News Archive - December 2002
[November 2002] [January 2003]
31st December 2002
Last Hour Of Daylight In
Caithness For 2002
The last day of 2002 has been a
beautiful day in Caithness so we took a fast trip down the east
coast to catch the last views of 2002. More coming in a wee
while.
Pulteneytown
Academy 1945 - 46
Another old school picture
looking for some names.
30th December 2002
Pulteneytown
Academy, Wick
Another picture with some
missing names and looking for a year.
Wick
North School - Class 5/6 B
This class picture from 1946
needs a few names to make it complete.
A
Class From Pulteneytown Academy
Another picture from the
reunion. A few names are missing and we are still looking for
the year
Another
Wick High School Picture
Another
picture from the recent reunion. We are looking for some
missing names and a year
A
Wick High School Class
Here is a wick High School
picture from a few years back, the picture was on display at a
recent reunion. Some names are still needed to fill in the
blanks. If you know the missing names or the year let us know.
More old pictures coming shortly.
East
Boys Club Pictures
We have several pictures that have been
waiting to go on the web site for some time. These will be put
in the temporary section and moved later to the appropriate places
on the web site.
28th December 2002
New Computer Games Place In Thurso
Computer
game enthusiasts in the far north are all rushing to Thurso, with the
opening of a dedicated computer gaming centre in the town.
DEBUT PLANNED FOR HIGHLAND GROUP IN
CAPE BRETON MUSIC FESTIVAL
Plans are being made for a Highland debut in the prestigious Cape Breton
Celtic Colours Musical Festival. The proposed visit in October has emerged
from the co-operative agreement recently signed by The Highland Council
and the Nova Scotia Provincial Government, which aims to encourage
exchanges of young people as well establish joint working on Gaelic
language and culture; tourism; economic and social development and
education.
26th December 2002
Dounreay Early Photographs
Reflecting the continued importance of Dounreay to Caithness and
Scotland we commence a new section of historical photographs of the
site in its early days.
A new information section has also begun and will be added
to over time. These new sections can all be accessed from our
main
Dounreay News Section
25th December 2002
More Games
OK Kids - dinners is over so you
can challenge each other to some games in the Fun Section. Try
out Santa Balls 2, Sketchy Extreme Sledding.
Nice Day For Christmas But Christmas Eve Was Stormy.....Again
Folk who parked their cars at Wick river yesterday were in danger
of getting a salty car wash as the sea once again hammered the Wick
Bay.
Free Santa Games Link
Play Santa Balls and you might find yourself
playing that little game into 2003.
24th December 2002
1975 Wick High Reunion Group Set up New Web Site
The group have now set up a new web site complete
with pictures and a message board for everyone to get back in touch.
The link will always be on the page on Caithness.Org for everyone to
find their way to it.
RADIO ACTIVE
PARTICLE FIND ON SANDSIDE BEACH
A suspected radioactive particle resulting from historical
operations at Dounreay was found during routine monitoring of
Sandside Beach On Monday
Christmas
Lights At Brora
Here are some lights from Brora. Mike Brunton
a local photographer sent the picture in and said the picture does
not do the lights justice. Anyone who has tried taking
pictures of flashing lights will know the problems.
1966 Wick
High Reunion Updated List
It may not be until July 2004 but the 1966 Reunion
already has 112 people coming and that's not counting partners.
Thurso
Busy for Christmas
Shops in Caithness have been seeing the usual
Christmas rush over the last few days. But today is expected
to see and last minute items being sought out and the shoppers were
already out in the supermarkets in Wick at 8.00am today. We
know cos we were there.
Pentland Housing
Association Ltd Is Moving To A New Home
From 8 January 2003 Pentland Housing will be
found at their new offices at 37/39 Traill Street, Thurso. The
telephone and fax numbers remain the same.
23rd December 2002
Scrabster Pier Development All Quiet For Christmas Holidays
New Play Area Opens
Colin
Punler officially opened the Play Area that was the original idea
behind the formation of the Ormlie Community Association. Councillor Deirdre Steven stood in for her father John Rosie who is
recovering after a heart attack. There was a good turn
out of young people to give the new equipment a try.
22nd December 2002
South
School Carol singing At Caithness General Hospital
Youngsters from South School, Wick headed over to Caithness General Hospital to
sing carols to the patients and staff. Here they are in the entrance to
the hospital just before they set off round the wards. After that is was
back to school to pick up their belongings and then on to the serious stuff. SCHOOL
HOLIDAYS.
Santa
Out In Thurso On Saturday
Thurso Round Table were out again with Santa
giving them a hand. The last Saturday before Christmas was
certainly bringing folk out even after "Mad Friday". Friday
turned into one of the busiest nights of the year in Thurso but it
spread across the county as taxi drivers were still running at
8.00am Saturday morning taking folk home. Caithnessians love
to party.
21st December 2002
Wick's
Weather September - November
Martin Duffy with his latest facts and figures
for the months of September, October and November confirming some
unusual wind and weather patterns.
Santa's Grotto,
Thurso - Last
Days
The 21st and 22nd of December will be the last days that you can go
and visit Santa in his Grotto in the Olrig St/ Beach Rd gardens. It
will also be the last opportunity to enter into the auction for a
tumble dryer kindly donated by Norfrost Ltd.
The
tumble dryer will go to the highest acceptable bid, remember the
last chance to enter will be on the 22nd of December. To stand a
chance in securing this lovely gift for delivery on Christmas Eve,
then phone Caithness FM on 01847 890000 with your bid. Santa's Grotto has once again
proved to be a huge success over the weeks, with great thanks to all
it's loyal sponsors and helpers. Santa's Grotto will be opening
hours are from Mon - Fri 6pm -8pm, and Saturday and Sunday
2pm-4.30pm.
20th December 2002
Employment Levels In Caithness
Remaining Steady
Considering that seasonally unemployment tends to rise in winter there
has been very little change and Thurso continues to have increasing
numbers in employment. The number of unemployed in Caithness and
Sutherland rose from 752 last month to 790. The revised unemployment
rates in the Sutherland, Wick and Thurso Travel to Work Areas
respectively are as follows (corresponding figures for last month are
shown in brackets) 5.7% (5.2%), 4.7% (4.8%) and 3.0% (2.8%).
Business Developments Gain
Finance From CASE
Ackergill Limited, Wick, received
approval of assistance of up to £44,000 towards an innovative conference
facility development. The new building, which will be built in the style
of a tree house, will be situated within the walled garden of Ackergill
Tower, and will incorporate the latest in video conferencing equipment. Thurso Laundrette was awarded
assistance of £9,100 towards the purchase of dry-cleaning equipment, while
J & C Grant, Lybster, were awarded £2,800 towards the purchase of
specialist livestock scanning equipment. Mackenzie's Furniture Village,
Wick, were awarded assistance of up to £16,000 to enable them to develop
an e-commerce operation.
More Caithness &
Sutherland Businesses Get Ready To Promote And Sell Online
Hi-Profile Graphics, Thurso; Cape
Adventure International, Rhiconich; Michael Shaw, Golspie Mill; Intech-Power
Ltd, Scrabster; and Mackenzie's Furniture Village, Wick have all been
awarded assistance from CASE for various website developments.
All businesses in the area can have their web site linked via a free
page in
Caithness Business Index or
Sutherland Business Index
Ormlie Community
Association Opens New Play Area On Saturday
The whole organisation started about three years
ago to try to get a new play area for local children. It has been
a long road and finally tomorrow the new play area opens.
The Play area opens tomorrow by Colin
Punler at Provost Cormack Road at 12 noon. Refreshments will be served at
the Ormlie Centre, Henderson Street, Thurso after the event. Everyone is
welcome to come along. The organisation has expanded way beyond the
original plan with several staff and projects working from their own office at
Ormlie in Thurso. This acorn is still growing.
Highly Successful Carol Evening From Caithness Orchestra And Choral
Caithness Orchestra and Caithness Choral are two separate organisations who
come together wonderfully at this time of the year. A large audience
enjoyed the performances which ranged through traditional carols but also
included Jazz numbers and Bach. The varied programme split only for mince
pies and coffee was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
Monique
Sliedrecht Says "Happy Christmas Ontario"
A young Canadian artist Monique Sliedrecht will be spending Christmas in
Caithness and says "Happy Christmas" to her family and friends back
home. Monique has been working in Caithness for some time and
lives at Freswick. Drawing much inspiration from the area she has
produced a significant amount of work and run exhibitions locally.
Council Holiday
Arrangements Caithness And Sutherland
Information about office holidays, rubbish
collection, skips, swimming pools, libraries
19th December 2002
Disability Sports Officer Appointed
A top athletics coach has taken up a new three-year post to promote
sports development for people with a disability in the Highlands.
As Highland Disability Sports Development Officer, Charlie Forbes will
play the key role in developing a network of co-ordinators to promote
local sports
opportunities.
Police Station Progress - Todays Pictures
Norlin
Christmas Party
Norlin Play Group had their Christmas with a
visit from Santa. Norlin is one of many playgroups in Caithness
most of whom are finishing up for the holidays. See below if you
have younger children as Norlin are taking even younger children from
January 2003.
New
Sessions for Younger Children At Norlin Play Group
As of January 6th 2003 we will be starting a 2 1/2 group. It's for
children aged two and a half (must be out of nappies), it's perfect for
children that are that bit too old for Toddlers but not quite old enough
for Playgroup. It's great for getting the kids used to Playgroup
activities. It also gives parents a chance to leave their children in the
capable hands of two qualified Playleaders, Marjory and Louise.
More Sunset Pictures From Caithness Last Night
Lucky us last night and it was the same again tonight as the frosty
weather clears the skies.
MADD
Singers Entertain Wick Rotary At Christmas
Wick Rotary Club Christmas night out at Mackays
hotel, Wick was an enjoyable evening helped along by entertainment from
the MADD singers. The group Music Acting Dance and Drama (MADD)
have run some highly successful shows in the last few years and this
talented group last night showed why they are a huge success under Mrs
Hutcheson local teacher and musical director. Roll on the next
show folks.
Bear
Shave Raises Staggering £1910 For Renal Unit
Back in October Donald Campbell had his beard shaved to raise money for
the new renal unit. The money has all been collected and it kept
rolling in to reach an amazing £1910. Donald who works for Stevens
Transport received a donation from the firm of £250. He would like
to thank all the contributors who made every hair count. New Renal
Unit opens 6 January 2002.
Corner
Shop Santas In Wick
Everyone is asking what the event is at the Corner
shop as the staff have turned out this week in Santa outfits. But
there is no special event and the staff decided they would dress up for
the next few days just to be colourful. Is this strange in wick
which seems to be the capital of dressing up in the north. Just
take a look ate the many gala pictures and other events to see that
Wickers dress up at the drop of a proverbial hat.
One Santa was on lunch but we may catch her later.
DRINK DRIVING WARNING -
Drivers In The North Caught
Police are concerned that drivers are not heeding their warnings and are
putting themselves and others at risk by drinking and driving. Northern
Constabulary are appealing to drivers not to get behind the wheel after
drinking following the apprehension of three people for drink driving in
the Caithness & Sutherland area in the past week. Warnings are all
over the TV, Newspapers Radio, Web Sites and still they risk it - now
there are rewards of up to £500 to anyone getting a drink driver
caught........
18th December 2002
Halkirk
Play Group At Christmas
Halkirk play group have had plenty of fun in the
run up to Christmas including their nativity play organised by Beverley
Sarstedt who runs junior drama groups around the county.
Prince Charles Sends Christmas Cake To Crossroads School
Crossroads
school near the Castle of Mey received a Christmas Cake from Prince
Charles this year. His grandmother used to send one each year to
the local school and this year he sent one.
17th December 2002
Stromness
Lifeboat
By chance we caught the Stromness Lifeboat
arriving for some repair work at about 9.00am and again by chance caught
it leaving Wick harbour at 3.20pm today.
Dances In The Wilds - A New CD From Karen Steven
Karen Steven a Caithness violinist has brought out her next CD with more
local connections. Karen says "Two years ago I was asked to represent Caithness and was
commissioned by the Highland Festival to compose some music to be
performed at their millennium concert in Eden Court Theatre, Inverness.
New Renal Unit At Caithness General On Track For 2003 Opening
Kidney Dialysis Support Group
Medical Services Index
Health & Welfare Index
Lidl Progress At Wick Latest Pictures
Wick's latest supermarket seems to be moving fast now that the main
steelwork is in place.
Flying
Into Wick
Here are a couple of views well
known to frequent fliers coming into Wick.
Caithness
Aerial Index
Data Protection
Scam Warning
A warning has been issued to local businesses in the wake of the latest
round of official-looking mailings from firms offering to register them
with the Information Commissioner as required by the Data Protection
Act.
16th December 2002
Stevens Transport - New Lorry Garage and Workshops Nearing Completion
The new workshops will soon be ready at Scrabster harbour and that will
also mark the end of the company at the harbour in Wick where servicing
work has been done. Wick harbour will look very quiet indeed once
the familiar Stevens Transport lorries no longer arrive at Wick harbour.
Fish
Market, Wick
The fish market in Wick has been
virtually unused for many years mainly due to Wick not being a
designated landing port under EU rules. The latest downturn in
fishing approaching with a cod and haddock ban is unlikely to affect the
port of Wick as the damage was done a long time ago.
Fraser Drive, Wick - Another New Part Of Town
Property Selling Fast On Caithness.Org Property Pages
A total of 10 houses being sold by The Mortgage
Shop and advertised in the Caithness.org Property pages are UNDER OFFER.
The housing boom in Caithness does not look like slowing down no matter
what they are saying in other parts of the UK. With hundreds of
new jobs coming to Dounreay over the next couple of years it looks like
Thurso is set to continue growing. The Property section on
Caithness.org offers one of the best value deals around when comes to
selling a house. With up to 3000 visitors a day the chances are
very good it will find a buyer.
Latest Updating News Pages
The latest new pages added to our ever growing
updating news pages are Personal Finance and
Gaelic. More links on
these topics will be added later.
A Few Thoughts On Drink
Driving - Nothing New Just Think About It
Let's keep Caithness General very quiet this
Christmas holiday season. A huge percentage of car accidents
involve alcohol and the costs are extremely high in blighted lives at
one end and financially even if no death or injury occurs. Can you
afford to die? Funerals are not cheap. Can you afford to go
to prison - food is free but most employers do not wait for your return
before sending out the P45. Losing your no claims insurance bonus
can bump the premiums sky high once you are allowed to drive again.
That and a few more unhappy thoughts to boost the taxi businesses
everywhere.
MISSING PERSON - WICK
Police at Wick are trying to trace a man who has not been seen at
the caravan site where he lives since the afternoon of Wednesday, 11
December, 2002. The man is RICHARD KING, 45 years, who lives
at Thistledhu Caravan Site, Reiss.
15th December 2002
Atom City Stompers Reunited For Another Gig At Ebenezer's
It was a busy night in Mackays Hotel, Wick on Saturday night with Atom
City Stompers and Sinclair Brothers Band in Ebenezer's Bar and the North
Coast Jazz Band playing in the function room for a Christmas night out.
Gardeners Question Time
Loyal as he is to Caithness.Org, we sent Mike - at his own expense -
to seek out and interview minor celebrities the world oer,
Wick RBLS Pipe Band
- WINTER SHOW
Saturday 28th December 8.00pm - Pipe Band Hall, High Street, Wick
Mini Pipe Band, Scottish Dance Band, Highland Dancers, Vocalists
Admission £3 including tea/coffee and biscuits
Festive Fun At Argyle Square, Wick
Sugar
Craft Guild Christmas Cakes
The ladies from the Sugar Craft
Guild handed over small Christmas Cakes to the District Nurses as they
now do each year - to be gifts to some of their elderly patients as they
travel round the county.
Sugar Craft Page
14th December 2002
Wick Players Win
Northern Round Of SCDA
On Friday night Wick Players proved yet again what
a great and wide range they have by winning their round of the SCDA
Festival. Their farce "Out Of Order" playing to packed houses
provided great entertainment. Last night is Saturday 14 if there
are any tickets left.
13th December 2002
Another
Canadian Caithness Mystery
A request from Canada for help in identifying the
people in this picture. The Seaforth Highlander on the far Left is Peter DUCHART
of Wick. On the back is written "Peter Duchart, my Granny 60
Louisburgh St." We cannot identify anyone other than Peter.
Don't know who the Granny is.
Do any of you have the answers on this picture?
Free Buses In
Caithness on Dounreay Friday
Yes it's almost party time again in Caithness and
as huge numbers of people have their Christmas parties, works meals and
just a night out at the start of the Christmas Holiday period free buses
are laid onto help folk get home and avoid using their cars. Time
are on the Christmas page so why not take a note and put it in your
purse or wallet for that big night out. Dounreay Friday is so
called because it is the last working Friday before Christmas and as the
largest place of employment in the county there are literally hundreds
of people on nights out from all over Caithness and not just from the
Dounreay site. Most places of entertainment, restaurants, pubs and
so are packed on that night. Many places close for two weeks or run on a
skeleton staff.
Scottish Executive To Help With
Damage Costs At Wick Harbour
A delegation from Wick Harbour Trust met with
Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie and relieved to be given a lifeline of
support in getting an agreement to assistance with repairs caused by the
recent bad weather that has repeatedly hit Wick Harbour in recent weeks.
French
Research Students At ERI Visit Dounreay
Staff and Students from the
UHI Environmental Research Institute (ERI) in Castle Street,Thurso
visited Dounreay on Thursday 5th December and were given a tour of the
site and visited various facilities within the Fuel Cycle Area.
Dounreay has a strong relationship with the ERI and continues to host
regular visits for their French student programme.
First
Gear Caithness Drivers Certificates
Another group of young people in Caithness aged 16 17 received their
certificates for completing the course aimed at improving their knowledge of
driving and the serious consequences of accidents. The highly popular
courses are organised by a combination of instructors, community education,
police, fire service and others.
YOUNG
DRIVERS TARGETED IN CASUALTY REDUCTION SCHEME
Drivers aged between 17 and 25 are being offered the chance to improve
their driving skills in a pilot project aimed at reducing the numbers
killed in road accidents. Drivers between 17 and 25 are six times more
likely to be killed than drivers over 40. In 2000/2001 22 drivers
in the age group were killed in Highland and many more seriously
injured. Young drivers or their parents should check this offer
out.
From The Recent "Ard Rock" Concert In Wick
12th December 2002
Ghost Towns
Here is a different way of grouping some of the
old places in in Caithness with a few links that will take you round the
world in Ghost Town web sites. We expect you can think of many
more examples.
Ormlie Invites Everyone To New Play Area Opening
The Official Opening of Ormlie's New Play Area on Saturday 21 December
at noon.
Everyone is welcome, so help in celebrating the achievement.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in the Ormlie Centre in Henderson
Street while the kids get down to the important business of enjoying
themselves on the new play equipment! After four years the
reason why the group was set up is finally here and what a lot of other
things have sprung from the original idea....
Wick Police Station Getting To Final Phase
Police Station Index
Are We Nearly There Yet? - Scrabster Pier Latest
Junior
Drama Christmas Play
Future talent at Beverley Sarstedt's Junior Drama
Groups as the under fives put on their nativity play in Thurso.
Christmas
Index
How
Causeymire Wind Farm Might Look
There are several new wind farm proposals for Caithness and Sutherland.
Here is how one of them might look.
Santa Visits Playbox Play Group, Wick
Christmas Show and Sale Quoybrae Report
Caithness Livestock Centre - Aberdeen and Northern
Marts sold 93 cattle and 1729 sheep at their Christmas show and sale at
Quoybrae. The cattle show sponsored by Johnston Carmichael,
chartered accountants was judged by Mr Bill Cameron, Kepak, Buchan.
He placed as champion in the young farmers section a Charolais bullock
scaling 625 kg from Gary Oag, Achiebeg, Forss it realised £1000 to
Scotch Premier Meats on behalf of Robert Rawlings, Devon House, High
Street, Cranleigh, Surrey. Champion in the open section was a home-bred Limousin
bullock scaling 630kg from R MacKay, Clyth Mains, Lybster and sold for
£1700 to Mr Murray Lamont, MacKays Hotel, Wick.........................
11th December 2002
Miller
Academy 1957 Class 2c
Another Miller Academy photograph sent in by
Margaret Ferguson. There are one or two missing names and if
you know who they are send them in to
bill@caithness.org
To view all of pictures for this school check the
Miller Academy Index.
For other schools check the main
Schooldays Index. We are
gradually creating new sections for each school as more photos
arrive.
WARNING RE BOGUS WORKMEN POSING AS ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS/WORKMEN
Police in Caithness
are warning members of the public to be aware of bogus workmen
working in the Thurso area. About 13:10h on Monday 9 December
2002, the two after described males entered the Careers Scotland
office on Olrig Street, Thurso and stated they were from Scottish
Hydro Electric and asked to inspect the office vacuum cleaner.
They were asked for identification by staff but decided to leave the
premises without producing any.
10th December 2002
Mile
Swim Challenge, Thurso
Pauline
McFadyen a member of the synchronised swimming team at the Commonwealth
Games presented certificates to some of the 505 children who completed the
mile swim challenge and raised £894.23 for the Childline charity.
Councillor Roger Saxon introduced Pauline and congratulated everyone for
completing the swim and raising the money. Tina Robinson the area
Sports Officer who had organised the challenge in Caithness was also in
attendance.
NEW
TEAM TO HELP COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECTS
A new community energy unit has been established for the Highlands and Islands
to help community groups who are interested in developing projects powered by
renewable energy or gaining an income from renewable energy generation.
Could your hall or project benefit-it's well worth following this one up.
Holly Comes Out at Christmas!
Mike Clark on a seasonal shrub for the garden but if you want
berries for Christmas here is the low down - "The problem we have
determining the sexes of our hollies goes way beyond the genus Ilex.
Carol Service - Bilbster
Hall
Sun. 15th Dec. at 3pm. The Junior Salvation Army Band will
entertain and the service will be followed by tea and mince pies.
All Welcome.
Inosculation - An Unusual Feature
From Mike Clark
Don't worry its not catching.
9th December 2002
Holes Getting Bigger At Wick Harbour
NORTHERN CONSTABULARY FESTIVE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
"DON'T BLOW IT THIS CHRISTMAS" Northern Constabulary are launching their Festive
Safety Campaign on Tuesday 9th December with a radio commercial asking
people not to blow their Christmas by drink driving. The campaign will again be a three
pronged road safety initiative targeting drink drivers, speeding motorists
and those who travel without wearing a seat belt.
Get Your Skates On for Last
Christmas Posting Dates In UK
UK - 18 December, Western Europe Airmail - 14 December,
Eastern Europe - 10 December. Rest of The World - Maybe too
late - try your luck
WIND FARM INTEREST IN HIGHLAND
The Highland Council is gearing up to cope with growing interest
from energy companies for development of wind farms. One wind farm
is currently operational; four applications have been approved; four
applications are being processed; six are known to be in the
pipeline; and many other enquiries have been made about potential
sites.
8th December 2002
Never Under Estimate
Number Two's
Forget chemical gardening and you can save money, save the planet and save
yourself. Mike Clark gets to grip with what makes plants and maybe you
really happy.
HIGHLAND GETS
CONNECTED WITH PEOPLES NETWORK
An ambitious project to
provide free Internet access at all Highland Council libraries was
officially launched at Inverness library on Friday 6th Dec by Peter
Peacock MSP, Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services. The project will also enable access
to NewsBank Scotland, an online database of Scottish and UK newspapers from
1998 to the present. Wick and Thurso Libraries are already connected.
Latest Caithness And Highland Music Releases
December sees a host of
music available from Ross Records with Caithness and other Highland
areas featuring heavily. A host of Caithness artists are
featured on several CD's but if its Scottish music with a
Highland connection you want you have a huge choice with this latest
list of CD's From Ross Records
Thurso
Junior Swifts Awards
The Thurso Swifts Junior teams were out at the
British Legion for their annual awards ceremony. Check
John Baikie
Photgrapher for more pictures
Pennyland
School 40th Anniversary
Pennyland School, Thurso opened in December 1962 and last night
hosted an evening for folk to come back and see their old school and
look at many pictures collected for the evening. Thanks from
Caithness.org for the calendar kids.
Take A Look Inside Pennyland School, Thurso Today
More to come later from Inside Pennyland School
Santa's Grotto In Thurso Gets Going
Scottish History And Heritage News
Our latest addition to our increasing pages
with continually updating news. The same updating news appears
on both
Scottish History and Heritage
Links pages
7th December 2002
Fun Goes On In Caithness With Free Roundabout Rides
Roundabout set up by Wick Town Events Group.
Santa In Wick On Saturday
Santa's Grotto set up by Wick Round Table
Broadband Access - Keep Going
And Sign Up to Register Interest
Current state of play today is Wick 72 Thurso 111. Well done to those who
have now signed up to get ten times faster access. But we need to keep
going to meet BT's need to justify the exchange upgrades. If you are in
the areas of Wick or Thurso and want your Internet access to be fast then get
your name down for more information. Registration does not commit
you to anything but BT is monitoring the level of interest and will only
upgrade the local exchange based on sign-ups. Once the numbers are
reached they will contact everyone to confirm their interest. Ask The
Audience....Phone a Friend.....Anything ... But sign up soon.
No Let Up To Damage To Wick Sea Walls
Winter
Walks with Highland Council Ranger Service
Ben
Dorrery and Beinn Freiceadain Sunday 15th
December;
returning by the
shore of loch Shurrery. This walk is set in an area of great
archaeological interest. Expect some rough walking and a gradient up
to 230 metres. Meet in Halkirk (near grocers) 10am to pool
cars. Reasonable fitness required. Boots essential.
Bring lunch.
Todays
Christmas Shop Window
These windows are from Four Seasons flower shop in
Wick.
If you are sending flowers this Christmas you can find all the contact
details in the Caithness Business Index
Florists Section.
Caithness Musicians
We are offering the chance for all musicians, bands or anyone connected
with the music business or amateurs looking to get known for concerts
etc to have a FREE page with a picture or two. Check it out.
Health Priorities
Confirmed by Caithness Voices
295 responses were received to Question 1 (42
from the newspaper advertisements and 253 from the
full questionnaire, the
latter comprising 16 questions). The
people of Caithness have confirmed their five top health priorities
by responding to Highland Health Councils Caithness Voices
questionnaire. A first analysis shows they agree with the top five
issues highlighted at an event in Wick and drop-in sessions both
there and Thurso during September. The five issues identified were:
closure of A&E Department at Dunbar Hospital; lack of staff (eg.
unfilled vacancies, loss of GPs from the area); poor communications
(eg. about A&E Dunbar & NHS24, patient/doctor); NHS dental
services; and chiropody.
6th December 2002
Old Post Office Site In Wick Explodes With Activity
The new pub restaurant from J D Wetherspoon to be called the
Alexander Bain is rising from the rubble of the Old Post Office.
A whirlwind of activity saw the Market Square jammed with
contractors vehicles today. Local firms are heavily involved
in the reconstruction work to transform the old building into a
new venue. Next week another set of contractors moves in to
begin work on the plumbing and electrics.
Christmas Fayre - Lybster
Home Made Sweets, Baking,
Crafts, Pottery, Toys, Flowers, Cheese, Cosmetics, Bric-a-brac, Tombola,
Bottle Stall, Santa's Grotto - All in aid of Lybster Primary School.
Mile Swim Challenge Certificates
Pauline
McFadyen a member of the synchronised swimming team at the Commonwealth
Games presented certificates to some of the 505 children who completed the
mile swim challenge and raised £894.23 for the Childline charity.
Councillor Roger Saxon introduced Pauline and congratulated everyone for
completing the swim and raising the money. Tina Robinson the area
Sports Officer who had organised the challenge in Caithness was also in
attendance.
More Stroma Gathering Pictures
Shelagh Moir has sent us another set of Stroma
Gathering pictures to add to the gallery. Shelagh tells us that
30 years ago when the gatherings first started a bonfire would be
lit on Stroma at 11.00pm and everyone would go out side to see the
fire burning on the island they used to live on.
The Borg to Dyke Strath Halladale
These
pictures just in from Caithness Waybaggers from their last walk in
October in Strath Halladale, Sutherland show they caught the end of
a very good summer in the north. the group started at The Borg ten
kilometres north of the Forsinard Hotel.
Waybaggers
Walks Index
Carousel For Christmas At Market
Square, Wick
Wick Town Events Group have arranged for a
Carousel to be set up in Wick for the next three Saturdays.
The rides will be free for all children so its likely to prove a
hit. The carousel will be in the Market Square on Saturdays 7
and 21 December. On Saturday 14th it will be set up at Argyle
Square.
5th December 2002
Another Hole In The Wall - Camps Car Park Undermined
The latest breach in Wick harbour walls is a large hole that has
burst part of the wall holding up the car park at the Camps area of
Wick. Other walls and holes are continuing to worsen as the
heavy seas now have access to the loose stones behind the original
front walls at the old dry dock the corner of which may collapse any
day. This latest batch of pictures taken early this morning
show the worsening situation between the North pier and camps area.
Police
Station Completion In Sight
The site of the new police station in Wick is
surrounded each day with vans of all the different contractors
carrying out work on the building. Everything seems to be
happening at once. there is hardly room to park at the station
opposite.
The Skraelings -
A New Arts Group In Caithness And Sutherland
The Skraelings will be a Caithness and Sutherland based collective
open to all ages over the age of fifteen. This will be a group of
multi-generational community members who are interested in building
and sharing multi-disciplinary art making and presenting techniques.
These skills will be used to present performance work and theatre,
but may incorporate visual art, dance/movement, music/voice and
media.
Don't
Blink - LIDL Going Up Fast
This is one structure that is not hanging
around and the guys on this job must have had their porridge.
The site seems to be a flurry of activity with the steel structure
growing every time we pass. Wick's latest supermarket looks
like it will open on schedule.
4th December 2002
More
Christmas Shop Windows
A few more shop windows in Caithness. If you
know a good one then email
bill@caithness.org who will take a picture on his way round the
county and add it to the section. Or take one yourself and
email it to him.
Storms
Hit Wick Harbour Walls
More new damage and cracks appeared after last
nights high tide and heavy storm that yet again lashed Wick harbour.
More big cracks appeared and more stones and concrete was taken
away. As many folk are following this closely we have gathered
recent items on Wick harbour damage into one section. updates
will be added to this section for ease of locating it all.
Wick
Harbour News Index
LIDL
Supermarket Steel Going In
Nothing seems to be keeping the new
supermarket in Wick back as steel work began going in. Weather
does not seem to be slowing the job down too much.
Lidl
Index
Wick Index
Maxx Blade On
Rising Tide Of Traffic With Free Clock Script Generator
Maxx
Blade a JavaScript site run by Niall is getting record
traffic. The site traffic is growing fast with
visitors from all over looking for free JavaScripts. The site
is currently getting over 150 visitors a day. The pages carry
Caithness.Org advertising . The site gives away programmes
free that could be useful to web masters. Latest addition is a
big upgrade to a Clock Script Generator saving folk lots of time
writing their own programmes for many variations on clocks all over
the planet. Hmmm.... "Caithness famous for herring, coos,
Dounreay an JavaScripts" Ach Weel.
Triple C Country Club - Christmas
Show
Saturday 14 December Dounreay Club, Wick Remix and John C King
Tickets Ring Janis 602265 Day 604538 evenings and weekends
3rd December 2002
200 New Jobs At Dounreay
With Biggest Block Of Contracts
ALLIANCE OF COMPANIES SOUGHT TO
DELIVER CORNERSTONE
OF DOUNREAY SITE RESTORATION PLAN The UK Atomic Energy Authority at Dounreay today
announced it has invited interest from companies capable of delivering a
key project in the site restoration plan. UKAEA Dounreay wants to form an
alliance of companies that can provide it with a secure and modern
facility to store conditioned intermediate-level radioactive waste (ILW)
arising from the site restoration work over the next 50-60 years. The formation of the alliance next
year is expected to result in the largest block of contracts to be let at
Dounreay since the site restoration plan was published two years ago. Construction of the store is
expected to begin in 2005, with the facility ready for active
commissioning by the end of 2008. In the region of 200 jobs will be
created during its construction, which is expected to cost several tens of
millions of pounds.
£2.7 MILLION REDEVELOPMENT OF THURSO TOWN HALL AND CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Highland Councillors will be asked at a meeting on Wednesday 4 December 2002 to
back plans for a £2.7 million redevelopment of the historic Thurso Town Hall
and the adjacent Carnegie Library, now used as a local museum.
Public Health Action Learning Team
This is a new way for groups and communities to get involved in
improving public health. It is being run under the guidance of
Miles Greenford a Public Health Practitioner employed by the Local
Health Care Cooperative for Caithness and Sutherland. Take a
look at the short list of questions and answers to see if this is an
opportunity for you or your group to move forward some ideas that
have been kicking around but have not had a chance to get heard.
Mackays Hotel, Wick
Sample Menus For Christmas
Here are some suggestions from Mackays Hotel
in Wick for your dinner or party. Contact the hotel if you
want to discuss alternatives and or bookings.
2nd December 2002
New Pictures In New Castletown Aerial Gallery
Caithness Aerial Pictures Index
Keiss At Soccer Sevens
Keiss Primary were the furthest travelled team of 35 entrants at the
Soccer Sevens in Dingwall this weekend. The team did not win
the competition but they all had a great time.
Plans To Accelerate Reach Of Broadband
By Scottish Executive
Plans to accelerate the roll out of Broadband, stimulate competition and
improve access to customers for all service providers, were outlined On Monday
2 December 2002. Up to £24m has been allocated to support business
take-up and ensure that by the end of 2003, at least 70% of the population have
access to ADSL Broadband. Have You Registered Yet In
Caithness?
IT4 Communities - A New Organisation
IT4 Communities is a new UK based initiative
encouraging companies, employees and individuals with professional
IT skills to volunteer to benefit local charities and community
groups. Voluntary groups and charities can register and the
group will highlight your needs in their newsletter. You may
be able to access assistance with all sorts of IT if the right
volunteer comes onto their lists.
Stroma
Gathering 2002
Pictures from the annual Stroma gathering have
been sent in by Catherine Byrne the last baby to be born on Stroma.
New
Stroma Aerial Gallery
We will shortly amalgamate the other Stroma
aerial pictures in this new gallery and add later pictures sent in
or obtained by us.
Stroma
Kirk
Another picture sent by Catherine Byrne
showing the inside of the old church as it used to be
Keiss
Carols
Children At Keiss seen here practicing for the
Carol Service held on Sunday 1st December,
to welcome Rev Geoff Giddings and his wife Sandra who are on an
exchange visit to Canisbay and Keiss Churches
North
School 1981 Primary 7
Another north school class in the school
galleries. We have also taken the opportunity to set up a new
Index for North School pictures. As other pictures
come in the other schools will have similar indexes set up.
1st December 2002
Pipers
In Wick On Saturday
RBLS Wick Pipe Band Started the proceedings on
Saturday in the Market Square, Wick.
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