THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Arbroath Town Council yesterday had under discussion a letter from the North of Scotland Horse and Motormen’s Association making application for an increase of 12½% on the present rate of wages to scavengers and to the labourers with the streets and roads and cemetery departments. The question arose as to whether the letter should be remitted to the separate committees concerned or to the Finance Committee which is constituted by the whole of the members of the Council.

50 years ago

Kirkcaldy Town Council decided by 21 votes to eight not to make the grass area behind the Town House available for the parking of vehicles belonging to members of the staff. This had been recommended by the Provost’s Committee by six votes to four following a petition to the Streets Committee by employees. Councillor Roy McNab, who wanted the grass area turned into a car park, told the council the staff would be forced on to the side streets to find spaces, causing a traffic hazard.

25 years ago

Comedy genius Les Dawson died suddenly yesterday, plunging the showbusiness world into mourning for one of its best-loved funnymen. Les, 59, had gone to a Manchester Bupa hospital for a check-up but collapsed and died shortly after arriving. Staff made frantic attempts to revive him but he is believed to have had a heart attack. His wife Tracey, who gave birth to their daughter Charlotte only last year, was being comforted by family and friends. Tributes flooded in from colleagues.

One year ago

Theresa May will form a minority government, propped up by the DUP, after her snap election gamble spectacularly backfired. The Prime Minister was mocked for claiming that only her party can provide “certainty” for the future while doubts remain about her future in Downing Street. An expected Cabinet reshuffle kept all the great offices of state staffed with the same personnel, despite the rumours that Mrs May had planned to sack Chancellor Philip Hammond.