Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Bonnyrigg & Lasswade Local History Society held in the Pitcairn Centre, High Street, Bonnyrigg on Wednesday 17th April 2002. 1. Introduction. Mr Herbert Dryden opened the meeting and welcomed those present. He asked everyone to ensure that they had signed the members' attendance book prior to the start of tonight's meeting. He said that he had no notices to give other than to remind members of the forthcoming outing to Glamis Castle on the 25th May. He remarked that this was rather strange as it came just weeks after the Queen Mother's death. All bookings for the outing were to be confirmed to Margaret Reid. Information was given with regard to tours of the castle and also restaurant facilities available. 2. Apologies. Apologies were recorded on behalf of Mrs Sheena Johnson, Mrs Dorothy Anderson and Miss Agnes Anderson. 3. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting. These were formally approved by the meeting, proposed by Mr Alex Waugh and seconded by Mrs Margaret Hamilton. 4. Treasurer's Report. Mrs Margaret Reid advised the meeting that at the start of the season, the cash in hand was £34.90 and the cash in the bank was £215.02. She said that the Summer Outing had brought in £317.25 together with £3.00 additional cash. We had also received a grant from Midlothian Council of £134.00. A special grant had been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund of £989.00. The membership fees were £202.00 and visitors' donations were £31.00. Further donations to the Society came to £55.00 and the sale of teas & coffees at the meetings raised £66.61. Bank interest received was £4.92. Expenditure included £6.00 subscription for the Midlothian Volunteers Magazine, our Summer Outing admission fees to New Lanark £128.75 and coach travel £160.00. Gratuities paid to waitresses and the coach driver came to £25.00. We paid £988.18 for the completion of restoration work to Pierre Langlade's gravestone. Our subscription to the Scottish Local History Forum Magazine was £15.00 and our Public Liability Insurance premium was £86.81. Secretary's expenses were £15.00, stationery £3.50, tea expenses were £11.89 and speakers' expenses were £50.00. Cash in hand was £73.62 and cash in the bank was £488.95. The account for the hall rental of £60.00 had not been paid on time, due to George Lyall's recent illness, but this has since been settled. Mrs Reid commented that the receipt of the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund had been a major achievement as it had enabled the completion of the restoration work at Cockpen Churchyard, previously mentioned. Our membership numbers had risen to fifty-eight members. She extended a welcomed to all members, new and old. Mrs Reid then invited any questions on the accounts from the meeting. As there were none, Mr Dryden thanked her for her report and asked that the accounts be formally adopted by the meeting. These were proposed by Mr James Dempsey and seconded by Mrs Jan Brown. Mr Dryden also expressed thanks on behalf the Society to Mrs Mary Muirhead for auditing the accounts. He asked that a letter recording our appreciation be sent to Mrs Muirhead. The secretary Mrs Sheena Johnson would attend to the matter. 5. Chairman's Report Mr Dryden advised the meeting that since last summer, several people who had supported the Society over many years had passed from among us. He said that whilst tribute had already been paid to them, that it was only fitting that they be remembered at this annual general meeting. Mrs Ellen Wilson, wife of our former treasurer Mr Jim Wilson, died in August 2001. Mr Duncan Chisholm, one of our earliest members, who served us in many capacities and gave us the benefit of his experience and wealth of information on our area, died in September 2001. Mr Robert Wilson, former vice chairman of the Society, died in September 2001. Miss Mary Sneddon, a member for many years passed away in February of this year. Mr Dryden recorded his thanks to Mrs Wilson, Mr Chisholm, Mr Wilson and Miss Sneddon for enriching the life of the Society by actively supporting it in their different ways. He reminded the members that in May 2001, that they had enjoyed an outing to New Lanark, the former cotton mill village, now preserved as a museum and memorial to social reform. David Dale and Richard Arkwright had founded New Lanark in 1785 and Robert Owen had improved the living and working conditions in the village in 1800. Unfortunately the planned outing to Traquair House in September 2001 had to be cancelled for a number of reasons. We very much appreciated the time given by four different speakers who delivered very interesting talks. In October 2001, Sheila Miller, the Local Studies Officer at Midlothian Libraries HQ in Loanhead, spoke to us about Midlothian Local Studies - Present & Future. Sheila was also accompanied by Craig Statham, who talked briefly about one or two projects that he was carrying out. In November 2001, Piers de Salis, the National Trust for Scotland's Property Manager at Newhailes House spoke about restoration work being carried out there prior to the property's re-opening in the Spring. In January 2002, we welcomed Mrs Althea Dundas-Bekker of Arniston, who spoke about Robert Dundas, the first baronet. We learned of the period of his life from the Covenanting Times to the Classical Awakening. In February 2002, Jan-Andrew Henderson, the then Visitor Services Manager at St Giles Cathedral, spoke about Edinburgh's Underground City. In March 2002, Mr Dryden had spoken about the Jewish Children who had lived at Polton House from 1942-1947. Mr Dryden said that the Society had made a practical contribution to the life of the community, by arranging for the restoration of Pierre Langlade's gravestone at Cockpen Churchyard. Pierre Langlade was a French born carpet designer who joined Henry Widnell & Co, Bonnyrigg in 1864. In addition to his design work, Mr Langlade was an artist who concentrated on floral prints. One of the highlights of the year, was when one of our members, Mr Millar, produced two feu plans for the areas around Viewbank. In addition to these plans, Mr Millar, has tonight, produced a plan of Lasswade dated 1914. The feu plans were dated 1851 and 1901. It was interesting to note that on the latter, Broomieknowe Golf Club was shown as being responsible for the feu for part of the lands that they now occupy. Whilst the Club's official centenary is still a few years away, the Club as a body must have existed in some form in 1901. Another interesting point noted on the plan was the proposed route of Eldindean Place passing through what was until recently the tennis courts and almost joining on to what is now Golf Course Road at Broomieknowe Park. It is strange that after nearly 101 years this route may finally come to fruition. Mr Dryden noted with thanks, that several other items had been donated to the archive from various members and friends of the Society. These items included information relating to Henry Dryer (Chemist) whose original shop hoarding became visible again during renovations to a building in the High Street. Also an account of the first hundred years of St Paul's Lodge Lasswade (Ancient Order of Free Gardeners) and a quantity of material relating to Henry Widnell & Stewart Ltd. Mrs Dundas-Bekker had donated a copy of a book about her father Sir Philip Dundas, written by her sister. Best wishes were extended to Dr Mary Noble, now residing in Drummond Grange Nursing Home and also to Mrs Mary Hay who was recovering from a recent illness. Thanks were extended to the Kirk Session of Bonnyrigg Parish Church for the use of the Pitcairn Centre for our meetings. Mr Dryden thanked the committee and the membership for their support throughout the past year. He also expressed thanks to Honorary President, Neil Stewart, for his continued support, fronting the Society through talks to other groups and maintaining the Society's web site and archive. 6. Election of Office Bearers and Committee. Mr Dryden outlined the procedure for electing office bearers and committee in accordance with the Constitution. He advised the committee that Mrs Ena Tait wished to retire from the committee at this meeting. Nominations were requested for a replacement for Mrs Tait and Mrs Mary Gardiner was elected to the committee, proposed by Mrs Margaret Hamilton and seconded by Mrs Mary Renwick. Prior to the meeting, the following committee members, Mrs Margaret Waugh, Mrs Sheena Johnson, Mrs Margaret Reid, Mrs Margaret Hamilton, Mrs Helen Hope and Miss Catherine Simpson had all indicated that they were willing to stand again for another year. Mr Dryden asked if there were any further nominations. None were received so Mr Dryden asked for a proposer and seconder to re-elect the committee. Mr James Dempsey proposed the re-election and Mr Millar seconded. Mr Dryden thanked the office bearers and committee members for their hard work and support throughout the year. Particular thanks were extended to Mrs Sheena Johnson, Mrs Margaret Reid and Mrs Ena Tait. Mrs Margaret Waugh asked the meeting for nominations for a replacement for Mr Dryden as chairman. No nominations were received. Mr Dryden intimated that he was prepared to continue as chairman for another year. He was re-elected, proposed by Mrs Mary Renwick and seconded by Nancy Donaldson. Mrs Waugh recorded her thanks on behalf of the committee and members for all the hard work that Mr Dryden had done during the year. 8. Any Other Competent Business. Mr Dempsey asked if our archive contained a copy of a recent publication from Lasswade Church, which celebrated the history of the church. The book commemorated 300 years of the Communion Silver and over 750 years of Lasswade Church. Mr Stewart confirmed that Lasswade Church had given a copy of the book to the Society. Mr Stewart advised the meeting that since January 2002, the Society's web site had been inundated with e-mail requests for family history traces to be undertaken. They were coming from all over the world and he quoted from some requests received from Canada, the USA, New Zealand and also England. He had acknowledged most of them and had asked the senders for their patience, so that he could get time to do the necessary research. Mr Stewart welcomed any offers of assistance from the membership. Mr Dryden raised the matter of the proposed new Health Centre to be built adjacent to Quarryhead, off the High Street. He said that Dr Christopher Cameron, the son of the late Dr & Mrs Cameron of Pitcairn House, had recently approached Mr Campbell. Dr Cameron is also the brother of Mrs Judy Strong, who is known to the members. Dr Cameron now lives in Kelso and was seeking our involvement in the erection of a possible commemoration plaque to the artist William McTaggart of Dean Park. It is understood that the new Health Centre will probably encompass part of the garden area of Dean Park and may also mean that the artist's studio may possibly be demolished to accommodate the new buildings. It was understood that Dr Cameron had also sought opinion from Lasswade Civic Society and Midlothian Council. It is also understood that McTaggart's commemoration will take place. However, Mr Dryden said that he shared a view expressed by Mr Campbell that since there were several other artists connected with our area, such as Archibald Thorburn, perhaps consideration should be given to some sort of commemoration of their lives and work. It is believed that Mr Thorburn lived for some time at Viewfield House. He was also an ornithologist and his paintings depicted birds such as ptarmigan and grouse. Mr Campbell had also mentioned Douglas Strachan, the stained glass artist who lived at Pittendeich House. Mr Dryden mentioned Kathleen Fiddler, the author and pioneer of historical broadcasts for schools. Discussion continued as to what type of commemoration might be appropriate. It was recommended that the Society approach Lasswade High School with a view to seeking their opinion on the possible awarding of an annual literary / artistic prize to their students, as a way of commemorating those people mentioned. It was thought that perhaps the funding of such a prize could be acquired through the "Awards For All" scheme. Mr Stewart supported the idea of such an approach, as he had earlier in the year been invited to talk to Hawthorden Primary School, on local history. He said that a literary / artistic prize would perhaps also lead to young people in our area becoming interested in local history. Mr Dryden would make the necessary enquiries and advise the membership in due course. As there was no further business Mr Dryden thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting. A buffet meal for the members followed.