Latest News
22 October 2019
Check Out - Community - Business - Whats On - Arts - Jobs/Vacancies - Classified AdsParking Charges Debate - New Off-street Parking Charges Could Generate Local Investment
A new off-street parking policy which could generate
income for local investment, will be considered on Thursday by members
of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure (EDI) Committee.
Chair of the
Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson said: "The Council manages
infrastructure comprising some 4,000 miles of roads, 100 harbours,
1,400 bridges and over 200 schools. Each year, there is a reducing pot
of money to invest in local infrastructure and services, and to find
solutions for tourist congestion and traffic management across the
region.
The threat for local coucnillors In 2018 was and is still there - "Where local/ city committees decide not to apply new charges or increase charges and this results in a shortfall against budgeted sums agreed by Council, then local/city committees will agree how to deal with the shortfall of income, i.e. they will decide which other Community Services budgets to reduce. They will make these decisions based on evidence, including workforce implications and they can engage communities on the options for service reductions."
20 October 2019
CHAT Team Visit To The New Balfour Hospital in Orkney
Is It Crunch time For Parking Charges?
A
special meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure
Committee of Highland council has been called for Thursday 24th October
2019 at 10.30am in council chambers in Inverness.
The only agenda item is 'Off Street' parking but as of today (Sunday 20
October 2019) the paper has still to be published on the web page. It
is likely that parking charges would be referred to local councillors
for decisions according to previous papers and the one produced for the
Redesign Board on 1ST MAY 2018.16 October 2019
Wick Street Design - Get Along Or Do It Online but Do Put Your Ideas Forward
We
have heard it for years "Why is no one doing anything about the centre
of Wick" Well
now finally something is happening but first Sustrans who have been
commissioned to come up with something want to hear from you. Separate
from that the
newly formed Wick
Development Trust will
take a hard look at what comes out of any report.. And things
are
happening such as the council have agreed to resurface the riverside
car park and make some other changes in that area. The newly
formed trust is in the process of getting its legal documents in order
but first lets hear from as many people as possible in this survey as a
first step.15 October 2019
Dunnet Bay Distillers Is Scottish Gin Distillery Of The Year At The Scottish Gin Awards 2019
The
national awards programme which celebrates excellence in Scottish gin
has revealed the names of the best gins made in Scotland this year, as
part of its 3rd annual competition.
The Scottish Gin Awards revealed the winners last night following a
rigorous judging process involving 30 leading experts from across the
UK, the assessment of 104 written entries and the blind tasting of 173
gins, all distilled in Scotland.
The ultimate award, Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year, was presented
to Caithness-based Dunnet Bay Distillers after phenomenal growth in
demand for their Rock Rose Gins worldwide.2 October 2019
Blasting At Berriedale Braes - Change Of DateCHANGE OF DATE) 8th and 15th October 2019 RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd has been progressing the construction of the road alignment works on the A9 at Berriedale Braes on behalf of Transport Scotland. Further to the previous notice, our recent blast on the 24th September was more successful than anticipated. This has resulted in the requirement to process significantly more rock than originally envisaged.
Time Running Out For Telephone Box Consultation 2019
The
Highland council has been running a consultation about the removal of
110 telephone boxes in Highland. The last list showed there had been no
objections for the removal of Caithness telephone boxes in Castletown,
Halkirk and Latheron.
The consultation closes - no later than 23:59 on 24/10/2019.
Community Index
1 October 2019
Taste North - The Food Festival At John O'Groats
Taste
North 2019 - Sunday 6th October 2019 11am to 4.30pm at
Together Travel - John O'Groats. Taste North 2019 will feature
many foodie and family activities throughout the day including chef's
demonstrations, cocktail masterclasses and workshops. Our incredible
guest of honour this year is Jean Christophe Novelli who will conduct a
number of live cooking demonstrations and be charged with choosing the
winner of the annual baking contest, the Taste North Challenge.
Our
Exhibitor's Market will
offer everyone the opportunity to sample food from local eateries and
producers, taste our local tipples and see an array of artisan crafts
from right here in Caithness & Sutherland. For families there
will
be plenty of children's entertainment and various opportunities for
them to get their hands sticky and learn where their food comes from.
Entry To The
Festival is FREE but make sure you have your parking
ticket if local for free parking otherwise its £2.30 September
Could You Help Shape The Future Of Wick High Street?
Wickers
are being given the chance to help transform their High Street into a
more vibrant, accessible and a welcoming place for everyone to spend
time in, as part of the Town Centre Regeneration.
The Wick Street Design project is being delivered by Sustrans Scotland
in partnership with The Highland Council, Royal Burgh of Wick Community
Council and Local Councillors.
Local residents, business and community groups are invited to drop in
to the Highland Council Offices between 2:00 and 6:00pm on Thursday
17th October 2019 to find out more about the project. There will also
be refreshments as well as child-friendly activities.
There also will be an evening session between 7:00-9:00pm at the
Pulteney Centre.29 September 2019
New Advice Service For Parents Carers and Children
innogy Launches Flexible Wind Farm Fund To Increase Employment Potential
·
Bad á Chẹ Wind Farm Education & Training Fund created to
benefit local residents.
· £133,250 fund per annum now open for applications from residents and community groups.
Following extensive local consultation on the use of the renewables community fund associated with Bad á Chẹ Wind Farm, innogy Renewables UK is delighted that local community councils have agreed to increase its flexibility by distributing the monies not only to community groups but also to individual residents for the purposes of increasing their employment potential. Now open for applications, the Bad á Chẹ Wind Farm Community Fund, valued at £133,250 per annum and index linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI), will enable the funding of local community projects as well as bursaries to access training and education opportunities for individuals living within the community council areas of Latheron, Lybster & Clyth, Halkirk District and Watten.
19 September 2019
Community Projects Benefit Over £80k In CNS Fund Latest FundingSeven community projects are to benefit from over £80k of funding following the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund's latest grant awards. CNSFund Chairperson David Glass said "Our latest funding includes improvements to youth activities, community and recreational facilities as well as progressing an ambitious project to establish a major visitor attraction in Caithness. We are pleased to have received a good level of applications and we continue to encourage community groups to come forward with proposals that will enhance the Caithness & North Sutherland area."
11 September 2019
Wick Indoor Market First Day Success
The
First Saturday of the trial Indoor Market in the foyer of the Caithness
Council offices in Wick was a great success. Three more
Saturdays
will see a different variety of stalls. The venture is part
of
the Wick's community council activities to try to increase footfall in
the town centre.3 September 2019
Dounreay Apprentices Celebrate Completion Of Training Scheme
Seven
Dounreay apprentices have received their indenture certificates at a
special event to mark the successful conclusion of their 4-year
training programme.
The latest group ‘graduating' joined the company in 2015 - the 60th
year apprentices had been part of the workforce at Dounreay and the
first time in more than a decade that design office apprentices had
been recruited.
24 August 2019
A Life Time Of Adventures In Glass - Solo Exhibition By Denis Mann
Currently
on at North Lands Creative in Lybster, Caithness " A
Life Time of Adventures in Glass" a solo exhibition by renowned
Caithness artist and craftsman, Denis Mann. This retrospective
collection features highly regarded works spanning Denis' accomplished
career.
Denis joined Caithness Glass in 1970 where he worked for many years as
an artist, designer and engraver. Today Denis works as an independent
artist and engraver at his studio in Wick. Among Denis's many
accolades, he is perhaps most acclaimed for his work designing and
engraving the Master Mind Trophy.20 August 2019
Action and Adventure For Young People With Air Cadets In Caithness
If
you're a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports
and getting to know people then you're in the right place. Every year
nearly 56,000 air cadets and volunteer staff take part in exciting
events all over the country. And with over 1,000 squadrons across the
UK, you could be one of them.
19 August 2019
A Warm Highland Welcome For Probationer Teachers
One
hundred and seventeen (117) probationer teachers were recently welcomed
to Highland at an Induction course held at Millburn Academy in
Inverness.
The probationer teachers' induction day is the first of a number of
professional learning events throughout the year specifically arranged
to support probationer teacher induction and their ongoing professional
learning.
18 August 2019
Black Saturday Anniversary Flotilla of Boats At Wick Bay - Photos
Black
Saturday was, as reported at the time, a ‘fearful calamity'. In Wick
Bay, alone, some 37 fishermen lost their lives, with countless more
perishing around the coasts. Black Saturday, tragedy as it was, only
accounts for a small proportion of the total numbers of seafarers lost
to the sea along the Caithness coasts, over the decades. To recognise
and remember all those seafarers who lost their lives, a Seafarers
Memorial Group has been established with the aim of designing and
erecting an appropriate memorial that will provide a lasting place of
remembrance. 40 boats sailed out with the flotilla into Wick
Bay where wreaths were laid.13 August 2019
Public Warned Of Algal Bloom Presence At Loch Watten, CaithnessThe Highland Council is warning the public of the presence of an algal bloom at Loch Watten, Caithness, following an examination of sample water on Monday (12/08/19). As a precautionary measure, environmental health have posted notices next to the water body, warning that contact with the algal scum or material should be avoided. Adjoining landowners and fishing interests have been advised of the situation as have NHS Highland and SEPA.
Archaeology Dig to start at Iron Age site in Caithness
The
University of the Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, in
partnership with the Yarrows Heritage Trust, are preparing for a fourth
season of excavation at the Burn of Swartigill in Thrumster, Caithness,
Scotland.
Previous seasons of excavation at the site have uncovered a complex of
Iron Age structures, which are providing an important window into Iron
Age society away from the monumental architecture of the
Brochs.
The 2019 excavations commence on 19th of August and will continue until
8th of September. The site is located near Thrumster House, a few miles
south of Wick......Tours are available and the archaeologists will be
on site every day of the week between Monday 19th and Thursday 29th of
August 2019. The excavation will then continue from Tuesday 3rd of
September until Sunday 8th of September 2019.
Volunteers are welcome and you don't need any archaeological experience
to take part. Contact studyarchaeology@uhi.ac.uk for more information
or arrive on the day!
10 August 2019
Black Saturday Anniversary Flotilla of Boats At Wick Bay
Black
Saturday was, as reported at the time, a ‘fearful
calamity'. In Wick Bay, alone, some 37 fishermen lost their lives, with
countless more perishing around the coasts.
Black Saturday, tragedy as it was, only accounts for a small proportion
of the total numbers of seafarers lost to the sea along the Caithness
coasts, over the decades. To recognise and remember all those seafarers
who lost their lives, a Seafarers Memorial Group has been established
with the aim of designing and erecting an appropriate memorial that
will provide a lasting place of remembrance.
Black Saturday, so named, happened on the morning of Saturday 19th
August 1848 when the scale of the tragedy became obvious. The boats
left as usual on the Friday afternoon but by the evening, the
beginnings of a colossal storm became evident. Many of the boats began
to head for home but in the early hours of the morning the severity of
the storm caused boats to crash against each other as they tried to
gain the mouth of the harbour.
By way of remembrance of those lost during Black Saturday, and the many
more seafarers lost over the years, the Seafarers Memorial Group, along
with others, have organised a commemorative wreath laying ceremony on
Sunday 18th August 2019.
From 2pm on Sunday 18th
August 2019
a flotilla of boats, led by the Isabella Fortuna will leave Wick
Harbour and assemble in Wick Bay where a wreath will be laid in the
waves.
9 August 2019
UNIQUE STEAM DRIFTER LOTTIE 'SAILS' HOME TO WICK
An
unique ship from the 'golden era' of Wick's herring catching
and food-processing industries has 'sailed back' to her home-port, over
70 years since she ceased having a prominent role at Wick Harbour.
A fine model of the Wick steam drifter Lottie (WK 15) has been
bequeathed to The Wick Society by the family of late Mr Jack Slorach,
who served for decades at the school dentist for the county of
Sutherland.
Lottie is unique in being the only stream drifter built at Wick that
went on to spend her entire 40-year career based at the Caithness port.
Mr Slorach was a keen collector of model ships and other antiques at
his home in Golspie.
8 August 2019
Wick Players Invite You To A Script Reading Of Aladdin To Pick The Cast of Aladdin
Christmas
is coming and preparations are already getting underway at Wick Players
for this years pantomime.
If you would like to take part then go along to
the Clubrooms in Moray Street,Wick on 20th August at 7.00pm.7 August 2019
Wind Farms and Other Community Funders in Caithness ListingsRecently we have been building a listing of communcity grant funders available to Caithness organisations. Just added are the Achlachan Wind Farm Fund and the Achlachan Mini Fund. The funders all have different criteria and boundary areas but at least you can now quickly find the web sites for all the information and application forms all in one place. If anyone know of other funders not yet in our listing please send details to bill@caithness.org to add to the listing.
2 August 2019
Mey Highland Games Secures Major Sponsorship Deal With Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityThe Mey Highland Games has agreed received a major sponsorship package totalling £15k with from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the executive non-departmental public body responsible for the safe clean-up of the UK's earliest nuclear sites. NDA is a major contributor to the economy of Caithness, which is home to Dounreay, and Mey Highland Games is the latest local organisation to benefit from NDA support.
Mey Games at John O'Groats Saturday 3rd August 2019 10.00am - 4.00pm.
30 July 2019
Wick Gala 2019 - Children's Fancy Dress
New Funding Opportunities in the Community Pages
John O'Groat Mill Trust Wins £1,000 Movement For Good award
The John O'Groats Mill Trust has won a £1,000 Movement for Good award thanks to nominations from the public. The John O'Groats Mill Trust was nominated to win a £1,000 boost as part of specialist insurer Ecclesiastical's Movement for Good awards , which is giving £1million to charities this summer. Members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts, with 500 gifts of £1,000 available for donation. The John O'Groats Mill Trust was one more than 7,000 charities which were nominated by an amazing 98,000 members of the public to be in for a chance to win a financial boost.
Another Batch of Wick Gala 2019 Photos Thanks To Alistair Sinclair
We are happy to add any other photos if you would like to add to the gallery.
Just email them to bill@caithness.org
28 July 2019
Halkirk Highland Games 2019
Wick Gala 2019 - 400 Photos
26 July 2019
Rare Bird In Caithness - Pink or Rose Coloured Starling
Spotted
by crofters Stephen and Susan Cox on Thursday 25th July 2019 was a rare
visitor to Roster in Caithness. "A pink starling aka the Rosy Coloured
Starling is staying on our croft."
24 July 2019
Living Well Event - Book Now
11
September 2019 - The Nucleus, WickIf you are living with any long term condition in the Highland area this event is for YOU! Specialist talks on Self Management, Living with Fatigue, Pain Management and Hope will be available via video link to all venues. Exhibitors at each venue will offer you the opportunity to find out more about local services.
22 July 2019
Looking Back - Caithness.org July 2009 Wick Gala 2003 July 2005 Thurso Gala 2003 County Show 2003Caithness Folk Oil Photos 2005 - Can any of you send recent oil related photos to show where you work in the world.
WHOOPS XXIII
A
great chance to see what the junior Thurso Players havebeen
learning at the workshops in recent months.The McDonald Collection - Wick photo exhibition
HUNDREDS
of photographs of Wick life spanning more than
half a century are to go on show during the town's gala week.
They will form an exhibition called The McDonald Collection being held
at the St Fergus Church Hall for one day only on Wednesday, 31st July
2019.
On display will be more than 450 prints from the archives of McDonald
Photographers, the family business in Shore Lane run for many years by
Janet McDonald and her late husband Ian.
There will be a mix of black-and-white and colour photographs taken at
community events, special occasions and other assignments covered by
the McDonalds in Wick and district from around 1950 until the early
2000s.
Sunday Family Fun Day Events 28th July
Spoilt for choice with two family fun events Dunnet Bay Rumster Forest So get the kids out for the day.
21 July 2019
Adaptive athletes aiming to smash world records at Mey Highland Games
FOLLOWING
last year's new World Records, athletes from around the world are
preparing to raise the bar even higher. In 2018 Mey Highland Games
became Scotland's first ever Para Highland Games.
Athletes from Help for Heroes, Uncle Sam's Highlanders and Lothian
Disability Sport attending the 2019 Games.
Pioneering Games secures support of the Duke of Windsor's Invictus
Foundation.
Competitors from around the world are in training to attend the Mey
Highland Games 2019, including adaptive athletes from across the UK,
the United States and Australia.
SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST 2019 10.00AM - 4.00PM
20 July 2019
Caithness County Show 2019 - Saturday Photos Start HERE
Hundreds
of photos now added to the gallery including mosot of the days
happenings - horses, clydesdales, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs,
children's races, people, champions parade, vintage tractors parade,
sheaf tossing, dog show, and many many more around the show today.19 July 2019
Caithness County Show 2019 - Friday Photos
Caithness County Show 2019 - Friday Evening and All Day Saturday
Another
great county show in store for the weekend at Riverside, Wick.
The weather forecast is for light showers but not until after
4.00pm. Possibilty of a light shower before 10.00am so we
have a 6 hour window when hoepfully things should be fine.
But hey this is Caithness and we all know all weather is
possible at any time. It never rains on the golf course or
the county show - you just go and enjoy it. See you all there.Can You Afford To Build Your Own Home?
Peter Body of Thermohaus
sets out the financeThis is the second article in a series to help anyone thinking of building their own house by seting out the basics, the finance and much more to show how anyone can do it with the right advice. Before you begin planning your new home it is imperative you set a budget. And, as your build progresses, you must monitor the spend to ensure you stay within budget. We've all seen the TV self-build programmes such Grand Designs and the mess some self-builders get themselves into.
The first article published recently was -
Building Your Own Home Is Easier Than You May Think
17 July 2019
Community Fund Awards Over £70k To Support Leisure Activities!
The
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund has committed over £70k to
six
community projects in its latest round of grant awards. CNSFund
Chairperson David Glass said "This latest investment supports
improvements to recreational amenities and events in Caithness
&
North Sutherland, helping to ensure that people living and visiting our
area can enjoy a high standard of leisure activities. All of these
projects are overseen by volunteers who work hard to improve the
quality of life for our communities and we are pleased to support them
in achieving their plans."
9 July 2019
Thurso Heritage Society Talk - A Top Detective Came From Thurso
Thurso
Heritage Society will host an illustrated talk and book signing with
the guest speaker, author Adam Wood at the Royal British Legion, 7:30
pm Friday 19th July 2019 with a book signing, 10 am - 1 pm Saturday
20th July at Thurso Library.
The book, is the first biography about Thurso born, Donald Swanson who
would begin life in humble beginnings. He left the far north of
Scotland for London in 1867 and became the top detective in the country
in charge of the C. I. D. (Criminal Investigation Department)
7 July 2019
Green Road Playpark, Wick Refurbished By Volunteers
A
group of about a dozen volunteers have done a huge amount of work on
refurbishing the playpark equipment at Green Road, Wick. Old equipment
was repaired and everything got a lick of paint. Some new items that
had been languishing in a council store were built up and installed. On
big basket swing even had some part made by a 3D printer when they
could not source spares from the manufacturers as they no longer had
that line. The high school made the parts and you can see them in white
in the photo as all the other parts are black. New goalposts have been
obtained and installed and the pitch lined. Funds raised from various
sources and more is yet to come as the group shortly hope to install a
zip slide also sitting in a council store. Local contractors have
pitched and the council workmen offered advice on safety and how to do
a few things. Well done to all concerned as this really was a community
project with a great result. There was plenty to see and do for kids
including Face painting and goal scoring skills against Wick Academy
goal keeper.
Friends
of Green Road Playpark FACEBOOK6 July 2019
Canisbay Show 2019
Earlier Years Canisbay Shows HERE
5 July 2019
Great News - Fiends of Green Park Road, Wick Have Successfully Refurbished all the Play Park EquipmentTo celebrate they are having a Fun Day on Sunday 7th July 12:00 - 2:00.
3 July 2019
External Force Asked To Review Death Of Kevin McleodPolice Scotland has asked for an independent review into the death of a man whose body was recovered from Wick Harbour more than 20 years ago. Senior representatives of Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service met with the family of Kevin Mcleod earlier today to inform them that, following consultation with the Lord Advocate, Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has requested Merseyside Police carry out a detailed review of the case under the direction of the Crown. The initial investigation into Mr Mcleod's death in 1997 by Northern Constabulary will be reviewed, along with all further inquiries carried out by Police Scotland since its formation in 2013. Mr Mcleod, an electrician, was last seen in the early hours of February 8, 1997, as he enjoyed a night out with friends in the Caithness town. His body was recovered from the sea the following day.
Lyth Summer Exhibition Launch - Saturday 6th July 4.00 - 8.00pm
Join
us for the opening of our Summer Exhibition Mountains Underwater:
Stroma.
The exhibition also features work by local artists, film and audio recordings of Stroma histories, island artefacts and extracts of recent UHI research conducted on the island. Join us from 4pm for a first look and a celebratory drink at the opening of this exciting new exhibition.
All welcome
Highlands and Islands MSP raises concerns about cancelled operations
Operations
had to be cancelled across NHS Highland because hospitals simply could
not cope, new figures reveal.
Data published by ISD Scotland shows that 45 operations were cancelled
in May 2019 due to non-clinical reasons such as not having enough staff
or unclean equipment.
Canisbay Show - Saturday 6 July 2019
Lots on this year ,
LeisureLink Partners added in time for Summer - More With Your Highlife Card
Just
in time for the school holidays LiveBorders has joined the LeisureLink
partnership to provide access for highlife leisure members holidaying
in the Borders this summer, and adding another eight leisure centres to
the partnership.
This means that highlife members can now enjoy gym and swim at leisure
facilities when on holiday in the Borders, Western Isles, Argyll and
Bute, Orkney and Moray for free as part of their existing membership.
Sports Index
2 July 2019
Summer Holidays Childrens Events With The Rangers 2nd July 2019
Ranger
events for children in the summer holidaysFor a full list of ranger events for adults and kids see HERE
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