13 May 2008

Help Caithness Partnership Improve Health Services in Caithness  - Complete A Short Survey
Caithness Partnership is working with NHS Highland to find out what Caithness residents think about local health services and other health improvement issues. In order to get a representative sample from across the county the Partnership aims to survey at least 2,000 Caithness residents. If you live in Caithness and would like to express your views on local health services and understanding of health improvement issues  please follow the link below. The questionnaire will take no more than a few minutes to complete.

11 May 2008

Gardening In A Gale by Mike Clark
Mike Clark a gardener and writer resident in Caithness has lost no time in adding further articles to his new web site "Gardening In a Gale".  His latest additions are "Bring In The Birds" and "How To Be A Gardeners Dog"  In between getting the garden sorted out we hope Mike continues to add more gems from his assorted writing collection.

It's A Knockout At Thurso Gala
It's that time of year again when we are recruiting teams for the Thurso Gala 2008, It's a Knock Out Event. Teams of up to six people are being invited to apply to compete in this years competition to be staged at the Dammies, Thurso on Sunday the 10th of August, from midday onwards. The same three charities will be hosting the event, Thurso Town Improvements, Thurso Football Club, along with ourselves at Scallywags Nursery. Thurso Gala runs 2nd to 10th August 2008

Guided Walk - Armadale Burn - Wednesday 14th May. 10am – 2pm.
Join the ranger and enjoy a lovely guided walk along the beautiful steep sided river gorge at Armadale. Lots of Interesting plants, geology and archaeology along the way as we head out to a hill loch for lunch. Meet at A836 road bridge car park near Armadale. Grid reference: NC795639. One small river ford to navigate.
Please wear suitable footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing and a packed lunch. Sorry but dogs are not welcome on guided walks. Further details: Paul Castle. Highland Council North Sutherland Countryside Ranger. 01641 521884.

It's All Around Us - Geology
Let's rock on to bigger and better things this summer
By Ian Mitchell of Scottish Natural Heritage
British summertime officially started at the end of March and now is the time when we traditionally think about getting out there and seeing what this great area of ours has to offer. So why not take advantage of the wealth of fascinating geological features we have in the north of Scotland - with key sites Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve (NNR) near Elphin and the vast North West Highlands Geopark well worth a visit.

Special Charity Concert - Skinandis Night Club, Thurso - 7.00pm Friday 16th May 2008
Four rock bands are lining up for a one off charity gig at Skinandiis Night Club in Thurso next week.  Disco Fish, Astronot, Liquid Blue and No Exit Wound are combining their talents to offer four live sets. This special event has been put together by local girl Kara Gray. Kara has organised the gig as part of a graded unit for her HNC Music Course she is studying at Aberdeen College. All proceeds from the show are going to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Caithness Branch and Kara said 'my grandad had MS and loved music and I thought it would be nice to give something back locally'. As well as setting up the event Kara will be playing with her band, Disco Fish. The Aberdeen based six piece also feature Laura Ryrie from Orkney on vocals, Steven Thomson from Orkney on guitar, Fraser Edwards from Birmingham on guitar, Luke Redpath from Aberdeen on drums and Ian Murray from Aberdeen on bass.

10 May 2008

Driving Forward the Gaelic Language Plan
The Highland Council has appointed a new Gaelic Development Manager to spearhead its promotion of the Gaelic language and culture. He is Donald MacNeill, a native Gaelic speaker who has wide experience in the public sector and in the media. Brought up in Inverness within a Gaelic-speaking household. Donald was educated at Crown Primary School and Millburn Academy before going to Glasgow University.
He had a ten year career in broadcast journalism (1988-1998) ~ in both radio and television ~ the bulk of which was in Gaelic. This included working with BBC Radio nan Gaidheal (Inverness), Grampian Television (Aberdeen & Inverness) and Scottish Television (Glasgow).

Call All Caithness South East Residents
Countdown For Important Vote - Deadline Monday 12 May - RETURN YOUR VOTE
Time is running out for one of the most important community requests ever put out in Caithness.  The future of a potentially huge project may be in the hands of the residents of South East Caithness.  To present evidence that the community want to take control of part of Rumster Forest the organisers need a resounding YES vote.  This will enable them to carry forward their ambitious plans to ensure that in the future the area will have control of funds to then invest in further developments in the are in coming years.  Residents are urged to get that vote in by Monday.  Read more in Its Our Future

Halkirk Gala Walk - 7 June - Get An Entry

Closing date 31st May.

Car Boot Sale At Crossroads On Sunday 11 May Cancelled
The Car Boot Sale for Sunday 11 May at Crossroads has been cancelled due to lack of interest.  No stalls have been booked.

Staxigoe Hall Committee Fundraising Night
Come and watch Rangers in the UEFA cup final on the Big Screen on Wednesday 14th May from 7pm, Licenced Bar, Raffle and half time refreshments   Fun for all the family (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult)

6 May 2008

Bigger Group Photos Of Highland Youth Music Groups At Alness

5 May 2008

Sandwich Tern May Have died Due To Oil At Sinclairs Bay
The photo below shows a Sandwich Tern found at St John's Pool with oil in its feathers.  the other photo shows Sandwich Terns as they should be. the dead Sandwich Tern arrived at St John's Pool on 30th April and was dead by 1st May.
From three days ago
Oil Spillage At Sinclair's Bay, Wick
The public is being advised to keep off the beach at Sinclair's Bay, near Wick, following the discovery of tar balls, which have been washed up along the length of the shoreline. The Highland Council is working with other agencies to clean up the beach. There is no evidence of oiling of birds or other wildlife. A spokesman said: "This is not a major incident. However, we have erected signs at either end of the beach advising the public to keep off until we have completed the clean up, which involves collecting the tar balls by hand. We will be working with the Maritime Coastguard Agency to identify the origin of the oil, which appears to have been at sea for some time. We are also checking other nearby beaches for evidence of these balls of oil."  Bird Watching In Caithness

John O'Groats - Looking To The Future
Highland council is currently running an item about John O'Groats and have asked that it is featured on the web site. so here it is and if you have a few minutes head over and complete the survey.........
We need your help!  Please help us to scope the potential for John O’Groats as a visitor destination.
We invite you to take part in an on-line survey which is aimed at both previous and potential visitors to John O’Groats, situated in the north of Britain.  The purpose of the survey is to gather your impressions of John O’Groats (you can take part regardless of whether you have visited the area or not) so that a tourism and leisure plan can be developed for the future.
The survey forms part of a wider study that is currently being prepared by consultants RGA on behalf of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), to scope the potential for improving the visitor experience at John O’Groats.
To take part in the survey, simply click on the following link: Click Here to take survey
This should take no longer than ten minutes to complete and both HIE and RGA appreciate your input.

Roads At Two More Caithness Schools Get Speeding Restrictions
From today Monday 5th May new speed restrictions come into force at South School Wick and Lybster primary schools.  The restrictions to 20 MPH applies when the flashing lights are showing at times before and after starting and finishing times.  Many Highland schools now have the speed restrictions in place and eventually all schools in Highland will have them.  As with other speeding restrictions Northern Constabulary will enforce the regulations with normal fines being charged if anyone is caught over the 20 mph limit within the zones.