From our edition of May 2nd, 2014

25 YEARS AGO(April 28th, 1989)

A NEW full-time medical post at the Lawson Hospital at Golspie is being sought to retain surgical facilities.

Highland Health Board has agreed to submit to the Scottish Advisory Committee on Medical Establishments a proposal for a new full-time post, including anaesthetic and other duties.

Until recently anaesthetic services were provided by the two partners at Golspie Medical Practice but this service is to cease after July.

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AN ambitious pageant revealing Dornoch’s history is one of the attractions planned for Dornoch Cathedral’s 750th anniversary celebrations this summer.

A varied programme of events starts on 9th June and continues for five weeks with song, dance, exhibitions, concerts and quizzes, as well as special services in the cathedral with guest preachers.

Dornoch Cathedral minister, the Rev. James Simpson said: “The pageant will tell the story of the town’s history and the cathedral from 1239 to the present day.”

Two less glorious episodes to be covered are the sacking of the cathedral in 1570 and the burning of the last witch in Scotland, Janet Horne, in 1722.

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AFTER spending the last 20 years as postmistress at remote Altnaharra and 25 years before that as postwoman with a 70-mile round, Mrs Jean Sharp has just retired after quite a remarkable working life.

Friends from the scattered community she served, from Laid and Portnacon on Loch Eriboll, through Strathmore and Strathnaver, gathered in Altnaharra Hall recently to hear her loyalty, integrity and sense of duty praised. Following the speeches, Mrs Sharp was presented with the gift of a microwave oven along with flowers.

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A SURVEY testing for traces of a radioactive gas in Helmsdale homes is due to start within the next few weeks.

Radon gas is believed to cause more deaths than asbestos poisoning. It occurs naturally in all soil and masonry products.

Although it dilutes in open air, a house built directly on to the soil can have indoor levels at least 10 times higher than those outside.

Some areas of the UK, mostly those with granitic soils, have homes in which occupants receive as much as 100 times the national average dose from radon.

Areas in Sutherland sited on granite include Elphin, Strathhalladale and Helmsdale.

50 YEARS AGO
(May 1st, 1964)

LAST Sunday, after 18 years, the last monthly church and Sunday School services were held in the waiting room at the Mound railway station. The station is not now used and British Railways have decided to sell the houses there and offer the ground for commercial purposes. The services were carried on by the Rev. Robert C. Alston, Golspie, and his Sunday school superintendent, Mr J. Nicol.

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SUTHERLAND County Council intend to fight any proposal Mr Ernest Marples, Minister of Transport, may make to close railway stations between Bonar Bridge and Helmsdale.

THE people of Lairg are calling out for a community centre and their suggestion is that such could be incorporated in the new rooms which Sutherland County Council are to build for their statutory monthly meetings.

A considerable sum of money, raised locally, is available towards the cost of such a community centre.

At a public meeting last Monday called by Lairg Ratepayers’ Association, it was agreed that steps should be taken to make the views about a village hall known to the county council.

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AT a private ceremony at her home in Brora, Miss Hannah Mackay, former senior sister and matron’s assistant at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie, was presented with a silver brush set and a cheque subscribed for by people from all over the county.

The box containing the brush set was inscribed: “From Sutherland friends in gratitude.” Mr B. S. Simpson, former consulting surgeon for Sutherland, made the presentation.

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SUTHERLAND County Council have been successful in their bid to get the Traffic Commissioners to sit in Inverness and not in Perth to consider the application by Highland Omnibuses Ltd to increase its fares. The council are protesting against the proposed increase and will be represented at the hearing.

75 YEARS AGO
(May 4th, 1939)

THEIR Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, who are spending a fishing holiday at Suisgill Lodge, Kildonan, as the guests of General and Mrs Paynter, attended divine worship in the Church of Scotland, Kinbrace.

There were also present General Paynter and house party along with Sir Harold and Lady Nutting, Achintoul Lodge.

The Duke and Duchess arrived on Saturday for a few days salmon fishing on the Helmsdale River.

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NOW that summer has arrived, the bathing beach at Brora will again be the main attraction for visitors.

A suggestion has been made that Clyne School Former Pupils Athletic Club should approach the Northern Regional Fitness Committee for a grant for the erection of a public bathing hut and the engagement of a lady or gent swimming instructor. Swimming is one of the best fitness exercises.

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PRELIMINARY work in connection with the repairs to Golspie pier, which include the formation of a ten-foot gangway, have commenced. Workmen have already erected a hut at the site, while material for the work is being brought daily.

The repairs will be carried out under the direct supervision of Department of Agriculture engineers. The department are giving a 75 per cent grant towards the cost of the work, which is estimated in the region of £5000. Local labour will be used in the first instance.

The pier, which has been in a dilapidated condition for years, was completed in 1895 and has weathered many a storm.

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THE motor barque Penola, belonging to the Lochbroom Trading Company and carrying a cargo of flour for Mr William Mackay, The Mills, Golspie, was at anchor in the bay for two days.

Owing to the height of the masts, it was found that the vessel could not get up to the Littleferry pier through the electric cable which crosses overhead.

It was also found impossible to take the vessel into Golspie pier. As a result the cargo had to be discharged by motor boat.

The Penola made a pretty picture as she came to her anchorage on Sunday night and many interested people took advantage of a trip out to see her.

100 YEARS AGO
(April 30th, 1914)

SEVERAL hours were occupied on Tuesday by members of the Finance and General Purposes Sub-Committee of the Sutherland Insurance Committee and the Sanatorium Sub-Committee in discussing details of the administration of the National Insurance Act in Sutherland.

The financial settlement with the doctors and chemists gave satisfaction.

The cases before the Sanatorium Sub-Committee had come from other districts, but the patients referred to were now resident in the county. Their recovery was hampered by their surroundings.

The houses in which they lived were damp, badly ventilated and overcrowded. Two cases were recommended for sanatorium treatment. Several patients from the county at present in Edinburgh were reported to be making good progress.

If the times were normal, the topic of absorbing political interest would now be the coming Budget statement which Mr Lloyd George is to make on Monday. But the times are not normal and the fact is that public attention continues to be centred almost exclusively on the Ulster plot.

“Plot!” Liberals exclaim indignantly. “After all the explanations that have been given, what basis for the allegation of a plot remains?” Unfortunately for the Ministerial case, the “explanations” destroy one another and leave the case for the accusers of the Cabinet untouched, while it has been strengthened to the point of demonstration by the disclosures contained in the supplementary White Paper published a few days ago.

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THERE was an interesting ceremony on Saturday in the ancient church of St Duthie’s Tain, which since it was beautifully restored in 1877, has been set aside as a place of memorials.

A movement by a wide body of subscribers has resulted in the erection of a memorial to the late Dr Taylor-Innes, a distinguished son of Tain. It is in the form of a massive rectangular tablet of Cullaloe freestone, with border of Celtic scroll in high relief and the Celtic serpent bosses at the corners.

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