News Archive - February 2014
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28 February 2014
Short of Time This Week - Catch Up Fast With A Quick look At e' Groat an e' Courier in BriefPolice Scotland advise the public of email , telephone and letter scam
Older Property Ads Being Removed
We are currently refreshinig our properies for sale section and removing properties if the ad has been on for over one year and had no updates or changes. If a property is still on the market a new ad will be required. Its FREE and can be added HERE
Police to carry out test purchasing operations in Caithness and Sutherland in coming weeks
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Independent Councillors Rally To Fight Service Point Closures In Highland
Celebration of music with Highland young musicians
Around 350 young musicians from across the Highlands are making final preparations for their annual showcase – a day long Concerts Festival in Inverness next Saturday (8 March 2014) which will feature eight different groups, a guest conductor from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and over 6 hours of live music.
Wick & District Pool League's Rockwater Shield Final
25 February 2014
Two New Job Ads In The Listings At 9.55pmAtlantis Resources secures funding from European Commission & Private Sources
![Marine Turbine](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/turb2.jpg)
Scottish Ward Boundaries And Councillor Numbers Under Review
Thirsty For Theatre Coming To Pultneytown People's Project
Drama classes for P4 - P7 coming in April - Get booked in soon.
New Job Ads On At 5.05pm
Check the latest vacancies posted today.
Ceremony marks start of work at new Wick primary school
![New wick School for North and Hillhead](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_schools_project/1_s.jpg)
![New Wick School for North and Hillhead](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_schools_project/8_s.jpg)
![New Wick School for North and Hillhead](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_schools_project/20_s.jpg)
![New School for North and Hillhead, Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/wick_schools_project/18_s.jpg)
A turf cutting ceremony was held today (Tuesday 25th February 2014) to mark a start to work on a new £15 million primary school which will serve communities to the north of the River Wick, replacing North and Hillhead Primary Schools. Pupils from North Primary School and Hillhead Primary School were joined by their head teachers, local Highland councillors and parent council representatives at the site of the new school within the grounds of the current North Primary. Miller Construction is undertaking the enabling works as principal contractor and has engaged MM Miller (Wick) Limited as its sub-contractor for the works. The initial stage is to provide the pupils at North Primary with a new playground when construction begins on the new school building and to carry out drainage works. This will pave the way for the start of the main contract, which is scheduled to start at the end of April and be completed for the new school opening in August 2015. PHOTO GALLERY Progress photos will be added regularly to this gallery to follow the build.
Visual of New School Courtyard Site Layout Ground Floor Plan Elevations
Work will also start in coming weeks on the new Wick High joint campus to include a new primary for Pultneytown and Soouth schools with community facilties new swmming pool and library. The expected price tag for everything wil approach £56 million making it one of the biggest investments in a town by any council in Scotland. with state of the art schools and community facilties this is huge boost for Wick and Caithness with two years of work now started boosting the local economy. Wick High School Entrance
Courtyard Landscaping Plan First Floor Plan Ground Floor Plan
STAR Football Coaching In Thurso and Wick
STAR Coaching are holding a Sunday Skills Session on the 9th March in Wick and Thurso.
24 February 2014
Save around £470 by cutting your food waste![Save £470 a year by wasting less food](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/waste_s.jpg)
Review of Recycling Centres in Highland
The Highland Council’s recycling team is reviewing the operation of its network of 21 recycling centres to encourage the public to make a bigger effort to separate waste that can be recycled from waste that cannot. The Council wants to increase the amount of material recycled and at the same time reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill
Message for dog owners – Your Dog, Your Mess, Your £40 Fine!
![Dog fouling Fines](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/dogfouling_s.jpg)
Farming and Feasting at the Iron Age site of Mine Howe, Orkney
![Seminar at ERI 27th February 2014](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/seminar2_s.jpg)
23 February 2014
Let's All Support Wick High Group Heading To Belarus Blurb and Another VideoWick High School's trip to Belarus draws ever closer and this Saturday saw a team of enthusiastic young people back in the school to get busy with our fund-raising activities. The team of 15 young people will be heading to volunteer in Belarus for two weeks over the summer holidays with the charity Stand International. In order to finance this, a range of enterprises have been set up in conjunction with Wick High School and the local social enterprise, WickEd'.
New Wick High School, Primary Schools and Community Facilities Progress
Latest Commercial Vehicle - Flower Shop Wick
![Flower Shop, Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/transport/general/flower_shop_wick_s.jpg)
Memories of Wick By Connie Dunnet Sutherland
A series of articles on memories of Wick are published today in the new community section. Connie originally from Wick now resides in Edinburgh. Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five
If anyone else would like to send articles or photos from their early days in Caithness email them to [email protected]
SSE spikes Highland wind duo - reNEWS
SSE has pulled the plug on its 27-turbine Dalnessie and 12-turbine Fairburn 2 wind farms in the Scottish Highlands because they are “no longer financially viable”...............The utility is currently running the rule over its offshore wind portofolio with the outcome of that process to be unveiled in March.
21 February 2014
Police appeal following Vandalism to property at ThrumsterWick Police are appealing for information regarding the damage caused to two signs at the entrance to a property near to the A99 at Thrumster, Wick between 20 February 2014 and 21 February 2014. Police are keen to speak to anyone who has any information about the incident and would encourage them to contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Those Wee Waves At Thurso Are Bigger Than You Think
Thhe man who made thiis has won a competition for another video that can be found HERE Well done to that man for such high quality films that really show what's in the Highlands.
More Job ads just in at 7.00pm today
Employers can add new jobs completely free of charge. Keep costs down and have the ads on as long as required. Update and amend anytime. if you add a closing date we remove shortly after and otherwise after about 3 weeks.
Evening Classes.. Have your say
The North Highland College UHI, want you to have your say onwhat evening classes we offer. What would you like to study as an evening class? Would it be leisurely or educational? Take the short survey to help them to help you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HX7TCLG Discussion in the Forum
'E Groat 'e Day an' 'e Courier an' more in Doanalsin's Dairy
Licensed trade in Highlands reminded of need for refresher training
Members of the licensed trade in the Highlands are being reminded of the need to undergo refresher training to ensure they retain their personal licences - and the authority to sell alcohol on their premises. Personal Licences are issued for a period of 10 years. However, in terms of Section 87 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, there is a legal requirement for personal licence holders to undertake refresher training within five years of the date of issue of their personal licence. They then need to produce evidence of this training to the Highland Licensing Board, not later than three months after the expiry of the period of five years from when the personal licence was issued.
20 February 2014
NOSCA’s New School Run Car Fleet![NOSCA new cars](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/noscacars_s.jpg)
19 February 2014
Council approves steps to deliver 600 hours funded early learning and childcareHighland parents and families are to benefit from the introduction of 600 hours funded early learning and childcare from August this year. The Highland Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee have approved a suite of measures to enable the Council’s delivery of 600 hours on early learning and childcare by August 2014.
16 February 2014
Business Vehicles In Caithness![Jacls Flooring and Pine Studio](http://www.caithness.org/photos/transport/general/jacks2_s.jpg)
![Jacks Flooring and Pine Furniture](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/jacks3_s.jpg)
15 February 2014
Ackergill![Ackergill - 9th February 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/ackergill/1_s.jpg)
![Ackergill](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/ackergill/14_s.jpg)
![Ackergill Tower](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/ackergill/16_s.jpg)
![Ackergill](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/ackergill/12_s.jpg)
Why Not Walk Along The Coast To See Views of Ackergill Tower, Noss lighthouse and Girnigoe Castle
Reiss Beach Recently - Definitely Wintry
![Reiss Beach 9 February 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/reiss_beach/1_s.jpg)
![Reiss Beach 9 February 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/reiss_beach/8_s.jpg)
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
14 February 2014
Radon Gas Found In Five Highland Schools Including HalkirkAs part of an on-going monitoring programme, recent radon testing in five Highland schools has found high levels of radon gas. The schools are Glen Urquhart High School, Drumnadrochit; Glen Urquhart Primary School, Drumnadrochit; Helmsdale Primary School; Halkirk Primary School; and Kilchuimen Primary and Academy, Fort Augustus, which is a shared campus.
Firewood Stolen in Newport area, Caithness
Police look for information following a theft of firewood
Police appeal for information following serious assault in Thurso
Police Scotland Highlands and Islands Division are appealing for witnesses following a disturbance at an address on Thorkel Road, Thurso, whereby a 34 year old man was seriously assaulted. A 44 year old man is currently in Police custody in relation to this investigation. Police Scotland are keen to speak to any person who may have any information regarding this incident, and are urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
12 February 2014
Views From The Top Of Wick Town Hall - See What You Can Pick Out![Views From Top Of Wick Town Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/views_from_wick_town_hall/1_s.jpg)
![From top of Wick town Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/views_from_wick_town_hall/2_s.jpg)
![View from top of Wick town Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/views_from_wick_town_hall/3_s.jpg)
New Council Offices
Update at Area Committee as Peatlands project funding application submitted
At yesterday’s (Tuesday 11 February) Caithness and Sutherland Area Commiitee members were given an update on progress for the Flow to the Future project, an ambitious multi-million pound project to restore seven square miles of globally important peatlands which is being co-ordinated by RSPB on behalf of the Peatlands Partnership. The Peatlands Partnership was formed in 2007 and promotes the special nature and interests of the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland (the Flow Country). It includes The Highland Council, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotland, Plantlife International, the Environmental Research Institute, individuals from the local community and other stakeholder organisations.
Wanted - Bank Staff Nurses - Band 5, Caithness Hospitals
Other jobs
Taxi fare review in Highland
The public is being asked for its views on proposals by The Highland Council to increase the cost of all fares, regardless of the distance travelled by 30p. It is also proposed that the charge applied to compensate for the cost of the outward journey for hires which commence 3 miles or more away from the taxi or taxi base (whichever is the nearer) and where the customer wishes to travel further away be increased from a maximum of £6.50 to a maximum of £7.50. The proposal is part of the review by The Highland Licensing Committee of the scale of maximum taxi fares in the Highlands. The public have until Tuesday 11 March to have their say. Responses will be reported to the Council’s Highland Licensing Committee on Tuesday 1 April with a proposed implementation date of midnight on Monday 26 May.
Land reform top of the agenda at Area Committee
The first item on yesterday’s Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee was Land Reform with the meeting starting with a presentation by David Cameron, Convener of Community Land Scotland. Members then took the opportunity to discuss in particular the overview of land reform issues in Sutherland. Since The Land Reform (Scotland) Act introduced rights for both Communities and Crofting Communities to proceed with land purchase under certain circumstances, six Council owned properties in Caithness and Sutherland have been handed over to local community groups.
Closer look at Census figures for Caithness and Sutherland
The demographics of Caithness and Sutherland were under the spotlight yesterday (Tuesday 11 February) when Members of the Area Committee took the opportunity to look in some detail at the results from the 2011 census. Since 2001 the population of Caithness and Sutherland has grown by 3.3% with an increase in four out of six Wards, and at a local level in 34 out of 58 data zones. The statistics also show that between 2001 and 2011 there has been significant population drift from the towns of Thurso and Wick into rural Caithness.
Funding boost for Caithness groups working to tackle poverty
Ormlie Community Association in Thurso and Pulteneytown People’s Project in Wick have both been given a funding boost from The Highland Council’s Deprived Area Fund which will help them to continue providing and developing services to tackle poverty. In November the Council re-launched its Deprived Area Fund to help create employment opportunities and tackle poverty, with £100,000 of funding available for parts of Caithness on an annual basis over the next three years. Ormlie Community Association’s Young Mum’s project has been awarded £13,000 for their Young Mum’s project which aims to build the confidence of young mothers and encourages them to get involved in their local community. £87k has been awarded to Pulteneytown People’s Project which will be used to provide a wide range of services to local people through their activity programme which includes advice about staying on and leaving school, re-training and housing issues as well as providing a Job Club which currently has over 35 attendees every week.
11 February 2014
Several New Jobs Just In At 5.55pm TodayEvents - Galas, Shows, Sports, Deals for 2014 and more - Get Them entered In The What's On Section
You may know when your event is on and might say it is around the same date every year but we can assure you many people especially visitors to the area do not know about your dates. Every year we receive enquiries about events and people want to know dates far in advance to plan their visit to Caithness so they can see them. So if you are running an event or have something you want known about don't leave it until days or weeks before the event. Get it on as soon as you can and the sooner the better for maximum FREE coverage. Currently there are about 300 events listed. The What's On also gets your item on to Facebook and Twitter as all events flow automatically to those places each day to increase the chances for it to be seen. The What's On section also flows across several pages of Caithness.org. A minute on entering the event can get you months of free coverage for your event. Events can be entered for years ahead if you are sure of your dates.
10 February 2014
Newton Hill Community Woodland Workday![Newtonhill Community Woodland](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/woodland_s.jpg)
Photo Gallery
9 February 2014
The National Theatre Presents Rantin At Thurso And Wick![Rantin](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/rantin_s.jpg)
C-Odyssey at Gills Harbour As Pentland Firth Energy Comes More Into Focus
![C-Odyssey](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/odyssey_s.jpg)
Do You Want To Get Allotments Established In Wick?
Latest job Ads
Highland Kleenezie Reps Wanted
Deputy Facility Safety Case Owner - Vulcan, Caithness
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update Week Commencing 3rd February
7 February 2014
Results of Community Council interim electionsSix Highland community councils are able to continue operating following recent interim elections. Nominations were invited from 21 January to 5 February 2014 for persons seeking election to Community Councils serving Caithness West; East Nairnshire; Inverlochy; Raigmore; Sinclairs Bay; and Wick In each case, the number of candidates nominated was less than the number of councillors to be returned, so no elections will take place, and the list of candidates for each community council are now declared to be elected as councillors. Caithness West Community Council now has 6 members following the newly elected members, Jillian Bundy and Roger Warren. Wick Community Council now has 8 Members following the newly elected members, Allan Farquhar and Niall Smith.
Business Oppotunities Event
![Business Opportunities Event Strathy North Wind Farm](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/ad_s.jpg)
6 February 2014
Changing Skyline As New Wick Council Offices Progress![Wick New Council Offices From Wickc Medical Centre](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/2070b1_s.jpg)
Larger Photo
See photo gallery from the start
Reform of care for Scotland's older people needs to accelerate
![Reform of Care for Older People Needs to Accelarate](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/care2_s.jpg)
Police Warning As Pick Pockets Hit Inverness
Police issue safety advice on how to keep your possessions safe after reports of pick pocketing. Police Scotland is looking to remind members of the public about how to keep personal possessions safe after reports from members of the public regarding incidents of pick pocketing in the Inverness area. Police received two reports of pick pocketing in the city centre of Inverness last weekend and are advising members of the public to be aware and to avoid becoming a victim to this type of crime.
Council extends consultation period on amendments to public entertainment licensing
The Licensing Committee of Highland council has extended until Friday 21 March the period of consultation for proposed amendments and additions to activities requiring a public entertainment licence. The original deadline was Friday 7 February but the Licensing Committee, meeting on Tuesday 4 February, agreed this should be extended following a number of representations received from outdoor activity providers and to allow time to obtain further information on the extent to which such activities are already regulated by other authorities/bodies.
5 February 2014
News Job Ads Added To Our Forum at 6.00pm Today WednesdayDSRL Engineering Apprentices
Accounts Office/Administrator - Wick
Primary Care Clinical Pharmacist
Sales Adviser - Norscot - Bower
Wick John O’Groats Airport ‘well placed to become energy gateway’
![Wick John O'Groats Airport wellplaced to gain energy related traffic](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2013/wick_airport_s.jpg)
Police in Highlands and Islands to host Facebook chat on local policing matters
Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be hosting a Facebook chat with Chief Superintendent Julian Innes on the local policing plan to discuss the policing priorities of local communities in the area this week. The interactive chat event will take place on Thursday 06 February 2014 between 18:00 and 20:00 hours on the Divisional Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/northern.constabulary
Kessock Bridge Resurfacing Begins on 10th February For 20 Weeks
![Kessock Bridge](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2013/kessock_bridge_s.jpg)
Highland Seashore festivals and creative arts competition for schools
![Highland Seashore Festivals](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/paddyluc_s.jpg)
4 February 2014
Multimillion pound boost to save UK’s Magnificent Meadows![Magnificent Meadows - Cash boost](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/magnificent_meadows/2_s.jpg)
Another announcment in June 2013 was the Coronation Meadows Rare flowers that might be saved in the meadows
3 February 2014
Highland MSP Questions Treasury on Fuel Discount Scheme Failings![Rhoda Grant on Fuel subsidies](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/rhoda_grant_s.jpg)
Peter Grimes Opera - Beamed Live To Thurso Cinema
![Peter Grimes at Thurso Cinema](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/petergrimes_s.jpg)
Council asks Commercial premises to clarify how they are disposing of their waste
In an attempt to find out what businesses are doing with their waste, The Highland Council has written to 1,400 non domestic rated premises in Caithness, Sutherland and Skye and Lochalsh that currently do not use the Council’s commercial waste collection service. The letters will be going out over the coming week to a wide range of premises, including hairdressers, workshops, offices, shops, guesthouses and self-catering holiday homes, all of which will be producing waste and by law should be paying for a waste collection.
How will you rate your meal out this Valentine’s Day?
After flowers or chocolates, the next big question that’s usually on the agenda for Valentine’s Day is whether to go out to that romantic restaurant or enjoy a quiet meal in. However you rate a meal out, this Valentine’s Day, make sure you choose one of the 85% of eateries in The Highland Council area with a PASS.
Are Clearances a thing of the past?
![Are clearances a thing of the past?](http://www.caithness.org/posterads2014/onthelandwestand_s.jpg)
2 February 2014
New Children's Home At Wick - Progress Photos Today![Progess of New Children's Home at Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/new_childrens_home/33_s.jpg)
![Progress at new Childrne's Home](http://www.caithness.org/photos/atoz/wick/new_childrens_home/31_s.jpg)
See from the start HERE
Burns Supper At Wick Pipe Band Hall
![Burns Supper at Wick Pipe Band Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/burns_supper_wick_pipe_band/1_s.jpg)
![Burns Supper At Wick Pipe Band Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/burns_supper_wick_pipe_band/9_s.jpg)
![Burns Supper At Wick Pipe Band Hall](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/burns_supper_wick_pipe_band/6_s.jpg)
1 February 2014
High Seas and Flooding At Wick![High Seas and floods at Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/high_seas_floods/2_s.jpg)
![High Seas and floods at Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/high_seas_floods/16_s.jpg)
![High Seas and floods at Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/high_seas_floods/4_s.jpg)
![High Seas and floods at Wick](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/high_seas_floods/17_s.jpg)
Flooding Wick Area - Police Warning
Police in Wick are seeking to remind members of the public about the possible dangers associated with flooding after a number of people have been reported as "sightseeing" near The Shore and Scalesburn areas of Wick and may be placing themselves at significant risk.
JOIN THE CAST OF THE GLASGOW 2014 CEREMONIES
Are you interested in applying for the chance to audition for a role as a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer in the Glasgow 2014 Opening and Closing Ceremonies? Then you’ve come to the right place – your journey to the Commonwealth’s centre stage starts right here!
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2014
Your Chance To Win Great Prizes By Entering This Competition With Wildlife Photos From The North
![Briitish Wildlife Photography Awards Competition 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/british_wildlife_photography_awards/1_s.jpg)
![British Wildlife Photography Awards Competition 2014](http://www.caithness.org/photos/fpb/2014/february/british_wildlife_photography_awards/4_s.jpg)
Previous Winning Entries Photo Gallery For more inspiration check out the Caithness Biodiverisity Photo Collection