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

25 years ago

EAST Lothian’s first all-weather pitch was unveiled... only for rain to stop play, told the East Lothian Courier on October 1, 1999.

Youngsters at King’s Meadow Primary School in Haddington are on the ball when it comes to sports provision.

But on Wednesday they kicked off a new season with a damp squib, as the official opening of an £85,000 all-weather playing pitch at the school – the first of its kind in East Lothian – had to be cancelled because of torrential rain!

All the pupils turned out to watch Councillor Maureen Talac, standing in for Councillor John Ross, convener of the Education and Community Services Committee, launch the new facility.

But in a bitter show of irony, rain stopped play at the all-weather pitch.

The official opening will go ahead at a later date, and similar pitches are planned for all six secondary schools across the county.

50 years ago

CHILDREN excited for a swim in Haddington’s new pool featured in the East Lothian Courier on October 4, 1974.

The happy cheers of schoolchildren as they jumped into Haddington Swimming Pool for the first time on Saturday after the official opening must have been proof enough to those concerned with the project that their efforts had been worthwhile.

Long before Provost William L.I. Grant arrived to cut the tape stretched across the main door and declare the pool open, the children had besieged the building and they chattered with eager anticipation as the official guests carried out their inspection, sipped sherry and nibbled cake.

Then when the signal was given a mighty roar went up and there was a flurry of spray as more than 100 young people splashed about with delight.

100 years ago

An ‘IMPORTANT’ day in Prestonpans saw the opening of Castlepark Bowling Club, The Haddingtonshire Courier reported on October 3, 1924.

Saturday was an important day in the history of the new Bowling Club at Prestonpans, the occasion being the opening ceremony of the pavilion, which has been erected during the playing season.

The club house is a substantial erection of brick, harled on the exterior, the interior being of varnished wood, while the roofing is of asbestos slate, with red brick ridge.

It consists of two apartments of commodious dimensions and includes bowl racks and lavatory accommodation.

In front, there is a handsome trellised verandah overlooking the green.

AND gardens were raided in Macmerry...

During the hours of darkness on Thursday night, several gardens in Macmerry were raided and considerable destruction done.

Mr P. Ormiston and Mr Jas. Gordon, who both took a prominent part in the horticultural show, were the greatest sufferers.