Arson suspected in farmhouse fire, New training centre for Wick and Honorary degree for Norfrost genius
LOOKING BACK: News from the John O’Groat Journal of yesteryear
Arson suspected in farmhouse fire
From the Groat of June 26, 1925
An “act of incendiarism” was suspected after a blaze which destroyed Greenvale Farm House in Scarfskerry.
The incident came not long after the tenant of the farm, widow Barbara Tait, had been evicted from the property by a sheriff officer and police constables who bore a warrant for her removal.
A considerable crowd had gathered to witness the eviction and, while no attempt had been made to impede the work of removal, “it was obvious that the majority of the lookers-on sympathised with Mrs Tait”.
That night the farmhouse had been vandalised, it was believed by those who supported Mrs Tait, and all the windows had been smashed.
The next morning a small fire had taken hold at the stackyard, and barley and straw was found to be ablaze. This was extinguished, but at around half-past three in the afternoon it was discovered that the house itself was on fire.
A small band of men “immediately proceeded to do their best to fight the flames which were rapidly spreading, but they discovered that the water pump had been smashed and the tank damaged”.
All that subsequently remained of the building were the blackened walls.
The owner of the farm, William Mackenzie, said he had attempted to reach an agreement with Mrs Tait but eventually, after all else had failed, he had raised an action in the sheriff court to have her removed.
New centre under construction
From the Groat of June 27, 1975
A “permanent adult training centre” was under construction in Wick and was expected to be completed within the following two months.
The centre was to cater for 30 trainees and would include workshop facilities, a dining and recreation area and a social training and educational area.
The trainees were to be drawn from the new residential hostel which had opened in Wick, the existing junior occupational centres and those in the community receiving daycare services.
It was expected that the centre would operate on a daily basis for 52 weeks in the year and would employ a manager, a depute manager, four instructors and a cook, with the option of clerical assistance should it be required.
As an interim measure a temporary workshop was being used at Wick Airport Industrial Estate.
Elsewhere it was reported that the Laidhay folk museum at Dunbeath had been commended in the Civic Trust Heritage Year awards as “making a valuable contribution to European Architectural Heritage Year”.
The museum was among a number of small schemes hailed by the Civic Trust for the reuse of old buildings.
The museum, which had opened its doors for the previous year’s summer tourist season, was housed in a row of thatched cottages that had been saved from dereliction.
Honorary degree for Norfrost genius
From the Groat of June 30, 2000
The talents of the businessman behind the technology that had helped turn Caithness freezer firm Norfrost into an international concern had been officially recognised.
Alex Grant had been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering from Glasgow University.
The man who had made freezers more attractive, more environmentally friendly and less expensive to run heard his contribution described as a “remarkable success story which took the company from humble beginnings to a multimillion-pound enterprise”.
Professor John Hancock, head of Glasgow University’s Department of Engineering, said the company had been founded by novices with no tradition of assembly-line manufacture.
They appeared to have broken all the rules yet, he said, “we know people of exceptional talent, ability and drive achieve their aims despite the odds against them”.
Meanwhile, long-standing local MP Robert Maclennan had announced his intention to retire.
Mr Maclennan, who had represented Caithness, Sutherland and latterly Easter Ross for 34 years, was to stand down at the next general election.
He said his decision would give the constituency the opportunity to elect someone with “fresh perspectives on what is in some ways a new job”.
Viscount Thurso, convener of the Liberal Democrats’ constituency party, paid tribute to the “exceptional dedication” with which Mr Maclennan had served.