Looking back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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Staxigoe war memorial unveiled
From the Groat of November 18, 1921
People from far and near travelled to Staxigoe on Armistice Day, its third anniversary, to mark the unveiling of the area's war memorial.
At one time Staxigoe had been an industrial centre and evidence of this could still be seen; "lofty granaries still tower high and red-tiled roofs on tall barrel factories still glare in the sun", it was reported.
However, despite the village's decline in fortunes, its residents "were as one in their efforts to erect a memorial worthy of the men of that district who gave their lives in the Great War.
"Every effort was made to raise the largest sum possible within Staxigoe school district – probably the smallest war memorial area in the north of Scotland."
Meanwhile, the soup kitchen in Wick to feed local schoolchildren was to be resumed immediately as the need in the town was "so great".
The previous kitchen had been held in Barrogill Hall, but with the need being more widespread a more central kitchen was required as it was a long walk for the small children from the North Public School.
The problem was solved with the decision to open two centres, and four ex-servicemen had volunteered to cook the food for nothing.
Fish factory crisis averted
From the Groat of November 19, 1971
A lengthy meeting in Wick, which had followed four days of talks, ended in an amicable settlement of a dispute involving the recently opened fish processing factory at Thurso.
The trouble had threatened to affect the supply of fish to the factory after those skippers who had agreed to sell to the business alleged that other buyers had indicated "they might not be interested in the main catch of any vessel taking part in the factory scheme".
The agreement had intended to give the processors a steady supply of fish at preferential prices from the small number of boat owners and skippers who had entered into an arrangement with them.
"Happily for all concerned, the buyers... came up with a compromise proposal which was accepted by representatives of the whole Wick fleet."
It was agreed that for an experimental period of 12 months, "any skipper who desired to do so would be at liberty to offer to the factory an allotment of 10 per cent of a catch" comprising haddock, whiting and codling at the following prices: small, 40p per stone; medium, 50p per stone; and large 60p.
The decision applied to all those fishing out of Wick and it was thought that it could also be extended to the Scrabster fleet.
Dounreay committee a 'sham'
From the Groat of November 22, 1996
A forum for the nuclear industry in Caithness to liaise with the local community had been branded a sham by one of its own members.
Trade union rep Alan Roberts claimed that the Dounreay Local Liaison Committee had been undermined by the "high-handed attitude of the plant's management".
And he believed that other lay members were afraid to speak out for fear of being derided by the UK Atomic Energy Authority representatives who controlled the committee.
He said that the UKAEA reps "treat with disdain comments made by the few members of the committee who are prepared to say anything".
The criticism was rejected by Dounreay's operator which insisted that the views of the lay members were "taken very seriously", but Mr Roberts' view was supported by retired Dounreay employee Terry Jones who maintained that Dounreay's operators "take notice of people with sanctions and the one thing the DLLC does not have is sanctions".
Meanwhile, the Caithness organisers of an aid mission to a Russian orphanage had broadened their public appeal to include food.
Father and son Stan and Kenny Ross had collected "a mini mountain of toys, dolls and cuddlies", but, on learning that the children were living on starvation rations, had asked the public to donate "non-perishable, dried fruit and milk and other long-lasting food".
