What's in a name?

Suppose road signs had been compulsory over the centuries. In that case, these names would have appeared instead of Earlston - Earlstoun, Earlstown, Earls Town, Ercildoune, Ersilton and Ercheldun. And just to be inclusive, the perhaps the sign should incorporate the Gaelic for Earlston - Dùn Airchill. 

So what’s in a name?

If you grew up in Earlston in the 1950s and 1960s, chances are you called 'the burn' the Trufford burn. 

Now it's called the Turfford. 

Has the name been changed, or was the wrong name used before?

This newspaper clipping dated 1896 shows that the burn was known as the Trufford. Yet forty years before the newspaper notice, a map of the area shows the name 'Turfford'.

Credit: Southern Reporter 1896

Some old documents claim that Turfford's name came from an area of ground close to the burn that the owner of Cowdenknowes allowed villagers to cut turfs to use as fuel for their fires. This was before the Midlothian coal fields and transport links provided a coal supply. The peat bog was subsequently drained during the construction of the railway.

Cowdenknowes was known as Coldaned Knolls. In a charter to Mungo Home, King James IV refers to 'the mains of Ersilton called Coldaned Knolls with fortalice and manor thereon.' As recently as 1889, Cowdenknowes was referred to as Cowden Knowles.

The Earl of Dunbar, who owned much of the land around the village, got into a dispute with the monks from Melrose who worked their farm at the Grange. The Earl tried to move them off the land. But the church was too powerful, so he gifted the monks with 'the whole arable land called Sorouelesfeld on the west side of the Leader, towards the Grange of the aforesaid monks as fully as William Soroueles held it.' Sorouelesfeld is now known as ‘Sorrowlessfield Farm’.

Farms feature in street names in Earlston - Huntshaw, Summerfield, and Georgefield are all local farms.

 

Farm fields are given to street names. The 'Gun' is an oddly shaped field that looks like a rifle with its butt towards Huntshaw and its barrel extending towards the village. The Gun has lent its name to several streets. To the west of the 'Gun', an adjacent field lay in the crook formed by the High Street and Thorn Street, giving its name, Westfield, to several streets built there.

Credit: Ordnance Survey 1857

Streets prefixed 'Thorn' refer to the ancient thorn that grew close to where the Black Bull stands.

'As long as the Thorn Tree stands, Ercildourne shall keep its lands'.This was the first of several prophecies attributed to Thomas the Rhymer collected by Robert Chambers, who identified the tree in question as one that fell in a storm in either 1814 or 1821, presumably on the about the last remaining acre belonging to Earlston. The prophecy was lent additional weight at the time because, as it so happened, the town merchants had fallen under bankruptcy due to a series of "unfortunate circumstances". According to one account, "Rhymer's thorn" was a huge tree growing in the garden of the Black Bull Inn, whose proprietor, named Thin, had its roots cut all around, leaving it vulnerable to the storm that same year.

Some streets have been named after their destination - Church Street, Station Road, Mill Road and Haugh Head Road.

Three streets are named after historical events. Queensway and Crown Crescent mark the succession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne. And Everest Road commemorates conquering Mount Everest.

A few streets are named after people. Hope Knowe nods to the Hope family that once lived at Cowdenknowes. Roger's Place, William Bank and Jane Field are named after family members of the builders, Rogers. Roosevelt Place refers to Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the USA. The houses were built by stonemason John Mercer and were completed in 1910, the year after Roosevelt left office. The connection to Roosevelt could be more apparent. However, John Mercer's brothers, George, Andrew and James, had emigrated to America. The brothers settled in Hackensack, where George became a successful businessman in Lodi, the postmaster for several years and the mayor. The block of houses may have been named after the former president to acknowledge the Mercer family's fortunes in America.

George Mercer
Credit: Auld Earlston Collection

The derivation of Halcombe Crescent is controversial. One school of thought is that the name is derived from 'Hawk Kaim', a low hill on the south side of the Turfford where it is thought that the Earl of Dunbar had his hawking house. But it also appears in an earlier  document from 1484. 
This was an agreement between Earl of Angus and Alexander Home to purchase twenty pounds worth of land of Ersilton, namely 'the mains of Ersilton with its pertinent, the 'lang akers' for £2, Carelside for £1, the 'Thowlescrouk' for £1 the 'hal orchard' which is called the manor of the same, the mains with Cowdenknowes for £6, the five husbandlands next to and on the east side of the manor for £5 (a husbandland is about 26 acres or 10.5 hectares) Philipston, Fawlo, and Willestroder meadow for £5, all in the lord ship of Earlston and Sheriffdom of Berwick' dated Edinburgh 11 October 1484.
Since a 'combe' is the name given to a wooded valley, Halcombe may be the 'hal orchard' mentioned above. Indeed, a recent visit to the Redpath road showed an excellent crop of apples in the woods just next to Halcombe Crescent!  

Credit: Author

Like the Turfford burn, the name of the Kidgate has changed over the years. Readers may remember the lane was called 'Kirkgate', but according to the Berwickshire OS Name Book of 1856-1858, Kidgate is the correct name.  The book describes the street as 'A narrow lane leading Southward from the South end of New Street consisting of a few thatched Cottages with two or three slated houses and tenanted by Mechanics and labourers.'

New Street is now Thorn Street, and the 'Mechanics' would be tuners from the tweed mill. 

And to confuse things, here's an old postcard of 'Kirkgate' showing what appears to be a church (but is, in fact, the 'Manse Hall'). 

Kidgate showing Manse hall

Credit: Auld Earlston Collection

Can you help? 

We have yet to find out where the names come from for three streets: Arnot Place, Kilknowe and Bellevue Terrace. Please let us know where the names are from in the comments below.

September Events in Earlston in Times Past

What was making the news in Earlston  in September in Times Past?   Below are some items from the local press.   They are important in giving us  a picture of life at the time, as written at the time. So read on about  War Weapons Week in 1941, in 1933 a Rugby Sevens match, opinions on new street lighting,  a devastating 1874 fire,  a public affray  in 1850 - plus advertisements of the day. 

 

80 YEARS AGO in 1941 - WAR WEAPONS WEEK 

In 1941 War Weapons Week was held across Britain as a major national fund raising campaign to provide for the replacement of weapons lost in the evacuation from Dunkirk.

Each town was given a figure to raise. Earlston's target was £8000. In fact "the patriotic investors of Earlston" raised £23.006, 18 shillings and 4 pence - a phenomenal amount and equivalent to over £1 million pounds today. [Source: Measuring Worth]

 Southern Reporter:  4th September 1941

The fancy dress parade included a float depicting Mary Queen of Scots and her the Four Mary's - Peggy Betts, Ella Montgomery, Lizzie Burrell, Mary Young and Mame Weatherstone.

Voluntary organisations were  on parade, including nurses and the Home Guard.  

Earlston Home Guard, drilling at Carolside. 

 

 

 88 YEARS AGO IN 1933 - EARLSTON RUGBY SEVENS

 

Berwickshire News:  5th September 1933 

The Earlston Team who fell at the second round to Gala.  

 

 

ALSO 88 YEARS AGO IN 1933 - ELECTRIC STREET LIGHTING A DISAPPOINTMENT

The change from gas to electric was not welcomed, with the lamps too high, the power too weak and the lamps too far apart. 

 

Berwickshire  News: 5th  Sept. 1933 

 

120 YEARS AGO IN 1901 - ADVERTISEMENT

 

Southern Reporter:  1st September 1901

Note the early telephone number - 13. 
 

140 YEARS AGO IN 1881 - RAILWAY BETWEEN EARLSTON AND LAUDER? 

                                     Southern Reporter:  22nd September 1881

 

 

 147 YEARS AGO IN 1874  - DEVASTATING FIRE 

 The Southern Reporter of 17th September 1874 reported the news of a devastating fire in Earlston at the joiner's  workshop of John Wallace. 

"The inhabitants of Earlston were at nine o' clock on Thursday last,  alarmed by the unusual and ominous cry of "Fire".    A cry which turned out to be all too true; the workshop, a wooden erection of Mr. John Wallace, joiner being discovered to be in flames. 

Plenty of willing workers, men, women and even children rushed to the scene, but all saw at a glance that  the shop and  its contents were doomed.......Hardly had some of the men withdrawn when part of the shop fell with a crash thereby endangering the dwelling house of Mr Wallace which forms one of the range of two storey houses known as New Street.   So imminent the danger that at this time most of the dwellers  had removed their household goods and chattels. And that with such a hurry and confusion to cause no  little damage.

During  the dire struggle  to save the house, the fire spread in another direction. and caught hold of a stable in the adjoining property belonging to Mr David Jameson, grocer. All that could be done was done to save it, but the flames gained their mastery, but not before, however, the livestock were got out.  

The damage sustained by Mr, Wallace  is estimated as fully £500,  and is not covered by insurance.  The workmen in his employment have also lost all their tools.......  [£500 in 1874 is equivalent to £41,500 today}

Great sympathy is expressed by the public to Mr. Wallace. and his men.....and a public meeting was held in the Corn Exchange  on Thursday night ......  A subscription was at once opened ....on Monday the sum  amounted to upwards of £140." 

Seven  years on in the 1881 census, John Wallace was back in business, described as master joiner employing 5 men.

 

171 YEARS AGO IN 1850 - A SERIOUS AFFRAY IN EARLSTON 

"A serious disturbance took place in the village of Earlston between the hours of six and eight o'clock in the evening of Sunday last.  A number of Irish shearers on leaving some of the public houses in the village, where they had been drinking during the day, commenced to quarrel and fight with one another, and latterly to interfere with the  villagers, who turned out in considerable  numbers, and after some fighting, succeeded in expelling the Irishmen from the village.  One or two of the villagers were cut  rather severely with the reaping hooks in the possession of the opposite party, and several of the Irishmen did not escape altogether  from injury."   (Caledonian Mercury, Edinburgh:  12th September 1850.)

 

178 YEARS AG0 IN 1843  - ADVERTISEMENT

  

Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh) :  29th September 1843

 

NEW COACH EDINBURGH TO JEDBURGH VIA EARLSTON  
Calling at Pathhead, Carfrae Mill, Lauder, Earlston, Leaderfoot

 To Jedburgh in Five Hours
Fares to Jedburgh only 5 shillings outside;  6 shillings inside

 

Note:5 shillings is equivalent to  approx. £15 today. 

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178 years later from this coach advertisement above  saw the opening of the Borders Railway in September 2015 when part of the Waverley Line re-opened for 35 miles south of Edinburgh into the central Borders at Tweedbank.   

 Arrival of a steam train into Tweedbank, September 2015 

 

 

With thanks to Auld Earlston members 

for finding these little gems on life in Earlston in times past. 

Sources: 

• FindMYPast  - British Newspapers Online
• British Newspaper Archive 
• Measuring Worth
• Photographs from the Auld Earlston Collection  

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Earlston in March in Times Past

What was making the news in Earlston  in 100, 150 and 175 years ago?  Below are some items from the local press - and beyond.  They make interesting reading, not just  for the content,  but also for the wordy style of journalism - quite a contrast to today's punchy press. They also are important in giving us  a picture of life at the time, as written at the time.

So read on about the cow that entered a watchmaker's shop; the sow who escaped to the roof, the entertainment on offer at the Corn Exchange; the popularity of penny readings and a ball organised by "the gentler sex", plus concerns at dancing being introduced  at the Hiring Fair.

100 YEARS AGO IN 1920

Local residents enjoyed:

• "A Ball, organised and conducted  under the  auspices of the gentler sex came off with brilliant success on Wednesday night in Earlston Corn Exchange. There were 50 couples in attendance and the dancing went on from 8.30pm to 3.30am  to the  music of Galashiels Town Band.  The MCs were Miss Lochhead, Mrs McNair, Mrs Jane Kerr and Mrs J. MacDonald".   (Berwickshire News:  2nd March 1920) .

You had to wonder how many of the dancers had to be up early for work the next morning! 

• "Mr. Andrew Letta and his concert party gave an entertainment in Earlston Corn Exchange on Thursday evening. The programme consisted of conjuring, a ventriloquist,  and singing, with the  Joy Jumblers  giving a new and humourous jumble of harmonious snapshots  including songs, standard and popular musical interpretations, duets, trios and quartettes,  besides Letta's new age programmes of mystery and mirth".(Berwickshire News:  2nd March 1920) .

• "The first of five lectures on gardening, was given by Mr, Stuart of Edinburgh and East Scotland College of Agriculture.  The subject was digging and manuring of the garden ground, with Mr Stuart illustrating his remarks with blackboard sketches which contributed much to the perfect comprehension of the instruction." (Berwickshire News:  2nd March 1920)

• "The choir of Earlston United Free Church held its annual social in the Corn Exchange Hall.  Dancing commenced about 8pm  to the fine music of Miss Ruth Wallace (violin), Mr Henry Wallace (piano) and Mr Adam Hewitt (cornet) .  An excellent tea was served by the ladies and thereafter dancing  was resumed and carried on with zest until about 2.30am."

 The Corn Exchange, prior to 1920. when the pump well on the right was demolished to make way for the War Memorial.

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150 YEARS AGO IN 1870 

A spate of animal stories made the news in this year: 

• The Strange Adventure of a Cow:  
  The Southern Reporter:  3rd March 1870 recounted  a story when "A cow entered  the shop of Mr Dryden, watchmaker,  and first of all took a survey of the fancy stock.......

• A week later it was a sow that made the headlines in The Southern Reporter:   10th March 1870:
  

  "EARLSTON. Strange Adventure.- -One day last week the dwellers in New Street were started by the cry of "A sow on the house-top!"

    This story was picked up by the Chester Chronicle of 19th March  1879 and The The Staffordshire Advertiser:  26th March 1870 with:
  

  "An amusing episode occurred in Earlston,  when a sow found herself cribbed, cabined, and confined and made her escape onto the roof".

  You cannot help wondering   - was this just one animal incident, where the details changed in the retelling!

• Dancing at the Hiring Fair?
  
  Hiring Fairs, held in the Market Square,  were important events where farm  workers would gather to bargain with prospective farmers for work, and hopefully secure a position for the following 6-12 months.  Hiring Fairs were also social occasions with a rare opportunity for friends and family to meet and enjoy side shows and stalls.  
  
   
  However The Southern Reporter:  26th March 1870 expressed the concern by  some parties at the introduction of dancing in the Corn Exchange on the day of the  Hiring Fair, with:

"A diversity of opinion prevailed as to the propriety of letting the hall for this purpose, but there is no doubt, if it had  not been for the dancing, there would have been more drunkenness and the whole affair seemed to be under judicious management  and conducted throughout with peace and order."


               

Earlston Hiring Fair, 1909

• An Evening of Penny Readings was reported in The Berwickshire News:  8th March 1870.

"A crowded Corn Exchange Hall enjoyed the fourth of a series of Penny Readings  where a lengthy but select programme of readings, songs and recitations were gone through in a most admirable and pleasing  manner ........ This was one of the most successful meetings of its kind to be held in the Corn Exchange."

• The new village clock featured in The Scotsman:  1st March 1845.
  
  
  
   

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175 years ago in 1845 

The references to Earlston in March 1845  all featured clothing advertisements which included "beautiful Earlston Ginghams".  These appeared in The Caledonian Mercury (Edinburgh), The Scotsman,  and The Witness (Edinburgh) - and further afield  in The Wolverhampton  Chronicle. 

 

The Scotsman:  26th March 1845. 

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Sources: 

• British Newspapers Online 1710-1963
• British Newspaper Archive

Looking Back to Earlston in the 1950s

Earlston's more recent past is the focus of this article  with a look at what topics  were making the headlines in the local press. Some issues  still sound familiar today, with items ranging  from concerns on the state of roads, and  a village hall venue,  to housing in the village, and leisure activities.

ROADWAY AT THE GREEN

 "A Petition on the State of the roadway bordering the Green  was considered at the Berwickshire West District Meeting  with the  claim that:

"The road was in a disgraceful condition and the state of the drainage was disgusting. It was suggested that the balance of   £230 in the  Wallace Trust* could be used."  (Berwickshire News:  31st January 1950)

VILLAGE HALL FOR EARLSTON  
 The Berwickshire West District  Committee also discussed:

"The acquisition of a village hall for Earlston   as there were two church halls for sale.  It was left to local members of the committee to see if  the inhabitants would  raise funds to buy one". (Berwickshire News:  31st January 1950)

GAS SUPPLIES  - Berwickshire News:  4 January 1950

 

  
     

ANIMALS WOULD NOT LIVE UNDER THESE EARLSTON CONDITIONS
 This was the claim at a meeting of BerwickshIre Health Committee, with the housing of agricultural workers the focus of this discussion.

" People are being denied the essentials of life such as water".
(Berwickshire News:  31 January 1950)

EARLSTON HOUSING APPALLING 
The housing issue remained a key topic of concern at council meetings  with the comment:

"The housing situation is most acute.   There are 390 houses in Earlston and 230 workers coming into the village every day to work with the desire to live here.  18 houses are only one room, sublet to a families;  57 have two rooms sublet and 28 homes are overcrowded.  16 families are living in caravans  ............It was proposed a site be selected with a plan for the development of 50 houses."  (Berwickshire News: 16th May 1950)

A HANDYMAN FOR EARLSTON - 
At the same meeting, it was suggested that in the more populous villages, including Earlston:

"A handyman be employed  - his duties to include street cleaning etc , burial grounds, water,  lighting, drainage and public conveniences. he scheme was agreed on in principle."  (Berwickshire News:  31st January 1950)

GEORGEFIELD EGG PACKING STATION ADVERT: 

Advertisement in the Berwick Advertiser:25th July 1957

 Below:  Two photographs of the workers c.1950s - from the Auld Earlston Collection

 SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTING

 Berwickshire News:  28th June 1958.

"Six  buses conveyed to Spittal 150 children from Sunday Schools at Earlston, Redpath, Fans, and Mellerstain, together with 100 adults.  A "Tide Fight" was held at Spittal  along with paddling, races and a sandcastle competition.  The outing  was favoured with brilliant sunshine."

 EARL OPENS WEST GREEN GARDEN 

"There was a large attendance at the West Green Garden for its official opening by the Earl of Haddington, accompanied by the Countess of Haddington. .......All this had been made possible by the generosity of a very kind benefactor Miss Wallace,* who had left a fund to make Earlston a pleasant to live in.  Grateful thanks were also extended to Lord Haddingon for the gift of the land." (Berwickshire News:  4th August 1953)

 The small stone plaque (across from the War Memorial)

acknowledging Isabella Wallace's * generosity 

 Other newspaper editions of  the  decade abound with reports on leisure activities -   Corn Exchange concerts and dances, rugby and football matches, the Bowling Club, and Tennis Club, etc., plus groups that  we no longer hear about such as the:

• Weekly Whist Drive Club
• Earlston  Budgerigar Society
• Earlston Ornithological Society
• Earlston and District Ambulance Association

 

Tennis Club Dance, held in St. John's Church Hall, 1959. 

And Finally:
A CINEMA ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE 1950S.

 

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NOTE
*  the references to the Wallace Fund and to Miss Isabella Wallace:

Isabella Wallace (c.1854-1920) was the unmarried daughter of John Wallace, joiner.  In her will she left money to Earlston Parish Council for   "For the purpose of improving the amenities of the Town of Earlston including footpaths, paving,  and lighting, and similar objects". 

She never forgot that in 1874 a devastating fire had destroyed the family home and bushiness.  But the Earlston community rallied round and gave generously to support the family and enable her father to resume his business.   Isabella Wallace  repaid   this generosity through her will, to become "Earlston's Friend and Benefactor".

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