News Archive - December 2014
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31 December 2014
Wick Street Party Web Cam Will Go Live at 10.30pmOnce again the street party will take place at the car park at riverside due to the ongoing works at Market Square. You wil hear the music as you approach the area. If you know of anyother web cams for Caithness parties let us know.
A few earlier parties
Wick
2014 2008 2006
Thurso
2007
Fast Look At e' Last Groat of 'e Year
29 December 2014
Police appeal for information following report of assault in ThursoParents get cyber-savvy in 2015
New online safety classes for
families.
Parents and carers concerned about keeping their children safe online
will be able to take part in new hands-on training sessions.
The pilot, created in a partnership between anti-bullying service
respectme and the Scottish Government, will guide even the most
technophobic users through the most popular social media sites and how
to make sure their children's pictures and postings are as safe as
possible.
Community IndexImpact Of Welfare Reforms On Households To Be Examined
New research on the impact of
welfare reform on Scottish households has been commissioned by a
Scottish Parliament committee for 2015.
The research for the Welfare Reform Committee will be carried out by
Professors Christina Beatty and Steve Fothergill of the Centre for
Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University.
For the first time, the research will aim to measure the impact of the
UK Government's welfare reform agenda on different household types.
Business Index28 December 2014
A Frosty Walk Along Wick River![Frosty Wick River Walk](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/frosty_walk/1_s.jpg)
![Wick Frosty River Walk](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/frosty_walk/3_s.jpg)
![Frosty Wick River Walk](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/frosty_walk/5_s.jpg)
![Frosty Wick River Walk](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/frosty_walk/10_s.jpg)
A few took a bracing, post-festive, walk round Wick's frosty Riverside, today, and one of the dogs that went walkies decided to take the temperature of the water....but not for long.
27 December 2014
Some Thoughts on Castle Varrich, Tongue. (by George Watson)![Castle Varrich](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/sutherland/castlevarrich/v32_s.jpg)
25 December 2014
Rabbits At Ellens Geo, Ulbster![Rabbits at Ellens Geo](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/rabbits/rabbit_1_s.jpg)
Happy Christmas To Everyone From Caithness.org
![Happy Christmas From Caithness.org](http://www.caithness.org/animations/tree-lights.gif)
24 December 2014
A Few Items From 'e Groat - Early This WeekNo Hiding for Those with History of Violence Says Rhoda Grant MSP
Highland and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant is backing the roll out of an anti-domestic abuse scheme across Scotland following a trial period that was piloted in Aberdeen and Ayrshire in November this year. The Police Scotland "Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme" which allows for men and woman to request information on whether their partner has a history of domestic violence has already received 15 applications in the trial areas and is being tested in Scotland following the introduction of the scheme in England and Wales following the murder of Clare Wood in Salford in 2009 by her ex-partner who has a previous record of domestic violence and abuse.
Caithness and Sutherland Women's Aid
Action to create better conditions for freshwater pearl mussels
![Fresh Water Pearl Mussells](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/freshwater_pearl_mussell_s.jpg)
A new joint initiative urging voluntary restraint on large scale culls of mountain hares has been launched
![Mountain Hare](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/mountain_hare_s.jpg)
Life-saving project gets go-ahead for another year
![Safe Highlanders Caithness](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/september/safe_highlanders/1_s.jpg)
Back to school in 2015 with free school meals
The Highland Council is advising all parents and carers of Primary 1 to 3 children in the Highland area that they will be entitled to receive free school meals from Monday 5 January 2015.
Rabbits In Caithness
![Rabbit at Coop store in Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/rabbits/rabbit_1_s.jpg)
23 December 2014
Talks to be held over Caithness General consultant shortages - BBCThe Highland health board said it was looking at new models for the service that would allow it to continue on a more sustainable basis. Meeting of Health Board and local politicians on 6th January in Wick.
Hillhead Primary School Creates Unique 2015 Calendar
![Hillhead Primary School 2015 Calendar](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/hillhead_calendar_2015/1_s.jpg)
Keiss School Christmas Concert
![Keiss School Christmas Concert 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/keiss_christmas_concert/1_s.jpg)
![Keiss School Christmas Concert 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/keiss_christmas_concert/2_s.jpg)
Prices at the Pump - Why Are They Falling and Will This Continue?
![Oil and Petrol Prices](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/fuelchart_s.jpg)
22 December 2014
Council welcomes work of Highland Armed Forces Community Covenant PartnershipMembers of The Highland Council
have welcomed the work of the Highland
Armed Forces Community Covenant Partnership and endorsed the
partnership's future priorities.
How Others See Us - 269 Sunken Turbines To Make Scotland Home To World’s Largest Tidal Farm
From ClimateProgress
The world’s largest tidal
energy project, capable of powering nearly 175,000 homes in the U.K.
with 400 megawatts of power, will break ground next month in northeast
Scotland. Atlantis, majority owner of the MeyGen project, announced
that its flagship project had met all the conditions required to start
drawing down finance through the U.K.’s Renewable Energy Investment
Fund.
The completed project will have 269 sunken turbines, according to
Atlantis, which expects to have about 60 of these installed and
delivering power by 2020.
Financial close for Wick Campus puts project full steam ahead
![Drawing of front of new Wick High School](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_high_school/32_s.jpg)
University of the Highlands and Islands launches its first accelerated degree
![Accelarated Degree in Georgraphy at University of Highlands and Islands](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/ork_s.jpg)
More Music Lessons Of High Standard Could Be Delivered By Video Conferencing To Schools
Keep pressure on council over school cuts proposals, councillors told - Press & Journal
Police appeal for information following damage to lorry in Castletown
Police appeal for information following damage to premises in Wick
Police Appeal for Information - Car damaged - Thurso
21 December 2014
New photo contest celebrates Scotland's urban deer![Urban Deer Photo Competition](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/urbandeer_s.jpg)
20 December 2014
HIE Buys Pelamis But Jobs Go - re NEWSAtlantis Resources Makes First MeyGen Facility Drawdown
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Good news for Caithness as this weeks newsletter from Eann Sinclair shows the Meygen project getting closer to starting. Check out the very interesting film issued in January about the project.
19 December 2014
Fit's in 'e GroatCourier
15 December 2014
Wick Ward Forum tonight is cancelledThe Wick Ward Forum which was due to take place in Wick Town Hall at 7pm tonight has been cancelled on the advice of the police due to the weather forecast. There is currently a yellow warning in place for snow and ice for the North Highlands. A new date for the event will be arranged early next year.
14 December 2014
Here We Go Again - 10 Years Ago This Banner Was Flown By North Action Group![Banner No Downgrading](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/november2004/nagbanner/ng5_s.jpg)
With
the removal of 24 hour surgical cover from Monday 15th December a
rising voice is being heard calling for something to be done by NHS
Highland and not just to put in place possible transfers to services
over 100 miles away. The
banners are still around - we did not dispose of them and it is looking
more and more that they will need to be unfurled once again.
See the
petition link below with numbers rising fast.
Petition LinkRe-instate and continue to maintain 24 hour emergency surgery services at Caithness General Hospital Wick
Free Meeting Room For Community Groups At Tesco Wick
![Tesco wick offering free meeting room for community groups](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/tesco_wick_s.jpg)
Cold In Caithness - Snow In The East On Saturday
![Snow in Caithness - 13 December 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/snow_caithness/1_s.jpg)
![Snow in Caithness 13 December 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/snow_caithness/16_s.jpg)
Caithness Archaeology: Aspects of Prehistory Hardcover – 31 Mar 2015
![Caithness Archaeology - Available to pre-order at Amazon](http://www.caithness.org/caithnessbooks/caithness_archaeology_s.jpg)
If you are quick you can still order Caithness and other titles from them in time for Christmas at at www.whittlespublishing.com/
13 December 2014
Christmas Tree Festival 2014![Christmas Tree Festival 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/december/christmas_tree_festival/4_s.jpg)
12 December 2014
Latest Pictures in the Artists Gallery From Robin Cookson![Robin Cookson - Acrylic](http://www.caithness.org/photos/artists_galleries/robin_cookson/1_s.jpg)
Fit's in 'e Groat
Thurso recycling point at Lidl closed
People in Thurso are being advised by The Highland Council that the recycling banks at Thurso Lidl have been removed until February 2015 due to lack of space in the car park during the store’s renovations.
More Toys For Caithness FM Christmas Appeal
![Toys for Caithness FM appeal](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/toys_s.jpg)
Dounreay, Caithness Horizons, Caithness FM and Tesco Wick are all collection points for the toy appeal up until 20th December. All gifts should be unwrapped to let volunteers select suiable gifts for each child.
11 December 2014
DOUNREAY FUND's CHAIRMAN HIGHLIGHTS GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITIESSince its launch in 2011, the Caithness & North Sutherland Fund has awarded almost £1m to seventy five community projects and this performance is set to continue....The Caithness & North Sutherland Fund also held its latest grant assessment round which awarded £7,337 to the Caithness Voluntary Group (CVG) towards its Telecom and IT Refurbishment Project.
If You Are In Inverness With Kids 12th - 14th December
Winter Wonderland adds WOW factor. A number of new attractions will take place in Whin Park, Inverness this weekend (Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2014) at The Highland Council's Winter Wonderland event. Traditionally one of the highlights of the year for youngsters from all around Inverness and the surrounding area; this year's Wonderland has been expanded to feature a number of inflatables for families to enjoy; including the first ever opportunity for folk to climb inside giant WOW balls and attempt to walk across the park’s famous boating lake.
FREE ENTRY
Highland Council Distance Learning Course to Become a Primary School Teacher
Part-time distance learning
primary teaching course.
Building on an existing successful partnership between The Highland
Council and the University of Aberdeen, the next Distance Learning
Initial Teacher Education Professional Graduate Diploma in Education
(DLITE PGDE) (Primary) begins on 7 February 2015. Ten places are
available.
Tidal wave causes damage to Thurso riverside wall
![Damage to River Wall after tidal wave in Thurso](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/damage1_s.jpg)
Lightning striking Scotland's most northerly mainland point at Dunnet Head yesterday
Lightning Storm captured from Thurso beach looking over to Dunnet Head. Film by Ann Livingstone.
St Fergus Gallery, Wick - Christmas Craft Market
Saturday 13th 10.00am - 4.00pm.
Noel tunes up for a festive fundraiser
![Noel Donaldson](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/noelxmas_s.jpg)
10 December 2014
WANTED - Accredited Testing Company - Concrete Cube Testing WorkCube testing will be required from February 2015 to December 2016 approximately. Collection may be required where a collection fee can be agreed from a fixed point close to Thurso on the A9.
North Councillors give support to Countryside Ranger Service
'Caithness House' chosen as name for new Wick Offices
![New council offices at Wick to be named Caithness House](http://www.caithness.org/photos/old_buildings/wick_council_offices/2112_s.jpg)
Fit's in 'e Courier
Police in Wick appeal for information following serious assault
9 December 2014
Weather Warnings Until Thursday - Trains Cancelled - School Closures PossiblePolice
and partner agencies across the Highlands and Islands are reminding the
public to be vigilant following yellow warning reports (be prepared) of
severe gales and storm force winds with gusts of up to 60-70mph from
9pm on the evening of Tuesday 09 December 2014 through to 6am Thursday
morning of 11 December 2014. The winds are believed to be strong enough
that there could be some structural damage associated with them, and
they will also be accompanied by high seas which have the potential to
cause wave overtopping.
Caithness Orchestra Carol Concert - Thurso - Sunday 21st December
See Santa At Dunnet Forest On Saturday 13th December
Check December Whats On For Many Christmas Events in Caithness
No bags in Blue Bins To Improve Recycling
![Improve Blue Bin Waste](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/contaminatedwaste_s.jpg)
NDA Launches Consultation On New 3 Year plan
Consultation began on
8th December 2014 on the Draft Business Plan 2015 to 2018 that sets out
the key objectives and plans for delivering the NDA priorities over the
next three years.
The total planned expenditure for 2015/16 is £3.31 billion, of which
£2.09 billion will be funded by UK government and £1.22 billion by
income from commercial operations. Planned expenditure on site
programmes will be £2.91 billion, while non-site expenditure is
expected to be £0.19 billion.
7 December 2014
Still Time To Advertise Your Christmas Events In Our What's OnWhatever yor event - Christmas
Fair, Christmas Party, Christmas Menu, Christmas Disco, Christmas Carols
or indeed any event
coming up in December. Remember it is FREE to
advertise for groups and businesses. The Caithness.org "What's On" is the
most comperhensive local listing of what is on around Caithness and
sometimes even Sutherland. Hundreds of events are listed
each month and the listing flows out daily into our Facebook and
Twitter acocunts for even more coverage. The listing also
shows on many pages around the web site and our scrolling headlines
neaer the top of this and other pages. Getting your event noticed is
easy - just complete the 'Submission
Form' in the section. Get your events
listed as soon as you have full details available and get long term
coverage even
years ahead.
Reactor control room moves to a new home
![Control Room From Dounreay now moved to Caithness Horizons](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/control_room_s.jpg)
6 December 2014
More Photos From The New Wick High School Construction Site![Wick High School 6 December 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_high_school/46_s.jpg)
5 December 2014
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership UpdateStranded Marine Animals - Who To Call
![Stranded Animals](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/stranding_s.jpg)
Board Members Needed - Pentland Housing Association
Pentland Housing Association is a key provider of social rented housing in the County of Caithness, but in combination with its two subsidiaries, Pentland Community Enterprises and Pentland Energy Advice, it has a wider remit to support and invest in local regeneration, and help sustain local communities.
4 December 2014
Several Vacancies Added To the Forum at 4.15pm
New Wick High School Construction Site Today
![Wick High School construction 4 December 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_high_school/41_s.jpg)
Caithness FM Annual Toy Appeal
![Caithness FM Toy Appeal 2014](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/toy_appeal_s.jpg)
Our focus, your priorities for community safety say Police and Fire Services
Officers from Police
Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be attending
Highland Council Ward Forum Meetings over the coming weeks.
CAITHNESS
(Combining WICK, THURSO & LANDWARD CAITHNESS wards)- 15th
December 2014- Wick Town Hall.
NHS Highland board members furious with scathing audit - Press & Journal
The Crucible - Live From The Old Vic Theatre at Thurso Cinema
![The Crucible live from the Old Vic at Thurso cinema](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/cruc2_s.jpg)
The Old Vic's five-star, sold-out production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible directed by Yaël Farber and starring Richard Two performances available at Thurso cinema.
What's On At Thurso Cinema From Friday 5th December
If you live in Thurso Remember to save money for Christmas Cards and Use the Scout Post
See the item inside telling you where you can post your cards and how to pay. Save money and help the Thurso scouts.
3 December 2014
Invite for Businesses Interested In Tourism in Caithness and SutherlandNew Funding Opportunities for Groups and Individuals Added To The Community Pages
2 December 2014
Sinbad - Wick Players Pantomime![Sinbad - Wick Panto 2014](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/sinbad_s.jpg)
Wick & District Pool League - Rockwater Shield Second Leg
More Jobs in Caithness Added To Our Forum at 4.10pm Today
New Noss Primary School, Wick - Animation
![Noss PrimarySchool Animation](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/noss_primary_animation_s.jpg)
Latest Photos HERE
Construction Site Photo Gallery From The Start
Several New Jobs - Added at 7.00am Today
Employers can advertise their vacancies completely free of charge in the forum that now receives a very high viewing level. Ads also flow out into Caithness.org Facebook and Twitter for even more coverage.
1 December 2014
Thurso Christmas Cards Can Be Delivered for Just 20 pence to Thurso AddressesThurso Scouts Local Christmas Post Delivery For 20p
Help Thurso Scouts by getting the scouts in Thurso to deliver local cards. See the full item on how to do it.
New Council offices In Wick - Latest Photos
![Council Offices in Wick progress at 1 December 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/old_buildings/wick_council_offices/2111_s.jpg)
Police appeal for information following theft of farm item from a property in Roster, Lybster
Police appeal for information following damage to property in Wick
Are you ready for winter asks Highland Council?
![Are You Ready for Winter?](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/ready2.jpg)