Scottish Roads Weather Problems Bulletin Board
Elections May 2003   Who's Standing & What Are They Saying?

26 March 03
DOUBLE BOOST FOR SPORTING ACTIVITIES IN HIGHLAND
The Highland Council has warmly welcomed two national initiatives which will promote a healthier lifestyle for young people and a �1.244 million grant from the New Opportunities Fund, the biggest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, which will support out-of-hours sports, including dance, outdoor education, adventure and other challenging activities for 5-16 year olds.  Meanwhile, the Council has also greeted with enthusiasm an announcement by Deputy Sports Minister, Dr Elaine Murray, that an additional �50 million will be made available over the next three years to promote sport in Scotland.

26 March 03
Labour Candidate For Scottish Parliament Visits Dounreay
Deirdre Steven, the Labour Prospective Scottish Parliamentary Candidate visited UKAEA Dounreay on Wednesday 19th March 2003.  She is pictured here with Kirsty Gray, a Chemical Engineering graduate during her tour of the plants in the Waste Management Complex.
Election Pages


 

26 March 03
Doureay Staff Lose Weight For Dialysis Group
The floors of D1200 at Dounreay are taking less of a pounding these days thanks to the efforts of fifteen members of staff who agreed to shed some excess weight, and at the same time raise money for a good cause. The Caithness Dialysis Support Group is �1055 richer thanks to them getting a 'weight off their minds'.

24 March 03
Karen Hanna From Park Hotel, Thurso Heads For The Rockies
12 Highland Tourism Operators Head For Canada
Representatives from 12 Highland-based tourism businesses departed for the Canadian Rockies at the weekend for a five-day intensive programme, where they will meet with industry peers and explore practical approaches and best practice models for delivering tourism products and services.  The trip is part of an eight-month practical-based International Learning Journey programme aimed at improving the competitiveness of both the Highlands and Islands region and its individual tourism operators.

25 March 03
CALUM THE CROFTER ENCOURAGES
YOUNG PEOPLE INTO CROFTING
A cartoon mascot enlisted by the Scottish Crofting Foundation to attract young people into crofting will make his debut on the organisation's revamped website today.  Cartoon character Calum the Crofter will have a starring role on the Foundation's new-look site - www.crofting.org   - which has been developed to generate more interest in crofting...................

25 March 03
'KILL YOUR SPEED 'CAMPAIGN  THE LATEST DRIVE TO REDUCE ROAD ACCIDENTS
The latest drive to reduce road accidents in Northern Constabulary. The Force wide initiative known as 'Speed Kills' is aimed at all drivers in the Highlands and Islands and is part of the National No Speeding campaign.   The campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drivers who speed will culminate with a crack down on speeding drivers across the Force from Glencoe to Lerwick on 1st April which is National No Speeding Day.  A list of places police will be checking speeds is included...........................

25 March 03
Tartan Day Web Site Highlights Henry Sinclair
Tartan Day 6 April 2003
One of the stories being highlighted on the Tartan Day web site is the story of Henry Sinclair and his voyage to America.  Predating Columbus takes nothing away from that voyagers trip but may explain many of the findings in both Scotland and the USA.  The evidence  has been argued over for years and no doubt will continue to be but nevertheless it opens up some fascinating possibilities about the connections between the two countries.

Detailed Results From 2001 Census 25/03/2003
Further detailed results from Scotland's Census 2001 are released today in two new publications.  The first of these, Scotland's Census 2001 - Reference Volume, sets out for Scotland-level only details of statistical tables and provides a reference guide to the Area Statistics available in electronic format for smaller geographical areas.   Free downloads available

23 March 03
Mey And District Gardening Club 2003 Bullb Show

23 March 03
Cancer Victim Sets Off From John O'Groats
Jane Tomlinson a cancer vicitim set off from John O'Groats to cycle to Lands end with her brother to raise funds for charity.  Two TV crews and newspapers are following her progress.  She has already raised huge amounts in other ventures like the London Marathon................

20 March 03
CASE February Report

20 March 03
COUNCIL WELCOMES  RELOCATION OF SNH HQ TO THE HIGHLANDS
The Highland Council Convener David Green and the Provost of Inverness Bill Smith have warmly welcomed the decision by the Scottish Executive to relocate the Scottish Natural Heritage�s national headquarters in �its natural home� � in the Highlands - from 2005.

19 March 03
DIVE CENTRE ON THE CARDS FOR WICK
Divers in Caithness have taken the first step towards realising plans to build a Dive Centre in Wick thanks to Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).  CASE has awarded the Far North Sub Aqua Club a funding package totalling �3,147 - which includes over �1,500 from the European-funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme - towards phase one of the project.

19 March 03
Strathy Fire Pictures

19 March 03
REPORT PROVIDES REASSURANCE ON "NEGLIGIBLE" RISK FROM PARTICLES
An  independent  report published today concludes that the risk of a person coming into contact with a particle at Sandside "is so minute that it could reasonably be considered negligible".
The 2nd Interim Report of the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group - an expert group  set  up  to advise the Scottish Environment Protection Agency...........................

19 March 03
Fire Death
About 4.25.pm on Tuesday 18th March 2003, police at Thurso received a report of  an area of grassland on fire close to the Old Post Office, Westerdale, where the remains of a female had been discovered by members of the public.

18 March 03
SCRABSTER WORK WILL ALLOW HAMNAVOE
TO ENTER SERVICE
Work is due to begin soon on the existing pier at Scrabster which will allow NorthLink to bring MV Hamnavoe into service on the Pentland Firth route.  NorthLink have been unable to use Hamnavoe on the route because of problems experienced by the Scrabster Harbour Trust in constructing a new pier that will accommodate the vessel.

18 March 03
PARTICLE FIND ON SANDSIDE BEACH
A  suspected  radioactive  particle resulting from historical operations at Dounreay was found during routine monitoring of Sandside Beach today.

18 March 03
MEALS AT HOME PROVES A WINNER
A new Meals at Home service is to be introduced for older, and other vulnerable people throughout the Highlands following a successful pilot carried out in the Inverness and Tain and Seaboard Villages.  The benefits will see a standard service of nutritious and affordable meals provided throughout the Highlands to a wider range of people and for the first time available 7 days per week, 52 weeks a year...........................

18 March 03
FUNDING SUPPORT FOR PULTENEYTOWN
The Pultenenytown People's Project (PPP) has been given a funding boost with a financial package from Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) towards the cost of employing two staff.  CASE has awarded the organisation a grant totalling �66,163, which includes over �33,000 from the European-funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme.  CED is a partnership initiative that seeks to target funds for sustainable development activities undertaken by communities most in need of support.  In addition to backing from CASE, support has also come from The Highland Council.....................................

18 March 03
DOUNREAY LAUNCHES FIRST APPRENTICESHIPS IN DECOMMISSIONING
Young  people  are to be offered apprenticeships in nuclear decommissioning for  the  first  time  at  Dounreay  as part of the �4 billion programme to dismantle the experimental reactor establishment.  The  UK  Atomic  Energy  Authority today announced it is setting up a pilot scheme  with the aim of creating the first Modern Apprenticeship in Nuclear Operations and Decommissioning in the UK. An initial four young people will be  recruited  over  the  next  few months to begin their apprenticeship in August..........................

17 March 03
LAUNCH OF COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE LOAN FUND
Highland Opportunity Limited (HOL), the Enterprise Trust for the Highland Area, is launching a new investment project aimed at the social sector of the Highland economy.   Examples of possible beneficiaries are remote community lifeline services, business spin-offs from community land purchases, community centres, care groups, cultural and heritage societies, voluntary organisations and local charitable trusts......................

17 March 03
HOUSEHOLDERS WARNED ABOUT ROGUE TRADESMEN
Householders in the Inverness area are being warned to be on their guard against traders who are targeting elderly and vulnerable residents in offering to carry out work on home repairs and garden maintenance.   Everyone in all areas should be aware of this type of trader and be wary when approached by dealers of any sort approaching you or elderly relatives at home if they have not been asked to call.

15 March 03
Halkirk Youth Club Red Nose Day

14 March 03
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS
Without a significant increase in quality affordable social rented housing to provide permanent, temporary and emergency accommodation, The Highland Council and its housing partners will not be able to eliminate homelessness in the area.................

12 March 03
HIGHLAND - AT THE FOREFRONT OF ELECTRONIC DELIVERY
The Highland Council is to introduce new technology that will take the Highlands to the forefront of electronic service delivery within Scotland. The new Customer Relationship Management System will enable seamless service delivery, across all access channels, between the frontline and back office operations of the Council.

12 March 03
COMMUNITY WASTE INITIATIVES
At a meeting of The Highland Council's Sustainable Development Select Committee, Members were given a progress report on the community waste initiatives currently supported by the Council and agreed to endorse the principle of continued support of such initiatives within the framework of the Highland Area Waste Plan.  4% of waste in Highland going to landfill is nappies.......

12 March 03
Pulteneytown Ready For Revival
Wick High School was the venue for some entertainment and the announcement that the Heritage Lottery Fund was increasing the funds previously thought to be �1.9million to �2.4million.  Other funders will be adding to this total.  The project to revive the area will last for five years.  A representative from The Heritage Lottery said this was now their furthest north project.

11 March 03
Caithness Junr Badminton Highland Restricted Tournament

Caithness Badminton Association - Junior Section were hosts for the Highland Restricted Tournament. There were competitors from Shetland, Orkney, Lochaber, Forres, Tain, Nairn, Dufftown, Dingwall, Beauly

11 March 03
Body Found West Murkle Beach
Police have today made a further appeal for information from the public in relation to the body of the man found at West Murkle on the Caithness Coast on Sunday. Similar clothing to that worn by the man was put on display at Police Headquarters this afternoon. The mans original clothing consisted of items from various outfitters.  DNA profiling may be carried out and extensive enquiries including checking shipping lists and foreign fishing boats at Scrabster......................

11 March 03
Caithness Badminton Association Mixed Doubles

10 March 03
Rugby Team Wins To Go To Quarter Finals Of BT Shield
Caithness of Division 5 pulled off a shock win in the BT Shield at the weekend, defeating 2nd division Hillfoots 19-12. Caithness now play Ardrossan away in the quarter finals.

10 March 03
BE ON YOUR GUARD AGAINST CHARGES FOR ENTRIES INTO BUSINESS DIRECTORIES
The Highland Council Trading Standards are warning local businesses to be wary of firms contacting them regarding entries into directories.  Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971, you cannot be charged for a directory entry unless you have signed an order form...................

10 March 03
Highland Young Folk Full Of Technology Ideas
Competing young innovators to develop prototypes in Alness
Young people from across the Highlands and Islands (see notes), taking part in a major technology and innovation competition, will gather in Alness, Easter Ross next Tuesday (18th March 2003) to further develop their project ideas at the PICT Forum.  The ICT Youth Challenge Programme is being run on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise by PICT Innovation Ltd, a partnership company established to commercialise the results of ICT research in the Highlands and Islands...............

10 March 03
The Ultimate Flat Pack - A Canadian House At Staxigoe

This house has been built at Staxigoe from high quality materials that come over in crates from Canada.  Using lots of wood it also has high insulation standards for a house that can stand the Caithness wintry days.

10 March 03
Ackergill Tower Visit To Scrabster

10 March 03
Caithness Biodiversity Plan

9 March 03
County Rinks Bowls Competition Has Good Turn Out Today
 

9 March 03
More Fund Raising At Ackergill Tower

Paul Rankiin The Well Known TV Chef has been at Ackergill Tower this week for a series of dinners demonstrations.  He and Kevin Dalgleish the resident chef have been showing catering students from North Highland college the ropes.  funds raised today will be divided between Wick Hanging Baskets and the group raising funds for anew Highland Maggie Centre to be built in Inverness.  Maggie Centres offer help and counselling to people diagnosed with cancer.

9 March 03
Scouts Help Marie Curie Cancer Care Raise Funds In Wick

7 March 03
COUNCILLORS BACK STRATEGY TO TACKLE DOMESTIC ABUSE IN THE HIGHLANDS
Councillors have given their full backing to the draft Wellbeing Alliance Highland Domestic Abuse Strategy aimed at tackling the problem of abuse against women in the Highlands and at developing local measures for prevention, protection and provision.
The strategy, developed by the Highland Domestic Abuse Strategy Group, is aimed at politicians, policymakers, practitioners, service providers and the community in the Highlands, all of whom have a role in eliminating domestic abuse and in supporting women or children who experience this. 

7 March 03
Science O3 Week In Caithness 24 � 28th March 2003
Science O3 is a festival of workshops, hand-on demonstrations, competitions and lectures organised by a local committee of scientist and engineers, together with the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The organisers aim on getting over 1000 primary and secondary school pupils and members of the public to either try out science based activities or participate in the public lecture series.

5 March 03
Stop The War Protest Grows In The North
The anti-war coalition is spreading faster than ever and has geared up to a whole series of public meetings and demonstrations in the next couple of weeks.  Meetings And demonstrations are being held throughout the Highlands and in Orkney and Shetland.  In Thurso there is to be a street Stall  on Saturday 8th March and a public meeting on Wednesday 12th March THURSO St Clair Hotel 7.30pm.

4 March 03
Meteor Seen Over Caithness
Julie Ross a staff nurse at Caithness General saw a strange bright light travelling at speed across the sky on Sunday night about 9.00pm.  She was standing at the front door of the Caithness General in Wick and saw the light clearly beyond the town but could not say what distance it was....

4 March 03
West Church, Thurso  - New Gates
Willie Reid of  E & M Engineering kindly donated the new gates to the West Church in Thurso in memory of William Cameron

3 March 03
Major Hunt For Missing Couple Goes On At Tongue

The emergency services were out in force today in the search for the missing Worcester couple whose car was found semi submerged on the beach at the Kyle of Tongue.  The police are appealing for anyone who was in the area to get in touch.....

3 March 03
Maximising Community Benefit From Renewable Energy Projects
Eager to ensure that communities gain the maximum benefit from the development of wind farms and hydro-electric schemes, The Highland Council is to develop a Highland-wide policy on community benefit and at the same time ensure it continues to influence a national policy on the benefits for local communities from renewable energy.

3 March 03
COUNCIL EXPRESS CONCERN ON FUTURE OF PHARMACY SERVICES IN THE HIGHLANDS
The proposed deregulation of pharmacy services, which will allow businesses, such as supermarkets, to dispense NHS prescriptions, is seen as a threat to the viability of some of the 44 community pharmacies in the Highlands. Highland Councillors are to write to the Scottish Executive highlighting the potential impact on community pharmacies of competition, which is being consulted upon by the Office of Fair Trading.