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Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear





A variety of headgear, a few pipes and one set of plus-fours can be seen among this fine turnout at the Rosebank bowling green in Wick. The year is not known.
A variety of headgear, a few pipes and one set of plus-fours can be seen among this fine turnout at the Rosebank bowling green in Wick. The year is not known.

From New Zealand to Badbea

From the Groat of August 5, 1921

David Sutherland, along with his wife and daughter, visited his native Badbea while on a trip to the county.

The former crofting township, on a slope by high cliffs some three miles south of Berriedale, boasted a "handsome memorial" in commemoration of the previous inhabitants, which some years previously had been paid for by Mr Sutherland.

The monument was situated on the site, and built from the stones of the house once occupied by "the saintly Mr John Sutherland, one of the 'men' of former days, whose eminent piety and spiritual-mindedness had a marked influence for good on the lives of many".

David Sutherland had emigrated to New Zealand "in the early days" and had prospered in the industry of sheep farming.

Although the weather on the day was wet, the party "were pleased once more to look upon scenes rich with heart-moving recollections of days no more".

Meanwhile, Castletown was fast becoming a favourite holiday resort. There were a large number of visitors in the village and they "seemed to be enjoying themselves at the various places of interest, including the beautiful sands, links, plantation, Olrig Hill and the harbour".

It was noted that salmon fisher Ned McBey and his crew were always sociable and pleasant to visitors to the harbour.

Lunchtime bus meeting planned

From the Groat of August 6, 1971

Parents affected by the re-zoning of a bus route that meant their children could no longer get home from school for lunch had been asked to show their support for a plan to provide a lunchtime bus service for pupils along the route of the previous Hillhead school to Milton service.

A public meeting was to be held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, and parents had been urged to attend or send a representative in a bid to establish whether the service would attract enough young passengers to make it viable. It was expected that the fare would be 5p for the return journey provided that no fewer than 60 children made use of the service each day.

Elsewhere, the use of hoses for garden and washing cars had been banned in the Brora, Golspie and Upper Rogart areas because of the danger of a possible shortage of water. Consumers had also been asked to limit the use of water for other non-domestic purposes to ensure a continued supply during the tourist season.

Meanwhile, Enoch Powell MP, who had been due to speak at the Station Hotel in Wick, had had to cancel his visit as he had been unable to reach the town because of fog.

Mr Powell was to have been the guest of the Caithness and Sutherland Conservative Association. However, he did manage to get to Dingwall where he addressed an open-air meeting attended by about 2000 people.

Farmers have beef with cookery classes

From the Groat of August 9, 1996

Farming representatives in Caithness were pushing to have beef restored to the list of ingredients used by cookery students at Wick and Thurso high schools.

Cost-cutting had been blamed for the absence of meat in recipes used by the domestic science departments.

Moves to restore the one-time staple were being explored by the Caithness area executive of the National Farmers' Union.

Members believed that outside organisations could chip in to help the cash-strapped local authority restore meat to the classroom kitchens.

Willie Sinclair said it was "important that such an important local produce is used by the children to cook everyday dishes", while area president Malcolm Morrison believed it would be in the long-term interest of local butchers to donate low-cost joints for use in the schools.

Elsewhere, the official opening ceremony had taken place at the Newtonhill Community Woodland.

The site had once been the town rubbish tip but had been transformed into an impressive woodland area for both walkers and horse-riders.

At the opening was local countryside ranger Mary Legg and some of her team. They had carried out the project with funding from the Caithness District Council, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage, along with a European grant.


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