THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Probably when the great spring offensive opened so brilliantly upon the British front on April 9 last most people at home anticipated a tolerably rapid march of events. The weather this few weeks past has been distinctively favourable to open campaigning, and in a general way it may truthfully be said that our army has all it needs. At any rate, the Germans admit that we are now the stronger side. So there is secret wonderment as to why measurable progress should have become so slow.

50 years ago

postal coding system, costing about £200,000 spread over the next three years, will be introduced in Aberdeen and the North-East on June 6, the first of its kind in Scotland and the third in Britain. The system is presently in use in Norwich and Croydon, and work will soon be starting in Dundee, Edinburgh and later Glasgow. The new system will mean that names will not need to be included in letters to addresses in these areas. Instead a six-digit number or letters will contain all the information.

25 years ago

One of television’s most famous doctors, Dr Finlay, looks set to reopen his casebook – this time in Auchtermuchty. The popular 1960s series is to be revived by Scottish Television and the old High Street square is hotly tipped to be one of the main locations. One building which they are particularly interested in is Christine Fleming’s fruit shop, which retains many unrenovated fixtures and fittings and is said to have the right old-fashioned atmosphere for Dr Finlay’s 1920s setting.

One year ago

People converged on Glamis Castle at the weekend to take part in a continental carriage driving competition. The castle was the setting for the first Attelage de Tradition, which promotes the use of carriages built more than 70 years ago. Over two days, a field of 24 were challenged over areas including performance, turnout, skills and timekeeping. Three key phases of the competition involved presentation, the 12.5km routier test through the castle’s grounds and a cones test through 20 gates.