THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The water “hoarder” is the latest addition to the list of war-time undesirables. Round about Dundee it would appear that he exists in considerable numbers. Normally the daily supply of water to Newport, Wormit and Tayport from Dundee is 300,000 gallons, but in view of the scarcity which resulted from the visitation of the frost, 500,000 gallons, or about 70% more, were delivered and the increased quantity scarcely met the demands of those who reside in the higher level of the burgh.

50 years ago

Sir Billy Butlin, head of Butlin’s, and his nine fellow directors have taken a cut in their income totalling £50,000 to help the “I’m Backing Britain” campaign. Sir Billy said in London yesterday that he and his directors would take a cut of £5,000 each to encourage people to take their holidays in Britain. The cut means Sir Billy’s salary will be cut to £15,000. He said that the directors had decided to forfeit their commission, which is a bonus on profits over £2 million in their effort for Britain.

25 years ago

Scotland and the rest of Britain is bracing itself for a further battering as weathermen forecast more storms, snow and high winds today. Gales and driving snow created Arctic blizzard conditions in most parts of Fife and Tayside, forcing the closure of many roads. The north of Scotland was in danger of being cut off completely. One of the worst affected routes was the M90 linking Edinburgh and Perth, which was closed completely by lunchtime because of the atrocious conditions.

One year ago

The shockwaves of a lorry driver’s actions rippled through the central belt after an overturned lorry forced the closure of the Forth Road Bridge. The HGV blew over around 2am yesterday after the driver tried to cross during high winds, apparently ignoring signs that the bridge was closed to highsided vehicles. Damage has been caused to the bridge’s central reservation and while nobody was injured, the pain was felt by thousands as the bridge remained closed for most of yesterday.