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

25 years ago

A MULTI-MILLION-selling band visited Pencaitland, reported the East Lothian Courier on August 13, 1999.

Hit rock group REM paid a surprise visit to East Lothian when they recorded part of their new single at Castle Sound Studios in Pencaitland.

REM producer Pat McCarthy, singer Michael Stipe, bassist Mike Mills and guitarist Peter Buck, worked on their new track The Great Beyond.

It is the lead song on the soundtrack of the film Man On The Moon, which stars funnyman Jim Carrey and is due to be released in America in the autumn.

The movie is based on the life of American comedian Andy Kaufman, who starred in the sitcom Taxi and died from cancer 15 years ago.

In 1992, the group devoted their hit Man On The Moon to him.

They worked flat out for two days at the studio during their recent visit, in order to meet their deadline.

50 years ago

‘FIRE hits sawmill’ was the front page headline of the East Lothian Courier on August 16, 1974.

Fire ripped through a building at a well-known East Lothian sawmill on Wednesday, causing damage estimated in the region of £50,000.

The heat of the blaze was so intense that a number of oxygen cylinders exploded, one resulting in a terrific ball of flame which was described by firemen as being “like an atom bomb.”

The explosions were heard at Gifford – more than two miles away.

Sixteen firemen from Haddington, Tranent and Musselburgh fought the fire at the Patersmuir Sawmills near East Saltoun and because of the strong breeze fanning the flames and the ever-present danger of exploding cylinders and oil drums it took more than an hour to bring it under control.

Mr Dick Blackie, Station Officer of the Haddington unit of the South-Eastern Fire Brigade which was quickly on the scene, told the Courier the fire was “extremely dangerous” when they arrived. The lives of his men had been greatly at risk.

“Quite a number of oxygen cylinders were ‘popping’ and as well as this threat, there were oil drums going up,” Mr Blackie said.

100 years ago

THE state of a patch of ground in Cockenzie was bemoaned in The Haddingtonshire Courier on August 15, 1924.

The East Links and sea front have been greatly disfigured by strangers thoughtlessly throwing down paper, empty cigarette boxes, etc.

The nuisance is one which results in considerable expense, and could be prevented by a little care and forethought on the part of the offenders.