THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The following Austrian official communique was issued yesterday: The fighting on the Piave was less violent again yesterday, and only at the southern wing of our army front did the enemy resume in the afternoon with his counterattacks. Elsewhere there were artillery duels. The heavy rains, which have descended in downpours almost daily during the last week in Venetia, and which have placed under water broad stretches of the plain, have multiplied the burden of the troops.

50 years ago

Young canoeists were pushed to their limits as they came up against severe weather conditions. A group of boys and girls from the Fife Union of Boys’ Club and Youth Clubs fought against hard high winds, harsh tide conditions and rain to journey from Perth to Tayport. The group was commended by Major PG Buchanan of The Black Watch for their teamwork and determination. The drenched canoeists were spared when they were pulled in at the Newport ferry slip on account of running late.

25 years ago

Tennis player Steffi Graf had a shocking encounter with a fan in front of thousands at Wimbledon. The German player was verbally abused by 29-year old Kurt zum Felde who sat in the front row, Centre Court shouting in German, “You a responsible for everything”. It was revealed that zum Felde’s remarks were a reference to the stabbing of player Monica Seles in Hamburg 10 weeks previously. The incident was the result of obsessive fans who hoped to ensure Graf’s victory by hurting other players.

One year ago

Children from a Tayside primary school have taken up knitting to make blankets and jackets for sick babies in the region’s intensive care unit. Children from P4 and P5 at Colliston Primary in Angus have been involved in a project with Colliston Women’s Institute, which teaches them every week. The children eventually make patches which are turned into blankets and jackets. This year 16 children took part and 47 blankets were handed into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Ninewells Hospital.