Last Day For Staff At Wick Branch Of Alliance & Leicester
The
staff at the Wick branch of the Alliance & Leicester were today saying
farewell to the customers they had served for many years. with
Alliance Leicester closing a number of branches around the country similar
scenes are being repeated elsewhere. The staff in Wick were treating
their customers and friends to a different day at the bank. Tea and
coffee and even a glass of wine was on offer with tables laid out with
cakes and sandwiches. Staff were over-whelmed with the responses in
cards and gifts showered on them by customers making their last visits to
transact business. All of the staff have obtained other jobs mainly
with the other banks in the town who have spotted the chance to get people
with years of banking experience.
Reunion Party - The Past & Present Milk Board Staff - Wick and
Thurso Staff
Saturday 19 February 2005 contact Alice Kennedy 01955 603615 or email
[email protected]
End Of The Wick Kirkwall Air Link By Loganair - Would You Like To
Comment?
The Wick Kirkwall air link ends on 1 November and the Consultative
Committee on Wick Airport would be interested to hear any views on how it
affects individuals or businesses. Contact Carol Smith on
01955 605858 or email
[email protected] to pass on your comments for the next meeting.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ALL PUBLIC EVENTS
TO DISCUSS MATERNITY
SERVICES IN CAITHNESS
NHS Highland has confirmed that there are still tickets available for all
six public events they have arranged for next week to discuss the future
of Maternity Services in Caithness. Check the dates of the public
meetings and then telephone to get tickets.
NHS highland have confirmed people will be
allowed in to the meetings if there is room
even without a ticket but ticket will ensure
admittance.
Town And County Hospital Staff Out To Raise
Funds For Extensive improvements
The
staff of the Newton Wing, town & County
Hospital are pushing forward with a project
to raise funds to enhance the Palliative
Care Facility. they aim to raise enough
money to build an extension to the current
Palliative Care Rooms that will give
patients and their families the ability to
be together at what is often a difficult
time. in a homely and private environment.
Staff are currently preparing to hold sports
auction and the picture shows prizes donated
so far. If anyone would like to donate
a prize get in touch with
the ward. The sports auction
will be held on 26 November at the Francis
Street Club at 8.00pm with Willie Mackay
acting as auctioneer.
Scottish Surf Championships At Thurso -
Lookin Great As The Experts Hit The Waves
The pictures from the latest surf
competition show why Thurso is increasing in
popularity as a top UK destination for
surfing. And if it dies on that beach
there is always another one a few miles away
where the beach lies at a different angle.
The winner of the competition was Llewellyn
Whittaker who acknowledged the great
conditions. Second was Alan Stokes who
also won the Freerange Best Barrel scoring a
top 10 points with a great tube ride half
way through his quarter final heat earning
him an additional �250. Spencer Hargraves
was placed in third. He was the 2002
winner and conditions dropped at a crucial
point for him. Ben Baird was fourth
and said the waves were the best he
personally had ever seen in the UK.
Full Metal Jacket Almost Complete At North
Pier - Wick
The
pile driving is almost completed at north
Pier, Wick. The interlinked piles
driven in over the past few weeks now
surround the pier in a solid metal jacket.
No doubt the concrete will begin to be
poured shortly to make the pier solid for
another 100 years.
North Pier Index
Omlie Community Association Assisted With
Energy Study By Students From Germany
Students
from Flensburg University, Germany who
undertook the renewable energy study for
Ormlie Community Association. The students
gave their presentation at a public meeting
at the Town Hall, Thurso on Friday 17
September 2004 and OCA hosted a thank-you
party for the group after the event.
Pulteneytown Distillery kindly donated
miniature bottles of Old Pulteney as gifts
for the students to take back to their
homelands (Nepal, Bolivia, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Ghana).
"Anette" Landing Coal At Wick Harbour
Anette
is Norwegian registered and was built in
1979.
79.65 metres in length with a beam of 12.80
metres and draft 3.64metres. GRT 1730 NRT
535
29 September 2004
HIE PROPERTY MARKETING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
CASE Offices Tollemache House, Thurso Part
Of Portfolio Being Offered For Sale
A marketing campaign has been launched
to sell a number of properties owned by
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
HIE is currently marketing nine properties
across the Network area, with the intention
of leasing them back from the new owners.
The move is the first stage of a phased
three to four year programme of substantial
disposal of properties in the economic and
community development agency's portfolio. In
the current financial year, HIE expects the
property disposal programme to raise around
�5million, which the agency will re-invest
in a range of strategic development projects
across the Highlands and Islands.
John Thurso MP Visited Pulteneytown Today To See "Operation Values" For Himself
John
Thurso MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross visited Harrowhill in
Pulteneytown, Wick today to see for himself the hig profile part of the campaign
to reduce crime and vandalism. He chatted to housing manager Robert
McIntosh, Community Warden David Robertson and Pultneytown People's Project
chairman David Dunnet. The community safety vehicle which is acting as a
centre for the police and others during the day is the high profile side of a
much wider action by all concerned in the community too improve the lives of
local people. The day time campaign is backed up by night patrols in both
uniform and plain clothes. Apart from offering security advice and
offering to mark mobile phones the operation hopes to gather information from
the community which will have longer term results. John Thurso was
extremely encouraged by this partnership of the whole community and he is fully
supportive.
UKAEA BRINGS
FORWARD HYDRAULIC ISOLATION OF DOUNREAY WASTE SHAFT
The UK Atomic Energy Authority today announced plans to begin
decommissioning the waste shaft at Dounreay four years earlier than previously
planned. Following a period of public consultation, UKAEA Dounreay has
chosen grout as its preferred method of isolating the 65-metre deep facility
from the surrounding groundwater. Subject to regulatory approvals, a 10
metre-wide band of rock around the shaft will be sealed by injecting grout into
the fissures to form a deep containment barrier that stops groundwater flowing
into the shaft and becoming contaminated with radioactivity.
Ministers Consider Extending the Nuclear Option - BBC
Caithness Courier Will Be Late This Week Due To Technical Problems
The midweek paper in Caithness has not appeared today due to technical
problems. Newsagents are telling customers at the shop and those phoning
in to find out what a happened to the paper that it is hoped to have it for
delivery on Thursday. An engineer is coming in from Aberdeen to fix
the problem and the courier should go to press a day later than usual so check
your newsagent again on Thursday.
Council Will Build Recycling Centres At Wick
And Thurso
HIGHLAND COUNCIL WELCOMES �49 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO RECYCLING
The Highland Council has today (Wednesday 29th September)
welcomed the award of �49 million from the Scottish Executive's Strategic
Waste Fund (SWF) to help improve recycling throughout the Highlands. A five-point plan of action is geared to
increasing the waste recycled to 27,264 tonnes ~ 17.6% - by March 2006.
New Ordnance Survey Web Site Section Lets You Trace Place Name Origins
an interesting and useful addition to the Ordnance survey web site allows you to
find out much more about place names in Britain. If you want to known more
about Gaelic, Scots, Welsh or Scandinavian place names then this site may help
you to find out.
Wick Town Improvements Awarded �16,000 From Heritage Lottery Towards Fountain
Wick
Town Improvements Association have been awarded �16,000 towards their latest
project which is to bring the fountain at wick riverside back into working
order. not only that but they plan to add floodlighting to make it a more
visible feature. The group have all the funds in place for the fountain
itself but delighted hair-woman Jan Banks says the group still required to raise
a further �10,500 for the lighting.
Wick
Town Improvements Association runs the local Wick Gala each year as part
of its fund raising to help the town. The WTIA carried on the tradition of
earlier times with the crowning of the
Herring
Queens by starting the Gala to continue to raise money to improve the town.
Its roots are even further back in the early twentieth century. Wick Gala
is still one of the largest of its kind in the Highlands.
See Galas
Wick Kirkwall
Flights To Cease
Loganair have announced that the Wick To Kirkwall flights are
to cease as there are too few passengers to make it viable. Caithness area
convenor has expressed disappointment at the decisions as he said the flight
allowed people to return home at the weekend by air which would no longer be
possible in the future.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm facing no confidence motion - BBC
The conservatives hope to use time on Thursday to force a vote of no confidence
over the ministers handling of hospital reorganisations such as those in
Caithness and many other parts of Scotland.
28 September 2004
North Action
Group Head For Big Glasgow Demonstration On Saturday
North Action
Group's banner will be seen at the big NHS Demonstration being organised by the
Scottish Health Campaigns Network which NAG has been involved with since the
start a few months ago. NAG will be seen at more demonstrations being
planned. If you want to support North Action Group's bid to retain
services at the maternity unit and live in the Glasgow area why not go along and
gather near the banner.
Police, Council And Community Coming Together In Pulteneytown
Pulteneytown
is the focus this week of a high profile campaign by the Council Housing
Department, the police and people in the area to combat vandalism and crime.
It is part of an ongoing process by agencies to work with the public in the area
to tackle problems. As part of the operation police and housing officials
were available in the community safety mobile unit. The can mark mobile
phones and offer information on making your home safer.
The operation made it to the TV today - Watch online
Higher levels of policing have been brought into the area with further
resources being targeted at those who cause trouble for law abiding people in
the area.
More on the Op
Come
To The Highlands If You Want To Be Spotted
The link to this article in the Herald shows that many people think they can
disappear in the Highlands but they fail to realise that although it is a vast
area in the north of Britain it is made up of scattered small communities with
people who often know the area and landscape intimately. From the local
gamekeeper who knows every tree and bush to farmers who spot anyone unusual in
their area to small towns and villages where most outsiders are easily
recognised and usually welcomed. It is not all that easy to merge into the
background as several runaways have found recently.
Dunbar Hospital, Thurso On A Bright Sunny Day
Many
thanks to Michael Draper for sending in this picture of the Dunbar Hospital in
Thurso taken on a beautiful sunny day. He took the picture as he likes the
style of the building. According To
Caithness - An Illustrated Guide by Elizabeth Beaton - "The
hospital was donated by Mr Dunbar of Scrabster and the foundation stone laid by
HRH the Duke of Edinburgh , 21 January 1882. Originally intended for the
relief of suffering from disease of any kind and for support of a limited
number of aged persons who have seen better days. From 1924 it has
served Thurso as a hospital for the sick, the infirm elderly accommodated
elsewhere."
The Economic
Importance Of The Arts
A one-day Workshop for arts groups, practising artists and the business
community.
Date: Tuesday 12th October 2004, 10.00am-4.30pm Venue: Wick Youth Club, Lower
Dunbar Street, Wick Cost: FREE. Lunch provided.
This workshop on how the arts can make a contribution to the local economy
is led by Professor Ian Brown, and is supported by Bryan Beattie, an advisor to
the Scottish Executive on arts & culture -related issues. It will look at
current issues affecting the arts in Caithness, and will draw on the recent work
done by Professor Brown on
�Revealing the Vision of Caithness�, a study into the local arts
sector.
Calling All Budding Playwrights
EVOLVE could help you develop your playwriting skills. If you are an
aspiring writer or have just started building your career as a playwright,
EVOLVE would help you to hone your skills and cultivate your voice. Over
several months the Playwrights� Studio would provide you with focused
script development with support from a director. You would receive advice
and training to help you write a new play. You need to be over 18 to
enter the competition to gain a place on the FREE course
Caithness rangers challenge young people to the cone zone
Over two dozen young people took The
Highland Council�s annual �cone zone challenge� on Saturday 25 September
2004 at Dunnet Forest in Caithness. Organised by the Caithness Rangers in the
Council�s Planning and Development Service, the challenge attracted 9
teams of secondary school aged, boys and girls including the second Thurso
scouts and Wick scouts and the St. Andrews Ambulance cadets and badgers. The �cone zone� consisted of a series of six
stations set in Dunnet Forest where the groups had to tackle a physical or
mental challenge working as a team over a limited time period.
27 September 2004
SNP
Leader Alex Salmond Called In At The Dounreay Stand At The Conference In
Inverness
Delegates to the SNP annual conference at Inverness heard
last week how the clean-up of Dounreay is generating international
interest in the skills and experience of Scottish companies. More than a hundred companies are now
involved in decommissioning the former experimental reactor establishment,
leading to spin-off developments such as the trials and research centres
at Janetstown and the business and technology park at Forss.
26 September 2004
Fiddle Workshop & Masterclass 30 October
Lyth Arts Centre
Under The Expert Hand Of
Iain MacFarlane - Blazin Fiddles
Iain was born in Glenfinnan, a small
village in Lochaber. Whilst being taught the
fiddle from his father and also from Donald
Riddell, he also started to receive tutelage
on the bagpipes from pipe Major Evan MacRae
at the age of 10.
Phone Gordon Gunn on 01955 602831 for
further information.
www.gordongunn.co.uk
Places for the workshops are strictly
limited and will be on a first
come first served basis.
East End Boys Club, Wick Hit Big Score Against Golspie Aberdeen in Close
Match
The
Under 9s challenge match between East End versus Golspie Aberdeen played
at the Bignold Park this morning. East End ran out worthy winners
in a very close contest. (10-5) Rematch scheduled for next month in
Golspie. East End are unbeaten in their County League. Captained by
Jordan Howden (white strip, 3rd from right). Coached by Peter Swanson.
Loch More Shows The Blustery Day In Caithness Today
25 September 2004
Fear of revolts delays hospital
shake ups - The Guardian
This article in the guardian shows that what is happening at Caithness
General Hospital is going on all over the UK and that politicians are
being forced by local people to change or at least halt changes being
pushed forward by NHS managers.
Hospital shake-up staff 'left in limbo'
- The Scotsman - about St John's
hospital in West Lothian
NHS board concedes its failures in consulting - The Scotsman -
About Glasgow Health Board
Shaping of the NHS
- The Herald Editorial
North Action Group Takes To The Streets Today With Postcards and
Petition
In a bid to increase the numbers of people replying to the NHS Highland
Health Board public consultation North Action Group members will be out
today gathering more signatures for the petition to go to the Scottish
Parliament and to get folk to send replies to the consultation
indicating that they wish to keep the consultant led service at
Caithness maternity unit. the postcards are being distributed
widely in shops and many other public places. North Action Group
has purchased a FREEPOST license and all cards can be posted at no cost
to the individual. But returning them direct to NAG members will
save NAG from paying the postage as the cards can be collected and
delivered by hand.
24 September 2004
Barney Has An Audition For The Web - He Tells Us
He Got The Part!!!
Health Cuts On Scottish News Broadcasts AS MP's Get Worried
Scotland Today Scottish Television
Watch the broadcast from today's Scottish Television news as Labour MP's
at Westminster get worried about next years elections. You can
watch using Windows Media or Real Player
North
Action Group Determined To Keep Up The
Pressure As Health Tops The Agendas Again
McConnell signals drastic surgery on health
boards - The
Herald
Stobhill A&E closure date brought forward
- Evening Times
I HAD TWINS IN A LAY-BY BECAUSE HOSPITAL HAD
NO COTS FOR THEM - Daily Record
Chairman Of NHS Highland Says No One Will be
Turned Away From Public Meetings If Room
Chairman of NHS Highland Gary Coutts stated on Moray Firth Radio
today that no one would be turned away from public meetings being held
as part of the consultation process on Maternity at Caithness General
Hospital if there was room in the halls.
He was being questioned on the need to have a ticket to gain entry to
the meetings being held in Caithness and Sutherland. North Action
Group is continuing to encourage people to apply for tickets but still
to attend if they do not receive one. The Assembly Rooms , Wick
has been booked for two days and has a capacity in the main hall of 600.
Meanwhile North Action Group members will hit the streets tomorrow to
distribute postcards and to encourage people to reply to the NHS
Highland consultation paper.
Air Passenger
Numbers Increase in Highlands and Islands
The increase over
all for highlands & Islands although Wick had decrease of 13 passengers
in August compared to last year. It is possible this might improve
when September's figures are released due to the number of people flying
in to test the new
Range Rover Discovery cars being made available to the press
from all over the world. Many of them are flying in to test drive
the vehicles on Caithness and Sutherland roads, beaches and special test
areas.
Work to Start on
Wick Airport Terminal Upgrade
Work is set to start on the upgrade of Wick airport's terminal
building to meet new security requirements. The works project,
which will cost in the region of �800,000, will see a range of
improvements introduced and enhance passenger comfort. It will include a
new departure lounge, enlarged concourse area, new check-in desks,
office accommodation and a hold baggage x-ray facility.
The Money Is Out There For Charities,
Voluntary Groups and Individuals
Today another batch of announcements about
funds available to the voluntary sector for
many types of projects plus a couple open to
individuals to apply for such as the
Churchill Travelling Fellowship awards.
A few deadlines are now coming up but some
are open for a while yet so you have time to
get applications forms filled in for your
group's latest project. If you are
looking for money for a project then take al
look at today's additions to our funding
page.
23 September 2004
Health Hits The Headlines Yet Again Today
Cuts are accident waiting to happen -
Robin Cook MP Writing In The Scotsman
McConnell in threat to axe health boards
- Evening Times
Birth rate rise casts doubts on QM closure
- Evening Times
Hospital rationalisation dominates
Parliament - Scotland Today -
Scottish TV
Hospital service cuts scrutinised -
BBC News
Subdued celebrations for hospital under
threat - about the Queen
Mothers Maternity - The Herald
North Action Group Gets Postcard Campaign
Going
NAG members are already pushing ahead
with a major postcard distribution to allow
the public to respond to the NHS highland
Health Board public consultation. the
FREEPOST cards have an answer already
printed which if agreed can be signed and
sent back or returned to NAG members for
forwarding to the Health Board. On
Saturday Nag committee members will take to
the streets to get more cards signed and
also gain signatures for the petition to go
to the Scottish Parliament. Meantime
several voluntary groups in the county are
embarking on fund raising events to help
ensure the North Action Group can maintain
its efforts.
Whaligoe Steps From The Opposite Cliff
Here
are pictures of the Famous Whaligoe Steps
taken from the cliffs opposite to try to let
you see them all at once. If you have
never been there it is difficult to take in
the huge take it must have been to construct
the steps. These are views Bill has
been aiming to take for along time to add to
the pictures already in the Whaligoe Steps
section.
Would You Like To Sing This Winter - Why Not
Join Caithness Choral Society?
the group meets once a week and prepares for
two or three concerts each year often with
the Caithness Orchestra. The society
would welcome anyone who wants to sing and
in particular is short of men and male bass
voices. You do not need to be a
trained singer just have a reasonable voice.
Have You Got Your Tickets For NHS Highland
Health Board Maternity Public Meetings
the NHS highl;and Health Board are to hold
public meetings as part of the public
consultation. They are limiting the
numbers to 100 people per meeting even at
the Assembly Rooms in wick which can hold
600. north Action Group are likely to
be holding a demonstration outside the
Assembly Rooms on one of the nights to
protest at this restriction on numbers.
to be sure of getting in you need a ticket
and you can get some by phoning the number
on the message board for the date you want.
Meetings are also being held in Thurso,
Strathy, Lybster and Halkirkl.
More Headlines On The Health Debate
Tragedy Waiting To Happen
- Daily Record
Hospital cuts 'could
kill patients' -
Scotsman
Chisholm told:
maternity changes could kill -
The Herald
22 September 2004
Wick Engraver Makes His Mark
A
former employee of Caithness Glass has just
set up his own engraving business, with
assistance from his local enterprise company
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).
Willie Bain was employed by Caithness Glass
in Wick for over 30 years as a glass
engraver and was also involved in the design
and development of new products until he was
made redundant in March 2004 when the
company went into receivership. Since then
he has worked tirelessly to establish his
own business, Wick Engraving, and has just
taken lease of a unit at the Wick Airport
Industrial Estate.
Will Post Boxes In Rural Areas Be Next
To Disappear?
Taking
pictures of threatened phone boxes made us
think that there might be a future threat to
post boxes also. Little did we know
that the threat was almost upon us.
With the announcement that postal deliveries
and collections are to be opened up to
competition there also comes the possibility
that as with non profitable phone boxes
postal boxes in the rural areas will be
considered non-profitable and no company
will want to take them on. We have no
information on this - just posing the
question and we would be interested to hear
your views on the Message Board on this
topic. With competition as the driving
factor will the PO keep them on or be forced
was with telephone kiosks be forced to
abandon them. Roland Hill will be
turning in his grave to see the universal
postal system under threat.
Check Postcomm For More
Have You Ever Been To Swartigill Burn? - Now
Is Your Chance
Guided
walk aling the Swartiglll Burn, an area rich
in historic and prehistoric remains. See an
abandoned farm settlement, mysterious long
houses, ancient lime quarry and the newly
recorded "Wag of Swartigill" Meet At
Thrumster church at 5.30pm for a two hour
walk led by Islay MacLeod.
Check out the walk in 2002
ROSSROADS (CAITHNESS) CARE ATTENDANT SCHEME
- ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, 26TH OCTOBER 2004 7:30PM -
THE LOUNGE, NEW WEIGH INN HOTEL, THURSO
Can't Make the Meeting? - then Read the
Annual Report
The
Scheme continues in a sound financial
position with the aim of spending as much of
the funds available within the year to
provide carer support in Caithness. Maybe we
were a little too cautious this year, due to
the new referral circumstances and achieved
a surplus of �5,793, which has been
transferred to the reserves. Based on
the audited accounts the total income was
�123,656. A breakdown of the 7936
hours delivered in 2003/04.
Waybaggers Walk At Tongue and Castle Varrich
Last September
Warning over
'Tragedy' Amid Hospital Closures -
Scotsman
MSP Jamie Stone warns of deaths in places
like Caithness....
Health minister again refuses to delay
hospital closure decision - Scotland
Today Scottish TV
21 September 2004
'LOSS OF PHONE BOXES EQUALS INCREASED DANGERS'- GIBSON
Rob Gibson SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands has signed a motion
that calls for a halt to BT's plans to close around one thousand telephone
boxes throughout Scotland. His colleague
Bruce Crawford MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife who lodged the motion calls
for better consultation between BT and Community Council's before it goes
ahead and closes any boxes. Mr Gibson says that communities in the
Highlands and Islands may be worse affected if phone boxes disappear and
sights the village of Berriedale in South East Caithness as a prime
example....
"The Community council of Berridale have contacted me saying that their
phone box is likely to be lost, if this was to happen it would be nothing
short of dangerous as there is no mobile reception in the village and the
steep and twisting road that run either side which is regarded as many as
the worst part of the whole A9.
Bill Fernie's Telephone Box Section
Bill Fernie would like to hear from anyone
in Caithness with fears about Telephone box
removals near to them. Email
[email protected]
Local Health Campaigns
Begin To Waken Politicians To Future Election Chances
As local health campaigns all over Scotland begine to come together for a
national campaign there is a build up of activity from MSP's and MP's.
Here are some of the latest reports of two MSP's - Rob Gibson (SNP)
and Maureen MacMillan (Labour) Meanwhile North Action Group say they
are not impressed with the latest announcement from Malcolm Chisholm
stating he will not necessarily accept the results of local consultations
currently being run by Health Boards.
Local Photographer John Baikie Launches Caithness Photographic Web Site
John Baikie is setting out to make his mark in the photography world with
his new web site. Her recently went full time after several years of
part-time work and winning the
Photographer of the Year Award
in the Highland Media Awards.
Volunteers Flock To Keiss Beach Cleanup
Almost
30 volunteers turned out last Saturday to take part in a local beach clean
and monitor at Keiss beach. The clean-up was organised by the rangers in
The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service as part of the
national Beachwatch event, the most extensive monitoring programme in
Europe for coastal and marine litter. The volunteers cleared large amounts of
unwanted debris and litter along the rocky section of the shore between
the harbour and Stain. Members of the Caithness Critters and the Caithness
Countryside Volunteers turned out in force and with help from local
residents, created a strong hit squad. The types and quantities of litter
were recorded and removed to ensure that the surveyed stretch of beach was
rubbish free.
Scaffolding Going Up At Girnigoe Castle As Restoration
Work Gets Under Way
The
steeplejacks are now on site erecting scaffolding in advance of the next
phase of restoration work on the castle. the trust hope to get a
reasonable amount of work done before the winter weather sets in.
Wick Scouts Learn New Skills To Build A Garden
1st
Caithness, 1st Wick Scouts with the aid of the
BTCV Scotland (BTCV.org)
and George Gunn, Master Dry Stone Waller, have begun transforming the
adjacent grounds at the Scout Hall. Explorer Scouts applied for the
opportunity to work with the BTCV under Leader Plus and under consultation
with Scouts, Cubs and Beavers created a design for the garden. Over 7
tonnes of local Caithness Flag stone was brought in and under the watchful
eye of George Gunn and the BTCV Volunteers the Explorer Scouts and Scouts
learned the art of Dry Stone Walling. They creating a large raised
planting area, a seating area and a 'Tomb Stone' style fire pit. It has
been a great opportunity for the Scouts to learn new skills and to help
improve their local environment.
LEAVING CAITHNESS FOR THE JUNGLE!
Fund Raising Gets Going for this Big Trip
Mandy Purves and Ann Cormack To Trek
Costa Rica For SSPCA
Fund Raising Events - 25 September 2004
A table at the Car Boot Sale held in the rear
co-operative car park in Telford Street, Inverness, this Saturday (25th
September). It starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm. Mandy will be on
her own that day so pop along and say hello if you are in Inverness
20 September 2004
Kennedy blasts Chisholm over hospital cuts
- Scotsman
Charles Kennedy joins the attack on Malcolm
Chisholm over Scotland's Health Service
Chisholm orders ban on one-man ambulances
Malcolm Chisholm has ordered a change to
this as North Action Group hears police have
ordered police officers not to drive
ambulances
Your letters on the health debate In the
Herald Today
MSP Maureen MacMillan Renews Calls To Rotate
Wick Based Consultants
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Maureen
Macmillan has written to NHS Highland
regarding the ongoing consultation on
maternity services in Caithness and renewing
her call for consultants to be rotated
between Wick and Inverness.
North Highland College 2004 Awards Ceremony
The annual awards ceremony of North Highland
College took place on Saturday 18 September.
We reproduce here the opening speech by the
Principal of the college - Rosemary
Thomson and the main speaker
Dr Colin Bayliss, director of UKAEA's Major
Projects and Engineering Division. the
speeches give a good picture of what the
college does and how it integrates into the
north of Scotland and the contribution it
makes to Caithness and Sutherland.
BAKING IN BRORA WITH SUE LAWRENCE
The North of Scotland's annual Food and
Drink Festival, Highland Feast, takes place
between Thursday 30th September and Sunday
3rd October. This is Highland Feast's fourth
year and as always it aims to celebrate the
high quality and rich variety of food and
drink to be found throughout the Highlands.
One of the 41 events taking place is 'Baking
in Brora and Dinner with Sue'. On Friday
October 1st respected food writer Sue
Lawrence will be celebrating the launch of
her new 'Book of Baking' with an afternoon
of baking in Brora, at the Royal Marine
Hotel. The Baking Afternoon costs �7.50 and
the banquet in the evening costs �50.
Unemployment Rate Still On A Downward Trend
Overall, the number of people unemployed in
Caithness and Sutherland fell from 755 last
month to 745. The revised unemployment rates
in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel
to Work Areas' respectively are as follows
(corresponding figures for last month are in
brackets): 3.3% (3.4%), 4.3% (4.4%) and 2.5%
(2.4%).
Wick Players Gain Financial Assistance From
CASE For Moray Street Premises In Wick
Wick Players, upgrading of Moray Street
premises - �3,365 under Community Assistance
grants
Ex Caithness Glass Employee Starts Up An
Engraving Business
Willie Bain, Wick, a former employee of
Caithness Glass Ltd, has started Wick
Engraving, which will provide a glass
engraving service for businesses or
individuals. Wick Engraving Up) is to
receive �2,300 towards the purchase of
specialist equipment.
19 September 2004
Public Consultation On Banning Smoking In
Public Places In Scotland Ends On 30
September
You can all have your say by completing the
short online form at the Scottish Executive
web site.
Thrumster WRI Organise Whist Drive For
North Action Group's Fight To Save Maternity
Services
Thrumster WRI are holding a Whist Drive on
Wednesday 22nd September 2004 at 7:30pm
at Thrumster Hall. All proceeds are going to
the North Action Group's campaign fund.
There will be a bottle stall and raffle
along with home baking and sandwiches at
half time. Come along and support a good
cause.
Thurso FC Still Hitting Top Form As They Win
4 - 0 Against Alness
Thurso
F.C continued their high scoring form to the
new North Caledonian League season. Thurso
are top of the league and progressed to the
semi-final of The Port Services Cup on
Saturday afternoon with a comfortable 4-0
win away to old rivals Alness United. Thurso
goals came from an Alan Murray double, Lee
MacDougall and a Mark Nicholl penalty.
Thurso have now scored 24 goals in their
opening 5 matches, thanks to an incredible
nine goals from Mark Nicholl and seven from
Alan Murray. Next Saturday sees Thurso take
on last season's champions Golspie
Sutherland at The Dammies with a 3 p.m
kick-off.
Keiss Kids Try Horse Power Around The
Village
Keiss School - New Garden Opens After
Two Years Work
Willie
Watt from Subsea Seven yesterday opened the
new garden at Keiss Primary School.
the specially formed committee had worked
for two years with the help of Ranger Marina
Finlayson to clear up a derelict piece of
school ground that had become overgrown.
Hastigrow - You Pass It Between Wick and
Thurso - Do You Ever Take A Closer Look?
Another farming area In the middle of
Caithness and at this time the combines and
tractors are busy taking in this years
crops. And just to show those new
Range Rovers are all over the county
one came past as camera was actually
switched on. If you snap one why not
send in your picture and let us all see
where they are getting to
Scottish Masters Junior Bowls - Thurso
Pictures from this top competition held at
Thurso Bowling Club on 4 September. 32
young bowlers from all over Scotland took
part.
Hospitals Still Hitting The Headlines
In The Papers
McConnell annoyed at vocal MPs -
Sunday Herald
McConnell
under attack over hospital protest jibe
- -Scotsman
First minister scorns health protests
- The Herald
Lantern Procession
�Wick, A light in the North� - Report And
More Pictures
On
Saturday evening, 11 September 2004, over a
thousand people turned out to watch and
follow a spectacular community procession
through out Pulteneytown and ending out at
South Head Quarry, which was organised by
Wick Youth Club and Lower Pulteneytown
Townscape Heritage Initiative Management
Committee. This procession marks the final
stage in the permanent display of the
Community Public Arts project, �New Media
Meets Old� in Telford Street with the
switching on of two new media artworks
created by commissioned artist Tamsin
Williams and young people in Wick.
18 September 2004
Range Rover Discovery Put Through Its Paces In Caithness - Life's A Beach
The world's press are arriving daily in Caithness testing the new Range Rover
Discovery models. With its many different road types across Caithness and
North Sutherland the are is regarded by motor companies as one of the best
locations to try out new vehicles. Wick in particular is suitable with an
airport right on the doorstep of the varied terrain required to try out these
rugged vehicles with everything a car could have by way of comfort and strength
in an off road vehicle. There are many of them in the county at the moment
in case you think a lot of folk have been incredibly lucky on the lottery.
17 September 2004
Caithness Midwife Gets to Top Thirty In Dettol Nurse Of the Year - Cast Your
Vote
Meryl Banks a District Nurse/Midwife in Caithness has been recommended for the "Dettol
Community Nurse of the Year 2004" by one of her patients, and has managed to
progress to the top thirty nominees! She is well-known and highly respected
throughout the community. To have a chance of progressing she needs to
have votes cast online at the Dettol web site. With maternity being the
hot topic in Caithness i think we can ll head over to cast our support for
midwife from Caithness. Well done on getting to this stage.
More information can be found on
http://www.dettolnurse.co.uk/uk_voting.shtml (click Midwives).
Auckengill Telephone Earmarked To Be Removed
Auckengill
telephone box is on the list of payphones to be removed so here are a few more
pictures added to the section we already had for this phone. There is
still time to make representations abut any phones on the list for removal but
you must be specific giving reasons why a box is required locally.
The
Telephone Kiosk list for removal etc
So You Want to Study
Something This Winter? - A Few Suggestions
The clocks will change shortly and maybe you are tryng to think about what
to do as the dark evenings draw in. If you are thinking about a course
then in Caithness ou can try Thurso College and its extension in Wick or an
evening class at Wick or Thurso High. If you are on an income of less then
�15,000 the Scottish Executive has announce that Lean Direct Scotland will
shortly offer grant of up to �200 to assist with education. A new web site
will be launched shortly with details. Our
Free Courses and
Training page is still there for you to browse for ideas of things you
can do online.
Loads-A-Money
On Offer To Voluntary Groups and Individuals Today
A range of announcements of interest to voluntary groups, young individuals in
sport and artists are in today's update in the Funding Page today. Amongst
the deadlines coming up are the Rural Challenge Fund grants that offers grants
for a wide range of projects - get your application in by 21 October.
Partnership Of Authorities And Local
People
Sets Out To Reduce Vandalism and Crime In Wick
Police in Caithness have joined forces with the Local Authority Housing
Department and Pulteneytown People's Project to combat vandalism in the area.
Under the auspices of the recently formed Caithness Vandalism Action Group,
partners have committed to a high profile operation in the upper Pulteneytown
area of Wick. "The initiative code named "Operation
Values" although chiefly combating vandalism, is anticipated to attract
information in relation to other issues such as antisocial behaviour, crimes of
dishonesty and drug related offences" said local Area Commander Chief Inspector
John MacDonald.
16 September 2004
Wick Academy Win Agains Golspie 2 - 1
Tonight - Report By Derek Bremner
Wick Academy beat Golspie Sutherland at home
tonight 2-1 to reach the semi-final of the
North of Scotland Cup and a home tie to
either Forres Mechanics, Rothes or Elgin
City on the 12th October. Golspie took
lead early in 1st half and then lead to H/T
then Wick stepped it up and were rewarded
with a stone wall penalty from which Martin
Gunn scored. Then a bit of madness by
players as one of each team was sent off.
MaCallum for Wick & Pullen for Golspie.
The game started to get niggly and plenty of
bookings. On came Gary Weir who had two
great chances to score but for wonderful
save by the Golspie goalie but then minutes
later scored the goal to take Academy
through to semi final. Academy were
missing Goalie Don Macmillan due to injured
toe & Criag Shearer missing too with
defender Alec Lamb in the Goals.
Keiss Roadside Broch Revealed After
Strimming
Dr
Andy Heald the archaeologist for Caithness
Archaeology Trust led a group round four
Sinclair Bay brochs on Sunday. Dr
Heald and volunteers had cleared the weeds
and strimmed the vegetation back to allow a
closer look at the normally overgrown broch.
Other brochs visited were Nybster, Keiss
Harbour and Whitegate a bit further along
the shore.
Caithness Wins Major Grant For �3.5 Million
District Heating Scheme
Highland Councillors in Caithness are
delighted with the success of a major
funding application to promote the first
wood-waste fuelled Combined Heat and Power
system in Scotland at Wick. The Energy
Saving Trust has announced a �1.54 million
grant today which is fundamental to the
success of the �3.5 million first phase of
this project. The Council's Caithness Area
Committee has agreed to contribute �1.8
million from its Warm and Dry Programme and
a bid is being made for �200,000 from the
European Regional Development Fund.
New Locum Consultant Obstertician & Gynaecologist At Caithness General
Dr H. R. van Huyssteen, MB.Ch.B., FRCOG, M.Med (O&G) took up the post of
Locum Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Caithness General
Hospital on Monday 13 September 2004. Dr van Huyssteen, who has lived and
practised private obstetrics and gynaecology in South Africa for 22 years,
has taken up the post initially for one month:
Let the people decide, says head of health reform - The Herald
THE Scottish public were yesterday promised they would be placed at the
heart of future decision-making on health. Professor David Kerr of
Oxford University, the Glaswegian charged with designing future health
strategy, appealed to all citizens to join the debate which will shape the
health service for the next 20 years.........
North Action Group are shortly to launch the next part of its campaign to
save Caithness Maternity Services.
Caithness Glassblower Takes Artistic and Scientific Awards
Highly
regarded Dounreay and Thurso glassblower Ian Pearson recently added a
unique double award to his trophy cabinet. At a symposium, in mid-August,
organised by the British Society of Scientific Glassblowers, of which Ian
is currently its chairman, Ian�s entry in the technical glass category was
judged by those present as the best exhibit of 2004. Ian�s entry was a
roller tool that he has developed over twenty years, and is designed to
produce an even wall thickness in glass tubing. The same entry was also
judged to be the most artistic exhibit...
Community Memorial Garden Group In Wick Receives �860 Donation From Local Woman
Carol
Smith raised �860 form a sponsored walk of the West Highland Way (85
miles). The World War Two Air Raid Victims Group in Wick has been
working for the past two years to move towards a suitable memorial to
those who died in the first daylight bombing in Britain on 1 July 1940.
The bomb site lies derelict and the group hope to create a tranquil area
dedicated to those killed.
The Wick Society Looks
To The Future - Wick Heritage Centre Expansion
The Wick Society�s premises at Bank Row are bursting at the seams with
documents, pictures and artefacts of all kinds chronicling the history of
Wick and the surrounding area. With detailed studies now
completed, the Society recently agreed an action plan for conserving and
developing the Wick Heritage Museum and its important collections. As a first step, selection
of a suitable architect is under way. The architect will oversee the
urgent repairs required to keep the existing premises in good condition,
before attention turns to the construction of a museum and archive store
on the adjacent property formerly known as Cowie�s Yard. The new,
purpose-built store will include workshop and study areas and will be open
to the public.
Traditional Fiddle
Classes Changed Dates - Plus Additional
Workshop With Gordon Gunn
The workshop has had to be rescheduled to
the weekend workshop at the end of October
until Mid April but there is also another
doing one 1st week in November 2005.
At present we are running a smaller workshop
on 30th October with one fiddle tutor in
Lyth Arts Centre, this is something intended
to do on a 3 monthly basis between the
larger event which will be held in Wick to
keep momentum going.
Down load application forms and more info on
the day at
http://www.gordongunn.co.uk/wtmw.html
LEAVING
CAITHNESS FOR THE JUNGLE!
Mandy Purves and Ann Sutherland To Trek
Costa Rica For SSPCA
The
pair are planning to take part in a 10 day
Jungle Trek in Costa Rica, to raise money
for the SSPCA. The trek will take place from
26th November to 6th December 2005, and is
quite a challenging trek, covering some
rough terrain. Costa Rica has a huge
variety of landscapes, climates and
environments. It is home to five per cent of
the planet�s biodiversity. Everything from
palm tree-lined tropical beaches to smoking
volcanoes, cloud forest, rainforest and
mangrove swamps awaits us in Costa Rica!
The pair intend to raise funds for the trip
by holding a range of events up to the time
they leave.
Pultenytown Academy
Primary School, Wick - September Newsletter
15 September 2004
Murchison Street, Wick Taking On New Look As Refurbishment Goes On
Murchison Street is nearing the end of a refurbishment of the houses owned
by Highland Council. The new look houses should be much warmer this
winter with the insulation added on the outside of each house and fresh
rendering. Murchison Street is also the place where the
Pulteneytown People's Project is based with a rising number of
local projects aiming to improve the amenities of the area.
Caithness Whisper
With A Warning
Do you really want to buy a square foot or less of Scottish land.
Around the world there are plenty of people with scams skimming on the
edge of legality and sales of tiny pieces of land seem to fit the bill.
Essentially you get a piece of paper for you money showing you have bought
the land and possibly some unheard of obscure title which again is usually
meaningless having passed out of use. Ask yourself if your bit of
land carries the title what about all the other tiny land owners.
Legal or not this oddity in land sales is plain daft.
"MSP Chisholm told to 'get a grip'" BBC
"MPs
are right: someone has to get a grip on health" - The Herald
"MPs
tell Chisholm: We�ll disown you on health" - The Herald
"Hospital cuts are bigger threat than Iraq, Chisholm told" -
Scotsman
As headlines in the papers like the Herald and TV programmes this week
such as Newsnight and others are showing local difficulties for the
Scottish Parliament like Caithness General Hospital might lose Labour MP's
their seats at Westminster. That thought has provoked strong
reactions from them as can be seen by Malcolm Chisholm being summoned to
meet them in London yesterday. Robin Cook the former foreign
Secretary and MP for the area in which a hospital in Livingston threatened
with downgrading sits is one of those most outspoken over the current
situation in the Scottish Health service. It remains to be seen
whether Westminster MP's can influence the situation with the Scottish
Executive when the matter is devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
North Action Group
is also well aware that similar groups are beginning to form in parts of
England so perhaps Labour MP's may think that not only in Scotland might
they be punished for the threats to local hospitals at the elections for
Westminster seats in 2005.
Maternity Campaign In Caithness
Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band In Lybster
The
Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band in Lybster on Saturday evening. It was
followed by a ceilidh in the Bayview in aid of the MacMillan Nurses Fund.
George Sutherland who is 85 and used to run the draper/haberdashery shop
with his wife and sister was out enjoying the show.
�TAKE IT EASY�.� WITH SCOTTISH FOOD FORTNIGHT!
Scottish Food
Fortnight 2004 runs for two weeks from Saturday 18 September, and the
organisers of Scottish Food Fortnight are encouraging people to slow down
and enjoy buying and eating local food. Hopefully this will encourage
people to discover the great food and drink in their area and support
their local communities.
�Take some time out,� urges Jo Papworth, Project Manager of Scottish Food
Fortnight �and enjoy Scottish food and drink�.
Jo continued: �Maybe it�s been a while since your last proper Sunday
Roast, or maybe you�ve been so busy that you haven�t had a chance to
prepare food from scratch for a while. In today�s hectic world it happens
to us all so why not make a special effort over these two weeks, take a
detour from your normal routine and go to a farmers market, or your local
butchers shop - take some time out and rediscover the joys of buying and
cooking local produce. Caithness has lots of fresh fish, meat and
vegetables - use it!!
Skelbo Telephone - Not On The Hit List To Go
Here
we go with another phone in a lovely part of Sutherland known to many
Caithness folk as they drive up and down the 105 miles between Wick and
Inverness.
Check the list to see if a phone near you is being removed and
check to see if there is any good reason why it should be kept and then
write to the highland Council in Inverness who are co-ordinating responses
to BT.
14 September 2004
Scientist's Nephew Sees Round Dounreay
New Zealander Tony Hurst today (14 September 2004) made a nostalgic visit
to the former experimental reactor establishment where his uncle led the
world in fast reactor technology. The late Dr Robert Hurst was the first
director of Dounreay from 1958 until 1963 when the site�s landmark fast
reactor became the first in the world to supply electricity to a national
grid. His nephew, Dr Tony Hurst, is touring the UK with his wife
Margaret and decided to seek out the site of his uncle�s pioneering work. The couple called in yesterday at the visitor
centre at Dounreay that tells the story of the world-leading research
carried out there from the 1950s, and how the project is now being
dismantled.
Right To Swim Campaign Aims To Change Recent
Rules On Child Parent Ratios
Some of you will remember that swimming
pools in Highland changed their policy on
how many children a parent or adult could
supervise in swimming pools. The
restrictions were not welcomed in Caithness
but have remained ever since. Now a
national campaign is rising to change the
rules once again.
Ben Stack In North West Sutherland -
Another Caithness Waybaggers Day Out
This
hill lies six miles South West of Rhichonich
in the North West of Sutherland. We had to
go the long way along the North coast as we
had to pick up one of our party in Thurso.
Loch Eriboll is very beautiful but the drive
down one side and up the other is very
frustrating. By the time we reached our
starting point at the shores of Loch Stack
the rest of the party was already there.
They had travelled the shorter route via
Lairg. Ben Stack is 2364 ft high, 50 ft
higher than Morven.
Your More Store In Wick & Thurso -
50% Off Sale As Company Goes Into
Administration
Your More Store
has 180 leasehold retail stores in locations
throughout Scotland, Northern England and
Northern Ireland including one in Wick and
Thurso The stores have 1,400
employees in total. All the stores are
up for sale as part of the administration.
The stores will continue to trade under
administration until further until a buyer
is found. 70 Stores were closed
yesterday
Councillors Refuse Planning Permission For
29 Plots At West Gills, Thurso -
Press & Journal
Councillors in Caithness
yesterday refused planning permission for 29
plots at West Gills Thurso. the full
story is in today's Press & Journal.
Well Known Dounreay Scientist Dr Eric Voice
Has Died
Nuclear
scientist Dr Eric Voice who worked at
Dounreay for many years, has died at 80
following an illness. Dr Voice who
wrote often to the newspapers was extremely
confident in his views of the safety of
using plutonium in a safe environment and
even had injections of it given to himself
as part of an experiment with others in
1997. Dr Voice thought much of what
was written in the media about plutonium was
hype not based on the facts. He
apparently suffered no ill effects from his
testing the material on himself
Renting Property? Try Our Low Cost Ads
In the Property Section
Whether you are looking for a property or
have one to let then check the property
section.
From The
New Archivist At Wick - Rachael Taylor
"Just a quick note to introduce
myself as the new Archivist at North
Highland Archive in Wick. I began work here
at the start of August and it's great to be
able to work in such lovely surroundings! I
have worked in various archives around
Scotland including the National Archives of
Scotland, University of Edinburgh and
Glasgow City Council."
"Ill-feeling
over builders of NHS future" - The
Herald
Dr George Venters, leader of the National
Health Campaigns Network (North Action Group
is a member of this network), accused the
group of having no credibility and
questioned exactly what it is supposed to
achieve. The Scottish Executive claims
the body will "develop a national framework
for service change", but Dr Venters
dismissed the brief as "flimflam".
Today Letters At The Herald - More On
The Health Debate
Caithness Cultural Trust Family Fun -
First Event Last Saturday
A few pictures from the vent held in the
Waterfront, Wick on Saturday as part of
Doors Open Day
New mothers sleeping in storeroom -
The Herald
The Herald
newspaper web site highlights the case of
women sleeping storerooms at Dundee's
Ninewells Hospital. Mothers are being
transferred from Perth following the
maternity unit downgrading.
North Action Group fighting to stop the
downgrading of Caithness General hospital
see this as the predictable outcome that
will happen at Raigmore for rural mothers.
The Herald article says "David Sedgwick, a
surgeon at Belford Hospital in Fort William,
said the problem of long waiting lists at
many city hospitals will be exacerbated by
many more patients from downgraded smaller
hospitals being sent to cities for
treatment".
Caithness duo excel in Britain�s
biggest cycling race -
Tour Of Britain 2004
Two
cyclists from Caithness , Evan Oliphant and,
youngest rider in the team, 19 year old
David Smith were part of the six man squad
representing Scotland. The Tour of Britain, from
September 1-5, was the the most exciting and
prestigious road race in the UK for a very
long time � and featured arguably, the
best-ever line up of cycling superstars.
With 16 teams comprising medal winners from
the Athen�s Olympics, Tour de France top
performers Kloden, Azevedo, Rubiera, and
Boonen plus a host of regular front runners
13 September 2004
Letters Page Of The Herald Keeps the Health Debate On The Boil
Several interesting letters today in the Herald and available on their web
site.
Dounreay Sports and Social Club - Viewfirth Setting Out The Future
The club is holding and
Extraordinary General Meeting on Sunday 19th September 2004 - 7.30pm, with
the main topic of discussion being the future of the club. At this
meeting different ways forward will be presented to the members for their
consideration. As many of the members,
both full and associate, should attend. A good attendance is
essential, as then more members will hear what has to be said first hand,
and a great proportion of the members will be able to decide upon the way
forward.
CAITHNESS PEOPLE RALLY TO NATIONAL
WILDLIFE EVENTS
The two Caithness wildlife workshops held
recently by Ranger in The Highland Councils' Planning and Development
Service proved to be a great success. The 'Batty about Bats' workshop at
Dunbeath attracted more than a dozen people and the 'Caithness Cetaceans'
workshop at Lybster saw more than thirty people over the course of the
day.
New Photo Section For Cruise Ships Calling At Scrabster
Accelerated
Decommissioning Keeps The Contracts Flowing
The
formal signing of the contract to build a waste-handling facility for
storing solid intermediate-level radioactive waste (ILW) at Dounreay
recently awarded to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd by UKAEA, took
place in the board-room of Forss Business Park. The contract, valued
in excess of �10 million will increase the site's capacity for storing ILW
arising from the site's accelerated decommissioning programme.
Thurso Scottish Country Dance Club Gets Going For A New Season on 15
September
Thurso Scottish Country Dance Club will be starting their new season of
dancing on 15th September. They meet every Wednesday in the Thurso Club,
Janet Street, Thurso, and would be delighted to see new members. Any
lapsed dancers from the former country dance group in Wick would be
particularly welcome.
GIBSON ISSUES CHALLENGE TO STONE AND MACMILLAN
'Show your commitment to Caithness Maternity' is Rob Gibson's
challenge to Jamie Stone and Maureen Macmillan.
The SNP MSP challenge comes after the Liberal Democrat MSP for Caithness
and Sutherland and Easter Ross and Labour list MSP for the Highlands and
Islands have yet to sign Dr Jean Turner's parliamentary motion that calls
for a moratorium on centralisation of NHS services in Scotland, until a
national strategy is formed.
Health
Reform - No Pain No Gain - The Sunday Herald
As health campaigns such as North Action Group in Caithness and others
have taken off all over the country newspapers everywhere are now on the
case. With cumulative signatures on various petitions now reaching
250,000 this is the biggest revolt by people since the poll tax. The
North Action Group petition is also yet to be added to the total as it is
still circulating in the county heading for a hand over in October.
The Health Board Ships may be slowing but they have not yet changed
direction. The consultation for Caithness General maternity is
already well underway but demands for it to be extended or even postponed
until after a national review are growing.
12 September 2004
Health Campaigns Heading To Take On The Politicians Over Cuts In Services
- Sunday Mail
North Action Group is part of the group heading to form a new political
party to ensure that the cuts in services being discussed all over
Scotland do not happen without a fight where it really counts - at
the ballot box. For many months NAG has been represented at meetings
in Perth of the new group. NAG members like others wait to see if
Health Boards can be made to stop their current moves to downgrade and
close services against the wishes of patients who happen also to be
voters.
First Birthday Party For Baby Shannon At Reiss
A
first birthday party was held at Reiss on Sunday for family and friends of
baby Shannon who is now one year old. Handy things village halls
when you have a big group of people to entertain and plenty of room for
all the games for the kids. they often so far have telephone kiosks
outside which was why we were there today getting a few views of the Reiss
box for the collection.
Tomatoes Along The Wick River Again This Year
Following
last years hot summer and tomatoes found growing on the Wick river and
Thurso beach we thought we would check again this year to see if global
warming was making it possible for the plants to grow once again. Sure
enough many plants and few with small fruits are present on the river
bank. Anyone seen them in Thurso yet?
Wick 2003
Thurso 2003
Speaking of plants - Has anyone thought about planting
Bog Myrtle following
the breaking story that Highland peaty soils may be set to make folk a
fortune with this plant that has many uses. Commercial
production may be set to follow and Caithness would seem ideal.
Guide Dogs For The Blind - Caithness Group Fund Raising Walk
The
local branch of Guide Dogs For The Blind held a fund raising walk from
Wick High School to Milton and back via Newton Hill. Guide Dogs is
the national UK charity that supplies dogs and full training for blind
people in the UK. The Caithness branch often has stalls at local
events.
Any Emails Sent in the Past Few Weeks Unanswered?
Apologies to anyone who has not had a reply to emails sent in recent
weeks but all of them have been lost as Bill's hard drive burnt out.
Also any pictures or items sent for the web site are also lost. If
you sent anything in recent weeks and it has not appeared on the site
please feel free to send it again. All email addresses have been
lost on Bill's hard drive. The Newsletter emails are OK and it will
be out soon
'Scapegoat' claim by sacked Polish doctor
The Scotsman
A letter from Dr Samberger one of the Polish consultants dismissed from
Caithness General was printed in the John O'Groat Journal on Friday.
Both Polish doctors are thought to be considering legal action against NHS
Highland.
Polish Speakers Go Here
Wick A Light In The North
A
community event organised by Wick Youth Club saw a procession with may
children and folk from the town carrying lanterns made by young people in
the Wick Youth Club Summer Workshops. the procession went from
Miller Street celebrating the switch on of the New Media Works to the
South Head Quarry for a low level fire display and fireworks.
Wick was the place last year in September when
Assipattle was staged around the town.
11 September 2004
Rutherhall Farm, Watten Payphone Scheduled For Removal
OK
we are taking the pictures and begin to think about the reasons behind the
removal. It is about money but should they be removed for that
reason. Once they were considered to be a public service. That
was in the days when they were still in public hands before privatisation.
Did some of these phones ever make a profit - it seems doubtful in remote
locations. Your comments on the message board might be of interest.
Do you live near one of the phones to be lost. Does it have some
vital use for a neighbour or the community nearby? Do visitors need
it? What about emergencies - can you always rely on mobile phones?
Williamson Street Payphone Scheduled For Removal
OK
we will never get to them all but here we go over the next week or so with
pictures of payphones either remaining or to be removed. This first
one in the latest run is at the junction of Williamson Street and Martha
Terrace in Wick. Bill has been taking pictures of many others on his
way between meetings in Inverness and Wick. Some are in Caithness
and some in Sutherland with some good views. If you can think of
reasons why a particular payphone is required for social reasons then let
BT know by 1 October.
Caithness Business Club Meeting
On Maternity
The Caithness
Business Club held an open meeting to debate the possible affect on the
far north economy and local businesses. David Dunnet chairman
introduced speakers Rob Gibson SNP MSP, David Flear Caithness area
convenor, George Bruce, chairman of North Action Group, Vice chair of NHS
Highland Health Board, councillor David Alston and Mary Scanlon
conservative MSP. Jamie Stone MSP sent apologies as he was attending
a family wedding in Ireland and John Thurso MP also sent apologies.
Caithness Cultural Trust Presents an
Afternoon At The Waterfront Wick 1.00 -
4.30pm
1.00 - 1.05 Introduction by J.Bruce -
Compere H.Reilly
1.05 - 1.20 Handbell Ringers - 1.20 - 1.40
C.McDougall - 1.40 - 2.40 B.Pegg - 2.40 -
2.50 T.Horne
2.50 - 3.00 J.Stewart - 3.00 - 3.10
C.McDougall - 3.10 - 3.20 T.Horne - 3.20 -
3.30 Handbell Ringers
3.30 - 4.20 Bongo Drums - 4.20 - 4.30 Prizes
Crossroads Care (Caithness) New Staff In
Post
Crossroads
Care the organisation in Caithness that
provides hundreds of hours of respite care
with volunteers each year in the county have
appointed two new staff following the
departure of Maggie Page. Mrs Susan
Mileham is the new Care Manager and Mrs
Fiona Robertson is the Office Manager. Both
ladies will work part time in the office at
Scrabster at times between 0900 - 1600 from
Monday to Friday depending on their workload
and the need for the Care Manager to be out
of the office to visit clients.
Impact of health care cuts subject of study
- The Herald
Brief details about the Highland Council and
Highlands And Islands Enterprise study into
the impact of health cuts at Caithness
General now being conducted.
10 September 2004
Caithness Nappy Business Short-Listed For
E-Commerce Award
Ella's House a local Caithness business
selling real nappies online has been
short-listed for an award in the e-commerce
section of of the
UK E-Commerce Awards. Ella's
House has been working hard over the past
couple of years to promote a return to the
modern real nappy and get people to think
hard about using disposable nappies that end
up in landfill sites. This local
Caithness business now has a wide range of
nappies to choose from and it makes
ecological sense as many more new customers
are discovering by ordering direct online.
Congratulation to Ella's House out there in
deepest Bower.
BT Telephone Kiosks - Another Rural
Downgrading?
Well
we never thought the phones around the
countryside would disappear as they have
been there for so long. Bill started
the quirky section to show you round the
area and now many of them may disappear
before Bill gets to them. He is on the
case and is snapping more every day if he
passes them. In Caithness, Sutherland &
Easter Ross there are 240 payphones at present. 44 loss making phones
are to be retained as an essential service to the community. 108
phones will be removed. 88 profitable phones will be retained. Over the next couple of
weeks Bill will try to reach a few more
before they disappear for ever unless saved
by people contacting BT via the planning
officer at Highland Council in Inverness
with reasons why they should be kept.
Highland council has nothing to do with the
removal but is acting to co-ordinate the
responses to BT. Make sure you let
them know about valid reasons - not
generalisations. Be specific if you
know something that might affect the
retention. Could be poor mobile phone
reception area. You only have until 1
October unless they extend the deadline.
9 September 2004
TALKS ON OUT OF HOURS PROGRESSING
NHS Highland has announced details of
progress on its discussions with local
communities and GPs about plans to provide
an alternative service when GPs take up
their option of opting out of providing
services outside surgery opening hours.
If you have views on the new out of hours GP
services you have only got until 24
September to make representations to the NHS
Highland Health Board
Latest On The Maternity Fight
Yesterday and today saw a flurry of attacks
on the NHS Highland Health Board and the
Health minister Malcolm Chisholm.
Locally Bill Wallace a Wick minister issued
a statement from the Caithness presbytery
questioning the need for a consultation as
the Health Board admits it already knows
what the public wants in the north in
respect of maternity services. Several
newspapers and TV and Radio have also been
highlighting the problems of hospitals the
length of Scotland and politicians were on
the attack in Edinburgh.
Caithness Business Club To Examine
Business Consequences of Downgrading
An open public meeting in Assembly
Rooms Wick will have a top table of
politicians and others to discuss the
business problems following any
downgrading of the maternity unit in Wick.
The Caithness Business Club have opened the
meeting to any members of the public who
wish to attend at 7.00pm.
Caithness Tourist Action Group
A new group looking to push forward the
Caithness Tourist agenda will meet in the
Nethercliffe Hotel, Louisburgh Street, Wick
at 2.30pm on Friday 10 September. All
Welcome.
Back In Action
Sorry about the lack of updates for the last
week or so, a hard drive died and we have
had to wait until now to get a replacement.
A good lesson for all, have you backed up
your data :) We should be back to
normal later today.