Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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New era for local railway
From the Groat of January 5, 1923
The Highland Railway Company which had operated rail services in the far north had ceased to exist.
"Sweeping changes in the administration of the entire British Railways systems, embodied in the Act of 1921 and providing for a grouping of the numerous companies into four distinct 'controls' took effect on New Year's Day," it was reported.
"A revision of railway fares also came into force, and reductions for the rates for parcels sent by passenger trains.
"The conjunction of all these changes on the same date marks the New Year's Day of 1923 as a red letter day in British railway history."
The changes meant that local services would technically be administered from London as part of the London, Midland and Northern Group although in practice they would be directed by the deputy general manager (for Scotland).
Elsewhere, the paper had dedicated a page to photographs of some of the local war memorials that had been erected to honour those who had fallen during the Great War.
Readers were reminded to never pass these memorials "without raising your hat" and to remember those who had made the greatest sacrifice for "the continuance of our Empire, the model of true freedom to the rest of the world, and the saving from destruction of the civilisation without which life would not be worth living".
Quiet New Year in north
From the Groat of January 5, 1973
With Hogmanay falling on a Sunday, 1972 closed on a very quiet note, it was stated.
"True, Wick had its Hogmanay bonfire... and it was attended by quite a large number of people, but the days are gone when a visit to the bonfire was a must.
"Outdoor events – despite uncertain weather – used to be popular in the past, and there were always indoor shows. Today the New Year is primarily a gathering of family and friends.
"Television, of course, has played a big part in changing the style of the celebrations. With many programmes on Hogmanay and New Year on both channels available in this area, few people stir far from home.
"The nearly silent streets in the early hours of New Year's Day bore little resemblance to pre-war days.
"Any oldtimer who arrived suddenly in Wick might well imagine he was in the wrong country, or it was the wrong date!"
Meanwhile, Caithness County Council held a special meeting to discuss the post of director of social work.
Members were divided on whether they should appoint a director for Caithness or make a joint appointment with Sutherland County Council.
It was agreed to defer the matter after 14 councillors voted for further consideration against 11 who wanted a director for Caithness alone.
Volunteers to help save historic site
From the Groat of January 9, 1998
The Wick Society's intrepid band of volunteers were considering stepping into the breach "rather than see a significant historical site crumble into the sea".
Society chairman Iain Sutherland said that immediate action was needed to arrest the damage to the harbour beneath Whaligoe Steps. A large number of the facing stones on the outer face of the quay were missing and it was feared that stormy weather might cause the quay to collapse.
The society's volunteers were looking to offer their services after the news of the harbour's plight had not prompted "a single enquiry, let alone an offer of help".
Mr Sutherland said it underlined "the complete indifference of the people of Caithness to the preservation of their heritage".
Meanwhile, Harry Gray, a partner in McAllan's men's and ladies' wear shops, had retired after an association with the business that spanned almost half a century, since he was 12-and-a-half years old.
As a schoolboy, Mr Gray had got his first job as a message boy with the late Willie McAllan, who went on to set up the partnership with him in 1962.
Over the years the firm had gone from one men's wear shop in Wick to include ladies' wear and it now had two shops in Wick and Thurso and one in Inverness.
