THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Have the flax mills at Redwells, Dunfermline and Walkerton, Leslie been sold? This question is exciting the minds of the Fife farmers who are interested in the movement inaugurated for the formation of a company to take over the mills from the government. It would appear that the Fife farmers got the offer of the mills and stock of flax at the price of £150,000. The offer only held good until Saturday. When complaint was made that sufficient time had not been allowed, they were given till December.

50 years ago

The import of all cats and dogs is to be prohibited as a further precaution against the introduction of rabies, the Minister of Agriculture Cledwyn Hughes, announced. The quarantine period for dogs and cats already in Britain is to be extended for eight to 12 months. The stringent measures, which mean that anyone taking a dog abroad will not be able to bring it back into this country, follow the case of rabies at Newmarket when the mongrel dog Sessan died in February.

25 years ago

Quick-thinking workers and others saved the life of a Fife garage owner and coach fleet operator who was turned into a fireball by a freak accident yesterday. They managed to drag the “totally ablaze” James Anderson from his workshop pit and smother the flames with a blanket. However, they were unable to prevent 48-yearold Mr Anderson suffering serious burns to his back, hands and face. The proprietor of Anderson Coaches, Den Walk, Methil, was initially rushed to hospital in Kirkcaldy for emergency treatment.

One year ago

Angus car park income has turned around to head in the right direction, but not quickly enough to meet the scheme’s initial projected income. February figures showed a near £1,000 upturn from the previous four weeks, with almost £20,000 generated by the charging scheme which returned in November after a 22-year absence. But council chiefs have now slashed their first year £300,000 income estimate to less than half that figure.