From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 11, 1997
The rector of Kinlochbervie High School has spoken out against a number of fellow Highland schools which failed to fulfil a commitment to travel to Kinlochbervie for away fixtures in a junior football league. Dr Ian Smith made clear his displeasure at the reluctance of the schools involved to travel to the north-west in his end of term speech at last week's prize-giving - the second to be held since the school opened in August 1995. He said Kinlochbervie had made a great effort to play their away matches but this was not the case with some of the other schools.
Assynt Mountain Rescue Team have removed a mountain of rubbish from a deep gully north of Sheigra, near Kinlochbervie. The team took away tangles of wire, kitchen utensils, refrigerators and car doors, some of it dating back to the days before rural refuse collection was organised by local councils. In those days, crofters and others would agree among themselves to dump their rubbish in some fairly unobtrusive and inaccessible place.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 7, 1972
Last Friday a lump of stone fell from the working face at Brora coal mine, seriously injuring Mr Donald Gregory (31), 12 Dudgeon Drive, Brora. One of his workmates, Mr Douglas Dallas, 16 Muirfield Road, Brora, assisted by others, lifted the stone from Mr Gregory's leg. Dr R. A. F. Gilbert, Brora, went down the mine and attended the injured man, who was then taken by ambulance to the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie. His injuries consist of a broken right leg, a fracture of the thigh and cuts and bruises.
Mrs Lexie Mackay, Naver, and Miss Forbes Mackenzie, Tulachard, Bettyhill, recently unveiled a plaque commemorating the centenary of the Education Act, at Farr Junior Secondary School, Bettyhill. Both were pupil teachers in the village at the beginning of the century. The wood for the plaque came from the now demolished Bettyhill Free Church School and it was designed by Mr Elliot Rudie, of the art department and made by Mr John MacDonald of the technical department.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 6, 1922
At a meeting of Sutherland Education Authority, held in the Sutherland Arms Hotel, Lairg, last Wednesday, Mr J. F. Hardie, Skibo, raised the question of the improvements to Skibo School. He pointed out the urgency of the matter and said amongst other defects at the school, there were no sanitary arrangements and the light and ventilation were bad. There were over 50 pupils and it was only right the school should be put in a good condition. Dr J. D. Macrae, Bonar Bridge said that money would have to be borrowed to carry out the improvements. It was agreed to raise a loan to have the necessary work done.
The meeting went on to discuss apparent friction between the parents and teacher at Achlyness side shool - one of the largest side schools in the county. Since 1st June last, only one pupil, out of a total of 11, has been in attendance. The matter was left in the hands of the executive officer to deal with.
An HM Inspectors report on Embo school was excellent in every way, the work of the school being exceedingly well done.
