Category: Uncategorised

Queensferry under lockdown

London 1938 – Threats of gas attacks prompt desperate measures

How will we remember life under lockdown? And what might we forget? The Queensferry Heritage Trust is asking for your help in putting together a record of Queensferry and its wider community during the months of lockdown. How has daily life changed – your life and life in the community? Have you been working from home, not working at all, a front-line worker, home-schooling children? Are you getting the support you need? Is life getting back to normal? What do you think the longer-term effects on Queensferry will be?

QHT is launching a series of blogs to build a picture of an extraordinary time. You can help us by writing up to 500 words with photographs and illustrations if you wish. The blogs will be featured on the QHT website, queensferryheritage.org.uk. The invitation is open to everyone, of all ages, in Queensferry and the surrounding area.

You can email your contribution to [email protected].

Postponement of Talks Programme due to Coronavirus

17th March 2019

Dear Members,

Postponement of Talks Programme due to Coronavirus

In line with Government advice we are postponing our schedule of talks for the rest of the 2019 / 20 season with immediate effect.

  • Your committee will continue to meet virtually to organise the Talks & Visits programme for 2020 / 21. 
  • We will also continue to work on our longer term plans plans for QHT projects which support our purpose of promoting and protecting the heritage of Queensferry.
  • We will post updates on our website https://www.queensferryheritage.org.uk/ and on our Facebook page in addition to informing you of any developments by email.

Stay safe and we look forward to re-engaging with you when it is appropriate to do so.

Best regards,

Queensferry Heritage Trust Committee

Provost’s Lamp

Burgh Provost’s Lamp

The lamp stands on Villa Road outside the former home of James Milne, the last Provost of Queensferry.

At the end of last year one of our members brought to our attention the fact that the Insignia on the glass of the Provost’s Lamp on Villa Road had significantly deteriorated and had almost disappeared.

The Heritage Trust has replaced the four glazing panels which include the above insignia, etched onto the panels by artist Jenny Smith of the Edinburgh Laser Studio.  We are grateful to City of Edinburgh Council Lighting Department, who installed the new panels into the frames.

This project is one of a number of on-going and future projects which Queensferry Heritage Trust has agreed to undertake.

Dr. John Mason & Queensferry Museum

Dr John Mason

We are currently researching material for a talk on February 26th 2020 about Dr. John Mason, the much respected and loved former Dominie at Queensferry School.  He was a pioneering educationalist, soldier, war poet, journalist, writer, historian, gardener, and much more.  He is also credited with the opening of our town museum.

In preparing for this talk, we would very much like to hear from anyone who has recollections of John Mason, and we intend to include these and any anecdotes in the talk, where possible.  A large part of his legacy to the town was indeed its museum.  He had pioneering views on its development, arguably creating Scotland’s first community museum.  

Queensferry Heritage Trust has embarked on a project to promote, support, and invigorate our town museum to protect and grow our heritage and history therein.  We would be interested, therefore, to hear any views from the Queensferry community as to how you think our museum could be developed and what you would like to see in the future.  There will be a discussion on this during the latter part of the February talk.

Trevor Whittley