Ross-shire Journal old files from 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago
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From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, October 19, 1917
ULLAPOOL Higher Grade Public School – The Macpherson medal for Gaelic, kindly presented to the school by Mr I. Macpherson, MP, Under Secretary of State for War, was won this year by Roderick Maclean, Leckmelm.
The successful candidate, a young lad of very high ability, completed the intermediate course last season, with conspicuous success, obtaining the intermediate certificate, with passes in no less than six subjects. Mr Macleod, the respected headmaster, handed over the medal, and cordially congratulated the winner on his well-deserved success.
A valuable painting, presented as a prize for hand writing by Mr Stewart, Post Office, a well-known northern artist, was awarded to Nannie Rae, who is now progressing her studies as a junior student in Dingwall Academy. Mr Stewart’s intense interest in education being genuine, finds expression in such tangible forms of encouragement.
• There has passed away at Fortrose a well known and much respected member of the community in the person of Mr John Campbell, familiar to the public as a lorryman under Messrs Wordie & Co, at Rosemarkie, Fortrose and Avoch, since the opening of the Black Isle railway. He lost his only boy, who was killed in action in France early in the war, when only 17 years of age, while serving with the Ross-shire Seaforths. Much sympathy is felt with the widow and two daughters.
75 Years Ago
From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, October 16, 1942
“LIFE under Nazi Rule” was the subject of an address delivered under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, by Frau Litten in the Royal Academy, Tain. A compelling and fluent English speaker, Frau Litten gave an impressive account of personal experience. She was warmly thanked by Provost Wm. Fraser.
• On joining the Forces, Mr Charles M. Macleod, motor mechanic, in the employment of Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, agriculture engineer, Evanton was met by his fellow-workmen on Saturday, and presented with a gift of Treasury notes. Mr Wm. J. Macrae, spoke of the sterling qualities of the recipient. The presentation was made by Miss Annie Mackenzie, the junior member of the staff, who wished Mr Macleod a safe return to civil life. He suitably acknowledged.
• Dingwall and other towns, villages and districts in Ross-shire, have been doing very well in the salvage of waste-paper. Newspapers, books, old documents, cardboard, cartoons, etc., are being widely and often systematically collected and sent away for pulping. In Dingwall, there are stated days for the collection, and out of shops, warehouses offices, etc., it is good to see fairly big bundles and bings ready for removal. All of it goes to the central collecting depot and sifted out.
50 Years Ago
From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, October 20, 1967
IN recent years honours conferred by Her Majesty the Queen on her official birthday and at New Year, seem to be a little too easily come by, especially when one considers those which were conferred on the Beatles and a London dress designer and fashion setter. However, in Ross-shire the practice has been more than redeemed by the investing of the British Empire Medal on Mrs Helen Ann Bisset, Artafallie, North Kessock. Of course, in this County we are very select in the bestowing of an honour, and if a man or woman receives one it is as the result of some service that is very much in the public interest and for the welfare of common good generally.
Mrs Bisset’s work in fostering children sent to her by the Children’s Department of the Corporation of Glasgow goes back to 1932 and continues in the present day.
• Miss Gammie presided over the October meeting of Muir of Ord W.R.I. and after welcoming a number of new members, introduced Mr K. Laing, North Kessock, who showed some scenes of Dingwall and the West Coast, along with many of his delightful shots of children.
25 Years Ago
From the Ross-shire Journal of Friday, October 16, 1992
THE British Empire Medal has been awarded to Lochcarron ambulance stalwart Donald Mackenzie in a ceremony conducted in the village by the Lord Lieutenant Captain Roderick Stirling of Fairburn.
The citation recalled that Donald – Donnie Colonel as he is popularly known – has been involved in the ambulance service since 1952 and from 1968 has been the sole driver taking accident and emergency patients as well as operating the ambulance car service.
During the days of the Kishorn oil boom he thought nothing of making four journeys to hospitals in Dingwall and Inverness both over 60 miles away.
• In the space of ten days since Clach defeated them 0-1 at Grant Street Park, Inverness is the Highland League, Ross County have lost three important games and are now struggling to come to terms with the situation they found themselves in.
Out of the lucrative Scottish Cup competition with its possibilities of riches untold, and endeavouring to keep faith with their supporters and get back on the winning trail and obtain the results which will keep the League Championship in Ross-shire, Ross County have a tough road before them.
They will have to get their act together, and quickly.
