Musselburgh Courier

All geared up for the arrival of on-street parking charges in the county

TWO significant steps towards the introduction of on-street parking charges in East Lothian have taken place. On Tuesday, East Lothian Council announced the start date for parking charges in North Berwick – the first county town to introduce the...

Caring five-year-old’s donations leave foodbank volunteers in tears

A KIND-HEARTED five-year-old who wanted to make sure that no one missed out at Christmas gave an amazing boost to East Lothian Foodbank’s efforts in helping out those in need across the county over the festive period. The generosity shown gave a...

We’ve lost our ‘light in the dark’

TRIBUTES have been paid to “a light in the dark” after her “sudden and very unexpected” death just days before Christmas. Tattoo artist and Dunbar RNLI crew member Kerry Gentle, 34, was found dead in her home on Dunbar’s High Street; a post mortem is...

Lunches a festive occasion

A WHOLE host of festive fun was enjoyed at two special community Christmas lunches held in Musselburgh ahead of the big day. Taking place at The Venue at Eskmills and at the Ravelston House Hotel, the lunches saw people gather together to celebrate...

‘Perfect gentleman’ honoured

IT WAS a special moment for Haddington stalwart Rab Moran when he received his British Empire Medal. Mr Moran was awarded the honour earlier this year and received it from Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian Roderick Urquhart at a special ceremony at...

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PLANS to move forward with parking charges in four East Lothian town centres have been approved by councillors, despite significant public opposition. At a meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday which began with noisy protests outside Haddington...

Controversial plans for town centre parking charges set to be approved

PARKING charges look set to be introduced in four more towns in East Lothian. The proposals for Dunbar, Haddington, Musselburgh and Tranent have been widely condemned by residents and businesses since they were revealed earlier this year, amid fears...

Beachside dining and sauna bid

PLANS to build a restaurant beside the beach at Longniddry Bents have been revealed. The scenic spot, which welcomes thousands of visitors every year, could become home to the new restaurant, as well as beach huts and a sauna, if the plans get the...

Christmas delight for brave Kobi

BABY Kobi Crolla is certainly no stranger to Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. The one-year-old, from Prestonpans, has gone through 16 operations after being born prematurely, weighing just 3.3lbs. But on Sunday, he and his...

Veterans fly the flag in London

MUSSELBURGH veterans made a special trip to London at the weekend, to take part in the capital city’s Remembrance commemorations. William (Billy) Morrison represented Legion Scotland as its national standard bearer at the Festival of Remembrance at...

Wife killer jailed for life for ‘utterly despicable’ murder

A MAN who murdered his wife after believing she had been cheating on him has been jailed for life for the “utterly despicable” attack. Mompati Dodo Isaacs stabbed Keotshepile Naso Isaacs, known as Naso, to death at the family home in North Berwick on...

Piece of East Lothian’s history goes up in flames

THOUSANDS of pounds’ worth of damage has been caused to a historic building at Dunbar Harbour following a “devastating” fire. Firefighters from throughout East Lothian and beyond spent more than 12 hours tackling the blaze at McArthur’s Store on...

Slamming the brakes on parking charges decision

A DECISION on bringing in controversial parking charges in three East Lothian towns has been pushed back to December – just days before councillors had been due to vote on them. Councillors were set to discuss the possibility of charges and various...

Forty more years of work on the horizon at

WORK at East Lothian’s newest town could go on for another four decades, into the 2060s. Already, about 400 homes have been built at Blindwells, with a primary school opening to 73 pupils earlier this year, and plans being drawn up for a town...

County set to have highest rate of net migration in Scotland

EAST Lothian is projected to have the highest net rate of migration in Scotland over the next decade, new figures have shown. New projection figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) forecast that East Lothian will have the highest increase...

Scottish Ministers given final say on flood scheme

EAST Lothian councillors have passed on responsibility for making the final decision on a hugely controversial £54 million flood scheme for Musselburgh to Scottish Ministers, as they were told that the final cost of the project was unknown. A report...

REMEMBERED

AM U S I C A L theatre star from Tranent has described being nominated for two West End awards for her performance in the production Mean Girls as “absolutely crazy”. Fergie Fraser, 26, landed her “big break” in June last year when she was cast in the...

Murder trial hears claim man shouted at wife: ‘Did you sleep with him?’

A WOMAN has told a court of how she heard a recording of a man shouting “did you sleep with him?” to the wife he is accused of murdering. Rusila Ventanbula, 49, said that she heard Mompati Dodo Isaacs, 39, make the allegations to his partner...

‘Heartbroken’ mum takes action after son suffers horror burns at party

A MUSSELBURGH mum has launched a campaign calling for legislation around serving hot drinks in children’s venues. Marina Diotaiuti’s son Nico (pictured), who was three at the time, suffered second-degree burns on the majority of his back after a hot...

‘Future of the arts in Musselburgh is bleak if The Brunton is listed’

THE future of the arts in East Lothian’s biggest town would be “bleak” if its mothballed theatre became a listed building, a council chief has warned. The Brunton Hall in Mus selburgh has been closed since October last year, after reinforced...

Schools’ first pupils settle in

EAST Lothian’s two newest schools have welcomed their first ever pupils through their doors. Both Blindwells Primary School and Craighall Primary School opened to pupils for the first time when the new school year began across East Lothian last...

Fringe by the Sea is best ever!

A STAR-STUDDED Fringe by the Sea was declared the best ever by organisers after coming to a close on Sunday. Big names including Air, Sir Chris Hoy and fitness hero Joe Wicks (pictured right, by Lewspics) took to the stage over the course of 10 packed...

Bin lorry driver admits causing death of boy cycling to school

A BIN lorry driver from East Lothian has admitted causing the death of a child, who was cycling to school, by failing to carry out proper checks as he pulled out of a golf club car park. Ross Wallace struck 11-year-old Thomas Wong as he drove the NWH...

County’s hero Josh bows out the ring a history-maker

FORMER undisputed world champion Josh Taylor has been celebrated as one of boxing’s alltime greats after he announced his immediate retirement on medical advice. The 34-year-old, from Prestonpans, is the only British boxer in the four-belt era to have...

Say hello to the famous Musselburgh Festival!

THE countdown is on to the 2025 Musselburgh Festival, which will see a “historic first” as the Kirkin’ and Sashing traditions are united into one ceremony. The annual event, which will be led by Honest Lad Jordan Windram and Honest Lass Rachael Hawes,...

Scottish Open’s £7.8 million boost to the local economy

SCOTLAND’S largest golf tournament is expected to again be worth well over £7 million to East Lothian’s economy. Most of the sport’s top stars will tee off at The Renaissance Club, by Dirleton, today as the Genesis Scottish Open returns to the county...

‘Significant changes’ must be made at council, says watchdog

EAST Lothian Council’s delivery of local services has come at an “unsustainable cost” and it must make “significant changes”. That is the view of the Accounts Commission in a new report published this morning (Thursday). The local authority is...

Are we missing out on a golden nuclear age?

Concerns over bathing water quality at Fisherrow

SCOTLAND’S 2025 bathing water season has opened with a ‘poor’ rating for Fisherrow Sands in Musselburgh, causing concern from the harbour and seafront group, and local politicians. The beach dropped from being ‘sufficient’ last year, after previously...

More town centre charges

PLANS for parking charges and extensive permit parking in the centre of Musselburgh have been revealed. The town is the fifth in East Lothian to see the controversial parking charge proposals outlined. Charges were approved in North Berwick last...

Grammar’s great effort to boost good cause

PUPILS and staff from Musselburgh Grammar School have raised more than £600 for Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service (MYPAS) after taking part in the Bluebell 5k Trail Run. The charity funds the school’s counsellor, Ailsa Hill, and members of...

Half a million reasons for cabbie Colin to celebrate!

A FORMER taxi driver is getting ready to spoil his family after winning more than half a million pounds in a radio competition. Colin Christie enjoyed a weekend to remember when he scooped £533,000 through Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh’s ‘Make Me A...

Police officer struck by car is overwhelmed by support from community

A POLICE officer struck by a car in Haddington has thanked the people of East Lothian “for their support and kind messages”. On Tuesday, May 6, PC Dermott Maughan, a school link officer, was taken to hospital after being hit by a car on Haddington...

A sacrifice never forgotten

A SPECIAL parade through Musselburgh helped mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day last Thursday. Uniformed organisations, including the Scouts and Boys’ Brigade, air, army, sea and Royal Marines cadets, along with military veterans and local council...

Landmark legal victory for abuse survivor

A FORMER boarding school pupil has secured a landmark legal victory after suing Loretto School for historic abuse. Angus Bell, 44, launched a legal action over claims he was repeatedly attacked at the school in Musselburgh. Mr Bell, who now lives in...

ON THE CATWALK TO FIGHT CANCER

Hard-up Citizens Advice worker stole £35,000 to pay her debts

A CITIZENS Advice worker has admitted embezzling more than £30,000 from the charity over four years because of her own mounting debts. Carole Ferguson, 60, was employed as a financial officer with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Musselburgh when she...

Out-of-control lorry crashes into properties but, incredibly, no-one hurt Miraculous escape

AN OUT-OF-CONTROL lorry, carrying two shipping containers, smashed into three front gardens on a residential street on Tuesday morning. Incredibly, no-one was hurt in the incident at around 11am on Gardiner Road, Prestonpans, but there was extensive...

‘I want to live long enough so my children remember me’

A MUM diagnosed with stage four lung cancer has told of her “overriding aim” of living long enough for her young children to remember her, as she prepares to take on a marathon. Emma Philp and her family – husband Alastair and sons Harris, three, and...

The pride of Musselburgh

MUSSELBURGH turned out in force to meet the 2025 Honest Lad and Honest Lass as they were publicly announced on Friday evening. Jordan Windram and Rachael Hawes, both aged 20, are now looking forward to undertaking duties during the Musselburgh...

Farm shop is just champion!

A FARM shop is toasting success after winning a prestigious award at Scotland’s ‘Rural Oscars’. Carfrae Farm Shop, near Garvald, was named best village shop/post office at the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards, much to the delight of managing...

The return of the puffins!

THE first puffins of 2025 have been spotted in the Firth of Forth. The team at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick saw the colourful seabirds (pictured right, by Emily Burton, Scottish Seabird Centre) on their live cameras near...

Residents forced to flee homes as fire breaks out

RESIDENTS of two adjoining homes in Musselburgh were forced to flee to safety on Tuesday evening after a fire broke out. The incident on the town’s Edenhall Bank caused extensive damage to a fence and hedge, as well as visible damage to the outside of...

Red Arrows fly over the county

THE world-famous Red Arrows delighted residents when they made their way over East Lothian recently. The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aerobatic team, the Red Arrows are known for spectacular aerial performances and are training for the new season. While...

Police station closures trigger concerns

CONCERNS of a “creeping reduction of police services in East Lothian have been raised” after the closure of three county police stations was confirmed this week. Last August, Police Scotland launched public consultations on the potential disposal of...

FAREWELL TO STILL GAME STAR JAMES

‘Financial motives’ not ruled out in couple’s sudden death in France

POLICE investigating the sudden deaths of a married couple from Musselburgh at their home in the south of France have not ruled out that they were murdered for “financial motives”. Andrew Searle and Dawn Kerr, who were both aged in their sixties, were...

Residents ‘scared and disheartened’ amid spate of car fires

RESIDENTS of a Tranent street are “feart to leave the house” following “a spate of car fires” which has seen three vehicles destroyed in the space of just four days. Firefighters were called to Meetinghouse Drive last Thursday morning and again on...

County reels from storm

EAST Lothian is recovering after being battered by hurricane-force winds as Storm Éowyn tore through the county on Friday. Residents hunkered down indoors to escape the worst of the wild weather and thankfully no serious injuries were...

Oh boy!And girl! Meet Scotland’s ‘first twins of 2025’

A MUSSELBURGH family enjoyed a double New Year celebration after welcoming the first East Lothian babies of 2025 – believed to be the only twins born in Scotland on New Year’s Day. Lynsey Boyd, of Windsor Park Terrace, was not expecting the twins...

TV star hides in train toilets to escape cruel abuse

A TELEVISION star has revealed how she was forced to hide in a train toilet after being subjected to cruel abuse. Meryl Williams, who was one of three winners of the first series of BBC TV’s The Traitors, had the horrible experience while travelling...

A tonne of support for the foodbank thanks to Johnnie

BIG-HEARTED fundraiser Johnnie Meechan and his team of helpers have given East Lothian Foodbank a massive boost after dropping off over a tonne of food items. For the fifth year in a row, Johnnie held the fundraiser over the festive season, which saw...

Neighbours run into burning home on Christmas morning

BRAVE neighbours ran into a burning house in Prestonpans on Christmas Day to rescue a woman they thought was inside. At about 11am, Craig Sheridan heard a commotion outside his home on Longdykes Road and saw smoke “billowing out of the house” across...

Our hearts are shattered after Flora’s sad passing

PARENTS of a youngster with cancer have been left with “shattered hearts” after their daughter passed away. Flora Gentleman was diagnosed with neuroblastoma after a large tumour was found next to one of her kidneys as well as cancer in her skull,...

Santa gets ready for a busy night!

SANTA Claus has been spotted out and about in East Lothian as he prepares to deliver presents to youngsters across the county this Christmas. Santa and his team of elves travelled around Ormiston last week, greeting excited children from his sleigh...

Woman threatened to carry out ‘another Dunblane’

A MUSSELBURGH woman has been described as “despicable” after she threatened to carry out “another Dunblane” by blowing up two East Lothian high schools. Jessie Rennie made the shocking online comments about the Dunblane massacre during a live TikTok...

This is what remains of my home

A WOMAN stood barefoot in the snow while helplessly watching her home go up in flames. Tricia Hayes was alerted to the blaze at 9.30am after her neighbour banged on the door of her property on Tranent’s Windygoul Crescent. Fortunately, the mum of two...

Big-hearted hotel boss steps in to save OAPs’ party

ONE of Scotland’s premier event catering businesses, which operated from Eskmills in Musselburgh, has gone into administration – but a planned free Christmas party for hundreds of elderly residents will still go ahead. The annual community lunch,...

Woman abandoned boy in woods then said he was missing

A WOMAN abandoned a terrified boy in remote woods, then tried to cover her tracks by claiming that the child had gone missing. Ashley McGovern drove to the dark countryside near her then home in East Lothian, where she callously left the nine-year-old...

‘Sounding emergency klaxon’ for affordable county homes

AN ‘AFFORDABLE housing emergency’ has been declared in East Lothian, amid claims that the local authority is just days away from losing land at new housing developments which had been allocated for affordable properties. A special meeting of East...

WELL-DESERVED ACT

STILL Game actor James Martin had something extra special to celebrate this week after being presented with a British Empire Medal

Pledge that new theatre will ‘rise out of the ashes’

ANEW theatre for East Lothian will “rise out of the ashes” if plans to demolish The Brunton go ahead, councillors have promised campaigners. The Brunton in Musselburgh is to be formally mothballed more than a year after its doors were closed after the...

Bulldozing The Brunton is best option, says council

COUNCILLORS are to be asked to approve the closure and mothballing of the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh, as plans to demolish the much-loved centre of the arts in East Lothian have been revealed. A crunch debate will take place next week over a proposal...

Blindwells residents eager for progress on town centre

CUSTOMERS could be welcomed to Blindwells’ first shop early in the New Year – and residents of the county’s newest town have told of their eagerness for facilities to start being built there. Plans for a town centre in the former opencast mine site...

Community rally to help Sonic-loving youngster with cancer

BUSINESSES and residents have rallied round to help a youngster with cancer – allowing his family to move into a new home more suited to his needs. Mason Mackenzie is a seven-year-old boy, previously of Fa’side Gardens, Wallyford, whose biggest love...

Former hospital on fire again

FIREFIGHTERS spent more than 15 hours tackling a blaze at the former Edenhall Hospital in Musselburgh on Saturday. A number of fires have taken place at the old hospital in recent months and the latest broke out at the weekend (see image right, by...