RAF Wick - A New Series Of Photos From World War Two and Later Starting today we are
pleased to begin a series of photos on the web site covering the RAF in
Wick during World War Two and later years. The section is just
beginning and will include many aerial photos from the RAF of Wick and
Caithness wartime installations from the air. A few photos taken
by the Luftwaffe are also included. They are al black and white
photos. If anyone has information about the buildings or any of
the photographs then please lets us know and we will add information to
the photographs. Look out for many more photos as we add them in
coming weeks. RAF
Wick
Wick
Airport Buildings Shortly
an index page will be added with links to other World War Two sections
on the web site and infomration that we have or comes in from any of
you. If you would like to contribute to this section just email
[email protected] Many thanks to the man who let us have
the photographs. Many more will be added soon.
Caithness Canine Club Has A New
Web Site There are always new dog
owners looking for training for puppies and other doggie training or
classes. Caithness Canine Club has set upa new web site with full
details of what they now offer. Some details are reproduced here
but check the web site regulalrly for the latest information.
Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Puppy Class, Wick Assembly Rooms
Tuesdays at 7:30pm to 8:15pm �3.50 per non-member and �3 per member. 6
week session from 01/11/11 to 06/12/11. Please contact Secretary to
ensure a place is available or to register interest for next block.
Bronze and Silver Classes Wick Assembly Rooms at
8:20pm to 9.20pm �3.50 per non-member and �3 per member. 12 week
session from 06/09/11 to 29/11/11 - week of 18/10/11 no classes. Please
contact Secretary to ensure a place is available. Gold Level Classes Not
available at present but please call Secretary to register for next
block. Secretary: Barbara Smith
01955 605786 Ringcraft: Not available at
present. Please call Secretary to register interest for next block. Secretary: Barbara Smith
01955 605786
Agility and Flyball: Classes re-commence on
Wednesday 23rd February 2011 from 8pm to 9pm at The Indoor Riding
Centre in Halkirk. Those interested in attending can obtain
further details from Sheila McColm on 01847 895648.
Vehicle Safety Checks By Northern
Constabulary
NORTHERN Constabulary will be
carrying out increased mobile patrols across the Highlands and Islands
over the next two weeks. The
increased patrols will focus on road safety with particular emphasis on
tyres and lights and will aim to deter inappropriate driver behaviour
whilst providing reassurance and advice on winter driving ahead of this
weekends clock change. If you need new tyres don't leave it too
long as Tyre fitters in Caithness are very busy already with many
drivers getting winter tyres fitted. You may need to book your
time slot for fitting so get checking those tyres right now............
Wick
Academy 0 Keith 1
Report and Photos - Noel Donaldson
A SINGLE goal and a penalty at
that,
tipped the Scottish Cup scales in favour of Keith, on Saturday, in the
second-round tie at Harmsworth Park but it was hardly the stuff of cup
magic. Nowhere are
there so many if-onlys as in football, and the ones Wick Academy will
reflect on, are the chances missed, not least Craig Shearer's header
from a free kick which shot past the post. But
Keith, who were always dangerous on the break, found finishing, just as
much of a challenge. The visitors had to rely on a penalty in the
35th minute, after striker Cammy Keith was tripped just inside
the box by Craig Shearer, to take them through to the third
round. Keith had a lot
possession and were always quick to latch on to Academy passes that
went astray but could not consolidate their lead, in windy conditions
which frustrated play for both sides at times. The
second half was a slog with Academy pushing to level, through good
efforts from David Allan, Sam Mackay and Stewart Ross, none of which
produced that precious goal on which to build a possible win. Happiest person on the terracing was the
supporter who pocketed a record �250 in Academy's regular 50/50 draw.
Calling Caithness Businesses - Get Your FREE Ads For Anything Christmas
Connected If your business has
anything whatsoever remotely connected to Christmas then promote it on
Caithness.org FREe of charge. Chritmas Meals, Dinners, Christmas
Parties, Christmas entertainment. In fact anything you have
however remotely connected to Christmas we will consider it for a FREE
ad all the way to Christmas. So it can be almost anything that
might be for a gift. Jut email your text and suitable photos ( we
do want photos -over 200k in size) to [email protected] Kung Fu Panda 2 - Showing In
Thurso - Saturday 29th 7.45pm at Skinandis
New
�4millon Community Fund Launch The Community of
Caithness and North Sutherland is soon to gain from a new �4M community
benefit package which is being provided by the NDA from the new Low
Level Waste Facility currently being developed at Dounreay. The
aim of the newly formed Caithness & North Sutherland Fund (CNSF) is
"to increase the attractiveness of Caithness & North Sutherland as
a place to live, work & invest with particular emphasis on
achieving environmental, social, culture and infrastructure
improvements".
Gaelic
Plan Consultation Meetings Begin In Thurso The Highland Council
embarking on eight consecutive evening consultation meetings on its
second generation draft Gaelic Language Plan. The consultation meeting for Caithness is
at Thurso at the High School on Monday 24 October at 7.00pm.
Gaelic
Language Plan
Meet
N Eat
Next January KEY Community Supports will be launching a weekly “Meet N
Eat” at Thurso Youth Club. This service is for the elderly in the
community to enjoy a healthy two course meal with a chance to make new
friends. We also hope to provide activities from entertainment,
information sessions and even some light exercises, but we are open to
suggestions. If you are a senior citizen, would you like to help us by
attending one of our trial runs? These will be held on 28 Oct, 25
Nov and 16 Dec. Come along, have lunch, see what we have to offer
and tell us what you think. As the project will have
to be self financing, there will be a small charge for the meal.
The Youth Club at Millbank is easily accessible by car and is on the
town’s bus route. In some cases we could even provide transport
to and from the Youth Club. KEY supports a number of people with
learning disabilities to live in their own homes in the local
community. Many of the people who use KEY services have a keen
interest in healthy eating and are keen to be involved. Some of KEY’s staff and volunteers are
involved in catering and have the relevant qualifications. They
will be preparing the meals with the assistance of some of the people
we support. This will enhance their skills and confidence and
help make friends and build networks in the local community. Marie Bremner, one of KEY’s team leaders,
will be overseeing the project. If you would like to be involved, or know
someone who would, please let us know. Further information from Marie
Bremner. Meet N Eat, KEY
Community Supports, 40a Henderson St., Thurso, Caithness, KW147LD e-mail
[email protected] or telephone 01847894158.
First Minister Welcomes
Nigg Purchase By Global Energy Group
Wick
Schools Consultations Following a period of
statutory consultation, The Highland Council is recommending
the replacement of Wick's four primary schools with two new
purpose built facilities. A
report to be considered by the Education Culture and Sport Committee on
Thursday 10 November will recommend the Council spends almost �20
million on two new community schools - one to the north of the River
Wick and one to the south. This
will complement the �37 million earmarked for the replacement of Wick
High School, which will also include a replacement community swimming
pool and community library. To
the north of Wick the Council proposes to amalgamate Hillhead and North
Primary Schools in a new school building on land available within North
Primary School. The school, estimated to cost �10.5 million, would
cater for approx 360 pupils. To
the south, the Council proposes to join the South and Pulteneytown
Academy Primary Schools in a new school to be built on the site of the
existing Wick High School playing field site and the site of
Pultneytown Academy Primary School. The new school would cater for 360
pupils at an estimated cost of �9.225 million. It is proposed that the
new Primary School, which would also house the existing Caithness Early
Years Autism unit, will be co-joined to the new Wick High School
building thereby creating a purpose-built 3 to 18 campus.
Read It
In The Stones - Caithness Flagtone Sample At Scottish Parliament
Many acres of print have been
written about the Scottish Parliament building but now a new
publication will illuminate an unusual corner of this much talked about
structure. A Scottish Natural Heritage funded leaflet will lift the lid
on the stones in the Canongate Wall. Under
the fa�ade of the Canongate side of the parliament building is the
Canongate Wall. During the construction of the parliament buildings a
blast wall was incorporated into the design. The 39 metres long and 6
metres high wall, at its highest point, is set with a selection of
Scottish rocks, some of which have Scottish texts carved onto the face.
These texts were selected by a panel of MSPs, together with a
literature expert, and include suggestions submitted by the Scottish
people. In all 24 pieces
were chosen for the original design, ranging from Sir Walter Scott to
Alasdair Gray. In 2010, to mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish
Parliament in 2009, two more stones were added. In total there are 28
panels of Scottish rocks; from red sandstone from Dumfriesshire, formed
when Scotland was a desert, to volcanic grey granites from
Aberdeenshire.
Thrumster
Station Renovations Almost Completed
Yarrows Heritage Trust have almost completed the
renovations at Thrumster Station. The building which lay derelict
for many years has been given a new lease of life thanks to grants and
hard work. The works were carried out by local Clyth contractor
Robbie Gordon under a grant award from Highland Leader and Heritage
Lottery Fund. A small SNH grant was also received towards establishing
a woodland area in the field opposite station. This has been planted
out and has a pathway system which ties into the Station car park.
Future plans are to extend the pathway system to incorporate access to
an archaeological feature behind Thrumster House and to include
different wildlife habitats.
Thrumster Station was one of the stations of the Wick and Lybster Light
Railway which opened on 1st July 1903. The railway closed in
April 1944 although officially it remained until 1st Febraury 1951 when
the company finally ceased. The stations on the line were Wick, Thrumster,
Welsh's Crossing Halt, Ulbster, Mid
Clyth, Roster Road Halt, Occumster, Parkside
Halt and Lybster.
The Wick station was part of the present Coop building and you can
still see the stone walls at the rear. See
how Thrumster Station looked before renovations Family
Wood Fuel Day At Dunnet Forest
Saturday 15th October - 11.00am - 3.00pm
Learn about the benefits of woodfuel. Get advice on how to use
it and see how it is produced. Horse logging, beehive wood stack
building and competition, children's quiz and activities, energy
heat/boiler advice, forestry machinery deomonstrations, charcoal
production, pole lathe, green wood turning, sales table, hog roast and
refreshments and much, much more. Extra parking available at Dunnet
Beach Seadrift Carpark.
Dunnet Forestry Trust - Renewable Heat Incentive Information Evening
Castlehill Heritage Centre, Castletown - Friday 14th October -
7.00pm
For information and advice about Government support for renewable heat
installations for Business (starts 2011) and Domestic (starts 2012)
use. - Free event with refreshments.
Dunnet Forestry Trust - Woodfuel Demonstration Day -
Dunnet Forestry Trust in conjunction with Highland Birchwoods will be
running a woodfuel training and demonstration day in Dunnet Forest on
Friday 14th Oct, from 10.30am until 4.30pm.For Forestry Contractors,
Woodfuel Producers, Land Managers. Lunch provided.
To reserve a place on this free training course or for more information
contact [email protected] or phone Dunnet Forestry Trust 01847 598205.
12 October 2011
Tartan & Tiara Ball at The
Norseman Hotel on Friday 28th October 2011, All profits are going to
the Keiss Family Community Project which has been set up to regenerate
the play and sports facilities in Keiss Village. The
Tickets are �22.50 for a 3 course meal and then dancing to JUDE after,
7.30pm for an 8.00pm start. Tickets
can be purchased before the 26th October from the Norseman Hotel
Caithness
Firm Gets Timber Contract For John O' Groats
Local Timber Manufacturer Confirmed for Natural Retreats John O'Groats
Site Following the start of
work in September to rejuvenate John O'Groats as a premium tourist
destination, work continues on the ambitious project to redevelop the
historic hotel and adjacent land. As part of the project to
completely transform and rejuvenate the area, a �1 million building
contract has been awarded to local timber frame manufacturer Norscot
Joinery Ltd from Wick.
Da Doonie Day At Wick 25th November - The Vikings Are Coming
Thurso and Wick Rotary Clubs and Interact Thurso are
setting up a spectacular day with the vikings from Shetland to lead a
torchlight parade to switch on the Christmas lights in Wick followed by
the tradional viking galley burning. Then in the evening
entertainment at the Assembly Rooms with the squad from Shetland being
joined by Caithness squads. But there is more - the vikings will
lead torch lit parades in Halkirk and Thurso on the evening of the 24th
November.
Caithness
U3A - First Newsletter A new branch of the
University of the Third Age was recently fomred in Caithness. The
first newsletter gives details of themeetings and fun learning
opportunities available to members and contact details
Free
Christmas Ideas Ads For Caithness Traders
FREE ADS TO HELP CAITHNESS TRADERS Times are tough for
small businesses but what can be done to make things better for traders
in Caithness. Well there are two things we can identify that make
life better for any business. One is to keep costs down and the
second is to keep your marketing of your locally made products
up. Caithness.org via the Business Index is offering any
Caithness business making products free ads in the run up to
Christmas. If you business makes or sells anything that you think
will be suitable for Chirstmas gifts or for the season then just email
a short article of and a photograph of the produce or products.
Pentland
Ferries Adds Cafe To Its Services At Gills
Pentland Ferries recently added a
cafe at their terminal for the comfort of passengers travelling with
them. No doubt others in the area may appreciate a snack or cup
of tea or coffee if they are in the area. The
Menu features food such as sandwiches, toasties, bacon and sausage
rolls, homemade soup, a large selection of homebakes, tea, coffee, hot
chocolate and cold drinks along with crisps and sweets. The cafe is being run by Pentland Ferries
and is managed by local woman Linda Cormack. The cafe is open 7 days a week all year
from 8am until 6pm.
Family
Wood Fuel Day At Dunnet Forest
Saturday 15th October - 11.00am - 3.00pm
Learn about the benefits of woodfuel. Get advice on how to use
it and see how it is produced. Horse logging, beehive wood stack
building and competition, children's quiz and activities, energy
heat/boiler advice, forestry machinery deomonstrations, charcoal
production, pole lathe, green wood turning, sales table, hog roast and
refreshments and much, much more. Extra parking available at Dunnet
Beach Seadrift Carpark.
Highland
communities encouraged to apply for Creative Places Awards
Communities in The Highland Council area are being encouraged
to
apply for the Creative Scotland investment opportunity called Creative
Places Awards. The Creative Places Awards are part of Creative
Scotland's new investment programme over the coming three years,
beginning with the Year of Creative Scotland in 2012. The Year of
Creative Scotland will celebrate and promote Scotland's cultural and
creative vibrancy and be a launch platform for activity to support the
Year of Homecoming 2014. The purpose of the Creative Places
Awards is to recognise and celebrate the achievements of smaller
communities where local festivals, events and year-round activities
that enhance people's lives and contribute to the local economy take
place. Scottish cities including
Inverness are not eligible to apply for these Awards.
Caithness
Horizons Staff Gain Cultural and Heritage Awards
A group
of five staff members from Caithness Horizons have successfully
completed an EDI National Award in Cultural and Heritage Venue
Operations. Caithness Horizons is the only museum in the Highlands to
have staff that have achieved this award. The group started their
distance learning course last November. As part of the course they had
to complete units on customer care; health and safety; good
housekeeping; finance and visitor services. They were presented with
their certificates of completion on 6th October by Steve Worsfold,
Training Manager for rewards TRC. Paul Cariss, Caithness Horizons
Chairman said that he is absolutely delighted with the achievement of
the museum staff.
LEARN GAELIC!
Beginners Ulpan Course - Starting Saturday 5th November - 9.30am
–3pm Caithness Horizons,
THURSO
For more information: (Cl� G�idhlig) Mechthild Graeme, 01463 - 226 732,
[email protected]
www.cli.org.uk
Caithness Young Musicians
At Highland Music Day BrassCellists
Percussion
570 primary and secondary young people from all over Highland
were in Inverness yesterday (Thursday 6 October) to take part in the
2011 Highland Music Day. Organised by The Highland Council, seven
venues across the city were used to host workshops for young musicians
of strings, brass, woodwind, bagpipes and pipe band drumming,
traditional music and percussion. The day, for all abilities,
included group playing sessions and featured special guest tutors from
the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, saxophonist Richard Ingham, brass
educator and conductor Alan Fernie, samba percussionist Roddy Dickson
of Sambayabamba, tutors from the College of Piping, traditional
musicians Charlie McKerron and Gordon Gunn, and members of Scottish
Opera Orchestra.
Making Waves - Holiday Club For October
Making Waves at Wick Family Centre is open for the second week
of the October holidays (17th - 21st) with a fun packed
programme. We still have some places available for children aged
4-11 years. Sessions run from 9:00am – 1.00pm and 1.00pm - 5.30pm, the
cost of each session is �6 for half day or �12 for the full day. (Mid
morning and mid afternoon snacks will be provided, however if your
child is attending a full day please provide them with a packed lunch).
To ensure your child a place, please call us on 01955 606065 or email us at [email protected]
For swimming, please ensure you provide your child with costume/trunks,
a towel and goggles if required. Also, if your child has a
hi-life card they can use that as well. We are only doing one
trip this year to Thurso to meet with the kids from Nosca at Caithness
Horizons for a play day. We ask that any child being booked in for this
trip is to be at the club by 10am. There will be an additional cost of
�2 for this trip which is to be paid in advance to cover the cost of
the minibus. We are also planning a Halloween party on the 21st October
so the children can dress up as something scary! Food donations
are welcome. As well as the organised activities Making Waves
also offers a wide range of arts and crafts, computer consoles,
laptops, games tables etc which will be accessible at all times.
Some outings/activities are subject to change; however we will always
do our best to find a fun alternative.
4 October 2011
Bomb
Scare At Assembly Rooms Wick Turns Out To Be World War Two Ordnance
About 4.00pm on Monday evening volunteers digging the
foundations for a new flagpole at land behind Assembly Rooms., wick dug
up a large amount of World War Two munitions. A bomb disposal team was
contacted and attended on Tuesday morning to remove and safely dispose
of the items at an undislcosed site in Caithness. The Assembly Rooms
were closed on Monday evening causing the cancellation of meetings and
activities for safety reasons. Police remain at the site until it is
deemed to be safe. Early speculation that it might have been a stray
bomb from the Bank
Row Bombing
during the war were discounted once the items were seen. It is
understood that the items were phosphorus grenades of the type issued
to the Home Guard during the war. The other area bombed in in
Wick in World War Two was Hill
Avenue
Wick was a hive of activity during World War Two with many military
personnel based here. Some of the memmories of that time are
contained in the report Wings Over Wick A
memorial garden to the people killed was opened on 28 August 2010 Bank
Row after the bombing
1 October 2011
More
Community Force Nominations For Your Votes In the environment
Category - Caithness Weather
The "Great Caithness Weather Event" continues to be a wonderful
community project for primary school children and general public alike.
At the time of writing, there are over 1000 registered public reports
on the difference between forecasts and actual weather, since Sept
2010. It is believed that this is the most comprehensive survey of its
kind in the UK. The children from 15 primary schools have contributed
over 600 reports across the county, to the comparative weather
study,gaining awareness of their own environment and expanding the
understanding of weather patterns across our county" - Pat Kieron
Ord of Caithness to Berriedale - 9
October 2011 A full
day walk over rough ground, passing the best preserved broch in
Caithness and Badbea. Wear proper boots, warm clothing and waterproofs.
Bring lunch. Meet at the Ord car park on the A9. Drivers will be
brought back to the start.
10am, Grid Ref - ND 058180, Grade D [Adults �5, concession �3]
Contact - Dieter 01955 607758
