What was happening in Sutherland 25, 50 and 100 years ago
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25 YEARS AGO
A GRAND fête at Dunrobin Castle next month is the major event being held by the Sutherland branch of the British Red Cross to mark the charity's 125th anniversary year. Since the New Year, Red Cross officials have spent long hours in planning to ensure the fete is as organised and enjoyable as possible. Final details are now in place and fingers are crossed for fair weather and a good turn-out. Branch director Mrs Charlotte Gibson, Rogart, is appealing to people to go to Dunrobin on the day and show their support to the Red Cross.
More than 500 knitted bonnets to keep the heads warm of the north’s premature babies have been made in recent times by Sutherland members of the SWRI. the most recent batch of 200 bonnets were sent to the neo-natal unit in Aberdeen, which cares for all the long-term premature babies in the north, from the entry at the Sutherland SWRI Exhibition of Work in Clashmore Hall last month. The Federation had already sent 345 bonnets to the unit.
50 YEARS AGO
A NEW 208ft long concrete decked vehicular bridge was formally opened at Balnacoil, in the parish of Clyne, on Wednesday by Mr Walter Sutherland, retired county surveyor and former chairman of Sutherland Roads Committee.
Presiding was the new county convener, Mr Donald McBain, and among those present were Mr Robert Maclennan, MP for the constituency; Mrs W. P. Tyser, Gordonbush; and Mr J. M. L. Scott, factor for Sutherland Estate.
The bridge replaces a ford over the river, which was often impassable for vehicular traffic in times of flooding, and also a pedestrian bridge, and it connects the parishes of Clyne and Rogart.
This route is particularly popular with visitors and tourists in the summer. The commemorative plaque on the bridge was gifted to the county council by the consulting engineers and contractors.
Shorthand-typist Joyce Macdonald (17), Kirkton, Golspie, will represent Caithness and Sutherland in the SNP 'Queen' finals.
100 YEARS AGO
Sutherland Education Authority was told that H.M. Inspectors' reports on schools in the county ranged from excellent to the reverse. The report on Scourie school was a super-excellent one, the H.M. Inspectors citing out the headmaster, Mr Fraser, for special praise for his highly commendable work, a comment which the chairman (Mr Lindsay) supplemented by remarking that they should give every encouragement to Mr Fraser who was doing splendid work, as the Inspectors had pointed out. The authority felt gratified at the report on Scourie school.
A letter was submitted from Mr William Mackay, Lettermore, as to the uncalled for cruel treatment his daughter had received at the hands of the teacher. The child had been thrashed with the handle of a brush, and showed injuries on the arms, face and head. He would not send his child to the school while the present teacher remained. The matter was left to the members of the school management committee to make an endeavour to get the difference between teacher and parents cleared up.
