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Reflections from the Ross-shire Journal files: 100, 75, 50 and 25 Years Ago


By SPP Reporter

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Dingwall Academy class of 1960. Pick up a copy of this week's Ross-shire Journal for a full caption with names.
Dingwall Academy class of 1960. Pick up a copy of this week's Ross-shire Journal for a full caption with names.

100 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, 18th May, 1917

THE Strathpeffer season in former years had begun by this date. Early visitors were ordinarily numerous.

So far few people have arrived, and there is very little enquiry about rooms. Some larger establishments may not open this year owing to the prospects being unfavourable.

The increased cost of railway fares, and the restricted travelling facilities will probably tend to make Strathpeffer a resort this year to those only who find “the cure” necessary.

The Spa is looking singularly well at present, despite the lateness of spring weather. The gardens and grounds are verdant and bright.

The golf course, seldom played upon at present, is in unusually good order. The greens are in fine trim, and throughout the course the turf is at its best.

Gardens are in process of what might be called intensive cultivation all over Dingwall.

Everybody appears to be exerting more than the ordinary pains to prevent waste corners or unprofitable sowing or planting.

The potato scarcity has helped to speed up the demand for as large a potato area as possible, and seed for the tuber has been in much request.

Smaller vegetables are also being extensively grown. The parsnip has come into its own.

Mr J. A. Ross is still busy collecting funds for “smokes” for Invergordon boys serving at the Front, and donations are coming in well.

Further funds are needed to keep pipes going, and provide the indispensable “fag”.

75 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, 15th May, 1942

FIRE broke out at the workmen’s huts at Castle Dobbie, Invergordon, when two huts were destroyed. The men lost most of their belongings. Invergordon National Fire Service, assisted by a crew from Alness, were soon on the scene with two fire pumps, which got water from the reservoir close at hand. By their efforts the firemen saved the whole camp from destruction.

At Dingwall on Saturday Warship Week got an enthusiastic send-off. The feature was a parade of the services through the streets of the town. The demonstration was a crowning success and augured well for the real work already begun, that falls to finish tomorrow (Saturday). The parade formed up at the Drill Hall, Ferry Road, being marshalled by Captain J. Lamb, R.E. at 3pm. It moved off heralded by the pipe band of a famous Highland Regiment. The procession was a very long one. It passed along the High Street, circled round Mill Street, Millcraig Road and Fingal Road returned by way of the High Street to Ferry Road.

Mr Alex. Macleod son of Mr and Mrs A. Macleod, Elmbank, Conon Bridge, has passed his final examination a Wireless Telegraphist at the Marconi Caledonian Wireless College, Edinburgh. Eighteen years of age, he was educated at Conon Public School and Dingwall Academy.

50 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, 19th May, 1967

A GLOOM was cast over the district when it became known that Jennifer Ann Pounder, aged 12, of 64 Forfar Road, Dundee, had fallen 60 feet to her death near the Falls of Glomach, Kintail, on Sunday afternoon, May 14.

With her father, and her brother, Stephen, aged nine, the girl had been spending the Whitsun weekend camping at Balmacara, and on Sunday they decided to visit the falls.

Leaving their car on the Kililan side, they set out over the two miles of rough country, and as they approached their destination Jennifer ran ahead.

Suddenly she disappeared over the edge of a precipice, and her father heard her scream. There were other visitors about, and one of them, Mr Allan Keith Martin, of Mauchline, Ayrshire, hurried the two miles across country to Coillerigh, for help. The police and doctor were informed.

A rope was lowered down which Mr Martin descended and rescued the child’s body from the stream. It was drawn to the cliff-top by Constable Alexander Skinner and Dr Farquhar Macrae, who found that Jennifer had died of multiple injuries. The remains were conveyed to Dundee on Monday.

British Rail are tentatively proposing to form a covered bus station in Station Square, Dingwall. The amenity of the Seaforth War Memorial might be affected, and the works might involve the removal of the amenity plots, but details of the proposals will, when finalised, be submitted to the Town Council for their observations.

25 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, 15th May, 1992

CALLOUS smash and grab raiders cleaned out a Dingwall craft shop of its handmade Celtic jewellery putting the livelihood of one of the two craftsmen there at risk.

The thieves struck some time overnight on Saturday, smashing a display window at the Goldsmith in George Street and stealing an assortment of silver jewellery worth around £500.

The local election battle for 10 out of the 22 seats on Ross and Cromarty District Council held few surprises, and in many of the wards, not unexpectedly given the other recent election, a fairly poor turnout.

The make-up of the council easily remained independent, although the SNP increased its number of seats from two to four, something the party can be fairly pleased about.

However, the result must seem disappointing in terms of the wider independence issue, considering the number of candidates fielded not only locally, but across the country.

Black Rock Caravan Park, Evanton is one of Scotland’s best kept caravan parks – and that’s official.

Black Rock, in Balconie Street, Evanton, has been announced as a runner-up in the Scottish section of the Calor Caravan Awards – on environmental scheme which is open to all graded parks in Scotland.

Black Rock were presented with a runner up ‘Best Park in Scotland’ certificate and retains this prestigious title from now until the end of the 1992 holiday season.


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