THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A large meeting was held in the City Chambers, Perth, for the purpose of furthering the proposed restoration of St John’s Church. It may be mentioned that at a public meeting held in Perth as far back as 1889 a committee was appointed to proceed with the restoration of the building. Certain difficulties arose, however, and the work fell into abeyance. It is now proposed to restore the church as a memorial to Perthshire men who have given themselves to the country in the present war.

50 years ago

Amy’s secret was unearthed yesterday. It was an egg. And it made its finder, Harry Stevens, head keeper at Whipsnade Park, London, rub his hands with glee. For it is the first laid by any giant tortoise at Whipsnade or Regent’s Park Zoo. Amy, a 220lb giant tortoise, was spotted by Mr Stevens near a patch of new scratched soil. An investigation disclosed a whitish egg, with a rough alabasterlike appearance. Amy is one of three giant tortoises on holiday from London Zoo.

25 years ago

A man and baby were rushed 80 miles by ambulance to Glasgow hospitals after being badly burned in a camp site accident. Raymond Craig, 27, of Gourdon, was changing a gas cyclinder in a tent when it burst into flames. Callum Watson, who is only 11 months, was in the tent at the time with Mr Craig when the fire engulfed the tent. Firemen and ambulancemen were called. The pair were taken to Newton Stewart Hospital and then transferred to Glasgow for specialist burns treatment.

One year ago

Fears of a Nice-style terror attack have been cooled ahead of the return of a Fife funfair. Organisers of next month’s Lammas Market say robust security arrangements will be in place to keep thrillseekers safe ahead of the St Andrews carnival. That comes despite a significantly increased security presence in Kirkcaldy earlier this year for the Links Market, where showmen strategically placed their lorries to prevent a vehicle being used as a deadly weapon. Revellers are advised to remain vigilant.