Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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No-Licence poll bid
From the Groat of August 31, 1923
A bid was being made "for another poll in Wick in December next on the question whether No-Licence should be continued".
The call for another vote had come from the "liquor interests" and forms were available in the shops and premises which had previously been licensed for customers to sign.
It was reported that a representative of the liquor trade from the south had visited the town the previous week in connection with the matter.
Those who supported continued restrictions on alcohol sales were doubtful as to whether "there really are 300 persons in the town who desire to restore licences, in view of the undoubted benefits of the No-Licence option exercised by such a large majority of the citizens".
They considered that while a second vote may be legally permissible "it is not morally so, in view of No-Licence having been in operation for less than 18 months", as the implementation had been delayed by "obstructive and unsuccessful litigation caused by the liquor trade on the question of the validity of the first poll".
Supporters believed that "if a fight is forced... the majority for No-Licence will be even larger than on the previous occasion".
Elsewhere, two boys were rescued from the water at Wick harbour. They had been "cycling down the long Shore Road, one driving the machine, the other sitting on the handle-bars. The driver apparently lost control, and bicycle and riders were precipitated into the harbour."
New tourist offices opened
From the Groat of August 31, 1973
Tourist information offices in Wick and Thurso were officially opened on the same day "in time to meet the biggest boom in tourism experienced in this country and in which the Highlands are fully sharing".
The official openings were performed by Alexander Forsyth, who was responsible for tourism with the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB).
In Wick, the new premises were in Whitechapel Road and replaced the previous office in Francis Street. Not only was the newly built office more central, it formed "part of a new complex at the riverside, including the Norseman Hotel, which has transformed the whole area".
The office was the responsibility of Wick Town Council, having been provided by the HIDB at a cost of £9000.
In his speech, Mr Forsyth urged local traders to take an active part in the Caithness Tourist Organisation and to reap the benefits of tourism in the county.
Provost W G Mowat noted that there had been an increase in tourist traffic that summer. The previous year, 2000 street maps had been sold to visitors but that had increased to 10,000 for the current season.
He also stated that many people who had booked in to stay a night in Wick had changed their plans and remained for longer.
Elsewhere, three members of the 1285 (Caithness) Squadron of the ATC were among the members of the British ATC rifle shooting team that had won the Whistler Trophy in competition against other junior services. Cpl James Ross, Cpl David Mackay and Sgt Suddiq Ahmed were presented with silver spoons to mark the team's achievement.
Fears voiced as NHS trust axed
From the Groat of September 4, 1998
Fears were expressed about the future level of staffing and investment in Caithness and Sutherland following the axing of the local NHS trust.
Campaigners hit out at the decision by Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar to set up two centrally controlled trusts in the Highlands and expressed dismay that he had not been swayed by their argument for a northern trust, despite overwhelming public support.
Announcing his intention to cut the number of NHS trusts in Scotland, Mr Dewar claimed that the move would end the internal market and release an extra £18 million which would be spent on frontline patient care.
The move meant that from the following April the Highland area would have one acute services trust and one primary care trust, both being managed from Inverness.
George Bruce, who chaired the local NHS trust, stressed that "only a handful" of people in the northern counties had supported the creation of two centrally controlled health organisations. He argued that the community had clearly expressed its wish for the continuation of the local trust and claimed its demise had been a political decision.
Elsewhere, the operator of a local post office was celebrating after her premises were named the Best Post Office in the Community for the Highlands and Islands – for the second time. Sub-postmistress Lorna Gunn ran Latheron Post Office and the premises would now go on to compete for the Scottish title.
