From the Northern Times of 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 24, 1998
A TEAM of Brora teenagers who transformed the village's derelict ice house into a visitor attraction, are the first recipients of a new Community Service Award. The award – a mounted piece of Brora stone containing an etching of the district's war memorial – was handed over at this week's AGM of Brora Community Council. There to receive it, along with individual trophies were Lee Barrett, Chiala Crawford, Carlene Melville and Leanne Melville (on behalf of Ashley Murray).
Communities across the northern half of Scotland will view two of the hottest Hollywood releases next month as Britain's first mobile cinema takes to the road. During its first tour the Screen Machine will visit six Sutherland communities.
Highland Hospice is creating two new nursing posts in Caithness and Sutherland, one funded by Mr and Mrs Jeremy Clay of Kildonan, through their Jordan Foundation charitable trust. Their £75,000 donation is one of the largest ever given to the hospice.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 20, 1973
After hearing objections "lodged by a variety of people, by letter, by telephone and by telegram," Sutherland Planning Committee, at Dornoch last Monday, decided not to take a final decision about a West German company's application for permission, in principle, to develop a holiday village at Spinningdale until they had the observations of their consultants, the Jack Holmes Group, and other bodies. They are also to hold a meeting, in Spinningdale or elsewhere suitable, when the local people will be able to express their views, and at which there will be a full discussion.
Drilling work began last week on Helmsdale's new coastal protection scheme. It has been estimated that the cost of filling in the old harbour basin will be about £13,000. Recently heavy seas ripped off several feet of the old breakwater.
Mairi McNicol, Badanloch, Kinbrace, received the top price of £252 at Lairg store cattle sale for her blue-grey cow and calf.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of April 19, 1923
The 700th anniversary of the founding of Dornoch Cathedral by Bishop Gilbert in 1224 falls to be celebrated next year and is an historic event which deserves to be marked in some manner worthy of the occasion. It ought to create widespread interest in the north, as the ancient diocese of Caithness, of which it was the Cathedral Church, comprised the counties of Caithness and Sutherland.
A PLEASING function took place in the Doll School, on Friday last, when Miss Hunter, who is leaving the district, was presented by her pupils and friends with a gold-mounted umbrella and a gold brooch as a token of the respect and esteem in which she was held by them. Mollie Polson, the oldest girl presented Miss Hunter with the brooch, whilst George A. B. Sutherland presented the umbrella.
Brora Parish Council has made a request to the Public Health Committee to have a public urinal erected at Brora in a convenient place.
