From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 24, 1997
It was back to pension books and postage stamps for Ian and Chris Terry at their tiny sub-post office in Brora, just 24 hours after their champagne win in London's Cafe Royal on Tuesday as the UK's Best Post Office in the community. Brora is the Scottish first post office to take the national title. Ian and Chris offer lots of extra help to their community, even helping elderly customers with correspondence about the council tax and other bills. Chris also raises funds for charity.
A SUTHERLAND community council has protested about proposed changes to local government boundaries in the county, comparing them to the "carve-up of Africa by the early European Colonialists". The broadside comes from Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council in a letter to Lord Osborne, chairman of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland.
Bulky refuse collection is Sutherland is to be suspended as part of budget cuts.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 20, 1972
Mr Cathel Campbell, Manse Road, Kinlochbervie, skipper and owner of the seine netter, the Loch Innes, has received the thanks, inscribed on vellum, of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the part he and his crew played in saving the lives of two brothers, whose lobster boat the Venture, suddenly foundered in rough seas on December 3 last.
Rogart's first-ever accredited weaned calf show and sale, on Thursday of last week, was historic for the parish because of the record entry, including a fine contribution from the demonstration hill farm at Achany, Lairg.
Sutherland Housing Committee was told this week that a "great volume of complaints" had been received from Golspie council house tenants whose homes did not have a wash-hand basin. But Mr F. G. Blackett, the architect gave an assurance that there was a programme for this. He was well aware of the position in Golspie and the scheme had not yet reached that village.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 19, 1922
On learning that Mr J. D. Milburn, proprietor of Hope and Melness, was to be married on the 10th inst., it was proposed to collect material for a bonfire on the summit of Cornhill. The proposal was heartily approved of by the general public, and on Monday and Tuesday, 9th and 10th, inst., men, women and children were busily engaged carrying all sorts of material to the top of the hill.
Mr William Gordon, being the oldest crofter in Melness was asked to light the huge bonfire and despite his having attained the age of 85, he willingly volunteered to perform the work. When the bonfire was lit, cheers were raised for the laird and his lady.
Skerray War Memorial (the third memorial unveiled in the parish of Tongue), was unveiled on Thursday, 12th inst., at 3pm. It was an ideal day, and the people began to assemble early. His Grace the Duke of Sutherland arrived at 3pm sharp and by that time a large number of people had gathered from the different parts of the parish and from the neighbouring parish of Farr.
