From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 7, 1996
The west coast village of Drumbeg vowed to fight on to save its local school this week after councillors turned down a plea for a 12-month reprieve. Local member Francis Keith told the education committee on Tuesday he expected the roll of the two-pupil school at least to double over the coming year as new jobs were being created in the fish farm industry. But by 22 votes to seven, the committee voted to close Drumbeg Primary School permanently from the end of this session, and transfer the two pupils to Stoer School seven miles away.
Delighted members of Sutherland Outdoor Activities Project (SOAP) were this week celebrating the news that they had been granted £20,000 from the National Lottery Charities Board Scotland. The money will progress a project which has languished on the drawing board for five years – the conversion of the derelict gas works manager's house in Church Street, Golspie, into a meeting place and equipment store for local groups. The idea was first suggested by East Sutherland Canoe Club.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 11, 1971
Sutherland Harbours Committee want Inverness Town Council to call an immediate meeting of all the affected Northern local authorities to protest against the Government's apparent decision to compromise on inshore fishing limits in their European Common Market Negotiations. The outcome could be a joint mass deputation going to Westminster to lobby members of Parliament. At the Harbours Committee meeting at Dornoch last Monday, several speakers declared it could be "disastrous" for Sutherland's valuable fishing industry if the Government did not fight for the retention of the present 12-mile limit instead of offering to compromise on a six-mile limit.
A FORMER pupil of Dornoch Academy has a part in the film "Ryan's Daughter", presently showing in Edinburgh. She is Jan McConnell, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Cowan, who recently took over the Strathy Inn in north Sutherland. Jan attended Dundee Repertory Theatre and later founded a Theatre at Castlebar, West Ireland.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of June 9, 1921
The attainments of the pupils of the side school at Ardmore are unsatisfactory. The present teacher, however, has been in charge for only a few months and regularity of attendance leaves a great deal to be desired. It is essential in the first instance that adequate steps should be take to reduce to a minimum absence from school on the part of the scholars without due cause.
Although it was pointed out in the last report that Needlework is essential for girls attending a side school, instruction in this subject has not yet begun. This is quite unsatisfactory and the omission should be remedied without further delay.
A pleasing impression was formed of the work done at the school at Fanagmore. Since the last inspection considerable progress has been made and in most subjects a creditable level of attainment is reached. The pupils express their ideas orally in English with praiseworthy clearness and accuracy. A generally favourable impression was also formed of the work done at the lowest room in Durine school.
