News Archive - November 2015

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29 November 2015

Wick Fun Day Gets Christmas Season Started With Brollies Parade
IT was a day of weather in which brollies might have come in handy. But the rain stopped, to signal the start of of Wicks festive season with a stunning display of decorated umbrellas centre-piece of the annual Fun Day. The brolly brigade mustered at the boathouse and meandered onto High Street, then Bridge Street, bringing traffic to a halt as they negotiated the roundabout and doubled back, branching off into Market Square for the arrival the man-of-the-moment, Santa Claus and his helpers. He led the audience in a couple of Christmas carols before assisting the winners of the best brolly competition to pull the lever, triggering the royal burghs festive lights display.

28 November 2015

SSEs Highland Sustainable Development Fund is now open and accepting Expressions of Interest
The Sustainable Development Fund was launched in 2013 to support community projects with the potential to make a significant and sustainable difference to people and communities. In this second round of funding £1m is available. Applications of over £10,000 will be accepted from non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities based within the Highland local authority boundary. Projects neighbouring SSEs renewable energy developments will be prioritised.

27 November 2015

Fit's in 'e Groat

Caithness FM Toy Appeal 2015
Caithness Fm has launched its annual toy appeal.









Rushdance Wow them at Aviemore
Rush.dance kids achieve back to back wins at two massive comps, Rush have just competed at MJN promotions Hip Hop festival in Aviemore. Once again the Rush kids have stepped up, delivered and came home with a 25 trophy haul, winning 14 Championship titles and (Tops Off Winners) the very best Hip Hop dancers of the day in Junior and Senior sections.

18 November 2015

MAGI SINCLAIR EXHIBITION AT NORTH LANDS GLASS GALLERY
Latheron based artist Magi Sinclair holds her first solo exhibition this week at North Lands Glass Gallery, Lybster, with a private viewing on Friday evening, November 20 between 6.00 and 8.00pm. The exhibition of over 20 pieces created over the last three years is entitled Norland and focuses on the Flow Country, Whaligoe and Caithness castles. Magis drawings of the beautiful yet dangerous Flow Country are a powerful evocation with its deep bogs rich in plant life. Working in carbon on paper, with incredible sensitivity to detail and sharp observation, she creates art which directly links to the environment and guides the viewer to appreciate this incredible landscape.

New closing date for local fund
The Tannach and District Community Fund is changing its deadlines in response to community feedback. The next deadline will be 31 December 2015 and then 30 June 2016. The new dates move the Tannach and District Community Fund deadlines to alternate with the E.ON Camster Community Fund and will give the community the option of applying to one of the Funds every 3 months rather than every six months as has previously been the case.

Winter Warmth - St Fergus Foyer Exhibition
St Fergus Gallery, Wick and High Life Highland would like to invite you to view the Winter Warmth art exhibition in the St Fergus Foyer Gallery from 21st November to 19th December 2015.   All artwork will be for sale if you are looking for a special Christmas present ....................




Christmas Trees and Santa At Dunnet Forest

16 November 2015

Your Cash Your Caithness - chance to vote for local projects you would like to see receive funding

Local community group bid to save towns Christmas lights
A volunteer for Thurso Town Improvements Association is trying to gee up some Christmas community spirit in aid of Thursos Christmas lights. Marion OBrien is encouraging residents in Thurso from shops, offices, bars , cafes and schools to get involved with the fundraiser. To date, over 200 letters requesting support have been distributed by Marion and members of the Thurso Town Improvements Committee.

Community Warden Clinic

14 November 2015

Several New Funding Opportunities Now In The Community Section
Calling local groups to check out the funding opportunities now listed in our community section.

12 November 2015

Remembrance Parade Film From Wick 2015

7 November 2015

Remembrance Parades 2015

7 November 2015

Electric Car Charge Points - John O'Groats and Gills Added To The Photo Gallery







Community Transport Grants applications invited
Applications are now being invited for community transport grants to be awarded by The Highland Council. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday 18 December 2015. Applications are being invited for projects which will help to provide flexible and practical community transport solutions in their communities.

Rush.dance kids dance their way to more trophies
Rush.dance competitive team have just competed at MAD street dance championships in Motherwell.  The kids at Rushdance practice hard every week and over the past few years  achieved amazing results in many competitions.  Well done to all the competitors.




New sustainable seaweed company looks to make waves in Caithness
A new food company aims to make good use of a resource that Caithness has in abundance - seaweed. New Wave Foods has ambitions to become Scotland’s leading processor of edible seaweed. The start-up company has been granted a licence to sustainably harvest seaweed on the north and east coasts of Caithness. Peter Elbourne, research and development manager for New Wave Foods, says that the idea came about when exploring different options for using the wealth of seaweed on our shoreline - There are hundreds of ways to use seaweed, but we recognised the huge potential in using it as a healthy and versatile food ingredient.  
New Wave Foods Is looking For A Manager In Caithness
Operations Manager Employer: New Wave Foods Location: Wick. Status: Full-time (40h per week)
Salary: £28,000 to £32,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Additional benefits: Pension contribution, performance-related bonus
Closing date: 13th November 2015.

Castletown Heritage Centre Events In November

5 November 2015

Latest Wick High School Progress Photos







Pregnant women travel 100 miles to give birth after death of newborn - STV
Five pregnant women have been forced to travel 100 miles to give birth following the “potentially avoidable” death of a newborn. The child, who has not been named, died in the maternity unit of Caithness General Hospital in September.

1 November 2015

Academy make County's cup hopes disappear with some Halloween magic
Wick Academy 5 Nairn County 1 - Reporter Noel Donaldson
ACADEMY booked their place in the next round of the Scottish Cup with a superb performance at Harmsworth Park, yesterday. This was Academy at their best, with all the team regulars playing attacking football with commitment and a conviction that they were going to be the side going through. The Scorries gave the visitors a fright early on in the replay and it was only a clearance off the goal line, that prevented them from going ahead. Nairn were no slouches and made the home side work for everything, but couldn't build on a strike from dangerman Connor Genthins. A tight Academy defence can take a lot of credit from that.    Photo Gallery

Telling tales in an entertaining way
MOST of us enjoy a good story and here's an opportunity to hear a few of them. Caithness Heart Support Group's latest speaker is Eric Farquhar who will be delivering a selection of fascinating tales at the Norseman Hotel, Wick on Wednesday night - 4th November 2015.




Nomadic Boulders at John O'Groats







In atmospheric evening the new art work that looks set to become one of the most photographed items in Scotland was launched as the sun went down.  The sculpture representing waves and carrying specimen boulders millions of which have passed through the Pentland Firth for thousands of years was officially opened by Lord Lieutenant Anne Dunnet whose great granfather built the iconic hotel with the hexagonal part now restored by Natural Retreats.  The afternoon began with a talk by the sculptors describing the thoughts behind the waves and the construction of steel and brass with curves of three waves the tallest of reminding us of the ferocity of one of the world's fastest tidal races and the boulders which scour the sea bottom on their way to the North Sea.  Children from Canisbay primary school performed a new work by Local writer George Gunn and new music provided the background to the whole setting.  Young people surrounding the sculpture with torches took us to another age with the whole event benefitting from the amazing sunset of the evening.  The sculpture lends itself to being photographed and there are sure to be many visitor including groups, cyclists and local sending it out globally on Twitter and Facebook in coming years. Dundee-based artists Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion have worked oin many countries.  The music by Jim Sutherland played on the day can be heard HERE