News Archive - November 2003
[October 2003] [December 2003]
30th November 2003
Wick Gala 2004 -
Fiftieth Gala - Committee Plan Bigger Than Ever
Jan Banks the new chairperson sets out call for one big idea and
plans to make it a memorable one both as a gala and invites
people to send in ideas for one major improvement in Wick to
mark the fiftieth Wick Gala......."The date of Wick Gala 2004 is
24 - 31 July 2004 - the fiftieth Gala so lets try to make it
even bigger and better. We the Wick Town Improvements Committee
would like as a once only plan to use all the money from the
Gala 2004 to do just one thing to improve our town. One thing
that in the future we can all say that's where the money from
the fiftieth gala went."
Under 13 Girls At Caithness Badminton Championships
Another
picture from the recent Caithness county badminton competitions.
Winners Beth Henderson & Louise Topping seen here with
Runners Up Joanna Mancini & Yasmin Sutherland.
Thurso Meeting Packs Town Hall As Maternity Issue Escalates
A
large audience turned out for the meeting organised by the
League of Friends of Caithness General Hospital. Speakers
included - Jamie Stone MSP, David Flear Caithness Area Convenor,
George Bruce, chair of Caithness Health Forum, and councillors
Bill Fernie and Graham Smith. Councillor Donnie Mackay who
has been assisting the League of Friends set up the meetings
introduced Phillip Coghill a local farmer as chairman for the
evening.
29th November 2003
Wick Gets On With Christmas Despite the Rain
27th November 2003
New Aerial Photo Web
Site - Caithness & Other Parts Of Scotland
Alan Moar who has supplied Caithness.Org with aerial photographs
has now set up a new web site to include many new pictures of
both Caithness and other places as he flies around the skies of
Scotland.
Main Street, Castletown - End To End Picture Set Complete
Further Up Main Street, Castletown
WICK NORTH PIER FUTURE
SECURED
Funding from the Scottish Executive to better protect Wick from
coastal flooding has been welcomed by The Highland Council
today. The River Piers in Wick play an important role in
protecting the lower lying parts of the town from coastal
flooding. The improvements will enable the Council to strengthen
the North Pier which has suffered from erosion and storm damage
in recent years. The total cost of the protection works will be
£3.1 million and the balance will met from Council funds.
Unemployment Still Falling In
The North
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and
Sutherland fell from 741 last month to 705. This compares to 752
in the same period last year. The revised unemployment
rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas'
respectively are as follows: 3.4% (3.5%), 3.6% (3.9%) and 2.4%
(2.6%). Full details of all the latest grants and
training awards.
Rob
Gibson MSP Supports Campaign For Maternity Services
"Use
Continental Practice To Support Caithness Maternity".
SNP list member for the Highlands and Islands Rob Gibson
welcomes the turn out of last nights (Wednesday 26th of
November) public meeting about the downgrading of Wick Maternity
Ward. He will be present at the 15 December meeting with
Prof. Calder in Wick. Rob pledging his support to the
local community said
Centralisation of the service in Raigmore
would not only jeopardise lives it would also jeopardise the
future sustainability of the area." He went on to
say
The downgrading would create a vicious circle as it would
make the area less attractive to young people who wanted to stay
here or move here and could also put off employers from
investing here..
A Recent Wedding - Tanya Banks And Graham Sinclair
If
anyone else in Caithness or ex Caithness would like their
wedding photographs placed on the web site just let us know.
it's a great way to share the moments round the world.
Caithness Connections Video - Free Competition Now Open
The next FREE competition to win one of 20 videos is now
open and within minutes the first entry came in. Have a go
and see if you are one of the twenty winners.
Halfway Along Main Street, Castletown
East Caithness Draws Together On
Maternity Downgrading Threat
The Francis Street club , wick was the scene of unprecedented
support for consultant led services to be retained in Caithness.
Councillor Donnie Mackay one of the organisers of the meeting announced
the start of the meeting and introduced Phillip Coghill who chaired the
meeting. Almost no other issue could so easily bring together so
many people from many backgrounds in the local community. The threat
just three years after the last review of maternity services in Caithness
is thought by many to be nothing more than a disgrace.
Further Along Main Street, Castletown
Kayak
Training
Members
of the Pentland Canoe Club (Simon Copsey; Andy Ford and David
Mowat) completed a Level 2 Coach (Kayak) training course last
weekend. This was the culmination of a session of hard work
during which they had to obtain various pre-requisites for the
course including a Canoeing Safety Test, First Aid and 3 Star
Certificates. During the training course they were coached in
the fundamentals of coaching, safety, journeying and personal
skills.
26th November 2003
CAITHNESS ARTIST BRINGS HIS ART ALIVE ON DVD
Local Caithness artist Julian Smith has taken the unusual step
of taking his paintings beyond the canvas and into the digital world, by
turning them into evocative animations. Julian, who has lived and
worked in Caithness for most of his life, takes his inspiration from the
area's wildlife and landscapes. He recently set up a website - with
assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) via its
E-business support programme - to sell his original works and prints
online.
Telford Street, Wick - Progress Pictures
25th November 2003
Main Street, Castletown End To End - Here 's The Start - The Rest Later
24th November 2003
Under 13 Caithness County Badminton
Championships
Under 13 County Championships which were held in the Wick High
Games Hall on Saturday 22nd November '03. There was an entry of
over 60 boys and girls all playing some really good intelligent
badminton. There were 8 hours non stop badminton which included
40 games in the boys singles. In each game they had to play the
first to get 21 points.
Move To
End 'Postcode Prescribing'
A strengthened role for the Scottish Medicines Consortium
(SMC) will ensure that 'unique drugs' will be made available
simultaneously across Scotland. The new arrangements for
the provision of drugs like Imatinib or Glivec used in the
treatment of leukaemia will mean they can quickly pass into
mainstream use once approved by the SMC. Health Minister
Malcolm Chisholm said: "Patients deserve equal access wherever
they live in Scotland to new drugs which are the only effective
treatment for a particular condition. "It is entirely
unacceptable that patients are denied the benefit of such a drug
simply because there is no provision for it in their local
Health Board budget.
SEEKING A
SOLUTION TO SHIPPING HAZARDS
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling is to be asked to
agree a "serious, pragmatic and workable solution" to the
problems currently being experienced with shipping movements
around coastal waters. The plea comes from Councillor Alison
Magee, Convener of The Highland Council, who is seeking a
meeting with Mr Darling as the result of continuing concern
about the safety of shipping movements, highlighted by the
sinking in June of the MC Jambo off the Summer Isles, Wester
Ross and the subsequent salvage/recovery operation mounted by
the Department for Transport.
VOLUNTARY
SERVICE AWARDED FIRST COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE LOAN IN THE HIGHLANDS
Ross-shire Voluntary Action (RVA)
is the first organisation in the Highlands to benefit under the
new Community Enterprise Loan Fund. Launched earlier this year
by Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL), the Fund offers a
comprehensive package of business advice, access to loan finance
and aftercare support to serve the development needs of the
growing voluntary sector in Highland.
Highland
Schools Swimming Gala - Full Results From All Events
The Highland Schools Swimming Gala held at Inverness
Aquadome attracted around 500 swimmers from all across the
Highlands and a small number of swimmers from the Western Isles.
Entered were 23 primary schools and 20 secondary school swimmers
competing for honours .The Highland Gala acts as the district
heats for the Scottish Schools Finals to be held at Tollcross
Pool in Glasgow on 31st Jan 2004.
Latest Funding For Charities News
Thurso Christmas Lights By Night
Thanks
to Mike Brunton for these shots of the new blue look to the
trees as part of the new Christmas Lights in Thurso.
Eye On
Pages To Follow Caithness Maternity Services Review - Yet Again
Public meetings are to be held in Wick and Thurso this
week to guage public opinion and find out if people know what
they want. These meetings are not being organised by
official sources but by concerned people with the aid of
councillors. David Flear has asked that as many
people as possible let him know their views as he has asked and
been granted an interview with Professor Calder who will be
coming to Caithness and ultimately making a report.
A new button has been added on the left so that you can follow
events as they unfold in coming months. Post any views on
the Message Boards.
23rd November 2003
Mist At Dunnet - Pictures By Michael Draper
Er....we seem to have started a competition....or
something! Thanks for the photographs
Northern Lights Continues Spectacular Show Over Caithness - Pictures From John Baikie
Broadband Trigger Figure Graphs for Caithness Exchanges Now In
Updating Daily
Check the Broadband campaign page regularly to see how close the
exchanges of Halkirk, Lybster, Watten and Wick are to the target
trigger figures.
Ploughing Match At Stanstill Farm, Bower - Pictures
22nd November 2003
Thurso Gets Early Christmas Lights
Thurso Town Improvements got going with the lights early this
year to show off the additional new sets of lights around the
streets and near the Christmas Tree. Thurso Christmas Fun
Day is still to come on 6 December. Wick switches on
the lights next Saturday 29 December.
21st November 2003
Free
Flu Jabs For Over 65's - Get It Now
Anyone aged over 65 is now entitled to a free
flu jab if they live in Scotland. From this year you are also
entitled to a free pneumococcal jab if not previously vaccinated.
This will help prevent against pneumococcal infection such as sever forms
of pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. Tell your elderly friends
and relatives about this offer now available and you could save them
serious illness this and later winters. Certain people under 65 with
a range of medical conditions are also entitled to the FREE jabs.
Northern Lights Over Caithness
Keith Parkes caught the Aurora over Caithness last night at a great time.
We also were out taking a look and there were some great waves of pink and
green shimmering overhead.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS
One dormant Community Council in Caithness will be re-formed and
one existing body will go into abeyance following the recent nomination
period of the election process. For seven of the twelve areas in
Caithness, it will be business as usual, with no elections required.
Elections by postal ballot are being organised in two areas, and one area
will remain, as before, with no active Community Council.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN
END STATE OF WASTE SHAFT
Consultation Period Launched - Closing Date 7 February 2004.
UKAEA is today inviting members of the public to participate in
the choice of Best Practicable Environmental Option for
remediation of the rock around the waste shaft at Dounreay.
Options for remediating the rock once the waste has been removed
range from natural decay of the radioactivity to quarrying large
quantities of rock from beneath the seabed for disposal as low
level waste. UKAEA is consulting the public now because
the agreed end state for decommissioning the shaft will be an
important factor in choosing the most appropriate techniques for
its hydraulic isolation and retrieval of the waste.
£140 MILLION
BACKLOG OF ROADS AND BRIDGE REPAIRS
Highland Councillors have been advised that £140 million needs
to be spent to meet the backlog of work required to bring the
areas roads and bridges up to scratch. £90 million is
identified to maintain, repair and upgrade roads and £50 million
to strengthen bridges. Members of the Transport, Environmental
and Community Services Committee were advised that the overall
condition of the Council's road network, extending to
6,632 kilometres, is deteriorating, with incidence increasing of
subsidence, rutting, edge damage, cracking and lack of skid
resistance.
Winning Cub Scout Football Team 1972 - 73
Thanks
to Dave Cormack (third from the left front row) for sending in
this picture of the cub team he was a member of. If anyone
can recall the names of everyone or even a few get in touch and
we will add them to the picture. And a belated
congrats as we were not around in 1972.
Three Caithness
Schools Share Safer Routes To School Cash
£10,100 to Canisbay Primary
for improved school signage and road markings in Canisbay
Village and the construction of a footway and fence round the
bus stop at Lower Gills. £4,100 to
Mount Pleasant Primary in Thurso
for the building of a ramp at the front of the school to improve
cycle access, the lining of car park bays on Castle Terrace and
the school car parks. £15,000 from the new 20 mph limit at
schools grant was awarded to put a 20 mph limit on Castle
Terrace and associated traffic calming at either end of the
road. £11,000 to South
Primary in Wick for a zebra
crossings, zig zag markings and two yellow backed school warning
signs on Roxburgh Road outside the front of the school.
On Through Achnahuaigh, Sutherland
Wick Has
A Trigger figure For Broadband - 500
Yes a figure has finally been set for Wick at 500 and many
other smaller places around the country also have figures set by
BT. You can check back here to see how things are going.
But what we really need is for everyone who wants Broadband to
happen to get signed up and get everyone they know to make sure
they sign up. Broadband is essential if the area is to
keep up with communications in the 21st century. It is
faster than you think and a must have for many new businesses
locating to new areas. Check back here or the
Message Board Broadband section 309 have so far
signed up for Wick. Trigger figures have also been set for
other smaller places so wherever you are get signing up.
On To Talmine - Kyle Of Tongue, Sutherland
20th November 2003
Webcam
From Market Square, Wick At Hogmanay To Bring In 2004
Doug Mackay and Niall from Caithness.org will be running the
webcam from Market Square, Wick to look in on the Hogmanay
celebrations - music, bands and the crowds out to bring in the
New Year. Traditional music and local bands will be
providing entertainment and perhaps another huge Strip The
Willow dance along the street - maybe even bigger than last
year. The webcam will have a link here on 31 December.
If anyone has a webcam, Internet link and computer in a suitable
location in Thurso and would like to run one get in touch and we
will supply the software and web space via Caithness.Org.
Further Along The Kyle Of Tongue To Skinnet
Jenny Redgate - Castletown Brownie Leader On 22 Mile Swimming
Fund Raiser
The Brownies in Castletown have raised a considerable amount of
money this year for their chosen charities - from an orange
themed party in aid of children in Bangladesh, to a sponsored
information collection about Castletown in aid of children with
Leukaemia. Now its the turn of their Brownie Guider
- Jenny Redgate (normally seen as a bearded member of the Bosom
Buddies float in the local Galas!!) - who will be swimming 22
miles in aid of ASPIRE, a charity working to help those who have
suffered a spinal injury.
SEA-ANGLER TO
TACKLE BUSINESS
A Caithness sea-angler has risen to the challenge of starting
his own business, and is to produce and market a range of
fishing tackle to anglers the length and breadth of the country.
Graham Finn, who lives in Freswick, has started trading as
Kingfisher Activities. He has converted a previously derelict
outbuilding into a workshop in which he will produce various
items, such as weights, pirks, traces and rigs.
£150,000 FUNDING
FOR CAITHNESS HOME ZONE AT ORMLIE
Highland Councillors have agreed to give £150,000 over the next
two and a half years to Ormlie Community Association for
Scotland's most northerly Home Zone project. This money comes
from the £1.214 million that the Scottish Executive gave the
Council to spend on 20 mph speed limits around school and
related capital projects over the next two and a half years.
The Ormlie Estate in Thurso is one of four areas to successfully
bid to pilot Home Zones in Scotland. Home Zones are people
friendly residential streets with reduced vehicle speed and
integrated safety measures for children, pedestrians and
cyclists. The Ormlie project involves far-sighted plans to
re-design and re-allocate road space.
HIGHLAND TOURISM SEMINAR
The Highland Councils second
Tourism Seminar will be held in Inverness on Friday 5 December. Last year
the Council invited speakers from the tourism industry to air their views
on how the Councils services affected tourism businesses in the
Highlands. A number of issues were raised, such as public toilets, litter
collection, road signs, waste collections at weekends, planning and roads
maintenance and waste recycling. There are a few spaces
left at this years event, which will be held in the Council Chamber,
Glenurquhart Road, Inverness. Any businesses who would like to
attend should contact.
Milk Marketing Building In Wick To Be Demolished For New Houses
The former Milk Marketing Board building next to the wick
railway station is to be demolished to build up to eight new
private houses. Planning permission has been granted
for the change of use of the site which will include the Milk
Marketing Board area and land to be acquired from Network Rail
and is currently unused. The company Trackside
Developments will knock the building down.
CAITHNESS
SCHOOLS WELCOME TRADITIONAL MUSIC SCHEME
The Traditional Musicians In Schools project run by Fèis Rois is
continuing to sweep through primary schools throughout Scotland
this winter with the Caithness area next to be visited. Fèis
Rois, a Highland traditional arts organisation. The group
will visit 17 Primary schools over a six-day period beginning at
the end of November. The visits will take place in the following
areas; Wick, Thurso, Reay, Halkirk, Castletown, Dunnet,
Bowermadden, Keiss, Watten, Thrumster, Lybster and Dunbeath. It
is estimated that 900 children will benefit from the experience.
The visits will be conducted by a very experienced team being
led by acclaimed local musician Addie Harper. He will be
accompanied by fiddler Claire Campbell, singer Maeve Mackinnon
and harpist and singer Kathleen Graham.
Midtown, Sutherland
Here is one of a series of small villages that sits on the coast
along the Kyle of Tongue. Plenty more of this spectacular
area to come as we let you follow the route well worth checking
out when in the far north of Scotland. Leave plenty of
time for these long empty roads.
Stuart Craigie Heads On To
Propulsion Engineer
Young
Castletown man, Stuart Craigie, has successfully completed his
RAF basic training and he now moves on to 12 month trade
training at RAF Cosford for his role as a propulsion engineer.
He will then partake in on-the-job training at an operational
base and he hopes this will be servicing the Nimrod aircraft,
possibly at RAF Kinloss. Stuarts family travelled to RAF
Halton to watch his passing out parade and were very proud of
his achievement. Stuart was a pupil of Thurso High
School and a Cadet Corporal in the Thurso Air Cadets. On
passing out from basic training, Stuart said the Air Cadets
gave me a big head start with many of the skills I required such
as drill, first aid and weapons handling. I am sure the
instruction I had in principles of flight and aircraft
recognition will prove just as beneficial during my trade
training.
19th November 2003
North Coast Swimming Pool, Bettyhill
If
you have never had a look at the North coast Leisure Pool at
Bettyhil here is your chance. As with many other small
communities the pool was opened after many years of
fund-raising. The pool sits right next to Bettyhill
Primary School in the heart of the village.
Caithness General
Hospital Praised Catering Praised In National Report
A National Report by
Audit Scotland, Catering for Patients has today published key
results of a survey taken in Scottish Hospitals. The
survey reported that 100% at Caithness General Hospital, Wick
and 100% at New Craigs and 98% of patients at Raigmore
Hospital, were either satisfied or very satisfied with the
meals they received in these hospitals. All wards have
their own copies of diet folders and guidance on what type of
food patients can eat plus there is a full dietetic service on
site. Caithness General in Wick was also specifically cited as
having particularly good practice. Patients admitted to
Caithness General Hospital after the patient meals have been
ordered from the kitchen are supplied with a "late admission
tray".
Pulteneytown Academy Primary School Newsletter November
2003
All the latest updates, Christmas dinner, Calendars . Free
milk and fruit juice has started at meal times in school.
Next Meeting
Of Caithness Quilters
The next meeting of the Caithness Quilters is on Tuesday 25 November 2003
in Pulteney Parish Church Hall at 7.30 pm with a Christmas Show and Tell
and Bran Tub this is the last meeting of this year.
Scouts In Wick Have New Day
Wick scouts have changed their meeting day to a Monday. All
groups including beavers, cubs , scouts and explorer scouts have times on
that day. the group cover a wide range of activities. the
scout groups in all parts of the county are always on the lookout for
interested people who can spare a few hours each week. Training is
given to all volunteers. If interested contact your nearest local
group for more information.
TWO NEW GPs FOR WICK and TWO FOR LYBSTER
The Highland Primary Care NHS Trust has reported that after 14 months of uncertainty, the shortage of GPs in the Medical
Centre in Wick has finally been resolved. Dr. Derek Kelly will now join the others
on 5th January 2004, followed by Dr. Neil Wilson on 1st May 2004. The other piece of good news for Health
Services in the north is that the vacancy at Lybster has also finally been
filled after 14 months. Dr. Bert Martens and Dr. Borja (Bobby)
Echavarren have been employed as Salaried Doctors by the Trust and will
start working in the surgery in January.
Tongue, Sutherland
Worth visiting at any time of the year for its remote, rugged
landscape. With temperatures still unseasonably warm and
with dramatic changes of weather Ben Loyal the mountain south of
Tongue makes an impressive backdrop to the whole area whether in
summer with blue skies, winter capped in snow or in autumn with
alternating mist, rain and sunshine making dozens of rainbows
over the lochs, countryside and especially the Kyle of Tongue.
18th November 2003
Highland Advocacy Offers
More Services
A new services in Highland for people who have mental health
problems including dementia, People who have learning
disabilities, Frail older people and People who are homeless.
Highlands And Islands Enterprise Board Visits Dounreay
12
members of the Highlands & Islands Enterprise Board visited
Dounreay recently for a presentation on Dounreay issues and a
tour of the site. The HIE Board including chairman
Jim Hunter visited a number of establishments in the far north
before having an evening meeting with the board of Caithness And
Sutherland Enterprise to discuss a range of issues.
Fresson Trust
Calendar Celebrates Norths Aviation History
A new
calendar which commemorates the rich history of aviation in the Highlands
and Islands goes on sale this week and will be available from
each of the 10 airports managed by Highlands and Islands
Airports Limited. The 2004 Fresson Trust calendar commemorates
the life and work of Captain Ernest Edmund Fresson OBE, the
pioneer of flight in the North of Scotland. The
Fresson Trust was set up to honour Capt. Fresson, who pioneered
aviation in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland with the
formation of Highland Airways Ltd in 1933. Capt. Fressons
vision and determination saw the airline establish commercial
and mail flights to and from Orkney, Wick, Shetland, Inverness,
Aberdeen, Perth and Glasgow.
Mobile Phone and
Driving Warning As New Law Comes Into Force on 1 December 2003
The warning comes in the run up to changes to the Road Vehicles
(Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, which come into force
on 1st December this year and will make it illegal to use a
hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. Employers could
also be found in breach of section 110(2) of the regulations
unless they ensure that employees are equipped with suitable
mobile phone equipment and are aware of the new rules.
Those in breach of the regulations will face a £30 fixed-penalty
or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case is then taken to court.
It is however intended that the fixed penalty will in the future
be raised to £60 plus 3 penalty points. Drivers of goods
or passenger-carrying vehicles will face fines of up to £2,500.
A Nostalgic
Visit
John
Lisman was a civil engineering student at Strathclyde University
when, in 1954, he was offered a one year practical experience
job with Glasgow firm, Whatlings Ltd. Within a few months, the
Inverness born student was despatched to Dounreay where the firm
was awarded the main building and civil engineering contract.
His home from home became the Boston Camp. Recently
John, now living in British Columbia, made a nostalgic visit to
site where he visited DFR for the first time in almost fifty
years.....
HIE BOARD VISITS FORSS BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK
The Board of Highlands & Islands Enterprise
saw at first hand today (17th November 2003) how HIE Network investment in
Forss Business and Technology Park is bringing real economic benefits to
the Far North. While touring the site the Board learned how Scottish
company New Park Managements £6 million pounds refurbishment of the Forss site,
which has lain dormant and decaying since the US Navy abandoned it a
decade ago, is attracting inward investment from major national and
international companies.
16th November 2003
Annual Field Club Dinner
Dr
Jack Dunnet (Right) from Freswick and famous for his work in
plant breeding particularly in potatoes was the speaker at this
years annual dinner held in the Portland Arms Hotel, Lybster.
He is seen here with Geoff Leet, Chairman and David Oliver.
Dr Dunnet presented the Field Club with a copy of his book on
Potatoes.
Thurso
Christmas Lights Switch On Next Saturday
It's on Sat 22/11/03 starting at 3.00pm with singing. Lights due
to go on at 3.45pm. Wick follows on Saturday 29 November.
Wings Over
Wick - Latest Request From Norway
The search for a name of an unmarked grave in Norway. Does
anyone have any information on this RAF man who died on a
mission? Check the web site and let them have any suggestions
Thrumster
1947-48
First
old Thrumster school picture has been sent in by Gordon Miller,
Vancouver, Canada.
Loganair Increases
Flights
Edinburgh to Inverness and Stornoway Routes
Loganair Ltd, British Airways the principal flight operator in
the Highlands and Islands, has increased its air links from
Edinburgh to Inverness and Stornoway. As a result of the
new frequencies it is now possible to travel north from the
Scottish capital for a days business in either Inverness or
Stornoway and return the same day. The move comes in
response to demand from air travellers and forms part of winter
schedule changes that now include an earlier Glasgow flight to
Inverness, Kirkwall and Sumburgh and an earlier flight from
Sumburgh to Edinburgh.
Violet Leitch School Of Dancing Coffee Afternoon
Wick Piping And Chanter Competitions 2003
Thurso Piping and Chanter Competitions 2003
North Baths Team Ready To Go
Iain Sutherland and his team have already cleared the road of
many tons of stones thrown up by the sea in successive storms
and are ready to start the huge task of restoring the North
Baths - another open air pool at Wick. Once used by
many locals as their swimming pool it was once as busy as the
Trinkie on the other side of the Bay. Iain Sutherland and
his team have set about the task of raising money and gathering
people together to undertake this work. He has also
gathered a group of local contractors who are donating materials
and machinery for the job.
St Ninian's Chapel
Site At Papigoe - Is This The Earliest Christian Site In Scotland?
If proved correct then the site at Papigoe would predate the site on Iona
and others by a considerable number of years. Locals Robert Gunn and
Iain Sutherland of the Wick Society have tried unsuccessfully to get
archaeologists to dig the site. The view of the early Christian
church in Scotland may yet be changed by this site.
15th November 2003
ACHVARASDAL
- AN OLD WOODLAND UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
This small enclosure of nearly 13 Hectares, is the most accessible
naturalised woodland in this area. It appears to be hardly known by those
speeding by on the busy but unclassified road from Thurso to Reay. Yet it
stands out as the only mixed trees in the area: about one kilometre from
the junction with the A836 on the outskirts of Reay. It is tested by salt
laden winds from the north west and fierce gales from the south east, yet
within is another world. Its secret lies in the ages it has been protected
from fire and grazing stock. The first Ordnance Survey of 1874 showed
avenues and an established wood. A recent tree survey shows evidence of
careful planting and later natural regeneration.
Christmas In
Caithness - Places
To Stay In Caithness At Christmas
Many hotels and guest houses etc in
Caithness are closed on Christmas Day and the New Year period.
Some are open and we will list any we find out about to make your
search a bit easier. If your place is open over Christmas day
or New Years Day please get in touch to add your hotel of guest house etc
to the listing. We are providing this as a FREE service to both
local businesses and to make it easier for folk trying to find
accommodation at that time of year. Email us details to add to
the Christmas Pages
Caithness Voluntary Group AGM
John Thurso MP was the guest speaker at the AGM of Caithness Voluntary
Group held in the Morven Building of Highland College, Thurso on Friday 14
November 2003. The meeting was well attended with representatives
from many local organisations affiliated to CVG and other interested
people. The annual report shows that once again the group has
expanded its services in a number of areas and is finally about to move
into a refurbished building in Williamson Street, Wick. John Thurso
paid tribute to the many volunteers of both Caithness Voluntary Group and
the many connected organisations throughout.
URANIUM LINES ARE CLEANED OUT
UKAEA has completed the post-operational clean-out of a redundant uranium
processing facility in preparation for its eventual decommissioning. The
Amber Area - an annexe of the D1203 uranium recovery plant - contains
solvent extraction and dissolver equipment, storage tanks and glove boxes
that were used to process uranium. Work started in 1998 to prepare for the
clean-out of these facilities with the design and installation of new
ventilation equipment manufactured by local engineering companies. This
enabled staff to carry out detailed surveys of the work required to clean
out the facility. Over an 18-month period, more than 1400 entries were
made by staff wearing protective air-line suits to clean out all the waste
residue. This produced approximately 250 drums of solid low-level waste.
14th November 2003
Alice In Wonderland Pantomime Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets are on sale at The Reel Thing, Wick and Nobles Florists,
Thurso. The cast is made up from the children from all over
Caithness who attend Beverley Sarstedt's Junior Drama and Dance Group.
13th November 2003
SKYLINE CHANGES AGAIN AS
DOUNREAY BUILDINGS ARE DEMOLISHED
More demolition of redundant buildings has brought further
changes to the skyline at Dounreay. The latest
facilities to be knocked down are the old farmhouse and
the former fast reactor facilities building known as D8542.
Both buildings have been cleared to make
way for new plants needed to retrieve and manage
waste from the shaft and silo. Construction of D8542 was
completed in 1962 with the work carried out by the Aberdeen
construction firm.
RECENT
INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF USING OLD ELECTRIC BLANKETS
The barking of a family dog saved the day in a Highland home
when a faulty electric blanket caught fire in a childs cot. The
family removed the smouldering blanket from the childs cot and
put it outside where it then burst into flames. The
incident, attended by Fire Brigade crews based in Inverness, has
highlighted once more the hazards presented by old or poorly
maintained electric blankets. The electric blanket was bought
second-hand from a car-boot sale. "This was a close call,"
said Divisional Commander, Calum Munro. "Without the barking of
the family pet, we could have had a tragedy on our hands."
Old and damaged electric blankets have been identified as being
the cause of more than 5,000 fires a year and to date this has
resulted in at least 20 associated deaths and 250 injuries
having been recorded.
Tree Planting For Keiss Kids
Keiss
School DIGG Project held a tree planting day last Saturday as part of
the development and improvement of a waste and derelict area of the
school grounds. The tree planting was part of phase two of the DIGG
Project. Phase one was the installation of a paved area of Caithness
flagstone, the erection of 'standing stones,' with designs created by
the children, sandblasted onto the stone and the siting of
two picnic tables and seating. A competition was
held in school to design the pictures for the stones with the
winning designs being the ones picked to be put on the stones.
Mount
Pleasant Nursery -
Polaroid From UKAEA
To Help Literacy Initiative
UKAEA
Dounreay recently sponsored Mount Pleasant Primary School
Nursery with financial assistance enabling them to purchase a
Polaroid instant camera for their new early literacy initiative
"Adventure Ted". "Adventure Ted" is a teddy, complete with
rucksack and pyjamas, which goes home with each child from the
class in turn over the course of the season and takes part in
family activities.
NURSERY NURSES
PAY DISPUTE IN HIGHLAND RESOLVED
A pay dispute involving 220 nursery staff employed by The
Highland Council and who are members of the trade union, Unison,
is close to being resolved as the result of a local settlement.
The Unison Working Group leading the local negotiations has
recommended acceptance of the offer and this will be considered
formally by nursery nurse staff on Monday 17 November. The
Council has welcomed the progress made as it also provides more
support for nursery classes and schools and ensures that the
continual industrial action whereby the staff were boycotting
certain duties will come to an end.
MILESTONE
REACHED FOR EDUCATION PPP2 PROJECT
The biggest building project to be undertaken by The
Highland Council progressed to the final stage of consideration
today when councillors agreed a limit on how much they are
prepared to spend on the proposed construction of 11 schools
under a second Education Public Private Partnership. A
final decision on the programme, which involves an estimated
spending of £100 million phased between 2005-2009, will be taken
in the spring of next year following detailed negotiations with
the chosen bidder.
11th November 2003
UNIQUE ART GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS FROM CAITHNESS
This
celebration of Caithness in paintings and music has been brought
together in a beautifully produced DVD by
'Artsmith'. Local artist, Julian Smith has collaborated
with multi-media specialist, 'inner-eye-interactive' to create a
unique and truly memorable work following a highly acclaimed and
very successful exhibition this summer. The product features
not only the animation, which many found very moving, but also a
complete gallery of paintings, including captions or narration.
Autumn Tidy In Caithness Is Hi-Tech
Caithness
may not be renowned for its forests although there are quite a
few once you start looking but we do have the most modern
machinery for sweeping up the leaves in Autumn. This
machine doubles for grass-cutting at one end of the season
and vacuuming the leaves up at the other. Seen here in
Argyle Square, Wick.
COUNCIL WARNS OF FAKE VODKA
The
Highland Councils Environmental Health Officers are warning
consumers about counterfeit vodka
contaminated with methanol after another illegal product had
been found on sale. Counterfeit
Kirov Vodka was discovered in Kent. It is possible that it is
available in other parts of the country. Two different size
bottles, 70cl and 35cl were sampled and found to be contaminated
with methanol. The 70cl bottle was heavily contaminated with
methanol and would present a serious health risk if consumed in
sufficient quantity. The 35cl bottle contained less methanol
and, whilst not a serious health risk at that level, there
appears to be a large variation in levels of methanol across
batches, and other similar bottles may be found to contain
higher levels.
New Section On Wick Cemetery - Mainly War Graves At Present
War Memorials Index
10th November 2003
More Schooldays Pictures - Supplied by Isobel Ferrier
Wick High 1950-51
North School 1947
More Names from Isobel Ferrier
Could be 1946?
Far North
Finalists Fly the Flag
The
innovative approach of Far North businesses towards skills
development is once again in the running for recognition in a
national awards final thanks to two thriving local companies.
Following a rigorous assessment process both Scotch Premier Meat
Ltd., Dornoch and AGM Batteries Ltd, Thurso have impressed the
judges so much they have been selected for the finals of the
National Training Awards, which will be announced at a dinner at
The Hilton, Glasgow on Thursday 13th November...................
COMBATING BOGUS
CALLERS
The growing trend of bogus callers visiting vulnerable
consumers in the Highland area is causing concern to Trading
Standards officers of The Highland Council. And
they will make this the focus of their efforts to mark National
Consumer Week, which runs from Monday 10 November, when
Community Safety is the theme. Trading Standards officers
will be providing consumers with help and advice so they can
make the right choices when buying goods and services at home or
when approached on the doorstep.
£100
MILLION HIGHLAND PPP2 BID TO BE PROGRESSED
The Highland Council will be asked at
a special meeting on Thursday (13 November) to progress a second
Education Public Private Partnership, involving a spending of
£100 million phased between 2005 -2009. Members will consider
the value for money and affordabi1ity of the biggest building
programme to be considered by a local authority in the
Highlands. Bower Primary school was included in the
earlier PPP1 bid. Wick High fell below the affordability
break point in 2001 and is not included in this second round of
bidding.
INTERNATIONAL
GOLF MANAGERS ON PAR FOR TRAINING COURSE
Golf club managers from America and Europe are gathering in
Dornoch this week for a major training event, which has been
organised by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), in
partnership with the Club Managers Association of Europe.
This is the first time that the CMAA has held an educational
seminar out-with the USA, and 50 managers from American and
European clubs are taking part......
COUNCIL WARNS
ABOUT LIDL RED WINE
Environmental Health
officers with The Highland Council are warning consumers about
a particular type of red wine sold through Lidl stores. Lidl
have withdrawn bottles of Australian
Creston Bay Brand Cabernet Shiraz due to high levels of sulphur
dioxide being present.
TACKLING THE IMPACT OF
FALLING AND AGEING POPULATION IN THE HIGHLANDS
Promoting the Highlands as an exciting place to live and work is a key
priority if the area is to combat a significant projected fall over the
next 20 years in young and economically active people. Highland
Councillors are eager to counter the impact of a projected decline in the
Highland population from 208,914 in 2001 to 202,490 in 2016.
SHORTAGE OF ADOPTIVE
FAMILIES LEAVES CHILDREN WAITING
The Highland Council is appealing to people in the Highlands to consider
adopting a child. Their call coincides with the
launch of National Adoption Week, a nationwide campaign organised by the
British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, aimed at finding families for
children waiting to be adopted. Over 3,000 children in the U.K. are
waiting to be adopted and many older children in the Highlands wait too
long to find permanent and loving homes due to a shortage of people coming
forward.
WESTMINSTER AND EUROPE TO BE TARGETED
IN TANKER CAMPAIGN
The Highland Council is to seek an early meeting with Transport Secretary
Alistair Darling to highlight the urgent need for more effective
management of shipping around coastal waters. At the same time, the
Council is to set to gain membership of an influential European working
group, which is examining maritime safety issues.
Caithness Open Pool Competition
The
annual Caithness Open Pool competition was won yesterday by
Stewart Johnstone from Falkirk who picked up £500 prize money.
Runner up was local man Tam Mulraine who received £200.
There were 22 entrants this year down from the average of 50 due
to the date being changed and clashing with other competitions
elsewhere.
Keiss Castle
This
picture of Keiss Castle has been sent in by Michael Draper.
the picture has been added to the old
Keiss Castle Gallery. Information about the castle can
be found in the
Keiss Castle section.
Remembrance At Corsback Cemetery, Dunnet
9th November 2003
Remembrance At Staxigoe War Memorial
History Of Caithness - PEDIGREE OF JOHN
SINCLAIR, ESQUIRE OF BARROCK
Another section from Appendix 5 of
Calder's history of Caithness
8th November 2003
Telford Street, Wick - Latest Pictures
Williamson Street, Wick
The
building in Williamson Street, Wick being renovated for
Caithness Voluntary Group is now under wraps as work on the
stonework and roof progresses
Local Folk
Here
is the start of a new section for pictures of local folk
requested by these guys in Dempster Street, Wick. Can
anyone put names to these faces? We will add more
pictures to this section over the months and years.
Caithness
Connections From Ross Records
The latest Caithness video from Ross Records is in the shops now
and is available via their web site. Last years video was
a great success and Gibson Ross decided to make another
compilation of Caithness music and footage of various parts of
the county. A Musical Tour of Caithness with Bobby Coghill,
Jack Cowan, The Lachie Campbell Trio, Addie Harper Jnr.,
Alastair J. MacDonald, Carol-Anne Mackay, Laura Mennie, Katrina
Scott & Sally Edwards, Karen Stephen,and featuring the Massed
Pipes & Drums live in Thurso. Places visited include
Crosskirk, Dunbeath, The Stacks of Duncansby, Keiss, Lybster,
Reay, Sandside Bay, Scotscalder, Scrabster, The Island of Stroma,
Thurso, Watten, Westerdale and Wick. Events visited
include The Caithness County Show, The 100th Halkirk Highland
Games, The Latheron Show and the Massed Pipes & Drums
celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Thurso Pipe Band.
Discounts is on offer if you buy two or more videos from the web
site.
7th November 2003
Doureay Fire And Ambulance Service
From its earliest days the UKAEA site at Dounreay has had
its own emergency service carrying out vital safety work and
training. Fire Fighters perform a dual
role and are trained as Ambulance Technicians by the Scottish
Ambulance Service.
Other Caithness Emergency Services
March Road Footpath, Wick
With all this fantastic weather we are getting great sunsets and
some great skies on clear nights. the March Road footpath
leads out to the Castle of Old wick and well known to many folk
out for a stroll to the castle and back into town via the old
Coastguard station now a private residence.
Caithness Community Groups Free Web Pages Get Your
Information On
It could not be easier to get your group or organisation on
the web. FREE pages on Caithness.org can have anything
your group want from notes to pictures. Just email it in to us
and we do the rest. Setting up your own group web site
then we charge only £50 a year including domain name to host
your site. Pages on the Caithness.org web site get the
additional benefit of update mentions on the front page and in
our index pages. All hosting packages are not the same so
check out exactly what you get and what it costs.
Check our Scorrie packages
Starting Out in Business In Caithness - Get Your Free Business
Page Right Away
Starting a new business can mean cash is limited for advertising
your services but your page in the Caithness Business Index is
absolutely FREE. Once established and you need a higher
level of coverage then you can consider our low cost banner ads
circulating round our groups of web sites and linked to your
business page or web site whether you build it yourself or get
one built by us or another web company. But do get your
FREE business page to be found on the web now.
NEW
UKAEA CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED
Former BP Senior Executive to lead pioneering authority.
The Minister of Energy, Stephen Timms, has appointed Mr
Dipesh J Shah as the new Chief Executive to the United Kingdom
Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) in succession to Dr John McKeown.
He will take up his appointment on November 15, 2003.
Dipesh Shah, 50, has spent most of his career at BP plc. Before
leaving BP late in 2002 he was Vice President, Acquisitions and
Divestments. Prior to that he had been CEO for the Forties
Pipeline System and General Manager of the BP Grangemouth
complex.
Japanese Visitors At Dounreay
Seven
members of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Members
visited Dounreay recently. They are part of a Committee making
studies on pollution control and preservation of environment.
During their visit they had a site tour and received a
presentation on Dounreay's past, present and future.
SELECT COMMITTEE BACKS MOVE TO MAKE HIGHLANDS GM FREE
The Highland Council is being recommended to take active steps
to encourage the establishment of the Highlands as a Genetically
Modified Free Zone. The advice comes from its Land and
Environment Select Committee, which believes that following
farmscale trials comparing GM Herbicide Tolerant crops with
conventional crops, there is no evidence to date to support the
claim that GM crops will benefit the environment.
Scoular Anderson Talks To Pulteneytown Kids
Writer
Scoular Anderson visited wick library and is seen here talking
to the children from
Pulteneytown Primary school about some of his work.
Highland Tourism Businesses Aim for Monster Impact in London
The
Scottish Highlands most famous resident, Nessie is preparing to
forsake the waters of Loch Ness for the banks of the Thames at
this years World Travel Market (WTM) in London. The Loch
Ness Monster will be backing the efforts of 37 North tourism
businesses at the UKs largest tourism and hospitality expo at
the ExCel conference centre in London from 10-13 November.
A large model of the regions most elusive resident prepared to
journey south on Friday 7 November with assistance from Robbie
Bremner, owner of the Loch Ness 2000 visitor attraction at
Drumnadrochit.
6th November 2003
Family Portraits Offer From John Baikie - Photographer
FINDINGS OF STUDY POINT TO VIABILITY OF WIND POWER PROJECTS
The
initial findings of an independent study into the economics of
renewable energy confirms the viability and profitability of
developments in the Highlands and Islands and the scope for
communities to negotiate up to £5,000 per megawatt of
electricity production per year for the community benefit.
IPA Energy Consulting of Edinburgh were commissioned by The
Highland Council and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles
Council) to evaluate hydro, wind and wave power schemes and have
produced a preliminary draft report, the highlights of which
were presented to The Highland Councils Sustainable Development
Select Committee in Inverness.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL COLLECTS COMPUTER
Thurso Community Councils recently collected a free computer
system from The Highland Council. A large number of
voluntary and community organisations throughout Highland are
benefiting from a scheme operated by The Highland Council and
their information technology partner, Fujitsu. The scheme
involves organisations receiving free computers, which are
surplus to the Councils requirements. The computers have become
surplus as the result of the Councils programme of updating
their Information and Technology capability.
Seal Pup Rescue At Brough
This
time of year can be a busy time for the Marine Rescue Group in
Caithness with injured seals and orphans. This one was
being released at Brough after treatment. If you
would like to see seals and their pups then check out the Ranger
walk between
Skirza and John O'Groats on Sunday 16 November organised by
the Rangers
Suas leis a' Ghaidhlig - Up
with the Gaelic! - Gaelic Classes At Wick
Gaelic classes in Wick Comm Ed Building, Ackergill Street,
starting on Monday Nov 10th at 7:30
We would welcome learners of all abilities and also any fluent
speakers willing to pop in and help us practise our skills.
Your chance to learn to understand the songs on the T.V.Mod
programmes or Gaelic Place names..
5th November 2003
ABANDONMENT OF NIGG SITE WELCOMED BUT STILL CONCERN OVER
VULCAN
The Highland Council has welcomed the likely abandonment of
plans to dismantle laid up Royal Navy nuclear submarines at the
Nigg oil fabrication yard in East Ross. KBR, operators of
the Nigg yard, have announced that they have asked DML, one of
four consertia bidding for the Ministry of Defence contract, to
withdraw Nigg from their outline proposal. However,
there is still concern that the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test
Establishment site at Dounreay could be used as the national
repository for the nuclear reactor compartments of the redundant
submarines.
MSP
Rob Gibson Asks For North Ferry Users Group
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has lodged a
written question with the Scottish Executive asking
whether it has plans to extend the remit of the Caledonian
MacBrayne Users Committee Scotland to include passengers
on Northlink Ferries.
Cheaper To Use Caithness Business Index Than Directory Enquiries
Lots of people now use Caithness.Org business Index
rather than pay for directory enquiries to find a local business
phone number. Not only can
they find the phone number but they often find the company has a
web site and can link right through for more information.
Make sure your business details are kept up to date and users
why pay for a phone number when you can look it up for FREE.
If you are not sure which section to look in type the name into
the search engine at the foot of the page and you will be
offfered a link to the page.
4th November 2003
CAITHNESS
COUNCILLORS PRAISE NEW PARK MANAGEMENTS BOOST TO LOCAL ECONOMY
FROM UKAEA DECOMMISSIONING
The Highland Councils Caithness Area Committee visited New Park
Managements new Business and Technology Park at Forss,
Caithness today (4TH NOVEMBER 2003), to see at first hand how
the decommissioning at UKAEA Dounreay is bringing major benefits
to the local economy. The £6m development by
Scottish company New Park Management is converting the Forss
site, which has lain derelict for a decade, in to a hi-tech
Business and Technology Park.
CASE
WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER
The
Caithness Area Committee of the Highland Council has nominated
Cllr Bill Fernie as their representative on the Board of
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE). Bill
represents the West Wick ward and is the Area Committee's
chairman of Housing and Social Work. He is currently a
director of Highland Housing and Community Care Trust a
voluntary group building houses for elderly and disabled people
in Highland and a director of Highland Prospect a Highland
Council company. He also sits on a range of other
committees and local groups.
A History Of
Thurso Pipe Band - Now On Sale
Thurso
Pipe Band have just released a book on the history of the band
from 1913 to the bands 90th anniversary year 2003. The book was
researched and written by Sheila Plowman and is now for sale at
£10.00. It is available from Sheila Plowman on 01847
893901 or the band secretary David Manson on 01847 891042 or by
contacting any band member and various local shops.
3rd November 2003
Loth, Sutherland
Another small scattered village on the east coast of Sutherland
with long views from the main A9 road north and south.
Haunted House By Castletown Mothers & Toddlers Group Was A Big
Hit
Castletown
Mothers and Toddlers created a fantastic Haunted House for
Halloween. It proved very popular with long queues of people
waiting to go in throughout the two hours it was open.
Barrock School Reunion Donation At Lyth Harvest Home
A
cheque for £500 which was raised at the Barrock School Reunion was
presented at a Harvest Home Supper dance in Lyth Hall on Saturday 1st
November by Jean Bain (on the right) on behalf of the Reunion Committee
to Isobel Nicolson, Chairperson Macmillan Cancer Relief (on the left).
Also in the picture is Evelyn Richard, Treasurer Lyth Hall Committee.
Interactive Forum on Wind Farms At Scottish Parliament
On Thursday 6th November, Parliament will
debate the issue of Wind Farms in Scotland. The motion will be
introduced by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser. Along with
his co-signatories, Murdo Fraser is concerned about existing
planning regulations, and their ability to respond to local
concerns about the environmental impact of wind farms.
You can go to the Scottish Parliament web site or via the link
in our Wind Farm section to leave your comments both for and
against.
Open 4
All - Deadline For Businesses 1 October 2004
The Disability Rights Commission is currently running the
Open4All Campaign, a major campaign to raise awareness of new
duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The
duties come into force in October 2004 and will affect anyone
who provides a service to the public. By 1st
October, 2004, every business, large or small from the local
shop to restaurants, health clubs, dentists and supermarkets
will need to become more user-friendly to Britains 8.6 million
disabled people.
SNH
Appoints New Gaelic Officer
Scottish Natural Heritage has appointed a new Gaelic public
relations officer. Working from the SNH office in
Inverness, Mairi Gillies will become the lead Gaelic
spokesperson for the organisation, liaising with the Gaelic
media and other relevant bodies.
Highland Eye Photographers Has A New Web Site
A new
photography business web site is now up and running in Caithness
offering a diverse range of pictures from landscape to wildlife.
Keith Parkes will be adding an increasing number of high quality
pictures for sale to the web site. The web site offers
services from Weddings to Contract work. Find the
site via the banners or
Business Page
SHORTAGE OF ADOPTIVE
FAMILIES LEAVES CHILDREN WAITING
The Highland Council is appealing to people in the Highlands
to consider adopting a child. Their call coincides with the
launch of National Adoption Week, a nationwide campaign
organised by the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering,
aimed at finding families for children waiting to be adopted.
Over 3,000 children in the U.K. are waiting to be adopted and
many older children in the Highlands wait too long to find
permanent and loving homes due to a shortage of people coming
forward to be adoptive parents for the older child
DOUNREAY
RECORDS 41 PER CENT INCREASE IN VISITOR NUMBERS
A 41 per cent increase in visitors to the Dounreay
Exhibition has made the 2003 season one of the most popular for
many years. Almost 8,000 people passed
through the doors of the Highlands' latest four-star
visitor attraction since it opened in May.
2003 Elections Of
Community Councils In Caithness
Elections take place later in November and nominations can
now be sent in for all of the Caithness Community Councils.
Nominations should reach Ian Hargrave, Council Offices, Market
Square, Wick KW1 4AB by 4.00pm, Thursday 13 November 2003.
2nd November 2003
Kirkwall Library Old and New
Kirkwall's new library is nearly completed and should be ready
for opening soon.
Caithness Under 15 Rugby - Final Score - Caithness 43
:: Ross-Sutherland 5
Played Today at Wick High School - Caithness Rugby Club Under
15s played host today to their counterparts from the
Ross-Sutherland Club. The game kicked off under perfect weather
with a clear sky and light wind. Both teams spent the first 10
minutes in the middle of the park but gradually the Caithness
boys began to find gaps in the Ross-Sutherland defence and ran
up a 26 point to nil lead by half time with tries from Douglas
Hill, James Paterson and 2 from Andrew Mackay. Douglas converted
the 3 tries.
Traditional Scottish Music Workshop Evening Concert Sets The
Mood For The Future
The traditional music workshops day moved on to an evening
concert in Mackays hotel on Saturday night that turned out to be
one of the best musical evenings in Caithness. With a most
amazing line up of some of Scotland's most talented performers
in Scottish Traditional music ranging from Scottish dance styles
to traditional music with a cutting edge. the line -up of
tutors all themselves currently working as performers and
teachers included Ruby Randall, Marc Clement (Blazin Fiddles),
Charlie McKerron (Capercaillie), Bruce McGregor (Blazin Fiddles)
Iain Fraser (Principal fiddle tutor at Royal Scottish Academy of
Music and Drama), Louise Mackenzie (Fiddler, Composer, Teacher),
Gordon Gunn (Gordon Gunn Band and Session A9) and Addie Harper
Jnr (musician , composer and local recording artist).
Playing with their respective classes from the day and then
either individually or in impromptu pairings and groups they
delighted the audience with renditions of many of their own and
well known works rising to a great finale with all of the tutors
on stage together. Let's hope they can make it all happen
again next year.
1st November 2003
Traditional Music Workshops A Big Success In Caithness Today
Over 70 people including young and old players was voted a big
success by the participants from Caithness , Sutherland, Orkney
and Shetland. some of the top tutors in Scotland had
gathered to teach at the workshops and play at a concert in
Mackays Hotel on Saturday night.
Alice In Wonderland Rehearsals For Caithness Junior Drama
Caithness Junior Drama group run by Beverley Sarstedt were well
into rehearsals today for their Christmas season presentation of
Alice In Wonderland. The three Alice's are explained as
their way of making Alice Grow larger and smaller. Plenty
of singing and dancing. Ticket sales will be announced
here shortly.
New Cables Being Laid In Union Street, Wick for New Sub Station
A new electricity sub-station will shortly be installed at the
Telford Street project to supply the expected increased demands
of much of the Lower Pulteneytown area as the regeneration
continues. Scottish Hydro Electric are in the process of
laying new cables to connect the substation when installed.
With new houses and an expected influx of new businesses over
the next few years the power supply to the area needed
increased.
Telford Street Pulteneytown Project Latest
Thurso Pipe Band March Wick To Thurso
Thurso
Pipe Band set off on a march from Wick To Thurso today in the
first of a series of fund raisers to help take them on a trip to
play in the USA. A piper and drummer will be playing all
the way between both towns and the route goes via Castletown.
The Upward
Trend Continues On Caithness.Org in October
Hits 6,038,820 Visitors 119,285
Daily Average - Hits 194,805 Visitors 3,879
The general trend in visitor numbers is still up and October
recorded the second highest visitor numbers and the highest for
the past five months. Comparing with September (a 30 day
month) the numbers are still up as the daily average was also
passed. Compared to a year ago October 2002 had 27,044
more visitors than October 2002 - a 29.3% increase. The
increase in the last two years is 92.8% with October 2001
visitors of 61,852. We thought those were amazing then.
Thanks again for your many emails on what you like on the site -
we try to deal with as many requests as possible. And
thanks for looking in.
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