THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

Dear Sir – I have to thank you for your leader note in reference to the teaching of Latin in Dundee High School. Away with such tomfoolery! Why there should be all this noise about the fortunes of a classical department at this time reminds me of Nero fiddling while Rome was a-fire. If the history of this appeal ever comes to light, and if all that was said about the Lower Tribunal is disclosed, it may be that Dundee High School will be given a wide berth so far as the teaching profession is concerned.

50 years ago

How would you like to have a bomb in your back garden and not realise it – for 25 years! This is what happened to a Stonehaven family, but yesterday an army bomb disposal unit from Aberdeen removed a live practice mortar bomb which had lain undetected for nearly quarter of a century. The bomb was unearthed in the garden at the back of ex-Provost Hugh Ramsay’s large drapery shop in Market Square. The garden had been dug up many times, but this is the first time the bomb had come to light.

25 years ago

The founder member of the folk music trio The Jacobites, Dave Davidson, was killed in what the police describe as a freak accident on the A9 in the early hours of yesterday morning. Dave (46) and Inchture husband and wife Gillian Murray and Stewart Duncan were returning home from a gig at Coylumbridge. Their car and trailer collided with two cows which had wandered on to the road. The trailer spun on the road and Mr Davidson was struck by a van as he attempted to warn other drivers.

One year ago

Gardening royalty Bill Torrance has backed a campaign to raise awareness of the wonders of Dundee’s Botanic Garden. The former Beechgrove Garden presenter visited the garden for the first time in 20 years and revealed that he believed the facility was Dundee’s “wee gem”. Bill’s visit saw him lend his support to a campaign which aims to secure the long-term future of the attraction. The Botanic Garen Endowment Trust is working to secure the sustainability of the facility.