Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
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Co-op plan for milk distribution
From the Groat of October 12, 1923
Farmers in the Wick and Thurso districts who were interested in the production and sale of milk were considering the proposition of co-operating in providing a depot for collection and distribution.
It was believed "that by adopting this method, milk could be collected and delivered to consumers at a much less cost that can be done by the present system".
Not only would consumers benefit under such a system but it would ensure "a more uniform system as to price, quality and measure".
Customers in Caithness could, it was reported, readily understand that the existing way of doing things, which involved numerous small producers, delivery vehicles and drivers, shop rents "and all the other charges", was "far from a satisfactory one".
It was reported that "it is sincerely to be hoped that the proposal will be carefully considered and supported so as to ensure a successful issue".
Meanwhile, in Wick, a date had been set for finally unveiling the war memorial after a number of setbacks had resulted in the project being delayed.
The previous date for the ceremony had had to be cancelled, the new date being Wednesday, October 31.
The Wick War Memorial Committee also learned that General Lord Horne of Stirkoke had agreed to perform the unveiling.
BBs converge on Thurso
From the Groat of October 12, 1973
Hundreds of officers and boys from all parts of Britain had attended the 90th anniversary celebration of the Boys' Brigade held in Thurso – the birthplace of the founder of the movement Sir William Smith, who was born at Pennyland.
It was a weekend of celebration, with the main event being a mass church parade on the Sunday at St Peter's Church.
Before the parade there was a ceremony at Pennyland House where a wreath was laid beneath the plaque on the house commemorating the founder's birthplace.
After the church service the Queen Mother took the salute as the parade marched past.
The 1st Wick Company, one of the oldest BB companies in the world, had more than 90 on parade, commanded by Captain William McAllan, who had recently taken up the role after succeeding Alexander Hood who had, in turn, taken over from his father, John G Hood, who had been associated with the company since its inception.
Elsewhere, two lucky Thurso girls were heading to Glasgow later in the month.
Teenage sisters Anne and Jane Pollock, of Ormlie Road, had "won two valuable tickets out of only 5000 available for the Osmonds concert" after taking part in a competition run by a Sunday newspaper.
Housing scheme set to begin
From the Groat of October 16, 1998
Final preparations were being made to allow work to start on what would be the first major private housing development in Thurso for many years.
The 36-plot scheme at East Gills was set to be the first to benefit from the revised housing blueprint produced by Highland Council.
A planning application lodged by Scrabster Farms in 1994 had been put on hold until the review, which had included a local public hearing, had been carried out.
Outline planning permission had been granted the previous year to develop the seven-hectare field next to Pentland View residential home.
The consent, in the face of local objections, had been made subject to the provision of an amenity walkway which would skirt around the existing scheme at Burnside.
Meanwhile, new play areas being planned for Thurso's Ormlie housing estate were being linked to a potential national memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales. Ormlie Community Association wanted to see play equipment for people with special needs included in the facilities to be developed as part of the regeneration scheme.
The proposals for a network of playgrounds adapted for use by disabled people as a memorial to the princess was being touted as an alternative to a scheme for a memorial garden at Kensington Palace.
