THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

In his report on the work of the Fife Mining School, James Mitchell states that 29 discharged soldiers had been trained in electrical and mechanical occupations, and these had all been placed in employment. Nearly 200 women workers have also been trained in mechanical work and these are employed chiefly in Birmingham and Coventry. The training at the school lasts up to three weeks, after which the women are sent to the instructional school at Birmingham.

50 years ago

Actor Leslie Sands – known to millions as BBC television’s Detective Sergeant Cluff – explained yesterday why he turned down an offer worth more than £10,000 to make 26 more “Cluff” programmes. “There was no row,” he said. “The BBC and I have always been on the most amicable terms. It was just that they wanted to cut rehearsal times for each programme down from 11 days to one week. I disagreed with this because I felt that the quality of the programme would suffer.”

25 years ago

One of Guiding’s highest awards was presented to Mrs Irene Fyfe, of Monifieth. Family, friends and fellow Guiders gathered in Monifieth for the presentation of the Laurel Award for outstanding service to Mrs Fyfe. The national award is rarely bestowed and last came to Dundee six years ago. Mrs Fyfe is assistant county commissioner with responsibility for development. She was presented with her award by Miss Jennifer Adams, county chairman of programming.

One year ago

A report by an archaeological company for business woman and philanthropist Ann Gloag states anyone entering a former Perth hotel could die. The dire warning is in the risk assessment that indicates a host of dangers face anyone going into the Waverley Hotel, including ingesting or inhaling contaminated dust and encountering debris and water contaminated by rodent faeces. Ms Gloag was granted a building warrant by the council to demolish the building.