Community
Council Nomination Deadline Looms
Candidates considering serving on their local Community Council
for the next four years are being reminded that the nomination deadline
for election is only one week away. To be able to stand for
election, candidates must return their nomination forms to The Highland
Council by 4 pm on Tuesday 4 October. For the first time,
the elections for all 153 Highland Community Councils are being held at
the same time.
26 September 2011
Help Get
£6000 For a Local Group In Caithness By Voting Online Royal Bank of Scotland is offering sums of £6000 to
three
projects in each community force area. The Caithness projects we
know so far looking for you vote s are Caithness and
Sutherland Women's Aid
CASWA is a charity offering information, temporary
accommodation, practical & emotional support to women, children
& young people who have experienced/experiencing Domestic Abuse
and/or Violence Against Women Home Start
Caithness
Home-Start Caithness works with families who are going through a
period of stress - e.g. post-natal depression, illness, mental health
problems, isolation, or struggling with parenting. Ormlie Job Club
Ormlie Job Club exists to encourage
and assist members of the local community who are struggling to gain
work or move onto further education. It encourages cohesion,
communication, new intitiatives and a sustainable path for long term
employment. Thurso Youth FC
Redevelopment of waste land to create a home ground for our
club
and other local groups in Caithness to use. Creating 3 - 4 football
pitches, a community sports hub and a street football arena for the
general public to use as they wish.
PRE-CHRISTMAS FAYRE
– BOOK A STALL NOW
SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER, 1030 hrs – 1400 hrs HALKIRK PRIMARY SHOOL Halkirk School Parent Council is to hold a
Pre-Christmas Fayre’
on Saturday 19th November in the school. We would like to invite
local arts, crafts, produces and catalogue based products to come along
and sell their products. The cost for a table will be
£5.00. The Parent Council will be serving Tea and coffee
throughout the day as well as having a baking, bottle and ‘Bric a Brac’
stall. To book please contact; Deborah on 01847
831 917, space will be limited; closing date for booking a table
will be Friday 30th September.
25 September 2011
A Quick
Tour Of Caithness A
Timelapse of Caithness,Scotland from Barry Stewart on Vimeo. Find
Out More About Your Co-operative
Members' Event (Good for Everyone) & Wine-Tasting,
Caithness Horizons, Old Town Hall, High Street, Thurso KW14 8AJ
Tuesday 11th October 2011, 6pm to 9pm
This is an exciting time for the Co-operative, with expansion
due to the Somerfield acquisition, a new main office being built in
Manchester and due to open in 2012, and a new Ethical Operating Plan
(2011-13), which contains commitments to "Keeping Communities
Thriving", "Inspiring Young People", "Protecting the Environment" and
"Tackling Global Poverty". Join
us for an exclusive free member event. Anyone, who is a Co-op
Member or wishes to become one, is welcome to come along.
Police Highlight Telephone Scam Residents across the Force area are being warned by
Police of a
telephone scam, which has surfaced in the Dornoch area. Random
residents within the Highland town have been contacted by a bogus
company called 'Toucan Claims'. The caller claims that the
householder's credit card has been used fraudulently and then requests
information from the credit card. The caller also provides the
individual with a false name and contact number. Police advise
members of the public that they should not provide any sensitive
information over the phone to unknown individuals. These
individuals can be very convincing and if anyone has any doubts,
contact your Bank and/or Police with the details of the call.
BEBE Vox
Great Hit In Caithness
BeBe Vox took
Caithness by storm (12th to 16th Sept 2011) with her singing
and dancing performances to just under 1000 people at concerts in
Thurso and Wick. During the week she had performed in primary school
assemblies for over 1500 pupils at Miller Academy, Mount Pleasant,
Pennyland, Castletown, Hillhead, Pulteneytown Academy, Wick North, Wick
South and Keiss. Singer Chip Kendall also performed at assemblies in
Halkirk and Lybster primary schools to over 200 pupils.
BeBe had been invited north by Christians from various different
churches and denominations who were working together to promote
Christian children’s clubs and youth work in Caithness.
BeBe received a tremendous response to her pop style of singing and
dancing from pupils and staff at every school with everyone
enthusiastically joining in. BeBe was fantastic at engaging with the
pupils by telling short stories about herself on the important issues
of life.
BeBe’s Thurso concert at St Peter’s & St Andrew’s church had an
estimated 500 attend. It was a very passionate and professional
performance that was enjoyed by both children and parents. BeBe was
joined on stage by singer Chip Kendall and dancers Georgia Pennell and
Lucy-Jayne Wells. Chip brought a message of ‘Hope’ towards the end of
the concert and advertised the local Christian Sunday schools and youth
clubs and groups in the area. After the last song BeBe and Chip were
mobbed by young autograph hunters for about 45 minutes. They had to go
outside the front of the church building to sign autographs due to the
huge crowd around them.
The Wick concert in Pulteneytown Parish Church was anotther great night
with about 400 in attendance.
BeBe and her team thoroughly enjoyed their week in Caithness and made
many friends in the far north. It is hoped that she might make a return
visit sometime next year. BeBe Vox works for Manchester based
‘Innervation Trust’, which works with schools all over the UK using
popular music to present the Christian faith in a relevant way to young
people.
Volunteer Adviser needed for People First-Caithness
People First is an independent self-advocacy voluntary
organisation which aims to support adults with learning
difficulties. Could you help this group continue? As a volunteer
your role would be to:
· Work with the members
on issues and goals it has identified
· help the members with
meetings
· Support the members
to develop a way forward
The group meets in Thurso and would like to have weekly meetings.
However, a flexible approach and timescale could be worked out in the
initial stages. If you have a few hours to spare and feel you
have good communication skills, could you help this community
group? For more information contact Catherine Patterson,
Caithness Voluntary group.
Tel 01955 605002 email volunteering@cvg.org.uk
Scorries' cup overfloweth in their Scottish
tournament opener at Harmsworth Park Academy 9
hot....Coldstream 1 cold
Report By Noel Donaldson WICK - Macadie 23, Allan
31, Weir 54 pen, 78, 82, Shearer 61, Cunningham 66, 69,76 COLDSTREAM - Allan 37
IF there was any doubt at half-time about Academy’s progress to the
second round of the Scottish Cup, then it was well and truly
extinguished in the second period. A couple of hat-tricks and a single
goal sealed Coldstream’s fate and must have made that 300-mile trudge
back home, seem like a John O’ Groats to Land’s End marathon........more
19 September 2011
Edwardian Concert
At Castletown - Friday 23 September at 7.30pm Following the
discovery of an original handbill advertising a Castletown village
concert at the turn of the previous century, Castletown Heritage
Society hopes to recreate the atmosphere of an Edwardian concert
featuring local acts and performers. Produced in association with
North Highland Connections we are delighted to have secured the
services of Professor Chris Underwood, Head of Vocal Studies at the
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Professor Underwood will
deliver a week of training and coaching to assist performers in
preparation for what will undoubtedly be an interesting and
entertaining evening.
Willow
Artist In Inverness And Thurso
Exhibition by leading willow artist to tour Highland galleries AN Exhibition entitled
"Spirit of Air"
and featuring large scale suspended and wall based willow works by
leading artist Lizzie Farey is currently on display at Inverness Museum
& Art Gallery before visiting the Swanson Gallery in Thurso. This
solo exhibition, entitled "Spirit of the Air" celebrates the new
creative direction of one of Scotland's highest profile practitioners.
Wild
Flower Seed Collection Training At Dunnet
Expert advice on collecting wild seeds - Training day at wildlife
centre a success
MEMBERS of the Caithness Biodiversity Group and Caithness Countryside
Volunteers recently learned about the best techniques to collect and
store wild flower seeds. A training
day was held on Saturday 10 September at Highland Council Planning and
Development Service’s wildlife centre at Dunnet Bay, Seadrift, and the
volunteers were trained by Giles Laverack and Fiona Guest from Scotia
Seeds. The Local Biodiversity
Group decided to organise a wildflower seed collection training event
to encourage people to collect wildflower seed from local sources. This
in turn will assist with several biodiversity projects currently
running in the county such as the Great Yellow Bumble Bee, road verge
and the seed bank projects. Photo
Photos
From Wick Academy's Amazing Result Against Fort William
Report and Photos - Noel Donaldson
Wick Academy....8........Ft William.....1 (Ac. scorers, Cunningham
2, (4 and 20 mins) Gunn (22min) Weir (44min); Allan (54 and 86), Steven
(76min), and McAddie (80min)
WICK ACADEMY demolished Ft William 8-1 and recorded a little bit of
history by equalling the team’s best home goal total in a single game,
since they joined the Highland League. The Scorries opened
their account on the rain-soaked pitch, in the fourth minute with a
well-taken Stevie Cunningham and apart from a Fort penalty leveller not
long afterwards, it was downhill all the way. It was 4-1 at the
interval and Academy piled on the pressure and the goals in the second
period. Some might say
that the Fort were a bit of a push-over but you won’t find Academy fans
dwelling on that, just savouring that ever-so-good-feeling of
success. Ground staff
and volunteers with "sweepers" a hoover, and a suction roller, made a
Herculean effort to clear water from the pitch, in time for the
kick-off.
Far
North Rail Users Survey By Donnoch Rail
Link Action Group
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CQ879P9
Take a few minutes to fill in this survey - it takes about two minutes.
Check out www.dorlag.co.uk to see what they do in their campaign.
This is an electronic rail users' survey to help ascertain how much
local and commercial support there is for major improvements like the
Dornoch Rail Link for the Inverness - Thurso/ Wick railway line,
particularly in the light of ongoing developments. Mark
Norton for DORLAG said, "The results of this will then help us lobby
for upgrades to our railway line more effectively with a high level of
meaningful support. These results will also help the local regeneration
partnership and transport organisations, including the Caithness
Transport Forum and the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration
Partnership, determine ongoing and future transport priorities for the
Far North in light of significant developments here."
Isleford
Crew Remembered
The "Isleford" was a merchant ship requisitioned in World War Two to
carry munitions and supplies. The vessel was lost near Wick in
terrible conditions and the lifeboat could not be launched. A
plaque donated by Caithness Stone Industries was unveiled after a
parade. All the names of the crew were read out.
Singing
Master Class - Open To All - FREE
An important strand of North Highland Connections' work is in promoting
cultural and educational residencies around the region. Currently NHC
is promoting a series of 12 such activities at various centres. These
are promoted in collaboration with local volunteer groups and schools,
with financial support from a Highland LEADER award, matched by private
foundation funding. The next residency will be based at
Castletown Heritage Centre, near Thurso. Titled 'Singing for All', it
begins on Tuesday, 20th September.....
Dounreay
Nuclear Site Rocks Added To
Nottingham Archive - BBC
Rock samples taken
from a nuclear site were first checked for radioactive contamination
before being added to a national collection held in Nottingham. Six
hundred boxes of stone have been sent from Dounreay in Caithness to the
British Geological Survey's (BGS) national rocks repository.
Football
Fun Festival - Sunday 11th September - "The Dammies", Thurso Photography
In The Caithness.org Forum
The photography section in the forum has been around for a few years
now and the photographs seem to get better and better. Recent
additions include - Ackergill Dirlot
Castle New
York
There
hundreds of section and thousands of photos contributed by the forum
members. In addition two very large section of old photos from Wick and Thurso
are very popular with visitors to the forum "Paper
Wrappers
& Herbarium Sheets"
An exhibition by Joanne B. Kaar at Caithness Horizons from 13th
September until 11th December 2011
Local artist Joanne B. Kaar has been working with the curator of
Caithness Horizons over the last few years to help document, photograph
and digitise the botanical specimens and paper wrappers contained
within the Robert Dick Herbarium. Together they selected 60 of the
herbarium specimens, which Joanne has printed onto her
own handmade papers. All 60 are on display at
Caithness Horizons.
A
TASTE OF MEY RECIPE BOOK (ATOM)
A truly special and unique hard back recipe book containing many
interesting anecdotes has been launched by the Castle of Mey and should
be available in a few days time. The book is described on
the back cover as "A unique Royal ragout" flavoured with marvellous
photographs, to be dipped into, treasured and, above all, used. With
more than 200 full-colour pages of favourite recipes and personal
memories of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from Her
friends, members of Her Household, present-day employees of the Castle,
and Patrons and Friends of the Castle of Mey.' Cost of the book is £20
and will be on sale in the shop at the Castle, from the 12th September
on. It can also be ordered through the website -
www.castleofmey.or.ok
9 September 2011
CAITHNESS
FIELD CLUB WINTER PROGRAMME 2011/12 Caithness Field Club's
winter programme is underway. The club offers arange of outings
and lectures to members and non-members. For a few pounds a year
you can join and receive the excellent annual bulletin with articles on
many aspects of Caithness history archaeology, natural history and much
more.
6
September 2011
Christmas
Bazaar To Replace Fun Day In Wick - Book A Stall NOW
Two extremely cold winters have made the Christmas Lights committee in
Wick rethink what they do each year. Doreen Turner for the group
said, "We are having a change this year for our fun day and are holding
a Christmas Bazaar in the Assembly Rooms, Wick on Saturday 26th
November 2011 from 12 to 4. We
all froze last year hence the
reason for trying something different. We still have to
make
arrangements for switching on the lights but we are working on this!!" To Book A Stall -
Contact 07818418232 (Corrected telephone number)
Closing date for booking stalls 30th September 2011.
5 September 2011
Wick
Marina Is A Great Success - Only A Few Berths Left
Anyone thinking about renting a berth at Wick Marina should get their
skates on as it is filling up faster than predicted. The Wick
Marina has been a huge success transforming not only the look of the
harbour but also changing the finances of the once struggling Harbour
Trust reborn as Wick Harbour Authority. The only question now is
"Will the Wick Marina need to be expanded in the near future?"
Well done to all involved in the transformation."
Stimulate Your Brain With Evening Classes
At North Highland College Gain Qualifications or study for enjoyment and to meet
new people. Try something new.
Places still available in the following classes
Counselling - Stained Glass - Jewellery Making - Geology - Digital
Photography
Italian - Computing - Art & Crafts - Basic DIY - Emergency First
Aid - Welding
Higher Maths, English and Biology
Classes start next week and anyone interested in attending, or
receiving an evening class brochure, should contact Fiona or Mandy on
01847 889250 or email info@northhighland.ac.uk
Wick
Primary Schools Consultations
Public Meetings Wick
High School, at 7pm on 6 September - Hillhead and North Primary Schools
Assembly Rooms, Wick at 7pm on 13 September - Pulteneytown Academy and
South Primary Schools All the documents
relating to the consultations are on the Highland Council web site at
the above link. Therer is also a discussion forum on the council
web site. Comments can be forwarded in writing or by email. All
comments received will be summarised and made available to Elected
Members who will consider this Consultation Report at the Education
Culture & Sport Committee on 10 November 2011. Councillor
Bill Fernie, chairman of the Education, Culture and Sport committee
will chair both meetings in Wick.
CASST Fund Raising Events
Drugs seized following search of fishing vessel in Orkney
Northern Constabulary report that Police have recovered suspected Class
A drugs with an estimated street value of £2000 following an
intelligence led search of a Lerwick registered vessel at Kirwall
Harbour at the weekend. Officers searched the boat on 3 September
and inquiries into the incident are ongoing at this time.
Caithness Amateur
Athletic Club Wick to Thurso Charity Sponsored Relay
The Wick to Thurso road relay race started way back, but has been
running in its present form since 2002. The race is currently organised
and marshalled by the CAAC committee, coaches, family and friends and
normally takes place annually in September. The event is non-profit
making and all proceeds from the race are donated by CAAC to local
charitable organisations - last year the record sum of just over
£10,000 was raised; split equally between the North Highland Cancer
Information & Support Centre and the Stillbirth & Neonatal
Death Charity (SANDS). Johnson Controls have kindly provided
sponsorship to the event over the last few years and provide the
essential lead, roving and sweep vehicles required to provide safety
cover, as well as radio communication equipment. This year's
event is being staged on Sunday the 25th of September and all proceeds
will be donated to The Caithness Branch of the MS Society Scotland and
Thurso High School Resourced Base for Children with Severe and Profound
Learning Difficulties. More and entry details......
How does one like one's eggs?
Daily Mail
Charles reveals Queen Mother's top dish with Tabasco, prawns and a dash
of anchovy sauce.......
During the Queen Mother’s extraordinarily long life, it was a mainstay
of royal wedding feasts and many a Highland picnic at her beloved
Castle of Mey in Thurso, Caithness.
Community
Centre In Wick Moving Fast
PPP staff had a guided tour of the new £3.4 million Community Centre
being built on Huddart Street, Wick on August 30. The Community Centre
is looking magnificent now that most of the scaffolding has come down.
The only section still with any scaffolding erected is the main
entrance. The final windows are to be being installed in the PPP staff
office in the coming weeks, but even with these minor tasks still to
perform the Centre looks very impressive and inviting. Inside the
building some decorating is already going ahead with the walls of the
children’s play area painted a colourful green and yellow. The interior
of the multi-purpose hall is looking very fresh and modern while the
youth common room has some of the walls painted a cool blue.
Construction is still currently ahead of schedule, with the building
expected to be completed in February 2012. See inside Pulteneytown
People's Project Newsletter Items
New Carnegie Groups
PULTENEYTOWN People's Project Carnegie programme will be running
brand new groups for students attending Thurso and Wick High
Schools. Pupils from Wick High School started their programme on
August 23, closely followed by the Thurso pupils who started on August
25. The program will run until the October holidays, giving the
students involved help and support in finding and maintaining
employment. Carnegie is a programme which seeks to provide both a
theoretical and practical course tailor suited to young people of
school age who are potential school leavers. Through Carnegie young
adults are better prepared for starting work. Both groups will be
studying SQA Employability and Steps to Work where the units focus on
preparing for employment, building their employability skills,
responsibilities of employment and dealing with work
situations. Additionally the students will be taking the Road Safety
Awareness SQA in order to help them pass their driving theory tests.
Job Club Sports Leadership Course
IF you\u2019re looking for employment then PPP can help with its free
Job Club, offering you help, support and advice on finding your perfect
occupation. Running every Friday from 10am to 5pm, the Job
Club can be found at 45 Murchison Street, Wick. From 10-1pm a morning
drop-in takes place where people can freely search for jobs, work
on their CV, or browse the job sections of the newspapers.
From 2-4pm you can book a half-hour session with a member of staff who
can help you with any job related issue from interview techniques to
creating the perfect CV. These half-hour meetings are your perfect
chance to get one-to-one support and the best way to get the answers
which you need. The last hour of the day will be free
computer time, giving the opportunity to work on what you\u2019ve been
discussing in your half-hour meeting or simply use the Internet to
search and apply for jobs. For more information on the Job Club or to
book your half-hour session, please call the PPP offices on 01955
606950. First Aid
Course
CUTS, scrapes and breaks are no bother to the people of Wick after a group participated in
Pulteneytown People\u2019s Project's Emergency First Aid at Work Course.
The group of nine
attended the event at Wick Youth Club on August 4 where they spent the
day learning various different ways of preventing and treating injuries and
illnesses at work. Tutored
by PPP staff member Vince Walker, the Health and Safety Executive
approved course taught the ins-and-outs of health and safety regulations, management of an
incident, treatment of unconscious casualties, choking, seizures, bleeding,
shock, resuscitation and priorities of first aid. Life-size dummies were laid out to put
all the theory into practice while miles of bandages were used to teach best
methods of supporting strains, pains and breaks. All who attended said the course was
informative, interesting and valuable towards future employment and their
CV. Further Emergency
First Aid at Work Courses are provisionally planned for October 5 and October 29 which will
give new groups the opportunity to learn these valuable skills. The course
costs \u00a3115 or \u00a340 if you are currently receiving benefits, both
of which can be paid for through ILA (Individual Learning Account) if the person is
registered. Anyone wishing to register their interest in attending can contact
PPP on 01955 606950. I'm
The Real Life Indiana Jones - The Sun
Ex Wicker Ashley Cowie's career as author, adventurer, historian
and now TV star seems to be on an ever upwards curve. Ashley has
recently been appearing in a hit TV series Legend Quest in the USA and
an article appeared in the Sun on Saturday. Ashley has also
produced another book "The Super Star - America's Royal Secret"
available as a download from his web site www.ashleycowie.com
4 September 2011
Reiss
Beach - Great Walk Even On A Dull Saturday Reiss
Beach is just a short distance from Wick runs from Ackergill to
Keiss round the edge of Sinclair Bay. Sometimes you might be lucky to
see dolphins. At low tide the boiler of the Aberdeens trawler Jean
Stevens can still be seen just off the beach. It ran ashore in a snow
storm in 1958. Skirting the bay are a range of different whales and
dolphins at various times of year. On Monday work will begin on
improving the access to the beach.
Video of Reiss Beach
Achvarasdal Bat Walk - Reay - Friday 9th September - 8pm
Celebrate the year of the Bat with a Bat Walk around
Achvarasdal woodland. Use Bat detectors to find and learn more about
the local midge munchers. Meet at Car Park just outside entrance
to forest (please do not park in private driveway) Weather
dependent - Bring a torch!
£3/£2 concession. Contact Jenny on 01847 821531 for details.
3 September 2011
Keiss
Primary Get Prizes From New Community
Benefit Fund
A new company has been established to distribute £4m funding from the
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for community projects in the
Dounreay travel to work area. The Community Benefit Fund has been
provided in association with the construction of a low level waste
facility soon to be built at Dounreay. Caithness and North
Sutherland Fund Ltd, was established with assistance from the Dounreay
Stakeholder Group. Seven directors have been appointed to run the
company: 3 Highland Councillors; Cllr David Flear, Cllr John Rosie and
Cllr Robbie Rowantree who cover the whole of the geographic Dounreay
Travel to Work Area, and also 4 Appointed Directors with expertise in
community and economic development; Koreen MacDougall, John Henderson,
Shona Munro and Frances Gunn........... The Caithness & North
Sutherland Fund directors invited primary school children in the
community to design a logo which symbolises the fund's core purpose and
mission. Catriona, a P7 pupil at Keiss Primary School was chosen
as the winner as the directors thought her design encompassed the
fund's mission........ Larger
Photo HERE - Just click on view
full size here
Wick
Family Centre - Pre-School Child Care
If you have a pre-schooler and you are looking for additional child
care then look no further! Wick Family Centre have places
available for 2 1/2 - 4 year olds to attend our fun-filled, safe and
stimulating wrap-around child care service. At WFC, we understand
that it can sometimes be difficult to find reliable child care for your
child before they are of school age so we aim to provide this service
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm.
Anyone can use this service, even if you want to go and get your hair
done or have lunch with friends, we cater to everyone's needs.
For more information or if you would like to book a place, please call
us on 01955 606065 or alternatively you can e-mail us at
wickfamilycentre@mail.com. We are situated in Bank Row,
Wick. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sea Watching Presentation
- Thursday 8th September 6-7.30pm
Enjoy a digital slideshow presentation by the ranger
all about the whales, dolphins and porpoise to be seen here in our far
north waters. Learn how to identify the different species and how/where
to look for them for yourselves. - Seadrift Visitor Centre, Dunnet Bay.
ND 219706 - Adults £3, concession £2
Reiss Beach - Improvements
to Beach Access
As Caithness Volunteers Combine With Scottish Southern Energy Employees
Please note that from 6th September
2011
there will be disruption to the main public access onto Reiss
Beach. The current steps onto the beach from the car park are due
to undergo improvements which will result in disruption of
access. This work will be the result of a voluntary project
between the Volunteer Centre at Caithness Voluntary Group, Scottish
Southern Energy. Scottish Southern Energy employees will
volunteer their time and skills to improve the beach as part of their
‘Community at Heart Program’ Reiss
Beach Photos
