LOOKING BACK: Ross-shire Journal this week 25, 40 and 100 years ago
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March 5, 1999
Villagers in Wester Ross enthusiastically took part in some role playing last weekend as part of a Royal Navy exercise.
The exercise in Loch Ewe saw the navy using civilians for the first time during maritime training for humanitarian aid operations.
Local people were invited to act as ‘evacuees’ who were to be taken to safety from a strife-torn foreign island under threat from a hostile power using the Type 23 Frigate HMS Northumberland.
Community councils from Aultbea, Wester Loch Ewe and Gairloch were each invited to provide eight volunteers to act as evacuees and, after an overwhelming response, it was agreed that 25 could take part.
One of those taking part was 16-year-old Miranda Davies from Aultbea who hopes to join the Royal Navy when she leaves Gairloch High School.
Miranda continued to enter into the spirit of the exercise and stuffed tablecloths up her jacket to pose as an eight-month pregnant evacuee. “It was brilliant”, said Miranda, whose mother Claire spent 45 years as a naval supply and transport manager. “I was a bit scared at first but then my nerves just disappeared. It makes me even more determined to join the Navy.”
Loch Ewe was a mustering point for convoys in the Second World War and is still a NATO refuelling base. Ian Mackenzie, chairman of Aultbea Community Council, said: “We were well used to it all during the war and everybody seemed to enjoy taking part. They’re hoping to have a ship open here in June.”
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March 2, 1984
At the meeting on 21st February, members of Fearn Over 60 Club were entertained by Mr and Mrs David Gordon, Ian Macbeth and James Ross. Mrs Gordon is a talented juggler and after her demonstration several members tried their hand at this art.
Kilmuir Easter WRI held their meeting on Monday of last week. There was an exceptionally good attendance in spite of the bitterly cold night. Miss Joan Pirrie, president, extended a warm welcome to everyone. Miss Macrae gave a demonstration on baking, she made puff pastry and continued with French apple slices, finally making choux pastry.
Whilst this was baking everyone enjoyed tea and eats provided by the hostesses, Mrs May Macgillivray, Mrs Betty Pople and Mrs Wilma Morrison.
By this time the baking was ready and decorated. Miss Macrae handed round chocolate eclairs, cream puffs and apple slices which the ladies found delicious.
Mrs Munro, secretary, invited everyone to join her in giving Miss Macrae a hearty vote of thanks.
The raffle was won by Mrs Sibbald, and the competition, a peg bag, by Miss Joan Pirrie.
The same edition of the paper was of interest to people looking for a variety of jobs.
Under Situations and Vacancies there was an advert for time-served painters wanted in the Invergordon area. “Good overtime” was the promise attached to this offer. Alan M. Torrance and Associates, chartered surveyors of 13 King Street, Invergordon, were on the hunt for a quantity surveyor.
February 29, 1924
“Quite a number of young people in Ullapool are laid up with severe attacks of influenza”.
A concert in aid of hospitals and similar institutions was held at the Drill Hall in Ullapool on Saturday.
“The night chosen was not a very suitable one, still a very large audience turned out to help the good cause. Dr Wallace presided and an excellent programme was gone through by all the distinguished artists.”
The singing of the national anthem brought the concert to a close.
