THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The first pantomime of the season in Dundee will be produced at the King’s Theatre next week. “Tom the Piper’s Son” comes from the Princess Theatre, Glasgow, which has a great reputation as the home of good pantomime and this production ran there last season from December into the spring of the year with great success. The brightness and originality of the pantomime are outstanding features and to a large extent it is a Scottish production making an irresistible appeal to audiences.

50 years ago

The 15s charge for the compulsory annual test of cars is to be increased. The Ministry of Transport said that in talks with the Motor Agents’ Association it had been agreed that a case had been made for increasing the fee which has remained the same since the test was instituted in 1959. The claim was now being discussed in detail. Mr John Oldaker, of the association, said there had been suggestions that the examination should cover more than the inspection of brakes, steering and lights.

25 years ago

Miss Gracie Millar Dunn, Dundee’s oldest citizen, has died peacefully at Marryat House, just one month after her 105th birthday. Born on November 8, 1886, at Union Place, Gracie was the second eldest of four daughters. Gracie’s father, Robert Dunn, was a marine engineer who worked on the rebuilding of the Tay Railway Bridge. Gracie left school at 13 to help supplement the family income. At 17 she became an apprentice weaver at Baxter Brothers where she remained until her retiral in 1946.

One year ago

A plan to build 300 homes on a site in Kinross has been lodged with Perth and Kinross Council. Persimmon Homes has submitted its proposal for the site near the M90 motorway and Lathro Farm. The North Queich bisects the planned site from west to east and to the south and the area is bounded by low density housing. Public consultations have taken place, with residents expressing concerns. The main points raised were about the proximity of houses on the boundary with existing properties.