CAITHNESS.ORG HEADLINES ARCHIVE ::  November 2010
FUN DAY A CHRISTMAS 'CRACKER'  As Wick Switches On Christmas Lights
 Wick Switches On The Christmas Lights for 2010Wick Christmas Lights Switch On for 2010Wick Christmas Lights 27 November 2010Wick Switches On Christmas Lights At fun Day 2010
WICKERS converged on the precinct on Saturday for the town's most popular festive event....fun day and the switching on of the Christmas illuminations.
The ceremony was ably carried out by three of Santa's little helpers, Carey Macleod, Sophie Robertson and Katie Gunn, representing nursery, primary school classes 1--4,  and 5-7, respectively.  The draw for the coveted places, was made on the day, from entries submitted from the three age categories and was the result of a new idea developed  by the community council's industrious Christmas Lights committee which was keen to get the young folk more involved in the celebrations.
It proved a winner with the crowds that braved weather which was as cold as the current economic climate, shortening the odds on that longed for- by the younger generation, at any rate- white Christmas.  Earlier, Caithness FM set the scene with a selections of well-known seasonal songs while the man of the moment, Santa Claus chatted with the youngsters.
Doreen Turner, chairwoman of the community council's Christmas Lights Committee welcomed everyone to the annual event and extended its appreciation to everyone concerned for their continued support in ensuring Wick's Christmas lights display continues to shine bright and that was evident when the 'on' switch was thrown.  A variety of stalls were kept busy by customers of all ages.......Noel Donaldson

Bower Christmas Fayre Is Sunday Not Saturday as in Local Paper
A notice From Bower Hall
We are having a Christmas Fayre on Sunday 28th 12-4 in Bower Hall.
Unfortunately the wrong date is in the paper!!! 

Caithness Community Awards 2009-2010
The Caithness Community Awards recognise and reward individuals and groups who have brought distinction to themselves and the Community of Caithness during the year 2009/2010.
Members of the community are now invited to submit their nominations so please take the opportunity to acknowledge any group or individual who you feel should be recognised for their contribution to our community.
The Nomination forms are distributed throughout the community and can also be downloaded from the Partnership's website on the Community Councils download section or by selecting the following link; CCA 2009-10 Nomination form on the partnership web site - at the moment its not working but will be fixed next week.
Please return this form (marked CONFIDENTIAL) to;
Caithness Partnership Limited, 50A High Street, WICK, KW1 4BS by the closing date 14th January 2011
For further information or assistance to complete the form contact Koreen MacDougall on 01955-606483 or email caithnesspartnership@btinternet.com

 Craft Fair At Mey Cancelled Due to Bad Weather

Caithness Mod Concet and Dance Goes Ahead Tonight

The Caithness Mod committee's concert and dance to be held in Ross Institute Halkirk tonight Saturday 27th November at 8 p.m. is still going ahead despite the wintry weather.  Artists have arrived in the county from Glasgow and the islands so it is hoped that the Caithness people will once again come out and support this event.
A Thurso Christmas Card On Sale
Thurso Christmas Card On Sale
A Thurso Christmas Card is designed by a local lass and ideal for sending away to family and friends this Christmas. Its contemporary design incorporates a Thurso precinct winter scene, giving a great alternative to the norm. Just over 5inches x7inches in size, with the inside reading Merry Christmas, your card comes individually wrapped, complete with an envelope.Priced at only £2.00 each or 5 for £8.00 FREE delivery to Thurso addresses on all orders of 5 cards or more Email lisa.poulsen@hotmail.com to place an order

Santas Sleigh In Thurso Dates and Times

Sanats Sleigh In Thurso Dates and Times


In The News
Institute's new research to aid marine energy sector - BBC
New research backed with £4m in grant support will help the marine energy industry to develop, the organisation leading the studies has said.  The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) in Thurso has launched its Marine Renewable Energy and the Environment programme ahead of a major energy conference.
Wick Christmas Tree At Market Square Gets The Festive Season Going
Wick Christmas Tree 2010 Installed

Christmas Fayre -
Bower Community Centre
Sunday 28th November- 12-4pm
Come along for a fun family day out with Santa’s Grotto, Highland Dancers, Christmas song by Busy Bee Playgroup & refreshments/light snacks.

A Stroma Photo Collection At Caithness Horizons
Stroma Photo Collection At Caithness Horizons

Sleeping Beauty - Two Performances On Sunday 28th November
Panto Lybster 2010 - Sleeping Beauty


In The News
Wick marina breathes new life into port as boats pile in - Press and Journal
North councillors vote to cut 33 maintenance jobs - Press & Journal
Caithness seabed fragment among most radioactive found - BBC
School ventures head to head in contest - Press & Journal
Community Council Review Stage 3 Consultation
Council renews support for Highland community transport groups

Wildlife News
Grey Seal Pups

Durran Wind Farm Refused Planning Permission
Councilors at a meeting held in Halkir,k today accepted the planning officers recommendations to refuse refused planning permission for a wind farm at Durran , Caithness.  The appl;ications was for 13 turbines.  The applicants have the right to appeal the decision.

Playbox Playgroup Open For New Registrations  22 November
The Playbox Playgroup is a charitable organisation which provides valuable pre-school education for children aged 0-4 years. The playgroup is based in Macleod Road in Wick, Caithness and over the years has helped many children prepare for nursery and onwards to primary school.  At present, Playbox offers the following services :
Morning Playgroup (3yrs+) - Monday to Friday 9.15am to 11.45am Afternoon Playgroup (2½ - 3yrs) - Tuesday & Thursday 1.30-3.00pm
Parent & Toddler Group - Wednesday & Friday 1.30-3.00pm
Playbox will be opening up requests for 2½ group registrations for January-July 2011 session from next week 22 November 2010.  Please call into the Playgroup during our opening hours should you wish to enrol your child or further information. Children attending our 2½ group are automatically placed on our fully funded list for our 3+ group .Our Parent and Toddler Group operates Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1.30pm-3.00.pm.   We welcome any new families and their children who wish to come along.  Playbox Playgroup adheres to the  Curriculum for Excellence which aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from 3 to 18. The curriculum includes the totality of experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated. The 3-18 curriculum aims to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland develop the attributes, knowledge and skills they will need to flourish in life, learning and work. The knowledge, skills and attributes learners will develop will allow them to demonstrate four key capacities – to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Should you wish any further information on our services please do not hesitate to contact us on 01955 606446 or by e mail playbox.playgroup@tiscali.co.uk

Pets At Home - Wick - Fun Day - Saturday 20th november
Come and meet the “STAR’s” at Pets at home including “Tom Cruise”, “Boy George” and “Elvis” may even be in the building plus many more…….
Tombola - - 11am-1pm Cat micro chipping for £5
Silent Auction for a designer tank - - Cake Stall - - Guess the celebrities from 12pm – 3pm
And much more….Money Raised Goes To SUPPORT  ADOPTION FOR PETS


Caithness Rugby Football Club Under 16s in Action
Photos over at James Gunn Photography


Caithness Ward Forums Combined Meeting
Date and Time:
Monday 15th November 2010. 7.30pm to 9.30pm.      
Venue: 
Mackays Hotel, Wick.
Topic: Highland Wide Local Development Plan and Community Safety
This meeting is open to everyone from Wick, Thurso and Caithness Landward wards.

Highland Active Schools Project Secured For Further Four Years
Continued funding support for a project in the Highlands that aims to keep young people healthy and active has received an extremely warm welcome from members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee.  The offer of £922,400 per annum until March 2015 has been made from sportscotland to enable The Highland Council to continue providing an Active School’s  network which employs 40 Active School Co-ordinators (31.2 FTE posts) throughout the Highlands...........Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “This is excellent news for the Highlands. We are second only to Glasgow in receipt of the amount of sportscotland funding for Active Schools which reinforces their understanding of the importance of delivery of sports activities in rural areas of Scotland and particularly in an area like Highland with our greatly dispersed population. Another four years of funding is a great boost to ensuring our young people are active particularly in these difficult financial times."
Remembrance Sunday In Caithness
Wick
TOWNSPEOPLE turned out at Wick, in sunny, but chilly weather to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice in two World Wars and subsequent conflicts. The Wick RBLS pipe band headed a parade of veterans and uniformed organisations to the war memorial where a service was conducted.  The service part was conducted by Rev John Nugent with Father John Allan leading intercession and Reverend Jim Todd, a retired minister, pronouncing the benediction. The services at the War Graves and also at Thrumster War Memorial were led by Reverend Ivan Warwick, new community minister for Caithness Presbytery.  The wreath-laying ceremonies were led by the county's Lord Lieutenant, Miss Anne Dunnett and civic leader, David Bremner.  Afterwards a service was held at Wick St Fergus Church and was one of many which took place throughout the county. - Noel Donaldson
Remembrance In Caithness 2010


Wick Cemetery War Graves
Remembrance at war graves in Wick cemetery

Remembrance At Thrumster War Memorial
Remebrance At Thrumster war memorial 2010


WEATHER COLD...ACADEMY HOT!   Wick Academy: 8  Ft William: 1
Report by Noel Donaldson
Wick Academy 8 Fort William 1
WICK Academy banished their Scottish Cup blues and demonstrated the sort of soccer that  would have seen them cruise into the next round. It was back home at Harmsworth Park on Saturday 6th November 2010 and Highland League business and, the fans that braved the wintry temperature were treated to a feast of football that produced a heart-warming barrowload of eight goals.

Pinocchio - Thurso Players Panto for 2010   8th - 11th December
Thurso Panto 2010 is Pinocchio

Tickets on sale from McBeaths Jewellers - Monday 15th November onwards

Missing - A Spooky Adventure for all the Family At Dunnet Forest


Next Seminar At ERI
The next public seminar at the Environmental Research Institute will be at 17.00 on Tuesday 9th November  where the speaker will be Dr Eddie Graham from Greenspace Research at UHI Lews Castle College. Dr Graham will be giving a seminar called “Clouds and climate change”.eminars are FREE
 

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