Speeding fines for Bonar Bridge motorists, problems for Lairg pupils and worries over Bettyhill bridge
LOOKING BACK: A snapshot of stories from the Northern Times, this week in history.
From the edition of September 24, 1925
Bonar Bridge speeding fines
Before Sheriff J W Forbes at a special sitting of Dornoch Sheriff Court on Saturday, several motorists were convicted of having exceeded the 10 mile speed limit while passing through the controls in the village of Bonar Bridge on September 1.
Their names, the speed at which they travelled, and the fines imposed were appended :— Chas. Gallagher. Balgillis House, Broughty Ferry: 23 miles per hour; £2 or 14 days, Peter Shaw, 5 Paton Street, Alloa; 23 miles per hour: £2 or 14 days. Alex. Yule, Edgehill, Aberdeen; 21 miles per hour: £2 or 14 days. DM Chance, Spinningdale, Bonar Bridge: 28 miles per hour; £4 or 21 davs.
It came as a great shock to the Doll and district when the sad news spread that Mr George Sutherland (Taylor), Doll, had met with a tragic end about midday on Monday.
The deceased was found with a discharged rifle, the pellets having pierced the body in the region of the heart, and caused instantaneous death.
Mr Sutherland was a man well up in years, and was a general favourite with all who came in contact with him.
There were not many subjects that "Geordie" could not talk on, and he was a great lover of Scotland’s national poet.
He is survived by two sisters and nieces. to whom the sympathy of the community is extended in their bereavement. The funeral took place on Wednesday to Golspie Churchyard.
From the edition of September 28, 1951
Lairg pupils' problem
When the Golspie, Rogart and Lairg District Education sub-committee met last week dissatisfaction was expressed in connection with the transport of three children to Lairg School. It was stated that the cost of conveyance was £28O a year and that the children concerned had to leave their classes at 2.30pm to catch their return transport home.
Mr A Sutherland, Lairg, thought the establishment of a side school at Overscaig would prove less costly and give the children more time for study.
The chairman (Mr DK Macrae) remarked that this would be going against Scottish Education Department policy. The department's aim was to close down all side schools.
There was confusion in a great many minds about the term “side school.” To many it denoted the old type of school with the dominie round which village life centred. That was not the case. The side school in the past was usually conducted by an uncertificated teacher, which was undesirable from the point of view of education.
Most of the houses in the Doll have now been wired for electricity, and general installation will begin in the near future. Sir David Robertson MP, and his agent have been most assiduous in their efforts to bring about this happy result. The Doll folks are very grateful to them.
Two young Rogart soldiers, who were schoolboys together, and who had not seen each other for some years, met at mess in Malay. They were John Ross and Robert Wray. John helped his father at shepherding, while Robert was employed as an apprentice mason at Golspie. As Robert entered the mess, John sat at the table. Robert recognised his companion, but John had to be told who Robert was.
From the edition of September 23, 1988
Bettyhill Bridge Worry
Giving cause for concern to the community council are the present developments at Naver Bridge, Bettyhill. An “extremely costly” scheme had gone ahead last year to rejuvenate the aging structure, and now scaffolding had appeared on the bridge again.
The community council had felt that the bridge should have been replaced rather than repaired in the first instance, and a letter is to be sent to the regional council’s roads department reiterating this view.
Replies to these letters and other items on the agenda will be dealt with by a new council, as an election is due next month.
To mark his departure to Jedburgh, Mr Eddie Moffat, who had been secretary of Brora Rangers FC for the past 12 years, was met by representatives of the club last Thursday evening and presented with a silver tray and crystal decanter.
In making the presentation, Mr Ron McDonald, president, referred to Eddie’s services to the club. Mr and Mrs Moffat leave Brora with the best wishes of their friends.
Mr Graham McCarthy, manager of Sutherland Swimming Pool at Golspie for the past nine years, received presentations from his colleagues and employers when he left to take up teacher training. He received a television set from the pool staff and a Caithness Glass bowl from the council.