Photos From Spring Moon Watch Event "The
north of Scotland recently joined the rest of the country
celebrating the first
MoonWatch week of the International Year of
Astronomy
Caithness Astronomy Group held 3 MoonWatch events on consecutive
nights at 3 different venues across the north of Scotland. Good
weather each night allowed people attending the events to enjoy
spectacular telescopic views of the Moon and Saturn. Those that came
along also got the chance to see and hold Moon rock brought back by
the Apollo missions and meteorite samples from the Natural History
Museum one of which was thought to have originated from Mars and
another thought to be older than the Earth itself. Other content
included talks on astronomical topics and a variety of hands-on
activities for all ages.
Caithness Astronomy The next scheduled event is an astronomy fun day on Saturday 13th
June Saturday
13th June � Thurso High School (1400-1600 and 1830-2100) FREE ENTRY - All Welcome
Come along and celebrate 400 years of the telescope and 40 years
since the Apollo 11 moon landing - Illustrated Talks - Solar
Observing
Display of telescopes and other observing equipment
� Hands-on activities for all ages, including rocket launching!
� A selection of the local astroart and astrophotography competition
entries
29 May 2009
Caithness Of The Gall and The Gael As
part of Homecoming a talk is being presented in Swanson Art Gallery,
Thurso on the 17th of June, by teacher and researcher Alasdair
Mearns about the shared culture of Caithness dialect and north coast
Gaelic. Raymond Bremner will also sing and Joan Elder recite
Caithness dialect at it. It is free of charge and refreshments will
be provided.
Great Yellow Bumblebee Blog - Can You Report Sightings and Send
Photos Bob
Dawson the Scottish Conservation Officer with the
Bumblebee Conservation Trust has been in touch to ask for
help from everyone in notifying sightings or sending photos of this
rare bee. Caithness and Sutherland are the last places on the UK
mainland where this rare bee can be found, so are particularly
special. It would be great to reach as many people as possible to
raise awareness of the bee and encourage people to look out for it,
as it will visit gardens. He said, "I was up in Caithness at
the start of Scottish Biodiversity Week and did a talk at the Park
Hotel in Thurso. I will be up again in the summer." See Full Size
The blog is at
http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bobs_blog.html
Find this link later on these pages -
Nature -
Biodiversity - Bees
28 May 2009
Highland Councillors Remuneration
and Expenses For 2008/09 Now Published
Councillors receive remuneration at Councillor or Senior
Councillor level, being paid in 12 monthly payments. They are also
entitled to claim for travel and subsistence expenses, together with
other expenses actually incurred in carrying out their duties as
Councillors. Claims for expenses can only be paid on production of
receipts. Remuneration and expenses are governed by
legislation, regulation and Council policy. There is no scope to
make additional payments to councillors outwith the regulations. In
addition to directly paid expenses, the Council also provides
councillors with equipment such as telephones and computers to
assist them in carrying out their duties.
27 May 2009
Competition 2009 "Another World" 'A
Beautiful Monster' suggests our Monster may have come from another
world ! Is there life on another planet? What is it? Where is it?
Write a story or draw a picture about life on another world... There
will be a prize for the best story and the best picture from age
groups Primary 1-2, 3-4 and 5-7. See
www.thelochofmeymonster.co.uk for more details. and attached
poster. The best school from last years competition Castletown are
currently practicing to record; 'The Loch Of Mey Monster Song' with
the author this should come out later this year. The fourth book in
the 'Loch Of Mey Monster' series
'A Beautiful Monster' is appearing step by step on You tube and of
course -
www.thelochofmeymonster.co.uk Here is the link to have a look at
the first 10 minutes read by the author -
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9z70DmISms The story will appear
in book form later in the year.
Swanson
Gallery, Thurso - Matisse: Drawing with Scissors 3rd
June - to 27the June 2009 The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse
(1869-1954) was one of the 20th century's most influential artists.
His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness
and luminosity of colour. Drawing with Scissors is a Hayward Touring
exhibition from the Southbank Centre, featuring 35 lithographic
prints of the famous cut-outs which were produced in the last four
years of his life when the artist was confined to his bed. It
includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue
Nudes.
St Fergus
Gallery, Sinclair Terrace, Wick - Precious Cargo 30th
May to 27th June 2009
2009 is Scotland's Year of Homecoming and the calendar's theme of
migration, boats and the sea reflects this. The exhibition has been
designed by Brodie Nairn and Nicky Burns from Glasstorm in Tain as
an innovative installation of closed Cargo boxes, one of which opens
every day over the festive period to reveal a new object or
contemporary 'souvenir' of the Highlands which travellers to lands
across the sea might have cherished to remind them of 'home'.
Solid Rok
Support for Highland Culture Programme
A national building company has entered into a commercial
sponsorship partnership with The Highland Council to support the
Highland Culture Programme.........Now in its third round of
funding, the Highland Culture Programme is supporting events,
festivals and other cultural activities organised by community
organisations, promoters, artists, performers, youth groups and
schools across the Highlands......Proposals are currently being
invited from applicants to apply for Highland Culture Programme
funding and these will be assessed jointly by representatives of The
Highland Council and Rok. The deadline for applications is 7 August
2009. Information on how to apply can be found on the Highland
events and festivals website at
www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com or by telephoning Fiona
Hampton on 01463 7020....
26 May 2009
Watten Village Hall Licensed Dance - Friday 29th May
Starts: 21:00
Live music with Irelands Sean Wilson and Tony Mac. Dancing, bar,
raffle in aid of Watten Hall funds.
Tickets available from Robbie Flett, 01955 621955
Location: WATTEN VILLAGE HALL
Price: �10 per ticket
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: 01955 621955 (Robbie)
Caithness Lupus Support Group
We are a registered Scottish charity based in Caithness. We provide
help and support for people with Lupus, and their families alike.
This support can come in many different forms, from a friendly ear,
to providing practical help to ensure all day-to-day needs are met.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body produces to many
antibodies. Therefore instead of protecting the body from infection
it attacks it's own healthy tissue. If you wish to find out more
about our group or learn more about lupus please go to our website
www.caithnesslupus.btik.com where you will find all the
information you need, along with details of local contacts.
HALKIRK GALA WEEK - SUNSET WALK 2009 Halkirk Village Council are organising their 2nd Sunset Walk,
which will take place on Sunday 7th June to coincide with the
start of the village Gala Week (5th - 13th June). This years walk
will start from the Recreation Park and cover a distance of 8� miles
around Harpsdale and finish at the Ross Institute. The proceeds from
this years walk are to be split among Crossroads Carers, Alzheimer�s
Scotland, CEYAC The Autism Centre and stage improvements at the Ross
Institute. Application forms can be downloaded from
thisishalkirk.co.uk website or by contacting Sonja Sinclair on 01847
831401.
Tenant Groups Help To Shape New Strategy For Housing in the
Highlands Tenant
housing group representatives from across the Highlands have been
working with The Highland Council to produce a new strategy that
puts tenant involvement and communication very much at the centre of
future housing service delivery and development. Launched on Monday
25 May 2009 the strategy replaces The Highland Council's previous
strategy and, running up to 2012, it aims to improve opportunities
for tenant participation across Highland and develop and maintain
effective working relationships to progress the design and delivery
of housing services.
Can You Help With the Corncrake Survey? - From James Horner RSPB
I am working for the RSPB and am based in Caithness for the next
eight weeks following up historical records of Corncrake in the area
and also visiting Sutherland and some areas of Wester Ross. We
managed to hear two birds in the vicinity of Durness on Tuesday
night/Wednesday morning but I have not been so lucky locally. Most
people I have spoken to have said birds have been here but not in
the last few years. I would be very interested to hear as soon
as birds are heard locally even if they are on suspected passage
north. I have regular email access at
[email protected]
but can also be contacted on these numbers:- 07951757609 or
07590441397 Any information would be gratefully received.
Thankyou - James Homer
BIRD BIKE CHALLENGE ONE - By Julian Smith - Local Artist and Bike
Rider - Sponsor Him
This adventure cycle tour of Caithness aims to complete one lap of
the county - including scaling Morven - within 24 hours, and at the
same time attempting to see or hear as many species of birds as
possible - the target is over 120! Julian Smith hopes to raise
several hundred pounds for the benefit of young people with cancer
and BirdLife International's worldwide campaign to stop the
slaughter of albatrosses and other seabirds. If you'd like to help
either of these worthy causes please visit:
www.artsmith-caithness.co.uk/artsmith_birds and follow the links
to sponsor online.
Weather permitting the ride will take place in late May or early
June. Photos will be posted on the site as soon as possible after
the event. St Johns Pool is near Dunnet open all year
Caithness.org Bird WatchingCaithness.org Bird Watching Forum
24 May 2009
Caithness Family History By John Henderson Now Online Courtesy of
Fiona Sinclair
Came across this today and thought it might be of interest to anyone
researching their Caithness ancestors. Fiona Sinclair
said,""Caithness Family History" is a book written in 1884 by John
Henderson, who was factor (land steward) to many of the estates of
Caithness. The book deals with all the landed gentry of the various
estates of Caithness, from the earliest records in wills and leases
up until the 1880s. This is written by a man who knew the families
personally, and had no trouble telling apart the many people of the
same name who were around at the time. I have just transcribed and
cross-referenced this book, which is available on my website,
http://www.FionaMSinclair.co.uk
23 May 2009
Google plans wave-powered data centre - UK Trade and
Investment
Internet giant Google is planning a wave-powered floating data
centre in Scotland`s Pentland Firth
22 May 2009
Eight-ton Fans Will Drive Fuel Plants Clean-up Like
a giant Meccano set, some 1500 parts are being fitted together to
create a new ventilation system that will protect workers
decommissioning some of Dounreay's most hazardous facilities. The
network of fans, electrical infrastructure, supports, ducts,
chambers and stacks will vent the airflow during the next stages of
cleaning out and dismantling the key plants that made up the Fuel
Cycle Area. This was the part of the site dating from the 1950s
where nuclear fuels were assembled, dissolved, examined and
re-assembled in support of Britain's research and development of
nuclear energy. Decommissioning the Fuel Cycle Area is expected to
cost �550 million and involves dismantling sealed facilities that
are contaminated with some of the most hazardous radioactive debris.
The North Highland Initiative announces new Chairman David Whiteford has been appointed as the new Chairman of The
Prince's North Highland Initiative. Mr Whiteford will take up the
position on 1st June 2009. Mr Whiteford brings a wealth of
agricultural and food industry experience with him to the position,
having previously chaired Scottish Food Quality Certification and
Scottish Pig Industry Initiative amongst others. Mr Whiteford is
currently employed as a partner in two family farming operations. Mr
Whiteford replaces Lord Maclennan, who served as Chairman since the
NHI was launched in 2005.
Annual Auction Sale At Lybster To Help Laidhay Funds
This Saturday 23rd May once again see the popular annual
Laidhay Auction Sale in the Lybster Community Centerstarting
around 1pm. A wide selection of articles and collectibles will
go under the hammer of Auctioneer Mr Peter Mackay Forss, All
proceeds from the Auction go towards the upkeep of the
Laidhay Preservation Trust Museum in DUNBEATH.
Articles can be viewed from 11am on Saturday morning.
�1.5 Million Project Regenerating Wick's Pulteneytown Funding to transform a derelict site in Pulteneytown, Wick, into
high quality houses has been awarded this week by The Highland
Council's Planning, Environmental and Development Committee. Members
have approved �297,836 of funding from the Pulteneytown Conservation
Area Regeneration Scheme to the Highland Housing Alliance towards a
�1,512,836 redevelopment project, which will transform a derelict
site into 11 residential properties and bring new life into
Pulteneytown's historic streets. The remaining funding is to be met
from funds that the Council has secured from the Scottish
Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Fund as well as income from
the sale of the 11 properties.......
Dry Stone Dyking Course At
Dunnet Forest Re-Scheduled for Sunday
The dry stone dyking at Dunnet Forest car park was cancelled because
of the weather last Saturday. It will now take place on Sunday
coming, and the car park will again be closed. Alternative parking
will be available at the industrial entrance to the forest.
Mary Ann's Cottage Now Open For The Summer - Well Worth A Visit Mary
Ann's opened today Friday 22 May for Bank Holiday weekend and will
be staying open thereafter for the season. Open 2.00 - 4.30 pm every
day except Mondays. Volunteer guides always needed - just come
along.
18 May 2009
Home Heating Oil Stolen From Tank At
Thrumster
Police in Wick are appealing for information regarding the theft of
oil from an oil tank at Stewart Crescent, Thrumster. This theft is
believed to have occurred between 6pm on Friday 15th May 2009 and
6.40am on Saturday 16th May 2009. In order to prevent any further
oil thefts, the Police would like to urge the public to ensure that
their oil tanks are sufficiently secured......
17 May 2009
Thurso Precinct Refurbishment Completed Work
on the refurbishment contract in the Thurso Pedestrian Precinct has
now been completed apart from the laying of coloured bitumen over
the tarmac area running through the centre of the precinct and a few
other minor works. The project which cost just over �370,000 was
financed by The Highland Council's T.E.C and Planning & Development
Services was designed by the councils Wick based engineering team
who consulted with the Community Council and members of the public
before finalising their plans. More Photos Of Thurso Precinct
16 May 2009
Coming To
Mackays Hotel Next Saturday Night - Kent Duchaine Hear
one of the great bluesmen on yet another tour and once again taking
time to play in Wick at Mackays Hotel next Saturday 23 May from
9.00pm. Kent DuChaine travels all over the USA every year
and still manages to tour worldwide. The last couple of times he was
in Wick he was on his way to play in Orkney. Once again there will
be only one performance at Mackays Hotel in Wick - a great chance to
hear this exponent of the legendary Johnny Shines blues playing
style. Kent loves angling and hopefully he will once again be able
to sample his favourite sport once again in Caithness. Hear Some of
his music on his web site
www.kentduchaine.com
Dounreay Gains Planning Permission For Two Big Construction
Projects Dounreay
Site Restoration Ltd has received planning consent for two of the
biggest construction projects needed to complete the site clean-up.
The new facilities will look after low and intermediate-level
radioactive waste from the remainder of the site closure programme.
With a combined value in excess of �300 million and a capacity for
almost 200,000 cubic metres of waste, they will be the largest
facilities ever built in Scotland for managing radioactive waste.
"The planning consents keep our clean-up programme on course for
completion in 2025," said Tony Trayner, head of construction at DSRL.
2009: A
Sinclair Odyssey - May Newsletter Hello to you all and welcome to the first Odyssey newsletter!
We had our first walk on Sunday 10th of May, lead by Dieter
Tuerlinckx of Caithness Ranger Services. It was a beautiful day and
many thanks to all those who turned out and made it (I think) such a
success. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I hope that the next walk
(The Battle Site at Altimarlich on Wednesday 8th July) will be just
as much fun!........
Take The
Challenge For Cancer Charity In Wick Gala Week - 160 Metres Across
The Wick River Remember
the 2009 Wick Gala Week For Your Flight Over Wick River and Raise
Vital Funds For the Children's Cancer Charity "CLIC Sargent" CLIC Sargent the children's cancer charity are gearing up to run
an exciting adrenalin event to help raise funds. Johnson
Controls based at Dounreay have agreed to help with the construction
of a 3- 40 foot tower on ground near Wick Police Station. From
the platform a 160 foot slide will be put in place for an amazing
"adrenalin rush" as participant whiz 160 metres to another
receiving platform between
the boating shed and the Coghill footbridge over the river. As part
of Gala Week other events on at the same time will include many stalls and the fair in the afternoon,
horse and donkey rides. Joy from Shelligoe Archery will be giving
archery lessons and we hope to have musicians there and any other
groups who will give the whole day a bit of atmosphere and family
fun. Participants need to be 16 or over and weigh less than 18
stones. Fancy dress encouraged.. No experience or
strength is need and very experienced team will be in charge on the
day. �20 to register and raise a minimum of �80 in sponsorship.
If you have abseiled the Wick Hospital Chimney then have go whizzing
over Wick river on the Zipslide on Saturday 25th July.
Complete A Registration Form and Send It In Go
on you know you always wanted to slide fast over the Wick
River..........
Distance No
Object For Photography Competition Caithness and Sutherland photographers are being encouraged to
get creative for a prestigious digital photography competition which
has been launched to celebrate innovation in the Highlands and
Islands. Anyone with a camera and a creative eye is being invited to
send entries to 'Innovation Exposure' which has been organised by
Fusion, an organisation supporting entrepreneurial business, and
Distance Lab, the digital media and communication technologies
research institute. Innovation Exposure is seeking stunning and
inventive photographic examples of "innovation" and "creativity" in
the Highlands and Islands. These images can originate from any realm
of life, not just business.........
Pulteneytown People's Project, Wick - Learning Centre Summer Schedule
Run by Colin Stewart - Tel 01955 606950 - Excel Course - Tuesday
Morning - 10 .30 � 12.30
10 week course Commencing on Tuesday 26th May 2009 until Tuesday
28th July 2009.
Course will guide you from the basics of Excel up to where you can
do spreadsheets.
Ideal for business use or for home budgeting. Web Site Building for Beginners � Monday Mornings - 10.30 �
12.30pm
10 week course Commencing on Monday 25th May 2009 until Monday 27th
July 2009.
Course will provide you with the necessary knowledge to develop your
own website either for business or personal use. Job Club � Wednesday Mornings -9.30 -1.00 - Commencing on
Wednesday 27th May 2009
Unemployed? Why not drop in on a Wednesday morning and use our
facilities to help you obtain or return to employment. (CV
preparation, Job search, Application completion).
Open to all age groups.
For above courses contact Julie or Tracey on 01955 606950 To book your place. Community Crafts Project At PPP
Pulteneytown People�s Project, Wick has a new community crafts
project, designing and constructing a community signboard and making
birdbaths using mosaic glass, among other things. This new project
runs on Tuesday mornings with Bettine Bain, who has already run
several popular classes with PPP. This fun, creative project is
free of charge and we have places available for anyone who would
be interested in getting involved. More Courses From Pulteneytown People's Project, Wick
PPP and Springboard are looking to work in conjunction to offer
introductory courses in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel & Tourism,
including Food Hygiene and Health & Safety certificates. Please
contact Tracey or Julie at PPP to register your interest. For more
details or to reserve a place on any of these courses contact Tracey
or Julie at PPP on 01955 606950.
Ormlie�s Busy Bees Clean Up Day - Go Along and Give A Hand Ormlie Community Association will be holding its annual clean up day
in Ormlie Estate, Thurso on Sunday 17th May between 2pm � 4pm.
Volunteers have worked hard over the last few years to maintain and
re-plant over 25 flower tubs throughout the area and the spring clean day
will give the community the opportunity to plant summer flowers in the
containers, the wavy wall, magic circle and garden area beside Ironside
Place. The recently renovated Macaulay View garden will also be included
in the planting programme and has become a real showcase for the
community. The children will also have the opportunity to plant a
sunflower seed and the tallest plant will receive a prize during the
annual fun day which will be later than usual this year in August........
Coming Ranger Events In North Sutherland
Armadale Burn - Tuesday 19th May 10am � 2pm
As part of �Scottish Biodiversity Week� join the local ranger and enjoy a
lovely guided walk along the beautiful steep sided river gorge at Armadale.
See lots of Interesting plants, geology and archaeology along the way as
we head out to a hill loch for our lunch. One small river ford to
navigate.
Meet at A836 road bridge car park near Armadale. Grid reference: NC795639 Strathy Point Sea Watch - Friday 22nd May 5pm � 7pm
As part of �Scottish Biodiversity Week� bring along your binoculars and
help the ranger look for whales, dolphins or porpoise. Learn about the
species regularly seen from this local �hot spot�.
Meet at Strathy Point (Totegan) car park NC 827687 at 5pm. Bring
binoculars if possible, telescopes provided. Weather Dependent! If unsure,
please phone to check - No Dogs - Donations Welcome Phone 01641 521884
Childminders
Induction Course At Castletown - 6th, 13th 20th June - Free Course A
chance to again training and certification on a free course run by the
Scottish childminding Association funded by the European Social Fund.
Assistance with child-care costs and start-up grants may also be
available. Contact Gail Duff on 01463 798634 for more details and to
enrol or email [email protected]
Place are limited and pre-booking is essential.
Hedge Of Native Trees Planted At Mount Pleasant School, Thurso Some
pupils from Mount Pleasant's Primary 7, with help from the Countryside
Rangers, planted a hedge of native trees in the school grounds. The
funding came from CSV Action Earth which is supported by Morrison's
supermarkets. The hedging will provide shelter and good habitat for
wildlife.
Generation Game At Mey Hall Raised Over �200 For Parent Council At
Crossroads School Jackie
Mackenzie for the Parents Council of Crossroads school sends thanks to
everyone for making the night a huge success and raising over �200....It's
Crossroads Schools 40th anniversary this year where we hope to hold
numerous events over the course of the next few months, culminating in a
buffet dance in October in the Mey Hall to Whisky, tickets will be on sale
soon.
Battery Stolen From Quarry At Dirlot,
Strathmore Estate
Police in Thurso are appealing for witnesses to a Theft from a derelict
quarry at Dirlot, Strathmore Estate, by Halkirk, between Monday, 27th
April 2009 and Saturday, 9th May 2009. A Lucas Lite Battery was stolen
from a tractor in the quarry.
11 May 2009
Another win in a fine season for Wick - Press & Journal
munro�s delight after away win at brora Score - Brora Rangers 1 -
Wick Academy 2
WICK came out on top in an entertaining Dudgeon Park derby. Wick Academy
Web SiteClub AGM - Friday 15th May at 7.30pm, in
the Assembly Rooms Wick
National Spring Clean Success Strengthened By Council Enforcement 57,639 enthusiastic and passionate volunteers blitzed litter across
Scotland in April as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful's National Spring
Clean 2009 - and 2,768 of those volunteers carried out clean ups in the
Highland council area. To honour and support this immense achievement,
Highland Council officers will be out on 12th May to enforce the message
that dropping litter is a crime. Litter was cleared from business
districts, orphan spaces, parks and residential areas by 55 groups of
volunteers from the Highlands last month. In fact, across Scotland, enough
black sacks of litter to fill 28,819 standard wheelie bins were collected
as part of National Spring Clean 2009.
Call
For New Foster Carers To Come Forward The
Highland Council is joining in with the UK-wide campaign Foster Care
Fortnight which starts today (Monday 11 April), to attract more local
people into fostering. The fortnight is co-ordinated by fostering charity
Fostering Network, to raise the awareness of fostering and highlight the
shortage of foster carers across the whole of the UK. In the Highlands
there are 100 foster carers aged between 21 and 65 who look after 130
children and young people.
Caithness Girl Receives BP Student Tutoring Award Students
from Robert Gordon University, the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen
College have successfully completed the BP Tutoring Scheme, a 14 week
volunteering experience as student tutors in primary and secondary schools
throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. A total of 87 students from the
three institutions took part in the Scheme, which aims to improve
education in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire - 46 students from Robert Gordon
University, 21 students from the University of Aberdeen and 20 from
Aberdeen College......Lucy Bremner, (20) from Caithness, a third year
Management with Human Resources student from Robert Gordon University
spoke enthusiastically about her tutoring experience at Mackie Academy and
commented, 'I have been accepted for my PGDE teaching course and I think I
owe a lot of this to the practical experience gained from the BP Student
Tutoring scheme'.....
Council Warns Residents to Be Alert The Council's Trading Standards service have issued a warning to the
public to take great care before agreeing to any work on their house or
garden by any itinerant businesses. Chairman of TEC Services, Councillor
John Laing said: "Every year we receive a number of complaints from people
who have experienced poor workmanship, inflated prices and aggressive
behaviour in connection with home and garden repair and maintenance works
undertaken by this type of trader. The way they operate may have changed
over the years, with some of them now driving official looking vehicles,
the distribution of professionally printed sales literature and the
workers wearing high visibility clothing and hard hats, but the problems
remain the same.
Session A9 - The
New Scottish Music Gordon
Gunn will be setting off on his travels once again with Session A9 in
June. The only far north date is at Strathy hall so get in
early for your tickets. If you happen to be in other parts check out
the list for venue near you. Session A9 are Adam Sutherland, Brian
Mcalpine, Charlie Mckerron, David "chimp" Robertson, Gordon Gunn, Kevin
Henderson and Marc Clement. Over the years Session A9 have been described
as a "Scottish super group", "The best band to have come out of Scotland
in 100 years", "Tighter than James Brown" and an "Amazing Festival band",
great praise indeed for a band formed through informal music sessions up
and down the arterial Scottish road, the A9, culminating in their first
ever tour in 2001.
Caithness Firm "Berry Good" Wins Award At Food And Drink Oscars Caithness
company, Berry Good were absolutely delighted with their very first award
from the Scottish Food and Drinks Excellence Awards held recently in
Glasgow. The awards which are hailed as the 'oscars' of the Scottish food
and drink industry were held on the 7th May in the Kelvingrove Art
Gallery. The company which is run by Jill Brown of Watten have only been
running since June 2008. The judges were delighted with the product and
felt that it really has the 'wow factor'! The product is distributed
throughout Scotland & UK through Elgin based Gordon & Macphail.
Berry Good web
site
Pine Martin and Badger Deaths Being Investigated By Police In Caithness
Wick Police are currently investigating two separate incidents of
protected species of wildlife being killed by illegal means. A pine marten
was found in an illegal trap in the area between Watten and Mybster last
weekend. The pine marten was found by a member of the public and was
passed to the SSPCA who in turn had a vet examine its injuries. However,
the extent of injuries meant the pine marten had to be put down. Pine
martens are a rare species and protected under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981. A badger was found with a snare around its neck on
the A99 road by Clyth, near Lybster one week ago. Badgers are strictly
protected from any form of disturbance or killing under the Protection of
Badgers Act 1992.
9 May 2009
Council clamps down on irresponsible dog owners The Highland Council has issued a clear warning to irresponsible dog
owners that it will not tolerate owners allowing their dogs to foul public
areas without clearing up after them. The Council this week announced that
during a crackdown week in April, officers issued eleven fixed penalty
notices to members of the public and warned that this was just the start
of the clampdown with other enforcement weeks to follow.
2009: A Sinclair
Odyssey - You Can Get Involved A
Sinclair Odyssey combines arts and archaeology to tell the stories of the
Sinclair Clan of Caithness. With a glittering Street Parade and an
opportunity to step back in time at The Gathering, Odyssey will explore
the themes of Ancestry and Homecoming in the county of Caithness. With
many activities planned for the coming months there will be a chance for
everyone to be involved and make their contribution to Homecoming Scotland
2009! Check out the Community Arts pages at Lyth Arts Centre web site
where you can sign up to have updates emailed to you over the year. See
www.lytharts.org.uk and click on
Community Arts.
Boating and Tennis Courts Now In the Highlife Scheme - Getting Better All
The Time Even better prices for
Highlife members are now available at facilities such as the
boating pond and tennis courts in Thurso.
Opening Times in Thurso are
Monday - CLOSED -
Tuesday - 2 - 5pm, 6 - 9pm
Wednesday 2 - 5pm, 6 - 9pm -
Thursday 2 - 5pm, 6 - 9pm
Friday 2 - 5pm, 6 - 9pm -
Saturday 12 - 6pm -
Sunday 12 - 6pm
More reasons to check out the Highland Council's
High life scheme.
Queen Mary Loses
Her Head In Wick And Strathy The
National Theatre Ensemble comes to Strathy Hall on 12 May and Wick
Assembly Rooms on 14 May for two professional shows, Dennis Kelly's 'Our
Teacher is a Troll' and Liz Lochhead's 'Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head
Chopped Off'. Area Cultural Officer, Adrian Clark, said: "I am really
excited about this visit, which is in addition to the National Theatre's
Transform project just starting up in Thurso. The Ensemble company bring
all their own staging and seating and create an intimate theatre
environment. The drawback is the reduction in available seating, so early
booking is advised. He added: "Liz Lochhead's Mary Queen of Scots Got Her
Head Chopped Off has been a great success over the years. This
in-the-round production, directed by Alison Peebles is garnering excellent
reviews"
Caithness
Gymnasts Perform At GYMFEST 2009 Nine
members of Caithness Gymnastics Club Rhythmic Team attended the Scottish
National Gymnastics festival for 2009 held in the Magnum Centre, Irvine
from the 1st to the 3rd of May. The Caithness team travelled to Irvine in
Ayrshire on Friday 1st May to attend the Scottish National Gymnastics
festival for 2009. The Audience watched as over 1500 Gymnasts, in 59 teams
from all over the UK, displayed their spectacular Gymnastic talents and
abilities with routines of many different varieties. The Caithness team of
Rhythmic Gymnasts performed a truly breathtaking routine, one of only two
Rhythmic teams at the festival, the other coming all the way from
Birmingham.
Police Looking For Witnesses To Serious
Assualt At Camps Carpark, Wick
About 0235 hours last Sunday morning (3rd May) a young male was rendered
unconscious by an assault at the Camp�s carpark, The Shore, Wick. It is
known that a number of persons in the vicinity have yet to be traced as
witnesses.
Anna McConnell Running In Castle Of Mey 10K for Caithness Mental Health
Support Group
Caithness Mental Health Support Group and I'd really appreciate your
support. It's easy to sponsor me online by credit or debit card - just go
to my Justgiving page:
http://www.justgiving.com/annamacconnell
Justgiving sends your donation straight to Caithness Mental Health Support
Group and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your
donation is worth even more. I hope you'll join me in supporting Caithness
Mental Health Support Group.
250 Runners Start at
2.00pm On Sunday 10th May
'Reactorsaurus'
To Pull Apart Dounreay Plant In order
to pull out the innards of the redundant reactor which once fed power into
the national grid, DSRL's design engineers have had to come up with some
pretty ingenious inventions since the reactor was switched off. Now a
giant seventy-five tonne prehistoric looking device with two large pincer
arms and roving photographic eyes, affectionately nicknamed 'Reactorsaurus'
by the project team, has been designed to dismantle the plant. Due to the
environmentally hazardous conditions the stripping out work needs to be
carried out remotely.
Thurso High
School Pupil Wins First Prize In Pushkin Awards Thurso
High School pupil Charlotte Gordon (13) has this week received the First
Prize at the prestigious Pushkin Prize Award Ceremony, held in Edinburgh
last Monday. Charlotte's prize-winning portfolio of writing included an
extract from her fourth fantasy novel and a short poem entitled "Singing
in the Rain". But her short story, which received the highest praise from
all the judges, had a more local flavour - "Morris" is a fictional account
of a Caithness Orchestra rehearsal, where a mysterious stranger arrives
and no-one knows quite what to expect...
All the winning entries can be read at
http://www.pushkinprizes.net
More O'Neill Surf Photos From Caithness Look at the the latest photos on two more web sites -
Laura MacDonaldJames Gunn
Highlands and Islands Museums Forum Museum Directory Launched The
Highlands and Islands Museums Forum (HIMF) worked in partnership with the
Highland Council to organise 'The Past Presents' on May 4th at the
Highland Folk Museum Newtonmore especially for Show Scotland 2009 weekend.
The event, which was free and open to all, officially launched HIMF's new
directory. The booklet contains information from over 25 museums and
archives in the Highland region. It has been produced to promote museum
collections, exhibitions and activities during this The Year of
Homecoming. The project has been supported by The Highland Council and
Museums and Galleries Scotland. For Caithness Wick Heritage Museum and
North Highland Archive based at Wick Library are included in the new
guide.
Caithness Museums Etc
Watch Coverage From O'Neill's Cold Water Classic In Caithness - 58
Degrees North
Facelift Planned For Tourist Site - STV
Short News Film about Latest plans for John O'Groats with a short ad for
Visit Scotland before you get to it - ach weel.....
Out And About With Caithness
Field Club
the summer programme is already underway but there are still plenty of
interesting walks to come. Members and non members are always
welcome.
Police Seeking Witnesses For Various Minor
Crimes Galvanised Gate Stolen From Old Wick
Vandalism - High Street, Wick - Damage To Flowers
Vandalism - Grant Street, Wick - Blue Car Scratched
Damage To Truck At Co-op Wick
Damage To Car At Wellington Street, Wick
Wick Herring Queen and Court chosen for the HarbourFest
Click HERE For Big Photo Wick has a new Herring Queen elect after a lapse of 56 years since the
last Herring Queen was crowned. After interviewing 10 local girls for this historic
pageant, the HarbourFest Committee are pleased to announce that Lynsey
Bremner, Wick, was chosen as Herring Queen elect and her four
Ladies-in-Waiting will be Zoe Mackenzie, Wick; Laura Oag, Thrumster;
Kerryanne Smith, Watten and Erin Thomson, Wick. Gordon Doull, Chairman of the Wick HarbourFest
Committee said �We were delighted with the quality of all applicants, and
we were disappointed that we could not give them all a role in the
ceremony. Plans for the crowning pageant are progressing well, and we are
looking forward to re-enacting this most evocative pageant, dating back to
the former herring industry times.�
Earlier Herring Queens Wick Harbour Fest takes
place on 26th, 27th and 28th June
Wick Branch Of MacMillan Cancer Support Ready For The Annual Fund
Raising Walk - Join In
The Wick Branch of Macmillan Cancer Support are holding their annual Walk
Wonders walk on Tuesday 12 May 2009 leaving from the rear car park of
Caithness General Hospital at 7pm. Sponsor forms are obtainable from Kay
Oswald (01955-880246), Isobel Nicolson (01955-880406) or June Pollard
(01955-880403) at Caithness General Hospital or Jennifer Gunn at Wick
Service Point. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can make a donation on
the night. We hope you will join us and help us to raise funds for our
branch. All monies raised goes towards supporting the Macmillan Nurse, the
carers and the services they provide throughout the county.
HIE
Commissions Firm To Plan New Future For John o Groats Highlands
and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has commissioned Edinburgh based planning
consultants GVA Grimley to produce a physical masterplan for John O'Groats.
The masterplan will provide a sustainable long term model for creating an
iconic visitor attraction which will include retail outlets, food and
drink offerings and various levels of tourist accommodation. The
masterplan is expected to be complete by August of this year. It follows
last year's local public consultation on the project.
The Papers
Enterprise agency launches probe into contract awards - Press &
Journal
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is to carry out an internal audit of
contracts worth almost �100,000 that were awarded to a consultancy firm
run by the agency�s chairman.........
"COME TO THE CEILIDH", Friday 8TH MAY 7.30.pm.
The Caithness Heart Support Group continue with their fundraising
activities in the Ross Institute Halkirk. Among those taking part are well
known Bettyhill singer Magnus MacLeod, The Mina Mackay Dancers and well
known trio Denis Manson, Noel Donaldson and Chris Duncan. There will also
be some Caithness Dialect during the evening which will be compared by
Willie Mackay Oldhall Watten. The event with a �5. entry which includes
Tea/Coffee and sandwiches gets under way at 7.30.pm.
Caithness Celtic Supporters' Club Bus availability for the next games The next buses are:-
versus Dundeee United (League) on 12/05/09 - 19.45pm kick-off - Bus
leaving Wick Safeways @ 09:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 09:30. &;
versus Hearts (League) on 24/05/09 - 13.00pm kick-off - Bus leaving Wick
Safeways @ 03:00 and Thurso Skinandis @ 03:30.
Senior = �30 and Junior = �20.
Contact, Stevie King = [email protected]
Official website - http://ebigh.com/1888
GENERATION GAME Saturday 9th MAY at 7.30pm Based on the former popular family T.V. game show the Generation Game
comes to the new MEY HALL this Saturday 9th MAY evening with a 7.30pm
start, Organised by the Crossroads Primary School Parents Forum the
evening promises to be full of fun and games for the parents and children
already chosen to take part. Compere for the evening is Willie Mackay
Oldhall, Watten, assisted by his wife Glynis. Admission is only �3.and
includes Tea/Coffee and Home baking, so it will be a case of "NICE TO SEE
YOU TO SEE YOU NICE".
British Surfin History Now On At Caithness Horizons, Thurso
'An art history of British surfing' opens at Caithness Horizons in the Old
Town Hall on April 28th and runs through to July 26th 2009.
See Surfing From
Caithness LIVE Compliments Of O'Neill - Starts 9.30am Saturday Surfing is as always weather dependant but Saturday is already gearing
up for a big swell. Check in throughout the day to see live action
if the waves are up.
Can Wick
Academy Defeat Top Of the League Team Cove Rangers On Saturday?
Wick Academy will go out on Saturday with a run of 10 wins under their
belt to play top of the league Cove Rangers who are bidding to win the
league. Whilst Academy cannot win the league they can improve their
position to the best yet. A defeat for Cove and win for Deveronvale
against Forres Mechanics could mean Cove and Deveronvale fighting for top
position in the last game of the season. A win for Academy on
Saturday would certainly give the fans something to cheer about heading
into next season. Whatever the result tomorrow Academy deserve
congratulation for their recent magnificent run of wins. A hard game
but not impossible as Wick Academy have already beaten Inverurie Locos
once and they beat Cove back in August. Good Luck Academy on
Saturday......Weather looks good for Saturday so get out and support
them.......Scorrie
Scoop Jackpot Reaches �4500 so get your tickets.
New
Business Gateway For Caithness The local office of Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL) - Wick
Enterprise Centre, based in Miller Street, Wick - is now delivering
locally the business support services of the national Business Gateway.
From the beginning of April 2009, Business Gateway has been delivered by
HOL throughout the Highland and Moray regions of Scotland. Business
Gateway has operated in the south of Scotland for several years now and
has been widely regarded as a successful driver of local enterprise.
To see what they might help with check the web sites
Business Gateway
and
Highland Opportunity
Riding the road-map of devolution - BBC
John Knox the Political reporter for BBC Scotland arrived at John O'Groats
after cycling from Gretna Green to find out what difference devolution has
made to people's lives.
Guided Walk - Scullomie to Sletell - Wednesday 6th May 2009 - 12pm �
3pm.
Join the local ranger for a wonderful coastal walk enjoying great views of
the Rabbit Islands and Island Roan. Hopefully see courtship displaying
newts in a small burn. Stop for packed lunch at the abandoned settlement
of Sletell. Return via same route. Meet at Coldbackie Beach A836 roadside
car park (grid ref: NC 612601) at 12pm. Bring packed lunch. Donations
welcome. All walks are weather/numbers dependent please wear warm
waterproof clothing and walking boots. An adult must accompany all
children under 16 years of age. Sorry but dogs are not welcome on guided
walks.
Tel: Paul Castle, North Sutherland Countryside Ranger 01641 521884
Thurso
High School pupil Charlotte Gordon (13) has this week received the First
Prize at the prestigious Pushkin Prize Award Ceremony, held in Edinburgh
last Monday. Charlotte's prize-winning portfolio of writing included an
extract from her fourth fantasy novel and a short poem entitled "Singing
in the Rain". But her short story, which received the highest praise from
all the judges, had a more local flavour - "Morris" is a fictional account
of a Caithness Orchestra rehearsal, where a mysterious stranger arrives
and no-one knows quite what to expect...
