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20th April 2007

Durness Youth Club

Picture attached

Durness junior Youth club on board fishing vessel “Sparkling Starr” with skipper James Corbett

Formal regular meetings sand activities came to an end for this session with the junior youth club last week. This was marked with an outing to Kinlochbervie visiting the play park, Fisherman’s Mission for fish and chips and a visit onboard the “Sparkling Starr”. Skipper James Corbett showed all the youngsters around the boat and explained the workings of the fishing vessel. Community youth worker Margery Morrison was helped on the outing by Selena Campbell. Margery’s job will continue part time for May and June while applications are being made to renew the post for a further three years. The outcome of these applications will not be known until June.

Bertie Slater

It was with sadness that friends in Durness learned of the death of Bertie Salter who for the last 12 years had made Sangomore his home. He died in Raigmore Hospital after a short illness on the 3 April. Bert was born in Orphir in Orkney in 1937 and had worked in agriculture all his life. In the 1960’s he was employed at Balnakeil Farm before moving to work on various farms in Aberdeenshire. In 1995 he returned to Durness to work on Keoldale Farm before retiring and staying in the area where he had made many friends. During his working life Bert had won many trophies for sheepdog handling, and for his entries in the sheep and cattle categories at many agricultural shows. He was a regular attendee at all the social events and lunch clubs.  Bert is survived by 2 sisters who live in Ross Shire and a brother in Orphir. The funereal was held at Ophir Church where Bert was buried. Friends from Durness who attended were among those assigned as poll bearers.