New Ways To Pay Highland Council From 1st April From 1st April, the public will be able to pay by cash or cheque
at any Post Office and more than 300 PayPoints and Payzones throughout
the Highlands. From 1 April, the public will not
be able to pay by cash or cheque at a Council Service Point, although
they will continue to be able to pay by debit or credit card. As
a result of the new arrangements, the HQ cash office on Glenurquhart
Road, Inverness, is closing permanently on 31 March. Already
67,400 people pay their Council Tax by direct debit, so they will not
be affected by the change. The Council is following a number of
other Councils throughout the United Kingdom in modernising the way it
accepts payments from the public to ensure it does so in the most
efficient and effective way.
90 Year Old RAF Veteran From World War Two Still Remembers His Time In Wick Sent by David Preston a nephew of Harry Varley
Just some more information for your site regarding "Wings Over
Wick". My Uncle Mr Harry Varley now in his 90th year spent almost
the entire duration of the war at Wick as a radio operator - he was not
attached to the "flying boys" at the aerodrome, but in a little hut set
away from the main RAF Depot - it was here he says he spent time
eavesdropping on the enemy. The section was called "Y" section and I
think I am right in saying this was a very secret affair that even
today he feels that he should not be talking about it. I have not
seen any information as to this section of the RAF at Wick but if
anybody has any recollections of this or pictures perhaps. It would be
good for me to show him on my next visit to him. I do have some
pictures of him in uniform with the special insignia on his arm
relating to his section and I can send them to you if they are of
interest. I can also tell you that even now at 90 years old - he
has not forgotten the Morse code that he learned at Bletchley
Park nor indeed his love of Caithness which he has visited many
times over the years. Wings Over Wick - A projct from Hillhead Primary School in 1993
Containing the memories of people based in Wick during World War Two.
Keith Teach Academy A Painful Lesson
Wick Academy 3.....Keith....5 (half time: 2-3) Report and photos by Noel Donaldson PHOTOS FROM THE GAME
AT the Academy of football, their report card might have read-
“Hardworking, promised great things but couldn’t deliver. Can do better
with their home-work.” For the fans, this eight-goal thiller, at
Harmsworth Park was well worth the entrance fee, complimented by the
bonus of superb, spring-like weather. All that was missing for
the home supporters was a victory, but it was Keith, the teachers, who
taught Wick a painful footballing lesson, stamping a black mark on
their recent home achievements. It could have been oh so
different, with the Scorries grabbing an early, dream-start opener,
courtesy of Stevie Cunningham. More photos from the game at James Gunn Photography
Another Place To Recycle In Thurso A permanent Blythswood clothes/shoes/books bin has been set up in the Thurso Free Church carpark.
Letter In Scotsman - Any More Debate Needed? Fight climate change, not wind farms As Highland Council looks at a paper on enhancing
community benefits from wind farms and the Pantland Firth etc is there
still need to debate the issue as more wind farms are on the way and as
the marine energy industry
could deliver huge benefits to the north of Scotland in jobs and
engineering training. North Highland college has new
buildings almost completed to take advantage of the opportunities to
run egineering courses. Scrabster harbour is poised tp make a
leap forward with its new facilties to enable it to take advantage
of being part of Alex Salmond's "Saudi Arabia" of the
north. There is obvioulsy great anxiety in many quarters about
the issue of energy developments and particularly in the north which
has huge wind, tidal and wave potential. Planning committees
always give rise to controvery and councillor Robert Coghill has shown
his exasperation to restrictions placed on councillors in a written
question to the Highland Council convenor on 3 March - To the Convener “We
cannot, as Councillors, comment on planning applications and then sit
on the Planning Committee. What will you do to rectify this injustice?” Mr Coghill will be entitled to ask a supplementary question which will be answered by the Convener. See Written Response HERE
Lesley Crawford - Memorial Event A MEMORIAL event to celebrate the life of Lesley Crawford will be held in the ballroom at the Pentland Hotel, Thurso on Saturday 5 March at 1.30pm.
All are invited who wish to celebrate Lesley’s passion for life, her
energy, achievements and contribution to local and national life.
This is not a black tie or formal dress affair but an informal upbeat
tribute to a wonderful feisty woman whom is sadly missed. Please
contact Ron on 07770 682922 for more information.
Keeper More drives Inverurie loco - More of the same, please, James Wick Academy...2 Inverurie Locos...1 - (ht: 1-0) Photos From the Game
Saturday 12th February 2011 at Harmsworth Park, Wick
STEVIE CUNNINGHAM and Richard Macadie were the guys who did the
business on the goals front but the other hero of the 90 minutes, was
keeper James More who pulled off a string of superb saves.........
'Ban radioactive cargo ship from Scottish waters' - Scotsman - By John Ross ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners
have urged the UK government to ban a transatlantic shipment of
radioactive material which will pass through waters off the north of
Scotland. The three-week journey aboard the MV Palessa would include passage through the Pentland Firth between Caithness and Orkney.
Mackays Hotel asks - 'What are you celebrating?' Everyone has something to celebrate. You could have
an important birthday coming up, a special anniversary, a graduation or
a wedding. No matter what your special day is Mackays Hotel will help
you celebrate it. Our unique Celebration Fair in Mackays Hotel
will feature a host of exhibitors who can help with any special day. We
have magicians, photographers, florists, jewellers, bridal wear, car
hire and bakers all ready to chat to you and showcase their
skills. The fair will take place on Sunday 27 February from 12pm until 4pm in the function suite and dining room in Mackays Hotel - FREE ADMISSION
Caithness Artists Prepares To Take Pre-degree Show To Edinburgh
Catherine Redgate (23), a fourth-year Painting student at Robert
Gordon University's Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, has been putting
the finishing touches to her work ahead of staging a pre-degree show
exhibition in Edinburgh later this month. Catherine, from
Castletown near Thurso, and 26 of her classmates are preparing to
showcase their final-year work at an exhibition devoted solely to the
art school, entitled 'Gray's Contemporaries', at 'art's complex' in the
Scottish capital from 19 - 26 February 2011.
Lisa McHugh New Band Launch In Caithness Lisa is looking forward to a launching her new band
in on Fri Feb 25th at The Northern Nashville Country Music
Club. Newcomer to the country music scene Lisa McHugh
launched her new band to a packed audience at the Bushtown House Hotel,
Coleraine. Immediately Lisa was introduced on stage the dance floor
filled with enthusiastic dancers many of whom stayed on the floor
dancing until the last song was played. The crowd danced, enjoyed and
applauded, it was an excellent start to Lisa's long awaited
dream. Lisa now looks forward to a launching her new band in your
area on Fri Feb 25th at The NNCMClub, and on Sat Feb 26th at the Social
Club, Invergordon finishing on Sun Feb 27th at the Mosset Tavern,
Forres. Lisa has been invited to support Roly Daniels on a ten date
tour throughout Ireland during February and March.
Gardner's Question Night At Bower Community Centre - Monday 21st February Thumbs up to Gardener’s Question
Night! Got a question that needs a Green Thumbs Up
answer? Join Bower & District Gardening Club’s next
meeting 7:30 p.m. on Monday 21st Feb at Bower Community Centre.
Caithness gardening experts will pool their resources and knowledge to
answer questions on such subjects as: wet and windy gardening, spring
planting tips, healthy houseplants, pest control and much more.
The panel comprises of Mary Sinclair of Shinval Garden Centre; Jo &
James Walker from Westlea Plants & Garden Nursery, Lybster and
Angus Wares, prize winning Thurso gardener and former Bower Gardening
Club chair. To submit questions and for details, contact Barbara
Cormack 01955 661230 or e-mail to
bowergardeningclub[AT]fsmail.net
Community Drama Festival Coming To Caithness - Book Your Tickets Soon Fifty four local actors are currently in
rehearsal for Caithness's five entries into the Scottish Community
Drama Association annual One Act Play Festival. The plays will be
publicly adjudicated over the SCDA festival's two nights on 25th and
26th Feb, performing at Thurso High School 7pm. What makes this
year's festival unique is that each of the two nights performances will
feature both youth and adult entries, providing audiences with a
variety of entertainment, and insight from adjudicator, Ron
Nichol. Thurso Players, Wick Players and Mount Pleasant
After School Drama Club will present the five plays, two of which were
written especially for the festival.
11 February 2011
Public Urged To Have Their Say On Design Of New Wick High School A public meeting is being held at 7.30 pm on
Wednesday 23 February at Wick High School to give interested parties
the chance to have their say on the design of the proposed new state of
the art secondary school for the community. The Council has
appointed an expert team to prepare a detailed brief for the new £34
million High School and the co-located community facilities and want to
explore the requirements of the new facility at the public
meeting. Volunteers will be sought at the meeting to serve on a
Community Liaison Group for the new development.
Cross Party Group To Review Classroom Assistance
Cross party group to review assistance provided in primary school classrooms The Highland Council has agreed to set up a
cross-party working group to review - before this summer - the level of
assistance provided in primary school classrooms.
In doing so, it agreed to reduce the amount of savings to be taken from
classroom assistants in 2011/12 from £883,000 to £319,000. The full
year saving will be set at £751,000 rather than £1.47 million.
Councillor Bill
Fernie, Chairman of the Education Culture and Sport Committee,
explained that the proposal to cease provision of 344 classroom
assistants had generated significant concern amongst teachers, parents
and school groups.
Giants invade Scotland - Wired The tidal turbines are heading here in big
numbers. Maybe first minister Alex Salmond's prediction of the
Saudi Arabia of Tidal Energy is coming true for the Pentland Firth. Storm conditions hit schools, homes rescues and roads - Press & Journal
NORTH SUFFERS AS WINDS REACHING UP TO 96MPH WREAK HAVOC ON LAND AND AT SEA The fire service was called out to power lines near Thurso which started sparking due to heavy winds and rain.
