This picture, which is thought to date from 1948, shows Pin McLucas trying to gain traction by climbing over another on his way up the pole in front of a huge crowd.

His friend Dod McGill is the little lad in short trousers at the foot of the pole.

The greasy pole climb was ditched, says Mr Robertson, when the council wanted to charge the organisers for digging the hole to put the pole in!

If you have an old photo that you think may be of interest to our readers, send it with details to: Journal and Gazette, 114 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7AQ. Photographs are returned after publication – please remember to include your name and address.

50 years ago

Two men were each fined £37 when they appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court charged with breaking into a hen house, stealing 10 hens and causing them unnecessary suffering. Five of the hens died from suffocation.

''Since the introduction of milk in schools, boys appear much older than they really are," stated W.H Galloway, burgh prosecutor, at Linlithgow Burgh Court in a case where a seventeen-year-old of Newton admitted purchasing alcohol under age in the Cunzie Neuk public house at 1 The Cross, Linlithgow.

Councillor Charles Snedden, at 28 the youngest member of Bo'ness Town Council, saw his dream for a super community centre for the town shattered this week with the council refusing to discuss the matter. But 100 houses are planned for Grahamsdyke and there could be further development at the docks.

Bo'ness United, winners of the R.L Rae Cup for the past two seasons, never looked like relinquishing their grip on the trophy when they thumped Easthouses Lily 5-1 in the first round at Newtown Park.

25 years ago

Cala Homes Ltd apologised after pulling down semi-mature trees on the prime Ashley Hall site at Linlithgow. Planning officials at West Lothian District Council were furious when they found out.

Former 1st XI captain of West Lothian County Cricket Association Tom Kerr is back at work in Saudi Arabia following a road accident. It is understood Tom, of Springfield Road, Linlithgow, was unhurt in the incident.

Linlithgow could have its own amateur operatic company if Bill McDonald gets his way. Bill, who works at GR-Steins, Whitecross, is looking for more than 50 men and women to help him get a production off the ground. The group would be based at Linlithgow Academy.

A seminar aimed at improving Queensferry will help lay foundations for an ambitious town development project costing millions of pounds. Representatives from local and national organisations are set to speak at the Rosebery Hall.

Linlithgow Rose cruised into the semi-final of the Dryburgh Cup thanks to two goals within a minute in the second half. However the 4-2 blitz didn't match the team's six-goal exhibition last Saturday.