From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 4, 2000
The Highland Council’s bid to tighten up financial control of its fishery harbours was thrown into confusion last week when one of the biggest foreign companies landing fish at Lochinver angrily disputed a “bad debt” figure of £236,000 which the council claimed was overdue. The French firm Brescot insisted the sum outstanding beyond the normal two-month credit limit is only £57,000.
The next two months represent a crucial period for the future of Hunters of Brora, the firm’s chairman has warned. Robert Gibbon said the viability of the textile mill would be placed in jeopardy if a substantial amount of orders did not come in during February and March.
Two long-standing vacant commercial properties in Golspie are being put up for auction next week. The Main Street premises formerly occupied by Morrison’s Bakery go under the hammer in London as does the building on Station Road which once housed the Golspie Motors garage, petrol pumps and saleroom A reserve price of no greater than £20,000 has been placed on the Golspie Motors building, while Morrisons Bakery is being offered without reserve.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February
When the new Sutherland District Council comes into full power on May 16 next it is likely that when they allocate public works they will advise the successful contractors that Sunday work should not be undertaken unless for special or emergency reasons. While in sympathy with those who took a stand on no Sunday work, the district council seemed to be in general agreement that they must adopt a more flexible attitude.
The new police headquarters at Dornoch may be built in the top area of the site off Argyle Street and looking down on the town square. Sutherland County Council, at Dornoch last week, agreed to make this offer to the Ross-Sutherland Joint Police Committee if they thought this would be adequate for their requirements.
It was reported to the Ross-Sutherland Joint Police committee that the Government had now authorised acceptance of the offer for the erection of the new police station at Bonar Bridge.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of February 5, 1925
Some time ago Sutherland Education Authority approached the Carnegie Trust for the purpose of finding out if the Trust would do anything in the way of providing a hostel in connection with Golspie Secondary School. The Trust replied that the matter has been remitted to a sub-committee for consideration and report, and the result will be made known to the Authority about the end of February.
The finance committee recommended that Sutherland Education Authority purchase the Doll School, Brora, at £220 and Rhilochan School, Rogart, at £480. The fact that recently the floor of Rhilochan school was flooded to the depth of two or three inches put a sort of damper on the proposal to purchase the school. In connection with the flooding, the architect said it was caused through a breach in the wall, which had been made by workmen who were laying down a pipe. A few shillings would remedy the defect.
The headmaster of Clyne School, Brora, made a request for a gramophone for use at the school. It would be an excellent aid to the teaching of the French accent.
