The Portobello Reporter Winter 2001 (Quarterly) -- A Safe Find! A few weeks ago I discovered an old safe in the basement of Duddingston Manse. It was large and very difficult to move. It was also in the way! The problem was that it was locked and there was no key. I asked around but no one seemed to have clue what might be inside. So, we employed a safe cracker to open the door. Inside was a treasure trove of old documents and church memorabilia. From the items that were dated we worked out that the safe had been locked since 1983. All the documents have now been lodged with the archivist including a volume titled, "Account of assessments in the support of the poor of the parish of Duddingston beginning 1833". This lists by name those receiving monies from the parish in the days before pensions, unemployment benefit and social security. Also listed are the following legacies left to the poor of Portobello: "Legacy left to the poor of Portobello by Mr Glen in 1845, late Minister of Portobello £102 8s 11d; Captain Barclay in 1847 of Portobello £50 0s 0d; Robert Scott of Mountlodge in 1850, Chairman of the Parochial Board of Duddingston £118 0s 3d." A fascinating series of documents reveals that a stormy debate took place in the years immediately following the Great War concerning the proposed memorial to honour the 29 men from the parish of Duddingston and the landward areas who fell in that terrible conflict. Many thought a remodelling of the Kirk Door, of which the original drawings survive, was an unsuitable War Memorial. The opponents of this scheme wanted to see a cross as a memorial and more fitting symbol of sacrifice. The safe also contained two curiously designed Alms Plates (see above), probably made in Belgium in the early part of the 17th century. On one there is a representation of Adam and Eve, and on the other the return of the spies from Canaan, carrying a pole draped with enormous clusters of grapes. By whom these plates were gifted, or when they came into the country we can' t say. For the past 18 years no one has seen them. If anyone has any information about them I would like to hear from you. It pays to have an inquisitive mind! I am only pleased that we decided to open the safe before we disposed of it. Rev'd Dr James A. P. Jack, Minister of Duddingston Kirk -- Books George Baird's 'Places of Entertainment in Edinburgh - Part 4 - Portobello' is a real must for people interested in the history of the area. Packed within its 48 pages are gems of information such as 'As early as 1806-07 Portobello enjoyed the rather doubtful advantage of having a good many public houses or 'Inns', mostly in the High street'. Oh how little has changed! This booklet can acquired by contacting George F. Baird on [0131] 661 1618. -- We want to hear from you Copy deadline for the next issue is 2nd February 2002. Send you contributions to 9 Bedford Terr, EH15 2EJ, or put them in the box provided at Portobello Library, ... or e-mail: portobelloreporter@talk21.com -- regards Angi Edinburgh Angi.Lamb@ed.ac.uk researching GLOVER, CARMICHAEL or CURRIE, STODDART, MERCER, BISSET, DICKSON, DICK, (AITKEN, WRIGHT), YOUNG in Midlothian (Edinburgh/ Lasswade/ Loanhead/ Roslin) CARRUTHERS, HISLOP, MCGREGOR, CROLL, RUPPERTI, HETHERINGTON in Midlothian (Edinburgh) HORN(E), POW in East Lothian (Tranent/Cockenzie)