, St Monance. Bride was given away by her cousin, Mr James Aird, Crail. Matron of honour was Mrs D. Guthrie, sister of the bridegroom, and best man was Mr A. Henderson, brother of the bride.