25 years ago

A BID to ban booze in a North Berwick park was being proposed, reported the East Lothian Courier on May 10, 1996.

An alcohol exclusion zone could be created in North Berwick as part of a joint police and community initiative to curb underage drinking in town.

Plans are underway to ban alcohol from the Lodge Grounds public park – a popular haunt for teeny tipplers.

A similar scheme is already operating in several streets in Prestonpans – the first town in the district to introduce no-go areas for public drinking – and police in North Berwick are keen to follow suit.

They hope to get the backing of nearby residents and the local community council before taking the idea to East Lothian Licensing Board for formal approval.

The matter was discussed at the monthly meeting of North Berwick Community Council on Tuesday.

Sergeant Alistair McIntyre warned that banning the drinking of alcohol in the park could push the underage tipplers to other areas of the town, possibly the harbour.

50 years ago

FIVE generations of the same family were in attendance at a baptism in Dunbar, told The Haddingtonshire Courier on May 14, 1971.

When baby Kathleen Lorimer was baptised in Dunbar Parish Church, her father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were there to watch the ceremony.

The occasion marked the first time the five generations had gathered together.

Baby Kathleen Vanessa is the daughter of Mr Tom Lorimer (20) and his wife, Avril.

Her grandfather, Mr John Lorimer, gardener, and his wife Chris, were there, as were her great-grandfather, Mr Tom Lorimer, a foreman with North Berwick Town Council, and his wife Jean.

The eldest member of the party was 93-year-old Mr John Lorimer.

100 years ago

TWO men appeared in court after stealing planks of wood from a mine, as reported in The Haddingtonshire Courier on May 13, 1921.

On Friday, at Haddington Sheriff Court, Peter Devannah, labourer and John Devannah, miner, both from Tranent, pleaded guilty to having on Saturday 23rd April, stolen four planks of wood from the pithead of Bankton colliery.

The Fiscal said that the accused and another man were seen carrying planks up the railway line from the pit.

When the police followed them, they made off.

The accused were overtaken, but the third man escaped.

They were taken back to the pit and admitted having stolen the wood.

They were each fined 10s.