Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear

Latheron war memorial unveiled

From the Groat of October 13, 1922

"Respectful and appropriate solemnity" marked the unveiling of the war memorial at Latheron, which was dedicated to the 29 men of Forse, Latheron and Latheronwheel who fell in the Great War.

A big crowd had gathered to witness the ceremony and there was a large representation of the Comrades of the Great War who marched from Latheron Post Office to the memorial.

The unveiling was performed by Sir Archibald Sinclair who said the people of the district were "rightly proud of the part you played at this great crisis of our country's fortunes and you do well to raise up this memorial to the everlasting memory of your unreturning brave".

Elsewhere, by a majority vote, Thurso Town Council adopted a recommendation by the roads committee under which the council would undertake the repair of all foot pavements on the properties of proprietors who provided the necessary materials.

The proposal was strongly opposed by ex-Bailie Anderson on the grounds that a number of proprietors had put the pavements opposite their properties into good order many years ago and the council had then undertaken to maintain them.

In many cases these pavements were now in a state of disrepair and Mr Anderson believed that it was the council's duty to repair them in full.

However, while other councillors shared his view, the majority believed that the proprietors should provide the materials.

Bold plan for far north line

From the Groat of October 13, 1972

The Scottish Association for Public Transport had published its plan for the far north line, putting forward "a bold plan for introducing imaginative improvements which are both realistic and feasible" and would help to secure it in light of its uncertain future and slow services.

In the short term the association proposed the complete integration of bus, rail and ferry services in the north and the reopening of certain stations in the growing Easter Ross area.

Also mooted was a reduction in the overall journey time between Inverness and Caithness to its 1964 best of four hours, which would knock 45 minutes off the current time.

In the longer term the association wanted the proposed Meikle Ferry bridge to incorporate a railway track as part of a new direct Tain-Dornoch-Golspie route which would reduce the Inverness to Thurso journey by 24 miles and enable a fast train to reach the county in just over two and a half hours.

Elsewhere, members of Caithness County Council's administration and finance committee were still unsure about the fine details of additional Wick air services proposed by Loganair which were intended to link Wick with Dornoch and Inverness.

The company had already made changes to the initial timetable after criticism about one of the services that took people to the Highland capital on the shops' half-day closing.

However, the revised timetable would mean extra opening of the airport which would cost the council £70 a week.

Expenses cutback call

From the Groat of October 17, 1997

A retired council official had called for a cut in councillors' expenses and Gaelic spending to meet the costs of keeping public toilets open in the Highland Council area.

Caithness public conveniences were among those set for closure from the beginning of December, but Alan Roberts, the former depute director of technical services with Caithness District Council, did not think the closures were unavoidable.

He maintained that the Highland Council was supposed to be decentralised but argued it was not.

"The result is that instead of central committees meeting in Inverness twice a year to set overall department guidelines, we see the ludicrous situation where all committees meet as often as possible, causing huge travelling and subsistence bills."

He also criticised the amount the council spent on Gaelic and suggested that the average Caithnessian would not be happy to have children taught Gaelic at the expense of services and jobs.

Elsewhere, local MP Robert Maclennan had called for an inquiry into how a stricken tanker laden with explosive oil had almost caused an environmental disaster in Thurso Bay the previous weekend.

He was backed by provost of Caithness John Young who said it was essential that ships carrying such a hazardous cargo were maintained to a minimum standard.

There were fears that the rescue tug would not reach the Yusup K in time to prevent it grounding as it was blown by a north-westerly force six to eight wind towards the bay. However, the disaster was averted.

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