News Archive - May 2014
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31 May 2014
Huge Towhead Moved Slowly Through Wick Today
You
have seen the pipes going through Wick and today one of the biggest
towheads came through moving extremely slowly to safely manouvre round
corners and tight bends. Tailbacks were inevitable as police held up
traffic to allow the towhead to make progress. Once past Wick
the
convoy made its way on to Subsea7's yard at Wester.Thirteen new Special Constables sworn in to serve and protect the Highlands and Islands
This
week saw thirteen new officers enrolled into the ranks of the Special
Constabulary within Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division, the
first sworn in since the creation of the new police service since April
2013.
The Special Constabulary is a unique body of people who voluntarily
give up their personal time to contribute positively to the wellbeing
and safety of their communities. Working alongside their regular
colleagues, Special Constables undertake a diverse range of Police
duties and they frequently face many of the challenges and attain many
of the achievements of their full time colleagues.
The new Special Constables, 11 based on the mainland, one in Orkney and
one in the Western Isles, were sworn in as part of a series of oath
ceremonies conducted across the Highlands and Islands.
Community views sought before next round of LEADER funding in Highland
The Highland Council has appointed a consultancy firm to assist with the preparation of the new 2014-2020 Highland LEADER Development Strategy. LEADER is a European grant fund aimed at rural community development projects. The 2007-13 LEADER programme saw some £14.7 million of grant funding awarded to over 360 community projects in Highland. As part of the preparation for the next funding round, a series of public meetings across Highland are planned between 16th- 27th June this year.
30 May 2014
Snippets From 'e GroatPuffin Skies & Pies - Get Out For This Nice Evening Starting With Home Baking
Monday 2nd June 7.30pmEnjoy a nice evening going to see the puffins and hear about Caithness birds before you set off. Home baking wil set you up for stroll to the cliffs. Book your place soon.
Scottish Independence - Aye or Nae?
Last
week 120 students and staff at North Highland College UHI attended
an in-house Independence Referendum debate "Aye or Nae". The event was
organised by members within the college to better inform students and
staff for their vote in September. In preparation for the debate the
College encouraged students to go along to pre-debate workshops where
they would work on questions for the debate. Mr Raymond Bremner
represented Yes Scotland and Councillor Roger Saxon represented Better
Together. Both Yes Scotland and Better Together were approached by the
College at the same time to request speakers. 29 May 2014
SUPPORT GROUP IN GOOD HEART CHAIRMAN TELLS AGM
CAITHNESS
Heart Support Group is in fine fettle and looking forward with
confidence to the challenges it faces in the new financial year.
That was the upbeat message that went out from its AGM, held, recently,
in the canteen at Caithness General Hospital. The group splits its
efforts between raising money for medical equipment and acting as a
social forum for people with heart conditions.
The annual meeting, chaired by the group's patron, Miss Anne Dunnet,
Lord Lieutenant of Caithness, heard from chairman, Ernie Ross, that the
year had been another successful and productive one.
Dogs Trust to host microchipping events at Thurso and Wick
Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity with two rehoming centres in Scotland, has teamed up with The Highland Council to provide free microchipping for all dogs in the Highlands. From 6th June -10th June, roving teams of Dogs Trust representatives will be spending a week touring the Highlands, providing free chips to local dog owners at five different locations. At each event, Dogs Trust representatives will also be on hand to answer any general queries from dog owners whilst reminding them of the importance of keeping the contact details on their dog's microchipping database up-to-date. Microchipping is a simple and effective tool which helps to rapidly reunite lost or straying pets with their owners. This in turn reduces the number of healthy dogs unnecessarily put to sleep and saves money for Local Authorities by cutting kennelling costs.
ACE STUDENTS MAKE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COMMUNITY
The
Access to Construction and Engineering (ACE) students from
the North Highland College UHI have gone above and beyond
their call of duty this academic year. The students have raised £973
for charity, contributed enterprise projects to a local festival and
donated some of their work to a local community group. The ACE course
gives students the chance to develop their core employability
enterprise and citizenship skills. As part of their enterprise unit,
one group of students became involved with Caithness Horizons' Year of
the Ancient Ancestors Festival by developing Viking inspired products
for the museum.
The Sea, Research and Me - a reappraisal - Tuesday 3rd June 5.30pm
Anyone
with an interest in marine energy might wish to take look in on this
lecture being held at ERI, Thurso. With marine energy being touted
often as one of the means that Caithness will gain some new employment
and contracts as Dounreay runs down this lecture may give some serious
insights into what the fact are.
Doors open at 1715 - all ERI Seminars are free and open to all. Light
refreshments will be available.
Ian will present a personal account of his research, which has been
primarily related to marine renewable energy. This will include his
early work with the University of Edinburgh Wave Energy group in the
1980s and describe how work by his colleagues still underpins wave and
tidal current development now. He will discuss how marine energy
research has developed since the 1980s and how he sees the future of
marine energy and the supporting research, which will include
hydrodynamics, marine science, economics, engineering and ecology.
28 May 2014
Churches Come Out Strongly In Support Of Local Credit Unions
Today
the church of England has once again set out the case for
supporting a local credit union in their war against Pay Day Lenders.
In February they announced that they would their churches al over the
country to promote the credit union network as being one of the best
ways the local communities could help each other for low levels of
finance without hitting people with high charges.
27 May 2014
A Look Round The Recently Refurbished 5 Star Ackergill Tower
Caithness.org
recently joined a group invited to see around the recently refurbished
Ackergill Tower - the only 5 star hotel in Caithness. A fire
early in the year destroyed a cellar and caused extensive smoke damage.
The owners were determined that nothing should stand in the
way
of keeping Ackergill Tower as one of their top establishments.
No
expense has been spared in putting things back into top class condition
befitting a 5 star ranking. Set in its' own grounds over
looking
Sinclair Bay, Ackergill Tower has team of staff who are ready to offer
guests almost anything they want to make their stay memorable.
Weddings and other events will continue to receive the best
of
service in Caithness at this top castle venue. Photo
GalleryTwo New Job Ads Posted At 4:25pm
Night Care Worker and Customer Service/Administrator
Several New Job Vacancies Posted Today At 6.20am
26 May 2014
Highland result of 2014 European Parliamentary Election countThere were 65,307votes cast in Highland in the five-yearly European Parliamentary Elections, a turnout of 36.3%. This included 20,204 postal votes.
25 May 2014
A few photos from the Castletown Junior Football Club Tournment 2014
The
annual junior football tournament organised by Castletown Junior
football club got underway on Saturday. The competitions
continued
in the various age groups today.24 May 2014
Natural Retreats At John O'Groats Begins Recruitment For More Staff - Just added at 7.35pm TodayNatural Retreats is looking for seasonal and permanent staff for what is expected to be a busy season at John O'Groats. Interested? Then send your CV to the email address inside.
Pentland Model Boat Club 2014 Show
An excellent entry of boats once again for the annual model boat show held by Pentland Model Boat Club. Club member Ted Miller was the overall winner and also collected a trophy for the most points in the past year and gained top prize in the Rescue Boat section for his latest model of "The Taylors" Thurso Lifeboat. PHOTO Gallery
Ahoy Model Boat Show
The
Pentland Model Boat club annual show is on Saturday from 11.00am.
Check out some of the most amazing replica models.
You will be amazed at the detail of many types of vessels on
show. For other events check the full What's
On Today23 May 2014
Caithness.org forum Passed 750,000 PostsA significant number of posts have now been made on our forum and the number grows even after we delete all the items for sale regularly. If we did not do that then the number would be over one million by now. The forum is great place to find things you need and to advertise your unwanted goods, cars for sale andmany other items. Check it out - still FREE. Job ads are free for employers and growing numbers are using the forum closing date or after 3 weeks if it looks likley to be no longer required or you can ask to have the ad deleted anytime.
Wick Band 'Gales' and Thurso Song Writers Win Places At Belladrum In August
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
A short round-up of business news in the north from the past week.
Wick & District Pool League - Week One
The
Queens Hotel got their Wick & District Summer Pool League title
defense off to a great start on Monday night thanks to an 8-2 away win
against the Mountain Dew. Perry Campbell's side raced into a 6-0 lead
to secure all three points in their opening match of the 2014 season.
Campbell and Scott Risbridger won all three of their games for the
Queens Hotel on their way to a comfortable victory. Grom Sessions for Young Surfers
A great chance to get surfing for youngsters in Caithness.
Nice Wee Surfing Animation
Fits in 'e Groat - an 'e Courier
Read em both fast.
22 May 2014
200 Arrests and 1,000 offences detected in national doorstep crime campaign successA national multi-agency doorstep crime operation, led by Police Scotland, has been a major success in preventing and beating the rogue traders and doorstep con men. Police and other agencies detected over 1,000 offences during the dates of operational activity, with over 200 individuals being subsequently arrested. Charges specific to activity surrounding serious and organised crime were also libelled and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Operations Monarda 1& 2, which ran in conjunction with the UK wide Operation Rogue Trader, achieved the results during operations in April 2014 and September 2013.
Family Paper Making Drop In Looks Set To Be A Big Success
The
adult
paper making two day course has been completely filled in a
very short time. However you can still go to the drop in
sessions arranged for 14th June and find out how its done.
Joanne Kaar has built a considerable reputation making hand
made paper. She shares her expertise and knowledge of the
process and once again will be available for a day of drop in sessions.
If you want to find out about how it works then all you need
is 20 - 30 minutes and you can make your own paper. Make a
note in your diary or calendar for Saturday 14th June.£270m pipeline will employ a workforce of 140 at Wester, Caithness
NORTH
SEA oil and gas services company Subsea 7 has been awarded a £270m
contract to build a 37 mile pipeline and associated facilities, the BBC
reports today.
Even More Pipes Move Through Wick Bound For Wester Yard
These latest photos
of pipes were taken yesterday in Wick. Expect Many More After
The Latest Good News AboveBookbug Going Strong In Wick
The
parents and children who attend Wick Library’s regular Bookbug
session on Wednesdays at 11:00am recently celebrated Bookbug Week with
Library Assistants Alison Bain and Emma Curran.
The Bookbug Programme encourages parents and carers to enjoy books with
children from as early an age as possible. Scottish Book Trust in
partnership with Highland Libraries and other partner organisations
gift free books to Highland children at around sixteen weeks, 18 months
and three years old. Pulteneytown People’s Project – Funded Opportunities for SVQ Qualifications and Modern Apprentice
PPP are offering a unique opportunity for people who would like to train to work in the following fields;
Social Services and Healthcare (Adults) Social Services
Healthcare (Children and Young People)
Playwork (playgroups, nurseries, out of school care or play-schemes)
21 May 2014
CAITHNESS-BORN ARTIST WINS NATIONAL ART AWARD WITH FLOW COUNTRY DRAWING
Artist Magi Sinclair
has been announced winner of Edinburgh
College of Art’s (ECA) Astaire Art Prize with a carbon drawing entitled
‘Forsinard Flows’.
Originally from Latheron and now living in Clovenfords in the Scottish
Borders, Magi is in the final year of a BA Combined Studies Degree.
Magi’s course co-ordinator and lecturer in the School of Art Joan Smith
says “Magi's drawings are a powerful evocation of the beautiful but
dangerous Flow Country with its deep bogs rich in plant life. Working
in carbon on paper, with incredible sensitivity to detail and sharp
observation, she makes art which directly links to the environment and
which directs the viewer to appreciate this incredible landscape.”
The Great Yes, No, Don’t Know, Five Minute Theatre Show - Sucessful Highlands submissions
National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to announce that 180 The Great Yes, No, Don’t Know, Five Minute Theatre Show pieces have been selected to take part in the exciting 24 hour online broadcast of live theatre, taking place on Monday 23rd June, from 5pm until 5pm the following day, with over 10 performances coming from the Highlands.
Five Minute Theatre makers include poets, primary school pupils, film-makers, families, community groups, teenagers, visual artists, professional theatre-makers and expectant mothers, with ages ranging from three months to 80 years old. Their five minute dramas will be broadcast from across the globe from towns, cities, states and countries including Rutherglen, Govan, East Timor, Los Angeles, Lancaster, Texas, Thurso, Leeds, Istanbul, New Jersey, New York, South Australia, Edinburgh, Mumbai, Inverness and Paris. Locations include a garden, a field, a car park, schools, bedrooms, a toilet, a pub, a library, a hospital, a beach, and the Falkirk Wheel, all streamed on the virtual stage www.fiveminutetheatre.com for a global audience.
Caithness Astronomy Group - Noctilucent Clouds And Aurora
Head
for Castlehill Heritage on 22nd and 23rd May at 7.30pm for talks and
observing sessions.See the poster for more of what you might expect on the night.
20 May 2014
“X” to mark the vote in Thursday’s Euro ElectionsOn Thursday (22 May 2014) polling stations across the Highlands will be open from 7am to 10 pm for people to cast their vote in the European Elections. Already more than 18,000 people have returned postal votes. Those still to post their vote must do so tomorrow (Wednesday), or deliver their envelope to any one of the 265 polling stations on Thursday.
Budapest Cafe Orchestra Returns To Melvich
Budapest
Café Orchestra are BACK at Melvich Monday June 2nd 7.30pm
.Tickets are likely to be snmapped up so book early. Check them out in short clip from last years show.
19 May 2014
Caithness Classic Motor Cycle Club Rally 2014
Over 90
motor cycles lined up for the rally that toured the county starting at
Lybster and heading to Wick and John'Groats. The rally raised money for
charities. Prize giving took place back at Lybster at the end of the
rally.Date set for Council budget consultation in Caithness
A
date has been set for a budget event being held in Caithness by The
Highland Council to consult with the public over spending priorities
between 2015 - 2019 during which time the Council has to find savings
of an estimated £63 million.
The forum is being held on Tuesday 27 May at 6:30pm in Wick Assembly
Rooms. It is one of a series of 13 events being held throughout the
Highlands by the Council.
The forum will also include the first stage of public consultation on
the Customer Service Review (including Service Points) agreed at the
Council meeting in March. Feedback from the public and focus groups
will help shape the Council’s budget setting priorities.New Jobs/Vacancies Added 1.00pm Today
Saga Sapphire Probably The Biggest Passenger Liner To Pass Pentland Firth
The
37,300 tonne, 200 metre (655 feet) long cruise liner Saga Sapphire has
become the largest passenger ship at least in decades, if not ever, to
navigate the Pentland Firth's Inner Sound.
That was when the British-owned, but Malta-registered, ship sailed
through the 1.5 mile-wide sea-channel, between Caithness's North Coast
and Stroma, the county's only island, on the morning of May 15th, 2014,
during a 'round Britain' cruise. The mighty vessel was carrying 589
holidaying passengers, largely of 'over 50s' that Saga Cruises
specialises in catering for, and had a crew of 419 on board.
18 May 2014
Have You Ever Wanted To Get Into Rally Driving? - Here Is Your Chance To Try It
Experienced
local rally driver who has been involvedi n many
competition over the years is looking for co-driver. Bill's usual
partner is unable to compete in coming competitions.
Bill said," I am looking for a Navigator for the STRC championship to
compete in the following Crail 14th June, Machrahnish 5th July, Solway
9th Aug, Pendragon 21st Sept and Kingdom 1 Nov."
17 May 2014
Another New Shop On the High Street In Wick - Master Barber
No
excuse for scruffy hair these days as a new barber shop has opened in
High Street, Wick. In recent times the hsop has been occupied
by
a dress designer and before that a property shop. The opening hours are
well suited to the busy person with several nights with later closing
times including Saturdays. Other recent moves to the centre
of
town include Divas
and Dudes and convenience shop Keystore
just on the corner of Bridge street and High street.Pothole Problems?
Everyone
is aware that roads in the UK are deteriorating due to lack of spending
on them. This affects all drivers as damage to vehicles from potholes
is known to be huge and although claims can be made against the local
authority or the trunk roads authority this does help with all the
inconvenience whilst cars, vans or trucks are off the road for repairs.
Reporting potholes by the general public does at least mean that a
particular problem gets on to the list of potholes to be repaired and
often short-term repair is carried out very quickly after a report is
lodged and that at least helps all motorists.Paper Making Course For Adults
SHE Transmission - Caithness Moray Transmission Reinforcement
There is pelnty of activity building up in the energy sector in Caithness and the far north generally. While it may have seemed for long time that for all the announcments over the past few years not much actually was to be seen. Well that is now changing. Click through to watch a short vide from SSE about their transmission project starting from Caithness and really begining move now.
15 May 2014
Latest Yoga Class Times and VenuesMore Pipes Heading Through Wick Today
The
seemingly never ending stream of pipes heading through Wick to the yard
at Wester shows just how busy they are.If You Wonder What These Pipes Made In Caithness Are For Watch This Short Film
Artists step up to the mark as SEA inspired fundraiser hot’s up
Earlier this year,
Caithness artists Joanne B Kaar and Liz O’Donnell started a fundraiser
for Brough Bay Association and Castletown Heritage Society, inviting
the public to get arty and made postcard size artwork inspired by the
sea. With the deadline for handing in artwork in a few weeks time (20th
June 2014), things are starting to hot up around the world with artists
adding the finishing touches to their creations. The sea inspired
fundraiser featured in the May issue of Coast magazine as their
campaign of the month, and as a result the word spread with more
artists getting involved including a ceramicist from the south of
England and tapestry artist from Dumfries and Galloway both currently
making work for the fundraiser. There has been a wonderful variety of
materials used by artists, including 3D wooden sea creatures (which
move around) from Taiwan, and more locally, glass you can ‘sea’ through
is being formed!
14 May 2014
Dates set for Council budget consultationAssembly Rooms, Wick 6.30pm Tueday 27th May
Dates have been set for a series of 13 budget events being held by The Highland Council to consult with the public over spending priorities between 2015-2019 during which time the Council has to find savings of an estimated £63 million.
More New Jobs/Vacancies Added At 8.05pm Tonight
Save The Sound Of Summer - The Great Yellow Bumblebee
The
sound of bumblebees buzzing around our flowers on a warm sunny day is a
sure sign summer is here. But bumblebees are also an essential part of
the countryside, responsible as they are for pollinating our crops and
wildflowers.
However, in the past 80 years, two of the 26 species in the UK have
become extinct and several others are now extremely rare. Of these, one
species – the Great yellow bumblebee – can only be found in parts of
Caithness and Sutherland, and the islands of Orkney, Coll, Tiree and
the Outer Hebrides. Now the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT), which
was set up to address this decline, is calling on people in Scotland to
help boost populations of this rare bumblebee.
On Monday, 19th May 2014,
the trust will unveil plans for an exciting new project which could see
Thurso styled as the UK’s first
'Great Yellow Bumblebee town' – a
project called Gateway to the Great Yellow.PHOTO GALLERY
13 May 2014
Wanted - Care At Home WorkersFour positions in the Thurso Area - various days and hours available.
Rogue Trader Warning From Trading Standards
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards team are warning householders that they are aware of a number of doorstep traders currently operating in the area and carrying out exterior home maintenance work.
Suggestion - Never buy if approached at the door, phone, fax or email unless you already know the people or check them out from friends and relatives. Do not sign anything until it's checked and never hand over cash.
Knock Knock, Ding Dong - Think, Put Brain In Gear, Say No - You can always make checks and buy later.
Farley Mowat - Canadian Author With Caithness Roots Dies - Obituary by Bill Mowat
FARLEY
MOWAT, Canadian best-selling author, 'pioneer' ecologist and life-long
left-wing campaigner who was proud of his Caithness ancestry, b. 12th
May 1921 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada died 5th May 2014 in Port Hope,
Ontario, Canada. Farley Mowat was, one of Canada's best-known
authors, who sold an estimated 17 million books worldwide with several
of his 40 titles translated into over 20 languages, died on May 5th at
his home in Port Hope, near Toronto, just 5 days short of his 93rd
birthday. One of his books, Never Cry Wolf became a successful
Hollywood feature film, while several others spawned 'made for TV'
movies.
Cumulative landscape and visual assessment of wind energy in Caithness
The
research for Caithness requires some further work before the final
version can then be used in the planning process. However, reaching the
stage of draft findings is a key step forward. What LUC’s assessment
will do is help the Council to guide future development towards or away
from certain areas, in order that the spread of cumulative landscape
and visual effects is limited.
It is important to note that the conclusions and recommendations
referred to in the report to Committee are draft findings.............6 Vacancies Posted Since Yesterday
Busy weekend of events ahead in “My Heart’s In the Highlands” Homecoming programme
Caithness
medieval crafts, a journey through Sutherland’s Mackay
country, the great Lochaber outdoors, Skye family history, Highland
music and games in Strathpeffer, and an intrepid Nairn explorer are all
on the agenda this weekend thanks to the “My heart’s in the Highlands”
Homecoming 2014 project.
Venues in Caithness, Sutherland, Lochaber, Skye, Ross-shire and Nairn
will all be hosting events this weekend encouraging local people and
visitors to explore and celebrate what makes the Highland special to
them.
Caithness Horizons in Thurso will be holding a free children’s medieval
manuscripts craft workshop with artist Joanne B Kaar on Sunday (18th
May), 1.30pm-3.30pm. Children will be able to learn about the links
between medieval manuscripts and the Skinnet Stone and then create
their own 3D version of a letter from an illuminated manuscript which
will be displayed at the Museum.
More Items In The Community Section Today
New Laws To Hit Dangerous Dog Owners
Confused.com Launches First Ever Interactive Brian the Robot App
Confused.com
is launching its first ever interactive 'Talking BRIAN' app. Say
whatever you like to BRIAN, and he will mimic you. This new free app is
now available to download in Google Play and Apple's App Store, meaning
you can speak to BRIAN whenever you want.
Women Aren't Doing It for Themselves
A Few Items In The Business Section Today
New Properties For Sale Properties for Rent
Cutting fuel bills, cutting emissions
Construction firms paid more quickly
9.2 Million Mobile Users Could Be Unwittingly Paying for Handsets They've Already Paid Off
27,000 Access Online Business Lending Advice
The UK's Longest Ever Balance Transfer Offer
PMI Dips in April, but Still Points to Solid Private Sector Growth
Motorists Burn £1.9 Billion A Year By 'Auto Renewing' Their Car Insurance
UK Household Wealth Close to £8 Trillion
Post Office Commits To Community Banking
Retailers Trump The Big Four In Credit Card Customer Satisfaction
HSBC Launches Wi-Fi In Branches Around The UK
New Landmark Legal Protections For Postal Workers
12 May 2014
New Primary School Site Moving Now
11 May 2014
Strathspey left reel-ing as Wick do a jig of joyWick Academy..........6..........Strathspey Thistle........1 Reporter Noel Donaldson
THE Scorries flew high in their seasonal swan song, serving the brand of football that has all to often been absent during the current match card. While Wick were doubtless keen to demonstrate that they are a cut above a 1-1 draw against lowly Fort William, last week, the home team got an early scare when Thistle marked their card by opening the scoring in just six minutes, John Ross netting. Surely it wasn't going to be an inauspicious last game for Academy keeper Michael Gray who is retiring. Nerves were calmed, however, when James Pickles replied, seven minutes later and Richard Macadie drilled No 2 on the half hour, to send his side ahead at the break. Photo Gallery
Do you enjoy a good thriller? - Then Head For Mill Theatre 14th May
Do
you enjoy a good thriller?
Are you a fan of those Nordic Noir Books, such as The Girl with the
Dragon Tattoo, or TV Series such as the Killing?
Do you like good comedy?
Do you enjoy a good night out?
Do you enjoy a night at the Theatre?
If you have answered yes to one, several, or all of the above, please
come and see Inspector Norse at the Mill Theatre Thurso on Wednesday
14th May.
Fast Look At 'e Groat
Earlier in the week 'e Courier
10 May 2014
Dounreay revises site closure plans
Two
years into its major contract to complete the clean-up and shutdown
of Dounreay, the consortium in charge of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd
is now revising its programme of work to accommodate changes being made
by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
The NDA awarded a contract in April 2012 to Cavendish Dounreay
Partnership. At the time the NDA was seeking comments on the credible
options for the future of nuclear materials at Dounreay.
Supply Chain Open Day At North Highland College
Thurso Surf Centre Awarded £5000 by SSE Sustainable Development Fund
Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update
Seashore Family Fun At Keiss
Sunday 18th May 10:00
- 12 noonGreat Chance To Go On Hoy Trip
Sunday 25th May From John
O'Groats - Advance Booking RequiredDo you fancy a trip to the second largest island of Orkney, sailing to Hoy on the Pentland Venture passenger ferry from John O’Groats. We will then be taking the bus across Hoy from Lyness Harbour to Rackwick Bay where you can join the Countryside Ranger walking out to the famous “Old Man” sea stack or independently explore Rackwick Bay.
6 May 2014
Jobs In Caithness - Check Out Several New Vacancies Posted TodayEmployers can use the jobs sections completely free of charge to save you time and money. Just jointhe forum and post as many jobs as often as required.
JOHN ERSKINE TO FIGHT FOR CAITHNESS, SUTHERLAND AND EASTER ROSS
John
Erskine has been selected to contest the 2015 general election for
the Labour Party in Caithness, Sutherland and East Ross.
John was selected on Saturday (3 May 2014) at a meeting of the local
Labour Party in Helmsdale. Despite two other applicants, John was
selected unanimously by local members. Commenting on his selection,
John Erskine said:“I am delighted to have been chosen to fight for
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.”
Pulteneytown Pupil Wins Young Ranger Trophy
Mark
Macadie, a P6 pupil in Mrs Ferrier’s class at Pulteneytown Academy in
Wick, was the overall winner in the very first Young Ranger Trophy
competition in memory of former Caithness Countryside Ranger Dieter
Tuerlinckx.
Mark’s fairy story about Whiteheart Forest and its new fox king was
chosen as first place entry in this new annual school competition.
Second place went to Emma Sutherland from Halkirk Primary School and
third place to Jay Barrett from Keiss Primary School.
Mark was awarded the Young Ranger Trophy and a certificate from The
Highland Council Countryside Rangers Kirsty Rosie and Paul Castle. What's Happening At MS People Caithness
We will also be raising awareness this Friday in Tesco's Wick from 10am - 4pm if anyone wants to come along and have a chat about our charity and what we do in the community and for people with MS and their families, carers etc. Our next event is a Carvery Dance again to raise awareness and raise money for people in Caithness with MS. It is being held in The Norseman Hotel, Wick on Saturday 17th May 2014, 7pm for 7.30pm, music by Panache and tickets are £20
Caithness Volunteers Get Giant Hogweed Under Control
Members
of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers, with direction from John
Parrott from Coille Alba, undertook control measures on Giant Hogweed
along the Wick riverside last weekend.
Growing to 20 feet high, this impressive plant was once planted in
gardens but has become a problematic invasive species in Britain,
particularly along river banks. The plant is detrimental to other
native species but is also a concern to people as it contains toxic
chemicals which can cause blistering and burns.
Scottish Natural Heritage employed John Parrott to undertaken spraying
of the plant last year and with help of the Caithness Countryside
Volunteers has been monitoring and controlling new growth.Open Farm Day At Caithness Free Range Eggs
Caithness
Free Range Eggs, on the 6th July 2014, will be hosting an open farm
Sunday. They have chosen BALMORE animal rescue centre as the charity
face as its their 20th Anniversary and our 15th so thought the 2 tied
in nicely together plus its a local charity and a very good cause. They
will be raising money on the day for the charity through different
activities, and if any local craft, food producers or other charities
would like to join them on the day please contact Claire or Pete
Armitage........ 5 May 2014
ARTIST ROOMS: Douglas Gordon
An
exhibition of work by the internationally acclaimed, Turner-Prize
winning artist Douglas Gordon takes place at Caithness Horizons in
Thurso. The works on show – which include three video installations and
one text piece – have been presented by Douglas Gordon to the ARTIST
ROOMS collection, and are being shown for the first time since their
acquisition.
This exhibition also forms part of GENERATION, a national programme
taking place in the summer of 2014, which celebrates the wealth of
contemporary art that has developed in Scotland over the last 25 years.
Over 60 venues across the country are participating in this unique
programme.
Among the works on show in Caithness is Gordon’s elegant, iconic 1996
video installation A Divided Self I and II, in which two arms,
apparently belonging to two people, one hairy and the other smooth, are
seen wrestling with one another. In fact the arms belong to the same
person - the artist - who evokes by the simplest means a powerful
internal struggle, in which the hairy arm appears to represent evil and
the smooth arm good.
2 May 2014
DUNBEATH HERITAGE CENTRE CALLS FOR LOCAL HISTORIC ARTEFACTS
Dunbeath
Heritage Centre is calling on the people of Caithness to come
forward with World War I or II related photographs, medals, letters or
stories, to help shape a new exhibition within the centre.
The call out for artefacts is part of the Centre’s involvement with the
Festival of Museum. Created and co-ordinated by Museums Galleries
Scotland, the Festival sees over 90 events, workshops, exhibitions and
performances take place in museums across Scotland, including
Caithness, across one weekend in May from 16th-18th.
Independent Candidate wins Caol and Mallaig by-election For Highland Council
The
by-election for a councillor to serve the Caol and Mallaig ward on The
Highland Council has been won by Ben Thompson, Independent.
Mr Thomson was one of five candidates, who contested the vacancy,
created by the retiral of Eddie Hunter in February. He joins
Councillors Bill Clark (SNP) and Allan Henderson (Independent) in
representing Ward 12.
Voting was by the single transferable vote and Mr Thompson emerged as
the winner at the fourth stage of the count, gaining 932 of the
2,391valid first preference votes cast. The quota was 1,196. 23 votes
were rejected.......The representation of the 80-member Council now is:
- Independent 34, SNP 21, Liberal Democrats 14, Labour 8, Independent
Nationalist 1, Non-aligned 2.
The Administration is currently a combined SNP/Lab/Lib Dem
coalition.1 May 2014
Postal votes for European Parliamentary ElectionsA total 30,068 Highland residents have asked to vote by post at the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections. Postal votes are being sent out today 1 May and a second issue will be dispatched on 12 May. The deadline for new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and changes to existing arrangements is 5pm on Wednesday 7 May.
Caithness Field Club Summer Activities
The summer programme for Cauthness Field Club is now available. The Field Club are always happy to see members and non-members on any of their outings around the county. If you want to find out more about Caithness then this group will add to your knowledge whilst getting out around many interesting places that you might not have thought of visiting before.
Spot Scams, Stop Scams – Scam Awareness Month 2014
Partners in consumer education and crime prevention are jointly spearheading a national Scam Awareness Campaign which will run throughout May 2014. The Highland Consumer Partnership (Highland Council Trading Standards, Citizens Advice Scotland and Highland Citizens Advice Bureaux) have prepared joint activities and scam prevention information for consumers across the Highlands and Islands.
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