Sayings and doings of 25 years ago...

‘DRUG dealers hit in wrap-around police operation’ reported the East Lothian Courier on December 11, 1998.

Dozens of drug leaders have been arrested and drugs with a street value of almost £250,000 seized in a series of lightning raids on addresses in Lothian and Borders.

Operation Foil involved three days of intense activity, when about 800 officers hit almost 100 addresses.

By Monday morning they had arrested 71 people and made significant recoveries of drugs including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, LSD, amphetamines and ecstasy.

Homes in Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Port Seton and Ormiston are understood to have been raided although police refused to be specific, saying only that quantities of drugs had been discovered and people arrested in East Lothian.

It was the biggest co-ordinated operation in the force’s history and designed to disrupt the growing heroin menace and restrict the availability of other illegal drugs.

...and 50 years ago

A TOWN councillor urged the local authority to “get priorities right” after spending money on new community centres and swimming pools, said the East Lothian Courier on December 14, 1973.

It was time local authorities got their priorities right and cut back on “needless extravagancies,” such as swimming pools and community centres, all of which would have to be paid for by the ratepayers, a member of Cockenzie Town Council said.

Treasurer D. J. Naismith gave the warning at Monday’s meeting of the Town Council during a discussion on the proposal to build a swimming pool in the Prestonpans area.

He said: “The Government temporary hold-up of borrowing for various projects proposed by local authorities should give us breathing space to consider the enormous load of debts we are deliberately taking on. We are rushing to have swimming pool, community centres, sports complexes, etc. before the new authorities take over in 1975 as we fear they will not agree to more than half of them.”

...and 100 years ago

VISITORS to Canty Bay were left disappointed after finding out it was no longer accessible to the public, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on December 14, 1923.

Many will regret to learn that the privilege extended to visitors for many years at Canty Bay has been withdrawn.

Lately the gate has been padlocked, and a neighbouring stile also been barred. A notice has been placed on the gate intimating that the braes are private property and that no camps, trips or picnics are allowed in without permission.