CAITHNESS.ORG HEADLINES ARCHIVE ::  MAY 2013

Wick Amateur Swimmers At Thurso Mini Meet
Wick Swimmers At Thurso Mini Meet 2013
Thirty seven members of Wick Amateur Swimming Club competed recently in the Thurso Mini Meet. This meet is for 8-12 year olds. The 8-9 years girls section had Eve Watt, Lana Klimas, Abbie Bruce, Iona Fleming, Aiva Harper, Kirsty Robertson and Amy Williamson swimming for Wick. All the girls swam well, some swimming for the first time competitively. Many picked up PB's and Aiva Harper won silver in the 25m Breaststroke. The 8-9 yrs boys section had Drew Mathieson, William Mackay, Jack Crowe, Ian Cook, Sam Bullen and Mark Beveridge swimming for Wick. Again there were first time competitors and several PB's. Drew Mathieson picked up two golds in the 25m freestyle and backstroke and a silver in Backstroke, he also won his section overall which is a fantastic achievement. Ian Cook won two bronze medals in the 25m freestyle and backstroke and Sam Bullen made it a trio of medal winners........more

Highland Culture Fund Now Open For Grant Applications
The Highland Culture Fund aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and visit by showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. In recognition of the significant contribution that the cultural sector makes to the continued economic and social prosperity of the area, The Highland Council has established a one-off grant fund of �100,000 to provide financial assistance to projects that support the on-going promotion of the Highlands and enhance the area’s programme of events, festivals and cultural activity. Grants of up to 50% of eligible costs and up to a maximum of �5,000 are available (although it is anticipated most awards will be significantly less than the maximum amount). The closing date for applications is 31st July 2013.

Caithness Rugby Club - Summer Camps  - Get Signed up
Caithness Rugby Club Summer Camps 2013                                                                 Summer Camps for Junior Rugby in Caithness
Get signed up for Junior rugby summer camps - open to boys and girls.  15th - 19th July
10.00 – 11.30am P4-P5 12.00 – 1.30pm P6-P7  
2.00 – 3.30pm S1-S2     All players who attend the camp will receive a free Caithness Rugby Club T-shirt.

Wick's Wonderful Wildflower Workshop
Wick's Wildflower Workshop


Summer Drink/Drug Driving Initiative
Drivers in the Highlands and Islands are being urged not to spoil the party this summer by getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Tomorrow sees the beginning of a four week campaign focusing on drink and drug driving across Scotland. For the Highlands and Islands this is one of the busiest periods on the roads with additional tourist season traffic, events and festivals. Road Policing Inspector for the Highland and Islands Division of Police Scotland, Neil Lumsden, said:"During last summer's campaign in the Highlands and Islands, 20 people were detected during a two week campaign.
Seafood Study  - You Can Help By Completing a Few Questions Online
Top quality produce from the Moray Firth and North Sea graces tables around the world, yet much of the seafood eaten in Scotland is imported. How can we increase the amount of locally-landed seafood to buy and enjoy here in north Scotland, reduce the miles “from net to plate” and help support our local industry and fishing communities? The East Grampian Coastal Partnership and the Moray Firth Partnership are conducting studies on ways to increase availability and demand for high-quality, locally-landed seafood. We would now appreciate input from across the different sectors to help identify the next steps and any specific actions that could be included within a longer-term initiative. The next stage will be a public meeting in June to create a joint strategy that will link and add value to existing initiatives, identifying and developing the best approach for each area. There is still time to contribute to the surveys online
General public questionnaire - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BKDK5LH
Catering/ food service sector - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NDSW2YD

Demolition Of Wick Council Offices Nearing The End - 21st Day Since Demolition Commenced
Wick Council Offices Demolition Wick Council Offices Demolition

Open4Business Caithness Meet the Buyer Event  - Thursday 13th June
Caithness Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with SSE, invites you to attend this free Meet the Buyer Event on Thursday 13th June at Mackays Hotel, Wick from 09.00 - 17.00. The day will cover a wide range of presentations from SSE Open4Business, SSE Renewables, SSE Transmission, Achilles and SSE’s Tier 1 contractors. It will also include 1-2-1 sessions with SSE and Achilles, which will run from 2pm. Please indicate below if you would like to book a session.

Aerobatics Over Wick
Aerobatics Over Wick Aerobatics Over Wick

See some great photos of the planes HERE
Council welcomes start of new cruise ship season in Caithness
Adonia - Scrabster 24 May 2013
Highland Council has welcomed a successful start to the 2013 cruise ship programme at Scrabster, following the visit on Friday 24th May 2013 of the Adonia, carrying nearly 700 passengers and over 350 crew. This was just the first of 10 cruise ships coming to Scrabster this year, bringing potentially over 3,500 visitors, who hopefully will return to Caithness after seeing what the area has to offer. The next cruise liner to visit Caithness will be the Amadea which will berth at Scrabster Harbour on Saturday 8th June.


Get Out and See Caithness With The Council Rangers - Events all summer - Click Posters for full details
 
Puffin Swap - A Ranger Event  Dunnet Dragons and Damsels - A Ranger Event
Wick's Wonderful Wild Flower Workshop - 16th June

These Ranger events are only a few of over 600 entries in our fast growing What's On
May - - June - - July - - August
Caithness.org What's On section gets hundreds of look-ups every day so get your event listed as soon as you can.  Just use the online form - simples  -
and its FREE for as long as you want for as many entries as you like.
Highland youth participation has voice in planning of public services
Youth Pariticpation at Highland Council
Members of the Highland Council’s Adult and Children Services Committee heard that young people’s participation is making a positive difference in the planning and provision of children’s services in The Highland Council, Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division, and NHS Highland. Ainya Taylor, Highland Youth Convener, and Highland Youth Voice members, Sannies Macleod from Wick, Bee Nicolson from Inverness and Finlay Allmond from Nairn gave a presentation on how Youth Participation is helping service providers to improve services and how it also helps them, as young people, develop.
Wick Council Offices Disappearing Fast As Demolition Progresses
Wick Council Offices Demolition Wick Council Offices DemolitionWick Council Offices Demolition

From the start HERE

Fit's in 'e Groat 'is Week?
A dash through the main stories in the John O'Groat Journal from Friday 24th May and if you missed it check out 'E Courier' headlines from Wednesday 22nd May.  These and many more stories in Doanalsin's Diary now in its third year and al items still there to be read.

Great Weather For Last Two Days Of the Walking Festival In Caithness
Walking Festival 2013
Check out some nice walks for Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th in the Caithness and Sutherland Walking Festival.




First Tidal Stream Installation Ship Being Built For Pentland Firth
Tidal Stream Installation ship to be built for Mojo Marine
New updated sketch 'renderings' of the World's first purpose-built tidal stream turbine installation ship, the planned HiFlo-4 catamaran vessel, have just been released by her designers Mojo Maritime Ltd, of Falmouth, Cornwall, one of Britain's most technologically-innovative 'green' marine energy specialist engineering companies. Its managing director Captain Richard Parkinson has told Gills Harbour Ltd's chairman that its innovative vessel is on track for being delivered from her builder's shipyard during the summer of 2015. The experienced mariner-turned-entrepreneur, who is familiar with winter sea conditions in the Pentland Firth and off the North of Scotland, has previously stated that Gills Harbour is his company's preferred Caithness base for HiFlo-4, hopefully by 2016.   Two Sketch Renderings
LEADER Projects
Thomas Prag and Nicole Wallace
Rural community projects across the Highlands are celebrated in The Highland LEADER Programme’s ‘Revitalising Communities in the Highlands’ booklet launched at the full Highland Council on Europe Day earlier this month. Over 90 of the 358 local projects funded by the LEADER Programme are bought to life with quotes and photographs in the booklet. Featured projects range in location and type from the Isle of Skye Energy Advice Service, to Thurso Boating Pond Play Area, to the Black Isle Heritage Memories Project.

Wick Harbour Johnson Collection Digitisation Project - A LEADER Project
Wick Harbour - Johnson Collection
The Johnston Collection is a unique photographic archive of life in and around Wick, once the capital of the herring industry in Europe. Held in trust by the Wick Society, the collection consists of over 50,000 black and white images, taken by three generations of a local photographic firm from 1863-1975. For thirty years the collection remained in the basement of the Wick Heritage Centre, inaccessible to all but the most determined researcher. Long-held ambitions to digitise the collection remained unfulfilled due to lack of resources.

Turning Wind Power Into Community Profit - A Leader Project
Mey TurbineFollowing its complete renewal in 2009 Mey Village Hall is a hub of activity from sports clubs and evening classes to markets and weddings. With a ground source heat pump, the Mey Village Hall Trust was already ‘going green’. A natural next step was to install a 20Kw wind turbine. This would not only meet the rest of the hall’s energy costs but also earn income by feeding excess power into the National Grid.



Brough Community Harbour Project - A Leader Project
Brough Harbour ProjectFor many years the slipway at Brough served as the landing point for supplies to Dunnet Head lighthouse. Battered by winter storms, the slipway was increasingly at risk of collapsing. Investigating funding made the Brough Bay Association appreciate the potential for a wider heritage project. LEADER matched contributions from four partners and the Association’s own funds. The money came in the nick of time as a storm in 2010 revealed that five metres of pier stonework was hanging in mid-air.

SSAFA - Local Caithness Group To Help Armed Forces And Families
SSAFA helping armed forces people and families
Commitment deserves commitment are the latest watchwords from SSAFA a charity set up to help serving memebrs or ex memebrs of the armed forces in the UK. Local Caithness organiser Sharon Johns from Murkle is looking for volunteers to help her provide support to local members or ex-members of the armed forces in Caithness. The history of SSAFA is the history of the men and women of Britain’s Forces and their families.

Mary Ann's Cottage Open For The Summer - Well Worth A Visit
Mary Ann's Cottage
Mary Ann's will open on Saturday 1 June and will be staying open thereafter for the season until the end of September. Open 2.00 - 4.30 pm every day. Volunteer guides always needed - just come along.




Things that go Bang in the Night -  Caithness Astronomy Group
Things that go bump in the night 31 May 2013
Caithness Astronomy Group are delighted to announce a free public talk by guest speaker Professor Andy Newsam.








Wick & District Pool League - Bfest Pairs Competiton 2013
Bfest Pairs 2013
The Francis Street Club hosted the 3rd Annual Bfest Pairs Championships this past weekend, with players from both divisions battling it out for the last title of the Wick & District Pool League season. Seaforth Club's pairing of George Smith and Nathan Lightly won all of their group games on Saturday, playing some great pool to book their place in Sundays semi final. Greg Thompson and Gavin Simpson were also in form as they too qualified from group A. The big surprise of the group stages was the elimination of last years finalists Greg Simpson and Jordan Tait.

BEN NEVIS: 24 hour challenge for charity
Ben Nevis climbs for charity
On the 25th May local adventurers will climb the UK’s biggest mountain in a challenge to raise money for local charities.  Phil, Annie and Scott would like to thank anyone who is generous enough to give any amount to their causes, every pound pledged will help spur them on with 24 hours of climbing ahead of them they will appreciate your help!
See the links to their three local charities inside.


Scenes From Last Game Of The Season For The Scorries
Wick Academy Wick AcademyWick AcademyWick AcademyWick AcademyWick Academy


Wick Academy 4 Deveronvale 1 - Could the Scorries fly to the top next season?
Wick Academy 4 Deveronvale 1
Match Report - Noel Donaldson  Saturday 18th May 2013 Harmsworth Park, Wick
WICK Academy ended their season in style securing third position in the league table after dismissing Deveronvale 4-1. The high fliers notched up a number of other, statistical, records, not least of being unbeaten at home. Jamie Pickles completed a unique hat-trick taking the man-of-the match award for the third consecutive match. Player of the Year was Alan Farquhar. And there was every justification at presentation time for suggesting that the Scorries were well placed to go all the way, next season. Tributes were paid to the squad and manager and assistant, Barry Wilson and Richard Hughes, the staff and the club’s army of loyal supporters. A delighted crowd of about 500 saw Academy take the lead through Gary Weir in the opening minutes at Harmsworth Park, Sam Mackay and Davie Allan making it a mountain to climb for the visitors, before the break. Vale took the first step soon after the restart, Graeme Watt netting but Allan saw to it that there was never going to be a Banffshire resurgence, by completing his double and Wick’s foursome.  PHOTOS
Daffodils Still Flowering Despite The Cold Spring
Daffodils
Spring has been late this year or did we just  miss it.  Nevertheless the daffodils have been putting on a good display around the county and perhaps lasting longer due to the cold weather.



Fire-fighting Exercise At Wick Airport
Fire fighting exercise a tWick Airport
The fire-fighters at Wick airport regularly practice putting out fires on aeroplanes and these photos show them at work.



Come And Try Golf At Reay
Try Golf At Reay
Wedesday nights 22nd May, 29th May, 5th June at 6.00pm.  Free lessons from a PGA coach.  New member get a 20% reduction in fees for the fisrt year if you decide to join the club.


And Then He took Up Golf...............
And then he took up golf
Does this little song from the 1920's ring a bell with any golfers or golf widows out there.  Frank Crumit has golf down to a tee.   Still it's good healthy activity so go for it.


The Running Man Joe Mbu Made It To John O'Groats Today
Joe Mbu at John O'Groats Joe Mbu At John O'GroatsJoe Mbu at John O'Graots

Joe Mbu who has been running and walking from Landsend to John O'Groats via Braemar made to the end of the road today after 50 days.  He got a little closer to his goal to raise funds for the hospital in Nigeria that his grandfather built many years ago.  Joe is well know rugby player having played for some of the top teams in England. Children from Canisbay primary school were there to greet him and run the last few hundred metres to the end of the road.  There a few people made donations to his cause.  Today Joe also saw one of the largest donations when �1300 in one donation came in via the web.   More about the fund raising can be seen HERE
Joe Mbu - The Running Man - First African To Run From Landsend to John O'Groats
Joe Mbu - First African to run Landsend to John O'Groats
Joe is running from Landsend to John O'Groats in 50 days to raise money for a hospital in Nigeria. He has been going it alone with no back-up team and getting people to put him up along the way. Bill Fernie met up with him on Wednesday on his way home from inverness and invited him to stay a couple of nights when he arrived in Caithness. He walked through Wick today to Reiss and will continue so that he arrives on Friday 17th May at about 4.00pm. Bill will be there to get photos along with many other local people to wish him well.


Dramatic restoration of this iconic hotel nears completion
The Inn At John O'Groats from Natural Retreats
Natural Retreats
is delighted to announce that its revolutionary new concept in the self-catering industry, The Inn at John O’Groats, is on course to open mid-August 2013 and is now taking bookings. The restoration of the iconic former John O’Groats Hotel is part of Natural Retreats’ multi-million pound regeneration of this stunningly picturesque natural wilderness in Caithness in the North of Scotland. Originally built in 1875, the iconic former hotel in John O’Groats has been carefully restored over the past two years and has had a new Norse style extension added which provides a dramatic splash of colour against the coastal landscape. Courtesy of Interior Design agency NoChintz, who are also responsible for the recent revamp at Natural Retreats’ flagship site in the Yorkshire Dales and the current lodges at John O’Groats, the interior will combine high quality old and new styling in keeping with the marriage of the historic former hotel and the eye catching new extension.

Food for Thought - New Education Fund For Schools To Apply For Announced
Food for Thought - Funding For On Foods
Scottish schools will be providing more food education for pupils thanks to a �1 million fund launched by Scottish government.. Supporting the aims of Curriculum for Excellence, the Food for Thought Education Fund will help pupils learn about all aspects of food. The fund will encourage teachers to develop projects inspired by the extensive programme of major events planned for 2014 which includes the Year of Homecoming, the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, creating a legacy for young people for years to come.   Link to funding information at bottom of this article inside.

Wildlife Model Making - Saturday 25th May 11.00am - 1.00pm
Animal Model Making
Calling all you budding artists! Come along to the Seadrift Centre at Dunnet Bay and have fun creating another wildlife model to be added to our display as part of Biodiversity Week. Last year it was a basking shark - who knows what it could be in 2013? Booking essential. All children must be accompanied .
What's On Section Growing Fast With Caithness Events For The Summer
This item is just one of over 450 entries currently in the Caithness.org What's On section.  We know there are many more entries to go in for this summer so get them in soon for maximum coverage and remember it's FREE.   Enter your event using the Submission Form   Hundreds of look ups every day.
Our What's On events cascade over many pages on the web site and into our Caithness.org Facebook pages for even more coverage.

Gills Harbour Planning For Pentland Firth Energy
Gills Harbour Phase 1 and Tidal Races
Some indicative Pentland Firth energy sketches relating to Gills Bay/Gills Harbour, Caithness, KW1 4YB. The sketches have been drafted for Gills Harbour Ltd by Mark Fresson, a senior architect at Archial Ltd's North of Scotland office in Inverness and kindly donated to community-owned Gills company. Archial is a Toronto, Canada-based multi-national practice, with branches/associate-ships throughout the English-speaking world.  The first sketch shows the location of the potentially hazardous tide-races in the Pentland Firth and the sites of sea-bed leases granted by the Crown Estate, for the purpose of generating electricity using recently-developed 'horizontal hydro' turbines. The places on the Firth's sea-surface where white-water breaks daily year-round on the appropriate 12.5 hour tide-cycle, are shown. The map shows the seabed leases in relation to the (often violent) tide-races, with the ports of Gills, Scrabster and Lyness marked , with Wick off the map c. 14 miles S of Duncansby Head. The second drawing (broadly) shows Pentland Ferries Ltd's planned 60 metre extension to the main Gills Harbour's main deep-water breakwater/berth.
Latest Photos From Wick Council Offices Demolition
Wick Council Offices Demolition Wick Council Office Demolition From the beginning start HERE

Gaelic Classes take off in Caithness

A series of new Gaelic classes have taken off in Caithness and attendances are much higher than expected. The new purpose made course for beginners and intermediate learners of the language in the county has been well supported in Wick since it started in the Pulteney Centre at the end of March with 19 registered attendees. The course is about to start at the North Highland College UHI in Thurso next Wednesday 22nd May at 7.15pm registration for anyone who is interested in learning the language in the north end of the county.

Natural Explorer Wildlife Boat Trips Every Day At John O'Groats - check the What's On
Regular trips are available throughout the day, weather permitting.

Caithness Horizons Museums at Night Event
Young PlayersOn Friday 17th May from 7 – 8.30pm as part of the Museums at Night celebrations Caithness Horizons is hosting the Inaugural Meeting of the Caithness Horizons Great Guild of Museologists. Museology is the study of Museums.




Revised proposals for �30m Spittal Hill Wind Farm
Revised proposals have been announced this week for a �30 million wind farm development at Spittal Hill, just over 2km north east of the village of Spittal in Caithness. Comprising up to 8 turbines, with an installed capacity of up to 24 megawatts (MW), the proposals have been brought forward by Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd, owned by Statkraft and a group of Highland based shareholders. These are considerably revised proposals from a previous larger scheme of 30-turbines which had a total installed capacity of 75MW.

joembutherunningman Will Soon Be In Caithness - Can You Help?
Joe Mbu
Message Received at Caithness.org About Joe Mbu who is walking and running for a special charity in Nigeria. "He has been running since Good Friday 29th March and as he has insisted on doing this without a support team, I am sad he could finish this alone - so... I am looking to recruit some running and rugby fans to run with him the last 4 miles from Freswick to John O'Groats!!! Please please please could you give Joe a warm Caithness welcome and run or cycle with him to end end"

Caithness engineering firm MTDS placed in administration - BBC
A specialist engineering firm in Caithness has been placed in administration. Mowat Technical and Design Services (MTDS) employs 26 staff and offers a range of services including surveying and fabrication work.

Police Appeal-Incident in Glamis Road and Henrietta Street 11th May 2013
Lane betwewen Henrietta Street and Glamis Road, Wic
A woman is reported to have been assaulted between 2300 hours and 0000 hours on Saturday 11th May in a lane between Glamis Road and Henrietta Street in Wick. Police are keen to trace a man who is described as being of stocky build, wearing a white or light-coloured top and jeans who was seen in the area. Also Police are keen to speak to the driver of a small black car, who may have information that could assist with the inquiry. Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.







Annette, please get in touch !
Someone wants to contact you in the forum

Wick Academy 4 Strathspey Thistle 0
Wick Academy 4 Strathspey Thistle 0
Reporter and Photographer Noel Donaldson

Tribute to Academy stalwart following shock passing. THE game was tinged with sadness, a minute's silence being observed for the sudden passing of David Sinclair. The Academy stalwart, from Staxigoe, who had attended the midweek clash with Nairn County and was well pleased with the 1-0 outcome, took ill on Friday and was admitted to Caithness General Hospital. The 64-year-old appeared to be recovering and was sitting up reading a paper but, sadly, took another turn. The game went ahead as David would have wished and he doubtless would have relished the action and the final score.     Photo  Gallery - 24 Photos        Wick Academy web site

Investment Sought For Small Scale Cinema Chain - The Herald
This story highlights Rob Arthur who restarted Thurso cinema and his plans to try other places in the future. By bringing the latest digital technology into thuro he has transformed the cinema for audiences in Caithness. Adding live shows from London transmitted into the theatre is a huge added bonus in entertainment for the arts in the county.
Check out what's showing this week at Thurso Cinerma

Wick's Old Council Offices Begin To Come Down - Video
Wick Council Offices Demolition
You have seen the photos now here is the movie in full colour.






Fit's in 'e Groat Last Friday
Noel Donald'son's fast run through the mains stories from the local paper.
Caithness Rugby Club Final Push For Funds
The funding for the clubhouse continues to go well and we have been successful in receiving every grant we have gone for. Our target for the club's own contribution of �96,160 is also getting there. The current shortfall is �10,623 so the final push is on to get the remainder.
Caithness Composer's First Performance by International Duo
Michael Collins and Michael McHale
North Highland Connections announces a concert to be given in the West Church, Thurso, on Saturday, 1st June, by one of the world's leading clarinet virtuosi, Michael Collins. He will be accompanied by the pianist, Michael McHale. The concert will feature music by Weber; Brahms; Debussy: and Poulenc. For the local audience there will be special interest in an opportunity to hear the premiere of 'Four Nocturnes' by the composer, pianist and teacher, Robert Fields, who lives at Brough, near Dunnet. Robert is a familiar figure in Caithness musical circles, and his many friends and admirers will eagerly look forward to hearing his work performed by these international artistes.

Home Visiting Volunteers – Home-Start Caithness
HomeStart Caithness
Are you a parent?
Could you be a good role model for parents who are struggling with their young children? Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare? If so, we would love to hear from you!
What’s in it for you?... *Training & Development.  *Being part of a team. Our volunteers regularly talk about the value of having a peer group of like minded people. *Confidence. Seeing the impact that your help can have on other’s lives is incredibly rewarding and the ‘feel good factor’ of giving something back should not be underestimated........read more

Highland first time buyers to benefit from Council-backed mortgage guarantee scheme
First time homebuyers within The Highland Council area are set to benefit from the introduction of a mortgage guarantee scheme, using the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme model already successfully launched by a number of English councils. The scheme aims to support up to 33 new homebuyers in the current year in getting on to the property ladder.

Wick Council Offices -
DEMOLITION gets under way at Wick Council offices
Demoltion of Wick Council Offices 10 May 2013Work got under way today (Friday 10TH mAY 2013) on the demolition of The Highland Council’s Caithness HQ at Market Place, Wick in readiness for an �8 million redevelopment of the town centre site as modern Council office accommodation. The Council has awarded a contract to Morgan Sindall to carry out the redevelopment of Market Place. Their sub-contractors, Munros have removed windows and fittings in recent weeks and began the demolition of the building in earnest today. The new building, together with a refurbished Stafford Place Buildings, will accommodate 140 Council staff currently based in a number of offices in Wick. The new building will be built on three floors to the front and two floors at the rear. When the new Council offices open, staff presently based at High Street (Social Work) and Rhind House (Education Culture and Sport) will move there. The project is due for completion early in 2015. Eighty staff, including those at Wick Service Point, have relocated to Government Buildings, Girnigoe Street while the new offices are built at Market Place.   Council Offices Demolition from the start.

District Heating Network Expanding and Ready For New Customers
Wick District Heating Centre
The district heating scheme in Wick is being expanded. Ignis is to supply heat to the Wick Assembly Rooms, which is the largest public performance venue north of Inverness. When the installation works are completed later this month, the Assembly Rooms will be heated by renewable energy, and its existing oil fired boiler will be switched off. Craig Ibbetson, Director of Ignis Wick Ltd said “We are delighted that the Assembly Rooms are to be supplied by the district heating. This new customer means that we can commission a new supply pipe that runs from the end of Barrogill St in Pulteneytown to Sinclair Terrace. People will notice some works going on in Barrogill Street during this time. This new phase of expansion coincides with Ignis seeking to add more new customers to the network where our pipes are already nearby.

Hayley's powerful essay hailed a winner by law firm
Hayley Blackman with Eric Baijal
BETTYHILL pupil Hayley Blackman has won a prestigious essay competition run by a firm of Caithness solicitors. Open to all S4, S5 and S6 pupils in the county and North Sutherland, the competition, organised by Wick solicitors BBM, was aimed at encouraging local youngsters by fostering their writing skills. The essay subject was based on a relevant subject of energy policy stemming from a view expressed by Thomas Edison, the American businessman and inventor, in 1931. He stated: “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we won’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.”
Entries Now Being Taken For 172nd Caithness County Show
At Riverside & Westerseat Grounds
Wick
on Friday 19 & Saturday 20 July 2013

Volunteer Information Day - Thursday 9th May 2013
A volunteer information day is being held by Caithness Voluntary Group on Thursday 9th May 2013 in Harpers Club, Back Bridge Street, Wick from 12.00 noon until 4.00pm. If you would like information about local groups where you can volunteer or offer services to your community then get along to see what is being done in the area.

Dunnet Sculptures Meeting - Tuesday 7th May  - Time is 7.30pm
Another meeting to discuss the sculpture plans for Dunnet will be held on Tuesday 7th May at 7.30pm (Not 7.00pm as previously notified) in Dunnet Hall. Stuart Black, Director of Planning from Highland Council, will attend the meeting to discuss the Community Arts Project. Not just a meeting about the sculptures as the last one was.

The Battle Of Altimarlach
Memorial at site of the Battle of Altimarlach
The Battle of Altimarlach - 13 July 1680 By Malcolm Caithness
2010 marked the 330th anniversary of the Battle of Altimarlach, near Wick, and as part of our International Clan Gathering that year, the Sinclairs visited the site of the battle to commemorate the event. An account of the battle can be found on the web HERE and this is the story as we were told it. The background to the dispute is that George 5th Earl of Caithness dissipated a large part of his inheritance before he died in 1643 and that left considerable problems for his great grandson George 6th Earl of Caithness, who inherited from him, and who wished to maintain the lavish lifestyle of his predecessors.  Caithness History Items    Caithness Field Club Articles

Wick & District Pool League - Captain's Cup
Wick & District Pool League Captain's Cup Finalists
The Sinclair Bay Hotel hosted the 2013 Captain's Cup tournament this past Saturday in what turned out to be an exciting tournament with some great pool played by all participants. The star of the opening rounds was Sinclair Bay's Milky Ronaldson, who knocked out two former Captains Cup winners on his way to booking a semi final spot. He defeated Crown1 player Colin Banks 3-1 before beating Martin Hill in the quarter finals by the same scoreline. Greg Thomson was impressive early in the day as he knocked out Perry Campbell and Gavin Simpson thanks to two 3-0 wins. He would meet Ronaldson in the semi final.

Bfest Pairs Pool Championships
The 3rd Annual Bfest Pairs Championships takes place on the weekend of the 18th/19th of May in the Francis Street Club. Each team may enter up to three pairs for this event. Please contact the league secretary on 07450 993155 to enter or for more information.
More Photos From Highland Historical Commercial Vehicles Road Run
49 - 60
Scania Cab 1998 Ford Thames Van 1959
Start of the Gallery HERE

An Evening Session At Norlin Play Group
Norlin Play Group, Wick Norlin Play Group, WickNorlin Play Group, Wick


Over 300 Events Listed In The Caithness.org Whats On - Get Your Event In
Did you know the coverage for events listed also flow into the Caithness.org Facebook pages for even greater coverage of your event.  You can add a poster or photo to brighten up your event advert.  Sports groups can add their weekly meetings and committees why not add your AGM date to tell people about your group and remind everyone when its on.  In fact any event that runs wther one off weekly or monthly can be  added for years ahead if you knwo the dates.  Its FREE and effective as so many people now check our What's On.  Events are listed for each month and appear on our main front page and many other places across our web sites.  Submit you event HERE - its FREE so get listing.

Thrumster Nursery Shoe Box Collection
Thrumster Nursery Show Box Collection
The children of Thrumster Nursery took part in collecting shoe boxes for the Caithness shoe box appeal a few months ago. They managed to collect a grand total of sixteen boxes which will be distributed to the elderly in the county. They would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated and helped to make this possible.


More Photos From Highland Historical Commercial Vehicles Road Run
37 - 48
Bedford TK 1971
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Wick Academy 4 Huntly 0
Wick Academy 4 Huntly 0
Huntly no match for Academy's four play - Report by Noel Donaldson
THE goals, all four without reply, were compensation for a game that won’t rate as one of Harmsworth Park's most memorable. Huntly huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow Academy’s defence down and the odd chances that came the visitors’ way, failed to pay dividends. The Scorries always looked dangerous in attack and but for a bit of composure in front of goal and some favourable decisions from the ref, could have grabbed a couple more. Points made prizes, and the saying is never more important than when you’re in the home straight of the Highland League race, and chasing for a respectable and improved table finish. The win puts the Scorries in fourth place, a point behind Nairn County whom they could leap-frog with a repeat performance on Wednesday night, an additional incentive being keeping that home record intact.   Photo Gallery      Wick Academy Web Site

Wanted: Scotland's best nature photos - SNH Photo Competition 2013
Peekaboo Dolphins - Catherine Clark Tortoiseshell butterfly - Carole Anderson Looking Up - Fraser Heigh

The above photos are the winners from the 2012 competition to whet your appetite.
To celebrate Scotland’s amazing wildlife and countryside during the Year of Natural Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is launching a free photo contest. As part of Scotland’s Nature Festival, SNH is encouraging Scots to enjoy nature by capturing their favourite natural places and wildlife. The seventh annual Nature Photography Competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Keen photographers have plenty of time to get snapping, with a deadline of August 1 to get their photos to SNH. First prize is a one-to-one tutorial with one of Scotland’s leading professional nature photographers, Lorne Gill; second prize is a Nikon D3200 digital SLR camera with 18-55mm VR lens kit, tripod and carry case; and third prize is a Pentax X5 Bridge Camera with tripod and carry case. This contest is part of Scotland’s Nature Festival, which includes events across Scotland taking place from May 18-26.  The Winners Gallery

Trophies and Titles For Wick and District Pool League
Rockwater Finalists
Ryan Cook's Blackstairs "2" side won their first ever Wick & District Pool League title on Monday night after defeating Camps "2" 6-2 to win the 2013 Rockwater Shield final. An impressive team performance from the Blackstairs team ended Camps2's hopes of a fourth straight league & cup double.  

Scottish Tarmac Championship Round 2
Tarmac Championship round 2
The second round of the Scottish Championship was held at Ingliston Fairground on the 27th April. The event consists of 42 stage miles over 8 stages with the surface being all tarmac; the weather on the Saturday was cold but sunny. The Hamilton Optimum Training Kadett driven by Bill and navigated by Sara Hamilton was seeded 33rd out 65 competitors. Earlier this year Bill and Sara had competed at round 1 Knockhill Racetrack unfortunately at this very wet event the Kadett hit a tyre wall damaging the rear of the car, they managed to finish the event but this was the first event since the repair so it was with a bit of trepidation that they tackled stages 1 and 2 but by the end of stage 2 they had moved up to 9th overall.

More Photos From Highland Historical Commercial Vehicles Road Run
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Atkinson Borderer 1973 Bedford 220TK 1978 Highland Historic Commercial Vehicles Road Run 2013 At Thurso
Commer QX C Series 1957 Leyland Comet 1961ERF M16 1984

This year the Highland Historic Road Run came north from Alness to Thurso via Lairg and Tongue.  Almost 40 vehicles made the trip.  They will all leave Thurso riverside car park on Sunday morning about 10.00am if you want to see themMore photos will be on here tomorrow.  The road run was supported by Charles Stewart & Sons Builders, Golspie
 
Council Offices In Wick As Demolition Gets Going
Wick Council Offices - 10 April 2013 Wick Council Offices - 3 May 2013 Live Drama As It Happens At Thurso Cinema Via The Screen
16th May The National Theatre Presents "This House"
Now you can see drama via the screen as it happens in theatres at Thurso cinema.
"This House"  A new play by James Graham It’s 1974 and the corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backbiting as Britain’s political parties battle to change the future of the nation. Biting and energetic, This House has enjoyed two National Theatre sell-out runs.  
National Theatre Live is the National Theatre's groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre live from the London stage to cinemas across the UK and around the world.
See it at Thurso using the latest technology.  Now Top Drama Is On Your Doorstep.
Coming productions Live Via Thurso cinema
The Audience with Helen Mirren - Thursday 13th June
Othello with Adrian Lester  - Thursday 26th September

If It Rains All Weekend - Go To Thurso Cinema for Sci-fi and Cartoons 
Iron Man 3 - Oblivion - Finding Nemo 3D - The Croods - Oz The Great and Powerful and more over this weekend.

Arts Section Has Lots Of News and Updates

Dunnet Sculptures Meeting - Tuesday 7th May
Another meeting to discuss the sculpture plans for Dunnet will be held on Tuesday 7th May at 7.00pm in Dunnet Hall.  Stuart Black, Director of Planning from Highland Council, will attend the meeting to discuss the Community Arts Project.

Books For Genealogy By Gordon Johnson
When it comes to deciding what books would be useful for researching your family history, the basic problem is that the original records are not in books which you can buy. All the original source materials are held in archives and libraries all over Scotland. So where do books come in?

The launch of the Caithness Lymphoedema Support Group
Tuesday 14th May, 7 pm – 9 pm,
North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre, 5a High Street, Thurso. Do you live with lymphoedema? Do you know someone who does? The NHS Highland Lymphoedema Project is proud to launch a new group in Caithness for people who are living with lymphoedema. This group is open to all people who have lymphoedema, regardless of its cause. Family and friends are also welcome.

Independent Candidate Gillian Coghill Wins Easily In Landward Caithness Bi-election
Gillian Coghill new councillor for Landward Caithness congratulated by ex-councillor Robert Coghill
Ex-councillor Robert Coghill (Independent) was one of the first to congratulate Gillian Goghill (Independent) who won the bi-election for the Landward Caithness ward.  Mrs Gillian Coghill from Halkirk will join the Independent Group on the Council. Mrs Coghill from Halkirk was one of four candidates, who contested the vacancy, created by the retiral of Robert Coghill in February. She joins Councillors David Bremner (Independent), Willie Mackay (Independent) and Alex MacLeod (Independent Nationalist) in representing Landward Caithness Ward.

Votes Breakdown
David Baron LAB  417 - Gillian Coghill IND 1317 - Hanna Midema SNP 525 - Barbara Watson CON 203
Turnout 28.85%  Total Votes Cast 2479   Rejected Votes 17   Total Valid Votes 2462
2012 Landward Caithness Result
Landward Caithness Voters Go to The Polls On Thursday 2nd May
Caithness Landward Bi-election Candidates
David Baron (LAB) - Gillian Coghill (IND) - Hanna Miedema (SNP) - Barbara Ann Watson (CON)
David Baron                   Gillian Coghill                Hanna Miedema                  Barbara Watson

Polling Day - Where to vote

Barbara Watson (Con) Candidate In Landward Caithness bi-election
Barbara Watson - Candidate Landward Caoithenss bi-election 2 May 2013
Letter from Barbara Watson
Dear Voters, I am standing for Landward Caithness because I believe in building vibrant rural communities with employment and opportunities for young folk and appropriate services for older people. I would work to ensure support for local community groups and SMEs and promote diversification in land-based enterprise. I think it is important to keep local schools open where possible so that children may be educated in their own communities and because a school may serve as a focus for events and activities.

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