100 YEARS AGO

Stormy conditions at Gamrie - During parts of last week, wild south-easterly gales raged, with the result of white fishing operations practically suspended. During the storm, Gamrie Bay proved a harbour of refuge.

Many trawlers and cargo steamers were seen. Among these were the passenger and cargo steamer Princess Olga, which was on voyage from Stromness to Aberdeen, and the lighthouse steamer Pharos. The movements of the vessels sparked great interest among villagers.

50 YEARS AGO

Turriff postman receives medal - One of Turriff's most esteemed postmen retired last week. Mr Douglas Malcolm, of 28 Woodlands, started work in the town as a boy messenger in April 1914. Mr Malcolm has been at Turriff Post Office continuously since then except for a year and a half from January 1918, when he served in the navy as an ordinary seaman.

In nearly 30 years service on postal vans, he has driven almost half-a-million miles and has 29 safe driving awards to his credit. He has been involved in three collisions during that time, but on each occasion it was not his fault.

He was honoured by his colleagues and was presented with the Imperial Service Medal by Mr J. Sim, head postmaster, Banff, and with a reel and line by Mr A. M. McIntosh, Turriff postmaster, on behalf of the staff. Mr Sim paid tribute to Mr Malcolm's efficient service over the years and spoke of how he would be missed by his colleagues and the public.

25 YEARS AGO

Toddlers escape injury after vandalism - Vandals have again struck in Macduff - and their target on this occasion could have resulted in young children being badly injured and maimed for life. The mindless troublemakers attacked the Fife Street school buildings used by a playgroup and toddlers' group.

Windows were smashed at the property and this resulted in a large number of toys being covered with tiny fragments of glass. But for the quick thinking of parents and group staff, the toys might have been picked up by the children with the possibility of serious injury.

A large number of the toys, most of which had been donated by well-wishers, had to be thrown out - including a rocking horse and a rocking lion - two of the children's favourite items. Group president Mrs Isabel McArthur told the 'Banffshire Journal' that they are angered by the damage caused. The damaged toys were spotted by the mothers before any of the children could lay their hands on them and this probably saved a number of children from being injured, she added.

"What makes it all the more disappointing," said Mrs McArthur, "is the fact that many of the toys had been gifted to the group by local well-wishers and now we will have to make another appeal to the community to come to our aid with further gifts.

"It is most disappointing to think that there are such mindless people in the community who never seem to stop and think what damage they are causing to other people's property and, in this latest case, what possible injury they might have inflicted on innocent children."