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

25 years ago

‘ELEVENTH-hour bid to block Muir statue’ told the East Lothian Courier on November 15, 1996.

Over 250 Dunbar residents have joined a campaign to prevent a statue of John Muir being placed in the High Street outside the Town House.

In only a week, Sarah Mason, a partner in the William Mason shoe shop on the High Street, collected six petitions with the names of 250 local people opposed to the planned monument.

She has sent them to the Scottish Office, which is currently deciding whether to give the scheme planning permission.

Miss Mason, who lives in a flat opposite the Town House, said: “The people of Dunbar just don’t want it.

“A statue would not be in keeping with the character of the High Street.

“The Town House itself is a work of art.

“If they want a statue, why not have it in the John Muir Country Park?”

50 years ago

TWO homes in Tranent were damaged by fire, reported in The Haddingtonshire Courier on November 19, 1971.

Two Tranent families had to find alternative accommodation on Monday after fire damaged their homes.

One went to stay with relatives, while the other was temporarily re-homed by the Town Council.

On Monday at about 5pm, Mrs Janet Reid, 9 Ormiston Crescent West, became aware of the smell of smoke in her house and contacted the fire brigade.

Firemen from Tranent broke into the house upstairs at No 11 occupied by Mr John Stuart to find flames coming through the door.

They extinguished the blaze which caused a hole in the floor, enabling firemen to look into the house below.

Both homes were extensively damaged by smoke.

100 years ago

‘THE Professor’s Love Story’ was a headline in The Haddingtonshire Courier on November 18, 1921.

As will be seen from our advertising columns, Haddington folks are to have a rare treat on Wednesday next, when Sir J. M. Barrie’s play of “The Professor’s Love Story” will be played by Mr Durward Lely, and his number one company, in the Corn Exchange.

This play has been a great success on both sides of the Atlantic and the version being played by Mr Lely is the same as was recently produced by the late H.B. Irving, at the Savoy Theatre, London.

The visit will be looked forward to with the keenest interest.