Floral Displays At Kirkhill, Wick THE
council gardeners have Wick proud, again, this year with their
magnificent Kirkhill floral displays.
Hoverflies and Raindrops On Roses Noel
Donaldson caught these hoverflies on his roses after a rain shower.
We are not sure of the species so have put a link to a page
tha tmight help you identify them. If anyone would
like to add to this gallery then please email photos to
[email protected]
Look no hands! - time stands
still for Wick Town Hall Clock
TIME is not hanging heavily on the hands of the Wick town
clock...for they've been removed!The mechanism of the far north civic
timepiece has been dismantled, ahead of a complete overhaul. It's part
of a major �1 million upgrade at the town hall which will include the
installation of a lift. The clock work is being undertaken by an
Edinburgh firm which handles its annual service and it will be eight
months before the renovations are complete and Wickers will again be
able to get a time check in the town centre.
Highland Council Is making extensive investments in Wick over the next
two years with new
council offices, new
children's home. Replacing
all schools with new buildings. new swimming pool, and a new library.
Other investments in Wick by other agencies include Wick Harbour
improvements - increase in marina size and new hard stand opening up
opporunities for marine and wind energy. Historic
Scotland in Lower Pulteney at Burn Street
Wick Town Hall contains a number of paintings connected to the history
of the town such as this one
Highlands and Islands
businesses celebrate summer talent
Twenty-one
ambitious students who have been bringing fresh knowledge
and ideas to companies across the Highlands and Islands gathered in
Inverness on Friday 30th August 2013 to present their summer placement
project findings to a panel of business experts in a dragons' den style
competition.
The winner of finals day was Robert Anderson, of Shetland who is
studying at Glasgow University. He has been placed with NB
Communication Ltd in Shetland. As well as securing the judges vote he
also won ‘people’s choice award’ from the audience, which included
businesses and fellow students.........Ryan Sutherland, trainee
engineer, who was working with JGC Engineering and Technical Services
Ltd in Thurso, was also a runner-up.
Gills Bay Transmission For Marine
Generation - Public Exhibition 5th & 6th September
We
are carrying out a number of upgrades to the electricity transmission
network in the north of Scotland. This work will reinforce the network
and provide extra capacity for new generators of electricity wishing to
connect. In March 2010 the Crown Estate leased ‘option areas’ in the
Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters for the establishment of marine
generation developments. Two of these leased areas are in close
proximity to Gills Bay and have a combined potential generation
capacity of 500MW of tidal energy. As the existing distribution network
in the Gills Bay area does not have sufficient capacity to connect the
planned marine developments, we are proposing to extend the
transmission network into the area.
Wildlife app exceeds
expectations with 10,600 downloads More
than 10,600 people have so far downloaded a mobile phone app
encouraging them to enjoy Scotland’s wildlife and vote for their
favourite wild animal.
The free app was launched by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in March
as part of the Year of Natural Scotland celebrations. It features
information, video and audio recordings of Scotland’s Big 5 – animals
selected to represent the unique character, diversity and beauty of
Scotland’s wildlife and environment.
Scotland’s Big 5 are all high profile species, widely associated with
Scotland, with a broad geographical spread and that people stand a good
chance of seeing in the wild. They are the red deer, otter, red
squirrel, golden eagle and harbour seal.
New course enables
primary teachers to train in Highlands and Islands
Aspiring primarily teachers can now complete their training in the
Highlands and Islands. The University of the Highlands and Islands has
launched the first ever Professional Graduate Diploma in (primary)
Education available in the region.
There has been so much demand for the new course that, despite little
advertising, over 80 people applied for the 20 places available in this
year’s intake.
The first cohort of students is taking part in an induction in
Inverness this week. Those who pass the nine-month diploma will have
met the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s standard for
provisional registration and can start their year as a probationary
teacher in a Scottish primary school.
See the link inside for next years new intake............
Aladdin
Auditions In Thurso If
you would like to try acting, singing or playing an instrument then get
along to the Thurso Players auditions for the pantomime this year.
.
29
August
2013
Bee disease confirmed
near Inverness
American
Foulbrood detected in Inverness.
A case of American Foulbrood (AFB), a disease affecting colonies of
honeybees, has been found in an apiary in Strathglass in the Inverness
area.
The disease was confirmed today following laboratory diagnosis by
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). Outbreaks of AFB
have previously been reported and dealt with in this area over recent
years.
The AFB infected hive has been destroyed as there is no permitted
treatment for the disease in the UK. There are no risks to public
health from AFB and no implications for the quality and safety of
honey. The movement of bees and related equipment into or out of the
affected apiary are under specific controls.
Stunning range of voices
to grace Eden Court at Blas 2013 Forget
Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue as Blas 2013
offers its own version of The Voice, or "An Guth" as part of the
festival which begins on 6 September.
One of the most exciting combinations of voices ever assembled for a
Blas festival will be one of the highlights of this year’s series of
events, with high demand expected for tickets. The mid-week performance
of “An Guth” or The Voice, where the focus is on the musical quality of
performers’ vocal talents rather than any instruments they may bring to
the party, will take the stage at the Empire Theatre at Eden Court in
Inverness on Thursday 12 September. Festival Brochure
Last Parade Of The Summer By Wick
Pipe Band - Saturday 31st August 2013
Wick Pipe Band will have their final outing of the summer this coming
Saturday. They will be joined by Highland dancers.
so why not take stroll down to Market Square at 7.30pm on
Saturday to give them a cheer for all their playing this year.
Young Caithness People Get Job
Ready Experience From DSRL
A
week long summer school was held in late July for students of Thurso,
Wick and Farr High School students in 4th, 5th & 6th years to
prepare them for the world of work.
The course, organised by DSRL (Dounreay Site restoratiopn Ltd) on
behalf of the NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Agency), was supported by
North Highland College and Skills Development Scotland. DSRL is
committed to the socio-economic development of the Caithness and
Sutherland area, and in particular to improving the employment
prospects and “job-readiness” of local school leavers. The aim of the
event was to provide CV preparation and interview practice, but it was
also thought useful to introduce the students to job and business
opportunities in the area.
Construction Of The New
Children's Home for Wick Has Begun The
Highland Council’s Housing and Social Work Committee agreed in
March 2011 to build a new five-bed children’s residential home in Wick
at an estimated cost of �1.2 million. The proposed new home at West
Banks Avenue will replace the existing building at 50 Northcote Street,
Wick, which was built in 1978 and, on opening, had capacity for 12
residents. Thinking has moved on and the new home will comply
with all the modern standards and methods on helping children to have
nice place to live and develop. This is another construction
project that wil also help wick as part of the ongoing moves to
regenerate the local economy. Part of the site will also be
used for new allotments to allow local people to grow their own
vegetables. The site previously had thriving allotments and
it is hoped this can be reinvigorated once the site is prepared.
Water will be available to the allotments from new pipes to
be installed.
A Short Walk From Ellan Bridge,
Thurso
A pleasant walk from the Ellan Footbridge across the Thurso river can
take you round some of the historic places including old St Peters
Church and get something to eat, see the bay across to Scrabster and
much more. On some days surfers are to be seen from the river
mouth if you look out to sea.
SNH Offers Advice On Bumper Wild
Berry Crops
Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH) is offering advice to berry pickers
after a bumper crop of wild raspberries, brambles and other berries
this year.
The hot weather has resulted in excellent crops of berries right across
Scotland, giving Scots a chance to get outdoors and celebrate the Year
of Natural Scotland.
Stones Of Skinnet -
Go Fossil Hunting With The Rangers Visit
one of the best fossil fish quarries in Caithness.
Visit a fantastic fossil fish quarry and search for your very own
specimen. Discover the original home of the Skinnet Pictish Stone by
walking to the remains of St.Thomas chapel (stone presently housed in
Caithness Horizons). Short walk but rough in parts. Wear boots and no
dogs please. Suitable for family groups.
26
August
2013
Old St Peters Church, Thurso - A
New Photo Set From All Sides
In
recent times there has been much controversy about the church being
closed due to vandalsim. We thought it might be a
good time
to take a look around the church now that the gate is once again open
and a key is avalable for the inner section from the service point for
anyone who wishes to gain access. Information about the
church
can be found on the Canmore
Database
The church is one of the oldest buildings in Thurso and is
very
easy to get to being in the centre of town a very short walk from the
Caithness Horizons (Old Town Hall). Our
previous photos were taken in 2001 and they have been added after the
new ones and include the interior that was not accessed on Sunday.
This time a few photos taken from a hi-cam to give better
perspective of the building and the grave yard.
Seashore life identification and
survey workshop at Dunnet Bay
The Highland Seashore Project is running a free 'Seashore Life
Identification and Survey' workshops at the Seadrift Centre, Dunnet Bay
on Saturday 7 September. Running between 10am and 5.30pm, the day will
be a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in what lives on the
shore, whether they are a natural history enthusiast or someone who
loves their shore, to learn how to recognise different species on the
rocks, in rock pools, buried in the sand and amongst the seaweeds.
Amazing Automata At St Fergus
Gallery, Wick Until 7th September
An unusual exhibition of twenty performing automata from Cabaret
Mechanical Theatre opens at the St Fergus Gallery, Wick 7th
September.
The machines, or mechanical toys, come to life when visitors press a
button and activate the mechanisms. The miniature performances are
funny, strange and unexpected - a man in a bath practices eating
spaghetti, a row of dancing ladies perform the can-can; a small dog has
taken up skiing and a monkey rows a banana boat. Their antics entice
visitors to come closer to the action.
Kids love pressing buttons to make things work..
More about
the Amazing Autiomata. Everything is
behind perspex to they cannot be broken.
Creepy House Reading Challenge
Awards At Wick Library In
this year’s Annual Reading Challenge a record 83% of children from the
East Caithness area completed the Summer Reading challenge. The Medal
and Certificate presentation took place at Wick Library on Saturday
25th August. Presenting the awards were Councillors Neil Macdonald,
Gail Ross, Bill Fernie, Willie Mackay and Gillian Coghill, along with
Library Supervisor Robbie Macdonald.
Apart from reading all the books the children also created a
huge creepy mural in the main library.
Several New Funding Opportunities
for Local Groups Just Added To The Community Section
A range of funding opportunities just notified to us have been added in
the Community Section. These cover a variety of topics from
Heritage that might be of interest say to the group looking to do more
wiht St Peters in Thurso to Scotrail Grants that might be used to
tackle vandalism. Others are more general and might fit a
range of prioject so check them all out.
23
August
2013
New Power Generation Of
Apprentices Join SSE
New
power generation join SSE for the start of a bright career in the
energy industry Over one hundred talented new Modern Apprentices (MAs)
are starting a bright and promising career after passing a rigorous
selection process to join SSE’s industry renowned Modern Apprenticeship
programme this week. The new recruits were picked from thousands who
originally applied for the roles and they took up their tools for the
first time at the Scottish induction in Perth this week. Fifty two
apprentices will now join the company’s prestigious Modern
ApLinkprenticship training programme in Scotland and SSE’s highly
skilled and safety conscious 20,000 workforce. The 2013 Modern
Apprentices come from all over Scotland (from Orkney to Edinburgh) and
will be training for around three to four years.
This May Be of Interest
If You Are Thinking About A Career In Energy Businesses
ICT
Teacher From Wick
High Short-Listed In App Competition
- VOTE
NOW FOR CHRIS AND HIS APP
Christ Aitken the principle ICT and computing science teacher at Wick
high has been shortlisted for an award in an App competition. He stands
to gain �5000 for Wick High if he wins through on votes by the public
at the web site "Talk Talk Digital Heroes". So he neds to get your
votes to help his chances.
Free dog ‘MOTs’ for the Highlands
Highland dog owners are invited to bring their pooches along for a free
wellbeing check at PDSA’s PetCheck vehicle between Tuesday 3 to Friday
13 September. In partnership with The Highland Council, the veterinary
charity’s annual UK-wide PetCheck tour will be at the following
locations from 9am to 4pm.
• Tue 3 & Wed 4 Sep – Riverside Road lorry park, Thurso
• Thurs 5 & Fri 6 Sep – Riverside car park, St Fergus Road,
Wick
Gymnastics In Wick for P1 - P7 Fun And Fitness For Life Starts
Early So Get Your Kids Registered
As with any sport, a child’s health and fitness levels will also
improve by taking part in gymnastics, helping to combat any signs of
obesity or weight related issues from creeping in. With an increased
exposure to physical exercise, body confidence will improve which in
turn will promote self-esteem. With physical wellbeing comes an
increase in confidence that drips into other areas of a child’s life.
Gymnastics also challenges children mentally. As they progress through
the stages, and the moves become more daring and challenging a child
will need to acquire a self-belief that they can actually do it!
Overcoming fears is a major confidence booster. Book Early
as demand is likely to be high for places.
21
August
2013
New Home for NOSCA Treats
After over a decade, The North of Scotland Childcare Association’s
Treats service are saying good bye to Miller Academy and are relocating
their services from 20th August 2013 to the upgraded Ormlie Community
Centre in Henderson Street, Thurso.
20
August
2013
Surf Board Art Competition For 5
to 12 Year Olds The
library service in Caithness is running a competition to design a
poster with surboard as the main theme. The are providing the basic
chape and the design can be anything and the background any theme from
Caithness.
The entry age is 5-12 year olds. The 6 best designs will be on show at
St Fergus Foyer Gallery, Wick Carnegie Public Library from 19th October
to 10th November.
Download a blank sheet HERE to
colour in to enter the competition.
Caithness Gigs Brings
More Music To The County
Hot on the heels of another great Bfest, there's more good news for
music fans in Caithness with the launch of "Caithness Gigs". The new
company has been set up as a not-for-profit venture to bring the best
in live music to Wick and Thurso and give local musicians a platform to
develop their careers.
First up will be local boys The Maginot Band. Since recently signing a
management deal, the band have been locked away in the studio writing
new material, which will be showcased at their up-coming mini tour that
sees them play Inverness (Mad Hatters, 4th October), Wick (Blackstairs
Lounge, 5th October) and Thurso (Y-Not, 6th October).
Are you batty about Bats? - Find
Out more Are
you batty about bats? Discover the truther about our smallest flying
mammals by coming along to a projected bat talk and walk at Thrumster
woods. Use the bat detector to help find our marvellous midge munchers.
Event is weather dependant and booking is required.Please bring torch,
wear stout footwear.
Location: Thrumster Woodland
30th August 2013
Queens 2 Victorious In Summer
Pool League Queens2
were presented with the Summer Pool League trophy on Monday night after
their 7-3 victory over Lybster side Bayview. Tam Sutherland and Scott
Risbridger played well in the early stages of the final as they helped
their Queens side take a 4-0 lead. Both doubles frames were shared,
before Bayview captain Steve Atkins pulled it back to 5-2. The next
frame saw Alan Stewart grab the glory with some good play to clinch the
Queens side the summer title.
Gavin Simpson, Jordan Tait and Milky Ronaldson were all in great form
for Sinclair Bay as they helped their side take a 3-0 lead in their
third place play-off match against Camps2. Six of the next seven frames
went the way of the Camps team as they secured third place.
Warning -
Tarmac Scammers May Be operating In Caithness Right Now if
you really need your path or driveway done contact a reputable
contractor and not someone who comes to your door unannounced as you
may wish you had not dealt with them. Cheap job may mean it
will
break up very quickly and you need it all done again. They
were
reported in the Dornoch area recently by trading standards. Wick To Receive Huge Volume Of
Nuclear Records At New Archive Centre By 2016
Dounreay’s
huge collection of historic documents will be among the
first items to be stored in the new archive to be built in Caithness.
The National Nuclear Archive is due to be open for business by 2016,
said NDA’s director for Dounreay, Nigel Lowe.
The facility will be purpose built beside Wick John O’Groats Airport,
and is expected to cost in the region of �20m to build.
It will house up to 30 million digital records, papers and photos
covering the history of the UK’s civil nuclear industry, including
archives from UKAEA in Harwell.
Investment Flowing
to Wick In Record Breaking Amounts In Next Two Years What's coming To Wick?
As agencies seek to regenerate Wick several projects are
coming closer. Nuclear Archive near Wick
Airport - opening 2016 New Children's Home
- work just commenced this month at site near Rhind House - opening 2014 New Wick High School
- Site clearance at back of present school starts end of this year -
opening 2015 New
Primary School - amalgamating Pulteneytown and
South Schools - part of High School project - opening 2015 New Primary School
- amalgamating Hillhead and North Schools - opening 2015 New Community Library
- community facility at new Wick High - opening 2015 New Community Swimming
Pool at new Wick High - opening 2015 New Wick Council Offices
- work underway - opening early 2015 - See
progress so far Wick Town Hall
- Major Refurbishment at cost of �785,000 - out to tender -
completion 2014 Heavy Lift pad
- Wick Harbour - ready 2014 in anticpation of new work in marine energy
projects Coghill Bridge
- replacement being considered if repairs and improvements considered
not giving value for money. Marina Expansion at Wick
Harbour - ready 2014 to accommodate the amazing success of
the Marina Wick John O'Groats Airport
- In anticpation of more activity Flybe
has announced more flights to Wick airport.
Wick
airport has seen a huge rise in traffic since the reloaction of
helicopter facilities to Wick. Chevron UK has been flying
fixed
wing charters into Wick follwoing the grounding or all its
super
Puma helicopters, before crew transfer to helicopters for the short
flights to the rigs off the Caithness coast. This was a temporary
arrangement following problems with the helicopters but may lead to a
longer term arrangement. The
super Pumas have been given the all clear to resume flights but there
are still doubts in the minds of workers
Caithness And Sutherland
Councillors Hear About The Junior Warden Scheme
At
meeting of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee held in Drummuie
offices, Golspie on Monday 19th August 2013 members were updated on the
pilot Junior Warden Scheme which took place recently in Thurso. Three
of the participants, Amy, Marra and Lannie, gave an insightful
presentation to the Committee on what they have achieved.
The Junior Warden Scheme, organised by HC Housing Tenant Participation
Service and Community Safety Partners, was run over a twelve week
period with twelve young people in their first year at Thurso High
School. It was delivered by Ormlie Community Association who will
continue to work with the group to allow them to identify further
projects to work on in the community.
19
August
2013
School transport passes
for Highland pupils
- Technical
Issues Cause Delays In Issueing Passes
All Highland pupils return to school tomorrow and The Highland Council
had intended to issue passes for school transport to all pupils who are
entitled to free transport on Stagecoach services. However, due to
technical reasons not all passes have been issued. Parents and pupils
are advised that anyone not yet in receipt of a pass should go to their
bus stop as normal tomorrow.
More Pipes Bound For Subsea7 Yard
At Wester Town
centre traffic in Wick came to a halt, temporarily, today to allow
Simpson's driver to slowly negotiate the Bridge Street-High Street,
corner with the latest load of pipes for Subsea 7's fabrication yard at
Wester.
Caithness Timelapse Video Becomes
NASA's Astronomy Photo of the Day today
Caithness received a boost on the internet today when the video
timelapse video we featured a few days ago became the Chosen photo of
the day for 19th August. Maciej Winiarczyk
who lives and works in Caithness is to be congratulated once again for
his stunning films. This latest one was of rare occurence -
noctilucent clouds and aurora
together. Congratualtions Maciej and we can hardly wait for
your next production as this one will be hard to beat.
The message about Caithness weather and conditions is spreading
according to local astronomer Gordon Mackie as he recently met a
Canadian astronomer visiting Dunnet head and he took some great photos
now on the web HERE
Police in Highlands and Islands
to target speeding motorists around
schools
Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be targeting
speeding motorists around the region's roads from tomorrow for the next
fortnight to ensure the safety of all school attendees and encourage
motorists to drive at lesser speeds.
The division-wide initiative will focus on all primary and secondary
schools from tomorrow (20 August 2013) until next Friday (30 August
2013), particularly in areas where those attending are known to walk to
and from school.
Last chance to nominate
for Highland Council Tenants Awards 2013
People throughout the Highlands are being urged to shout out loud about
folks who make a difference to their community by nominating them for a
Highland Council Tenant Community Award.
Sponsored by The Co-operative Membership, the deadline for nominations
for the inaugural Awards is on Friday 23 August, 2013.
Anyone who lives in an area managed by The Highland Council’s Housing
and Property Service can be nominated for the awards
18
August
2013
Wick Academy 3 Fraserburgh 0
- - Academy take it and then dish it out.
Academy shrugged off early pressure and settled down to what they do
best – incisive, attacking football – to retain their table-topping
position, albeit on goal difference.
It was 15 minutes in, though, before they got their reward, through
man-of-the match, Richard Macadie, dispatching from a Gary Weir cross,
for their opener.
Macadie made it 2-0 in the 27th after a keeper foul on Weir, then
Richard exorcising the Academy penalty bogey, in the process. Davie
Allan made it 3-0 from a long ball from Macadie, taking his team into
the break with a comfortable cushion.
Surprisingly, no more goals from either side, in the second period
which saw the Broch desperate to get on the score sheet but although
fast on the break, their poor finishing let them down and they scorned
the few chances that presented themselves. Photo Gallery
Bower Gala 2013
Bower
Gala 2013 looked as if it mught be held in wet conditions early on.
But the rain cleared and the sun came out for the afternoon.
16
August
2013
Probationer Teachers Welcomed to
the Highlands for 2013
Over
100 probationer teachers were welcomed to the Highlands today at an
induction meeting held at Milton of Leys Primary School, Inverness by
Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Adult
and Children’s Services Committee.
Councillor Alasdair Christie, Chairman of the Council’s Adult and
Children’s Services Committee, said: “Probationer Teachers play a vital
role in the provision of education for our pupils. I am delighted that
Highland Council has again been able to offer an increased number of
placements for these teachers starting out in their educational
careers. A Big
Photo Of The New Teachers
Bower Primary School Children Get
Gardening Before
the summer holidays Bower Primary School children, staff and parents
helped with gardening work around the school grounds. Planters were
planted up with colourful flowers, potatoes were planted, flower beds
weeded and the whole school area given a general tidy up. New tools,
protective gloves and a wheel barrow were bought after the school
parent forum was successful with a grant application to MFR Cash for
Kids. These were put to excellent use during the gardening day.
The Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm
Demonstrator Project: an Illustrated Lecture
Final
part of an education programme to complement Sue Jane Taylor’s
exhibition
‘Beatrice Works’ – on display at Caithness Horizons until 22nd August
2013.
Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Bristol has the Clifton Suspension Bridge,
and Dundee the Tay Rail Bridge. Engineering construction that was
cutting-edge in its day is continually superseded by newer,
alternatively challenging projects which push the boundaries of
technology ever further in one direction or another. So the Burj
Khalifa in Dubai today lays claim to the proud boast of being the
tallest building in the world, dwarfing New York’s tiddly Empire State
Building and all its subsequent record holders. What fantasies will the
future turn into a reality of beams and girders?
Sue Jane Taylor
Exhibition of Work-Beatrice Works
14
August
2013
Spotlight on Community
Sport in Thurso
Thurso Community Sport Hub Development.
Community Sport goes under the spotlight in Thurso as the first stages
of an exciting new sports development initiative gets underway.
The project will see Thurso being developed as one of only four
Community Sport Hubs in the Highlands. Sports clubs, sports enthusiasts
and interested members of the public are being invited to attend an
open meeting on Wednesday the 28th of August, 7pm at Thurso Swimming
Pool to hear more about the initiative and give their views on how the
project should be shaped locally.
Energy first for revamped
Scrabster Harbour
A
new multi-million pound redevelopment at mainland Scotland’s most
northerly port, Scrabster Harbour, is already reaping the benefits,
only two months after coming into operation. Scotrenewables Tidal Power
Ltd, based in Orkney, has chosen Scrabster as the location for their
most recent operations and maintenance work on their prototype tidal
turbine, the SR250.
Caithness Clouds and The
Aurora
Maciej Winiarczyk has posted his latest film of an event in Caithness on
the forum but its so good it deserves wider audience so we
are posting it on the front page. Well done.
Check Out The Latest Jobs On
Offer Today
New
employment opportunities ar ebeing added every week and often every day
so check this section regularly if you are looking for a new job.
Note to
Employers - Advertising your vacancies is FREE and all you
need to do is join the Forum
to begin placing ads. The ads are closed so replies should be
sent direct to the advertising employers for more information. Ads are
removed after suitable length of time or when the deadline for
applications if posted has past. The Caithness.org forum has
many
hundreds of people looking in each day and job ads receive a high
viewing rate from prospective employees. And best of all it
keeps
your recruitment advertising costs down.
Wick's New Council Offices -
Latest Photos Work
continues on the construction of the new council offices in Wick.
To see the photos so far from the start go HERE
To see Impressions of how the new offices will look see HERE
Construction Of A New House At
Old Wick Road
Buidling
continues on the outskirts of Wick with expansion of the Old Wick area
of the town still moving ahead even if things have slowed down in
recent times. M
M Miller Ltd
continue to build and have plots available for new homes.
This
series of photos followed the building of one new home and this house
wil soon be completed and we will finish off the series of photos in
the near future.
11
August
2013
Orkney Show 2013 b
Early showers of rain gave way to sunshine at the annual Orkney Show on
Saturday. The crowds including a contingent from Caithness, were
treated to a fine display of stock, trade stands and a varied
entertainment programme, not least the Jarl squad from Shetland and the
Kirkwall City Pipe Band.
A New Batch Of Photos Of Brora The
last photos added to this gallery was in 2004 so it was time to take
another look round. A few photos let you see what is
happening
from the notice board and a few will let you compare with almost 10
years ago when the earlier ph0tos were taken
Open Day For The Community To See
Gordonbush Wind Farm Near Brora
SSE who built the Gordonbush wind farm comprising 35 turbines organised
visit for the community to see the windfarm and get more information
about
community benefits. The information showed the number of jobs
during construction, the road improvements and a new bridge to be
constructed shortly along with information about the community fnd
already set up and now oopen for applications. The bus trip
carried members of the public and the Sutherland Schools Pipe
Band who played at the hall then at the wind farm site itself.
SSE is now major sponsor of the pipe band.
9 August
2013
Two New Books On The Highland
Clearances If
you have an interest in the Highland Clearances then you might like
to pop in to Caithness Horizons on Sunday to hear about two new books
from the authors.
BEARING THE PEOPLE AWAY
June Skinner Sawyers -
Part reference guide, part handbook, part travel guide and part
resource in one portable volume, Bearing the People Away uses an
encyclopedia format geared toward the general reader.
PARTING PROPHECY POETRY
F�gradh, F�isneachd, Filidheachd / Parting, Prophecy, Poetry
Duncan Blair, John Alick MacPherson and Michael Linkletter
Caithness Ladies Netball 20th August 2013 - Come and Try
Thurso High School Games Hall
8.30 - 10.00pm
Ever played netball before or want to try something new? Want to have
some fun and improve your fitness at the same time? Or just want to
make new friends? Then come along to our Netball come and try night! No
experience is needed, the rules are quick and easy to pick up!
At Least One Tenacious Gardner Is
Alive and Kicking In Caithness
Gardening with dogs and owls? Not so much an instruction
manual on
how to do gardening but a light-hearted look in this blog at
gardening in the county with results that many of us have seen despite
our best efforts with occassional successes to keep us interested in
planting again next year.
Thurso Live Music Association -
50th Season - Golden Jubilee If you would like to listen to live classical music then
check out the Thruso live Music Associatyion offering for their Golden
Jubilee year and a great offer on a season ticket to make a good saving
for the series of concerts ijn 2013/14.
Wick Academy 4 - Clachnacuddin 3
Academy go through to the semi-final of the north of Scotland cup
following a great game last night. Academy wil now be up against Thurso
or Brora in their semi-final. An enormous cheer was heard by
half of Wick when the fourth goal was scoared. - Well done.
Garden Tiger Moth In A Lybster
Garden This
photos has been sent in by Linda Claxson for the gallery on bees
insects and flowers. Linda said, "Garden Tiger moth taken a
week or so ago in my garden in Lybster. 3rd one I've seen this year
although the RSPB claim their numbers are diminishing - this is the
first year I have ever seen them." The
Butterfly Conservation web site confirms this decline in
moths including the tiger.
For help with identifying moths in Caithness see Neil Money's
web site "The Moths Of
Caithness" If you would like to add to this
years gallery of bees
insects and flowers in Caithness email your photos
to [email protected]
7 August
2013
Planning Scotland's Seas - Marine
Scotland Consultation
Marine
Scotland are holding a series of public events to advise and inform on
the three consultations which were launched recently. The
event
will be held in Mackays Hotel, Wick as a drop in between 1.00pm and
8.00pm on Wednesday 21st August for anyone who wants to find out more
about what is happening to the seas around our coast in coming years.
Pentland Survey Work Now
Underway
Detailed
sea-survey work for a tidal stream electricity 'array' in the Pentland
Firth is in full swing just now with specialist vessel Lia.
The officers and crew of a specialist vessel, owned by a venerable
British family business with a history dating back over 200 years, have
been busy this week (starting 04.08.13) in the Pentland Firth
conducting detailed surveys in connection with a planned sub-sea 'tidal
stream electricity' power station..............
The Lia's intensive 2013 summer works, in waters between 60 and 80
metres deep, are a precursor to an early 'consenting' application to
Marine Scotland. The location lies between 7 and 8 miles
North-North-West from Gills Bay.
Gills
Harbour Ltd
Bee-utiful - Caithness is
Blooming in Gardens and in the Countryside
Noel and Bill have been taking a few photos in the garden and out
around the country lanes. The variety of bees and
wasps in
Noel Donaldson's garden has given him plenty of photo opportunities.
Here is a selection of them from the bumbles to the paper wasps which
tried to squat in a bird box.
Bill has been walking regularly along the road near his house
this summer and snapped a few flowers and the odd bee or
moth. If
anyone would like to contribute more photos to this gallery just email
them to [email protected] In
2006 and again in
2007
we created a similar collection so it will be interesting to see if
there are any differences and possibly even better photos as
digital cameras are now everywhere and much improved in quality and at
very affordable prices now. Nature Items Biodiveristy
Collection
Caithness death crash case
involving Leicester cyclist dropped
- BBC
A case against a 95-year-old woman accused of killing a cyclist by
dangerous driving has been dropped.
Alice Ross, of Lybster, is thought to have been the oldest person in
Scotland to have faced a High Court indictment.
She blamed a rare medical condition for causing the accident in which
Elaine Dunne, 30, from Glenfield, died.
More Pipes Bound for Subsea 7 At
Wester Arrive At Wick Harbour Subsea 7
based at Wester near Wick have full order book for pipeline bundles as
can be seen from this latest delivery of pipes at Wick Harbour.
Subsea 7 has a well-established track record of safe and
successful bundle design, fabrication and installation, with over 70
bundles produced since our first bundle in 1980.
In January 2013 Subsea 7, a global leader in seabed-to-surface
engineering, construction and services to the offshore energy industry,
was awarded a contract worth a total of approximately US$135 million
from Shell U.K. Ltd for work on the Shell operated Fram oil and gas
development in the Central North Sea. Subsea 7, Inc. was the result of
a series of mergers between DSND, Halliburton Subsea, Subsea Offshore
and Rockwater over an extended period, with Rockwater and SubSea
merging in 1999 to form Halliburton Subsea, and the resulting company
merging with DSND in 2002 to form Subsea.
A Special's Tale of Two Cities -
Could You Be a Special Constable?
Erin
Dignan gives an insight into the role of a Special Constable.
Special Constable Erin Dignan is one the first Special Constables to
have experienced working in both the Highlands and in Glasgow as part
of Police Scotland.
Erin, who is from Inverness always wanted to be a Police Officer from a
young age and joined the Special Constable Programme in Glasgow, whilst
studying at Glasgow Caledonian University.
She said, "From a young age I had wanted to be a Police Officer, but
once I finished school I wanted to go and gain a degree at University.
Whist at University, the Special Constable program seemed like an
excellent opportunity to gain insight and practical experience into
policing while still allowing me to study and gain my degree.”
MSP
David Stewart Highlights FREE Eye Tests For Drivers
Highlands
& Islands MSP and road safety campaigner David Stewart, in
partnership with Macrae & Dick and Tesco Opticians, Inverness,
have come together to launch a campaign to highlight that 1 in 6 road
collisions may be caused by drivers with poor eyesight. The Group are
campaigning for a change in legislation which will mean that new
drivers will have to undergo a proper eye examination by a qualified
person before they can drive and drivers will require to have their
eyesight tested every three years thereafter.
Funding still available through
Highland European Fisheries Fund
Do Any Other Caithness
Harbour Groups Have Ideas Needing Funding? - Act Now
Highland
fishing communities still have time to benefit from the European
Fisheries Fund Axis 4 programme. Now entering into the latter stages of
the programme the Highland Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) would
like to highlight there is still financial support available to assist
local projects.
The European Fisheries Fund aims to help develop communities where
fishing is in decline by supporting measures to build skills and
knowledge and increase the capacity of local fishing communities and
business networks through innovation, collaboration and
diversification. Those that have been successful in securing EFF
funding include Wick Harbour Authority, who were recently awarded
funding of �30,098 for the purchase of additional infrastructure to
increase the capacity of Wick Marina from 72 to 84 berths. Wick
Marina commenced building in 2009 and the change has been
amazing....see
it at recent harbour day The decline was obvious
for all to see as can be seen in this
photo in 2001 So if your harbour can use some grant
fnding get applying.
Feis Rois Coming To Scrabster
15th August
It’s
only a matter of weeks since Feis Rois returned from Australia where
they worked with The National Celtic Festival of Australia to introduce
the hugely successful Ceilidh Trail model which has been delivered
successfully in Ross and Cromarty since 2000. Since those early days
the trail has been replicated across five other communities and for the
second year this summer is set to tour nationally to venues and
communities across Scotland.............This year we are delighted to
be coming to Scrabster Village Hall on 15th August at 7:30pm where
we’ll be joined on stage by a group of local youngsters.
SQA
Results 2013 - Strong exam performance by Highland candidates
Exam candidates across the Highlands get their results by
text, email or by post this morning (6 August 2013).
Overall, the number of S4 pupils in The Highland Council area achieving
five grades at level 4 or better has risen by 3.7% to 83.1%, the
highest in five years. Similarly, the number of S4 pupils achieving
five grades at level 5 is up by 4.4% to a five year high of 41.1%.
5 August
2013
Make
Cash From Items You No longer Need - Selling for
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Unwanted Items - Advertise
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HERE.
Audio, Books, Baby Items and Maternity, Clothing, Concert Tickets,
Computers, Domestic Appliances, Games, Mobile Phones. These
and
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forum so check out what you do not need and get the cash and
be
green by recycling at the same time.
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budget,
reduce your overdraft, pay down that credit card or buy something else
- whatever the reason it's easy and FREE on Caithness.org. What else is FREE on
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Businesses tell everyone about your special offers, deals or news about
your business completely FREE HERE
Wick Gala 2013
- Fireworks and Bonfire Night
Crowds converged on the Riverside on Saturday night for the
traditional, penultimate, attraction of a successful gala week, the
bonfire and fireworks displays and they were not disappointed. Many,
enjoyed the spectacular scene from their cars on the upper field.
Sorry we cannot send you the taste and smell of kippers from
the
night - you have to be there.
Triathlon At Wick Harbour Was
Last Wick Gala 2013 Event Adding
fitnesss to the fun of Wick Gala Week 2013 were members of Wick
Triathlon club and others wiling to take on swim round Wick
Harbour followed by the cycling and running. The
competitors need all their energy to cope with very windy conditions
for the running and cycling after a swim in the cold waters of Wick
harbour. Well done to everyone who took part in this event
brining to a conclusion a very successful Gala Week in Wick.
Harvest Rush Before Rain in
Caithness
A
short video showing the frenetic activity in Caithness last week when
rain was forecast and the rush was on to get in grass crops for silage
and baling. This film was shot at March Road on the outskirts of Wick,
Caithness. A similar rush and long hours could be noted all over the
north as farmers tried to beat the rain forecast for the next day.
This operations cleared this field in less than an hour.
These guys were really moving up and down the road as they
cleared the fild in double quick time similar to the race all over the
north in those couple of days before the rain came.
The
Seann Truibhas - Highland Dance at Mey Highland Games 2013
A short
video of three dancers in one of the Highland Dancing
competitions at Mey Highland Games on Saturday 3rd August 2013.
Highland Dancing is one of the main attractions at the Mey
Highland Games held annually in Caithness. The dance here on Saturday
3rd August 2013 was one of several. The Seann Truibhas is a beautiful
dance and the history of Scotland is woven into the steps. Highland and
other forms of dancing are very popular with girls in Caithness and
they enter many competitions througout the year. There are several
dance class groups in the county.
Big 'push' by France into
tidal-stream electricity developments
Big 'push' by France into tidal-stream electricity developments,
spearheaded by a major Pentland Firth participant, is welcomed by the
chairman of Scotland's most Northerly mainland port. Community-owned
Gills Harbour Ltd lies adjacent to the Firth's 'tide-fields', while
upgrade works at the Gills Bay site continue throughout this summer
(2013).
France is making a determined push to harvest the energy of its tidal
streams and perhaps challenge Britain's 'current' lead in this new
'horizontal hydro-electricity' field, with employment-creating
developments already occurring on the other side of the English
Channel.
A major shareholder in MeyGen Ltd, the consortium that aims to kick-off
tidal stream electricity in the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound, off NE
Caithness, as early as next year (2014), wants to build a second 'pilot
plant' to harness the fast-flowing tides in the ten miles-wide strait
between Alderney, in the Channel Islands and Normandy in Northern
France.
3 August
2013
Mey Highland Games 2013
Mey
Highland Games had it all - sun, rain, wind in equal parts.
The stormy blast lasted only a few minutes from time to time.
Prince Charles/Duke of Rothesay chieftan for the games and
his
guests joined the locals and visotrs to enjoy the afternon depsite th
eblustery weather. One little girl presented him with bouquet
of
flowers while another dancer in her sailor suit ready for the
competition presented small teddly bear to the Duke of Rothesay for his
new grandson. Highland dancers, Kuk Sool Won demonstration
amongst the various light hearted races for all comers were competed to
the background of the serious heavy events of throwing the hammer.
Sooin the afternoon was over and the Wick Pipe Band played
once
again to the departing spectators and the Dukle of Rothesay.
A Norwegian Tony Jensen
Has Created a Blog About His Visit to Wick and Scotland The
blog is written in Norwegan but with the help of google we have placed
a translation for you HERE
We were contacted to today by Norwegian Blogger Tony Jensen who has
prepared a blog about his trip to Scotland.
Greetings from Norway!
I have just been to Wick, and have written a blogg.. The text are in
norwegian language, but there are some nice pictures there.
The blogg is going to be launched at Bergen Scottish Societys web page,
and norways biggest local paper, Fanaposten.
Hoping to spread some nice word about Caithness in western part of
Norway..
Cheers, Slainte.. Tony
Gala Queen And Attendants
Drew The Raffle At The Floral Competition In Wick Who
are the lucky raffle prize winners? Patrons at the Wick gala floral
competition in Wick Assembly Rooms on Wednesday didn't have long to
wait for the answers as gala queen Hannah Russell and her attendants
Carys Miller and Ashleigh Tucker got the draw underway.
What's On At Caithness Horizons
In August Caithness
Horisons has a busy programme of events and exhibitions for august so
why not pop in if you are in Tjhurso in coming weeks. Across
Caithness there is a lot happening in coming week so check the Caithness.org
What's On to seeif anything is of interest to you. Wick
Gala continues all week until the finish on Saturday night
with Kippers and fireworks at the riverside. Still plenty of events for
adults and kids so check it out.
b
