THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Mr Churchill and Mr Wilkie, the members of Parliament for Dundee, are responding energetically to the Town Council’s overtures on the subject of unemployment amongst ex-servicemen in the city. Mr David Latto, depute town clerk received the following telegram: “Have today had conference with David Shacklteton, of Ministry of Labour and hope to send full answer to your letter in day or two.” A similar message was received from Mr Wilkie as both men try to find means of employment for the city.

50 years ago

A modern bath seems out of place in one of the departments of the new Brechin High School. It is in the workshops, and anyone taking a bath would do so in full, view of class learning all about the underside of a car hoisted on a hydraulic ramp. But the bath – and associated items of the toilet, not to speak of a miniature central heating system – are there for instructional plumbing purposes. It indicates the vast range of the million-pound-plus school to be officially opened by Princess Margaret on October 28.

25 years ago

Anyone who has ever wondered exactly what happens in a crematorium can satisfy their curiosity and perhaps shatter a few myths next week when the Rev Bob Wightman hosts the first open day at Dundee Crematorium. Members of the public are invited to tour the refurbished facilities in Macalpine Road, speak to staff and see exactly what happens to the coffin. “I see this as an opportunity to dispel a number of myths that still surround cremation,” said Mr Wightman.

One year ago

House sales in Dundee rose to record levels during the first six months of the year despite fears of a post-Brexit slump in the market. New figures from Aberdein Considine’s Property Monitor, the final report before the Brexit deadline on October 31, revealed homes worth £173,747,407 were sold between January and June this year. This was up 17.5% – or £25.8 million – on the same period last year. The second quarter alone saw sales of more than £104 million, a year-on-year rise of 18.7%