News Archive - April 2014

[ Back to Home Page ] [March 2014] [May 2014]

30 April 2014

Divas and Dudes Joins Revival Of High Street In Wick
Wick has another new town centre shop.  Divas and Dudes the children's boutique has opened in the High Street in Wick.  Following shortly after the opening of Key Store at the corner of High Street and Bridge Street there seems to be a grwoing confidence to open shops on the main streets in Wick once again



Funding Opportunity - Duncraig Educational Trust Scheme
Sports grants are available for 14 – 25 year olds who have been selected to participate in sporting events at national or international level and/or who require specialist sports coaching, training or equipment to compete at national or international level.
Grants for 16 – 25 year olds undertaking specialist courses of study in arts, language and heritage, science and environment and/or to purchase specialist equipment for such courses.

Carter/Honyman Second Time Winners of Bfest Pairs Championships
The defending champions were big favorites in the best of 13 final, but they were forced to watch Mark Alexander knock in some phenomenal clearances as the underdogs went 4-1 ahead. Carter and Honeyman adjusted their tactics and would win the next four frames, before Begg and Alexander leveled the match at 5-5. The experienced Camps "2" pair took the next frame to lead 6-5 and one frame away from victory. Alexander was close to taking the match to a deciding frame but left the black ball hanging over the middle pocket. Carter then made two tough long shots before sinking the easy black to win the Bfest Pairs Championship for the second year in a row.

Moonshine spirited away by illicit distillers
Noel Donaldson shares one of the stories from his fathers archives..

27 April 2014

Lifeboatmen keep duck race afloat in slow-moving river
WICK lifeboat volunteers never dream of ducking an emergency and they even waded to the rescue today. Things didn't move as fast as had been hoped after 500 plastic ducks were released above the Coghill Bridge, at the town's Riverside, for a fun fundraiser. As you can see, the ducks, with one exception, made little progress, initially, because of the slow-moving current and an offshore wind carried them towards river islands on the south side of the river. Anticipating that the competitors might not get off to a flying start, the volunteers had come prepared and waded into the river to get the competitors in the 350-metre race, back on track.   PHOTO GALLERY

Academy head-over-heels as Farquhar nods home late decider
Wick Academy  3   Rothes  2 - Reporter Noel Donaldson

ROTHES must have felt cheated out of a share of the spoils as Alan Farquhar stole all three points for Academy with an excellent header seconds from the final whistle. The decider saw the home side return to winning ways a after a frustrating series of games and they appeared at times, more like the team that wowed their fans in the earlier part of the season. Both sides had chances in the first half, the Scorries being denied by on-form Rothes keeper Craig Ferguson. He did well to palm a goal-bound shot away but could do nothing to stop the follow up by Gary Weir. Photo Gallery

26 April 2014

Results of campaign against doorstep crime prove to be successful
Following a campaign against doorstep crime, police in the Highlands and Islands can confirm that bogus workmen where stopped and prevented from carrying out further works, and a woman was arrested by police and subsequently remanded in custody after both incidents saw elderly residents targeted in their own homes.



Betting - Londoners Are Scientific and Scots Are Mathematical And Bravest
Gut instinct helps London punters make capital gains but Scots use maths and bravery.  The research also showed that London's bettors are also more scientific and analytical than anywhere else in the UK with 25% of those questioned indicating they were professors when it came to football, compared to just 15% of Scots who committed to using maths when looking to working out how to land a windfall. Scots however were by far the bravest bettors (38%) compared to any other area.

25 April 2014

WeighToSave, Wick Closing Down Sale Saturday 26th April
A few bargains to be had.

Should Caithness Have Its Own Flag? - Have Your Say In Our Forum

A Quick Look At 'e Groat an 'e Courier

Bud To Bloom - A New Exhibition coming To Wick
Bud To Bloom At St Fergus Gallery, Wick 3rd May to 7th June 2014
High Life Highland and the Crafts Council would like to invite you to our next exhibition at the St Fergus Gallery called Bud to Bloom which will be with us from 3rd May – 7th June. Bud to Bloom presents contemporary craft works inspired by the natural world and life-cycle of plants, selected from the Crafts Council Collection. The shapes, patterning, colours and materials of the works in the exhibition have been influenced by plants, flowers and fruit, in playful, creative and experimental ways.

Police advise public of possible disruption on Saturday near Inverness Retail Park

Councils' procurement improves but room for better value from £5.4 billion spend

Introduction of the Care and Learning Service at The Highland Council

Survey aims to help communities deal with doorstep crime
An online survey launched this week by The Highland Council’s Trading Standards seeks to examine the problem of rogue doorstep trading and to highlight local areas that might benefit from setting up ‘Cold Call Control Zones’. Most doorstep traders offer legitimate services. However, a small number seek to exploit the vulnerable by charging inflated prices for poor quality work, providing false information or acting as a front for “distraction burglaries” and unsolicited visits by honest traders are even unwelcome by many. From more than 270 reported incidents in The Highland Council area last year, residents claimed that they lost around £166,000 as a result of a number of crimes including bogus selling, unfair commercial practices and high pressure selling.

IOP Innovation Awards Open For Entries
The IOP Innovation Awards celebrate companies that make the most of physics. The IOP is one of the largest physical societies in the world, with over 50 000 members spanning all sectors of the economy.

Asphalt transformed to Caithness slate in Union Street trick
Visitors to Aberdeen city centre could soon be forgiven for thinking alchemists have been at work on Union Street, where asphalt will soon apparently have been transmuted into Caithness slate. The optical illusion being created on the south pedestrian area of Union Bridge will give the impression that hard-wearing asphalt has been replaced by Caithness slate.

24 April 2014

Cottage Pie For Your Norfrost Freezer
The Norfrost brand has undergone a revival under new owners Ebac and they have just appeared on the NEW TROUBLESHOOTER programme with Digby Jones on BBC2. See it on Iplayer if you missed it tonight. The company have already produced several recipe videos on Youtube to promote the brand.

Environmental volunteering is key to healthier, happier, more employable young people, says SNH chairman Scotland’s young people can become healthier, happier, and more employable by taking part in environmental volunteering, according to the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). An estimated 90,000 people take part in environmental or wildlife volunteering in Scotland each year. While many of these are young people, the majority are aged between 45 and 74 and from rural areas. Ian Ross, a former volunteer himself, took over as SNH chairman last month. He said he’d like to see more young people reap the benefits from this type of volunteer work and highlighted the many opportunities in and around towns and cities.

Coming Up At Lyth Arts Centre In May

Month two of the 2014 season at Lyth continues in May with a mix of comedy theatre, jazz, three day residency and traditional music to make sure you get variety for your night out - check it all out and book early.

Having A Wonderful Chime - Wick Town Hall Clock Back In Action
WICK'S town clock which went haywire last year is back in action again with new-look faces. The timepiece was restored as part of the town hall redevelopment.  The redevelopment has a few more weeks to run before it once again becomes available for use.  The refurbishment includes bringing the building up to disabled access standards with a lift to the upper floor.  The work is part of the modernisation of council properties that are also seen as part of the regeneration of Wick.  The other rmajor works in the town centre is the new council offices that will be ready in early 2015.  Two new primaries, new Wick high school, swimming pool and library along with other community facilities wil make Wick one of the best towns n Scotland for educational and council facilities by 2016.  Work on the new primary school north of the river has already commenced.  A new Children's Home wil also shortly be completed.  A further development still to commence is the new Nuclear Archive for UK to be build near Wick Airport.  The clock is just the first to be unveiled of the many changes happening in Wick.

23 April 2014

Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Included In New UK Goverrnment Investment
Government unveils eight major new renewables projects, supporting 8,500 green jobs. SSE welcomes the UK government's announcement that the Beatrice offshore wind farm project has been successful in securing an Investment Contract. The security the contract provides means SSE and its partner Repsol can continue to invest in the the engineering and procurement work required to maintain progress towards a final investment decision in early 2016.


YOUNG PEOPLE SEEK ADVENTURE TO COMBAT “BAD” JOBS MARKET
Thousands of young people are jetting abroad in search of adventure amid serious concerns over the state of the British jobs market. Among those aged 18 to 30 going overseas to work, 43 per cent say they are seeking adventure, 21 per cent aspire to work abroad and 36 per cent had simply had enough of Britain..... Smaller Earth UK placed over 6,000 young adults on its Camp Leaders programme in the United States in 2013, an increase of almost 20 per cent on the previous year.

Highland recruitment drive for nursery staff
The Highland Council is this week launching a recruitment drive for 140 extra nursery staff as it prepares to implement an increase in childcare provision from August 2014. As part of the implementation of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, all three and four year olds in Scotland will be entitled to 600 hours per year of early learning and childcare from August. The current entitlement is 475 hours, so this is a significant increase in provision.
Nursery Staff wanted - Wick High Vacancies  Thurso High Vacancies   Farr High School   Golspie   Dornoch
Cleaners wanted -  Wick Library  Archive Centre, Wick Library   Thurso High School
Many other vacancies are currently available in our Jobs section

22 April 2014

Can You Help Rangers Get Rid Of The Giant Hogweed Menace Along Wick River
Help control the invasive Giant Hogweed along sections of the Wick riverside. Training will be given by John Parrott from Collie Alba on how to sever roots, before splitting into smaller groups to survey the river bank.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant Supports More Action To Prevent Bird Poisonings
Highlands & Islands (Labour) MSP Rhoda Grant has claimed that more needs to be done to prevent a repeat of the carnage of the birds of prey in a small area of Ross Shire.

Education Director For Highland Announces His Retiremment Date
Mr Hugh Fraser, the Director of The Highland Council’s Education Culture and Sport Service, has announced his intention to retire later in the year. Mr Fraser, who will be 60 in July, will retire at the end of September after more than 37 years service as a teacher and in education management.

Body discovered following a search for a missing person in the Wick area

New operating rules at Highland Recycling Centres
From 28th April 2014, The Highland Council’s Recycling Centres will no longer accept waste associated with commercial or trade activities (i.e. work carried out for business or profit) such as household clearances, furniture removals and handyman or gardening services. A letter explaining these changes has been written to a number of businesses of this type that have used the Recycling Centres in the past and includes details of licensed disposal facilities in their area where they can dispose of their waste.

Thinking About Starting A New Business? Check Out This Free Course  - BOOK EARLY
This free workshop is delivered by Highland Opportunity Ltd - a company owned by Highland Council. The course is delivered via the Business Gateway that in Highland is operated by Highland Opportunity from its offices in Inverness. Join our two day workshop where you will learn how to develop your ideas into a practical and effective plan to launch your business. Key elements include: Getting the marketing right for your business; Developing a realistic, working business plan; Deciding what finance you need and learning how to use financial information.

21 April 2014

Police appeal for information regarding missing person Donna MacAlpine From Wick
"Police in Wick are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Donna MacAlpine, aged 22 years. She was last seen in the Macrae Street area of Wick about 1.15am on 21 April 2014. She is described as slim build with brown hair tied up, wearing a blue puffy jacket with pink trousers. Anyone with any information regarding Donna's whereabouts is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101."

New Vacancies Added at 1.45pm Today

Wick Youth Club Re-open Crazy Golf At Rosebank Park After Upgrade
Wick Youth Club's move into running the Rosebank Park in Wick is proving to be a great success.  On Sunday in addition to they egg hunt they also officially re-opened the crazy golf that has been refurbished by local firms and the community Pay Back Team.  The park now has some new items to amuse the kids when they visit the park in addition to the ever popular bouncy castle
.

20 April 2014

Easter Egg Hunt At Rosebank Park, Wick


Church to display historical stone
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Thurso has received a fibre glass replica of a historical stone, which will be displayed on Saturday, 26 April from 1-5pm during free tours of the new Thurso meeting house. The stone was originally part of a building in Stirling, where its inscription, ‘What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part,’ inspired a young man named David Oman McKay as he struggled with homesickness. His grandparents, Helen Oman and William McKay, lived in a croft they had built near Thurso and emigrated to America after joining the church in 1850. A hundred years later, their grandson became the President of the world-wide church, leading it for 19 years. Under his presidency, the church nearly tripled in size, from 1.1 million to 2.8 million members.

19 April 2014

Police to host Facebook chat event on motorcycle safety
Police Scotland, Highland and Islands Division are hosting a Facebook chat event on Tuesday 22 April 2014 on the topic of motorcycle safety. The evening, which will run between 18:00 hours and 19:30 hours will be facilitated by Acting Sergeant Alistair Mcbean, an Advanced Police Driving and Motorcycle Instructor, based in the Divisional Road Policing Unit in Dingwall. The aim is to raise awareness on motorcycle safety and, ultimately, keep riders safe in the Highlands and Islands.

18 April 2014

Fit's in 'e Groat 'is Week

Grant Campbell returns to Harmsworth Park

Superfast fibre broadband to roll out on first Scottish Island
Homes and businesses in Lerwick on Shetland are set to be Scotland’s first island community to get fibre broadband as part of the £410 million Digital Scotland partnership. Lerwick joins Keith in Moray as the latest areas to be announced as part of the Digital Highlands and Islands project which will deliver fibre broadband to 84% of premises across the region by 2016. They will see fibre broadband services offering speeds of up to 80Mbps* roll out in the autumn, as BT engineers deploy the technology.  Different parts of Caithness will be connected between January  - December 2015 but not all areas are includedin the rollout according to the map

17 April 2014

Deadline approaches for next round of Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme
The Highland Council is reminding people that bids to the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme need to be submitted by Wednesday 30 April.

Easter dog walkers urged to be careful around sheep
With lambing season well underway, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Ramblers Scotland and land management organisations, Scottish Land & Estates and NFU Scotland, are asking dog walkers to be aware of vulnerable young lambs when they’re out walking over the Easter holiday weekend.

Employment Fund Programme - Work Placement Scheme ·
Are you aged 16 or over and currently unemployed? ·
Would you like a work placement with a local employer that may lead to a job? ·
Would you like to gain certificated training towards employment?

Northern Nashville country Music Festival 18 - 20th April
the Northern Nashville Country Music Festival is here again for another Easter weekend and once again they have a huge line-up of singers.

16 April 2014

Job Added To Vacancies Section 3.45pm
Service Industries Assistant - North Highland College

More Memories Of Wick From Connie Dunnet Sutherland - Part 7

Braemore To Morven For Breathtaking Views Of Caithness

15 April 2014

Old Violin At The Heart Of First Responders Fund Raiser
The violin is possibly an old fake Stradivarius but the story behind why it is up for auction is very real.

14 April 2014

Your Citizens Advice Bureau – here to help
Caithness CAB was set up in 1982 and has been running successfully ever since. Your Citizens Advice Bureau – here to help The CAB service is here to help you. Whatever your problem, we’ll help you find an answer. There can be a perception that CAB deal only with people living in poverty and those in crisis, this is not the case and we will help anyone in need, including, for example, small employers. You’d be amazed by just how much information we have on just about any subject.

Several New Job Vacancies Added at 8.00pm Today

Reflections On New Wick Council Offices
       The new Wick council offices construction from the start

College Students ‘Champion’ Barclays Money Skills Week
Students at North Highland College UHI enjoyed a series of activities to learn how to better manage their money during Barclays Money Skills Week. The interactive events covered themes such as budgeting, saving and spending, and were designed to be entertaining and informative. Activities were based on topics that interest students, such as food, shopping and independent living. The initiative gives students the opportunity to build crucial skills for the future and gain knowledge of personal financial issues and controlling their budget. PHOTO GALLERY

Tour Your Local UHI Campus
The four North Highland College UHI (NHC) campuses are ever expanding and having had over £11 million invested over the last five years, is now opening its doors to offer campus tours for the general public. The scheduled tours are available to book online via the college website and will entail a general tour of one of the four campuses based in Thurso, Halkirk, Alness and Dornoch. Prospective students are able to register their interest in a particular subject area with the opportunity to chat to staff and students and the tours will be available twice per month.

HIAL Airports Record Busiest Ever Year
Energy sector drives huge growth at Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats
Extra 70,000 passengers across the group
Much of the growth was linked to the energy sector, with Sumburgh and Wick John O’Groats the main beneficiaries. At Sumburgh, Scotland’s fastest growing airport, passenger numbers grew by 32.2% as a result of increased oil and gas traffic. A major terminal development is planned in the coming months to allow for future growth as the airport seeks to expand its energy sector operations. Wick John O’Groats recorded growth of 21.7% following an increase in energy related fixed wing and helicopter operations, and additional scheduled flights between the capital and the far north.

13 April 2014

Thurso Gala Queen 2014 Announced
Thurso Gala committee have announced the names of the 2014 gala court.

12 April 2014

The Referendum - We Look At Some Web Items You May Not Yet Have Found

Local Dance Instructor's Daughter Does Well At Euro Dance

More Trophies For Rushdance
Willie Miller of Rush.dance reports on the latest wins. Two of my Rush.dance kids Chloe MacGregor and Tyler Hutton (both from Wick) have just competed at dancelines Euro dance International championships in Brean, This competition was run over the weekend with dance styles going on Freestyle, slow dance, show dance and Hip Hop sections. Chloe danced in the Open U8 Hip Hop Championship section, which she dance on Saturday in her way to the final and coming away with an amazing (2nd place) Runner up place. Tyler danced in the Open U10 Hip Hop Championship section, which he danced on Saturday on his way to the final and he became U10 Dance lines International Hip Hop Champion coming in 1st place. Tyler has now won this amazing title as Euro dance Hip Hop champion for the second year running.

11 April 2014

Mozart's Requiem Day On Saturday
Open to all singers and players.

Wow You Added Over 100 New Events To Our What's On In Two Days - Total now over 500
A couple of days ago we sgave reminder to get events added to the Caithness.org What's On section to increase the coverage and publicity and you certainly respionded.  Caithness always has plenty of events going on but does everyone know about them?  Well the total events in opur listings today is 511 - it changes daily but has shot up.  But we definitely know there is much more yet to be added - for example all the galas are not yet listed so that should add many more events.  So get your club dates, coffee mornings, fitness, football and gatherings of all kinds in to the What's On.  Kids Dance classes and groups of all kinds do not yet put there dmeeting dates in.  Businesses must have dates they want to share so get listing. - It's FREE so get them in. Just use the Submission form

ERI Met New Partners In Thurso To Kick Off Turnkey Project
This week saw the launch in Thurso of the TURNKEY (Transforming Underutilised Renewable Energy Natural Resource into Key Energy Yields) project. This €2 million EU project has seven partners from five EU countries, and is coordinated by the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso. It is part of the EU’s Atlantic Areas programme.



Licenced Premises To Be Checked Out In Coming Weeks
Police to carry out test purchasing operations in Caithness and Sutherland in the coming weeks. Police Scotland Highland and Islands Division will be carrying out test purchasing operations in the Caithness and Sutherland areas of the Division in the coming weeks.

Local residents wanted to represent communities on decision making panel
Two vacancies have arisen for community representatives to serve on a locally elected panel making decisions about funding from the E.ON Camster Community Fund; one representative is sought from the Watten Community Council area and one from the Tannach & District Community Council area.

Sea Survival Trainng Course - RYA FIRST AID
First course being run in Wick - Wednesday 30th April 2014
This is a one day course and it covers all the usual first aid subjects, but from a boating perspective. It is aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers or at sea. This course fulfils the requirements for professional skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including boatmasters. The course is recommended by the MCA and HSE


Parrot lost in the Springpark area of Thurso
If anyone see or captures please email Paul Cannop at paul.cannopATtopenworld.com

10 April 2014

NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HIGHLANDS
If you’re leaving school this year, planning a career change or would like to retrain, North Highland College UHI, Thurso, Alness and Dornoch has a range of new courses to kick start your career. The North Highland College UHI is continually seeking to improve their range of courses and levels and modes of study. This year, the college is excited to announce even more new courses with excellent progression routes to give you the best learning journey and opportunities right on your doorstep.


Need Cash For Holidays This Year? - Sell Your Unwanted Items In Our Classfied Ads Section - It's FREE
Whether you are buying or selling it is worth checking our ads section regularly as many items are being added each day.

Fit's in 'e Courier
A fast look at the local paper.

9 April 2014

Over 400 Events Are Listed In Our What's On Section - Is Your Event  Missing Out On Free Advertising
you may put posters up and banners near to the event but for long term coverage you cannot beat our What's On section with 24 hour a day 365 days of the year coverage if you get it on in time.  Every year we put out the same messages about getting events advertised as soon as possible and although it is getting better we know are several events coming that are not yet listed.   With thousands of look-ups each month it is wel worth adding your event to the Caithness.org What's On section.  One minute gets you on for weeks,  months or years ahead if you know the dates. Clubs can add their regualr meetins, AGM's added make good reminder and show all over our site on the day from midnight and on Caithness.org Facebook and Twitter. pages.

Several New Jobs Added At 8:25pm Today
Jobs include full time, part-time and seasonal work.

Caithness firm sets sights on space with NASA order
An award-winning Caithness company which develops cutting edge scientific equipment used across the globe has received a significant new order from the US Government space agency. ​ KP Technology Ltd, based in Wick, has received an order from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for its Kelvin Probe system. The company’s Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) portfolio spans a complete range of bespoke solutions for vacuum, air and controlled gases and relative humidity. It was developed by company founder and co-owner Professor Iain Baikie. Professor Baikie founded KP Technology 14 years ago and it now employs 13 staff in Wick, some of whom have advanced degrees in physics, electronics and engineering. The company now serves over 500 businesses and research institutes worldwide. What is A Kelvin Probe?

FloWave Test Tank Facility Can Simulate Pentland Firth Conditions
One of the biggest and most complex scientific instruments ever devised and built in Scotland will be 'in commercial action' for the first time this Spring (2014) at its site near Blackford Hill in Edinburgh. Early tests have proven that the unique £13 million huge 'International All-Waters Combined Current and Wave Test Facility' (popularly known as the FloWave Test Tank) will be able to replicate the natural, but sometimes extreme, varying sea-conditions of key parts of the Pentland Firth at different stages of the twice-daily tidal cycle and with different 'incoming' wave-heights.

Castletown Pharmacy Application Rejected
The NHS Highland Pharmacy Practices Committee has unanimously rejected plans to open a pharmacy in Castletown. The applicant Sanjay Mahju made the application for his company Apple Pharmacy Group that already has a number of pharmacies in Scotland. The GP's maintained the dispensing part of their business helped maintain GP's in the practice. Sanjay Mahju always maintained that the business was not a threat to the GPs.

Robin And The Sherwood Hoodies - A New Musical From Thurso Players
7 - 10th May - tickets on sale at Caithness Horizons, Thurso
A tale of fights flights and footlights will entertain you so get your tickets soon. Catchy songs and hysterical script make it fun for all the family. From the writer of Pirates Of The Curry Bean and Porridge comes a toe-tickling tale of tights, fights and footlights. And living and writing in the heart of Sherwood Forest himself, who better than best-selling author Craig Hawes to lift the lid on the legend you thought you knew!

Wick & District Pool League - Captains Cup 2014
Some outstanding potting from Thomson would see him take a 3-2 lead, but Carter dug deep to come back and win the match 4-3. Smith and Carter were not missing a shot in the final, with both players in outstanding form. Two 8 ball clearances helped Carter go 4-3 ahead, and one frame away from clinching his fifth Captains Cup title. Smith bounced back thanks to some excellent finishing to win the match and the title with a 5-4 scoreline.

8 April 2014

Wick High Pupils Build Bug Hotel
Pupils at Wick High School have been regularly working with the local Highland Council countryside ranger at Newtonhill Croft Woodland over the last 6 months. The youngsters have been working in all weather conditions and have undertaken a wide range of tasks such as hedge cutting and tree planting. The last two working sessions were spent building a ‘Bug Hotel’. The Bug hotel was constructed from old pallets and stuffed with recycled materials. Natural material such as pine cones, canes, tree bark, twigs, leaves straw, flagstones were used to provide suitable habitat to attract a wide range of mini beasts. Old flower pots and pipes were also used to create nooks and crannies for the little creatures to occupy.

Star Coaching - Easter Programme
Easter Holiday Programme - Wed 16th – Fri 18th April 3 days coaching and a fantastic goody bag Reduced Price £20 – Application forms available online New 25% sibling discount – check website for details.

7 April 2014

Police appeal for witnesses following a fire at Wick Harbour
Police in Wick are appealing for any witnesses to a fire which was deliberately set and caused substantial damage to a boating shed at the Wick Harbour around 03:15 hours on Sunday 06 April 2014.

Scottish Surf Kayak Championships Coming To Thurso
All standards welcome to take part so get your entry in now.   Novice, Open, Masters and Junior categories.  The Scottish Championships for Kayak surfing take place at Thurso on 19th and 20th April.




Young litter pickers get busy sprucing up their village
As part of their eco-school activities pupils at Melvich Primary School in north Sutherland spent their last day of term on Friday 4 April 2014 taking part in a litter pick around their village. Many hands make light work so in just a short space of time the young litter pickers were able to fill lots of black bags with discarded items that ranged from crisp packets to glass and plastic bottles.



Cross party support for Young and Novice Drivers and Graduated Driver Licensing
Highland Councillors are united in their support for proposed new legislation aimed at cutting accidents on our roads involving young drivers. Leaders of all political groupings on the Council back the introduction of a Graduated Driver Licensing system for new drivers in Scotland, which would restrict their permissions in driving unsupervised until they have gained adequate experience. And in letters confirming the Council’s support to the UK and Scottish Governments the Council makes an offer for the Highlands to pilot the scheme.

Join A Big Musical And Singing Event - Mozart's 'Requiem'
Saturday 12th April - St Fergus Church, Wick
Local musicians and singers are all invited to take part and join wiht the Caithness Orchestra in rehearsals and a final concert at the end of the day.  Already more than 60 people have signed up from Inverness, Skye and further afield.   If you play an instrument or are a singer then you can take part in this day.  At the end of the day at 4.00pm there will be a performance of the parts learned in the day.  The concert is open to the public to come along.

6 April 2014

Caithness Model Club Show 2014


Wick Academy 1 Formartine 1

Report on the game

5 April 2014

Rosebank Park, Wick Open Today  - 7 Days 2.00pm - 9.00pm
Crazy Golf has now been refurbished.  Tennis, football and bowling all open now and the bouncy castle will be back as from Monday.

4 April 2014

High School Fair With A Big Heart
Once again a group of Wick High pupils are heading out to another part of the world with problems to try and add their help.  They are fund-raising to pay for the trip to Bellarus.  So if you would like to help get long to the Fair they are running to purchase an item or donate to this great cause.   Caithness folk were very generous last year and the trip went very well.  This year our another groups of our young people are volunteering to assist another groups who have had their lives devastated.  Get along and help them reach their goals.  Saturday 11.00 - 3.00pm

Two Caithness Food Businesses Head For Singapore
Highlands and Islands businesses are at the forefront of showcasing Scottish food and drink in Singapore as part of two international events. Eight companies from the region are part of an 18 strong Scottish delegation participating in a trade mission to Singapore on 6-10th April in a bid to crack one of the world’s wealthiest economies. The Highlands and Islands companies attending are: Highland Bay Seafoods; Highland Smoked Salmon; J Lawries & Sons Smokehouse; Loch Ness Brewery; Mey Selections; Nevis Bakery; Scrabster Seafoods; and Speyside Craft Brewery.

Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership - Update

Cannanis cultivation discovered In Lybster area as part of Operation Ram
As part of a Divisional initiative known as Operation Ram, police in Wick discovered a large scale cannabis cultivation in the Lybster area of Caithness with an estimated potential value of up to £130,000.

3 April 2014

SPRING SHOW ATTRACTS EQUINE ENTHUSIASTS FROM FAR AND WIDE
Last weekend was the North Highland College Equestrian Centre Spring Show which attracted entries from all over Caithness, Sutherland and Inverness. Judges Fiona Cameron, Melrose & Kimberley Nicoll, Ayrshire were both extremely impressed with both the standard of horses & ponies and the riders.

Calling All Art And Craft Folk
We are looking for artists to enter work into our ART & CRAFT EXHIBITION the event will take place on the 16th ,17th & 18th June 2014 and will be open to the public from 5-8pm.

MSP David Stewart's Bill To Recoup Costs From Defective and Dangerous Buildings
Highlands and Islands (Labour) MSP David Stewart’s Member’s Bill, Defective and Dangerous Buildings (Recovery of Expenses) (Scotland) Bill, is set to pass Stage 1 at 5pm today. This is the first Opposition Member’s Bill this session to reach this stage and the Scottish Government has indicated that it will give its support. This Bill aims to provide Local Authorities with much needed extra powers to re-coup their costs when dealing with defective and dangerous buildings. Owners of defective buildings may soon find that bills will be sent to them for sorting out many unsightly or unsound buildings.

New learning opportunites in the sports industry
The first of its kind to be available in the Highlands, the National Qualification (NQ) Sport Fitness and Health will be led from The North Highland College UHI. Delivered by Lecturer and part-time Fitness Instructor Sarah Dunnett, it is one of the newest courses to be added to the college prospectus this year. Students will benefit from a mixture of practical and theory learning available at the college’s Thurso campus. Utilising the local facilities available, students will make use of Naver Gym, E’Shed and the newly built Rugby Club gym at Milbank to assist with their learning. Candidates undertaking the course will benefit from small, tailored classes and a more personalised experience with one-to-one time with the tutors. The duration of the course is one academic year, if studied full time and two years part-time.

Get Fitter With Wick Triathlon Club Events
Wick Triathlon Club are holding several events over the next 3 months:- The Easter 10K race will take place on Sunday 20th April. The route is from Staxigoe Hall to Noss Head and back. All levels can take part - treat it as a run to gauge fitness prior to the Mey10K. Refreshments at the end of the run.
May Mini Triathlon - 4th May. 400M swim, 10K cycle and 3K run.
Sprint Triathlon - 8 June. 750M swim, 20K cycle and 5K run.
Entry to the events can be made on entrycentral.com

Easter holiday fun with the Caithness Rangers
The Highland Council Countryside Rangers in Caithness will be running three events over the Easter holidays for local families and visitors to enjoy.

2 April 2014

Fit's in 'e Courier
A race through the local paper.

Two In Court After Large Number Of Cannabis Plants Discovered In Caithness

Music Music Music At Y-NOT In April
If you are heading out at weekends in April check out Y-NOT in Thurso.






Ready Steady Work Returns For 2014  - Two Venues - Two Dates - Book Early
In 2013 DSRL held a week-long pilot course called Ready Steady Work to help senior pupils in Caithness and North Sutherland prepare themselves for work. Following positive feedback, DSRL now proposes to hold this event again in 2014 offering the option of two different weeks. 7th - 10th July 2014 - ETEC, North Highland College, Thurso
11 - 14th August - Pulteney Centre, Wick


Year Of Ancient Ancestors - Full Programme
The festival at Caithness Horizons wil run from May until October with wide range of events some of swhich require advance booking so check it out early.

New Vacancy Job Ads Just in at 4.50pm
Several new jobs just added including Staff Nurse, Taxi Drivers, Admin, Service Industry Assistant, Care Assistant, Part -time staff,

Option Selected for A9 Berriedale Braes hairpin
Users of the A9 will welcome the news that a preferred option has been chosen for the challenging hairpin bend at Berriedale Braes on the northernmost part of Scotland’s longest trunk road. A public exhibition is being held today at Berriedale (2nd April 2014) to give people the opportunity to view the proposals and provide their comments. A preview of the exhibition was held for councillors and others and all three Wick councillors took a particular interest along with Caithness Chamber of commerce manager Trudi Morris. Gail Ross, Neil Macdonald and Bill Fernie as Wick councillors were interested to find out what the improvement might mean asking a series of questions of the designer of the new plan. Over the years there had been several acidents and near misses not least the school bus from Orkney that crashed the barrier on the bend. Even yesterday a lorry had been involved in accident at Berriedale.
Larger Map     Berriedale Photos

Daffodils Everywhere

1 April 2014

Kirsty Mackay From Thurso Will Carry The Queen's Baton
Highlanders learn they are to carry Queen's Baton in biggest Thank-You Scotland has ever seen. People across the Highlands will learnt they are carrying the Queen's Baton, a thank-you from communities all across Scotland to the extraordinary individuals who make a positive difference to the lives of others. Up to 4,000 batonbearers from all 32 Local Authorities will join the relay in more than 400 communities for 40 days, in what is the most engaging relay the nation has ever seen.

Scottish farm incomes fall
The average incomes of Scottish farm businesses fell by 34 per cent to £30,000 in the 2012 accounting year, compared to the previous 12 months. The latest figures, released today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician, examine a number of financial indicators for the 2012 crop year, which suffered from poor growing and harvesting conditions. The report shows that increased input costs combined with a fall in value of both crop and livestock production and a decrease in the value of grants and subsidies was responsible for the decline in profits. The value of feed used on Scottish farms drove the increased costs, rising by an average of £6,000, or 19 per cent, to £37,000.

Latest Progress at New Wick Council Offices
UP and down...the concrete is lifted high then lowered to be deposited for spreading on the rear floor of the new council offices under construction at Wick.





Boost to community-led regeneration projects
£3m funding to support community groups and organisations. Around 50 community-led organisations have been identified to receive investment of up to £3 million which will support the regeneration of areas throughout Scotland.

Increased penalties for littering and flytipping from today
Anyone who drops litter can be issued with an £80 penalty (previously £50). If you don’t pay it then you may be prosecuted and risk a fine of up to £2,500. The penalty for flytipping is £200 (previously £50). If you don’t pay it then you may be prosecuted and risk a fine of up to £40,000.

Thousands of care users to get more control of their lives from today
New legislation that will radically alter the shape of social care in Scotland comes into force today (1 April 2014). The Self-directed Support Act places duties on local authorities in Scotland to offer people who are assessed as needing social care the option of designing their own care package. This could mean receiving a direct payment which they can use, for example, to employ their own support workers. They might choose to have the council hold the funds, while the individual decides how it is spent. Finally, they could opt for the council to arrange the support package for them. They can also choose a mix of all three options.

Ormilie Goes for Easter Fun
Monday 7th to Friday 11th sees Ormlie Centre in Thurso put on activities each day for youngsters and their families. Take look at their calendar of events and go along for some fun for the kids.





Highlights From the Wick Academy v Nairn County Match Saturday 29 March 2014

See the great Craig Shearer goal just before half-time.