THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

An animated discussion took place at a meeting of Arbroath Tribunal yesterday over a request by Mr A.T. Gibson, National Service representative, for a review of the case of Archibald Donald, plasterer, Kelty Cottage, East Mary Street, to whom the Tribunal two weeks ago granted continued conditional exemption. Mr Gibson stated that Donald was 31 years of age and in Category A and the Tribunal had refused to give him this man along with others whose cases he now asked to be reviewed.

50 years ago

Thanks to a cheque for 27,000 dollars, which arrived at Kirkcaldy Town House, boys and girls living in the town who are suffering from financial hardship will be given the opportunity to study at university or technical college. The cheque – worth £11,250 – is the first instalment in the bequest of a Kirkcaldy-born American architect, Francis Fitzgerald, who said in his will that he wanted to save high school pupils from undergoing the sort of struggle he had in completing his education.

25 years ago

A diver had a narrow escape after falling through the sluice gates at Pitlochry dam. The man, one of a team working under contract for Hydro-Electric at the dam, was clearing debris from the in-take screens which prevent material passing through to the turbines. It is believed he became disorientated while underwater, turned and suddenly found himself being sucked through one of the valves which lead to the fish pass. Seconds later he emerged on the other side of the dam, bruised and battered.

One year ago

A Tayside wedding planner fled to Ibiza after defrauding couples of £130,000. Craig Williamson persuaded engaged couples to book plush Guthrie Castle for their big day before pocketing the cash. The fraudster used his ill-gotten gains to fund a gambling habit then disappeared when rumours of double-booking at the venue began to circulate. He admitted defrauding various couples during a hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court. Sentence was deferred for background reports.