Wick Team Amongst Prize Winners At ICT Youth Challenge A team from Wick won the prize for demonstrating the best
use of communications in the BT sponsored category of the ICT
Youth Challenge. The Mini-Tek team from Wick won a visit to BT's
Futurology Lab in Ispwich. While there they will be able to pitch
their idea for a multimedia belt offering a range of innovative
features to sports users to make their fitness activities more
enjoyable to the "BT Dragons".
Lorna Gunn On The Radio - Posted on Caithness.org Forum by
Badger
Heard a mention at the beginning of this programme yesterday
morning that there was to be something about a postmistress in
Caithness so wondered if it was Lorna but somehow missed the item
and have only just got around to listening again. I used to be a
customer at Latheron and, like so many, was very sad when she was
forced to retire and close the Post Office. It was such a special
place with always a fire burning - combination of old and new.
Lorna took being "computerised" in her stride. She must now be in
her late 80's. You can hear her version of My Space on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/saturdaylive/my_space.shtml about
8 mins into the programme.
Photo
County Snooker Singles 2008 -
When? : Saturday 28th June 2008 � 10.00am Sharp
Where? : Starts at 10.30am sharp after draw- In the Royal British
Legion. Entry Fee -: �5
Contact Derek Johnston on -: 0790 77 55 777 to enter.
Names to be in by Friday 27th of June to Derek Johnston.
22 June 2008
The Race Is On As Drilling Rig Is Set Up At Lybster For Caithness
Oil Ltd
As the oil price rises ever higher suddenly the rush is on to
bring in oil on land at Lybster. This will be only the
second place in the UK to have a land based oil rig. Caithness Oil
is a London-based company with interests in Scotland and Morocco.
The field, in the Inner Moray Firth, was discovered two decades
ago but was considered too expensive by the major oil companies to
drill using offshore platforms. The rig is up At Lybster and plant
and machinery is rapidly being brought in as can be seen by the
huge tanks that arrived at Wick harbour on Saturday. Will
this new feature on the Caithness skyline be joined by others if
the oil price keeps rising?
RUMSTER RUMBLE RAMBLE AND RIDE - Sat 28 June. Schools out for Summer! A Family Fun Nature Treasure Hunt
Event.
On Foot, Mountain Bike or Horse at Rumster Forest with Free BBQ.
Joint event with Forestry Commission & HC Countryside Rangers.
Horse and Mountain Bikes Welcome.
Come prepared for the Scottish Summer! Free Venison BBQ & Fruit
Juice for completion of the hunt! Meet Rumster Forest `Paddock` by
Lybster. Follow the Signs from the A9 and A99. Bookings only taken
at the District Office on 01862 810359. Contact Event Leader:
Stephen Fraser on 07771833377 for More Details.
Apologies from Wick Tri Club The Wick Triathlon Club have sent out an apology to all
hopeful participants for cancelling the Junior Triathlon today due
to bad weather.
Pipers Trail At Wick Is A Huge Success The
Pipers Trail arrived in Wick and spent the morning
teaching young people pipes and drums in schools at the TA Hall
and the Pipe Band hall. the trail is being run to celebrate
100 years of the Territorial Army.
ARMY
MARCHES INTO CAITHNESS AS PART OF 460 MILE JOURNEY - Today At Wick
2.00pm
The Pipers� Trail brings musical spectacle to Thurso, Wick and
John O'Groats
The Army in Scotland�s main effort to mark the centenary of the
Territorial Army (TA 100), comes to Wick today (21st June 2008) as
part of its 470 mile Pipers� Trail march through Scotland, calling
upon all local musicians to join them along the way.
This leg of The Trail will began with pipers and drummers coming
off the ferry in Thurso yesterday evening (20th June)and
proceeding onto Wick where there was piping and drumming workshops
and a full musical display. The Trail will also visit John
O'Groats (22nd June). This is the first time the Army has staged
anything on this scale in Scotland and provides local battalions
with a unique opportunity to meet and interact with communities in
a fun and expressive way.
Thurso
High Pupil Was Finalist At Highland Young Musician Of The Year Cellist Robin Nelson, aged 16 and a pupil at Fortrose Academy is
the Highland Young Musician of the Year after winning the
competition held on Monday evening at the Drummossie Hotel. Fellow
pupil and cellist Stephen Laidlaw was runner up while Nairn
pianist, Bethany King , 13 years old was named most promising
talent. The other two finalists were clarinet player Erica
Sinclair (16) from Thurso High School and trombonist Alister More
(16) from Tain Royal Academy. All five young musicians currently
perform in Highland Regional music groups.
17 June 2008
Change to Council's Bulky Uplift Service
As of 1 July 2008 The Highland Council will be changing its policy
for the bulky uplift service for certain household wastes, by
removing bagged or other contained excess household waste from the
list of approved items. This amendment to the service is designed
to help improve the environment by reducing the amount of waste
going to landfill. It will also support the Council
Administration's commitment to increase the amount of waste
recycled in the Highlands to 40% by 2010.
Council Calms Traffic At Four More Schools Part time 20mph speed limits have been introduced at another
four Highland schools. The new speed limits operate when pupils
are arriving and departing from Ullapool High, and Ullapool,
Bower and Crossroads Primaries during term times.
The Campaign
To Save Wick Tax Office Has Begun - 24 Jobs May Go As
another threat to jobs in the county gets underway with Her
Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) "CHANGE REVIEW" the campaign to save
the jobs in Wick has also started. Politicians and
individuals are currently looking closely at the situation and
making responses to the appropriate people. The possibility of
losing yet more jobs from Caithness at a time when the rundown of
Dounreay is beginning to loom ever closer takes us closer to
economic meltdown than ever before. With a
Regeneration project
in place for Dounreay trying to replace jobs it seems the
government's ideas may be partially thwarted by departmental
reviews coming from other ideas to get value for money and make
savings that have unintended but dire consequences for the
well-being of Caithness. The campaign aims to point out the
socio-economic outcomes and the potential to bring more jobs
rather than take them away that represents good value for the
taxpayer as well as for Caithness. Via Caithness.org we will
try to keep you informed of the actions and progress being made.
Time is short as the review will be completed by 6th August. If
you want to add your voice some suggestions are made inside.
A link to the section is now in the left hand column on this page.
Relay
For Life Launched In Caithness The Cancer Research UK Relay For Life is an overnight team event in
support of those living with cancer and in memory of those who we've
lost through it. The event is to be held in
Caithness for the first time this year. It will take place at Sir
George's Park (The Dammies) in Thurso on 30/31 August 2008 and will last
for 12 hours (6pm - 6am). Teams of 8-15 people take turns around a track, with a
minimum of one person per team on the track at all times. You can walk,
run, crawl, hop, skip or jump your way around. It is not a race, it's
not about distance, and it�s about supporting those for whom cancer does
not sleep. Want to form your own team for this great cause then read
on.......Link now on this page left hand column.
16 June 2008
580 Properties To Buy Or Rent Now on Caithness.org There is plenty to choose from if you are thinking about
moving to the far north of Scotland. The Caithness.org
property section continues to grow and attracts over 5000 visitors
a day checking them out. New properties are added almost
every day. Whether you are looking to buy a propertyor looking for a property to rentstart on these pages. If you
are thinking about moving to the area but want to check it out why
not rent a holiday cottage or flat for week and take
time to visit each part of the county properly. If you want
to stay for just a few days there are plenty of Bed & Breakfasts or HotelsandCaravan Sites.
Missing
Person - Wick Police in Wick are becoming increasingly concerned about a
fifteen year old girl who has been missing from home since Friday
13th June. She is described as approximately 5'2" tall, slim
build, with straight shoulder length light brown hair and blue
eyes. She was last seen wearing a black 'Helly Hansen' jacket,
blue jeans and white/pink 'Nike' trainers. She is possibly in the
Thurso/Halkirk area.
Any person with information please contact Wick Police on 01955
603551. Information can also be left anonymously by using
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111.
Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre AGM
Canisbay & Dunnet Day Care Centre AGM is on Monday, 16th June at
7.30 pm in Canisbay Hall. New members are urgently required.
Young Caithness Musicians Join Up With Ross-shire Wind Band -
Support Their Local Concert
The Caithness Schools Wind Band who are joining forces with the
Ross-shire Schools Wind Band, are travelling to France on
Wednesday 18 June to perform in several concerts as part of the
Fete de la Musique. On their way, they are stopping off in Alness
to perform at the Alness Highland Games. The Caithness Schools
Wind Band are holding a concert at Thurso High School on Monday 16
June at 7.30pm. Various soloists who performed in the recent Music
Festival, and the Thurso High School Choir will also be
performing. Tickets �2 and �1.
Want to Learn About Archaeological Digs By Doing It? - Then
Read On......
Is anybody interested in helping excavate at the ecclesiastical
site at Ballachly, Dunbeath.
They are opening several large wide trenches and are in need of
some diggers ( human not mechanical !). No experience is necessary
as on site training will be given. All that is needed is stout
footwear, appropriate clothing, a packet lunch and your trusty
flask. Directions - Please park at the mill car park
signposted from the A9 and walk up the Strath path for about
700metres. You will see the site on your Right hand side. Times - Work should be taking place seven days a week, from
between 10 am and 4pm. You will be made most welcome even for a
short time. Work will be continuing from now (today 14th June )
until 11th/ 12th of July
Towards A Sustainable Future For Castletown - Your Opinion Is
Wanted The Old Parish Church, built in 1840 served the parish until 1929.
In order to help build up a picture of public opinion on possible
ways forward for the village, the Princes Trust for the
Regeneration of the Built Environment has asked
Castletown Heritage Society to research the feeling of the
community on the future of the old parish church.
The Longest Day Bike
Ride
On Saturday 21st June 2008, 45 members of UK adventure motorcycle
owners web forum
xrv.org.uk will ride from John O'Groats to Lands End non-stop
� 874 miles in under 24 hours, raising funds for
Macmillan Cancer Support The �5000 goal looks like being
broken. Bikes will be arriving from Thursday the 19th and leave at
4am Saturday the 21st June. 45+ bikes are already booked in and
some people will be joining in for a part of the way.
North Airports Strike Update Highlands and Islands Airports
Limited today confirmed that Inverness Airport will not be
affected by strike action called by trades union Unite for 23 June
and 4 July. The news came following local discussions between
airport management and members of the Airport Fire Service. This
means that the majority of the airport�s traffic can operate as
normal on the days of industrial action. However, flights between
Inverness and Stornoway, Kirkwall and Sumburgh airports may be
disrupted due to strike action at the island airports.
10 June 2008
Wick Training Centre - Courses Photo
Editing - Basic Computing - Microsoft Word
Starts Week Commencing 16th June - 41 Murchison St, Wick
For Further Details Contact - Colin Stewart 01955 606950
9 June 2008
Wick Girls Group Members Gain Emergency First Aid Certificates Wick
Girls Group all successfully achieved an Emergency First Aid
Certificate. Upon completion of a training course in North
Highland College, Wick. Group Leader Mhariann Plowman said that
�the girls recently visited the Wick Ambulance Station and
thoroughly enjoyed their visit. They were keen to build on their
experience so I contacted Billy Nicholson who was able to provide
a certificated first aid course appropriate to their average age
of 13/14�. All of the girls are very proud of their achievement
and enjoyed the first aid training course, which was funded by
Caithness YouthBank. Wick Girls Group operates on Thursday
evenings from the Community Learning and Leisure Building. They
undertake a variety of interesting outings that challenge and
develop young girls form S1 onwards. For more information contact
Mhariann Plowman on 01955 605932. Pictured form left to right
Kimberley Fraser, Viv Gunn, Erin Sutherland, Faye Cormack, Chloe
Graham, Becky Plowman, Rachel Graham, Anna Falconer, Mhariann
Plowman, Lauren McWilliam Front row, Catherine Crawford, Amy Gunn,
Louise Robertson and Chloe Plowman.
Wick To Lybster By Sea - Another Caithness Field Club Outing
Wick to Lybster was the section of the trip Bill took on Sunday
8th June 2008 with the
Caithness Field Club on the
M V
Freedom. The boat however made a return journey from
Lybster to Wick with the other half of the Field Club passengers.
A mini-bus ferried one party to Lybster and then took the first
group back to Wick but not until teas, cakes and sandwiches had
been consumed at the Waterlines centre at the harbour.
Halkirk Gala Sunset Walk
Halkirk Gala had a great turnout for their first ever 14 mile
charity Sunset Walk. About 120 people decided it was good
night for a longish walk in aid of charities. They were
piped out of the field after first having had an aerobics warm up
to music. Later they returned to a barbecue and cold beer.
This looks like it could become a growing feature for Halkirk Gala
in years to come.
Potential Pentland Firth Electricity by Bill Mowat This
article 'Potential Pentland Firth Electricity' generation was
commissioned by the Energy Institute; it appears in this month's
edition of its magazine aimed mainly at the renewables sector
called 'Energy World'; its monthly 'Petroleum Review' covers
international oil and gas matters. Bill Mowat hopes that his
article will stimulate some debate on this important issue that
has huge potential for both Caithness, Scotland and the whole of
the UK. Read the article and then head for the Caithness.org forum HERE to add your comments or
views on this important issue. More
about Pentland Firth
Thurso Bay Raft Race
The annual raft race took place at Thurso Bay on Saturday 7th
June.
7 June 2008
Caithness Girl In Highland Young Musician of the Year Competition Five young finalists from Thurso, Fortrose, Nairn and Tain
will be competing next week for the title of Highland Young
Musician of the Year. Each of the talented musicians will perform
solo for 20 minutes in front of an audience and a judging panel at
the Drumossie Hotel on Monday 16 June. While Professor Pete
Stollery, Head of Music at Aberdeen University, Jennifer Martin
BBC Education Manager with Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Alison
Lawrance, Principal cellist with the Scottish Ensemble are
deliberating, last years winner, Graham MacKenzie, a 5th year
pupil at Culloden Academy will play the violin. He will then be
invited to present the trophy to the 2008 winner. All of the
finalists currently perform in Highland Regional music groups.
They are; clarinet player Erica Sinclair (16) from Thurso High
School, two cellists from Fortrose Academy, Stephen Laidlaw
(18) and Robin Nelson (16), pianist Bethany King (13) from Nairn
Academy and Alister More (16) from Tain Royal Academy who will be
playing the trombone.
Caithness Music Festival
Unfortunately Bill Fernie was unable to attend the music festival
this year to take photos due to being away every day on council
business. Fortunately local photographer Louise Bain was
there and she has posted 60 photos on her web site.
Go HERE to see them all
4 June 2008
North Coast Parish Church And Two Primary Schools Combine To
Provide Fresh Water In Malawi
"North
Coast Parish Church is combining with Reay and Melvich Primary
Schools to provide 7 Fresh-Water Shallow Wells for Northern
Malawi. These will be sited near two Christian Hospitals and
provide a minimum of 100 gallons of fresh clean water per day. The
cost for each well is �175 and they are being built on site in
conjuction with Marion Medical Mission
www.marionmedical.org
during September this year."
Caithness Angler Takes Record Fish When Caithness anglers Ronald MacKenzie and Raymond Millard
set out for the day fly fishing on Loch Heilan, little did they
know that they would end up in the record books for the second
time in the space of 12 months. On 8th June 2007 the pair were out
fishing on Loch Heilan when Millard hooked a huge Brown Trout
which eventually tipped the scales at 10lbs 12ozs. At the time,
this was recorded as the biggest wild Brown Trout to be caught in
Caithness in living memory. That record stood until Monday 2nd
June 2008 when this time it was Ronald MacKenzie who successfully
hooked and landed an absolute monster of a fish weighing in at
11lbs 10ozs!
Old Pulteney Prohibition Ball raises over �5260 for the Royal
National Lifeboat Institution Last
Friday (30 May 2008) saw the annual Old Pulteney Prohibition Ball
being held at the Pulteney Distillery in Wick. Beating last year's
record intake, an astonishing �5265 were raised and donated to
Wick's RNLI Station. The ball took place to commemorate the repeal
of prohibition in Wick and was held for the second time, after its
inauguration in 2007. In a marquee that was erected especially for
the occasion in the distillery's courtyard, and fueled with
entertainment by local band KW1, a fantastic after dinner
performance by Tom Morton was enjoyed by a lively crowd, who
contributed greatly to the chosen charity through ticket sales and
a silent auction. Fine dining, dancing, superb prizes and a
fantastic atmosphere ensured a great evening for the local
community. A further highlight of the evening was the recognition
of James McCaughey, a local boatbuilder and businessman, who was
awarded with the Old Pulteney Maritime Achievement Award.
3 June 2008
Your
Chance To Learn To Paint Over
the course of the next few weeks CHS will be hosting a series of
art painting classes for beginners in Castlehill Heritage Centre.
The tutor for the sessions will be local Castletown artist Helen
Moore who specialises in oils, acrylics and oil pastels. The
sessions will run for six consecutive Mondays starting with a free
introductory session on Monday 9th June. Sessions will run from
7-9pm and cost �8 per evening plus materials. To book a place
contact [email protected] or come along to the free
taster session on Monday 9th June.
SNH To Open New
Visitor Facilities At
Achanarras Quarry - (near Halkirk)
13 June 2008 -
10.30 am to 12.30 pm
opening of new visitor facilities
&
exciting New Fossil Finds at Achanarras 2.00 to 3.30 pm
-
Fossil Hunt an afternoon with
experts on hand to help you to try to find a fossil !
5.00 pm -
Environmental Research Institute,
Thurso �The
world-famous fossil fish
of Achanarras Quarry�
Caithness Relay for Life 2008 -
Launch Events The first of the launch nights is going to be held on Thursday 5th
June at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso, starting at 7.30pm. The second
launch night is going to be held on Friday 13th June at The Waterfront,
Wick, starting at 7.30pm. The Cancer Research UK Relay For Life is an
overnight team event in support of those living with cancer and in memory
of those who we've lost through it. The event is to be held in Caithness
for the first time this year. It will take place at Sir George's Park (The
Dammies) in Thurso on 30/31 August 2008 and will last for 12 hours (6pm -
6am)..........more
2 June 2008
Free Parent and Child Rock N Roll Class - Tuesday 10th, 17thand 24th
June - 6.30 - 7.30pm
The classes will be held at Miller Academy Gym Hall - All primary 1 to
primary 7 children welcome (kids must be accompanied by an adult). All
participants must wear soft shoes. Anyone interested in more info or
wishing to book a place should contact - Kenny Russell, Active schools
coordinator, Community learning, Princes St. 01847 895782, 07899 001045
Community Woodlands Photography Competition - Get Your Local Woodland
Noticed Community
Woodlands Association is sponsoring a Community Woodlands
Photography Competition. Individual Prizes - First, second and third
prizes will be awarded in each of three age groups. First prize winners in
each category will have their images reproduced as one of a set of four
postcards to be distributed nationwide. The judges for the age group
categories will include Matthew Dalziel of the artistic partnership
Dalziel + Scullion
www.dalzielandscullion.com A fourth, individual prize will be
selected from all the other entries by CWA Directors. The winner in this
category will also have their image reproduced as a postcard to make up
the set of four. Community Woodland Prize - There is also a prize for one
lucky Community Woodland member group. The prize will be a fantastic one
day photography workshop with a professional photographer, for up to 10
participants. The photographer will be selected by CWA and we will also be
able to offer support to arrange the event and take bookings if you would
like help. All you have to do is provide the woodland venue. The winning
community woodland will be chosen via a prize draw. All entries, submitted
by the 1st September 2008 deadline, will go into a 'hat' and the workshop
prize will be awarded to the first member woodland out the 'hat'.
Full details and entry forms at www.communitywoods.org
Cruise The Caithness Coast - FRIDAY 6th June 7PM FROM WICK
HARBOUR
Join the Freedom Charter & 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 ~ �12 per
person.
For further information or to book a place, please contact Highland
Council Ranger Marina Swanson
on 01955607758 or e-mail [email protected] THIS EVENT IS WEATHER DEPENDENT!
Caithness Crews Heads For The Scottish Tarmac Championship Round 3 The second World War airfield at Crail, Astruther, Fife will host the
third round of the Scottish Tarmac Championship on 14th and 15th June.
Unusually this single venue event is being held over two days, comprising
of 8 stages on the Saturday followed by 8 on the Sunday totalling 96
competitive mile made up of 85% tarmac 10% loose and 5% gravel. The event
has attracted teams from all over Scotland and England, comprising of
World Rally Car machinery, group N and clubman spec cars. Five Caithness
Car Club Crews will be travelling the 260 miles down to compete in this
eagerly awaited event.
Photo
Editing - Basic Computing - Microsoft Word
