Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
Ford accumulating a fortune
From the Groat of September 9, 1921
In news from New York, the John O'Groat Journal reported that the future prices of Ford motor cars were to be below the 1914 level.
It was possible to buy a Ford runabout car for £92 in the US, at the present rate of exchange, with a touring car available for £90 and a sedan at £195.
"Mr Ford, according to the latest figures from Detroit, is rapidly accumulating a fortune which will make him the richest man in the world. Judged by the taxes laid on his property, his fortune already amounts to £66,000,000... and bankers declare that Mr Ford's fortune, combined with the value of the Ford Motor Company and the goodwill, already exceeds £190,000,000.
"Mr Ford himself says he does not know how much he is worth, and does not care."
Looking for a much more modest return on their endeavours were the organisers of a concert at Latheron.
Latheronwheel Mission Hall was the venue for the event in aid of Latheron District Nursing Association.
The "Thurso Pierrots" had made the journey to entertain with a varied assortment of songs, dances and choruses, with other performers also delighting the crowd.
Afterwards a large number of the audience attended a dance, also in aid of the district nurses. It was expected the combined fundraisers would realise around £24.
New appointment at Wick creamery
From the Groat of September 10, 1971
The North of Scotland Milk Marketing Board had appointed 41-year-old Alistair Taylor to the post of assistant manager at its Claymore Creamery in Wick.
Mr Taylor had served with the board for over 15 years and now joined the management under Walter Dunnett, a native of Reiss, who had been with the board for 21 years.
Also taking up a new post was the Rev Thomas GM Robertson, who was to take over the ministry at Wick Old Parish Church.
More than 600 people gathered in the Assembly Rooms to officially welcome the minister and his family to the town.
The function followed a meeting of the Caithness presbytery, Mr Robertson's ordination to the ministry and his induction to the charge, all held in the church itself.
Meanwhile, the Wick Society had expressed concern about the Lower Pulteneytown redevelopment plans. At its latest meeting, members agreed to register with the Scottish Civic Trust and to forward details to it of the proposed changes to area along with the society's observations.
Most troubling for the members was the possible demolition of the Lorne Building and the old police station.
The society agreed to ask a representative of the trust to survey the area.
Tribute paid to Mary-Ann
From the Groat of September 13, 1996
The death had occurred of Mary-Ann Calder, whose former home at Westside, Dunnet, had been preserved as a historic Caithness crofthouse.
Mrs Calder, a widow, had passed away at the Seaview House nursing home in Wick the day before her 99th birthday.
She and her husband James had worked the croft with her parents, the cottage having been built by her grandfather John Young in the 1850s.
In 1990, after suffering a stroke, Mrs Calder was forced to give up the family croft, but, realising its importance, she wanted to gift it to the Wick Society.
However, the Department of Social Security ruled that it was an asset that should be sold to raise money for the cost of her care.
The Queen Mother became aware of the issue and contacted the late Lord Thurso who agreed to form a trust to acquire the property, with Her Majesty becoming patron.
In a statement Caithness Heritage Trust, which owned the cottage, said that the chairman and trustees were saddened by her passing.
It said: "Mrs Calder's cheery friendliness was epitomised by her leaving open the front door of her cottage during the day. To close it would have been unwelcoming, she thought.
"The trust hopes to keep memories of her alive at Mary-Ann's Cottage."