THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A meeting was held to consider complaints of the alleged shortage of food at Rosyth. The proceedings were lively from beginning to end. Allegations were made that the Dunfermline Co-Operative Society, who have temporary branch premises at Rosyth, were boycotting the members in the new town in the interests of the members of the older part. In an at times fractious meeting, threats were made to form an alternative society among the garden city dwellers.

50 years ago

Amid a cloak of mystery, Senator Edward Kennedy left London Airport for Boston. Nobody would say when the Senator arrived or why he had visted Britain. An American Embassy spokesman would say only that the visit had been a private one. His departure, too, was veiled in mystery. Pan American, by which airline he eventually left, began by saying he was definitely not travelling. Then they said they were as surprised as anyone that he had travelled. His name was taken off the VIP list.

25 years ago

A number of children could be facing serious injury or even death following the theft of a quantity of chemicals from a Dundee University laboratory in Park Place yesterday. Last night, police issued an urgent appeal for the return of the stolen items. The chemicals, including highly dangerous nitric acid, were taken during a break-in at the lab. They were contained in glass jars and plastic bottles and a number of them were found spilled on open ground nearby. Many containers are still missing.

One year ago

An inferno that engulfed a former social club in Levenmouth may have been started deliberately. Police are treating the blaze at Denbeath Miners Welfare Institute in Methil as wilful fireraising amid reports youths were seen running from the scene. Flames shot through the roof of the century-old listed building before it collapsed and around 30 firefighters were involved at the height of the blaze. Residents said the structure had long been a target for vandals and fire-raisers.