From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 26, 1996
Sutherland councillors last week approved the timetable for consulting parents on the proposed closure of Drumbeg Primary School in Assynt and the Macleod House Hostel in Golspie. These are among several closures suggested by the Highland Council in a bid to reduce the number of empty school places and make substantial savings on the education budget.
It is proposed that Drumbeg's two pupils would transfer to Stoer Primary School. Education officials say the Macleod House Hostel is no longer needed because fewer pupils from the west coast are being educated at Golspie. The 42 who remain next year can all be accommodated at Golspie's Mackay House Hostel.
A HARD-hitting and thought-provoking sermon on his deep concerns about the family was preached by the Very Rev Dr James Simpson on Sunday – his 20th anniversary to the day as minister of Dornoch Cathedral. A special invitation to the service was extended to couples married by Dr Simpson in the last 10 years.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 23, 1971
At a recent meeting of the Sutherland presbytery at Lairg, the Rev. John S. Foulton, Helmsdale, asked for electricity to be installed in Kinbrace church and mission house. It was good to hear that the total cost was being met by the generosity of worshippers in that district. The Rev. Robert Sloan, Farr, asked permission to have electricity installed in the church at Altnaharra.
Lt-Col A. M. Gilmour, elder, Rosehall, asked for the presbytery's support for the vehicular bridge wanted over the river Oykel. This, he said, would be of great assistance to the minister of Rosehall when visiting members of his congregation who lived on the other side of the river.
AS reported in these columns recently, the Libberton Estate gave £1000 towards the cost of a new concrete slipway for the fishermen at Portskerra, on the north coast. And with a grant of £2150 from the Highland Development Board, the local committee feel now that there are great prospects for development.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 21, 1921
The Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland Andrew Lindsay has made the following appeal to the men of Sutherland: "In consequence of the present Industrial Crisis the Government has found it necessary to call for the formation of "Defence Units" throughout the county and Sutherland is expected to provide its quota. The Force is a temporary one and is meant to supply that steadying and protective influence, which will permit and give time for the massed common sense of the British people to prevail."
H. M. Inspectors' reports on a number of schools have been received by Sutherland Education Authority. At Invershin School the pupils were found to be frank and intelligent and expressed themselves clearly and well under oral examination. Written work, too, was good in general, the only weak subject being arithmetic of the two highest classes. The school premises were in good condition and the classroom walls, it was observed with satisfaction, had recently been suitably distempered.
