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

25 years ago...

“LAZY mourners” were driving cars over graves in Tranent, reported the East Lothian Courier on April 24, 1998.

Some relatives whose loved ones were buried in Tranent cemetery were being distressed by lazy people driving their cars over graves on the corners of footpaths.

The community council heard that a new car park to be created to the north of the cemetery, large enough for 25 cars and a bus with room to turn, would hopefully alleviate a lot of the problems.

East Lothian Councillor Bishop Shepherd called the parking situation “horrendous”.

He said: “People other than elderly or disabled are taking cars into the cemetery and it is causing a lot of distress.

“Able-bodied people are driving right up to the graves and going over the corners of the paths – and there are lairs under these corners.

“I have no trouble with the disabled or elderly taking cars in but not people who are perfectly able to walk from the gate.”

and 50 years ago...

YANKEE footballers coming to Dunbar made the news in the East Lothian Courier on April 27, 1973.

Soccer is not widely played in the United States and the skills of the game are lost on most Americans.

But this week a group of young footballers from the USA played local Dunbar teams to improve their soccer abilities.

The youths were the Wheaton School Dynamos and the party of 44 – which included their parents – stayed in local hotels.

The aim of the visit was to learn more about the rudiments of football as it is played in soccer-mad Scotland.

The Dynamos were quite good players themselves.

They were superbly fit but lacked the vital experience needed to ensure victory.

They presented the teams they played against with inscribed plaques, and invited a team from the Dunbar area to visit the States the following year.

On Monday evening the Dynamos had their first game, against Belhaven Boys’ Club under-14s.

The score was 5-5 after a thrilling match.

and 100 years ago...

A DUNBAR resident made his return to the town after a fouryear trip to Egypt running golf courses, told the Haddingtonshire Courier on April 27, 1923

Mr J. Hastie, a native of Dunbar, had arrived home on some leave of absence from Cairo, where he had the management of the golf courses and polo grounds.

Four years had elapsed since last he was home and his many friends, since his arrival, had extended to him a very cordial welcome.