News Archive - October 2003
[September 2003] [November 2003]
31st October 2003
Saltburn, Ross-shire - Another Set of Highland Views
East Sutherland Coast To Dunrobin Castle
Thurso &
District Round Table - Fireworks Display Saturday 1 November
7.00pm
The event is purely self funding and due to the adverse
weather last year a substantial loss was incurred. This is a
well organised event and this year will have a welcome return of
the Bonfire which will be lit on the Beach.
30th October 2003
COUNCIL OPPOSE NUCLEAR
SUBMARINE HULK STORAGE IN HIGHLANDS
Highland
Councillors have voted to oppose in totality plans to
dismantle the Royal Navys laid-up nuclear powered submarines at
Nigg, East Ross, and store the nuclear reactor compartments at
the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment site at Dounreay,
Caithness.
They did so after hearing that the process
was flawed because standard Cabinet Office guidelines on public
consultation had been ignored as there was no consultation
document to refer to. They
also expressed their concern that the MoD was relying too
heavily on the private sector to find a solution to the
management of the radioactive wastes.
Community
Supported Agriculture in the Highlands and Islands
Would it work for your community?
A feasibility study
commissioned by HIE is under way to see if Community Supported Agriculture
can be established on farms and crofts in the Highlands and Islands. This
paper gives a brief outline of how CSA farming works and invites you to
get involved in the study and have your say.
Thurso & surrounds initial visit 5 to 7 November, open meeting at
7.30pm on Thursday 6 November in Thurso Town Hall
JOBS BOOST FOR BRORA AS SUTHERLAND ENGINEERING FIRM EXPANDS ITS
WINDFARM OPERATIONS
A major investment in specialist equipment to
transport wind turbine components will result in 10 new full-time jobs at
Edward Mackay Ltd (EML) in Brora and help position the company as a national
specialist in windfarm development. Caithness and Sutherland
Enterprise (CASE) is backing the development with a £210,000 financial
support package for EML. The £842,700 project involves the purchase of
specialist plant and haulage equipment in order to transport wind turbine
components - which are classed as abnormal loads - from coastal ports to
windfarm sites in Scotland.
Caithness Youth Conference 2003
The First Ever Conference to be held in Caithness specifically for Young
People- which is being organised by the Caithness Youth Forum - will be held
in the New Weigh Inn on Sunday 16th November 2003. It starts at
10.30 AM and will finish with live music entertainment at 9PM.
28th October 2003
Orkney
Communities Web Site Launched Over The Pentland Firth
Orkney Communities web
site was launched in Orkney today (Tuesday 28 October 2003). the new
web site brings together information on about 600 local groups in the
islands and has many features including allowing the user groups to update
their own pages for a small annual fee of £35. It is hoped the site
will become a focus for local groups, their events and what is going on in
the voluntary and charity sector. Articles and pictures can be added
at any time. So if you want to know who is running what in
Orkney this new and comprehensive site will be the place to look.
PETER WELSH RETIRES AS DOUNREAY DIRECTOR
Peter Welsh retired as director of Dounreay on 29 October
2003 after five years in charge of the site. He took over in August
1998 during one of the site's most difficult periods
and immediately took charge of the site's response to 143
recommendations made by regulators in their 1998 Safety Audit. Peter
Welsh is pictured during his official handover to new Dounreay Director
Norman Harrison In A final comment Peter Welsh said, "If I have
a regret, it is that Lorraine Mann, a prominent critic during the last
five years, did not accept my invitations to visit the site and see at
first hand the improvements and progress we have made".
Ormlie Community
Association Gains £50,000 Grant
Ormlie Community Association
has successfully secured £50,000 from the Transforming Your Space initiative
for Phase 2 and 3 of the Ormlie Home Zone Project.
An open meeting of Ormlie
Community Association will be held on Thursday 30 October 2003 at 7.30 pm in
the Ormlie Centre, Henderson Street, Thurso to discuss the Home Zone project
and the progress that has been made.
Recycled Computers From
Ormlie Residents
Ormlie Community Association
has also been given some recycled computers from the Highland Council for
distribution to residents interested in improving their IT skills. Residents
were invited to write or draw a picture explaining why they would want a
computer and how they would use it. The successful residents will be
announced at the Open Meeting on Thursday night.
A Light
in The North A Celebration Of The Work And Life Of Neil Gunn
7 - 9 November 2003 A drop-in weekend of lectures,
guided walks and discussion, concluding with a performance of
Dunbeath Water oratorio.
27th October 2003
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE - HIE TO INVESTIGATE
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has commissioned a
study team to look into expanding Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA) in the region and is inviting food consumers
and food producers to get involved. CSA is a partnership
between small farmers or crofters - both livestock and crop
producers - and local consumers who want to eat fresh food. By
joining a CSA, local families can sign-up to be consumer
'members' of a farm or croft in their area and agree to pay for
a year's 'share' of the food produced on the land.
Missing Cat -
Thurso - From Mrs Lydia Bain and Family
Our cat went
missing some time ago but has been seen from time to time.
Her name is Roxette which she answers too, she is 8 years old,
she used to live with us at the end of Springpark Terrace near
Charlie's farm until March this year. We then moved
over to Pennyland, 8 St Peters Rd She took a week or
so to settle in as it was the first time she had moved but then
she seemed ok. Can anyone in Thurso help find this missing
tabby
26th October 2003
Fly Tying Classes - Tuesday 28th October at 7.30pm
Fly
Tying Classes again this year, every Tuesday evening during the
winter months. The venue will be the Community Education
Building behind Miller Academy, Princes Street, Thurso and the
class starts Tuesday 28th October at 7.30pm.
Thurso &
District Round Table - Fireworks Display Saturday 1 November
7.00pm
The event is purely self funding and due to the adverse
weather last year a substantial loss was incurred. This is a
well organised event and this year will have a welcome return of
the Bonfire which will be lit on the Beach.
Halloween Party By Thurso Town Improvements Has Huge Turnout
Nearly 200 children turned up for the Halloween Party at
Viewfirth on Sunday almost three times the number expected.
It all went off well with the haunted house having plenty of
scares for anyone brave enough to enter.
Thurso Live Music Association - Mandolin, Flute & Piano Recital
Thursday 30 October 8.00pm Thurso High School -
Tickets at the door Adults £7 Children and students £1
Employment Links
We have added many more links to the Employment Links section so
it may be worth checking if you are looking for career ideas.
Around Helmsdale - More Pictures
25th October 2003
George's Summertime Pictures
George has been unwell this year but is now stable on a
couple of medicines. She is getting to be an old lady now
at over 17 years old. She enjoyed the long hot summer and
still takes an interest in the webby stuff especially if food is
on the go. Coffee time here is also open the sachet time
for George. Move to the kitchen and she hopefully follows
through.
Transport In Caithness Pictures
As
we are out and about we have taken many pictures that have not
appeared on the web site. A few are of the vehicles around
the county and in this section we have drawn together links to
some of the pages on the site showing various aspects of
transportation and new new picture galleries where later
pictures will be added from time to time.
24th October 2003
Caithness Riders Access Group Sets Up New Web Site
Capture more of Caithness at
www.artsmith-caithness.co.uk
An exciting new website launched today.
Local artist Julian Smith offers a dynamic and engaging
internet shop window for a range of high quality prints and
original artwork. The prints which featured in his successful
summer exhibition can be viewed and purchased with ease on this
extremely user-friendly site. Some of the features are
quite novel, for instance an 'In progress' page shows the 'life'
of a painting from sketch to finished piece on the easel. This
section, like many of the pages will be updated regularly with
contemporary works. Shortly Julian will have his unique
DVD available for sale on the web site - a combination of
his artwork, animation and music and sure to be a popular gift
this year and for some time to come. www.artsmith-caithness.co.uk
23rd October 2003
Calling Caithness Arts Groups
Do You Want Scottish Arts Lottery Grants? Closing Dates November
College Court, Thurso Pollock Place, Thurso College Court, Thurso
Winter Emergency Numbers
To help you find out who to call in an emergency this
winter and for up to date road information we are again posting
a list of emergency numbers. The list will be linked on
all the monthly news index pages, the
emergency services page and
the
police page.
Also remember our handy
Help Lines page
in the community index.
NURSERY NURSES
DISPUTE - STRIKE ACTION FOR NEXT WEEK CALLED OFF
Planned strike action in the Unison Nursery Nurses dispute for
the dates Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October
has been suspended following a series of meetings over the
October holidays between Unison and Highland Council officials.
Although no formal agreement has been reached, there has been
enough common ground covered as a basis for discussion for a
final agreement.
Thurso
Caged Bird Society Annual Show
Saturday 1 November Town Hall, Thurso - Open to the public from
1.00pm. The Society are hoping to get a resurgence of people
showing their birds to revive the fortunes of the group which has been
declining in recent years. So if you have birds why not enter them
in this years show. Contact the secretary for more information.
Children In The Highlands Education Support Services (CHESS) Surgery
29 October 11.00am - 2.30 Assembly Rooms, Wick. CHESS provides
advice, support, mediation, training on additional education needs for
children, parents and professionals. The surgery provides anyone
with questions a chance to get some answers or find more information on
what is available for their children.
22nd October 2003
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS DELEGATION RETURNS FROM VISIT TO CHINA
A
delegation of Inverness Area Highland Councillors and businessmen from
the Highlands & Islands has just returned from China declaring their
visit a positive step forward in forging strong economic and educational
links. Accompanying Inverness City Provost William Smith were
Councillors Jimmy Gray, Norrie Donald and Bob Wynd together with Chris
Claridge, the Highland Councils Inverness Area Manager and businessmen
from Inverness and the Western Isles.
Latest Pictures Added to Inverness Gallery
Dunbeath In Autumn
Not for long as winter seems to be sweeping in to the north of Scotland.
Boats Around Caithness In October
Latest Wick Heritage Centre Pictures - Centre Closes For Season on 31
October
Even if you have visited the Wick Heritage Centre you have probably
barely scratched the surface. Apart from many rooms set up in
traditional style, a large art collection, thousands of artefacts the
centre has one of the largest photo collections around with over 60,000
negatives and many pictures in lots of albums to browse. Get there
if you can or you will have to wait until April 2004.
Latest From The Caithness Quilters
The next meeting of the Caithness Quilters is in the Ross
Institute Halkirk on Tuesday 28 October 2003at 7.30 there
will be 3 corner demonstrations by committee members. The lucky
winner of the Charity Quilt drawn on 30 September 2003 was
Margaret Maclean, Tullochlea, Bruan. Macmillan Cancer
Relief received the grand sum of £1700.00.
21st October 2003
Caithness District Young Farmers
Cattle & Sheep Dressing Competitions
Caithness District Young Farmers recently held their cattle and sheep
dressing competitions at Caithness Livestock Centre, Quoybrae by kind
permission of Aberdeen & Northern Marts.
Five teams took part in the cattle dressing, which saw James Barnetson
and Stuart Mackay (Bower) take home the Stainland Shield for winning the
senior competition.
Hawkmoths In Caithness
Chris
Nicolson in Castletown sent us in some news about a Hawkmoth
some time ago. "I couldn't believe the size of
the moth that dropped from the clothes I was working with
yesterday!" (It was eventually released in Dunnet Forest). I
understand one of the teachers in the local school also found a
large moth recently, so I don't think I'll be the only one to
come across one of these! Its not
unusual for beasties to be brought in with the washing, but the
moth that landed on a Castletown clothesline this week was
slightly larger than the norm. Measuring about 7 cm, when the
wings were closed the moth resembled a piece of bark. Further
investigation revealed it to be a Convolvulus Hawkmoth.
New Funding Of
£5 Million To Ensure Earlier Operations
Highland Gains £175,000 Extra Funding.
Hundreds of patients will have their operations carried out
earlier as a result of £5 million additional funding announced
today. NHS Boards will receive £3.8 million, under
the Arbuthnott formula, to expand capacity in their area or to
buy capacity in the private sector for patients waiting for orthopaedic,
urological or general surgery. The National Waiting Times Unit will
also use £1.2 million for a specific initiative to help reduce the number
of patients waiting for ophthalmology operations.
Shining Example For
Solar Energy
A new Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds scheme designed to encourage people to use
solar energy was launched today. Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis
Macdonald explained that the Going Solar initiative, a non-profit making
scheme, offered the first ever solar loans. It allows people to
install this technology by offering a fixed solar power installation price
and special loans to finance it. It is open to members of the
public. More than one million members of the RSPB will be
specifically targeted. The solar initiative will offer those
participating the potential of saving money on their current bills.
The scheme is being run by the RSPB, Solar Century, a UK photovoltaic
firm, and the Co-op bank who are offering the loans.
Inverness to Get Low Cost
Swedish Air Link in March 2004
Low-cost Swedish airline Snowflake has
announced that it will fly a twice-weekly service between Inverness and
Stockholm from March 2004. The airline, a division of SAS, will operate
return flights on Mondays and Fridays from 29 March 2004 with one-way
fares starting at £45. Flights will be operated with Boeing 737 aircraft.
HIGHLAND COUNCIL
MOVES TOWARDS OPPOSING COMMERCIAL GROWING OF GM CROPS
The Highland Council is being increasingly pointed towards
opposing the commercial growing of Genetically Modified Crops.
This is the view of Councillor Richard Durham, Chairman of the
Councils Land and Environment Select Committee, who has asked
the matter to be debated when his committee meets next on
Thursday 6 November. Councillor Durham made his comments
after noting the results of the biggest environmental-impact
study of GM crops anywhere in the world, which indicated that
the cultivation of GM crops such as oilseed rape reduces
biodiversity in wildlife compared to their conventional
equivalents.
Pentland Brass Get
UKAEA Donation
UKAEA
Dounreay recently donated £100 towards the cost of instruments
and music for Pentland Brass Band. The band was formed in
February 2003 and this month they played their music to the
public for the first time in aid of funds for the Highland
Hospice at St Peters Church, Thurso. Colin Gregory, UKAEA is
pictured here presenting the cheque to Ricky Mackay and Colin
Turnbull of the Pentland Brass Band.
20th October 2003
Old Brewery In Mansons
Lane, Thurso To Have Future Options Reviewed
Assistance
of £4,817 will enable Highland Buildings Preservation Trust to
undertake an investigation into the future options for both the
Old Brewery and a dangerous building in Princes Street, Thurso.
The old brewery sits in Manson's Lane at the corner with
Riverside Place. The brewery was set up by Alex Manson.
The original roof is thought to have been local slate and has
for many years had a corrugated iron roof that now stands out
with the rust. There have been many suggestions for uses
to which this substantial building could be put to. To
date none of the suggestions or plans have got any further so
perhaps this will be the start of a recovery in the buildings
fortunes.
Unemployment Continues
Downward Trend In Caithness
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and
Sutherland fell from 781 last month to 741. This compares to 797
in the same period last year.
COUNCIL ALERTS DOG OWNERS TO CHANGE IN
LEGISLATION
Dog owners throughout Highland could face a fixed penalty of £40
if they fail to clear up their pets mess. This is the warning
from The Highland Councils Transport, Environmental and
Community Services who will have new powers as the result of the
introduction of The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, which comes
into force on Wednesday 22nd October. Collect
Your Poop Scoops From Service Points To Avoid Fines.
UNIVERSITY
SPIN-OFF FROM UK/FRANCE DECOMMISSIONING AGREEMENT
UKAEA Dounreay and the UHI Millennium Institute are to
collaborate with their counterparts in France in a
ground-breaking initiative to establish common international
standards in decommissioning qualifications. An agreement
to share decommissioning knowledge and experience has been in
place between the UKAEA and the French agency CEA (Commissariat
a l'Energie Atomique) since 1999. This has now been expanded
to include education and skills training in decommissioning
through UHI, the Joseph Fourier University of Grenoble and
the National Institute for Nuclear Sciences and Techniques (INSTN),
CEA's training and education arm.
More
Cash For Lower Pulteney With Environmental Renewal Grant
A grant of up to £43,466 has been awarded
towards the costs of external environmental improvements to Telford House
in Lower Pulteney,
Telford Street/Miller Street works
Two Caithness
Schools To Get Craft Residencies In Highland Project
Six Highland schools, 2 each in Caithness, Ross and Cromarty and
Lochaber, are to benefit from 3 specialist craft
makers-in-residence. The residencies in Caithness will involve
primary school children at Hillhead Academy, Wick and Miller
Academy, Thurso. The residencies have been made possible by a
£24,000 award to The Highland Council's Education Culture &
Sport Service from the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery.
Pentland Brass Band Gain Community
Assistance Grant
The recently formed Pentland Brass Band, are to
receive up to £5,000 towards the cost of purchasing equipment for junior
members.
Traditional Music Work Shops Organisers Have Had Huge
Response
The workshops have totally sold out so much so that the
organisers are urgently trying to arrange another fiddle tutor
to cope with numbers.
The evening concert in MacKays Hotel will feature workshop
participants performing a piece along side their tutor and all
tutors will be performing individually and in groups. Concert
will start @ 7.30pm, with tickets at the door which are based on
a first come first served basis priced at £4 & £3.
Interest for advanced concert tickets has so far been high so
it's a case of get there early as tickets are only available at
the door on the night.
Wick High 1966 Reunion Tickets Now Available
Wick Firm K P Technology Wins A Smart Scotland Award
Iain Baikie's new firm
K P Technology Ltd has won one of the awards in Smart
Scotland. K P Technology is science based company at the
forefront of developing Kelvin Probes and their applications.
Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace announced the second round of
winning companies from the
2003 SMART SCOTLAND awards scheme. A further £2.6
million is available to take projects to pre-production stage.
The SMART awards are designed to help new and existing
businesses with less than 50 employees gain a competitive edge
in the market by funding the development of innovative and
commercially viable products and processes. Congratulation
to K P Technology.
19th October 2003
Yarrows Trail Walk To End Archaeology Week In Caithness
Marina Finlayson, Highland Ranger led a small group round the
Yarrows Archaeological Trail. The trail takes in a range
of sites from the large broch site at Loch Yarrows to hut
circles cairns and standing stones and much in between with
Marina identifying a variety of plants and birds along the way.
the path is now in great condition with strong flagstone paving
over the boggy parts.
Caithness Ranger Marina Finlayson's New Zealand Trip
Marina is not letting the grass grow under her feet as she is
shortly off to Canada.
Latest Form Telford Street, Wick As Project Keeps Up The Pace
A Look Round Wick Industrial Estate - What A Tidy Place!!!
Weydale School Reunion Pictures
The reunion last night saw over 100 people get together in the
British Legion Club, Thurso to recall their days at one of the
old country schools in Caithness that closed in 1963.
18th October 2003
Wick Caged Bird Society Annual Show 2003
An Old Bar Makes a Brief Appearance In Williamson Street, Wick
From
under the old sign boards of various businesses the Former
Thistle Bar has reappeared. But it will be a brief
appearance as the building is being renovated for Caithness
Voluntary Group who hope to move in a few weeks to the
completely refurbished building.
Summer Keeps On Going In Caithness - Wick On Friday
More
unseasonal weather kept Caithness warm yesterday as summer seems
reluctant to leave. Another flush of Red Admiral
butterflies in various parts combined with huge numbers of other
insects kept the birds busy feeding on this unexpected bonus.
Spiders also taking advantage in every nook and cranny.
Last Walk In Archaeology Week On Sunday
2.00pm-4.30pm. A beginners
introduction to archaeology. Explore the Yarrows Archaeological
Trail, a landscape complete with roundhouse, chambered cairn and
broch, and learn about the wildlife along the trail. Meet
Marina Finlayson at the South Yarrows Farm car park (ND305434).
SUTHERLAND WOOLLEN
MILL PLACED ON THE MARKET
Sutherland
Woollen Mill in Brora has this week been placed on the market by
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The 11,500sq.m. complex,
set in 17.5 acres of land, until earlier this year leased from
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) by a textile firm, is
being advertised for sale in property publications and the local
and national press.
NOSTALGIC RETURN TO DOUNREAY FOR FORMER FARM RESIDENTS
Guests of honour at opening of £5 million complex.
Two
of the last people to live on a Caithness farm before
it was transformed during the 1950s into a world-leading
centre for research and development of nuclear energy today
returned to their former home to set the seal on a £5 million
investment in its decommissioning. The farm at Lower
Dounreay was home to Mrs Elizabeth Nicolson until 1945, and Mr
Morris Pottinger until May 1956. The UK Atomic Energy
Authority acquired the house and farmland from Mr Pottinger and
his late wife Nettie in November 1955
following a Government announcement that Britain's fast reactor
experiment would be sited at Dounreay. The Dounreay
farmhouse dates from 1859. Following its acquisition by the
UKAEA in 1955, it was used variously for office accommodation
and storage of archive material.
17th October 2003
Weydale School
Pictures Around 1945-46
Weydale school pictures from Mrs E Henderson just in time for
the school reunion which takes place on Saturday in Thurso.
Growing List Of Local Web Sites In Scotland
If you are looking for a web site in other parts of
Scotland you may find it in our fast growing list of local web
sites. Separate sections for
Orkney,
Shetland
and the Western Isles are also set up and list individually in
the links section. Pages are also set up for the cities of
Aberdeen,
Edinburgh,
Glasgow,
Inverness,
Dundee
with updating news feeds from the Scotsman newspaper for four of
these towns. Keep checking the
Links section for new additions.
16th October 2003
Triple C
Country Music Club Presents Eamon McCann And Band
Friday 24 October - Dounreay Club Wick. Phone Janis for tickets.
Round The Ancient Sites From Cairn Of Get
As can be seen this time of year is great for seeing the ancient
sites of Caithness. This walk starts at the Cairn of Get
(opposite Whaligoe Steps) and heads up the path to the Hill fort
passing the old dam and round a variety of Brochs, cairns, cists
and stone rows still clearly seen since the heather burnt back a
few years ago but hidden for many years in the longer growth.
Kilmuir Easter Church Overlooks The Cromarty Firth
COUNCIL BOOSTS EDEN
COURT REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
The
Governors of
Eden
Court Theatre and Cinema, Inverness, have received a £1.5
million boost from The Highland Council in their drive to raise
£10 million towards an extension to the Highlands premier
cultural venue. The Council has promised £600,000 and the
Inverness Common Good Fund, £900,000. The first £300,000
of the Common Good funds was presented to Douglas Yule, Chairman
of the Board of Governors, by Councillor Janet Home, Chairman of
the Common Good Fund. It is hoped that construction works
can commence during the summer of 2005 and be completed by the
end of 2006 in time for the Scottish Year of Highland Culture
in 2007.
15th October 2003
A
Revolution In Scottish Archives
On Thursday 23 October the biggest Scottish archive resource on
the Internet will be opened. The £4 million project took a
team of Scottish archivists and US digitisation experts 4 years
to complete. It involved digitising over 4 million unique and
fragile documents, and combined the resources of 52 major
Scottish archives, known collectively as the Scottish Archive
Network (SCAN). Magnus Magnusson will launch, the world's
largest archive digitisation project, supported by the Heritage
Lottery Fund in Edinburgh at 4.00pm.
North Highland Archive
in Wick is one of the 52 archives contributing.
SONGS IN TUNE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
- CD Launched With 40 Classic Gaelic Songs
The
Highland Councils Mairi Mhor Gaelic Song Fellowship launched a
new Gaelic song teaching resource at the Royal National Mod in
Oban. Entitled Seinn o ho ro Seinn, the venture, which has
been funded by the Scottish Arts Council, is designed to
encourage more people, particularly young people, to sing Gaelic
songs.
The MOD is in full swing this week and
full results are being posted on The MOD web site.
Gaelic
News with link to BBC Gaelic News
Spinningdale, Sutherland In Autumn
If you have not been along the road to Bonar Bridge for while it
is well worth taking the old road south or north at this time of
year especially as the Autumn colours are particularly vibrant
following the warm summer. The coming weeks could be
spectacular in the north as many trees are already showing the
deepest shades of colour for many years.
Clashmore, Sutherland In Autumn
Halloween Night At Captain's Galley
The
Ice House, Scrabster makes a great setting for dinner with some
stories for Halloween by well known local writer Donald Omand.
Contact them soon to make a reservation.
UKAEA ANNOUNCES PREFERRED BIDDERS FOR CONDITIONED WASTE STORE
Multi-million Pound Contract Will Create 200 New Jobs.
Four companies have been named today as the
preferred bidders to form a design alliance with the UK Atomic Energy
Authority for one of the largest construction projects in the Dounreay
Site Restoration Plan. Atkins
(design integrator), Serco Assurance (building services and safety and
environment), Taylor Woodrow (civil engineering) and Weir Strachan &
Henshaw (mechanical handling) will work with UKAEA to
form an integrated team capable of providing a
concept design for a solid intermediate-level waste store in
2004 and the detailed design by 2005.
14th October 2003
ALL CHANGE
AGAIN AS FUTURE OF NHS IN THE HIGHLANDS AGREED
Highland NHS Board today agreed the way forward for the
structure of NHS Highland following the abolition of Highland
Primary Care NHS Trust and Highland Acute Hospitals Trust in
April 2003. The Board had published its proposals for the
dissolution of Trusts and the creation of an integrated
healthcare system for NHS Highland in its document Care without
Barriers. Formal consultation on the proposals took place
between 5th August and 6th October 2003 and the Board heard
today of the detail of the 112 responses to that consultation.
The Trusts will be abolished and the Community Health
Partnerships established from 1st April 2004, but the majority
of the other changes will be phased in over the following year.
HIE
NETWORK'S TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) has just
published its twelfth annual report, covering the agency's
activities during the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March
2003. The 104-page document charts a highly successful
year for the enterprise network, which met or exceeded all of
its key targets. Highlights include 1,552 people to
gain a job with training through Modern Apprenticeships, helping
to start up a record 714 new businesses, and assisting 39
community land purchases.
Royal Observer Corps Posts In
Caithness
Here are pictures of the tops of three ROC posts in Caithness -
Wick, Duncansby and Dunnet. They are left over from the Cold War
and overtaken by other technology but they remain in the landscape and
may be there for a long time to come unless removed. Most of the
posts are underground and we may yet venture in to see what is left but
there is not much as most of the items of equipment has been removed.
Blackstairs In A Lowry Picture
The
well known artist L S Lowrie produced a few pictures of Wick and one was
of the Blackstairs. The picture may help provide inspiration for
the renewal of this part of town as the Pulteney project moves on.
HIE NETWORK'S
TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise network (HIE) has just
published its twelfth annual report, covering the agency's activities
during the period from 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003. The
104-page document charts a highly successful year for the enterprise
network, which met or exceeded all of its key targets.
COUNCIL
WARNS OF DANGERS OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS SALES
In the run up to Guy Fawkes Night on
5 November, the Highland public is being urged not to be tempted to buy
fireworks, from anyone other than established retail outlets. Read
the Do's and Don'ts for safety
13th October 2003
Excursion Train From London At Wick Station
The popularity of train trips to the north of Scotland seems to be
gaining ground as yet another excursion train left wick on Monday
morning after a weekend in the far north. With meals served aboard
the train and stops for short trips around the various stops the journey
to the north by train seems to have a lot to offer people who want to
leave the car at home.
Wage
Increase For Agricultural Workers
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board today confirmed that, as
it had received no written representations against its proposals, there
would be a 5.5 % wage increase for agricultural workers in Scotland from
1 January 2004. Details of the award are as follows: For adult
workers in the first 10 weeks of employment a rate of not less than
£4.55 per hour. For adult workers employed for more than 10 weeks
a rate of not less than £5.00 per hour.
COUNCILLOR HIGHLIGHTS
TANKER DANGERS AT TOP EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
A Highland councillor has been raising the profile of the
Councils campaign for more effective management of shipping
around coastal waters. Councillor Bill Fulton, Kyle, who is a
former Chairman of the Tankers in the Minch Working Group, has
already lobbied the UK Government, the European Union and the
International Maritime Organisation to tighten the control of
shipping through UK coastal waters and hopes to make a
breakthrough by addressing delegates attending a maritime safety
seminar held by the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime
Regions in Nantes, France.
COUNCIL AWAIT
CONSULTATION BEFORE CONFIRMING STANCE
ON NUCLEAR SUBMARINE DECOMMISSIONING
Highland
Councillors have strongly hinted that they will oppose a
proposal to use the Nigg oil fabrication yard to dismantle some
of the Royal Navys laid-up nuclear-powered submarines and store
the reactor compartments at the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test
Establishment site at Dounreay. However, they are to await the
outcome of forthcoming consultation meetings before confirming
their response. The consultations will involve community
briefings in East Ross and Caithness as well as a national forum
being staged at Lancaster University.
Mohamed Al Fayed May Turn A Cromarty Rig Into A Tourist
Attraction
Plenty to think about as the owned of Harrods and the tourist
centre at the Falls of Shin in Sutherland debates the
possibility of turning a rig into a tourist attraction on the
Cromarty Firth. Will plans to decommission nuclear
submarines hit up against plans for increasing tourism on the
Cromarty Firth and would nuclear decommissioning of subs be a
barrier to this industry. There may be public meetings or
requests for public involvement to get views of the public in
Caithness, Ross-shire and elsewhere over these issues.
SECOND
HOME COUNCIL TAX INCOME CAN HELP ESTABLISH LAND BANK
The Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Executives
injection of £10 million over the next two years into the
Communities Scotland Development Programme in Scotland and is
ready to play its part in easing the shortage of housing in the
area. In addressing the Convention, Councillor Magee said
the Council was committed to working with Highlands and Islands
Enterprise and Communities Scotland to establish a revolving
land bank fund, building on the principle of the £1.5m land
banking fund provided to the Highland Small Communities Housing
Trust.
Houstry - Old School
The
old school at Houstry near Dunbeath lies in the heart of an area rich in
history for thousands of years. The evidence is all around from a
wag, nineteenth century steadings and much more. It is easy to
imagine the area as it was a hundred years ago with children walking the
few miles to their local school and then down the years moving away to
other places.
Knockinnon Castle In Archaeology Week
Once a very large castle of which almost nothing remains. Folk who
came on the walk heard how the castle was on an ancient site and built and
demolished as a father and son struggled for control of the area.
The site of the castle has commanding views of the coast and unusually
inland.
12th October 2003
Match Report - Thurso F.C 6 V Halkirk United 1 - North Caledonian League
Houstry Near Dunbeath
Between Dunbeath and Smerral is this ancient place full of Caithness
history with everything from Pictish Brochs to nineteenth century
houses and farm buildings. An unusual feature in the landscape is a
wag. This ancient building with huge flat stones supported as the
roof and built outwards still survives and mostly untouched. Much
smaller than the wag at Forse but still an unusual structure in this now
deserted area and in the distance a small graveyard with the graves of the
victims of a cholera epidemic.
Seals At Duncansby On Saturday
Latheronwheel Walk
The first part of the day at Latheronwheel with Caithness Field Club
started at the harbour and went over the old bridge up to the field above
to see the old watch tower, long cairns, brochs and the views along the
coast and up to Knockinnon castle in the distance. The second
part was up to Houstry near Dunbeath and these pictures will come later.
11th October 2003
Ghost Ship Watching
TWO FURTHER `GHOST SHIPS TOW.
Following the receipt of a full survey report from the United States
by an independent surveyor, the Secretary of States Representative in
Maritime Salvage and Intervention, Robin Middleton, (SOSREP) has cleared a
further two vessels, the Compass Island and the Canopus for tow to the
United Kingdom.
The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Able UK were
informed late yesterday of his decision and these two further vessels are
now to be brought to Teesside from their anchorage in the James River in
Virginia. It is unlikely that this tow will commence before Sunday 12th
October due to inclement weather.
A Short Walk Round Wick Harbour
"Authenticity" At Wick Harbour
10th October 2003
Heaps More From the Heritage Fair
Calling New
Media Artists - Want To Work On An Unusual & Exciting Project In Wick?
Past Present Future =
New Media Meets Old : Telford Street Heritage -
And Harbour Towers Community Public Art -
Pulteneytown, Wick, Caithness. New Media artist specialising
in lens based imagery and/or time-based art required for major community
arts project in the regeneration programme of Thomas Telfords 19th
Century fishing town. The artist will be involved in the creation of
still and/or moving images and/or lights for three street projections from
two harbour towers in collaboration with the Trainee, The Youngsters and
other members of the community. The artist will also direct
underwater filming along the coastal waters co-ordinated by the Far North
Sub Aqua Club.
Hamnavoe Showing She Can Take Stormy Seas Of The Pentland Firth
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Wednesday 15 October 8.00pm - Booking from Lyth Arts
9th October 2003
Oscar The
Robot Promoting Safety In Caithness
Dounreay
is enjoying a visitor with a difference this week. The Alstec owned
robot called Oscar is on site for Dounreay European Safety & Health Week
that Dounreay is currently running. This year's theme is
making your place of work a safe and healthy place by preventing risks
from 'Dangerous Substances' at work. The robot has also been out and
about in Caithness and has visited two local primary schools, Miller
Academy in Thurso and Wick South School.
UKAEA Employee Volunteers
Finish The Job
UKAEA's
help of financial backing and the use of their volunteer
employees ensured that the final one hundred and twenty metres
of the Thurso River Mall was finished ready for the official
opening last Saturday. UKAEA have worked with the British Trust
for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) over the past three years to
make a vast improvement to the Thurso river footpath walk up to
the salmon pool. A 20 strong team from Dounreay, some of
whom are pictured, rolled up their sleeves to tirelessly shovel
hardcore and clear shrub land, finishing the project in two
days.
8th October 2003
Ainsley at
Dunrobin
Dunrobin
Castle provided a magnificent backdrop for a day of culinary
events featuring celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot. Organised
jointly by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) and Ross
and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), as part of the Highland Food and
Drink Festival, the day started with a showcase of local food
produce from across the two areas. Students from the
North Highland College had prepared canapés, based on the
winning entry in a competition for Modern Apprentices run to
coincide with the event.
Blackstairs, Wick - Could Be Returned To Its Former State
The
Blackstairs, Wick may be completely rebuilt following the
Caithness area committee decision to put a large part of next
years annual footpaths repair funds into this project. The
decision will help to bring in European funding of several
hundred thousand pounds required for the full works which
include lighting and footpath work joining the stairs to the
harbour area.
Telford Street, Wick - Front And Back
The Lower Pulteney regeneration project moves forward with
obvious progress on the houses at Telford Street and Miller
Street.
Autumn Comes To Caithness - Argyle Square, Wick
Services For People
With Learning Difficulties In Caithness - A Survey
The health service in Caithness (Caithness Local Health Care
Co-operative) in partnership with Highland Council, the
voluntary sector, service users and carers has developed service
priorities for people with learning disabilities in Caithness.
A short survey is being carried out and replies are wanted by 31
October 2003. You can either complete the form from the
web site, print it off and send it in or contact the group for a
form.
Piping and
Chanter Competitions
Wick RBLS Pipe Band will be holding their annual piping and
chanter competitions in the Pipe Band Hall, High Street, Wick on Saturday 15th November commencing at 10.00am.
There will be various competitions for juniors and open. Most of
the competitions are for solos but there will also be
competitions for junior and open trios.
7th October 2003
Land Issues Highlighted By The Sunday Herald
The Sunday Herald highlighted land issues yesterday and
has posted the articles on its web site. Andy Wightman
author of "Who Owns Scotland" and Torcuil Crichton
have collaborated on a special investigation on how the system
operates. Other articles look at other issues in this
important area The system of secret land owners in
Scotland could be ended if the Scottish Executive grasp the
changes needed as The Scottish Law Commission is currently
planning a review of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979
and the law of trusts. but will they use this opportunity.
See what the authors think.
AEA Battery - First In To New Golspie Business Park
East
Sutherland had a jobs boost with the announcement today that AEA
Li-Ion Battery Recycling will be the first new Business in the
Golspie Business Park. 30 new jobs will be created at the
site. Possibilities for further jobs may appear when
the firm set up new research and development facilities.
It is a major boost for East Sutherland and particularly Golspie.
The Golspie Business Park site has room for other businesses as
the infrastructure is already in place.
M M Miller (Wick) Ltd were the building contractor on the
project.
Weather Statistics
Show Caithness Had Hot Summer But Not Record Breaking
Our resident local weather man Martin Duffy's records show what
a great summer Caithness had but it was not the hottest ever on
anyone day. Low rainfall and many dry days were great for
outdoor events where virtually everything ran on sunny days this
year. But As Martin points out and we all know too
well October has started out as one of the coldest.
DOUNREAY DELIVERS ANNUAL
REPORT ON SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT
The
UK Atomic Energy Authority today delivered its annual report on
safety and the environment at Dounreay during 2002/03 to the
site's local liaison committee. Dr Guy Owen, UKAEA's
head of safety and environment at Dounreay, said the site
continued to be one of the safest industrial workplaces in the
UK but insisted there was no room for complacency.
BSM SEEKS
NEW MOTOR CYCLE TRAINING PARTNERS
BSM
Rider Training, the motorcycle and scooter training arm of
driving expert BSM and part of RAC Group, is looking for
ambitious training organisations and individuals who want to
improve rider training standards and develop their businesses.
Ranger Walks October - December
Sunday 12th October Badryrie deserted settlement; as part
of
Archaeology week. Visit the deserted settlement of Badryrie
and discover the secrets hidden in its walls. Rough walking in
parts. Boots essential bring snack Start time 10.30 Loch
Stempster layby (Road from Causemire to Lybster)
HIE
CALLS FOR BALANCED APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGING FOR AIR
TRAVEL
The impact on the environment of all flights in the
Highlands and Islands of Scotland each year is less than the
effect of just one day's air traffic between the UK and the USA,
according to a new report by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
HIE is calling for a balanced approach to the introduction of
environmental charging and argues charges should be based on
actual environmental cost, rather than being imposed at a flat
rate. Given the lack of viable alternatives - such
as high-speed rail links and fast and frequent ferry
crossings - HIE believes there is no case for environmental
taxation of flights on routes within the Highlands and Islands or between
the region's 10 airports and other Scottish airports.
6th October 2003
Busy Month Of October At Timespan In Helmsdale
It's always worth checking out what is happening at Timespan in
Helmsdale as they have a constant flow of new exhibitions up to the end of
October each year. Once that is over they continue to hold events that may
be of interest to children and adults. So with school holidays on
they have events to occupy the children and for archaeology week and last
in the month Halloween.
Stornoway, Kirkwall and Lerwick Get
Broadband In 2004
Three island towns will be joining Thurso in getting Broadband next year.
You can still help the Wick area by signing up to any number of Broadband
sites if you have not already done so.
LIVING PAINT- Fergusson
Gallery Collection Tours Highlands
Paintings
by the renowned Scottish artist John Duncan Fergusson, will be touring
Highland Council galleries in Kingussie, Inverness, Wick and Thurso this
autumn and winter Born in Edinburgh in 1874, Fergusson is
increasingly recognised as an artist of both national and international
standing. Living Paint is a unique opportunity to see a selection of
landscapes, portraits, still life and nudes, which demonstrate his
experimental and varied output. Fergusson is now best known as one
of the Scottish Colourists, along with SJ Peploe, FCB Cadell and GL
Hunter.
THURSO
SQUASH CLUB SEASON OFF TO SENSATIONAL START
Yes
its that time again, put away the golf clubs, running shoes and football
boots dust down that squash racquet and make your way down to Thurso &
District Squash Club. Over thirty players from the local community did
just recently for the Annual Handicap Squash competition, once again very
kindly sponsored by the UKAEA.
FAR NORTH MP AND MSP VISIT FORSS
BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK
The
major opportunities for business and economic development in the Far
North, created by UKAEAs commitment to restore the environment at
Dounreay, were highlighted during a visit to Forss Business and
Technology Park, Caithness by the local MP and MSP on Friday 3rd October
2003. John Thurso MP and Jamie Stone MSP visited the Park being
developed by New Park Highland as part of a growing network of Technology
Centres throughout Scotland.
Rugby - Caithness Under 15's In
Great Form - Caithness 85 :: Highland 7
Caithness Rugby Club under 15s travelled to Inverness on Sunday 5 October
2003 with a squad of 19 players to play their third game in the North
Under 15 Development League against Highland at the Bught Park. The
weather was cold and blustery as Caithness kicked off and it
soon became apparent that the Greens were a much bigger, faster
and heavier side and soon had their counterparts under the cosh.
5th October 2003
Heritage Fair - Hillhead Views
John Thurso MP Opens Thurso River Mall Project
John Thurso MP opened the latest stage of the Thurso River Development
Project on Saturday 4th October 2003 in weather more akin to December or
January. Blustery showers of rain and hail, however, failed to
dampen the spirits of those involved in this project and an opportune
break in the cloud at 2.30pm allowed the ribbon cutting ceremony to go
ahead outside. This ceremony was preceded by a walk around the
river.
Match Report
- Thurso FC 5 :: Invergordon 0
Port Services
Cup Semi-Final - Saturday 4th October 2003
From Brian
Mackay
Caithness Heritage Fair Gets Over 1000 Visitors
The
Earl of Caithness and his son Lord Berriedale were at the
heritage fair for the two days letting visitors know about the
current stage in the developments of Clan Sinclair Trust and the
restoration work which will begin in the near future on Castle
Sinclair Girnigoe. Major works are expected to take at
least five years and the addition of a causeway using material
from the inside of the castle will make it possible in future
for disabled people to get inside part of the castle. When
work begins next year access will be denied but display boards
will explain what is happening from a viewpoint nearby.
More Heritage Fair
UKAEA,
Caithness Guides,
Caithness Quilters,
Wick Society
Ghost Ships Heading For The Pentland Firth Soon
SECRETARY OF STATES
REPRESENTATIVE CLEARS WAY FOR `GHOST SHIPS TOW
Following discussions between the French; Irish and Belgian
authorities, the Secretary of States Representative in Maritime
Salvage and Intervention, Robin Middleton, (SOSREP) has cleared
the way with the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD)
for Able UK and its contractors to begin the tow of two vessels
known as `ghost ships from the James River in Virginia to
Teesside. Mr Middleton has decided not to resist the
passage of the tows into home waters after clear and detailed
contingency and passage arrangements were finally agreed late
Friday between the various jurisdictions and Able UK which was
co-ordinated by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Many of the ships anchored on the James River have hazardous
materials onboard and they will pass through the Pentland Firth
under tow on their way to Teeside for break-up.
Caithness.Org
Inspires Another Web Site In Guildford
Isabel
Thurley (nee Bruce) has appeared in the Guildford Times stating
that Caithness.Org was the model for her new web site for the
Holy Trinity Amenity Group covering the neighbourhood of the
town in which she lives. Isabel is originally from
Caithness and often logs on to us in the north.
Isabel is the editor of the group newsletter and lacking space
to put everything in she has gone for a web site which is now
growing at
www.htag-guildford.org
Caithness Walking
Festival 15 - 23 May 2004
"2004 will go down in history as being the year in which the
first Caithness Walking Festival took place. As a follow up to
recent press trips to the north by journalists from a range of
publications, organised by the Highlands of Scotland Tourist
Board, the festival will take place during the week 15th to 23rd
May. That week was decided upon for several reasons.
4th October 2003
Caithness Heritage Fair Has something For Everyone
You could easily spend a couple of hours checking out the stands
at the Heritage Fair. From Archaeology, Genealogy,
Archives, History, Groups and more. Food is on offer - soup
sandwiches tea coffee and a children's room upstairs while the
adults head for the main hall.
Caithness Brownies and Rainbows Having Fun Competing For The
Challenge Cup
Brownies and Rainbows - the junior sections of the Caithness
Guide Association - had a great day at Wick High School for
their Challenge Cup day. All of the Caithness groups of
Brownies and Rainbows spent the day involved in many activities,
songs and competitions. Halkirk won the competition for
the Rainbows and Keiss for the Brownies. Vice-presidents
of the Caithness Guide Association Mrs Evelyn Glass and Mrs
Gladys Manson judged the competition to make a scene from a
nursery rhyme from waste materials.
3rd October 2003
Cone Zone Challenge Grows In Popularity
Groups
from Thurso and Wick headed out to Dunnet forest recently to
take the Cone Zone Challenge - tests both mental and
physical in Dunnet Forest under the eye of Ranger Marina
Finlayson.
Castletown Heritage - Autumn Newsletter
Updates on premises, donation of a collection of
artefacts from Sinclair Gunn including old glass plate
photographs from 1918, new boards at the flagstone trail,
exhibition at the highlander Restaurant , involvement in the
Heritage Fair on 4 and 5 October, and Castlehill as part of a
possible new Geopark.
Wick Pipe Band Has Busy Time In Germany
The
recent Wick RBLS Pipe Band visit to play with the Highland Pipes
& Drums of Bad Waldsee in Germany was a tremendous success, the
band arrived back in Wick on Monday 29th September, exhausted
but elated at the success of the trip. The band had left at 7am
the previous Thursday and after a tiring day of travel arrived
in Bad Waldsee for a meal with their German hosts and then off
to stay in the homes of members of the German band.
COUNCIL AWAIT
CONSULTATION BEFORE CONFIRMING STANCE
ON NUCLEAR SUBMARINE DECOMMISSIONING
Highland Councillors have strongly hinted that they will oppose
a proposal to use the Nigg oil fabrication yard to dismantle
some of the Royal Navys laid-up nuclear-powered submarines and
store the reactor compartments at the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test
Establishment site at Dounreay. However, they are to await the
outcome of forthcoming consultation meetings before confirming
their response. The consultations will involve community
briefings in East Ross and Caithness as well as a national forum
being staged at Lancaster University.
Countryside Volunteers - New Dates For Action
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers programme has come to an
end. First date in the winter programme is Sunday 19th
October 03- Path clearing to Lieutenant Patrick
Sinclairs Grave at Lybster. Meeting at 10.30am outside Lybster
post office. New members welcome.
Latest On Kirk
Homes
Commenting on today's press reports, the Kirk's Director of
Social Work Ian Manson said: "The Board of Social Responsibility
has faced overwhelming financial pressures for many years. These
pressures could have resulted in the closure of all our
residential homes for older people. We are now delighted to have
secured the future provision of care for the vast majority of
our homes. This has been made possible by maximising our income
as well as examining every aspect of our own expenditure.
2nd October 2003
Song Of Wick Dress Rehearsal
The dress rehearsal for 250 primary 6 and 7 children from
Hillhead, North, South and Pulteneytown primary schools in Wick
took place this afternoon. The first performance of
the show written by George Gunn and put together by Grey Coast
Theatre company working with the kids over the past three weeks.
There are two shows on Friday - afternoon and evening but if you
have not got a ticket it is too late as they are all sold.
More pictures of the rehearsals coming shortly. A CD of
all the pictures will be for sale shortly at a cost of £6.
The pictures will be at much higher resolution and about three
times bigger than we have on the web site. You can then print your own or send
the file away by email to photo printers online. We will
advise on this when we send out the CDs.
DUNNET WATER QUALITY ACTION
The
Scottish Environment Protection Agency, SEPA, has helped to
improve the water quality in the Dunnet Bay catchment area by
working with a local business and farms. Dunnet Bay is
officially recognised as bathing water and SEPA's Thurso office
carried out an action plan in 2002 to investigate the potential
impact of industrial and farming activity in the catchment.
SEPA worked with Norfrost to improve the quality of the
Stangergill burn.
NORTHERN CONSTABULARY
APPEAL FOR INTERPRETERS
Northern Constabulary is currently looking for interpreters to
assist non-English speaking communities when dealing with the
police and their partner organisations. The intention is
to enhance the current list of proficient individuals who can
assist the Force and its partners in providing a face to face
interpreting service.
MISSING PERSON -
Elizabeth Sneddon
NORTHERN
Constabulary is issuing a fresh appeal for information regarding
the whereabouts of Elizabeth Johnson Sneddon, who was reported
missing from her home in Edinburgh. The woman, aged 46,
lives at Flat 4, 5 Parkgrove Bank, Edinburgh and was seen in the
Aviemore area on 12/13 September. She may be anywhere in
the Northern Constabulary area and may have booked into a B&B or
hotel. She does not have a car. The woman is known
to have visited Inverness, Thurso and Invergordon and has been
withdrawing money from cash machines.
US
COMPANY TO HELP UKAEA GEAR UP FOR NEW CHALLENGE
UKAEA
has awarded a contract to CH2M Hill - an American
environmental management company whose management of the US
Department of Energys site at Rocky Flats, Colorado - to
help it prepare for changes in the way the UK Government manages
the decommissioning of UKAEA and BNFL sites. The company will
assist UKAEA to develop the processes and procedures needed to
meet the requirements of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority,
which is due to come into being in 2005.
AMEC
WINS CONTRACT FOR SUBSTATION EXTENSION
UKAEA has awarded a contract to
AMEC for the construction of an extension to the electrical
substation that serves the complex of waste management plants at
Dounreay. The project is designed to double the capacity of the
station to meet the predicted growth in demand for electricity
from new construction and plant modernisation in this area of
the site. The total value of this work is expected to be in the
region of £1 million. Construction is expected to take until May
2004 to complete.
LOCAL
COMPANY MAKES TOOL TO SAMPLE LIQUID METAL IN REACTOR
A local engineering firm is constructing a 3m-long tool that
will sample the liquid metal surface in the primary cooling
circuit of the experimental Dounreay Fast Reactor. Norfrost
Technologies Ltd was awarded a contract to design and
manufacture the device.
FORMER WASTE STORE IS DEMOLISHED
A disused storage facility for
drums of radioactive waste is the latest building at Dounreay to
be demolished. The decommissioning and demolition of the
building known as D1254 took 15 months to complete. The
decommissioning work was carried out by UKAEA and Mitsui Babcock
personnel while the demolition work was carried out by Gunns of
Lybster.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR LATEST PHASE OF DEMOLITION WORK
Further evidence that
decommissioning is gathering pace Dounreay has come with the
award of a demolition contract to KDC Contractors Ltd, of
Manchester. The contract, valued at around £140,000, is for the
demolition of the fast reactor facilities building and the
original Lower Dounreay farmhouse.
Renewable Realities 2003 - International Renewable Energy
Conference And Exhibition
Programme of presentations and workshops. Call for
project ideas and status reports. Funding is available to
assist with travel and attendance costs for representatives of
renewable projects and initiatives from within the Highlands and
Islands enterprise Area. Submit details of an idea or
project by 7 October and it will be presented to experts at the
conference for comments, tips, guidance and costings.
The History Of Wick Carnegie Public Library by Robert Bain
From
its formation in 1891 - Present.
Robert Bain's History is available in the library and newsagents
and he has kindly offered it for publication on the web site to
allow as many people as possible to read it. With copies
of letters from Andrew Carnegie, plans and other documents as
well as photographs of past librarians and some present staff
the history comes right up to date.
1st October 2003
£9
Million For Digital Hearing Aid Services
Patients are to benefit from advanced digital hearing aid
technology through a new funding scheme. The money will
help ensure hearing services have the necessary equipment, staff
and availability of digital hearing aids.
Children's Activities At Caithness Heritage Fair 4 and 5 October
Assembly Rooms, Wick - The Children's
Activities will be in one of the Upstairs Rooms in the Assembly
Rooms and there will be lots of different craft type activities
specially for Children, so while mum & dad or granny & grandad
etc have a look at the displays which interest them the children
can be left upstairs having their own fun. The children's
Activities begin at 12 noon on Saturday and finish at 4 PM and 1
PM on Sunday until 4 PM. The children's Activities have
been sponsored by Rolls Royce-Vulcan and UKAEA, Dounreay.
Musical events throughout the two days with Pipes and drums
starting off.
French Students Visit Dounreay
Five
French students who are on a 4 week visit to The UHI
Environmental Research Institute recently visited Dounreay with
2 members of staff from the ERI. They are picture here with
Peter Wade from UKAEA during their tour of the Waste Management
Complex
Song Of Wick Rehearsal At
South School
South school at rehearsal for their part in "The Song of Wick" a
portrayal of a few historical events in Wick's past. Grey
Coast Theatre company have been coaching the children at four
Wick schools for the past three weeks. Dress rehearsals
begin on Thursday afternoon for three performances starting on
Thursday evening in Wick High school. The show is a
sell-out already. 250 children are taking part singing a
range of lively action songs.
Caithness Field Club Programme 2003 - 2004
As winter comes on the Field Club moves more to talk than
walk with an interesting series of talks from experts on various
topics. The first talk in the winter programme is on
Friday 3 October at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso 7.30pm with John
Barber on "Pre-History of the North Coast" If you
really want to get to know Caithness places, history, flora and
much more then over the years you will be surprised what you
learn about Caithness and other parts of the north.
Non-members are welcome at all events.
South School, Wick - October Newsletter
The latest newsletter from South School , Wick shows just how
busy the children and teachers are. With a programme of
events and activities past and to come there is plenty to keep
everyone busy and having fun whilst learning. The
South school children are along with other Wick schools
rehearsing with Grey coast theatre company for performances of
"Song Of Wick" this week. With tickets going fast it looks
like another big hit for music in Caithness.
Caithness
Explorer Scouts At Launch Of New Group In Scotland
Last weekend, 9 Explorer Scouts from Caithness Explorer Unit
joined more than 500 others from all over Scotland for the
official launch of Explorer Scouting in Scotland. The 'In
The Beginning' camp was held at Scottish Scout Headquarters near
Dunfermline. The Explorer Scouts from Wick and Thurso
spent Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning doing
activities including mountain biking, kayaking, caving and
archery.
Visitors Well Up
On Last Two Months
Hits 6,308,287 Visitors 114,955 Daily Average Hits
210,275 Visitors 3831
Last 12 months Hits 58 million Visitors 1.2 million
Not the highest month for visitor numbers but
extremely good and missing the second spot by just two visitors.
But by comparison it is one of the best ever as September is a
30 day month compared to July and August. Adding another
one average day would have made the visitor rate 118,786 for
comparisons with July and August - both 31 day months. If
these trends continue Caithness.Org will pass the 75 million
hits for a 12 month period over the next year with visitor
numbers possibly reaching in excess of 1.4 million.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
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