Looking Back – Call to relax cinema regulations, Wick-Thurso steam train bid and compensation plea
Call to relax cinema regulations
From the Groat of May 9, 1924
A bid had been made to relax the regulations under which local cinema licences were granted to allow children aged 14 and under to attend the “pictures” for any suitable showing when accompanied by their parents.
As the regulations stood, youngsters of that age were only permitted entrance to a cinema for the Saturday matinee.
The matter had been brought before Wick Town Council by Mr T Munro, who said the restriction was “a common grievance locally”.
The council noted that over time the regulation had not been as strictly adhered to as it should have been and Provost Green had ascertained from teachers that the pupils did not learn as well in class if they had attended the cinema the night before – the very reason the rule had been imposed in the first place.
It was agreed that the views of the school management committee be sought before making a decision.
At the same meeting, Bailie Miller made mention of “the reckless driving through the streets by motorists and motorcyclists”.
He said he was not pushing for drivers to be brought to court but he did think that the chief constable should be approached with a view to the offenders being warned about their behaviour.
Councillors also agreed that arrangements be made for the creation of football and quoits pitches at the Bignold Park and to allow the council’s horses to graze there.
Steam train bid for celebrations
From the Groat of May 10, 1974
The centenary of the Helmsdale/Wick/Thurso railway line was to be celebrated later in the year, and one of the hoped-for attractions was a steam train.
The official date of the centenary was July 28 and the Highland branch of the Scottish Association for Public Transport had asked British Rail for consent to operate a steam train on the line on or about that date.
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The organisers were also keen to run the train between Wick and Thurso for evening excursions in conjunction with the local gala week programmes.
In addition, David Martin, secretary of the Highland branch, was hoping to organise an exhibition to illustrate the history and significance of the railway to Caithness and Sutherland.
Elsewhere, Thurso Town Council was to approach Lord Thurso to seek control of Sir George’s Park.
The original deed of gift prohibited the making of rules to restrict the use of the park. But, as the council had undertaken considerable expenditure to rehabilitate the pitch, members were concerned that it was not overplayed.
They wanted the pitch to be played on not more than three nights a week and bookings to be made through the burgh surveyor’s department.
The council was also in a position to accept tenders for work on its riverside scheme, while repairs to the swimming pool roof were expected to get under way in around six weeks’ time.
Compensation call over Ascania
From the Groat of May 14, 1999
A Caithness councillor had called for compensation to be paid to local people who had been evacuated from their homes during the Ascania tanker incident earlier in the year.
Councillor John Green, who represented Caithness North-East ward, also suggested that the extra costs incurred by the civil and emergency services be met in full.
He had outlined his proposals in a letter to shipping minister Glenda Jackson and said he was pleased to note that the government was trying the ensure that the Ascania’s insurers compensated the people who had had to leave their homes and businesses when the vessel, which was carrying a highly volatile cargo, drifted perilously close to the Scarfskerry coastline.
He wrote: “I and my constituents feel that the ship-owners should be directly liable for loss or damage caused by incidents involving dangerous or polluting cargoes.”
Elsewhere, the Dounreay visitor centre, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Caithness, had opened for business a month earlier than normal. And on offer to visitors during the peak summer months was a free bus trip around the site.
The centre had attracted a record 6000 visitors the previous year and the decision to open a month earlier than usual had been taken in response to increased demand.