THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The graceful art of swimming was excellently demonstrated by the pupils of Harris Academy on the occasion of their annual gala held in the Central Baths. Mr J. Barry Robb, the rector, presided and there was a large attendance of pupils and friends. A special feature of the exhibition was the breaking of the Academy championship record by John Ford who covered six lengths in one minute 58 seconds, being two seconds less than the previous best. Edwin Pullar was the only other entrant.

50 years ago

A 41-year-old painter, who filled in a football coupon which won him and nine workmates over £19,000 said last night: “I never want the responsibility again.” Bert Jamieson added: “The strain was too much.” He is an employee in the maintenance department of Bertrams Ltd, an Edinburgh engineering firm. He learned that the syndicate had won £19,357 on Vernons Australian results treble chance. Bert said: “I’ve been unable to eat or sleep in case I had made a mistake in the original coupon.”

25 years ago

Britain was last night preparing to send its first planeload of emergency aid to earthquake hit Iran, where around 30,000 people have been killed and many more are missing. Overseas aid minister Lynda Chalker, announcing that Britain was joining the massive relief operation, said the Government would do “whatever it can... for the victims of this appalling disaster.” The first mercy flight will leave Gatwick with tents and blankets for the tens of thousands made homeless by the quake.

One year ago

Tennis champion Andy Murray has added a little menace to his game ahead of the defence of his Wimbledon crown. Dunblane’s most famous son has been getting tips from two other great Scots – Beano favourite Dennis the Menace and his trusty dog Gnasher – as he heads back to the scene of his greatest triumphs. In a special edition of the comic starring and guest-edited by the sportsman, Dennis tries to help Andy over a bout of tennis fever, with disastrous consequences.