Active Broxburn Nonagenerian

ACTIVE BROXBURN NONAGENERIAN (sic)

On the third day of May, Mr Hugh Dalrymple Webster, better known as Hughie Webster, attained his 80th birthday, and on a later date, the occasion was fittingly celebrated at a family party held at No.24 Steel's. Rows. Three daughters, two sons, and three grandsons took part in the festivities.

A huge birthday cake was provided by a daughter: and according to Hughie. this was his first birthday cake. A sing song and dance were held in the course of which Mrs Laurie, of Steel's Rows, on behalf of the family and friends, presented Mr Webster with a purse of money. Although an octogenarian. Webster is thoroughly sound in mind and limb, and is as active on his feet as a man half his age might be. He might well be termed "a hardy yin" He lived in the enjoyment of a fine physique and robust health. He has been a smoker from the age of 5 and, upon a time "When he took it in his heid," he was a teetotaler for about 10 years. He was twice married and had a family of 11 of whom 2 sons and 4 daughters survive. His grand children number 38 and his great grand children 11. He was probably the oldest man in the county to enlist for the great war. Urged on by the late Bob Hastie, and passed as fit for service by Dr Kelso, he joined up at the age of 63, passing himself off as only 45. This was after the battle of Mons. He was attached to a horse regiment but, to his his disgust. he was was sent beck from Bradford.

He in also one of the oldest shale miners living. Born In Slamannan parish, he started to work in a Redding coal pit when he was 6 years of age. At the age of 8 he went to West Calder to work in the Raeburn Oil said to be one of the first works in existence in Scotland for the production of oil from shale. After being two years there, he came to Broxburn where he has resided for over 70 years. The late Alexander Kennedy, Broxburn Oil Company's mining manager, had arrived only a fortnight before him, and his brother William went to work in No 1 Stewartfield Mine, and at that time the shale was being hauled from the face to the retorts in the "big Yard" by horses. The pays then were monthly. After living for a time in the "Hut Row" in Holygate, he removed to one of a number of houses. built on the west side of Greendykes Road by the late Mr Robert Bell, for the accommodation of his workmen. Shale was in great demand then and houses were scarce. As an inducement to his men to remain in his service. Mr Bell made a bargain with them. If they would pay him a rental of £10 for ten years, he was willing to rive them tee title deeds of the houses. So far as Hugh remembers. however. no one ever made application for the gift, although old Tom Paterson, scavenger. was a tenant there for over 30 years. Hugh remained in the shale mines until he was 67. He was working in the Dunnet Mine then, but the section in which he was engaged was closed down owing to a "trouble' being encountered. He did not resume thereafter. But for short spell of three months at Middleton, has been retired ever since.

Although well up in years before he took up the game. he became a most enthusiastic quoiter. Though never reaching any championship rank, he won six matches for stakes up to £10 and £15 a side. Pedestrianism was another of his hobbies on which he was remarkable keen. and though never very fleet of foot. he won when a young man. a New Tear event in Edinburgh against Hugh Scullion and another event against James McCardle, both foot runners of repute. Greyhound coursing had a great attraction for him and during the period when Mr Robert Gunn was the lesee of the Strathbrock Hotel, he had as many as 8 with which he attended "meets" throughout Scotland and England. In the old days, summer ice used to be a great game in the Institute and Hugh was one of the ablest players. But the game was a noisy one and often tried the patience of the custodian. the late Mr John Forbes. who couldn't stand a noise. His 'Na. Na. loons" still sounds in many ears. Gradually other quieter pastimes replaced the summer ice.

But our hero had also a taste for the fine arts, being musically inclined and joined Broxburn Public. Band which was not so keen on winning cups then as it is now. He played a bass instrument with success, and being, as already stated, sound in wind. did not find the blowing too arduous a task. When the writer visited Hugh at his home he found him filling a new role - that of a chiropodist. When the old man had removed the horny exereacences. he expressed himself an feeling fit as a fiddle" Long may he remain so.

West Lothian Courier 19th May 1933