From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 14, 1997
Plans for a new £526,000 community hall for one of Sutherland's remotest communities suffered a severe setback at the weekend with the news an application for financial aid from the Millennium Fund has been rejected. Now disappointed Durness residents, who were confident their bid for funds met all criteria set down by the fund, are anxious to know why the application failed. Local councillor Francis Keith, said he was "totally gobsmacked".
A GROUP of adults with learning disabilities are bidding for Olympic glory after gaining support from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise. Four bowlers from Rhives House, Golspie, will be travelling to Portsmouth in July to compete in the indoor bowls competitions at the Special Olympics UK '97 (SOUK '97). CASE is backing their bid with a £500 grant from its sports and art community based programme. The four athletes and their coach Gordon Davenport and an escort will be part of a 45-strong Highland contingent heading for the games.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 11, 1972
MR Gordon Campbell, the Secretary of State for Scotland, is standing by his decision that the Burgh of Tain should not be included in the Sutherland district as proposed in the White Paper dealing with local government reorganisation. That was his reply to Mr Robert Maclennan MP., who had expressed dismay at Mr Campbell's change of mind. Mr Maclennan had told Mr Campbell that the impression was now widespread that he had "succumbed to political pressure".
SUTHERLAND Drama Festival audiences at Brora next Thursday and Friday nights will have the privilege of seeing and listening to one of the most entertaining and knowledgeable adjudicators in the country. She is Viennese-born Gerda Redlich, who some years ago adjudicated for the SCDA in Sutherland when she made a very fine impression indeed. Incidentally, Miss Redlich was acting in Vienna when Hitler's troops invaded Austria, and after many adventures she eventually reached this country in 1942, settling in Manchester.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 9, 1922
During the recent storm in December quite a number of the seawalls and parapets on the north coast were damaged. The sluices and bridge at the Mound, Golspie, had also been damaged, and about a quarter of a mile past Cambusavie gates the high tide had actually washed away parts of the roadway. The surveyor said to repair the damage done to Lochinver seawall would cost a tremendous lot of money. Mr Joseph Mackay said the people residing in the vicinity of the seawall were in danger of being swamped. Something would have to be done at once.
The revival movement in Golspie has a firm grip and night by night largely attended meetings take place. There is an earnest, sincere ring about the services, which cannot but impress those who come under the influence of the meetings. The testimonies are bright and are given in a free, natural way, and the singing, which is inspiring, is taken part in by all with a freedom of spirit that makes the gatherings very homely affairs.
