Sayings and doings of 25 years ago...

A LIFEBOATMAN was finally recognised for his rescue efforts, told the East Lothian Courier on May 22, 1997.

A bravery award was made to Alexander ‘Sander’ Wilson – former second coxswain of Dunbar Lifeboat – 28 years after a dramatic rescue.

Lifeboatmen past and present gathered in the British Legion to see Sander, 78, presented with the RNLI’s Bronze Medal.

It was handed over by David Brunton, of Parsonspool, Dunbar, who was presented with a bronze medal at the time of the rescue, having dived into heavy seas without a lifejacket to support an unconscious 17-year-old. The teenager was reported to have dived in to try to rescue a younger relative who drowned in the incident.

Presentations were made to other members of the crew shortly after the rescue. Crew member Jonathan Alston, who also leapt into the sea to aid the youth, received the RNLI’s thanks inscribed on vellum and coxswain the late Robert George Brunton, Sander Wilson, mechanic Andrew Smith and crew members William Brunton and Ronnie Marr received framed letters of thanks for their parts in the rescue.

...and 50 years ago

Much like today, changes to North Berwick High Street were making news in the East Lothian Courier on May 25, 1973.

A claim by newly elected Councillor David Martin that it would be “unconstitutional” of North Berwick Town Council to have yellow lines put on the roads before advertising its new Experimental Traffic Order was explained at the council meeting.

Provost John B. Macnair said the council wanted thermoplastic material used instead of paint. The work load of the firm concerned was such that it could only do the work in April if it was to be in time for the order coming into force on June 1.

The order limited waiting and set out one-way streets. It would be in force for 12 months. The Old School car park, which was to remain manned, would have 20 parking spaces set aside for ratepayers and residents.

...and 100 years ago

A MOTORBIKE rider lost his bearings when passing through Longniddry following a long-distance race, mistaking it for a town many miles away, reported the Haddingtonshire Courier on May 25, 1923.

One of the competitors in the London to Edinburgh motorcycle reliability trial was making his way back to England along the coast road, proceeding at a leisurely gait and admiring the scenery. He had, however, a somewhat vague idea of his geographical position, for, when opposite Longniddry golf club-house, he halted to inquire “Is this St Andrews?”