From the Northern Times 25, 50 and 100 years ago
25 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 17, 2000
The Kinlochbervie Millennium Cake is to be unveiled at a daffodil tea in the village hall on March 25. Local confectioner Moyra McKenzie has produced a decorated fruit cake large enough to provide a commemorative box of cake to every household around the village. It has been estimated that almost 300 slices will be needed to ensure every permanent householder from Ardmore to Sheigra receives a piece. The cake will go on display at the forthcoming Millennium Pageant and only then will it be cut and distributed.
This is the last chance for Bonar Bridge residents to add their thoughts and memories to the Bonar Bridge Millennium booklets currently being prepared by Sarah Horne of Blackburn, Lancs. One of the booklets is a compilation of memories of life in the village over the past 100 years. The memories collected so far are of daily life in the village, school experiences and social activities.
Golspie 2000 Millennium Medals were presented to every pupil at Golspie Primary School by Kay Miller and John Murray on behalf of Golspie Community Council’s millennium committee.
50 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 21, 1975
The future of Dornoch Academy (presently a two-year secondary school) may be decided by the Highland Regional Council’s education committee at a special meeting in Dornoch in April. There is a move to restore the school to a full six-year secondary school. The downgrading of the Academy started in the late 1960s with the decision to concentrate secondary education in Golspie. There was an outcry which has continued almost unabated.
Brora Wool Mill is struggling to operate because of the number of workers it is losing to the oil industry at Nigg in Easter Ross, managing director Mr T. M. Hunter has said. The mill lost eight men in one week and another three are set to leave next week. Mr Hunter said that even if the present wages paid were doubled, it would still not be competing with the salaries paid to oil workers.,
The Scottish Education Department has authorised the expenditure of £50,000 on the development of the old YMCA hall in Golspie as a youth centre.
100 YEARS AGO
From the newspaper of March 19, 1925
His many friends in and around Brora will be pleased to hear that captain Ross, Grand Buildings, now that he has got clear of the Admiralty after a very meritorious war service, has again returned to his “old love” of trading with a vessel of his own. Captain Ross has bought an excellent sail and motor vessel, which will carry 200 tons. He has named his new vessel “The Sutherlandshire Lass”, and has already had one or two trips with a cargo of timber to Fortrose.
Miss Jean M. A. Polson, Dunroamin, Bonar Bridge, who for six years has held the post of infant mistress in Gledfield Public School, has been made the recipient of a token of the grateful appreciation of the pupils and their parents and of their best wishes in her approaching marriage. She was presented with a beautiful easy chair and two handsome hassocks from subscribers.
The SS Cormorant arrived at Skerray harbour on Thursday last, with a very large consignment of goods.
