1 September 1904 was not a good day.Two men met with serious accidents on Portobello beach.
In the morning a groom named Lang, in the employment of the Duke of Buccleuch, was thrown by a horse which he was exercising and which became restive and bolted. A compound frac ture of the right leg below the knee was the result and he was conveyed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
In the afternoon a young italian hawker named Antonio Taliercio, living in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh, jumped so awkwardly from the promenade to the beach, a distance of some two feet, that he fractured his right thigh and was also taken to the Infirmary.
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On The Beach
by rathbone » 31 Aug 2006, 07:28
On the evening of 24 June 1905, while a boating party were rowing in the vicinity of the eastern end of Portobello Promenade, they were attracted to an object floating in the sea which proved to be the dead body of a man, apparantly past middle life.
The body was taken to Portobello mortuary where it was noted that it must have been about three weeks in the water.
In the pockets were some three shillings and a colliery worker’s excursion ticket of date 3rd June for the journey between Meikle Earnock and Edinburgh.
The body was taken to Portobello mortuary where it was noted that it must have been about three weeks in the water.
In the pockets were some three shillings and a colliery worker’s excursion ticket of date 3rd June for the journey between Meikle Earnock and Edinburgh.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 01 Sep 2006, 07:23
About 400 persons attended on Portobello pier on the evening of 2 July 1905 to enjoy the inaugural concert of a series to be given there on successive Sunday evenings during the season.
The programme was mainly composed of orchestral numbers and a band of professional musicians under the direction of Mr. George Burnley, musical director of the Lyceum and Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, gave a delightful rendering to the classical pieces selected. A male voice quartet and Miss Mary Brown, contralto, rendered vocal numbers.
The programme was mainly composed of orchestral numbers and a band of professional musicians under the direction of Mr. George Burnley, musical director of the Lyceum and Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, gave a delightful rendering to the classical pieces selected. A male voice quartet and Miss Mary Brown, contralto, rendered vocal numbers.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 05 Sep 2006, 09:40
The Promenade bandstand was well used during the early 1900s. The following is just a selection of the many bands who performed there:
The Portobello Brass Band
The Portobello B.B. Band
The Portobello Pipe Band
The Portobello Celtic Drummers
Dr. Guthrie's Industrial School Band
The Edinurgh and Leith Postal Band
The Band of the Royal Scots Greys
The bandstand was not just used for music, however. It was also a political platform. For example, on 17 January 1906 Mr. R.C. Munro Ferguson spoke to over 100 pottery hands and other workmen. He was heckled in regard to Irish Home Rule. He said he would support the Liberal Government’s Irish policy and expressed his keen delight over the Radical successes achieved.
The Portobello Brass Band
The Portobello B.B. Band
The Portobello Pipe Band
The Portobello Celtic Drummers
Dr. Guthrie's Industrial School Band
The Edinurgh and Leith Postal Band
The Band of the Royal Scots Greys
The bandstand was not just used for music, however. It was also a political platform. For example, on 17 January 1906 Mr. R.C. Munro Ferguson spoke to over 100 pottery hands and other workmen. He was heckled in regard to Irish Home Rule. He said he would support the Liberal Government’s Irish policy and expressed his keen delight over the Radical successes achieved.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 07 Sep 2006, 09:06
On 24 July 1906 a young man was found dead in a bathing hut parked at the side of the Figgate burn, Portobello. He had dark hair, a slight moustache and a tattoo saying “S.S. Galateaâ€
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 12 Sep 2006, 09:40
At the beginning of November, Edinburgh Town Council decided to recommend that the erection of the Joppa esplanade be proceeded with at a probable cost of £7,000.
It was also proposed that the promenade at the west end from the foot of Bath Street to Kings Road should be widened so as to give more elbow room to the great crowds which frequented that part.
Allegedly, it was owing to the narrowness of the Promenade that so much unseemly conduct was witnessed during the summer months.
There were frequently to be seen bands of young fellows amusing themselves by pushing people off the Promenade.
The time was right to acquire the necessary strip of ground at a cheap rate before the old buildings which occupied the ground were replaced by new ones.
It was also proposed that the promenade at the west end from the foot of Bath Street to Kings Road should be widened so as to give more elbow room to the great crowds which frequented that part.
Allegedly, it was owing to the narrowness of the Promenade that so much unseemly conduct was witnessed during the summer months.
There were frequently to be seen bands of young fellows amusing themselves by pushing people off the Promenade.
The time was right to acquire the necessary strip of ground at a cheap rate before the old buildings which occupied the ground were replaced by new ones.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 16 Sep 2006, 07:43
In the days before traffic lights, the cross roads where Bath Street and Brighton Place meet the High Street were controlled by a Policeman, who stood in the middle of the road and regulated the traffic.
On 3 July 1907, Constable John Knipe was engaged in that duty, when he observed a pedestrian crossing over the junction and heading down Bath Street.
The person seemed familiar. PC Knipe thought that he recognised him as an ex convict called Alexander Learmonth, who was wanted by Perth police on a charge of theft by housebreaking.
Leaving the traffic to its own devices, PC Knipe followed his suspect down Bath Street and hailed him by name on Portobello Promenade.
As Learmonth admitted his identity, Knipe arrested him but on passing along Mentone Avenue on the way to Portobello Police office, Learmonth pretended that his bootlace had come loose and stooping to tie it, thrust his head between his captors legs and tried to upset him. A protracted struggle followed.
Learmonth, by menaces and kicks, kept back people who tried to assist the constable, but PC Knipe at last got him handcuffed. Assistance was then forthcoming and the man was taken to the Police office and locked up.
While in the cells, Learmonth attempted to strangle himself with his braces and had to have his hands secured behind his back by handcuffs. He was later charged and transported to Perth.
On 3 July 1907, Constable John Knipe was engaged in that duty, when he observed a pedestrian crossing over the junction and heading down Bath Street.
The person seemed familiar. PC Knipe thought that he recognised him as an ex convict called Alexander Learmonth, who was wanted by Perth police on a charge of theft by housebreaking.
Leaving the traffic to its own devices, PC Knipe followed his suspect down Bath Street and hailed him by name on Portobello Promenade.
As Learmonth admitted his identity, Knipe arrested him but on passing along Mentone Avenue on the way to Portobello Police office, Learmonth pretended that his bootlace had come loose and stooping to tie it, thrust his head between his captors legs and tried to upset him. A protracted struggle followed.
Learmonth, by menaces and kicks, kept back people who tried to assist the constable, but PC Knipe at last got him handcuffed. Assistance was then forthcoming and the man was taken to the Police office and locked up.
While in the cells, Learmonth attempted to strangle himself with his braces and had to have his hands secured behind his back by handcuffs. He was later charged and transported to Perth.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 20 Sep 2006, 09:13
Perhaps it was the increase in mussel selling on the Promenade, but in September 1908 Shopkeepers whose premises fronted on to the Promenade requested Bailie Carmichael to bring before the authorities their grievance against the hawkers who frequented the esplanade.
Bailie Carmichael promised to submit the request to the first meeting of the magistrates.
The shopkeepers complained that while they had to pay shop rates, assistants wages and taxes and had difficulty in making a decent livelihood, the hawkers, with none of these outlays, were allowed to patrol in front of the shops dealing in the same class of goods.
They suggested that the hawkers be relegated to a portion of the beach away from the shops.
Bailie Carmichael expressed the hope that next season the police would be instructed to deal with the hawkers and that the cause for complaint would be removed.
Bailie Carmichael promised to submit the request to the first meeting of the magistrates.
The shopkeepers complained that while they had to pay shop rates, assistants wages and taxes and had difficulty in making a decent livelihood, the hawkers, with none of these outlays, were allowed to patrol in front of the shops dealing in the same class of goods.
They suggested that the hawkers be relegated to a portion of the beach away from the shops.
Bailie Carmichael expressed the hope that next season the police would be instructed to deal with the hawkers and that the cause for complaint would be removed.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 28 Sep 2006, 09:15
It wasn't just advertisements that the Corporation were clamping down on.
On 16 May the full penalty for a first offence, namely £10 fine with sixty days imprisonment as the option was imposed on James Stewart, of 28 Wilson’s Park, Portobello, who pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found loitering on Portobello Promenade for the purpose of betting.
When arrested he had in his possession over £4 in cash, a number of betting slips and a settling book showing he had disbursed £5 in settlement of bets.
Another bookie, residing in Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh, who was charged along with Stewart, pleaded not guilty and was released on £10 bail pending trial.
On 16 May the full penalty for a first offence, namely £10 fine with sixty days imprisonment as the option was imposed on James Stewart, of 28 Wilson’s Park, Portobello, who pleaded guilty to a charge of having been found loitering on Portobello Promenade for the purpose of betting.
When arrested he had in his possession over £4 in cash, a number of betting slips and a settling book showing he had disbursed £5 in settlement of bets.
Another bookie, residing in Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh, who was charged along with Stewart, pleaded not guilty and was released on £10 bail pending trial.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 30 Sep 2006, 07:20
9 September saw a yacht race for all comers off Portobello which attracted an entry of thirty one craft of which (twenty nine started).
Held under the auspices of the Almond Yacht Club and sponsored by the Edinburgh Marine Garden, the race was for six prizes presented by the directors of the Gardens.
A fine spectacle was presented as the boats, nearly all from Granton direction, sailed down to their moorings off Portobello pier.
Half an hour before the start the commodore’s boat, the motor cruiser Fiona gaily decorated with bunting, anchored opposite the Gardens bandstand.
The race was over a three legged course.A fresh easterly breeze held from early forenoon till after the race had finished. As the wind was easterly the course set provided a beat to the first mark, a run to the second and a reach home.
As it happened both marks were much further inshore than had been designed and the course having been shortened, the bigger craft were placed at a disadvantage. Most of the fleet got well away to good starts though, through crossing before their gun, three crafts were recalled.
In the reach home Seamouse took a fine lead and won.
Held under the auspices of the Almond Yacht Club and sponsored by the Edinburgh Marine Garden, the race was for six prizes presented by the directors of the Gardens.
A fine spectacle was presented as the boats, nearly all from Granton direction, sailed down to their moorings off Portobello pier.
Half an hour before the start the commodore’s boat, the motor cruiser Fiona gaily decorated with bunting, anchored opposite the Gardens bandstand.
The race was over a three legged course.A fresh easterly breeze held from early forenoon till after the race had finished. As the wind was easterly the course set provided a beat to the first mark, a run to the second and a reach home.
As it happened both marks were much further inshore than had been designed and the course having been shortened, the bigger craft were placed at a disadvantage. Most of the fleet got well away to good starts though, through crossing before their gun, three crafts were recalled.
In the reach home Seamouse took a fine lead and won.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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by rathbone » 02 Oct 2006, 09:26
In the middle of March 1912 residents of Portobello and Joppa noticed a number of men with picks and bags hacking away at the rocks below the salt pans.
It turned out these were men from Musselburgh getting supplies of good serviceable splint coal from the Niddrie seams which outcrop between high and low water mark The seams are in some cases a couple of feet thick and the strata are tilted almost to a vertical position.
After making the most of their opportunities for several days, the miners were effectively stopped from getting any more coal on the foreshore following protests from the local population.
It turned out these were men from Musselburgh getting supplies of good serviceable splint coal from the Niddrie seams which outcrop between high and low water mark The seams are in some cases a couple of feet thick and the strata are tilted almost to a vertical position.
After making the most of their opportunities for several days, the miners were effectively stopped from getting any more coal on the foreshore following protests from the local population.
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rathbone - Posts: 1989
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