View Full Version : Viewfirth
As reported in the Courier today Viewfirth and its adjoining fields are likely to be sold on the open market by the UKAEA unless by some miracle the present comittee raise the necessary funds to keep it as the social club it was set up as when first opened. According to the present chairman this is highly unlikely.
Apparently the UKAEA offered it to the present holders for the market price which if I recall correctly was around £160,000.
I see this as a kick in the teeth to the local community from the UKAEA and although Im not unaware of the commercial implications of such a deal neither am I unaware of the social implications.
The UKAEA has a perfect oppertunity to leave a lasting legacy to the local community by donating the building, totally renovated along with the adjoining fields as a lasting appreciation to the people of Thurso who welcomed the nuclear experiment with open hands and still continue to support the idea of nuclear energy whilst others huff and puff about the dangers of nuclear energy with absolutely no other viable alternative to the energy needs of our planet. As much as I find windmills an attractive and spiritual additive to our countryside please dont peddle the idea that they are in any way an alternative to nuclear energy.
Personally, i think the UKAEA owe it to the local community to create some lasting facility. The potential of something like viewfirth as a centre for sports, arts, education, technology etc etc is endless.
Come on UKAEA take the cotton wool out of your loogs and stick it in your mooths. Donate the whole lot. lock stock and barrel to the local community. Set up a fund of a few million quid, get everyone involved and leave at least one hot spot around Thurso that will be appreciated by future generations.
This hot spot in Thurso which you mention! Would that be similiar to the ones that Dounreay left at Sandside??
Well I think gleeber's got the right idea. It would make me very sad to see Viewfirth knocked down, and the adjoining fields used to make way for another supermarket and parking lot, or the likes. I don't fancy the idea of more flats being thrown up either! The main body of Viewfirth is an attractive Victorian building, and the fields a welcome piece of green in the midst of the surrounding housing estate, with plenty of room for kids to play. Add to that the sentimental value it all has...
Naefearjustbeer
03-Nov-05, 23:05
I have heard that parts of the original building is condemned and would need major money to fix, The only practical solution is too knock it down. It is a nice looking building externally but it is a wreck inside.
All the people that are complaining about the loss of the place should of used it more. If they had done this and the place was financially viable it would have had a chance of surviving as the DSSC
Even if the building is condemned, it will be a shame to see the open space gobbled up by housing. I know the town needs more housing, especially low cost, but can they not try to build on the outskirts. My personal view is that it is nice to have some open space within the town, rather than having a concrete jungle.
The Pepsi Challenge
04-Nov-05, 02:33
They've been delaying the inevitable for years. And I'm sad about it. The place holds many memories, and, for the moment, is still an integral part of Thurso. It will be sadly missed. As Thomas Wolfe famously said: "You can never go home again."
It's a pity there isn't anyone interested in buying the Viewfirth building and refurbishing the interior, as the former West Public School was on Castle Street. The Environmental Research Institute has put that building to good use, whilst leaving the Victorian exterior intact, I'm happy to say.
Come on UKAEA take the cotton wool out of your loogs and stick it in your mooths. Donate the whole lot. lock stock and barrel to the local community. Set up a fund of a few million quid, get everyone involved and leave at least one hot spot around Thurso that will be appreciated by future generations.
Why should UKAEA have to do this just because they are the operator of the Dounreay site? They are to become a Commercial Company in the near future (in fact they are already operating as one). Are there any other commercial/private companies in this area that provide such a facility for the community?
UKAEA don't have a few million quid. Although UKAEA do donate small amounts of money to well deserving local projects, their work is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and the NDA's main remit is the decommissioning of civil nuclear liabilities. UKAEA have to produce a socio-economic document/strategy, but this more to do with future jobs, not social clubs.
Anyhow, it was the Government who set-up the nuclear site in Caithness, not UKAEA. So why shouldn't it be the Government or the Highland Council who could provide such a facility for the local community?
All the people that are complaining about the loss of the place should of used it more. If they had done this and the place was financially viable it would have had a chance of surviving as the DSSC
I agree.
I have to admit there was a fair bit of personal prejudice involved in my original post. Personally I havnt been in Viewfirth since the night in 1978 when I was asked to leave for not being a member. I went home with my tail between my legs but instead saw one of the best football matches i ever saw between France and Argentina in the world cup. Im not interested in seeing some cleakish boozing and social club being retained at Viewfirth where sentimental stories of hot spots and night shift sleeping hideouts were discussed over cheap pints of beer. Viewfirth as a social club meanms nothing to me.
I grew up with Dounreay. Its been the heart of the Caithness economy for 50 years and will be for years to come.
Sandras right. The UKAEA owes nothing to Caithness and It could be argued that Caithness owes everything to the UKAEA.
That being said, the Caithness people were given Dounreay as an experiment where if anything went wrong the damage would be limited.
It can be argued that lots has gone wrong, but I support Dounreay, warts and all.
I can see no reason apart from the miserly commercial one mentioned by Sandra why the UKAEA cant leave a legacy of excellence as an appreciation to the people of Caithness for their participation in the nuclear experiment. Other private or commercial business dont do it but their effect on a community as large as Caithness is much less powerful than the disappearance of Dounreay from the economy.
Theres not a part of the world technologically or geographically not touched by someone who learnt their trade at Dounreay.
I believe the UKAEA have a moral obligation to consider the long term economic and social implications of their withdrawl from Dounreay.
A renovated Viewfirth with a few million quid in the kitty would go a long way to securing a lasting legacy where future generations of Caithnessians and visitors alike can be reminded of the part Caithness has played in the development of modern civilisation.
Bobinovich
05-Nov-05, 17:38
I must agree with you Gleeber. I think the loss of such a building and it's surrounding green space would be a tragedy to the 'Atomics' area and to Thurso in general. Yes we've got Millbank and the Dammies at the bottom end of town, but those up at the top of the hill need something more than the wee space next to Frasers!
Yes the building would need some renovating, but not as a private club. If they'd opened it up to other members then maybe it would have survived the commercial onslaught better. The town could use a public building for meetings, parties, entertainment events, etc and that hall would make a grand replacement for when the town hall gets converted to it's proposed purpose.
It could keep a bar and possibly catering facilities and given the right involvement it could make an evening & weekend leisure centre where kids could go and hang out thereby getting them off the streets.
Ach, just a few ponders...
Sandra, are you the selling agent? From the corporate-clone tone of your post I can but assume that you work for the present-day Ukelele -- an organisation that's not even a pale shadow of its 60s former self. Don't forget that the Ukelele constructed not only most of Dounreay but most of the UK's nuclear-power stations in pre-BNFL/NNC/.../British Energy days. Their employees had souls and social consciences in those days too. Some of us grew up socially at Viewfirth and we don't exactly appreciate miserly corporate-clone mumbo-jumbo from modern meanies. Gleeber is dead right -- as usual.
But I'll give you one thing, you have learned to mouth that old Caithness adage "Let's get the council to pay for it." Gaaaawwwddd, if I had a pound for every time I've seen someone say that on this website I would be able to buy Viewfirth myself and have enough change not to give a hoot whether it's financially viable or not.
On the other hand...
£160,000? Sounds like a bargain to me. Let's club together and buy it! We could turn it into the veritable community hot-spot that the Ukelele meanies are evidently unwilling or incapable of doing. :p
Maybe Mr Fraser of Frasers could chip in. If I recall correctly, he & his buddies used to prop up the bars in there even more than I did.
Who wants to make Viewfirth a shining example of Life After Death? :cool:
Sandra, are you the selling agent? From the corporate-clone tone of your post I can but assume that you work for the present-day Ukelele -- an organisation that's not even a pale shadow of its 60s former self. Don't forget that the Ukelele constructed not only most of Dounreay but most of the UK's nuclear-power stations in pre-BNFL/NNC/.../British Energy days. Their employees had souls and social consciences in those days too. Some of us grew up socially at Viewfirth and we don't exactly appreciate miserly corporate-clone mumbo-jumbo from modern meanies. Gleeber is dead right -- as usual.
Yes DrSzin, I do work for UKAEA. I have worked for them for 14 years, 2 of those at Dounreay. However, the views I posted are personal views and not those of the company, not corporate mumbo jumbo. I cannot speak for the company nor other employees.
You’ve probably noticed, but it’s no longer the 60’s :p, and the company has moved on. UKAEA has changed beyond recognition since then. The latest step is to become a commercial company. How many other commercial/private companies are expected to have a social conscience?
I think it’s time for the local community to accept the changes taking place, and to stop expecting the UKAEA to act the way it did in the ‘good old days’.
On the other hand...
£160,000? Sounds like a bargain to me. Let's club together and buy it! We could turn it into the veritable community hot-spot that the Ukelele meanies are evidently unwilling or incapable of doing.
£160k may sound like a bargain, but how much would it cost to renovate the building and ensure it is up to modern standards etc? It is probably the cost of renovation that has put off potential buyers.
Also what buyer would want to buy a run down building with the high costs of renovating it on top, when they can knock it down and sell off the land for a much greater price?
I am sure most of us would love for UKAEA to renovate and donate the building to the local community, but they have tried to sell it as a going concern, to keep it as a social club, but to no avail, hence why they are now selling it on the open market. In other words UKAEA have done all they can.
.
You’ve probably noticed, but it’s no longer the 60’s :p, and the company has moved on. UKAEA has changed beyond recognition since then. The latest step is to become a commercial company. How many other commercial/private companies are expected to have a social conscience?
Even though you use the right language to decimate the economic backbone of Caithness Your probably right Sandra. Theres no need for the UKAEA to use something you call social conscience in a socially responsible way way towards the local community. Its a purely corporate decision and I accept that.
It doesnt make it socially responsible though.
Theres 2 sides to the socially responsible argument. Yours and mine.
Maybe its sentimental twaddle but theres something about the Viewfirth and the Viewfirth green thats special to Thurso, and needs to be protected against corporate decisions. Viewfirth is as much a part of Thurso as the Needle ee or Roert Dick.
The UKAEA created it as a social and cultural centre in the 60s.
What price to leave a lasting legacy to the people of Thurso than to keep it forever?
Theres no need for the UKAEA to use something you call social conscience in a socially responsible way way towards the local community.
I would just like to point out it was not me who first used the term 'social conscience', it was DrSzin.
Maybe its sentimental twaddle but theres something about the Viewfirth and the Viewfirth green thats special to Thurso, and needs to be protected against corporate decisions. Viewfirth is as much a part of Thurso as the Needle ee or Roert Dick.
I feel that your sentimental views on Viewfirth are clouding your judgement on this subject.
The UKAEA created it as a social and cultural centre in the 60s.
What price to leave a lasting legacy to the people of Thurso than to keep it forever?
As I have said before, although maybe not in quite so much detail, UKAEA have exhausted all avenues in trying to resolve this issue. I believe, that amongst other things, they even looked into building a new social club in a different location in Thurso, as well as trying to sell the current one to someone/a company who would keep it as a social club. So they do have a social conscience and have been socially responsible.
In other words UKAEA have done all they can.
UKAEA may own the building and the land, but they do not run the social club, that is the responsibility of the DSSC. Maybe it is them you should be lobbying.
Also, it is not for UKAEA to 'donate' the building and the land, not when they are responsible to the NDA, the UK Treasurey (or however you spell it), and ultimately the tax payer.
The Pepsi Challenge
07-Nov-05, 09:45
Sandra, do you come from Thurso at all? If so, do you still live there. Just asking. Thanks...
Pepsi Challenge
I have lived in Thurso for two years. Prior to that I live in Oxfordshire, England, where UKAEA have another site.
The Pepsi Challenge
07-Nov-05, 19:56
I had a hunch you weren't local - or at least hadn't lived in the town long enough to understand why the Viewfirth means so much to the townsfolk. I don't mean any offence, by the way.
No offence taken Pepsi Challenge.
I have not been refuting the importance of Viewfirth to the local community, but discussing the practicalities of donating the facility, and the high expectations put upon UKAEA.
Sorry for the above i never used the new forum yet
I think its a shame to see the viewfirth close i used to be a member there and drink in there a lot and play snooker.For me the viewfirth was a very friendly place and quite big place that catered for all ages and did all the functions from playing bingo to the nashville dance. and at the time when i member i realy enjoyed going to that club and it holds a lot of memorys for everyone that goes there.I know times change and most social clubs dont make profit to what they used to but dounreay could consider handing over the club to the members and give social club a chance to sink or swim.
And personally we should be supporting social clubs because there getting more scarce and instead of drinking at the local bars were there making good profit u could support the clubs buy drinking there instead. social clubs have a better atomsphere than public bars
I have not been refuting the importance of Viewfirth to the local community, but discussing the practicalities of donating the facility, and the high expectations put upon UKAEA.
Sandras right and I havnt got a leg to stand on if I accept her stance as the corporate cut-throat.
But I dont!
Her stance is only about money. Nothing else!
Pepsi Challenge put his finger on the button and thats my stance. Theres something special about Viewfirth for those of us who grew up in Thurso. Thurso's a unique town with a unique history. The present day Thurso was created by the UKAEA in the 50s and your saying the UKAEA has no social responsibility to the local community? Viewfirth is symbolic of the atomics. For the UKAEA ti sell Viewfirth would be like the town council selling Old St Peters church to Barrett Homes.
Everyone knows the UKAEA are leaving other lasting memories of their stay at Dounreay for generations to come so high expectations works both ways.
Tax payers money gets spent on stupider things than Viewfirth but personally I would hold the UKAEA responsible for the few million quid it would take to set up? For goodness sake, a few million quid in a budget of how many billion?
Bobinovich
08-Nov-05, 00:02
I would still suggest that the Viewfirth, if donated to the people of Thurso, should be used for a facility other than a social club - it's been tried and obviously hasn't worked, so put it to better use.
I don't think it's unreasonable for the building and ground to be donated to the town - £160k is nothing to how beneficial the site has been as a test facility over the years - and also considering that the town opened it's arms to the site and it's workforce all those years ago.
Sandra, as has already been mentioned, you have no concept of the relevance of the Viewfirth to those who frequented the place. I was too late to see it's heyday but still have my own fond memories including meeting my wife at a disco there, my kids' (and their friends) birthday parties, and a number of open-air music festivals held on the green, amongst many others.
I was not aware of the situation at the DSSC but I would have been/be quite happy to lend any support.
The Pepsi Challenge
08-Nov-05, 03:46
This is now the official Save The Viewfirth thread. Say "aye" here if you'd like to see UKAEA (or Ukelele as Szin so elegantly and humourously puts it), dontated to the Thurso people. Some of my best (and worst) times in Thurso were spent there. It has a value some can't see. That's not a slight on people who have moved to Thurso in recent years. From snooker to live music, from birthday parties to dancing, from socialising to badminton and beyond - the Viewfirth has been a part of Thurso's make-up since it was built. Please don't take the slap off it now.
"Aye!"
When it closes the Concert's will have to be moved to a new venue, also does the blood donating not take palce there too.
Many things will have to be relocated.
As for the field, I played football a lot there but it's full of dog muck ad was often waterlogged so wasn't great for playing on.
It would be nice to have some green left though, they seem to be building a lot of accomodation right now.
Are there not flats being built between Dunnets and the Co-op?
Looking at what Viewfirth has become it may be difficult for people to imagine the great establishment that it was. From the kids Christmas parties to dances where the queue was half way down the hill to get in, everything was catered for.
Many people in Thurso today will never know what Viewfirth was, Sandra is one of those. She is correct in stating that the running of the club is the responsibility of the DSSC – the current state of the Viewfirth is their and their predecessors fault. However UKAEA have a responsibility to the community they created and can rectify the situation by ensuring that Viewfirth remains part of the community.
Please spare us this weeks corporate waffle from UKAEA, they have the ability and means to make it happen.
The Pepsi Challenge
08-Nov-05, 06:05
As Scotsbhoy said.
This is now the official Save The Viewfirth thread. Say "aye" here if you'd like to see UKAEA (or Ukelele as Szin so elegantly and humourously puts it), dontated to the Thurso people. Some of my best (and worst) times in Thurso were spent there. It has a value some can't see. That's not a slight on people who have moved to Thurso in recent years. From snooker to live music, from birthday parties to dancing, from socialising to badminton and beyond - the Viewfirth has been a part of Thurso's make-up since it was built. Please don't take the slap off it now.
"Aye!"
And an "Aye, Aye!" from me! :)
Pepsi wrote:
As Scotsbhoy said.
I hope you are not trying to get me annoyed!! ;) [lol]
The Pepsi Challenge
08-Nov-05, 15:43
Sorry, I forgot you were our token Rangers supporter ;-)
"Languishing in 4th" they say.
I must agree with you Gleeber. I think the loss of such a building and it's surrounding green space would be a tragedy to the 'Atomics' area and to Thurso in general. Yes we've got Millbank and the Dammies at the bottom end of town, but those up at the top of the hill need something more than the wee space next to Frasers!
Yes the building would need some renovating, but not as a private club. If they'd opened it up to other members then maybe it would have survived the commercial onslaught better. The town could use a public building for meetings, parties, entertainment events, etc and that hall would make a grand replacement for when the town hall gets converted to it's proposed purpose.
It could keep a bar and possibly catering facilities and given the right involvement it could make an evening & weekend leisure centre where kids could go and hang out thereby getting them off the streets.
Ach, just a few ponders...
Well said, Bobinovich! Your sentiments are the same as mine.
What I'd like to know, is if any builders, joiners, etc. have actually been brought into Viewfirth recently to do an official estimate on the cost of renovations? I know it wouldn't be cheap, but surely MILLIONS of pounds, as quoted by Sandra, is a bit of an exaggeration???
Sandra, as has already been mentioned, you have no concept of the relevance of the Viewfirth
Bobinovich, firstly, I have never said I have no concept of the relevance of Viewfirth. Secondly, as I have said earlier, I am not refuting the importance of Viewfirth. Just because I have not participated in the sentimental side of the topic, does not mean I have no concept of the relevance of Viewfirth.
Please spare us this weeks corporate waffle from UKAEA, they have the ability and means to make it happen.
Scotsboy, if you have read the posts more carefully, you will realise that I have already said that I am not spouting corporate waffle, but my own personal views. I cannot speak for UKAEA.
I know it wouldn't be cheap, but surely MILLIONS of pounds, as quoted by Sandra, is a bit of an exaggeration???
Sporran, if you read the posts more carefully you will realise it was not me who quote MILLIONS of pounds. I was simply answering a post by Gleeber who had actually quoted that amount.
The present day Thurso was created by the UKAEA in the 50s and your saying the UKAEA has no social responsibility to the local community?
Gleeber, I did not say that, I was merely questioning why so many feel UKAEA should, just because UKAEA ‘created the community’.
I have never said that Viewfirth should not be donated by UKAEA, but merely discussing the practicalities/financial aspects of donating the facility and the high expectations put upon UKAEA to do so.
Tax payers money gets spent on stupider things than Viewfirth but personally I would hold the UKAEA responsible for the few million quid it would take to set up? For goodness sake, a few million quid in a budget of how many billion?
A few million quid would make a huge difference to the programme of work they are carrying out, ie removing hazards from a nuclear research establishment, and thereby making the site a lot safer and cleaner for future generations.
A few million quid would make the difference between carrying out a job or not! Just because their budget is £2bn over 36 years, does not mean they have a few million to spare. You do not seem to realise the sheer cost of decommissioning the site. I fear you have £ signs rolling in your eyes LOL.
Personally, as a tax payer, I would prefer for UKAEA to get on with their job of decommissioning and site restoration, and not waste valuable money on renovating a building, purely because of peoples/bygone ‘memories’.
Having said all that, as someone who lives in the local community, I agree it would be nice to have a profitable social/sports club in a purpose built building, but not at the expense of the decommissioning programme.
I would also like to add that any ‘profit’ UKAEA make from the sale of the building/land will go straight back into the business and enable them to carry on the good work of decommissioning the site.
cezzy1234
08-Nov-05, 21:40
hi i know it has already ben sold for market development i have in side information on this
masseyboy
08-Nov-05, 22:57
sold already lord a new tourist attraction a glow in the dark supermarket, how any one would want land near a nukie plant I'll never know
sold already lord a new tourist attraction a glow in the dark supermarket, how any one would want land near a nukie plant I'll never know
masseyboy - Viewfirth and the land surrounding it is in the middle of Thurso, and nowhere Dounreay.
masseyboy
08-Nov-05, 23:04
if it's owned by UKEA it got to be dirty I don't trust em
Sandra wrote:
Scotsboy, if you have read the posts more carefully, you will realise that I have already said that I am not spouting corporate waffle, but my own personal views. I cannot speak for UKAEA.
Sandra, I have read your posts very carefully and it sounds just like all the soundbites that I was exposed to whilst working at Dounreay for 18 years.
Please do not patronise us with the "few million quid would make all the difference" nonsense.........the majority of people on here are all too aware of the millions that have been (and continue) to be spent on cosmetic/aesthetic whims to satisfy senior management who would be hard pressed to find the plants that contain the hazards.
The Pepsi Challenge
09-Nov-05, 07:26
Here I go again (I can't believe this), but, as scotsboy said.
There's a lot of nostalgia being churned out here, which is OK, except many of the people churning it out haven't supported the club in recent years. UKAEA can no longer give money away as they are funded by the NDA, the public purse, and a good thing too in my opinion, enough money has been wasted over the years. The ones that could step in if they had a bit of foresight would be the Council, or CASE or some other public body prepared to support Thurso and ensure a bit of open space and maintain some semblance of character in the town, of which there isn't much now in my opinion. No way should any buildings appear on the green - look at London - square miles of green parks worth an absolute fortune but nobody will ever build there. Anyone been lobbying their councillor's / MP's?
The Pepsi Challenge
09-Nov-05, 10:36
Not a chance. Thurso, in the main, is the most apathetic place I've ever encountered. Everyone has to have a home town, though, and it's mine and I'm proud of it. But yes, a little more vision and common sense is required.
Without wishing to go off on a tangent I would say that it is not a case of people not supporting the club, rather than the club not doing anything for the members or the community. There was so much mis/bad management of the club that it ended up in the state that it is in – and this started when UKAEA took a back seat.
However the basic fact is that it is an imposing building, on the top of a hill that has an expanse of green around it in the middle of the town – it should remain so, rather than trying to make a fast buck the new financial conscious (sic) UKAEA should ensure it remains so. I’m certain that one of UKAEA’s goals is to maintain maximum support from stakeholders…..what better way to start.
don't forget that the majority of the land in front of the Viewfirth is actually council land - the Viewfirth green only extends to where the flagstone wall used to be, however in saying that I personally think it would be a crime to build yet more crammed houses in this space - leave it alone
don't forget that the majority of the land in front of the Viewfirth is actually council land - the Viewfirth green only extends to where the flagstone wall used to be, however in saying that I personally think it would be a crime to build yet more crammed houses in this space - leave it alone
I'm not clear - are there actually plans to build on the green?
What's up with Viewfirth? Does nobody go there any more, or it is worse than that? Do they still have dances at the weekend? Who can join nowadays? Is it still UKAEA employees and their families only, or have they opened it up to everyone that works at Dounreay, or even to everyone?
Whatever happened to the Folk Club?
Does no-one drink there or play snooker any more? If not, why not?
Just trying to get to grips with what's happened. It would be a pity if it closed down.
Murdina Bug
10-Nov-05, 21:24
Application Number:05/00512/OUTCA
Application Type:Outline Application
Date of Validation:2 November 2005
Description of Works:Demolition of existing buildings and erection of mixed mainstream and affordable housing
Location of Works:Dounreay Sports & Social Club, Duncan Street, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7HS
Grid Reference:311228, 968244 Ward:Thurso West
Applicant or Applicant’s Agent:UKAEADr R Crawford, Dounreay, Thurso, KW14 7TZ
Case Officer/Tel:Andrew Parker,
There you go - the application for demolition is in so if you have any objections you may want to start drafting them now.
Well, ats at then eh?
sum1s living rm is gonna b erected on e site o one o ma less proud moments. maybe hids 4 e best. no more 3inch heels sinkin in e mud efter a few drams too many. :confused:
What's up with Viewfirth? Does nobody go there any more, or it is worse than that? Do they still have dances at the weekend? Who can join nowadays? Is it still UKAEA employees and their families only, or have they opened it up to everyone that works at Dounreay, or even to everyone?
Whatever happened to the Folk Club?
Does no-one drink there or play snooker any more? If not, why not?
Just trying to get to grips with what's happened. It would be a pity if it closed down.
Crayola, I used to be a member of Viewfirth many years ago. Some current long time residents of Thurso will hopefully post some more accurate information on here. But as far as I know, a lot of the social activities in Viewfirth started dying down in the 1980s. The Folk Club was almost non-existent by around 1980, I believe, although it was going strong throughout most of the 70s. We were lucky enough to be entertained by many well known folk musicians from around the UK, and even some from the US, back then! The local folk performers were very talented too. :)
It's a great pity that when business started to flounder, someone didn't think of turning the Dounreay Sports and Social Club into the Thurso Sports and Social Club, by welcoming more members, and therefore increasing profits. Had that been the case, there might have been enough revenue to keep the building maintained, and it wouldn't be facing the demolition squad as it is today! :rolleyes:
The Pepsi Challenge
11-Nov-05, 09:54
So - another nail in the coffin that is Thurso society, eh? Well done. No more snooker, no more badminton; no more dancing and no more playing football on its parks; less places for kids to play and no more birthday parties; one less place to meet and socialise, one less piece of history in the town. Worse, and just when it was being reviatlised by some forward-thinking young folks, no more live (and original) music either. The day they pull down Viewfirth will be a sad day. It almost seems that we're destined to spend our lives (in Thurso at least) indoors on the Internet, watching DVDs and listening to our iPODs in a world of silent isolation. Whoever ultimately pulled the plug on this place... well, I hope you're happy: another piece of my growing up comes crashing down. Thomas Wolfe was right: "You can never go home again."
That's a great post by The Pepsi Challenge. I too have had some of the best times and some of the worst times at Viewfirth. The rich tapestry of life that was once woven there is being left to unravel by uncaring modernity and its corporate masters. Soon all that'll be left of Thurso is a vast virtual network of PCs and iPods communicating across these message boards. A sad, sad day for the town indeed. :(
Might as well move the town to Cumbernauld or East Kilbride cos no-one will notice the difference.
Does anyone know when the demolition squad is due to carry out its dastardly deed? :(
Perhaps gleeber or some other folk in Thurso would be kind enough to take several photos of Viewfirth before demolition day, and post them on here, please....
There are a couple of pix of Viewfirth in the Sweyn Road Gallery (http://www.caithness.org/atoz/thurso/photogallery/thumbs.htm?0?38). See photies 8 & 9.
Those stane dykes were the scene of a few knee-trembling experiences I can tell you. ;)
How about someone does what sporran suggests and goes to Viewfirth and takes lots of photies of before and after she receives her death mask? Gleeber? Bill?
'twill be a sad, sad day for all who sailed in her.
I already saw those photies taken fae Sweyn Road, thanks, Crayola. But I'd also lek til see some taken front oan o' Viewfirth, an' closer in aboot. Heck, maybe hid's time 'e local artists sat in 'e Viewfirth Green wi' paint an' brush til 'e canvas as weel! An' if oanyene's sellin' aff some Viewfirth steen aifter 'e inevitable dastardly deed, I widna be above buyin' a piece til sit oan ma mantelpiece...
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