From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 17, 1998
A HELMSDALE couple were made temporarily homeless this week after a chip pan fire extensively damaged their house on the day their second child was due to be born. Mother-to-be Mrs Lucy Morton returned to their home at 35 Rockview Place just before 3pm and smelled smoke. Her husband Andrew had put on the chip pan about 20 minutes earlier but a friend called round and, as they sat chatting in the living room, he forgot all about it. The kitchen was destroyed by fire and the remainder of the house damaged by heat, fire and smoke.
Interest in the sturgeon landed recently at Kinlochbervie has spread to Bristol and Berlin. Enthusiasts striving to save the extremely rare fish from extinction have asked for a small sample of the catch for DNA testing. This one is thought to have been sold to Sainsburys in London.
Robert Mackay of Newlands, Bettyhill, has stood down as a trustee of Strathnaver Museum after almost 40 years of service. A party was held in his honour.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 13, 1973
An all-party petition calling for the construction of a road bridge across the Dornoch Firth is being circulated in the north this week. The petition will eventually be presented to the House of Commons by Mr Robert Maclennan, MP for Caithness and Sutherland.
Plans for the German holiday village at Spinningdale have run into more trouble. Villages had signed a petition opposing plans by Karbau AG of Stuttgart to build the £4 million village. And since the plan was announced, local councillors and Germans living in Sutherland have received anti-Nazi leaflets - from England. Karbau called off talks in Stuttgart last Friday with a three-man county council deputation.
A LARGE gathering of friends and colleagues met in the community centre recently to mark the departure from Brora of Mr Donald R. Davidson, who has retired as manager of the local Clydesdale Bank. He was presented with a colour TV set and a wallet of notes.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 12, 1923
Water has been exceedingly scarce in the village of Embo for the past few weeks and it is hoped that although the county council showed so little interest and gave so small encouragement at their last meeting, something shall be done to provide Embo with an ample supply of water. That some of the members of the county council could joke and laugh over such a serious matter as a water supply for the poor people of Embo, is past speaking about, and they deserve every condemnation for their attitude. It is hoped the matter will be treated more seriously at future meetings.
Mrs Carnegie entertained the employees and their wives at Skibo Castle on Saturday afternoon. A marquee was erected on the lawn where a splendid tea was served. Mrs Hardie, on behalf of the employees' wives, presented Mr and Mrs Miller's children, Miss Louise and Master Roswell Miller, with a large doll and a silver bowl and spoon suitable inscribed. Mr Miller on their behalf thanked the donors.
