News Archive - July 2003
[June 2003] [August 2003]
31st July 2003
Sandside
Gardens Open Day
10
August 2003 2.00 - 4.30pm
Vintage Vehicles with best receiving the Sandside Cup
Weydale Reunion Date changed
18th October 2003 instead of the 11th as the venue wasn't available on
that evening.
Wick Gala - Fancy Dress Football Match
The
Fire Brigade played the Lifeboat team in a fun football match that ended
in a penalty shoot out to decide the winner. Can anyone say who won
in the end?
Castletown Junior Football
Club Head For Prestigious Tournament
A group of under tens from Castletown will be heading south this weekend
to compete in the Loch Lomond Youth Soccer Festival in Glasgow. The
prestigious tournament, which is held at the West of Scotland Science
Park, Garscube, is sanctioned by the SFA and FIFA, and attracts team from
as far away as the USA.
Broadband
For Thurso - Nearly At 500
Broadband registrations are currently standing at
477. So all of you in the Thurso area get out and find someone you
know who wants Broadband but has so far not been able to find out how to
sign up. And Wick folk get signed up or we will be lagging far
behind Thurso.
Caithness
Riders Access Group AGM
AGM on Monday 4th August at Brown Trout Hotel 7.30 All welcome.
Speaker From British Horse Society.
Animal Rescue - Caithness
About 00:37hrs on Monday 28th July 2003 Police at Thurso were
called to a report of a dog having fallen over a 60' cliff at
Scarfskerry. On Police attendance it was established that access
could not safely be made to the dog and the Marine and
Coastguard Agency were requested to assist. Nine
volunteers from John O'Groats MCA Search and Rescue attended and
about 02:40hrs with the use of rope access "TIMMY" a eighteen
month old Labrador cross was recovered apparently uninjured from
the base of the cliff. He was reunited with his owners, Mr
and Mrs Edwards from Scarfskerry.
29th July 2003
Wick Gala - Braehead Fancy Dress
Children's
Fancy Dress - Wick Gala Week
7.00pm Tonight - Braehead - Childrens's Fancy Dress Parade, Pipe Band in
attendance.
POLICE WARNING RE BOGUS CALLERS
Northern Constabulary are today warning householders about bogus
callers who are currently working within the Force area.
In the Caithness and Sutherland area, a number of calls have
been made to police by members of the public concerned about
callers to their door who would appear to be opportunist
thieves. In a number of incidents in the Wick, Bettyhill
and Dunbeath area, householders have been approached this morning by
a man purporting to be from the Water Board and when householders
are distracted, has made off with money from the house.
Three One Act Comedies - Wick Players In Wick Gala Week Friday 1 August
Rehearsal
Pictures prove Wick Players are ready to provide another great evening. Plays from Caithess, Galway and
Texas promise an evening of light hearted entertainment
Wick Gala - Cycle Races At Riverside
Thurso Pipe Band 90 Years Anniversary Pictures
Coming To Timespan,
Helmsdale
2-29 August - North from Sutherland Ann Davidson.
Paper collage abstracted landscapes of Sutherland and Iceland and
photographs of Iceland and
Glass, Ceramic, Textile Opening Night - all welcome
Saturday 2 August from 7pm
28th July 2003
Busy Time In Caithness
With the past weekend being so busy you might think it was time for
a rest but next weekend will if anything be just as packed with things
going on.
Thurso
Gala gets going on Saturday with their float parade and crowning
ceremony.
Wick Gala
Week is now on and ends with one of the biggest fireworks displays in
the north of Scotland on Saturday night. some folk manage to see
Thurso Gala and then get back for the fireworks about 10.00pm. Also
on are Highland Games at Mey on Saturday 2 August with expectations that
Prince Charles will open the games following his visit last year.
Sunday 3 August has yet another Highland Games At John O'Groats.
Wick Pipe Band carries on with their Scottish Entertainment evenings on
Wednesday nights.
Boys
Brigade Float Pictures In Wick Gala - Builder Carries On After Accident
New
pictures just in from Marc Macdonald of Wick Boys Brigade. And
The float was built
by James Steven and Keith Da Paola with help from some of the boys and
friends of Wick BB Company. The names of the Boys in the group photo are
from the left; Alan Coghill, Eddie Beattie, Greg Thomson, John MacDonald,
Chris Hartley and Marc MacDonald. Keith Da Paola unfortunately couldn't
come on the float as he had an accident on the morning of the gala. He
fell off a ladder whilst painting the side of the float. He was taken to
hospital by ambulance. Later in the day, after having 4 stitches in his
head, he came back and finished what he was doing. Well done Keith
and hope the head is on the mend.
Let's Go to Brora
If you are in the habit of driving right through Brora you might well be
surprised at the places in and around the town. A great beach and
small harbour at the river mouth, a heritage centre, sports facilities, an
ice rink, distillery, famous Capaldi's Ice Cream shop, fishing on river
and loch or at sea, heaps of archaeology, wildlife.
Three Pigs Nearly Missed The Web Site
In
the rush to get record numbers of pictures on the web site we managed to
miss out on this one of three pigs. Apologies to anyone we did
not manage to get a picture of. In one of the busiest Gala nights
ever it was likely someone would be missed. We processed 480
pictures of the Gala and Halkirk Highland Games yesterday - a record
even for us. And yesterday was a big day on the web site as folk
came in to see the pictures pushing visitor numbers higher than ever.
The hit rate has taken off yet again and with only a few days left till
the end of the month it looks almost certain Caithness.Org will smash
through the 6 million hits barrier for one month. We recently
signed up for a new deal to allow us an even higher traffic level as we
were almost bursting our traffic limits each month.
Halkirk Highland Games - Final Pictures
Bonnie Caithness Babies At Halkirk Highland Games
Berriedale Castle History By Michael J Gunn
Thanks
to Michael Gunn for this article on Berriedale Castle
Whale Sighting
From Mary Legg - Highland Ranger
27th July 2003
Wick Gala Night Pictures - All In Now
If you have any You Want To add email them to
[email protected]
25th July 2003
Big Day Saturday -
Halkirk Highland
Games and
Wick Gala
Followed Next Saturday by the start of
Thurso
Gala The fun and games just keep coming in Caithness. Check
the Galas/Games
Show page for more of these events to come or take a look at earlier
years events linked on the page. Busy busy busy. See you in Halkirk
Saturday 12.15pm.
New Scrabster Pier To Be Opened By Prince Charles
The
new Scrabster Pier will be officially opened by Prince Charles on
Wednesday 6 August. The public are welcome to attend the ceremony.
A small number of disabled vehicles will be allowed access to the pier for
the opening. Contact the Harbour Trust for details right away Tel
01847 896744. If heading for the opening remember parking at
Scrabster harbour is limited and you may require to leave your car outwith
the harbour area if there is bit turnout.
Orienteering For Kids Aged 9 - 12 Years
Wednesday 30th July - Can you navigate your way through the forest
using your own skills and a map? Dunnet Forest Entrance. 9 - 12 yrs. £2.
Book at Thurso Service Point. Organised by the Ranger Service in
Caithness
Will Old Marine Inn Be Wetherspoon Pub In Thurso?
Could
this be the site of the next J D Wetherspoon pub in Caithness. Two
sites have apparently been under consideration. The Old Marine Inn a
short walk from the town centre and the Post Office in Sinclair Street
have been looked at. The chain currently has well over 600 pubs in
the UK and still seems to be in expansion mode.
The Alexander Bain in Wick opened a couple of months ago in the Old
Post Office in Market Square.
Baling Straw At Lower Thurso - Is this A Seasonal Record?
The
warm weather of the last few weeks has meant great weather for Caithness
farmers and they have not been missing the opportunity to get farther
ahead than for many years. Can any farmers tell us if things are
really as good as they look?
New Maggie Cancer Centre, Dundee
- First Frank O Gehry Building In UK
Canadian architect Frank O Gehry is most famous for the fabulous
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. It's elegant curves and turrets, all
clothed in a titanium skin, have established Gehry as one of the world's
leading architects. Now Gehry has designed his first
ever building for the UK. Maggie's Centre, a cancer caring centre working
with Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, is due to open its doors to the public
in September. With its pleated roof, its curving walls and lookout tower,
Dundee's new Maggie's Centre is different from any other building the city
has ever seen.
Watch the TV programme about the new Maggie Centre.
STS "Jean De La Lune" At Wick Harbour
STS
(Sail Training Ship) "Jean de la Lune" is Scotlands only working
square rigged tall ship. The 100 foot brigantine has been a familiar sight
in the waters surrounding the West Coast and Isles of Scotland for the
past 17 years. this trip saw the ship come up the west coast of
Scotland to Orkney before arriving at Wick. they were then heading
to Inverness and back through the Caledonian Canal to the west
again. If you are interested in these trips check their web site at
the bottom of all the pictures.
Lybster Golf Finals In
Glorious Sunshine
David Nicolson, who won the Cormack Cup as this years
Club Champion. In the 36 hole final David beat John Gunn by 4&3. In
addition to winning the Lybster Open earlier in the year, John was also a
beaten semi-finalist in the Wick Golf Club championship. David also
happens to be the Club Captain. The finalists in the
Handicap Championship. Eric Larnach (right) beat John Munro (on the left
in the pic) in the 18 hole final by 2&1 to win the Portland Cup.
Are You Related
To This Lyall Family In Canada
Dinah
Waddell, Thunder Bay, Canada is looking for relatives Lyall - Melrose from
Caithness - originally Dunnet Head. Lyall is still a local name in
Caithness but the family may have scattered round the globe.
If you have some information that might assist her in her search then get
in touch with herby email. If anyone has direct information on this
family it can be added to the section. Hey Out there in Canada Your
emails appear to be bouncing Get In Touch With Us.
Floral Wick
Flower
beds in public places in Caithness are often used to pay tribute to the
past or present organisation or to mark an event. In wick this year
it is the Pulteneytown Commissioners and the Rotary Club.
Young Farmers Updates From The County Show
The Kennedy Cup Competition at the Caithness County Show saw 5 teams from
Caithness Young Farmers compete for the trophy. The boys judged 2 classes
of stock at Reaster by kind permission of the Mr Tommy Sinclair with Mr
Billy Campbell official judge. Halkirk A came 1st, Halkirk B 2nd, Bower
3rd.
24th July 2003
What The
Butler Saw - A Farce by Joe Orton Thurso Players
24, 25, 26 July - Mill
Theatre 7.30pm Bookings 01847 892019
Halkirk Highland Games Book Competition Winners
Five winners of our FREE book competition have been chosen from the
entrants. If you did not win but would like a copy they will be on
sale on Saturday at the games or from various local shops. Our next
FREE competition will be announced next week. If you are going to
the games on Saturday we will see you there.
UKAEA and Johnson Control Apprentices Help Dunnet Forest Project
Four UKAEA and two Johnson Controls first year Dounreay apprentices
recently spent a week in Dunnet Forest assisting the Forest Manager, John
with new fencing, tree clearing and felling. The existing fence
around the forest has been there for more than forty years and as you can
imagine is well past its best. The apprentices removed around 400
metres of the original fence which in some places was very difficult due
to the boggy conditions and uneven ground and this was replaced with a new
fence.
The Witchs Wind
- A Fishermans Yarn
Another poem from David Grant sent in by Hugh Ross
Come spin us a yarn, Will, cried I.
Yes, spin us a yarn, cried all,
For here we must ride till the turn of the tide,
Since the winds wont come at your call.
Voluntary
Groups - Why Not Advertise Your Vacancies FREE on Caithness.Org
Caithness & Sutherland groups can get there information to many
more people fast just by emailing us the details. If your group is
looking for volunteers then send us details and we will have it on the
web site in a day or two. Just tell us how long you want the
information to run or leave it on permanently. . when you are
sending that in remember to let us know your present contact details to
update your main page on the web site.
Banger Derby Returns
Sunday 3 August
1.00pm - Scrabster Hill Near Thurso. This highly popular event runs
in Thurso Gala Week and is sure to have a big crowd out to watch the
bangers bump and grind their way round the track.
23rd July 2003
Cardiac Rehabilitation And Support Services In Caithness
To many people
in our local community, the thought of suffering a heart attack, or having
to have cardiac surgery, is an anxiety provoking time, and the need for
support and guidance is very important, both to themselves and their
family. Highland NHS in Caithness provides a comprehensive cardiac
rehabilitation / support service, which provides professional input to
patients both in hospital, and also in the local community. The specialist
nurse for cardiac care is based at Caithness general hospital, and his
name is Michael McGivern.
Dounreay Golfers Handover Charity Cheques
The Royal Dornoch Golf Course is renowned throughout the golfing world, a mecca
for professionals and amateurs alike. On a warm sunny day last month
thirteen teams of three, representing contractors engaged in
decommissioning work at Dounreay, met there to play for the UKAEA Site
Restoration Trophy. Two members were employees of the contractor, and the
third was a UKAEA employee who acted as host.
22nd July 2003
Revised Battlemoss Excavation Notes And Stone Sketches Added
Anyone interested in working on the excavation??? Full
training will be given! If you would like to volunteer please contact
Islay MacLeod at Thrumster House on (01955) 651387. There will be a
chance for the public to visit the site and open days announced later.
100th Halkirk
Highland Games - Heavies - Caithness V USA V Rest Of The World
Saturday 26 July - March To The Ground 12.15pm From Ulbster Arms.
Last chance to win one of five copies of "E-games" history. If
you would like to have a picture at the centenary games added to the set
on the web site just ask as we move ground the ground on Saturday.
Pictures will appear on the Sunday following the games as Saturday night
is Wick Gala night and we will be out again for that.
Auldwick by Michael Gunn
With
thanks to Michael Gunn for this detailed article on the Castle of Old
Wick. Although now generally referred to as Oldwick Castle its name
is derived not from the Scots word auld, meaning old but from the Gaelic
allt, meaning a burn or stream, its correct name being Caisteal
Allt-na-Uig, or the castle of the burn of Wick. The name is important
because at the time of its erection, ie. the late twelfth century, the
town of Wick stood only on the north bank of the river of Wick (Amhain-na-Uig)
whereas the Castle of Auldwick lies to the south of the river.
Unemployment Down In Caithness &
Sutherland
Overall, the number of unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell from
894 last month to 817. The revised unemployment rates in the Sutherland,
Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as follows
(corresponding figures for last month are shown in brackets): 5.6% (6.7%),
5.5% (5.6%) and 2.9% (3.1%).
CASE Helps More New Businesses
City Centre Estates (Leisure) Ltd has been
awarded £64,900 to establish a high quality self-catering and leisure
facility at Latheronwheel. The development, which will have its own
swimming pool, will comprise three, four star, self-catering holiday
apartments.
Sinclair Bay Lobster Company Ltd, Keiss, which was awarded £6,000 towards the cost of building a storage facility for live lobsters
K P Technology Ltd, Wick
The company has been
awarded assistance of up to £20,000 to enable the development of this
business which manufactures Kelvin Probes, scientific measurement devices
used to investigate the properties of various materials. Iain
Baikie the managing director of the new venture worked on the staff of the
Environmental Research Institute in Thurso.
More On Kelvin Probes
Diving Company In Wick Gets Financial Boost
Wick-based diving company, Fathoms
Ltd, has been awarded assistance of £6,200 towards the purchase of
specialist monitoring equipment and the development of this for use under
water, while John G Mackay has been awarded £14,500 towards the purchase
of specialist forestry equipment. D Steven & Son, Scrabster, have also
been awarded £16,200 towards the purchase of specialist equipment.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Assist New Development At Latheronwheel
City Centre Estates (Leisure) Ltd has also
been awarded HIE Standards assistance of £51,000 towards the cost of
establishing their high quality self-catering and leisure facility at
Latheronwheel. CASE has pledged financial support totalling
£115,900, which includes £51,000 from the European-funded HIE Standards
programme. HIE Standards is a Network-wide initiative designed to help
accommodation providers invest in the upgrade of their premises in a bid
to attract and meet the needs of today's discerning travellers.......
Community ASSISTANCE Grants
Caithness Archaeology Trust, are to receive
up to £42,432 towards the cost of a 3-year appointment for the area's
first archaeology development officer. Dr Andrew Heald has been
appointed as Archaeological Development Officer to the Trust. Andy Heald,
who was Director on behalf of the National Museums for Scotland and
University of Edinburgh of
last years excavations of the broch at Everley,
100 Years Recognition With Funding From CASE
Halkirk Highland Games Committee is
to be assisted with the attendance costs of a world-class pipe band and
purchase of new sports equipment to celebrate 100 years of the Halkirk
Games, Sutherland Schools Sailing Club is to be assisted with the
purchase cost of a sailing dinghy accessible to disabled people.
Over Skitten - Second World War Airfield and Now A Quarry
More
Aerial Views
of Caithness
21st July 2003
This Is Where the 100th Halkirk Highland Games Will Happen On Saturday
The
Halkirk Highland Games Association will be celebrating their 100th Games
on 26th July 2003. A special centenary cash bonanza of over £2,000 has
been added to the prize money. If you cannot make the games there is
still time to enter the simple competition to win a copy of "E Games"
history of Halkirk Highland Games.
Lost at Sea in a Fog - The Stroma Mans Yarn
We continue with the David Grant poetry section with thanks to Hugh
Ross for preparing it for the section. David Grant was a school
teacher in Canisbay 1857-1861.
David Grant
Index
Old Annes Yarn -The Swelchie of Stroma
Another Poem from David Grant.
"The Whirlpool, called the Swelchie, is situated at the
north-east corner of the Island of Stroma, in the Pentland
Firth. It does not rage always, but in certain conditions of
wind and tide would infallibly swamp or suck down any undecked
vessel entering it. The loss of the boat and crew, which
forms the subject of the following Yarn, occurred early in the
nineteenth century. The incidents connected."
SALT IS STILL LEAVING A NASTY TASTE
IN THE NATION'S MOUTHS WARNS TOP HEART CHARITY
A new survey by the
British Heart Foundation (BHF)
reveals that a staggering 96 per cent of the UK population don't know the
levels of salt they can consume 'safely' - before it starts becoming a
real threat to their 'heart health'.
COUNCIL CONVERTS CANS INTO TREES
Every person in the Highlands is being challenged to get into the
recycling habit by supporting a new campaign to recycle more aluminium
cans. The Highland Council and the UK Aluminium Packaging Recycling
Organisation (Alupro) are challenging everybody to join in the Get
Recycling campaign and to recycle more aluminium. In return The Highland
Council promises to plant a tree for each tonne of aluminium cans recycled
during the next twelve months. The Highland Council will collect the
cans, separate the aluminium from the steel and bale it.
Local Riders Access Group
Plan Anti Ragwort Campaign
It
has been noticed that there is a proliferation of ragwort in the Dunnet
area and a campaign has been organised by the Dunnet Riders to eradicate
as much as possible from the area. Ragwort does not just affect horses but
all grazing animals. It causes progressive and irreversible liver damage.
Ragwort is an injurious weed covered by the 1959 Weeds Act.
Occupiers of agricultural land are required to take action to prevent the
spread of scheduled weeds on to other areas of agricultural land.
Occupiers of non-agricultural land will be required to do the same if
agricultural land is at risk. Check page to volunteer to help.
20th July 2003
Wick
Gala - Full Programme
Here is the programme and this will be the link page to all the
photographs as they are added throughout the week starting next Saturday.
The Changing Face Of
Caithness - Two Barns Out Of Three Demolished At Staxigoe
If you have not been along to Staxigoe for while you will not have seen
the changing view as two of the large barns out of three have been
demolished to make way for a new house. The barns had been up for
sale for quite along time. A third barn is still standing but
perhaps not for long.
Big Prize Money At
Halkirk Highland Games
Saturday 26 July - With over £16,000 in prize money for the 100th games
Halkirk is likely to attract more competitors. In the heavy events
and dancing there are special prizes this year. In the open track
and field events it could well be worth ladies entering as there are
special prizes for the first five in the points table. Even the
children's races make it worth while winning events.
The games will be visited by folk attending the 14th International
Gathering of the Clan Gunn which runs from 19th - 27 July. Members
are in Orkney and arrive in Caithness on Tuesday.
Kiting Courses In Caithness 22 - 27 July
Try something different! - Windthings Taster Days
Part 3 - Kite Mountain Boarding
The same principals as buggying but with a mountain board, at the
extreme end of the sport huge hangtime beyond that of skate boarding, BMX
riding and snowboarding means tricks like board off`s can be done, your
imagination and nerve is the only boundary.
The course is run in the same format as the buggy course but uses the
mountain board, we can also offer advanced coaching sessions for advanced
riders
Halkirk Highland Games Book Competition Closing Date Wed 23 July
Still a few days left to enter the competition - answers by email.
If you do not win a copy it will be on sale at the games on Saturday or
from local book shops and even via Amazon in our book shop section.
We will be at the games on Saturday snapping away as usual.
E-Access
Bulletin July 2003
The monthly newsletter for people with visual impairment dealing
with technology issues. Among the many items covered this month are
- Disability Rights Commission preparing a legal case on access
issues against web site owners under the Disability Discrimination Act,
the likely changes from European Law on web sites, Harry Potter audio
version delays, talking lamposts in London and elsewhere to assist with
direction finding and much more.
19th July 2003
Caithness County Show 2003 - 258 Pictures
Dunbeath Highland Games Pictures
18th July 2003
Dunbeath Highland Games Pictures 38 - 48
Dunbeath Highland Games - Picture 37
Man
From Wick Meets Man From El-Paso.
He says "hi" to everyone back in El Paso and visiting the
Caithness County Show on Saturday and off to Orkney after that. Then a
run down the West coast of Scotland.
Dunbeath highland Games Pictures 25 - 36
Dunbeath Highland Games Pictures 13 - 24
Dunbeath Highland Games Pictures 1 - 12
Watten Holiday Club
Watten Holiday Club Week ended today after a great few days of fun and
games visits including the beach and swimming pool.
Dunbeath Castle Gardens Open
Sunday
20 July 2.00 - 6.00pm
Caithness County Show Starts Tonight Big Day Saturday
Try something
different! - Windthings Taster Days Part 2 - Kitebuggying
Imagine using
mother natures natural forces to cruise down the beach, no noise and no
fumes. Kite buggying is fast becoming one of the most popular beach sports
around. The sport can be as sedate or as extreme as you wish from
gentle runs down the beach to extreme freestyle fun (Balancing on two
wheels, reversing, high speed slides and spins) Age is not a problem, Kite
Power Scotland has taught people from the ages of 16 - 72!
Another Outing For The
"Isabella Fortuna"
The 44 foot long Fifie was built in Arbroath in 1890, restored in Wick
lifeboat shed in 1998. The boat is moored at Wick harbour for the
summer months and will go back in the lifeboat shed later.
17th July 2003
Hunters May Restart Under New Ownership Shortly
Geoffrey
Minter a business man who lives in Caithness and formerly chairman of the
previous company for a short time is getting ready to launch a new
company. He has purchased some of the machinery and the new company
would be called Hunters Tweed Ltd and trade as Hunters of Brora Ltd. Discussions are ongoing with the owners of the factory on
the outskirts of Brora and offices would be located in Brora itself.
Only part of the factory is thought to be needed for the new operation.
Caithness
Field Club - Change Of Meeting Place On 6 August
Wednesday 6 August
- A trip to Forse, Lybster, Water Lines which will be open for
refreshments if required at a small charge. Myra Wilson to lead.
Leave Wick and Thurso Railway Stations at 9.30am meet at the Lybster
harbour car park and not the Clan Gunn Museum. All Welcome
but no dogs.....
KitKats Sales Raise Funds for
Macmillan Cancer Relief At Dounreay
Over £210 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Relief by Dounreay staff who
purchased KitKats at the Learning at Work presentation, followed by the
sale of KitKats by Elizabeth Henderson of Johnson Controls at the Main
Gate Reception area.
New Equal Pay Legislation
Could Mean Bigger Pay Outs For Businesses
Changes to the Equal Pay Act from this Saturday 19 July 2003 mean that
businesses could be paying out even more in compensation claims.
70% of businesses have not carried out an equal pay review, meaning they
are unsure if they have a gender pay gap. This leaves them wide open to
allegations of unequal pay. Businesses who currently breach the
equal pay act are liable for compensation of up to two year's back pay.
The new legislation removes this provision, meaning businesses could be
paying out a lot more....££££
Caithness County Show
-
Saturday
19 July Riverside/Westerseat, Wick
A packed programme of events with the gates open at 8.30am on show Day.
Friday evening sees the pre-show horse and pony competitions getting
started and the trade stands open. Take a look at this years packed
programme.
UK Split Over Safety
Of Using Hands-free Phones In Cars
With the UK revving up to a ban on using handheld mobile phones whilst
driving, more of us are likely to turn to the hands-free kit. But health
and safety expert Croner warns of the dangers of talking at the wheel, and
reveals that the nation is split over the issue. Croner, the UK's
leading supplier of business information, support and advice, asked health
and safety professionals if hands-free kits should be banned at the wheel.
51% were in favour of a total ban, 47% thought we should be able to talk
hands-free while driving, and just 3% were unsure.
16th July 2003
The Authors Yarn
- The last cruise of The Dwarf - A Poem
The Dwarf,
a small boat of about 10 feet keel, was the property of several partners,
one of whom was represented by Finlay MacLeod, a youth of
about seventeen years of age. A larger boat had been purchased by
the Company, and the Dwarf was sold to be employed as a lighter at
Wick.
Engender training
for women - aimed at making a difference
· Do you want to make a difference - to have your case heard and listened to?
· Are you active in the voluntary or community sector in either
a paid or voluntary capacity?
· Are you concerned about issues that particularly affect women
experiencing social exclusion?
Engender's latest training course follows on from the highly
successful Engendering Change - Making a Difference training
courses.
Latest From Scrabster Pier - Nearing Completion
MAJOR CHANGES TO DOUNREAY AUTHORISATION
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has made
significant changes to the authorisation covering UKAEA
Dounreay's discharges of gaseous radioactive waste. The changes
mean a cut of 59% in the quantity of tritium that the site is
allowed to release to the environment and will come into effect
on Friday 18 July. The change also permits the operation of
UKAEA's new facility for collecting and disposing of liquid
waste to sea. This facility, known as the Low Level Liquid
Effluent Treatment Plant (LLLETP), will replace the old sea
discharge tanks that were the subject of a SEPA enforcement
notice in January 2002. UKAEA is required by SEPA to improve
the discharge system for gaseous waste from the main facilities
in the fuel cycle area (FCA).
Keiss Gala Returns
15 - 17 August 2003
The Keiss Amenities Group are returning to the Gala scene
this year with a three day gala including Gala Queen Crowning,
Keiss FC V Keiss Veterans, Its a knockout, Face Painting,
Highland Dancers, Children's Fancy Dress, Bungee rope, Argocat
trips, Pet Show, TEAM MCC bike trips, Target Golf, Stocks for
local celebrities, Children's races, barbecue, Dance with
Communique. Treasure Hunt. The group are also setting out
to build a new hall and events for fund raising will be ongoing
possibly including a revival of the Wester Raft Race day popular
a few years back.
Galas/Shows/Highland Games Index
15th July 2003
New Modern Mart Opens In Dingwall
Dingwall & Highland Marts opened their new Mart on the
edge of Dingwall. Captain Roderick Stirling, Lord Lieutenant of Ross
and Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh opened the mart on 15 July 2003.
A huge crowd representing farmers in the Highlands turned out for the
opening. The new mart is built on ground
which was part of Humberston farm the whole of which the mart bought.
Try something different! - Windthings Taster Days Part 1 -
Kitesurfing
Windsurfing,
wakeboarding, paragliding and kite flying all rolled into the
most radical, extreme 3D water sport. Kite surfing (a.k.a.
kiteboarding and flysurfing) is the most extreme new water
sport. windsurfers, wakeboarders, surfers, paragliders and power
kite flyers are all buzzing with excitement as the most dynamic
convergence of these disciplines. Discovered by the French,
popularised by the Hawaiians, kitesurfing is now going big in
Scotland.
CELEBRITY CHEF TO COOK UP A STORM AT DUNROBIN
Celebrity chef and the star of television
programme 'Ready
Steady Cook', Ainsley Harriot
is set to stun the far north with his culinary skills when he visits the
area in October. As part of the Highland Food and Drink
Festival, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and Ross and Cromarty
Enterprise (RACE) have committed £20,500 each to stage 'Ainsley at
Dunrobin' on Thursday 2nd October. The event at Dunrobin Castle, Golspie is
set to consist of various, delectable attractions including cookery
demonstrations by Ainsley, a local producers showcase and a gourmet dinner
in the evening for 150 paying guests.
Good Weather Helping Get On With Baling In Caithness
The current spell of warm weather is helping farmers in
the north get on with things this year. The balers are out
in force getting things done before the weather breaks.
Another sunny day is forecast for today but maybe not tomorrow.
14th July 2003
Know about Bumble Bees! - Caithness Field Club
2pm on Sunday 10th August 2003 Caithness Field Club is
organising an afternoon with Bumble Bees, led by two experts on
Highland species, Murdo MacDonald from Strathpeffer and Gill
Nesbit from Boat of Garten. Do come along and meet them!
Meet at the Dunnet Wildlike Ranger Station, Dunnet Sands at 2pm
on Sunday 10th August 2003 All Welcome. Further
information from Ken Butler 01847 893549
Latest From Caithness Quilters
Tuesday 22 July 2003 at 7.30pm a talk, from Sheena
Norquay who is a member of the Highland Quilters, in the
Pulteney Parish Church Hall Argyle Square Wick.
30 July 2003 we are having an Exhibition of our work in the
Assembly Rooms Wick for one day only - serving tea coffee and
home baking from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Clash Of the Heavy
Weights Scotland V USA - Halkirk Highland Games
Halkirk is gearing up for the influx that hits every year of up
to 5000 spectators and maybe more this year for the 100th games.
With big money available for breaking ground and national
records, the total prize purse is over £16,000. The games
still has the traditions of meeting old friends and a day
out as much as the sporting events that are the main feature.
The clans Gunn and Sinclair will have their usual tents and
increasingly companies are putting up hospitality marquees for
clients and staff.
Scotlands e-city
network;
Reaching parts previously untouched by technology
From Ronaldsay to Raploch, the Scottish
e-city
network is bringing 21st century technology more and more
into Scottish communities; influencing everything from planning
policy to how customers interact with their Local Council.
Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have
joined this ambitious scheme to ensure the Highlands is part of
the growing "e world".
13th July 2003
Life's A Beach - Sunday In Caithness
Duncansby
Ackergill
Hottest day of the year today in Caithness and families headed
for the beaches of which Caithness has quite a few all round.
Starting with Ackergill we headed round a few and here they come
over the next wee while.
COUNCIL WARNS ABOUT POTENTIAL CHOKING HAZARD
TO CHILDREN FROM BANNED SWEETS
The
Highland Councils Environmental Health service is today warning that
children should not eat mini cup jelly sweets containing Konjac after two
of these illegal products were found on sale in the UK. This type
of sweet was banned across Europe last year following the deaths from
choking of about 18 children worldwide. Products called Jellyace Lychee
Flavor Konjac and a similar mini-cup sweet called Jellyace Buko Pandan,
labelled as containing konjac, were found in England and Wales. These
Jellyace products are sold under the
brand name Sugarland. Parents should be alert to the potential risk from
these sweets and children should not buy or eat them.
Moth Or Butterfly?
Colin
Stewart has sent in another picture for identification.
Can anyone help identify this one. Let us know if you have
some good wildlife pictures you would like to share. if we
begin to receive more we will set up a wildlife section to add
new ones as they come in. There are a range of wildlife
pictures across the web site and we will bring these together
making links in one place to make it easier for anyone
interested in Caithness wildlife to find them.
Contributions can be emailed to
[email protected] and
can be on anything birds, fish, insects.
Answer To the Moth Question is in From Islay at Thrumster -
thanks.
This is the magpie moth (Abraxas grossulariata), one of the few
day flying moths. A huge pest on gooseberry plants when
numerous, which they aren't really here. It is a very variable
species. The caterpillar is creamy white, with black dots
running along the sides. A broad reddish line separates the two
lowest bands of dots. Apart from its favourite gooseberry or
currant plants, it feeds on a huge variety of plants, and in the
Western Isles can be found on ling.
Final Event At Latheron Show - The Tug-o-War Competition
Australians Take A Look At Latheron Show
All the way to Caithness - Bet they didn't expect to be running
in a wheelbarrow race.
Back home take a close look at
This One
Races For Kids and Jumping Horses At Latheron Show
Winners Parade At Latheron Show
A
Pilots Yarn - Uncle Dan, the Pentland Firth Pilot
By David Grant, teacher at Canisbay School 1857-1861.
Thanks to Hugh Ross for preparing this poem for the web site.
The poem was once recited at many a Christmas Treat in
Caithness.
12th July 2003
Fun And Flying At The Latheron Show
And More Pictures From The Latheron Show
Wick Pipe Band Week - Fancy Dress Parade Night
A big crowd turned out to see the increasingly popular fancy dress night at
the end of Wick Pipe Band Week. With a few highland Dancers for good
measure it was a great end to a busy week for the band.
Buskers From Wick Pipe Band
Another
group from Wick Pipe Band out entertaining in the Market Square, Wick on
Friday. Saturday night is the finale of the week with the most unusual
sight of the Wick Pipe Band marching in fancy dress rather than their usual
kilts. this has become one the popular highlights of the week.
Take another look at last years fancy dress parade
A Yacht "Tordas" in Wick Harbour
Children's Fun Day At RSPB Forsinard
Arts & Crafts, Games mini Beast Safari, Face Painting, Treasure Hunt and
more....
11th July 2003
Latheron
Show On Saturday 12 July
Have you made a bid in the auction for the Helicopter ride. If not you
can still buy a ticket on the day. If helicopter rides are too much
just enjoy the day with your feet on the ground. We'll be there so if
you want your picture on the web site just ask as we work our way round the
ground.
Mary Scanlon MSP At Dounreay To See
Changing Site
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon saw the changing the
shape of Dounreay when she visited the site on July 10th to learn more
about progress with the £4 billion site restoration plan. The construction
of new buildings and the demolition of old facilities is gradually
changing the skyline of the site, with substantial alterations expected
over the next few years as more major decommissioning projects begin to
materialise.
Sandside Gardens Open To Public
Funds raised for charity will go 40% to Reay and district Garden Club
and 60% net to SGS charities. If you cannot make it on the day browse
our pictures from last year.
Broadband
- Are We Nearly There Yet?
BT has announced 400 Additional Exchanges in the UK with trigger levels.
Thurso has been set a trigger of 500. Wick does not appear to have a
trigger level as yet. Sign ups In Wick 222 Thurso 385.
So Thurso is well on its way. But essentially both towns need more
people o sign up at the BT Broadband site. If you have not done it do it now.
If you have phone a friend and ask them to sign up. Other town
campaigns are moving on and BT has said they will set things going once
these figures confirm demand for Broadband in an area.
Summer holiday fun with the Caithness Rangers!
Lots more to do for younger folk this summer in Caithness especially
at the beach or in the forest. Check it out for fun days out.
Castletown Gala Week - Baby Show 10 July
Last
day of the Castletown Gala Week is tomorrow Friday.
World Population Day
One Billion Adolescents Are about To Enter Their Reproductive Years
according to the United Nations Population Fund.
UKAEA ANNOUNCES CONTRACT TO
DECOMMISSION
WESTERN EUROPE'S FIRST NUCLEAR REACTOR
The
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) today announced the
final decommissioning of the first reactor in Western Europe. GLEEP -
the Graphite Low Energy Experimental Pile - first went critical in 1947
and was shut down in 1990. The contract for its
dismantling has been let to Renfrew based Mitsui Babcock.
Decommissioning is planned to be completed by autumn 2004. GLEEP
played a key role in the development of civil nuclear energy in
Britain. It was used in investigations into how to make a nuclear
reactor work including the early design and development of Magnox nuclear
fuel used in commercial generating stations operating today.
3 One Act Comedies - Wick Players -
Gala Week
Friday 1 August Curtain Up 7.30pm - It's a comedy treat for Wickers home
on holiday and our loyal local support. Plays from Caithmess, Galway and
TexasTickets from D R Simpson $5/£4. Anyone coming home on holiday may
purchase tickets in advance can do so by sending an SAE to Eric Farquhar, 89
Loch St, Wick, Caithness KW1 5QL. £5 (£4 concessions; OAPs and children 14
and under). Cheques should be made payable to "Wick Players".
Scottish Outdoor Access Code Message Board Discussion
The deadline for comment on this piece of legislation has passed but if
anyone has any points they would like to make about the access issues in the
county then Tina Irvine of the Dunnet Riders Access Group would like you to
put in your views.
Wick Pipe Band Week - Juniors Out In Market Square, Wick Today
A
few of the younger members were out today showing they have the skills to
play in smaller groups.
Wick Pipe Bands packed week continues tonight with a Scottish Country
Dancing night in the Back Bridge Street Club and on Friday its parade night
again with Saturday winding up with the extremely popular Fancy Dress Pipe
Band parade. If you missed last years fancy dress pipers night
then
take a look here.
Take
A Side Road To See Sibmister
The beautiful rolling countryside that is the Caithness interior can be seen
well by taking a drive on the Sibmister road where from several points you
can see across the parts of the area. And watch out for the sky.
It seems bigger than ever here
Hunters of Brora - Protest At
Sale Of Assets
Local supporters of The Scottish Socialist Party have called upon the people
of Brora to support a protest today (Thursday 10th July) outside the former
Hunters Of Brora woollen mill in Brora, Sutherland. The demonstration
is being called in protest at the disposal of assets at an auction being
held at 12 noon. The auction includes state-of-the-art machinery.
Employers Check This - Advertise Your Vacancies FREE on Caithness.Org
Reach more people from a wider area who are looking to work in
Caithness by getting your jobs on the web site. For now the job ads
are FREE so you can be keeping your costs down and reaching potential
employees 24hours a day. Just fill in the online form and we will do
the rest.
9th July 2003
Caithness Country Music Festival
The NNCMC is to run a country music festival 9 - 11 April 2004. the
festival will take place in Gillock Park, Thurso and the local caravan site
will open to allow people to use the caravan camp site.
Halkirk Highland
Games Competition
Win a copy of the
"e-Games - A History of The Halkirk Highland Games" by James B Gunn Jnr published to mark the
100th games. We have five copies of the history of the
games to give away in our competition. Halkirk Highland Games
holds its 100th games on Saturday 26 July starting at 12.15pm
All the usual events plus the added competition of a team from the United
States Of America competing with the local heavyweights.
CUILLIN MAY BE GIFTED TO THE
NATION
Scotland's most renowned and spectacular mountain range, the Cuillin of
Skye could soon be gifted to the Scottish people by their owner, John
MacLeod of MacLeod. The possibility of such a gift being made
in the near future is central to a set of prospective property
transactions being explored jointly by the MacLeod Estate, Highlands and
Islands Enterprise (HIE) and The Highland Council, in association with the
John Muir Trust.
8th July 2003
Agility Leaving Wick Harbour
Agility
- Registered GBR - Built 1990 - GRT 1,930 - DWT 3,144 - Length:
80.0m - Beam 14.6m - Draft 5.6m - Owner F T Everard & Sons Ltd -
Photographed Leaving Wick Harbour 01/07/03
Open Air Ceilidh - Wick Pipe Band Week
Wednesday 9th July Open Air
Ceilidh, in the Market Square starting at 7.30pm . The Pipe Band will play a selection of
tunes, a Scottish Dance Band, a
selection of vocalists, and
there will be Highland Dancing from the Elise Lyall School of
Dance.
AN
EVENING WALK - To see puffins at Drum Hollistany
Wednesday 9 July - led by Ken Butler
(01847 893549). Leaving Wick Railway Station 6.30pm meeting in Thurso at
7pm.
80th Latheron Show
Saturday 12 July 2003 - Helicopter Trips At the show and a
whole range of events. Get
you bid into the auction for the helicopter trips. Trips
cost £15 but you can bid for a whole flight and take five people
up at once. Check the latest bid on the left and try your
luck.
Caithness County Show Is At Wick This Year
Saturday 19 July Riverside/Westerseat,
Wick Always a popular venue for the show every three
years with show ground being right next to the town and handy
for shops and restaurants. all the usual events and shows
from Stock judging, horse riding competitions, Flower tent,
Industrial, Stalls , Wick Pipe Band etc plus for the first time Caithness Strong Man competition sponsored by "The Yard".
£250 prize to the winner - entries to be in by Friday 11
July. Only first 16 entrants accepted - still time to go.
7th July 2003
ACCESS TO WALK WITH WORDS
- For All You West Highland Walkers
The Scottish Rights of Way & Access Society and The Highland Council has
been working for the past five years to ensure that the major paths and
tracks in the West Highlands are sign-posted for the benefit of the
walking public, both locals and visitors.
VISITORS FLOCK TO SEE NEW FAST BREEDER AT DOUNREAY
Tour
guides at the Dounreay Visitor Centre know all about the fast
breeder reactor programme that turned the site into a household
name. But they learned quickly about a very different type
of breeder when an Oystercatcher decided to nest in a
flower-tub at the entrance to the centre.
Battlemoss Excavation 9 - 28 August 2003
The
stone rows at Battlemoss, Loch of Yarrows excavation is being
led by Dr Kenneth Brophy (Glasgow University); Amelia
Pannett (Cardiff University) and Dr Andrew Baines (Archaeological
consultant) and a team comprising students from both Glasgow and
Cardiff Universities, as well as local volunteers. Anyone
interested in volunteering to help with the excavation is
welcome to come along and training will be given. Anyone
interested should contact Islay Macleod, Thrumster.
Visitors will be welcome at the site Mondays to Saturday between
10.00am and 4.00pm. An Open Day will be announced later.
Take A Look At The Forss Windmills From The Air
The
aerial views lets you see the scale of the windmills standing
next to the former American base which is being transformed into
a new business park
Heading Over Scarfskerry
Heading
over to Scarfskerry the village stretched along the coast with
great views to the
island of Stroma.
Scarfskerry Main Index
Stemster School and Countryside
Another
beautiful part of Caithness once more highly populated as can be
seen from this old school now a modern house. Set on a
higher part of the county there are some good views around this
area.
School From the Ground
Closer To Castlehill Harbour and Flagstone Trail
This
picture shows Castlehill harbour and the reason it was built
right next to it - the flagstone quarries and industrial site.
With its recently relaid paths with much better disabled access
the area is seeing an increasing number of visitors. the
small harbour was used to carry the cut stone to all corners of
the world for paving and much of it is still in place.
Recent new technology has made the stone once again a viable
proposition as seen at
A
& D Sutherland
6th July 2003
Plenty To See At Today's Rally
More From The Vintage Vehicles Rally
Fabulous Cars From The Rally At John O'Groats
If you wondered what some folk do in the north on long winter
nights well now you know. Some of them work on these
fantastic cars all of which are in fantastic condition.
Caithness & Sutherland Vintage Vehicles Club - 2003 Rally John
O'Groats
Winner
of this years annual rally for the Vintage Vehicles club was
Geoffrey Minter, Reay in his 1927 Bentley Le Mans. As part
of the rally the vehicles stopped at Wick Harbour. A great
range of vehicles in superb condition despite their age and all
in running order. Motor cycles and stationary farm engines
were also at the show.
The Nold Play Park In Wick Opened
5th July 2003
Final Castletown Gala Pictures
And Still They Come From Castletown Gala
Another Batch From Castletown Gala
Castletown Gala - First Pictures
Castletown Gala Week Starts Tonight
Crowing of Gala Queen followed by parade of decorated floats and
a dance in the Drill Hall with music from Storm. A week of
events with something every night till Friday.
Remember Last Year
One Week To Go To 80th Latheron Show
12 July - Why not try the auction and
bid for a
helicopter trip to take five people. Single rides will
cost £15 so why not try a bid for a flight in the auction - You
never know you may get a bargain. On the day - Quad Bikes,
Flower Show, Vintage Machinery, Baby Show, Horse Sports,
Military Display, Thurso Junior Pipe Band, Children's Sports,
Dog Show, Bouncy Castle, Highland Dancing, Trade Shows, side
shows and more.
What's On - Get Your
Events In Here FREE
Just fill in the from to get your events in and as soon
as you can for longer FREE advertising.
"Subitango!"
with Tango Siempre and Mina & Geraldo
Portland
Arms Hotel, Lybster Tuesday 8 July 8.00pm 2 hours inc.
Interval From the music and dance of early 20th
century Buenos Aires to the breathtakingly beautiful
jazz-inspired sounds of Astor Piazzollo, this show blazes with
life and colour of this most sensual of art forms. "Subitango!"
has performed to sell-out audiences in theatres, arts centres
and festivals throughout the UK. The show features virtuosic
live music from the UK's leading tango ensemble, Tango Siempre,
and stunning choreographed dance from the acclaimed tango dance
couple Mina and Geraldo.
Castle Of Mey Gardens Open Days
Wed
9 and thurs 10 July Admission £5 OAP £4.50 children under
16 £3 under 12 FREE.
Proceeds 40% to Scottish Disability Foundation and 60% net to
SGS charities
Sandside Gardens Open
These pictures taken last year will give you some idea of
the views but cannot let you sample the very tasty cakes served
with the tea and coffee.
4th July 2003
Caithness
Art - Free Competition - Closing 10 July
Local
artist Richard Arrowsmith is once again running a FREE draw for
another print. just pop over to his web site and enter
your details to be included in the draw to take lace on 10 July.
New Women's Aid Centre
For Caithness & Sutherland
The
new centre will be built in Green Road, Wick and planning permission has
been obtained. This artists impression shows what the new centre
will look like when completed. The project is being developed by
Pentland Housing, Thurso and will have 3 family flats (one
wheelchair accessible) and 2 bedsits. The centre will be
managed by
Women's Aid Caithness & Sutherland.
3rd July 2003
Partnership And
Joint Investment The Way Forward Says Kirk
Achvarasdal and Other Church Of Scotland Homes -Talks Start.
Discussions between the Kirk and local authorities to resolve
the future of 10 homes for older people will commence this week
with the Kirk putting partnership at the top of the agenda.
In its discussion with local authorities, the Kirk will pledge
new capital investment of £5 million to improve the quality of
those services that remain open. Following the decisions
taken by The Board of Social Responsibility on 20 June 2003, the
Board is now focusing all its attention on resolving the future
of the 10 homes identified for closure unless solutions are
found to the financial problems they face.
Employees still Productive over 65
says Croner Survey
How Will The Highlands Aging Population Take The Latest
Government Policy?
The majority of UK businesses support the government's bid to increase
the
retirement age to 70, says a new survey by Croner. With concerns being aired about the
capability and productivity of older employees, Croner, the UK's leading
supplier of business information, advice and support, reveals that 64% of
companies believe employing people over the age of 65 does not have a
negative impact on the performance of the company. 18% of today's
population are over 65. By 2014, it is predicted that there will be more
over 65s than under 16s, with 65 year-old men expected to live a further
17.5 years, and women a further 20.
Pulteneytown Peoples Project
Fun day on Saturday 5 July 1.30pm At South School, Wick
We have organised dancers and majorettes have small side show stalls,
bouncy castle, huge trampoline, sports for kids, barbecue, tea coffee etc
and usual baking and raffle stall. We are also looking for donations of
baking, raffle prizes and bottles Anyone can put them into the house at 44
Murchison Street, or tel 606950 or 605039 to get it picked up. The
money made from this fun trip is used to subsidise the summer school and
outings for people in the community. Anyone wanting to help on the day
would be most welcome.
Portskerra, Sutherland
- New Play Park Opens
The Jubilee Recreation Park in
Portskerra was formally opened on Wednesday 2nd July in a ceremony
attended by the pupils of
Melvich Primary School, parents,
teachers, members of Melvich Community Council and representatives of the
funding bodies. Myrtle Gillies, Chairman of the Community Council
told those present that the Council had been striving.
Three Men Ready For Cycle Challenge
-
Lands End To John O'Groats
Colin
Risbridger, Orkney (originally from Wick) and Gavin Mowat, John OGroats,
are to cycle the 1000 miles from Lands End to John OGroats in
support of Macmillan Cancer Relief with their friend and fellow
cycling enthusiast Peter Stewart, from Perth. The boys say that
they aim to complete the ride, which starts on July 12th, from
Lands End, in a maximum of 14 days. The three intrepid cyclists
will be assisted by David Stirling and Paul Begg who will man
the support vehicle. From 12 July we will be following
their progress with daily updates right from the road.
ALL SYSTEMS GO AS INVERNESS
CITY-VISION GETS GO AHEAD
The City of Inverness Partnership is delighted at receiving the go ahead
for its plans to spend £3.1 million over the next three years on a
programme of improvements, including four major projects aimed at making a
real difference to the appearance of the city and how it functions. The
Partnership, a grouping of eight key agencies, successfully produced
a Vision Statement to draw down the funds from the Scottish Executives
Cities Growth Fund.
More Pictures From The Successful Farice Cable Saga
SINKING
HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF TANKER MOVEMENTS
The sinking of the
Cyprus-registered cargo ship, Jambo, off the Summer Isles on Sunday,
highlights the dangers of tankers and hazardous cargos sailing near the
Highland coastline and the need for stricter monitoring and control of
shipping movements in the Minch. The Highland Councils
Vice-Convener, Dr Michael Foxley, is relieved that the 190ft long cargo
ship was not carrying a recognised hazardous cargo but is concerned that
the area might not be so lucky should another vessel get into trouble, run
aground and sink.
2nd July 2003
Janette Pollock
Head of Watten School (1979 - 2003) Retires
Janette Pollock the head of Watten school since 1979 has retired. In
a packed Watten Hall a large number of local people, parents and teachers
past and present came to say a few words in what turned out to be a series
of presentations, songs and, poetry set for the occasion including a remake of
"Div Ye Mind" with Janette as the main character. Happy
Retirement Mrs Pollock.
The Importance Of
Broadband Recognised By Iceland and Faroes
The
importance attached to being linked ot Broadband services has been
highlighted in Caithness by the new cable passing through Caithness from
Edinburgh to the Faroes and Iceland. £30 million has been spent
partly building a link for the cable in Caithness.
Normandy Veterans Association Visits Caithness
Dounreay was delighted to welcome members of the Normandy Veterans
Association Highlands & Islands Branch while they were enjoying a tour of
the Highlands recently. Mr James Tait, Chairman and Secretary of the
Association said 'we were thrilled to be made so welcome by the visitor
centre staff and everyone in the group enjoyed their tour immensely'. The
group were given a guided tour of the Dounreay Visitor Centre on Monday
30th June before returning to Orkney in the evening
Caithness
Heritage Fair - Preparations Well Ahead - Still Time To Get involved
Another successful Heritage Fair is the aim of the group headed up by
Community Education and you still have time to ask for a stall at the fair
- closing date 7 July.
Stubbing Out Smoking In The Workplace
-
A Brief Guide For Employers by Alan Lewis
Theres no doubt that smoking habits in the UK workplace have changed
quite dramatically over the years. Once it was common place to see an
office worker hunched over his desk puffing on a cigarette, or a bus
driver taking his fares with one hand and flicking ash out of the window
with the other. Not anymore. As well as becoming socially less acceptable
in public places such as restaurants and bars, smoking is being slowly
stubbed out of the workplace.
Where The Visitors
Are Coming From And How A Few Reach The Web Site
The global Caithness Community continues to expand and apart from
local Caithness and UK based visitors with folk from 110 countries in
June. 1 July 2003 saw visitors from 52 countries coming on to the web
site. The top 15 countries were - United States, Australia,
Netherlands, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates,
Denmark, Belgium, Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, Finland, Spain, Iceland,
Italy.
Castletown Gala Programme
Castletown Gala starts on Saturday 5 July and runs until 11 July
Duncansby Head Walk With The Rangers
Thursday 3 July 2.00pm At Duncansby Lighthouse lasting 2 to 2.5 hours - to
see the seabirds and stacks.
Blar nam Faoileag Nature Reserve
Wednesday 9 July 2003 -
Guided Walk Walk in flow country threading your way through the lochans
and see the variety of bird life.
Meet 2.00pm at Loch more Grid Ref (084 461) 3 hour walk 3 miles on
bog requiring reasonable level of fitness. To book phone 01641 571
225.
1st July 2003
Dunnet Bay 2003 Kite Courses
Full details on the course and booking form now up and running. Six
different courses to choose from all subject to numbers and instructor
availability so book early to ensure they happen. the instructors
teach in different places and will go where bookings occur so don't leave
it too late.
Check Out Reay Golf Club
Want To Play This
Northern Course?
Horse
Power Round Orkney
Visitors to Kirkwall are 'chomping at the bit' to experience the town's
newest tourist attraction.
Horse power will help visitors view the sights of Kirkwall from the
comfort of a luxury carriage driven by South Ronaldsay farmer, Geoff
Linnitt. Geoff - a member of the Orkney Carriage Driving Association
- decided to offer the tours as a way of diversifying his farm business. Geoff and a pair of ponies
will take visitors from Hatston Pier.
ARTS AGENCY PLEDGES
SUPPORT FOR STRUGGLING WRITERS
A new awards scheme for writers in the Highlands and Islands was today (1
July 2003) in response to a study that reveals a lack of a support
structure for the industry. HI~Arts has pledged its assistance as a
first step towards tackling the findings of a writing development study,
which shows that the area's writers are suffering from fragmented support
and advice and are frustrated by the lack of outlets for their work.
UKAEA LAUNCHES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN
DISPOSAL OF SOLVENTS AND OILS
The closing date for comments is 30 September
2003. UKAEA Dounreay today invited members of the public to have
their say in the options for disposal of radioactive solvents and
oils that are a legacy of fast reactor research and development at the
Caithness site. Launching the second stage
of a pilot for public participation in the Dounreay Site
Restoration Plan, site director Peter Welsh said it was a new opportunity
for individuals and organisations to communicate directly with UKAEA about
how the site is decommissioned and its environment restored.
New Bungalows At Halkirk For Sale
Also a new shop for sale a mile from Thurso
Helicopter Trips At Latheron
Show 12 July
Latheron show will be the place this year to see round part of the
county from the air when they have a helicopter doing short flights for
about £15. If you want to get up and take a few aerial photos then
put 12 July in your diary for a quick trip on the east of Caithness.
Bid For Two Five Minutes Flights For Up To Five People.
The Latheron Show organisers auction for two flights for up to five
people If you want
to bid for a ticket email Helen Budge at
[email protected] with your
opening bid. The latest bid price will be posted here on the web
site until the final bid on 10th July.
Traffic Dips - But June
Was Still Second Highest Ever Month
June Hits 5,233,303 Visitors 114,957
12 months to 30 June - 2003 Hits 51,960,500 Visitors 1,068,939
May broke all the records by a big margin and June has slowed
slightly but Caithness.org still recorded the second highest ever month.
Thanks to everyone for looking in.
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