Ecumenical Service Celebrates the Life of Broughty Ferry on the Centenary of Its Incorporation into Dundee

On Sunday evening, at the New Kirk in Queen Street, a large congregation came to mark the centenary of Broughty Ferry being incorporated into Dundee. The theme of the service was celebrating the life of Broughty Ferry as a strong community; emphasising that it has neither lost it's distinct identity nor has its voice been extinguished.

The service was led by Rev Helen Bridger (St Mary's Episcopal Church) and Rev Catherine Collins (Broughty Ferry New Kirk).

During the service certificates were awarded to eight young poets from Broughty Ferry schools who had submitted entries to the Poetry Competition. Over one hundred children sent in entries on the theme of what they liked about their community. The winners, six of whom are pictured above, read out their entries to an appreciate audience. Interestingly, the beach, the Castle and ice cream from Visocchi's featured prominently in the poems. 

Young people also read the old and new testament readings and two pupils from Grove Academy performed a duet for piano and cello. 

Local historian Chris Davey also delivered a fascinating short reflection on Broughty Ferry, a Strong Community.

The singing was led by a combined churches choir who also sang the Introit and choral Blessing.

After the service, refreshments were taken in the Church Hall and the Lord Provost cut the commemorative cake.

This ecumenical service was organised by Clergy from Broughty Ferry Churches together with support from our Communities Officer, Carole Jenkins.

Free Beachie Heritage Walk in Broughty Ferry starting from St James Church Friday 1 November 2013

As part of the series of community events to mark the centenary of Broughty Ferry becoming part of Dundee, Broughty Ferry Churches have organised a number of events this week called the The Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail. 

On Friday 1 November 2013 (tomorrow) there will be a free Beachie Heritage Walk conducted by, knowledgeable local resident and former Councillor, Charlie Webster.

2.00-2.45: Beachie Heritage Walk starting from St James Church, followed by refreshments. Free but booking required. Any donations to RNLI. Broughty Ferry St James (Church of Scotland)
5 Fort St, DD5 2AD

To book or for information please contact Charlie Webster
Telephone 079414 85502 Email charliewebster16c@gmail.com

Link to full programme of the complete programme of events in The Broughty Ferry Centenary Church Trail

Centenary of Opening of Eastern Primary School

The former building of
Eastern Primary School on Whinny Brae

Eastern Primary School has been in the news recently. 

On Monday 19 August 2013, the Council's City Development Committee approved the sale of the Whinny Brae school buildings and site to a developer (identity not yet disclosed) for conversion into housing. 

In August 2011 it moved from it's original building on Whinny Brae to its new location at the refurbished former Grove Academy buildings on Camperdown Street. The formal opening of the 'new' building took place in March 2012. 

But a hundred years ago today, on Saturday 29 August 1913, Broughty Ferry School Board, arranged the 'Formal Opening of Eastern School' by George Andrew, Esq, from her Majesty's

Click on image to enlarge

Inspectors of Schools.  According to the programme, the opening ceremony includedp, speeches, musical recitals of works by Chopin and Elgar and an elaborate vote of thanks by five separate individuals, led by Provost Lindsay from the Broughty Ferry Burgh Council.
  I notice that the School opened to pupils on Monday 1st September immediately after the opening on the Saturday. According to the first entry in School's log book, 'Work was started with an enrolment of 834 children and a staff of Robert Cameron, Headmaster' and twenty other teachers and instructors who were all listed by name. Excluding the Headmaster and three specialist teachers, some of the infant classes must have been huge by today's standards with as many as 50 pupils.

Click on image to enlarge

Perhaps the anticipated end of the Broughty Ferry Burgh Council in November 1913 may have encouraged the School Board to bring forward their opening ceremony, rather than wait a few months until the school was in session and comfortably settled in. 

On Monday 8 September, a week after the opening day for pupils, the Headmaster wrote in the logbook, 'The organisation is gradually coming into shape.'  His next entry on 15 September records that, 'Mrs Kidd (the Domestic Science Teacher) is absent to-day with a sore foot.'

On 7 October , the Headmaster records, 'The Autumn Holiday was observed yesterday'. We may infer from these log book entries that in 1913 the Autumn term started in early September and the Autumn holiday was a single day rather than a fortnight.

While the pattern of holidays, the pupil teacher ratio and the body responsible for organising schooling has changed over the last hundred years, interestingly one constant is the office of Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools which still has a vital role in the external quality assurance of our schools.

To find out more about life at Eastern Primary School in 2013, visit their website:  Eastern Primary School

End of Broughty Ferry Lecture 1pm Thursday 7 February Glasite Halls King Street Dundee

Broughty Ferry, general view, showing Brook St
and Broughty Castle. 26th September 1932

Later today, at 1pm, Ferry resident and historian Chris Davey will be delivering the Friends of the Dundee Archive lecture. His lecture will focus on the events leading up to the end of Broughty Ferry as an independent Burgh in 1913 drawing on his research and publication, 'The end of Broughty Ferry: the Dundee Boundaries Act 1913'. 

The lecture will be held in the Glasite Hall in King Street Dundee beginning at 1pm. 

This seems like a great way to begin the series of events to mark this significant centenary in the life of Broughty Ferry leading up to Annexation Day in November.

Glasite Hall address: St. Andrew's Church King Street Dundee DD1 2JB