29 July 2008
The Big Gig 2008 For Thurso Gala Week
The
Big Gig returns as part of Thurso Gala Week on Saturday 9th August and
runs from 2.00pm - 11.30pm at the Dammies. This years line up of
bands includes "Bad Reputations", "Crimson Tide", "falter", "MEGAWATT",
"NOEXITWOUND", "Saxifer", "chaos monkey" and "prolific"
See the most up to date version of
Thurso Gala Programme
Also
It's A Knockout
Carole
Sutherland Saxophone Course
27
- 28th September - Lyth Arts Centre
Carole Sutherland is an experienced performer and educator and is a
pioneer of �classical� saxophone playing in Scotland. Since graduating
from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1999 she performs
regularly with all of Scotland�s professional orchestras and maintains
an active diary of solo and chamber recitals. Carole teaches saxophone
at Napier University, Stevenson College Edinburgh and the RSAMD Junior
School and for the Carole Sutherland Saxophone Course will be joined by
a team of professional musicians including two specialist saxophone
tutors.
Cancer Research Relay For Life - E Doubtful Foot Pirates
Our team has people who work in Dounreay, BT, Halkirk Garage and W D
Ross Painters. We are called E-Dou'BT-Fool Pirates We are dressing up as
pirates on the night and for our fundraising we have a Treasure Island
Map with hidden prizes in the squares, Lucky Dip, Guess the Teddy Bear
Birthday and an Anagram Sheet. We also have hand made cards for sale.
THURSO GALA WEEK
BOAT SEA ANGLING COMPETITION
Saturday 9th August 2008 � 6pm to 10pm -From Scrabster Harbour Heaviest
Fish Prize - Heaviest Bag Prize
Entry Fee is �20 (�15 for the boat & �5 for the prize fund) to be paid
in advance and accompanied with a completed booking form available from
Harpers Tackle, 57 High Street, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8AZ, Phone 01847
893179. Completed entry forms to be received by Harpers Tackle Shop not
later then 12 noon on Saturday 9th August 2008. Please phone Harpers on
Saturday to confirm suitable weather conditions. Should the weather be
unfavourable then entry fees will be returned in full. Harpers Tackle
have a wide range of sea fishing tackle available and will happily give
advice on your requirements for the competition.
Extra Caithness Funding Starts To Make A Difference
Extra funding made available by the Scottish Government to assist
the economic regeneration of Caithness, is being spent across a rigorous
programme of activities driven by Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE).
Twelve million pounds of additional funding was promised to the area for
commitment to projects between 2007-2010. An update by HIE area manager
Roy Kirk, shows that �1.6m has already been allocated with some
ambitious plans now in the pipeline.
28 July 2008
Wick Gala 2008 - still more to come later.......
133 - 144
145 - 156
97 - 108
109 - 120
121 -132
Sandside Gardens Open
Day Busier Than Ever Despite The Fog
There was a record attendance and result for the public opening of
Sandside House Gardens near Reay on Sunday 27th July. Despite rather
gloomy weather, the beautiful gardens, delicious home-made teas, vintage
cars, stalls and a cheese stand, the opening attracted a record number
of visitors ranging from locals who regularly attend to tourists and
raised a unbeaten sum of just over �1,000 for two local charities.
27 July 2008
Wick Gala 2008
61 - 72
73 - 84
85 96
25 - 36
37 - 48
49 - 60
13 - 24
1 - 12
25 July 2008
Kite Cam View Of Castle Of Old Wick
A camera slung under a kite in the right hands can produce some great
views that could only be obtained by a helicopter. Expert kite
flier Grant Golding shows here what can be done with a kite, a digital
camera and special remote controlled rig. Think about it - a kite
flying back and forth, up and down and a rig to point the camera in any
direction all on the move. You have to think fast and click even
faster to get good shots.
Kite Cam Index
Former Thurso High Pupil On Holiday In Thurso Would Like To Hear From
Former Classmates
Sheila Maidment is here on holiday from South Africa. She went
to Thurso High 1964 -1967. Any old friends can contact her by
email [email protected]
23 July 2008
Thurso and Wick Gala Programmes
Wick Gala 26th July - 2nd August 2008
Thurso Town Improvements Gala
2nd to 10th August 2008
And don't forget
Halkirk
Highland Games - Saturday 26th July
20 July 2008
Caithness County Show 2008 - More Photos - Even More To Come Later
49 - 60
61 - 72
73 - 84
85 - 96
Wick Lifeboat & Regatta Day � Saturday 19th July 2008
1
- 12
13 - 24
25 - 36
Caithness County Show 2008 Photos
1 -
12
13 - 24
37 - 48
Departing Yacht
Regatta At Wick Re-scheduled Due To Strong Winds On Sunday
Yachts now to leave Wick at 10.30am Monday 21st July
Join the Geo Explorer to view the departing yacht regatta at 10.30am. Wick
bay will be full of sailing yachts and local boats dressed over for the
occasion. During the 75 minute trip we will follow the yachts along the
coast and also visit local bird colonies, caves and natural arches. 10% of
the fares will be donated to Wick RNLI. Booking essential.
18 July 2008
Global Xchange Volunteers From Bangladesh Coming To Caithness - Can You
Help?
Global
Xchange in Caithness will be bringing nine young people from Bangladesh
together with nine British youngsters, to give 6000 hours of voluntary
service to the local community. The young people are one of seven groups
arriving in the UK this September for three months, before spending three
months in their counterpart country. This is the second time Caithness has
taken part in the exchange run by VSO and the British Council, which
brings together young people from the UK and Bangladesh. The previous
Global Xchange in Caithness, saw young people from Malawi and the UK
living and working in the borough. Global Xchange is supported by BAA
Communities Trust, a charity set up by airports operator BAA, which has
donated more than �600,000 towards the programme since 2004, and by the
youth volunteering charity �v�. Becca Thompson, Caithness Global Xchange
programme supervisor, said: �We are interested in hearing from those who
may have volunteer placements or friendly homes able to host international
volunteers for three months. Hosts are offered a weekly allowance towards
accommodation and food costs and will be supported by two project
supervisors. It�s a chance to learn a little bit about Bangladesh, and
take part in a successful and innovative community project.�
Ormlie Fun Day - Saturday 19th July 2008 2.00 - 4.00pm
Ormlie Community Association is holding its annual fun day this Saturday
(19th) at the Ormlie Centre, Henderson Street, Thurso from 2.00 � 4.00 pm.
This year�s event will be officially opened by David Brookfield, Chief
Executive, Pentland Housing Association. The event is very much a
community run day which will begin with local piper Hugh McPhee welcoming
people with the swirl of the pipes. Throughout the afternoon local band
Diesel and Dust with entertain residents with an eclectic range of rock
and pop music. There will be the usual stalls including hot dogs, bottle
stall, baking stall, bric-a-brac, quality seconds, candy floss, lucky dip,
raffles, and refreshments. For children there will be the bouncy castle,
kids tombola, funny face board, face painting, guess the sweeties and a
chalk drawing competition.
17 July 2008
SANDSIDE GARDENS - OPEN DAYS Sunday 27th July and Sunday 10th August
2 P.M. TO 5 P.M
-
For charities - SUNDAY 27TH JULY 60% Crossroads and 40% Reay Garden
Club - SUNDAY 10TH AUGUST 100% SSPCA - CLASSIC CARS AND MOTORBIKES FREE
ENTRY TO SANDSIDE CUP
Warning To All Businesses - School Books Sponsorship Back Again
- Say No No No
We have been contacted this morning by a company purporting to be a
publishing media company asking us to name the school for books to go to
that we agreed to back in February. We did not agree
to any sponsorship but they hope you cannot remember and will say yes.
This has arisen before and the director of Education, Culture and Sport issued
instructions to all schools in Highland telling them not to get involved
with such companies. Therefore the schools do not need or want any
books via this type of supposed sponsorship no matter how good it sounds.
See THIS WEB site for a sample of what can happen. Always
check with a school before you name them. Do not get sucked into
agreeing to anything with these publishing companies or you may get a
large invoice to pay. Ask to see a copy of the contract. They
may say they have tape of the original phone call. Do not agree to
anything. Challenge there assertions that they have you on tape as
this is them trying to bully you into agreeing to pay for the books.
Be on your guard and do not agree to accept anything from them. There may be books for a school but the schools do not
want them and you will pay out money for something they do not need,
already have or do not want - A waste of money and you will have been
conned. Tell all other business you know as soon as possible to help
everyone. We have made arrangements to issue a wider press release
and warning to other education authorities in Scotland.
15 July 2008
Miller
Academy 1962 - P2
Photo
sent by Steven Miller. Steven says this is the last photo for that
1962 Centenary year.
Miller Academy Schooldays
Main Index
Main Schooldays Index
14 July 2008
Caithness
County Show 18th & Saturday 19th July
This year all the action for the Caithness County Show will be at
Scrabster Farm. The
Show Day programme has something for everyone.
Wick Lifeboat & Regatta Day
� Saturday 19th July
Wick Lifeboat Day welcomes the Moray Firth Sailing Regatta! Wick
Lifeboat Day on Saturday 19th July will see Wick Harbour bustling with
sailing yachts of all sizes from the yacht clubs of the Moray Firth. Over
thirty sailing yachts will race to Wick, arriving in time to join in the
annual Lifeboat Day festivities featuring a full afternoon and evening of
entertainment. Festivities start at 2.00pm with all the usual Lifeboat Day
stalls selling everything from fresh fish to RNLI Tee shirts. The RNLI BBQ
is always a great favourite with local butcher�s beef burgers and hot
dogs. Vessels moored at the pontoons welcoming visitors include Wick�s
latest Trent class lifeboat and Wick�s traditional fishing boat �Isabella
Fortuna�. Fascinating coastal sea trips will be offered by recently
established Caithness Seacoast in their exciting RIB Geo Explorer and the
Wick Sea Cadets will be in attendance with their training boat the
�Michael Harmsworth�. On Sunday 20th head on down to Wick harbour
about 10.30am to see the Regatta Sail-Away creating a visual feast of
colour from the sails accompanied by local boats.
Dounreay Communities Fund Supports Elise Lyall
Dancers Trip
Nine
highland dancers from Elise Lyall School of Dance has received a donation
of �300 from Dounreay Communities Fund towards their recent trip to
Canada. The group of girls from Wick, Thurso and Watten were competing in
the Scotdance Championships in Canada, giving the girls an opportunity to
get together with other highland dancers from around the world. Six of the
dancers are pictured here. From left to right: Hannah Russell, Shannon
Sutherland, Tanya Horne, Eilidh Paterson, Kirsten MacIntosh and Rebecca
Paterson.
13 July 2008
Ring Lost In
Thurso - Great Sentimental Value - Reward Offered For Return
Latheron Show 2008
Photos 145 - 153
Photos 97 - 108
109 - 120
125 - 132
133 - 144
Photos 49 - 60
61 - 72
73 - 84
85 - 96
Photos 1 - 12
13 - 24
25 - 36
37 - 48
Wind farm proposed for Halkirk area - reddeeradvocate.com
Not our Halkirk. The locals here seem to be in favour!!!
12 July 2008
Caithness Seacoast Alert - Half Hour Trips From Wick Harbour - NEXT
SATURDAY
Saturday
19th July - The 30 minute trips will begin at 12.30pm at �10 per
person regardless if adult or child (children must be or 4+). The �10 is
normally the under 16 fare for half an hour. Passengers just have to book
their trip at our booking office next to the Coastguard station and will
be put on a passenger list. Each trip will sail as soon as persons or more
are loaded. Taking short coffee/ refuelling stops between trips.
Waterproofs and lifejackets will be provided. Passengers should bring warm
clothing. Each trip will include a short harbour cruise, fun ride in Wick
bay and visit to local bird colony. 10% of fares will be donated to
Wick RNLI.
Thanks From Macmillan Cancer Support Wick Branch
Macmillan Cancer Support Wick Branch would like to thank everyone who
participated in their Walk Wonders Walk on 20 May 2008 and all who
sponsored them. �1447.66 was raised.
Wick Academy V Ross County X1 - Pre Season
Friendly - 7.00pm Monday 14th July
Harmsworth Park, Wick - �4 Adult �2 Concession
11 July 2008
Latheron Show - Saturday 12th July
Sooty Missing From Forss Area
SOOTY
- Missing from Forss area (Forss to Westfield Road). Medium male cat,
black with a few whites hairs under his chin, quite a shy timid nature,
hardly ever makes a sound, no collar. A farm cat so may be trapped in a
shed or outbuilding. Quite often wanders off but never for this long.
Please e-mail with any info:-
[email protected] or phone: 01847 895727 or 07786
556332.
10 July 2008
Agreement
Reached On New Administration of The Highland Council
The Independent, Liberal Democrat and Labour members of The Highland
Council have joined forces to form the new Administration of the Council.
Following a series of meetings, they have agreed to work together to
replace the former Independent/Scottish National Party coalition. The
Independent Group has 30 members; the Liberal Democrats, 20 and Labour 7.
The Opposition will be the Scottish National Party, 17 members, and the
Independent Members Group of 6. A special Council meeting is to be held on
Friday 1 August to confirm the new working arrangements.
Child Minding
Business Course Coming Soon To Wick
If
you have been thinking about running a Child Minding business from home
but are not sure how to start then here is your chance to take the first
steps. The 30 hour
course is spread over 7 nights running weekly from 25th August at
Caithness General Hospital, Wick. Best of all the course is
Completely FREE
What's Being Talked
About In the Caithness.org Forum
Every Day the Caithness.org forum gets over 6000 visitors and they
discuss almost anything. there are over 30,000 threads and the chance to
advertise unwanted items in the
classified ads
section all for FREE.
Sell your
car or parts. The list of subjects and topics continues to grow.
The
Photography section now has a massive collection of photos posted
by our users. Here are a few of the threads in the General section
currently being discussed.
I thought they might be from Caithness!
What gives you a Happy High
T in the park
Cosmetic Surgery would you?
Child Limits
Hospital acquired Infection.
Large Ship passing tonight
What would you say....
Lets Design A Prison !!
electric or gas?
End of the line for wick town association.
NHS Scotland vs NHS England
Meditation: what is it and what does it do for you?
wetherspoon
PSYCHIC FAIR - Sat Royal Hotel???what do you think
reincarnation...
If you could have a new name what would it be and why
Jail for those who carry knives, mandatory???
Fishing !!! Looking for fellow anglers advice?
Calling All HomebakersSpooky
Goings on in our house
Bio-fuels - not all they are cracked up to be?
Plastic Recycling � Council has it bottled!
In April 2008 The Highland Council�s TEC Services Committee gave the go
ahead to introduce facilities for plastic bottle recycling at a number of
Recycling Centres throughout Highland. Now plastic bottles marked with
either a 1 or a 2 in a small triangle can be recycled at the Centres in
Wick, Thurso, Tain, Alness, Dingwall, Inverness, Nairn , Aviemore
and Fort William. Type 1 bottles (PET) are mainly used for
fizzy drinks and type 2 (HDPE) are used as milk cartons or for detergents.
The Council urges everyone to try and make sure only bottles marked 1 and 2
are deposited in the banks as other plastics will contaminate the load,
this may lead to a need to dispose of the materials rather than recycling
them. (Tip From Bill Fernie - Remember to remove bottle tops before
you go to the recycling centre as these are not wanted due to the fact
they are made of a different type of plastic that cannot be mixed in the
recycling - Bill recently took a couple of hundred plastic bottles to the
centre for the first time and had to stand and take of all the tops)
Environment Index
New boat quite a catch for disabled anglers - Press & Journal
Custom-built vessel opens up Kyle of Sutherland even to wheelchair users.
The new boat is available for the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar Bridge.
Details - Bookings and inquiries should be made through Mr Williams on
07720 890711, angling association secretary John Blackman on 01549 421303 or
the fisheries trust office on 01863 766536.
The article claims this is the first boat of its type for disabled anglers
and this may be true if not exactly correct in that the
St John's Loch
Improvements Association right here in Caithness has offered a wheel
chair accessible boat for disabled anglers for many years. See details
HERE
Angling In Caithness
Dounreay's pioneering history is retold in 50th anniversary book
A
new book captures the remarkable story of how a remote farming area in the
Scottish Highlands was catapulted to the forefront of nuclear development 50
years ago. 'Fifty Years of Dounreay', written by William A.
Paterson and published by North of Scotland Newspapers, goes on sale July
26. It describes how the arable land of Lower Dounreay on the north coast of
Scotland was transformed by Britain�s leading nuclear physicists who pursued
their dream of finding a source of limitless, clean and cheap energy. The
official launch of the book by North of Scotland Newspapers takes place on
July 26 at Halkirk Highland Games. Or See
"The First Fifty Years by Andy Munn" on this web site.
Decommissioning Costs In The News
�73 billion cost of nuclear clean-up could rise, warn MPs -
Telegraph
MPs warn against nuclear decommissioning costs - Politics.co.uk
Nuclear clean-up cost 'to rise' - BBC
Government must ensure nuclear cleanup costs - Reuters
Demise of nuclear power stations may open doors - Wales Online
Report To the Public Accounts Committee Published 10th July 2008
Sellafield bidders await decision - Whitehaven News
FRIDAY is D-day for Sellafield � the site and its 10,000 workers will be
among the first to know the identity of their future masters under
privatisation.
Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority
Dounreay On
NDA Web Site
Dounreay Site Restoration
What Comes After Dounreay? See
Regeneration
9 July 2008
Cruise The Caithness Coast With A Caithness Ranger
7.00pm Friday 11th July From Wick Harbour
Join the Geo Explorer & local ranger to admire the beauty of the Caithness
Coast by sea; natural stone brigs, stacks & caves. Learn about the wonderful
array of wildlife including hundreds of nesting seabirds, seals & perhaps
even a whale or dolphin. Booking essential ~ �20 per person. For further
information or to book a place, please contact Kirsty Rosie on 01847 821531
or e-mail [email protected]
The Geo Explorer is available throughout the summer for trips on the East
coast of Caithness from Wick. Check out the
Caithness
Seacoast web site for more details
From Brazil To The Highlands -Two Exhibitions of Prints in Caithness
One At St Fergus Gallery, Wick and the other at Swanson Gallery, Thurso
 St
Fergus Gallery, Wick
19 July to 16 Aug
Highland Printmakers' Exhibition
ORIGINAL PRINT � an exhibition of contemporary hand-made artists'
prints |
 Swanson
Gallery, Thurso
19 July to 9 Aug
Anna Pacheco - Prints
A Hayward Touring Exhibition |
More Brains Brought To Bear On Future After Dounreay
US expert advises on north future - BBC
Regeneration Partners Making Good Progress - Regeneration
Partnership
CAREERS SCOTLAND BRINGS ROCK SCHOOL TO WICK
Inspiration
Information
Motivation
Free Rock School Workshop
Wick Youth Club - for 3 days Monday 28th July until Wednesday 30 July
Any young people aged over 13, who have an interest in music and want
inspiration, information and motivation to take their interest further.
Young people who want to attend don't need to be in a band or a proficient
musician but simply have the desire to get involved. So whether that's
playing, singing, behind the scenes or doing the technical side of things,
then Rock School is for you. It's an opportunity for young people to learn
about what it's like to be a musician and discover the skills needed to make
it in the music industry. Over the two or three days of each Rock School
there is a wide range of workshops led by local musicians.
8 July 2008
Excellent
Markmanship by Caithness Competitors At National Smallbore Rifle
Championships
Caithness shooters put on a fine display of marksmanship at the National
Small-bore Rifle Association Scottish Championship event, held at Bankend
near Dumfries last week in changeable weather conditions. Whilst overall a
clutch of medals and podium placings returned to Caithness it was the three
youngest Caithness representatives who brought home the silverware.
Photos From The Competition HERE
A Blog From A
Jogler Who Recently Completed the Cycle Run North To South
Are You Aged 15 -
30? - Do A Survey and You May Win Music Vouchers Or Belladrum Tickets
Careers Scotland H&I are being asked to support a survey of 15-30 year
olds which HIE is undertaking in relation to population growth. Help HIE
find out what young people like about the Highlands and Islands, what they
don't like and what would make a difference. The online survey can be
accessed using the following link and is quite straight forward to use -
www.youthmigration.org
New Highland Youth Convener sought - Are You Taking A Year Out
Before Uni?
The search is on for a new convener to champion the cause of young people in
the Highlands. Applicants for the position of Highland Youth Convener have
until mid-day on Wednesday 30 July to register their interest in the
12-month position, which carries a bursary of �10,000. Highland�s first
youth convener, Gillian Slider from Ullapool, completes her year in office
on 12 September. The youth convener is the sounding board for youth issues
in the Highlands and has a direct line into policy makers and decision
takers. The post holder is a member of The Highland Council�s Education
Culture and Sport Committee, with full voting powers.
Help To
Improve Highland Homes - Repair and Improvement Grants
Residents in the Highlands may be eligible for a council grant to
help towards making improvements to their home so homeowners, tenants,
crofters and landlords are being advised to check to see if they qualify for
help. Grants are available to homeowners who have lived their property for
at least 2 years and who use the property as their main residence. Disabled
homeowners are automatically entitled for help with certain improvement work
provided that the Council is satisfied that the works are necessary.
Crofters are treated as homeowners and additional help may be available to
them through the
Crofter�s Commission Croft House Grant
Scheme.
7 July 2008
Vintage Vehicles Rally At John O'Groats
Another Vintage Vehicles Rally was held on Sunday at John O'Groats.
Transport
Latest From
Caithness Motorsport
What a result for Caithness Motorsport with Allan Mackay scoring a first
in Class 5 and a second overall in his Evo while his son Gordon had a second
in class 3 and a tenth overall in a near standard Peugeot 106, Mark
Alexander in his Evo achieving 16th overall and 7th in class, all on the
third round of the Scottish Tarmac Championship which was held down at Crail,
Astruther in Fife on the 14th & 15th of June. Five Caithness crews had
entered and travelled down to compete in the event which consisted of 96
competitive miles run over 2 days.
CMXC Rd 3 Race
Report
The
early mist burned off last Saturday and Round 3 of the CMXC championship
went ahead at the Ravenshill track, the event was kindly sponsored by Robert
Menzies Transport of Bonnybridge which allowed all of the riders to take
home some well earned silverware. Every class displayed very close racing
throughout the day which in turn kept the parents and spectators engrossed.
The first race of the day was the Auto Quad class and newcomer Danny Reid
did very well throughout the day, out in front though was Jack Duffy and Ben
Mackenzie and their season long battle continued with neither lad giving an
inch around the tight track, Jack won all three races but they were so close
at the end of Race 1 it nearly required a photo finish!!
Caithness
Field Club Outing To 'Grianan', Loch Hakel Near Tongue
Caithness
Field Club members travelled to Lochan Hakel or Hakoin and then by a small
rubber dingy on to an islet some 50 metres from the edge to see a small fort
called 'Grianan'. The fort is reputed to have been a hunting
lodge of the king of Norway (1217 - 63) after whom the Loch is named.
The walls are 6 - 7 feet thick and up to 5 ft high. The single room
measures 19 by 22ft. There are no signs of doors or windows and the
door may have been higher up originally. The weather on the day was
misty and later rain on the way back round the loch. A cup and ring
stone can be found opposite the islet and has 34 cup marks and 11 of them
have rings round them.
A
Few Earlier Outings
NOTE Caithness Field Club are delighted to welcome anyone on
their outings. They can make an interesting family day out and walks
are generally short and suitable for anyone of any age.
WICK BANGER DERBY - Sunday 24th August 2008 at Hempriggs
ENTRY FORMS NOW AVAILABLE
CONTACT DAVID on 07810 824521 OR GRAEME on 07810546978
5 July 2008
Wick Pipe Band Fancy Dress
