CAITHNESS.ORG HEADLINES ARCHIVE ::  October 2013


Adult Learning - Become A Tutor
Adult Learning - Become A Tutor
6 November 2013






Stay Safe With Bonfires And Fireworks
Stay Safe with Bonfires and Fireworks
Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Figures show more children rather than adults get hurt by fireworks. Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.  Read the full item for safety tips to enjoy bonfires and fireworks this year.



Hallowe-en waste: Pumpkins heading "straight to Britain's bins"  - See links for Pumpkin Pies and Soup
Eat Your Pumkins in Pies and Soups
Up to 18,000 tons to be thrown out by the end of the big day. Hundreds of thousands of pumpkins are to be thrown into Britain's bins by the end of the Hallowe'en festivities. Households in the UK, not sure what to do with their pumpkins after the trick-or-treaters are gone, are most likely to put them out with the rubbish, says a leading British waste management company.
Today Haunted House In Wick - waaaaaaaaaaaa - Wick Players, Moray Street, Wick and Friday
Halloween Weekend - Your Next - Thurso cinema...aaaaaaarg
Friday Night - Haunted House In Castletown eeeeeeek    
Haunted House Thurso Fire Station ooooooooooh also on Saturday.

Council pushes for creation of co-located multi-agency control room at Inverness
The Leader of The Highland Council Councillor Drew Hendry has revealed an exciting new proposal which could see The Highland Council co-locating with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Highland, Police Scotland, and possibly other partners such as the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Water in a new control centre hub in Inverness.

Owners Of Crumbling Buildings May Soon Face Bills From Local Authorities
Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill was lodged today
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP David Stewart lodged his Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill today. This is the first opposition Member Bill this session to reach this stage and aims to encourage Local Authorities to deal with the increasingly large amount of defective buildings before they become dangerous and unsightly. The Bill will enable Local Authorities to re-coup their cost of repairing defective and dangerous Buildings to make them safe. This will in turn provide them with an extra revenue stream and hopefully help stimulate the building industry through this work. Vulnerable and low income home owners will be able, through the proposals outlined in this Bill, to carry out much needed repairs on their properties, as the charges involved can be repaid to the Local Authority over a 30 year period.

SNP Candidate wants to do the best for the locals of Landward Caithness
Ed Boyter SNP Candidate in the Landward Caithness council bi-election
Ed Boyter, from Reay, is the Scottish National Party’s candidate for Landward Caithness in the up-and-coming by-election to be held on Thursday 28th November 2013. Ed, 39, is originally from Fife but made Caithness his home with his partner when they relocated to Murkle, near Castletown. They now live in Reay. Ed has been self-employed since he moved here and is a jeweller to trade. He leads a very active life and amongst his hobbies he enjoys hill-walking, rock-climbing and in particular takes to the waves along the north coast as one of the county’s keen surfers. He is also a member of Melvich Gaelic Choir.
There are five candidates for the Caithness Landward bi-election to be held following the resignation of Alex McLeod.
Caithness Landward Candidates -
Ed Boyter, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Kerensa Carr, Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Tina Irving, Independent
Matthew Reiss, Independent
Winifred Sutherland, Independent
The by-election will be held on Thursday 28 November 2013 and voting will take place at 14 polling stations between 7.00 am – 10.00 pm.
Candiidates are invited to send photos and statements for publication on Caithness.org by email to [email protected]
Freedom of John O’Groats to be conferred on former councillor John Green
John Green
The Freedom of the most northerly community in Great Britain – John O’Groats – is to be bestowed by The Highland Council on former Highland Councillor and local resident of John O’Groats Mr John H. Green. The decision to award the Freedom came after a number of organisations and businesses in the John O’ Groats area wrote to The Highland Council requesting the council consider conferring the Freedom of John O’Groats on Mr Green.


Caithness At War - Week 61 28th October  - 3rd November 1940
In Wick, all attention in the town was on dealing with the aftermath of the air raid of 26 Wick North School log book October. The log book of Wick North School recorded on Monday 28th: “Repercussion of a severe air raid on Wick on Saturday 26th Oct at 6.30 p.m. was felt in the attendance today, one third of the pupils being absent. The headmaster was personally involved as the bombs left his house in an uninhabitable condition. Two pupils belonging to the school died from injuries. This brings the total of deaths of pupils of the school in air raids to nine”.

Broadband Rollout
Broadband Rollout Highland and Islands
The first eight areas which will go live in Scotland as part of a multi-million pound publicly-funded fibre broadband project were announced earlier this month for the Highlands and Islands. Caithness will see the rollout take place over 2015.




Another Independent Candidate For Caithness Landward
Winifred Sutherland -Independent Candidate in Caithness Landward bi-election 28th November 2013
Winifred Sutherland comes as the most local independent candidate having been born and brought up in Caithness. She said, "I was born and brought up on a croft and still live in Dunbeath in Caithness, married a local man and had two children. With plenty of experience in voluntary groups and running a local business in Dunbeath for 18 years and currently involved in another business and over the years acting as membership adviser to the Federation of Small Businesses she has lots of hands on experience to bring to the varied duties of a councillor.
Rush.dance has just completed MAD Scottish Street dance Challenge
Rushdance at MAD street dance challenge
Once again all the kids done Rush.dance proud, This was a massive Scottish Street dance competition and it produced some fantastic standards on the day, so to have kids in the finals was amazing.

Well done again.

Remember them at Eden Court  last year - See The Video

Police to target noisy or anti-social behaviour this Friday as part of Operation Notebook
An operation focusing on reducing noise related anti-social behaviour and conduct across the Highlands and Islands will be taking place on Friday 1 November 2013. Police in the Highlands and Islands receive a large number of calls relating to anti-social behaviour and noise. Operation Notebook will see officers in attendance at identified residential address which have been reported to police as repeat offenders. Occupiers of a residence attended by police will receive a warning regarding future unacceptable behaviour and of the possible consequences therein. A fixed penalty notice can be issued by officers or a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal if required.

Wick & District Pool League Latest Position
Wick and District Pool League position 29 oct 2013
The Commercial remain top of Wick & District Pool Leagues first division as they kept up their 100% record after defeating Blackstairs 8-4 on Monday night. Gavin Mackay and John Mcgill were the outstanding players of the night, helping the Lybster side get the better of last seasons Rockwater Shield champions. Ryan Carter and Ian Mcdonald both completed superb 8-ball clearances to help Camps2 win the three points against Alan Larnach's Crown1 side. The seven time champions won it at 7-3 but some good play from Stevie Wyllie and Stevie Cunningham reduced the deficit for a more respectable 7-5 scoreline.

Sell Your used books, CD's, DVD's etc and get cash for Christmas
Free to advertise almost anything in our forum so get cracking and advertise your unwanted items.

Pentland Ferries Recruiting for A Chief Mate on the Roro Ferry For Pentland Firth Route
Other vacancies on caithness.org

Latest Photos Of New Wick Council Offices
Wick Council Offices construction at 29 October 2013
Construction moving on still at the foundations stage and good to see local contractor Hendersons vehicles involved in works now.  See photos from the start HERE.




Keiss Halloween
Keiss Halloween 2013Keiss Halloween 2013Keiss Halloween 2013Keiss Halloween 2013

THE spooks, witches and vampires decided to have some fun in Keiss hall before spiriting themselves off on the trail of toil and trouble, later this week. There were some ghostly games and competitions and plenty to eat and drink, at the early Halloween party, at the weekend.

Caithness Drinks Maker "Berry Good" Is One Of The Best At Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards
Berry Good Drinks
The finest talent in the Highlands and Islands’ food and drink industry gathered in Inverness on Friday (25th October 2013) to celebrate this year’s Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards. It was a nail-biting finale as 41 businesses awaited the announcement of the winners of 12 awards, with victorious businesses ranging from breweries, bakeries, restaurants and retailers to producers of premium Scottish seafood, salt and cheese. Caithness-based business Berry Good’s Vodka and Gin Infusions for Best Drink Award.  

Ploughing: a Caithness pioneering role
The Scottish Championships, held in Caithness for the first time at Stanstill Farm in Bower last weekend, brought attention to the 'ancient' and modern forms of turning the topsoil for cultivating and raising crops in the countryside. Its satisfying success was helped by two major non-agricultural private-sector employers in the County's North East; Subsea 7, operators of the Wester oil-pipeline site assisted with transporting the eye-catching heavy-horse teams to the fields, while Pentland Ferries Ltd brought in the big contingent of Orkney competitors on the Pentalina through Gills Harbour. But outside of farmers and enthusiasts, few Caithnessians may know that mechanised ploughing was introduced to the Northern part of Scotland in Canisbay parish, almost a century-and-a-half ago ... nearly 70 years before farm-tractors first turned furrows in Caithness fields.

Book Launch at Light In The North
Neil Gunn 2013
Book Launch at Light In the North





Five candidates to contest Landward Caithness By-Election
Five candidates will contest the forthcoming by-election to elect one councillor to serve The Highland Council’s Ward 4 – Landward Caithness. The candidates are: �
Ed Boyter, Scottish National Party (SNP)
Kerensa Carr, Scottish Conservative and Unionist 
Tina Irving, Independent 
Matthew Reiss, Independent 
Winifred Sutherland, Independent
The by-election will be held on Thursday 28 November 2013 and voting will take place at 14 polling stations between 7.00 am – 10.00 pm.

Ploughing Photos

Wick Academy 8 Fort William 1
Wick Academy 8 Fort William 1
We-ir in celebration mode say Academy and no wonder as Gary grabs a record eight goals
Report by Noel Donaldson
FORT WILLIAM was swamped by a second-half deluge of goals from Academy's goal machine, Gary Weir. The tenacious striker netted two in the first half and hit the visitors for six in the second. His amazing bag of eight in a single game, made a piece of personal history for the most goals scored by an Academy player in a single game. The previous best was inflicted by Richard Macadie, who scored five in his team’s 7-0 demolition of Buckie Thistle in 2012, and it could possibly be a Highland League and, who knows, a Scottish premier record.   Photos

Great Chance For Women In Caithness To See A Future in Science Technology Engineering and Maths
STEM women
Ladies who  want to find a career in some interesting subjects and get well rewarded for their efforts should go along to hear how other women have already done it.  If you are a lady who think she can do well in a career in a STEM subject this day is for you.  Wednesday 13th Novermber 9.30am - 3.00pm.  Entry FREE  - Lunch is also included.  Booking via the Woemn at Work web site.

Cloud Computing Is Growing Worldwide But The UK Is Lagging Behind
Ever wondered what this clolud computing is al about.  Well as its Sunday we have gathered a few videos from Youtube to help you start.  Businesses may need to know what it is all about to save costs and function better in a globalised market and perhaps even make savings along the way.  Perhaps your business does not need it yet but it might help to know what's out there and growing before it's too late.
Change of name for Dounreay Parent Body Organisation
Dounreay site
Dounreay’s parent body organisation – the consortium of international companies that owns and manages DSRL – is getting a new name. From October 28, the Babcock Dounreay Partnership will be known as the Cavendish Dounreay Partnership. It follows the decision of Babcock International Group, which has a 50 per cent stake in the parent body organisation, to rebrand its civil nuclear business unit as Cavendish Nuclear.


Fit's in 'e Groat 'is Week
and e' Courier if you missed it.

Wick Academy 8 - Fort William 1
What a great result and all 8 Academy goals scored by Gary Weir.

Kuk Sul Won  - New Class on Mondays - Daytime

Warning Warning - Higher Interest Charges Approaching - BBC
The clock is ticking towards higher interest rates on loans and mortgages
Pay off as much of your borrowing before 2016 when interest rates are predicted to go up fast.
End Of Britain - ok its a hardsell ad to buy a financial magazine but this ad will may make you think about borrowiing any more money unless you are sure you can cope with higher charges coming.......its up to you to make your mind up.

51st Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013
51st Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013 51st Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013 51st Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013 51st Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013

Stanstill Farm in Caithness saw the start of the 51st Scottish Ploughing Championships.  On what turned out to be a dry Saturday following heavy rain on Friday conditions seemed ideal for the competitions that went into full swing from the shire horses showing how it used to be done to the bigger modern ploughs and many in between. With 150 competitors from all over Scotland out to show who was the best and very high visitor numbers well catered for across several large fields.  Transport was provided for those not wishing to walk around the various fields.  Wick and Thurso hotels and other accommodation has been in high demand with tickets for the Saturday night dance at the Weigh Inn over subscribed 3 times.  Finals, vintage tractor and under 26 age group competitions take place on Sunday 27th October starting again at 9.30am.
Vintage Farm Vehicles in Caithness
Earlier Ploughing Photos On Caithness.org -
2006 NW Caithness Ploughing Association Match

2012 NW Caithness Ploughing Association Match

More Job Vacancies In Caithness Just In Today

Clocks Go Back One Hour This Weekend In UK
Juist in case your up early checking your banking remember many banks and online services may be offline for few hours at this time to carry out maintenance to their web sites.   Why and History of clock changing
North Sutherland social enterprise celebrates new beginnings
North Coast Connection
A North social enterprise is celebrating after securing ownership of a local building which is at the heart the community. North Coast Connection, based in Tongue, Sutherland, has taken ownership of the Kyle Centre and a small parcel of land next to the building from Highland Council. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) supported the social enterprise with an award of �3,950 towards the acquisition of the building, adjacent piece of land and associated legal costs.


Todays Sales At Dingwall & Highland Marts - North Country Cheviots
Todays Rams Sales at Dingwall & Highland Marts

Ploughmen Rolling In To Caithness For Scottish Ploughing Championships On Saturday
Scottish Poughilng Championships 2013 Scottish Ploughing Championships 2013

When and Where

MeyGen Surveys Underway
HIE at Gills
In recent weeks members of the Caithness public may have noticed some activity by MeyGen Ltd. around the Pentland Firth Inner Sound and at Ness of Quoys. This activity is related to two site surveys being undertaken, one offshore and one onshore. The first, a seabed survey was carried out at the beginning of July using a multi-beam echo-sounder, side-scan sonar and magnetometers. This will allow the detailed analysis of the submarine cable route for the first array of tidal turbines and to confirm that there are no obstructions or anomalies that might interfere with this route.

More New Funding Opportunities Posted In The Community Section

Caithness Heart Support Group Present Equipment To Local Health Services
Presentations by Caithness Heart Support Caithness Hearty Suppoort Group Presentation 2Caithness Heart Support Group made a double presentation of equipment at the Wick Medical Centre, recently. It's been a busy year for the group answering requests for medical equipment and it is now planning a fresh programme of fundraisers to boost their funds. The first of these will take the form of a film show of animals in Arctic by Karen Munro, at the canteen of Caithness General Hospital at 7.30, on Friday (October 25). As well as financing medical equipment, in the county, the heart support group also acts as a social forum for people who have heart conditions before and after operations.
Make Sure Your Tyres Are Legal Or Get Hit With High Fines and Penalty Points
All �60 non-endorsable penalties increased to �100 on 16th August 2013. Included in this could be fines for not displaying a tax disc, no MOT, VEL plate offence, no seatbelt on children. In addition to a �100 fine per tyre there is also 3 penalty points per tyre. Highland Police will shortly be carrying out winter safety checks on vehicles and tyres will be part of those checks.

Highland Council Ready For A Hard Winter If It Comes - Are You Prepared?
Children In Need Pool Tournament - Get Your Entries In Soon
Pool Tournament For Children In Need


Wick Academy Latest
Saturday's game - Huntly 2 Wick Academy 2
Sports dinner coming up Saturday 26th at Mackays hotel - Big Auction - make a bid.

Caithness Dialect Poetry - The Late Alexander Miller
The Late Alexander Miller - Poetry The Late Alexander Miller - Poetry
More Caithness dialect poetry from a once well known journalist living in Caithness. Alexander Miller was born in Glasgow in 1905 of Caithness parents - his father being Mr James Miller, ironmoulder, and his mother the late Mrs Miller, 62 Rose Street, Thurso. They came back to Thurso when Alexander was eight years of age, and he was educated at the Miller Academy .

More Caithness Dialect Poetry On Caithness.org
Kaitness Fowk - Poems and Stories by John Horne
Tatties an Hereen by Castlegreen
Caithness Bitties By Isabel Salmon
Poems by Jenny Stewart
Poems by the Later W T Lyall
Poems of the late James Begg
Poems of Jessie Begg
Anonymous Caithness Poems
Other non-dialect poetry on Caithness.org
Ralph's Secret North - A Top Caithness & Sutherland Book for Christmas
Secret North
Around 350 pictures of the lesser-known parts of wild Caithness & Sutherland with accounts of various trips by kayak, bike and on foot. At �15-99 an ideal Christmas gift!   Check out the links to see more and order online or get it locally in Caithness.



A Fast Run Through 'e Groat
A selection of items from Friday's local paper squeezed for a fast read.

New Children's Home At Wick - Build Moving On

New Children's Home at Wick 19 October 2013




From The Start in August

Wick Council Offices  - Morgan Sindell Men Working Saturdays Rain Or No Rain
Wick Council Offices Progress at 19 October 2013





Photos from April when work began on demolition

RIVERBANK PRACTICE PATIENTS PARTICIPATION GROUP
Riverbank Medical Practice, Thurso
The Riverbank Medical Practice Patient Participation Group (RPPG), Thurso is undertaking a survey to obtain patients’ views on the current provision of services at the Practice. The survey will take place between Monday 21st October 2013, through to Friday 15th November 2013, inclusive. The RPPG would be very grateful for the help of practice patients. A survey form can be obtained at the Riverbank surgery from Monday the 21st October 2013. Alternatively, a survey form will be available with repeat prescriptions, which patients collect from their chemist.
New certificates scheme boosts Highlands million trees bid
Tree Certificate
Scotland’s leading conservation volunteering charity Trees for Life has launched a new range of tree certificates through which people can celebrate special occasions or remember loved ones by helping to restore Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forest. Trees for Life will plant a dedicated native tree in the wild heart of the Scottish Highlands on behalf of each recipient of the new certificates – creating a forest that will benefit unique wildlife including red squirrels and pine martens, and which will be enjoyed by future generations for centuries to come.

Book Launch At Caithness Horizons
Book Launch
Book Launch Event – Writer Linda Cracknell reading from and signing copies of Call of the Undertow -  26th October 2013, 7.30-9pm
Caithness is the setting of ‘Call of the Undertow’, a powerful debut novel by writer Linda Cracknell, who travels to Caithness Horizons, Thurso on Saturday 26th October as part of a book launch tour. Linda Cracknell has made regular walking and exploring visits to Caithness since 2008. The contrast in the physical environment of the far north with her home in Highland Perthshire made a powerful impression on her.

New Job Ads Today In Caithness
Supervisor at at McColls in Thurso
Weekend Bar Staff Wanted for Holborn Hotel, Thurso
Employers advertise FREE on Caithness.org - all that is required is to join the forum and then place your ads any time.
If you add a closing date we remove them or with no date we take off if you contact us or it has been on for a few weeks depending on the viewing numbers.  The jobs section is one of the busiest places on the web site for job seekers so you can find potential applicants fast and for FREE.
Caithness Jobs
Wanted Admin Assistant - W & A Geddes Ltd - Based In Wick
Full & P/T Office Administrators - Bruce Lindsay Coal, George Street, Wick

Caithness Landward Bi-election - Ex Police Chief Matthew Reiss Stands As Independent Councillor
Matthew Reiss -independent Candidate for Caithness Landward bi-election
Matthew Reiss recently retired as chief inspector of police in Highland and is still fully committed to his adopted county where he still lives and now intends to represent the people of Caithness as an Independent councillor if he can gain support from the people of the area. He has been stationed in Caithness several times over his career as he progressed up the promotion ladder.



Dry Stone Dyking Course  - Two Days 26/27 October
Drystane Walling Course

Another Dry Stone Dyking Course will take place at the above address - last opportunity this year to learn this craft. This 2-day course, with instruction from Master Craftmsn, Dave Goulder, will commence on Saturday 26th October. For details or to book a place, please contact Augusta Hutt either by E-mail or Phone.N.B.(Will anyone who is interested and contacted Augusta Hutt previously, please contact her again, as her E-mail contact addresses were lost from her computer as a result of a thunderstorm.)  
Surf's Up Soon At St Fergus Gallery, Wick
Surf Art Exhibition at St Fergus Gallery
Highlife Highland and the Swanson Gallery would like to invite you and your friends to the opening of the Surfboard Design Exhibition at the St Fergus Gallery, Wick Carnegie Public Library. The opening and prize giving will be on Saturday 26th October 2013 at 11am. We hope to see all the children who took part in this popular design competition as all the 171 designs were very beautiful and the decision making was very difficult for us.  You can see the top designs on the Swanson and St Fergus Gallery facebook pages if you would like to take a peak.

First Highland areas to get fibre broadband named  - The Scotsman
Starting in Moray Firth - roll it out to the far flung parts soon......

Wick and District Pool League 2013/14 Season Starts
Wick and District Pool League 2013/14
The 2013/14 Wick & District Pool League season got underway on Monday night, with the Lybster derby between Bayview1 and The Commercial the pick of the ties. Raymond Gunn was the star player as he won all three of his games to help The Commercial cruise into a 7-1 lead. Alistair Young knocked in an 8-ball clearance for Bayview, but it was the Commercial who took the three points with a 8-4 scoreline.


Latest Jobs Added To The Employment Section On The Forum Today
Job ads on Caithness.org are FREE and easy to set up after joining the forum.
Playwork Modern Apprentice
Pulteneytown People’s Project is seeking to recruit a Modern Apprentice (aged 16-19) in Playwork within the Pulteney Centre in Wick. The successful applicant will work towards achieving an SVQ in Playwork at level 2.
Wild North Archivist
The project will run for 20 weeks and the rate of pay is �150 per day for a maximum of 22 days, starting November 2013 with up to �200 allocated for mileage and expenses.
Wild North Project Co-ordinator
A project co-ordinator is required to develop, design, manage, co-ordinate, promote and evaluate a series of community events and activities during 2013 and 2014.
HGV Driver/Store Person
42.5 hours per week, Start 8.00am-5.00pm Mon-Fri (rota system working everyalternative Saturday 8.00am - 12 noon.)
More jobs
A wide variety of positions are currently being advertised on Caithness.org and the section is updated daily.
Caithness & North Sutherland Fund Latest Grant Awards!
CNSF logo
The Caithness & North Sutherland Fund recently held its 3rd grant assessment round for 2013 awarding over �109K to ten community and voluntary groups for projects that will benefit people living in the Caithness & North Sutherland area.


Memorials In High Street, Wick
Memorial to Isleford, High Street, WickMemorial to Jervis Bay, High Street, WickMemoril To Johnny Yuill, High Street, WickMemorial To Jim Christie and his wife Lily, High Street, Wick

At one end of High Street in Wick are a number of memorials placed in the past 10 years or so.  Links on each photos will take you to further information about them.  The memorials are for Isleford, Jervis Bay, Johnny Yuill, Jim Christie.

Latest Caithness Commercial Vehicles Added To The Gallery
Natural Retreats
Natural Retreats Transportation
Claymore Creamery, Wick - Gone But Not Forgotten
Claymore Creamery, Wick - now demolished
Another addition to our Old buildingsd in Caithness section.  Did you collect the odd pint of milk or cream when you ran out from that building.  Still looking for photos of old buildings now gone for this section. The building was demolished a few years ago to make way for housing that has nto been built as yet. If you would like at add any email them to [email protected]
Old Buildings from the Start

One Week To Go Until The Wedding Fayre
Wedding Fayre - Wick 20th October 2013
Pulteney Centre, Wick - 20th October 12 noon  - 4.00pm
Pultney Centre in Wick would like to invite you attend their First Wedding Fayre. With everything you need to plan your special day all under one roof from bridalwear to beauticians, photographers to florists and everything else in between! Also why not bring along your bridal party and enjoy an Afternoon Tea at Telford’s Cafe while you plan your special day. Soft Play area will also be open for the children Location: Pulteney Centre, Huddart Street, Wick .
If you have not been to the centre before this is great chance to see the best community centre in the north of Scotland with a growing range of activities in a new purpose built building.

Pennyland School P6 1970-71
Pennyland School Primary 6 1970-71

Several New Funding Opportunities just entered in The Community Pages Today
Football clubs with under 18's might want to take a close look at McDonald's Kick Start Grants
Creative Industry grants for young people
Young People  - Forestry Grants up to 3 years funding
For more funding opportunities see the community section.  See 30th September for a few still in date for applications.

Missed E' Courier 'is Week - then click HERE for a fast round-up of a few items

Hero sailor survives home blaze  - Herald
THE British submariner who launched the torpedoes that sank the General Belgrano in the Falklands War has survived a blaze at his home. Bill Budding escaped from the first-floor window of his semi-detached house in Thurso, Caithness, after a fire broke out. He was helped by a passer-by.
Rush.dance kids win Big at Dancelines Scottish Hip Hop Festival
Rushdance winners at Hip Hop Festival
This has been massive for Weekend for us at Rush.dance, all the kids & parents are buzzing after all the kids making every final we took part in & to have Winners who have earned the right to have the dancelines Scottish Hip Hop Champion titles is amazing for us as a Group. Rush.dance has just completed their first Weekend dance Festival, Dancelines runs Scottish Festival in Craig Tara Ayrshire. This is an international dance competition with dancers coming from Scotland, England, Norway, Wales & Ireland. There are different dance styles going on over the weekend Disco freestyle, slow dance, Show dance and Hip Hop.

2nd Portskerra Story-Telling Festival 18th - 20th October
Portskerra Story Telling Festival 2013
Traditional Culture – Stories – Art – Fun & Gathering People in the North This is the most northerly Storytelling Festival on the mainland of Scotland – come and visit the festival and have the bonus of seeing spectacular scenery and historic archeological sites scattered everywhere up here – even with all the windfarms they are building and planning. We are based in a small traditional style hall (Melvich Village Hall - check for us on Facebook) in the midst of the traditional fishing and crofting villages of Portskerra and Melvich with a fabulous background of traditional stories and Gaelic /Norse culture and ceilidhs, music, song and edged by glorious fishing and surfing beaches and the sea. Location: Melvich Village Hall
�5 per event �10 for family of four or �10 per individual for the whole weekend.

Statutory Performance Indicators 2012/13 - Council, Police, Fire
Each year the Council has a statutory duty to make available to the public indicators, which compare our performance over the last 12 months with that of the previous year.

Landward Caithness by-election timetable confirmed
The timetable for the election for the return of a councillor for Ward 4 (Landward Caithness) of The Highland Council has been confirmed today. Candidates have until 4pm on Monday 28 October 2013 to confirm they are standing. If the seat is contested, a by-election will take place on Thursday, 28 November 2013. Nomination forms are now available from David Sutherland, Depute Returning Officer, Chief Executive’s Office, Highland Council Offices, Government Buildings, Girnigoe Street, WICK, KW1 4HW or via The Highland Council’s web site: www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/elections/ Anyone eligible to vote can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Wednesday, 13 November 2013 and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Wednesday, 20 November 2013. Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783. The Returning Officer is the Chief Executive of The Highland Council, Steve Barron and the count will take place at the Assembly Rooms in Wick on Friday 29 November 2013.
Note To Candidates In Landward Bi-election. - email your photo and profile to [email protected] for inclusion in our Bi-election section to be added shortly.
Commonwealth Games Baton Relay Search For Runners
Commonwealth Games Barton Runners Wanted
Search launched for community champs to star in the home leg of Queen's Baton Relay. It will travel across the globe through the 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth carrying a special message from Her Majesty the Queen, but the final lap of the Queen’s Baton Relay will be its last 40 days travelling the length and breadth of Scotland. Commonwealth Games Scotland and Glasgow 2014 need up to 4,000 special people to be the batonbearers given the honour of carrying this unique symbol of the Commonwealth Games towards its final destination and the Opening Ceremony of the Games.  
Leaflet  - to see larger imgages right click and open in a new tab.

Northcote Street, Wick 2002 and 2013 Photos
Northcote Street, Wick Northcote Street, wick
11 years between two sets of photos and little has changed in Northcote Street in Wick.  The house above used to be offices for health services and changed to a private residence but with little outward change apart from new roof tiles and paintwork.  The Nold Park was created with new equipment for children in the corner where the old council play park used to be.  An early postcard shows Northcote Street in about 1929
The Macmanus collection of old postcards shows many places in Caithness from bygone days.  
Caithness Postcards Index        Wick Streets Photo Index     Caithness A to Z

SSE Hike Electricty and Gas Prices By 8.2 Percent From November 2013
SSE will implement a series of changes to its household energy tariffs on 15 November 2013.  SSE increased electricity prices in September  2011 and October 2012.
March Road, Wick - Low Shots For Flora - High Shots For Aerial Views
Flora in March Road, Wick Marcvh Road, Wick From Above

Caithness.org taking photos from all angles and heights.

Still Time To Vote For Scotland's Favourite Wild Animal
Red Deer Stag
People urged to vote for their favourite wild animal as campaign draws to a close. With just three weeks to go before voting closes to decide Scotland’s favourite wild animal, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is urging as many people as possible to take part in the poll for Scotland’s Big 5. The vote for Scotland’s Big 5 closes at the end of this month, with thousands of votes already registered for each of the five species listed. The campaign is just one of the thousands of activities and events that have been taking place across Scotland during the Year of Natural Scotland.

Watten Fun Day - August
Watten Fun Day 2013 Watten fun Day 2013
Dunnet Forest Survey - Get Your Responses In Soon 
Part of a project by a Phd student Louise Senior which shoudl prodice an interesting sotry about hwo people use and view the forest in Caithness.  See also her blog   You can also leave comments once you have completed the survey HERE.  It doesnto take long to complete so the more the merrier.

Coghill Bridge Area, Wick
Coghill Bridge Area, Wick
The Coghill Bridge is the footbridge that cross the Wick river a couple of hundred metres form the car park.  It leads to the play park area and the caravan site.  From there you can walk up river to the site of the battle of Altimarlach.

Bridges Section
Learn Spanish This Winter
Basic Spanish course on offer at North Highland College, Thurso starting 23 October.  Spanish is one of the major language in the world.  Spanish is spoken in Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, El Salvador, Eq. Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Togo, Tunisia, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

School Holiday Dates Until August 2014

New campaign launches to help reduce chewing gum litter
Gumbusters The Highland Council has launched a new campaign today (Monday 7 October) with the aim of reducing littered gum in the local area. Encouraging residents to ‘Bin it your way’, the council has partnered with the Chewing Gum Action Group (CGAG), an organisation chaired by Defra and funded by the chewing gum industry, to tackle gum litter in the UK. The campaign, now in its eighth year, sees industry working with councils and Business Improvement Districts to develop local initiatives to reduce chewing gum litter. The Highland Council is among 16 local authorities and BIDs taking part in the 2013 activity. Last year’s campaign showed an average fall in gum litter levels of over 50% in participating areas – and a 93% reduction in one area!

Council keen to receive more suggestions for future planning of Caithness and Sutherland
Caithness and Sutherland map
A call for people’s early suggestions of sites and ideas for the new Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan – CaSPlan – is in to its last fortnight. It is therefore important that people take up The Highland Council’s invitation to submit suggestions for inclusion in the new plan for the future of Caithness and Sutherland, before the deadline on 17 October 2013. Scott Dalgarno, Development Plans Manager at The Highland Council said: “The Call for Sites and Ideas exercise provides the opportunity for all members of the public to be involved in the development process at the earliest possible stage. Often members of the public only get involved in the planning process in reaction to an application for planning permission being submitted. Now is their chance to be involved and make their views known early – and to let us know what they want their local area to be like.”

erielements - Autumn Newsletter from Enviromental Institute, Thurso
ERI Elements Autumn Newsletter
Since opening in 2000, the ERI has become a dynamic research organisation with a young, highlymotivated team, and the ethos of multi- and inter-disciplinarity is securely embedded. Today, the ERI has become a focus for promoting excellence in research in the region, largely due to the ability of its investigators to work with stakeholder, commercial, academic and educational organisations alike. The ERI has an extensive network of academic, stakeholder and business partners across the region and nationally. International collaborations extend from Europe (e.g. France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, Finland) to North and South America (e.g. USA, Canada, Chile) and Asia (e.g. China, Taiwan).
Thurso British Legion Hunt For Rolls Of Honour From First World War  - Help Find Missing Rolls Of Honour
Roll of Hoour - Caithness-shire - First World War
Do you have a roll of honour like this or have you seen one lately? Thurso Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland is looking to make up a set for the county of Caithness. They have three and they believe they need a further three to complete the roll. They are looking in particular for those marked Caithness-shire with the identifier A, E or F. There may even be more in the set. The plan is to have them framed and put on display during the one hundredth anniversary commemoration of the Great War. If you would not wish to part with yours or give it on long term loan, the Legion would be prepared to make a good quality copy of it.
Kaitness Fowk - Poems and Stories By John Horne
Kaitness Fowk - John Horne
We are grateful to Margo Mackay for sending us the scans of these famous works by the late John Horne.  Although the name John Horne is known thoughout Caithness for his dialect poems these have been out of print for over fifty years. A few well worn copies of Poems and Plays published in 1923 have been handed down and some of his classical dialect poems have been reprinted at times in the John o'Groat Journal. His total literary output was very high but only a small fraction was in dialect - indeed he only published one other dialect book, A Canny Countryside. This contains stories about characters of the mythical Caithness village of Knockdry and the last edition was printed in 1906. In the early thirties he was working on a new edition with extra chapters but died before being able to accomplish this.
More Caithness Dialect Poetry
Tatties an Herreen by Castlegreen
Caithness Bitties by Isabel Salmon
Jenny Stewart's Poems
W T Lyall - more to come in coming weeks
More Caithness Poets

Business Start Up Workshop - Thurso 16/17 October
Highland Opportunity are coming to Thurso with a 2 day business Start-up woorkshop open to anyone thinking about starting a new business. Join our two day workshop where you will learn how to develop your ideas into a practical and effective plan to launch your business. Key elements include: Getting the marketing right for your business; Developing a realistic, working business plan; Deciding what finance you need and learning how to use financial information.

Surfers Against Sewage Beach Cleans Around Scotland  - Beach Cleans Caithness
Only 2 Hours Saturday and Sunday

Chance To Dance Ballrom and Latin In Thurso
DancersThe class is an hour and a half of practice in Ballroom and Latin Dancing and is in the Girl Guide Hall in Robert Dick Place, Thurso every Thursday night from 730pm to 9pm and the cost is �2 per person. There is no actual teacher in the class as we started it as a follow on from the workshops run in the Park Hotel by a professional teacher from Elgin (she was here twice already and is coming back on Nov 2nd) and we are really just going over the routines that she gave us. Saying that, we don't want anyone to miss out if they want to dance, so the class is open to anyone to come along and see if it is any use to them. No partner necessary, no special shoes just not trainers. Weeks holiday on the 10th but back to normal on the 17th. MContact Lesley Gunn 01847 892658.
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Energy, business, tourism and much more in this the latest update from Eann Sinclair.

Caithness Family History Society Publications
Caithness Parish Map
The Caithness Family History Society’s 1901 Caithness Census transcriptions record details of everyone living in each house on the night of 31st March 1901. We can supply census information for the parishes of Dunnet, Canisbay, Halkirk and Wick. The 1841 Caithness Census transcriptions record the details of everyone living in each house on the night of 7th June 1841. Only have the books for Wick Burgh, Latheron Parish and Reay Parish still remain for sale. Caithness Family History Society has also made transcriptions of the inscriptions on the gravestones in three cemeteries - those of the older sections of Keiss, Watten and Olrig Cemeteries.

Maginot Band Plays Inverness, Wick and Thurso
Maginot Band
Local boys The Maginot Band play the first gig at the re-opened Blackstairs Lounge. 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).

Caithness Landward Homes To Be Offered Free Energy Savings Measures
Energy Saving Measure from Highland council and e-on
Council and E.ON work together to improve Highland homes. Home owners in four Highland Council Wards are the first to be offered free energy saving measures in a �6.4 million project with energy company E.ON. People who own homes in the Landward Caithness; Aird and Loch Ness; Inverness Central and Upper Achintore (Fort William) Wards will be invited to have their properties assessed for free energy efficiency measures as part of the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland – Area Based Scheme (HEEPS-ABS). The scheme is mainly aimed at insulating hard-to-treat properties with primary measures being: cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation.

Still Time To Volunteer for Burn Of Whilk Archaeology Dig
Burn of Whilk Archaeology Dig
From 20 September to 7 October 2013 AOC Archaeology Group, on behalf of one of the UK’s leading renewable energy developers, RWE npower renewables (RWE NRL), are carrying out an archaeological dig around RWE NRL’s Burn of Whilk Wind Farm in Caithness. The excavations focus on the Warehouse chambered cairns. This project coincides with Scottish Archaeology Month and Highland Archaeology Fortnight, is part of a wider project that aims to improve understanding of the Yarrows trail and surrounding area. Dr Andy Heald of AOC Archaeology Group is organising both the project and the volunteer programme for RWE NRL. He is keen to have as many local people as possible contact him and take part at some point during the dig. He said: “While Caithness is a region rich in archaeological history, we still know very little about many of the identified monuments of importance. The work we are carrying out in the coming weeks should shed new light on the Neolithic and Bronze Age of the county. “As with all such projects in Caithness, we are keen to get as many volunteers to take part as possible. Volunteers can come for any length of time and require no previous experience. As well as excavating we will teach them various techniques including survey, laser scanning and conservation principles”.   Highland Archaeology Festival 2013

Chance To Learn Archaeoloogical Recodrding Techniques At Castlehill Heritage
Come to Castlehill Heritage Centre during the week beginning Monday October 7th 2013
Type 2 Diabetes Is Increasing - Check Your Risk Factors and What you Can Do To Reduce Them

Inverness UHI Campus - Latest

See more about Inverness Campus

Sell It Buy It - Classified Ads On Caithness.org are FREE
Hundreds of items are being bought and sold via the Caithness.org classified ads section every month.  Costs nothiing to add your items for sale so why not check the attic or garage to see what you can sell to get extra cash for Christmas or holidays or just to buy something else you need.  Probably the best form of recycling is to sell things you no longer need.  And save yourself money by buying used items many of which are in great condition.  Don't bin it sell it.

Modern Apprenticeships Opportunity For Employers
PPP have 4 Modern Apprenticeships available at level 2 Playwork and Administration level 2 & 3. This is an opportunity for an employer to recruit and employ a young person who they would release one day a week/fortnight to study at our centre towards their qualification. The rest of the time they would be working within their placement. They would gain their qualification within 9 – 12 months, which will include their level 2 or 3 SVQ in Administration or Playwork, manual handling, risk assessments, first aid and food hygiene. Once they have completed their qualification you will then have a qualified, confident young person ready to take on more responsibility and a more appropriate wage.

New House In Wick - Start to Finish - 39 Photos
Start                           Completed
Starting A New home In Wick  New House Completed in Wick

Celebration C�ilidh Marks Medium Education at Mount Pleasant Primary School
Gaelic Medium Unit Opened At Mount Pleasant Primary School
Pupils and staff from Mount Pleasant Primary School in Thurso were joined by parents and guests to enjoy a special ceilidh today (3 October 2013) celebrating the opening of the first Gaelic Medium department in Caithness. The school’s Gaelic Medium Department opened at the start of the new school session when 7 pupils from the active Gaelic Medium nursery enrolled into Primary 1. The youngsters are the first pupils in Caithness to be taught via the medium of Gaelic, under the guidance of teacher Mrs Gwen Bowie. The school decided to mark this significant milestone by hosting a c�ilidh and inviting local councillors, musicians, and representatives from the local community to participate in the event.

Under Age Sales Of Alcohol To Be Tested This Weekend 4 - 6 October
Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be carrying out test purchasing operations in the Badenoch and Strathspey, and Caithness and Sutherland areas of the Division this coming weekend. The scheme consists of a fully briefed teenager (under 18 years of age) entering licensed premises under controlled conditions and in line with agreed guidelines to purchase alcohol. If the proprietor does not ask the person their age and allows them to purchase alcohol they will be committing an offence, even if their excuse is that they thought they were 18.
Fit's in 'e Courier 'is Week

Help to make homes more energy efficient

Lethal Power Tools Sales Generate Warnings
Trading Standards officers from The Highland Council and Police Scotland are asking Highland residents to think again before they consider buying potentially lethal power tools that are being offered for sale door to door and from the back of vans. Following reports of generators, chainsaws and power washers being offered for sale by itinerant traders in the Nairn, Skye and the Badenoch & Strathspey areas, officers acted last week and 25 items were seized.

The Orcadian Stone Company In Golspie Always Worth A Visit
Orcadian Stone Company, Golspie 
If you are heading to or passing through Golspie a fascinating place to visit or buy presents is the Orcadian Stone Company that houses a very special collection of specimens from all over the world.  The collection was a lifetimes work for two geologists and is reckoned to be one of the finest in the UK.  The collection is in one building and nearby is a wonderful shop with thousands of unusual gifts that will last forever.  Christmas is coming.....................
Earlier Photos     Orcadian Stone Company Web Site

Lost Coat Found In Thurso

Streets In Wick
Battery Road            North View              Scarfs Craig Place
Batttery Road, Wick North View, WickScarfs Craig Place, Wick
Wick Street Index    Thurso Street Index    A to Z Caithness

The Big Lament - A Major Event At Timespan Helmsdale and Portgower
The Big Lament
Margaret Tait’s groundbreaking film Caora Mor: The Big Sheep, 1966 is celebrated through a series of events between 30TH October and 2ND November 2013. Timespan's Digital Artist Oliver Mezger has spent two years living in the far north of Scotland methodically filming the remote Highland villages of Helmsdale and Portgower. Now, in view of this year's Clearances Bicentenary, he sheds contemporary light on themes first addressed by Tait in her films, 45 years ago.

Does Anyone Have Innes Family Information Relating To This Photo?
Innes Family Reunion
William Innes In Montreal, Canada has asked if anyone can help with this photo. INNES gathering at the “Aberlour Hotel” about 1925 William Innes was born in 1822 at the family farm called Craighead located in Glenlivet. and remained there until his death in 1890. The people in the photo are numbered to assist.  Email William in Montreal if you have any information relating to the family history.


Football Coaching Sessions With Star
Takes place in the coming school holidays in October.

Caithness Slabs Optical Illusion Trialled On Union Street, Aberdeen
Union Street, Aberdeen
Asphalt is to be dressed up as Caithness slabs as part of a new operation to improve the south pedestrian area on Union Bridge. The existing concrete slabs are thin and frequently damaged. The Caithness slabs, which are used elsewhere on Union Street are too thick to use on Union Bridge due to the limited depth available between bridge deck and footpath. Aberdeen City Council, in order to solve both problems, is trialling the use of a new operation called StreetPrint, which mimics the visual effect of the Caithness slabs in asphalt.
Wick Council Buildings And Town Hall Under Wraps As Work Progresses
Wick Council Offices Under Wraps Wick Town Hall Improvement Works - 1 October 2013

Highland teachers get musically active
Over 100 Highland Primary and Early Years staff from all corners of the region gathered in Inverness on Saturday (28th September) to receive training in the delivery of a new music teaching support resource for non-music specialist staff – Active Learning through Music.

Journey Share Caithness
Share a lift and save money - check it out to see if it can work for you.  They match the journeys and match you to like-minded people.  They match your profiile and you have the Choice of accepting or not lifts available from the map and information n the web site.  Lift sharers are saving load of cash. - Check it out.
Highland Liftshare - October Newsletter
Highland Liftshare October Newsletter - Page 1Higfhland Liftshare October Newsletter Page 2 
This newsletter is orientated to the Black Isle but you will get the idea as it applies UK wide.

Mystery Solved - Thanks To Forum Members
Old Orkney PhotoThe photo found by Noel Donaldson amongst his late father's records.  Forum members began a discussion and now one of them has come in with the information.  It turns out not to be Caithness photo but from Orkney.  The photo was taken in front of St Magnus cathedral in Kirkwall in 1936.
Mr Z a forum member has helpfully provided names and full details about the photo as follows - This is the crew of the Longhope lifeboat " Thomas McCunn" who rescued 41 men from the French Grand Banks trawler "Neptunia",which was wrecked on the tail of Brims on 21st. Feb. 1936. They were in Kirkwall receiving awards for this service. Coxwain Billy Dass was awarded the R.N.L.I. bronze medal and a silver medal from the French government and the remainder of the crew were awarded bronze medals from the French Government. Also in the picture is the former coxwain Jake Swanson, who was awarded the R.N.L.I. long service vellum. Jake joined the crew when he was 14 years old and was coxwain for 34 years, 28 of those years under sail. Back row. George Johnston( Bowman), Bob(Sodger)Johnston(crew),Bob(engineer)Johnston(me chanic), Jocky Robertson(crew), Billy Dass(coxwain), John Norquay(crew), Jake Swanson(retired coxwain), Eric Mowat(assistant mechanic), Sinclair Mowat(2nd. coxwain). Front row. Doctor John Foubister, Longhope; Wm. Heddle, clerk to the Lieutenancy and Vice Consul for France; Mr A Baikie, Lord Lieutenant of Orkney & Zetland; Mr. John M. Slater, Provost of Kirkwall; Mrs. Baikie; Mr J Storer Clouston O.B.E.Convenor of Orkney; Mr William Sutherland, Secratary, Longhope lifeboat. --- Many thanks to Mr. Z for the information.

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