Peeps into the past from the Courier archives

Sayings and doings of 25 years ago...

THE theatre expression “break a leg” almost became a reality, reported the on March 19, 1999.

East Lothian Courier

“Break a leg” turned from traditional joke to reality for Stenton Footlights just weeks before the curtain was due to rise on opening night.

Leaping over a couch to dodge “villains”, Brian Dale, who plays the lead role, crashed to the floor and tore a leg muscle.

The accident happened during a rehearsal for the farce Wild Goose Chase – and that sequence has now been taken out of the production.

“I tore the muscle at the back of my thigh. Now that I am on my second half century I have found that it is taking some time to heal,” said Brian, who works for Brooke and Brown solicitors in Dunbar.

Although Brian, who plays a photographer called Chester, is now on the mend and rehearsals have resumed, performance dates have had to be put back considerably.

...and 50 years ago CLAIMS were made that workmen were using tenants’ electricity, told the of March 22, 1974.

East Lothian Courier

Tenants whose homes are being modernised in Tranent are getting notice that their electricity will be cut off if bills are not paid.

But they claim the electricity has been used by workmen in the houses.

Now the architects for the modernisation scheme are breaking down the claims to see just what electricity was used and by whom.

And the Town Council have promised to do everything they can to solve the problem and are to tell the South of Scotland Electricity Board not to cut off supplies – the bills will be paid as soon as possible by someone.

At Monday’s meeting of the Town Council, the Housing Officer, Mr George Gray, said he had claims from tenants for bills totalling £100 in his office.

“But the contractors don’t want anything to do with them,” he told members.

...and 100 years ago

A MAN faced charges after assaulting a woman with a chair at Haddington’s Nungate, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on

March 21, 1924.

On Saturday in the Burgh Court, before Baillie Main, John O’harry, labourer, of no fixed residence, pleaded guilty to having on the previous night, in a lodging house in Nungate, assaulted Mrs Reilly, outworker, by throwing a chair at her and striking her on the back with it.

He also admitted having, at the same time, committed a breach of the peace.

The magistrate stated that such conduct could not be allowed and that the accused would be fined £1, with the alternative of 10 days’ imprisonment.

In consideration that he was employed at the new water pipe track, he was allowed a period of seven days in which to pay the fine.