THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Arbroath’s Italian community combined their efforts to raise funds for the Red Cross by organising an “Italian Day”. The successful occasion was hosted by Alfresco entertainments and began with an opening ceremony performed by Dundee’s Italian Consular Agent, Si. Giuseppe Gonnella, who received an engraved silver spoon bearing Arbroath’s coat of arms by Provost G Rutherford Thomson. The festivities included dancing, and renditions of Italian national war songs by local children.

50 years ago

Angus schools experienced an experimental change of timetabling ahead of the introduction of British Standard Time (BST). Many Scots raised concerns that school children would be forced to wake up for school before daylight broke in the new schedule. BST was trialled for a year and meant a shift in timing for burgh and rural primary schools, while secondary schools remained unaffected. The move was decided by the Angus Education committee which implemented these altered times.

25 years ago

Disaster struck on Ballingry’s Benarty Hill as a young girl fell to near-death while playing with friends. Diane Robertson was taking a shortcut home when she fell down a 40 to 50- foot narrow crevice. Robertson’s fall, halted by a large boulder, was mere feet away from death. Ambulances, fire services and RAF helicopters came to the trapped and bleeding girl’s aid. The services were quick to treat Diane who was taken to Queen Margaret Hospital with a fractured ankle and spinal abrasions.

One year ago

Hospitalfield in Arbroath kicked off its summer festival in a colourful way with around 400 children taking to the streets in a procession of costumes and artwork. Participating in the parade were pupils from Timmergreens and Muirfield who marched from their schools to Hospitalfield House, a renowned local arts centre. In the parade the youngsters were decorated with props, costumes, fantasy armour and inflatable sculptures to mark the beginning of a weekend of artistic activities at the House.