25 years ago

TIGHT security at a rugby match was front page news in the March 1, 1996, edition of the East Lothian Courier.

There was tight police security when Peter Phillips, 18-year-old son of the Princess Royal, played rugby at the Pennypit, Prestonpans, on Wednesday night.

The area was thoroughly searched before the floodlit game began and four uniformed officers were on the touchline.

Security around all members of the Royal Family has been tightened since plans of royal residences were found in the home of the IRA man who died when the bomb he was carrying exploded on a London bus.

Peter Phillips has donned the Scottish jersey twice for Scottish Schoolboys and was one of five pupils from Gordonstoun School who turned out for a Heriot’s Development XV against a Preston Lodge Development side for the match, which PL won 34-13.

50 years ago

A GROUP of scouts from Dunbar were taking part in a 40-hour table tennis marathon, as reported in The Haddingtonshire Courier on March 5, 1971.

Twelve members of the Dunbar Venture Scouts are to hold a table tennis marathon in the Scout Hall starting tonight at 9.30 p.m.

The boys will be aged between 15 and 16. Three tables are to be set up in the hall allowing six Scouts to play at the same time. After a two-hour spell they will have a two-hour break.

Several adults will be keeping an eye on the boys to ensure that they do not become over-tired during the 40 hours the marathon is set to last.

100 years ago

A MAN appeared in court after fighting in Haddington, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on March 4, 1921.

In the Burgh Court, before Provost Ross, John Armstrong, pit-sinker, of no fixed residence, pleaded guilty to having, on Saturday, committed a breach of the peace in a lodging-house in Nungate, by shouting, bawling, and fighting and struggling with the inmates.

The Fiscal stated that the disturbance occurred about a quarter to nine in the evening, and accused had, in consequence, to be ejected from the lodging-house.

He soon afterwards returned, and, as he renewed the disturbance, the police had to be sent for.

Ross said all he could do for him was to impose a fine of £1, with the option of 10 days’ imprisonment.