THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

A most serious explosion took place at a late hour in Dundee last night, creating great alarm and causing much inconvenience. The mishap occurred on the electricity system and as a result the whole town was thrown into darkness and all electrical power was cut off. The venue was at the corner of Murraygate and Cowgate where there is what is called a cable joint box. The explosion was of sufficient power to hurtle into the air the huge metal lid which protects the junction box. Flames were also shooting into the sky.

50 years ago

Graham Suttie, son of Mr and Mrs William Suttie, Carnoustie, celebrated his 17th birthday on Carnoustie putting course yesterday by achieving two holes in one. This was a greater achievement than it may seem, for Graham is blind. As a young boy he spent his leisure time on the putting course and was a constant winner of summer competitions. Two or three years ago his eyesight began to fail and now he is completely blind. Yesterday, he returned to the putting course he loved and really went to town.

25 years ago

Fife Police have made a spirited response to criticism about traffic problems resulting from the Open Golf Championship. An appeal has been issued to an anonymous “Abernethy man”, who unfavourably compared the performance of the police to “Boy Scouts”, to make contact with police headquarters in Dysart. The story appeared in The Courier , but police say many motorists had commented favourably about the ease of travel. The police would like to discuss the matter further with the gentleman.

One year ago

A campaign to create a cinema and cultural hub in Montrose must raise more than£1,300 a day until the end of August if it is to succeed. The Montrose Playhouse Project wants to turn the town’s old swimming pool into a cinema and cultural arts centre and has already secured a £2.26 million Scottish Government grant which will cover around three-quarters of the cost. But the charity behind the project wants to raise another £80,000 by the end of next month. The sum of £30,000 has been pledged so far.