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

25 years ago

‘BIN lorry jam-up could cost lives’ was a headline in the East Lothian Courier on March 20, 1998.

Traffic snarl-ups caused by rubbish collection at Tranent High Street could possibly endanger lives, according to the town’s new traffic warden, Isobel MacDonald.

Since taking up her new post at the beginning of November last year, Mrs MacDonald has battled to clear traffic jams during the refuse lorry’s twice-weekly visits to the High Street.

Speaking at Tuesday’s community council meeting, she said: “Three weeks ago, traffic was at a standstill for about five minutes because of the bin lorry.

“Just after the traffic cleared a fire engine came racing down the street, obviously on an emergency call.

“If that fire engine had arrived just a few minutes earlier there is no way it would have been able to get through.”

She added: “One day, somebody’s life is going to be lost because of delays in the emergency services getting through.”

50 years ago

A NEW gift for patients at Edington Cottage Hospital would be a “tremendous boost for morale”, said the East Lothian Courier on March 23, 1973.

Patients at Edington Hospital, North Berwick, will be brought a little nearer to their loved ones between visiting hours from now on – thanks to a new telephone trolley.

The trolley was a gift from the North Berwick Rotary Club and was presented to the hospital by the club’s president, Mr A. Robertson on Thursday last.

Accepting it on behalf of South-East of Scotland Hospitals Board of Management, the Vice-Chairman, Mr J. McLean-Ross, said that North Berwick was fortunate in having a Rotary Club with a tradition of charitable works.

He thanked the club for its generous gift and said he was sure that both present and future patients at the hospital would reap the benefits.

The trolley, which will enable patients to contact their homes, family or friends, will prove a tremendous boost for morale.

100 years ago

A TYNINGHAME postman was honoured with an Imperial Service Medal, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on March 23, 1923.

The Imperial Service Medal has been presented to Mr John Amos, who, for health reasons, has retired after forty years’ service at Tyninghame, and is probably one of the best known men in the service in the eastern district.

The presentation was made by Mr F. Robertson, postmaster, Dunbar, in presence of a numerous muster of postmen.