De Ja Vu Playing At Blackstairs On Saturday
Night
Always
worth listening to as these guys can really
play a huge range of material and on
Saturday night were on as good form as ever.
Free Stuff Booming On the Message Board
Freecycling is a boom that is spreading all
over the web. As folk now have way of
getting rid of items they no longer want and
do not wish to sell or they consider it
would be too difficult to find a customer
more and more folk are offering the items
online. All sorts of things have been
given away for FREE since we set up our own
version
Free Stuff. For those who do
want to sell and item the FREE
Classified Ads section gets bigger
every week. Local garages have joined
in by paying for sections on the Message
Board to let folk know about what used cars
they have in stock.
Richards Garage and
Dunnets now update their own
listings of vehicles they have on offer.
The bargains are arriving daily and for non
commercial advertisers its FREE and easy to
use and once the item is gone all you need
to do is update your entry and we will
remove it. So get your unwanted items
out of the garage or attic and get some cash
or get some space by giving things away in
Free Stuff.
New Look - The Latest New Shop To Open
At Wick Retail Park
New
Look opened its doors at Wick Retail Park
following
Homebase and
Superdrug. Argos opens on 4th May.
The crowds have been flocking to Wick to see
the new shops and not just from Caithness.
People from Sutherland and even a trickle of
folk from Orkney have begun to take the
ferry over for a look at the new shops
in Wick. Some people have not been to Wick
for several years have now made the trip and
are surprised at all the activity suddenly
going on in the old town. And the
snowball affect is likely to continue for a
considerable time yet several other
developments are underway or will start over
the next two or three years.
Take a look at the growing list as at
December 2005. Tesco got the
green light at a planning meeting last
Monday and hope to open the new shop on the
other side of Wick by Christmas. The new
Tesco will be similar in size to the one in Dingwall
with over 500 car park spaces. Pentland Housing will redevelop the
Robertson's of Tain building in Williamson
Street creating more houses for renting.
Places In Between The A - Z Of Caithness
We
have a fairly reasonable listing of
Caithness places in the A - Z but what about
all the rest we thought. So here we go
with anew section to fill in the the places
in between the places in the A - Z. In
no particular order and whenever we get the
chance photos along the roads of Caithness
with the odd backward glance and to the
side. We start off with photos taken
between
Dunbeath and Latheron
The Sunday Papers
The Hawaii of the Highlands - Sunday
Times
The quiet town of Kirriemuir is finally
celebrating the dirty deeds of its legendary
rock son, AC/DC’s Bon Scott - Sunday
Herald
29 April 2006
Boss
Hogg CD Launched In Thurso With Other Bands
Out To Support
Boss
Hogg launched their new CD on Friday night
at the Weigh Inn, Thurso with support from
other local bands.
Boss Hogg Photos
Crimson Tide Photos
Steve Taylor Band Photos
Nuclear energy still not safe - The
Daily Star, Bangladesh
Khalid Shams
writing in the Daily Star, Bangladesh uses
the byline "Better
to be thrifty with our gas" and sets out the
problems of the growth in energy us for
Bangldesh and the growth in nuclear power
plants around the world and evolving
attitudes to building new facilities
including the perennial question of what to
do with the radio-active waste material.
An interesting article to think about with
all of the recent and continuing speculation
that Dounreay might be a possible site for a
new nuclear power plant. Amongst other
countries the UK is mentioned several times
in relation to its energy use and spiralling
prices.
"New Look" Offers More Choice In Clothing
For The North Of Scotland
On
Thursday 27th April 2006 "New Look" opened
its doors at the new retail park at Wick.
New Look believes that everyone can enjoy
fashion, no matter what your age, shape or
size and are committed to making you look
cool, funky and trendy all at the same time.
The 5,550 sq ft store in Wick will be
showcasing the latest women's fashions,
Inspire collection (size 16-24) giving
customers who require larger sizes the
option to dress exactly how they want to and
the 915 Teenwear range, designed to give
young teens the coolest looks.
Health plan puts 'lives at risk' -
BBC
Maternity units all over the country are
still under attack from local health boards.
This story by the BBC highlights
Aberystwyth's Bronglais Hospital in Wales.
Everyone familiar with the Caithness
maternity two year saga will see the same
official reasoning being pushed against the
wishes of local people and like the people
of Caithness they have formed a local action
group to fight the down grading. A
retired paediatrician has said lives could
be lost if the changes are brought in.
In Caithness the North Action Group is still
awaiting the appointment of consultants at
Caithness General.
28 April 2006
Race For Life Ladies Break £6000 Barrier
The
Ladies team from Caithness General Hospital
in the Race For Life Cancer fund raising
effort have now passed £6000 to take them
into second place in the league table on the
Race for Life web site. It looks as if
Caithness is really piling in behind the
team in their fund raising. There is
still plenty of time to support their
efforts and you can donate online.
See the web site front page under
Sheena Macleod for top fund raisers
Bill Fernie To Make Brief Appearance In Telephone
Box Short Film
Following a contact
regarding the removal of phone boxes Bill Fernie was asked to assist in
finding a remote location to film a phone box and makes brief appearance
in the final film in the series on Channel 4 being screened between 2 -
4 May 2006 at 7.50 pm.
On the 70th anniversary of the “Jubilee Kiosk”, the famous red phone-box,
we bid farewell to the public telephone. A series of films about their
decline in a mobile age and the changing ways Britain communicates.
Bill took Film directors Joanna Wright and
Anna Jones to Braemore on a cold and sleaty
day to do some filming in a remote location
for the last in the series of four short
films.
Braemore Filming
Telephones Index
Topsy Missing From Main Street, Castletown
Topsy is a small, neutered,
four-year-old cat who has been missing from his home in Main Street,
Castletown, for the past few weeks. He is extremely friendly, and very
fond of people, so is liable to make himself very much at home with anyone
who might invite him in. On the other hand, he may have strayed too far
from home, or be locked in a shed or outbuilding. He has a torn left ear
as, being a bit of a wimp, he usually comes off worst in any feline
fights.
If you think you have seen him, please call 01847) 821608
Pets
Corner
Do You Fancy A Coach Trip To Ayr?
Wick and District Gardening Club are hiring
a coach to go to the Ayr Flower show leaving
Wick on 4th August - flower show on 5th
August and returning 6the August. You
do not need to attend the Flower show but
may want o take the trip to see Ayr or just
travel to see the countryside along the way.
Get in touch with Mrs Marney Brims chair of
the club on 01955 603054 for more
information.
Young Female Cat Abandoned
A
young female who is very friendly but timid
was abandoned and is is a real mystery as
she was in a brand new cat carrier and lying
on a new blanket?
Does anyone recognised the cat? If so
contact
Caithness Cats Protection
Pets Corner
CorWM Reaches Conclusions On Radioactive
Waste After Three Years
The Committee on Radioactive Waste
Management (CoRWM), which was commissioned
three years ago to find a long-term disposal
strategy, has concluded that the safest
option is to store it in a concrete bunker
at least 300m (985ft) underground in stable,
solid rock.
Nuclear waste may be buried in caverns
- Independent
Imagine enough nuclear waste to fill five
Albert Halls ... Where will you store it?
- Times
Dounreay
News
CoRWM Web site
New Deputy Chief Fire Officer Appointed
The
Highland and Islands Fire Board has appointed a new Deputy Chief Fire
Officer. He is Mr Tony Wood, a senior divisional officer with
Merseyside Fire and
Rescue Service. Mr Wood is Director of Human Resources and Lead
Officer on Integrated Risk Management Planning with the Merseyside Fire and
Rescue Service, being a member of their strategic corporate leadership team.
He will take up his new duties in the early summer and will be joined by his
family at the end of the school year. Councillor Drew McFarlane Slack,
Convener of the Highland and Islands Fire Board, welcomed Mr Wood's
appointment.
27 April 2006
Another Towhead Arrives At Wick Heading For
Wester
New Charity Regulator Takes Over In Scotland
A transition to a new landscape for the
country's 20,000 charities as the Office of
the Scottish Charity Regulator, OSCR, takes
on the responsibility for determining
charitable status in Scotland. The Charities
and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005,
the main provisions of which come into
effect from today govern how Scotland's
charities are regulated and run, placing new
responsibilities on charity trustees and
establishing a new legal definition of
charity. All new charities must meet a new
two-part Charity Test, showing that they
have one or more charitable purposes, and
provide public benefit. Charities must also
seek consent from OSCR for proposed changes
such as amendments to their charitable
purposes or a proposed change of name.
Cruise Season Starts At Scrabster With Arrival Of MV Van Gogh
The
2006 cruise ship season began at Scrabster with the arrival yesterday of
the Dutch owned MV Van Gogh. This is the first of what is expected
to be the biggest year yet for the arrival of cruise ships coming in to
Scrabster. The ship can accommodate up to 550 passengers.
Highland Council was offering mini bus trips for shopping etc into
Thurso for anyone not participating in trips to places like the Castle
of Mey.
See what Is on offer on the Van Gogh
Boats & Sea Index
White-tailed
Eagle Spotted Near Reay
Nigel
Fairney took this photo of a white-tailed Eagle out near Reay a few days ago
so keep your eyes peeled in the skies above. Nigel also spotted a
Golden Eagle recently. If you spot any unusual birds send an email to
Julian Smith
birds@artsmith-caithness.co.uk who is collating items for the
Bird
Watching News page here on Caithness.org and linking to the
St John's Pool web site
Halkirk YFC gear up
for 60th Anniversary Year
Halkirk Young Farmers Club are holding three events throughout 2006 to
celebrate their 60 years in existence. The first event is an anniversary
Quiz to be held on Friday 19th May at 7.30pm in the Ross Institute, Halkirk.
Teams will comprise 4 people and Question Master for the evening will be Mr.
James Campbell with Adjudicator, Mr. John Bremner. Question topics include
Music,Sport, Agriculture and Questions on Halkirk YFC. Music and teas will
follow the Quiz. Anyone interested in entering a team should contact Ellen
on 01847 890180.
See Young Farmers page for other events
Farming Index
The Cutting Edge.
Collected Poems 1966-2003 By David Morrison
Local poet from Wick
David Morrison has published a book of his collected poetry. Also
known as an artist his latest collection has been described by a number of
other writers as for example Norman MacCaig - "David Morrison takes a clear
look at life and all who share it and writes about them (and himself) with
admirable energy. His 'character poems', to take an example, are a joy to
read."
Day Two & Three Of The O'Neill Highland Surf Open At Thurso
The waves lived up to
their promise again today and their are more photos of today's heats and all
the action and latest results over on
www.oneilleurope.com/highlandopen This is a world qualifying event
and points go towards the world rankings. With $100,000 dollars in
prize money up for grabs and the first four ranked will be offered a place
at a competition in Tahiti so there is a lot at stake for the world's top
surfers at Thurso. Organisers are already looking at coming back next
year.
26 April 2006
More From The Caithness Field Club Bus Trip
From Tongue Youth Hotel and on round Loch Eribol the views just keep on
coming as you drive along the north coast. Many of the photos were
taken through the bus window while moving but still came out reasonably
well. The old lime kilns are still in good condition. Many more
photos to come later.
Caithness Firm "Ella's House" Celebrates Real Nappy Week
Real Nappy Week is being celebrated by local firm Ella's House with the 10th
Anniversary in 2006. The growth of a global phenomenon is being celebrated
during the 10th annual Real Nappy Week from 24-30 April 2006. This Caithness
firm has gone from strength to strength as more people realise the damage
being done to the environment by disposable nappies. In addition the cost of
disposables is significant and real nappies have a very long life. In
just ten years the Week has become a firm fixture on the calendar and grown
into an international event with hundreds of activities across the UK,
Ireland and as far afield as New Zealand and Mexico.
Send for Real
Nappies From Caithness At Ella's House
Community
Comes Together At Newtonhill Community Woodland
An
energetic bunch of volunteers headed to Newtonhill Community Woodland,
Wick last Saturday to take part in a tree planting and clean up event. The
day was organised though Highland Council's Planning and development Service
local countryside ranger. The trees were funded through a grant scheme run
by the Community Woodland Association and Trees for All Council.
Refreshments for the volunteers were funded by the Community Service
Volunteers Action Earth supported by Scottish Natural Heritage. Over 30 volunteers from the
Friends of Newtonhill Woodland,
Wick Rotary
Club and
Caithness Countryside Volunteers worked together on the day to
plant 90 broadleaf trees including alder, white beam, birch, black thorn and
bird cherry.
Police Target
Speeders And People Not Wearing Seat Belts Again
NORTHERN Constabulary is warning those who continue to flout the laws
governing speeding and the wearing of seatbelts that enforcement will
continue. Drivers in the Highlands and Islands were yesterday asked to
belt up and slow down as part of a new national seatbelt and speeding
enforcement day. High visibility patrols took to the streets on Monday
24 April 2006 targeting drivers whom were either speeding or not wearing
seatbelts. Across the Force yesterday 28 drivers were detected not
wearing seatbelts as well as four front seat passengers, one rear seat
passenger and one child in a rear seat. On the speeding front 30
drivers were detected breaking the speed limit in built-up areas with five
in non-built up areas. These were all detected by officers.
Latest Birds Spotted
Amongst
the latest birds spotted in Caithness is Hawkfinch. The bird
was photographed by Russ Hayley on his bird table at Reay.
With the weather warming up slightly the range of birds arriving is
on the increase with sightings of Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel,
Wheatear and a Hawfinch in Reay. Hawfinches are scarce migrants in
Caithness. Gadwall, Sand Martin, Common Tern, White-tailed Eagle &
Golden Eagle near Reay, Black-tailed Godwit, Slavonian Grebe, Meadow
Pipit, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Whimbre, Willow Warbler,
Ring-necked Duck, Swallow and a Great Skua. Check inside for
the places spotted
Huge Success For Mr & Mrs Night At Dunnet
A packed audience at the Britannia Hall, Dunnet on 22nd April
thoroughly enjoyed a programme of non-stop friendly banter from the
contestants, interspersed with a sprinkling of up to date and
locally relevant jokes by Willie Mackay, the Questionmaster and
Host. Laughter was the order of the night and after a break for
refreshments, the evening ended all too soon with a final play off
between Miranda and David Thomson and John and Marion Thurso,
culminating in a win for John and Marion.
Yet Another Fantastic Opportunity For Young Highland Women
Highland Walking Project Heads For New Heights
A Highland walking project has successfully secured a £200,000 grant
from the Active Futures Big Lottery Fund to run an exciting health
and personal development programme with groups of women aged between
16 and 25. The “Wild Walks” is an ambitious three year project which
aims to take a group of young women from the Highlands to the
foothills of Mount Everest. The young women involved will progress
from local walks through to trans-Scotland expeditions and beyond,
gaining confidence, learning new skills and improving their fitness
as they go.
Find out more.
Great Opportunity
For Young Women - Places Available For Dance Leadership Course
For
young women aged 16 to 25 years old with an interest in physical activity
and dance - from any area in Scotland (but particularly those from Orkney
and the Highlands) - who don’t already hold a degree or coaching
qualification to date. Participants will gain a nationally recognised
qualification in Dance Leadership. The cost is just £20 for two
weekends (covers all accommodation, transport, food, dance, tuition, and
social events) and will provide personal development, dance and leadership
opportunities along with follow-up support to young women who might not
otherwise have the opportunity. Course will be held in Stromness
Community Centre (and local hotel) and Thurso Youth Club (and local school).
Click through for more details and application form.
25 April 2006
Latest Photos From todays O'Neill Europe Surf Comp at Thurso
Former Arion Choir Leader Aline Mowat Has Died - Changes in Time of
Arrangements
The family of Aline Mowat MA, Coronation Street, Wick invites anyone who knew Aline to a
funeral service
at the Old Parish Church, Wick 11.45am Thursday 27 April - thereafter to
Latheron cemetery. Ex members
of the Arion choir are requested to join in singing of the final song at the
end of the service - "The Iona Boat Song" Family and friends are invited to
Mackays hotel for tea at 2.00pm
Arion Choir
Bill
& Ailne Mowat 's Golden Wedding Celebrations in 2002
24 April 2006
Return To
Offender - Address Unknown
A surfer
inspired new anti-beach litter campaign launched at the O'Neill Highland
Open WQS Surf Contest. Return To Offender is a radical new Surfers
Against Sewage (SAS) anti-beach litter campaign, supported by O'Neill. The
Return To Offender campaign will be launched on the opening day of the
O'Neill Highland Open international surf contest in Thurso - the first truly
international surf contest to be held in Scotland.
BossHogg Mount
Takover Bid
Caithness rock
band BossHogg are set to release their debut EP 'the.takeover.bid' with a
party at The Redwood in Thurso on Friday the 28th of April at 8pm. The
launch was originally scheduled for Saturday the 22nd of April but has had
to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The EP was recorded with
local musician/studio engineer Mark Wright at his home studio in Thurso and
features 5 self-penned tracks.
Race for Life
- Caithness General Team Sets New Target £6000
With
support for the Caithness Team flowing fast the ladies have set themselves
an even higher target. The last couple of days events have taken the total
to over £5307 as they move up the league table of fund raisers for this
cancer campaign. Well done to all concerned. Anyone can donate
online and the deadline is 7 May for the Big Race.
Bus Trip To Durness With Caithness Field Club
Trips along the north coast are always interesting and Sunday 23 April was a
beautiful fresh day with sunshine almost all the way. George Watson
led the trip commentating on many features along the way. These photos
were mainly taken from the moving bus or at one or two stops along the way.
First 24 starting at Bettyhill and on to the Kyle of Tongue. Many
photos more
from this trip to follow over the next day or two.
23 April 2006
Surf Competition Today
Stuart Rollinson of
Northern Imaging has posted photos of today's surfing competition at Thurso.
Great weathers and waves today set the scene for
O'Neill Europe
and the Association of Surfing Professionals, Europe between the 25th April
- 2nd May also at Thurso.
Let
Paintball Battle Commence
A new business in
Wick is set to have everyone running for cover. For Paul Steven, whose
family owns AMS Motorcycles in Wick, has started up a paintball business on
a five-acre site at Bilbster Mains. It will allow groups of between eight
and 20 people to have hours of fun staging fictional battles against one
another using guns that fire balls of paint. After securing financial
assistance from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise, Paul (31), opened
Wick-ed Paintball for business this month.
Who
Where When
Reay School About 1900
From
the collection of Katrina Kirkpatrick
More Old
Reay School Photos
More Old
Caithness School Photos
Highland Renewable Energy Strategy and Planning Guidelines
The Highland Council's Planning, Development, Europe and Tourism
Committee this week agreed to recommend to Full Council on 4 May the
Highland Renewable Energy Strategy and Planning Guidelines. Once endorsed by
the Council the strategy will be instrumental in providing guidance when
considering future renewable developments. Following a period of public
consultation the Strategy was amended to take on board many of the comments
including the reduction of proposed on-shore wind power output from 2000 to
1400 mega watts.
22 April 2006
Miller Academy Celebrates Queen's 80th Birthday
Watten School Pupils Ring Church Bells For Queen's 80th Birthday
Continental Market Returns To Wick For Four Days In May
The Continental Market returns to Wick again for four days in May - 25th
- 28th May. As more of the shops at the new shopping complex on the
outskirts of the town will be open as Argos and New look prepare to open
their doors Wick looks set to be increasingly busy as shopping centre in the
north. the planning application for a new Tesco store on the other
side of Wick is to be heard by the Caithness planning committee on Monday
24th April.
Continental Market In Wick 2005
Continental Market in 2004
Tesco Planning Application To Be Heard On Monday 24 April
Tesco Planning Application - there are 10 letters of objection
including one from Green MSP Eleanor Scott and 93 letters of support.
The meeting of the Caithness Planning, Development, Europe and Tourism
Committee will take place in FLAGSTONES ROOM, MORVEN BUILDING, NORTH
HIGHLAND COLLEGE, ORMLIE ROAD, THURSO, on MONDAY 24TH APRIL, 2006, at 10am.
All planning meetings are open to members of the public.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
SEMINAR
As the number of licensed motorcycle bikes in Scotland and the
Highlands increases year by year, so does the number of accidents involving
motorcyclists. Reducing casualties is the key concern of a motorcycling
safety seminar to be held on Monday 24 April at Highland Council
Headquarters in Inverness. Northern Constabulary and The Highland Council
have jointly organised the day-long seminar to highlight the extent of the
problem and to look at practical ways on how, by working in partnership,
they can reduce the statistics. In Scotland, a total of 986 motorcyclists
were injured in road accidents in 2004. This represents 5% of all
casualties. Of these, 348 were seriously injured and 41 died. Three fifths
of those killed or seriously injured occurred on non-built up/rural roads.
In Highland, in 2004, there were 32 fatalities, 6 of these were motorcycle
fatalities.
Gibson 'scunnered' by
FoFNL stance on cyclists and walkers
Highlands
and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson says he is scunnered by the call from a
rail lobby group that cyclists and walkers should not be represented on
the new public transport forum in Scotland. His reaction comes after
Friends of the Far North Line made a submission to the consultation
about a new transport users committee for Scotland expressing worries
that the institution should focus on improving the country's bus, rail,
ferry and air services. Their rationale behind this call is that cyclist
and walkers of themselves do not use public transport and therefore
their views and concerns should not fall in the remit of such a
committee.
Surf World
Qualifying Round Comes To Thurso
O'Neill
Europe and the Association of Surfing Professionals, Europe will be taking
the World Qualifying Series (WQS) on the high road to Scotland this coming
April for the 5-star O'Neill Highland Open. Between the 25th April - 2nd
May 2006, 168 of the world's most up and coming surfers will make WQS
history as they march towards mainland Scotland's northernmost coast to
compete in this landmark event. Area convenor David Flear and other
councillors will welcome the surfers from around the world to Caithness at
an event being staged by the organisers at the Royal Hotel in Thurso on
Tuesday 25th April.
The Papers On Saturday
Dog's breakfast from another universe - it's the crofting bill -
Scotsman -
Farming Index
Scottish health boards buck NHS debt trend - Scotsman
20 April 2006
Four Arts
Exhibition At Northlands Creative Glass, Lybster
The depth of talented glass artists that now make their way to Lybster is
astonishing. In a few short years Northlands Creative Glass has
established a number of residency placements throughout the year in addition
to series of master classes run by some of the world's most renowned glass
artists and teachers.
A group of four artists from widely different backgrounds have been
together for six weeks soaking up the Caithness atmosphere and putting
their thoughts and energies into creating a series of pieces culminating
in the exhibition at Quaterbras Studio in Lybster.
19 April 2006
The Papers
Drivers told: pay tolls to speed up key road projects - The Herald
A
life in the public eye for the Queen of Scots - The Herald
WICK REGENERATION FUNDING BOOST
Wick has been given a £1.5 million boost from Historic Scotland's Historic
Environment Regeneration Fund (HERF).
17 April 2006
Latest Birds Seen
16 April 2006
Liam Henderson Memorial Football
Match
This years memorial football match in memory of Liam Henderson will take
place in Newmacher on 3rd June. Anyone wishing to go to the football
match and/or dance can obtain special rates at the Skean Dhu hotel on the
evening of 3rd June should contact Janice Henderson for voucher. If
any individual or business would like to donate a prize for the raffle
also contact Janice. The last two years raffles have seen
spectacular responses in both Wick and Newmacher. Sums in excess of
£21,000 and £18,000 have been raised over the past two years.
At This Time Of Year - April 2006
John
Dalton travelled from Carlisle to give the Caithness Floral Art Club a
demonstration called At This Time of Year. A stunning selection of flowers
and foliage was used to make five beautiful arrangements that were raffled
afterwards. John kept everyone entertained with his stories of triumphs
and mishaps during his years as a flower arranger.
Caithness Floral Art Club Index
More
Caithness Clubs
Other Groups, Hobbies and Activities
Sunday Papers
Ecosse: Poles apart - Sunday Times
After 21 Years The Judge Gets The Hon Patrick To Pay Up - Sunday
Mail
Watchdog hits at Dounreay’s false reporting - Sunday Times
Nuclear Power, The Scary IF -
Voice Of America
15 April 2006
Easter Fayre At Bridge Street Church, Wick - Coffee And Collections
Bridge Street Church Index
Heritage And Visitor Centres Open For Easter
Among several places open this weekend are
Mary Ann's Cottage near Dunnet,
Waterlines At Lybster,
Wick Heritage Centre. Check out the full list
of centres in Caithness as they are all different reflecting different
aspects of Caithness life. Mary Ann's cottage is perhaps the
smallest but offers an extremely interesting view of a croft house that
remained almost unaltered for many years to Wick Heritage Centre on of the
largest in the north of Scotland and packed with rooms and things to see
that one visit will probably not allow time to see it all and take it all
in. Great for family days out and they all have places to eat nearby
or at Waterlines they have their own food on offer.
14 April 2006
Corsback Near St John's Loch
Eight O'Clock Club Reunion, Wick
Photos
from the Reunion held on 7 April.
Eight O' Clock Club Index
Reunions Index
The Night Sky From Caithness April 2006 (Pdf file)
This months newsletter is packed with information that will be useful to
anyone new to looking at the night sky. Lots of links to useful web
sites and photos from the Caithness night sky. In May there is a visitor
in night sky as Comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 passes earth.
Gordon Mackie is now sending in a regular newsletter on the Night Sky as
seen from Caithness but would be interested to hear from others with views
or photos of the night sky in the north of Scotland.
First Salmon Of 2006 On The Wick River
The
long awaited first Salmon of the 2006 season has been landed by Geoff
Henstridge. The scale perfect beauty was taken from the bend at the tail
of the "long shank" on a size 6 Orange Shrimp Fly on the 10th April and
weighed in at a cracking 12 lbs 8 oz. The second of the season was landed
less than an hour later by Neil Groat , again from the long shank and was
taken on a 1 inch Pot Bellied Pig Tube Fly. Neils Salmon was 7 lbs 8oz.
See More Fishing Reports On
Hugo Ross Web Site
Fishing Index
13 April 2006
Homebase Kept Doors Open until 10.00pm To Deal With All Customers Tonight
Homebase managers kept the new Wick store open until 10.00pm two hours
longer than advertised in order not to disappoint customers who had turned
out in huge numbers. The new store is expecting another busy day on
Friday as traditionally they do well at Easter Holiday time as folk get
into adding to their homes over the long weekend.
£4.99 For A Mobile Phone Today At New Super Drug Store At Wick
The
new Super Drug store had all the usual special offers, buy one get one
free plus an unusual special deal on a mobile phone. The cost is £34.99
but that includes £30 towards the cost of calls. It may be one off
but is indicative of the type deals and offers customers are likely to
find according to new manager Dave MacLeod. Mr MacLeod is moving his
family to Caithness as he has come from Livingstone to manage the new
shop. the store is currently looking for a new assistant manager so
watch out for adverts to appear shortly on Caithness.org
Super Drug In Caithness Business Pages and link to the the web site
Super Drug in Wick will normally close at 6.00pm although tonight was
expecting to stay open late to accommodate shoppers. Next week the
shop intends to be open until 8.00pm every night to test out what local
shoppers are looking for regarding opening hours. Manager Dave MacLeod
said they intended to be as flexible as their customers wanted and if
numbers showed it was worthwhile he would consider opening late more often
possibly on Thursday evenings.
Caithness Folk Went Shopping At Homebase In Wick Today In Huge Numbers
After months of speculation about the new shopping facilities at Wick the
crowds were out in force as Homebase finally opened today. With lots of offers and deals topped off with special 10% off everything for opening
day there were plenty of eager customers. Several folk commented
that it was Inverness that would feel the draft as Caithness folk already
did much of their shopping in Inverness. Regular Homebase shoppers
said they were glad they would no longer have to travel over 100 miles to
find what they were looking for. Shoppers arrived from all over as
the car park quickly filled up and many parked in the Lidl car park next
door and walked over.
Homebase Wick opening times and link to web site
Marine
Mammals Medics Course
If you are interested in a training course on marine mammal rescue in
Caithness then take look at this thread on our Message Board.
Pip Fine And Well After 70 Foot Cliff Fall
Pip
a Jack Russell was rescued from the foot of the cliffs after falling over
70 feet into the sea. Local coastguards managed to rescue the dog
who was apparently OK after being stranded in the sea for over 40 minutes.
See also
CLIFF PLUNGE DOG IN RESCUE - Daily Record
Pets Corner
Brother Nature
Nature
Writing In Fact and Fiction - An Illustrated Talk by Jim Crumley.
Local company, Whittles Publishing, is delighted to announce this
enjoyable evening with Jim Crumley at the Dunbeath Heritage Centre on
Friday, 19th May 2006, at 7.30 pm. FREE entry but booking
advisable. Jim Crumley has written many books and continues to
tackle many nature projects in Scotland and elsewhere. This is a
chance to hear from a writer with huge experience and listen to his ideas
on how nature is dealt with in a wide range of writing.
Dounreay
Apprentices On the Ball For South School, Wick
Apprentices
at Dounreay turned their skills to making football equipment when they
learned that a primary school in Wick didn't have a proper set of
goalposts on its pitch. They turned out a new set of goals using
fabrication equipment in their workshop and then installed them at Wick's
South School. The apprentices also manufactured a new set of gates to help
improve security at the school. Dounreay became involved in the project
when site director Norman Harrison spoke with community leaders about how
the site could help the Pulteneytown regeneration project.
More Photos
South School Index
Highland Councillors
Object To Application For Overhead Power Line
At a special meeting of The Highland Council's Planning, Development,
Europe and Tourism Committee held on Wednesday 12 April 2006 in Inverness,
Councillors objected to an application from Scottish and Southern Energy
plc for the erection of a 400 kV overhead transmission line between Beauly
and Denny. The matter may now be subject to a Public Inquiry.
This Story In Glasgow Herald
Caithness
Classic Mototcycle Club Rally 2006 - Entry Forms Available
12 April 2006
St Trothans Or the Old Kirk At Olrig
On
the north-west gable of ruined Kirk are date (1633) and the initials of
the then minister David Bruce. A medieval Kirk probably existed on the
site before this date and may have been dedicated to St Trothan. Despite
very strong influence of the Kirk, superstition and legends abound. The
old kirkyard at Olrig is the scene of the tale about the Selkie Woman.
Found as a baby swaddled in a sealskin, she was subsequently banished from
the kirk as a devil worshipper and ultimately died giving birth to her
first child. A small hollow on the stone reputed to cover her grave is
said to never dry out!
Thurso High 1978 Reunion -
Latest Update
A list of names is now in the section with a request to get in touch with
details of anyone missing from the listing. As 29 July is already on
the horizon organisers will be updating more regularly from now on.
11 April 2006
Paintball Coming To Caithness
Another action and fun activity........
Dounreay monitoring kit is tested - BBC
Prize Bingo
- Caithness Kidney Dialysis Support Group 5 May 2006
Prize Bingo in the Francis Street Club, Wick on Friday 5th May 2006. The
Prize Bingo will start at 7 pm and they are planning a raffle along with
bottle stall on the same night. Hundreds of pounds of prizes are to be
won! We would also be grateful for any donations possible from local
businesses and general public should they wish. Any Committee members
would be happy to receive donations.
Flying Start To The New Year
Local
Air Cadets, Sergeant David Struthers from Thurso and Corporal Christopher
Bremner from Wick had a flying start to the year when they attended RAF
Kinloss for their Gliding Scholarships. They arrived at Kinloss early on
the 2nd January, and spent a week learning all the knowledge and skills
required to successfully complete the course. Both cadets had previously
undertaken Initial Glider Training, where they had gained the basics of
handling a glider, during short flights. However, this was a much more
intensive course with each day including the theory of aircraft handling,
principles of flight, emergency procedures and around 2 hour’s practical
gliding experience.
Dunnet Beach
Still Making The Grade With Kites
The smooth sand at
Dunnet combined with the opportunity for long runs on Buggies makes Dunnet
one of the best places for kite flying. The vast beach running along
the edge of the bay combined with varying wind conditions and the fact
that few people are on the beach at this time of year made for a great
place to try out the new Flexifoil kite range for 2006.
Key Housing - Creating Opportunities in the
Community
Key
Housing has provided support to people with learning disabilities in
Thurso for 15 years. Key has always listened carefully to what the people
we support say is important to them. Over recent years people have
increasingly been talking about trying to find work, and about the need to
really feel included and to be seen as a valued member of their local
community. As a result of this Key has set up a small Employment
Development Team which supports Key’s services across Scotland. Can you
help with opportunities in employment, volunteering or other activities.
Key Housing would like to hear from you.
Ring Any Bells Maternity Service Watchers?
Quality of patient care has to be at the heart of a progressive health
service - IC Wales
This story might be of interest to anyone who followed the North Action
Group campaign on maternity services at Caithness General.. NAG were
aware of many places where similar actions were taking place and here is
another one. NAG has still not disbanded and will not do so until
the obstetricians are finally in post and maybe even then might go into
care and maintenance mode as the Health service seem to be on a never
ending change scenario with down-grading of maternity services lurking
somewhere on someone's agenda.
PFR Heat Exchangers Removed As Part Of Decommissioning Process
Five
six tonne heat exchangers have been successfully and safely lifted and
removed from the PFR reactor as part of the crucial decommissioning
programme for the Dounreay plant. During the 20 year lifetime of the
reactor the heat exchangers were used to cool the reactor roof gas. The
work, carried out for UKAEA by JGC Engineering and Technical Services Ltd
required removal of a Soft Patch on the north wall of the reactor
building. This route was last used in 1965 to install the units. The heat
exchangers have been placed in interim storage on the site
5 April 2006
Did
You Know Or Have You Forgotten Some Features Of The Caithness Business
Index?
If you are looking up a page on the our Business Index and wonder
where they are located remember you just need to click on the postcode to
get straight on to a map. If you are looking at business to contact
them and they do not have email click on their fax number to allow you to
send an email direct to their fax machine. Same applies to the
Sutherland Business Index
St Trostans Cemetery
Caithness
has quite few old cemeteries some of which are not close to roads and you
need to walk to reach them. St Trostans at Westfield is one of
these.
An
article on St Drostan is already on the web site.
Cemeteries
Index
Last Nights Radio 4 Programme about Decommissioning At Dounreay Online
You can listen to earlier programmes you have missed by going to the
Listen Again service of the BBC. Last night a programme about
Decommissioning at Dounreay may be of interest. Amonst the speakers
are Norman Harrison - Director, Geoffrey Minter - Landowner Sanside
Estate, Mr Pottinger - Farmer and staff at the site. Just select
Dounreay from the list of programmes - you must have Real Player
installed to listen to the programme.
More
Good News On Cheaper Flying For The North And Islands As 40% Discount
Forms Go Out
Air Discount Flying Scheme For The North And Islands
Registration
forms for a lower air fares
scheme are dropping through letter
boxes in the Highlands and islands now. The
Air Discount
Scheme (ADS) will provide a 40 per cent
reduction on air fares for people whose
main residence is any of the following: Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland,
Islay and Jura, Caithness and North-West Sutherland. It includes students
from these areas who are studying away from home. A new web site
www.airdiscountscheme.com
will be ready shortly. Application forms are arriving now and if you think
you might be flying from the north or the islands and are resident then
you should apply right away for your discount card that will be valid
until 31 March 2008.
5 April 2006
Bingo
Night A Massive Success For Race For Life Team - £1581
The
bingo night on 4th April was such a fantastic success and so many prizes
were donated they have decided to have another one. The next
Prize Bingo session is planned for Sunday 23rd April in the Francis
St Club at 2pm. The reason they are having another one is that they
had so much stuff donated to them and hope to make more money for Cancer
Research UK this way. They made £1581 in total for the prize bingo event.
Donations can also be made online and the total for online and offline
fundraising is already £2306 with the big Race still to come on 7th May
and other events still in the pipeline. Well done girls
CELTIC FILM AND
TELEVISION FESTIVAL TO VISIT SKYE IN 2007
A delegation representing local agencies from the Highlands visited the
Celtic Film and Television Festival in Falmouth, Cornwall. Festival last
week to invite, and warmly welcome the Festival to Skye and Lochalsh next
year, which is the Year that Highland Culture will be celebrated
throughout Scotland. "Next year there will be a Gaelic digital channel
which will offer tremendous opportunities for the whole industry....."
RYANAIR
LAUNCHES NEW ROUTE FROM INVERNESS TO LIVERPOOL
Book Early
FARES FROM £2.49 - £2,000,000 SAVINGS SALE ON ALL LIVERPOOL ROUTES TO
CELEBRATE
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (5th April
2006) announced a new daily service from Inverness to Liverpool. The new
service will operate daily on a Boeing 737-800 series aircraft (189 seats)
and Ryanair expects to carry 100,000 passengers in the first year of
operation. The new route from Inverness to Liverpool is part of a
significant expansion in Merseyside by Ryanair also announced today. In
addition to the new service to Inverness, Europe’s largest low fares
airline will launch 10 new routes from its Liverpool base to Aberdeen,
Alghero and Ancona in Italy, Kaunas in Lithuania, Krakow, Poznan and
Wroclaw in Poland, Santander and Santiago in Spain and Tampere in Finland.
The new routes will operate from the 3rd October bringing the
total number of destinations served by Ryanair in Liverpool to 31.
More Marathon Dance Photos Just In
A Marathon Dance At Canisbay In The 1970's - Were You There?
See
Early Pictures Index For some names
Thurso Scouts 1968 - In Orkney
Another
set of photos from those far off days with
Thurso Scouts in 1968 from Alan Macpherson.
More sets still to come in this 1968
collection.
Thurso Scouts 1968 Index
Early Photos Index
Rough Photo Guide
Report Shows
That Transfers Benefit Tenants
Highland Housing Association today welcomed the publication of Audit
Scotland's report showing the success of council housing transfers in
Scotland. The independent report said that the transfer of council housing
to not-for-profit associations has brought more investment into housing.
It points to the £3.2 billion planned over the next thirty years,
significantly higher than before transfer. Investment in Glasgow's housing
had doubled. It also highlighted improved repairs and maintenance and the
building of new homes. "The work by Audit Scotland shows that transfer is
the best way of bringing more investment into housing in the Highlands. It
also proves that tenants in homes that have transferred have seen lower
rent rises", said Angus Maclean, Chairperson of Highland Housing
Association.
