Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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Protests over a planned royal visit, a hero fisherman and a tricky load were among the headlines in years gone by.
Presbytery protest at King's visit
From the Groat of April 13, 1923
Two presbyteries in Caithness had recorded their disquiet at the King's prospective visit to the Pope.
His Majesty's proposed visit to the Vatican was being described by officials as "a matter of courtesy" but the plan had drawn widespread protest from those who "take the strongest exception to this visit on very much higher grounds".
A petition from the Caithness Free Church Presbytery called for the trip to be cancelled, citing as reasons the country's constitutional Protestantism and the debarring of a Catholic from sitting on the throne.
The Caithness UF Presbytery, meanwhile, stated it "regards any such visit as an unnecessary recommendation of the assumption and claims of the Papacy, and as contrary to the spirit of the Constitution".
Elsewhere, it was reported that the number of motor cars already in the county of Caithness bearing the SK registration "is being constantly added to". The latest vehicle to catch the eye was in the garage of popular hirers Harrold and Miller, East Banks, Wick.
The "landaulette" car was described as "the latest type with all modern improvements for the convenience of patrons; and as nothing more comfortable in motor car travelling could be desired, it should, we think, be in constant demand".
Meanwhile, preliminary arrangements had been made for a music festival to be held in Wick in June 1924.
Award for Thurso skipper
From the Groat of April 13, 1973
A fishing boat skipper who saved one of his crew from drowning at Scrabster had received an award in recognition of his heroic action.
Denny Simpson, of Pennyland Terrace, Thurso, was presented with the Royal Humane Society's parchment by Provost Tom Pollok.
Giving the background to the presentation, Inspector David Sutherland, of Northern Constabulary, said that Mr Simpson had dived fully clothed into Scrabster harbour, between his boat Pavonia and the harbour wall, to rescue a member of the crew who had fallen in.
"The element of danger was fairly high because of the risk of being crushed between the boat and the wall," the inspector explained.
Meanwhile, a recently formed company had won its first export order.
John O'Groats Crafts had despatched a small consignment of goods to the Faroe Islands. The firm manufactured different lines in shell jewellery, including the famous Groatie Buckie necklaces.
The company was also following up an inquiry from Texas, USA, as well as selling its products in craft shops all over England and Scotland.
Elsewhere, year-round employment had been ensured for the workers at the Brownhill Pre-Cast Concrete Company in Halkirk, with the construction of a building to provide weather protection for block casting operations.
The company made blocks, coping stones and slabs for the building trade in Caithness and Sutherland.
Rockwater's biggest ever load
From the Groat of April 17, 1998
Rockwater's biggest ever load reached its destination at Wester, but its journey through Wick was a "tricky operation at times".
The journey from the old dry dock took more than three hours with the most tortuous stretches being up Scalesburn and the junctions at Willowbank, Henrietta Street and George Street.
At times there were only centimetres of clearance as the massive 212-tonne manifold inched its way round corners, watched by groups of curious Wickers.
Rockwater's local site manager Willie Watt said the operation had gone without a hitch thanks to meticulous pre-planning. Computer projections of the route had identified what steps had to be taken to ensure it would be a trouble-free trip.
Highland Council had widened the junction at Henrietta Street and George Street, and a lean-to shed and a wall had had to be demolished.
Mr Watt paid tribute to the public and the various agencies involved for their "continued co-operation, patience and flexibility in ensuring the passage of the manifold safely through town".
Meanwhile, steps were to be taken to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the first church in Wick.
The move was being made by the town's former provost, William G Mowat, after the anniversary had been drawn to his attention by Michael Gunn of Kirkhill.
Mr Mowat told Wick community councillors that the first kirk was reckoned to have been situated at Mount Hooley, while the second was sited on the ground on which the Old Parish Church now stood.
