On The Beach

by **rathbone** » 15 Jul 2006, 07:58

While walking along the front at Craigentinny about five o'clock on 14 May 1884, one Portobello resident came across a jacket lying on the grass, but there was no immediate sign of the owner.

Inspecting the jacket to see if there was any indication of who it might belong to so that he could return it, he came across a copy of the Glasgow Harbour Bylaws with the address of Mrs. J. Low, 38 Athole Street, Poplar, London inscribed on the inside cover. That was all, apart from three and a half pence and a pipe.

About to take the jacket along to the police station, the walker spotted something in the tide. On closer inspection it proved to be the body of a man dressed in a tweed waistcoat and vest with blue serge trousers. He looked to be about fifty years of age.

The police conveyed the body to the mortuary on Portobello beach, where it was examined by Dr. Balfour. It seemed that the man had been in the water for about three hours and, given that he was fully clothed apart from his jacket , it was assumed that he had comitted suicide.

Following inquiries to Mrs. Low, it was established that he was James Scott, an engine fitter who lived in Castle Street, Glasgow. Scott had been out of work for some time and had come through to Edinburgh in search of work.

by **rathbone** » 16 Jul 2006, 07:43

by **rathbone** » 17 Jul 2006, 09:00

by **rathbone** » 18 Jul 2006, 10:23

by **rathbone** » 19 Jul 2006, 09:16

by **rathbone** » 20 Jul 2006, 09:29

by **rathbone** » 21 Jul 2006, 09:21

So fond were the Scottish Regiments of their exercises on Portobello beach that when, with the development of Field Batteries, the Artillery Corps began to take on increasing importance during the 1890's, the beach was proposed as a potential firing range.

It was an ideal site, being nearly a mile of clear level sand within easy marching distance of the barracks at Piershill.

The idea received considerable support among the military hierarchy and it was only by the narrowest of margins that Portobello escape becoming the base for target practice for the scottish gunners.

by **rathbone** » 22 Jul 2006, 08:02

About half past six on the evening of 15 August 1889 a yacht named the Foam was observed by the promenaders on the pier and beach to overturn, throwing the four occupants into the water. The sudden capsizing was the result of a squally breeze which took the occupants of the yacht unawares.

Fortunately for them they had a small boat in tow and cutting it adrift they managed to scramble in to it and after some delay through the loss of an oar, made safely to the shore.

Almost immediately afterwards another craft, the Norna, which was about a quarter mile from the pier head was also noticed to capsize and the owner and a companion were seen struggling in the water.

Both could swim and they were able to keep afloat until the steamer Lord Aberdour which was backing from the pier reached them.

A couple of life buoys were thrown to them and these they seized and sustained themselves in the water until a boat from the shore picked them up.

Both the Foam and Norna sank.

The accidents were the cause of considerable excitement upon the pier and beach to which a large number of people had been attracted by the arrival of Professor Albert from his attempt to swim the Forth.

by **rathbone** » 23 Jul 2006, 07:36

There was a light drizzle on the evening of 15 August 1890.

People walking along the Promenade at about five to ten observed a strange phenomenon.

If they chanced to look towards the north east, there appeared to be a rainbow which stood well up, towards the zenith. It was very clearly defined and the outer bow was faintly visible. It very much resembled a lunar rainbow but was a great deal brighter.

In about half a minute it began to fade and two seconds later had entirely disappeared.

There was no moon at the time and people looked round to see if they could discover what had produced the phenomenon. There was the reflection of a brilliant light in the sky opposite, but no indication of what had caused it, or the rainbow.

by **rathbone** » 24 Jul 2006, 09:19

Summer 1891 saw a series of Sunday evening concerts given by Messrs. Dunn and Davidson's band. The vocalists were Herr Oscar Mainz and Mr. H. B. Brandreth of La Cigale Opera Company.

The concerts proved popular, with regular attendances of 1,100 people coming through the turnstile.

However, the concerts were not to the liking of the Sabbath Alliance of Scotland.

It was their contention that the pier was now under the management of a small body of shareholders who had inaugurated this iniquitous series of concerts against the expressed desire of almost the entire community of Portobello. It was well known that the people who frequented these concerts were not inhabitants of the town, but were conveyed by rail from Edinburgh to idulge in their perverse pleasures.

The Sabbath Alliance sent a letter of remonstrance to the shareholders of Mr. Galloway's Company.

In response, letters appeared in the Scotsman pointing out that the majority of people attending the concerts were well kent faces from Portobello.

by **rathbone** » 25 Jul 2006, 09:20

On the Saturday afternoon after Christmas thirteen members of the Edinburgh Harriers turned up at an festive run from Portobello pier. As there was such a small muster it was thought unnecessary to lay a trail so the thirteen formed themselves into one pack and had a splendid run of over seven miles in 47 minutes. The route taken was through the town to Duddingston Crescent, past Lady Napierâ€™s to Niddrie pits thence cross country down through Craighall back to the Promenade, finishing at the end of the pier.

by **rathbone** » 26 Jul 2006, 07:21

by **rathbone** » 27 Jul 2006, 08:54

by **rathbone** » 28 Jul 2006, 09:31

Despite the Sabbath Alliance, entertainment went on, it simply transferred to the beach.

A series of concerts, billed as "Music for the People" took place on the sands throughout the summer of 1893. Typical of the programmes presented is this one from 27 June:

March The Hero - Aiden;
Cornet Solo Ora Pro Noble - Piccolomiol ( soloist, Mr. R. Thorburn);
Valse Valley of Fearns - Round;
Selection from Beethoven;
Polka Busy Bee - Pund;
Selection from Donizetti;
Schottische Gay and Festive - Rose
Selection from Genius of Erin - Round;
God Save The Queen

The Pier meanwhile played host to the first annual regatta of the Eastern Amateur Rowing Club.

A very large crowd of people congregated at the end of the pier from which a full view of the various races could be obtained while a great number piloted themselves about in boats. There were twelve items on the programme of which seven were pair or four oared matches and generally the races were keenly contested. The big event, however, was the race for yachts rating under 15 tons and no fewer than nine vessels started including several well known cutters.

Later in the year Portobello Amateur Rowing Club held their ninth annual regatta.

By the end of July Grand Sacred Concerts were being held on the beach every Sunday and variety performances daily at 3 and 7 p.m.

Needless to say, this highlighted the nonsense of the licensing position and, despite the Scottish Sabbath Alliance, the Galloway Steam Packet Company had their licence to hold musical and other entertainments of a like kind on Portobello Pier reinstated in April 1894.

by **rathbone** » 29 Jul 2006, 08:29

by **rathbone** » 30 Jul 2006, 14:36

Different people react to problems in different ways.

Mona Aynsley and Ada Wright were both young women having problems with their employers.

Mona Aynsley was an instrumentalist with the Portobello Pier entertainment troupe and in August 1894 she developed a summer cold which confined her to her bed. The show had to go on without her. As a consequence, Joseph Ellis, who ran the entertainment troupe, docked her wages, so she took him to court in order to recover the 6s 8d which she felt he owed her. Unfortunately witnesses testified that it was the 'rule of the profession' that 'no play meant no pay'. Sheriff Hamilton agreed and dismissed the case.

Ada Wright had left her home in Rhyl to become manageress of the Hydrotherapy clinic at Bridge of Alan, but presumably she found the responsibility more than she could handle. In early December she absconded from her post and was reported missing by the proprietors
of the clinic.

After staying a few days in lodgings in Duddingston Village, Ada walked down to Portobello beach, took off all her clothes and walked into the waves, never to be seen again.

A man out shooting sea fowl on the sands came across the bundle of clothes lying on the beach, near the brickworks. The police took possession of the garments, which contained only a small sum of money, some postage stamps and a letter with an address in Duddingston village.

Despite searches, her body was never found.

by **rathbone** » 31 Jul 2006, 08:51

The Galloway Saloon Steam Packet Company appealed against the 1895 valuation of Â£250 put on the Portobello pier promenade and cafe, asking that it be reduced to Â£40.

The Assessor argue that Portobello pier was not being used as a pier.
No-one paid dues in order to embark on board a steamer or to land from one. The whole income was derived from its occupation as a promenade and place of entertainment. There was a cafe and connected with it there was a saloon and a particular portion of the pier was appropriated for the purposes of a sort of al fresco theatre.

The Assessor said that his way of fixing the valuation of the pier was to take a percentage on the cost of the structure. He valued the pier at Â£3500. He took seven and a half percent of that cost.

The Court agreed that the principle laid down by the assessor was sound but in order to meet the Company, they decided to fix the valuation at Â£200.

by **rathbone** » 01 Aug 2006, 07:29

Mr. Ferri was a confectioner who had a sweet shop on the Royal Mile. He was also a keen rifleman and often went down to Portobello beach to take pot shots at the sea birds.

On 20 December 1895 he was picking out potential targets when he spotted a number of pigeons and let loose, killing two of the birds.

Unfortunately, these were not any old pigeons, they were carrier pigeons belonging to R.D. Brown of Glen Cottage, Musselburgh.

Brown sued for the loss of his pigeons.

At the trial on 4 March 1896, Ferri argued that the pigeons were just pigeons and had no real value, whereupon Brown's lawyer brought on pigeon fancier after pigeon fancier, some of international reputation, to testify to the value of the birds.

In its judgement, the court found that the original shooting had been reckless and that Mr. Ferri could not have been aware, at the time, that the birds were carrier pigeons, nevertheless, they were valuable birds. He was ordered to pay Brown full compensation.

by **rathbone** » 02 Aug 2006, 07:37

by **rathbone** » 03 Aug 2006, 08:10

by **rathbone** » 04 Aug 2006, 07:39

by **rathbone** » 05 Aug 2006, 07:26

by **rathbone** » 06 Aug 2006, 07:25

by **rathbone** » 10 Aug 2006, 20:57

by **rathbone** » 21 Aug 2006, 08:52

In February 1901 the Burgh Engineer was instructed to prepare a report to extend the Promenade from Kings Road to Seafield.

It was considered that, with the sweeping away of all the irrigation works between Edinburgh and the sea and with the foreshore as a continuation of the Portobello Promenade up to the Leith boundary, an ideal seaside resort would be provided for the city.

The centre portion of the extension to the Promenade might very suitably be reserved for pleasure grounds.

It was anticipated the in the course of time this must become one of the most attractive drives on the shores of the Firth of Forth, having the advantage of being open to the sea in a manner not achievable anywhere else between Portobello and South Queensferry.

On 3 July the Lord Provostâ€™s Committee accepted an estimate amounting to Â£2936 6s 3d for the work to extend the Promenade to Seafield.

However, by 12 votes to 3 they rejected a proposal to erect a bandstand on Portobello Promenade.

by **rathbone** » 22 Aug 2006, 08:27

by **rathbone** » 23 Aug 2006, 08:26

June 1902 saw changes at the foot of Bath Street.

Large modern shops were being built to suit tenants or purchasers. Each property consisted of a front shop with two rooms behind. The selling point was their excellent situation on the Promenade.

The extension of the Promenade to Seafield proved more costly than originally thought. The land was in the ownership of Mr. Christie Murray of Craigentinny and he did not give it up lightly. He originally claimed Â£2,000 in compensation, but the Valuer thought it was worth more than that and the Council had to give him Â£3,000.

Mr. Wood, who owned the land immediately adjacent to the Figgate Burn, accepted Â£100 in full compensation of his claim on condition that a slip be made at the west end of his property and a short street made as an access to it along the side of the burn.

by **rathbone** » 24 Aug 2006, 08:28

As late as 1903, the regiments were still parading down to the beach from Piershill barracks and exercising on the sands.

On 14 February that year some fifty troopers of the 17th Lancers were engaged in drill practice when one of their number named Trooper James Stoker, detached himself from the ranks and rode his horse about in such an erratic and irresponsible way that it was obvious his judgement had become affected.

The other troopers closed round and with difficulty unhorsed the unfortunate soldier.

So violent did he become that he had to be bound with horses reins. Afterwards the police removed him to the barracks in an ambulance where it was found he was suffering from a fit of epilepsy.

by **rathbone** » 25 Aug 2006, 08:32

On the evening of 6 March 1903 a young woman, fairly well dressed and who was much under the influence of drink, rushed into the sea near the pier and falling, disappeared in the water.

She was brought ashore, by bystanders, who prevented her from again rushing into the water.

She managed, however, to tear off the greater part of her clothing and she had to be tied into a hand ambulance and taken to the police office.

by **rathbone** » 26 Aug 2006, 07:20

On Portobello Pier, on 8 July 1903, in the presence of over 700 persons a walking contest for three prizes offered by the manager was held.

The walk was twice the length of the pier, about 730 yards.

The contest was won by George Gibson by two yards in 3 mins 18 and one third secs.

by **rathbone** » 27 Aug 2006, 09:20

In almost a repeat of the incident of the previous year, while a party of the 17th Lancers were taking part in certain exercises on Portobello beach on 19 April 1904, one of their number, Trooper Stocking of A Squadron, bolted off on horseback in the direction of Edinburgh.

Some of his comrades gave chase and caught up with him in Montrose Terrace.

Stocking, however, evaded his pursuers by proceeding along Regent Road at a fast pace. He was closely followed for a distance but as he was better mounted he was ultimately able to leave the others behind and escape.

An officer and a few troopers proceeded to pursue him through the City. He headed off along Queensferry Road. On arriving at Cramond Bridge the officer warned the authorities at Queensferry. In the Kirliston Road two policemen observed the Lancer in the midst of a number of people towards whom he was brandishing a weapon.

Stocking was afterwards taken back to Edinburgh in a cab and detained in the Royal Infirmary for medical examination.

On The Beach

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