THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The question of harnessing the tidal waters of the Tay for the purpose of securing electricity power is to be considered by the Electricity Committee of Dundee Town Council. The suggestion was made by Mr P J Fletcher in connection with the proposal that further inquiries should be prosecuted with the Tummel Valley hydro-electric scheme. Mr Fletcher said he would like the subcommittee to take into consideration the great advances that had been made, even recently, regarding the harnessing of tidal waters.

50 years ago

There are hopes that work can begin fairly soon in Glenrothes on a £23,000 day centre for old people. County Councillor Robert King is to write to the district council, the development corporation and the county council asking them to proceed as soon as possible with the construction of an old people’s centre which has been on the drawing boards for more than three years. He was shocked to learn that plans for the £23,000 centre had been shelved because of the government plea on restraint on spending.

25 years ago

The introduction of Sunday sales of alcohol in shops has proved a hit with supermarket shoppers in Dundee who are packing drinks into their trolleys beside their shopping. The decision in December to allow Sunday sales was welcomed by both off-licences and supermarkets, who had campaigned for years for the change. Alcohol sales have helped further the growth of Sunday as a prime shopping day. With the stores being open anyway there are few extra overheads. Off-licences are still weighing up the costs. Matters Local

One year ago

A building professional told his partner he was “going out for some messages” but instead, masked his face with a stocking and robbed a bookmaker at knifepoint. The man had lost his job with a Dundee firm six weeks before planning the robbery. He changed into a black outfit in an alleyway outside the Broughty Ferry shop at 11.15am on July 23 before bursting in and leaping over the counter. He pointed the knife at a terrified employee and demanded cash, making off with £716. Later the same day, he handed himself in to police.