In the earliest years there was no school in the village and so the children of all ages had to walk to the school in Addiewell, which had been operating since 1882.   This may well have been an enjoyable and healthy exercise in the better weather but it must have been rather grim, to say the least, during bad weather, as there is no cover or shelter on the route.   It must also be remembered that footwear was a real luxury in those days and so boots and shoes were only worn in the winter - barefoot being the normal thing during the summer.

 

After several petitions to the Education Authority, in this case Whitburn School Board, it was agreed to have a Public School built in Stoneyburn in 1902.   This was to accommodate Roman Catholic and Protestant children alike up to the age of 12.   Older children could then attend school in Bathgate - either at the Lindsay High School, which offered technical courses for the pupils who were not considered advanced enough to take the more classical courses on offer at Bathgate Academy.

The school opened on the 15th September 1902 and had its first Headmaster, Mr William Weir, who served until he retired in January 1936 - apart from the years 1915 to 1919 when he served in the army.   During his absence the post was given to one of the senior teachers, Mr William Tully, who became the Headmaster in 1936 and served until his retirement in September 1957.   Mr Adam Mungall was the appointed and ran the school until 1969 when Mr John MacLennan took over until he retired in 1985 and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Miss Alison Jack.

In 1923 the school was enlarged by an extension being built on the opposite side of the Main Street.   This housed the Infant Classes and Primaries 1, 2 and 3.   On the 10th March 1925 it is recorded that at a special presentation ceremony, Miss Nellie Currie was given a watch for almost 10 years perfect attendance.   In the first 10 years of its existence, the school had enrolled 820 children and by 1922 this number had risen to 1,573 pupils.

On the 17th March 1933, Miss Sutherland, who had been the Infant Mistress for may years, retired and her successor Miss Marshall took up the post.   In 1950 the school was given 'Junior Secondary' status with pupils staying on till the end of the 2nd Year if they had failed to pass 'The Quallie' to go to one of the Academies in Bathgate.

Mention must be made at this point of one teacher, feared by some of the pupils, but loved and respected by the vast majority.   Mrs Mary Murdoch, nee Scott, was born in Addiewell in 1899 and was educated initially at the local school and later at West Calder High School.   She then attended the Teacher Training College in Edinburgh.   Mary came as a teacher to the village on the 5th September 1918 bring the staff up to eight teachers.

During her long career she became almost a legend until her retirement in 1960.   She moved to Edinburgh and even though failing in health, and at 95 years of age, she had a remarkable memory and has given so much information about the early life in the village.   It is a great pity that Mary died in the same week that this book was completed and did not see its publication.   One of Mary's friends and colleagues, Mrs Isabella Gidden, was another teacher who gave great service to the village and also to Blackburn.

One of Mary's friends and colleagues, Mrs Isabella Gidden, was another teacher who gave great service to the village and also to Blackburn.   Isabella Couper came to Stoneyburn in 1920, at the age of 21, to teach in the Public School and lodged with the Murdoch's.   She taught until she married James Gidden in 1926 and left to teach in Bonkle where her husband came from.   They returned to Stoneyburn and she taught again from 1930 until the start of the Second World War in 1939.  

At Mr Tully's request she took up her post again for a few months after the war until the staff returned to full strength and then she moved to a new post at Redhouse School in Blackburn where she taught until her retirement in 1967, by which time she had been the Headmistress for several years.   On the night of 1st November 1974 the old school building was totally destroyed by fire and 100 pupils from Primaries 5, 6 and 7 had to be transported to classrooms in Blackburn Academy.

This fire was one of several at schools throughout the Region within the space of a few months.   The next educational milestone was the building and opening of the new Primary in the field adjoining the old one in 1978.   This was one of the new 'open plan' schools and has had lots of teething problems but has settled down and is fulfilling its role in the community.

A new High School opened in Bathgate during October 1931 in the refurbished Lindsay High School.   This was St Mary's Academy and for the first time Roman Catholic children from the district, including Stoneyburn, could attend a separate senior school.   A new Academy was built in Whitburn and opened in 1967.  

Pupils from Stoneyburn who passed the 'Qualifying Exams' at the end of their Primary years were now sent to the school to relieve the pressure on Bathgate Academy.   A further two new senior schools ere opened, this time a little nearer home in Blackburn.   Blackburn Academy opened on the 2nd July 1971 and St Kentigern's Academy on the 6th October 1972.   By this era the minimum school leaving age had risen to 16 years but both these establishment offered the full range of curricula up the age of 18.   During Blackburn Academy's short-lived career there were three attempts by the Education Authority to close it.   They deemed it to be non-viable due to the falling numbers on the school roll, mainly brought about by the transfer of pupils residing in Livingston to the newly built James Young High School in the New Town.   Despite massive protests and objections from all parents, pupils and friends, the Regional Councillors who run the Education Department had their say and, on the last day of term in June 1992, Blackburn Academy closed its door for the last time, and the pupils from Stoneyburn were transferred to Whitburn Academy.

A pre-school Nursery was started in the old school Technical Rooms in October 1875 with Mrs Ann McKay as the teacher in charge and with Annette Lauder as a newly qualified Nursery Nurse as her assistant.   The project catered for children from the age of 3 years up to starting school, and 20 attended in the mornings and another 20 in the afternoons.   Mrs Lorna Kerwin took over the reins in 1976 until 1991 and, as the numbers allowed had increased in 1978 to 30 at each session, another Nursery Nurse, Sandra Allison, was allocated to assist Lorna and Annette.   Sandra left in 1984 and her post was taken by Mrs Margaret Morley and when Lorna resigned her post was taken by Mrs Ann McEwan.   The present staff consists of Mrs Isobel Aitken who took over as Teacher in August 1994, and the two Nursery Nurses, Mrs Margaret Morley and Mrs Margaret Wilkins.

There had been a strong desire for many years amongst the Roman Catholics in the village for a separate school for their children and their wishes were finally realised with the opening of Our Lady's Primary on the 6th January 1941.   The opening ceremony was conducted by His Grace, Archbishop Andrew Joseph McDonald.   It's first Headmaster was Mr John McKeon and had a roll of 150 pupils divided into 4 classes.   Mr McKeon held his post until 1957 when Mr P Mahon took over and he held office until succeeded in 1967 my Mr James McCue who was followed in 1974 by Mrs R Allison who, in turn, retired in 1980.   Mrs W Scanlon then became Headmistress until 1985 and the post was taken over the present incumbent, Mrs M Murphy.   During 1983 the school roll had fallen to the very low and worrying number of only 47 pupils and the Education Department proposed that the school should be closed.   The decision was met with such an outcry and all concerned started a well co-ordinated protest.   This was upheld and the school is still flourishing and with happily a slight increase in the number of pupils.

In keeping with Regional Education Policies and because there was no proper village hall for recreational and vocational pursuits, a large Community Centre was built, almost in the middle of the village.   This was officially opened on the 23rd April 1970 by our ex-Councillor, Mrs 'Teenie' Haggarty.   The building has now acquired the more impressive status of being The Community Education Centre and hosts a large and varied selection of activities for adults, teenagers and youngsters, both in the Sports and Skill Learning spheres.

In the early days of the village, worshippers of both Denominations had to travel to the churches in Addiewell.   In 1919 the United Free Church committee was set up and two Lady Missionaries, Miss Sullivan and Miss Ormesby came to the village and took residence at 41 Clark Terrace.   The following year the Mission took over 21 Garden City.   "The Stoneyburn Christian Assembly" was founded in 1914 by William Docherty, who prior to his conversion to Christianity, had been notorious for his drinking and fighting, often with the police.   The first building was an asbestos panelled structure situated at the end of Strathie Terrace, next to the level crossing.   A Gospel Hall was built in 1923 on land which was fued from Miss Clark in Stoneyburn House.   This survived until 1937 when the new Pentecostal Church was built, incorporating the old hall.   The services were still led by the fist Pastor, Mr Docherty, until his sudden death in the church grounds on the 23rd February 1941.   Since then there has been a succession of regular Pastors.   William Docherty Jnr., from then until 1968, followed by George Green from John O'Groats until 1975.  He was succeeded by Alex King who led the church until he was finally allowed to retire, leaving his flock to the ministrations of his successor, Ken Watt, who is an "Assemblies of God" trained Pastor and who has come to the village from Lancashire in England.

On the 16th October 1925 a new United Free Church was built and the minister, from Addiewell, the Rev. George Goldie conducted the services until September 1927.  The Manse was built behind the Church in the following year the Rev. George Fraser took up residence.   He was the first minister of the newly amalgamated United Free Church and the Church of Scotland which became knows as the Parish Church in 1929.   He was succeeded by the Rev. William P. J. MacKenzie until February 1953.   The church hall was built in 1936 and provided the venue for many of the church's additional activities.   The church was without a minister for nine months until the Rev. John T. K. Mitchell took over until he retired in October 1981.   During 1982 again there was no minister, but in December, just in time for Christmas, the Rev. Brian Sheret came to take over the Parish and remained as minister until May 1985.   During this period of time the four churches of the Breich Valley: Addiewell, Breich, Longridge and Stoneyburn were amalgamated and put under the single charge of the Stoneyburn minister.   Six months later a new minister arrived, the Rev. Ronald Gall, who remained until October 1991.   Again the pulpit became vacant until the 6th January 1993 when the present incumbent, the Rev. James C. Harris took up the charge.     It seems to be a sign of the times that church congregations are shrinking in many areas and this village is no exception, with only about fifty members who are regular attendees.
The Roman Catholic population of the village  got a big spiritual lift in 1954 with the building of the Presbytery and Chapel.   The first resident priest was Father John McCallum, who officiated until 1961 and was succeeded by Father Dennis O'Connell until 1965.   He was followed by Father Malcolm McFarlane until 1976 when the much loved and respected Father Michael McCullagh took over until 1987.   Since then the present incumbent, Father Alexander Bremner has attended to the needs of the congregation.

The parish priest, Father Bremner, left the village to take a position in Stirling and his congregation are now cared for by the merger with Blackburn Parish.   The death of Rev. Harris left the church without a minister for over a year but the charge was then being administered to by an interim team of the Rev. Douglas Main, assisted by Deacon Mark Evans.   They took on the duties covering all the Breich Valley Churches.  Rev. Main and Mark Evans have now left this change and their duties have been taken over by the Rev. Maxwell Craig, another interim minister.

In the early days of the village the only medical care was the accident and first aid unit at the colliery, but if a doctor was needed, then the patients had to travel to other towns.   By April 1923 the Foulshiels First Aid and Ambulance Unit had become a very skilled outfit and in 1925 they became the Scottish Champion Team for the first time in competitions against those from pits all over the country.   They repeated this success many times in the years that followed.

The first doctor to practice in the village was Dr. John Young from 1911 to 1919.   There is a reference to a Dr. Cook who came after him, but no other data about him is available.   Dr. Charles Manson Fleming came in 1931 and ran the practice from the surgery in Wilson Terrace until 1938 and he was followed by Dr. Robert John Simpson Bain until 1942.   Dr. Harold Vernon Thwaite then took over until 1945 but travelled to the village from West Calder.   Dr. Harold Sherry took on the practice from then until 1967 when he was succeeded by Dr. Alexander Willox until he retired in 1981.   Dr. Willox was awarded the M.B.E. in 1979 for his services to the community.
The medical care of the village was then taken over by the present doctor, Dr. Paul Chima, and, as the practice had increased in recent years he has been assisted by Dr. Al Ubaid and Dr. Sheena Milne who run surgeries here for part of their time and others at Fauldhouse.   During 1969, a new surgery was built at Park View and, in 1976, the present Health Centre was opened, the opening ceremony being conducted by Regional Councillor, Dr. Rena Newlan.   This complex, apart from the doctors' consulting rooms and surgery offers a Dental Surgery, a Chiropody unit, as well as several clinics for varying special needs.   It also serves as a base for the district nurses, the health visitors, the midwife, a psychiatric nurse and a physiotherapist and has four part-time receptionists to keep the Centre running smoothly.

Dr Paul Chima retired in 1998 on health grounds and his practice was taken over by Dr John. H. Stewart, assisted by Drs Milne and Al Ubaid.

On the 16th May 1924 a meeting was held in the 'Picture Palace' with a view to the formation of a Jubilee Nursing Association.   This was chaired by Mr. J. Colquhoun who introduced a Miss Watt, the organiser for this Association.   It was unanimously agreed that a local branch should be formed but no further mention of it can be traced.   On the 22nd August 1924 however, the Stoneyburn and District Nursing Association was formed but, so far, no names are available.   In 1943, Nurse Jessie McKenzie moved into Knowepark House and a garage was provided for an ambulance.   Special mention must be made of a lady who came to play a very big part in the life of the village.  Nurse Jessie Meikle.   Jessie was born in 1915 and started her nursing career in Longridge in 1938.   Some of her duties were to assist Nurse McKenzie when required as there was too much work for one nurse in Stoneyburn.   She took over the job of village nurse in 1940 but became better known as the Midwife.   She retired in 1981 after 43 years service, during which time she must have brought most of the present inhabitants of the village into this world - before it became the standard practice to have babies born in hospital.

The first Chemist shop was opened in the old gatehouse of Stoneyburn House in 1931 by Mr. McGowan, a pharmacist from Fauldhouse.   He also took over the Post Office and ran it from the same premises for 17 years.   Over this period he employed three assistants, Miss Blair, Miss Yeardly and Miss Jean Paton (Watson).   In 1948 the business and the Post Office were taken over by Mr James White, who then moved into the present premises in 1953 until his retirement in 1989.   Mr Andrew Dawson took over the business for a short time until he sold it to the present Pharmacist, Mr Steven Cassie.   As has been mentioned earlier, Miss Mary Black worked as the assistant to three of these chemists from 1962 until 1992.