THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

An extraordinary affray between villagers and gypsies occurred near Sopcote. A party of male gypsies on leaving a public-house met waggonettes filled with women returning from Leicester. One of them stumbled in front of a waggonette. The driver pulled up, but another pulled the horses on to the footpath. An altercation ensued. One woman was hit and the others ran for safety. The driver, was hit on the head with a lamp. The villagers, roused from bed, continued to the gypsy camp where an onslaught was made on the caravans.

50 years ago

As every good bullfighter knows, the show goes on – or else. On Wednesday night the lights went out halfway through the programme in a temporary ring set up in a parking lot in Saint Raphael, France. When the organisers cancelled the last three bulls the spectators went wild. They threw the ticket booths into the Mediterranean and toppled the lamp-posts. When the police arrived, all they found was a wounded photographer and an expanse of splinters and junk.

25 years ago

A new 18-hole golf course which will not only benefit the sport but, it is claimed, marry it with wildlife and conservation, should open near Cupar within three years. A local councillor, who has predicted a boost for the local economy, welcomed the move. He also paid tribute to the efforts of Elmwood College, which will be building the course. Some months ago, Elmwood announced it was planning a course on college farm land. It has now received outline planning consent, with unanimous support from North East Fife planning.

One year ago

An 11-foot deep sinkhole that suddenly appeared in a village street is to be the subject of a public meeting. Worried Methilhill residents, fearing for their safety and their homes, have inundated local councillors with questions since the alarming discovery. As a probe into whether the hole is due to previous coal mining in the area swung into action this week, it was revealed householders will get to air their views sometime in the next fortnight. Labour councillor Ryan Smart said: “If it’s a mine shaft, how far does it extend?”