Times Past

25 Years Ago

Lerwick licensed traders have joined forces to stop the new Clickimin leisure centre getting a drinks licence. Twelve hotels, pubs and licensed restaurants have lodged objections to the Clickimin application for a licence to be considered by the licensing board on Tuesday.

The licensees claim that Lerwick is already served by licensed premises and that the building is not suitable for selling alcohol. They point out that many under-18-year-olds will be using the building.

Centre manager Andy Mayers said this week he was “stunned” by the reaction of the licensees. He said the nearest licensed premises to the centre were half-a-mile away and the bar was so small it was not likely to affect trade in established premises.

Mr Mayers said that of course young people would be using the centre but because of that extra care would be taken by his staff. “The licensed area in the building is very clearly defined and very, very high standards will be set for the area,” he said.

The objection was lodged by Mr Jim Williamson, owner of Kveldsro Hotel, and supported by the licensees of the Lerwick Hotel, Grand Hotel, Queen’s Hotel, Lounge Bar, Thule Bar, Excelsior, Douglas Arms, North Star Cinema, Noost Restaurant, Bowies Restaurant and Queen’s Hotel Coffee Shop.

Clickimin Trust chairman, Mr John Nicolson, said he was “extremely surprised at the extent of tunnel vision displayed by those who have identified with the objection. Only yesterday there was a considerable amount of money put towards the Shetland hotel trade because of events associated with the centre”.

50 Years Ago

Among the Russian fleet now in the Shetland area are two rescue ships, and it was announced at Lerwick Harbour Trust’s monthly meeting on Tuesday afternoon that the commodore of the Russian fleet had informed Capt. W. S. Inkster that the rescue ships will be available to go to the aid of any vessel which requires assistance.

The harbourmaster is in possession of the call signs for both vessels, and will be able to transmit a message to them if the occasion arises.

The announcement was greeted with satisfaction by the trustees.

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Obituary – Skipper Andrew Goodlad of the 75-ft. “Cornucopia” died in an Aberdeen hospital on Wednesday following an illness lasting two months. Mr Goodlad of Hamnavoe, Burra Isle, was in his 57th year, and was seventh son of the late Mr and Mrs Thos. A. Goodlad. This is a well-known Burra Isle fishing family and of the eight sons and three daughters, six sons and two daughters are still alive. Mr Goodlad was a fisherman all his life and sailed as skipper on the “Water Lily” and “Provider” before becoming skipper and part-owner of the “Cornucopia” in 1948. In addition to prosecuting the seine net fishing and herring fishing in Shetland he often went to the English herring fishing. Shortly after the New Year Mr Goodlad became ill and after a short stay in a Lerwick hospital he was moved to Aberdeen. Mr Goodlad is survived by his wife, a daughter in Lerwick and another in London. Sincere sympathy is extended to them in their sudden loss.

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Scalloway Notes: Queer Bag – Magnus Sinclair jun., New Road, got a big surprise when emptying a creel set near the Blacksness slipway. Trapped in the creel was one lobster and a four foot otter.

100 Years Ago

Lerwick School Board The New Lady Member – When the minutes had been adopted, the Chairman said – We are glad to say that Miss Jamieson has accepted the appointment, and we see her present to-night. I am sure that we are glad to see her here as member. I noticed on looking at the papers that came to-day that two ladies have got seats on the London County Council for the first time in the history of that body, so the movement is spreading.

Home Lessons – Mr Sinclair introduced the subject of home lessons, saying he had brought it up before. He understood there was some dissatisfaction at the amount of home lessons, and suggested that either the Board or a committee should go into the matter and see if there was any ground for it. This was a matter that seemed to be affecting the whole country, and it was to see if there was any truth in these reports, and if so, to do something to try and better the state of affairs, that he brought the matter up.

The Havera Difficulty – Mr Pottinger said there was another small matter that had been up there a considerable number of times, that was the matter of getting a teacher or some person or other to undertake the education of the few children who were in the island of Havera. They would remember that he had submitted a letter which Mr Logie had got from a gentleman in the south, mentioning a lady’s name in the island, who, it was thought, would be suitable for the work, and they instructed Mr Ganson to make enquiries, although they never got any reply.

The Chairman – I understand that he found the lady would be suitable.

Mr Pottinger said he had met a Havera man the other day, and he gave the name of this same woman. The man had spoken to her, and she was willing to take up the work. He (Mr Pottinger) replied that it was a matter of the Department recognising her.

Mr Loggie – She has already sent in an application.

Mr Pottinger – I did not know that. I think the Board should not hesitate any longer, but try and get something done.

The Chairman – In order to bring the matter to a practical issue, we would require to enter into communication both with this lady and with the Department.

Mr Loggie said he had a letter from her, in which she stated that Mr Ganson had written her and she thought it would be better for her to put in an application.

The Chairman – We had better in the first place send this information to the Department to see whether they would approve of this course.

This was arranged, and the meeting then sat in committee.