North Action Group Will Again Demonstrate At Health Board Inverness on
Tuesday
As the NHS highland Health Board will be launching the official Public
consultation regarding maternity services on Tuesday at Assynt House the
committee and supporters will once again travel to Inverness to make a
small protest outside the offices and then attend the meeting. North
Action Group are determined to attend every meeting of the Health Board
until the matter is resolved but are gearing up for a long campaign if the
NHS Highland Health Board choose to ignore the wishes of local people.
The NAG committee will be happy to see others at Assynt House on Tuesday
so if you happen to be in Inverness NAG members will be there from around
9.15am.
Wick Gala - Lego Competition
Want To Hear the North Baths Opening Day then Click Here and Select "Out
Of Doors"
The BBC programme "Out Of Doors" was at the North Baths opening and you
can hear the programme until next Saturday on Listen Again. You will
need Real Player installed but you can download it for free if you do not
already have it. The programme last for an hour and covers a range
of topics. To find the North Baths section click the non-embedded
player and you can move through the programme faster to find the section
or you can listen to it all if you have time.
Caithness Taste Of Tartan Brings 50 Strong Folklore Group From The
Netherlands
The recently reformed Caithness group Taste Of Tartan have got back
into action with bang. After a break of several years the
reformed group have organised for the 50 strong Netherland Folklore group
to come to perform in Wick and Thurso. They will be in Wick on
Friday 6 August in the Market Square at 3.00pm and then attend a ceilidh
in Mackays Hotel where tickets are £3. On Saturday 7 August thr
group will perform in Princes Street, Thurso at 8.00pm and then attend a
ceilidh in the Royal Hotel where tickets are £3. On Nonday 9 Asugust
Taste Of Tartan will be running dance workshops at 10.00 in the British
Legion, Thurso ands at 2.00pm in Mackays Hotel, Wick
Halkirk
Highland Games Today
Yes
we are off to Halkirk Highland Games today and pictures will be appearing
on Sunday. the competitors will be after a share of the £15,000
prize money and a new 10k running event is hoped to be the first event
that will be on for the next few years. Pipiing competition starts
in the morning. the march to the field at 12.15 Halkirk Main Street
and events at 12.30pm. The heavies will be competing team-wise as
Scotland V USA V The Rest Of the World.
30th July 2004
Wick Gala Cycle Races
Liam Henderson Tribute Football Match and Raffle Looks Likely To Be
Massive Success
The raffle being run in connection with the tribute football match looks
like being a massive success. Prizes have continued to come in and
raffle tickets have been running out regularly as people from many places
have ordered tickets. There is also a silent auction running and
time is running out to enter bid if you are interested in the prizes in
that section.
Caithness.org Newsletter Is Ready To Restart
After a long absence and a few technical hitches now solved by our
backroom techies the Caithness.org FREE monthly newsletter in your email
is ready to start. The newsletter will as before consist of a a
brief run through what has happened in Caithness over the past few weeks
and updates about the web site. In case you have missed out on
anything significant over the month a few links to section or pictures
that might be of interest. If anyone has suggestions or want to
contribute the odd paragraph that might have a wide interest just contact
Bill Fernie by email
bill@caithness.org to consider items to send out. The
Newsletter is FREE and we will never pass on your email details etc to
anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time.
29th July 2004
CONSERVATIVE LEADER LEARNS OF POTENTIAL
FOR SCOTS BUSINESS IN DECOMMISSIONING
Scottish
Conservative leader David McLetchie today heard how
decommissioning Dounreay is seeding Scottish companies with the skills
and expertise to clean up other nuclear sites in the UK and abroad.
The value of work being won by firms involved in decommissioning the
former experimental reactor establishment is now worth almost £100
million a year and accounts for approximately 3000 jobs in Scotland.
During a fact-finding visit to Dounreay with Highlands and Islands MSP
Mary Scanlon
David McLetchie - Scottish Conservative Leader
Heard More From Councillors And CASE On Maternity
David
McLetchie accompanied by MSP Marry Scanlon continued their fact finding on
the Caithness General Maternity issue by speaking to Caithness councillors
and representatives from CASE today at Wick Town Hall. Area convenor
David Flear outlined the position with councillors Graham Smith, Bill
Fernie and Alastair MacDonald all adding comments on particular points.
Sandra McCaughey for CASE pointed out the likely attitude of businesses
looking at the area. Mr McLetchie once again reiterated that the
Scottish Conservative party fully supported the local campaign to save the
maternity services at Caithness General. The topic had been
mentioned by everyone he had met on his trip regardless of where he had
gone in his travels round the county. George Bruce the chairman of
North Action Group had been invited by the area convenor to be present to
answer questions relating to the background to maternity services.
Scottish
Conservative Leader David McLetchie Gives Full Support To North Action
Group
Scottish
Conservative leader David McLetchie met members of North Action Group to
hear about the campaign to save consultant-led maternity services at
Caithness General Hospital. Mr McLetchie was accompanied by Highland
MSP Mary Scanlon on a tour of Caithness visiting business, groups and
workplaces. North Action Group members gave the conservative leader
a full account including their worst fears for mothers and babies and how
such a move to downgrade would affect the future of the north of Scotland.
Mr McLetchie said he had met with a unanimous support for the campaign all
over the county as almost everyone he spoke to had the maternity service
at the top of their list to speak to him about it. Mr McLetchie left
North Action Group with the message that they had the full backing of the
Scottish Conservatives in their campaign to save the services for the
people in the north.
North Action Group To Hit Health Board With
Another Demonstration In Inverness
As the Health Board prepares to announce the
formal three month consultation period at
its meeting on Tuesday 3 August North Action
Group will once again be at its headquarters
in Inverness with banners an placards.
NAG is to ask for public meetings to be held
as part of the process and that health board
representatives put the case for downgrading
directly to the public. NAG have seen
the papers with all the suggestions and are
not happy that the consultation will be fair
given the cavaets that surround many of the
options. Papers relating to the
suggested options can be found on the
Health Board web site
David Flear the Caithness arwea convenor
intends to ask to speak at the Health Board
meeting as does NAG chairman George Bruce.
MSP Mary Scanlon has also indicated she will
be attending this important meeting.
MINISTER OPENS LEAD CENTRE FOR DECOMMISSIONING SKILLS
Scotland’s newest centre for teaching the skills
needed to clean up the country’s nuclear heritage was officially opened
today at Dounreay. Deputy
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister Lewis Macdonald visited the
leading edge of Britain’s nuclear clean-up programme to set the seal on a
£300,000 investment by UKAEA. The Learning, Education and Development (LEAD) Centre
provides high-quality training and skills opportunities for
employees of UKAEA and its contractors at Dounreay and other
nuclear sites in the UK now being decommissioned.
28th July 2004
Farquhar
Fails Against Finn in Flounder Fishing
It
wasn't a fluke that Graham Finn won the
latest Caithness sea angling competition, he
certainly showed the locals how to fish
their own beach. Way out in front with
19 Flounders for a total of 563cm in second
place was local match angler Keith Farquhar
with 5 flounders and in third place was
Steve Nicholas with 4 flounders. With such a
good surf running every one was surprised
that no bass were caught. Unusual catch of
the day was a small Turbot for Castletown
angler Donnie McNicol.
Caithness Cairn Project - Latest Pictures
The unusual experiment to find out how a
chambered cairn was built has been doing
well and here are the latest pictures taken
today by David Swanson.
27th July 2004
Wick Gala - Braehead Fancy Dress
26th July 2004
Wick Gala Pictures Smash the Monthly
Figures for Pictures Added To The Site
For the first month ever Caithness.org
has added over 1000 pictures in a single
month to the web site. In fact the
record was completely shattered as the
pictures added to the web site in July have
already reached 1207
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Maternity Issue Takes North Action Group
Demonstrators Out Again
North Action Group once again organised a
small demonstration at Caithness General
Hospital over the maternity issue. the
demonstration was called to coincide with
the visit of Health Board chairman Gary
Coutts and Chief Executive Roger Gibbins.
They had come to Caithness to give a range
of groups and individuals including North
Action Group, David Flear area convenor,
CASE and John Thurso MP advance notification
of the paper to go to the Health Board about
the proposed three month public
consultation. the full paper will be
available on the Health Board web site
shortly. Chairman of NAG George Bruce
and Councillor Bill Fernie also the press
officer for NAG met with the Health Board
chairman and told him that the matter would
be discussed at the North Action Group
meeting on Wednesday night. Advance
copies of the consultation proposals were
give to everyone the board met today.
Latest News Bulletin About Caithness
Maternity Services On Radio Highland
You can hear the bulletin the Radio Highland
News in the
News Bulletins Round Scotland
section of BBC Scotland. NHS highland
Health Board have issued a document to
various groups, councillors and North Action
Group ahead of their meeting on Tuesday in
Inverness. This document will be
availbel on the Health Board web site later
tonight.
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North Action Group Demonstrate Again
Today At Caithness General Hospital
12.00Noon - 2.00pm
North Action Group fighting to save
consultant led maternity services will once
again lead a demonstration at Caithness
General Hospital to coincide with a visit to
the county by Health Board chairman Gary
Coutts and Health board staff.
Councillor Bill Fernie was interviewed by
Radio highland for Today's morning News
Broadcasts. Just click
Highlands and Islands on the page. You
require Real Player installed to listen to
the broadcasts. the player is free and
can be downloaded from the News page.
25th July 2004
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24th July 2004
North Baths , Wick Re-0pened By Jessie Doull
The North Baths at Wick reopened on a very
wet afternoon. Jessie Doull whose late
husband once ran a swimming club at the
North Baths declared the North Baths
reopened. The local swimming club ran
a few races and even "E Website Mannie"
jumped in and had a swim in the cold water
now captured once again after the work of
the volunteers and contractors. With
little fuss or organisation but with
determination this bunch of men and women
have worked a small miracle on the North
Baths Well done to you all.
And these Young Wickers May Be Tougher Than
We Thought
The young swimmers in the North Baths will
undoubtedly remember the day they swam at
the reopening of the North Baths and perhaps
another generation is about to add happy
times at the North Baths as earlier
generations now scattered across the globe
have done. If you are back in Wick
and perhaps on a nicer day why not have a
dip in the North Baths and say you have swum
in one of the most northerly mainland open
air swimming pools.
Thurso High 1976
Reunion - Final List Now In
The final list of those attending the
Reunion is now in. 188 tickets have
been sold so things are set for a great
reunion in the Weigh Inn on Friday 30 July
2004
Watch Wick Gala Live Via The Caithness.org
Web Cam - Tonight
On Saturday evening the Caithness.org web
cam will be on early to allow everyone to
see the Wick Gala floats and walker as they
pass. The webcam is linked to a
Broadband connection so we are hoping it
will pump out the pictures at short
intervals.
Gala
Week Programme
23rd July 2004
North Action Group - Maternity Demo
At Caithness General Hospital 12.00 Noon -
2.00pm Monday26 July
The chairman of NHS Highland Health
Board and officials will be visiting Wick to
meet representatives of various groups
whilst board official will hold a meeting
with staff in the hospital on Monday and North Action Group
will hold a demonstration outside the
hospital over lunchtime. NAG members
are not expecting this to be a big demo but
hope that people will come over for a few
minutes to show support in their lunch
break. North Action Representatives
chairman George Bruce and councillor Bill
Fernie will meet health board chairman Gary
Counts and Chief Executive Roger Gibbins.
Prospective
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Declares Support For North Action Group
Campaign To Retain Consultant-led Maternity
Services
Angus Ross the newly chosen conservative
prospective parliamentary candidate for the
Westminster elections expected in 2005
declared he was fully behind the North
Action Group campaign to retain
consultant-led maternity services when he
met representatives earlier this week.
NAG chairman George Bruce and committee
members, Mollie Baikie councillors Tom Jackson and Bill
Fernie outlined the position on maternity
services as viewed by the public in the
north. The briefing session lasted 90
minutes and Mr Ross asked a series of
questions to put himself fully in the
picture whilst the NAG representatives went
over the history of reviews of the maternity
services and the current campaign to save
it.
Old Pulteney Deals For
Gala Week
Bin Ends Wine Shop In Wick is once again
making a special offer on bottles of Old
Pulteney selling it for the low price of
£14.99. Als0 on offer is Old Pulteney
Liqueur at £9.99
Who Will Be Swimming In The North Baths On
Re-opening Day Saturday 24 July 1.00pm
The
North Baths outside wick harbour were
once the scene of swimming galas, events as
well as a place to while away the school
holidays in summertime. Many an old
photograph is tucked away in family albums
of happy times spent at the North Baths.
We hope to see you there to be caught in
some our photos at the opening celebrating
the work of the volunteers and the
contributions made by many individuals,
contractors and local businesses - a truly
great community effort. Well
done to everyone for their efforts.
See you Saturday And then
at.................
Wick Gala Starts Saturday 24 July
The Wick Gala will be opened this year by
Aline Mowat the well-known actress and
daughter of Bill Mowat the former provost of
Wick. Aline Mowat has appeared in many
productions and in recent years on a well known
Tea Advert. She has recently declared her
full support for the North Action Group campaign
to retain consultant-led maternity services at
Caithness General. A packed week of events
ends with the traditional bonfire and fireworks
on Saturday 31 July. And surrounding the
Gala Week are many other events in the evenings
with music of various kinds and a big Wick High
1966 School reunion on 30 July at the
Waterfront. Wick Players have three short
comedies on Monday night that are sure to be a
success with the local audience. But with
A big Jazz night in the assembly rooms on Friday
and Farmer Dan Irish Artist on Thursday there
will be plenty of places to go.
22nd July 2004
North Pier Wick - Pictures From The Last Two
weeks
Summer Is The New New Year For Unwanted Cats
Caithness Cats Protection urgently needs
more kind-hearted people NOW to adopt the
thousands of felines in the charity’s care.
Un-neutered cats + Kitten season + Human
holiday time = current overcrowding crisis
at Caithness Cats Protection. It’s
right now in summer, rather than at New
Year, when Caithness Cats Protection,
desperately needs the public’s help to deal
with its overcrowding problems.
Caithness Scouts Head For The Balir Atholl Jamboree
A
party of 12 Scouts left Caithness last Monday to take part in the 29th
Blair Atholl International Patrol Jamborette. The party consisted of six
Scouts from 1st Wick, four from 2nd Thurso and two from 1st Thurso. The
are pictured beside the Sports Council minibus at Latheron which was the
last pick-up point for the start of their journey South. The Blair
Atholl Jamboree lasts from the 19th July to Friday 30th July, when the
Scouts will return to Caithness accompanied by some Foreign Scouts they
have been camping with. During the Camp the Scouts will be able to take
part in a variety of activities such as Canoeing, Sailing, Archery,
Fishing, Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Pioneering, Hiking, Cycling, Nature
Trails, Survival Skills, Mountain Rescue, Zorbing!
Royal Mail Size Based Pricing
Although up to three quarters of mail may not be affected by the new
pricing structure to be introduced from September 2005 any business or
individual who send larger packets or parcels will see a rise in prices.
Price will be determined according to size as well as weight of an item
and business who regularly send large items by mail will need to evaluate
the affect on their business prices. This article gives some of the
background to the proposed changes . The consultation period if you
want to make representations runs out in a few days.
Brethren Well Work Completed By The Volunteers
The
Brethern Well near Lybster has now been completely rebuilt by the
volunteers working on the project over the past few weeks. The water
believed to have once been used by monks in the area is still cold and
crystal clear. Further work to divert the flow of water is stilll to
be carried out. Well done to the team for preserving another little
bit of Caithness history.
21st July 2004
Local Conservatives
Name Westminster Parliamentary Candidate For 2005
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Conservative Association have
selected Angus Ross as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate to
contest the seat in the General Election – widely expected to be called
early next year. Angus Ross will be returning to his family roots in the Highlands. His
grandfather came from Ardross and went south to work in the Bank of
England: his grandmother came from Foulis Mains. Angus Ross is
looking for a plce to stay in the north where he intends to spend half his
time over the summer and set up his campaign office in the Autumn
Someone Somewhere Is Always Talking About Caithness - A Few Caithness
Whispers
Just a tiny fraction of what arrives at Caithness.org.
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIRMAN
Highlands
and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has welcomed the appointment of William Roe
as the development agency's new chairman. Mr Roe
(57), who hails from Kinlochleven, is chairman and director of leading
Scottish business consultancy Rocket Science UK and chairman of software
solutions firm Mysterian, based in Stornoway and Glasgow. He takes up his new post on 1st September 2004,
succeeding historian, author and broadcaster Jim Hunter, who is stepping
down after six years. Dr Hunter was among the first to pay tribute to his
successor. "William Roe became a board member of HIE at the same
time as I became chairman and he has been a valued colleague throughout
that period," he said. "I am delighted he has been selected as HIE's
new chairman. It's a great job in a great part of the world and William's
vision and energy will, I'm sure, make a strong contribution to the area's
future."
IT'S 'TICKETY BOO' FOR FAR
NORTH BRIDES
A
John O'Groats woman is starting a new business which she hopes will add
that special touch to a bride's big day. Through her business -
Tickety Boo Bridal Wear - Anne Baker will design and create bridal wear
customised to the exact wishes of the bride to be. She also plans to make
dresses for other special occasions, such as high school 'prom' nights.
Anne said: "I am excited about this venture and recently made the
Castletown Gala Queen and her attendant's dresses.
No
Let Up As North Action Group Keeps The Pressure On For Maternity Services
The campaigners at North Action Group met in Wick on Monday evening and
agreed another range of action for the coming days and weeks.
Everything from more demonstrations to ways lifting the profile of the
campaign was agreed. NAG are to ask Highland Health Council to hold
a public meeting to directly get the views of the public on the maternity
issue so that they can clearly pass this on as representing the views of
the public. At the same time the Health Council are to be asked what
actions they have carried out in recent times on behalf of the public in
the north. the public would then have a chance to hear directly from the
Health council officials and representatives. A letter is being
issued this week.
Larry Six Wins Battle Of
The Bands In Thurso
Larry
Six won this years Battle of the Bands competition with an outstanding
performance. Thurso High Schools' annual battle of the bands contest
took place recently. A total of five bands took part in the competition
with the prize of the Murkle Bay Studios Trophy and £150 up for grabs. The
evening was opened with a set from All Stitch Up, which got the packed
audience in the mood for the school bands.
Johnson
Controls MX Beach Race 2004
The
2004 beach race held on Thurso beach was a great success with entries from
as far as Fraserburgh. The racing started at 3:30 after all the hard work
carried out by the Caithness MX Club and friends forming the track with
Geddes and John Anderson’s JCB’s. The afternoon’s events consisted
of 4 junior races and 4 senior races and with Caithness FM, the tide and
sun out and a barbecue in attendance every one was in good spirits.
20th July 2004
Progress Pictures From the Spittal Cairn
Project
There
has bee lotso f interest in the long cairn
project at Spittal Quarry. 50 people
turned up for the lecture at Spittal village
hall and many adults and children have been
out to the site to join in the building
under the guidance of the expert
archaeologists on hand to explain what is
going on.
Everyone is welcome to go along and have a
look or join in.
Details Here
19th July 2004
North Baths Ready For Saturday Opening
North
Baths at Wick today was looking crisp and
clear now that the FREENDS have let the
water back in. A huge amount of work
has gone in over the past few days and tons
of donated soil have been spread and grass
seed planted to tidy up the area all around
the baths. The North Baths will be
officially launched once again on Saturday
at 1.00pm with a few races and other items
to mark the day.
PASSENGER-FRIENDLY BUSES
- See One On The
Thurso Scrabster Route
HITRANS, the strategic transport partnership
for the Highlands and Islands, is investing more than £800,000 on
modern low-floor buses, which are wheelchair accessible and provide the
general public with much easier access. HITRANS is working in partnership
with bus companies to contribute towards the cost of the new buses, using
funds awarded by The Scottish Executive for public transport improvements.
Since April 2003, HITRANS has received £2.7 million from the Executive to
improve public transport in its area.
NORTH MSP HAILS START DATE FOR A9
IMPROVEMENTS
Highlands
and Islands Labour MSP Maureen Macmillan has
welcomed the announcement that work is to
start on upgrading the A9, between Allt
Briste northwards to the north of the Ord of
Caithness. The contract for Phase 1 of the
scheme has now been awarded and work on the
£6 million project will begin on 9 August
2004. Mrs Macmillan said, “This is
excellent news for those who use this
section of the A9 regularly. Once the
work to upgrade the 3 kilometres of this
strategic route linking Caithness with the
rest of Scotland has been completed, the
local economy, business and tourism will all
benefit.
UKAEA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF FORWARD
THINKING
On
the 50th Anniversary of UKAEA Dipesh Shah
the Chief Executive mulls over
the achievements of the past 50 years.
Today the United Kingdom Atomic Energy
Authority celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
On 19 July 1954 UKAEA came into being
as the body responsible for taking forward
the atomic energy research programme from
the Ministry of Supply. Over the following
years UKAEA pioneered the development of an
entire industry and went on to spearhead
many other scientific and technological
advances. Today, its pioneering role
continues in its equally challenging tasks
of nuclear site restoration and leading the
UK's contribution to the international
fusion programme.
And There Was Music At The County Show
Amongst
the musical items to be found at the Caithness County Show this year was
the ever popular local band "Ccommunique" in the beer tent. This
picture was sent in by Allan Farquhar to add to the ones already on the
site. If anyone else has a special picture they feel would be good
to add and that we missed email it to us and we will put it in the
section.
£148,000 IN SNH GRANT AID FOR THE
NORTH HIGHLANDS
Figures announced this week show that a total of
£148,000 was awarded in grants to dozens of local environmental projects
across Caithness, Sutherland and north-west Ross during last financial
year by public body, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Other SNH grants awarded in Caithness
last year include: £288 to the
Caithness Countryside Volunteers
for the Nest Boxes for Birds Project; £1,750 for Bettyhill, Strathnaver
and Altnahara Community Council for a viewpoint at Bettyhill; £2,014 for
an outdoor educational play area at Ormlie Pre-School Centre; £3,110 to
the
Dunnet Millennium Committee for a sculptural dry
stone dyke with wildlife illustrations; £3,116 to Plantlife
for drain blocking at Munsary Peatlands; £3,580 towards the Keiss School
Digg Project and £2,346 to ground improvements at North School (Wick).
SNH
Grant Helps Brighten Up the Signs At Rosehall Forest In Sutherland
Other
projects in Sutherland supported by SNH last year include: £3,850 to the
Rosehall and District Action Group to help fund specially made nature
signs at the Rosehall Forest Log Cabin Education Centre; £1,459 to the
RSPB to help with the storm petrel survey project at Eilean Hoan; £1,805
towards a wildlife and nature garden for Kinlochbervie Pre-School Centre
Association; £2,000 to the Bonar Bridge PTA for a community outdoor area;
£3,849 to the Kincardine and Croick Community Council for the upgrade of
the Culrain Footpath; and £5,000 to Balnagowan Castle Properties Ltd for a
salmon exhibition interpretative plan at Shin Falls.
EXTENDED HOURS AT FARR EDGE CHILDCARE CENTRE
A
childcare centre in Bettyhill, Farr Edge,
has secured funding enabling it to undertake
a three month trial to establish demand for
increased opening hours. Assistance of
£3,250 from the European-funded Community
Economic Development (CED) programme, which
is managed by Caithness and Sutherland
Enterprise (CASE), has resulted in the
centre extending its opening hours from 14
per week to 35.
Caithness Girl To Play At The BBC Proms On TV
- 1
August
Carol
Ella from Wick who studied music at St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh
and graduated with a first class honours at the Royal College of Music
will shortly play with London Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms (1
August). Carol plays the Viola and is seen in the pictures here
after a concert at the Thaxted Festival. With a growing list of
prizes to her credit she has also worked with some famous names and
conductors including Bernard Haitink, Sir
Colin Davis, Michael Tilson Thomas, Lorin Maazel and the late Lord Yehudi
Menuhin.
COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY - INVERNESS
Recently within the Inverness area,
individuals using counterfeit bank notes of
various denominations have targeted retail
premises. The public, and in
particular retail premises are asked to
remain alert to the fact that counterfeit
currency is currently in circulation in the
Inverness area. Shops, guesthouses and
all retail premises are advised to be on
their guard, and to contact the police
should they have any suspicions or any
information regarding the source of these
notes. Contact telephone numbers:-
INVERNESS POLICE 01463 715555 CONFIDENTIAL
LINE 01463 720367 CRIMESTOPPERS 0800
555111
DISCUSSION FORUM OPENS ON MAJOR HOUSING
PROPOSAL
Tenants Asked For Their Views On Community
Ownership Proposals
The Highland Council has opened a
discussion forum on its
website to give
council house tenants and other interested
members of the public the opportunity to
comment on the proposal being examined by
the Council to join the Scottish Executive’s
Community Ownership Programme. The forum
will remain active until the Council meets
on 28 October this year when it will
formally decide the way forward. The forum
will supplement the information contained in
a newsletter that has been delivered to the
homes of all 15,000 tenants in the Highlands
outlining the issues involved in joining the
Programme and the possible transfer of the
council house stock to a not-for-profit
landlord.
18th July 2004
County Show 157 - 168
County Show 169 - 180
184 - 192
County Show 121 - 132
County Show 133 - 144
County Show 145 - 156
County Show 85 - 96
County Show 97 - 108
County Show 109 - 120
County Show 49 - 60
County Show 61 - 72
County Show 73 - 84
County Show 1 - 12
County Show 13 - 24
County Show 25 - 36 County
Show 37 - 48
17th July 2004
Wallpapers For Your Desktop Free From Local
Man
Local
photographer John Hay has set up a page
where you can get free wallpapers for your
desktop. The main subject is planes
but he has just posted one made up of
various ships and boats that have used
Scrabster Harbour. John's web site
makes royalty free photographs of mainly
boats available on the internet. He
has supplied a number of pictures over the
past couple of years o this web site.
John is often around the harbours taking
photographs to add to his growing collection
that he is now adding to those on his web
site.
16th July 2004
More Trinkie Cleanup Pictures From E Freends
Currently Working On North Baths, Wick
Caithness County Show Is Already Set Up
For The Big Day On Saturday At Scrabster
Caithness.org is off to the county show
on Saturday. We hope to see you there.
Three One Act Comedies Monday 26 July 2004 7.00pm -
Wick Players At Assembly Rooms, Wick
"Best Warm Beer in Brooklyn" was runner up in the
Scottish final Festival recently. It has not
been staged in Wick before and the cast have
postponed their holidays to perform it for
their Wick supporters. It will also give our
visitors a flavour of the standards of the
club. The other two plays are comedies
set in Caithness with some local dialect.
"Blackmail" is an old favourite but has not
been seen for about 20 years. "That
Old Black Magic" is a black comedy about the
dire doings of a money lender from Miller
Avenue and two 'ladies' who get the better
of him. Tickets £6 concs £5 from Dr
Simpsons & Polteney News.
Could A Scottish Parliament Type Building
Transform Wick? Just A Thought
We
may all groan at the cost of the Scottish
Parliament but it has already made
Edinburgh's economy boom - lots of jobs,
lots of visitors and higher property prices.
Perhaps a radical approach like this
(Without the high price tag) is needed for
Wick. Here we have pinched wee bit of
the new Scottish Parliament and moved it to
Wick Harbour to see how it might look.
A big new project might be one way of
stimulating growth in the east of Caithness.
Lets hear your views on the
Message Board.
Scottish Parliament From The Rear - Does It
Look any Better From the Back?
We
thought you might like to to see some
pictures taken at the back of the Scottish
Parliament as it nears completion. Can
you make a judgement on the back without
thinking about the over £400million it is
costing. Go on try it and see what you
think of Edinburgh's most expensive
building.
LAUNCH OF GET HOOKED ON FISHING
Get Hooked on Fishing, a new initiative
aimed at diverting children away from crime and onto the riverbanks, was
officially launched today by Tony Andrews, Chairman of the Scottish
Countryside Alliance Educational Trust at Forbes of Kingennie Country
House, by Arbroath. Get Hooked on Fishing is an initiative that
takes youngsters from urban backgrounds
fishing with qualified instructors. These
kids will hopefully learn to appreciate the
environment as well as learn a skill.
CONSUMERS URGED TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST ROGUE
ITINERANT TRADERS Say No At The Door
The Highland Council and Northern
Constabulary are urging householders to be
on their guard against bogus workmen and
itinerant traders known to operating in the
Highlands. Trading Standards Officers within
the Council’s TEC Services and Northern
Constabulary are aware of itinerant traders
seeking work or selling goods door-to-door
and are advising householders to be
particularly cautious when dealing with
itinerant traders offering cut price tar
laying, house maintenance or gardening
services, as well as selling items including
"cut-price" furniture, televisions and
clothing. Other more unusual items being
offered include power tools and dvd players.
Computer Scheme For Rural People
Comes To Scotland
A successful initiative providing refurbished, ex-Government computers
for rural people is expanding into Scotland. The Warwickshire-based
'Arthur Rank Centre' charity entered into a partnership arrangement with
the Government Disposal Services Agency to access high quality, fully
refurbished and guaranteed ex-Government computer equipment two years ago.
Now 'Computers for Rural People', which brings IT to those who need it at
very reasonable prices (an internet-ready laptop costs just £345 including
vat and delivery) is coming to Scotland, after the scheme gained interest
at the Royal Highland Show.
New £104 million
Anti-poverty Fund
A new £104 million Community Regeneration
Fund has been established to bring
improvements to Scotland's most deprived
areas and help individuals and families
escape poverty. The fund combines and
replaces existing programmes like Social
Inclusion Partnerships and will be targeted
on the communities identified last month in
the
Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
15th July 2004
More From The Wick Scouts Camp At Bettyhill
With all the activity Caithnessians seem to have at the moment you would
think that they would be having a rest at the Wick Scouts. But no
way. In a few days from now the scouts are off to Blair Atholl for
another big Scout gathering to meet scouts from many other troops from
around the country.
Scouts From Wick and Thurso were at Blair Atholl in 2002
More About The
Scout Jamborette
Click Here IF You Want To See What The Caithness Scouts Will Be
Doing At Blair Atholl. They might just be ready for a ready after 10
days of all that activity. No wonder it is only every two years - a
long rest is needed.
Unemployment Level In Caithness
And Sutherland Edges Lower In June
Overall, the number of people unemployed in Caithness and Sutherland fell
from 879 last month to 808. The revised unemployment rates in the
Sutherland, Wick and Thurso 'Travel to Work Areas' respectively are as
follows: 3.7% (3.9%), 4.4% (5.0%) and 2.8% (2.9%). (May figures In
Brackets)
INITIAL INVESTMENT AND JOB CREATION -
Caithness And Sutherland Enterprise
Assistance of £20,000 will enable Wick-based K P Technology Ltd
to develop the business, which manufactures scientific materials testing
equipment and software, while Whittles Publishing Ltd, Latheronwheel,
has been awarded assistance of up to £25,000 towards developing
and expanding the business, which publishes a broad range of technical and
specialist publications.
Wick Harbour Trust Grant For Technical
Study - CASE
Assistance of £5,832 will enable Wick Harbour Trust to undertake technical
studies relating to potential developments
Far North Sub Aqua Get Grant Towards
Building A Dive Centre At Wick
The Far North Sub-aqua Club is to receive £17,750 towards the costs of
constructing a Dive Centre at Wick Harbour.
ERI Thurso Will Look At Energy
Extraction From The Pentland Firth
The University of the Highlands & Islands Environment Research Institute,
based in Thurso, will receive £2,374 towards the cost of undertaking a
10-week study to gather and assess all information currently available
relating to the potential of the Pentland Firth as a site for renewable
energy extraction and generation.
LOCAL TRIO TAKE TEXAS SCRAMBLE AT
LYBSTER
Recently 15 teams of 3 took part in
the Texas Scramble at Lybster Golf Club, which was once again very
generously sponsored by Sandisons (Wick) Ltd. The weather on the day proved to be much
better than for the recent Open competition but most competitors were
treated to a shower at some point in their round. The last 3 golfers to
get back to the clubhouse were the most unfortunate and caught the worst
of the weather, but a special prize for the highest score on the Hidden
Hole was some compensation for Murray Smythe, Lorna MacMillan and Alison
Stewart.
CAITHNESS CADETS TRAVEL 1000 MILES FOR ADVENTURE
Eleven
cadets and 3 members of staff from the Thurso Squadron travelled over 1000
miles to attend an Adventure Training Camp in Staffordshire. Cadets
learned about camouflage, concealment and stealth. Abseiling and
rock climbing. Cadets trained on and fired, both the Number 8 cadet
rifle and the L98 rifle. All the cadets attempted a demanding
confidence course which entailed crawling under barbed wires, climbing
over walls, crossing stagnant pools using rope swings and climbing over
rope walls. The final day was spent enjoying the thrills and spills
of Alton Towers.
Wick Airport - Decline
Continues In Passenger Numbers
Inverness Airport - Passengers
Reach Record Level
More than 52,500 passengers used Inverness Airport in June, a record
number for the gateway air hub for the Highlands and Islands. Wick,
Barra and Benbecula airports saw small decreases in passenger numbers
compared to the monthly totals in June 2003. Passenger numbers at
the 10 airports operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited reached
almost 95,000 in June, a 14.6% increase on the total of 82,781 for June
2003.
And The Trinkie Outdoor Swimming Pool At Wick Was Not Forgotten At By The
Freends
The Clan Sinclair At The Grand-father Mountain Games North Carolina
If
you want to take a look at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
in North Carolina just past hop over to Mel Sinclair's web site to see
lots of photographs of the events and gatherings. Malcolm Sinclair
chief of the clan features in several pictures. Mel Sinclair's site
is also listed in our
Sinclair Connections links list if you want to find it at a later
date.
14th July 2004
1966 Wick High Reunion 31 July - Final Call For Ticket Money
The organisers need to finalise numbers for
the buffet. Can anyone who has not yet paid do so immediately to
ensure enough food is ordered.
North Action Group - Evening Clinic Tonight For Mothers To Tell
Their Experiences
Assembly Rooms, Wick - 4.00 - 8.00pm Tonight Wednesday 14 July
Mothers are invited to a clinic this evening between 4.00pm and 8.00pm
to add information about how they found the maternity services in Caithness
and at Raigmore if they went there. NAG would like to find out the
actual problems in going to Raigmore for mothers and their families.
What mothers found the difficulties to be if they had their babies at
Raigmore in Inverness and the problems of travelling over 100 miles.
Any experiences related will be treated in strictest confidence. If
anyone would like to add their experience o the database but cannot come
along they can contact Lorna Mackenzie secretary of NAG on 01955 606206.
Only female representatives of NAG will be present at the clinic at the
Assembly Rooms tonight between 4.00 and 8.00pm
Wick Scouts Camping Weekend With Fun And Forestry
On July 9th to 11th, 1st Caithness, 1st Wick Scouts enjoyed a busy weekend
camp at Bettyhill, Sutherland. Two Cub Scouts and a Beaver Scout
accompanied the 12 Scouts and four Explorer Scouts. The Scouts were
responsible for setting up camp, camp maintenance and their own cooking.
They still managed to find time to explore both local beaches where they
played different wide games, enjoy a swim at the local pool, enjoy two
entertaining campfires and explore Borgie Forest.
Work Goes On At North Baths, Wick
Work
was going on all around the North Baths on
Tuesday 13 July 2004. Painting was in
progress with Harry Gray painting the
railing dividing the shallow end from the
deep end. Various repairs were still
ongoing and several tons of sand were being
spread by more volunteers. The sand is
being used to fill in between rocks near the
shallow end. A diving board is to be
installed at the deep end and for opening
day a greasy pole might also be in place.
The old lookout post above the baths may
also have a large sign painted on it to let
any one new to the area see exactly where
the North Baths are located.
End Of Term Awards At Hillhead Primary
School, Wick
Want To See Caithness Without Driving - Then
Take A Caithness Tour
Caithness
is a beautiful place to visit and many
people come and explore the area, check out
the historic castle sites, see the
great coastal views or find isolated
beaches. Caithness is a bird
watching paradise with birds of many species
on the cliffs and inland on the bog or
farming countryside. However it
can be difficult in a short trip to find out
exactly what is around or get to places and
relax. This is where the
recently created business - The Caithness
Tour - can help.
Ross & Cromarty (East) Biodiversity Plan - Launched
The Ross & Cromarty (East) Biodiversity
Action Plan was launched on Tuesday 13th July 2004 in Alness. It has been
drawn together over the last year, following an initial workshop in May
2003. At the workshop, 11 local people agreed to
meet as the Ross & Cromarty (East) Biodiversity Group to oversee the
drafting process. The Group comprises representatives of local land users
and conservationists, and the Plan was written with help and input from
Scottish Natural Heritage and The Highland Council.
13th July 2004
Maggie Page Moves On After 16 Years With
Crossroads Care
After 16 years, Maggie Page, Coordinator of
Crossroads (Caithness) Care Attendant Scheme
will leave on 20 August to take up further
studies in nursing. She will be missed by
both her colleagues and all those for whom
she has organised respite care over the
years. We all wish her well in her new
venture. This will give rise to a
vacancy for a Scheme Care Manager.
The post is advertised on this web site
with a closing date for applications
of 6 August 2004.
163rd Caithness County Show Saturday 17 July
- Thurso
Big
Crowds were out from all over the north of
Scotland at the County Show last year and
this years event at Thurso will no doubt
pull folk over to the other side of the
county. Always a grand day to
meet friends and relax walking round looking
at the stock and machinery or take part in
the events, watch the horse jumping and lots
more. If you were not there last year
take a look at the
pictures of the show at Wick from last
year.
Caithness Rebuilds Another Little Piece Of
Its History
It
is 50 years ago this year since the well was
last used for a domestic supply. It had
become overgrown and almost lost permanently
until local historian/author Donald A Young
decided action was needed to save it for
future generations. With the assistance of
volunteers from the Ranger Service who
initially dug it out and then local
contractors J Gunn & Sons who supplied
materials the newly restored well is now
beginning to take shape and looks to be
secure for a very long future. It is reputed
to have been used by monks who lived in the
area as far back as the 6th century hence
the name Brethren Well
12th July 2004
Building a Chambered Cairn at Spittal 10 -
30 July 2004
by the Caithness Archaeological Trust (CAT) and Dr John Barber AOC
Archaeology Group
Would You Like To Help
Build the Chambered Cairn?
Head For Spittal Quarry 9.30am Any Day Mon - Saturday
Other events and Special Children's Days
17 & 24 between 10.00 and 4.00
A Talk On
Monday 19th July 8.00pm at Spittal Village
Hall
The Caithness Archaeological
Trust (CAT) is delighted to announce that between 10th and 30th July
(excluding Sundays) we will be building parts of a chambered cairn at
Spittal. The chambered cairn parts will be constructed at the
quarry run by A & D Sutherland. If you
do not want to lift stones just come along
for a look.
11th July 2004
North Baths Gets The Whitewash Treatment
The volunteers carried on a a breakneck pace to whitewash the North
Baths with hydrated lime. At a speed that many construction sites would
envy they have also had a dozen lorry loads of topsoil delivered to be
spread round the area to fill in holes and cover rocky parts and then
they will plant grass seed with a view to making a nice picnic area.
Caithness Rip Curl Girls Get Surfing For July
The
event is taking place throughout July. Thurso Surf School are operating
the event 7 days a week. Lessons are £25 and each person who books will
receive a goody bag full of rip curl goodies to the value of £30.
Lessons are normally scheduled for Dunnet beach. It is purely a
girls only event and welcomes girls from the ages of 6 through to 60.
Rip curl's focus from this project is to to seek broad based
participation and encouraging girls to get involved and learn to surf at
a fundamental level across the UK. The rip curl event in association
with Davidoff cool water provides a fun, cool, vibrant and healthy way
for girls to be introduced to surfing and the surfing lifestyle, but
also in contributing to the development of ladies surfing. Contact
Thurso Surf
for more details
The Liam Henderson
Memorial; Football Match and Raffle Just Keeps Growing
The prize list continues to grow as more businesses and individuals send
in donations. Raffle ticket sales are going well as over £5000 has
been banked already. If you have not got tickets yet check the
list of places selling tickets. there are still a couple of weeks
left to go and the draw will take place at the end of July.
Wick Pipe Band Week Ends with Fancy Dress Parade
Latest Whispers
Caithness talk from the web.
11th July 2004
Thurso Gala Pictures
Latheron Show 2004
Thurso Gala Pictures
Thurso Gala Pictures
10th July 2004
Friends Of The Trinkie And the North Baths
Another
new section in time to let everyone know about the reopening of the
North Baths Wick on Saturday 24 July at 1.00pm. Take a look at the
photographs of some of the work that has been done over the past few
months or read about how the North Baths came to be 100 years ago in the
short
History of the North Baths by Harry Gray who also helped with
the repair work. Some folk have asked about donations to help with
the ongoing work and details are inside.
9th July 2004
Not Much On Today As Caithness.org Was Making The Change Over To
Broadband
Our opinion so far - fantastic. Pictures snapping in and
everything coming in at lightning speed compared to yesterday. We
had some fiddling about to do as we had Home Highway and now have a
wireless system - yippee no cables and wires all over the place.
Service resumes on Saturday.
Thurso Gala Week Starts On Saturday
Thurso Gala starts at 5.00pm with the Kiddies Fancy Dress followed by
the crowning of the Gala quen and the parade of floats. But that
is just the start as this year an evening of entertainment begins at
7.30pm at Thurso Town Hall with bands - Prolific, Pipe Band, Boss-Hogg,
Estrella and the Nina Mackay Dancers. This outdoor event will also
have stalls and much more.
Latheron Show On Saturday Afternoon
The agricultural show at West Clyth, Occumster is always a popular
event in the summer calendar. this year all the usual tents and
events plus one or two new features.
8th July 2004
Wick Harbour All Action as 100th Anniversary Of North Baths Approaches
The first picture in this series shows three different signs that their
is life in the old dog yet. From the North Baths currently rising
in the foreground being resurrected by a small band of volunteers to £3
million repair work to the North Pier and the dredging work at the South
Pier. It was in September 1904 that the North Baths first opened
to swimmers turning itself from one of seven small harbours to a
recreational outdoor swimming pool. That year the hardy Wickers
held their swimming gala in the Wick river. For over 400 years
Wick has reinvented itself over the years with the coming and going of
the fishing. A small band of volunteers may be proving that what
other generations did can be done again.
7th July 2004
Busy Two Weeks For Caithness Young Farmers
Caithness Young Farmers have had an eventful
two weeks, starting with the County Clipping
held at Quarryside, Castletown by kind
permission of Andrew & George Swanson.
Judges for the day were Alec Oliphant and
Bruce Swanson. The Sir David Robertson,
Bower Challenge Cup for the best team went
to Halkirk, Bryan Sinclair & David MacCarthy.
The Robert Coghill Trophy for best shearer
went to Bryan Sinclair, Halkirk.
Wick ('IKA') R8 GCI ROTOR Radar Station -
Have You ever Wondered About These
Buildings?
The
Wick Rotor station at Harland. Reiss was
part of the UK early warning system started
in 1949 following the Soviet Union first
testing of an atomic bomb. This
picture of the Wick Rotor Radar Station was
taken in June by Nick Catford and included
with other information on the
Wick Rotor Radar Station page. It
is part of the
Research Study Group : Cold War web
site. We have included it in a new
links page and will add other information on
Caithness and Sutherland as it becomes
available.
John Corbett Memorial Bird Hide & Art
Gallery At St John's Loch
Unique visitors' attraction opens in
Caithness
For people who enjoy art and bird-watching,
Caithness now has a unique venue which
manages to combine both interests in one
beautiful setting. Visitors can now
see a range of original works and high
quality prints by local wildlife and
landscape artist Julian Smith at his
exhibition on the north shores of St. John's
Loch. Following the highly successful 'Artsmith'
show in May 2004 the gallery space is now
open at selected times from July to
September
COUNCIL WELCOMES ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO
RELIEVE HOUSING NEEDS IN THE HIGHLANDS
The Highland Council has welcomed the news
that £3 million of the £20 million announced
by the Scottish Executive has been allocated
to relieve the housing needs in the
Highlands. Convener of The Highland
Council, Alison Magee said: "The Highland
Council welcomes the additional funding
targeted at relieving pressured housing
areas and is pleased that that the executive
has recognised that the Highlands is an area
of particular housing stress as identified
in the Councils Housing strategy. "We
understand that approximately £3million has
been allocated to the Highland Council area
to increase the existing programme and pilot
a new form of low cost home ownership
project. We look forward to delivering new
housing solutions as previously identified
by the Council in partnership with
Communities Scotland and the housing
associations."
REVOLUTIONARY NEW HIP SUPPORT FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS
LAUNCHED
A revolutionary new product that takes
much of the effort out of reaching from or propelling a wheelchair is
officially launched on Friday 9th July 2004 at the Scottish Mobility
Roadshow in Edinburgh. The Bodypoint Hip Grip is an innovative
and dynamic pelvic stabilisation device from the United States that helps
the wheelchair user to maintain stability, whilst allowing the pelvis to
move freely. The Hip Grip has taken over five years to develop and is the
result of a 36-month, 23-user clinical trial.
Marelo Folklore Group From The Netherlands
Coming To Caithness In August
The
Taste of Tartan organisation are hosting a
visit in August by the internationally
renowned Folklore Group from Markelo
in the Netherlands. This will be a rare
opportunity to see and hear the 50 strong
group of dancers, singers and musicians who
will be performing in traditional national
dress at various venues.
A new section has been set up for the
Caithness based
Taste of Tartan group
6th July 2004
St Fergus Bowling Club Open Triple
Competition - 64 Teams - 192 Competitors In
Caithness
St Fergus Bowling Club, Wick saw a great
entry from all over the Highlands and
Islands with teams from as far south as
Inverness and North To Orkney. The 64
Triples teams played at three club greens in
Caithness - Thurso, Rosebank and St Fergus
in Wick. the competition ran over two days
Saturday and Sunday with semi-finals and
finals played at the St Fergus club.
Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts were full all
over Wick for the two days with competitors
also bringing other family members who
either spectated, went site-seeing or
shopping. Aberhirder beat the local Rosebank
team in the final to win the £1000 prize and
trophies. The Rosebank triple team was
awarded £300 second prize. All of the
competitors enjoyed the weekend despite the
downpour in Wick on Saturday. In fact
over 20 triples have already completed
application forms for the second triples
competition to be held in 2005 and entries
are expected to be oversubscribed due to
this years success. St Fergus Club
Captain Malcolm Mackay congratulated the
clubs for the presentation of their greens
and thanked Highland Council for its
support with special thanks to the
businesses who had sponsored the event. Boyce MacLeod the president
of the Scottish Bowling Association also
added his thanks as he presented the winner
with their trophies and cheque.
Councillor Bill Fernie presented the runners
up with their awards and cheque.
5th July 2004
More Caithness Whispers Found On The Web
Do You Accept Credit Cards - Remember The
Thumb Print Scheme And Use It
An earlier item we thought we would remind
you all about. This great little
scheme can save you lots of money if you
accept credit cards for payments. It
has been very successful in stopping fraud.
Genuine payers have no problem leaving their
thumb print but no fraudster wants to leave
evidence that can convict them in court.
Check with your local police and use the
Thumbprint scheme to stop fraud.
RESULTS OUT ON CAITHNESS Childcare Needs
SURVEY
Small Grants To Be Available
To Become A Child Minder In Caithness
A recent survey of childcare in
Caithness was declared a success by Niall
Smith, chairman of the Caithness Childcare
and Family Resource Partnership, who
commissioned the work. He said: “This
has been a very useful exercise for the
Partnership. Before, the survey, we had a
lot of anecdotal evidence about what types
of childcare people used and why. Now
we have some solid statistics on which to
base our planning. The information will
prove valuable in supporting grant
applications for new provision in
Caithness.”
Busiest Day Ever For Inverness Airport
Inverness Airport recorded its busiest day ever for
passenger movements on Saturday 3rd July. The airport, one of the UK's fastest
developing regional air hubs, handled 2,500 passengers during the day.
Lybster Gala Fancy Dress
Quiz
Pet Show
Lybster Gala Car Treasure Hunt
Lybster Gala Children's Treasure Hunt
2004 THURSO MOTO-X BEACH RACE
SUNDAY, 18 July 2004
Racing starts at 4.00pm. depending on the tide. Entry and
licencing can be done on the day. Track setting up from 10.00am.
Moto X, Enduro and Quad Bikes can all enter.
4th July 2004
Fun
Day At Pulteneytown People's Project
PULTENEYTOWN People's Project held its annual fun day on Saturday
afternoon - and it all went thunderfully well after earlier fears that the
event might be a washout. Torrential rain and a few rumbles of thunder
around lunchtime threatened to undermine the efforts of the community
regeneration group but the PPP staff and volunteers decided to carry on as
planned.
Blue And White Blankets To Be Picked Up At Caithness General Hospital
Following a road traffic accident at Dunnet on Saturday some one
kindly supplied two blankets for the people involved. Unfortunately
the name of the person at Dunnet is unknown. The blankets are
available at Caithness General Hospital for uplifting at reception.
Canisbay Show Pictures - All Done
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show Pictures
Canisbay Show
Castletown Gala - 86 Pictures
Castletown Gala
Castletown Gala
3rd July 2004
Fishing Boat Audacious Grounded At Canisbay
Banff registered trawler BF83 Audacious was grounded at about 11.00am on
Saturday 3 July on the rocks at Canisbay and easily seen from Canisbay
church. It is hoped that she could be refloated at high tide around
10.00pm. Thurso lifeboat was standing by and a tug was believed to
be on the way to assist.
2nd July 2004
North Baths Will Soon Be Ready To Join the Trinkie As Wick's Second
Outdoor Pool Once Again
Iain Sutherland and his team of volunteers have been working steadily
towards the renovation of the North Baths another outdoor swimming pool at
Wick which was abandoned to the sea by the former Caithness District
Council. With help from local contractors a new wall has been
constructed where the old one was wrecked and anew valve put in place for
emptying the pool each year. Not only is the pool being put back but
the team have also cleared the road leading up to it. The sea had
piled up the stones and other material over the last few years. In
fact the team have made it much easier to take stroll out past the North
Baths and they are to be congratulated on their ongoing work.
Caithness Air Cadets Hit Success In Athletics Competitions
Cadets
from the 1769 (THURSO) Squadron Air Cadets have been flying high over the
last few weeks with great success in Athletics. Seven cadets,
representing their Squadron against the rest of Highland Wing achieved 9
Gold and 3 Silver medals. p, Long Jump and Discus. Four cadets then went on
to represent Highland Wing against the rest of Scotland and Northern
Ireland in Grangemouth,
Hillhead Football Team
Winners Of Wick and County Championships
This
years winners of the Wick Primary Schools
Football Trophy (Presented by Sir K.L.
Harrmswoth. Bart. M.P.) was Hillhead Primary
School. Currently Hillhead Primary School,
Pulteneytown Academy, Wick North School,
Wick South School and Lybster Primary School
play for this trophy that was first
presented in 1922. On Friday June 25th
Hillhead continued their unbeaten run by
defeating Pennyland Primary School to become
County Champions.
Castletown Gala 2004 Starts On Saturday
The Gala and Show Season in Caithness
is in full swing with Castletown starting on
Saturday night with the floats, pipe band
and crowning ceremony.
Canisbay Show 2004 On Saturday 3 July
Animal judging starts at 10.00am and the
main show programme starts at 1.00pm.
A varied programme for all the family
Lybster Gala Week Still In Full Swing
Group Shot From Last Weeks Dog Show In Wick
A
late addition to the gallery sent in by Mary
Sinclair. The 2 old dogs
on the left were clapped round the ring in
the brace class as they sported 23 years
between them. They are the parents of the
young dog on the right. She won the not
separately classified class and was 2nd in
pastoral group. If you
have pictures from the show that you would
like added to the gallery just email them to
bill@caithness.org
1st July 2004
North Pier Wick Harbour - £3 million Repair
Work Well Underway
UHI Can Help Transform Rural
Health Services
NORTH MSP Mary Scanlon said she hopes
the qualifications on rural health studies will help ease the burden on a
struggling health service in the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Conservative communities’
spokesman wrote to the UHI Millennium Institute to ask whether it had any
plans to develop a rural healthcare facility, in light of the health
minister confirming to Mary that it is up to organisations such as UHI to
develop.
Lyth Arts Centre Web
Site
Lyth Arts Centre has now set up a a
web site and Caithness.org will no longer
run these pages as events and news will
appear on their own web site. Just
click on the link to go to the Lyth Arts
Centre web site. Shows and other
events will continue to appear in the What's
On section of Caithness.org where links will
also be made to the Lyth arts Centre web
site. Sunday 4 July World Music
with Talitha Mackenzie "Native Spirit" Tour
8.00pm Check Lyth Arts Centre to book