30 January 2010
Wick Arion Choir Night Raised �956 For Haiti Relief Fund
On a bitterly cold night on Friday 29th January the public turned out to a
free concert in St Joachim's church, Wick and made donations at the door
totalling �956 towards helping the people of Haiti. After some great
singing from the choir of many familiar Scottish tunes including several Burns
songs the audience were surprised to be invited to an amazing buffet that had
been laid on without notice. Great home baking a huge range of scrummy
cakes and sandwiches. Tea, coffee and even a glass of wine were on
offer. It transpires that Sister Declan who used to be based in Wick for
several years has for the past couple of years been working in Haiti. The
house she was living in was demolished in the earthquake but she survived and
is currently living in a tent whilst helping the community there.
Caithness Branch Of The British Science Association
AGM
27th
February 11.00am - 2.30pm - Caithness Horizons, Thurso
Come along. There are lots of opportunities for science activities that are
going begging for want of someone to grab them and run with them. We�d like to
expand the committee and make the most of the opportunities. But come along
anyway, even if you�re just vaguely curious and fancy a free bowl of soup and a
blether on a cold winter�s day. You don�t get a job if you don�t want one!
FREE Lunch
29 January 2010
Caithness Mod 2010 Organisation Gathering Pace -
Friday 8th - Saturday 16th October
The
local Mod organising committee are now well into the run up to the Caithness
Mod 2010 - a massive logistical exercise to accommodate up to 9000 visitors to
the county in the nine days Friday 8th - Saturday 16th October. Our
section that carried some early information has now been cleared out into an
archive page and a link to the new official Caithness Mod web site that is
coming shortly. Other indications as to the scale of the vent can be found on
the
Bebo page where you can read about the involvement and tuition going
on in local Caithness schools for young musicians and singers. The
Caithness Mod 2010 also has a
Facebook page You can join these pages to be kept up to date
with all the latest news in coming months as we get closer to the biggest music
event that has ever happened in Caithness. For folk looking to attend
from outwith the county you better get cracking to book somewhere to stay as
areas with the Mod tend to get booked quickly. Anyone with any questions
can get in touch with Carol-Anne MacKay recently appointed as the full time
event support officer
[email protected] Carol-Ann will also help if anyone
ahs problems finding somewhere to stay.
Old
Pulteney add celebratory spirit to Cape Wrath Reunion
Old Pulteney single malt whisky has helped a separated Cape Wrath couple
celebrate their reunion this week with a bottle of their whisky from their
Wick-based distillery. John and Kay Ure, who run an isolated tea room in the UK
mainland's most north-westerly tip, were forced to spend the festive season
apart for the first time in 35 years when the 'big freeze' hit in December.
Upon hearing of their predicament Scotland's most northerly distillery overcame
the elements to present the reunited couple with a bottle of Old Pulteney 12
year old single malt to belatedly toast the New Year together.
PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT
The North Highland College, Thurso
Limited places are now available on a new course running at the North Highland
College, in our recycling centre. Flexible hours are available.
This project involves the recycling of textiles, making a variety of items,
whilst working towards an SQA qualification.........
Business Gateway Workshops For New and Existing Businesses
Thinking of starting your own business in the next few months, or developing
your existing business - then contact Jennifer Irvine, Regional Development
Officer, Business Gateway, Caithness - on 01955 605360; mobile 07921758450 - or
email
[email protected] - to book a place on the following
FREE workshops:...............
26 January 2010
Over 700 Businesses Registered For Council Contracts By The Deadline
An open invitation for consultants, contractors and skilled trades
businesses to submit an application to work for The Highland Council on
contracts with an individual value of up to �25,000 and consultancy work for
projects of all values has received a considerable response. Over 700
(476 contractors and 242 consultants) submitted an application by the deadline
of Friday 22 January for the Council's framework agreement which will begin in
April 2010 and will last for two years, with the option of a one-year
extension.
23 January 2010
Exciting Job Opportunities Open Up With �4million Programme At ERI Thurso
Marine Energy has long been talked about but now something is stirring as
the Envronmental Research Institute in Thurso announce research jobs in both
Thurso and Oban for a research programme.
The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have some of the world's best natural
resources for marine renewable energy. These provide unrivalled opportunities
for developing new energy markets and the �green economy� in the coming years.
The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) of the North Highland College in
Thurso together with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban,
have successfully secured �4million funding for a unique multi-disciplinary
research programme, Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment (MaREE). Both
organisations are partners in the UHI Millennium Institute (UHI); the �emergent
university of the Highlands and Islands�.
We now have a number of exciting opportunities for dynamic, enthusiastic and
self-motivated technicians with experience in one or more of the following
areas:
Click HERE for more details
Are You
Interested In A Veg Box Scheme In Caithness? - Then Check It Out Here
22 January 2010
Scorries Play Nairn At Home This Saturday - Last Minute Fixture Changes
Head for Harmsdworth Park, Wick On Saturday For Another Great Game
Wick Academy
Saturday Game changed To Home Game Against Nairn
Rothes
V WAFC has been cancelled on Sat 23rd Jan and now WAFC has a home match against
Nairn County KO 3pm.
Wick Academy Web
Site
20 January 2010
Darwin
Miller Dick - Connected Lives
For More Information Click HERE
Saturday
13th February - Caithness Horizons - Thurso
Starts 10.00 am and finishes 4.00pm and you can attend all or part of the
day. The event is FREE
Digital
Camera Training Course - Sunday 7th February
Award
winning photographer John Baikie will share his knowledge with all you folk who
are new to using digital cameras and all those features and buttons. Just
sign up for his one day course on Sunday 7th February
CLAN GUNN SOCIETY
CAITHNESS ART PROJECT
Art Competition Open To Primary Schools In Caithness
The
Clan Gunn Society is holding an art competition for children in Primary schools
in Caithness. The theme for the competition is: MY CAITHNESS: Land and
Sea
There are two categories for entrants: � Ages 7 - 9 � Ages 10 -11
There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in both categories
1st Prize will be a package of art materials for you, a digital camera for your
school and a free session for your class at the
Clan
Gunn Heritage Centre in Latheron, Caithness.
The winners will be awarded their prizes at the Gathering and Halkirk Highland
Games in the summer. Closing Date Friday 2nd April 2010.
19 January 2010
Caithness Bloggers Getting Into 2010
Surfin North
If
you want to see how great surfing can be in Caithness just head over to another
blog from local photographer Martina Cross. to oo and ah at her other photos
head for her
Landscape Blog Plenty more great Caithness views in her
main web site
Meanwhile
North Light from Jamie Buchanan has set out on a journey for his
third year to add a photo a day and head for his ultimate target of over 1000
local photos. Catch up with his 2010 collection
HERE or put your feet up and watch the slide show
HERE
Rain On My Window by Maurice Pottinger continues his essays on local farming
life on his blog with his latest piece
Papay Boatmen and
their skills
Home In The
Highlands has also posted three updates since the turn of the year once
again reflecting on the Caithness landscape and a few thoughts on this and that
from an American resident in the county.
Over at the
Mary Ann's Cottage blog more colourful contributions continue to be
added by Joanne Kaar who does not seem to have run out of steam after
completing the highly successful paper boats fundraiser for the cottage.
(Bill's string of paper boats from Taiwan are now draped across his office here
at the Org)
Need some time out? - Want to learn to relax?
Alternative Vitality - Beginners Meditation Class
Starts - Thursday 4th February - @ 6.30pm for 5 weeks - Places are limited to
please book early to avoid disappointment - To Book Contact - 01955 604759 -
[email protected]
Fund
Raiser For HAITI Earthquake Disaster By Arion Choir Wick
Wick's recently reformed Arion Choir are to hold a special concert on 29th
January at 7.30pm in St Joachim's church, Breadalbane Terrace, Wick (Opposite
Assembly Rooms). Entry is to be by donations at the door so everyone can
contribute any amount they can. If anyone else is organising fund-raisers
for HAITI let us know and we will advertise them on this page - just email
details or posters to [email protected]
18 January 2010
Committee Agrees Review Of Highland School Estate
The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Committee has agreed to
review its school estate, which includes 183 primary schools; 29 secondary
schools and 3 special schools.
Big Dance Tuition
Programme Hits Caithness This Week
New Year kicks off with Body Currents exciting dance programme in Caithness
The New Year is in full swing and to celebrate, the Body Currents dance
programme, run by Eden Court, is launching their new range of exciting classes
in Caithness this week for all ages and all abilities.
Caithness-based Dance Catalysts, Jill Kingdon and Juta Campbell, who run the
outreach programme in the area and host each class, have compiled a programme
full of diversity that would make Len Goodman proud.
Kicking off with a dance taster sessions on Thursday 21 January at Reay Hall,
and Friday 22nd January at Castletown Drill Hall, Jill and Juta will introduce
beginners to a mixture of different dance styles including Street, African,
Breakin', Salsa and Rock'n Roll. The classes are aimed at everyone from six to
ninety six no matter what the skill level.
Saturday 23rd January will see a Day of Dance at Mey Hall, where the Dance
Catalysts will be teaching a variety of different dance styles including Hip
Hop, Salsa, African, Jazz, Musical Theatre and Creative Dance. Starting at
10:00am and running through until 3:00pm, the day will be full of fast-paced
fun for all the family.
On Monday 25th January, Jill and Juta will host the first parent and baby
taster session at Lybster Community Hall. Aimed at little ones aged from birth
to 24 months, the class will give Mums and Dads the chance to dance and move
with their baby to playful tunes and nursery rhymes. There will also be Parent
and Baby taster sessions in Wick on Tuesday 2nd February and in Thurso on
Monday 8th Feb.
Lybster Was Like a Skating Rink Last Week
More
wintry photos - this time from Lybster showing how the village side roads
became like a skating rink last week.
11 January 2010
Winter In Caithness and North Sutherland
More wintry scenes in the forum -
An icy Groyne -
Here comes the snow -
Who stole the water? -
Last photos
My German Shepherd Puppy in the snow today -
todays pics -
Bbbbrrrrr again -
Morning Snow
Lawn mower in the snow! -
Stag by the bridge -
Bbbbrrrrr.............
tree in the mist at Helmsdale Strath
World Premiere Of A
Film Made By Local Thurso Young People - Sat 4.00pm
Wrap up
warmly this Saturday, and be part of a unique event in Thurso - The first
public screening of a film made by local teenagers. The film will be projected
outside [yes, outside] .......................Caithness Horizons at
4pm on Saturday 16th January
Made In Thurso - Premiere - Outdoors - A Unique Local Production -
FREE....
Film Artist Gavin Lockhart, David Hunter [Eden Court drama worker], &
Christine Russell, [education & community officer for Caithness Horizons] will
join the Young Film makers themselves to answer any questions you might have
about this original Highland Culture Programme project by Caithness Horizons,
Thurso.
Thurso Swimming Pool Closed Monday 1st February - Sunday 14th For
Maintenance
The Building will be closing for maintenance work from Monday 1st February,
re-opening on Monday 15th.
10 January 2010
News
Foreign firms gain most from off-shore wind power deals - Guardian 7
Jan 2010
More Renewable Energy News - Guardian
9 January 2010
Thurso Fiddle and Accordion Club - Monday Night Cancelled Due to
Anticipated Bad Weather
The club night for Monday 11 January at Pentland Hotel has been cancelled
Police News - Train Crash At Halkirk
Sat, 9 Jan 2010 13:12:13 GMT
POLICE and emergency services are attending a collision between a passenger
train and a van at a level crossing on the
B874, Halkirk.
The incident was reported at 11:45am this morning, 9 January 2010.
The passenger train was carrying 5 passengers and 3 members of staff, none of
whom sustained any injuries. The van driver was cut free from the van which was
trapped at the scene. He was taken to Caithness General Hospital for medical
treatment for minor injuries.
British Transport Police are sending officers to the scene.
8 January 2010
LOG SALE At Dunnet Forest -
Cancelled Due To Weather
Dunnet Forestry Trust regrets that it has to postpone the wood/log sale
that was to be held at the forest this Saturday, 9th January. This is due to
the severe cold weather conditions making the approach road and the industrial
area highly dangerous, the whole access area is a thick sheet of ice which
could be lethal to users; instead the sale will be held the following
Saturday, 16th January 10am - 1pm. Any customer desperately needing logs
before the 16th should ring 01847 851 353, if access is safer, a convenient
pick up time will be arranged.
It
May Be Cold In 2010 But Still A long Way To Go To Beat the Big Caithness Snow
of 1955
2008
2007
2006
2005
Earlier Weather
photos in Caithness
Highland Council Update
Weather conditions: Limited snowfall has allowed wider treatment of
priority 3 and 4 routes. Very cold temperatures overnight (-23 in Altnaharra.
Ice now likely to be the problem. The forecast is for very cold weather over
the next couple of days. Salt has a limited affect below -9 and grit will be
used on the roads over the coming days.
Operations To Get As Many Schools Open for Monday
A major focus of snow clearing has also been in freeing entrances to schools.
Private contractors have been hired to assist with the snow clearing
operation.
Salt Supplies: A consignment of
3,400 tonnes of salt arrived at Invergordon Harbour this morning and a further
2,000 tonnes are due to arrive at Inverness Harbour over the weekend.
Schools -
Latest Updates For Possible Schools Closures Next Week
Every effort will be made to ensure Highland schools are able to open after the
holidays on Monday 11 January, despite the adverse weather. Parents are asked
to check the schools� web site:
www.schoolclosures.highlandschools.org.uk
or call the schools� information line, which gives callers access to the latest
pre-recorded messages from head teachers.
The telephone number is
0870 054 6999 +
the school's PIN* -
List of schools' unique 6-figure PIN numbers
(PDF
document - get free PDF reader
software from the Adobe website).
Parents should
also listen to Moray Firth Radio and BBC Highland on Monday for a note of
school closures.
TEC Services have engaged the use of private contractors to clear access to
schools. Priority is being given to secondary schools and special schools and
then primary schools.
A Council spokesman said: �Every effort is being made to get schools open when
pupils and staff return on Monday. We will be working through the weekend to
clear roads and paths to schools and hope that most of our schools can open on
Monday. Parents should keep an eye on the web site and use their school
information line and those in doubt about their school opening should listen on
Monday morning to Moray Firth Radio and BBC.�
The Council has 29 secondary schools with 14,767 pupils; 183 primary schools
with 16,821 pupils and 5 special schools with 156 pupils. This gives a total of
31,744 pupils.
Council
Service Centre Opens at Weekend As Enquiries Soar In Bad Weather
The Highland Council is responding to the high number of enquiries received
from the public about the bad weather to open its Customers Service Centre this
weekend. The Centre will be operational between 9 am - 5 pm on both Saturday
and Sunday. The number is 01349 886606.
The Service Centre, which is based in Alness, has dealt with an average of more
than 1,700 calls each day since Monday 4 January. This is a rise of 15%.
The public is asked to use this number if they have queries about school
openings and roads and housing issues.
North
Police Advice For Motorists Tonight
Northern Constabulary Issue Advice Following Possibility of Freezing Rain in
North Highlands and Islands
Northern Constabulary are issuing safety advice to members of the public
following a warning of possible freezing rain in parts of the Highlands and
Islands tonight and tomorrow. Freezing rain is very hazardous in that the
precipitation falls as rain but freezes on contact with the ground. This could
potentially make walking and driving conditions more dangerous than at present.
Temperatures Dropping All Over Scotland
The cold temperatures are obviously attracting a lot of attention e.g. the
-22.3C recorded at Altnaharra in the Highlands this morning. Wick -7.8C
Wick Library Closed From 5.00pm Today Friday
Due to the cold weather the Wick library will not stay open as it usually does
until 8.00pm.
4 January 2010
Wick's Hogmanay Street Party Photos
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25 - 36
13 - 24
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