Earlier Days With Wick Sea Cadets Set The Scene For A New Beginning
A
new group have set out to get the Sea Cadets going once again in Wick.
They are looking for leaders to take the new unit forward.
FAR NORTH MSP KEEPS UP PRESSURE FOR BERRIEDALE BRAE ACTION
Far North MSP Jamie Stone is keeping up the pressure for action to
improve road safety at the Berriedale Braes on the A9.
Mr Stone has received a positive reaction from the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority (NDA) about possible support for a flyover at
Berriedale Braes and he has also secured a commitment from Scottish
Transport Minister Tavish Scott for a site visit in the summer.
In a letter to Mr Stone, Dr Ian Roxburgh, Chief Executive of the NDA,
has outlined that the authority may be prepared to consider supporting a
flyover.
Councillor Bill Mowat has rarely ceased to mention the road at Berriedale
at council meetings in Inverness managing often to push it into debates at
every opportunity to emphasis the need to have it upgraded. He will
be pleased to hear that Mr Stone and the NDA may be getting to grips with
one of his long term goals of making a major improvement to what has been
a dangerous piece of road for heavy vehicles and slow place to drive when
there is a line of commercial traffic passing through.
Berriedale Hairpin Bend
See More
Of Berriedale
Capturing
Fly-tippers
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has adopted an
invaluable database which will not only assist in building up a true
picture of the extent of fly-tipping, but help track those who illegally
dump waste. Fly Capture is an electronic system which records the amount
and type of waste illegally fly tipped in Scotland. It also enables local
authorities to input data and calculate the costs for clearing the
problem.
Army Cadets On Fieldcraft Weekend At Broubster
Caithness
Army Cadet Force held a fieldcraft exercise weekend at Broubster Forest
near Reay as the culmination of the Company's training before annual camp.
Activities included living in the field, camouflage, observation, tactical
movement and patrolling. The cadets had an enjoyable, sunny and extremely
wet time; but the skills learnt and equipment issued kept them warm and
dry most of the time. This years camp will be at Strensall In Yorkshire
from 1st to 14th July.
Army Cadets Index
LOCAL MSP URGES RETHINK OF
RULES ON WATER RATES RELIEF FOR CHARITIES
Far North MSP Jamie Stone is pressing Scottish ministers to reconsider the
conditions of the water rates relief scheme for charities. Under current
rules, charities can only claim relief if the premises that they occupy
were eligible for rate relief as at 31 March 1999. Mr Stone is aware of at
least two charities in Caithness - the Neurological Group in Thurso and
the local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society - which have to pay
full water rates since the premises that they use do not meet the
criteria.
Latest
Newsletter From South School, Wick
Planning Applications for Week Ending 26 May 2006
Includes one for change of use for the shop in Williamson Street, Wick to
6 Flats by Tulloch Construction. This continues the redevelopment of
Putleneytown. The flats will be owned by Pentland Housing.
Building Warrants For the Week Ending 26 May 2006
30 May 2006
Update On
Enforcing The Smoking Ban In The Highlands
A report going to The Highland Council's TEC Services Committee on
Thursday (I June) will show that following the introduction of the ban on
smoking in enclosed places, the enforcement strategy adopted by the
Council, has been effective, and compliance by businesses and customers in
Highland has been extremely high. Councillors will be told that of the 778
premises inspected so far, 572 have been found to be fully compliant and
the remaining 206 required advice in meet the strict requirements of the
legislation. No fixed penalty notices have been issued in the Highlands
nor has anyone been reported for prosecution.
Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee Agenda 1 June
2006
Tourist
Guides Lead The Way
Future
visitors to Caithness and Sutherland will benefit from the hard work and
achievements of 11 newly-qualified professional Tourist Guides. The
successful candidates were presented with their Scottish Tourist Guides
Association (STGA) Affiliate certificates and badges at a recent awards
ceremony at the Portland Arms Hotel, Lybster. They had completed a
rigorous course over the last few months to demonstrate their in-depth
knowledge of the Caithness and Sutherland area, and also their skills in
communicating with groups of tourists to our area, in a variety of
settings including walking tours and bus tours.
Door to Door Consultation with Tenants over Housing Transfer
The Highland Council is to go door knocking at the homes of 14,500 tenants
soon to advise them of the impending ballot on housing transfer, which
will ask them to vote on transferring council houses to the not-for-profit
organisation, Highland Housing Association. The consultation and communication with
tenants will take place between 19 June and 14 July. It is proposed that
visits will take place between 9.00am - 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday. No
visits will take place on a Sunday. In advance, tenants will get a letter
advising them about the purpose of the visits, asking for their
cooperation and giving contact details of our staff. This will be a significant undertaking
given the geography of the Highlands, which extends to 10,000 sq miles.
However, the Council believes the effort is worthwhile to secure a strong
response to the secret postal ballot, which will take place in October.
Halkirk Gala Week 2006
- Programme Now Out
Friday 9th to Saturday 17th June - Bigger than ever.
EVent Organisers. Get them on as
soon as possible for maximum FREE coverage. Just fill in events at
the Submission
Page in the What's On
section. When entering lots of events with some details the same
just hit the back button and enter any new details and resubmit the page -
much faster than entering the same info over and over again.
Galas/Shows/Highland
Games/Events
Highlands And Islands Enterprise Chairman Hails Area's Progress
A year of remarkable progress in the economy of the Highlands and Islands
has significantly enhanced the area's potential to become one of the best
regions in the world to live, work, study and visit. That was the message
from William Roe, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) today
as he announced the agency's performance against targets for the financial
year 2005-06.
Opening Hours At
Caithness Recycling Centres And Community Skip Provision
Following a report presented to the Caithness Area TEC Services Committee
yesterday (Monday 29 May) on Monday, the opening hours at the recycling
centres in Wick and Thurso will be changed to reflect demand and the
community skips in Halkirk, Castletown and Lybster will be removed.
SAC
Gets New Funding For Courses In HIE Area
SAC has been awarded nearly £152,000 by the European Social Fund (ESF) and
Highlands and Islands Enterprise to fund the continuation of a training
project in the highlands and islands area. The renewed funding will
support the project from August 2006 to July 2007. This most recent award
follows on from similar support awarded last year which enabled SAC to
initiate a series of subsidised training courses. In the first year
of operation the courses have attracted more than 1000 trainees - well in
excess of the number who were originally expected to participate.
Bird Song Evening - Thrumster House Woodland
Thursday
1st June - Meet Thrumster house car park 7.30pm
This Ranger led evening will take you on leisurely stroll around the
woodland enjoying beautiful bird song. Listen to the many bird calls in
quaint surroundings. Contact Marina Swanson on 01955607758 or e-mail
marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk
No Booking required for this evening. Children under 16 must be with
an adult. Wear good shoes or boots and warm clothing.
If you cannot make this outing there are plenty more in coming weeks and
months
See
The 2006 Listing
Bird
Watching Index
Ranger Pages
About Thrumster House
Latest Newsletter From Pulteneytown Academy Primary School, Wick
Wick ATC Cadets At Highland Wing - Sports, Drill,
Competitions
On
13th May members of 1285 (Caithness) Squadron travelled from Wick to RAF
Kinloss to participate in the Highland Wing Drill, Aircraft Recognition
and modelling competitions. High School exams limited the numbers of
cadets who were able to travel, but attending the events were James
Bamfield, Christopher Bremner, Yeager Coghill, Kerry Wilson, Kerry Smith,
Diane Banks and Steffi Niwa. The squadron achieved a 2nd and 3rd place in
the modelling event with the cadets "airfield scene" being selected to
take part in the Regional competition in Edinburgh. The cadets were also
shown round one of the operational Nimrod maritime reconnaisance aircraft
during the course of the day.
The Papers
Giant pylon inquiry 'may take 9 months' - Scotsman
Planning Applications For Week Ended 19 May - Pdf file
This weeks applications includes one for the new Sports Centre at Halkirk
Building Warrants Granted Week Ending 19 May - Pdf file
SAFETY CAMERA PARTNERSHIP WARN DRIVERS TO WATCH SPEED FOLLOWING LATEST
FIGURES
THE Northern Safety Camera Partnership is appealing to the public to reduce
their speed on the roads of the Highlands after figures released today show
that a number of drivers are breaking limits by 10mph or more. The Northern
Safety Camera Partnership took part in a recent Speed Monitoring Survey and
it revealed that significant numbers of motorists across the Highlands
exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or more.
29 May 2006
'Don Quixote'
from Martin Danziger's Theatre Modo - Mill Theatre, Thurso 7 June
Theatre Modo has
become known for imaginative and innovative adaptations of classics that
place dynamic emphasis on live, ensemble theatre. Our last show, Ubu,
toured Scotland and Europe before a highly successful run at the Edinburgh
Festival gaining four 5 star reviews. We explore new ways of presenting
classical text to make theatre which is entertaining, relevant and
appealing to contemporary audiences. Theatre Modo tours throughout
Scotland on a regular basis and has performed across France, Italy and
Germany for the last 7 years. "In order to attain the impossible, one must
attempt the absurd."
Council Encourages Claims For Schools Meals And Assistance With School
Clothing
Parents, who think they may be eligible to apply for free school meals
and assistance towards the cost of school clothing, are being encouraged
to submit claims to The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport
Service so the support is in place at the start of the new school session
in August. From this time, the Council is streamlining the application
system so that anyone who qualifies for free school meals is automatically
entitled to a clothing allowance, which is increasing from £40 to £50 per
eligible pupil per school year.
Scottish Arts Council Backs Highland 2007 With £250,000 For
Capital Funding
Organisations planning arts projects to mark Highland 2007, the
year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, will from today (May
29) have access to the Highland 2007 Arts Capital Fund. The
Scottish Arts Council, working in partnership with Highland
2007, has made £250,000 available in capital grants for Highland
2007 related arts projects in the Highlands and Islands. This
recognises the importance of high quality arts projects as key
to the success of the celebration of the year of Highland
culture. Alison Magee, chair of Highland 2007, said: "This fund
will enable groups and organisations across the region to buy
new equipment, such as musical instruments or lighting equipment
or to undertake small building projects for their neighbourhood
facilities.
Latest Music Link Media Photos Added
A
few of the latest photos from the Music Link Media project have
been added to the May gallery. If you have not thought
about music before and are under 25 why not get in touch with
them to see what they have to offer.
Full
Details Here
Council Conducts Weekend of Music
Around 250 young Highland musicians will meet in Inverness this
weekend (Friday 2nd ~ Saturday 3rd June) to take part in
selection events for the regional instrumental groups run by The
Highland Council's Instrumental Tuition Service. The new
Regional Ceilidh Band applicants will meet in Charleston Academy
on Friday evening to participate in a group session and to play
their instruments to a panel of tutors who will make selections
for members of the new group.
Concert Held In Episcopal Church, Wick
The
concert held in the Episcopal Church, Wick on Friday 26 May
2006, by Wick Choral. The concert was well attended and the
audience were treated to items from Wick Choral, Caithness
Handbell Ringers and a short Organ Recital by Margaret Widdowson.
A second concert takes place in Thurso Episcopal church on
Friday 2 June.
Photos
Calendar Of What's On
Caithness & Sutherland -
June - October 2006
This is all of the Ranger Walks, Archaeology Items, Nature, Birds
Children's Activities from the Rangers
This guide is in the Rangers pages and linked in the Nature section and
most of it will appear in our What's On as the weeks go by.
28 May 2006
Dunrobin Glen, Sutherland
Another of the clearances glens. Drive for few miles in this almost
empty land at the back of Golspie and look for wildlife and wander round some of the long
abandoned croft houses. Soon a new link road could be built from Dunrobin Glen to allow 19 wind turbines to get access to nearby Kilbraur -
new planning application now in per Scottish Executive web site.
Sutherland
Index
Wind Turbine Applications In Highland
Dounreay News Bulletin Number 27 - May 2006
Quayside Raise £606 For Family Centre In Wick
Quayside
formed during the summer of 2005. Margaret MacDonald, who has sung locally
for a number of years, and Bob Turner, who plays guitar, teamed up to
provide support to a charity concert in the Wick Youth Club. The
have continued to do charity concerts and this latest one raised £606 for
the Family Centre and a cheque was presented to Mrs Ann Beveridge, who
runs the Family Centre by Margaret MacDonald of Quayside.
More About
Quayside
Sunday
Papers
Oh, we do like to buy beside the seaside...Scotsman - cheapest
seaside properties are in Wick
Short clean-up contracts
prompt safety warning - Sunday Herald
German GPs
drafted in to cover out-of-hours services - Sunday Herald
Earlier In The Week
Question that may drive up cost of police chief’s car - The Herald
Anger as NHS pays to recruit US medics - Observer
ITER and fusion energy research your questions answered -
EurofundingMag
Tritium Users Group
Sellafield MP's trip paid by US group - Telegraph
Truth carved in stone - Scotsman - Davinci Code On Roslyn &
Earlier Earl Of Caithness mentioned. Come on now we all know in
Caithness that the grail is in the
devils pool near
Dirlot
Castle...Hm........
“Wick
High 50” - Come and Get Your Tickets
Already over 50 people have booked their tickets and there
is still 8 weeks to go for this reunion in Wick Gala Week. Janis
Paterson has the tickets ready and they can be obtained directly from her
by post or in a local shop in Wick. Tickets are limited so get
booked early and help the organisers make arrangements.
The last
reunion in 2001 was a sell out and this one looks as if it is on track to be just
as busy.
27 May 2006
Iceland Newspaper Shows Some Of Our Migrants
Have Had A Hard Time
This
cutting from an Iceland newspaper has an
article about how birds there have had a
hard time due to the late cold spring.
"The cold is terrible here. We have not had
such a spell in late May since the 19th
century. Many small birds such as plovers,
snipe and thrushes have died on their nests
in the North-East where it is coldest and
others have broken off their nesting. Larger
birds such as eider and geese try to stay on
their nests, neck deep in snow. Ravens and
skua are of course having a feast on
abandoned eggs and dead birds." - Islay
MacLeod
More Golspie Streets
Millicent Avenue
East Millicent Avenue
Fraser Street
Grant Crescent
Prize List Continues To Grow For The Liam
Henderson Memorial Trust
With only a week to go before the football
matches and the massive raffle draw in
Newmacher this year the prizes are still
coming in.
The Shopping Continues
At Wick
Continental Market At Wick On Saturday
Final Day Tomorrow Sunday 28 May.
Today was the third day of the Continental
Market at Wick once again giving everyone a
chance to sample some new tastes from German
sausage, Dutch pancakes, Spanish food and
much more. Market Square was busy
despite the showers today.
Streets In Golspie,
Sutherland
Ben Bhraggie Drive
Argo Terrace
Tower Street
Golspie
Index
Sutherland Index
Ross Gardens
Seaforth Road
Lindsay Street
New Edinburgh Woollen Mill Shop Opened Today
At Wick Retail Park
The
latest shop opened today at Wick Retail Park
as Edinburgh Woollen Mill opened its doors
with a piper in attendance to get the day
going. The shop is not what many
expected "a clone" of the Woollen Mill at
John O'Groats but has a different range of
clothing lines available. And there is
something of shopping bonanza on in Wick at
the moment as Homebase are offering 10% off
everything in the store today. At the
same time the Continental Market has once
again taken over the Market Square in Wick
for four days having started a couple of
days ago and on until Sunday. The Wick
Retail Park now has Homebase, New Look,
Super Drug, Argos and Edinburgh Woollen
Mill. However not to be outdone some
Caithness shops are determined to compete
with Thurso Building Supplies emphasising
their wide range of products and thumping in
with their own 10% off on purchases over £25
until 31st May. A price war may not be
here yet but the early skirmishes look good
for customers in Caithness.
The Farm Salmon Scam - UK-wide Action Hour
planned for October 2006
The Salmon Farm Protest Group (SFPG) has
announced plans to hold a UK-wide 'Action
Hour' outside the nation's supermarkets on
14th October. From 11.00 am to 12 noon. SFPG
supporters will distribute leaflets to
shoppers highlighting the damage that fish
farms have done and are doing do to wild
salmon and sea-trout, and to the natural
environment. Supporters are being asked to
register their interest in participating in
the event by emailing SFPG chairman Bruce
Sandison at
bruce@hysbackie.freeserve.co.uk saying
which supermarket they will visit.
26 May 2006
POLICE IN WICK WARN OF BOGUS CALLERS
OPERATING IN THE AREA
POLICE in Wick are warning householders to
be vigilant following reports of bogus
worker operating in the area. At around
20.00 on Wednesday 24 May 2006 a man and a
woman called at the home of an elderly man
in the Dunnet Avenue area of Wick,
identifying themselves as Social Workers to
try and gain entry.
When asked for identification by the
householder they were unable to produce any
and were refused entry. They were seen to
leave the area in what was described only as
a dark red car. Inquiries with Social Work
confirmed the couple were not Social
Workers. They are described as: Male -
mid 40s, 5ft 8", short black curly hair,
olive skin, foreign accent, wearing a dark
suit and carrying a wooden clipboard. Female
– 30s, 5ft, shoulder length straight black
hair, English accent, wearing a black suit.
Police are anxious to speak to anyone who
may have seen this couple or have
information regarding them. A Police
spokesman stated the elderly gentleman in
this case acted correctly in asking for
identification refusing entry when it was
not produced. Anyone with information
should contact Wick Police station on 01955
603551 or in confidence at Crimestoppers
24-7 on 0800 555 111.
Scotland’s
First Geopark Starts Rocking For The Summer
North West Scotland will join a Europe-wide network of rock events
this week to celebrate its fantastic geological formations.
North West Highlands Geopark became Scotland’s first European
Geopark last year and is now amongst 25 sites across Europe which will run
events about their special geology during
European Geopark Week (27th May – 4th June). In the North West
there are a range of guided walks on offer, led by the local Rangers and
geologists from The British Geological Survey and supported by Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH).
Pamela Thornton And Garry Bainbridge Got
Married
Pamela
Thornton formerly from Thurso and Garry
Bainbridge got married last Saturday at
Barry Island RAF St Athans.
Weddings Index
If you would like to share your wedding
photos send them to
bill@caithness.org
Wedding Notices can be added to our
Forums FREE
Playbox Group, Wick Off To See The Ducks
The
ducks at Broadhaven are always popular with
younger children and no doubt the ducks look
forward to the extra food they bring along.
Playbox Index
Nurseries, Play Groups Etc Index
This section is not yet completed and groups
and pages are being moved from
Social Groups. Any groups are
welcome to send in additional information
for their page FREE of charge.
John Henderson Wins BT Personal Achievement
Award
Wick
man John Henderson has won a BT personal
achievement award recognising the way he and
his wife Janice have overcome a personal
tragedy following the death of their son
Liam Henderson who was killed intentionally
by a driver at a football match in Glasgow.
John and Janice Henderson have since set up
the Liam Henderson Memorial Trust and raised
over £40,000 for young football teams in
Wick and Newmacher where Liam lived. They
will shortly be travelling to Newmacher for
this years football match and other events
raising more money.
See details of the raffle and get your
tickets
RECORD INVESTMENT FOR
NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN HIGHLAND
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm has announced record £31.5 million
spending for affordable housing in Highland this year. The investment
through Communities Scotland, the Executive’s housing and regeneration
agency, will enable 560 new homes to be built for rent or low-cost
ownership in the Highland region. This is the second year of the
£1.2 billion programme announced in 2005 which will provide 21,500 new or
improved affordable homes across Scotland by 2008.
Caithness
Pentland Housing Association will receive over £2 million to continue
supporting projects such as Manson’s Lane and
Spring Park Farm in Thurso. Once completed these two projects
will provide the area with 37 new homes.
Sutherland
Over £1 million of funding will see the completion of 14 much-needed homes
in Lochinver and Scourie this year.
UKAEA'S THURSO OFFICE WINS NDA PENSIONS
CONTRACT
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
today announced the award of the contract
for the administration of the new Combined
Nuclear Pension Plan (CNPP) to UKAEA. UKAEA
will administer the scheme through its
Pensions Office in Thurso. This
contract secures the jobs of the staff who
work at the office in Brownhill Road.
From The Papers
MP's fears over bidders - The
Whitehaven News - On the bidders to run the
nuclear industry in the UK
EU, US Sign Nuclear-Fusion Reactor Pact
- Yahoo - P R Delegation of the Euro
Commission to the U.S
25 May 2006
Rock Pipit Spotted At Sandside Beach
Rock
Pipit. This one of two of Scandinavian race
'littoralis' at Sandside Beach. Undoubtedly
a subspecies overlooked in the county, but
nevertheless another good find by Nigel
Fairney who captured some fine portraits
which illustrate clearly the features
associated with 'littoralis'.
Bird Sightings
Bird Watching Index
Bird Watching Message Board
Another Early ATC Photo
This
photograph was taken as the Duke of
Edinburgh inspects the Guard of Honour from
1285 Caithness Squadron Air training Corps
in Wick's Bridge Street on a very rainy day
in the 60's. Flt /Lt Hamish Gunn Squadron
Commander at the time, accompanies the Royal
visitor.
Early ATC Index
Other Early Caithness Photos
Early Caithness Postcards
Natural History Photographic Workshop
June 1 Castletown School from 7pm - 9pm
Entries
are now being welcomed for an exciting new
competition open to photographers of all
ages and abilities, based in Caithness. To
help launch the competition, Ken Crossan the
highly respected and internationally
renowned photographer will be running a
workshop at Castletown School on Thursday 1
June from 7-9pm. The topics covered will be
invaluable for beginners and more
experienced enthusiasts alike. This is a
great chance to learn a few techniques from
one of the best professionals in the
business, and an opportunity not to be
missed. To receive an entry form for the
competition which closes on September 30,
please
download here (Pdf
file)
Mey Selections Adds £140,000 In Premium
Prices For Local Farmers
Mey
Selections the new group formed to promote
quality livestock from the northern parts of
the Highlands has been hugely successful -
way beyond expectations. The first
annual report covering five month of trading
has reported a turnover of £1.2million.
Mey Selections was launched by The Prince
Charles, the Duke of Rothesay in August last
year aiming to boost the North Highlands
economy by promoting three aspects -
produce, tourism and the built environment.
Strong and increasing demand for the Mey
Selections brand means that the product is
in demand with Sainsbury's who were first in
looking to expand the products into 98
stores and more demand coming from the
service and catering industries.
Seeking Super Apprentices Across The
Highlands And Islands
HIGHLANDS and Islands apprentices and the
people behind their success are being sought
by the organisers of the Scottish Modern
Apprenticeship Awards 2006. Apprentices,
training providers, colleges and employers
throughout the region are invited to enter
this year's awards in a number of
categories.
Friends Of The Castle Of Mey Group Launched
At The Chelsea Flower Show
The
Castle Of Mey launched a new Friends of The
Castle Of Mey group at the
Chelsea Flower
Show this week. The well known star of
"Monarch of the Glen", Susan Hampshire was there
representing celebrity ambassadors for the
new organisation. Leading television
gardening expert Alan Titmarsh is an
honorary patron. At the launch was
local MP John Thurso, Earl of Caithness, Ash
Windham Extra Equerry to Prince Charles and
garden designers Sue Bradbury and Catherine Jago of the garden at Chelsea sponsored by Kinnaird Sporting Estate,
Caithness Stone Industries, Atholl Estates,
Chedworth Horticultural Society and George
Goldsmith. A range of
supporters membership is available under the
heading of Friend, Patron and Corporate
Sponsor - each bestowing a variety of
privileges at Mey and elsewhere.
Maths Day At Hillhead
School, Wick
Pupils
at Hillhead Primary school had fun with
Maths on Monday. All pupils from the nursery
to Primary 7 participated in a variety of
fun activities. Pupils in the primary school
moved from class to class to take part in
different fun maths activities ranging from
bingo, shape puzzles, giant floor puzzles,
graphing and activities in a minute. Even
Andy the school chef got in on the act with
pyramid potatoes and number spaghetti being
served for school lunches. The day was
enjoyed by all and helped to show the pupils
that maths can be fun.
Hillhead May Newsletter
Hillhead Main Page
24 May 2006
Playden Nursery In Thurso Have A Web Site
You can find your way to it later via out
Nurseries and Play Groups section
now being updated
More Papers
Scotland visit for American kilt student
- Scotsman
The Nathan Warmack kilt story continues as
he prepares to come to Scotland.
Play In Caithness Open Golf Competitions
If you are coming to Caithness on holiday
and would like to play in a golf competition
then then there is almost sure to be one
when you are here during the summer months.
There are four golf courses to choose from -
three 18 holes and one 9 holes and all with
their own challenges. Even if you do
not want to enter competition the courses at
Thurso, Wick, Reay and Lybster will welcome
you. Here is handy list of open
competitions and links to the web sites of
all of the courses.
From The Papers
A mutual support movement with Montenegro
- The Herald, Caithness gets a mention
Fears raised over Dounreay jobs
- BBC - Nothing New Just a Labour Attack on
HIE
Crofters Commission backs reform bill
- Shetland Times
Culture festival to take to sea -
BBC
23 May 2006
Public Meeting To Gage
Local Feeling On Need For More Affordable
Housing
In Thrumster, Haster and Milton Area
Tannach and District Community Council are
holding an Open Public Meeting in
Thrumster Hall on Tuesday 30th May at 7p.m.
to try to see if there is a need in the
Thrumster, Haster and Milton and surrounding
areas for affordable housing. Ronnie MacRae
from the Highland Small Communities Trust
will be there to answer questions or queries
on a questionnaire that is being sent out to
the people in the Tannach and District
Community Council area this week.
Meeting is open to anyone to attend.
Baby Birds At Shinval
Garden Centre, Glengolly Near Thurso
Baby Robins
Baby Blackbirds
The
birds obviously like the Shinval Garden
Centre and are happy to use anything for
nesting such as the baby robins in an old
grobag or the baby blackbirds in a small
Christmas Tree in a pot tied up to fence to
stop it blowing over. All th ebabies
have left the nests and are to be seen
around the garden centre during the day.
Bird Watching Index
Companion Dog Show
(held under Kennel Club Rules and
Regulations) Saturday 27 May 2006
Hosted by THE ROTARY CLUB OF THURSO In aid
of HEARING DOGS FOR DEAF PEOPLE
At Thurso Youth Club and Grounds Show opens
at 10am for judging to start at 10.30am
Entry fees:- £1.00 per dog per class.
Rosettes to 4th place Special Rosettes for:-
Best in Show, Best Crossbreed, Best Novelty
Winner Contact: Mike Potts tel: 01847 893471
NUCLEAR CLEAN-UP FUNDING TO HELP COMMUNITY
PIONEER RENEWABLE ENERGY
Ambitious plans to regenerate a
Caithness community by harvesting energy
from the sun, wind and hydrogen are to
receive financial support from the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority. The NDA, through
UKAEA, is to invest £60,000 over the next
three years to help Ormlie Community
Association Ltd develop its green energy
scheme. It will support the appointment of
Thurso engineer, Louise Smith, who also
chairs the Caithness Renewable Energy Forum,
as project manager. She returned to the area
two years ago, previously working for Jacobs
Babtie on UKAEA projects. The funding has
been made available as part of the NDA's
remit to help communities adjust to the
social and economic consequences of
accelerated decommissioning. OCA Ltd
believes successful development of the
scheme could serve as a model for other
communities, with the profits being
reinvested in the community.
More Oil Related Photo Where Caithness Folk Work
These
latest oil related photos where Caithness folk work are form Colin
Campbell who has been out on the Pascagoula Mississippi and the Atwood
Hunter in Egypt.
Not seen them all -
Start Here
Send Oil photos to
bill@caithness.org
22 May 2006
Spittal School 1946 & 1947
Two
photos sent in by William Mackay who is in both photos.
Schooldays Index
Old School Buildings
Gibson in Rail Freight
Plea - And Homebase Goods To Come In To Wick By Rail
Increased rail freight to the far North is the future and is possible
according to a North MSP. SNP MSP Rob Gibson was commenting after he
received a letter from England, Wales and Scotland railways about the
future possibilities of transporting freight on the Far North Line. The
letter talks about the possible return of the Timber loading system at
Kinbrace which was shelved last year because of cost implications.
Mr Gibson was also was heartened to hear that
EWS and
John G Russell
had managed to arrange that goods from Homebase would be transported by
rail to Wick from Daventery within 24 hours of the request being made by
Homebase.
"Getting It
Right for Every Child" in Highland
Highland's Joint Committee on Children and Young People has
agreed that Highland should be a pathfinding authority for the
national implementation of "Getting it Right for Every Child".
This is a major programme, and is likely to have a significant
impact on all of Highland's children - and subsequently on all
of Scotland's children. Implementation will commence first in
the Inverness Area.
"Getting it Right for Every Child" involves action to
implement the national review of the Children's Hearings System,
to achieve more joined-up assessment, planning and review
processes for children, who would get the right service at the
right time, packaged for their particular needs.
Close Encounter With Killer Whales On Hoy Trip
The
folk who went on the Hoy boat trip on Sunday had the great experience of
seeing killer whales as they went across the Pentland Firth. thr
trip was one of the first outings for
Highland Wild Encounters which runs until 4th June. Two more
boat trips are on the programme so check it out - one from Wick and one
to see the seabirds at Duncansby.
The Papers
‘Marine park plan will kill our way of life’ - The Herald
Featured Articles Get
Their Own Photo Galleries In The Caithness Business Index
We pushed off a new way to advertise local businesses at the end of last
week and over the weekend we upgraded the whole set up to introduce
photo galleries to enhance the information in the articles.
Businesses can now show more of their products for sale via the
galleries and get real value from their advertising budget. Take a
look once again at the current three featured articles to see if your
business could benefit - See
Jim's
Carpets N Beds
Sutherland's Photolab
Riverside Replicas.
These ads are not in the bin the day after they are read but on the site
for longer to ensure customers can find them again. The ads are
linked to your business page and also appear in the section indexes
See
Furniture Retailers and
Chemists. The items are also linked to the individual
Business Pages so anyone looking up your business will see the latest
feature at the foot of the page See
Sutherland's Pharmacy,
Jim's Carpets & Furniture Warehouse and
Riverside Replicas. The ads are there 24/7 for anyone
searching for your products or services. Even after the features
is done the item will remain on the web site for a while after - we are
still to decide how long but it will be a few weeks and maybe
longer....think about it!!
Is that it. Definitely not. Now we have a new set up with
the new Caithness Media firm
Overord we will be coming with yet more........Better
Value, Higher Quality and Longer Lasting Advertising for your money.
Catching Up With Music Link Media
May Photos
April Photos
We
are catching up with the photos from the Music Link Media project based
at Wick Youth Club. This new group are already very active and are
into everything to do with the music business from playing to production
including sound and video. The young folk attending are all
getting into their stride as everything is FREE and all that is need is
the will to learn an instrument or some new skills and better still it
all looks like great fun.
More About Music
Link Media
Have You Seen
It? - "The Loch Of Mey Monster"
An air
of confidence is obviously flowing from Caithness in the field of
children's books. Here is another delightful story from a local
author with the story set in Caithness. Graham Winkle has produce
his first children's book set on the shores of Loch Mey. The book
has been well received and is available locally in bookshops and at the
Castle of Mey. With illustrations by Rebecca Winkle the book is
sure to be winner with young children everywhere.
21 May 2006
1285 Caithness Squadron ATC
A
few photos sent in by Hamish Gunn who was a member of 1285 Caithness
squadron ATC If anyone would like to add to this section send
photos to bill@caithness.org
More Early
Caithness Photos
Doctors' court action over letter - BBC
Two Polish doctors are seeking £250,000 each in damages over a letter
sent out after their contracts were terminated. Michal Samberger and
Kazimierz Dabek lost their jobs within weeks of being recruited to
Caithness General in Wick two years ago...............more
Elizabeth Hendry To Walk The Great Wall Of China With A Little Help From
Her Friends
This
group of girls spent Saturday doing a sponsored walk from John o'Groats
to Wick, to help raise funds for Elizabeth Hendry (Back left, head in
shade.) to do her sponsored walk for children's Cerebral Palsey in
China. She will be walking 100Km along the great wall later on this
year.
The Sunday Papers
‘Who
gives a toss what a London hack thinks of us?’ - Sunday Herald
The article today in the Sunday Herals is one of many in the past few
days in the papers and on TV. What was all the fuss about? -
well see for yourself and
Read The Article at the Economist
20 May 2006
A Quiet Day At Wick Harbour - And A visit From HM Customs
It was a quiet sunny day at Wick harbour with only the clunking of the
dredger clearing the sand bar from the harbour entrance when suddenly a
high powered rubber boat from HM Customs roared into the harbour.
Out from the harbour was the main boat. what were they here for.
Nobody knows. Just a rekky or checking out something dodgy.
We may never know.
Liam
Henderson Memorial Football Match & Raffle
Just a reminder if anyone intends going to Newmacher to get tickets for
the bus and dance as soon as possible. Raffle tickets will be on
sale once again at Somerfields in Wick next weekend. Anyone
wishing to donate a raffle prize should contact Janice Henderson as soon
as possible. This year its Newmacher but the vent will be back in
Wick next year and the amazing amounts raised in the past two years have
gone to sporting groups in Wick and Newmacher
The Papers
Computer records of every child to be kept - Grampian TV
Cable study may find key to unlock wind power dream - Shetland
Times
Crofting estate is sold to islanders for £4.5m - The Herald
Lybster WRI Walk A Mile For MacMillan Cancer Fund
Some
of the ladies form Lybster WRI walked a mile round Lybster for MacMillan
Cancer Fund. They were led off by piper Ernest Budge from the bottom bus
shelter as they set out to walk to the bus shelter at the top of the
village opposite Quatre Bras. They then headed back down to the starting
point to complete their sponsored walk. One lady made the journey in her
motor buggy.
Race for Life Ladies Online Fund Raising Takes them Way Out In Front
The
ladies from Caithness General hospital did the training and the running
- hopefully you are all much fitter now!! Their fund raising has
now reach as at 10.00am on Sat 20th May the amazing £14,643
making by far the leading team in the UK unless others flood in with big
donations in the next few days. You still have time to add your
donation to this campaign to help to find a cure for cancer. Only days
to go before the online web site closes for donations. All we can
say is what team and what a county that never fails to donate to good
causes and all of you in other parts not from Caithness who donated to
the Caithness team or one of the many others who took part. Well
done to everyone - runners and donors.
The Foties
19 May 2006
Thurso Building Supplies More Determined To Succeed - Another
Overord
Web Site On The Way
Thurso Building Supplies have decided not to hide from the new
competition currently in Caithness but to embrace the possibilities of
new custom and to try push forward through new means of sale including
the internet. In order to do this, it was felt that they need a common
brand to help link all the forms of media they will be marketing. Caithness.org is pleased to be working with Overord on another new
project.
Another 50 Jobs For Wick As
CASE Signs New Call Centre Deal
Caithness
and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has successfully clinched a deal to
create up to 50 jobs in Wick. A development grant of £487,900 will
enable ViewPoint Systems (Scotland) Ltd to establish a contact centre in
premises on Wick Business Park.
There is a lot going on and in case you have forgotten look at Bill
Fernie's
"Snapshot of Wick in December 2005" Since then the new
shops have begun to open
Homebase, Argos,
New Look and
SuperDrug at the Wick Retail Park. The Edinburgh
Woollen mill is expected to open shortly and interest in the remaining
units is very strong. Tesco has planning permission and has stated its
intention to open the new store out past the former Caithness Glass
factory by Christmas. The former Caithness Glass factory was
acquired by Tulloch/New Park for development showing the confidence
about Wick now flowing through the business sector. With several new
housing developments either under construction or planned Wick is
definitely on the move in a way it has not been in the past 20 years.
Caithness Businesses
Increasing Profiles On The Web With Caithness.org And Overord Media
Caithness.org has entered a new era with a special relationship with
anew company aiming to give businesses a much higher profile on the web
delivering more information to customers about what they have to offer.
Overord Media - A Caithness Based Company Working With
Caithness.org
Overord
Media based in Caithness launch not only their own business
today but a number of features to coincide with the preparation of new
materials from leaflets to brochures and advice on how to get noticed.
Caithness.org via the Business Index will be giving more attention to
increasing the profiles of businesses locally with the increased quality
of graphic design that Overord Media can deliver.
Contact them on
their New Web Site
New Features Today In The Business Section
Jims
Carpets
Riverside Replicas
Sutherlands Photo Lab
These new features will appear regularly for Caithness Businesses and
can be tailored to suit business needs running for periods of 1
week, 2 weeks or 4 weeks for maximum coverage at extremely competitive
prices. Apart from running for periods in the Business Index with
the business banner and links to the individual business page coverage
will be increased by small links and mentions in other parts of the site
including this page from time to time.
Overord & Caithness.org - Changing Your Business Corporate Identity
From Today
Overord the new Caithness media business launched today will be
working with businesses to increase their profile and improve all
aspects of their presentations to customers, suppliers and other
important contacts. By improving the design and look of everything from
leaflets, brochures and web sites a better image can be advantageous.
To mark the launch of the new business Caithness.org will be adding more
new looks from Overord Media to the web site pages.. Her are the
first with more to come..........
Headlines Hair Studio
A & D
Sutherland
If your business advertising materials need a makeover then get in touch
with Overord Media or with Caithness.org. More new ideas on the
way.....just watch this space.
The Papers
Asda plan
presents challenge to reign of Tesco - The Herald
Article about Asda proposals for Inverness
Amount of nuclear waste stored in Scotland is set to quadruple -
Scotsman
New fears for future of rural post offices - The Herald
18 May 2006
Thrumster Nursery Group Update
You may have thought things had gone quiet after the Highland council
held up any changes to nursery and play group provision until next year
but the group at Thrumster are still pushing ahead to improve their
nursery and tackle head on the problems of reducing numbers. Apart
from fund raising to improve the environment and get additional
equipment they are tackling the problem of too few children head on
where it matters. Faced with reducing numbers of children the
problem was thought to be too few affordable homes in the area and they
have now arranged for a survey to be carried out to see what is needed.
Having seen that the problem might not go away the parents of Thrumster
are tackling the problem head on and forms are going out. Check
the next public meeting date - they mean business.
2nd Wick Brownies Raised £660 From Sponsored Silence For Charities
It
is probably one of the hardest things you could ask a girls to do - stay
silent for an hour. The girls of 2nd Wick Brownies managed just
that and raised an amazing £660. Representative from two charities
were at the church hall in Argyle Square on Thursday evening to receive
cheques for £330 each. the two charities were Caithness Asthma and
Caithness Early Years Autism Centre. Well done girls and who can
we send round that we would like to be silent for an hour. Are you
giving lessons.
Guides and Brownies In Caithness
Mount Pleasant Primary School, Thurso - Latest Newsletter
New Affordable Homes For Thurso - At Springpark Farm, Laurie Terrace
Work is about to begin in June on a development to bring 13 new
affordable homes to Thurso, with support from
Communities Scotland, the Scottish Executive’s housing and
regeneration agency. The
£1.35 million development in the town’s Laurie Terrace by
Pentland
Housing Association will bring a much-needed boost to affordable
homes in the area. Nine of
the properties will be for social rent and four will be for sale through
the Executive’s new shared-equity scheme,
Homestake, which aims to get those on a low income onto the property
ladder.
Caithness Moto Cross Club New Season Starts Sunday 18 June
Just a taster of what is ahead this summer for the Caithness Moto X
Club. The first event is on Sunday the 18th June at the Gala
Track, Scrabster Farm by Thurso. More details on
Caithness
Moto X Is your bike cleaned and overhauled ready for the
new season?
Annual MacMillan Cancer Walk At Wick - Wet But Successful
The
ladies who take part in the annual MacMillan Cancer walk around the
outskirts of Wick seem to be increasing in number each year. This
year the route followed the usual track up and round Newton Hill and
back to the Caithness General Hospital. Well done to all who took part -
maybe the odd man was hidden in the crowd.
2004 Walk
2003 Walk
2002 Walk
Watch Wild Life This Summer In Caithness
And Sutherland
This
page shows just a fraction of the wildlife that abounds in the north of
Scotland. Caithness and Sutherland have some of the emptiest
places where there is little human habitation. Drive for miles
along empty roads and walk just a short distance into hills and moorland
to see a huge variety of plants, birds and animals. Take look at
the Nature section
for much more.
See More
Of Sutherland Here
Osprey Spotted At Sandside
Nigel
Fairney captured this image of an osprey being mobbed by gulls at
Sandside on Wednesday 17 May 2006.
BirdWatching Index
Straight to the Photos
Latest Bird Sightings
Caithness Bird Watching Forum
Who Is The Best? - A Battle Of The Bands
Competition
Music Link Media is running a Battle of the
Bands Competition with a difference.
New bands need to be formed from existing
musicians and perform 3 songs - an original
composition, a cover and blues or reggae
song.
The Papers
Green: Crofters 'entitled to market value'
- Scotsman
Waiting times deadline - The Herald
Executive admits it must do better over
delays in cancer care - Scotsman
Isles air fares scheme takes off -
BBC
Cheaper flights start today -
Shetland Times
17 May 2006
Three Play Areas In
Caithness To Be Upgraded
Caithness has been allocated £100,000 to
redevelop certain play areas in the county.
The Transport, Environmental & Community
Services committee approved the report
recommending that the play areas at Oldfield
Terrace, Thurso, King George V Park, Wick
and Durran be the ones to benefit. Head
teachers at Mount Pleasant School,
Thurso and North School, Wick will be
consulted. The objective being that they
involve their pupils in these projects in
order that we can consult with those age
groups most likely to use the facility as
regards the play equipment best suited to
their needs. Any scheme at Durran would be
minor and may depend on current usage.
HAGS Play Equipment has been awarded the
Council contract for the supply of equipment
for the next 3 years.
Ormlie’s Buzzy Bug Clean Up Day
Ormlie
Community Association will be holding its
annual clean up day in Ormlie estate on
Sunday 21st May between 12 noon and 4.00 pm.
Volunteers have worked hard during the last
year to install over 25 flower tubs
throughout the area and the spring clean day
will give the community the opportunity to
plant summer flowers in the containers, the
wavy wall, magic circle and garden area
beside Ironside Place. It is envisaged that
some of the older tubs will be repainted and
children and young people will have the
opportunity to plant a sunflower seed and
the tallest plant will receive a prize
during the annual fun day in July 2006. The
event will also give residents the
opportunity to tidy their gardens and get
rid of all their garden rubbish.
Goldfinches At Stirkoke
Recently
in the garden of Graham Mellor were a pair of Goldfinches who are
apparently still around and keen on the peanuts in his garden.
BirdWatching Index
Straight to the Photos
Caithness Bird Watching Forum
Calling Caithness Charitable
Groups - The Money Is Out There
Just Complete The Application Forms
Another set of links to the latest announcements of money available
for projects. The latest lot posted today cover a wide range of
possibilities from reading schemes for playgroups, youth in rural areas -
£10,000 - £75,000, community diet projects £500 - £3000, UK Villages
Community Kitty with small grants from £50 - £500, Investing In
Communities £10,000 - £1,000,000 - funding for projects for communities in
the most need. BT Community Connections- computer and internet packages
worth £1,300, Cash to help more involvement in democracy, Educational
grants to support consortia of EU and US higher education,
Caithness Sea Angling
Association - Open Boat Championships - Over 1000 Fish Landed
Anglers
from as far south as County Durham visited Scrabster last week to fish in
the annual Caithness Sea Angling Association Open Boat championships.
Despite a strong south easterly the winds the competitors aboard the
Karen and Hebridean Warrior found excellent fishing with cod and
pollack the main species. Over 1000 fish were landed, the majority of
which were returned after being marked on the angler's score sheet. The
cod, pollack and ling were of a good average size and the largest of each
as around the four kilo mark. The keenly contested event was won by Colin
Mackay of Thurso who picked up £250 for his efforts. In a close second
place was Gus Mackenzie of Inverness followed by Fife visitor Robbie