WELL,
justice has been done - Wick Academy 3 Brora Rangers 0
Reporter
Noel Donaldson - Match Report - 29 December 2012
Wick Academy,
having had to suffer the ignominy of losing out to a manager who
sneaked
off over the Ord, to another job and added insult to injury by signing
for derby rivals, Brora Rangers, responded in the most effective way –
on the field of football.
Their 3-O defeat of the Sutherland side, the second time this season
and by the same margin, sent out a clear message to Davie Kirkwood,
making his debut, yesterday, in the dugout at Harmsworth Park, for the
first time since the controversy – “We are doing fine without you...in
fact we’re doing better without you.”
PHOTOS From The Match
Open Day Saturday 29th December 2012 Everyone is welcome to come along to our club open day on
Saturday 29th
December 2012 from 2.00 – 4.00 pm Find out more about our club and see
our work shop where our St Ayles Skiffs will be built at the Wellington
Centre, Wick Airport Industrial Estate (Opposite Sutherland Brothers).
Looking Back at 2012 On Caithness.org Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12
months. They are all still online. A few places to check out
-
2012 photos January
- February
- March
- April
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Earlier Years
If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive
section
Looking Back at 2012 On
Caithness.org Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12
months. They are all still online. A few places to check out
-
2012 photos January
- February
- March
- April
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Earlier Years
If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive
section
Looking Back at 2012 On
Caithness.org Did you miss out on some of our photos in the past 12
months. They are all still online. A few places to check out
-
2012 photos January
- February
- March
- April
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Earlier Years
If you want to check back over something in the last 12 years go to our Archive
section
The
Decorator in Caithness Has Great Wheels If
you want some decorating done in the new year to brighten up your life
in 2013 give "The Decorator" a call. If your
business has a
vehicle with logo and details on it send us a photo to be included in
our fast growing commerical
vehicles gallery
and get your business noticed. We will link to your busines
page
in our index where you can have a link to your web site, facebook pages
and more all for FREE.
Fit's
in 'e Groat 'is week? A quick run through
stories from today's John O'Groat Journal from Noel Donaldson.
Check out other stories from him in Doanalsin's
Diary several times a week.
Drink
Driver Arrests Down But Campaign Goes On Into 2013
Police
in Highlands and Islands encouraged but not complacent following drop
in drink drive arrests - ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign.
Police in the Highlands and Islands say they are encouraged by the
figures following week three of the ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign,
aimed at targeting drink and drug drivers.
Eight drivers were caught during week three compared to 11 during the
same period last year.
And whilst the Force Road Policing Unit Inspector, Neil Lumsden, is
still disappointed that so many were caught, he is encouraged by the
reduction in the figures. This trend was also apparent after week two
of the campaign.
Storms
Threw Up Thousands Of Tons Of Seaweed On The Caithness Coast Various
places around the Caithness coast now have thousandsof tons of seaweed
after the recent stroms. heavy styuff to shift but the men
from
the council are doing their best to clear placesin towns and villages.
great stuff for gardens if you can shift it and them make
compost.
Caithness
Astronomy Group - December 2012 Newsletter The
latest newsletter from the very active Caithness Astronomy Group is
here for you to read.Their
web site is being updated and has a growing range of photos from its
members. To read the full newsleter click on through to the Pdf file
linked at the bottom of this introduction. You will note also
that they are oen of the first new groups into our new community
section. Get
Connected -
if you would like your groups added to the new section send us up to
date details of contacts and a short note about your group.
Earlier material from exiisting pages will be transferred in
due
course. Let us know if you have a Facebook or Youtube entry
that
we might link to.
Old Buildings in Caithness - not always doomed Fishermen's
Cottages at Berriedale Transformed by Landmark Trust While
many old Caithness buildings remain in a threatened or derelict
condition not all are doomed. These fishermen's cottages at
Berridale were transformed and came back into use as holiday cottages.
The Landmark Trust did an fantastic job in restoring them and putting
oin modern facilities whilst retaining the ambience of the old houses. If
anyione would like to stay there for week or two seeHERE History
and What Landmark Trust did (Pdf file)
Old Buildings In Caithness The
Old Free Church At Bruan This
section is still growing but if anyone has any photos of interesting
old Caithness buildings you would like to include then email
them to
bill@caithness.org for inclusion.
The
Old Fog Cannon After many years being hidden away in the trees at
riverside, Wick the cannon returned back to its home at Wick harbour at
the Harbourfest
2012.
Old Buildings In Caithness Bruan
Church The
latest addition to our gallery of photos of old building in Caithness.
Bruan Church closed in October 2006 when the last service was
held. The church has been on sale ever since but to date no
one
has bought it.A
brief history can seenHEREPhotos from the last service can be
seen HEREThe
old buildings in Caithness gallery will continue to grow and if you
would like to add photos of buildings you have visited then email them
to bill@caithness.orgWe will add appropriate links or
acknowledgements as you request.
Wick
Coastal Rowing Club Off To A Great Start Wick
Coastal Rowing club has bounded on to the stage in the latter half of
2012. Due to an enthusiastic committee they have set up the club aims
and a new web site. They have successfully applied for range of funding
and been given the use of the workshop at the Wellington Centre by
Highland council to construct their boats in.
Everyone seems to be getting behind the effort to put Wick on the map
for coastal rowing to join other clubs recently formed around the
Scottish coast. Reflecting the sea heritage of Wick the club seem to
have tapped into local feeling that this is the right thing for a port
with a long maritime history to get involved in.
Wick
All Set For The Street Party To Bring in 2013 Art & Jewellery Sale at
Natural Retreats, John O'Groats If
you are looking for that unusual and unique Christmas gift and have
not yet done all your Christmas shopping then head over to John
O'Groats on Saturday 22nd December.
Monique Sliedrecht a Canadian artist who has been a few years in
Scotland especially living in Caithness and her friend Manuela Lyle who
was brought up in Scotland but now reside in Barcelona are both showing
their work and offering everyone the chance to make gifts of artwork
and jewellery.
The pair will be at the Storehouse at Natural Retreats where an open
fire will give a cosy feeling and where a glass of mulled wine or
coffee will give a warm glow in the winter chills.
Visit the Storehouse at John O'Groats - Open 11.00am - 5.00pm
Thurso lifeboat crew prepare for
Christmas shout
- BBCScotland Craig
Anderson and cameraman Brian Ashman joined the crew of Thurso lifeboat
for a day's training.
For the crew of the Thurso lifeboat, Christmas Day is like any other
day - when their emergency pagers go off.
And twice in the past three years the largely volunteer crew have been
called out on a day that for most of us is a relaxing holiday.
20
December
2012
Further
Cancellations on Northern Isles Ferry Services
Serco NorthLink has issued another warning to customers as
severe
weather continues to disrupt ferry services linking Aberdeen with
Orkney and Shetland.
The operator is in the process of contacting customers booked on
services between today and Christmas to advise them most sailings are
likely to be cancelled.
Old
Buildings In Caithness Can
You Guess Which One This Is?
Watten Church Colouring Competition - Take your entries When
you go To See Santa
Friday Evening and Saturday Afternoon This Week - Try one or all three
Caithness Business On Wheels
D
Coghill & SonAutoparts of Thurso
If
you would like your business vehicle added to the growing gallery just
email a photo to bill@caithness.org. Entries are FREE and we
will
make a link to your business apge to let customers know more about your
business. Make sure your business has a free entry in the Caithness
Business Index or for businesses in Sutherland the Sutherland
Business Index. Sutherland businesses can also send
in their vehicle photos for our gallery.
NorthLink
Issues Warning to Travellers - Ferries Cancellations Due To
Impending Severe Weather
Severe Weather Due to Disrupt Services
Serco NorthLink has warned customers to expect unprecedented disruption
to services as forecasts predict severe weather until Christmas Eve.
The ferry operator brought today’s southbound sailing from
Lerwick forward to 1300hrs, with arrival in Kirkwall expected at
1800hrs. The MV Hjaltland is expected to arrive in Aberdeen at or after
0700hrs tomorrow morning, meaning a significantly longer journey for
those on board.
Freight services have also been disrupted. Today’s southbound sailing
was been cancelled and the northbound sailing will halt at Kirkwall.
Serco NorthLink expects a number of cancellations over the coming days
and has warned customers not to plan travel on its routes between
Aberdeen and the Northern Isles unless absolutely necessary. Less
disruption is expected on the Pentland Firth crossing.
WARNING
- Authorities Braced For Repeat Of The Big Storm This Week
Authorities up and down the east coast of Scotland are
prpearing for repat of the storm after SEPA and weather forecasts show
all the ingrediendts building for high seas and flooding once again. Although
nothing is certain the forecast is not good and conditions look as if
they may come together to bring heavy rain and high winds to the coast
once again. The
public are being asked to be vigilant and take all precautions in case
of flooding. A
FLOOD ALERT has been issued for Caithness and Sutherland.
Large waves are expected from late Thursday and throughout Friday which
have the potential to result in flooding from waves and spray
overtopping on the eastern and north-eastern coastlines of Caithness
and Sutherland.
Christmas
Comes Early For Caithness Groups
Christmas
came early for a number of local organisations when they
received cheques from from the Highland Council's Caithness Wards
Discretionary Budgets. The cheques were presented by Caithness Members
at a ceremony in Wick Town Hall on Monday 17th December 2012.
Organisations who received awards were Wick Coastal Rowing Club £3000
towards material to build new boats, Caithness Kuki Sool Wan Club £1000
towards travel costs to Championships held in Liverpool, Caithness Big
Band £3198 towards cost of uniforms and equipment, Ormlie Community
Association £1500 towards cost of running their Junior Warden Scheme,
Lieurary Hall Committee £3000 towards cost of new furniture and St
Johns Loch Improvement Society £9000 towards cost of a new Anglers
Lodge.
Keiss
Primary School - Twelve Days Of Christmas
A
section of the Keiss primary pupils, who treated teachers and guests
to an action song renderting of the Twelve Days of Christmas, after
their festive lunch, recently.
Board
Confirms End Of Door Entry Policy
The Highland Licensing Board has confirmed its decision to abolish its
door entry policy, which required customers at 13 night clubs across
the Highlands to enter the premises by midnight.
The Board took a policy decision to abolish its door entry policy at a
meeting on 20 November on the basis that it had not been demonstrated
that the policy continued to serve any of the 5 licensing objectives.
At today’s Board meeting, members reviewed the licences of the 13 night
clubs and agreed to vary the licences to remove the door entry
condition. Two venues in Thurso are affected by the changes - Skinadis
and New Market Bar.
Caithness Business Runs
On Wheels Thurso Tyre Centre The
photo section on Caithness vehicles used by businesses in the north is
growing fast. If you would like your business vehicle added
just
email a jpeg photo to bill@caithness.org Some of your
vehicles
may be snapped as bill goes about the area. Entries are free
and
will have links to business pages where appropriate.
Caithness
Christmas These
kids got plenty of surprises at the Newtonhill Santa day when they
tried their luck in the lucky dip.
The Storm At Wick Bay raged all through the night and on until 2.00pm
in the Afternoon
Clearing Up At Wick Harbour while Storm Was Still Raging On Saturday
Wick Bay Storm Video
Ferocious
Storm Hits Wick Bay - Some Say It Is Worst in Their Lifetime Wick has been battered relentlessly since Friday night as
a ferocious storm hammered into Wick Bay. Police and fire
brigade, council workers and many more worked throughout the night and
all day today. Wick Harbour has been batttered with hundreds
of large waves and tidal surges. More photos to
come later.
M
M Motors - Last Business Vehicles In To The Growing List of Business
Vehicles in Caithness This
latest photo of Caithness business vehicles says exactly
what the business does. Car repairs and servicing, MOT's etc
They will also collect and deliver yourvehicle.Any
busines that would like to add their photo to this record of
Caithness Business vehicles can get a free listing by emailing a photo
and details to bill@caithness.org. We will link to your
business
page in our index and there you can get links to your web site,
facebook pages and Youtube asnd with a google map link to help
customers find your location so its another great chance to promote
your business completely FREE on Caithness.org
12
December 2012
Recycle
Old Electrical Items Householders
reminded of recycling service for electrical items
that have lost their spark
With Christmas coming householders are being given a timely reminder
that they can recycle all their old electrical items at their local
recycling centre.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling (WEEE) has been
available at all of the Council’s recycling centres since the start of
2010. In 2011, 2,258 tonnes were collected and this tonnage is on track
to be even higher this year.
Educators
Lead On Around
65 staff in The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service
have recently completed a training programme aimed at encouraging
generic leadership skills.
Hugh Fraser, Highland Council’s Director of Education, Culture and
Sport Service welcomed participants to a presentation day held in
Milton of Leys School, Inverness on Saturday 8 December. Guest speaker
at the event was Anthony Finn Chief Executive of GTC Scotland (General
Teaching Council of Scotland).
Caithness
Countryside
Volunteers Build New Bird Boxes The
Caithness Countryside Volunteers spent last Sunday morning building
bird boxes at their last event of the year. A total of 14 standard bird
boxes were built at Seadrift, The Highland Councils wildlife centre at
Dunnet Bay.
Marina Swanson, The Highland Council Countryside Ranger and event
organiser said: “We like to finish off our programme of events for the
year with an indoor bird box building session.
Watch Out For These Businesses In Caithness Keiss
Garage Bell's
Seafoods There
are plenty of local businesses in Caithness and we are building a
collection of phoos of their vehicles. If your business has
vehicle with your name on it that you would liek added to the growing
gallery with free links to your business page then just email it to
bill@caithness.org. Bill is snapping some that he comes
across
from day to day.
We can also link to your Facebook page if you
have one via the business index so check that out also.Got a new
product or good offer for customers then send us a short article with a
photo to feature in the business pages - FREE of charge.
More Working Vehicles In Caithness
To see them all Start
HERE
A few vehicles from a few years ago have already disappeared
from the streets.
If you would like your Caithness work vehicles added just
send
a photo with details to bill@caithness.org
and we will give a free
link to the business index for your details to help potential
customers. As suggestion has been made that it would
be good to
have some photos of vehicles with the drivers.
New School Closures Online Web
Page With
the onset of wintry conditions, The Highland Council has launched a new
school closure page on its website to supplement its school closures
telephone information service.
School Closures Online is prominently featured on the home page of the
Council’s web site www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosuresonline to advise
parents and pupils if local schools have been closed due to adverse
weather conditions. Although the closures website is particularly
useful during the winter months, the website will be active all year
round when schools can close for a variety of reasons such as damage
caused by adverse weather or emergency situations such as loss of power
or water supplies. Traffic
Web CamsWeather At Scrabster
- Wick
- Halkirk - Thurso - Dunbeath
Black Ice Expected On The Roads
The Highland Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services
have issued a warning that black ice is anticipated overnight tonight
and into 6 December.
Richard Guest, Head of Roads and Community Works with TEC services
said: “Road surface temperatures are expected to fall as low as minus 8
overnight. A band of rain and snow will pass through the area during
the early hours.
ICANN
Awards To Caithness Groups
Caithness and Sutherland nurseries celebrate awards for children’s
communication. Staff from north Highland nurseries and
playgroups have recently received awards for their organisations from I
CAN the Early Talk Scheme run by the national charity for children with
speech and language difficulties.
This rigorous scheme accredits nurseries that have achieved 40
standards designed to show the centres skills in creating the right
environments for children's language and communication skills to
flourish. All
the Caithness PHOTOS HERE
4 December
2012
Whyte
Sisters From Caithness Complete Lejog
CAITHNESS sisters Seren Whyte 23 and Elise Whyte 21 have completed the
LeJog Land’s End to John O’ Groats classic car reliability challenge,
in their Mini Cooper. They were among the first arrivals to complete
the popular route and met up, today, with other drivers who stopped off
at Wick's former Haldanes car park where their cars were driven onto
low-loaders for the return journey south. The sisters combined their
trip with fund raising for The Pink
Ribbon Foundation - send them a donation.
2
December 2012
Community
Transport Buses Transport it available around the county for people with
mobility probelms for shopping, health appointments and social outings.
New Community
Section Now Under Construction - Take a Look We
will be updating many section in the old community pages in coming
months so if you have details for a group that need updated let uis
know so we can put the correct information into the new section.
If you would like new photos added just email them to
bill@caithness.orgFurther upgrades to the web site will
follow on from the new community section. There
will be no big bang as the work will be ongoingand we hope you
like the changesthat
will enable us to add new information even faster than in the past.You can
see from the old
community index that there is a great deal of work to do.
Keiss
School Christmas Fayre
KEISS primary school got into the festive spirit at its
annual
Christmas fayre which also attracted a big crowd and raised cash for
school funds.
