From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 9, 1998
A POLICE constable who died along with his brother in a diving tragedy of the West Sutherland coast four years ago is to be honoured by the presentation of an annual award in his name. The Ewan MacRae Memorial Award has been gifted to the Northern Constabulary by his mother Mary Macrae. It will be awarded every year to the police officer deemed to have made the most significant contribution to community policing in the force area.
Ewan and his brother John Roddy were diving for clams off Stoer Head when the tragedy happened. It was their father John, a retired gamekeeper from Little Assynt, who raised the alarm when they failed to return.
Sutherland has lost its fight to persuade the Local Government Boundary Commission to retain the area's seven electoral wards. The commission has discounted local objections in its determination to follow its original proposal that boundaries should be altered to encompass six wards only. Its decision was made known yesterday.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 5, 1973
Coal production will start at the Brora mine during the next week or two, Mr Eric Pritchard, the new owner, from Stockport, has said. There was a lot of "straightening up" work to be done underground, due to the long lay-off since the former company went into liquidation. Mr Pritchard arrived at Brora last Tuesday night to get down to the job of getting the mine on a proper economic basis. While it would be difficult to forecast what the ultimate labour force would be, he estimated the mine would provide work for between 16 and 20 men.
The entire length of the breakwater outside Helmsdale harbour must be reconstructed or there could be disaster for the local fishing industry. This was said by Mr John Mackay, Helmsdale, when he reported to Sutherland Development Committee at Dornoch last Monday on the effect of the storm last week.
Mr Robert Wilson, of Forest Farm, got the top price £350 at Lairg ram sale last week.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of October 4, 1923
On Friday afternoon Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, accompanied by Lady Pembroke, inspected the Golspie Coy. of Sutherland Girl Guides. There was a full muster, and Mrs Taylor the district commissioner was also present. The duchess complimented the guides on their smart appearance, and on the manner in which they performed their drill, etc. She then presented badges, and congratulated Captain Battisby and Lieutenant Thompson on the excellence of their work. Her Grace regretted very much that she could not visit the other companies this year, but hoped by another year she would be able to have a rally of all the county guides.
The annual ball given by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland to their tenantry, employees and others, took place in the Drill Hall, Golspie, on Friday. There were well over 400 present. With their usual generosity and thoughtfulness, the duke and duchess provided in every way for the comfort and convenience of the large assembly.
