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

25 years ago

AN AMBITIOUS golf plan was revealed on the front page of the East Lothian Courier on December 5, 1997.

A fresh multi-million-pound plan for three golf courses and 100 cottages for golfing visitors from all over the world has been put forward for 1,000-acre Archerfield Estate near Dirleton.

But unlike a number of previous bids to develop the area, eventually abandoned after furious opposition, the latest scheme includes no residential housing.

In the past, schemes with anything up to 500 houses had been proposed for the area, angering residents in towns and villages along the coast.

Two previous companies trying to develop the estate have gone bust.

The latest proposal, by an American consortium, encompasses almost the entire estate from its miles of unspoiled and protected coastline to the popular council-owned Yellowcraig beach and picnic area. It then sweeps south close to historic Dirleton village, along the main coast road to the west then north fringing Muirfield Golf Course to the sea.

50 years ago

‘PARKING controversy flares’ was the headline in the East Lothian Courier on December 8, 1972.

Controversy has broken out in North Berwick over the planning proposal to turn the Glebe field between St Andrew Street and St Margaret’s Road into a car park for 500 cars.

The modified proposals by the County Planning Department for the improvement of the town centre were accepted by the Town Council in June but many people claim they did not know it was the intention of the planners to use the whole of the Glebe Field as a car park.

Nearby residents also dispute the recent statement by Provost John B Macnair that they were asked for their views on the matter.

Many people will be exercising their right to submit objections to the Secretary of State following publication of an advertisement referring to the amendment to the Development Plan.

100 years ago

AN UNLICENSED revolver landed a Gullane man in court, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on December 8, 1922.

In Haddington Sheriff Court, on Monday, Alexander Russell, jun., hairdresser, 5 Maule Terrace, Gullane, pleaded guilty to having on Monday 30th October, had in his possession a Webley revolver, without having a firearms certificate.

The accused stated that he had found the revolver in France while in the army, and had retained it as a souvenir. The accused explained that he was unaware of the fact that he had been committing an offence.