From our September 9 edition

25 YEARS AGO

(September 6, 1991)

FOR the second time in a year, East Sutherland Rescue Association’s lifeboat has been called out for an inland rescue.

Last Thursday coxswain Neil Dalton and crewmen Tim Jarvis and Matthew Hibberd brought Francesca Santini (24) safely ashore after she became marooned by the tide on the Kyle of Sutherland spit at Bonar Bridge.

Last year they saved two anglers stranded by the River Cassley in full spate.

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THE Northern Times’ financial director Heinz Voight retired last week after 41 years’ continuous service with the paper.

A former prisoner-of-war, Mr Voight took up the post of bookkeeper in 1978 and was promoted to financial director in 1978.

His retirement was marked at a ceremony attended by more than 60 employees of the three allied companies – the Northern Times, Method Publishing and Seaforth Litho.

Also present were Northern Times company directors the Countess of Sutherland and her husband Mr Charles Janson along with Lord and Lady Strathnaver.

On behalf of the three companies, Lady Sutherland presented Mr Voight with a colour television set and a substantial cheque.

Mr Janson presented Mr Voight’s wife, Sheila, with a bouquet of flowers.

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SUTHERLAND planners have asked for a report into speculators trying to sell off useless land to unsuspecting clients in the south.

Councillor Francis Keith, chairman of the divisional planning committee, has asked planning officer David Polson to provide a report for the committee’s next meeting.

Mr Polson said he received an average of two or three calls a week from prospective purchasers asking for details of the sort of land that was being offered for sale.

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THE main social work office in Sutherland is to move from Dornoch to the former freezer centre shop in Golspie’s Main Street.

Sutherland planners last week gave permission to Recowood Building Developments to convert the empty shop to offices for the use of Highland Regional Council’s social work department.

The planning committee also gave permission for a substantial flat-roofed extension to the rear despite objections from the owner of the neighbouring property.

50 YEARS AGO

(September 9, 1966)

BRORA coal pit is now supplying Dundee power station. The coal is being transported by rail and already 800 tons have been delivered. It is expected a further 400 tons will be supplied by the end of October.

The 20 miners who own and work Brora coal pit have thus benefited themselves, benefited the railways and benefited the electricity industry.

By undertaking to feed 1200 tons into the power station, the miners have managed to clear away all their surplus summer stocks. In previous years, when their principal customers, the north distilleries, closed down for annual overhaul, the miners had to cut back on production. But this summer there has been no need to reduce output.

By engaging the railways to haul the coal, the miners have helped fill mineral waggons which previously returned empty from the Highlands after bringing coal north from the Fife coalfield.

The Highlands and Islands Development Board is to finance the sinking of four trial bores west of the present 300-foot deep pit which, it is hoped, could open up an estimated 8,000,000 ton coalfield. The work is expected to begin next month. Coal board geologists are confident the coal is there.

Colliery officials are optimistic about the outcome, which would mean Brora coal pit would be given a new lease of life, instead of facing closure in the 1970s.

Mr George Barclay, pit manager, said: “If this can be exploited, there will be good business in it both for ourselves and for the railways because the price of our coal more than competes with that in the south.”

Brora miners are convinced that very large areas of coal are available for future working, though much of this will not be accessible to the present shaft.

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STANDING grain crops in East Sutherland suffered considerable damage in Tuesday’s westerly gales. Mr M. M. Grant, Pitgrudy, Dornoch, said that his crop of nearly 200 acres had taken a considerable knock. It was difficult to estimate but he reckoned the damage at 5 to 8 cwt. an acre.

75 YEARS AGO

(September 11, 1941)

ALEXANDER Sutherland, Golspie, a gunner in His Majesty’s Forces, was charged with having on 25th June, from the bathroom of the Ben Bhraggie Hotel, Golspie, to which he gained entrance by an open window, stolen a lady’s leather handbag containing an identity card, certificate of residence and other papers and articles and also a leather purse containing a £1 note and about 1/6 in silver.

Mr James Hynd, solicitor, Golspie, representing accused, stated that on the night in question, Sutherland, who was home on leave, had been imbibing rather unwisely. He did get into the hotel by the way suggested but he had not the faintest recollection of what took place.

A certificate of good character, which stated that Sutherland was a clean and tidy soldier was submitted from his commanding officer.

Sheriff J. R. Gibb said: “I am surprised at a respectable looking man like you being in this position. It is fortunate for you that this certificate is before the court. The court in these exceptional circumstances is enabled to issue a warning to you not to do the same thing again. So go away.”

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NEWS was received recently that two Helmsdale boys, Kenneth Mackay and Alex. Innes, who were serving on a trawler, are presumed to have lost their lives at sea.

Kenneth Mackay, who is the son of the late Mr and Mrs Mackay, Old Distillery, Helmsdale, is 46 years of age. He left Helmsdale about five years ago for Aberdeen to follow his seafaring life and on the outbreak of present hostilities joined the Merchant Navy and served until his ship was torpedoed about Christmas last year. Since then he served on the trawler that is presumed lost.

Alex Innes was well-known and highly respected. Joining the Cameron Highlanders after the Great War, he served with them until he was invalided out of the service on pension.

He was beloved and respected by his companions. It is hoped that news will yet be received that both men are safe.

100 YEARS AGO

(September 7, 1916)

PHILIP Ross (34) carpenter, Bonar Bridge appealed to Sutherland Appeal Tribunal for exemption from war service on domestic circumstances. His wife was in ill-health and he could not go far away from home. He was at present working at Invergordon but came home every Saturday night.

Tribunal convener Andrew Lindsay said this was a case for further inquiry as to the sickness of his wife.

Captain Archibald (military representatives) said he was not prepared to look at any of the certificates granted by local doctors. The chairman said the ex parte doctors’ certificates were not worth the paper they were written on.

Sheriff Hay Macwatt remarked the evidence should have been produced and in the absence of proof he was prepared to support the motion for refusal of appeal. By a majority this was agreed to.

John Mackay (31) Laid, Durness, had severe domestic circumstances. Mr Lindsay said 14 or 15 men were away from this district. If they took away men wholesale in this manner, the fabric would be broken down altogether. Refused.

John Mackay (28), Durine, Durness, a time expired Lovat Scout, who suffered ill-health at Gallipoli, desired exemption on account of his own family. He was also the support of his father and mother. Conditional exemption was grated.

James Mackay (32), Sleattle, Skerray, worked his father’s croft and his own croft and had domestic hardships. His father was unable to do much work on account of advancing years.

Mr Lindsay said the county had contributed its quota already. He would not like to see crofts being left derelict. He moved conditional exemption.

Sheriff Hay Macwatt said this was a case of very serious hardship. He was unwilling to release a man from military service but here was an instance where the hardships were serious. Conditional exemption was granted.

William Miller (33), painter, Brora, wished time to complete some work in hand. The appeal was refused but it was stated the recruiting officer would probably not call him up for a brief period.

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