From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of August 2, 1999
The first step towards achieving community control of Borgie Forest in North Sutherland is to be taken with an all-day workshop to explore the idea. This approach, as a first step towards satisfying the community’s long-standing interest in the 3000-hectare Borgie Forest, was agreed at a meeting in Bettyhill last Friday convened by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise.
An imaginative initiative by an Assynt couple provided visitors to Achmelvich Beach, near Lochinver, with a highly enjoyable surprise last Saturday. The sight of Ullapool Junior Band’s young pipers and drummers parading by the dunes at the beach did much to brighten up a cloudy day. Ian and Margaret Macleod, owners of the Shore Caravan Site, had invited the band up for the afternoon and the young musicians gave everyone fortunate enough to be there a rare treat.
Another Golspie business is closing at the beginning of August, with the loss of two part-time jobs. Fraser’s at the corner of Main Street and Fountain Road, has a history in the grocery trade going back to 1906.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of August 2, 1974
The Highland Health Board have now prepared a scheme for the establishment of a local health council for Sutherland, its boundaries of responsibility coinciding with those of the new Sutherland District. The stage has now been reached where local authorities and voluntary organisations will be consulted about the scheme.
A 27-year-old labourer who, last Tuesday afternoon, accidentally fell over the parapet of the road bridge at Brora into the 30ft deep waters of the river below, was rescued largely through the quick action and bravery of local boy George Maciver (16). The man who George had saved from drowning was Mr Tom Williamson, Old Schoolhouse, Doll, Brora.
There is a chance that Brora coal pit may be operating again soon. The widow of owner Emyr Pritchard said that she was hoping to sell the mine soon and that there was still hope that the buyers would be able to begin production soon.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of July 31, 1924
Some time ago a nuisance in the playground of Melvich School was complained of, in respect of excreta from the school closets being deposited in a hole in the playground and left uncovered, which nuisance was a danger to the health of pupils. Sutherland Education Authority has left it in the hands of the Director of Education to communicate with the proprietor and crofters concerned to find out if they would have any objections to a place of deposit being made use of outside the school wall.
A pleasant social function took place in the manager’s office at Clynelish Distillery last Friday evening, when Mr Cromb, officer of Customs and Excise at Clynelish for the last 21 years, was presented by the employees there, on the occasion of his retirement on superannuation, with an elegant electric portable table lamp and an electric iron for his wife.
One of the attractive features at the annual show of the Sutherland Farmers’ Club, to be held at Golspie, on Saturday, 30th August, will be a horse-shoeing competition.
