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

25 years ago...

A FESTIVE vandal who came forward to apologise made the front page of the East Lothian Courier on February 6, 1998.

A vandal who wrecked the nativity scene of Dunbar’s Christmas lights display has publicly apologised and agreed to pay for the damage.

The local 21-year-old, who asked not to be named, will also work alongside volunteers on the lights committee throughout 1998 as penance for smashing up the £300 cattle shed, containing illuminated figures of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

He carried out the attack late at night on Christmas Day but this week told the Courier: “I have fully apologised to the committee for what I did.

“I told them I would help them work on the lights and pay for the damage.”

He added: “I went to the police afterwards and admitted it was me, and then apologised to the chairman of the committee.”

 

50 years ago...

THE East Lothian Courier focused on a different Cold War in its edition of February 9, 1973. . . as one ice cream salesman assaulted another.

An ice cream salesman climbed into the van of a fellow salesman who was serving ices and attacked him, Musselburgh Burgh Court was told.

The attacker, from Edinburgh, who pleaded guilty to two charges – one of assault and another of breach of the peace – was fined a total of £10.

Mr Alistair Leslie, the Burgh Prosecutor, told the court that the victim was serving ice cream from his van in Pinkie Place, Musselburgh, on the afternoon of October 22.

While serving, he heard the driver’s door of his van being opened and saw the man climbing in.

The man went up to him, stood before him and started to punch him about the face and body.

He protected his face with his arms and managed to eject the man from the van.

The attacker began to curse and swear and warned him that if he did not leave his territory in a week there would be trouble.

 

100 years ago...

THREE ancient skeletons were found by workmen digging in an area between Longniddry and Cockenzie, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on February 9, 1923.

In the course of digging a sand-pit at Binnie’s Dean, on the coast road between Longniddry and Cockenzie, workmen in the employment of Mr R. Baillie, building contractor, have unearthed three graves of the early Christian period.

The stone coffins, roughly composed of large slabs, contained skeletons in a wonderful state of preservation.