CAITHNESS.ORG HEADLINES ARCHIVE ::  April 2011
Caithness Schools Celebrated The Royal Wedding With Parties And Games
Royal Wedding celbrations in Caithness schools South School, Wick

Caithness schools celebrated the roayal wedding of William and Catherine today with parties , games, exhibitions and food.
Royal Wedding Celebrations In Highland Schools
Over thirty schools in the Highlands will be celebrating the wedding of HRH Prince William to Catherine Middleton on 29 April with organised events and activities involving over 4,000 pupils, teachers and local communities.
Many schools are organising mock weddings, various street parties, and wedding feasts. Other activities following a royal or wedding theme include art and crafts to create decorations, clothing, hats, crowns and fascinators; quizzes, cake making and mapping of the royal wedding route.
In Caithness, Pulteneytown Academy in Wick is putting on an exhibition of wedding dresses and wedding photography for the public and Castletown Primary School in Thurso will parade through the local streets following a P1 mock bride and groom transported in a Shetland pony and trap.....more

Wick Town Centre Royal Wedding Event
The Caithness Chamber of Commerce have planned an event in Wick town centre on Saturday 30th April where school children can enjoy a Royal Wedding Picture Hunt round some of the local shops.
A map showing the area where the pictures may be located will be available outside D R Simpsons from 10am on the 30th April. We will also be offering a Kiddies Crown Judging Competition at 3pm in The Market Square with prizes for the best Crowns. So there are plenty of reasons to visit Wick town centre that day!
Music Link Media have live music planned in the Market Square from 2pm - 4 pm.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce are offering a prize of £20 gift voucher for a local shop of their choice in Wick to the primary school pupil with the best answer to the question.  In your own words, tell us why people should visit Wick town centre, as well as a £30 book token for their school.  If you think you may wish to visit Wick on this day and would like an entry form, you can ask at your School, or alternately. Entry forms can be collected from the counter at D R Simpsons in Wick from 26th April.
Have a fun day out.
STEPHEN BROWN In Concert - Proceeds To Japan Relief Fund
Saturday 30th April - 7.30pm
Thurso West Church, Sinclair Street, Thurso
Songs of wistful longing, now, of moral compassion and of listening to rain on leaves - in styles ranging from acoustic folk through to soft rock with some mixes and matches along the way.

A Major Archaeological Dig In Caithness - You Can Get Involved
Nybster Broch Project 2011

2011 sees the commencement of a major new programme of community archaeological research, centred around the broch village complex at Nybster, Auckengill, Caithness.
The Caithness Archaeological Trust has joined forces with AOC Archaeology Group to instigate a new programme of excavation and recording of the dramatic broch village, situated on the promontory headland at Auckengill, north of Keiss in Caithness. The archaeological programme will involve a series of excavations and conservation work on the site, aiming to better understand the development of the settlement through the Iron Age and Early Historic periods, and to better present the site to the visiting public.
Get Involved
Participate
in an archaeological dig this summer and learn something new about the area, meet new people, learn new skills, have fun! It is free to take part and no previous experience is required. Join us for as long as you like - a day, a week, a fortnight!
Excavations in the spring/summer of 2011 will take place on the following dates:
Tuesday 26th - Saturday 30th April
Monday 2nd - Sunday 8th May
Monday 1st - Saturday 7th August
Monday 8th - Sunday 13th August
Full Details to get involved HERE

URGENT NOTICE IF YOU REQUIRE A VET -
Fault on Wick Telephone Number - Contact Thurso

We have been asked to let folk know that the Wick telephone number of D S Mc Gregor & Partners the veterinary practice in Wick has a fault and so far BT have not fixed it.  Until further notice contact the Thurso office of D S McGregor & Partners and they will take the necessary action to pass on messages.
The Thurso office number is  01847 892387
Castle and Gardens Of Mey - EASTER FUN afternoon
SUN 24th APRIL - 12.30pm
EASTER EGG HUNT & QUIZ  -  (Registration from 12 noon)
DECORATED EGG COMPETITION for 12yrs & under - - Easter bonnet competition
UNDER 5’S FREE - FAMILY TICKET £15.00 (Admits 2 Adults & 4 Children) - INDIVIDUAL TICKET £5.00

Family Morning Tree Planting - Friday 22 April
Family Tree Planting At Dunnet


Wick Groats Football Club Casino Night - Assembly Rooms Wick - All Welcome
Wick Groats FC Casino Night

Saturday 23 April

Oriental Floral Fusion  - A Fund Raiser For Japan Save the Children Earthquake Tsunami Appeal
Thursday 21st April 7.00 - 9.00pm - Mackays Hotel - entry £5 Adult £3 child under 16
The event is being organised by amanda Coghill.  There will be a raffle and a chance to take home one of the floral designs.  Come along and join in this fun filled evening and help a little fo the children affected by the disaster.

Get Walking In Caithness
Keiss to Freswick
- Sunday 1st May
Join the Countryside Ranger on this beautiful historic walk of brochs and castles, finishing at the spectacular Bucholie Castle.  Wear good walking gear and waterproofs. Bring lunch.
Meet at Keiss harbour (ND 351 609) at 10.30am - £3 charge pp
See many of the seasons coming walks with the Highland Council Rangers at Ranger Walks 2011 Buckie Inflict Academy’s Second Defeat In A Week
Buckie Thistle....4.......Wick Academy...1    (half-time 1-1) - Reporter - Noel Donaldson
Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1 Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1 Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1

Three photos above show Academy's first half equaliser.
More Photos From The Game On Saturday 16 April 2011
Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1 Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1 Buckie Thistle 4 Wick Academy 1

ANOTHER painful result for Wick Academy players and fans might be forgiven if they wished that the season was over. 
With a makeshift side, minus several key members, you would never have gone a bundle on the Scorries to win, if you were a betting person, particularly after Wednesday’s disaster against Nairn, and even a draw forecast would have been long odds.  Buckie opened strongly and forced a series of corners which eventually had to produce something, Lewis Mackinnon heading home strongly from the cross with only eight minutes on the clock.   Give Academy their due, they didn’t take it lying down and countered, a few minutes later, through a superb effort by Garry Weir.  Despite being under pressure from a defender he managed to dispatch the ball, as he fell to the ground, past the defender and the Jags keeper into the corner of the net.
Constituency Candidates In Scottish Parliament Election - Rob Gibson Elected
Rob Gibson               John Mackay            Edward Mountain  Robbie Rowantree
SNP                              Labour                         Conservative              Liberal Democrat
Rob Gibson SNP             John Mackay - Scottish Labour           Edward Mountain - Conservative              Robbie Rowantree - Scottish Liberal Democrat

List Candidates For Highlands and Islands Region HERE

Election Hustings In Wick - Two chances To Question the Candidates Before May Election
FIRST Hustings
A hustings that was specifically focused on issues affecting children, women and families orgnised by HomeStart Caithness and Women's Aid
Date: Friday 22nd April 2011 - Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Wick Family Centre, 6-7 Bank Row, Wick, KW1 4JH
All four constituency candidates have been invited and are attending.  They are:
Rob Gibson (SNP)
John Mackay (Labour)
Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservatives)
Robbie Rowantree (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
HomeStart co-ordinator Naomi Watson said, "We are aware that the event is being held on Good Friday, which is a holiday for the majority of people.  However, this is a key election and we want to ensure that women, children and families have a voice and issues are highlighted and brought to the attention of the candidates so that, if elected, they can make a real and lasting difference to many vulnerable members of society."
SECOND Hustings
Scottish Parliament Election question time
A hustings organised by the "Wick Wants Work" campaign of Wick tax office staff.
A Scottish Parliament Candidates Question Time has been organised by the "Wick Wants Work" campaign. All welcome at the Assembly rooms on Tuesday the 26th of April at 7pm.
Please come along, hear what is being said and have your say about the issues that are important to you.
We will be asking some questions about the proposed closure of the tax office and the employment situation in general but it is an opportunity for everyone to quiz the 4 prospective candidates.
YOUR CHANCES TO ASK QUESTIONS IN WICK - DON'T MISS OUT Family Easter Treasure Hunt
Sundaay 24th April - Geise Woodland 2.00pm
Have fun searching for clues and eggs of all descriptions!
Meet at Geise Farm car park, near Glengolly, Thurso ND 109 649 at 2pm.
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking recommended but not essential.
Organised by the Highland Council Ranger Service - Charge: £5 per family group
For further details & booking: e-mail Marina at marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk
O'Neill Cold Water Classic 2011 At Thurso - Perfect Waves
O'Neill CRanger Walks 2011
O'Neill Cold Water Classic 2011 - Introducing the Cold Water Classic Series


Traditional Building Skills Courses at Orkney College June/July 2011
Sash and Case Window Repair
Lime Pointing and Harling
Stonemasonry
Chimney Repairs
Portland Cement Repairs
The 1 day courses cost £125 each and funding is available towards course fees and travel costs from the Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), supported by Historic Scotland and the Highland Council.
For further information contact the CARS project officer on 01955 602 199 or by e-mail bryony.robinson[AT]highland.gov.uk and leave a message giving your name and contact details.

Academy No Match For Clever County
Wick Academy V Nairn County

Wick Academy.....0    Nairn County....4
(half-time 0-2) -  Reporter - Noel Donaldson
IT's a night Wick Academy will want to forget...
Four goals conceded, one an own-goal, another a penalty and two players sent off.
Nairn, physical and fast moving, got off to a dream start with two goals in the opening 12 minutes, one from Steven Mackay and the second courtesy of John Cameron.  That was the way things ended up at the break but Nairn continued the way they had started, in the second period.  Cameron dispatched a shot which deflected off Academy’s Andrew Macleod into the net with only 56 minutes on the clock.
More Photos From The Game
Wcik Academy V Nairn County Wick Academy V Nairn County


Tomintoul Shooting Victim Studied At Thurso College

Highland Hospice - Memorial Service

Saturday 28 May 2011 - Wick Baptist Church, Dempster Street, at 11.00am
With refreshments in the lounge thereafter.  All families and friends who wish to remember their loved ones cared for by the Hospice and Macmillan are invited to the above service.
For more information contact:  Palliative Care Nurses Tel 01955 880397
Far north firm says expansion on track despite job cuts - Press & Journal
Four employees were made redundant and a further five laid off at NES Engineering workshop at Bower at the end of last week.

WORLD’S TOP SURFERS HEAD TO THURSO - Press & Journal
The O'Neill Cold Water Classic sees the second round begin today.
Ship a’ Hoy - Sunday 15th May 10.15am – 6pm
Sail directly to the Orkney Island of Hoy onboard the Pentland Venture from John O Groats. Then either have fun exploring Rackwick Bay independently or join the Caithness Countryside Rangers as we walk out to the famous ‘Old Man’ sea stack. Hopefully we may see whales or dolphins from the ferry on route and mountain hares and skuas once we are on Hoy.  Tickets £38
Places very limited - booking and pre-payment is essential (by 8th May). Details and bookings:
Paul Castle Highland Council Ranger 01847 8821531 paul.castle@highland.gov.uk
Photos From the Wick Bi-election Count - Gail Ross Won
Wick Bi-election Wick Bi-election
Wick Bi-election


2011 Wick Gala Queen and Attendants Wantednts Wanted
A few photos from the count at the Wick bi-election where Gail Ross (SNP) was the clear winner after the third round.

North  - Caithness Horizons
Events continue all week..........in Thurso

Caithness & Sutherland Walking Festival
22 - 29th May 2011
Gail Ross Wins Wick Council Seat With Huge Majority For SNP
Gail Ross wins council Seat For Wick

Local lass Gail Ross won her council seat for Wick easily. Today at the count she came out way ahead after the various counts.
The final results were -
Gail Ross - SNP - 1049
Neil Macdonald - Labour - 463
Clair Clarke - Lib Dem - 232
Niall smith - Independent - 245
Jim Oag - Independent - 202
Laurel Bush - 75
Michael Carr - Conservative - 33
Gail ross now takes up the seat vacated by Katrina MacNab who was an independent councillor.

2011 Wick Gala Queen and Attendants Wanted
2011 Gala Queen and Gala Attendants.  S4 - S6 Wick High School pupils who reside in Wick and would like to be apply for one of the positions ontact Chairperson Donna Plowman on donnaplowman@btinternet.com or Vice Chairperson Kerry Gunn on kerry.gunn@btinternet.com for an application form.  Application forms are also available from the High School office.  A poster has been placed within the High School advising of this.  The closing date for applications is Friday 29th April 2011. O'Neill Cold Water Classic Returns To Thurso - 13 - 19th April
The world's top surfers will soon be back in Caithness fighting for points and a share of the nearly $150,000 prize money.

Alex Salmond's Visit To Wick                     
Wick Wants Work - Save Wick Tax Office Campaign

The First minister is in full electioneering flight as he tours Scotland trying to gain votes for local SNP candidates in the May elections.  Gail Ross who standing in the Wick bi-election was one of the party beneficiaries of his visit  as he gave her local campaign a boost.  It remains to be seen whether voters will elect a party candidate to replace the previous independent councillor Katrina MacNab.  Mr Salmond also met campaigners from Wick Tax Office who are fighting to save their office from closure in 2012.
VIDEO Of Alex Salmond's Visit North

Wick Ward Bi-Election
A by-election will take place on Thursday 7 April to elect one councillor to serve Ward 3 – Wick on The Highland Council.
The candidates are:
    * Laurel Bush, Animaland, 16 Kennedy Terrace, Wick.
    * Michael Anthony Carr, Inistore House, Castle Street, Dornoch  (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
    * Claire Mairi Clark, 6 Couper Cottages, Barrock, Thurso. (Scottish Liberal Democrat)
    * Neil MacDonald, 10 West Banks Terrace, Wick (Scottish Labour Party candidate)
    * Jim Oag, Corbiegoe, Thrumster, Wick. (Independent)
    * Gail Elizabeth Ross, 62 Argyle Square, Wick.(Scottish National Party (SNP) )
    * Niall Smith, 24 Coach Road, Wick. (Independent)
Polling will take place between 7 am and 10 pm at six polling stations, which will be situated at the Assembly Rooms, Wick (3);  the Boys Brigade Hall (2); and St Fergus Church Hall (1)

Making Waves @ Wick Family Centre - Easter Holiday Club
Making Waves will be open throughout the Easter Holidays (with the exception of Good Friday and Easter Monday) offering children 5-12 years a fun packed programme of events including activities such as; swimming, baking and a Mad Hatter's Tea Party!  If you would like to book a place please pop into Wick Family Centre, Bank Row between 3:00 pm and 5.30 pm Monday - Friday or alternatively phone us on 01955 606065.  (You can find a list of activities available on the general discussion board).   We would also like to mention that Making Waves will be holding an open day for our After School Club on Wednesday 6th April between 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm.  Please bring your children along for a taster session of the facilities and activities available and to meet our friendly fully qualified team.
Wick Academy 2 Clachnacuddin 2
Wick Academy 2 Clachnacuddin 2 Wick Academy 2 Clachnacuddin 2 Wick Academy 2 clachnacuddin 2

Academy Still Looking To Convert Leads Into Wins
Wick Academy....2.......Clachnacuddin....2       (half-time 2-1)       Report By Noel Donaldson
IT must be a frustrating trait for any soccer side. You go a goal up, maybe two, and, without getting complacent, you might start to think that the three points, if not in the (net) bag, are certainly beckoning..
That's the way it was, with Academy, trying to shake off their recent failure to capitalise on their lead.  Twice they went ahead at Harmsworth Park, on Saturday...and twice saw their lead evaporate.
Goal-getter Richard Macadie opened for Academy in the 19th minute, after his side has soaked up pressure from a well-organised Lilywhites team who were quick on the break.  Macadie drove the ball past the spread-eagled keeper, David Harrison.  David Allan made it 2-0, in the 37th minute and some fans might have been forgiven for thinking that this might have signalled the sort of a runaway Clach has suffered recently - a leakage, or rather a spate, of no less than 10 goals conceded in two games...............more


Miller Academy 1960
Miller Academy 1960

Photo from Ed Fraser
Miller Academy Old School Photos Index
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