25 years ago

THE sea was “lashing” buildings in Dunbar, reported the East Lothian Courier on March 15, 1996.

Dunbar’s £8.9 million improved sewerage system is blamed for a catalogue of disasters along the coastline.

In 1991, the regional council cut through four metres of rock to lay two new sets of pipes and, according to residents, the sea has been “lashing” the buildings – causing considerable damage – ever since.

They claim that the natural defences were never properly replaced after the construction work, leaving their homes exposed to the mercy of the high tides.

Owner of The Courtyard Hotel and Restaurant, Peter Bramley, has made repeated complaints to the council since 1992.

“Something’s got to be done,” he said. “It’s seriously affecting people’s business and health. When there’s a high tide it’s impossible to sleep at night and therefore impossible for me to take a resident.”

Mr Bramley was advised in a letter from the region in November 1993 that it planned to place two tonne blocks on the beach to stop the force of the waves “in the near future”.

50 years ago

GERMAN filmmakers were in East Lothian making a cartoon, told The Haddingtonshire Courier of March 19, 1971.

It would appear that East Lothian is becoming a venue for professional filmmakers.

Last week, Gifford was visited by the West Deutsche Runfunk of Cologne (West German Television Service) unit, to film scenes for a cartoon entitled “Robbi Unt Tobbi”, a thriller, similar to “Thunderbirds”.

German TV prefer authentic locations for their films, and prior to their visit to Gifford had been filming in the Loch Ness area.

They also used a helicopter for aerial shots of the two places.

Gifford was chosen because of its layout, which suited the story, which they hope to complete by the end of the year, when it will appear on German TV.

100 years ago

A MAN appeared in court charged with being disorderly while drunk in Cockenzie, as reported in The Haddingtonshire Courier on March 18, 1921.

At a Justice of Peace Court, held in Haddington, on Monday – Mr D. B. Cadzow of Samuelston and Mr Alex. N. Russell, Tranent, on the bench – James Reid, miner, Port Seton, pleaded guilty to having on Saturday, 26th February, behaved in a disorderly manner in the Gardeners’ Close, Cockenzie, while in a state of intoxication.

The accused said, while he had been indulging in liquor, he was not extra drunk.

The Fiscal described the language the accused had used as pretty bad, and he was ordered to pay a fine of £1, with the option of 10 days’ imprisonment.