100 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, November 8, 1911

Dallas parochial rates - The Dallas parochial assessments for the current year have been fixed as follows: Owners - Poor Rate, 6d; School Rate, 10d - total 1s 4d; Occupiers.- Poor, 2d; School 11d - total, 1s 2d. Last year the rates on owners amounted to 1s 5d, and on occupiers, 1s 4d, so that there has been a reductions of 4d.

Dig at powers-that-be - Forres Mechanics were again on Saturday without an official engagement. Three "off" days inside a month is a state of affairs that does not reflect credit on the powers that rule Northern football, and in all probability there will be the usual grumbling dissatisfaction at the glut of matches towards the end of the season. Experience is an excellent teacher, but it takes a considerable length of time to drive home its lesson, and evidently the Highland League authorities have not yet realised the imperative necessity of seeing that their fixtures are played out before the club are in the glamour of cup-hunting.

50 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, November 8, 1961

Pioneers in marvel of the age - In view of the silver jubilee of BBC Television, celebrated last week - and let it not be forgotten that Britain led the world in this communication medium - it is interesting to recall that Forres has two television "pioneers" - one who was at the distant end of the telecast and the other at the receiving end.

Although the starting-up of the BBC service in Alexandra Palace was in 1936, there were earlier transmissions. Two years previously, Miss Veronica Bruce, Glenervie, Dunphail, was performing in front of television lenses in Broadcasting House - in the basement.

At this end, Mr J.M. Younie, radio engineer, had his set in operation and succeeded in getting some semblance of what was going on in the studio.

"It was mostly like a series of blobs and dots passing over the screen," said Mr Younie to our representative yesterday.

Russian visit - President Wm Cruickshank of the Nairn Club was guest speaker at the Victoria Hotel on Thursday. He gave an account of a visit he and a friend made to Russia in the spring of last year. The most impressive sight in Moscow, the first seen on approaching the place, was the State University. In it there were thousands of professors. He had much of interest to tell, instancing the many contrasts to be found between the ways of life in that country and in the West. The vote of thanks was given by president Dr J.M. Brewster.

25 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, November 5, 1986

Mechanics miss scoring touch - League champions Forres Mechanics' major problem this season was highlighted at Mosset Park on Saturday and also at Telford Street earlier in the week. Against Fort William at the weekend, the Mechanics did get three points from their 3-0 victory, but had 80 per cent of the play and ample opportunities to score at least eight goals. Full credit, too, to Fort keeper MacLean, who had a brilliant game.

The Can-Cans did not have as many chances against Inverness Caley in the floodlit Inverness Cup tie on Wednesday, but were pipped by the homesters in the dying minutes after a most enjoyable game.

Awards - Forres Bluefins held their own club individual medley contest on Sunday in which the trophies were presented to the swimmers with the most improved time in this event.

Winners were Caroline Wood, for 100m IM, taking 10.8 seconds off her previous time, and Andrew Younie, 12 years, for 200m IM, wiping 15.2 seconds off his previous time.

Swimmer of the month for October was Gary Welsh.