Ross-shire Journal review of 2024 through our front pages: May

AS we continue our glance back to 2024 through the front page stories of the Ross-shire Journal, it’s time to look at the five-edition month which was May.

There was a fond farewell to a stalwart of a Dingwall firm who had worked with four generations of the same family; another world strongman title for Tom Stoltman and a fond send-off for a plucky Black Isle lad who touched the hearts of thousands.

May 3

We carried a front page picture of workmates at Munro Sawmills in Dingwall wishing Rhodderick Hubbard well after a remarkable 43 years.

Over the course of four generations he knew and worked with four generations of the sawmill family and played a major role shaping the work ethic around him.

The prospect of Dingwall benefiting from a share of a £2bn investment programme under discussion by Highland Council was revealed.

Roads and schools would be included and in Dingwall there would be a focus on establishing so-called points of delivery which could free up under-used or unused space. The far-reaching plans will remain in the spotlight into 2025.

SEE ALSO

More from our front page review of 2024

Ross-shire Journal newsletter twice a week to your inbox

May 10

The role of Tom Stoltman as a positive influence on young people around him in Easter Ross and the wider Highlands was celebrated as he claimed a third World’s Strongest Man title.

Janette Douglas of The Place was amongst those noting the positive impact he can have as a role model. His Invergordon hometown has also benefited from being put on the map for strongman enthusiasts around the world.

May 17

Ross-shire campaigners challenging the massive £1.1bn expansion of overhead powerlines were left feeling “deserted and ignored” and let down by their local representatives.

Dr John Heathcote spoke out for many who felt the fact they would have to live with massive infrastructure for decades to come was being overlooked amidst a drive to ramp up power transmission capability and hook in renewable energy from wind farms.

Meanwhile a Dingwall trainee minister living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus was preparing to take on his fear of heights with a sponsored abseil down a 131ft church tower. “Never let anyone write you off,” said Tommy MacGregor of the challenges he has already overcome.

May 24

A Ross-shire lad who left behind a remarkable legacy before his death at the age of just 10 was being mourned by his mother.

Donna Mitchell said her son Reece, who lived with a variant of Batten disease, had touched the hearts of thousands. There was an outpouring of support for the family who made a massive effort to make every moment of his short life count.

The same front oage also flagged a “memory walk” held in memory of the late Caroline Kennedy, a much-loved former community midwife with NHS Highland.

And we reported the calling of a General Election by then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

May 31

‘Is this the roughest street in town?’ asked the eye-catching headline on the front page.

The roughness referred to a lack of grass-cutting and it was being flagged up by fed-up Cluny Road resident Rod Williamson.

His persistence was to pay off - in the short term at least - when a well-wisher took it upon himself to tidy up the tricky square in question himself.

While you’re here…

If you have found our content during 2024 useful, why not take advantage of a time-limited offer to get online access to all of our Highland News and Media content for a full 12 months for just £10? That includes sister titles like the Inverness Courier, Northern Times and John o’ Groat Journal all accessed through a handy app and available as easy to read e-editions. To find out more and subscribe, use the promo code HECTORMACKENZIE here.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.