31 December 2008
Wick
Hogmanay Web Cam - Camera Goes Live By 5.30pm
the web cam this year is compliments of
Paul
Broadwith of Blue Ivy
Entertainment from Thrumster
brothers Andrew and Craig Harvey. Balloons will be released once
again and food will be the traditional fare of black bun and shortbread
from local bakers MacDonalds. Tea and coffee will be available from
Santa's Grotto. A huge snowball waltz this year will see dancers
pick partners from the crowd and it is hoped enough folk will join in to
create yet another huge strip the Willow dance after that. The evening
kicks off at 10.30pm.
Thurso Street Party Starts At 9.30pm
Lots
of Street Parties Around Scotland
There are many parties and
celebrations tonight in Scotland.
Here ar links to a few to look at what
is happening around the country -
Aberdeen
Glasgow City Centre Web Cams
Edinburgh Web Cams
For many more web cams go to Camvista
Maes Howe Web Cam
Caithness & Sutherland Women's Aid Children's Service
Caithness
& Sutherland Women�s Aid� CHILDREN�S SERVICE offers a confidential support
service to children and young people who are experiencing or have
experienced domestic abuse. Published here is their October newsletter
Caithness & Sutherland Women's Aid Main Page
Don't Believe Everything You Read In The Newspapers
An article in the Press and Journal dated 15 November 2008 in an item
about 999 calls and alleging Bill Fernie said etc and with a quote from
Bill Fernie is completely wrong as the councillor in question was John
Finnie and not Bill Fernie. Despite a request to print
a retraction the Press and Journal have so far not done so although the
journalist who wrote the item phoned to apologise for the error.
Proving you need to be very careful when reading anything in papers or
online.
30 December 2008
Caithness Horizons Is Open On Wednesday 31st 10.00am - 4.00pm
If you have not been inside the new Caithness Horizons based at the former
Thurso Town Hall then why not pay a visit over the holiday period.
The Centre is open on Wednesday 31st and then Saturday 3rd January and
Sunday 4th January. There is plenty to see.
Highland Hunting Lodge In Sutherland Set For Extensive Upgrade
A
Victorian hunting lodge in Sutherland is to get a �1.5m facelift to allow
a variety of uses including use as luxury accommodation and use for
corporate events, thanks to a funding package including Highlands and
Islands Enterprise (HIE) together with the Big Lottery Fund.
Community group The Assynt Foundation near Lochinver has been awarded
�250,000 by HIE and �785,000 by the Big Lottery Growing Fund Community
Assets towards a �1.5 million project to renovate Glencanisp Lodge. Its
renovation will create five jobs directly and another two indirectly,
while also securing the six jobs already created since 2005. The Assynt
Foundation acquired the 44,400 acre Glencanisp and Drumrunie estates,
covering an area the size of 123 Hyde Parks and including the 14 bedroom
lodge at Glencanisp in 2005.
More Photos
See the
Assynt Foundation web site for more information and photos
28 December 2008
Boxing Day Mock Hunt At Sandside Estate
The Caithness Branch of Horse Society's Boxing Day Mock Hunt Meet at
Sandside House. 29 horses and riders, young and older, turned out on a
beautiful morning for a mulled wine stirrup cup, mince pies and venison
sausages before riding over a prepared course over Sandside Estate. They
chased Charlie Inness, the "fox" on a quad bike, who they eventually
caught up with at Stable Wood in the Helshetter Strath after several miles
of fast going. A lot of fun was had by all and �125 was raised for
Caithness Riding for the Disabled and The British Horse Society.
Sandside House
Thousands of drink driving offenders caught since 2000 - STV
The number of drink-drivers caught in the Highlands has reached 7,474
since 2000. The figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show
that 800 individuals charged with drink driving offences were under the
age of 21. The statistics also reveal that of the drivers arrested by the
Northern Constabulary one in five were in Inverness. Fort William, Lerwick,
Nairn, Stornoway, Thurso and Wick also had high numbers of people caught
driving over the legal limit.
28 December 2008
Caithness and North Sutherland choir Singing At St John's Square Thurso
Christmas 2008
JAMIE STONE MSP
RECOGNISES LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVE GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP PROGRAMMES -
Efforts
of young �Local Heroes� celebrated at Scottish Parliament reception
Young
people living in Caithness attended a reception at the Scottish Parliament
being held in celebration of their collective commitment to working for
positive change both within their community and internationally. Over 75
young people, who are currently involved in a variety of British Council
Scotland initiatives which promote citizenship on a local, national and
international level, joined MSPs at the reception to inform them of their
work, share their experiences and celebrate their successes with their
peers. Amongst those attending were 18 volunteers from the Caithness area
who are taking part in Global Xchange � an international volunteering
initiative, run in partnership with VSO, which has seen young Bangladeshis
and their Scottish counterparts living and volunteering in Caithness over
the past three months.
The Big Picture
Sunday Papers
'Naturally, after trees and other dastardly forces of nature, I missed my
connection'
Ewan Morrison: Scotland On Sunday - On problems with trains from Wick
to Glasgow
Lib Dem wins praise for his beard � but is it a cover-up? - Times
27 December 2008
Photography Bloggers In Caithness
There are a growing number of Caithness folk with blogs. Here a
re a few of the ones with an interest in photography
Captiv8 (John Baikie)
Martina Cross
North Light
Natural Scotland
If the bloggers are not enough then head over to our
Forum
Photography section where many people post photos. Other
recent poster on their Caithness blogs are
Rain on My Window and Home
in the Highlands
Bags Wanted For Dunnet Forestry Logs Sale
Dunnet Forestry Trust are very short of log bags and would appreciate bags
being returned for our next log sale day of 10th January, 10:00 - 13:00
hrs.
Milton Residents Annual Christmas Party
The
Milton Christmas party was once again held in Staxigoe Hall
26 December 2008
Santa's Sleigh In Thurso
Thurso
and District Round Table would like to thank all those who came to visit
Santa on his recent tour of Thurso. Santa's Sleigh visited Mount Pleasant
and Mount Vernon on 15th December; Pennyland and Ormlie on 17th December;
Town Centre Precinct on Saturday 20th December and Tesco Thurso store on
Christmas Eve. All contributions collected will be distributed to local
charities and good causes. Thurso Round Table are once again indebted to
Mr. Charlie Angus, Calder Engineering and Tesco for helping make Santa's
Sleigh Tour such a success again this year.
Festive fat swells clean-up bill - BBC
25 December 2008
Happy Christmas Everyone From Caithness.org
Christmas 2008
24 December 2008
Wick Street Party All Set To Bring In 2009 At Market Square With Music
and Dancing
Since the Millennium Wick folk have turned out in force for the
Hogmanay Party (31 Dec 2008 - 10.30pm) at the Market Square to enjoy
entertainment from pipers, singers and bands. This year looks like
living up to previous years success with entertainment from Thrumster
brothers Andrew and Craig Harvey. Balloons will be released once
again and food will be the traditional fare of black bun and shortbread
from local bakers MacDonalds. Tea and coffee will be available from
Santa's Grotto. A huge snowball waltz this year will see dancers
pick partners from the crowd and it is hoped enough folk will join in to
create yet another huge strip the Willow dance after that. The evening
kicks off at 10.30pm.
Shaft
clean-up nominated for top award
A
ground-breaking project to recover nuclear waste from a shaft beneath
Dounreay is in the running for a top award. The project team has
already taken a top in-house award for its safety and environmental
performance during a three-year operation to divert groundwater from the
shaft. Now, a panel of experts has nominated it for a top UK award in the
technical excellence category. The �27m shaft isolation project is one of
the finalists in the
2009 Ground Engineering Awards to be announced in February.
Randall Bargelt, regional director of the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority, said: �This project delivered world-class performance in terms
of its technical, budget and schedule delivery. The nomination reflects
great credit on all those who made this project such an outstanding
success.� Nuclear waste was disposed of in a 65-metre deep, water-filled
shaft between 1958 and 1977.
Caithness Young Farmers Hand Over Cheques To Charity After Generation Game
Caithness
District Young farmers recently held a Charity Generation Game in the Ross
Institute, Halkirk. The format followed the popular TV game show, with
compere George Dunnett ensuring proceedings ran smoothly. The
demonstrations throughout the night were done by Amanda's Florist, Tanya
Horne School of Dance and Caithness Kickers. The final punishment for the
contestants was to complete a portrait of Hamish Coghill, much to the
amusement of the audience. The brave participants were Tracy and Kim
Anderson, Broynach, Andrew and Alwyne Campbell, West Murkle, Jackie and
Duncan Macmillan, East Durran and Willie and Fiona Coghill of Halkirk. The
latter were victorious overall and having won an array of stunning prizes
on the conveyor belt, were also given �200 to donate to the charity of
their choice. Willie and Fiona decided to split the money between Cancer
research and the Caithness Riding for the Disabled. Caithness District
chairman said he was pleased with how the night went and thanked the
participants and the demonstrators' for making the night such a success.
Pictured are Willie and Fiona Coghill presenting the cheques. Picture 1
cheque presented to Cancer Research - L/R - Liz Henderson, Willie Coghill
and Elma Lindsay. Picture 2 cheque presented to RDA - L/R - Morag Miller,
Fiona Coghill and Christie Cameron.
North Light On Flickr For Lots of Views Of Caithness and Sutherland
A Whole Section On Sutherland
Senior Pupil From Wick Becomes New Highland Youth Voice Chairman
Robin
Falconer from Wick (Caithness HYV rep) is the new Chair of Highland Youth
Voice and Lewis Munro from Plockton (Skye and Lochalsh HYV rep) is the new
Vice Chair. Highland Youth Voice is supported by Highland Council and is a
youth parliament for the Highlands. It is an elected body of 100 members.
70 members are directly elected from schools and the remaining 32 are
elected through Youth Forums in the Highlands. Each area then elects 2
members to join the Xec Committee.
Highland Youth Voice
Web Site
Council moves to take over building which was a danger - Press &
Journal
Moves have started to transform a derelict eyesore building in the centre
of Thurso. Highland Council is to press ahead with the compulsory purchase
of the privately owned B-listed property at the corner of Princes Street
and Sir Johns Square. The council is seeking to offer minimum compensation
terms to the owner, claiming he has allowed the building to fall into
disrepair. The council has had talks with Highland Buildings Preservation
Trust, which has expressed an interest in restoring the premises, last
used as a dwelling and shop. A council spokesman said yesterday: �It would
not be the council�s intention to retain the building should its bid for
compulsory compensation be successful.
Council High Life scheme aims to be top of the list of Highland New Year
resolutions
Organisers of a local authority leisure access scheme in the Highlands
hope to attract a record number of people making New Year resolutions to
improve their health and fitness. High Life is The Highland Council's
scheme delivering affordable access to 20 leisure facilities within the
area from Fort William to Thurso and Portree to Nairn. High Life helps
members become more active, more often, at more venues with more value.
Making a New Year's resolution to get fit and stay healthy need not be
expensive as all-inclusive High Life membership fees have recently fallen.
With the reduction in VAT, fees have dropped from �21 per month for a
family to �20.55, and for an individual from �15 to �14.68 per month. For
households on Income Support, Pension Guarantee Credit, Job Seekers
Allowance (income based), or individuals on Disability Living Allowance or
Attendance Allowance budget access to all facilities is just 50p per
activity.
Caithness to attract fusion energy facility - STV
Caithness in Sutherland is being proposed as the base for research
into fusion energy. The scheme has the potential to create a complex
employing hundreds of people. Public agencies are making efforts to
attract the project to Caithness to offset the Dounreay rundown. They
believe that it will provide jobs for the scientists and engineers who are
due to be made redundant as the power station is closed. The new fusion
plant is part of a �1 billion international venture to harness cheap
supplies of eco-friendly energy.
HIGHLAND COUNCIL RESPONSE TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
Highland Councillors accepted the recommendations for the credit crunch at
their meeting on 18th December 2008.
23 December 2008
It�s the final countdown for Woolies� employees - Press & Journal
Wick & Thurso Close On Monday 29th December
The shelves in the Caithness Woolies stores are emptying fast now and
even the shelving is up for sale at knock down prices.
Highland Council Service Arrangements For the Holiday Period
Service Points and administrative offices will close at 4 pm on
Wednesday 24 December and re-open at 9 am on Monday
5 January, 2009.
Refuse and Recycling Collections Christmas 2008
UPDATE 8.50pm- Cat's
Owners Have Been In Touch and "Poppy " will soon be home again
Have You Lost a Tortoiseshell Kitten - Not Yet Fully
Grown
A well grown kitten in very good condition is hanging around March
Road, Wick and is obviously lost. Contact 01955 604648. Kitten still
here at 6.00pm but may wander off again.
Stamp Prices To Rise By 3p As Post Faces Stiff Email Competition
The cost of posting first and second class letters is to increase by 3p to
39p and 30p from April, the Royal Mail announced. The stamp price rises
follow increases last April, when first class stamps rose by 2p to the
current 36p and second class by 3p to the present 27p. Business customers
will see average price increases of 4.2%, although there will be smaller
rises for firms using franking machines and pre-paid accounts.
22 December 2008
Thurso Street Party For Hogmanay All Set To Go
To Welcome 2009
Thurso
is all set for another big street party this Hogmanay. Starting at
9.30am the music and dancing will go on right through "The Bells" to bring
in the New Year and on until 1.00am. the past few years since the
Millennium there has been a resurgence of street parties to bring in the
New Year around Scotland. Wick will also see its street party in the
Market Square with Pipe Band and other music of both the Scottish and more
up to date variety from local bands.. Thurso this year features
"Whisky" and the Lone Piper with Bob Johnson doing his bit as MC.
21 December 2008
Caithness Snooker League Well Under Way
The
Caithness County Snooker League kicked off two weeks ago with 10
contesting for the title. John McKie will hope to do one better this year
and go on to win the title. Derek Johnston last season's winner and Mark
Mackay two times winner will be strong contenders for the league.from left
to right - Scott Shearer, John McKie, Derek Johnston, David McGillivary,
William Mackay, Alan Gibson and Scott Swanson missing Mark Mackay, Alex
Donald and Shane Ross.
Christmas Party At Murkle Mother & Toddler Group
Santa
found time to drop in on the Murkle Mother and Toddler Christmas Party.
The BIG PIC is HERE
Christmas 2008 If you have Christmas photos of your
group and would like to add them just email them to
[email protected]
Council Offers Home Improvement Grants
The credit crunch may be biting but The Highland Council has cash
grants available to assist with home improvements, adaptations and
repairs. Home improvement and repair grants are available to help people
living in owner-occupied or privately-rented housing to meet the costs of
having their homes improved, repaired or adapted. Most grants are at the
discretion of the Council and almost all are means-tested. A small number
of grants are, under certain conditions, mandatory and the Council is
obliged to approve these. Discretionary improvement grants can be awarded
for improvements to existing houses to bring them up to the tolerable
standard, e.g. by installing bathroom facilities, dealing with structural
instability, or eradication of severe dampness. They may also be available
to make houses suitable for occupants with disabilities, e.g. level access
showers, ramps, stair lifts or purpose built extensions to accommodate a
ground floor bedroom or bathroom.
Good
Start For Rural Kerbside Recycling Collections In Caithness
Over
10 tonnes of waste has been diverted from landfill in the first week of
the rural recycling collections in Caithness with 60% of residents putting
out their bins for collection. Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor John
Laing said: "I would like to thank the public for their high level of
commitment to making the new service such a success. Already in the first
week over 10 tons of material has been diverted from landfill and will
instead be used to make products, thus saving both resources and energy
used in converting them. This is all good news for the environment."
Caithness Celtic Supporters' Club Bus availability, for the next game
The next bus is:- versus Dundee United (League) on 03/01/09 - 3.00pm
kick-off. Bus leaving Wick Safeways @ 05:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 05:30.
Senior = �30 and Junior = �20.
Contact, Stevie King =
[email protected] Official website -
http://ebigh.com/1888
A Search For A
'Monster' Writer! - Winners Of the Competition Announced
The
competition to find the best 'Monster' story writer from pupils attending
primary schools across the North of Scotland has been completed. The
competition was launched at the beginning of the year by Graham Winkle the
author of 'The Loch Of Mey Monster' and involved entries from Caithness to
Aberdeenshire. "Finding the winning entries from hundreds of
wonderful stories was no easy task, the standard was very high." Graham
Winkle.
Sunday Papers
Sir Paul McCartney's long winding road to his ancestors - Scotsman
Yes there is Wick connection in this story......
20 December 2008
Halkirk Young Farmers Raise Cash For Highland Hospice
Eight
Halkirk Young Farmers decided all they wanted for Christamas was smooth
legs. The lads decided to do their bit for charity in the process. They
recently underwent a rather painful leg wax at the North Highland College.
The girls in the Beauty section kindly donated their time to help the
cause. The sponsorship raised saw �150 donated to the Highland Hospice.
Pictured are members of the Halkirk Young Farmers Club at a recent meeting
presenting the money. Handing over the cheque to Johanna Geddes is Jamie
Gunn, left and Duncan Pottinger, right, two of the brave participants.
Also in the picture, front row, are the North Highland College students.
From The Papers
Council calls for rethink on tax office closure - Press & Journal
plea for Wick to become centre of specialist work -
Similar stories on other tax offices due to close
Pontypridd,
Ripon -
93 Tax Offices are to close
Add to those the many Post offices closing or to be closed
Will tax offices end up like this headline for the Post Offices now
closed? -
Queue here for misery: Post office closures cause Christmas chaos
Parents who want new school in Wick take fight to council HQ -
Press & Journal
19 December 2008
Notice for Friends Of Dunnet Forest
If you are a "Friend of Dunnet Forest", i.e. a member, could you send your
email address, with full name and address to
[email protected] to enable
our database to be updated. In future any newsletters or correspondence
will be sent by email wherever possible to reduce postage costs.
Dunnet Forestry
Trust
15 December 2008
Scallywags Nursery Chirstmas Carol Fundraiser
Scallywags
Nursery children and parents getting into the Christmas spirit by carol
singing at the Castle of Mey on Saturday the 13th of December. Everyone
thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and raised just over �80 for the nursery.
the groups say "A huge thank to the Castle of Mey Trust for allowing us to
be there and also to everyone who supported us".
New Highland
Youth Gaelic Choir
The Highland Council is delighted to announce that members for its 7th
Regional Music Group are now being recruited. The new Highland Youth
Gaelic Choir (HYGC) will be holding auditions on 10th January 2009 and
applications are now being invited from pupils currently studying at any
of the areas secondary schools. The HYGC will have its first rehearsal
weekend on 16th and 17th January, using the same rehearsal calendar as
existing groups.
CAITHNESS & SUTHERLAND BOOST FROM 'VISION FOR THE HIGHLANDS'
Scottish Water today 15 Dec 08 revealed the progress being made in
Caithness & Sutherland with its 2010 Vision for the Highlands, the
�200million campaign of improvements across the region. By 2010 Scottish
Water expects to have invested around �20million in Caithness & Sutherland
since 2006. Drinking water supplies are being upgraded, environmental
improvements are underway and long-term plans are being developed to
support the future development of local communities.
14 December 2008
Argyle Square Area Association, Wick Raised Over �1300
On Saturday 6 December 2008 Argylle Square Area Association raised over
�1300 which is tremendous for a small community group. The group are
enormously grateful to the businesses and groups who supported them
including MM Miller, G & A Barnie, Hugh Simpson Contractors, Alan Ross
Engineering, Scottish Gas Network, Blythswood Care, RBL Wick Pipe Band,
Wick Lifeboat, Wick Christmas Lights Committee, Overloch, MacDonalds
Bakery, Caithness Sound and Light. Thanks also to Santa and his team ie
Geoff Oswald and James MacCaughey; Azzy Sutherland; Ben Gunn; Anne Hart,
Wick Gala Queen; and the band of
volunteers. Thanks also to the Wick community who came along on the day
and fully supported our event.
Highland Youth Voice - Caithness
Elections took place for Highland Youth Voice- the Highland's Youth
Parliament, last month. Approximately one-hundred young people were
elected to represent their schools and local youth forums in the youth
parliament.
9 December 2008
Exciting
Trips Coming Soon As New Ferry Arrives In Orkney - Pentalina (A
Huge Catamaran)
Better
late than never and despite the disappointment at missing the summer
season due to technical difficulties the new ferry 'Pentalina' has finally
arrived in Orkney. Our forum contributors are up to the minute with
photos and debate on the new ferry. Many people in Caithness are
looking forward to a trip over to Orkney on the new ferry that will sail
from Gills to St Margaret's Hope. The new catamaran will take over the
Pentland Firth route from the MV Claymore on her arrival in Orkney. The
catamaran will provide an even faster service and a greater carrying
capacity reducing the crossing time between St Margaret�s Hope and Gill�s
Bay to approximately 45 minutes. For more information and timetables
etc head for the
Pentland
Ferries web site Looks like this will be an exciting and
fast trip top Orkney arriving at the great wee village of
St Margaret's Hope
New Astronomy
Group For Caithness - From Gordon Mackie
As
part of the celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009,
myself and a few other local enthusiasts including Jim Johnson (see
attached article) have set up Caithness Astronomy Group to organise and
deliver a number of astronomy related events for the local public and
schools.
Plans for dark sky parks in Scotland:
http://www.astronomy2009.co.uk/index.php/press-and-media
New Strip For Lybster under 9's From Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, Wick
Kongsberg
Maritime Ltd, the Wick based supplier of Harsh Environment CCTV systems,
were pleased to supply Lybster Under 9s with a set of new strips for the
impending 2009 season. The strip was presented by Mark Hendry, the Under
9s coach and an employee of Konsberg to the secretary and under 11's coach
Adreain Gill
8 December 2008
Potential Oil Funding Boost For Community Council Residents Of
Latheron, Lybster and Clyth
At the recent meeting of the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council
it was decided that a Public Meeting is to be held on Thursday 15th
January at 7.30pm in the Bowling Club, Lybster with a view to setting up a
"company limited by guarantee" so that every member of the public living
within the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council area has the
opportunity to become a member. The reason for the formation of this
company is to oversee the disbursement of any funds accruing from the oil
developments at Swiney. It is necessary that such a company be in place to
deal with any potential funding received for the local community from any
future revenues this development might realise. The new company will be
responsible for overseeing any funds received, that they are disbursed in
a proper and accountable manner and are used for the purposes for which
they may be given. As yet it is not known if the well will be viable as
any oil flowing from it needs to be tested over the next 9 months to
determine its viability. The rig is due to be dismantled within the next
weeks as drilling is now almost complete.
Sad Death Of Most Northerly Barn Owl At St John's Pool Bird Site
Julian
Smith has reported on the St John's Pool Bird web site that one of the
most northerly Barn Owls appears to have been killed by a car.
Birdwatching
In Caithness
Caithness FM Annual Toy and Gift Appeal Receives �2000 Boost From Dounreay
Site
Caithness
FM Christmas Gift Appeal has received a big boost with a donation of �2000
worth of toys and gifts. UKAEA, AMEC, CH2MHill and Dounreay Employees
Charity Fund have each donated �500. All the toys and gifts are donated to
children and teenagers in the county by the local social work department.
Jackie and Bob Johnson, Caithness FM are pictured here receiving the gifts
from Simon Middlemas, UKAEA Andy Malkin, AMEC Brad Smith, CH2MHill and
Marie Mackay, DECF
Christmas
2008 Index - Drop off points for your gifts are at the Caithness
FM studio in Neil Gunn Drive, Thurso and Caithness Horizons at the former
Town Hall in Thurso.
Wick Youth Cafe meeting on Wednesday 10th @ 7pm POSTPONED UNTIL A
LATER DATE
Robin Falconer will be in touch later with all concerned
Caithness V Orkney Badminton
7 December 2008
The Caithness & Sutherland Farm Watch Scheme
NFU Scotland and the Northern Constabulary have worked together to launch
a new initiative "The Caithness & Sutherland Farm Watch Scheme", and
details of this scheme have already been circulated to NFU Scotland
members in the area. If you have not received any information, or you are
not a member of NFU Scotland, then please may I take this opportunity to
introduce it to you. The scheme incorporates information being distributed
to the local farming community within Caithness & Sutherland. This has
been done already through information which has been sent along with NFU
Scotland material to local members, and we now have the opportunity to
include information via Donald S. McGregor & Partners, Veterinary
Surgeons, which enables us to reach wider members of the farming community
who may not already be members of NFU Scotland.
New Marina For Wick Harbour By 2009 Sailing Season
Wick,
on the east coast of Caithness, received a major confidence boost this
week, following news that a �576,000 funding package (loan and grant) has
been secured to install a marina development in the town's harbour. The
deal has required complex negotiations between the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority (NDA), and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) which is
providing the vital funding conduit. The Crown Estate has provided around
half the total sum to the project's applicants, Wick Harbour Authority.
Photo Montage enlarged
3 December 2008
Christmas Lights Switch On At Wick
The Christmas Lights at Wick were switched on by Santa this year.
Children from Wick schools sang Christmas songs to get the festive season
going. The night before Thurso switched on their lights and Dunnet
switches on this coming Saturday.
Caithness
Christmas 2008 Index
Meanwhile, On a Coast Off Scotland - Bank Technology News
2 December 2008
The History Of Caithness Comes Alive At Thurso Town Hall
On
Monday 1st December 2008 Caithness Horizons reopened the magnificently
restored Thurso Town Hall and Carnegie Library to the public. The new
museum and community facility has not only captured the past and brought
it to life through displays and interpretation, it also provides a real
flavour of Caithness today to tempt visitors to find out more about this
diverse county. Following the opening by Margaret, Viscountess Thurso of
Ulbster, visitors had their first chance to look around the facility,
which explores the archaeology and history of the area, the geology and
ecology, the wildlife, flowers and fauna, our need for fuel and energy and
a sustainable future. The building is also home to tourist information,
temporary exhibitions and displays, educational projects, audio-visual
presentation facilities and a caf�.
Caithness Horizons Photos
The new facility is open 7 days a week - Monday to Saturday 10.00am -
8.00pm Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm
Caithness Horizons Web
Site
Caithness FM Annual Christmas Toy Appeal
New Speed Limits At More Schools
On Monday 8 December, 2008 a new 30 mph speed limit and part-time 20 mph
speed limit will become operational on roads near the Primary school at
Canisbay. On the same day part-time 20 mph speed limits will be introduced
at North Wick and Pennyland Primary schools and at Fortrose Academy.
From that date 56 of the 63 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross schools
and 75 of the 82 Ross, Skye and Lochaber schools at which 20 mph speed
limits are being introduced will be in place.
Pulteneytown People's Project MAASK Raised �130 For Bangladesh Children
Children
from Pulteneytown People's Project MAASK (Morning and After School Club)
raised �130 by taking part in a sponsored silence. The money has been
given to the
Global Xchange volunteers who have been in Caithness during the
past three months. The volunteers, from Britain and Bangladesh, have been
raising money to help street children in Bangladesh during the second
stage of their volunteering project which will take them to Chittagong.
Tofazzal Liton, who has been on placement at PPP is pictured accepting the
money from playworker, Andrea MacGregor while Natashia Sinclair (left) and
Becky Kelly (right) hold the Bangladesh flag.
Caithness Celtic Supporters Club Buses
The next buses are:-
versus Villarreal (Champions League) on 10/12/08 - 7.45pm kick-off. Bus
leaving Wick Safeways @ 09:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 09:30.
versus Hearts (League) on 13/12/08 - 3.00pm kick-off. Bus leaving Wick
Safeways @ 05:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 05:30.
Senior = �30 and Junior = �20. - Contact, Stevie King =
[email protected]
Official website - http://ebigh.com/1888
