History of Armadale Association

PUBLICATIONS

produced by The History of Armadale Association

Indexing of the Association's publications is in progress. Each index will be accessible online from this page once the project is completed.

Video: A Daunder Round Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, is a video produced in the hope that it will stimulate interest among walkers and other community groups, in some of the historic countryside walks around our town. 1999 Copies still available!

Audio tape: A Crack wi Geordie Bryce (currently being transcribed)

OUR LATEST PUBLICATION Picturing The Past, vol 6. Launched November/December 2008 - available from Armadale Library, Post Office and Woolshop at £3 (+ postage and packing for those outside Armadale)
Armadale in Minutes, A Chronological History by Robert Kerr, 2008, HAA For Robert Kerr's research and publications see the Publications page price £5 (+ postage and packing for those outside Armadale). A dust-jacketed hardback of 219 pages with 56 photos/illustrations and 3 maps. Some of the surnames included in the book's text: Addie, Aitken, Anderson, Archer, Arthur, Baillie, Baird, Ballantyne, Bamburgh, Barnard, Baxter, Bell, Beveridge, Binning, Bishop, Black, Borza, Boyd, Brock, Brown, Bryce, Bryden, Byers, Caesar, Cairns, Calder, Calderhead, Cameron, Campbell, Carr, Chalmers, Cherry, Clark, Clarkson, Cochran, Cochrane, Collie, Conner, Corsie, Cowan, Craig, Crawford, Cunningham, Currie, Cuthbart, Dalling, Daves, Davidson, Davie, Davis, Dennistoun, Donald, Donaldson, Donnelly, Douglas, Druce, Drummond, Drysdale, Duncan, Easton, Edwards, Elder, Farquhar, Ferrier, Finlay, Finnlay, Fleming, Forrester, Forsyth, Frew, Gall, Gardner, Gartshore, Geddes, Gentleman, Gibb, Gibson, Gilchrist, Gillespie, Gillon, Gilmar, Gordon, Gorman, Gowans, Graham, Gray, Gregor, Greig, Grey, Hailstones, Hall, Hamilton, Harrower, Harvie, Hickman, Honeyman, Hope, Howatt, Hunter, Hynd-Brown, Inglis, Kelly, Kerr, Kirk, Lawson, Learmonth, Lees, Leggat, Leishman, Liddell, Longmuir, Love, MacAdam, MacDonald, MacDougal, Mackay, MacLachlan, MacLellan, Mallace, Marcella, Marr, Marshall, Matheson, Maxwell, McDonald, McDougal, McDowall, McGarrie, McGowan, McGregor, McHardy, McIntosh, McKinnon, McLachlan, McMillan, McNab, McNair, McNicol, McPhail, Millar, Miller, Milne, Moffat, More, Morrison, Muir, Newton, O'Donnell, Parker, Paterson, Pollock, Prentice, Quin, Ramsay, Ranken, Rankin, Readman, Reid, Rennie, Roberts, Robertson, Rodger, Rodgers, Rosebery, Russell, Sharp, Shaw, Shearer, Sibbald, Sim, Simpson, Sinclair, Smith, Snedden, Sneddon, Steel, Stevenson, Stewart, Swan, Syson, Teape, Temple, Tennant, Thomson, Turner, Walker, Wark, Watson, Waugh, Wetherspoune, White, Williams, Wilson, Wood, Wylie, Wyper, Young.
Armadale 200, 1797 - 1997, Celebrating 200 years of settlement in Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association: X0000 19183
Picturing The Past, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, November 2002, printed by The Print Consultancy, Edinburgh: X 000 020877 (Features: Armadale; Churches; Football; Gala Days; History; Photographs; Schools; Youth Groups; includes photograph of Mons Meg at Armadale Foundry in 1980)
Picturing The Past, vol 2, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, 1st edition November 2002, printed by The Print Consultancy, Edinburgh: X00002 1082 (Features: Armadale; Church; Gala days; History; Leisure; People; Photographs; Schools; Working Places)
Picturing The Past, vol 3, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, 1st edition June 2005, printed by The Print Consultancy, Edinburgh: X000021494 (Features: Armadale; Band; Clubs; Foundry; Gala Days; History; Photographs; Societies; People; Workers)
Picturing The Past, vol 4, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, 1st edition November 2006, printed by The Print Consultancy, Edinburgh (Features: Buildings and Locations around Armadale; Gala Days; Sport and Leisure; Working Places) Price: £3 (+ postage and packing for those outside Armadale) INDEX 4
Picturing The Past, vol 5, A photographic look at old Armadale, produced by The History of Armadale Association, available from the Library, the Wool Shop and the Post Office, £3 (+ postage and packing for those outside Armadale) INDEX 5 Below: Station Road, Armadale, 1907: the front cover photograph of Picturing the Past - Volume 4, A photographic look at old Armadale
Tales Fae The 'Dale 'Easy Pleased', Recollections of Childhood in Armadale, produced by Armadale Local History Group,1989: 09514941 04
Mair Tales Fae The 'Dale, 2, Schooldays and Holidays, Further Recollections of Childhood in Armadale, produced by History of Armadale Association, 1990: 0 9514941 1 2 (Features: Armadale; Children; Recreation; Schools)
Your Magazine, 1993, History of Armadale Association: X000 017603 (Features: Quiz; Gala Days 1920s style - photo and advertisement; 1927 Armadale Children's Day details; Armadale - a brief history; Armadale Glen - poem by Mrs Murgatroyd; Evacuees; The Big Store: Hats, curtains and the bus to Westrigg; Boots and shoes; Behind the cash-desk. What War Meant to Me; Half a Century of Gala Daying with the Armadale Band; Barbauchlaw Mill.)
Your Magazine, Industry in Armadale, 1993, History of Armadale Association: X000 017725 (Features: Mayfield Hosiery; The Wee Foundry; Pattern Making; Steel Moulders and White Moleskins; Atlas Cricket Club Photo; Song of the Moulder by Alex Russell; A Brief History of the Atlas Steel Foundry; United Fireclay Products Ltd; Sam's Story; The Hosiery; Snippets Fae the Barber's Shop; A Chapter's Close; 'Shooglie Building' photo; A Chapter's Close - poem by Davie Kerr; Bandstand photo; James M. Watt JP photo.)
Your Magazine, Tap o' the Toun, Autumn 1994, History of Armadale Association: X000018396 (Features: The Model Lodging House, South Street; The Atlas Nae Mair; Street Lighting comes to Cappers; The Edinburgh to Glasgow Railway; The Railway Cottages; Mrs. McNamee's memories: Women in Industry; Workin' for the Toffs. The Shepherd Stanes; Agnes's Armadale; Dedicated Teachers; Hammering in the Clugs; Free Passes; The Three Lochs; Feed the Budgie; Good Neighbours.)
Your Magazine, Fond Memories, Issue 4, June 1995, History of Armadale Association: X000018079 (Features: Shops and Shopkeepers; Short Back and Sides; Poem: Dr. Anderson; Doctor Willie; Burgh Workers; Smiddys; Delivering the milk; The Pictures and Live Shows; Singers and Dancers; On the buses; I remember by Jim Gardner; Photo - West Church Boys Club early 1930s; Tap of the Toun - A Review; 1st Armadale Scout Pipe Band photo; A Letter Home - John MacClure; Photo of Dr. William Anderson.) INDEX
Your Magazine, Woodend and Roundabout, Issue 5, December 1995, History of Armadale Association: X0000 18080 (Features: Woodend Schooldays; Woodend and Roundabout; Bonnie Birkenshaw poem by James Ballantyne; Dancin' Days; Atlas Shop-Floor Personalities; The Bridgecastle Railway + map; Guid Fitba Players; Armadale Thistle 1939 - 1940; No much money about but plenty ti dae: School days; Message laddie; Hallowe'en; Guising; Over the Moss; Doun The Glen; The bore dam-heid; The Sprays; Binnie's Pond; Gaitherin' fruit; Playing in the public park; Saturday matinee. Gemmes the laddies played in the 1910s, 20s and 30s. Photo of the Mill; Chronological History of Woodend Research from Census 1851/61 and Valuation Rolls; Armadale Burgh Band photo; 2 poems by Ellen Mulvey; Coyle family photo.)
Your Magazine, Mainly Bathville, Issue 6, June 1996, History of Armadale Association: X000 018 985 (Features: Photo of Atlas Brickwork; An Armadale Benefactor - A Tribute to James Wood; The History of the lands and Estate of Bathville; Photo of Miners' Welfare Institute; Armadale World War 1 Heroes; Wartime in Armadale; Industries and The Big Lums of Armadale that are nae mair: Pits and Coal Mines; Steel Foundries; Brickworks; Building Contractors; Photo of Armadale Strongman and Wrestler Billy Faulkner; Armadale Heroes Remembered with Photo; Photo of Bathville House, former home of James Wood.)
Your Magazine, Noo an Then, Issue 7, December 1996, History of Armadale Association: X000 019 087 (Features: People in the past - the twentieth century; My Tribute to Granny Brown; Spud bashing at an annual Boys Brigade Camp - photo; Life in the Cappers; Noo and Then: For the garden; Furniture; To quench the thirst; Holidays; The Royal Infirmary procession; The doctor; The dentist; The volunteers; Hot peas and fish suppers. Women Workers of the Past - photo; Poem - Over the Moss by Margaret Hunter, and The Northside of Sweet Armadale by John Randall Craig; Armadale Methodist Church; Photo - Albert Allan, school janitor)
Your Magazine, Meet the Archers, Issue 8, June 1998, History of Armadale Association: X000 019 709 (Features: Meet the Archers; An Armadale Character - 'The Dasher'; A Flittin' to Woodbank Cemetery; A Daunder up the Whitburn Road c1917; Tippethill Hospital; Poems: Loo Lament and A Defence of Our Public Conveniences; Memories of down on the farm; Armadale's Railways (with Map); A Tribute to Rev. Joe Ritchie, MBE - A modest man - A wartime hero; Lord Armadale; The Terries; The Provosts of Armadale (with 4 photos) Poem: Armadale, The Tourist Trap.)
Your Magazine, A Daunder Round Armadale, Issue 9, June 1999, History of Armadale Association: X000 020 053 (Features: A Daunder Round Armadale; In Canada's Wild West, the Adventures of an Armadale Family; Armadale Bowling Club; Reminiscing on the Old Days...; Some Tales of Old Armadale; Tae Rabbie and Yesterday, Poems by M. Hunter; Rag Rugs; Behind the Flickering Spotlight; Nursing at Tippethill in the 1940; Some Memories of Armadale Scout Troop (28th WL) during Early Years of World War 2; assorted photos.)
Your Magazine, Pleasures, Pits and Piety, Issue 10, June 2001, History of Armadale Association: X000 020 536 (Features: St Paul's Episcopal Church; Early Days at the Parish Church; Our Church; Sunday School Memories; Extract from 1862 Talk by Rev Emmanuel Robertson on Armadale and Bathgate; The Catholic Church; The Hut; Badminton ;Rev Alexander Rodger; Methodist Church Youth Club photo c1967; East Church; Signals and Operations with two photos; Wartime Memories; Armadale Co-operative; A Vanished Way of Life; Peter's First Shift; Elizabeth Kerr; Photo of Andrew Graham, Minister of the EU (Congregational) Church in Armadale (1920s))
Transcript of National Relief Fund: Armadale Local Committee Minute Book 1914 - 1916 (not published)

OVERVIEW OF 2008

During 2008, HAA members have:

Discussed and responded to local history and family history enquiries, and to photographic and written submissions, eg enquiries about Muir brickmaking and Robertson, Love and Co: Bathville Brick and Fireclay Works.
Collected and copied old photographs (some of which may be seen in Armadale Library).
Completed preparations for Armadale in Minutes.
Organised, attended and enjoyed the launch of Armadale in Minutes at the Goth.
Promoted and distributed Armadale in Minutes at various meetings and locations.
Attended the Armadale Children's Gala Day 2008 to promote publications.
Staged a display about the HAA’s interests and its publications, and responded to visitors' questions, at the West Lothian History Fair 2008 in Linlithgow.
Attended talks and visited other groups’ displays at the Fair.
Continued to take an active interest in archaeological matters as shown on www.armadale.org.uk (Woodend and Standhill sites, especially in relation to the site of Ogilface Castle) as well as other sites such as Teepit Hill in the Whiteside area. Our Current Archaeological Interests
Attended the further survey sessions conducted by Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society.
Widened history coverage by exploring other heritage sites such as Almond Valley Heritage Centre.
Continued and developed kite activities to photograph sites including Linlithgow Palace, Gormyre Hill and Torphichen Preceptory.
Sent a representative to attend a Local Area Committee meeting.
Attended the 8th Exmoor Archaeology Forum, Exmoor's Past, An Aerial View: to provide background information on aerial photography relevant to ongoing kite aerial photography work in the Armadale area.
Continued liaising with other people and organisations interested in local and family history, such as Tom Gordon of Dale Boys and the West Lothian Family History Society.
Attended the first annual meeting of Scotland's Rural Past (SRP) at Birnam Conference Centre where we hosted a display stand, illustrating kite aerial photography with images of Armadale and historic sites in the area. The display was well received.
Published another photo collection: Picturing The Past, vol 6.
Gave a talk to Buteshire Natural History Society in Bute Museum, Rothesay .
Enjoyed one another’s company in regular monthly meetings.

Tom Gordon, researcher of the Dale Boys, with the HAA chairman, Ron Dingwall at the West Lothian History Fair 2008

Etna Brickmaking Display at Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Mary McKendrick of West Lothian Family History Society with Mary Flynn of the HAA

St Michael's Church* and Linlithgow Palace* in the infra-red more here

Looking towards Gormyre Hill, June 2008



Above: photos from the first conference of Scotland's Rural Past at Birnam Arts and Conference Centre (and in the adjoining Beatrix Potter garden) on Saturday 15 November 2008. Bottom left: the Armadale display. Right: Highland Folk Museum craft workers

OVERVIEW OF 2006 - 2007

Since November 2006, HAA members have:

Discussed and responded to local history and family history enquiries, and to photographic and written submissions.
Created the HAA website page.
Published Picturing The Past, vol 4, A photographic look at old Armadale. Created INDEX 4, available on website.
Prepared and published Picturing The Past, vol 5, A photographic look at old Armadale. Created INDEX 5, available on website.
Prepared an index for Your Magazine, Fond Memories, Issue 4, June 1995. Created INDEX, available on website.
Transcribed Armadale Local Committee Minute Book, 1914 – 1916, for National Relief Fund. Transcription available on website.
Staged a display about HAA’s interests and its publications, and responded to visitors' questions, at the Inaugural West Lothian History Fair 2007.
Attended talks and visited other groups’ displays at the Inaugural West Lothian History Fair 2007.
Applied for and received a £6,300 award from National Lottery’s Awards for All Scheme, to cover printing, publicity and distribution costs of its next publication.
Prepared and discussed material for the publication of Armadale in Minutes, to be launched March 2008.
Started preparations for the publication of Armadale in Minutes.
Arranged the restoration and protective framing of Armadale Public School Roll of Honour.
Supported www.armadale.org.uk website in the request for archaeological assistance to solve the questions posed by the Woodend and Standhill sites, especially in relation to the site of Ogilface Castle.
Attended survey sessions conducted by Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society, supported by Historic Scotland.
Developed kite-flying skills needed for aerial photography!
Helped to gather information on Armadale bands and especially The History of Armadale Concert Ensemble for www.armadale.org.uk
Talked to Armadale Friendship Group re Family Research and Armadale History.
Collected and copied old photographs (some of which may be seen in the library).
Arranged the restoration and protective framing of the Burgh Coat of Arms.
Enjoyed one another’s company in regular monthly meetings.

The sky's the limit! Davie Kerr shows how it's done...

Armadale Public School Roll of Honour

John and I were very sad to hear of Robert Kerr's passing in April 2009. We send our condolences to his family.

ARMADALE IN MINUTES LAUNCH

The History of Armadale Association is delighted to announce that it is one of 16 West Lothian community groups, which have received money from the National Lottery's Awards for All Scheme.

The Association's £6,300 award will cover printing, publicity and distribution costs of

Armadale in Minutes, A Chronological History by Robert Kerr, 2008, HAA

available from Armadale Library, Post Office and Woolshop at £5 (+ postage and packing for those outside Armadale)

contact Betty Hunter to order your copy!

For Robert Kerr's research and publications see the Publications page

The book launch took place on the 12 March 2008 in a fitting historical venue, namely The Goth in Armadale. Many guests attended on that evening to celebrate the achievements of Robert Kerr, on whose research the book is based, and of the History of Armadale Association whose efforts ensured that the book was prepared, completed, edited, published and launched in a manner befitting its importance as a historical record of Armadale's past.

Sybil Cavanagh (guest speaker), Ron Dingwall (HAA chairman), Fiona Hyslop MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Education), Mrs Jessie Kerr, Councillor Stuart Borrowman, Jim McGregor (book editor) and Mary Mulligan MSP are shown at the launch of Robert Kerr's Armadale in Minutes.

Armadale Concert Ensemble provided the evening's musical entertainment after the speeches and presentations.

This video snippet shows the venue later that evening.

Left: Ron Dingwall held two roles that evening, as Master of Ceremonies and as HAA Chairman whose successful National Lottery Awards for All bid funded the preparation, publication and launch of the book.
In his Foreward to Armadale in Minutes, Ron commented:

Being asked to write the foreward to this book is an honour as I have known Robert Kerr for over 30 years and shared his interest in local and Scottish history. Many a time he would be able to come out with some detailed information on a topic which would make you think '"Where did he source that kind of information?"

This book is a reflection on the detailed research which Robert did in all things and it gives an insight into the many mundane, funny, historical and hilarious events that took place in Armadale's past......

The History of Armadale Association felt that Robert's work should be preserved for posterity and be the 21st century version of Armadale Past and Present

Right: Sybil Cavanagh, Local History Librarian, gave the launch address with warm words of praise and appreciation. Here is an extract:

And still his work went on - new villages to study, existing studies to revise and expand; sketch maps of estates and farms and country parks, pencil drawings of local castles and public buildings. By 1990, he had produced an astonishing 70 studies of local communities. For a local history librarian, it has been a piece of great good fortune to have Mr Kerr's work to draw on. When somebody comes in to the Library, I know that however small the village or hamlet they're enquiring about, I'm certain to have something in stock about it.

Now, with the publication of Armadale in Minutes, Mr Kerr's work on Armadale will be widely available and will get the readership it deserves. The treasures of information which he unearthed will be brought into public view and much of Armadale's forgotten history will be restored to it.

After the speeches, Mrs Cavanagh and Mrs Kerr were presented with flowers.

Left: Davie Kerr (Robert Kerr's brother), Betty Hunter, Jemima Redpath, Sybil Cavanagh and Mary Flynn.
Special thanks must go to the principal organiser of the event, Betty Hunter, Secretary of the HAA, who co-ordinated the fitting tribute to many years of painstaking research.

Below: Caterers A.C. Sherlock of Blackridge provided a wonderful spread that was quickly tasted and enjoyed!