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

25 years ago

A PRIZE-WINNING dog may have been kidnapped, told the East Lothian Courier on October 29, 1999.

A Musselburgh couple have expressed delight following the recovery of their son’s prize-winning Old English sheepdog after its apparent kidnap in broad daylight on Friday afternoon.

Robert Tait and his wife had been looking after eight-year-old Beth for son Robert, who was on holiday.

When Mr Tait had to drive his wife to a hospital appointment he asked their next door neighbour in Lewisvale Avenue to take Beth for a walk.

But when the neighbour opened the house door, the startled hound bolted past her and into the street.

Despite the woman’s best efforts, Beth made good her escape and could not be found.

It was only when he contacted the police to report her missing, that Mr Tait learned that a traffic warden had seen the dog being lifted into a green Rover car by two women.

Happily, on Tuesday afternoon, Beth was discovered by Portobello police, at the side of the A1, none the worse for her ordeal. She was reunited with the Taits.

50 years ago

THE discovery of 200lb of explosives in a Second World War bunker was reported in the East Lothian Courier on November 1, 1974.

Road and rail traffic were halted at noon on Tuesday as an army bomb disposal unit blew up 200lb of gelignite, which had been found in a Second World War bunker in a wood at Gilmerton, near East Linton.

The explosives were found on Sunday in an underground war-time bunker on Crauchie Farm, East Linton, by Ian Kinloch, of Markle Farm House, East Linton, and his brother David. The bunker was situated in a strip of woodland known as Janefield.

The brothers found a square brick shaft going down into the ground and, on investigation, discovered that it led to a bunker measuring approximately 20 feet by 12 feet. The bunker contained the rotting remains of six bunk beds along the south side, rough shelving along the north side, and a cupboard in the north west corner. The gelignite was found inside this cupboard.

100 years ago

A MAN was “severely” crushed by falling stone at a mine near Ormiston, reported The Haddingtonshire Courier on October 31, 1924.

Whilst engaged in his duties as shot-firer in Oxenford Colliery, on Tuesday, J. Hill, residing at Clarke’s Buildings, Ormiston, was severely crushed by a fall of stone. He was removed to the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh.

AND stormy weather led to loss of fishing gear in Cockenzie.

Heavy losses of gear are reported as a result of the stormy weather experienced at the Yarmouth fishing.

Several boats lost their bearings during the heavy fogs last week. As a guide on the coast, the Parish Church bell was rung.

All the boats eventually arrived safely, although late.