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

25 years ago

A DOG had been abandoned on the beach at Christmas, reported the January 1, 1999 edition of the East Lothian Courier.

A pathetic Cocker Spaniel bitch was found abandoned, guarding a scrap of filthy blanket left with her at Longniddry Bents at Christmas.

A veterinary nurse, now caring for the dog, believes it had been there without food or water for three or four days and was in a dirty, bedraggled state.

The liver and white Spaniel had been making pathetic attempts to join people out walking on the beach during their Christmas break when staff at a local riding school became concerned for its welfare after seeing it day after day.

Believing that it might have been injured, they reported it to veterinary nurse Jackie Falgate, who lives at Harlaw Farm Cottages.

“I went down to the beach and found it guarding its little bit of blanket, which some callous owner had obviously dumped with it,” she said later.

50 years ago

DEAN Keiller was on the front page of the January 4, 1974 edition of the East Lothian Courier after being the only baby born in East Lothian on New Year’s Day.

Dean, the son of Mr and Mrs J. Keiller, 16 Warrender Crescent, Dunbar, was born in the Eastern General Hospital.

100 years ago

A TRANENT man was charged with stealing from two churches in the town, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on January 4, 1924.

James Murray, brusher, resident at 11 Fowler Street, Tranent, was charged, before Provost Harkness, at the Burgh Court, on Saturday, with having, on Sunday 1st July, 1923, from a drawer of a table in the vestry of the Parish Church, Tranent, stolen a collection bag containing 14s 2d, and with, on Sunday 16th December, 1923, from the vestibule of the Wishart United Free Church, Tranent, stolen a collection box to the value of 5s or thereby.

Murray pleaded guilty to the charges.

Provost Harkness, in passing sentence, said he looked upon it as a serious charge, and ordered Murray to pay a fine of 30s, with the option of 20 days’ imprisonment.