Bygone News - 50 to 75 years ago
April 1964
Relax Dundee but Don't Sag
In the tension of Hampden on Scottish Cup final day, anything goes.
Who can allow for serious injury to any player? Who can say which players will hit form and which won't (writes Gordon Gray)
And with two attacking teams like Dundee and Rangers, which defence will crack first?
March 1964
The Boys of the Old (Tram) Brigade
The trams were running again in Dundee on Wednesday – in memories of over a hundred men of the old transport brigade, who held a long awaited reunion in Transport House in Barrack Street.
Everyone present had spent at least 20 years in the Transport Department and there was no shortage of stories of the pioneer days of passenger traffic in Dundee.
February 1964
New Shock for Mr McGovern
Councillor Peter McGovern received a bombshell this week – he has not been adopted as prospective Socialist candidate for the Downfield Ware, which he has represented for 10 years.
His colleagues, Lord Provost Maurice McManus and Mrs Agnes Holway, were readopted, together with Councillor Ian Borthwick, who presently represents the borderline Dudhope ward.
This latest blow to Mr McGovern follows his recent “brushes” with the Socialist party executive and the A.E.U.
January 1964
Earlier Date for Bridge Opening
The Tay Road Bridge could be finished by March 31, 1966, three months ahead of the original target date – or even earlier.
But to achieve this may mean relieving the Caledon Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., Dundee, of part of their sub-contract for steel girders, on which work they are falling behind.
This was reported to the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board on Thursday.
December 1963
A Race Against Time
The spectacular fire which destroyed Clearex Products, Ltd’s factory on Saturday, seriously threatened the Hydro-Board’s switching station at Milton of Craigie Road.
Although the flames were held in check, soot deposits from the billowing clouds of black smoke affected the electricity lines.
The 132 Kv line for Carolina Port began to give trouble, but fortunately Hydro-Board men had raced to the station and averted danger. The line was switched off and supplies re-rooted.
November 1963
Great Stuff Dundee!
Apart from one isolated month in 1960, Dundee’s total of out-of-works is the smallest since 1956. That’s good news this morning.
If you want your glad tidings in figures, here goes:
Dundonians this week with a job to go to – 90,461.
Dundonians out of work – 2768.
October 1963
Monday is B-Day!
Monday is Dundee autumn holiday, but to the city’s younger set the date has much more significance than freedom from work and study. October 7 in the teen calendar is B-Day – the day the Beatles come to town.
The Beatles, John, George, Paul and Ringo to the uninitiated (but who is these days!), must be regarded as the post-war phenomenon of the entertainment world.
Loved and loathed, mocked and mimicked, the Beatles success just cannot be ignored.
Since the groups big breakthrough at the start of the year “Beatlism” has swiftly taken a firm hold on the country in general.
September 1963
Beatles in Town
The visit to Dundee by the chart-topping Beatles is still three weeks away (writes jazz columnist Fraz). But judging by this week’s box office figures, everything points to a night unparalleled in the staid Caird Hall for quite some time.
The rush for tickets this week resulted in a second performance being arranged. An aggregate attendance of close on 5000 teenagers and curious Mums and Dads has been forecast for the two houses, emphasising the city’s willingness to support a top-class attraction.
Unfortunately, the blossoming into reality of the show has revived a dormant fear in local pop fans.
The big question being asked in coffee bars, offices and other meeting places this week has been “How are Dundonian audiences going to react to the raving Liverpudlians?”
August 1963
Beatles at the Caird Hall
The eagerly-awaited appearance of The Beatles in Dundee has been set for early October.
The Caird Hall will house this certain crowd puller, certainly the city’s biggest “pop” promotion for quite some time.
The supporting bill for the show stars an exciting array of top entertainers – the Caravelles, the singing duo who at present occupy a hit parade berth, Houston Wells and the Marksmen, the Crestas, and local men the Teenbeats.
In addition to their Dundee date, the Beatles will also appear in Glasgow and Kirkcaldy.
July 1963
The Jute Crisis
After a two and a half hour meeting between the Board of Trade and employers and employees on the jute industry, it was predicted this week that over the next two years the mark-up for imported jute goods will be reduced from 20 to 5 per cent.
Such a move, it is forecast, could put 6000 workers on the dole.