THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A meeting was held at the Royal Dundee Institution for the Blind in which its president, Mr W.C. Leng, proposed to change its name. The suggestion came after Mr Leng stated that the institute also received blind people from Dundee’s surrounding counties including Perthshire, Fifeshire and Forfarshire. To support their cause, the Institution invited the Lord-Lieutenant of the counties and the Duke of Atholl to be its patrons. The Duke assured that his role would be carried out earnestly.

50 years ago

One of the most ferocious fires in recent years broke out at a Dundee garage/store. Firemen tackling the 80-foot high inferno were forced to lie on the ground due to the intense heat as flames engulfed the stone building owned by local timber merchants. Fuelled by 1,500 gallons of wood preservative and 500 gallons of oil, the fire required seven machines, spouting hundreds of gallons of foam and water to contain it. Onlookers were sprayed with oil from the blaze which caused damage to clothing.

25 years ago

This year’s Grand National resulted in a fiasco as a flagwaver was blamed for ruining the race for some 30 riders. Ken Evans, a parttime flagbearer, was held to account for failing to signal two false starts. An inquiry report, carried out by the Jockey Club’s stewards, was in the process of deciding what action to take against 57-year-old Evans after his evidence to support he performed his duties correctly was declined. Mr Evans appealed that he did, in fact, signal on both occasions.

One year ago

Dundee’s port took a step towards a more promising oil and gas decommissioning future as the area was enhanced. The arrival of a new rig – which raised the total to five – was a welcome addition to Courier Country’s multi-billionpound sector. Chief executive Callum Falconer, who has over 30 years’ experience in the industry, expressed optimism for the city’s future stating it would lead to more work within two years and the city’s economic and material boost would be noticeable.