The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
THE ARCHIVES
100 years ago
The textile industry in Montrose is seriously menaced and much consternation is being felt in the town at the possibility of the imminent closing down of Chapel Works (Messrs J. & G. Paton, Ltd, flax and tow spinners), in which some 1,500 workers are employed. The grave nature of the development is contained in the following notice, which was posted up at Chapel Works: “Owing to the high price of raw material, the increased cost of production and the want of demand for yarn, these works may be closed after 14 days.”
50 years ago
Fifty-three years ago Mr Manuel Goldsberry, a cadet pilot from Frankfurt, Indiana, made a promise to return to Montrose and yesterday he kept that promise. At the time he was stationed at Montrose aerodrome defending the east coast of Scotland, between Aberdeen and Edinburgh, against zeppelins. Now 75 and a retired farmer, Mr Goldsberry returned to the town he grew to love. “I was barracked in Union Mill,” he said. “It is now surrounded by houses. We flew Sopwith Camels and Avros when I was here.”
25 years ago
Mel Gibson received a hero’s welcome when he arrived for the European premiere of the film Braveheart last night. Around 2,000 fans greeted him as he arrived in a Buchanan tartan kilt at Stirling University’s Macrobert Centre. As fans chanted: “We want Mel”, the actor, who plays Scots patriot William Wallace, said: “It feels great to be Scotland’s hero for a day.” Among the early arrivals for the glittering showbiz premiere were fellow actors Ian Bannen and James Cosmo.
One year ago
Campaigners have questioned whether there has been a “catastrophic failure” at a Fife power plant. Operators of Mossmorran ethylene plant announced that part of the site will be in shutdown until near the end of the year as boiler failures are tackled. However, nearby residents, who have endured repeated episodes of flaring, have been warned steam will issue from the stack. James Glen, of Mossmorran Action Group, said: “If Exxon is being shut down for so long there has been a failure at the plant.”