From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 21, 1997
The Rev Susan Brown stepped into the history books this week after she received the overwhelming backing of Dornoch Cathedral's congregation to become their next minister. Not only will she be the first female parish minister in Sutherland, but she will also be the first woman to take charge of a cathedral in Scotland.
The future of the tiny Invercassley Stores at Rosehall remains in the balance as local residents look into the possibility of turning it into a community co-op. The shop has been under threat for some time due to a low turnover and small profitability. Shopkeeper Sheila Noble recently closed the doors for a short period but reopened pending the outcome of the working group's efforts.
Golspie Community Council have made it clear they have no faith in the North of Scotland Water Authority's promises to build a new sewage system, desperately needed to eliminate the smell which has plagued the village this summer.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 17, 1972
The gasworks at Golspie provided work for five married men whose net pay amounted to over £6000 a year, the most of which was spent locally, Mr Murdo Shand, district manager, told Sutherland Social Work Committee, in a letter which was before them at Dornoch last Monday. He was replying to Mr John Mackintosh, Dornoch, who had suggested to the committee recently that the gasworks site might be suitable for an old folks' home, which was being planned. Mr Mackintosh said he did not think there was any need nowadays, in a small community, for gas to be supplied "through this antediluvian process".
Mr James McLellan, director, reminded Sutherland Education Committee at Golspie on Wednesday that the reorganisation plan was that in 1974 the secondary departments at Dornoch, Brora and Helmsdale schools would be completely closed. The third and fourth year secondary pupils at these schools would be taken into Golspie, but extra buildings were needed.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of November 16, 1922
The question of the closing of schools in the parish of Dornoch during the communion season was fully gone into by members of Dornoch School Management Committee at a meeting on Monday. And with one exception – namely Mr David Sutherland, Rearquhar – all were unanimously of the opinion that the schools should be kept open. The members said they represented the prevailing opinion in the parish.
At a meeting of the Golspie School Management Committee held on Monday evening, Mr Mennie, who occupied the chair in the absence of Mr Macaulay, congratulated the headmaster and staff on the excellency of the inspection report. It was gratifying to see that the high standards always associated with the Golspie School was fully maintained.
The report showed efficiency in every department of the school, indicating that the headmaster and staff had put forth their best efforts to bring about such successful results.
