WE TAKE a look at the stories making headlines in East Lothian 25, 50 and 100 years ago.

 

25 years ago...

FIREFIGHTERS were to join a movie set – to make it rain, reported the East Lothian Courier on July 26, 1996.

Haddington fire crew have been asked to come to the aid of a German film crew... by becoming rain makers.

For a downpour is needed in a scene from one of the two Rosamunde Pilcher films they are making in East Lothian.

The crew, from UFA Productions in Berlin, have been filming in the county for several weeks and have already completed the first production, Blackberry Days.

Now they have started work on Christabel with shots taken at Lennoxlove House, Knowes Farm, East Linton, and latterly Rentonhall Farm, near Morham, home of Sandy and Nancy Swanston.

“It’s really quite exciting having a film crew on the farm,” said Nancy.

“I know they need rain for one scene and have asked the Haddington Fire Brigade if they can help... if there isn’t a downpour.”

...and 50 years ago

A TALKING parrot raised £100 for charity, told The Haddingtonshire Courier on July 30, 1971.

A parrot has collected more than £100 for charity in Gullane.

Sandy, a 12-year-old Amazon parrot, chats to passersby from his cage, saying: “Hello, Good Morning, ByeBye,” and no one can refuse to drop some money into his collection box.

Owned by Mrs Mary Geddes, of 2 Maule Terrace, Gullane, Sandy collected more than £15 for the Royal Blind Asylum and School last month.

Four years ago, Mrs Geddes hit on the idea of putting a collection box beside the talkative bird’s cage.

At every fundraising event, Sandy is there collecting, whether it be for the Lifeboats, Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, jumble sales, coffee mornings or for Gullane Juniors football club.

The green, blue and cherry coloured parrot collected £26 for the Ibrox Disaster Fund.

His next venture will be an appearance at Gullane Games.

...and 100 years ago

AN “EXCITING rescue” was described in The Haddingtonshire Courier of July 29, 1921.

On Saturday afternoon, a boat hired from a rowing boat stance at Port Seton was observed to be in difficulties.

The occupants – a man and woman – were apparently unaccustomed to rowing and allowed the boat to run into rocks near the east harbour.

Fortunately, the boat ran between the spits of rock, but the endeavours of the man to get out of the boat seemed likely to end in a calamity, as, every time he endeavoured to land, the boat canted and threatened to capsize.

The attention of Mr Reekie was called to the danger and he, with Mr Donaldson and Mr James Hill, at considerable risk, went to the assistance of the couple in the boat and brought them safely ashore.