THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Dunfermline and District Trades Council had under consideration the question of demobilisation and working hours. With regard to overtime at Rosyth and other Royal dockyards, considerable discussion followed the reading of a letter from Chatham and District Trades Council , who forwarded a draft resolution protesting against the reintroduction of overtime in dockyards, and calling on the Government with a view to absorbing men being released from the army.

50 years ago

Britain’s big five chocolate manufacturers are to increase prices in the new year, following increased purchase tax in November and high cocoa prices. The trade magazine “Grocers’ Gazette” says that Cadbury, Rowntree, Nestlé and Macintosh confirmed that price increases and weight reductions would take effect in January. Mars said that their increases would come either in January or February. Cocoa now costs £438 a ton – nearly double the price a year ago.

25 years ago

The RAF’s crack Red Arrows aerobatics squad may be axed because of defence budget cuts. Also under threat are the Parachute Regiment’s famous Red Devils parachute display team and the Royal Tournament, the annual military showcase held at Earl’s Court, London. A special study team is to decide whether there are sufficient funds to pay for them at a time when £2.28 billion of cuts must be found by 1997. Ministers’ priority is to look for savings in all areas.

One year ago

Shell-shocked Fifers are raising funds for a much-loved Romanian man critically injured after returning from a mission to deliver rescued stray dogs to a shelter in the kingdom. Claudiu Ciurea, 35, spent nine days in an induced coma and had to have a leg amputated after a horrific road accident while he was driving a van for dog transport service Travel 4 Paws. Just days earlier he had dropped off eight dogs to Cowdenbeath animal shelter Fife Dog Rescue and Rehoming.