Looking Back: The archives of the John O'Groat Journal this week in 1923, 1973 and 1998

Fishing industry in call for help

From the Groat of July 13, 1923

There was a good attendance of those representing and interested in the fishing industry at a public meeting in Wick fish mart, under the auspices of the town council, harbour trust, chamber of commerce and Caithness Fishermen's Association.

It had been called in a bid to "strengthen the hands" of those working in parliament to secure financial help for workers in the fishing industry, which was described as never having been in a more critical state.

James Steven, chairman of the harbour trust, moved the adoption of a resolution calling on the government to deal with the "pressing necessity that exists for financial assistance being provided by the government for the purpose of enabling fishermen to acquire gear".

Mr Steven said that "they had heard a great deal during and after the war about the splendid work done by the fishermen, who had been promised many things at that time, but those promises had more or less lapsed".

Bailie Green noted that "if you wished to extract any assistance for the fishing industry – Liberal or Conservative – it required almost the explosive power of Mount Etna to waken them to the needs of that brave, deserving and courageous class".

He added that Scottish fishermen needed to be better organised in pushing for support or risk becoming the "industrial Cinderella of the country".

Hospital delay protest

From the Groat of July 13, 1973

Members of Caithness County Council expressed disappointment at the "deplorable" delay "in getting ahead with the building of phase II of the central hospital" in Wick.

Councillors especially noted the "urgent need of more accommodation for geriatric cases", for which six beds had been provided in the new building.

Provost W G Mowat said that promises relating to the new build had not been kept and the money for project "had not been forthcoming".

Convener Dr Alex Rugg maintained it was not so much a lack of money but where it was being spent that was the problem. He claimed that "a vast sum of money is being spent in the Inverness area but it is not being spent throughout the whole region".

Mr Mowat said, in contrast, facilities in the outlying areas in Aberdeen were "first class" and he agreed that "Caithness is getting a raw deal".

Elsewhere, David Rudhall, the newly elected county councillor for Keiss, made a plea to be allowed to consult the chairman of the education committee on education matters relating to the village.

He maintained that the previous councillor for the area, who had been appointed to the education committee, was "representing his own views and not those of the electors of Keiss", and he wished to make sure that the villagers' views were being heard.

Parking charges review sought

From the Groat of July 17, 1998

Community councillors in Wick were to push for a review of Highland Council's decision to impose car-parking charges in the town.

Chairwoman Deirdre Steven and Sandy McLeod both feared that once an integrated transport policy was in place, Wick could find itself subject to national charging increases.

Mrs Steven said: "We don't want to have to suffer for a national policy which is put in place for traffic control measures in urban areas."

Members agreed to try and keep the issue in the public arena until such time as council rules allowed a review of the decision, possibly in six months.

A letter-writing campaign to local papers and radio stations was proposed, as was an approach to the local business community for its support.

Alan Ferrier suggested contacting campaigners in Dingwall who had already taken the issue to the Queen and were trying to avoid the charges using the terms of the royal burgh charters.

Elsewhere, the first public visit to Dounreay Castle in more than 40 years had been hosted by the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

Ground around the castle had been a no-go area after it became contaminated in the 1950s. However, following a lengthy clean-up operation, the UKAEA was able to welcome 15 members of the Scottish Castles Association to the site.

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