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Reflections from the Ross-shire Journal Old Files 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago


By SPP Reporter

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Achtercairn Junior Secondary School Gaelic Choir, now Gairloch Primary and High School, at the Wester Ross Mod in Ullapool in 1977 along with their teacher Heather Widdoes on the left in the back row.
Achtercairn Junior Secondary School Gaelic Choir, now Gairloch Primary and High School, at the Wester Ross Mod in Ullapool in 1977 along with their teacher Heather Widdoes on the left in the back row.

100 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, June 1, 1922

Dingwall Town Council, on the motion of ex-Provost Frew, at a special meeting, has passed a resolution protesting against the proposed hospital in the Black Isle, in or near to the camp of the County Regiment, for the treatment of venereal disease. It may be noted that at the moment, the whole matter is being reconsidered by the War Office. Unfortunately the Army Acts preclude Seaforth regiments from becoming vocal in the matter. The matter is being considered sympathetically, from the point of view of the constituents, as well as on national grounds.

• The Eagle Oil Transport Coy Ltd, London, has sent a handsome cheque to Seaman Charles Graham, son of Mr Paul Graham, Outram Street, Invergordon, for conspicuous gallantry and resources displayed by him aboard a steamer on which he served during an attack on the latter by a German submarine in the North Sea on 27th February last.

• Among notable removals is that of Mackay’s Temperance Hotel to the Balnagown Arms Hotel, Queen Street, and the occupancy of the premises thus vacated in High Street again as a Temperance Hotel by Miss Fraser. A club is being promoted, which will probably occupy the premises above Mr Ross, the jewellers, and be managed by Miss Fraser.

75 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, May 22, 1942

EMPIRE Day was recognised at Dingwall Academy on Monday.

The pupils assembled in front of the school and the old, now tattered, flag which the late General Cameron presented to the school nearly thirty years ago, was hoisted on a portion of the original flagstaff.

The Rector, Mr G L Turnbull, addressed the pupils on the necessity of union to make for strength in the national crises.

After singing “God save the King” and giving three cheers for the Union Jack and the Empire, the pupils dispersed.

• Mr and Mrs George Ross, Brae Cottage, Achnagarron, Invergordon, have received a letter dated 3rd May, 1942, from their son, Corpl. William Ross, The Seaforths, who is in Stalag XXI, in which he says he is quite well and at work, and is just after getting his parcel from home. All he requires now, he adds, is a pair of gym shoes. “We now hold boxing tournaments and band concerts and have great fun,” he wrote.

• Two motorists were fined, one 15/- and the other 10/- , for failing to take out driving licenses. Mr T H Burns, solicitor, explained that it had been the custom for the Taxation Officer to send out reminders when licenses expired. That was not done now and a certain amount of confusion had arisen. Both the accused pleaded forgetfulness, and the fines were fixed according to the length of the “forget.”

50 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, June 2, 1967

ONE of Rangers keenest supporters at their Cup-Winners Cup final at Nuremberg on Wednesday, was Mr David Hamilton, 16 Gladstone Avenue, Dingwall, who has been the handyman for Ross County FC for more years than one cares to remember. Davie is just as County daft, and has been a follower of the club since it was reformed after the war. Many a day, and at all hours, he has been in attendance at Victoria Park, looking after the premises, and the players’ kit, particularly their boots, for he is a first-class craftsman in this respect as his employers, Keltic Boot Warehouse, Dingwall, will vouch. This week he was guest of Mr Frank Thomson, chairman of Ross County, and Mr Fred Newton, a director, at Nuremberg. On Tuesday, Mr Newton said Davie had been such a devoted servant to the club, that Mr Thomson and he had decided to take him on the trip. Fred received three tickets from Mr Scot Symon, manager of Rangers. The party flew to Frankfurt, and completed their journey by train. It was Davie’s first flight, and one does not doubt that it has proved a memorable one.

• At 5.20pm on 20th May, 1967, in the shop premises of Messrs Lipton’s, Grocers, High Street, Dingwall, a lady’s “Buren” pocket fob watch, with an engraved and initialed gold case was found. It is old but in excellent condition and of considerable value.

25 Years Ago

From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, May 29, 1992

THE organisers of last weekend’s classic motor rally at Alness have declared this year’s event a major success, despite the unwelcome attentions of the east coast weather.

Overcast skies, swirling mist and a chilly wind failed to dampen the enthusiasm of either spectators or competitors who flocked in their thousands to Alness Academy playing fields on Sunday afternoon.

Rally organisers said they were delighted with the standard of entries, including a large number of vehicles never before seen at the Easter Ross event.

Meanwhile estimates put the crowd at around 8000 – on par with previous years when the sun too has put in an appearance.

• Ross and Cromarty District Council is to embark on a new housing project in Dingwall aimed especially at giving homeless youngsters in the district the chance of a roof over their heads.

The development is being planned in conjunction with the Invergordon-based Albyn Housing Society. The society will be responsible for the day to day running of the complex and is to employ a full-time warden to offer support to the young tenants.

• Traffic through Tain High Street was brought to a halt on Tuesday following the collapse of a sewer pipe is expected to be flowing again today (Thursday).

Workmen from Highland Regional Council’s roads and transport and water and sewerage departments have been working closely together since the collapse on Monday evening, thought to have been caused by heavy rain.


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