Sayings and doings of 25 years ago...

AN ‘EPIDEMIC’ of head lice in Dunbar was highlighted in the East Lothian Courier on March 29, 1996.

Parents slammed Lothian Health Board this week for failing to rid the town of a plague of head lice.

“They are lowering the standards of care for our children,” said one furious father of three who claimed the problem had reached “epidemic” proportions.

Children and teaching staff at the primary school have all contracted the mites, which originated from the primary two class, and have passed them on to their families as many as six times over.

One parent said: “You expect this sort of thing as a parent, but not time and time again.”

Parents said they were angry and frustrated at the current procedure and that a return to the old system would probably solve the recurring problem.

But at the moment, they felt that “nothing is being done”.

...and 50 years ago

PUPILS from North Berwick High School were hoping to meet the Pope during a trip to Rome, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier of April 2, 1971.

A party of 28 pupils from North Berwick High School set out on a 12-day visit to Italy on Tuesday evening.

A highlight of their visit may be an audience with the Pope while in Rome.

Accompanying the party, which includes first year up to sixth year pupils, are Miss Costa, History teacher; Miss Dodd, English and Modern Studies; Mr Laing, Art; and Mr Dunn, Classics.

Also with the party will be the wives of Mr Dunn and Mr Laing.

The party will be staying in Rome until Monday and during their stay the Roman Catholic pupils will attend a Palm Sunday service in St. Peter’s Basilica and there is a possibility they may be granted audience by the Pope.

...and 100 years ago

The death of a Dunbar man in Massachusetts was recorded in The Haddingtonshire Courier of April 1, 1921.

The Amesbury Daily News, U.S.A, reports the death, which occurred on 24th February, of Mr Henry Miller, a native of Dunbar, and whose father carried on a blacksmith’s business at the foot of Silver Street.

The whole family, including the grandmother, emigrated to America many years ago, but they are still remembered by old Dunbar people.

Mr Henry Miller, who died at the age of forty-five, was only nine years old when his parents crossed the Atlantic.

Our contemporary states that Mr Miller was, in business and private life, held in the highest esteem.

He was president and general manager of the Walker Body Company, and took an active interest in the Congregational Church.