From our August 14th edition
25 YEARS AGO
(August 10th, 1990)
THE 130 employees of T M Hunter’s Sutherland Wool Mill at Brora have been told this week that the factory is to be put on the market.
Agents have been appointed to organise the sale of the 90-year-old mill, which is the county’s largest employer after the local authority.
The following statement was issued by Hunter’s board of directors: “We have decided it is the correct time to seek new owners to lead the company into the future.
“Woollens have been in decline for a few years but Hunters made good progress during the last year, running 24 hours a day during the bulk delivery season for winter.
“Turnover increased by nearly 20 per cent. Exports accounted for 65 per cent of sales.
“Hunters plays an important part in the economy of Sutherland, providing more than 130 jobs.
“Each year Hunters processes well in excess of 50 per cent of all wool grown in the Shetland Islands and makes an important contribution to the economy of these islands.
“There are signs of a woollen revival for next winter season and the board’s wish is to see the company restructured in time to take advantage of this.”
MISSILE operator Roderick Smith from Brora and another “townie” sailor Adrian Coghill have been alerted for operations in the Middle East following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and threat on Saudi Arabia this week.
THE congregations of Durness and Kinlochbervie were joined by friends from other parts of the north and west at the service of union between the two congregations.
The first act of the newly united congregation was the formation of a vacancy committee representative of the two parts of the congregation which will now begin the search for a minister.
CROWDS thronged the gardens of Skibo Castle recently when new owner Mr Peter de Savary allowed Dornoch Pipe Band and local charities to stage an entertainment with sales tables. The gardens were in fine condition and many local people took the opportunity to stroll through the castle grounds for the first time.
50 YEARS AGO
(August 13th, 1965)
MR Edward Heath, the Conservative Party’s new leader, is to be in Caithness and Sutherland next week. He is expected to address a public meeting at Wick and to speak to party workers at Golspie and Thurso as part of a three-day tour of the Highlands and Islands. He will travel by charter aircraft and car.
Sir John Gilmour, who spoke in the constituency at the last election, is to continue as chairman of the Scottish Unionist Party.
MR Jeremy Thorpe, MP for North Devon, was the principal speaker at the Sutherland Liberal fair at Crakaig House, Loth, last Saturday.
In his address Mr Thorpe said that the Liberals’ success in the Highlands had been a tremendous fillip to the party throughout the United Kingdom. Its efforts in the Highlands and more recently in the Borders were held in the highest regard and he hoped that in Caithness and Sutherland, the party would build on its success.
He knew constituents were going to continue to support George Mackie and the Liberal cause as in the past.
Mr Thorpe said the great test of the government was going to be whether it could get Britain’s economy strong again.
The Conservative opposition had just as great a part to play to maintain confidence in the £1 as had the government. He hoped the government would stimulate private enterprise.
TRAVELLERS to north-west Sutherland will soon be able to connect right through by bus from the south of the country. Sutherland Transport and Trading Company Ltd is hoping to resume its bus service form Bonar Bridge to Lairg.
The company is building a substantial garage and workshop at Bonar Bridge.
MORE than 30 vessels of the Polish herring fishing fleet, which have been anchoring in Moray Firth waters during the past number of weeks, have now departed.
75 YEARS AGO
(August 15th, 1940)
THE wearing of an identity disc, either round your neck or on your wrist, may become compulsory. The Minister of Home Security is considering this possibility in view of the difficulties of identification in the event of successive mass air raids.
GOLSPIE’S first consignment of waste paper was despatched to Aberdeen over the weekend. Much has been done to save clean waste paper during the past month but it is felt that there are one or two rich sources of supply which have been left untapped.
In the present emergency, everyone should do their utmost to deposit as much waste paper as possible in front of their buildings for collection each Thursday morning so that further wagon loads may be despatched for pulping.
MRS Roberta B. Young, who is in her 82nd year, a well-known and highly respected citizen of Helmsdale and an enthusiastic member of the local branch of the WVS, is busy knitting socks for serving members of H.M. Forces.
This is the third war in which Mrs Young has devoted her spare time knitting comforts for serving members. She is sorry, however, that she cannot take a more active part in the good work being done in Helmsdale by the younger generation.
She, however, can rest assured that her socks will be appreciated by the Helmsdale boys who are lucky to get them. Mrs Young, it is worthy of mention, is a relative of Helmsdale’s revered minister, the late Rev. John Macdonald, A.M.
DEEP regret was felt in Erriboll and district when it was officially learned that Acting Leading Seaman Charles Grigor had been killed in action.
He was one of the men on board HMS Wren which was recently sunk. Seaman Grigor, who was only 26 years of age, was very popular with his many friends in the north-west and was held in the highest respect.
100 YEARS AGO
(August 12th, 1915)
IF those who are available for military service in the county would have but shown a degree of the patriotism of the family of Mr William Mackay, crofter, The Point, Golspie, there would be no need for the hue and cry about conscription.
Mr Mackay has four sons of military age and the lot have enlisted in the services of their King and country.
John and Thomas Mackay are in the Seaforths, while William and Donald are in the 1/5th Seaforth (Territorial).
Other families in Golspie have also done equally well, notably that of Sergt. Sutherland, Sibell Road (three sons); Mrs Munro, Smithy Lane (four sons); Mr Robert Macdonald, baker (three sons); Mr A. Mackay, road contractor (three sons); Mrs Mackay, Fountain Road, and other families have also reason to be proud of their contribution to the Army.
The Christian family of Golspie has a military record to be proud of, no fewer than five sons at the outbreak of the war being identified with His Majesty’s Forces.
Four are still serving, the fifth, Sergt. Joseph Christian, of the 1st Seaforths, being killed in action in France after participating in the fierce fighting in the early months of the war.
HELMSDALE just now is in a serious way with a measles epidemic, some of the children having them in a light way while others are seriously ill and death has taken place in at least one case.
To make things worse there is no doctor. Dr Jolly is away with his own child who is going through an operation in the south.
THE movement in Brora to get a volunteer force is likely to be a great success. Many have already signed their intention to join and the probability is that a company of about 100 will soon be formed.
There was never any doubt about the patriotism of our middle-aged men; it is a section of the younger generation who seem to be too timid to look at a rifle.
The mother who has a coward for a son is not to be envied and there are a few such mothers in the parish.
However we ought to be thankful that there are so few of them.
