THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The German retreat from the Marne salient is in full swing. Under the triple pressure of the Franco-American troops on the west and south and the British, French and Italians on the east the Crown Prince has been compelled to withdraw his centre, with the result that the important centre of Fere-en-Tardenois is now in our hands. As is brought out in communiques, the enemy is putting up a very determined resistance in both wings in order to give his centre time to escape.

50 years ago

Chris Lambert, of Britain, died in a collision during the 10th lap of the Grand Prix of Zandvoort, Holland, yesterday. The collision occurred in the final heat. Lambert had finished fifth in the second heat, thus qualifying for the final. His Brabham Cosworth Ford and the Tecno Cosworth Ford of Clay Ragazzoni were involved in the accident. Lambert’s car spun off the track, somersaulted, tumbled over the railings and landed upside down on a sand dune. Lambert died immediately of head injuries.

25 years ago

Shoppers in Montrose High Street narrowly escaped injury yesterday when a slab of masonry crashed to the ground missing passers-by by inches. The incident happened just before noon in one of the busiest areas of the town, outside 54/56 High Street. A slab of facing roughcasting apparently broke away from the decorative strip between the first and second floors, crashing to the pavement. The stonework smashed into pieces, narrowly missing a young mother pushing a baby in a pram.

One year ago

An octogenarian with a head for heights is overseeing the repair of a Fife landmark. Retired chartered surveyor Ian Ramsey, 82, has been scaling the 65ft steeple of Kingsbarns Parish Church. Around £42,000 is being invested in preserving the B-listed building, which dates back to 1631. Despite retiring years ago, Mr Ramsey is still sprightly thanks to walking and swimming, and is used to working on scaffolding. He said: “It’s not a big deal for me but it is very high.”