Labrador Retriever Rescue Fun Day
Labrador Retriever Rescue Caithness & Scotland had a tremendous turnout for
their fund raising Fun day at Bower on Saturday. Crowds gathered at Bower field
to watch the various displays and Rescue were delighted to have two officers
from the Northern Constabulary Dog Division with four dogs, Stan Payne Field
Trialler with his dogs Caley, Brad and Kelpie and Sue Clark from HM Prison
Service Drugs dog, who all gave excellent demos. Various stalls were in
the hall with Rescue Sponsors and
Martina Cross
captured the events of the day on camera. Donations are still coming in to
raise a fabulous amount of money to help Labradors in Caithness, all of
Scotland and parts of Northern England. It was amazing to see that people
travelled as far as Sussex, Staffordshire, York, Durham. Linlithgow, Isle of
Mull to support this event. Labrador Retriever Rescue -
Caithness & Sutherland
29 September 2009
Gary McLean Memorial Motorcycle Run - Lots Of Photos
1 - 12
13 - 24
25 - 36
37 - 41
Remember to click on "view full size here" under each photo to see the
full size - we have loaded much bigger photos than usual for this event.
Update - Collision between train and car - Halkirk - Northern
Constabulary
Following our earlier release Police can confirm there are three fatalities
from the collision between a train and a car at a level crossing in Bridge
Street, Halkirk, Caithness this afternoon...................
Paper Boat Fundraiser! - Latest Update From Joanne The
fundraiser was launched in style on a cold but crisp January day with all the
volunteers who run Mary-Ann's Cottage, turning out to make a paper boat outside
the the cottage. Paper boats sailed in constantly for the next 7 months -
hundreds of them! from 122 different boat yards in 25 different countries.
Quite exciting when the postie arrived each day! A fantastic response to our
request for paper boats, I was really quite flabbergasted!
All the boats then went on display in Caithness Horizons, Thurso, and all boats
went on sale by secret silent auction. Bids came in from near and far, as
everything was also on a dedicated paper boat blog: . At 6pm GMT Thursday 24th
September, the auction was closed and no more bids accepted. Now, you can
imagine the excitement, wanting to know how many bids came in, did all boats
finds a new home, and did we make any money for The Caithness Heritage Trust
volunteers who run Mary-Ann's cottage!!?? And did I get the boats I bid on!!
Beki Pope, manager of Caithness Horizons, has the unenviable task of sorting
all this out ! We helped to re-pack boats for their potential new owners. It
was quite like a bizarre kind of bingo - Beki calling out numbers, while we
collected envelopes and boats from up a ladder on the wall or on the table -
this was a very busy harbour! Caithness Horizons are contacting the successful
bidders over the next few days. We are going to wait until all boats have been
collected and money in, before making our announcement of how much money was
raised in total. The initial signs are good, as you've all been so generous, so
again, I'm flabbergasted at what we've managed together - from just a paper
boat.
For more info and to see all the boats, visit
www.joannebkaarpaperboats.blogspot.com
Marine
Energy Is Coming - Your Chance To Find Out More Thurso,
Wick and Bettyhill
8th Oct, 2nd and 3rd November
Drop in events for you or your company to find out more about what Marine
energy might mean for Caithness and Sutherland. All events have a drop-in
from 1 to 6pm followed by a presentation from 6.30pm which gives an opportunity
to share views and hear the views of others in the subsequent Q&A session.
Please note that children are more than welcome at the drop-in events and older
children may be interested in hearing the presentation.
Wick High To Be Part Of �1.25bn Building Programme
BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS ACROSS SCOTLAND
14 Secondary Schools Including Wick High In Announcement Today Over 12,000 pupils across Scotland will be lifted out of poor condition
schools following announcement of the first 14 secondary schools to benefit
from the �1.25bn school building programme. Cabinet Secretary for Education and
Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop made the announcement today as she visited one
of the schools to benefit, Lasswade High in Midlothian, before officially
opening the new Armadale Academy. Ms Hyslop described the new building as "an
inspirational example of everything a new school can be".
Johnston, "Shooting your Past" Caithness Horizons - Admission
is free Caithness
Horizons, Thurso - 17 October - 30 November
Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm - Sundays 10am to 4pm
The Johnston photographic collection, amounting to some 50 thousand glass
slides and negatives represents the work of three generations and four
photographers from the same local family spanning the 113 years from 1863 to
1976 and is owned by and based at the Wick Society's award-winning Wick
Heritage Centre in Bank Row. In recent times the Society has produced some
large format images up to A1 size (594mmx841mm or 23.5''x 33'') with quite
spectacular results. Successful applications for funding to "Highland Culture"
and "Awards for All" has enabled the purchase of computers and a high
specification A1 printer allowing the production of a range of high quality
Johnston images for exhibition and sale.
27 September 2009
Book Launch "Blood in the Glens" by Jean McLennan. Lyth
Arts Centre Length: 1 hour From 7.00pm - 29th October
The Centre is proud to launch a new book by a local writer. Wick resident and
regular Lyth Arts Centre attendee Jean McLennan has written a real page-turner
"Blood in the Glens". It is a fascinating collection of true crime stories from
the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Murders and unexplained deaths happen
wherever there are people and, despite its sparse population, the Highlands
have had more than their fair share. We are holding the launch on the evening
of Thursday 29th October between 7pm and 8pm immediately before the performance
of Mike Maran's show "A Funny Valentine". For an all-in price of �7.50 you can
have a copy of the book, personally signed for you by Jean and a courtesy drink
from the bar. Thereafter the book will go on sale at �9.99 so this is a great
opportunity to get a bargain while helping Jean encourage her book to fly off
the shelves.
Right Lines Productions present "Tour-a-Rural-Ceilidh-Band" 23
October - Lyth Arts Centre - 3 Hours from 7.30pm Enjoy an irresistible mixture of top quality music, song and ceilidh
dancing with the band members from the legendary comedy ceilidh theatre show
"The Accidental Death of an Accordionist" which we brought to Latheron and Lyth
village halls back in 2002. The original show was so popular that it toured for
two years. Now there's the chance to see these larger than life characters
again as they drop in and out of the ceilidh.The building will be rearranged
for the evening with plenty of space to sit down at cabaret tables and enjoy a
hot buffet supper between dances and comedy turns.
www.rightlines.net
Wee Stories in "The Sun, The Moon And A Boy Called River" Lyth
Arts Centre - 6 October 2009 - Age suitability : 5+ One of Scotland's favourite theatre companies is back again to give eight
day-time school performances for local primary children plus this extra
early-evening public performance. Not to be missed, Wee Stories have great
stage craft and a delightful sense of humour. Two babies, born at the exact
same moment, under the exact same moon. One born a princess in a palace, the
other the son of a poor woodcutter.
Katya Kabanova - From Scottish Opera Thursday
1 October, 7.30pm - Wick High School - Tickets �10, �5 (u26s)
Scottish Opera will perform Leo� Jan�ek's intimate and intense love story,
K�tya Kabanov�, in 21 venues across Scotland this season. The production will
take in Giffnock, Drumnadrochit, Cromarty, Stornonway, Elgin, Aboyne, Lerwick,
Kirkwall, Wick, Strontian, Dundee, Fort William, Linlithgow, Glenrothes,
Irvine, Helensburgh, Dumfries, Galashiels, Easterhouse, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Kally Lloyd-Jones directs her first opera for the Company. As well as running
dance theatre company Company Chordelia, Kally has worked with Scottish Opera
as choreographer/movement director on a number of highly regarded productions
in recent seasons including Cimarosa's The Secret Marriage, Weir's A Night at
the Chinese Opera and Smetana's The Two Widows, which won a Herald Angel Award
at the Edinburgh International Festival last year.
Gary McLean Memorial Charity Motorcycle Run Raises Over
�3000 Organisers of the Memorial Charity Motorcycle have thanked everyone who
contributed to the success yesterday of the bike run dance and raffle by
donating cash and prizes. Many local businesses and individuals donated
to the events ensuring they were very successful. Motorcycles were
gathering at lunchtime on Saturday in Market Square, Wick prior to the run
round the county.
Caithness, Orkney &
Shetland Association of Aberdeen
If you live in Aberdeen or surrounding area you might be interested to go along
to vents of the Caithness, Orkney and Shetland Association. The programme of
events is now available.
Thurso
Glassblower Ian Pearson Steps Down Thurso
Glassblower, Ian Pearson recently stepped down as Chairman of the British
Society of Scientific Glassblowers after holding the post for the last seven
years. He was the longest serving Chairman of the BSSG since its formation in
1960 and in recognition of this Ian was presented with Honorary membership of
the Society. Ian is only the third glassblower to receive such a prestigious
award.
HIE Commits Over Half
A Million Pounds To F�isean Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is investing �540,000 to support the
development of the popular traditional arts movement, F�isean, across the
Highlands and Islands and further afield. HIE a' cur c�rr is leth
millean n�ta ri leasachadh nam F�isean air coimhearsnachdan na G�idhealtachd 's
nan Eilean Tha Iomairt na G�idhealtachd 's Eilean (HIE) a' cur �540,000 de
dhairgead-tasgaidh a-steach a leasachadh nam F�isean air feadh na G�idhealtachd
's nan Eilean agus gu n�iseanta. Bheiridh an airgead-tasgaidh tr� bliadhna seo
cothrom do Fh�isean nan G�idheal, a' bhuidhean-taic a chumas taic ri l�onra nam
F�isean, diofar iomairtean �ra a chuir an gn�omh air feadh na sg�re.
THE REALLY BIG T-TREX ARRIVES AT THE CASTLE OF MEY THIS SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER The
30 feet long and 12 feet high lifesize replica of the Tyrannosaurus Rex
dinosaur accompanied by Lloyd Scott, famous for running marathons in bizarre
costumes in aid of charity, will arrive at the Castle of Mey at approximately
1.00 p.m.on Sunday 27 September as part of the final leg of Lloyd�s latest
journey � the T-Rex Trek. The trek, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, began at
Land�s End on 19 July and will have covered more than 1,000 miles in 70 days
when it finishes at John O�Groats. Also at the Castle will be young Morven
Macleod from Thurso, winner of last week�s dinosaur hunt in the Castle grounds.
Morven will be presented with her prize of a 2010 Family Membership for the
Castle, gardens and grounds and a special chocolate dinosaur jigsaw puzzle.
www.thecastleofmey.org.ukwww.trextreks.com
Feis Day -
Get Your Instruments Out Saturday 26th September 9.30am - 3.30pm Location: MOUNT PLEASANT
SCHOOL THURSO
A day to get playing and improve your technique - loads of fun. Music
song and dance taught by experiences tutors. - Only �10 for the day
Bid Now In Silent Auction For An Artistic Paper Boat To Raise Funds For Mary
Anne's Cottage Paper
Boats have been coming in from all over the world to Mary Anne's Cottage and
are still on show at Caithness Horizons. You can help with the
fund-raising by putting in a bid for a boat or collection of boats (all lots
are numbers on the web site HERE.
The minimum bid is only �2.00. Help find a new home for each boat and at the
same time raise money for The Caithness Heritage Trust to help them keep
Mary-Ann's cottage open for future generations. You can place your bids by
e-mail - visit the blog for information.
www.joannebkaarpaperboats.blogspot.com Last day to place bids - 24th
September 09. All the lots are numbers in Bold at the top of each entry
as you scroll down the blog page.
Interview With Joanne
Development Project At Saltoun Street, Wick Well Under Way -
"Investing In Caithness" The
development of new homes at Saltoun Street and Miller Street in Wick is well
underway. The block now has the roof removed and the building has been stripped
back to just the main walls. A courtyard at the back has now been opened up and
the possibilities can easily be seen for the area in repopulating Lower
Pulteney in the harbour area. A partnership including Highland Council, HIE,
with Pentland Housing Association has brought together the required funding to
make it possible for the development to happen. M M Miller Ltd won the contract
and the transformation will add to the already much improved Telford Street and
other streetscape improvements in the area.
Centre for Energy and the Environment - North Highland College, UHI
�14 Million For Major New Centres At Thurso - "Investing In Caithness" You may have read in the press recently about the exciting new capital
developments under way at North Highland College, UHI. As part of this
development we would like to invite you along to Flagstones Restaurant of North
Highland College on Thursday 24th September at 4pm to learn more about the new
Centre for Energy and the Environment which will be build on the main North
Highland College campus. During this event we would like to offer you the
opportunity to review the building design and functionality and provide
feedback on our plans. If you are able to attend could you please advise Ms
Debbie Gray on 01847889206 or by email to: debbie.gray[AT]thurso.uhi.ac.uk
19 September 2009
New Ethel Austen Shop In Wick Almost Ready To Open -
"Investing In Caithness" The
Ethel Austen
shop in Wick is almost ready and it is expected to open later next week.
The Ethel Austen shop in Thurso opened this week to flocks of customers proving
that something new will attract folk back to the main shopping streets. The
chain sells clothes for the whole family and a range of household goods.
Both stores are located in the former Woolworth buildings that closed down.
See the Last Days Of Thurso Woolworth - Very sad but at last something is
rising from the ashes.
Open Studio Weekend -
26th/27th September 2009 Caithness
Arts - Open Studio Weekend - 26th/27th September 2009
Caithness Arts is holding an "Open Studios" event, during which Artists and
Makers based in the Far North will be opening their doors to give the public a
rare chance to see inside their working studios. Many artists will be
transforming their homes into mini galleries for the duration of the weekend
thus providing a great opportunity to view a wide range of work and allow
purchasing direct from the artist.
18 September 2009
River Street, Wick Shops All Open For Business - But Trade Hit As River Wall
Works Proceed All the shops in River Street, Wick are open but due to the works on the
river wall that has closed the street further down they have noticed a downturn
in trade. Council engineers expected that works would continue until
Wednesday. The road is open from the top and parking is easy on the other
side of the street and drivers can turn and exit at the roundabout with little
problem or alternatively park in Union Street to visit the shops. The
council was to look to see if the road could be opened one way over the weekend
until Monday but could not promise as safety had to be their first priority.
Hopefully customers will not pass them by all weekend.
Convener
Confirms Council Commitment to Caithness - "Investing In Caithness"
Work has begun this week on a feasibility study into the major upgrade of Wick
High School. Architects, LDN, from Forres, have been commissioned by The
Highland Council to examine three options, which include (a) a new build; (b)
refurbishment and partial demolition, new build and (c) refurbishment. The
start of work was revealed by Convener of The Highland Council Councillor Sandy
Park, who has assured the people of Caithness of the Council's commitment to
the area in the wake of recent criticism that Caithness does not get its fair
share of council resources. Councillor Park reports that over the past four
years the Council has invested or plans to invest �15,774,000 in building
projects in Caithness.
New
Community Woodland To Take Shape Near Wick - "Investing In Caithness" A new community woodland is to take shape near Wick thanks to Forestry
Commission Scotland. The Commission has stepped in to buy Newton Hill Croft in
a bid to ensure that the local community continue to enjoy a woodland resource.
Tim Cockerill, for the Commission in Golspie, said: �It was a real shame that
the neighbouring community woodland could no longer be kept going as a
community resource so when the opportunity arose for us to buy Newton Hill
Croft � which was right next door � we jumped at the chance.
Click HERE for View From the Air Of the Newton Area The
Newtonhill Community Forest was closed on safety grounds in 2008 -
See Story
Ambulance Man John Laing Retires From Wick After 35 Years Colleagues
gathered to mark the retiral of Mr John Laing, after serving nearly 35 years
with the Scottish Ambulance Service. John commenced employment with the
Scottish Ambulance Service in Wick, as an Ambulance man, in January 1975 and
shortly after this he was promoted to Leading Ambulance man, a position he held
until 2003, when John then moved to the Patient Transport Service division of
the Ambulance Service, serving as a Team Leader until his retirement on 17th
September 2009. To mark his retiral John received gifts from his Ambulance
colleagues and his wife Donalda received a bouquet of flowers. John is pictured
here with his wife Donalda and Colleagues from Wick and Divisional Headquarters
in Inverness, following the presentation.
15 September 2009
NOW YOU SEE IT - A
Short History of Magic and Conjuring An
exhibition giving a fascinating glimpse into the history of stage magic opens
at the Swanson Gallery, Thurso Library this weekend (19th September). The
exhibition pays homage to the close-up conjuror whose illusions can include
anything from sleight-of-hand card tricks to the swallowing of razor blades and
charts the history of the magician from the early days of the street
entertainer - or pickpocket - through the exotic world of the music hall to
today. On display is a variety of theatre apparatus, old and new, used in the
performance of illusions, complimented by a collection of old and rare magic
books.
Seminar at the ERI, Thursday 17th September 2009, 17:00
"Wind power and hydrogen - a Shetland case study"- Speaker: Dr John McClatchey
� ERI
Dr John McClatchey is a senior research fellow and climatologist at ERI who has
particular interests in renewable energy and the environment. In this seminar,
John will review the available wind resource in Shetland and examines how that
intermittent supply could be linked to the production of renewable hydrogen to
be used as a back-up fuel for generation, in space heating or as vehicle fuel.
As well as considering the storage required to maintain fuel supplies, the cost
of hydrogen and its financial viability as a fuel is also considered. An
overview of the implications of this case study for Scotland will also be
given.
Accompanied by wine and nibbles�.. All welcome !!
New Kilts For Young
Highland Pipers During their
first rehearsal of this season, members of Highland Youth Pipe Band received
their new kilts officially presented by Bill Fraser of Highland House of
Fraser. The Highland Youth Pipe Band (HYPB) can now proudly wear The Pipers'
Trail Tartan which was designed and registered by The Pipers ' Trail in 2008.
The wearing of the tartan was permitted by Commander 51 (Scottish) Brigade,
Brigadier David Allfrey. HYPB is the only band that has the privilege and
honour of wearing the tartan. The Band is one of the seven Regional Music
Groups which run as an extension to the tuition provided by The Highland
Council's Instrumental Tuition Service. HYPB members are drawn from all corners
of Highland and have been chosen after audition. Whilst many of the members
receive tuition from Highland Council Instrumental Instructors, some have
developed their skills in other ways.
Public
opinion sought on revised management rules for Highland burial grounds
People in the Highlands are being asked to have their say on proposed new
management rules for burial grounds under the control of The Highland Council.
The Council approved the current management rules for burial grounds in 1999.
Under Section 112 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the Council is
now required to revise and confirm the rules for another 10 years. Councillor
John Laing, Chairman of The Highland Council's Transport Environmental and
Community Services Committee said: "Most people don't like to think about
dealing with a death in their family. However, for anyone who either already
has connections with Highland burial grounds or intends using them in the
future it is important that they are aware that there are rules and regulations
tied to using them. Being aware of the proposed changes and having a say, may
help to avoid any unnecessary stresses in the future." Copies of the proposed
management rules are available at Council Service Points, Libraries and TEC
Services Offices and can also be viewed on the Council's website at:
www.highland.gov.uk/burialgrounds
Dinosaur Hunt - At
Castle Of Mey Sunday 20th
September at 2.00pm at Castle of Mey There's a T.Rex coming to Caithness. Hunt in and around the castle to
find some of his friends. Normal Castle entrance fees apply.
Dounreay Donations To Caithness Charities The
decommissioning team responsible for the clean up of the plutonium criticality
laboratory have donated their winnings to local charities. They won the team
award in the 2008 round of Dounreay Director�s safety awards, and decided to
pool the �1,000 prize money with the �1,000 to be donated to charity. Senior
project manager Charlie Fowler explained that the team wanted to use the money
to benefit others. Decommissioning D8550 was not the achievement of just the
clean up team, it was the result of the efforts of the whole site. The team
felt it would not be proper to accept the team part of the award without
somehow extending it to the whole of DSRL and our contractors. The money was
split equally between four local charities � the Caithness branch of MacMillan
Cancer Support, Wick Lifeboat, the Caithness branch of Diabetes UK and the
SSPCA Balmore animal rescue centre.
Sight Action
A New Web site For Blind and Partially Sighted People In Highland and Western
Isles.
The site has a growing listing of news, events and contacts. The site can
be viewed in a choice of text sizes and colours for backgrounds and text can be
varied to assist viewing.
W@W Network Event -
What Makes People Tick? - FREE Event
29 September 12.00 - 2.00pm - Caithness Horizons, Thurso What Makes People Tick?, led by Shirley Murchison, of Highland Body
Language Training Consultancy, Inverness. A light hearted, interactive
session exploring aspects of social psychology that will help you understand
not only yourself and others but the society you live in. The WEA�s Women@Work
Project (W@W) provides information, support and training for women in the
Highlands. The Project aims to help women to understand issues, develop skills
and become more able to speak out about things which matter to them at home, at
work and in their communities, and beyond. W@W offers women-only training
courses in various subjects from personal development to political and
financial awareness. Network participants and guest speakers discuss ideas and
engage in interactive workshops to explore new ways of working and to provide
stimulation and food for thought. The network is for all women, whether in paid
work or not. More information about W@W is available on the web at
www.weawomenatwork.org.uk For Booking Details
see What's On
Scotland's Rural Past
Team Comes To Scotland A
new group is to be formed to record some of the rural past in Caithness to add
to the Scottish record. There is a huge hole in the archaeological record of
Scotland�s past. Throughout recorded history until recent times most of
Scotland�s people lived in small dispersed farming communities known as
townships; a type of archaeological monument classed as Historic Rural
Settlement. The subject has largely been ignored by academic archaeology
until fairly recently. A very large number of these sites are currently
unrecognised and unrecorded. Most of the croft-houses and steadings still visible
in the landscape date to the 19th century. Many of these buildings were
recorded to a limited degree by the first Ordinance Survey of the 1870s.
However their remit was to record only those building that stood above
knee height. Unfortunately most farmsteads built before about 1800 were
constructed from turf on stone footings; too low to meet the Ordinance
Survey criterion of knee high or above.
The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic
Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) is doing what it can within its
limited resources to rectify this situation but it needs our help.
Scotland's
Rural Past Web Site Read on if you would like to
get involved..........
Sinclair Odyssey Street Parade At Wick - A Fire Performance
11 September 2009
LOTTERY GIVES PULTENEYTOWN A MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE Plans to build a much anticipated new community and regeneration
centre in Pulteneytown, Wick have moved a step forward this week following
a cash injection of �1 million from the Big Lottery Fund. The Pulteneytown
People's Project is one of five projects in Glasgow, Fife, the Highlands
and West Lothian today sharing in �2,369,891 from BIG's Growing Community
Assets programme. Announcing the funding at the site of the newbuild
Pultneytown communty centre, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Alison
Magee, said: "Today's funding from our Growing Community Assets scheme
will help five communities to acquire and develop local assets that can be
grown to create new services and build local skills. As part of today's
investment we are awarding �1 million to help create a new community and
training facility in the centre of Pulteneytown.
Masterplan For The Re-development of John O'Groats Launched Highlands
and Islands Enterprise and consultants GVA Grimley this week unveiled a
vision of how the five hectares site could be developed. The masterplan,
which has been shaped by the views of residents, businesses, tourists and
public agencies, offers various design options. They all feature the
creation of a destination focal point, possibly a sculpture or piece of
artwork, drawing 'end to enders' to a main square near the harbour.
Modern Jive
Moves North Modern Jive was introduced in the early nineteen eighties, drawing
from many other well known dance styles as diverse as Rock and Roll and
Salsa. The biggest draw back of some dances is that you spend time and
money learning the moves but then find there is nowhere to put what you
have learnt into practice. This is where Modern Jive comes into it's own,
because it can be danced to a huge variety of music from Rock & Roll to
Salsa, R & B to Country, Swing to Jazz and even to
Reggae!!................ Steve is bringing weekly classes to Wick and
Thurso and also out to the villages of Lybster and Strathy, starting from
Monday the 21st September- see the
'What's On' Section for more details.......................
Attempted fraud - Thurso
Police in Thurso are issuing a warning to householders following reports
of a potential debit card scam targeting the Caithness area. A member of
the public was contacted by a company called Care4u who claimed the
householder was entitled to receive a four figure refund on council/poll
tax payments. The caller then asked the man to provide his bank details,
card number, etc and the monies would be paid into his account. However,
after becoming suspicious he reported the matter to Police. Police would
like to remind people not to issue their card details over the phone.
A Celebration of
the Creativity of Caithness Following
on from the success of the Caithness Arts Drama Festival last weekend,
Caithness Arts will be celebrating the originality and vision of the Arts
and Crafts in Caithness with two weekends of events for the whole family
on 19th & 20th and 26th & 27th September.............
For the young theatre people in the County, there will be Play In A Day
events in Thurso on Saturday 19th and Wick on Sunday 20th........
In the evening on 19th September, Silver Trumpet and Golden Bell will be
an informal evening of music and conversation at the Mill Theatre Thurso
at 7.30pm. With music from the Pentland Brass Band and the Caithness
Handbell Ringers and entertainment from the Thurso Players......
There will also be an Exhibition Celebrating 25 years of Cinema For Thurso
- its Silver Anniversary........
This evening will be a chance to talk to fellow artists, crafts people and
supporters of the arts about the future for the arts in Caithness........
Caithness Arts Open Studios will take place the following weekend on 26th
& 27th September. Artists and Makers based in the far north will be
opening their doors to give the public a rare opportunity to see inside
their working studios...................
It's Happening In Wick Tonight - Friday 11 September
Another Wick Spectacular Takes the Town 2009: A Sinclair Odyssey Street Parade Round Wick Friday 11th
September 7.30pm - Starts Market Square
A thrilling processional extravaganza through the streets of Wick. The
legendary voyage to America by Henry Sinclair is brought to life by a cast
of hundreds. A spectacle full of adventure, shipwrecks, battles, secret
maps, and strange lands featuring giant puppets, historic boats, stilt
walkers, fireworks, dancing drama and much much more. Theatre Modo is
working with over 200 young people from across Caithness to create the
performance. Groups are involved creating routines using stilt walking,
fire performance, dance and street theatre, while others are making props,
costumes, lanterns and banners for the event.
Theatre Modo previously stage
Assipattle in Wick
Gary McLean Memorial Charity Motorcycle Run
Followed By a Grand Raffle and Dance in the Evening The Run Will Be Held On The 26th Of September, Gathering At the MARKET
SQUARE WICK at 12:30 for 1:30 Start. The Dance to the OUTLANDERS
Will Commence At 9pm at the Back Bridge Street Club
Tickets Are Priced At �6 For The Run And �8 For The Dance Or Why Not
Purchase Both For Just �10, Payment On The Day Is Also Acceptable, You Can
Go To One Or The Other Or Why Not Make A Day Of It And Enjoy Both.Tickets from Paul at AMS Motorcycles, Coach Road, Wick Tel 07884185015
or I & N Brass, Confectionary & Ice Cream, 3 Swanson Street, Thurso.
8 September 2009
Emergency Works Commissioned at Wick Harbour Wall The
Highland Council is to carry out emergency works to stabilise the
riverside wall on River Street, Wick, following flood damage, which has
forced the temporary closure of River Street between Mackay's Hotel and
Burn Street. Contractor, A & W Sinclair Ltd, has been appointed to
undertake emergency repairs to the wall. Work is expected to start tonight
at low water at 7 pm. The Council's Transport Environmental and Community
Works Service and A & W Sinclair Ltd are working in close liaison with
SEPA to stabilise the wall. It is hoped to reopen River Street to
traffic, governed by traffic lights, once the initial stabilisation work
is completed.
Open Studio Days
In Caithness
September is Caithness Arts Month and on behalf of Caithness Arts Shelagh
Swanson is organising an "Open Studios" event to take place on the 26/27th
September. She is looking for interested artists/makers who would be
willing to open their studios to the public for all or part of this
weekend. As long as you have plenty work to display the definition of
"studio" is flexible, why not turn your living room or garage into a
gallery for the weekend?!? Participation in the event is free and all
advertising will be done through Caithness Arts.
7 September 2009
Edinburgh Zoo wild bus tours north coast Caithness
pupils will have the chance to discover the wild when an Edinburgh Zoo bus
tours the north coast this week. The Edinburgh Zoo Wild Bus will be
visiting Thurso High School on Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th September and
then North Primary School, Wick on Thursday 10th September. When the bus
is at Thurso High School pupils from Crossroads, Castletown, Mount
Pleasant, Miller Academy, Reay and Halkirk Primaries and the High school
will visit it. Pupils from Hillhead, North Wick, South Wick, Pulteneytown
Academy, Watten, Lybster, Dunbeath, Keiss, Thrumster and Canisbay
Primaries will be visiting the bus when it is in Wick.
Competition At Inverness College UHI To Find Scotland's Next Entrepreneurs For
the 4th year running, UHI Colleges together with Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust, Alchemy Plus, Macrae &
Dick and Harper MacLeod Solicitors are working together to offer wannabe
entrepreneurs in the region the chance to submit their business ideas to
win a share of the �2,900 cash prize pool. The competition is open to
anyone over 16 and resident in the Highlands and Islands, Perthshire and
Moray. As in previous years, the style is simple and friendly. In a
relaxed 'Dragons' Den' style format, successful entrants answer four
questions; what is your idea, what inspired you, who are your intended
customers and what do you need to make your business a reality?
Opportunity For Highland Businesses To Visit Boston
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is offering five ambitious local
businesses the chance to win a place at a sponsors week with a top Boston
research and technology facility. In a tie up with the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT), HIE is asking interested businesses to
outline how access to the top notch research and development 'Media Lab'
could boost their opportunities. The five with the most convincing reasons
will secure a place.
Highland Council Ranger
Discovers New Site For Rare Bumblebee The
Great Yellow Bumblebee, one of Britain�s rarest bee species, has bucked
recent gloomy trends and had a bumper summer in Scotland this year. Paul
Castle, The Highland Council�s North Sutherland Ranger, has been involved
with the Great Yellow Bumblebee for several years and this year has
discovered two previously unrecorded sites for this rare Bumblebee at
Melvich and Reay along the north coast Delighted with his discovery, Paul
said: "2009 has been an exciting summer for bumblebees. These new sites
mean we have now linked the Caithness and Sutherland populations. It was
particularly pleasing following last season when, despite searching, I
never saw a single Great Yellow Bumblebee. It's great to know this
vulnerable mainland population is able to recover from an apparently
disastrous season."
More on Bees In
Caithness
6 September 2009
FOOD
MARKETING FOR SMALL PRODUCERS Saturday 12th September 10.00am to 4.30pm - Dunbeath Community
Centre A one day course given by food marketing specialist David Lamb,
Scottish Agricultural College
This course is free, including a light lunch. It will be of interest to
anyone engaged in food production and
marketing, including those thinking about finishing beef and lamb for
local sale.
Labrador
Retriever Rescue Funday Saturday
26 September - Bower Community Hall - 12.00 Gun Dog Demo
Drug Dog Demo
Martina Cross Taking Pet Photos
Pets At Home Adoption Scheme
Stalls, Teas, coffee & Homebaking and much more
WAGYU Cattle To Be Produced In Caithness - See The BBC Programme
LANDWARD An exiting venture by Wick business man John Sutherland to introduce
Japanese WAGYU (pronounced Wag oo) cattle into Caithness and produce
top-quality BEEF is to be screened this week on the BBC 2 farming
programme
LANDWARD starting at 7pm on Friday 11th September. Mr
Sutherland who is managing director of Caithness Beef and Lamb has
imported 1,000 straws on WAGYU semen which is stored in Liquid Nitrogen
with the A.I.Cattle Breeding Service in Caithness run by Willie
Mackay,Oldhall Watten. The BBC film crew along with presenter Dougie
Vipond spent most of Wednesday last week filming at the new abattoir in
KEISS and at Messrs, COGHILL'S family farm at STEMSTER MAINS HALKIRK where
already 30 pure bred ABERDEEN ANGUS heifers have been inseminated with
WAGYU semen. WAGYU beef and steaks are known wordwide because of its
distinctive marbling, tender and succulent flavour and is suitable as part
of a low-cholesterol diet. Unfortunately the programme is not
available on the BBC IPlayer so you only have one chance and it is not
available outside Scotland on terrestrial.
Reunion For Alexander Building Contractors and Others
A reunion of people who worked for Alexander Sutherland Building
Contractors in Francis Street Wick, also those people who worked for
Geddes in Watten, Skinners of Wick and Riddles of Thurso, It is also
intending to invite all pupils who attended Wick High School at that time,
between 1959 - 1969.
The venue will depend on numbers of interested parties, its planned to
happen in Wick, within July 2010, interested parties should contact:
David Carter Tel - 01955604780
Donald Mackay Tel - 01224482295
Donald Shearer Tel - 0191 2365507.
The reunion will happen whether the numbers are low or high, please advise
if you wish to attend.
Police seize �135,000 of drugs - Press & Journal
Several people arrested, with three appearing at Inverness court
Drugs worth �135,000 were seized in a series of raids at addresses across
the Highlands and islands........Officers also raided 16 addresses in the
Caithness, Tain, Easter Ross, Orkney and Shetland areas, resulting in the
seizure of class A, B and C drugs........Two more people will appear at
the same court on Monday, with others expected to appear at Dornoch and
Lerwick sheriff courts.......
Playas de Dunnet
Yes even the Spaniards are posting photos of Dunnet.
See another recent one from our regular
North Light - See his
2009 collection so far or get a cuppy o tea and sit back
HERE
The Exhibition about the Westland and the paper boats is now on at
Caithness Horizons
until 24 September - Open seven days a week.
Caithness Field Club - Winter
Programme Starts Today The winter programme for Caithness Field Club starts today with a
walk. If you want to find out most about Caithness in all its forms
this club probably covers more ground than any. With walks and
talks to many places over the years it is amazing the ground this group
have covered. Membership is amazingly cheap and it includes a paper
copy of the annual
bulletin that is full of articles on the county.
4 September 2009
Fields of Barley/Homecoming 2009
- Entrance FREE First showing of George Gunn's new play "Fields of Barley", along with
Homecoming Scotland, a celebration of Robert Burns "and Friends" songs
readings and music by Thurso Players. Friday 4th September - 7.30pm - Wick Old Parish Church, Wick
Saturday 5th September - 7.30pm Mill Theatre, Millbank Road, Thurso 'Fields of Barley' revolves around a love story between a female
farmer from Lower Pulteneytown and an Italian-American pilot and is set in
Wick during the dark days of World War II. The play, which will form part
of the nationwide Homecoming Celebrations, will be directed by Edinburgh
based drama student Iain MacDonald with young performers, Peter Gordon of
Edinburgh and Sheila Smith of Murkle in the leading roles.
More.........
Pass Makes
Perfect For Drama Students
Pupils from across the Highland Council area, studying SQA courses at Eden
Court, have achieved a 100% pass rate in Higher Dance, Higher Drama and
Intermediate 2 Drama exams. 33 young people aged 14 - 17 studied for these
exams at Eden Court from August 2008 to May 2009. The opportunity to study
Drama at SQA Higher and Intermediate 2 level has been made possible
through a partnership between The Highland Council and Eden
Court.............Last year a special partnership arrangement was set up
by Thurso High School in partnership with Eden Court and Higher Drama was
run in the school which 9 pupils sat the exam. Results: Grade B - 7
students, Grade C - 2 students. This year one student from Wick is taking
the Intermediate 2 course. Chairman of The Highland Council's
Education Culture and Sport Committee, Councillor Bill Fernie said: "This
partnership between The Highland Council and Eden Court is helping to
fulfil the ambitions of our Highland young people. Congratulations to all
our pupils who passed the dance and drama exams and best wishes to those
going on to pursue further education or careers in their chosen fields."
Wick High School Parent Council - Invitation To Parents
Wick High School parent council urges parents/carers of pupils at Wick
High School to come along to the parent forum on Wednesday 9 September
in the school at 7pm. You can come along to hear about what is going
on, and give your opinion on what the parent council should be doing,
whether or not you want join the parent council. The parent council is not
just concerned with school buildings and teacher numbers; there are
opportunities for parents to take part in all sorts of events in the
school, help with fundraising, and give their opinion on the priorities
for their child's education. Its a great way to support the school, and
most parent council members find that the things they learn as a member of
the parent council help them support their own child's education.
2 September 2009
The
Wedding Show - In Wick Tonight Wednesday
2nd September - 7.30pm at the Waterfront, Wick Everything you need for wedding and a cat walk show. Entrance �5
with all proceeds to the Laurandy Day Care Centre
A
Picture Paints a Thousand Words Following
the success of last years photo competition "Keep us in the Picture", The
Highland Council is once again inviting young people to get out their
cameras and use photography as a means of highlighting what they think
about the Highlands. As part of the Council's consultation on the Highland
wide Local Development Plan, people aged 25 and under are been asked to
send in photographs of what they like and don't like about Highland and
also what they would like to see in Highland that we don't already
have......Robin Falconer, Chair of Highland Youth Voice agrees. He said:
"Young people have many ideas about how to improve their environment and
local area. The ideas of young people are often very creative and it is
encouraging to learn that the Council's Planning and Development service
is listening to the views of young people through the 'Keep us in the
Picture' competition. It's an interesting competition and I'm sure young
people will be keen to take part in it."
1 September 2009
Local
Suppliers Invited To Public Tendering Information Event The Highland Council is encouraging local suppliers to come along to
the first three of a series of ten procurement road shows. Entitled
'Submission Impossible?', the events are aimed at helping local suppliers
to develop their skills in tendering for public sector contracts, and form
part of the Council's response to the economic downturn. More and more
Scottish businesses are enjoying success tendering for public contracts
and this free series of road shows is touring the Highlands to let
suppliers know how they can participate. The first three events will run
in Thurso, Wick and Golspie on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September. Each
drop in session will run from 3pm until 8pm. Various procurement staff
representing The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise,
Northern Constabulary, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue, and NHS
Highland will be available to chat with suppliers.
2009: A Sinclair Odyssey Street Parade Round Wick Friday 11th
September 7.30pm - Starts Market Square
A thrilling processional extravaganza through the streets of Wick. The
legendary voyage to America by Henry Sinclair is brought to life by a cast
of hundreds. A spectacle full of adventure, shipwrecks, battles, secret
maps, and strange lands featuring giant puppets, historic boats, stilt
walkers, fireworks, dancing drama and much much more. Theatre Modo is
working with over 200 young people from across Caithness to create the
performance. Groups are involved creating routines using stilt walking,
fire performance, dance and street theatre, while others are making props,
costumes, lanterns and banners for the event.
Theatre Modo previously stage
Assipattle in Wick
Can You Help Pultenytown People's Project - Feedback On Proposed New
Community Centre
PPP is looking for feedback from the community regarding our proposed
creation of a Community/Enterprise Centre. We have distributed surveys
around Wick, asking the community for their views and giving them the
chance to win a �50 voucher from Sinclair Family Butchers. The survey is
also
available from our website
www.pulteneytownpeoplesproject.org.uk (click on "Survey" at the
bottom of the menu on the left hand side of the home page). The closing
date for the competition is 15th September, (although we would be pleased
to continue to receive community feedback after this).
The
30 feet long and 12 feet high lifesize replica of the Tyrannosaurus Rex
dinosaur accompanied by Lloyd Scott, famous for running marathons in bizarre
costumes in aid of charity, will arrive at the Castle of Mey at approximately
1.00 p.m.on Sunday 27 September as part of the final leg of Lloyd�s latest
journey � the T-Rex Trek. The trek, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, began at
Land�s End on 19 July and will have covered more than 1,000 miles in 70 days
when it finishes at John O�Groats. Also at the Castle will be young Morven
Macleod from Thurso, winner of last week�s dinosaur hunt in the Castle grounds.
Morven will be presented with her prize of a 2010 Family Membership for the
Castle, gardens and grounds and a special chocolate dinosaur jigsaw puzzle.
