THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The tension was high in the Grand Fleet last night. The great vessels were due to steam out towards the sea at four o’clock this morning. They are proceeding to a point 30 miles east of the May Island to reap the reward of their ceaseless yet silent activity throughout those years of war. German warships are at the present moment steaming towards the rendezvous where they will surrender to the naval forces of Great Britain. The historic surrender will mark the subjugation of a great menace.

50 years ago

The £170,000 factory at Linburn Industrial Estate, Dunfermline, was opened yesterday by Mr Ronald Parker, chairman of the Scottish Gas Board. The factory has been occupied by Peebles & Co. Ltd, who manufacture regular valves for the gas industry, and have been in production there since September. Less than 24 hours before the official opening, production came to a standstill, when most of the workers downed tools over what was understood to be a wage dispute.

25 years ago

Terry Wogan will take to his bed this week joined by the cast of TV’s Casualty. He will be putting a little bounce into the BBC’s Children in Need appeal, which swings into action with a near £17 million target to beat. The actors will push Terry, the appeal’s host, round London in a hospital bed, meeting celebrities to raise money. Other TV and radio personalities will also be working overtime to boost the appeal. Last year the charity raised £16,800,000 for children’s charities all over Britain.

One year ago

The future of public leisure centres across Perth and Kinross could be at risk in the face of potentially crippling new rates bills. The Scottish Government’s controversial “swim tax” will, if implemented, see Live Active Leisure hit with a seven-figure bill. Perth Leisure Pool alone would be liable for £245,245. The arm’slength trust which runs the region’s municipal centres fears the added costs could threaten services. A decision on the rates scheme will be made next month.