THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Dundee Education Authority, undeterred by the recent increase in the rate of 1s per £1, are, apparently, bent on still further flights of rate-raising. At a recent meeting of the authority, a Special Committee was appointed to consider the question of accommodation for scholars in the city – they were getting requests and complaints about accommodation and that they had one or two sites waiting. This would seem to indicate that the authority is out on a building stunt despite the high cost of material and labour.

50 years ago

Fife County Council’s plan to buy a farm to be attached to Elmwood Agricultural College, Cupar, came a step nearer fruition yesterday. The County Finance Committee decide to recommend that the 320acre Stratheden Hospital Farm, about two miles from the college, should be bought for £81,000, the price fixed on it by the district valuer. The question now will be subject to the approval of the full county council where the independent group, champions of the project in recent debates, hold a 61-50 majority.

25 years ago

A 73-year-old Muirhead man fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition yesterday when he made a tandem parachute jump at Errol Airfield. Gordon Norman joined up with Skydive Scotland tandem instructor Graham Marley to complete his jump in glorious sunshine in late afternoon after low cloud ruled out a morning jump. The parachute jump was to help raise money for the Woodlands Trust appeal to buy Backmuir Wood near Muirhead. Mr Norman hopes to add £600 to the £17,370 already raised towards the £25,000 needed.

One year ago

Many Perth jobs were left hanging in the balance last night after Royal Mail bosses confirmed they were reviewing the future of the city’s sorting office. The Feus Road walk-bundling service could be shut down and moved to Lanarkshire, it has emerged. The plan, if approved, would affect around 20 staff. Meanwhile, retail giants B&M and Pets At Home have been left weighing up their futures in the Fair City after last month’s tragic fire.