January 1989

Making Up For Lost Time

There was a surprise in store for many Dundonians yesterday when they were awakened by the unfamiliar sound of bins being emptied in their street.

For while for most people yesterday was the last opportunity for relaxation before a return to work in the wake of the excesses of the festive season break, it was being used by the city's cleansing department to catch up on refuse collections.

Up to about 140 personnel manned a fleet of some 30 bin lorries which carried out collection work until well into the afternoon.

The teams had also been out on Saturday.

And as the collection teams gathered the city's refuse, they were also "cleaning up" to a certain extent in cash terms.

The teams were working at a time-and-a-half rate and double time yesterday.

Dundee District cleansing department general manager Mr Frank Mulgrew explained that because of days off at Christmas and the New Year the department normally tried to catch up on collections over the firs available weekend. "By tomorrow morning we should be back to normal" he commented.

The previous weekend, the additional collections made by the department had been restricted to the Saturday but teams were out again not only on Saturday past but Sunday as well.

The additional work by the cleansing department was restricted to refuse collection teams.

Mr Mulgrew said that during the rest of the year the teams would expect to collect a total of around 1300 tonnes of refuse a week across the city. "Over the festive season the amount can increase by at least 50% a week" he added.

Meanwhile work will begin today to dismantle the colourful city centre Christmas lighting display in Dundee.

The work will be carried out by the district council's public works department. The department has been shut for the Christmas and New Year break, hence the reason why no start was made to taking down the lights before the twelfth night.

It is expected that the removal of the lights will be completed by the end of the week.

Hawaiian Capers in Flume Frolics

Hundreds of Hawaiian shirted and Bermuda clad youngsters enjoyed the thrill of Dundee's Swimming and Leisure Centre's flumes yesterday - making the final day of Dundee City Council's two-millionth water-slider celebrations one to remember.

For the past two weeks, the centre has held a programme of fancy dress parties which started off with a special zoom down the flumes by Santa Claus.

Flume frolics since then have included rides on the slides wearing colourful tights, pyjamas and Hogmanay horror masks.

Water-sliders turning up wearing the respective fancy dress each day enjoyed the flumes free of charge and, of course, had great fun in the bargain.

Dundee City Council say they are very pleased with the reaction to their flume celebrations over the festive period.

"There has been a very good response over-all" said a spokeswoman.

"We are delighted that the past two weeks have been such a success and are glad that everyone taking part has enjoyed the celebrations".

It is understood the two-millionth water-slider has ridden the flumes over the holiday period but figures still have to be collated on the precise number of visitors.

Because of the success of the festive flume celebrations, the prize raffle, due to take place yesterday, is anticipated to take place later this week. Each fancy-dress water-slider was automatically entered for the raffle, the first prize of which is a midi hi-fi system.

Holidays

Summer '89 Holidays
With selected tour operators
£5 Deposits
Plus
£20 off per booking
Plus
Free Airport Transport
Intasun, Lancaster, Global and more.
In-Travel
183, High Street,
Lochee.
Telephone 610151.

The Steps (Dundee Film Theatre)

Wednesday, January 11, 1 day,
"Repulsion" (18)
Catherine Deneuve and Ian Hendry star in this
Macabre horror story.
Doors 6.30 starts 7.30, finish 9.15.
Box Office, Monday-Friday 9.00-5.00.
Phone 23141 ext 4037.

Dundee Aim for Winning Streak

Dundee head for Paisley this afternoon seeking to beat St. Mirren and prove Saturday's 2-0 victory over Aberdeen wasn't just a temporary halt to their decline.

Manager Dave Smith is calling for his players to build on their success against the Dons, which ended a miserable recent run of eight games without a win.

"There is no easy fixtures in the Premier League but we must look to carry on from where we left off against Aberdeen" he said.

"I wanted our players to perform to the best of their abilities on Saturday and got that, Now I'm looking for a repeat display".

"Ending that record of 34 games and 12 years without a win over Aberdeen has given us a real boost".

"What a difference that one result has made, the whole place is buzzing".

Not surprisingly, Smith is set to field his winning weekend line-up again but there could be a change on the subs bench with defender Jim Smith and striker Graham Harvey in the frame.

Dundee have taken only one point from two clashes with Buddies this term, drawing 0-0 at Love Street in August and losing 1-0 at home three months later.

Bomb Alert at Carnoustie

A Royal Navy bomb disposal team was called from Rosyth at the weekend to deal with a Second World War mortar bomb washed on to the beach at Carnoustie.

The heavily corroded device was noticed below the high water mark on Saturday afternoon by a dog walking on the beach.

By the time the police arrived, however, the tide had crept in and the bomb had been submerged.

Officers monitored the situation overnight and when they saw the bomb still in place the following morning the alerted the navy experts.

The team from Rosyth arrived shortly afterwards and, after carrying out tests with the tide out, exploded the mortar on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman at Tayside police's eastern divisional headquarters in Forfar said afterward the incident was dealt with safely and there was never any risk to like or property.

Mitchford

Fashions of Dundee
Sensational Stock Clearance
Sizes 10-24
(Many items half price)
Sale continues
9 a.m. Wednesday January 4.

United Sights Firmly Set on Pole Position

By Steve Bruce
Dundee United could kick off 1989 in style today by going top of the table. The Tangerines tackle north-east title rivals Aberdeen at Tannadice this afternoon knowing that if they win and leaders Rangers lose to Celtic, they will assume the Premier Leadership.

A magnificent 10-match unbeaten run, including five straight wins from their most recent outings, has left United perfectly placed to mount a major title challenge as the championship race head towards its climax.

And what better way to start the New Year than by taking over pole position.

Despite the fact that three previous meetings with Aberdeen this season have ended in either stalemate or defeat, United must be strongly fancied to beat the Dons at the fourth time of asking.

They go into this match boosted by Saturday's 1-0 win over St Mirren while Aberdeen are still reeling from their surprise Dens Park reversal. But, in the knowledge that several key men who missed the match with Dundee will return for the Pittodrie side today, Jim McLean accepts his side may face a stern test.

"Aberdeen are going to be able to field a far stronger team against us than they did on Saturday and if we are to keep up this good run we've had we need to improve in midfield" he commented.

"Against St Mirren we did very well at the back and up front but I wasn't satisfied with our performance in the middle of the park, and, because of that, I'm thinking about a change to freshen things up in that area"

That could mean a return to the starting line-u for Dave Bowman, who has now fully recovered fro the ankle injury he sustained against Celtic on December 17.

United have a doubt over Hegarty, who'll undergo a fitness test on the ankle he hurt at the weekend. He is expected to play however.

Crowe Appeal Trial Resumes

Broughty Ferry man William Crowe (58), convicted early last year of murdering his wife Mona by sending her off a 100-foot cliff at Arbroath, will have his appeal against conviction and life sentence continues at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh on Friday, January, 13.

Crowe's appeal was adjourned last month when the appeal judges decided to call for a report from trial judge Lord Milligan on the way he summed up the case to the jury at Stonehaven in March.

Crowe's counsel Mr Robert Henderson maintains that Lord Milligan's charge to the jury led to a miscarriage of justice.

He further contends that there was insufficient evidence in law to convict his client.

Crowe's appeal has already been continued twice.

The Crown will be represented by Solicitor General Peter Fraser.

On Day They Will Never Forget

Bridegroom-to-be Richard Drummond is never likely to be allowed to forget his wedding anniversary. Even in the unlikely event his wife ever forgets there will always be his mother-in-law to remind him and failing that there is mother-in-law's sister ready to step in with the information!

Amazingly all three women will share the same anniversary when 25 year old Emma Thomas walks down the aisle to complete a unique family hat-trick in Glenrothes this week.

The coincidences don't finish with the simple date!

" Not only will we have all been married on January 12" explains Fiona, a secretary with a Kinross wholesalers, but all three weddings will have taken place on a Thursday - and all three at 2 p.m."

Surprisingly, however the triple treble is really just a coincidence.

" I had always thought it would be nice to get married on the same day as my mother and father," added Fiona," but it was quite a while after the date was set that the other coincidences including the fact that my Aunt Ann, who is also my Godmother, shares the same anniversary, came to light."

Fiona is the daughter of Mary and Lewis Thomas, from Glenrothes. Mr Lewis is works director with Auchtertool-based Fife Metal Structures.

He and Mary met at Glenalmond, Perthshire, while Mr Thomas was serving in the navy.

"I an originally from Dundee" explained Mrs Thomas, "but met Lewis at a dance, we married in the York House Hotel in Perth in 1965 - needless to say, on Thursday, 12, January.

The first of the trio to marry on the date in question was Fiona's aunt, Mrs Ann Falconer, who lives in the Barnhill area of Dundee.

"Sadly my husband John died only three months ago" explained Mrs Falconer, "and it's a shame he is missing what will be lovely wedding. We were married in Dundee Registry Office on Thursday, 12, January.

Fiona and Richard, a cartography student at Kirkcaldy College of Technology hails originally from Wick, met while both were working at the Culag Hotel in Lochinver".

Strangely none of the three ladies has ever owned an engagement ring - another pure coincidence - but Fiona's long time friend Heather Powell, also from Glenrothes, will make sure the bride has a rather unusual wedding ring.

"Heather is very talented and has made me my ring to her own very beautiful designs" said Fiona. "It is very special although I am now wondering under the circumstances whether I should be wearing three - all triangular"