From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago

25 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 6, 1998

Although it has been operational for several weeks now, the official opening of the new Bradbury Centre in Cherry Grove, Bonar Bridge, only took place on October 27. It had not previously been possible to assemble a representative group of members of the charitable trusts, business organisations, local estates, private individuals and others who had helped to fund the project, as well as many other who gave support in various ways.

The glut of rare birds spotted in Sutherland this autumn has continued with the discovery of an Asiatic rose-coloured starling at Clynelish, near Brora. The species, which rarely breeds closer to here than Turkey, has occurred in Sutherland on only about 10 occasions in the past.

Seventy candles flickering around the walls of Smoo Cave near Durness created a suitable eerie atmosphere last week for an evening of ghost stories and music with professional storyteller James Campbell and musician Bob Pegg.

50 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 2, 1973

The play park planned for Bonar Bridge youngsters will be opened on Sundays, it was decided by ballot at a public meeting in the village hall last Tuesday – by 68 votes to 57. At a previous meeting to decide the issue, the voting twice ended in a tie. The play park association decided on a ballot vote to prevent future division on the Sunday opening question.

Tonight in the church hall at Fountain Road, there will be an historic ceremony for Golspie Boys Brigade when Millar Macdonald (12), youngest son of Mr and Mrs R Macdonald, 7 Seaforth Road, becomes the first Sutherland lad to win the junior section Gold Award. the presentation will be made by the company's captain, Mr David Partner.

Mr Hugh Campbell, Seaview, Doll, one of the best known crofters in the parish of Clyne, is to be the guest of honour when Golspie's Lodge St Andrew celebrate their golden jubilee tomorrow night. He is the lodge's only living founder member.

100 YEARS AGO

From the newspaper of November 1, 1923

A PETITION signed by practically all the people in Strathy and district has been submitted to Sutherland Education Authority craving that Miss Youngson be reappointed as a teacher at Strathy Public School. It had been agreed to dispense with her services on the ground of it being agreed to reduce the school from a three-teacher to a two-teacher school. The petition pointed out how valuable a teacher she was. Asked how many people attended Strathy School, the executive officer stated 60. A motion moved by Dr A Gunn, Durness, and Dr J D Macrae, Bonar Bridge, that Miss Youngson be reappointed was carried out by an overwhelming majority against the amendment moved by Mr J Murray, Balloan, and Mr W G Moore, Dornoch, that the authority's decision of a two-teacher school stand.

Hewson's electric chair-o-planes, which were in Golspie for the past week, have been a source of pleasure for old and young alike. It is now a good many years since amusements of the kind visited the district.

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