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

25 years ago

IT WAS an emotional day in Haddington as 500 jobs were set to go, reported the East Lothian Courier on April 10, 1998.

There were tears as workers at Mitsubishi Electric’s Haddington factory were this week given the bombshell news the plant is to close in July with the loss of over 500 jobs.

Within hours, a high-powered task force was in place with two remits: help the workforce and find a new owner for the factory to replace jobs.

East Lothian does not have development status like West Lothian and Fife and as such cannot offer any grant inducements to multi-national firms to set up in business.

But already, Industry Minister Brian Wilson, who flew north with MP John Home Robertson, has pledged that the Scottish Office will do all in its power to help, and behind the scenes moves are being made to see what grants are available from the EU.

50 years ago

TRANENT Labour Club’s new beauty queen was hitting the headlines in the East Lothian Courier on April 13, 1973.

The Labour Club included their talent competition and “Beauty Queen” contest on Sunday evening when neutral judges from a visiting East Kilbride Club made the order of selection.

Nine members came forward for the Beauty Queen contest knowing that the winner would get a chance in the C.I.U (Scottish Area) “Queen of Clubs” finals at Stoneyburn.

Ruby Jones gained this distinction, received the £5 prize plus a £25 gift card from the Management Committee towards her expenses.

The awards and the sash were handed over by the reigning C.I.U Queen of Clubs Mary Bell, of Tranent, who wished Queen Ruby every success.

100 years ago

A SCHOOL retirement in North Berwick was marked with the presentation of gifts, told The Haddingtonshire Courier of April 13, 1923.

On the occasion of her retiral from the office of infant mistress in the public school, after twenty nine years’ faithful service, Miss Irving was, last week, made the recipient of several presentations.

The gift from the pupils took the form of a gold wristlet watch, and a gold-mounted crocodile-leather handbag, and from the teaching staff a handsome leather suit-case. The gifts were presented by Miss Ada Sibbald, one of the senior pupils.

Mr Thomas S Glover, Rector of the High School, who is at present supervising the public school during the absence, through illness, of the headmaster, Mr Tait, presided over a gathering of all the children, and paid a fine tribute to Miss Irving’s splendid work during her many years’ connection with the school.