Founder Member
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Treasurer
1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896
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Proposer of the Toast “Our Hosts” or “The Landlord – Landlady” 1893, 1894, 1896, 1898
Reply to the Toast “Agricultural Interests of the District” 1895
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Served on the Club Committee
1897, 1898, 1899
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James Craik was 53 years of age when the Club was founded in 1881.
He stayed in Balerno Village with wife Elizabeth (44), daughters Isabella (18), Janet (16), Elizabeth (14) and sons James (11) and (later to be Club Member) Robert (7). His father-in-law Robert Smith (69), a carter, also stayed with the family.
Perhaps an example of the significance of his role in Club affairs is that when George Y. Robertson, the Club Bard, presented a collection of rhymes at the 1891 annual Supper and mentioned many prominent members of the Club, James Craik was included. The presentation was printed by Club Member A. G. Moir and a copy included in the Club Minute Book. The layout has been adapted for our website and can be viewed at Ragged Rhymes .
At the annual Supper in January 1904, the Chairman made the following announcement : “The Club regret to have to record the loss it has sustained by the death of Mr James Craik. He was one of the first promoters of the Club and contributed in a marked degree to the enjoyment of the Company at the Annual Festivals held in the ‘Auld Hoose‘ (Henderson’s Inn/Mr Brow’s Inn). His recitations from the Poet’s works delivered with keen appreciation of the sentiment with a purity of pronunciation unsurpassed by any other Club Member. His enthusiasm in the interests of the Club was much appreciated by the Members in token of which they presented him with his portrait in July 1892″
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