Looking Back – new from the John O' Groat Journal of yesteryear
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Distress in the Highlands
From the Groat of December 28, 1923
Readers who had been following the "gloomy reports of the distress prevailing throughout the Western Isles and certain parts of the mainland, from Argyllshire to Caithness, on account of the failure of the harvest and the regrettable falling off in the harvest of the sea" were glad to learn that a relief fund had been set up by An Comunn Gàidhealach.
The course of action was agreed at a special meeting of the association's executive in Glasgow at which Mr G Bannerman, former president of the Sutherlandshire Association, asserted that there was a great deal of useful work waiting to be done in Caithness and Sutherland "at which people could find useful employment".
He said he had been delighted to hear local MP Sir Archibald Sinclair tell a gathering that people in the north wanted "jobs, not dole".
Even though they were entitled to relief, "Highlanders did not want charity if they could get useful work".
"The condition of the roads in parts of Caithness and in large tracts of Sutherlandshire was deplorable and honest toil – not the indolent charity of which they saw far too much in the large towns – was what the people of the counties desired".
Meanwhile in Wick, a committee of ladies had been appointed to resume the soup kitchen for providing meals to necessitous children. It had been agreed to reopen the facility in the Lower Rifle Hall on January 7.
Children entertain for Christmas
From the Groat of December 28 , 1973
Youngsters in Wick had been busy bringing festive cheer through music, song, dance and drama.
At the Bridge Street Church on the Sunday before Christmas, children had performed their Nativity play with the music and words being recorded by members of the Interact Club so that it could be enjoyed by elderly people unable to attend.
At the Town and County Hospital, patients in the old people's ward were entertained with extracts from the town's panto, Tommy Tucker, as well as Aline Mowat's children's choir. In addition there was Highland dancing and musical turns from young performers.
Other young people were at Pulteney House with a Nativity play and carol singing, while the children in Wick Old Parish Church also presented a Nativity play.
Also in Wick, a new burgh school was being planned. At a meeting of Caithness Planning Committee, permission had been granted for the erection of a primary school at Roxburgh Road.
Elsewhere, one of the oldest retail businesses in Thurso had been given an upgrade. Hamish Cameron's had been transformed into a self-service grocery, having been founded in the town over 100 years previously.
The business had operated as a family concern until 1966 when it was taken over in partnership by Mrs and Mrs "Scotty" Taylor and Mr and Mrs Mark Murray-Threipland. It had since become solely owned by the Taylors.
Wick athletes save drowning man
From the Groat of December 30, 1998
Two men involved in the dramatic rescue of a young man who fell into Wick harbour said more lives would be saved if local employers took a leaf out of Dounreay's book and trained staff in first aid.
John Campbell had been rescued following the prompt action of 15-year-old David Gammie – who alerted a passing motorist to the presence of a man in the water – and the combined efforts of Wick Triathlon Club members Willie Miller, Robin Aitken, Gordon Smart, David Simpson and Kait Farmer, who had been jogging in the area and were asked to help by motorist Frances Dunnett, who was contacting the emergency services.
The runners managed to grab Mr Campbell, who had been lying face-down in the water, and haul him onto the fishing vessel Intrepid.
Mr Miller told the Groat that they were "convinced he was dead. There was no pulse and he wasn't breathing.
"Robin and I both work at Dounreay and have been trained in first aid and resuscitation. I have never had to use it before but I knew what to do and so did Robin."
Mr Aitken put the man into the recovery position and then they "worked on his chest and his back" until he took a breath.
Mr Miller added it was "excellent" that he and Mr Aitken had been put through the first aid training and he urged other employers to do likewise with their staff.
