THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The cork mill of Kirkcaldy Linoleum Works, Junction Road, belonging to Barry, Ostlere & Shepherd Ltd, was the scene of a serious explosion, resulting in severe injuries to two workmen. Another two men were slightly injured. Colin Gray, Lorne Street and William Scott, 19 Glebe Park, were badly burned about the face. The cause of the explosion remains undiscovered, but it appears that work had scarcely commenced for the day when the accident occurred. The corrugated iron roof was entirely lifted off.

50 years ago

Mr George Smith, Menzieshill Road, Dundee, saw an unusual animal in the street near his home a few weeks ago. It darted into a garden. It was too big to be a weasel or a stoat. On Saturday, Mr Smith’s Alsatian dog Creiffe became very agitated in a corner of the garden where there are shrubs. Seconds later the sleek stranger darted out and the dog grabbed and killed it. It was a mink 17 to 18 inches long. Mr Smith has no idea where the creature came from but was surprised to find it in a built-up area.

25 years ago

Arbroath High School fifth year pupil Barry Richardson has a big problem – or, rather, two of them! He is unable to turn out for the school’s senior rugby squad because his feet are too big. Six foot six inches in his stocking soles, Barry, who is a talented basketball player and plays centre for the Scottish junior men’s team, is also a capable rugby player. However, his size 15 feet are preventing him from getting a game. A custom-made pair would be very expensive. He is hoping someone has a pair that are no longer required.

One year ago

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond appeared in court charged with attempted rape and sexual assault. Salmond, 64, from Strichen, faced a total of 14 charges when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday. He was charged with two counts of attempted rape, nine counts of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one breach of the peace. After a brief private hearing, at which he made no plea and was granted bail, he said: “The only thing I can say is I refute absolutely these allegations.”

£1,645

The amount of money spent by expectant parents preparing for their first-born child.

The average cost has jumped by nearly a fifth when the study was first carried out in 2012.

£75m

The economic boost to Dundee from the impact of the V&A. The iconic building generated £21m in the local economy and supported 696 jobs in the city.

28

The number of pages in the first-ever Dandy comic.

One of the rarest surviving publications, it has been saved by the National Library of Scotland. It is dated December 4 1937 and has Korky the Cat on the cover.