University announces death of former principal

DUNDEE University has announced the death of Professor Michael Hamlin who was principal and vice-chancellor from 1987 to 1994.

Prof Hamlin came to Dundee with experience in the academic world having been vice-principal and pro vice-chancellor of Birmingham University.

He arrived at a time when Dundee University was smaller than now and when there were significant challenges in finance and government funding.

By the time he stood down as principal, the university was in a much stronger position.

Announcing the news with “great sadness” in a message to staff and students, Dr Jim McGeorge, university secretary and chief operating officer, said: “Perhaps his most notable achievement was saving the dental school from closure.

“The proposal from the main government funding body of the time had targeted the dental school for closure, even after a large-scale public campaign against the move.

“Prof Hamlin worked tirelessly to challenge the closure and ultimately the decision turned in Dundee’s favour.”

Prof Hamlin helped place Dundee University on a much more secure footing and encouraged the growth of the institution, which resulted in significant expansion in areas such as Life Sciences and the Medical School, where he supported the creation of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign.

He was warmly regarded on campus, with the student magazine referring to him as “the Pleasant Principal”.

He also worked to create a much stronger bond between the university and the city of Dundee, where there had previously been a rather strained “town and gown” relationship.

In his own academic career, Prof Hamlin was a world-renowned expert in water engineering.

He was born in South Africa in 1930. His wife Augusta, who along with him helped transform the university’s art collections and museum services, died in 2018.

FIREFIGHTERS from across the region were called into action following a large blaze along the banks of the River Tay.

Crews were called after the fire broke out at the reed beds beside Errol airfield at 11.46am yesterday.

The dramatic blaze caused smoke to billow across a wide area and firefighters remained on site for several hours as they tackled the huge flames.

There is no indication at this stage of how the fire started.

A FORMER boxer who stole £5 from a coffee shop before breaking into a hotel and stealing a TV and radios has been jailed.

Christopher Jones, 45, said he committed the offences in order to feed himself.

He pleaded guilty to breaking into Willows Coffee Shop in St John’s Place, Perth, on March 26 and helping himself to £5.

Two days later, he forced his way into the bar area of the Station Hotel and stole a television, two digital radios and various groceries which Dundee Sheriff Court heard were worth £550.

Jones, who is registered blind, previously hit the headlines in April 2017 after he admitted causing £100,000 of damage after trying to blow up his block of flats on Dundee’s Park Avenue.

Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said with regard to the incident at the coffee shop, Jones had forced open a metal gate.

CCTV footage was reviewed by police and Jones was identified. In response to being cautioned and charged with the theft, Jones said: