From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of May 15, 1998
The mounting sense of alarm in Golspie over the anti-social behaviour of a small group of tenants in Hallow Park came to a head on Monday when about 50 members of the public turned up at a meeting of the local community council to demand action. Public anxiety reached fever pitch last week after a public disturbance saw a Hallow Park resident taken to hospital suffering from head injuries and facial cuts. Newly elected community council chairman Rod Houston said an urgent meeting would be sought with Hallow Park landlords the Albyn Housing Society.
The general manager of Sutherland's luxury Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle has defended its policy of charging high fees and restricting access to local golfers keen to play the club's championship course. Robert van Eerde came under attack from Francis Keith, convener of Sutherland County Committee when he attended a meeting with councillors to discuss how Skibo Castle could benefit the economic development of the area.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of May 11, 1973
The first secretary of the recently formed Assynt Crofters' Union is a woman, Mrs Olive Macleod, of 102 Achmelvich, a nurse by profession. An appeal has gone out to all crofters in the parish to become members of the union.
Drummuie House, Golspie, property of Sutherland education authority, is listed as of architectural interest, but is falling into gross disrepair, it was reported to Sutherland Planning Committee recently. It was agreed to remit the matter to the housing committee.
Mr D. Macleod, Strathnaver, told Sutherland County Council last week that the fence at the new refuse dump at Bettyhill was not high enough and polythene bags, blown out of the dump, were lying all over the surrounding 10 acres. It was really a disgrace. Mr D. McBain, convener, said that there was a claim in from a man whose cow had eaten a polythene bag. Mr Hugh Steele, sanitary inspector, said he would look into the situation and report back.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of May 10, 1923
On Tuesday last, Gordon Sellar, a young lad of 18. was drowned in Forsel Pool, which is one of the broadest and deepest in Halladale river, and about 150 yards from his home. At the time he was engaged with four other men constructing a wire bridge across the head of the pool.
Sutherland County council has given consent to Helmsdale Sub-Committee to form Helmsdale into a special lighting district. County council member Mr Adam Couper, Helmsdale, said the scheme would not cost much. It was the wish of the people to have light. Why!, he asked, should Helmsdale be in darkness? Mr John Fraser, Helmsdale, did not favour the scheme being gone on with without the public first being consulted on the matter and he held they were paying high enough rates without asking people to pay more. Parish councillor Mr John Levack said the people were spending as much money on flashlamps to guide them in the darkness as would put up the lamps.
