Are you interested in art classes? Professional tuition in painting, drawing and photography will be
starting soon at Lybster Day Centre on Wednesday mornings. Beginners
welcome. Please phone Lydia on 01593 721318 if you would like to join
us.
Caithness Bands - Are You Signed Up For goNorth 2008 In Dundee? Applying is easier than ever. You can apply free on line at this
site. Simply attach a biog, picture and mp3s. You will be considered for
all stages at goNORTH except the Sonic Bids stage. You will also be
considered for Rockness. Remember, by applying you are giving us
permission to use the info and tracks you send for promotional purposes
(assuming you are offered a place at goNORTH or Rockness). Your track
will also be considered for the sampler CD that goes out on the cover of
MUSIC WEEK unless you tell us otherwise. Applications must be received
by 28/03/08.
Only Two Weeks
To Get Your Entries In To New Gaelic Song Competition There are only two weeks left for minority language singers and
song-writers to enter to N�s �r - the first song contest to be held in
Inverness as part of four regional finals held across Europe. The
deadline for song applications is 14 March. Meaning 'New Style' in
Gaelic, the N�s �r competition is seeking songs entered from languages
such as Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Ulster Scots, Irish, Manx, Welsh,
Cornish and Breton. The winners of the West European competition will be
entered into the final of the pan-European Liet Lavut competition which
takes place in Lulea, Sweden in October.
26 February 2008
Castle Of Mey Special Easter
Four Day Opening 21st
to 24th March inclusive
There will be a special four day opening of the Castle and Visitor
Centre for Easter this year from 21st to 24th March inclusive from 10.30
am to last entries at 4.00 pm.
Brodie
McHaggis Back On Moray Firth Radio Charity Auction In 2008 Brodie
McHaggis returns to the Moray Firth Radio Charity Auction for a third
year in a row. Up for auction is a set of his first two adventures - "Brodie
McHaggis and the Secret of Loch Ness" (second edition), and "Brodie
McHaggis and the Curse of the Scotch Mist" (first edition). The books
are signed and dedicated to the Charity Auction 2008, and uniquely
doodled by the Author, Helen Campbell. They are bound together with a
green and blue tartan ribbon and finished with a light green label
dedicated to the Charity Auction......Don't miss out on your chance to
be get this one off set of doodled books. Tune into MFR on 7, 8 and 9
March to have a chance of placing a bid.
Old Bottle Found In A Caithness Garden Local
Artist and paper maker Joanne Kaar has contacted us to say her husband
dug up an old bottle in their garden that used to be an old croft.
Joanne said "My husband Joe found an old glass bottle while digging in
our garden in the ruins of an old croft. We would be interested to hear
if anyone has information about it The inscriptions on the bottle is
James Wilson, Reg, John O'Groats Mineral Waters Trade Mark Pultney Town
Wick and underneath says Portobello Woods Ltd.
Joanne can be contacted via her web site at
www.joannebkaar.com/
Is The Energy Tide Finally Turning Towards The Pentland Firth As Oil
Prices Soar?
Tour to unlock the power of Pentland Firth - Scotsman
Energy firm chiefs seek Pentland potential - The Herald
Could This Be Why? - Oil
prices rise near $100 a barrel- msnbc
Could Lord Bob MacLennan be right when he recently said
"Tocardo's interest could be the start of a "California-style gold
rush". - He was referring to a new project to be based at Wick Harbour
to build a 10-megawatt prototype tidal energy plant in the firth when he
spoke at recent marine energy conference in Edinburgh.
Warning over huge lost fish net - BBC
A large fishing net which is the length of about six football pitches
has been lost overboard from fishing boat. It is so big that the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a warning to vessels in the
Pentland Firth to beware.
400 Events Listed Already For 2008 In Our What's On - Get Your Event In
Now - It's FREE
More and more vents go into our what's On every year and the What's On
section alone averages 4500 to 5000 visitors a day. A listing gets
you not only in the listing for as long as you like ahead of the vent
but it also appears automatically on the daily listing on the front page
as final reminder to everyone. So if your group has an event
planned in the next couple of years and you know the date and times etc
get it on now for maximum publicity and to help everyone planning a trip
to Caithness.
Local Action for Wildlife The wildlife of the Highlands is set to benefit from �100,000 of funding
for 24 local projects over the next three years. One of these projects
is an innovative Rhododendron control method which will be trialled in
the Highlands and monitored by Forestry Research. The "lever and mulch" method of
Rhododendron control requires no power tools, no fires and no
herbicides, just an understanding of the inherent strengths and
weaknesses of Rhododendron ponticum and lots of elbow grease. This is just one of 24 local projects
running from 2008 until 2010 that follow on from the Highland
Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation Programme that ran from 2004 to
2007. During this time �90,000 of funding was provided to help 37
community led biodiversity projects. The funding is being provided by the
Heritage Lottery Fund, The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage,
Highlands & Islands Enterprise and RSPB Scotland. The projects in
Caithness include -
North Aspen Woods - Identification of Important Biodiversity Sites -
Caithness Primary Schools Biodiversity Competition - School Marine
Project - Wildflower Habitat enhancement - Moth Trapping and Monitoring
Water Vole Monitoring - Community Wildlife Boxes - Click the map at the
top for all other areas projects
23 February 2008
Get Your
FREE Entry In A New Edition Of The Caithness Arts Directory Caithness Arts are currently producing the second edition of the Caithness
Arts Directory which provides a comprehensive guide to artistes
(professional and amateur), venues, arts organisations, tutors, agencies
etc. who contribute in some way to the arts in Caithness. For a free
entry, please complete and return the form to
[email protected] or use the postal
address on the form. If you fit more than one category, please
complete a separate form for each. Open the form HERE -
complete it - save it to your computer - then email it to
[email protected]
New Foot Bridge Improves Access At Girnigoe Castle
A new foot bridge is almost completed at Girnigoe Castle near Wick.
This will allow much improved access to the castle once it reopens to the
public. Much work has been done and archaeologists have been working
over the past couple of years in the summer months to uncover more
information about the castle. The history of the castle has been
rewritten based on many new discoveries. This solid new footbridge
will allow a much easier way into the castle than previously and is on the
line where a drawbridge would have been.
Girnigoe Castle Main IndexCaithness Castles Index
Tapping The Source: The Power Of The Oceans - The Oil Drum
This web site talks about ideas for gaining energy from the sea around the
globe and the Pentland Firth gets a mention.
Do You Read the Daily Record? - Then Help Thurso Youth Club Get A Free
Football Strip The
latest Kits for Kids promotion in the Daily Record offers free football
strips to football clubs and youth organisations and Thurso Youth Club is
up and running with a request that folk donate their tokens to the club.
The tokens when collected can be exchanged for a football strip for Thurso
Youth Club FC Team. the promotion runs from 23 February to 2 May
2008. Put your tokens in the boxes provided at Frasers, Coop or
Tesco and Pennyland Primary school in Thurso.
Read
more about the Daily Record Strips for Kids Even if you are
not in Thurso start collecting the tokens as there are sure to be groups
collecting in your town or village. Caithness groups can let us know
and we will mention you here.
20 February 2008
STONE CALLS ON
CHANCELLOR TO ABANDON 2p FUEL HIKE The announcement last week that the Chancellor is to increase fuel
charges has prompted a call by North MSP Jamie Stone to abandon his 2p
hike in fuel duty, Jamie has repeated his call for the Chancellor to use
his powers to vary taxation rates across the UK to bring the cost of fuel
in the Highlands in line with the rest of the UK. Jamie Stone said: �In
the North we are already burdened with a huge annual fuel burden and thus
the Chancellor�s extra 2p is going to hammer the rural motorist. The
current Chancellor must realise that fuel in the North is already between
5 and 10 pence more than the UK average, and the higher the duty the
greater the inequality.� Fuel Backlash Growing Scrap 2p rise in fuel duty, Alistair Darling told -
Telegraph 12 February 08 Chancellor should scrap his 2p fuel duty increase
- News Guardian 30
January 08 Farming joins the protests over 2p fuel duty
- Farmers Guardian 15
February 08 Call to scrap planned fuel duty rise- Independent - Business News
11 February 08
MEETING TO CONSIDER NEW CAITHNESS RETAILERS GROUP A public meeting is to be held in Thurso next week to discuss the
formation of a Caithness-wide body to represent the retail sector. It
follows the publication of a retail report carried out by Vector Research
for HIE Caithness and Sutherland. One of the report's main recommendations
is that local retail businesses join together to form a strong voice for
the area, and to consider the wider tourism potential of town centre
shopping in Wick, and Thurso in particular.........The meeting is to be
held in the ballroom of the Pentland Hotel in Thurso at 7.30pm on
Tuesday, February 26. To assist with arrangements, anyone interested
in attending is asked to phone HIE Caithness and Sutherland on 01847
805221 or email donna.bamford[AT]hient.co.uk
Careers Convention To Be Hosted At Wick On 12th March People
living in Caithness are being offered expert advice and information on
taking the next step in their careers. The Careers Convention will be held
on Wednesday 12th March 2008 in the Assembly Rooms in Wick, and will offer
people of all age�s comprehensive information on careers, employment,
training and education. The event, organised by Careers Scotland in
Thurso, will bring universities, colleges, training providers and
employers all under one roof. More than 40 organisations and businesses
will be at the event which will run from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Pupils from
Wick, Thurso and Farr High Schools are expected to attend, and people from
the wider community are invited to the event including parents/carers and
adults who are looking for ideas and support.
19 February 2008
Wick Model Yacht Club
Sarclet loch near Thrumster - Saturday 23rd February 2.00 - 4.30pm
Free Sailing And Radio Controlled Model Yachts. Spectators welcome.
Caithness Girls At Gymfest Inverness Last September - Item Lost In The
Email Jungle Apologies
to all concerned as this photo was left in the email pile from last
September. Members of the Caithness Gymnastics Club took part in
GymfestINverness held recently at the Bught Leisure Centre in Inverness.
This Gymfest, which is unusual as it is the second to be held in one year,
was hosted as part of Highland 2007 the year Scotland celebrates Highland
culture. 48 gymnasts plus their coaches and parents from the club made the
journey to Inverness, where they performed their MADONNA routine, the mix
of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics made stunning and fast moving viewing
to a packed and appreciative audience. A national competition to design a
logo for the souvenir Polo Shirt was won by Caithness Gymnast Rosie Fidler
who can be seen in the photo, second row from front, third from right.
Transport Questionnaire for Dunnet & Canisbay Residents
Residents of Canisbay and Dunnet are getting a chance to air their views
on local public transport in a postal questionnaire sponsored by Caithness
Partnership, Highland Council and the Carnegie UK Trust. In a letter to
everyone in the Dunnet and Canisbay area whose name appears in the
electoral register community council chairman John Green writes: �During a
recent consultation with some of the local residents the Community Council
found that the public transport service is not always suitable for the
people who live here. We need to find out more about this so that we can
pinpoint any changes that might be required.�
Highlanders Asked To Nominate All-time Favourite Rhyme As
part of an initiative to encourage literacy development among pre-school
children, people in the Highlands are being asked by The Highland
Council's Library Service to nominate their favourite nursery rhymes. The
competition to find out the top ten nursery rhymes of all time is being
co-ordinated as part of Bookstart in Scotland Day celebrations, with the
results to be announced on 15th May 2008. Parents and children are invited
to pick up an entry form at their local library, and nominate their
favourite rhyme of all time. Free Bookstart Rhymetime sessions are also
being organised, where parents come together with their babies and
toddlers to sing rhymes and songs in an informal and fun setting. Details
of Rhymetime sessions are available at local libraries throughout the
Highlands.
North Air
Passengers See 4% Rise But Wick Sees Fall More than one million passengers used airports in the Highlands and
Islands in the nine months to 31 December 2007. Passenger numbers at
Highlands and Islands Airports increased by 4% to the end of December
2007, totalling 1,000,804, according to figures published. The
Scottish Government owned airport operator is on target to record its
busiest ever year to the end of March 2008. Aircraft movements for the
same period totalled 80,000 which is comparable to last year�s figure.
Can You Help Caithness Police? Fences Broken At Oldfield Court, Thurso Car Damaged In Castletown
Assault - Recreation Park Between Coach Road and Green Road, Wick
Spray Paint At Wick High School
Window Smashed At Glamis Road, Wick
Vandalism North Murchison Street, Wick
Glass Door Chipped - Macleod Road, Wick
Lunar Eclipse Can Be Seen Early Morning 21st February Gordon
Mackie has reminded us that there will be a Lunar Eclipse on the morning
of 21st February. "Unfortunately the event occurs in the early hours of
the morning in the UK when most people will be tucked up in bed. There
isn't another total lunar eclipse until 2010, so this is the last chance
to see one for a while."
If you would like to comment on what you see then go to our Moon forumwhere you can also see some photos of the moon taken by our readers.
Gordon Mackie sends in items for the section
Caithness Night Sky
Conquer A
Corbett And Help MacMillan Cancer Support Volunteers
needed to climb 219 mountains for people affected by cancer.
Adventurers are being challenged to climb more than 200 mountains to raise
cash for people affected by cancer. Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland
want people to sign up to take part in its Conquer a Corbett challenge,
which raised over �40,000 for the charity in 2007. Last year fundraisers
climbed 129 of the Corbetts for Macmillan, but this year the charity want
to have someone climb every single one of the country's 219 Corbetts - the
name of all Scotland's hills and mountains between 2500ft and 2999ft high.Conquer A
Corbett Web Site The
views from Scotland's hills and mountains can be spectacular.
Here is a walker in last years Corbett Challenge on the top of Beinn na
Caillich. One walker who will be taking part is Maurice Hickey. The
48-year-old conquered Quinag in the Highlands last year in memory of his
father who died of bowel cancer in January 2006, aged 75. The pharmacist,
from the Highlands, enjoyed the challenge so much that he decided to sign
up to take part again this year. The dad-of-two, who has also climbed in
the Himalayas and the Alps, said: "I decided to conquer a Corbett last
year for a number of reasons. Obviously since my dad died from cancer, I
really appreciate the work Macmillan do. My dad was also a supporter of
Macmillan for a long time, and I've come into contact with some fantastic
Macmillan nurses.
More photos of high places can be seen in the
Caithness Waybaggers section
Corbetts At Wikipedia
18 February 2008
Grassland Fungi in Caithness (by David Savage) In
a previous article (Caithness Field Club Bulletin Vol 7 No 1 (April 2005)
) we looked at the more obvious fungi to be found in Dunnet forest. This
time we will look at some of the fungi to be found in the rough grazing
areas of Caithness. One of the best local places to find grassland
fungi is at Crosskirk. We will start by following the sign for St. Mary's
Chapel, through the gate and along the track past the cottage.
Taken from the
2007 Caithness Field Club Bulletin
Caithness Field Club Index Earlier Years Bulletin articles
Dounreay News - February 2008 In
many ways the Dounreay site newspaper aimed at employees working there is
an easy way to keep up to date with what is happening and the many changes
now and in the future. It is an easy read and gives a short article
on many topics that are the subject of copious papers and thick reports.
From history to an explanation of Socio -economics and how it might affect
what is going in the regeneration of Caithness and North Sutherland.
Dounreay Bulletin - Issue 19 DOUNREAY
TO RECRUIT MORE APPRENTICES
Dounreay is recruiting for its next batch of engineering apprenticeships.
UKAEA is looking for 6 people interested in starting a four-year training
scheme in August, in mechanical, instrumentation and electrical
disciplines. Applicants should live within travelling distance of
Dounreay, be interested in engineering and have attained school leaver age
this summer. More information about the places can be obtained by
contacting 01847 802678. Closing date for applications is 13th March
2008. Other items in this edition include -
First phase of shaft clean-up nears completion - Latest clean-up plant
begins processing waste
Removal of reactor hazard commences - New design alliance formed for key
project
Old research labs are coming apart - Gone in 90 seconds - �8 million
nuclear archive for Caithness
O'Neill Highland Open Surfing Competition Returns To Caithness In 2008
The world's coldest professional surfing contest returns to Scotland in
spring 2008. O'Neill Europe has confirmed that the Highland Open, its
signature event, will be staged on Scotland's frigid North Shore for the
third year running. O'Neill Europe's first two pioneering contests have
revolutionized European surfing, putting the icy barrels of Scotland on
the world surfing map, but this April's event looks set to be even bigger
and better than its predecessors. The O'Neill Highland Open by Swatch is
the must-see surfing contest in Europe, and no wonder. It's a contest with
a difference: it's run by surfers, for surfers, at the world-class breaks
that lie along Scotland's North Shore. It's based at the legendary reef of
Thurso East, where the water temperature is a mind-and-body numbing 4
degrees Celsius...............The O'Neill Highland Open runs from
23 to 30 April. It's not for the faint-hearted�but it is the place
where you'll see the best surfing in Britain this year.
Earlier Surf Stuff
17 February 2008
Another Heating Oil
Theft At Harrowhill, Wick
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses in connection with an incident
of theft. Between 1645hrs on 7/2/08 and 0930hrs on 10/2/08 a large
quantity of domestic heating oil was removed from an heating oil tank at
an address in Harrowhill Wick.
Mey
Selections Producers Of The Year 2007 Announced The
Wick office of North Highland Products hosted a ceremony to announce the
winners of the 2007 Mey Selections Producer of the Year Awards. The
winners in each of three categories - Aberdeen Angus, Commercial Cattle
and Lamb, each received a silver cup and �100 prize. The respective
winners in each category were W R Baillie & Co., R Mackay and James
Sinclair & Co.
Young Volunteers Head For Young Quality Scot Awards Julie
Miller from Wick, Laura Steven from Evanton, Caroline Kristensen from
North Kessock, Nicola Macrae from Kingussie, Miranda Macdonald from
Kinlochbervie, Karen Mackay from Lairg, Monica Foster from Muir of Ord,
Anna Dougan from Nairn, Front row - Lucy Laing from Kinlochbervie,
Elisabeth Coles from Aviemore, Jenny Baird from Nairn, Eilidh Smith from
Bonar Bridge. Sixteen young people from Highland will this year receive
the accolade of Young Quality Scot for their contribution to their
communities. Their achievements include involvement in pupil councils,
youth forums and parliament, volunteering in the community, cultural,
citizenship and awareness arising projects and sporting achievements.
Twelve young women from Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire, Nairn and
Badenoch & Strathspey took part in a local training event held at
Badaguish near Aviemore on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 February.
Wick Swimmers At
School Swimming Championships In Glasgow Four swimmers from Wick took part in the Scottish Schools Swimming
Championships at Tollcross Park Leisure Centre in Glasgow on Saturday the
27th of January. The 50 metre pool at Tollcross will also be the venue for
the swimming competition during the Commonwealth games to be held in
Glasgow in 2014.
Pictured during a break at the training weeked are -
Back row The event was organised and led by The Highland Council's
Youth Development Team. Over the two days, the participants they took part
in interactive workshops on team building, learnt leadership and
presentation skills and were coached on how to manage change. The Young
Quality Scot Awards look to recognise and reward young volunteers in
Scotland. The awards are a partnership between Quality Scotland and local
councils across Scotland. The young people from Highland will be giving a
presentation entitled BEING YOPUNG IN HIGHLAND at the national celebration
event, hosted this year by West Lothian Council on 8th and 9th March 2008
Ceilidh To Be Held In Memory Of Bill Deans
From Jackie Johnson of Caithness FM
A small group of friends of the late Bill Deans of Dirlot Place, Thurso,
are organising a ceilidh in his memory. We hope to hold this on
Saturday 12th April and will confirm the venue in the next few days.
The ceilidh will be open to anyone who wishes to attend and any donations
given at the door will be donated to charity. We know that Bill move
to Thurso from Aberdeen in the late 50's and that he spent most of his
working life at Dounreay where he was originally scientifically based then
involved in training. In his fitter days he was involved in field walks,
fishing and his love of music. In the later days of his life it was mainly
his music that consumed his time being a member of the Melvich choir,
Thurso Live Music Association, Thurso Players, the newspaper for the blind
as well as presenting a show on Caithness FM. We are asking that anyone
who knew Bill and who has any information or funny stories relating to him
please contact us by emailing [email protected] We would also be interested to see any
photographs that people may have. We hope that as many of Bills friends
and colleagues will be able to come along on 12th April and celebrate his
life with us.
Wick High School 1983 Reunion
Reunion Date - 25 July 2008 For anyone who started at Wick High School in 1983 - 25 years ago.
Contact details inside for anyone who would like to attend.
Caithness Schools Reunions
Index If anyone is thinking of running a schools reunion in
Caithness remember we will set up a free web section to advertise the
reunion with full details, updates and photos if you send them in to
[email protected]
Scottish Arts
Council - New Arts Funding For Groups
SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL: INSPIRE Inspire is an exciting new Lottery fund from the Scottish Arts Council
launched on 12 February. Inspire is an �8 million fund that has been
developed as part of the Scottish Arts Council's commitment to increasing
participation and aims to provide more, wider, better engagement with the
arts:
This could be a chance for a wide range of Caithness groups to get some
finance for a project. There is to be a series of road shows to
promote this new fund. One will be in Inverness on Thursday 6th
March at Eden Court theatre 1.30 - 4.30pm and 5.30 - 7.30pm Others
can be found on the
Inspire web site
MEUR
GHALLAIBH DEN CHOMUNN GHAIDHEALACH
CAITHNESS BRANCH OF AN COMUNN GAIDHEALACH Following the setting up of the Royal National Mod Local Organising
Committee who are charged with preparation for the County of Caithness'
hosting of the Royal National Mod in 2010, please note that Meur Ghallaibh
den Chomunn Ghaidhealach - Caithness Branch of An Comunn Gaidhealach is
delighted to invite everyone to the inaugural Ceilidh Dance of the new
branch to be held in the MacKay's Hotel in Wick on Saturday 1st March,
7.30 pm. - Tickets �5 - concs �3
Dealbh-chluich
�r - F�garraich na Gr�ine � gu bhith air fhaicinn le sgoilearan G�idhlig Tha Meanbh-chuileag, a' bhuidheann-dr�ma aig F�isean nan
G�idheal, air an rathad an-dr�sta le dealbh-chluich �r be�thail a bhios a�
tadhal air cha mh�r gach sgoil Gh�idhlig air feadh na d�thcha thairis air
na seachdainean a tha romhainn. Tha an dealbh-chluiche ag amas air
clasaichean 4 gu 7 sa bhun-sgoil Gh�idhlig, ach tha e cuideachd
freagarrach do chloinn nas �ige. A new
play - F�garraich na Gr�ine (The Sun Refugees) - to be performed to Gaelic
pupils Meanbh-chuileag, F�isean
nan G�idheal's theatre-in-education group, is on the road just now with an
exciting new interactive play that will be visiting almost every
Gaelic-medium school in Scotland over the next few weeks in a marathon
tour funded by Highlands & Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council
with financial assistance from B�rd na G�idhlig. The play is aimed at
years 4 to 7 in the primary school, although it is also suitable for
younger children.
Holistic
Medicine Workgroup Offers Opportunities To Learn And Gain Certification
This is a unique opportunity to learn a variety of areas within
complementary medicine. This will be an ongoing weekly group and where
possible and when people meet appropriate standards I will certify people
in relevant areas, such as basic certification in hypnosis, hypnotherapy,
stress management, reiki etc. This will be a free ongoing workshop.
Major Drugs Seizure In Shetland By Northern Constabulary
NORTHERN Constabulary officers in Shetland yesterday seized Class A drugs
with an estimated street value of �100,000. This is one of the largest
ever seizures of drugs in the Shetland Isles and underlines the Force's
commitment to tackling the illegal drugs trade. The seizure included
substances suspected to be heroin and cocaine. Paul Guy Thompson, 45, from
Lerwick and Desiree Madia Hassan, 44, also from Lerwick appeared on
petition in private at Lerwick Sheriff Court today in connection with
allegations they were concerned in the supply of illegal drugs. Both made
no plea or declaration and were committed for further examination.
Thompson was released on bail and Hassan was remanded in custody.
News elsewhere
RSPB unveils its latest reserve - BBC
Broubster Leans on the floodplain of Forss Water, south-west of Thurso,
provides habitat for wading birds, insects and water vole.......
Writer Makes Mark On City - Scotsman
The Rebus author is to unveil a Caithness stone slab engraved with his
handprints outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile on Monday.
Sponsored Ride By Equestrian Students to
Raise Cash For The Monday Club Watch out for horses on the road on 5th March as students on the
Equestrian Business NC course at the North Highland College will be riding
from Halkirk to Thurso to raise funds for a charity "The Monday Club"
Far North NHS
Staff Praised For Meeting Waiting Times
NHS staff in Caithness and across the Highlands, Argyll and Bute have been
praised for meeting the national waiting times targets set for the 31st of
December deadline. Patients are benefiting from quicker appointments for
consultant-led clinics, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures. The news
comes as the Scottish Government sets out a three year plan to speed up
treatment even further. Chief Operating Officer Elaine Mead said: �I am
delighted that our internal figures show that at the end of December we were
able to honour the 18 week waiting times guarantee for the patients of
Highland. Every effort has been made to provide local sustainable solutions,
due to the distances some patients already have to travel, with the vast
majority of patients being able to see a local specialist within
Highland..........Since March 2007 more than 70 patients have had their
cataract surgery in Caithness General Hospital rather than having to travel
to Inverness and, across Highland, patients no longer have to go for an
outpatient appointment after they have had cataract surgery, they can be
seen by their High Street Optometrist.
Heating Oil Theft At
Hempriggs
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses to a Theft at Brough Road,
Hempriggs between 14/12/07 and 07/02/08 whereby a quantity of heating oil
was stolen from within an outside storage tank. Question - Would you know if you had oil stolen from your tank? Or
would you only find out weeks later when your heating stopped working.
Measure your oil in the tank regularly to spot any sudden drops. As
home heating oil is now reaching record prices it has become a very
valuable commodity and being targeted all over the country by thieves.
Make sure your tank has lock on it and think about protecting your oil
tank and any pipes on the outside. Tell neighbours when you are going away
so that they report any suspicious vehicles in the area. Write down
the numbers of any vehicles you are not sure of - it might be useful later
to trace vehicles being used for thefts.
Locals urged to
have their say on future of Highland's only Local Nature Reserve Members
of the public are being invited by The Highland Council to have their
say on the future of the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in
Inverness which is Highland's only LNR. As part of the development of a three-year
management plan for the LNR, consultations are taking place to find out
what locals and visitors think is special about the area and what their
aspirations are for the site.
Bill Fernie says - OK its not about Caithness but we really like aerial
photos and it tells you a lot about Inverness expansion as much as it
does about the Nature Reserve - look at all those warehouses.
Another View
Highland Focus on Scams Awareness Month
Trading Standards Officers of The Highland Council are taking part in a
national campaign ~ Scams Awareness Month - to crack down on the misery
and heartache caused by unscrupulous scammers, whose sole aim is to
persuade consumers to part with their money. Working jointly with the
Office of Fair Trading, they are focusing on consumer education to help
the public spot a scam and are encouraging the public to hand in to
designated Council offices scam literature received this month. Alistair
Thomson, Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, hopes the
campaign gets the message across to consumers not to be conned.
Latest Police News
Vandalism At Willowbank, Wick
Police in Wick are appealing for witnesses to a Vandalism that occurred
when the front living room window of a house at 56 Willowbank, Wick was
broken about 1840 hours on the evening of Friday 8th February 2008. In
particular officers would like to speak to a small group of teenage youths
who were seen to run away from outside the house and into Leishman Avenue,
Wick immediately following this incident. Broken Window At Park Avenue, Thurso Theft From Mybster, Spittal
10 February 2008
Council sets out concerns on Post Office Closure Consultation
The Highland Council has highlighted a number of concerns in its
draft response to Post Office Ltd�s consultation on post office
closures across the UK(PDF 626Kb). The response will be
considered by councillors at a special meeting of the full Council on
Thursday 14 February. Post Office Ltd intends to close 29 post offices
across Highland. It is proposed that two of these will be relocated at
other businesses within the community and that at a further nine offices
proposed for closure there will be replacement services provided. The
Council is extremely disappointed that the UK Government has set a target
for the number of closures across the UK which means that if any post
office in the region is saved, another will need to close. The responses
from the public meeting to discuss the Pulteneytown Post Office at South
school last Monday evening have still to be included in the report but
will be before the council holds its meeting on Thursday 14th February
Faroese
Ferry Service Operators Get Familiar With The Highlands Advance
bookings for this summer's Smyril Line ferry service between the Faroe
Islands and Scrabster are already three times higher than this time last
year. The figures were revealed last week by the company's Product Manager
whilst on a familiarisation visit to the Highlands. Ann Mari Wang was
accompanied by two colleagues from the company's sales offices in Norway
and Torshavn, together with journalist Heri Simonsen from the Faroe
Islands national newspaper, Sosialurin. "A symphony of landscapes" was how
journalist Heri Simonsen described the journey which started in Inverness
and continued north to Wick and Thurso, along the coast to Durness and
down the west coast before returning to Loch Ness, Inverness and Nairn.
8 February 2008
Multi-Million Pound National Nuclear Archive To Be
Based At Wick The Nuclear Decommissioning Agency has announced that it will invest �8
million in plans to create the UK�s National Nuclear Archive (NNA) at
Wick, Caithness, Scotland. The NNA will potentially hold between 20 and 30 million digital records
primarily concerning the history, development and decommissioning of the
UK�s civil nuclear industry since the 1940s. The money will be invested
over three years and will help get the �17 million project off the ground. The NNA is being proposed in
response to the NDA�s statutory obligation to manage public records,
keeping them safe and making them more accessible to the public. Around 20
specialist jobs will be created by the project and the building will also
provide a new home for the Wick-based North Highland Archive, which is
much in need of additional storage space.
Would You Like To Help Out At Mary Ann's Cottage This Summer
If you enjoyed your last visit to Mary Ann's Cottage - it is on your
doorstep - how about considering joining the small band of volunteers who
keep this unique croft experience alive for the general public to enjoy.
This is our local heritage - help us to maintain it by volunteering a few
hours a week - for further details contact Chris Cariss on 01847 851765.
Opening hours are as follows:
30th May through til Mid September : 2.00pm - 4.30pm Tuesday through
Sunday - Closed Mondays
Wick Heroin Dealer
Sentenced To Five Years
NORTHERN Constabulary today welcomed the sentence handed out to an
individual who was involved in the supply of heroin in the Caithness area
of the Highlands. Today at Wick Sheriff Court, George McPhee Harper (25)
was sentenced to five years in prison for his part in the supply of
illegal drugs through an organised network. This is viewed as a
major success for the Caithness and Sutherland Command Area's "Operation
Joker" which was set up to deal with the supply and misuse of heroin in
the Caithness and Sutherland Area.
Council Set Out Concerns on Post Office Closure Consultation
The Highland Council has highlighted a number of concerns in its draft
response to Post Office Ltd's consultation on post office closures across
the UK. The response will be considered by councillors at a special
meeting of the full Council on Thursday 14 February. Post Office Ltd
intends to close 29 post offices across Highland. It is proposed that two
of these will be relocated at other businesses within the community and
that at a further nine offices proposed for closure there will be
replacement services provided. The Council is extremely disappointed that
the UK Government has set a target for the number of closures across the
UK which means that if any post office in the region is saved, another
will need to close.................................... The Council has set up a discussion
forum on its website and will forward the comments received to Post Office
Ltd. http://thc.highlandlife.net/post_office_consultation Post
Office Closure Discussion On Caithness.og Forum
Louise
Smith Joins Project To Promote Pentland Firth Energy Louise
Smith has been appointed to progress an important marine project set to
play a crucial role in revitalising the economy of Caithness following the
de-commissioning of Dounreay. Civil engineer Louise Smith takes up the
two-year post of project manager with the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy
Project next Tuesday (12 February 2008). She joins Duncan Mackay, from the
Crown Estates, who is already in place. Louise's new post is funded by HIE
and the NDA. The Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project is one of the key
initiatives being promoted by the
Caithness Regeneration Partnership,
established early last year to help develop the economy during the
run-down of the nuclear plant.
Northern towns tackle the Tesco effect - Scotsman
John Ross writing in the Scotsman on the recent report on retailing in
Caithness and the Tesco/Homebase affect.
7 February 2008
Clyth Crofters Ball
Clyth Crofters Ball In Clyth Hall 23rd February 2008 7.30pm Band REMIX It
is the 20th anniversary of the opening of Clyth Hall and the committee
thanks everyone who have supported them over the last 20 years by coming
to the Ball which pays for the running costs of the hall for another year.
This year the tickets are �12.00 per head and are available through the
committee or Helen Budge Secretary 01593721467 email helenbudge[AT]aol.com
Night Tactical Leadership Course - Possible Increase In Aircraft Activity
In Highland
(NTLT) 08 which will take place at RAF Kinloss from 11 to 22 February
2008. The NTLT Course aims to improve the tactical leadership skills of
front line aircrew in combined Service air operations through training in
a controlled, but realistic, tactical environment. This will be achieved
by using a variety of RAF aircraft including, Tornado F3 and GR4s,
Typhoons, Pumas, Chinooks, a single E3D and Falcons from FR Aviation. In
all approximately 29 aircraft are expected to participate in this
exercise, with the majority arriving at RAF Kinloss on 11 February 2008.
This is a key annual training course which will help ensure that RAF air
crews are properly trained to meet the tactical demands of low flying.
Flying hours involving the majority of aircraft will be between
approximately 1945hrs and 2245 hrs each day. There will be no exercise
flying between Friday 15 and Sunday 17 February.
5 February 2008
Mey
Selections Leads The Way In Carbon Footprinting And Labelling Initiative Mey
Selections, the brand name of North Highlands Products Ltd., is delighted
to announce that they are the first Scottish SME (Small Medium Enterprise)
to become involved with the Carbon Trust's product carbon footprinting and
labelling initiative. "Not only are we the first Scottish SME, we are one
of the first food and drink companies to become involved with the
initiative. Mey Selections is committed to using sustainable standards of
farming, fishing and food production, so it seems right that we look for
ways to reduce our impact on the environment by minimising the lifecycle
carbon emissions of our products from their supply chains." explains John
Strak, Mey Selections' Managing Director.
Huge Turnout For Pulteneytown Post Office Consultation Meeting At South
School, Wick
A packed South school hall in wick heard from Post Office representatives
the reasons why a closure programme was underway. One by one members
of the audience from including councillors and people from businesses,
churches and other walks of life put questions and points as to why it was
necessary to retain a post office in Pulteneytown. the audience was
very polite to the visitors from the Post Office, the council's Post
office committee and a representative of Post Watch. Everyone took
note to be forwarded to the people dealing with the matter. It was
revealed that Pulteneytown was still a loss making Post office despite
having over 900 customers per week. 2500 Post offices in the UK will
close. Representation about why your post office should be retained
need to be sent before 18th February See
HERE for details and contacts. The Post Office people
were left in no doubt about the feelings in the town and the potential
consequences for people and other small businesses if the Post Office
closes. A film crew spent the day in Pulteneytown and filmed the
whole meeting for Japanese television as similar things are happening to
the Post offices in that country
Winter At Castle Of Old Wick
Some shots of the Castle of Old Wick in no doubt that it is winter from
David Paterson. If you would like to add a winter scene to the gallery
just email your photos to
[email protected] They do
not need to have snow in them to prove it is winter - perhaps leafless
trees or even a sunny day or sunset as we tend to get all sorts of views
around this time of year and even some sunshine.
Winter In Caithness
Some photos from Chris Gregory of wintry scenes in Caithness in the recent
cold snap. You can click through to larger versions. If you
would like to add a winter scene to the gallery just email your photos to
[email protected]
3 February 2008
Farmers
in the Highlands reap benefits of Carbon Footprinting Wednesday 6 February 11.30pm to 2pm, at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso
An irresistible offer is being made to farmers in the North Highlands - an
invitation to a free lunch and the opportunity to learn how they can both
cut their carbon footprint and save money. All of this is courtesy of the
Carbon Trust, SAOS, (the member organisation of agricultural and rural
co-ops in Scotland), and Mey Selections, the award-winning food and drink
producer. Together they have organised a special event on Wednesday 6
February, at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso. The lunchtime seminar, which is
being hosted by North Highland Products, who promote the Mey Selections
brand, will include speakers from SAOS and the Carbon Trust Scotland.
Commenting on this exciting initiative, Danny Miller Chairman of North
Highland Products, said, "After enjoying tremendous growth in 2007 we are
kicking off the New Year with yet another initiative which is not only
going to benefit the individual farmer, but will also prove that farmers
and food producers in Scotland are way ahead of others around the
country."
Will It Be the End For Pultneytown Post Office? - Public Meeting Monday
4th Feb 6.00pm A
big turn out is expected from all over wick to help defend the Post Office
services at Pultneytown. Pultneytown is an area recognised by the
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation as having problems. Closing
the post office used by pensioners and others on low incomes who have no
transport of their own and forcing them to go across wick to the only
other post office will hardly help them or the other small shops - a
butchers, a bakers, a chemist, a pub, an undertaker and a motor spares
shop. The potential loss of the post office may impact on these
other small fragile businesses. The public meeting will take place
at South School at 6.00pm on Monday 4th February to hear a
representative from the Post Office. Councillors from Wick will be there
to support the local effort. Wickers are expected to turnout to help
the Pultneytooners in this last ditch effort.
BBC Breathing
Places Schools Launched BBC Breathing Places is inviting all primary and middle schools
in the UK to register with us and Do One Thing for nature each term.By registering on our website, schools will receive (absolutely
free) all of the information, resources, and curricular links they need to
complete a simple, entry-level activity each term - the first is seed
planting to encourage wildlife. Each term�s new activity (6 in total) will
be sent to registered schools. They are designed to work whatever the
school's location � rural, urban or suburban � and can work equally well
during lessons or as part of an after school club. Interested teachers can
sign up at
www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces
Council Commitment to Keeping Highland Communities Cleaner
Caithness along with other areas is set o get a significant increase in
spending on grounds maintenance and street cleanliness. The Highland
Council is set to spend an additional �1 million in the new financial year
in keeping Highland communities cleaner and tidier. The commitment to
community works is a priority of the Council Administration and, subject
to confirmation by the full Council on 14 February.
2 February 2008
Latest Update - Puppy Has Now Made It Back Home Again Missing
Puppy From Loch Street, Wick - Notified To The Forum
Our little black puppy has gone missing from Loch Street, he's only 4
months old, my little girl is distraught as he belongs to her. He is
wearing a pale blue collar with white spots.
Please if you see him can you ring me on 07849 990151
Update Missing Girl - 3 February - Police Have Now Notified She Has
Been Found.
Police Looking For Missing Thurso Girl
Future Options For
John O'Groats
Saturday 9th February 2008 - Seaview Hotel, John O'Groats - 11.00am -
3.00pm The Caithness and North Sutherland Partnership team invites members of
the public to drop in for general discussion on options for the future of
John O'Groats. Views will contribute to a draft plan for further
consultation.
GONE IN 90 SECONDS.....DOUNREAY CLEAN-UP ACCELERATED IN NEW VIDEO It's already been cut from 100 years to 25 years. Now, the timescale
for cleaning up and knocking down Dounreay has been accelerated to just 90
seconds in a new video showing how the site will look when decommissioning
is complete. The animated flyover shows how the site will disappear over
the coming years as more of the fast reactor experiment is cleaned out and
demolished. Demolition of the site's fuel fabrication plant earlier this
month took the total to 100 facilities to have been cleared so far. An
intensive phase of work over the next decade or so will see major
facilities such as reactor buildings and reprocessing plants also
disappear from the skyline.
Next Online Quiz In Caithness.org Flashchat
The online quiz organised by regulars in the forum has been running for
some years and continues to be fun on a Sunday evening. Only Forum
members can get into Flashchat to play in the quiz.
Another Post Office But the Sentiments The Same For Pultneytown Post
Office Campaign
Lets See As Many Folk On Monday At South School - Monday 4th
February 6.00pm -
You Don't Really Need To Live In Pulteneytown To Complain - It's a Busy
PO!!!
We Did Not All Have Babies To Protest At The Maternity Downgrading At
Caithness General
This film was made by protestors in 2005 but the problem and the
sentiments are still the same
Is anyone going to make wee film and put it on Youtube to help
Pultneytown? - Take your video cameras.
New Highland Housing Register Means Applicants Must Re-Register
The six main providers of rented accommodation in the Highlands have
joined forces to make it easier for applicants on housing waiting lists to
access housing. The Highland Council together with the five housing
associations operating in the Highlands - Albyn; Cairn; Lochaber; Lochalsh
& Skye; and Pentland - have produced a single housing register and this
week 15,000 applicants on the waiting lists of the agencies will be sent a
new housing application form to complete. The new application form means
people who want to be housed by the Council or any of the housing
associations with housing in the Highlands will only have to fill in a
single form. Previously applicants had to complete separate Housing
Application Forms for each landlord. However anyone who is on a housing
list with any of the landlords just now will have to fill in a new form.
BT May Scrap More Telephone Boxes As Usage Falls As Mobile Phone Use
Soars Gibson calls for national plan for threatened
phone boxes Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibso0n has lodged a motion in the
Scottish Parliament calling for a national plan to be drawn up by BT
before any more phone boxes are removed in Scotland. Mr Gibson motion
comes in the wake of an announcement from BT who wish to scrap many under
used phone boxes.
Head
to the hills for top class tuition - SCAET Bursary available The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Limited Grouse & Hillkeepers'
Course is widely regarded as one of the best practical and participative
upland management courses in the UK, and it returns to the Angus Glens
this spring. Held every two years, the five-day course will take place on
the Invermark Estate by kind permission of Lord Dalhousie on 21st to 25th
April 2008. The course offers a superb programme of talks, demonstrations,
discussions and practical participative training plus the opportunity to
meet countryside management experts. The Scottish Countryside Alliance
Educational Trust will once again be offering a full bursary for one
delegate to attend this excellent course which attracts participants from
across the UK.
A Couple
Of Films On Caithness Stone and Slates From Grandma Productions
A couple of films by local short film producer GrandmaDig Productions help
add some colour to the Quarries page. The first film Waltzing the Stones
was made for the BBC
Highland Lives project where several other folk had a go at making
films about Caithness and other parts of Highland. See more Caithness
short films at
GrandmaDig who also made the film of the Burns Supper at
Auckengill below.
Highland Council Invests �431,000 In Home For Elderly At Pulteney House,
Wick
Pulteney House, Wick, a care home for 18 older people, was officially
reopened today (Friday 1st February) following a �431,000 refurbishment.
This is the sixth Highland run care home to be refurbished under the
Council's programme of improvements at a total cost so far of �2.3
million. Residents were delighted to be able to return to the building
which has seen improvements to comply with fire regulations and improved
access for disabled people as well as redecoration and renewal of the
carpets.
Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Closure Of Pulteneytown Post
Office A public meeting will be held at South School, Wick on Monday 4th
February at 6.00pm to discuss the proposed closure by the Post Office
of the branch at Pulteneytown. A representative from the Post Office will
be there to answer questions. Local councillors will also be there to try
to gauge public opinion on this important matter. A film crew from Japan
may also be present as this is an important topic in Japan where the
Postal Service has been privatised and there are many protests going on
there also about the reduction particularly in rural areas.
Post Office Consultation On Closures Web Site
Thurso
Represented At Celtic Connections In Glasgow Thurso
was well represented at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow last
weekend.
On Friday last a Thurso couple, Alison Birnie and Fraser Bain performed
some of their own music at the Danny Kyle Open Stage event - a much sought
after gig held each night in the Royal Concert hall.
Variety Concert And Dance - 8th February - Thurso
Macmillan Cancer Support are holding a Variety Concert & Dance in The
Royal British Legion, Thurso on Friday 8th February 2008 at 7.30pm. Dance
Music by Addie Harper. Raffle, Light Supper, Tombola. Tickets 8.00. For
tickets phone Sheila on 01847821374
Louise Shakespear, the Macmillan Cancer nurse, is participating in The
Annapurna Experience, which is a Trek across Nepal. This will be the 5th
Trek which Louise has taken part in and to date she has raised 20,000
pounds for Macmillan Cancer. Her personal target is 25,000 and this
concert is to help Louise reach her target.
The Artists are :- Strathspey & Reel Band - The Big Band - Caithness
Dialect by Nona Mackay - Elise Lyall Highland Dancers - Singing by Magnus
McLeod - Alexander on Accordian - Singing from Kane Cameron
Burns Night Celebrations at Auckengill Hall, Caithness 2008
