July 1984
Light Relief for Strikers
Around 50 striking miners were in Dundee on Saturday to take part in a five-a-side football competition organised by the Dundee Miners' Relief Committee. Afterwards the miners were treated to an evening of traditional entertainment by their hosts. Their children enjoyed a barbecue at Templeton Woods, Dundee and an outing to Camperdown Park.
Famous Plane's Flying Visit to Dundee
Dundee plane spotters could hardly believe their eyes yesterday when the distinctive outline of one of the world's most famous fighting aircraft flashed across the skies. Their eyes weren't deceiving them - for a classic second world war Spitfire, one of only half a dozen in Britain, did in fact, make a brief visit to Dundee Airport.
The historic plane landed at lunchtime and, after meeting the airport manager Mr Berrie Hurn, the pilot was back in the aircraft and on his way to the display by 3pm.
"As far as I know it's the first visit we've had from a Spitfire, but I certainly hope it won't be the last." Said Mr Hurn "These vintage plane owners fly all over the country for air displays, so if you keep your eyes peeled, it's possible to spot an old plane in the air. Plane spotters who missed the Spitfire this time may still have a chance when the pilot returns home - he may even stop off in Dundee again!" he added.
Carolina House Sold
Carolina House children's home in Dundee has been sold, the board of directors announces yesterday. The imposing building at 133, Ferry Road is due to be replaced by the £180,000 conversion of Haring House in Strathmore Avenue, which will cater for 24 young people mainly in the 14-18 age group.
The Carolina Trust will continue under the same constitution and Haring House is to be renamed Carolina House.
Projects Opened By Provost
Dundee's Lord Provost Tom Mitchell opened three new environmental improvements in Dundee yesterday as he and other members of the lord provost's committee toured schemes run by the Manpower Services Commission and the Scottish Development Agency.
The schemes, sponsored by the district council, include the redevelopment of waste ground in several areas of the city. Lord Provost Mitchell officially opened three of the schemes at Langlands Street, Rosebank Street and Union Place.
The Langlands Street development is typical of the improvements - a year ago it was lying waste and has since been developed into a car park and children's playground.
Currently under construction at the site is a workshop.
Golfing Superstar in Dundee
Gary Player, one of the world's most famous golfers, will be speaking in Dundee on Tuesday evening. He is to be the guest of Dundee Rotary Club at a dinner in the Angus Hotel. Rotarians from other clubs in the area have also been invited.
Following the dinner Gary will be speaking about his career, other golfing personalities and answering questions.
The visit is the result of Gary's long friendship with Mr J.P. McPherson, of Mylnefield House, Invergowrie.
Last year Gary donated a magnificent trophy for competition among golfers of Rotary District 101, which stretches from Dunfermline to the far north of Scotland. The trophy was won at Gleneagles Hotel by Alex Curie of Elgin, who is bringing it to the dinner to show the donor.
No Concern over Floor Cracks
Dundee District chief architect Ian Dunsire assured residents of the city's Bucklemaker Court multi yesterday that surface cracks discovered in the floor of a landing were of "absolutely no concern". Residents on the 12th floor of the multi-storey block had been worried that the cracks could be further structural faults. The multi, with its neighbouring Butterburn Court, is currently undergoing lengthy strengthening work to the outside walls after faults were discovered last year. The newest cracks were discovered when linoleum was lifted from the landing floor.
"I got a real fright when the linoleum was lifted" said Mrs June Thomson, of 12k, "There were around 20 cracks in all, some about a quarter of an inch deep. Naturally with the upheaval of the work on the outer casing of the multi, we were worried that it could be another serious fault."
Work to fill in the cracks began yesterday. Mr Dunsire said the cracks were inspected by an engineer and he had discovered that they were only shrinkage cracks. "They will simply be filled in before laying the new linoleum and constitute no danger whatsoever to the structure of the building.
Mr Younger to Decide Fate
Scottish Secretary George Younger will ultimately decide the fate of the historic Cox's chimney stack and other architectural important parts of the Camperdown Works, Lochee. The 33 acre site is the proposed setting for a multi-million pound private housing development for Barrett (Edinburgh) Ltd.
Barrett wants to pull down to make way for their proposed development but Dundee District Council want the chimney stack at least to be retained. Yesterday the firm's technical director, Mr Gordon Millar, said only the Scottish Secretary could permit pulling down the stack, as it is a listed building.
Mr Millar added his office had received a welter of correspondence on the fate of the prominent west Dundee landmark, which was built in 1865-66 and is 282 feet tall.
Fringe Show for Project
Even before the play opens at Dundee Rep on July 26th, the Rep Youth Group and Community Project production of "How Handsome to be Seen" written by Carl MacDougall and directed by Alan Lyddiard, has been invited to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The play deals with the life of William McGonagall. The venue, which is ideally situated a few doors down from the Fringe Office, is to be the Mad Hatters Disco in the High Street.
Last year's production by the youth project had made such a good impression and was so well received that the organisers had no hesitation in inviting this year's group to take part in the festival.
In 1982, the Rep presented Steven MacDonal's play "Not about Heroes" which won a Festival Fringe First Award.
Plans to Rebuild Rick's Disco
Plans are in progress to re-build fire-ravaged Rick's discotheque in Dundee. "Rick's Mark II", will be more expensive to create that its former predecessor because the former St Roque's Library in the Blackscroft had to be stripped to a bare shell after the fire in May.
Owner Richard Robinson said yesterday "The original conversion cost about £160,000, so it looks like the cost of putting the place back together again will be more than that amount". Mr Robinson hopes the disco will be able to re-open by the end of the year.