100 YEARS AGO

Launch of drifter - The Banff fleet of steam drifters has received a further augmentation by the launch on Wednesday of a liner for Messrs John Cormack and Brothers, St Catherine Street, of the sailboat Uniflorous. This liner, which measures 83 feet, is the 11th constructed by Messrs W. and G. Stephen, Greenbanks, this year. The launch was carried out in good style, and she was christened by Miss Maggie Cormack, daughter of the skipper. Owing to the rough sea, no attempt was made to navigate the new drifter downstream to the harbour, and she was berthed in the river to await a favourable opportunity for her passage. The engines and boiler are to be installed by Messrs Watson Bros, Banff Foundry.

50 YEARS AGO

Gamrie youth in tractor mishap - A 19-year-old Gamrie youth was taken to hospital in Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon after being injured in a rather unusual accident. The youth, Stanley Cumming, of Easter Minnonie, had just stopped the tractor at Easterbo, Fisherie, which is occupied by Mr Charles Moir. The engine was left running, and he was in the act of alighting from the vehicle when his coat caught the gear handle and slipped the tractor into gear. It lurched forward, and the rear wheels caught Cumming and threw him to the ground. The wheels ran right over his legs up to his hips. Cumming's plight was spotted by 54-year-old farm worker Mr George Park, of Netherbrae Farm, Fisherie, who pulled the youth clear. A doctor from New Pitsligo was summoned and attended to Cumming before an ambulance arrived and transferred him to the casualty centre at Woolmanhill Hospital, Aberdeen. Cumming was at first thought to be suffering from fractures of either one or both legs and a suspected puncture of the pelvis, but after examination it was discovered that he was only suffering from bruises.

25 YEARS AGO

SNP fall foul of hoaxer - A cruel hoaxer almost scuppered a major public meeting organised by the Banff branch of the Scottish National Party this week. For the hoaxer made a malicious call to the Banff hotel where the meeting was being held, telling staff that the event had been cancelled - just hours before the main speakers were due to arrive. The SNP called the public meeting to hear Mr Jim Sellars, the former Labour MP, and Mr Alex Salmond, the party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Banff and Buchan, discuss party policies. Everything had been arranged when the Banff Springs Hotel received the telephone call saying that the meeting had been cancelled. SNP regional councillor for Banff, Dr Norman Allan, said: "Fortunately the hotel was suspicious and they contacted myself. I was able to confirm that the meeting was to be held." Dr Allan said that the identity of the unknown caller is "a matter for speculation". The meeting was a huge success, attracting more than 50 people.