the Gowlands

GOGGIN v PAULINE GOGGIN

Thank you for the letter and the letters from Drever and Heddle.

There are of course matters which arise from the content.

DEALINGS WITH MRS GOWLAND

Mrs Gowland contacted Pauline in July 94 about the safety of a

goat she sold to Mr and Mrs Burr at Deerness. The goat was dry

and not milking but was to have potential as a good milker. Mrs

Gowland accused the Burrs of miss treating the goat and she was

concerned to find it a good home. I was reluctant to take on

other persons problems as we had 173 goats on the property and

I considered we were over stocked. I had known the goat known as

Dilly before , She was awkward to milk, had poor udder

conformation and was strong and mindless. I had a selection of

poor quality goats and was in no mood to accept other peoples.

I spent a considerable amount of money to up grade the herd and

ensure its medical status was good. A new goat would compromise

all I had achieved to date therefore it would have to be tested

and cleared before it was brought into the herd. I would not

consider anything less. Pauline and Marilyn Gowland were close

friends, but I held out for the testing, and agreed to pay the

vets fees.

The goat arrived in a good condition, was strong and had no signs

of miss treatment, The goat was in better condition than

Marilyn's stock. I wormed and treated the animal for,coccidia ,

and gave it a full course of Hyptovac, and cobalt as a precaution.

On 30 September I saw Mrs Gowland on watch in the Ops room in the

presence of 2 regular Coastguard Officers and told her that I had

received a vets bill, and the testing fee was not included. The

vet Mr Mcharg, in the presence of his wife informed me, that the

Gowland's had been billed for the treatment. I was aware that the

Gowland's financial position was precarious and she could ill

afford a large bill. I told her to let me know how much it cost,

and to submit an invoice, to go through the books

I have never received an invoice, I have never been told a

price, but thought it could be in the region of £30, the price I

last paid for individual testing.

I am incensed that I have been accused of withholding payment of such a small amount.

I would expect an apology at the very least. I think the relationship between Pauline and Marilyn Gowland needs to be clarified.

In 1992 Dennis and Marilyn Gowland, short of cash, asked to be

employed as Auxiliary Coastguards at Kirkwall.

Marilyn completed training Dennis did not. Marilyn commenced work

as an Ops room Assistant in the summer of that year. Pauline

considered Marilyn to be her closest friend, and they met

regularly.

In 1993 Pauline was upset that Marilyn was aware of events at the Station she knew nothing about, or I never told her of. Idle ops room gossip seldom filters up to Management level.

In the later part of 93 early 94 a Senior watch Officer complained that Marilyn was flirting with the staff and was concerned that some members were vulnerable.

In 1994 Pauline told me in confidence that Marilyn had gone too far with a watch

officer and was on the verge of an affair. I was not told with whom the affair was with but it was with someone who's marriage was in difficulty, I had a short list of 2 vulnerable watches.

I ensured she kept to a minimum, watches with these 2 watches, and

she spent more time with the other watches, which we not so easily flattered or flirted with. I told none of the staff or other management what I was doing, but did receive a nasty unsigned letter of complaint about her conduct in less than flattering terms.

I suspect it was at the instigation of a regular officers wife. As the letter was not signed I treated it with contempt and disposed of it. On reflection I should have kept it.

Pauline knows and some suspect the imminent breakdown of Mrs

Gowland's marriage, family and social life. I suspect Mrs Gowland

will support Pauline in her endeavours through fear it may all come out. I see no other reason for her behaviour.

Finally as you have seen in the case of the straw, wheelbarrow

etc. I pay the bills in good faith first then seek redress later

yours faithfully