TEN YEARS AGO
Thursday November 27, 2013
Inverlochy pupils celebrate
Inverlochy Primary School pupils were celebrating this week, after winning a competition run by the local library service and ReadLochaber.com.
Last month, schools were invited to email in for a chance of winning a set of nine
copies of hilarious children’s book The Clumsies Make a Mess of the School by
Sorrel Anderson.
Inverlochy was randomly selected to win the books, which were presented with them
by local author and ReadLochaber founder Barry Hutchison.
‘I’m delighted Inverlochy has won our first book giveaway,’ said Barry. ‘We have plenty other competitions coming up over the next year, so hopefully other schools will be lucky too.’
All classes in the school took part in the event, with each player paying £1 to enter. £136 was raised for the charity and a great time was had by all the children who also enjoyed some exercise. Photograph: lain Ferguson, The Write Image.
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday November 28, 1998
D-Day for Fort go-kart circuit
Fort William could discover if it is to get its own go-kart circuit on Monday.
Lochaber area planning committee members will hold a special meeting in Lochaber House to address the application for a change of use of serviced industrial land at the rear of the Blar Mhor Industrial Estate, followed by site visits on two other proposals in Fort William.
Paul Campbell has lodged plans to turn this area of ground into a commercial family go-kart circuit with ten karts.
The proposals, which carry a go-ahead recommendation from area planning manager Ken Johnston were first discussed at a planning committee meeting earlier this month. But the matter was deferred to ensure, in the words of committee chairman Councillor
Michael Foxley, ‘that all the neighbours are notified’.
The application has attracted five objections – from Highland Council’s own social work services, Marine Harvest McConnell, Aquasmart UK Ltd, Ballachulish Construction Ltd and Mrs C Turner.
The planning manager is adhering to his recommendation that the application be
granted, subject to conditions.
At 2.15 pm the councillors and officials will make a visit to a site in Union Road, Fort
William, to consider an application by Berkley House Securities. The company
proposes to demolish an existing store building and build nine two-bedroomed flats,
with associated car parking, on land adjacent to Ben Nevis Terrace. The
recommendation is for planning approval, with the committee requiring to wade
through the text of 14 representations by neighbours who are against the development.
An hour later, committee members will present themselves on site to consider an
application by Mr D Livingstone for outline consent to build a house and garage in
Achintore Road. Mr Johnston recommends that it be refused, on the grounds it is
contrary to the Local Plan and the Achintore Road Policy Review.
in a charity Corporate Challenge last weekend. The challenge, at the Outward Bound Centre, Loch Eil, involved the group in many gruelling and wet mental and physical activities in competition with the other participants to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia. Alcan scored in both areas, taking the trophies for scoring most points and raising most money in a day with a total of £158 and an expected £530 when support from the Smelter and friends are collected. Photograph: The Write Image.
SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday November 27, 1948
Ballet in Fort William
People in Fort William enjoyed a delightful ballet display when the Cygnet Ballet Company visited the town on Friday evening.
The entertainment was under the management of the Scottish Committee of the Arts
Council of Great Britain.
Distinguished exponents of the ballet including Veronica Bruce, June Geissler, Charle Grint, Roy Muir and lan Gordon delighted the audience with interpretations of the Ballet At the Shoemakers; The Chaperone; International Ballet and Divertissements.
To vary the programme, Mr Ralph Letts gave a finished pianoforte selection including
the Fantasie Impromptu in C Minor, Chopin; Jewel Caprice, Ralph Letts; Autumne
Chaminade; Paderewski’s Minuet in G and Autumn, Moszkowske.
It is hoped many more opportunities will be granted to the people of the town to enjoy these delightful dancers in future.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday November 24, 1923
Benbecula
The erratic weather since autumn has resulted in the destruction of a large quantity of corn and potatoes throughout the Island.
Rain and storms are persistent.
The loss is very serious and the outlook for man and beast most serious.
The sooner this state of matters is brought to the knowledge of the Board of Agriculture the better for the sufferers.
Potatoes, fortunately, are plentiful in the south.
Mallaig
Notwithstanding unfavourable weather conditions, last week’s herring fishing was quite
successful.
In all, 560 crans were landed selling from 20s to 35s per cran.
The principal shots were ‘Roseacre’ Portsoy 70 crams; ‘Glengannock’ Lossiemouth, 65 crans; Altheus’ Burghead, 60 crans; Valkyrie’ Banff, 40 crans; and Sunspot Lossiemouth, 35 crans.
The principal fishing grounds were Loch Bracadale, Loch Snizort and Dunvegan. A large fleet of East Coast boats is on the ground now.
Weather conditions last week were wintry and more snow fell than during the whole of last winter.
The crofters have given up all hope of getting in the balance of the hay crop and in many cases the hay has been blown away by gales.
Without peat and feeding for their winter stock, the outlook for the west coast
crofters is gloomy.
Featured image: 2013: Inverlochy Primary School book winners. Photograph: lain Ferguson, The Write Image. NO_F47_FromOurFiles_23_01