25 YEARS AGO
(November 14th, 1986)
Quick thinking by 17-year-old Kerry Goodyear, who works as a creel maker with Lochinver Fish, prevented what could have been a major fire at the Inver Park housing scheme last week.
Out for an evening stroll, Kerry noticed flames coming from the chip van owned by Neil Gudgeon and parked outside his house. She alerted Mr Gudgeon and helped him drag the large bottle gas cylinders to a safe distance from the van, which was by now well alight.
They could only look on helplessly as the strong wind fanned the flames and await the prompt arrival of the Lochinver volunteer fire brigade.
They managed to douse the flames and, by concentrating a high pressure hose on the fuel tank, prevented an explosion. The van and contents were completely destroyed.
Neil and his wife, Fiona, although upset at their loss, were full of praise for young Kerry and the members of the Fire Brigade.
Assynt received a half-hour of free publicity nationwide last Sunday evening on "The South Bank Show" on ITV, when photographer Fay Goodwin was featured shooting her Hasselblad camera in the parish.
Her landscapes, skyscapes and compositions showed some unique shots which will serve as an inspiration to the large number of budding amateurs in Assynt.
District councillors are trying to find out why more than half of Sutherland's house hunters are single people, among them 18 in Golspie; 13 each in Dornoch and Brora; 10 in Kinlochbervie and nine in Lochinver.
In all, 102 individuals have indicated they have an urgent need for a two-apartment home out of the total of 193 urgent applicants in the county.
The break-up of marriages was given as one cause for one person applications when the district housing committee discussed this week their update on their housing plan's assessment of need for their five-year capital programme from 1987 to 1993.
Golspie discus thrower Russell Devine has made a major breakthrough into the top flight of British athletics. The 18-year-old has been selected for both the British junior and senior discus training squads.
Detectives are seeking the identity of thieves who attempted to take away a huge haul of cigarettes from the Brora Co-operative store at the weekend, then crashed their getaway car in Golspie.
The car, a blue Sierra, ended up embedded in the wall of the War Memorial at Golspie's West End in the early hours of Monday morning.
50 YEARS AGO
(November 17th, 1961)
An earth house which was uncovered at Eriboll during the construction of a shepherd's house, should be preserved, the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland has recommended.
The Board is also advising that, with the owner's consent, a fence should be erected around the earth house to prevent it from accidental damage.
The Ministry is further suggesting that the earth house should be temporarily sealed up pending a thorough excavation at a future date.
County planning officer Mr D R Fasham told Sutherland Planning committee at a recent meeting in Lairg that he agreed with the Ministry's proposals.
He said he had asked for a full investigation of the earth house to be made shortly in order for it to be opened up as a tourist attraction as soon as possible.
A £15,000 luxury house, with swimming pool and squash court is planned in East Sutherland, next door to Mr James Robertson Justice's bungalow at Spinningdale. Mr A J Cookson, whose address is give care of the National Provincial Bank, 12 Mount Street, London, has been given approval in principle by Sutherland Planning Committee, subject to certain road access provisions by the county surveyor.
Golspie Fire Brigade, who do so much to bring comfort and good cheer to old folks and to make Christmas a really merry occasion for the youngsters of the parish, are branching out in a new direction.
They are holding fortnightly dances on Saturdays to help keep their funds in a healthy condition so that they can be sure they will not disappoint the people whose good friends they have been for so long.
A "Sutherland Week" early next season to boost the tourist trade - that was the suggestion before the county planning committee in Lairg last Monday.
Mr D R Fasham, planning officer, reminded the committee that the burgh of Dornoch ran a "Highland Week" each year, but that was on a small scale and he would like to see a county operation to start the season off with a "bang."
He said that if an extra 1000 visitors could be enticed to the county, then that could boost the economy by £15,000.
75 YEARS AGO
(November 19th, 1936)
The infant and junior departments of Golspie Secondary School were completely destroyed by fire early on Monday morning. The outbreak spread with such rapidity that little could be done to quell the fire, and what was once a well equipped and commodious building has been reduced to a tangled mass of scarred and twisted metal.
The outbreak was first observed by a motor hirer who had occasion to have a hire to the early morning train, and he immediately raised the alarm. Despite the urgency with which Dunrobin Fire Brigade treated the call, and their early arrival on the scene, the flames had gained such a firm hold that it was quite impossible to stem the progress of what had now become a raging inferno. At one time the flames, fanned by a strong Nor' Wester, leapt to an altitude of 40ft.
As matters stood, the fire fighters had now to concentrate their activity on preventing the gymnasium and cookery room, 20 yards distant, from becoming ignited. After a grim fight in intense heat this part of the task was successfully accomplished but not before the gymnasium gable had been disfigured by scorching and cracked windows.
The school, which was built of wood and iron about 28 years ago, accommodated about half the total number of pupils and consisted of four class-rooms, toilet rooms and bedroom. Behind the school and attached to it was the furnace, and it is conjectured that it was here the fire arose through the hot stove pipe, igniting the woodwork. In less than 10 minutes the conflagration gained a commanding hold, and in the short space of an hour, the whole building vanished like tinder, all that now remains being a crumpled heap of debris.
Even with a copious supply of water, it would have been utterly impossible to have saved any part of the building or its equipment. Fears were not only entertained for other school buildings but also for private property situated further away from the scene of the fire, so furious was the torrent of flame issuing from the burning building. Luckily, however, the strong wind lessened in force and the all clear came about 7am, an hour after the outbreak was first observed.
The loss is considerable as the school was fully equipped. In the meantime the children are being accommodated in the gymnasium and cookery room.
100 YEARS AGO
(November 16th, 1911)
The Marquis of Stafford has presented to Golspie Public Library a large book of magnificent views descriptive of his lordship's tour in East Africa. The views are reproduced from photographs taken by Lord Stafford of the wild beasts he shot. Other libraries throughout the county have been favoured with copies of the book, which has attracted widespread attention in every district. Lord Stafford's gift is much appreciated by the various library committees and others interested in the reading rooms.
The first meeting of the Sutherland Secondary Education Committee as reconstituted was held at Golspie on Friday. Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland was present as a member of the committee and took part in the discussions.
Her Grace is interested in the welfare of the Sutherland Technical School, which is now taken as a model for similar institutions to copy, in the teaching of forestry, in agriculture, in the medical inspections of schools, and above, in seeing that the interests of the poor in outlying districts are looked after.
Mr Frank Sykes, Borrobol Lodge, Kinbrace, has now sent three consignments of rabbits to the Inspector of Poor, Helmsdale, for distribution at his discretion. This kindness and generosity is much appreciated by the recipients.
Bailie W G Moore, who had been elevated to the Bench on Friday night, had not long to wait until his abilities as dispenser of justice were tested. Half a dozen cases were brought before him on Saturday. There was one of assault, one of using obscene and abusive language on the public street, and the others were drink and disturbance. The accused in the assault case was fined 10s 6d, and the others 7s 6d each.
It is pleasing to Scotsmen that Mr Bonar Law has been selected as Mr Balfour's successor in the leadership of the Unionist party. The supporters of Mr Long and Mr Chamberlain were equally keen that their candidate should be chosen, but it was considered advisable that there should not be a division, and as both these gentlemen, with true patriotism, offered to withdraw in favour of a suitable third candidate, Mr Bonar Law was unanimously agreed on.
