THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The military critic of a Berlin newspaper, commenting on the Western front between La Bassee and Armentieres, says it is too early to speak of a breakthrough north of La Bassee, although the possibility is coming within range. After expressing the view that these attacks menace the British position in the Lys sector and will also affect their position at Ypres should the attack in the Warneton region gain further ground, he said the fighting will have an effect on the Amiens battle.

50 years ago

A workman stood helpless on top of a lift as it hurtled 220 feet down the side of a 22-storey block of flats in Dundee. The lift hit the ground “like a rocket”, smashing its roof and bottom and twisting the wire mesh sides. Standing on top of it as it plummeted earthwards down the outside of the nearly-completed block in Alexander Street was James Hill, aged about 25, of Eastwards, Carmyllie. He had been in the process of dismantling the lift. Mr Hill suffered head and neck injuries.

25 years ago

Kirkcaldy went wild as the town celebrated Raith Rovers’ football triumph. They were dancing in the streets as thousands of fans marked their team’s success in winning the First Division title and entry to the Premier League for the first time. The celebrations started with a good-natured pitch invasion at the final whistle of their 2-0 defeat of Dumbarton on Saturday. Jimmy Nicholl’s men were mobbed by well-wishers and it took the players some time to reach the director’s box.

One year ago

A £500m project that will transform part of Kirkcaldy will go ahead, developers insist. Lack of action recently had prompted concerns that the Kingdom Park development, which promised more than 1,000 new homes, a primary school, shops and a community centre, might never come to pass. But those behind the ambitious blueprint have said that their vision for the site will come to fruition. The suggestion work should start by the end of the year has been warmly welcomed.